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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
DEGREES OF DESPERATION ARE INFINITE
An English novelist once said, “We all need money, but there are degrees of desperation.” This is indeed true. The socalled “root of all evil” - the love of money - continues to burrow its way deeper into the human psyche. The constant need for money often ups the ante - sometimes to the point of irrationality. Everyone has a story to tell. Our lives go in different directions. That’s the way of the perfectly constructed world in which we live. We have commitments, and in most cases, we address them as best we could. But many are desperate in the face of critical needs. The solutions seem few and/or distant. The clock in their head indicates that time is running out. And then there is the breakdown. Despite all the lunacy that occurs around us on a daily basis, at times we are forced to stop and reflect on the risks human beings are willing to take to lessen their financial burden or try to improve their status in society. Such risks have existed from the beginning of time, but there always seems the need for open debate as to circumstances, reasoning and consequences. Reports that a popular Guyanese bodybuilder and powerlifter was taken into custody in the United States last weekend after being busted at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport with cocaine-filled pellets in his stomach, will obviously spark another such debate. We are not privy to the state of affairs at this man’s home, but one could surmise that his actions were as a result of him being his family’s breadwinner, and the fact that the aforesaid clock was ticking a lot louder than normal. The situation must have been dire for this individual to have taken such a chance. Or it could be the flip-side; that a level of laziness and not wanting to work hard had triggered an absurdity. The latter scenario is somewhat incongruous with someone who is dedicated to a competitive sport, and does so at the highest level, so we will have to assume that the former is the case. Those who have travelled can attest to the rigours associated with even the most basic routes and routines, and thus would be dumbfounded that anyone would agree to embark on such a journey having ingested a potentially deadly substance - for what in the circumstances could be a fee that more than likely would barely lessen their financial stress. Just consider the long hours of flying; the often frenzied atmosphere at major airports; the nature of Customs and Immigration procedures; the distinct possibility of profiling; the professionalism and alertness of most law enforcement officials at those ports, and last but certainly not least, the likelihood of chaotic scheduling. Thus, bearing in mind any or all of the above, it is no surprise that the anxious-looking traveller was approached for an inspection by Customs agents shortly after arriving at JFK. It was revealed in the court complaint document that “During the inspection, the defendant appeared unusually nervous, specifically, the defendant was physically shaking and sweating heavily”. And during a secondary search, the man told Customs officials that he had swallowed “foreign bodies”. An x-ray confirmed this, and he later began passing cocaine-filled pellets. Perhaps indebted in his homeland, he now has a huge debt to pay to society in a foreign land. A simple story, well enough, but the details are disgustingly familiar. The degrees of desperation are infinite. Who feels it knows it. Whatever the case, and our opinions, this is a sad reflection of what many of our citizens are becoming… dangerously desperate. The vicious cycle will continue. This individual would more than likely have mentioned his grim financial situation to a “friend”, who in turn would have hooked him up with someone of means, who then promised him his “day in the sun” and in the process somehow convinced him to repeatedly swallow his way to potential demise. Sadly, he won’t be the last to do so.
Friday May 30, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
Does Mr. Freddie Kissoon stand with us or against us? DEAR EDITOR, I refer to Freddie Kissoon’s letter captioned “I can’t recall seeing Sherod Duncan in the protest but”, published in your news papers on May 25, 2014. Firstly, I believe that Mr. Kissoon will give me the benefit of the doubt that I was a little more than “sympathetic” about his dismissal from the University’s employ, but matched intolerance for injustice with action in a public show of my discontent. Secondly, I would not engage a discussion on the most popular student president, having served as the helm of the University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS) my view is immediately jaundiced, perhaps. I would state only here that when the young flower we had in Yohance Dogulas was plucked prematurely from bloom it was a heavy time for all. I don’t how I ended up in the march from UG to the length of Brickdam and at the nights of vigil on Sheriff Street. But having
opportunity to size up my colleague I would argue that Robert Bourne leading the Society at such a tumultuous time showed tremendous fortitude; little in student life prepares you for such a circumstance. But I do not want to distract too long from the issue at hand: the severance of the special arrangement for admittance of the top twenty-five law students from the University of Guyana (UG) into the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS). Mr. Kissoon’s suggests that, “nowhere in his letter did he agree that the focus should now be for law students to pressure the Government of Guyana in having our own law school or reinstitute Guyana’s stipend to the Council for Legal Education,” referring to my letter of May 23, 2014 generously published by your newspapers. I refer Mr. Kissoon to my letter of April 7, 2014, “The time has come for a local law school” also published by Kaieteur News. I am, additionally, in the
process of rationalizing the Government’s position at the time regarding the withdrawal the “stipend” and if it has had a causal effect on where we are today. But more than that, this situation offers us a teachable moment and a chance at something historic in setting up our own law school. Mr. Kissoon does not have to stand for us, what I would like to know is if Mr. Kissoon stands with us or against us? We have begun a petition to encourage the Government of Guyana to make concrete steps and a strong commitment towards the establishment of our own law school. I invite Mr. Kissoon to stand in solidarity with us and sign our petition, found here: http://www.change.org/enGB/ petitions/government-of-guyanato-establish-a-local-law-school# Sherod Duncan, Student-at-Law, Class of 2014
No intelligent businessman would invest in cane at Skeldon
DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to respond to Mr E. B. John’s letter at page 4 of Kaieteur News Saturday 24th of May, 2014, captioned Private Cane Farmers to the Rescue. Mr. John, I agree with almost all that you have written but I have some useful insights and facts that you may not be aware of: (a) No intelligent businessman or farmer would do any investment in cane at Skeldon. It makes no economic sense to do so. Because of the performance of the Skeldon factory and the failures of Guysuco, the existing Skeldon Cane farmers are in dire financial strain. Some farms have already gone out of existence. (b) Guysuco has contractual agreements with the farmers. However, it does not honour any arrangements it has with the farmers nor does it follow the National Cane Farming Act. Instead, it is sucking the life blood out of the farmers by imposing ridiculous charges on the farmers like 50% mark up machine hours and refusing to pay farmers the money due to them after selling the sugar produced (farmers in other parts of the country have been paid already). As a result the farmers cannot pay their loans and do not have the resources to do proper crop husbandry to safeguard their crops. (c) The National Cane Farming Committee is spineless, does not represent the best interest of Cane farmers and is being chaired by a political “hack”. (d) Guysuco provides no meaningful assistance to the Skeldon farmers and cannot “apply its expertise to assist” when it does not listen to the experts in its employ. (e) Not one cent of the E. U money went to the Skeldon Cane farmers and
the figures show that they need it the most. I think that the E. U Ambassador should be aware of this by now. (f) The Chairman of the board of Directors of Guysuco in his wisdom has one Estate Manager managing the two largest estates in the country (Albion and Skeldon) for the last 6 months. How is this humanly possible? It is common knowledge that every Estate Manager that has been sent to Skeldon has failed. For the last 5 days, that is, 22nd to 26th of May 2014 the TCTS at Skeldon Estate has been 40, 54, 81, 35, 40 respectively. How can the Skeldon farmers survive with this? How can there be a turn around with these outputs? (g) Government made several promises to assist the Skeldon Farmers none of which have been kept. One that was critical to the survival of the farmers was made about four years ago
when Government promised to lower the interest charges the farmers have been paying to the banks. The farmers are still waiting for this to happen. The industry is performing so poorly that it requires a “bailout” every year from the government. Yet there is no bailout for the Skeldon farmers who are suffering the brunt of it despite there best efforts. So Mr. John, Guysuco’s “Strategic Plan” is to guarantee that the Skeldon Farmers fail and thereby ensuring that the New Skeldon Factory is the greatest failure in the history of our country. It is a known fact that without the farmers the factory will fail. Given the resources the farmers will continue to better quality and quantity of canes. The Skeldon Cane farmers need to be rescued. Anand.(Farmer@Skeldon)
I condemn this attempt to silence the electronic media DEAR EDITOR, As an overseas based Guyanese, professional for over 30 years, it is with deep concern and disappointment that I read of the recent activity by the Government to penalize and monopolize the Television and Radio Media’s Independence in Guyana. If what is written in the Kaieteur News on Friday May 16th 2014, is even 50 percent truthful, then as a PPP supporter, I would like to condemn in no uncertain terms, the orchestrated attempts by the powers that be to silence the Television and Radio Media by imposing a 2.5million tax. My Organization- “Association of Concern Guyanese”, would like to alleviate and assist those owners who
cannot afford to pay this over whelming tax increase. My organization is willing to finance 25 percent to 50 percent or even more to these endangered owners of television and radio licenses. My O rg a n i z a t i o n c a n r e m i t f u n d s immediately to assist in the payments in exchange for Broadcast Time or Partial Ownership. This Organization is in no way connected or affiliated with the Government of Guyana or any Religious Organization. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me on 1-347-4549693 or email me at philipguyana@ gmail.com Association of Concerned Guyanese
Friday May 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
We condemn the hijacking Still awaiting payment from this miller of Independence celebration DEAR EDITOR, Over the past decades, residents of Region Five, from as far as Mahaica to Ithaca, no matter race, religion, status, sex or political affiliations will come together in celebrating Guyana’s National Holidays together at one place in a very positive way and unite in making sure that its incident free. Residents look forward in taking their families, relatives, friends and event associates to enjoy Guyana cultural diversity being displayed by all the races of this great land of ours and in having a good, clean, pure and enjoyable moment. And the Independence Celebration is one of those activities that residents look forward to. The AFC RMC in the region along with residents was shock to know that this present PPP\C Regional Administration has now shown their real side in 2014 by making Guyana Independence Celebration a political one and just for the PPP\C members and supporters to attend in the region. Over the past decades the residents will show up in their numbers to start the traditional celebration for Independence by braving whatever the circumstances are just for the flag raising ceremony, which normally be on the night before Independence each year and Guyana’s rich cultural displays. They will enjoy each item that is on the agenda be it Indian, African and Amerindian dances, songs, poem, skits, etc. They will make sure that as the clock strikes minutes to twelve, that they witness the hoisting of the Golden Arrow Head and enjoy the Police March Pass. They will look to that flag with respect and pay homage to our ancestors and all others that struggle for an Independent Guyana and after the flag is in the Air, they will interact with each other and congratulate one another
as we all live in respect and unity. All look forward for this traditional celebration to be maintained, where we can all come together. This year it is sad to see that many turn up as usual the night before Independence to witness the traditional flag raising ceremony and to enjoy the rich cultural display but were disappointed. The Regional Administration of Region 5 and the PPP\C took it upon themselves to change the long old tradition in the way we celebrate our Independence which was struggled for and gained by ALL no matter their race, religions or political affiliations in the years leading up to 1966 and until the day we were set free they fight the fight. The PPP\C administration set the traditional flag raising ceremony for 7am on the morning of Guyana’s Independence at the Regional Administration compound. This event saw mainly the taking part of PPP members and supporters, with a crowd of about 40 persons. The speakers at this event spoke as if only PPP members struggled for Guyana Independence and that no one else joint in the struggle. But we must all understand that this changing of the Flag raising is being done so as to only have the PPP people involved and we in the AFC RMC in Region 5 denounce such statements and way of celebrating. We must all joint together
in celebrating Guyana National Holidays. Guyana belongs to ALL of us and not just the PPP\C Top Brass, members and supporters. But we also know that this changing of the traditional flag raising ceremony is being done because the PPP\C had a fund raising Horse race meeting in West Berbice and many of the regional and PPP top brass would not have made it to the event that night because of the after party and so the PPP top brass decided to change it and set the ceremony for the next morning. Imagine that our national celebrations are being trampled upon by this government all because they wanted to be like and are showing that they are just like Burnham, dictators. The Alliance For Change Regional Management Committee (AFC RMC) of Region 5 is calling on the Regional Administration of Region 5 to explain to the residents of the Region as to why Guyana’s Independence Celebration tradition was all of a sudden change in the region as to the traditional eve of Independence flag raising ceremony. We call on the residents of the region, the regional councilors to condemn this act of hijacking our national celebration by the PPP and also we are asking that the regional administration of region 5 make public as to what is the cost the flag raising ceremony seems it’s a PPP branded activity. AFC RMC Region 5
DEAR EDITOR, Scores of farmers from Region Two are still awaiting payment much to their suffering, inconvenience and unbearable hardship from Golden Fleece Rice Investment Mill despite a documented contractual agreement at the time of buying their paddy for the last crop. The document specifically states that 50% of the total amount will be paid two weeks later from the date the paddy was purchased and the balance within 42 days of the signing of the agreement. During the month of March this year the mill made purchases and both the duration for the part and full payments have passed without farmers being able to
get any money whatsoever thereby breaching the contract. Farmers just keep flocking the mill on a daily basis for their money in vain and much to their frustration with company officials only saying “No money yet. Keep checking”. The indignity meted out here is bad but worst still the proprietor is never available to meet the affected farmers and to get a good word from him as to when payment would be made. While the farmers are kept in suspense for this to be done they are being pestered and embarrassed to fulfill their financial obligations to their creditors. “Who feels it knows with with farmers having to beg for their hard earned money
which is their only source of income for survival. Just imagine some parents don’t have money to buy food and to send their children to school. Some form of positive action needs to be taken by G.R.D.B. to ensure that payment is made on time and for a penalty to be imposed on the miller when this is not done. The proprietor should also be advised not to buy paddy without having money to make payment as in the end farmers are placed in a serious predicament through no fault of their own. Farmers had no option but to sell their produce to this mill which makes it compulsory to do once its harvestor was used. Concerned farmer
These airlines are looking into the future DEAR EDITOR, The former Prime Minister of Trinidad, Dr. Eric Williams, once stated that one minus ten leaves zero when he was referring to the possibility of his island withdrawal from the West Indian Federation. This type of thinking permeates Trinidad owned Caribbean Airlines. Their fares are high when they are the only operator for a route and the moment a competitor enters and offers a lower fare, Caribbean Airlines quickly matches it. This is the rip off we get from our Caricom neighbor and yet still we have in
parliament the opposition blocking the project for the construction of a larger and modern airport which will give us more choices. The construction of the new airport is now in its infancy and already you have two new airlines planning to start operations in July 2014. This is forward planning by these two new airlines, Copa
and Instel. They are looking into the future and see the growth trajectory of a new airport and as such are positioning themselves to benefit from it. I wish these two airlines all the success and cannot wait to visit the exciting destinations of Aruba, Curacao and Panama. Reggie Bhagwandin
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Kaieteur News
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US-based maid indicted Opposition endangering for cocaine in fish AML/CFT non-passage…
welfare of Guyanese - President Ramotar President Donald Ramotar yesterday called upon the opposition to “unconditionally” pass the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill so as to “limit the harm already done and the dangers to our people’s well being.” The Head-of-State’s call came on the heels of the statement released by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) which sought to warn its members against doing business with Guyana. The President in a missive released yesterday afternoon acknowledged that CFATF had, a few hours before, issued a public statement informing “the world” that Guyana poses serious risks to the International Financial System. CFATF called upon its members to take measures to protect their systems from those risks. The President said that his government did “everything possible” to secure a safe passage of the controversial piece of legislation. Ramotar pointed out that the AML/CFT Bill was laid in the National
President Donald Ramotar Assembly since last year April and noted, “Had it been passed then, Guyana would not be in this situation today.” The President also mentioned that the Opposition (reference to A Partnership for National Unity) wasted a lot of time in its delay to pose the amendments to the Bill. He noted too that the Opposition had at one time voted down the Bill. The Head of State reminded that CARICOM Leaders at the Heads of Government meeting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines urged Guyana to pass the Legislation to prevent the unnecessary hardship to our people and the rest of the region. “Individual CARICOM Leaders, the Organization of American States the local business, labour, banking, insurance and farming communities also made
several appeals to have this legislation urgently passed. The Chairperson, the CEO of CFATF also visited Guyana and urged that the CFATF compliant Bill be passed. Moreover, exhortations by the Diplomatic Community here also pointed to the dangers and urged that we pass this bill.” The President also mentioned the local cries, specifically that of the Private Sector Commission (PSC). He said that despite the regional, international and local voices, the Opposition stubbornly refused to support the passage of a CFATFcompliant Bill. “In so doing, they have now put in danger our country’s financial system…Moreover they have now endangered the very welfare of all of our citizens…I will assent to such a Bill as soon as it is sent to me by the National Assembly. (Abena Rockcliffe)
A United States-based maid who was nabbed on board an outgoing flight destined for New York was yesterday brought before the courts to be indicted for drug trafficking following the discovery of a large quantity of cocaine concealed in fish. Joyce Ram De Cuhna, a Guyanese national, was allegedly found by Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) with 3.498 kilogrammes of cocaine intended for drug trafficking concealed in seasoned fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Wednesday, May 28. Following the bust, De Cuhna was brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for her first appearance. When the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking was read to her, she pleaded not guilty but the court presided over by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry ordered her held until June 2. De Cuhna’s case is being prosecuted by Special Prosecutor Oswald Massiah (attached to CANU). He explained that the 54year-old woman who resides in an apartment at Lot 55 East 99th Street, New York, New York, was an outgoing passenger on BW524 destined for J. F. K International Airport, USA when she was intercepted. Massiah explained that at the time, she had already checked in two suitcases and had already boarded the aircraft. He said that acting on information received, De Cuhna
Accused Drug Trafficker: Joyce Ram De Cuhna was approached by a CANU officer and subsequently invited off the flight. Massiah said that when questioned the accused admitted that the two pieces of luggage had passed through. He further claimed that she had even described it for the officer. The Prosecutor claimed that she produced “keys” that could not open the larger suitcases, so the officer had to pry it open in order to conduct a search. According to the Prosecutor, when the larger suitcase was opened it revealed another suitcase concealed therein. He said when the officer checked that suitcase, he found five packets wrapped with newspaper which contained fish, each wrapped
and stitched. Inspecting the fish further, the officer noticed foil wrap which when further pierced revealed a whitish powdery substance suspected to be cocaine, the Prosecutor said. Massiah said that De Cuhna told the officer that someone by the name of “Fine Man” gave it to her to transport to another individual. She was arrested and transported to CANU headquarters where a further probe revealed yet another fish contained in the other suitcase with the illicit substance hidden inside. Massiah noted that while seasoning was found in the smaller suitcase, not a single piece of clothing was found amongst her belongings. The Prosecutor said that she was cautioned, told of the offence, and the charge was subsequently instituted against her. He said that further investigations will be conducted since her travel documents reveal that she made a trip to Guyana on March 9 and left on March 15. De Cuhna was unrepresented by legal counsel. She told the court that she resides in the US and works as a “home help.” She said too that while in Guyana, she stayed at First Street, Alexander Village. After the short hearing, the Chief Magistrate remanded her to prison. The matter was transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court where it will engage the attention of Magistrate Leron Daly next Monday (June 2).
Stray catcher charged for stealing from Home Affairs Ministry Bail was yesterday set to the tune of $30,000 for an East Coast Demerara man who was brought before the city court to be indicted for allegedly stealing from the Ministry of Home Affairs last week. Shahid Ramsahoc pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for allegedly making off with a $40,000 Phillips tape deck which belonged to the Ministry on May 23.
Police Prosecutor, Corporal Bharat Mangru indicated that the facts in the matter are ‘as charged.’ During the short court hearing, the defendant spoke only to confirm his address and claimed that he was employed by the Ministry as a stray catcher. Ramsahoc was granted bail and the case was transferred to Magistrate Delon Bess before whom he is expected to report on June 9.
