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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
Cricket- for only those who know
If you happen to watch any video highlights from the ongoing Cricket World Cup, you’ll see this exotic game at its most familiar. Two teams playing ball on a grass field in the sunshine, swinging for the fences (well, the “boundary”) and catching fly balls in their bare hands. Hey, it’s like Chicago-style 16-inch softball for the gin and tonic crowd! The more disorienting part, again based on TV highlights, is cricket’s version of the home run, which is worth six runs: you see the batsman swing, hear the familiar-sounding “crack” of the bat and trace the ball against a blue sky. But then comes British play-by-play announcers using descriptive adjectives that would have caused Harry Caray to spit out his beer: “That’s magnificently connected!” “Oh, nice, nice! Lovely stroking!” So if you’re keeping score at home, cricket vs. baseball, their vocabulary is weirder. OK, not weirder, just different. We’ve got frozen rope, dying quails and chin music. They’ve got bumpers, the googly and dibbly-dobblers. You can’t blame us for looking at cricket and seeing baseball through a cracked mirror. The games seem closely related and after all, this is when the beloved sport’s spring training arrives. Meanwhile, much of the rest of the English-speaking world is caught up in the International Cricket Council World Cup, held through March in Australia and New Zealand. Please don’t expect us to explain the game’s intricacies here, or refute cricket’s reputation for being “baseball on valium,” as Robin Williams once said. Instead, we’ll seek guidance from Shiraz Najam, an IT consultant from Skokie who is president of the Midwest Cricket Conference. Cricket, he told us, is all about passion: an intense physical and mental contest overlaid with strategy. “Contrary to the common belief that it’s a slow-paced game, it’s very action-packed,” he said. One anticipated first round World Cup match pitted India against Pakistan, heated rivals who play each other infrequently. Due to the time difference, the match started Saturday, February 14, at 9:30 p.m. CST and ended Sunday at 5 a.m. Seven hours of overnight cricket? Najam watched “every single ball.” There was a viewing party at his uncle’s house - giant screen TV, lots of food - attended by a divided crowd of about 70 people. India defeated Pakistan by 76 runs. At the end of the match, there was “heated debate and discussion,” Najam said. Sounds like fun. And we’ll stipulate that cricket seems like a great game with many passionate fans. It’s just not baseball. We in Guyana are about to see baseball enter the sports arena. But before that happens we are also watching the Cricket World Cup. There are times when the game begins. It is when we should be in bed but such is our fanaticism that we sacrifice sleep for the joy of a game that the wider world finds boring or uninteresting. There was a time in Guyana when people refused to sleep regardless of whether they have to work in the morning. At work they would snooze. Some may call in sick although this was not a regular feature, because one would have to be ready to keep watch the next night. If it is a Test match then there are five sleepless nights but at this time there are a series of one-day matches, some continuing well into daylight the following day. It is a game that defies explanation and description because there are no explanations and descriptions unless one is born into the game. But the game is spreading. Imagine people in a desert world of the United Arab Emirates have made it to the world stage and actually reaped success. Who took the game there? How is it that these people have developed the level of proficiency they now have? Cricket is doing what soccer once did. It is appealing to the young. It offers an opportunity for the young to terrorise the other by way of fast bowling. It offers the right to exact vengeance on one who dares to hurl a ball at you, be it fast or slow. It is the game to make the heart race.
Tuesday March 17, 2015
Letters... Where your views make the news
We are yet to master the skills of using the rulers’ actions to our advantage DEAR EDITOR, You don’t have to be a political expert in Guyana, to come to the conclusion that the brutal gunning down of Guyanese patriot and political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing, in the Diamond community on the evening of March 10, 2015, was a political assassination. Even the police’s reaction so far has bolstered this point. The fact that the head of the law enforcement department of the Guyana Police Force, Mr. Leslie James, found it necessary to call Guyanese Political activist and commentator Dr. David Hinds, who is based in Arizona in the USA, and who, immediately after the execution of Crum-Ewing wrote a piece entitled “No tit for tat”, to find out if he had any information on the death of Crum-Ewing, cannot be construed as serious police investigation. Who are the intellectual
authors and where the blame lies for this heinous act are not controversial issues, since in my opinion this crime points in one direction only. To await the outcome of the police investigation in a situation where the behaviour of the force when it comes to state-sponsored political killings is one of intransigence, is nothing but a waste of time. Our previous experiences with the police’s action in matters of this nature have always given rise for concern. This is going to be no different. In our efforts to work through this matter we have to consider both recent and past history. This killing, coming a day after the ruling party election campaign launch at which an infamous call was made for kicking the opposition’s ass, speaks volumes. During the presentation there was a deliberate and intentional
appeal to the PPP leadership, members and supporters, for a more aggressive, nononsense political campaign. Given the politics of the ruling party, citizens knew that the opportunity was seized at Babu Jaan to give the PPP’s campaign, in this most critical General and Regional elections, a particular focus. When one considers the unprecedented rise in statesponsored killings, which had characterized the previous regime and the fact that nothing has been done to address the question of the killing of the more than 200 victims, one has to ask the question about the extent of involvement in this the latest of assassinations of an outstanding and courageous political personality. The political context of this execution cannot be denied, so much so that the PPP General Secretary Mr. Clement Rohee, speaking in
his capacity as Minister of Home Affairs pointed to the killing occurring hours after Mr. Seelall Persaud was sworn in as Police Commissioner. What is Rohee in the state of his confused mind, implying by his statement? Is the minister not pointing accusatory fingers at the political opposition? I am forced to conclude that Rohee’s statement, coming shortly after the act of assassination, was intended to deflect Guyanese, Regional and International, from just who the “Intellectual Authors” of this despicable crime really are. Both the PPP General Secretary and President Donald Ramotar are aware that the Guyana Police Force will not act when it comes to the criminal conduct at the highest levels. It is almost impossible for the force, even with overwhelming (Continued on page 5)
Which tradition will we stand for? DEAR EDITOR, In October 2014, the media released a private conversation in which the current Attorney-General Anil Nandlall is heard making threats against the Kaieteur News for critical coverage, discussing how to get the sexual services of a young woman for a relative, and admitting to taking government money for private purposes. Near the end of the call, Nandlall, an alumnus of Queen’s College, states: “Is Queen’s College people does run this country, you nah realize that?” Queen’s College, seen by so many for so long as one of the top schools in Guyana, can stand for different traditions. One is the reproduction of the status quo, the politics of exclusion, of climbing the ladder and kicking it away when you get to the top. It’s about clinging on to your power and your privilege, no matter what the cost, no matter what the price. The most recent and vulgar example of this part of the Queen’s College heritage is represented by these actions of Anil Nandlall, the Queen’s College graduate who occupies the office of the Attorney-General. There is another tradition that has also always been part of the Queen’s College heritage. It is about saying no to abuse. It has to do with speaking back to power. It
has to do with taking a stand whatever the cost. It has to do with breaking the silence despite the fear, and because of the fear. This tradition was for example represented in the hope that resided in two alumni (Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan), when in 1953 Guyana took the world by storm, before things fell apart, before our beloved country fell into a deep antidemocratic slumber that started close to a halfcentury ago and from which we have still not awoken. It is represented by
Wa l t e r R o d n e y. I t i s represented most recently by Courtney Crum-Ewing, a QC alumnus of the same generation as Mr. Nandlall, w h o t r a g i c a l l y, h e a r t sickeningly, was gunned down last week while out calling people in his community to vote in May. When Mr. Nandlall, who occupies the office of the Attorney-General, says ‘Is QC people does run this country,” let us understand that the tradition which he represents feeds off little more than contempt for Guyanese other than a select
few. I ask as a Guyanese woman, which tradition will we stand for? To my fellow Queen’s College alumni, when Anil Nandlall (who has taken the disgrace of public office to a record level) says that Queen’s College people run things, does he speak for you? And if not, what has our silence meant so far, and what is the work to be done? My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Courtney Crum-Ewing. We must all suffer this unbearable loss with you. Alissa Trotz
Let us keep our focus; we have a nation to build and a future to forge DEAR EDITOR, I write this letter out of great respect, regards and honour for my fellow Guyanese. March 10, 2015 was a very sad day for many of us; sad because Guyana has lost a good citizen – Courtney Crum–Ewing. The circumstances under which Courtney has died, are extremely painful for many to come to terms with and perhaps will forever be difficult to accept. Many are concerned as to what the reaction of the Guyanese people will be to this tragedy, but here is where the Guyanese people have earned my utmost respect. There is something about Guyana and the Guyanese people that prevent us from falling apart as a country and as a people. Some say it is our faith, some say that it is apathy, some call it fear but today I call it a combination of faith and a whole lot of love for country. For too many of us, it is inconceivable for
Guyana to not be the country that we know it to be in the broader context; hence we are a marvelously patient people. A little indisciplined at times but nevertheless, very patient. I know that many people are hurting because of the horrible way in which Courtney met his death, however, I am appealing to my fellow citizens, my fellow brothers and sisters, let’s hold it together. Let us remain calm and composed, let us keep our focus; we have a nation to build and a future to forge. In the words of one of our national songs, Song of the Republic, ‘We’ll forge a nation’s mighty soul, construct a nation’s frame, freedom our everlasting goal, courage and truth our aim, unyielding in our quest for peace, like ancient heroes brave, to strive and strive and never cease with strength beyond the slave’. Audreyanna Thomas
Tuesday March 17, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Tribute to a hero, the late Courtney Crum-Ewing DEAR EDITOR, We were stunned and saddened by the news of the assassination of Courtney Crum-Ewing and although we did not know him personally, the shock and grief we felt were great - words cannot express. Courtney Crum-Ewing was not a distinguished citizen, but an ordinary citizen of Guyana; a young man in the prime of his life with a great debt to the nation on his shoulder when he was cut down by a barrage of bullets. Those who would rationalize sorrow in circumstances like this would offer the comfort that only the good die young. But that is poor comfort for his family and the people of Guyana who have been deprived of a virtuous and principled young man. What
was the crime that led to his execution? As a political activist and an anti-government protestor, Courtney was a man with ideals which claimed the admiration of all those who believe in the preservation of justice, equal rights, freedom, the rights to assemble and protest, but most importantly, democracy. Those of us who have followed his protests and read his statements over the months cannot let pass unnoticed his deep commitment to make Guyana a better country for all. We cannot forget the great risk of unpopularity which he ran when he stood in front of the Attorney General’s office and called for his resignation. And no one in Guyana with a place in their hearts for equal rights, justice and for
humanity can but regret the death of the late Courtney Crum-Ewing. While some versed philosophers put forward the proposition that “to live is to die, and to die is to live,” we lesser mortals are saddened by such cruelty and barbarism. The late Courtney Crum-Ewing was the architect of his destiny and though he quite rightly fought for what he believed, the nation owes him a great debt of gratitude. His indomitable spirit coupled with his sterling qualities and his unusual ability and custom to excite enthusiasm have made Guyana a better country. Whether we agree with his political sentiments or not we can all agree that he was a fighter to the end of his life. Now he lies dead, executed by five bullets as he pursued his
We are yet to master... From page 4 evidence at its disposal, to point an accusing finger in the direction of the high-ranking officials or their associates. It is therefore only reasonable to conclude that the subsequent exhortation for the police to go after the “intellectual authors” responsible for Crum-Ewing’s assassination was merely an attempt to engage in the politics of deception, with the clear intention of protecting the very intellectual authors that the party’s General Secretary seems to have knowledge of. The slaying of CrumEwing is a clear demonstration that political violence, of the worst kind, is on the cards. It is being carefully planned and will be executed in a way to allow deniability. To all appearances the stage is being set for it to become a permanent part of Guyanese political life. This is the bitter reality that faces the nation, Citizens, in spite of the overwhelming fear they are experiencing must recognize the reality and like Courtney Crum-Ewing, speak out against these atrocities. When those in control inculcate in their political culture and ideology the use of state terrorism to achieve political goals – the nation is in trouble. The act of state terrorism becomes institutionalised when the country’s citizens allow themselves to be beaten down by fear, and refuse to use their collective power as a deterrent to the abuse.
