kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday September 13, 2013

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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

Church, State and Guyana Guyana is a multi-religious country and the State must respect that reality. When we were a colony of Britain, the Christian Church, more specifically the Anglican and Protestant denominations of the “mother country”, occupied a privileged position in the operations of the State, facilitated as they were to run the educational institutions of the State. Christian religious instructions were mandatory for all students. At that time, one had to convert to Christianity to be employed by any arm of the state.

Just before independence, when internal selfgovernment had been granted to the administration, the latter moved to change this state of affairs and control of the state schools was removed from religious bodies. This was the beginning of our local practice of “separation of Church and State”, which had been introduced in the European Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries. The premises of the Enlightenment form the fountainhead of our legal and philosophical outlook.

The American Republic adopted the separation of Church and State when they crafted their constitution in 1787 and introduced what was later dubbed “secularism”.

In the First Amendment of their Constitutional Bill of Rights, they expressly prohibited Congress from making laws “respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. Secularism did not at any time mean that religion was not to be recognised by the State - simply that the State and its organs should not promote it. Many other countries, including Turkey and France, made the separation more explicit. While Britain in modern times remains a nominally “Christian” country, in all of its practices, the state has acted staunchly secularist.

At our Independence and the formation of our Republic, we adopted a secular Constitution for our multireligious society. For instance, Public Holidays were designated for the Hindu and Muslim Communities, joining the colonial Christian ones. In our Constitution the “free exercise of religion” is guaranteed under our Fundamental Rights specifically Article 145, “Protection of Freedom of Conscience”. Based on our history of entanglement of religion and education, Article 145 (3) exploits states: “Except with his own consent, no person attending any place of education shall be required to receive religious instruction...”

In the US, the Courts interpreted religious instruction in schools as violating the “Establishment of Religion clause”. In one famous case, their Supreme Court ruled that public schools cannot endorse religious messages because, “it sends the ancillary message to members of the audience who are non-adherents that they are outsiders, not full members of the political community, and an accompanying message to adherents that they are insiders, favoured members of the political community.” It went without saying that no other State institution could violate the clause.

In Guyana, the issue of the separation of Church and State arose in 2009 when several men were charged for “cross-dressing”. Then acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson instructed the men from the bench that they “were confused and should give their lives to Jesus Christ.” The men, along with the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) appealed the magistrate’s decision on the grounds that she was “improperly influenced by irrelevant considerations.”

The plaintiffs had argued that the cross-dressing offence contravenes the prohibition of discrimination and the guarantees of equality and freedom of expression, underArticles 149 and 146 of the Constitution. In a ruling just released, Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang however ruled against that argument, claiming, “At the highest, (sic) the Chief Magistrate can be accused of proselytising. But proselytising does not constitute a hindrance to freedom of thought and of religion.”

We will not break a lance at this time over his ruling on the “hindrance to freedom of thought and of religion” argument, but we believe that the plaintiffs should be granted relief on the implicit separation of Church and State stipulation of our Constitution as adumbrated above.

If a schoolteacher is prohibited from teaching religion in the classroom, how can we allow a member of the triune that constitute the State, to do otherwise?

Friday September 13, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news

Mr. Christopher Ram, has been conveniently looking the other way DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to revisit the issue of conflict of interest in the AFC in light of recent reports in the media that the AFC has formulated a Code of Conduct for its members. I would want to believe that conflict of interest is one of the issues addressed by the Code. You would rightly recall that Mr. Christopher Ram has been most vocal in and out of the media on the issue of conflict of interest in relation to the appointment of Geetangli Singh as Deputy Auditor General, a position in which she served for many years prior to her confirmation and

the Mr. Brassington brothers.

As you are aware both of these accusations were and remain baseless.

However, unlike Ms. Singh and the Brassington brothers, the conflict of interest position of the entire leadership of the AFC has been exposed and proven by a mountain of undisputable facts, including their own admissions - Khemraj Ramjattan, Fedders Lloyd and the Specialty Hospital; Kathy Hughes and Amaila Falls Hydropower Inc.; Nigel Hughes and Sithe Global; Moses Nagarmottoo and NICIL. Yet self-appointed crusader against conflict of

interest, Mr. Christopher Ram, has been conveniently looking the other way.

This silence of Mr. Christopher Ram is deafening.

He should know that as the self-appointed crusader against conflict of interest in Guyana he does not enjoy the luxury of being selective.

By choosing to be selective, as in this case, he is simply being hypocritical.

What is even more surprising is that the AFC, and more specifically, its l e a d e r , M r. K h e m r a j Ramjattan is calling on the President to reward this hypocrisy with Guyana’s highest national award, the

Order of Excellence. By simple logic, one is therefore forced to conclude that the AFC wants to reward Mr. Christopher Ram for ignoring the pandemic of conflict of interest within its leadership. Is there any limit to the AFC’s hypocrisy?

It is my understanding that Mr. Ram teaches Company Law at the University of Guyana.

This is interesting because conflict of interest is one of the main topics in C o m p a n y L a w. I a m therefore recommending that at a minimum, the cases of the Hughes be used as a case study in his tutorial class.

ReazHolladar

Is there a designated body for testing the quality of water from commercial suppliers?

DEAR EDITOR, Some years ago when we first relocated to Guyana, a major concern was water quality and safety. Peace of mind came with the installation of appropriate filter systems for general purposes and the use of commercial bottled water for drinking. Recently, however, I have had reason to question the quality of the commercial

bottled water after a colleague reported noticing the settling of particles in a glass of water fetched from the container of one of the popular local suppliers of the commodity.

Suggestions that the glass may have bee tainted was eschewed after a second glass was filled to produce the same results.

It is customary in other societies that periodic checks

are carried out by independent bodies on bottled water for quality assurance and more importantly, to ensure the safety of citizens. In view of glaring examples of public service systems that are allowed to operate at substandard level in Guyana, I wish to ask a few questions to which I hope answers will be provided:

1. Is there a designated body for testing the quality of water from commercial suppliers?

2. Is the water supplied by these commercial suppliers subjected to periodic testing?

3. Is there a standard for water quality set by the relevant government authorities?

I would be grateful for clarification on these questions.

John Campbell

Off the streets, in the play field DEAR EDITOR, Ms. Tamanisha John’s letter entitled “Education, along with youth involvement must be promoted to achieve gains,” published on September 6, 2013, highlighted the need for academic improvement of individuals as an important cog in the wheel of empowerment of the nation’s youth, alongside the programme of “servant leaders” being developed by the Linden based organisation, Youth Vision.

We would like to add that, in addition to the above, today’s youth must also be encouraged to participate in outdoor sporting activities.

As members of the Youth Empowerment, Inclusion and Reconciliation Project (YEIRP) sponsored by the U n i t e d N a t i o n s Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, we have conducted surveys which show that 80% of our young people do not engage in outdoor sporting activities, spending their time indoors playing electronic games or utilising the social media

networks. Of those who do partake in sport, the lack of proper facilities and fields force them to literally play on the streets (football, basketball, cricket).

One of the goals of YEIRP is, through the provision of grant funding, various subgroups can identify small projects which can be executed to the benefit of their local community. As members of the Linden subgroup we have decided to undertake the rehabilitation of the public open space which is located in front of the Mackenzie Primary School, in Kara Kara, Mackenzie.

This abandoned play field is currently a sight for sore eyes, overgrown with bush and serving as cattle pasture.

Our objective is that, working in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Mayor and Town Council (M&TC), we can successfully rehabilitate this playfield and restore it to its original purpose, which is to be utilised for games and recreation. We are hoping that this will entice the young people to cease engaging in

sporting activities on the roadways and would lead to the formation of Youth Clubs and Groups that would encourage those currently engrossed with electronic games and social media to come out and take part in healthy outdoor activities.

Healthy bodies do nurture healthy minds, and the consequential social

interaction fostered among the youth can be a meaningful contribution towards their overall empowerment, alongside academic improvement and the goals of the Linden Youth Vision Programme.

Ariana Barnwell Nickel McIntosh Leon Daniels Sierra Morris

If this crime wave does not stop all will be lost.

DEAR EDITOR Please allow me space in your newspaper to comment on the crime situation in Guyana.

The recent escalation in crimes in Guyana which has resulted in the deaths of many young and old men mostly of East Indian ancestry has put fear in the hearts of many overseas Guyanese who were planning to come home to stay and for holidays.

The progress of a country is not only measured by gains made by public and private sectors, its infrastructure or its economic growth but also by the well-being of its people.

If people have to constantly

live in fear of being attacked by bandits then their well being is affected.

The worrisome thing is that these crimes are rarely solved and nothing is being done by all those who are in authority to seriously address this issue. These crimes are treated in such a matter-of-fact way that leaves one to believe that people no longer value life.

Guyana is making wonderful strides in the tourism sector and if this crime wave does not stop all will be lost.

B. Rahaman Toronto Ontario Canada

Friday September 13, 2013

Kaieteur News

Intervening measures by NGO lend to improved Science performances Intervening measures at four target primary schools, may have allowed for noticeable improvement of pupils’ science performances.

At least this is the deduction of officials of the Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG) Non-Governmental Organisation, which during a recent interview with this publication concluded that “the intervention was a major contributory factor.”

The intervention, which was funded by Exxon Mobil, an American multi-national oil and gas corporation headquartered in Irving, Texas, United States, was characterised by an Inquirybased Science Education (IBSE) project at the target schools, which came to an official end last month.

The project was conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education through its National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

According to YCG’s Education Programme Manager, Germaine Watson, some 400 pupils and 20 teachers, from the Skeldon and All Saints Primaries in

Region Six and the Peter’s Hall and Beterverwagting/ Triumph Primaries in Region Four, were reached through the project. They all benefited from training aimed at improving their understanding of Science.

The project saw YCG providing kits to enable training in the use of InquiryBased Science, with a view to enhancing the skills of teachers as well as to increase access to instructional materials by students at the Grades Five and Six levels.

Facilitated by the Education Ministry’s National Science Coordinator, Ms Petal PunalallJettoo, the IBSE Project was intended to use laboratory and household equipment to better teach and understand Science by doing practical activities.

“We supported NCERD to make these things happen...so this means that we find ways that we can use the skills that exist within the network of YCG to give a knowledge-base to what NCERD is doing. Moreover, what we do is find the people and resources to aid what NCERD does,” said Watson.

And although there are a number of factors that can determine the performances of pupils, Watson is convinced that “the results show that we can expect students to be performing better in Science in the schools that participated.” He noted that despite the possibility that the improved performances may be considered a small accomplishment, it was realised within a relatively short period. The project was implemented during the second term of the school year, and according to Watson “in the very second and third terms we saw an increase in results in terms of the number of passes of pupils in Science.”

According to YCG’s Executive Director, Dmitri Nicholson, the nongovernmental organisation has been collaborating extensively with the Education Ministry, and doing so in the area of Science comes even as moves are being made to bolster interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

And it is the expectation of Nicholson that the trained teachers will be able to use their skills to create among themselves a network where they can discuss with each other, ways to improve their methods of teaching.

“We think that the long term effect would become greater, because they will not need an outside intervention to improve the science grades,” said Nicholson.

But according to Watson, although the science project has come to an end, YCG will still be looking to offer its assistance to the schools in terms of follow-up training.

This is essential, he said, since “Science is changing all the time and there are techniques that we can research and implement...”

He noted that although the Science Curriculum is standard, the method of teaching can vary at individual schools. And since there is a manual that goes along with the Science curriculum, Watson said that any changes in the curriculum will have to be reflected in the manual, an undertaking that YCG is

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YCG’s Dmitri Nicholson (left) and Germaine Watson

capable and willing to engage.

The YCG officials are also hoping to take the inquirybased programme to other schools, and are therefore anticipating further financial support from Exxon Mobil.

However, the NGO officials are optimistic that similar support could be realised from local private sector companies that would be willing to support a worthy initiative.

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Kaieteur News

Friday September 13, 2013

GPL fails to meet loss C’tyne rice miller robbery/murder... reduction targets Six held for questioning Instead of meeting its targets in terms of loss reduction, Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) has instead seen an increase of 0.4 per cent as it relates to technical and commercial losses in the first half of this year.

This disclosure was made recently by GPL’s Divisional Director (tasked with loss reduction) Kumar Sharma, when top brass of the company met with members of the public to discuss its performance.

“We did not meet our targets for 2011, 2012 and 2013…Instead of achieving a reduction in losses for the period, we are seeing a 0.4 per cent increase for the first half of this year,” Sharma said.

In fact last year, instead of reducing losses, the company saw an increase in losses, as is the continuing trend this year.

Tracing its losses over the year, Kumar said that while the power company would have managed to reduce its overall losses between 2005 and 2010, “from 2010 on we have been finding it very difficult.”

Between 2010 and 2013 the losses, both technical

“…has been increasing in recent years” – Divisional Director and commercial, have been on the increase.

Kumar explained that the technical losses are caused mainly by inadequate equipment capacity, and old and obsolete cables among other factors. According to the Divisional Director, there has not been any major investment in GPL since the 1970s to tackle loss reduction.

“The (US$42M) Chinese project is now dealing with some of the technical aspects of the losses.” He said that the commercial losses are mainly caused by illegal connections, tampered and bypassed meters and metering problems.

During the meeting it was disclosed that almost 4000 specialized (Itron) meters were installed, but according to Sharma, while this was meant to tackle losses, it was found that persons have still been able to tamper with the meters. As such the power company is now looking to install ‘Advance Metering Infrastructure’ (AMI) which

the officials have described as state-of-the-art.

“We will have to look now at improving our metering programme to introduce new technology to support us,” said Kumar.

The power company will be installing the AMI system particularly in the central Georgetown business district.

Kumar said the contract was inked last year and will be completed by the end of October. He lamented the fact that the “cost to reduce losses is extremely expensive.”

He said the politicians and members of the public may not be aware of the cost factor. Kumar explained that in order for the power company to secure funds for loss reduction, it has to develop pilot projects to demonstrate that the methods work.

He said that the power company will be spending US$5M for two pilot projects funded by the Inter-American Development Bank. The first was completed in the first quarter of this year at Cummings Park, where there was extremely high theft of electricity.

Kumar stressed that the power company introduced a medium voltage distribution system which eliminated the secondary low voltage network. This method saw smaller transformers being installed on the utility poles while the meters would be installed directly below.

This project is now being analyzed in order to determine the recovery rate of the system. Kumar said that prior to the project being instituted, there were hundreds of illegal connections.

Police are questioning six people in connection with the murder of 74-year-old Lallapersaud ‘Lall’ Juggerdeo, who was shot dead Tuesday night at his home in Number 51 Village, Corentyne.

Juggerdeo was shot in the left side of his chest when he reportedly confronted gunmen in his yard. Reports indicate that the bandits, who went to great pains to conceal their features, fled emptyhanded into the backlands.

Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell told reporters yesterday that the elderly farmer owned a licenced firearm.

An autopsy performed yesterday by Government Pathologist Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan revealed that he died from shock and hemorrhage.

Juggerdeo’s son, Basant

Juggerdeo, criticized the response that evening by claiming that the police at the Number 62 Village Impact Base had great difficulty starting their pick-up.

“Their vehicle battery wasn’t starting up and they had to get a push-start.” He claimed, too, that it took them awhile to arrive after the bandits had left, and that when they came, “they came with pen and paper—I don’t know if pen and paper can find the bandits.”

The man’s son also stated that police arrived at his home yesterday afternoon and conducted a search. He lives in the front house in the yard.

He stated that they were searching “for ammunition.”

He questioned the “stupidity” of the search and stated that someone dropped a plastic bag with money from

SHOT DEAD: Lallapersaud ‘Lall’ Juggerdeo a transaction yesterday at his home and that the police at Number 51 Police Station might have been ‘tipped off’.

Juggerdeo will be buried at the Number 55 Cemetery on Sunday.

Three foreigners fined for illegal entry A Colombian and two Venezuelan nationals who came to Guyana illegally to enjoy the country’s hospitality, instead, enjoyed the hospitality of the police holding cell at Charity as they failed to present themselves to an immigration officer.

It was alleged that on September 4, at Charity, Essequibo, Venezuelans Paulo Carlos Raimoado Garraway,40, and Sanchez Louis Jose, 24, along with Colombian national Alfanso Solano Canaseal,75, entered Guyana by sea and disembarked without the consent of an immigration officer.

To the allegations the trio pleaded guilty.

With the help of a

translator, who is also an immigration officer, the court was told that the three accused are businessmen and Canaseal is the father-inlaw of Garraway.

While the facts of the matter were not read in open court, Garraway revealed that a friend told him that one can travel from Venezuela to Guyana without travel documents and he and his

father-in-law and friend were not aware that it is an offence.

Since ignorance of the law is not an excuse, the trio was subsequently ordered to pay a fine of $30,000 or spend three months in prison.

The men indicated to the court that they will pay the fine and the Chief Magistrate also ordered that they be escorted back to the border after the payment is made.

There is no need to...

(From page 3) the focus we intend to pursue over the next months,” the Minister stated.

He added that it is his hope that the police reforms bring the requisite benefits or are translated into the requisite action. Rohee brushed aside those who he said are quick to criticize the force and his stewardship of the security sector.

The opposition had passed a no confidence motion against him in parliament and has been refusing to cooperate with anything that has to do with his Ministry, including the passing of Bills tabled by him.