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Alleged hit-and-run driver Basic Needs’ discriminatory indicted for fisherman’s death ads placement raised with CDB … granted conditional bail on four charges Three days after the fatal accident which resulted in the death of an East Coast Demerara fisherman, a 22-year-old driver was yesterday brought before the courts where he was slapped with several charges. Seon Adams of La Parfait Harmonie on the West Bank of Demerara was released on a total of $400,000 bail when he was taken before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Adams is the driver suspected to have been involved in the hit-and-run that killed a 31year-old fisherman, Fizul Hussain, in the early hours of the morning on Independence Day during a fishing exercise on the Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara. The fisherman’s body was reportedly pulled to shore early that morning, minutes after he was struck and flung into a trench by a speeding motor vehicle that fled the scene. The accident is said to have occurred at 05:50 hrs on the Railway Embankment in the vicinity of Bel Air, Georgetown. Police in a statement said that investigations so far have revealed that the father of two, of Success Sideline Dam, East Coast Demerara was fishing along the Embankment when he was struck down by a motor vehicle which drove away from the scene. When the driver appeared for his arraignment, he was slapped with four charges. Aside from being indicted for causing death by dangerous driving, Adams was charged for failing to stop his vehicle after the accident, failing to render assistance to Hussain, as well as failing to report the accident within the allowed time. The first charge which was read to him alleged that on May 26 on the Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara he drove in a manner dangerous to the public, while piloting motor
Dead: Fizul Hussain
Accused: Seon Adams
car HC2231 thereby causing Hussain’s death. Adams was further accused of driving the vehicle which, having been involved in an accident resulting in injuries to Hussain, he failed to stop after the accident and render assistance to the injured. The driver was charged too for failing to report the said accident to a police station within 24 hours of the said accident. The prosecution was represented by Corporal Bharat Mangru. When each of the charges was read to him, Adams pleaded not guilty and submitted an application for reasonable bail through his lawyer, Lennox Hanoman. The Corporal explained that on the day in question, the defendant was driving the car (HC2231) south along the Railway Embankment at a fast rate when he collided with Hussein, who was at the time standing on the parapet. He said that the man, who was fishing, received injuries but Adams failed to stop, render assistance or report the matter in the allowed time period. The Prosecution explained that investigations were conducted and the charge was subsequently instituted against him. Mangru offered no objections to bail but rather requested that if the court grants such, that it be of a substantial amount, with conditions.
Meanwhile, Hanoman in his address to the court claimed that his client has been cooperating with the police. According to the attorney, the accident occurred around 4:00 hours while the man was fishing. Hanoman expressed confusion as to the reason one would be fishing at that hour in the morning. Continuing, Hanoman said that his client heard a sound, stopped the vehicle, but had seen nothing so he drove away. At that point, the Chief Magistrate asked the attorney whether he agreed that his client was at the scene and he responded positively stating that he was “discussing facts.” Hanoman contended that his client deserved bail since he was not a flight risk and has had no prior convictions or charges. In response, the presiding Magistrate granted bail in the sum of $250,000 for the charge of cause of death by dangerous driving. Additionally, she set bail to the tune of $50,000 each for failing to stop his vehicle, failing to render assistance to the injured Hussain, as well as failing to report the accident within the allowed time. Magistrate SewnarineBeharry indicated to the accused that he must lodge his passport with the court and report to the Traffic Sergeant Webster every Friday at 17:00 hours. The case will be called again on June 20 at the said court.
A repeat offender was yesterday given his second theft-related jail term after he confessed to a city Magistrate that he had stolen a bicycle. Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry sentenced 37-year-old Vijay Singh to six months imprisonment following his guilty plea to the larceny from
the person charge which was read to him. Singh, who identified himself as a porter, was accused of stealing a $30,000 bicycle belonging to Paul Younge at Public Road, East La Penitence on May 22. The porter who asked the Chief Magistrate to explain his actions said “The
owner get back his bike.” When asked whether that was the extent of his explanation, Singh responded “Yes your worship.” He added “I work as a porter at the market and one time they claim I carry away plantain from a stand. I was convicted for break and enter and larceny and I spend eight months in jail.”
Market porter gets six months for snatching bicycle
Questions over transparency and value for taxpayers’ money were raised yesterday before the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) as its 44th Annual General Meeting (AGM) ended. During a closing press conference yesterday, questions were posed to Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, and CDB’s President, Dr. William Warren Smith, over policies by the bank on advertising its funded projects and whether taxpayers really had a fair opportunity to peruse them. Dr. Singh has since promised to work along with media houses over issues with information and ads placement. Stabroek News, one of the two independent dailies in Guyana, in a statement published yesterday, complained that the Government had over the past seven years discriminated against sections of the private media by withholding taxpayerfunded state advertising from them. “This behaviour is discriminatory, constitutes an attack on press freedom and violates the Declaration of Chapultepec on press freedom to which Guyana is a signatory.” Discrimination in the placement of advertisements has also extended to projects in Guyana funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), particularly those that come under the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), the statement said. The local
office has not responded to queries on the issue. “Advertisements for the Sixth Cycle of the BNTF are only placed in two newspapers: the state-owned newspaper (Guyana Chronicle) and a governmentfriendly newspaper.” The government-friendly newspaper referred to is none other than Guyana Times, a newspaper that has limited circulation and is owned by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, a close friend of the Government and former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Yesterday, the CDB official said he was not aware of the issue and could not comment. CDB is a major multilateral funding agency for Guyana, involved in road and school building projects. With Kaieteur News by far the largest read, both in circulated and online readership, followed by Stabroek News, there have been questions. What is even more disturbing is the fact that both newspapers were sidelined, in place of the poorly circulated Guyana Times. Smith said that CDB makes available the project description on its website, with best practices followed. However, the institution would likely not be willing to release contracts or bills or quantities. According to the Finance Minister, through the National Assembly, Government has been releasing contract documents often. He made it clear that he is not involved in placing
ads, but would be willing to refer the matter to the relevant department if a particular complaint was made. Yesterday, Kaieteur News’ Publisher, Glenn Lall, said that the issue is disturbing. “The issue is not about us getting ads. As a matter of fact, we have offered in the past to carry state ads for free, if it means that our taxpayers will have an opportunity to know how their monies are being spent. But you cannot hide it away where nobody can see. This cannot be value for money.” The issue is not new, as the Jagdeo administration had removed state ads from both Kaieteur News and Stabroek News before restoring in time for the launch of Guyana Times, a few years ago. According to Stabroek News yesterday, “Advertisements should be placed in a manner that allow them to be read by all sectors of society while at the same time providing value for money. When the Seventh Cycle of the BNTF was launched in Georgetown on June 27, 2013, it was stated that these projects would be community-informed and proposals would be accepted from citizens in the areas where the projects are to be carried out.” This cannot be successfully done if the Government of Guyana continues to discriminate in its placement of advertising, the newspaper said.
A bond worker, who along with his three sons, was allegedly caught on camera carting off millions of dollars in milk powder from an Industrial Site bond was yesterday taken before the city court and indicted on a break and enter and larceny charge. The courtroom of Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry heard that in a bid to make off with $3,600,000 worth of Grand Melo milk powder from Subramanie Ramdhanie’s bond between May 25 and May 26, Randolph Mangal placed a black plastic bag over the security camera. According to Police Prosecutor Corporal Bharat Mangru, Mangal was arrested after investigators - upon
checking the security tapes observed him placing the plastic bag over the camera. But it had fallen off, the Prosecutor noted, thereby revealing the accused and three of his sons stealing the 120 bags of the milk powder. When the charge was read to Mangal at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, the accused, who was unrepresented by legal counsel, pleaded not guilty. The Prosecutor in his bid to persuade the court to deny the accused bail, stated that the investigations into the matter are incomplete and further alluded that Mangal may be implicated in another break-in which occurred at the said bond some time ago.
He revealed also that one of the man’s sons was on Wednesday taken into police custody as the investigations are ongoing. Corporal Mangru objected to bail, citing the quantum mentioned in the charge and the penalty attached to the offence. Furthering his objections, the Prosecutor opined that the accused is a flight risk who may not return to court to face the charge instituted against him. Responding, the Chief Magistrate upheld the objections of the prosecution and remanded Mangal to prison. She ordered statements to be filed within a week. The case will be called again on June 6 for statements.
Bond worker faces court for swiping millions in milk powder
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 30, 2014
Nigeria’s president orders full Sugar industry urged to scale offensive on Boko Haram create multi-product sector ABUJA (Reuters) Nigeria’s president said yesterday he had ordered “a full-scale operation” against Boko Haram Islamist militants and sought to reassure parents of 219 schoolgirls being held by the group that their children would be freed. Speaking on Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Goodluck Jonathan said he had authorized security forces to use any means necessary under the law to ensure that Boko Haram, which operates in the country’s northeast, is defeated. “I am determined to protect our democracy, our national unity and our political stability, by waging a total war against terrorism,” Jonathan said in a televised speech. It was not immediately clear what such an offensive might entail, given that the northeast of the country has been under a state of emergency and a full scale military o p e r a t i o n f o r a y e a r. Nigerian forces are also
Goodluck Jonathan hugely overstretched. Chad’s President Idriss Deby also used the phrase “total war” after neighboring West African states met in Paris in midMay to seek a common strategy to fight the militants. “I assure you that Nigeria will be safe again and that these thugs will be driven away. It will not happen
overnight, but we will spare no effort to achieve this goal,” Jonathan said. The scale of the challenge was underlined by a fresh attack yesterday in the northeastern village of Gurmushi, near Nigeria’s border with Cameroon, in which suspected Islamist gunmen riding motorbikes killed 32 people. On April 14 Boko Haram militants surrounded a secondary school in the remote northeastern village of Chibok and took away in trucks 276 girls who had been sitting exa m s , according to official figures from an audit this week. Nigeria’s Borno state, the epicenter of the i n s u rg e n c y, s a i d o n Wednesday that a total of 57 of the kidnapped girls had escaped. But 219 others were still missing and assumed held by the militants, who say they are fighting for an Islamic state in Nigeria and have killed thousands over the years.
Jamaica Gleaner - KARL JAMES, the general manager of Jamaica Cane Product Sales, is calling for local sugar producers to urgently transform the local sugar industry from a single product to a multiple-product sector or risk being left behind when the European Union (EU) changes take effect in 2017. “Right now, there is evidence that the price of sugar in Europe is coming down and will be dropping and staying down,” said James, who is also chairman of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC). “So the target must be for us to seize the opportunities, beginning with the 2015 crop.” According to James, who made a presentation under the theme ‘Opportunities for sugar, molasses and coproducts’ at the three-day 45th Council Session of the International Sugar Organization (ISO) conference at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort, St James on Tuesday, Jamaica has a target of producing 3.5 million
Karl James tonnes of cane by 2018. “Between now and 2017, the EU’s regime is going to see some tremendous change when all the quotas will be removed and we are going to be opened to much wider competition from lower cost producers, and we will have to find our way in that maze,” added James. Jamaica is now in the second phase of a near US$894 per tonne, three-year deal with British firm Tate and Lyle for 50 to 60 tonnes of
sugar each crop year. Under the protocol, all ACP sugar producers were provided with a fixed annual quota for sugar at a fixed price for an indefinite duration. Jamaica had the fourth largest sugar quota of 118,696 tonnes white sugar equivalent (WSE), only exceeded by Mauritius, Fiji and Guyana, but by 1995, was given a special preferential quota of 32,642 tonnes (WSE) after sugar supply demand increased in Europe.
Friday May 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Guyana will survive the sanctions Guyana is not an island. Even if it were, it could not stand alone. It is part of the world and there are certain things that it is obligated to do as member of the international community. Ever since 1991, the international community has developed certain rules which members are required to comply with, These rules are usually made by the stronger nations and those smaller countries that fail to comply are usually pressured into doing so through different forms of sanctions. Right now Guyana is looking down the barrel of a gun. It will be shot in the gut,
because it has failed to pass legislation to ensure that Guyana was in compliance with a basic set of rules developed by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). The government was given a number of opportunities to ensure that Guyana brought its legislation in compliance with the demands of the CFATF. The opposition constantly frustrated these attempts and must be held solely responsible for what happens now to Guyana. Even after a team from the CFATF came and spoke to the opposition they failed to
budge, leaving the team to conclude that the problem was of a political nature. It was indeed, and the lesson that all of Guyana must learn is that when it comes to politics, the opposition parties would sacrifice the future of Guyanese to get their own way. This is what happened here and this is what has led to a situation whereby Guyana will now face a rolling series of international sanctions. The sanctions will take some time to bite. But bite it will. The first likely effect will be increased requirements in order to make money transfers. This will mean that
Kwayana says evidence suggests that Gregory Smith was responsible By Latoya Giles Veteran Political Activist and Member of the Working People’s Alliance Eusi Kwayana said yesterday that all evidence surrounding the death of Dr. Walter Rodney suggests that Guyana Defence Force Marine Sergeant Gregory Smith was responsible. According to Kwayana, the way the State acted after Rodney’s death and the “protection” which was given to Smith also showed that they had some involvement. Kwayana continued giving evidence for the second day as the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry progressed. According to Kwayana, during an inquest which was held several years ago, information had come out from a report that said it was clear from the materials which were found on spot, that the bomb could be triggered remotely. “What would a marine sergeant want to do planting a bomb on Dr. Rodney on his own I have not heard anywhere after 34 years about a dispute, grudge or bad feeling nature between Dr. Rodney and Gregory Smith , so I don’t think he was acting on his own, he was an agent under orders,” Kwayana stressed. He told the commission that a man such as Smith, who had military training orders, would have been given such an order and he would have had to obey it. Kwayana admitted also yesterday that the acts could have been committed without any knowledge whatsoever from the leadership of either of the two both mass-based parties, the People’s National Congress or the People’s Progressive Party. Kwayana was further questioned about why Dr. Rodney would have wanted
- admits act could have been committed by either of mass-based parties “walkie-talkies”. According to Kwayana, the WPA had a communications problem, and in the party they would try to solve problems. He explained that the WPA’s office didn’t have a telephone, which he said was politically rationed. He said that in many instances when they had applied they were told that there were no lines. “I did not have a telephone and I did not apply for telephone, so walkietalkies would help to cover spaces,” Kwayana told the commission. He explained that the party had suggested that they would place people at various places with these devices when they were conducting marches to look out for the police. Kwayana said that these walkie-talkies had not gone into full use, but they knew that Rodney had found a way of “tuning them up”. He admitted that he used a walkie-talkie one time at a meeting which was held at Bourda Square. According to Kwayana, another problem that the party faced was printing information. He told the commission that printing was prohibited. He said that the party would be forced to obtain paper and print by any means necessary. Under cross examination by Attorney at law Basil Williams, Kwayana was asked whether it would be correct to say that the WPA’s objective was to take the reins of power. Kwayana disagreed with that statement, saying that was not the focus of the party. He said that when the organization was formed, state power was not on the agenda. Kwayana said that the government of the day
announced to them that they were unwelcomed. Kwayana was also questioned about “ASCRIA” an organization which he formed, and their relationship with the “Black Panthers”. He was further asked about the 1979 burning of the PNC Headquarters and whether he considered it a dastardly act. On Wednesday, Kwayana sought to discredit a book written by the late Gregory Smith calling it a fiction to escape guilt. Smith, who is the author of “Assassination Cry of a Failed Revolution” according to several sources including the Guyana Police Force, is the man responsible for the death of Dr. Walter Rodney. Kwayana told the commission that the book was merely a “fiction of guilt on the mind of a ghost writer”. He said that the book had several major discrepancies which could not be supported. The activist denied that the Working People’s Alliance aided in Smith’s departure out of Guyana. “The WPA didn’t provide Smith with a passport or money to aid in his departure from Guyana,” Kwayana stated. He however suggested that it was either the police or the GDF that assisted Smith. He also rubbished the assertion in Smith’s book that Rodney was going to cause damage to the Georgetown Prison. According to Kwayana, this could not be so because Rodney’s car was nowhere near the prison. He said that, secondly, there were armed officers at the prison, and they were placed there a year before the actual explosion.
business persons who have to transmit money will experience delays. The effects of this could see a slowdown in international trade. And do not expect the business community to absorb the increased costs that will be associated with this slowdown. No, you can bet your bottom dollar that they will pass these increased costs to consumers. Higher prices will therefore be the next consequence. Prices will not necessary soar through the roof, but they will increase and this will hurt the poor badly. Unless during this period Guyana puts its house in order, then the sanctions will begin to affect investment to Guyana. International companies willing to invest in Guyana will back off and withhold their investments. This will mean lost opportunities and lost jobs. This will hurt our economy, because once an investment is lost it is hard for it to be
regained. Critical sectors, such as mining which has led economic growth over the past few years, are going to be affected. But not to worry! Guyana will survive. We will not reach the stage of long lines for petrol, long lines for bread, long lines for other food, long lines for cooking gas or long lines for just about everything. Guyana has long recovered from those days, and thank God for the PPPC, will never return to the days of empty supermarket shelves. Guyanese have seen that the economy need not have ever reached that stage and they will vote with reason come the next election and ensure that those who once brought Guyana to its knees economically, and those who are now responsible for us facing this ignominy of sanctions from FATF never win an election, because to do so would be to court disaster for this country. Guyana must face the
upcoming pressures like it did in the past. It must keep its resolve never to capitulate to such pressures because like everything else, it too will pass. The private sector must stop being so cowardly. It should stop begging those who do not wish to listen to their pleas. It should leave them alone because they have demonstrated just where they stand when it comes to the interest of the Guyana people. The pressure will come soon and the Guyanese people must be prepared for the effects of the sanctions. The people will survive; we have always done so, even during the period when it seemed as if there was no hope or future to look forward to.
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 30, 2014
== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Since I saw the German movie, “Untergang” (one of the best movies on Hitler; maybe the best) about the final period of Adolf Hitler’s reign, I liked the term (it means “downfall,”). I have used it several times in my column. I believe there is not going to be any snap poll. President Ramotar will not allow the PPP leadership to push him into an early election. He will see out his five years and if there is a general election in 2016, there will be a new presidential candidate. Mr. Ramotar knows this, so it gives him encouragement to stay until 2016. In 2016, we will see the PPP’s untergang. All the signs are there. I refer readers to a recent column in which I explained that the PPP seems hopeless to stop the rut that has enveloped it long incumbency. It is this rut that will undo it if there is a national poll in 2016. We can start with Clement Rohee. There is absolutely no other party leader in the world who makes so many mistakes on such a frequent basis. Mr. Rohee puts the PPP’s inadequacies, depravities,
inanities and stupidities on display every week with his awkward and awful press conferences. It is no exaggeration to say that since he became General-Secretary, Mr. Rohee has not sailed smoothly at any of those press meetings. And the media knows what a stumbling politician he is, so they continue to bait him. The result is predictable. The thousands of young Indian minds aren’t going to be impressed when they see Rohee’s weekly performance. You just can predict this man’s behaviour. The pattern is so obvious. He pontificates on an issue and when the reporter presses him to elaborate he cannot, so he finds a way out through two avenues – gets annoyed or refuses to answer. So he says the opposition is in bed with the drug traffickers, but when asked to divulge his proof, he says he is not discussing it further. And this attitude goes on and on and on. When faced with a difficult question by a reporter, he yelled, “You are speaking to the GeneralSecretary of the PPP.” He didn’t answer the question.
The latest episode is the Marriott Hotel construction. He heaped praise on the investment but when asked for details, the two hackneyed methods were predictable. He became hostile and the usual words came out his mouth – “I am not dealing with that.” For those who are doing research on politics in Guyana, I suggest you research every press briefing Rohee hosted since he took over as the PPP’s leader. Last year when speaking to the attendants of Cheddi Jagan’s death anniversary, Rohee said the PPP knows the mistakes it made that cost it the parliamentary majority and will not repeat those mistakes again when election time comes around. Here is the thing. The PPP is making those mistakes in Rohee himself. And there isn’t a thing the PPP can do about it. No one in the PPP has the power to tell Rohee that he is making the PPP look bad with his bad mouthing off at his press conferences. A young letter-writer took Rohee to task and you wonder what went through the mind of young Indians
when they see such nonsense from the leader of the party that is asking for their votes. The young lady said that she found Mr. Rohee’s answer horrible because when asked for his opinion of what happened to 15-year-old Alex Griffith, who was shot in his mouth by a police officer, Rohee said he didn’t know about this matter. The woman said that the same Rohee has in-depth knowledge of certain international events like the kidnapping of the school girls in Nigeria. From now until the 2016 national poll, this will be Rohee. From now until 2016,
there will be many more incidents similar and identical to what happened to AFC parliamentarian, Valerie GarridoLowe. She was denied a seat on an interior flight which as she stated was on the orders of a PPP functionary. Ms. Lowe gave a long interview to the media on the victimization and harassment she received at the hand of this PPP apparatchik. What makes anyone think that in the very week of the election in 2016, these stupid, depraved, inane, sickening acts of dictatorial power will not occur? They will happen because dictatorships are
Frederick Kissoon prisoners of their own power lust. Rohee didn’t state what the mistakes were that made the PPP lose its parliamentary majority in 2011. But it needs not be spelt out, because the Guyanese people know the answer – naked power has long destroyed the PPP.
