Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Monday October 15, 2012

Linden Commission of Inquiry…

By Latoya Giles Attorney General Anil Nandlall has said that he does see why Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee needs a lawyer during the duration of the Linden Commission of Inquiry.

According to the AG who spoke briefly with this newspaper yesterday “I don’t know of a reason why he needs a lawyer…government cannot direct the Commission how to do its work”.

Nandlall noted that the Commission hasn’t even indicated that the Minister

needs a lawyer to represent him. The Minister has been an integral element in the Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances that led to the shooting of three Lindeners during unrest in the bauxite mining town of Linden.

Phone records have shown that the Minister and Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken had spoken to each other after the shooting on July 18.

Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell had admitted that the Minister would at times bypass him and directly contact his subordinate

officers.

Chairman of the Alliance for Change Attorney at Law Nigel Hughes made the point of the Minister not having a lawyer present during the Commission on Friday.

He believes that the government may be adopting this posture to later challenge the outcome of the inquiry.

According to Hughes, “government is not sure of how the Commission is going to rule, so they have not gotten a lawyer for the Minister, so 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.”

The lawyer made the comment on Friday during a rally.

Attorney at law, Vic Puran, who was initially retained to represent the Minister, had told the Commission on the opening day of the Inquiry that he was no longer doing so, since the Minister did not honour certain obligations.

It is likely that Minister Rohee will be called before the

commission of inquiry.

Nigel Hughes is looking over the interest of the relatives of Shemroy Bouyea, Allan Lewis and Ron Somerset. Attorneys-at-Law Hukumchand and Peter Hugh are representing the Guyana Police Force. Attorneys-atLaw Mohamed Khan and Dawn Holder are appearing for the Guyana Bar Association. APNU Members of Parliament Basil Williams and Joseph Harmon are representing their party.

The commission of inquiry is resuming today after a one-week break.

The commissioners are Lensley Wolfe O.J., who is the Chairman; Mr. K.D. Knight S.C; Ms. Dana Seetahal S.C, former Guyana Court of Appeal Judge, Claudette Singh CCH; and Cecil Kennard CCH. Commission Chairman, former Jamaican Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe, has said that the Commission’s findings will be based solely on the evidence presented to it on oath or affirmation by witnesses.

The deaths of the three

AFC Chairman Attorney at Law Nigel Hughes

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

men stretched the protest for a month, as Lindeners pressed for a full investigation and opposition parties called for an international inquiry. On August 21, Government and the Opposition finally signed an agreement paving the way for the beginning of a Commission of Inquiry into the unrest. The signing also saw the mining town returning to normalcy. Some $80M has been allocated to the commission of inquiry.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, United Kingdom firearm expert, Dr. Mark Robinson, arrived in Guyana. Robinson examined the scene of the shooting in Linden and spoke with victims of the incident.

Dr. Robinson was brought to Guyana by the Alliance for Change to observe ballistics tests on fragments and bullets recovered from the Linden shooting and to conduct his own independent tests.

Robinson is expected to give his testimony this week.

Monday October 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Youth killed by stray bullet laid to rest

A grieving relative is carried by another after she collapsed during the funeral service yesterday.

Dameon Belgrave who was killed by a police stray bullet two Fridays ago outside the popular White Castle Fish Shop on the eve of his birthday was laid to rest yesterday following an emotional home going ceremony.

Belgrave was shot two Fridays ago as police fired a shot into a crowd in the vicinity of the Fish Shop while trying to apprehend three young men whom they had cornered following a ‘high speed chase’.

The young man’s body was taken to the Pouderoyen Market Tarmac for viewing and tributes. At the tarmac hundreds paid their respects to Belgrave in the form of poems, songs, hymns, and the most

touching was his eulogy.

However, one common sentiment which was expressed during the numerous tributes was the disproval of the way the young man met his demise.

The funeral service was attended by several members of the opposition.

Following Belgrave’s death, Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell visited his family’s home and promised that justice will be served.

Several representatives from the Opposition also paid visits to the dead man’s family. To date three police ranks have been placed under close arrest as the police continue their investigation into the shooting incident.

But there are reports that

the ranks may have to be placed on open arrest since their prescribed detention period has expired.

The police had sought the permission of the High Court to detain the ranks for an additional period of three days after the initial three day period had expired.

To date the Director of Public Prosecution has not advised on whether or not to charge the cops, having requested further investigation to what was presented in the file that was sent to her.

This situation has caused some tension, since it can be recalled that two other ranks who have been charged with murder as a result of another reckless police shooting have disappeared.

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Another woman knifed to death

Another woman was knifed to death last night as Guyana’s domestic murder rate continues to climb.

Forty two year old Allison Bowen, a mother of three was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown hospital, minutes after collapsing in a pool of blood from the repeated stabs inflicted by her reputed husband who has since gone into hiding.

The incident occurred just before 23:00 hours not far from Bowen’s Goeverwagting, East Coast Demerara home and in the full view of her two young sons.

Her sister, Nicole King was also stabbed to her chest when she intervened to protect t her sister from he obviously incensed man.

This newspaper understands that, the Bowen had ended her relationship with the suspect earlier yesterday after suffering constant physical abuse during the period she lived with him. One of the dead woman’s sons Joshua Barton told this newspaper that his mother and his two siblings were sitting in the living room of the house when the door burst open and the suspected barged in.

He claimed that he had come to uplift his bag and proceeded to hurl verbal

abuses at Bowen, resulting in a heated argument between the two.

According to the young man, the suspect tried to assault his mother physically but she managed to run out of the house and headed to her sister’s a few doors away.

He said that he and his brother also ran out of the house and followed their mother in an effort to protect her should their stepfather pursue her.

The woman managed to locate her sister and together they were returning to Bowen’s house to confront the suspect, when he launched his vicious attack.

“I see he coming with a bicycle and he had the knife in he waist. Auntie Nicole say, ‘Why you don’t stop knocking me sister?’ She go in de way and he tek off he bag from he back, put down he bike and pull out de knife.

We tell mommy run and she run but he run behind mommy and lash she into Chinese bench and start jukking.

Mommy start hollering but he continue jukking. After we auntie parting, he juk she too.

Me brother try fuh part too and he get juk I he hand,” the young Barton related.

He said that as his mother lay on the ground, the suspect ran away, while his

Dead: Allison Bowen wounded aunt urged him to get help for the mortally wounded Bowen. But by the time neighbours ran to the scene, Bowen had already appeared dead.

Eventually a police patrol vehicle arrived and took both Bowen and her sister to the Georgetown hospital, where Bowen was pronounced dead, while king was admitted and is presently in a critical condition.

From all indications, Bowen was attempting to contact a police friend with her cellular phone when she was first confronted by her attacker at her home.

She never got the chance.

Up to late last night and early this morning, the police were still searching for the killer.

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Kaieteur News

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

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

Editorial

The Chavez Way

Just before the Venezuelan elections, we opined in this space: “There is no doubt that the Oct. 7 presidential vote will be Hugo Chávez’s most difficult election to date. The man who has dominated Venezuela’s politics for over a decade — and has often expressed his will to rule for at least one more — is suffering from voter fatigue and an uncertain health outlook after being diagnosed with cancer in mid-2011.

He also faces an emboldened opposition and a contender who has managed to create a compelling campaign and policy platform. Some believe that Henrique Capriles, the opposition candidate, could win the elections.

But betting on such an outcome is risky, for despite all his administration’s failures, Chávez remains one of Venezuela’s and Latin America’s most astute political leaders in modern history.”

It turned out that the elections were not that difficult for Chavez, even though his majority was reduced to 11% over the Opposition – down from the 26% in 2006. He has now been at the helm of Venezuela since 1998 – a remarkable fourteen years, with another six years ahead. He is now the longest serving Latin American President holding office through democratic elections. It should be useful for our political elite, seemingly locked in a death embrace, to review the reasons for Chavez’s amazing political popularity.

The most salient factor has been his ability to deliver on his promise to improve the conditions of the poor and the downtrodden. Since he acceded to office and took control over the national oil industry, poverty has been cut by half and extreme poverty by 70 percent. This massive redistribution of wealth has, as expected, not gone down well with the old elite. They control most of the media and have consistently presented an image of an economy perpetually on the verge of collapse. This, of course, has not materialised. In addition, college enrolment has more than doubled, millions of people have access to health care for the first time, and the number of people eligible for public pensions has quadrupled.

It is therefore not surprising that most Venezuelans would re-elect a President who has improved their living standards. That is what has also been the case with all of the left governments that now govern most of South America: they have been re-elected. This is despite the fact that they, like Chávez, have most of their countries’ media against them, and their opposition also has most of the wealth and income of their respective countries.

The list includes Rafael Correa, re-elected President of Ecuador by a wide margin in 2009; the enormously popular Lula da Silva of Brazil, re-elected in 2006, and successfully campaigned for his former Chief-of-Staff, now President Dilma Rousseff, in 2010; Evo Morales, Bolvia’s first indigenous President in a majority indigenous country, reelected in 2009; José Mujica succeeded his predecessor from the same political alliance in Uruguay – the Frente Amplio — in 2009; Cristina Fernández succeeded her husband, the late Néstor Kirchner, winning the 2011 Argentine presidential election by a solid margin – also with the largest media against her.

All of these Left Presidents and their political parties won re-election because, like Chávez, they brought significant, and in some cases huge, improvements in living standards. They all originally campaigned against the “neoliberal” policies of the Washington Consensus, imposed by the IMF when Latin America experienced its worst long term economic growth failure in more than a century. They rejected its mantra of ‘privatisation, stabilization and liberalisation’ and replaced it with the present pro-poor redistributive programmes.

Predictably, the other left governments have seen Venezuela as part of a team that has brought more democracy, national sovereignty, and economic and social progress to the region. Efforts to paint him as an extremist have failed. His democratic credentials are impeccable with Venezuela’s electoral system certified by no less than former US President Jimmy Carter as ‘the best in the world”.

Maybe, Guyanese politicians might understand the fundamental lesson of democracy: take care of the people and the people will take care of you.

Monday October 15, 2012

Letters... Where your views make the news

I DEMAND A RETRACTION FOR THIS DEFAMATORY CHRONICLE ARTICLE

DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Chronicle carried an article under a banner, front-page headline on Sunday, October 7, 2012, in which it falsely accused me of the following:1. That NICIL has paid me “almost $7M for processing of land transports” for relocated D’Edwards (Berbice Bridge) residents, but I “failed to deliver”.

2. That I demanded from the wife of one resident $300,000 “in order to ensure she received her transport for the land”.

3. That I asked residents who received compensation for legal fees to help them get their cheques.

4. That I failed in my professional duties to provide legal services for the Berbice Bridge compensation/relocation project.

All of the above are absolute LIES. I was identified in the publication as AFC’s Vice-

Chairman and a Member of Parliament, and there is no doubt that these wicked and malicious lies are intended to damage my character, my profession and standing in the Guyanese community.

I call on Chronicle Editor Mark Ramotar, to immediately withdraw these defamatory allegations, and tender an open apology for publishing outright lies.

I also call on NICIL’s Executive Directors, Winston Brassington and Marcia Nadir-Sharma, to disassociate themselves from the publication, and to publish both my contract with NICIL and the amount of moneys paid to me for the D’Edwards (Berbice Bridge) project. Already, in breach of client-attorney privilege, NICIL has shamelessly and unethically released to the government propaganda mill, copies of cheques paid to me!

Every Unity Street resident

was dear and important to me. I once lived on that street and had a school in this community.

I negotiated a fair and reasonable compensation for every home-owner who was relocated, and a package that included:· Ahouse-lot for every homeowner who was removed from D’Edwards; · Payment of $1.00 (yes, one Guyana dollar) for a house-lot in Ketting (Cotton Tree); · Streets plus water, electricity and telephone services for the re-location area; · Extended time for affected residents to re-locate; · Assistance to remove their houses and structures.

It was never my job to provide transport to the Ketting residents. However, when asked by then President Jagdeo and Minister Irfaan Ali to expedite transports for citizens on the Corentyne and in West Berbice, I was offered and I accepted legal fees of

only $2,500 (two thousand five hundred Guyana dollars) for each transport passed.

It was left to Government to pass transport to the Ketting residents, and it is a shame it has not done so after six years. I demand transports for the residents immediately!

Over a two-year period (2006-2007), I was paid $1,450,000 (one million four hundred and fifty dollars) as legal fees based on my request for $30,000 or US$150 for each completed Compensation Agreement, plus allowance for clerical assistance, travelling and miscellaneous.

I deny asking any resident for legal fees, and I put the PPP Government and their propaganda cronies for proof of this! In the meantime, I have consulted my lawyers on this matter.

Moses V. Nagamootoo AFC Vice-Chairman & Member of Parliament

President Ramotar needs to rethink his approach to governance for the peaceful co-existence of the people DEAR EDITOR, President Ramotar needs to rethink his approach to governance for the good of this nation and the peaceful coexistence of the people. As president, though elected on partisan/party ticket, having taken the Oath of Office, he is bound by the Constitution to govern in the interest of all. And this is premised on the fact that he is paid by all the people and the nation’s resources belong to all the people. Thus it is unfortunate that in his address to the nation, relating to the 11th October protest on the East Bank Demerara, he missed the opportunity to offer legitimate assurance and resolution. In fact, his approach as Chief Public Servant is tantamount to an abrogation of his responsibility to the people’s welfare, who deserve sobriety on a matter discomforting to both the affected and aggrieved.

The workers and families affected during the incident and the aggrieved who saw the road blockage as a means to bring attention to their grievances bear testimony of our intertwined relations, wherein what affects one affects all. And behind this backdrop what has become the political fare of ‘buse out’, taunts, condemnation of effects and ignoring causes, ascribing responsibility to another to extricate self, and obscuring issues to diminish their significance or fronting the refusal to resolve them, will not work.

The society must no longer accept these behaviours since they do not achieve solutions, disrupt peacefulcoexistence, and the aggrieved will not be silent or disappear. Clearly, with more standing up and fighting for their rights, evidently not deterred by insults, police assaults, pellets, live bullets, teargas, tear smoke and deaths, the president needs to understand this manifestation of human nature. For no one accepts marginalisation or oppression forever.

The historical development of the nation bears testimony.

So, the resort to call citizens “thugs”

for actions the president himself championed and engaged in when he was in the opposition is unhelpful, equally as conflating the issues and engaging in blame game when ultimately the responsibility is his to ensure the people’s rights are respected, grievances are timely addressed, there is equal treatment across the board, and the rule of law prevails for all.

As such the nation expects his universal condemnation of violence, not only by person on person but also by government on the people. For consistent with the World Health Organisation, violence is “The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation.” And too many can highlight evidence of government’s violence.

Further, to the president’s position that many of the protestors were criminals, it would be to this nation’s wellbeing that he does not have different treatment for different folks. Lest it be forgotten the society has been calling on him to weed out the corrupt in his midst and place them before the courts.

He is still to act accordingly.

Criminality has adverse impact on the economy since it denies workers the benefits of their tax dollars, depletes standard of living, creates unemployment, deprives livable wage/ salary and threatens security. As such the intolerance for streets crimes must be equally matched for the intolerance of white collar crimes and those who rob the citizens their inalienable rights by flouting the laws.