“For you to make a call like that, you have to have strong moral grounds…They have an old saying that people in glass house shouldn’t throw stones,” the Minister said.

Rohee, who was recently appointed General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party, believes that his new position will not affect his performance in the high profile Ministry.

“I have a job to do; in fact I have two jobs to do. I have so arranged my life and I have so arranged my time to ensure that neither side is shortchanged, and that the health and vitality of the General Secretary and the Minister of Home Affairs remain intact,” he declared.

He also dismissed suggestions that the police reforms are not making any sense or that they are not being productive.

“Change is a process that takes time. This is not an event…and when you are talking about seeking to effect changes to a strategic plan of an institution such as the Guyana Police Force, because you are dealing with people, it takes patience and consistency,” Rohee stated.

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

Friday September 13, 2013

Kaieteur News

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The Norwegians will not renege on their agreement with Guyana One of the longest established conventions in international politics is that despite changes in government, most countries honour the agreements made by previous administrations with other countries. To do otherwise would be to hurt the international credibility and image of the country, and this can have terrible effects on how other nations relate to that country.

A country’s word is its honour, and regardless if that word was given by a previous administration, there is an acceptance that only because of serious reasons should international or bilateral agreements be overturned.

Recently there were elections in Norway. That country has a partnership agreement with Guyana in which Norway has agreed to provide substantial funding to Guyana in return for certain commitments relating to the environment. This agreement has long been recognized as being advantageous to both countries, but particularly so to Norway, who at the time of the signing was seeking to bolster its environmental footprint in the wake of an impending major climate change conference in Copenhagen, and in light of serious criticisms of its own domestic environmental record.

Norway is a major oilproducing nation with perhaps the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world.

Many years ago, Guyana learnt about these sovereign wealth funds and decided to target them. These funds can be used for investments overseas, and the Guyana government at the time had decided that there was the possibility of these funds being invested in Guyana. As

such, a one-man diplomacy was launched to seek access to these funds, but nothing materialized from these excursions.

Guyana did, however, manage to secure an agreement with Norway in which that country would provide about US$50M per year to this country, a relatively significant investment which unfortunately has been hobbled by the mechanism that has been instituted to disburse the funds.

There have been concerns expressed that with a conservative party leading a coalition government in Norway, this could have implications for the agreement between that country and Guyana.

The worry is unwarranted; firstly because the funds being provided to Guyana are not the subject of the massive sovereign wealth fund that is held by Norway, but more importantly, international countries do not operate that way.

If bilateral agreements could be reneged every time a country changes government, it could pose serious problems for international cooperation between states.

There should therefore be no worry about the change of government in Norway. It is true that there is likely now that there is a conservativeled coalition government in place in that country for greater attention to be paid to domestic issues.

Indeed there is already talk that Norway may split its sovereign wealth fund into two parts, one of which would be to allow some portion of the proceeds to be invested in infrastructural development. This, however, will not affect Norway’s

international agreements and there should be little worry about any such possibility.

Such worry is misplaced, as is the worry over an antiimmigration backlash in Norway.

Norway has a significant immigrant population, and thus it is not easy for any new government to attempt the sort of policies in Norway that were being promoted by the outgoing government in Australia to discourage illegal migration.

Norway is not a model nation by any means. As events last year revealed, there remain serious problems. Guyana, however, should attempt to deepen its relations with that country, since the welfare model of most Scandinavian countries is one that should be examined more closely to see how they can be adapted to this country’s own needs.

A United Nations World Happiness Index Report ranks Scandinavian countries

as having the “happiest” people in the world. This is as a direct consequence of the welfare states of these countries.

Norway is ranked second to Denmark, and is followed

by Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden and Canada, all considered states with good welfare systems.

Why with such a contented population would Norway then wish to renege on an agreement with a foreign country? It is not a

nation in financial crisis. So, why do this when there is no shortage of funds?

Guyana should not worry about Norway reneging on the agreement that really represents the only thing of substance that Guyana has to show under the Low Carbon Development Strategy.

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Kaieteur News

Friday September 13, 2013

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Where do we go from here?

It is interesting that there is a common question people ask me all the time – what is going to happen to Guyana given the current stalemate – and I ask senior politicians the exact question when I run into them. People would come up to me and inquire of my opinion as to where I think Guyana is going. It happens almost every day.

At the back of their mind is fear, the trepidation that the political impasse will lead to something unpleasant. I don’t think you can blame them for feeling this way.

There is not even a modicum of activity out there that gives the Guyanese people hope that even on one item, just a single item of national importance, the opposition

and government will sit around the table and there will be bits of compromise on both sides.

Speaking for myself, I think it is a logical question to ask those that are in the thick of politics, civil society activists and my media colleagues, and therefore I make the same enquiry. I get the identical answer from people, though the interpretations take different shape. But they point to one pathway - the impasse will continue and they sense something negative will result. Here is a sample of those opinions People close to the AFC and APNU leadership think the PPP’s insecurity and paranoia will get worse,

because the PPP will not accept giving concessions to both AFC and APNU. Their assessment is that given the rampant insecurity in the PPP, just one concession will cause the PPP to think of the domino effect. I was told that it was morbid insecurity that led to the mistreatment of Ralph Ramkarran.

I was informed that Ramkarran was greeted with a barrage of condemnations with the repetitive accusation of ‘how can you write such things at a time like this?’

Simply put, PPP leaders were telling Ramkarran that he needed to be more supportive because the PPP is weak, it lost a parliamentary majority and therefore it doesn’t need one of its top leaders publicly

castigating the government.

Most Guyanese, I think, accept this version of the split. It is public knowledge that Mr. Ramkarran was greeted with abuse because he was told that his open castigations were aiding “the enemy.” This is typical behaviour you find in communist and authoritarian systems. Sometimes it goes very far and deadly. There are times when the outspoken critics within a ruling communist party or in an authoritarian system can come to harm for speaking out.

Almost all of the people in politics, civil society and the media that I chat with on the state of affairs in Guyana, feel that the PPP will not

Guyanese invited to develop St. Vincent’s housing sector St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has invited Guyanese housing developers to travel to the island, to assist in the enhancement of the housing sector there.

This is according to the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh, who said that the invitation was extended upon the completion of a recent tour by the Vincentian leader, to several housing schemes along the East Bank Demerara corridor.

Gonsalves was at the time paying a brief visit to Guyana as he prepares to take up the Chairmanship of CARICOM. Chevon Singh, Communications Officer of the GTA said that during his stay, Gonsalves said that he heard much about Guyana’s housing programme, and therefore wanted the see the model that is being used.

GTA was then tasked with conducting the tour.

Gonsalves was quoted by the GTA as being impressed

St. Vincent and the Grenadines PM, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves by what he had witnessed.

Singh explained that should the local developers take up the offer, they would have to work along with the state-owned Housing and Land Development Cooperation of St. Vincent.

Prime Minister Gonsalves noted in a statement that “the state-owned Housing and Land Development Cooperation does good work but also there is scope for Private Sector development and they have the liquidity

and there are opportunities, obviously you will get a greater return than if you leave your money in the bank… the people also from the private sector who are investing, I would like some of them to come to St. Vincent to assist with the investment programme for housing.”

According to Dr. Gonsalves the developmental model being adopted in Guyana also allows for the integration of private sector development, taking into consideration ‘low middle income’ and ‘middle income’ settlements.

Alluding to the significance of this, the St. Vincent leader said, “I like the idea because of the amount of space you have, you can integrate private sector development houses of a bigger kind with the low middle income and middle income houses. Obviously when they are integrated they will give a particular effect.”

According to the GTA Director, Gonsalves also asserted that the “success

story” of Guyana’s housing sector is one that should be told to the various Caribbean countries, and further afield.

Accompanied by Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali on the tour, Gonsalves lauded the policies and initiatives to create “affordable” housing for its citizens.

Minister Ali acknowledged Prime Minister Gonsalves’ role in spearheading a new vision of the region, leading the whole process of integration.

“I am very delighted that Prime Minister Gonsalves himself is leading this effort at looking at examples within countries, and to see how we can apply different examples in the region to further strengthen our programme.”

He also explained that Gonsalves “has given us some good ideas on how to further improve the housing programme here and to further expand it. I think he is indeed a man of the region; he has a good understanding of all the countries within the region and the social fabric within the region.”

The Housing Minister also expressed that Guyana is looking forward to having the private sector benefit from the integration with St. Vincent, as well as to collaborate with St. Vincent to have an investment forum for GuyExpo.

Additionally, Prime Minister Gonsalves said that he finds it especially inspiring that there are a number of women who are getting involved as contractors. “…so there is a change sociologically too and in the business community, it is fantastic,” he asserted.

dialogue with the opposition on anything, and their conclusion is that Guyana will just drift along and keep drifting or that some vexed issue will galvanize the opposition into some kind of demonstrative action.

Everyone that I have spoken with insist that Mr. Ramotar will not emerge as his own man and define his legacy. This I think is a development that Mr. Ramotar should think about.

I say most unambiguously, from leading politicians in both AFC and APNU to prominent businessmen to academics, commentators, civil society activists and the media community, the solid opinion is that there will not emerge in the government, a president that will take bold, innovative initiatives that will win him national admiration and endorsement.

There are folks out there that believe Mr. Ramotar is happy with the PPP’s attitude to the AFC and APNU and will join his colleagues in resisting inclusive politics. There is also the opinion that I got from people in the know who feel that the PPP wants to hold elections to win back

Frederick Kissoon Parliament and then open the door for Mr. Jagdeo’s return to high politics. This sounds plausible and indeed it is an opinion shared by the average citizen.

I must say that among APNU and AFC activists, there is also the contrary view that the PPP executives don’t want elections because they are uncertain of the outcome.

They believe it is a risk that the PPP is not willing to take and they cite the Ramkarran factor. The consensus is that the PPP will get hurt at the poll if Ramkarran gets active.

We can conclude by saying there isn’t one person, not one person, who believes that political progress is on the horizon. It is depressing news, but I believe as a commentator I should share the vibes that come from the society with my readers. But life is full of unexpected events that change the course of history.

Dem boys seh...

De cabinet gun holler ‘wrong place’ De government like to invite de media when is time fuh photograph. When dem got to cut ribbon or dribble pun some baby dem want de camera, but when is time fuh dem face de camera to answer serious question is another story.

All dem know to do good is walk pun de road and skin dem teeth when people looking.

Serious business is another thing. Sam Hinds is one of dem who don’t like get he back against de wall. When he in trouble he quick to tell de world is not he. Dem boys remember de time when he go to a function wid he wife and de master of ceremonies claim how Sam wife name Elizabeth.

De next thing dem boys see is Sam talking to de MC. De mike was on and everybody hear when he begging de man to explain that he mek a mistake because he wife name Yvonne. He claim how he gun get in trouble, that he wife gun mek he life a living hell.

That is de same man who get deaf, dumb and blind when dem boys confront he wid de Amaila Falls issue. He sign and deny that he put he signature pun any document. Even when de Waterfalls paper print he signature pun de Amaila document de man just play dotish. He shoulda do de same thing when de man call he wife Elizabeth.

Dem boys seh that is time fuh he get out of de politics.

He need to just rest heself. But then again Donald ain’t want give de man that chance. De other day Donald people send some Cabinet poster to de Waterfalls paper. Dem send one to de boss man and one to Uncle Adam. Dem poster got Sam but he wasn’t smiling this time.

Dem boys get nervous when dem hear de Waterfalls boss man holler “Wrong place. Wrong place.” Dem remember de lady of de night who end up in a predicament and holler “Wrong place” just like de Waterfalls boss man.

De boss man explain that de Cabinet poster should be sent to all dem jail. Uncle Adam sending he own to de female prison because dem got women in de Cabinet too and most of dem belong in jail. De poster got to paste up in all dem jail suh de prisoners can see who coming and mek de necessary plans to mek some of dem holler “Wrong place.”

Talk half and wait fuh de Cabinet holler.

Friday September 13, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Special audit finds tainted procurement processes at UG The functioning of the University of Guyana has been considerably affected by tainted procurement processes, a state of affairs which was listed among the damning findings of a recently concluded special audit within the Bursary.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, disclosed that of grave concern is the fact that the University hadn’t a standard contract document in place, thereby allowing for contract clauses to vary from contractor to contractor.

“You will see one clause in one person’s contract and it is different in another...If a contract is for Mr ‘A’, some clauses are put into that contract and if it’s for Mrs ‘B’ they take out those clauses, so there is no standard document.”

Added to this, Professor Opadeyi revealed that contracts were not being subjected to legal reviews in order to protect the interest of the University.

He spoke of a particular finding, uncovered by University of the West Indies financial experts - who conducted the special audit on a Pro bono basis - whereby a contract for the sum of $500,000 presented some obtrusive inconsistencies.

The contract, which catered to the refurbishment of a classroom within the Technology Building, was executed in 2011.

However, according to the Vice Chancellor, not only was the contractor’s name in the agreement different from the person who signed the contract, but the cheques written were to persons other

UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi than those two.

Citing another analogy, Professor Opadeyi explained that the University had awarded a contract for certain works to be done and had even paid the contractor the first instalment. However, the findings of the special audit revealed that there were no deliverables as it relates to that contract. The Vice Chancellor noted though that “we did not go back to collect the first cheque that we paid the contractor and up to today that work was not done.”

And since there has been failure on the part of the University to implement a formal contract system, the Professor observed that this could see the tertiary institution being subject to legal risks, including contract fraud and the inability to enforce contractual obligations.

As such, the University had found itself vulnerable to financial losses and further complex legal issues if attempts were made to

enforce contracts. Further still, there was evidence of lack of proper monitoring of the quality of the work, even while contract works were in progress.

The findings of the audit also reflect that there was insufficient monitoring of amounts paid in advance for procurement of goods, and according to Professor Opadeyi, “we have a situation where we are still a cash society and so we give somebody $5 million to buy something needed for a department...There is no effort made to ensure that the person actually bought what they say that they were going to buy or make sure that they give us all the receipts for the procurement.”

“It is okay to give a truck driver $4 million for his services without receiving a receipt, but you cannot operate like that,” insisted the Vice Chancellor, who disclosed that several procurements are yet to be balanced.

He highlighted that there are a number of ways in which the University has not received value for financial advances since “we give funds for people to buy things, but we are not in the position to know whether we got everything and whether the proper checks and balances have been put in place.”

“Goods could have been received, but the cost not declared to the relevant expense accounts, and what

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

will follow is an inaccurate financial statement,” Professor Opadeyi pointed out. He said that it was such perceptible concerns that led him to call for the initiation of the special audit.

He intimated that it was one month after assuming the position of Vice Chancellor earlier this year that he was able to detect financial deficiencies.

“When I joined the University and I asked ‘can I see the financial statement of the University’, of course, the first thing (said) was ‘Vice Chancellor what do you need that for? You are not the boss!’”

However, Professor Opadeyi said that he was required to emphasise that as the Chief Executive Officer of the University, “I must see the financial statement on my table every week.”

It was following this request that he was confronted with a daunting situation where “I get one figure in the morning around 9, and by 10am I would get a new figure that is totally different from the one at 9, and by 2 in the afternoon the same day there is a different figure...and the changes are so glaring”.

He noted that since the situation was not one of decimal places, commas or typographical errors, he was forced to inquire of the reasons for the various changes.

“That was how it was happening for over a month and I said I cannot deal with this, I need a special audit...because I needed to know how much money this University has, who we are owing, and since when we have been owing them.”

But even based on the findings of the special audit, the University is still unable to ascertain its total available finances. This is expected, since the relevant officers within the institution have had difficulties in performing accounts reconciliation and there have been consistent budget deficits, according to Professor Opadeyi.

Moreover, he disclosed that workers are unable to benefit from certain financial entitlements including gratuity and travel allowances, but there is no account for such actions because “we have been using an accounting system of pulling money from one account to the next.”

The state of affairs has since led to the termination of the contracts of both the Bursar and the Chief Accountant.

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Friday September 13, 2013

Meten-Meer-Zorg robbery/murder…

Stolen phone found on suspect Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell said yesterday that the murder of MetenMeer-Zorg grocer Zulficar Namdar “appears to be a hit” and investigators have detained four suspects and impounded a car that the killers may have used.

“It appears to us to be a hit, because the information that we got is that the men came in firing. The deceased was shot early…” the Commissioner said, while fielding questions from journalists at the Ministry of Home Affairs boardroom.

Reassuring that investigators were “working assiduously,” Brumell also revealed that an individual who had allegedly threatened Namdar was among those detained. Another suspect who was held with a phone that was stolen during the robbery is also in custody.

“So far we have arrested four persons. I can go so far as to say that one of the phones missing from there (the crime scene) was

discovered on somebody. We have arrested that person. I am sure that we will get somewhere with that. It is alleged that a car that was used, or was seen the night, which two persons got into… we have arrested the driver and we have that car There is also another person where it is alleged that threats were issued to the deceased. We have that person in custody.

“We are working assiduously. We want to let the Guyanese public know we are trying our utmost. We are trying as hard as we can to solve this matter.”

Kaieteur News was told that an in-law of the slain man is among those taken into custody on Wednesday and yesterday. Police have received information that the in-law had threatened Namdar over a financial dispute involving the victim and some of the in-law’s relatives.

However, a police source stressed that investigators have not ruled out robbery as a primary motive.

