Kaieteur News

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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

Those crime figures The recent claim by the police about the state of serious crimes requires some clarification. When people hear that serious crimes are down, obviously they would want to know exactly what it is that the relevant statistics represent.

This is no more so than when it is the view of many that the offences identified in the releases seem focused on the violent crimes of murder, robbery under arms, and robbery with aggravation. There is a curious lack of detail regarding “total serious crimes” and therefore the citizens are none the wiser about what constitutes that amalgam.

The fundamental observation being made here is that officialdom needs to recognize that there comes a time in most people’s experiences when waffling and obfuscation must be replaced with cogent and unarguable facts which relate to the safety and security expectations of law-abiding citizens.

Moreover, the police should not be measured on the number of murders committed or not committed; outside of interventions by partners in the social services sector, there is no way that the Guyana Police Force could prevent homicides whether domestic, disorderly or felony. One incontrovertible indicator should relate to professional investigations which result in successful prosecutions leading, ideally, to convictions.

Notwithstanding the fact that those crimes mentioned above must be tackled with coherent and comprehensive strategies, if we are to be provided with an appreciable level of comfort, there should be no denying that there are crimes just as heinous which are not mentioned with the same enthusiasm in terms of the police successes or lack thereof.

It is no secret that certain crimes feed the commission of others, and are themselves fed by others. Matters are not helped by politicising the pursuit of certain types of crimes. Among the offences which are not publicized as falling within the ambit of serious crimes are: drug trafficking; human trafficking; arms trafficking; prostitution and child sex.

Tax evasion and revenue offences are investigated and prosecuted selectively, regardless of how material, contrived or tenuous the purported evidence. Money laundering; corruption and bribery; intellectual property offences; and environmental crimes are seemingly ignored in terms of their potential to cause serious harm to the nation’s image, since this reflects an alarming level of insouciance and possibly official complicity.

The distribution and sale of illegal drugs impact society in myriad negative ways, but these cases, when they are made, do not feature in the serious crimes data as released by the police. It is very obvious that political considerations are paramount when it comes to determining what will be made public and what should not. The lethargy which characterizes how certain crimes are dealt with makes that conclusion inescapable using deductive reasoning.

A significant omission in the publication of serious crime statistics is the rate of crime, which basically, is the number of reported crimes by the population, and multiply the quotient by 100,000. So the population is left none the wiser about crime levels and the rate of their commission, what the police are actually doing to minimize if not eliminate certain types of crime, and how the public can help to avoid becoming victims.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, politics play a significant role in what is reported, since some governments are loath to release any information which they feel makes them look inept, or that which confirms their incompetence.

Citizens have a right to be told these things, apart from being regaled with high figures in the sum of hundreds of millions of dollars being spent on the force. It would be interesting to go beyond that worn-out practice and focus instead on the indirect costs of crime, with which the populace is more likely to empathise.

From the lack of evidence, it appears as if to date, the force has not conducted the type of surveys whose findings can assist in the formulation of realistic strategies aimed at addressing citizens’ safety and security concerns and fears.

Mouthing reform and strategies because the words sound good will not cut it. The Guyanese people naturally expect that their contact with members of the force will not leave a bitter aftertaste. And therefore a force characterised by professional ethics-driven men and women would be a sure indication that reform is indeed underway.

Monday March 16, 2015

Letters... Where your views make the news

MY PARENTS DID NOT USE THEIR POSITION FOR PERSONAL GAINS DEAR EDITOR, I am extremely disappointed that Bharrat Jagdeo would try to compare his lifestyle to that of my parents, former Presidents Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Mrs. Janet Jagan, and defend his opulent lifestyle by pathetically claiming that my parents also lived in a large house in an affluent community.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

I would like to thank Ralph Ramkarran for writing about the matter in his recent article “Discordant Notes”.

What Ralph wrotea bout my parent’s lifestyle and their house is all true and to the point. He wrote “In the 1960s, Plantation Bel Air, as it was then known, where Cheddi Jagan’s house is located and where my parents were born, was a poor community of mainly small artisans, farm and city labourers and subsistence cattle and vegetable farmers. Cheddi Jagan’s land, next door

to where I was born, grew up and still live, was acquired for $2,000 in the early 1960s. Around that time Belvoir Court was empty land in the 1960s when Cheddi Jagan got his land… In any event, the house that he constructed consisted of only an upper flat of three bedrooms, a tiny study, a small living room and kitchen, modest by the standards of that time or any standards.

It is there for anyone to see. The impression given by Dr. Jagdeo that Cheddi Jagan built a mansion, at the time comparable to his own, in an existing exclusive area is completely false and disingenuous.”

This simple, modest but comfortable house was designed by my father and built in 1966. You can visit and see for yourself. At that time there were only a few houses in this area. All the homes that were built much later in this area were much larger and more

elaborate, so that the current area is now considered an affluent neighborhood.

My parents, as is well known, devoted and sacrificed their lives for the betterment of the people of Guyana. They did not use their position for personal gains, which would have been very easy to do. Instead, due primarily to their high moral and ethical standards, they chose to live a very simple and comfortable lifestyle. They did not lead an extravagant life. Even when they were both Presidents of Guyana they maintained the same simple lifestyle they had always lived before.

It is sad that no one, especially in the PPP leadership has come forward to challenge these false and misleading claims that Bharrat Jagdeo has made against my parents, except for an old and dear comrade and friend of my parents’– Ralph Ramkarran.

Nadira Jagan-Brancier

We can see why this case has taken people’s curiosity to a whole new level DEAR EDITOR, Like US-based Guyanese political activist and commentator, Dr. David Hinds, (Since when did calling on people not to retaliate become incitement to violence?” SN, March 15, 2015), I was nonplussed by the Guyana Police Force’s letter under the hands of its PRO, Ivelaw Whittaker, urging that Dr. Hinds ceases and desists from using his call for no violent retaliation to Courtney Crum-Ewing’s death to actually incite actual violence. Unless the police (or their political bosses) believed Dr. Hinds was engaging in reverse psychology, the police’s reaction had to be among the oddest interpretation in the w o r l d o f b a s i c commonsense.

Dr. Hinds actually wrote, “Let us not be drawn into any form of ethnic revenge or tit for tat. Let us instead use Courtney’s body as a guiding compass to the ballot boxes on May 11. That is what the brother died on the frontline urging us to do. Let us not touch one East Indian man, woman or child. They are as much victims of the political depravity as the rest of us.

Let us raise Black dignity to its highest peak and show the world that blood shedding in the quest for political power is not part of our word view.”

Shortly after that call, the opposition alliance put out its own statement, which basically said, “To the citizens of Guyana, we appeal for you to be both resolute and reasoned in your condemnation of the impunity with which human

rights abuses are carried and condoned under the PPP. Resist this dastardly and cowardly act of provocation.

APNU+AFC appeals for calm in this trying time.”

At 11:03 pm or about two hours after the execution, Demerarawaves carried a news story, “Home Ministry orders thorough probe into Crum-Ewing’s execution; speculates political motive,” (Tuesday, 10 March 2015 23:03). Hello? The Home Affairs Ministry, which is responsible for the Police Force, was the first to officially and publicly speculate that the execution may be politically motivated!

More than that, the ministry further stated, “Though it is early yet to draw any specific conclusion or motive in connection with the perpetration of this dastardly act, the Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to alert the general public to be vigilant in respect of any act of violence provoked or unprovoked, that might be possibly initiated by those who may have a political agenda.”

Now, in what way was D r. H i n d s ’ s t a t e m e n t essentially dissimilar from that of the opposition alliance or the Home Affairs Ministry? Did the police (namely, Leslie James) contact the Home Affairs Ministry and the opposition alliance? Or is the PPP the lone arbiter of what constitutes inciting to violence?

Permit me, editor, to divert momentarily and note that I recall in March 2008,

former army officer, Oliver Hinckson, was arrested and charged with sedition after he appeared at a public meeting hosted by Georgetown Mayor and offered himself as a mediator between armed gangs in Buxton and the government.

Sedition is the same as inciting to public violence, so who determined he was guilty of the act? That he was freed one year later after being incarcerated for months proved his accusers wrong.

When another army officer, David Clarke, was tried in the US on drug trafficking charges but received asylum in 2010, former President Bharrat Jagdeo described Clarke as a ‘criminal’ who actually worked with the criminal gangs in Buxton (‘I know what I know’ …Jagdeo says Clarke’s light sentence changes nothing, SN, January 2, 2010), but couldn’t his remarks easily have resulted in violent reactions against members of the army? Additionally, when Jagdeo claimed he had a video tape (which he promised to release but never did) about the collusion of PNC executives and criminal gangs in Buxton, couldn’t his remarks have easily resulted in violent reactions against any or all PNC executive members?