In the absence of such a deterrent the plotters of this type of political violence will do as they please. Militants and patriots become easy prey to be cut down at the whims and fancies of those who arrogate to themselves the right to decide who will live and who must die. The above mentioned weaknesses encourage those who instigate these heinous crimes and protect themselves from the law. They are thus able to continue to walk down the road of political violence and intimidation in their quest to hold on to power. Since coming into office in 1992, the PPP has been systematic and calculating in its acts of repression. The nation has over time, become conditioned to accepting political violence and murder as a way of life. We have failed as a people to develop the kind of political culture capable to put limits to the abuse of power. The execution of pro-democracy militant, Courtney Crum-Ewing validates this position. We are yet to master the
skills of using the rulers’ actions to our advantage. We often fall prey to their calculations and respond as they expect us to do. Our conditioned reflexes, which have been fashioned by the rulers’ skilful manipulations, guarantee that we make the wrong responses, which are counterproductive, given the political reality. Our wrong responses contribute to our oppression. Too often we become paralyzed by the machinations of the rulers. We refuse to engage in dialectical thinking seeing only the obvious intention of the rulers. I repeat, we seem not to be able to turn the rulers’ actions to ours and the nation’s advantage. This is the challenge posed by the assassinations of Brothers Ronald Waddell and Courtney Crum-Ewing. Tacuma Ogunseye
God-given rights in his quest for justice, equal rights and human dignity. Courtney, however, will live because the things for which he stood are deeply engraved in the hearts and minds of the people. A young man of courage, Courtney Crum-Ewing had no fear of death if that was the ultimate price he had to pay in pursuit of his dream. However, there are some hypocrites who, in spite of the atrocity, attempted to link the murder to the appointment of the Commissioner of Police. The people will not accept such confounded premise. In spite of our sadness over his death, it is only right for us as Guyanese to dry our tears, end our sorrows and join in the liquidation of racism, hatred, discrimination, oppression and injustice in Guyana. It is only proper that we honour and recognize this young man by putting an end to the aspirations of those who condone such evil acts. It is without a doubt that the late Courtney CrumEwing was a great young man. He was full of life, and as a former soldier, he chose righteous deeds over evil acts, love over hatred, unity over divisiveness and inclusion rather than exclusion. Courtney Crum-Ewing is gone, but he left the nation with the means and the will to fight and destroy the bitterness, hatred, malice, vindictiveness and evil that exist in society under the PPP. We must not fail him; we cannot fail him. In the shortest span of time, he captured the hearts of the nation and his sense of purpose will be reinforced by the people. He created a struggle that will endure long after he departed this earth or forever. Deep is his longing and love for the land of his birth, so let his day of departure be the day of
gathering for all Guyanese who should erect a monument in their hearts in honour of this young man. Most of us would have hoped that he could have lived to see the fulfilment of the things for which he stood and for which he fought tirelessly, and to realize the achievement of the ideals for which he died. The loss which his parents, children, siblings and family have suffered as a result of the act of lunatics, is a loss which is shared by all Guyanese. We are convinced that his name will live on for a very long time if not as far as human memory will last. As we weep and shed tears for our brother Courtney, a martyr, a freedom fighter, we must pay attention to the things for which he stood and for which he worked and we suspect, for which he was
murdered. His work transcends that of the nation as he sought to share his belief with the people. It is time for us to reassure ourselves and also reassure his family that he lives and it is death that is dead, not he. So, in memory of the late Courtney Crum-Ewing, we call on the APNU/AFC Alliance and all those who knew him and who believe in what he stood for to build a monument in his memory on the spot where he was gunned down. That is the least we can do to remember our hero, Brother Courtney. Our sincerest condolences to the family and relatives of Courtney CrumEwing. May God be with him and may he rest in peace. Dr. Asquith Rose Chandra Deolall Dr. Merle SpencerMarks
Calling all QC old students FELLOWALUMNI, Please let us join in solidarity with the family of our fallen fellow, alumnus Courtney Crum-Ewing. The funeral is set for Wednesday March 18, 2015. All alumni are asked to show support by attending the viewing at Independence Park (Parade Ground) between 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. Alumni are asked to dress in school colours (khaki or
black bottoms with white shirts or white top with your school tie. Alfred L. Granger (QC 1964 – 1971) EDITOR’S NOTE: The Author is the Executive Secretary of the International Committee of the Queen’s College of Guyana Alumni Associations and Past President of the New York Chapter.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 17, 2015
Rohee declares Guyana a happy country, ignores high suicide rate By Abena Rockcliffe Despite the fact that Guyana has been listed as the suicide capital of the world, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is maintaining that most Guyanese are happy. It is also taking credit for such happiness wherever it exists. The party announced, yesterday, that it “joins with the rest of the world in the observance of International Day of Happiness.” International Day of Happiness is to be observed on March 20. At a press conference he hosted at Freedom House, PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee told the media about the millions of people worldwide who are still condemned to a life of poverty. He then boasted that the PPP has played a significant role to reduce the level of poverty in Guyana. Rohee also pointed to the “strong advocacy role it (the PPP) has played in the creation of a better and just society.”
- Says he is unable to figure if happy people commit suicide, leaves it to academics Rohee went further to tell media operatives that Guyanese are happy as a result of the “hard and painstaking work by the PPP/ C government to empower our people in particular young people through the creation of a knowledge society where Guyanese from all walks of life are today in a much better position to realize their dreams of a good and satisfying life.” Against this backdrop, Rohee said that the PPP takes strong objection to statements made by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader, David Granger, to the effect that Guyana is an unhappy country. Granger based this on the fact that Guyana has been deemed by the World Health Organization to be the suicide capital of the world. The Opposition leader concluded
that happy people don’t kill themselves. Rohee told the media yesterday that Granger ’s statement is not only unfounded but is in stark contradiction to the findings of a Latin America Public Opinion Poll (LAPOP). According to the General Secretary, the recently concluded LAPOP survey has found that the happiness level of Guyanese has risen significantly within recent years. He said that LAPOP found 73 percent of Guyanese to be happy. Rohee said that the findings are “particularly applicable to the current generation of young people who are today the main beneficiaries of the new development paradigm.” The politician also referred to a “wave of prosperity” which he said is manifested in the increasing
number of Guyanese who are the proud owners of their houses, cars “and other consumer durables which under the PNC regime were a distant dream.” Rohee declared that the fact that Guyanese now own houses and cars flies in the face of remarks made by Granger that Guyanese are unhappy with the quality of life they are enjoying today. He said, “Whatever unhappiness exists can only be the figment of Granger’s biased and jaundiced imagination and is completely at odds with objective reality. The PPP stands proud of its record of achievements and pledges to continue to propel this glorious country along the path of sustained progress and prosperity.” The World Health Organization (WHO) in its first global report on suicide prevention revealed that
PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee Guyana is the country with the highest estimated suicide rate. This report has attracted attention from international media. Fox News had reported “Guyana, a largely rural country at the northeastern edge of South America, has a suicide rate four times the global average, ahead of North Korea, South Korea, and Sri Lanka. Neighboring
Suriname was the only other country from the Americas in the top 10.” Yesterday Rohee said that he does not see any nexus between the level of suicide and the level of happiness in Guyana. He said that it is up to the academics at the University of Guyana to figure whether happy people commit suicide as he is unable to figure it out.
UG Unions calling for VC’s resignation/dismissal Convinced that Vice Chancellor (VC), Professor Jacob Opadeyi, is guilty of poor management of the University of Guyana (UG), the Unions – the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU) – are calling for his resignation or dismissal. In a joint statement issued by the Presidents of the Unions, Dr. Mellissa Ifill (UGSSA) and Mr. Bruce Haynes (UGWU), it was pointed out that the Unions are prepared to support a move by a group of academics to petition for the removal of the VC and his senior administrative team. This move is also premised on the fact that there has been evidence of “extremely bad
- threatens industrial action if “intractable attitudes” continue faith demonstrated thus far following our return to work.” UG workers, two weeks ago, put an end to a five-week long industrial action as part of their efforts to retaliate a breakdown in negotiations between the Unions and the University’s Negotiating Team for improved salary and other benefits. Workers resumed work after an agreement, which included a 10 per cent interim pay increase, was signed between the two sides (Unions and Administration) to bring to an end to the industrial action at the tertiary institution. The unions are however preparing to
commence a strategic Public Relations Campaign that is aimed at illuminating what it has described as “various violations” of the Term of Resumption (TOR) agreement. The aforementioned measures, among others, were agreed upon by Union members at a meeting held on Friday and were prompted by yet another breakdown of talks held since the workers resumed work. In a statement, the Unions said that the intent of the PR campaign is to “expose both locally and internationally, the various violations of the TOR agreement by the UG Senior Administration.” The Unions have also agreed to resist all attempts to impose ‘work-back-times’ that have been determined without agreement from the Unions and that the backlog
Dr. Mellissa Ifill, UGSSA President
UG Vice Chancellor, Prof Jacob Opadeyi
Mr Bruce Haynes, UGWU President
to ‘work back’ must be connected to the strike period. It was pointed out too, that “the Unions have a commitment from the Personnel Division that this clause in the TOR agreement will be honoured and we will not tolerate any deviations.” The Unions are in agreement that “any monies deducted from February salaries must be paid in our
March salaries. All March 2015 salaries must be paid, including the 10 per cent by the usual University pay day (Thursday March 19). Retroactive 10 per cent increase payments for the months of January and February are also to be paid in by March 19.” And failure to honour payment will in fact constitute yet another violation of the TOR Agreement signed, which according to the Unions will result in “strong and immediate strike” being taken. The Unions have also proposed the holding of another negotiation meeting
with the University Administration in light of the fact that the one held since the workers returned to work was unproductive and saw the Administration’s “blunt refusal to meet any of our demands; a display of disrespect for staff, bad faith, and a further violation of the Terms of Resumption Agreement.” “The Unions negotiators would give the negotiations process one more opportunity and attend another negotiations meeting. If the second meeting produces similar intractable attitudes from the UG Negotiating Team, that the Unions will withdraw from the process and staff will re-engage in various forms of industrial action to highlight our grievances with the process,” the Unions have outlined.
Tuesday March 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
Netanyahu’s reign at risk (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s march towards becoming the longest-serving leader of Israel could be halted today in an election that has exposed public fatigue with his stress on national security rather than socio-economic problems.Surging rhetoric against Iran and the Palestinians has apparently done little to close Netanyahu’s lag behind centre-left opponent Isaac Herzog in opinion polls. Should Herzog narrowly win the ballot as predicted, he would be the likely first pick to form the next government. That would not rule out the coalition-building task reverting to Netanyahu, if Herzog fails to win enough support in a rightist-dominated parliament. Much will depend on which candidate the smaller, centrist parties choose to crown, and the leaning of a joint list uniting Israel’s four Arab parties, which is expected to come in third. Dubbed “King Bibi” by Time magazine just three years ago, Netanyahu, 65, has cast the threat to his reign as a foreign-orchestrated campaign to install an Israeli leader who might yield to Palestinian statehood or nuclear diplomacy with Iran. “This is a fateful and difficult campaign,” he said in a speech yesterday aimed at rallying religious-nationalist voters to his troubled Likud party. “We do not have the privilege of staying at home, because we will lose our home.” Herzog, the head of Israel’s Labour party, and his running mate, ex-peace negotiator Tzipi Livni, have accused Netanyahu of using security scares to distract from social issues like the high cost of living emphasized in domestic debates. “Netanyahu is in a great panic, whereas for Tzipi Livni and me what is foremost is the good of the country,” Herzog, 54, told Israeli television.
Pedestrians cross a street in front of a Likud party campaign billboard depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv March 16, 2015. (CREDIT: REUTERS/NIR ELIAS) “Tomorrow’s election is a choice between change and hope, and disappointment and downfall.” NO TO PALESTINE In what appeared to be a last-ditch pitch for far-right votes, Netanyahu yesterday said no Palestinian state would arise under his watch if he won a fourth term in top office. He has so far served nine years, second in duration only to Israel’s founding father, David Ben-Gurion, who was premier for 12 years. The United States, which oversaw now-stalled talks on a two-state peace deal between Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, reserved comment on the Israeli leader’s volte-face, citing reluctance to weigh in so close to the vote. “We will work with the winner of the election,” said U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, echoing similar remarks by Abbas last week. The Obama administration’s ties with Netanyahu were already strained by his opposition to nuclear negotiations with Iran, tensions that crested in his March 3 speech to the U.S. Congress that many of the president’s fellow Democrats sat out in anger. As on the Palestinian issue, Netanyahu said he was motivated by the risk to
Israel’s survival. However, one poll found that most Israeli voters were unmoved while a minority said they were less likely to back him over his open defiance of Washington. Mild-mannered and untested in statecraft, Herzog favors re-engagement with the Democratic White House and the Palestinians. But he has steered clear of promising peace or a satisfactory resolution to the stand-off over Iran’s nuclear program. Asked whether Herzog has the “killer instinct” that many Israelis expect in their prime ministers, the candidate’s older brother Michael, a retired general and Defence Ministry chief of staff, was circumspect. “There are different kinds of leadership,” he told Army Radio. In his own election-eve gambit, Herzog announced the cancellation yesterday of a rotation agreement with Livni whereby they would each serve as prime minister if victorious. The deal had turned off some potential voters, Herzog explained. Polling stations open at 0500 GMT (1.00 a.m. EDT) and close at 2000 GMT, when Israeli media are expected to publish exit polls. Initial results will be published at 2100 GMT.
