Guyana Times Daily - March 9, 2015

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Issue No. 2427

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, March 9, 2015

PRICE

Babu Jaan draws massive crowd as:

Ramotar blasts Opposition Pages 3, 7 & 13

... Jagdeo urges end to race-baiting politics

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Police hunt Agricola gang for P8 Kaneville shooting Police P10 probing death of man found with chops to neck at Hog Island EAB seeks IRI funding for elections monitoring

P10 …to push for implementation of recommendations

The massive crowd of supporters that turned out at the PPP/C’s campaign launch and memorial ceremony for its Founder-Leader, Dr Cheddi Jagan at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, Berbice

Mocha man shot dead during home invasion Page 9

Woman Killed as pickup runs off Lethem bridge Page 13

PNCR’s women P10 salute Guyanese Canadian P11 envoy confident GECOM will deliver free, fair elections

2 news

monday, march 9, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

CADVA hosts luncheon for battered women

By Gomatie Gangadin

W

hile some celebrated women with fetes and plaques in observance of International Women’s

en their sisters at a special luncheon hosted by the Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) Inc, in collaboration with the One Billion Rising Revolution, at the Pegasus

Guyanese women who have survived violence and abuse at a ceremony billed for the National Cultural Centre.

International Women’s Day is an occasion to recognise the struggles and suc-

A section of the gathering at the “Sister to Sister Circle Luncheon” at the Pegasus Hotel on Sunday Domestic violence survivor Robin Shaye sharing her story with the gathering at Sunday’s event

Day on Sunday, others, like local survivors of domestic violence, gave their testimonies to strength-

Hotel.

Tonight, the same groups will be honouring approximately 100

cesses of women across the globe. At tonight’s event, persons who have worked to promote women’s em-

powerment will also be recognised and honoured.

According to the Director of CADVA and Regional Representative for One Billion Rising Revolution, Dianne Madray, the women who will be honoured are “every day normal women”. The event is expected to be a surprise

seeking comfort. There was also a message from Dr Lisa Harding, daughter-in-law of now deceased politician and social activist, Dr. Faith Harding, encouraging the women present to know their selfworth and to speak out against any form of violence they may be facing.

In recognising the women who have succumbed at

that this becomes a reality.

Meanwhile, CADVA will be conducting supportive outreaches countrywide in the coming week as the organisation will be seeking to support other women who may be embarrassed to talk about their abuse. According to CADVA Founder Sukree Boodram, the hope is to

Another section of the gathering at the luncheon on Sunday.

since all of the nominees for the awards are unaware that they will be honoured at the event.

Meanwhile, at the luncheon titled the “Sister to Sister Circle Luncheon”, the survivors and recovering victims were given the opportunity to share their own experiences with each other, to offer advice and to extend support to the vulnerable ones. While some shared their life stories publicly, many others were seen huddled in groups, talking and relating their experiences while

the hands of their abusers, CADVA and the One Billion Rising Revolution sought to create a memorial board with their names and pictures and mounted it in the Savannah Suites of the Hotel. It was suggested by the gathering that a permanent memorial be created and placed in central Georgetown where it can be viewed by the public and where the women can always be remembered. The groups have indicated that they will be working to ensure

strengthen the local women and as such, much focus will be placed on the community, grass root level activities since this is where most abuse begins.

While International Women’s Day represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women, calls are being made internationally for greater equality for women and this year’s theme, “Make It Happen” seeks to encourage an effective action for advancing and recognising women.

news

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monday, March 9, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, March 9 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, March 10 – 05:00h-06:30h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Berbice –Monday, March 9 – 06:10h-07:40h and Tuesday, March 10 – 06:35h-08:05h

FERRY SCHEDULE

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WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers can be expected throughout the day, with heavy rain showers in the afternoon. Cloudy skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 5.81 metres and 6.70 metres per second.

High Tide: 06:29h and 18:50h reaching maximum heights of 2.69 metres and 2.65 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 00:06h and 12:24h reaching minimum heights of 0.55 metre and 0.55 metre respectively.

saturday, MARCH 7, 2015

LOTTERY NUMBERS 03 04 09 16 18 24 07 Bonus Ball

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Ramotar blasts Opposition

By Andrew Carmichael

Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings at 06:00h and 16:00h

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Babu Jaan draws massive crowd as:

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

he governing People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) on Sunday launched its re-election campaign at a massive rally, which was also used to honour the life of the party’s founder, Dr Cheddi Jagan at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, Corentyne.

The Party will be going to the polls with President Donald Ramotar as its Presidential Candidate and former Foreign Affairs Ministry Director General Elisabeth Harper as its Prime Ministerial Candidate.

The launch at the memorial pilgrimage for the late Dr Jagan was seen as fitting, given the long and dedicated struggle for a better Guyana. Currently, Guyana is observing the 18th death anniversary of Dr Jagan, credited for the return of democracy to post-independence Guyana. In promising to return with the largest victory for the PPP/C in the history of Guyana at the May 11 polls, President Ramotar said that over the last three years the policies that have been implemented by his administration were those that Dr Jagan would have implemented had he been alive. Ramotar’s three years in office were very challenging, with the Opposition’s stranglehold on the National Assembly, cutting budgets, blocking legislation and stymieing the implementation of several projects, including the Amaila Falls Hydro Project; the Specialty Hospital and the Modernisation of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

According to the Head of State, despite the challenges

President Donald Ramotar

presented by the joint parliamentary Opposition over the past three years, he did not compromise on principles. However, he noted that it was the same when Dr Jagan was alive.

“I take comfort in the fact Cheddi Jagan had to fight against tremendous odds.

And so, today, I am not worried about the actions of the Opposition. Those who claim that they have nothing to apologise for,” Ramotar told supporters. The President said over the past three years he did not have an Opposition that was patriotic and interested in the development of Guyana. “I had narrow-minded people who seem to believe that they can make things bad in our country and drive us back to the time when we had to line up for a quarter pint of oil … in the hope that it will change their political fortune. That is what I had to deal with over the last three years.”

“Not one day did they use their one-seat majority to say ‘Donald Ramotar, build more roads in Berbice, build more schools for our people, build more hospitals

for our people, not one single day. Instead, they used the one-seat majority to cut $89 billion from our budget, $89 billion that could have gone to develop the people of our country, and I tried, my friends, I really tried,” the President said.

Ramotar explained that he was forced to prorogue Parliament because at the last elections, thousands of Guyanese could not have voted because they did not have their source documents. “I prorogued Parliament to allow GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) to have a second round of registration and more than 7000 new voters came on the list who should have been on the list for the last election. I prorogued Parliament, because I wanted to appeal to the Opposition once more for reasoning,” Ramotar explained.

He said elections in Guyana were not constitutionally due until the end of 2016, and if he wanted, he could have prorogued Parliament again, and when that prorogation period was up, keep doing it until elections were due.

Money laundering

Turning his attention to the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, which has been blocked by the Opposition, Ramotar said the Opposition had two occasions to show which side it was standing on. “The Opposition had two occasions to choose which side are they standing on; are they standing on the side for the people or are they going to defend criminals by not supporting the bill (the AntiMoney Laundering Bill).

On two occasions, they de-

cided to vote to protect the drug traffickers and money launderers in our country.”

Ramotar said.

Speaking of plans for the future, President Ramotar said the Amaila Falls Hydro Project was high on the list of priority and will help to create jobs, which was one of his goals after the May 11 poll. “Both the AFC (Alliance For Change) and the PNC [People’s National Congress] had hydro on their manifestos for the last elections. So I thought this would have been an easy sell,” the President noted.

He said focus will also be on the expansion of social services which included the housing sector.

Harper

Meanwhile, in her maiden address to PPP/C supporters, Harper said she was delighted to be the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the Party.

“I believe in Guyana. I believe in service to Guyana.

I wholeheartedly believe that given the opportunity I can work alongside President Ramotar in the next majority government to help this country reach its potential.”

She also complimented the youths who she said energised her as she entered the arena. “I believe that indeed that you are our future.

I want to encourage every one of you to put Guyana first and work to build this beautiful land of ours.”

Harper also took the opportunity to salute women on the occasion of International Woman’s Day. “Remember how much you are contributing towards building your homes, your families and building this nation,” she urged.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, march 9, 2015

Views 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

The race is on!!

W

ith the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) launching their campaign at Babu Jaan yesterday, the elections campaign of 2015 is well and truly on. It is going to be a two-horse race since the "minnows" are so insignificant, they would have all lost their deposits if the old constituency system was in place.

Guyanese can therefore expect one of the more polarising elections in our history and even though the recent NACTA poll claimed that the two sides are very close at this time, come May 11 the centrifugal forces immanent in our political system are sure to deliver a conclusive result.

At Babu Jaan, the PPP/C harkened to their roots at the final resting place of their founder - and the father of modern Guyanese politics - Dr Cheddi Jagan. And this is as it should be.

As they gird up their loins for this momentous, defining political battle ahead it was clear from their speeches that the heirs of Cheddi Jagan are ready. It is indicative of the legitimising power of Cheddi Jagan that two of the deserters from the PPP/C on the opposite side of the fence are yet trying to claim his and the PPP/C's legacy.

It was as if they were trying to confirm the theory of history that human affairs move in cycles. Fifty years ago, Forbes Burnham and some other members of the PPP/C also split from the mother party and went to the elections claiming its legacy.

They were ignominiously rejected at the polls and were only rescued from oblivion by the machinations of foreign forces pushing their own agendas.

At Babu Jaan, the legitimate inheritors of Jagan's vision for a united and prosperous Guyana were on view. Donald Ramotar, the Presidential candidate, was with Cheddi from when he was but a teenager as was the General Secretary of the PPP/C, Clement Rohee.

There are those who would claim they are not as "lettered" as they ought to be, but they should know that Jagan was never enamoured of the "doctor politics" that dominated the West Indies. He dismissed it as a manifestation of "bourgeois" politics. How many "doctors" had not betrayed him?

Jagan insisted on the politics of "praxis" and by this measure, Ramotar and Rohee are exemplary PPP/C leaders.

In his speech, President Ramotar reiterated the mission of the PPP/C to lift up the working class of Guyana to live out the true meaning of their historic role to create a just society.

Justice for the poor can only mean justice for all Guyana.

It was clear too, that contrary to the divisive rumours that the Opposition had tried so insidiously to spread Ramotar has the complete backing of both General Secretary Rohee and former President Bharrat Jagdeo. The experience of the latter will be invaluable especially in the position that President Ramotar - supremely confident of victory at the elections - has created for him: head of the National Economic Council (NEC).

Guyana is at the cusp of breaking out into double-digit economic growth rates and Jagdeo is the man who can assist the President in achieving this goal.

When Jagan was betrayed by the Opposition figures in selecting his Prime Ministerial running mate in 1992, he reached outside the PPP/C and chose Sam Hinds as a "non-political" figure representing "civil society". No one can deny that this was a masterstroke and avoided the inevitable internecine battle for influence that would have ensued if a politician from another party had been selected.

In choosing Elizabeth Harper as their Prime Ministerial candidate, it was clear after her speech at Babu Jaan, that a worthy successor has been found for Sam Hinds. It is our hope that the Opposition will climb down from the platform they created on purely racial arithmetic and focus on the issues facing Guyana as the PPP/C dos at Babu Jaan yesterday.

The Villarrica volcano in southern Chile erupted, spewing ash and lava up to 1000 metres (3300 feet) into the air. According to Chile's Ministry of Mining, its last major eruption was in 1985 and there have been smaller eruptions since (BBC News)

Inews story misleading, mischievous Dear Editor, The INEWS account of my participation in Saturday's meeting meeting of the controversial GNYC is obviously misleading, mischievous and designed to support the biases of certain executive members of this association against me.

Apart from their known political-affiliation to opposition political parties, those members displayed disdain and intolerance for questions surrounding the lack of broad-based youth representation of the organisation, funding for their elections project, and overall transparency and accountability

issues.

It must be emphaised that my participation at the meeting was on the basis of being a legitimate representative of youth, as Chairman of the National Youth Parliament of Guyana (NYPG) and Executive Director of the Guyana Youth Development Association (GUYDA). At no time did I represent the interest of any political party or had an anti-youth agenda.

Therefore it could only be for the purpose of being mischievous that INEWS would interpret my right to seek information on the work and activities of the this controversial body, as disruptive,

especially given INEWS in its very article said that the meeting was for the purpose of providing information to participants.

In its haste and anxiety to be mischievous, INEWS inaccurately attributed words of another participant to me. At no time did I accuse the Chair of the meeting of taking cues from Mark Ross, it was another participant who made this observation. Again, INEWS perpetuated its anti-kwame agenda by refusing to report that the Georgetown Chambers representative verbally abused me as I was exiting the meeting area,

pointing her hands in my face and shouting at me.

There are several witnesses to this incident and there is an actual recording as well.

There is an increasing pattern of intolerance by the opposition and its affiliate organisations to dissenting views which results in them attacking individuals who gave maximum effect to their right to freedom of expression.

If INEWS considers itself having any integrity, it would retract its misleading article immediately.

Kwame McCoy

Women empowerment in Guyana speaks volumes under the PPP/C Dear Editor, As we joined with the world to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, it is important to reflect on the achievement of women in Guyana, as they have come a long way, through rough roads and passages.

One of the major features of the PPP/C Government, since it took office in 1992, has been programmes, centered on the empowerment and development of women. Commencing with the first female President of the country, Janet Jagan, women have moved ahead and there are now more programmes in place to further aid in their development.

