Guyana Times Daily - March 16, 2015

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Issue No. 2434

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, March 16, 2015

PRICE

APNU+AFC's Linden Rally:

Nagamootoo wants PNC rigging forgotten Page 12

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: Elections security:

Police P3 preparing for worst – Top Cop

– Granger wants 99% Reg 10 votes

Suspect in Nabaclis P3 executionstyle killing on the run Corbin fixes fallout from PNC Congress rigging P7 ...Solomon, Kissoon back, Norton out

Prime Ministerial Candidate for the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Elisabeth Harper delivering brief remarks at the 18th annual fun day held to commemorate the Death Anniversary of the late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan on the lawns of State House on Sunday

25 murders Additional CCTV including 3 feed being executions in 2 reviewed mths – Police

Crum-Ewing’s execution:

Page 2

Page 7

…two arrested, car seized

APNU/AFC Linden Rally

P14

Granger pushes envelope on incitement

Kerry admits US will have to negotiate with Assad P15

2 News

monday, march 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

25 murders including 3 executions in 2 mths – Police violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.

At the end of February 2015, robbery under arms overall decreased by 29 per cent. Figures show that in 2014, 141 robberies were committed with the use of firearms compared to 95 in 2015. This accounts for a 33 per cent decrease. Also, there was a 22 per cent decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators – 65 cas-

There has been a slight increase in murders but a decrease in gun robberies year on year for the January-February period in 2014 and 2015, while the number of road fatalities remained stagnant

T

he Guyana Police Force on Sunday disclosed that 25 murders were committed at the end of February, 2015 when compared to 24 for the same period in 2014, a four per cent increase in murders.

Out of the 25 murders, six were committed in A Division (Georgetown/ East Bank) while another six were committed in

C Division (East Coast).

Five were committed in F Division (Interior locations) with three each in B (Berbice) and E (LindenKwakwani) Division and two in G Division (Essequibo).

Ten were as a result of disorderly behaviour; three, execution stylekillings; one was committed during a robbery; five were as a result of

domestic dispute and the motives behind six were still to be determined. However, Police stated that at the end of February 2015 there was a four per cent drop in serious crimes in comparison to the same period in 2014.

Among the serious crimes policed by the Force are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with

es were made out in 2014 while only 51 were reportedly committed in 2015.

Meanwhile, the Police also stated that 19 people lost their lives from 12 accidents at the end of February, in comparison to 19 fatalities from 19 accidents for the corresponding period last year.

The Police stated that passengers in motor vehicles have been the main category of road users affected so far in road fatalities, with nine such persons losing their lives at the end of February 2015.

In addition, one ped-

al cyclist, six pedestrians and three drivers also lost their lives. Speeding has been the major contributory factor to fatal accidents, having been the cause of seven of the 12 fatal accidents unto February 2015. Traffic enforcement by the Police has resulted in a total of 10,301 cases being made against errant motorists at the end of February 2015; of this, 3449 cases were for speeding, 253 for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 273 for failing to wear seat belts.

Roopnaraine accepts challenge to debate Jagdeo

T

he leader of the Working People’s Alliance and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) member Rupert Roopnaraine has accepted the challenge by former President Bharrat Jagdeo to a policy debate.

The Guyana Times spoke with Roopnaraine at a the Square of the Revolution on Saturday ahead of the APNUAlliance For Change (AFC) Unity Rally, which was held in the mining town of Linden.

Jagdeo on March 10, 2015 at an open forum at Freedom House stated, “I would debate any of them – Granger, Trotman, Ramjattan, Greenidge, any one of them.”

When asked whether he would engage in a pol-

WPA leader Rupert Roopnaraine

icy debate with Jagdeo, Roopnaraine replied, “I didn’t see Jagdeo saying that, but I would take part in a policy debate if it is in the interest of the people.”

The Leader of the Opposition and Presidential Candidate

for the APNU-AFC coalition, David Granger, on the other hand dodged the challenge, stating that Jagdeo was not running for President.

None of the other Opposition members has responded to the challenge.

news

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monday, March 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, March 16 – 13:30h-15:00h and Tuesday, March 17 – 14:30h-16:00h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, March 16 – 13:05h-14:35h and Tuesday, March 17 – 14:05h-15:35h

FERRY SCHEDULE Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings at 08:00h and 15:00h

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, with cloudy conditions in the early evening hours giving way to thundery showers.

Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.81 metres per second.

High Tide: 13:24h reaching a maximum height of 2.39 metres.

Low Tide: 06:53h and 19:30h reaching minimum heights of 0.95 metres and 0.76 metre respectively.

saturday, MARCH 14, 2015

LOTTERY NUMBERS N 04 05 08 10 22 25 12 Bonus Ball

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Elections security:

Police preparing for worst – Top Cop N

ewly sworn-in Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud said the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was preparing and would be prepared for the worst case scenario during the upcoming General and Regional Elections scheduled to be held on May 11.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Persaud noted that the Force would not be taking anything for granted during this season and would be prepared for any situation which may arise.

“That we are preparing for our worst case situation way beyond what we are expecting to happen,” Persaud said.

When questioned on what would be the possible worst case scenario, he noted that this would be “the complete breakdown of law and order in the country”.

The Commissioner added that the GPF has been preparing for elections since the prorogation of Parliament in November so that his ranks could understand clearly what public order was all about.

“We started retraining them on public order issues, on elections campaign is-

sues, and so on, so our ranks can have an understanding of what the law is, what they are required to do, what their role is when they get on the ground,” he noted.

He went on to state that the water cannon, which was given to the Force by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee for the purpose of maintaining public order, was up and functioning and “ready to be used” should the need arise during this period.

Crime Chief Leslie James, who is also serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police, had related to this publication that every political party should cooperate and support the GPF in fulfilling its mandate so that a peaceful elections process is achieved for the benefit of all of Guyanese.

Peace and stability

President Donald Ramotar had, during the announcement of the date for elections, noted that he was hoping and expecting that all stakeholders would ensure peace and stability. “I will expect the political parties, the security services and the people of Guyana

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud

to conduct themselves in a manner that would ensure continued peace and stability before, during and after the elections. We have a collective obligation, every Guyanese, to ensure the protection of the democratic gains we have made and for which we have endured so much as a nation to secure,” Ramotar stated.

The Home Affairs Minister had indicated earlier that Police ranks would

be required to undergo training in the months leading up to the elections in crowd control, which observers had said could become useful in light of elections. Guyana’s history has been dotted with post-elections violence and Police were often called out to restore order.

Rohee had said that the training was recommended over the years and was provided for in the Guyana Police Force Strategic Plan.

Notably, he said the Linden Commission of Inquiry had made a recommendation for the Police Force to receive this type of training.

Further, following the 2011 elections, some 11 persons were shot and injured with rubber bullets by ranks of the Force during a march between Winter Place and Louisa Row, Georgetown.

Permission had been granted to the Youth Coalition For Transformation, for the use of a “noisy instrument” at the Square of the Revolution, but the protesters insisted on proceeding on a march along Hadfield Street and were shot when they refused to obey the Police’s order to stop.

Suspect in Nabaclis execution-style killing still on run

R

awlston Morrison, the prime suspect in the shooting to death of 28-year-old Dwayne Kennedy on Friday evening, is still at large. The suspect, who reportedly had an old grievance with the now dead man, is suspected to have absconded to the interior.

A Police rank confirmed that the suspect was known to law enforcement and was wanted for questioning into several robberies on the East Coast of Demerara and in the interior. The senior officer stated that they have questioned his mother in connection with reports that a gun belonging to Morrison was hidden under her home.

The suspect lives a stone’s throw away from the victim. Several eyewitnesses were also questioned about the murder, including Kennedy’s girlfriend who was with him when he was

Dead, Dwayne Kennedy

shot. Police are working on several leads that can lead to the arrest of the wanted man. The rank also stated that a 9mm pistol might have been used in the execution style-killing. Several spent shells were retrieved from the scene at Golden Grove Market Square, East

Coast Demerara (ECD).

Kennedy, of Lot 40 Nabaclis, ECD, succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was shot a short distance from his home on Friday evening. From reports received, Kennedy was with a few friends when the suspect approached him and an argument ensued. During the argument, Morrison reportedly whipped out a handgun and discharged three rounds at the man who subsequently fell to the ground. Kennedy was shot to his head, neck and abdomen and took his last breath at approximately 05:00h on

Saturday despite desperate attempts by doctors to save his life.

Cheryl Berkshire, the dead man’s mother, praised the doctors for trying their best to keep her son alive, but knew it was a horrendous task after being briefed about his condition and where the bullets had struck. One bullet was reportedly lodged in his brain and it might have been the fatal shot. A post-mortem n is expected to be performed on the man’s body today at the Georgetown Hospital Mortuary. The Police are continuing their investigations.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, march 16, 2015

Views Meeting the President Editor: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Stoking fires T

he PNC-APNU-AFC coalition made a strategic decision to launch their 2015 elections campaign in Linden.

While this may be seen as a gesture of reconciliation

by David Granger and the rest of his Georgetown-dominated People’s National Congress (PNC) Executive to the disaffected and alienated PNC members, it also presented an almost homogenous African-Guyanese audience to a coalition that has explicitly declared that it’s raison d’être is to heal racial divisions and bring unity to our ethnically and racially fractured polity.

The rally was being held against the background of the murder of Courtney Crum-Ewing, who had led a one-man protest in front of the Attorney General’s office following a private call by the AG to a reporter at the Kaieteur News, which was taped by the paper’s owner and publisher, Glenn Lall.

Ewing had been killed while he was exhorting residents of Diamond Housing Scheme to vote for the APNU/AFC coalition. The Opposition immediately branded the killing as “politically motivated” and pointed fingers at the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

This finger pointing continued even though both the line-minister – Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee – and President Donald Ramotar immediately denounced the murder and called on the Police to hunt down the perpetrators - and “intellectual authors”, if in fact, the murder was an “execution”.

There have been at least seven such execution-style murders in Guyana for this year.

The President told journalists that his Administration has always had a non-racial policy, and has been improving the economic and social conditions of all Guyanese. According to him, the PPP/C, since its formation under late President Dr Cheddi Jagan, has always taken a position against the hostility racism evokes.

He said the party was founded as a national political body and has never had any policy which favoured one race at the expense of another. He said while the Party may be guilty of fighting a little more for Guyanese of Amerindian descent, it was his Administration’s overall policy to advance the cause of every citizen.

The Police had reason to enquire of Dr David Hinds, a prominent member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), a member of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), to state whether any particular party was involved and he said he did not.

Yet Hinds had written: “The PPP, already with the blood of the Linden martyrs on its hands, have now claimed another innocent victim....As someone who has been speaking out on African victimhood...let the murder of one of our brothers strengthen our resolve to rid ourselves of this modern day tyranny. Let us not be drawn into any form of ethnic revenge or tit for tat.”

The Police warned that Hinds’ “statement had the potential to incite violence and warned him to desist from such behaviour”.

Guyanese were therefore looking forward to the Opposition’s Rally in Linden to observe whether they would await the results of the Police investigation they had demanded in their official reaction to the murder, or whether they would exploit the murder for political advantage, even though this might ignite a violent, racial powder keg.

Very sadly, they chose to take the incendiary route and in a direct challenge to the Police’s caution to their member Hinds’ words, David Granger, leader of the PNC/APNU, as well as their coalition with the Alliance For Change (AFC), invoked the murder of Crum-Ewing and declared to his Linden audience: “We wrestle against a dangerous PPP… Do not let anymore brothers or sisters fall to the PPP Government.”

In saying this he has clearly gone beyond what the Police had determined could “incite violence”. Hinds had used reverse psychology and said, “Let us not be drawn into any form of ethnic revenge or tit for tat.”

On the other hand, Granger commanded directly, "Do not let anymore brothers or sisters fall to the PPP".

President Donald Ramotar greets two stoked attendees at an event at State House on Sunday (Carl Croker photo)

The combined Opposition contributed to their doom

Dear Editor, As I pen this letter, it is about two months before our general ejections. I have no doubt that the PPP/C will return to office (I don’t like the word power).

No I am not a ‘Civic’. You out there know me, know me that I am and have been a TUF frontbencher for the last 58 years. I am 74-years-old. Mind you I am not trying to jump on any party’s bandwagon.

I see politics from a factual and realistic way, void of any racial, social, religious, or even cultural stance. I see issues and not race. I am not like some nay sayers who want for something to happen. Our politics is all about numbers.

The combined Opposition contributed to their doom when they got married on Valentine’s day of February 14. It would seem like David Granger he don’t realize (no disrespect) that the ‘mullahs’ in the AFC are all party rejets from their original political party. Who says if there is a balance of power, and the AFC was that balance of power, they will notgo with the party that offers them lucrative and beneficial ministries?

Kemraj Ramjattan cannot be trusted. During the crime-wave he was an Executive Member of the PPP/C and wanted to betray his own party by taking a certain person to an embassy to “rat”

on his then party. Mind you he claims to have 11 per cent of the Indian votes; the persons being slaughtered during the crime wave were mostly Indians.

The other two rejects have no political agenda for “dissing” their original party except what they are doing is contributing to the demise of their own political ambitions. Can we Guyanese trust them?

Cheddi must we turning over wherever he is (he was the greatest politician Guyana ever produced) when he sees how his two charges – Ramiattan and Nagamootoo – are behaving for a few dollars more.

I am not lobbying for the PPP/C and don’t tell me about my previous leader Manzoor Nadir. At our conference just before the 2011 elections, he asked to be relieved of his leadership of TUF party and lobbied for Valerie Lowe to be the Presidential Candidate for that era (I walked out of that conference).

Lowe eventually joined the AFC and became another political reject from her party. Hers is the one-seat majority that the Opposition had since 2011 until President Ramotar prorogued the Parliament.

She boasts of fighting for her people’s rights, but she and the rest of the Opposition still voted against the Amerindian Development Fund in 2014.

Valerie you can fool some of the people

some of the time but you cannot fool them all the time. After the 2015 elections the AFC (if they survive), I am sure will have no use for you.

I am somewhat not unaware of Mr Granger’s move, but as the leader of the AFC, Ramjattan did not take the place next to Granger and sent Nagamootoo who has no, I repeat no, constituents (followers).

As I mentioned, Khemraj is holding onto his supposed 11 per cent Indian votes in the hope that when it is over, he will be offered something. What he does not know is that his supposed 11 per cent Indian votes will come back home to their party the PPP/C. What our politicians in Parliament, both Government and Opposition, should realise is that they should come out of their flashy vehicles and meet with the real people who are the people that live in the real world, and then and only then they can have true answers to how we the ordinary people see, feel and think.

I appeal to my fellow Guyanese, that after it is all over we have to return to our various lives. I close by quoting John F Kennedy who said that bad politicians are put into power by the good people who stay at home.

Murtland Slugger Williams

NY promoter of Guyanese TV programme, democracy passes on

Dear Editor, Dr (Banad) Viswanath, who has pioneered Indian and Guyanese oriented broadcasting programmes in New York, recently passed away. Almost every Indo-Guyanese New Yorker watched his “Vision of Asia” segment on TV during the 1970s and 1980s.

Although he was hardly seen on TV, with his loving wife Sathya being the face of the programme every Sunday morning with her humble clasped hands, “Namaste”, Vishwanath was well known

by Guyanese community leaders who interacted with him.

He gave voice to Guyanese in New York. As Kali noted, Vishwanath, with encouragement from Kali (who sponsored programmes) and people like myself, helped in the

promotion and institutionalization of Guyanese and IndoCaribbean culture in NY. The station employed a Guyanese, Larry Diaram, as its lead cameraman who promoted Guyanese events.

Vishwanath supported the struggle for the restoration of democracy in Guyana during the PNC dictatorship.

Several Guyanese community and political leaders, including Dr Jagan and Kwayana, appeared on his programme and TV. Accolades were showered on Dr Viswanath by Guyanese community leaders for his great humanitarian activities as well as for promoting IndoGuyanese culture on TV. Dr Vishwanath was a trailblazer for people of Indian origin in the fields of medi-

cine and ethnic broadcasting in the US. After his medical studies in Mysore, India (in 1960 at 22), Vishwanath came to the US in 1962 to further his training in medicine.

He was trained at Baylor University Hospital under the legendary Dr Denton Cooley in Houston, Texas. He went on to a distinguished career as an eminent cardiologist in a medical career spanning more than five decades, practicing medicine until the end, working six days a week.

He performed hundreds, if not thousands, of surgeries. He was on the team that performed the first heart transplant in the US during the early 1980s.

But Viswanath is best known among Guyanese Americans as the “Pioneer of Indian TV” when he launched

“Vision of Asia” in 1976, on WNJU TV Channel 47 (Jersey City). It was a ‘must see’ for PIOs and even for many AfroCaribbeans, as it was the only ethnic TV programme that appealed to or featured them.

Occasionally, it aired news or programmes on Guyana and the Caribbean and provided cricket scores of international matches; ITV also sub-leased time to the AfroCaribbean community.