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WHERE ARE THE SAFEGUARDS? The APNU/AFC bandwagon has set off. The new coalition had its first rally last Saturday to an expected large crown in Linden. Not much in terms of policy was discussed. Ousting the PPPC from office seems to be the galvanizing theme of the coalition. For the time being, important policy pronouncements have been put on the backburner in favor of responding to the PPPC’s verbal attacks on the coalition. In so doing, however, important issues to the survival of the coalition have not yet been settled, or if they are, no announcement to this effect has been made One of those outstanding issues is the appointment of the Leader of the List. There is an agreement in principle between APNU and the AFC that this person will be a member of civil society, quite a paradox since by definition once you go on a party’s list
you can hardly be classified as civil society. One supposes that APNU and the AFC will eventually have to settle for a mutually agreed upon person who is neither a member or associated with either of them. This is a most important appointment to be made in keeping with the spirit of the Cummingsburg Accord. It should have been settled a long time ago. It is a safeguard mechanism to prevent APNU from breaching any agreement or understanding that it would have reached with the AFC. The Leader of the List has the power of recall. The AFC has explained that if APNU goes against its understanding with the party, the AFC reserves the right to use its assured twelve seats in the coalition to move a motion of no-confidence against APNU. The AFC however knows that APNU can neutralize that
recourse by having the Leader of the List recall the AFC’s parliamentarians, thereby rendering them voteless. In order to prevent this betrayal, the agreement between APNU and the AFC reportedly provides for someone from civil society to hold this position. One would have expected that before the public swooning by AFC leaders of APNU that this important issue would have been settled. It is the most critical safeguard mechanism and the fact that the AFC has allowed itself to go on the campaign trail with APNU without this person being in place is a risk that the AFC is taking and one that can backfire against the party. The second important issue that should be settled is the joint programme. This too should have been settled before the Linden rally. It has not. The joint programme is
Essequibian murdered in Venezuela An Essequibo Coast man who migrated to Venezuela over 27 years ago was murdered last week in the Spanish speaking country. Forty-four-year-old, Rameshwar Jaipaul, aka ‘Moses’, formally of Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, was apparently murdered in his home after unknown persons invaded and attacked him. His mother, Lynette Jaipaul, said her son had left Guyana and never returned home. Mrs. Jaipaul explained that since her son departed the shores of Guyana, only once he called her but she was unable to understand what he was saying since he spoke in Spanish. The grieving mother of four remaining adult children, said that she received a text message from another relative who indicated
that her son was murdered. Mrs. Jaipaul explained that she was not informed about the circumstances surrounding the death of her son. She said that she has no clue as to whether her son’s murder was related to a robbery or a hit. She said that her dead son was living in a common-law relationship with a Spanish woman and that relationship produced five children. Jaipaul was buried in Venezuela. Some time, last year, another young Essequibian was murdered in Venezuela, apparently by a relative who had ambushed him after he had exited his vehicle. A number of Essequibians have migrated and are living in Venezuela. Most of them have accessed passage through the Pomeroon River Mouth by boat which in some cases, takes almost two weeks.
Dem boys seh...
Police dawgs watching three suspects When dem boys was exposing de wholesale corruption that was taking place in this country, everybody was quiet. Some seh that dem boys was overemphasizing de situation and was overdoing it. Is only when de international body do a survey and find that only 34 per cent of de Guyanese population got trust in de police force that Guyana wake up. And when dem boys check is only de parents, dem wife or husband and dem children who mek up that 34 per cent. To lose confidence and trust in de people who have to serve and protect you in a country just don’t happen overnight. It does tek years of deceit, skullduggery and scampishness from de top. And dem boys ain’t talking bout See-all; he was just a young officer then. Dem talking bout de real man, Jagdeo. Under Hoyte, Cheddi and Janet dem was tremendous trust in de force. You never had so much crime and de country had more people. De young See-all can’t deny it. De big question is how we end up in this boat and wha we can do fuh come out. This is frightening. De man who leading de nation, Donald de Duck, is a sailor; he
sailing. Guess wha? He got de nerve to tell See-all how fuh do he wuk. “Go find de killer.” See-all loose three dawgs and dem run in different directions. One head straight up de East Coast and turn in by de seawall at Pradoville Two. Dem boys hear de dawg still there and it ain’t moving. No matter how de police dawg handlers calling. De dawg ain’t moving. Another dawg run and jump clean over a fence in a yard. Dem boys later find out is in a Chat-3 yard. De dawg still lying down outside de door waiting patiently fuh de return of de Chat-3. De third dawg head up de East Bank. At one time de ranks wid him thought he was heading fuh Timehri or Linden. De ranks talk among demself that Bynoe in trouble. But is when de dawg bank in Diamond, wid one speed is den dem seh that dis pointing straight to labba lip. Up to today dem dawgs refuse to move from all three locations. No matter how much food and bones de ranks throw, dem dawgs ain’t tekking bribe. Dem nutten like de police force. Talk half and wait fuh dem boys tell you when dem dawgs mek de next move.
one way in which both sides can have an agreement as to what will happen if they gain office and indeed there should also be a joint programme for if they do not gain office. Such programmes are important to void conflicts that could threaten the life of the coalition or force it to implode. Once there is a common programme, then both parties would be subjecting themselves to a fixed menu of policies, objectives and goals and this will reduce disputes between the two sides. This in turn will help keep the coalition united and intact. We have been told that a manifesto is being worked on. A Manifesto is however not a joint programme. A joint programme is form of contract between the two parties in which they commit to doing certain things and in which they outline in a legally bound agreement what will be done by whom and by when. A manifesto on the other hand is list of promises. It is not an agreement and
therefore it should be not be confused with a joint programme which would allow both the AFC and APNU to be contractually bound to implement certain policies and to achieve certain projects and goals. A manifesto can be ignored. It can be changed. Reasons can be found to explain why certain promises cannot be kept or needs to be pushed back. An agreement on the other hand cannot be so easily discarded. Because the AFC has reneged on its earlier declared position of demanding the presidency in any coalition, it should have paid greater attention to ensuring that instead of a manifesto what was produced was a joint programme because this programme can be the basis of creating comfort for those PPP supporters which the AFC wants to target in the May 11 polls. Finally, there is a need for the parties to reconcile a number of positions on which they have been at odds. One
of this is on the Amaila Hydroelectric Project. The second is on the Cricket Administration BIll which APNU supported but which the AFC had opposed. There is the appointment of the acting Chief Justice and Chancellor of which the AFC supports while APNU wants there to be applications for the jobs. Then there is the issue of what will come of the Marriot Hotel. APNU has solid environmentalists within its ranks. What is the coalition going to do about logging and mining by private multinationals? Will they be asked to pack up and leave? These and other issues on which the parties do not see eye- to- eye needed to have been resolved long before the Linden rally.
Page 10
Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 17, 2015
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
GUYANA: HOW MURDER TAKES PLACE IN A DICTATORSHIP I would suggest you see one of the great movies ever made with one of the greatest actors of all time. In “Night of the Generals” Peter O’Toole acted as a sadistic Nazi killer of prostitutes. When the police commissioner of the city was on to him, he killed him. Of course the Nazi party and its leaders, including Hitler, never knew of many political deaths committed by their underlings. This is the pattern of, not most, but all dictatorships. To understand how political murder occurs in tyrannical systems, one has to study the nature of power in such oligarchies.
Dictatorship brings into being a very complex society in which there are layers and layers of power. In many instances some of these layers act independent of each other because they have different interests to protect. At the apex, there is the ruling party that will not hesitate to order assassinations to prevent their overthrow. There is the second tier of the ruling party that is made up of people who are intensely loyal, possess authority that they fling in the face of society and will kill critics who they feel want to remove their bosses. Their bosses may not know what they are doing and probably don’t care to know. Then you have state intelligence which in every dictatorship becomes a power unto itself. State intelligence
in oligarchies is always filled with people appointed by the tyrants to watch their backs. Murders have been committed by state intelligence even in democratic societies as so many books on the CIA have shown much less in tyrannical systems. Then there is the patronage system. Dictatorship patronizes a wide cross section of society’s strata. There is the underworld that does favours for the political elites. The underworld people benefit financially from these connections and will not hesitate to harm journalists, human rights activists and opposition politicians who they feel will put them out of business by weakening the government. Apart from the underworld actors, there is the drug world. If political elites develop a relation with drug traffickers and money launderers, the immunity these people receive from police investigations gives them enormous scope to get rich. These people become very wealthy and their
penchant for violence leads them to murder people they feel will remove their protectors in government. Then there is the nouveau riche class. Through a complex system of favours and state contracts, this stratum also becomes very wealthy. So rich are these people that they know their empire will collapse should their backers in government fall. They will not hesitate to get rid of opposition activists who look set to topple the dictatorship. The assassination of journalists, human rights heroes and crusading politicians does not necessarily have to come from the top of the political pyramid. Critics and activists can lose their lives because of the insecurity of people who belong to the layers described above. In all dictatorships, without exception, assassinations have been perpetuated without direct orders from the top of the political hierarchy. If you read the history of
the Nazi Party in Government, the dictatorship under Saddam Hussein, Russia under Stalin, Libya under Gaddafi, the military dictatorship in Chile, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil and so many other totalitarian systems, opposition activists were brutally killed by some of these other sections possessed of uncontrollable power. Tyrone Ferguson in his book on Forbes Burnham’s rule (“To Survive Sensibly or Court Heroic Death,” page 297) argued that those close to Burnham felt that Walter Rodney was closing in on Burnham, that it was just a matter of time, and therefore to save their patron, they killed Rodney without the knowledge of Burnham. For this columnist, it is clear that the murder of Father Darke was not state sanctioned. A goon squad attacked an opposition rally and the white priest, Father Darke, was mistaken for the most feared anti-government journalist of the day, Father Andrew Morrison of the
Frederick Kissoon Catholic Standard and was stabbed to death. Ferguson’s interpretation of Rodney’s death is open for debate but not so with Ronald Waddell. Waddell was viewed with immense insecurity by the top of the pyramid that feared his activism. His death was thus ordered. This brings us to Courtney Crum-Ewing. I will repeat my take which was carried in my three columns last week on the murder. On seeing what Crum-Ewing was doing in Diamond, I believe a call was made to one of those layers described above. Crum-Ewing had engendered the same insecurity that Waddell brought. When the caller described what CrumEwing was doing with his bullhorn, the instruction was then given to kill him.
Tuesday March 17, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Concerns persist over delayed Cath Lab for CHI “Something is very rotten here,” said a senior health official yesterday of a protracted delay in the completion of a new Cardiac Cath Laboratory at the Caribbean Heart Institution (CHI) and by extension the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The lab is intended to improve the delivery of care. The official, who requested anonymity given the perceived sensitivity of the issue, vocalised remarks in this regard in light of plans announced last week for the remodelling and extension works valued at $236 million on the GPHC’s
Maternity Unit. The official mused over the fact that while the expansion of the Unit can be considered a dire need the same can also be said of the Cath Lab which, once completed, could cater to a vast number of patients suffering from cardiac related conditions. In fact the official has speculated that the delay in the project could be a deliberate attempt to cause CHI to “fold”. CHI which has already been in existence for eight years was founded by Cardiac Surgeon, Dr. Gary Stephens, who also holds the
position of Chief Executive Officer. He, with the support of Government, was able to bring into being CHI as a private/public partnership in October 2006. However, since Dr. Stephens has obligations at the Maimonides Medical Centre in New York, he offers his physical expertise here on a visiting basis. Moreover, CHI is managed by Dr. Mahendra Carpen, an Interventional Cardiologist. Recognised as a crucial asset to the health sector CHI was offering extensive cardiac care. Based on reports reaching this publication,
UNFPA ADDRESSES THE achievement of Women’s Rights ... many still victims of domestic violence In observance of last week’s International Women’s Day and the twentieth Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) in collaboration with other Non-Governmental Organisations, Religious Groups and Government Agencies, yesterday held a round-table discussion addressing issues related to Women’s Rights. The discussion, which was held in a conference room at Cara Lodge’s 294 Quamina Street, Georgetown location, saw UNFPA’s Assistant Representative Ms. Patrice La Fleur and speakers, Ms. Bhagwandai PersaudGiddings (UNFPA Programme Officer) and Commissioner of Women and Gender Equality Commission Ms. Vanda Radzik interacting with representatives from the medical and health sector, Government ministries, women and youth activists, members of the religious community, private sector, Guyana Teacher’s Union and other organisations and NGOs. The activity focused on assessing the promises made under the 1995 Beijing
Declaration, and whether or not they have been effectively implemented 10 years later in 2015. Among the promises made, 12 were up for examination, some of them include; the burden of poverty on women, violence against women, insufficient mechanisms to promote advancement of women, lack of respect for the protection of human rights of women, and inequality between men and women in the sharing of power and decision making levels. Radzik, in her assessment of the progress made from 1995 to now under the Beijing Declaration, said, “There is not a lot to celebrate in 2015.” She added that this year was supposed to be a milestone for human rights of women with the fulfilment of commitments made, however we have failed. She stated that we, as part of the world, and within the Caribbean Community, are far away from the requirements that were set. “We have to do so much better…We have not had a successful analysis of the Millennium Development Goals.” She reminisced on the days of the former People’s
National Congress (PNC) and early People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Governments in Guyana, when the efforts of the women’s rights movement were flourishing under the influence of the likes of Magda Pollard. She recalled that an excellent Guyanese delegation from civil society went to Beijing in ’95, and they stood out and shone for their initiatives during the negotiations of the declaration. Radzik went on to challenge the representatives present to examine the promises made under the Beijing Declaration, and to discuss it with both their in life and work experiences in mind. They were asked to assess whether or not they honestly believed that great achievements were made, especially in Guyanese society. The response from the representatives, were of a great magnitude. The first points made were in relation to the way that legislation and developmental strategies are being implemented in Guyana. Some of the representatives present felt that policies are being introduced in an ad hoc (Continued on page 23)
Armed masked bandits rob Corentyne couple The police are on the hunt for four armed bandits who on Sunday evening broke and entered the dwelling house of a No. 48 Village, Corentyne couple and robbed them before making good their escape. Information revealed that Totaram Bishram, 34, and his wife, Robani Bishram, operate a liquour restaurant at their No. 48 Village home. The liquour restaurant is located in front of their house. Around 21:40 hrs on Sunday, the couple was about to close up the liquour restaurant
when they were accosted by four masked men, all armed with long guns. The men demanded money, but were told that there was none available. The bandits proceeded to ransack the house and took away a quantity of jewelry, phone cards, liquor and cigarettes before making good their escape. The police were subsequently informed and raced to the area, but by then the thieves had gone. No one has been arrested and the investigation continues.
