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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
Two plane crashes Two days after the disappearance of a Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777-200 aircraft, flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, even the debris has not been traced. It is suspected to have crashed into the South China Sea between Malaysia and Vietnam. Neither the fleet of ships and rescue vessels nor aircraft pressed into an emergency search operation has located any sign of wreckage at sea, except for an oil slick. The Malaysian authorities have taken the initiative to start an international investigation. With five of the 239 passengers and crew killed in the crash being Indians, the DGCA is also joining the probe. The one disturbing evidence on the first day of the investigation was that two of the passengers were travelling on fake, probably stolen, passports. But the authorities do not want to jump to the conclusion that it was an act of terrorism. The Boeing 777 has earned a reputation as a safe longhaul aircraft. After the 2013 Asiana Airlines crash, this is only the second tragedy involving this aircraft type in the nearly two decades it has been in operation. Malaysian Airlines will certainly want to get to the bottom of this tragedy in order to maintain its reputation for safety in a very competitive environment. Given the close cooperation in the Southeast Asian region, all the countries are pooling their resources to find the cause of the crash. The only premise the investigators have begun with is that the end was “sudden and violent.” There was no report of bad weather and the aircraft was cruising at about 35,000 feet above sea level. The pilots did not radio for help and there was no emergency bleep. The plane just vanished from the radar hardly an hour after take-off. There is also the theory that it tried to turn back to Malaysia. Experts have offered several explanations. First on their list was structural failure in the fuselage, which could result in the splitting up of the body. The second was bad weather, of which there is no evidence. Was it an act of terror? And finally, could it have been the rare case of human failure or a suicidal streak? Until the debris is recovered, the investigation cannot proceed. Aviation experts are of the view that the size of the debris spread could provide a useful starting point for any serious investigation. That could give an indication whether the aircraft suffered an explosion, got split in the air, or just plunged into the sea and broke up. Once that is known, the investigators could proceed with a particular line of enquiry. Since there are no survivors, nothing can be verified as such. It is in the interests of all airlines, passengers and aircraft manufacturers to uncover the mystery behind this unfortunate tragedy and draw the lessons. The disappearance evokes memory of the Cubana Air Disaster in our corner of the world when terrorists placed a bomb aboard the aircraft. The terrorists were fortunate to leave the aircraft and catch another plane back to Trinidad while the seventy-three passengers and crew were not so fortunate. Eleven of the dead were Guyanese. Like the Malaysian aircraft, confusion surrounded where the craft went down. Barbados claimed that the aircraft came down outside Barbados’s territorial limit which at the time was three miles. Guyana insisted otherwise. There was wreckage for all to see so the distance from shore to where the plane crashed should not have been a mystery nor should it have been a source of confusion. But it was. Like the relatives and friends of those aboard the Malaysian aircraft, Guyanese had nothing to ensure closure. No Guyanese was ever recovered although the authorities claimed to have found the remains of some Cubans. Recently, there was a terror alert in out corner of the world. It was directed at a Caribbean Airlines plane out of Georgetown, Guyana. The date of the threat has passed but given the number of crazy people in the world, all of them seeking to make a mark in the book of history, one must wonder whether the threat would ever be over.
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
A NATIONAL DISGRACE DEAR EDITOR, I am somewhat relieved in discovering that I am not the only Earth occupant, of Guyanese origin, or Kaieteur News reader who was shocked if not utterly disgusted on reading the reported circumstances surrounding the gruesome death of 14-year-old Andy. Needless to say, his death pokes a finger into the eyes of so many Governmental agencies, not to mention the general Guyanese populace as a whole. An indictment that is punishable by among other things, a complete and thorough Governmental and political overhaul. A mantra-like statement that has oft been repeated by Ministers of Government and politicians is that “the young people are the future of Guyana”. Why is this statement not borne out by actions, instead of seemingly only being used to bolster the sentence wherein it is contained? Is there no accountability system within the Ministry of Education? If so, can they provide the public with information pertinent to their modus operandi regarding prolonged absenteeism, truancy, drop-outs nonpresenters etc? What contact if any, did the agency have with Andy? Was he ever enrolled in
school? Was his situation ever brought to their attention? Is the village of Foulis so large that no one was aware of his educational needs? Were there no members of the pedagogical profession resident in the community? Being a Guyanese, although living abroad, I am no stranger to the condition known as minding other people’s business, and I also know that a good gossip can get around faster than a Boeing747. I guess his business failed the quality test of being minded. Was this due to age, or was it not juicy enough to be passed around? However, at the same time, did those citizens, yes, the law-abiding, publicspirited, civic-minded, Godfearing citizens, for whom he carried out menial tasks, (rate of payment questionable) not feel that he deserved a better life and as such should have alerted the agencies who could effect changes? Would they have wished this for their own child? Did he deserve to die in the manner he did? Did not the Good Book make reference to loving one another, just as the Master loved us? Still on the topic of love of love, then this word should never raise its head
among those who speak or relate information about Andy, as perception of its meaning is questionable by these people among whom he found himself. If the way 14-year-old Andy was treated depicts love, then I beg to differ and differ strongly too. Who can say that they ever took him in, even if he refused? Who among the inhabitants can say that they warned him about his living style and sleeping abode? Let us ponder on Matthew 25: 40 wherein it states that “whatever you did for one of the least of these, brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”. Verse 46 clearly states the reciprocal action that would be taken when the afore-actions were not executed—He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Perhaps, from henceforth the Bible-toting Christians can change the manner in which they both read the Bible and carry the Bible. Has a state of selective myopia, cognitive sterility or insensitive inaptitude enshrouded the Ministry of Education, wherein they fail to see , fail to read, and fail to grasp that the school dropouts and non-attendees have become the graduates of the
crime world, another plague currently afflicting an already beleaguered country? The Social Services agencies are not off the hook. No way, shape or form. Sad to say I am saddened at the number of times and situations that have come up in recent times that only highlight their inefficiency. This is just another for the record. The Ministry of Human Services certainly needs to be a bit more humane, at least in the manner they conduct business. The Police, and this I must repeat, The Police. I have read and listened to Guyanese reporting their dissatisfaction and mistrust of the members of the long arm of the law. They have come up short here, and very short. If they have been policing the areas at night, have they never encountered this homeless waif? Or am I to assume and think the way others are thinking, that when they are on the beat, it is not to turn up the heat on crime and criminals. Do not for one moment try to vindicate them by saying that it is not their job to look under cars and trucks ( I know how my fellow Guyanese think) , but then again those who knew and (Continued on page 5)
Aren’t we our brothers’ keepers anymore? DEAR EDITOR, In SN Feb 21/14, I read with great sadness about a robbery on Sunil and Tina Ramesh across from GT&T on Church St. The article stated that Mr. Ramesh was shot twice – in the stomach and abdomen. What I found sad about this article is that when Mrs. Ramesh saw her husband was wounded she screamed out for help but no one came to their aid; shortly thereafter two women came to help but neither could drive, so her twice shot husband had to drive himself to the hospital. What is happening to our beloved country? Aren’t we our brothers’ keepers anymore? Several years ago I went to a bank near Fogarty’s to withdraw some money. I noticed a security guard kept looking in my direction, I felt uneasy. I left the bank and drove to a store near GT&T and threw part of the money (in a purse) in the trunk and went into the store. When I came out, two men came up and told me some men had
picked the lock of my trunk and took out my purse and drove off. I asked why they didn’t raise an alarm; they said they were frightened because the men looked armed. Three years ago I bought a 12-year-old car to use as an animal rescue vehicle; small enough to get around quickly in our busy city. I never thought I would use it as an ambulance for the elderly but within the past four years I have picked up several seniors in need of help. Last month I was approaching the corner of Camp Street and Brickdam when I saw a man face down at the side of the road with many persons standing around throwing water at him, he appeared to be having a seizure. I asked if they needed help, they said yes. I off-loaded my dog carrier (leaving it with a vendor) and some publicspirited citizens assisted in putting the man into my vehicle. I quickly made my way to the public hospital where
staff quickly and efficiently assisted him to emergency. I explained to the doctor what I knew and she thanked me for being a good citizen. I told her I just thought I was doing my duty as a Guyanese. I’m a firm believer that the more of us that get involved the sooner we can improve the situation around us. It doesn’t take much of an effort: We can speak out
against animal cruelty; speak up when we see kids pelting bricks and rocks at people of unsound mind or birds and animals; or just stopping to ask if a homeless person needs help when they are sitting all alone at the side of the road. Like someone said: if we are not part of the solution we are probably part of the problem. Syeada Manbodh
Pardon me, PPP, your slip is showing DEAR EDITOR, Do the PPP/C Party and Government know that there is such a thing as protocol? Could you please use your good newspaper to advise them that not every event is one which sees the functionaries being garlanded? A memorial service, a funeral is a solemn event, one where we pay respects to the dead. We reminisce on their lives, their struggles,
their contributions to nation etc. It is about them, not us. Therefore the garlanding is out of order and the wearers look as foolish as the adorners. Let us try to emulate appropriate behaviour patterns. By the way, does the Protocol division still exist? If so, it seems their advice is honoured more in the breach, than in the observance. Roopnarine Persaud
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
Letters... Where your views make the news
Blatant violation of a citizen’s rights DEAR EDITOR, While on my way home at about 8:30 pm on Monday 3rd March 2014, I observed something which upset me. I was at the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge. The Police were conducting an anti-crime patrol. In a dark corner away to my left, in the old road which flows into the bridge approach something caught my attention. There was a police rank attired in dark clothing and visibly armed. He was engaged in an unfriendly conversation with the male driver of a motor car. Under the watchful eye of the armed rank, the driver was removing the tint from his car, protesting as he ripped off the tint. This was a case of an armed police officer in uniform performing the roles of police, prosecutor and
magistrate. The complete package at your service in the dark! Did he also function as the court of clerk and cashier? I would never know. Assumption of the multiple roles however, suggests a certain trend. I was somehow led to believe that, a police officer who finds that a citizen has committed an offence would first caution that citizen about the commission of that offence. Arrest and charge will then follow. Station bail, if applicable, will come after arrest and charge. The citizen is then prosecuted in a court of law. The findings of the court will result in a determination of the matter by the magistrate. Penalties, where necessary, will be then applied by the learned magistrate. In short, I was led to believe that due process
and natural justice were alive and well in Guyana. Why did I believe these things? I am living in a country which I believed to be a democracy. I now harbour serious doubts. Not just because of the policeman who was judge, jury and executioner, but because there was a senior officer present at the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge at that time. He was in full uniform. He, therefore, condoned the unlawful behaviour of this junior rank who was obviously under his command at the time. This is a case of a citizen’s rights being violated by an armed, uniformed police officer while under the supervision of a senior police officer in uniform in the full view of the public. The rot continues. Mervyn Williams
CLEARLY, THIS BRIDGE NEEDS TO BE ELEVATED DEAR EDITOR, I am heartened by the corrective action taken on the Moruca Bridge scenario and hope that similar attention can be given to the First Bridge on the road from Kurukururu to Laluni. This approximately 5-mile road provides vital access to farmlands which are suffering from underdevelopment because of the difficulty in transporting equipment, materials and produce across the bridge. I have recently acquired a lease and am faced with serious start up costs because of the bridge. I am informed that the bridge was recently constructed and in good condition but cannot verify this, because the main problem is that the bridge is totally submerged and in the best dry weather, only the running boards are visible with the approach roads on both sides also submerged under at least three feet of water and more during the rainy season. Apart from agricultural equipment and supplies, school children and pedestrians face serious hazards and inconvenience in crossing the bridge. Clearly, the bridge needs to be elevated and the approach roads reveted. In fairness to the authorities, the bridge could not have been built underwater and the level of the water in the creek may have risen since construction, due to blockages in the creek.
This type of blockage is apparent in the other creeks along the roadway posing difficulties to farmers in the area. There is tremendous agricultural potential in the area and there are affluent farmers who have the resources to circumvent the problems, but many small
farmers are unable to develop and are abandoning leases with potential to support the Government’s agricultural drive. I am appealing to the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Amerindian Affairs to visit the area and remedy the situation, Concerned Farmer
A NATIONAL...
From page 4 said that Andy slept regularly under the truck, must have held conversation with these policemen at some point in time. When has sleeping under trucks become the norm? With whom was Andy seen associating during any regular day? Too little, Too late. Too many people who knew of his plight and did nothing is certainly applicable to this situation, as nothing can be done now. The peace that evaded him in life he has now found in death, sleeping peacefully in the arms of his Maker, reunited with his parents.
As a nation we are now called upon to not only make but also carry out improvements that would save other Andys in Guyana from reaching a similar fate. There is no need for any walks or protests to be held in response to Andy’s death. Instead, we should all hang our heads, search our collective consciences and pray for a greater inflow of the milk of human kindness. That should suffice. May his face remain forever etched in our minds as being symbolic of a national disgrace. Rest in peace Andy. Yvonne Sam. R.N MEd. BSCN (Canada)
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CARICOM heads meeting in St. Vincent…
Regional security, climate change takes center stage
President Donald Ramotar and Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett at the CARICOM Heads of Government Inter-sessional meeting in St Vincent and the Grenadines St Vincent & the Grenadines -Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government, including President Donald Ramotar, opened their InterSessional Meeting at the Buccament Bay Resort in Kingstown, the capital of St Vincent and the Grenadines yesterday, with regional security and climate change headlining the agenda. During the opening ceremony, incoming CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, re-emphasised the need for the 15-member regional grouping to gain momentum in its work. He recognised the continuous criticism of the Community’s slow pace or sometimes failure to implement decisions of its agencies, but lamented the fact that the grouping is not a single state, but rather a society of sovereign states, and as such there is need for unity to ensure the work of the body moves forward. “The success of the CARICOM enterprise truly begins with the political leadership, though it does not
end with us alone, it’s us, our national populations and our national institutions,” Dr Gonsalves said. He expressed optimism that the meeting will address the key agenda items and end with some level of results, with the aim of improving the lives of the peoples of the Caribbean. “This inter-sessional Conference of Heads of State and Government have nominally a long agenda. Essentially, though, the subjects to be discussed have one focus, that is to improve the lives and quality of living of the people of CARICOM,” he noted. The St Vincent PM also expressed gratitude to CARICOM Heads for their support to his country, during the December 2013 torrential rains which claimed the lives of 11 persons and damaged major infrastructure in the country. President Ramotar is expected to make a presentation to his colleague heads on climate change and the need for the region to take urgent action. The Guyanese delegation at the two-day meeting includes Foreign Affairs
Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, Head of the Climate Change Unit at the Office of the President Shyam Nokta and Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Elisabeth Harper. (GINA)
Tuesday March 11, 2014
International drug bust report...
