Kaieteur News

Saturday Edition

Online readership yesterday 106,817

October 13, 2012 - Vol. 6 No. 38 - Price $80 kaieteurnews@yahoo.com Website:http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Red Thread, AFC stage rally against police p. 3

Semblance of calm in Agricola - Benn p.

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- Police maintain presence Cleaning up in progress

Political parties Rats eat corpse at point fingers after Agricola protest GPHC mortuary p.

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p.

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American woman gets four years for cocaine in crotch …five more busted yesterday for more ‘coke in crotch’

p.

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Kaieteur News

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Saturday October 13, 2012

Elderly woman Semblance of calm in Agricola - Benn walks away with $1M - Police maintain presence

A

semblance of c a l m h a s returned to the community of Agricola following Thursday night's fiery protest by residents.

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force are still conducting patrols in the community and along the East Bank Public Road.

Reports indicated that Thursday's protest was triggered by utterances by Head of Presidential S e c r e t a r i a t D r. R o g e r Luncheon that the government was prepared to “rumble” against demands for Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee to step down.

The Opposition has been

calling for Rohee's resignation following the execution of an Agricola youth, Shaquille Grant, by ranks of the Guyana Police Force.

The protest which lasted for several hours, saw a standoff between the police and youths armed with stones, bottles, sticks and cutlasses. Protestors lit tyres and other obstacles which they used to block the carriageway.

According to Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, who is also executing duties as Home Affairs Minister, the flow of traffic which was interrupted for hours along the East Bank

D e m e r a r a m a i n thoroughfare is flowing unhindered.

This was made possible by the clearing of debris including broken glasses, burnt wood and a vehicle shell by Public Works Ministry's Force Account Unit.

According to the Head of the Force Account Unit, Lawrence Mentis, sections of the surface of the carriageway between Eccles and Agricola are damaged.

To recap the surface may cost the Ministry between $3M and $5M. Commenting on security of Agricola and the roadway, Benn said that ranks are on standby within the vicinity.

In addition, there are various security units patrolling the area to maintain law and order.

He is confident that the situation in Agricola is settling down. “I don't think that the community as a mass, wants what occurred yesterday (Thursday) to happen again,” Benn said.

Mitzia Farlay collecting the $1M prize A woman, who never thought that she would actually hold a $1M in her hands, cannot seem to stop laughing after she walked away with the top prize offered by Republic Bank on their annual Deal on Wheels promotion.

The promotion was held yesterday at the Head Office at the Promenade ‘Court.

Mitzia Farlay, the winner of $1M, told Kaieteur News

that she never thought that she would win that much money. The overjoyed woman said that this is in fact the second time she has won something in her lifetime.

“In 2006, I won a bicycle from ND&S (a furniture store) and I still have it, I does even ride it,” the winner said. She plans to use her money to clear her loan account, “and I don’t know

what I will do with the rest of it.”

The other winners were Maurice Menezes, who walked away with $600,000 and Ghansham Payman won the third prize of $400,000.

The Auto Dealer’s prize of $150,000 was won by Tropical Auto Sales of Corriverton. The Deal on Wheels Campaign which is in its 10th year was launched on June 1, last.

Saturday October 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Red Thread, AFC stage rally against police

A section of the crowd yesterday at the rally There was a resounding call yesterday afternoon as Guyanese from all walks of life converged for a “change” rally just outside the White Castle Fish Shop, where 21year-old Dameon Belgrave was shot and killed by the police.

They were calling for a change from a country, which according to them has a “dangerous” police force that is out to harm people.

The rally and procession was organized by the Red Thread organization and

Alliance for Change (AFC).

Persons heard speeches from Karen De Souza, SASOD’s Delicia Nicholson, Kaieteur News Columnist Freddie Kissoon, Jermaine Grant from the YCT and Shonette Adams among others.

Chairman of the Alliance Change, Nigel Hughes, had the large gathering shouting.

Hughes yesterday told them that the PPP/C regime was not only frightened but was in a panic mode.

He said that the reason for this is that the people of

Guyana are using the most dangerous weapon they have which is “our minds”.

“We are in the process of emancipating our self from mental slavery and it is because we are doing this they are panicking” Hughes said yesterday. The chairman said that the PPPC still believes people are stupid.

Hughes said that the comments made by Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira and Attorney General Anil Nandlall create problems since the two have a problem,

“they can’t deal with and understand intelligent people”.

He said that the two could not comprehend how the people of Agricola stood up for themselves. “When they gun down the young boy in Agricola they thought it was a criminal, they executed him and they will face justice,” Hughes asserted.

He further told the large gathering that the government is going scared and they are making statements to provoke a

reaction. Hughes said that they are trying their best to derail the process, but change is coming.

Hughes called for people to be cautious and calm since they cannot afford to be misread. “They want a riot so they could video tape it and take it to Corentyne so they could capture votes they lost, but this is a new day and the people aren’t buying what they are saying; they are thinking for themselves,” Hughes said.

According to Hughes, the

government wants to intimidate citizens since they can’t come with rationality because there is no reason for people to support them. He said that people are increasing their knowledge of consciousness. They will try to bully and threaten persons, but people aren’t afraid of them.

The chairman said that Government wants the people to be separated, but they don’t realize that people are more conscious. “The police (continued on page 12)

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 13, 2012

Letters... Where your views make the news

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

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

The woes of single thoroughfares In July the people of Linden exposed the woes of single thoroughfares. They shut down the road that provided access between the hinterland and the city for a month with serious consequences for the country. The miners and loggers in the hinterland could not move their goods. They also could not access food and the other things necessary for their business.

People as far away as the Rupununi felt the impact of that shut down. Fuel necessary for their movement and for the electricity plants could not reach. Like their other hinterland colleagues they could not get food.

At the same time the people of Linden could not travel to the city because the transport system had ground to a halt. This situation lasted for a month and the nation suffered. President Donald Ramotar recognized the effect because he later said that the Brazilians who are keen to construct a road to coastal Guyana were now considering bypassing Linden.

It was more of the same a few years earlier when Buxton was the hotbed of tensions. People travelling to and from the city from the eastern part of the country were held at siege. It took a permanent military presence and patrols to keep that thoroughfare open.

On Thursday, the people of Agricola shut down passage along the East Bank Demerara corridor by blocking both thoroughfares and by burning tyres across the roadway.

For more than five hours there was no movement of traffic in either direction and once more the people of the country recognized the disadvantages of having one main thoroughfare.

In our case, this situation could not be helped. The bulk of the population is concentrated in and around the city. For those who live on West Demerara, the days are long past when the Demerara River was the link between those communities and the city. We will continue to have single thoroughfares leading to out of town communities. However, somewhere gathering dust is a plan to construct a parallel East Bank Demerara roadway because of the traffic congestion. And the problem would increasingly be to keep these thoroughfares open.

Thursday’s blocking of the streets, it is said, was sparked by comments made by the Cabinet Secretary and by what the people saw as the preferential treatment meted out to a prisoner accused of killing a young man in Agricola.

Surely the situation could have been avoided. Regardless of how the police may feel about one of their own there are certain rules and norms that must be observed. A prisoner must be treated as such despite the arguments that a person is innocent until proven guilty. Guyanese firmly believe that a person is guilty until proven innocent. The prisoner should have been made to sit with other prisoners. If the escorts felt that his well-being would have been threatened then transport him in a separate vehicle. People would have expected to see him in handcuffs. They were fed a daily diet of such treatment of prisoners, first when Mark Benschop was placed before the courts on treason charges, again when three East Bank Demerara residents were again charged with treason, and when those arrested for a spate of murders and armed robberies were brought before the courts. The stage for the treatment of prisoners had been set.

Then there were the comments by the Cabinet Secretary in defence of the embattled Home Affairs Minister. He said that regardless of how strident are the opposition calls for the removal of the Home Affairs Minister and regardless of the accusations, the government will not budge. It will not bow to opposition challenges.

Then the Cabinet Secretary sang. The people said that he was not only inconsiderate, but also mocking of their efforts. In times of tension people are likely to explode and the people of Agricola did. And in any crisis situation the criminals will make hay. They detracted from the protest when they robbed hapless people trying to either head home or head to work.

One would expect that many would not now have sympathy for the people of Agricola. Many who were critical of the police actions wanted the police to deal condignly with those who exposed them to the criminals. He who feels it knows it.

Reducing poverty and hunger DEAR EDITOR, A recent study conducted by the United Nations found that there are some 870 million people who could be considered c h r o n i c a l l y undernourished in the w o r l d t o d a y, t h e v a s t majority of whom live in the developing world.

A c t u a l l y, the term developing world is itself a m i s n o m e r, a s a n increasing number of countries classified as ‘developing’ are slipping further into the abyss of poverty and underdevelopment. A few are labeled as “failed states” due to civil wars and an absence of c o n s t i t u t i o n a l government.

One consequence of political instability and undemocratic rule is the inability to provide for a growing population, a significant number of whom are dying, for want of food, water and medicine and other preventable illnesses.

Millions of children could have been alive today had they been provided with

adequate pre-and postnatal care.

According to the Wo r l d Health Organization, on average 29,000 children die of preventable causes each d a y, t h a t i s , a b o u t 2 0 deaths per minute.

Most of the deaths are taking place in SubSaharan Africa due to malnutrition and diseases.

Overall, there had been some improvements over the past decade or so.

According to the Report, the number of hungry people declined somewhat between 1990 and 2007, but there has been some slowing down of the process due to the economic and financial crisis which has gripped a number of countries, both in the developed and the developing world. This was further exacerbated by extreme weather conditions resulting in food shortages due to droughts and floods. “ In today’s world of unprecedented technical and economic opportunities we find it entirely unacceptable that more than one million

children under five are underweight and therefore unable to realize their full human and socio-economic potential and that childhood malnutrition is a cause of death for more than 2.5 million children every year,” according to joint statement issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development ( IFAD) and World Food Programme (WFP).

“We note with particular concern that the recovery of the world economy from the recent global financial crisis remains fragile.

We nonetheless appeal to the international community to make extra efforts to assist the poorest in realizing their basic human right to adequate food. The world has the knowledge and the means to eliminate all forms of food insecurity and malnutrition,” the statement added.

Unlike some other parts of the world, Latin America and the Caribbean has made over the years significant progress, with the number of hungry falling from 65 million in the early 1990s to 49 million in 2010-2012, while the

prevalence of undernourishment declined from 14.6 per cent to 8.3 percent.

Africa, by comparison, remained the only region where the number of hungry grew over the period, increasing from 175 million to 239 million over the past four years, with nearly 20 million added within the past four years alone.

The key to reversing poverty and hunger is to increase growth rates but as the Report underlined, growth though necessary, is not a sufficient condition for poverty reduction.

Growth must not only benefit the poor, but must also be nutrition-sensitive in order to reduce various forms of malnutrition.

Reducing hunger is about more than just increasing the quantity of food, but also about increasing the quality of food in terms of diversity, nutrient content and safety.

Guyana has made significant advances over the past two decades in terms of agricultural diversification, with an expansion of traditional crops and aquaculture both for the local and overseas markets. The contribution of other crops to the country’s GDP has been quite significant thanks to an aggressive agriculture diversification programme launched by the Agriculture Ministry.

Guyana has moved away from a mono-cultural economy to one that is more broad-based even though sugar and rice continue to be the two largest contributors to the economy in terms of foreign exchange earnings and employment creation.

Unlike so many other countries in the Caribbean and elsewhere, Guyana is relatively self-sufficient in terms of food production, even though a significant amount of foreign exchange is spent on food imports for which there are local substitutes.

But, as the saying goes, we are all creatures of habit and the food culture handed down to us during the colonial period still remains dominant.

As Guyanese, we have to make a conscious effort to consume more of what we produce and in so doing lessen our dependence on imported foods.

This will give a give a boost to our local food production and at the same time save valuable foreign exchange.

Hydar Ally

Saturday October 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news A second road needed It is a disservice to not be afforded DEAR EDITOR, g o v e r n m e n t w i l l i n g t o warrants the immediate and protection when you most need it It pains me to see my c o n s t r u c t a s e c o n d a r y rapid migration of persons in beloved country deteriorate and the men and women in power are culpable of this great sin on our Dear Land of Guyana.

This government continues to ride its people with hogwash. First, while they were in opposition, they criticised the PNC government of wanting to make Guyanese slaves by putting them to plant cassava and the like to sustain themselves. Here we are after twenty years i n p o w e r, t h e y a r e encouraging people to grow more to sustain themselves and the Caribbean market.

Both Mr. Burnham and Mr. Hoyte had a plan to construct a secondary road leading out of Georgetown to the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway.

This government is bent on widening roads which isn’t an issue except an inconvenience; a price person must pay, except for the corrupt practices that are evident, especially with regards to the East Coast Road Expansion Programme.

Why isn’t the

road?

The chaos demonstrated on the East Bank road begs the question, “Where are we when it comes to safety?”

Wi d e n i n g r o a d s o n l y removes the issue of congestion during peak hours, but the issue of safety and congestion in case of a disaster, natural or man-made, remains.