around 2011 the management of CHI had consulted with Government about acquiring a new Cardiac Cath Lab, in light of the fact that its equipment was nearing the end of its lifespan. Reports are that there were expectations that moves would have been made to put in place a lab that can do both cardiology intervention and cardiac surgery in a single room using a Hybrid machine. With a Hybrid machine in place, CHI, and by extension Guyana, could have been the first in the Caribbean to offer such advanced technology. Construction of the Cath Lab should have been completed within two months but more than a year later the project is still not completed. The Hybrid machine, which was delivered by the United States-based General Electric Company, was placed in a corner of the ground floor of the hospital covered by a tarpaulin. Dr. Stephens shared his concerns about the delay in the completion of the project
coupled with the fact that no explanation has been forthcoming from the Ministry. He intimated that “any day now our machine can suffer a catastrophic failure and even if it doesn’t, I don’t see us surviving the next six months.” Another official, close to the operation of the Health Ministry, has however attributed the delay to the wanting management ability of those tasked with overseeing the project. This publication understands that the Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital, a privately operated hospital, was able to complete a similar Cardiac Cath Lab in a short period and at a fraction of the cost as was allocated by the Ministry of Health for the CHI Lab. This publication has also been reliably informed that the state of affairs has already started to have a dire impact on CHI with some of its skilled personnel opting to tender their resignations. And there are unconfirmed reports
that it has been quite a task recruiting new skills. Officials out of CHI are currently tight-lipped on the situation as is Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran. The Minister desperately avoided members of the media on Friday following a sod turning ceremony for the expansion of the Maternity Unit. The Minister, commenting on the CHI situation earlier, had noted that while the Ministry was looking to expand its collaborations there still exists a need to partner with CHI which is a company that is legally incorporated here in Guyana. “I don’t want to get in the head of Dr. Stephens; I don’t know that he has expressed confusion (but) we are moving ahead as per normal creating this wide, expanding, non-exclusionary (partnership)...welcoming everybody on board, providing of course that they have the necessary requisite and claim to fame,” said the Minister.
Page 12
Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 17, 2015
Thriving rice industry benefitting Govt associates and friends ...gap must be closed between Venezuela rice sales and return to farmers Venezuela’s new rice contract may have helped lift some weight from Guyana’s shoulders, but the country is still hoping that recently announced foreign markets will pull through. They want to help the country record its history making paddy production of more than a million tons. Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, predicted that paddy production this year, will for the first time ever, exceed a million tons. However, the existing problem is that the country does not have the markets to purchase the load. Some stakeholders are holding the government responsible for this continuous challenge. Former Presidential Advisor and financial analyst, Ramon Gaskin, has charged the government with intervening in a booming
private sector industry and providing it with subsides that it does not need. While supporting this view, APNU’s economic point man and former Finance Minister Carl Greenidge, also accused the government of spanning a massive gap between what is received for rice sold and what is received by rice farmers. The basis for such actions, both parties agreed, is for the enrichment of associates and friends of a government which seems to be using rice proceeds particularly that from the Ve n e z u e l a / G u y a n a PetroCaribe rice for oil arrangement, in areas that do not benefit the growth and productivity of the rice sector. Gaskin explained that rice production in Guyana is at its highest ever. “Yet we are hearing from time to time that
the government has to intervene to pay paddy producers for paddy delivered to millers who did not pay them.” “This is entirely ridiculous,” the former advisor stated. “These millers mill paddy, get rice and export it, so there is no reason why the government must have any involvement between the paddy producers and the miller.” “They have no business using taxpayers’ money to get involved in those issues where the millers did not pay the paddy producers. They are all private businessmen.” The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) was formulated initially as an oversight and advisory body to the rice sector. However, today the Board engages in the commercial business of the sector, aiding the Agricultural Ministry in locating rice markets and negotiating prices and terms of transactions. Gaskin maintains, however, that “the rice industry in Guyana is a private sector activity and the government has very little business in the business of private people.” He gave the analogy that should private exporters fail to pay providers of other commodities, whether the
government would step in and use tax payers dollars to pay the debt of those exporter’s. Gaskin said that the government is “breast feeding and spoon feeding the industry, although it is doing very well.” “The Administration is babysitting a sector that hardly needs any support from Government or taxpayers.” The former State advisor noted that the relationships between the industry and Government- linked persons see them benefitting immensely from the rice sector, “hence the need to keep supporting them (financially) all the time.” Pointing out that among other cases, the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association (RPA) General Secretary for instance, is a Parliamentarian of the PPP-led government, Gaskin opined that the Administration seeks to keep its fingers on the sector as its associates continue to benefit, “like spoiled children.” Greenidge described the rice industry as being “a disaster at the moment.” The former Finance Minister insisted that the gap between the price received by the farmers and that which Venezuela actually pays for rice is too wide; “and at this
Former Finance Minister and APNU’s economic point man Carl Greenidge Former Presidential Advisor, Financial Analyst Ramon Gaskin point,” he continued, “it seems that government is using the money to feather their own beds and help out privileged millers.” Greenidge agreed that rice is a private industry, “and government is using the money from Venezuela to do all sorts of other things, while some of the money could have gone to enhancing productivity of the rice sector as a sort of incentive to farmers and millers to ensure the quality of rice.” He went on to say that although money is available to the rice industry because of good prices out of Venezuela, government seems to be diverting the funds to their own ends, and are then coming back to tax payers to raise money to pay off rice farmers for what the millers owe. Greenidge averaged that while the farmers may be receiving around US$40,000 per ton of paddy, Venezuela’s payment is somewhere around US$180,000 per ton of
rice. As it relates to government sourcing markets for the industry, Greenidge said that there is a historic reasoning behind this since in earlier trade years Guyana was given an adverse reputation because of middlemen providing poor quality rice to the international market; hence government’s involvement in the sector, especially since the commodity plays a significant role in the economy. However, today’s middlemen, Greenidge said, have taken advantage of the sector since there seems to be major conflicts of interest where persons with economic interests are also making pertinent decisions in this regard. Greenidge charged however that rice farmers would be better off if they could get a larger slice of the price that comes from Venezuela. He said that government should make more money available to the sector to reduce cost of production through training, fertilizer imports, water management and irrigation among other areas. This development is necessary because Guyana continues to produce rice at a higher cost than most other major rice producing countries.
Tuesday March 17, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 21
APNU+AFC requests stronger police security for Granger and Nagamootoo The opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) has requested that the Guyana Police Force provide strong security for its Presidential Candidate David Granger and his running mate, Moses Nagamootoo. The request was made yesterday during a meeting between an APNU+AFC team and Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud and top Commanders representing the Guyana Police Force (GPF) executive management team. The meeting was requested by APNU+AFC to communicate with the Commissioner of Police and his team, the coalition’s concerns, security considerations and the current security situation in the lead-up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections. “The APNU+AFC team made it clear that the security situation in the country required the provision of strong security by the GPF for the Coalition’s Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates. The security of
campaign offices, major rallies and party elections officials were also discussed,” a statement from the coalition’s campaign office said. The APNU+AFC team was headed by Campaign CoChairs, Joe Harmon and Raphael Trotman and included Winston Felix, David Patterson and Paul Slowe, who was invited to act as a security advisor. It is not clear if the request for the strengthening of security for the coalition’s two top candidates is a result of the apparent rise in tensions among the electorate in the wake of the killing of political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing. The former army officer was gunned down in the Diamond, East Bank Demerara community last Tuesday night while he was using a bull horn to urge voters to vote out the current People’s Progressive Party government. According to the coalition, the Commissioner and his team briefed them on the Guyana Police Force’s pre and post elections security arrangements.
The Commissioner gave the APNU+AFC team the assurance that the GPF was well prepared for any eventualities. During his address at last Thursday’s opening of the annual police officers’ conference, the newly confirmed Commissioner of Police said that the force is cognizant of its role to provide an enabling environment for the May 11 polls. “We do recognize the high demand on us to provide security for the upcoming elections. While a lot of preparatory work is being done in the force, this issue is also being addressed at the level of the joint services, where inter-agency collaboration at this time is at its highest,” Persaud stated. “We intend to deliver adequate security for the conduct, which means the period leading up (to Elections Day), this campaigning period, Elections Day itself and the aftermath of Election Day,” the recently confirmed Top Cop stated. Yesterday, the Police executive management team
Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud
David Granger said that it was prepared to cooperate fully with campaign personnel nationwide and made available to the APNU+AFC team the contact information of all Divisional Commanders. The policy regarding the holding of public meetings was also discussed and assurances given to the Coalition that once applications were received in a timely manner, the GPF would embrace the principle of granting permission.
Moses Nagamootoo
Page 22
Kaieteur News
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Business property located @ Supply public road, E.B.D. Entering either by river/ public road- Call: 6988100 Flat concrete house for sale in Grove with land spaceCall: 679-3913 Property @ Lot 63 West Ruimveldt, Estate Housing Scheme Georgetown – Contact Mark: 618-9744 Houses & land available for sale in Non- Pariel, Enmore, Providence & Diamond – Contact: Pacific Development Inc # 2236035; 231-8480
One 15 Yamaha outboard engine next to new- Call:6884139
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 RZ BSS Series, remote start, alarm, TV Deck, Reverse Camera, Fog lights – Tel: 6155784
One Stale Pool Table – Price: $300,000 (three hundred thousand) - Tel:228-2098; 628-5796.
One AT212 New Model PRR series; excellent condition, price $1.2M negotiable – Tel: 653-0120
House for sale located in Eccles- Contact: 622-7473
Woodmizer Resaw with gas engine - $1,500,000, 1 Blades sharpener - $500,000, 1- 4X4 JCB Forklift –$1,200, 000- Tel: 683-2575
Unregistered Toyota IST, fully loaded - $2.150M – Call: 691-7475
Property @ 62 Bent Street Wortmanville Georgetown – Tel: 629-6101; 660-5019
One Hino Canter- Tel:2282098; 628-5796. Price $1.3M
Two Storied concrete & wooden building with apartments @ 26 Hill Street Albouystown, price negotiable - Contact:223-0110
Alligator trucks + spare parts, portable sawmill – Contact: 681-5839; 663-2291 2 – Three year old working horse cart, owner leaving country – Tel: 219-2877; 6006406 One Toyota Tundra, Mag rims – Contact: 650-8289
One mining block in Puruni District – Contact:650-8289 American bully pups gottiline remyline – Call: 2207933; 667-4845; 610-0068 Get your cooked and smoothly grind split peas, for all your daily cooking needs – Contact Dr. Sharma’s : 6708212; 225-9701
Upper & lower flat apartment (2 bedrooms each) with toilet & bath - Contact: 220-6799; 657-4969
Rooms for rent - Call: 6385335 LEARN TO DRIVE
Tuesday March 17, 2015
Just Arrived! 09 & O6 Tacoma, manual & auto, new model Allion, Bluebird, Belta, Fielder - Tel:621-4190, b e s t c a r a u t o s a l e s@ facebook.com One Silver, new model Mitsubishi Colt - Tel:610-3746 Nissan Titan for sale, immaculate – Call: 647-3924 First Class Auto: Allion, Premio, Bluebird, Sienta, Runx, Axio, Verossa, Mark 2Call : 609-8188; 638-3045
TO LET 1 -Two bedrooms apartment to rent in Lynn Street - $50,000 per month – Tel: 670-7171
Unregistered To y o t a Spacio with body kit, spoiler, rims, fog lamp $2M – Tel: 617-2891
4 bedroom house, AC, Security camera, GEB alarm, telephone, 2 vehicles parking, etc @ Friendship E.B.DTel:674-6363 1- Three bedroom house to rent in Prashad Nagar $1000US per month - Tel: 6707171
Honda CRV 2001; excellent condition -$2,150,000 negotiable – Tel: 624-6099
Fully Furnished vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours – Call: 227-1218
EDUCATIONAL
One self contained, one bedroom apartment - Tel: 6442644; 687-1966 & 222-0618
Tractor Massey Ferguson from Canada MF135- $1.2M, MF165 -$1.8M, MF285 $2.4M, Ranger Pickup $1.5M Tel: 682-5230; 6289596 Pre-Easter Computerized Accounting, 4 Courses: Ptree, QuickBooks, POS, Excel 2013.$30,000.00 @ MicroGraphics Vreed-EnHoop, Tel: 264-3057
Parfaite Harmonie, West Minister, Onderneeming, Cornela Ida, Tushcen, etc Contact: Pacific Development Inc # 2236035; 231-8480 Caneville Grove E.B.D $2.6M, Sophia ‘C’ big foundation - $3.1M, Parfaite W.B.D - $1.3M, L.B.I EarlsCourt 90X120 - $20M – Call:231-2199; 618-7483
LAND FOR SALE 50 Acres titled farm land @ The Belle, Upper Dem, River Front - $100M Negotiable, serious enquiries only! Tel: 669-8152 Vacant high income house lot @ Diamond New Scheme, 2nd Avenue $6.8M negotiable – Tel:6974659; 629-5300; 684-6536 Riverside land 75 acres @ Soesdyke Linden Highway, best price offered – Tel:2238590; 678-1575. Blankenburg, 3 lots 75X76 each, $15M, all 3 lots, Parika, Peter Street, lot size 38’X150' - $7.9M-Contact # 650-0402/ 260-4988 VACANCY Vacancy for body work man – Tel: 649-0659 Continued on page 23
Tuesday March 17, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Hot N’ Spicy celebrates a decade of existence To mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of Hot N’ Spicy Creole Corner, located at 112 Third and Albert Streets, Alberttown, owners Vanessa and Ken Singh, are celebrating 10 Hot N’ Spicy years with their valued customers. In recognition of the restaurant’s opening date in March 16, 2005, during this week, customers who fill out coupons during this period and the week prior, and drop them into the entry box will have a chance to win 10 consolation prizes and $10,000 daily. The promotion ends on
Friday with the drawing of the three grand prizes— one refrigerator, one four-burner gas stove and one microwave. The restaurant is the brainchild of Vanessa Singh, who joined the workforce at Salt & Pepper Restaurant at the tender age of sixteen. Salt & Pepper proprietor, Eric Nicholas, took her under his wings and she was given the opportunity to learn and experience all areas of the business. After working for nine years in the food service industry, Vanessa became pregnant with her first child.