This newspaper was told that two of the suspects have prior convictions for armed robbery. Investigators have swabbed the hands of the detained individuals for traces of gunpowder residue and are awaiting results.

Zulficar ‘Vicky’ Namdar, 25, was shot once to his upper body after heavily-armed and masked gunmen invaded the family’s Lot 76 Third Street Meten–Meer–Zorg home on Tuesday night.

The gunmen reportedly tried to shoot Namdar a second time, but instead wounded his 17-year-old employee Stephen Mohamed. He was shot in the left thigh. Police said that shells recovered at the scene revealed that some of the gunmen were carrying assault rifles.

Mohamed said that Namdar was preparing to give a customer his change when one of the gunmen ordered the occupants of the grocery store to remain still. The bandit then ordered two of Namdar’s friends to lie on the ground and hand over their cell phones.

According to Mohamed, his employer was about to put the change back in a drawer when the gunman shot him.

While two of the gunmen manned the narrow street in

front of the Namdars, two remained in the shop area with Namdar’s friends still face down on the ground. Two more entered the yard, where they met Namdar’s mother, 48year-old Fazila Namdar and Carlo Ussuf, another one of the family’s employees.

According to Mohamed, some of the masked gunmen then went to Ussuf. They apparently mistook him for Zulficar Namdar’s father, Goolzar Namdar, and repeatedly demanded to know “wheh the money deh.”

He was saved when an undisclosed sum of cash, jewellery, passports and other documents were handed over.

Fifty-year-old Goolzar Namdar, a popular Commissioner of Oaths in the West Demerara area and the Regional Vice President of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) said that the bandits made off with more than $1M in charity and orphan money. They also took jewellery and important documents.

The senior Namdar said that he was preparing for the last prayer of the day, according to Muslim custom, when he heard the commotion in the yard. He said he remained calm and did not give away his position, but was gravely concerned about

Zulficar ‘Vicky’ Namdar his grandson who was running around asking for him.

Mr. Namdar was still unaware that his son had been shot. He told Kaieteur News that he is a licenced firearm holder, but that his weapon was in the upper flat.

Kaieteur News has confirmed that Zulficar Namdar, called ‘Vicky’, was charged in December 2008 for causing the death of eightyear-old Alecia Forrester.

It was alleged that the child and her mother and stepfather were crossing Kidram Street, Vreed-enHoop on December 28, 2008, when a car, driven by Namdar, struck Forrester. The child

was pronounced dead on arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital. Her stepfather was hospitalized with injuries to his shoulder.

It was alleged that Namdar drove past the Leonora Police Station. He was eventually apprehended at a police roadblock at Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara.

He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

Namdar was released on $150,000 bail.

According to the dead child’s grandmother, some of Namdar’s relatives visited her home shortly after the tragedy and offered them assistance with the funeral.

She said that although she turned them away, the relatives returned after Forrester’s stepfather was released from hospital.

However, she said that the driver’s relatives returned and offered the bereaved family a $600,000 financial settlement.

The child’s mother said that they accompanied the family to a Charlotte Street building, where a female attorney drafted the documents for the settlement.

The woman said that a Magistrate was then informed of the agreement and the causing death charge was dropped.

PM promises statement on GEA Prime Minister Samuel Hinds yesterday declined to answer questions about the recent revelations made in relation to the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) as regards the secrecy surrounding its board of directors.

Hinds in a brief telephone interview with Kaieteur News said that he would not be responding to any questions about what Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram wrote about the GEA. Hinds told the Kaieteur News Reporter, “I was having a good day until you called….I am not answering any questions, I will be issuing a statement on the matter tomorrow (today).”

Last week Ram had made his inference as he disclosed that there is some amount of secrecy surrounding the Board of Directors of the GEA. The Accountant explained that over the past week, he tried obtaining copies of the annual reports and financial statements of the Guyana Energy Agency

and the names of the Directors from the entity’s Legal Officer.

According to Ram, GEA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mahender Sharma, to whom his mail was referred, would only say, in relation to the Directors, that “we are awaiting the finalization of one more Director from the Private Sector. When we have the complete list, the names can be made available to you.”

In his article, Ram hinted that there could indeed be an absence of a board at GEA, noting that after all, the term “Directors” is used only once in the GEA’s 2012-2016 Strategic Plan, while the term “governance” is missing completely.

Ram stated that “the same is true of the document titled 2012 Activities where the term “Directors” is used once – in a narrative on the law.” Ram noted that the GEA Act requires both an Annual Report and financial statements of the Agency to

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds be tabled in the National Assembly. However, no report has ever been tabled.

According to the Analyst, it seems as if GEA has a natural hangover from former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

“There are clearly severe gaps in the Agency’s governance arrangements with the identities of the Directors a matter of secrecy.”

Friday September 13, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 13

Caribbean’s exports to grow by 1.5%, imports 4.5% in 2013 Regional export values are expected to grow by just 1.5% in 2013 (3% in volumes and -1.5% in prices) - which is similar to the 1.4% growth observed in 2012.

Meanwhile, imports are expected to expand by 4.5%, which will bring the region’s trade surplus down to 8.0 billion dollars in 2013 (compared to 41.0 billion dollars in 2012), according to estimates presented yesterday in Santiago in a new report from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

In its annual report, Latin American and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2013, the Commission said that the weak global economy continues to affect the buoyancy of world trade.

The latter is expected to grow by around 2.5% in volume in 2013.

This would mean trade growing more slowly than global GDP for the second year in a row - which has not been seen since the 1980s.

Mexico and Central America, which export mainly to the United States, are predicted to benefit from the emerging recovery in that country. However, limited European growth will slow exports from some South American countries that focus on that particular market.

Latin American and Caribbean countries whose exports are mainly to China and the rest of Asia will probably chalk up higher volume growth, while at the same time experiencing a gradual change in demand from commodities to more processed products.

In terms of countries, Paraguay and Uruguay show the largest increases in export values in 2013 (33% and 14%, respectively), and this was largely due to considerable export growth in soybean and meat exports.

In contrast, some of the region’s countries are seeing their export values fall, such as Peru (9.7%) and Guatemala

(-5%). Mexico, the region’s top exporter, will see export growth of almost 3%. Brazil, the region’s second main exporter, will see a standstill in exports.

The document also shows gains in the region’s terms of trade between 2004 and 2011, which accounted for almost half of growth in gross national income in Chile (47%), as well as major contributions in Ecuador (35%), Mexico (27%) and Brazil (22%).

These figures show an excessive dependence on the cycle of international commodity prices (a crucial feature of the region’s development).

In the report, ECLAC states that one of the main features of the current international economic situation is mega-regional negotiations linking the main world production networks: Europe, North America and Asia.

Several mega-regional negotiations underway are changing the face of world trade. Some of the main examples include the TransPacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the European Union and the United States, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) (involving the 10 ASEAN members, and Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) and the free trade agreements between China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and between the

Regional imports are expected to increase by 4.5% this year.

European Union and Japan.

All of these initiatives aim to create large economically integrated spaces at the regional level (in Asia), as well as at the trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific levels.

These mega-negotiations include topics that are not regulated by the World Trade Organization and that are important for international production networks. The agenda is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with a view to harmonizing the operating rules of various production networks to facilitate the operations of multinationals in North America, Europe and Asia.

Mega-regional negotiations underway will probably have considerable impact on the geographical distribution and governance of world trade and investment

flows over the next few years.

The scale of these initiatives could result in a redefinition of the rules of international trade by 2020. To date, this redefinition has taken place on the periphery of the WTO and without tackling some of the pending issues on the trade agenda that are the most interesting to developing

countries.

According to the document, as well as diverted trade and investment flows, these negotiations could result in the region’s countries facing restricted access to knowledge and innovation opportunities provided by new technologies, if the positions

of the lobbies observed so far in the main economies prevail.

The document also examines the potential of some sub-regional production networks, as well as suggesting policies that place learning about clusters and new-wave industrial policies at the heart of regional integration. ‘

Page 14

Kaieteur News

Friday September 13, 2013

Dual role of GEA boss inappropriate With the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) not having a Board of Directors, Mahender Sharma, the entity’s Chief Executive Officer, is possibly carrying out the functions of the Board.

This is highly inappropriate since in management there is need for segregation of duties, especially in Agencies, such as the GEA, that handle large sums of money and exercise a lot of power.

This was the assertion of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Parliamentarian, Jaipaul Sharma, during an interview with this publication. He said that GEA needs special attention, a proper audit, and an experienced accountant, particularly since it would automatically be responsible for the Amaila Falls Hydropower project when it is implemented in accordance with section 7 (1) of the Guyana Energy Act 1997.

He was at the time commenting on the findings of Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram, which highlighted improprieties and illegalities at GEA. Ram on his website, chirsram.net said

- APNU MP

GEA Head Mahender Sharma GEA, which is responsible for a whopping US$350M of the nation’s transactions, practices poor accounting and members of the Board of Directors are unknown.

Ram stated that while the GEA came into existence in late 1997 and commenced operations in 1998, it was more than 12 years before any accounts were tabled in the National Assembly. The records indicate that audited financial statements, and not annual reports, were tabled in the National Assembly for years up to 2009.

And, according to the GEA’s 2012 activities, the audits for the years 2010 and 2011 have been completed, but these have not been tabled.

While commending Ram on his works, Sharma sought to clarify certain conclusions drawn by the Chartered Accountant in relation to the National Assembly and the Public Accounts Committee.

According to Ram, “The Assembly for 15 years voted subventions for this body without once asking about how those subventions were being spent. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was equally not alert to the omission”.

Jaipaul Sharma, a member of the Public Accounts Committee, said that the Auditor General Report presented to the National Assembly and scrutinized in the PAC, vaguely looks at statutory bodies and special investigations. He explained that because of the vagueness it is impossible to ask questions. However,

separate audited reports are prepared for these bodies and tabled by the respective Ministers.

Being more specific, he said financial documents relating to GEA do not go to the PAC but rather to the Natural Resources Committee. In addition, the Minister of Finance is responsible for tabling the GEA’s financial documents and annual reports.

Attempts to contact APNU’s Rupert Roopnaraine and PPP Parliamentarian Odinga Lumumba, members of the Natural Resources Committee, were unsuccessful.

According to Jaipaul Sharma, the problems of GEA’s financial reporting are historical. He reflected that GEA was established on June 1, 1998, with the assets and liabilities of the Guyana National Energy Authority (GNEA) which was dissolved on May 31, 1998. The GNEA did not prepare and submit financial statements for the period 1985 to 1995.

He noted that though GEA was being audited, Government never submitted the financial statements until June 27, 2013, for the period 1998 to 2009. Government had been delinquent for numerous years in submitting annual reports, and financial statements are now being released. But, with a new dispensation in Parliament the Opposition holding a oneseat majority - the Government is now forced to release these financial documents. He was clear it had nothing to do with a change of presidency.

Sharma emphasized that even with this submission, the agency is still not in compliance with the law.

According to Section 30 (1) and (2) of the Guyana Energy Act 1997, the agency is required not later than six months from the end of each calendar year to submit a report to the Minister, containing an account of their transactions throughout the year and a statement of accounts of the agency audited. Further, the report together with a copy of the Auditor General’s report shall be laid in the National Assembly.

Jaipaul Sharma A scenario of vagueness also exists for subventions offered to statutory bodies like GEA that comes under the Office of the President.

Sharma said in the estimates prepared by Government, GEA’s subvention is listed and is reflected in the budget of statutory bodies’ details of revenue and expenditure.

He explained that because of the limited time being allotted to review the estimates and the reason for the expenditure, it can be easily deduced there is no reason to inquire. He further explained that for entities like the Government Information Agency, it is open for questioning, since the details of the expenditure are not reflected in the estimates.

In relation to the management of GEA, Sharma said the Minister responsible for the entity, in this case Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, is obligated by the Guyana Energy Act 1997 to appoint members of the Board.

Sharma emphasized that with the current structure of GEA, it is difficult to determine who the Chief Executive Officer is reporting to in the purported absence of a properly constituted Board.

He said it is important to know who the members of the Board are, because one-third of all members of the Agency are needed to form a quorum for any meetings of the entity.

According to Sharma, besides improving on the accounting aspect of the entity, there needs to be a comprehensive policy governing its operations. He said the use of polygraph testing indicates that there is pervasive corruption in the agency, therefore this area needs proper guidelines.

He said that in addition to this, it appears that only subordinates are subjected to polygraph testing while senior officials are apparently exempted.

Additional evidence of this, he said, could be seen with the missing employee and now the four employees implicated with taking bribes.

Friday September 13, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 15

2002 ‘Breezy Point’ murder…

Father, son to face judge and jury again A father and son combination who were on trial for a murder committed in 2002 will have to face a judge and jury again.

This was after a mixed jury panel failed yesterday to arrive at a unanimous verdict on the offence of murder against Roy Pestano Sr., 60, and his son Raymond Pestano, 36, of Number 41 Village, West Coast Berbice.

The two men are accused of killing fellow villager Davanand Ramlagan, 25, on October 19, 2002.

The men were on trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed Jury in the Berbice High Court.

The incident is alleged to have been committed at the Breezy Point shop, Number 41 Village, West Coast

Berbice.

The jury retired around 14:30 hrs after deliberating for more than three and a half hours. The forewoman, when asked, stated that they were unable to arrive at a unanimous verdict of murder against Raymond Pestano the verdict being 10-2.

She also stated that they were unable to arrive at a unanimous verdict with respect to Roy Pestano. That verdict was 9-3.

As such, Justice Singh told the two defendants that they will have to be remanded to prison and face a judge and jury again at the next sitting of the Berbice Criminal assizes.

Earlier, defence attorney Senior Counsel, Bernard De Santos and state prosecutor,

Roy Pestano Sr. and his son Raymond Judith Gildharie-Mursalin had addressed the jury.

In his address, Senior Counsel De Santos urged the jury not to believe the

Injured teen refused bail on armed robbery charge Dwayne Chance, 19, of Lot 49 Russell Street, Charlestown, appeared yesterday before Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to the charge of robbery under arms.

It was alleged that on September 4, Chance in the company of others and whilst being armed with a knife, robbed Christopher Mahadeo and Kareem Maxwell, employees of Isaac Computer Electronics located on the upper flat of the Regent Multiplex Mall, at Regent and Wellington Streets.

It was also alleged that on the said date, they stole from the said store, several items valued over $1M, property of Anthony Sarjoo.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

Court documents revealed that on the said date,

Maxwell and Mahadeo were on duty at the electronic store.

At about 19:15 hours, the defendant, in the company of another man, entered and pretended to be customers.

Moments later, Chance placed a knife at Maxwell’s neck whilst his partner in crime tied the hands of the other employee.

The defendant stole two BlackBerry cellular phones, one Apple iPod and a quantity of cash, amounting to a total value of $233,500, property of Maxwell.

One BlackBerry and a quantity of cash were also taken from Mahadeo.

From the electronic store, the duo stole, seven BlackBerry cellular phones, two computers, fifteen cell phone cases , 110 BlackBerry batteries and five digital cameras, among other items, all amounting to a total of

$1,835,500.

The duo then escaped with the stolen items.

Later that day, the defendant was identified at Kentucky Fried Chicken in the Stabroek Market area by one of the employees.

The owner of the store, Sarjoo, who is a licenced firearm holder was contacted by his employee and after receiving the information, rushed to the scene.

The proprietor then attempted to approach the defendant but he tried to pull an object from his waist and the complainant discharged a round at the accused.

Chance was then rushed to the hospital where he received medical attention.

Bail for the defendant was subsequently refused and he was remanded to prison until September 30 for report and fixture.

Accused ‘movie-style’ robbers remanded Two alleged bandits who starred in a movie-style robbery that was aired on “You-Tube, ” were yesterday remanded after a robbery under arms charge was read to them by Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The particulars of the charge stated that on August 25 at Castello Housing Scheme, Joshua James, 17, and Maica Blair, 34, robbed 21-year-old Curt Duke, at gunpoint, of $70,000, property of George Berkley of Castello Housing Scheme.

To the allegations the duo pleaded not guilty.

According to Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunte, on the day in question at about 21:35 hours, Duke, a customer service representative, was on duty at Uprising International Café at Lot 22 Castello Housing Scheme.

Two males then entered the café, one of whom was armed with a handgun and held the complainant of 159 B Field, Sophia at gunpoint and robbed him of the day’s sales of $70,000 and then made good their escape.

Investigations were later carried out and the duo was picked out by Duke during an identification parade.

The two were

subsequently charged for the said offence.

Prosecutor Hunte objected to bail being granted for the two as he told the court of the seriousness of the offence and the penalty attached to the said charge are factors that should be considered.

He added that more importantly, the address given to the court by James differs to the one he provided the police in his caution statement.

The defendants were subsequently denied bail and are expected to return to court on September 18 for the filing of statements.

prosecution’s story and drew reference to some inconsistencies in their case.

The state prosecutor in a passionate address to the jury, recounted the prosecution’s case, which she said was “as clear as day”.

She focused on the evidence presented and asked the jury not to draw sympathy for anyone. The Prosecutor implored the jury to look at the case in totality and mentioned that the

accused were equally guilty.

“It was the father who encouraged his sons to kill, shoot up and jook up. It was the father who held the deceased’s hands behind his back and then asked his sons if ‘y’all give he enough.”

