Kaieteur News

Monday November 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 3

Crime fighting strategies working Wanton waste at Guyana despite the many challenges Elections Commission - AG Even as the police continue with their numerous crime fighting strategies, there are still some challenges which have been somewhat hampering their efforts. This is according to Crime Chief Seelall Persaud, who was delivering a presentation recently during the launching of the Christmas Program.

These challenges include lack of finance, lack of public cooperation and poor court attendance by witnesses, among others.

The Crime Chief pointed out that some of the types of crime which the Force has been trying to combat include, property crimes, drug trafficking, cross border smuggling, piracy and cyber crime, which is becoming more prevalent.

As it relates to cyber crime, Persaud said the Force has been working with an international body with the aim of training local personnel to deal with this phenomenon.

Further the Crime Chief outlined some of the organisation’s strategies that are currently being used to aid in their efforts.

These he said include Anti-crime patrols, road blocks, raids, Community Policing and some components of the Citizen Security Programs.

Giving an insight into some of the programs which seek to address youths involved in crimes, Persaud said the Force itself has several youth groups in some vulnerable communities, Scouts Groups and their GPF/ Zara Computer Centre, which is located at Adventure, Corentyne, Berbice, providing educational opportunities for many.

- Crime Chief

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud However while the Force has been upkeeping many of these programs, Persaud said, financing for some of them remains a challenge. The Crime Chief said that as the police Finance Department begins preparation for next year’s budget, consideration will be given to funding for these projects.

Persaud said that some of the other challenges the Force faces include the lack of public cooperation, information, identification parades attendance and court attendance.

Persaud pointed out that too often investigators are faced with the issue of members of the public refusing to take part in identification parades, lengthy trials and congestion in courts.

As it relates to the challenges faced in the Court, Persaud said the Ministry of Home Affairs has been in discussion with the judicial circle to address these issues.

Some of the ideas being considered include the introduction of night courts, more regular sitting of Courts

in the Hinterland regions and more courts around the country which will ultimately ease the congestion.

As it relates to the organized crimes and inadequate security investments, Persaud said business owners should invest more in security when it comes to moving around large amounts of cash. He added that persons should start looking at the possibility of ‘using plastic’ Debit and Credit Cards. When it comes to security for their business places Persaud advised that proper screening of persons before they are hired should also be done.

However, despite all of the mentioned challenges the Crime Chief has pointed out that so far for the year the Force has been able to crack many rings that were carrying out a series of crimes. Some of these crime rings include the Cummings Lodge robbery group, where four men, Orlando Samuels, Quacy Bentick, Ricardo Samuels and Jamal Munroe were caught and charged for offences varying from robbery under arms and possession of firearm.

There was also the ‘Airport robbery group’ which had been robbing incoming passengers from the CJIA while on their way to the city.

Three persons, Rawl Allen, Ronald Kissoon and Richard Elliot have since been charged with 10 counts of robbery under arms. A menacing piracy gang was also broken up and its members charged and placed before the court.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma has said that the Guyana Elections Commission continued to be in breach of the stores regulations as audits of the stores in Kingston and the Bond at Coldingen E.C.D, have revealed several discrepancies.

The AG in the 2011 Auditor General Report stated that a number of the discrepancies were reported in previous years.

Some of the discrepancies, the AG noted in the report, were that both stores had large quantities of unserviceable and expired items that were to be assessed and valued before disposal.

Another discrepancy was that items in stock at the Kingston and Coldingen stores were not properly stored to facilitate easy verification.

According to the AG, the bond at Coldingen was cluttered with items that had become obsolete. He noted that some of the items included 878 print cartridges which cost $3.55M; water soaked, expired acid; leaked or corroded “D” batteries, which are worth around

$528,525 and a quantity of model 669 Polaroid films with an estimated value of $16.153M. It was recommended that GECOM should complete the reconciliation exercise so that their stores record could be updated and submitted for audit inspection. Further, the AG said that in terms of obsolete items, a losses report should be submitted to the Finance Secretary to have the losses written off.

Moreover, in the year 2009, there were seven outstanding advances totaling $1.633M on the Commission’s standing imprest account.

It was noted that at the time of the AG’s report, four advances totaling $1.046M remained outstanding. The Commission, in response to the advance payments issue, stated that one officer with an advance outstanding in the sum of $313,495 was now deceased.

Further it was noted that two persons who were no longer employed by GECOM had submitted vouchers to clear advances totaling $206,978.

Meanwhile, it was

Auditor General Deodat Sharma observed that vouchers in one of the submissions were insufficient to clear the sum advanced, whilst the CEO had custody of the other voucher and an advance of $500,000 which was uplifted on June 8, 2006 by a senior management official, which was reportedly stolen after a fire on September 9, 2006.

According to the AG, the advance was for the sole purpose of offsetting elections expenses. It was noted that the Commission was still awaiting a police investigation of the matter.

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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

Getting the ERC right The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is one of the ‘Rights’ Commission inserted into the constitution after the 2000 overhaul to address the euphonic challenge in our society: ethnic relations. Unfortunately, like most initiatives in Guyana, it became bogged down by political manoeuvres and is now in a state of limbo.

The ERC was given a very wide mandate, specifically spelled out in twenty-four ‘functions’ in the new constitution. These functions can be grouped into five broad areas: Investigative, Conflict Resolution, Education and Public Awareness and Research.

But the mandate was never the problem: this centred on the appointment of the Commissioners to execute the mandate. As usual, political control became the issue, after the work unfolded, following the appointment of the first ERC in 2003. Following a number of vacancies caused by resignations and deaths, the Opposition soon became convinced that the Commission in general, and its Chairman in particular, were favouring the government.

When the ERC’s first (four-year) term expired in 2007, it was not surprising that the Opposition balked at the possibility of a replay. But to appreciate what followed, it might be useful to recap the procedures used to select the ERC’s Commissioners. Each parliament constitutes a Commission of Appointment (CoA) at its commencement, which will pass on five to fifteen nominees for a two-thirds approval in Parliament. The nominees are chosen from seven categories of ‘civil society’ organisations – religion (Hindu, Christian and Muslim), labour, private sector, women and youth.

The CoA consults a list of one hundred and sixty-two organizations (the members of this list are problematic and will not be discussed in this Editorial) that will submit the names. In 2007, the CoA, which included members of the PPP, PNC and AFC, unanimously submitted their nominees on the floor of the house, but the PNC balked - on a procedural, not on the name of any nominee. The two-thirds vote not being secured, the matter was returned to the CoA. Subsequently, the PNC refused to accept a member of the newly-formed Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) to be one of the ‘religious’ bodies that could submit nominees.

They felt it was a back-door manoeuvre to re-appoint the former Chairman of the ERC, who would not have been reselected by the Christian bodies as he was for the first ERC. Not being able to obtain the two-thirds ratification of the CoA submission, the government then passed a resolution (which needs just a simple majority) authorising the President “to take such steps so as to enable the Ethnic Relations Commission to continue to carry out its constitutional responsibilities in the interim.”

The PNC protested this was against the explicit stipulation of the constitution but the President went along, under the presumed doctrine of ‘necessity’. But it was not until 2011, in the run-up to the elections that the PNC took the matter to the courts and requested a writ to prevent the ERC to hold itself out as a legal entity. The injunction was eventually thrown out - but on procedural not substantive grounds.

In our judgement, the ERC is too important an institution to be left lying dormant in our society: we are witnessing an upsurge of the very activities that the ERC was intended to ameliorate.

It was therefore very encouraging to hear on a TV “Roundtable” discussion yesterday, a representative of the government (Ms Gail Texiera, Adviser to the President on governance) and the opposition Dr. Rupert Roopnarine (APNU’s Dep. Chairman) both agree that a reconstitution of the ERC was imperative. Dr. Roopnarine however stated that he was appearing on his own behalf, but we would hope that he can persuade his colleagues of his position.

The consensus appeared to be that the ticklish obstacles (such as the objected-to former Chairman) were now moot and that the Opposition were now in control of, in addition to chairing, the CoA. Unfortunately this committee will only be meeting today for the very first time.

We hope they will place the reconstituting of the ERC high on their agenda.

Monday November 19, 2012

Letters... Where your views make the news

It is to the PPP’s benefit to not have a strong functioning office of the opposition leader DEAR EDITOR, For the health and efficiency of a democracy there must be a strong opposition. It is my opinion that because the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) is aware of this fact, they have purposely underfunded and undermined the office of the Leader of the Opposition in Guyana.

When the PPP courted the electorate 20 years ago, they promised that there would be a return to democracy.

However two decades later what we have in Guyana is not democracy but an elected dictatorship that gains its legitimacy through an ethnic census every five years. I did not have to read “Office of the opposition Leader starved of state funds” KN November 18th 2012, to know and realize the depth to which we have sunk in our quest to realize a democratic polity.

The PPP has never walked away from its Marxist Leninist ideology, which has at its core democratic centralism and the paramountcy of the party. Government of the people by the people for the people is of no interest to these Guyanese communist oriented leaders that walk the halls of power.

Mr. Editor it is to the PPP’s benefit to not have a strong functioning office of

the opposition leader. The Ramotar government like its predecessors is bent on stifling the will of the people, while they conduct a criminal enterprise where friends and cronies and government ministers get extremely wealthy, on the backs of the mostly poor suffering masses.

It is a fact that wherever the system of parliamentary democracy has been established and allowed to function, the importance of a healthy, effective, vigilant and ever alert opposition has been indispensable.

It is to the benefit of the Guyanese nation to have a strong opposition and a fully funded office of the leader of the opposition, to check the government from engaging in excesses or becoming tyrannical or autocratic. We must never forget that the very essence of democracy is dissent and debate. We must see our representatives working in the legislature, discussing, dissenting, and persuading.

Some of the duties of the leader of the opposition in Guyana, include; holding the Executive accountable; developing an organized approach to and representing the views of, the people, opinion leaders and nongovernmental organizations; ensuring that there is freedom of access to

information and the media; adequately representing in the national assembly and generally, the interest and concerns of the people.

To accomplish this very important constitutional function the Ramotar government has agreed to staff t h e o f f i c e o f t h e opposition leader with 5 staff members; a Gardner, a secretary, a driver, a receptionist and one other staff.

With this meager personnel composition and refusing to pay the mortgage and provide for the other amenities that compliment a full functioning office, the minority PPP government continues to show its disdain towards the will of the electorate.

Let us not forget that Brigadier David Granger as leader of the Parliamentary opposition speaks for and is the representative of the majority of the electorate in Guyana.

Granger ’s constituency far exceeds that of Donald Ramotar, yet he is given short shrift by the State and must scrape, beg and use personal funds in order to satisfy his constitutional mandate. Juxtapose this with the PPP fat cats that are harboured and paid by the Office of the President for questionable work that does not benefit the taxpayers who pay their lofty salaries.

The Office of the Opposition leader has no access to state vehicles, no budget, and pays its own light, telephone and water bill.

There is no staff to assist Brigadier Granger prepare for his parliamentary and other duties, there is no research capability nor is there state funds to assist in mounting a formidable opposition.

The office of the Leader of the Opposition should by necessity be funded like a small government ministry with its own budget and a full, compliment of staff, if we are serious about democracy in Guyana. I compliment Kaieteur News, for the press should be a jealous guardian of the people’s rights, privileges and freedoms. Like the opposition in a legislature, the press is also a watchdog and guardian of the public interest.

Mr. Editor, Benjamin Disraeli (former Prime Minster of Great Britain) once stated that; “no government can long be secure without a formidable opposition”. It is my contention that Disraeli was right and the days of the PPP are numbered. For, as the Executive rumbles forward on a collision course with the people (parliament), Guyanese may finally have an opportunity to have real democracy.

Mark Archer

Monday November 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

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

We endorse Swami Aksharananda’s sentiments DEAR EDITOR, We endorse Swami Aksharananda’s sentiments expressed in his letter to the media caption “Dipavali should not be used as an occasion for attacking one another” and his appeal for messages on religious occasions to be generous and charitable as well as the need for extending open palms rather than clenched fists.

As the Swami recognized, politics and religion are deeply intertwined and as our research has discovered, uncompromising stance are necessary at times of injustice and inequality. This has played out in all of the epics of Hinduism be it the Mahabharata war or between Ram and Ravan in the Ramayana.

It is the PPP, the most powerful political force in Guyana at the last elections

that show signs of intransigence in refusing to have Mr. Clement Rohee resign as a Minister. Mr. Rohee is the person ultimately responsible for the death of over 200 young men as the head of the security sector and the only fair option at this time is his removal from that sector.

Therefore, if the majority of Guyana continues to stand firm on this issue, it is not intransigence, it is politics of principle. The responsible opposition reaction to the cutting down of over 200 young lives at the barrel of the Police guns can demand nothing less.