This has been a critical intervention at a time when the gender questioning is being highlighted, especially with regard to women’s role in society.

Guyana can now boast of developments in regard to women’s issues, with the population of women in parliament at 33 per cent, a significant increase from 1992, where there was a mere 18.5 per cent of female parliamentarians, in a House of 65 seats.

As such, due to the investments in women capital, Guyana was recently ranked 29th in the world. Whereas, in the Caribbean, the only country that is ahead of Guyana is

Grenada, and that is, in terms of percentage composition in the House.

This means that the Guyanese Parliament today has a higher percentage of female parliamentarians than the United States Congress, taking into consideration that the Congress is normally held up as the greatest of all democracies.

Under the leadership of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, the first elected position to a woman was given to Mrs Jagan in1951, as a member of the Georgetown Town Council.

Also, Mrs Jagan, Jessie Burnham and Jane Phillip Gay in 1953 were the first women ever to be elected in the Parliament.

Under this Administration, the first female Minister of Government was again Mrs Jagan, who served as the Minister of Labour, Health and Housing, from the period 19571961.

Also the first Chief Justice and the first Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Desiree Bernard, ascertained her position under the PPP/C Government. This is the pattern which has today been set by the current Administration for other women to follow.

This Government has created an environment where

single parent women can today benefit from training to empower themselves, and can access loans to start small business ventures.

In addition to these, there are a number of others that provide opportunities for women, primarily those who are in the vulnerable category, to qualify themselves in skilled areas. These include the Women of Worth (WOW) programme and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) programmes.

Women in their mid 20s or early 30s are today land and home owners. Where in this country’s history has this ever happened before? Also many women are today taking up employment in areas where only men once dominated, and they are not only taking up the challenge, but are also outperforming the men.

Women are now more empowered and are playing leading roles in the development of almost all the sectors, including agriculture, information and communication, security, mining, education, health, aviation and construction.

Education is also another area in Guyana, where women have excelled. Many countries in the world would envy the opportunities, rights and independence that women in this

country enjoy.

While in some countries, young women aren’t allowed to attend school, here in Guyana they are dominating the males in the school system, not only in their numbers, but also in academic performance.

What is also important to note is that despite all these changes and empowerment of the Guyanese women, the majority of them still embrace moral and traditional practices, and in my view, this is commendable. These women, who today hold high positions and offices in society, also manage a family life, taking care of their spouses and children.

This Government has managed to create a level playing field for all its citizens, and I personally, as a young woman, am proud to be a Guyanese, as I am able to enjoy these rights.

I would like to encourage all the other women in this society, both young and old, to become independent, and to empower themselves. It is never too late nor too early to learn.

I urge that they take charge of their lives and live their dreams.

The only person who can take these dreams away from you is yourself, no one else.

Shivanie Rampersaud

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, march 9, 2015

AFC/APNU coalition continues PNC’s tradition of dictatorship Dear Editor, The AFC/APNU coalition has failed terribly to move away from the horrendous record of the PNC as regards to dictatorial conduct. I would like to highlight the nature of these parties with relation to the democracy and their concern about the needs of the people.

I would like to point out that these parties have been riddled in a past of undemocratic actions, dictating the National Assembly, and showing no concern where the needs of Guyanese are concerned. I find striking similarities between the ‘old’ PNC, the ‘now’ PNC and the AFC. The PNC, before 1992, presided over Guyana in a dictatorial manner. They employed an authoritarian philosophy and led Guyana into its dark age. The Guyana created by them lacked true freedom of expression.

They led Guyana into an era of infrastructural, educational and social failure. Guyana was gripped by shortages of food items, racism and giant debt crises. In order to maintain their stranglehold over the people, they continuously rigged elections.

There have been allegations from Balwant Persaud, Sharma Solomon and Africo Selman on the undemocratic and dictatorial conduct of these two parties. These parties are yet to defend themselves in a mature manner.

As Legal Afffairs Minister Anil Nandlall highlighted, every PNC party election has been littered with accusations of rigging.

Undemocratic behaviour is no stranger to this party.

It was also recently disclosed that the AFC is cannot account for funds amounting to $21 million. The coalition itself was not discussed as a party. Only the blind and deluded cannot see the parallels.

The PNC ‘old’ also dictated Guyana in a similar fashion as the AFC and APNU are now trying to. Ms Selman, in an interview, spoke out on her support for some Government projects.

The AFC and APNU, however, dictated over the National Assembly, over the past three years. The AFC and APNU abused their power to cut projects that would benefit Guyanese significantly. It shows the adoption of the ‘old’ PNC’s total control and total power philosophy.

Ms Selman also claimed that she was subject to verbal abuse from the Chief Whip of the PNC Amna Ally. I would like to point out that this is very similar to the bullish attitude of the PNC when they were in power.

Former AFC member Balwant Persaud spoke of the dictatorial conduct of the ‘gang of five’ of the AFC, with regard to the managing of the party. How can dictatori-

al forces effectively manage a democracy?

The alliance has also shown lack of interest in the needs of the people. The AFC and APNU claim that we as a country need their alliance now.

Frankly, we do not need an alliance; we need hydropower, a modern airport and a specialty hospital. Why were we robbed of them? Why do we have to wait on an alliance to do it? What makes an alliance doing it better than the current Government bringing it to fruition?

It is plain old selfish politics. If the PPP/C carries out these projects, it will reflect well on the ruling Administration. They chose to rob the people of this, because they do not want the current Administration to appear in good light. I am sure that they will table some of these very projects if they are in Government.

This coalition shares an enormous amount of parallels with the PNC of old and the members fail to be apologetic for the actions of the PNC. Instead, they celebrate the legacy of the ‘old’ PNC, while hiding under the curtains of a ‘new’ name. The political alliance of the APNU and AFC has not abandoned the legacy of the ‘old’ PNC; it instead follows a similar path.

Davendra Kissoon

No signs of brain abscess in 3-year-old while at GPHC Dear Editor, The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is responding to an article in another section of the media headlined, “Relatives blame GPHC for death of girl, three…despite PM revealing brain abscess as cause”.

The hospital wishes to ad-

vise that the patient who was admitted to the hospital on February 5 was discharged on February 12 after her condition had improved.

However, on February 23 the patient returned to the hospital and was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. She subsequently succumbed three

days later (February 26).

A Post Mortem Examination was performed to ascertain the cause of death, which was determined as a result of Septic Shock, Bronchopneumonia and Brain Abscess.

During her visits to the hospital there were no

signs of brain abscess and the necessary medications were administered to the patient to treat her other two conditions.

GPHC extends sincere condolences to the bereaved family.

Public Relations Dept GPHC

Dominica is 4th Caribbean country to abolish appeals from Privy Council Dear Editor, The Commonwealth of Dominica on March 6 was formally admitted as a member of the Appellate Jurisdiction of the CCJ. An impressive accession ceremony was held at State House Conference Centre in the country’s capital Roseau.

President of the CCJ Sir Denys Byron and the other six judges of the Court journeyed from Port of Spain for the function.

Dominica is the fourth Caribbean country to abolish appeals from the London based Privy Council. The others are Guyana, Barbados and Belize. After nearly two decades of discussions by

Caribbean leaders, the CCJ was inaugurated in April 2005 with only two countries, Guyana and Barbados, as members. Belize joined less than four years ago.

It is very unfortunate that Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, which were in the forefront in the formation of the regional court, have not yet joined, and it is not certain if and when they will do so.

The Portia Simpson PNP Administration is in favour of the CCJ, but now the JLP is opposed to the regional court. But when it was in Government under Edward Seaga, it was vigorously supporting the court.

Increasing suspicion over GNYC-GECOM agreement

Dear Editor, There is increasing suspicion over the agreement between the GNYC and GECOM, gauging from the defenders of this controversial initiative.

Most of those who have so far offered public commentary in defence of this initiative belong to organisations with sordid history, lacking democratic credentials and practices of fairness and objectivity.

In a letter on March 6, in another section of the media, PNC/APNU member Lurlene Nestor stands out as one of those individuals belonging to the type of organisation I described, joining her colleague James Bond; and for many, their positions have given rise to greater concerns about this controversial initiative.

It is unfortunate that Ms Nestor seems to have absolutely no regard for credibility, as her contribution to the letter column avoided addressing the growing concerns among young people about the lack of transparency of this GNYC-GECOM initiative and their disregard for the inclusion of other youth organisations to develop an initiative that meets the approval of the

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widest cross-section of the youth population.

It is just not about having an initiative; what equally matters is that any such initiative must be credible, and can be trusted as being objective and for the benefit of all the youths of voting age in Guyana.

Why do Ms Nestor and Mr Bond seem to believe that an initiative (such as the one by GNYC), designed to promote a change of Government, while ignoring the alternative of youths supporting continued progress, is credible and ought to receive the support of the youth population and society as a whole?

From the inception of its formation, the GNYC has not impressed anyone as an organisation that is truly representative of youth in Guyana; and given its history and members’ allegiance to the political Opposition parties, it cannot be trusted with pulling off a credible initiative that meets aboveboard standards.

GECOM has its own integrity to protect, and should avoid being dragged into situations where it is supporting any such organization under the wrong pretext of being a representa-

tive organization of all the youths of Guyana.

On learning about this initiative, I consulted with several youth organisations’ representatives, more than a dozen, and they claimed to have no knowledge or involvement with the socalled GNYC. Young people should be consulted and included in the designs of initiatives of which they are intended beneficiaries. A handful of people cannot make commitment on the future of the majority.

The attempt by Ms Nestor to foist her own interpretation on Guyanese of the objection of the PPP/C to this controversial initiative as an attack on youth is ludicrous the least.

Only recently, the show of thousands of young people under the banner of the PYO, youth arm of the PPP/C in the Mash parade, was again a striking reminder of the PPP/C’s commitment to young people.

In almost every aspect of our political work and governance of this country, the youth factor is always considered, prominent and recognisable.

Kwame Mc Coy

Likewise, in Trinidad and Tobago, Basdeo Panday, when he was Prime Minister was a strong advocate for the court, but it seems as if there is a change of heart by the UNC Administration. In fact the Court was located in Port of Spain because of Panday’s major role.

The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, and Grenada have expressed their willingness to join the court.

Former St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas, never pushed for the court while in office for 20 years, but recently criticized the Privy Council for its ruling in not allowing the election process to be conducted under the new boundaries, which

Douglas had advocated.

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves wants his country to join the Appellate Division of the Court, but his referendum failed in November 2009. I am of the view the referendum was not successful because it was cramped with other controversial issues, including removing the Queen as Head of State.

March 6 is a significant date. It was on March 6, 1957 that Ghana became the first African state to gain independence from Britain. It was also on this date in 1997 that Guyana’s President Cheddi Jagan died. He was 79.

Oscar Ramjeet

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monday, MARCH 9, 2015

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Foundation

Tips for helping children and teens with homework and study habits

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ertain key practices will make life easier for everyone in the family when it comes to study time and study organisation. However, some of them may require an adjustment for other members of the family.

Turn off the TV set.

Make a house rule, depending on the location of the set, that when it is study time, it is “no TV” time. A television set that is on will

draw youngsters like bees to honey.

What about the radio or other audio devices? Should it be on or off?

Contrary to what many specialists say, some youngsters do seem to function all right with the radio turned on to a favourite music station. (Depending on the layout of your house or apartment, maybe an investment in earphones would be worthy of consideration.)

Certain rules should be set about the family phone during study hours. The more people in the household, the more restrictions on long and unnecessary phone calls are needed. A timer, placed next to the phone, can help to control the length of calls so that the telephone will be available if it becomes necessary to call a schoolmate to confirm an assignment or discuss particularly diffi-

cult homework.

Designate specific areas for homework and studying. Possibilities include the child’s room or the kitchen or dining room table. Eliminate as much distraction as possible. Since many young people will study in their own rooms, function becomes more important than beauty. Most desks for young people really don’t have sufficient space to spread out materials. A table that allows for all necessary supplies such as pencils, pens, paper, books, and other essentials works extremely well.

Consider placing a bulletin board in your child’s room. Your local hardware store sells wallboard that might not look too pretty and isn’t framed, but a 4 x 3 section is inexpensive and perfect on which to post pertinent school items.

You might want to paint or cover it with burlap to improve its appearance or let your child take on this project. Encourage the use of a small book or pad for writing down assignments so that there is no confusion about when certain assignments must be turned in to the teacher. Keeping general supplies on hand is im-

portant. Check with your child about his needs. In fact, make it his responsibility to be well supplied with paper, pencils, note pads, notebook paper, et cetera.

Regularity is a key factor in academic success. Try to organise the household so that supper is served at a standard time, and once it and family discussions are over, it’s time

While high school students can focus for over an hour, first-graders are unlikely to last more than 15 minutes on a single task. Allow your child to take breaks, perhaps as a reward for finishing a section of the work.

Organise study and homework projects. Get a large calendar, one that allows space for jotting down things in the daily boxes.

Rip it apart so that you (and

to crack the books. If the student doesn’t have other commitments and gets home reasonably early from school, some homework can be done before supper.

Consider you child’s developmental level when setting the amount of time for homework.

the child) can sequentially mount the school months for the current semester.

For example, you can tear off September, October, November, December, and January and mount them from left to right across one wall. Have the child use a bold colour writing instrument (felt tip pen) to mark exam dates in one colour, reports that are coming due in a different colour, et cetera. This will serve as a reminder so that things aren’t set aside until the last dangerous moment.