No reply from Americans The Americans are yet to respond to Government’s request for information pertaining to a recent drug bust which implicated Guyana as being a route through which illicit narcotics are being trafficked to the United States. Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee told this newspaper yesterday, “We have not received a response.” He explained that the letter was sent to the Americans “soon after” the President so instructed. Minister Rohee refrained, however, from stating to whom the letter was addressed and its contents. He also refrained from stating whether the government received any acknowledgement and a possible time frame when the information would be accessed. He said he was not obligated to give out the information. The Security Minister was instructed by President Donald Ramotar to get the necessary information when Guyana was identified as part
- says Home Affairs Minister of a drug smuggling network that stretched from here to Italy to Malaysia and the United States. About two dozen suspected drug traffickers linked to the Gambino and Bonanno crime families and the Italian crime syndicate known as ‘Ndrangheta were arrested in New York and Italy in early February when the two nations in a team operation disrupted what was described as a “multicontinent drug pipeline”. The Head of State had said at the time, “We (government) have extended to them (Americans) our full cooperation with dealing on the matter.” The reports on the drug bust prompted Opposition Leader David Granger and his team to meet with Army Head, Brigadier Mark Phillips to discuss strengthening the technical arm of the GDF, particularly aviation, coastguard and land assets to interdict narcotics and guns coming into Guyana.
US Ambassador, D. Brent Hardt, had also emphasized the need for inter-agency collaboration for the fight against narco- trafficking. He had also expressed continuing talks with the government to establish a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Guyana. The Ambassador said that as recent as last December the government was being engaged in such talks. He said that given the porous nature of the country’s borders, it is not difficult for drug cartels to access the country. The Ambassador said that he had made efforts at the American end to lobby for the DEA office, but no decision has been taken. Court documents out of the US showed that a “Mexican cartel” was shipping up to 200 grams of cocaine out of Guyana in each frozen fish. The dealers were also accused of trafficking cocaine and heroin in other food items.
CPC’s delays not of his own volition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is of the opinion that the Chief Parliamentary Counsel (CPC), Cecil Dhurjon, not completing the coalition’s amendments to the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill is not of his own volition. According to APNU’s Chief Financial Spokesperson, Carl Greenidge, based on all indications, when the Special Select Committee meets tomorrow; it will be dealing with the confirmation of minutes as against dealing with the completed APNU Amendments. Greenidge said that given Dhurjon’s experience in the field of drafting law, it is inconceivable to think that
given so much time, he is still unable to complete the amendments Responding to the Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall’s recent statements that the CPC was having problems with completing the draft, given its ramifications, Greenidge said that this is not the position of the CPC. According to Greenidge, Dhurjon’s place is to draft what was presented to him and if he has any reservations this should be submitted to the Parliamentary Committee, in an accompanying note. Greenidge recalled that on February 26, last, when the Committee met, Dhurjon told the members that he would complete the draft by the following day at 11:00hrs. As such Greenidge
- Greenidge suggests that for him to still be unable to complete the amendments means that it is not of his own volition. Greenidge maintains that the delays, has nothing to do with Dhurjon’s ability to draft the amendments. The coalition will not be buying into any more fabrications by the Attorney General, he added. “It’s a sad day when you cannot trust the Attorney General of a country,” said Greenidge. The former finance minister also questioned why the Attorney General is seeking to pronounce on the drafting of laws when he has no experience in the field.
Greenidge said that the CPC has not made any further queries on what is required of him or any clarifications on the drafts and as such should supply the committee with the completed amendments and if he has any reservations pen a letter to the committee. Nandlall recently told media operatives that “the one-seat majority is engaged in a singular quest and that is to grab Executive power from the government.” He was speaking specifically to one of the proposed APNU amendments which calls for the appointment and composition of the Financial Intelligence Unit, to be decided on by Parliament as (continued on page 23)
Tuesday March 11, 2014
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Tuesday March 11, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
Stop criminalizing our youths for wanting a change DEAR EDITOR, This action against some Guyanese, even though the Guyana Defence Force acted in accordance with the directives of the military court, MUST BE tempered with human kindness. As far as I know, the law MUST be tempered with mercy and the judiciary should see the other side of the coin! A while back, I saw that three young, underprivileged youths were jailed for three years each. These are possible scenarios; a young Guyanese just out of school is looking for gainful employment to sustain his or her family or some other age group not employed sees and admires the screen saver of the GDF. The Guyana Defence Force is seen a viable option; that person applies, passes the recruitment interview and subsequent background
checks. They are trained, survive the rigours of induction and are successful. Now this is a proud enlisted member of the Guyana Defence Force, who is deemed by all and sundry as a military person but is subjected to Military Law, in accordance with the Defence Act, Chapter 15:01 of the Guyana Constitution. If for some reason this free, law-abiding citizen, who sought and got gainful employment from the Guyana Defence Force, decides that this “Wuk” is not to their liking, and “leaves the work without authorization”. A problem now arises and their actions are now deemed by the army as AWOL. When caught, they are arrested in accordance of Section 178 of the Defence Act which stipulates their detention. After they are court-martialed and found guilty, lo and
behold this former lawabiding citizen’s life is now destroyed, because now we have cast into society a convicted felon, and he cannot ever do right in the eyes of society or ever get another proper job. This is peace time and one should have the right to refuse continued employment with any entity; even the army. Imagine, if all the persons that have left my employ for greener pastures without sending in their resignations are criminalized by being sent to jail for three years! Employers do not fire good employees and employees do not leave jobs they are comfortable in. Could the illustrious Brig. General, Mr. Mark Philips, please take the necessary steps to repeal or temper this law? Let them serve the 21 or 42 days, in the military prison and be dishonourably discharged. It is unfair and bordering on a slave master’s mentality, to inflict the punishment of three years in a civilian prison. This was handed down to persons who were once free proud Guyanese. These individuals should be allowed to make a choice. If they “don’t want the wuk”, they should be allowed to leave in peace and struck off strength, not turned into a criminal for life. I was told of the hardship and “punishment”, one, would endure when they voice their disapproval to “orders”. What is acceptable to one individual will be intolerable to another free, proud Guyanese. History has shown that a disgruntled brooding employee is very dangerous. ‘Full Metal Jacket’, a fictional movie comes to mind. After an announced absence of three days, an employee would have been deemed to have left the job in accordance of the Labour Laws of Guyana. Remember the old Guyanese proverb “Come see meh and live with meh, is two completely different thing” and “Once a soldier twice a civilian”. I was inducing my last son to join the Officer Corps and follow tradition but decided against it, after seeing the justice of the Guyana Defence Force. The Guyana Defence Force missed out on a future officer that would have made Guyana proud! The Guyana Defence Force’s screen saver and the real programme are completely two different environments. I know, I was in there and it was tolerable then. Former member of the GDF Officer Corps, Air Command
Tuesday March 11, 2014
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WHAT WENT WRONG? The perfect government is yet to be found. Everyone at least can agree with this proposition, even in Guyana where opposition parties are apt to score political points whenever there are perceived failures or mistakes on the part of the government. Mistakes and failures will be made. The public will always be willing to concede and accommodate some amount of mistakes and failures as part of the learning curve. Far more important than failure is the lesson to be learnt from falling short of expectations. Therefore, while some failures are to be tolerated, what is unforgiving is the absence of a process that addresses these failures. In recent weeks, reports have surfaced of a large number of nursing students who have failed their examinations. This massive failure rate has reportedly taken place in the context of a large number of admissions to the nursing programme. Reports in the media have revealed that out of the 120 persons who wrote the final nursing examinations, only nineteen passed. Of note, also, was the high dropout rate. More than half of the
students entering the programme did not persevere towards the final examination. In examining this problem that has arisen, it is important that the situation be addressed in its totality. If the massive failure rate occurred in the context of an excessively large number of admissions to the nursing programme, then the first issue to be addressed is whether there was a relaxation of standards of admission and whether this contributed to the unusually larger number of admissions than what existed prior. In other words, the first issue to be addressed is whether the standards of admission were compromised to admit persons not qualified to enter the programme. The second issue to be addressed is whether proper tuition was delivered to the students. While large class size will present some problems of accommodation, they do not necessary translate to mass failure rates. Indeed, large classes should not create such a massive failure rate as what is being said to have existed. Something went wrong with this particular batch of students and there needs to
Dem boys seh ...
Jail Brazzy quick Brazzy, de fat crook, think that de whole nation is a bunch of idiots. He suit down an tell de nation plenty things. Everything is lie and dem boys challenging him any time to deal wid de issue. He tell so much lie that he getting de face of a liar. Watch it good. He tell de nation that some shares wha he buy in a company that shoulda gone to de government go to he buddy when in fact is he own shares. That is one of de million lies that he tell. It also one of de many secret deals that he involved in. Some of de new lies is that he gun tell de nation de names of who invest US$8 million and gun own de Marriott Hotel. That was to happen last year end. He confuse. He and Jagdeo and Bobby and de other Bees don’t know who name to put. Dem weighing de options. Dem boys don’t mean fuh lef it down and people got to go to jail. Is de taxpayers money and de taxpayer ain’t getting no interest, no nutten although de nation put in US$20 million. De only way dem gun get money is if de hotel mek money. Imagine Brazzy telling people that some scampish investor gun put in US$8 million and end up owning de hotel. This investor, according to de fat crook, gun get a high interest rate pun he US$8 million whether de hotel mek or don’t mek money. This is de scampish thing that Brazzy pulling pun de Guyanese people. Brazzy tell this nation too, that Republic Bank would put together some people who gun raise US$27 million. This was to happen by de end of last year. This nah happen. But something strange happen. Brazzy seh that is only de taxpayers US$20 million put in pun de hotel and de hotel near done. That look like de rightful cost to build de hotel. De other money was just fuh fatten some people pocket. Nowhere in de world any hotel cost $60 million to build and furnish one room. Dem boys seh Brazzy got to explain if he putting diamond bed and golden mirror in dem room fuh he see he fat self. Lie? That is beyond lie. That is scampishness to de max fuh tell this nation that it cost US$300,000 to build and furnish each of de 200 room in de hotel. Talk half and jail this man quick.
be a detailed investigation that covers every possible scenario. In order to account for the massive failure rate, it is also necessary to examine how well the students were tutored. Obviously if students were not grasping certain concepts, this could be a failure on their part but it can also be a failure on the part of the teachers. There needs to therefore be an analysis of whether the students were regularly tested before final examinations and what would have been their scores. This would allow for an evaluation of the progress being made by the students and why, if
any, corrective action was not taken earlier. The large dropout rate would indicate a serious problem with students’ performance and it needs to be asked whether this dropout rate was unusual and what efforts were made to examine this problem. An evaluation also needs to be made about the marking scheme and the degree of difficulty of the examination questions. Were these consistent with the standards of the past, or were the examinations set at a level that were not in sync with what the students were being taught? These are the important questions that need to be
addressed before wild speculation takes over. The answers to these questions should at the minimum provide the Ministry of Health with an understanding as the reasons for the massive failures which judging from repor t s was unprecedented. It is no use pronouncing at this stage as to what went wrong without all the facts being known and without all the angles being covered. This is a serious issue that suggests a breakdown somewhere along the line. It is an issue that needs to be highlighted but not one on which political capital should be sought.
Guyana has historically graduated large batches of nurses many of whom have excelled overseas in the nursing profession. That situation cannot suddenly change overnight. Something went wrong and needs to be examined. And in this process of examination those who failed and those who dropped out should be surveyed to determine what they felt went wrong.
GNBS staffers on $150,000 bail each after corruption charges Three days after allegedly taking $150,000 from a city business to illegally certify a truck, two staffers of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Quincy Gibson and David Denny, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged for receiving rewards via corrupt transactions. The defendants both pleaded not guilty to the charges when they stood before Chief Magistrate, Priya SewnarineBeharry yesterday. According to the allegation, the GNBS agents demanded $150,000 from Ramona Spencer as a reward for failing to inspect and approve a motor vehicle which was used to transport fuel. The men were granted bail in the sum of $150,000 each at their lawyers’ request. Police Prosecutor, Michael Grant, noted that he was not in possession of the facts of the case and as such did not object to bail. The duo will return to court on April 8.They were ordered to report to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department and lodge their passports. Gibson 27, of Lot 20 Co-op Society Road, Soesdyke, a former inspector of the regulatory agency, and his alleged accomplice, David Denny, 29, of 849 SectionABlock X, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, were reportedly nabbed by police. The carefully planned sting operation followed a complaint of the GNBS staffers asking for bribes. According to initial reports three employees of GNBS were found in possession a large quantity of cash which had demanded from a city businessman. The suspects were found in possession of $300,000 which they allegedly took from a fuel truck owner to certify a vehicle. According to reports, the
business person who operates in the city, tipped off the police and several marked notes were allegedly paid to the unsuspecting employees. Minutes after they had collected the money, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters moved in. The staffers were reportedly searched and the cash was found on them. They were taken into custody after being unable to explain how they came into possession of it.
