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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Governments must strive to be open “Government ought to be all outside and no inside…Everybody knows that corruption thrives in secret places, and avoids public places, and we believe it a fair presumption that secrecy means impropriety.” - Woodrow Wilson, former US president, 1913 The openness that Wilson spoke of in the early 1900s is being actively sought after even 10 decades later. The concept of open data has been gaining momentum among local governments in recent years, but cities in India stubbornly cling onto their culture of opacity. Open data refers to the process by which governments disclose information that is relevant to citizens and stakeholders in the public domain. This is crucial as it injects more transparency into governance, thereby making administrators more accountable. Opening up documents, budgets and decisions also helps spread awareness about government processes among citizens, thus giving them a sense of ownership and participation towards their city. India has taken some strides towards openness by enacting the Right to Information Act, 2005 and also by launching the open data portal www.data.gov.in by the National Informatics Centre. But such transparency has largely been restricted to the national and state levels, not percolating to the working of local governments which determine the day-to-day life of ordinary citizens. The data portal, for instance, discloses information from 69 departments, 63 belonging to the Centre and three to state governments with no data from municipal governments. India’s lack of openness has come to the fore recently. The Open Data Index created by the Open Knowledge Foundation in 2013 to evaluate the availability and accessibility of information ranked India a lowly 63rd out of 70 countries. Political leaders who should be leading by example prefer to hide behind closed doors. Municipal councillors do not disclose related party interests, making it near impossible for citizens to grasp whether political decisions are influenced by conflict of interest. Contrast this with London where the pecuniary interests of each councillor are openly available on the website of the Greater London Authority, with a detailed break-up of contracts and corporate ties they may hold or sponsorship they may have received. A lack of information isn’t the only hurdle towards building effective citizen-government ties. Community participation too is seriously wanting. While 16 large cities have passed the community participation law, no city except Hyderabad has constituted area sabhas to involve citizens in policymaking at the neighbourhood level. Citizens rarely know where or how their city government spends the money it collects by way of taxes. Pune is the only city where citizens are involved in the budgeting process, that too on the initiative of NGOs like Janwani. This is despite laws mandating public disclosure and despite citizen participation being a reform condition under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. This opacity is dismal at a time when cities across the world are investing all energies in open government practices. Participatory budgeting in municipal budgets was initiated as way back as 1989 in Porto Alegre, Brazil and nearly 1,000 cities including Montreal, Seville, Chicago and NYC have used it since. Chicago was one of the first municipalities to appoint a chief data officer in 2012 and discloses useful data including boundaries of beat police officials, the status of pothole repairs, and city-owned land inventory. “The city will post online and in easy-to-use formats the information that Chicagoans need most. For example, complete budget documents will be available in straightforward and searchable formats. The city’s website will allow anyone to track and find information on lobbyists and what they are lobbying for as well as which government officials they have lobbied,” promised Mayor Rahm Emanuel in his elaborately laid out Chicago transition plan of 2011. New York took a similar step with the council approving a local law that required agencies to open up all their data by 2018. Whether India will follow the global trail of openness only time will tell.
Tuesday March 10, 2015
Letters... Where your views make the news
For so many reasons, I am fervent to see the nation do better DEAR EDITOR, As an American-born citizen, I am one who holds the country of Guyana very close to my heart. As an infant, my parents made the decision to relocate from New York to Guyana as they felt it was a great place to raise a child. As a result, Guyana has given me an array of positive experiences for so many years, but also one negative experience in which I can never forget. I was eight years old and was dropped off at Mae’s Primary School on what seemed like a normal morning. Around midday, I vividly remember my parents picking me up hastily from school and rushing to close our business and lock up our home. I was utterly confused as to what was happening, but I watched as my parents and grandparents
frantically run around our house looking for ways in which our family could remain safe. It was not long until we heard a group of angry protestors causing havoc on our street. This was negative, of course. However, and this positive I will forever remember, is that on that day, if it wasn’t for the protection from our Afro-Guyanese neighbours, my family and I would have experienced a much worse outcome. Shortly thereafter that incident, my parents remigrated to the United States to be far away from the political violence and to seek a better future for me. I am now almost 24 and have since visited Guyana innumerable times and every time I visit, I get infuriated by the state of the country, whether that involves the
environment, the economy, the standard of living, the government, or countless other aspects. While studying at University in the U.S., I was exposed to many developmental indicators which increased my concern over the statistics facing Guyana. I ask myself why is it that more than 35% of people in the country are still living below the poverty line, according to The World Bank. As a Graduate in business and as a foreseeable foreign investor, I wonder why Guyana has been decreasing in its rank on the World Bank Group’s Ease of Doing Business index, in which it is currently ranked 123rd out of 189 economies, a steep decline from placing 100th in 2011. I am appalled by the fact that Guyana falls between
Afghanistan and Nigeria ranking 6th out of 147 nations in its crime index of 76.88 (Numbeo.com). Most shocking is the actuality that Guyana ranks #1 out of 192 countries in its suicide rate of 32.5%(Worldlifeexpectancy .com). The truth of the matter is that the rate of development the country has experienced is far less than where it should be today. Additionally, the potential for growth opportunities in different sectors, such as services and agriculture are tremendous, but why are we not seeing this? Apart from all the indicators that reveal where the country stands in terms of “progress,” there is one fact that remains, and that is, We Can Do Better! Progress will never happen if the (Continued on page 23)
The APNU/AFC coalition continues PNC’s tradition of dictatorship DEAR EDITOR, The Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition has failed terribly to move away from the horrendous record of the People’s National Congress as regards to dictatorial conduct. I would like to highlight the nature of these parties with relation to the democracy and their concern about the needs of the people. I would like to point out that these parties have been riddled in a past of undemocratic actions, dictating the National Assembly, and showing no concern where the needs of Guyanese are concerned. I find striking similarities between the ‘old’ PNC, the now PNC and the AFC. The PNC, before 1992, presided over Guyana in a dictatorial manner. They employed an authoritarian philosophy and led Guyana into its dark age. The Guyana created by them lacked true freedom of expression. They led Guyana into an era of infrastructural, educational and social failure. Guyana was gripped by shortages of food items, racism and giant debt crises. In order to maintain their stranglehold over the people, they continuously rigged elections. There have been allegations on the undemocratic and dictatorial
conduct of these two parties. These parties are yet to defend themselves in a mature manner. As Minister Nandlall highlighted, every PNC party election has been littered with accusations of rigging. Undemocratic behaviour is no stranger to this party. It was also recently disclosed that the AFC cannot account for its own funds. The coalition itself was not discussed as a party. Only the blind and deluded cannot see the
parallels. The old PNC also dictated Guyana in a similar fashion as the AFC and APNU are now trying to. Ms. Africo Selman, in an interview, spoke out on her support for some government projects. The AFC and APNU however dictated over the National Assembly, over the past three years. The AFC and APNU abused their power to cut projects that would benefit
Guyanese significantly. Its shows the adoption of the old PNC’s total control and total power philosophy. Ms. Selman also claimed that she was subject to verbal abuse from the Chief Whip of the PNC Amna Ally. I would like to point out that this is very similar to the bullish attitude of the PNC when they were in power. Former Alliance For Change member Balwant Persaud spoke of the dictatorial (Continued on page 23)
How could we go wrong? DEAR EDITOR, Finally the long conversation is at an end. APNU and the AFC will contest the upcoming General and Regional Elections as one entity. Maybe it’s the cynic in me that makes me take the present politicians with a bag of salt. Especially politicians in this our fair land. These people always seem to start off on the wrong foot, and by their insensitive attitude and behaviour, they reveal themselves. Imagine an occasion of this magnitude (the launching of this partnership) to this nation. And it was delivered in the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel. Quite a ways away from the voting man and woman in Lodge, wouldn’t you think? Was this occasion a private affair? Selected guests only in the Savannah Suite? Was the Suite offered as a campaign contribution? How many people outside of the invitees were aware of this announcement? SN reported that “the Savannah Suite was filled”. With whom? The usual suspects? Politicians who seem to be heading in a certain direction, surround themselves with a certain class and type of people. The back-
slappers, and those who grin in their faces and tell them how great they are. And their elitism is obnoxious. For them any intended slight of John Public is inadvertent. Would it have served a better purpose if the occasion was held at either the Square of the Revolution, Parade Ground or the National Park, GCC, GFC? Any one of those places would have tripled the crowd in the Savannah Suite. Not to mention the easy accessibility to either of those venues by the thousands of voters, who would have heard Mr Granger’s speech. They would have also heard from the former PPP stalwart, Mr Nagamootoo, as he tried to change his spots. The choice of the Savannah Suite was an insult to thousands of voters and as ludicrous as the PPP choice of Mrs Harper to be their PM candidate. Like everything else in this country, it’s always style over substance. We the people of this beleaguered nation are getting ready for yet another go at electing people to high office. And the pool we have consists of the same group who did nothing for the past three years. How could we go wrong? Milton Bruce
Tuesday March 10, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
The PPP has not done enough to fight crime DEAR EDITOR, Undoubtedly, this election will mark the official start of a campaign between two parties, the new APNU+AFC Alliance and the old PPP which means that there will be no minority government like what happened in 2011. In this election, the people must make crime and the high number of unsolved murders their priority, and they should demand solutions from both parties. They know that the PPP is extremely good at making promises during the campaign but ignore them as soon as the election is over. For this reason, the people will not trust or believe anything the PPP says or promises in this election because they have not fulfilled any of their promises in previous elections. In terms of crime, the general population is totally fed up. Twenty-one murders in the first two months of 2015 is too much for the people to accept. It is not the kind of news that the people, especially those who have been robbed or lost their loved ones to criminals want to hear.
It is particularly disheartening, coming especially at the start of the new year, when the nation is filled with hope for improvements in all sectors. The murder toll in Guyana is a haunting reality that the people must confront as a nation if they hope for a better life. The Government’s boast of the lowest levels of crime in decades rings delusional in the face of the murder statistics and the mountain of unsolved crime. The President continues to accept excuse after excuse from the Minister of Home Affairs for his very poor performance in solving crime. But the public has passed the point of accepting excuses for the PPP’s total failure to reduce crime and make Guyana a safer place. There are at least three murders a week, so if there is anyone who is entitled to read the riot act or crack the whip at the Minister and the PPP regime, it would be the public, who have had to suffer through one failed anti-crime strategy after another. In this election, the people
have to hold the PPP responsible for its failure to protect the citizens from armed bandits and to guide the country to a safer place. After several years as the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Rohee does not now have the luxury of separating himself or his PPP regime from the failure of the security forces to protect the people and for the high number of unsolved murders. We invite Mr. Rohee, the President and the rest of the cabinet to return to the words of the PPP campaign manifesto in 2011, in particular its statement on “Crime reduction and human security” where the party stated that the success of the political, economic, social, technological and managerial dimensions require the safety and security in the country. Three years later, the people are as far away from enjoying a sense of safety and security as it was prior to when Jagdeo took power, if not further. In the face of increasing murders, not to mention the armed robbery and the other serious crimes that do not
make it into the headlines, the evidence is mounting that Mr. Rohee has lost his way in the battle against crime and should resign. The latest tough talk on crime from the PPP regime reeks of desperation. There has not been a serious anticrime fighting strategy or a crime solution programme by the PPP. Had they had any, the problem of crime would have been solved long ago. What is lacking is the effective multi-pronged approach to fight crime that the APNU+AFC Alliance would implement and deploy in the service for a safer, more secure nation. The Alliance is fully aware that human and economic progress on a sustainable basis and meaningful democracy are not possible unless crime is brought under control, with some assurance of human safety and security. In the context of the high incidence of crime and murders that now hold the country in its grip, these are haunting words. Even without empirical data, it is safe to say that crime is having a dampening impact
Donald Ramotar does not have a strategy to transform Guyana DEAR EDITOR, In reality, politicians end up doing what their characters oblige them to do. The character of Donald Ramotar has always been one who is indecisive, lacks conviction and a world-class vacillator. As the Leader of the PPP, he experimented with ideas that were all conceived under the Jagdeo regime, without ever asking the hard questions as to their practicality and relevance to improving the well-being of the Guyanese people. In 2011, when Khemraj Ramjattan and David Granger reached out to the PPP with an olive branch by asking for the tripartite committee to deliberate on all major developmental and political issues, the hardliners in the PPP, led by Dr. Roger Luncheon, refused to implement any of the proposals from the majority opposition and the indecisive
Donald Ramotar went along for the ride, thus causing his own political demise. He never exhibited an attitude of a President. Today the PPP pitch to voters is ultimately a distillation of its leader’s political and ideological bankruptcy. The difference between decision and compulsion helps clear up what is wrong with Donald Ramotar. The PPP leader’s ratings have sunk to a pit of awfulness that reduces his decision-making to somewhere between ludicrous to gross incompetence. Five more days of Donald Ramotar and the PPP is enough misery for the nation, much less five more years. The young people are fully aware of this untenable situation. So this unhappy nation will speak and speak loudly on May 11th, 2015. If the PPP were doing what it ought to be doing for the
people, it would have been well primed for power and comfortably ahead in the polls as we speak. They know and I know that as of today the PPP is stuck at 42 percent popularity while the Broad Based Alliance is at 47 percent with 11 percent undecided. It is my conviction, even after Babu John, they cannot score the 9 percent necessary to be ahead when the results are announced on May 13th, 2015. Mr. Ramotar and his compulsion to follow the Jagdeo plan condemned him to failure since 2011. His effort to cobble together enough like-minded voters today by driving a scurrilous campaign with Jagdeo as the lead “cuss
bird” will give him a respectable number, but it will never be enough to win, since his message has little credence with the 20 percent that matters – the “mixed” people and the first time voters. Game over Donald! Sase Singh
on business, communities and personal confidence in the country. The enjoyment of life and property in Guyana is only possible in a climate of personal security. Without it, people become hesitant and fearful of taking risks in every aspect of life. The Minister needs to develop a workable crime plan in the shortest possible time.