In her opening address, Prosecutor Judith Mursalin had recounted the October 19, 2002 incident in which she had stated that around 21.30 hrs, Kenrick Ramlagan and his cousin Joel Ross were at the Breezy Point shop in No.41 village when the two accused drove up in a white car with Roy Pestano Jr. An altercation took place and Davanand Ramlagan was injured and left lying in a pool of blood.

Following investigations, Roy Pestano Sr and his sons Raymond and Roy jr. were arrested and charged with the capital offence. They were tried earlier by Magistrate Kumar Doorsammy at the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court and the matter was discharged.

However the men were ordered rearrested, and a new Preliminary Inquiry was held under Magistrate Roby Benn,

but by then Roy Pestano Jr had fled the jurisdiction. They were committed to stand trial in December 2011.

During the trial, a number of witnesses were called including Joel Richard Ross, a cousin of the deceased.

Also giving evidence were police Detective corporals Juke Jacques and Dharmendra Indarpaul .

Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh who did the post mortem stated that there were four wounds on the body, - two stabbing and two slashing. The throat was almost severed.

Defence attorney De Santos had made no case submissions which were overruled by Justice Singh who called on the two accused to lead a defence.

The men had given unsworn statements from the dock in which they denied injuring Ramlagan.

They said they were on speaking terms with the accused and had had no reason to injure him. They also denied that they were in any white car at Breezy Point on the night in question.

Page 16

Kaieteur News

Friday September 13, 2013

Eccles biker’s killing…

Commissioner of Police (ag), Leroy Brumell yesterday disclosed that his Force is actively soliciting the help of Surinamese counterparts to “bring justice and closure to one of the 92 murder cases that occurred this year”.

This is the recent killing of well known biker, Kirk Davis, who was riddled with bullets in front of his Eccles residence.

Days after the man was killed, Brumell disclosed the

Bel Air Heist…

name of the main and so far only suspect in his murder— businessman Randy Jagdeo.

The Commissioner spoke with relatives and friends of the deceased on Sunday as they gathered at the Square of the Revolution and in front of the Brickdam Police Station for a vigil for justice.

His words were to the effect that the police were moving “fine” with the investigations and the investigators ought not to be

- photo sent to Suriname law enforcement pressured at that time.

Less than twenty-four hours after Brumell’s disclosure, the force issued a wanted bulletin for Jagdeo.

However, this move seems to be one too late as the suspect has reportedly fled the jurisdiction, with some

Cop sentenced to one year for perverting course of justice

Police Constable Odel Percival, 33, was yesterday found guilty of perverting the course of justice by Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was subsequently sentenced to serve a term of one year imprisonment.

It was alleged that the policeman who served the force for 13 years, together with his co-accused, Police Prosecutor Lionel Harvey, attempted to bribe another police officer so that he would provide the court with conflicting evidence in the case of the July 2011 Bel Air Park multi-million-dollar heist from the residence of businessman Malcolm

Panday.

The particulars of the charge stated that on July 5, 2011, the duo intentionally attempted to pervert the course of justice by offering Constable 19911 Kelvin Liverpool, a witness in the matter, the sum of $100,000 for him to provide contrary evidence in favour of Jermaine Mitchell who is charged with robbery under arms.

Mitchell, of North East La Penitence, is among several persons, including Mr. Panday’s mother-in-law, who were charged in connection with the armed robbery of $7.4M on July 12, 2011.

To the said charge, Percival had pleaded not

guilty. The trial which started in February had the court’s attention for some time.

When the matter was first called before Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry, she recused herself from the matter as Harvey was the prosecutor of her Court.

When the matter was first called before Magistrate Latchman, Harvey did not appear to answer to the charge and the Magistrate ordered that a summons be issued for him. Moreover, wanted bulletins have been issued for the co-accused, since according to court documents, Harvey has fled the jurisdiction and is currently in hiding in Trinidad and Tobago.

reports saying that he was spotted in Suriname.

Yesterday, the Top Cop, in responding to questions as to why the police were slow in issuing the bulletin, said that this was the last resort.

According to Brumell, as soon as his ranks gathered intelligence pointing to the identity of the shooter, the hunt was on almost immediately, but they were looking in the wrong places.

“Our information was that he was in the country, and we were exploring all the avenues to get him. But after we didn’t, and we got certain intelligence, we decided ‘well we have to send out something’. But it is not a case where we were delaying.” Brumell said that now that the force is adequately informed, efforts are being made to track down the suspect.

According to the Top Cop, he already contacted his Surinamese counterparts and copies of Jagdeo’s photographs have already been emailed. “So we are expecting a capture anytime.”

Brumell said that when Guyanese commit crimes in

Kirk Davis (left) and Randy Jagdeo this country they most often do the same abroad.

“It is surprising to know how many Guyanese are presently in Suriname prison.” Kirk Davis was shot 16 times on September 3 in front his Eccles, East Bank Demerara home. The 30 – year – old reportedly met his demise because the businessman was told that he having an affair with his wife.

Davis denied the allegations but was still fatally shot.

There are reports that

Jagdeo has been reaching out to a number of friends of the deceased, apologizing for the murder and telling them that he could not believe what happened.

The two men were friends who traveled across Guyana together in their bikers’ posse to various shows and events.

They were also involved in motorcycle stunts.

Davis’s family says all they need at this time is justice. Davis is expected to be laid to rest tomorrow.

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Man seeks financial assistance to replace part of skull

Rawle Duncan

F o r t y - o n e y e a r- o l d Rawle Duncan is seeking financial assistance from the general public to facilitate a $2.7M operation to replace his cranium, the part of the skull that holds and protects the brain.

“The doctors seh that I got to do this thing soon, because it dangerous fuh me, cause is the covering fuh the brain come off. I begging fuh li'l help fuh save meh life,” the man pleaded.

The Charlotte Street, Georgetown resident told Kaieteur News that in 2008, he and a friend had a major “falling out”, and that it led to a fight, during which he, Duncan, was served a blow to the head with a “nail wood”.

He claims that although the matter was reported to the police, nothing has ever been done.

Duncan further explained that a few days after he was hit, a secretion had started coming out of his ears, and it had an unpleasant smell.

“Every time I lie down and so, my pillow does full of inflammation, and it does stink… so me mother tell me to go to the hospital and get it check out…so ah went deh,” the man said.

He said that upon being examined, doctors diagnosed him with Chronic Osteomyelitis, which simply means an infection and/or inflammation of the bone or bone marrow.

Following that diagnosis, Duncan said that a craniotomy was done to allow for the removal of the

inflammation. A craniotomy is a surgical operation in which a bone flap is temporarily removed from the skull to access the brain.

Ever since that operation several months ago, Duncan said that his brain has been “without a cover”. As a result of this, he has been experiencing regular seizures. It has been six years since Duncan has worked.

He emphasized that because his brain is essentially unprotected, he remains in great danger. He added that a fall, a hit, or even the impact of the sun can affect his mental stability.

Duncan said that for many months now, he has been experiencing continuous and regular seizures, and while attending follow-up clinic, doctors found that he had developed sinuses of the scalp (bifrontal region).

“My head does hurt bad sometimes, and the doctors say that I can't go into the sun and suh.”

Duncan is pleading with the public for monetary assistance, so as to provide him the chance of having a normal life.

“The sooner I get the money, the faster the operation can do. And I really need it to be done soon, cause it hard living like this …I can' t w ork or nothing.”

Interested persons can make contact with Duncan on telephone numbers 2253834 and 675-6274. His Citizens Bank Account number is 218-752-883.

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Africanised bees attack Berbice pensioner

By Leon Suseran

A

77- year- old pensioner was b r u t a l l y attacked by hundreds of Africanized Bees a few days ago, and he was indeed lucky to come out of the ordeal alive.

Robert 'Robbie' La Rose was performing a job, slashing the grass in someone's yard at Glasgow Village, East Bank Berbice around 17:00 hrs on Tuesday when the unimaginable happened. He stated that he heard vibrations of the swarm, but realized too late.

The bees originated from the neighbour Mrs. Jean Jaikissoon's yard. “ I h a d t o hustle—hundreds of them attacked me and they kept attacking me.”

In spite of the swarm all around him, he still managed to crawl out of the compound, onto the road and into a nearby trench, but the bees did not let up, “and they kept on biting me…biting me.”

The hive was located in the neighbouring yard, just next to an outdoor bathroom.

Car drivers stopped and onlookers stood by helplessly for fear of the swarm turning on them.

There were shouts from onlookers, “Throw water!

Throw water!” Then one of his nephews, Julian Cort, rushed for a can of 'Fish' insecticide spray and threw a lot of water on the man and this caused the swarm to let go of him. “He put on a pair of socks, flannel pants and long sleeve shirt with a hat and he was able to lift me and

Pensioner Robert La Rose

...woman also badly stung put me into a car,” he said.

La Rose was rushed to the Emergency Room at the N/A Hospital, and part two of the struggle began there.

Hundreds of stings were removed, but as related by his close friend, Ian Carter, it was relatives and close friends who had to remove most of the stings due to the fact that the nurses at the N/A Hospital could not locate tweezers and had no knowledge to remove the stings from the man's head and other parts of the body.

Mr. Carter, in speaking to this newspaper, was upset at the treatment his friend received. The victim is still feeling a bit dizzy.

“After searching a couple of wards, we were able to get a tweezer,” Carter stated. La Rose's nephew, Julian, was still picking out stings from his uncle's body on Wednesday… hundreds of stings, “and he [Julian] said there were still more and he mentioned the worry of leaving the stings in his body.”

Carter went on to explain that “it was a situation where you got to have knowledge where to look for the sting and discern where they are…

He[ Mr. La Rose] had a great relief, but Julian said that there were more.”

Carter said that he was frantically searching for a tweezer and spoke to several; nurses “who left home their tweezers… and some who did not have tweezers.” It was not until he met a nurse whom he knew who tried her utmost to

acquire the tool “but we were here for hours and then a couple of nurses got together there and they were looking, but no nurse came and showed concern, and even if they did not know the method of taking out the sting, they could have come around the bedside and learned, but nobody came.”

After Cort removed over 200 stings from the man's (continued on page 31)

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Jean Jaikissoon, in whose yard the hive was found

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CARIB Chutney Mania is on!

C

ARIB Fanatics… It's on. CARIB Chutney Mania will definitely be held on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at the Better Hope Community Center Ground, East Coast Demerara and KI and the JMC 3VENI Band is calling on you to be “friends for the night.”

After several delays due to inclement weather and the unavailability of the artistes, the organization said they are thrilled to announce that the Carib Chutney Mania concert will is finally on!!

“We would like to thank the current ticket holders for your patience and assure you that your long wait for great music from some of the hottest chutney artistes in the business will not go in vain as this event will feature energetic performances from KI and the JMC 3VENI Band along with Prince JP, Aamir Khan, Bunty Singh, Feona Singh, and the Shakti Strings Orchestra.” Organisers revealed Additionally, Carib fans will be treated not only to great chutney music but a fusion of soca and reggae music from KI and the JMC 3VENI Band who are known as the best cross-over band in the industry with hits like; “Single forever” and “Let's be friends for the night.”

The organizers is reminding fans that they can get a free ticket from all participating outlets by purchasing six Carib Beers .Only persons 18 years and older are

allowed to participate in this ticket promotion. Carib would like to remind its fans to always drink responsibly.

Phil Dunlap Trio Jazz here to 'thrill' jazz enthusiasts

The Phil Dunlap Trio jazz band with Ministry Officials

T

he Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport in collaboration with the United States (US) Embassy this week welcomed the Phil Dunlap Trio jazz band to Georgetown.

The Trio is presently thrilling the Guyanese populace with soul stirring performances while helping to build capacity among local music groups.

Their visit was made possible by the

US Department of State's Bureau of Cultural Affairs, and is part of the Jazz Ambassador Programme, which was established in 1961 to encourage cultural exchange between Americans and citizens in other countries.

The trio has been performing in a series of jazz concerts and has been involved in educational workshops

during the week.

These include a jam session with some of Guyana's top jazz players, an educational presentation and performance at the St. John Bosco Boys Orphanage, in-depth workshops with students and staff from the National School of Music and educational presentations and performances at the Bishops' High and

Berbice High schools.

The group will conclude the week of activities with a free concert at the Theatre Guild on September 13 at 19:00 hrs.

Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony expressed satisfaction with the partnership and hopes that the Guyanese population support the events.

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Kaieteur News

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Morgan Heritage Kes the Band

Kes the Band to share stage with R&B Legend R. Kelly R. Kelly, Morgan Heritage, K.I and the JMC 3Veni band with the new addition of Trinidadian Soca sensation Kes the Band will be the lineup to perform at the Guyana National Stadium come October 19, 2013.

Now dubbed the 'Night of Legends', patrons will see some of the most remarkable talents in the R&B, Reggae, Soca and Chutney genres all packed in one concert for one memorable experience.

Kes, the group popularly known for what is described as Island Pop or Caribbean Pop, has graced stages around Guyana several times since their establishment in 2005. The band is recognized largely for songs 'Wotless', 'Precision Wine', 'Where yuh from', 'Stressaway' and 'Coming over'.

The band consists of founding members Kees Dieffenthaller (lead vocals), Hans Dieffenthaller (drums), Jon Dieffenthaller (guitar) and Riad Boochoon (bass guitar). Kees, Hans and Jon are

brothers.

With a unique blend of soulful vocals and calypsoinspired melodies, over a fusion of rock riffs and island beats, hints of soca and reggae coupled with electric and high energy performances, Kes the Band has comfortably transitioned into a common household name across the region, the U.S. and Canada making them a sure pick for the Night of Legends Concert.

Meanwhile, Morgan Heritage, although creating a strong presence in the entertainment industry for almost two decades, supersedes many talents currently gracing Reggae Music. There is no comparison to this group's outstanding stage performance and star quality presence they seamlessly aerate to the world.

R .Kelly is considered to be one of the most successful R&B artists of the last 25 years. He is also one of the best-selling music artists in the United

States with 38.5 million albums sold as well as only the fifth black artist to crack the top 50 of the same list.

Guinness Night for its beastly eadow Brook Drive, known M n i b Clu rts o Sp rs ike r t S ain pizza will be mes and club special plant cold beers, indoor club ga l today. having a Guinness specia nment to ed into a Guinness enviro orm f ns tra be l l wi e The venu c. according to et aps c s, Glasses, T-shirt as uch s s y wa a ve i g e tat i facil nture falls under. ey whose purview this ve organizer Mr. Sean Stephn rts Betting where ys, there is Superbet Spo In addition to the giveawa n Floyd the evening's fight betwee patrons can place bets on ens powered re c s t rez on two 52” LED Fla Mayweather vs Saul Alva

by E-Networks Cable. ba, Deer, Wild there will be the usual Lab Cutters will be in galore as just to name Foot and Cow Face Souse Hog, Chicken, Fish, Chicken a few.

Guinness it in their numbers, drink Patrons are advised to vis more Than It's . g nin joy a fun filled eve (responsibly of course) en is dedicated nt me ain t r nte E d !!! All Aroun Just a Party... It's An Event o g t the superior service ,accordin to providing patrons with with high t n create a memorable eve promoters. “Our goal is to sphere.” mo at zy ortantly class in a co energy, fun and most imp

at Strikers Sports Club

Page 28

Friday September 13, 2013

Kaieteur News

Fashion affair

Water Week winds down with Sunday last at the Seven Ponds, Botanical Gardens proved more than memorable. It was an exhilarating 'outdoorsy' affair which showcased a titillating South American-meets-theCaribbean ambience.

The executive of Guyana Fashion Week (GFW) climaxed their week of activities commemorating Water Week with a small but impressive festival, in the open air at the Place of Heroes.

What a perfect union! a truly fitting tribute to acknowledge the most important component of sustainable development - water.

It was a commendable move on the part of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment Protection Agency to partner with GFW. This celebration of the Arts, not only provided a novel way of raising awareness of the importance of water conservation but also served as a platform for true youth empowerment, facilitating accolades to water and rallying for water cooperation initiatives.

The presentation started with a modern dance piece, collaboratively choreographed by a group of male dancers, paying homage to the “land of many waters'. This presentation showcased liquidity and ease of flow, with the dancers garbed in white and performing fluid, sinewy, languid gestures.

The audience - seated guests, picnickers, passers-by and fascinated culture buffs - witnessed a pioneering, provocative premiere at the Place of Heroes, as the sun set on a breezy evening in early September.

The 'spoken word' competitors, four finalists, lashed out their oratorical rhetoric, arresting the patrons with rhyme, meter and stanza, provoking innovative thought and evoking tantalizing imagery. The four - Randolph Critchlow, Mark Luke Edwards, Towana Wilson and Jo-Ann Forde - outfitted by designers Nelsion Nurse, Wynette Jones

One of the many scenes at the event

and Sacha Castello, literally held court, in the round, to delighted attendees. The winner of this category was Randolph Crichlow, with his captivating soliloquy on water.

The eight photographs which stood majestically on the greens oversaw the proceedings and invited votes for 'favourite photograph'. These spectacular vistas were the eight finalists of the photography competition, the outcome of submissions by amateurs and professionals alike. The winners were determined through online votes, on site ballots and judges' deliberation. The results are as follows: 3rd runner-up - No Boundaries (Juliana

Douglas), 2nd runner-up - On the Brink (Tracy Douglas), 1st runner-up - Port for a Storm (Dionne Shepherd-McKenzie), winner - Leap of fate (Mark Jacobs).