Bill Mohammed (insurance and real estate agent), a Berbician, hosted Guyanese programmes on ITV. Also, community advocate Ramesh Kalicharran, a champion of anything Guyanese, was featured on the programme, and he and Mohammed collaborated on a few programmes.

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5

AFC can never function as a Granger is realising he cannot run the Government single party anymore

Dear Editor, I ask that you grant me space in your newspaper forum to address a few words to my Afro-Guyanese brethren.

I am not a racist or racialist, but am concerned that they pay good attention to the political scenario as it daily unfolds.

We have a coalition between the APNU and AFC. This comes about after strong words of representation from Ramjattan telling Granger what he wanted, no, demanded what he wanted.

We all thought that with his demands, to lead the Opposition, there was no way Granger will agree - no way for a junior party to want to lead the majority. But let us come to reality.

APNU catapulted and gave AFC two Vice-Presidency positions, with absolute control over the Cabinet, Home

Affairs, Agriculture, recommendations for Ministers, 12 seats in Parliament and 40 per cent of everything.

The APNU will get what is left, and will also bring in the PPP/C. So when things will share out among all the others who are joining the APNU, Granger will hold on to what is left. Even Raphael Trotman has admitted that AFC got more than it deserved.

It strikes me that Granger is realising that he cannot run the Government and will seek assistance from so many others. What he has are military people who do not know about administration.

The APNU has not yet submitted a plan which one expects AFC will have to adopt. It could be that AFC is preparing its own plan.

I am asking my people to consider what they will

do. At the moment, we control all Government departments with appointments.

Remember Nagamootoo told Granger he will bring in 11000 votes and he will control the Public Service. You have also heard that Ramjattan declaring that if Granger does not toe the line he will move NoConfidence Motion against him.

Shall we not consider supporting what we have at the moment? You must have heard that the Indo-Guyanese complaining that the PPP/C Government has been neglecting them and giving the Afros all they wanted. Is this not a fact?

We are giving lands, homes, jobs, etc. Is not a bird in the hand worth two in the bush? Think about what I have written.

Aubrey Denny

Dear Editor, There is a huge excitement in APNU about AFC joining them! How sad! AFC showed up some years ago as a party that some voters felt sorry for. The AFC made promises to be a ‘virgin party’ and not to join any party.

It gained its support from former PPP/C supporters who felt sorry for Moses Nagamootoo who was left in the wilderness; watching the ‘Promised Land’ but can’t enter. Guyanese trusted the AFC, a decision which they now bitterly regret. The AFC has lost the support that it has gained because it lost its ‘virginity’ to the APNU on Valentine’s night.

AFC broke its many promises to the nation, they can’t be trusted. They joined the APNU and kept back the country for three years. Much

more progress could’ve been made in this country. AFC can never function as a single party anymore. It has lost its support and the hearts of the supporters.

So APNU, AFC is dead weight among you. It doesn’t have the support it had before and can make no difference for you. It can only create trouble among your supporters.

Now, APNU said the PPP/C damaged this country and did nothing for 22 years! Are you blind APNU? Guyanese are much better off with the PPP/C’s vision for this country. Stop playing the ‘race card’, saying the PPP/C is only for Indians. All Guyanese, regardless of race, are better off now than ever before.

Guyanese are not racial, Guyanese of all ethnicities work together to earn a dai-

ly bread, so why then would politicians want to smuggle in a concern? Take a walk down Regent Street and see how many businesses employ only individuals of only one race; none of them! We are “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

In the PNC era of 28 years, all Guyanese lost prosperity. APNU, stop saying to our African brothers and sisters that the PPP/C is for Indians only. The progress this country has made during the years that the PPP/C governed has benefitted all Guyanese. Stop dividing this nation.

So, APNU supporters, support the Government that created a better Guyana which you are currently enjoying.

Vincent Peters

Sergeant shielding his wife, son Congratulations to the from prosecution Commissioner of Police Dear Editor, The son and wife of a Police Sergeant (name given) who is stationed in the Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) district are obviously getting protection somewhere along the line to avoid being prosecuted for offences committed on me, so much so that from the injuries sustained, I was admitted a patient at the Suddie Hospital for two days.

From information reaching me, my initial statement to an incident that occurred in broad day light on February 11 was altered to exonerate the two of them from being culpable.

Following the shocking revelation about the tampering of my statement, a formal complaint was lodged at Police Region Two Headquarters in Anna Regina, but no mention was made as to what action would be taken to rectify the anomaly.

On to now, after more than a month no charges have yet been laid, but for sure nothing will be left undone by me to

ensure that justice is well and truly served in this matter.

My husband is the bonafide owner of a plot of land at Golden Fleece and on this day, he dropped me off there in company with his sister to harvest some agricultural produce like breadfruit, plantains and bananas, etc, as well as some vegetable crops.

Just on entering my husband’s cultivated plot of land and before being able to reap anything, the Sergeant’s wife and their adult son, both of whom reside in the building nearby, walked up to me with the woman scrambling my Galaxy phone and running away with it in the direction of her home.

Having pursued and caught up with her, I pleaded with her to give me back my phone, but she refused, while pointing out to her, “I did not interfere with you and you had no right to interfere with me.”

Instead of returning the phone to me, she pelted it in

my direction, apparently to hit me, but it landed on a concrete block in a heap.

In my attempt to get hold of the phone, she picked up a piece of wood about four feet in length and started to lash me with it about my body.

From the blows, the two of us ended up in scramble and, while this was taking place, her son came up with a cutlass in one hand and a piece of wood in the other.

The young man then started to lash me with the wood, which got broken while he menacingly held a cutlass over my prostrated body with threats to kill me.

He then dragged me for about six feet causing my head to get injured on a brick in the process, as he continued his threats while holding the cutlass to kill me before walking away.

My phone is still to be recovered, as well as keys to my vehicle.

Shellon Peters

Dear Editor, I would like to congratulate the President of Guyana for confirming the Acting Commissioner of Police as Commissioner. Praise must be given to President Ramotar for his action.

In my assessment of Guyana, PNC is still having control of the GPF and the GDF. It will be very hard for the PPP/C or the President Ramotar Administration to change things because of the PNC planting their people in all key positions.

Under the PNC, experienced or educated Police were not needed. All what was needed was a PNC card.

There were Police officers, whom I know personally, were educated and very experienced and were put to do nothing with by the PNC Administration. They eventually left their jobs. It was not what you knew, but who you knew.

Mr Persaud, you’ve come a long way and have a far way

more to go in your endeavor.

You may want to turn around and look back at the path you have taken, where you came from, and how you journeyed to where you are today.

Your past will be very helpful for you to carry on. I am sure you have the ability to administrate and manage the challenges and changes coming your way. It is a task for a giant and you have to weather the storm.

Recently, President Ramotar promised to reinforce the important role the Guyana Police Force plays in ensuring the safety and security of citizens. The President emphasized the importance of a strong and professional Force for the maintenance of social order for the protection of the people from crime.

This is very important in policing. The President continued to also lay out the reforms that I believe are necessary to bring the GPF in line with the needs of all Guyanese and put forward his 15-points anti-

NY promoter of Guyanese TV programme...

Initially, when the programme started, Dr Vishwanath laid out his own money to finance the airing of the one hour programme. Later, the programme expanded to two hours. The programme featured news, community announcements, interview, film, film music especially for special festivals like Holi or Diwali, aired for a few hours.

It attracted a listening audience from early PIO immigrants like myself. It featured programmes of community organizations and well known immigrant leaders like Kali, Clyfee Madhu, Pandit Oumadat and Pandit Ramlall. Other Indian TV programmes copy the VOA format. Dr Jagan was regularly featured on the station as was Kwayana and others, including me.

In 1986, some 20 years after VOA began, Dr Viswanath,

launched ITV Gold, the first, full time 24 hours a day, seven days a week cable TV channel, bringing the latest news and culture (featuring Hindi films, community programmes, horoscopes, religious segments, live call in shows) of the Indian sub-continent (and occasionally from Guyana and Trinidad) to TV screen.

The station also focused on community events (like the annual Phagwah parade and Guyanese chowtaal singing) and provided news coverage on the Indo-Caribbean (including Guyanese) diaspora. It became a 24-hour programme with a large Guyanese/Trini viewership as it was the only source of Indian cultural programmes in America for many years.

Later, the TV station was aired around the globe through cable network.

And it often carries India’s

Doordarshan TV programmes with a live hook up.

Dr Vishwanath visited the Indo-Guyanese communities on several occasions. He was frequently hosted by Kali who introduced him to me to write about his pioneering broadcasting activities. In turn, we introduced him to several community leaders.

Dr Vishwanath offered us leased time at cost price to host Guyanese and Caribbean programmes. Kali recruited several Trinidadians and Guyanese, including Bhanu Dwarika and Ishri Singh who subsequently recruited his children to host programmes.

The radio announcer Pradeep Kumar also hosts a morning programme. Dr Dhanpaul Narine hosts a one hour program on Saturdays and Roy Ramsaran hosts programmes on Saturdays and Sundays.

The station also leases time to many other IndoCaribbean programmes in the mornings (two hours) and on weekends (fours each on Saturday and Sunday). And during weekdays, this writer appeared several times on TV to discuss issues pertaining to immigrants as well as sociopolitico issues of Guyana and Trinidad.

Today, ITV is known as the community channel, and every day, there is a community programme on the latest around the community. It also features events in the tristate area.

Dr Vishwanath was also involved in many philanthropic interests, and he supported various non-profit, religious and humanitarian institutions in the US, South Asia, and the Caribbean.

He helped to raise funds for earthquakes in Gujarat,

crime plans. This will be your job Mr Persaud. President Ramotar has said it all.

To my surprise, in Guyana last month, Police officers were promoted. How on Earth with everyday crime in Guyana – killing, raping, robbing, drunk driving and speeding, etc – and we are promoting people?

I know you know what is going on Mr Persaud. Use the Office of the Professional Responsibility to get feedback and act accordingly and keep President Ramotar informed of progress on the anti-crime plan.

The programme out-lined

by President Ramotar at the conference will be the best to work with, to get a balance Police Force, and will be an asset to the policing in Guyana.

Mr Persaud, congratulation on your new position!

S N Singh Florida, USA

From page 4

the flood relief efforts in Guyana, and the 9/11 terrorist attack. He also raised funds for victims of ethnic, religious, and racial violence around the globe.

Another programme that attracted Guyanese and IndoCaribbean attention, and that was encouraged by Dr Vishwanath, was the twohour programme “Bharat Vani” hosted by Brij Lal on Fordham University Radio.

The programme began in 1975 and ran through 2000 capturing the attention of Indo-Guyanese music lovers.

It was a regular feature every Sunday morning as well before the start of the TV programme and was hardly missed by Indo-Caribebans at a time when no other station featured Indian music. An Indian radio program was also aired briefly at City College of NY (WCCR at CCNY) that was abruptly

canceled by Black Americans telling Indo-Guyanese to back to India.

At Vishwanath’s wake, several community leaders including Kali, Vishnu Mahadeo, Dhanpaul Narine, Ramsaran and others paid glowing tribute to the deceased for his pioneering work and for providing time to Indo-Caribbean events.

As Kali noted, like no one else, “Vishwanath brought the Indian diaspora together through TV”.

For the Guyanese and Caribbean community, Dr Viswanath will never be forgotten, for he has done much to promote our culture in the greater New York area. Thank you Dr Vishwanath and family for your noble work!

Vishnu Bisram Letters continue on page 16

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

11 steps single moms need to take (Continued from Friday)

Keep focused on longterm personal financial needs. You know, perhaps better than anyone that you need to be able to take care of yourself. That means

both now and in the future. While you’re working now – even if it’s just parttime, temporarily or if you go in and out of the workforce while you’re trying to balance work and family – you need to be committed to saving for your own retirement.

Begin by calculating an estimate of how much you’ll need to save for retirement.

Then, if you work for a company that offers a retirement savings plan, like a 401(k) savings plan, sign up for it and contribute as much as you can afford out of each paycheck. You’ll be lowering your taxes (since contributions are made pre-

tax) and your savings will be invested long enough to compound interest creating additional future income.

And you may also be able to receive “free” money

to match some of all of what you save from your employer. You can also contribute to a Traditional Deductible Individual Retirement Account (IRA), Traditional Nondeductible IRA, Roth IRA, Keogh Plan or to a SEP (self-employed IRA) if you are self-employed.

Even if you’re not currently working, or if you frequently cycle in and out of regular employment, it’s important to do as much as you can to save for retirement while you’re not working.

Manage credit card debt. It can be easy to start using credit at first to meet emergency or one-time ex-

penses and then quickly as a way to supplement your income on a regular basis.

But accumulating credit card debt can quickly spiral into a financial obligation beyond your ability to pay. It can easily become something that starts to affect your ability to make decisions about the income you need to make and the type of job you need to land; and a host of other daily decisions for you and your family.

Learn why credit card debt is considered the “anti-investment,” why you should care about how you use credit and tips for keeping your credit habits under control. Know the difference between a credit card and a debit card and how to wisely use a debit card.

Establish or improve a credit history. You may not have yet had the opportunity to establish a credit history by wisely using (and repaying!) credit or loans. Or you may have had some credit experience with student loans, credit cards or personal loans and not done so well in repaying them. When you don’t pay more than the minimum

amount due on your credit cards on time, or meet the loan repayment terms, your creditors will notify the three major credit bureaus. Those notices will go on your credit report and could affect your ability to get a loan in the future.

through vehicles such as a state-sponsored 529 college savings plan you can point to the investment you’re already making for their future and encourage them to pursue it as well by working hard in school and talking with a Counsellor at their school about financial aid and scholarship options.

Get smart, plan ahead and make as much of it “automatic” as possible.

The only thing that may

seem less scarce to a single mom than money is time.

Wouldn’t it be nice to save both money and time? After setting up your budget, talk with someone at your bank or credit union about how to have a set amount of money automatically deposited into a designated account – such as a savings or money market account – every pay period, monthly or quarterly. Or talk with a financial professional or investment advisor about having money regularly, automatically deposited into a CD or mutual fund. When you pay yourself first you are more likely to keep your commitment to save and will reach your goals sooner. Take advan-

Invest in your own education – and that of your children. If going back to school full-time is not an option, consider taking classes part-time to finish your degree, gain additional job certification or learn additional skills.

Additional education will provide you with greater career and earning opportunities which can buy you future financial security. And remember to encourage your children to also pursue additional education beyond high school. By setting aside even a small amount of money each month toward their college educations – tage of opportunities to improve your financial picture by planning ahead to save – or spend – such as making sure you participate in any employer-based retirement savings plan (such as a 401(k)) or pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA) or healthcare spending account (HSA) to both save for future expenses and lower your taxes.

Find support systems and resources. Just because you’re single doesn’t mean you have to go it alone.

There are support systems and resources to help single moms manage their money.

If you are having difficulty making ends meet or managing your money, you may want to look for seminars or classes on the topic at a local community college, library or even your place of worship. You can also find a locally-accredited credit counselor affiliated with the National Federation of Credit Counselling who can help you with budgeting, paying down credit and managing your finances. Learn how to select and work with a financial professional. (www.tomorrowsmoney.org)

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monday, march 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Crum-Ewing’s execution:

Additional CCTV feed being reviewed … two arrested, car seized

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s Police continued their investigations into the executionstyle killing of 40-year-old Courtney Crum-Ewing, Crime Chief Leslie James told the Guyana Times that investigators were reviewing additional surveillance footage collected from residents in Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

He said that the aim of reviewing the footage was not only to find the perpetrators who committed the act but also to get a clear indication as to what actually occurred on the night of the shooting. He thanked the residents in the area for their cooperation while reiterating that Police would crack the case.

James added that the two men who were arrested on Friday remained in Police custody and were being grilled in connection with the murder. A car belonging to one of the men was also impounded at the Diamond Police Station.

James noted that it was too early to speculate if the car was the one that was used in the murder, since there was no concrete evidence to suggest same. The father of three was gunned down while urging members of Diamond Housing Scheme to go out and cast their ballots on May 11.

An autopsy report proved that CrumEwing was shot five times – three bul-

Executed: Courtney Crum-Ewing

lets to the head, one to the back of the neck and the other under an arm. All the bullets were fired from behind and at close range except the one that hit under his arm and exited his shoulder.

It was also reported that the bullet to the back of the man’s neck was fired at point-blank range and gunpowder residue was found on his collar. Guyana Times was told that two .38 war heads were removed from the dead man’s head.

The family’s Attorney, Nigel Hughes had stated the family has requested that an independent ballistic expert examine the wars heads that were extracted from the man’s head to determine if they match those the Police were tracking down. In addition, Hughes highlighted that photographs were taken during the autopsy and were sent to an overseas pathologist for further analysis.

Meanwhile, investigators have reviewed several surveillance videos, but came up empty handed except for confirming that a Toyota 212 motor car was used in the shooting. A number of political parties and agencies, including the Home Affairs Ministry, have condemned the murder and called for a thorough investigation into the killing. More so, the act was heavily condemned by President Donald Ramotar who called upon the Guyana Police Force to ensure that no stone was left unturned in finding the “killers” and if possible the “intellectual authors” of the execution of Crum-Ewing.