Dem boys seh...
De party get a dumb, deaf and blind leader
Fuh call Rohee a goat is to insult a goat. That is why dem got a saying “It’s better to keep you mouth shut and let people think you are a fool or a goat than to open you mouth and remove all doubt.” Rohee de Goat Sh..t challenge de Waterfalls boss man to produce de name of de people who apply fuh visa in India. In fact, he seh that he nah get none application at he Ministry. Dem boys did hear that he dumb and he deaf. Dem never know that he blind, too. De boss man did talk that Gajraj who station in India refuse to grant de Indian man a visa to come and set up de factory. What Rohee don’t understand bout that? Nobody don’t apply in Guyana fuh a visa fuh a man come from India. But then again dem boys hear that he Ministry does grant visa to people Chinese in China. Big money does pass through he Ministry when this happen. Dem boys can’t help but sorry fuh a party that was so loved wid such a blind, deaf and dumb GS. He adopt Jagdeo attitude. He does get vex when people ask simple and straightforward question that he as leader of de party should answer.
That is de same Rohee who was driving by Banks DIH turn when Vodka Lawrins shout at he, “Jackass.” He shout back at she, “Biiitch.” De next thing he crash into de jackass. De woman was just trying to tell he that a jackass deh round de corner. After this happen two pastahs decide fuh put up a sign that read, “The end is near. Turn yourself around before it is too late” Rohee wid de same passion pass back de same day and saw dem pastahs wid de sign. He cuss and seh, “Leave de people alone, you religious nuts. De people don’t need no more lecture from alyou two.” He go round de turn and de next thing dem boys hear is a screeching tyres and a big bang. “That’s de fourth bang fuh de day,” Ten Edghill seh. Pastah Gilly agree and then seh, “Yuh think de sign should read ‘Construction work ahead?’ Jagdeo was de first to crash; de second was Bobby; de third was Brazzy.” Ten Edghill respond to Pastah Gilly, “Nah. We gun wait till we hear Uncle Donald coming, then we gun put up de sign, ‘Construction ahead.” Talk half and prepare de hospital fuh dem who don’t like tek warning.
Friday May 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
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NICIL is a destructive Stockfeeds shareholder - Badal Robert Badal, the principal owner of Guyana Stockfeeds Inc. (GSI) has labeled the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) as a destructive shareholder, and says that Winston Brassington, who heads NICIL, again misled the public in his recent claims in the local media. Badal yesterday responded that many of the claims made by Brassington or his representative, have been repeated on an annual basis over the past 10 years, shortly after every Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company. “The matters referred to were all disclosed, discussed, and approved by the
“It is time that Brassington be removed and a forensic audit carried out”
Robert Badal Company’s Shareholders at their respective annual general meetings…All shareholders, except NICIL, understood and approved of those transactions.”
According to Badal, he has addressed the matters publicly in the past, and would therefore not respond to Brassington’s incorrect statements and claims. NICIL, the holder of the Government of Guyana’s seven per cent shareholdings in Guyana Stockfeeds Inc., has, since privatization in 1998, been a very destructive shareholder, according to Badal. He stated that at every AGM, other shareholders would ask why the Government of Guyana allows Brassington and his deputy,
Cops to monitor CCTV cameras by Monday The Guyana Police Force will by Monday have immediate access to footage recorded on closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras that have been erected around the city to catch criminals in the act. A senior police official told Kaieteur News yesterday that technicians are expected to complete installing at least six CCTV monitors at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, by
next Monday. The monitors, to be manned by police ranks, will be linked to the CCTV camera ‘feed’ at the National Intelligence Centre, located in the Castellani House compound. This development comes four months after Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee revealed that the Defence Board had approved the establishment of ‘a direct feed’ from the CCTV system to Eve Leary.
Rohee had stated that his Ministry had ‘constantly supported’ the view that CCTV cameras in the City be used on a real time basis to detect and fight crime, At present, the footage is monitored and archived by staff at the National Intelligence Centre, and police have to contact staff there to access this footage. The Central Intelligence Centre is manned mainly by the Office of the President, (Continued on page 15)
Marcia Nadir-Sharma, to act in such destructive and antibusinesslike manner. “From Litigation against a narrow strip of land on which the company occupied and built an access road to its Wharf (not owned by NICIL), to repeated injunctions against dividend payment, all of which have been discharged for misleading the court except the last one made by the Chief Justice in June 2013, to disruptive behaviour of its representative, Marcia Nadir, to influencing the Securities Council’s recent advisory on dividends, and politically inspired obstacles against the company.” Badal questioned how Brassington could complain about not paying dividends when he instructed NICIL to secure an ex par t e injunction from the Chief Justice in June 2013 against such payments. According to Badal, shareholders at the 2014 AGM expressed their anger and protest against such a decision of the Chief Justice and lamented that after close to one year their Company has not been given a hearing. “As they protested the Security Council’s advisory on dividends they all adopted a statement demanding changes at the Council
Winston Brassington
Marcia Nadir-Sharma
including the resignation of its CEO and Legal Officer…Only NICIL voted against…One wonders in whose interest is NICIL acting, as a shareholder in favour of GSI or other interests.” According to Badal, if NICIL or its head is not happy with the company’s management, the prudent action to take is to sell its shares. “It would be advised to do so in a similar way it sold its shares in GT&T from which it was getting more than half a billion in dividends annually,” according to Badal. He suggested too that “NICIL may choose to sell its shares in the manner it did with its further 30 per cent shareholding in Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation at a lower price than the price it sold its 60 per cent to New GPC”.
“Its handling of its shareholding in GPC and other deals is so different to its destructive posture towards GSI.” As regards NICIL’s representatives, Brassington and Marcia Nadir-Sharma, Nadal said,. “Neither has any shareholding personally, but use their position as proxy to carry out a destructive agenda, instead of acting in the interest of the GSI, as have all other shareholders. “The two operate in the same fashion they manage the affairs of NICIL, as if it’s their personal property, without any level of accountability and transparency. “The results are everyday reports in the press of secret and questionable land and property deals …It is time that Mr. Brassington be removed from NICIL and a forensic audit carried out.”
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 30, 2014
CFATF tells members to limit business with Guyana Bill could be passed within 72 hours - AFC By Abena Rockcliffe Guyana’s fate has been ultimately decided at the Regional level; the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) yesterday told its members that it considers the country to be a risk to the international financial system. The regional body has therefore advised the implementation of further counter measures to be taken against Guyana in order to protect financial systems from the “ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks emanating from Guyana.” As a consequence of failing to meet certain deadlines, CFATF has referred Guyana to its parent body, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which will take steps which may include Guyana being blacklisted at the international level. This decision was made yesterday at the conclusion of CFATF’s plenary meeting which started on Monday in Miami, Florida. CFATF reviewed the report submitted by Guyana
which stated that “The AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) (Amendment) Bill 2013 was presented in Parliament on April 22, 2013. The Bill seeks to address the legislative amendments required by the examiners’ recommended actions in the core and key Recommendations and a majority of the remaining o u t s t a n d i n g Recommendations. Following the legislative debate process in Parliament the AMLCFT (Amendment) Bill 2013 was rejected in November 2013. The AMLCFT (Amendment) Bill was reintroduced in Parliament in December 2013 and has been subject to consideration by a Parliamentary Special Select Committee which is yet to complete its deliberations for the Parliament to enact the legislation. As a result, the CFATF Plenary Meeting resolved that a Public Statement be issued in respect of Guyana. The statement noted that Guyana is being sanctioned
as a result of the country’s failure to meet the agreed timelines in its Action Plan. “As a result of not meeting the agreed timelines in its Action Plan, the CFATF recognises Guyana as a jurisdiction with significant AML/CFT deficiencies, which has failed to make significant progress in addressing those deficiencies and the CFATF considers Guyana to be a risk to the international financial system. Members are therefore called upon to implement further counter measures to protect their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks
emanating from Guyana. Also, the CFATF has referred Guyana to the FATF. “Countermeasures could entail, among others, the requirement of enhanced due diligence measures; introducing enhanced reporting mechanisms or systematic reporting of financial transactions; refusing the establishment of subsidiaries or branches or representative offices in the country concerned, or otherwise taking into account the fact that the relevant financial institution is from a country that does
not have adequate AML/CFT systems and limiting the business relationships or financial transactions with the identified country or persons in that country.” CFATF is an organization of twenty-seven jurisdictions of the Caribbean Basin Region. It agreed to implement the international standards for Anti-money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), Financial Action Task Force Recommendations (FATF Recommendations). In November 2011, CFATF brought to the attention of its Members, certain jurisdictions including Guyana with significant strategic deficiencies in their AML/CFT regime. With a view to encouraging expeditious rectification of the identified strategic deficiencies, Guyana and the CFATF developed an Action Plan with identified target dates to address the strategic deficiencies that exist in Guyana’s national
architecture to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The CFATF issued a public statement in May 2013 recommending Guyana to take steps to ensure that it addressed its AML/CFT deficiencies. Additionally, in November 2013, CFATF issued a further public statement calling upon its Members to consider implementing counter measures to protect their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks emanating from Guyana as a result of its AML/CFT deficiencies, in particular by: 1) fully criminalizing money laundering and terrorist financing offences, 2) addressing all the requirements on beneficial ownership, 3) strengthening the requirements for suspicious transaction reporting, international cooperation, and the freezing and confiscation of terrorist (Continued on page 25)
Blacklisting damage will not be reversed overnight - Finance Minister By Kiana Wilburg Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, says the political opposition is solely responsible for the damage done by an advisory issued yesterday by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). CFATF in its advisory called on its members to consider implementing further counter measures to protect their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks emanating from Guyana. During a brief interview with media operatives after the closing ceremony of the 44th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) yesterday, Dr. Singh said that it is most regrettable that in spite of the appeals made by the CFATF and the private sector to pass this crucial Bill, the opposition remains unmoved. He was making reference to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill currently in a Special Parliamentary Select Committee. “Frankly speaking this was the inevitable consequence of the opposition’s refusal to enact the CFATF-compliant Bill and the responsibility for the
CFATF advisory which was sent out today (yesterday) lies squarely at the feet of the opposition.” When questioned as to what mechanisms the government plans to put in place to cushion the effects of the blacklisting status on foreign exchange rates, he said that government’s instruments to address this are finite. He articulated that he wished not to speculate about the possible effects that the foreign exchange rate will suffer, but stated that the government remains open to dialogue with the opposition on the way forward. “We have said that this matter goes to the core of the integrity of our financial systems, but you can’t gamble with that. We (opposition and government) can argue on policies and other issues and about what we want and how to meet at certain compromises, but no responsible politician would put the country in a position where its financial systems would be tarnished and affected. In fact, this goes beyond mere tarnishing…this inflicts severe and immediate damage to the credibility and international standing of our country…I wish to maintain that no responsible politician would have allowed this to happen and it is disappointing that the
opposition continues to oppose the legislation. The entire world understands the importance of this legislation, except perhaps the 33 persons who sit on the Opposition benches in Parliament.” He added, “The opposition has been saying that we were crying wolf, but the business community has been complaining that they are already affected, as international payments are delayed and charges on remittances have gone up. The statement called on the community to exercise greater due diligence when conducting transactions with Guyana and so the dismissal of the legislation by the opposition is nothing short of being irresponsible… It remains to be seen what will happen from now.” Dr. Singh said that it is the priority of the government to get the Bill passed. “Make no mistake about it, reversing the damage that has been done by this advisory will not happen overnight and mere passage of the legislation will not make this problem go away when the world has been notified that Guyana is a country in default, and it will take a lot of work to correct that damage. It will not be easy to reverse it and the responsibility for this lies with the opposition,” the Minister concluded.
Friday May 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Nevis seeks support from Guyana to set-up Haemodialysis Unit Guyana’s health care service, particularly as it relates to the delivery of haemodialysis, is a model to be emulated. At least this is the conviction of Minister of Health of Nevis, Mark Brantley. Minister Brantley and a team of technical officers from his Health Ministry are currently here on a three-day visit designed to forge collaborative ties with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) with a view of setting up a Haemodialysis Clinic in Nevis. Haemodialysis is a procedure administered to renal failure patients to remove metabolic waste products or toxic substances from the bloodstream by dialysis. Currently, at least, one Nevisian patient who suffers from renal failure is being dialysed at the GPHC. In fact, Minister Brantley said that the patient has been forced to relocate to Guyana for the past year in order to readily access the service. This is in fact the situation that obtains for a number of similar cases, Minister Brantley said, that are known to attract cost factors, both financially and otherwise, whereby patients are required to be away from their families for extended periods. Although the renal failure cases in Nevis are currently less than five, Minister Brantley said that “as a Government we have an obligation to our population to see as much as it is feasible to do, to have certain services available to them within the country so that they are not away from their families...” And so it was against this background, he said, that a decision was made at the Nevis end to undertake what he described as a ‘study tour’ in order to “have the necessary conversations to see how we can further cement the relationship between Guyana and the island of Nevis in terms of health care.” This has thus far translated to the Nevisian Health Minister, accompanied by his Medical Chief of Staff, Dr. John Essien; Director of Nursing, Ms Aldris Pemberton-Dias and Health Planner, Ms Shelisa Martin-Clarke touring the public hospital. “We admire in particular the level of training you have here; the training possibilities that exist, and frankly what you have done here with limited resources is nothing short of remarkable based on what we have observed,”
The press conference in session yesterday. (From left) The Nevis team – Health Planner, Ms Shelisa Martin-Clarke; Director of Nursing, Ms Aldris Pemberton-Dias; Medical Chief of Staff, Dr John Essien and Minister of Health, Mark Brantley. The GPHC team –Chief Executive Officer, Mr Michael Khan; Director of Medical and Professional Service, Dr Sheik Amir; Director of Nursing Service, Sister Audrey Cory and Assistant Director of Nursing Service, Sister Noshella Lalckecharran. said Minister Brantley. Moreover, he noted that “we feel that our people can benefit from some training and some technical assistance from Guyana and we feel that it is part and parcel of the closer collaboration that we see emerging throughout the Caribbean.” “I would like to go on record thanking the Honourable Minister of Health here, .Dr. (Bheri) Ramsaran who met us yesterday (Wednesday) and gave us some of his time,” said Minister Brantley as he lauded the support that has been thus far forthcoming. He is optimistic that “this trip is the start of something very good and we can certainly find ways and means to cooperate.” In fact Minister Brantley, who also has responsibility for a number of other Ministries, and functions in the capacity of Deputy Premier in his country, described the trip here as symbolic in many respects pointing out that the move can be classified as a good one not only for Nevis but also for Guyanese who have relatives there or may be residing there themselves. Nevis, which is a part of
the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis located in the Leewards Islands, is a federal two-island territory in the West Indies that is home to a large number of Guyanese in a population of about 13,500. “Even though it is the first time for all of us being here, we feel that we know Guyana already...We see street names and places that we recognise from our conversations over the years,” said Brantley as he disclosed that there are some Guyanese who have been residing in Nevis for well over two decades. This, according to him, has over the years allowed for Guyana to benefit economically. The press conference was moderated by Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, Mr Michael Khan, who was accompanied by the hospital’s Director of Medical and Professional Service, Dr. Sheik Amir; Director of Nursing Service, Sister Audrey Cory, and Assistant Director of Nursing Service,
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Sister Noshella Lalckecharran. According to Khan, “we feel very positive that we can contribute towards helping them set-up their
(Haemodialysis) Unit...If I am not mistaken they already have one unit but they need to get their infrastructure in place... to get going.” But ahead of infrastructural
support, Khan alluded to need for the facilitation of training, in the near future, for Nevisian nurses. With the promised support, Dr. John Essien said that the Nevis Health Ministry will undoubtedly be poised to have its own Haemodialysis Unit in place to even cater to the portion of the population that suffers from chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, both of which can lead to renal failure. He disclosed that while renal failure can currently be treated through peritoneal dialysis, the need is there for haemodialysis for some of the more ill patients. “We are hoping that this visit to Guyana will be the beginning of something very concrete on our side in terms of guaranteeing that this service will be maintained in the long run...” said Dr. Essien.
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 30, 2014
The Caribbean Region is not energy poor - CDB President - Member states urged to transition to new energy paradigm
By Kiana Wilburg After establishing that high energy prices remain the primary source of the C a r i b b e a n ’ s uncompetitiveness, President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. William Warren Smith said at the recent opening ceremony of the Board of Governors 44th meeting at the Guyana International Conference Centre, that in order to unlock the opportunities for competitiveness, it is imperative that a new energy paradigm be created. Dr. Smith said that there has been a perception that Trinidad and Tobago is the only energy-rich country in the Caribbean. But this he proved to be an inaccurate view as he highlighted that Guyana alone has enough renewable energy potential, mainly in the form of hydropower to meet all of its electricity requirements for the foreseeable future; supply all of the needs of immediate neighbours, Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago; and still have enough left over to sell to neighbouring Brazil. The situation, he said, is similar for Suriname. Additionally, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have great potential to generate their entire base-
President of the CDB, Dr. William Warren Smith flanked by Chairman of the CDB and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh load electricity requirements from geo-thermal sources. The CDB President said that although their domestic markets are quite small, technological advancements in the development of undersea transmission cables would allow these countries to exploit their relatively large geo-thermal reserves for export to neighbouring countries. “For example, Jamaica can meet up to 30 percent of its electricity needs from renewable sources such as wind, solar, mini-hydro and waste-to-energy. According to a study by the World Watch Institute in the USA, Jamaica’s annual average solar insolation (a measure of
solar radiation), ranges from five to eight kilowatt hours per square metre per day. In comparison, Germany, the global leader in solar photovoltaic (PV) (materials which convert energy from sunlight into electricity), has only a few locations with a capacity in excess of 3 kilowatt hours per square metre per day. Jamaica’s situation is not unique. All borrowing member countries boast similarly strong solar potential.” Dr. Smith said that all of these renewable options have the potential to lower electricity costs, and increase foreign exchange reserves from reduced energy imports. The CDB President
believes that the legislative and regulatory environment is a major hindrance to the pursuit of a new energy paradigm for the Region, and as such, the two priority areas require urgent government action. “One, we need to change the legislative framework, at the national level, in order to facilitate access for renewables by altering the monopoly on generation where this exists in borrowing member countries. Revisions in the framework should ensure equitable pricing for supply from independent power providers or small, distributed renewable generators of electricity. “It is noteworthy that CARICOM energy ministers have already adopted “netbilling” as a feasible mechanism for “ensuring equitable pricing”. As a matter of urgency then, all borrowing member countries should follow the lead set by Barbados and Jamaica, which have already enacted the supporting legislation.” Additionally, Dr. Smith said that an appropriate regulatory framework needs to be established for each borrowing member country to ensure that equitable tariffs and rules for optimal performance are in place and to make certain that the interests of consumers, investors and governments
are balanced. “Given the constraints of market size, and the availability and cost of specialized skills necessary for the effective administration of the regulatory function, it makes sense for a collective approach to be adopted. It is for this reason that CDB welcomes the Eastern Caribbean Energy Regulatory Authority initiative, applauds those OECS countries that have already committed, and looks forward to the full participation by other member countries. “I would go so far as to say that such a supranational regulatory body is critical for full and sustainable development of the geothermal potential in the sub-region, to encourage private investment in the sector, and to make interconnectivity a reality. The building of a new energy paradigm must give priority to energy efficiency, which is relatively low-cost and yields a high return on investment with a short payback period.” The CDB President also explained that a successful energy efficiency programme, incorporating appropriate tax incentives, would reduce household expenditure on electricity and other forms of energy, thereby increasing disposable incomes. He
mentioned as well that businesses, especially the critically important micro, small and medium sizedenterprises (MSMEs), would also see improvements in their efficiency and their competitiveness. Dr. Smith expressed that the fight against high energy prices could, potentially, also open the door for the emergence and growth of new non-traditional businesses that promote the use of energy efficiency technologies and services to reduce energy consumption. In his closing remarks on this subject, the CDB President said, “The growth of industries producing and/ or installing solar water heating systems is the most familiar of the new industries that have emerged in our region as a response to high energy prices. In the new energy paradigm, we should expect an expansion in new industries around a range of energy services, and the manufacture and installation of PV and other renewable energy systems and energysaving devices. The new paradigm is integral to the “Green Economy” approach currently under consideration by some borrowing member countries and is consistent with the CDB’s Climate Resilience Strategy.”