The active participation by designers in the category for best interpretation was formidable. With a line up of over twenty designers, the four finalists are Juliet Bernard (Crystal Mud), Tyrone Nelson (Visions of the Deep), Nelsion Nurse (Sunset Glory), Amanda Burgess (Body of Water) and Denita Prowell (Water Universal). The winner of this category is Nelsion Nurse.

The Botanical Gardens truly came alive with a host of creative art activists, enthusiasts and well-wishers. The

Bikini Fest

evening's activities were chaired by the prolific Russel Lancaster, under the artistic direction of Richard Young. The judges for the evening were Jennifer Thomas, Russel Lancaster, Ras Michael, Richard Young and Sonia Noel. In the words of the CEO of Guyana Fashion Week Sonia Noel, "It's certainly the dawning of a new time, when creative young people can express themselves on issues of importance, at a national forum, and make recommendations for the future. I am truly gratified!"

Guyana Fashion Week 2013 will take place at Rahaman's Park from October 20 to 27.

for

Celina’s beach resort Rose Productions and the Hits and Jams entertainment group will collaborate to bring patrons “Bikini fest & Miss Beach Body Swimsuit Contest” on Sunday 29, September, 2013 at the Celina's Beach Resort located at the Kitty Foreshore.

Gates will open from 12: noon and the event which is being touted as “a true family affair” will feature a number of attractions for children including free bouncy castles and beach games such as cricket and football in which the entire family can participate.

As the days' activities unfold, at least a dozen beauties will take the runway in their Swim Suits and compete for the Miss Beach Body Contest which offers $200,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs. The event is being hosted

by Rose Productions which visited the Celina's Resort a few months ago with an invitation for the management of the resort to collaborate in utilizing the venue.

Chief Executive Officer of the production company Trevor

Rose explained that despite the 'run down' aesthetics of certain areas of the beach, he visualized the potential it held. “To the naked eye when others visited the said venue on the beach area all they saw was an area that was filled with garbage and old tires that washed ashore from the sea, I looked past all of that and immediately called in a cleanup team and went to work.”

According to him the result was transforming and

attendees to his first event , the “Welcome Summer Bummer Beach Jam” lauded the initiative and demanded other similar events to be held at that location. Advance tickets are available From Wednesday 18th September 2013 at: Gizmos and Gadgets, Movie Town, Movie Zone & CPR & Tech Tronics Repair Centre. Music by: Stereo Sonics ( Akilo) Fusion's (Gully Ras& Diamond) and Boom FM DJ Energy.

Friday September 13, 2013

Entries for drama festival close this Sunday

T

he National Drama Festival 2013[NDF], an annual production of the Ministry of Culture Youth &Sport [MCYS], which was launched on June 19 last, has stepped into high gear. Entry into the Festival closes Sunday September 15, at 18:00hours (6p.m.)

The Drama Festival office is adamant that there will be no extensions this year. It is now or never for 2013. Past winners were afforded performing trips, a national stage and follow up public performances after competition by the NDF. Following on the special outreach drama program that targeted youths over the August holidays, the NDF undertook two one- day workshops in Linden and Berbice over the weekend, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8thSeptember, that saw the participation of over 200 eager young dramatists.

The activities focused on enhancing production capability with special emphasis on script and technical design development.

Some of the outlying districts had displayed an inherent technical design weakness in their plays presented at previous Festivals.

This had placed them at a disadvantage when placed on the massive National Cultural Centre stage, with its vast technical facilities.

This was addressed at workshops at youth and church groups as well as at schools, and senior dramatists were tutored in these stage and script techniques.

The outreach program that is the signature innovation for NDF 2013, has so far received enthusiastic support. The format of these engagements was for the facilitators and members of the mentor corps of the festival, to execute sessions of basic stimulative drama activities to participants.

Selector's birth night bash set for Oct 12th

…at the Garage Bar

S

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electing music is what he does best, so as Andre Sargeant, better known as Selector Andre celebrates his 21st birthday on October 12th, he will be doing no different.

His birth night bash, referred to as the “unstoppable”, will be hosted at the popular Garage Bar on Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt.

In addition to dancing to the music, patrons, family, friends, and fans of 'Selector Andre' can gyrate to live performances by Jory, Lil Million, and Kwasi Ace. And since Andre himself is unstoppable with selecting the music, persons can look forward to an especially exhilarating playlist selected by the selector himself.

Patrons of the bar can also come out to extend birthday wishes and get into the party groove.

Additional music will be provided by Wild Thing Family, Slingerz, #TRS, Mad Vibes, DJ Skinny Hype, and DJ Platinum.

And since the performers will obviously have to be paid, admission would cost $1000. Happy Birthday Selector A!

Playmaking at the Berbice workshop

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Friday September 13, 2013

TO LET Fully furnished Vacation home with all amenitiesCall during working hours227-1218 Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call: 6797139 3 Furnished apartments located in Industry, E.C.DCall:222-6001

TO LET Harmony Inn: Apartments fully furnished, airconditioned apartments: $5000 per night- Call:6680306/602-8769/694-7817 Campbellville $100,00, Kingston US$900, Queenstown US$1500, BelAir US$950- Call Diana 2272256/626-9382 For immediate rental, one bedroom apartment with all modern amenities $500USD monthly- Call:623-4498 or 649-2251 One- two bedrooms apartment - Call: 653-4074 1 Bedroom bottom flat for couple $28,000 monthly, water & light includedCall:223-3958 or 660-9463

Fully grilled 3 bedrooms @ Pearl, E.B.D- Call:694-3540/ 699-7201 2 Bedrooms bottom flat in Nandy Park- Call:610-4436 Two bedrooms furnished apartment- Call:665-2548 Secret Villa apartment, fully furnished apartments Landof-Canaan E.B.D- Call:2665243/266-5245 Furnished executive one or two bedroom suite in Diamond.

Ideal for foreigners. Call:609-2466.

Furnished 2 bedrooms apartment in Linden for short term local & overseas guests- Call:614-4415/4444704 (Continued on page 31)

Friday September 13, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 31

Egypt extends emergency laws for 2 months CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s interim president yesterday extended a nationwide state of emergency for two more months, citing continued security concerns, as a senior Egyptian official warned of more terrorist attacks in the wake of a failed assassination attempt against the interior minister and suicide bombings in the Sinai Peninsula.

The nearly month-old state of emergency, which is due to expire within days, preserves greater powers for security forces amid a crackdown on supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi and increasing violence by Islamic militants.

It was first declared in midAugust after authorities cleared two protest encampments held by Morsi supporters, unleashing violence that claimed the lives of nearly 1,000 in subsequent days. Ever since, a nighttime curfew has also been in effect in much of the country. The interim government will decide separately on whether to continue the curfew.

Interim Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi has said the curfew, now lasting for 7 hours most nights, would likely be eased.

The government yesterday announced new measures aimed at easing an economic crunch, in a sign it aims to show that it is tackling the nation’s problems even amid the exceptional security conditions.

The measures included relief for low-income families from school expenditures and reduction in public transportation costs.

They also included an injection of $ 3.1 billion budget support to be spent on infrastructure projects and employment generation, which the government says it hopes will increase economic growth from the

current 2 percent to 3.5 percent. The spending will largely be financed from money pledged by Gulf countries to Egypt after Morsi’s July 3 ouster, the government said.

Egypt’s continued political instability has badly hit the country’s economy, decimating tourism and direct foreign investment. In recent rallies, Morsi supporters have increasingly sought to find public backing by evoking the hard economic conditions and authorities’ failure to improve people’s daily lives.

The extension of the state of emergency, which allows police wider powers of arrest, had been expected.

The decree cited continued security concerns.

Under the interim constitution, the state of emergency can only be imposed for three months, then must be put to a public referendum.

For most of the 30-year rule of Morsi’s predecessor, Hosni Mubarak, Egypt was under emergency law, lifted only after Mubarak’s ouster.

The extension came days after the Egyptian military launched a major offensive in northern region of Sinai, with troops backed by helicopter gunships raiding suspected hideouts al-Qaida inspired militants in a dozen villages.

The three-day offensive left 29 militants dead, demolished houses and led to the seizure of weapons and explosives, including 10 antiaircraft missiles, according to military officials.

In what appeared to be a backlash, a pair of suicide bombers hit military targets in Sinai, killing nine soldiers.

Last week, a car bombing in Cairo believed to have been by a suicide attacker — targeted the convoy of Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim, who is in charge of the police.

Africanised bees...

From page 23 body, Carter showed the nurses. He believes the hospital's service could have been better.

“This was supposed to be care and attention and it wasn't evident.”

“I am of the opinion that the work we were doing was the work of the nurses.”

Mr. La Rose stated that while he has encountered bees before, he had never experienced an attack of this magnitude.

“I had a terrible experience and it was vicious—I won't like anybody to get an experience like this.” He believes that he could have lost his life as a result of the gruesome attack. “I won't like something

like this to happen to my worst enemy or an ordinary man.”

La Rose stated that he is still experiencing mild pain, perhaps from the remaining stings in his body. Once La Rose is released from the hospital, Cort will remove the remaining stings.

He claimed that Mrs. Jaikisoon knew about the nest. She was also badly stung and rushed to the N/A Hospital where she continues to be a patient. Her face is badly swollen.

When asked by this newspaper, Mrs. Jaikisoon, who could hardly speak, stated that she did not know there was a bee nest in her yard.

According to La Rose, the nest will be destroyed today.

TOUR Suriname return trip 12-16 October. Shopping siteseeing lots of fun- Call: 6440185/ 639-2663/ 227-8290/ 665-5171

Hazem el-Beblawi (From page 30)

To Suriname: Leaves 23rd return 26th September.

Sightseeing & shopping.

Hotel inclusive in packageCall:444-5148

WANTED CONTRACT CARS @ CITY TAXI SERVICE CALL: 660-1100

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PROPERTY FOR SALE ‘BB’ Eccles- Concrete house 3 bedrooms upstairs, downstairs 2 self contained apartments, 2 bedrooms each toilet & bath $28M- Call:2278409/660-4764 Painted 2 storey concrete building 53x26, transported property at 69 Jackson street, Daniels Town, Essequibo Coast- Call:6182517/660-6739 VERSAILLES: Furnished 5 bedrooms, self-contained rooms, modern facilities, generator, beautiful landscape, gated community- Call:592624-8704/ 592-684-9203 Haslington, E.C.D: Building ‘A’, concrete/ timber modern 2 storeys, 7 bedrooms, grilled & fenced. Building ‘B’, 3 apartments, fenced- call:2252626/ 225-3068

VACANCY Jump Start your Career!!!

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Experienced Dispatcher, contract cars & driversCall:613-0419/600-4066 Ark-settling welder for vehicle- Call:228-5655/6281756 Female for live in domestic duties, salary $55,000.

Small family. Care taking duties. Driver- Call:610-2978 Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252/674-4665

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One live-in or live out maidcall:668-3985/264-3355/6837936

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One Welder must know to do grill work- Call:613-3879

Sales Clerk, written application @ Perfume Dazzle 137 Regent Street

Attractive live-in waitress to work in bar, attractive salaryCall:686-4818/699-6994

For sale by owner: House and Land @ D’Edward, W.C.B.- Call: 689-2973/6983703

Attractive live in WaitressCall:228-5129

One (1) Able bodied ClerkCall:231-2029/616-5954/6244953 2 Carpenters with own tools & 2 mason with own toolsPlease call:265-3586

One 2 storey building with 8ft drive way with two apartments bottom flat in KittyContact Ameer 695-5815

1 Whole day maid for East Bank area- Call:614-4358 One night guard; one cashier; one cook. Attractive salary. Call 223-7165; 2258645; 627-0799

Do you have a property to let or sell? Then call Diana 227-2256/626-9382

FOR RENT

West Ruimveldt $5M, Section ‘K’ $40M, East bank $10M-$15M, Prashad Nagar $40M- Call Diana 227-2256/ 626-9382

One Business spot ideal for Pharmacy etc. also one upper flat three bedroomsCall: 223-9727/ 673-0373/ 6500077

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Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/ 226-3693dollysautorental@yahoo.com/ www.dollysautorental.com

Yellow hire car drivers wanted at 007 Taxi ServiceCall:223-5615

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CAR RENTAL

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VACANCY Male bond attendants/ porters & cashiers. Send in application & passport size photograph @ Survival Shopping Complex 173 Sheriff St. Call:227-5286-89 MedexPharmacy Assistant, 5-8yrs experienced in Pharmacy or medical field. Full time basisCall:660-3766/658-3882 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistant- Call:663-1751/6842838 2 Receptionists, 1 Salesgirl & 1 Cashier. 4 CXC subjects required for cashier: Apply with application @ 27 Norton & Creen streetsCall:225-5501 Data Entry Clerk: CXC, Acounts, QuickBooksEmail application to gjphonecardinvestment @gmail.com 1 Security Guard to work in Georgetown. Valid Police clearance- Call:223-0595 Night Dispatcher for a Foreign Trucking Company: UG Graduate, 7 days a week 12 midnight to 8am. $120,000 monthly- Contact: 673-5475/ 624-0001 Cleaner/Janitor @ Shakoor’s Seafood- Call:233-2546 1 Maid – must be good in Indian cooking & experienced in housekeeping – Call:2235451/227-4799 Secretary, written application @ Shakoor’s Seafood 80 Industrial Site Eccles, E.B.D Cashier: Apply to Marcos Trading, experience would be an asset. Address:11 North road LacytownCall:225-9445 Pump Attendant @ Shell Service Station Providence, E.B.D: Must be able to work shift (5am-3pm & 3pm12pm)-Tel:265-7305 Cashier/Sales order Clerk: CXC, Experience- Email application to gjphonecardinvestments @gmail.com Vacancy exists for Carpenters, Welder and Porter: Apply at Alabama Trading G/Town Ferry Stelling Hire Car drivers from E.C.D @ A1 Taxi- Call:220-1000

Page 32

Kaieteur News

Friday September 13, 2013

Russia warns of ‘catastrophe’ if North Korea restarts reactor Russia yesterday warned of a potential “man-made catastrophe” if North Korea restarts an ageing plutonium reactor to boost its stockpile of nuclear weapons, after US experts spotted steam rising from the Yongbyon facility.

The reactor, which was completed in 1986, is outdated and North Korea could suffer a major disaster if it is restarted, a Russian diplomatic source told the Interfax news agency.

The warning came after researchers at the US-Korea Institute said Wednesday that satellite images taken on August 31 showed plumes of white steam rising from a building next to the reactor.

“Our main concern is linked to a very likely man-made disaster as a consequence. The reactor is in a nightmarish state, it is a design dating back to the 1950s,” the Russian source said.

“For the Korean peninsula this could entail terrible consequences, if not a man-made catastrophe.” The US envoy on North Korea

meanwhile said the reported restart of the reactor would be “a misstep on the part of North Korea”.

“If it turns out that these reports are true that North Korea has restarted the fivemegawatt plutonium reactor, this would be a very serious matter,” Glyn Davies told reporters after meeting Japanese foreign ministry officials in Tokyo.

Such a move would “seriously violate the United Nations Security Council resolutions” and North Korea’s commitments under a 2005 joint statement after six-party talks, Davies said.

The Russian diplomat speaking to Interfax said he did not know for sure whether North Korea had relaunched the facility mothballed in 2007.

“It is obvious that some works are being conducted, and for a long time at that.

According to some signs, steps were indeed being taken to relaunch it,” the diplomat said.

“We do not have any information that the reactor has been relaunched.”

Cameron retaliates in Barroso eurosceptic row

(Reuters) - Prime Minister David Cameron struck back at European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso yesterday for suggesting Britain’s ruling Conservatives had copied a right-wing rival’s eurosceptic policies and would be punished at the polls.

Responding to Barroso’s criticism in a European Parliament debate on Wednesday, Cameron said the president had “got it

wrong” and should avoid lecturing his centre-right party. In an unusual foray into national politics, Barroso had said the Conservatives increasingly resembled the UK Independence Party (UKIP), a small but rising force in Britain that campaigns to leave the EU and wants tighter immigration controls. Barroso had also said UKIP would become the country’s “first force” - going to the heart of one of the

biggest problems facing Cameron before European parliament elections next year and a national vote in 2015.

UKIP has no seats in the British parliament but took almost one in every four votes cast in local council elections in May. Polls suggest it could also become the biggest British party in the European Parliament, in what would a huge embarrassment for all main movements.

Friday September 13, 2013

Kaieteur News

High-stakes U.S.-Russian talks open, Syria to join chemical arms ban (Reuters) - The United States and Russia began high-stakes talks yesterday on Moscow’s plan for Syria to surrender its chemical weapons as Damascus formally applied to join a global poison gas ban, but Secretary of State John Kerry underscored that U.S. military force may still be necessary if diplomacy fails.

“This is not a game,” Kerry said in an appearance with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after opening talks in Geneva aimed at fleshing out Russia’s plan to secure and dispose of Syria’s stockpiles of chemical arms.

The talks were part of a diplomatic push that prompted President Barack Obama to put on hold his plans for U.S. air strikes in response to a chemical weapons attack on civilians near Damascus on August 21.

The United States and its allies say Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces carried out the attack with sarin nerve gas that killed about 1,400 people, including 400 children. Russia and Assad blame rebel forces.