Teach your child that studying is more than just doing homework assignments. One of the most misunderstood aspects of schoolwork is the difference between studying and doing homework assignments.

Encourage your child to do things like: • take notes as he’s reading a chapter • learn to skim material • learn to study tables and charts • learn to summarise what he has read in his own words • learn to make his own flashcards for quick review of dates, formulas, spelling words, et cetera Note-taking is a critical skill and should be developed. Many students don’t know how to take notes in those classes that require them. Some feel they have to write down every word the teacher says. Others have wisely realised the value of an outline form of note-taking. Well prepared teachers present their material in a format that lends itself to outline form note taking. (childdevelopmentinfo.com) TO BE CONTINUED

news

7

MONday, march 9, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Jagdeo urges end to race-baiting politics ...blasts AFC for taking “ethnic count”

F

ormer President Bharrat Jagdeo on Sunday rolled back the years to when he was on the campaign trail, delivering a stinging speech at the ceremony to mark the 18th death anniversary of the founding leader of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr Cheddi Jagan, at the Babu Jaan crematorium, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.

He urged an end to racebaiting politics, saying that while the Opposition had been criticising the PPP/C on racism, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has already done an ethic count promising to deliver 11 per cent of Indian votes to hand A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) a majority.

Amid thunderous rounds of applause and rousing chants, the crematorium site was transformed into a sea of enthusiasm, as the former Guyanese leader delivered from the stage. His call was in no way different from the line-up of speakers at the event, who all sought to inspire the thousands gathered, to “re-elect the PPP/C to office so that it could continue the progress of the country”.

Back in February, saying that APNU will easily win 40 per cent of the votes at the upcoming elections, Prime Ministerial Candidate of the APNUAFC coalition, Moses Nagamootoo, told a gathering at New Amsterdam that the AFC could give the David Granger-led coalition the other 11 per cent Indian votes it needs to clinch a majority.

At the last elections, the AFC under an Indian Guyanese leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, won 10.3 per cent of the votes mainly from Indian-dominated Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

In 2006, the AFC had secured a similar percentage of votes but under the leadership of Raphael Trotman, most had come from the APNU Africandominated constituency.

Conceding that the AFC cannot compare itself with APNU in terms of electoral strength, Nagamootoo – who was hand-selected as Presidential Candidate

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo pays tribute to the late PPP/C Founder-Leader, Dr Cheddi Jagan

by AFC’s Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan – said an electoral alliance was the way to go.

Nagamootoo was deliberately selected by Ramjattan who arbitrarily jettisoned the “presidential candidate rotation principle” to select the Indian Guyanese AFC Vice Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo, over the Chairman, Nigel Hughes.

All must benefit Meanwhile, Jagdeo, who was quite jubilant in his delivery, pointed out to the massive crowd of Guyanese from various racial and cultural backgrounds, that the founding leader, Dr Jagan, would have carried out his functions in a much similar way to that of the current administration. Dr Jagan, considered the “father of the nation”, passed away on March 6, 1997 at the Walter Reed Medical Centre, Washington DC, after suffering a serious heart attack some three weeks earlier.

“We come from a philosophy where Cheddi Jagan believed in ensuring that the PPP/C remains in and above the fray. People’s gender, religion, and race don’t matter to us. If you are part of the PPP family, we embrace you because we believe that this country will change when only all the people benefit and we have no apology for that,” Jagdeo said firmly, above a booming response

from the crowd. He said the founding leader’s vision for Guyana remained strong.

“A country living with all of its people living together, a country that is prospering, where every child gets the best education, where the young people could go out to have the best education and find a job. Where people could have an increase in leisure, where our economy is expanding, where people have more rights, where they can feel dignified and safe in their homes. This is the vision of Guyana that we are all working towards. So we need soldiers to make that vision a reality and the soldiers here have to first of all ensure that on May 11, we win this one overwhelmingly,” Jagdeo, a global climate change campaigner, said.

Opposition blasts But what attracted a more thrilling reaction was the former President’s lambasting of the Opposition, AFC and APNU, who in their bid to oust the current administration, signed the “Cummingsburg Accord”, a move that he related will be to the greatest disadvantage of the AFC. He described as “naïve and desperate”, the move by the junior political Opposition party to join forces with the People’s National Congress Reform-dominated APNU and its leader David Granger, whom he said still strongly embraced the

Burnhamite philosophies of the age-old political unit.

“It must be naivety and desperation on the part of the AFC to link up with APNU, because they have betrayed all those people who were misled to believe that Ramjattan and Nagamootoo really cared about them. They care for themselves. They have secured vice president and the Prime Ministerial positions for themselves”.

Rude awakening Jagdeo promised that the AFC was in for a “rude awakening”, and would suffer a similar fate to that of The United Force (UF). “They are so naïve …. When the leader of the list decides who goes to Parliament and they are going to be getting a rude awakening. The UF had it in the past and they will have it because they don’t have any leverage anymore, there is no more AFC after nomination.

There is PNC, one ticket... Don’t worry about the name AFC-APNU; there is one name, one list of candidates and one head of list,” Jagdeo related, continuing that if the party is thrown out of the coalition, “they can’t do anything about it because they have no leverage. It is naivety and ambition; blind ambition that cause them to even ignore sensibility,” the former President declared.

Jagdeo said the move by the parties, seeking out “change”, was noth-

ing more than “a rhetorical gyaff”, as the incumbent has been doing for Guyanese what they never dreamt to experience during the years of the PNC rule. “When we talk change, it’s not just about slogans, we are talking about reality. We’re talking about more call centres for young people and a better quality of education. In the past ten years, more students have had scholarships than the entire era.

When we have had 122 doctors, now we have close to 1000 doctors qualified.

There is no money shortage to buy drugs; we would have problems with sometimes distribution, but not money shortage,” Jagdeo declared.

Stymie progress He said the parties have been consistent in their bid to stymie progress since every plan put forward

by Government was voted down by the parties with their combined one-seat majority. Describing the President as a democratic man, Jagdeo said “sometimes you have to administer something else… because we allow them to frustrate and they use their one-seat majority to frustrate every head,” the former President said, reiterating that close to $90 billion had been cut from

the budget over the last three years – funds he argued that could have gone to “help the people of this country”. More importantly, Jagdeo related, was that ‘they said we are going to “bring down this government, take away two years from them”. According to him, that is what the AFC wanted.

“So twice it has happened in our history that these people have been allowed to take away two years from us. First in the Herdmanston Accord and now in the Cummingsburg Accord, they have taken away another two years from us.”

He continued that the progress made under the current administration has even caused some 48,000 of the 51,000 Guyanese to return to their homeland although they were awarded visas by the US Embassy here. “And I am thinking we did a great thing for Guyana, because in the past nobody would have come back, but because of this government and the changes here, people don’t want to stay there, they spend holiday and they come back. We have insulated our economy, we have made it strong – have had continued growth over the last seven years; we are doing well in spite of the global recession,” Jagdeo said.

8 NEWS

monday, march 9, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Police hunt Agricola gang for Kaneville shooting T

he Police are now in receipt of information that implicates an Agricola, Greater Georgetown gang in the recent shooting to death of Shem “Otto” Padmore, 28, of Lot 940 Fourth Field, Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, on Thursday evening.

According to information received, the now dead man was part of the said gang and might have been shot when he went into the village to retrieve stolen articles belonging to his brother-in-law.

A relative of the dead man told the Guyana Times that on the night Padmore was killed, he had left home with the intention of purchasing fish and chips to take home.

On his way to get the food, he reportedly received a telephone call from his brother-in-law who claimed that he was robbed of his personal items, including a chain, mobile phone and money.

Based on the description of

Dead, Shem Padmore

the robbers, Padmore indicated that he knew them and would go into the community to retrieve the stolen property.

Despite attempts to persuade him not to go into Agricola, he insisted and told his brother-in-law that he would go alone, but eventually, he was accompanied by the robbery victim and a friend. Padmore, according to reports, managed to re-

cover the articles after a few minutes of negotiations between him and members of the gang.

As he left the yard, one of the men reportedly whipped out a gun and discharged a round in his direction and it stuck him to his back. The brother-in-law managed to pull the father of two into the car and sped away, as the gang members discharged several rounds at the car.

His two companions then reportedly took Padmore at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre about 22:30h on Thursday and left. At the time he was already dead, the relative stated. The two men then went to the Police the following morning and were grilled about the incident.

Padmore, the Guyana Times understands, was part of the gang for a number of years but after the birth of his first child, he made a decision to mend his ways. He started to attend church and would keep away from crim-

inals and criminal gangs.

His reputed wife received a call from a hospital staff informing her that he was taken to the medical facility. When she arrived at the hospital, she saw Padmore lying on a stretcher.

This left relatives of the dead man in confusion as they tried to ascertain what occurred and the circumstances that led to the young man’s death.

Initially, a relative explained that based on reports gathered from the hospital, he sustained three stab wounds which damaged critical body organs.

One of the stab wounds, she disclosed, punctured his heart, another was in the vicinity of his kidney and the last went through his left side, but the Police stated that he had a suspected gunshot injury to his back.

He leaves to mourn his two children, aged two and five months, his mother and siblings. The Police are continuing their investigation.

Eyew tness Granger silencing history...

D

...for pelf and power

avid Granger’s a historian - trained at UG at our expense. His supporters insist he’s a “professional”.

Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo of the AFC are obviously counting on this “professionalism” in their new coalition. Ramjattan even simpered that Granger is “an officer and a gentleman”. It’s an interesting exercise to gauge his “professionalism” in his field of study as he seeks to occupy the highest office in the land.

Back in 2003, Granger presented a paper, “Civil Violence, Domestic Terrorism And Internal Security In Guyana, 19532003” at the invitation of the Centre for Hemispheric Defence Studies in Chile. The paper is interesting more for what it omits than what it details and shows Granger to be absolutely unprofessional in “silencing” the history of those he opposes.

Take for instance, the 1964 “disturbances”. Granger details the sinking of the Sun Chapman in which “40 Africans on 6 July” perished on the way to McKenzie.

Granger didn’t see fit to mention that just weeks earlier, on May 25th - 26th (later to be chosen as “Independence Day”) following an “orgy of violence” (in the words of the Commission of Inquiry) in which two were killed, dozens raped and hundreds beaten, the entire Indian population of Mc Kenzie-Wismar (some 3600 souls) had to flee. The PNC MP from the region, Robert Jackman and his young protege Robert Corbin were fingered as the instigators and organisers of the “ethnic cleansing”. But it would appear to Granger the “professional”, these were not acts of “civil violence”.

Granger made pages and pages of allegations of PPP violence and training for violence during the sixties, but also did not find it necessary to mention the PNC’s X-13 Plan for violence against the PPP government along with the weapons and explosives and other equipment to execute the plan.

Along with Emmanuel Fairbairn who had blown up freedom House, killing Michael Forde.

Ramjattan’s “officer and gentleman” also seems to have misplaced his “professionalism” when he wrote the official history of the GDF - which he commanded. Writing about the 1973 elections, he wrote in “The New Road”: “The GDF was called in to aid the civil power and prevent a breakdown of law and order that was planned by the gangsters.” The “gangsters”, Granger was referring to was the PPP - the official Opposition!!

Gloating that “the PPP plan was frustrated”, Granger continued, “The soldiers behaved splendidly in the face of provocation.” Part of the “splendid” behaviour not mentioned

by Granger was two Barbicans -Parmanand and Ramessar being shot and made to bleed to death while trying to prevent ballot boxes from being taken to army headquarters.

So much for professionalism!

...of even his African constituency

Granger - and the wankers from the AFC - are so consumed with grabbing power they’re even prepared - as we’ve seen - to walk over their mothers’ graves. And now it seems from Granger’s amazing assertion at the PNC-APNU-AFC’s launch - even over their ancestors graves. Imagine in this ongoing observation of “International Decade of People of African Descent”, Granger the historian and “professional” had the temerity to assert this libel: “Our parents and foreparents came from different continents of the earth – here in the Americas; from Africa; from Asia and Europe – to labour for a good life.” Say what???

Since when our foreparents of African origin came here “to labour for the good life”??? Granger damn well knows that Africans were dragged across the Atlantic against their will and brought here not for their “good life” but that of the Europeans.

They slaved to create the wealth of Europe - which denies them reparations even now. What say you, “Granger the professional”??

...on PNC’s destruction

At the launching Granger claimed, “The PPP has dragged us to the very pit of the human development index (HDI) .” So why did the UNDP, which measures HDI, move us from 0.539 in 1992 to 0.638 in 2013??

Professional??

news

9

monday, march 9, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Mocha man shot dead during home invasion

Dead mason, Germing Anthony Giles

A

mason was shot dead in the wee hours of Sunday during an alleged robbery at Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara. Dead is Germing Anthony Giles, 35, of Lot 4 Barnwell, North Mocha Arcadia.

He was reported shot once to his face by one of the two bandits who invaded his home about 01:00. He was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre from where he was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital but died on his way there.

According to information received, Giles and his reputed wife, Gillian Ollivierre were at home when they heard a strange

over all the cash and gold that were in the house. He also opened the door to allow his accomplice into the home.

The woman reportedly told them that they did not have money at home and after searching the house to determine the truth of that, they relieved the woman of her mobile phone and escaped.

The distraught and visibly shaken woman told the Guyana Times that the incident happened very swiftly. She recalled being in bed with her reputed husband when they heard the strange sound.

Initially, she added, they were reluctant to look out taking into consideration the recent spate of criminal activities in the neighbourhood The woman, who works as a cook in the interior, said that her spouse insisted on checking as it was his right to protect his home.