Getting back to the original point, the day after the Home Affairs Ministry’s statement, HPS, Dr. Roger Luncheon, said that like the rest of the media, he, too, was confused over the Home Affairs Ministry’s statement,

which read in part, “The Ministry notes the deep coincidence between the fatal shooting incident and the earlier swearing in of the new Commissioner of Police.”

According to i n e w s g u y a n a ( R o h e e ’s nexus between Crum-Ewing killing and Top Cop’s confirmation confuses Dr. Luncheon, March 11), Dr. Luncheon said he would “have some difficulties recognizing what linkage could exist” between these two incidents.

Now that the police have gone public with clarifying its contact with Dr. Hinds, enquiring minds want to know why the police don’t have its PRO tell the nation whether it contacted the person or persons identified by name by Crum-Ewing to the police as making threats to his life. Ten weeks after he said he made a police report about a named mid-level government functionary threatening his life, CrumEwing was murdered, so why neither the government nor the police have seen it fit to comment on that specific threat?

Editor, as the nation tries to make sense of and the police presumably try to put the pieces of this high-profile jig-saw murder together, we have to constantly keep in mind the swift response by the police to the murder, which had many scratching their heads trying to figure out how the police got there so quickly. Guyanese are well aware, after many years, that the police normally are slow to respond to any Continued on page 5

Monday March 16, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news

An Open Letter to the People of Guyana DEAR EDITOR, We, the undersigned, are outraged and saddened by the senseless murder of Mr. Courtney Crum-Ewing on Tuesday, March 10th in Diamond, EBD. Mr. Crum-Ewing was most brutally gunned down while performing a civic duty for his country; that is, engaging in the political process of Guyana. His engagement took the form of encouraging Guyanese citizens to exercise their right to self-determination.

The right to self-determination is a most basic human right that is embraced by all Guyanese regardless of political affiliation.

This is what was fought for and won through independence from Britain.

We are reminded of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King: “The first thing we must do here tonight is to decide we are not going to become panicky. That we are going to be calm, and we are going to continue to stand up for what is right. Fear not, we’ve come too far to turn back.”

Therefore, we call for peace. We call for swift and just actions to be taken against the perpetrator(s) of Mr. Crum-Ewing’s senseless murder. We call for all political leaders to dial back their vitriol particularly at this sensitive juncture.

We raise our voices as one to express our heartfelt condolence to the family and friends of Mr. Crum-Ewing. We raise our voices as one because we feel particularly aggrieved by this wanton act of violence.

We raise our voices as one out of love and loyalty to our beloved country. We ask all Guyanese to join us as we publicly and privately repudiate violence and intimidation.

We are and will continue to be regardless of our gender, race, religion, ethnicity, political beliefs, geography – guided in our actions, in part, by Martin Niemoller’s famous poem: First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

May the soul of Mr. Courtney Crum-Ewing rest in peace.

Mr. Mohammed Karimullah 1968-1976 Dr. Nathilee Caldeira 1979-1986 Mr. Ronald Caleb 1972-1974 Ms. Karen Wharton 1976-1981 Dr. Mark Kirton Mr. Bryn Bowen Mr. Louis London 1966-1972 Dr. Keith Wilson Ms. Corinne Locke 1975-1982 Mr. Compton Saywack 1967-1972 Dr. Alissa Trotz Mr. Fairbairn Liverpool 1962-1965 Mr. Hugh Hamilton 1971-1977 Mr. Lloyd Houston Dr. Neville Burke 1998-2004 Mr. Dominic Gaskin Mr. Gordon Williams Ms. Diana West 1986-1988 Dr. Kamal Dookie 1964-1971 Mr.Raphael Lindo Mr.Leyland Grant Mr.Michael Harris 1964-1971 Dr. John Rickford 1960-1967 Mr. Eden Gajraj 1954-1961 Mr. Adam Harris 1960-1966 Dr. Vibert Cambridge 1955-1961 Mr. Alfred Granger 1964-1971 Mr. John Campbell 1974-1981 Dr. Terrence Blackman Mr. Jemel Liverpool 1995-2001 Mr. Ian Carto 1966-1972 Mr. Gordon Wilson Dr. Michelle Mickle-Foster 1977-1983 Mr. Louis Kilkenny Dr. Shondel Nero Mr. Lance Chase Mr. Patrick Stephens Dr. Frank Douglas 1959-1962 Mr.Mortimer London 1962-1969 Mr. Dane Hartley Dr. Jerome Branche 1967-1972 Dr. Vonetta Edwards 1990-1997 Mr.Edward Meertins-George Mr. Vishnu Mahadeo 1975-1977 Ms. Dawn Holder Ms. Darlene Walcott 1998-2005 Ms. Saran Nurse 1985-1990 Dr. Ronald Moore 1980 Mr. Aubrey Smith 1961-1969 Mr. Trevor Grant 1964-1971 Mr. Paul Montague (Kojo Nnamdi) 1956-1963 Dr. Frank Denbow 1967-1974 Mr. Clairmont Chung

What is your plan Brigadier Phillips?

DEAR EDITOR, When I heard of the murder Mr. Courtney CrumEwing on Tuesday last I went through several emotions, anger, hurt, rage and bad memories. I remembered Ohene Koama of the WPA; he was an activist like CrumEwing. I met him the afternoon before his murder in 1979 and we spoke for a while.

The next morning when I heard that a man pointed a rifle at the police and was killed, I did not pay much attention.

It was only later in the morning I heard that Ohene was that person, and I knew the version that he had shot at the police was a lie.

Back in those days we were told in no uncertain terms whose steel was sharper.

Recently Mr. Jadgeo at Babu Jaan promised the opposition an ass kicking, even if this was meant to be figurative, it appears that Courtney Crum-Ewing was the first victim of the

We can see why this...

From page 4 shooting situation, so what exactly prompted this rapid response?

Add to that, the fact that a mere couple of hours after the execution, the Ministry of Home Affairs put out a statement speculating about political motive and an apparent nexus between it and the confirmation of Seelall Persaud as top cop a few hours earlier, and we can see why this case has taken people’s curiosity to a whole new level.

Emile Mervin

call to the ass kicking brigade.

Crum Ewing, a former distinguished soldier who was transformed into an advocate of democracy after hearing the Attorney General threaten employees of Kaieteur News, died with a loud hailer in his hands, in a hail of bullets by a bunch of thirsty cowards. He died calling Guyanese to the poll to vote out the undemocratic vagabonds who claim to have ushered in democracy.

Just like the police in the 1979, the Crime Chief is seeking to divert attention from the murder by telephoning Dr. Hinds in Arizona to ask him about a letter he wrote, which was published in the dailies, begging the angry masses not to engage in a tit for

tat. Shame is a human quality but the Administration and their henchmen have no shame.

P r e s i d e n t R a m o t a r, speaking to the officers of the Guyana Defense Force a few months ago, told the Army that they must “not allow certain behaviors to fester in the society”. I would like to remind Brigadier Mark Phillips of that order.

A murderous, politically motivated behavior is beginning to fester, and it has claimed one of your own, a soldier who was engaged in peaceful activity and yearned for justice.

Those who perpetuated this crime have no respect for life, their motto is, whatever it takes, the cup must always runneth over. Brigadier Phillips what is your plan?

Keith Branch

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Monday March 16, 2015

Granger promises positive transformation of Linden Addressing a mammoth crowd at the APNU/ AFC coalition unity rally on Saturday night, at the Linden/ Georgetown bus park, Presidential candidate David Granger told listeners, “the APNU/ AFC coalition is the best thing that has happened to Linden. APNU/ AFC is the future.

Region Ten, the future starts right here tonight”, he declared to thunderous applause.

Appearing suave and confident despite a little hoarseness, Granger delivered his address eloquently, while party executives sat behind him smiling, with no semblance whatever, of the recent upheavals involving senior functionaries.

In alluding to the poor economic state of the town, he declared: “We can’t tek it no more. We can’t tek the deception, the discrimination.

We can’t tek the dependency because they want us to beg for everything.”

He stressed that for 22 years, the PPP had the town “on a life support machine.”

Granger also questioned why Linden was poor, pointing out that the Town is the real gateway to

- during APNU/AFC rally

A jubilant David Granger at the Linden rally the hinterland and as such is well connected.

“That is why you need an APNU/AFC administration that is going to give you your rightful place in this country.

Linden, you deserve it and your children deserve it. !”