Let it be clear. The 18th July Commission of Inquiry (COI) has no mandate to determine whether the Minister of Home Affairs should demit office. Such a call was made by the people, independent of the COI, and cemented with the vote of the

parliamentary majority. So for the president to inform the society that they have to await the results of the COI is misleading and stands the risk of pitting the people against the commissioners. The commissioners have a specific mandate and they must be allowed to execute same without being ensnared in the vengeful petty politicking. The president is also reminded former home affairs minister Ronald Gajraj demitted office after similar outcries against his stewardship and prior to the establishment of a COI along similar lines of the present.

And to those involved in public expressions and assembly in efforts to secure justice, do strive to ensure the cause is not high jacked/infiltrated by engaging in self policing, group identity and turning perpetuators over to law enforcement. Equally the police have a responsibility to guarantee the protection of demonstrators and nondemonstrators. For clearly some see opportunity in these events to carry out their dastardly deeds to deny others what’s rightly theirs. Rights are nonnegotiable and they must not be held hostage to agent provocateurs, criminals, government, group or individual.

Ultimately, the buck stops at the president to ensure the fundamentals of the society are intact as enshrined in the Constitution, universal declarations and laws and international conventions.

To this end he needs to take cognizance of the facts that the cold war is behind us; polarisation has no place in modern politics; and democracy in today’s global environment is measured by accountability, adherence to the rule of law and social justice.

Further, whereas the PPP has secured the plurality of votes and given the privilege to form the executive, such grant them no authority/power to trample the citizens’ rights, plunder their resources and ignore their representatives.

Lincoln Lewis

Monday October 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

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

President Ramotar needs to Why was no access provided quietly identify 12 competent people for the disabled at GuyExpo?

DEAR EDITOR, exhibition center did not have night sitting in the food area and then fire his entire Cabinet As the people of Guyana wheelchair access, I had to get in my wheelchair. Even DEAR EDITOR, Everyone in this country knows what was happening at the National Drainage and Irrigation authority under the current CEO. Former President Jagdeo did nothing about it although the evidence was there.

The CEO should have been jailed since then and the continued theft of taxpayers’ dollars would have been avoided and some recovered.

The Minister of Agriculture at that time should also have been fired.

Instead he was promoted to

where the gold and diamond of our nation actually is.

One hopes President Ramotar will take the right stance and fire these two persons identified and also have them jailed.

The same must be done for the two persons identified in the NCN fraud. When will our leaders show some strength of character and actually take a stance against what is patently wrong?

President Ramotar needs to quietly identify 12 competent and capable persons and then fire the entire current Cabinet of

approximately 23 ministers (one has lost count since there are so many) and replace the cabinet with the 12 persons he identified. He must wipe the slate clean and start over.

This is the only way to avoid being hoodwinked and embarrassed at every turn. If he does this, the government will not need a propaganda machine to win the next elections.

The concerted effort to stamp out corruption will ensure a victory at the next election.

Ganesh Singh

DEAR EDITOR, President Ramotar and his administration have b e e n t r i e d and found wanting. The incompetence, nepotism and corruption are a pox upon Guyanese in Guyana and an international embarrassment as a result of government sanctioned violation of copyright laws.

From any angle and to even his supporters, President Ramotar is out of his depth and lacks the leadership and competence to lead a nation.

He never demonstrated his vision to take Guyana in a direction away from the calamitous and divisive situation that his mentor President Jagdeo took the nation.

As a matter of fact on the campaign trail he promised to continue in the ways of President Jagdeo.

Guyanese should have listened because he kept his word; he said bring me the evidence of corruption and he will deal with it.

De facto government policy to violate copy right laws and funnel money to a PPP supporter for production of school text books was met with more ineptitude by Mr. Ramotar and his inept administration.

The opposition should prepare an organizational chart for the nation and show them that for every m i n i s t er, permanent secretary or high level appointee he or she has nine to thirteen relatives who benefit from employment that they are not qualified for but receive a salary due to nepotism.

Scores of unarmed peaceful demonstrators in Georgetown were shot at with rubber bullets by the police in the aftermath of the

November 2011 general elections that saw the PPP lose control of parliament.

July 2012 in Linden three unarmed demonstrators were killed by the police and several others sustained injuries at the hands of the police.

October 2012, an unarmed youth was executed by the police in Agricola and the community in response to D r.

L u n c h e o n ’s inflammatory and provocative statement “the government is ready to rumble” protested and the police once again used less than lethal rubber bullets as a means of crowd control.

There is a distinct pattern by the PPP government to use excessive and lethal force on people that are not their natural constituents to subjugate them.

Instead of holding constitutionally due local government elections the PPP has systematically replaced legally elected local government officials in regions that they did not win democratically through the ballot and replaced them with IMCs that are staffed by incompetent party sycophants.

The tipping point for a nationwide conflagration is fast approaching and when

it does, the PPP and their legion of supporters who are beneficiaries of sudden unexplained wealth, may suffer the same fate as the Mubaraks and Khadafy’s who were unceremoniously removed during the Arab spring.

Jagdeo and now Ramotar have been able to get away with institutionalized malfeasance, misgovernance, government sanctioned corruption and injustice because the Diaspora has provided a relief valve in the form of over $300 million dollars in remittances to their relatives annually.

Guyanese in the Diaspora as a matter of principle and respect for their hard earned dollars should stop sending money to relatives and force the government to become accountable to all Guyanese not just some Guyanese.

When all Guyanese feel the pinch that their government dishes out on a daily basis only then the people will demand change; unless and until that happens, the PPP will continue to treat the national treasury as a slush fund for themselves and selected cronies.

Nigel Jason

Guyana – a compelling case for regime change

seek justice for the lives of those slaughtered by those trigger happy police, there is yet another issue that needs attention.

What are the provisions made for the disabled citizens of our country?

As a wheelchair user, I find it very difficult getting around the city by myself or aided. Access to some stores, business establishments etc are not provided.

The ones that have provided ramps etc, have not catered for our navigation around the premises. The places who have provided ramps have installed them at very steep angles hence making these places still inaccessible.

Let’s go back to GuyExpo 2012 which ended two Sundays ago. I was shocked to find that 99.9% of all booths and exhibits were inaccessible. No ramps or other means of access were provided for wheelchair users.

The entrance to the

out of my chair and climb over a metal bar, then my chair had to be lifted over that bar.

What would have happened if I could not stand for a few minutes?

I am appalled that our needs were not considered.

This was despicable! Are we to believe that disabled people are not relevant in Guyana?

Don’t the government and other entities believe that we should not enjoy these amenities?

Are we supposed to be locked up in our homes and hidden away behind closed doors? I am appalled at my findings. Even the people walking around did not “see” me.

They were walking through me. I constantly had to be saying sorry, even though it was not my fault that they bumped into me in my wheelchair. Proper access should have been provided, which would have eliminated the uncomfortable stares..

This stigma has to be addressed. I spent the entire

getting into that area was a task by itself. There are so many wrongs here in Guyana, my entire day would be spent enumerating them.

My questions are: Do we the disabled people of Guyana not have a voice? Who speaks for us, who caters for our needs, who advises the ones at the top of our needs and requirements?

Why was no access provided for the disabled and wheelchair users at the GuyExpo exhibition? i am referring to the blind, deaf, mute, physically and mentally disabled.

In conclusion, there needs to be some kind of reform for disabled people of Guyana. Something needs to be done. There needs to be a programme in place in every institution, banks, stores, markets etc for us. No waiting in lines at post offices, banks etc.

We are here and need to be seen and heard and given recognition. We are here; don’t turn a blind eye on us!

Lucilleanne Barry

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Kaieteur News

Monday October 15, 2012

E.C.D. road extension controversy…

Report to be presented to cabinet Attorney General Anil Nandlall has said that a committee was established between the Ministry of Finance and his office to deal with the issue of Falcon Transportation and Construction Company, the construction company whose contract for the expansion of a section of the East Coast Public Road was recently terminated.

Nandlall yesterday told Kaieteur News that the committee will review the procurement process and will make recommendations.

Nandlall further stated that after that is done, Cabinet will be informed of the findings.

Falcon Transportation and Construction Services had accused officials of the Ministry of demanding bribes.

The Public Works Ministry had conducted an internal investigation and found no evidence proving that officers were involved in corrupt practices.

This was mainly because the contractor nor a representative did not appear

at the internal hearings to provide the evidence he claimed he had.

According to an Engineer of Public Works, the matter is not dead but he is doubtful that the Ministry sent its report to the Guyana Police Force.

Meanwhile, the contractor’s lawyer is compiling sworn affidavit to take the Ministry to court.

The Managing Director of the contracting firm, Falcon Transportation and Construction Services, had claimed that Ministry of Public Works officials as well as a ‘Big Man’ from the Ministry of Finance had made demands for kickbacks from the $468M contract.

He remains convinced that his contract was terminated in retaliation to his suspension of work on his section of the project over non-payment by the Ministry of Public Works.

The Ministry is maintaining that “In view of the non performance by the Contractor on this project, the advice of the Attorney General’s Chambers was sought and the Ministry was

The stalled section of the East Coast Demerara four lane expansion project.

advised to terminate the contract for fraudulent practices.”

The Ministry, in a statement said that Falcon Transportation and Construction Services was awarded a contract on 6 September, 2011 in the sum of $468.2M for the widening of the public road and

construction of concrete drains on both sides of the road from Better Hope to Montrose, East Coast Demerara. The start date was 14 November, 2011 with a completion date set for 14 July, 2012.

The Ministry had raised the issue of “questionable” invoices submitted by the

Contractor.

The Ministry said that five out of 11 invoices submitted by the Contractor from suppliers had blacked out invoice numbers, and claims for the same items (steel) twice.

But the contractor has subsequently provided an explanation, which was

supported by the supplier of the item.

The East Coast Demerara four lane road project seeks to improve the mobility and accessibility of the population via this extension which links Georgetown to numerous highly populated villages along the East Coast Demerara.

Monday October 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

IMF urges quick action to safeguard global economy TOKYO, Japan (AP) – Global financial ministers called weekend for quick and effective action to safeguard faltering economic growth and rebuild shaken confidence as they ended an annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“Global growth has decelerated and substantial uncertainties and downside risks remain,” an IMF advisory committee said in a communiqué. It exhorted advanced economies to carry through with needed structural reforms and “credible fiscal plans.”

Decisive action is needed to “break negative feedback loops and restore the global economy to a path of strong, sustainable and balanced growth,” it said.

It also urged emerging economies to adapt their own policies to help counter slowing growth in Europe and the United States.

The annual meeting of the IMF and World Bank, convened in Tokyo this year, has highlighted frustrations among many countries over drag on growth from the lingering debt crisis in Europe, plus alarm over a possible blow to the world’s

largest economy if the US fails to resolve an impasse over its budget deficit.

“A durable solution to the Euro area crisis would provide a much-needed boost to global recovery,” Yi Gang, deputy governor of China’s central bank told fellow financial leaders at the meeting Saturday of the IMF’s International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC).

Yi said uncertainty over government debts in the U.S. and Japan was slowing recovery and causing “costly spill-over effects to the rest of the world.”

Slower growth elsewhere is sapping the potential in the poorest countries, many of which depend on exports of minerals, oil and other commodities to the industrial countries.

“We should all be committed in our resolve to avoid a worst case scenario where strains in the euro area deepen, fiscal cliff and debt ceiling problems in the US are not resolved, and growth in emerging market economies continues to decline,” said Pravin J Gordhan, South Africa’s finance minister.

While most of the attention during the meeting

was focused on the crises facing the biggest economies, the IMF and World Bank - whose mission is to fight poverty - have also emphasised the need to help protect the poor from the spill-over of slowdowns in richer nations.

The IMF announced it would devote US$1.1 billion in funds from windfall sales of gold to help fortify funds for low-cost loans for lowincome countries.

Overall, the IMF and its member countries have made progress in shoring up the international financial system, said Tharman Shanmagaratnam, chairman of the IMFC. “All agreed we are in a better position today than we were six months today, a better position with regard to the policy footing for getting growth restarted and for achieving fiscal consolidation in advanced economies,” he said.

At Saturday’s meeting of the IMFC, which advises the IMF and monitors the world financial system, officials from developing and emerging economies urged the US and European nations to prevent malaise in their regions from slowing global growth.

Bernanke defends Fed stimulus as China, Brazil raise concerns TOKYO (Reuters) Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke yesterday said it was far from clear that the U.S. central bank’s highly stimulative monetary policy hurts emerging economies, defending a policy raising concerns in China, Russia and Brazil.

In a blunt call for certain emerging economies to allow their currencies to rise, he also said that foreign exchange intervention encouraged destabilizing inflows of foreign capital, but he did not specify China by name.

“The perceived advantages of undervaluation and the problem of unwanted capital inflows must be understood as a package - you can’t have one without the other,” Bernanke said in Tokyo.

Bernanke has often defended Fed actions against domestic critics, who argue the policy of keeping interest rates near zero while ramping up asset purchases hurts savers and risks future inflation.

But in the Tokyo speech, Bernanke addressed critics abroad, saying stronger growth in the United States

Ben Bernanke bolsters global prospects as well, countering the likes of Brazil’s Finance Minister Guido Mantega who has labeled the Fed’s latest stimulus effort “selfish”.

Critics say the Fed’s unorthodox policies weaken the U.S. dollar and boost the currencies of developing countries, hurting their ability to export.

“It is not at all clear that accommodative policies in advanced economies impose net costs on emerging market economies,” Bernanke said at an event sponsored by the Bank of Japan and the International Monetary Fund. While the speech was delivered in private, the Fed

provided a text to the media.

Restating a theme that he has addressed in the past, the Fed chief also said that if emerging economies stopped intervening and allowed their currencies to rise, this would help insulate their financial systems from external pressure.

“Under a flexible exchange-rate regime, a fully independent monetary policy, together with fiscal policy as needed, would be available to help counteract any adverse effects of currency appreciation on growth,” Bernanke said.

The Fed last month announced a new programme of open-ended bond purchases that will be continued until there is substantial improvement in labour market conditions, barring a sustained and unexpected spike in inflation.

To start off, the central bank will buy $40 billion in mortgage-backed securities per month.

“This policy not only helps strengthen the U.S. economic recovery, but by boosting U.S. spending and growth, it has the effect of helping support the global economy as well,” he said.

Page 7

Turkey bans Syrian planes from its air space, rebels gain BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) - Turkey has banned all Syrian aircraft from its air space as it takes an increasingly firm stance against President Bashar alAssad, while Syrian rebels said yesterday they had made more gains in a key province near the Turkish border.

Human Rights Watch said Syrian government forces had dropped Russian-made cluster bombs over civilian areas in the past week as they battled to reverse rebel advances, an act which rights groups say can constitute a war crime.

NATO-member Turkey has increasingly taken on a leadership role in the international coalition ranked against Assad.

Turkish confrontation with Syria increased in the past two weeks because of cross-border shelling and escalated on October 10 when Ankara forced down a Syrian airliner en route from Moscow, accusing it of carrying Russian munitions for Assad’s military.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said yesterday Turkish air space had been closed to Syrian planes. Syria banned Turkish

Ahmet Davutoglu planes from flying over its territory on Saturday.

“We made a new decision yesterday and informed Syria. We closed our air space to civilian Syrian flights as well as military flights,” Davutoglu said.

Russia has said there were no weapons on the ground plane and that it was carrying a legal cargo of radar. But it moved to cool friction with Ankara - Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the incident would not hurt “solid” relations.

The bloodshed inside Syria has worsened markedly in the past two months although neither side has

been able to gain a distinct advantage. Combat has been reported nationwide but the crucial strategic battles are being fought in an arc through western Syria, where most of the population lives.