Accused: David Denny
Accused: Quincy Gibson
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Tuesday March 11, 2014
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Small minds pursue Ashni Singh not Judy Lutchman There are times when a scatological vocabulary is necessary in life. I remember the words of one of my favourite Guyanese – law professor, Rudy James – long, long ago when I was a UG freshman. With his inimitable smile, Professor James said. “Freddie, lying is not right but it is necessary.” It is the same with the cuss words. Cussing down in not right but it is necessary. When the Watergate tapes were released, President Nixon was revealed as a leader who certainly used lurid language in his Cabinet meetings. Most secretaries would tell you that Presidents and Prime Ministers used the F-words quite often to all types of underlings, mostly their Ministers. In today’s world if leaders tell you that they do not
swear, cuss down and release the F-word, they are lying. If I were Minister of Finance, each time I hear an opposition politician or human rights critics or Government detractor, or read that a media commentator condemns the Minister for a traffic accident recently in which he ran into another car and left the scene, I would cuss them up. Are we criticizing Dr Ashni Singh because he did a wrong that has implications for the foundations of justice or are we motivated by other considerations? He is a Minister and I don’t like the Government; he is a PPP and I don’t like the PPP. I have been condemnatory of Minister Singh and I will be honest and admit that the source of my castigation is two-fold. First, I believe his actions
have dire consequences for the principle of equality before the law. Secondly, I was moved to deprecate his behaviour because he belongs to a government and party that I honestly feel have no nationalist feelings in them, who practise horrible governance and together, such attitudes will sooner than later finally ruin this sad, tragic, jinxed, hopelessly pessimistic nation. But I have been fair to Dr. Singh in that I have not singled him out. I believe what Magistrate Judy Lutchman did on the bench last week is a million times more harmful to the foundations of justice than the conduct of Dr. Ashni Singh at the scene of the accident. I am contending that if you are moved to use your
voice against the Minister and remain silent over the conduct of Ms. Lutchman then, you are a hypocrite who cannot defend your double standards using any type of argument. Your silence is indefensible. Singh left the scene of an accident. No one was badly hurt, no one had their freedom curtailed, Singh agreed to compensation. Alright, he was in the wrong and should have been charged. He must be brought before the courts. He is not above the law. What Magistrate Judy Latchman did threatens the very fulcrum on which rests the very essence of justice. In the opinion of this columnist (forgive my chauvinism but I am familiar with the essence of justice having studied philosophy up to the doctoral level--I taught philosophy to Latchman at UG)
— should attract the attention of every citizen in this land. When a citizen is accused by the State of committing a crime that citizen puts his fate in the hands of a neutral judge who will act in the interest of justice because of that neutrality. That neutrality then is sacred and priceless. What Magistrate Latchman did was so morally offensive that society itself is threatened if she is not called upon for an explanation. The prosecutor before Ms. Lutchman told the neutral judge that the State (yes the State that charges citizens for criminal behaviour) wrongly charged an accused, that it was a mistake that will be corrected. The State then did not oppose bail. This neutral judge then abandoned the sacred office of the neutral judge and told the accused she will be denied her freedom. The neutral judge then took on the role of the State. It is a most tragic incident. To date only two
Frederick Kissoon Guyanese citizens have commented on what Ms. Lutchman did. The President of the Bar Association, Mr. Ronald Burch-Smith, was publicly quoted as saying that the Magistrate’s decision to refusal bail in the circumstances was unusual. The Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, in opening the refurbished Wales Magistrate made a brief reference to Ms Lutchman’s decision. In fact, the Chancellor remarked in direct reference to my public call for Ms. Lutchman to be dismissed on my allegation of unfair dispensation of justice, told his audience that a blind eye will not be turned on such allegations. Minister Ashni Singh has a right to cuss out his critics who are selected in who they condemn.
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Major stakeholder consultation to be hosted on Thursday on AML Bill Government’s effort to ensure the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Te r r o r i s m ( A M L C F T ) Amendment Bill, will see the hosting of a major consultation, to engage stakeholders, on Thursday, March 13, at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal. President Donald Ramotar will be addressing the gathering at the event slated to begin at 10:00hrs and which is open to all stakeholders and interested persons. The meeting is intended to inform and educate stakeholders about the AMLCFT Bill, which has not been passed in the National Assembly
due to delays by the political opposition. It follows several recent meetings held in communities such as Lusignan and Mahaica, in Region Four, Anna Regina, Region Two and Greenwich Park, Region Three. At all these communities the common thread was for the bill to be passed or elections to be called to resolve the parliamentary situation where the Opposition holds a one -seat majority. Bartica, Berbice and Linden residents also responded positively to meetings held within their communities in the first round of meetings in February. The AMLCFT Amendment Bill No. 22,
2013 is before the Parliamentary Special Select Committee. The APNU has proposed last minute amendments which are posing problematic for the parliamentary draftsman who had asked for more time to complete them. One of the amendments is to give police and customs officers the power to seize $10M or more in cash from persons. They are also tying the bill’s passage to the assent of bills that were not assented to by the President. The Alliance for Change had always said it wanted the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission, but recently said it also wanted what the APNU was demanding.
National Assembly takes school outreach to Region Two What really is Parliament? What is the work of a Member of Parliament? How does a person go about becoming a Parliamentarian? How can a person go about getting Members of Parliament to raise a particular concern in the National Assembly? These were some of the questions asked of the Members of Parliament who visited Region Two on Friday as part of the National Assembly’s school outreach programme. The team, which comprised Government MPs, Minister Ali Baksh, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj and Mr. Cornel D a m o n , a n d A Partnership for National Unity member, Ms. Africo Selman along with former PPP MP, Mr. Ishak Bashir, and three parliamentary staff, met and interacted with students and teachers of the Taymouth Manor and CV Nunes Primary schools, and the Abram Zuil, Cotton Field and Anna Regina Secondary Schools. At each school the team was questioned exhaustively by the students on the workings of the National Assembly, the job of an MP and various topical issues currently engaging the attention of the House. They were also treated to the young people’s perspective on these issues. Though the students displayed very good knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the National Assembly, they welcomed the initiative and the opportunity to interact with Members of Parliament. The visiting team
distributed educational DVDs and fliers to the schools and also presented each school with a trophy in recognition of their achievements in academics and also as a form of encouragement to continue excelling. “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance, determines your
destiny,” were engraved on each trophy. The outreach to schools is aimed at “Bringing Parliament to Life for Young People” and building trust and confidence between the parliamentary parties, between the people and the legislature, and more generally, in the institutions of governance. To date the outreach programme has seen Members of Parliament visiting schools in Regions Two, Four, Six, Eight and Ten.
Various stakeholders such as the Private Sector Commission which represents the local business sector and the Heads of Missions of the United States, Canada and Britain, along with thousands of residents of various communities across Guyana, have also called for the support of the critical piece of legislation and its passage. Guyana stands to be blacklisted internationally if the Bill is not passed in a timely manner.
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Kaieteur News
Guyana is seeking new export frontiers as rice production increases - PPP The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has come out in full praise of the rice farmers for their efforts and increased levels of production culminating in Guyana recording its highest production in history when rice production surpassed 400,000 tons in 2013. The increased level of rice production in Guyana, however, has to be taken in contrast with the limited market available for exports. As such the government has signaled its intention to increase and expand into new frontiers. The PPP, through its General Secretary Clement Rohee, has said that “the government and GRDB will be engaging Belize, Guatemala and Brazil to purchase rice
from Guyana. The Minister of Agriculture will be leaving shortly for Latin America to pursue markets in that region.” Rohee further said the PPP is hopeful that the situation in Venezuela becomes normal so export to that country can commence. Rohee explained that Haiti’s market requires 100,000 metric tons of rice and negotiations for Guyana to supply that market are ongoing. According to Rohee, as a matter of policy, negotiations have been ongoing between the export authorities in Guyana for rice and the private sector in Haiti. “In fact I think it was some time ago when President Ramotar was (continued on page 23)
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Authorities seldom successfully prosecute domestic violence’s cases - US state report - many incidents are not reported to law enforcement Although the laws of Guyana criminalize rape, including spousal rape, many incidents are not reported to law enforcement. This statement comes from the US State Department Report on Human Rights. The report, which was recently released, stressed that authorities seldom successfully prosecuted cases that were reported. “Based on media reports and commentary, there was a high incidence of rape and sexual assault not reflected in official statistics and many survivors did not report rapes, presumably because of fear of stigma, retribution, or further violence,” the report said.
According to the report, during 2012 authorities charged 102 persons with rape, but only 28 were convicted, due in part to the large court backlog. Additionally, in 2012 authorities charged 89 persons with statutory rape, and four were convicted (including persons charged in preceding years). A judge has discretion to issue a sentence of any length in a rape conviction, depending upon the circumstances and severity of the act committed. The norm appeared to be a sentence of five to 10 years’ imprisonment. The report went on to state that domestic violence and violence against women, including spousal abuse, was widespread and crossed racial and socioeconomic lines. Although the law prohibits domestic violence and allows victims to seek prompt protection, occupation, or tenancy orders from a magistrate. It was explained that court
reports have shown that there were 279 domestic violence cases filed during 2012, with 143 persons convicted. Penalties for violation of protection orders included fines up to $10,000 of US ($49.50) and 12 months’ imprisonment. It was noted that survivors frequently were unwilling to press charges due to a lack of confidence in obtaining a remedy through the courts. “Some such persons preferred to reach a pecuniary settlement out of court,” the report said. An issue raised was the fact that there were reports of police accepting bribes and other reports of magistrates applying inadequate sentences after conviction. In addition, cases heard involving violation of a protective order tended to be categorized as assault cases. The report said that access to contraception and skilled attendance at delivery and in postpartum care was widely available.
The UN Population Fund reported a contraceptive prevalence rate of 43 percent and an estimated maternal mortality ratio in 2010 (latest data available) of 280 deaths per 100,000 live births; 87 percent of births were attended by skilled health personnel. According to UN estimates, 40 percent of women ages 15 to 49 were using a modern method of contraception. Media reports highlighted cases where severe bleeding after childbirth and hypertensive disorders resulted in maternal deaths, leading to the high maternal mortality ratio. The media also highlighted cases where nurses ignored family members’ complaints about lack of prompt attention, leading in some cases to sickness or death. Women and men had equal access to diagnostic services and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS the report stated.
Experts flown in to rectify inefficient ... From page 3 whatever the case might be” said Rohee. This comes as a counter measure to address the reports of residents who have been complaining about their emergency calls especially to 911 going unanswered. Just recently an early morning fire in Deobrian Street, Prashad Nagar consumed a house leaving its occupants homeless, Kaieteur News was informed that attempts to contact the 911
number went unanswered. Rohee had in December last year expressed frustration at the 911 telephone service and promised to facilitate a meeting with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), the Police, other Home Affairs officials and stakeholders so that the issue can be rectified. He had said that the problem might be technological in nature since he said he knew that it was not a problem with clerical staff because there are
enough ranks to respond to calls in the police force. Back in 2009 the police force came under heavy criticism in the wake of the Abary River tragedy in which three people drowned. Lone survivor, Ms Tara Mattai, an overseas-based Guyanese had claimed that in her quest to help her drowning relatives, she had used her cellular phone to call 911. She said that she called about 25 times before her call was received.
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
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EPA retains overriding enforcement Two more witnesses testify in Tain Murder trial powers on environmental issues The murder trial of the two Corentyne men who are accused of murdering another, continued on Monday with another voir dire taking centre stage with the main trial expected to continue day in The Berbice High Court. When the matter ended on Friday with the prosecution called two more police witness. This was following the visit by the court to the scene of the murder at Tain, the day before. The trial which is being conducted before Justice Diana Insanally and a mixed jury has seen the prosecution calling seven witnesses so far. On Thursday the entire court, including the Judge, the prosecution the defence and jurors visited the scene of the crime for a first hand inspection. On Friday when the matter continued the prosecution first called Constable Nkofi Austin who stated that he arrested the number one accused at Black Bush Polder. Also on the witness stand on Friday was Detective Corporal Primus Sam, during whose testimony the defence raised certain objections following which the matter was adjourned to yesterday. Earlier, a lengthy voir dire (a trial within trial) which lasted for a number of days was conducted. At the completion of which saw Justice Insanally ruling that the statement purported to be given by the Number two accused is not admissible. On trial for murder are Joshua Persaud, called ‘Sunny Boy’, and ‘Bun Boy’, 22; and Raphael Rene
Morrison, called “Red Head”, 24, both of Bloomfield, Corentyne, Berbice. The two men are accused of murdering Marlon Andrew Ramcharran on June 3, 2013 along a street in Block C Tain New Housing area. Over the past few days State Prosecutor attorney at law Renita Singh and Attorney at law Mursalene Bacchus, who is representing the two accused were trading legal arguments in the absence of the jury as the matter continued in the Berbice High Court. Testifying earlier were Detective Assistant Superintendent of police Gary Mc Alister and Detective Constable Emmanuel Rajnauth. Mc Alister testified to visiting the scene and taking a statement from Morrison. Rajnauth testified that he witnessed the statement given by Morrison that he visited the scene of the crime and arrested Morrison. He also testified to finding the cutlass that as allegedly used to commit the crime. Three other witnesses also had earlier testified in the case including the father of the dead man, Surendra Ramcharan, who identified the body. Police Detective Constable Andel Doris who testified to taking photographs of the scene, and Molchan Raghubir who testified that on the night in question the number one accused, Persaud, went by his house with Morrison and demanded a cutlass from him, which he subsequently gave to him. Earlier Prosecutor Singh had laid out the state’s case
Miner, 21, feared drowned A 21-year-old miner is feared drowned after he reportedly climbed onto a ‘dragga’ and fell into the water at Omai, Region Seven around 17:00 hrs on Sunday. A ‘dragga’ is a large Brazilian mining vehicle. Up to press time police and volunteers were still looking for the body of Clive Johnson of Lot 19 Ramp Road, River View, Ruimveldt. According to Johnson’s mother, Janice Evans, she was informed that her son climbed onto a ‘dragga’ to reach for something when his foot slipped and he fell into the water. Evans was further told that another miner plunged into the rough waters to rescue Johnson but his efforts were futile. “Clive use to work out here with a man name ‘Peter’. A month ago he (Johnson) said that he will go into the
interior to work with this man on his dragga and he was suppose to come out today (Monday),” the mother explained. According to Evans, her son called her on Sunday around 15:00hrs and told her that he will be home around 17:00hrs the following day (Monday). “Like two hours after he called, a shop man called me and asked me if I hear what happen with my son and I said no. Then he tell me that my son fell overboard. Right away I called the boss and then he told me that Johnson fell overboard,” the mother said. She added that ‘Peter’ told her that when her son’s body was recovered, it will be flown to Georgetown. Kaieteur News tried to contact ‘Peter’ for a comment but all calls went straight to voicemail.
in which she mentioned that on the day in question Ramcharran was at a bar in the village where he met two friends, Nicholas Beharry, and Rakesh Jaikarran. During the time one of Nicholas friend’s borrowed his bicycle to go to ‘Dust Till Dawn’. The men subsequently went and look for the friend to retrieve the bicycle. Around 02:30 hrs on the day in questioned the friends left the bar. Marlon went ahead and his two friends followed behind. The friends subsequently heard Marlon pleading ‘you chopping the wrong person’. Beharry and Rakesh then ran to where Marlon was shouting and there they saw the two accused chopping him. Marlon subsequently fell to the ground. The court was told that after the two accused saw the two witnesses they start to chase after them forcing them to flee for their lives. Marlon was later found lying in a pool of blood. A post mortem examination performed on the body by Dr. Nehaul Singh revealed that the cause of death was shock and hemorrhage due to multiple incised wounds.