Duo facing judge... From page 20 samples of what appeared to be blood were collected from the crime scene to be tested since he was not assigned to do so. He however, noted that there were other crime scene ranks present at the scene. Assistant Supertindant of Police (ASP), Lueovick Scotland, recounted that he had interviewed Thomas at Alberttown Police Station after he was detained for the alleged murder. The detective
told the court, however, that the accused denied having any knowledge of the alleged crime. Officer Scotland said that during the interview he noticed a wound above Thomas's left eye and further questioned him. He told the court that the man instead claimed that he was nowhere near the crime scene on Mash night; he was attacked and robbed by three bandits the same night while at Ogle, ECD.
Make Courtney's... From page 2 those that want to silence us, that we will change this nation. This nation deserves a change. “On this very ground, slaves stood up to say that their rights must be respected. That is what Courtney stood for. We owe him, and our ancestors, not to allow our voices to be silenced.” “Think about Courtney, about Linden, about thousands of other voices that are being silenced, by a system that fears us. We must stand as fearless warriors, to conquer this system!” Dr. Phillip Mozart Thomas of the Guyana National Civil Society Council (GNCSC) expressed regret at the death of Courtney Crum Ewing. He stated that Courtney, who was a member of the GNCSC, had sometimes despaired in his one man struggle in discussions with the Council, but had nevertheless carried on. “When you look at the legal Practitioners Act, it absolves the Attorney General and the other legal officials like the DPP of all the despicable acts we have seen them display. (Courtney) said there's no justice and the only thing he can do is go and stand up and each and every day echo that that despicable act has no place in this country.” “Come May 11 we have to take a stand. Crum-Ewing represented our right to exercise a franchise. Our right to speak. Our right to stand up
in a Democracy, free of fear. So we must stand with (CrumEwing). On election day, we must say, this is a vote for Courtney.” ACDA also came forward and paid tribute to all fallen heroes. They described Crum-Ewing as a maverick who should have aligned himself with a group rather than picket the AG alone. “It breaks my heart to see this young man gunned down. He did not have a gun. He didn't even have an ice pick. He had a bull horn and was killed for that. For years we have been struggling. Come May 11 we will stop struggling.” Vanessa Kissoon expressed her outrage for the excesses done by the administration and at the disrespect shown by the AG towards women. Mark Benchschop, Jaipaul Sharma and other speakers also came forward to pay tribute to Crum Ewing and to call for change on Elections Day. The funeral for Courtney Crum-Ewing is scheduled for Wednesday. The body will be at his residence, 189 Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara for viewing from 10:0011:00hrs and from 12:00 to 14:00 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.
Returning to work after her maternity leave she encountered several challenges that forced her to leave the job. She used this opportunity to return to school and upgrade her skills. However, her love for the food service industry and understanding the ‘know how’ of the business operation, urged her desire of owning and operating her own restaurant. A casual conversation with a friend about her dream of starting her own restaurant, led to discussions of a primary location available for rental. After exploring the location, Vanessa was given the opportunity to rent the
building. This was the start of Hot N’ Spicy Creole Corner. After a few months she undertook renovation to the building. A few months later she purchased the property. After the purchase the restaurant was temporarily closed for a few months and a new expanded building was reconstructed. Vanessa and Ken express heartfelt gratitude to all their customers who have continuously supported them through the years. “Our business growth and success were not possible without our customers. It is because of them that we still exist today. Ninety percent of our customers came through
word of mouth from other customers, and for that we are truly humble and grateful,” stated Vanessa. They would also like to thank their dedicated staff for their hard work, especially the production team. Vanessa made special mention of her cousin Yonette Chase who was with her from the start of the business and as such, is her longest serving staff member. On Friday Hot N’ Spicy drawing will take place at 14:00hrs. Special thanks to their partners, Sterling Products, Ansa McAl Ltd, Bounty Farm, Banks DIH, Courts and Muzik Media.
UNFPA ADDRESSES THE... From page 11 manner, without projections and analysis as to how they will affect the women, and the long term consequences involved. Reference was made to the fact that most single parent homes are managed by women, and the fact that there is now a large population of women working as security guards. This some saw as troubling, since the nature of the job would see women working odd hours, which affects the family dynamics, coupled with the minimum income attached to the job. Most importantly, the issue of violence against women was raised. One representative pointed out that statistics show that Guyana is at the bottom of the ladder. Suggestions were made as to how the nation can reduce the instances of domestic violence in the society by building the selfesteem of women, and
teaching men and boys the appreciation for gender equality. In addressing cases or reoccurring domestic violence, one representative said, “We have educated women, but not the men. So what we find are cases where we educated the woman, and she returns to the home with the uneducated man.” La Fleur reflected on a new age Domestic Violence Act, Prevention of Sexual Discrimination Act, and Gender Equality Act which she feels had not been able to achieve their full or intended purposes. “I have been in this line of work for many, many years, and I feel as if we have been addressing the same issues for years and years, and I am becoming impatient… I feel pressured when I look back at where we came from and where we are today,” La Fleur stressed. She made reference to the
popular Guyanese saying “one-one dutty does build dam”, and implored the audience to commit their time to address the issues discussed in both their communities and organisations. She acknowledged that most of the persons in attendance were influential persons, operating in powerful positions within society, and explained that many times persons would attend workshops and meeting of this nature, agree to implement strategies suggested, and return to their offices and do nothing. La Fleur urged that the many organisations represented yesterday, honour the commitments made in order to ensure that Women’s Rights move into the next dimension, as another round of discussions begins for the New Millennium Development Goals.
(From page 22)
VACANCY International Cruiseline AB Sailors, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionists, storekeepers, cleaners, electricians, carpenters, welders, costmetologist, etc – Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880 One driver/salesman to work on water truck, must be living around W.B.D, attractive salary - Tel: 6184257 Secretary, cleaners, office clerk, waitress / waiters, security officers, drivers, kitchen assistant, restaurant manager –Tel: 603-4094 CANTER DRIVERS FOR DAILY DELIVERIES, MUST HAVE DRIVING EXPERIENCED, POLICE CLEARANCE REQUIRED. CALL FOR INTERVIEW:231-8344 FAST GROWING I M P O R T E R / DISTRIBUTOR SEEKING ACCOUNTS CLERK, MUST HAVE A C C O U N T I N G, COMPUTER & C O M M U N I C AT I O N SKILLS. CALL FOR INTERVIEW @ 231-8529 Gasoline Mechanic – Call: 223-5273/4 Experienced Cashier – Shift Work, Computer Knowledge, Apply: Fortune House Restaurant, 98 Sheriff Street. No Phone Calls.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 17, 2015
Magistrate gives convicted Cops make little headway robber second chance Six days after assassination…
in finding killers
Courtney Crum-Ewing Six days after political activist Courtney CrumEwing’s shocking assassination, police have made little headway in finding his killers. An official confirmed yesterday that police have released two men that they had hoped would have helped identify the gunman who pumped five bullets at close range into the ex-army officer. A source said that investigators are hoping to locate CCTV footage from the area where the outspoken activist was slain. Police have set up a special team to investigate the case, which has drawn outrage from a wide crosssection of Guyanese. While local sleuths have seldom solved killings of this nature, a police official told Kaieteur News yesterday that he believes that the investigators will eventually find Crum-Ewing’s killers.
However, the source appeared to be less optimistic that the case would be solved if leads point to it being a politically motivated crime. Crum-Ewing, a former Queen’s College student and army officer, was gunned down two Tuesdays ago in Third Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, reportedly while urging residents, by way of a bullhorn, to vote against the ruling party in the upcoming General and Regional Elections. He was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head, and twice to the stomach. The killer used a .32 pistol and fired at such close range that gunpowder burns were left on his victim’s clothes and body. Police had stated that Crum-Ewing was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about his body. The autopsy has dispelled reports that CrumEwing was shot while trying to flee his killer(s). However, other reports suggest that there were only two men in the car that transported the shooter. A second car with another two men came up soon after. Police have also received reports that there was a brief verbal confrontation before the gunfire. Crum-Ewing’s mother, Donna Harcourt, has said that the postmortem left her with no doubt that the person who
executed her son was skilled in the use of firearms. Crum-Ewing’s relatives have alleged that he had complained twice of receiving threats. This occurred when the 40-year-old ex-army officer began staging his oneman protests outside Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall’s Carmichael Street office, while urging the Attorney General to resign in the wake of a recorded telephone conversation between himself and a Kaieteur News journalist. The first threat was reportedly made by an individual, who allegedly drove up to Crum-Ewing and said: “Anil ain’t going nowhere, so you better go or else…” On another occasion, he was reportedly told: “CrumEwing, you don’t mean to stop this stupidness?” They said that the protestor had reported these threats to the police and identified one of the individuals, but no action was taken. Crum-Ewing’s minibus was also vandalized. His stepfather, Eustace Harcourt, said that they had repeatedly cautioned the outspoken Crum-Ewing about taking unnecessary risks. “I would try to explain the dangers. I would tell him that I didn’t want him on the road late at night. “He would say: ‘if you have to live in fear, if you can’t talk, then I can’t live in this country.’
“I’m giving you a second chance. Please utilize it,” said Magistrate Judy Latchman to Quason Roberts. Roberts, a mechanic, avoided a lengthy jail sentence after the Magistrate committed him to the Skills and Knowledge for Youth Employment (SKYE) project. Roberts, 22, was found guilty by the said Magistrate on February 26, of robbing Theresa Fredericks of a Samsung Galaxy S5 mini phone along with her purse that contained $10,000 in cash on October 18, 2014 at East La Penitence. His matter, which was put down for two weeks pending a probation report concluded yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. The SKYE project works with at-risk youths, who are school dropouts and youths who have fallen foul of the juvenile justice system. The project provides the necessary education, skills, and behaviours for integration into the workforce. The Magistrate told Roberts that he seems to have tremendous potential and that he deserves a second chance. She took into consideration that it was the young man’s first offence and that he is a major provider for his family. She encouraged him to stay away from trouble and to be the best mechanic he can possibly be. Nonetheless, Roberts was warned that if he fails to attend the SKYE project he will be imprisoned for 48 months. Before making his way out
Shipping out timber is a challenge in Guyana - ITTO Shipping timber is a challenge in Guyana since “the access channel to the port is always under threat from heavy silting and this is a challenge for the authorities as regular dredging is necessary,” according to the recently published Tropical Timber Market Report. This month exports such as greenheart, purpleheart and mora logs, faced delays because of the silted port which is controlled by a Maritime Administration Department operating under the Maritime Act. The International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) report noted that draft limitations have always been a problem on the East Bank Shipping port along with the 3 to 4-metre tide range. Barama Company Ltd, East Bank Demerara, is the
leading forest resource and wood products company in Guyana. It is one of Guyana’s biggest employers, with approximately 1000 employees. Its core business includes the sale of hardwood logs and sawn timber, and the
manufacturing of plywood, decking and flooring products. The Guyana Forestry Commission’s Code of Practice for Timber Harvesting regulates the timber operations in the country. As good corporate
citizens, the company carefully conducts itself according to the laws of the land; and like all other operators, it is kept in check through continuous monitoring by the Guyana Forestry Commission.