He added that the country was in elections mode and citizens must be allowed the right to engage in campaign activities, stating that at no time, should any citizen be persecuted for endorsing a party or for participating in any campaign activity.

Caricom in push to make CSME more accessible to nationals

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ARICOM nationals will now have more efficient access to the provisions of the CARICOM Single Market due to a recently concluded training exercise.

Close to 300 public administrators and officials across the region have been trained in a new data management and work flow system that will make application processes under the CSME much smoother. The training initiative, a major component of the CARICOM Trade and Competitiveness Project (CTCP) funded by the Government of Canada, commenced last November and wrapped up in early March 2015. It covered CARICOM Member States from Antigua and Barbuda in the north right through to Suriname and Guyana in the south of the region.

The new system was conceptualized by the consulting firm, A-Z Information Jamaica Limited, and also conducted the training with support from the Secretariat’s staff. The system allows CARICOM citizens to apply online as skilled nationals, service

providers or entrepreneurs and for administrators to process these applications, all in a virtual environment, and has been commended by stakeholders as very user-friendly and efficient in streamlining the various processes.

It will harmonize and standardize these administrative processes across Member States as well as capture useful data on the use of the CSME regimes by nationals and commercial entities. A manual of these practices, now in the review stage, has been produced by the consultants and will be presented for the endorsement of the 40th Regular Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) scheduled for late April.

The Community Strategic Plan 2015-2019 identifies, among other areas for priority focus , the accelerated implementation of the CSME, building competitiveness and unleashing key economic drivers to transition to growth and to generate employment and the development of human capital.

silent but pivotal part in healing the wounds suffered by Lindeners following the fallout between Congress Place and key leaders in the mining town prior to the beginning of the APNU’s elections campaign. It was related that it was due to Corbin’s intervention that the issues between Kissoon, Solomon and the party were ironed out and the way was cleared for the elections campaign to be taken to that region.

Kissoon’s relationship with the PNCR deteriorated following an altercation

with General Secretary Oscar Clarke at the party’s Sophia Headquarter earlier last year while Solomon’s relationship with the party had been weak after he made allegations of elections rigging of the PNCR’s Biennial Congress back in July last year.

Subsequent to the PNCR’s 18th Biennial Congress in July, Kissoon was instructed to apologise for misconduct; however, this recommendation which was made by the party’s Disciplinary Committee was ignored until Corbin’s intervention.

Corbin fixes fallout from PNC Congress rigging ... Solomon, Kissoon back, Norton out

All smiles! Presidential Candidate David Granger holds hands with Sharma Solomon and Vanessa Kissoon in a show of “unity” during their meeting

I

t would appear that the embattled Vanessa Kissoon and Regional Chairman for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), Sharma Solomon have resolved their differences with the leadership of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) taking to the stage with David Granger and other top executives of the party at the coalition’s campaign meeting in Linden on Saturday.

Kissoon appeared on the A Partnership for National Unity- Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) first public meeting platform held at the Market Square, Linden, fingers locked with Granger, smiling and waving as the crowd thunderously welcomed the pair. Kissoon was given a front seat on stage and was embraced and engaged by most of the party’s members after the rally had ended while she was also chosen to give the vote of thanks.

PNC'R's Region Ten

Coordinator Sandra Adams, the former PNC MO whom they claim had been foisted onto Region 10 without their consent by Granger sat glumly in the second row and was unacknowledged.

Approached by the Guyana Times for a comment on whether the wounds between the party and herself had been truly healed, Kissoon responded, saying only that “my presence here tonight speaks for itself, it really speaks for itself.”

Meanwhile, the Regional Chairman who was also locked in a dispute before the beginning of the campaign with the party was also present on the political stage Saturday evening and was the one to deliver the opening remarks. Solomon told the large gathering that the time has come for all obstacles to be overcome and reminded them that ‘failure was not an option’ if they wanted to see their region and their country develop.

He noted that all efforts must be made to fight against those who were trying to instigate the people of the country to fight among themselves declaring that “divided we will fall, but united we will stand.”

Solomon reminded the audience that former PNC leader Desmond Hoyte was a strong advocate for a unity platform which is now being realised by the formation of the APNU-AFC coalition while stating that for the country to truly move forward, all Guyanese must feel they have a stake in its development.

In the meantime, Aubrey Norton who had been in the centre of the Region 10 delegation walk out from the PNC’s Congress when they claimed “irregularities” in the number of delegates allocated to the region to rig the elections for the leader of the PNC, was nowhere to be seen. He too had been made into “persona non grata” in

the PNC. The issue of Kissoon and Solomon’s fallout with the hierarchy of the PNCR spilled over at the party’s Congress last year, which was mired in chaos and claims of the rigging. Granger was returned to the helm of the party, but not before Solomon and Aubrey Norton had pulled out of the contest.

It had been disclosed to the Guyana Times by General Secretary of the APNU, Joseph Harmon that former leader of the PNCR, Robert Corbin, had played a

8 NEWS

monday, march 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

4th edition of the “Bibliography of Guyana and Guyanese Writers” published

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Author Lal Balkaran

al Balkaran has done it again, putting Guyana out there with its host of illustrious writers who have mastered what it means to be skilled with a pen. The prolific writer has published his fourth edition of the “Bibliography of Guyana and Guyanese Writers” in which new titles and new Guyanese authors are given their well-

deserved recognition.

It was in 2002 that Balkaran published the first edition of the comprehensive list of literary works that relate to Guyana.

The Bibliography is an A-Z ‘Guide of Books on Guyana by Guyanese and Non-Guyanese Writers and on Other Subjects

by Guyanese Writers’. Each book is listed alphabetically, according to the name of its

author. For the first edition, there were 820 authors and 1300 titles.

A review done by Frank Birbalsingh called Balkaran’s book “a bold and exciting venture, pioneering in spirit, which seeks, for the first time, to compile a comprehensive list of publications about Guyana or by Guyanese”. continue on page 9

Eyew tness Bitter old men...

T

...spewing hatred on blog

his past weekend we had the ugly spectacle of two washed up has-beens - Ralph Ramkarran and Moses Nagamootoo - who jumped the PPP/C ship when they weren’t made “Presidential Candidate” – vent their spleen on former President Bharat Jagdeo.

It was so pathetic. All because Jagdeo, the outlier, was picked by Cheddi Jagan and catapulted over the two “hardbacks” – to the centre.

First came Ramkarran, who unctuously argued as if Dr Jagan’s preached a “vow of poverty” for socialist leaders. Jagan took no such “vow” and it was the facticity of Burnham’s destruction of Guyana and peripheralising the PPP that forced him to live in comparative humble circumstance.

What’s even more pertinent is to ask Ramkarran why people like him could allow Dr Jagan not to afford “dining out” (as claimed) when they’d become big shot lawyers, pulling in the big bucks on Jagan’s name?

Not only did Ramkarran himself not take any “vow of poverty” – he refused to even take “Minister wuk” when Jagan offered him in 1992 - because the pay was beneath him! And because he demanded that all Government legal business go through his law firm – Cameron and Shepherd – so he could now rake in MEGA bucks.

Has anyone forgotten a columnist hauling Ramkarran over the coals for bringing in a Mercedes Benz - even before “Prado” became a curse word in Guyana??

His junior ambitious colleague in the PPP/C - Ramjattan, who himself stalked out of the PPP/C because of Jagdeo’s ascendancy - has never forgiven Ramkarran for not inviting him to join Cameron and Shepherd - but waited till his sons graduated to make THEM partners!! All the wealth in the family!!

But it’s the height of chutzpah for Ramkarran to bring up any purported dichotomy between wealth and a commitment to the poor and social justice.

Even with enormous wealth from his law practice, Ramkarran insisted on being Editor of Thunder – PPP/ C’s ideological journal – because he argued there was no problem!! But it’s his insistence in covering Dr Jagan in sackcloth and ashes that’s most reprehensible. Just as he liked dining out, Dr Jagan had no problem with the “good life” per se.

When as Ramkarran points out, Dr Jagan bought his house-lot for $2000 in 1960 - that money could build, gutter and paint TWO HOUSES – for the sugar workers who Dr Jagan represented.

And those workers never begrudged Dr Jagan his big house. They were proud because he represented them. As Jagdeo did when he returned profit sharing in 1999 – and modernised Skeldon. While the latter has been troubled – sugar workers know Jagdeo’s wanted to improve their lot.

That’s more than Ramkarran ever did! Hypocritical wanker!

...in Linden

Folks are wondering why would PNC/APNU/AFC launch its campaign in Linden - and not in Georgetown. Well...

Duh!!! Granger wanted to kiss and make up with Solomon and Sharma - who’re livid since Granger rigged the PNC Congress. Corbin had worked assiduously and Granger had to strike while the iron’s hot.

As the token to get 11 per cent from Berbice Nagamootoo was brought along. And boy did he try to earn his keep!! Like Ramkarran whom he’s trying to emulate with a law degree in his dotage – Nagamootoo went after his bête noir Jagdeo. Nagamootoo suffers under the delusion that Jagan had actually made him his successor, so he’s even more bitter against Jagdeo.

Alluding to Jagdeo’s advice to Ramotar that he should’ve “kicked some asses” when the Opposition were “slashing and burning” in Parliament, Nagamootoo screamed: “It is the same ass-kicker who tried to ...bring a divisive wedge between Granger and I and the APNU and the AFC!” Two things. First, it was Granger who drove that wedge when he rejected Nagamootoo as AFC’s nominee for Speaker and chose Trotman. And secondly, it’s not “between Granger and I”...it’s “between Granger and me”.

Did the low class, illiterate wanker see only Granger’s pic was on the “coalition” bus taking his to Linden?

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monday, march 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Presidential candidates to address GMSA luncheon I

n accordance with what has become a tradition, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) will host the first of a two-part series of dialogue with the main contenders for the executive presidency in the run-up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

Candidate for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, retired Brigadier David Granger will speak with members of the business community in both the Private and Public sectors

PPP/C Presidential Candidate President Donald Ramotar

about the coalition’s plans for business development and the nation’s chances for ebullient econom-

ic growth. He is the featured guest at the GMSA Business Luncheon scheduled for Tuesday in the Grand Savannah Suite of the Guyana Pegasus Hotel, Seawall Road, Kingston.

According to a release, GMSA President Clinton Williams said that the primary objective of this initiative is to provide a platform for the business community to obtain firsthand information on business-related issues. The dialogue are also intended to enable manufacturers, service providers, importers, exporters and distributors to question each can-

APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger

didate on the matters that directly affect the conduct of their business, and to assess each party’s Economic

Blueprint going forward.

President Donald Ramotar will address entrepreneurs in the second discourse, the date of which will be announced shortly, the release stated. In the run-up to the General Elections in 2011, the GMSA had hosted President Ramotar as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) candidate, Granger as APNU’s candidate, and Khemraj Ramjattan as the candidate for the AFC. The objectives then were the same as they are for the 2015 series of discourses. A large crosssection of entrepreneurs

operating small to largescale businesses had taken advantage of the opportunity for one-on-one discussions with the candidates on particularly thorny issues related to the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Security and Agriculture sectors, to highlight a few.

Tickets for the business luncheons are available at the GMSA’s Secretariat at 157 Waterloo Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown.

Interested entrepreneurs are invited to call 223-7405/6 as early as possible to secure seats which are limited.

Guiana Shield platform launched

... will allow Guyana to grow in eco-region – Minister Persaud

T

he Guiana Shield Priority Setting Platform (GSPSP) has been launched in Guyana, and will help countries within the Guiana Shield eco-region, through satellite images, to focus on issues to save the Amazon forest. The countries will work through biodiversity, conservation initiatives, ecosystem services, socioeconomics and natural resources.

Saving the Amazon forest is a priority of the countries within the Guiana Shield, and the launch of the GSPSP aims at focusing on issues to manage the forests and also in the interest of individual nations.

At the launch, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud noted that nationally, the facility has allowed Guyana to move forward as a country, and it also offers support to neighbours. In addition, it helps to determine how to develop a national monitoring report and interpretation system. He noted

too that the facility presented an opportunity to have inter-governmental and interagency cooperation, which, owing to historical and other pressing realities, would not have been possible without it.

The GSPSP was launched on Tuesday during a reception, held by United Nations Resident Representative Khadija Musa.

The GSPSP uses a combination of new continuous satellite observation techniques and ground information to advance transparency in ecosystem services provision and natural capital accounting. It is also a functional multi-stakeholder database that links information on biodiversity, conservation initiatives, ecosystem services, socioeconomics, natural resources, and development.

Representatives who were present for the launch came from countries which included Brazil, Columbia, Suriname and Venezuela.

Fourth edition of...

from page 8

The earliest title in the first volume of Balkaran’s book was by Sir Walter Raleigh, “The Discovery of the Large, Rich, and Beautiful Empire of Guiana”. Guyanese literature continued to be written by foreigners like Raleigh for about three centuries, Birbalsingh noted, before Guyanese born authors sprung up. They became the norm by the 1950s with the first major figure being Edgar Mittelholzer.

Birbalsingh stated that Balkaran has an uncanny sense of finding unknown authors for his Bibliography as he has been able to introduce writers from all across the globe who have written on Guyana. For example, Joseph S Persaud’s “Across Three Continents: An IndoGuyanese Family Experience”, and Ann Wishart-Eudoxie’s “A Guyanese Story – Steps in my Journey.”

Since the first edition, Balkaran has added two new sections; List of Publishers and Number of Books Published

by Year. Guyanese writer Petamber Persaud had once stated that these additions greatly edify Guyanese literature. He said the book it-

self was a welcome addition as there has been a burgeoning interest in books written

by Guyanese and even those about Guyana.

The fourth edition remains the same good compilation of information that a Guyanese literary enthusiast will find invaluable. Balkaran shared with this publication that the new edition will have 1126 new titles, 412 new authors and 525 updates to titles that were already in the previous edition. In addition, the fourth edition also holds a new appendix showing all the known films and documentaries on Guyana and on other subjects

by Guyanese.

Dr Neil L Whitehead, an anthropologist who has studied Guyana, called the fourth edition “a wonderful and stimulating work that, for adepts and initiates alike, provides a continuing resource for reference and learning...” While Professor Jan Carew, who is a literary icon of Guyana, stated that it was “invaluable work for historians and other liberal arts scholar... as it covers a full spectrum of scholarship...”

Forest management While the facility has allowed countries to focus on this important priority, it will also allow Guyana to manage its forest in particular. Since the countries share a common eco-region, the GSPSP will show what happens in different territories has an impact on what happens in others. This interdependence was brought out as a result of the functionality of the Guiana Shield Facility.

“Nationally, the Guiana Shield Facility has allowed us to move forward as a country and also to offer support even to our neighbours and even beyond. As to how it is we can develop a national monitoring report and interpretation system, it has allowed us also to advance our REDD+ preparedness, and also our other arrangements in terms of how we mobilise our forests, particularly in terms of dealing with mitigating effects of climate change,” Minister Persaud stated.

He explained that it has provided a ring of support in terms of collaborating with inter-governmental agencies, and utilising some of

the multilateral agencies in this regard, in bringing about the type of cooperation needed.

He said, “… the countries that we have represented here, it is important that we recognise that there is a commonality, there is a shared interest, and that if we do not recognise that the Guiana Shield eco-region is threatened by the inaction or the action of one, and if we do not give due attention to collaboration and coordination, we will be doing that at the peril of our individual status and our individual situation.”

Minister Persaud stated that there was much more need for this type of cooperation and type of facility, especially in the current global reality. He posited that the donor communities and other partners, which have historically supported the facility, would see the wisdom, strength and need for increased and enhanced support in this regard.

“In Guyana, we stand ready to provide that … to showcase what it has brought to our country, as other countries can do here, but also to provide ourselves

and to offer ourselves as a mechanism; how it is that this facility can grow and can serve, as it were, that common interest and the common threat we face in terms of this eco-region.”

Protecting biodiversity Meanwhile, UN Representative Musa noted that in terms of the biodiversity work done, the Guiana Shield has achieved a lot. Musa noted that the purpose of the workshop was to begin the drafting of the next phase to set the Guiana Shield Facility into the future.

“The Amazon is one of the most important treasures of the world and we must do everything we can to save it and make sure that it doesn’t lose as much as some other forests have lost,” she stated.

She also commended the persons present for all the work done in making the Guiana Shield a trademark, as “without your devoted purpose in protecting the biodiversity of the region, we would not be here today”, she noted, and welcomed representatives from the countries present who

took part in launching the GSPSP. The network launched how information is delivered, whilst the website sees cooperation between different organisations within the Shield. It also helps them to create nets and to record formulated plans with all users being able to cooperate at the local and regional levels.

During the third International Congress on Biodiversity of the Guiana Shield, in August 2013 in Paramaribo, the GSPSP was discussed and it was found that there was no collaborative approach within the Guiana Shield eco-region, to reach sustainable development. As such, the Congress created the right setting of researchers, research institutions, conservation organisations, and other stakeholders to set the basis which would enable collaborative efforts to achieve the common objective of development and sustainable use of natural resources. This led to the establishment of the GSPSP as the universal science-policy platform on the state of biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Guiana Shield eco-region.