As he opened the wooden window, she said a loud explosion was heard and a tall man climbed into the bedroom through the window.

After the ordeal, she screamed and alerted the neighbours who rushed to assist. The couple had been living together for the past nine years.

Cordell Wilson, a broth-

The house where the shooting incident occurred

sound at the bedroom window. This prompted the now dead man to open the window and as he did, one of the masked men discharged a round at him. He was shot in his left eye.

The bandit then entered the house through the bedroom window and demanded that Ollivierre handed

er of the dead man who lives some distance away near the conservancy, told the Guyana Times that he was at home when he received the dreaded news.

He immediately rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre but as he arrived there, he was told that his brother was transferred

to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

At the Georgetown Public Hospital, he recalled seeing his brother’s battered face covered in blood. Upon enquiring, he was told that his brother was shot in a robbery where the bandits only took away a mobile phone leaving a bag containing money hanging on a wall in the bedroom.

He said that while he did not want to speculate, he believed that something is amiss. His brother, he stated, was a quiet person who made concrete blocks for a living. Wilson hopes that the Police investigate the matter thoroughly and the truth prevailed.

The dead man’s reputed wife, with whom he shared a reportedly rocky on and off relationship, was questioned by the Police but was subsequently released.

Another brother disclosed

The wooden window the men used to gain access into the house

that he did not buy the story told by his brother’s reputed wife. Something is wrong, he added, noting that it was impossible for a man to get into the house as easy as was reported given the distance from the window to the flight of stairs.

Police are continuing their investigation into the matter. The man leaves to mourn his reputed wife and 10 siblings. His body is at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

Monday, march 9, 2015

News

EAB seeks IRI funding for elections monitoring …to push for implementation of recommendations

By Gomatie Gangadin

T

wenty-three years after beginning operations in Guyana, the Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB) is pursuing funding for its resuscitation for the upcoming General and Regional Elections, slated to be held on May 11.

EAB Chairman, Father Malcolm Rodrigues, in a telephone interview with the Guyana Times on Friday said the Commission recently held talks with several international development partners to secure funds to have the elections watchdog up and functioning for the elections period.

“We are pursuing financing from the International Research Institute (IRI) and from several of the Embassies over here like the United States Embassy among others. We have also approached the United Nations and other groups… we have also approached some local groups..,” the head of the EAB said.

Father Rodrigues said that the EAB was still awaiting word on whether that request would be facilitated. He disclosed, however, that the body has been able to acquire some funding from local groups and as such, he remained optimistic that the unit would be onstream in the run-up to elections to monitor the overall process in Guyana.

Recommendations

Meanwhile, it was related to the Guyana Times that the EAB would be pushing to have its recommendations implemented by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). According to Father Malcolm, the EAB has been observing elections in Guyana since 1992, and most of its recommendations along with those made by the international watchdog groups like the Organisation of American States (OAS) and Commonwealth, have constantly been ignored by the Elections Commission.

When asked if this will affect the role played by the body in the upcoming elections, Rodrigues replied in the negative, noting that despite the past non-implementation of its recommendations, the organisation would continue to fulfil its mandate to ensure that the electoral process is free and fair. He did note, however, that after the upcoming elections, once the Bureau would have compiled its recommendations report, it would endeavour to ensure that discussions with GECOM is facilitated so that the recommendations could be discussed and implemented when elections are held in

EAB Chairman, Father Malcolm Rodrigues

the future in the country.

The previous recommendations made sought to strengthen both the efficiency and transparency of the electoral body with the aim of also improving its independence.

Topping the list of recommendations was the need to end the practice of having political parties appoint individuals to serve as GECOM Commissioners.

This practice remains a key feature at the Commission even to this day with the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) appointing three Commissioners to oversee the operations of the professionals at GECOM. The observer groups had also called for electoral reform through amendments which would require political parties participating in the General and Regional Elections to submit their ordinal lists soon after the announcement of elections, while it also explicitly urged that there should be laws, rules and regulations for the declaration and public disclosure of campaign funding.

This would ensure transparency and accountability.

None of these were ever implemented.

Manpower

Meanwhile, Rodrigues related that should the funding for the Bureau be granted, it will be seeking to engage at least 1000 volunteers for its observation activities on Election Day. To this end, the EAB will embark on recruitment and training sessions in Demerara, Essequibo, Berbice and key interior locations to source the number of volunteers required.

According to the Chairman, the objective of engaging the 1000 plus volunteers was to ensure that at least one volunteer was posted at each of the polling stations across the country in order to ensure that the electoral process is well-

monitored and detailed recommendations can be made.

However, he cautioned that this number was not a definite figure, since the number of volunteers would be entirely dependent on the number of polling stations in the country, a number which he bemoaned, has not yet been released by GECOM. The EAB is a Guyanese, non-partisan, non-profit, non-governmental organisation that was formed in June 1991 with the main objective of assisting in the establishment, maintenance and preservation of democracy, particularly with regard to the election process.

The EAB has functioned in the main as a citizenbased election monitoring organisation during both regional and national elections in Guyana since 1991. In previous elections, the EAB had received sponsorship from the Anglican Church, the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana, the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union, the Guyana Bar Association, the Guyana Central Arya Samaj, the Roman Catholic Church, the Guyana Medical Association, the Guyana Council of Churches, the Consumers Advisory Bureau, the Guyana Consumers Association, and the Private Sector Commission.

It had monitored the 1992 National and Regional Elections, the 1994 Local Government Elections, and the 1997 and 2001 National and Regional Elections. The programmes undertaken included testing of the voters’ lists; voter education (1992 and 1994); media monitoring campaign (1997); and monitoring and fielding local observers at polling stations(1994 and 1997).

The EAB will join the traditional observers of elections in Guyana which include the OAS; the Commonwealth; and the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

A

Bad eye is never a good ting

ccordin to Freedie de man kisser, overseas people don’t wanna live in Guyana. Accordin to de same Freedie, not even Guyanese wanna live in Guyana. No body know how Freedie know that, but Freedie never do a poll yet, except pun de seawall.

Accordin to a poll, people ain’t trust de Police. According to de same poll, people ain’t trust de Guvament. Accordin to de same poll, despite all of that, people still ain’t wanna leave Guyana, and dem ain’t plannin to leave Guyana.

Clearly, Freedie need a proper poll from de proper people in a proper place. So Bis Ram de poll man might have to help out Freedie get a proper poll that he gon never fuhget.

Freedie problem is that he gotta bad eye fuh every ting.

And bad eye is never a good ting. When yuh bad eye whah other people got, yuh does end up with nutten, just like Freedie. Old people call that larwah. And that is whah dem people end up wid who bad eye de Marriott.

When de Marriott project announce, dem seh it gon never go up. De Marriott gone up and lookin good. When de Marriott start up, dem seh it gon never get off de ground. De Marriott get off de ground and pass de Peg-Ass. Suddenly, Robbin de people Bad seh he got US$8 million to invest in de Marriott. Robbin musbe tink this is a chicken feed hotel like de Peg-Ass. De Marriott about to open and all of a sudden de whole of APNU + AFC want shares.

On de one hand Robbin start to wonder whah gon happen to de Peg-Ass. Now he wanna know how come dem coudn’ta pay fuh de Savannah Suite de other day when dem launch APNU + AFC + JPAP + WPA ÷ NIP ÷ HTNP ÷ IP ÷ URP = 0 de other day.

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

Is bad eye got dem outside de Marriott and is bad eye got Freedie wid only a seawall poll!

Police probing death of man found with chops to neck at Hog Island

A

n investigation has been launched into the death of a man whose body was found on Saturday in the eastern part of Hog Island, Essequibo with chop wounds to his neck.

The dead man has been identified as Neildeo Hansram, 42, of Parika Back, East Bank Essequibo.

The farmer according to re-

ports left his home a few days ago to check on his farm on the island. After two days elapsed and he did not return home, his family put together a search party to look for him.

He was reportedly found with his head facing down with the chop wounds evident to the back of his neck.

From all indications, his

body might have been there for over a day. It was taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home to await a Post-Mortem Examination.

A Police rank stated that often people would go to the island to cultivate cash crops. He added that the wounds were a clear indication that the man was attacked from behind. The

Police have since grilled several persons in connection with the discovery.

No one has been arrested. The relatives of the dead man are still trying to come to grips with the incident and cannot recall him having any enemies or more so, anyone who would want him dead. Police are continuing their investigations.

PNCR’s women salute Guyanese

T

he National Congress of Women (NCW), the women’s arm of the People’s National Congress Reform has saluted all women in Guyana and throughout the world as they observe International Women’s Day (IWD) 2015, on Sunday.

“As we think of International Women’s Day 2015, we must remember that this day has been observed since in the early 1900s when there was great unrest and critical debate occurring among women.

Women’s oppression and inequality spurred them to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change.

It was Clara Zetkin and those women in Germany who initiated the observance of this day,” the NCW said in a statement.

According to the NCW, “on International Women’s Day 2015, we salute all our Guyanese women, among them those stalwarts of the PNC Women’s Auxiliary and the WRSM, the forerunners of our organisation, who worked hard for the advancement of the women of our organisation and Guyana as a whole.”

The group said the new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both wom-

en’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation. “With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women are still not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.”

“As we observe International Women’s Day 2015, the National Congress of Women reminds all that we are in an election mode, as May 11, 2015 will be the General and Regional Elections in Guyana. The NCW is promoting “Women for National Unity” and we remind our Guyanese sisters, whether we are coalition partners or well-wishers, that we all have a duty to ensure that we can make the change for a better life, by voting APNU+AFC on Elections Day. We wish all a Happy International Women’s Day.”

monday, march 9, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Times Notebook Cheddi’s better Guyana; Granger’s threat

M

arch will forever be Cheddi Jagan’s month. It is the month of his birth and his death and, forever, Guyana will celebrate March as Cheddi’s month.

But March 2015 is special, during which we might want to reflect deeper into Cheddi’s dream for Guyana.

We might want to reflect more intensely on what we want for Guyana, bearing in mind that Cheddi stood all his life for a better Guyana, a free, democratic and modern country.

We remember him particularly this March because his party, the PPP/C and its leaders have done much to realize these aspirations.

David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo assure their supporters that they would be the next President and Prime Minister of Guyana. Guyana is a free country in which every citizen can vote and every vote counts – Cheddi’s legacy.

Cheddi’s party has been the vanguard of a strong democracy. As we celebrate Cheddi’s month, it is our

duty to defend Guyana’s freedom from those who continue to threaten it.

But this freedom came about with mighty struggles. Many people were murdered, brutalized and jailed. We fought our colonial masters and after independence we were brutalized by Guyanese dictators who stole our votes in the worst rigged elections in the world.

We starved and by 1992, we lived shorter lives than we did in 1964. We buried more of our children before they reached five years old and more mothers who died giving birth.

One of those dictators wants to and believes he can be our next President.

He has not apologized to Guyana, and he has stoutly defended the cruel dictatorship of the PNC and Forbes Burnham.

Granger demands that he be President to carry on the legacy of Burnham, but he refuses to come before a Commission of Inquiry established to investigate the murder of Dr Walter Rodney.

Dr Cheddi Jagan

He was a leader of the fearsome army that helped rigged elections for Burnham, his hero, and that played a role in the horrendous murder of martyrs. He was at the helm of the army when guns and ammunition were given to the PNC, but now refuses to account for them.

Granger stood with his newly minted disciples, Nagamootoo and Ramjattan, and declared that if the PPP/C wins the May 11 gen-

Canadian envoy confident GECOM will deliver free, fair elections

T

he Canadian Government is confident that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will deliver free and fair elections come May 11, which will hopefully put an end to the political stalemate in Guyana.

This is according to Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles who was at the time addressing Rotarians at the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam’s Annual World Understanding and Peace Dinner on Saturday at the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce building, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne.

Noting that during an election period emotions can easily supersede mutual respect, the High Commissioner said Canada was eagerly looking forward to seeing Guyana continue on its development path as she linked fair elections to development.

“There is a strong correlation between free, fair and peaceful elections and the progressive development of a country. We hope that the election will help to unlock the political stalemate that has sometimes characterised politics in Guyana over the past few years, and allow Guyana to continue

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles

to progress on the path of peaceful development,” she noted.

The High Commissioner added that Canada was committed to working with the Government of Guyana, GECOM, all political parties and civil society to support free, fair and peaceful elections as the democratic expression of the will of the Guyanese people.

World Understanding and Peace Day coincided with Rotary International Anniversary on February 23. This year Rotary International celebrated its 110th anniversary. High Commissioner Giles said

Rotary has a link with understanding and peace because of the Club’s motto of the advancement of international understanding and peace.

Peace and understanding are needed as people the world over continue to be caught in humanitarian crises, conflicts, disputes and disasters which result in considerable loss of life.

These conflicts and disputes are often driven by insecurity, inequality, illiteracy, unequal access to resources and the violation of basic human rights – all of which threaten to erode peaceful progress and development. “One example of this is Russia’s ongoing military aggression in Ukraine, which has already cost the lives of more than 5300 people. Another example is the barbaric actions of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, including last week’s abduction of at least 90 people in Syria.”

There are a collection of important actors that respond to and provide invaluable assistance in times of crisis. Unwavering dedication and a service oriented approach to work is one of the distinguishing marks of Rotary, the High Commissioner noted.

eral elections, Guyana will have a brutal future. The riggers of elections in 1968, 1973, 1978, 1980 and 1985 in Guyana who brutalized a nation for almost 30 years again threatened to brutalize us if we vote the PPP/C back in office.