The United Nations said it received a document from Syria on joining the global anti-chemical weapons treaty, a move Assad promised as part of a deal to avoid U.S. air strikes. The move would end

John Kerry Syria’s status as one of only seven nations outside the 1997 international convention that outlaws stockpiling chemical weapons. Other holdouts include neighbours Egypt and Israel, as well as North Korea.

The United States immediately warned Syria against stalling tactics to avoid military strikes. Assad told Russian state television in an interview broadcast yesterday he would finalise plans to abandon his chemical arsenal only when the United States stops threatening to attack him.

Kerry expressed some optimism about the talks in Geneva - expected to last two days - saying, “We do believe there is a way to get this done” and that the United States

was “grateful” for ideas put forward by Russia to resolve the crisis.

But he and Lavrov differed sharply on U.S. military threats.

“We proceed from the fact that the solution of this problem will make unnecessary any strike on the Syrian Arab Republic,” Lavrov said during the appearance with Kerry.

“President Obama has made clear that should diplomacy fail, force might be necessary to deter and degrade Assad’s capacity to deliver these weapons,” Kerry asserted.

“Expectations are high.

They are high for the United States, perhaps even more so for Russia, to deliver on the promise of this moment,” Kerry said, adding that a peaceful resolution was “clearly preferable” to military action.

Kerry said any agreement must be comprehensive, verifiable, credible and implemented in a “timely” fashion - “and finally, there ought to be consequences if it doesn’t take place.”

Russia has been Assad’s most powerful backer during the civil war, which has killed more than 100,000 people since 2011, delivering arms and - with China - blocking three U.N. resolutions meant to pressure Assad.

HEARTLESS FATHER DROWNS INFANT DAUGHTER LAHORE: A stonehearted father threw his infant daughter into the Ravi River on Tuesday after his wife gave birth to another baby girl instead of a boy, Geo News reported. The one-and-a-halfyear old infant drowned immediately after she was thrown into the muddy waters of the river.

The perpetrator of infanticide namely, Umer, a rickshaw driver by profession, was arrested after his wife Sumera alerted the police of the horrendous crime.

According to Sumera, Umer on the pretext of a family outing brought her wife and the two daughters to the Ravi River and then he suddenly picked his one-and-a-halfyear old daughter Zainab and threw her into the river.

Sumera revealed that her husband would taunt her all the time about not bearing him a son and hated his daughters, which was the sole motive behind his killing his daugher. “I appeal to the

government that my husband be given exemplary punishment,” Sumera said while speaking to Geo News.

Meanwhile, Umer was in police custody and a case had been registered against him.

Speaking from behind the bars of the lockup, Umer said he was unable to afford raising his daughters and was

too depressed about it, which ultimately forced him to commit this crime.

Page 33

Page 34

Kaieteur News

Friday September 13, 2013

Russia willing to help Caribbean UN warns of negative effects BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Russia says it is willing to help the Caribbean explore for oil and gas as well as deal with the impact of the global economy.

Russia’s ambassador to Guyana, Nikolay Smirnov, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that relations with the Caribbean remain strong spanning economic, tourism, communication, sports and politics.

But the diplomat said that while Russia may not be able to engage in direct investment in the search for oil and gas, it was nonetheless in a position to assist in “specific projects like the seismological study of the Caribbean Sea”.

He said the study “can be used for oil and gas research, to seismic study, fisheries and especially climate changes.

“All those things will be available to Caribbean countries free of charge because it will be done by Russian scientists with participation with local scientists if they will like and that data will be available without any pre conditions without any restrictions”.

Ambassador Smirnov told CMC that trade with the Caribbean remains at a low level. “It is not as large as we will like to have due to the distance, maybe because of the competition from other countries in Latin America but

of Venezuela’s withdrawal from rights convention

Nikolay Smirnov

we hope it will change...so we hope trade ties will be growing, tourism will increase because right now it’s on the rise to the Caribbean.

“For example, last year from the Dominican Republic we had about 60, 000 tourist from Russia. Second to our destination is Cuba because with Cuba we have traditional ties and of course Jamaica is also on the rise, (regarding) Barbados, we also have a number of growing Russian tourist.”

The diplomat said that, like the Caribbean, Russia has to deal with issues of climate change, global warning and the economic crisis.

He said a solution to the financial crisis should not be left only to the developed

countries.

He said while he is not a palm reader, an economist or in possession of a crystal ball, Caribbean countries should look to deal with unemployment, particularly among the youth, fight against corruption, and manage government expenditure in a bid to stimulate their economies. “…those things should be addressed and international institutions like IMF, World Bank, regional banks, (like) the Inter American Development Bank...they also should be providing some specifics assistance towards needs not for overall programmes but to improve fields in the economy like tourism.”

China provides millions for projects in Barbados BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Barbados has praised China for its continued support for the socio-economic development of the island as the two countries signed a multimillion dollar agreement on Wednesday.

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Maxine McClean said China had proven to be a reliable partner for Barbados and pointed to the funding of numerous development projects, including the construction and refurbishment of some of the country’s most visible landmarks.

The two countries signed an economic technical agreement and three banking agreements on Accounting Procedures with a total value of BDS$16 million (One BDS dollar = US$0.50 cents).

McClean cited the Elsie Payne Complex, headquarters of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource

Development, the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex and the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre as examples of China’s support for the development of the island.

“Barbados and the People’s Republic of China on May 30, 2013, marked 36 years of diplomatic relations; a period during which the two countries have built a solid relationship based on respect and cooperation, in an effort to advance mutual understanding between our peoples.”

She said the government had made considerable progress in the utilisation of the grant funds provided by China and that 11 projects in areas such as agriculture, renewable energy and infrastructural development, had been submitted to China for consideration.

The Government of Barbados is looking forward to being informed about which projects are selected in the first instance, and for the

Maxine McClean on-going execution of bilateral projects with China,” McClean said.

Chinese Ambassador, Xu Hong, said since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1977, 21 government agreements on economic and technical cooperation had been signed.

“With the grants and interest free loans provided by the Chinese government, 17 projects have been implemented; including turnkey projects, supply of materials, cash donation and consultancy projects.

UNITED NATIONS – CMC - The United Nations has expressed concern over Venezuela’s withdrawal from the American Human Rights Convention, which came into being on Tuesday, stressing the move could have a negative impact on human rights in Latin American and the Caribbean . The UN says to date, with the exception of Venezuela, 24 nations in the Caribbean and Latin America have ratified or adopted the Convention.

They are: Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.

In September last year, Venezuela announced its withdrawal from the Convention. Despite repeated calls from the UN to reconsider.

“We want to repeat our concern that this decision may have a very negative impact on human rights in the country and beyond,” Rupert Colville, the spokesperson for the

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters here.

The American Convention on Human Rights – also known as the Pact of San José – was adopted by many regional countries in the Costa Rican capital of San José in 1969, and came into force in 1978.

It defines the human rights which the ratifying States have agreed to respect and ensure, and it created two organs to promote the observance and protection of human rights and take responsibility for overseeing compliance with the Convention: the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which are both OAS organs.

“We would like to encourage the Venezuelan Government, and all other States in the Americas, to continue to cooperate with regional and international human rights mechanisms, and urge them not to take any measures that would weaken human rights protection – withdrawing from a regional system is one such measure,” Colville said.

Canada makes visa application process easier for some Caribbean nationals The Government of Canada has announced the opening of a new visa application centre (VAC) in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, making the process of applying for a visa to enter Canada “easier and more convenient.”

The Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced plans to expand its VAC network around the world to provide administrative support to applicants before, during and after their temporary resident application is assessed by a CIC immigration officer.

According to a release, VAC service agents are available by phone, email or in person to answer questions in local languages and to make sure that applications are complete.

“It is important to note that VACs are not involved in the decision-making process and are not authorized to provide applicants with advice about their visas,” the statement said.

“Applications received through the VAC or online are processed on a priority basis and are typically finalized in half the amount of time of other applications,” it added.

The Government of Canada said it plans to create new jobs and stimulate economic growth by attracting an increasing number of visitors and international students, as well as skilled temporary foreign workers and immigrants that “best respond to current and future labor market needs.

“For this reason, CIC strives to issue visas and

permits as quickly as possible to facilitate travel to Canada,” the statement said.

The latest announcement comes as Canada has imposed new travel requirements for nationals from two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries.

In Jamaica, the Canadian High Commission said new regulations, enforced by CIC which took effect last week, would affect nationals from Jamaica and Haiti wanting to visit, work or study in the North American country.

The High Commission said that nationals from these two CARICOM countries will be required to give fingerprints and photographic data when they apply for visas and permits.

(CBC)

FALSE REPORTS OF Mighty Sparrow’s death KINGSTON, Jamaica – Several reports are being circulated via social media that Calypso legend The Mighty Sparrow is dead, however the Trinidad Express and Trinidad and Tobago’s Consulate General in New York have reported that the singer is alive and showing signs of improvement.

Trinidad Express reported that Mighty Sparrow’s son, Anthony Francisco, told them his father was improving slowly and

also urged them to wait to hear of any changes from Sparrow’s children or his wife before making an announcement.

According to the T&T Consulate General, Francisco reported to them at 8:37 am yesterday (Thursday) that his father “is resting comfortably, and he’s alive and well”. Francisco also thanked the public for their prayers.

The Express also reported that according to his wife Margaret Francisco, Sparrow

Mighty Sparrow started coughing yesterday.

Sparrow, whose given name is Slinger Francisco, is reported to be in a New York hospital. (Jamaica Observer)

Friday September 13, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 35

GPL likely to manage struggling Wartsila sets at Skeldon Factory The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is in talks with the state’s sugar company to manage three Wärtsilä generators at the Skeldon factory.

The operation of the three engines, part of a cogeneration facility built into the multi-million-US-dollar Skeldon factory, had come sharply into focus after blackouts in Berbice.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) had been managing the engines, which have a 10-megawatt capacity, but because of that company’s cash-strapped situation, maintenance had been a sore issue.

The co-generation facility comprises two 15-megawatt turbine steam engines which use bagasse (remains of the crushed sugarcane) and three Wärtsilä generators with a 10megawatt capacity. It was built with the intention of boosting GPL’s capacity in Berbice.

The turbines would operate during crop while the Wärtsilä engines kick in at other times. However, there has been worry that the

Wärtsilä engines which require scheduled maintenance, were not receiving the necessary attention The largest of the Wärtsilä engines, some fivemegawatts, went down after an alternator blew last year.

Poor maintenance has been blamed.

Under arrangements, GPL would provide fuel to GuySuCo to produce power year round.

Questioned about reports that GPL will be moving to maintain the Wärtsilä sets, Chief Executive Officer, Bharat Dindyal, disclosed that the Government has approved of talks between the two state entities to make this a reality.

Kaieteur News understands that current GuySuCo staffers may be trained by Wärtsilä to operate the engines, as part of the recommendations made.

GPL has been speaking about the increasing challenges it has been facing as a result of growing demands. A major programme to build new transmission lines, via a US$38M Chinese

GPL is in talks with GuySuCo to manage the Wärtsilä engines at Skeldon factory.

loan, is underway. A 26megawatt Wärtsilä plant is

also under construction at Vreed-en-Hoop.

It is the intention to fully link Demerara and Berbice into

an integrated system also under construction.

Page 36

Kaieteur News

Friday September 13, 2013

Accused in 2007 Rosignol sawmill murder walks free Twenty-four year-old Andy Adams, of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, who was on trial for the Rosignol sawmill murder which occurred in 2007, on Thursday walked out of the Berbice High Court a free man, after the jury returned unanimous verdicts of not guilty of murder or manslaughter.

Adams was on trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a

mixed jury for the July 20, 2007 murder of Nizamudeen Khan, 56, a security guard attached to the sawmill.

Adams who was jointly charged with Sebastian Cleto, who was killed in a prison brawl, smiled and shook his head as he exchanged a ‘high five’ with his lawyer Joel Persid Edmond, before quickly exiting the court.

Justice Singh had earlier summed up the evidence to

the jury which returned in the afternoon with the verdicts. The judge had on Tuesday overruled the defence’s no case submission and had called on Adams to lead a defence.

In an unsworn statement from the dock, the accused had stated that it was Cleto and another friend named Cox who had problems with the watchman at the sawmill.

He said that he “tried to part them”, but afterwards he left and ran away. He said that he never injured the watchman nor did he give a statement. He had no witness as the defence closed its case.

His lawyer, in addressing the jury, had asked them to disbelieve the evidence that Adams had given any statement. He stated that the prosecution had failed to prove a case against his client.

He also stated that the prosecution had failed to establish where Sebastian Cleto is. The lawyer also told the jury that the prosecution did not show or establish which blow killed Khan.

In her submissions, State

Prosecutor Judith GildharieMursalin said that the defence did not put forward any evidence to establish that any other person hit the deceased. She mentioned that six years after the crime, Adams is now saying that it was Cleto and Cox who had hit Khan.

She queried why he did not say so, sixteen days after the incident, when he gave his statement. She urged the jury not to believe his story.

The prosecutor mentioned the post mortem report which stated that Khan was brutally beaten to death.

She had also stated that prosecution witness, retired Sergeant Simon Johnson, during his evidence had stated that he had put the allegation of murder to both Adams and Cleto, who is now deceased.

She submitted that what Adams was now doing is putting the blame on a dead man, because dead men carry no tales. She also mentioned that the accused did give a statement. The prosecution had called four witnesses - Ex-

FREED: Andy Adams

Sergeant Simon Johnson, Detective Corporals Duke Jacques and Mark Fraser and Detective Lance Corporal Dinesh Baichu.

The accused was employed at a sawmill and resided in the compound. He and his friends had allegedly gone out and upon their return had a misunderstanding with Khan, the guard, who refused to open the gate. Khan subsequently opened the gate and when the men entered they had a fight.

Khan was severely injured and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he died a few days later.

Both Adams and Cleto were allegedly injured in a

fight with other inmates after a misunderstanding in prison.

Cleto was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he subsequently died, while Adams was treated at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Four men were subsequently charged.

However, one, Jason Mc Kenzie, 23, of Rosignol, West Bank Berbice was committed to stand trial in the High Court. Another, Rickford La Fleur, escaped from prison.

The post mortem examination, conducted on July 26, 2007, by Dr. Nehaul Singh, gave the cause of death as cerebral hemorrhage, due to a fractured skull and brain bronchopneumonia and plueritis.

Friday September 13, 2013

Kaieteur News

Tucville shooting…

Resident of Suriname remanded for DJ Cheddie’s murder Clad in a stained surgery gown, Omar Williams, 33 of Abanastraat, “K” Flight, Paramaribo, Suriname, was brought before Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where a murder charge was read to him.

The court heard that on September 9, at Turning Point, Tucville, the defendant murdered 37-year-old Sheldon Cheddie of Lot JC-

946 Jackson Street, Tucville.

Williams was not required to plead to the indictable offence.

Court documents revealed that on the day mentioned in the charge, Cheddie was sitting with his friends at Turning Point when the defendant came up to him and discharged several rounds.

The accused who tried to escape was chased by several public spirited citizens.

During the pursuit, Williams

Omar Williams

Resort employee drowns in E’bo River Divers fished out the body of 19-year-old Ryan Harris from the Essequibo River late yesterday afternoon.

Harris, an employee of the Baganara resort for the past two and a half months, reportedly drowned after he strayed away from other staff of the tourist facility shortly after 17:00 hours.

Investigators are baffled, especially since Harris was said to be a very strong

swimmer.

Reports are that the staff was playing on the beach near the resort when Harris wandered away from them and entered the river.

When he did not surface after awhile, an alarm was raised and a search was launched in the river. Two hours later Harris’s body was pulled up and subsequently taken to the Bartica Hospital where he was officially pronounced dead.

fired several rounds at the said residents, but no one was injured.

Cheddie was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Whilst investigations are expected to be completed within the next three weeks, bail for the unrepresented defendant was refused and he is expected to return to court on October 18 for report and fixture.

Page 37

Page 38

Kaieteur News

Cape Verde thrown out of World Cup qualifying Zurich (AP) - Cape Verde was thrown out of the final round of African qualifying for next year’s World Cup when FIFA ruled Thursday the island nation used an ineligible player during last weekend’s win over Tunisia.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee said defender

Fernando Varela should not have played in Saturday’s 20 win because he had not completed a four-game suspension for a red card assessed in March.

Tunisia (4-0-2) was awarded a 3-0 forfeit victory and won Group B, while Cape Verde (3-3) dropped to

second. Tunisia coach Nabil Maaloul quit and criticized his players following last weekend’s loss.

Cape Verde, with a population of about 500,000, was looking to reach the World Cup for the first time.

Its soccer federation was fined 6,000 Swiss francs

Friday September 13, 2013 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): Is it time to take a more drastic approach to solving a problem, Aries? If you've made several attempts to resolve your trouble to no avail, it might be something to consider. As long as drastic doesn't equate with destructive, you may find it works to try something more aggressive. *************************** TAURUS (APR 20 MAY 20): Tap into your creativity to unblock your emotions today, Taurus. This can be a more powerful tool than you realize. *************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 JUN 20): You may need to deal with disapproval today, Gemini. This will likely come from someone you see as a superior or authority figure, perhaps a parent or teacher. *************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Taking time alone is essential for everyone, Cancer, but recognize when you're isolating yourself to the point where it's unhealthy. If you ask why you're taking this time and answer because you're avoiding something or someone, you need to reconsider. Things will only build and get worse under these conditions. *************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): Watch out for the greeneyed monster today, Leo. It can rear up before you even say the word "jealousy" if you're not on your guard.