Rebels surrounded an army garrison yesterday near a northwestern town, in the latest push to seize more territory near the b o r d e r w i t h Tu r k e y, opposition activists said.

Rebels also posted video on the Internet purportedly showing a fighter jet they had shot down in the area the previous day.

Several hundred soldiers were trapped in the siege of a base in Urum al-Sughra, on the main road between the contested city of Aleppo, Syria’s commercial and industrial hub, and Turkey.

“Rebels attacked an armoured column sent from Aleppo to rescue the 46th Regiment at Urum al-Sughra and stopped it in its tracks,” Firas Fuleifel, one of the activists told Reuters by phone from Idlib province, west of Aleppo. He said the jet was shot down while trying to provide air support to the column.

Page 8

Kaieteur News

Monday October 15, 2012

Thousands of British troops Obama grabs wide lead among those who have already voted: Reuters/Ipsos poll to quit Afghanistan in 2013 LONDON (Reuters) Britain plans to withdraw thousands of troops from Afghanistan next year, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said yesterday, as pressure mounts to end British involvement in the costly and unpopular war.

More than 430 British troops have been killed in Afghanistan since the U.S.led intervention in 2001, yet stability remains elusive and violence high, while relations between Western troops and Afghan forces and civilians are increasingly frayed.

Britain yesterday said it had charged five soldiers with murder as part of an investigation into what it called an engagement with an insurgent in Afghanistan last year, and that a total of nine soldiers had been arrested in connection with the case.

Some 500 British troops are to be withdrawn from Afghanistan by the end of this year, leaving around 9,000 still there.

Asked about troop withdrawals next year, Hammond told the BBC: “I would expect it will be

Philip Hammond significant, which means thousands, not hundreds, but I would not expect it to be the majority.”

That would indicate a potential withdrawal of up to 4,500 personnel in 2013.

All British combat troops are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

Britain’s defence budget, like that of other NATO members, is under pressure, forcing the defence ministry to slash spending and cut force numbers and equipment programmes.

The Treasury, struggling to revive a flagging economy,

earlier this year said it would use money once earmarked for the military mission in Afghanistan to fund tax cuts.

German news magazine Der Spiegel said on Sunday that the German government had agreed to reduce the number of German troops stationed in Afghanistan to significantly below 4,000 ahead of the withdrawal of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) by the end of 2014.

The magazine also said German Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle had agreed that the army’s new mandate would be longer than the usual 12 months so that it extended beyond the Afghan presidential elections planned for the beginning of 2014.

A spokeswoman for the German defence ministry said neither numbers nor a timeframe had been determined and added that a decision on how many troops could be withdrawn would have to be made in agreement with Germany’s allies.

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney are neck and neck in opinion polls, but there is one area in which the incumbent appears to have a big advantage: those who have already cast their ballots.

Obama leads Romney by 59 percent to 31 percent among early voters, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling data compiled in recent weeks.

The sample size of early voters is relatively small, but the Democrat’s margin is still well above the poll’s credibility interval - a measurement of polls’ accuracy - of 10 percentage points.

With the November 6 election just more than three weeks away, 7 percent of those surveyed said they had already voted either in person or by mail.

The online poll is another sign that early voting is likely to play a bigger role this year than in 2008, when roughly one in three voters cast a

ballot before Election Day. Voting is already under way in some form in at least 40 states.

Both the Obama and Romney teams are urging supporters to vote as soon as possible so the campaigns can focus their door-knocking and phonecalling operations on those who are still undecided or need more prodding to get to the polls.

Early voting was a big part of Obama’s victory over

(Reuters) - Scotland takes a big step on its path towards an independence referendum this morning when its leader meets Britain’s prime minister to finalise arrangements for a vote which could lead to the demise of Scotland’s three-centuries-old union with England.

Scotland’s drive for s o v e r e i g n t y, l e d b y i t s nationalist leader Alex Salmond, echoes separatist moves by other European regions such as Catalonia and Flanders at a time when a crisis-hit European Union undergoes deep changes to its identity.

Expected to be signed in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, the deal will allow Scotland to decide in a 2014 referendum whether it should become an independent country or stay within the United Kingdom.

Nationalists have timed the vote to coincide with the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn when Scottish forces led

by Robert the Bruce defeated English invaders.

Prime Minister David Cameron opposes Scotland’s push, arguing that Britain is stronger t o g e t h e r. B u t L o n d o n agrees it is up to Scotland to decide its future for itself in a vote.

“There are many things I want this (government) to achieve but what could matter more than saving our United Kingdom?”

Cameron said in a speech last week. “Let’s say it : We’re better together and we’ll rise together.”

Following months of negotiations, both sides have made major concessions to pave the way for the final accord to be signed on Monday by Cameron and Salmond at Edinburgh’s St Andrew’s House - the seat of the Scottish government.

“The agreement will see Scotland take an important step toward independence, and the means to create a fairer and more prosperous Scotland,” Salmond said ahead of the meeting. “I look forward to working positively for a yes vote in 2014.”

Scotland already has many of the trappings of an independent nation such as its own flag, legal system, sports teams, as well as a distinctive national identity following centuries of rivalry with its southern neighbour.

London argues an independent Scotland home to about five million people - would struggle to make ends meet as the bulk of is current funding comes from a 30 billion pound

Barack Obama

Republican John McCain in 2008, and his campaign aims to repeat its success this year.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates the campaign’s efforts appear to be paying off, although its advantage could erode as Election Day approaches.

The Obama campaign says it is leading among early voters in Iowa and Ohio, and trailing by a smaller margin than 2008 in several other swing states.

It expects its early voting efforts will help the campaign weather a blitz of negative ads expected to saturate the airwaves in battleground states in the final weeks before November 6.

“We’ve made early investments in battleground states - where we’ve been registering folks and keeping an open conversation going with undecided voters for months - to build a historic grass-roots organization that will pay off when the votes are counted,” spokesman Adam Fetcher said.

Scotland moves step closer to independence vote

Alex Salmond ($48 billion) grant from the UK government.

But one of the most contentious issues at stake is the ownership of an estimated 20 billion barrels of recoverable oil and gas reserves beneath the UK part of the North Sea. Britain is also worried about the future of its nuclear submarine fleet based in Scotland which says there would be no place for atomic arms on its soil following independence. Moving the fleet elsewhere would be costly and timeconsuming.

Many Scots themselves are unconvinced. Opinion polls show only between 30 and 40 percent of them support independence - a range that has changed little as negotiations intensified.

Monday October 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 9

The mass protests can intimidate the work of the commission of inquiry It would be premature for any assessments to be made at this stage of the Commission of Inquiry into the Linden shootings. In fact, it would be premature and unwarranted for any conclusions to be drawn until the Commission has completed its work and submitted its report.

It does seem however as if the combined opposition is in panic mode and feel that they may not be able to establish the case that they hoped they would have been able to do when the Commission got going a few weeks ago.

No doubt, facing a desperate situation, the opposition is doing what it has become quite versed in: it is engaging in sideshows aimed at creating scapegoats for its own failures to prosecute its case. This is nothing new and has been part of the history of opposition politics in Guyana, particularly after 1997.

When the opposition fails to prove that it was cheated at elections, it brings into disrepute the reputation of those manning the electoral machinery.

The opposition in Guyana is not known to assume responsibility for its own failures; it hates to admit its shortcomings and is extremely adept at deflecting these failures and shortcomings onto others. It wants others to be held accountable and responsible

but it does not hold itself to such standards.

The recent controversies concerning police actions have led to the opposition targeting two persons, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon and the Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee.

The ante against both of these individuals is likely to be upped in the coming days with possible mass protests being organized. What is bitterly ironic is that the opposition is not awaiting the outcome of the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the Linden unrest. It has decided that the Home Affairs Minister must go, regardless of what is the outcome of the Commission of Inquiry. It is prejudging the outcome of the Commission of Inquiry no doubt because it feels that its case is about to collapse.

This prejudging is nothing new. One recalls that during the 1997 election petition case, no less than Senior Counsel Desmond Hoyte made public pronouncements on the evidence, trying to stir up public sentiments and emotions even before the case had been concluded.

In the present instance, the danger however goes beyond arriving at conclusions before all the evidence has been heard. The timing of mass protests is suspicious, since the

Dem boys seh

David and APNU deh in Uncle Donald pocket Ever since people start accusing dem Bees and all of dem who thiefing, everybody expect that de opposition, especially APNU would get Uncle Donald to tek action.

Dem pressure Uncle Donald fuh hold back de electricity rates when he and Sam did plan to raise it fuh Linden.

De same David get Uncle Donald fuh raise de old age pension. Well since then he think he got to done wid anything fuh do wid fighting fuh de people. He quiet. If wasn’t fuh de AFC ,de people of this country been pun dem own.

Dem boys decide that dem gun wake up David and APNU. Dem try fuh call he but somebody tell dem that de man ain’t even got a cell phone.

De thing get more shameful when de news buss out that de Lie-nel helping heself to de people money that de government decide

fuh spend pun drains.

Right away dem boys decide that dem gun ask APNU fuh talk bout how dem gun deal wid Uncle Donald and this exposure. Arman ain’t deh, Roopnaraine can’t be found and David missing.

Now how dem representing de people?

Nuff people believe that once David coulda slay Goliath he coulda slay anything. It got to be that he lose he slingshot. But de man ain’t even using he mouth. Is like if dem ain’t got a clue bout being in opposition.

Dem boys seh that dem did see David whispering to Uncle Donald and dem was wondering wha dem was whispering about. It look like if Uncle Donald was telling he that if he stay quiet he can get a cut of what all de rest of dem thiefing. David staying quiet. Too quiet.

Talk half and think bout David and he APNU

mobilization is taking place during the week in which the Commission was not meeting and the mass protests are expected to be at their height just as the Commission is returning to conclude the taking of evidence.

The mass protests can therefore have an intimidating effect on the work of the Commission and this is to be deplored in the strongest possible manner. No attempt, whether deliberate or incidental, should be made to intimidate the work of the Commission.

The mass protests can have this effect especially since it seems to be based on facetious grounds.

All peace-loving people should reject this masquerade by the combined opposition and should reject the attempt at mass protests and call for the removal of the Minister o f H o m e A ff a i r s e v e n

before the work of the Commission is concluded.

The opposition is using the Minister as a scapegoat.

They are holding the Minister responsible for what they perceive as operational recklessness by the members of the Police Force. But quite shockingly, they are not holding anyone in the hierarchy of the Police Force responsible.

In fact, APNU continues to express confidence in the leadership of the Police Force, quite a bizarre contradiction, considering their protests over police shootings of civilians in two incidents.

The refusal to hold members of the police hierarchy responsible is of course nothing new. The most embarrassing and disgraceful crisis that has ever faced the police occurred a few years ago when the phone of a senior police

officer was bugged and recordings, including some nasty personal issues, were made public.

It was an embarrassment of monumental proportions that should have led to calls for resignations. Imagine the sensitive national security information that was compromised because of the bugging of the phone at Police Headquarters.

Imagine the many failed operations that resulted simply because confidentiality was compromised. Imagine how many whistle-blowers and top-secret intelligence that ended up in the hands of the underworld.

Imagine the consequences for the safety and security of police ranks and informers because of the breach of the security of the phone of the senior officer involved.

Despite this, there was

never any call by the opposition for anyone within the Police Force to resign. Yet today they want the Home Affairs Minister to resign so that they can go and tell the people that at least some justice was achieved.

The opposition has built up the hopes of their supporters concerning the outcome of the Commission of Inquiry. But now it seems as if the opposition is panicking and is now resorting to finding political scapegoats for their own shortcomings.

Instead of “pampazetting” itself through the organization of mass protests, the opposition should devote more effort to building their case concerning the deaths of the three persons at Linden.

Monday October 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

India Expo spreading Indian culture to Guyanese With the aim of spreading Indian culture and strengthening ties between Guyana and India, Indian national, M.P. Singh has brought India Expo to Guyana.

The exposition showcases a wide range of Indian made products at affordable prices, including exquisite attires, accessories, antique furniture and Murtis.

India Expo will be in Guyana for three weeks (October 11 to October 22) at the building to the east of the La Penitence Market.

While the exposition comprises items for the entire family, the organizer Singh explained that the target group is ladies. Many of the items on display could be used for Diwali, mere weeks away.

This is the first time India Expo has come to Guyana and it is anticipated to be an annual event. The exposition was opened on October 11

and has been well received by patrons, many of whom find the prices affordable in comparison to some popular local stores.

According to Singh, setting up India Expo in Guyana was done to satisfy demands made by Guyanese who visited similar expositions held in neighbouring Suriname. He related that 50 percent of the Guyanese population is East Indian, as such the market exists.

He noted that on the first day of the exposition, before the doors were opened, over 100 persons were waiting to enter.

Singh related that it is pleasing to see that many Guyanese are interested in the Indian culture.

“Just like Zee TV spreading the Indian culture, through trade and exchange between the two countries, we are spreading the Indian culture,” Singh said.

Gold miner pinned for one hour under fallen tree A 20-year-old Baramita, Region One resident escaped death after he was almost crushed to death by a huge tree which came crashing down last Friday.

Courtney David is at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), nursing a broken left arm and other internal injuries, after he was pinned to the ground by a huge branch for almost one hour.

From his hospital bed, David, a gold miner told Kaieteur News that on Friday last, he was at work pulling a “line” at Baramita North West District, when the tree suddenly came crashing down on him.

“I nah know wah happen.

I went pulling a line and then de tree fall on me and I went on de ground, lying down long,” the injured man recalled.

He claimed that his colleagues tried their best to lift the tree off from him but their efforts were futile.

The gold miner, who spoke in broken English, said

The injured Courtney David that an excavator had to be brought from another location to remove the tree.

“They call a excavator to lift de tree from me and then they take me to a hospital and an ambulance bring me here.”

The tree fell on David’s lower body and although his injuries are not life threatening, he was told by medical practitioners that he will have to spend a long time at the hospital.

Exquisite saris on display at the India Expo

Page 11

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Kaieteur News

Monday October 15, 2012

Page 14

The National Psychiatric Hospital (NPH) has seen a whopping 379 new cases so far for the year.

This is according to figures obtained by this newspaper during a recent interview with officials there.

The figure points to a startling fact that a mental health problem may be brewing in Guyana, since it does not take into account the many undocumented cases of mental health sufferers.

From January to September this year, 9,915 patients were seen in the outpatient clinic at the NPH, with patients receiving 100 per cent prescribed drugs.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA), Dr Vishwa Mahadeo has dismissed reports that the patients at the NPH are malnourished and has assured that the patients are getting good quality of meals every day.

He was responding to allegations and what he termed “rumours” that the patients at the mental health facility were undernourished and dying because of the lack of good quality food.

He said that questions were being thrown in the Parliament about the issue.

He noted that the dietary budget at the hospital stands at some $20M per year, which

Kaieteur News

allows the patients at the facility to get three meals per day, plus two snacks.

“A lot of people don’t get that in their homes,” he said.

“We have improved and we continue to improve,” Mahadeo added.

The accommodation at the facility will be boosted, too, with 30 more beds when the acute care centre is completed shortly. Retirees in the health field, he said, are being called back to serve, especially those whose skills are greatly needed.

“We bring you back to help us, to promote health in the region,” he stated.