How then can we forget that they created mayhem after each election since 1992? Remember when they threatened to make Guyana ungovernable in 1997 and called on the army and the Police in a glaring racist call to defend kith and kin?

Remember “slo fyah, mo fyah”?

Nagamootoo and Ramjattan gleefully stood as the old dictator and tormentor threatened a nation that there will be a brutal future for Guyana if they voted for the PPP/C. Ramjattan and Nagamootoo now find themselves deeply buried in the stygian goriness and stench in this beast’s belly.

But Granger should be advised by Nagamootoo and Ramjattan that the people

who stood with Cheddi and the PPP/C in those dismal years were and will never be intimidated. They lived in fear, but they stood proud and unbent. Today, with memories of Cheddi, we pay attention to the threat, but we also remain unbent.

Nagamootoo and Ramjattan, the evils of the past embracing them, abhorrently demand we forget the past, forgive and move on. Forgiveness has never been an issue for the hundreds of thousands of Guyanese who suffered. We know our tormentors still defend what they did.

We moved on; Cheddi, his party and our people did not recriminate in welcoming tormentors as our brothers and sisters in freedom. But we will not stupidly ignore our past. That is a mistake we could, but we will not make as we contemplate May 11.

There is a marked difference between the backwardness and shame of 1964 to 1992 and the trajectory of robust development

between 1992 and 2015.

We live longer; we no longer suffer the indignities of hunger and poverty and rigged elections, of decaying infrastructure and failed health and education systems.

We no longer need a party card for jobs and no longer have to sleep with anyone for food. We can eat fresh food, have ice-cold drinks from our own refrigerators and we watch the rest of the world with new TVs in our homes – homes more of us own than at any time in our history.

When we are ready for bed, we can shower with water that more of us can access today. We can proudly call our family abroad and engage them through facebook to tell them about our children each year topping the Caribbean at CXC. Cheddi’s spirit will not allow another brutalization of his sisters and brothers.

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

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monday, march 9, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Babu Jaan draws massive crowd

From left to right: General Secretary of PPP/C, Clement Rohee; former President Bharrat Jagdeo; PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and President Donald Ramotar on stage at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant

PYO Chairman Irfaan Ali leads a contingent of youths to Babu Jaan

PYO members at the Babu Jaan ceremony

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo spoke out against the Opposition's race campaign

Another section of the massive crowd

A wide angle shot of the massive gathering at Babu Jaan

President Donald Ramotar lays a wreath in memory of Dr Cheddi Jagan

Finding space on the grass to listen to the PPP/C’s message

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Monday, march 9, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

“It’s not a coalition, but confusion”– Rohee

By Nafeeza Yahya

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abu Jaan was a sea of red, black and yellow as thousands of People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) supporters turned up at the annual pilgrimage to pay their respects to the “Father of the Nation”, the late Dr Cheddi Jagan.

The event was well attended by members of the Cabinet including President Donald Ramotar, Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper.

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee, while addressing the gathering at the commemoration service, said Dr Jagan’s legacy was that of struggle and sacrifice and that this legacy was all that was needed to move Guyana from darkness to light. Rohee noted that this year’s gathering was at a critical time “when we have to make a decision whether to move Guyana forward or backward”. He drew attention to the motto of “forward ever backward never” as he lashed out at the Opposition for using certain sections of the media to try to convince Guyanese that the PPP/C has destroyed Guyana.

“They call themselves a coalition but it is more a confusion. Comrades, we have to fight them and fight we will; we have to ensure we win the election on May 11,” Rohee, who is also Home Affairs Minister, said. He then asked the question “Do you want to go backward or forward?” which was met with a thunderous “yes” to

forward. The crowd got riled up as Rohee continued to ask questions” why should we want to give up what we have gained all these years; should we give up progress for backwardness? Should we give up a secure future for an unsecure future?

Should we give up stability for instability? Should we want to give up a strong government for a weak government? Do we want to give up a government that has built one of the fastest growing economies in the Western Hemisphere?”

These questions were all met with strong resounding NOs from those in attendance.

In concluding he stated his confidence in the people’s trust in the PPP/C and that they will return to power with a majority government so that the Opposition cannot stifle growth. “We have to promote and educate our young people: tell them about our country political history, tell them how we got where we are today and about the struggle about Comrade Cheddi and Janet and all the leaders of the PPP/C that followed us. We have to tell them about the future and things to come, these elections are crucial .We faced a similar situation in 1961 and we are back to where we started .Today, there are many similarities; we must not allow them to succeed, the battle is on we must go forward and bring every single person out to vote and show them that “like a scorpion”, the Party has not lost its sting” and will return to power come May 11.”

Woman killed as pick-up runs off Lethem bridge

Vimala Balgobin

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young woman has died and at least one other seriously injured following an accident at Pirara Bridge, Lethem,

Region Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo) Dead is Vimala Balgobin, of Mon Repos East Coast Demerara.

Her husband who was driving the vehicle at the time was seriously injured. He was air-dashed to the city late Sunday afternoon. The dead woman is a former Bishop’s High School student and is also the daughter of Tarachand Balgobin of the Ministry of Finance.

Guyana Times was unable gather much details on the accident. This newspaper was however told that the young woman was returning from to Lethem following trip to North Rupununi around midday Sunday when her vehicle toppled and ended up in the Pirara Creek.

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

Meanwhile, in brief remarks, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, expressed gratitude to the massive crowd that turned up to show support and to pay respect to the founder and for-

mer leader of the PPP/C, Dr Cheddi Jagan. He said that the Party would continue to work in the direction of the former leader described as “Father of the Nation”.

“Every year we have a

right to come here and remember his memory as Father of the Nation. I am pleased to have been part of the Government … and to reassure everyone that we will continue to make Guyana a better place for everyone .We want to establish the economy ... that was founded by the colonial people and we also want to bring about new economy .We are not a Party that only look to the past, we are a Party that has always looked into the future to make a better life for every Guyanese,” the Prime Minister told the gathering.

He went on to say he was pleased that during his tenure as Prime Minister, he was able to accomplish quite a bit, but regretted not being able to achieve all that was set out. “I am particularly pleased on my last occasion as Prime Minister

to feel that I have achieved quite a bit and I feel confidently pleased working in establishing a link joining villages into the interior …

I regret I couldn’t come to you with Amaila or already in construction; that’s something I regret. I regret I couldn’t come to you with the new Telecoms law that ends the monopoly, but these are things I am sure once you return us to office on May 11, we will quickly get them up and continue the development of the country.”

He noted even though much has been achieved, there was still much more to be done and promised that he would always be part of the Party and that they would continue to follow and work in the direction of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan.

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monday, march 9, 2015

Regional

Colombia and FARC rebels Barbados fails in attempt to send home reach deal to clear landmines Nigerian students C

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or the second time in three weeks attempts have been made to repatriate some of the Nigerian students to their homeland, but this time around it was by local immigration officials.

The Sunday Sun was reliably informed that on Thursday, the Immigration Department handed Attorney-at-Law Douglas Trotman airline tickets for seven of the students to leave Barbados Saturday evening.

Trotman is representing 30 of the 87 students who arrived in Barbados last December to attend classes at the Barbados Community College.

The students from the Delta State Youth Empowerment Programme arrived in Barbados in December to pursue tourism and hospitality studies, but the programme has been mired in controversy and the students never started school. Among the main con-

Some of the Nigerian students (FP)

tentious issues were complaints of poor accommodation and bad food at Casa Grande Hotel at Oldburyin St Philip, and concerns over the manner in which the local project manager was spending the US$750,000 transferred to her for the Delta State Empowerment Programme.

In January, the plug was pulled by the Delta State Government, which was said to be making arrangements for the students to go back to Nigeria and had or-

dered some of them home, saying that their visas had expired.

A Nigerian organisation based in Trinidad has been trying to save the Nigerian student programme.

Dr Oti Esimaje of the Esimaje Foundation had told the Sunday Sun that his foundation would be seeking assistance from other organisations to raise Bds$4 million to ensure that the students can begin their studies at the Barbados Community College. (Excerpts from Barbados Nation)

Suriname abolishes death penalty, raises prison term limits

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he National Assembly has approved legislation formally abolishing the death penalty in the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country.

But the legislators raised the highest prison term limits from 30 to 50 years in what is seen as a compromise to amending the criminal code.

Parliament also scrapped conditional release for people convicted of capital crimes. Convicts doing time for murder, manslaughter, sexual offences or major drug crimes are now no longer eligible for release after serving three

quarters of their sentences.

Justice Minister Edward Belfort had initially suggested that that maximum jail sentence be increased to 30 years, but parliamentarians deemed it necessary to send an even stronger signal to criminals.

Crime has been on the rise and parliamentarians argued that criminals were exhibiting almost sadistic behaviour, often leaving victims dead or gravely injured.

They favoured hiking the maximum jail sentence instead to 50 years, “for crimes that would otherwise be punished with the death penalty,” the

National Assembly said in a statement.

“The punishments for major crimes have been increase. That is a clear signal,” said Ruth Wijdenbosch, the Vice Chair of the National Assembly said at the end of the meeting.

She was among the parliamentarians who worked to have the death penalty removed from the criminal code.

Suriname has not implemented the death penalty since 1927, but the capital punishment remained included in the country’s Criminal Code. (Excerpt from CMC)

o l o m b i a ’ s Government and the leftist rebel movement have announced an agreement to remove landmines from the battlefield in a sign of progress in their two-year-old peace talks being held in Cuba.

The announcement on Saturday came at the end of the latest round of talks between Government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) aimed at lowering the intensity of a conflict that has lasted a half century.

The Government of President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC rebels issued a statement in which they agreed to ask the organ-

isation Norwegian People’s Aid to coordinate a project to clear the battlefields of landmines, improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordnance, the Reuters reported.

Colombia is one of the most mined countries in the world, and nearly 11,000 Colombians including 1101 children have been killed or wounded since 1990, according to government data.

Latin America’s longest war has killed 220,000 people and displaced millions over 50 years.

The International Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munition Coalition (ICBLCMC) ranked the South American country second

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Gonsalves, the teacher was told she had been suspended on half pay “with immediate effect”.

“Further, pursuant to Sec 45(5) of the Public Service Commission Regulations, you are restricted from leaving the state without the permission of the Public Service Commission,” the letter indicated.

Bibby-Bowens, who teaches Information Technology, Electronic Document Preparation and Management and Accounting, pleaded not guilty to two charges of obscene publication when she appeared before a magistrate in Kingstown on

Tuesday.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union (SVGTU) said while it recognises free expression and does not condone the violation of the laws of St Vincent and the Grenadines in any form, “the reported grounds for and manner in which the member was brought before the law are cause for grave concern.

“The SVGTU stands resolute in support of the member since the law presumes innocent until proven guilty. In the meantime, we continue to support members’ right to continue to share their views on national issues.” (Sourced from Caribbean360)

Jazeera)

Brazil’s Petrobras graft probe expanded

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razil’s Supreme Court has given prosecutors the go-ahead to investigate dozens of top politicians, including a former President and leaders of Congress, for alleged links to a kickback scheme at the state-run energy company.

The inquiry will now focus on a former President, the leaders of the Lower House and Senate and 51 other figures as federal prosecutors dig into political ties to the scheme that they say saw at least US$800 million in bribes and other funds paid by big construction and engineering firms in return for inflated contracts with the state energy company Petrobras.

The investigation and any possible trials will take years to play out, but the action throws the second term of President Dilma Rousseff into further disarray as she faces duelling political and economic crises. She is not

being investigated, although she was Chairwoman of the Petrobras Board for sev-

viewed as a necessary evil for the nation’s democracy to advance and shake off deep-

A former President and leaders of Congress among 54 people to be investigated following Supreme Court ruling

eral years as the kickback scheme played out.

Experts say the investigations could create further gridlock in Congress just as Brazil and its sputtering economy desperately need fiscal and political reform measures passed. But the investigation is widely

rooted impunity for the rich and powerful.

“You can’t put this genie back in the bottle. People are going to have to face the consequences,” said Paulo Sotero, Director of the Brazil Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Dominican Republic closes 5 consulates in Haiti

St Vincent: Controversy after teacher charged with “obscene writing” on Facebook suspended ontroversy has arisen in St Vincent and the Grenadines after a secondary school teacher was charged with “obscene writing” arising from profane statements concerning the Prime Minister she made on Facebook, and later suspended from classes.

Jozette Bibby-Bowens, who appeared in court earlier last week, was told Wednesday that the Public Service Commission (PSC) had instructed that she be suspended “in view of the criminal proceedings which have been instituted against you…”.

In a “confidential” letter sent to her by Chief Personnel Officer, Corinne

behind Afghanistan for the highest number of children killed or wounded by landmines, with 57 child casualties in 2013.

Under the agreement, the Colombian army battalion that specialises in removing mines will clear explosives at a selected number of sites while working under the supervision of a team that will include two members each from the Government, the FARC and affected communities.

“The proposal for demining is a first step, but a giant step toward making peace,” said Humberto de La Calle, spokesman for the Government. (Excerpt from Al

Protesters held signs during a march in Port-au-Prince in February [Reuters]

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he Dominican Republic says it is closing, temporarily, five of its consulates in Haiti due to security concerns in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country.

A spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Miguel Medina, said the

Government believes that “aggression” against the consulates puts staff at risk.

He said the five consulates in Haiti will be closed until the administration of Haitian President Michel Martelly “provides guarantees of adequate protection”.