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monday, march 16, 2015

News

President meets Indian officials as Guyana and India seek closer ties

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam, Indian External Affairs Ministry Joint Secretary Riva Ganguly (second from left), and Under Secretary Animes Choudhury, (left) in meeting with President Donald Ramotar. Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall is also in photo

P

resident Donald Ramotar recently met with the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam, Indian External Affairs Ministry Joint Secretary Riva Ganguly and Under Secretary Animes Choudhury, at the presidential complex.

The visit saw the President and the highlevel delegation discussing ongoing cooperation and business relations and investments in the sectors of

engineering and technology.

The President was joined by Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall and Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon. Funding for developmental projects such as those undertaken by the Indian Exim Bank, including the Specialty Hospital, road projects and Information Technology (IT) sector programmes, were discussed.

The meeting is a follow-up to President Ramotar’s state visit to India in January of this year. That visit saw

the President, accompanied by several Government officials and business leaders, meeting with that country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and several of the country’s top business leaders. Discussions during that trip focused on building closer ties and enhancing business, and developmental opportunities between the two nations.

Following the meetings, it was announced that India would grant a line of credit of US$50 million for the East Bank Demerara

Road expansion, as well as US$8 million to assist in the acquisition of an ocean ferry vessel. The Indian Government will also work with the Guyana Government on a pilot project for renewable energy using a rice husk gasifier (a viable model of the gassifier is now functional) . Further, the Indian Government had taken the decision that Guyana would be the first country in which they would establish an IT Centre, and that this would be inaugurated very soon.

De Mook lash de Tax Man W

ord was out de other day that de Mook was back in town and de same day he come back he was givin a strong lashin to all he staff. Now ever since de Mook couldn’t get he own way wid de Guvament, he start to lash Guvament people to get whah ever he want.

Now word was also out that de Mook can only lash wid he tongue. And de Mook don’t ever give a damn bout who wrong and who right. So from Adumb to Harry Wrong to Harry Right, is every body at Saffon Street getta piece of de Mook tongue.

Now Adumb is a man wid a lotta experience. So when ever Adumb talk, yuh know he talkin from experience. And Adumb he self tell a former Prezzi only de other day that de Mook gotta real big tongue, bigger than any ting else whah he got.

Charlie de Ram wasn’t even eaves droppin when he hear Adumb talk bout de Mook tongue. Adumb seh de Mook try give de former Prezzi a real tongue lashin and not even Adumb he self coulda control de Mook tongue.

Adumb seh de Mook tongue is he biggest ASSet, so even a lil lash does feel like a big lash. Is no wonder so many people friken a lash from de Mook. Since he vex wid de Guvament, up to now, when ever de Mook want some ting, he does lash who ever it is supposed to give he.

That is why de last man who getta sound lashin from de Mook was de Tax Man. Was some ting call duty free de Mook had want. So de Mook lash de Tax Man so hard that de Tax Man drop every ting. Since then de Tax Man get weak, he ain’t stand up back yet and word is out he might never stand up again.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie!

So de Tax Man might end up just like de Mook – a man who could lash only wid he tongue!

Artistes wow massive audience at return of “Clash of the Titans”

Nesha B

T

he return of “Clash of the Titans”’ saw a massive turnout of the young, old and not-so old at the Guyana National Stadium on Saturday evening and they left with the venue with smiles on their faces as the artistes gave them more than their money’s worth.

It was a clash of the best Chutney/Soca crossover bands in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago and while it is still to be decided who impressed the audience a bit more than others, JMC 3Veni and Karma Band definitely topped the list.

Both bands showcased a high level of energy and left members of the audience breathless and dripping wet. As usual, Karma Band comprising reigning International Chutney

Monarch Ravi B and his sibling, Nesha B, had almost everyone on their feet as they bounced to a combination of sweet Chutney/Soca music from yesteryear and the present.

The other member, Gregory was replaced for some reason and this dampened the performance of the band to an extent. Gregory has his Guyanese followers and not seeing him on stage raised lots of questions since he is known for his good looks and the energy that flows through his veins.

Nevertheless, his replacement, Ashay, who is of Guyanese parentage and lives in Trinidad, performed Nishard M

Veekash Sahadeo

satisfactorily. However, he needed some more hype in his presentation.

When it came to JMC 3Veni, former International Chutney monarch Kris Persad (KI) and Nishard M energised the entire stadium with hit after hit.

Both artistes were illuminated, a new feature that is being used in competitions in Trinidad and Tobago but it went down well with the Guyanese audience who was not afraid to party to the fullest. During their performance, Veekash Sahadeo joined them on stage as they continue to impress the audience.

So from all indications, there might have been a tie in the race for supremacy.

The show got underway with some fabulous dance pieces by the Ishara

Dancers followed by an impressive performance from members of the Shakti Strings Orchestra, which, over the years, has emerged as one of the most versatile bands in Guyana.

Soon after were the international acts which saw Omesh Singh out of Canada performing some of his tunes – primarily the Bollywood-style ones that catered for the older folks present. This was taken a notch higher when 15-yearold Avinash Maharaj out of Trinidad took to the stage, dishing out some ‘old’ filmi songs; towards the end of his performance, he exploded with some spicy Chutney songs.

Also creating some stir was Veekash Sahadeo who teamed up with KI on the hit song “High School”. His

Savita Singh

Ravi B

good looks worked as a plus especially for the young female audience. The males were also treated to some curves and moves by Savita Singh who also put on a great show.

Chutney singer Omadatt Maharaj was well received by the audience as well, as he dished out “Bacchanal” and “Obeha”, two popular songs here in Guyana. The performance of the promoter, Mahendra Ramkellwan, was accompanied by fireworks and confetti which created a carnival like atmosphere as he dished out “Dem Ah Watch Me” and other songs.

During the band changeovers, Team MMR entertained the audience to the

fullest.

In addition, Dil-ENadan band’s headline act, Raymond Ramnarine also performed splendidly, teasing the audience with his tunes. Ramnarine, the former International Chutney Monarch, had the audience getting their groove on, but the highlight of the evening was definitely most of the artistes performing Mystic’s “Coolie Bhai”. First to do it was Ravi B and the Karma Band. The song has become a signature tune across the Caribbean and further afield.

All in all, it was a fine night of Chutney/Soca and filmi music.

Gracing the event with their presence were former President Bharat Jagdeo, Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali, former Education Minister Shaik Baksh and other dignitaries. Photos by Hotspotgy. com

KI

monday, march 16, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Times Notebook Condemnation without evidence A

man was murdered in cold blood a few nights ago. In this case, the man was an antiGovernment activist. Why he was murdered and by whom are questions we all ask. The Police were quickly on the scene and looking for clues.

They indicated that they have not been able so far to identify a cause or who might be responsible for this dastardly murder. None of us knows the answer. But some people, like the Opposition Leader and others, have deemed it a political assassination.

These persons have admitted they have no evidence.

Was it a case of random crime that killed an anti-Government activist or was it a murder planned for non-political reasons?

Did politics have anything to do with this murder? These are reasonable questions to ask.

The President of Guyana has provided the proper leadership on this matter by calling on the Police to rapidly arrest, bringing to justice the criminals who committed the act and to find the intellectual authors of the crime. As a nation, we should all support the President in this call.

The mischief makers are out already adding fuel to a flame that could lead to more violence. There are some in the Opposition and in the media whipping up a frenzied lynching party to take revenge.

They have concluded without an iota of evidence that the Government and the PPP/C are responsible for this murder. Some selfrighteously call for calm and no retaliation. That message in itself is a conclusion that certain people are responsible for this murder.

One of these persons when contacted by the Police was emphatic that he has no evidence to indicate who might have committed the crime. Those who are quick to condemn the Government have convicted the PPP/C and left no room for any other possibility.

But we ask ourselves, why people so quickly without any evidence charge and convict the PPP/C? What has the party to gain? He was not considered by the PPP/C as a threat. He was just one of several people who continuously, consistently and ferociously attacked the PPP/C. Nothing has ever happened to these people before.

Does the Opposition have anything to gain from such a murder? The present situation in Guyana answers the question. The Opposition has used this

CARICOM, Germany renew commitment

A

t the Conference of Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (CARICOM) Foreign Ministers and Germany, held on 2-3 March 2015, in Berlin, representatives renewed their commitment to further strengthen existing fields of cooperation and to explore new areas for interaction.

The Conference, held at the invitation of the government of Germany, “noted with satisfaction the steady and continuous progress in… relations”, between Germany and the Region. “We value the role of CARICOM as a regional partner and coordinator of the German-Caribbean cooperation”, according to the Communiqué issued at the Conference’s conclusion.

Germany has ongoing development cooperation with the Caribbean in the fields of energy, the environment, health and regional economic integration.

And while this cooperation, particularly in the fields of energy and environment, focuses on the protection of global goods, its equally important contribution to sustainable economic development of the Caribbean region was acknowledged.

In the latter context, however, CARICOM ministers expressed their concern about the narrow criterion of GDP per capita as a basis for determining the

level of development assistance "GDP per capita criterion does not fully reflect the specific vulnerabilities of small island developing states”, they pointed out.

The German government, while maintaining that GDP per capita can provide an easily measurable and useful eligibility criterion for access to certain grants and concessional funding instruments, indicated its support for a multidimensional poverty measurement in the context of the post-2015 agenda.

The representatives also discussed the political situation in different parts of the world and in their own regions. In the exchange of views, the two sides, inter alia, agreed on the important role of the EU-LAC Foundation to the bi-regional dialogue. They agreed also, on the need to reform the United Nations Security Council so as to better reflect current geopolitical realities.

“We strive for a more representative, effective and transparent Security Council… ten years after the Heads of State and Government in 2005 called for an “early reform of the Security Council”, it is necessary to finally achieve tangible results”, they stated.

Expressing their intention to work together to achieve concrete outcomes,

representatives also acknowledged that the Arms Trade Treaty was “a major contribution to international and regional peace and security and a necessary tool for regulating the global arms trade and stemming ?the disastrous and tragic consequences of the illicit trade in arms”. In this regard, advocacy for Trinidad and Tobago’s hosting the Secretariat of the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty was made. “…we commit to working together through the sharing of information and best practices to ensure the effective implementation of this landmark treaty”, they reiterated. Other issues related to the post-2015 agenda for sustainable development including; climate change; financing for development; development cooperation; renewable energy and energy efficiency also received the attention of the conference. According to the Communiqué, representatives were “convinced that the conference will further enhance the long and lasting cooperation…” [and] agreed to continue the fruitful exchange at a high level, on a regular basis.

CARICOM’s Community Strategic Plan 2015-2019 identifies the deepening of foreign policy co-ordination as one of eleven top priorities.

unholy event to mobilize its supporters, portraying it as a political assassination of one of its own by the PPP/C or its agents.

Decent minded Guyanese have condemned the murder as a national shame. This would be a gift to the Opposition – given an advantage on a silver platter. They could not have done more to help themselves in this election.

Of course, we must consider that there might be no political connection to this murder. Indeed, every murder is a national shame. The only reason that some Guyanese condemn this one is that there is an assumption that this is a political murder. Has anyone considered the possibility that this was just one of the random murders, or that this murder of a political activist was because of non-political reasons?

The PPP/C has nothing

to gain and everything to lose through such a political assassination. It would be the political mistake in history for them to be so stupid. On the other hand the Opposition has everything to gain from such a murder.

Has anyone dared to think of this possibility? We would hope that this possibility is as unthinkable as the one the Opposition itself has put forward and concluded on?

We would hope that the history of our country has been a lesson we learnt from. In the 1960s, the Opposition, indeed, with plans such as the X-13 and others inflicted much violence and destruction, with many Guyanese killed in the process in order to blame the then PPP/C Government.

We have gone through political murders in our country. The Rodney CoI presently is baring all the shameful history of that

period.

We should not so quickly condemn anyone without evidence. In a period of heightened political awareness and sensitivity, these matters could only add fuel to the tension that already exists and that always seem to be part of our elections.

The patriotic and responsible thing to do is to allow the Police to do their work and for all of us to come together in solidarity to support the Police and give them whatever evidence we have.

The President has done his part. Should this nation come together on this matter, the criminals responsible would be quickly cornered and brought to justice, and if there is a political connection, then let the chips fall hard on them.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times. notebook@gmail.com.

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monday, march 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

APNU+AFC's Linden Rally:

Nagamootoo wants PNC rigging forgotten – Granger wants 99% Reg 10 votes Regional Chairman is hosting a national rally.”

Granger noted “this time we will get 99 per cent”, referring to the percentage of votes the coalition party expects to secure from Linden and Region 10, which is one of APNU’s strongholds. The Presidential Candidate reaffirmed his confidence in the coalition, noting that

be able to access university education via distance education programmes.

“You will stay right here in Linden and finish your university degrees… we will get your children to school because we believe every child must find a place in school…we are a coalition of the future,” he said.

Nagamootoo for his

it is time that we change our country,” the Prime Ministerial candidate noted.

He accused the Government of wasting money on trying to revitalise the sugar industry, adding that the industry must be re-examined. In the process, he noted, jobs must be saved.

Solomon told those

David Granger delivering his speech while Moses Nagamootoo and other executive pay rapt attention

T

he A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) coalition officially launched its 2015 elections campaign Saturday evening in the mining town of Linden, holding firm to its slogan ‘the time is now’ and urging residents of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) to vote 99 per cent for them.

The APNU won the region by a landslide in 2011 elections, but residents have been hurt by the treatment of their Parliamentary Representative Vanessa Kissoon who was shoved to the back seat after fallout with Oscar Clarke, General Secretary of the PNCR. Residents have also been peeved at the alleged widespread rigging

at the party’s Congress last year, which returned David Granger at the helm. Hundreds of supporters congregated at the Linden/Georgetown minibus park, decked out in the parties' coalition colours green and yellow.

The evening was marked by cultural presentations and speeches by representatives of the APNU and AFC, amidst waving and screaming supporters.

Among the delegation which headed to Linden for the official launch were Presidential Candidate David Granger and Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo, other representatives, including Khemraj Ramjattan, Jaipaul Sharma, Joe Harmon, Basil Williams, Rupert Roopnaraine, Keith Scott and Cathy Hughes, among others.

The evening’s proceedings were also marked by speeches from Granger, Nagamootoo, Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon and other representatives.

The coalition, under the leadership of Granger and Nagamootoo boasted that they will secure a majority of the votes at the May 11 elections. Nagamootoo is on record saying that he would deliver 11 per cent Indian votes to prop up APNU in securing a majority.

Meanwhile, despite his party’s recent infighting, Granger said the coalition with the AFC promises to move the country forward in unity.

He noted: “We are better together than apart… we are going to win, victory is ours…this is not a Linden rally, your

A section of the gathering at the APNU+AFC rally in Linden

it is important for the parties to stay together at this time.

During his address, Granger said the coalition believes in education and infrastructure, making a promise to Lindeners that as long as the coalition secures victory, students will

part said that it is time for change and that the country must be become united.

“Today we must bury the hatchet of hatred… our purpose here and now is a healing purpose…this election is about bringing division to an end…

present that the coalition offers unity, where all can share equally, adding that the alliance is not prepared to fail. “We are now unified again…unity must be strengthened by respect for each other…this unity is creating fear already,” he said.

Big protests in Brazil demand President Rousseff’s impeachment

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ore than a million Brazilians have joined demonstrations against President Dilma Rousseff, with many asking for her impeachment.

The protesters say the president must have known about a corruption scandal in the state oil firm, Petrobras. The political opposition say much of the alleged bribery took place when she was head of the company. But Ms Rousseff has been exonerated in an investigation by the attorney general and denies involvement. Most of the politicians accused of taking bribes in a kickback scheme come from the governing coalition.

After the protests, the government promised a series of measures to combat corruption and impunity. Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo said the government saw the rallies as an “expression of

democracy”.

‘Virtues, values, dreams’ Protests have taken place across 22 Brazilian states and the federal capital, Brasilia. The largest demonstration went ahead in Sao Paulo, a major opposition stronghold, attracting more than 500,000 people. Many of the protesters waved Brazilian flags and wore the yellow shirts of the national football team.

They shouted slogans against corruption and the Workers’ Party government. Opposition parties have backed Sunday’s protests but have not openly called for impeachment of the president, says the BBC’s Gary Duffy in Sao Paulo. Senator Aecio Neves, who was defeated by a narrow margin in October’s presidential vote, issued a statement praising the protests. He said Brazilians “went to

Thousands gathered outside Brasilia’s modernist Congress building to protest against corruption

the streets to reunite with their virtues, their values and also with their dreams”.

‘Coup attempt’ In Brasilia a crowd of 40,000 was reported, gathering outside the Congress building.

In Rio de Janeiro, where Ms

Rousseff won 55% of the vote in the October presidential election, police said around 25,000 people had joined a protest there. “There’s no point in complaining only on social media, we have to be here and show that we are really fed up,” businesswoman Daniela Mello told

AP news agency in Rio. Friday saw supporters of President Rousseff out in force, with tens of thousands taking to the streets.