Mahadeo alluded to the National Mental Health Strategy and plans to resuscitate the NPH Advisory Committee so that the facility can function better.

Additionally, the CEO stated that there is a special budget for the NPH to buy medication “and we have got the most modern medicine available to manage mental health and mentally- ill people.”

From time to time, he noted, there will be problems “and we have to deal with these problems, but we can say with a clear conscience that we have come a far way at the NPH—and I daresay that we have come a far way!

Can we say that we have reached where we want to

get? I would loudly say, ‘No!’ we have not— we still have a far way to go.”

Ten million dollars, he said, has been injected into improving the landscape and compound of the hospital.

That will be dedicated specifically to upgrading the compound; the drains, lawns and the cricket ground that once hosted national cricket matches.

The multi- million dollar acute care centre, which is presently being constructed in the hospital compound, is expected to be finished and put in use by the end of the year. The farming project, consisting of a fish and chicken farm is also expected to get on stream soon.

Training of an international standard was given to nurses, making them full-fledged psychiatric nurses to deal with mental health.

Over the last three years, the facility trained a batch of 21 psychiatric patient-care assistants, the first ever in Guyana and in the Caribbean.

“In fact, the other countries in the Caribbean and Latin America are looking at our programme to possibly implement it.”

In all the primary health care facilities in Berbice, he said, there are staff members trained to identify and manage at the beginning

Monday October 15, 2012

Some of the handicraft designed and skillfully made by the patients of the NPH. stage, two psychiatric illnesses: anxiety and depression.

“They will identify the patients, start managing it, and then they are also trained to know when they should refer to the NPH for expert

management,” Dr Mahadeo explained.

The In-patient Department ensures proper management of all patients admitted to the institution. To date, there are 95 admissions and 84 discharges. It was

revealed, too, that the Pharmacy Department ensures that safe, effective and adequate medications are always available for both in and out-patients, with 4,949 prescriptions being filled so far for the year.

Popular midwife crushed to death by speeding truck - drunk driver captured after fleeing scene A well known retired midwife from Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara became the country’s latest road fatality victim after she was crushed by a truck driven by a drunken driver yesterday.

Fifty-nine year-old Vivienne Abrams died on her way to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation after she was picked up in an unconscious condition.

She was reportedly struck down when the driver of the truck GHH 5153 overtook another truck along the railway embankment in the vicinity of Strathspey.

Police in a statement said that their investigations have so far revealed that around 11:00 hours, the driver of motor lorry GHH 5153 was overtaking motor lorry GFF 5112 and in the process struck down the nurse Abrams who was riding her bicycle in the opposite direction.

This newspaper understands that after

running over Abrams, the driver of the truck sped away and was tracked down by the occupants of a car all the way to Melanie Damishana where he was eventually stopped.

The truck driver was subsequently handed over to the police.

News of Abrams’ death spread throughout her community as well as the neighbouring villages and all who knew her were plunged into a state of shock at the manner of her death.

Her son in law Hector Burnette told this newspaper that Abrams had returned from church and was heading to the home of a patient who she treated privately.

“She’s a retired nurse and she was going to do a dressing for somebody and this drunk driver hit her…a car man stop him,” Burnette said.

He said when he arrived at the scene, they had already taken Abrams to the hospital.

There are reports that the woman’s jewellery that she

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Donate blood today!!!

Dead: Vivienne Abrams was wearing at the time of the accident were stolen.

Abrams who served as midwife at the Melanie Damishana health centre for a number of years was well respected by her entire community as well as many others from the surrounding villages who would have been in contact with her at the clinic.

Yesterday several persons converged at her home, with many describing her as one of the nicest and most helpful persons they would have met in their lifetime.

Monday October 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 15

Obama team promises more Afghan peace negotiator sees progress in talks with Taliban aggressive president in second debate (Reuters) - The Afghan government’s efforts to encourage Taliban insurgents to enter peace talks are making progress despite apparent deadlock, a senior government negotiator said yesterday.

Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, who was wounded in a Taliban attack a year ago, suggested there was behindthe-scenes activity to start a peace process in Afghanistan.

“When politicians are on the stage, they will be always saying something different than what they are discussing in private,” he said.

“There (is) progress,” he said, without giving details.

Stanekzai was badly hurt in an explosion detonated b y a Ta l i b a n s u i c i d e bomber in September last year that killed Burhanuddin Rabbani, a former Afghan president and head of the High Peace Council, set up by President

Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai Hamid Karzai to liaise with insurgents.

Stanekzai, who suffered injuries to his feet and a lung and lost his hearing on one side in the attack, has returned to work as a senior advisor to Karzai and head of the peace council’s secretariat.

With most foreign combat troops due to pull out of

When we pause and experience silence, we discover answers that activity does not have time to reveal. During your day, take threeminute “vacations”. Relax and re-energise.

Take time out to feel the peace of silence.

Afghanistan by the end of 2014, a political settlement between the Afghan government and insurgents is widely seen as a way of bringing stability to the country.

Stanekzai said he was optimistic about the prospects for a political settlement but said it was hard to say whether one could be reached before the end of 2014.

“It is very difficult to set a timeline. Sometimes maybe a consensus can be reached when people are under the pressure of time ... that pressure sometimes brings people together,” he said, speaking to a group of foreign reporters visiting Afghanistan on a media tour organised by NATO. Talks on a political settlement have so far failed to make much headway, while the Taliban said in March they were suspending nascent peace talks with the United States, blaming “shaky, erratic and vague” U.S. statements.

Contacts between the Taliban and the Afghan government have continued, according to Afghan government sources.

WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - Campaign advisers to President Barack Obama promised yesterday he would be more aggressive and energetic tomorrow in his second debate against Republican challenger Mitt Romney after a passive, heavily criticized performance in their first showdown.

Since that first debate in Denver on October 3, polls indicate Romney has erased Obama’s lead heading into the November 6 election.

Obama and Romney debate again tomorrow at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. The third and final presidential debate will take place on October 22 in Florida.

“Obviously, the president was disappointed in his own performance. He didn’t meet his expectations,” Obama campaign adviser Robert Gibbs told the CNN programme “State of the Union,” referring to the first debate.

“He knew when he walked off that stage and he also knew as he’s watched the tape of that debate that he’s got to be more energetic. I think you’ll see somebody who’s very passionate about the choice that our country

faces - and putting that choice in front of voters,” Gibbs added.

The Romney team sounded unimpressed. “Well, the president can change his style. He can change his tactics. He can’t change his record. And he can’t change his policies. And that’s what this election is about,” Romney campaign adviser Ed Gillespie told CNN. “I think the race is very close. I think the wind is at Governor Romney’s back, and there’s clearly momentum. You can see it on the trail, you can see it in the data,” Gillespie said in a separate appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”

In contrast to Obama’s listless debate performance, Vice President Joe Biden was far more assertive in his

debate on Thursday night with Romney’s running mate Paul Ryan in Danville, Kentucky.

Another Obama campaign adviser, David Axelrod, told the “Fox News Sunday” programme: “I think he’s going to be aggressive in making the case for his view of where we should go as a country, a country that’s built around a growing, thriving middle class, not this topdown theory that Governor Romney has.”

“But the other thing he’s going to certainly do - I mean, we saw Governor Romney sort of serially walk away from his own proposals - certainly the president is going to be willing to challenge him on it as we saw the vice president challenge Paul Ryan,” Axelrod said.

Page 16

Kaieteur News

Monday October 15, 2012

Successful industries depend on effective legislation

By Leon Suseran The Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency Dr David Devine has said that the oil and gas sector is one of the most profitable sectors in the world, but successful industries depend on several variables, which include implementation of effective policies and legislation to ensure sustainable developmental gains for all Guyanese.

Berbice, he said sits on the pinnacle of growth with a possibility of an oil and gas industry.

The High Commissioner was speaking to business persons at the Central Corentyne Chambers of Commerce (CCCC) Award Ceremony and Dinner last weekend at the Albion Estate Senior Staff Club.

Devine mentioned the fact that the recent oil and gas exploration pursuits in Guyana have not been as favourable as we had anticipated, “but it does not mean that a discovery [of oil and gas] will not be made”.

In alluding to past examples in the development of oil fields in his homeland of Canada, Devine stated that there was one word that was the key, ‘persistence’.

“You need to build incrementally on the drilling research to effectively target

- Canadian High Commissioner a commercial field.”

According to the Canadian High Commissioner, in Newfoundland on the East Coast of Canada, 42 wells were drilled before the first commercial discovery of oil.

“Today, they have discovered 3.1billion barrels of crude and oil reserves and 17.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas”. “It does take time, but it is vital that the Private Sector...seize the opportunity of natural resources to maximize in an operable way, the development of Guyana and very importantly, to ensure the windows of opportunities are not wasted.”

Berbice, by nature and geography, he said, is suited to maximize on the peripheral industries of the oil and gas sector. There are an estimated 116 secondary industries that can benefit from everything, he said, from catering to accounting to health care provisions, laboratory analysis, environmental and management.

He advised that open and transparent mechanisms to manage the gains of the sector should be evident in an equitable manner as well

as local industry preparations to effectively position businesses to exploit multitudes of opportunities in the sector.

Dr Devine stated, too, that the stakeholders must be made aware of the importance of such a sector in the country’s development and its contribution to the economy, as it plays a role in poverty alleviation and bringing an end to social and economic hardships.

Canada, he stated, understands the complexities in the oil and gas industries.

“That is why we have been building our partnership with the Government of Guyana and other stakeholders to provide technical support and other assistance”.

Just over the past year, he said, Canada has arranged for a visit to Guyana of an entire team from Canada’s Labrador Offshore Development, comprising individuals in health and safety, and environment.

“With this discovery, Guyana will be presented with a unique chance to generate revenues needed to invest in education, health and infrastructure,” which he said

High Commissioner Dr. David Devine addressing the gathering will alleviate poverty and propel growth.

An oil and gas sector in Berbice will give eyes to new career fields, he posited.

“Here is a chance for students to increase their areas of studies and contribute to the oil industry or general business development in the region.”

The US Geological study conducted several years ago, he said, proposed that the

Guyana Basin was the second largest unexplored area for hydro- carbon deposits in the world.

The oil and gas industry, he noted, is multifaceted, and Berbice must always be prepared to accept the world’s challenges of “this promising industry and also address the social economic challenges to ensure a secure and stable environment for investment”.

The right system must be put in place to capitalize on the opportunities which will result from the “potential boom” for Berbice; however “this boom also comes with social and economic costs which we must prepare to address, or else, the transformation of the lives of many of the people will not take place as we wanted it to.”

Oil companies, he said, will not allow persons who are unqualified to work on oil rigs.

Canadian oil exploration firm, CGX Energy, which failed to find oil in commercial quantities earlier this year, says it has started to negotiate with third parties to analyse its well and seismic data.

Additionally, the company has applied to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) for an extension of its onshore and offshore concessions, some of which are due to expire in late November.

CGX failed to find oil in commercial quantities in concessions offshore Corentyne, Berbice, and had announced that it was still interested in drilling for oil in Guyana and as such was reexamining its options.

Depression is more common in women than in men - PAHO The World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts that by 2025, depression will be the most common disease that will surpass even heart disease, diabetes and cancer. It is estimated that around 350 million people worldwide are suffering from depression.

Some symptoms of depression include: sadness or unexplained crying; Difficulty of falling asleep and waking too early or late in the morning; apathy and fatigue; lack of interest in life; lack of interest in food or food over consumption; agitation or anger without reason; inability to make a decision; no longer able to face certain situations; feeling tired in certain times of the day mostly during the mornings; feelings of daunting; lack of selfconfidence; avoid meeting others and preferring loneliness; lack of sexual appetite; and thoughts of harming yourself or suicide.

In the Caribbean and Latin America, depression affects five percent of the adult population.

“This is a disorder that can strike anyone at some point in their life, and for which they need to receive psychological and social care and support,” according to the PAHO/WHO Principal Adviser on Mental Health, Jorge Rodriguez.

According to Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), between 60 and 65 percent of ill people do not receive care. The lack of appropriate services; of trained health professionals, especially in primary care; and the social stigma associated with mental disorders are some of the barriers to access to appropriate care, in addition to the need for boosting capacity for the identification and early treatment of depression. In the region, it is calculated that less than two percent of the health budget is allocated to mental health, and of this, 67 percent is spent on mental hospitals.

Depression is more common in women than in men. Between two and four of every 10 mothers in developing countries suffer from

depression during pregnancy or after childbirth.

This disease has a good prognosis if it is treated in time and appropriately. Depression can be mild, moderate, or severe, and is caused by a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors.

However, “we must abandon the idea that all depression needs pharmaceutical treatment. Mild and even some moderate cases can be resolved, basically, with social and family support, brief psychotherapy, or other types of psychosocial interventions that can be provided by primary health care physicians or by community organizations that provide support for people,” explained Rodriguez.

Annually, the 10th October is the day designated by the World Health Organisation to raise awareness about mental health. The theme chosen for this year is ‘Depression: Global Crisis’.

The World Federation for Mental Health initiated World Mental Health Day in 1992, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2012.

Monday October 15, 2012

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President hands over treated nets to Lethem hospital

President Donald Ramotar (left) hands over treated nets to a North Rupununi resident during a visit to the Lethem Hospital.

President Donald Ramotar performed the honour of distributing treated bed nets that arrived in large quantities at the Lethem Hospital, to doctors and residents of the area and the wider Rupununi region, while on a tour of the health facility on Saturday.

The bed nets which arrived in a stock of about 900 are part of the ongoing intervention to combat the malaria virus carried by the anopheles mosquito.

Intervention in the past has seen significant funding

dedicated to anti-malaria programmes in the various regions where a record high percent reduction in malaria incidence was noted following the distribution of the chemically-treated bed nets over a period.

In his address at the 20th anniversary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in government on October 9, President Ramotar said malaria was quarantined and successfully reduced to more than 90% today.

In 2007 the Government had set a five-year target of

distributing at least three treated bed nets to every family in Region Nine in line with a policy of no child under five years or pregnant woman should sleep (day or night) without one of the nets.

“It has been found that these nets have been making a big impact in the fight against malaria… the intention is to have complete elimination of malaria and we are working constantly towards that,” President Ramotar said minutes before the handing over of the nets.

President Donald Ramotar greets a patient during a visit to the Lethem Hospital.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry’s Vector Control Services Unit, is carrying out fogging exercises to reduce the mosquito population in the densely populated areas.

The exercise is accompanied by an awareness message for residents to cover water storage containers and to be aware of their surroundings particularly areas where mosquitoes breed.

The Vector Control Services Unit is collaborating with the City Council to execute this exercise.

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Kaieteur News

Squatting in the city is illegal - M&CC’s PRO The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is calling on other Ministries and Agencies to assist in reducing the number of squatters throughout the capital. City Hall’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Royston King said the question of squatting is a complicated social phenomenon and is one that the City Council cannot single-handedly deal with.

“It requires the intervention of other Ministries and Agencies such as Ministry of Housing, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security…,” King stressed. He recalled that a few years ago, a plan was

Royston King discussed among several Ministries and Agencies to relocate squatters but today “there is no renewed effort in terms of that joint meeting.”

“We keep raising

concerns about it (relocation of squatters) at every level because the squatters have poor rudimentary elements of sanitary; many of them are using latrines and that is affecting our drainage s y s t e m b e c a u s e c e r t a in bodily waste gives rise to aggressive aquatic growth like wild eddoes,” The PRO stated.