Worried CARICOM discusses ... From page 3 implications. Under the legislations banks, insurance companies, cooperatives, pawnbrokers, cambios, money transfers and a host of other agencies have to submit reports and raise red flags of suspicious transactions to a local body called the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The law changes will allow to measures to be taken for the seizure of monies and property acquired from illegal activities and proceeds. All agencies named have to adopt controls that will mandate customers to produce proper identification. Guyana's non-passage of the Bill has seen pressure from civil organizations and business bodies. Over the weekend, former CFATF Chairman, Sir Ronald Sanders, urged for mature heads and negotiations for a swift resolution, warning that blacklisting is almost certain. With several Caribbean nations part of the CFATF, any blacklisting would have implications. Venezuela is buying rice from Guyana. So is Jamaica. Guyana is also conducting talks with other islands in the region. Any blacklisting will see them taking actions that will delay or at the least, reduce the flow of trade proceeds to Guyana.
While there are clashes over legislation governing the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the two entities are expected to continue their conflict over their individual role regarding the environment. The EPA has reminded that the Environmental Protection Act of 1996 “is the primary governing law for all issues relating to environmental protection and management in Guyana.” A statement from the EPA under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment stated, “While the Agency acknowledges the fact that several other sector agencies and institutions currently administer various pieces of legislation that are directly and indirectly related to environmental issues and the Environmental Protection Act, the Agency nonetheless retains overriding administrative and enforcement powers by virtue
... Has no objection to amending M&CC legislation
of Section 4 of the Environmental Protection Act.” “The Agency has an unequivocal legislative mandate to exercise complete authority over the implementation and enforcement of the Litter Prevention Regulations.” The EPA has stated however that, “it has no objection to the amending of any legislation currently used by the Mayor and City Council to address litter and litter prevention issues to meet the standards and penalties.” The assertion came after members of the M&CC, particularly Mayor Hamilton Green, and Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Greene expressed surprise and disappointment at new environmental measures being put in place in Georgetown without the
consultation of Council executives. The City officials said that no such consultations were held, despite the M&CC being the city manager and is governed by separate laws regarding the management and coordination of the city. The new law involves the employment of litter wardens who will have the power to impose on the spot litter fines of up to $50,000. It was noted, further, that motorists will now have to be cognizant of litter being tossed off the vehicles as they will bear the responsibility for anyone throwing garbage out of their motor vehicle. Among other calls from the M&CC, was for the increase in litter fines as the Council can only charge persons up to $10,000 for littering. The Deputy Mayor (continued on page 24)
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Kaieteur News
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Tuesday March 11, 2014
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Tuesday March 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Guyana is seeking new export... From page 12 at a Caricom meeting in Haiti that we did meet with one of the major rice importers in Haiti and he expressed a tremendous amount of optimism about export of rice expanding in Haiti. “Haiti has a large population so that market has great prospects. I can’t say exactly when the deal was signed, whether it has been completed in terms of negotiations but I can say that it is a market that has great potential for our exports.” Rohee said that the government will be facilitating the negotiations “after which the government recedes and the private sector negotiates prices.” Speaking to the economic perception that Haiti will need a significant reduction in the price of the exported rice,
Rohee said that “they may want that but they have to negotiate with the manufacturers over here; it doesn’t mean they will get that, you also have to take into consideration what the millers over here want as well, and that is why they will have to sit down and negotiate the question of price.” The General Secretary said that efforts are being made to search for more markets and greater market penetration “we also are working very steadfastly to address the question of Phytosanitary measures or barriers that countries might want to raise in respect to export of rice and other factors, so I think greater market access in nontraditional markets is one of the major challenges that we are faced with which we
are working assiduously to address.” Questioned about when these new markets are going to be on stream given the increased production and stockpile of rice that has been amassed as well as the greater influx expected to come soon, Rohee said that “we need to just work aggressively for greater market access, traditional markets, nontraditional markets. Work with the Venezuelan Government to ensure that the situation there allows for the importation of rice under the Guyana Venezuela agreement [rice for oil] and so forth.” He further said that the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Minister of Agriculture are working hard to address this situation.
CPC’s delays not of his own... From page 6 against the Minister of Finance. Nandlall told media operatives that the move is consistent with the efforts of the political opposition over the past two years. According to the Legal Affairs Minister, the opposition is looking to direct Executive policies by way of Parliamentary resolutions. The Parliamentary Committees, which are controlled also by the opposition, are being used to “coerce policy down the throat of the Executive,” according to Nandlall. He used as an example the motion which called on the Minister of Finance to, among other things, transfer
money from entities such as the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited. Nandlall said that when the Minister failed to adhere to the resolution piloted by APNU, the opposition political party moved to have the Minister committed to the Committee of Privileges with a view to institute sanctions. Nandlall also used as an example the “ordeal” of the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee. A motion of no confidence was passed against Minister Rohee, which called on the President to remove him in that capacity. When this failed, according to Nandlall, the Opposition then moved to
Parents peeved at... From page 17 when health centres and hospitals request drugs from the storage bond at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, protocols are often not followed and instead of being lodged at the bond of the requesting hospital for inspection, the medications are sent directly to the individual departments. “This is a mad, mad situation. In situations like this, you even got people being treated with wrong doses. Then there is no proper audit of the drugs, so I am sure that many are expired,” Dr. Narine posited. Because he is a member of the region's health committee,
who has insights into the health issues facing the district, he does not utilize the services offered. “It's frightening. I would prefer to go to a private institution,” Dr. Narine declared, adding that even the X-ray machine and telecommunication at the Leonora Hospital does not work. “This is nonsense! And we have the Minister doing nothing. Before, we used to have problems, yes, but this new Minister…I don't know what he doing,” Dr. Narine said. Efforts to contact the Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran were futile.
have him gagged from speaking in the House. “They want to determine in the legislature who shall function as Executive Ministers, when the Constitution says that those are powers reposed in the President and in the Executive arms of Government” SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
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Kaieteur News
Gonsalves notes CARICOM’s progress at 25th Intersessional
CARICOM Chairman Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines greets Portia Simpson-Miller Prime Minister of Jamaica before the opening session of the 25th Intersessional Meeting of the Heads of Government at Buccament Bay. The Heads of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) yesterday opened their 25th Intersessional Meeting in St Vincent and the Grenadines where Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, acknowledged the numerous setbacks over the years Dr. Gonsalves, in addressing the leaders, spoke of the failures particularly around freedom of movement of persons, good governance and implementation issues. “The accomplishments,” he said, “touch and concern functional cooperation, particularly in education, health, and citizenry security; trade and economic integration; freedom of movement of persons though still problematic; the coordination of public policy in the areas of renewable for energy, agriculture and tourism, air transport, financial services, and foreign affairs, and disputessettlement through the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).” According to Dr. Gonsalves, there is still a great deal left to be done to realise the full fruition of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. “It is the frustrating,
unfulfilled potential of CARICOM which prompts stinging critiques, including a justifiable sense in some quarters that this regional body is unequally yoked and thus allocates or distributes its benefits too unevenly.” According to Dr. Gonsalves, neither the political leadership as a collective nor the populations as a whole, have an appetite for much more than what is currently on offer in the Treaty commitments. “So, our political mandate is to ensure that what is fashioned in the Revised Treaty is implemented optimally…To achieve this we must first love and care for CARICOM; secondly, we must ensure that the organs of the Community work as intended and that its decisions are implemented in each nation-state of the Community; and thirdly, that the political leaders and populations in each nation-state possess the requisite political will for CARICOM’s optimal functioning, as structured.” He noted, too, that frequently, CARICOM is
lambasted for its failure or refusal to implement the decisions of its treaty-based institutions. “Invariably, the CARICOM Secretariat is excoriated for this i m p l e m e n t a t i o n deficit…However the Secretariat is not CARICOM; it is the central administrative instrument of CARICOM but it possesses no authority to compel enforcement of decisions of the various Councils of Ministers and the Heads of State and Government Conference.” He said that in the absence of an Executive CARICOM Commission, buttressed by the requisite constitutional or legal authority, the central responsibility for the implementation of CARICOM’s decisions rests with the governments of the individual nation-states. “Thus, each government is enjoined in its responsibility, nay its solemn obligation, to put appropriate institutional arrangements in its natural executive and administrative apparatuses to facilitate the speedy and efficacious implementation of CARICOM’s decisions.”
Early morning fire destroys ... From page 3 the fire which ruined the building also scorched the exterior of neighbouring houses. When Kaieteur News visited the location, the blaze had been already contained. However, residents who witnessed the inferno recounted that the incident caused “quite a stir,” in the usually quiet neighbourhood. “I was in kitchen when I heard glass breaking. I didn't think anything of it at first but then I saw smoke and looked out my back door to see that flames had completely engulfed the upper flat of the house and I started to shout for my husband,” a female occupant of a neighbouring house related. The woman said that she alarmed several other residents. “We just panicked at first, and a
crowd began to gather.” “We tried to call the fire service but the calls went unanswered then we sought the assistance of neighbour, who contacted someone to get on to the fire department. “That's when three fire trucks pulled up and helped to contain the blaze. We are just thankful that no one was hurt and the fire was contained before other houses got destroyed.” A press release from the Guyana Power and Light, (GPL) stated that the company has regularly put into practice the necessary security measures, at the instance of fires. “It is important to understand that service disconnection and restoration as it relates to community fires is of paramount importance to the Guyana Power Light Inc. (GPL). “GP&L will dis-
connect a customer or customers' electrical service during a fire following a report. The Company will take all necessary safety measures required once we have received a report and/or identified a hazardous situation that can result in fires. “As a result of the fire at Prashad Nagar, the power was disconnected to all customers connected to the F9 Feeder. The communities affected for just under an hour from 07:54hrs were Prashad Nagar, Kitty and Campbelville.” GPL further advised that in accordance with the electrical regulations, customers should have their premises recertified every 10 years which would aid greatly in mitigating the dangers associated with old wiring and fires of electrical origin.
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Cuban Five…
Rene Gonzalez to testify at International Commission of Inquiry The first of the five Cubans prisoners to be released will testify in London this week, according to President of the Guyana Cuba Solidarity Movement (GCSM) Haleem Khan. US author, Alice Walker, will join the first of the ‘Miami Five’ also known as the ‘Cuban Five’ to be freed. Gonzalez has chosen Britain as the destination of his first international visit after serving almost 15 years in a US prison. Gonzalez is one of five Cubans, known in Britain as the ‘Miami Five,’ who were arrested by the FBI in Miami in 1998. They were charged with conspiracy to commit espionage for infiltrating and monitoring Florida-based groups responsible for terrorist attacks against Cuba. Khan said although the information they collected was passed on to the US authorities no action was taken but to arrest the five. “The circumstances surrounding their controversial trial including the payment of journalists by the US government to write prejudicial articles to influence the jury was being re-examined by more than 20 witnesses at an International Commission of Inquiry into his Case which took place at the Law Society on 7-8 March,.” Khan underscored. Speaking from Havana this week, Mr Gonzalez said: “Our
Haleem Khan case has been one of the least reported in US legal history despite being one of the biggest and despite involving issues as important as terrorism, espionage and the relations between two neighbouring countries which have been enemies for more than 50 years. I look forward to testifying at the Commission in London as I think it will be a fundamental step in breaking the wall of silence around the case and the Five.” Victims of terrorism, including the father of the tourist killed in a hotel bombing and the daughter of a victim of the Cubana airline bomb will also appear at the Commission, alongside other special international guests
including Alice Walker, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Color Purple and legal representatives from the US. The resolution of this case and release and return of all five men to Cuba is considered by many international observers as pivotal to any reproach in relations between the US and Cuba. Ricardo Alarcon, former Cuban Foreign Secretary will also be coming to Britain. He expressed his hopes for the event: “The fact is that the truth about this case is not widely known and we need to use this event to make known what the five were really doing – the non violent struggle they were engaged in against terrorism. “We hope the Commission will encourage people to feel moved to join with us and pressure the US authorities and President Obama to free them and grant them the justice they never received in court.” The Miami Five are five Cubans imprisoned in US jails since 1998 for trying to stop terrorist attacks against Cuba. The United Nations, Amnesty International and numerous legal, religious and human rights organisations have questioned the fairness of their trial and long sentences, and condemned the US government’s persistent refusal to grant visas to allow two of their wives to visit.
EPA retains overriding enforcement ... From page 21 said that this new law is a slap in the face of the Council and continued efforts to frustrate City Hall in making an earnest impact on the city. The EPA has noted that the litter prevention regulations have been enacted under the Environmental Protection Act 1996. “Under the Act, the Agency is the designated administrative institution responsible for coordinating and overseeing all initiatives under the Act. These initiatives include the creation, development,
implementation and enforcement of all Regulations made under the Act.” EPA said that several consultations with local stakeholders regarding the implementation of the regulations were held. These consultations occurred in the months leading up to the enactment of the regulations and continue to be held in the wake of its enactment. The EPA has stated, however, that consultations were held with the M&CC, including Town Clerk, Carol Sooba and the Council’s Solid Waste Management Director,
Walter Narine. The two expressed their intention to offer full support to the Agency in strengthening capacity building and institutional support between the Agency and the Council in the implementation and enforcement of the regulations. “The Agency wishes to emphasize that it has no objection to amending any legislation currently used by the Mayor and City Council to address litter and litter prevention issues to meet the standards and penalties.”
Transferred police crime lab ... From page 14 presented to him from the time it is submitted to him to the time it is returned to the investigating rank, not to a third party, so as to protect their integrity. “These exhibits have to be distributed you know, one way or the other, but the question is whether they will permit Greaves to distribute them himself in a proper manner which is the best thing or you have them floating around and complicate the cases when they meet to the high
court. There are lots of murder cases involved,” the officer said. A legal source expressed alarm that the police are taking such an approach, given all the experiences they have had with missing exhibits and break of chain of custody. “If that is to happen it will be a windfall for the defence,” the legal source stated. About three years ago, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee had cause to intervene and influenced the reinstatement of Superintendent
Greaves when there was a previous attempt to remove him from the police laboratory. The recent move is coming at a time when more emphasis is being placed on forensic science to solve crimes and many are seeing the move to transfer the most experienced officer in this field in the Guyana Police Force as counter-productive. The government will soon be commissioning a state-ofthe-art forensic laboratory at the University of Guyana's Turkeyen Campus.