Preferably, before another life is lost. Guyana cannot realize its full potential with this level of crime and murders. Reducing crime will take more than increased budgetary allocation. It requires skills and competent personnel. An APNU+AFC government will begin (Continued on page 23)
A worrying trend that is no real surprise DEAR EDITOR, It is no real surprise to me that, according to the AmericasBarometer Survey, Afro-Guyanese are said to have less trust for the police and the government of Guyana. It’s a trend which I have been noticing for the last six years (ever since my return from the USA). On several occasions I have written to and otherwise approached the hierarchy of the current administration, expressing the need for a comprehensive approach to crime and recidivism in Guyana. In detail I documented my work in the US as a Chaplain among the offender population, and I showed the authorities the benefits of implementing such a plan. I reminded them that the Indian and African races in Guyana are about even in their distribution, however, the incarcerated Blacks in all the five prisons in Guyana is more than double those of the Indians. I explained to the government functionaries that this disparity of
incarceration could be linked directly to several factors; e.g. economics, lack of political access, the environment, education, family values/ training, etc. I went further to show that if the government sets up an inaugural, postrelease, rehabilitation programme in Guyana, for those returning from prison, several of the career-criminals will seek alternatives to their practice of crime. I shared with them statistics that showed that even while the US economy tanked a few years ago, crime also comparatively went down. I pointed out to them that that was because the US Government heavily invested monies into faith-based organizations, particularly those who provided services to the offender population. Ask any former inmate and he will tell you that the prison stigma is a huge hurdle when it comes to rehabilitation and reintegration into the society. Any ex-offender will tell you that they would welcome a (Continued on page 23)
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Tuesday March 10, 2015
‘Kick-ass’ Mansion lovers strayed from comment… Jagan’s philosophy - APNU+AFC
APNU+AFC’s Joe Harmon One day after recommending that the Opposition’s “asses” be kicked, former President Bharrat Jagdeo has come in for some stinging criticisms. Yesterday, General Secretary of A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), Joseph Harmon, in a sharp retort, said that the ruling party should look deep within as all kinds of wrongs were and are being committed. “Jagdeo is continuing to make the same mistakes like he did in 2011. His vile language then turned off many persons and you know what happened. It is continuing again. This time, the people have become even more tired and the message will be even clearer.” On Sunday, during the 18th death anniversary observances by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) at Babu Jaan, Corentyne, Jagdeo, a main speaker, pointed to several state projects which were shot down by the Opposition. He argued about the benefits of each project. He noted that Ramotar’s Presidency was “a nightmare” for the Head of State.
“Every plan that the Government has put forward, they have tried to stymie!” Jagdeo urged Ramotar, whom he referred to as a ‘Democratic Man’, to administer some “kicks up some [the Opposition’s] asses, too”. “We allowed them to frustrate everything!” Yesterday, Harmon said it has become clearer now that Ramotar is not in control. “Ramotar is in the front seat but it is Jagdeo that is driving. We have one answer from the Guyanese people to him. We are not footballs. You can’t just kick us around.” Harmon, an attorney-atlaw, “advised” the PPP/C to start looking within itself. “I can direct him to members of the Cabinet. Each sat down and collectively used his powers to violate the Constitution of Guyana. They agreed together to breach the laws of Guyana by illegally spending monies and all kinds of things on the people of this country. We know now that the court has ruled that they should never have spent monies that were not approved by the National Assembly.”
The PPP has strayed from the teachings of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, APNU+AFC said yesterday. Harmon was referring to disapprovals of sections of the National Budget last year by the Opposition-controlled National Assembly. Government went ahead and spent the monies, last year sparking a major crisis in Parliament with the Opposition announcing plans to debate a no-confidence motion. President Ramotar, to stave off the debate, which if voted on successfully would have forced the Government to resign, prorogued (suspended) Parliament for six
looking to kick out some of the chatrees who continue to ride on the back of Guyanese. Ramotar and the PPP should take a page from the book of Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar who sacked more than a dozen ministers for wrongdoings. In Guyana, not one has been punished. That is what the PPP is all about.” The “kick ass” comment also has the APNU+AFC alliance saying that Guyana should reject the PPP’s “cuss down” type of politics. “APNU+AFC is not surprised by the tone of the
“The PPP-elite live Cadillac and mansion lifestyles, flying in private jets and spending millions on cosmetic dental work and boast about it on the political platform while their supporters are trucked in to these events on crudely assembled vehicles”- APNU’s Joe Harmon months, saying he wanted to engage in talks. However, the Opposition held out and the President announced early general elections for May 11. According to Harmon yesterday, Jagdeo, and by extension Ramotar should be looking to “kick asses” in the Cabinet. “They should be
PPP campaign launch and remembrance of Cheddi and Janet Jagan at the Babu Jaan event on Sunday. As was the case with previous such events it was once again transformed into a platform for cuss down politics.” The coalition said regrettably even after five Presidencies and
administering the affairs of this nation for almost a quarter of a century, the “bankrupt PPP” continues to be a party empty of ideas, unable to articulate a clear vision for Guyana’s development. “Instead of forward looking, the PPP is trapped in the politics of the past and filled with leaders who are more comfortable wallowing in the gutter of fear and ignorance rather than travelling the high road of national unity and hope. Yesterday (Sunday) at Babu Jaan, the now customary vilification and vulgar language of the leadership of the PPP was on full display.” APNU+AFC said that it was clear that the PPP had nothing much to say on its progress and rather regressed to compete “in the annual ‘cuss the Opposition’ ritual”. “From President Donald Ramotar, to PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee to former President Bharrat Jagdeo they each demonstrated obscene contempt for the Guyanese people. Comments such as “kick up the asses” are symptomatic of Donald Ramotar and Bharrat Jagdeo
public posture of disrespect and contempt for the Guyanese people. It speaks too to a streak and pattern of violence which has been introduced into PPP public statements.” APNU+AFC said that Sunday’s behaviour follows comments by President Ramotar about the slapping of Amerindians. “It is beyond question now that the PPP has completely strayed from the philosophy of Dr. Jagan. The PPP-elite live Cadillac and mansion lifestyles, fly in private jets and spend millions of dollars on cosmetic dental work and boast about it on the political platform while their supporters are trucked in to these events on crudely assembled vehicles.” The coalition said that what is even more disturbing is Jagdeo’s appeal for racist politics. “His comments about a certain group of people “being in” power contradict all the pleadings of the PPP being a multi-ethnic party representative of all Guyana. APNU+AFC condemns this subliminal call for racist politics which is just a despicable modern call for apaan jhaat. APNU+AFC also calls on the nation to stand united in rejecting the PPP’s cussdown politics. It is time that Guyana is relieved of this cabal of minority PPP rulership.”
Tuesday March 10, 2015
Kaieteur News
U.S. declares Venezuela a threat, sanctions top officials (Reuters) - The United States yesterday declared Venezuela a national security threat and ordered sanctions against seven officials in the worst diplomatic dispute with the oil-rich country since socialist President Nicolas Maduro took office in 2013. President Barack Obama issued and signed the executive order, which senior administration officials said did not target the energy sector or Venezuela’s broader economy. The move raises tensions between Washington and the OPEC member just as U.S. relations with Cuba, another longtime U.S. foe in Latin America, are set to be normalized. Declaring a country a national security threat is the first step in starting a sanctions regime. The same process has been followed with countries such as Iran and Syria, U.S. officials said. The White House said the executive order targeted people whose actions undermined democratic processes or institutions, had committed acts of violence or abuse of human rights, were involved in prohibiting or penalizing freedom of expression, or were government officials involved in public corruption. “Venezuelan officials past and present who violate the human rights of Venezuelan citizens and engage in acts of public corruption will not be welcome here, and we now have the tools to block their assets and their use of U.S. financial systems,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement. “We are deeply concerned by the Venezuelan government’s efforts to escalate intimidation of its political opponents. Venezuela’s problems cannot be solved by criminalizing dissent,” he added. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez told reporters that Caracas would respond to the U.S. move soon. The seven individuals named in the order, which included top domestic security and intelligence officials, would have their property and interests in the United States blocked or frozen and would be denied entry into the United States. U.S. persons would also be prohibited from doing business with them. BLAME GAME The White House also called on Venezuela to release all political prisoners, including “dozens of students,” and warned
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez
White House spokesman Josh Earnest against blaming Washington for its problems. “We’ve seen many times that the Venezuelan government tries to distract from its own actions by blaming the United States or other members of the international community for events inside Venezuela,” Earnest said in the statement. “These efforts reflect a lack of seriousness on the part of the Venezuelan government to deal with the grave situation it faces.” U.S. officials told reporters in a conference call that the executive order did not target the Venezuelan people or economy and stressed that upcoming legislative elections should be held without intimidation of the government’s opponents. The sanctions effectively confirm Venezuela as the United States’ primary adversary in Latin America, a label that was for decades applied to Communist-run Cuba until Washington and Havana announced a diplomatic breakthrough in December. Washington said last week it would respond
through diplomatic channels to Venezuela’s demand for a cut in the U.S. Embassy’s staff in Caracas after the government called for a plan within 15 days to reduce staff to 17 from 100 at the American facility. Commercial ties between Venezuela and the United States have, however, been largely unaffected by diplomatic flare-ups, which were common during the 14year-rule of late socialist leader Hugo Chavez. The United States is Venezuela’s top trading partner, and Venezuela in 2014 remained the fourth-largest supplier of crude to the United States at an average of 733,000 barrels per day despite a decade-long effort by Caracas to diversify its oil shipments to China and India. Opposition leader and twice-presidential candidate Henrique Capriles told Reuters the sanctions were a problem for a corrupt elite in the Maduro government, but not ordinary Venezuelans. “It’s not a problem with Venezuela or with Venezuelans; it’s a problem for the corrupt ones. It doesn’t affect we Venezuelans.”
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Tuesday March 10, 2015
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AN ACT OF AGGRESSION AGAINST A SOVEREIGN STATE Yesterday’s decision by the United States to declare Venezuela as a national security threat, represents one of the most wicked and devious acts in modern day political history. But it is an action that is consistent with the history of US actions in Latin America in which the hand of imperialism is most conspicuous. Venezuela poses no national security threat to the United States. The United States could not be serious by designating Guyana’s western neighbour as a threat to the greatest power on Earth. Guyana has its problems at the moment with Venezuela over that country’s protest over exploration in what Guyana considers its
Exclusive Economic Zone. Venezuela contests the marine boundaries and this has placed the two countries at loggerheads over this issue and this issue alone. There are provocateurs inside and outside of Guyana who would like to set the two countries at loggerheads on other issues. But Guyana has under both President Jagdeo and President Ramotar enjoyed what can only be deemed excellent relations with Venezuela. The Bolivarian Revolution represents no threat to Guyana. It never has. But it does raise fears in Washington because of the alternative that Revolution represents and the fears that Venezuela can cut off oil supplies to the United States.
Dem boys seh...
Obama got plans fuh seven Guyanese When you deh near to somebody who sick most times you does get sick. Like when somebody got de flu and dem go near to people who ain’t got it before de week out everybody gun get de flu. That is why nuff people worried. Barak Obama get vex wid Venezuela and Guyana deh near to Venezuela. Dem boys seh that whatever Venezuela ketch Guyana gun get it. Well Obama ban seven Venezuelans. At first when he mek de announcement de report was that he ban seven people from a republic that got an Atlantic coast. Donald hear de news. That is why he cut short he speech at Babu Jaan. Is when he come home that he hear is not Guyana, is Venezuela. But as old people seh, wha miss you nah pass you. Obama got plans fuh ban seven of dem in Guyana. People don’t have to guess who is de seven because he don’t want dem to run from de jail that waiting fuh dem fuh all de wrang things dem do. Dem boys seh imagine Bharrat Jagdeo got de nerve fuh tell de people that dem mustn’t watch he big house, that other people got big house, too. He coulda never wuk fuh money to build that house which mean that he indulge in skullduggery but he telling people fuh tun dem face. Well Obama not tunning he face. He looking wid all he eyes and he got dem pun Jagdeo, Brassington, if only because he know de name from a previous encounter; Irfaat who he people does stop and question every time de man passing through de States; Ashni, Anil, who get poor when he tun a Minister, Barbie who brother did get touch up in de States and one of dem Brian. If he ban dem is hell in de camp because Venezuela don’t trust some of dem Guyanese. But is only time. Is only time that Jagdeo had to announce that de Pee Pee Pee is a coolie party. And that is how dem boys find out that Rohee is a coolie. Talk half and look out fuh Obama.