Dr. Denzil Douglas is new CDB Chairman The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Denzil Douglas who also serves as the Minister of Finance of his country was appointed the new Chairman of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) yesterday at the closing ceremony of the 44th Annual Board of Governors Meeting. It was held at the Guyana International Conference Centre. As he extended heartfelt appreciation to the outgoing Chairman, Guyana’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, Dr. Douglas said that as the stakeholders of the CDB embrace the fact that change is inevitable, it is important for the Bank to act as a catalyst to help the Caribbean Region in the adaptation process. While the Prime Minister confessed that the successful recovery of his country’s economy is due to the innovativeness and unyielding support of the Bank, he said that based on the confidence expressed by
Dr. Denzil Douglas members to elect him to such an important position, he will strive towards ensuring that the Bank’s objectives are achieved and its agenda for change realized. “Going forward, the Bank will need to accelerate the pace of disbursements in respect of projects that were already approved by the Board of Directors some years ago. The disbursement
rate is critical to the bottom line of the Bank and can make a real difference in the growth prospects of borrowing member states. The Bank has to be more focused on maintaining relevance to its constituents, improve on efficiency and responsiveness.” “Further, the Bank should seize the present and emerging opportunities to expand the use of the Policy Based Loan and guarantee instruments to implement new products tailored to the needs of the clientele it serves…The Bank must enhance its systems to ensure full integration of the wealth of information generated by its reports.” Dr. Douglas then lauded Dr. Singh for his valuable contributions when he served as Chairman and promised to uphold if not exceed the standard set by the distinguished Minister. The next Board of Governors Meeting will be held in St. Kitts and Nevis in 2015.
Friday May 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
Guyanese grandpa among NY lottery winners New York (Newsday) Natives of Albania, Guyana and Ireland were among the eight New York Lottery winners to receive ceremonial checks totaling $13.5 million at a ceremony yesterday in Manhattan, lottery officials said. Here are their stories, according to a news release from New York Lottery: While on a snack break from his job as a Rockefeller Center security guard, Rafik Sulaiman, 59, says he scratched his King’s Ransom ticket and found he was a $3 million top prize winner. “I saw the little coin symbol and then the word ‘Jackpot’ underneath,” said the Guyana native, now living in Astoria, “so I took it back to the store to double check.” That would be Pronto Pizza on West 48th Street in Manhattan, where he bought the $10 ticket from a vending machine. Sulaiman, a married father of three and grandfather of five, opted for a lump sum net payment of $1,517,654. As for uses for his winnings, he said, “My only plan is to get the money and then decide.” Euglen Muslli, who came to New York City six years ago from Albania, experienced a swift and surprising fulfillment of the American dream. “It was my dream to have money; a lot of money to spend on things I want,” said Muslli, 21, a self-taught electrician’s helper. The Bay Ridge resident bought scratch-off tickets for the $1,500 a Week for Life at Yogi, at 86-04 on Fourth
Avenue in Brooklyn. Scratching his tickets, he said, “I saw that word ‘Life’ and thought, ‘Whoa. You’re a millionaire!’” He said he never thought he would actually win, “but, I had hope,” he said. “God bless the Lottery.” Opting for the cash value of his guaranteed $1.5 million minimum payout, Muslli is walking away with a net of $740,626. He said he’ll use the money to help his family, to buy a house and possibly to open a restaurant “an Italian restaurant, of course,” he said. After texting her husband a copy of her $5 million Maximum Millions winning ticket, Geraldine Pollice opted to ignore his instructions to “go straight home and put the ticket under the mattress.” “I went shopping instead,” said Pollice, 45, of Bensonhurst. Ultimately she and her husband, Fredinando, 46, a telecommunications technician with whom she’s splitting the prize, plan to use the money to shop for a new car and home. She and her husband each are receiving a net of $1,557,600. On his way to his family’s country house in upstate Greene County, Arthur Berg, 74, stopped at Stewart’s on Route 23 in Leeds to buy a $2 Quick Pick ticket for the April 26 Powerball drawing. The recently retired attorney and avid Powerball player missed out on the $40 million jackpot, but did win the $1 million second prize.
A while back John Sandrowsky of Bayside got an email from his wife, Nancy, who was checking his Powerball tickets online. “I think you won something,” she wrote. “Can I quit my job,” he emailed back. She told him no, but that “I think you are going to be pleasantly surprised,” with his $1 million second prize winnings from the Feb. 19 drawing, which had been held weeks earlier. Unable to sleep and realizing in the early morning hours that he was holding a $1 million winning Ruby 2s scratch-off ticket, Salvatore Montante, 75, first woke up his son who was sleeping on the couch. They then woke up his other son, living in the basement apartment, and the three of them called his daughter who lives nearby. Montante will receive a one-time net payment of $623,040, some of which he said will go toward bills, and some, hopefully, to a trip to Italy to visit the brother he hasn’t seen in more than 30 years. Of his $1 million Sweet Million jackpot win, Timothy Brassil, 67, says the money is pretty well spoken for. “I’ve got college tuition loans, a wedding and a grandchild on the way,” said the retired construction worker in Mount Vernon and native of Ireland. The father of three will receive a total lump sum of $661,800, the Lottery said, for which he also has hopes of setting some aside for a visit to Ireland.
Cops to monitor CCTV... (From page 11) with some staffing coming from the Police and Army, whose officers were seconded to help run the agency. Government had stated in 2005 that it was introducing the CCTV cameras to help counter rampant crime. Some $11M was allocated in the 2011 national budget to purchase equipment for this purpose. But in July, 2013, then Crime Chief, Seelall Persaud, revealed that the police did not have access to footage from the cameras, and could only access the feed from the cameras upon request. Responding to the Crime Chief, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, said that the cameras were not set up so that the Police can see
what is happening in real time and respond to crimes as they happen. He had also stated that intelligence gathering was not the province of the police. The Crime Chief ’s revelation had prompted APNU Parliamentarian and former Police Commissioner Winston Felix to suggest that police at all stations should have access to the footage from the cameras. Felix had also questioned the effectiveness of the cameras, while pointing out that the cameras were apparently failing to record the many robberies that were being committed around the city. Others have raised similar concerns, given the fact that there have been several brazen crimes, including execution-style killings, and very few arrests.
But the Force’s Information Technology Specialist Senior Superintendant of Police, Edgar Thomas, had told Kaieteur News that the cameras are producing “very good” images. He also revealed that the Force has acquired the most powerful and widely used Video Enhanced software (Ocean Systems dTective), at a cost of over $7M, which will enable i n vestigators to enhance CCTV images. Often, images police collect from privately-owned CCTV cameras are barely recognizable. This was reportedly the case recently when blurred security camera images prevented police from recognizing two bandits who robbed a female bakery employee.
Page 15
Works Ministry, drivers agree on restoration of damaged infrastructure The Ministry of Public Works through its highway lighting maintenance programme has restored transformers in areas where drivers “accidentally” drove into lamp poles, effectively destroying the infrastructure. However, the cost of restoring the transformers has not been borne solely by the Ministry. Drivers who have accepted responsibility for the damaged infrastructure have worked out an arrangement with the Ministry. The Ministry is willing to go to the courts for those who have not. This was revealed by Terrence O’Brien, Electrical Engineer of the Public Works Ministry, during an interview with this publication. O’Brien said while agreements have been met between the Ministry and the drivers all monies have not been paid over to the Ministry. Nonetheless, the Ministry has moved to restore the infrastructure to illuminate sections of Timehri, East Bank Demerara; Tempe, West Coast Berbice; DeKendren, West Coast Demerara; and Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.
He related that on Friday last five 25kVA transformers procured by the Ministry arrived in Guyana and contractors over the weekend worked assiduously to install the equipment. According to O’Brien, a transformer provides power to 40 lights in any given stretch. He said that Cummings Electrical was contracted by the Ministry to install the transformer at Timehri (between Madewini Creek and Bounty Farm); Ramotar and Sons was contracted to
install transformers at Dekendren and Tempe; and Dynamics Engineering installed the transformer at Mahaica. The engineer related that the final cost for each project is not yet known since the contractors have to submit their invoices. However, one of the 25kVA transformers costs approximately $542,000. O’Brien noted that the remaining transformer is being stored by the Ministry for future usage.
Page 16
Kaieteur News
Friday May 30, 2014
Man gets 78 years for dumping wife’s body in trench By Latoya Giles Drama unfolded at the High Court yesterday afternoon as Kevin Verwayne, who was sentenced to 78 years imprisonment by Justice Navindra Singh, after being found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict for the murder of his reputed wife, attempted to jump over the rails of the court balcony as he was being escorted back to the lock-ups. As he threw his right leg over the rails, Sergeant Wishart sprang into action, restraining Verwayne, who then began fighting him and other police officers. He was crying and incoherent and was eventually subdued and taken to the lock-ups without further incident. Verwayne, 25, of Depot Dam Squatting Area, Pouderoyen, West Bank
Demerara, was on trial from May 16, for the 2011 murder of his 20-year-old reputed wife, Farida Ramdeen called ‘Susie’. The State’s case which was presented by Senior State Counsel Judith Gildharie-Mursalin was that Verwayne had taken Ramdeen in a taxi from their home at Pouderoyen to Gafoors at Houston, under the pretext that he was taking her to visit his aunt in Albouystown. He walked her down the Access Road which was muddy and when she asked him where he was taking her, he cuffed her to her mouth and compelled her to “walk.” He took off his boots and caused her to take off her slippers. He then told her, “Baby, all them things you been putting me through. All the time a telling yuh a gon kill yuh but yuh didn’t believe me. When I go to work you does have man in the house sexing you and I does work hard fuh give you all me money.” Verwayne then hugged Ramdeen and jumped into the trench with her where he choked her until she became lifeless, and then hid her body under some cane trash and returned home. Verwayne’s cousin, Shenisa Rawlins
- attempts getaway called ‘Blacks’ who had introduced Ramdeen to Verwayne and whose home they visited on a daily basis, called him on Saturday March 5, 2011, enquiring about Ramdeen. Verwayne told her that Ramdeen was at his aunt in Georgetown, as he had to work there the next day. He was employed as a garbage collector with Puran Bros Waste Disposal Services. Later that night, Verwayne confided in an aunt, Esther Pyle, at Crane Housing Scheme. Pyle called Rawlins to her home and Verwayne confided to Rawlins that he had murdered Ramdeen and hid her body under trash in the trench at Houston. He offered to take Rawlins to where the body was. Rawlins agreed to go with him to where the body was but instead she took him to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station by taxi where he told Corporal Lynette Phillips who was on duty that he had killed Ramdeen and left her body in the trench at Houston. Corporal Phillips contacted the ranks at Ruimveldt Police Station who had jurisdiction over
Houston, and Verwayne and Rawlins were picked up from Vreed-en-Hoop. Verwayne directed the police, including Corporal Herbert Henry, to the area where he had left the body. It was almost midnight and pitch black. However, Verwayne retrieved his boots and Rawlins recognized the pair of slippers that she had bought for Ramdeen stuck in the mud. Ramdeen’s body was not found that night. The next morning, Corporal Henry and a party of police officers and Rawlins, along with Ramdeen’s brother, Shawn Williams, returned to Houston where Ramdeen’s body was found and fished out of the trench. Photographs of that scene, taken by Corporal Linden Forbes Sampson were admitted as exhibits at the trial. Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh performed an autopsy on Ramdeen’s body and testified that she died from (asphyxiation) lack of oxygen due to compression injuries to the neck caused by manual strangulation and drowning. He also found that Ramdeen had sustained blunt trauma to her head, eyes, mouth and chest. Following his arrest, Verwayne also gave a written caution statement to Corporal Henry which was witnessed by Sergeant Bowman, and in which he detailed how and why he had murdered Ramdeen. He also took Sergeant Bowman to his home where he handed over the red jersey and brown pants he was wearing at the time he killed Ramdeen. These
were admitted as exhibits at the trial. Following the closure of the State’s case, Verwayne, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law, Melvyn Duke, opted to remain silent when called upon to lead a defence if he so desired. Through cross-examination of the State’s witnesses, including Rawlins, the defence raised the issue that one ‘Sherwin’ had sexually assaulted Ramdeen two weeks prior to her death and that he was her killer. Following a two-hour summing up of the evidence yesterday by Justice Singh, the jury, comprising nine women and three men, returned the unanimous verdict of guilty. Asked whether he had anything to say prior to sentencing, Verwayne said “No further comments at this time.” In his plea of mitigation, Defence Counsel asked the court for clemency and leniency in sentencing and to consider Verwayne’s age, that he had no counsel in the Magistrate’s Court and was a man of meagre means who had shown respect for the court throughout the trial. But the Prosecutor asked the Court to consider that there were no mitigating factors and that his intention to kill her was clearly evident from the fact that he took her to that location by taxi and that was a deliberate, unprovoked, unjustified, planned killing of this young woman in the prime of her life. “Resorting to this kind of brutality and violence is never the solution to any problem, but this is so prevalent in our society today. This young woman,
who from the evidence appeared to have been “flighty,” was led like a sheep to the slaughter by Ve r w a y n e , a man she obviously trusted, to her death,” the Prosecutor said. In imposing sentence on Verwayne, Justice Singh told him that he does not implement the death penalty for the offence of murder; the starting point was 60 years imprisonment. “Having regard to the fact that this was a premeditated act, meaning you planned it, I will add another 10 years to the 60. Further, I have considered that Ramdeen suffered and died a horrible death. One of the most horrible ways a person can die is by drowning and for your cruelty in this regard, I will add another five years. “Because it is a crime of domestic violence, which is prevalent in Guyana, I will add another six years. For the time served in prison while on remand, I will deduct that three years. There are no mitigating factors in this case and the jury having found you guilty, you have chosen not to say anything. You are hereby sentenced to 78 years imprisonment.” Verwayne appeared calm as he was handcuffed and led from the dock out of the courtroom and onto the corridor where he then began crying and attempted to jump over the rails. Ramdeen’s elderly grandmother, Gladys Ramnarine, who was present in court throughout the trial, said she was “grateful to God that justice was done”. She said Ramdeen had lost her parents at a tender age and she grew up with her.
Friday May 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 25
Govt. distributes pesticide storage CFATF tells members to limit... cabinets for suicide-prone areas Government has launched a pilot project that will supply 150 pesticide users with storage cabinets this year, with focus especially in areas of high suicide rates. During the programme launched at Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara yesterday, the Ministry said it recognized that farmers heavily rely on the use of pesticides to ensure that pest and diseases do not affect their crops and livelihood. Of special concern was the “irresponsible” and “unsafe” use by many. The project, by the Ministry’s Pesticide Toxic and Chemical Controls Board (PTCCB), is a three-year one under the theme, “Enhancing and Promoting Sound Chemicals Management through Safe Storage of Pesticides”. Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, underscored the importance of such a project in ensuring that pesticides are not used in an irresponsible manner, hence reducing the number of suicide cases and affecting people’s health in other ways. Much has been done over the years by the Pesticide Board in ensuring that pesticides accessibility is restricted to authorized users. This has seen farmers, vendors and students from various schools across the country benefiting from training programmes on proper storage and awareness, a Government statement said. “The PTCCB has been focusing its efforts also to prevent pesticide harm to
One of the storage cabinets handed over to farmers at Cane Grove children. This new awareness programme targets two aspects of negative use of pesticide, sustainable ecology and environment and human health.” “The aim of today’s programme is to ensure farmers are able to store chemicals properly. However while we are implementing ways in which this can be done, manufacturers and their local agents must also
play a part in ensuring proper storage of pesticide,” he said. Ramsammy called on others to come on board with the project to ensure that all farmers benefit since presently the Pesticide Board is not in the position to distribute storage cabinets to all farmers. During the launch of the pilot project, 10 farmers received storage cabinets through a lottery process.
(From page 12) assets, and 4) fully implementing the UN conventions. AFC SAYS Bill could be passed within 72 hours Meanwhile, the Alliance for Change (AFC) sent a strong message to the government yesterday through the media, with Treasurer, Dominic Gaskin, stating that his party believes that the AML/CFT Amendment Bill could be passed within 72 hours if there is political will. “It is time to cut the rhetoric and let us move things along. The people of Guyana demand no less of their leaders. The AFC proposes that a process to fast-track the operationalization of the Public Procurement Commission be implemented with the government naming two nominees to the Procurement Commission, A Partnership for National Unity naming two, and the AFC naming the other.”
Gaskin said these five names would be submitted to the Public Accounts Committee to ensure they meet the criteria for the Procurement Commission. This he proposed could be done within 24 hours. He outlined that the next stage of the process would see the National Assembly approving the nominees. Given the Government’s demand for Cabinet to retain a role in the award of contracts, the AFC has already indicated its willingness to compromise by amending Section 54 of the Procurement Act so that Cabinet’s right to raise an objection on the award of contracts is enshrined. Once the House approves the nominees they could be sworn in. “Following this, the Alliance for Change would have no hesitation in giving its support for the passage of the AML/CFT Bill,” said Gaskin. Government maintains that the positions taken by the
Opposition parties—A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC)—are unfortunate, given the devastating consequences. Aside from the government’s position, many entities have lamented the stalemate that characterized the Special Select Committee that was set up to address the AML/CFT Bill. AFC leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, in a recent interview with this publication said “government will prefer its corruption in the absence of the Procurement Commission along with all the hardship that the Guyanese people will face with the anti money laundering bill not being passed, that is the caring nature of this government.”