Granger also alluded to the recent execution of political activist Courtney Crum Ewing, citing it as an act of intimidation meant to silence citizens. He spoke

too, of how President Ramotar was ‘frightened’ hence there was no convening of Parliament in eight months, and of eventually proroguing parliament because of the same fear. “We wrestle against the rulers of darkness,” he said. Ironically, he noted that these same rulers of darkness had brought a Bishop to Region Ten. With an APNU/AFC government, Granger promised that the Linden/ Lethem road would be completed, lights installed on the Linden/Soesdyke highway and that there would be jobs for young people. He also promised that residents would be able to acquire a university degree right from the comfort of their own homes, instead of having to travel all the way to Georgetown - a task that is

both burdensome and costly.

Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo was fiery in his speech, and at times evoked much laughter as he highlighted recent utterances by past president Bharrat Jagdeo.

Nagamootoo’s recommendation for Jagdeo’s “kick ass” comments was that the citizens should return the

favour and further, that Jagdeo needed ‘pampers for his mouth”.

“It is time that we change our country, it is time that we take back the power that we lent the rulers who have handled the power badly. It is time that we heal the division in this country. It is time that we re-enter history and like a photo album, we could look at the many pictures inside, and see the happy moments and also the many moments that created hurts, things that went wrong. But we could look at the album the rest of our lives and not be able to change any of the photos inside.

“Today, we have an album that has new pages, and it is time we start to write those pages the way we want to write it. Today we can write selfie and we could smile, and we can put what we want in the album- happiness and comfort as a people.”

He also reflected on his early life and of knowing Granger since they were little boys, and how they played and worked together, saying that if they could do it then, they could do it now.

“If we could share a school and village, why today

we can’t share in common our country?”

Nagamootoo also alluded to the indiscriminate spending of taxpayers’ money to fix the teeth of PPP executives, ‘’so that they can laugh at you with bigger and brighter teeth!’

He also cited other instances of spending of taxpayers’ money that had not been approved.

Speaking of other coalitions in the past despite differences, between the PNC and PPP, where Forbes Burnham was declared President- he emphasized that “if it was right then, then it is right now!” a statement that punctuated his speech repeatedly.

He admonished that Guyanese should bury the past, so that we could be free.

“Today it is time that we liberate ourselves from mental slavery that is withholding us.

“This election is about the survival of our country, because every child knows that we cannot possibly have three more years of Ramotar.

“Do you want three more years of Ramotar?” he asked, to which the supporters gave a resounding ‘NO!’ (Enid Joaquin)

Demonstrators move protest...

(From page 2) representatives from Blue CAPS and Society against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) demonstrated at the same spot Crum-Ewing occupied for weeks while calling for the resignation of the Attorney General.

On Thursday, there was an

even greater swell in numbers as representatives from the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), social and political activists, Kaieteur News staffers and public spirited citizens came out to condemn Crum Ewing’s death and demand that his killers, including the masterminds, be brought to justice.

Friday saw even more public spirited citizens, as well as Crum-Ewing’s family members come out, defiant that

nothing could stop them in their quest for justice.

Courtney Crum-Ewing’s funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18. The body will be at his residence, 189 Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara for viewing from 10:00-11:00hrs and from 12:00 to 14:00hrs at the Parade Ground. Service will be held at Heavenly Light Full Gospel Church at Cooper Street, Albouystown at 2:30. The body will then be taken to Le Repentir cemetery for burial.

Monday March 16, 2015

Kaieteur News

Kerry says Syrian transition would have to be negotiated with Assad (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States would have to negotiate with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for a political transition in Syria and was exploring ways with other countries to pressure him into agreeing to talks.

But State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said later that Kerry, in an interview with CBS News that aired yesterday, was not specifically referring to Assad. She reiterated that Washington would never negotiate with the Syrian leader.

Harf added: “By necessity, there has always been a need for representatives of the Assad regime to be a part of this process. It has never been and would not be Assad who would negotiate - and the Secretary was not saying that today.”

Washington has long insisted that Assad must be replaced through a

John Kerry negotiated, political transition, although the rise of a common enemy, hardline militant group Islamic State, appears to have slightly softened the West’s stance toward him.

In the CBS interview, Kerry did not repeat the standard U.S. line that Assad had lost all legitimacy and had to go.

Syria’s civil war is now into i t s f i f t h y e a r, w i t h

hundreds of thousands killed and millions of Syrians displaced.

“We have to negotiate in the end,” Kerry said when asked whether the United States would be willing to negotiate with Assad.

“We’ve always been willing to negotiate in the context of the Geneva I process,” he added, referring to a 2012 conference that called for a negotiated transition to end the conflict.

Kerry said the United States and other countries, which he did not name, were exploring ways to reignite the diplomatic process to end the conflict in Syria.

“What we’re pushing for is to get him (Assad) to come and do that, and it may require that there be increased pressure on him of various kinds in order to do that,” Kerry said.

“We’ve made it very clear to people that we are looking at increased steps that can help bring about that pressure,” he added.

Son of ex-Iran president Rafsanjani gets 15 years jail Tehran (AFP) - The son of Iran’s former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has been sentenced to 15 years in jail after being convicted of security offences and financial crimes, state media said yesterday.

Mehdi Hashemi was accused of involvement in massive protests that followed Iran’s disputed presidential election in 2009, and after being threatened with arrest he left for Britain.

The now 45-year-old was detained and questioned after returning to Tehran in September 2012, and although he was bailed after nearly three months in custody he was later rearrested.

His conviction relates to national security matters as well as fraud and embezzlement, judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein

Mehdi Hashemi Mohseni-Ejeie was quoted as saying on its official website and in state media.

Hashemi has 20 days to appeal his punishment, additional terms of which include an undisclosed fine and ban from holding public office, the reports said. One of his lawyers told the ISNA

news agency that an appeal would indeed be lodged.

The 15-year sentence, if confirmed by a secondary court, would be one of the heaviest ever handed down to a family member of such a high-ranking official.

Hashemi supported the so-called Green Movement led by the defeated reformist candidates Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi after the presidential election which was officially won by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Rafsanjani’s son is not the first member of the family to be convicted in recent years.

In September 2012, the former president’s daughter Faezeh Hashemi, who also supported the Green Movement, was convicted of spreading propaganda against the regime. She was sentenced to six months in jail.

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RESTORING CONFIDENCE IN THE GUYANA POLICE FORCE Lack of public confidence in institutions of the State represents a serious crisis. That lack of confidence manifests itself and leads to a lack of trust in those institutions by the very persons, the people, which those institutions are required to serve.

A recent international survey within Latin America has revealed that there is a poor level of confidence by the citizenry of Guyana in their police force, one of the foremost institutions necessary to ensure the preservation of law and order.

This column holds no brief for this survey. Surveys in Latin America have been notorious for their inaccuracy and are always riddled with allegations and

concerns over the credibility of their results.

However, the people of Guyana do not need any international survey to tell them about the lack of confidence in the Guyana Police Force. The people of Guyana know this all too well.

This is not a new problem. It is an old one. It is a recurrent one.

All administrations past and present have failed to rein this problem in. During the time of the PNC, there was rapid loss of confidence in important institutions of the State. This has continued under the PPPC which has failed to restore public confidence in the security services.

At the heart of this problem are two

DEM BOYS SEH...

Ramkarran seh Jagdeo nah got shame Since Jagdeo li’l he was smart, scampish and always vindictive. People who wuk over him and under him, know that, but some of dem get frighten to talk when he became president.

Now that he gone some people talking because he ain’t got control over dem mouth.

Dem boys always use to talk because dem never did and would never frighten that idiot.

He does always try fuh justify everything he seh and he do. Every scampish deal, every rattish agreement he sign and whatever he seh he does try fuh justify.

He build a house in Pradoville One on state land wha he get fuh next to nutten. Then he seh he sell to some Rass fuh nuff money.

He go and build a mansion in Pradoville Two again pun state land. Dem boys believe that is de biggest, fanciest and most expensive house in de country.

When dem question him, he seh that he wuk fuh 20 years and he was president fuh 12.

Well Ramkarran seh that Cheddi wuk fuh more than 50 years. He was premier, and he was president. His wife also wuk for 50 years, and was president too. Yet de two of dem couldn’t build wha Jagdeo build.

De simple house wha de two of dem build still stands de same way so that everybody can compare to Jagdeo mansion.

Dem never drive wha Jagdeo drive, never eat some of de things wha Jagdeo eat.

Dem boys know that Cheddi had a heart problem but he never hire private jet. He use to wait fuh a state visit come up and then use de opportunity to see his doctor.

Ramkarran seh that it is a sin fuh Jagdeo to use Cheddi as an example fuh justify he mansion, his pension and his Cadillac lifestyle.

But dem boys seh that sin is fuh people wid a heart.

Jagdeo ain’t got a heart or nutten closer to that. And in any case animals don’t commit sin.

His monthly pension can pay all de teachers in 10 school, yet he never give he wife nutten.

And he comparing heself to Cheddi and Janet. What a shame and disgrace.