This government should call in Mr. Stanley Ming to assist with this plan to construct a secondary road. I guess because it’s not their idea they would not take it.

We heard about all the advisers to the president and their super salaries.

We s e e t h e c a b i n e t secretary singing on live T V “ We s h a l l n o t b e moved” with regards to the removal of Clement Rohee, yet none of these so-called “bright folks” see it as a necessity that a secondary road is needed.

Traffic will always be a problem should some catastrophe strike residents traversing the East Bank thoroughfare.

Let’s envisage a major flood or a severe high tide that

Georgetown and the East Bank to higher ground; let’s say Linden. How can we avoid the loss of lives when there is only one way out. We have enough land to build more than two roads leading out of the city to the Airport and the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

I guess the government officials are happy with things as they are, simply because they can get on those three helicopters or get someone to fly them from Ogle to Timehri International or Skeldon and leave all “unwanted” persons behind.

It’s time we start thinking about progress. Progress doesn’t stop at the construction of fancy stores and housing schemes, it continues with the development and satisfaction of the human peace of mind.

And rest assured, many are disgruntled, because they do not have a peace of mind as was evident in the Agricola incident.

I pray that God saves this Dear Land of Beautiful Guyana from the hands of the devil and evil-doers in high places.

Kirtley A. Williams

DEAR EDITOR, As a concerned citizen, I must show my concern and disdain for the actions of persons who took advantage of those trapped in their vehicles or otherwise stranded on Thursday evening, as a result of a protest.

Whatever effect was intended by the protest (or was it intentional) was lost due to the criminals who took advantage of a dire situation which affected hundreds if not thousands of commuters.

I was able to witness firsthand, groups of young men armed with cutlasses, knives and pieces of wood robbing and terrorizing persons at will, with only token resistance.

One can only imagine what would have happened if more of those commuters had decided to take matters into their own hands and fight back against those who were bent on taking others’ hard-earned belongings.

The police ranks on the ground during the events at Agricola (not sure about Stabroek) should not have let

that situation escalate out of control for so long.

Protesting is fine as long as it’s peaceful. Once persons started to destroy public property and harm passersby, all bets are off.

The picture on Thursday’s Kaieteur News front page, illustrates my point clearly!

Let me paint a scenario, protestors block the road, ranks respond.

The road is clear, ranks step back and the roads are blocked again.

The back and forth goes on for a while then chaos erupts.

A simple solution….why not adopt some of the tactics used overseas to quell the situation and just video

(several cameras from various angles are best) to back up your decisions. Remember the adage, “Train hard, fight easy”.

I know the police force is under pressure for some of the nonsense done by its members, but by no means is this any excuse to drop the baton so to speak. Officers need to take command of their charges and just do the right thing.

The force is supposed to serve and protect and for many of those robbed Thursday evening, through no fault of their own, it was a disservice that they weren’t afforded protection when they most needed it.

Paul Mc Adam

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 13, 2012

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

Guyana’s Airport What are the people paying US$150 Million for?

DEAR EDITOR, Much has been written about the controversial modernization of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) that a Chinese company will execute, and which has been shrouded in secrecy.

However, I am not sure that the PPP regime has publicly shared an artist impression of the finish product.

The public needs to see the internal and external structure.

W h a t a b o u t p o w e r, lightning, climate and the impact of a fully-loaded 747 on the physical infrastructure at the airport and the movement of people and waste? I am certain that the PPP regime did its homework and is not looking for another embarrassing episode.

Has Freedom House shown the public the US$150 million airport that they claim will bring “tourists” in masses to Guyana? Maybe it’s out

there and I just missed it. And the fact that they are so adamant about the project, one would expect a display of it at CJIA, like what most countries do when they undertake an infrastructural project of this magnitude. But this is asking too much from the PPP regime in Guyana that controls all aspects of the state; penetrating all political, civil and religious institutions.

Hypothetically speaking, what if something goes wrong with the airport after the Chinese leave? Has Freedom House looked into this?

Will the Chinese be held liable? In the so-called contract that has been signed, is there a clause pertaining to unexpected problems that holds the Chinese accountable?

These are sound questions, after the Chinese built a messed up 200-million dollar sugar factory in Skeldon.

Ray Chickrie

Governments serve the people, thus the people are the actual rulers

DEAR EDITOR, Mr.Patrick Mentore’s letter, “Don’t hammer the police without offering useful suggestions,” (KN, October 12), was long on rhetoric but short on reality. The rhetoric about offering suggestions for making the force better is no different from the rhetoric from those who challenge critics of the regime to come up with ideas instead of merely criticizing.

There is no Guyanese, at home or abroad, who can show evidence of any meaningful or substantive suggestion that was offered to the PPP regime by a nonPPPite over the last two decades that was adopted or incorporated into government’s agenda.

If there is one thing I have learned about the PPP in the last two decades, it is this: it does not care for the opinions of anyone other than the PPP. It is either the PPP’s way or no way. While many of us had an open mind to Cheddi Jagan and the PPP back in 1992, we were shocked to discover that the PPP never had an open mind to us.

And even when it

pretended to be amenable to a suggestions from outside Freedom House, it would twist and turn the suggestion to fit into one of its already established agenda items, making the suggestion a PPP brand.

When Dr. Yesu Persaud suggested to Dr. Jagan in 1990 that Mr. Sam Hinds of the GUARD movement be Jagan’s prime ministerial candidate, we all held out hope for an open and peoplefriendly PPP, after being told for two decades prior of the horrible stuff a communist PPP regime would do to Guyana.

After Jagan and the PPP won, we kept looking futilely for the PPP to incorporate ideas from the people, but then Jagan died unexpectedly in 1997, and the baton was passed to Janet Jagan and then Bharrat Jagdeo.

With the ascension of Jagdeo, the PPP morphed from a party of the Guyana-version of hope and change, into hype and corruption. The Civic arm was crippled.

When President Jagdeo wrote the British asking for help in reforming the police force to deal with the armed criminal

gangs, the British responded by offering to finance a G$160M security sector reform plan, only to be shot down by the Jagdeo regime because the regime did not want to have British police stationed among Guyanese police as part of the security sector reform. What bigger and better suggestion than this can anyone offer, Mr. Mentore?

It is not for the want of suggestions that the PPP regime is still corrupt, lawless, vindictive, authoritarian, and discriminatory, or that the police force remains compromised to the point it is now in a state of crisis, much like the system of governance in Guyana.

The PPP does not care who jumps on its bandwagon for personal or political reasons, but everyone is expendable in the interest of the PPP’s goals.

Look at Messrs. Ramjattan, Nagamootoo and Ramkarran - once staunch PPPites.

Meanwhile, the opposition is calling for the removal of Mr. Clement Rohee as Home Affairs Minister in the face of a series of major blunders by the police, and I quite support the call.

However, the regime is saying

‘it will not be moved’. My question is: Even if the regime removes Rohee, won’t the regime go for another Roheetype replacement, given that President Ramotar already declared his cabinet will be all-PPP? Rohee must go, but genuine police reforms must take place!

The stance by the PPP on Rohee, police reform and other issues, therefore, is troubling for several reasons, but none more so than it does not care about the opinions of others. And here is a useful secret: it is only a handful of people in the PPP leadership behind the PPP’s agenda being manifested in such a massive and dominant way in the government’s belligerent behaviour.

The sooner Guyanese wake up and realize this ‘handful’ concept, the sooner the nation could be on its way to having the type of government and type of police force that conform to the will of the majority.

Governments serve the people, which make the people the actual rulers.

Emile Mervin

Saturday October 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

War intensifies across Syria, refugee crisis deepens BEIRUT (Reuters) Rebels battled to hold onto Syria’s main north-south highway yesterday as government forces fought insurgents on several fronts across the country.

The rebels captured an air defense base east of Syria’s biggest city, Aleppo, and government forces unleashed air strikes and artillery bombardments on the western city of Homs, activists said.

On the Turkish-Syrian border, Turkey scrambled two fighter jets after a Syrian military helicopter bombed the Syrian border town of Azmarin, the site of fierce fighting between rebels and government forces this week.

Tensions between Ankara and Damascus are worsening at a time when the 19-monthold conflict is intensifying with no sign of a diplomatic breakthrough and growing concerns that the violence could spread across the Middle East.

The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights gave a death toll for Thursday of more than 260 people, including civilians and combatants on both sides, as fighting raged in the capital and the north, west and east of the country.

It said 92 soldiers had been killed on Thursday, one of the highest daily tolls on the government side since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad broke out in March 2011.

The official SANA news agency also reported fighting nationwide and said dozens of rebels, which it called “mercenary terrorists”, had been killed.

In Idlib, activists said opposition fighters captured about 400 soldiers and loyalist militiamen this week in Western Jisr al-Shoughour, a hilly agricultural area.

Photos released by the opposition showed dozens of uniformed soldiers sitting on

(Reuters) - The European Union won the Nobel Peace Prize yesterday for promoting peace, democracy and human rights over six decades, a morale boost for the bloc as it struggles to resolve its economic crisis.

The award served as a reminder that the EU had largely brought peace to a continent that tore itself apart in two world wars in which tens of millions died.

The EU has transformed most of Europe “from a continent of wars to a continent of peace”, Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjoern Jagland said in announcing the award in Oslo.

“The EU is currently undergoing grave economic difficulties and considerable social unrest,” Jagland said.

“The Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to focus on what it sees as the EU’s most important result: the successful struggle for peace and reconciliation and for democracy and human rights.”

Jagland praised the EU for rebuilding Europe from the devastation of World War Two

and for its role in spreading stability after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

While welcomed by European leaders, the award will have little practical effect on the debt crisis afflicting the single currency zone, which has brought economic instability and social unrest to several states, with rioting in Athens and Madrid. On the streets of the Greek capital, where demonstrators have burned Nazi flags to protest against German demands for austerity, the award was greeted with disbelief.

“Is this a joke?” asked Chrisoula Panagiotidi, 36, a beautician who lost her job three days ago.

“It’s the last thing I would expect. It mocks us and what we are going through right now. All it will do is infuriate people here.”

The prize, worth $1.2 million, will be presented in Oslo on December 10. It was not immediately clear who from the EU would be there to collect the cheque and what it would be spent on.

European Union wins Nobel Peace Prize

the ground in what appeared to be a hangar.

“Around 400 loyalist troops have been captured.

Many of them were poor conscripts who were let go.

The more important officers are being interrogated,” a rebel source said.

The reports could not be independently verified but they indicate an intensifying conflict, with the daily body counts of the past few weeks far exceeding previous months.

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Israel PM Netanyahu denies agreeing to Golan pullout for peace J E R U S A L E M (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied a newspaper report yesterday that said he had agreed in principle to hand back land annexed from Syria as part of secret U.S.-mediated peace talks that broke off last year.

Syria has long set a complete withdrawal from the Golan Heights as a condition for making peace with the Jewish state. Israel captured the strategic plateau in a 1967 war, then annexed it in 1981 in a move not recognized

internationally.

Israeli leaders had consented to at least partial Golan pullbacks in past talks with Syria, though none had gone as far as Netanyahu in agreeing to withdraw to the northeastern shores of the biblical Sea of Galilee, the mass-circulation Yedioth Ahronoth daily said.

The newspaper quoted unspecified American documents as saying Netanyahu had expressed such a readiness, surprising U.S. diplomats during indirect contacts they mediated with

Syria two years ago.

These contacts broke off early in 2011 as unrest spread across the Arab world, eventually sparking a fullblown revolt against Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Netanyahu’s office said the suggested withdrawal had been a U.S. initiative that Israel had never accepted and dismissed the report as “politicallymotivated”, citing the fact that it was published just days after the right-wing leader announced he would move up national elections to early next year.

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Kaieteur News

PM says CARICOM nationals are welcome in Barbados CARICOM News Network - Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has reiterated that CARICOM nationals are welcomed in Barbados, noting that thousands of them have been entering his country ‘without fuss.’

Speaking against the background of another Jamaican woman alleging recent bad treatment and nonentry at the Grantley Adams International Airport, Stuart said a mere six persons out of every thousand individuals from CARICOM were barred from coming into the island each year.

Stuart, who is the regional head with lead responsibility for the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, sought to set the record straight during the University of the West Indies’ Annual Distinguished Alumni Lecture.

He said the issue was not new, as former Prime Minister Errol Barrow had addressed it as far back as 1986.

The Prime Minister who spoke on the topic The Global

Freundel Stuart Crisis: An Opportunity For Collaboration And Cohesion Between CARICOM Member States, at the Errol Barrow Centre, said “It might be of interest to you that throughout its history Barbados has always welcomed visitors from our Caribbean Community.

For the past five years or so on average over 130,000 CARICOM nationals are recorded as entering Barbados every year,” Stuart told his audience.

“In some years more that 180,000 persons arrived here from CARICOM countries.

Less than 0.6 per cent of these persons were refused entry.

Allow me to repeat that. That is six in each thousand entrants are refused entry into Barbados.”

He regretted that in the last few years in the public domain “the criterion which the success of the integration movement has, invariably, been required to meet is that of freedom of movement of persons”.

