Kaieteur News

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November 25, 2012

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Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Linden COI Chairman gets US$81,000 for month’s work Going undercover…

Chinese stores do a lot - all wrong, and some criminal Entrepreneur, philanthropist and motor racing fanatic,

Building a home

Stanley Ming, is a 'Special Person’

It has been very hot recently so this pavement dweller opts to build his home along Avenue of the Republic but at the edge of the canal.

Natalia Seepersaud

Local hotels average half-full occupancy - Marriott project lacks viability - say hoteliers

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Sunday November 25, 2012

Local hotels average half-full occupancy While the government presses stubbornly ahead with the Marriott hotel project, occupancy rates across the sector seeks to suggest that the project lacks viability.

President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association, Daniel Gajie, told Kaieteur News that the sector lacks high-end rooms, which he rated as the standard offered by hotels such as the

Pegasus and Princess Hotels.

Contacted, officials from those hotels put their average occupancy rates at just over 50 per cent. Other Georgetown hotels put their average occupancy at 60 per cent. These figures point to the fact the local hotel industry has excess capacity, except when there are major events in the country.

Robert Badal, the owner of the Pegasus Hotel, which

SMART Goals

If you ask most people what is their one major objective in life, they would probably give you a vague answer, such as, "I want to be successful, be happy, make a good living," and that is it. They are all wishes and none of them are clear goals.

Goals must be SMART: 1. S--specific. For example, "I want to lose weight."

This is wishful thinking. It becomes a goal when I pin myself down to "I will lose 10 pounds in 90 days."

2. M--must be measurable. If we cannot measure it, we cannot accomplish it. Measurement is a way of monitoring our progress.

3. A--must be achievable. Achievable means that it should be out of reach enough to be challenging but it should not be out of sight, otherwise it becomes disheartening.

4. R--realistic. A person who wants to lose 50 pounds in~30 days is being unrealistic.

5. T--time-bound. There should be a starting date and a finishing date.

- Marriott project lacks viability - say hoteliers has been against the project mainly because he sees it as unfair competition, said that with “high end rooms” comes a certain cost which guests are not willing to pay in Guyana.

He said most travelers to Georgetown who stay in the main hotels are business travelers and they are not willing to pay the US$300US$400 for high end rooms.

“If we charge US$200 a room we wouldn’t get any guests,” Badal told Kaieteur News. Badal said that if the project was feasible, the private sector, including him, would have jumped at it.

But he said increase in room supply without increase in demand would threaten local investors, and this should not happen.

The government has been using media houses which are supportive of its views to plug the need for the Marriottbranded hotel which is being built mainly with taxpayers’ dollars. Badal, who has been a fierce critic of the project, has said that the government should spend taxpayers’ money on public projects that would serve the needs of the people.

It is Badal’s opinion that the Marriott-hotel project is

only intended to fill the pockets of a few persons, with the project seemed bent on failure. The project was not subjected to Parliamentary review, and the Alliance for Change (AFC) this week called for the government to halt any public spending on the project. The project puts taxpayers at risk of losing US$48.0m plus escalation if the project fails.

The financial plan only has investors putting US$8 million in the project, with NICIL, the government’s investment arm putting US$21 million and another US$$21

million coming from a bank bond that industry sources believe has the backing of the government despite its denial.

In the arrangement with Republic Bank (Trinidad), taxpayers’ rights rank last to other investors.

The syndicated loan, as is the arrangement with Republic Bank, is one that is provided by a group of lenders and is structured, arranged and administered by one or several commercial banks or investment banks.

In this case, the loan is being administered by the Republic Bank but the

government has not named the other lenders.

By agreeing to this type of loan arrangement, the government is agreeing for the investors who are part of the syndicate, to get back their investment first ahead of any other investor in the project.

So, if in a scenario where the project fails and the value of the property depreciates to a value below what the investors have plugged, then the investors will get back their money, and there would be nothing to return to NICIL, meaning that taxpayers’ dollars would go down the drain.

Girl, 17 raped, drinks poison a week after the assault A 17-year-old girl from Port Kaituma, who was raped about a week ago, is now at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after ingesting a poisonous substance.

According to reports, the teenager, after being molested, revealed her horrifying experience to her parents but no report was made to the police station.

It was only last Friday that the parents made a report to the Port Kaituma Police Station and this was only after they learnt that the teenager had injected herself as well as consumed an unknown poison.

According to reports from one of the

teen’s aunts, the young lady, who was taking nursing classes drank the poison on Tuesday last and did not tell anyone. It was only after persons began to enquire about the sudden change in her behaviour as well as her physical appearance then she revealed what she had done.

She was rushed to the Port Kaituma Hospital and was subsequently transferred to GPHC, where she remains a patient.

Although information about the incident is sketchy, Kaieteur News learnt that the police are trying to locate the person whom the teen identified as her attacker.

Sunday November 25, 2012

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Linden COI Chairman gets US$81,000 for one month’s work - plus security, and other allowances The Guyana government is reportedly paying a whopping US$81,000 ($16M) for a month’s work to the Chairman of the Linden commission of inquiry, former Jamaican Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe.

This is in addition to hotel fees and air travel to Guyana, along with personal security for the duration of his stay in Guyana. While Wolfe is

earning the super salary, his four other colleagues, including two former local judges, are not too far behind at US$72,000 a piece.

Information reaching this newspaper, indicates that Wolfe is reportedly being paid a professional fee calculated at “US$450 per hour working six hours per day. That works out to US$2,700 per day.

According to a Memorandum from the Administrator of the Linden Commission of Inquiry to The Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Office of the President, and carbon copied to the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, dated November, 19, 2012, payment for the four other commissioners is calculated at US$400 per hour with them working six hours per day.

Teenage heart patient lobbies for financial support After undergoing a heart surgery in India some four years ago, 17-year-old Randy Cameron is lobbying for financial support to undergo a Cardiac Angiogram.

According to a Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) letter presented, the Cardiac Angiogram is needed so that doctors may be able to investigate his heart condition.

This newspaper understands that there is an existing possibility that the teen may have to undergo two other surgeries. The Cardiac Angiogram will determine whether it is necessary for

Randy Cameron doctors to do both.

In 2008, with the help of

former First Lady Varshnie Singh and others, the then 14year-old Cameron underwent heart surgery in India to address a congenital heart defect. The surgery was successful; however it was advised that his condition will need to be monitored.

An account has since been opened for persons desirous of assisting Cameron who needs $256,000 to pay medical fees. Persons who wish to contribute can do so at Republic Bank account number, 754-819-1 or contact his sister Marcia Cameron on 6250326.

Four members of the Linden Commission of Inquiry, (from left) Justice Claudette Singh, Justice Lensley Wolfe, Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal and Justice K.D. Knight.

That calculates at US$2,400 per day.

The Guyana Government had budgeted a significant sum of money but a full disclosure of the fees each commissioner would be paid had been kept a secret.

In addition to the fees the government is footing airfare for the three overseas- based commissioners to the tune of

“US$8,000.00 x 1 trip x 3 persons”. Airfare for their security personnel is also included in the package to the tune of “US$2,000.00 x 1 trip x 2 persons.”

The accommodation amounted to US$500 x 14 days for three commissioners, totaling US$21,000.00, while accommodation for the security men accounted for

US$250 by 14 days.

The out of pocket allowance for the security men comes with a price tag of US$125.00 per day over 16 days for two persons.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, the Secretary to the Commission is being paid $500,000 for the month-long inquiry, while the two Legal Counsel are splitting $1M.

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KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210

Editorial

Chaos in the House Two weeks ago, we wrote in this space (Disorder in the House) that our political parties had arrived at a Mexican stand-off. “The inability for any one party to advance their position safely is a condition common to any standoff; in a Mexican standoff, there is additionally no “safe” way for any party to withdraw from its position, making the standoff effectively permanent. While neither side has since budged, the situation has deteriorated into seeming chaos. The entire edifice of parliamentary governance is built on the adherence to rules that are adumbrated in its Standing Orders (S.O.).

Almost every contingency is covered by a rule – each designed for consistent decision-making. Order arises out of consistency and predictability. Parliamentarians do not speak to each other; they speak through the Speaker. “MP’s who believe that a breach of the rules of the House of Commons has occurred, or who want clarification on the rules, stand up and say “Point of Order, Mr. Speaker”. The point of order should then be stated and the Speaker gives a ruling on the interruption.” The last is a statement by the Parliament of the UK. But last Thursday, the Speaker continued with interpretations of the Standing Orders that were, sadly, idiosyncratic at best. In the previous sitting, misinterpreting S.O. 47(4), he refused to suspend the entire Opposition who were in contempt of his ruling to allow the Minister of Home Affairs to speak.

In the latest sitting, the Mexican Stand-off was broken in favour of the Opposition when the Speaker allowed Opposition Member of Parliament, Basil Williams, to interrupt Minister Rohee who had the floor. The interruption was ostensibly on a ‘point of order’ but Mr. Williams could not state the particular Point of order.

The Speaker was on somewhat firmer ground when he ruled that the sub judice rule, under which the government objected to the resuscitation of the ‘no-confidence’ motion in Rohee, was not absolute. He failed to point out, however, that the Speaker should relax the sub judice rule on ministerial conduct only in exceptional circumstances such as on “matters concerning issues of national importance such as the national economy, public order or the essentials of life.”

More pertinently, no exception can be made when the said matter in court is the identical one before parliament. In this instance parliament is directly subverting the jurisdiction of the court. The Speaker accepted the motion of the Leader of the Opposition to prevent the Minister of Home Affairs from speaking, by maintaining rightly that parliament has its own regulations. But he would know that free speech is the most important parliamentary privilege and it cannot be lightly abrogated.

There is no point in this privilege unless the MP sought to be muzzled be informed as to precisely what utterance of his is being censured.

Consequently, the option to send the motion to the Committee of Privileges was totally out of order. The Committee for Privileges is a select committee with the remit to make recommendations to the House on complaints of breaches of parliamentary privilege. Apart for the need for specificity in the alleged violation of one or more parliamentary privileges, according to Erskine May, Parliamentary Practice the device should be used (1) “In any event as sparingly as possible; and (2) only when satisfied that to do so is essential in order to provide reasonable protection for the House, its members or its officers from improper obstruction or attempt at or threat of interference with the performance of their respective functions”.

It is still to be explained exactly how preventing Minister Rohee from initiating debate on the Firearms Act was “essential in order to provide reasonable protection for the House, its members or its officers from improper obstruction or attempt at or threat of interference with the performance of their respective functions”. It would appear that the Speaker is using a hammer to kill a fly on the brow of the Rule of Law. It might end up destroying the latter even as the former flits away.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

The constant drumbeat of racially charged language in the Chronicle must be confronted DEAR EDITOR, It is a sad commentary that the Editorial board of the Guyana Chronicle continues to allow that newspaper to be used as a propaganda rag, with no respect for the truth and no journalistic integrity.

It was therefore not surprising for me to read in the November 20th issue a letter titled: “PPP must educate the nation on opposition plans”. The letter was filled with racially charged language, threats and wild innuendoes. That such reckless and racially charged rhetoric would be sanctioned by the Editor of that newspaper speaks volumes about the mission of the

Guyana National Newspaper Limited, and its masters and controllers. It would be refreshing if the tax-payer funded media was allowed to engage in fact-based information and education, rather than used as a platform for furthering ethnic division and outright lies. I found it particularly interesting that the writer wanted the PPP to educate the nation on the opposition’s plans to destabilize the country. I am one who feels that Guyana needs a truth and reconciliation commission, so that we can get past the past, and strive for a better tomorrow for our people. For

to accuse this opposition of attempting to destabilize the nation, is not only a sick joke, but just plain eye-pass. The PPP knows how to destabilize an economy, for they used that tactic to great effect when they were in opposition.

Many are too young to remember the economically destructive and politically motivated 135 day strike called

by GAWU in late 1977, that strike had a devastating effect on the sugar industry and the economy.

Economic sabotage was a deliberate policy choice of the PPP while in opposition. Maybe the writer was too young, uneducated or deliberately did

not mention the burning of young cane, the destruction of machinery and other acts of terror perpetrated by the PPP while in opposition. This type of economic sabotage was not restricted to the sugar industry, but also perpetrated in the rice Industry. Filden Singh (leader of the United Force) noted that as an arm of the PPP the Rice Producers Association (RPA), had sponsored a campaign of violence, the destruction of farmers crops and other acts, and concluded that; “the fact that the rice industry has not been destroyed is attribute to the good sense of the rice (Continued on page 6)

Sunday November 25, 2012

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The KN and SN need a policy on anonymous signatures DEAR EDITOR, I write in relation to an editorial note of the Stabroek News in which it replied to Mr. Vishnu Bisram’s contention (Thursday, Nov 21) that the SN questioned his academic and teaching status based on my insistence. The paper correctly pointed out that I never made any request to it on the issue. I did in letters to both the SN and KN questioned the employment and academic standing of Mr.

Bisram and I stick with my position.

I will not respond directly to Mr. Bisram who I think is a pretender that the SN and KN have allowed too much latitude without demanding answers from him about his status in the US. I figured the reason for this is because both papers take the position that a letter writer is entitled to his/ her views outside of bad taste and libel. I did pen a missive to both paper’s questioning

this policy. I argued that if a letter-writer signs as a medical doctor with a clinic in High Street, Kingston, and there is no such clinic, the policy of the media should be to erase the publication of the clinic’s name because it is misleading.

I have long contended that the two independent dailies (KN and SN0 should not publish letters by persons who hide under false names but write on everything under the sun and attack public

DEAR EDITOR, We note with disgust and with much discomfort the comments from President Donald Ramotar accusing Speaker Raphael Trotman’s referring the Rohee issue to the Privileges Committee as “callousness and total disrespect for the rule of law and procedures in the country.” While we acknowledged that Mr. Ramotar has every right to be angry with the Speaker’s ruling, he does not have the esteem to lecturer anyone; much less the Speaker about respect of law and order. It is this President who pompously said that he would not sign any laws passed by the opposition in Parliament, the highest law-making body of the land. Talking about respect for law and order, it is this President who refused to sign into law the “no confidence” motion against Mr. Rohee. It is this president who said that Parliament is supreme but has refused to obey the laws passed by this very Parliament. It is this president who has disrespected the rule of law and order in the country. It is this President who has taken upon himself to spend billions of taxpayers’ money to build the Marriott Hotel without the people’s consent and without Parliament’s approval. Given the above, we remind the president that it is totally wrong for him or anyone else in the PPP to lecture Speaker Trotman on the respect for the rule of law and order. Speaker Trotman’s ruling carefully followed the laws of Parliament and by extension the laws of Guyana as outlined in the Constitution.

And for Mr. Ramotar to even say that the Speaker displayed political leanings with his “political ruling” has clearly demonstrated his shortcomings both as a

politician and as the head of state. Again, we would like to remind Mr. Ramotar of his political leanings since becoming president. He was elected president for everyone in the country but as we and several others have observed, Mr. Ramotar and his PPP cabal do not seem to think so. It took him almost a month to visit the mothers of the three slain young men at Linden but he immediately visited the parents of the murdered Narcotics detective Jirbahand Dianand on the Corentyne. His refusal to meet or speak to the mothers of 17 year old Shaquille Grant and 21 year old Daemon Belgrave who were murdered by the Police shows clearly his political leanings. Guyanese are fully aware that these are not his constituents.

Instead, he stood idly as his Cabinet Secretary disrespected and mocked the mothers and relatives of the slain Shaquille Grant with his “loose talk” of “we shall not be moved” and his gangster language of ”we are ready rumble.” How could Mr. Ramotar lecture anyone on political leanings? We have concluded that Mr. Ramotar is governing in the interests of his constituents at the exclusion of certain section of the population.

On Friday Octobet 12, Mr. Ramotar spoke about the Agricola unrest to Indian worshippers at a religious ceremony at a Mandir at Lusignan but has not visited any Christian churches since becoming President. Also, on their many visits to New York over the years, both Mr. Jagdeo and Mr. Ramotar would only visit their supporters in Richmond Hill, Queens. They have never visited Brooklyn where the vast majority of Guyanese resides. We believe that the head of state should be the

last person to lecture Speaker Trotman of making decisions in Parliament based on his political leanings. We remind him of the old Guyanese proverb which says “pot musn’t tell skillet he bottom black.”

Let it be known that when it comes to law and order, it was not the Speaker who signed the letter importing cell phone tapping equipment for a convicted drug baron. It is not the Speaker who was working with this convicted drug baron and the underworld under the pretext of fighting crime. It was not the Speaker who granted tax holiday to their friend illegally and had to legalize this illegality retroactively through Parliament. It is not the Speaker who sold state assets and cannot account for billions of taxpayers’ money that was supposed to be placed in NICIL. It is not the Speaker who pays their children and their friends children with state assets of some $3 million a month as contract employees. It is not the Speaker who gave away some $5 billion of the NIS money (the workers money) to their friends in CLICO only to now lose almost all of it. It is not the Speaker who runs to the courts using millions of the taxpayers money to challenge the laws passed by the nation’s Parliament, the highest law making body in the country. Based on the aforementioned facts, the President really got some brass to lecture the Honorable Speaker, Mr. Raphael Trotman about respect for law and order. If the Jagdeo/Ramotar cabal respects law and order and enforces it then we have two bridges to sell. In Guyanese jargon, “de president tek he eyes to pass de speaka.”

Dr Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh

This president says Parliament is supreme but refuses to obey the laws passed by this very Parliament

figures. The names M. Maxwell and Neil Adams come to mind. The KN and SN should leave that sordid behaviour to the Chronicle and Guyana Times newspapers that wallow in that depravity. Take M. Maxwell. He/she writes almost daily in both KN and SN. He/ she takes me up on matters on which he disagrees but is barefaced enough to ignore my request to provide proof that he is a real person. I will not respond to him/her again until he/she clarifies his/her identity.

There is only one circumstance in which a person should be allowed by the media to publish a correspondence without an identity. It should be on a specific item whose disclosure is in the public’s interest and there is a risk to the person’s safety. But KN and SN should not encourage the Maxwells and Adams to laugh at us here in Guyana by getting away with their cowardice.

For this reason, I

advanced the point that each time Mr. Bisram mentioned that he did a poll for Nacta, that should be edited out unless Mr. Bisram can prove to the media that there is a polling organization named Nacta and he is its polling expert. Over a ten year period, Mr. Bisram has failed to do so even though there is a long editorial note in which SN stated that in a conversation with Sunday editor, Ana Benjamin, Mr. Bisram was advised to provide evidence of some aspects of the affiliations he claims to have.

I will not respond to anything Mr. Bisram writes about me because I have no respect for his so-called scholarship. But if the editors requests I can supply copies of more than ten letters over a long period of time in which Mr. Bisram copiously described all the polls he did for Nacta over the years, the months and the years he did them and the long list of countries he did them in. This is over a ten year period and

the layout includes every month in the calendar year.

Any school boy would know that such a person cannot be a school teacher when over a ten year period he has spent the calendar year perambulating the world. It is either he is indeed a school teacher and he doesn’t do polling around the globe or he is not a teacher but travels the around the globe. But it can’t be both.

In my files I have volumes of letters in the press from Bisram that states the time he spend around the world doing polls. When I questioned his school teacher status, two persons replied on his behalf but none of them provided proof of his teaching status.

Anand Boodram chose to defend Bisram by calling me a madman who needs to see a psychiatrist. And Ravi Dev. Dev came closer to acknowledging that Bisram was not full time employed by asserting that Bisram made his money in real estate.

(Continued on page 7)

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Sunday November 25, 2012

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City Hall’s response to Harry Gill DEAR EDITOR, Please refer to a letter which appeared in your newspaper issues of November 23, 2012: Is this a Joke, by Harry Gill. In fact, we appreciate the interest shown by this citizen to events in the city particularly the garbage crisis facing the council and residents of all local communities. Indeed, this civic- attitude could only help the council and its officers to pay more attention to their responsibilities to the citizens, and to enhance their capacity to provide a better service to the city.

However, we are challenged to understand certain aspects of his letter.

We will point these out and at the same time seek to explain the realities facing the municipality.

First, in paragraph 1, Mr. Gill states: “Without a doubt, the chronic garbage crises in and around Georgetown is so appalling, it requires a permanent fix, not a shot in the arm as is practised by City Hall.” The council has always contended that the problem of improper disposal of waste is not a city problem it is a

national one. It is more visible in Georgetown because it is the capital, and obviously, more people traverse the city to do business and for pleasure than any other region in Guyana. When they come they bring and generate waste which we have to deal with in circumstances where our limited resources are already overstretched.

Furthermore, we were never under any illusion that our efforts alone could actually fix the solid waste problems in the city. We continue to say that the unhealthy situation blighting the Georgetown requires the cooperation and support of all concerned- government, corporations, economic, social, cultural and religious organizations and all citizens.

This is the reason why we welcome all environmental initiatives, projects and activities, including: Pick it Up Campaign, Guyana Shines and others.

This is why too we continue to appeal to the electronic and print media to make a special effort in their daily reports to include aspects of the environment

and issues that affect its health. To promote those citizens who are trying to keep their surroundings clean and to encourage citizens to do more to stamp out littering. We agree that it is not the responsibility of the media to do that but responsible journalism could not ignore it.

Second, Mr. Gill suggested that: “City Hall needs to focus its efforts on cleaning up the garbage in the city, and ensure the safety of pedestrians by moving vendors off the streets and sidewalks to allow the smooth flow of vehicular traffic in heavily populated shopping areas, especially in the vicinity of Stabroek Market.” It has not escaped our attention that Mr. Gill seems to believe that, Council must be blamed for the current condition of the city. However, we have a different view- citizens must demonstrate civic pride and respect for their general surroundings and the environment. We have said and continue to say that the problem we face as a municipality is not to clean up the city but to keep it clean.

We spend about $1million

dollars every day to collect garbage from households, parapets and roadsides in the city of Georgetown but residents who are bent on hurting the environment just simply continue to indulge in illegal dumping without any thought of the consequences of their actions.

Also, we have to say that many big businesses are involved in illegal dumping around the city. Some businessmen pay pittance to “junkies” to have them remove large amount of garbage from their premises to anywhere in the city.

Every morning, workers employed by some businesses along Regent Street, Water Street and Robb Street could be seen sweeping debris from their stores into the street drains. Others wash the pavements, in front of their stores, with scented things in the mist of pedestrians and others who use these thoroughfares.

We have been appealing to businesses not to do that but a few of them insist on this crude method of collection.

We will write the Private Sector Commission and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry on this issue, and seek their help to persuade their members to account for their waste and to secure the integrity of the city.

We had also suggested to businesses, particularly food restaurants and other provision shops that they should assist by putting in place adequate receptacles on their business premises to allow their patrons to dispose of wrappings and boxes and other things in an environmentally friendly manner. Therefore we must be very clear that not only the vendors but also some big businesses and many citizens are involved this really embarrassing action.

Inspite of our efforts and the millions we spend to clean, the city still looks disgustingly untidy. We would venture to say that unless citizens take responsibility for the physical state of their local communities the garbage situation will continue to plague and embarrass us.

Citizens will ask about us enforcing the law but this has its own challenges as well including the processes involved in apprehending litter- bugs and the cumbersomeness of the courts.

Nevertheless, our antilitter campaign has been modestly effective. Over the last weeks it members have arrested about ninety litterbugs.

Again, our environmental health

inspectors have been visiting communities and encouraging residents to dispose of their garbage in a proper manner.

But it is a daily battle to get some citizens even to understand that they need to treat the environment with more respect.

Mr. Gill talks about relocating the vendors: “One way to do this is to temporarily relocate vendors to the sparsely used Parade Ground during the Christmas season, until a more permanent location can be identified.” This is a very complex issue that requires a wider intervention than just relocation.

The truth is we have relocated vendors to new shopping facilities- Stabroek Bazaar, Merriman Mall, Riverview Market, New Vendors Mall and quite a few other places but that did not solve the problem. Perhaps, there is need for research and a comprehensive project to address street vending in Georgetown. What we know is that some businesses and vendors have a symbiotic relationship. Indeed, many are encouraged to ply their trade by some businessmen, who provide them with credit facilities.

Many businesses, too, have extended their (Continued on page 13)

(From page 4) farmers and to all Guyanese who have clearly rejected Dr. Jagan’s prescription”. This is not propaganda, these are facts. As a party in opposition the PPP was quite prepared to contribute to the destruction of the national economy on behalf of its political objective of getting rid of the PNC. Mr. Editor the PPP has not been exposed to the type of economic violence that it used on its way to power. There has been no violence over the exorbitant toll to cross the Berbice River Bridge, yet it is a fact that there was violence when tolls were erected on the Corentyne Highway three decades ago.

Constable James Henry lost his life while stationed at a toll booth on that highway, because opposition elements were against the toll. I mention these things because it is dishonest and mischievous to accuse the present political opposition of destabilization and violence.

The constant drumbeat of racially charged and sinister language in the Chronicle is dangerous, and must be confronted. What can be gained by alluding to Wismar, without placing it in its full

historical context? What is needed in Guyana is a massive education project to teach our youth about the excesses of our recent political past, so that they can understand when the PPP controlled media establishments engage in distortions and revisionists history.

We need an education programme to inform our people about their rights, so that they do not feel that it is necessary to bribe a public official to do his or her job.

We need an education programme to expose all forms of government corruption that is now an institutionalized part of the modus operandi of the PPP administration. We need an education programme and economic “Marshall Plan” to address the widening gulf between the races and economic classes in Guyana.

Mr. Editor we cannot continue with the present status quo, where PPP loyalists and one percent of the population share the riches of this nation. We cannot continue with a constitution that allows a party that wins 48% of the vote to behave as if it won

100%. We cannot continue to accept the inequality in the distribution of land in this nation based on race.

We cannot continue to accept that it is okay for media houses like the Chronicle and NCN to fabricate and instigate, without fear of repercussion. We cannot continue to allow the will of the people to be trampled on, by a minority government bent on perpetuating a style of governance that has been rejected by 51 percent of the electorate. Far from being violent and engaging in destabilization, there are some schools of thought that this opposition needs to be more militant, and the population more engaged.

It is my firm opinion that power always rests with the people, and a country’s most important resource is its human resource; however, this government has neglected this most precious of resource, and have created the greatest under-class in the history of the Republic.