The AFC must stand firmly with the values of goodwill and generosity of spirit by ensuring those ultimately responsible for these irresponsible, reckless and unlawful losses of life are justly treated. The just

DEAR EDITOR, We live in a dynamic world, so I share your columnist Peeping Tom’s view that institutions of state have to be reformed or retired in order to enhance or protect democracy, which exists for the singular purpose of serving the interests of the citizenry ( KN, November 13th).

However, reforms or retirements must be driven by changes that make insitutions ineffectual or irrelevant in service of citizens, and not by any government’s selfserving disregard for selected institutions.

It is my belief that a careful reading of the Peeper’s column and an awareness of Guyana’s political milieu would lead to the unmistakable conclusion that the Peeper is using a reasonable view in a vain attempt to defend the dictatorial, untransparent, and unaccountable governance of successive PPP governments.

The Peeper boldly proclaims that the Office of the Ombudsman (OO), the Public Service Appellate Tribunal (PSAT), the Integrity Commmission (IC), the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), and the still-to-be-established Public Procurement Commission (PPC) are not important or relevant to enhancing or protecting our democracy, b u t o f f e r s n o tenable reasons other than damning assertions of government’s disregard for these institutions and the understandable reactions of

citizens consequent upon government’s disregard.

The plain, indisputable truth is that these institutions can severally and jointly check the dictatorial, untransparent, and unaccountable tendencies and practices of our governments— if properly funded, staffed, and implemented. But successive PPP governments have made sure that these institutions would never do the jobs they were legislated to do. And the Peeper has no problems offering government’s actions and the reactions of citizens as serious reasons to get rid of these institutions.

For example, the Peeper said that the Office of the Ombudsman should be retired because it receives few complaints and its decisions are disregarded by our governments. I suspect that the Peeper’s memory may have been clouded by the exuberance that overcame him as he wrote what he thought was a brilliant and veiled defense of the PPP’s dictatorial governance. Why else would the Peeper have concluded that an institution of democracy should be abolished because governments ignore its decisions?

What about strengthening the Ombudsman legislation to hold our governments accountable for ignoring decisions of the Ombudsman? If we take the Peeper’s reasoning to its logical conclusion, then we should also abolish our Continued on page 6

A response to Peeping Tom

treatment for Mr. Rohee is summary removal from the security sector.

If that is what Swami calls a scorch earth policy, then we are proud to support such a policy since justice must be served to the victims and their families.

With rights to govern, comes the responsibility to govern and the two cannot be separated. The PPP as the Government must be held responsible for the poor state of governance and personal security in Guyana, not the AFC. The agents of the PPP,

instead of shooting those 200 men or denying the mother at Plastic City proper Housing or the workers of Guyana a living wage, could have taken a more progressive position on crime fighting, housing and the income of the workers.

The strongest political forces must approach the developmental challenges in Guyana with open palms rather than clench fist.

Cutting down 200 youths in their prime with bullets is a clench fist strategy. Having mothers live in filth and unsanitary condition at

Plastic City while the PPP leaders live in Taj Mahals, is a clench fist strategy.

Paying the Gail Teixeiras and Odinaga Lumumbas million dollar salaries when the sugar workers earn less than $50,000 a month is a clench fist strategy.

Spending over $50 billion of taxpayer funds without their permission on “pie in the sky” projects like the Marriot Hotel is a clench fist strategy.

Guyana is being scorched not because of the AFC but because of the PPP failure to put in place competent ministers, public policy and

systems of justice and fairness.

Thus we plead with Swami and other religious leader with his wisdom such as the Catholic and Anglican Bishop to be more actively engage in the process of bringing the entire dialogue back to the center of gravity.

As a prerequisite for this to happen, Rohee must be removed forthwith from the security sector since he has been an abject failure at protecting and serving the citizens of the nation.

Dr Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh

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Kaieteur News

Monday November 19, 2012

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

GUYANA - A CULTURAL MELTING POT DEAR EDITOR, Guyana can be described as a cultural melting pot. This is manifested in so many of our national festivals where Guyanese from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds turn out by the thousands to celebrate. The most recent manifestation of this phenomenon was the Diwali celebrations, known to many as the ‘Festival of Lights.’

It was indeed a true display of creativity and ingenuity as I observed the Diwali motorcade on its way to the LBI community centre ground. Each year the parade

seems to get bigger and better for which the organizers must be commended, in particular the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, under the dynamic leadership of Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud. There can be no doubt that under his leadership the organization he so ably led has grown in stature and appeal not only within the Hindu community but among the wider Guyanese society.

For me, every float is a unique piece of art and innovation. Those of us who live on the road corridor along the East Coast highway were

fortunate to get a glimpse of the motorcade on its way to the LBI community centre ground where the floats were judged. It must have been a difficult job for the judges to come up with their decisions since for me all the floats were unique in their own ways. I wish more people could get a chance to see the floats, a truly wonderful spectacle.

As I mentioned before, festivals such as Diwali have now become national institutions which Guyanese from all races and all walks of life have come to look forward to. For as long as I could

remember, I always make it something of a duty to take my family to witness the parade. The excitement and glow in the eyes of the kids and even adults as the parade makes it way is something that will always be remembered. My only disappointment is the length of time that the float reaches the East Coast of Demerara by which time kids in particular got a bit impatient and some, especially the younger ones, do fell asleep.

No less spectacular is the lighting of diyas by Hindus to celebrate the

homecoming of Lord Rama after 14 years in exile in the forest and his victory over the evil Rawan.

The message of Diwali which signifies the triumph of good over evil is also one that resonated with peoples all across the world. Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar could not have said it better when he remarked on the significance of the festival for Guyana, a county which emerged from over two decades of darkness and is today seeing the light of economic prosperity and democracy. He told the gathering at the LBI Community Centre ground that many of the wicked acts twenty years ago were planned in the dark and therefore all Guyanese must continuously work for the good of Guyana.

“We must be careful and remember to always guard the light, so that we can continue the progress we have started some twenty years ago.”

President Ramotar also encouraged the audience to be cognizant of the fact that the same people who orchestrated Guyana’s past darkness are today rearing their heads and are trying to take the country down that path again.

We are living in a lighter and brighter Guyana. The almost endless stream of cars on the road along the motorcade route, the brightly lit and decorated homes and the huge turnout of Guyanese along the roadside to get a glimpse of the motorcade is indicative of a new and changing Guyana, one that is vastly different

from the darkness of the notso-distant past. This is why it is so important to heed the advice given by His Excellency President Donald Ramotar not to allow this torch of human progress and dignity to be extinguished.

This is indeed the season of lights. The Christmas lights are already beginning to shine and with it the mood of the Guyanese people.

Christmas, like Diwali, has now become national institutions celebrated by people from all economic, social and cultural background. This is what makes this country of ours such a unique and special place in which to live. We are becoming increasingly cosmopolitan in character, something that sociologists refer to as a cultural melting pot. You do not have to be a Christian in order to celebrate and enjoy Christmas or to fly a kite at Easter time in the same way that you do not have to be a Hindu to celebrate Phagwah, or a Muslim to participate in Eid celebrations. Culture has a way of bringing peoples of diverse cultural backgrounds together and in our case this is very much in evidence. We are a much more tolerant society where we not only appreciate but we also celebrate the cultures and festivities of the varying cultural constituencies.

This is why we must be first and foremost Guyanese at heart and in spirit. There is something powerful and contagious about our culture which we must all cherish and be proud of.

Hydar Ally

From page 5 courts and our National Assembly because our governments have also refused to abide by their decisions.

Has the Peeper forgotten about the court’s decision on radio stations, and the many unheeded laws such as the one calling for the establishment of a Public Procurement Commission?

I address t h e P e e p e r ’s e q u a l l y untenable view about the other institutions by pointing out that we still have problems with public service appointments, thus the need for the PSAT; with government officials and other public servants who move from rags to riches faster than the speed of light, thus the need for the IC; with racial marginalisation, thus the need for the ERC; and w i t h e c o n o m y destroying corruption in the

award of government contracts, thus the need for the PPC. I will not here detain readers or take up space with the supporting statistics but urge the unaware and uninformed to Google any of our two objective daily newspapers (Kaieteur News and Stabroek News) or reports by Transparency International for evidence that will conclusively establish the need for these institutions.

I submit that not a penny is being wasted because of their presence, but that tens of millions of dollars are being wasted because of their ineffectual functioning or non-implementation. So I urge the government to properly implement them by providing proper staffing and adequate funding. And in the case of the PPC, implement it without any further delay.

Lionel Lowe

A response to...

Monday November 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Relatives of accident victims renew call for stiffer penalties Guyana yesterday remembered those who have died as a result of road accidents over the years, when scores participated in the annual awareness walk for road safety as the world celebrated World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

The event was spearheaded by the Guyana National Road Safety Council in partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs along with Members of the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department. In addition, the representatives of Mothers in Black, Guyana Trinidad Mutual (GTM) Insurance Company along with volunteers from both private sector and governmental organizations were also a part.

Yesterday’s event was only one among many other planned events to commemorate Road Safety Month. Ramona Doorgen, Coordinator of the Guyana National Road Safety Council noted that there has been an increase of self inflicted road accidents by privately owned vehicles which also resulted in several deaths.

Doorgen is of the view that more can be done to sensitize the public on road safety practices and to

Participants as they assembled for the awareness activity.

ensure that those practices are regularly adapted by road users. She related that the road safety Council has embarked on several programmes to raise awareness for this cause.

“We will be hosting numerous seminars and television programs to raise awareness. We will also be

looking to have even more stringent measures put in place and enforced to make the roads safer for both drivers and pedestrians and to have even more severe penalties imposed upon those who don’t adhere to the rules.”

Relatives of the road accident victims, who

participated in the event, told Kaieteur News that while they are still saddened by the deaths of their loved ones, they are even more aggrieved by the way drivers continue to use the roadways.

Agnes Debidyal, who lost her 13-year old daughter, Trishanna to a speeding and intoxicated motorist back in

December of 2005, noted that she is dissatisfied with the way that the justice system is dealing with such cases.

“We need an active and effective judicial system to deal with such cases because when these cases are prolonged, the relatives who are already traumatized by the loss of their loved ones are

robbed of the time to grieve, it makes things even more agonizing to those who have to endure this period,” the woman stressed.

Lucille Bacchus, another participant who lost her two children in an accident 16 years ago, stated that a monument will be erected in memory for those persons who lost their lives due to traffic accidents.

According to recent police statistics, on the whole there has been an 8.1 percent decline in the number of fatalities up to the end of October this year, with 90 deaths recorded, compared with 98 for the same period last year.

Incidentally, five more deaths were recorded at the beginning of November, taking that number to 95.

Pedestrians continue to head the list of road fatalities so far this year, with figures showing that up to October last year, 27 pedestrians were killed.

Meanwhile speeding continues to be a major contributory factor to fatal accidents, causing 63 of the 83 fatal accidents for the year.

Pedal cyclists and drivers at 17 each, were the other high road casualties; this is in addition to 12 motorcyclists.

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Kaieteur News

Monday November 19, 2012

Monday November 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 9

Why work when there are Ma and Pa to provide?

On a very quiet morning a few years ago, a gentleman went berserk in the city and attacked workers in an automotive repair shop.

At the time of the attack, there were not many persons on the streets. Fortunately, the police were quickly on the scene and were able to neutralize the threat.

Within minutes of this incident, persons began to emerge from neighbouring yards in their numbers. It was simply unbelievable to see the large numbers that emerged from homes.

The question that immediately sprung to mind was: Why were these individuals, most of whom were of working age, not gainfully employed?

It is a development that can be seen throughout Guyana. There are hundreds of persons, especially young people, who are at home, not necessarily because there are

no jobs but because many of them are simply not interested in finding a job.

After all, why go and work all day for a miserly $2,000 when you can wake up late, watch TV all day, enjoy three square meals, dress in the latest threads and still find time to hang out for hours with friends? Is this not the good life, and all of this is compliments of Ma and Pa. There are many young persons and not so young persons who are simply not interested in working. And so they stay at home all day and enjoy life without having to go and work.

Not everyone is however that fortunate. The vast majority of our adult population needs to work.

And there have been many complaints that jobs are not available.

Yet if you pick up the newspapers each day, there

are a number of vacancies which are advertised. While these will not satisfy the total demand of the unemployed who are seeking jobs, they do amount to a significant number of vacancies.

A discussion with employers also reveals some disturbing trends. For one, there is a high turnover of workers. It seems that many young people do not stick around long enough, at least not long enough to compensate for the cost of training that is borne by the employers.

Secondly, most employers complain about the quality of the workers they are finding. Some of the applicants have excellent academic qualifications but are often found wanting in the practical aspects of their training. This means that employers have to invest more than usual in training.