The Dominican Embassy in Port-au-Prince will re-

main open.

The decision by the authorities to close the consulates comes a week after Haitians took to the streets to protest the mistreatment of their nationals in the Spanish-speaking country.

Haitians are also angered at the ruling in 2013 of the Constitutional Court here that makes it difficult for people of Haitian descent to obtain citizenship.

Caricom leaders who met in the Bahamas last week have also expressed “grave concern” at the ongoing difficulties facing the Haitians, noting that the process of regularisation of Dominicans of Haitian descent “arbitrarily deprived of their nationality by the Dominican Republic Constitutional Court ruling on nationality of September 2013 expired on February 1, 2015”. (Excerpt from CMC)

monday, march 9, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

TV network Pair charged over Indian protests against film ban Nemtsov murder I

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Moscow court has charged two men in connection with the murder of Russian Opposition activist Boris Nemtsov.

It said one of the men, Zaur Dadayev, had admitted involvement in the shooting on a bridge near the Kremlin late on February 27.

He and the other accused, Anzor Gubashev, are of Chechen origin, Russian reports say.

Three other suspects in the case also appeared before the court on Sunday and have been remanded in custody.

Nemtsov, a former deputy Prime Minister and veteran liberal politician, 55, was shot in the back four times as he was walking with his girlfriend within sight of the Kremlin. He was buried in Moscow on Tuesday.

Anzor Gubashev and

The guilt of Zaur Dadayev was ‘confirmed by his confession’, the judge said

Dadayev, who are both accused of organising and carrying out the murder, were brought into court amid heavy security.

Little is known about the men, but reports say Dadayev once served in a battalion of Interior Ministry troops in Chechnya.

The other suspects in-

clude Gubashev’s younger brother Shagid Gubashev and two men named as Ramzan Bakhayev and Tamerlan Eskerkhanov.

Reports say all three have denied any involvement in the murder.

Four of the men come from the northern Caucasus region and were detained in the republic of Ingushetia which borders Chechnya, say Russian media reports.

The Russian Investigations Committee is treating the case as a “contract killing”, Interfax news agency reported.

According to the sections of the criminal code cited in court, investigators believe the murder was carried out by a group of people, that it was committed on contract for financial gains, and that it also involved extortion and banditry, Interfax says.

ndia’s NDTV has halted programming in protest at the banning of the BBC documentary “India’s Daughter”.

The network ran a slate featuring the film’s title, during the hour-long slot when it should have aired.

The film, which features an interview with one of the men convicted of the Delhi bus rape, was due to be broadcast by the channel on Sunday night.

But it was outlawed by the Indian authorities on the grounds of “objectionable content”.

Explaining its decision not to broadcast an alternative show from 21:00 to 22:00 local time (15:30-16:30 GMT), editorial director

Sonia Singh said in a tweet: “We won’t shout, but we will be heard.”

Other Twitter users praised the decision. One comment read: “Kudos @ndtv for the #IndiasDaughter protest.

A surprisingly mature decision in a mediascape (sic) that seems to deteriorate buy by the day.”

Another said: “@ndtv they may not always be right, but this time they are.”

Filmmaker Leslee Udwin, who directed “India’s Daughter”, has rejected claims by the authorities that the documentary contained offensive remarks towards women, and could cause a public outcry.

She also denied allegations that she broke a contract with the prison by airing the interview with rapist Mukesh Singh.

He is facing the death penalty for his part in the rape and murder of a medical student on a bus in Delhi in 2012, which sparked protests across India.

During the film, which aired on BBC4 in Britain on Wednesday night, he showed no remorse and blamed the woman for not behaving like a “decent girl”.

The BBC’s Director of Television, Danny Cohen defended the corporation’s decision to show the film in the UK, despite a request from the Indian Government that it shelve the broadcast.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Flight MH370: Angry families reject report

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Zambian President rushed to hospital after collapse

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ambia’s President Edgar Lungu collapsed on the podium while presiding over a Women’s Day celebration in Lusaka – less than two months after taking over from a leader who died in office.

Lungu was rushed to a military hospital on Sunday, but the President’s Office later issued a statement saying he had been treated for malaria and there was no need for concern.

“I am feeling much better and have been told I

have high levels of fatigue and should take some rest,” Lungu said in the statement.

“There is nothing to worry about.”

Lungu came to power in January after the death in office of President Michael Sata in October.

Rumours that Sata was ill had circulated widely before his death, but were always denied by the Government.

Sata was Zambia’s second leader to die in office

in six years, sparking calls for presidential aspirants to undergo medical checks to guarantee they are fit.

Lungu, who fell after standing for some 20 minutes during the ceremony, is rumoured to have diabetes, the AFP news agency reported.

Presidential spokesman Amos Chanda said doctors at the military hospital had conducted comprehensive medical checks and said Lungu’s results were good.

(Al Jazeera)

China trade surplus hits new record as exports grow

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hina’s monthly trade surplus hit a record US$60.6 billion in February, as exports grew and imports slid back.

China’s economy grew by 7.4 per cent in 2014, its weakest growth for almost a quarter of a century, and recent indicators show signs

panies in the country again rushed to export ahead of the holiday and only resumed working after it,” a statement said.

Many family members continue to believe their loved ones are still alive. Catherine Gang, whose husband Li Zhi was on board the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, holds a sign during a gathering of family members of the missing passengers outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing, China, March 8

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amilies of those missing on Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 have rejected a report issued on the first anniversary of the plane’s disappearance.

The interim report gives no new clues as to what happened to the plane. One relative described it as useless.

The airliner was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing when it vanished.

Malaysia and Australia say they remain committed to finding the missing plane.

As families of the 239 passengers and crew held

remembrance ceremonies on Sunday, some expressed their frustration with the report.

It contains masses of technical information about the missing aircraft, its maintenance record, the background of the crew, and the various air traffic control and military radar tracking records of the plane.

It notes the battery on the beacon of the flight data recorder had expired, which may suggest searchers had less chance of locating the aircraft, although the battery on the locator beacon of the cockpit voice recorder

was working.

But the report offers no significant new information.

Sarah Bajc, whose partner Philip Wood was on board, ridiculed the fact that investigators had interviewed just 120 people.

“That’s less than our tiny underfunded private investigation has done,” she said, referring to a private inquiry launched by a group of next-of-kin.

Raymund Gagarin, whose cousin Anne Daisy was one of the passengers, said he believed the Government was hiding information from families.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

UN peacekeeper killed in attack in Mali’s Kidal Premier Li Keqiang has announced a lowered growth target of around seven per cent

Exports were up 48.3 per cent year on year to US$169.2 billion, and imports dropped by a fifth to US$108.6 billion, said the country’s General Administration of Customs.

The growth in exports was well ahead of analyst expectations.

the slowdown is continuing.

Customs officials put the surge in exports down to a flurry of activities by companies to get orders processed before the Chinese New Year, which fell in the middle of February this year.

“Affected by the Spring Festival factors, export com-

The surplus figure stood at US$8.9 billion in the same period last year.

But the Lunar New Year had fallen on January 31 in 2014, followed by a week-long national holiday, which meant it provided a weak comparison with this February.(BBC News)

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t least three people, including a United Nations peacekeeper, have been killed in an attack near the northern Mali town of Kidal.

Dozens of rockets and shells were fired towards a UN base just outside the desert town early on Sunday, and at least one of them fell on a Tuareg camp, Radhia Achouri, a UN spokesperson, told Al Jazeera from the capital Bamako.

“It was a terrorist attack of a very complex nature, in the sense that they used mortars and shells from different locations; from the north and the south of the base,” she said.

“They launched at least 30 mortars at the camp and some of them landed inside the camp, which explains the casualty among our men and the civilians as well.”

The attack near Kidal came just a day after an

attack on a restaurant in Bamako killed five people, including a French citizen and a Belgian security officer with the EU delegation in Mali.

Two international experts with the United Nations Mine Action Service were among the nine people wounded in the Bamako attack, according to the UN peacekeeping mission to Mali, MINUSMA. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

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monday, march 9, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Tourist arrivals to Caribbean Thousands march on Selma, Alabama bridge increasing to mark “Bloody Sunday” C

President Barack Obama said: “Fifty years from Bloody Sunday, our march is not yet finished, but we’re getting closer”

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ens of thousands of people paraded across a Selma, Alabama bridge on Sunday to commemorate the 1965 “Bloody Sunday” march, not waiting for dignitaries who had planned to lead them in marking the 50th anniversary of a turning point in the US civil rights movement.

In contrast to the Police violence that marked the original march half a century ago, the mood was often celebratory, at times festive, as an estimated 70,000 demonstrators cheered, sang “We Shall Overcome” and carried signs as they walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Bloody Sunday on March 7, 1965, took its name from the beating that roughly 600 peaceful civil rights activists sustained at the hands of white state troopers and Police who attacked them with batons and sprayed them with tear gas.

“It’s very crowded but at the same time it’s fun and really great to see everybody coming together all races,

all people,” one woman told CNN as marchers began moving across the bridge.

A large throng of people started walking across the bridge at the appointed time, before dignitaries could be brought to the front to lead them.

Among the throng were demonstrators who took part in the 1965 march, as well as others calling for immigration and gay rights.

President Barack Obama visited Selma on Saturday and declared the work of the US civil rights movement advanced but unfinished in the face of ongoing racial tensions.

“Fifty years from Bloody Sunday, our march is not yet finished, but we’re getting closer,” said Obama, the first black president of the United States.

Obama said the bridge in Selma, Alabama that sparked the 1965 Voting Rights Act did what other iconic sites such as Gettysburg had also done – change the nation’s destiny.

The anniversary comes

at a time of renewed focus on racial disparities in the United States and anger over the treatment of black civilians, among them 18-year-old Michael Brown, whose killing by a white Police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, last year sparked widespread protests.

On Friday, Tony T Robinson Jr, a 19-year-old black man who appeared to be unarmed, was shot dead by a white Police officer in Madison, Wisconsin, sparking protests there on Sunday.

US Representative John Lewis, who led the march across the bridge 50 years ago and was knocked out by a state trooper, told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday that the events of that day had led to lasting progress in civil rights.

“When I go back, I remember the bridge for me is almost a sacred place,” the Georgia Democrat said.

“That’s where some of us gave a little blood and where some people almost died.”

(Reuters)

aribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) announced that 2014 was the best year ever for the regional tourism industry. CTO Chairman Richard Sealy, who is also Barbados’ Tourism Minister, said, “Last year, we received more visitors than ever before – recording our fifth straight year of growth – and visitors spent more money in the Caribbean than they ever did before”.

“There was strong demand throughout 2014 and I am particularly pleased with our performance during the summer period when our growth rate was almost twice that of the summer of 2013,” Sealy added.

Sealy announced that a record 26.3 million visitors came to the Caribbean last year, spending a record US$29.2 billion and added that Caribbean holidays are still in demand, all of this a sign that, despite the moderate growth, stability is returning to the markets and consumer confidence is growing”.

“Clearly, last year, the Caribbean’s tourism industry was the strongest on record. There’s no doubt that political and economic conditions, increased airline seat capacity, improved airport facilities, increased room stock – as recognised hotel chains established themselves in our destinations – and new initiatives in the marketplace, all contributed to this success.”

“The outlook for Caribbean tourism is positive, and we project a further four to five per cent rise in arrivals in 2015.”

Another 1.3 million visitors came to the Caribbean than in 2013, which itself was a record year, representing a 5.3 per cent rise, and well above the projected two to three per cent. Those visitors spent just over a billion dollars more than they did in

2013.

Robust showing

Riley said that the robust showing for the Caribbean was based on the good performance of traditional markets.

He said Canada, which was flat in 2013, rallied strongly, while the US maintained healthy growth and Europe topped five million visitors for the first time since 2008.

But Riley said the CTO remained concerned over intra-regional travel to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), noting that demand for intraregional travel to the ninemember sub regional grouping “remained depressed for most of 2014, with preliminary estimates suggesting that this market segment contracted by over three per cent”.

“The supply of visitors

by Caribbean neighbours increased by 4.8 per cent, but this was not to the benefit of those destinations with heaviest reliance on the market.

Demand for intra-regional travel to the OECS remained depressed for the most of 2014,” he reiterated.

He said that with more Americans taking outbound trips, the US continued to be the dominant supplier of visitors to the Region accounting for just under half of all tourists, while growing at 5.5 per cent.

He said Canadians also took more international trips during the year to the benefit of Caribbean destinations, thereby retaining the Canadian market share at 12.3 per cent.

“The increased number of trips was a recovery from the marginal decline which was realised from the market in 2013,” he said, noting however that the popularity of Cuba and the Dominican Republic among Canadian visitors market is undeniable, and together these destinations account for 57.9 per cent of the total.

The estimated total number of cruise passenger arrivals in the Region was 23.9 million, an increase of eight per cent compared to 2013.

Of the 24 destinations reporting data, 21 destinations achieved increases, 14 of them in double digits, topped by St Vincent & the Grenadines at nearly 92 per cent.

The French island of Martinique (71.3 per cent); Belize (42.9 per cent); Trinidad & Tobago (30.1 per cent); and Turks & Caicos (24.8 per cent) were the other top performing destinations, while by market share standards, the top five performers were The Bahamas, Cozumel, US Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and St Maarten.

He said room occupancy rates improved slightly; and revenue per available room was up 5.7 per cent.