Quason Roberts
of the court compound, he told reporters that he always prayed and he wanted to thank God for the outcome of the matter. He stressed, that he is advising other prisoners to pray because jail is not a nice place. Roberts was also charged with two other offences of robbery under arms; however they were dismissed. One of the dismissed charges stated that on October 18, last at East La Penitence, he robbed Jermaine Knights of one Premio motor car valued $2.8 M. The other offence stated that on the same day he robbed Knights of one Samsung touch cellular phone and $43,000 in cash. During the hearing on February 26, the magistrate informed the court that she will rely on the prosecution’s case. She also told Roberts that she will put no weight on the case led by the defence. Roberts gave an unsworn statement to the court and called two witnesses; who were his mother and girlfriend. Latchman informed the court that she strongly believes Fredericks (the victim) when she told the court that she positively identified Roberts during the course of the robbery. Since she looked at him for four minutes; and she had known him for one year because he worked at Brian’s Mechanic Shop. Fredericks who shares a relationship with Knights, testified that on the night of the robbery the car was parked on a dam next to a traffic light at East La penitence. She stated that there was light shinning from the vulcanizing shop. She further testified that Roberts approached her and asked, “What’s happening shorty?” and she replied, “I’m ok”. She then stated that Roberts demanded that she proceed down the dam but she refused. The woman informed the court that she was dealt several cuffs to her face by the man. She said that Roberts then entered the car and reversed. She said she thought that he was going to
hit her with the car, so she ran away. A few moments later she saw knights coming down the dam and they visited the police station. Fredericks’s medical report showed that she received lacerations to the face. During the trial, both the mother, Angus Roberts, and the girlfriend, Candacy Thompson, testified to the court that at the time of the robbery the defendant was at home. His girlfriend testified that she was with her boyfriend when the robbery occurred. She stated that she was watching African Moods with his family. The young woman claimed that on the night of the robbery she left the boyfriend’s house around 23:30hrs to go home. She further mentioned that before she left, she informed her lover who was sleeping that she was leaving. The prosecution refuted the girlfriend’s claims; they reflected on the mother’s testimony that was given to the court earlier in the trial. The prosecution pointed out that at no time during the mother’s testimony did she mention the girlfriend’s presence at the home. The girlfriend further went on to say that when she got home she called her mother-in-law and informed her that she was home. She noted that her boyfriend was at home when she called; although she did not speak at the time of the call. However, the prosecution questioned her statement. They doubted her, stressing that there is no way she could have known Roberts was at home if she did not make contact with him during the telephone conversation with his mother. Hence, the magistrate disbelieved that Roberts was at home when summing up the evidence at the end of the trial. Roberts first appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on October 28, 2014 and pleaded not guilty to the offense.
Tuesday March 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
Russia’s Putin reappears after 10 day absence, laughs off ‘gossip’ (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin reappeared yesterday after 10 unexplained days out of public view, laughing off the “gossip” over his health that had erupted during his absence. The 62-year-old leader met the president of Kyrgyzstan at a lavish Tsaristera palace outside St Petersburg in his first appearance since Feb. 5. His absence had fueled rumours he was ill, had been overthrown by the army or had even flown abroad to attend the birth of a love child. “It would be boring without gossip,” Putin said, smiling easily before television cameras. He looked relaxed, if pale. His spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, mocked the press for its interest, referring sarcastically to the various rumors: “So you’ve seen the broken, paralyzed president, who has been captured by generals? He’s only just flown in from Switzerland, where he attended a birth as you know.” In a choreographed double-act, Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev vouched for the Russian leader’s health, saying that Putin “just now drove me around the grounds; he himself sat at the wheel.” Putin’s return to public view coincided with Russia’s biggest military exercises since ties with the West sank to a post-Cold War low over the Ukraine crisis. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Putin had ordered nearly 40,000 troops to be at combat readiness for exercises in Russia’s Arctic North and elsewhere, which appeared meant to dwarf war games in neighboring NATOmember Norway. MACHO IMAGE The Russian leader prides himself on his macho image. In 2008 he said he worked like a “galley slave” to run Rus-
Russian President Vladimir Putin smiles during his meeting with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev sia. Typically, he is shown most days on state-controlled television, meeting officials in Moscow or traveling to Russia’s far-flung regions. During his absence, the Kremlin unexpectedly canceled a trip to Kazakhstan and a high profile meeting with officers of the main successor agency to the KGB. Pictures were posted on the Kremlin website of meetings Putin had with public figures, which, it later emerged, had been taken several days earlier. The absence began a week after an opposition leader was shot dead near the Kremlin walls, adding to an ominous atmosphere in a country suffering from an economic crisis worsened by international sanctions imposed over Putin’s decision to intervene in neighboring Ukraine. Throughout his absence Russian officials had said that Putin had been working. Peskov said he had answered “10 times over” what Putin was doing during his absence. “It is impossible to say anymore,” he said. Putin remains hugely popular in Russia, which has
experienced a surge of nationalist and anti-American sentiment fueled by state-run media since Putin sent troops to seize Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula a year ago. The military exercises are due to last for much of the week, during which Russia will celebrate the anniversary of its annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula, carried out with the help of special forces in the weeks after a pro-Moscow leader was toppled in Kiev. Since then, a swathe of eastern Ukraine that Putin calls “New Russia” has also tried to secede, leading to war in which 6,000 people have been killed. NATO says thousands of Russian troops are fighting there on behalf of proRussian rebels, which Moscow denies. Russia has repeatedly staged high-profile war games at pivotal moments during the Ukraine conflict. Despite the economic crisis brought on by low prices for its energy exports as well as Western sanctions, Putin has promised to spend more than 21 trillion rubles ($335 billion) to revamp the military by the end of the decade.
Italy hit by new public contracts corruption scandal (Reuters) - Italian police arrested four people and placed 51 under investigation yesterday in a probe into corrupt management of contracts for public works including part of a multi-billion euro high-speed train line. Police in Florence detained two suspects and put the other two under house arrest in the latest probe into the kind of widespread graft that Italy has long struggled to root out of business and politics.
The contracts in question are worth a total 25 billion euros ($26 billion), senior special operations policeman Mario Parente told a news conference. One of those arrested was named as Ercole Incalza, who until late last year held a senior position in the public works department of the Transport and Infrastructure Ministry and had served under several governments. According to the arrest warrant, the probe found that
one of those arrested had helped arrange a work contract for Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi’s son. Lupi rejected the accusation. The investigation began with suspicions over contracts to build part of the high-speed TAV rail line near Florence. It eventually unearthed a much broader web of wrongdoing including rigged contracts for the Milan Expo world fair, which was at the center of a corruption scandal last year.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 10, 2014
Aid agencies to begin helicopter flights to cyclone-stricken Vanuatu (Reuters) - International aid agencies are preparing to begin emergency helicopter flights today to the remote outer islands of Vanuatu, which they fear have been devastated by a monster cyclone that tore through the South Pacific island country. Disaster management officials and relief workers are still struggling to establish contact with the islands that bore the brunt of Cyclone Pam’s winds of more than 300 kph (185 mph) on Friday and Saturday. The cyclone killed at least 24 people and left some 3,300 people homeless after it destroyed homes, flattened buildings and washed away roads. Officials anticipate that number will rise once they are able to land on the outer islands of the scattered archipelago to inspect the damage there. “We have no contact of any sort with the outer islands, the priority is to get communications up and running. It’s very, very concerning that we haven’t heard anything from the outlying islands,” Joe Lowry, a spokesman for International Organisation for Migration (ILM), told Reuters in Port Vila. “If the devastation is as high as we think it is on those islands, there is a chance that the death toll will go up very significantly.” Aid agencies and rescue teams from Australia and New Zealand have flown over the islands, but have so far been unable to land because of flooding. The helicopters will be able to land on higher ground, giving rescue workers a clearer picture of the overall impact. The Australian Red Cross said it had reports of “total devastation” on the southern island of Tanna, with most homes destroyed and at least two people dead. Tanna, about 200 km (125 miles) south of the capital with its 29,000 inhabitants took the full force of the category 5 storm. Reports from aid groups also said the main town on the island of Erromango, north of Tanna, had suffered similar destruction. In Port Vila, the clean-up was beginning, but there were
worries about starvation after the main local food market was destroyed. The majority of locals rely on foods sold at the downtown market such as taro, island cabbage, bananas, kumala and yams for their staple diet. Shops selling tinned food were open and stocked in the capital, but most locals do not have the money to buy those foods and many were reported scavenging for bananas or fruit. “We have bread for the first time today because the bakery has opened,” said shop owner Colette Calvo. “We have water but the situation is very bad because people don’t have local food,” Calvo added. “All they can eat is food like bananas that they pick up off the ground and they can get sick.” Red Cross Vanuatu CEO Jacqueline de Gaillarde said shops were already low on supplies because people had stockpiled food before the storm but those supplies were then lost when homes were destroyed. Diseases, including dengue fever and malaria, were a concern amid widespread flooding, she added. Central Port Vila was relatively unscathed with most of the concrete buildings still standing, but as much of three-quarters of the capital’s houses were reported destroyed or severely damaged after seas surged as high as 8 meters (26 feet). Long queues formed at petrol stations, with many people lining up for hours. A 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew had been imposed in the capital to prevent looting, said Colin Collett van Rooyen,
Oxfam’s country manager. AIDARRIVING Formerly known as the New Hebrides, Vanuatu is a sprawling cluster of more than 80 islands and 260,000 people, 2,000 km (1,250 miles) northeast of the Australian city of Brisbane. Perched on the geologically active “Ring of Fire,” one of the world’s poorest nations suffers from frequent earthquakes and tsunamis and has several active volcanoes, in addition to threats from storms and rising sea levels. Military flights from New Zealand and Australia were bringing in water, sanitation kits, medicines and temporary shelters for the estimated 10,000 made homeless on the main island, with supplies being unloaded late into last evening at the airport. France and the United States were also sending aid. Commercial flights resumed yesterday, bringing in more aid and evacuating tourists. President Baldwin Lonsdale, who had been in Japan for a United Nations disaster conference when the storm hit, said it would take time for his country to recover. “What is happening now is that, as I’ve seen over and over again, the people of the republic of Vanuatu need humanitarian assistance at the moment,” he said. “And I’m very pleased with the international community that they have responded to my appeal.” Aid officials said the storm was comparable in strength to Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines in 2013 and killed more than 6,000 people.
Tuesday March 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 27
Serena breezes into fourth round at Indian Wells INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) - Top seed Serena Williams made short work of Kazakhstan’s Zarina Diyas in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday, obliterating her opponent 6-2 6-0 in just 53 minutes. Playing her second match at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden after deciding to end a 14-year boycott of the event where she had suffered alleged racist abuse, Williams broke an error-prone Diyas three times in each set to cruise into the last 16. Britain’s Heather Watson claimed her first victory over a top-10 ranked player with a 6-4 6-4 upset of world number eight Agnieszka Radwanska, while thirdseeded Romanian Simona Halep battled past American Varvara Lepchenko 6-1 3-6 61. “Things are going in the
Serena Williams (USA) during her match against Monica Niculescu (ROU) at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports) right direction,” Australian Open champion Williams said courtside after blasting five
aces and an array of searing groundstrokes past an outclassed opponent.
Tuesday March 17, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You will feel a strong sense of belonging to a family or community and a rush of affection for everyone involved. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) The aura today is calm and peaceful, stress is at a minimum. You're likely to be getting along very well with your group, even the more difficult among them. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Love and romance are apt to be among your top priorities today, Gemini. Someone from far away might have captured your heart. CANCER (June 21–July 22) A member of your household who's recovering from an illness could express appreciation for all your help, Cancer. This might come as a surprise because serving your friends is second nature to you. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The desire to write your thoughts on a subject you've been either thinking about or possibly even researching could arise today, Leo. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your artistic talents could be put to good use today fixing up wherever it is that you work on, Virgo. You might want to repaint, put up new plants or pictures, or do anything else that makes the place seem a little more dressed up.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) The visual arts should be of special interest to you today. Perhaps an exhibition by a favorite artist is opening, or maybe you've decided to try drawing or painting. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your imagination is flying high today, Scorpio. Whatever challenges come up, you will find ingenious solutions to them. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A phone call could come from a friend bringing great news your way today, Sagittarius. This could involve the success of a project of some kind that you've both been involved with. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Today you could surprise a close friend or lover with a gift. There may be no special occasion. You may have seen something in the store that you knew he or she would like or mentioned wanting. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A place far away that you haven't visited for a while yet long to see again could be on your mind today, Aquarius. You might toy with the idea of going there, but you aren't really sure if you can. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You should feel especially loving now, Pisces, especially toward that special someone. You might want to schedule an intimate evening, perhaps at a favorite restaurant.
“I was able to feel more consistent today and that really worked in my favor. I’m really glad to still be here and in the tournament. I love the support. “I was able to relax today because I was able to do more of the right things and not make as many mistakes as I did in my last round.” The world number one made a nervous start to her opening match in emotional circumstances on Friday before battling p a s t R o m a n i a’s Monica Niculescu 7-5 7-5, saying later she had been overwhelmed by the standing ovation she received from the crowd. HECKLED BY FANS Williams had skipped the showpiece event after winning her second title here in 2001, beating Kim Clijsters in a final marred by some spectators who booed and heckled the American and her family. The heckling was in apparent response to Serena’s sister Venus having withdrawn from their semi-final that year just minutes before the match, citing injury. Williams, who claimed her
Easter vacation swimming programme 2015 starts March 30 The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/National Sports Commission will conduct its annual Easter Swimming Programme during March 30- April 10, 2015. Interested persons are requested to make contact with Ms. Desiree Cummings at the Colgrain Pool, Camp Street, Georgetown or telephone number 226-0387 for the necessary information, between the hours of 08:00h – 16:30h. Children will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
Premier League record holder among stars to... (From page 31) me for the future. It is also a great opportunity to represent the country of my heritage and will allow me to gain further knowledge of my heritage and culture, which I know myself and family will be proud of.” Previously recruited from the Premier League ranks were brothers Carl and Leon Cort. With the addition of the latest duo from PL fame, Guyana’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifying chances have been further boosted.