It would wise for the PPP to remember, that a man who has nothing to lose; truly has nothing to lose!

Mark Archer

The constant drumbeat...

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The PPP’s deadly game of “Rohee roulette”

DEAR EDITOR, The PPP is playing a deadly game of “Rohee Roulette” by using a minister in whom Parliament has voted noconfidence, as the single bullet in the Chambers to shatter both our fledging parliamentary democracy and any prospects for Government-Opposition cooperation in the national interest.

On Thursday last, when a censure motion to prevent Rohee from introducing laws came up, I noted that we should not allow Parliament to die over one man. Gridlock is not in the national interest as we have to carry on with the work of parliament. We should also back off from the precipice and, in the spirit of Yuletide, allow our business community and our people to go about their lives without instability and fear.

I was heartened when Mr. C l i n t o n U r l i n g , Chairman of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, chided our MPs for not focusing on the bigger picture of stability, investment and development and getting bogged down over this socalled “Rohee Affair”. He was reported as saying that for those wishing to invest in Guyana, the biggest risk is political instability and not crimes.

By sending the issue to the Privileges Committee, Speaker Raphael Trotman sought to avoid a shut-down of parliament. It was an extraordinary ruling for which Speaker Trotman ought to be commended. In this regard, the wanton and disrespectful attacks by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the Attorney General among others are deplorable.

How did the Speaker treat the issue? After a stormy session, marred by incessant howling and hissing from the Government Benches, Speaker Trotman ruled that the Committee of Privileges should deal with the issue, that is, whether the Assembly has the power to take away the privilege of an elected MP (including Rohee) to speak in Parliament.

I know that the issue must have challenged the Speaker’s intellect and libertarian convictions. But when he gave his ruling, I was very impressive by his bold and creative approach, which surely would make history in the practices of Commonwealth parliaments.

Rohee was not sanctioned or gagged as an elected MP.

He could speak so long as he does not introduce legislation as Minister of Home Affairs because this could be contemptuous of the noconfidence decision which seeks his voluntary resignation or, alternatively, his removal from this portfolio by the President.

Why is the PPP so angry?

The Speaker’s ruling had in fact taken the wind from their sails of using the Rohee tragedy to whip up sympathy for an embattled minority government. An example is the unsolicited tears from the acting Commissioner of Police!

In other words, the PPP was playing dead to see its funeral. It went to work over the budget cuts, painting itself as victim of an unconscionable opposition.

Then it used both the Linden unrest and the Agricola protest to create geographic and ethnic fears.

In a scholarly speech Thursday, AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan summed up why Rohee could not be allowed to present Bills in Parliament whilst the noconfidence motion was in effect, and being disobeyed.

He reminded that Parliament could make and enforce its own decisions to discipline any member (Gajraj vs Jagan, 1963); parliament cannot be gagged by the sub judice rule not to debate a matter before the courts; and if parliament could censure the entire Cabinet by a no-confidence vote, it could under the doctrine of individual ministerial responsibility, sanction a single minister.

When I spoke to the motion, I also touched on the concept of “Ministerial Responsibility”, and I wish to reproduce what I had said: “We are not disputing the concept ‘he who hires fires or he who appoints disappoints’. We are not treading on the jurisdiction of the President. We are saying that Cabinet once appointed is collectively responsible to this Parliament and this Parliament has the power of censure over any Member of the Cabinet once that Member is a Member of this House.

We are only doing what in our belief and strong view, unrebuttable that is, are the powers of this House. We have the right to pass a noconfidence motion and it for the President to direct, if he so wishes, that the Minister resign.

“There is the constitutional convention, whether or not we have a written constitution - and we seem to have a hybrid of written and unwritten

constitution –that says this Parliament can move a vote of no confidence against the entire Government. If the motion is passed by a majority then constitutionally there is a requirement of the President to have the Cabinet resign and to call elections within three months or such other period as this Parliament shall dictate.

So let us be clear about this.

There is collective responsibility, but we have chosen at this time not to go there. We have chosen instead to deal with the concept of individual ministerial responsibility.

“We are saying that if a particular Minister puts the Government at risk then one does not seek to remove the entire Government, one seeks to remove the Minister. That is the basis of this doctrine of individual ministerial responsibility.”

I went on to say: “This concept of individual ministerial responsibility has to be seen in context.

It is not that we say Minister Rohee is at fault, but if the people feel that he is at fault then he has a moral obligation to tender his resignation in order to save the Government from the wrath of the people. If the wrath of one community is replicated throughout Guyana, then it would become an indictment for the Government and the call for the Minister to go to will be elevated to a call for the Government to go.”

I gave the example of India, where Lal Bahadur Shastri (later to be Prime Minister) resigned as Railway Minister in 1956, after 144 passengers died in a train accident. Prime Minister Pandit Nehru stated he was accepting the resignation because it would set an example in constitutional propriety, and not because Shastri was in any way responsible for the accident.

In England, in 1982, Lord Carrington, the Home Secretary, tendered his resignation after Argentina invaded the Falklands. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said it was not the fault or mistake of her Government; it was a departmental failure. It was a failure of someone who was in charge of protecting the security interest of England. Therefore, rather than placing the Government at risk, rather than allowing the Government to fall, she persuaded the Minister to resign, and he did.

Only a week ago, in Egypt (which is still in turmoil, and the new President assumed dictatorial powers) the

Transport Minister resigned after a train crash.

I had stated that on July 18, Rohee was not in Linden; he did not pull the trigger. His failure to ensure that lethal force was not used, could be due to a mis-judgment, or was a monumental folly. Even if it were a blunder, for which he

feels he should not be held individually responsible, I believe he should do the right thing, and vacate office if he believes that some people were/are of the opinion that he failed to act or omitted to act appropriately.

I agree that Attorney General is speaking lots of

“froth”. His argument that the no-confidence vote is constitutionally impermissible is as nonsensical as his failed argument that the PPP must continue to enjoy a majority in parliamentary committees on the basis of his flawed concept of “proportionality”.

Moses V. Nagamootoo

(From page 5) In relation to his workplace, he wrote a missive saying that he was afraid to name his place of employment because in his previous job, someone tried to paint a nasty picture of him to his employer. I have his published mail on that score.

Over the past ten years, he has published voluminous letters of universities he has been to, professors who taught him, a n d q u a l i f i c a t i o n s he received. But he never is specific about which year he graduated in, at which university in which degree programme.

He is smart enough to

evade such details because such information can easily be tracked down. If you completed your B.A. in English in 1988 at City University of New York (CUNY) at Binghamton, then that information is very simple to acquire.

Mr. Bisram is going to reply to presentation of mine here but like how he operated over the past years, he is not going to provide details of his degrees, years of graduation and types of universities.

He is going to avoid any details of Nacta and will not give any specific details of his current work place.

This is my last correspondence on Mr.

Bisram. It is my opinion that media houses know that this man is not a professional pollster and that he does conduct surveys in Guyana.

My only regret is that the newspapers should not allow him to state in his letters that his fictional polls are done through an organization in New York named Nacta. That should be edited out from his letters.

He has the right to publish his correspondence in the newspapers stating that he did this and that survey. That is his right that the newspapers should not deny him.

Frederick Kissoon

The KN and SN need...

Page 8

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

>>>> PNCR Column <<<<

The mother of all motions The motion that was brought by Leader of the Opposition Brigadier David Granger before the National Assembly on 22nd November, most likely, will come to be regarded as the ‘mother of all motions’ in Guyana’s parliamentary history.

The motion, by any measure, has gone furthest to define the problematic relationship between the executive and legislative branches of the state and even, to some extent, the judicial branch, over the past two decades. It will, in the final analysis, set the benchmark for the government’s relations with the National Assembly.

The motion, relying on the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 18 of 2012 which expressed ‘noconfidence’ in Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, called for him to be “prevented from speaking in the National Assembly so long as he is purporting to carry out the functions of Minister of Home Affairs.”

Despite its references to Rohee, the motion, did not actually personify the issue or deal with particular events or situations. It dealt with the principles and process of parliamentary democracy in Guyana.

The motion is based on two fundamental doctrines.

The first is the doctrine of the authority (or sovereignty) of the National Assembly and, the second, the doctrine of the accountability of members, particularly Ministers, to the National Assembly.

First, Parliament, not the Office of the President, is sovereign. Parliament has unfettered authority to ‘make, amend or abolish’ any law. No other institution in this Republic, including the Court, can ignore that legislation. No Cabinet, no High Court, no Commission, no Party Central Committee is superior to the National Assembly.

Sovereignty is what imparts stability to the state.

Sovereignty lies in the people’s elected representatives not in unelected judges, civil servants and officials. If incessant litigation in the Courts could paralyse Parliamentary legislation indefinitely and if parliamentarians could ignore Parliamentary sanction with impunity, there will be chaos in the country.

Second, Members of Parliament are accountable to Parliament, in the last resort.

This means that ‘representatives’ are required to answer those who are

‘represented’ on the performance of their duties.

They must accept (at least some) responsibility for incompetence or failure.

Civil servants, nurses, soldiers and policemen cannot be made to account to the Parliament; a minister must speak for them.

Government ministers must understand, therefore, that although there is no written, legal contract, there is an unwritten ‘convention’ on ministerial responsibility.

The imposition of discipline on ministers.

Further, the implementation of a code of behaviour depends upon the will of the President who is head of the Cabinet and who alone appoints ministers under the Constitution. It is the ‘convention,’ however, that individual ministers are deemed responsible to Parliament for the policies, the administration of their ministries and for their own personal conduct.

The convention of ministerial responsibility means, on the one hand, that ministers are required to answer oral and written questions, appear before select committees, introduce, explain and defend new legislation and speak in debates on matters affecting their ministries. These requirements reinforce the principle of the accountability of the Executive to the Legislature and, indirectly, to the electorate.

The convention of ministerial responsibility also implies, on the other hand, that a minister should resign if there have been serious administrative errors in his or her ministry or if the National Assembly expresses noconfidence in his or her behaviour or performance.

The Speaker, after listening to almost five hours of debate on 22nd November, last, and after referring to his research on authorities in Commonwealth countries with similar parliamentary systems, pronounced that he could find no reason not to have the National Assembly discuss the motion to prevent Rohee from speaking under the rule of ‘sub judice’, which prevents discussion of cases

pending in the courts.

The Speaker cited instances where the British House of Commons found that its courts did not have the power to interfere in the internal workings of the Parliament. He emphasised that Parliament has to be allowed “unfettered control” of the management of its own business.

The Speaker ruled, therefore, that tabling the Opposition Leader’s motion was appropriate.

There is no doubt that the authority of the Speaker and of the National Assembly has been under siege since the People’s Progressive Party Civic found itself in an uncomfortable minority.

The Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Mohabir A n i l N a n d l a l l , thrice this year, brought challenges before the High Court against Leader of the Opposition Brigadier David Granger and Speaker Raphael Trotman with respect to actions they have been taking in the Assembly during the year.

Such high court challenges, clearly, threaten to strangle debate and paralyse action in the National Assembly as there seems to be no limit to the Attorney General’s imagination and his inventiveness in contriving these actions.

There seems also to be no limit to the amount of verbal abuse that the state media could spew on any given day.

The National Assembly, for the past ten months since February 2012, has been the target of sustained vilification by some ministers and members of the Executive through the state-owned media – the National Communications Network (NCN), Government Information Agency (GINA) and the Guyana Chronicle newspaper that is published by Guyana National Newspapers Ltd (GNNL).

NCN has devised a new nightly programme – Inside Parliament –as a special, onesided propaganda platform.

Opposition Members of the Assembly and the Speaker on some occasions have been described in scurrilous terms such as

“irresponsible and reckless;” “vindictive and unprincipled;” “grossly unprincipled;” “power drunk” and “like addicts [who] seem to prefer ignominy.”

The Opposition has been accused of behaving like “a dictatorship of one,” as a “tyrannical majority of one” and of exercising “reckless and blatant opportunism.”

The National Assembly was called a “sham and a veneer” and “an unruly horse.”

This loud, rude language on the part of some members of the Executive has done more than merely expose their low level of political culture and poor language skills. It also betrayed their fears, for the first time in twenty years, of being held accountable for the way they have been governing Guyana.

In the final analysis, the ‘mother of all motions’ sought to reassert the two fundamental principles of parliamentary democracy – parliamentary authority and ministerial accountability.

That is what the ‘great debate’ achieved on 22nd November!

Page 9

Dem boys seh

Uncle Donald mix wid stupidness Some people does create eye pass fuh demself. Dem does do things that does mek people ask if dem head deh on good. Uncle Donald is one of dem.

De parliament got problems wid he Minister. De Speaker tek a decision and of course de government vex. Dem boys expect that Uncle Donald as President would step up and tell de nation that de parliament doing stupidness and that he gun do everything in he power to mek sure that he Minister come out smelling like a rose.

But de man do de most stupid thing anybody coulda do in de circumstances. He call Gee Nah and de Chronicle that people does hardly see fuh tell dem he story. It mean that he didn’t want anybody wid sense fuh ask he question.

When he done he send a tape to dem media house fuh dem carry he story. Dem boys want fuh know if he think people is sheep that people does throw li’l grass and mek dem happy. Well nobody ain’t even look at de tape.

De Waterfalls paper carry he story because de paper believe in getting all de sides but de least de man coulda do was call de media and get as much publicity that he coulda get. It got to be that he got nuff idiots advising him.

Everybody know that if you surround youself wid idiots is only a matter of time before you gun become one of dem. Uncle Donald look like if he heading in that direction and is not a good thing fuh a man who hold out so much promise.

Dem boys begging he fuh hold a press conference and talk bout de Rohee issue like a big man. De Speaker tek a position and he, Uncle Donald got another. De Speaker meet wid de press and he put he position forward; Uncle Donald shoulda do de same.

Talk half and pray fuh Uncle Donald

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

GWI threatens enforcement tactics to help reduce losses Although it is a near impossible task to prevent water theft, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is looking towards a more stringent enforcement tactic to dissuade such actions. At least this was accentuated by recently appointed Chief Executive of the entity, Shaik Baksh.

Baksh said that people are so scheming in their actions that they are able to tamper with water meters which are in fact supposed to be tamperproof.

The Chief Executive confided that the water company was in fact hoping to combat the dilemma through a public education programme which intensified over the past few days.

However, he asserted, “I see that we would now have to do more enforcement that is, taking people to the courts. If we disconnect people and they reconnect themselves and we disconnect them again and they reconnect a second time they have to go to the courts. We are going to take this action more and more now.”

According to him water wastage coupled with the resistance to pay for the liquid represents an embedded culture in the Guyanese society which needs to be arrested with much urgency.

Moreover, he disclosed that GWI intends to intensify efforts at policing of the system. This however would require more staffers to man the various divisions of GWI

in order to bring into account those who are disconnected but opt to reconnect themselves.

“Water is easy to reconnect; it is not like electricity. When you disconnect somebody in a rural area they go to their neighbour and get reconnected or they connect back with a poly hose...”

Baksh categorically insisted that “people actually feel that they have a right to free water and this means a loss to the utility and it affects our revenue position.” This is particularly evident with non-revenue water, that is, water that is billed for but for which the utility company does not receive payment.

However, GWI has a strategic plan in place which

is aimed at addressing the loss situation faced by the company. With massive metering throughout the country Baksh asserted that “once people consume more water they will pay more or a higher tariff rate.”

Not only does he anticipates that this will reduce the level of consumption but it will also serve to significantly reduce the water company’s energy cost. At the moment GWI’s monthly energy cost is valued at about $220 million which is payable to the Guyana Power and Light Inc. GWI is also seeking to offset its expenses by revising its current tariff structure, a proposal which is currently before the Public Utilities

Commission. Baksh said that a new tariff structure is imperative since the old one “is obsolete. In one sense it has too many bands when compared to the present one proposed to the PUC.” The revised regime could become effective by January 1, 2013. Once implemented, the new tariff regime will allow for categorizing customers, rates for consumers of treated and non-treated water, domestic and non-domestic rates, fixed charges, tariff bands for sewerage services, security deposits and other ancillary matters.

“It is a simpler tariff structure that we are proposing and it is more harmonised and there will be increases but in some cases people will be paying less.”

Currently there is a minimum charge of 10 cubic metres of water for metered customers but under the new tariff if five cubic is used customers are only billed for that amount

only, Baksh explained.

Having operated in the Chief Executive position for the past two months, Baksh said that he has gained the support of all the top managers adding that “we work as a cohesive team and there is participation from very lower levels of management in all that we do and we are bringing things together.”

According to him GWI needed strong leadership and “I am trying to provide that leadership...” in the quest to address the many existing challenges especially in terms of water losses and energy cost.

He is also eyeing, closely, an expansive capital investment programme to stem leakages in the system which also causes GWI suffer losses too. According to him while losses cannot be eliminated efforts are certainly in overdrive to reduce them.

Guyana seeks transition period to phase out mercury use in mining Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, is scheduled to head a delegation to Colombia next week to advocate for a transition period for Guyana to cease the use of mercury in the mining industry.

The move is intended as a prelude to regional consultations for the Latin America and the Caribbean region in preparation for the fifth session of the inter-governmental negotiating committee on mercury, Persaud said Friday.

Government intends to vigorously represent miners at the meeting next week in Bogota, towards the aim of the voluntary phasing out of mercury, which is widely used within the mining and manufacturing sectors in Guyana.

The Minister, during a press conference Friday, pointed out that the socio-economic implications of a ban in the production and supply of mercury against its use in mining will be highlighted as approximately 100,000 persons directly or indirectly depend on the mining sector to earn a livelihood.

The Minister also highlighted Government’s recognition of the environmental and human health risks of mercury and pollution to the environment.

Government also plans to continue the focus on technical and financial resources in the gold mining sector in order to address the issues surrounding mercury use.

Work is continuing with all stakeholders to ensure the phased out implementation programme for the use of mercury.

Minister Persaud will be accompanied to Colombia by Commissioner (ag) of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Rickford Vieira, and an Executive Member of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association.

Because of international pressure, Government is moving in the direction of doing away with mercury because it is toxic to both human and the environment. There has been rejection of the move by especially small miners as gold prices continue to reach record levels. Mercury is the easiest way to extract gold.

The mercury ravages the nervous system of miners and their families. It also travels thousands of miles in the atmosphere and moves up the food chain through fish.

The number of persons killed or disabled by mercury is impossible to determine, experts say. But tests on miners in Guyana, Indonesia, the Philippines, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Brazil found mercury levels up to 50 times above World Health Organization limits, according to a 2006 U.N. report.

Symptoms such as reduced motor skills, fatigue and weight loss are routine at mining sites, the U.N. said. Gold shop owners also breathe the mercury vapor they burn off.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 11

The Abigail Column Suspicions have no merit Dear Abigail, My 31-year-old fiancé, ‘Michael’, recently started a new job that requires some overnight travel. Last week while out of town, a 26-yearold female co-worker asked Michael’s help to put air in her tires.

He got in her car and they drove together to a gas station. Last week, while out of town again, he and the same co-worker texted and phoned each other a few times, which I found disturbing.

When I confronted him, he

became defensive and said he did nothing wrong. I explained it was inappropriate to be riding in a female co-worker’s car and for the two of them to call each other.

Even if it was completely innocent, there is always the possibility of an accusation of sexual harassment or that other co-workers will think negatively of him.

What bothers me more is that he doesn’t see how inappropriate it is. He says I have blown it out of all proportion and there is nothing further to discuss.

Is this just my insecurity surfacing, or do I have a legitimate concern?

Worried

Dear Worried, The fact that a female asked a male co-worker to help her fix a tire is perfectly understandable, and it’s not a stretch that he would accompany her to the gas station in her car.

You are right that these things can be misinterpreted and that Michael puts his job at risk if he continues to behave in a way that others believe is questionable.

However, I am not convinced anything untoward has been going on.

The “evidence” of misconduct is pretty flimsy.

Say nothing more, but keep an eye on the situation if it bothers you.

Sunday November 25, 2012 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You’re excited by the idea of starting a new project today, but your efficiency may wane as you get closer to your final objective. Avoid becoming annoyed about delays because they probably won’t stop you for long.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) The emotional balance in a personal relationship is complex and you are ready to take direct action now to stabilize your love life.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If your energy is a bit erratic now you would do well to stop and reconsider your current work methods.

More importantly, make certain that you’re heading in the right direction.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Perhaps you recently encountered an unexpected situation involving others who were not playing according to your rules.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Now that the storm is subsiding you must keep your eyes open wide so you can make the most of the recent lessons you’ve learned.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) If you want to be successful at making the improvements that you’ve visualized, you must trust your common sense more than ever.

Unfortunately, you can easily mislead yourself and others today by rationalizing your logical conclusions to your advantage.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Give others sufficient space to unfold their ideas before you make a premature judgment.

You might think that someone’s plan is crazy at first, yet there just may be a solid foundation on which it could be built.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can become so fond of an idea sometimes that you get stuck on it. Unfortunately, your stubbornness just means that reality has to yell even louder to attract your attention.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) It feels as if you are reaching a critical point in your life, but you may be annoyed about experiencing disappointment today. You desperately want to make something positive happen and are willing to try something new if you think it will help your cause.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Unfortunately, reliable structures don’t seem so secure these days. The very same things you’ve depended on in the past have shifted somehow and your life isn’t what it once was.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

Your key planet Uranus was rattled yesterday as its unexpected brilliance shook up the status quo and brought the potential for freedom.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Permanent change of direction doesn’t come easily for you Fish since you intuitively understand that nothing remains fixed in the ocean of life.

MTV CHANNEL 14/ CABLE 65 Sign on 06:30 hrs - Prayag Vanie 07:00 hrs - MTV Bhajans 07:30 hrs - CNN News 08:00 hrs - Christ for the Nation 08:30 hrs - Puran Brothers: Shiva Bhajans 09:00 hrs - Muslim Melodies with Al Madina Exclusive 09:30 hrs - Teleview Kutbah 10:00 hrs - DJ Stress Indian Movie 13:00 hrs - Garam Geet 14:00 hrs - Sitcom 14:30 hrs - El Dorado Shines 15:00 hrs - The Variety Show with WR Reaz 16:00 hrs - Bollywood Sensation with Kavita 17:00 hrs - Birthdays & Other greetings 17:15 hr - Death Announcements/ In memoriam 17:30 hrs - BBC World News 18:00 hrs - Entertainment Buzz with Shivanie 18:30 hrs - Wendy Khan and Dheeraj Show 19:30 hrs - Focus on GRA 20:00 hrs - Sangeet Mehfil 21:00 hrs - Indian Movie: Yeh Jo Mohobat Hai Sign Off DTV CHANNEL 8 09:25 hrs. Sign On 09:30 hrs. Touching Lives 10:00 hrs. Pair of Kings 10:30 hrs. Crash and Bernstein

11:00 hrs. Movie: Not My Life 13:00 hrs. Movie: I Know Who Killed Me 15:00 hrs. Movie: The Perfect Roommate 17:00 hrs. Family Feud 18:00 hrs. Catholic Magazine (Faith in Action) 18:30 hrs. Know Your Bible

19:00 hrs. Greetings and Announcements 21:00 hrs. Once Upon a Time (New Episode) 22:00 hrs. The Good Wife (New Episode) 23:00 hrs. The Mentalist (New Episode) 00:00 hrs. Sign Off

Guides are subjected to change without notice

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

BK instructed to fix deteriorating sections of C’tyne highway or no pay - Region Six Chairman

A section of the roadway along the Corentyne Highway (Eversham) which has deteriorated massively in less than a year after construction BK International, the contractor who constructed a significant portion of the Upper Corentyne Highway, has been instructed to immediately undertake remedial works to fix the broken sections [of the

roadway]. A section of the roadway has been deteriorating—a section that was only done just over a year ago.

Speaking with Kaieteur News recently, Region Six Chairman, David Armogan,

admitted that several sections of the Corentyne Highway have to be done over. “A lot of those works are still on warranty because they were only done last year”. He stated that he has written to the Minister of Public Works

“and he has assured me that these contractors will go back and do the work but this has been quite some time, and maybe I need to remind him— two to three months ago I wrote to him”.

H. Nauth Civil Contracting

Services of East Coast Demerara as well as B.K International Contractors were the two road- builders who undertook the rehabilitation of the Corentyne highway in 2010 and 2011. H. Nauth built the portion from East Canje to the Central Corentyne while BK International built the section from Central Corentyne to Skeldon.

“I think we need to get behind these contractors—I am not satisfied that they are moving fast enough to get the remedial works done and maybe because they are occupied doing other works too, because BK International was involved in one phase of the work and H. Nauth was responsible for the other phase—they are very busy in the region now doing a lot of additional work.

“Maybe because their machines are otherwise occupied, they are not getting the time, but I will have to put pressure on them to get those parts of the Corentyne Highway that have already deteriorated, back to a level that we want it to be”.

The Canje River Bridge, too, he said has been deteriorating at several parts “and the Permanent Secretary

of the Works Ministry has assured me that they are going to have that rectified shortly as well as the lights on the bridge”.

A contract was signed, too, for the rehabilitation of the impassable Republic Road in New Amsterdam, Winkel Road and Tucber Road, all in New Amsterdam, totaling some $20M. The Ministry of Finance and Works Ministry have awarded the contracts to rehabilitate the Strand Road as well. “Over the next couple of days, you will see works being done on these roads”.

An additional 69 roads will be rehabilitated by the region and contracts have been awarded. Based on requests, too, from residents 15 more roads will be considered by the Chief Planning Officer, “and I am not sure if he will give me all 15 but if he gives me half of that amount it will go a long way in assisting residents.

“We have 7 contractors in the region who are doing it in lots…it has been divided among them so work is going apace there and we are insisting that it must be done before the end of the year, so quite a lot of roads will come to acceptable levels before year- end”, he noted.

GPSU women’s agency joins fight against violence against their peers The Women’s Advisory Committee of the Guyana Trades Union Congress on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls joins with other international and national women organizations and NGOs in supporting the fight to end such violence.

The theme is “Eliminating discrimination against women in order to end gender-based violence”. “Women and girls continue to suffer from widespread and multiple forms of violence which takes place in the homes, on the streets, in the schools and at the workplaces.