2014 was a strong year for air travel, not only regionally, but globally. Airlines doing business in the Caribbean are adding seats to destinations to which they already fly, while some are adding new destinations. As a result, capacity to Latin America and the Caribbean increased six per cent, according to IATA, the International Air Transport Association. (Caribbean360)

Jaguar shot at Mashabo after eating 14 dogs

IDB president calls for gender equality in Int’l Women’s Day message

P

resident of the Inter AmericanDevelopment Bank, Luis Alberto Moreno, urged governments in the Caribbean to ensure gender equality in a message to mark International Women’s Day. “On this March 8, International Women’s Day, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action signed by 189 governments, among them the governments of 48 members of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB),” Moreno said. He noted that from the start of the agenda agreed in Beijing, the IDB pledged to advance toward gender equality and the empowerment of women. In these 20 years we have worked with governments in the region to expand our contribution. In

President of the Inter American-Development Bank, Luis Alberto Moreno

2014, 36 percent of our investment operations made a substantive contribution to parity between women and men through projects as varied as the construction of

highways or citizen security.

And we are investing more in projects that prevent violence against women and expand their economic participation.

According to him the advancement of women carries with it a promise of progress for all of society. “Equality at home, in access to education and health, in the job and financial markets and in participation in civic and political life contribute to improving social well-being and economic development,” Moreno said. This promise is becoming a reality in Latin America and the Caribbean, the IDB head said, adding that the growth in the income of women between 2000 and 2010 translated into a drop of 30 percent in extreme poverty. “Today, women account for 30 to 60 percent of the household income in the region. This has

been possible thanks to their growing participation in the labour force, which rose from 48.8 percent in 2000 to 53.8 percent in 2012 and which surely will continue to rise.”

He said despite this progress, there is much to do to reach gender equality.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the participation of women in the labour force remains 26 percentage points below the rate for men.”On average, women earn 17 percent less than men in similar jobs. Nearly 30 percent of the women in the region have suffered physical or sexual violence at the hands of their spouses or others. On this International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to the advancement of women and the achievement of more prosperous and egalitarian societies.”

The Jaguar shot by a resident of Mashabo

A

resident of A m e r i n d i a n Community of Mashabo in Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam) on Sunday morning shot dead a Jaguar, which was said to have been eating villagers’ animals.

The Jaguar, measuring approximately nine feet in length, was shot by Sydney Williams after a gun trap was set. The ferocious big feline reportedly ate 14 dogs and several chickens from the village. Reports emerging from the village said that villagers set a trap at the main entrance leading to the village and as the animal came out to look for more food to eat, it was caught in the trap.

The domestic animals

were missing since January and residents knew that there was a Jaguar in the area. Residents in the mornings would usually see the animal’s tracks. Persons in the community were living in fear ever since the dogs and the chickens went missing. After killing the animal, residents rejoiced and in the morning took the opportunity to take pictures with the Jaguar’s body, which was later buried in the backdam.

The community, surrounded by black water and hot and cold lakes, is located in the dense forest between neighbouring Hus t’Diren\ Aurora and Onderneeming.

Residents are still fearful for their lives as they believe that the animal may have a mate.

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monday, march 9, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Developments in Amerindian communities Role model very much in evidence E Dear Editor, I recently visited a number of hinterland communities in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), including the village of Aishalton in the Deep South.

The pace of developments in the communities visited is very much in evidence. The time taken to travel from Lethem to Aishalton by trail is considerably reduced thanks to regular maintenance works done by the Regional Administration.

Most of the communities now have lights powered by diesel generators or solar panels. These villages have taken on a new appearance with the several infrastructural works

undertaken by the PPP/C Administration.

New nursery, primary and secondary schools, health centres and huts, learning resource centres and recreational facilities have literally changed the landscape in almost all Amerindian and hinterland communities.

Region Nine has seen the construction of several new secondary schools including one at Aishalton, Annai and Sand Creek with dormitory facilities to cater for students from the outlying villages.

Our Amerindian children are doing much better in school today. The performance gap between hinterland schools and those in the coast have been greatly

reduced.

Residents are highly appreciative of the several development projects undertaken by the PPP/C despite attempts by the Opposition parties to block funding for several other interventions, including land titling, solar panels and the development of information and communication technology.

It is clear that there has been a significant reduction in the developmental gap between Amerindian communities and the rest of the country thanks to vastly improved information and communication infrastructure and the massive infrastructural works undertaken by the PPP/C administration.

Cell phones have now become commonplace in several communities, which makes it much easier for information sharing and processing.

The days when Amerindians were fooled and taken for granted are over and no amount of Opposition propaganda can erase the fact that the quality of life among the Amerindian and hinterland communities are today much better than under the PNC regime.

True enough, there are still many challenges to overcome, but it is not the power to achieve but the will to conquer that matters.

Hydar Ally

Cheddi was consistent in focusing attention on working-class unity Dear Editor, This year marks 18 years since Dr Cheddi Jagan passed on. At the time he was President of Guyana and General Secretary of the PPP/C. For us in GAWU, Cheddi Jagan is particularly remembered as an untiring champion of the working-class' all-round interests.

Through the educational and political activities he initiated and promoted, the working-class, indeed all working people, became aware of the strength and authority they possessed to make changes at their work places and in society for their overall betterment.

He was consistent in focusing attention on working-class unity, solidarity, ideological staunchness and political activism as important requisites and tested tools for success in the various and demanding struggles of the working people.

Cheddi Jagan knew the value of people belonging to active and disciplined organisations, and, as we know, he was fully engaged in the demanding tasks related to the establishment and support of mainly political and trade union organizations.

We recall that one of his earliest achievements, on his return from studies overseas, was the formation in 1946 of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), the forerunner of the People's Progressive Party (PPP), a party in which he was leader and, as it underwent structural changes, he became the General Secretary.

Ever since, the party through its struggles, policies and activities, has earned a central place in the history of our country

of some 70 years now. That history is one that is rich and filled with struggles and achievements.

In the Trade Union sphere, Cheddi had a visible and vigorous presence. He was the President of the Sawmill and Forest Workers Union, he assisted in the formation of the Guyana Industrial Workers union in 1946, and when that union became non functional sometime in the late 1950s, he assisted in the formation of the Guyana Sugar Workers Union, which was later renamed the Guiana Agriculture Workers Union, and finally renamed the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), of which he was Honorary President for many years.

As Honorary President of GAWU, he brought sound and clear leadership to the workers' struggles. He was particularly skilled in determining tactics necessary to attain our goals - a quality helped along by his exceptional ability at a class analysis of situations.

Dr Jagan, from his studies and practical experiences, gravitated naturally to the Marxist-Leninist world outlook, more especially to the method to assess developments and processes.

In his book, “The West On Trial”, he said that, Karl Marx's capital opened up new horizons for him.

Guided by this theory, he was convinced of a bright future for the working man and woman.

Often referred to as the Father of the Nation, at this time we recall several of the successes associated with his leadership.

Among these are universal adult suffrage where Guyanese were no longer

deprived from voting because of not owning property or earning a certain level of income; the fight for our political independence; the recognition of GAWU in the sugar industry after decades of struggle; the restoration of electoral democracy; and democratic norms in the country after a period spanning some 24 years.

He became Head of the Governments in 1953, 1957, 1961 and 1992 and his administrations executed a number of positive policies in the field of agriculture, industrial development, education, health, housing, infrastructure and for pensioners.

His Government legislated measures which were overwhelmingly pro-people.

The establishment of the University of Guyana remains an enduring symbol of his commitment to the development of Guyana.

Today, the crises of the world capitalist system, which is so much in evidence in Europe, North

America and other countries of the developed and the developing world, bring to mind the teachings, predictions and advocacy of Cheddi.

Workers’ struggles are being mounted increasingly in various countries and we see also today that, more and more, the calls for world peace are getting louder and louder. These were issues that Cheddi championed. They are important aspects of the legacy he has left to us and the future generation.

Today, as we pay tribute to this outstanding leader; we believe that his legacy should be an inspiration to continue along the path he blazed and to make our contribution for world peace and for a country where economic justice, political independence, democracy and social progress are zealously guarded and promoted.

Long live the memory of Dr Cheddi Jagan!

GAWU

299 animals impounded in February Dear Editor, The Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to report that a total of 299 animals, comprising nine horses, 118 cows, 105 goats and 67 sheep were caught and impounded at the Police pounds in A, B, C and D Police Divisions during the month of February 2015.

This figure represents 58 animals less than for the previous month. The Georgetown Unit accounted for 43 cows, 76 goats and

41 sheep, while the Berbice Unit accounted for nine horses, 75 cows, 29 goats and 26 sheep.

The Ministry also wishes to advise defaulting cattle owners to have in their possession a valid identification document and proof of address when seeking to redeem their impounded animals.

The continuous appeal for safety on our roads remains in effect.

Ministry of Home Affairs

very one of us can surely benefit from having a role model to look up to. The key point though is to choose someone we know to help us become the best version of ourselves. A role model with good mentorship abilities can surely help us to grow as a person.

Usually role models can give us good advice and share some of their success stories to us. For those who would like be an inspiring person, then the key will be to associate Narine Dat Sookram with someone of similar values.

This means that we must do our homework, meaning we must try to figure out why we admire those people and how we are influenced by their actions.

Making a list of things that are important to us will surely help us to achieve our goals once we engage with role model. For example we need to know what kind of life we want to live and the kinds of things we want to achieve in life.

The whole idea of considering a role model is to encourage us to become a better person. So as we start to consider how we can choose a good role model, we must first try to develop faith in our own selves first, because having confidence in ourselves will give us the abilities to become whatever we choose.

In many cases, we really don’t have to look too hard, because there are always great role models that exist around us that perhaps have a profound impact on us.

I personally would suggest to consider a role model who has a sense of purpose. In other words a good role model would be someone who knows him/herself well. Never seek a mentor who seems perfect, but doesn't have a sense of purpose.

Basically never take someone as a mentor who pretends to be someone they are not. This will result in a lot of disappointments. The ideal role model person would be someone who makes us feel good about being who we are.

Having a mentor doesn’t make us any different. The idea behind having a role model is to have someone to inspire us to improve our lives. Therefore, if for some reason, we are not achieving our goals, then it’s a good sign that we should be looking for a different one.

Another thing to consider is someone who interacts well with others. They should communicate well with people, because it’s easy to understand things when people can communicate well.

Sometimes some people take big risk and get lucky by being successful, but these are the ones I suggest to keep an eye out for. It’s better to choose a role model who has gained their position through hard work.

These are the more reliable ones that can help us achieve our goas and motivate us to become good role models ourselves for the people in the world around us.

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

Look out for children on the roads Dear Editor, The Guyana Police Force is urging motorists to exhibit more care and caution when traversing roadways that are being used simultaneously by children. Children, whether walking or riding a bicycle are apt to more than likely do the unexpected and we need to consider this when on the roadways and watch out for them.

Recently, an eight-yearold girl was struck down in Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, by a motorist who sped away from the scene. She is presently hospitalised. A man has been charged and the matter is before the court.

As the Police Force continues with its traffic enforcement, unto March 3, there have been 19 road fa-

talities, compared to a similar number for the corresponding period last year.

During the period February 22 to 28, a number of cases have been made against motorists for breaching the traffic laws.

These include speeding (615), driving under the influence (34), breach of condition of Road Service Licence (47), careless driving (14), dangerous driving (11), failure to wear safety helmet (nine), failure to wear seat belt (41), prohibition of the use of hand held mobile phones (16).

Six persons were charged for the soliciting of passengers (touting).

Ivelaw Whittaker Police Public Relations and Press Officer

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, march 9, 2015

ARCHIE

If you embrace change, it will open your eyes to a new (March 21- way of doing something. You April 19) have more to offer than you realize.

ARIES

Offer help to others and TAURUS you will also be contributing (April 20- to your own advancement.

May 20) Your kind actions will result in a long-lasting friendship as well as a great opportunity.

dilbert

Taking an unusual apGEMINI proach to the challenges you (May 21face will drum up interest and June 20) entice a valuable someone to join your team. Fun and entertainment should be scheduled.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Don’t get depressed, get moving. Staying active will help you put your worries behind you and will produce viable options that will help you bring about the changes necessary to overcome adversity.

You’ve got the energy and LEO the fortitude to make things (July 23happen. All sorts of new and Aug. 22) exciting partnerships will develop if you schmooze and network with people in your industry.

Calvin and Hobbes

If you aren’t happy with VIRGO your life or professional posi(Aug. 23tion, check out your options.

Sept. 22) Meeting new people and attending events will get you moving in the right direction.

Keeping busy will be necLIBRA essary for your happiness.

(Sept. 23Pursue a creative hobby or Oct. 23) make time to follow a path that you’ve wanted to explore.

Self-starting is the only way to make your dreams come true.

SUDOKU

Don’t pass up a great SCORPIO deal.

When it comes to poten(Oct. 24Nov. 22) tial investments, there is no time like the present to follow through. Take a bold step forward.

Nurture and protect your SAGITTARIUS home, personal relationships (Nov. 23- and future goals. Love is on Dec. 21) the rise, and making minor adjustments will ensure your happiness.

If you are pushy, you will CAPRICORN lose out. A quiet approach to (Dec. 22- what you are trying to accomJan. 19) plish will get you closer to your goals. Being observant will help you find success.

Monday, March 2 solution AQUARIUS

Get involved in something that encourages physical ac(Jan. 20- tivity. Travel and learning Feb. 19) about different traditions and cultures will inspire great ideas and lead to interesting new friendships.