King listed some of the areas where many persons are squatting. These include Tiger Bay, Tucville and a certain section of Broad Street. He added that there are approximately 10 to 12 squatting areas around the city and the squatters are not paying any form of taxes because they are living illegally.

Recipients of old age pension increase - statistics Statistics for last year indicate that there is a steady increase in the number of Old Age Pensioners. At the end of December there were 46,272 pensioners in 2011 as compared to 42,536 in 2010 representing an additional 3,736 persons being approved to receive old age pension.

Recent years have witnessed a rapid increase in the amounts paid by Government under the Old Age Pension and Public Assistance Programmes.

From 2011, old age pension was raised to $6,600 per month, while public assistance was $4,900 per month.

It was reported that under these programmes, more than 50,000 elderly and otherwise vulnerable beneficiaries are expected to receive direct income support on a monthly basis. According to reports, given the income and expenditure profile of the beneficiaries, almost all of the amounts disbursed are transmitted immediately into the domestic economy through consumption of goods and services.

In addition to other initiatives, such as the water rates assistance programme, under which Government provides financial support to

meet water charges on behalf of old age pensioners, the staggered electricity tariff structure which sees household consumers of small amounts of electricity below a specified monthly threshold being billed at a concessional rate, there is the Government’s residential programme for the elderly such as at the Palms, along with the several public health care programmes aimed at enhancing and improving the scope and quality of services offered by the public health care system thereby contributing to improved quality of life.

Monday October 15, 2012

Govt. to develop better health care for the elderly ...As Min. Webster recognizes senior citizens as those who built the moral fabric of society

By Abena Rockcliffe Scores of Senior Citizens turned out yesterday at Water Chris Restaurant on Waterloo Street to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the Government Pensioners’ Association of Guyana, which was observed under the theme “celebrating our golden years”.

Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, who was tasked with delivering the feature address, commended the association for its hard work. She noted that October is recognized by the United Nations (UN) as the month to honour the elderly persons in society.

Webster cited a Guyanese based study done in 2008 which showed the life expectancy of Guyanese to be about 70 “but I know most of you are above that age, so congratulations.”

The Minister delivered hope to the audience as she indicated that the government will continue to improve the quality of life offered to senior citizens.

Further, she noted that the government recognizes their individual selfless contributions to Guyana and added that their contributions will serve as inspirations to

many. In that regard, Webster pledged that the government will continue to formulate policies and programmes to address better old age pension, health care public transportation and will also be looking at a social protection plan.

The Minister acknowledged the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) as an “area of concern” but assured that she and her team are working to address it and other related concerns.

In addition, Webster said that her Ministry is building a capacity for health professionals who will address specific ailments likely to affect elderly citizens.

Webster admitted that issues affecting the elderly have been overshadowed by seemingly more pressing issues; but vowed that this will be no more. She indicated that legislation which will serve as a means to protect the rights of the elderly, is being considered.

“Once again I commend you for building the moral fabric of our society.” GPAG also treated members and invited guests to numerous renditions and humour. A crowd favorite was “Rules For Marriage”, which was delivered by Lennox Hyman.

Minister Jennifer Webster Some of the rules that evoked much laughter from the audience was “Never destroy things from the household due to vexation because you will have to replace it; never think you will agree during marriage upon things that you didn’t agree on before marriage; the good book (Bible) say the husband is the head and the wife is the helper she must help him to achieve his goals and be comfortable in all his undertakings.”

General President of GPAG, Wendel Roberts, who chaired the programme, used the tomato to advise the gathering on how to look at old age. Roberts said that when a tomato begins to wither, it is at its sweetest stage and said that most times it is during the old age we discover that “we” have devoted our hearts to wisdom.

Monday October 15, 2012

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EU plans major new UAE sends medics to Pakistan to evacuate girl shot by Taliban sanctions against Iran DUBAI (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates has dispatched a medical team to evacuate a Pakistani schoolgirl shot by the Taliban if doctors decide she should be taken abroad for treatment, a UAE news agency reported yesterday.

The WAM state news agency said the team would evaluate the condition of education campaigner Malala Yousufzai and facilitate her transfer to a hospital outside Pakistan. Fourteen-year-old Yousufzai was leaving school in her hometown in the Swat Valley in northwest Pakistan when she was shot in the head and neck by the Taliban for speaking out against the militants and promoting education for girls.

A spokesman for the Pakistani embassy in the UAE told Reuters the UAE had

Malala Yousufzai sent an air ambulance to Pakistan, but a decision on whether she would be transferred out of the country had not been taken.

Yousufzai, whose shooting has drawn

condemnation from world leaders, was being treated at a military hospital in Rawalpindi.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Said the attack must be “universally denounced.”

“The attempt on Malala’s life was not only an attack on a defenseless child, it was an attack on her and every girl’s right to a future unlimited by prejudice and oppression,” he said, according to WAM. “We must all stand with Malala in promoting tolerance and respect.”

The shooting has outraged people in Pakistan, a country seemingly inured to extreme violence since a surge in Islamist militancy began after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

New rules, tough talk as Singapore seeks to end tax haven image SINGAPORE (Reuters) Billionaire Australians buying exclusive condominiums.

Germans moving money from Swiss accounts. Secretive banking laws. Asia’s premier wealth management centre.

Low tax rates.

As Singapore revels in its reputation as an open economy with the world’s highest concentration of millionaires, the tiny island of 5.3 million people is also accused of being a magnet for tax evaders - an image it is vehemently seeking to banish.

Amid German concerns that its wealthy citizens are moving funds from Switzerland before a new German-Swiss tax treaty takes effect next year, Singapore and Germany said yesterday they had agreed to

bolster their double-taxation agreement with internationally agreed standards on information sharing.

“Banking secrecy will not constitute an obstacle to exchanging information,” said the joint statement, which came at the end of German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble’s weekend visit to Singapore.

Media reports have put the amount of German money moving to Singapore in the double-digit billions.

“The perception is that Swiss banks have concluded Switzerland is unlikely to remain a tax haven for much longer and Singapore is the new place to do business,” said Ronen Palan, a professor at City University London who has conducted

numerous studies on offshore finance.

Swiss banks could see assets from Western European clients fall 28 percent to 623 billion Swiss francs ($668 billion) by 2014 because of the deals to tax undeclared accounts, the Boston Consulting Group said in a report in May. Singapore and its rival Hong Kong look set to benefit.

Together, the two Asian hubs manage $1 trillion in offshore funds, with about 75 percent of that coming from within the region. But Singapore and Hong Kong may overtake Switzerland now the largest offshore wealth centre with assets of about $2.1 trillion - in 15 to 20 years, Boston Consulting said.

(Reuters) - European Union governments plan to ratchet up sanctions pressure against Iran over its nuclear programme today, approving new measures against Tehran’s banking sector, industry and shipping.

The new sanctions mark one of the toughest pushes against Iran by Europe to date, and come amid mounting concerns over the Islamic Republic’s military intentions and the failure of diplomacy to solve the atom stand-off this year.

Iran insists its nuclear work has only peaceful dimensions and has refused in three rounds of talks since April to scale it back unless major economic sanctions are lifted.

But governments in Europe and the United States have refused to do so and, instead, are tightening the financial screws against Tehran as fears grow that the nuclear dispute could envelop the Middle East in a new war.

“In the last couple of months Iran has not budged

on any of the key issues and we must therefore increase the pressure through sanctions,” German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in Berlin.

Speaking a day before his counterparts meet in Luxembourg to approve new sanctions, he said diplomacy was still an option.

“Our offer to Iran still stands: substantial negotiations with the clear aim of preventing Iran from arming itself with nuclear weapons. It is time for a political solution.”

Iran’s nuclear interlocutors — Germany, France, Britain, United States, China and Russia — asked Tehran this year to abandon the enrichment of uranium to 20 percent, a crucial technological step on route to producing an atom bomb.

Tehran’s refusal has lead Israel, widely understood to be the only nuclear power in the Middle East, to threaten to bomb its nuclear installations.

At Monday’s Luxembourg meeting, foreign

ministers will also extend measures levied against Belarus over human rights abuses, and approve a new round of sanctions against Syria to pressure President Bashar al-Assad to halt violence against rebels.

On Sunday night, EU foreign ministers dined with Sergei Lavrov, foreign minister of Russia, a long-time supplier of arms to Assad’s government - though Lavrov said in June that Moscow is not delivering offensive weapons to Syria.

“We must not cease to strive for common solutions to international problems, even when this is very difficult, as with the current conflict in Syria,” Westerwelle said.

The dinner lasted threeand-a-half hours, and was “very open and frank and friendly”, according to one EU diplomat. The foreign ministers talked first about bilateral issues between the European Union and Russia, and then about international issues, in particular Syria and Iran.

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Trinidad Guardian - A top Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Services of T&T (TSTT) official has been fingered in a ploy that has led to confidential telephone records of a T&T Guardian reporter being leaked to the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) in a bid to trace the source of information being published.

Sunday Guardian learned the telephone records were requested in a surreptitious manner following the publication of a September 9 article.

CDA board members had objected to a decision to grant an extension to continue contracting out legal services.

However, in an unprecedented move, the decision was overturned by line minister Bhoe Tewarie.

The shocking development comes almost two years after Parliament enacted the Interception of Communications Act 2010 following revelations of

Kaieteur News

illegal spying on citizens by Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar.

The act states telephone records can be obtained on directives issued from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Commissioner of Police, Chief of Defence Staff and the head of the Strategic Services Agencies to assist with investigations.

And in responding to a text message as to whether he instructed police officers to obtain telephone records belonging to the reporter, DPP Roger Gaspard stated, “I gave no such directives.”

According to the T&T Constitution, the move is also an infringement on the rights of a citizen.

Section 4 (C) of the Constitution states: “It is hereby recognised and declared that in T&T there have existed and shall continue to exist, without discrimination by race, origin, colour, religion or sex, the following fundamental

human rights and freedom namely — the right of the individual to respect for his private and family life.”

Several board members told Sunday Guardian the telephone records are being used to trace all incoming and outgoing calls from the reporter ’s telephone to officials at CDA. Three employees of CDA contacted T&T Guardian last week complaining of being interrogated.

“They are looking to find the origin of the source of information. Even telephone records of CDA employees are being pulled.

Instead of fixing the problems at CDA, workers are being victimized,” the terrified employee disclosed.

A senior official at TSTT who spoke to Sunday Guardian under the condition of anonymity said while there was a procedure to obtain telephone records the system can be accessed from customer service to the managerial level.

Monday October 15, 2012

IMF to distribute gold sales profits to boost crisis lending to regional, low-income countries WASHINGTON - CMC The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it will distribute about US $1.1 billion in reserves attributed to windfall gold sales profits to its members in order to boost its concessional lending capacity for the Caribbean and other lowincome countries during the global crisis.

The Washington-based financial institution said the distribution is a key element of a 2009 plan to boost concessional lending capacity to US $17 billion over the five years to 2014.

It said the decision authorizing the distribution was taken by the executive board in February 2012, “to become effective only after IMF members have provided satisfactory assurances that new amounts equivalent to at least 90 percent of the amount distributed would be transferred or otherwise provided to the IMF’s concessional lending vehicle, the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT).”

The IMF said the 90 percent threshold has been reached with assurances received from countries, including those from the Caribbean, such as Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago,

Christine Lagarde meaning the distribution can now take place.

“This is a wonderful achievement that demonstrates our members’ determination to ensure the IMF has the wherewithal to support its low-income members through this crisis,” said IMF managing director Christine Lagarde.

“For many countries, this process has involved complex legal or legislative steps, and it is a tribute to our membership that we have arrived at the required level in just a few months,” she added.

She said because gold sales profits are part of the IMF’s general resources available for the benefit of the entire membership, they cannot be placed directly in the PRGT, which is available only to low-income member

countries.

Accordingly, Lagarde said using these resources for PRGT financing required a distribution of the resources to all IMF member countries in proportion to their quota shares, “on the expectation that members would direct the Fund to transfer these resources (or would provide broadly equivalent amounts) to the PRGT as subsidy contributions.”

She said the resources raised through the operation will count towards the 2009 package’s target of raising an additional US $2.3 billion in PRGT subsidies. Lagarde said the balance is being raised from other sources, including additional bilateral contributions, which the IMF continues to seek from member countries.

The IMF said it sold 403.3 metric tons of gold in 2009-10 as part of a plan to ensure the long-term financing of the IMF’s day-to-day operations through the creation of an endowment using anticipated gold sales profits of about US $6.8 billion.

It said high world gold prices during the sales period, over and above the US$850 an ounce envisaged when the sales were or i g i n a l l y planned, generated “windfall” profits of about US $3.8 billion.

DLP hits the campaign trail, confident of victory BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC - Prime Minister Freundel Stuart declares the sleeping giant of his Democratic Labour Party (DLP) awake and mobilised to win the next general elections.

“There are those who were praying to see the sleeping giant of the Democratic Labour Party awakened.”

“I hope they can deal with what they have asked for.

Their prayers have been answered,” Stuart said while leading party members on a mass canvass in

constituencies throughout the southern parish of St. James on Saturday.

The DLP event came mere weeks after the a poll commissioned by the Nation Newspaper and conducted by the Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES) showed a six percent swing away from the government to the Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP).

The pollsters also found that 61 per cent of the more than 1000 polled were dissatisfied with Prime Minister Stuart’s leadership

Freundel Stuart and 65 per cent suggested it’s time for a fresh election. The last general election was held in 2008.

Stuart also failed to get the nod as the country’s preferred leader. He only enjoys 10.8 per cent support compared to BLP leader Owen Arthur, who received 27 per cent support.

But a confident Stuart issued a caution to his political opponents yesterday.

Monday October 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Uncertainty, confusion at SSA as New security agency not yet legal Trinidad Guardian - The new lead national security agency, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), is nowhere near operational mode, as is being touted by government officials. In fact, legislation which will see the NIA legalised is yet to be drafted.

The start of the NIA’s operations has been pushed back on more than one occasion and the agency has seen two directors come and go even before it was officially established.

Months after assuming office, the Kamla PersadBissessar-led administration described the NIA as an intelligence agency which would assist in combating crime. Now, two years into the Government’s term, the agency is yet to receive legal standing.

Meanwhile, its sister entity, the Strategic Services Agency (SSA), has been receiving increased funding.

In the 2013 budget, the SSA received an allocation of

$107.6 million, according to the Draft Estimates of Recurrent Expenditure — an increase of $77.3 million over the 2012 allocation of $30.3 million.

Currently, the SSA is undergoing structural changes and is headed by Bisnath Maharaj, who assumed the post in April this year. Maharaj, sources say, has a law degree from Staffordshire University, England, and was recently called to the Bar in T&T. He is expected to complete his master’s degree in law next March. Maharaj is currently on a one-year contract, having taken over from Gary Griffith, whose contract was not renewed. With the start of operations at NIA still in abeyance, sources say operations at the SSA remain strained, since it is unclear under whose portfolio SSA falls.

Sources said former National Security Minister Brig John Sandy and then SSA interim director Griffith

Anand Ramlogan were being undermined by a senior government official who was not affiliated with the security ministry. Sources further allege that SSA deputy director Browne would report directly to the senior official, thus bypassing Griffith, and now Maharaj.

“This ongoing relationship completely undermines the authority of the director of the SSA or the new director general of the NIA, as this person is unable

to control the flow of information that passes from Browne to (official’s name called). The source said it was “one that cripples the decision-making of the director or director general, as he is placed in an uncomfortable position.”