Her supporters say calls for an impeachment, less than five months after she was elected to a second four-year term, amount to a coup attempt. The

Workers’ Party has been in power since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in for his first term in January 2003.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court approved the investigation of 54 people for their alleged involvement in the kickback scheme. The list was prepared by Attorney General Rodrigo Junot who alleged that private companies paid corrupt officials in order to get lucrative Petrobras contracts.

According to the investigation, high-profile politicians also took a share of the money siphoned off from the oil company.

Mr Junot’s list includes Senate President Renan Calheiros, President of the Chamber of Deputies Eduardo Cunha, former Energy Minister Edison Lobao and former President Fernando Collor de Mello. All deny corruption allegations. (BBC)

news

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monday, march 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

In honour of the 18th Death Anniversary of the late President Dr Cheddi Jagan the PPP/C held its annual fun day on the lawns of State House. Below are some of the scenes from the event

Children having fun on a merry-go-round

A section of the large gathering at the State House event

President Donald Ramotar and patrons

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee visiting one of the booths

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds at one of the booths

Dancers entertain guests at State House

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo took time out to take photographs with patrons

Another group of dancers entertain guests

14

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, march 16, 2015

News

APNU+AFC Linden Rally

Granger pushes envelope on incitement D

efying an earlier warning by the Police, the Opposition coalition Saturday night told their supporters in Linden that it was the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) that had killed exsoldier Courtney Crum-Ewing.

The comments were made by coalition leader, David Granger, who was at the time addressing a large rally in Linden. CrumEwing, 40, was gunned down in Third Street, Diamond, East Bank Demerara, last week by unknown men in a car. He was at the time using a loud hailer to encourage residents to “get out and vote” on May 11. Up to press time, Police had arrested two men and seized a car. They are also reviewing surveillance footage as part of their investigations.

Condemning the slaying of the ex-Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldier, Granger said that his coalition would not tolerate “political assassination”.

“I feel hurt. I feel wounded…

Courtney was the first to fall,” Granger said, expressing his feelings over the recent incident. “He was killed because he had a bullhorn in his hand… was executing his constitutional rights and was silenced.”

Granger said he was deeply hurt over Crum-Ewing’s mur-

APNU-AFC Presidential Candidate, David Granger

der and pointed fingers directly at the governing party for the man’s execution as he told the persons gathered that he was convinced Crum-Ewing’s death was the result of the actions of the “rulers of darkness”.

Only last week, the Guyana Police Force had cause to warn Working People’s Alliance (WPA) executive, Dr David Hinds to desist from making

statements that can incite racial violence here in the wake of the ex-soldier’s killing. Hinds is a key member of the WPA, which is also part of the coalition.

In their statement responding to Hinds’ letter, which was published in the Stabroek News on Thursday, March 12, under the caption “There should be no Tit for Tat”, the Police said the

gist of the article seemed to give the impression that the killing of Courtney Crum-Ewing on March 10, at Diamond, East Bank Demerara was politically motivated by persons aligned to a political party other than the one to which Crum-Ewing belonged. “The Guyana Police Force wishes to inform the public that on the basis of this article, the Assistant Commissioner (Law Enforcement), Leslie James contacted Mr David Hinds and asked him whether he has evidence of the perpetrators of the murder and he said that he had no such evidence.”

Police said the Assistant Commissioner then informed Hinds that there was, therefore, no logic on which his statement and call for ‘no tit for tat’ was based, and also told him that his statement has the potential to incite violence and warned him to desist from such behaviour. In a release made after the Police report, Hinds confirmed receiving the call in Arizona where he resides and being questioned about his letter. He claimed that the Police did not discuss the import of his statement with him.

Meanwhile, President Donald Ramotar has promised that his new Government would be seeking out every possible

measure that would prevent media operatives from spewing racism and hate messages to the public. The Head of State, in an interview on Thursday, blasted sections of the media, whom, he said, were bent on dividing the country through racial incitement. He said should his Administration get back into office after the May 11 General and Regional Elections, it would be strengthening laws and considering every legal framework within the system to address the ongoing excessive abuse.

“I think we will need to look at what measures need to be put in place from a legal and moral point of view to try to prevent persons from distortion and lies and deal with the abuses that have been taking place and the incitement of racism,” Ramotar told a group of journalists at the Office of the President.

The Head of State said that while the Constitution provided for freedom of expression, persons had no right to abuse that privilege. “While you have a right, you don’t have a right to incite violence, you don’t have a right to preach racism, you don’t have a right to practise racism in this country. People don’t have that right,” the President stressed.

Dozens killed in southern Brazil bus crash Top EU diplomat Mogherini to visit A Cuba “at crucial time”

E

uropean Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has announced she will visit Cuba later this month.

Mogherini said Cuba was facing a very interesting period and the EU wanted to build on the momentum to “take the relationship forward”.

She is the highest-ranking EU official to visit Cuba in several years.

The communist-run island is in advanced negotiations with the United States to restore relations severed more than five decades ago.

Mogherini’s visit, on March23 and 24, is being seen as another sign that the communist-run island is strengthening ties with the West.

“The EU has been closely following the developments in Cuba and its relations with key international players, which create new dynamics in the Region and in Cuba itself, and provide new opportunities for all,” Mogherini said.

The EU lifted sanctions on Cuba over its human rights record in 2008.

Last year, it launched negotiations to improve relations with Havana on hu-

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini

man rights, trade and economic relations.

Mogherini says the visit comes “at a crucial time” for those negotiations.

Over her two-day visit she will meet Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and non-governmental organisations.

The Cuban authorities were scheduled to meet the top US diplomat for Latin American affairs, Roberta Jackson on Sunday.

She will travel to Havana for a third round of talks since Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced, on December 17, they had agreed to begin mending relations. (Excerpt from BBC News)

bus has plunged off a ridge in southern Brazil, killing at least 49 people, authorities have said.

Among the dead were eight children and 24 women, regional Government Spokeswoman Ana Paula Keller told AFP news agency on Sunday.

The toll had initially been put at about 30, but the number rose throughout the night as rescuers continued to find bodies at the difficult-to-access crash site in Santa Catarina state, and other victims succumbed to their injuries at a nearby hospital.

Rescue workers were still trying to reach any survivors but access to the crash site in Santa Catarina state was difficult, a Local Government Spokesman told AFP news agency on Saturday, stressing that the toll could still rise.

The tour bus carrying 50 people plunged 400 metres (1300 feet) into a wooden ravine as night fell, complicating search efforts, the spokesman said.

Emergency crews rescued at least 12 people who survived, and they were taken to hospital for treatment [Al Jazeera screen grab]

The driver is believed to have lost control of the vehicle on the curvy stretch of highway, but the cause was still under investigation.

Emergency crews rescued 12 people who survived. They were taken to hos-

pital for treatment.

“There are people out there, on the hill, in the bus, trapped in the wreckage. But the chance of finding someone alive are pretty slim,” Colonel Nelson Coelho said in a statement. (Al Jazeera)

‘Holness not fit to lead’ – Party members

A

faction of prominent members within the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is now contending that disciplinary action should be taken against their leader, Andrew Holness, for “bringing the Party into disrepute” with what they described as his trail of missteps and poor decision-making.

The high-ranking members said that Holness’s decision to seek legal advice from former JLP member

Abe Dabdoub – who is now a member of the People’s National Party (PNP) –in the constitutional dispute that has deepened divisions within the Party is the last straw and that steps should be taken for Holness to be brought before the organisation’s Disciplinary Committee.

“Engaging Abe Dabdoub, either paid or for gratis, is the last in a comedy of errors as it relates to Holness’s judgement,” said a senior member who,

like others who spoke for this article, asked not to be named.

“With Abe Dabdoub and his history and his personal attack on the leader in 2011, the talk about taking Delroy (Chuck), Gregory Mair and Daryl Vaz to the Disciplinary Committee – if anyone should be taken to the Disciplinary Committee for brining the party into disrepute it’s Holness on three counts: his and the Party’s association with [Harold] Brady,

the constitutional case, and the association with Dabdoub,” added a senior MP. “The whole situation over the last six months with Holness’s missteps can only be described as an outrage. Holness has self-destructed and is now unmarketable, which renders the labour party unelectable under his leadership. How could Holness trust Dabdoub with his history?” he said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

monday, march 16, 2015

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15

Around the world

Kerry admits US will have Aid workers meet widespread destruction in Vanuatu to negotiate with Assad

T

he United States will have to negotiate with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for a political transition in Syria and is explore ways to pressure him into agreeing to talks, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said.

In the interview broadcast on CBS News on Sunday, Kerry did not repeat the standard US line that Assad had lost all legitimacy and had to go.

“We have to negotiate in the end,” Kerry said. “We’ve always been willing to negotiate in the context of the Geneva I process,” he added, referring to a 2012 conference which called for a negotiated transition to end the conflict.

Kerry said the US and other countries, which he did not name, were exploring ways to reignite the diplomatic process to end the conflict in Syria which is now in its fifth year.

“What we’re pushing for is to get him [Assad] to come and do that, and it may re-

US Secretary of State John Kerry did not repeat the standard US line that Bashar al-Assad had lost all legitimacy and had to go [Reuters]

quire that there be increased pressure on him of various kinds in order to do that,” the secretary of state said.

“We’ve made it very clear to people that we are looking at increased steps that can help bring about that pressure,” he added.

The US led efforts to convene a UN-backed peace talks in Geneva last year between Western-

backed Syrian Opposition representatives and a Government delegation. The talks collapsed after two rounds and no fresh talks have been scheduled.

Russia convened some Opposition and Government figures in January for talks on the crisis but they yielded little progress and the main Opposition coalition boycotted them. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Turkey sends Syria-bound teenagers back to UK

T

hree teenagers who were stopped from travelling to Syria from Turkey have been flown back to the UK and arrested, Scotland Yard has said.

Two boys aged 17 from north-west London and a man aged 19 were returned to the UK on Saturday night, the Met said.

They have been arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and are being held at a Police station in London.

They were reported as missing on Friday and were detained after UK Police alerted Turkish officials, it added.

Scotland Yard said counter-terrorism officers had initially been made aware that the two 17-year-old boys had gone missing and were believed to be travelling to Syria.

Further enquiries revealed they had travelled with a third male, UK police added.

“Officers alerted the Turkish authorities who were able to intercept all three males, preventing travel to Syria,” a police spokesman added.

They were returned to the UK at about 23:10 GMT on Saturday and were arrested by counter-terrorism officers.

The trio had flown to Istanbul from Barcelona, in Spain, a Turkish official told the BBC. The two 17-year-olds were stopped at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen airport by Turkish authorities acting on intelligence provided by British Police about the pair.

However, the 19-year-old was only detained after being questioning by Turkish Police, the official said. He was also arrested at the airport.

“This is a good and a clear example of how the security cooperation between Western intelligence agencies and Turkey should work,” the official added.

S

ports that Sam-Sumana’s residence had been vandalised.

Sam-Sumana, who entered voluntary Ebola quarantine after one of his security personnel died of the disease last month, is in hiding, his whereabouts unknown.

The US State Department said on Sunday that they are in touch with authorities in Freetown to try to resolve the political standoff between Sam-Sumana and the ruling party.

“Our Embassy in Freetown has been in contact with relevant officials, and we urge all concerned to resolve the situation through appropriate proce-

T

he first international aid workers have reached cyclone-devastated Vanuatu as the Pacific nation declared a state of emergency amid reports of massive destruction in the areas reached by aid teams.

With winds of more than 300 kilometres per hour, Cyclone Pam razed homes, smashed boats and washed away roads and bridges as it struck late on Friday and into Saturday.

International relief supplies began arriving in the country on Sunday as the official death toll in the capital Port Vila stood at six.

The count of total confirmed deaths was at eight with 30

people injured, according to authorities.

Aid workers, who describe the situation as catastrophic, say the initial death toll was likely to be just a fraction of the fatalities nationwide.

Communications were still down across most of the archipelago’s 80 islands, although the airport in Port Vila reopened with limited facilities to allow muchneeded aid in. Commercial flights were scheduled to resume today.

Two Australian air force planes landed in the country with food, shelter and medicine, while a New Zealand military aircraft also arrived loaded with

eight tonnes of tarpaulins, water containers, chainsaw packs and generators, the AFP news agency has said.

Pictures from Port Vila showed streets littered with debris, cars crushed by trees, buildings blown to pieces and yachts washed inland.

Virtually every building that is not concrete has been flattened.

President Baldwin Lonsdale, who happened to be at a disaster risk conference in Japan when Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu, likened the storm to a monster and appealed to the international community for assistance. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

China warns of decisive response over Myanmar bombing

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Sierra Leone denies Vice President’s life is in danger after asylum sought

ierra Leone’s ruling party has denied that the Vice President’s life is in danger after he sought asylum from the United States citing concerns for his personal safety.

The All People’s Congress (APC) said in a statement broadcast on state media that it had been informed of Samuel Sam-Sumana’s asylum request.

“The APC Secretariat wishes it to be known that since the expulsion of Vice President Sam-Sumana from the APC party, the party has at no point in time threatened the life of the Vice President,” the statement read.

The party also denied re-

A photo taken on Saturday shows storm waves lashing Port Vila’s coastline

dures that respect due process and the rule of law.”

Darby Holladay, a State Department spokesman, told AFP news agency.

Holladay also said SamSumana is not being sheltered in the US Embassy in the capital.

“The US can confirm that Sierra Leonean Vice President Samuel SamSumana is not at the US Embassy in Freetown, as some media outlets have erroneously reported,” Holladay said.

Sam-Sumana, 52, was expelled from the governing APC party this month for what was described as “his anti-party activities, including fomenting violence”.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Myanmar’s MNDAA rebel group was formed from remnants of the Communist Party of Burma, a powerful China-backed group [Reuters]

C

hina has threatened to take “decisive” measures if there is a repeat of a deadly attack by Myanmar forces on its territory, allegations that officials in Yangon deny.

Speaking at his annual news conference on Sunday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that the Government had the ability and responsibility to “firmly defend” the stability of the border.

In a similar statement issued late on Saturday, Fan Changlong, who is a deputy head of the powerful Central Military Commission, said Myanmar Air Force aircraft had crossed the border “many

times” recently.

“The Myanmar side must recognise the seriousness of the issue, seriously deal with this incident, punish those who caused the trouble, apologise and pay compensation to family members, and explain themselves to China,” Fan was cited as telling Myanmar’s military in an emergency telephone call.

Myanmar must take strict steps to rein in its armed forces to ensure no repeat of such incidents, he said.

“Otherwise, China’s military will take resolute and decisive measures to protect the lives, property and security of China’s people,” Fan

said, without elaborating.

In an interview with Al Jazeera’s Florence Looi on Sunday, Zaw Htay, director of the Myanmar President’s Office in the capital Naypyidaw, denied that the bomb that killed the farmers came from Myanmar’s military.

He also said that GPS data, flight and ground records show that Myanmar’s fighter jets did not stray into Chinese territory.

The farmers’ deaths Friday occurred as the Myanmar Government stepped up its fight against ethnic Chinese rebels in the country’s Kokang region along China’s south-western border. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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monday, march 16, 2015| guyanatimesGY.com

Global scale-up of hypertension project could save millions of lives T he mass scale-up of a pilot hypertension project sponsored by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) could significantly advance the global target of reducing hypertension prevalence by 25 per cent by 2025. The project could also prevent millions of cardiovascular related deaths worldwide, according to CDC officials writing in a recent issue of The Lancet.

The Global Standardised Hypertension Treatment (GSHT) Project was launched by the CDC and PAHO/WHO in 2013 and is currently being piloted in Barbados and Malawi. The project seeks to increase ac-

cess to diagnosis and treatment of hypertension and to improve the quality of treatment. Its methods draw heavily on experiences in HIV treatment and tuberculosis (TB) control.

Central elements of the GSHT Project include standardised drug regimens, integrated multidisciplinary teams delivering patientcentred care, increased access and availability for patients to effective low-cost medicines with simplified dosing and refills, monitoring of patients’ blood pressure control and progress under treatment.

Also key is support from the PAHO Strategic Fund, a procurement mechanism that allows participating PAHO/WHO member countries to buy essential medicines and supplies at re-

CDC Director Tom Frieden

duced cost. After the GSHT Project was launched, the Fund negotiated purchasing agreements for five of the Project’s six recommended hypertension drugs.

CDC officials Sonia Angell and Kevin De Cock and CDC Director Tom Frieden argue in a “Viewpoint” article in The Lancet’s February 28 issue

that the GSHT Project provides a model for improving hypertension treatment and control that could be replicated in Low- and MiddleIncome Countries (LMICs) around the world. The success of similar efforts to scale up TB control and antiretroviral treatment for HIV provide strong evidence that “rapid expansion of treatment and control of hypertension in LMICs should be achievable”, the authors say.

WHO estimates that some one billion people globally suffer from hypertension, the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

According to a study cited in the Lancet article, only an estimated 13 per cent of those one billion sufferers have their hypertension adequately controlled.

The authors estimate that

treating just half of all hypertension sufferers globally would avert 10 million heart attacks and strokes over 10 years. Going forward, PAHO/WHO and CDC plan to engage new partners to implement GSHT in other countries of Latin America and the Caribbean and eventually in other regions of the world.