“This violence prevents our women and girls around the world from living in dignity, violates their fundamental human rights and impedes them from achieving their full potential. It is one of the most potent obstacles to the advancement of women, has social and economic implications and can seriously jeopardize the progress and prosperity of the world.

“In Guyana, we take note that a lot is being done by our national institutions and other women’s organizations to eliminate this social scourge but note with concern that it

has progressed into uncontrollable proportions resulting in unnecessary loss of limb and lives and destroying the social fabric of our society – the family.

“It means, therefore, that more needs to be done and a change must be made from the non- effective methods. We must adopt new techniques and initiatives to fight this problem. For this year alone, we have seen a significant increase in the cases of physical and sexual abuse on our women and it has now transcended to our young girls and boys.

“Very recently, a sixteen-year old was murdered by her nineteen-year old boyfriend and a two-year-old was sexually abused.”

Intimate Partner Violence, sexual abuse, violence in the schools – parents and students attacking teachers and students attacking fellow students, violence and discrimination at the workplaces are all on the increase, the women’s organisation noted.

It added that of particularly of concern, are the violence and discrimination at the workplaces “where our women and young girls are often subject to abuse and

discrimination from some employers and others in authority and due to the fear of losing their jobs and being denied promotional and training opportunities, they remain silent.”

“We are cognizant too of the many challenges faced by those women employed in the security sector who are sent to secure locations without any consideration for their own security and well-being.

We implore our women workers to conduct themselves in the most professional and respectful manner and to recognize you have the responsibility and possess the power to avert the indiscipline and weaknesses in our men so as to maintain a healthy and respectful work environment.

“The state of male/female relationships within our work places today, calls for an extension to the scope of Personnel Departments to include the issues of Domestic Violence specific to the creation and maintenance of a productive work force. “It is clear that the elimination of domestic violence requires the involvement of all, the homes, churches, schools, workplaces, social groups, sports clubs.”

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 13

From the Diaspora

RAPHAEL TROTMAN— an incompetent or a partisan speaker?

By Ralph Seeram I was in the middle of writing another article for today’s column. It even had a catchy headline “Rebel slaves were hanged until decapitated in Demerara” but you my readers will have to wait until next week for that historical piece. We have to deal with present issues today.

I had to switch to this article after reading the following paragraph.

“As Speaker I have a duty to ensure that our parliamentary system and our parliamentary democracy is not derailed, is not shattered, but is held together and even in a tenuous way because it’s always under threat.” As I read the article quoting the speaker, I could not help laughing at the irony of that statement coming from Speaker Trotman.

I am recalling the hooliganism and mayhem that took place in the last two sessions in Parliament, where due to the Speaker being spineless the “inmates were running the prison”, while the warden sat helpless, allowing the disorder to take place.

Trotman did not see the parliamentary system and parliament democracy being

derailed, then, with the banging on the desks, and denying another member of the house, a Minister of the Government at that, to speak.

Democracy was not stymied in the eyes of the speaker. An impartial speaker would have cleared the house of the disruptive elements so that parliamentary democracy can function.

There are some who feel that the speaker should stop at attempting any pretence of impartiality in his ruling, especially the last one, a motion to bar the Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee from speaking in the Assembly. He referred the motion to the Committee of Privileges. “And I’m of the view that a motion or Bill which seeks to limit the privileged right of any member, especially a minister because he or she has more responsibility than an ordinary member. We shouldn’t just because we have a majority or because there’s a debate, limit that right,” Trotman stated.

Can readers see the hypocrisy in that statement? Minister Rohee has been effectively silenced, and Trotmandidit.

Now who Trotman thinks he is fooling. The Committee of Privileges comprises of five opposition members and four from the government, with

Trotman as the non-voting chairman. Now really, let’s think this through. The opposition has been pushing to get rid of Rohee; the opposition controls the committee, do you have to be a genius to know what that opposition controlled committee will recommend.

The way this issue is being played out one can be led to believe that this entire affair might have been rehearsed and the Speaker is just going through the play. One must remember that Trotman came from the same cloth as the opposition, both opposition parties for that matter. So if the opposition parties do not like a GovernmentMinisterforanyreason, justified or not, the opposition can silence that person in Parliament. If we use that logic, by extension the entireCabinetcanbesilenced by the opposition with its one seat majority. The Speaker is opening “Pandora’s Box”.

Trotman does not know his beer either, responding to Attorney General Nandlall’s contention that Trotman’s actions are unconstitutional, he was quoted as saying, “We practise law together; I know his style; he likes flair and language but not much of it has substance.

There’s a lot of froth at the top like a beer but I need to deal with the substance.

“I think I set out pellucid

last night that parliament regulates its own procedures, if the minister feels the matter is unconstitutional he can go to a constitutional court and get a ruling to that effect.”

This shows where his partiality lays here he gets personal. Nandlall spoke of constitutional issues, and the Speakers descended into personal attacks. Beer drinkers know that only a good beer gives froth, or to use the beer term, a “good head”. A beer with a lot of “head” has good substance.

There are some who think that he is mistaken if he thinks his actions cannot be ruled unconstitutional.

It’s a foregone conclusion what the Committee of Privileges will recommend. It is obvious that they will recommend that Rohee be silenced. So where does Trotman go from there?

The budget is coming up, and no doubt that will be another contentious issue.

Will the Finance Minister be silenced too? The best Raphael Trotman can do is to resign, and let the APNU alternative take over the Speakership. At least the PPP will have no expectation of impartiality from an APNU Speaker.

Trotman’s “fifteen

minutes of fame” will end sooner than he expected. A frustrated PPP will call snap elections sooner than they planned, and will regain the majority in the house. The

only problem is that it can’t call on Ralph Ramkarran again, or can it?

Ralph Seeram can be reached at email: ralph365@hotmail.com

City Hall’s response...

(From page 6) operations beyond their legitimate boundaries. Many have overhead hangings and are themselves blocking portions of our pavements.

We understand the situation but it could not be fixed overnight, it requires research, strategy and a comprehensive plan.

Also, the traffic congestion, in certain areas, mentioned in the letter, could not be fairly linked to street vending alone. There are numerous other factors that contribute to the vehicular traffic problem in the city, including, the need for a different approach to public transportation in Guyana, the lack of proper parking facilities and a good network of appropriate public spaces to encourage cycling and walking by citizens.

Finally, Mr. Gill has challenged the Council to “adopt a ‘Zero Tolerance’ approach to polluting…”

Council has already adopted that approach but lacks the requisite resources to strictly enforce it. For example, the constabulary is working way below its authorized strength, we are short on staff at the public health department and the city coffers are peculiarly shallow.

Some time ago, we had put forward the suggestion of a municipal court to expedite such matters as littering. Also, we had suggested instituting the ticketing system for litterbugs.

Therefore, the effectiveness of that approach depends on the appropriate resources, which the council does not possess, at this point in time. As a result, we have to depend on the individual pride and cooperation of citizens to our efforts to improve condition of the city.

Royston King Public Relations Officer Mayor and City Council

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

ImmigrationTALK

What are my rights when dealing with Immigration? (Part 1 of 2)

By Attorney Gail S. Seeram In the United States, noncitizens are persons who do not have U.S. citizenship, including lawful permanent residents, refugees and asylum seekers, persons who have permission to come to the U.S. for reasons like work, school or travel, and those without legal immigration status of any kind. Noncitizens who are in the United States—no matter what their immigration status— generally have the same constitutional rights as citizens when law enforcement officers stop, question, arrest, or search them or their homes.

However, non-citizens being questioned by an immigration officer or those who are trying to enter the U.S. do not have all the same rights. Note, law enforcement officer refers to an officer enforcing state criminal laws, whereas immigration officer refers to an officer enforcing federal immigration laws.

Q. What can I do if law enforcement officers want to question me?

A: You have the same right to be silent that U.S. citizens have, so the general rule is that you do not have to answer any questions that a law enforcement officer asks you. However, there are exceptions to this at ports of entry, such as airports and borders.

Q: Do I have to answer questions about whether I am a U.S. citizen, where I was born, where I live, where I am from, or other questions about my immigration status?

A: You do not have to answer any of the above questions if you do not want to answer them. But do not falsely claim U.S. citizenship. It is almost always a good idea to speak with a lawyer before you answer questions about your immigration status. Immigration law is very complicated, and you could have a problem without realizing it. A lawyer can help protect your rights, advise you, and help you avoid a problem. Always remember that even if you have answered some questions, you can still decide you do not want to answer any more questions.

Immigration officers can require non-immigrants to provide information related to their immigration status.

However, even if you are a nonimmigrant, you can still say that you would like to have your lawyer with you before you answer questions, and you have

Gail S. Seeram the right to stay silent if your answer to a question could be used against you in a criminal case.

Q: Do I have to show officers my immigration documents?

A: The law requires non-citizens who are 18 or older and who have been issued valid U.S. immigration documents to carry those documents with them at all times.

(These immigration documents are often called “alien registration” documents. The type you need to carry depends on your immigration status.

Some examples include an unexpired permanent resident card (“green card”), I-94, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or border crossing card.)

Failure to comply carry these documents can be a misdemeanor crime. If you have your valid U.S. immigration documents and you are asked for them, then it is usually a good idea to show them to the officer because it is possible that you will be arrested if you do not do so. Keep a copy of your documents in a safe place and apply for a replacement immediately if you lose your documents or if they are going to expire.

If you are arrested because you do not have your U.S. immigration documents with you, but you have them elsewhere, ask a friend or family member (preferably one who has valid immigration status) to bring them to you. It is never a good idea to show an officer fake immigration documents or to pretend that someone e l s e ’s immigration documents are yours.

If you are undocumented and therefore do not have valid U.S. immigration documents, you can decide not to answer questions about your citizenship or immigration status or whether you have documents. If you tell an immigration officer that

you are not a U.S. citizen and you then cannot produce valid U.S. immigration documents, there is a very good chance you will be arrested.

Q: What should I do if there is an immigration raid where I work?

A: If your workplace is raided, it may not be clear to you whether you are free to leave. Either way, you have the right to remain silent—you do not have to answer questions about your citizenship, immigration status or anything else. If you do answer questions and you say that you are not a U.S. citizen, you will be expected to produce immigration documents showing your immigration status. If you try to run a w a y, t h e i m m i g r a t i o n officers will assume that you are in the U.S. illegally and you will likely be arrested. The safer course is to continue with your work or calmly ask if you may leave, and to not answer any questions you do not want to answer.

Q: What can I do if immigration officers are arresting me and I have children in my care or my children need to be picked up and taken care of?

A: If you have children with you when you are arrested, ask the officers if you can call a family member or friend to come take care of them before the officers take you away. If you are arrested when your children are at school or elsewhere, call a friend or family member as soon as possible so that a responsible adult will be able to take care of them.

More important, when confronted by an immigration officer, ask for his/her name or ask for his/ her card. Immigration officers tend to be aggressive, but assert your right to be silent and ask to call your family member or attorney if you are in custody. Next week, we continue to discuss your rights when arrested by an immigration officer.

Gail S. Seeram, LL.M, J.D., BBA, is a Guyaneseborn U.S. Immigration Attorney with offices in the United States. Send your comments and feedback to Gail@Go2Lawyer.com, visit her website at www.Go2Lawyer.com or connect on w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / Go2Lawyer. Questions?

Call 407-292-7730 or tollfree at 1-877-GAIL-LAW.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Apsara dodges facts in nasty scandal Embroiled in an embarrassing scandal, the head of entertainment group Apsara, the local owners of the Miss India Worldwide franchise, this week attempted to salvage its reputation but continued to dodge the facts.

Responding to a Kaieteur News article which exposed Lucria Rambalak as responding to questions in the Indian media as if she had won the Miss India Worldwide pageant, (which was actually won by Alana Rambarran), Apsara attempted to cover up what happened.

“At no point in the interview did Lucria Rambalak claim to be or to even be representing Ms. Seebarran, nor was she wearing any label, tag, or paraphernalia to suggest as much.

“When she answered questions with regard to a contest and competition, albeit somewhat interchangeably, it was on her pageant experience as Miss India Guyana, and a Miss Guyana Second runner up prizewinner,” Apsara owner Chandini Ramnarain who is also Rambalak’s sister claimed.

However, that is far from what the actual interview shows, with Ms Rambalak clearly acknowledging that she had “won” a pageant, when she never did, neither locally, nor at the international level.

At least two journalists preempted their questions by saying that Lucria Rambalak had won the Miss India Worldwide pageant, believing that she was the actual winner of the pageant and was so presented to be interviewed.

Before asking the first question, a journalist first congratulated Lucria, saying that, “First of all you won Miss India (Worldwide).”

Then another journalist follows on, asking, “You won the contest, so how do you feel?”

After that question, Ms Rambalak proceeded to answer as if she was the actual winner.

Lucria responded: “Well, you know, it’s a dream for every woman to be in a beauty pageant who ‘wins’ the pageant and it was really inspiring with everyone that was around me, you know the crowd appeal , the support that was there, so it was truly amazing to be at in one for my country and for Guyana.”

Her response puts her as claiming to be the winner and in the other questions she answered she spoke of her dreams of entering Bollywood, India’s prolific film industry.

Past winners and participants in the

Alana Seebarran

international Miss India Worldwide pageants have been known to land roles in Bollywood. That was also the dream of the real winner of the Miss India Worldwide pageant, Alana Rambarran.

The founder of Apsara, Mrs Ramnarain said that it “defies logic and basic common sense that Apsara would fraudulently represent Ms. Rambalak as Ms. Seebaran, and in the public domain of all places, when such a misrepresentation

would inevitably cast a shadow upon our enterprise, as even this mistaken misrepresentation has,” she stated.

In fact, Mrs Ramnarain had initially told Kaieteur News that she never expected the interview to be exposed on the internet.

When Kaieteur News official learnt of the YouTube video and contacted Mrs Ramnarain she said that she was standing right there when the interview was being

Lucria Rambalak

done. She said that the journalists made a mistake in thinking that Lucria was the real winner of the Miss India Worldwide pageant.

However, Mrs Ramnarain said that she did not stop the journalists, and neither did Lucria. Further, she said that Lucria decided to go ahead with the interview even when she knew the journalists believed she was the queen, and had hoped that the video would have been edited. But those who conducted the

interview were never informed about the facts, Mrs Ramnarain had acknowledged.

Mrs Ramnarain further contended that Apsara’s trip to India was a multipurpose visit, one of which was Ms. Seebaran’s trip as part of the package provided by a private sponsor, as negotiated by Apsara Entertainment.

“Ms. Seebarran cannot therefore imply that Rambalak’s presence on that

trip either infringed upon or usurped her own entitlements, all of which she has received in full – Ms. Seebarran’s activities as Miss India Guyana/Miss India Worldwide come under the aegis of Apsara Entertainment, and not vice versa.”

Even while refusing to admit that Ms Rambalak led journalists to believe she was the winner of Miss India Worldwide and even acknowledging that she had won the pageant when she did not, Mrs Ramnarain still claimed that Apsara is rooted in “basic integrity.”

The actual winner of the pageant has expressed “hurt” at what transpired.

“When this video was brought to my attention I was very hurt to hear somebody speaking about an achievement that I had worked so hard for,” Seebarran told Kaieteur News when contacted for comment.

“It was a privilege and an honour to represent my country an d t o h e a r someone else claim that achievement was a d i s a ppointment to me, because it was such a huge accomplishment for our country,” Seebarran added.

The owner of Miss India Worldwide, U.S. based Dharmatma Saran has not responded to questions by Kaieteur News about the scandal.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 17

Page 18

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

Going undercover…

CHINESE STORES DO A LOT

By Staff Writer

Over the years, Government has been battling to collect taxes from both citizens and businesses alike. Non-compliance from especially the self-employed remained a major problem with not only the large unmanned, hinterland terrain a challenge for tax inspectors but also for enforcement and prosecution also.

Minibuses and taxi operators, miners, logging camp workers, Canter trucks, horse cart operators, lawyers and doctors and the punters on America Streets were but some of the biggest culprits.

It is no secret also that along the way, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had introduced new measures to reduce the incidence of corruption.

The stories of Customs officers making it big, buying fancy cars and bikes, and owning posh homes by taking something under the table and undervaluing a container of goods, were many. But like the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), it may be a case of just

– ALL WRONG AND SOME CRIMINAL

An investigation of Chinese stores yesterday in the city found several of them not issuing customers with receipts. not enough personnel for GRA to ensure compliance.

It is also not unknown that many businesses keep two books to fool the taxman.

And so it is against this background, that this

newspaper received a number of growing complaints that stores in the city were not issuing receipts for goods sold.

This was especially so in central Georgetown, in the

Regent Street and Robb Street area, the newspaper was told. There are tales of stores selling electrical appliances and if the customer asked, would even offer not to charge the Value-

Added Tax (VAT)…once the customer agrees not to collect a receipt.

Not collecting a receipt would mean that the tax inspectors would find it more difficult to track the volume

of sales from a particular business and as such make it a challenge to calculate the correct tax. Within recent years, the face of the city has been transformed by not only the hulking buildings but also by the businesses that sprang up.

Where Indian stores once thrived, the Chinese and Brazilians are slowly taking over. The hefty rent being charged…in the thousands of US dollars monthly…made it inevitable that the owners would take a back seat.

Between Regent Street and Robb Street alone, there are over 20 Chinese stores each competing with clothes and hardware. They jostle for space with the Brazilian restaurants and guest houses on Regent, Robb and even on Church and Hadfield Streets.

According to officials from the private sector, the situation is becoming untenable with many of the businesses, especially the foreign-owned ones, doing everything in the books or out of it, to rob the country of its taxes. One businessman said Continued on page 19

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 19

More charges for mastermind Teens remanded for shooting Kaieteur News staffer in CJIA Drug bust

Additional charges of witness tampering have been laid against two persons with regards to the October 12 CJIA drug bust.

Dawn Saul-Khan and her affiliate, Seana Griffith, are facing charges of conspiracy and of attempting to obstruct the course of justice.

Both women appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief

Magistrate Priya Sewnarine Beharry. According to the allegation, 56-year-old SaulKhan, between October 16 and November 5, at the New Amsterdam Prison threatened Melissa Gerrierra and Taniqua Johnson not to give evidence against her in the case in which she is charged for procuring narcotics.

Another charge read that Saul-Khan offered support to Adrian Roberts, who is an inmate at the Camp Street prison, for him not to offer evidence in the same charge.

The third allegation is that Saul-Khan and Griffith conspired together and pleaded with Roberts that he would not testify against her in the said trial.

Both women pleaded not guilty to the charges and were admitted to bail. The prosecution submitted that the accused tampered with the witnesses while they are yet prisoners at both the New Amsterdam and Camp Street Prison facilities.

Saul-Khan allegedly threatened witnesses Gerrierra and Johnson telling them that “bad things will

From page 18 that he is fully aware of goods being smuggled through Suriname and ending up at the Chinese stores.

“You have to understand that it is difficult for Government to address since the Chinese Government is making a lot of loans available to Guyana for the Amaila Falls project and the Timehri project.”

The Chinese Government has indeed been on a splurge across the globe, investing heavily in infrastructure in developing countries, in most cases in return for using Chinese labour. The monies have been at concessional and attractive rates.

Yesterday, Kaieteur News went undercover, shopping at several Chinese stores located on Regent and Robb Streets.

Of the 11 stores visited, seven of them did not issue receipts. Items shopped i n c l u d e d u n d e r w e a r, a m e m o r y c a r d r e a d e r, a screw driver, eyeliner and lip gloss and even a key ring.

One reporter queried whether it is possible for a small generator to be purchased without paying VAT. This was possible, a sales girl said. She was willing to accommodate the transaction. Down at the popular China Trading on

Robb Street, receipts were being issued. But not so at Jui Yue Trading, Fuda and A/Z located along the same stretch.

Across at Regent Street, the items purchased are taken straight to the cashier cage…in all cases manned by a Chinese…where the cash is taken and change given and the items bagged off…but no receipts given.

Zhong Da Hardware, Wing Loong Trading and Baleno’s on Regent Street were the ones that also did not issue receipts.

In all the cases, Kaieteur News was videoing the purchases and even has the sales girl on tape talking about the possibility of no VAT being paid for a generator.

Consumers are mo r e than happy for the cheap Chinese goods, never mind that they do not last so long as the others. There are knockoffs for almost everything, from perfumes, to hammers, to electrical tools and name-brand clothes and even building materials.

Christmas lights that sell for $2,500 at the normal stores are going for $1,500 at the Chinese ones…Small wonder that consumers have no difficulty in choosing where to go shopping.

Dawn Saul-Khan

CHINESE STORES DO A LOT

happen to their families abroad” if they testified against her.

Dawn Saul-Khan, who professed to be a nurse, of Brooklyn, New York, had previously answered to a charge that on October 12, last, she procured the four other accused Melissa Geriera, Taniqua Johnson, Adrian Roberts and Gregory Hinds for them to engage in the trafficking of cocaine to the United States. She was subsequently admitted to bail in the sum of $2 million.

Jamal David Crumwell, 19, and Nykosu Gittens, 18, were on Friday asked to plead to a charge of discharging a loaded firearm at Kaieteur News Staffer, Shaun Persaud, and robbing him of his motorcycle.

On November 18, last, at Broad Street, Charlestown, the two teenagers allegedly used a 9mm pistol to rob Shaun Persaud of his motorcycle valued at $410,000. They pleaded not guilty before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

The prosecution objected to bail thus the two accused were refused bail until December 17.

According to reports the duo shot 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 10:30pm last Sunday.

Persaud, 45, of Lot 94 La Penitence, Albouystown, is in a stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital

Corporation (GPHC).

Persaud, an Office Assistant with Kaieteur News, 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.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

Bandits captured after three-car collision

Five bandits were nabbed last night when their car crashed into two vehicles outside the Cove and John Police Station following a high speed chase all the way from Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, where they had just committed a robbery.

The men were positively identified by their victims, Peter Martin and his siblings, who operate a shop at Fellowship, Mahaicony.

Kaieteur News understands that the bandits were making good their escape but thanks to communication by the police, they were intercepted at Cove and John where ranks were staked out waiting for them.

As the bandits were making their way to the city, they apparently panicked when they observed that the police had established a road block to capture them.

Trying desperately to escape, the men drove their car, a black Mitsubishi Lancer,

in such a manner that it collided with an oncoming vehicle before crashing into another car driven by a female police corporal that was turning into the Cove and John police station compound.

The ranks quickly surrounded the bandits and captured them before anyone could escape.

Earlier at about 19:30 hours, the bandits had robbed Peter Martin and his relatives, just as they were about to enter their yard at Mahaicony, some 20 miles away.

Speaking to this newspaper last night, Leyland Martin said that he was about to open the gate for his brother to drive their car into the yard when he was confronted by one of the bandits, who had apparently followed them from their shop.

“One ah dem fire a shot and say ‘Don’t move’. But I run and go to de back. I go

back to see if is me brother get shoot and I see one ah dem lock off me brother.

Another shot fire but me ain’t know wheh it come from,” Leyland Martin recalled.

He said that he managed to conceal himself and later saw when the bandits drove off, heading towards the city.

They had already relieved his brother of an undisclosed amount of cash.

Not deterred, the Martins re-entered their car and followed the bandits while making contact with the police.

“While we going behind dem, dey fire a shot and we decided fuh drop back,” Leyland Martin told this newspaper.

When they finally saw the bandits again, the men were being held at gunpoint by the police at Cove and John.

Up to late last night it was not ascertained if the police had recovered the weapon that was used in the robbery.

Women’s Enterprise Exposition on for tomorrow Several entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations will converge under one roof to display products and services, as well as systems of support offered to women at Guyana’s first Women’s Enterprise Exposition (WEnEX).

The exposition slated for tomorrow at Hotel Tower, Georgetown is supported by women of the public and private sectors. It is hosted by Women’s Entrepreneurship Network (WENET) and the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

Under the theme “Female Exhibit for Empowerment and Equality: Stimulating Female Independence, Safety, and Success in Guyana”, the event seeks to promote the importance of gender equality and accountability for female empowerment in Guyana.

It will also display challenges and successes that come with gender equality; and encourage the

development of leadership in women of all generations.

According to Kendra Borutski of WENET, the event involves women from all generations coming together from varying backgrounds to create an opportunity for networking, marketing, mentorship and support. “ Wi t h vendors consisting of women in small business, women’s support groups, and youth development organizations, a display of products and services from over 30 registered booths will be available for the public’s viewing,” she said.

The Women’s Entrepreneurship Project started in January 2011 with financial support from Exxon Mobil and the personal support from a Canadian intern, through the International Youth Internship Programme from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Taxi driver slain trying to nab purse snatcher A taxi driver was stabbed to death at around 19:00 hrs yesterday while trying to nab a purse snatcher.

The incident occurred in Fifth Field, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

Kaieteur News was told that Omar Harper, said to be in his twenties, was dropping off a passenger in the area when he saw someone snatch a woman’s purse.

He reportedly exited his vehicle and went to the victim’s assistance when the thief stabbed him.

He was rushed to the GPHC where he succumbed.

The project originally aimed to equip 50 female entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and support to develop sustainable businesses in Region Four.

Through various workshops, networking events, monthly meetings and conferences, recruitment to the project has risen to over 65 female entrepreneurs.

Many of the women work together as partners, support and promote each other’s business and learn from each other.

They are involved in several income generating ventures including cake decorating, cosmetology, babysitting, food vending, catering, and animal care.

The vision of WENET is to have a vibrant network of female entrepreneurs known and respected for creating jobs and successful businesses to ensure a bright future for Guyana and beyond. It is with this vision the organization is hosting this exposition and has become partners with the GCCI. Chairman of the GCCI, Clinton Urling, has described WENET as a small micro organization that is the voice of women. He added that GCCI intends to provide support to the organization and that will be the only role.

Some organizations participating at the exposition include Amazon Authentics, WENET, Ministry of Health, Childlink Inc, GCCI, and United States Embassy.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 21

WHAT PRIVILEGE OF THE ASSEMBLY DID THE MINISTER BREACH? The 10th Parliament may be in its last days. If what took place on Thursday last is taken to its logical conclusion, it could see the proroguing of parliament and the calling of early elections.