The United States wants to see the end of the Bolivarian Revolution because of the inspiration any such model represents to other countries keen on removing the yoke of imperialism from the Region. The Americans have been indicted before it plans to topple the Chavez government and in stirring unrest in that country. The unrest has simmered in recent months and yesterday’s decision by the United States is a barefaced attempt to stir further unrest in that country. It is intended to reignite political unrest in Venezuela and possibly
topple the Maduro government. Guyana must not allow the present dispute it has with Venezuela to stand in the way of taking a principled position on what amounts to an act of aggression against the Venezuelan people. There is going to be a Regional response to this act of aggression by the Obama administration and Guyana must stand with the rest of its colleagues in the various Regional groupings to condemn the United States and take whatever action is necessary to let the Americans understand that this Region is no longer their
backyard and countries will not stand for their diktat. This action by the Obama administration comes as he faces snubbing within his own country. Obama has found himself in an embarrassing situation in which a foreign leader, without his consent, has addressed the Congress. And Obama faces further humiliation by seeing the Congress usurp the province of his government to set foreign policy, by its decision to write to the Iranian government. Faced with these acts of public humiliation and embarrassment, the Obama
administration has decided to create a diversion. And where else to commit this eye pass than in a Region which the US foreign policy, under the Monroe Doctrine, one considered its backyard. The declaration of Venezuela as threat to the national security of the United States can only stir instability and unrest in Venezuela. This is not healthy for Guyana which must take a stand against this form of tyranny from the world’s greatest power.
Rohee endorses Jagdeo statement that PPP is a ‘coolie people’ party - Says Afro Guyanese should welcome statement General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, yesterday supported the statements made by his comrade, Bharrat Jagdeo, to the effect that the incumbent party is a “coolie people” party. As he hosted the PPP’s weekly press conference at Freedom House Robb Street, Georgetown, Rohee said that he saw nothing wrong with former President Jagdeo’s allusion to the PPP as a coolie people party. Jagdeo made this statement on Sunday when he spoke at the memorial service held in honour of former President and founder member of the PPP, the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan at Babu Jaan, Corentyne, Berbice. Jagdeo, who is known to speak rashly at this yearly forum, told thousands who gathered at the event that the “opposition” whispers to its supporters, “Let us throw out the coolie people.” Jagdeo added that the opposition “consistently shouts about the racism of the PPP but they practice racism. They whisper campaigns. In the last
supported by Indians.” Asked if he considered the impact such a statement can have on PPP supporters who are of another race, Rohee said that he doesn’t see that any harm can be caused. He even told media operatives that PPP supporters who are AfroGuyanese should welcome the statement as it is forthright.
PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee elections they went to some of the Afro villages and beat some drums at six in the morning and say let us throw out these coolie people. Get up and go out and vote.” Yesterday Rohee was questioned as to whether he supported the statements made by his comrade and he responded in the affirmative. Rohee said that PPP is indeed a “coolie people” party as it is “overwhelmingly
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo
Page 10
Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 10, 2015
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Faggoted lies tied with racist ribbons The online newscast, Inews, owned by Robert Persaud, quotes Bharrat Jagdeo as saying; “The Opposition beats its drum at six in the morning and says let us throw out the coolie people …” This was part of his address to his Berbician audience. One would like to think that the media monitoring unit of GECOM will have a look at Jagdeo’s reference to “coolie people.” The PPP will have an excuse. They will say the event was not an official
campaign meeting. This explains why the reworked Ethnic Relations Commission will not be signed into law by Ramotar. Race is the only game in town. Race is the only hope the PPP has of winning the 2015 general elections. Babu John 2015 proved all the critics of the PPP right. As was expected, the Burnham thing was turned into fireworks that lit up the afternoon skies. Speaker after speaker told their viewers who, according to Demerara Waves, were bussed and
trucked in that a past President named Burnham is still frightening Guyana. A visitor from Afghanistan attending the rally would never believe the leaders who are talking to him are in power for twenty-three, consecutive years and Burnham died almost thirty years ago. Jagdeo told his Berbician onlookers that Mr. Granger is influenced by Burnham and wants to return to the days of Burnham. What the Afghanistan visitor would not know but Berbicians know quite well, is that Jagdeo, Ramotar and the PPP as an organization, are overloaded with Burnham’s discoveries and these people are not only close to Jagdeo, Ramotar and the PPP but have extensive positions of power. Odinga Lumumba is a powerful mandarin in Guyana. So is Kwame Mc Coy; so is Norman McLean. So was Burnham’s creation, Henry
Green. Burnham was bad according to Jagdeo but not Green. It was Jagdeo who elevated Green to Police Commissioner. Henry Jeffrey was a Burnham creation. He spent 18 years as a PPP Minister. It is pathetic that after twenty-three years in power, all the PPP could do to win a general election is to invoke the ghost of Burnham to scare east Indians into racial insecurity. Every decent citizen in this land must ask himself the question; how much longer Guyana has to face this evil that won’t go away? After twenty years in power, why is Burnham still relevant? He is relevant because the PPP cannot win an election with him. His name has to come up to scare not the Guyanese nation but the Indian supporters of the PPP. After Burnham’s name was pulverized, after the race monster was brought alive, it was time to produce the body of lies tied together like a faggoted bundle of sticks. First it was the PPP’s loyalty to Cheddi Jagan’s legacy. Surely that recitation had to cause some decent Berbicians in the audience to vomit Then it was the reduction
of the debt. By the time the PPP leaves office, this country is going to end up as one of the most heavily indebted small states. Next it was improvement in health. Last week an employee fell off a shed at the West Demerara Hospital, there were no X-ray facilities, the type used to photograph head injuries. He was given pain killers and died the next day. This is Jagdeo’s definition of health improvement. But look who is talking? Jagdeo flew out in a privately chartered jet last year for a minor ailment. Every Minister of Government flies out to foreign lands for medical treatment. The health improvement Jagdeo refers to, is for the masses who if they survive at the public hospitals they are lucky. Next came improvements in education. Every top class secondary school has a forty percent shortage of skilled teachers. Maybe the opposition needs to spend some money and bring all those Berbicians to the junction of David Street and Vlissengen Road in Kitty. There you will see the merger of the following schools – St.
Frederick Kissoon Stanislaus, Bishop’s, Queen’s College, St Roses and St. Joseph’s. That is where these children go for private tutoring. Mr. Jagdeo took a swipe at the dead society Guyana has become under his demonic domination and Ramotar ’s Jagdeoite sycophancy. He told the gathering that during the 10th Parliament, Ramotar should have kicked some asses. He was referring to the opposition in the 10th Parliament. He said if Ramotar had done that, he would not have had his five-year term reduced. What Jagdeo did not tell Berbicians but which Berbicians know, is that the 10th Parliament came about as a result of majority votes for the opposition parties, the very votes that he, Jagdeo will be begging the masses for.
Tuesday March 10, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Police were advised not to charge in Robb and King Streets arson attack - victims’ lawyer Police investigators were advised by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) not to lay charges against those alleged to have a role in last November’s arson attack on a building at the corner of Robb and King Streets. Three persons died in the blaze that destroyed the building. This was the information given by a named investigating officer when the lawyer hired by the victims’ family made contact with the police for an update on the matter. Attorney-at-law Saphier Husain said that prior to this information he had written a letter to the Crime Chief since his services were secured by the victims’ relatives to ensure that justice is served. Husain told Kaieteur News yesterday that he is one of the lawyers hired by the Thomas family. He said that the family has a reasonable amount of evidence to identify orchestrators of last year’s fire which killed sisters 15-year-old Theresa and 12year-old Feresa Rozario. The girls’ father, Hilrod Thomas, who had jumped through a window to escape the blaze, also succumbed to injuries after days in the hospital. The victims’ relatives are convinced that there is enough evidence for the police to conduct a thorough investigation and find persons culpable. Husain wrote to the Crime Chief on January 2 last, on behalf of Hazel Thomas, aunt of the dead girls and their father’s sister. The correspondence said that the “instruction and belief” is that the police have eyewitness statements and security camera footage that would allow them to identify the assailants. The lawyer also asked for urgent attention to be given to the case so that the family may receive justice and relief. However, to date, there has been no written response
The Robb and King Streets fire that killed the sisters and their father to this letter, Husain confirmed. He said that just an oral response by a senior rank was given to the effect that, “the file was sent to the DPP and advice not to charge was given”. When Kaieteur News last made contact with the DPP’s communication department yesterday, the publication was told that the last update on that matter was that the police had to return for further advice. But that was some time back, the staffer said, before promising another update on the matter today. With this new information, Husain has noted the possibility of having to write the Crime Chief again and visiting his office with the victims’ relatives. Crime Chief Leslie James told the publication that he would make checks and an update would be provided on the matter today. Fire Chief Marlon Gentle reiterated to Kaieteur News yesterday that the agency already pronounced on the November 17 incident, dubbing it an arson attack. The case, he said, is now being looked at criminally
since police investigations were in order. City Hall also told Kaieteur News yesterday that permission was granted to someone to conduct repairs on the now razed building following the fire. According to Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, the
questions pertaining to that building had come up at a recently held Works Committee meeting where it was revealed that permission was granted by the city engineer to repair parts of the building since the fire damage would have made certain
parts of the establishment unstable and dangerous. However, it was noted that since the building was in dispute, no permission was granted to do any additional work until all investigations pertaining to arson and ownership are completed. Apart from the criminal aspect of this case, a legal battle might be brewing over the property. The dead Thomas was said to have been living in the disputed building for years. Information is that he claimed the building after the original owner had died, stating that he was given the property. He did not have the evidence to prove this. Another individual said to be a businessman was claiming the location. He too said he had no documentation for the building. However, the mother of the dead girls had told the publication that previous attempts were made to burn the building in a bid to force the occupants out. The
occupants remained when that attempt failed. She said that the family has a fair idea who might have been involved in the fire since her children’s father was warned several times to vacate the premises or it would be burnt down. The Canada-based wife of the original property owner is alleged to have hired Attorney-at-law Robin Stoby, now of Sieve Wright Stoby and Company, to challenge documentation produced by those claiming the property. The attorney was not available when Kaieteur News made contact yesterday. His secretary promised to return the call. Eyewitnesses had told the media that two persons were seen setting fire to the property on the night in question. During the investigations, two persons, including a businessman, were arrested and subsequently released. Attorney-at-law Glenn Hanoman’s services were sought at that time.
Page 12
Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 10, 2015
Police ready to hand over Berbice woman uses MFK remains to relatives daughter as sex slave After an agonising wait of several months, the relatives of dead businessman Mohamed F. Khan will be allowed to bury his remains which were recovered in a bag at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara late last year. The remains which were being kept by the state pending the results of DNA tests will be handed over to the relatives today. This was disclosed yesterday by Crime Chief Leslie James, who announced that the DNA results had confirmed that the remains were that of the businessman. “After we confirmed the results, relatives were contacted and the position is that they are preparing to have a burial. Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will be handing over the remains,” the Crime Chief told Kaieteur News. Now that a positive DNA result has been obtained, the police are now treating Khan’s death as a murder. The remains were discovered on a dam at Cummings Lodge on September 23; last, a month after Khan disappeared. The skull, which was wrapped in a plastic bag, was
MURDERED: Mohamed F Khan located several feet from the body. Khan, who had fled to neighbouring Venezuela after selling his business on Hadfield Street, had spoken of threats to his life. However, police have not yet detained anyone in connection with his murder. Khan, 54, had escaped execution in July at La Grange, West Bank Demerara, when a gunman shot him in his abdomen shortly after he
returned to Guyana on a brief holiday. He was last heard from on August 21. A missing person’s report was first made to the Guyana Embassy in Venezuela by Khan’s Venezuelan wife; who last saw him on that date when he left the Spanish-speaking country for Guyana to contact his attorneys who were handling some business arrangements for him. During an interview with this newspaper following the July execution attempt on his life, Khan had implicated a former business associate who had threatened him over a soured property deal. Khan had also disclosed that he believed the gunman was either a serving or former member of the Guyana Police Force, giving rise to his suspicions that his business associate is using his wellplaced “connections” to escape justice. Khan, a former television talk show host on the popular CNS Channel 6, had been out of Guyana for the past six years, claiming that he fled the land of his birth because of death threats he had been receiving.