There is also a serious

Dem boys seh

Stricter de government, wiser de population Uncle Donald does collect NIS. De Lunch Man does collect NIS and Gail and Odinga does collect NIS. All of dem had a meeting de other day because dem was worried bout dem pension.

Was a heated meeting. De Lunch Man tell dem that dem benefits safe and in any case all of dem can live without de NIS pension, but money never too much.

De Lunch Man tell everybody that Uncle Donald got de power fuh release money to mek sure everybody get dem pension, even if dem got to cut other people own. But de story

didn’t done deh. All of dem claim how de Waterfalls paper know wha happening and that Uncle Glenn got a spy in Ohh Pee. Dem even believe that de spy might be at de meeting.

Right away everybody tun and watch Uncle Donald because de Waterfalls boss man seh that he love Uncle Donald like a brother and that Uncle Donald love him too.

Uncle Donald had to tell everybody that he don’t talk to de Waterfalls boss man.

Well dem tap he phone.

Dem boys seh that all de phones at de Waterfalls paper tap too. Dem got

people listening in. De reporters at de Waterfalls paper know bout de tap and dem ain’t worried because all dat gun happen is that de people who listening gun know wheh de information coming from.

Dem wouldn’t know bout de note that does pass from Uncle Donald to de Waterfalls paper. And dem wouldn’t know bout de Skype wha does go on between Uncle Donald and de Waterfalls paper.

As dem boys seh, stricter de government, wiser de population.

Talk half. Lef half.

problem faced by many employers of finding the right employees and in adequate numbers. There is a sign erected on a construction site on the East Coast of Demerara, advertising for workers.

This sign flies in the face of the complaints of a lack of jobs. It is not the lack of jobs; it is the lack of the type of jobs that many desire.

There is a shortage of labour in the construction sector and this is not surprising since many school leavers prefer to work in offices rather than on construction sites.

During the run-up to Cricket World Cup 2007, two major hotels were being built and yet there was a problem obtaining labour to complete one of them. The company building one of the hotels was forced to increase the remuneration in order to attract skills.

Yet there are many persons within our society who indicate that they are willing to work but cannot find work. Some of them even say that they are willing to work on a construction site.

And there are thousands of

Guyanese who have left these shores to do construction work in the islands of the Caribbean. Why were they not being employed in Guyana?

Some large contractors are able to fund fulltime work for a large segment of their workers. These workers know that once they get into the employ of these large contractors, there will be work year in year out.

However, one of the problems that many unemployed persons face is obtaining information as to where the jobs are.

Many of them depend on friends and associates to inform them of some construction site. Some of them also simply turn up at construction sites hoping to be employed.

What this shows is that one of the reasons why there is not full employment of those with construction skills is simply because there is no way in which all those seeking jobs can be linked with those vacancies.

The government has established a mechanism to address this concern through

the creation of a recruitment and manpower register.

But from the evidence available, there may be a need to tweak the systems to ensure that they work in a way that links every potential worker with employers. This would help to find jobs for thousands who are willing to work.

We can do better than that in Guyana. Given the number of houses that are going up in Guyana and the construction work that is taking place throughout Guyana, we should be importing labour since there will not be enough to complete all the work that is available.

We therefore do not need to complain about lack of capacity. We have the capacity. What we do not have is a system that allows persons to know where the jobs are, as well as there are many who are simply not interested in working, that is not as long as Ma and Pa are alive and well to provide for their upkeep.

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News staffer shot, motorcycle stolen Bandits shot Kaieteur News staffer, Shaum Persaud in the thigh before escaping with his motorcycle CF4664 and a pouch containing his driver’s licence during a brazen robbery in Broad Street, Charlestown around 10:30 hrs yesterday.

Persaud, 45, of Lot 94 La Penitence, Albouystown, is in a stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

However, his left thigh was broken by the bullet’s impact.

Police officials revealed that they were questioning a suspect but had not recovered the stolen grey CG motorbike.

Detectives retrieved a 9mm warhead and a bullet casing from the scene.

Persaud, an Office Assistant with this

- suspect held newspaper, related that he was on his way home when a friend invited him to take “a drink” at a beer garden in Charlestown.

Persaud said he wheeled his motorcycle into the shop and was having a “drink” when two youths rode into the beer garden on a motorcycle and immediately began assaulting him while demanding the keys for his bike.

He estimates that the attackers were both in their teens.

“One of them hold me and I tried my best to fight back but then the other one came and hit me in my head with the gun,” Persaud said.

The father of two added

that while the bandits ‘braced’ him at a corner, one of them took the motorcycle keys from his pocket. They also relieved the Kaieteur News staffer of a pouch containing his driver’s license.

Despite being gunbutted, Persaud said that he tried to prevent the robbers from making off with his motorcycle.

Persaud said that this angered the robbers and one of them shot him in the left thigh. They then escaped with his motorcycle.

Other patrons at the beer garden took the injured man to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Persaud suspects that the bandits trailed him to the beer garden. He recalled that his attackers went straight to him and demanded his key.

Monday November 19, 2012

Two days after Chinese national shot….

The Chinese national who was shot and robbed last Saturday night remains in a critical condition in the High Dependency Unit (HDU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

The businessman, John Tianxiang was shot in his abdomen during a robbery.

He also suffered from internal injuries along with abrasions to his body as a result of the accident after his wife, Delingxing who was driving his car at the time, lost control of the vehicle, while transporting him to the hospital.

Yesterday, when Kaieteur News visited the injured man at the hospital, he was seen lying unconscious and attached to a life-support machine.

His wife, who did not receive any injury, was sitting next to him, holding his right hand.

This publication tried to speak to the injured man’s wife but unfortunately, she does not speak English.

According to information, the Chinese couple was attacked by two youths on a CG motorcycle

The 24-year-old businessman who was shot as they were about to enter their car after locking up their business place on Regent Street, in the vicinity of the burnt out Lucky Dollar store.

The robbers shot the 24year-old businessman before escaping with two cellular phones and a bag with an undisclosed amount of cash.

After the men fled, Delingxing helped her husband into their vehicle but on Thomas Street, a tire blow-out caused Delingxing to lose control of the car, which hit into a tree then crashed into a vendor’s stall.

Meanwhile the two bandits had made good their escape.

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Kaieteur News

Monday November 19, 2012

Deadly Long Island crash…

By Abena Rockcliffe Joseph Beer, 17, who crashed his 2012 Subaru Impreza car on a Long Island, United States of America highway last month, killing four of his Guyanese friends, is facing 25 years imprisonment, after he tested positive for marijuana.

According to a New York Daily News article published on Friday last, Prosecutors disclosed that a blood sample taken from the teen two hours after the crash, tested positive for marijuana.

The article further disclosed that Beer was indicted by a Nassau County Grand Jury on a litany of charges that included aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter and driving while impaired by drugs.

Reports are that Beer’s parents, Patricia and Aaditia Beer, both Guyanese, were also charged with unlicensed operation of a vehicle for allowing the teen to drive without a licence. They each

Dead: Neal Rajapa face 15 days in jail and a $300 fine.

Reports about the accident are that the teen, who resided in Queens, New York, lost control of his car on a dangerous stretch of the Southern State Parkway known as “Dead Man’s Curve,” on October 8.

The car careened into a wooded area and split into two after striking a tree. The four passengers- Darian Ramnarine, 18; Peter Kanhai, 18; Chris Khan, 18; and Neal Rajapa, 17 were all killed when they were tossed from the car.

The four were pronounced dead at the scene. However, Beer was

Dead: Peter Kanhai

Dead: Darian Ramnarine

Dead: Chris Khan

Facing charges: Joseph Beer

merely treated at a Long Island Hospital The once promising Richmond Hill High School graduate, who only suffered minor injuries from the crash, only had a learner’s permit, which prohibited him from driving between 21:00 hrs and 5:00 hrs.

Kaieteur News understands that the Subaru Impreza was just given to the teen for graduating early from Richmond Hill High School and becoming a student of American St. John University.

New York police officials said that the teen “failed to negotiate a curve.”

Peter Kanhai, Chris Khan and Darian Ramnarine are said to have been popular graduates of Richmond Hill High School. A nearby resident, Michael Campos, told New York reporters that the accident sounded like a “plane crash.”

Campos said when he went out to investigate, he found “a horror show.”

“I saw four bodies on the floor and I went by the road, on the highway, and it was slippery,” he said. “It was wet

like it was just raining out.”

Loved ones at the scene had mixed emotions; some angry at Beer and others simply collected sad mementos from the scene — eyeglasses, flip-flops, a single gym shoe — before leaving.

Drivers with learner permits are prohibited from driving in the US unless accompanied by a supervising driver, age 21 or older, who has a valid licence, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

That stretch of the

parkway where the accident occurred is especially dangerous, according to Lakeview Fire Department Chief Heather Senti. She told the Wall Street Journal there had been two other singlevehicle crashes at the same spot on the day of the accident.

Neighbours had indicated to New York reporters that Beer is a smart teen who kept himself out of trouble and was “always studying.”

Beer’s former Spanish teacher had nothing but praise. “He was a great student,” said Sally Shabana.

The wrecked car

Monday November 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Dry season leaves Mahdia without water Dry pipelines in Mahdia have left residents totally dependent on water from the creek for domestic purposes.

It is unclear how long this situation will continue since the pump is unable to propel water from the almost dry community water well.

This is according to Region Eight Chairman, Mark Crawford, who related that after several weeks of the problem, the Regional Executive Officer, Ronald Harsawack, has informed him that the pump has arrived in the area as promised but is unable to push water from the well.

Early November, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud had said that pipelines, conduits and pumps were sent to Mahdia as a temporary fix to the water problems.

However, it took a while for the materials to reach Mahdia much to the dismay of residents.

- residents turn to creeks Crawford noted that the current volume of water in the well cannot full a 45 gallon drum. And, even if the depth of the well is increased, it cannot solve the water situation, since rainfall is infrequent in this dry season, he added.

It was noted that there are several tuff tanks in the area but they too are empty.

The Chairman said that residents are either going directly to the creek for water or purchasing creek water from mobile trucks.

Meanwhile, water is not readily accessible at the Mahdia Primary School forcing students to resort to the use of latrines.

According to Crawford, with water not flowing through the pipelines, the flush toilets in the school are clogged.

He is concerned that this may have a negative impact

on the students’ health since there is no water to wash hands.

Crawford stressed that whenever residents protest about these unacceptable conditions, the civil action is deemed political by Government. But Government needs to take the provision of vital services to residents seriously, he noted.

He stated that fixing the Salbora well will rectify the water problem in Mahdia, but this does not seem to be a priority of the Administration.

According to Crawford, residents were without potable water supply for almost a year as a result of foliage in the Salbora Water Project.

A gravity flow system from Salbora Creek, Eagle Mountain, above the Mahdia Plateau, is the main source of water for that mining community.

DHB junction to have traffic signals

Traffic at the junction of DHB and East Bank Demerara Public Road A plan is in the pipeline to install traffic signals at the junction of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) and the East Bank Demerara Public Road to reduce traffic congestion.

According to Terrence O’Brien, Engineer, Public Works Ministry, it is hoped that the traffic signals will be installed before Christmas. He noted that t h e works will include

adjustments to the existing thoroughfare.

O’Brien said that engineers have to carry out inspections to ascertain the necessary adjustments to the roadway and the timings for the signals.

He noted that a filter-lane for traffic crossing the bridge, heading to Georgetown, will be created. Traffic traversing in this lane will always be flowing.

O’Brien related that preparation works for this project have been ongoing with the culvert at the southern end of the junction being widened weeks ago.

The traffic signals’ primary source of energy will be solar and will be backed up by utility.

He noted that the Ministry hopes to have all traffic signals utilize solar power as the main power supply.

Empty tuff tanks

Monday November 19, 2012

Old soldiers never die, just their privates. I used to think so until the Petraeus scandal started and we found out that the term “pfc” (private first class) used to describe junior enlisted persons in the US Military might still apply to Petraeus despite his elevation in rank.

In fact, the General’s admission of adultery with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, has caused a Major scandal and although Corporal punishment is ruled out, it is believed there is still more than a Colonel of truth in the allegations. However, with more revelations about other generals, it might be a staff infection.

Comedian John Stewart berated himself for not picking up “innuendo after innuendo” during an interview with Broadwell about her book on Petraeus, All In: The Education of General David Petraeus. “I’m the worst journalist in the world,” proclaimed Stewart.

As if “All In” as a title is not by itself both relevant and revealing, MSNBC reported that the ABC television station in Denver used the wrong book jacket as the visual for the story. The one they used had been altered, most likely as a joke by one of the graphic artists. It read, “All (Up) In (My Sn@#ch)”.

That is, of course, very incorrect and vulgar but it is what most people thought happened.