This danger was clearly recognized by one of the members of the House, who saw the life of the entire assembly being at the mercy of a game of roulette.

Despite his warning, the opposition was determined to proceed with the motion aimed at gagging the Minister.

With the controversial ruling by the Speaker to send the motion to the Committee of Privileges and then preventing the Minister of Home Affairs from speaking until the determination of the matter, what should have been a fairly straightforward matter has become complicated.

There was a motion before the House. This motion was intended to call on the House to gag the Minister. In considering this motion, the Speaker had to determine what type of motion was before the House. The fact that the motion was sent to the Committee of Privileges means that the motion was deemed one of privilege.

The next step was to decide whether the motion was properly before the House. To be properly before the House means that the motion has to be compliant, both in terms of procedure and substance.

Procedurally, it would have been necessary to determine whether in accordance with the Standing Orders of the National Assembly, the motion was in order. The Speaker would have been required firstly to determine whether the Standing Orders demanded that leave be sought to move the motion.

Secondly whether it was raised at the right timeâ&#x20AC;Ś that is, after questions to the Minister.

Thirdly, the Speaker needed to determine whether the motion, as a motion of privilege, indicated that the matter should be referred to the Committee of Privileges.

If the Standing Orders require that a motion of privilege should so indicate, it would be hard to envisage how a motion of privilege can be valid if it does not resolve that this be done.

These are the procedural considerations.

The Speaker must then

consider the substantive aspects of the motion before it is allowed. The first of these would, of course, be to ensure that the complaint being made constitutes a breach of privilege.

And since, according to Sabaroche v The Speaker Of The House of Assembly et anor, that legislative assemblies in independent countries of the Commonwealth did not acquire privileges under common law by virtue of ancient usage and prescription, then any privileges would have to have been acquired through statute or via the Constitution.

Article 172 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana provides for parliament to make laws for the privileges, immunities and powers of the members of the National Assembly.

The Constitution goes on to detail certain privileges of members. The first of these is that civil or criminal proceedings cannot be instituted against any member of the National Assembly for any words spoken or written while in the House or in committee or because of any matter or information which was brought to the member therein by petition, bill, resolution, motion or otherwise. This privilege essentially protects freedom of expression of a member.

The second privilege created by the constitution allows members to enjoy freedom from arrest for any civil debt. The third privilege is that no court order may be served on the precincts of the Assembly while it is sitting.

The Speaker therefore needs to satisfy himself that substantively, the complaint being made against the Minister constitutes a breach of any of the above privileges. If he is not so convinced, then a motion of privilege should not be entertained.

If on the other hand he does believe that the complaint is one of privilege, the matter still cannot be referred to the Committee of Privileges.

The Speaker first has to decide whether a prima facie case exists.

In the same case from the Court of Appeal in Dominica stated above, it was held that legislatures in independent countries do not acquire privileges under common law by ancient usage and prescription.

As such, in the absence of laws creating privileges,

the only such privileges that such assemblies possess are those that are essentially necessary for their functioning.

A broad interpretation of parliamentary privileges would therefore include those provided for in law and the Constitution, and those that are â&#x20AC;&#x153;essentially necessary for the exercise of its functionsâ&#x20AC;? of parliament.

It is hereby therefore respectfully submitted that if a protection is not provided for either in statute or the constitution, or is not essentially necessary for the

functioning of parliament, then that protection is not a privilege that is recognized.

It still needs to be determined just which privilege Minister Rohee breached and what it was that he did in the National Assembly that would led to this breach.

While parliament as a collective enjoys the privilege of exclusive cognizance, this allows it to make its own Standing Orders. But its privileges must emanate either from the Constitution or the law, or

must be deemed as essential to its functioning.

Exclusive cognizance, more pointedly, does not preclude a determination by the courts as to what constitutes a lawful privilege. The Courts are therefore likely to be asked to determine whether the Minister is being tried for an offence that does not exist in law or for which a prima facie case did not exist.

Further, since the court is the guardian of the Constitution and since the Constitution itself outlines

parliamentary privileges, solid grounds exist for the filing of a constitutional action challenging the actions against Minister Rohee.

It is therefore expected that the government will move, whether now or after the findings of the Committee of Privileges, to establish that the Minister was effectively being tried for a breach of a privilege that did not exist in law.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

Caribbean Court of Justice overrules Court of Appeal judgment The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has overruled a judgment passed at the Guyana Court of Appeal on December 12, 2011. The matter which involves the sale of a Toyota Land Cruiser reached the regional law institute after the defendant in the matter felt that he was being shortchanged by the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

The defendant further felt that he was wrongfully denied the opportunity to appeal a High Court ruling.

The CCJ however ruled in favour of the defendant citing discrepancies in the write up of court documents and the failure of the ruling judges to

take into consideration certain facts of the matter.

The appeal to the CCJ was made by Kampta Narine called “Mohan”. On November 2008, Narine sold and delivered to Gupraj Persaud one Toyota Land Cruiser (1994) for the sum of $5M. The buyer, Persaud, agreed to take the vehicle from Lethem where the transaction was conducted, to Georgetown within a month of the transaction after the relevant documentation was handed over.

It was however noted that shortly after the purchase, the Land Cruiser developed engine problems, costing the new owner an additional $700,000 to effect the repairs.

In January 2009, Narine eventually delivered the vehicle documentation as promised.

But it was in May of that same year that discrepancies came about when Persaud went to the Licensing Department of Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to purchase a current road license for the vehicle.

According to GRA the certificate for the vehicle was forged and the import duties and taxes were never paid.

The vehicle was thus confiscated after the revenue authorities said that it was smuggled into the country.

Narine denied selling Persaud the vehicle. He

claimed that he became aware of a written agreement of sale and purchase between Persaud and an unknown Venezuelan since he signed as a witness to the transaction.

It was then that Persaud approached the High Court seeking a refund of $5.7 million from Narine. The matter was heard by Justice Rishi Persaud and after various adjournments, in February 2008 in the absence of Narine and his attorney, Glen Hanoman, the Judge ruled that Narine should pay back Persaud $5M, since the additional $700,000 was not established.

It was however recorded in the court’s office copy that

the judge had ordered Narine to pay Persaud $5.7 million together with a fixed sum of $50,000.

In a bid to rectify the discrepancies, Narine approached the Court of Appeal. But since the trial Judge’s ruling, that court had not heard an appeal of the matter. Narine went further to appeal to the Court of Appeal time to make an application to the CCJ. He was however denied leave to appeal to the CCJ and further denied an extension of time to do so.

The Court of Appeal felt that the appeal to the CCJ was not relevant since the proposed appeal was based on the decision of the Court of Appeal refusing the defendant leave to appeal the matter.

It is noted that the Court of Appeal will grant leave to the CCJ where it is established that there had been an egregious error of law or a substantial miscarriage of Justice. Apart from that, the Court of Appeal felt that Narine had not put forward compelling reasoning as to why he had not filed his appeal within six weeks of the High Court ruling; stating that facts for an extension of time were neither “good, substantial nor extraordinary.”

The CCJ however ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the matter since “equally broad terms reserve an unlimited residual discretion to miscarriages of justice. It permits application of special leave to the CCJ from “any

decision of the Court of Appeal” even if it is not possible for such a decision to proceed on appeal to the CCJ…” It explained that “any decision” comfortably embraced a refusal by the Court of Appeal to appeal itself out of time. The CCJ thus heard the application and treated it as the hearing of the appeal made to the court.

The CCJ said it will set aside the order of the Court of Appeal refusing the extension of time for Narine to appeal to the Court of Appeal and granted an extension of time for filing the appeal.

The ruling was made in favour of Narine since the CCJ felt that the Court of Appeal made its ruling but did not consider if at the time the vehicle purchase, whether Persaud had knowledge pertaining to the alleged illegalities of the transaction.

Apart from that, the CCJ found that an investigation should have been launched as to whether the transaction was tainted with illegality and the respective states of mind of the parties to the transaction.

The CCJ also found that an error was obvious pertaining to the $700,000 sum which was written up but not granted by the High Court Judge. The court said the transaction was not enforceable in a court of law.

Persaud, according to the CCJ, had to bear the cost of the application which was made on November 9 last.

Bonasika murder…

Relatives promise investigator to turn suspect in Up to press time yesterday the suspect in the Bonasika murder was still on the run. However, his relatives have promised the police to turn him in once they find him.

Sources told this publication that the police have been in contact with the suspect’s relatives and they claimed that they have not heard from him since the incident. They also claimed that they have no idea about his whereabouts.

On Thursday evening Davendra Persaud, of Bonasika Creek sneaked into his reputed wife’s house, and carried out a brutal cutlass attack. At the end of the 15minute ordeal the woman, Joy Meyers had her hand amputated, and her current lover who has been identified

as Richard, was mortally wounded.

Meyers has been admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Her left wrist was severed and she also sustained wounds to the head and neck. The woman’s three-year-old daughter, who was also in the house, was unharmed.

The suspect and the victims are all from Bonasika Creek. According to reports, Persaud and Meyers had severed their relationship some time ago. The woman then struck up a relationship with a younger man.

Police said that Myers and Richard were sleeping in a house around 17:30 hrs on Thursday when the suspect entered through an open window and attacked them.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Redecoration of Indian Monument Gardens imminent - $20M stage to be erected

A

s the Indian Commemoratio n Trust (ICT) gears up to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the arrival of East Indians in Guyana, the entity is expected to complete a $20M stage at the Indian Monument Gardens to mark the occasion.

On Friday during a simple yet auspicious ceremony Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Honorary President of the Trust, Dr. Yesu Persaud and several other ICT executives turned the sod for the construction.

The ceremony was also graced with the presence of leaders of the Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities, all of whom offered prayers.

The stage will be fitted with two dressing rooms and other essential amenities, and Dr. Persaud told those gathered that it will be “yet another unique and historic piece that will serve as a constant reminder to the current generation about the contribution their ancestors made”.

He stressed that it is important for all Guyanese to remember from whence they came in order to celebrate what we all enjoy today.

“They all came for a purpose… to slave on the plantation…and they slaved.

And we all created a world of our own… so all the people of Guyana have contributed in building this nation.”

Dr. Persaud further reminded the small gathering that East Indians came to Guyana, almost 175 years ago (May 5, 1838) and as children of those who came, they should all be proud that all different types of people have been able to “come here and live in peace and harmony”.

“Our ancestors worked hard to build what we now enjoy today, we should all be proud of their contribution.

This monument was built in 1988 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians to Guyana.

The reason was to commemorate an event that is part of the history of Guyana and to ensure the current generation remembers the toil and nature of what they had to do to get here and all the other hardship, so that we who are here today can live in unity”.

“With the 175th anniversary rapidly approaching, the Indian Commemoration Trust has decided that the stage which we will put up here will not be only for entertainment, it will be open for particular purposes. It will not be for purposes that will be detrimental to the community as a whole.

The stage, when it is finished will be unique, and it is expected to be completed by May 5th, 2013, which will be the day we celebrate the arrival of the first Indians to Guyana.”

Dr. Persaud further disclosed that Guyana will be teaming up with the Global Organization for People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) with the aim of making the 175th anniversary “a grand occasion”.

He said that organization recently created a monument at the stelling where the indentured labourers boarded ships in India, and they (ICT) are hoping to have a replica of that monument at the Indian Monument Gardens.

Meanwhile Culture Minister Dr. Frank Anthony in brief remarks said it was an honour to be a part of such an occasion.

“This is another historic project at the Gardens. I recall in 1988 when the Indian Monument was erected as Guyanese celebrated the 150th arrival anniversary. The monument now serves as a reminder to the current generation of the sacrifices of our ancestors made.

“The history of our country is important to us all.

We came from different backgrounds but we were able to create something that is unique. While we have this diversity, we've been able to create a very beautiful country because we're so tolerant and we're blessed with so many different cultures. On the 175th anniversary it's not just to have a monument, but it is to help nurture our culture. So the stage and the other facilities here will aid in the development and preservation of our culture.”

The Culture Minister asserted that they are working with other organizations to put together a programme in which “everyone will be able to celebrate”.

Culture Minister Dr Frank Anthony (seventh from left) joins stakeholders in turning the sod-turning exercise for the renovation of the Indian Monument Gardens

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Kaieteur News

New corruption scandal rocks Brazilian Government BRASILIA (Reuters) Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, moving quickly to nip a new scandal in the bud, ordered the dismissal yesterday of government officials allegedly involved in a bribery ring, including the country’s deputy attorney general. Federal police raided government offices in Brasilia and Sao Paulo on Friday and arrested six people for running an influence peddling ring that sold government approvals to businessmen in return for bribes. Among those under investigation is the former personal secretary of ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Rosemary de Noronha, who has headed the regional office of the presidency in Sao Paulo since 2005.

The bribery scandal erupted on the heels of Brazil’s biggest political corruption trial that sentenced some of Lula’s closest aides to prison terms

Dilma Rousseff

for buying support in Congress for his minority Workers’ Party government after taking office in 2003.

Rousseff, Lula’s chosen successor, was not affected by the vote-buying scandal and she has built on his popularity by gaining a reputation for not tolerating corruption. But the ruling Workers’ Party was rocked by the scandal which tarnished Lula’s legacy even though he was not implicated.

The new corruption case could further hurt the standing of Lula, who remains Brazil’s most influential politician.

Friday’s arrests included two brothers who were recommended for positions in the federal government by Lula’s former secretary, Noronha: Paulo Rodrigues Vieira, director of the National Water Agency and Rubens Carlos Vieira, director for airport infrastructure at Brazil’s Civil Aviation Agency. Police accused the brothers of recruiting secondtier government employees who would be open to bribery, while a third brother also under arrest, Marcelo Rodrigues Vieira, contacted businessmen willing to pay for false or speeded-up approvals.

Police have been investigating the bribery ring since 2010 when an official in the government accounting office who was offered

$150,000 for a favorable report got cold feet, returned the money he had been paid and blew the whistle. Early on Friday, police seized computers and data from the Brasilia office of Deputy Attorney General Jose Weber de Holanda Alves, who has been dismissed and is under investigation along with a dozen other people, including a former senator.

“By presidential decision, all the government employees under investigation by the Federal Police will be dismissed or fired from their positions,” a statement form Rousseff’s office said.

She ordered all agencies mentioned in the police probe to open internal investigations. Police are investigating possible bribery cases at several other federal agencies, including the Ministry of Education.

While Noronha served as chief of staff of the president’s regional office in Sao Paulo, Rousseff had inherited her as a Lula appointee.

Sunday November 25, 2012

We deserve these cars PM defends $60m spent on ministers’ new vehicles Jamaica Gleaner - Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has not taken kindly to criticisms being levelled at her Government for spending approximately J$60 million to purchase high-end vehicles for government ministers while the nation faces serious economic challenges.

“Being a politician does not mean you should not live the life which you have lived before,” Simpson Miller said in response to a question raised at a public forum in Montego Bay last week.

“A number of politicians who were professionals before they entered politics were living better than they are living now and were earning much more in terms of salaries.

“I don’t support any minister going above and beyond, taking vehicles that are retrofitted and all kinds of things,” Simpson Miller continued. “My Government will not accept responsibility for that … but if we continue the politics the same way, we soon will not be able to have suitable people to be our representatives.”

The opposition Jamaica

Portia Simpson Miller

Labour Party has not said much on the issue.

However, Dr Christopher Tufton, a former minister, declared that government ministers needed to have reliable vehicles, especially since many of them have to travel a lot for job-related matters.

Senator Sandrea Falconer, the minister with responsibility for information, recently stated that, on taking office, “some government ministers were driving their personal motor vehicles, which were incurring monthly costs for upkeep and fuel way above the car allowance”.

OECS leaders end summit

ROSEAU, Dominica – CMC - Leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) ended their summit Friday night expressing concerns over the visa requirements imposed on some countries

by Canada and welcoming new efforts by the French islands in the Caribbean to be part of the sub regional grouping.

“Martinique and Guadeloupe a few months ago applied for associate membership of the OECS and an OECS negotiating team has been established, its negotiating briefs have been prepared and it is ready to commence negotiations with the Martinique and Guadeloupe negotiating teams,” OECS Chairman Dr Ralph Gonsalves told reporters.

Gonsalves, who is also Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, said the French teams have already indicated they “will shortly be ready to tango, so to speak.

“This is a very important strategic development,” he said, noting also that the ninemember sub-regional grouping is also concerned

Dr Ralph Gonsalves

that the use of a drivers licence for travel is posing problems for nationals within the movement.”

He said the regional airline, LIAT has indicated the use of a driver’s licence for travel by OECS citizens within the OECS, is not sufficient since it “does not have sufficient information”.

He said the difficulty comes about, “not so much for the travel between two OECS countries, but if you have to pass through Barbados or Trinidad to come to any of the OECS countries...we have

difficulties clearly.

“So we have to engage the Barbadian authorities on this question.

The Trinidad authorities say our picture Ids (identification cards) can be used, but we also have to have certain matters clarified with LIAT. The leaders from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, Anguilla a n d t h e B r i t i s h Vi rg i n Islands also discussed the recent decision by Canada to impose visa restrictions on nationals from St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“We must record and reaffirm our profound concern about the manner in which the Canadian authorities implemented the visa restrictions and visa restriction itself. “ We a r e a s k i n g a l l our citizens who going to visit Canada to follow the laws and practices relating to immigration in Canada.

But we have to reiterate our profound concern about these visa impositions.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

T&T environmentalist rushed to hospital Trinidad Guardian Environmentalist Dr Wayne Kublalsingh spent Friday night at the St Clair Medical Centre after complaining of feeling unwell on the ninth day of his hunger strike.

He was taken to the centre by his brother Hayden at about 6.30 pm in an ambulance, which they summoned.

Hayden said his brother had been staying at a house nearby. “He complained that he was feeling an extra level of tiredness and a bit faint,” said Hayden in an interview at the medical centre last night. “I got him to agree to come to a private institution because it was the closest to us at the time, and if there were any further complications we know there is an ICU ready and available.”

“He continues to maintain his strike and he has agreed to use IV(intravenous fluid) as a source of supplementing him, given the level of dehydration and

Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh deterioration of the body.”

Hayden could not say when Kublalsingh would be released, but said the public would be kept updated.

Earlier Friday, Kublalsingh told reporters he would return to the Prime Minister’s St Clair office on Monday morning to resume his hunger strike.

He spent yesterday, the ninth day of his hunger strike, lying in a cot under a tent surrounded by supporters and receiving

visitors such as former government minister Lincoln Myers, rapso group 3Canal and politician Mickela Panday.

At one point, a guard made up of Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) members formed a protective barrier around Kublalsingh’s frail body as if to defend him from the insults hurled by the pro-highway supporters who had gathered there yesterday morning.

“If Wayne wants to kill himself , that’s his problem,” shouted one angry highway supporter. “He want to embarrass the Prime Minister.” “He should dead.”

“What kind of mother would let her son starve?” screamed another woman. The difference between the two protesting groups was clear.

The Highway Re-route Movement group remained quiet for the most part, aside from prayers and a few shouts of: “Re-route!” and “Long live Kublalsingh.”

The pro-highway

protesters were loud and shouted at the re-route protesters as well as Kublalsingh and his family.

When RC priest Fr Clyde Harvey approached the noisy group, they continued to shout at the same time.

“In a republic, every citizen has a voice,” Harvey told them. Despite being so vociferous, reporters found a mostly confused bunch of people during interviews.

One man claimed he was the spokesman for highway supporters, then, minutes later, denied saying so.

Diego Martin resident Phillip Matooran said his CEPEP (Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme) contractor had asked the employees to come to the PM’s office.

“They bring us up here, I don’t know for what reason but it have something to do with Kamla (Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar).”

Page 25

Regional media group warns of subtle threats to democracy GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala - CMC - The Association of Caribbean MediaWorkers (ACM) Friday said the challenges faced by Latin American countries are similar to those in the English speaking Caribbean. The Latin American/Caribbean Alliance of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) has launched a report on the incidence of impunity against journalists and other communicators in Guatemala City in the presence of the country’s Vice President, former broadcast journalist Roxana Baldetti.

The Report includes a section on recent events in the Caribbean prepared by the ACM and highlights the plight of Guyanese newspaper columnist, Freddie Kissoon. “Today, we are happy to share our collective experiences as people concerned that in our part of the world, impunity continues to be an enduring part of our reality. Whether expressed in some places as disregard for human life or in others as disregard for

human liberty, we share the common conviction that this threat must end,” ACM president Wesley Gibbings told a news conference. In a statement to mark International Day to End Impunity, Gibbings, who is also a member of the IFEX Council, said while the Caribbean has a “long tradition of parliamentary democracy, relative political peace and general stability” there is also the “silent, creeping spectre of impunity and the shaky legs of our democratic systems. “The threats to our freedoms come in subtle shades of grey and soft tones dressed in the promise of development. Selfcensorship is the preferred option. People lose jobs and livelihoods and not their lives.

“The media face the silent punishment of advertising boycotts and a growing tendency to match social and economic turmoil with regulatory coercion. Voices of dissent are not muted but are drowned out by the noise of official clamour and rage,’ Gibbings told reporters.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

Egypt’s top judges slam president’s new powers CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s highest body of judges slammed yesterday a recent decision by the president to grant himself near-absolute power, calling the move an “unprecedented assault” on the judiciary.

The statement from the Supreme Judicial Council came as hundreds protested outside a downtown courthouse against Thursday’s declaration by President Mohammed Morsi.

The president’s decision means that courts cannot overrule his decrees until a new constitution and parliament is in place, several months if not more in the future.

The judges’ condemnation of the president’s edicts are the latest blow to Morsi, whose decision set off a firestorm of controversy and prompted tens of thousands of people to take to the streets in nationwide protests on Friday.

Through their statement, carried by the official MENA agency, the judges join a widening list of leaders and activists from Egypt’s

political factions, including some Islamists, who have denounced the decree.

The Supreme Judicial Council is packed with judges appointed by former President Hosni Mubarak. It regulates judicial promotions and is chaired by the head of the Court of Cassation.

Their move reflects a broader sense of anger within the judiciary against the president. Some judges’ groups and prosecutors have already announced partial strikes to protest Morsi’s decree.

Morsi has accused proMubarak elements in the judiciary of blocking political progress. In the last year, courts have dissolved the lower house of parliament as well as the first panel drafting the constitution, both led by his Muslim Brotherhood group.

The edicts Morsi issued mean that no judicial body can dissolve the upper house of parliament or the current assembly writing the new constitution, which are also both led by the Brotherhood.

Supporters of Morsi feared that courts reviewing cases

Mohammed Morsi against these bodies might have dissolved them, further postponing Egypt’s transition under the aegis of a new constitution.

They say Morsi has a mandate to guide this process as Egypt’s first freely elected president, having defeated one of Mubarak’s former prime ministers this summer in a closely contested election.

The judges’ council’s stand against the president sets the ground for an uneasy alliance between former regime officials and activist groups that helped topple

Mubarak’s regime and have in the past derided those officials as “felool,” or remnants.

The presidents’ opponents nonetheless see the judiciary as the only remaining civilian branch of government with a degree of independence, since Morsi already holds executive power and as well as legislative authority due to the dissolution of parliament.The judges released their statement following an emergency meeting Saturday. They said Morsi’s decision is an “unprecedented assault on the judiciary and it rulings” and called on the president to “distance himself from the declaration and all things that touch judicial authority, its specifications or interference in its members or its rulings.”

The primary court in Alexandria and the judges’ club there announced Saturday they and public prosecutors have suspended all work until the declaration is withdrawn, according to the state news agency MENA. One of the most controversial edicts states that the president has the right to take any steps to prevent “threats to the revolution,” wording that activists say is vague and harkens back to the type of language employed by Mubarak to clamp down on dissent.

Morsi said Friday, before

thousands of Brotherhood supports outside his presidential palace in Cairo, that he decision was aimed at protecting the nation from old regime loyalists using the judiciary to “harm the country.”

He removed on Thursday the country’s longtime attorney general, widely seen as a Mubarak holdover who did not effectively pursue the many cases against former regime officials accused of corruption, and ordered the retrial of former officials if new evidence against them is brought forth.

The ousted attorney general, Abdel Maguid Mahmoud, appeared before a gathering of Egyptian judges on yesterday — his first public appearance since Morsi’s decree. He was greeted by raucous applause and cries of “Illegitimate! Illegitimate!” in reference to the president’s decision.

He read out a statement saying judicial authorities are looking into the legality of the president’s decision to remove him. “I thank you for your support of judicial independence,” he told the judges, gathered in a downtown courthouse.

The head of Egypt’s judges’ club, Ahmed elZ i n d , d e c l a r e d M o r s i ’s move as “unconstitutional.” He was a vocal critic of Morsi

during the presidential campaign and warned of a Brotherhood-dominate state if he won.

Morsi had tried once before to fire Mahmoud, in October, but rescinded his decision when judges and the attorney general stood against him, saying that he did not have the authority to do so.

Others gathered outside the courthouse, denouncing the president and chanting “Leave, leave.” Police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd of young men who were shooting flares.

“Morsi will have to reverse his decision to avoid the anger of the people,” said Ahmed Badrawy, a labor ministry employee protesting at the courthouse. “We do not want to have an Iranian system here,” he added, referring to fears that hardcore Islamists may try to turn Egypt into a theocracy.

Several hundred protesters remained in C a i r o ’s Ta h r i r S q u a r e Saturday, where a number of tents have been erected in a sit-in following nearly a week of clashes with riot police. The country’s most prominent opposition groups called for another m a s s r a l l y o n Tu e s d a y, saying that the edicts make Morsi a “new pharaoh.”

Health ministry officials quoted in state media said more than 200 people were wounded nationwide in the clashes Friday.

Gaza conflict shows Israel must “bow” to Palestinian rights - Iran DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the head of the Hamas government in Gaza yesterday that eight days of cross-border fighting showed that Israel had no choice but to “bow” to Palestinian rights, according to Iran’s IRNA news agency.

The Iranian-backed Hamas has basked in what it called a victory against Israel after an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire on Thursday ended the conflict in which 163 Palestinians and six Israelis were killed.

IRNA said Ahmadinejad, in the rare telephone call with Ismail Haniyeh, praised the Palestinian “resistance and perseverance”.