De police does shame you by putting you photograph in de paper when you drink and drive.

Sunday Chronicle had six photo of Jagdeo and Ramotar only had five.

Talk half and watch how he gun run and hide.

fundamental mistakes. The first is the failure of reform as a strategy to improve professionalism and competence in the Guyana Police Force. Indeed, reform can be said to have contributed to the problem.

You do not reform deformed institutions. You do not restructure them also.

Neither does increasing the availability of resources address this problem. If this were the case, public confidence would have been restored in the Guyana Police Force.

What is needed is not reform but the building of a brand new Guyana Police Force.

But that is not in the interest of any of the main political parties in Guyana.

And so there will continue to be a deficit in public confidence under the present and any future government.

The second major contributor to the decline in public confidence is the politicization of the security services. This reached unprecedented levels under

the PNC. Indeed under the PNC, the heads of the security services were required to swear loyalty to the political party in power and not just to the government and to the State.

This allowed for a culture to develop within the police force that saw it as being subservient to their political masters. Worse of all in those days the Guyana Police Force did the dirty work of their political masters.

The situation has changed under the PPP. The police are now no longer required to swear loyalty to the ruling party, to spy and harass political opponents to the extent of the past but this has unfortunately not removed the yoke of politicization of the force.

When senior police officers can mention over drinks that they were given instructions from above to do this and to that, they are in effect speaking about the continued political interference and influence in their work.

Political interference and influence is at the root of the problem of lack of confidence in Guyana’s security services. And this is why reform will not work.

When such practices become embedded within the culture of an organization, it cannot be reformed away because such reform takes place through policy edict which as we know is the legitimate province of politicians.

Confidence and improved trust in the Guyana

Police Force can only come about by dismantling the entire Guyana Police Force and by creating a brand new institution, one that is free from the tentacles of politicians.

Unfortunately that is not going to happen after May 11 because none of the political parties are on that particular page.

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Kaieteur News

Monday March 16, 2015

DEADLY ROBB STREET FIRE… Hundreds turn out for PPP/C Woman who lost children says cops Fun Day on State House lawns failed to fully investigate arson attack Behind these structures stood the two storey building where the three persons lost their lives.

President Ramotar and First Lady posing with patrons.

The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) held its annual fun day yesterday, on the lawns of State House and made for some good old family fun.

Hundreds of Guyanese turned out to be part of the fun filled event.

President Donald Ramotar and First Lady

Deolatchmee Ramotar were in attendance and they welcomed patrons with hugs, kisses and photographs.

The First Lady was overwhelmed at the support the fun day has been receiving from citizens. She said that the event would usually attract a large crowd

every year.

The family oriented affair saw children enjoying various rides like the merrygo-round, ferris wheel and bouncy castle.

Several patrons expressed their satisfaction at the event. Many of them said that they look forward to the event every year, since it is a great leisure activity for the family. “This is a well organized family activity, I love coming here and the atmosphere is very nice. The president is doing a very great job,” one patron said.

This annual event is held to reflect on the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s dedication to the development of Guyana and its people.

Despite information provided to the police about the horrific fire which killed three persons at Robb and King Streets last November, investigators have failed to properly probe the matter.

This is the view of the dead girls’ mother, Rosemary Rozario, who said that the police have failed to maintain contact with her after she would have provided certain information that could help the investigation.

Rozario lost her daughters; 15-year-old Theresa and 12-year-old Feresa Rozario when arsonists torched the building where they lived with their father. The father, Hilrod Thomas managed to escape the burning building by jumping through a window, but succumbed to his injuries while in hospital.

Officials within the Guyana Fire Service have confirmed that the blaze was the work of arsonists. And some persons connected to the family and the property, are convinced that they know who the individuals are.

Rozario, for instance, identified a named businessman, whom she said had threatened to torch the

building where her children resided. She said that someone had also made previous attempts to burn the building.

The grieving mother said that knowing the danger surrounding the now destroyed building; she attempted to take the girls away from the father, but that proved difficult when he refused to give them up.

Rozario said that she explained all this to the police and identified the man who made the threats.

The mother said that she was keeping contact with the police, but they eventually told her that they would contact her if she was needed.

That was since last November, and the ranks have never called.

Rozario said that last January, while heading to the St. George’s Anglican Cathedral to pray, she saw the businessman speaking to another individual. She alleged that the man saw her coming and started to say in a loud tone that he had already killed three people and the mother would be next.

Rozario said she responded to the man in an aggressive manner before attempting to

do him harm. She said she was calmed by other persons, before going to the Brickdam Police Station to make a report.

Rozario said police assured that they would inform her when the matter goes to court. She has received no call so far.

Outside of this, the Robb and King Street property seems to have several interested persons all claiming to have documentation for the location. This publication was recently contacted by someone who also has an interest in the property.

He requested that the newspaper make it absolutely clear that those still operating at the location are not the ones at the centre of the controversy.

City Hall records show that a number of persons are seeking permission to develop the property.

It appears that some of these individuals seem not to have legitimate documents, since City Hall could not give the go ahead for construction; only for the removal of debris and potentially hazardous parts of the burnt building, the newspaper was told.

The original owner of the Robb and King Street building is deceased. All parties, including Thomas, claimed to have close ties with the man who supposedly authorized them to the property. The dead man’s wife is however seeking legal help to reclaim the property which sits at a prime commercial area in the city.

Reports are surfacing that the drama involving this building has led police to a dead end. A source claimed that the office of the Director of Public Prosecution told police not to issue charges in the deaths of the children and the elderly victim.

H o w e v e r , a spokesperson from the DPP’s office said that the police were in fact ordered to conduct further investigation before returning with the case file.

Lawyers have been hired by the aunt of the dead girls to revive the case so that the masterminds of the fire could be brought to justice.

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Kaieteur News

Monday March 16, 2015

Monday March 16, 2015

Kaieteur News

CAR RENTAL

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1-3 Bedrooms apartment for rent @ 74 Atlantic Ville – Tel:644-9088 (after 6pm) LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel:644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 6895997

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One Nissan X-Trail, year 2004, PRR series. Fully loadedPrice $3.1M Neg- Call: 6470016 One Toyota Tacoma SR5 4WD pickup, left hand drive and manual transmission, only 22000 miles – Contact: 623-1202

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Page 19

VEHICLE FOR SALE Tractor Massey Ferguson from Canada MF135- $1.2M, MF165 -$1.8M, MF285 -$2.4M, Ranger Pickup - $1.5M – Tel: 682-5230; 628-9596

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Building ‘B’, 3 apartments, fenced- $18M negotiable Call:255-3437; 698-3678 Property @ 62 Bent Street Wortmanville Georgetown – Tel:629-6101; 660-5019 Two Storied concrete & wooden building with apartments @ 26 Hill Street Albouystown, price negotiable – Contact:2230110

Unregistered Toyota IST, fully loaded - $2.150M – Call: 6917475 One Hino Canter- Tel:2282098; 628-5796. Price $1.3M TO LET

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Nissan Titan for sale, immaculate – Call: 647-3924

1- Three bedroom house to rent in Prashad Nagar $1000US per month – Tel:6707171

First Class Auto: Allion, Premio, Bluebird, Sienta, Runx, Axio, Verossa, Mark 2Call : 609-8188; 638-3045 Unregistered Toyota Spacio with body kit, spoiler, rims, fog lamp -$2M – Tel: 617-2891

Fully Furnished vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours – Call: 227-1218 Continued on page 20

Monday March 16, 2015

Kaieteur News

Venezuela’s Maduro given decree powers for rest of 2015 (Reuters) - Venezuela’s parliament granted President Nicolas Maduro decree powers yesterday for the rest of 2015 in a move he says is to defend the country from U.S. meddling but opponents decry as evidence of autocracy.

In a noisy National Assembly session, ruling Socialist Party legislators, who have a majority, applauded the “Enabling Law” as a legitimate response to a U.S. declaration that Venezuela is a security threat and sanctions on seven officials.

“They (the United States) want to stick their hands into Venezuela’s wealth, just as they have done in other countries,” ruling party legislator Tania Diaz said, presenting the “antiimperialist” Enabling Law to parliament.

Outside, red-clad Maduro supporters chanted and held placards proclaiming: “Yankees go home.”

In their speeches, angry opposition lawmakers said Maduro was cynically exploiting the diplomatic flare-up with Washington to

Nicolas Maduro amass powers, justify repression and distract Venezuelans from economic problems including acute shortages.

“Corrupt ones, your trips to Disney World are over,” tweeted opposition leader Henrique Capriles, referring to the U.S. visa ban on seven Venezuelan officials whom Washington accuses of corruption and human rights abuses.

“The Venezuelan people are not stupid. This (U.S. measure) is against you, not against Venezuela.”