The story from CNN and other sources is that Broadwell, a mother of two, and Petraeus first met in 2006 at Harvard University where she was a student. He offered to help her on a book on military leadership. She went to Afghanistan, where she interviewed Petraeus over a long time. A friend of Petraeus, Retired General James “Spider” Marks commented, “She probably kicked his butt. And it was probably the first time that had ever happened to him, so he let his guard down. He brought her in.”

In fact, he brought her all

Kaieteur News

in and if Marks is to be taken literally about the “buttkicking” it opens up a brand new “ball”-game.

In pitching her book, Broadwell (a name which many people are taking literally, stressing each syllable) “I’m not a spokesperson for him, and if showing a role model to other people in the world or other readers is a repugnant thing, then I’m sorry, but I think the values that he upholds and tries to instill in his organizations are valuable and worth pointing out.”

Clearly, his uprightness mattered to her and they started an affair.

However, it seems that Broadwell was sending “threatening” letters to another high-flyer, Jill Kelley, a member of the Washington “social circuit” and an Honorary Consul General for Korea.

Kelley and her family had a good relationship with Petraeus and his wife.

Broadwell accused Kelley of “flauting” her relationships with the military big-wigs and Kelley got an FBI acquaintance (who, it is said sent her a shirtless picture of himself) to get an investigation started to find the sender of the emails. This led to Broadwell and her emails revealed an intimate relationship with Petraeus.

Then the plot thickened.

ABC reports that the FBI uncovered about 30,000 “potentially inappropriate” emails with General John Allen, who had replaced Petraeus in Afghanistan.

Several journalists have pointed out that the number of emails sent by the General to Kelley amounts to almost one thousand per month and have questioned whether that left the General any time to do his “real” work.

Allen was supposed to take over the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) forces but that is now on hold.

The focus on Petraeus and Allen has taken the headlines away from the case of another high-ranking

soldier, Brigadier General Jeffrey Sinclair, who is facing a hearing at Fort Bragg to see whether he should be tried for multiple criminal charges including forcible sodomy, wrongful sexual conduct and adultery (which is a crime under the military justice system).

The allegations against Sinclair involve relationships with five women other than his wife. Sinclair served as a deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan until he was relieved of his duties in May

amid a criminal investigation and sent back to North Carolina.

One of the witnesses in the hearing, a female Captain, testified that Sinclair, her direct superior, twice forced her to perform oral sex and threatened to kill her and her family if she told anyone. When subordinates objected to his attitude towards women, Sinclair said, “I’m a general. I’ll do whatever the (expletive) I want.”

Blogger Andrea Peterson, noting that the Pentagon and the Army had gone to

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surprising lengths to keep the Sinclair case quiet concluded, “It’s easier to joke about the soap opera plot unfolding among leadership than it is to process the challenges facing women in uniform every day for merely being female.”

An article in Psychology Today by Frank Farley headlined, “Great Leaders Have Affairs, Don’t They?” referred to affairs by Generals Eisenhower, McArthur and

Patton. Farley attributes it to a “Type T” or “thrill-seeking” personality. “T”, of course, also stands for “Trouble” and just as what goes up must come down, all-in inevitably becomes all-out, and pubic affairs become public scandals. *Tony Deyal was last seen saying that old spies never die; they just go under cover, while old journalists like him come to a full stop.

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Monday November 19, 2012

Monday November 19, 2012

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Monday November 19, 2012

Obama warns against ‘ramping up’ in Gaza crisis BANGKOK (AP) — President Barack Obama said yesterday an incursion by Israel’s forces into the Gaza Strip could only deepen its death toll, cautioning against an escalation even as he defended the Jewish state’s right to defend itself. Obama also warned Palestinians the crisis could crush peace hopes for years.

“Israel has every right to expect that it does not have missiles fired into its territory,” Obama said at the start of a three-nation tour in Asia.

“If that can be accomplished without a ramping up of military activity in Gaza, that’s preferable,” he said. “It’s not just preferable for the people of Gaza. It’s also preferable for Israelis, because if Israeli troops are in Gaza, they’re much more at risk of incurring fatalities or being wounded.”

Obama’s comments came as Israel’s campaign against Hamas militants in Gaza blasted into its fifth day. Israel is at a crossroads of whether to launch a ground invasion or pursue Egyptian-led truce efforts. Obama sought to defend the U.S. ally’s rights while pushing for a halt in the violence.

Obama made his remarks during a news conference at

the start of a four-day trip, a visit designed to expand the U.S. economic and military footprint in a region long dominated by China.

But the developments in and around Israel illustrated the foreign policy challenges facing Obama. Even as he mounted a proactive mission in Southeast Asia, he was forced into a reactive mode to respond to conflict in the Middle East that he has been unable to help resolve.

From Thailand, Obama also defended his decision to go to Myanmar, also known as Burma, as some critics called his presence premature.

Obama will be the first U.S. president to visit the country, which is moving from a brutal reign toward democracy but still holds political prisoners and is living with ethnic violence.

“This is not an endorsement of the Burmese government,” Obama said.

“This is an acknowledgement that there is a process underway inside that country that even a year and a half, two years ago, nobody foresaw.”

Obama said he was also guided by Myanmar ’s longtime democracy advocate, Aung Sung Suu Kyi, who visited him recently at the White House.

U.S. President Barack Obama, left, and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrive for a joint press conference at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) “I’m not somebody who are heard.”

The president will also thinks the United States should stand on the sidelines visit Cambodia during his and not get its hands dirty Asia trip, which began when there’s an opportunity yesterday in Thailand. He for us to encourage the better was here as a sign of U.S. impulses inside a country,” he commitment to a region his administration deems vital to said.

Change in a country can U.S. economic growth, but the happen quickly, Obama said, shadows of another Mideast if people believe “their voices conflict hung over his

journey.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared yesterday that Israel was prepared to significantly expand its military operation in Gaza. Obama has been lobbying Netanyahu along with the leaders of Egypt and Turkey to try to halt the crisis — including stopping rocket strikes on Israel.

He said Israel was justly responding to “an ever escalating number of missiles that were landing not just in Israeli territory, but in areas that are populated. And there’s no country on earth that would tolerate missiles raining down on its citizens from outside its borders.”

Obama said Palestinians will have no chance to pursue their own state and a lasting peace with Israel as long as rockets are fired into Israel. He said he hoped for a clearer process over the next 48 hours — showing how much the Mideast conflict had intruded on his diplomatic mission to Asia.

Still, Obama got a redcarpet welcome, a dose of sightseeing and an official dinner of authentic Thai food.

In a news conference with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, both leaders spoke of deepening ties of trade, security and

democracy. Obama’s praised Thailand for being a supporter of democracy in Myanmar, the once-pariah state that is rapidly reforming.

He said he appreciated the Thai prime minister’s insights into Myanmar during their private meeting yesterday.

On a steamy day, Obama began with a visit to the Wat Pho Royal Monastery, a cultural must-see in Bangkok.

In stocking feet, the president and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton walked up to a giant statue of Reclining Buddha, nearly 50 yards long and 45 feet high.

The complex is a sprawling display of temples with colourful spires, gardens and waterfalls.

After his time at the temple, Obama paid a courtesy call to the ailing, 84year-old U.S.-born King Bhumibol Adulyadej in his hospital quarters. The king, the longest serving living monarch, was born in Cambridge, Mass., and studied in Europe.

The centerpiece of the Asia trip comes today when Obama travels to Myanmar.

Obama aides see Myanmar as not only a success story but also as a signal to other countries that the U.S. will reward democratic behavior.

Monday November 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Republicans say Rice must testify on Benghazi statements

Susan Rice WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - Republican U.S. lawmakers turned up the heat yesterday on Susan Rice, saying the U.N. ambassador - seen as a possible nominee to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state - must testify before Congress on her remarks after the September attack that killed the American envoy to Libya.

Two influential Senate Republicans, John McCain and Lindsey Graham, did not back down yesterday from their vow made last week to oppose any attempt by President Barack Obama to put Rice into a Cabinet position that would require Senate confirmation.

“She has a lot of explaining to do. I am curious why she has not repudiated these remarks,” McCain, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services committee, said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” programme.

Obama last Thursday warned Republicans that if they had a problem with the U.S. handling of the Benghazi attack in Libya to “go after me” rather than picking on Rice.

McCain said he wished the president would not waste time getting mad at him but instead spend the time finding out what happened in Libya and how could it be prevented in the future.

“She’s going to have to come in and testify at some point, whether it’s in a closed hearing or an open hearing,” Republican Saxby Chambliss, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told the “Fox News Sunday” program, referring to Rice.

“We’re going to have an open hearing, too. But at some point, she needs to come in and say what the president or the White House directed her to say,” Chambliss added.

Republicans have criticized Rice for appearing on Sunday morning news shows five days after the September 11 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi and saying that preliminary information suggested the assault was the result of protests over an anti-Muslim film rather than a premeditated strike.

The U.S. ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three other Americans were killed in an attack that has raised questions about the security of the diplomatic mission, U.S. intelligence about the threat, and the adequacy of the immediate U.S. response.

The White House has said Rice’s comments were based on the best information Rice had at the time.

Republicans have used her early assessment as a cudgel for criticizing the administration as not being forthcoming about Benghazi.

The senators’ remarks last week suggested they would pursue the issue even though the U.S. presidential election is over.

Graham said Rice’s initial explanation helped reinforce the Obama administration’s “narrative” that al Qaeda has been weakened.

“Had the truth come out a few weeks before the election that our consulate in Benghazi had been overrun by an al Qaeda-sponsored, affiliated militia, that destroys the narrative we have been hearing for months that al Qaeda’s been dismantled,” Graham said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” show.

“The truth of the matter is nothing could be further from the truth, and the story she told helped reinforce the political narrative helpful to the president,” Graham said.

“I don’t know what she knew, but I know the story she told was misleading. I don’t know why it was misleading.”

Asked if Rice has a chance of being confirmed by the Senate to another post, Graham said he would listen to what she had to say but he

was “very disappointed in Susan Rice.”

When McCain was asked if he would support Rice if she were nominated as secretary of state, McCain said: “Under the present circumstances, until we find out all the information as to what happened, I don’t think you could want to support any nominee right now.”

“This is very, very serious, and it has even larger implications than the deaths of four Americans,” McCain added. “It goes right to the

heart of the ‘light footprint’ policy that this administration has been pursuing and all of the failures throughout the Middle East.”

Lawmakers appearing on the Sunday shows expressed no appetite for the proposal

by McCain and Graham for the creation of a special congressional committee to investigate the Benghazi attack, rather than have the existing committees with jurisdiction hold hearings.

“The committees within

the United States Senate are very capable of investigating this in the right way,” Chambliss said.

Senator Joseph Lieberman, an independent who has worked closely with McCain and Graham, added that he disagreed with “my two amigos” on the matter and that “our committees can handle this and come up with the answers.”

Senator Carl Levin, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the criticism

of Rice “one of the most unfair attacks I’ve ever seen in Washington in 34 years.

Susan Rice was using the unclassified talking points which were provided by the intelligence community.”

“The issue is whether or not Susan Rice should be pilloried for using a intelligence report which (former CIA chief) David Petraeus signed off on, which the DNI, the director of national intelligence, Mr. (James) Clapper, signed off on,” Levin said.

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Kaieteur News

Monday November 19, 2012

Israeli air strike kills 11 civilians in Gaza - Hamas GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An Israeli missile killed at least 11 Palestinian civilians including four children in Gaza yesterday, medical officials said, in an apparent attack on a top militant that brought a threestorey home crashing down.

International pressure for a ceasefire seemed certain to mount in response to the deadliest single incident in five days of Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel and Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip.

Israel gave off signs of a possible ground invasion of the Hamas-run enclave as the next stage in its offensive, billed as a bid to stop Palestinian rocket fire into the Jewish state. It also spelt out its conditions for a truce.

U.S. President Barack Obama said that while Israel had a right to defend itself against the salvoes, it would be “preferable” to avoid a military thrust into the Gaza Strip, a narrow, densely populated coastal territory.

Such an assault would risk high casualties and an international outcry.

A spokesman for the Hamas-run Interior Ministry said 11 people, all of them civilians, were killed when an Israeli missile flattened the home of the Dalu family.

Medics said four women and four children were among the dead.

Israel’s chief military spokesman said Yihia Abayah, a senior commander of rocket operations in the

Gaza Strip, had been the target.

The spokesman, Yoav Mordechai, told Israel’s Channel 2 television he did not know whether Abayah was killed, “but the outcome was that there were civilian casualties”. He made no direct mention of the destroyed dwelling.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier that he had assured world leaders that Israel was doing its utmost to avoid causing civilian casualties in the military showdown with Hamas.

“The massacre of the Dalu family will not pass without punishment,” Hamas’s armed wing said in a statement.

In other air raids yesterday, two Gaza City media buildings were hit, witnesses said. Eight journalists were wounded and facilities belonging to Hamas’s Al-Aqsa TV as well as Britain’s Sky News were damaged.