“Zionists have reached the dead point and have no other alternative but officially recognizing and bowing to the absolute right of the Palestinian nation,” IRNA quoted Ahmadinejad as saying, referring to Israel.

A member of the Hamas security forces gestures as he prevents people from reaching the fence between Israel and the southern Gaza Strip yesterday. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa The agency’s English website did not elaborate but Ahmadinejad has previously said that Israel was an alien body in the Middle East.

Israel’s arch-foe Iran, which has an alliance with Hamas, had referred to Israeli strikes as “organized terrorism”. The exiled leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, on Wednesday thanked Shi’ite Iran for what he

described as arms and funding.

In September, Ahmadinejad told the U.N. General Assembly in New York that Israel has no roots in the Middle East and would be “eliminated”, ignoring a U.N. warning to avoid incendiary comments.

Hamas’s founding charter also calls for the destruction of the Jewish state.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Hamas No. 2 rejects Gaza arms halt CAIRO (AP) — Gaza’s ruling Hamas will not stop arming itself, the No. 2 in the Palestinian group told The Associated Press yesterday, signaling tough challenges ahead for indirect negotiations between Israel and the Islamist militants on a new border deal for Gaza.

The talks are being brokered by Egypt, which also helped forge a cease-fire deal that ended eight days of Israel-Gaza fighting earlier this week.

The truce went into effect late Wednesday and has largely held. Residents in Gaza said Israel has begun easing some border restrictions, allowing fishermen to head further out to sea and permitting farmers inspect land in a former nogo zone.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, deputy to Hamas’ top leader in exile Khaled Mashaal, said talks on a further easing of restrictions are to be held in Cairo on Monday. Hamas and Israel do not meet directly and the indirect talks are held through Egyptian intermediaries.

An Israeli security official has said Israel would likely link a significant easing of Gaza’s border blockade to Hamas’ willingness to stop arming itself. Israeli officials were not immediately available for comment Saturday. However, Abu Marzouk rejected such demands. “These weapons protected us and there is no way to stop obtaining and manufacturing them,” he said

Moussa Abu Marzouk in an interview at his office on the outskirts of Cairo.

Hamas officials in Gaza have said they have developed a local arms industry. Mashaal said earlier this week that the group has received weapons from Iran since Israel’s last Gaza offensive four years ago.

Hamas smuggles such weapons into Gaza through tunnels under the border with Egypt.

Israel and Hamas have clashed repeatedly over the years, most recently in the cross-border battle that began Nov. 14.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Gaza children returned to school Saturday for the first time since fighting ended late Wednesday. About half of Gaza’s 1.6 million people are children.

In 245 U.N.-run schools, the day was dedicated to letting children share what they experienced, in hopes of helping them deal with trauma, educators said.

In a sixth-grade class in

Gaza City, boys eagerly raised their hands when asked by their science teacher to share their stories in the presence of a reporter. Mohammed Abu Sakr, 11, said that earlier this week, he witnessed an Israeli missile striking a car and engulfing it in flames. The boy said he had trouble sleeping and eating afterwards, and still feels scared.

Thirty-four children and minors under the age of 18 were among those killed in the fighting, said Gaza health officials and local human rights groups. A total of 156 Palestinians were killed during the fighting and 10 died later of their wounds, they said.

The exchanges of fire were the bloodiest between Israel and Hamas in four years. Israel launched the offensive to put an end to escalating Gaza rocket fire on Israeli towns. Israel said it reached its objectives, while Hamas claimed victory because Israel didn’t make good on threats to send ground troops into the territory, as it had done four years earlier.

Israel’s air force carried out some 1,500 strikes on Hamas-linked targets, while Gaza militants fired roughly the same number of rockets, including some targeting the Israeli heartland cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for the first time.

The truce is to lead to a new border deal for Gaza, with Egypt hosting indirect talks between Israel and Hamas.

Israel has shunned Hamas as

Turkey expects NATO Patriot missile decision within week ISTANBUL (Reuters) Turkey expects NATO to make a decision about deploying surface-to-air Patriot missiles along its southern border with Syria within the next week, Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz said yesterday.

Turkey asked NATO for the Patriot system, designed to intercept aircraft or missiles, on Wednesday after weeks of talks about how to shore up security on its 900km (560-mile) border as the conflict in Syria deepens.

NATO said it would discuss the request “without delay” but the move has riled Syria, which called it “provocative”, as well its allies, including Russia and Iran, who are hostile to any development that they perceive could be a first step towards implementing a nofly zone.

“We asked for Patriots

Ismet Yilmaz from NATO taking into account the critical situation that emerged on our border with Syria ... The aim is for the protection of the widest possible area in Turkey,” Yilmaz told reporters.

“We expect the NATO Council to make its decision within the week,” he said.

Turkey is reluctant to be drawn into a regional

conflict but the proximity of Syrian bombing raids to its border is straining nerves. Ankara has repeatedly scrambled fighter jets along the frontier and responded in kind to stray Syrian shells that have crossed into its territory.

Turkish concerns deepened last week after an air assault by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad on the rebel-held frontier town of Ras al-Ain, which triggered some of the biggest refugee movements since the 20month-old conflict began.

Turkey is a major backer of Syria’s opposition and of planning for the postAssad era, but is worried a b o u t i t s n e i g h b o r ’s chemical weapons, the refugee crisis on its border, and what it says is Syrian support for Kurdish militants on its soil.

a terrorist group and refuses to negotiate with it directly.

After the Hamas takeover in 2007, Israel and thenEgyptian President Hosni Mubarak sealed Gaza to isolate the Islamic militants and make it harder for them to govern.

The restrictions have since been eased because of international pressure on Israel and because of regime change in Egypt. Both Hamas and Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, elected earlier this year, are members of the region-wide Muslim Brotherhood movement.

Before the Nov. 14 start of the fighting, Gaza received most of its consumer goods through an Israeli cargo crossing, while Israel banned virtually all exports and travel from Gaza, preventing the area’s battered economy from bouncing back.

Items restricted by Israel, such as construction materials, were brought into Gaza through smuggling tunnels from Egypt, along with weapons for Hamas.

Israel also restricted the movement of Gaza’s fishermen and farmers in

border areas, citing security concerns.

On Saturday, fishermen were able to sail six nautical miles out to sea, or double the previous limit, said Mahfouz Kabariti, head of the local fishermen’s association. He said several fishermen already made the journey Saturday.

“This is an opportunity and a chance for a better catch, though it is still a limited area,” said Kabariti, who represents some 3,500 fishermen.

Israeli navy boats have been enforcing a sea blockade in an attempt to prevent weapons smuggling to Gaza. The restrictions on fishermen have fluctuated over the years, linked to the ups and downs in IsraeliPalestinian relations.

Meanwhile, some Gaza residents said they were able to enter an Israeli-enforced buffer zone on the Gaza side of the border Saturday with Israel without fear of being fired on.

Israel’s military carved out a 300-meter-wide (300-yardwide) zone several years to try to prevent militants from sneaking into Israel. The zone

gobbled up scarce acres of farmland in one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

On Friday, hundreds of Palestinians surged toward the border fence, but Israeli soldiers fired to push them back, killing one man and wounding at least 19 people.

Yesterday, 42-year-old farmer Nidal Abu Dakka said soldiers stood and watched as he and others moved close to the fence. Abu Dakka, speaking by phone, said he was inspecting his land, some 60 meters from the border, and planned to plant wheat and barley soon.

In other border areas, residents said Hamas police kept them away from the fence.

An Israeli government spokesman said he was unaware restrictions had been eased. A defense official said the Israeli military was no longer enforcing the no-go zone, but reserved the right to act against suspicious people. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to discuss the issue with reporters.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

Backed by Obama, sharp-tongued Susan Rice battles critics (Reuters) - Susan Rice has had a series of diplomatic triumphs as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

President Barack Obama, an old friend, showed he has her back when last week he publicly challenged her Republican critics over the Benghazi controversy to “go after me” rather than her. She knew former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright from the age of 4.

And yet Rice is now fighting for her political future. Her chances of becoming the next secretary of state - replacing Hillary Clinton - have been significantly damaged.

Senior Republicans, such as Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, have said they will oppose her getting the job, signalling a confirmation battle if Obama decides to nominate her. Some critics in the U.S. media, such as Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank, have said she is unsuitable for the position.

The immediate source of a lot of the criticism is her appearances on Sunday morning television shows in September five days after the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three other Americans had been killed in Benghazi.

Her critics bitterly complain that she misled the American public by suggesting that the assault was the result of a spontaneous protest rather than an organized assault by affiliates of al Qaeda. During the U.S. presidential campaign, supporters of Republican candidate Mitt Romney seized on the issue to attack Obama.

The antipathy in Washington and elsewhere, though, is based on more than a series of TV interviews.

While U.N. diplomats and U.S. officials who have dealt with Rice praise the intellect of the 48-year-old former Rhodes scholar and graduate of Stanford and Oxford, they say she has won few popularity

contests during her meteoric rise. Diplomats on the 15nation U.N. Security Council privately complain of Rice’s aggressive negotiating tactics, describing her with terms like “undiplomatic” and “sometimes rather rude.”

They attributed some blunt language to Rice - “this is crap,” “let’s kill this” or “this is bullshit.”

“She’s got a sort of a cowboy-ish attitude,” one Western diplomat said. “She has a tendency to treat other countries as mere (U.S.) subsidiaries.”

Two other diplomats - all three were male - supported this view.

“She’s not easy,” said David Rothkopf, the top manager and editor-at-large of Foreign Policy magazine. “I’m not sure I’d want to take her on a picnic with my family, but if the president wants her to be secretary of state, she’ll work hard.”

Indeed, along with a “nononsense” style, Rice has the most important ingredient for

a successful secretary of state - a close relationship with the U.S. president, Rothkopf said.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, himself not known for mincing words, publicly admonished Rice after she said Russian calls for an investigation into civilian deaths in Libya caused by NATO were a “bogus” ploy.

“Really this Stanford dictionary of expletives must be replaced by something more Victorian, because certainly this is not the language in which we intend to discuss matters with our partners in the Security Council,” said Churkin, mocking Rice’s education at Stanford.

More immediately at the United Nations, she faces criticism from human rights activists and some diplomats because of U.S. opposition to public criticism of Rwanda for its role in the worsening conflict in the Congo.

Rice, who declined to comment for this article, broke her silence on the Benghazi controversy on Wednesday, defending her September statements about the attack.

But she did so on Thanksgiving eve when many Americans were travelling and when her comments were likely to be overshadowed by news of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

“I relied solely and squarely on the information provided to me by the intelligence community,” Rice told reporters at the United Nations. “I made clear that the information provided to me was preliminary and that our investigations would give us the definitive answers.”

While Rice said some statements about her by McCain were “unfounded,” she may have been trying to mend fences when she added: “I look forward to having the opportunity at the appropriate time to discuss all of this with him.”

People who know Rice say she is finding it hard to keep up her spirits during a long autumn of criticism. “It’s not easy being attacked publicly by people who have their facts wrong day after day,” one U.S. official said.

Rice’s defenders say that a lot of the attacks smacked of sexism as the same tough manner she can display has been seen as an asset in some legendary male American foreign affairs officials.

Rothkopf, who was an official in President Bill

Susan Rice Clinton’s administration, cited James Baker and Henry Kissinger as exemplary secretaries of state.

They were “tough infighters who broke a few eggs and made some enemies.

They are admired for their toughness, and (Rice) is attacked for her abrasiveness,” he said.

Certainly, Rice has won some accolades for pushing the U.N. Security Council to adopt new Iran and North Korea sanctions, helping secure the toughest U.N. measures to date against those two countries over their nuclear programs. Rice also played a key role in negotiating last year’s war resolution on Libya.

Current and former U.S. officials aligned with the Obama administration say Rice is eminently qualified for the post of secretary of state.

They say the attacks on her during the presidential campaign were part of Republican efforts to frame the Benghazi assault as a terrorist attack, possibly linked to al Qaeda, on Obama’s watch.

“The president has a great record in fighting al Qaeda, so (Republicans) try to find a way of attacking his record on al Qaeda,” said Richard Clarke, who was Rice’s boss when she worked at the U.S. National Security Council during Bill Clinton’s first term.

Rice became an official in the Clinton administration in the 1990s, at the National Security Council and State.

Then, under Obama, she became the youngest woman and the first black female to become U.S. ambassador to the U.N. She grew up close to the levers of power. She is the daughter of the late Emmett Rice, who was a Cornell University economics professor and member of the Federal Reserve Board of governors. Albright, who is a family friend, recommended

Rice to become assistant secretary of state.

“We often travelled together and I took her advice very seriously,” said Albright, who served as U.N. ambassador from 1993 to 1997 and secretary of state from 1997 to 2001. “I think she is one of the smartest people I know in national security issues.”

While some Republicans have accused her of sacrificing U.S. interests in her effort to woo U.N. diplomats and also complain that she is too often absent during U.N. Security Council votes, neither criticism is given much credibility by other diplomats in New York.

They say Rice, whose husband and children live in Washington and who is a member of Obama’s Cabinet, has an advantage as a U.N. negotiator because other nations’ delegations know that when she takes a position on an issue, the president is almost certainly behind her.

A U.N. official said that when Rice took office in 2 0 0 9 a s O b a m a ’s U . N . envoy, she repaired much damage done to the U.S. image at the United Nations, an organization often criticized by the administration of former President George W. Bush.

“We have paid the price of stiff-arming the U.N. and spurning our international partners,” Rice told an audience in 2009.

Washington quickly paid up billions of dollars in dues and said it would work with the United Nations whenever possible.

In late 2009 and 2010, Rice led negotiations on a fourth U.N. sanctions resolution against Iran over a nuclear program that Te h r a n i n s i s t s i s f o r peaceful electricity generation but Western powers and their allies suspect is for weapons.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

The killer, the taxi driver and the girl ‘Revenge is a dish best served cold’.

By Michael Jordan The gunman that was waiting to kill Balram Jadoonauth might not have known this proverb, but his unhurried manner suggested that he knew that his task required patience, rather than blind rage.

Dennis Street, Campbellville, was practically deserted at around two-thirty on Sunday, April 15, 2012 when 24-year-old taxi driver Balram Jadoonauth, as headed to his parents’ home after working through the night at the GR Taxi Service.

He had just reached the entrance to the Lot 25 residence when a waiting gunman fired.

One bullet struck Jadoonauth in the left shoulder. Another punctured his liver and a third pierced one of his lungs.

The wounded man managed to drive a short distance before crashing into a lamp pole.

The sound awoke some residents, who ran to the scene. They contacted the police and an ambulance took Jadoonauth to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he died shortly after.

From their home, Jadoonauth’s parents had also heard the gunshots. They assumed that what they had heard was the sound of a vehicle backfiring, and went back to sleep.

They did not learn the truth until later that morning when police ranks rapped on their door to inform them that someone had gunned down

Balram Jadoonauth

their son in front of their home.

Police were quick to observe that the killer had not made off with the young man’s gold jewellery or his wallet. They didn’t have far to look for a motive.

Jadoonauth’s parents were not only certain that they knew who had killed their son, then also believed that they knew why he was slain.

At the time, the young taxi driver was having an affair with the wife of another man, who was also a taxi driver.

According to relatives, the husband was aware of the relationship and had threatened Jadoonauth.

The young taxi driver took the threats seriously enough to make a report at the Kitty Police Station.

A few hours after the murder, police visited the suspect’s East Coast Demerara home and inquired

about his whereabouts. A female relative told them that he had spent the entire Saturday night at home. She also said that he had left for the airport at around six-thirty the following day for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to pick up a cousin who was scheduled to arrive on a seven-thirty flight.

Police then searched the premises. They found no incriminating evidence but took the man’s wife, who was also Jadoonauth’s lover, into custody.

The suspect’s female relative later told me that when he eventually returned, she informed him that the police had asked for him.

According to her, she advised the man to go to the Kitty Police Station and he complied. He was then taken into custody.

She also admitted that the suspect and his wife had

marital problems, but insisted that he had not killed Jadoonauth.

Police obtained telephone records which showed that the jilted husband had contacted Jadoonauth several times. The last phone calls were reportedly made just a few days before the young driver was slain.

The husband also admitted that he had threatened to kill Jadoonauth over the affair between his wife. He reportedly said that he had even complained to Jadoonauth’s parents.

But police said that the man denied killing his wife’s lover, and provided an alibi for his movements at the time Jadoonauth was slain.

Forensic ranks swabbed the man’s hands for traces of gunpowder and also impounded and searched his car. Again, they found nothing to link him to his

rival’s death. They were also unable to shake his alibi.

It was then that police received word that a security guard, who worked at a nearby premises on the fateful day was claiming that he had seen the suspect near Jadoonauth’s home shortly before he was gunned down.

But when they took the guard in for questioning, the guard denied saying that he had seen the suspect. They were then forced to release the man.

Jadoonauth’s relatives are convinced that detective had held the right man. They are also convinced that there are at least a few people who saw what happened.

“People (in the area) saw what happened. We heard rumours. People saw things, but when it comes to coming forward, no one wants to,” relative said this week.

Did the suspect kill Balram Jadoonauth and fake

his alibi, with the help of close relatives? Could he have committed such a grisly crime and still managed to drive to the airport to pick up a cousin?

Or did he hire someone else to do the deed?

Did a security guard really see something suspicious that day?

Until someone steps forward, the Jadoonauth family may never know.

If you have any information about this or any other unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. Our numbers are 22-58465, 2258473 and 22-58458. You need not disclose your identity.

You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s mjdragon@hotmail.com.

SEEKING HELP TO LOCATE RELATIVES OF EIGHT CHILDREN KILLED BETWEEN 1969-1970 Michael Jordan is trying to contact relatives of eight children who were murdered between March 20, 1969 and June 1970, by Harrynauth Beharry, also known as Harry Rambarran, Charles Bissoon, Charles Pereira, Anant Persaud and Maka Anan.

Some of the victims are Basmattie, an eight-year-old schoolgirl from Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara. David Bacchus, 15, of Tucville, 11-year-old Mohamed Fazil Nasir, of Number 78 Village, Corentyne, Mohamed Faizal, of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Jagdeo Jagroop, Mohamed Nizam Ali; Paulton of Hogg Island, Essequibo; Orlando Guthrie, of Grove Village, East Bank Demerara.

Please contact him via his email address mjdragon@hotmail.com., or on telephone numbers 22-58458, 2258465, or 22-58491. HeI can also be contacted on 645-2447.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 35

== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==

Readers familiar with my commentaries over the long years would know I am deeply in love with the music of the composer Burt Bacharach. I first encountered Bacharach as a little boy on Durban Street, Wortmanville, when the Rhythm and blues singer, Chuck Jackson, made a huge, international hit of his song, “Any Day Now.” Everybody who listened to “Any Day Now” had to like it. Jackson’s voice haunted you and Bacharach’s music tormented you. It was a perfect song. Then Bacharach turned up again with a melody all the dance halls in Guyana played on a Saturday night, “Mexican Divorce”. But what will remain one of the world’s best soul groups, “The Drifters”, with its inimitable front man, Ben E. King, took the cake.

It was when I was courting my wife thirty-five years ago, that Bacharch came into my life fruitfully. We listened to Bacharach while traveling all over Guyana and even when we journeyed to Canada to study. My wife’s favourite Bacharach then was and still is “Alfie,” a reflective song on

the role of love in one’s life.

I do like “Alfie” but my choice in Bacharach is his later composition for the Isley Brothers, “Love’s still the Answer.” What an amazing song it is, filled with sentiments of what life and love should be and our commitment to see a better world for us and our children.

After leaving the church service for Nigel’s father, Clarence Hughes, last Thursday, I encountered Andaiye at the gate. We chatted and I felt sad in both heart and soul. She told me that she is off to Barbados for further medical treatment for an illness that is not so harmless. We talked about if change can ever come to Guyana in our lifetime and I intoned to her that I want to see a free Guyana before she gets older because she deserves it.

I was optimistic that justice and freedom were about to dawn. I sensed she didn’t share my anticipation.

Whenever you talk to Andaiye there is always a philosophical flow because she is a philosophical person.

As I walked towards my

car I thought of Andaiye and hope that she comes back to the Guyanese people who needed her from the seventies onwards and more than ever need her now in these extremely disturbing times that invoke the potency of Martin Carter’s poetry.

As I sat in the car, my thought flew immediately on doing a column on her and I thought of dedicating a song for her as I did for Tacuma Ogunseye and Dr. Josh Ramsammy. “Love’s still the Answer” came straight into my mind.

I first met Andaiye when I was just a youth in the Movement Against Oppression (MAO) in Tiger Bay. I learnt so much about politics from people like her. I was glad that I met women like her, because women like her were what Guyana needed then and now.

Here is a song for Andaiye that tells us of our obligation to each other. If you like it, I recommend an unknown version by an unknown singer, except in her native country, Holland, Trijntje Oosterhuis. Go to YouTube and watch a beautiful woman

with a beautiful voice perform a beautiful song. If you like the reach of Trijntje Oosterhuis, then she has an album in which she sings the hits of Bacharach. Just ask your friend who is going over to Suriname to buy it for you.

Aubrey Baptiste of Matt’s Record Bar did me a personal favour in getting it. The sentiment expressed in “Love’s still the Answer,” is that it is still a hopeful, lovely world.

A note is in order before you read the verses listed here. The opening lines are uncannily relevant to Guyana; It goes like this; “Twenty Years ago, I could have told you that the world was round. Good and sound.

Freedom bound. Our future was secure.” The PPP is in twenty years of its rule when twenty years ago we stupidly and unwisely removed President Desmond Hoyte.

Twenty years ago I could have told you that the world was round Good and Sound Freedom bound Our future was secure Now I’m not so sure

It seems like gravity has been reversed and getting worse Nothing works And everybody hurts Yes there’s a trail of tears Down through the years of broken hearts it’s still so hard to let the sun shine in Love’s the answer No matter what I swear Love is Still the answer Just like it always was Such a simple truth Love never changes or betrays a friend From the start Love was part of some fantastic plan Some brotherhood of man Now it’s down to us We either shine the light

Frederick Kissoon or darkness rules Our children lose We’re free to choose our fate To find our way Beyond this veil of tears the sky is clear and every star stands for the heart that lets the sun shine in Love’s the answer No matter I swear Love is Still till the answer Just like it always was

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

Book Review: Novel raises specter of culture wars

By Dr Glenville Ashby glenvilleashby@gmail.com Daughter of Empire takes you on a cultural ride that proves anything but smooth.

An East Indian family, from Trinidad, steeped in culture and tradition collide with the perceived pedestrianism of Western culture. Yet, to succeed in the UK, their new home, they acknowledge the need to adapt, to bend, if even a trifle.

Daughters of Empire is clothed in relevance, deftly exploring multiculturalism with all its ramifications. In many ways, it is prophetic, raising issues that bedevil the US and Europe today. Are such societies better off with an open door policy? This is the $64,000 question that serves as the thematic underbelly of the book’s salvo.

Here, the clash of disparate cultures is centerfold, played out to the tilt.

“There is much that we should copy from them and from America too, but much of our own we should hold on to, tightly,” reads an interesting missive sent to the new immigrants from a Trinidad relative. A classical example of resentment, mixed with admiration for the coloniser.

“Daughters” challenges immigrants to reflect on the impact of a new environment on their traditions.

Regrettably, conservative rigidity has raised an ominous, even a lethal tone to this debate. The rise of honour killings by Asian families in the UK, and the targeting of immigrants, reflect the tremors of social change, and personal transformation. This is the quintessential strength of Persaud’s work.

Lakshmi’s “Daughters” centers on the three children of Amira and Santosh Vidhur, and the meddling aunt, Inshani.

Persaud’s brilliance as a novelist is indisputable.

There are moments of pure literary magic – classically instructive, even for the seasoned scribe. In one scene, describing a rainstorm in Trinidad, she offers: “The mist crept down the mountain’s slopes, flooding the valleys as the sky disappeared. In the forest, drooping leaves became fastrunning channels, little waterfalls tumbling down.

Water gushed along the trace as if a dam had broken.

A crooked light rent the sky; again and again thunder rolled.”But time and time

again, Persaud’s unique talent is smothered by the characters’ extraneous chatter. Her characters are sharply distinct, and hardly endearing, save Lily and Palli.

Inshani’s sophistry and doyenne- like act are unflattering. Santosh’s mode of self-absolution after an extramarital affair is troubling.

Amira’s need for

validation from the very culture from which she must protect her daughters is exasperating.

Living vicariously through her daughters, she views education and social mobility as her raison d’être. She contemplates the horror “to have children who were strangers to you.” Her thoughts running maddeningly wild, she is anxiety stricken: “It would be death by a thousand cutting eyes, death by the scurrying downcast looks of the community, death by the voices closed to you. The silence would be overwhelming.”

Persaud ably tackles the perennial challenges of interracial marriage without travelling the dreadful road of cultural rigidity and resistance.

Yes, “Daughters” sidesteps this lugubrious path (that leads to the unthinkable), preferring that of cultural accommodation, gender equality, and empowerment.

Amira eventually adapts to her new environment. Her daughters follow suit, convincingly, Recalling the tale of the owl and the panther, Vidya declares: “How can I be a panther? I would love to have a substantial growl.” The “girls” blossom succeeding handsomely, frequently visiting

“home,” ultimately inculcating the best of both worlds.

But the author is bent on something far more edgy – barreling through unsettling waters of sexual harassment and worse - the rape of Anjali by a renowned academician.

The predatory male complex, the struggle for female empowerment and the existential turmoil of Anjali the book’s most sympathetic character, more than rescues this work from its periodic tedium. In fact, Anjali’s crisis creates that grayish tone of uncertainty, a mesmeric urgency, of sorts, that make for compelling reading going forward.

Overall, the author’s work proves poignant and meaningful. It showcases the best of Indian culture, replete with axiomatic lessons on tradition and the restoration of fraying inter-generational values. Unquestionably, Persaud has made her point.

Daughters of Empire by Lakshmi Persaud Peepal Tree Press Ltd, 2012 Leeds, England www.peepaltreepress.com ISBN13: 9781845231873 Available: Amazon.com Ratings: ***: Recommended

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 37

MY COLUMN

Somebody has money to throw around, and lied There have been a lot of happenings these past few weeks. There was the happening in the National Assembly over Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.