A prominent businessman and a police detective are among persons accused of raping a 15-year-old girl who was being exploited by her mother in a sex for money scandal. The people raped the woman on different occasions and then, when the matter came to light, paid large sums of money to settle the matter. Relatives say that the 15year-old who once lived with her mother in the Cumberland, East Canje area is now domiciled with her father. The story came to a head when the girl became tired of the way she was being used by her mother as a sex slave.
The mother would send or allow her to have sex with the men and then would collect whatever proceeds she would get from the men. The girl subsequently became fed up with the exploitation and escaped. She went to her father who resides at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice. The girl subsequently confided in her father, who in turn reported the matter to the police station. The matter was investigated during January and February 2015 and the businessman and the police detective among others were contacted and questioned. The businessman was required to give a statement
and was subsequently placed on bail. The detective was called in and questioned. At that stage the parties agreed to settle the matter without taking it any further. A sum of $500,000 was agreed upon and was paid over. However, some relatives are upset that a mother could use her daughter as a sex slave for money and get off without any penalty being imposed. They are upset that the businessman and police detective could exploit an underage girl and use their positions, power and money to get off scotch free without any sanctions. The relatives want the matter to be investigated further.
“Bolo” on attempted murder charge Aron Mohabir called “Bolo”, 24, a labourer of Angoy’s Avenue, Greater New Amsterdam, was on Monday remanded to jail by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus when he appeared before her in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on a charge of attempted murder. The man is accused of wounding Ajay Kissoon, 23, a carpenter, of 179 Angoy’s Avenue, Greater New Amsterdam on February 28, last. According to Prosecutor Corporal Desiree Pilgrim both men are known to each other and were friends. On the night in question Kissoon was with some friends consuming alcohol when the accused
came up. Subsequently an argument began between one of Kissoon’s friends and the accused. Kissoon intervened in the argument and attempted to be a peacemaker, when the accused took out a knife he had secured and stabbed Kissoon several times about his body before escaping. Kissoon collapsed and was picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was admitted for emergency surgery. The matter was reported and Mohabir was subsequently arrested and charged. Bail was refused and he was remanded to jail until March 23.
Tuesday March 10, 2015
Kaieteur News
Joey Jagan is a poor politician - Rohee Just one day after he stood on a platform to pay homage to Dr. Cheddi Jagan –the founder of the People’s Progressive Party- the Party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee told the media that he thinks little-politically-about the son of that very leader. Yesterday, at the PPP weekly press conference held at Freedom House, Rohee chose not to address the concerns expressed by Dr. Joey Jagan and decided to bash the junior Jagan instead. Recently, the young Jagan was quoted in sections of the media as saying that while he mounted the PPP platform for the 2011 General and Regional Elections; he will not be doing so this time around. He attributed his decision to the fact that he earnestly believes that the PPP has strayed far away from what his father believed in and stood for politically. Rohee made it clear yesterday that he is not the least bit surprised by what Dr. Jagan said. However, he did not attribute this lack of shock to an admission that the PPP has indeed fall short of what it was initially mandated to do for Guyana. Instead, Rohee decided to speak on Dr. Jagan’s political competence. When questioned about the loss of Jagan’s support for the Party his father
founded, Rohee said, “These positions by Dr. (Joey) Jagan are not surprising. If you were to follow his sojourns politically over the years, you obviously would see the direction in which he is heading…Joey is an excellent dentist, but a poor politician.” Rohee claimed that this is something he told Janet Jagan before she died. He added that she smiled when he told her that her son is no good politically. Since Dr. Jagan publicly made known his feelings about the state of the PPP, he has reported been shunned by the party. In fact, Dr. Jagan told sections of the media that he was not even invited to any of the activities that the Party planned in acknowledgment of his father. Yesterday, Rohee said that while he did not specifically peruse the list of invitees, Jagan’s family members are usually among the invitees. The PPP General Secretary said that the Party will continue with its month of activities that are intended to celebrate the lives and work of Janet Jagan and Cheddi Jagan Senior. While he spoke on Sunday at Babu Jaan, Rohee told thousands of PPP supporters that the Party, once voted back into power, will keep the ideals of Jagan alive.
Mocha man’s death is a clear case of murder - Police source A port mortem examination (PM) on the remains of 35-year-old Germing Anthony Giles, who was killed in a suspected robbery on Sunday, has shown that he died as a result of a single gunshot wound to his head. The report has shown also, that apart from the wound to his head, there are no other injuries to suspect that the man was engaged in a fight or a struggle. Giles, according to the PM report, was shot at close range. The post mortem was done yesterday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) mortuary by Government’s pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh. Despite concerns by Giles’s siblings that his death may have been a murder orchestrated by his reputed wife, a police source has confirmed that based on their investigations so far, it is a clear case of death during a robbery. “We have no information suggesting that it was a murder. I am not saying that we are ruling out murder, but our investigation has pointed only to robbery,” the police source said. The Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident, who made and sold concrete blocks for a living, was shot in his house around 01:00 hr on Sunday by two armed men. He was shot in the left eye and was pronounced dead on arrival at the GPHC, after being transferred from the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was first rushed by
his reputed wife, Jillian Ollivierre. Ollivierre explained that she and her partner were awakened by a loud bang on the door early in the morning. She said that her partner got out of bed and opened one of the bedroom windows to see who was at the door. The widow added that as soon as Giles opened the window, she heard a loud explosion, and witnessed him falling back on the bed, as blood started to pour from his left eye. “Everything happened really fast. When he fall backwards, a man jump through the window and asked me where the money and gold was. He walked to the door and opened it to let in the other man,” Ollivierre recalled. She explained that she only returned from the interior
where she worked as a cook two Mondays ago. According to the devastated woman, her purse with cash and gold was hanging by the bedroom door but the armed men did not see it. “One of them was wearing a mask. When I looked at the other one, he tell me not to look at him…They keep asking me for money and gold and I say I don’t have,” the woman added. She said that the entire ordeal lasted for about five minutes. When the men left, the woman said that she ran out of the house to get help. All this time, Giles was unconscious. He died a little after 02:30 hrs at GPHC. No one has been arrested as yet. Giles is the sixth person to be slain within the first eight days of March.
Page 21
Jagdeo/Kissoon libel case...
Full Court grants more time for plaintiff to address defence amendment This month makes one year since Justice Brassington Reynolds granted the plaintiff in the Jadgeo/Kissoon libel case leave to appeal a ruling made in favour of the defence amending their case. This was the revelation by Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes when he sought to explain to Full Court Judges, Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes and Justice William Ramlal, why they should not give lawyers for former President Bharrat Jagdeo any more time to address an issue that halted the libel case since March 2014. The two Judges are presiding in the Full Court where Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos and Attorney-at-law Sase Gunraj, lawyers for the former president, are engaged to appeal Justice Reynold’s ruling out of time. This is because after more than three adjournments since last March, the lawyers are still to appeal the ruling to which they objected. However, rulings continuously seem to be in their favour because they were granted another length of time to reply to the defence case and another length of time to lay their submissions before the higher hearing. Attorney Hughes was totally against this additional time and strongly recommended that the plaintiff’s case be dismissed. In his view, the plaintiff has given no valuable reason as to why they have repeatedly failed to follow the courts orders. Hughes suggested that the plaintiff is delaying the
libel case because they do not wish to have any more damning revelations about how the former president ruled as an “ideological racist”. This accusation of Jagdeo being an ideological racist was one of the main reasons that forced the former head to sue the defendants, Fredrick Kissoon and Kaieteur News administration. Hughes opined that, especially in this political season, the plaintiff does not wish to have the case carry on. The lawyer gave a rundown of the numerous occasions before Justice Reynolds when the plaintiff turned up with excuses as to why he failed to appeal the case, and to also appeal out of time. He said that even on February 9, before the said Full Court, the plaintiff’s side asked for time to reply to the defence and that was granted. Yesterday, the Full Court, according to Hughes, was supposed to rule on the case since the court had asked the plaintiff to put their case forward and Hughes was to respond in two weeks. When the matter was called the plaintiff had filed nothing so the defence could not answer the plaintiff. The defence, instead, asked for more time to file the said reply and make submissions. Hughes will have to provide his response and submissions when the plaintiff lays over the information. The Court awarded cost to the defence because of the plaintiff ’s delay. Hughes
requested $50,000, but De Santos requested $25,000 and it was granted. The matter will engage the Full Court early next month. The former president sued for more than $10M compensation when he accused the newspaper of describing him as an ideological racist. The case has been ongoing for almost four years. When eyewitnesses were giving evidence on behalf of the defence, De Santos (SC) claimed that they were giving testimonies without justification. He said that the defence cannot just give evidence and not justify it. The defence thus asked to amend its case to include justification and this was granted. De Santos argued, then, that the plaintiff had already closed their case and to grant the amendment could be prejudicial to their case. The plaintiff then opted to appeal the amendment, but never did. Nine months passed after time was granted in March last year. Two more weeks was given in early December then six more weeks was again granted to address the amendment. When the New Year started, the plaintiff continued to get additional time to file the appeal out of time. The plaintiff was adamant that failure to address the appeal has been an oversight and blamed criminal matters for the delays. The resumption of the actual libel case depends on the ruling of the Full Court.
AFC Ramayya publicly apologizes to PPP executive As mandated by the High Court in Berbice, Alliance for Change (AFC) Parliamentarian and Executive Member, Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya, issued a public apology on the live television on Saturday evening on Dave’s Television Channel Eight. At the time he was moderating the Programme, ‘Alliance on the Move’. Dr. Ramayya was recently found to have committed libel by Justice Nareshwar Haranand at the Berbice High Court. The libel as contained in remarks about People’s Progressive (PPP) Executive Secretary, Mr. Zulfikar
Mustapha, on a television programme called “Issues of the People”, aired on DTV Channel 8 in Berbice back in 2006. That was at the height of the then election season campaigns. Mustapha held the post of Region Six Chairman at the time. Both the television station and Ramayya were slapped with a libel lawsuit in 2012. The judge mandated Ramayya to publicly apologize via print and electronic media within seven days of his ruling (which was last week). Ramayya did so on Saturday evening, expressing
his apologies on behalf of himself and DTV-8 to Mr. Mustapha on national television. “And that’s the end of that matter, with a big full stop,” Ramayya said after his public apology. In addition to the public a p o l o g y, R a m a y y a w a s mandated to pay the sum of $250,000 to Mustapha, which the politician (Mustapha) says he will donate to charity. AFC leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, and Vice-Chair, Moses Nagamootoo represented the defendant, while Attorney Adrian Anamaya, represented the Plaintiff.
Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya
Zulfikar Mustapha
Page 22
Kaieteur News
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2005 F350 Ford, door ½, fully loaded 4X4, diesel, automatic, leather interior, 35" tyres & rims; excellent condition – Tel: 610-5370 1 Toyota Vigo, manual transmission – Tel: 600-5759 Two Tacoma 2006- price $3.9M negotiable, 2009 $4.6M, negotiable. Silver, crash bar & alarm- Call: 6956461, 639-7758, 656-9990 HB yellow AT192; good condition - $850,000 negotiable – Call: 647-0271 One Nissan X-Trail, year 2004, PRR series. Fully loadedPrice $3.1M Neg- Call: 6470016 GNN 5366 75 DAF, GSS 6715 65CF DAF, PMM 755 IST, truck tray – Contact: 6441030; 613-5212 PPP Series Rav-4 - $3.2M Contact:225-9230; 623-0368; 225-1005 L-Touring Wagon, excellent condition -15" rims; DVD, TV, R. Start Alarm - $1.3M negotiable – Tel:667-9013; 233-2538 2 Toyota Premio, 1 -2005 model. In immaculate condition. Owner leaving country - Call:678-0109/ 6182576 Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, Bluebird, Spacio, Fielder, Carina 212, Sienta, IST – Call: 652-3820/665-4529 Allion PRR, DVD deck, reverse camera, alarm, HID, hardly used (40,000KM) $2.1M- Call:616-3566
Alligator trucks + spare parts, portable sawmill – Contact: 681-5839; 663-2291 1-16FT BOWRIDER FIBERGLASS BOAT, 85HP OUTBOARD ENGINE WITH 25 GAL BUILT IN FUEL TANK, SEATS, 9 TRAILER INCLUDED – CALL: 683-6721 One Diesel generator 7500 (14hours used) $300,000, car deck $8,000, new prestige car alarm- Call:695-6461, 6397758 One 15 Yamaha outboard engine next to new- Call:6884139
TO LET 4 bedroom house, AC, Security camera, GEB alarm, telephone, 2 vehicles parking, etc @ Friendship E.B.D- Tel:674-6363 Fully Furnished vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours – Call: 227-1218
Used King size sleish bed with double box spring and mattress $180,000- Call:6655811, 668-8220
Business property located @ Supply public road, E.B.D. Entering either by river/ public road- Call: 698-8100
White & Brown eggs, ducklings also – Tel:6887291; 652-6425
Flat concrete house for sale in Grove with land space- Call: 679-3913
FOR SALE/RENTAL American pool table – Tel: 277-0578
PROPERTY FOR SALE 1 Flat concrete house @ Kururu Kururu Linden Soesdyke Highway, size 38X20, land 100X200 – $8M negotiable-Tel: 592-6616073; 694-1090
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 1 -8000 SQ Feet ware house, located 20 miles from City $5000USD monthly – Contact: 695-0333 1- 95X50 business place for rent located at Mon Repos Public Road E.C.D –Tel: 627-6789 One 3 Storey building at 104 Regent Street – $9,000.USD negotiable – Tel: 223-6299; 617-7028 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, , JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE - CALL: 6750767, 627-5098 Wash bay and snackette at Lot 15 Good Hope E.B.E – Tel: 663-2882 1 Executive apartment in an exclusive residential area with all modern amenities including parking. Call for appointment: - 653-2920 Barber Chairs on Durban Street near Smyth Street $6,000 weekly- Call: 682-6396; 692-9806 Prime business place for rent on Sheriff street only for offices- Call: 627-6740 Concrete 3 bedrooms upper flat house fully grilled, parking available @ Agricultural road Mon Repos, E.C.D- Call:687-1050
PROPERTY FOR SALE Two storey house @ Land of Canaan new schemeCall:690-6570, 685-9994
Tuesday March 10, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Letters... Where your views make the news
Mercedez Benz C class A worrying trend that is... hits showroom in Guyana
From page 5 programme that would assist with their transition back into society - a programme that works with the judicial and prison systems to provide temporary housing, vocational training, like skills, academic tutelage, substance abuse counseling, employment and spiritual formation. I went further to show that inasmuch as most of the prisoners and ex-offenders in Guyana are Black, it would make sense for an Indian administration to show that they truly care about these citizens and this obvious disparity in incarceration. The ex-offenders are complaining that while there are no rehabilitative programmes for them, systems are being put in place to capture and incarcerate them. They point out the expansions of the Brickdam lock-ups, the expansion of the Georgetown and Lusignan prisons and the expansion of the police force. They are wondering why some monies could not be spent to assist them in re-establishing themselves after they had served their time in prison. In recent years, Guyanese have been noticing a spike of young Indian boys becoming involved in street (blue-collar) crimes. Some have even been shot and killed
by the police. This trend, too, has some obvious causative factors, which includes the inter-relationships of the races, the prevailing economic situation, the prevalence of the Gangster-style music, the lack of spirituality, the copy-cat syndrome, etc. I pointed out in my meetings with the government officials that a holistic, proactive, approach to ex-offender rehabilitation could also reduce this growing trend. However, over the years I have failed miserably to convince the current governmental administration that such a holistic approach to exoffenders’ rehabilitation would drastically reduce the incidences of crime and recidivism in Guyana. So I am not the least surprised that the Afro-Guyanese are listed by the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) as having a “declining trust” in the police and government of Guyana. I would hope that whoever takes the governmental reins in a few months takes a serious look at the crime situation in Guyana and puts tangible systems in place to reduce crime and recidivism in Guyana. A holistic exoffenders’ rehabilitation programme would be a good start. Pastor W. P. Jeffrey
The PPP has not done... From page 5 anew until every woman, man, child, and the entire society can safely traverse the length and breadth of Guyana without fear of being raped, robbed, maimed, or murdered. No one with even a modicum of common sense or conscience can deny that times are hard in Guyana. Times are hard for a majority of Guyanese, and they have been hard for a long, long time because of the PPP’s dull economic policies which benefit the rich and powerful, and not the masses.
Corruption and poor management of the economy by the PPP regime are also part of the reasons for the hard times experienced by the masses. The economy is forcing people, especially the youths who cannot find jobs to sustain themselves, to commit some of the most horrible crimes. This is most telling and the PPP had better wake up to the reality that “it’s the economy, stupid”, to quote Bill Clinton. Dr. Asquith Rose Chandra Deolall Dr. Merle Spencer-Marks
For so many reasons, I... From page 4 University of Guyana students, our youths and our future, cannot have access to proper amenities in their educational environment. Progress is not present if the current administration continuously chooses to disregard accountability, but supports unethical practices and corruption. It is time for our nation to experience true development under leaders who are aware that it is the people who hold the actual power and will therefore implement policies with the best interests of the citizens in mind. Most importantly, the people of Guyana deserve much better than what they are being subjected to under this government. They deserve leaders who would not want to let their people down because these leaders know that true democracy holds that they can be thrown out of office if they do not properly serve. Furthermore, a new government will be obligated to prove to the people that they are
deserving of the chance they are given and not become over-confident and comfortable in abusing their power. Finally, there is an imperative need for leaders who will put ALL of our people and our nation first, and not their anticipated pensions, perks and privileges. Guyana, a place where I once called “Home,” has given me so much and I credit a lot of my successes to my upbringing there. It has provided me with a strong foundation to excel in my studies overseas. It has given me the personal values by which I abide and has shaped my philosophy and my passions in life. For these reasons, and so many more, I am fervent to see the nation do better. And not only experience true progress, but progress under an amalgamation of unity. This upcoming election, I urge all voters, especially the youths, to recognize the necessity for a change of government in our country and to make the right choice to secure a better future. Anita Jaikaran
The APNU/AFC coalition... From page 4 conduct of the ‘gang of five’ of the AFC, with regard to the managing of the party. How can dictatorial forces effectively manage a democracy? The alliance has also shown a lack of interest in the needs of the people. The AFC and APNU claim that we as a country need their alliance now. Frankly, we do not need an alliance; we need hydropower, a modern airport and a specialty hospital. Why were we robbed of them? Why do we have to wait on an alliance to do it? What makes an alliance doing it better than the current government’s bringing it to fruition. It is plain old selfish politics. If the PPP/C
carries out these projects, it will reflect well on the ruling administration. They chose to rob the people of this, because they do not want the current administration to appear in good light. I am sure that they will table some of these very projects if they are in government. This coalition shares an enormous amount of parallels with the PNC of old and the members fail to be apologetic for the actions of the PNC. Instead they celebrate the legacy of the old PNC, while hiding under the curtains of a new name. The political alliance of the AFC and APNU has not abandoned the legacy of the old PNC; it instead follows a similar path. Davendra Kissoon
The keys being handed over to Mohamed - Director of DAX contracting services by Seoprashad, sales and marketing manager The Mercedes Benz C class sedan (C250) has arrived in Guyana and is currently available at Rudisa Motor Co, who are currently the sole authorized distributor of Mercedes Benz in Guyana. The sedan, which enjoys an overall rating globally of 8.9/10 and a 5-star overall safety rating, is also rated as one of the best entry- luxury sedans to come out for 2015. Produced by Daimler
Group in Germany and shipped to Rudisa, the Mercedes Benz is an exclusive edition, fully loaded, with a 1991 cc gasoline engine (turbo charge). The keys to this powerful automobile were handed over to Mr. Mohamed- Director of DAX Contracting Service by the Sales and Marketing Manager, Shamsundar Seoprashad.
In a press release, Rudisa reaffirmed its commitment to bringing quality products and services, as well as efficient supply of spares, not only to their customers but to anyone who owns a Mercedes Benz or intends to own one. They also stated that that their prices would remain the most competitive for the other brands they stock, such as KIA motors and futon motors.
Murder accused found dead in... From page 18 he was subsequently charged with the capitol offence. According to information back then, the couple was imbibing alcoholic beverages. After returning home an argument ensued. The husband allegedly dealt the woman some lashes with a pointer broom and gave her a few slaps. The body bore two wounds on the head, one on the left eye and another on the forehead. One of the woman's
young sons had stated back then that his father was responsible for his mother's demise. Only the two were at home and he had stated then, that when he returned home around 18:30 hours, his mother was lying on the ground. Her head and face were bloodied and her mouth was also swollen and bloodied. Her eyes were shut and she wasn't talking. She was lying on the ground, groaning all the time. His father was cursing all the time.
He was called early the next day and sent by his father to his grandmother place to collect Limacol or mentholated spirit. He then informed his grandmother what occurred. Relatives had indicated that Esther Albert was seen playing Phagwah and imbibing a copious amount of alcohol the day before her body was discovered. A Post Mortem examination conducted on the body had concluded that she died from manually strangulation.
Women's Day conference 'unveils'... From page 15 members; it is not isolated to the victim and the abuser. As such, “we need to address the issue of domestic violence, especially with children,” said Roopchand. Today, Roopchand is the first in her family to graduate from University. Education played a major part breaking the cycle of abuse in her, she said. She has been volunteering with CADVA for over four years and said that she was amazed to see the success reaped from Sunday's event. “As soon as I finished women were coming up to me
and thanking me for telling my story,” said Roopchand. “One woman even came up to me asking whether she could share her story of abuse at the CADVA event.” By telling her story, Roopchand wished to break the misconception that abuse only happens in Guyana, and to show victims that they should not feel ashamed to talk about their experiences. She described Sunday's event as the “right environment” to talk about domestic violence and sexual abuse as it provided a support system for victims. For Roopchand, Sunday's
forum gave a sense of closure in a chapter of her life that she chose to repress for the majority of her life. “It has showed me that it is possible for me to develop and build my character,” said the university graduate. While featured speakers took time to address the forum, there were also members from the audience who chose to speak of stories of rape and abuse. For the duration of the event other activities such as dancing and question and answer segments further created an atmosphere of “sisterhood” within the vicinity.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 10, 2015
Lack of equal political representation negatively - Webster affecting the advancement of woman Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, has described as negative the fact that within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) women are still marginally represented in politics when compared to their male counterparts. Webster spoke of this while focusing on a series of challenges faced by Caribbean women at the 59th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Conference, which is being held at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, United States of America. Speaking on behalf of the 14-Member States yesterday, Webster said that one of the successes in the Caribbean over the past three decades has been the establishment of National Women’s Machineries to operationalise programmes and policies to advance the status of women. A spinoff from the Beijing Platform for Action, she said these national machineries focused on gender mainstreaming and establishing multi-sectoral Gender Focal Points throughout Government
Agencies (MDAs) to ensure that gender equality perspectives are reflected in all policies and programmes. “In spite of these significant gains, there are areas which continue to negatively affect the advancement of women and girls. These include poverty, violence against women, and the lack of equal political representation,” the Minister said. The Minister added that Beijing Platform for Action recognized that the political empowerment of women, and the commitment to promoting gender equality in political representation at the national level are critical to national progress. “Achieving balance in this area would accurately reflect the composition of society, strengthen democracy and leverage the integration of the gender dimension in government policy-making to ensure that the interests of women are well represented,” Webster posited. The CARICOM representative informed the gathering that one of the recommendations of the Beijing Platform for Action was for Governments to
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster establish a target reserving 30 percent of seats in parliament for women. This, she said, was seen as the critical minority required for women as a group to exert a meaningful influence in legislative assemblies. The Minister pointed out that Guyana has passed legislation stipulating that at least one-third of the
candidates selected by political parties contesting national and regional elections must be women and in the 2014 Global Gender Gap Report, Guyana was ranked thirty-first out of 142 countries with regards to the proportional representation of women in Parliament. The gathering heard, too, that during the past three decades, the Caribbean has had four female Heads of Government- Dame Eugenia Charles in the Commonwealth of Dominica, Janet Jagan of Guyana, Portia Simpson Miller of Jamaica and Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago. “There is also
more equal representation of women at the local levels of political decision-making,” she said. Webster noted that women’s contribution to the growth and development of our economies is receiving greater attention by Caribbean governments but in spite of this, women still face many barriers to their attainment of economic empowerment. She said the Caribbean has a high proportion of female headed households, and this social reality places women at a significant disadvantage to attain greater economic autonomy. The Minister said that while there has been significant progress in the status of women and gender equality globally, there remain critical areas of concern. She pointed to a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which stated that many of the world’s poorest people are women. “In 2013, the WHO (World Health Organisation) reported that over 30 per cent of women globally who have been in a relationship, report that they experienced some form of physical or sexual abuse, and as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner,” she reported. Webster told the gathering that governments in the Caribbean remain
Chad soldiers killed as Boko Haram loses Nigerian towns NIAMEY/N’DJAMENA (Reuters) - About 10 Chadian soldiers died in fighting to take control of two towns in northern Nigeria from Boko Haram, the first gains against the militants in a joint offensive launched with Niger at the weekend, military sources said yesterday. About 30 Nigerian and Chadian soldiers were wounded in the clashes over Malam Fatouri and Damasak, a day after thousands of troops crossed the border to seize areas held by the Sunni Islamist group, whose insurgency has forced Nigeria to delay an election and neighbors to mobilize their armies. A Chadian officer, who asked not to be named, said about 10 Chadian soldiers were killed and 20 wounded in fighting for the towns. There was no official comment from Chad’s army. “We have kicked the enemy out of these areas and they are now under our control,” a Niger military
source said. The advancing troops had seized large quantities of arms and ammunition as well as vehicles, he said, and were undertaking a clean-up operation in the area. “The troops have taken dozens of Boko Haram elements prisoner,” he added. Damasak, the town furthest into Nigeria, is 10 km (6 miles) south of the Niger border, where Nigerian and Chadian troops had been massing in recent weeks before the offensive. A medical source in Diffa, the capital of the Niger region which borders Boko Haram’s heartland in northeastern Nigeria, said 30 wounded soldiers had been admitted to the town’s hospital. A second Niger military source said about 300 Boko Haram militants had been killed. There was no official confirmation of the toll and it was not possible to verify the figure. “We had permission from Nigeria for this action,” the source said.