An employee of the Beirut-based al Quds television station lost his leg in the attack, local medics said.

The Israeli military said the strike targeted a rooftop “transmission antenna used

by Hamas to carry out terror activity”, and that journalists in the building had effectively been used as human shields

by Gaza’s rulers.

For their part, Gaza militants launched dozens of rockets into Israel and

targeted its commercial capital, Tel Aviv, for a fourth day with one attack in the morning and another after nightfall.

Israel’s “Iron Dome” missile shield shot down all three rockets, but falling debris from the daytime interception hit a car, which caught fire. Its driver was not hurt.

In scenes recalling Israel’s 2008-2009 winter invasion of Gaza, tanks, artillery and infantry massed in field encampments along the sandy, fenced-off border.

Military convoys moved on roads in the area newly closed to civilian traffic.

Netanyahu said Israel was ready to widen its offensive. “ We a r e e x a c t i n g a heavy price from Hamas and the terrorist organisations and the Israel Defence Forces are prepared for a significant expansion of the operation,” he said at a cabinet meeting, giving no further details.

Gaza health officials said 69 Palestinians - about half of them women and children have been killed in Gaza since the Israeli offensive began, with hundreds wounded.

The Israeli military said 544 rockets fired from Gaza have hit Israel since Wednesday, killing three civilians and wounding dozens. Some 302 were intercepted and 99 failed to reach Israel and landed inside the Gaza Strip, it added.

Israeli border policemen detain a Palestinian stone-thrower during clashes against Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip, at Hawara checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK) Israel’s declared goal is to deplete Gaza arsenals and force the Islamist Hamas to stop rocket fire that has bedevilled Israeli border towns for years and is now displaying greater range, putting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in the crosshairs.

Israel withdrew settlers from Gaza in 2005 and two years later Hamas took control of the impoverished enclave, which the Israelis have kept under blockade.

At a news conference during a visit to the Thai capital Bangkok, Obama said

Israel has “every right to expect that it does not have missiles fired into its territory”.

He added: “If this can be accomplished without a ramping up of military activity in Gaza that is preferable. That’s not just preferable for the people of Gaza, it’s also preferable for Israelis because if Israeli troops are in Gaza they’re much more at risk of incurring fatalities or being wounded,” he said.

Obama said he had been in regular contact with

Egyptian and Turkish leaders - to secure their mediation in bringing about a halt to rocket barrages by Hamas and other Islamist militants.

“We’re going to have to see what kind of progress we can make in the next 24, 36, 48 hours,” he added.

Israeli officials declined to confirm or deny reports that an Israeli negotiator had flown to Cairo to discuss a ceasefire.

Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi said in Cairo, as his security deputies sought to broker a truce with Hamas leaders, that “there are some indications that there is a possibility of a ceasefire soon, but we do not yet have firm guarantees”.

Silvan Shalom, one of Netanyahu’s deputies, said: “There are contacts, but they are currently far from being concluded.”

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be in Egypt today for talks with Mursi, the foreign ministry in Cairo said. U.N. diplomats earlier said Ban was expected in Israel and Egypt this week to push for an end to the fighting.

Listing Israel’s terms for ceasing fire, Moshe Yaalon, another deputy to the prime minister, wrote on Twitter: “If there is quiet in the south and no rockets and missiles are fired at Israel’s citizens, nor terrorist attacks engineered from the Gaza Strip, we will not attack.”

Israel’s operation has so far drawn Western support for what U.S. and European leaders have called its right to self-defence, but there was also a growing number of appeals from them to seek an end to the hostilities.

Monday November 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Regional conference to discuss ending PoS flooding to end by 2015 sexual violence against children Trinidad Guardian - By hills and takes it downstream.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – A two-day meeting focusing on ending sexual violence against children in the Caribbean opens in Barbados tomorrow.

The conference with the theme “Combating Sexual Violence Against Children – From Isolated Actions to Integrated Strategies” is being convened within the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General’s UNiTE campaign to End Violence Against Women.

It is being hosted by the Barbados government and supported by Britain and the United States. It will be attended by government ministers with responsibility for child protection, along with experts in child protection, law, policy reform, health and other sectors to identify coordinated responses to the problem.

The main objectives of the conference are to create a network of participating countries that can share

Irwin LaRocque initiatives on ending violence against children and to produce a country-level action agenda.

“The anticipated outcome will be a political commitment to the implementation and enforcement of mandatory reporting policies and the resolution of child sexual abuse cases by professionals,” the organisers said in a statement.

The conference follows a

special CARICOM Council on Human and Social Development (COSHOD) meeting, held in Guyana in July, where regional ministers expressed grave concern about the alarming prevalence of sexual abuse of children in member states.

The communiqué issued after the meeting pledged to develop an “integrated approach - combining strong responsive and preventive measures that emphasize child care and protection, and those to end impunity”.

Barbados’ Minister of Family, Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley; UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Michelle GylesMcDonnough, CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Bernt Aasen, will address the opening ceremony.

(Jamaica Observer)

the end of 2015, widespread flooding in Port-of-Spain will be a thing of the past. This was the date given by Minister of the Environment and Water Resources Ganga Singh during a tour of the drainage network system in the capital city, which frequently floods following heavy downpours.

Noting that after every deluge the Government has had to desilt channels in Portof-Spain and environs, Singh said the bill for this exercise was a heavy price for taxpayers to pay.

“When they do the desilting I saw a figure of $10 million last year. That is only during a six months duration.

If you are going to have $10 million for desilting that is money down the drain, so to speak.”

Addressing the media Saturday in company of drainage engineer Ramdath Baboolal, Singh first viewed a detention pond in Sea Lots which traps water from the

The pond is the first phase of a Port-of-Spain flood alleviation programme, with the second phase being focused West of the East Dry River.

“Design for East Dry River is advanced now and construction will start shortly,” Baboolal said. He said it would cost taxpayers $69 million to alleviate flooding in Port-of-Spain South alone, which constitutes nine developmental packages that are being designed by Genivar which will be rolled out in the coming months.

Singh said he has given an undertaking that by the end of 2015, flooding will be eliminated. “There is no

Ganga Singh overnight solution. You are talking about cumulative problems over four and five decades. It can be done with major investments and technical expertise.”

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Kaieteur News

Monday November 19, 2012

Sweet potato fries deal turns sour Trinidad Guardian - The sweet potato fries deal struck between government agency T&T Agri-Business Association (TTABA) and the KFC fast food outlet in T&T has turned sour. The sweet potato fries was to be sold at four KFC outlets initially, and introduced to the other outlets on a phased basis.

However, within days of the July 2011 launch, by then food production minister Vasant Bharath, the main supplier of the fries—TTABA could not deliver to the restaurants after encountering several teething problems.

Newly appointed chairman of TTABA Joe Pires admitted TTABA had hit several snags days after going into business with KFC. Bharath, at the launch of the product at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, had promised in the presence of Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar that the sweet potato fries would be accessible in other KFC outlets on a phased basis. But within a short period, the supply of fries just fizzled.

Bharath had projected in the ministry’s National Food Production Action Plan 20122015 that sweet potato production would increase from 3,150 tonnes to 8,727 by 2013, and to 13,090 tonnes by 2015. T&T consumes seven tonnes of sweet potato annually.

The initiative to serve sweet potato fries at KFC, Bharath had said, was part of the Government’s mandate to first encourage citizens to eat local, which would lead to an increase in local food production and, by extension, to start the process of

reducing the $4 billion food import bill.

So why was there so much hype at the launch if they knew it could not be sustained? Pires said Bharath was a bit overzealous. “We were excited about it. We didn’t expect to run into technical problems,” Pires admitted on Wednesday at his San Juan business, Caribbean Chemicals. With TTABA’s newly appointed acting CEO Neil Gosine at the helm, Pires promised to ramp up its sweet potato production to meet KFC’s demands.

Barbados Nation - After battling nearly five years of economic drag, the Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) is asking Government to take a chance on a “moderate economic stimulus”.

BCCI president Lalu Vaswani has told the SUNDAY SUN that unless something happens soon, the private sector might not be able to sustain current employment levels.

Unemployment in Barbados stands at 12.2 per cent.

Vaswani stressed that the

private sector understood Government’s fear of running down the island’s vital foreign reserves on consumer imports, particularly when the tourism sector was hurting from reduced visitor spending.

However, he argued that maintaining economic activity in the country was also key to keeping Barbadians employed.

Furthermore, the chairman of Satjay Bridgetown Centre Ltd said fellow business people were convinced that the island’s

Lalu Vaswani $1.3 billion in foreign reserves were enough to risk a small economic stimulus.

ACS to discuss disaster risk management in Trinidad PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC - A three-day meeting aimed at exploring and increasing the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) capacity for strategic planning i n disaster risk reduction (DDR) process begins here tomorrow.

T h e T r i n i d a d - b a sed ACS said that the 20th meeting of the Special Committee on DDR will also focus on other regional issues such as the guidelines for the domestic facilitation and regulation of international disaster relief and initial recovery assistance (IDRL) and the Model Act for the IDRL Guidelines implementation as well as the proposal for the Renewal of the ‘Saint-Marc Plan of Action.’

The ACS which groups countries in the 15-member Caribbean Community

(CARICOM), Central, South and Latin America, said the meeting will also receive the results of the Strengthening Hydrometeorological Operations and Services in the Caribbean Small Island Developing States, (SHOCS)

by Dr. Martti Heikinheimo, of the Consulting Service Development Director of the Finnish Meteorological Institute.

“The main objective of the SHOCS project is to explore and increase the ACS’ capacity for strategic planning in the entire Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) process, thereby raising the quality and capacity not only of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) but also of Disaster Risk Reduction organisations, in order to provide services for safety and preparedness with respect to naturals hazards.”

It said the initiative, in the long term would allow Caribbean societies to be better prepared to deal with the adverse effects of natural disasters and the harmful effects of climate change.

Executive Director of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Stephen Ramroop and Mr. Earl Hernandez from the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross, are scheduled to make presentations on the ‘Green response’ project.This project provides the governments and peoples of the Caribbean with ecologically effective, environment-friendly tools and processes that they can use in response to disasters.

The November 20-23 meeting will be addressed by the ACS Secretary General Alfonso Múnera.

More Arthur tax promises Barbados Nation - In the same way that Barbadians get tax credits when they save or invest, a new Barbados Labour Party (BLP) Government will offer them such credits to offset their expenditure in health and education.

These two new allowances were revealed by Leader of the Opposition Owen Arthur as The People’s Forum series of BLP conversations with the public continued Saturday night at St James Secondary School.

Saying the time had come

for such tax credits, Arthur explained that in terms of health care, while ordinary Barbadians go to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) for hospitalization, nearly every citizen had a private physician and more of them were going to the new institutions like Sandy Crest.

Therefore, he added, they should have a tax credit that would allow them to buy health insurance, thereby providing a choice for any individual to either go to the QEH or anywhere else to seek health care in Barbados.

Owen Arthur

We are life savers, you should be one too! Donate blood today!!!

Monday November 19, 2012

Jamaica Observer - Of the 15,000 qualified students applying to study Medicine at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus each year, only 15 per cent are accepted because of space constraints, but this is set to change with the completion of a new $3.5-billion medical faculty building.

The 50,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility is just 90 per cent completed; however, the university’s current batch of 350 medical students started classes two weeks ago in the six-storey structure. With its ultramodern fixtures and amenities, the new Faculty of Medical Sciences Teaching and Research Complex is a vast improvement over the old medical faculty, which was first built in 1948 to accommodate 33 students.

“Constructing a proper facility for the basic medical sciences was something that had been discussed for a long time,” said Deputy Principal of UWI and former Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences Professor Archibald McDonald.

But while such a need existed, the urgency of the situation came into sharp relief in 2004, when government announced a cut in the university’s subvention and the faculty was mandated to come up with $57 million to finance its budget. “The way to do that was either to cut staff or to earn it,” said the professor, who was at the forefront of the construction project which started in 2010.

The building itself is a lesson in modern construction and is expected to shape health care, both locally and internationally.

There are five large lecture

Kaieteur News

The new Faculty of Medical Sciences Teaching and Research Complex is expected to attract more international students. theatres — three of which are already in use — 25 tutorial rooms, 45 small research labs for staff, and 12 larger research laboratories that afford students a spectacular view of the Mona dam and equipped with the latest multimedia technologies.

But perhaps even more impressive is the use of numerous cost-cutting and energy-saving mechanisms in the building. A greenhouse forms the basis for a huge cogeneration electricity plant which will help power the entire facility, in addition to the University’s new law faculty, the Department of Management Studies and the Mona School of Business, as well as a call centre which is being built nearby.

The facility will also harvest rain water for the flushing of toilets, and the installation of specially designed louvres on the outer parts of the building to protect it against falling trees

and other debris during natural disasters.