This now threatens what should usually be a place with the focus on issues pertaining to the economy and on social events.

Indeed in the execution of his duties as Home Affairs Minister, many things happened under Rohee’s watch.

He did resurrect the community policing groups and he ensured that the police did not want for transportation and other facilities to make them effective. He capitalised on units established by the earlier police commissioners.

There was the Quick Reaction Group that seems to have found the legs it lost during the crime wave, there was a group called Alpha Dragon that is the equivalent of the SWAT team we hear so much about in the United States and there is the Tactical Services Unit. Rohee made them effective units, perhaps too effective.

Three people were shot and killed in Linden and the people blamed the police.

The political opposition sought to blame Rohee.

In fact they sought to suggest that Rohee issued the instruction to shoot.

The man did not. I want to believe that this assumption that Rohee was actively involved in the Linden episode led to the challenge in the National Assembly and the noconfidence vote.

The parliament is as independent as the executive and the court, so whatever it decides is binding to the National Assembly.

It has taken a decision that Rohee can only table Bills after he goes to the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges and proves that he did nothing wrong during his tenure as Home Affairs Minister.

There is the counter argument that once he does nothing to bring the National Assembly to disrepute, he should not have to go before the Committee of Privileges.

Irfaan Ali lied to Parliament and he did not go

before the committee. Today, perhaps because that parliament has ended, he cannot now be prosecuted for past ills.

And this brings me to the Chris Brown issue. There was a lot of noise about Chris Brown coming to perform on Boxing Day. Perhaps I am a skeptic, because I immediately offered wagers that Brown was not coming. The young people in the newsroom were angry at me but none of them took up my challenge.

I do know that almost all of them began making preparations to go to the show.

After all, Chris Brown is one of the hottest things in the entertainment industry.

I saw publications about his schedule and Guyana was not included; I saw that his episode with Rihanna did not escape attention in Europe and the women there decided that they would have nothing to do with him.

I also noticed that he needed a judge’s permission to leave the United States. I saw no mention of him seeking permission to come

to Guyana. That simply caused me to hike my eyebrows a little higher. Lo and behold the news came that Brown was no longer coming to Guyana because of the fear of protests.

One day later, I saw Irfaan Ali sounding off that the main opposition party was perhaps licking its chops because it had succeeded in keeping Chris Brown away, in the process, leaving many young people with sad faces.

He went further, he claimed that the political party might have contacted Brown’s people and persuaded them to keep Brown away.

His argument sounded impressive until I saw the official entertainment website carrying a story that claimed Brown was never coming to Guyana, because the arrangements were never finalized.

However, the local organizers seem to have evidence that the show was confirmed and a ton of money sent to Brown.

If that is the case, and a deal was brokered, then the local promoters can move to

the courts for breach of contract. They can make more money than if Brown actually came. If Brown’s people lied to the official entertainment network then that is even more embarrassing to them.

What is the truth? The opposition political parties had nothing to do with Brown’s decision not to come, so Irfaan Ali was being dishonest and playing to the gallery. He was seeking political mileage.

The political opposition has not uttered a peep in the face of Ali’s charges. It could be that it never saw the comments, that none of its supporters saw it and reported to party headquarters, or it simply chose to ignore Ali. The organisers also have not set out to rebut the allegation that the deal with Brown was never sealed and I find this strange at a time when people do not take kindly to allegations of lying.

At the same time I would like to know where is the $30 million that the organizers sent to Brown’s people.

If that money was sent since October 5, and I note

Adam Harris the date, then Brown’s people would have made money by simply depositing it into a bank and collecting the interest. They could have paid off some expense or simply, provide entertainment for the people close to Brown.

I await the development; I await another denial from Brown; or better still, I expect this to die away as the organizers and the Brown team quietly settle. But I will be none the wiser about Brown coming.

What I do know is that the young people will be heading to the venue, regardless, so Chris Brown provided adequate publicity for the event.

As an aside, where did the money, all $30 million of it, come from?

Page 38

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

U.S Elections 2012: A Report

By Trevor Williams AFC Executive and Parliamentarian I wish to thank the Government of the United States Government and Consulate Staff in Georgetown for giving me the opportunity to observe the USA Elections 2012. The opportunity realized meetings and relationships with a very wide cross-section of American citizens, institutions and over thirty young political and civil society leaders from around the world. Together we embarked on an interesting journey around the United States for three weeks.

Our programme included visits to Congressmen and Senators on Capitol Hill, and to candidates of Conservatives, Liberal, Libertarians, Independents and other groups.

Luncheons with American businessmen, and activists with political parties, meetings with State Organizers, Volunteers, University Student Activists, State Department Officials, among so many others were most instructive and interesting.

We also had the opportunity to observe voting on Election Day in economically and demographically contrasting precincts. We were able to observe voting machines in operations, security procedures in action, and the general conduct of voters and administrators. We visited Campaign offices and witnessed volunteers working the phones, and saw them knocking on doors making a last-minute effort to convince the undecided.

Our team regrouped in New York and discussed what we had seen and heard from the Candidates, and the electorate, and you evaluate the system at work. We were also able to discuss politics in our own countries and make comparisons with the United States system.

As a result of what we observed from the wide cross-section of U.S citizens, I therefore wish to share a few thoughts which I have concluded to be critical to the success of the U.S elections process. I further wish to point out that I will be making myself available across Guyana to engage in conversations about democracy, participation, and rule of law, campaign financing, media and other issues critical to the maturing of Guyana’s political process.

THE RULE OF LAW In American politics there are not any sacred cows or untouchables. Hence, whether at the State or the Federal level, aspiring leaders and incumbents face the daily threat of being confronted by the law should there be the temptation to be deviant. This comes from the fact that even a President can be impeached, as well as Senators and Congressmen. Campaign funds, taxes, immorality, family life and public misbehaviour can generally deter a person’s political aspirations. Each candidate must declare their donations and how it was spent, either monthly or quarterly, except for Super PAC donors who generally give a limited amount and declare figures to the Federal government.

With this being the case, one must operate with as much integrity and the highest of professional standards.

PARTICIPATION OF THEAMERICAN PEOPLE In the United States, apart from the parties, candidates and the supporters, another very important element of elections is the role of civil society. Veterans, NGOs, Women, Youth Organisations, Students, Trade Unions, religious bodies and other “interest activists” all play a role in shaping and defining who leads America. Their right, exercised in a constitutional manner, ensures influencing policy outcomes and informing Congressmen and Senators.

Much of electoral and political activism is based solely on the citizen’s rights to vote.

The threat of voter suppression and disenfranchisement is equally confronted with litigation. The American election atmosphere is very fired up and dynamic. Whether partisan or centrist, Americans have the freedom to receive information and the freedom to disseminate it, to whomever they please, providing there are no constitutional breaches, national security implications, or violations of human rights.

THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA America is the land of free speech. I was heartened to find out that the Voice of America is not allowed to broadcast in the United States, simply because it is funded by taxpayers! The American people will not have their choices be dictated or subject to political overtures from an elected government.

Privately-owned media, though in business, ensures that the actions and conduct of public officials be shown to the taxpayers whose money they are spending. Even in their most unguarded moments politicians are subject to scrutiny and possible exposure.

The unmuzzled media, while contributing to the hype, is heavily relied upon by American citizens to inform on policy and hot-button issues within and outside of the United States.

In the history of U.S elections, incumbents have a ninety percent record of winning reelection.

In the 2012 elections, as a result of statements considered “ridiculous” carried on all forms of the media, no less than three incumbents lost their bids for Congress and Senate. Governor Mitt Romney’s comments about 47% of America’s mainly low-income families became a factor in the race, as he had to divert considerable time explaining context to the voters. Likewise comments made about women and minorities had a telling effect on Election Day thanks to the media.

TRANSPARENCY OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS Despite the occurrence of different

Trevor Williams incidents in various places in U.S politics, the majority of Americans believe that the system, though not perfect, is satisfactorily transparent and not wholly subject to interference and manipulation by anyone seeking power by fraud. The electoral machinery undergoes constant review where recommendations to improve, as states can afford, is undertaken. Additionally, Courts usually rule impartially in contentious matters.

RACE & MINORITIES Minorities and immigrants are the subject of much discourse in U.S politics and Candidates usually suffer pitfalls when trying to explain their policy. Mitt Romney’s gaff regarding ‘…binders full of women’ and gifts for votes, incited the wrath of these voters.

These groups attract the most discussion on matters of immigration and social welfare. It generally turns to conservatives versus liberals, and overtures, slangs and partisan political discourse remain responsible for whatever division may exist. However, I remain convinced that race discussions and tensions become heightened at elections and may help determine the outcome of certain Congressional and Senate races. Minorities speak definitively in electoral races. Their powerful voting strength makes them a force to reckon with, for Candidates seeking the Presidency and lawmakers alike.

HANDING OVER POWER A final observation which will remain with me for a lifetime is the practice of handing over power in a seamless transition, rewarding the wishes of the people. Americans expect their Candidates to concede graciously when they lose; and for those who win, to carry on with the business of looking after all the people. A concession speech is a common feature which wins much respect and is tied directly to the transparency of the system.

I also learnt that in the event of tied electoral votes, a highly unlikely scenario, the Congress and Senate will choose the President and the Vice-President.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Fuel bills: An impending disaster

By Sir Ronald Sanders In the words of the prime minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart, the annual bill for the importation of fuel in his small Caribbean island of 250,000 people is “wholly untenable”.

In 2010, the national oil import bill for Barbados was US$393 million. That figure is indicative of the annual oil bill that damages the viability of every Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country except Trinidad and Tobago, which is a substantial oil and gas producer.

Prime Minister Stuart has declared that “if not corrected”, the oil import bill would become “wholly unaffordable” in his country.

The same is true for all other CARICOM countries except Trinidad and Tobago and now to a certain extent Suriname.

The cost of energy is adversely affecting both the manufacturing and service industries and contributing to making the exports of Caribbean companies uncompetitive in the world market.

The situation in the Caribbean reflects the grave condition of the majority of countries in the 54-member states of the Commonwealth of Nations which, in 2011, consumed about 3 billion barrels of oil (about 8 million barrels per day, one tenth of the world total), with more than half of this for road transportation at a cost of over US$159 billion.

Information about the majority of Commonwealth countries, of which 12 are Caribbean, has been provided in a report by Dr Lewis M Fulton of the University of California Davis.

The report, “Fuel economy policies could spare Commonwealth governments from an impending transport fuels disaster” is published by the Commonwealth Advisory Bureau at the University of London.

Fulton makes the point that the costs have been rising rapidly “both because of rising demand and rising world oil prices and could double over the coming decade if no action is taken”.

Describing the situation as “unsustainable”, Fulton points out that “about half the Commonwealth’s (and the world’s) oil is used in transport and oil accounts for about 95% of transport fuel use”.

The problem will worsen rapidly in the coming years.

Based on projections by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the number of road vehicles, and road fuel use, in Commonwealth countries could double by 2030 and increase by a factor of four by 2050.

With continuing increases in the world price of oil, expenditure on fuel will rise even faster and could approach US$1.5 trillion per year by 2050.

For Commonwealth countries, including its Caribbean members, this huge import bill will amount not only to hundreds of billions of dollars per year in lost foreign exchange, but also to collapse of some economies.

Having identified the problem, Fulton also sets out a strategy for dealing with it.

He recognises that “vibrant transport systems are critical to economic development and healthy functioning of society”. The question is how to deliver needed transport services while cutting their negative impacts.

Fulton states that work in which he has been involved at the IEA shows that it is possible to cut the world’s road transport energy use by nearly half over the next 40 years, compared to where it would otherwise be, and at very low cost (or potentially even net savings) to society.

So what could Commonwealth countries, including those in the Caribbean, do?

Fulton proposes a number of measures. One of them is fuel economy improvement in cars, trucks and motor cycles that would save a great deal of fuel each year.

Governments could encourage the use of hybrid vehicles which combine a small electric motor and batteries by applying a lower tariff or value added tax on their importation.

Hybridisation saves around 30% of fuel per kilometre in cars that have it.

But hybrid vehicles only represent about 2% of world car sales today. In the Caribbean, where there is no incentive to focus on Hybrid vehicles, the percentage of sales is even lower.

Another measure would be to place a higher tariff or value added tax on imported vehicles that are “gas guzzlers”. This could help to fund incentives for purchases of more efficient cars.

A third measure is for governments to set fuel economy standards. Most of the member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) now have mandatory fuel economy or CO2 emission standards. China has also recently adopted similar standards, and India has announced it will do from 2015.

Therefore, at the moment, of the 54 Commonwealth countries only three — Britain, Cyprus and Malta (because they are European Union members) — have adopted higher fuel economy

standards. The three have benefitted from the use of far less fuel per kilometre, thus bringing down their oil costs.

Fulton makes the point that the measures he proposes are by no means exhaustive.

He draws attention to the recent IEA Fuel Economy Technology Roadmap and Policy Pathway report and to a tool kit prepared by the United Nations Environmental Programme and the Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI) who are there to provide support and guidance to governments that are interested in pursuing fuel

economy policy development.

Commonwealth countries, including Caribbean ones, will purchase millions of cars and trucks in the coming two decades, and will drive these vehicles billions of kilometres.

As Fulton states “It will take a lot of fuel to power all this mobility, and the cost of that fuel is startling”.

Heeding the warning of Barbados Prime Minister Stuart, Caribbean governments individually and the CARICOM Secretariat should aggressively seek the help of GFEI to reduce the oil import bill through more

efficient road fuel use.

This will, at least, free-up foreign exchange for critical investment in both domestic and commercial use of oil in the productive sector.

Without it, the costs will overwhelm the region pushing it into more poverty at home and less competitiveness abroad.

Putting this issue on the back burner is to mount up the scale of the disaster into which the majority of Commonwealth countries, including the Caribbean, are now sleep-walking.

(The writer is a

Sir Ronald Sanders Consultant and former Caribbean diplomat) Responses and previous commentaries at: www.sirronaldsanders.com

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

Entrepreneur, philanthropist and motor racing fanatic, Stanley Ming, is a ‘Special Person’

By Latoya Giles The Oxford Dictionary defines humility as a quality of being modest and respectful. That sort of egolessness finds its personification in astute businessman, philanthropist, former politician and motor racing enthusiast, Stanley Ming.

Born in Georgetown in 1951, Ming spent his early childhood years in a rented house at Public Road, Kitty, with both parents and five other siblings. He was privileged enough to attend a private school in the early days.

He remembers that at the age of 10, his family moved, on the initiative of his mother, who was very influential in his life, to their own home in Campbellville. After writing his primary school examinations, Ming was awarded a spot at Queen’s College.

To show their appreciation for his hard work, Ming said his parents bought a bicycle for him. The bicycle, he said, was one of the most useful gifts he ever received, as this was his main means of going to and from school daily. While attending high school, Ming said he vividly remembers that his mother, who was always driven, opened a small shop.

Although his father was employed, Ming said that his mother, who had already began a kitchen garden, pursued the new venture to assist the household with extra finances.

According to Ming, the move his mother made by opening that small business in some kind of a way was the stepping stone for him. He said that being in the shop taught him the basic business techniques which propelled him to become a successful businessman today.

“Being a part of my mother ’s small business, taught me how to work hard and be persistent,” Ming explained.

Upon his completion of High School, Ming said that he had to sacrifice furthering his education. He began working at the Yamaha Motorcycle Sales Company at Geddes Grant in 1972. This job sparked his passion for motorcycles. Ming said he was now earning more money that his father, who worked as a clerk at Lall’s Business Establishment. However, even with that job, Ming said he still felt the need for more.

So instead of just sitting back, he quickly thought of a way which would generate more funds. He opened a

A charming portrait of the Ming family motorcycle repair shop, where he would mostly work on weekends, but also whenever he got off from his job during the week.

Ming said he spent two years at Geddes Grant, before gaining another job at Technical Services and Supplies Limited, where he attained the position of assistant manager.

Four years later, he left for England, a place, he reflected, that was vastly different from Guyana. He said that the winter was something he “really couldn’t handle” so he returned to Guyana. Ming joined Industrial Engineering Limited where he worked for 10 years before branching off to his own business.

And then there was his love for motor racing. He first ventured onto the South Dakota Circuit, at Timehri, some 26 miles or so from the capital, in 1971 and over the years remained a force to reckon with in the field of motorcycling, both here and in the Caribbean.

Regionally, motor racing has taken him to such places as Barbados, Jamaica and Cuba, while internationally he has participated in meets in both England and “across the pond,” which is how the `Brits’ sometimes describe the United States. He has ridden at Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Cadwell Park, and Lydden, all circuits that just so happen to be located in the English county of Kent in Southeast England, and at the Daytona International Speedway which can be found in

“Education is the solution to various problems currently facing Guyana and other developing countries. The success stories of today - most of which are from South East Asia - have been based on education. By dealing with education, you pre-empt a series of other problems.”

Daytona Beach, Florida, in the USA. He was the motorcycle Grass-track Racing Champion for several years. From 1980 to 1985 he raced at Daytona Int’l Speedway, Florida,

U.S.A., in the 250cc Grand Prix Class and from 1971 - 1985 he raced at the South Dakota Circuit in the 50cc, 100cc, 250cc and 350cc Motorcycle events, where he secured a number of championships.

Ming was also Caribbean Motorcycle Champion for four years.

In 1991, he decided to take up go-kart racing and this continues to be one of his many passions up to this day.

But participating on the circuit is only a part of Ming’s connection with the speedway, as he has also represented the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) at the level of President, in which capacity he has served from

1987 to 1991, and from 2000 to 2002.

Besides fishing, golf and table tennis, which also rank among his passions, he does seem to have a soft spot for home-bred humanitarian organizations like ‘Special Olympics-Guyana’ of which he was a committee member for a number of years.

Since the early 90s, he has been both a Rotarian and committee member of the NGO, ‘Habitat for Humanity’.

In 1987, Ming married Michele Phang, an Optometrist/Opthalmic Optician.

Their union produced three daughters - Stacy, Siobhan and Serena - and one son, Stanley (Jnr.) MOST SUCCESSFUL VENTURE By far, his most successful venture has been Ming’s Products & Services Ltd (MPS), which was established in 1990, in a section of a rented building in Tiger Bay, with a staff of four, limited financial and other resources. He said that the company began engaging with the community to help residents reach a higher standard of living.

Ming explained that it was done through particular series of strategic donations to further education. He reflected that that ensured the physical security of the business as well as the company’s ability to secure loyal, motivated and skilled labour to support its growth over the years.

He explained that the (Continued on page 42)

Back in the 1980s at a Daytona Race Meet in the USA

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Ravi Dev Column

For GECOM’s Legitimacy Last Saturday, I participated in a TV panel discussion on the necessity for reconstituting the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

As when I’d first entered parliament back in 2001, I was amazed at the bonhomie displayed by politicians from across the aisles - when they’re out of the chamber.

Rupert Roopnaraine from APNU and Gail Teixeira of the PPP exchanged the easy banter that comes from sharing decades of struggle.

Odinga Lumumba was as he always is: gruff, direct and ready with an ironic quip.

On the subject at hand, there was complete unanimity on the need for a properly constituted and full ERC back in the saddle.

Whatever might have been the objections in the past by the Opposition, time had made them moot. Juan Edghill, the PNC’s bête noir, was not on the horizon for selection, whether as chairman or a commissioner.

Most pertinently, the Committee of Appointments (CoA) was now under Opposition control.

The CoA will canvass its list of 160+ organisations deemed to represent ‘civil society’ to identify the list of nominees of the seven constitutionally empowered to be the ERC’s Commissioners.

The ‘functions’ of the

ERC, laid out in twenty-four sections, are so extensive that the organisation can pretty much take almost every approach devised in the last few decades to ‘address’ the ethnic problematic.

So what do we do in the meantime about all the discriminatory practices and their consequences we hear about –especially but not exclusively from Opposition quarters?

Last week the youth arms of APNU and the PNC called for the GECOM Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally and Chief Election Officer Gocool Boodoo, to be replaced.

One would remember their protests in front of the homes of the two men as well as in front of their Offices, after the November elections.

They claimed then that Surujbally and Boodoo were favouring the PPP in all sorts of ways and demanded their heads.

APNU had also been vehement in its call for the removal of Surujbally and Boodoo; accusing them of incompetence in the handling of the polls.

But as with everything political in Guyana, there is inevitably a nexus with ethnicity. While APNU and its various arms have taken care not to openly accuse

Surujbally/ Boodoo of ethnic favouritism, that subtext was always present. For instance, along with their calls for the removal of the two men, the YCT had called for the boycott of businesses ‘supporting the PPP”. With two notable exceptions, all the businesses were owned

by Indian Guyanese: the YCT insisted their call was ‘political’ and not ‘racial’.

But that, of course, is the dilemma of Guyana: how do we separate the two so that our actions are not seen as racist and discriminatory.

And that brings us to the renewed calls by the GYSM and YCT which obviously still see the two men as tainted: whether racially or politically, take your pick.

Almost immediately after the Opposition youth groups’ call, the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) did take their pick: they pointed out that the two targeted men are Indian Guyanese and their removal from an organisation that was ‘98% African Guyanese” was tantamount to ethnic cleansing.

If their figures are true – and GECOM has not contested them to date – then we’ll have a major crisis of credibility in this key institution in the near future.

From developments in

THE BACCOO SPEAKS The fires have happened and there has been the case of domestic abuse that still has people very mad. This is not the end, because there is still an unsolved matter. A man is stalking a woman who jilted him and he is very angry.

The irony is that a policeman is helping him track this woman. Fate could intervene, but the view is not clear from here. But for now the woman is safe with people whom she had befriended earlier. ** It is that time of the year

when people want every cent they can lay their hands on.

However, some will go to extreme measures and that is not always the best thing.

One such measure is going to place a child in harm’s way.

A dangling wire would

prove to be a source of attraction. The result would be devastating. ** A commercial bank is under surveillance because of the crowds it attracts. In the coming days there would be an attack not far from the bank. The victim would believe that he has taken adequate measures to evade detection, but he would not bargain for the watching eye in the bank.

A patrol would not be too far away and the violence would be something to behold.

parliament over the last year, culminating in the latest snafu over Minister Rohee, it is clear that elections are in the air: sooner rather than later.

While Guyanese may differ on the salience of ethnicity in our daily lives, no one questions its overweening rise around elections.

The inexorably changing demographics in Guyana have delivered us into a situation where there is no longer any built-in ethnic majorities. The major groups in Guyana now approach each other in size.

Elections can go either way and as such the machinery that will give credence and legitimacy to the counting of votes is even more critical. Our history of

electoral rigging between 1968 and 1985 has left most Guyanese quite skittish in this regard.

We cannot pretend that the ethnic composition of GECOM is of no consequence - as we routinely do about the disciplined forces and the public services. Our private concerns will inevitably spill over into our public protests: unfortunately these invariably get out of hand and the society splinters further.

We are not sure exactly when the ERC will be reconstituted.

We hope that it will be soon and they will take cognisance of the potential powder keg that the present composition of GECOM presents.

Among its constitutionally

Ravi Dev

defined functions, Art 212(D) (k) allows the ERC to monitor all legislation (such as that establishing GECOM) ‘having implications for ethnic relations...and...to prepare and submit proposals for revision of such legislation...”

Their recommendation would need a two-thirds majority in the House. We hope that all parties will go ahead with the comprehensive reform of GECOM they know is vital for its legitimacy.

Page 42

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

Entrepreneur, philanthropist and motor racing...

From page 40 company is the exclusive Guyana distributor for the entire range of products manufactured by Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd of Japan, including outboard engines, motorcycles, generators, water pumps and water vehicles. Ming said that the entity is also the exclusive distributor for the entire range of motor vehicles manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, - Japan.

Fifteen years later, MPS employs 50 people and has expanded to encompass three large properties in the area.

MOTIVATION When the company started up in Tiger Bay it was clear to the management of MPS that the area suffered high rates of crime. Blatant robberies were common.

“Back then, Tiger Bay was known for ‘choke and rob’ because that was what happened to outsiders that went there,” he explained. He said they recognised that security was a major issue for the company, both in terms of the safety of its customers and employees, and the risk of theft.

Faced with this challenge, Ming framed the choices thus: “We had the choice of investing in high walls and barbed wire or investing in the community. MPS chose to invest in the community, adopting a management philosophy focused on developing good businesscommunity relations and uplifting the quality of life in the neighbourhood.”

Convinced of its utmost importance to development, including the reduction of crime, Ming’s company chose to target education.

Go-kart thrills! Ming and his son (first and second) on the circuit at South Dakota, a few years ago.

Being sworn in as a Member of Parliament in 2001

“Education is the solution to various problems currently facing Guyana and other developing countries. The success stories of today most of which are from South East Asia - have been based on education. By dealing with education, you pre-empt a series of other problems.”

This focus was also chosen based on the reasoning that it would allow his company to not only recruit loyal and motivated employees, but also skilled workers with the capacity for further development. He also reasoned that in the long term, it would assist in the development of a larger client base for the company’s goods and services.

“The company’s longstanding close relationship with the community began when it took the initiative to contact community members, particularly the elder leaders, to identify their most pressing needs. Many problems were identified, including drug addiction, poverty, crime and a lack of education.

We have helped address the issues in various ways, including developing a community-based security group, providing drug-rehab services and actively hiring and training disadvantaged youths from the community.”

The businessman disclosed that he would also generously give to children who excel at various countrywide examinations.

Only recently he donated laptop computers to the top performers of the Grade Six Assessment Examinations.

Ming’s company has engaged in many other ventures to promote education, including partnering with Banks DIH

and Shell Antilles Guyana Ltd. to provide school children living in the riverain areas surrounding Bartica with a large fibreglass boat and engine to ensure that they can attend secondary school in Bartica. Prior to this transportation facility, children from the various communities tended to finish schooling at the primary level.

Ming asserted that MPS has directly benefited from its philosophy of community development, but says that there are other concerns which have evolved. “The company faces new issues that threaten the sustainability of the business, including the lack of a growing population and the increased effects of the ‘braindrain’ phenomenon felt not only in Guyana, but throughout the Caribbean.”

BRIEF POLITICAL STINT A former parliamentarian, Ming briefly noted that he also dabbled in politics for awhile, but lost interest in it and quit.