Many situations that cause this feeling are born of insecurity. ************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): You may feel insecure about your appearance today, Virgo. This can be a vicious cycle, and the end result is almost always negative. Rather than picking yourself to pieces, find ways to accept your looks.

LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): Jealousy might rear its head today, Libra. The key to coping with it is to understand why you feel insecure.

If you're jealous of a partner, why is this? *************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): Arts and crafts may hold your interest today, Scorpio. Even if you lean more toward sports, an artistic streak likely runs pretty strong in you. *************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): Getting along with others may prove challenging today, Sagittarius. The planetary aspects can have you isolating yourself. You might feel impatient and easily annoyed. If this is so, stay solo if you can. *************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19):Don't be surprised if you're a little weepy today, Capricorn. The day's planetary influences could enhance your sensitivity to everything, including your feelings. Let yourself cry if you need to - it can be cleansing. *************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): Obsessive thinking may be something you need to look at today, Aquarius.

Common areas for such behaviors are in the pursuit of money, power, success, and romance. *************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20):Don't act impulsively today, Pisces. It can be easy to confuse this with spontaneity, but one has more thought in it than the other. Look before you leap! Think everything through from decisions to projects to contracts. for hurt by being gullible.

($6,447) by FIFA. Burkino Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Sudan and Togo also have forfeited games because of ineligible players during qualifying for the 2014 tournament.

Algeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Tunisia are seeded for Monday’s draw, which will determine five pairings for Africa’s final round. Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia and Senegal are unseeded.

The five winners of the home-and-home series will q u a l i f y f o r n e x t y e a r ’s tournament in Brazil.

(YahooSports)

Friday September 13, 2013

WACA slams devastating ...

From page 44 Australia’s major eastern cities.

But India’s cricketers are likely to rejoice in avoiding the WACA’s famously fast and bouncy pitch, where they were routed by an innings and 37 runs in less than three days in their last Test at the ground in 2012.

Vuelta a Espana..

From page 39 it would be a catalyst for change.

Bertine added: “We have to elevate all of women’s cycling so it is sustainable. It’s about having a Tour de Everything, all the opportunities that the men have as well.

“Right now, we need change. We believe that Brian Cookson, in his manifesto, presents an opportunity for women’s cycling to move forward. “If Pat McQuaid wins [a third term], my biggest fear is that nothing will happen.”

Olympic and World road cycling champion Vos, the most successful female cyclist of all time, added: “My dream is to give women’s cycling a bigger platform, to help it have a brighter future and to show the world the beauty of the races.” Le Tour Entier means “The Whole Tour”. (BBC Sport)

Friday September 13, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 39

Former athletes struggling Women’s Tour de France with addiction and illness campaigners publish manifesto (Reuters) - Almost a quarter of former sportsmen have battled with health, addiction or financial problems after retiring, according to a British survey published on Thursday.

More than 1,200 retired footballers, rugby union and league players, jockeys and cricketers were polled by the Professional Players Federation, an umbrella body of players’ unions who interviewed a wide range of former sports professionals aged from 22 to 95.

Simon Taylor, the PPF General Secretary, told Reuters some female jockeys may have been polled but 99 percent of the respondents were men.

The results showed that while 79 per cent said they were content with their lives, 32 per cent said they did not feel in control in the first two years after leaving sport.

Almost a quarter of them - 24 per cent - said they had suffered from physical and mental health issues or financial and addiction problems as they attempted to embark on second careers once their professional sporting days were over.

Many footballers have

publicly struggled with their demons with former Manchester United and Northern Ireland great George Best the most notable example. Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne’s problems have also been well documented over the last few years.

Some 16 per cent said they experienced depression or “feelings of despair”, 17 per cent had anxiety or stress issues and 16 per cent suffered a loss of self-esteem once they retired.

Brendan Batson, the PPF chairman said in a release accompanying the survey: “This important study emphasizes the challenges professional sportspeople face in retirement and it is crucial we help them adjust to life out of the spotlight.”

Angus Porter, the Chief Executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association, which initiated the study, added: “It is important that we continue to provide support, particularly in the crucial two year period after they stop playing.”

PARK BENCH The most recent example of a former sportsman struggling to cope is Kenny

Sansom, the ex-Arsenal defender who played 86 times for England and took part in two World Cups. His alcoholism was so bad he admitted to sleeping on park benches.

“When you come to the end of your career you obviously have more time on your hands and you drink three or four times a week, then it becomes every day, and at one stage I was drinking eight or nine bottles of wine a day, “ he told Sky Sports News on Thursday.

“I was drinking to forget problems and I didn’t mind sleeping rough because I’d get miserably drunk and then just fall asleep somewhere on a park bench,” he added.

The PPF was organising a one-day conference in Birmingham to help former professionals cope with the trials of life as they embark on a second career.

The research found that almost half retained a link to their sport in some capacity, and the average salary among those surveyed was between 30,000 pounds ($47,400) and 40,000 pounds, above the average national wage of 26,000 pounds. ($1 = 0.6324 British pounds)

Three Spanish athletes test positive

(Reuters) Tests conducted at the Spanish athletics championships in July returned three “adverse analytical findings”, the head of the country’s anti-doping agency (AEPSAD) told the lower house of parliament on Thursday.

AEPSAD President Ana Munoz did not reveal the names of the athletes but said their licences have been suspended while the correct procedures are followed. Two of the substances detected carry lengthy bans according to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules and the positive results have been confirmed by the WADAaccredited laboratory in Lausanne, Switzerland, she

added. The tests were the first conducted by AEPSAD since it was granted wider powers in new anti-doping legislation. The law was part of Spain’s effort to dispel a perception it is soft on doping, seen as one reason for the failure last week of Madrid’s bid for the right to host the 2020 Olympic Games.

The country’s image suffered a blow in April when the judge in a high-profile doping trial ordered blood bags that could implicate drug cheats to be destroyed. The Spanish doctor at the center of the case, Eufemiano Fuentes, had told the court he had clients in cycling but also in sports including soccer, tennis, athletics and boxing.

Fuentes, who denied doping, was given a one-year prison term for endangering public health but the judge’s ruling on the blood bags prompted widespread condemnation. Anti-doping authorities have appealed her decision and Munoz told parliament the blood bags were still in existence pending the outcome.

“Obviously every time an adverse finding comes to light which could lead to a severe punishment it is a reason for sadness,” she said. “Because it means that there is an athlete who did not want to respect the rules. “At the same time, it is a sign that work well done ... bears fruit.”

Armstrong returns Olympic bronze...

From page 41 of performance-enhancing drugs by Armstrong and his U.S. Postal Service team.

Armstrong also has been stripped of the seven Tour de France titles he won from 19992005. The IOC previously stripped Tyler Hamilton, a former Armstrong teammate, of his time-trial gold medal from the 2004 Olympics after he

acknowledged doping.

Armstrong won his medal two months after winning his second Tour de France title.

His U.S. Postal Service teammate, Vyacheslav Ekimov of Russia, won the gold and Jan Ullrich of Germany won silver.

Ekimov was Armstrong’s teammate during the time period in which USADA

outlined widespread doping on the team. Ullrich, who was a chief rival of Armstrong and finished second to him in the Tour de France three times, confirmed in an interview with a German magazine in June that he used blood-doping treatments during his career.

The IOC has not brought charges against either Ekimov or Ullrich. (YahooSports)

Female cycling A manifesto has been published as campaigners step up attempts to reintroduce a women’s Tour de France. Le Tour Entier’s document calls for a women’s event, last held in 2009, to be run alongside the men’s race from 2014.

More than 93,000 have signed a petition by the group, led by cyclist and writer Kathryn Bertine, World Ironman champion Chrissie

Wellington, and cyclists Marianne Vos and Emma Pooley. “We must revamp the entire structure of women’s cycling,” Bertine said.

The manifesto - which has been sent to the International Cycling Union (UCI) and Tour de France owners Amaury Sport Organisation - also requests that three women’s tours are established, and race and stage length restrictions for

women abolished.

Bertine told BBC Sport that sponsors are in place to back the proposals. A women’s race was first run in 1984 but the last event took place four years ago, when Pooley won. She believes this month’s UCI presidential election will play a “huge role” and insisted that should Brian Cookson defeat the incumbent Pat McQuaid (Continued on page 38)

Vuelta a Espana 2013: Nibali lead cut to three seconds Vincenzo Nibali of Italy saw his overall lead in the Vuelta a Espana cut to only three seconds after he finished 10th on stage 18 on Thursday. Team Sky rider Vasil Kiryienka of Belarus won the mountainous 186.5km (115.9 mile) stage.

Nibali’s nearest rival Chris Horner of the United States came sixth, 25 seconds ahead of Nibali. Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez both made up a handful of seconds on Nibali. However, the Spanish duo remains in third and fourth place respectively in the general classification for the Vuelta, which finishes in Madrid on Sunday.

Thursday’s 18th stage, from Burgos to Pena Cabarga, included five categorised climbs as well as a difficult final ascent. Denmark’s Chris Sorensen was the only rider to finish within a minute of Kiryienka and took second place in the stage.

Spanish duo Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez both managed to make up a handful of seconds on Nibali, but remain back in third and fourth place respectively. On Friday (today), the 19th stage is a 181km (112 mile) medium mountain stage between San

Vincenzo Nibali Vicente de la Barquera and Alto del Naranco.

Result of Stage 18: 1. Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus/Team Sky) 4 hours, 46, minutes, 47 seconds 2. Chris Sorensen (Denmark/Saxo - Tinkoff) +28 secs

3. Adam Hansen (Australia/Lotto) +1’18" 4. Martin Kohler (Switzerland/BMC Racing) +1’34" 5. Egoi Martinez (Spain/ Euskaltel) +1’42" 6. Chris Horner (US/ RadioShack) +1’53" 7. Amets Txurruka (Spain/ Caja Rural) + 2’02" 8. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain/Katusha) +2’13" 9. Alejandro Valverde (Spain/Movistar) +2’13" 10. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy/ Astana) +2’18" Overall standings after Stage 18: 1. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy/ Astana) 73:39:35" 2. Chris Horner (US/ RadioShack) +3" 3. Alejandro Valverde (Spain/Movistar) +1:09" 4. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain/Katusha) +2:24" 5. Nicolas Roche (Ireland/ Saxo - Tinkoff) +3:43" 6. Domenico Pozzovivo (Italy/AG2R) +5:44" 7. Thibaut Pinot (France/ FDJ.fr) +6:14" 8. Leopold Koenig (Czech Republic/NetApp) +6:35" 9. Samuel Sanchez (Spain/ Euskaltel) +7:51" 10. Tanel Kangert (Estonia/Astana) +11:10" (BBC Sport)

Page 40

Kaieteur News

A look back on the 2013 Diamond Race and ahead to the 2014 calendar

Friday September 13, 2013

Sizzling Snedeker takes early control

- IAAF Diamond League The 2013 IAAF Diamond League reached its conclusion last week in Brussels with the crowning of 16 Diamond Race winners, following the first 16 athletes who received their Diamond Trophies in Zurich one week prior.

The calendar dates for next year’s IAAF Diamond League have already been approved*, but here we highlight some of the statistics from the 2013 Diamond League season.

Among the winners last week in the Belgian capital were Kenyan steeplechaser Milcah Chemos and French pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie, who both made history by becoming the first athletes to win four successive Diamond Race titles.

Since the Diamond League began in 2010, there have been no other overall winners of the women’s 3000m Steeplechase and men’s Pole Vault as Chemos and Lavillenie have dominated their respective events.

Lavillenie now ties New Zealand shot putter Valerie Adams for the most Diamond League wins since 2010, both athletes having recorded 17 victories across the four-year history of the series.

Adams still h a s t h e highest points total though with 94 compared to Lavillenie’s 86.

Two athletes this year won all seven meetings in the Diamond Race for their events. Czech 400m hurdler Zuzana Hejnova and Croatian discus thrower Sandra Perkovic achieved a ‘perfect seven’ across the 14-meeting series.

In the men’s events, the most consistent performers were Ukrainian high jumper Bohdan Bondarenko and US shot putter Ryan Whiting, who won five meetings each, despite having never won at a Diamond League meeting before this year.

Brandt Snedeker

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce winning teh 100m at teh 2013 IAAF Diamond League final in Brussels Aside from Perkovic and Hejnova, other athletes who went unbeaten in the 2013 Diamond League series include Adams in the Shot (5 meets), Colombian triple jumper Caterine Ibarguen (6), US sprint hurdler Dawn Harper-Nelson (5) and Russian high jumper Svetlana Shkolina (4).

Naturally, Hejnova and Perkovic scored the most points within an individual event with 32 points across the whole season. But the top scorer overall was Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann FraserPryce, who notched up 35 points throughout the season.

Fraser-Pryce tied with Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare for the highest number of appearances in Diamond Race events this year with 10 each. Both athletes finished in the top three in nine of those competitions; the most of any athlete in the world this year.

In single disciplines, US triple jumper Christian Ta y l o r, Botswana’s 400m runner Amantle Montsho and German javelin thrower Christina Obergfoll joined Hejnova and Perkovic as athletes who finished in the top three at all seven Diamond Race competitions this season.

As yet, no one has won

at all 14 meetings in a Diamond Race event, but Perkovic is closest to achieving that, having won at all of the meetings apart from Paris and London since 2010.

The most prolific Diamond League performer is Kenyan middle-distance runner Asbel Kiprop, who has made 29 appearances in Diamond Race events since 2010. In a single discipline, Montsho boasts the most appearances with 27.

This year Diamond League records were set in seven individual events – men’s 400m, 1500m, High Jump, Pole Vault, and the women’s 400m, Pole Vault and Long jump.

2013 Diamond Race winners MEN 100m – Justin Gatlin (USA) 200m – Warren Weir (JAM) 400m – LaShawn Merritt (USA) 800m – Mohammed Aman (ETH) 1500m – Ayanleh Souleiman (DJI) 5000m – Yenew Alamirew (ETH) 3000m Steeplechase – Conseslus Kipruto (KEN) 110m Hurdles – David Oliver (USA) 400m Hurdles – Javier Culson (PUR) High Jump – Bohdan

Bondarenko (UKR) Pole Vault – Renaud Lavillenie (FRA) Long Jump – Aleksandr Menkov (RUS) Triple Jump – Christian Taylor (USA) Shot Put – Ryan Whiting (USA) Discus – Gerd Kanter (EST) Javelin – Vitezslav Vesely (CZE) WOMEN 100m – Shelly-Ann FraserPryce (JAM) 200m – Shelly-Ann FraserPryce (JAM) 400m – Amantle Montsho (BOT) 800m – Eunice Sum (KEN) 1500m – Abeba Aregawi (SWE) 5000m – Meseret Defar (ETH) 3000m Steeplechase – Milcah Chemos (KEN) 100m Hurdles – Dawn Harper-Nelson (USA) 400m Hurdles – Zuzana Hejnova High Jump – Svetlana Shkolina (RUS) Pole Vault – Yarisley Silva (CUB) Long Jump – Shara Proctor (GBR) Triple Jump – Caterine Ibarguen (COL) Shot Put – Valerie Adams (NZL) Discus – Sandra Perkovic (CRO) Javelin – Christina Obergfoll (GER)

Top scrabble players continue fierce rivalry ...

From page 43 will be sure to remember this when he attempts to replicate his feat of the last tournament.

Further, several of the experienced players, including current and former National Champions, Abigail McDonald and Fred Collins respectively, did not partici-

pate in the last tournament and their presence on Sunday will add a further intrigue to speculations over who will cart off the spoils.

The females are also expected to be in contention and the players will be wary of Grace Hercules, who resolutely travels all the way from Linden to

compete, and Ruby Cummings, a dangerous player on her day.

Hercules has also clinched the prize on several occasions for being the best player outside of the top ten rankings.

GASP Executives continue to implore players on the importance of early ar-

rival and remind them of the added $200 to the $500 entrance fee which will be applied to all latecomers. Further, persons who are in possession of scrabble boards are asked to have them at the venue at least half an hour before the 10:00hrs start. Registration begins at 09:45hrs.

Lake Forest, Illinois (Reuters) - Red-hot Brandt Snedeker piled up a PGA Tour season-best seven consecutive birdies on the way to an early one-shot lead in Thursday’s opening round of the BMW Championship.

The fast-talking American fired a flawless eight-under-par 63 despite t r i c k y, gusting conditions at Conway Farms Golf Club to seize control of the third of the PGA Tour’s four lucrative FedExCup playoff events.

Helped by a 40-foot putt which he sank from the back fringe of the green at the par-three 17th, his eighth hole of the day, Snedeker reeled off seven consecutive birdies from the 13th to rocket to the top of the leaderboard.

Compatriot Zach Johnson opened with a seven-birdie 64 and world number one Tiger Woods shot a 66 to end the day level with fellow American Steve Stricker and South African Charl Schwartzel but Snedeker commanded the spotlight.

“It was one of those days where everything seemed to go right in the middle of the round,” S n e d e k e r, t h e r e i g n i n g FedExCup champion, told

reporters after totaling only 22 putts in an eightbirdie display.

“Got off to kind of a slow start and made a great birdie from off the green on 13 that got everything moving in the right direction.

To roll off seven birdies in a row kind of came out of nowhere. I wasn’t expecting it.”