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
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‘AN UNPRECEDENTED MYSTERY’ (Reuters) - Investigators in Malaysia are voicing skepticism that the airliner that disappeared early Saturday with 239 people on board was the target of an attack, U.S. and European government sources close to the probe said. The fate of the Malaysian airliner that vanished about an hour into a flight to Beijing remained a mystery, as a massive air and sea search, now in its third day, failed to turn up any trace of the Boeing 777 plane. Neither Malaysia’s Special Branch, the agency leading the investigation locally, nor spy agencies in the United States and Europe have ruled out the possibility that militants may have been involved in downing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. But Malaysian authorities have indicated that the evidence so far does not strongly back an attack as a cause for the aircraft’s disappearance, and that mechanical or pilot problems could have led to the apparent crash, the U.S. sources said. “There is no evidence to suggest an act of terror,” said a European security source, who added that there was also “no explanation what’s happened to it or where it is.” Meanwhile, dozens of ships and aircraft from 10 countries were still scouring the seas around Malaysia and south of Vietnam as questions mounted over possible security lapses that could have led to a downing of the Boeing 777-200ER after it climbed to an altitude of 35,000 feet. Interpol
confirmed on Sunday at least two passengers used stolen passports and said it was checking whether others aboard had used false identity documents. Even so, one U.S. source said Malaysian authorities were leaning away from the theory that the plane was attacked. Their view was mostly based on electronic evidence that indicates the flight may have turned back toward the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur before disappearing. Even that information has not been clearly confirmed, and investigators and intelligence sources say the fate of the Flight MH370 is still shrouded in mystery. One reason was that the aircraft had failed to make automatic contact with a flight data-monitoring system after vanishing from radar screens, two people familiar with the matter said yesterday. Such contact could have helped investigators determine what happened. The aircraft was equipped with a maintenance computer capable of talking to the ground automatically through short messages known as ACARS. “There were no signals from ACARS from the time the aircraft disappeared,” a source involved in the investigations said. Also raising doubts about the possibility of an attack, the United States extensively reviewed imagery taken by spy satellites for evidence of a mid-air explosion, but saw none, a U.S. government source said. The source described U.S. satellite
Ground breaks on new CDEMA headquarters The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) yesterday launched construction of an $8 million headquarters, including a training facility, offices and a warehouse. The facilities are being constructed outside Bridgetown, on land at Lears, St Michael provided by the Government. The structures are expected to be strong enough to withstand natural hazards, such as storms. Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday morning Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite said CDEMA was important if the region was to continue to “build resilient communities” and “to withstand whatever disasters will befall us from time to time”.
He said Hurricane Katrina in 2005 had shown how important it was to coordinate disaster relief efforts. Long after the passage of the hurricane, there had been complaints of aid not reaching those it was intended for, the more vulnerable, Brathwaite told the gathering.
- Malaysia air probe finds scant evidence of attack: sources
coverage of the region as thorough. With no success so far, authorities were planning to widen the search from today, Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, the head of Malaysia’s Civil Aviation Authority, told reporters yesterday. “Unfortunately we have not found anything that appears to be objects from the aircraft, let alone the aircraft,” he said. “As far as we are concerned, we have to find the aircraft. We have to find a piece of the aircraft if possible.” Azharuddin said a hijacking attempt could not be ruled out as investigators explore all theories. A senior police official told Reuters that people armed with explosives and carrying false identity papers had tried to fly out of Kuala Lumpur in the past, and that current investigations were focused on two passengers who were on the missing plane with stolen passports. “We have stopped men with false or stolen passports and carrying explosives, who have tried to get past KLIA (airport) security and get on to a plane,” he said. “There have been two or three incidents, but I will not divulge the details.” Azharuddin also said the two men with stolen passports did not look like
Asians, but he did not elaborate. Airport CCTV footage showed they completed all security procedures, he said. “We are looking at the possibility of a stolen passport syndicate,” he said. About two-thirds of the 227 passengers and 12 crew now presumed to have died aboard the plane were Chinese. The airline said other nationalities included 38 Malaysians, seven Indonesians, six Australians, five Indians, four French and three Americans. A senior source involved in preliminary investigations in Malaysia said the failure to find any debris indicated the
plane may have broken up mid-flight, which could disperse wreckage over a very wide area. “The fact that we are unable to find any debris so far appears to indicate that the aircraft is likely to have disintegrated at around 35,000 feet,” said the source. Asked about the possibility of an explosion, the source said there was no evidence of foul play and that the aircraft could have broken up due to mechanical causes. Still, the source said the closest parallels were the bomb explosions on board an Air India jetliner in 1985 when it was over the Atlantic Ocean and a Pan Am aircraft over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in
1988. Both planes were cruising at around 31,000 feet at the time. Underlining the lack of hard information about the Malaysian plane’s fate, a U.S. Navy P-3 aircraft capable of covering 1,500 square miles (3,900 square km) every hour was sweeping the northern part of the Strait of Malacca, on the other side of the Malaysian peninsula from where the last contact with MH370 was made. No distress signal was sent from the lost plane, which experts said suggested a sudden catastrophic failure or explosion, but Malaysia’s air force chief said radar tracking showed it may have turned back from its scheduled route before it disappeared. SUPERIOR SAFETY RECORD The Boeing 777 has one of the best safety records of any commercial aircraft in service. Its only previous fatal crash came on July 6 last year when Asiana Airlines Flight 214 struck a seawall on landing in San Francisco, killing three people. U.S. planemaker Boeing declined to comment. The passenger manifest issued by the airline included the names of two Europeans who were not on the plane. Their passports had been stolen in Thailand during the past two years.
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Kaieteur News
PM: Jamaica to ratify ILO Household Workers Convention
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (right) greets former head of the Bureau of Women’s Affairs Beverley Manley-Duncan during a reception commemorating the bureau’s 40th anniversary and International Women’s Day, observed on March 8. (PHOTO: JIS) (JIS) Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller says the Government is moving to ratify the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 189, which stipulates safeguards for the welfare of household workers globally, and outlines provisions to significantly enhance their status and working conditions. “This is a matter which the Bureau (of Women’s Affairs) has partnered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the (Jamaica) Household Workers Union (on), to bring (it) to a successful outcome,” Simpson Miller told Friday’s cocktail reception at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, to commemorate the Bureau’s 40th Anniversary, and International Women’s Day, which was observed on March 8. Governments’ ratification of the agreement
signals their commitment to revising, where necessary, the relevant laws in their respective countries governing the welfare of household workers, male and female, and undertaking other supporting interventions, consistent with the Convention’s provisions, according to Simpson Miller. The prime minister’s announcement received rousing applause and approval from guests attending the reception, including president of the 3,600-member strong Jamaica Household Workers Union, Shirley Pryce, who has long advocated the ratification. Simpson Miller, at the same time, highlighted the bureau’s growth and development since its inception, pointing out that by “learning from the successes and failures of the 40 years”, the organisation is
now better positioned for an even more effective future. She said that consequent on its role in advancing the welfare of women and the positive results arising, the bureau has been and remains pivotal to national development. In this regard, she commended the bureau’s leadership over the years, for spearheading and guiding the positive image in which the agency has been shaped. The prime minister also noted the exploits of the women who advocated protection of the rights and welfare of their colleagues during the pre-independence period. “They were stalwarts who worked to change the attitudes and the conditions which held our women back and limited both their rights and the value which they could add to development of the broader society,” Simpson Miller said. She urged the audience to remember the part played by the country’s political leadership to this end, through changes effected to the institutional and legal frameworks, policies, and conditions, which ultimately laid the foundation to safeguard the welfare of Jamaican women, safeguard them against discrimination, and advance their growth and development.
Tuesday March 11, 2014
C-section death…
T&T Health Minister defends absent doctors (Trinidad Guardian) A final report on the death of a baby boy during a C-section was expected to be sent to Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan yesterday morning. An autopsy revealed the baby’s head was cut so deeply that it penetrated the brain and damaged the tissue during the surgery performed at the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital on Carnival Saturday. The C-section was performed on Quelly Ann Cottle, 38, who along with her husband, Emil Millington, are now demanding answers as to why their son died. The baby was to be named Simeon. Chairman of the NorthCentral Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) Dr Shehenaz Mohammed told the T&T Guardian Sunday that the report was prepared by the hospital’s quality coordinator and would be forwarded to the NCRHA’s chief executive officer Dr Kumar Boodram. Mohammed said she would get a copy of the final report yesterday and then pass it on to Khan. The final report, Mohammed added, was separate and apart from a preliminary investigation which led to the suspension of the doctor who performed the surgery. The doctor has been suspended with basic pay. A senior obstetrician told the T&T Guardian that such an operation should have been performed by someone with at least ten years’ experience. It was reported that the operating doctor had recently graduated as a specialist obstetrician. In outlining some of the details of the final report, Mohammed said, “This report would deal specifically with the processes and procedures and how these were adversely affected. “It would take into consideration the details of the statements taken from all the medical personnel who attended to the patient from the time of being warded to being
Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan
discharged. “It would also take into account a time and motion analysis, meaning it would look at accountability ...whether those who were supposed to be there did in fact fulfil their contractual obligations to the best of their ability. “It would also seek to determine whether the different levels of staff responded appropriately.” Depending of these findings, she said, if it is determined there was guilt involved immediate action would be taken. A senior hospital administrator on Sunday expressed concern that the process could be stymied, however, as two of the consultants involved in the case do not fall under the NCRHA’s purview. Instead, they are assigned to the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. Dean of the faculty is Dr Samuel Ramsewak. The administrator also expressed displeasure by the reported attitude of the consultants not directly assigned to the NCRHA, saying: “They would tell you in your face flat, ‘I don’t work for you (the NCRHA).’” A letter was sent from the NCRHA to Ramsewak on Friday requesting that the consultants fully co-operate in the matter. Mohammed also said it was important that a clinical investigation be done as soon as possible to bring
closure to the matter. CONSULTANTS DID NO WRONG-FUAD Although questions have been raised regarding the absence of two consultants during the surgery, the Health Minister said there was no need to pursue them as they did nothing wrong. Describing the surgery as routine, Khan added: “It was a normal C-section surgery. There was nothing untoward about it. The fact is the consultants were available and just a phone call away. There was no need for them to be around at the hospital at that time.” On the fact that one of them was in Tobago, Khan said: “So what? Tobago is part of Trinidad. And even so the other consultant was in Trinidad and was readily available ...to be called at a moment’s notice. “There was no trouble so the consultants were not called. They were only notified after the Csection was done.” Khan said the matter must be looked at objectively, not emotionally. The focus of the probe, he added, would be what technique was employed by the doctor during the operation. “That is the main issue we must examine. Exactly what method did he use to do the surgery,” Khan said. Asked about the doctor’s lack of experience, Khan said that was not a matter of concern as he was qualified as a specialist.
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Confrontation in Ukraine as diplomacy stalls (Reuters) - A pro-Russian force opened fire in seizing a Ukrainian military base in Crimea yesterday and NATO announced reconnaissance flights along its eastern frontiers as confrontation around the Black Sea peninsula showed no sign of easing. Ukrainian activists trying to cross into Crimea to show solidarity with opponents of last week’s Russian military takeover there said they were halted by men in uniforms of the now outlawed riot police. One of these fired at close range, hitting a man in the chest, apparently with rubber bullets. With diplomacy at a standstill, Russia said the United States had spurned an invitation to hold new talks on resolving the crisis, the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War - though Washington later said a meeting of foreign ministers was possible this week, if Moscow shows it is ready to “engage”. The U.S.-led NATO defense alliance said AWACS early warning aircraft, once designed to counter feared
Soviet nuclear missile strikes, will start reconnaissance flights today over Poland and Romania to monitor the situation in Ukraine, flying from bases in Germany and Britain. British Prime Minister David Cameron told Germany’s Bild newspaper, however, that Western powers were not considering military action and wanted a diplomatic solution. European Union governments are considering sanctions against Russia. Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk, who said he would address the U.N. Security Council on Thursday, blamed the crisis on Russia and accused Moscow of undermining the global security system by taking control of Crimea. Ukraine’s new justice authorities issued warrants for the arrest of Crimea’s proRussia leaders yesterday, six days before a referendum they have called to join the region to Russia. Russian forces have in little more than a week taken over military installations across Crimea, home to the
Russian Black Sea Fleet and Russian territory until Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev gave it to Ukraine in 1954. Pro-Russian separatists have taken control of the regional parliament, declared Crimea part of the Russian Federation and announced the referendum for Sunday to confirm this. President Vladimir Putin says Moscow is acting to protect the rights of ethnic Russians, who make up a majority of Crimea’s population, after Ukraine’s president Viktor Yanukovich was ousted last month in what Russia calls a coup. BASE TAKEOVER Yesterday, a Ukrainian defense official said a Russian-led military force of about a dozen men fired in the air as they took control of a Ukrainian naval base near the town of Bakhchisaray, though no one was hurt. The force was accompanied by the base’s Ukrainian commander. He persuaded a number of his men to join the Russian forces while allowing others who refused to leave, the Ukrainian official, Vladislav
Seleznyov wrote on Facebook. The Russian force later drove off with nine Ukrainian vehicles. Yarik Alexandrov, one of the Ukrainian naval personnel who refused to pledge allegiance to Moscow, told Reuters near the base that he and his comrades at first refused to surrender: “Then they started shooting round our feet and we surrendered,” he said. “What could we do? We had no weapons.” Similar small confrontations have taken place at other Ukrainian bases around Crimea, though shooting has been rare and there has so far been no bloodshed. Russia denies its troops are involved - a stance ridiculed in Kiev and the West. In a sign of the peninsula’s growing isolation from the Ukrainian mainland, armed men prevented a convoy of cars from a Ukrainian activist group crossing into Crimea. The group was part of the Maidan movement behind the protests which forced Yanukovich to flee to Russia. Ukrainian television showed
men in the uniform of the Berkut riot police, banned by the new authorities for its role in shooting dozens of demonstrators in Kiev last month, blocking the road south. CHANCE OF TALKS SPURNED Putin says Russia is not controlling events in Crimea but denials of Russian involvement are rejected by the United States as the two former Cold War enemies wage a geopolitical battle over the future of Crimea and Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Putin that Russia’s position on Ukraine remained at odds with the West, but U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry had declined an invitation to visit Russia yesterday for further talks. “It is all being formulated as if there was a conflict between Russia and Ukraine ... and our partners suggested using the situation created by a coup as a starting point,” Lavrov told Putin during talks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. He did not say why Kerry had postponed the talks.