The Barbados Prime Minister said “I should like to believe that we are all committed to the principle of mobility and people interaction,” pointing out that “progress in our region is second only to that in the European Union in terms of regional integration”.

Saturday October 13, 2012

No-confidence motion against AG set for Oct. 26 Trinidad Express - The Opposition motion of censure against the Attorney General Anand Ramlogan will come up for debate in the House of Representatives on Friday, October 26.

The motion, which has been approved by House Speaker Wade Mark, calls on the House to express its loss of confidence in the Attorney General and to call on the Prime Minister to “immediately relieve him of the portfolio of Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago”.

It also asked the House to express its strongest disapproval of the flagrant breach of parliamentary trust by the Attorney General’s involvement in the premature proclamation of Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act. The motion filed by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley notes that the Attorney General participated in the

presentation to Parliament of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) bill which contained a clause that created an amnesty for certain legal proceedings, referred to as Section 34; that the Attorney General had knowledge of and supported the G o v e r n m e n t ’s s o l e m n undertaking to Parliament that no part of the Bill would be brought into force until such time as all supporting rules, administrative and physical infrastructure were in place and stakeholders consulted.

The motion noted in the absence of the discharge of this undertaking, the Attorney General had knowledge of and/or involvement in the unexpected proclamation of Section 34, thereby prematurely bringing into force an amnesty with consequences for certain legal proceedings involving certain persons

Anand Ramlogan (which it does not name).

The persons involved are Ishwar Galbaransingh, Steve Ferguson and others who were accused of bid-rigging in the Piarco project and who qualified for the amnesty against prosecution set out in Section 34.

Saturday October 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

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UNLAWUL PROTESTERS SHOULD BE ARRESTED The police looked clumsy.

There they were on the Agricola Public Road, lined up in formation, transparent protective anti-riot shields held in front of them while a small bunch of no more than ten persons pelted bricks, fire sticks and abuse their way.

This could not have been deemed a protest. This was a small ragged group of youths, some with machetes raised ominously on the police. The police looked ridiculous facing off in full riot gear, with this small gang of violent young men besieging a main thoroughfare.

Surely, the training of the police must have included

how to deal with small gangs like this. The police looked as if they were facing off with hundreds of protesters.

Instead, it was a handful of youths who cut off a major public road and held the police in check gear for hours.

The police should have been able to subdue these youths, arrest them and cart them off to the lockups where they should have been charged for blocking a main road.

That tens of thousands of innocent persons were made to endure great hardships simply because of the unlawful actions of a handful of young men makes the police force look ineffective.

How can this have been

allowed to happen? Apart from a group of persons watching on from a balcony of a house on the public road and cheering wildly every time a flame or stone was thrown in the direction of the police line, there was no massive support for this group of young men.

This was no mass protest.

It was a group of renegade youths laying siege to a major thoroughfare. These were not the actions of any political party. These were the actions of a mob.

It was embarrassing, shocking and disgraceful that such an insignificant group could have held the East Bank of Demerara under cordon.

The police force needs to

Gunmen snatch $3.5M from Chinese Hardware Store Gunmen escaped around 17:00 hrs yesterday with some $3.5 M after tying up the owner and staffers of the Zhong Ya Hardware Store at the corner of Broad and Saffon Streets.

The owner, 41-year-old Chinese national, Wang Juguang, was beaten during the ordeal.

One employee was heard commenting that the robbery

was well planned. There was also a brief but heated exchange between some staffers after suggestions that the bandits had inside assistance.

According to reports, the four men entered the store and one of them began examining a wheelbarrow.

Kaieteur News understands that a female employee went over to assist the ‘customer’ when the man

grabbed her. The robbers, who were all armed, forced the employees to lay face-down on the floor before tying them up.

They then assaulted the owner of the establishment and forced him to hand over a quantity of foreign and local currency totalling some $3.5M. Police said that the men escaped east along Broad Street in a white car.

answer for its ineffectiveness in subduing and arresting those involved.

No police force should employ excessive force.

Neither should it be portrayed as weak. Yet weakness is precisely what was on display on Thursday last on the East Bank. The police appeared weak and helpless. It was even reported that the water cannon malfunctioned.

The lawlessness had begun long before the incidents on the Agricola Public Road. It had begun in front of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court when the police decided to transport an accused charged for the murder of an Agricola youth.

The police allowing the accused to sit in the cab became the pretext for a demonstration which involved persons squatting in front of the wagon transporting prisoners.

These actions were unlawful. They posed a threat to national security because a break-out of persons who were being transported to the prisons could have taken place.

Yet the police made no arrests of those who were engaged in unlawful actions in front of the Magistrates’ Courts.

This is quite in contrast to what can occur if someone can

temporarily park in a manner that obstructs the free flow of traffic. You can bet your bottom dollar that if that happens, traffic ranks are going to be quickly on the scene and ready to issue you with a charge.

But in a high-security situation in which prisoners are being transported, the van transporting the prisoners was blocked and no arrests were made.

This is totally unacceptable and it is hoped that it is still not too late for the police to take action to bring to book those who were involved in the unlawful acts outside of the Magistrates’ Court and on the Agricola Public Road a few hours later.

The latter blocking was intended to waylay persons and vehicles. It is not certain whether in the course of the restraint demonstrated by the police on Thursday evening on the Agricola Public Road, if any police photographer was on hand taking footage of those who were involved in stoning the police. If such footage is available it should be examined so that those involved can be identified, arrested and charged for their unlawful actions.

One of the lessons of last

year’s unrest in London was that the authorities were able to arrest and charge over 1200 persons.

No excessive force was used in these arrests but they did ensure that the message got through that unlawful action would not be tolerated.

The arrests and charges sent a strong signal that such lawlessness will be dealt with seriously.

Guyana needs such an approach to a situation such as what developed last Thursday. Guyana has gone down that road before and the consequences were tragic.

People do not have a right to engage in criminal actions under the pretext of protests.

People also do not have the right to engage in unlawful protests.

Those who did so in front of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and on the Agricola Public Road should be brought to justice in the same way as they are demanding justice for the youth that was shot and killed in Agricola in September.

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Kaieteur News

Dem boys seh ...

Buy a cheap phone, watch or used wallet in Agricola Agricola is de new shopping mall in Guyana. It got things fuh sale very cheap. Cheaper than best buy. You want a Blackberry, pay $500.

You want a watch pay $150, and you can get a free used wallet, ALL of this, compliments of de five-hour yesterday.

Please note, no VAT applicable suh Khurshid can’t collect nutten.

Is de Rat, de Hard Times paper and de Chranicle seh suh. One rumble cause this. De other day when dem people block off de Agricola Road some people laugh.

But then night step in and other people start fuh cry when dem realize that dem can’t go home or come out to wuk.

And that happen because some people arrogant.

De Lunch Man claim that he want fight, that he want a rumble. Dem boys seh that he can’t even walk good and he talking bout fight and rumble. He talk bout rumble but when de people start fuh tumble he began to mumble.

After he mumble he run way and lef de police fuh scramble. And de Agricola people scramble dem people cell phone. Suh fuh now Agricola residents got nuff cell phone wha dem thief. $500 fuh one.

And dem got nuff wallet that ain’t worth nutten and some cheap watch. One man seh “tek me $150 watch. Me done pay de bus. Leh me go lang me way. I hungry, man.”

One man tek out he wallet and show $40. De Agricola man seh give me de wallet and he give back de man de $40.

But de police do a good job. It carry water in de water cannon which break down four times before it could drive from Eve Leary to Agricola. At least it help some people bathe.

That is de same water cannon wha ain’t worth $1 million Rohee seh that he pay $20 million. A man seh that he gun use de water cannon fuh Phagwah next year.

Talk half and run fuh you cheap phone.

Saturday October 13, 2012

Rats eat corpse at GPHC mor tuary The parents of 20-year-old Sule‘ Brian Assanah were yesterday greeted with a disturbing sight when they appeared at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary for their dead son’s Post Mortem(PM) examination.

The father of the dead man, Brian William Assanah, said that when he visited his son’s body at the hospital mortuary, he discovered that something had eaten away at his son’s face. According to the father, the left side of his son’s face had been nibbled at while his nose was completely eaten.

Assanah said at the time, his son’s body was taken out from the hospital’s storage and was being prepared for the post mortem. “This is not how we left him.”

Showing a photograph of his son immediately after his death, Assanah said, “When we left him here when he died, everything was intact. There was nothing missing from his face, and this here is very disturbing,” the father argued.

The dead man’s mother also expressed grief and disgust at what had occurred.

Laurine Mingo told this

publication that subsequent to her son’s death she was advised by persons at the hospital that the storage facility there was poor and that, “The dead would rot and not be in a healthy state when it is uplifted.”

As a result of that, the mother said she went to the Alberttown Police Station seeking permission to move her son’s remains to be stored at a funeral parlour. According to the woman, the police refused to grant her permission since they claimed that the incident of his death was a police matter.

The woman said that she even suggested that she would place the body at a funeral parlour and would have it brought back to the hospital for the post mortem but again she said that the police refused her access to her son’s body.

“Now this morning,” the woman said, “We hearing that something eat out my son face. I told the police I would not behave nice if anything happened to my son’s remains.”

Mingo said that when she arrived at the hospital she could not view her son, so his father went in to identify him.

She said when her husband returned outside she noticed instantly the expression on his face and knew something was wrong.

The mother said she questioned the father several times as to what happened and he refused to answer. She said he finally replied, “Girl, if you see Sule’ face, something eat off he nose, and a big hole in he face.”

The mother said the post mortem was supposed to be held on Wednesday last, the day of his 21st birthday but had to be rescheduled to yesterday.

The older Assanah told Kaieteur News that later in the day he spoke to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the hospital Michael Khan who told him that Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh was looking into the matter.

The father said that he was not given any satisfaction by the hospital authority.

“They offered no explanation and what I was told is not good enough.

They never said what will be done about the incident or how they intend to rectify this sickening and disgusting situation.” The man also lashed out that no

Government or police official had come to the family to offer condolence or a word of encouragement, given the circumstance of his son’s death.

Kaieteur News was told by hospital staffers that it was not the first time something like that had occurred. The employees said that rats had eaten away the dead man’s face and there is nothing that could avoid the rodents since the mortuary itself needed a complete makeover with a better sanitizing system.

The staffer opined that the rats may have gotten into the mortuary refrigerator through the drain pipes.

Young Assanah died on Sunday last after having his neck slashed by a knife wielding man confronted by an unarmed policeman. Reports are that police had approached the suspect who was wanted for another offence.

Assanah reportedly interjected asking the suspect why he was giving the police a hard time. The man who was seated on a bicycle reportedly got off and slit the man’s throat in the presence of the police. He subsequently rode away and Assanah died at the hospital.

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Saturday October 13, 2012

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Dust nuisance plagues West Bank community ...residents appeal for intervening measures Cane ashes bombard every surface

Forced to inhale air that is visibility polluted with cane ash, residents of Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara, yesterday vocalised their concerns even as they appealed for the relevant authorities to intervene.

The residents, most of whom have been living in the West Bank area for more than two decades, claim that the problem normally intensifies during crop season at the Wales Estate.

At this time they claim that cane is burnt continuously.

Yesterday, clouds of black smoke could be seen emitting from the factory chimney. However this

newspaper was soon informed that the black smoke was in fact laced with ash from the burning cane.

A look inside of several homes revealed the destination of the ashes which left no surface untouched.

Even boiling pots were not spared the unwelcome intrusion.

“This problem affecting we a long, long time and it getting really overbearing now...I been living here all my life and I remember the chimney used to be much higher so now it lower and causing all the dust to come back on we,” lamented Nazima Mohamed.

“The dust going into we

house, into we food and is this tainted dust we inhaling all the time. I call the Estate Manager and he actually said that he can’t do anything about it...imagine all he tell me is that we must clean we place.”

Not only does the dust leave the environment in an unsightly condition but according to residents they constantly suffer bouts of cold as a result of the constant pollution. Natasha Kendna, a mother of an eight-month old baby said that she is always trying to find new ways to protect her child from the contaminated atmosphere.

“Me baby always got a cold me carry she to the clinic and is medication pun medication and the nurse them say ain’t nothing else that can really do because of the situation we living in...I does getting the cold all the time too and it just ain’t going away,” said the visibly concerned woman.

“Watch this baby foot; watch he hands...is this dust all over the place we can’t even risk to carry he outside fuh fresh air because of this dust,” said Muniram who himself is employed at the Factory.

He shared the conviction that the chimney of the

factory should be higher allowing for the emission to be directed away from the community thereby causing less of an impact to the atmosphere. He expressed concerns that there is no mechanism in place to prevent the ashes from infiltrating the community and other nearby locale.

Another elderly resident, who identified herself as Sheila, said that she has been residing in the area for over 30 years and can barely stand to make it through the day given the existing state of affairs.

Residents said that keeping their homes clean is a near impossible task since

every attempt is thwarted by the constant emission of ashes. One resident said that on average she is required to clean her home at least 10 times a day to keep it in a presentable state.