Woods, seeking his sixth PGA Tour victory this season, was not in the best of moods after failing to birdie any of the three par-fives.

“I’m not exactly real happy,” said the 14-times major winner, who mixed seven birdies with two bogeys. “I certainly wasted a lot of shots out there today.

I missed three short ones (putts) and played the parfives stupendously.

“One of those days.

I played well, and I just didn’t get much out of that round.” Seventy players have qualified for the elite BMW Championship, the penultimate playoff event.

Of the 30 who advance t o n e x t w e e k ’s s e a s o n ending To u r Championship, any of the top five would automatically clinch FedExCup honors and a staggering $10 million bonus with victory in Atlanta.

Vitori’s five-wicket haul allows Zimbabwe ...

From page 42 bowling of Saeed Ajmal, as he showed a return to form.

But he fell to a ball from Abdur Rehman that skidded on and trapped him leg before two overs from the close.

Masakadza was similarly caught on the front foot four balls later and then night watchman Tinashe Panyangara was dismissed without scoring, bringing the third day to a close.

Pakistan were 163 for three overnight, in reply to Zimbabwe’s first innings total of 294, but hopes of a full day at the crease on a docile surface were dented when captain Misbah-ul-Haq (33) fell soon after the new ball was taken and Younus Khan (77) was caught

by Mawoyo at mid wicket off Panyangara.

Pakistan’s last six wickets tumbled for only 19 runs as Vitori returned figures of five for 61 and Panyangara got two wickets with successive balls. Vitori is only the second Zimbabwean bowler to take five wickets in a test innings since 2005.

Friday September 13, 2013

Kaieteur News

Anti-Racism and Discrimination Task Force Discusses Education and Implementation of Measures Miami - The FIFA Task Force Against Racism and Discrimination, chaired by FIFA Vice-President and CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb, held its second meeting at the Home of FIFA in Zurich yesterday to discuss its education platform and measures.

“This is not a battle of football but of human kind,” said Webb during his opening remarks. “We are grateful to have the support of all these experts who have joined the task force.”

During the session, deliberations focused on actions to be implemented following the landmark Resolution on the fight against racism and discrimination approved on May 31st at the 63rd FIFA Congress after a powerful address from Webb.

“It’s not only up to FIFA to implement the key decisions adopted by the Congress with regard to the fight against discrimination and racism.

The

implementation process needs to be fully supported by all member associations and society as a whole,” said Webb during the session.

The Task Force analyzed prevention and education measures to further enhance the fight against discrimination, as well as the enforcement of sanctions to punish offences. Headed by Webb, the group identified the following matters as key priorities: - Allocation of specific resources for the fight against racism and discrimination, - Development of an antidiscrimination handbook to be provided to all Member Associations for best practice and training, - Identification, recruitment and training of anti-discrimination officers, - Identification of highrisk games, - Identification and engagement of antidiscrimination ambassadors, - Proposal of special award for achievements in the

area of anti-discrimination.

The creation of the Task Force was announced by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter in early March 2013, following a meeting of the FIFA Strategic Committee, as part of a series of measures to tackle the pressing issue of racism and discrimination in football.

Participants in the meeting included: Chairman • Jeffrey WEBB, Cayman Islands (FIFA VicePresident, President of CONCACAF) Vice-Chairman • Jacques ANOUMA (FIFA Executive Committee member) FIFA President • Joseph S. BLATTER Members • David BERNSTEIN (former Chairman of The Football Association Ltd.) • Yury BOYCHENKO (Chief of Anti-Discrimination Section at United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner)

• Osasu OBAYIUWANA (Associate Editor NewAfrican Magazine) • Piara POWAR (CEO of FARE) • Claudio SULSER (Chairman FIFA Disciplinary Committee) • Theo VAN SEGGELEN (FIFPro Secretary General) • Howard WEBB (FIFA Referee) Advisors • Anthony BAFFOE (former international player) • Jorge BALLESTERO (magistrate) • Véron MOSENGO – OMBA Switzerland (UEFA) • Tokyo SEXWALE (Mandela Foundation and anti-apartheid activist) • Hilary O. SHELTON (Director, NAACP Washington Bureau) FIFA Secretary General • Jérôme VALCKE FIFA Administration • Federico ADDIECHI (Head of CSR

Page 41

US 13th in FIFA rankings, highest spot in 3 years Zurich (AP) - The United States climbed to 13th in the FIFA rankings, its highest position since July 2010.

The Americans rose six places in the September rankings announced Thursday, which include Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Mexico that clinched the seventh straight World Cup berth for the U.S. The Americans had dropped to as low as 36th in July and August in 2012.

World and European champion Spain remained first for the 25th consecutive month, and Argentina rose two places to second after qualifying for its 11th consecutive World Cup. Germany dropped to third, and Italy rose two places to

fourth after securing its 14th consecutive berth. Colombia dropped two to fifth. Belgium, Uruguay, Brazil, the Netherlands and Croatia round out the top 10.

If the system used four years ago is retained by FIFA, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Italy, Spain and Uruguay would be the seeded teams for the World Cup draw on December 6, if they all qualify.

Argentina, Italy and host Brazil already are assured spots in the 32-nation field.

The Netherlands, which also has clinched, would be unseeded if the 2009 draw system is retained. England, which has not yet qualified, is ranked 17th and also would be unseeded.

Armstrong returns Olympic bronze medal

Murray to start Croatia Davis Cup tie against 16-year-old US Open junior champion Andy Murray will launch Great Britain’s bid to regain a place in the elite World Group of the Davis Cup today with a match against Croatia’s newly-crowned US Open junior champion.

Borna Coric, a hugely talented 16 year-old based in London and coached by Englishman Ryan Jones, was the surprise pick for the promotion play-off.

British Captain Leon Smith named former Wi m b l e d o n doubles champion Jonny Marray in his four in place of singles p l a y e r J a m e s Wa r d , although Murray remains down to play alongside Colin Fleming in Saturday’s doubles rubber.

I n F r i d a y ’s ( t o d a y ) second match Dan Evans, fresh from his US Open third round appearance, will face formidable world No 35 Ivan Dodig, who is the home No 1 in the absence of Marin Cilic.

It is believed that Cilic, ironically, is currently in London, trying to appeal against the positive test he gave at the ATP event in Munich earlier this year.

On Sunday Coric emulated Murray by winning the junior title at Flushing Meadows, and has been thrown in for the experience.

As all selections are subject to change it may still be the case that Croatia’s second ranked singles player, world No 205 Antonio Veic, could be thrown into Sunday’s fifth and final rubber against Evans if necessary.

Murray is returning to Davis Cup play after a twoyear absence and will try to secure GB a place in the 16team World Group for what would be the first time since 2008.

The fact that he should have a relatively comfortable first match makes it more likely he will play in two singles and the doubles over the three days.

The Croatians have a decent doubles team and it may be that match which determines the tie.

The match is taking place on the Istrian coast just 200 metres from the beach in the stadium used for the postWimbledon Umag ATP Tour event.

Ranking-wise GB look favourites, but the tie is on clay and the team has a history of slipping up in matches against sides who are naturally more comfortable on the surface.

GB has not won an away Davis Cup tie since they beat Ukraine in 2006.

(MailOnline)

Andy Murray and Ivan Dodig are the two highest ranked players in the tie

Borna Coric

Austin, Texas (AP) Lance Armstrong has returned his Olympic bronze cycling medal, the latest fallout from his confession to using performanceenhancing drugs.

Armstrong won the medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. The International Olympic Committee in January vacated the medal Armstrong won in the road time trial. Armstrong tweeted Thursday that he have given it back and a U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman released a statement confirming its return.

Armstrong’s tweet included a photo of the medal and its blue ribbon along with the message: ‘’The 2000 Bronze is back in possession of (at)usolympics and will be

in Switzerland asap.’’

Armstrong declined further comment.

The IOC has said it will not reallocate Armstrong’s bronze medal, just as cycling’s ruling body decided not to declare any winners for the Tour titles once held by the American.

Spanish rider Abraham Olano Manzano, who finished fourth in Sydney, will not be upgraded and the bronze medal will be left vacant in Olympic records.

Armstrong denied doping for years until his confession in January in an interview with Oprah Winfrey. The confession came after a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency report detailed widespread use (Continued on page 39)

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Kaieteur News

Friday September 13, 2013

Lodge/Meadowbrook avoid Gentle to headline Courts elimination against Buxton Junior Tennis C/ships Mackeson/TGH Pacesetters InterWard Basketball Championship

By Edison Jefford Lodge/Meadowbrook avoided elimination from the Mackeson-sponsored Trinity Grid Holdings (TGH) Pacesetters Inter-Ward Basketball Championship with an impressive victory Wednesday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Veteran guard/forward, Pelham Doris led Lodge/ Meadowbrook’s recovering after their opening lost to defending champs, Albouystown/Charlestown last week with a 16-point performance that breathed new life into his side with a 73-44 win against Buxton.

Doris also had five assists and four rebounds while Mortimer Williams supported with 15 points and six rebounds. Hodayah Stewart and Shawn Blair netted 10 and seven points correspondingly for an excellent all-round offensive team performance.

For Buxton, Ewart Smith and Loshol Caesar scored 11 and eight points respectively for the team that collapsed in the second half of the game.

Both sides struggled for offense in the first quarter with the Buxtonians jumping into an 11-7 lead at the end.

Down 17-21, Doris imposed his offensive will in the second period, rolling

back some years in a vintage display of leadership; Doris nailed a huge three-pointer, drove for two points then landed a three-point play that left Buxton obviously flabbergasted.

Doris scored 12 points in five minutes, showing his worth on the defensive end as he intercepted a pass that he converted for a 32-27 Lodge/Meadowbrook lead at halftime. Rigid defence that led to poor shot selections plagued the Buxtonians in the third period.

The pressure from Lodge/ Meadowbrook ensured that the East Coast-based side scored just five points in the penultimate period of regulation time. Forward, Williams along with guard, Stewart combined to reinforce the dominance of the south Georgetown team.

The third quarter ended 51-35 with Lodge appearing indomitable.

The eventual winners went on to score 22 points in the fourth quarter and m o s t importantly ensuring the Buxtonians yet another single-digit second half period with crippling defence.

L o d g e / M e a d o w b r o o k ’s defensive intensity forced countless turnovers that led to Buxton scoring just nine points in the last quarter of

the feature game.

Meanwhile, earlier in the night, McDoom/Diamond defeated Alberttown/Bourda 69-56 with one of the most prolific guards, Travis Burnett scoring 24 points while Tyrone Hamid had 10 points and Travis Foster seven points and 13 rebounds.

Yannick December scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds in the loss while Jaime Mayers scored 10 points and collected seven ‘boards’.

Three games in groups ‘A’ and ‘B’ were played on the third night of the 2013 I n t e r- Wa r d B a s k e t b a l l Championship.

The offensively lethal Plaisance/Vryheid’s Lust b l e w o u t E a s t / We s t Ruimveldt 121-53 in their group ‘B’ fixture, for their second straight win and second 100-plus point performance in the competition thus far.

Nikkoloi Smith led with 22 points, three steals and as many assists while Nicholas Cassius, Enoc Matthews, Hugh Arthur and Shelroy Thomas contributed 16, 13, 13 and 12 points respectively in another explosive team performance.

Dwan Walters led the losers with 17 points and nine rebounds while Albert Grant scored 14 points.

The competition continues this weekend at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Guyanese athlete sets Chicago State School 3-mile Cross Country record PEORIA Junior Melissa Collins who hails from Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara, made her debut in the quarter mile event at the 37th Annual Bradley Inter Collegiate championships one to remember.

Collins ran the three-mile course in a new Chicago State School record time of 18

Minutes 06 Seconds. The Cougars fell to Bradley 50-15 and Butler 48-15 in the event held at Detweiller Park.

Freshman Angelica Hampton (Melrose Park, Ill./ Harlan Community) turned in a time of 24:27.

Sophomore Jusilya Scott (Chicago , Ill./ Kenwood) ran the course in

exactly 25 minutes.

SophomoreShaquilla Jackson (Chicago, Ill./Team Englewood ) stopped the clock at 26:40. Freshman Tochuwku Akujieze finished with a time of 28:05.

The Cougars return to action on September 14, at the UW-Parkside Midwest Regional.

Enmore, St Cuthbert’s clash in ...

From page 37 and fast bowler Burton Clenkin with 3-14 were the start performers for St Cuthbert’s Mission and both have been named in the squad for Sunday’s game.

While the visitors would want to make a clean sweep of the two-match series, the ECCCC lads would no doubt want to exploit home advantage and return the favour to their guests.

The ECCCC side has been

boosted by the inclusion of national First-Class and West Indies Under-19 opener, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, and national First-Class and former West Indies Under-19 leg-spinner, Amir Khan.

ECCCC squad reads: Bheemraj Ramkellawan, Sheik Mohamed, Chandraban Seemangal, Chetram Ramlall, Vishwanauth Ramlakhan, Amir Khan, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Mark Malone, Adrian Persaud, Jacob

Persaud, Ranjeet Hiralall, Satesh Jainarine, M. Persaud and Naresh Persaud.

St Cuthbert’s Mission squad reads: Timothy Andrews, Burton Clenkin, Timur Ferreira, Stallone Simon, Alford Ferreira, Alpheus Dundas, Avinash Sammy, Julio Ferreira, Raul Daniels, Eustace O’Selmo, Rayon Gunpath and Oswald Hosein.

Admission to the venue is free.

Local tennis fans will have a great opportunity to see the local version of American player Sachia Vickery when rising star Afruica Gentle takes to the court in the Courts-sponsored Junior Championships which opens tomorrow, at the Non Pariel Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue.

The young Gentle whose sister Shawna was also a junior champion recently captured her first regional title when she won the Antigua’s Junior Tennis Invitational

Girls 12 and under division, beating a strong field from countries such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada.

The championships will see matches being played in the Under-10, 12, 14 and 18 categories and Gentle along with former National under 12 champion Shivani Persaud, Keenan Persaud, Jordan Beaton and Nicola Ramdyhan will definitely be the main attractions during the twoweek event which ends on September 29.

Nicola Ramdyhan

Hercules hoping to represent E’bo After another successful season in England Overseas Professional Ryan Hercules returns home from another successful sojourn in English cricket playing for the Winston Parish Cricket Club in the South Yorkshire and he harbors hopes of returning to the Essequibo side for this year’s Pepsi Inter County 50over tournament, scheduled to commence on September 21.

The 25-year-old fast bowling all-rounder scored two centuries and a fifty from 22 matches and captured 39 wickets this season in the division-one League to gain selection on the South Yorkshire T20 side.

Hercules made his Inter County debut in 2006 against Berbice at Everest after representing Guyana at the Under-19 level from 20032006, but the versatile cricketer has not played a match at that level since he played against Demerara at Anna Regina in 2009.

“I arrive home on September 23 and I am available for the final

preliminary round of the competition on September 26.

My Agent is in the process of doing a letter for the Essequibo Cricket Board,” Hercules informed.

The talented right-hander from the Village of Parika says this year has been his best so far since first playing in England in 2009.

“Playing for Guyana has never come out of my mind because it’s still one of my goals to play First-Class cricket for my country. But I guess I have to play for Essequibo to qualify. I know I am a much more matured player now. Next year I should complete my level three Coaching certificate because I will be working with the England Cricket Board as a Coach,” Hercules disclosed.

Hercules, who scored an unbeaten 135 last Saturday in the England for his club, explained that in October last year, he was enlisted by Berwick Cricket Club in Melbourne, Australia and remained there until March of

2013.

“I believe my trip to Australia helped me to develop a lot as a player. Even with my batting ….because I think I benefitted from good Coaching from my teammate Bathiya Perera, the former Sri Lankan player” Hercules opined.

Hercules says, “You have to be very fit to play in England. You can be fielding all day without even breaking a sweat, so it is easy to cramp up,” and, “I have gone to England to work. Cricket is my job. I am not on a holiday.”

Hercules credits his mom with advising and supporting him all the way, and current Guyana senior team Manager Alvin Johnson for being his “Manager, Coach and everything else.”

Hercules is one day hoping to join former Test pacer Otis Gibson as West Indians with a Coaching jobs with the English team sometime in the future. But for now his focus is on improving his performance on the field and hopefully breaking into the Guyana team. (Sean Devers)

Vitori’s five-wicket haul allows Zimbabwe to gain upper hand (Reuters) - Brian Vitori grabbed five wickets and opener Tino Mawoyo scored a half-century as Zimbabwe took control of the second test against Pakistan with a 185-run lead on Thursday.

Zimbabwe’s batsmen, however, will be ruing some rash shots towards the end of the third day as they would have been in an even stronger position had they not lost three wickets in the final three overs.

The home side, seeking to level the two-match series, were 121 for four in their second innings after earlier dismissing Pakistan for 230 at the Harare Sports Club.

Mawoyo (58) and Hamilton Masakadza (44) were aggressive in forging a strong 104-run second wicket partnership for Zimbabwe to give them a real chance of setting Pakistan a tough target to chase for victory on a wicket expected to deteriorate.

But they both lost their wickets late in the day just when they looked set to return to the crease on Friday.

Mawoyo, who has struggled in the series since returning from injury, survived several close calls, including being dropped by wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal off the (Continued on page 40)

Brian Vitori claimed his maiden Test five-for © AFP