Page 30
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
Kaieteur News
FOR SALE/RENT American Pool tables – Call: 277-0578
PVC Ceiling Panels, PVC Mouldings, Medallions. American Standard!!! – Call:614-8564, 680-0862 Pure Rottweiler pups, parents are imported pedigree dogs Call: 2642870 or 672-6402 after 6pm 665-9140 or 639-1431
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 B & C Driving School: Lot 5 Hadfield Street Lodge- call: 225-0150, 229-7258, 680-6826
American made Werner Aluminum Ladders; 25 feet -$35,000, 17 feet, multipurpose - $28,000 – Call: 609-7257, 602-5794 One business property @ Lot 1 Durban & Smyth Street, One house & Land @ 119 Pike Street Kitty – Phone:231-1966 Modern Doors Automation Systems: Garage Doors in multiple designs & sizes @ Lot 43 Croal &Alexander Street Stabroek, Call: 658-2990 Toyota 4 Runner, great Condition - Call: 223-9719/ 227-1028 One house lot, in Butcher Shop Street, Parika. Contact # 650-0402 Clean garden earth, also Bobcat & Excavator rentals Tel: 626-7127 Three lots at Blankenburg behind the gas station Contact # 650-0402 House lots in Schoonord Contact # 650-0402 2 Months old Rottweiler pups & 7 months old female German shepherd – Tel:6834832, 263-5755 One slate pools table 8x4 $450,000 negotiable – lights, chalk, coin included – Call: 601-8083 Games for PS2, PS3, XBOX360, WII, consoles also available – Call: 6722566, 265-3231
VACANCY
SALON
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Commercial property lodge, corner spot – Tel:627-4900
Drivers, visiting & security officers. Apply within NM Security Solutions Inc, Lot “O” Ruimveldt Georgetown – Tel: 225-5773/76
Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
2008 Toyota Premio (unregistered) – Tel: 6154114
Earn a certificate in cosmetology, wig designs or nails alone, limited spaces Call Abby: 619-7603, 666-5241
2-1RZ mini bus BLL & BJJ diesel, good working condition – Call: 628-1342 or 226-6071 STAR CARS AUTO SALE: Premio, Spacio, Allion, IST, Feilder, Altezza, new Raum, Axela, Carina 212 – Call: 679-3140, 615-1199
1-2 storey building, wooden & concrete In Northon St, 5 building from Camp St. Second building from Main Rd. $19M Neg - Call: 628-0972 Lot 81 Lamaha Street. No Agent! - Call: 673-5882
1-2storey wooden & Concrete house with 5 bedrooms upper flat & lower flat 4 apartments located@ Shell Road, kitty - $38.9M Tel:642-7898 New concrete flat house 28X35 at La Parafaite Harmonie - $7M negotiable Call: 604-3568, 227-3961 Lot 1064/65 Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt Park. – Serious Offers onlyCall: 619-7299
Dell computers with 17" Leds -$59,000, laptops from -$64,000, Blackberry 8310 $9,000 @Futuretech – Call: 231-2206; 644-6760 Live/pluck chicken call: 6504421, 220-9203 Dressed and mill cut lumber: Kabukalli, Silverballi, Greenheart, Purpleheart etc – Call: 688-6579
PROPERTY FOR SALE
2 Storey wood and concrete. Concrete garage, yard, fence. EBD - 5 minutes from Georgetown -$16M – Tel: 619-3481
Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943
CAKES & PASTRIES Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery; also edible images and Wedding dresses for sale. Call: 670-0798
One 2 flat wooden & concrete house, 4 bedrooms, 2 washrooms, Annandale, Sandreef, ECD, Built in 2006 Call:220-3133 or 615-5538
Toyota Hilux, 4x4 single cab, diesel turbo, pick-up registration GRR, Nissan 200SX sport car, Turbo - Tel: 616-0427; 227-8448, 612-8319, 220-6542 Jailing Scooter 125cc, silver, like new & gasoline generator 110/220v 60Hz. 25kw. 5 hours use - Tel: 616-0427; 227-8448, 612-8319, 220-6542 Toyota Forerunner, 4x4, automatic, power steering, A/C, bargain at $1,290,000.00 Tel:227-8448; 612-8319; 2206542, 616-0427 Canadian rebuilt Perkins Duetz engine, Lincoln generator welder, model ‘M’ with winch, 320 excavator – Call: 691-2921 Food Caravan for sale, payment plan available – Call: 675-5448 15 Bar Stool, table & chairs, Sesame Street baby prom & walker, brand new projector screen, wall divider – Tel: 669-0366 5000 gas fuel tank – Call: 6013194
24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 670-8893/684-2838 Porters & Experienced Hardware Counter Clerks. Apply in person with reference @ Hardware Emporium, Lot 78 Church Street, G/town. 1 – Civil engineer, security personnel, skid steer & excavator operators, labourers, mechanic, body works man (spray), office assistant – Call: 603-4098 Real estate clerks, Road foreman, operations manager & cleaners – Call: 603-4098 Restaurant / bar help & managers @ Friendly’s Bar & Lounge (Timehri), apply in person @ 198 Camp Street, GLU building - Tel: 623-5011 Experienced cosmetologist, preferably from the East Bank Demerara – Tel:652-5800
Prime business and residential 3 storey property in excellent condition, situated 11 Camp and Norton Street G/town, negotiable – Call Pearl Realty: 689-9991 Are you planning to buy or sell a house in Guyana or Florida? Call Ron’s Real Estate – 218-5591
FOR SALE
Friday May 30, 2014
Furnished four bedroom house A/C, automatic generator, auto garage etc $30M negotiable @ Grandville Park – Tel:6004409, 623-8172
Dolly’s Car Rental - Call: 225-7126/ 226-3693 dollys autorental@yahoo.com/ www.dolly sautorental.com ProgressiveAuto Rental: Cars & SUV for rental- $4,000 & up per day- Call: 643-5122, 628-2284 ,Email:pro_ autorental @yahoo.com Wings Car Rental- Call: 6431131/ BBM pin: 24E17558 Aidan’s Car Rental, Canter & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 6987807 DRESS-MAKING Learn to cut & sew at Enid’s Dressmaking, certificate classes, 66 Sixth Street Albertown, sewing also done here! - Call: 643-7966
First Class Auto: Allion, Premio, Spacio, IST, 212, Fielder, Raum, Allex, Runx, Bluebird, Axela - Tel:6098188, 638-3045
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. COOL TECH : Repairs Services & Installation of all types if homes appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 233-2008; 675-4959 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar:2310655,683-8734
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 One Kitchen for a bar + restaurant located on Lamaha St. – Call: 684-5797, 684-3371.
CAR RENTAL
Beautopia - Offering hair & nails courses, also available - Brazilian & Indian Virgin Hair - Call: 604-3002/ 699-8477
1 Bottom flat apartment @ Diamond New Scheme, preferably working couple $50,000 negotiable - Tel: 6704484 1 Business bottom flat, bridge to road, approximately 1000 SQFT Call: 628-1342/ 226-6071 Fully furnished apartment as low as - $4,000 per day @ Secrete Villa Albouystown, Georgetown branch or call: 223-0994 All prices have been reduced as low as - $4,000 per day @ Secret Villa, Land-OfCanaan or Call: 266-5243-5 Lower flat apartment at 220 Lamaha Street Kitty, G/ town Call Margret: 2311187/ 670-6849/678-6573 One upper flat @ 6th Street Cummings Lodge, ECD – Call: 622-3580
Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 662-6045 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING AND ESTIMATES FOR ONLY $10,000- CALL:6949843/227-2766 Luxury building construction, general contractors, general building construction concrete, wood, ceiling, roof, etc – Call: 592-6954062, email:anojaisari @yahoo.com For Grill work, aluminum, cast iron, stainless steel, vessel, trailer -Call Khemraj: 666-2101 Travel with Ron to Florida or Washington DC. For just $US3000 with hotels & car rental provided - call: 2185591, 675-7292 VEHICLE FOR SALE AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super-custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 One black Nissan Bluebird; latest model – Call: 687-1392
ALYEA AUTO SALE: SPACIO 2004, DARK INTERIOR, FOG, PRICE TO GO. LOT 40 CROAL STREET G/TOWN – TEL:622-3823/ 231-5789 One Toyota RAV4 automatic model UA-ACA 21W (Rav4) Plate PPP series - Call: 2276903,Cell:676-6109Price:$3.8M One Toyota Land cruiser Prado, PMM Series Call: 2250188, 223-7500, Mon-Fri 8:154:15pm, Sat - 8:15-1:15PM Toyota Avensis 2003, PRR series 18" Rims, leather interior, HID, A/C, Alarm, TV, $3.250M, immaculate condition! Tel: 609-7257, 602-5974 Unregistered Spacio, TV Flair Kit, Noah mini buses BSS series – Call: 697-0294 One Toyota Carina AT192 $560,000, 1 compressor c/w air tool kit master craft $110,000 – owner migrating: 641-6239 One 2 Ton Mitsubishi freezer canter truck, 4D-38 engine (not computerized), immaculate condition – Call: 220-3133; 615-5538. One [1] Ford Driven 60HP Tractor 600hrs, almost new -$2.2M. Contact Junior: 6654611; 261-5304 1 AE100 Toyota Corolla, excellent condition, A/c, mag rims, alarm, DVD player – Price: $775,000 – Call: 2253217, 695-6461, 612-9625 2002 unregistered Toyota Regius 8 seats, fully loaded Tv/Navi/AC/PW/PS, alloy wheels - $1.8M - Tel: 624-5617 One Toyota Corolla AE100 excellent condition – Contact: 615-18-34/267-2083 - $700,000 negotiable 2007 Mazda Hatchback, fully loaded 2002 Spacio, wine colour unregistered, Zmodo Surveillance system 4 & 8 channel – Tel: 696-4659 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 (Continued on page 31)
Friday May 30, 2014
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Public/Private Partnerships projects...
Govt. to discuss financing model publicly Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, has issued a call for the financing institutions of the region to scale-up their efforts in assisting Caribbean states to promote Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects. The model of financing, which has been objected to by Opposition Parliamentarians, is to be used in a number of large scale projects, including a new Demerara River Bridge, dredging the Demerara Harbour, a deep water port, a road to Brazil and development of an Upper Mazaruni Hydropower project. Already, projects like the Berbice River Bridge, the Marriott Hotel and the soon to be executed Amalia Falls Hydro Power Project have been negotiated under a PPP financing model, according to a Government statement yesterday. However, the Opposition and observers alike have blasted Government over the transactions which literally placed the projects in the control of private investors, although the majority of monies came from taxpayers. In the last three cases, the state is almost sidelined in receiving returns on its investments. Minister Singh, in making an observation at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)’s seminar on ‘Public Private Partnership in the Caribbean: Building on Early lessons’, on
Wednesday at the Guyana International Conference Centre, noted that PPPs remain an extremely important instrument for use in financing the huge infrastructure gap in the region. The Finance Minister said that the dilemma for the region, however, remains taking full advantage of these PPPs. He said that in each of the respective countries, largely because of scale, the issue remains fairly limited institutional capacity to implement large PPPs, and the regional and international financing institutions, therefore have an important role to play in that respect. “The challenge for us as a region lies in identifying good opportunities for PPPs, structuring good transactions, bringing credible investors to those transactions and bringing those transactions to concrete conclusion,” he stated. ”Regional and international institutions have an important role to play in helping us to identify good opportunities for PPPs and in helping us to conclude those transactions...I would like to call on these institutions to scale up their efforts with respect to helping us facilitate good PPP transactions.” The seminar, which formed part of the Bank’s calendar for its 44th Annual Meeting of its Board of Governors in Guyana, and towards seeking to find solutions to issues of economic
growth in the Caribbean, examined one of the possible solutions to this problem. This includes how to encourage greater private sector involvement in the provision of public growth. In addition to providing the findings of a recently completed CDB study in this regard, a panel of five experts on the issue, and subsequently, those in attendance were given the opportunity to offer their opinions, observations or ask questions. The Bank’s Director, Economic Department, Dr. Justine Ram chaired the panel discourse, which included Economist, CDB, Carl Howell, Manager, Latin America and the Caribbean International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group, Washington, Richard Cabello, Sector Specialist, Sovereign and Infrastructure, CIBC First Caribbean Investment Bank, Grand Cayman, Gemel Sober, Managing Director, National Roads, Operating Construction Limited, Jamaica Ivan Anderson and Managing Director, National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd, Winston Brassington. Anderson and Brassington both presented case studies; Anderson on the Jamaica Highway 2002 project and Brassington on three PPP projects in Guyana, the Berbice River Bridge, the Marriott Hotel and the soon
to be executed Amalia Falls Hydro Power Project. Brassington, noting that Guyana has had 10 years’ experience with PPPs, said that the major challenge remains finding political consensus on these projects. ”Political consensus has been difficult,” he said. He noted that Guyana, like other countries is seeking to, in the future, implement PPPs in a formal structure, and is therefore moving to have a white paper on PPPs. He said too, that going forward, Government’s major thrust on PPPs will be on infrastructure with focus on reducing logistical cost, efficiencies and opening up new frontiers. Meanwhile, Carl Howell gave a major overview of the bank’s study and PPPs in the Caribbean, whilst Richard Cabello presented the perspective from IFC on PPPs - lessons for the Caribbean. Gemel Sobers’ presentation was on structuring finance for Caribbean growth. Howell noted the role that CDB would play with regards to PPPs in the Caribbean and identified by the CDB report, capacity building in countries would be the bank’s agenda.
ACCOMMODATION Harmony Inn -$5,000-$8,000 per night, complimentary breakfast, discounts (longterm), honeymoon package, 3 nights $15,000$20,000 – Call: 668-0306, 6947817 LAND FOR SALE High income land (100ftX50ft) @ La Parafaite Harmonie -$2.4M, New Grove (corner lot) with foundation $2.6M–Call:218-5591,675-7292 WANTED One shop attendant & one handy boy to work in the interior Call: 681-6044
TO LET Rooms – Call: 225-9223 1 - Four bedrooms house with all modern conveniences, semi-furnished - $300,000 monthly, Happy Acres – Tel: 231-7839 (working hours) Furnished and unfurnished two bedroom apartments in Eccles, for short or long term Tel: 643-1131 Three bedroom apartment ‘B’ Field Sophia - $50,000, 3 months advance, furnished small office space – Call: 2231719, 223-1273 Rooms – Call: 225-3234 2 bedroom apartments @ Factory Road Paradise, ECD. Large living, dining, etc. One month’s security - $38,500 monthly – Call: 672-2677, 625-9939
4 Mining Blocks at Kwakwanie - Tel: 627-4900
At Eccles Housing Scheme price $6.5M - negotiable Call: 616-6000
One Honest counter clerk, 3yrs experienced selling Japanese Spare Parts . Contact Ray’s Motor Spares & Auto Sales: 231-7839 (working hours) 3 female general workers between ages 22-35yrs, 1 male general worker between ages 18-30 – Contact: 225-6337 Live out domestic babysitter and live in babysitter –Call: 225-0188, 225-6070 (Monday to Saturday) (8:15am-4:15pm) One domestic worker, one domestic cook @ East Coast Demerara - Contact: 6115398, 621-8478 Urgently needed live in waitresses to work in bar, attractive salary offered – Tel:259-0574 Two half days cleaner, must be from the W.C.D to work in Tuschen – Call: 662-9341 Driver living in Georgetown with Mini-bus License for contract – Call: 646-8748 Drivers, hire cars & bartenders to work at Flambouyant Taxi Services/ Restaurant – Call: 678-4470
LAND FOR SALE
Farm: East Bank Demerara , New Scheme: land (58X110) (front corner lot) - Tel: 603-9700
(From page 30)
WANTED One female babysitter to work in Georgetown, age 40-45 – Call: 614-5711 between 9-5pm Pump attendants & cashier at Shell Mc Doom gas station, apply in person Experienced taxi drivers for Gem’s Taxi Service - Call: 2313709, 667-9013
EDUCATIONAL
One cashier, send application along with CV to gjmarketing 14@gmail.com
Balloon Decorating Classes – 31st May 2014 – Call: 2253133 or 613-7513 for more information and to register.
Men to work in sea food plant, required ID, NIS & police clearance: contact Mr. James 680-5200/697-3040
Foundation/ summer classes: Form 1, 2 &3 – JulyAugust. Mathematics, English, Spanish, Music, I.T, etc - Call Mr. Lee: 227-7850
One hire car $20,000-$24,000 per week with alarm & have police clearance – Call: 6716754
Just completed Level 6? Need transition/foundation classes – Forms 1 & 2 – Call Mr. Lee: 227-7850
Live in small family with teenage son/daughter – Free accommodation – Tel: 2271830
IAE - Camp Street - Registration has commenced Forms 1-5 (full-time school); day & evening, adult CXC classes Call: 683-5742, 223-0604
Live-in domestic must know to cook 25-35yrs, live-in waitress 18-25yrs: salary $50,000 monthly, boarding & lodging free- Tel: 610-5043
Domestic maid, work available at Diamond Housing Scheme – Contact: 609-1535; 227-8529; 2160979 Experienced Salesgirls, with secondary education @ Christine’s Variety Store – Contact: 609-1535/ 227-8529 One driver and a Cummings Mechanic to work in the interior - Contact: 681-6044 1 Skilled tile man, 2 skilled masons - $6,000 per day, 2 porters- $4,000 daily from W.C.D to work @ Tuschen Call: 684-8231 General help must be willing to cook puri & egg balls – Call: 626-2629 To buy 2 low income land in La Parafaite Harmonie & one high income in Scoonord – Call:218-5591 or 675-7292 Live-in experienced caregiver Call: 664-8150 Person to draw cones from machine and sell.Good Rates Tel:227-1830 Honest, single live in domestic – Call: 646-1758 between 9:00am-4:00pm, attractive salary offered.
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Friday May 30, 2014
Police probe “racist” placards displayed during Trinidad anti-government march P O R T- O F - S PA I N , Trinidad - CMC – Trinidad and Tobago police have launched an investigation into the presence of placards bearing racial slogans during a demonstration organised by the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) last weekend.Acting Superintendent Joanne Archie said that a senior officer had been appointed as the lead investigator into the matter.Last week, Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley, who led supporters of his People’s National Movement (PNM) in the protest march against the government, said that people dressed in red, the colour of the PNM and “carrying placards with racist statements have been planted throughout the march. ‘We reject out of hand this underhanded attempt to change the conversation surrounding the march and we distance ourselves from the divisive statements, born out of the deceptive and dirty tactics of those who wish to continue to rape our treasury and continue their wrongdoing, against the will of the people,” he said. At a news conference on
Tuesday Rowley called on the police to investigate the placard issue. Photographs of people wearing red jerseys, holding placards bearing “racist” statements were posted on social-networking sites on F r i d a y . A c t i n g Superintendent could not say whether the decision to launch the investigation was promote by Rowley’s statement, adding “I cannot say if it is as a result of the call (by Rowley”. She said the Acting Police C o m missioner, Stephen Williams had confirmed that he had immediately launched an investigation into the matter and an investigator has been appointed. Under the sedition Act, anyone found guilty of an offence could face up to 12 months in jail. Meanwhile, the leader of government business in the Parliament, Dr. Roodal Moonilal has sought to distance the ruling United National Congress (UNC) from any involvement in the matter, saying instead that the PNM has had a h i s t o r y o f u s i n g such strategies.
“”This reminded me of a particular indivi-dual, when I was at the UWI (University of the West Indies) St Augustine, what he would do; he would pelt a stone h i g h i n t h e a i r, o n t h e house, and then he will run into the house and when the stone hit the roof, he would say who did that? “Now, this is Dr Rowley trying to avoid the reality that his party over the years, not today alone, but his party has promoted division and discriminatory treatment,” Moonila, who is also a senior government minister, told reporters. He questioned why the organisers of the march did not take steps “on the day to remove those persons and those placards from the legitimate march which they conducted. “They are first liable for the people who were in their march…they should have dealt with that; the matter is not for the Police Commissioner now, it is for the organisers of the march,” said Moonilal, adding that the UNC did not pu t p l a n t s i n t h e march to hold racist placards.
Court to deliver judgement on controversial Section 34 legislation P O R T- O F - S PA I N , Trinidad - CMC – The Court of Appeal will on We d n e s d a y n e x t w e e k deliver a ruling in a case that could once again bring under the m i c r o s c o p e government’s legislation to deal with criminal activities in Trinidad and Tobago. Businessmen Steve Fergusson, Ameer Edoo and three companies have challenged the decision of the Parliament to repeal Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act 2011. Soon after the Section 34 was proclaimed, Ferguson and Edoo a l o n g w ith several other men and companies filed applications at the High Court to have several fraud-related charges against them dismissed. The appellants are contending the repeal of the section had breached separation of power principles and that of legitimate expectation. Last October, the
Hebert Volney three-member Court of Appeal reserved its ruling following days of lengthy submissions by attorneys for both the appellants and the State. I n O c t o b e r, 2 0 1 2 , Parliament repealed Section 34 of the Act that that had the effect of allowing people, whose trial has not started after a 10-year period to walk free and a verdict of not guilty entered against their names. Critics said the section was aimed at supporting Ferguson and businessman Ish
Galbaransingh who have been described as financiers of the ruling United National Congress (UNC), the biggest partner in the four-member coalition P e o p l e ’s P a r t n e r s h i p government The two are facing fraud and laundering charges relating to the re-development of the Piarco International Airport in 2001. They are also wanted in the United States on a number of related charges. Their attorneys had petitioned the local court to have the charges against them dismissed citing Section 34 of the Act. Prime Minister Persad Bissessar has dismissed h e r J u s t i c e M i n i s t e r, Hebert Volney, a former High Court judge, on the grounds that he misled Cabinet into believing that the Chief Justice Ivor Archie and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Roger Gaspard, had supported the idea of the early proclamation of Section 34.