They are urging that the factory and other relevant officials take measures to address the situation which seems to have no end in sight.

Factory Manager at the Wales Estate, Terry Simon, yesterday said that he is not aware of the plight of the residents owing to him being away from the factory for a while. He however assured that he was going to look into the matter.

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American woman gets four years for cocaine in crotch …five more busted yesterday for more ‘coke in crotch’ The 51-year-old American woman who was caught on Thursday morning with cocaine in her crotch at the Cheddi Jagan InternationalAirport, Timehri, has been sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

The woman, Donna Williams, appeared at the Providence Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Magistrate Leslie Sobers. The charge was put to her that on Thursday October 11, last, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, she had in her possession 180

grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

The defendant pleaded guilty. When asked to provide information on her address in the United States she indicated that she was living in a Shelter. The court was told that this was the woman’s first visit to Guyana.

Williams merely told the court that a doctor was supposed to have ‘push up the thing’ in her.

Before the Magistrate handed down his sentence he enquired from the accused her reason for coming to Guyana

to do such an act. She told the magistrate that she had no reason for her action.

Ms Williams was then sentenced to four years imprisonment and fined $259,200.

The Magistrate then informed the woman that after she would have served her sentence she will be deported immediately.

On Thursday morning, around 06:00 hours the woman was about to board a Delta flight destined for the United States when she was stopped and searched. The court was told that during a

pat do w n s e a r c h , a n unusual bulge was felt at the woman’s crotch. She was taken to a private room where she was strip-searched. Two balloons packed with cocaine were found in the woman’s underwear.

And early Friday morning too Police Anti-Narcotic Ranks intercepted five other Americans with a total of 2.275 kg cocaine.

The five persons, two males and three females, each had a quantity of the drug stashed in their u n d e r garments. Charges are likely to be laid shortly.

Saturday October 13, 2012

President Ramotar speaks on Agricola protest I wish to speak briefly on the events that occurred yesterday at Agricola on the East Bank Demerara. I wish also to touch on the reaction of the Opposition, AFC/ APNU to those events.

What happened (on Thursday) was a very well planned and centrally directed violence against many innocent people and unsuspecting commuters. Thousands of people including children, babies and the elderly were affected; having to spend more than five hours on the roadway while this well orchestrated violence was unleashed.

Vehicles were toppled and damaged, and even burnt. The police were viciously attacked. Images on our television screens showed some thugs kicking and lashing out at the police.

I must commend the Force (Police) for the high level of professionalism shown. They displayed great restraint, firmness and resolve in the face of great provocation and hostility.

The protestors, many of whom were criminals, robbed scores of people and many of them were attacked, and beaten in that vicinity and at the Georgetown ferry stelling, where many people had to use the boats to get across the river.

The Opposition AFC/ APNU/PNC must bear full responsibility for these actions. It is very unfortunate that the opposition descended to this level at a time when a Commission of Inquiry is going on. They are showing a great disrespect for procedures and for law and order. They are not waiting for the results of the work of the Commission.

The opposition tried desperately to blame the government for the events.

They blamed the events on Dr. Luncheon’s remarks.

However, it should be noted

President Donald Ramotar that their protest started days before, and the ultimatum given by Nigel Hughes and Moses Nagamootoo had run out Wednesday at midnight.

Dr. Luncheon’s statement was reported in the press long after the events at Agricola started. The fact that they are trying to blame him, betrayed their covert strategy.

I wish to express my solidarity with the policemen who were injured and with those who were beaten and robbed in the process. It is important to note that whenever the economy is moving along, the opposition seems to find some excuse to orchestrate protests, most of which are characterized by violence and robbery.

It is clear that they do not care about the damage their actions are doing to the image of our country. I wish to state very clearly that the Government will uphold law and order in our society.

I join with all decent-minded people in Guyana in condemning this sort of behaviour and the violence which is being used as a political tool by theAFC/APNU connection.

Guyanese people must express their intolerance to the behaviour of the political opposition in this regard.

Red Thread, AFC ...

From page 3 don’t go and shoot in rich people areas, but they run into poor neighbourhoods” Hughes stressed. The time for that is done.

Hughes said that the country has gained so much since the Linden uprising and persons stood up for Linden and they have gotten a Commission of Inquiry which would reveal a number of things.

He said that the inquiry has found that Senior Superin t e n d e n t C l i f t o n Hicken lied under oath and they still have him in uniform.

He said that the government is not sure of how the commission is going to rule so they have not gotten a lawyer for the Minister.

Hughes said that when the results of the inquiry come

out they would run to the High Court and say that the Minister didn’t have a lawyer to represent him.

Hughes has urged persons to be calm and calculative because we cannot afford to be provoked.

He said that the government can only deal with confusion, but they can’t deal with intelligence.

“I’m not calling for peace ….I’m calling for us to be calm, considerate and calculating. It was Peter Tosh that said everyone cries out for peace but no one cries out for equal rights and justice. All I want is equal rights and justice. I don’t care how we get it but we must get it,” Hughes said.

A procession was held shortly after and persons gathered opposite Parliament Buildings.

Saturday October 13, 2012

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Luncheon solely to be blamed for Agricola protest - AFC The Alliance For Change, a seven-seat parliamentary opposition party is putting the blame for Thursday’s protest at Agricola squarely at the feet of Dr. Roger Luncheon, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat.

The government has sought to blame the AFC for the protests which left thousands stranded for hours and some persons robbed.

The AFC yesterday said that it had nothing to do with the Agricola protests, but

rather what erupted in the East Bank Demerara village was the result of provocative statements by Dr. Roger Luncheon, who resorted to singing in his defence of the government’s hardline position that it will not get rid of Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.

“We shall not be moved,” Luncheon sung at his weekly press conference Thursday, saying that the government was ready to “rumble.”

That singing response

Dr. Roger Luncheon from Dr. Luncheon, the AFC said, tantalised a village already angry at the shooting death of one of its young men, Shaquille Grant, and the fact that two of the three Policemen charged with the murder cannot be found.

AFC chairman Nigel Hughes quoted Shonnette Adams, the mother of the Agricola teenager who was shot dead by Police, as saying that Luncheon’s statement was disrespectful and that if Luncheon was ready to rumble, she was ready to rumble too.

The party leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, was outraged that the Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira, would accuse the AFC of spearheading the

protest at Agricola.

He said that the position of Teixeira and Nandlall was “rotten and despicable.”

In fact, the AFC went as far as suggesting that the ruling People’s Progressive Party was trying to play the race card, to scare its supporters back into its fold.

With the National Assembly passing a no confidence motion in the Minister of Home Affairs over two months now, the AFC is sticking to its demand for Rohee to go.

According to Hughes, it is clear that the Guyana Police Force has failed to change its Standing Operational Procedures or the rules of engagement since the shooting to death of University of Guyana student, Yohance Douglas, in March 2003.

“They (the Police) have been under the charge of Minister Rohee for an extended period. H e h a s done nothing to change and therefore he is responsible for everything that happens in so far, as the Police failed to follow rules of engagement and ( c o n t i n u e t o ) execute citizens,” Hughes stated.

Hughes said that the Guyana Police Force needs structural changes, and with gains made in prosecuting those believed responsible for the recent deaths of civilians, he has called for citizens to remain calm and ensure justice for all.

Piece or Peace?

By Commentator The chaos that erupted on Thursday at Agricola is a reflection of the poor state of affairs of this country.

The three political leaders could not be seen on television to appeal for calm or maturity. Instead we saw them quickly casting blame on each other. One would have had a reasonable expectation that by evening of Thursday the President would have been on National Television calling for calm AND reaching out to the opposition leaders.

The three of them can fix this – TOGETHER. It must be noted that the use of the citizenry in carrying out a political agenda is a dangerous one and will lead Guyana to a point of no return.

It is the leaders that must resolve everything together.

Ramjattan, Granger and Ramotar all seem to be lost on the fact that the electorate threw them together to work, not to fight and bicker at every opportunity.

These three musketeers must decide where they want Guyana to go. Every drop of

blood that is shed is shed from the hands of Ramotar, Granger and Ramjattan. They are the leaders and must accept the blame! Every person that was abused must be deemed directly abused by these three men!

Every woman that is harassed must be deemed harassed by the three.

The President seems to be blind to the problems of this country while the opposition leaders seem to be happy to allow the country to slide into the rut of destabilization and disharmony. While everyone is happy to jump on the Rohee bandwagon, no one is identifying what needs to be done to get this country back on track.

We challenge the President and the Opposition leaders, Granger and Ramjattan, to take their mantle of leadership and find a way to work together!

The three leaders must today decide whether they want PEACE for this country or to break it up into unrecoverable PIECES – whatever happens, the three will claim all the glory or take all the blame – TOGETHER.

Saturday October 13, 2012

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Govt., opposition agreement on key appointments…

Other candidates will have to be found if no consensus - AFC Key functionaries being allowed to act for prolonged periods without being confirmed have serious implications for the confidence of the public and there is a serious need for actions.

According to the Alliance For Change (AFC), citizens continue to view with suspicion the officials who remain acting on the job for years. It has implications with their credibility.

According to AFC Chairman, Nigel Hughes, during the party’s weekly press confer e n c e on We d n e s d a y at the Sidewalk Café, the party is of the view that not appointing o f f i c e r s t o substantive positions open the doors to undue influence.

“Of course we hold the view. The jurisprudence is when you place people in a position where they look to you with hope and expectation, you are compromising them and of course you do have the power to exercise some degree of influence.”

On Tuesday, former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, during the launching of his book, in response to questions on

AFC’s Chairman, Nigel Hughes

Chancellor (ag), Carl Singh

Chief Justice (ag), Ian Chang

acting positions within government and the civil service, agreed that it was a dangerous precedence.

According to Hughes, a lawyer by profession, acting appointments are also frowned on publicly where the third arm of the state is the judiciary which is so fundamental to the rule of law.

Under the constitution, candidates for the Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Judiciary positions have to be

‘greenlighted’ by the government and opposition.

Currently, a number of key positions, including the mentioned positions- Chief Justice and Chancellor- are ones in which the officials have been acting for a number of years now and for which there is no need for consensus.

The person currently performing the duties of theAuditor General is Deodat Sharma, and he has been there acting for over seven years. According to the

AFC Chairman, the time has come now if the persons who are supposed to find consensus on the candidates, can do so, then other candidates will have to be found…”other than leave the judiciary in the unhappy position that it finds itself in.”

Hughes made it clear that the perpetual acting positions erode the confidence that the population has in the persons performing the duties, as “they will always expect the person to act in favour of the government.”

Minister’s driver strikes down girl, 14 Parents fear driver would escape charges The parents of a 14-yearold girl, whose left hand was broken after a speeding vehicle struck her down on the Soesdyke- Linden highway, is pleading with the police to treat this case as a normal one and make sure that the culprit is punished.

On Wednesday last, Leticia Jettoo, of Soesdyke, was on her way home from school when a speeding car, heading to Georgetown struck her and drove away.

The teen was treated at the Diamond Diagnostic Center and sent away. A passerby, who witnessed the

accident, followed the culprit and forced him to report to the Yarrowcabra Police Outpost.

At the Police Outpost, the person identified himself as a Minister’s driver. He was subsequently placed on $20,000 station bail.

The teen’s mother, Sherry Jettoo, said that the Minister’s driver is claiming that he did not realize that he had hit someone on the highway.

“He said that he didn’t know he hit someone but his left side mirror broke,” the teen’s mother lamented.

The driver is to be placed before court next week.

“Puri” remanded on gun, ammo charges Kenneth Kanhai, called “Puri”, 50, of Gangaram Settlement, East Canje, Berbice, was on Friday remanded to jail by magistrate Adela Nagamootoo on two charges of Possession of Arms without licence and Possession of Ammunition without licence.

Prosecutor, Corporal Orin Joseph said that acting on information the police descended on a farm owned by the accused at Bess Cut, New Forest, East

Canje, Berbice, conducted a search and found one .38 Special Revolver, 23 -16 gauge cartridges and seven live 12 gauge cartridges. Kanhai who was found on the farm was arrested, taken into custody and charged.

He was not required to plead. He is being represented by Attorney at Law Charrandass Persaud. The matter has been transferred to the Reliance Magistrate’s court for November 7, next.

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Political parties point fingers after Agricola protest As tension continues between the Guyana Police Force and citizens enraged by recent police killings, the two major political parties are playing the blame game.

They are accusing each other of being responsible for Thursday night’s Agricola protest action that affected thousands of commuters plying the East Bank

Demerara route.

T h e P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has called the Agricola protest an APNU and an AFC orchestrated event. APNU has in return condemned the PPP saying that the insensitive, incendiary and irresponsible remarks made by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr.

Jennifer Cumberbatch is new NCERD Director NCERD Director, Jennifer Cumberbatch

With the backing of 30 years of experience as an educator, Jennifer Cumberbatch, has been appointed the newest Director of the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD).

A formal announcement of the appointment was made by the Ministry of Education via a statement yesterday which noted that Cumberbatch’s posting became effective on Wednesday October 3, 2012.