The U.S. move has

triggered daily denunciations from Maduro, a series of “antiimperialist” rallies, military exercises, and a proliferation of graffiti condemning “gringo” interference.

It has also overshadowed Venezuelans’ disquiet at suffering the highest inflation in the Americas, long queues for food and medicines, and shortages of many basic products.

Maduro, a 52-year-old former union activist and foreign minister who won election to replace Hugo Chavez in 2013, had seen his ratings dive on the economic crisis but pollsters believe he may get a nationalist bounce during the U.S. spat.

Both the government and the opposition coalition are preparing for a vote later in the year to elect a new National Assembly. The date has not yet been set.

Mindful of past U.S. meddling in their region, Latin American neighbours have been supportive of Maduro, with the South American UNASUR bloc condemning W a s h i n g t o n ’ s “interventionist threat” in a foreign ministers’ statement.

LAS ALTURAS LAWSUIT LOOMS ...China Jiangsu threatens to take action against CeO Trinidad Guardian Contractor China Jiangsu International Corp T&T Ltd has issued a pre-action protocol letter threatening litigation against the Las Alturas Towers Commission of Enquiry (CoE) if the firm is not removed as a party in the probe into the failed multimillion dollar project.

The CoE could be halted until the contractor’s lawsuit is heard should China Jiangsu make good on its threat to file for judicial review of the commission’s order making it a participant in the enquiry.

The commission has already begun taking evidence in the probe into the structural failure of the $40 million Morvant housing project and is expected to continue hearings until March 20 at the Caribbean Court of Justice, Henry Street, Port-of-Spain.

On Wednesday, the contractor, through attorneys Alexander, Jeremie and Company— former Ag John Jeremie’s firm—issued the four-page letter to the commission claiming that the Mustapha Ibrahim-chaired CoE erred in law when it made the contractor a party to the

Las Alturas Damaged Unit proceedings.

In the letter, a copy of which was obtained by the Sunday Guardian, the lawyers claim that by order dated January 26, 2015, the commission “purported” to make China Jiangsu a party to the enquiry.

However, the lawyers for the contractor contend that China Jiangsu “is not an entity mentioned in the Warrant of His Excellency which was gazetted in an extraordinary issue of the T&T Gazette on 3 December, 2014.”

The CoE is expected to enquire into “the entire

process which led to the construction of the Las Alturas towers at Lady Young Gardens, Morvant, and all other acts, matters or decisions done or undertaken incidental to and including the construction” of the project. According to the pre-action protocol letter China Jiangsu is also “currently involved in a private law contractual dispute with one of the entities named in the warrant (HDC) which will impact on our client’s ability to participate in the proceedings of your commission.”

Page 21

US Delegation Travels to Cuba

VoA - News - A U.S. delegation travels to Cuba yesterday for a third round of talks between the two countries about reestablishing diplomatic relations and easing economic and travel sanctions imposed decades ago.

Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson is heading up the U.S. delegation set to meet with Josefina Vidal, directorgeneral of the U.S. division of Cuba’s Foreign Ministry.

The historic talks between the U.S. and the Castro government began earlier this year. The development is opposed by many Cuban-Americans and others who say it legitimizes

Cuba’s communist government that has been tightly controlled by Fidel Castro and his brother Raul.

U.S. officials have said that discussions with Cuba would include improving the human rights situation in the country.

Jacobson said the two sides have discussed establishing civilian air links between the U.S. and Cuba, but that the date for human rights discussions has not yet been set.

Later this month, European Union Foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini is due to visit Cuba as a next step in ongoing talks aimed at boosting trade relations between the 28-nation bloc

and the communist state.

Mogherini will meet with her Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez, her office announced Saturday. She is the highest-ran k i n g E U diplomat to visit the island.

Mogherini’s March 2324 visit “comes at a crucial time” for negotiations between the two sides, the statement said.

“Cuba is facing a very interesting period and the European Union is keen to see how we can take the relationship forward with strong momentum,” it said.

The EU has been in talks with Cuba for the past year to increase trade and investment. Brussels lifted the sanctions on Cuba in 2008 after half a century.

Page 22

Kaieteur News

Maldives’ ex-president convicted, calls for protests

Mohamed Nasheed

MALE, Maldives (AP) — A former president of the Maldives called on his supporters to go out in the streets to protest his imprisonment after a quick and disputed trial that raised fears of more instability in the Indian Ocean nation.

A three-judge panel ruled Friday that Mohamed Nasheed, the country’s first democratically elected president, issued an illegal order to detain a senior judge in 2012 while in office.

Nasheed has denied ordering the arrest. His

supporters say the charges are aimed at eliminating him as a challenger against incumbent President Yameen Abdul Gayoom in the 2018 presidential election.

In anticipation of a ruling against him, Nasheed issued a public statement earlier Friday asking his supporters “to be courageous and confront the dictatorial powers,” and change the government. He also asked them to “not be afraid of being arrested or facing a long sentence ... and go out onto the streets in protest.”

On Saturday, only a few supporters responded to his call amid heavy police presence in the streets of the capital, Male.

Nasheed’s defense lawyers pulled out of the case in the middle of the trial, accusing the court of rushing the hearings and not allowing them enough time to prepare.

The United States said it was concerned “with the apparent lack of appropriate criminal procedure” and troubled by reports that the trial was conducted in a manner contrary to law.

Monday March 16, 2015

Putin says Russia was ready for nuclear confrontation over Crimea (Reuters) - Moscow was ready to put its nuclear forces on alert to ensure Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine last year, President Vladimir Putin said in a prerecorded documentary aired yesterday.

Putin also said that Russia had saved the life of Ukraine’s former proMoscow president, Viktor Yanukovich, who he said had been in danger after ‘revolutionaries’ seized power following weeks of violent street protests in Kiev last year.

“For us it became clear and we received information that there were plans not only for his capture, but, preferably for those who carried out the coup, but also for his physical elimination. As one famous historical figure said: ‘No person, no problem’,” Putin said.

Protests over Yanukovich’s decision to back away from a trade agreement with the European Union in favour of closer ties with Moscow forced him from power in February last year.

Yanukovich’s overthrow ultimately prompted Russia to seize and annex the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea.

“Of course it wasn’t immediately understandable (what the reaction would be to Crimea’s annexation).

Therefore, in the first stages, I had to orient our armed forces. Not just orient, but give direct orders,” he said.

When asked if he had been ready to put Russia’s nuclear forces on alert, he said: “We were ready to do it.”

Putin has not been seen in public or on live television since March 5, prompting a wave of savage mockery across the Internet, despite official insistence that it was business as usual in the Kremlin.

The independent news broadcaster Dozhd said the

Vladimir Putin Kremlin had declined to comment on its report that Putin had not been in Moscow but in Novgorod province, at his Lake Valdai residence, for the last several days. An Austrian newspaper reported that Putin was suffering from back problems, and that a Viennese orthopaedic expert had travelled to Russia to treat him.

The film, shown across Russia ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, documented the seizure of the peninsula and provided details of Yanukovich’s last hours in Ukraine before he fled to Rostov-on-Don, in southern Russia.

Putin said Yanukovich had called on Feb. 21 last year to lay out plans to leave the capital, where violent street protests had been raging for weeks. “I told him my point of view that, in such a situation, it’s best not to leave the capital,” said Putin.

From Kiev, Yanukovich travelled to Kharkiv, then on to Donetsk, where he called Putin to ask for help.

Putin suggested meeting him personally in Rostov-onDon, but Yanukovich’s plane was not given permission to leave. He then travelled to Crimea, from where he was spirited to Russia.

Monday March 16, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Monday March 16, 2015

Prevent ‘left-wing’ government, Netanyahu tells campaign rally (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, trailing in opinion polls two days before a parliamentary election, yesterday implored rightwing voters to turn out and “stop a left-wing government from coming to power.”

Speaking to a rally of thousands of supporters of Israel’s right-wing parties from behind a bulletproof screen at Tel Aviv’s main square, Netanyahu warned that the right-wing government he leads could be voted out of office.

“Our rivals are investing a huge effort to harm me and the Likud, to open a gap between my party, the Likud, and (our rivals), and if we don’t close this gap, there is a real danger that a left-wing government will rise to power,” Netanyahu said.

Final opinion polls published on Friday predicted the centre-left Zionist Union led by Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni would take between 24 and 26 seats in tomorrow’s vote, compared to 20-22 seats for Likud.

No single party has ever won an outright majority in Israel’s 120-seat Knesset and the party leader with the best chance of forming a coalition

Benjamin Netanyahu would lead the new government.

While admitting he is trailing in the polls, Netanyahu is hoping that right-wing parties can narrow the gap sufficiently for him to be nominated by Israel’s president to form the next coalition and win a fourth term as prime minister.