“Hypertension affects some 250 million people in the Americas, and in most countries, rates of blood pressure control are unacceptably low,” said PAHO Director Carissa F Etienne.

“Scaling-up the GSHT Project holds tremendous potential for reducing premature mortality and the adverse economic impact of cardiovascular disease in our Region and around the world.”

The Holika story is one Guyana needs reforming of many associated with Phagwah Dear Editor, I’ve appreciated the sentiments expressed by two letter writers Shivanie Rampersaud and Sharma Solomon recently. However, their letters contain some glaring inaccuracies which need to be addressed.

Ms Rampersaud’s first words in the letter indicated her limited knowledge on the subject. It should be noted that “Phagwah” is the name of the festival in the Bhojpuri districts in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In most of the remaining parts of India, it is known as “Holi”.

“Holi” is not a “Hindu Festival”, as purported by the letter writers. All Indians generally take part in the festivities, though the celebrations are more contained from those of different faiths. So you have Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Christians and even heathens join in the fun.

Ms Rampersaud would have more accurately described the festival as “Hindustani”, rather than “Hindu”. “Hindustani” is the Hindi word that would be translated as “Indian”. The word “Hindu”, in today’s context, refers to a genre of Hindustani traditions, beliefs and culture.

It should be noted that the word “Hindu” is not found in any of the “Hindu” scriptures or holy books.

This was a word that was first coined by the Persians to describe the people (and

their unique traditions) east of the Indus River – and later adapted into the English lexicon.

In a recent newspaper article, Dr Asha Goswami correctly ascribed the word “Indians” instead of “Hindus”, in her article “Ancient Indians and their gods” (taken from the Pioneer newspaper, March 8).

It would have been misleading and erroneous to substitute the word “Hindus” for “Indians”, in that article. Similarly, Ms Rampersaud ought to have given the description as an “Indian festival”, as opposed to “Hindu festival”.

Mr Solomon refers to Phagwah as “this sacred event in the Hindu calendar”, and Ms Rampersaud mentions that it is significant because it is the “beginning of the Hindu New Year”.

Though there is the burning of the Holika on the night before the festivity, this festival could hardly be described as a “sacred event”, as in the case of the Hindu celebration of Shivratri. There is little religious significance in the celebration of Holi.

In most places in India (especially in the northern areas of the country), the Holika is being burned invariably by men (mostly in their 20s or 30s), who are either somewhat drunk or drugged up with “bhang” (a derivative of marijuana); no

woman usually found at the scene – for fear of being molested.

There is virtually no reference of the “Hindu New Year” by Hindus when they celebrate Holi in India (in the same sense that Chinese acknowledge their New Year).

The Holika story is only one of many that are associated with Phagwah (Holi) in India. And hardly anyone thinks about the “good over evil” notion when they participate in the festivity. Rather, it is a beautiful, spontaneous expression of personal touch that does wonders for personal relationships and community.

Holi (Phagwah) is a cultural celebration – not a religious one. As Ms Rampersaud rightly stated, it is a celebration of the end of the cold winter season, and rejoicing at the advent of the warmer spring season.

Incidentally, this was one of the coldest days to celebrate Holi here in north India in recent years, as the colder season hung on longer than usual. It is also a time when people look forward to get on with their chores – especially those in the rural areas.

Because it is a cultural (rather than religious) celebration, all Guyanese could join in the frolic and fun of this amazing festival.

Devanand Bhagwan India

Dear Editor, Kindly allow me to share with the reading public an inspirational and prophetic piece of writing from my archives: Oh Guyana! Oh Guyana!

You’ve had your share of disgrace and shame; even though you’re not totally to be blame.

Innocent; childlike were you all the while; not knowing of such evil and deceptive guile.

Oh Guyana! Oh Guyana!

Such evil came as an angel of light; and cause you to be in a terrible plight. The deceit, the cunning craftiness; your Saviour has revealed.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Oh land of the free, for thou have been redeemed.

Oh Guyana! Oh Guyana!

While all the nations cried, shame, shame, shame; you stood condemned and cried, why?

Why? Why? Don’t be disheartened neither feel forsaken: for whom the Lord loveth, them he chasten.

Oh Guyana! Oh Guyana!

Oh what sorrows and afflictions must you bear: cry out!

Cry out! For your Saviour shall hear.

For out of his Heavens he’ll proclaim your name: then nations of this earth shall know you’re not the same!

Oh Guyana! Oh Guyana!

Land of many blessings are signs of life! Given you as a token, say not for strife: Show forth your praise to God who gave; his Son Jesus Christ the one who saves. (Written, February 24, 1980.)

It has been 35 years since these writings came to me, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; during a time of great grief and heavy burdens. I wept on the streets of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana as I longed to live in a Co-operative Republic.

I was in the Spirit, I believe on the Lord’s Day, when the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to see the past, present and future Guyana.

As it was dictated to me I wrote. Many in that day refuted what I experienced, but I am glad for the Lord’s sake, that I did not die (with all the threats on my life) when I was sent to Buxton as a missionary in 20022005. I am still here to declare “Thus saith the Lord”.

In this day and time, I have come to understand more and more, the true concept of the term “angel of light” and what it symbolizes in this poem. We of the Christian Faith hold fast to symbolism. Some are afraid of persecution and victimisation if we declare the truth.

Now if the truth be told some of our political giants are angels of light having an evil agenda. When our politicians, regardless of whether they’re in Opposition or in Government, justify the craving and lust for power and abundant wealth in a third world country such as Guyana - where pensioners can only purchase a 20-pound cylinder of gas and a handful of groceries with $13,000 a month, against those who decorate their mouths with millions of dollars of tax payers’ money

and enrich themselves with ill-gotten gains on the backs of the tax payers; know for sure that those angels of light shall seek to increase the more.

There is a band of politicians among us who are determined to ravage the Treasury regardless of whatever method or means they employ. Now in this season they would appear on local television programmes advocating the same.

Love for country is demonstrated by what you do as a leader to improve and better the lives of the citizens, against what you do [put laws in place to favour your love for money] to enrich yourself while in office, which is love for self, rather than love for country. The aggrandizement and pompous behaviour of these leaders is not a healthy sign for our youths and students.

This type of role model will destroy the little moral and ethical fibre left to follow after.

I am convinced that Guyana has a deep spiritual problem (sickness) that no politician can fix, but God himself. The racist rhetoric that is perpetrated on the souls of Guyanese is a disease that is called madness. Such madness is associated with a mental imbalance that causes the patient to believe that they are so powerful [a law unto themselves] not even God can touch them.

Apostle Vanrick Beresford

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monday, march 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Jagan led Guyana to universal Enlightenment adult suffrage – Jagdeo I F

ormer President Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday lauded the contributions of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan towards the development of Guyana.

Speaking to a large crowd gathered at the Night of Reflection organised by the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) on the late leader’s life at the Research Centre named after him, Jagdeo said: “It is because of the struggle of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) led by Dr Jagan that Guyana achieved universal adult suffrage. This means that every Guyanese gained the right to select who they want to be their leader.”

He reflected on the days of racial and cultural divides in Guyana. He said in the 1950s, Guyanese were not al-

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

lowed to gain employment in places such as banks and big companies.

This, Jagdeo said, was the

fact faced by all Guyanese regardless of race, “whether Indian or African, if you were dark skinned you could not work in the banks. You had to be light skinned and Dr Jagan and the PPP/C were a part of the struggle to change that”.

Responding to statements made by persons in some quarters that the PPP/C has strayed from the beliefs of the late President Jagan, Jagdeo stated that the struggles of the Party in so many ways highlighted the struggles of the late President.

“After studying abroad, Dr Jagan came back to Guyana at a time where not everyone had the right to vote, you had to be literate to vote,” Jagdeo said, while stating that in those days, most of Guyana’s population was

not literate.

He blamed the then British rule for the lack of literacy in Guyana. He explained that literacy of the Guyanese people was not a priority of the British rulers, who at the time focused on up keeping their empire around the world.

“Our people were not literate, because the British rulers did not seek to build schools and educate our people. You could not even get a job if you were not a Christian,” Jagdeo pointed out.

As a result, the late Dr Jagan, who led the formation of Guyana’s first political party – the PPP/C, embarked on a quest to allow Guyanese their denied rights, which annoyed the British rulers, Jagdeo said.

New report touts agro-corridors as economic driver

Effective corridors need to be geared to the competitive advantages of a territory

E

conomic “agro-corridors” can be a strategic tool to draw private capital and large-scale investment to projects that benefit smallholder farmers and boost food security in lower-income countries, according to a new Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report that provides guidance on how development planners can avoid pitfalls.

These corridors, according to the report, are development programmes that foster promising economic sectors – notably agriculture in developing countries – in a territory connected by lines of transportation like highways, railroads, port or canals. The strength of this approach is its integration of investments, policy frameworks and local institutions.

“The key idea is not just to make transportation or irrigation infrastructure improvements but to provide a platform that enables and empowers authorities at local, national and regional levels to make more informed decisions about what they want to achieve,” said FAO agribusiness economist Eva Gálvez Nogales,

author of “Making economic corridors work for the agricultural sector.

The 200-page tome reviews in detail six case studies, including three well-advanced corridor programmes in Central Asia, the Greater Mekong Subregion in Southeast Asia and Peru, and three new projects still largely in the early implementation phase, in Indonesia, Mozambique and Tanzania.

So-called economic corridors are hardly new – an archetype is the Silk Road – but their potential as engines of broad-based sustainable development has been largely untapped.

Traditionally, they have been used to bolster physical connectivity to improve the functioning of markets, or with a narrow focus, such as linking mines to ports. But corridors can be harnessed to smarter planning initiatives, aimed at enhancing agricultural opportunities, achieving explicit targets such as creating rural jobs, environmental goals and catalysing improved governance along value chains, all of which the report notes are needed “to spur inclusive and sustainable growth

in the developing world”.

“They also offer an important opportunity to engage the Private Sector’s capital and trading skills to foster adequate investment in agriculture and respond to the challenge of hunger,” says Gálvez Nogales.

Artichokes, bridges

Effective corridors need to be geared to the competitive advantages of a territory rather than conceived as a miracle method to make a desert bloom. They “should be developed in areas where there is already economic density and untapped growth potential that can be maximised,” she says.

One of the corridor projects that catalysed new thinking by development experts was the Poverty Reduction and Alleviation Project in Peru, which began in 1998 and focused on the role of intermediate cities rather than rural areas in alleviating poverty.

It also adopted a novel probusiness approach relying on “star connector firms” able to quickly expand commercial networks along 13 corridors in the Peruvian jungle and highlands.

This led to the flowering of overlooked market

opportunities. For example, Peru is now the world’s third-largest exporter of artichokes, which are produced through outgrower contracts and processed in several corridors. Gálvez Nogales emphasises that corridor schemes can have even stronger impacts when they cross national borders, especially if developed under the auspices of regional trade agreements. That deepens potential market opportunities, making it possible to forge multistakeholder alliances and keep Private Sector players engaged in the development process. One such corridor is known as the Greater Mekong Sub-region corridor programme, spanning Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar and some Chinese provinces. One can already see improved bridges and customs procedures at border towns and even contract farming that spans national frontiers.

The three Cs

Gálvez Nogales defines the “three Cs” of a successful corridor as: connectivity, competitiveness and the sense of community.

Multiple stakeholders – businesses and farmers, but also different levels of regional government – must from the outset be brought together in the identification of “soft” targets and harmonised environmental, social and food security safeguards in order to avoid disputes that emerge in the wake of “hard” infrastructure investments. Decisive clarification of land tenure issues – ideally with the help of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land – is essential, not least as bio-fuel projects, which can alter land use patterns, often feature in corridor plans.

f we cannot find enlightenment where we are right now, then where else can we expect to find it? Many of us tend to believe that we have to go through some sort of suffering in order to gain freedom.

I don’t’ think this is true in this case, because we are the key to complete freedom. Some people may argue that enlightenment is always there and how we achieve it isn’t as important as getting there.

Narine Dat Sookram However I would think that it has to be some sort of steps that we need to follow to take us to the right direction.

By no means am I trying to say that enlightenment is an easy thing, because it sure takes a lot of time and dedication. Having said that there are plenty of ways we can find enlightenment, but they sure require lots of dedication and sometimes more to the spiritual path for those who believe in a higher power for example.

I am sure thought that it will probably worth the effort at the end of it all.

It will be foolish for us to actually believe that enlightenment will come our way without any real effort, this is not however true. The thing that is true though is that there are many things we can do to enlighten ourselves.

For example we can connect with others around us. This can be done by signing up to volunteer for an organization or project or even meet face to face with a friend or family member. The idea is to get outside of ourselves and have an open mind.

Another thing we need to do is to be gentle with ourselves. For example it’s a good idea to do something nice for our own selves once in a while. In other words we need to give ourselves the tenderness we need by taking a nap or even visit a friend if need be.

There are so many other things that are coming to mind that we can do to enlighten ourselves, some of which include and probably the most important is to love ourselves. In other words, treating ourselves as we would for someone else.

We have to remind ourselves too that we are not alone, because the thing is we all go through challenges in life at times which is ok, because the reality is without failures in life we wouldn’t know what it is like to be being human.

Let’s not forget that it’s ok to express our feelings in an acceptable manner, because it’s not worth it to suffer in silence. In other words it’s okay to cry if we need to do so, because it’s a way to check in with ourselves.

The key again for enlightenment is to have an open mind as mention. I am sure this is not the first we are hearing of this, because it will allow us to become creative about the solutions to our problems.

And last but not lease it’s okay to ask someone we trust for advice and never stop smiling, because it’s ok to laugh, be silly and practice being happy so that we can enlighten our lives and those around us.

For questions, comments, feedback or question, send them to mcnarine@rogers.com.

While specific policies vary broadly between corridors, the adoption of inclusive business models is a shared imperative. It is also useful that policies be “designed for scaling up to a transformative level,” which can best be done by mobilising the right “change agent”, which could depending on the context be a company or a farmer association or government extension agents, or also in the food processing and trade areas.

Governance

Properly-designed corridors are also a tool favouring natural resource governance. “Corridors can in fact allow for better management of environment risks and practices such as unsuitable monocropping,” said Eugenia Serova, Director of FAO’s Rural Infrastructure and Agro-

Industries Division and also coordinator for FAO’s SO4, the strategic objective linked to enabling inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. “The key is for inclusive coordination of stakeholder interests both in the planning and execution phase,” Serova said.

While high-profile transportation infrastructure consumes the bulk of monetary resources, relatively intangible public goods and services such as standard contracts, legal advice, extension services, land banks and innovative financing mechanisms are just as important. Coordinated Public-Private Partnerships which link local and central governments can improve the efficiency of local bureaucracies, turning the corridor into the catalyst of better governance of the needed investments.

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monday, march 16, 2015

ARCHIE

Hard work and valuable connections will help you turn (March 21- an idea into cash. You should April 19) keep your business relationships separate from your private affairs if you want to avoid a mishap.

ARIES

With foresight and planTAURUS ning, an upward trend in your (April 20- financial picture will develop.

May 20) Take inventory of your assets and make the necessary adjustments to ensure financial security.

dilbert

Someone will ask you for GEMINI help with a money problem or (May 21estate issue. Relationship difJune 20) ficulties or legal matters will develop if you aren’t careful.

Don’t be afraid to bring in the experts.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Keep a close watch over personal property. Don’t lend or borrow money or possessions. Make sure that you lay down ground rules with those you live with to avoid confusion.

Have faith in your abiliLEO ties. You have what it takes (July 23to succeed, so forge ahead.

Aug. 22) With sound ideas and attention to detail, you will get what you want and more.

Calvin and Hobbes

Be disciplined when it VIRGO comes to your goals. Whether (Aug. 23you join a gym or work out at Sept. 22) home, it’s important to get moving and improve your appearance and health.

Your favourite hobby or LIBRA project can help you alleviate (Sept. 23stress.

Do your best to keep Oct. 23) the peace, and strive for harmony in all aspects of your life.

SUDOKU

You’ll be amazed to disSCORPIO cover more about your heri(Oct. 24Nov. 22) tage from relatives. Ask questions in order to gain greater insight into something that is currently relevant in your life.

Don’t sell yourself short.

SAGITTARIUS Taking on extra responsibil(Nov. 23- ities at work will result in a Dec. 21) wage increase or give you the confidence to pursue a new, higher-paying position.

Wednesday, March 11 solution

Problems with joint bank CAPRICORN accounts or excessive spend(Dec. 22- ing will cause tension. Credit Jan. 19) card debt or loan repayments should be a priority. Consult a financial planner and set up a strict but realistic budget.

AQUARIUS

Be prepared to make a move on a promising offer.

(Jan. 20- Refrain from getting involved Feb. 19) in other people’s private affairs. The complications that result will damage your reputation and personal life.

PISCES Others may not be too ea(Feb. 20- ger to share, making it vital March 20) that you observe what everyone does and says. The information you discover will help you make a sound decision.

monday, march 16, 2015

19

MCY&S/EBFA Pee Wee league...