Prior to assuming the new post, Cumberbatch served as Head Teacher at the Winfer Gardens Primary School. She is a trained teacher and the holder of a Certificate of Education in Administration and Teaching and a Bachelor of Education degree in Administration and Teaching with Distinction from the University of Guyana.

Come November she will receive her Masters’ in Education in Management and Supervision.

Cumberbatch was formerly attached to NCERD as Science Textbook writer, Subject Specialist Science, Curriculum Writer and Radio Teacher on the Broadcast to Schools and Interactive Radio Instruction Mathematics programmes.

She was also a member of the Board of the Cyril Potter

College of Education and the Teacher Education Advisory Board.

The long serving educator is the holder of several awards for academic achievements including the President’s Medal (1999).

“The appointment of Mrs. Cumberbatch is an important development for NCERD in particular and for the Ministry of Education as a whole given the Centre’s critical role in planning and implementing in-service teacher education programmes,” the statement outlined.

The statement added, too, that her involvement in education was instrumental in enhancing the capacity of the nation’s schools to b e c o m e e ff e c t i v e a n d inclusive learning communities and supporting the delivery of quality education through the dissemination of wellresearched, pedagogical findings.

According to the statement, “the Ministry of Education welcomes Mrs. Cumberbatch to this critical position and seeks, on her behalf, the cooperation of the entire education sector of NCERD under her leadership, to continue to contribute to the creation of a modern, professional and accountable education system.”

Roger Luncheon, and members of the PPP Cabinet caused the Agricola uprising.

The PPP said it “condemns in the strongest possible manner the disruptive and violent acts meted out to ordinary Guyanese by the AFC and APNU organized protest Thursday evening in the vicinity of Agricola on the East Bank of Demerara.”

The Party said that “thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life had their freedom to travel impinged by the ruthless action of the opposition who is bent on a campaign of

creating instability and undermining economic and social progress in the country.”

The PPP said that it is not at odds with the rights of citizens to a peaceful protest but “condones the trend of lawless demonstrations as has characterized certain activities associated with the AFC and APNU and their extremist allies.”

P P P h o w e v e r commended the police for remaining calm in the face of such provocative actions and attacks which they said was captured and broadcast on national television. They asked the ranks “to resist all

efforts by the opposition to draw them into a violent confrontation.”

On the other hand, APNU posited that the current Administration through Dr. Luncheon provoked the citizens when it uttered that “Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee was not going to be moved,” and, “In the words of Muhammad Ali- let’s get ready to rumble.”

APNU said that the citizens were further incensed when they saw that murder accused of Agricola teen, Shaquille Grant, was being given preferential treatment when he appeared

at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court prior to the protest.

The Opposing Party asserted that irresponsible statements were made and these infuriated the citizens.

APNU added that disorder subsequently erupted in the afternoon on the roadway passing through the Agricola Village-- the scene of the police shooting that left Grant dead.

APNU condemned those statements and appealed for calm and respect for the rights of all other citizens, even as it upheld the right of citizens to protest against Police killings.

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Saturday October 13, 2012

Administrator explains water issue at National Psychiatric Hospital ... says news item was mischievous Administrator of the National Psychiatric Hospital (NPH), Leila Clarke-Daniels, has criticised a recent TVG Evening News report that there would have been strike action (sick out) by nurses due to the lack of potable water at the mental health institution.

Daniels described the news item as mischievous.

“Let me say to the naysayers-- you know that

there are some people who do not like to see progress.

From time to time, we would experience a little bit of difficulties, but you know we will overcome them.”

The main pump at the hospital, she said, broke down recently. “We quickly had a meeting with the Region Six Administration and the Chief Executive Officer of the Berbice

Regional Health Authority (BRHA)...They quickly agreed that they knew that the pump was old; it was over 20 years old and there is a likelihood that there is need for a new pump”.

The pump, she said, was purchased immediately from overseas. “To purchase such equipment, it has got to come from overseas. This was put into effect and we were promised that we will be given

a new pump. We were kept upto-date with the progress of acquiring a new pump.

“The hospital, in the meantime, had instituted relief measures. They were given water brought in by a fire tender that filled the wards way down at the back of the compound. We were still using the old pump...That pump, however, was just filtering

Workers fine-tuning the new pump at the NPH

the water to the kitchen.

“In the wards where the patients needed drinking water, they were given bottles-- large bottles of water-- on a daily basis”.

Chief Executive Officer of BRHA, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, said that he believes that somebody “was playing politics-- not in the Guyana political sense, but in the local sense-- They know that the pump was fixed and working but they wanted to give the impression that 'if we did not say so, this would not have happened'”.

Clarke said that at the time “when the mischief was

afoot, the pump was being put into operation and the base was laid since Saturday…we all knew that the new pump was here.”

She stated, too, that all during the period, the entire staff knew what was going on and “we all waited with expectation that the water will flow, shortly.

“We are very happy.

Even before the news article was aired on TV, the water was flowing!”

She said that the facility is now getting sufficient water. A new water treatment plant, she revealed, will soon be installed and come on stream.

Learning made fun!

A generous parent, Ms Seleyna Headley, recently donated a slide to the DesNoel Daycare and Play Group in Smyth Street, Werk-en-Rust.

The early learning centre has been serving the area and its environs for a number of years and has been the first school for hundreds.

Saturday October 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 19

GEMINI Medical team completes EMT training Several persons who were trained in the field of Emergency Medical Response are now being given the responsibility of spearheading future EMT trainings. This is being done as the GEMINI medical team wraps up its well received project, and head back to the United States.

GEMINI is an overseasbased body with a “Global Emergency Medical Initiative”, which is dedicated to teaching and training persons in emergency response in the simplest way.

Sixty-seven persons have been fully trained and qualified so far. The trainings are being conducted at the Project Dawn building at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Other terms used to denote these healthcare providers of emergency medical services, include ambulance driver, ambulance orderly, ambulance attendant and ambulance man or woman.

The precise meaning of the term varies by jurisdiction, but in many countries, Emergency Medical Technicians, or First Responders, respond to emergency calls, perform certain medical procedures, and transport patients to hospital in accordance with protocols and guidelines

established by physicians or medical directors.

EMTs are trained to assess a patient’s condition, and to perform emergency medical procedures as needed to maintain a patient’s airway with adequate breathing and cardiovascular circulation until the patient can be transferred to an appropriate destination for advanced medical care.

Interventions include cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation, controlling severe external bleeding, preventing shock, body immobilization to prevent spinal damage, and splinting of bone fractures.

Timothy Redding, the leader of the overseas-based training group, told Kaieteur News that he is confident that the newly qualified Guyanese trainers will be able to efficiently continue where the GEMINI group has left off.

When asked, Redding noted that he feels very much appreciated, adding that “the students here seem to be very enthusiastic about wanting to learn and gain the material.”

The GEMINI group has trained three separate batches so far; the first course started in January, after which there was another in May, and the final started during September last to date.

During this, Redding

Some of the trainees with trainer, Ron Morris (right)

explained that contact with the Ministry of Health has been difficult. However, he posited that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has been on board and supportive from the inception of the project.

Some of the other medical entities include the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and the Davis Memorial Hospital, among others.

Juliet Herod, one of the

present trainees, told Kaieteur News that prior to the training, she would pass injured people on the streets, since despite being a nurse, she had no proper knowledge of emergency response. After just a couple of days in training, Herod said she feels prepared enough to be a first responder. John Allen, a nurse at the Georgetown Public Hospital said that he is very appreciative of the

opportunity provided by the GEMINI group.

He explained that the group has been extremely professional, and very helpful to each student.

“They are much more resourced than we are and they have been very good to us. A book which may take us months to read, took the GEMINI team one week to teach us. And it sticks,” Allen said.

The man also took the

opportunity to call on the government to take a closer look at the programme, and to fully implement it. He added that even if this is not done, he will use the experience for his personal benefit and for the benefit of the GPHC. Allen added that he is eager to apply his experience as a trained Emergency Medical Responder (EMT).

(Rehana Ashley Ahamad)

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Kaieteur News

Drysdale Street fire claims fifth victim Yolanda Cort, the badly burned victim of the Charlestown fire that claimed four lives, has succumbed from her injures.

Hospital sources said that Cort passed away around 20:00 hrs yesterday in the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she had spent the past two weeks.

Relatives had told Kaieteur News that the badly burned mother of two was in a semi-conscious state and that doctors had given her a 50-50 chance of survival.

Cort, of Lot 2 Drysdale Street, Charlestown, sustained severe burns on September 29, when a fire of still unknown origin, gutted her home.

The fire claimed four other lives, among them C o r t ’s t w o d a u g hters, Kelisha Solomon, aged three and one-year-old Akesha Cordis.

Another woman, Abiola Taylor and her four-yearold son Justin Taylor also perished.

Post mortems revealed that they had all died from smoke inhalation.

Yolanda Cort

Saturday October 13, 2012

PNCR touts a revamp of education sector A revamping of the local education system is being touted by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

Executive Member of the political party, Cheryl Sampson, recently made this disclosure as she alluded to a number of shortcomings evident in the sector.

Primary among Sampson’s concerns was the need for the continuity of programmes introduced over the years.

Recalling her stint in the sector, Sampson said that “one of the problems we have is the lack of continuity.

I say that because you have had so many different funding agencies introducing various programmes.”

She alluded to the Secondary Schools Reform Project and the Basic Education Access and Management Support (BEAMS) as some of the programmes that were introduced to the sector over the years. “...What has happened is that, if the World Bank

comes and funds a progr a m m e a n d t h a t funding is finished, that is the end of whatever; the continuity is just not there.

Then we have the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) coming and they do something else or the Department for International Development (DFID) comes and so something else is done again but the efforts to make certain that they continue, is not happening.”

Sampson contended that a lot of money has been spent in literacy and numeracy but yet several related problems persist. “ We have these problems in the schools and I would say that it is a chicken and egg situation...

The children in the schools don’t have the ground work to do whatever is needed so it comes through to the teachers...”

She speculated that the resulting problem has extended to the Cyril Potter College of Education and even extends to the University of Guyana.

“These are things that we have to look at and put a hold on so that we can move on.”

According to the Executive Member, education is very important a notion that has always been amplified by the party’s founder member (former President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham).

Burnham was in fact the first Minister of Education and Sampson noted that he had put measures in place to make sure that reading and writing was important even introducing the three Rs – Reading, Writing and Arithmetic – that have been deemed the foundation of education.

Currently, Sampson insisted that “something is not going too right and with all these different policies that are being put forward by the administration sometimes we really want to know what is happening.”

Sampson stressed the need for continuity pointing out that “we need to look at it and sort of revamp the entire education system...there is a possibility that we can revamp.”

Saturday October 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Lumumba assault matter Man on $250,000 bail for w ounding c har ge wounding char harg adjourned again The assault matter involving Presidential Advisor on Empowerment, Odinga Lumumba, had to be put off again on Thursday when the Government official failed to make an appearance before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Lumumba’s attorney, Neil Boston, made an appearance before the court and informed Magistrate Latchman that Lumumba would be absent since he is seeking medical attention in Jamaica.

According to Boston his client had encountered medical issues and had to travel to the Caribbean island to seek help. The lawyer asked for another date and same was granted.

Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, who is representing the complainant in the matter had no objection to Boston’s request.

The lawyers were asked to return to court on November 21 for the continuati o n o f t h e matter.

Onika Beckles was also present in court. She alleged that Lumumba assaulted her while she performed her managerial tasks at a polling station located at Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, during the 2011 election period.

Reports are that Lumumba entered the polling station where Beckles was working and behaved disorderly. He reportedly shoved the woman against a wall after verbally abusing her.

Beckles was also charged and had been placed on $25 bail when she faced Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton.

The police said that Beckles on November 28 last obstructed Gomattie Kalicharran from accessing the polling place while she had no lawful authority.

Lumumba will be making his fifth appearance at the Court when he returns.

Cross examination by Hughes will continue; it was cut short on the last occasion when Magistrate Latchman adjourned the hearing

Odinga Lumumba stating that, “I am not sitting through another of this.”

The court head was referring to outbursts of arguments which had erupted during Lumumba’s testimonies.

The Government official on several occasions became incensed by certain questions and suggestions put to him by Hughes.

As soon as Lumumba had taken the stand on the last occasion, Magistrate Latchman adjourned the matter as Hughes and Lumumba ended up bickering when the first question was asked.

David Greene, of Lot 30 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was yesterday placed on $250,000 after he entered a plea of not guilty to maiming his acquaintance.

Greene, who has had a record of unlawful assault, faced Chief Magistrate (Ag) Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on a wounding charge.

The facts of the case reveal that earlier this year Greene used a knife to stab Renato Gammel, a miner. The incident allegedly stemmed

from a dispute between Greene and the victim’s relatives.

Gammel was not present at the initial court proceeding, but his mother informed the court of the reason for his absence.

The woman told the court that her son who works in the interior had hung around to ensure that his assailant is brought to court and justice served.

However, he had to leave for work since it looked as

though Greene would never be placed before the court.