Describing himself as a pragmatist by nature, he said of his association with the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), of which he was the Prime Ministerial candidate up until he tendered his resignation from its Central Executive just before the August 28, 2006 elections: “I did not go there (PNCR) to be just another politician. I went there to see how I could help change the country, but soon realized that I was not having very much success in that area, so I thought it would be better to help people in communities achieve some of their goals in a more objective way, and that is what I will continue to do as long as I am here.”

Sunday November 25, 2012

SUNDAY SPECIAL OVERSEAS-BASED GUYANESE SAYS PARTNER CHEATED HIM OUT OF $30M INVESTMENT Following publication of a Kaieteur News story on October 15, last, “Trio on $9M bail for vehicular theft” overseas-based Guyanese, Virafree Veerasammy, of Lot 90, Line Path B, Skeldon, Corriverton, Berbice and of Ontario Canada, contacted Kaieteur News with court documents stating that the cars belong to him and not Vinode Pillay who tried to covet the vehicles while he, Veerasammy, was overseas.

Veerasammy is suing Pillay for $10M. He has since filed High Court proceedings through his attorney at law Nigel Hughes against Pillay, Navindai Pillay and Savitree Jainaraine, to repossess the vehicles which were part of a fleet of 10 cars and one trailer which he owns.

He had acquired the vehicles to operate a car rental business under the name of Affordable Car Rental at the aforementioned address. The High Court has since granted an order restraining the defendants or their servants or agents from dealing with mortgaging, renting, selling or disposing of the vehicles in any way until the determination of the court action.

Speaking to Kaieteur News, Veerasammy stated that he owns a business by the name of Affordable Heating and Air Conditioning in Ontario, Canada. As a Guyanese he responded to the call to return and invest in Guyana.

CHINESE NATIONAL SHOT, WIFE CRASHES CAR A Chinese couple found themselves in double jeopardy last Saturday evening as the two became involved in an accident after they were robbed and shot at in front of their Regent Street

Kaieteur News

store. Reports are that the two, John Tianxiang and his wife Delingxing were attacked by two youths on a CG motorbike as they were about to enter their car after locking up a Regent Street store.

While it is unclear how many shots were fired, this newspaper understands that Tianxiang, 24, sustained a single gunshot wound to his left side abdomen. Kaieteur News learnt that after the shooting, the robbers escaped; and Delingxing helped the injured man in the car and proceeded to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

However, on Thomas Street, the two suffered a blown tire which caused Delingxing to lose control of the vehicle.

The vehicle then crashed into a tree then into a vendor’s stall. Both were then taken to the hospital.

MONDAY EDITION NOC IN TURMOILAGAIN More turmoil has erupted at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), at Onderneeming, 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 that “the ground is really tense because it’s 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.

“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

Page 43

guards were so fearful that they left because they thought more was coming.”

Reports are 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.

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 last Sunday.

Persaud, 45, of Lot 94 La Penitence, Albouystown, is now a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). His left thigh was broken by the bullet’s impact.

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

Persaud, an Office Assistant with this 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 recounted.

TUESDAY EDITION YOUNG MECHANIC FOUND DEAD IN HOTEL POOL A young mechanic was Monday afternoon found dead in a swimming pool at

minibus at the Double Day hotel around 16:00 hrs on Sunday. Relatives said that when Juman did not return home around 20:00 hrs that evening, they started calling his friends hoping they would know of his whereabouts, but to no avail.

Sadeek Juman the popular Double Day hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo.

Sadeek Juman, 20, was discovered in the pool by hotel workers around 16:00 hrs, manager Rabindra Bhola told Kaieteur News. The discovery was made about 24 hours after Juman was seen entering the facility. The young man resided with his parents at Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara.

Relatives said that as was customary, Juman left to go see his grandmother at Ruby, East Bank Essequibo, on Sunday. That’s about a 20minute drive from his Blankenburg home. However, some female friends told relatives that they saw him disembark from a route 32

KITTY RESIDENT DIES IN LATE NIGHT CRASH Scores gathered at a gruesome accident scene last Monday night to witness the state of 38 year-old Reeshee Baksh of Thomas Street, Kitty, as he lay helplessly in his mangled car after crashing into the median on the East Bank Highway. Baksh was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The accident occurred at the junction of the East Bank highway and Flour Mill Road, shortly after 23:00hrs.

Eyewitnesses reported that Baksh, who was driving a green Toyota 170 bearing number plate PGG 1661, while travelling south, collided with the edge of the median and ended up on the other side of the road.

WEDNESDAY EDITION GOV’T, GPSU WAGE TALKS REACH

DEADLOCK The Government and Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) have reached a deadlock, as talks about improving remuneration for public service workers proved fruitless. The union expressed disappointment and regret at what it indicated is “the deliberate attempt by Government to frustrate and stultify efforts to end the 17year imposition of arbitrary rates of wages and salaries”.

According to GPSU President, Patrick Yarde, the Government had called a meeting, but “there was a disgusting array of frustrating maneuvers and no real attempt to address the issue”.

Yarde said that the meeting was requested earlier this year to discuss the union’s three-year proposal of wages, salaries and allowances; forwarded to the Government since 2009 and amended following last year’s elections.

Yarde pointed out, however, that the two entities could not have their discussions, since Permanent Secretary (PS) Hydar Ally requested time, after disclosing that he was not au fait with the happenings of the (Continued on page 44)

Page 44

From page 43 public workers in relation to their union.

Yarde said that in early September, he urged the PS to meet again, and when he felt that the wait for him to get in contact with the union was getting overbearing, he threatened to go public with the Government’s response towards the plight of the public workers, and only then a meeting was urgently called.

LETHEM RESIDENTS PROTEST OVER INADEQUATE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY Residents of Lethem and its surrounding areas on Tuesday vented their anger and frustration in no uncertain manner over the sporadic electricity supply they have been receiving for the past three weeks. Dozens of placard-carrying residents converged outside the Lethem Power Company Inc. (LMPCI) compound, chanting slogans calling for the replacement of the entity’s current management.

The residents are angry that since the power company began experiencing severe problems following the collapse of its main generator, there has been no proper communication with the residents, either directly or through the media. Some of the placards read “Give us a new generator for a Christmas Gift”; “Stop patching up the old generator, it’s time for a new one now,”; “Visionless + Poor Management= 5 hours” and “LPC means Lacking Peoples Consultation”.

Residents claimed that the poor electricity supply in the district has adversely affected their livelihood, since they have suffered significant losses in terms of perishable items, as well as inadequate potable water, because there is very little electricity to power the water pumps. They are convinced that the Lethem power company has showed total disregard for them in the matter.

Kaieteur News

THURSDAY GOVERNMENT DISCARDS RADIO, TV LICENCEAPPLICATIONS Previous applications for radio and television licences, some of which were pending for years, have been set aside.

Bibi Shadick, who chairs the Governing Board of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority, made this known Wednesday.

She said that those old applications would not conform to the new regulations of the recently enforced Broadcast Act, and so those persons who would have applied in the past would have to re-apply.

Once these satisfy the new requirements, including submitting a detailed business plan, they will be processed. Shadick told a news conference Wednesday that the Authority currently has no new applications ready for processing. She said that the Authority expects to have applications

by January 31, 2013.

Individuals who would have applied in the past would not have their applications processed unless they form a company or trust, as applications from individuals are no longer being accepted.

But under Shadick’s watch some who had applied even after the older applicants were granted radio and television licences.

All licence holders under the new Act will have to make two payments – one for the spectrum and another fee for the licence. The licence fee would amount to a percentage of the gross revenue earned by the broadcaster.

GOLD MINER KILLED IN MAHDIA CAR CRASH Forty-year-old Keith Paul, called “Link up”, died after he was hurled from a speeding car that was transporting him back to his worksite in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuta) early Wednesday morning. Paul, of Number One Road,

Corentyne, Berbice, was among other passengers travelling in the car, PNN 8226, around 06:45 hours when the driver, Michael Smith, lost control near the Madhia Airstrip.

The car turned toppled several times, hurling Paul onto the roadway. He sustained severe injuries and died almost instantly.

Passersby stared in horror at his body which lay on the roadway, a few feet from the mangled car, for almost an hour before it was taken away.

Two other persons reportedly sustained injuries as a result of the accident. Their names were given as Shawn Simon, 40, of 111 Miles, Mahdia and Michael Prince, 50, of Belmont, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.

News of Paul’s death sent his relatives into a state of shock, since he had only left his home last Saturday to return to the interior.

FRIDAY EDITION A HOUSE DIVIDED…SPEAKER BARS ROHEE FROM TABLING BILLS In what would be considered uncharted waters, Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, on Thursday ruled that an Opposition motion to prevent embattled Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, from speaking, be sent to a special committee.

The ruling, during another raucous, heated afternoon session that saw Trotman offering to resign, effectively blocks Rohee from tabling any Bills in Parliament until the matter has been heard by the Committee of Privileges, where the Minister will have a chance to defend

himself.

The Parliamentary committee, headed by the Speaker, is the one that can investigate the conduct of Members of Parliament (MPs).

Government immediately protested the ruling, with leader of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) side, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, insisting that it effectively makes the motion to gag Rohee a reality. It will be the first ruling of its kind in the post-colonial period, the Speaker said.

EPILEPTIC WOMAN DROWNS OUTSIDE MOTHER’S HOUSE Residents of East Ruimveldt reacted with outrage Thursday after a 23year-old epileptic woman who was refused entry to her mother’s home drowned in a drain outside the premises.

The victim, Odessa Fraser, was found lying face-down in a drain outside the Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt residence at around 06:00 hrs.

It is believed that she drowned while suffering an epileptic seizure.

Police questioned the victim’s mother, Bernadette Fraser, for several hours, but did not detain her. Kaieteur News understands that the mother admitted that she had denied her daughter entry to the premises. Sources said that the daughter had moved out of the home last October.

The woman’s luggage and other belongings were still near the body when police arrived. With several residents following and screaming ‘murderer’, police eventually escorted the dead woman’s mother to the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Fraser’s mother displayed no emotion during the entire ordeal. She was released several hours later but attempts by Kaieteur News to solicit a response from her proved futile.

SATURDAY EDITION PRESIDENT RAMOTAR SLAMS SPEAKER FOR ‘POLITICAL RULING’ President Donald Ramotar has blasted Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, for his ruling Thursday night, that effectively barred Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, from tabling any Bills in Parliament.

During an interview on Friday with the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN), the Head of State, whose Presidency has been a bumpy one after his party lost the Parliamentary majority for the first time in 20 years following the November 28, 2011 elections, described the Speaker’s ruling as a political one.

The ruling has pitted the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in a bitter battle against the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the 10party coalition, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), in a year which saw criticisms over the progress made in the National Assembly regarding its legislative work.

There have been a number of suspensions of sittings as a determined government and opposition refused to give ground on a number of issues.

On Thursday, following a motion to bar Minister Rohee from speaking in the National Assembly, Trotman, a former leader of the AFC, ruled that the matter should be sent to

the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges which investigates the conduct of Members of Parliament.

The Speaker, who said that he was prepared to resign over what he admitted would be an unpopular decision, also said that the House has the authority to sanction its members and should not be fettered by the courts.

SPEAKER SAYS ROHEE NOT BEING SANCTIONED Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee is not being sanctioned or disciplined by the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges, Speaker of the House Raphael Trotman said Friday.

However, the ruling effectively makes it impossible for Rohee to bring new legislation to the House until the committee comes up with a decision.

As far as Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, is concerned that is unconstitutional, but the Speaker is not flattered by that interpretation of his ruling.

“He (Nandlall) likes flair and language, but not much of it has substance,” said Trotman in response to the Attorney General.

“There is a lot of froth at the top like a beer, but I deal with the substance.”

Trotman reiterated that Parliament regulates its own procedures, but that if Nandlall feels that the ruling was unconstitutional, he can go to the constitutional court and get a ruling on that.

Trotman is standing by his ruling, and repeated an earlier suggestion that if any side of the three-party House loses confidence in him, he is prepared to hand in his resignation.

Sunday November 25, 2012

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Sunday November 25, 2012

Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix win IAAF athlete of the year awards Olympic gold medallists Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix have won the male and female athlete of the year awards.

Both athletes were honoured by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) at a ceremony in Barcelona on Saturday.

Jamaican Bolt, who retained his 100m and 200m titles in London, is the first man to win the award four

times. Felix won three gold medals and claimed the award ahead of Britain’s Jessica Ennis, who was on the shortlist.

American Felix finished first in the women’s 200m and was also part of the winning 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams to become the first woman since 1988 to win three gold medals at a single Games.

The USA sprint quartet

collected the female performance of the year title as they set a new world record in taking the gold medal, beating a time that had been set by an East German team in 1985. Kenyan David Rudisha won male performance of the year for his winning run in the 800m in London, when he also set a world record.

Trinidad and Tobago’s javelin gold medallist

Keshorn Walcott and 100m sprinter Anthonique Strachan of Bahamas, who won gold at the 2012 World Junior Championship, were named as the rising stars of 2012.

Bolt, who also helped Jamaica to gold in the 4x100m relay, clinched the male athlete of the year award for the fourth time in five years after previous successes in 2008, 2009 and 2011.

ROLE OF HONOUR

Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix IAAF male athlete of the year - Usain Bolt (Jamaica); IAAF female athlete of the year - Allyson Felix (USA); IAAF male performance of the year - David Rudisha (Kenya); IAAF female

performance of the year 4x100m relay team (USA); IAAF male rising star Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago); IAAF female rising star - Anthonique Strachan (Bahamas).

Boxer Hector Camacho dies after life support is turned off

Fallen champion: Hector Camacho was shot in the face while in a car outside a bar in Puerto Rico Puerto Rican boxing great Hector “Macho” Camacho has died in hospital after being taken off his life support machines, doctors have said.

The former world champion was clinically brain dead after being shot in the head in a drive-by shooting near the capital, San Juan, on Tuesday.

The boxer, who was 50, fought some of the great names of boxing during a three-decade career.

They included Oscar de la Hoya, Sugar Ray Leonard and Felix Trinidad. Camacho was being treated at the Rio Piedras medical centre in San Juan.

The centre’s director Ernesto Torres told reporters that the former boxer went into cardiac arrest in the early hours of Saturday morning, was taken off life support and died shortly after. Earlier Camacho’s mother Maria Matias said she wanted doctors to remove her son from life support.

His eldest son, Hector Jr, had indicated he wanted to keep his father alive, but his mother had the final say.

Camacho was shot in the head on Tuesday while sitting in a car outside a bar in his home city of Bayamon,

outside the capital San Juan.

His friend Adrian Mojica Moreno was killed in the attack. Police said the car contained bags of cocaine at the time of the shooting, but said they did not know of any motives behind the attack.

Camacho was known for his flamboyant style and skill in the ring. He was born in Puerto Rico, but grew up in New York where he made his professional debut in 1980. He went on to win four world titles across three weight divisions, beginning with the WBC super featherweight title in 1983. His last fight was an attempted comeback against Saul Duran in 2010, which he lost. By then he had become known for his troubled personal life and runins with the police. Camacho was sentenced to seven years in prison for burglary in 2007, though the sentence was later suspended.

He was found in possession of drugs and was the subject of a restraining order brought by his ex-wife, who complained of domestic abuse. At the time of his death he held a career record of 79 wins, 6 losses and three draws, with 38 knockouts.

(BBC Sport)

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Ansa McAl supports community of BV - upgrading of ground facilities underway Beverage giants Ansa McAl Trading as part of its 20th Anniversary celebrations have thrown their support behind the Beterverwagting Community on the East Coast of Demerara.

The company is constructing dressing and wash room facilities at the Community ground as their contribution to upgrade and make the venue much more habitable.

According to the Public Relations Officer Ms. Darshanie Yussuf, the project which will be completed by this weekend will cost G$2.5 million dollars.

She told Kaieteur sport that they will also be upgrading the ground shortly before they hand over same to the community next week.

It was noted that the company

is pleased to assist in community development where sports can benefit all, especially, the youths. “We at Ansa Mc al love sports and are pleased to assist in its development for it not only helps to keep the youngsters off the streets and away from crime and other illicit activities but it promotes healthy lifestyles; sports also unites people.”

Apart from the Beterverwagting community, the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden also benefitted from Ansa Mc al when the entity resurfaced the football field earlier this year and built a dressing room at the Basketball Court, last year.

The Basketball Court has been named after Linden’s own, former National player James Brushe. Ms. Yussuf

Stag Beer / WDFA Senior League Final...

Den Amstel enjoys sweet revenge, edge Uitvlugt on penalties Den Amstel nursed their wounds following a 2-0 defeat by Uitvlugt Warriors in the GFF Super League two weeks ago and avenged that loss in a penalty shootout when the two teams faced off once again, this time in the finals of the Stag Beer / West Demerara Football Association Senior League at the Den Amstel Community Center Ground, last evening.

The match was fiercely fought from the onset as the two arch-rivals sought to gain supremacy. Both teams enjoyed ample opportunities to surge ahead in the first half but neither took advantage as the session was riddled with misdirected kicks characterized by many blocked chances. This resulted in a 0-0 stalemate at the halfway stage.

The battle for supremacy continued with Den Amstel’s strikers breaching the opposition’s defense cordon on several occasions.

Uitvlugt had to contend with the looming, figure of goalkeeper, Oneal Heywood, whose exemplary exploits averted many an opportunity.

Andre Hector, manning the strike force, came closest to breaking the deadlock in the dying stages of regulation time when he evaded the Uitvlugt

defenders and delivered a fierce shot only to see his effort sail over the upright.

Shortly afterwards, Jamal Harvey received a second yellow card after an extremely dangerous tackle and was given marching orders, soon after the whistle sounded to end the game. In the ensuing penalty shoot out, Den Amstel prevailed over Uitvlugt to take the game 3-1 and the $300,000 first place prize that went with it.

Meanwhile, Stewartville and Young Achievers also played to a 1-1 stalemate during regulation time in the fight for the third place spot necessitating another penalty shootout to separate them.

Earlier, Owen McGarrell had scored for Stewartville in the 10th minute and the goal held up until minutes into the second half when Young Achievers benefited from a defense error through Dion Bradford, an own goal being the result. The game eventually went into penalty shootout and after both teams ended on 4 goals apiece and then into sudden death where Young Achievers prevailed. There were also special prizes for the Most Valuable Player, the most prolific goal scorer and the best goalkeeper which will be revealed in a subsequent report.

informed that both projects cost approximately G$6 Million dollars. She further stated that the Company will donate a brush cutter to the Mackenzie Sports Club during the coming week at which time they will also hand over the football field.

The redone stand at the BV ground with dressing and wash room facilities below, currently under construction.

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Pegasus Open Tennis...

After three weeks of competition which saw the best of Guyana’s tennis players competing in nine (9) categories, the Pegasus Open Tennis championships ended with the presentation ceremony on Friday evening at the Hotel’s poolside.

Pegasus, which has a longstanding relationship with the Guyana Tennis Association, has hosted its tennis tournament annually for the past 26 years.

Pegasus Manager Susan Isaacs in remarks said the Hotel was happy to host the tournament as it viewed it as part of its corporate responsibility and tennis has always been a form of recreational activity offered to guests by the hotel over the years. The tournament forms part of the entities anniversary celebrations every year.

Coordinator, Jeremy Miller pointed out that the tournament was mostly incident free with minimal hindrances from the weather.

There were a total of 65 participants with 103 entrants in all the categories.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Winners & top performers collect prizes

Proud of their achievements! The respective winners and runners up in the 9 categories display their prizes following the presentation ceremony.

Chairperson at the presentation Duane Lopes, touched a bit on what makes tennis such an appealing sport for all ages and the challenges it presents to those seeking to perfect the art of playing.

“The very best players are top notch athletes who have the touch of a painter, the bravado of a performer and the nimbleness of a dancer with

split second decision making, lightening fast anticipation, endless resilience and the tactical brain of a chess master as skills to master,” He pointed out.

Having tournaments such as the Pegasus Open allows persons to fine tune these skills against their peers and put themselves to the test after hours of practice.

The tournament was the final event on the Guyana Tennis Association’s calendar for the year.

Winners and runners-up of the categories Novice Medley Singles Winner: Stephen Bailey, Runner up: Jesus Lamazon.

Novice Medley Doubles Winners: Vijay Singh/Dilip Kumar, Runners Up: Stephen

Bailey/Seweon Mc Garrell.

Boys Under-18 Singles Winner: Craig Campbell, Runner Up: Seanden David Longe. Girls Under-18 Singles Winner: Nicola Ramdyhan, Runner Up: Krystal Sukra. Men’s Over 35 Singles Winner: Carlos Adams, Runner Up: Godfrey Lowden. Mixed Doubles Winners: Jeremy Miller/Shelly

Ramdyhan, Runners-up: Godfrey Lowden/Carol Humphrey. Men’s Doubles Winners: Jeremy Miller/Jason Andrews, Runners – up: Leyland Leacock/Nicholas Fenty. Ladies Singles Winner: Carol Humphrey, Runner up: Nicola Ramdyhan.

Men Singles Winner: Anthony Downes, Runner up: Jeremy Miller.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

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For fast bowling anywhere, nothing replaces miles run in preparation for greater tests!

Colin E. H. Croft There seems to be something wrong with fast bowing fitness in West Indies senior ranks. No fast bowling combination seems to last more than a few games!

With West Indies completing its final Test for 2012, v Bangladesh, especially its batsmen doing well, there still is concern, despite the bowlers also doing brilliantly to win Test No. 1, about overall fitness.

Test No. 2, v Bangladesh, because of pitch conditions, West Indies fast bowling comprised of only Fidel Edwards and Tino Best, helped by medium-paced captain, Darren Sammy.

Test No. 1, v Bangladesh, Ravi Rampaul played, ahead of Edwards, getting 3-118 (32 overs), and 2-32 (11 overs); creditable match figures of 5150 (43 overs), on a pitch not fast bowling friendly.

Yet, Ravi missed Test No. 2. Surely he was not dropped!

If he was rested, what of rhythm, form and consistency! If he is injured, again, that cannot be good enough for his fast bowling state!

Meanwhile, Tino Best had his first five-wicket haul ever, Bangladesh’s 2nd innings, Test No. 1; 5-24 (12.3 overs), to augment 1st innings 1-77 (23 overs), also exceptional match figures; 6-101.

Test No. 2, one week later, Best, who should have been raring to explode with confidence, is again injured, bowling only 10 overs before pulling up with a hamstring injury.

It can certainly not be good or consistent, for any player or any team, that bowlers are rotated so much!

Eons past, West Indies fast bowlers operated in pairs.

35 or so years ago, Clive Lloyd changed that to a four pronged fast bowling attack that lasted series after series, with relatively few injuries.

Nowadays, no-one is sure if any West Indies fast bowler will last even a full Test game!

News suggests that Kemar Roach is back, after pulling a fetlock before Bangladesh tour. He could not play in the two Test matches for this series.

Luckily, he seems to be okay again for ODI and T-20 series, but Roach has had a jack-in-the box existence with injuries in this team!

West Indies played its first Test for 2012, v Australia, in Barbados. The faster bowlers were Roach, Edwards

and Sammy. They survived, well too, to Test No. 2 in Trinidad & Tobago.

By Test No. 3, v Australia, in Dominica, Rampaul was back, in place of the again injured Edwards.

Australia won 2-0, more by attrition than by dominance!

West Indies next Test, and tour, to England, Test No 1 at Lords, Edwards, Sammy and Roach, again, were augmented by the new, seriously quick Shannon Gabriel. Here was hope for more real speed!

After a good start; match figures of 4-86 (26.3 overs), Gabriel had a stress fracture and has not been active internationally since. Rumors have it that he is again fully fit and raring to extend.

Test No. 2, Trent Bridge, the faster bowlers’ combination was Roach, Rampaul and Sammy. West Indies lost both Tests.

For Test No. 3 of that series, drawn at Birmingham, Best, who had been flown in to replace Gabriel, partnered Sammy and Rampaul. The rotation continued.

Next was a series in West Indies against New Zealand.

Rampaul, Roach and Sammy were this time used in both Tests. At least, there was continuity here.

West Indies won both games, but that is where player continuity ended too.

If taken literally, these might suggest that bowlers were being rotated for their own good and refreshment.

However, all of the faster bowlers, except Sammy, who persevered well, have had quite serious injuries this past year. Fortunately for them, and West Indies, they have made relatively quick recoveries.

M o s t We s t I n d i a n faster bowlers are also involved in IPL, Big Bash, SLPL, English County Cricket, etc., playing T-20’s and OdI’s. While these games are shorter, bodies still have to exude immense pressures and flexes to compete!

One must take into context fast bowling especially in Tests. The pitches, too, have not been conducive to fast bowling anywhere, not even in the Caribbean.

Gone are the days that one could look forward to fast, unpredictably bouncy Sabina Park in Jamaica, or similarly fast but more consistent bounciness of Kensington Oval in Barbados.

With that slightly disguised emphasis on more spin than ever, orthodox or knuckle-ball, pitches are even slower than ever everywhere!

This rotation, planned, from injury or otherwise, cannot be good for West Indies faster bowlers.

I can attest that fast bowling is not about strength, but mostly of rhythm. I also

ran about 50 miles per week!

It is akin to hurdling. If 400 metres hurdlers have the right rhythm, then they would eventually get good precision and enough speed.

Many present-day fast bowlers suggest that formats for getting fit have changed, that more is done in gymnasiums than just pounding pavements,

running miles to get fast bowling stamina and rhythm.

That might be so, but there is no substitute for miles if your work in cricket is running long distances, as fast bowlers normally do!

If they do not run enough, they would become injured easily, regardless of how well torsos or legs look from gym work! Enjoy!

Colin E. H. Croft

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Sunday November 25, 2012

GCA\Noble House Sea Foods 2nd div....

Fifties for Naughton, Reid, Enmore; Jones takes 6 Half centuries by Kareem Naughton, L. Ried and Rawl Enmore and a 6 wicket haul from Ryan Jones highlighted first day action in the Georgetown Cricket Association \ Noble House Sea Foods 2nd division twoday competition which continued yesterday.