The building is also equipped with an elevator, is wheelchair-accessible, and has a pool to assist in the rehabilitation of persons doing physiotherapy.

“This building represents a massive investment by the university to give our students state-of-the-art exposure in medicine,” said acting Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Professor Horace Fletcher during an exclusive tour of the facility by the Jamaica Observer recently.

The building was designed by Jamaican architect Robert Woodstock, and will have various levels for anatomy, dentistry, biochemistry, forensic science, physical therapy, physiology and pharmacology. There will also be a museum at the front of the building for the benefit of visitors.

With construction almost completed, Professor Fletcher

Dutch authorities target tax fraud in the Caribbean BRUSSELS – In order to combat tax fraud in the Dutch Caribbean, Dutch authorities say they have reached a consensus on an approach to tackling tax evasion.

The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM), the Caribbean Netherlands tax authorities (B/CN), and the Dutch Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Service (FIOD) have reached a consensus on addressing the issue in Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba.

The authorities have agreed that based on suspicion of fraud involving large sums of money, a

consultation between the three parties will be initiated and a criminal investigation launched.

On tax fraud involving smaller amounts, the tax authorities said they will impose an administrative fine.

T h e a g reements have been laid down in a reporting, transaction, and prosecution directive (ATV Directive) regarding tax and customs offences.

The ATV Directive which provides for the initiation of criminal investigations by the FIOD, states that criminal investigations are to be led by

a public prosecutor.

Depending on the severity of the alleged offence, investigations may involve the searching of homes and business premises and arrests may follow, the directive says.

The ATV Directive covers income, wage, transfer, gaming and general taxation, as well as excise tax.

Dutch Financial State Secretary Frans Weekers said the new directive is “a logical step in the context of intensified efforts to clamp down on tax evasion in the Caribbean Netherlands.”

(Jamaica Observer)

said UWI intends to aggressively pursue more international students.

“We have the best facilities; so now we can attract people from the UK, the US, Canada, and as far as Africa,” he said, before

Page 23

adding, “The possibilities for studies here are enormous.”

Professor McDonald said the enrolment at the university was increased from 100 students in 2004, to the current 350, in order to secure funding to build the new facility. With foreign students having to pay the full US$28,000 per year for tuition, more of these students were enrolled gradually over the last four years. The fees from these students, in addition to a loan secured by the campus were used to finance the construction.

“Less than half the students are Jamaican students. A large number of them are from Trinidad.

Having better facilities has enabled us to take students not only from Trinidad, but from all over the world,” said Professor McDonald.

By increasing its foreign student cohort, the university hopes to be better able to assist more Jamaican students who are not funded by the government. Those who benefit from a

government subvention pay about $575,000 per annum.

Currently, the faculty pays half of the tuition for those students who don’t have this support through bursaries, so that they only pay about $1.3 million per year in school fees.

“The campus has put a lot of resources into that building, but it really is going to benefit the country of Jamaica and the entire Caribbean region,” he said.

Pro-vice chancellor and principal for UWI, Mona Campus, Professor Gordon Shirley, said the new medical faculty is important for the future of the university and assured that the faculty did not intend to lower matriculation standards just to fill spaces.

“Quality is going to be a very important part of what we do, and so our capacity to expand will be a function of being able to ensure that we maintain quality, not only in the facilities, but in all aspects of the training and educational processes for our students,” he said.

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Kaieteur News

Monday November 19, 2012

Berbice Chamber hosts workshop on Money Laundering and Counterfeit Detection The Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA) in collaboration with the Bank of Guyana hosted a seminar on Money Laundering and Counterfeit Detection at the Chamber’s Office in Chapel Street, New Amsterdam.

The seminar was conducted by Mr. Terry Stuart, Head of the Bank’s Security Department, while the Money Laundering presentation was done by Mrs. Irene Williams of the Bank’s Supervision Department.

The session was well attended by representatives from various banks, insurance companies, beverage companies, other public and private sector entities and individuals, among others.

According to a release from the Chamber “it has been noted with much concern the high circulation of counterfeit notes around the communities and this has been having a negative impact on businesses since it

can cause unnecessary losses especially to businesses that operate night activities like clubs and restaurants.”

The Chamber in its release stated that, “while it may be digestible to say a $1,000 is here and there, and we can deal with the losses, it is worrying to think when the new $5,000 note comes on stream…whether businesses will be able to cushion such losses.”

The Chamber is urging that the authorities take urgent steps to improve the security features of currency notes, and is advising that the currency be printed on antifraud plastic bank notes to avoid forgery and counterfeiting.

Another concern expressed by the Chamber is the impact the introduction of the new note would cause on the economy in terms of inflation and driving up the cost of goods and services.

According to the release, since the higher the value of

Participants at BCCDA/BOG Seminar in Berbice the currency in a country the much more expensive the cost of living would be.

The release stated that “The Chamber at this time believes that energies should be directed towards forcing the economy to adopt a more

plastic and electronic culture towards doing business as this will eliminate the walking around with cash and presents better

tracking and record keeping of consumer spending and vendor transactions.”

The Chamber feels the Seminar on Money

Laundering and Counterfeit was timely and expressed the hope that more such interventions should be done on a regular basis.

NOC in turmoil again … Employees fear a repeat of the “last time”

By Abena Rockcliffe More turmoil has erupted at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) as students, both boys and girls are developing habits of regularly absconding, breaking windows and hotwiring the institution’s vehicles.

An employee at the institution told Kaieteur News “the ground is really tense because is a sudden thing every night to hear the sounds of windows falling then the banging.”

The employee said that the situation has become so out-of-hand that guards have abandoned their posts claiming that they were fearful for their lives.

“We got RK’s (Roshan Khan security service) working here but two security guards left their posts the other night after two (male) inmates ordered them to hand over some big sticks they had.”

The employee explained that the two students were attempting to leave the compound at the time so the guards apparently figured that any opposition would have cost them “a limb or two.”

The staffer said, “the guards were so fearful that they left because they thought more was coming.”

Reports are that that same evening, the boys “went on a rampage.”

This newspaper has learnt that as recent as last week, nine girls rebelled and broke out through their dorm windows and wooden bars then proceeded to free some

other students from the male dormitory.

A staffer noted that the girls are from the dorm immediately next to the one that suffered extensive damage from a set fire earlier this year.

The staffer said that on Friday last, 20 inmates, boys and girls, got away and went into the back-dam to do “God knows what.”

Of the 20, three returned to their dorms the said night, while the rest returned the following day.

Kaieteur News understands that when the “full crew” returned, they were forced by administrators to explain what went on in the ‘back-dam’.

“They told us that they swim a lot, and they were indeed wet, but when we put pressure on them, then you hear who had sex with who and all ah duh. Now these are mostly the 14-15 year old.”

An attack was even made on a staff member. “Dey lock one of the staff up in the staff room and she had to call for help to get her out.”

The staffer explained to this newspaper that because of the “situation” most of the new employees left the job.

“It is mostly those of us that deh here long, stay.”

The latest act of rebellion occurred yesterday when nine students escaped.

Reports are that only eight returned.

Somehow, a recording of a conversation was given to some authorities at the institution.

On the recording, Althea

Carrington, 15, admitted to breaking the windows. “On the tape we hear she saying “yeah, is I bruck up the effin windows.”

Reports are that Carrington was one who was allowed to attend public school. However, “since her misconduct she was placed in the ‘quiet room’.”

One of the other girls who was placed in the ‘quiet room’ has a sister who also lives at the institution and this newspaper was told that two other siblings previously attended the institution.

Staffers say that the police have been informed on numerous occasions about the constant breakouts, “but they are treating it hush hush.”

An employee attributed the series of events to the fact that a very stern official identified as Brian King is on leave.

The employee further disclosed that a previous administrator is due to visit the institution today because “he hear about what going on and how the ground tense, so he coming to see if he could talk to them.”

A few months ago panic reigned on the Essequibo Coast when dozens of students broke out the facility and went on a rampage.

They returned voluntarily and set fires to the dormitory and other buildings in the compound.

The female number three dorm, which housed about 20 inmates and the tailor shop were completely destroyed.

Monday November 19, 2012

DTV CHANNEL 8 08:55hrs. Sign On 09:00hrs. GMA 10:00hrs. Live! With Kelly and Michael 11:00hrs. The Ricki Lake Show 12:00hrs. The View 13:00hrs. World News 13:30hrs. The Young and the Restless 14:30hrs. The Bold and the Beautiful 15:00hrs. The Talk 16:00hrs. Beverly Hills, 90210 17:00hrs. MacGyver 18:00hrs. World News 19:00hrs. Greetings and Announcements 20:00hrs. Channel 8 News 21:00hrs. Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars 23:00hrs. Hawaii Five-0 (New Episode) 00:00hrs. Sign Off

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NTN CHANNEL 18/ CABLE 69 05:00h - Sign on with the Mahamrtunjaya Mantra 05:15h - Meditation 05:30h - Queenstown Masjid Presents Quran This Morning 06:00h - R. Gossai General Store Presents Shiva Bhajans 06:15h - Jettoo’s Lumber Yard Presents Shiva Bhajans 06:30h - Muneshwar Limited Presents Shiva Bhajans 06:45h - Double Standard Taxi Presents Shiva Bhajans 07:00h - RRT Enterprise Presents Shiva Bhajans 07:15h - M & M Snackette Presents Raja Yoga Discourses 07:30h - Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital Inc Presents Shiva Bhajans 07:45h - The Family of The Late Leila & David Persaud

Presents Shiva Bhajans 08:00h - Timehri Maha Kali Shakti Devi Mandir Presents Shiva Bhajans 08:15h - NTN This Morning Live with Reyaz Husein 09:30h - Indian Soap - Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke 10:00h - Indian Soap - Rab Se Sohna Isshq 10:30h - Indian Soap - Pavitra Rishta 11:00h - Indian Soap:- Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuyien 11:30h - Indian Soap:- Punar Viivaah 12:00h - Gina News 12:30h - DVD Movie:ASMAAN SE OONCHA (Eng: Sub:) *ing Govinda, Sonam, Jeetendra, & Raj Babbar 15:00h - JUSTICE- What’s The Right Thing To Do - WHAT’S A FAIR START

Monday November 19, 2012 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): You're usually not a very impetuous person, but would it do you any harm to act more spontaneously? The answer is: Definitely not! ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): You have a great insight into the major events going on right now, and people will be depending on you for help. You have the answers that will illuminate their minds and get them moving in the right direction. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Say it all, or don't say anything, today. Right now, there is no point in sharing your deep thoughts unless you share every single one of them, so don't hold back! ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): You will be firing on all cylinders today! Your brain is sharper than ever right now, and you will be able to learn new and difficult things extremely quickly. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Wanting change in your life and making change happen in your life both have one thing in common -- patience. If someone else holds the power over a big promotion, job change or other kind of role change, you cannot force them to make their decisions any faster than they are going to make them. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept.

22): Let your curiosity guide you today. Be open-minded and just follow wherever said curiosity leads you. Wondering if that cutie is already romantically attached?

********************* LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): Your creativity has been on a roll lately, and all you have to do today is just let it keep on rolling! Don't think things through too closely -leave enough messiness and open spaces in your schedule to encourage last minute thinking and improvisation. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): Today, it's important for you to devote serious energy towards finding a balance between your home life and your public life. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): Someone who has power over your schedule is willing to make certain adjustments that will make you very happy -- and today is a great day to connect with them and make it happen. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): The best way to ensure that you have more money later is to start saving more of it, now! This simple rule seems logical, but logic usually flies out the window when you are standing in front of a new gadget you want. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18): Your brilliance will always shine through, so why are you getting nervous about that big speech or presentation you have to make? ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): Sure, your energy may be lagging a little bit now, but so what? Give yourself a break and stop pushing so hard to be so much to so many people.