The woman reasoned that the defendant’s mother is a police officer which therefore hindered the case from being brought to court.

The prosecution did not object to bail but revealed that the defendant had been the aggres s o r i n n u m e r o u s episodes of unlawful assault. The Magistrate, after granting bail, ordered Greene to return to court on November 9.

Boy, 12, is latest road fatality A 12-year-old boy was fatally struck down by a Canter truck, GPP 6830, around 06:00 hrs last evening at D’Urban an d Camp Streets, Georgetown.

Dead is Junior Cameron of Lot 40 West Ruimveldt, Squatting Area, Georgetown.

According to the dead boy’s brother, they were riding to their father in Albert Street, when the Canter appeared from nowhere and struck his

brother off his bicycle.

“Me and he was riding (separate bicycles) and I tell he fah ride in the corner and he tell me that he can ride wherever he want to ride.

Then I see the Canter come and knock he down and it went on he face.”

The visually shaken lad said that his brother’s face was covered in blood and it was unrecognizable.

The Central High School student was immediately rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital

Corporation by the same Canter truck which struck him but by then it was too late.

The drive r o f t h e canter was immediately taken into Police Custody and is said to be at the Brickdam Police Station.

Traffic ranks from Brickdam, who were at the hospital last ev e n i n g prevented Kaieteur News from talking with the 12y e a r- o l d b o y ’s m o t h e r.

They took her away to the station.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 13, 2012

Guyana observes international Day of the Girl Child

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Lorraine Baird, Chairperson, Women and Gender Equality Commission Indra Chandarpal and, Chairman of the Men Empowerment Network , Dr. Kwame Gilbert and students from City and East Coast Demerara Secondary schools at an observance to mark International Day of the Girl Child The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Thursday observed its first International Day of the Girl Child at Duke Lodge, Kingston under the theme “Connecting Girls Inspiring the Future”. In 2011, the United Nations General

Assembly designated October 11 as the observance of the International Day of the Girl Child which aims to promote equal treatment and opportunities for girls around the world in areas such as law, nutrition, health care, education, training, and freedom from violence and abuse. This day it is expected will make a difference in the

lives of girls and young women as citizens and, as powerful voices of change in their families, their communities and their nations.

Assistant Representative UNFPA Patrice La Fleur stated that, the UN recognises that empowering girls, involve their active participation and support and,

engagement of their parents, legal guardians, families and care givers as well as boys and men and the wider community. In observance of this event, many communities and political leaders will talk to the public about the importance of girls’ rights to equal education and their fundamental freedom.

Women and Gender

Equality Commission, chairperson, Indra Chandarpal stated that, the fact that the UN has adopted this day is very important, primarily because every year 10 billion girls are married as children denying them their rights to education, health and to life in safety and security.

Chandarpal stated that the

International Girl Child day is a very unique opportunity to highlight the challenges girls face, particularly when they marry as children. “Years ago, when you look back you would have seen how far we as a nation have advanced in terms of where we are as it relates to girls…years ago we could not have ridden a bicycle or cut our hair,” she said.

Statistics have shown that of the many millions of children that are not in school 60% are girls. By the age of 18 girls receive the lowest of education and in some countries there is a very high percentage of girls who are infected with HIV/AIDS. Pregnancy/childbirth also takes the life of 136,000 teenage girls each year. At least one in three women has been beaten or sexually molested world wide Present at the event also were Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security’s Permanent Secretary Lorraine Baird, Chairman of the Men Empowerment Network, Reverend Kwame Gilbert, and students from various schools. The audience was treated to cultural presentations by Unique Arts and Nadira and Indrani Shaw dance troupe. (GINA)

Saturday October 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Issues with Region 8 REO based on lack of information – Harsawack

Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region Eight, Ronald Harsawack today responded to a recent flurry of protests and concerns raised on several issues related to the administration of that Region.

Regarding the claims of non-cooperation from the Regional Administration and the RDC, Harsawack stated that he had informed Regional Chairman Mark Crawford that if there were particular issues he needed to have addressed he (Crawford) should raise them.

The REO insisted that while the Regional body is committed to the development of the region, “we are limited in terms of resources.”

Harsawack pointed out that the Regional Chairman would have to ensure that what the RDC wants done is in keeping with what the Region could do.

He opined that it appears the main issue is lack of information and communication. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government Collin Croal said, following the meeting with both the

Chairman and the REO, it was agreed that they would meet once weekly to discuss issues and update each other. He also noted that the major issue of communication had been absent.

Harsawack , speaking about the state of the roads in the community, said in excess of $35M has been received from Central Government for works to internal roads and that 1.5 miles of road works will be done by MMC to whom a contract has been awarded and works should begin within the week. Additionally, the Ministry of Public Works has the allocation for works to the road from Mango Landing to Mahdia which will also commence shortly.

With regards to the upkeep and maintenance of the roads, the REO pointed out that because roads within the regions are laterite surfaced, they are not sealed because of the topography of the mountainous areas thus, severe drainage problems occur which lead to erosion.

As a result, within four months after the rainy season, the roads need redoing.

However,

maintenance is ongoing.

The REO noted that while officials would want to address the needs of residents and to have everything done expeditiously, there is a process that has to be followed.

He explained that Government procedures must be followed, beginning with the identification of funding which has to be done in the regional budget. If it is not identified there, he explained, other means will have to be found for funding.

The design phase to be done by the engineers would follow after which there would be the advertising for bids.

The bids are evaluated either by the national tender board or at the regional level. Once the award is given the contractor gets going.

Harsawack said the time frame for this process which takes several weeks indicates the reason for the delays for the road works.

There is no unwillingness by the administration nor is there a case of not receiving any assistance from the Central Government or the Local Government Ministry,

Ronald Harsawack the REO reiterated. “It is just that we need to follow the process so we won’t breach regulations and rules.”

On the issue of the water situation, Harsawack pointed out that the gravity catchment system which exists is open to natural weather, and becomes clogged during storms.

Additionally, persons tamper with it for their own purposes.

Four persons have now been employed to act as rangers/ inspectors to monitor and attend to these issues.

On the issue of sanitation

and garbage, Harsawack pointed out that the RDC is not responsible and the collection is done by a private contractor.

Expressions of interest have been received from contractors and by the end of December they will be on board and take over the issue in the administrative regions with the exception of Region 4.

The RDC’s role is the maintenance of the landfill site. Here the fault lies with persons not using the site properly by dumping garbage before they get to the site.

The most recent issue to hit the private media was about the housing allocated to a teacher sent to the region.

Harsawack stated that the Department of Education and the Region were in contact with the teacher and no one turned a blind eye as has been stated.

The REO said that the teacher had stated she needed new appliances before she moved in to the house, including a television, fridge, stove, and VCR,.

Harsawack indicated that it is not customary that any region provides those

amenities to any staffing going into the region. “We would provide basics: bed, stove, suite and if they want to bring their own stuff they could do so.

We furnished with the minimum we could afford at the time.”

The requests from the teacher could not be accommodated since they fell under capital expenditure and had not been budgeted for.

Harsawack said also that regarding the claim of the house not being habitable, “the Department of Education would have visited and provided photographs that indeed the building was of an acceptable standard, for anybody to inhabit at the time, although not perfect.”

He added however, that work on the 2013 regional budget would include funding to rehabilitate four apartments.

“We are committed to providing proper accommodation for all of our staff, whether teachers, nurses etc. and we will continue to do so, because we recognize the importance of having those professionals within our Region,” he said. (GINA)

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 13, 2012

Saturday October 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Soesdyke children murder…

Mo ther of slain Mot childr en t ak es s t and hildren tak akes st On Thursday the Preliminary Inquiry into the murder of three children from Soesdyke, continued at the Providence Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Leslie Sobers.

John Blanchard is currently before the court having been charged for the murder of his children, Daniel, Belika and Joy Blanchard. Yesterday the man’s wife, Onika Blanchard, took to the witness stand to offer evidence against him. However she was stopped and asked to return to court on October 19 when she will continue giving evidence.

On October 11, 2011, Blanchard was detained for

chopping his three young children, killing two of them instantly Belika Blanchard and her five-year-old brother Daniel Blanchard. Six-year-old Joy Blanchard subsequently succumbed to her injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The family resided at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, and according to persons, at the time of the incident, the children’s mother had left for the interior. It is alleged that the chopping incident stemmed from a phone conversation Blanchard allegedly had with his wife earlier.

Blanchard, who sold clothing to sustain his family, had

reportedly been experiencing difficulty with his wife. The two had allegedly spilt up with the woman leaving the children behind.

It was said that Blanchard had sought the support of his younger sister on the night of the incident. She claimed that Blanchard had tried to contact her but was unable to do so.

The death of the children sparked nationwide interest and outrage. Blanchard was attacked twice while in police custody.

The man had been beaten severely by fellow inmates who sought to teach the alleged “child murderer” a lesson.

Sean Charles, a labourer from D’Urban Backlands appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on two criminal charges.

Charles is accused of robbing his neighbour, Magnolia Frank, of articles worth $40,000 and wounding her with the intent to maim or disfigure her at the time of the robbery.

Police information, is that on August 22, Frank was on her way

to work when Charles came up from behind and grabbed hold of her gold chain. The woman was reluctant to give up her belonging hence she put up a fight.

Charles, who had armed himself with a cutlass, then dealt the victim several chops to the head and other parts of the body.

Charles later made good his escape, leaving the weapon wedged in his victim’s head.

Frank was subsequently admitted as a patient of the Female

surgical Ward of Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Charles pleaded not guilty to both offences which were read to him by Chief Magistrate (Ag) Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in the presence of Magistrate Sunil Scarce yesterday.

The prosecution was in opposition to the defendant being released on bail. Thus, Charles will be imprisoned until November 2.

“Cutlass wielding” robbery accused remanded

Page 25

Health Ministry to hold candle light vigil to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month The Ministry of Health has been pushing Breast Cancer Awareness month which is being observed in October however, this year’s activities will roll over to the next three months.

Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran recalled that every year the Ministry takes on a different flavour to promote breast cancer awareness and this has seen collaboration with Fashion designer Sonia Noel and Guyana Fashion Weekend, fitness walks and awareness seminars.

Minister Ramsaran also noted that the Ministry has been strengthening its relationship with the Periwinkle Club.

This year the breast cancer awareness observation will be in the form of a candle light vigil and talks on issues of this particular cancer that affects many women and their families.

There will also be televised and educational programmes.

The event seeks to honour breast cancer survivors and those that have lost the fight.

The Ministry is also

partnering with Beauty and Home Systems Inc. (AVON) to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2012.

With regards to cervical cancer the health Ministry has been expanding the delivery of Visual Inspection using Acetic Acid (VIA) as a means of detecting and treating cervical cancer early. This service is being offered at numerous health centers around the country and is included in the medical outreaches carried out by the Regional Health Services.

(GINA)

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 13, 2012

Karibee Rice KO Football Competition continues this weekend at two locations Play in the Karibee Rice KO Football tournament in Berbice continues this weekend with several matches. Up in Berbice at the #5 Ground today commencing at 15:30hrs, Cougars FC and Rosignol United will engage each other following their match at Burnham Park last Sunday which was cancelled after the ground was deemed unplayable by the Referee.

Cougars led by the evergreen Philip Carrington will be depending on Winston

“Sugar Boy” Benjamin their #1 striker, Horace Roach the roving midfielder and the Kirt Bristol in defence.

Whilst the Keith Ojeer led Rosignol United will pin their hopes on Guest Player Delwyn “Jack” Fraser, National U20 striker Olvis Mitchell, National U20 defender Travis Henry and National U20 midfielder Garson Baker. There will be a toss-up in goal between National U20 goalkeeper Ronsy Caleb and Joel “Moonlight” Singh, both

formable keepers.

The winner of that game will come up against Monedderlust tomorrow at Blairmont Ground commencing at 15:30hrs in a Semifinal.

Monedderlust will have in their line up a father and son combination. Kevin Layne (Snr) plays central midfield and he is the player coach and son Kevin “Boonkey” Layne also is a midfielder. The team will be captained by Central Defender Orwin Johnson and will depend on

former National U16 striker King Archer who had a stint with Camptown and Conquerors sometime in the past to score their goals.

Down in Georgetown, Pele and BK Western Tigers will clash tomorrow at the GFC Ground commencing at 18:00hrs in the other Semifinal.

Pele will be depending on Senior National Travis Grant and Dirk Archer who is back home on holiday, right defender Marvin Liverpool, left defender Malcolm

Wilson, central defender Solomon Austin, strikers Quincy Hemmerding and Okeene Fraser and Goalkeeper Devon Charles.

BK Western Tigers will have in their line-up, midfielder Philip Rowley, strikers Gavin Wilson and Rensford Goodridge, midfielder Paul Giles, National U20 midfielder Randolph Wa g n e r, defender Ryan Adolph and

U16 Goalkeeper Romel Legall.

The final and 3rd place play-off is slated for tomorrow at the GFC Ground.

Meanwhile, the Berbice Football Association has decided to postpone games in the Cheddi Jagan Football Tournament this weekend to facilitate the playing of the Karibee Rice KO Tournament.

The Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) Softball Cricket tournament sponsored by Mike’s Pharmacy, Ariel Enterprise, Trophy Stall, Ramchand Auto Spares, Survival, Motor Trend, and Petama Enterprise, continues tomorrow with several matches.

Fixtures are as follows: In Demerara: CYRIL POTTER COLLEGE GROUND: 9:00AM Herstelling VS Queens Park Rangers. 11:00AM – Herstelling VS Vishnu Mandir. 1:00PM Country Road VS Vishnu Mandir.

3:00PM Country Road VS J&J Bengal Tigers.

BETTER HOPE GROUND: 9:00AM Renegade VS One Love.

11:00AM Renegade VS Princess Hotel All Stars.1:00PM P&P Vipers VS El Commandante. 3:00PM Shortman VS El

Commandante.

OGLE GROUND: Pitch #1 9:30AM Amiya’s Furniture Store VS Challengers.

11:30AM Rockaway VS Amiya’s Furniture Store.

1:30PM Savage Masters VS Enterprise Legends. Pitch #2 9:30AM Builders Lumber Yard VS Desperado. 11:30AM Lusignan Third Street VS Builders Lumber Yard.

1:30PM LBI Top Gun VS Lusignan Third Street.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION GROUND: Pitch #1 9:30AM Wellman VS Bedi Ramjewan Masters.

12:30PM Mahaica Masters VS East Bankers Masters. On Pitch #2 9:30AM Front Liners XI VS Success Warriors; 11:30Am East B a n k e r s X I V S Yo u n g Guns. 1:30PM Front Liners Masters VS Dynamic Security Force.

TUSHEN GROUND: 11:30AM Never Loose VS Parika Defenders.

GFSCA Softball continues tomorrow

South Turkeyn Sports Committee to host 5-a-side Football and Penalty shootout tomorrow The South Turkeyn Sports Committee will be hosting a 5-a-side football and penalty shootout small goal competition for the area teams tomorrow at ‘A’ Field School yard, Sophia commencing at 09:30hrs.

Among the teams taking part are A, B, C and D field Sophia, Kitty, Lodge, Tiger Bay, Alberttown, Vryheid’s Lust, Meadow Brook and North Ruimveldt. At stake are Trophies, Cash Incentives, Prizes, Medals and footballs.

Trophies have been donated by the minister of

Culture, Youth and Sport Dr, Frank Anthony, retired Brigadier David Granger, Mr. Ken Phillips, Mr. Paul ChanA-Sue, Mr. Campton Babb Marketing Manager of Gift Land, Mr. Wayne Forde of Presidential Industrial Tech, Melbourne Inn Guyana, Western Union, Mr. Basil Williams Attorney- at –law and MP, Trophy Stall Bourda Market, Mr. Joseph Herman Attorney- at –law and MP and Minister Robert Persaud.

The competition is being organized by Johnny Overseas Barnwell.

Saturday October 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 27

Digicel serves up sponsorship for Berbice Chamber CBIS Tournament Digicel Guyana has become the latest entity to get on board and has joined a long list of sponsors that have committed and finalised sponsorship for the third annual BCCDA-CBIS Inter Agency, Corporate Business in Sport 10/10 cricket competition. The competition is billed for Saturday October 20 at the Albion Sports

Complex.

The telephone giant has pumped a significant amount of funds and has committed itself to sponsorship for the first, second and third place teams in the competition. That sponsorship will include trophies, medals and other memorabilia.

According to tournament co-ordinator Imran Saccoor,

Sasha Cells National Junior Chess Championship begins today

Hai Feng Su in National junior Chess champion Hai Feng Su will begin defending his title as he faces seven challengers in the Sasha Cells 2012 National Junior Chess Championship which begins at the Ocean Spray Hotel today.

Heading the list of challengers is Anthony Drayton who recently emerged unbeaten in the qualifiers tournament to challenge the reigning champion.

The other players who are vying for the title are Ron Motilall, Saeed Ali, Carlos Petterson, Davion Mars, Dravin Drickpaul and Trenton Bennett.

The reigning champion is optimistic that he would retain the title or remain in the top three. However, Drayton is in

high spirits to come out on top.

He said he wants to perform well enough to avoid a playoff.

A playoff to determine the 2012 champion would be likely if two players end up with a tied score at the end of the seventh round.

Each player would be allowed 90 minutes per game and each round can last up to three hours.

The first of seven rounds is scheduled to begin at 14:00hrs at the Ocean Spray Hotel. Rounds Two and Three will be contested tomorrow at Olympic House, Kingston and the remaining rounds would be played during midweek and next weekend.

The tournament is sponsored by Sasha Cells.

plans for the one day extravaganza are unfolding well and several arrangements have been finalised. He stated that the 14 corporate teams have been confirmed and the fixtures have been drawn and all the teams are busy preparing for the event. The two teams for the 20/20 exhibition match, Universal DVD Berbice

Titans and Hits and Jams Superstars have been finalised and reports are that the teams are hard at practice.

This match is expected to be contested under floodlights.

The day’s event is expected to be an exciting and thrilling affair with various forms of entertainment including musical accompaniment by Crown

Vibes Musical Company. A number of added attractions are on the cards including entertainment by Granny Ivelaw and his cheer leaders’ group. Patrons going to the event will have a chance to be a part of the action, just by turning up. They will also have a chance to win fabulous prizes including a motorcycle, smart phones and

other electronic gadgets.

Raffle tickets to qualify for the entry to the venue has been released at several sales outlets in Berbice.

Action gets on the way at 9:00hrs and go into the night underlights. Plans are also in place for a return game on the weekend of the October 2627 at the Guyana National Stadium. (Samuel Whyte)

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 13, 2012

$1M for best ‘street-ballers’ tonight

By Edison Jefford The best ‘street-ballers’ in Guyana will wake up tomorrow morning $1M r i c h e r, c o m p l i m e n t s o f Ansa McAl under its Mackeson Stout brand that will host the Grand Finale of the Smooth Moves 3-on3 Basketball Championships at California Square tonight.

The East Ruimveldt venue will host the six best teams from across Guyana in what will be

one of the best moments of the 2012 tournament, and there has been many, giving each of the Super Six teams the acumen to bounce away with the $1 winner-takeall prize.

The remaining six teams from the nationwide competition are the Linden-based Jets #1, the New Amsterdam-based Full Clips, Georgetownbased Pitbulls, Slash, Pacesetters ‘A’ and Colts.

There is equal potency among those six teams with no clear frontrunner.

The last surviving Linden team in the competition is yet to play its best game, but still made it to the ‘money round’ against the background of fundamental basketball; veteran point guard, Kevin ‘Two Feet’ Joseph has led the team with experience and skill.

He has ensured fellow

guard, Leonard Caleb grow in confidence throughout the tournament and has unleashed a beast in centre, Shane Webster.

Jets #1 will be gunning for the $1M tonight, and once they strategise against formidable opposition, they can win. Expect Linden to turn out, they usually do, in large numbers to support their last chance of winning the money.

The silent assassin of the

- California Square host Grand Finale 2012 competition has been New Amsterdam’s Full Clips with Sheldon Thomas at the helm. Their comprehensive game is yet to be tested with the team proving that it’s largely a shooting side with any minor look at the basket unleashing the snipers.

Sheldon will have his younger brother, Shelroy, who is a former national junior guard and a pure scorer, to contend with on the Georgetown-based, Colts.

Shelroy forms his coalition with veteran forward, Dane Kendall, Stephon ‘Penny’ Henry and Tyrone Hamid.

The Colts team has already made it public that they want to win the title for former Coach of the Bounty Colts, the late Phillip George.

The nippy guard, Henry will be difficult to defend while a lot will depend on how well Hamid and Kendall play their roles.

Slash bounced through the tournament with its underdog status, defeating every other major team in the contest, including the defending champions, Pacesetters ‘A’; the Pepsi Sonics-based team of Jason Squires, Trevor Smith, Horace Hodges and Aubrey Austin has proven that they are among the teams to beat in the competition.

The Ravens-based Pitbulls has made their presence felt as well. The team of Ryan Gullen, Ryan Stephney, Jermaine Slater and Akeem Kanhai will not roll over and throw up $1M. They believe that they are among the favourites to win the money as their progress suggests.

Then there is the threatening presence of the defending champions, Pacesetters ‘A’ with Royston Siland playing centre/ forward, Travis Burnett at point guard, Steffon Gillis at shooting guard and the stalwart guard/forward,

Naylon Loncke coming off the bench.

Siland is a national forward and might be slow on the offensive end, but there is none better than him on the offensive and defensive boards.

Siland would have been a national record holder if he had chosen to become a high jumper.

His leap is extraordinary and his hands are secure. What he lacks on the offensive end Burnett makes up for in the guard position.

Burnett is the principal finisher on the team. ‘Blurr’ as Burnett is nicknamed, is a natural finisher and plays both offense and defence; he plays hard and brings immense energy to any team he is a part of and will be looking to win a consecutive title with the unit.

Gillis has brought Pacesetters ‘A’ back from the brink of elimination in the 2012 tournament, but can he replicate that performance tonight?

What is certain is that Gillis will have to be clinical in the Mackeson Smooth Moves Final tonight if his team will have a chance.

Speaking to Kaieteur Sport y e s t e r d a y, Mackeson Brand Manager, Jamaal Douglas said that there are systems in place for a massive culmination of the event tonight. Mackeson will doll out about $200,000 to patrons in its ‘shoot for cash’ competition.

Douglas said that the Mackeson Models will identify patrons, who are supporting the Mackeson brand, for the shootouts that will occur at various intervals.

In addition, there will be a dancehall competition and local reggae star, Jory to bring the curtains down in a grand way.

The Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association have released the names of the umpires to officiate in this weekend GCA\Queensway 50-over competition.

Today, Saturday 13th October 2012 Police vs MSC at MSC – Umpires: Colin Alfred and Saeed Mohamed Transport vs UG at DCC – Umpires: Hortence Isaacs and Montgomery Chester

Everest vs GYO at Everest – Umpires: Edward Nicholls and Edward Bowen Tomorrow, Sunday 14th October 2012 3RD Class vs GNIC at MSC – Umpires: Joseph Jeffery and Saeed Mohamed Vikings vs GDF at GDF – Umpires: Shannon Crawford and Edward Bowen GYO vs Ace Warriors at UG – Umpires: Mario Nicholls and Montgomery Chester

Umpires named for this weekend’s GCA\Queensway competition

Saturday October 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 29

Bernard’s Variety Store donates uniform to Retrieve Raiders B/ball Club

At left Retrieve Raiders Manager Eusi Francis and (right) Bernard Hodge with Colin Barker (centre) display the uniform.

Bernard Hodge, owner of Bernard’s Variety Store, this week donated a complete set of basketball uniforms to the Retrieve Raiders Basketball Club outside his business place at the Linden Minibus Park.

Bernard’s Variety Store is one of the more popular shopping spots in Linden and has traditionally supported the Retrieve Raiders, a team which has been among the top clubs in the Mining Town over the years.

At the presentation, Hodge promised to continue supporting the efforts of the Raiders’ management team, which is led by club president Pastor Richard McDonald, as he committed to follow the progress of the club especially in the BOSAI Open challenge tournament which tipped off yesterday at the Mackenzie sports Club Hard Court. Hodge had also financially s u p p o r t e d t h e c l u b ’s

captain Neil Marks when he was selected to the last Guyana National Men’s team which participated at the Caribbean Basketball Championships in The Bahamas.

Receiving the set of uniforms was manager of Retrieve Raiders Mr. Eusi Francis who said the donation was a timely one as they go into action a g a i n s t Vi c t o r y Va l l e y Royals in the BOSAI Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc Open Challenge basketball competition.

Francis thanked Bernard for the support given to the club whenever called upon as he was accompanied by another Raiders executive Colin Barker.

They promised that the gear will be used proudly by the club and that they will strive to ensure that the club remains among the best in the town and ultimately Guyana as a whole.

Page 30

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 13, 2012

T20 cricket Extravaganza set for West Berbice The Bath Settlement Community Centre ground on the West Coast of Berbice is set to come alive when the West Berbice Cricket Association\Goodwill Twenty\20 tournament gets underway from 09:00 hrs on Sunday October 21.

This competition, which will conclude on the same day, will see some exciting t\20 players coming up against each other with t e a m s s u c h a s We s t Berbice Super Kings, B a t h \ Wo o d l e y Park Invaders, Transport Sports Club and Gandhi Youth Organization of Georgetown battling for supremacy.

The competition will be played with white balls and teams will be geared with coloured clothing. There will be trophies and cash p r i z e s f o r t h e w i n n e r, runner up and man of the match.

The day will be filled with excitement as the organisers are putting together a cultural atmosphere all day long in the form of Indian and African drumming as well

as steel pan music, while fans will be given a chance to win gate prizes.

T h e We s t B e r b i c e Cricket Association (WBCA), would like to express special thanks to the Regional Chairman of region 5, M r.