19th grand slam singles crown at the Australian Open final in January, will next face fellow American Sloane Stephens, who scraped past Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6(4) 1-6 6-4. Watson broke seventhseeded Radwanska of Poland in the opening set, then stormed back from 2-4 down in the second to end the match after an hour and a half. It was the first time Watson had taken a set off Radwanska, having lost in their three previous WTA meetings, most recently in
the second round at Indian Wells last year. “I knew I’d have to play extremely well today, be patient and pull the trigger at the right time,” said the 22-yearold Channel Islander, who is ranked 43rd. “I think I found that balance very well today.” Eighth seed Ekaterina Makarova of Russia was ousted by Swiss Timea Bacsinszky 3-6 7-5 6-4 while 10th-seeded Czech Lucie Safarova was sent packing 76 7-5 by Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.
Boxer Pacquiao given random drug test Saturday LOS ANGELES, California (AFP) — Manny Pacquiao was given a random drug test Saturday, only two days after the US Anti-Doping Agency revealed the Filipino boxing icon and future foe Floyd Mayweather agreed to Olympic-style testing. A report on GMA News in Pacquiao’s homeland detailed that he had given blood and urine samples to a medical technician that made an unannounced visit to Pacquiao’s training area in Los Angeles. Pacquiao agreed to the extra doping protocol as part of the contract signed to fight unbeaten US rival Floyd Mayweather on May 2 in Las Vegas in a long-awaited bout that figures to shatter boxing
revenue records. Both Mayweather and Pacquiao must make themselves available for random blood and urine tests and provide US anti-doping officials with travel itineraries. They will also be tested after the fight. Samples will be examined for human growth hormone (HGH), erythropoietin (EPO) and other substances. Drug testing was an issue in 2010 when talks for a Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown failed. Mayweather accused Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs. Pacquiao denied the claim and sued Mayweather, a dispute the two settled out of court.
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Tuesday March 10, 2014
Trophy Stall/GBA Age Group Singles Tourney
Singh, Liu (boys & girls U-11); Cadogan U-13 girls, crowned champions When competition in the Trophy Stall sponsored, Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) Age Group Singles tournament continued on Saturday last at the Queen’s College Badminton Courts, Lesha Singh, Boaxiang Liu and Abosaide Cadogan all merged as the best from their respective age groups. Player’s from the following schools are competing against each other: Marian Academy, Queen’s College, Bishops High, St. Stanislaus College, Covent Garden Secondary, St. Gabriel’s Primary, St. Rose’s and School of the Nations in the Under-11, 13, 15 and 19 categories. The Under-11 Girls Singles was won by Lesha Singh, with the second place going to Reba Ramlall, Zarah Watson was third. Topping the Under-11 Boys Singles category was Baoxiang Liu of China followed by Ethan Bianchini and Abeva Jones in that order. Ruling the roost in the Under-13 Girls Singles division was Abosaide Cadogan
Players who competed in the Under-11 division. with Siya Persaud second and Wonita Yang, third. Following are results from the other matches contested on Saturday. Under-19 Boys Singles Round 1 Akili Haynes defeated Josh Odit: 21-10, 21-18 Under-19 Boys Singles Quarter-Finals Narayan Ramdhani got past Akili Haynes: 21-10, 21-18 Jonathan Mangra beat Ransell Ramsaroop: 21-5, 21-
14 Under-19 Boys Singles Semi-Finals Narayan Ramdhani took care of Hemraj Beharry: 2112, 21-1 Jonathan Mangra defeated Tyreese Jeffrey: 21-10, 21-12 Under-19 Girls Singles Quarter-Finals Priyanna Ramdhani trounced Nyckelle Yearwood: 21-0, 21-4 Abosaide Cadogan breezed past Andrea Bernard: 21-1, 21-2
Contestants from the Under-13 category. Under-19 Girls Singles Semi-Finals Priyanna Ramdhani beat Shonatta Lowe: 21-10, 21-5 Abosaide Cadogan trounced Amanda Daniels: 21-3, 21-6 Under-15 Boys Singles Semi-Finals Akili Haynes defeated Ransell Ramsaroop: 21-12, 21-5 Under-15 Girls Singles Quarter-Finals Siya Persaud got the better of Selena Persaud: 21-8, 21-2
Under-15 Girls Singles Semi-Finals Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Cassia lewis: 21-6, 21-7 Abosiade Cadogan beat Siya Persud: 21-9, 21-7 Under-13 Boys Singles Semi-Finals Baoxiang Liu defeated Etan Bianchini: 21-3 Under-13 Girls Singles Semi-Finals Abosaide Cadogan trounced Wonita Yang: 21-4 Siys Persaud thumped
Priyanka Shivnauth: 21-3 Under-13 Girls Singles Finals Abosaide Cadogan defeated Siya Persud: 21-12 Third Place: Wonita Yang defeated Priyanka Shivnauth: 21-17 Under-11 Boys Singles Semi-Finals Ethan Bianchini beat Abeva Jones: 21-17 Baoxiang Liu defeated Narendra Singh: 21-2 Under-11 Boys Singles Finals Baoxiang Liu trounced Ethan Bianchini: 21-1 Third Place: Abeva Jones defeated Narendra Singh: 21-11 Under-11 Girls Singles Semi Finals Reba Ramlall defeated Zarah Watson: 21-9 Under-11 Girls Singles Finals Lesha Singh defeated Reba Ramlall: 21-14 Third place went to Zarah Watson The tournament continues tomorrow at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 17:00hrs.
East Coast Guinness Joseph stars as Demerara A capture first leg tournament launched GSL/GSCL Inc Inter-County softball
By Zaheer Mohamed Kawson Joseph stroked a fine 98 as Demerara A defeated Berbice by 94 runs to capture the first leg of the Guyana Softball League/Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc/ National Sports Commission/ Essequibo Softball Cricket League and the Berbice Softball Alliance Inter-County T20 softball tournament which was contested Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club. Joseph slammed one four and fourteen sixes as Demerara A posted a challenging 278 all out in 20 overs, batting first. Skipper Chien Gittens struck an even half century inclusive of one four and five maximums while Safraz Esau scored 32 and Sachin Singh 31. Bishram Deolall snared 338 and Devindra Thakoordeen 2-33. Berbice threatened briefly as they were bowled out for 184 in 16.2 overs in reply. Pooran Debidyal scored 33 not out (6x4) while Steven De Freitas made 32 (3x4,2x6) and Delbert Hicks 24 (2x4,2x6). Martin Dutchin grabbed 4-32, while Richard Latiff took two wickets. Joseph was given the man of the match. Demerara A took home a trophy and $50,000 and Berbice
Members of the victorious Demerara A team display their accolades with officials of the GSL and GSCL Inc. received a trophy and $25,000. Demerara A, who are being sponsored by Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, finished the first leg with four points. They overcame Demerara B by one wicket in their semi-final encounter. Demerara B, who are being sponsored by Wolf’s Furniture Store, batted first and scored 163 all out in 18.5 overs. Amrit Rai cracked 28, Vishnu Tammechandra 18, Amir Nizamudeen 17 and Safraz Karim 16. Chien Gittens snared 3-17 and Mohamed Rafeek 3-25. Demerara A responded with 168-9 in 19.1 overs. Latiff led with 41, Ricky Sargeant made 24 not out, while Navin Singh and Joseph chipped in with 12
each. Nizamudeen claimed 328, Mark Harold 2-19 and Leo Singh 2-29. Berbice ended the leg with two points after defeating Essequibo by four wickets in their semi-final game. Essequibo scored 197-9 in 20 overs, batting first. Latchman Rohit top scored with 81, Patrick Rooplall hit 49 and Greg Singh 40. Darshan Chalitar and Thakoordeen took three wickets apiece. Berbice replied with 1996 in 18.2 overs. De Freitas cracked 68 and Thakoordeen 64. Wazir Hossain and Yodhan Sooklall had one scalp each. The second leg will be played in Berbice while the third leg will be contested in
Essequibo. The competition is still open since the teams with the most points after the three legs will advance to the grand finale which will be held in Demerara later this year. The first leg was hosted by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL) while the trophies were sponsored by Trophy Stall. Meanwhile, GSCL thumped West Demerara by 32 runs in the Masters game. GSCL Masters took first strike and managed 165-9 in 20 overs. Eric Thomas made 28 and Rudolph Baker 18. West Demerara Masters responded with 133-6 in 20 overs. Randolph Perreira got 40; Clyde Butts claimed 2-5 and Rahaman Khan took 2-24.
Conceding that the undeniable success of the format has inundated his telephone with calls, Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste speaking at the Launch of the East Coast segment Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ in the Banks DIH Boardroom yesterday, showered praise on the fans, teams, Petra Organisation and media for the support they’ve given over the existence of the tournament. Baptiste told the gathering that included tournament organiser Troy Mendonca, referees co-ordination Wayne Griffith, Banks DIH Area Supervisor Clive Pellew and the Company’s Communications Manager Troy Peters of the tournament’s increasing demand, citing calls by many communities, expressing desire to be part of the competition. The Brand Manager referenced a call he received yesterday morning from Bartica enquiring about the possibility of their event being staged during the
upcoming Regatta celebrations. Mendonca, who is responsible for the organisational component of the tournament in his remarks, echoed similar sentiments to that of Baptiste, lauding the support from the players, teams, fans and the media over the years. He disclosed that sixteen teams will be participating in this year’s competition with host Haslington, being the only new team. The other teams are: A n n ’s G r o v e P u n t e r s , Buxton, Beterverwagting ‘A’, Beterverwagting ‘B’, C h u r c h Ya r d U n i t e d , M a h a i c a , M e l a n i e ‘ A’ , Melanie ‘B’, Nabacalis, Paradise, Plaisance ‘A’, P l a i s a n c e ‘ B ’ , Vi c t o r i a Eagles and Vryhied’s Lust. The winning team will receive $300,000, runner-up $150,000, 3rd place $100,000 and 4th place $50,000 along with trophies. The top two teams will advance to the national playoffs set for early June.
Tuesday March 10, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Providence capture R 1 GoG, Jumbo Jet, Buddy’s and Vodka dominoes title RHTY&SC Silver Jubilee
Fitness Express involved
More corporate support has come the way of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club for the club’s yearlong Silver Jubilee Anniversary Celebrations. Heading the list of the latest contributors is the Government of Guyana. The Office of the President last week donated a set of trophies to the club for its Tribute to Heroes programme which would be held in April, while Jumbo Jet of Smyth Street, Georgetown, Fitness Express and Buddy’s Pool Hall of Sheriff Street, Georgetown made financial contributions to the club’s cricket development programme. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to the donors, specially mentioning the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the President, Mr. Omar Shariff, Mr. Buddy Shivraj of Buddy’s, Nazar Mohamed Jnr. of Jumbo Jet and Mr. Jamie Mc Donald of Fitness Express. Foster said that the financial donations were used to purchase cricket balls and gears for the cricket developmental programme which is being organized by Coach Delbert Hicks.
Fitness Express Manager/Owner Jamie McDonald hands over donation Hilbert Foster Under this programme, junior cricketers (Under-13 and 15) are exposed to the rudiments of the sport to prepare them for the future. Forster reminded that the club intends to make the year 2015 a memorable one and noted that the support of corporate Guyana and the Government of Guyana have been overwhelming, noting that it would allow the club to fulfill its target of 200 programmes/ activities for the year. The long serving administrator also disclosed that the RHTY&SC would also be unveiling several one-day 5-
over cricket competitions for second division teams shortly. Twelve clubs who have genuine interest in the development of Berbice Cricket would be invited to be part of the tournament. The club, which was formed in 1990 by three-time Guyana and Commonwealth Youth Service Awardee, the St. Francis Community Developer’s is widely regarded as Guyana’s leading youth and sports organization with an unmatched list of activities and achievements.
GCA/Hadi’s World City Mall Inc first division
Police take first innings from GNIC A fine all-round performance by Rocky Hutson, coupled with half centuries by Randolph Knights and Vikesh Dhaniram handed Police first innings points over GNIC when the lone fixture in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/Hadi’s World City Mall Inc first division two-day tournament ended as a drawn encounter on Sunday. Batting first at Malteenoes SC, Police posted 302 all out. Hutson struck 62 while Knights made 58, Dhaniram 51, Andrew Lyght 45 and Kelvin Leitch 33. Ronale Bourne captured 3-5 and Orlando Kirton 3-88. GNIC were bowled out for 209 in reply. Jermaine Grosvenor slammed 59; Jason George made 47 and Kirton 20. Hutson bagged 5-28 while Darson La Rose and Knights picked up two each. Leading by 93, Police were 187-9 at stumps, batting a second time on the final day. Lyght cracked 47; Seon Daniels made 40 and Leitch 30. Kirton claimed three wickets and Grosvenor two.