16:00h - Drying Tears Live with Pastor Edson 16:30h - Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2012 17:45h - Ganesh Parts Presents - BHAGAVAD GITA ( Discourses in English) Serial 18:15h - Birthday Greetings / Anniversary / Congratulations / Death Announcements & In Memoriam 18:30h - HARE KRISHNA TODAY 19:00h - Ricks & Sari Presents Bed Time Songs Live with Joel 20:00h - JUSTICE- What’s The Right Thing To Do ARGUING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION 21:00h - Indian Soap - Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke 21:30h - Indian Soap - Rab Se Sohna Isshq 22:00h - Indian Soap - Pavitra Rishta 22:30h - THE HOT SEAT Live with host Mr. Ossie Roger 23:30h - Indian Soap - Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuyien 24:00h -.Cricket: 1ST TEST INDIA vs ENGLAND MTV CHANNEL 14/ CABLE 65 06:00h Islamic Perspective 06:30h The Diary 07:00h DAY BREAK ( live) 08:00h Dabi’s Musical Hour 08:30h Avon Video & DVD music hour 09:00h Current affairs 09:15h Top Notch Music

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Break 09:30h Caribbean Temptation music break 10:00h Amanda’s music break 10:30h BBC World News 11:00h Salvation Message with Pastor Kelvin 11:15h National Geographic 12:00h The View 13:00h Village Talk 13:30h The Young and The Restless 14:30h Days of our lives 15:00h General Hospital 16:00h The Bold and the Beautiful 16:30h Cartoons

17:00h Birthdays & other Greetings 17:15h Death Announcements/ In Memoriam 17:30h Sitcom 18:00h Aracari Resort Hour 19:00h CNN News 19:30h News Update 20:30h Getting it Right 21:30h English Movie: Raiders of the Lost Ark 23:00h News Update 23:30h English Movie: Raiders of the Lost Ark continues Sign Off

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Kaieteur News

Monday November 19, 2012

Largest Station Management Committee project undertaken at Fort Wellington The Station Management Committee of the Fort Wellington Police Station is showing exactly how the police and community could cooperate to get things done. The Committee has undertaken a multi-million project, which is touted as the largest Station Management Committee project undertaken in Guyana.

The project involves building a canteen and a shed (waiting area) in the compound, which will also be used as a recreational facility for both police and members of the public.

The facility will also be used to conduct training for ranks, scouts and others within the precincts of the station. A games area for sports such as Table Tennis, Dominoes and Darts would be housed in the building.

It will certainly make the station more people friendly since on many occasions, ranks, scouts and members of the public can be seen sitting on the steps of the station, braving the sun and rain.

The canteen facility will include an area for eating, relaxing and dining. A stove will be acquired and will be used in the preparation of hot

Assistant Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan lends a hand to the project. meals and beverages.

Members of the Committee have observed that on the entire West Coast Berbice, which encompasses the No. 3 Sub-Division, there is no training facility for police ranks.

Chairman Cecil Ramdat, Treasurer Juan Totaram and Committee Member Arjune Singh, were loud in praise for

the Officer in Charge of the No. 3 Sub Division (West Berbice) Region Five, Assistant Superintended Jairam Ramlakhan, who they said is an inspiration and an extraordinary leader.

The Chairman said “Since Mr. Ramlakhan has come to this Sub-Division, he has helped to transform the Region. A lot of things are

being done differently. There is a lot of openness and transparency.

We are encouraged to work. The Force needs more policemen and leaders like Ramlakhan.�

The men also said that more community interaction is being done; more training is also being conducted for ranks, Special Constables, and Neighbourhood Police,

coupled with the establishment and relaunching of a number of scouts and youth groups in the region.

The members of the committee were also loud in praise for the leadership and encouragement of B Division Commander, Assistant Commissioner Derek Josiah and Second in Command,

Acting Senior Superintendent Marlon Chapman. They mentioned the reduction of crime and highlighted the recent interception of a getaway car which was being used by some hijackers.

The Number 3 SubDivision encompasses three stations Weldaad, Fort Wellington and Blairmont.

Monday November 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

Guyana Defence Force is the top boxing gym as Intermediate Boxing championships end The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) boxing gym distinguished itself among the other gyms and was adjudged the best when the curtains came down on the National Intermediate Boxing Championships at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue Saturday evening last. The military organization also scored the double when one of its boxers, Mark Marshall, bulldozed Harpy Eagle’s Benni Persaud and forced the referee to call a halt to their bantamweight clash. Other than the national title that went with the victory, Marshall also copped the best boxer award.

It was a night of good fistic action that had the spectators on their feet throughout the proceedings.

The participating gyms were Harpy Eagles (HE), Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF), Essequibo (EBG), Pocket Rocket (PR), Young Achievers (YA), Rose Hall Jammers (RHJ) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Marshall employed bullying tactics from the first gong and drove Persaud back with several roundhouse punches. The referee was kept busy tearing the two boxers apart as Persaud attempted to stem the onslaught by clinching. After a wicked blow connected to his temple, the referee instituted the mandatory 8 count. Persaud reentered the fray but by the time the first round was over he had received 2 other counts.

Marshall turned up the heat in the second round and Persaud sought refuge behind high held guards.

Marshall refused to be dissuaded and after an especially wicked right hook had connected to Persaud’s head, the referee decided to wave the bout off at 2:10secs of the second round.

The night was not without humor as witnessed in the heavyweight bout between gym mates, Dwain Phillips and Kenroy Evelyn, both of the GDF. The two apparently had a point to prove and went after each other with unorthodox blows.

Devoid of the rippling muscles, the two slugged it out in center ring and at times the punches were so wild that neither boxer needed much skill to avoid them.

Apparently tired at the start of the third round, the boxers stood toe to toe dished out blows while the crowd screamed in delight. Both pugilists breathed a sigh of

Mark Marshall/Shaka Moore best boxers on show Shaka Moore

relieve when the final bell sounded. Phillips was eventually adjudged the 2-1 winner, winning the Intermediate heavyweight championship as well as bragging rights.

Earlier in the night, the junior boxers engaged in several crowd pleasing affairs that set the stage for the Intermediate segment. Shaka Moore (EBG) was the pick of this group, forcing the referee to halt his 100-108lbs bout against Romano Bumbury (FYF) in 56secs of the second stanza. Both boxers adopted cautious approaches at the start of the bout until near the end when Moore registered two 3 punch combinations.

Bumbury refused to be bothered and served up four punches of his own.

Moore switched his mode of attack in the second round employing a long jab with an occasional straight right. The ploy worked and forced the referee to institute the mandatory 8 count after one such assault. Moore then underlined his superiority with a flurry of punches that backed up Bumbury and forced another 8 count. It was then that the referee decided that she had seen enough and waved the proceedings off.

Moore was later rewarded with the junior best boxer prize.

Dewani Lampkin (FYF) and Keion Junior (HE) also turned in a crowd pleasing performance in their 116124lbs bout with the former boxer opening his account in the first round with several sharp right crosses. Junior retaliated but was soon winded and was at the mercy of Lampkin.

Junior

recuperated somewhat in the second round and matched his opponent blow for blow.

A game Lampkin refused to say die and both boxers threw punches up to the gong. Obviously spent after two grueling rounds, the two boxers slowed down considerably but Lampkin stayed just ahead, throwing more punches. He eventually earned a 3-0 decision.

Results of the other bouts: Juniors: 50-54 lbs Kevin Mullings (HE) defeated Quincy Wright (EBG); 6064lbs Orwayne Harris (FYF) lost to his gym mate, Teo Bumbury; 70-74lbs Kevin Mulling (HE) won 2-1 over Shemar Bumbury (F.Y.F); 7579lbs Roy Samuels (HE) won from John Moore (FYF); 8589lbs Odeny Moore (EBG) lost to his gym mate, Cordel Walcott; Elijah Insanally (HE) was too good for Tyron Lashley in their 90-95lbs bout while Travis Hubbard (HE) won a 2-1 decision from Joel Williamson (PRG).

The other results of the Intermediate segment are: Junior/welterweight Louie Lewis (GDF) earned a technical knockout victory after the referee stopped his contest against Aquincy Hardy (GDF) while welterweight, Chris Holder (GDF), copped a 3-0 decision over his gym mate, Jamal Evans. Trevon King (GDF) forced the referee to halt his middleweight contest against Jose Chappell (HE) in just 2:17secs of the first round after Chappell had sustained an injury over his eye. This was moments before Marlon Philadelphia disposed of his gym mate, John Mars in just 28secs.

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Kaieteur News

Monday November 19, 2012

West Indies retain Permaul, Powell for ODIs ESPNcricinfo - West Indies have retained left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and opener Kieran Powell for the limited-overs series against Bangladesh, starting November 30.

Permaul made his Test debut in the opening game of the two-Test series against Bangladesh in Mirpur and picked up four wickets. He is yet to play an international limited-overs game. Powell made a century in each innings of the Mirpur Test, which West Indies won by 77 runs.

Kemar Roach, who is not playing the Tests due to a knee injury, was passed fit for the five ODIs and one Twenty20 international on this tour.

Six players from the current Test squad will be returning home. They are: Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Fidel Edwards, Kirk Edwards, Assad Fudadin and Denesh Ramdin. Allrounder Dwayne

Veerasammy Permaul

Kieran Powell

Bravo missed out again, having failed to recover from a thigh strain that had ruled him out of the Champions League T20 in October. There was no place for opener Johnson Charles, who played the ODI series at home against New Zealand.

Kieron Pollard takes over as vice-captain in Bravo’s absence. In addition to Pollard and Roach, allrounders Andre Russell

and Dwayne Smith, wicketkeeper Devon Thomas and opener Lendl Simmons will join the one-day squad.

West Indies squad: Darren Sammy (capt), Kieron Pollard (vc), Tino Best, Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieran Powell, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Devon Thomas.

GCC’s Sarwan, Johnson cart off Double Wicket competition

GCC Secretary Jameel Baksh (right) presents the winning prizes to Ramnaresh Sarwan and Leon Johnson (centre).

GCC ‘A’ team pair of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Leon Johnson won the Georgetown Cricket Club 16-team Double wicket competition played Saturday at Bourda ground.

Sarwan and Johnson representing GCC squeezed past the GNIC’s pair of Esuan Crandon and Krishna Arjune by four runs in the final. Batting first, Sarwan/Johnson pair amassed 43-1 off their allotted overs with Sarwan top scoring with 30 runs which included three sixes and one four, while Johnson scored 11.

In reply, Arjune/Crandon made a spirited reply of 39 without loss with Arjune being not out on 18 and Crandon unbeaten on 14.

The winning pair took home a Trophy, $100,000 and two medals while the runners up secured $50,000, a Trophy and two medals.

The semi-finals also provided intense action as Sarwan/Johnson pair edged out GCC ‘B’ by virtue of losing fewer wickets after their encounter ended in a tie with both teams

scoring 26 runs. Johnson was again in command with an entertaining 18 runs.

In the other semi-final matchup, GNIC pair of Crandon/Arjune won by 21 runs. GNIC scored 35 for 1 with Crandon hitting 15. MYO replied with 14-2.

Sarwan was named best batman for scoring 79 runs in the tournament, while Johnson was voted best bowler for taking five wickets. Other prizes went to Arjune who was declared best all-rounder, while Winston Forrester took the best catch.

GCA President Roger Harper lauded the GCC for organizing the tournament and encouraged other clubs to organize similar ventures.

Jameel Baksh, GCC Secretary said that the tournament was a success with 16 teams taking part in the day’s activities. He thanked club members, participating teams, sponsors and members of the media for supporting the tournament and indicated that plans are in place for a similar tournament soon.

Monday November 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

Berbice name squad for Under-21 Basil Butcher Trophy clash with Georgetown The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) as part of its efforts to promote the development of young cricketers in Berbice by exposing them to a higher level of cricket, has teamed up with the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) to stage two 50-Overs goodwill cricket matches between the U21 teams from the two areas. The teams will battle for the Basil Butcher Tribute Trophy.

The first match will be hosted by Berbice and will be played on Wednesday 21st of November, 2012 at the Albion Cricket Ground.

The return clash will be hosted by the GCA on Wednesday 28th of November, 2012 at a venue in Georgetown. Both games will commence at 09.30am.

Meanwhile, the BCB junior selection panel under the chairmanship of Leslie Solomon has selected a 16 man squad for the first game.

The players are asked to report to the Area “H” ground for practice sessions from 2:00pm today and tomorrow.

The squad r e a d s : S h i m r o n H e t m y e r, K a n d a s a m m y Surujnarine, Dominic Rikhi, Joemal LaFleur, Daneshwari Prashad, Brentnol Woolford, Andy Mohan, Shawn Perreira, Boughnarine Persaud, Lloydel Lewis, Kevin Ramdeen, Gudakesh Motie-K a n h a i , R o m a r i o Shepherd, Clinton Pestano, Waqar Hassan and Kevon Jawahir. The coaches are Michael Hyles and Julian Moore Leslie Solomon is the manager.

Stag Beer/WDFA First Div. League

Den Amstel & Uitvlugt to contest final on Saturday Inter village football rivalry will be renewed between old rivals Den Amstel and Uitvlugt on Saturday when the two sides clash in the final of the Stag Beer sponsored West Demerara Football Association first division league.

The two earned the right to compete for the top prize of $300,000 after respective semifinal wins on Saturday last at the Uitvlugt Ground. The loser of this game will be rewarded with a cheque for $100,000.

Den Amstel eased past Young Warriors of Pouderoyen 40, Andre Hector netting a hat-trick and Aubrey Cummings the other goal. Delon Lanferman was Uitvlugt’s hero, netting the brace that orchestrated the demise of Stewartville.

Facing off in the third place encounter will be Stewartville and Young Achievers.