James’ exploits seal title for Herstelling Raiders C

aptain Shoran James saved the best of his striking abilities for the last and most crucial game of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and

Under-11 Pee Wee League, which ended on Saturday at the Grove Playfield.

Needing the maximum three points from the game, along with scoring at least

MCY&S Director of Youth, Gillian Frank, is flanked by best goalkeeper and MVP Christopher Adams (left) and highest goalscorer Shoran James

Sport (MCY&S)/East Bank Football Association (EBFA)

three goals without conceding any, Herstelling Raiders

delivered the goods, with Captain James the orchestrator as his team defeated Mocha Champs 4-0 to win the tournament, the first for the EBFA in 2015.

The Mocha boys were no pushovers, but could not handle the nippy James who could have scored many more if he didn’t go wide of the mark on a few occasions. It did not take long for Herstelling to get on the scoresheet, as James found the back of the net in the fourth minute.

Mocha tried their best to keep Herstelling at bay and did a good job as the first half (15 minutes) of the game did not produce more goals. The final 15 minutes were going to be the most interesting and anticipated of the tournament and it did turn out that way.

Not only the Herstelling players and supporters were locked into the proceedings, but the players from the other teams which participated in the competition except for Diamond United. James picked up where he left off in the first half and was a thorn in the flesh of the Mocha players and he never relented.

He found the back of the net in the 21st, 27th and 29th minutes to secure the

Holder expects Gayle to be ready for WC quarterfinals

W

est Indies captain Jason Holder expects Chris Gayle to be available for Saturday’s all-important quarter-final clash against New Zealand, despite the talismanic opener missing the final group game against United Arab Emirates with injury.

“He has had the same back problem he has had for a year and he has good days and bad days,” Holder told reporters following his side’s six-wicket win at McLean Park here Sunday.

“But he is a crucial player for us going into the quarter-final. He will be up for it, even if he is not 100 per cent.

He is a big game player and we all know what he can do on those days.”

Gayle has struggled with a recurring back problem in recent years which has hampered his fitness and form. It led to his withdrawal from the recent Test tour of South Africa.

He entered the World Cup averaging 14 over the last 20 months and despite a World record 215 against Zimbabwe, has managed just 64 runs in his other four innings in the tournament.

His place against UAE was taken by opener Johnson Charles, who stroked a top score of 55 off 40 balls in what was his first game since flying in

Chris Gayle

recently as a late replacement for the injured Darren Bravo.

With Gayle expected to return and opener Dwayne Smith managing a mere 93 runs from six matches, Holder said Charles would definitely be in contention for the quarter-final in Wellington.

“Obviously Johnson played a very good innings and has probably pretty much secured his spot for the next game but we will sit down, see the conditions and pick the team,” Holder said.

West Indies finished level on Ireland on six points in Group B but sneaked into the top four courtesy of a superior net run rate. (CMC)

MCY&S Director of Youth, Gillian Frank, (right) presents the winner’s trophy to Herstelling Raiders Captain Shoran James in the presence of teammates

critical win that not only saw his team past Mocha 4-0; but it also was their third win of the tournament, the most by any team and the performance also secured the highest goal scorer trophy for James who ended the competition with six goals.

Agricola Red Triangle who walked away with the third-place trophy and 16 bronze medals also captured the best goalkeeper and most valuable player awards. Christopher Adams

was the unanimous choice for both awards having conceded only one goal in five matches.

Director of Youth at the MCY&S, Gillian Frank, who was on hand to present the trophies and medals to the teams, congratulated the winner and all the teams who participated, pointing out that the Ministry was committed to the development of youths within the communities.

She commended the play-

ers for their dedication and discipline in coming out each week to play their respective matches. The Coaches and those parents who supported the teams were also complimented by Frank for playing their part in helping to shape a positive future for the young players.

The EBFA will take a one-week break before commencing an Under-13 League; the Stag Beer Senior League will also commence shortly.

Holder dismisses Sammy row A fter clashing with Darren Sammy, West Indies captain Jason Holder waved away word of unrest ahead of the Cricket World Cup quarterfinals.

West Indies captain Jason Holder watered down an onfield spat with former skipper Darren Sammy, in their Cricket World Cup win over United Arab Emirates.

Paceman Holder was visually upset with Sammy, who was not paying attention when the ball was thrown his way in the field - with the former Windies leader unperturbed by his skipper’s anger.

After West Indies wrapped up a six-wicket win over UAE in Napier, Holder waved away concerns there was unrest between himself and Sammy.

“We just had a little banter on the field,” Holder told a news conference.

“At that stage we just wanted to have some fun.

“Unfortunately, that’s probably didn’t look the way it seemed.

“We’re very good mates, we just had a little tussle just there.

Jason Holder and Darren Sammy celebrate a wicket in one of their World Cup games

It’s just part of the game.”

Holder said opener Johnson Charles, who replaced the injured Chris Gayle (back), had almost played his way into their quarter-final XI, regardless of Gayle’s fitness.

“We’ll pick the best team.

Obviously, Johnson played a very good innings today, and he’s pretty much secured his spot for the next game,” Holder conceded.

“We’ll sit down and discuss and see what conditions we’re up against, and make a decision.”

On Gayle’s problem that saw him miss the UAE game, Holder

said: “Chris had the same back problem over the last year - he has good days, he has bad days.

“Obviously he’s a key player for us, his fitness is key going into the quarter-final.

“I’m sure he’ll be up for it, even if he’s not 100 per cent, he’ll push through it.

“It’s an important game, and he’s a big player and you know what big players can do on big days.”

On likely opponents New Zealand, Holder said targeting their top order would be West Indies’ priority. (Digicel Sportsmax)

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Sarfraz hundred sends Pakistan into quarters P

akistan lost their opening two matches of the World Cup; Ireland won their opening two matches. But it was the former who progressed to the quarter-finals with a reasonably polished seven-wicket victory in Adelaide to mean that the knockouts will be populated solely by Full Members.

An opening stand of 120 ensured against any concerns for Pakistan and Sarfraz Ahmed, just two matches into his comeback, struck his maiden ODI hundred - their first century of the tournament - although it was reached in slightly far-

cical scenes as Umar Akmal blocked ball after ball when it appeared Sarfraz would finish short. Ireland's spirit never dimmed, but there were some resigned looks long before Umar finally clubbed the winning boundary.

On the biggest day of Ireland's cricket history their captain William Porterfield had stood tall with his seventh ODI hundred, but the next best score was Gary Wilson's 29 and ultimately the skill of the Pakistan quick bowlers, even without the injured Mohammad Irfan, prevailed especially at the death.

SCOREBOARD

Ireland innings (50 overs maximum) WTS Porterfield* c Shahid Afridi b Sohail Khan 107 PR Stirling lbw b Ehsan Adil 3 EC Joyce c Umar Akmal b Wahab Riaz 11 NJ O'Brien c Umar Akmal b Rahat Ali 12 A Balbirnie c Shahid Afridi b Haris Sohail 18 GC Wilson† c Wahab Riaz b Sohail Khan 29 KJ O'Brien c Sohaib Maqsood b Wahab Riaz 8 SR Thompson c Umar Akmal b Rahat Ali 12 JF Mooney c Umar Akmal b Wahab Riaz 13 GH Dockrell run out (†Sarfraz Ahmed/Wahab Riaz) 11 AR Cusack not out 1 Extras: (lb 2, w 10) 12 Total: (all out; 50 overs) 237 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-56, 3-86, 4-134, 5-182, 6-189, 7-204, 8-216, 9-230, 10-237.

Pakistan Bowling: Sohail

Khan 10-0-44-2, Ehsan Adil 7-0-31-1, Rahat Ali 10-048-2, Wahab Riaz 10-0-543, Shahid Afridi 10-0-38-0, Haris Sohail 3-0-20-1.

Pakistan innings (target: 238 runs from 50 overs) Ahmed Shehzad c Joyce b Thompson 63 Sarfraz Ahmed† not out 101 Haris Sohail run out (Balbirnie/Dockrell) 3 Misbah-ul-Haq* hit wicket b Cusack 39 Umar Akmal not out 20 Extras: (b 1, lb 1, w 13) 15 Total: (3 wickets; 46.1 overs) 241 Did not: batSohaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali, Ehsan Adil.

Fall of wickets: 1-120, 2-126, 3-208.

Ireland Bowling: AR Cusack 10-1-43-1, JF Mooney 9-140-0, SR Thompson 10-0-591, GH Dockrell 6-0-43-0, KJ O'Brien 10-0-49-0, PR Stirling 1.1-0-5-0.

The pacemen have been central to Pakistan's recovery after the heavy opening defeats to India and West Indies and this time the last ten overs of the innings brought 49 for 5 with just three fours and a six against outstanding death bowling from Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan and Wahab Riaz. However, Ireland would also ponder the number of well-struck shots that hit fielders - more than half the deliveries in the innings were dots - and they struggled to rotate the strike.

In contrast to Pakistan, Ireland's bowling is comfortably their weakest department. A chase of 238 was enough that a couple of early wickets would have created some jitters but, like against India, they could not break the opening stand before significant damage had been done. The first seven overs brought 28 runs against Alex Cusack and John Mooney, then Sarfraz and Ahmed Shehzad began to cut loose.

George Dockrell's introduction, for the tenth over, marked a change in tempo as Shehzad and Sarfraz collected two boundaries apiece. It was smart play because on a pitch where the ball had occasionally stopped, or gripped, Dockrell should have been a key weapon for Ireland but he was not given the chance to settle.

Ireland's first chance to break through was spurned when Wilson, standing up the stumps to Kevin O'Brien, dropped Sarfraz on 37. By the time Shehzad pulled straight to mid-on against Stuart Thompson, Pakistan

were half way to the target and Haris Sohail's run out two overs later was only a momentary blip.

Sarfraz had hit three boundaries by the end of the tenth over and did not add to that until the 37th when he

first by an Associate captain at a World Cup. It was an innings of immense character and composure, but had similarities with his previous ODI century - against a Full Member, England, and ending in defeat.

Sarfraz Ahmed is thrilled after completing his hundred

took back-to-back fours off Cusack. It was a sign of how he calmly worked the field and judged that there was no need for anything reckless.

Misbah-ul-Haq was more aggressive and the pair added 82 before Misbah trod on his stumps, but by then it had long been obvious there would not be scenes to match Jamaica 2007, almost eight years ago to the day.

Porterfield opened that day at Sabina Park and batted 100 minutes for 13. This time his hundred was the

He scored at a consistent pace throughout, the fifty coming off 59 balls and his hundred from 124. He could have been caught on 84 had Rahat moved faster at third man to intercept an upper cut or run out on 94 with a better throw from Sarfraz, but the three-figure moment came when his punchy drive burst through Wahab's left hand in the follow through.

The early passage of Ireland's innings was a case of Porterfield dominating the scoring but not finding a long-

term ally. Paul Stirling has been unable to build on the aggressive 92 he made in the opening match against West Indies and this time he was caught on the crease playing across a full delivery from Ehsan Adil in his second over of the tournament.

Porterfield's pulling was a stand-out feature, but Ed Joyce did not find the same success when he was caught out by the extra pace of Wahab and top edged to point. Then, with another stand starting to build, and the run rate very acceptable, Niall O'Brien drove to cover when a ball from Rahat stopped in the surface.

Although Pakistan's catching was generally safe, their ground-fielding left plenty to be desired. But a misfield in the deep played a role in the fourth wicket when Porterfield made the most of a fumble in the deep to take three which gave the strike to Balbirnie, who top edged a sweep off Sohail's fourth delivery to short fineleg.

Porterfield went into the 90s with a sweet drive wide of mid-off but his demise, pulling low to Shahid Afridi at mid-on the over after reaching his hundred, began Ireland's slide as Pakistan's expertise in the late overs shone through. Ireland's last chance of a strong finish rested with Kevin O'Brien but the accuracy of Sohail and Wahab kept him quiet.

He was dropped on 7 by Ehsan at deep square-leg but fell next delivery when he spliced a pull to midwicket.

(Cricinfo)

Windies book spot in World Cup quarterfinal...

from back page

They put on 107 runs for the seventh wicket to frustrate West Indies.

The victory carried West Indies to six points, level in fourth spot in Group B with Ireland who went down to Pakistan by seven wickets in Adelaide.

However, the Windies nipped the Irish for a spot in the next round by virtue of a better net run rate.

The Caribbean side will now take on unbeaten New Zealand – who topped Group A – at the Wespac Stadium in Wellington next Saturday.

With Tropical Storm Pam swirling in the distance and the threat of a rain disruption hanging over the game, West Indies won the toss and quite sensibly chose to bowl first, and wiped out the UAE top order in quick time.

Holder got Andri Berenger (7) to flirt with one on off-stump in the fourth over and feather a catch through to Ramdin and in his next over, the

skipper found Krishna Chandran’s outside edge before he had scored for Dwayne Smith to take a low catch at first slip.

Two balls later in the same over at 17 for three, Holder claimed opener Amjad Ali lbw for five, as UAE’s slide continued.

Taylor then removed Khurram Khan’s leg stump with a full length delivery for five in the seventh over before uprooting Shaiman Anwar’s off stump in the next over, with a fast, straight delivery which the batsman played around.

When Holder got one to jag back and send Swapnil Pati’s off stump cartwheeling in the 14th over, UAE were in serious danger of collapsing for the tournament’s lowest score.

However, Amjad and Nasir played bravely, capitalizing on ordinary stuff from pacer Kemar Roach whose eight overs were ragged and cost 54 runs.

Nasir twice pulled short balls from the right-armer

for boundaries in the 26th over and when Roach was brought back for a second spell in the 37th over, it coincided with Nasir reaching his maiden ODI halfcentury.

He celebrated with two boundaries in Roach’s next over which cost 15 runs and Amjad collected a third four in the over through cover, to also raise his first one-day fifty.

Russell got the breakthrough, bowling Amjad with a slower ball in the 41st, and his dismissal triggered a final slide that saw the last four wickets tumble for 22 runs.

Charles and Smith, who made 15, then gave the Windies a hurried start of 33 off 19 deliveries, with Charles in particular playing aggressively. In the first over of the innings, he lifted off-spinner Nasir over mid-off for four and then cleared the ropes at long on.

Smith followed up in Nasir’s next over, the third

of the innings which bled 15 runs, sweeping for four and then going straight for six, with Charles slamming the final delivery to the cover boundary.

However, Smith tickled the first delivery of the next over behind to depart and vice-captain Marlon Samuels lasted 18 balls for his nine before slapping left-arm seamer Manjula Guruge into Berenger’s lap at point, at 53 for two in the eighth over.

Carter and Charles steadied West Indies in a 56-run, third wicket partnership that required just 46 deliveries.

Overall, Charles counted nine fours and two sixes while Carter collected five fours, as West Indies moved beyond 100 and whittled away at their target.

The right-handed Charles raised his fourth ODI half-century in the 14th over but then holed out to mid-off off Amjad and Russell (7), promot-

ed in the order to accelerate the scoring, belted a six over long on but then popped one up for Amjad to take the return catch in his next over.

Tentatively placed at

118 for four in the 18th, West Indies found momentum in Ramdin and Carter who calmly saw the Caribbean side over the line and more importantly, into the next round. (CMC)

SCOREBOARD

United Arab Emirates innings (50 overs maximum) Amjad Ali lbw b Holder 5 AR Berenger c †Ramdin b Holder 7 Krishna Chandran c Smith b Holder 0 Khurram Khan b Taylor 5 Shaiman Anwar b Taylor 2 SP Patil† b Holder 6 Amjad Javed b Russell 56 Nasir Aziz c Holder b Samuels 60 Mohammad Naveed b Russell 14 Mohammad Tauqir* b Taylor 2 AM Guruge not out 4 Extras: (lb 4, w 10) 14 Total: (all out; 47.4 overs) 175 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-16, 3-17, 4-21, 5-26, 6-46, 7-153, 8-167, 9-167, 10-175.

West Indies Bowling: JE Taylor 8.4-0-36-3, JO Holder 10-127-4, KAJ Roach 8-0-54-0, AD Russell 8-3-20-2, MN Samuels

10-4-25-1, DJG Sammy 1-0-40, DR Smith 2-0-5-0.

West Indies innings (target: 176 runs from 50 overs) DR Smith c †Patil b Guruge 15 J Charles c Krishna Chandran b Amjad Javed 55 MN Samuels c Berenger 9 b Guruge

JL Carter not out 50 AD Russell c & b Amjad Javed 7 D Ramdin† not out 33 Extras: (lb 4, w 3) 7 Total: (4 wickets; 30.3 overs) 176 Did not bat: LMP Simmons, DJG Sammy, JO Holder*, KAJ Roach, JE Taylor Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-53, 3-109, 4-118 UAE Bowling: Nasir Aziz 6-0-47-0, Mohammad Naveed 6-0-34-0, AM Guruge 7.3-1-402, Mohammad Tauqir 3-0-22-0, Amjad Javed 8-0-29-2.

sports

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21

Messi scores twice in Barca win

L

Lionel Messi celebrates

ionel Messi scored twice to take his season’s goal total to 43 as Barcelona beat Eibar comfortably to open up a four-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Messi converted a 31stminute penalty for Luis Enrique’s side, who face Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Argentina forward headed in Ivan Rakitic’s corner after half-time.