Friday May 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
Gas talks set for Friday as Ukraine cut-off deadline looms BRUSSELS/ATHENS (Reuters) Ta l k s between Russia, Ukraine and the European Commission to resolve a gas dispute will go ahead t o d a y, the Commission said, as time runs out to avert a threat that Moscow could cut off supplies to Ukraine. Ukraine is also the transit nation for around half of the gas Russia sells to the European Union, so the dispute threatens onward supplies to Europe. The Commission, the EU executive, has already brokered two rounds of talks in Berlin f o l l o w i n g M o s c o w ’s threat to stop supplying Kiev with gas if it fails to make a pre-payment for June supplies by June 2. At talks on Monday, Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said the two go v e r n m e n t s would study his proposal that Ukraine pay off part of the debt Gazprom says it owes. Ukraine has said the price for 2014 s h o u l d b e agreed first
Guenther Oettinger before it starts making any payments. Russia’s energy minister has said Moscow and the EU have proposed that Kiev pay Gazprom $2 billion by May 30, and another $500 million before June 7, as a precondition for a price discount and further talks. A Gazprom source told Reuters yesterday that the company had not yet received any payments from Ukraine. Gas flows to Europe via Ukraine, h o w e v e r, remained stable. G a z p r o m ’s Chief Executive Officer Alexei
Miller struck a note of cautious optimism, saying in Athens that he hoped the agreement with Ukraine would be reached in the next few days, and so avert supply cuts to Europe. European Commission spokeswoman Sabine Berger said a third round of talks would take place in Berlin today afternoon, and a spokeswoman for the Russian Energy Ministry confirmed that Moscow would take part in the talks. Gazprom has said U k r a i n e ’s d e b t f o r g a s supplies will have risen to about $5.2 billion by June 7 unless Ukraine begins to pay it off, but Ukraine has countered that Gazprom owes it around $1 billion for gas following R u s s i a ’s seizure of Crimea. Oettinger said on We d n e s d a y h e w a s working on getting Russia and Ukraine to agree on “a fair price” over the coming days, but some of the related issues would be too complex for a quick solution.
Kremlin adviser steps up war of words with U.S. over Ukraine ASTANA (Reuters) An outspoken Kremlin adviser accused the United States yesterday of trying to stoke a military conflict between Russia and European nations over Ukraine for its own economic gain. S e rg e i G l a z y e v, a n economic adviser to President Vladimir Putin with responsibility for ties with Ukraine, said the United States’ economy and global standing had benefited in the past from wars in Europe. “Now t h e y (the United States) are unfurling a war in Ukraine, after organizing a coup and p u t t i n g t h eir own people in charge, to use Ukraine as a detonator against Russia and Europe,” Glazyev told reporters in the Kazakh capital, Astana. “There is growing chaos in Ukraine, and the chaos is increasingly acquiring the traits of a global catastrophe,” he said before Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan signed a treaty creating a new trading bloc.
Sergei Glazyev Glazyev did not provide any evidence to support his comments but said unidentified foreign mercenaries had been seen arriving in Ukraine to fight pro-Russian armed rebels in
the east. His comments were characteristically confrontational for an adviser who has regularly staked out more radical positions than the Russian government or the Kremlin, which at times has distanced itself from his remarks. The crisis in Ukraine, from which Russia has annexed the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, has caused the worst tensions in relations with the West since the Cold War ended. The United States has denied instigating events which forced the removal of Ukrainian President Vi k t o r Ya n u k o v i c h , described by Moscow as a coup d’etat, and says it wants a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
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PM warns Grenadians, brace for tough sacrifices ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell has told Grenadians that they should be prepared to undergo three years of “tough sacrifices” as the island implements a home grown economic strategy with assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “Our citizens recognize that our country has been reeling from the effects of these difficult economic times. We have been faced with high debt, high unemployment, and low growth. We cannot negate that fact. “What we can do, and have done, is seek assistance to develop our own programme to get us on a path to fiscal sustainability. We have solicited the help of the IMF and other international and regional organizations, and they have
Dr. Keith Mitchell accepted. “But, sisters and brothers, the road to recovery is arduous, and we implore your sacrifice and your patience. Our Homegrown programme calls for three years of tough sacrifices,” Mitchell said at an awards ceremony for a local hotel establishment.
“We are all feeling the pain, and no one enjoys this, least of all, me. I have stated countless times before, if we were provided a viable alternative to the austerity measures that we have undertaken, I would have been the first to embrace it. “As it stands, this is the best way forward. But, my friends, it is imperative to remember that these measures are temporary,” said Mitchell, who is hoping that the IMF would approve of the “Home Grown Structural Adjustment Programme” later this month. In March, the IMF said it had reached agreement in principle with the Grenada government for a three-year US$21.9-million Extended Credit Facility to support an “ambitious programme” to correct the island’s fiscal imbalances and lift sustainable growth.
Colombia’s Zuluaga softens on FARC peace talks ahead of run-off vote BOGOTA (Reuters) Colombia’s Oscar Ivan Zuluaga, who faces President Juan Manuel Santos in a runoff vote on June 15, yesterday backed away from a threat to end peace talks with Marxist rebels if elected, softening his stance on the election’s most pivotal issue. Zuluaga, who won the most votes in a first round of voting on Sunday but not enough to avoid a run-off, is now neck and neck with Santos, a poll showed yesterday, raising the suspense in the Andean nation’s tightest election in years. The right-wing Zuluaga told Caracol radio that if elected, he would still demand that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, cease combat and criminal activity to continue the talks Santos initiated in late 2012, but would no longer immediately suspend talks as he promised previously. Zuluaga did not say how long he would give the FARC to declare a ceasefire, a condition it has rejected until now, but said he softened his stance at the request of Conservative Party leader Marta Lucia Ramirez in exchange for her support in the run-off vote campaign. “We maintain our same conditions to advance the search for a negotiated peace,” Zuluaga told local radio. “We’ll allow the talks to continue.” He added he would review what had been
Oscar Ivan Zuluaga
agreed upon so far during the closed-door discussions. The question of how to end the country’s 50-year conflict, during which 220,000 people have been killed, has been the campaign’s most prominent issue, with advancing negotiations appearing to put peace within closer reach than ever before. Negotiators at the talks, which are being held in Cuba, have reached partial accords on three of five topics under discussion, including land reform, political participation by the FARC and the rebels’ withdrawal from the drug trade. Santos says this election is a choice between grasping a historic chance to end the decades-old conflict by voting for him, or continuing “an endless war” by choosing his rival. Zuluaga, backed by popular ex-President Alvaro Uribe, who decimated rebel
ranks with a relentless U.S.backed military onslaught, has been critical of the talks with “terrorists” and drug traffickers. Santos told Caracol radio that Zuluaga’s warming to the idea of talks was hypocritical, branding it “politicking.” “Now it turns out they are friends of peace and for continued negotiations, even though they impose conditions impossible to fulfill,” Santos said. The first voter poll since Sunday’s first round, published on Thursday by researcher Cifras y Conceptos, showed Santos had a narrow lead of 1 percentage point over Zuluaga, with 38 and 37 percent of voter intentions, respectively, in a survey of 1,672 respondents. The poll’s 2.9 percentage point margin of error means the two candidates are locked in a technical tie.
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Kaieteur News
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Friday May 30, 2014
West Indies edge New Zealand 2-0... Marics greases engine of ‘Maximum Sports-Combat and Strength’
From page 41 for 28 from 10.4 overs, Joel Garner 2 for 14 from 15 overs. West Indies first innings 336 all out - Skipper Vivian Richards led from the front with a Pugnacious 105, Malcolm Marshall 63, Desmond Haynes 62, Joel Garner 37 not out, Richie Richardson 22. Bowling for New Zealand Richard Hadlee took 3 for 86 from 26 overs, Martin Crowe 2 for 25 from 10 overs, Ewan Chatfield 2 for 57 from 28 overs, Derrick sterling 2 for 82 from 14.1 overs. New Zealand second innings 248 all out - Jeremy Coney 83, John Wright 64, Ian Smith 26, Stephen Block 22.
Bowling for West Indies Malcolm Marshall took 7 for 80 from 25.3 overs giving match figures of eleven for 120, Winston Davis supported his master with 3 for 66 from 18 overs. West Indies second innings - 10 without loss. West Indies vs New Zealand fourth Test Sabina Park, Kingston Jamaica – result: West Indies won by 10 wickets. West Indies first Innings 363 all out - Desmond Haynes 76, Jeffrey Dujon 70, Larry Gomes 45, Richie Richardson 30, Malcolm Marshall 26, Vivian Richards 23. Bowling for New Zealand Richard Hadlee took 4 for 53 from 28.4 overs Jeremy Coney
2 for 38 from 14 overs, Gary Troup 2 for 87 from 17 overs. New Zealand first innings 138 all out John Wright 53, John Bracewell 25 not out, Richard Hadlee 18. Bowling for West Indies, Winston Davis finished with career best figures of 4 for 19 from 13.5 overs, Joel Garner 2 for 37 from 16 overs, Malcolm Marshall 2 for 47 from 17 overs. New Zealand Second Innings following on 283 all out, Jeff Crowe 112, Skipper Geoff Howarth 84, John Bracewell 27. Bowling for West Indies, Malcolm Marshall took 4 for 66 from 28.4, Joel Garner 2 for 41 from 19 overs, Courtney Walsh 2 for 45 from 16 overs.
Friday May 30, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A neighbor or relative might volunteer to help you with some chores around the house, Aries, but you could sense that his or her heart isn't in it. This person is probably thinking about things and just needs some kind words and a little advice. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Paperwork involving money could be a real drag for you today, Taurus. You'll have to get it done, but you'd rather be elsewhere. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A contract of some kind, perhaps involving the home, might need some careful consideration today, Gemini. You could find it a little difficult to understand, as it could be full of fine print and legalese. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You might pick up some rather disturbing thoughts from a friend, neighbor, or relative, Cancer. This person could be upset over something and not communicating his or her feelings. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Some gossip about a friend could reach your ears today, Leo, and it might seem a bit shocking at first. Money could be involved. However, don't accept what you hear at face value. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you might find yourself the center of attention, Virgo. Friends could ask for some information they know you have. It might involve telling a story or giving practical advice.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today you might take up some sort of occult study, such as astrology, numerology, or alchemy that seems like Greek to you at first, Libra. As a result, you could be tempted to abandon it. Don't! SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A friend might be in such a dour mood that you wonder if this is the same person you know and love, Scorpio. During the day you might be tempted to try to analyze what's going on, but this is apt to raise more questions than answers. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) A friend or romantic partner might need your advice, Sagittarius, and want to discuss a few things that you don't really understand. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you might read a book on exercise or nutrition that seems a bit unsettling, Capricorn. According to the book, you're doing everything wrong! AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) YMemories and emotions welling up from the past might excite your creative impulses today, Aquarius. You may not quite be able to understand what all of this means, but the pictures should keep coming to you nonetheless. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A subject you're researching, perhaps for a class or workshop, might prove more difficult than you expected, Pisces. The resources you consult might be very scholarly and thus difficult to read.
The eagerly awaited sports show dubbed, ‘Maximum Sports-Combat and Strength,’ will be inaugurated tomorrow evening on National Communication Network and the host of the show, Max Massiah is confident that it will meet the needs of the Guyanese sports public. The one hour television programme is geared to entertain and inform and already several business entities have come forward to support the programme. The latest to render support is Marics Motorcycles of Oronoque Street, Lacytown. The proprietors of that institution have rendered support because they are confident that the programme could deliver as it has promised. Already, Mr. Massiah has managed to solicit the corporate input of several sponsors including Fitness Express, suppliers of
nutrition, protein and exercise equipment, and Jermaine’s Enterprise of 93 Regent Street, which deals in biodegradable products. Yesterday afternoon, another business entity, Marics Motorcycles of Oronoque Street Lacytown came on board with a substantial sponsorship cheque and Mr. Massiah was extremely delighted by such chivalry. He thanked his benefactors and assured that
the show will deliver as it has promised. The programme will focus heavily on combat and strength, judo, boxing, martial arts, power and weights lifting and commences tomorrow night at 21:00 on NCN 11. In the above photo, Mr. Massiah gratefully accepts the gift from one of the sales personnel of the business entity. Interested sponsors can contact Mr. Massiah on telephone # 609-8132.
GCA competitions continue this weekend Action in the Georgetown Cricket Association first and second division 2-day tournaments will continue this weekend. In the Hadi’s World Inc first division 2-day, Police will host Malteenoes SC with Zaheer Mohamed and M Yosef Yisrael in charge and Guyana Defence Force will take on Transport SC at Malteenoes with Edward Bowen and Ernest Hinds umpiring. In the Noble House Sea Foods second division 2day, University of Guyana will entertain Police with Ry a n B a n w a r i e a n d Randolph Rose officiating, Muslim Yo u t h Organisation will host St. Stanislaus under the watchful eyes of Linden
Matthews and Deon Faessal and Georgetown Cricket Club will play Demerara Cricket Club at
Gandhi Youth Organisation with Javed Persaud and Joseph Jeffery performing on field duties.
Friday May 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Rooting against the home team in soccer-crazed Brazil SAO PAULO (Reuters) Millions of Brazilians will be cheering like crazy during the World Cup, but not all of them for Brazil. With kickoff two weeks away and tensions simmering over the costs of hosting the month-long soccer event, some are showing their anger by saying they will root against the national team, perhaps Brazil’s most prominent symbol on the global stage. “Never before has the World Cup incited these feelings of hatred among Brazilians,” said Ugo Giorgetti, a prominent filmmaker and soccer commentator. “There are people who love soccer, who love Brazil, but are cheering against the team like they’ve never cheered before.” The “Brazil haters” stand in sharp contrast to the typical caricature of Brazilian fans decked out in green and yellow face paint, chanting and screaming for their team to the rhythm of pounding samba drums. “I’m cheering for Holland,” said Marco Silva, a 33-year old consultant from the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. “If Brazil is champion, all the corruption around the tournament will be forgotten. The country won’t wake up.” Most Brazilians will indeed rally behind the team as it seeks a record sixth
World Cup victory, but the government is worried critics will take to the streets in the tens of thousands and hurt the country’s image. This week, angry protesters banged on the bus as players left Rio de Janeiro for training camp. Detractors say the World Cup - with its overpriced stadiums, delayed or undelivered infrastructure projects and potentially embarrassing organizational problems - has done more harm than good by taking funds away from social programs and more important investment projects. For them, a swift end to Brazil’s run in the tournament would help the country refocus on more pressing needs and maybe even stoke political change. “I and many people I know are rooting for Brazil to lose early, though not everyone is open about it,” said Edson Alves, a 52-year old chemist and lifelong soccer fan. “It’s sad, but right now I’m thinking more about Brazil the country and not Brazil the soccer team.” Alves, like many others rooting against the team on social media, is a harsh critic of President Dilma Rousseff, who has cast the World Cup as a golden opportunity to showcase a modern Brazil. He hopes a defeat in the Cup will weaken support for Rousseff
Demonstrators protest against the 2014 World Cup during the arrival of the Brazilian national soccer team at Granja Comary training center, in Teresopolis near Rio de Janeiro in this May 26, 2014 file photo. (Reuters/Ricardo Moraes/Files)
ahead of her re-election bid in October. SOCCER AND POLITICS While recent history shows little correlation between a World Cup title and an election victory, few Brazilians are convinced of that. In 1970, during the bloodiest period of a 19641985 military dictatorship, General Emilio Medici rode a wave of popularity as Brazil’s team, helmed by Pele and widely considered the greatest ever, brought home a third World Cup title. Pro-democracy activists at the time urged Brazilians to turn against the national team
but most were too enthralled by the “jogo bonito,” or “beautiful game” of their homegrown heroes. Brazil is perhaps the world’s most popular soccer team, associated with a roster of legends such as Pele, Ronaldo, Zico, Socrates, Romario and now Neymar. Many Brazilians, however, tend to harbor a cooler attitude toward the yellow and green jersey. Part of that is due to a weaker connection nowadays between fans and players, most of whom play club soccer in Europe or even further afield. While every
Chris Froome Tenerife anti-doping claims investigated by UCI BBC Sport - The UCI is investigating claims by defending champion Chris Froome that he has not been drug-tested at a Tour de France training camp. The Briton, 29, also claimed there had been no tests for leading riders Alberto Contador and Vincenzo Nibali. “We’re looking into the matter with the Cycling AntiDoping Foundation,” the sport’s governing body told BBC Sport. Froome said it was “very disappointing” not to have been tested while training in Tenerife during the last two weeks. He wrote on Twitter: “Three major TDF contenders staying on Mount Teide and no out of competition tests for the past two weeks.” Froome has been highaltitude training with Sky team-mates in the area around Mount Teide ahead of the Criterium du Dauphine in June and the Tour de France, which starts in Yorkshire on 5, July. Froome, the 2013 winner
Chris Froome of France’s annual race, later followed up with a further tweet, which said: “To clarify, I am one of those three and I think it’s in all our best interests to be able to prove we are clean no matter where we train.” The UCI has responsibility for anti-doping tests. Riders are obliged to provide the UCI with their whereabouts at all times to allow random anti-doping tests as part of the scheme which provides a biological passport. The UCI responded on Thursday by insisting
Froome’s allegations would be investigated. “The UCI has seen the comment by Tour de France winner Chris Froome regarding a lack of out of competition testing at Mount Teide, Tenerife,” a spokesman said. “Out-of-competition testing is clearly an essential component of any effective anti-doping programme and we are looking into the matter with the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation, which is responsible for planning and executing anti doping tests in cycling.” After his initial tweets, Froome then expanded on his comments in an interview with Cycling News, claiming that leading riders and potential Tour rivals Nibali and Contador ad also not been tested while on the island. Contador was banned for two years in 2012, backdated to January 2011 and stripped of his 2010 Tour de France victory after testing positive for clenbuterol. The Spaniard has maintained that the failed test
was a result of eating contaminated meat. “I’ve asked around with other teams just out of interest, because we’ve been up here before and not been tested,” Froome said. “So, I just wanted to see if it was the same case for everyone, but none of them, from what I could gather, had been tested either.” He said that whoever won the Tour de France would have to justify their performances, adding: “If we’re not getting tested, that doesn’t look good on any of us.” Froome has never failed a doping test but repeatedly had to answer questions about the subject on his way to winning the Tour de France for the first time last summer. He claims he has only been tested once during his visits to Tenerife despite Sky and other professional teams regularly using the area for high-altitude training. “I’ve been tested once and I’ve been up here maybe four or five times,” the Kenyan-born rider added.
player on the 1970 team played in Brazil, only four do
on the current squad. Still, the World Cup comes only once every four years, and if last year’s Confederations Cup is any indication, attitudes could change if the Brazilian side puts on a dazzling display. The tournament, hosted in Brazil as a dry run to the World Cup, was marked by the largest street protests the country had seen in decades. Despite the tumult, most Brazilians got behind the team as it fought its way to the title. More distant history also suggests that “Brazil hatred” may only go so far once the ball starts rolling. “My friends were among those who urged others to root against Brazil in 1970,” Giorgetti recalled. “No one made it past the first 15 minutes.”