Yesterday, he publicly offered t h e F i n a n c e Ministry portfolio to Moshe Kahlon, a potential king-making rival from a newly formed centrist party.

But Kahlon dismissed the offer as pre-election spin.

Even if Likud is outnumbered, Netanyahu is counting on a larger rightwing bloc to support his bid for another term and Kahlon, with around 10 seats in the polls, could tilt things in his favour.

After realising he was trailing his opponents in the polls, Netanyahu launched a media blitz to counter the apparent rising tide of support for the Zionist Union, his main opponent.

“This is a fateful struggle, a close struggle, we must close the gap, it is possible to close this gap,” Netanyahu told the cheering crowd holding banners and waving flags. Unofficial estimates put the turnout at 15,000-30,000.

“Most of the public do not want (Livni and Herzog) as prime ministers of Israel and want to see me continuing as the leader of the country and prime minister,” he asserted.

Netanyahu’s campaign focus on security issues and the threat from Iran’s nuclear programme has failed to inspire voters, who consistently say that economic issues, including soaring house prices and the high cost of living, are their chief concerns.

UK teens suspected of trying to join Islamic State arrested (Reuters) - Three male British teenagers suspected of planning to join Islamic State militants in Syria have been arrested by London police after being deported from Turkey, officials said yesterday.

The three, who have not been named, were detained on Friday in the Turkish city of Istanbul, Turkish sources told Reuters, after a tip-off from British authorities that two of them were travelling to Turkey via Spain.

London police said they had been made aware on Friday that two 17-year-old boys from the city had gone missing and were thought to

be travelling to Syria. Further inquiries revealed they had travelled with a 19-year-old male, police said.

They were then flown back to Britain late on Saturday, when they were arrested “on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts”, the Metropolitan Police statement said. Turkish authorities confirmed that they had been deported.

They are being held at a London police station, the statement said.

Their arrest comes after three London schoolgirls entered Turkey last month and are thought to have joined Islamic State in Syria.

Security services estimate

some 600 Britons have gone to Syria or Iraq to join militant groups, including the man known as “Jihadi John” who has appeared in several Islamic State beheading videos.

Hundreds of other Europeans have also joined the fight.

Their involvement has raised fears about the possibility of attacks at home if they return trained and further radicalised.

Turkey meanwhile has faced criticism for not better controlling its southeastern borders, and has accused European countries of failing to prevent would-be jihadists from travelling in the first place.

On Thursday, the Turkish foreign minister said the missing girls who had earlier travelled to Syria were helped to cross the border by a spy working for one of the countries in the U.S.-led coalition against the militants.

Islamic State controls swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq where it has declared an Islamic caliphate.

Monday March 16, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Monday March 16, 2015

Crowning moment for Guyana’s basketball (From page 19)

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By Edison Jefford Through many trials, Guyana’s basketball seemingly reached its crowning moment when a near capacity crowd at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall rose to their feet to celebrate the dismantling of a higher ranked Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) team.

Many witnessed history Saturday night when the Guyanese overcame a 14point first half deficit to beat Bermuda 59-56, sweeping them 3-0 in Guyana’s Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) International Series.

Of the 22 CBC teams, Bermuda is ranked among the top six, while Guyana does not have a top 10 ranking.

Ryan Gullen, who earned the right to be called ‘Mr. Big Shot’, rescued Guyana again in crunch-time with a fourpoint play. Gullen top scored for Guyana with 13 points while guards, Shelroy

- Sweeps Bermuda in International Series Thomas and Travis Burnett scored 12 and nine points respectively.

Jonathan Lowe led the Bermudians with 12 points while sibling, Jason Lowe and Chris Crumpler both had 11 points. Sullivan Phillips, clearly the leader of the Bermudian basketball team, netted seven points in a quiet performance in the final of the three games.

The Guyanese had trailed 19-32 following an abysmal first half. However, owed to its defensive press, the hosts outscored Bermuda 19-13 to go into the final quarter down only 38-45; following an offensive exchange, Gullen drilled a huge three-point jumper, even though he was fowled, to send the crowd into a frenzy.

Guyana equalised 51-51 with five minutes left in regulation time as Thomas nailed a dagger from ‘downtown’ to officially rally the crowd behind them.

Screams of ‘Guyana...

Guyana...’ in a coordinated crescendo almost drowned out the referees’ whistle.

Jason Squires created further mayhem among fans and supporters when he drilled yet another three-point shot to give Guyana their first

lead, 54-53 with just under three minutes left in the historic game. Guyana’s run continued with a lay-up from Thomas.

The Guyanese smothered Phillips and the Bermudians with intense press and mandefence that forced high percentage shots. Bermuda just could not convert on possession as the Guyana side made it clear that their intention was to wear the big Bermudians down.

However, Dean Jones quieted the crowd when he

pulled Bermuda within one, 55-56, scoring a crucial layup with 1:15 left. But the series Most Valuable Player, Burnett initiated pandemonium with an offensive weapon that he is not known to possess.

With 59 seconds left in the game, Burnett pulled up at the top of the key and drained a huge three point jumper that forced the crowd to its feet with a sea of Guyana’s flag.

Guyana’s defence and excellent clock management ensured the creation of history.

An accolade to Compton...

From page 23 memories said, “For me the tour of England was the highest point of my career, although I felt at the time we played too much football during the three months.”

He went on, “I also recall after the W.I. had lost to an English Under-23 side 17-4, the words of John Arlott, the renowned cricket commentator, were, “Compton you played well and so did your teammates, don’t worry, the West Indies cricketers do the same to us.”

After this tour, Julian continued to perform outstandingly for his team – now Thomas United, which was made

up mainly of the same players that represented the YMCA, and the Softshoe team Continental, both of which he was a founder member.

Asked about the best forward line he played in, Julian, without hesitation said, “It must be Louis ‘Water Boat’ Weithers, George Ferguson, Newton Mingo and ‘Buller’ Moses”.

Commenting on the game as it is today, the former national pointed out, “The system today makes it much harder to score goals. In my time we played the 5-3-2 and perhaps it would have been easier to score.”

Julian’s last game in national colours was November 1963 against Rio Negro team from Brazil, and was among the top scorers.

Finally, Julian mirrored his thoughts, “If I had to live my life again, and get involved in any sport, it certainly would be football.”

Windies target...

From page 29 “Obviously Johnson played a very good innings and has probably pretty much secured his spot for the next game but we will sit down, see the conditions and pick the team.”

Holder was expecting to face Brendon McCullum’s side. “New Zealand has been playing some pretty decent cricket,” he added in noting McCullum’s side were unbeaten.

“They have done reasonably well up top with guys like (Martin) Guptill, McCullum and Kane Williamson, so obviously the quicker we get into their middle order, the better off for us.

“And when we bat we just need to counter the SoutheeBoult opening combination.”

Scores: West Indies 176 for 4 (Charles 55, Carter 50*) beat UAE 175 (Aziz 60, Javed 56, Holder 4-27) by six wickets.

Monday March 16, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 27

NATIONAL RUGGERS Pakistan in quarters HOLD FINAL PRACTICE after beating Ireland

The National Rugby players in action yesterday in their final practice session.

The national rugby team preparing to compete in the IRB Hong Kong International Sevens Tournament closed off its game simulation exercise yesterday with a final practice game at the National Park Playfield.

The team which was divided into two components played a scrubby that involved all the players vying for places on the final squad that will travel to Hong Kong including all its overseas-based players in Kevin

McKenzie, Richard Staglon, Peabo Hamilton, Ronald Mayers, Claudius Butts, Vallon Adams among others.

Newly-appointed Technical Director Angus Thomson and Head Coach Theodore Henry spearheaded the sessions which also saw in attendance President Peter Green, Patron Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascmento, Secretary of the Union Terrence Grant and other officials.

GCA/NBS second division 40-over tourney

Third Class and DCC register victories

Centurion Tevin Imlcah (centre) with Sherfene Rutherford (left) and Clitus Johnson.

Third Class and Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) recorded victories when the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/New Building Society second division 40-over tournament continued on Saturday.

At GNIC, Third Class overcame the home team by five wickets. GNIC scored 139 all out in 35.1 overs after they were asked to bat.

Former West Indies off-spinner Clyde Butts struck thirteen fours and one six in scoring 73, while Kurt Lovell, a member of last year’s successful Guyana U-15 team, scored 18 and Orlan Bourne 16.

Butts and Bourne resurrected the innings after GNIC were reduced 53-7, with an eight wicket stand of 85. Keon Bailey snared 4-26 and Alvin Castello 3-30.

Third Class replied with 140-5 in 24.5 overs. Castello slammed 52 not out with seven fours and one six while Shawn Garnett made 19 and Shivanand Roopnarine 18.