The State Department said Kerry told Lavrov on Saturday that Washington wanted Moscow to cease its drive to annex Crimea and end “provocative steps”. In a statement, it added: “Kerry made clear to Foreign Minister Lavrov that he would welcome further discussions focused on how to deescalate the crisis in Ukraine if and when we see concrete evidence that Russia is prepared to engage on these proposals.” Western powers have rallied behind Ukraine’s new leaders and yesterday the World Bank said it planned to provide up to $3 billion this year to see Kiev through an economic crisis. Ukraine’s crisis was triggered in November by Yanukovich’s refusal, under Russian pressure, to sign deals on closer political and trade ties with the European Union. Although three months of protests against Yanukovich were mostly peaceful, at least 80 demonstrators were killed in clashes after police used force against them, some by sniper fire.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
ALPHA UNITED prevails in... From page 31 part to tardy play and missed opportunities from both sides. The wily Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson nearly broke the deadlock when he received a pass at the opposition’s berth at the southern end of the ground. Indeed it was a difficult angle and his shot unsurprisingly failed to find the target. Kithson Bain was also unfortunate not to have scored after collecting a pass from Daniel Wilson; his effort was a mite too high and slammed into the crossbar. This trend continued and both teams went into the break, nil all. The game continued with a high intensity as both teams fought valiantly to snatch the initiative. The difference came in the 69th minute when Boystown defender, Asrick Samuels attempted to clear the ball but Alpha’s Captain Dwight Peters skilfully intercepted and slammed home what was eventually the lone
goal of the match. Both coaches, Andrew Price and Wayne Dover, of the Boystown and Alpha squads, respectively, felt that the game was well fought and provided the kind of practice needed for their advancement in the Caribbean Football Union championships in Jamaica later this month. “The match was competitive and offered valuable practice for my boys going into those matches,” said Dover. He intimated that his boys will be in action March 21, 23 and 25 against the T&T Defence Force, Harbour View FC and Notch FC of Suriname. Mr. Price feels that the Alpha encounter provided valuable practice even as his team attempts to advance into the semi-finals and subsequently into the finals. “It was a good match,” he said of the Alpha encounter, “But we suffered more from our tardy play than anything else; more or less a defensive error,” he
said. The Jamaican team leaves later today for their homeland. Meanwhile, promoter of the event, Wally Fraser, said that he was satisfied that the tournament has served its purpose. He said that he was merely attempting to incorporate music into the sport to make it more enjoyable for the spectators and he feels that he has accomplished this goal. The promoter is more noted for his shrewd handling of ‘First Born,’ a local musical group that has made immense strides in Reggae music. He said that his assessment of the success of the initiative hinges more on the reputation he was able to build judging from the remarks of patrons. He said that the trend has caught on somewhat and already he has received calls from several local sports bodies to emulate the ploy. He said that he is now in discussions with an athletic club whose executives wish to emulate the strategy.
Tuesday March 11, 2014 ARIES (MAR. 21-APRIL 20) Lowered vitality could affect your work. Avoid disputes with family; their complaints can’t change anything anyway.
LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) Don’t be too pushy or demanding, or you may find yourself all alone. Your greatest gains will come through your creative ideas.
TAURUS (APR. 21MAY 21) Your interest in helping others may take you back to school. If you take on too much, you will find yourself in martyrdom.
SCORPIO (OCT. 24 NOV. 22) You will find your vitality is lowered. Opportunities for new and exciting relationships will be yours if you get out and join groups. Be sure you get accurate information.
GEMINI (MAY 22-JUNE 21) Take a trip or just spend some quality time with your mate. Look into the cost factor, but don’t try to get backing yet. Don’t give them the use of your credit card. CANCER (JUNE 22JULY 22) Don’t count on your friends to be loyal when it comes to doing things. Try to curb overindulgence today. Confusion at an emotional level will cause you to make wrong decisions concerning your personal life. LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) Put your efforts into physical fitness programs or competitive sports. The talk you have may be eyeopening with regard to your present situation. VIRGO (AUG. 23 -SEPT. 23) Your self confidence will attract members of the opposite sex Get back to the comforts of cottage or home. You can make financial deals that will bring you extra cash.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) Don’t make large purchases or investments. You need a job with more responsibility and a higher wage. Financial affairs do not look too favorable today. CAPRICORN (DEC 22JAN. 20) Opportunities to expand your circle of friends will result in possible new romantic encounters. You have the ability to motivate others. You will easily blow situations out of proportion. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 FEB. 19) It might be best to work on your own; if possible, do your job out of your home today. You will be emotional with regard to your personal life. PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) Think twice before you say something you might regret later. Someone you least expect could be trying to make you look bad.
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Fraser-Pryce triumphs, U.S. men set relay record Reuters - Double Olympic champion Shelly-Ann FraserPryce may not like running indoors, but the Jamaican proved again on Sunday why she is the world’s dominant female sprinter. A blistering start propelled the reigning Olympic and world 100 meters gold medalist to the fastest women’s 60 meters in four years, 6.98 seconds, as she made a triumphant debut at world indoor championships in Sopot, Poland. Only six women have ever run faster. Americans dominated the three-day meeting in Sopot, Poland, capping the championships with a world indoor record in the men’s 4x400 meters as Kyle Clemons, David Verburg, Kind Butler III, and Calvin Smith Jr. triumphed in 3 minutes, 2.13 seconds. The time was 0.70 seconds faster than the 15year-old record set by a U.S. team at the 1999 world indoor championships. Fraser-Pryce had never run in the indoor meeting before this week. “It is an amazing feeling,” the 2008 and 2012 Olympic 100 meters gold medalist told reporters after becoming only the second woman to hold world titles at 60, 100 and 200 meters. Ivory Coast’s Murielle Ahoure took the silver in 7.01 with American Tianna Bartoletta third in 7.06. Yet Fraser-Pryce said running indoors was not a favorite of hers. That Fraser-Pryce did as she replaced two-times champion and fellow Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown as the global 60 meters champion. CampellBrown, rusty after missing the season as she successfully overcame a doping charge, finished fifth in 7.13. Three-times 3,000m champion Bernard Lagat was also denied a repeat title. Kenyan Caleb Ndiku turned on the afterburners in the final 500 meters and sped to victory in 7:54.94 with Lagat claiming silver in 7:55.22. Lagat, 39, still became the oldest male ever to win a medal at the world indoor c h a m p i o n s h i p s . Gebremesekel earned bronze in 7:55.39. Only the time was in doubt in the women’s 3,000m. Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba, whose winter of glory had already produced world records at 1,500 and 3,000 meters, surged to the front with 1,200 meters to go and won convincingly in 8:55.04. Qatari Mutaz Essa Barshim outduelled Russian Olympic champion Ivan Ukhov in the high jump, winning on fewer misses as both cleared 2.38 meters. The
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce United States claimed eight golds and 12 total medals to dominate the championships. Four of the victories came on Sunday, highlighted by the men’s 4x400 relay world indoor record. Chanelle Price ran a 2014
world-leading 2:00.09 to win the women’s 800, Omo Osaghae equaled the year’s fastest 60 meters hurdles, clocking 7.45 seconds, and the U.S. women added another yearly leader by claiming their 4x400 relay in 3:24.83.
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Kaieteur News
National Paralympic Sport Festival...
Phillips takes male 100M open title; Carryl, Rodney, Baley grab gold Leroy Phillips sprinted his way to victory in the male open 100m event when the National Paralympic Committee of Guyana held its Para sport festival on Sunday last at the Guyana Defense Force ground, Camp Ayangana. Competing in the visually impaired (VI) B1 category, Phillips clocked 14:69 seconds to finish ahead of Anthony Robinson 15:47 and Seon Roberts 16:61 in that order. Calvin Thomas took the male 100m open in the B2 and 3 division in a time of 12:52, Teshawn Rodney placed second in 12:90 and Kevin Douglas finished third in 13:19. Levan Rodney carted
off the male 200m open final. The 100m female open B 2 and 3 title went to Melita Baley in 15:58, Quacia Lyle took the second podium spot in 15:72 while Candance Sampson took third in 16:88. Seon Carryl grabbed gold in the 100m boys B1 race clocking 16:27 ahead of Relon Sumner in 16:99 and Roel Sumner 20:27 respectively. Gordon Sandford won the 100m male open B2 and 3 event in 15:23 while Robert Weeks placed second in 15:95. Eleantha De Jong took the 100 female U1-5 B2 title in 16:69; Chantal Nelson carted off the 100m female U-15 B1 race and Aklia Nelson took
second place. Adrian Carew claimed gold in the 100m male U-15 B 2 event in 15:79. Romel Price clocked 14:37 to win the 100m in the male 810 years old division while Kerwin Bess finished second in 15:03 and Elizah Mangoor placed third with a time of 21:40. The 100m female in the 8-10 years old division went to Tinesha Conway in 16:00, Shamia Cadogan grabbed silver in 23:91 and Belina Hooper bronze in 26:03. Titus Webster blazed the field to take the 100m male in the 12-15 age group in a time of 12:55. Marvin Mc Curdy and Elwin Charles took second and third in 12:81 and 12:85 respectively.
Local Middleweight champion, Derck Richmond receives his championship belt Derck Richmond’s recent rise to fame after dealing Caribbean Boxing Federation Middleweight champion, Edmond Declou a vicious left hook that sent him tumbling to the deck and sustaining a broken jaw. Shortly afterwards, the pugilist from Berbice tackled seasoned contender, James ‘Sack’ Walcott and flattened him with one of his famed left hooks, thus winning the local Middleweight title. However, more than one month later, he was still to receive his belt and complained after claiming that his queries to the executive of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) for the accolade proved fruitless. Kaieteur News had sought an explanation from officials of the ruling body and they had promised to hand over the belt as early as possible. True to their word those officials handed over the belt to Richmond shortly before he departed Guyana for ‘The Contender’ series scheduled to get underway within a week in Reggae Island, Jamaica.
Richmond sports his belt moments after it was strapped around his shoulders.
Tuesday March 11, 2014
GCA Special General Meeting set for 20th March Applicant Nazimul Drepaul, life Member of Everest Cricket Club, successfully petitioned the High court to intervene and direct a pathway ensuring the Roger Harper led Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) abide by the rules and Constitution of that body. A Special General Meeting has been summoned, as ordered by the Chief Justice the Hon. Ian Chang to decide on: 1. A date for the AGM outside of January, as stipulated by the GCA constitution. 2. If the Harper led administration should be allowed to continue in office until elections are held. Drepaul has contended, in his affidavit that Harper unilaterally, without written motion before an AGM, extended the term of office of the Executive Committee to two years in 2012, and further that an AGM of the GCA must be held in the month of January each year. On the 19th February 2014 the Georgetown Cricket Association’s Executive Committee was prevented from convening the AGM as the Chief Justice granted an order stating “It is ordered that the respondents whether by themselves, their servants and/or agents and each and every one of them be
After Chief Justice Order restrained from enforcing, relying upon or otherwise acting on the said resolution passed in the month of January, 2012 extending their term of office from one (1) to two (2) years until the hearing and determination of the summons to continue filed in this cause returnable for 27th day of February, 2014 AND IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the respondents whether by themselves, their servants and/or agents and each and every one of them be restrained from calling or holding the Annual General Meeting of the Association and from taking any decision or passing any motions and / or resolutions or electing any Executives at any such Annual General Meeting until the hearing and determination of the summons to continue filed herein and returnable for 27th day of February 2014, in Chambers…..” Kaieteur News understands that Roger Harper etal did not challenge this order, but sought to question the “Loco Standi” of Drepaul, when the matter was called on the 27th February 2014. Hence the initial order still stands while the judge issued orders empowering the
Clubs to decide on the way forward. It is understood that some of the clubs questioned the leadership of the GCA and disregard for the Rules and Constitution of the Organisation. One individual, who requested to remain anonymous, stated that the GCA, instead of being engrossed in cricket politics, should try to effectively administer the game in the capital city where, to date, most of the established, structured clubs in Guyana’s cricket are located. In fact, GCC is the first home of the Guyana Cricket Board and its registered office, to date, still remains at this venue. Recently, the Georgetown Cricket Club published a notice in the newspapers inviting club representatives from Georgetown to attend a meeting regarding the selection of an under 15 team to participate in the Demerara Cricket Board’s interassociation competition since the GCA over the past two years refused to select teams for these tournaments which may have deprived many youngsters of possible selection for the county and national teams.
Bernard leads Jamaica to first innings Basseterre, St Kitts - Dave Bernard Junior’s unbeaten 45 led Jamaica to first innings points over the Leeward Islands at Warner Park on Day 3 of the Round 2, Regional 4Day match. The visitors started the day on 212/3, still trailing the Leewards’ first innings total of 322 by 110 runs. Jamaica lost overnight centurion, John Campbell for 110. He only added seven runs. That started a slide in wickets as Jamaica went from 228/4 to 262/7. But Bernard Junior held the innings together, stroking five fours during his 97-ball knock. He received good support from Jamie Merchant, who chipped in 26 runs, hitting four boundaries and a six. Last man Andrew Richardson would also prove to be a willing partner, scoring 20 from just 14 balls. Jamaica were bowled out for 351 runs, giving
themselves a lead of 29 runs to take into the second innings of the match. Anthony Martin was Leewards’ best bowler, finishing with 4-77. In their second turn at the crease, the Leewards found themselves in early trouble. By the time they had knocked off the 29-run deficit and led by one run, they were already two wickets down. The score soon became 40/3 as Joseph was bowled by Merchant. However, the hosts were rescued by captain Kieran Powell and wicket-keeper/batsman, Devon Thomas. Thomas finished Day 3 unbeaten on 53. It was a quick knock, coming off just 59 balls and including seven fours and a six. At the other end, Powell was more patient, finishing on 33 not out. He has spent well over two hours at the crease and has hit four boundaries. The partnership is worth 77 runs
with the Leewards reaching Stumps on Day 3 at 117/3. Jerome Taylor, Andrew Richardson and Jamie Merchant have all picked up one wicket each. Summary Scores: Leeward Islands 1st Innings: 205/6 (90 Overs). Kieran Powell* 91, Tonito Willett 51*, Hayden Walsh Junior 20*, Mali Richards 17; Tamar Lambert 16-8-24-2, Andrew Richardson 18-3-342, Jerome Taylor 17-5-33-2, Jamie Merchant 9-6-12-0. Jamaica 1st Innings: 351 All Out (106.5 Overs). John Campbell 110, Dave Bernard Jr 45*, Tamar Lambert* 37, Nkrumah Bonner 24; Anthony Martin 36-9-77-4, Gavin Tonge 20.5-3-65-3, Kelbert Walters 21-4-68-2, Tonito Willett 18-6-70-1. Leeward Islands 2nd Innings: 117/3 (37 Overs). Devon Thomas 53*, Kieran Powell* 33*, Mali Richards 11, Sylvester Joseph 8; Jerome Taylor 8-3-20-1, Andrew Richardson 2-1-5-1, Jamie Merchant 12-4-40-1, John Campbell 1-0-2-0.