Mexico City and London added to Global Games lineup (Reuters) - The National Basketball Association (NBA) added two regular season games to a growing international schedule on Thursday with contests scheduled for London and Mexico City. The Houston Rockets will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Mexico on Nov. 12 while Milwaukee Bucks meet the New York Knicks in London on Jan 15. As part an effort to increase its global footprint, the NBA will play a total of seven regular-season and pre-season games on international courts during the 2014-15 campaign featuring nine teams in seven cities in six different countries. The NBA had announced in April that the two-time defending champion Miami Heat would be among five teams playing pre-season games in four countries as part of the league’s Global Games promotion.
The Heat, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs will play a series of games in Brazil, China, Germany, and Turkey. “While London and Mexico City each have their own unique culture, they both have rich sports traditions and share a great passion for the NBA,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver in a statement. “These regular-season games will bring the excitement and incredible competition of our league to more fans in Europe and Latin America.” The four teams participating in the regularseason portion of NBA Global Games reflect the strong international makeup of the league. At the end of last season, the Bucks, Knicks, Rockets, and Timberwolves featured a combined 18 international players from 17 countries on their rosters.
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NBS 2nd Division 40 overs
Ramsarran and Andrews slam tons; Subhan takes helmet-trick in 5-3 haul
Centuries from Trishan Ramsarran and Jerome Andrews were among the highlights of the latest round of matches in the New Building Society (NBS) second division 40 overs cricket competition which continued recently. Ramdass slammed an even hundred decorated with 8 fours and 6 sixes and featured in an opening stand of 152 with Lakeram Latchman who made 52 (5x4 1x6) to spearhead No.73 Young Warriors to 294 for 8 in their 35 overs against No.72 Cut and Load who were dismissed for 170 in 27.1 overs; Kadir Agib made 70. Andrews also scored 100 in Edinburgh’s total of 241 off 34 overs against Flying Star of Kortheberaadt who replied with 199 in 31 overs; Gershan Barran stroked 50. Roshan Gafoor slammed 85 (3x4 8x6) off 54 balls to steer Cotton Tree Die Hard to 200 for 4 in just 25 overs against Bath. Medium pacer Abdool Subhan then took 5-3 runs from 2 overs with 1 maiden, taking 4 wickets with his first 4 balls in the match to achieve the only helmet-trick in the competition so far. Off spinner Hemdat Homraj took
Jerome Andrews
Trishan Ramsarran
Adbool Subhan
Roshan Gafoor
5 for 21 to help No.48 Challengers bowl out No.47 Pioneer for 133 in 22.3 overs. However, No.47 spin attack led by Azeez Khan (4-15) and Keshwar Singh (3-11) hit back to bowl out No.48 for 67 in reply. Other half centuries were recorded by Jorim DeFreitas of Bristol Warriors, Hakeem Hinds of Tucber Park, Mortimer Fraser of Young Warriors and Randy Jaggernauth of Reliance Young Strikers. Summarised scores: At N o . 7 2 - N o . 7 3 Yo u n g Warriors trounced No.72 Cut and Load by 124 runs. No.73 Young Warriors 294-
8 in 35 overs; Trishan Ramsarran 100, Lakeram Latchman 52, Odraj Singh 37*, Sahif Jamesey 32; Abdula Agib 4-24. No.72 Cut and Load 170 in 27.1 overs; Kadir Agib 70, Ramesh Persaud 28; Lakeram Latchman 2-22, Claud3e Felix 2-26, Sahif Jamesey 2-27, Geanesh Singh 2-28, Gobin Roopram 229. At Edinburgh - Edinburgh beat Flying Star by 43 runs, Edinburgh 241 in 34 overs; Jerome Andrews 100, Seeram Seecoomer 25; Mark Sampson 3-46, Kevin O’Brien 2-6, Clifford Fraser 2-27. Flying Star 199 in 31 overs;
Gershan Barren 50, Roger Lavery 34; Deonarine Seepersaud 3-21, Denny David 2-27. At Bath - Cotton Tree Die Hard hammered Bath by 94 runs. Cotton Tree Die Hard 200-4 in 25 overs; Roshan Gafoor 85, Abdool Subhan 34*, Permaul Singh 30. Bath 106 in 18 overs; Avishkar Sewkarran 48; Abdool Subhan 5-3, Pooran Persaud 2-18, Roshan Gafoor 2-23. At No.48 - No.47 Pioneer got past No.48 Challengers by 66 runs. No.47 Pioneer 133 in 22.3 overs; Basdeo Seenauth 32, Jaipaul Seenauth 25; Hemdat Homraj 5-21, Balram Persaud 2-19. No.48
Challengers 67 in 16 overs; Azeez Khan 4-15, Keshwar Singh 3-11. At Lochaber - Bristol Warriors took care of West Canje by 73 runs. Bristol Warriors 205-9 in 30 overs; Jorim De Freitas 73. West Canje 132 in 29.5 overs; Ryan Mohamed 30, Adrian Busgith 25, Adrian Harelsingh 2-21, Rosco Ault 2-17. At Cumberland - Young Warriors defeated Tucber Park by 5 wickets. Tucber Park 158 in 36 overs; Hakeem Hinds 55, Charran
Pacers cool Heat to stave off playoff elimination (Reuters) - The Indiana Pacers, with Paul George spectacularly leading the way, staved off playoff elimination with a pulsating 93-90 victory over the NBA champion Miami Heat in Game Five of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday. All-Star forward George contributed a game-high 37 points, along with six assists, as Indiana made the most of home court advantage to cut Miami’s lead to 3-2 in the best-ofseven series. “I just felt it. I felt the rhythm. I had to be aggressive,” George told ESPN television in an interview after scoring 31 of his points in the second half. “I tried to come out and be aggressive to start this game off and I was getting looks. I got hot.” Forward David West added 19 points for the Pacers on seven-of-11 shooting while big center Roy Hibbert contributed 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
“We just played,” said George after Indiana came back from an 11-point deficit early in the third quarter. “Our backs are against the wall right now. That’s the only thing we can do, is come out and p l a y. “ We w e r e i n a position where if we lost this game, we’re going home. I think that was at the back of everybody’s minds. It was a great evening.” The Heat, seeking to win a third straight NBA Championship, were narrowly outshot by 47 percent to 45 from the field with an out-of-sorts LeBron James held to just seven points on two-of-10 shooting after running into foul trouble. Center Chris Bosh, who missed a three-pointer with five seconds left, led Miami with 20 points and 10 rebounds while forward Rashard Lewis and guard Dwyane Wade each scored 18. “ We o v e r c a m e o n e heck of a shooting performance by the Heat,”
said Pacers coach Frank Vogel. “The threes that they were making in the second half, it was just ridiculous. We were still able to prevail.” COLD SHOOTING Miami began the game with a cold shooting display and Indiana, with their starting five all scoring effectively, raced into an early 20-12 lead before ending the first quarter with a 22-16 advantage. James ran into foul trouble early on and was penalized for a third time midway through the second quarter but sharpshooting veteran Ray Allen came off the bench and sparked a Heat revival as the visiting team moved ahead 42-33 by halftime. A Lewis three-pointer, his fourth of the game, put Miami 11 points clear four minutes into the third but Indiana stepped up their defense to regain control and, with George finding his range from beyond the arc, entered the fourth with a 64-57 lead. The Pacers appeared to
tighten their grip on the game, George pouring in another three-pointer and then grabbing a steal off a poor James pass for a slam dunk to give his team a 7766 cushion. But again the Heat hit back, an unbroken 9-0 run trimming Indiana’s lead to 77-75 before a spectacular James three-pointer, with just under four minutes left, tied the game at 81-81. George, ice-cool when the pressure was at its most intense, responded with two three-pointers of his own to put the Pacers ahead 91-87 with 46.7 seconds left and the home team held on to stay alive in the playoffs. The series shifts back to Miami for Game Six on Friday when the Heat can clinch the Eastern Conference title for a fourth successive year with a win. “ I t ’s g o i n g t o b e a totally different ball game but we have got to rise to the challenge,” George said. “It’s going to be a fun matchup.”
Singh 3-33, Ishwar Singh 212. Young Warriors 160 for 5 in 27 overs; Mortimer Fraser 56, Ishwar Singh 38; Mortimer Singh 2-38. At Goed Bananen Land - Reliance Young Strikers brushed aside Canefield by 8 wickets. Canefield 122 in 21.5 overs; Satesh Mohabir 28, Udit Emrit 26; Randy Jaggernauth 3-22, Sasenarine Sukhu 3-23. Reliance Young Strikers 1272 in 17 overs; Randy Jaggernauth 64*, Mark Persaud 40*. At Kortheberaadt Kortheberaadt Seventh Day Adventist defeated Rising Youth of Rotterdam by 6 wickets. Risings Youth 116 in 23 overs; Carl Campbell 4-6, Miguel Lewis 3-3. Kortheberaadt Seventh Day Adventist 119-4 in 15 overs; Keith Fraser 47, Desmond Duncan 29. At Vryman’s Erven - Police arrested Overwinning Bible Church by 54 runs. Police 115 in 29.1 overs; Ravindra Seenarine 26, Charles Shepherd 2-14, Marlon Latif 2-15, Richard Henry 2-25. Overwinning Bible Church 61 in 17 overs; Vidol La Fleur 4-7, Kellon Henry 3-3, Ryan Joe 3-29.
Nadal shows he is still... From page 38 game but the American ended the contest on her second match point with a crosscourt forehand. Sixth seed Jankovic was forced to battle hard in the first set by Japan’s Kurumi Nara before the Serbian former world No.1 raced away for a 7-5 6-0. Russian former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 27th seed, laboured to a 7-6(5) 6-3 win over Italian Camila Giorgi, setting up a meeting with former Wimbledon champion and Czech fifth seed Petra Kvitova, a 6-4 6-4 victor over New Zealand’s Marina Erakovic. In the men’s draw, Croatian 16th seed Ivo
Karlovic reached the third round with a 7-5 6-3 6-4 win over Andreas Haider-Maurer. American Donald Young knocked out Spanish 26th seed Feliciano Lopez in straight sets. He will play Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez next after he followed up nicely on his first-round defeat of third seed and Australian Open champion Wawrinka by beating France’s Adrian Mannarino 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-0. Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic also backed up a big win. Having removed women’s third seed Li Na she survived an injury scare to beat American Alison Riske 7-6(5) 3-6 6-3.
Friday May 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
Battle to represent Guyana at Caribbean Guinness Competition begins tonight The national playoffs to see which team will represent Guyana at the Caribbean Guinness Street Competition commences this evening with eight matches in a round robin format at the Banks DIH Parking Lot, opposite Thirst Park. Eight teams have been identified as the combatants in the competition with Georgetown gaining four spots, Linden three and East Coast Demerara one. The Georgetown representatives are Stevedore Housing Scheme, Queen Street of Tiger Bay, Hope Street of Tiger Bay and Albouystown ‘B’, hwile Linden will have as their ambassadors Eagles, Wismar Housing Scheme and
Retrieve Unknowns with Melanie ‘A’, being the lone delegate from the East Coast. The fixtures for tonight and tomorrow are as follows: 19:30 hrs Stevedore Housing Scheme v/s Melanie ‘A’ 20:00 hrs Queen Street Tiger Bay v/s Wismar Housing Scheme 20:30 hrs Eagles v/s Hope Street Tiger Bay 21:00 hrs Retrieve Unknowns v/s Albouystown ‘B’ Break 21:15 hrs Eagles vs Melanie ‘A’ 21:45 hrs Retrieve Unknowns vs Wismar Housing Scheme 22:15 hrs Stevedore Housing Scheme vs Hope
Street Tiger Bay 22:45 hrs Queen Street Tiger Bay vs Albouystown ‘B’ Saturday’s fixtures: 20:00 hrs Eagles vs Stevedore Housing Scheme 20:30 hrs Melanie ‘A’ vs Hope Street Tiger Bay 21:15 hrs Albouystown ‘B’ vs Wismar Housing Scheme 21:45 hrs Queen Street Tiger Bay vs Retrieve Unknowns Semi Finals 22:30 hrs Winner Group B v/s Runner-up A 23:00 hrs Winner Group A v/s Runner-up B The third place playoff and final along with two exhibition matches will be played on Sunday, at the same venue.
Brazil to ‘surprise’ with successful staging of WCup — official RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) — Brazil’s Deputy Sports Minister Luis Fernandes said yesterday that Brazil would organise a successful World Cup despite what he called “prejudice” against so-called developing countries as they try to organise mega-sports events. “We are confident that Brazil will surprise the world with a successful event in the World Cup,” Fernandes said, speaking yesterday with reporters in a teleconference. “There is no embarrassment and no panic,” he added. “We are absolutely confident, excited and proud that we will deliver a fantastic World Cup in Brazil. That’s the general atmosphere in government. We are absolutely confident.” Brazil’s preparations for the World Cup, which opens June 12 in Sao Paulo, have been characterised by delays building or remodelling 12 stadiums, unfinished upgrades to airports and transportation, and criticism the US$11.5 billion being spent should have been used to improve the country’s poor schools and rundown hospitals. Last week Ronaldo, who won two World Cups with Brazil and has worked with local World Cup organisers, said he was “embarrassed” by the “total confusion and lateness” of stadiums and allied infrastructure. Fernandes defended the preparations, said the World Cup investment would boost the economy, and argued that “developing” countries are judged differently as they plan the World Cup or Olympics. “There are sectors in society in general that have prejudice with respect to the
Brazil to ‘surprise’ with successful staging of WCup — official capacity of developing countries in general... to deliver this kind of event,” Fernandes said, echoing a statement made recently by his boss — Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo. “There is absolutely no contradiction between a developing country hosting a major event such as the World Cup or the Olympic Games, and increasing investment in education and in other public areas.” Rio de Janeiro’s organisation of the 2016 Olympics is also facing widespread criticism with many IOC members speaking openly about poor planning and delays. Brazil has a US$2.5 trillion economy and is usually listed as the world’s sixth or seventh largest. The credit rating agency Moody’s recently said the World Cup would have little impact on its
economy, given its size and the length of the event. Fernandes said Brazil would allow peaceful strikes or demonstrations during the month-long championship, but promised violence would not be condoned. Brazilian defence officials said last week about 160,000 police and soldiers would be deployed during the World Cup at a cost of US$856 million. Daily demonstrations — centred on rising prices and poor public services — took place a year ago during the Confederations Cup, a warmup for the World Cup. Brazil has also beefed up security around its border with 10 neighbouring countries, and has received specialist military and police training from several countries including the United States, Japan, France, Britain and Germany.
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Belle Plaine claim Independence softball title-Wakenaam Belle Plaine defeated Melville by 14 runs to win the final of the Wakenaam Neighbourhood Democratic Council 10/10 Independence softball tournament on Sunday last at Sewram Tarmac. Batting first, Belle Plaine posted 129-4 in 10 overs. Devon Rambarran stroked 47 and Satnarine Sahadeo 46. Zameer Zaman, Kemo Paul and Seon Venture had one wicket each. Melville replied with 115-8 in 10 overs. Paul led with 32 while Venture made 27. Sahadeo claimed 22 and Tamesh Persaud 2-17.
Meanwhile, Noitgedacht overcame Good Success by six runs in the eliminator. Good Success scored 113-6 in 10 overs, taking first knock. Derwin Daniels made 38 and Shoaib Ali 17; Parmanand Rai took 2-19. Noitgedacht responded with 119-5 in 8.3 overs. Daniram Roopnarine cracked 29 while Moin Khan snared 3-19. Belle Plaine got the better of Noitgedacht by 44 runs in the qualifier. Belle Plaine batted first and rattled up 1186 in 10 overs. Sahadeo and Chandrika Ragnauth were their leading batsmen with 31
and 27 respectively. Rai picked up 3-33 for Noitgedacht who were bowled out for 74 in 10 overs in reply. Neil Ramalho scored 31 as Rawl Rahat grabbed 39, Vishal Choon 3-10, Ragnauth 2-3 and Tamesh Persaud 2-11. Melville beat Belle Plaine in the other qualifier. Rambarran was given the man of the match in the final award; Sahadeo received the best batsman prize, Tamesh Persaud the most outstanding bowler accolade while Belle Plaine and Melville collected trophies.
Swiss to the rescue
Hosts provide physiotherapist to assist Boyz Jamaica Observer LUZERN, Switzerland — The Switzerland Football Association has come to the aid of the Jamaica Football Federation by providing a physiotherapist to assist team doctor Derrick McDowell and physical trainer Andre Waugh to keep the Reggae Boyz healthy ahead of today’s friendly international against the home team. Physiotherapist Erik has been loaned to the Jamaican squad for the duration of the team’s stay in Switzerland, at the expense of the Switzerland FA. According to head coach Winfried Schaefer, prior to leaving New York following the team’s 1-2 loss to Serbia on Monday at the Red Bull Arena, he had contacted a colleague of his in Germany to assist in acquiring the services of a physiotherapist, as a number of the Reggae Boyz went down with cramps during the latter stages of Monday’s game. He explained that the frequent cramping was the result of players not being fully fit, especially after most had just recently concluded their season, and he wanted them to be as healthy as possible, with three testing games ahead over the next 10 days. Erik was quickly in action as he joined the squad in a training session at the Allmend Luzern training facility to lend his expertise. Meanwhile, the Boyz landed in cool (13 degrees Celsius) Zurich just before eight o’clock yesterday morning and hit the ground running, as following their near onehour bus ride to Luzern, they were on the training pitch less than five hours later, despite
Physiotherapist Erik helping Darren Mattocks with stretching prior to the start of yesterday’s training session at the Allmend Luzern training facility. (PHOTO: IAN BURNETT) a seven-and-a-half hour flight from John F Kennedy Airport in New York. The Boyz are slated to face the hosts, who are ranked eighth on the FIFA Coca-Cola list tomorrow at 8:30 pm (1:30 pm Jamaica time) at the Swissporarena, Luzern, in what is expected to be the home team’s second-to-last game before departing for the Brazil FIFA 2014 World Cup Finals. The training session lasted over an hour and though devoid of seven players, there was enough energy and commitment to please Schaefer and the technical staff, especially the medical team, which encouraged the players to hydrate themselves and intake sufficient magnesium to mitigate cramping. Shortly after the team returned from training, the England-based group of Wes Morgan, Adrian Mariappa, Lloyd Doyley, Christopher Humphrey, Joel Grant and Simon Dawkins joined the group at the hotel. Keithy
Simpson, who plays in Finland, arrived moments later to bring the number of players up to 21. Darren Mattocks and Dwayne Miller, who were members of the team that played against Serbia, were booked to travel separately from the rest of the group from New York, and arrived early enough to make the training session, as did Demar Phillips, who flew in from Scandinavia for this game only. The team will hold another training session at 6:30 pm (11:30 am Jamaica time) today at the game venue, ahead of a press conference involving team captain Rodolph Austin and Schaefer at the end of the training session. Following today’s game, the Boyz will fly to London on Saturday ahead of their game against Egypt next Wednesday, after which they will close out the tour with a game against 1998 World Cup champions France in Lille on June 8.
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 30, 2014
Media XI to face Semi-final spots up for grabs tonight Enmore O-40 side Sunday Sparta Bosses/August Beverages KO Futsal Tournament
With over $600,000 in prize money up for grabs and more importantly four spots for the semi-finals, the Sparta Bosses Football Club August Beverages Independence Small Goal Knockout Football Competition resumes this evening with more action, at the Sparta Turf on Go-Slow Avenue.According to a release from the organisers,
the teams vying for the semifinal spots are Broad Street, Leopold Street, Future, Sparta Bosses, Sixth Street Tiger Bay, North and South Ruimveldt Tucville among others. The winning team is expected to take home $300,000, 2nd place- $150,000 and 3place- $100,000. However, the Sparta Bosses versus August
Beverages/Rainbow Fashions for a winner take all $4million is anticipated to be the highlight of the day’s activities, while a penalty shootout between females is also touted as one of the exciting attractions. The tournament is being sponsored by August Beverages, Sparta Bosses and Moncherri Beauty Salon.