The source expressed concern that Julie Browne was nominated by the government official to be part of the steering committee, and remained on the committee after the Reshmi Ramnarine fiasco last year, in which it was revealed that Browne wrote to Persad-Bissessar recommending Ramnarine for the post of SSA director.

It was later discovered that Ramnarine had falsified her educational records, and she resigned from the position nine days after being appointed.

Contacted on the matter, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said his ministry was still in the process of drafting legislation for the NIA.

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Nearly 4,600 illegal Caribbean immigrants get deportation reprieve from US WASHINGTON - CMC The United States says 179,794 applications have been received, and 4,591 have been approved two months after it started giving reprieves from deportation and work permits to young illegal Caribbean and immigrants.

The US Department of Homeland Security said the number of approvals increased significantly since it reported on September 14 that 29 immigrants had been the first ones granted the two-year deportation deferrals.

Peter Boogaard, a department spokesman, said immigrants should now expect that the average time to process an application to be four to six months, stating that as many as 1.2 million immigrants could be eligible.

Observers say the intense activity around the programme in immigrant communities, especially among Latinos, has already yielded some political

benefits to Obama, with Democrats repeatedly highlighting the initiative during their recent convention.

Initiated by an executive action, the programme grants deportation deferrals that must be renewed after two years, but it does not provide any legal immigration status.

To be eligible for the deportation reprieve, illegal immigrants must be under 31 years old and have come to the United States before they were 16.

They must show that they have lived in the US continuously since June 15, 2007, and be currently in school or have earned a high school diploma or have been honorably discharged from the US Armed Forces.

According to the Migration Policy Institute, a Wa s h i n g t o n - b a s e d nonpartisan research group, as many as 1.2 million illegal immigrants could be immediately eligible for the programme.

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Monday October 15, 2012

Monday October 15, 2012

Paul Keens Douglas, the Caribbean humorist, insists that Curepe Junction on the Eastern Main Road and the Old Southern Main Road in Trinidad is the busiest junction in Trinidad and such is the constant confusion that characterizes the traffic “even plane ‘fraid to fly over Curepe Junction.”

At this juncture in Paul’s popular and extremely funny monologue, I am always tempted to nominate my Caribbean candidate for the honour of scariest junction in the entire Caribbean. From my first visit to Jamaica in 1981 until my most recent less than a year ago, Half-Way Tree Junction is my equivalent of Halloween.

Pedestrians don’t have a ghost of a chance and it is always more trick than treat.

The drivers, especially the “robot” taxis or minibuses are so tense and stressed out that Half-Way Tree is not so much a junction as a “cross-road”.

I understand now why the Norman Manley airport is at Palisadoes. This way flights

Kaieteur News

come in from the coast and avoid Kingston altogether.

As one taxi-driver caught in the melee and maelstrom of Half-Way Tree said to me halfjokingly, “They call it ‘Alf Way Tree but there is no tree and if it is ‘Alf Way to anything it is ‘Ell.” I should have thought it significant that even though the Vere Bird International Airport is very close to where I live in Antigua, I have never seen any plane overhead.

This should have warned me.

Strangely, it is only when I returned home for a few days earlier this week that it dawned on me the morning of my first day back. As soon as I opened the window I knew why.

The grass had grown several feet since I cut it on my last visit home just over three weeks ago. The LIAT planes, I am sure, are afraid of their propellers getting caught in the tendrils of the terrifying monsters that have colonized my yard and the jets that pass through are scared of going boeing boeing if they come too close.

What I know is that one look is either enough to terrify all those itinerant grasscutters who pass-by. In this sense Curepe Junction “is joke”. Half-Way Tree is child’s play to manoeuvre.

My yard is the graveyard of broken lawn mower blades and weed-whacker heads.

Great physicists like Albert Einstein and Michio Kaku would tell you that the one place in the world where string theory does not apply is in my yard.

It is littered with bits of nylon string from the many whackers which have died in the valiant cause. I believe that whackers are temperamental. Mowers are more sedate, more settled in their ways.

The more highly-strung a whacker is, the more likely it is to give up in sheer frustration in my yard. Every tuft of grass seems to want its own souvenir and each flaunts its trophies shamelessly so that blue, red, violet, purple, green and yellow bits of nylon are everywhere.

Job creation needed to assist young people - GYSM The Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) has lashed out at the Government, stating that the lack of in-depth attention placed on the growth of young people is causing an economic decay in the country.

The youth organization has described the nation’s state of youth affairs as being “horrible” and having a “dire effect on the entire country.”

GYSM Secretary Adel Lily told media operatives last week, that enough emphasis is not being placed on the country’s young people, and the creation of job opportunities may be the only way to correct the situation.

Lily said, “Youngsters are marred by poverty, dependency, dislocation and exploitation.”

Speaking on the recent spate of events involving young people, Lily said, “The damage that young people have suffered physically, psychologically, socially, politically and economically, if unchanged will render them incapable of effectively fulfilling their social economic and reproductive roles in society.”

The youth member said that the future of the country will be lost if the needs of those persons are continually ignored.

To curb the downhill trend, Lily suggested that comprehensive strategies to

GYSM’s Adel Lily create jobs should be devised.

Apart from the Administration’s failure to create feasible methods to improve the youth affairs in the country, Lily highlighted that migration is becoming an increasing tendency.

He pointed out that job creation, locally, may remedy the occurrence of migration since the growth of small, medium sized enterprises (SMEs) should be an integral part of the country’s job creation strategy. The youth member said that more than 60 percent of the labour force is engaged in SMEs. “But this (SMEs) requires capital and technical support for businesses of all sizes.” “Very few small businesses have access to concessionary capital through microfinance institutions; the ‘missing

middle’ for firms seeking to grow.”

GYSM said that the Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry should formulate inclusive, cohesive and constructive strategies for positive engagement, and initiate talks within the context of the agreed National Youth Policy.

The youth organization recommended that the education system be reengineered to include infrastructure accessible to all youths regardless of, “Geographic location, gender, class, disability or race.”

The youth body said all inequalities must be removed within the social-economic system so that the primary needs of youths are met.

Business and economic infrastructure should be provided to attract greater investments to increase opportunities for youth employment, Lily said. He charged that, “Accredited, recognized, experiencedbased capability building, training and project management programmes for youth leadership should also be developed.”

GYSM believes that Culture and Sport in Guyana can play a major role in creating wealth for the youths. They said that the Ministry of Culture should thus promote more culture and sport based activities for young people.

In the case of grass, being a cut above the rest is definitely not a plus. It is a cause for sadness and can make you downcast and forlawn. I can remember in my innocent youth when “grass” was a synonym for hair and when my lustrous black locks, heavily brylcreemed and vaselined, were cause for boasting. “Good grass,” I would smile triumphantly running my hands through it greasily.

Ten years later uttering the words “Good grass” would have been as disastrous as seeing the Trinidad Minister of National Security, Jack Warner, at the airport, going up to him and calling him by his first name.

“Hi Jack” would have the police out in droves. Now that my hair is dropping off faster than a robot-taxi disgorges its passengers, I keep asking why the Almighty decided on male pattern baldness for me but did not think of extending it to lawns and yards.

On the other hand given the rapidity of growth of the grass in my yard, I speculate that there is some kind of herbal equivalent of Rogaine in the soil that I might be able to duplicate and market. In

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any case, the only good grass is a cut grass and my yard needs a good cut grass.

All this idle speculation is just my way, well known to my wife, of putting off the inevitable. I have tried diesel and have learnt that there is no fuel like an old fuel. The grass camouflage themselves briefly in a dried brown veneer and then a few weeks later when my back is turned they change back to their regimental green sprouting a few extra epaulettes in the process – some kind of decoration I assume for bravery under the assault of chemical weapons.

I have tried gasoline and like diesel, the soil and the water table suffer but the grass grows on. Recently I was advised to use a weedicide called “Round Up” which seems to have got all the grass together in some kind of union so that instead of decreasing they have increased like the tribes of Israel or Abou Ben Adhem.

My last weed whacker, a Homelite, died valiantly in the field of battle and is awaiting interment with full military honours. The last valiant

weed-man fled and no longer answers his phone. Another person passed a few days ago in response to a summons by the plumber who occasionally graces us with his august presence but one look at the yard prompted a message that we should call and discuss the cost with him.

That means money “like bush” as Trinis say or like grass in Antigua.

I believe that a perfect day for me in Antigua is one when the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the lawn mower is broken. That way I can head for one of the (at least) 365 beaches of which Antiguans boast.

Unfortunately, my wife keeps a close eye on me and wherever I am she homes in like one of those US drones in Pakistan. She knows that the mower and I have two things in common. We are difficult to get started and we only work half the time. *Tony Deyal was last seen saying he needs some Hawaiian Hula dancers – they could put some grass on one hip and some more grass on the other hip and rotate his crops.

Page 24

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Monday October 15, 2012

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Monday October 15, 2012 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): This is a very good time for you to start any new projects -- your energy is solid, and you can count on your brain power staying strong throughout the day. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): The added responsibilities you have been given lately are a sure sign that you are making a strong, positive impression on some powerful people. You are ready to take on the next challenge of life, especially if it involves travel or new cultural experiences. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Do you know your limits? It's time to find out what they are -- especially in terms of your social relationships with others. If you have ever been accused of 'oversharing', then try to hold back on a few of your inner thoughts today. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): You're all rip rarin' to go with a new project or endeavor, but not everyone in your crew is feeling as spontaneous as you -- so you should expect some reluctance from people today. They might not voice it in the most diplomatic way, so be prepared. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): A newish friendship will hit some snags today, when a misunderstanding creates some confusion and hurt feelings. Use this hiccup as an opportunity to clarify expectations -- the two of you might want different things out of this relationship, and it's best to know that earlier rather than later. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept.

22): Your feelings are what they are -- own them, and own up to them! Denying your emotions any longer will only delay the inevitable. Respect the way you feel and you'll

teach others to do the same. ********************* LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): Your actions will leave others impressed today, although you might not completely understand why.

Lately you have been pleasing people and making a major impact without even trying, and this type of oversized effect is going to continue for a few more days. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): Draw upon all of your patience to deal with a friend who is feeling m o o d y a n d s l o w t o d a y.

They have had it rough, and even if you are getting a bit fed up with their attitude, you have to be sympathetic about where they are in life. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): Although it's always necessary to maintain a reputation for good manners and compassion, there is no law that says you can't stir things up once in a while. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): Stop wishing for things you don't have, and start working with what you do have. You don't have to accept things the way they are, but you do have to recognize that in order to change them, you have to do the work. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): Learning opportunities will come at you from many different directions today, and it's up to you to take full advantage of each and every one of them. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): A small change you made weeks ago has created a huge improvement in your life, and you will start noticing the rewards of your efforts today.

Monday October 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 25

BCCI invites bids All-round Henriques sinks Chennai for new IPL team ESPNcricinfo - The BCCI has floated a tender, inviting bidders for a new IPL team following the termination of the Deccan Chargers franchise.

Leading Indian newspapers on Sunday carried an advertisement from the BCCI which read, “Under this invitation to tender, the winning bidder will be granted the right to own and operate a new team which will compete in the IPL in each year from and including 2013 onwards and will have the opportunity (if applicable and subject to qualification) to compete in each and any CLT20 which is staged from 2013 onwards.” The deadline for submitting the bids is noon on October 25.

The bids have been invited with respect to 12 cities, including Hyderabad where the owners of the Deccan Chargers franchise were based. The others are Ahmedabad, Cuttack, Dharamsala, Indore, Kanpur, Kochi, Nagpur, Noida, Rajkot, Ranchi and Vizag.

The termination of the Deccan Chargers franchise was confirmed on Saturday when the Bombay High Court rejected its independent arbitrator’s ruling that the BCCI’s decision to dissolve the franchise be stayed. The only avenue left for Deccan Chargers is to appeal against

the High Court decision in India’s Supreme Court.

The saga, which culminated in the termination, can be traced back to June this year when reports suggested that Deccan Chargers Holdings Limited (DHCL), the owners of the side, were exploring the possibility of selling the franchise. In August, the BCCI gave DHCL until the end of the month to pay its player dues, and a month later the owners put the franchise up for sale after approaching the Indian board for help.

After DHCL refused the sole bid it received at the September 13 auction, the BCCI terminated the franchise, triggering a legal battle.

The BCCI will be keen on finalising a new, ninth team before the next edition of the IPL in 2013, as it will, otherwise, result in reduced franchise fees and TV rights payments. Following a tenteam IPL in 2011, the Kochi Tuskers Kerala franchise was terminated last year in September.

Two other franchises Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals - are still involved in litigation with the BCCI, and the IPL is on the lookout for a new title sponsor after DLF Ltd ended its five-year association with the tournament.

A blistering stand of 75 between Moises Henriques and Steve Smith towards the end of the innings was the difference, as Sydney Sixers’ 185 was enough to keep out Chennai Super Kings in a high-scoring contest at the Wanderers. Henriques made telling blows on the field as well, as his three middle-order wickets derailed Super Kings’ chase just as the asking rate started reducing. Suresh Raina threatened with an attacking half-century, but the lack of support at the other end hurt Super Kings’ chances.

Shane Watson gave the Sixers a rousing start after they were put in to bat, and Chennai’s spinners hit back with wickets, but none of the bowlers were spared once the Smith-Henriques pair came together.

Watson was harsh on anything short, and he made R Ashwin and Jadeja pay by cracking sixes over the on side. Only a run-out could have ended Watson’s stay and he fell in that manner four short of a fifty. He attempted a risky second run but wasn’t quick enough for Ben Hilfenhaus’ fiery throw from deep cover, which hit the stumps on the half volley.

The spinners pulled things back for Chennai after Watson’s departure. R Ashwin struck twice in an over, removing Brad Haddin and Nic Maddinson as they

Albion congratulates Permaul on West Indies selection “The President, Executives and Members of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club would like to congratulate Veerasammy Permaul on his selection to the West Indies team for the upcoming tour to Bangladesh,” the club communicated in a press release.

It continued, “Permaul’s hard work, discipline and dedication have paid off and the Club is very proud of him.

The Club would also like to wish him continued success and a long and outstanding international career ahead for West Indies.”

“The left-arm-spinner joins left hander Narsingh Deonarine, another Albion cricketer in the West Indies team for the tour to Bangladesh as this will be the second time that two cricketers from the Club will be in a West Indies Team after Deonarine and Devendra Bishoo would have done so against Australia earlier this year.

He also joins Deonarine, Bishoo, Sewnarine Chattergoon and Seu Shivnarine as being cricketers from Albion to have gained selection to represent the West Indies at the senior level.”

Moises Henriques scored an unbeaten 49. (AP) tried to push the scoring. It wasn’t the worst thing to happen to the Sixers, though, as it brought Smith and Henriques together. The pair began by bashing two boundaries down the ground off the part-time leg spin of Faf du Plessis and from that point on, an above-par score looked possible. The bowlers hemorrhaged 61 off the last four overs, which included eight fours and three sixes.

Bollinger and Hilfenhaus, who were held back for the final overs, came in for some stick as the pair of Smith and Hilfenhaus muscled boundaries and played some cheeky ramp shots to exploit the infield.

Super Kings got off to a circumspect start, limping to 7 for 1 after three overs. Du Plessis gave the chase a push with a flurry of boundaries through the off side, charging

the fast bowlers to unsettle their rhythm, in particular Pat Cummins. Cummins had the last laugh, though, when du Plessis advanced down the track to launch a straight six but couldn’t clear long-on.