committed to the empowerment of women and the promotion of gender equality. “Our region has realized significant gains in the social and economic status of women and girls and this has contributed to the reduction in gender inequalities,” she said. According to the Minister, last August CARICOM’s Council for Human and Social Development approved a Strategy and Plan developed in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the CARICOM Secretariat, to reduce the number of adolescent pregnancies in the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean by at least 20 per cent over the five-year period 2014 – 2019. She pointed out too, that significant progress has also been made in the education sector where many Caribbean countries are experiencing increased enrollment at the primary level. All Caribbean countries, she reported, continue to provide universal and equal access to education to both boys and girls at the primary and secondary levels. Many countries have enacted legislation to ensure that women and men have equal access to micro financing and property rights, she said. “There is no doubt that there has been progress in the advancement of women in the Caribbean. Despite two decades of gender mainstreaming many persistent challenges remains including understanding the linkages between gender perspectives and sustainable development.” “In this regard, CARICOM wishes to reiterate that a significant factor which affects the ability of Member States to meet their goals and targets relates to adequate resources. It is therefore necessary for developed countries to fulfill their commitments made with regards to official development assistance with increased priority to gender equality and the empowerment of women,” she said. She reiterated CARICOM’s commitment to all international treaties and conventions to which we are parties and commit to engaging all stakeholders for the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. During the last two decades, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action has been a vehicle for unprecedented global and political mobilisation to end discrimination and inequality against women and girls.
Tuesday March 10, 2015
Kaieteur News
Solar Plane Completes First Leg of World Tour A solar-powered Swiss airplane has landed in Oman after completing the first leg of its around-the-world journey without any fuel. The plane touched down Monday in Muscat, about 10 hours after it took off from Abu Dhabi. The carbon fiber singleseater Solar Impulse 2 aircraft has a 72-meter wingspan, which is longer than the wingspan of a Boeing 747, and weighs about as much as a car. The 17,000 solar cells built into the wings harness the sun’s energy, allowing it to fly through the night. “Solar Impulse wants to mobilize public enthusiasm in favor of technologies that will allow decreased dependence on fossil fuels, and induce positive emotions about renewable energies,’’ a statement on the official mission website said. The site maps out the plane’s location and broadcasts audio from the cockpit in real time. Solar Impulse - diagram of
solar-powered aircraftSolar Impulse - diagram of solarpowered aircraft The Si2 took 12 years to build and is the brainchild of two Swiss scientists, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg. Borschberg, who was in the pilot’s seat Monday, is the CEO of Solar Impulse. He is a trained fighter pilot and a professional airplane and helicopter pilot. He and Piccard will trade off piloting duties during stopovers. Piccard is a psychiatrist, an explorer and the aeronaut who made the first-ever nonstop round-the-world balloon flight. The two say they are not out to revolutionize the aviation industry, but are instead aiming to demonstrate that actual alternative energy sources and new technologies can achieve what some consider impossible. “Miracles can be achieved with renewables such as solar power,’’ Swiss
pilot Bertrand Piccard, who also made the first non-stop circumnavigation of the globe in a balloon in 1999, told Reuters in January. “We want to show we can fly day and night in an aircraft without a drop of fuel,’’ he said. Some legs of the Si2 trip will require the pilots to be in the tiny cockpit for five to six days and nights in a row. So it is a good thing that the multi-purpose pilot’s seat also functions as both a recliner and a toilet. Map showing approximate route of the Solar Impulse 2Map showing approximate route of the Solar Impulse 2 The aircraft’s route includes stops in Oman, India, Mandalay, Myanmar and China. After crossing the Pacific Ocean via Hawaii, the plane will also make up to three stops in the U.S., touching down in Phoenix, Arizona and New York City, and possibly another location depending on weather conditions.
Putin says plan to take Crimea hatched before referendum (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he ordered officials to start work on taking control of Crimea weeks before a referendum which, the Kremlin has asserted until now, prompted the region’s annexation from Ukraine. Russian state television channel Rossiya-1 aired a brief extract of an interview in which Putin said he had called an emergency meeting in February last year to discuss the overthrow of Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich hours earlier. Yanukovich, a Russian ally, had fled to the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk after being forced out by antigovernment protests. “He would have been just annihilated... We got ready to get him out of Donetsk by land, by sea and by air,” Putin said about his meeting in the Kremlin with commanders of special forces and defense ministry officials. “This was on the night of Feb. 22 through to Feb. 23. We finished around 7 in the morning. And, while saying goodbye, I told all the colleagues: ‘We have to start the work on Crimea’s return into Russia’.” This account, broadcast on Sunday, appeared to be at odds with previous assertions from Russian officials that the annexation
Russian President Vladimir Putin decision was taken only after the referendum on March 16, when Crimeans voted to become part of the Russian Federation. The virtually bloodless seizure of Crimea - a Black Sea peninsula with an ethnic Russian majority and where Moscow has a naval base was followed by a proMoscow insurgency in the east of Ukraine. About 6,000 people have been killed in the fighting in eastern Ukraine. A fragile ceasefire, agreed last month in Minsk, has largely held so far. Western governments have condemned Russia’s intervention in Crimea as illegal, with the European Union and United States imposing sanctions on Moscow. In the months since, Putin has adjusted his account of
what happened. He initially denied Russian troops were providing security for the referendum, but later acknowledged special forces had been deployed. Russian soldiers who took part have been given state medals with the citation “For returning Crimea”, which give the starting date of the operation as Feb. 20, before Yanukovich was ousted. Novaya Gazeta, a newspaper often critical of Putin, published details last month of what it said was a document presented to the presidential administration sometime between Feb. 4 and Feb. 12 last year. It said the document described a plan to annex Crimea and eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin called the newspaper ’s report nonsense.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 10, 2015
GAY YOUTH STONED TO DEATH IN JAMAICA An angry mob stoned a young, allegedly gay man to death in Jamaica and filmed themselves hurling rocks at his head. The video of the murder of the alleged gay youth, believed to be aged around 19 to 21, has gone viral on social media after being posted last week. It shows the young man dressed effeminately with long hair, appearing to be tied up in ropes or wire, lying in a pool of his own blood. A large stone is thrown at the boy’s head, blood gushes out. It’s not clear whether he is still alive or conscious as the rocks break his skull. You can hear homophobic slurs, clearly said with a Jamaican accent, yelling: ‘Batty man yuh fi dead!’ This means, ‘Gay, you should die’. The identity of the murdered youth and many of the other details of the stoning are still unknown. Some have reported the victim was gay and had visited underground gay venues in Kingston. Unconfirmed social media reports suggest the youth was stoned in Montego Bay and it is believed to have happened in the last few weeks. This is the same parish where gender nonconforming teen Dwayne Jones was murdered in 2013.
Jones was chopped and stabbed to death by a mob. No one was ever charged with the murder. Dwayne Brown, a Jamaican gay rights activist currently living in New York City, said attacks like this are not unheard of. What’s worse, he says, is that antiLGBTI attackers can brutally murder someone and not even get caught. Brown asked GSN to publish this article despite so many of the details not being known in order to highlight the situation in Jamaica. Speaking to Gay Star News, he said: ‘It’s time for persecution of LGBTI
persons to end. The silence of our government, the silence of our politicians, the silence of our community allows this type of behavior to continue. ‘Until the silence is broken, people will continue to die as a result of anti-gay attacks. People need to rise up and call for a full investigation into this video. ‘We must have conclusive evidence, who is this person? The fact that someone can be beaten to death by several people and nothing happens because of it, that’s disgusting. It’s nothing new, but it needs to change.’
Students with learning disabilities in Trinidad recently received a helping hand from the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) when the US-based nonprofit organization donated sporting equipment to Eshe’s Learning Centre in Woodbrook.
Basketballs, soccer balls and other sporting equipment presented by CMEx President Bevan Springer were gratefully received by Kitts Cadette, principal of the alternative school for children with learning disabilities, developmental delays and
mild cognitive limitations. “We welcome it, we welcome it!” exclaimed the elated educator. “Your organization is novel in that you have come to us. Usually we have to write letters and solicit help. So we are really, really very grateful that you have used your initiative and that you have selected us,” the principal told Springer. At Eshe’s, students receive positive reinforcement and are recognized for a range of learning strengths and challenges and are encouraged to learn at their own pace. The school provides appropriate interventions and experiences to foster learners’ self-esteem and ensure their academic success. Additionally, planning and differentiated instruction within groups and professional development for teachers form the bedrock upon which the school’s educational philosophy is grounded.
Caribbean media group helps Trinidad school
Tuesday March 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
Feeble England out of World... (From page 28) deliveries, reducing Bangladesh to eight for two. Mahmudullah initially struggled to find the middle of his bat but grew more confident with every over and added 86 runs with Sarkar to consolidate the innings. England could not, however, maintain the pressure and Chris Jordan struggled for rhythm and conceded 15 runs in his second over. Jordan dismissed Sarkar in the 21st over and Moeen
sent back Shakib Al Hasan but Mahmudullah and Rahim compiled Bangladesh’s record World Cup stand to thwart England. Mahmudullah found an able ally in Rahim and the duo mixed caution with aggression to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Mahmudullah looked a bundle of nerves approaching the 100-mark, which he eventually reached in the 44th over, scurrying for a single before embarking on an emo-
tional celebration with Rahim. He added another three runs before being run out after a 138-ball knock that included seven fours and two sixes. Rahim continued punishing the English bowlers, hitting eight boundaries and a six in his 77-ball knock, his third half-century of the tournament. Scores: Bangladesh 275 for 7 (Mahmudullah 103, Mushfiqur 89) beat England 260 (Buttler 65, Bell 63, Rubel 4-53) by 15 runs.
Sports Ministry chips in to aid... (From page 31) GBA and the French Guiana Boxing Association following earlier discussions and a visit by French officials as both countries attempt to boost their international boxing ratings and performances.
The team traveling are Taseka Howard and Dwon Thompson the two females; Delon Charles, Aquincy Harvey, Jason Phillips, Glenroy Smith, Eon Bancroft, Dennis Thomas and Trevon King. Fransisco Roldon and Steel
Crawford are the coaches with Gordon Nedd as Manager. Germin Craig and Medford Wilson are the respective Referee and Judge traveling with the delegation. Sports Ministry chips in to aid boxers’ travel to French Guiana.
Tuesday December 30, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A relationship that may have in the past been based primarily on intellectual interests may take a sudden turn toward romance. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) If you've been feeling under the weather, expect to feel stronger today than you were before, Taurus. Your enthusiasm is up and new ideas are flowing into your brain. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Creative projects may take on a new intensity now. New ideas and visions may appear out of nowhere. Whatever you're working on could have new meaning for you and others. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Expect some changes in your household today, Cancer. You could finally be making some repairs or remodeling or redecorating. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You're a sociable person with a gift for small talk and interesting discussions. Today you will find some amazing information that will keep your conversations fascinating for months. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Sudden, positive changes in your financial condition could come your way. This could be an increase in income or involve some kind of windfall. Whichever it is, it's going to make a difference in your life.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You could be planning a major journey of some kind, Libra. It may be a long vacation or travel to foreign countries, or it could be an intellectual or spiritual journey into new schools of thought. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You're practical and down to Earth, Scorpio. Today your intuition is more active than usual. You might receive some powerful messages from the higher planes that open up new doors for you. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Travel by air seems possible today, Sagittarius. The appeal of foreign countries may be too strong to resist. If you don't have a passport, you'd better apply! CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) The Universe is encouraging you to listen today, Capricorn. This isn't a day for polemic speeches. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Sudden opportunities for advancement may come your way today, Aquarius. Innovative ideas may have paved the way for you, so your skills and abilities are appreciated now. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) New and expansive ideas for investing time or funds could make a big difference to your future income. Today you feel especially in control of your life.