Marcel Mentore picked up three wickets; Paul Thomas and Dwayne Dick had one each.

At Gandhi Youth Organisation ground, DCC thumped St. Stanislaus by 265 runs.

DCC batted first and rattled up mammoth 351-7 off their allotted 40 overs.

Tevin Imlach blasted 124 not out (20x4), while Clitus Johnson cracked 62 (5x4,2x6) and Sherfene Rutherford 58 (3x6). Lindon Wilson and D. Bacchus claimed three wickets apiece. St. Stanislaus were bowled out for 86 in 16 overs in reply. Antonell Atwell grabbed 7-25 and Rutherford 2-20.

(Zaheer Mohamed)

ADELAIDE (Reuters) - Pakistan grabbed a World Cup quarter-final berth yesterday following their seven-wicket victory against Ireland that also cleared West Indies’ last eight passage from Pool B. Sarfraz Ahmed (101 not out) hit Pakistan’s first century at this year’s World Cup and added 120 runs with Ahmed Shehzad (63) to give the team their best start in the tournament.

The 1992 champions overwhelmed their 238-run victory target with nearly four overs to spare but Ahmed’s struggle to get his first ODI century and Umar Akmal’s blocking at the other end to help his partner achieve the milestone made it a dull end to the match.

Pakistan’s chase got off to a slow start with the Irish bowlers maintaining a tight leash and conceding just two boundaries in the first seven overs. It was when George Dockrell was brought into the attack that Ahmed and Shehzad broke loose, hitting two boundaries each in the 10th over of the innings. Shehzad took 52 balls to bring up his fifty and Pakistan reached the 100-mark in the 19th over to put behind the slow start.

Ahmed needed 58 balls to reach his fifty and Pakistan seemed to have finally found an answer to their opening woes. Shehzad threw his wicket in the 23rd over and Misbah-ulHaq fell after contributing 39 but Pakistan’s victory was never really in doubt.

They will now face tournament co-hosts Australia in the third quarter-final at Adelaide

on Friday. Earlier, Ireland captain William Porterfield led by example, hitting his first World Cup century to lift Ireland to 237 contributing nearly half of the team’s total.

Porterfield’s decision to bat was a positive one but Ireland lost wickets each time a partnership appeared to be building.

The skipper picked up the length well and backed himself to go for his shots, one such instance had him swivelling to pull Sohail Khan for the first of the two sixes in the Irish innings. Ed Joyce was lucky early in his knock, dropped by a wrong-footed Ahmed Shehzad at point and surviving a strong caught-behind appeal. The 36-year-old could not make the most of his seemingly charmed life, however, and fluffed a pull shot to depart after making 11.

Porterfield also needed some luck to bring up his 100. Batting on 94, the left-hander nearly ran himself out at the non-striker’s end after abandoning his bid for a non-existent single. His century also came in streaky fashion with Porterfield driving the ball back to bowler Rahat Ali, who could not take the catch on his follow-through.

The Ireland skipper eventually fell in the 39th over, Shahid Afridi rushing from the edge of the circle to take a low, diving catch after Porterfield had mistimed a drive off Sohail Khan.

Scores: Pakistan 241 for 3 (Sarfraz 101*, Shehzad 63) beat Ireland 237 (Porterfield 107, Wahab 3-54) by seven wickets.

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Monday March 16, 2015

Juniors impress in Hikers Hockey Club 5th Annual Junior Indoor Tournament Under-20 Schools Football Tournament

Under-16 Champions Hikers Day two of the 5th annual Hikers Hockey Club Junior Indoor Tournament lived up to expectations, when new champions were crowned in each of the three categories completed on Saturday.

I n t h e i N e t Communications Under-13 category Ian Burke was outstanding for the GCC Gladiators in the finals against a well balanced Hikers Innovation side.

At the end of full time the score was tied at 2-2 and tied again at 1-1 at the end of the penalty shootout. The finals

Under-13 Champions Hikers Innovation

would have to be decided by a sudden death penalty shootout and it was Baraka Garnett who sealed the first victory by Hikers in this category setting off wild celebrations by the youngsters.

In the Global Technology Under-16 girls final it was another GCC versus Hikers encounter that went down to penalties but this time around the Hikers would put it away 2-0 in the first round.

The victory was also a first for the Hikers girls since

GCC have dominated the category for the past four years. In the Global Technology Under-16 Boys final a rampant Old Fort led by junior national players Omar Hopkinson and Deheron Wilkinson dominated a GCC team also packed with national juniors to secure their first Under-16 title 3-1.

The action continued yesterday with the Global Technology sponsored inter schools category, followed by the conclusion of the Woodpecker Products Under- 21 category.

Results - Saturday March 14, 2015: Under-13 Final - Hikers Innovation defeated GCC Gladiators 2-2 (1-1) (1-0 Sudden death Penalties) Third Place - Saints defeated Lightening Bolts 1-1 (2-0 Penalties) Fifth Place - Hikers Hatchets defeated GCC Avengers 2-1 Seventh Place - Old Fort defeated GCC Tornados 1-0 Under-16 Girls Final - Hikers defeated GCC 1-1 (2-0 Penalties) Third Place - Old Fort defeated Saints 4-0 Under-16 Boys Final - Old Fort Viking defeated GCC 2-1 Third Place - Saints Silencers defeated Marian Academy 1-0 Fifth Place - Saints Sensations defeated Old Fort Sparta Bosses 3-0 Seventh Place - Hikers received a walkover from Kingston Hockey

St. Joseph’s High sends St. George’s crashing out of tournament

Last year’s beaten finalist St. George’s crashed out of this year’s Nestle Milo Under20 Schools Football Tournament after suffering a 2-1 loss to St. Joseph’s High as round of 16 action ended yesterday at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Playing in the third game of the day, the former champions took the lead one minute before half time through the inspirational Orin Moore Jnr, who curled a free kick from about 25 metres out past the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper into the near post and they took that 1-0 advantage into the half time.

On the resumption, St. Joseph’s were kept on the defensive and they did that tenaciously as they never relinquished another goal and eventually got their reward through Dwight Ferguson, who beat the goalkeeper after seventy-two minutes to level the contest.

Two minutes later, they took the lead when Kemar Williams beat the keeper to give them a decisive edge which they held until the final whistle sounded that signaled the conclusion of the campaign for St. George’s.

In the second encounter, Queenstown registered a morale boosting 3-0 triumph over the highly-favoured East Ruimveldt. On target for the winners was Kelsey Benjamin, who opened the scoring in the 34th minute after running on to a pass from down the

centre, before lashing past the advancing goalkeeper to take a 1-0 lead that stood until the break.

Three minutes after the resumption, a flying header from Wellerson DeSantos from a free kick made it 2-0 and the victory was sealed when pint-sized Cordell Wiliams, who had come on as a substitute in the second period, volleyed a corner into goal two minutes from full time to give his team a place in the quarter final.

In the day’s other results: Queen’s College fell to Morgan Learning Institute 5-1 with Ronaldo Dover netting a brace in the 49th and 51st minutes, while Keron Slomon in the 7th, Wayne Murray 57th and Randy Layne 67th completed their tally.

In the day’s final encounter, Chase Academy hammered Richard Ishmael 7-0 with Isaiah Reddy once again displaying prolific form with a helmet trick in the 29th, 30th, 51st and 58th minutes, while Marlon Nedd added a brace in the 35th and 49th minutes and Kareem Knights a solitary strike in the 12th.

The quarter-final matchups are as follows: Queenstown versus Chase Academy; St. Joseph’s High vs. Morgan Learning Institute; Dolphin vs. North Ruimveldt and defending champs Lodge vs.

St. Mary’s.

Action between Queenstown and East Ruimveldt yesterday.

Hamilton wins seasonopening Australian GP MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Lewis Hamilton’s world championship defence got off to a flying start yesterday with a crushing victory for Mercedes in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix as Formula One rivals succumbed to a farcical rash of reliability problems.

Pole-sitter Hamilton started from a grid reduced to 15 cars from a possible 20 and cruised to his 34th race win with a 1.3-second gap to runner-up team mate Nico Rosberg.

With Mercedes enjoying a Sunday stroll, Sebastian Vettel finished third — 34 seconds behind Hamilton — on his Ferrari debut after winning a battle for the podium with Williams driver Felipe Massa.

Ferrari’s cheer was tempered, however, by two botched tyre changes for Kimi Raikkonen, the second forcing the Finn to retire when fifth late in the race due to his left rear wheel not being properly attached.

Interviewed on the podium by Arnold S c h w a r z e n e g g e r, t h e H o l l y w o o d

‘Terminator’, Hamilton said it was great to be back on top. “It is an incredible feeling to continue winning,” he said.