From left Rocky Hutson, Randolph Knights and Vikesh Dhaniram
Jermaine Grosvenor (left) and Jason George
Providence chalked up 77 games to capture the R1 Vodka dominoes title on Sunday night last at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sports Club Camp Ayanganna. Specialist placed second with 76 games, while Sparton finished third on 67. Keon Davis made 17 and Trevor Smith 15 for the winners, while William Sergeant made 16 and Kanhai Samaroo 15 for the runner up team. Kanhai Samaroo and Orin
Faye Joseph Chance were Sparton’s leading players with 15 each.
Providence pocketed a trophy and $100,000, Specialist a trophy and $50,000 and Sparton a trophy and $30,000. Meanwhile, president of the Georgetown Dominoes Association, Faye Joseph will be hosting a free entry tournament starting at 19:30 hrs on Wednesday night at her residence in Gaulding Place. The finals will be contested on Thursday night at the said venue.
Stay calm, play with freedom - Williamson Trent Boult v Chris Gayle will be one of the key contests in the quarter-final © Getty Images
ESPNcricinfo - An unbeaten group stage. Eight one-day wins internationals in a row and 21 in 31 matches since the start of January 2014. It’s an impressive record for New Zealand, but they know it will not count for much if the result goes against them in the World Cup quarter-final against West Indies in Wellington on Saturday. It will be the last of the four quarters played, giving New Zealand a lengthy build-up which can be both a help and hindrance. It gives Adam Milne more time to overcome his shoulder injury, which kept him out of the match against Bangladesh, but also risks feeding the tension that inevitably comes with knockout cricket. New Zealand have reached six World Cup semifinals without going any further, including the last two, losing to Sri Lanka both times. They shape as a potential opponent in Auckland this time should they overcome West Indies who have been the least convincing of the eight teams to qualify. For now, though, only Saturday matters. “After playing good, we know that everything starts
again,” Kane Williamson said. “Anything in the past is quickly forgotten.” Williamson started what is likely to be plenty of mentions of not treating the quarter-final any differently by saying a relaxed outlook will serve New Zealand best. “We don’t want to try too hard, it’s important you are relaxed and calm because that’s when you play your best cricket. With it being on the line we need to look at it with freedom so we can express ourselves in highpressure situations. “We’ve played six games and each one has been very different, so it’s nice to have all those experiences going into the quarter-final but we need to keep playing with that calm aggression we have had in the group stage.” West Indies were without Chris Gayle against UAE after his long-standing back complaint flared up on the morning of the game, but he is likely to play the quarter even if not at full fitness. Gayle has had one stand-out performance in the World Cup, his 215 against Zimbabwe, alongside scores of 36, 4, 3 and 21. Regardless of a bad back or his inconsistency, he is certainly firmly on New Zealand’s radar.
“Everyone knows what Gayle can do, he’s one of the biggest matchwinners in world cricket,” Williamson said. “It’s important we put a little bit of focus on him, but more important we look at ourselves. When he plays well, he takes any team down. Still, if you bowl well you can get anyone out. We’ve got world-class players as well.” New Zealand’s most recent one-day meeting with West Indies was the 2013-14 series, which ended 2-2. New Zealand suffered their second-heaviest defeat in ODIs, by 203 runs, in Hamilton. Kirk Edwards and Dwayne Bravo, neither p a r t o f t h e Wo r l d C u p , scored hundreds that day in a 211-run fourth-wicket stand. Barring Jesse Ryder’s presence at the top of the order, the spot now taken by Brendon McCullum opening the batting with Grant Elliott in the middle, New Zealand’s top order was the same as the one which will line up in Wellington. However, of the bowling attack only Tim Southee and Corey Anderson are likely to be present this time if Milne recovers to take his spot back from McClenaghan.
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Kaieteur News
Champions defend title as Hikers Hockey Club 5th Annual Junior Indoor Tournament concludes Unlike day two where new champions were crowned in the three categories completed, the final day of the 5th annual Hikers Hockey Club Junior Indoor Tournament saw all three defending champions retaining their crowns. Although teams in the Global Technology inter schools category were more evenly matched than in years past, Christ Church still managed to retain their title against a Queens College team that boasted senior national player, Aliyah Gordon, and junior national, Hilton Chester, while Marian Academy edged St. Stanislaus College for third place. The Woodpecker Products under 21 categories were also a lot more competitive than in years past but in the end both GCC and Hikers won their 5th consecutive title in the girls and boys categories respectively. In addition to trophies and medals the champions and most valuable players of the Global Technology Inter Schools category also received gift certificates for free computer classes at the institution. The most valuable players of the category were Hilton Chester and Aliyah Gordon both of Queen’s College. In the iNet Communications Under 13 category Ian Burke (GCC Gladiators) and Madison Fernandes (GCC Lightening Bolts) were voted the respective MVPs, while in the Global TechnologyUnder 16 Categories it was an Old Fort sweep with Carolyn Dean and Shaquille Thomas taking away the awards. The Woodpecker Products under 21 MVPs were Jamarj Assanah (Hikers) and Ashley DeGroot (GCC). The MVPs of these three categories received gift certificates for varying amounts, all redeemable at Woodpecker Products. In their closing remarks the juniors of the host club, who organized the tournament, thanked the Ministry of Sports for allowing them the use of the facility and also their main sponsors Global Technology, iNet Communi-
cation, Woodpecker Products & Brand It for making the tournament a success. The tournament was the largest of its kind to date, attracting 146 junior hockey players. Final Results: Global Technology Inter Schools Category Champions - Christ Church (Rahim Oliver, Kareem McKenzie, Daniel Hooper & Tyrese Edghill) Runners-up - Queens College (Hilton Chester, Minsodia Culpepper, Meshach Williams, Vishnu Singh, Kirk Persaud & Aliyah Gordon) Third Place - Marian Academy (Rosario Ramsammy, Jesse Newton, Eleomar Silva, Brian Sucre, Lanika Persaud, Makeda Harding & Daniel Brazao) iNet Communications Under 13 Category Champions - Hikers Innovation (Tahrea Garnett, Baraka Garnett, Joash James, Michael D’Andrade & Makeda Harding) Runners-up - GCC Gladiators(Seth Jefferey, Darrius Andrews, Darren Frank, Vladimir Woodroffe, John Dias, Lance Choy & Ian Burke) Third Place - Saints (Shakeem Fausette, Jaden Waddell, Nickel Ashby & Chelsea McEwan) Global Technology Under 16 Girls Champions - Hikers (Makeda Harding, Sanasha Corlette, Annalisa Singh, Chavin Medas, Tiffany Higgins, Leevanna Marciano & Sue-Fawn Hines) Runners-up – GCC (Atteya Ally, Dominique Woodroffe, Camyla deMoraes, Madison Fernandes & Mickelly Rahaman) Third Place - Old Fort (Carolyn Dean, Cassie Campbell, Marina Kush & Venorique Sampson) Global Technology Under 16 Boys Champions - Old Fort Vikings (Omar Hopkinson, Deheron Wilkinson, Shaquille Thomas & Richard Thomas) Runners-up -
GCC(Kareem McKenzie, Daniel Hooper, Ian Burke, Meshach Sargeant, Michael Hing, Samuel Woodroffe & Rahim Oliver) Third Place - Saints Silencers(Ezekiel Springer, Shemar Boston, Myron Phillips, Delmar Ng, Edmond Chinnian, Troy Hodge & Nicholas Ashby) Woodpecker Products Under 21 Girls Champions - GCC (Ashley DeGroot, Briawna Gordon, Aliyah Gordon, Dacia Woodroffe, Dominique Woodroffe, Rebecca Xavier, Kellyan Latchman, Rea Jodah & Lanika Persaud) Runners-up - Hikers (Latacia Chung, Macaela Harding, Nicole Eastman, Cherub Autar, Annesa Permal, Florence Looknauth, Maryann Murray, Makeda Harding, Sanasha Corlette, Annalisa Singh, Chavin Medas, Tiffany Higgins) Third Place - Old Fort(Bushani Kaladeen, Minsodia Culpepper, Emani Barker, Candace Glen, Sarafina Phillips, Marina Kush, Owinter Henry, Shonnet Freeman, Carolyn Dean, Cassie Campbell, Malica Dey & Venorique Sampson) Woodpecker Products Under 21 Boys Champions - Hikers (Jamarj Assanah, Aroydy Branford, Andrew Stewart, Robert Brumell, Joshua Carew, Deryck Blair, Tivesarid Garnett, Shomere Garnett, Christian Sumeer, Shemar Sears, Joash James & Tahrea Garnett) Runners-up - GCC (Eleomar Silva, Mark Sargeant, Rosario Ramsammy, Keon McKenzie, Daniel Hooper, KAreem McKenzie, Lennox Carrol, Ian Burke, Medroy Scotland, Shaquille Leung & Meshach Sargeant) Third Place - Old Fort(Omar Hopkinson, Stephon Sprosta, Shaquille Thomas, Deheron Wilkinson, Denzil Jacobs, Dominic Alleyne, Mark Fraser, Trolex Young & Stefan King)
GCA/NBS Second division tourney
Victories for Police and UG Police and University of Guyana (UG) recorded victories when the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/ New Building Society second division 40-over tournament continued on Sunday with two matches. At Eve Leary, Police defeated Third Class by 56 runs. Batting first, the host managed 267-8 off their allotted overs. Stephan James led with
68; Eon Rodrigues scored 40 and Trevor Benn 39. Samuel Mohabir claimed 3-44 and Keon Bailey 3-53. Third Class were bowled out for 211 in 38 overs in response. Yuvindra Ramanan scored 69, Andre O Neil 38 and Bailey 25. Ramcharran Bhowan grabbed 4-32 and Harris 2-52. At Muslim Youth Organisation, UG overcame Diplomats by 40 runs. UG bat-
ted first and scored 176 all out in 36.3 overs. Dwayne Dodson got 35, R. Bridgelall 33 and M. Persaud 29. E. Sukra claimed 3-31, E. Ally 2-12 and D. Paul 2-25. Diplomats were routed for 136 in 29 overs in reply. Horace Mohamed struck 53 and D. Paul 24. Dodson bagged 4-25, Michael Shallim 3-26 and Lloyd George 2-42. (Zaheer Mohamed)
Tuesday March 10, 2014
GIFA launches first project in Guyana
Schools and clubs across Guyana received football equipment from non-profit organisation GIFA. The Guyana International Football Association (GIFA) has just concluded it inaugural programme in Guyana. From February 28 – March 7 a series of four coaching clinics were conducted in four areas in Guyana. Beginning on Sunday March 1 youth soccer clinics were conducted at Ann’s Grove United, on the East Coast of Demerara, followed by a similar at Berbice High School in New Amsterdam on Tuesday March 3; Buxton United, also on the East Coast of Demerara
on Wednesday March 4; and finally on Saturday March 7 at the MacKenzie Sports Club ground. All the sessions were well attended and the participants eagerly participated in the planned activities. Each group was presented with at least eight soccer balls, 18 tee-shirts, 18 sport bags and an assortment of related items such as ball pins and pumps. The clinic was conducted by Stan Harmon, a GIFA founder member and a United
States Soccer Federation licensed coach and A National Soccer Coaches of America certified coach. In the previous three years Mr. Harmon had conducted courses for school coaches for the Scotia-Pepsi Schools programme. Guyana International Football Association is a global non-profit organization tasked with effecting change in Guyana’s football fortunes by initiating and supporting football development at all levels.
Letter to the Sports Editor
Essequibo remains on the sideline for Kashif and Shanghai tournament Dear Editor, It is inconceivable that after more than twenty years of competition, Essequibo still remains isolated from participating in one of the premier football tournaments in Guyana. I would have highlighted this blunder on more than one occasion, yet the organizers have been reluctant to positively respond and with the interest that they seem to portray for football development. In fact not even a single school team was invited from Essequibo when the tournament took a diversion from senior to junior last year. Mr. Aubrey Shanghai Major once aspired to the presidency of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and may still do so in the future. Given such gross disrespect for the Essequibo constituent however, I am of the opinion that as a Director of Kashif and Shanghai he needs to get his angle correct, since football should to be kicked in all corners of
endeavor. I am amazed at the unconditional support that the Organization receives annually including from the Government, yet the organizers are reluctant to invest in the sport especially in rural areas. Even sponsors from North America have shown considerable interest and I am sure that their vision was to see the game rise in every village, community and town. It is a travesty that Essequibians are being denied from showcasing their talent in a nationalistic way since the best footballers would be on display from the various clubs. I believe that the Normalization Committee headed by Mr. Clinton Urling, who is quite competent, should have insisted that an Essequibo team is represented on the itinerary before sanctioning the tournament. This would have been a tremendous opportunity for the aspiring footballers from the county and it would have also paved the way for the sport to evolve institutionally, structurally and technically. I
am indeed impressed with the skill level of some of the players and with continuous training, commitment and support; they can compete against the best in the country. A visit to the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground on any day will attest to my view. The Essequibo Football Association has been fully functional after years of dormancy, therefore I am appealing to the authorities to make meaningful representation for the players; otherwise I am not convinced that this will ever be done by the Kashif and Shanghai organization on the premise of promoting football. Perhaps Prime Minister Samuel Hinds should have been enquiring from them every time he presents the winning trophy for the competition, especially with the intention of promoting peace and unity during this election period. It is time that Essequibo’s talented footballers are removed from the sidelines. Yours Faithfully, Elroy Stephney