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
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228 players confirmed for CPL Braithwaite and Goodluck Premier League 2014 draft GNRA Recorded Shoots...
continue excellent form Leading marksmen Lennox Braithwaite and Ransford Goodluck continued their fine form at the ranges when they won respective Recorded Shoots held by the Guyana National Rifle Association over the past two weekends. On Sunday last, conditions were hot and bright with changing wind speed and directions. Sherwin Felicien was the top O
Class shooter on show. The week before, Sunday March 2, 2014 saw the shooters competing in the usual fish tail winds which changed at short notice. Whilst it was also hot, the light fluctuated (light and dark) due to a passing cloud. Ransford Goodluck was the top shot with Terrence Stuart winning the ‘O’ Class.
EBDCA/Sarjoo Memorial T20
Nandy Park beat Farm Nandy Park defeated Farm by three wickets when play in the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA) \ Neville Sarjoo Memorial T20 tournament continued yesterday at the Demerara Cricket Club. Farm batted first and scored 142-3 off their allocation of 20 overs. Ricky Debydial laid the foundation for a respectable total at the top of the order with an even half century which contained five sixes and two fours. However, tidy bowling by Nandy Park spinners halted the scoring somewhat before Arif Bacchus smashed 29 with three fours; he received support from Abdool Salim with 19 and Shivram Persaud 16 towards the end of the innings. Christopher Silva and Rohan Sarjoo claimed one wicket each. Nandy Park replied with 143-7 in 18.5 overs. Their chase got off to a bad start with the loss of
two early wickets but Andy Persaud and Kumar Tuknauth featured in a third wicket stand of 45 to steady the chase. Persaud belted two sixes and six fours in a top score of 37 while Kumar Tuknauth was dismissed for 19. Farm managed to pick a few more
quick wickets before Sarjoo and Narine Dhanraj with 14 apiece and saw their team to safety. Arif Bacchus captured 2-25 and Shivram Persaud 227. Diamond failed to turn up for their game against Combined United at 09:30hrs handing the latter a walk over.
Kingston, Jamaica - The Caribbean Premier League has confirmed that an impressive 228 players have registered for the 2014 Draft, which will take place in Kingston, Jamaica, on Thursday April 3. The number includes 121 overseas players, more than five times the number that entered the 2013 draft. Over 100 Caribbean players have thrown their hats into the ring in the hope of earning a contract to take part in the “Biggest Party in Sport”, alongside a host of international stars. As well as the massive global appeal of the tournament, illustrated by the huge surge in applications from overseas players, another ringing endorsement for the CPL is the fact that the list boasts a fantastic 98% retention rate of players who played in the 2013 edition of the competition. CPL 2014 will give cricketers from across the Caribbean the opportunity to play with and against some of the best players in the world. 107 players in the region, from up-and-coming youngsters to established Windies internationals, will go into the draft alongside big name stars from eleven nations, including Australia,
Tom Moody New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and, for the first time, England. Australia will have the largest overseas contingent in the Draft with thirty names, including fifteen internationals, while the vast majority of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad has also signed up. New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka are also well represented, and the Draft will include several current and former international captains, leading test stars, T20 specialists and limited overs
legends. The full list of players will be announced to the public week commencing Monday March 17. Tom Moody, Caribbean Premier League Director of Cricket, said: “The quality and quantity of players registering for the Draft, in particular the huge surge in overseas players signing up, is testament to the great success of last year’s competition. The high standard of cricket and the unique Caribbean carnival atmosphere have made CPL the competition that everybody wants to play in.” The CPL launched last year to sell-out crowds, with over 250,000 spectators attending matches across Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Lucia, whilst a global TV audience of 36 million was entertained by the skills of international stars including Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Ricky Ponting and Muttiah Muralitharan. The tournament returns in July and August 2014 where Jamaica Tallawahs will defend its title against the Antigua Hawksbills, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Zouks and Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Fernandes returns for another term
GHB President Philip Fernandes (2nd right) flanked by (from left) - Assistant Secretary Treasurer Jonelle Webster, Secretary - Tricia Fiedtkou, and Committee member Gail Harding, while standing from left: Ivor Thompson, Brian Asregado and Rawl Davson. Missing is Treasurer - Devin Hooper.
Incumbent President of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Philip Fernandes was returned unopposed to lead the entity for another term following the staging of its Annual General Meeting which was conducted last Saturday, at the Georgetown Cricket Club on Shivnarine Chanderpaul Drive. Fernandes will have as his Vice-Presidents Ivor Thompson and Rawl Davson, while Tricia Fiedtkou returns as Secretary, Devin HooperTreasurer and Jonelle Webster-Assistant Secretary Treasurer. Brian Asregado and Gail Harding are the Committee members. The GHB started its season by hosting a one-day tournament recently, while the national men’s team is currently in training to participate in the Pan American Indoor Cup scheduled for Montevideo, Uruguay from the 7th to 13th of April 2014.
WALES CDC WINS CHEDDI JAGAN MEMORIAL T20 TITLE Wales Community Development Centre Cricket Club won the West Demerara Cheddi Jagan Memorial T20 competition played last Sunday at Wales. In the final Wales defeated Canal #2 Sports Club by eight wickets. Canal were bowled out for 126 in 19.4 overs after they were inserted by the home team. Devin
Roopnarine and Michael Persaud scored 33 and 22 respectively. Chandrika Persaud, Mahesh Persaud and Ramesh Takur each had two wickets. In reply Wales CDC scored 129-2 in 16.3 overs. Mahesh Persaud dominated the bowling scoring 56 with six fours and four massive sixes.
In the semi finals, Wales made light work of the Sisters Village Sports Club, hammering them by eight wickets. Batting first, Sisters Village were bowled out for 110 in 17.4 overs with Zafar Khan scoring 31 containing one six and three fours. He received support from Navindra Rankin who made 22 (2x4). Ramesh Takur and Ray
Richards captured three and two wickets respectively. Wales CDC overhauled the total in 9.3 overs losing two wickets in the process. Mahesh Persaud top scored with 42 which contained two sixes and four fours. Shakam Takur assisted with a quick fire 21 (1x6 3x4). Mahesh Persaud was adjudged the Most Valuable Player.
Bopara, Sammy and Samuels found guilty Dubai, United Arab Emirates - England’s Ravi Bopara and West Indies’ Darren Sammy and Marlon Samuels have been fined for a level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first Twenty20 International (T20I) in Barbados on Sunday. The three players were found to have breached Article 2.1.8 of the code, which states: “Where the facts of the alleged incident are not adequately or clearly covered by any of the (above) offence, conduct that either: (a) is contrary to the spirit of the game; or (b) brings the game into disrepute”. All the three players pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the sanctions proposed by Andy Pycroft of Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing. The incident took place in
the 12th over of England’s innings when Bopara, while taking a single, made insulting comments towards Samuels, who responded. West Indies captain Sammy joined in, also trading insults with Bopara. The exchange only ceased with the intervention of the on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Peter Nero. For their involvements in the incident, Bopara was fined 25 per cent of his match fee, while Sammy and Samuels were fined 20 and 10 per cent respectively. Besides the onfield umpires, the charge was also laid by third umpire Gregory Brathwaite as well as fourth official Nigel Duguid. All Level 1 breaches for this offence carry a penalty of a warning/reprimand and/ or the imposition of a fine up to 50 per cent of the applicable match fee. (ICC)
Ryan Ramdass scores ton in T&T Still wants to represent Guyana
Ryan Ramdass
At 30, former West Indies Test opener Ryan Ramdass still entertains hopes of a First-Class recall and is closely monitoring Guyana’s progress in the 2014 Regional Four-Day tournament. Ramdass is one of the players put on standby for possible National selection for the ongoing Regional tournament where Guyana sits last on the points table with defeats in both of their matches so far and is presently plying his trade in the Trinidad Premier League for South Trinidad club First Citizen’s Clarke Road. Ramdass, who hails from Ogle on the East Coast and plays for Everest in local cricket, enjoyed a successful four-day Inter-County competition and was named in the training squad before leaving for the Twin-Island Republic when he was not selected for Guyana for their opening round clash with Jamaica. Ramdass played his last of 21 First-Class matches in November 2005 and says his desire is still to represent his country at the highest level. “I am much fitter now after the National team’s encampment with the Soldiers (fitness trainers) and the standard of cricket here is much higher than in Guyana where very little club cricket is played,” Ramdass explained. Ramdass made his firstclass debut in 2004 against Kenya for West Indies ‘B’ before making his first-class debut for Guyana the same year in the semi-final against Barbados where he scored a half-century. “I am more focused now and a more matured person which has reflected in my
cricket here (T&T) and although I am an opener, I am comfortable batting in any position for Guyana,” explained Ramdass. Guyana’s worst flood in 100 years in 2005 which resulted in all of Guyana’s matches being played away from home, coincided with Ramdass’ best form. He scored three tons including his highest First-Class score, an accomplished unbeaten 144 before a good West Indies ‘A’ team tour to Sri Lanka propelled him into Test cricket the same year when a dispute caused a strike by the senior players. He had an inauspicious Test debut against Sri Lanka; being run out for three in the first innings before Muttiah Muralitharan got his wicket in the second innings after he had scored 23. This was his only Test. Ramdass is hoping that his performances in Trinidad attract the attention of Guyana’s National selectors. “I am hoping to gain selection before the season is over and if I do I intend to grab the opportunity with both hands,” Ramdass told Kaieteur Sports. In his latest match in Trinidad over the weekend, he scored 110 to spearhead Clarke Road to an innings and 16 runs win against Bamboo Sports. He also has four fifties for the season. “I am very comfortable in the team here and West Indies under-19 players Nicholas Pooran and Ray Jordon, who play with our team, are very talented youngsters while Yannick Ottley and veteran former T&T off-spinner Mukesh Persaud also play for Clark Road,” Ramdass informed. (Sean Devers)
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
Stag Beer EDFA Division One League
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Milo / Petra Organisation Schools Football Competition
Freeburg, Cummings Lodge, North AGRICOLA tops table after trouncing HERSTELLING; GROVE Ruimveldt, Charlestown latest winners betters SOESDYKE in epic battle
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Grove Hi Tech scorers from L-R Domini Garnett, Joel Dick, Tybert Muir Denzil Crawford.
W
ith the intensity of the Stag Beer sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) division-one league getting better, the latest battle between Grove Hi Tech and Soesdyke was epic on Sunday afternoon last at the Grove Playfield and has been dubbed the most exciting game to date. Grove ran out 5-3 victors but it was not an easy battle barring some questionable calls that saw both teams on the wrong end, the game had the attention of the fans from start to end. Sunday’s other match-up saw Agricola Red Triangle trouncing Herstelling 8-0, their second win in as many matches and with the win they have assumed the number one spot on the points table by virtue of a better goal difference ahead of Kuru Kururu Warriors and Timehri Panthers. Grove, led by their Captain Domini Garnett who has been named in the National Squad that will commence preparations for the Caribbean Football Union championships opened the scoring for his side in the 12th minute. Garnett’s goal was soon matched by teammates Denzil Crawford in the 17th minute and Joel Dick one minute later from the penalty spot and the first of a double from him as Grove raced to a 3-0 lead. But even such a comfortable advantage was not to deter the Soesdyke boys who kept up their offensive efforts. Their persistence brought the desired results and in the 32nd minute the advantage was narrowed compliments of a Colin Mc Lean goal. This change in fortunes brought more energy to the Soesdyke team even as Grove tried to keep them at bay, the half ending 3-1 in favour of Grove. On resumption, Soesdyke continued where they left off from the first half and five minutes on they found their second goal to
bring down the advantage to one goal, Dwayne Dillon converting in the 50th minute. Dillon’s goal added a new perspective to the game but Grove wasn’t comfortable with their rivals coming so close; restoring the two goal cushion two minutes later when Tybert Muir found the back of the nets. The exchanges continued end to end as neither team relented. With the time ticking away, Soesdyke again found goal shooting range and made it count when Roger Dey blasted in their third four minutes to full time much to the delight of his teammates and fans. At this juncture they {Soesdyke}were on a high and were at least looking for an even share of the points if they could have found another goal to draw them level. Grove were not in a mood to share any points. On the stroke of full time, the home team placed the result beyond any doubt when Dick netted his second to seal an exciting win for Grove 5-3, their first points while it was Soesdyke’s first loss of the league. Agricola did not have much worry in disposing the challenge of Herstelling, one of the youngest clubs in the association. Finding the target for Agricola were Travis Farinha (2nd, 18th) and Gordon Grant (22nd, 26th) with a brace each while there was one each for Winston Rawlins 15th, Travis Welch 42nd, Colin Richie 44th and Yohance Roberts 48th. Matches will continue at the same venue this Sunday and Monday which is a National holiday in observance of Phagwah. On Sunday, Diamond United will oppose Mocha Champs in the first game from 13:00hrs with Kuru Kururu Warriors and Timehri Panthers clashing in the feature. Monday’s matches will see Grove Hi Tech opposing Herstelling FC with the main event between Soesdyke Falcons and Agricola Red Triangle.
r e e b u r g , Cummings Lodge, North Ruimveldt and Charlestown were the latest teams to register victories when the Milo / Petra Organisation Schools Football Competition continued on Sunday, at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue. In the opening game of the day, Freeburg came from behind to defeat North Georgetown by a 2-1 margin with Ronell Roberts (47th) and Junior Simon (52nd) leading them to victory. Earlier, Joshua Ferreira had given North Georgetown the lead in the 25th minute of play. In the second game, Cummings Lodge squeezed past Christ Church 4-3 in an exciting contest. Jerome Jarvis (57th and 62nd), Elijah Grant (18th) and Sylvester Robertson (26th) were the players on target for the winners, while Javontay Best (46th and 59th) and Kadeem Blackman (34th) made it a fight for
Charlestown’s goal scorers Aroydy Branford (right) and Omari James Christ Church. Charlestown then hammered New Campbellville 6-1 with Aroydy Branford (30th, 39th, 48th and 66th) and Omari James (28th and 68th) the leading marksmen. On target for the losers was Eukini McPherson (70th).