Sixers captain Brad Haddin risked introducing his spinners when Suresh Raina walked in. Raina targeted his favourite cowcorner region against the leftarm spin of Steve O’Keefe and was also alert to put away the length offerings from the seamers. The bowlers didn’t exploit Raina’s weakness against the short ball and with every Raina boundary, the game was Sixers’ to lose.

Like they had done with the bat, the Henriques-Smith pairing proved decisive, this time in the field. Raina aimed for the long-on boundary off Henriques’ medium pace, but Smith took a well-judged catch at the edge of the rope.

Henriques struck two balls later with MS Dhoni’s wicket and that had all but sealed the game for Sixers, with 44 needed off the last three overs.

Scores: Sydney Sixers 185 for 5 (Henriques 49*, Watson 46) beat Chennai Super Kings 171 for 9 (Du Plessis 43, Raina 57, Henriques 3-23) by 14 runs.

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Igloo Ice Cream National Junior Hockey Championships underway The Igloo Ice Cream National Junior Hockey Championships got off to an exciting start on Saturday morning at the national gymnasium.

First up, the stars of the future took the courts as the under-13 category produced some of the day’s best entertainment. After the dust settled at the end of the preliminary matches it was Marian Gangnam who topped group A followed closely by GCC Brave Hearts, while in group B GCC All Stars put out a dominant display to finish the group phase undefeated ahead of Saints Sensations.

In the semifinals Marian Gangnam brushed aside Saints Sensations 3-1, while the battle of the two GCC teams went down to the wire before the All Stars squeezed past the Brave Hearts 1-0.

The GCC All Stars saved their best for the final as they took it home 2-0 inspired by a dominant performance from Kareem McKenzie. Ezekiel Springer then led the Saints Sensations to a 1-0 victory over the GCC Brave Hearts in

the third place playoff.

In the girls under-16 category, GCC took care of an ever improving Hikers squad, with Aaliyah Gordon and Athena Seenanan proving too strong for the young Hikers. The boys category however was an evenly contested affair with very little to separate the teams at the end of the preliminary stage.

In the semifinals number one seed Old Fort demolished Saints 3-0, while Hikers came from behind twice to squeeze past GCC 43. Hikers then returned to edge Old Fort 3-2 thanks to outstanding performances by Aroydy Branford and Caribbean under-17 squash champion Nyron Joseph.

Saints managed to edge out GCC 1-0 for third place with Parmanand Dindial and Hilton Chester combining well for the Brickdam team.

The tournament was due to conclude yesterday with several matches in the schools competition and the Under-21 segment followed by the presentation of prizes.

Monday October 15, 2012

Resilient Djokovic stuns Murray to take Shanghai title (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic exacted revenge on Andy Murray for his U.S. Open final defeat by saving five match points to outlast the Briton 5-7 7-6 6-3 to win the Shanghai Masters title on Sunday.

The resilient Serbian fought back from the brink of defeat, trailing by a set and 53 before staving four match points in the tiebreak to force a tense decider.

The world number two then broke Murray, winner in Shanghai for the last two years, in the seventh game and again at 5-3, prevailing on his third match point to triumph when his opponent went long.

Djokovic had lost to Murray in their last two meetings, the U.S. Open final at Flushing Meadows in September in which the Scot secured his first grand-slam triumph, and the semi-finals of the Olympics in London.

“It was a thrilling match...very long - 3 1/2 hrs for best of three is quite long.

But I have got used to it,” Djokovic said. “Whenever I play Andy I know it’s going

Novak Djokovic (left) of Serbia stands next to Andy Murray of Britain during the trophy presentation after their men’s singles final at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament October 14, 2012. REUTERS/Aly Song to be a grueling fight, a lot of long rallies. It could have gone either way.

“I could not say I dominated the match because all three sets were very close and he had some match points and opportunities to finish the match. I could have easily been a runner-up today but I’m very proud of my fight.”

An extraordinary topsyturvy first set featured seven breaks, both players gaining an advantage before handing it straight back. Djokovic led

2-0, world number three Murray 3-2 and Djokovic again at 5-4.

The decisive moment came when Djokovic went wide with a forehand volley to be broken for the fourth time and hand Murray a 6-5 lead. His emotions boiling over, the angry Serb obliterated his racket with three hefty smashes before tossing it towards his chair, receiving a warning in the process.

Murray appeared to have another Shanghai title at his

mercy when Djokovic fluffed his lines again and was staring at defeat at 5-3 down in the second set. The Scot had match point on his own serve at 5-4 but a battling Djokovic dug deep, averted the danger and then seized his own chance to break back for 5-5.

Like the first set, a pulsating tiebreak swung back and forth with Djokovic staving off four match points, including two at 6-4 down.

He then spurned three set points himself before finally prevailing 13-11, taking the set with a driving forehand volley.

Murray had outlasted Djokovic at the U.S. Open in a five-set thriller, but fortunes were reversed this time in the Chinese port city with the Serb finding the greater stamina and willpower.

Sensing that his opponent was tiring, Djokovic broke to lead 4-3 in the decider, consolidated on his own serve and broke again to secure his fifth title of the season. He now leads Murray 9-7 in their head-tohead meetings.

“It was a disappointing one to lose but I’ve lost tougher matches than that before, in the biggest events, so I’m sure I’ll recover from it pretty well,” Murray said.

BOSAI Open Challenge Basketball C/ship

Raiders rout Royals 76-28 in opener, Wismar Pistons thrown out for missing march past Retrieve Raiders crushed Victory Valley Royals, 76-28, to get their campaign off on a positive note when the BOSAI Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc Open challenge basketball championship bounced off on Saturday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court in Linden.

National centre Dwayne Roberts led an impressive showing by the Raiders with 13 points as he was supported by young forward Dwight McKinnon who netted 11 as Alexander Rose and another national player Neil Marks each got 8 points, in the overwhelming win.

Raiders had led throughout the contest after being ahead 21-10 when the first quarter ended and at half time had taken a 36-14 advantage.

The Royals were never in the contest, missing key player Chris Williams, and could only muster another 14 points in the contest as they were outscored 40-14 in the second period, having trailed 23-54 after the third quarter expired.

They bowed out eventually to a rampaging Raiders who won 76-28.

The best scorers for the losing Royals side were national youth guard Marlon Pollydore with 11 points, as fellow back court players Alwyn Rodney and Marvin Russel added nine and six points respectively.

Before the start of the championship BOSAI’s Mines Maintenance Superintendent Mr. Eric Yu and his wife Lilian, along with president of the LABA Capt.

Eon Murray took the salute

When we pause and experience silence, we discover answers that activity does not have time to reveal. During your day, take threeminute “vacations”. Relax and re-energise.

Take time out to feel the peace of silence.

at the march past of the participating clubs Unfortunately, six of the seven affiliated clubs were represented namely, Kashif and Shanghai Kings, Retrieve Raiders, Block 22 Flames, Amelia’s Ward Jets, Half Mile Bulls and Victory Valley Royals, as the defaulting Wismar Pistons club was withdrawn from participating by the LABA pending the outcome an investigation due their absence.

Meanwhile, due to that decision to oust Wismar Pistons from participating in the championship, the LABA in an emergency meeting that night decided that the tournament will be played on a round robin format among the six clubs, and the top four will advance after the group stage was completed to the semifinals.

The tournament, which has at stake trophies and cash incentives with the winners getting $60,000 and losing finalist $30,000, will be played at weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, to conclude in early November.

Monday October 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Pedrosa applies pressure with Japan win

Guyanese riflemen complete the double, add Short Range title to bulging collection It read like a script from the individual and team championships of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships when Guyanese marksmen, led by Lennox Braithwaite, won the lion’s share of the accolades on offer at the Timehri Ranges over the past few days.

The local shooters once again underlined their dominance when they amassed 1135 points with 73 V Bulls and captured the honours in the Short Range Team match on the 300, 500

Dani Pedrosa closed the gap on MotoGP championship leader Jorge Lorenzo with his victory yesterday.

(Reuters) - Honda’s Dani Pedrosa kept his slim MotoGP title hopes alive by beating fellow Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo to win the Japanese Grand Prix for the second year in a row on Sunday.

A fourth win in the last five races has pulled Pedrosa to within 28 points of the Yamaha rider but with just three races left, the championship is still Lorenzo’s to lose.

“We did what we needed to do,” Pedrosa told reporters. “It’s just a pity that there is no one else who can stay with us because every race I win, (Lorenzo’s) been second. “But anyway, it’s a great feeling to win races and we are doing it now.”

Alvaro Bautista’s third place for Honda made it a Spanish sweep of the podium on an overcast day at Motegi’s Twin Ring circuit.

Lorenzo, world champion in 2010, again failed to capitalise on his sixth pole of the season, leading in the early stages but never able to pull away from a dogged Pedrosa.

It was the fifth time in succession that Lorenzo has failed to turn pole position into victory, the only time he went on to win the race was at the 2012 season-opener in Qatar. “I was completely at the maximum trying to stay with Dani, but today it was maybe too much difference, the performance on the straights,” said Lorenzo.

“I tried to stay with him but it was impossible, maybe next time. For sure the Championship is closer now, but we are still very competitive and have the chance to win.”

Pedrosa pounced 13 laps from the finish and stretched his advantage at the front to over a second within two laps of overtaking Lorenzo.

Pedrosa, who has now claimed a career-best five wins in a MotoGP season,

won in a time of 42 minutes, 31.569 seconds.

NO RISKS Not wishing to take any risks given his comfortable lead in the standings, Lorenzo eased off the throttle to coast home in a time of 42:35.844.

Lorenzo has 310 points to Pedrosa’s 282 in the championship standings, with world champion Casey Stoner on 197.

Bautista’s third place came after a hair-raising fight with Briton Cal Crutchlow, whose Yamaha ran out of fuel on the final lap to end the battle on a rather anticlimactic note.

Australian Stoner finished a creditable fifth in his return after ankle surgery, although clearly not fully fit and still in some pain he struggled as the race wore on. Seven-times premier class champion Valentino Rossi finished a dejected-looking seventh for Ducati.

Spaniard Marc Marquez tore through the field to claim his eighth victory of the Moto2 season, giving him the opportunity to clinch the title in Malaysia next week.

The Suter rider’s win, in 42:56.171, was all the more remarkable after stalling on the start line and getting away virtually last in the 32bike field.

Britain’s Danny Kent claimed his maiden grand prix win in a wild finish to the Moto3 race.

German Sandro Cortese was on course to claim the title on the last lap, but his KTM machine crashed out after he clashed with Alessandro Tonucci, gifting team mate Kent victory.

MotoGP standings Jorge Lorenzo: 310 points Dani Pedrosa: 282 points Casey Stoner: 197 points Andrea Dovizioso: 192 points Alvaro Bautista: 144 points

Page 27

and 600 yards ranges when that segment of the tournament concluded at the above mentioned venue yesterday afternoon.

Jamaican shooters occupied the second place with 1123 points and 74 V Bulls, while Trinidad and Tobago scored 1100 points with 60 V Bulls to take the third place.

Antigua and Barbuda placed 4th with 1090 points and 44 V Bulls with Barbados next in line after amassing 681points and 32 V Bulls. Bermuda finished

in the cellar with 230 points and 3 V Bulls.

Braithwaite was once again on target compiling an impeccable score on the 500 and 600 yards ranges (50 points and 4 V Bulls and 50 points and 5 V Bulls, respectively).

He missed out by a fraction on the 300 yards range, scoring 49 points with 4 v Bulls for a grand total of 149 points and 13 V Bulls. For his efforts, he was awarded the Wogart Cup to compliment the special award put up by Jamaican, Major

John Nelson, owner of the Milex Security Company.

Dylan Fields once again proved his usefulness when he amassed a grand total of 148 points and 3 V Bulls, while Mahendra Persaud turned in commendable figures of 147 points and 12 V Bulls.

The shooters packed up their guns late yesterday afternoon and were scheduled to congregate at the GDF Officers’ Mess, Camp Ayangana at 19:00hrs last night for the presentation ceremony.

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Preparations commence for Rising Sun Rodeo on Sunday November 4 Preparatory works has commenced for the annual grand one day Rodeo organized by the Rodeo Committee of the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice. The action which is set this year for Sunday November 4th is expected to begin at 11:00hrs.

With the weather more on the dry side so far this year, more daredevil, skills, thrills and spills are expected, when the day’s activity gets under with some 12 events carded.

Fans will be entertained by vaqueros straddling wild bulls even as those bulls attempt to unseat the riders, attempts to milk wild cows, steer roping, bare back bronco, male and female barrel race, calf roping, saddle bronco, the Rodeo King and Queen C o m p e t i t i o n and the popular Tug o War events.

A number of other novelty events are also carded for the day’s programme including the popular Beer drinking competition, gyrating on Horseback etc.

Wild bull riding will be part of the excitement.

Vaqueros (cow boys) are expected from overseas including Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela to match skills with their Guyanese counterparts. Locals are expected from the Interior locations of Guyana including Lethem and the Rupununi Savannahs. While closer to home Cowboys from the West Coast Berbice,

the Corentyne and Berbice River will also be in action.

According to coordinator Inshanally Habibulla, renovation is ongoing at the venue and fans will be in for a grand time as the event feature the best Vaqueros from this part of the continent on show. Close to $1M will be up for grabs in the oneday event.

Monday October 15, 2012

Vettel wins to seiz e seize F1 lead from Alonso (Reuters) - World champion Sebastian Vettel won the Korean Grand Prix in a Red Bull one-two finish on Sunday to take the overall Formula One lead from Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso with four races remaining.

Vettel’s third win in a row, fourth of the season and 25th of his career, left him on 215 points with third-placed Alonso now on 209.

Australian Mark Webber, who had started on pole position but was overtaken by his team mate off the grid into the first corner, finished second to anchor the first one-two of the season by any team.

South K o r e a ’s ‘Gangnam Style’ rapper Psy waved the chequered flag as Vettel crossed the finish line and thanked his team for a “great race, great job on the pit wall” before screaming in delight.

“The start was very important. we started from the dirty side,” said Vettel.

“I had a very good launch and could see that Mark was struggling a little bit. I was able to get side by side and then had the inside into turn one.

“It was a perfect start for m y s e l f , ” a d d e d t h e German, who spent the closing laps fretting about the tyres and making sure they held up.

With no need to attack his title-chasing team mate in the closing stages, Webber finished 8.2 seconds behind Vettel.

Starting fourth, Spaniard Alonso got ahead of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton at the start but could not close the gap with the Red Bulls on an afternoon where the outcome was effectively decided in the first few seconds.

He crossed the line 13.9 seconds behind Vettel. “I think we have to be happy with the performance today,” said Alonso, whose Ferrari team (290 points) overtook McLaren (284) for second place in the constructors’ standings behind Red Bull (367).

“We are moving in the right direction. We just need a little last step to be as competitive as Red Bull.”

BUTTON OUT Brazilian Felipe Massa continued his late season resurgence with fourth for Ferrari. Kimi Raikkonen chalked up his 13th successive points finish with fifth in the race for Lotus to consolidate third place overall and stay in the

reckoning.

McLaren’s Jenson Button was an early casualty, his race ending on the first lap when Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi sideswiped his car and smashed the front right suspension as well as puncturing the tyre.