At GNIC, Transport Sports Club (TSC) and Everest were locked in a keen tussle

for first innings points. TSC batted first and were bowled out for 179 in 33.5 overs. Azim Azeez top scored with 62 (13x4 1x6), Sunil Singh chipped in with 36 and Stephan Sampson 25.

Christopher Surat and Garfield De Roche grabbed 3 wickets each for 28 and 53 runs respectively. At stumps on day-one Everest were 63-3 in 17 overs. Mohan Ramdeen

made 19 before he was caught at first slip off the final delivery of the day and Sherfene Rutherford scored 18.

At Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO), DCC claimed first innings points from the host. MYO took first strike and were bundled out for 101 in 24.4 overs.

Parmanand Parsram top the batting with 39 and Zamal Khan assisted with 29; M.

Parks captured 3-30, Dexter George 3-48 and Orlando Sturge 2-9. DCC were 122-5 at the close of play on day one.

Larry Smith led with 40 and got support from T. Imlack 38 and Jaspaul Gangaram 29.

Richard Latiff has 2-15.

At Ghandi Youth Orhanisation (GYO), the home team closed the day just 2 runs short of first innings points from Malteenoes. The visitors

took first turn at the crease and were bowled out for 166 in 22 overs. Kareem Naughton ran out of partners as was left stranded on 99 not out (12x4 5x6) while Kefa Naughton made 33. Wazeer Mohamed picked up 3-39, Anand G o o l s a r a n 2 - 8 a n d F. Persaud 2-57.

GYO closed the day on 165-8 in 41 overs. L. Reid led the scoring with 52 (11x4) while F. Persaud supported with 29, J. Persaud 19 and Mohamed 17. Seon Daniels snared 3-45 and Carlos La Rose 3-50 so far.

At the University of Guyana ground, when play finally got under way after lunch, GCC batted first and were bowled out with less than 10 minutes remaining for the close of play for 150 in 50 overs. Devon Lord scored 46 and Martin Pestano 38.

Royston Alkins and Omesh Daniram have grabbed 2 wickets each.

At YMCA, Third Class got first innings points from Ace Warriors. Ace

Rawl Enmore Warriors closed their first innings on 125-8 after two of their players turned up late.

Rawl Enmore stroked his way to 95, while Trevor Hussain claimed 4-73 and Alvin Castello 3-15.

Third Class then replied with 129-7 declared; Doodram Muniram getting 30 and Castello 22. Left arm spinner Ryan Jones bagged 6-50. Ace Warriors in their second innings were in trouble at 23-5 in 5 overs. Govinda Muniram 3-5 and Hussain 2-6 are the men responsible for the damage so far. The competition continues today.

GFSCA Softball finals set for Dec. 1 at Everest The three finals of the GFSCA Male and Female nationwide softball tournament are set for next Saturday night, December 1 at the Everest Cricket ground.

The first final, the Male Masters, begins at 17:00hrs and that would be followed by the Female final and then Male Open final between Regal and Herstelling.

Meanwhile, today the semi finals for the Female and Male Masters competitions will be played at the Ministry of Education ground.

Semi final fixtures: Pitch 1: 09:30hrs - Park Rangers vs Floodlights. 12:30hrs - Front Liners Masters vs Regal Masters. Pitch 2: 10:00hrs Regal Champs vs Trophy Stall Angels. 11:30hrs Wellwoman vs 4R Lioness.

In resulst from matches played on November 18: Herstelling trounced Cotton Field Wild Oats by 8 wickets.

Cotton Field 83 all out in 12 overs; T. Narine 3 for 25.

Shaffik Ishmael 3 for 3 (hattrick).

Avinash Mohabir 2 for 18.

Herstelling 85 for 2 in 6.5 overs; Omesh Narine 35 not out, Avinash Mohabir 30.

Regal hammered R I Lemon by 8 wickets. R I Lemon 101 all out in 14 overs; T. Persaud 30, B. Kumar 25. Troy Kippins and Raymond Harper 2 wickets each. Regal 103 for 2

in 10 overs. Safraz Esaw 46 not out. Richard Latiff 27.

Memorex brushed aside Super Star X1 by 8 wickets.

Super Star X1 104 all out in 14 overs; R. Wilson 25. DeSilva took 5 wickets.

Memorex 106 for 2 in 10 overs; Veersammy 22 not out.

Trophy Stall A put away Oldendorff Carriers by 9 wickets. Oldendorff Carriers 79 for 8 in 15 overs; Mark Harold 3 for 11. Trophy Stall A 80 for 1 in 9 overs.

In semi final results: Herstelling beat Trophy Stall A by 39 runs.

Herstelling 189 for 8 in 15 overs; Omesh Narine 72, Wazim Yusuf 39 not out, Uniss Yusuf 22. S Ramnauth 3 for 47, Mark Harold 2 for 25.

Trophy Stall A 150 all out in 14.1 overs; Wazim Haslim 27, S. Ramnauth 25. Shameer Hussein 3 for 10, N. Narine 3 for 22, T. Narine 2 for 30.

Regal defeated toped Memorex by 8 wickets.

Memorex 86 for 8 in 15 overs; D. Looknauth 21. Troy Kippins 3 for 6, Balgobin 2 for 7. Regal 92 for 2 in 11 overs; Ricky Sergeant 32, Richard Latiff 30, N Nauth 2 for 16.

The tournament which started on August 26 is sponsored by Mikes Pharmacy, Ariel Enterprise, Trophy Stall, Ramchand Auto Spares, Survival, Motor Trend, and Petama Enterprise.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Keith ‘Wiler’ Niles former Guyana Int. 1975 – 1978 Statistician Charwayne Walker continues his series of features on Guyana’s World Cup players; today we are pleased to feature Keith ‘Wiler’ Niles, former Guyana International 1975 – 1978 and a Caribbean selectee in 1978.

Only a few Guyanese sons could boast of emulating their father at the senior International level. Pele Football Club player Keith ‘Wiler’ Niles joined such illustrious company in 1975 when he was named in Guyana’s first World Cup Squad.

Wiler emulated his late father George Niles who wore the National jersey with pride during the 50s early 60s. Keith Niles started is apprenticeship under the watchful eyes of the legendary Lennox Arthur for Pele FC at the Under-14 and 16 levels.

He graduated to the National Under-18 team in 1973 to play against Suriname but the heroes of that historical triumph that won the Forbes Burnaham trophy were Nile’ teammates Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton, Vibert ‘Durdy’

- Caribbean team selectee 1978 Butts, Terrence Nicholls, Wendell Sandiford, Aubrey Warner, Owen King and Clive Perry.

‘Wiler’ Niles featured in Inter Guiana Games again in 1974 in Paramaribo and 1975 when the games returned to Georgetown; so it was no surprise when the name Keith Niles was included in Guyana’s First World Cup Squad in October 1975.

His first outing in senior colours was against Bare of Brazil at Camp Ayanganna.

He played with more confidence in the next International series Guyana dominated against Texaco of Trinidad at the same venue.

Niles’ first senior tour was to Brazil with the World Cup Squad in January 1976.

According to him {Niles}, the series that made him stronger was the four matches Guyana contested against the Mighty Cubans in May of 1976.

Although the National team lost the series 3-0, Niles had the Cuban custodian under tremendous pressure

throughout the series. His 13th and 14th Internationals were against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Scottish divisionone team, St. Mirren and as Niles explained, he played an integral role in the series finale Guyana won 2-0 that ended Sir Ferguson and St. Mirren’s unbeaten Caribbean run.

His 15th international is the game that he says is always talked about; July 4, 1976, Guyana’s first World Cup Qualifier against Suriname at the GCC Ground, Bourda.

As Wiler recalled, the atmosphere was electric flying with a Carnival like tempo although clubmate Vibert Butts scored the opening goal. The moment that brought the biggest celebration was when Niles eluded two Suriname defenders and sent a bullet shot past the Dutchmen’s custodian for a 2-0 Guyana victory.

Niles explained that his 16th game is the saddest of

his career because Guyana lost the return fixture and was sent packing from the 1976 World Cup Qualifying campaign. The following year, 1977, Niles’s International programme started for Pele at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground against Voowarts of Suriname, Pele won 2-0 and the goal scorers were Keith ‘Wiler’ Niles and Clyde ‘Oiler’ Watson.

Pele lost the return fixture 0-3 in Paramaribo and were knocked out of the 1977 CONCACAF Club Championship. Niles then featured in three Internationals against Trinidad and Tobago; the national team won the opener 2-1 at Mackenzie Sports Club Ground and drew the second match 2-2 at GCC while losing the series finale 2-0 at GCC. The ‘Soca Warriors’ won the series on goal difference> Keith ‘Wiler ’ Niles celebrated for the first time as a senior national player when Guyana defeated Barbados 10 in a three match series.

In October 1977, the Earl O’Neal led side won the first

Sampson rebounds in record time

By Edison Jefford National junior sprint phenom, Jevina Sampson, rebounded in the 400m Friday afternoon at the National Stadium in record time after her 100m loss to cousin, Torana Mitchell; Sampson ran an amazing race on a heavy track owed to the morning rain.

The North Georgetown athlete capped her 2012 sojourn at the National Schools Championships with a 58.8 seconds run in the Under-16 Girls’ 400m race, shaving three seconds off the Monica Roberts 2005 record that was set at Albion. Upper Demerara’s, Kelanie Griffith was second with 1:00.4 and East Georgetown’s Natrina Hooper (1:07) third.

In the Boys’ version, Jason Yaw continued his ascendancy on the local scene, smashing Carlwyn Collins 2007 record of 52.7 with his 51.8 seconds run. The East Coast district athlete did enough to easily beat North Georgetown’s, Dequan Vancooten (53.7) and New Amsterdam’s, Ian William (54.0).

New Amsterdam’s Melissa Byass, who has never lost at Nationals since her debut at Under-14, made her sojourn memorable again with her second gold medal in the U-18 race. Byass, genuine talent, took control

on the back straight to power away from North Georgetown’s Shoquan Daniels and Corentyne’s Loshana Johnson in a minute flat.

Daniels and Johnson had times: 1:03.6 and 1:05.5 respectively for second and third.

Upper Demerara’s Shaquille Smartt thrashed the U-18 record with his 51.3 seconds, leaving the East Coast’s Samuel Doris (51.7) and Sherlock Jones (52.0) to fend for the other podium spots in the race.

Then the record breaking trend that has been one of the features of Nationals 2012 continued in the 400m U-20 Boys race with Stephon James scripting his name in history with 49.8 seconds. It was his second record of the competition following his new 200m mark.

New Amsterdam’s Eon Hinds was second with 51.4 seconds while South Georgetown’s, Selwyn Foster (51.7) was third. National junior sprinter, Tiffany Carto, also got her reprieve in the 400m after nemesis; Ebony Nelson stunned her in the 100m dash.

Carto won the U-20 female race in a minute flat, three seconds ahead of Nelson, who out-leaned Shomane Daniels for second. The official times are Carto (1:00.2), Nelson (1:03.4), and Daniels (1:03.6). The performances in track’s most gruelling race can

be called impressive on the surface that rain left heavy Friday.

At the Closing Ceremony, Guyana Teachers’ Union President, Colin Bynoe called for those who are in authority to “put their money where their mouth is on the ‘Road to Rio’” to ensure that the talent that was unearthed last week gets due attention.

Corentyn’s Samuel Allicock was adjudged Boys U-8 Champion Athlete with East Bank, Odessa France taking the female prize; West Coast Berbice’s, Trevon Prince won the Boys U-10 Champion Athlete award with North Georgetown’s Yesenia Andrews taking the female version of the award.

Essequibo Islands Nkossi Dazzell won the Boys U-12 prize with East Coast Demerara, Kenisha Phillips taking the female prize. Samuel Jordon was the male winner in the U-14 category with Upper Demerara’s phenom, Cassey George taking the female award.

In the Under-16 category, East Coast’s Jason Yaw won big with Upper Demerara’s Kelanie Griffith also taking home the lion’s share of the spoils. North Georgetown’s Kevin Abensetts won in the U-18 male category while Upper Dem’s, Shannon Griffith was the female champion.

Stephon James won Champion Athlete U-20 after

winning the 100m, 200m and 400m races for the first time in the New Millennium with Ebony Nelson taking home her biggest prize of what will be a fledging career.

(RIGHT) North Georgetown’s Jevina Sampson is in sublime form Friday afternoon as she finishes her record-breaking 400m at the National Stadium.

(LEFT) East Coast’s Jason Yaw continued his dominance in the 400m that earned him a Champion Athlete award at the 2012 National Schools Championships.

match 2-0 at Mackenzie and drew the other two 0-0 at GCC, Bourda.

Niles’ International campaign in 1977 concluded with four matches against Cuba’s Under-23 team.

The Pele’s F.C star striker’s International campaign in 1978 started with two matches for the National Under-23 against Suriname’s Under-23s; Guyana led by Trevor ‘Labba’ Barton lost both matches at GFC and Mackenzie Sports Club.

Niles then toured Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago with the Earl O’Neal led side. Nile’s next assignment was for his beloved Pele FC against Racing Club of Curacao. Pele won both matches home and in Aruba and in the process became the first Guyanese Club to pass the first round of the CONCACAF Club Championship.

Niles and Pele celebrations were short lived because Suriname’s Voowarts sent them packing in the next round. After the CONCACAF Championship, Niles featured for Guyana in two Nations

Cup matches, Guyana lost to Suriname in Linden and in Paramaribo.

His 28th International was 5-0 thrashing by Chinese Provincial team Kwangtung.

His next cap was for the Caribbean team that engaged Kwangtung Province at GCC. George Niles’ son 30th and final International for Guyana was a 5-0 thrashing Guyana suffered against the touring Russian Textile team, December 1978.

International tours.

1974 Suriname Inter Guiana game series 1975 Brazil with World Cup Squad 1976 Suriname World Cup Qualifier 1977 Suriname CONCACAF Club Championship 1978 Barbados and Trinidad with Senior National Team 1979 Suriname Nations Cup 1978 Aruba CONCACAF Club Championship 1978 Suriname CONCACAF Club Championship

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

Old Fort Hockey Club receives gear from K&S for imminent tourney Preparations are continuing as hockey administrators put the modalities in place for the 13th Annual Diamond Mineral Water International Hockey Festival, scheduled to get underway from November 29 - December 2 next at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The K&S Football organization has pitched in with support for one of the local teams, Old Fort Hockey Club, with a timely donation

of gear. Yesterday morning, President of the receiving organization, Samuel Birkett received a quantity of gear including vests and trunks, hoses and other paraphernalia at the K&S Office, Irving Street, Georgetown.

Kashif Muhammad made the presentation on behalf of his organization, in the presence of Secretary (K&S), Colin Aaron, also a former hockey player. He said that he was delighted to be able to

Kashif Muhammad hands over some of the gear to Samuel Birkett in the presence of Colin Aaron (left) and Chris Low Ksoan.

contribute to the club’s efforts at winning the imminent championships even as he extended best wishes to Mr. Birkett. The latter individual was truly enthused by the extended benevolence and expressed gratitude to his benefactor. The tournament is expected to provide patrons with top class entertainment and President of the Guyana Hockey Board, Chris Fernandes, revealed that 17 teams will be participating.

GCC awards valuable cricket, hockey players The Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) acknowledged the sterling contributions of several of its cricketers and hockey players at a Cocktail and Awards Ceremony held on Friday, November 23.

GCC’s President, Lionel Jaikaram, said in recent years the club’s hockey teams have reached new heights, and under the stewardship of cricket coach, Monty Lynch, ‘cricket rocks at GCC again’.

“Congratulations and

thank you to coach Monty Lynch. His efforts have paid off…Mr. Philip Fernandes; GCC also thank and congratulate you tonight.

Under your management our hockey teams have reached new heights,” Jaikaram said.

Commenting on the performance of the club’s cricketers, Jaikaram stated, “Three recent victories come immediately to mind. Our first division side won the Queensway 50 overs knock-

out competition and our second-division team won the NBS 40 over knock-out competition. Just recently as last Saturday, the senior pair of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Leon Johnson won the inaugural GCC double wicket invitational. Cricket rocks at GCC again!”

The president also congratulated the club’s hockey teams, noting: “GCC’s senior men are the GT&T national indoor champions

for 2012. They were also runners-up in the last Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Festival and are joint leaders in the current Farfan and Mendes Outdoor League. The junior team, are the winners of this year’s Brydens Indoor classic and the veteran’s team are the GT&T national champions in that division.”

In addition to the hard work and dedication of the coaches and players, Jaikaram

also acknowledged the contributions of key members of the club who have played an integral role in advancing GCC’s development.

“Our overwhelming thanks go to Mr. Les Ramahlo and Mr. Ramsay Ali, and the companies they represent for their generous support in making it possible for Coach Monty Lynch to give his services full-time to our cricket teams. Thanks also to Mr. Surendra Etwaroo, whom

many of us know as Papoo, who also supports this effort,” Jaikaram said.

Ali is the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Products Limited and Ramahlo is the General Manager of Noble House Seafood.

Both Coaches Lynch and Fernandes commended their players for the commitment and dedication they have shown and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 53

Yisrael, carving a name for himself

By Rawle Welch His services are sought from some of the best athletes and teams locally, but still he remains humble and affable and perhaps those are the two special qualities that have made CEO of the Top End Performance Training System Kezqweyah Yisrael so successful in his current endeavour.

Housed at the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC), Kaieteur Sport recently caught up with Yisrael to talk about the business and its relevance in today’s society where fitness and wellness seem to be the watch words these days.

Yisrael, a former athlete that played basketball told this newspaper that the Brand started in 2011 and was built on the premise that there was a need for athletes to be trained properly, especially those with the desire to make it to the world class level, but were based at home.

“It used to be that many of our top sportsmen and women would usually credit their advanced training

techniques to someone based overseas and because of the absence of top class trainers with the modern methods of preparing athletes for regional and international competitions I saw the need to fill that void hence the birth of Top End Performance Training System,” Yisrael disclosed.

According to him, what he saw was a lot of talent, but because of the dearth of top flight preparations which is usually crucial to make it to the top, many of them based locally never get the opportunity to reach their full potential since being successful at the highest level has so much to do with the level of preparations one is afforded in every regard.

He added that with the absence of such high quality training many athletes lacked the motivation to carry on and consequently becomes frustrated and exits the sport or merely treats it as a past time effort.

He explained that the level of fitness required to compete at the highest level was missing from many of our

players, but Yisrael cautioned that it is not that there aren’t a few trainers equipped with the expertise, but because of poor marketing strategies they remain anonymous.

Yisrael has been known to work with some very high profile teams and athletes including the national cricket team in 2010 on the recommendation of the then Territorial Development Officer of the WICB Reon King and so impressed were his clients that West Indies middle order batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan solicited his services as well.

“It was those sessions that really opened the door for me because after that I received an offer from the Guyana Squash Association to work with the junior national squad, before being sought by Caribbean Squash champion Nicolette Fernandes, Squash player Regan Pollard and the national hockey team.

Yisrael stationed at the GMR&SC has also done remedial work on some very high profile motor racers as well including the current

Caribbean Superbike champion Stephen Vieira, Group 4 champion Mark Vieira, Irfaan Kalamadeen among others.

According to Yisrael in an attempt to expand the brand, they’ve embarked on a plan to equip more trainers to attain the expertise so that they can cater for a larger influx of patrons shortly.

He singled out Neetzkiel Yisrael as one who has developed admirably and has impressed with his understanding of the techniques needed to become a good trainer.

Yisrael revealed they’ve also added other components to supplement their training which includes the physiotherapist Arianne and Massage Therapist Kathleen Paul, who specializes in therapeutic corrective massages.

Quizzed on the response to the Business to date, Yisrael first thanked the Management of the GMR&SC for giving him the opportunity to utilize the facility, before announcing that the response has been tremendous and

Top End Performance Training System CEO Kezqweyah Yisrael seen with Caribbean Squash champion Nicolette Fernandes and national cricketer Leon Johnson. encouraging.

“We are looking to take Fitness and Wellness to another level and it will not only include athletes, but ordinary persons interested in staying healthy as well.

Among the services they provide are Sports Specific Conditioning, Weight Loss Programme, General Strengthening Exercises, while an added dimension has been introduced where persons could now come and rent a bike and cycle outdoors.

Yisrael also disclosed that they offer Group Fitness Programmes which could be personalized as well and this

component he stated is the fastest growing trend in the industry. He added that the emphasis is to provide challenging and motivational training that will leave lasting results.

The Gym opens on Monday to Thursday from 06:00 hrs- 21:00 hrs and Fridays from 06:00 hrs to 17:30 hrs, Sundays from 07:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs and on most holidays as well.

Yisrael closed by extending thanks to David Fernandes, Kevin Jeffrey, Noshavyah King, Compton Blair and all those who in one way or another contributed to his success.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 25, 2012

WICB announces schedule for Regional 4-Day and Super50 2013 - 48 matches to be played by 7 regional teams St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Antigua â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The West Indies Cricket Board has announced that there will be a total of 48 matches in the WICB Regional 4 Day and Super50 tournaments in the 2013 season.

The season will commence on February 7th with three Super50 matches in Antigua, Barbados and St Lucia. The 4 Day matches will commence on February 9th and run through to February 12th.

Barbados will host reigning double champions Jamaica (winner of both the 4 Day and Super50 in 2012) at Kensington Oval; Guyana will travel to the Sir Vivian

Richards Cricket Grounds in Antigua to play Leeward Islands and Windward Islands will take on Combined Campuses and Colleges at the Beausejour Cricket Grounds.

Trinidad and Tobago has gotten the bye for the first round. Kensington Oval in

Barbados will host the semi finals and final of the Super 50 in April.

The two teams with the most number of points after the preliminary rounds of the 4 Day will host the semi final matches while the final will be hosted by the team in the final with the highest number of points after the preliminary rounds.

The teams will compete for the Clive Lloyd Trophy in the Super50 and the Headley/ Weekes Trophy in the Regional 4 Day. Jamaica has achieved the unparalleled feat of having won the Headley/ Weekes Trophy for the last five consecutive seasons.

Sunday November 25, 2012

Kaieteur News

Best puts WI on top

Windies players celebrate with Veerasammy Permaul after he had Shakib Al Hasan caught for 97 in the deep late on the fourth day. © WICB Media Khulna, Bangladesh – A three-wicket burst from Tino Best and the scalp of Shakib Al Hasan in the final over after leading a fightback for the hosts on Saturday, put West Indies on track for an unlikely victory over Bangladesh in the final Test of their two-match series here.

Best defied a stiff hamstring to grab 3-26 from eight overs and Veerasammy Permaul supported with 2-51 from 16.1 overs, as the Bangladeshis reached 226 for six in their second innings – still trailing by 35 runs – at the close on the fourth day at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium here.

Cutting his pace and trying to find a consistent line and length, Best sliced through the home team’s top order, after Fidel Edwards had snared the early scalp of opener Nazimuddin for a first-ball duck in the first over of the innings.

Permaul added the scalp of feisty Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim before Shakib and Nasir Hossain put on 144 for the sixth wicket to revive the hosts after they wobbled to 82 for five.

With the stadium lights at full blast and the crowd that more than half-filled the arena urging Shakib to score the three runs to complete his third Test hundred, Windies captain Darren Sammy entrusted the final over to Permaul his least experienced bowler.

The West Indies left-arm spinner floated up the first delivery and the eager Shakib charged down the pitch, trying to lash the delivery out of the city, and sliced a high catch to mid-off, where Best settled underneath and gleefully accepted, leaving the stunned Nasir, unbeaten on 64.

This unfolded after Shivnarine Chanderpaul gathered an undefeated 150 to allow West Indies to declare their first innings on 648 for nine about 15 minutes after lunch.

He shared 75 for the fifth wicket with Denesh Ramdin, whose dismissal for 31 triggered a slide that saw the visitors lose five wickets either side of the interval for 27 in the space of 44 deliveries, as Shakib ended 4-151 from 52 overs and Sohag Gazi finished with 3167 from 57.3 overs.

Edwards gave the Windies an early breakthrough, when he trapped Nazimuddin plumb in front with a fast, full delivery, and had Shahriar Nafees caught at gully on eight in his third over, only for the third umpire to discover the delivery was a no-ball following a review of the dismissal – but Best swung the tide. He bowled Tamim Iqbal for 28 with a well-

pitched, first delivery which the Bangladesh opener played across, and three balls later, snaked a delivery back from outside the offstump that also bowled Naeem Islam for two with the batsman offering no stroke.

Best delivered another blow in his third over, when Shahriar tried to evade a nasty bouncer and gloved a catch to Sammy at second slip.

Permaul claimed his first scalp following an all-too-brief period of consolidation from the Bangladeshis, when Mushfiqur charged down the pitch and also tried to hit the leftarm spinner out of the city, and was bowled for 10, leaving his side in strife.

West Indies met resistance however, when Nasir joined Shakib and they spent the next 2 ¾ hours restoring some respectability with their partnership, after taking the hosts to tea on 85 for five. With the ball getting softer and the pitch still unyielding, the Windies bowlers toiled away, as Shakib and Nasir scored freely.

A single off Permaul to long-off brought Shakib to his 50 from 69 balls and a punch off Edwards through cover for two carried Nasir to his 50 from 100 balls.

Sunil Narine failed to put a cap on the scoring and Shakib smote 4, 6, 4 from the third, fourth and fifth deliveries of his ninth over to inch closer to put him within sight of a hundred, which he threw away with his reckless stroke.

Earlier, West Indies continued from their overnight total of 564 for four, looking to post a first innings lead of over 300 to ensure they only had to bat once in the match. Things however, did not go to plan for the Windies, as the Tigers’ bowled a consistent line and length, set deep fields, and kept the scoring in check.

Ramdin had soldiered through the first hour-and-a-half with little trouble, but Shakib had him caught behind before following up with the scalps of Sammy caught at slip for a duck, Permaul caught at short cover for 13 and Narine caught at forward short leg for a first-ball duck, as Windies reached 639 for eight at lunch.

Chanderpaul reached his 150 shortly after the interval and when Edwards edged a loose drive and was caught at slip, Sammy waved to signal the lead was enough. West Indies lead the two-Test series 1-0, following a 77-run victory in the first Test that ended last Saturday at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka.

The West Indies have never lost a Test series, let alone a Test in three trips to this country. (WICB)

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