In the final encounter of the day, North Ruimveldt beat a small, but determined Tucville 3-0. Shamar McPherson (30th), Carl Griffith (45th) and Jeremy Garrett (63rd) were the goal scorers for the victors.
NAWF Girls U17 Inter-Secondary Schools Football...
ST. JOHN’S BLANKS VREED-EN-HOOP
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t. John’s Secondary romped to a comfortable 3-0 win over Vreed-en-Hoop when competition in the National Association of Women Football (NAWF) Under-17 eight-team Inter Secondary School competition continued yesterday at the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground. Latisha Morris led her school to the win with goals in the 13th minute from the penalty spot and again in the 29th minute. Aliecia Prince added another goal in the 45th as Vreed-en-Hoop failed to trouble the score sheets. Play will continue tomorrow at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground with Zeeburg opposing Stewartville from 15:00hrs.
Latisha Morris (left) and Aliecia Prince
MYO Inter Jamaat tourney set to start on March 16 The Annual Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) of Guyana Inter-Jamaat softball cricket competition is scheduled to start on March 16 at MYO ground, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands. Registration fee is $3,000 per
team and lots of trophies and cash incentives will be at stake. Jamaats interested in participating are asked to make contact with Br. Imran Ally on 231 9822 or 689 7425. Registration closes on Thursday, March 13.
Page 34
Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 11, 2014
West Indies show Nearly six decades England the T20 way of cricket reporting
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he road to Bangladesh from Barbados is so far looking smoother for West Indies than England. Conditions in the first T20 may actually have given a fairer indication of what is come that some expected before the match today in Barbados. Spinners, and those taking pace off the ball, were the most effective bowlers: West Indies had by far the better balanced side. Selection issues can, of course, be tweaked but it remains to be seen if that is enough for England whose short-form cricket has take a significant step back of late. They have now notched four defeats on the bounce - all comprehensive. The biggest issue is the batting and the fact that it still seems to sway from either block or bash with not much in between. There are added issues for the visitors, too. Stuart Broad is sitting out the rest of the series and his stand-in as captain, Eoin Morgan, is not fully fit either. One of the spare batsmen in the squad, Ian Bell, has not played a Twenty20 match since January 2011 and the reserve seam bowlers are the inexperienced pair of Chris Jordan and Harry Gurney. Everywhere you look in West Indies’ line-up there is power with the bat, from Dwayne Smith and Chris Gayle at the top down to the captain Darren Sammy who was not needed in the first game. Marlon Samuels has called Samuel Badree West Indies’ “trump card” going into the World T20 and that is some call considering his fellow spinner is Sunil Narine. Badree sped through this four overs two days ago and in the blink of an eye had 3 for 17 as England’s top order flayed hopelessly. The tactic can’t be just to play him out, somehow plans have to formed to score off him otherwise the Powerplay will go to waste.
Badree celebrates the wicket of Wright
Are England making the best use of Ravi Bopara? While he is adjusting to the finisher’s role in the ODI side, it appears a waste to have an in-form batsman down at No. 6 in the Twenty20 outfit. Bopara, himself, has said he would like a chance higher up the order and he also possesses the power to clear the rope, but it is pointless him doing so when the team is already in a mess. The impact of his medium-pace cutters highlighted the error of England’s selection in the opening match. Sunil Narine did not need a scan on the knee he jarred on the first game, but there remains a chance he could be rested as a precaution. With an eye on the World T20, West Indies may switch their pace-bowling options around and have a look at either Krishmar Santokie or Sheldon Cottrell, the two left-armers in the squad. Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher are the batsmen waiting in the wings. West Indies (possible) 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Dwayne Smith, 3 Marlon Samuels, 4 Lendl Simmons, 5 Dwayne Bravo, 6 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 7 Darren Sammy (capt), 8 Andre Russell, 9 Sunil Narine, 10 Ravi Rampaul, 11 Samuel Badree. Broad’s injury and the need to adapt to conditions they misread on the opening game will mean changes for England. It could be the introduction of two spinners, Stephen Parry for Broad and perhaps Moeen Ali for the struggling Luke Wright. The form of Ben Stokes is also an issue. With Bell now confirmed in the World T20 squad the management will to give him some game time, too. England (possible) 1 Alex Hales, 2 Michael Lumb, 3 Moeen Ali, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Ravi Bopara, 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 James Tredwell, 10 Jade Dernbach, 11 Stephen Parry.
Tony Cozier
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ort of Spain, Trinidad - This is part one of a series about the life and times of one of cricket’s most famous commentators and writers, Tony Cozier…. Christened Winston Anthony Cozier on July 10 1940, he has made a name for himself for over five decades as the voice of cricket in the Caribbean. How did he start off in cricket? “I was at school, at Lodge School in Barbados,” he replied. “My father (Jimmy) was the editor of the Voice in St Lucia. I used to, as young boys do, listen to a lot of cricket and write something on the exercise books, some reports on the day’s play, that type of thing. “When Australia were in the West Indies in 1955, I would have been just 15 or thereabout. The Voice of St Lucia was a five-day-a-week publication and I said to him (dad), “you think I can cover the match for The Voice?” He said, “yea once you get some time-off from the head master”. He gave me time-off and I covered that match (in Barbados). “That was the famous match when (Denis) Atkinson and (Clairmonte) Depeiaza had their big partnership of 347. That was because my ‘old man’ was the editor of the paper and I was reporting for a very small paper in St Lucia.” Did the writing genes pass off from his dad to him? He responded, “maybe, I don’t know. I was interested in cricket. He covered the
tour of England in 1950 for all West Indian papers. When he came back, he did some cricket as well, but he was into more day-to-day journalism, not cricket. He gave that up.” “Then he became the editor of The Voice of St Lucia, Barbados Advocate then he came here as the editor of the Trinidad Guardian. Then, when I came back on holidays, I would work at the Guardian, the Evening News radio as it was then. Cozier continued, “in 1958, I had just left school, and I was on summer holidays here. I was going to Guyana, I had friends there and I would stay with them. I said to the Guardian “do you want coverage of the West Indies games” because there were West Indies Track and Field Championships in those days. I went to cover those in 1958. “Then my father and some other investors started a paper in Barbados - the Barbados Daily News - in 1960. In 1958 I went to university in Canada, Carlton University. I studied journalism, but I knew a lot of journalism. It was more a Bachelor of Arts Degree, rather than journalism because I knew exactly what to do from the time I was probably ten years old in St Lucia.” The climatic conditions did not sit well with Cozier and he did not finish his stint at Carlton University. “I had one more year to go, but the paper my father started in Barbados was
starting then. And I said there was no way I was going back up, I’m going to be with the Barbados Daily News from the start.” He then reflected on his stint with the Daily News. “At a small paper, you do all sorts of thing,” he noted. “I was sports editor and I would write all sorts of thing – football, track and field and so on, on a local basis. The paper closed in 1968 by, at which time, I had done two tours of England for the paper. “In 1963, I went (on) the Frank Worrell’s tour,” he continued. “I said to my father “let me cover the tour for the paper” (and) he said “we’ll pay your way and that’s it. You get there, you got to look after yourself.” I stayed in YMCAs and so on. I got some work on the BBC Caribbean Service. “Then I did the ’66 tour of England on a more formal basis. That was the first time I did radio commentary on BBC Test Match Special. Roy Lawrence, who was the Jamaica Gleaner Sports Editor and was the voice of West Indies cricket, a beautiful voice he had, and he had done a lot of tours around the Caribbean, was coming back from the Commonwealth Games in Kingston to oversee the Jamaica Broadcast Corporation’s coverage. He was doing the BBC (reports) and he left, missed the Test match in Leeds so I filled in for him.” (T&T Newsday)
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 35
Ravens puncture Pacesetters wheels on ‘ROAD TO MECCA’ By Edison Jefford
An epic night of basketball, with the final minute deciding two quarterfinal games, enveloped the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Sunday night, leaving just four teams to continue their journey on the ‘Road to Mecca’: The National Basketball Club Championships. L i n d e n ’s R e t r i e v e Raiders and Georgetown’s Ravens won in the final minutes of their games that more than anything else was a preview to what will be an intense Final Four this Sunday after the Amelia’s Ward Jets and Colts also won their quarterfinal encounters. Ravens’ shooting guard, Ryan Stephney penetrated the lane with 35 seconds left to win 61-58 in their game against the Georgetown’s number one seeded, Trinity Grid Holdings Pacesetters after a dubious pushing call from the referees handed Ravens possession. N e v e r t h e l e s s , Ry a n Stephney finished with 25 points from an awesome shooting display as well, which countered the accuracy of Steffon Gillis from downtown, while Akeem Kanhai scored 12 points for Ravens in their fourth straight win against Pacesetters. Gillis put on a sharpshooting clinic for his 23 points while Travis Burnett had 10 points in the game for Pacesetters after an intense offensive level to start as Gillis and Stephney traded three-point jumpers that entertained the sizeable crowd at the venue. Stephney nailed a missile from beyond the arc to put Ravens up 19-10 before Rodwell Fortune released a floater in the lane to conclude a 21-14 first quarter for Ravens. However an 8-2 run early in the second period that included back-to-back threepointers from Gillis cut the Ravens lead to one point, before Burnett’s doublepump left-handed lay-up gave Pacesetters a 26-25 lead with seven minutes to play before halftime. Kanhai finished an And1 play to equalise 29-29 then both teams added just two
- Final Four of National Basketball C/ships decided
Ravens’ guard, Akeem Kanhai evades Pacesetters’ forward, Naylon Loncke (#12) in the air as he releases a floater in the paint at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. points each in a defensive exchange that left them on 31-31 with three minutes remaining before the break. Then the Sports Hall exploded with an offensive blast. Gillis landed a big threepoint jump shot to put Pacesetters ahead, but Stephney responded with a
huge shot from downtown before Hugh Arthur joined the party downtown with a three-point shot as well before Burnett also fired one in for a 41-40 Pacesetters halftime lead. With seven minutes left in the third quarter, Dominic Vincente put Ravens ahead
with his jumper but it was short-lived as Gillis immediately responded with a baseline shot. The intense offensive start for both teams dwindled to a second half defensive battle with Pacesetters adding just 10 points and Ravens 11 points to their halftime scores.
The two teams continued to exchange points until one of two free throws from Stephney gave the Ravens a 59-58 lead with 41 seconds left in regulation time; Ravens regained possession with 35 seconds left in the game, compliments of a pushing foul call against Pacesetters then Stephney had the honours of sealing the deal with a lay-up in the lane. The game before, a Linden showdown between Retrieve Raiders and number one ranked, Kings had similar drama in the closing minute. With under seven minutes to play in the game the scores were levelled 50-50 after Orin Rose drilled a three-pointer for Kings. However, Keon Cameron responded with a shot from downtown to put Raiders ahead 53-50 then Dwayne Roberts finished a turn-around jumper for a 5550 lead. But Rose again nailed a big shot from beyond the arc with three minutes left in regulation time. Kings forward, Trevor Profitt scored two freethrows to level the scores at 55-55 with 1:23 left in the final quarter. Roberts and Cameron then made freethrows that put Raiders ahead 57-55 with five seconds left for Kings to configure a play within its kingdom.
Kings went to Rose for a jumper, but the shot missed to give Raiders a 57-55 win and a place in the semi-final. Roberts scored 21 points and grabbed 20 rebounds while Cameron ended up with 20 points and three steals in the nail-biting encounter down the stretch. For Kings, Omally Sampson had 15 points and eight rebounds while Rose had 14 points. Steve Neils Jr. had 10 points. In the first game of the night, Colts defeated Pepsi Sonics 65-51 in a Georgetown match-up with Dave Causway scoring 19 points and seven rebounds, Shelroy Thomas 16 points to go with his seven boards and Steve McSeen 13 points and 12 rebounds. Trevor Smith scored 17 points, Jason Squires had 11 points and 10 rebounds while Collis ‘Forty’ Pluck scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds for Sonics. Amelia’s Ward Jets had a comfortable victory 67-56 over Victory Valley Royals with Shane Webster scoring 22 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Emmanuel Archibald s co r ed 1 4 p o in ts an d Rodwell Pellew had 11 points. For Victory Valley, Harold Adams had 18 points and 10 rebounds while Ron Beckles scored 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.
ALPHA UNITED prevails in preparation for CFU c/ships
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Gregory Richardson (left) battles with a Boys Town player on Sunday night at GFC.
he Georgetown Football Club ground with its inadequate seating facility was bursting at its seams when the Vizion Sounds Entertainment group staged the final night of the Caribbean Inter-Club football competition Sunday evening last. Two matches thrilled the fans starting at 19:00hrs when Buxton United faced off with Slingerz. The teams battled for all of 90 minutes followed by Alpha United against famed team, Boystown of Jamaica. The matches were entertaining and despite clear goal scoring opportunities, neither the Buxton United nor Slingerz FC could have pierced the other’s goal. That game was characterized by classic build ups with instances of rough play yet the two teams failed to score even as the
clock ticked away the first session. It was during the late exchanges when Jamal Harvey was fed a superb pass from the right flank. He went up but though his header was fierce, it lacked direction and the ball sailed over the crossbar less than one minute before the intermission. The second session was a replica of the first with missed opportunities and roughhouse tactics. Strangely, the referee did not have to issue yellow or red cards though the game was played with ferocity even up to when the final whistle sounded with the score on nil all. The Alpha United match was also entertaining but was characterized by missed opportunities as both teams battled furiously for supremacy. The first session ended nil all owing largely in (Continued on page 29)
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National Paralympic Sport Festival
Phillips takes male 100M open title; Carryl, Rodney, Baley grab gold
Leroy Phillips (left) crosses the finish line ahead of Anthony Robinson and third place Seon Roberts (white vest) in the male open 100m V1 B1 event.
GNRA RECORDED SHOOTS
Braithwaite and Goodluck continue excellent form Sherwin Felicien (left) and Terrance Stuart
Ransford Goodluck
Lennox Braithwaite
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