Federico Piovaccari hit the bar late on for Eibar, who are slipping towards danger after eight straight defeats.

Gaizka Garitano’s side, three points above the bottom three, face a crucial trip to relegation rivals Granada next weekend.

Granada missed the chance to climb out of the relegation zone on Saturday as they were beaten 3-1 at Rayo Vallecano.

For Barcelona, this was just about as straightforward a victory as they could have hoped for ahead of two key home matches.

Enrique’s side hold a 2-1 lead going into their last-16 second leg meeting with City, after which they will host secondplaced Real Madrid in La Liga next weekend.

Real can reduce the gap at the top to one point by beating struggling Levante at the Bernabeu on Sunday.

Barcelona’s boss rested centre-back Jeremy Mathieu and midfielder Javier Mascherano - probably with one eye on the Madrid game, as both are one booking away from a domestic suspension.

After a cagey opening half-hour, the visitors took the lead when Borja Ekiza was ruled to have handled deliberately in blocking a shot from Messi, who thumped the resulting

penalty into the corner.

Eibar made a superb start to their first season in Spain’s top flight after two successive promotions.

But they have lost momentum over the last two months and struggled to hit back here, with midfielder Javi Lara wastefully dragging a shot wide.

Only a smart block

by Eibar keeper Jaime Jimenez stopped Neymar adding a goal from Messi’s through ball early in the second half.

The Argentine soon eluded the home defence to head his 32nd league goal of the season from Rakitic’s corner.

Substitute Piovaccari should have pulled a goal back for Eibar with two minutes to go, but bounced the ball against the underside of the bar from eight yards after driving his shot too hard into the ground. (BBC Sport)

Bishoo stars but Jaguars concede...

The Guyanese bowlers could not build any pressure as both batsmen were able to score freely.

They managed to wipe off the Jaguars’ first innings total of 291, and were 16 runs ahead at the interval.

But the dismissal of Ottley soon after the interval inspired a batting collapse, as the rest of the batting inspired little confidence, with the last five wickets going for 30 runs.

Ottley was trapped leg before wicket to left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (2-92), before Bishoo wrapped up the tail, taking the last four wickets.

Rayad Emrit, Marlon Richards, Bryan Charles

from page 22

Assad Fudadin

and Shannon Gabriel, all went cheaply to Bishoo, who finished with 6-76, carrying his wicket tally to 50.

Chandrika and Fudadin successfully saw off the new-ball spell from Gabriel and Richards. They were 43

without loss at the interval, with Chandrika on 28 and Fudadin on 15.

Upon resumption, Chandrika was trapped leg before wicket to legspinner Imran Khan.

Fudadin, who displayed admirable application and patience, was joined

by Johnson and the pair had added 48 for the second wicket when the latter went leg before to Jason Mohammed.

Fudadin then registered his half-century off 114 balls, but was bowled

by Mohammed soon after.

Deonarine and Bishoo then negotiated the remaining passage of play without further trouble.

Play resumes today at 09:50h and admission is free.

22

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, march 16, 2015

WICB PCL 4-day tournament…

Milo Under-20 School Football tournament...

Bishoo stars but Jaguars St Joseph upset former concede first innings champs to advance points to Red Force

By Rajiv Bisnauth

T

he Guyana Jaguars were 120-3 at the end of the penultimate day of their ninth-round match in the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) Professional Cricket League Four-Day tournament at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday.

Narsingh Deonarine was unbeaten on six, and with him was night watchman Devendra Bishoo on four.

The Guyanese are 71 runs ahead, batting a second time after Trinidad and Tobago Red Force took first points and stretched their total to 340, a lead of 49 runs.

Opener Rajendra Chandrika (31); Assad

Some of the action during the day’s play

By Treiston Joseph

F

Devendra Bishoo

SCOREBOARD GUYANA 1st Innings 291 T&T RED FORCE 1st Innings (overnight 173 for four) J Solozano c Singh b Barnwell 3 Imran Khan c wkpr Bramble b Deonarine 18 K Ottley c Chanderpaul b Bishoo 34 Y Cariah c (N/A) b Bishoo 71 J Mohammed lbw b Permaul 13 Y Ottley lbw b Permaul 82 +S Katwaroo not out 70 *R Emrit c wkpr Bramble b Bishoo 1 M Richards lbw b Bishoo 1 B Charles c Barnwell b Bishoo 0 S Gabriel c Chanderpaul b Bishoo 16 Extras: (b12, lb2, nb17) 31 TOTAL (all out, 114.5 overs) 340 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-33, 3-112, 4-147, 5-173, 6-310,

Fudadin (50); and skipper Leon Johnson (28) were the batsmen dismissed for the Jaguars.

Despite a six-wicket haul from leg-spinner Bishoo,

Yannick Ottley

Yannick Ottley and wicket-keeper Steven Katwaroo were the fulcrum of the visitors’ batting effort on the third day, compiling a 137 for the sixth-wicket stand

7-311, 8-313, 9-316, 10-340.

Bowling: Joseph 12-0-56-0, Barnwell 9-2-38-1, Deonarine 21-9-54-1, Permaul 3910-92-2, Bishoo 31.5-379-6, Johnson 2-0-7-0.

GUYANA 2nd Innings R Chandrika lbw b Khan 31 A Fudadin b Mohammed 50 *L Johnson lbw b Mohammed 28 N Deonarine not out 6 D Bishoo not out 4 Extras: (b1) 1 TOTAL (3 wkts, 43 overs) 120 Fall of wickets: 1-60, 2-108, 3-111.

Bowling: Gabriel 7-1-270, Richards 4-1-11-0, Emrit 8-5-17-0, Imran Khan 122-37-1, Charles 7-0-180, Mohammed 5-2-9-2.

to ensure the Trinidadians first gained first innings honours and then compiled a lead.

Ottley stroked 82, an innings that spanned 171 balls, 196 minutes, with 11 boundaries, while Katwaroo was left unbeaten on 70.

The pair came together after Yannic Cariah failed to add to his overnight 71. He was caught at the wicket off Bishoo to give the Guyanese a bright start.

However, that celebratory mood was muted until the dismissal of Ottley at the start of the second session.

The pair took the Red Force to lunch at 307-5, with Ottley on 79 and Katwaroo on 60, and maintained the ascendancy for almost the entire session. turn to page 21

ormer champions St George’s Secondary looked a shell of themselves as they failed to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2015 edition of the Milo Under-20 School Football Tournament on Sunday at the Ministry of Education Ground.

A lackadaisical and haphazard display by St George’s allowed St Joseph High School to sneak by with a 2-1 win to knock out the former champions.

St George’s struggled to find their rhythm, blowing numerous chances to score with the off target passing and laboured finishing.

However, the former champs through experience registered the game’s first goal in the 44th minute from Orin Moore.

Despite the goal, St George’s struggles continued well into the second half and St Joseph capitalised to score an equaliser in the 72nd minute with a goal

from Dwight Ferguson.

A major defensive lapse

by St George’s allowed St Joseph to register another goal two minutes later in the 74th minute as Lemar Williams tucked his shot in the right hand corner of the net to seal the deal.

Meanwhile in total contrast to St Joseph’s win, Chase Academy destroyed Richard Ishmael Secondary School 7-0.

Led by a quadruple from Isaiah Reddy in the 29th, 30th, 51st and 58th minutes, Chase Academy were simply too much for Richard Ishmael.

Marlon Nedd netted a double as well for Chase in the 35th and 49th minutes, while Kareem Knights had the game’s first goal in the 12th minute.

Morgan Learning Centre (MLC) continued their rich form in the tournament with a 5-1 drubbing of Queen’s College.

Ronaldo Dover led the way for MLC with a double in the 49th and 51st min-

utes, while Keron Solomon, Wayne Murray and Randy Layne had a goal each in the 7th, 57th and 62nd minutes. The lone goal for Queen’s College was scored

by Lloyd Anderson in the 41st minute.

Queenstown Secondary School breezed by East Ruimveldt Secondary with a 3-0 win as three different scorers got in on the action. Kelsey Benjamin started the scoring with a goal in the 34th minute followed by Wellinson DeSantos with a goal in the 43rd minute. Cordell Charles notched the final goal of the game in the 78th minute.

The upcoming quarterfinal match-ups this weekend will see Queenstown Secondary versus Chase Academy, St Joseph High taking on Morgan Learning Centre, Dolphin Secondary battling North Ruimveldt and defending champions, Lodge Secondary, facing off against St Mary's High School.

Score’s Even starts season with a bang – wins feature at KMTC post-Phagwah horse race meet

G

uyana’s only A Class animal, Score’s Even started her racing season with a bang by winning the feature A1 and Lower race before a packed Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) crowd on Sunday during the Club’s post-Phagwah horse race meet.

Ridden by Rad Drepaul, the animal was in exceptional form, toying with her rivals before beating them handsomely in the A1 and Lower event.

The Dennis De Roop’s Simple Royal Stable took away the coveted $1 million first prize for the win.

Lady Budapast finished a distant second place, with Janc In My Style and Just Call Me Bass rounding out the top four.

The Simple Royal Stable also won the K and Lower and D3 and Lower races.

The Simple Royal Stable took the champion stable award, while Jockey Drepaul took the top jockey accolade. Dennis DeRoop was the top trainer.

The meet was originally

Simple Royal Stable representatives and supporters in a celebratory mood after the Stable won three of the six races

planned for March 8, but was rescheduled for Sunday in order to facilitate the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s annual ceremony to celebrate the lives of its co-founders and former Presidents, the late Cheddi and Janet Jagan, which was on the same date at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant.

Results from the other races are as follows:

K1 and Lower race – Royal Stallion, Trigger, Massataquea Dr, Turn About D3 and Lower race – Run Na Na Run, Country Armagh, Church House, Red and Lovely J1 and Lower race – Party

Time, Lady Secret, It’s my Time, Royal Cash K and Lower Handicap – Ture About, Royal Stallion, Massataquea Dr, Trigger G3 and Lower race – Settling Jet, Campador, Brazilian Gold, Weekend Surprise

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, march 16, 2015

23

Hikers Hockey Club junior indoor tournament...

New champions crowned in 3 categories

N

The Under-13 champs pose after their win

ew champions emerged in three different categories when the Hikers

Hockey Club junior indoor championship continued on Saturday evening at the National Gymnasium.

In the iNet C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Under-13 category, Ian Burke was outstanding for the GCC Gladiators in the finals against a well-balanced Hikers Innovation side.

After the end of full time with the score tied at 2-2, both sides were unable to separate themselves in the penalty shootout with 1-1 score line.

Baraka Garnett sealed the first victory by Hikers in this category in the sudden death shootout, sparking wild celebrations by the youngsters.

In the Global Technology Under-16 girls’ final, the Hikers pulled off a 2-0 penalty shootout upset win against GCC. The victory was also a first for the Hikers girls since GCC has dominated the category for the past four years.

Meanwhile, in the

Upcoming international friendlies...

U-23 players added to Golden Jaguars squad

Jermine Junior shares a light moment with Assistant Coach Wayne Dover

T

wo promising Under-23 youngsters have been drafted into the Golden Jaguars squad ahead of this weekend's international friendly against St Lucia.

They are Jermine "Panky" Junior of Fruta Conquerors and Delano Mentore, originally from Port Kaituma, of Slingerz FC. In drafting the two youngsters Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz said, “"Panky" is quite a character; he is quick and explosive and is a pretty fast learner. Delano has a touch of gold – it may be early days yet, but he can be the future Shawn "Fatso" Bishop that our football needs."

Shabazz added that the youngsters have talent, but need international exposure for them to materialise into 'real' players.

"And I am very eager to throw these young Jags into the wild world of inter-

national football," Shabazz said.

Meanwhile, foreignbased players Brandon Beresford and Jamaal Smith have linked up with the Golden Jaguars squad and have participated in training sessions.

Beresford is a skilful midfielder, who plays for Graceland College in the USA and has played with the Jaguars before.

Smith is the six-footer centre back, who has been involved with the Jaguars since the 2012 World Cup Qualifiers.

The rest of the month will be busy for the Golden Jaguars with the St Lucia clash on Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium and a clash with Grenada on March 29. (Avenash Ramzan)

Delano Mentore being attended to after a training session

The Under-16 champions enjoy their winning moment with a photo

Global Technology Under-16 boys’ final, a rampant Old Fort led by junior national players Omar Hopkinson and Deheron Wilkinson dominated a GCC team that were also packed with junior national players to secure their first Under-16 title with a 3-1 victory.

Full Day Two results: Under 13

Final

–

Hikers

Innovation defeated GCC Gladiators 2-2 (1-1) (1-0 Sudden Death Penalties) Third Place – Saints defeated Lightning Bolts 1-1 (2-0 Penalties) Fifth Place – Hikers Hatchets defeated GCC Avengers 2-1 Seventh Place – Old Fort defeated GCC Tornados 1-0

Under 16 Girls

Final – Hikers defeated GCC 1-1 (2-0 Penalties)

Third Place – Old Fort defeated Saints 4-0

Under 16 Boys

Final – Old Fort Vikings defeated GCC 2-1 Third Place – Saints Silencers defeated Marian Academy 1-0 Fifth Place – Saints Sensations defeated Old Fort Sparta Bosses 3-0 Seventh Place – Hikers received a walkover from Kingston Hockey

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

monday, march 16, 2015

Windies book spot in World Cup quarterfinal after win against UAE W

indies book spot in World Cup quarterfinal after win against UAE West Indies put to rest the anxiety over their participation in the next round of the ICC Cricket World Cup by brushing aside United Arab Emirates by six wickets, to set up a quarter-final clash with red hot New Zealand next Saturday.

After routing UAE for a paltry 175 at McLean Park here Sunday, West Indies survived a few stutters to reach their target in the 31st over, and ensure their progression in the tournament.

Opener Johnson Charles, in for his first match of the World Cup at the expense of the injured Chris Gayle, top scored with 55 from 40 balls while the left-handed Jonathan Carter stroked a classy unbeaten 50 from 58 balls.

Wicketkeeper Denesh

Ramdin was 33 not out off 50 deliveries at the end, adding 58 with Carter in an unbroken fifth wicket stand.

Medium pacer Amjad Javed (2-29) and left-arm seamer Manjula Guruge (240) finished with two wickets apiece.

Earlier, captain Jason Holder ripped apart the top order of UAE’s innings, to send the minnows crashing to 46 for six in the 14th over.

The lanky seamer claimed four for 27 to earn Man-of-theMatch honours, with new-ball partner Jerome Taylor picking up three for 36 and pacer Andre Russell, two for 20.

In danger of being dismissed for under 100, UAE were rallied by brave half-centuries from Nasir Aziz who hammered 60 from 86 balls with eight fours, and Amjad whose 56 came from 99 deliveries and included seven fours and a six.

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Jason Holder celebrates a wicket

Guyana-Bermuda 3-game basketball tournament...

Thomas, Gullen lead Guyana to series sweep – Burnett named MVP

Shelroy Thomas goes hard at the rim

Upcoming World Cup matches (with Guyana time) Tuesday: 1st Quarter-Final, South Africa v Sri Lanka, 23:30h Wednesday: 2nd Quarter-Final, Bangladesh v India, 23:30h Thursday: 3rd Quarter-Final, Australia v Pakistan, 23:30h Friday: 4th Quarterfinal, New Zealand v West Indies, 21:00h

By Treiston Joseph

A

three-point barrage in the fourth quarter sealed a 59-56 come-from-behind win for Guyana against Bermuda in a packed Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Saturday evening.

With Guyana down 3219 at the half, it seemed as though the packed Sports

Hall was in for a disappointment.

However, Coach Darcel Harris gathered the troops during the halftime break, and the Guyanese lads came out with their full court press defence to claw their way back into the game, with Shelroy Thomas and Dominic Vincente nailing some big three’s in the third period, to leave Guyana trailing 45-38 heading into the final stanza.

In the fourth, Ryan Gullen, who nailed Guyana’s game winner in the first game of the series, came alive hitting clean shots and a dagger of a three from the right wing for a four-point play after being fouled from beyond the arc, which sent the Sports Hall crowd into a euphoric state chanting “Guyana” and “defence”.

Gullen would further impose his will on the Bermudans with an emphatic block that sent the ball into the crowd drawing eardrum ringing applause, as Guyana drew within three

Ryan Gullen rises for a shot

points of tying the game with the score on 51-48.

In a change of roles, Gullen would outlet a pass to Travis Burnett who swished his only three of the series in just two attempts as the crowd went wild. Jason Squires and Thomas also hit daggers of their own during the comeback in the fourth period to assure Guyana of the sweep.

Gullen ended with a game-high 13 points and two blocks, while Thomas, who spearheaded Guyana’s

run, finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. Burnett scored nine points, but played pesky defence during the game and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.

Jonathan Lowe had a team-high 12 points while Jason Lowe had 11 points for the losing team. Chris Crumpler ended with 11 points, while Captain Sullivan Phillips had a quiet night with seven points.

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