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Outcomes from WICB Directors’... (From page 30) A number of other key development programmes targetted at school and club cricket in the territories, and aimed at lifting the standard of the game in the region will be rolled out over the coming weeks and months. Professional Cricket League The Directors approved new draft procedures which will enable the six franchises to retain their best players, but will also challenge them to select the best talent from across the region. 1. Each franchise should submit 15 players to the Draft Pool 2. Each franchise is allowed to retain a maximum of 10 players from their roster 3. Each franchise is allowed to select a maximum of three players from the franchise’s territory out of the Draft Pool 4. Each franchise is mandated to select a minimum of two players external to the franchise’s home base 5. Each franchise can have one international player on their roster at the franchise’s own cost At the Annual General Meeting, the following decisions were made and reports received: Result of Election for the post of President of the WICB -Dave Cameron 8 votes -Joel Garner 4 Mr. Cameron was duly re-elected to the post of President of the WICB Result of Election for the post of Vice President of the WICB -Emmanuel Nanthan 8 votes -Baldath Mahabir 4 Mr. Nanthan was duly reelected to the post of Vice President of the WICB Audited financial statements The financial year 201314 was the first year under the 2013-19 Future Tours Programme published by the International Cricket Council and predictably was a difficult year with a net comprehensive loss of US $1.53 million and negative shareholders equity of US $5.4 million. The actual net loss constituted a significant improvement over the budgeted loss at the start of the year which was US $7 million. The improvement against budget was linked to the content of the international home tours with a reduction in the number of days of cricket. Notwithstanding, there was an increase in the number of Tests hosted from two the previous year to five cur-
rent year. There were also changes to the format of the Regional Under-19 Tournament and to the Regional Women’s Super50 Tournament which resulted in reduced running costs. As is standard practice, the Statement of Accounts will be published on the WICB’s website, www.windiescricket.com. The Directors of West Indies Cricket Board comprise the nominated representatives of each of the six Full Members plus four independent directors. The meeting was chaired by WICB President Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron. Also present are the WICB Vice President, the WICB Chief Executive and the WICB Corporate Secretary. WICB President Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron WICB Vice President Emmanuel Nanthan WICB Chief Executive
Officer Michael Muirhead WICB Corporate Secretary Verlyn Faustin Barbados Joel Garner Deighton Smith Guyana Anand Senasie Anand Kalladeen Jamaica Wilford “Billy” Heaven Dr. Donovan Bennett Leeward Islands Auckland Hector Enoch Lewis Trinidad & Tobago Azim Bassarath Baldath Mahabir Windward Islands Julian Charles Elson Crick Independent Member Juliana Nero Independent Member Clifford Reis Independent Member Richard “Ricky” Skerritt Independent Member Don Wehby
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 10, 2014
Feeble England out of World Ganga releases 10,000 DVDs to schools Cup after defeat by Bangladesh ADELAIDE (Reuters) England were knocked out of the World Cup by a spirited Bangladesh who grabbed a quarter-final spot following a dramatic 15-run victory in a tight Pool A match in Adelaide on Monday. Put into bat, Mahmudullah struck Bangladesh’s first World Cup century and starred in two key partnerships to lift Bangladesh to 275 for seven. Three-times finalists England made a mess of their chase on an Adelaide Oval track that held no demons and folded for 260 in the penultimate over. Bangladesh looked a bundle of nerves towards the end but Rubel Hossain (4-53) claimed two wickets in the 49th over to trigger wild celebrations among their fans. England made a decent start to their chase before losing their way in the crunch match. Adjudged leg before wicket on 11, opener Moeen Ali successfully got the decision overturned but the bearded right-hander was run out after a mix-up with Ian Bell (63). Bell, who hit Mashrafe Mortaza for three boundaries in an over, pulled and drive with impunity, adding 54 runs with Alex Hales (27).
Bangladesh bowler Rubel Hossain (C) and team mates Soumya Sarker (L) and Taskin Ahmed (on Hossain’s back) react after England captain Eoin Morgan (R) was caught out for a duck during their Cricket World Cup match in Adelaide, March 9, 2015. REUTERS-David Gray Mortaza dismissed Hales but it was Hossain’s double strike in the 27th over that turned the match on its head. Done in by extra bounce, Bell was caught behind while Eoin Morgan hooked to the fine leg fielder to fall for his fifth duck in last 11 innings. England’s problems were compounded as James Taylor perished chasing a wide delivery and Joe Root fell for 29. But Josh Buttler (65) and
Chris Woakes (42 not out) injected life into the chase with some lusty hitting before Hossain dismissed Stuart Broad and James Anderson in the 49th over. POOR START Earlier, Mahmudullah struck Bangladesh’s first World Cup century and shared partnerships with Soumya Sarkar (40) and Mushfiquir Rahim (89) to help their side overcome a poor
start. With England needing to win both remaining pool matches to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive, Morgan won the toss and decided to field, hoping his bowlers would capitalise on the early morning conditions. Morgan set attacking field with a three-man slip cordon and Anderson found enough movement to induce two edges in his first seven (Continued on page 25)
Discipline within group will be paramount – Head Coach Shabazz By Franklin Wilson With the Guyana squad to face St. Lucia in an international friendly on March 22 expected to be named later this week, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz speaking at last week’s press conference to announce his two-year contract with the GFF said that discipline in the team will be paramount. ”If it’s one thing that we want to establish more solid here is that discipline in the group and the fact that the team and the objectives of the team is of paramount importance.” Shabazz noted that they had that in his last full time sojourn with the Golden Jaguars (2011-2012) and would be the first to admit that his style has always been inclusive meaning that players have always been involved and consulted. ”You know at some point some players always felt that they became bigger than the programme. And now I think
with that experience, it makes me now better able to establish discipline and a squad that will confirm.” Shabazz who has always adopted an open approach to sharing knowledge with other coaches said that he would continue in that vein but will be working closely with the Technical Director Claude Bolton to take care of the needs of the local exponents of the Technical game. ”I think in the Caribbean we’re so antagonistic to learning from each other. For me I am excited to share with anybody and to discuss. We don’t discuss the game enough, we don’t have difference of opinions in each other’s face, and this is a big problem in Caribbean society.” He said that healthy discussions lead to a healthy football brain and this is something that he encourages among his staff. ”Coach Dover and I have a good relationship, why? Not because he says yes, but be-
cause he has an opinion, he shares his opinion and he fights for his opinion and it gives me the benefit of having another view. We had it with Charles Pollard, Chris Nurse with the Cort brothers, they all had their views on how they want the team to play based on their knowledge and experience; and why not invite it.” NEW GENERATION OF COACHES NEEDED It was the fervent view of Shabazz that there needs to be a new generation of coaches in Guyana emerging to continue the growth and development of the game. ”We have a lot of players coming out of the game and the industry must emerge. With Alpha you have to ask yourself, are there ten coaches in Guyana who could just step into that job and just take up that team and run with it and deal with foreign players coming in, this is where we got to go.” Shabazz said that he has
had to learn Spanish to deal with players who speak the language during his career and this is how coaches ought to think as well as take more pride in the profession by equipping themselves. ”I will go to Rome to learn, when Leo Beenhakker came to Trinidad and Tobago the first time every session he did I had it written down, René Simões told us something at that time, he said I will not be here forever and you must try to learn what you can learn because when your time comes you must be able to implement.” Being in Guyana Shabazz noted is part of his own development and growth as a coach. “I don’t know everything, I learn every day, and working in Guyana on two occasions has been a big part of my development. If I can give back some of what I have learnt to the new generation of coaches, I am happy to do that.”
Trinidad Express - Port of Spain, Trinidad - The Daren Ganga Foundation has released an instructional coaching DVD in a bid to develop the growing talent of young cricketers. Speaking on Friday at his alma mater, Naparima College, Ganga told pupils about his personal struggles in pursuing a career as a cricketer. Ganga said he understood the poor access sportsmen and sportswomen had to professional coaching. And he believes the DVD series, which was launched in July 2014, will play an integral part in the development of a player’s skills. Ganga said the DVD incorporated the use of modern media technology such as the use of live demonstrations, animation, live action clips, and indoor and outdoor demonstrations. With this piece of technological software, a player can follow along the chapters and practise their techniques, he said. Ganga partnered with the Ministry of Education, the Minis-try of Sport and other stakeholders, including Petrotrin, Toyota, First Citizens, blink/bmobile and the National Lotterie-s Control Board to develo-p his idea. He said his vision was to distribute the 10,000 DVD copies to both primary and secondary schools across Trinidad and Tobago free of charge as his way of giving back to the community. He said, “Most of us go through life and benefit from the goodness from a vast amount of people and institutions. It’s always important to share your wealth of expe-
Daren Ganga riences with the young people and younger gene-ration”. Minister of Education Dr Tim Gopeesingh also gave a personal account of his struggles and told pupils they were privileged to have the DVD to assist them to develop their talents. His message was that it was important for pupils to know sport was an important aspect of their lives, as the curriculum has been reviewed to include physical education. Gopeesingh gave a message to pupils, saying, “Combine sports with your academics, manage your time properly, get physically fit and participate in extracurricular activities.” He said next week he will meet with the Minister of Sport to discuss the inclusion of other sporting organisations in the schools. The Daren Ganga Foundation will continue with distribution to five locations in central, east and north Trinidad, and the Tobago educational districts.
Easier to beat Blatter with one candidate, says Van Praag AMSTERDAM, (Reuters) - Dutch Football Association President Michael van Praag believes he and former Portugal international Luis Figo have no chance of unseating Sepp Blatter in the FIFA leadership elections if they both stand against the Swiss. “That’s what I think and (UEFA president) Michel Platini too,” Van Praag was quoted as saying by Dutch newspaper ‘De Telegraaf’ yesterday. “What Figo thinks about that I don’t know but it would be much better for Europe if we presented one candidate.” Predictably, Van Praag said he was the better option. “Figo is more photogenic. All the South American member association presidents wanted to take their photo
with him. But they didn’t want to say if they would vote for him,” the Dutchman said on his return from the CONMEBOL Congress in Paraguay this week. Both were lobbying for support for the election at the end of May, where they are up against Blatter and Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, another ally of Platini. Van Praag and former Barcelona and Real Madrid winger Figo share similar ideas on how to reform the world governing body but they do differ slightly on how to allocate the annual grant to the 209 member associations, the Dutchman said. “I want to hand over one million Euros ($1.08 million) (annually) but Figo wants to double that.
Tuesday March 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
Appalling treatment of amazing athletes By Rawle Welch Unquestionably the most successful and dominant team in local sports, the national rugby squad, used another opportunity - this time in front of home fans - to forcefully underline that status with another compelling performance against Barbados to start the defence of its NACRA 15s title on a positive note. Commonly referred to as the ‘Green Machine’, the national ‘ruggers’, who have undeniably become sort of a dynasty within the NACRA region, especially in the 7s format, hammered the Bajans through a combination of its trademark speed and fitness which the visitors had no answer for. This cadre of sportsmen, despite their unrivalled success, has not enjoyed the kind of accolades that is usually bestowed upon teams or athletes with similar outstanding achievements. Last Saturday had in attendance high-ranking members of the Government, including Head of State President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony and Director of Sport Neil Kumar as well as Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) President K.A. Juman-Yassin, and a few executives from the corporate community. One would think that the mere presence of those officials would immediately translate into unmitigated support for the national icons, but we all know of the consistent lament of the Guyana Rugby Football Union about the scarcity of funds to travel to participate in tournaments, and its inability to arrange warm-up games against higher ranked teams than those in the Caribbean. You just have to go back to the first press briefing held to introduce the new Technical Director Angus Thomson, who like so many before him, also spoke about the importance of playing against higher levels of competition if we’re to do well on the international stage.
This has been a worn-out observation pronounced on for so many years, but this team seems undaunted by the numerous setbacks and the lack of promotion about its overwhelming success, and still continues to advertise Guyana for free, while increasing its trophies in what has become a burgeoning cabinet. One would have expected the government to bear the brunt of the funding to ensure that this team gets all the necessary preparation ahead of participating at the highest level, but this has not been the case. Instead, the support has been piecemeal, catering for a share of the funding just to get to competition and nothing for warm-up games. This state of affairs cannot continue, unless we are resigned to just beating up the mediocre opposition within the Caribbean. Even before you get to the national grid, there is no support from the Government or a large percentage of the business community, and had it not been for a few, one can only wonder where these outstanding athletes would have been or even the sport. For the umpteenth time, the only way the corporate community will feel inspired to come on board in any significant way is when they see the Government leading the way. No other entity has the kind of resources at its disposal like the Government, and once again, the absence of a well-defined Sports Policy could be blamed for such neglect. Such a document, aided by the input of pertinent stakeholders, no doubt would have catered for such exceptional accomplishments by our ‘ruggers’, or any other team or athletes of note, both in terms of financial and developmental support. What is extremely disheartening is the fact that at the end of such a memorable run, quite a large percentage of those players would have served this country with distinction, but have very little to show for it. Not many countries treat its sons and daughters who have achieved such stardom with such disdain.