Max Verstappen’s record-setting turn as the youngest ever F1 driver ended on a sour note when the Dutch 17-year-old rolled to a stop near the pit entry after complaining of smoke in the cockpit of his Toro Rosso.

Only 11 cars finished, with both Lotus drivers out before the end of the first lap on an embarrassing day for a series that prides itself on being the pinnacle of motorsport.

McLaren’s Kevin Magnussen, standing in for the absent Fernando Alonso, and Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat were unable to start after both suffered failures on their formation laps.

The two Manor Marussia cars were scratched on Saturday after failing to participate in qualifying or any practice sessions, while Williams driver Valtteri Bottas was ruled out of the race with a back injury less than an hour before the start.

Monday March 16, 2015

Kaieteur News

An accolade to Compton Julian

– “T he Weaver Of Dreams”

By Mike Baptiste Had we frozen Compton Julian in a camera frame while he was at the top of his skills, the secrets of his success as a footballer would have been there for posterity. Suffice it to say that it was his skill, guile, ball-control, immense determination and a talent for spotting weaknesses in the opposing defence that made this man perhaps the most outstanding footballer in British Guiana (Guyana) during 1954-63.

“The Weaver Of Dreams” died on the 26th of February, 2015; his death went unnoticed even to most of his friends.

His last official address was the Salvation Army’s Water Street, Kingston location.

There were reports that he had spent his last days at the Independence Park (Parade Ground) in the city.

Other greats attacked the ball and passed their opponents like an avalanche, but, at inside left “The Weaver Of Dreams” as he was known, was a ‘nightmare’ to many an opposing defence with his grace, rhythm and extraordinary ball control, which he used like a master swordsman – he was poetry in motion.

Born 22 November 1931, “The Weaver Of Dreams” began his apprenticeship in Kingston, an area that in those days, produced an embarrassing wealth of footballers, and at one time had nine players in the national lineup.

According to Julian, it was this factor that drew him to the game. He started playing

appearance for the YMCA, he was always in the spotlight as the forward most feared by the opposition, and made tremendous contributions to their victories with his outstanding dribbling and accurate passing.

Come 1954, Julian deservedly made his debut for British Guiana. But he had a major hurdle to clear before earning that coveted BG jersey.

His club, the YMCA had to win the intermediate championship that year and be promoted to the First Division before he could be considered for a national slot.

Fired by an enthusiasm, matched only by his quest for national colours, Julian took to the task of ensuring his team’s promotion with a passion made easier by his immense talent.

Playing alongside such legends as George Ferguson, “Squeaky” Hinds, John Hamilton and Sydney Campbell in the YMCA forward lineup, playing the then 5-3-2 system and famous for their attacking Brazilian style, the club achieved its goal.

From then onwards, ‘The Weaver Of Dreams’ was in the ascendency.

His was a dream debut. At the BGCC ground (later known at GSC) against a British Army team based in British Guiana (Guyana) at the time and after a close and exciting 60 minutes of classy football, BG won by a 1-0 margin - that scorer being George Ferguson.

From thereon, Julian was a regular member of the national team, appearing against Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and Barbados, and as his immense talent demanded, was always a key figure in the national offence.

Page 29

JAGUARS, RED FORCE GAME HEADING FOR A DRAW Assad Fudadin picks the gap on the off-side.

By Sean Devers At the end of day three of the West Indies Cricket Board Four-Day Cricket Franchise’s ninth round encounter between the Guyana Jaguars and T&T’s Red Force at Providence, the contest was heading for a draw going into today’s final day.

Behind by 44 after T&T made 340 in response to their first innings 291, the Jaguars reached 120-3 by the close with a lead of 71 and seven wickets in hand. Narsingh Deonarine (6) and Night watchman Devendra Bishoo (4) were the unbeaten batsmen.

The 29-year-old Bishoo began the game with 44 wickets and grabbed 6-79 to become the third Guyanese bowler to reach 50 wickets in a season, while Veerasammy Permaul’s 2-92 extended his lead among the wicket-takers to 58 scalps. Mahendra Nagamootoo is the other Guyanese to claim 50 wickets.

The second half-century partnership of the match between Assad Fudadin (50) and Rajendra Chandrika (31) pushed the Jaguars to 60 before Chandrika, with five fifties in the tournament, again wasted a good start.

Chandrika provided Imran Khan (who broke the T&T record for most wickets in a

season in the Jaguars’ first innings) with his 50th wicket of the tournament. Chandrika hit five boundaries.

Leon Johnson (28) missed a sweep at 1082 off Jason Mohamed, who bowled Fudadin three runs later. His 20th First-Class fifty took 120 balls, 169 minutes and included seven fours.

Bishoo got going with a boundary off Mohamed and along with Deonarine saw their team safely to the close as Mohamed had 2-9.

Earlier, the Red force resumed on 173-4 and lost Yannick Cariah (71) without addition to the score but Yannick Ottley, who hammered 11 fours in 71 from 196 minutes and 171 balls and Stephen Katwaroo, who finished unbeaten on 70 from 190 minutes, 171 balls with seven fours and a six, added 137 as T&T went to Lunch on 307-5.

They took the score to 310-6 before Ottley fell to Permaul to trigger a collapse. Bishoo picked up the last four wickets as T&T lost five batsmen for 30 runs, despite a 24-run last wicket partnership between Katwaroo and Shannon Gabriel (16), who clobbered two fours and a six off Bishoo, who eventually dismissed him.

Windies target New Zealand batting in likely showdown IN HAPPIER TIMES! Compton Julian (Carlton Ignatius Grenado), left, with stepson Aubrey Mann and Sheila Grenado. street football with his friends, and from there, graduated to Kings Ground – (now occupied by Pegasus Hotel).

After a while at this level, his extraordinary talent took him into the Malvern Club as a junior. However, he only represented this club in two matches before it folded and forced him to take a place on Smith’s Church team, which at the time included Glendon Gibbs, (who later excelled at cricket), and Pye Jeffrey.

After a couple of seasons with his church team, Julian by this time had developed into an average player, and on leaving school went to the YMCA, Thomas Lands, playing at the intermediate level.

That he was destined to don the national jersey quickly became obvious. From his first

But perhaps the pinnacle of his achievement came in April 1959, when not surprisingly he was selected along with three other Guyanese for the historic three-month tour of England by a West Indies team. The others were George Green, Monty Hope and Hubert ‘Senor’ Braithwaite.

That was after the four played so outstandingly in Trinidad at an international Quadrangular tournament involving the hosts, Jamaica, Barbados and British Guiana.

On that memorable tour, despite the West Indies suffering several crushing defeats, Julian was outstanding and caught the eyes of several knowledgeable sportswriters.

Julian, still carrying his trade-mark smile, and bright brown eyes aglow with fond Continued on page 20

(Reuters) - West Indies captain Jason Holder praised his team’s effort in the do-ordie clash against United Arab Emirates yesterday and will next look to target the batting of World Cup quarter-final opponents New Zealand in Wellington next week.

West Indies secured a spot in the knockout stage after Pakistan beat Ireland match in Adelaide, finishing fourth in Pool B following their six-wicket win over UAE in Napier.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more. It was a must-win and we had to win by a big margin,” Holder told reporters at McLean Park. “The way the guys came out and played cricket today I can’t say much more.”

West Indies had been facing elimination if they could not secure a large win on Sunday.

Holder and Jerome Taylor reduced UAE to 46 for six before Amjad Javed and Nasir Aziz combined for a 107-run partnership that gave their score some credibility.

The associate nation were eventually dismissed for 175 and Holder’s team romped to 176-4 in the 31st over, with Johnson Charles (55) and Jonathan Carter (50 not out) providing the bulk of the runs.

Charles’ form will put pressure on Dwayne Smith, who has scored just 93 runs in six innings, for the quarter-finals if Chris Gayle is fit enough to play after he pulled out of Sunday’s match with a back injury. Holder expects him to play in Wellington next Saturday. “He has had the same back problem he has had for a year and he has good days and bad days,” Holder said of Gayle’s injury.

“But he is a crucial player for us going into the quarter-final. He will be up for it, even if he is not 100 percent.

“He is a big game player and we all know what he can do on those days.

Continued on page 26

rt o p S

Crowning moment for Guyana s basketball - Sweeps Bermuda in International Series

Guyana’s National Senior Men’s Basketball Team in celebratory mode with models and Guyana flags at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall following their historic International Series win. Coach, Darcel Harris stands at right.

Jason Holder celebrates a wicket, United Arab Emirates v West Indies, World Cup 2015, Group B, Napier, March 15, 2015. (ICC)

Windies target New Zealand batting in likely showdown

Jonathan Carter hits down the ground, United Arab Emirates v West Indies, World Cup 2015, Group B, Napier, March 15, 2015. (ICC)

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