Beach footballers leave for North American sojourn They have been plying their trade and performing above par in tournaments planned in Linden and other parts of the country. Now, their efforts have finally borne fruit and two members of the Cool Running Beach Football Club (CRBFC), Keon Sears and Ron Fiedtkou, are scheduled to leave Guyana for Virginia USA to participate in the US Open Beach Soccer championships June 5 next. The tournament is staged annually and is the most prestigious in the USA. The local players were invited by the Florida Beach Soccer Club to play under their roster and several top teams from across the world will be competing including those from Africa, Central and North America. This is the second time that Sears will be appearing in this championships after
competing under the Tobago based club, Bagosports in 2012, while Fiedtkou will be making his debut in the t o u r n a m e n t . Notwithstanding, both players possess a wealth of experience having competed extensively in local and overseas engagements. Meanwhile, the executive members of the CRBFC have extended best wishes to both players while wishing them success. President of the CRBFC, Rollin Tappin also expressed the hope that their participation will raise awareness about Guyana’s potential in this format of football. He said that the players ought to be commended as they have been competing under adverse conditions even as he bemoaned the lack of support from the ruling
football executives. “I also would like to register my deepest disgust at the way in which the sport is seemingly being neglected by the authorities,” Tappin said. He said that an issue of note is that Guyana was invited to participate in the South American Beach Games in Vargas Venezuela but failed to field a team. “This is most disheartening especially since Guyana is noted for quality players that have also acquired international exposure,” Tappin continued. He said that the footballers were overlooked while beach rugby players were given the nod. “I am calling on the President of the Guyana Football Federation to bring about administrative normalcy to the sport so that the players can realize their true potential,” said Tappin.
A confident Media XI will take on an Enmore Over-40 cricket team in a feature 20/20 match on Sunday at the Enmore Community Centre ground from 14:00hrs. After their clash against the Georgetown Cricket Scorers and Umpires Association was rained out at the innings break on Monday at the GCC ground, Bourda, the Media XI, in their quest to remain an active unit, took up the offer to face the Enmore side. While the Media XI boys have named an unchanged squad from the last game, the Enmore side is a relatively strong one with several top players from the East Coast village. The East Coast side will be led by skipper Anil Persaud, who recently emerged as the second leading wicket-taker in the Demerara Cricket Board’s Over-40 20/20 competition, playing for East Coast Jaguars. The squad also includes former national wicketkeeper/ batsman and former national selector, Sheik Mohamed,
attacking opener Eon Abel, and all-rounder Jacob Persaud, whose lower-order hitting and brisk medium-pace could play a crucial role. Also slated to turn out for Enmore is Ramo Malone, whose exploits in the softball arena are well documented. The Media boys will once again look to the in-form opener John Ramsingh for a solid start, as he will be partnered by attacking lefthander Rajiv Bisnauth at the top. The middle-order, which was a huge disappointment on Monday, will look to rebound with the likes of Daniel Singh, Avenash Ramzan, Keon Blades, skipper Calvin Roberts and Sean Devers all hunting some much needed runs. The left-handed Ravi Persaud, who made a solid 24 in partnership with Ramsingh (32) to help revive the innings on Monday, will certainly hope to continue with his form. The bowling will hinge on new ball pair Roberts and leftarmer Kizan Brummell, medium-pacers Ishaka
Jackman, Esan Griffith, Reuben Stoby and Blades, and spin twins Devers and Persaud. Though it will be a friendly contest, the teams will be battling for five trophies, sponsored by Tiger Sports of Enmore Old Road, East Coast Demerara. Apart from the winner and runner-up trophies, there will be individual prizes for the Manof-the-Match, Best Batsman and Best Bowler. The Media squad reads: Calvin Roberts (captain), John Ramsingh, Sean Devers, Daniel Singh (wk), Ravi Persaud, Avenash Ramzan, Rajiv Bisnauth, Esan Griffith, Duncan Saul, Clifton Ross, Ishaka Jackman, Kizan Brummell, Reuben Stoby and Keon Blades. The Enmore O-40 squad reads: Anil Persaud (captain), Sheik Mohamed (wk), Eon Abel, Ramo Malone, Jacob Persaud, Jagdesh Persaud, Shameer Shahib, Vijai Dass, A. Khan, Asif Khan, Hemraj Pillay, Satesh Panday, Ganeshram Emamally and Ganeshram Dayaram.
Bowen Dominoes to start Saturday
Nadal shows he is still the master in Paris PARIS (Reuters) - Rafa Nadal put one of the young pretenders firmly in his place at the French Open when he crushed rising Austrian Dominic Thiem with a masterly display to reach the third round. The eight-times champion showed flashes of his intimidating best in a 6-2 6-2 6-3 win that was tougher than the scoreline suggested but was never seriously in doubt. While world No.1 Nadal improved his Roland Garros record to 61-1, prospective semi-final opponent Andy Murray cruised into the third round by outclassing Marinko Matosevic. Fifth seed David Ferrer, one of three players to beat Nadal on his favoured claycourts this season, also wasted little energy reaching the last 32, demolishing Italian Simone Bolelli 6-2 6-3 6-2. After the seismic shock of defending champion Serena Williams’s second round exit on Wednesday the women’s draw was relatively incident free on Day Five, with Jelena Jankovic among the seeds to
progress. Perhaps wary of the 20year-old Thiem’s reputation as a rising force in the men’s game Nadal quickly stamped his authority on Philippe Chatrier Court. He briefly was in the third set when Thiem, who stunned world number three Stanislas Wawrinka in the second round of the Madrid Masters this month, broke and held serve to lead 3-1. His booming inside-out forehands briefly put Nadal on the back foot but Nadal quickly responded to the challenge and won the remaining games, ending the contest on his second match point when the Austrian sent a forehand long. Nadal, who next faces Argentine Leonardo Mayer, is on a quarter-final collision course with last year’s runner-up and compatriot Ferrer. Seventh seed Andy Murray of Britain, the Wimbledon champion, produced a masterclass to win an entertaining, although one-sided, match 6-3 6-1 6-3
against Matosevic who was playing in the second round of a grand slam for the first time having previously lost 12 first round matches. Wimbledon champion Murray, who will have a sterner test against Germany’s 28th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber in round three, was inevitably quizzed yet again on who would be his next coach following his split with Ivan Lendl. BLAZING THROUGH In the absence of the Williams sisters, both beaten on Wednesday, 15th seed Sloane Stephens raised American spirits by easing past Slovenian Polona Hercog 6-1 6-3. Stephens followed her teenage compatriot Taylor Townsend, who on Wednesday became the youngest player to go past the second round at Roland Garros since 2009. The 21-year-old Stephens blazed through the opening set before running into a spot of bother midway through the second as Hercog upped her (Continued on page 36)
Reginald Bowen (right) presents the sponsorship cheque to Mark Wiltshire Reginald Bowen of Lil Man Boutique Birth Anniversary dominoes competition is set to commence on Saturday and conclude on Sunday at his residence in Festival City, North Ruimveldt. Teams present before 14:00hrs will be given a free entry, while $4,000 will be charged thereafter. The winning team will receive a trophy and $100,000 while the player that
shares the first single and double love will pocket $3,000. Teams can contact Bowen on 660-0548, Orin Favourite on 666-4490 or secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association Mark Wiltshire on 665-5855 for more information. Yam’s Liquor Restaurant and Urlene Confectioneries are the other sponsors on board. Meanwhile, Phantom marked 82 games to capture
the Travis Cameron farewell tournament on Monday night last at La Belle Hotel and bar. TNT placed second with 72 games and Gangster third on 65. Kevin Boston made the maximum 18 and Colin Cave 16 games for the winners while Ryan Boodhoo chalked 16 and Shawn Morgan 15 for the runner up. Shellon Collymore scored 16 and Dereck Collymore made 15 for Gangster.
Kaieteur News
Friday May 30, 2014
Page 41
West Indies beat New Zealand 2-0 in the 1985 series
West Indies legends Joel Garner, Sir Viv Richards and Michael Holding. (Phil Hillyard/The Daily Telegraph) Malcolm Marshall
Continuing with his look at the scores relating to the 1985 meeting between West Indies and New Zealand, Statistician Charwayne Walker notes that the Caribbean team came away with a 2-0 win in the series, claiming the third and fourth Tests. First Test in Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago in 1985 resulted in the match ending in a draw. Vivian Richards in his first series as Captain of the West Indies saw his team’s first innings score being 307 all out. Gordon Greenidge 100, Richie Richardson 78, Skipper Vivian Richards 57 and Augustine Logie 24 led the batting. Bowling for the Kiwis, Richard Hadlee took 4 for 82 from 24.3 overs, Ewan Chatfield 4 for 51 from 28 overs. New Zealand first innings, 262 all out - Jeff Crowe 64, Skipper Geoff Howarth 45, John Wright 40, Jeremy Coney 25. Bowling for West Indies Michael Holding snared 4 for 70 from 29 overs, Roger Harper 2 for 33 from 22 overs, Joel Garner 2 for 41 from 21.3 overs, Malcolm Marshall 2 for 78 from 25 overs. West Indies second innings score was 261 for 8 declared - Desmond Haynes 78, Skipper Vivian Richards 78, Augustine Logie 42, Larry Gomes 25. Bowling for New Zealand Pacer Ewan Chatfield captured 6 for 73 from 22 overs, giving him match figures of ten for 124, Lance Cairns took 2 for 70 from 19 overs. New Zealand second innings 187 for 6 Jeremy Coney 44, Richard Hadlee 39 not out and Jeff
Crowe 27. Bowling for West Indies Malcolm Marshall finished with 4 for 65 from 26 overs. Second Test Georgetown Guyana, Bourda - result – match drawn. West Indies first innings 511 for six declared - Richie Richardson 185, Desmond Haynes 90, Jeffrey Dujon 60 not out, Larry Gomes 53, Augustine Logie 52, Skipper Vivian Richards 40. Bowling for New Zealand Richard Hadlee took 2 for 83 from 25.5 overs, Jeremy Coney 1 for 62 from 18 overs, Ewan Chatfield 1 for 122 from 30 overs, Lance Cairns 1 for 105 from 32 overs. New Zealand first innings 440 all out - Martin Crowe 188, Jeremy Coney 73, Ian Smith 53, John Wright 27. Bowling for West Indies Malcolm Marshall took 4 for 110 from 33 overs, Michael Holding 3 for 89 from 28 overs, Joel Garner 2 for 72 from 27.5 overs. West Indies second innings 268 for 6 Gordon Greenidge 69, Richie Richardson 60, Augustine Logie 41 not out, Larry Gomes 35. Bowling for New Zealand, Richard Hadlee took 2 for 32 from 16 overs, Lance Cairns 2 for 47 from 18 overs. West Indies vs New Zealand third test Kensington Oval 1985: result - West Indies won by 10 wickets. New Zealand first innings 94 all out Richard Hadlee 29, Jeff Crowe 21, Martin Crowe 14, Jeremy Coney 12. Bowling for West Indies, Malcolm Marshall took 4 for 40 from 15 overs, Winston Davis 3 (Continued o page 36)
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 30, 2014
CCL draw sets 2014/15 groups
Bradley Fredricks re-elected president of Upper Demerara Cricket Association
Alpha drawn with Olimpia (Honduras) and USA’s Portland Timbers
The sky is the limit! (Flashback) Alpha United Head Coach Wayne Dover has the rapt attention of his charges at a training session earlier this year at GFC. Miami - The road to the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup started on Wednesday evening last when the draw for the 2014/15 CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) took place at the Inter Continental at Doral Miami. The 24 qualified clubs set to contest the seventh edition of the continental championship were sorted into eight groups of three. Guyana’s Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United was drawn in Group 5 along with Olimpia of Honduras and the Portland Timbers of the USA. Current holder Cruz Azul, which has captured a record six CONCACAF
club titles, headlines Group 6. The Mexico City-based side will meet 2013/14 semifinalist Alajuelense (Costa Rica) and Chorrillo FC (Panama). After winning two straight Liga MX championships, Leon will make its tournament debut, squaring off against Group 7 opponents Isidro Metapan (El Salvador) and Belmopan Bandits (Belize). Major League Soccer champion Sporting Kansas City, a 2013/14 quarterfinalist, was drawn into Group 2 and will face Saprissa (Costa Rica) and Real Esteli (Nicaragua). The groups will be contested on a round-robin, home-and-away, four-game
format, running August – October. Only the eight firstplace teams will progress to the quarterfinals, which will kick-off in early 2015. Schedules will be announced in the coming weeks. The groups for the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League are as follows: Group 1: Pachuca (Mexico), Real España (Honduras), Municipal (Guatemala) Group 2: Sporting Kansas City (USA), Saprissa (Costa Rica), Real Esteli (Nicaragua) Group 3: New York Red Bulls (USA), Toronto FC or Impact de Montreal (Canada), FAS (El
Salvador) Group 4: Tauro FC (Panama), D.C. United (USA), Waterhouse FC (Jamaica) Group 5: Olimpia (Honduras), Portland Timbers (USA), Alpha United (Guyana) Group 6: Alajuelense (Costa Rica), Cruz Azul (Mexico), Chorrillo FC (Panama) Group 7: Leon (Mexico), Isidro Metapan (El Salvador), Belmopan Bandits (Belize) Group 8: Comunicaciones (Guatemala), Club America (Mexico), Puerto Rico Bayamon FC (Puerto Rico)
The Upper Demerara Cricket Association (UDCA) held its Annual General Meeting on April, 27th 2014 at Virgie’s Place Old England, Upper Demerara River where ten (10) Clubs were represented. Mr. Bradley Fredericks, President, in his report thanked those who attended but expressed the hope that those absent would recognize the importance of unity within the new dispensation of the Cricket Administration Bill. This Bill seeks to bring order to our National game and includes Linden (UDCA) for the first time as a legal entity within Guyana’s Cricket, he
noted. He further stated that all the clubs in the area should be prepared to cope with the concomitant demands expected. A new era has dawned on us and we must take full advantage he stressed, as he applauded the Government and APNU for including UDCA legally in the new movement. At the election that followed the entire executive was returned enbloc with members giving their full support for the New Executive body and wishing them well in their new term of office for the period April 2014 – 2016.
Kaieteur News
Friday May 30, 2014
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Fistic fury anticipated as Boxing Association takes ‘Nuff Cuff’ into Buxton T h e n a t i o n ’s t o p amateur pugilists will bare their fists in several highly anticipated slugfests when the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport (MCY&S), stages a night of fistic fury, dubbed ‘Nuff Cuff Injection’ at the Buxton/Friendship Community Centre Ground, Buxton ECD tomorrow evening. Fifteen bouts are carded for the night and among them, three of the best pugilists out of St Lucia will bare fists with their Guyanese counterparts, two of them being grudge matches. Boxing buffs will remember the Arthur Langelier/Dennis Thomas middleweight clash at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) in the St Lucia/Guyana Goodwill card last February. The two pugilists had engaged in three exciting rounds and Thomas had prevailed. Langelier felt that he had won that bout and immediately called for a rematch. The second encounter should have
been staged in St Lucia one month later but Thomas left Guyana for Chile to participate in the South A m e r i c a n Yo u t h Championships and was unable to keep his ring date with the St Lucian. That bout will now become a reality and folks in Buxton and adjoining communities could brace themselves for the treat. Theresa London was also scheduled to square off with St Lucian, Malanda St Clair but was unable to travel to St Clair’s hometown for the bout. St Clair was all primed up for the clash but had to settle for several rounds on the pads instead. This time, the two will definitely face off in a middleweight bout that is shaping up to be a humdinger. Another St Lucian, Ron Bastien, will also comprise a part of the St Lucian squad and will be fighting Eon Bancroft in a welterweight bout. The two also clashed last February and the St Lucian had turned in a good performance, albeit on a losing note. He has promised a better showing
Fixtures for Ali 15/15 softball tourney Rafman Ali 15/15 round robin softball tournament is slated to commence June 1 with matches at Everest and Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) grounds. The competition will be played in two categories namely the open and over-40 and is being sanctioned by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. At Everest in the open category, Wolf’s Warriors will play Challengers at 09:00 hrs and Farm XI at 11:30 hrs on pitch two, Princess Hotel will battle Farm XI at 09:00 hrs and Brickery at 11:30 hrs on pitch three, Trophy Stall will take on Brickery at 09:00hrs and Speed Boat at 11:00 hrs on pitch one, while Jaguar will face Speed Boat at 14:00 hrs on pitch two. At CPCE, Trophy Stall B will challenge Jaguar at 09:00 hrs on pitch one and Accomplishment at 11:30 hrs on pitch three, Sunil XI will entertain Challenger at 11:30
hrs on pitch one, Accomplishment will match skills with Line Top at 14:00 hrs on pitch one, Tradesman will face Line Top at 09:00 hrs and Sunil XI at 14:00 hrs on pitch three. In the over-40 division, Sunday Masters will clash with Uitvlugt at 14:00 hrs and Success will battle Enterprise at 13:00 hrs on pitch two. The open segment will be of 15 overs duration and the over -40 will last for 20 overs. The sponsors on board so far are Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Trophy Stall and Andrew Art. Teams are asked to provide the supreme balls. The winning team in the open division will pocket a trophy and $100,000 and the runner up a trophy and $50,000, while the first place side in the over 40 segment will received a trophy and $75,000 and the runner up a trophy and $50,000.
than his last bout but will have to dig deep since Bancroft has also been in training and exudes similar confidence. Otherwise, 12 other bouts comprising the best local talent will also entertain fans. Meanwhile, GBA administrators travelled to the Buxton Community C e n t r e We d n e s d a y morning last and had a firsthand look at the f a c i l i t i e s . To u r n a m e n t Director, Terrence Poole was accompanied by coach, Wensel Thomas and after a tour of the facility pronounced it to be ready f o r t o m o r r o w n i g h t ’s activity. The two officials then toured the community and several residents were delighted to hear of the GBA’s efforts to stage the card in the village. One of these residents, Linden Missigher, said that he is living in Buxton for more than 28 years and this is the first time in the history of the sport that boxers will showcase their skills. He feels that it is a good thing for the community since young people could now utilize
their spare time productively. Another resident, Mark Bevney, lauded the effort of the GBA executive and said that residents will welcome the initiative. He said that he cannot remember any notable boxer coming out of the village but noted that many of the youngsters are eager to get involved. “This is very good for the c o m m u n i t y, ” h e s a i d . Denisea Yaw operates a beverage stall in the village and was also enthused by the initiative. She said that Buxtonians will come out in their numbers because they always support sporting activities. Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, hosted a press conference in the boardroom of the MCY&S yesterday morning and expressed satisfaction at input of his executives in making the card a reality. He said that his team has been hard at work in a bid to improve the fortunes of the young boxers. The GBA President further explained that the ‘Nuff Cuff’ initiative
Two Buxtonians, Mark Bevney (left) and Linden Missigher said that residents could hardly wait for the show tomorrow night. is meant to strengthen the bond between his organization and the various communities while keeping the boxers productively engaged. Tomorrow night’s card will be staged with a bifurcated objective as GBA executives are also aspiring to showcase those boxers that are currently preparing for national duty at the Commonwealth and the Central American and Caribbean championships. The admission is set at $500 and Mr. Ninvalle
indicated that all monies accrued from the event would go towards the preparation of the boxers for their imminent international engagements. Several sponsors have come forward to assist the staging of the event. Among them are www.Iradiogy.com, an online radio station, Ansa McAl, Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, National Sports Commission, Trustee Pawn Shop, Roger Hinds of Mahdia and Hopkinson Mining.
Nadal shows he is still the master in Paris
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Pacers cool Heat to stave off playoff elimination
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Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) works around the defense of Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) during the fourth quarter in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. (Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a forehand to Dominic Thiem of Austria during their men’s singles match at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadiu m in Paris May 29, 2014. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier
Battle to represent Guyana at Caribbean Guinness Competition begins tonight
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A massive outpouring of fans is anticipated tonight when the national playoffs commence at the Banks DIH Parking Lot opposite Thirst Park.
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