Caribbean Cup Football

Guyana defeat French Guiana in final game Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’ ended their 2012 Caribbean Cup campaign with a 4-3 win over French Guiana at the Grenada National Stadium last evening.

Coming off of defeats to Haiti and Grenada, the Guyanese turned back the challenge of the French Guiana side which had defeated Haiti and drew with Grenada in their previous matches of the Group 6 qualifying competition. On target for the Guyanese were Shawn Beveney who scored twice including a penalty with one each for Vurlon Mills and Clive Nobrega.

Grenada were down to play Haiti in the final game of the group with the top two set to compete in the Caribbean Cup finals set for Antigua and Barbuda, next month.

Page 29

GFF Super League

Den Amstel, Amelia’s Ward, Western Tigers & Pele seal full points

DEFENDING IN NUMBERS! Den Amstel Porknockers on the defensive against Milerock in the closing moments of their clash yesterday at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground.

When play in the Guyana Football Federation National Super League continued yesterday at two venues, taking full points from their encounters were Den Amstel Porknockers, Amelia’s Ward United, Pele and Western Tigers.

At the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground, West Coast Demerara, Den Amstel averted a clean sweep by the Linden teams when they needled Milerock in the feature game compliments of a Travis Hilliman 46th minute goal following a goalless opening 45 minutes.

With both teams featuring quite a number of junior players with an eye on their future development, Den Latest Points Standing Teams P Uitvlugt Warriors 5 Western Tigers 5 Buxton United 5 Amelia’s Ward 4 Pele 5 Rosignol United 4 BVTU 3 Den Amstel 5 Milerock 5 Alpha United 2

W 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0

Amstel came closest to breaking the deadlock on a few occasions. In the first minute after the resumption however, a well placed left foot shot from Hilliman separated the two sides.

Milerock did try their best to draw level having enjoyed some good moments on the offence but the Den Amstel defence stood up strong as they kept the Linden side at bay.

In the opening fixture, Amelia’s Ward United upstaged debutants and ‘upsetters’ Uitvlugt Warriors 2-1 to snap the home team’s unbeaten run, while remaining the only unbeaten side in this first round of the League.

D 0 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 1 1

L 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 2 3 1

GF 8 8 4 8 3 9 6 5 7 1

The Bauxite Mining town based team never allowed the rampaging Uitvlugt to get settled as they racked up a 20 advantage before Uitvlugt were able to pull one back.

The seasoned and dependable Travis Waterton and Keon Sears were the players scoring for Amelia’s Ward; Jamaal Harvey netted Uitvlugt’s consolation.

Up at the Buxton Community Centre Ground, Western Tigers secured their second win in five (5) matches when they handed Buxton United Sports Club their first loss, a 3-0 score line, all the goals coming in the first half of play.

Gavin Wilson opened proceedings for the city based GA 7 7 4 7 2 7 5 7 9 2

GD +1 +2 +1 +1 +2 +1 -2 -2 -1

Points 9 8 8 6 6 5 5 5 4 1

side in the 36th minute. The advantage was doubled six minutes later when Dwayne Ali found shooting range and hit the network with his shot.

The game was put beyond the reach of the home team on the stroke of half time, Phillip Rowley, inking his name of the score sheets.

The final 45 minutes did not produce any goals but that did not matter to Western as they had already did the work in eth opening 45 minutes.

In the first game, Pele secured their first win of the season, handed BV Triumph United their first loss, 2-0. The opening half produced some keen exchanges but the deadlock was maintained up until the 70th minute when Gregory Richardson was on target.

Nine minutes later, it was Kanata Manning turn and he made no mistake in sinking the shot, Pele 2 BVTU 0 at the end of regulation time.

Competition will continue on Wednesday evening at the GFC Ground when Alpha United takes on BV Triumph United from 19:00hrs.

Page 30

Kaieteur News

Monday November 19, 2012

Alastair Cook and Matt Prior give tourists hope BBC Sport - A defiant century from captain Alastair Cook ensured England’s battle to save the first Test against India in Ahmedabad will go into the final day.

The opener batted throughout day four to reach 168 not out, taking the tourists to 340-5 - a lead of 10.

England looked to be heading for defeat when Ian Bell and Samit Patel fell to successive Umesh Yadav deliveries. But Matt Prior (84 not out) arrived to add an

unbroken 141 with Cook, raising English hopes of an unlikely draw. The efforts of the sixth-wicket pair, the only two England batsmen to get to grips with the India attack on a slow track, denied the hosts what could have been an innings victory with a day to spare.

They came together with England 199-5 - 131 short of making the home side bat again - and first negotiated the reverse-swinging old ball, then saw off the new, before

Hamilton beats Vettel...

From back page the end of the race, but was never close enough to attempt a pass. Alonso was promoted to third place when Webber retired with an alternator failure on lap 17.

The Spaniard looked like he might face a challenge from Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen, but a slow pit stop meant the Finn rejoined just behind the Ferrari, which then pulled away.

Raikkonen, much slower on the ‘hard’ tyres the leaders had to use in the second stint, dropped back and slipped behind Massa and McLaren’s Jenson Button in the to finish sixth ahead of team-mate Romain Grosjean.

Button drove a strong race to climb up from 12th on the grid, using a reverse strategy from the leaders. He started on the ‘hard’ tyre and ran a long first stint, by the end of which he was up to third place. His stop on lap 36 dropped him back behind Grosjean, but he managed to pass both Lotus cars before the end as Massa never let him get closer than five seconds.

Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg finished eighth, holding off Pastor Maldonado, who won a private battle with Williams team-mate Bruno Senna to take ninth ahead of the Brazilian.

taking England into the lead as the bowlers tired. Cook, who survived a strong lbw shout late on day three, did not offer India a chance in his determined bid to ensure his first Test since being appointed Andrew Strauss’s successor does not end in defeat.

Time and again the lefthander worked the ball through the leg side, at one stage going almost two hours witho u t finding the boundary. He brought up three figures in just that fashion, clipping Yadav for a couple to become the first player in Test cricket to mark his first three matches as captain with a hundred, having scored two tons when standing in for Strauss in Bangladesh in 2010.

While Cook was immovable, the rest of England’s top order crumbled, just as they had on day three when the tourists were bowled out for 191. Nick Compton, who shared a century opening stand with his skipper on Saturday, did not look as assured on day four and should have been stumped by Mahendra Singh Dhoni before he was trapped lbw by a Zaheer Khan inswinger.

Jonathan Trott feathered

Alastair Cook scored his third ton in this third Test as captain. (AFP) a turning delivery from Pragyan Ojha behind, while Kevin Pietersen lost his off stump sweeping the left-arm spinner.

Bell, who is due to return to the UK after this Test to attend the birth of his child,

briefly supported his captain, showing more composure than his first-ball dismissal in the first innings.

However, with Yadav finding reverse swing, Bell and Patel fell to balls that tailed back in to them,

although Patel may have got an inside edge to a delivery that looked to be heading down the leg side.

At that stage, it appeared as if Cook would be unable to find a willing ally in his rearguard, but that was to discount the reliable Prior, who top-scored in the first innings with 48.

He initially reined in his attacking instincts, but showed typical strength through the off side as England edged towards parity.

With England accelerating towards the lead and India spinners Ojha and Ravichandran Ashwin often dropping too short, Cook and Prior made batting look so comfortable that it served to highlight the spineless nature of their first-innings capitulation.

It is that failure that ensures England still have much to do on day five if they are to pull off the most remarkable of escapes.

Scores: England 191 and 340 for 5 (Cook 168*, Prior 84*) lead India 521 for 8 dec by 10 runs.

Stephen Bailey captures Novice Tennis title KUMAR & SINGH TAKE NOVICE DOUBLES

As the Pegasus Tennis Open winds down to an end this week, Novice Stephney Bailey captured the title when he outlasted Jesus Lamazon in a close matchup at the Hotel’s Hardcourts in Kingston.

Bailey, who started playing tennis some three months ago, showed good competitive spirit as he held his nerve in the final to defeat Lamazon 6-4 in their one set encounter. The category attracted some 16 entrants.

Bailey had earlier missed out on capturing the Novice Doubles title when he and his partner Selwyn Mc Garrell were defeated by IT consultant Dilip Kumar and

Vijay Singh who plays out of Diamond Tennis Club.

Kumar/Singh took the title with a 6-2 win where they capitalised on their opponent’s affinity to go for shots which contributed to numerous unforced errors.

In the other match played, Gavin Lewis booked a spot in the semi-finals against top seed Jeremy Miller when he defeated Rudy Grant easily 61, 6-2 On Monday, the Men’s Open doubles finals will be played, which will see top seeds Jeremy Miller/Jason Andrews face the winner of the match between Nicholas Fenty/Leyland Leacock and

Stephen Bailey Andre and Daniel Lopes that was scheduled to be played yesterday.

Novices Doubles winners Dilip Kumar (left) and Vijay Singh.

Monday November 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 31

BOSAI Minerals Group Inc Open Challenge B/ball final

Turner’s game winner pilots Bulls past Raiders in 53-52 overtime thriller Michael Turner played his heart out and restrained himself after collecting four fouls within the first half, to hit the game winning shot on the left side key with 4.9secs to go in overtime, to guide the Half Mile Bulls to a sensational 53-52 win over previously unbeaten Retrieve Raiders and capture the BOSAI Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc Open challenge basketball championship final which was organized by the Linden Amateur Basketball Association Saturday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court.

In front of a large crowd which had gathered for the championship game, after the Kashif and Shanghai Kings failed to show against Amelia’s Ward Jets for the third place playoff match, the basketball fans were treated to a tensely contested final which could have gone either way, as both teams provided the fans with some spectacular shooting.

The scores were tied with 7:40 gone in the first quarter at 13, before Raiders’

substitute Alexander ‘Cow Skin’ Rose showed some of the spark which piloted Raiders past Kings in their semifinal game, as he slashed his way inside to register three successive baskets and put Raiders in the lead 19-13 with 4:55 to go.

After Raiders had opened by taking the initiative in the first quarter leading 12-8, an aggressive Turner had scored six points in a stretch, and with some help from small forward Keon Cameron they ensured the balance was tilted for the Bulls going into the crucial third quarter period, as they led 26-23.

By then Turner had accumulated four fouls but he played within himself knowing that another foul would end his time on the floor. However, Raiders managed to control their game and ended the third quarter looking for a win, as Louis James and Sheldon Noel played well for Raiders, who held on to a 38-32 cushion.

As the fourth quarter showed, both sides boosting talented players battled, but it was a matter of who

Half Mile Bulls’ stars for the future, Michael Turner (left) and Keon Cameron. executed better that will come out winners.

When the burly Bulls guard Sean Easton drove the lane with 8:8 left, the Half Mile side were down 36-38 and Raiders’ Anson Durant showed his class with one from beyond the arc for Raiders who opened up a 4136 lead. But with baskets from Cameron, a lay-up with 6mins 48 to go and another from Easton the Bulls were within reach trailing 40-41.

The experienced Kurleigh Austin then sent Bulls ahead with 6mins 7secs to go and Turner penetrating, pushed Bulls to a 44-41 advantage, with just over five minutes in the fourth quarter, which brought Bulls within a basket of their opponents.

But baskets by the returning Sean Easton, who like Durant were crucial signees to these two clubs who have a host of young talented players, and they

have provided guidance.

As the tension gripped the players they all missed one of two freebies after drawing fouls with both teams in the penalty.

However, Turner it was who was able to knot the scores with 17.1 secs in the game after the Raiders, were leading 45-44.

Overtime was ordered by the game officials with the scores tied at 45 when regulation finished. Ruel Williams and Omar Sam then scored high percentage shots inside but Bulls responded through Keon Cameron first with one from beyond the arc (48-49), then Easton connected from 3 point territory for a 51-49 score.

Then raiders’ forward Louis James swished in to tie the scores at 51 with 1min 57 secs to go in overtime. It was then that Cameron was fouled out and when Sheldon Noel was fouled he made only one of two free throws for Raiders to edge ahead 52-51.

But Turner shot in the dagger with 4.9 secs as he pulled up for short jumper and scored to send the fans into a frenzy as the Bulls eventually won the game 53-52. Turner

was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the final for his sterling effort with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Cameron his partner netted a team high 14 points and three rebounds. Solid support came from Travis Dryden and Sean Easton each with nine points for the winners The Raiders best scorers were Louis James with 13 points and Anson Durant with 12 as Noel scored six.

The winners collected the BOSAI winners’ trophy and $60,000 for the victory along with thirteen replicas from BOSAI Sports Committee Chairman Mr. Wayne Bethune who made the presentation.

The second place trophy and medals along with $30,000 were collected by the losing finalist Retrieve Raiders from Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon as the Amelia’s Ward Jets got their trophy and $20,000 for taking third position from LABA president Captain Eon Murray. The MVP trophy was presented by Ms Vanessa Kissoon to Turner.