Kobayashi, who also ended the race for Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg in the same incident, made it back to the pits on three wheels and a rim.

The Japanese, who finished a memorable third at home last weekend, collected a drive-through penalty for causing the collision and retired in the pits on lap 18.

Button, now 84 points off Vettel, declared his remote title hopes to be defunct. “No, definitely not,” said the Briton when asked whether he could

still win the championship.

“I’m going to enjoy myself over the next few races. Points for the team would have been really important, but it’s out of our hands.”

Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg was sixth for Force India with Frenchman Romain Grosjean, steering well clear of trouble after a spate of first lap smashes, seventh for Lotus.

Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne was eighth for Toro Rosso, with Australian team mate Daniel Ricciardo ninth.

Hamilton, who had a ripped off strip of astroturf trailing from a sidepod in the closing laps, just kept o ff S a u b e r ’s M e x i c a n Sergio Perez - the man who replaces him at McLaren next season - for 10th place after starting third.

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel (centre) of Germany celebrates winning the South Korean F1 Grand Prix next to second placed team mate Mark Webber (left) of Australia and third placed Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Canadian female Nat...

From back page 2008 CBBF Canadian National Bodybuilding Championships - 11th Heavyweight 2008 OPA Ontario Provincial Championships 2nd Masters, 1st Heavyweight 2007 Canadian Championships - CBBF, Masters, 9th, Heavyweight, 6th 2006 Ontario SouthCentral Championships Level 2 - 1st Heavyweight 2005 OPA London Championships - 2nd Women Open Giving a brief on being able to get Ms. McGowan to come to Guyana, Abraham, himself an

active body builder, said that he was excited to bring McGowan to these shores to help motivate females and athletes on the whole.

The 42-year-old Guyanese is himself no s t r a n g e r t o t h e stage locally and overseas and has been dominant in Canada also.

“I am very pleased of course to do my bit to enhance the sport in Guyana and am always very happy to contribute.

My hopes and prayers for Guyana is that more people get involved in f i t n e s s , i t ’s a l i f e l o n g investment that pays great dividends.” (F. Wilson)

Monday October 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 29

Pitbulls snap at $1M to become Champs Supporters at the venue.

By Edison Jefford California Square in East Ruimveldt was transformed into a hive of basketball activity and entertainment Saturday night when Ansa McAl Limited, under its Mackeson brand, hosted the second edition of its Smooth Moves 3-on-3 Final.

The East Ruimveldt venue hosted the six best teams from across Guyana in what was one of the best moments of the 2012 tournament. After the group prelims, Mackeson promotions at intervals and Stereo Sonic’s ‘juggling’, it was the Ravens-originated Pitbulls that tore into what

was a historical night for the sport in Guyana.

Hundreds of patrons swarmed the venue to witness six of the best streetball teams in the country compete for $1M winnertake-all. It was the brutal assault of the Pitbulls that had no mercy on its victims

Eastman/Hardy bout ends in...

From page 31 and sent him down. He rose, more surprised than hurt, and after the count, launched an attack that had Hardy on the back foot. It was around this juncture that Eastman began to look ominous.

The former European champion charged out in the 5th round and forced Hardy back with well timed combinations. Recently crowned the CABOFE welterweight champion, Hardy retaliated but Eastman’s aggression had sapped his energy and he opted to stay clear of those (Eastman’s) flailing fists.

Hardy changed his attacking ploy at the start of the 5th round and backpedaled while Eastman relentlessly pursued his man.

Several salvoes drifted Hardy backwards and forced him to seek refuge in a clinch. The ‘Candyman’ somehow managed to reassert himself and finished the round with light exchanges.

Hardy regained some control at the start of the 6th round and delivered a combination that connected and sent Eastman scurrying backwards. He braced the ropes and dared Hardy to come to him but Hardy adopted a cagey disposition and passed up on the offer.

It was the 7th round when Eastman, apparently getting a second wind, rocked Hardy with a combination of punches. Hardy had no answer for the blows and

backed off. Eastman pursued him and unleashed several bombs and Hardy, the man of ‘chin checker’ fame was in trouble. Referee Frankie Brisport then determined that one of Eastman’s punches was a rabbit blow and exercised his prerogative, deducting a point from Eastman’s score. Eastman brushed off the mishap and ended the round as the aggressor.

The 8th round was riddled with inconsistencies as the referee chose to escort Hardy to his corner to fix a piece of equipment. Hardy was given an unfair reprieve while his handlers fussed with him. In the end it proved inconsequential as, upon resumption, Eastman turned up the heat and when the bell rang the most relieved man had to have been Hardy. The majority of those present were sure Eastman had done enough to win until the judges delivered the shocker.

Bernard DeSantos had a more realistic 75-75 scorecard while Trevor Arno saw it 7875 in favour of Eastman.

Clairmont DeSouza scored the bout 79-71, a far cry from his colleagues’ tally.

King flattered to deceive after spewing vitriol at the prefight press conference.

DeClou was clearly the aggressor, pummeling his man with vicious salvoes. The former pugilist started the bout aggressively, pounding his man while slipping out of range. DeClou, a slow starter,

bided his time and by the end of the third round, had his man scurrying for cover from several crunching shots.

King’s best moment occurred early in the 4th round when he punished DeClou with several ‘crunchers’ but a persevering DeClou shrugged off the blows and ripped in a vicious uppercut that sent King crashing to the canvas. The bell came to his rescue but a clearly hurt King was totally uninterested in continuing and threw in the towel at the end the 4th round.

Williamson had no one but himself to blame for his misfortune. His punches were heavier and he was clearly the superior boxer, evident when he floored Skeete with a stiff flurry.

Inexplicably, he chose to strike his fallen foe while he was crouched on the canvas eliciting a warning from the referee. He risked it again shortly after and the referee promptly sent him packing at 1:45secs of the first round.

The attendance was appalling; the action in the ring somewhat exciting but the Williamson/Skeete decision left a bittersweet taste in the mouth of fans.

They had only just recovered when the Hardy/Eastman decision reinstated their anger. Many left the arena vowing never to return to another boxing match. It was a sad indictment and maybe the death knell of the sport already tottering for survival.

that led to them being $1M richer in less than 12 hours.

The script could not have favoured Pitbulls better after Colts drew a ‘bye’ to the final, they knew that they just had to get past defending champions, Pacesetters ‘A’ in their semi-final and the rest would be history. The plot was perfect and characters undaunted.

The Ryan Gullen, Ryan Stephney, Jermaine Slater and Akeem ‘The Dream’ Kanhai combination fearlessly battled against the tough Pacesetters ‘A’ team, before winning their game 12-11 in the final five seconds after Gullen finished a lob from Stephney.

The result was shocking for Pacesetters, who obviously lacked the game plan that earned them a title

in the inaugural competition last year. Travis ‘Blurr’ Burnett is not known for jumpshooting but yet he was shooting the ball more than he usually does, assuming shooting guard, Steffon Gillis’ role.

Pacesetters’ lack of a game plan played into the Pitbulls’ pen, and once there, they had no escape from the team that relentlessly attacked them. Pitbulls went on to rip apart Colts 9-6 in the Grand Finale, which could have been anybody’s guess based on superiority.

Shelroy Thomas, veteran forward, Dane Kendall, Stephon ‘Penny’ Henry and Tyrone Hamid had had a fairytale journey to the final, but Pitbulls was too much of a superior team for them. It was as clear as the Mackeson-branded venue on an epic night of basketball.

No other basketball competition at any level offers a cash prize of $1M. The money and the fame had brought teams together from as far as Linden, New

Amsterdam and Den Amstel but only the six top teams from the nationwide competition made it to Saturday’s Final.

Apart from Pacesetters ‘A’, Pitbulls and Colts, the other teams in the final included Linden-based Jets #1, Full Clips and Georgetown-based Slash; before the semi-final and Grand Finale Saturday night, Colts had romped pass Jets #1 10-9, Pacesetters ‘A’ had beaten Slash 12-8 and Pitbulls got the better of Full Clips 1110 in the group elimination round.

There was an entertainment break with Mackeson promotions ongoing and females competing in Gangnam Style dance contests for prize monies.

The semi-final and final received adequate intro for a great night of basketball rivalries that is second to none in Guyana. Following the Final, the renowned local reggae artiste, Jory officially brought the curtains down.

Page 30

Kaieteur News

Monday October 15, 2012

GABBFF Seniors 2012 – ‘Rise of the Machines’

Fitness Express to reward 1st to 3rd in each category & Overall winner Like they have done ever since they opened their doors for business a few years ago, the Management of Fitness Express will once again be supporting the body building federation when their Senior Championships under the theme, “Rise of the Machines” comes off this Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 19:00hrs.

Manager of Fitness Express Ian Rogers recently confirmed that commitment at a symbolic presentation to Treasurer of the Guyana Amateur Body Building & Fitness Federation (GABBFF), Jamie Mc Donald.

Rogers informed that Fitness Express will be presenting gift certificates to all the athletes placing first to third in the various categories (male & female) as well as the winner of the Mr. Guyana Title who will emerge from the clash of the respective category winners.

Rogers commented: “It’s always a pleasure for Fitness Express to be a part of the tangible rewarding of our athletes.

We do understand and are aware of the huge costs of preparations athletes will have to take on so this is our way of showing appreciation for their efforts and to always encourage them to be the best they can be.”

Manager of Fitness Express Ian Rogers (right) in a symbolic presentation of one of the products that will be on offer for the top performers.

Mc Donald expressed thanks on behalf of the GABBFF and stated that the athletes will be very appreciative of the efforts of Fitness Express to boost their continued improvement.

Mc Donald took the opportunity to encourage all fans of the sport to come out in their numbers to support the athletes on Saturday evening at the Sports Hall. He noted that they have all been training hard towards this marquee event of the local governing body.

Admission is $1,000 and tickets can be had from any gym as well as Fitness Express, Sheriff & John Streets, Campbellville.

An experienced as well as emerging mix of athletes are expected to grace the stage at the Sports Hall for what is anticipated to be a memorable show that will h a v e C a n a d a ’s l e a d i n g female body builder as the guest poser. A surprise male overseas based guest poser will also be present to woo the fans.

GCA\Queensway 50-over cricket

GDF, GNIC, GYO victorious in latest action Guyana Defence Force, Guyana National Industrial Corporation and Gandhi Youth Organization were the victorious teams at the end of the second round of the Georgetown Cricket Association\Queensway 50 over tournament which was contested yesterday with three matches.

At GDF, the host overcame Vikings by 9 wickets. Vikings batted first and found the going tough, and lost wickets at regular intervals to be all out for 102 in 27 overs.

Brian Haynes scored 22 while Dennis Legay, Randy Lindore and Jeremiah Harris grabbed 2 wickets each for 12, 24 and 14 runs respectively.

GDF then made light work of the target winning the game in 10.5 overs finishing on 105-1. Kevon Boodie led with 39 (5x4, 1x6) a n d M a r c u s Wa t k i n s

supported well with 27 not out. Shemroy Barrington was the batsman to be dismissed for 19.

At Malteenoes, GNIC got past Third Class by 9 wickets. Alvin Castello 46(1x4, 5x6) and Yovindra Ramnanan 34 (5x4, 1x6) were the only batsmen that showed fight for Third Class who made 145 all out in 34.2 overs after batting first. Jermin Grovensor was the pick of the bowlers with3-23, while Matthew Marks claimed 2-15, and Leroy Bristol 2-26.

GNIC in reply lost an early wicket with the score on 14 but Elton Baker and Ronale Bourne saw them to victory without further loss as they ended on 146-1 in 23.2 overs.

Both batsmen made 54 each with Baker hitting four fours and one six, while Bourne slammed seven fours and one six.

At GYO, the home team

defeated Ace Warriors 112 runs. GYO took first strike and posted a challenging 252 before they were bowled out in 41.2 overs.

Ryan Shun cracked eight fours in a top score of 54 not out and received valuable support from Shivnandan Roopnarine 48 (8x4), John Champayne 38 (7x4), and Kamesh Yadram 28 (6x4) as Cleon Douglas bagged 3-44, Abzal Gafoor 3-42, and Delon Azore 2-38.

Ace Warriors in response could only manage 140 all out in 30.2 overs. Ronald Hercules led with 45(9x4), while Steven Harris chipped in with 32 (2x44, 3x6), and Azore 17.

Pravindralall Persaud snared 3-8, while Shivnandan Persaud and Garfield De Roche also bowled well with 3-13 and 2-31 respectively.

The competition continues on Saturday.

(Zaheer Mohamed)

Monday October 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 31

Eastman/Hardy bout ends in controversy as ‘Chin Checker’ fails to ‘Chin check’ his man

By Michael Benjamin Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman survived a severe two fisted assault from Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy and launched a late attack that left his man reeling when their 8 rounds light/ middleweight bout concluded at Banks DIH Ground, Thirst Park Saturday night.

However, despite the general consensus that the former European champion had done more than enough to clinch the decision, the judges came up with highly inconsistent scores that caused pandemonium as supporters of both boxers erupted into a war of words, each adamant that their choice had prevailed.

The spectators also voiced their dissatisfaction when referee, Eon Jardine, halted the bantamweight encounter between Charlton Skeete and Richard Williamson shortly after it started; this after the latter pugilist had blatantly infringed the rules, hitting his man while he was down.

Caribbean Boxing

Federation (CABOFE) and local middleweight champion, Edmond DeClou, was also in winners’ row and forced Jermaine King to retire on his stool at the end of 4th round, while former heavyweight champion, Mitchell Rogers brushed aside Anthony Augustin to take a majority verdict in their 6 rounds heavyweight duel.

Judges Bernard DeSantos, Trevor Arno and Carlton Hopkinson scored the bout 60-54, 60-54 and 59-55 respectively, all in favour of Rogers.

Local featherweight champion, Clive Atwell endured an early assault of dirty infighting and suffered a gash to his forehead before turning up the pressure to dispose of Orlan ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers in 48secs of the 5th frame. Rogers presented some difficulties for Atwell while it lasted, scurrying around and delivering a few roundhouse salvoes. A clash of heads opened a gash on Atwell’s forehead halfway into the first frame and necessitated the

doctor’s intervention. Upon resumption, Atwell worked up a rhythm and decked Rogers with a stiff combination but the squatty Rogers managed to hold off the inevitable up to the end of the 4th round.

He attacked at the start of 5th round but Atwell was ready for him and unleashed a body assault that sent his man crashing to the canvas.

He rose on wobbly legs forcing the referee to halt the proceedings even amidst Roger’s vociferous outcries.

It was the 48th second of the round.

Usually slow off his mark, Eastman started the bout at a fast clip, pushing his man back with jabs and right crosses.

Hardy danced out of range while employing a two fisted attack. The ‘Candyman’ clearly took that round for better ring generalship and cleaner blows.

Eastman advanced at the start of the second round but Hardy was the aggressor, forcing his man into the V of the red corner while dishing out body and head shots.

Eastman then opted for a high

Howard Eastman (left) punches Simeon Hardy during their clash Saturday night. guard while delivering the occasional salvo. Despite this, it was all Hardy who finished the round on the attack.

The fight developed into a war of attrition in the third stanza with Eastman turning

to his experience. He stuck out a long jab that kept Hardy at bay but the latter fighter soon worked his way in and the two slugged it out in close quarters in a round that could have gone either way.

Hardy started the fourth stanza slowly and just as suddenly exploded with several salvoes to Eastman’s temple. An especially vicious right grazed Eastman’s head Continued on page 29