Rabindranauth Bisnauth for his kind co-operation in helping to bring quality cricket to the region. The sponsors on board so far are Swiss House Cambio (F and F exchange), Buddy’s Business Establishments and Cell Phonix.

Meanwhile, Swiss House Cambio yesterday presented a cheque to the organisers of the tournament Goodwill and WBCA. Abel Seetaram of the West Berbice Cricket Association said he was pleased to have Swiss House Cambio on board, as well as the other sponsors while Waqar Hussain of Swiss House stated that they are pleased to be associated with the game in Berbice.

We s t B e r b i c i a n s a r e asked to come out in their numbers and witness exiting cricket for the entire family.

Miss Christine Inshanali of Goodwill promotions collects the sponsorship cheque from Waqar Hussain of Swiss House.

Saturday October 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Gatorade / Pepsi Sonics ‘Refresh Your Game’ First Division Basketball Competition

Page 31

Two best talents set up mouth watering showdown tomorrow - Pacesetters, Colours Panthers battle for Third Division crown for both units and on paper Dyna Ravens hold a slight advantage.

Kanhai will have around him players the caliber of Ryan Stephney, a master dribbler capable of executing some of the most debilitating crossovers, while centre Ryan Gullen seems to have regained the confidence and low post potency that made him a deadly player in the paint

Akeem Kanhai

Ryan Stephney Tomorrow’s final showdown between Dyna Ravens and Colts for the First Division title in this year’s Gatorade / Pepsi Sonics ‘Refresh Your Game’ First Division Basketball Competition could be decided

Shelroy Thomas on how well the two stars on each team plays.

Dyna Ravens Akeem Kanhai, whose dazzling performances at the junior level saw him being touted as one of the best prospects to emerge in Guyana for quite some time and a strong candidate for a US Scholarship will pit his skills against Colts Shelroy Thomas, arguably one of the more talented players based locally.

According to reports, the two players’ performances is key to their respective teams’ chances of winning and judging from their feats in the semi-finals fans could anticipate a keen battle for supremacy between two of the most promising players in the country.

However, that aside, basketball is played among five players on each team and there is where the performances of the supporting cast will be crucial

sometime ago. Thomas on the other hand has some players of quality in his line-up and they will have to reproduce the skills displayed in their semi-final win over Pacesetters to have a chance against Dyna Ravens.

Gavin Bearam was deadly from close range, while Dave Causeway, also stepped up ‘big time’ to aid in the win and their combined efforts will be needed

to stop a team loaded with natural talent.

The Third Division final will be contested between Pacesetters and Colours Panthers and jump-ball is 19:00 hrs. Pacesetters will be led by Calvin Harding, who had a monster game in their semi final clash with United Buxton and he is expected to receive support from Ruel Leitch and Anore

Fraser.

Colours Panthers best player Keiron Boyce will once again be called upon to spearhead their quest for victory, but support could come from Kevin Dover and Tyson Barnwell.

An exhibition game featuring players in the Pepsi Sonics junior basketball team will commence at 17:00hrs.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 13, 2012

Carib Beer Tribute to Assad Fudadin’s Day of Cricket Champions promises to be a thriller The Albion Community Centre tomorrow is expected to be filled to capacity as the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club in partnership with the Georgetown Cricket Club host a Carib Beer Day of Cricket Champions.

The day’s event which would be in honour of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club first every test cricketer Assad Fudadin will feature two 20/20 cricket matches.

The Demerara Cricket Club would clash with the Albion Cricket Club at 10:00hours, while the Georgetown Cricket Club would play Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets at 13:30hours.

The event has been dubbed clash of the Champions as it would feature the best clubs from Berbice and Demerara.

Several players who have r e p r e s e n t e d t h e We s t Indies, at either Test, ODI or 20/20 level would be

Ivor Mendonca

Assad Fudadin

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

playing and they include Assad Fudadin, Narsingh Deonarine, Trevon Griffith, Devendra Bishoo, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Ve e r a s a m m y P e r m a u l , Jonathan Foo, Derwin Christian, Christopher Barnwell and Leon Johnson. National players

at the junior and senior like Shawn Pereira, Gajanand Singh, Paul Wintz, Delbert Hicks, Clinton Pestano, Dominique Rikhi, Gudakesh Motie Kanhai, Sharaz Ramcharran, Totaram Bishu, Vishual S i n g h a n d A n d r e St o l l would also be on show.

The organisers at the end of play would honour test legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul in his absence for his outstanding contribution to Guyana and West Indies cricket, while a financial contribution would also be made to ailing former Test

player Ivor Mendonca.

Te a m s : R o s e H a l l Town Gizmos & Gadgets: Assad Fudadin, Renwick Batson, Delbert H i c k s , J a s o n S i n c l a i r, Clinton Pestano, Eon Hooper, Shawn Pereira, S h a i l e n d r a S h a m e e r, Loyydel Lewis, Arif Chan, Khemraj Mahadeo, Devin Baldeo, Dominique Rikhi and Askay Homraj. Coach: Michael Hyles Franco.

Albion Community Centre: - Veerasammy Permaul – captain, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Kandasammy Surujnarine, Narsingh Deonarine, Joanthan Foo, Devendra Bishoo, Sharaz R a m c h a r r a n , Ve e r a p e n Permaul, Andy Mohan, David Latchaya, Gudakesh Motie Kanhai, Srikun Srikissoon, Balchand Baldeo and Avinash Wajid.

Manager - M. Permual.

Georgetown Cricket Club: - Leon John –

captain, Robin Bacchus, Vishual Singh, Jeetendra Sookdeo, Joshua Wade, Raj Nanaan, Gavon Charles, Chindana Sriram, Gavin Singh, Elon Fernandes, Almondo Damon, Devon Lord, Winston Forrester. Coach - Monty Lunch.

Demerara Cricket Club: - Trevon Griffith, A n d r e w L y g h t J n r, Christopner barnwell, Derwin Christian, Gajanand Singh, Paul Wi n t z , Jermain Hinckson, To t o r a m Bishun, Andre Stoll, Dennis Squires, Cohen Ismond, Omesh Dhaniram, T. Byron and Dexter George. Gavin Nedd – Coach, Ron Amos – Manager.

The main sponsors for the day’s event are Ansa McAl, Sterling Products Ltd, the Trophy Stall, Guyoil, Farfan & Mendes and Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company.

Saturday October 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 33

Guyana women's hockey team selected for World League The Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has made its final selection of the National Women's Hockey team which is scheduled to compete in the World League in Trinidad and Tobago from November 918.

The squad has been in training under Head Coach, Philip Fernandes, since April of this year in preparation for this, the first world level event in which Guyana will participate.

The World League is a new global tournament introduced by the hockey world governing body (FIH) which comprises of four rounds of competition culminating in the final 8team event. The event is set to replace the current format

of qualification for both the World Cup and Olympics.

This is an exciting change for hockey as teams from all over the world and of all levels now have a chance to compete with the best in the world.

The inaugural competition started earlier this year and received entrants from over 60 nations which will make it the biggest event in the history of the sport.

Trinidad will be staging the Round 1 qualification for this part of the world for both men and women although Guyana will only be competing in the women's competition due to the limited funds available.

The women's competition will feature top seeded Canada, ranked 23 in the

Schools football at Grove Playfield today The Grove Playfield will come alive today when the AL Sport & Tour Promotions (ASTP), in association with the East Bank Demerara Football Association ( E B D FA ) & D i g i c e l inaugural Primary School Boys Football Tournament kicks off, starting at 12:00 hrs.

Some of the top schools from the East Bank Demerara community have already signaled their intentions to participate in the competition which will be preceded by an opening ceremony and those slated to make remarks are President o f t h e E B FA Wa y n e François, Digicel's Events

and Sponsorship Manager Gavin Hope and a representative from ASTP. Schools will be competing for trophies and all players in teams finishing in the top four positions will be rewarded with a School kit, compliments of Digicel according to an official of ASTP. The official added that the programme will be the first of many such events where the objective is to merge Sport with Education.

Among the schools expected to be in action today are Eccles, Supply, St. Mary's, Timehri, Peters Hall, Soesdyke and Grove.

Team Guyana poses with their silver medals at the 2011 PAHF Challenge. world, Trinidad 27, Barbados 41, Uruguay 50, Guyana 58 and Venezuela also ranked 58. Guyana's opening match will see them face off against CAC Champions and hosts, Trinidad on November 11 followed by a game against top seeded Canada the following day. After a oneday rest, Guyana then faces Uruguay on November 14, to whom they lost in the 2011 final of the PAHF Challenge and will be keen to avenge that defeat.

Guyana's final two matches on November 16 and 17 will be against Barbados and Venezuela respectively.

According to Head Coach, Philip Fernandes, the team has been responding well to preparations, but laments the major disadvantage of not having the use of an artificial pitch on which to train.

“Our women's team is relatively young in the game and so we have to make small

goals. Our main objective is always to exceed our previous result whenever competing internationally.

However, we return to the grass at home, while the other teams continue to train and improve themselves on the very artificial pitches that are used in competition. This is a huge disadvantage for Guyana, but we have been producing surprising results despite this,” Fernandes pointed out.

The team has, for the first time this year, involved a trainer to prepare them physically. Manager of the team, Rawl Davson, indicated that physical conditioning has been one of the areas identified for improvement as it does not necessarily require training in first world facilities.

The team has therefore secured the services of Mr. Kezqwehah Yisrael of To p e n d P e r f o r m a n c e Training to ensure that the

players are in peak condition for the tournament.

According to Fernandes, the team is in better condition than they've ever been. This, he says, will be a vital element in their performance, especially since the games are being played in the middle of the day.

The team continues to train at the National Gymnasium and Bourda until they depart on November 9 for Trinidad.

The eighteen players selected are: Alysa Xavier

(GK), Natalie Hing (GK), Ulrica Sutherland, Tricia Fiedtkou, Tiffany Solomon, Maria Munroe, Trisha Woodroffe, Vanessa Pires, Marzana Fiedtkou, Leigh Sandison, Ashley DeGroot, Sonia Jardine, Gabriella X a v i e r, C o r a To w l e r, Kerensa Fernandes, Chantelle Fernandes (Captain), Avonda James, Samantha Fernandes.

Team Manager is Rawl Davson, Head Coach- Philip Fernandes and Assistant Coach- Peter DeGroot.

t r o Sp Guyanese marksmen will look to continue 'Battesea Bomber' hitting the 'Bulls eye' in team shoot today vows to knockout

'The Candyman' in tonight's return encounter

By Michael Benjamin

GUYANA ALL THE WAY: The top marksmen from L, Braithwaite, Persaud, Fields and Goodluck cannot contain their ecstasy shortly after packing up their guns After a lengthy hiatus from the ranges, veteran rifle shooter, Lennox Braithwaite, made a resounding return, capturing the honours when the West Indies Full-bore Individual Shooting Championships concluded at the Timehri ranges, Thursday evening

last.

While he intends to continue pressing the trigger and acquiring more accolades in the future, Braithwaite is now focused on helping his teammates to regain the team championships which gets underway this morning and

concludes tomorrow. The marksmen rested yesterday and return today and tomorrow for the team competition where they will attempt to regain the long range title they had relinquished to defending champions, Jamaica. They will compete on the 900 and

1000 yards ranges today and return tomorrow morning for competition in the 300, 500 and 600 yards ranges.

Today's activities commence at 8:00hrs.

Braithwaite's feat in the individuals could be considered remarkable for Continued on page 19

$1M for best ‘street-ballers' tonight Pg. 21

It should have been a foreign invasion where Guyanese boxers were to have matched their skills against foreign counterparts but following unfortunate twist of fortunes where several of those overseas pugilists endured hard battles recently and were forced to opt out of their respective bouts, local boxers will oppose each other in various divisions when Hurry Up Promotions present a night of fistic fury at the Banks DIH Ground, Thirst Park tonight.

Howard 'Battersea Bomber' Eastman will lace up gloves against Simeon 'Candyman' Hardy in an 8 rounds light/middleweight affair that could define the career of the latter fighter.

Jermaine King will square off with Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) and local middleweight champion, Edmond DeClou in a 6 round shindig that has all the trimmings of a classic encounter. Bantamweight, Charlton Skeete, a budding 'Coolie Bully' will tackle the exciting Berbician, Richard Williamson over 6 rounds in what promises to be an action packed duel, while two huge men, former local

Jim Coley heavyweight champion, Mitchell Rogers and Anthony Augustin will battle over 6 rounds in the heavyweight division with the latter boxer bent on avenging two previous losses at the hands of the former.

Moore had promoted before, when he had teamed up with Carwyn Holland in the 'Caribbean Fury' card sometime ago but this is first attempt on his own and one cannot help but applaud his courage. Despite the unfortunate circumstances that forced a change of the card, Moore has been able to institute the changes that Continued on page 20

- California Square host Grand Finale

GRAND FINALE! Scenes like these are expected tonight at California Square, East Ruimveldt when Mackeson brings the curtains down on its $1M Smooth Moves 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

Hardy and Eastman square off hours before the 'real thing' at yesterday's press conference

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