We have to do much better than this; it is totally unacceptable and the hypocrisy that is displayed is completely disgraceful. The opposition should not be spared as well, they have missed several glorious opportunities to separate themselves from the actors in Government, they too have failed to show the care and attention to this team, and no excuse could be presented to explain their absence when the team returned with the titles or their no-show at the just concluded clash against Barbados. Their behaviour mirrors that of the Government and their deeds have evoked fears of sports being left in the same comatose state that it currently finds itself. The Opposition must see themselves as major stakeholders in the development of this country and its citizens, and for them not to utter commendations on the achievements of these outstanding athletes is a worrying posture. This team is simply amazing; they have been subjected to every unhelpful situation possible, but they somehow still seem to thrive. It is just unbelievable. They train in atrocious conditions; they run through the National Park gates from work to attend practice sessions due to the absence of time-off; they arrive in Guyana from various overseas locations without adequate compensation for time and family, and yet they go out on the field and make us proud. Most of them will depart here shortly to participate at the Hong Kong International Sevens, and leave their respective families way short of adequate financial support, while personal rewards for their sacrifices may be woefully short of satisfactory, but yet they put those shortcomings aside and play with the hearts of lions. They are truly an amazing bunch of athletes. What more could we ask for? As someone said, it may be blood. Meanwhile, Guyana jumped five places in the world standings to be now at #44.
Several teams register victories... (From page 31)Western Tigers FC 2-1. Beacon FC and Camptown engaged in a closely fought encounter and the former team prevailed 2-1. Shamar Austin and Ossie Critchlow netted for Beacon, while Shaun Jones narrowed
the score albeit inconsequentially. Order and Discipline FC were also in winners’ row and registered a 1 nil victory over Pele who played with ten players after one of their players was red carded. Fruta Conquerors enjoyed the home advantage and
swamped Black Pearl 5 nil on the back of goals from Raushawn Ritch, who scored a hat trick with support from Orrwyn Garraway who netted a brace. Activities continue over the next weekend and several games will be contested on Saturday and Sunday.
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3rd Rock Entertainment hosts first annual ‘King of the Ring’ Basketball Tourney Two hundred thousand dollars in prizes plus trophies are up for grabs as seven teams battle for supremacy in the 3rd Rock Entertainment “King of the Ring” Basketball Tournament from March 14th, to April 04 th, 2015 at the M.S.C. Hard Court. According to Colin Adams, Public Relations Officer and Organizing Secretary the reason for hosting this tournament is to return some vibrancy to the sport after an absence of two years. “For two years no real basketball has not been played in Linden because the committee was not functioning. The boys used to play scrubby but now we will be bringing basketball back to Linden in all its glory.” Adams said “King of the Ring” will be launched
Colin Adams Wednesday March 11th, 2015 in the Macaw Conference Room at LEN’s Building. He also noted that after this competition there will be a tournament against Bermuda. The teams participating are Kings, Wismar Pistons,
Victory Valley Royals, Retrieve Raiders, Amelia’s Ward Jets, Falcons and Half Mile Bulls. The Champions will walk away with $100,000 and a trophy, second place $75,000 and a trophy and third place $25,000 and a trophy. Trophies will also be given to the Most Valuable Player and the Best Defence. For making this tournament a success Adams thanked the sponsors Banks DIH, Sharma Solomon, Broad Money Spare Parts, Babaloo Car Rental, Horace James, Mark and fresh Shoe World, Bolo’s Variety, Somerset Photo Studio, Annoyance outta Atlanta, Georgia, Vanessa Kissoon M.P., Major’s Sports Centre and Dave and Celena. (Jacquey Bourne)
CONCACAF Under-17 Championship
Jamaica extends CU17 unbeaten streak to three
San Pedro Sula, Honduras – Jamaica (2-11, 7 points) edged closer to securing at least a spot in the 2015 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship (CU17) playoffs with a 5-1 win over Trinidad & Tobago (0-0-3, 0 points) on Sunday at the Estadio Francisco Morazan. In their first-ever CU17 meeting, Trinidad needed a win to remain in contention. It started brightly, when Chaz Burnett’s 26th minute effort from the left side of the box hit goalkeeper Jahmali Waite’s hand, before crashing off the near post. One minute later, Jamaica’s Nathaniel Adamolekun and Trinidad goalkeeper Levi Fernandez collided at the penalty spot. As the ball continued towards the goal, Tekay Hoyce retreated to clear it off the line. With those near misses out of the way, the goals started to flow. Peter Vassel gave the Jamaicans a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute, beating Fernandez at the left, near post with an innocuous right-footed attempt from 25-yards out off a short feed from Alex Marshall. The Soca Warriors responded swiftly, equalizing in the 43rd minute. Noah Powder stroked a 20-yard free kick with his left foot inside the right post to give his side hope heading into halftime. Jamaica, though, was not yet ready to take a break and netted the game-winner in the third minute of first-half stoppage time. Nathaniel Adamolekun got behind the Trinidad defence to latch onto a long ball played out of the back. With Fernandez charging off his line, the Orlando City youth standout – at full speed – lofted his shot from 22-yards out into the back of the net for his third CU17 goal. That tally changed the flow of the game, especially late in the second half. While it probed for needed goals, Trinidad left openings that Jamaica was happy to capitalize upon. The Jamaicans expanded their lead further in the 80th minute. Marshall delivered a superb ball to the top of the box for second-half substitute Tajea Brown, who knowingly or unwittingly chipped over Fernandez’s half-time replacement Tyrek James.
David Sanchez (Photo: Mexsport) The efficient Brown made it 4-1 five minutes later, bursting into the left side of the box and lobbing James from 15-yards out. Jamaica closed its goal account in the 90th minute. Shandel Senior was dribbling in the Trinidadian area and, while losing possession, actually jabbed a short pass for Dawkins to finish with an emphatic right foot. The Caribbean rivals will return to action tomorrow with Trinidad taking on Cuba and Jamaica facing the United States. Honduras, U.S. draw 2-2 in thriller Substitute David Sanchez’s 87th minute goal lifted Honduras to a 2-2 draw with the United States on Sunday night at the Estadio Francisco Morazan. Goals from Josh Perez and Lucas de la Torre looked to be enough to send the Americans through to the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, even after Victor Matamoros had given the host an early lead. Instead, the Hondurans (2-2-0, 8 points) remain two points behind the U.S. (3-1-0, 10 points). The result eliminated Guatemala (11-2, 4 points), which played Cuba (0-3-1, 3 points) to a scoreless draw earlier in the evening, and ensured that Jamaica (2-1-1, 7 points) will play on the final day. A victory would have sealed the USA the Group A title, a place in the final and a U-17 World Cup berth, but Sanchez halted that trifecta on a play that was part precision, part fortune. The early cross from the left was measured perfectly. Although Sanchez mistimed his leap, the ball caromed off his shoulder and beyond goalkeeper William Pulisic. (CONCACAF)
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Kaieteur News
STAR-STUDDED BERMUDIAN BASKETBALL TEAM ARRIVES - Plays Guyana in three-game International Series By Edison Jefford Bermuda’s Men National Basketball Team has arrived in Guyana to play a three game series that begins at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tomorrow night. The Bermudian team will play Guyana in what is expected to be a real test of Guyana’s basketball strength. The star-studded Bermudian team bounces into action in the feature game each night against the Guyanese that placed fifth
at the Caribbean Championships in Tortola, the British Virgin Islands last year. This 2015 International Series is part of Guyana’s preparation for CBC Championships in June. Kaieteur Sport presents the profiles of some of the Bermudian players, who will continue against Guyana on Thursday before the final game Saturday night. Preceding games are scheduled each night to introduce the featured showdown of the three-game series.
and he has played for Bermuda College and Red Deer College, Canada
Name: Sullivan Phillips Height: 6’6" Weight: 220 lbs Position: Guard/Forward
Name: Roderick Spencer Position: Head Coach of Bermuda Men’s National Team Notes: Spencer’s favourite NBA team is the Philadelphia 76ers and any team coached by Rick Pitino, Coach K (Duke) or Geno Auriemma. He has played for Stetson University, Florida and holds certificates from the National Coaching Certification Programme (NCCP) Canada, level III Certification and FIBA licensed.
Notes: Jones’ favourite NBA team is the Detroit Pistons; he has played for St. Mary’s University (Canada) 20012006 and Bermuda
Notes: Lowe’s favourite NBA team is the Los Angeles Lakers and he has played for Bermuda and Red Deer College.
Notes: Lowe’s favourite NBA team is the Boston Celtics; he has played for Bermuda U-19 team, Cedar Bridge Academy, Johnson and Wales University.
Name: Gavin MacKenzie Position: Assistant Coach
Name: Chris Crumpler Height: 6’ 3" Weight: 185 lbs Position: Guard
Name: John Michael Lee Height: 6’ 3" Weight: 220lbs. Position: Guard/Forward Notes: Lee’s favourite NBA team is the Dallas Mavericks
Notes: Symonds’ favourite NBA team is the Los Angeles Lakers; he has captained the University of Kent in the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 Seasons, earning ‘Rookie of the Year’ in the 2010/2011 Season at the University of Kent.
Name: Dean Jones Height: 6’7’’ Weight: 220 lbs Position: Forward/Center
Name: Jason Lowe Height: 6’4" Weight: 210 lbs Position: Guard/Forward
Name: Jonathan Lowe Height: 6’7" Weight: 240 lbs Position: Power Forward\Center
Position: Point Guard
John Michael Lee
Notes: Phillips’ favourite NBA team is the San Antonio Spurs; Phillips played for numerous European teams and has earned MVP and Defensive Player of Year Awards.
Republic; he is also Professional Street Ball Player for S.K.Y. Street Ball.
Name: Husayn Symonds Height: 6’2" Weight: 170 lbs
Notes: Crumpler’s favourite NBA team is the Miami Heat and he has played for Flagler College and a USA select team on a European Tour in 2005 and won the Kontex Cup in Czech
Mackenzie’s favorite NBA team is the Los Angeles Lakers and has been a part of the National Team Coaching Staff for 12 years, winning four Island Games Gold Medals total, and still the current, and only three repeated champion. The other members of the Bermudian National Team and Staff are Kevin Spencer (player), Jeron Haley (player), Vernon Lamb III (player) and Jamie Cedenio (player); Carl Mackenzie (Team Doctor) and Bermuda Basketball Association President, Greg Todd.
Tuesday March 10, 2014
Outcomes from WICB Directors’ AGM WICB Media KINGSTON, Jamaica – The West Indies Cricket Board gathered for a series of meetings last Friday and Saturday at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel here. At the Directors’ Meeting, the following decisions were made and reports received: Caribbean Premier League The Directors received an update from the organisers of the Caribbean Premier League about their plans for the coming season and the expansion of the region’s marquee Twenty20 tournament. Chief Operating Officer of the CPL Pete Russell said the Tournament had captured the imagination of the fans in the Caribbean and was already making a big impact outside of the region. He also recommitted the organisers to fostering a closer relationship with the Territorial Boards to ensure the successful operation and execution of the Tournament, recognising the WICB were a part owner. A Task Force between WICB and CPL will be established to oversee the ongoing relationship between the two organizations. This year’s CPL will be played from June 21 to July 26. Discussions with West Indies Players Association WICB and WIPA have agreed to a process for mediation on the players’ rights to WICB sponsorship revenue and are working towards completing this exercise by the end of March with a view to incorporating the agreed terms in player contracts for the England Tour. The third annual joint WICB/WIPA Awards Banquet is in the planning stages and is scheduled for June this year in Jamaica. Ecomonic Impact Assessment The WICB will soon commence an economic impact assessment to obtain empirical evidence about the hosting of matches in the Caribbean to support corporate and government sponsorship efforts. Cricket Matters The Directors received an update from WICB Director of Cricket Richard Pybus on the progress of his initial 20point plan to improve the standard of the game in the Caribbean. Some of the key accomplishments over the last year include: -The introduction of the Professional Cricket League; -Clarification of the West Indies Team mission and vision of becoming the No.1
side in the World in all formats through setting and achieving World-class standards of excellence in management, preparation, training and playing; -Acceptance of the guiding principles of “no compromise on cricket excellence” and “Team West Indies first”; -Definition of the optimal structure for West Indies cricket; -Clarification of the roles and responsibilities of senior management of the West Indies Team; -Review of retainer contracts for international players making them performancebased and bench-marked against World-class standards of cricket excellence; and -Review and clarification of the WICB Selection Panel’s role, responsibilities, selection criteria and function along with the appointment of former West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Courtney Browne as Regional Talent Manager with a special focus on Women’s and Youth cricket. Regional Curator Kent Crafton had visited and assessed the regional first-class grounds with a special focus on the five international venues set to host Tests against England and Australia this year. He built relationships with local curators with a view to establishing the highest standards of curatorship to ensure playing and practice surfaces are consistent and of international quality. An initial report has been received and its findings were disseminated to Territorial Boards and Franchise Chief Executive Officers. A Player Booklet outlining goals and responsibilities for players, including a pledge of commitment to West Indies Cricket, has been completed. This was one of the recommendations of the WICB Task Force which examined matters leading to the premature end of the Tour of India last year. Convenor of the WICB Selection Panel Clive Lloyd is reviewing the booklet before a final presentation is made to the Directors and it is introduced to the players during a formal presentation by him. (Continued on page 25)