PISCES If you help someone in (Feb. 20- need, you will make a tangiMarch 20) ble difference. The satisfaction and recognition you receive will lead to confidence and opportunity.

monday, march 9, 2015

19

WICB made losses of Warrican stars as Pride US$1.53M, but figures better stun Hurricanes in 3 days than expected – Cameron

F

or the financial year 2013/2014 the West Indies Cricket Board recorded a comprehensive loss of US$1.53 million and has a negative shareholders’ equity of US$5.4 million, but according to West Indies Cricket Board president Dave Cameron, it is a major improvement on the board’s projections.

Cameron made the revelation to media following his 8-4 win over Barbados’ Joel Garner at the WICB Annual General Meeting at the Jamaica Pegasus on Saturday.

The newly-elected president, sitting next to his CEO Michael Muirhead and WIPA President and CEO Wavell Hinds, said the negative balance sheet was due in part to a reduction in the number of

WICB President Dave Cameron

days of cricket played.

However, he gave credit to the WICB Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, Marketing Committee and Finance Committee whose hard work, he said, created a much more favourable outturn.

Cameron also revealed

that the WICB’s financial statements were ready long before the AGM on Saturday.

“Our financial statements were actually ready 90 days after the year-end. We are only now releasing them because as a matter of protocol, we had to have them approved by our shareholders,” he said.

Cameron said the financials will be posted on the WICB website soon.

Speaking on other matters, the president said there were changes coming to the regional Under-19 competition, the Women’s Super50 competition as well as the Nagico Super50 for the coming season. Details of those pending changes will be released to the media as soon as the WICB directors review them. (Digicel Sportsmax)

Messi breaks Spanish hattrick record as Barca go top

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ionel Messi broke a Spanish hat-trick record and Luis Suarez struck twice as a rampant Barcelona took over top spot in La Liga with a 6-1 hammering of Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

Messi came alive after halftime at the Nou Camp to net his 32nd treble for Barca in all competitions in the space of just 12 minutes.

It meant he eclipsed the record of the most hat-tricks ever recorded in Spanish football that he had shared with Athletic Bilbao striker Telmo Zarra.

The Argentine’s second half tour de force against a side reduced to 10 men with the dismissal of Tito -- Barca themselves had Dani Alves sent off late in the game -- included a goal scored from a retaken penalty after he had seen the first saved.

It helped put Barca back in control at the head of La Liga, after an equal amount of games played, for the first time since the start of November.

They moved on to 62 points, a point clear of Real Madrid, who were beaten by Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, and are now in pole position two weeks ahead of Madrid’s visit to their Nou Camp fortress in El Clasico.

Atletico Madrid stayed third after a 1-1 draw at home to fourth-placed Valencia.

“Being leaders is not something that we are concentrating on much at the moment as there is still a long way to go in

the league,” defender Gerard Pique told reporters.

“We started the season well, then we had a drop in form and it looks like we are playing well again now.”

Barca scored with their first shot on goal after five minutes with Xavi releasing Suarez, who tucked a clinical shot into the corner with the outside of

Lionel Messi

his right boot.

Four minutes after halftime, the floodgates opened when Gerard Pique knocked in from close range following a Jordi Alba header from a corner which came back off a post.

When Suarez was felled in the penalty area in the 56th minute by Tito, who received a red card, Messi’s penalty was saved by keeper Cristian Alvarez but the referee ordered a retake due to encroachment in the area.

Inevitably, Messi made no mistake second time around and he then knocked in a re-

bound after 63 minutes, before completing his historic hat-trick, the 24th of his La Liga career, five minutes later. He now has 32 Spanish hattricks, compared to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 27.

Alberto Bueno netted a consolation penalty for Rayo after he had been fouled by Alves, who was given his marching orders.

Messi then set up Suarez for his second in injury time to complete the rout.

“We were only able to score one goal in the first half although we had other openings,” Barca coach Luis Enrique told a news conference.

“Our objective is to be leaders at the end of the championship. I think there will be defeats for both of us (including Real) and there are areas where we need to improve.”

Koke, back in Atletico’s lineup following injury, brokethe deadlock against Valencia after 33 minutes with a volley.

Tiago should have extended their lead with a shot inside the six-yard box which came back off the crossbar after 70 minutes and Atletico were made to pay for his miss.

A free-kick crossed into the box by Daniel Parejo came back off the Atletico crossbar with keeper Miguel Angel Moya caught out and Shkodran Mustafi reacted quickest to nod home.

Valencia’s Javi Fuego was given a second yellow card a minute from the end. (Reuters)

Jomel Warrican

B

arbados Pride kept up the pressure on leaders Guyana Jaguars when they crushed bottom-ofthe-table Leeward Islands Hurricanes by nine wickets inside three days in St Kitts on Sunday, courtesy of a 13-wicket haul from left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.

Resuming their eighth round WICB PCL contest on 268 for six, Barbados were bowled out for 353 in their first innings with Shane Dowrich striking his third first class century with 106.

With a lead of 138, Barbados ripped through the Leewards second innings, reducing them to 22 for four at one stage, before dismissing them for 150.

Warrican was the main destroyer with five for 50, to follow up his first innings haul of eight for 88.

He finished with a match haul of 13 wickets for 138 runs.

Set a meagre 13 runs for victory, the visitors lost Kyle Corbin lbw to seamer Quinton Boatswain for five, before securing victory an hour after tea at Warner Park.

The morning belonged to Dowrich who carved out his second century of the season to continues his excellent form. Resuming the day on 65, the right-hander safely made his way to

three figures in 299 minutes off 176 balls with 11 fours and one six.

He was dismissed shortly afterward, bowled by Gavin Tonge as he played down the wrong line. His dismissal triggered a slide that saw the last four wickets fall for 25 runs.

Ashley Nurse hit 26 from 42 balls.

Boatswain (3-63) and off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall (3-69) both fin-

ished with three wickets apiece.

Barbados then wiped out the Leewards top order in quick time, with fast bowler Miguel Cummins chipping in with three for 25.

Fast bowler Tino Best trapped Lyndell Richardson lbw in the third over without scoring and Cummins then had captain Devon Thomas caught at second slip by Ashley Nurse also without scoring, with seven runs on the board in the fourth over.

Steve Liburd was beaten and bowled for pace by Cummins for four before Jahmar Hamilton was taken at point by Shai Hope off the same bowler for two.

The burly right-hander Cornwall then counterattacked, smashing seven fours and two sixes in a top score of 53 off 60 deliveries. He put on 78 for the fifth wicket with opener Montcin Hodge whose 37 consumed 110 balls and spanned nearly 2-1/4 hours.

Warrican got the breakthrough, however, removing Cornwall to a catch at cover by captain Kraigg Brathwaite, and despite Tonge’s whirlwind 33 off 21 balls with four sixes, Barbados claimed the last six wickets for 50 runs. (CMC)

SCOREBOARD

LEEWARDS 1st Innings 215 BARBADOS 1st Innings (overnight 268 for six) *K Brathwaite lbw b Tonge 21 K Corbin c wkp Hamilton b Boatswain 75 K Edwards lbw b Cornwall 9 S Hope c Thomas b Cornwall 0 R Chase c Cornwall b Martin 25 +S Dowrich b Tonge 106 K Stoute c Hodge b Cornwall 63 A Nurse c wkp Hamilton b Boatswain 25 T Best c Louis b Boatswain 6 J Warrican c wkp Hamilton Tonge 4 M Cummins not out 4 Extras (b10, lb4) 14 TOTAL (all out, 119 overs) 353 Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-54, 3-54, 4-105, 5-160, 6-268, 7-328, 8-345, 9-345, 10-353.

Bowling: Tonge 23-4-75-3, Louis 13-3-22-0, Martin 14-537-0, Cornwall 30-10-9-69-3, Boatswain 18-3-63-3, Walsh 19-1-72-0, Liburd 2-1-1-0.

LEEWARDS 2nd Innings M Hodge c Nurse b Warrican 37 L Richardson lbw b Best 0

*D Thomas c Nurse b Cummins 0 S Liburd b Miguel Cummins 4 +J Hamilton c Hope b Cummins 2 R Cornwall c Brathwaite b Warrican 53 J Louis c Hope b Warrican 0 H Walsh Jr b Warrican 6 G Tonge st Dowrich b Warrican 33 A Martin c Nurse b Chase 0 Q Boatswain not out 7 Extras (b4, nb4) 8 TOTAL (all out, 45 overs) 150 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-7, 3-13, 4-22, 5-100, 6-100, 7-109, 8-110, 9-111, 10-150.

Bowling: Best 7-1-27-2, Cummins 8-2-25-3, Warrican 16-6-50-5, Nurse 3-0-230, Chase 11-2-21-1 BARBADOS 2nd Innings (target: 13 runs) K Brathwaite not out 7 K Corbin lbw b Boatswain 5 K Edwards not out 1 TOTAL (1 wkt, 4 overs) 13 Fall of wicket: 1-12.

Bowling: Tonge 2-0-110, Boatswain 2-0-2-1.

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monday, march 9, 2015

Maxwell’s hundred trumps Sangakkaras’

Kumar Sangakkara became the first player to score three consecutive World Cup tons

A

young punk scored a punkish first century - the fastest by an Australian and one ball slower than the fastest by anybody at a World Cup, a master scored a classic third consecutive hundred - the first man to do so at a World Cup, there were five supporting half-centuries, but eventually the Sydney runathon was decided by Australia’s superior bowling and fielding under pressure. Glenn Maxwell finally got that hundred he has been promising to take Australia to 376, but Kumar Sangakkara’s masterclass kept Sri Lanka in the game until Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews were eliminated - Chandimal injured and Mathews out to a slower bouncer from Shane Watson - in the 42nd over with 94 runs still required.

Matches between Test sides have been pretty formulaic this World Cup: bat first, score 300, win easy.

Pakistan have bucked the trend by winning with 230 on the board, and Sri Lanka have shown 300 can be chased. With Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan in form, a 130-run stand in just under 20 overs told Australia this was not going to be an easy win. In the middle overs, though, Australia’s two gun bowlers, Mitchell Starc and James Faulkner, and Mitchell Johnson created enough pressure to take key wickets at the right times. Don’t go by the 64-run margin, this match was much closer. When Chandimal and Mathews counterattacked, this World Cup record chase was not far out of reach.

There is another World Cup record that is an endangered species. Every time Maxwell walks out to bat with overs to spare, a flurry of record-holders must watch from behind their couches and through the cracks between their fingers.

It’s a minor miracle Kevin O’Brien’s record of the fastest hundred in a World Cup

still stands. Maxwell might have missed out by one ball, bringing the hundred up on the 51st ball, but his knock was the difference between 320 and 376 after two mini wobbles - one at the top that reduced them to 41 for 2 and then the wickets of half-centurions Steven Smith and Michael Clarke in one go and just before the batting Powerplay. Watson scored arguably the most inconspicuous 67 off 41 with Maxwell taking centre stage.

The most instructive moment of Maxwell’s innings was perhaps near the end.

He was on 99 off 49. Still with a chance to trickle one around the corner and register the joint-fastest World Cup hundred. Also with the knowledge that he had missed out on that elusive hundred at least four times in the past. He looked to nudge Lasith Malinga, missed a slower ball, ran what he thought was a legbye, but saw umpire Ian Gould in no hurry to raise his leg. Greater batsmen

with many more centuries to their name than Maxwell have snuck in a single at such moments, but Maxwell seemed to instruct to Gould he hadn’t hit it. The leg-bye was finally signalled.

Obviously it has been frustrating for Maxwell to have not scored that hundred, but he wasn’t going to bring up his first in an underhand manner. Probably if you are in the form that Maxwell is, you know you are going to bring up that opportunity every other time you bat. When he came in to bat, with Smith and Clarke having fallen in the space of five balls, Maxwell had no business batting the way he did. This was the time to rebuild. Maxwell, he just watched six deliveries to get a hang of the conditions and chipped the seventh over mid-off for four, and reverse-swept the eighth for a single.

Apart from that reverse sweep, which surely is textbook stuff in Maxwell’s book, the initial parts of his innings were classic. He saw Tillakaratne Dilshan bowling with mid-off up, kept chipping him over the man in the 35th over, hitting two, a four and a six.

There is a theory about Maxwell’s batting that he doesn’t bat according to the merit of the ball but to the field set. He is extremely confident that he can pull off any shot, but he fashions them to miss the field. This innings was a big testimony to the idea: there was no brute hitting involved, just clever placement of balls where the fielders weren’t.

(Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Australia innings (50 overs maximum) AJ Finch st †Sangakkara b 24 Prasanna DA Warner c Prasanna b Malinga 9 SPD Smith c Perera b Dilshan 72 MJ Clarke* b Malinga 68 GJ Maxwell c Malinga b Perera 102 SR Watson c Chandimal b Perera 67 JP Faulkner run out (Mathews/ Perera) 0 BJ Haddin† c Perera b Mathews 25 MG Johnson not out 3 MA Starc run out (Perera/ Mathews) 0 XJ Doherty not out 0 Extras (b 1, lb 1, w 4) 6 Total (9 wickets; 50 overs; 220 mins) 376 Fall of wickets 1-19, 2-41, 3-175, 4-177, 5-337, 6-338, 7-368, 8-373, 9-374.

Sri Lanka Bowling: SL Malinga 10-0-59-2, SMSM Senanayake 9-0-59-0, AD Mathews 7-059-1, S Prasanna 10-0-771, NLTC Perera 9-0-87-2, TM Dilshan 5-0-33-1.

Sri Lanka innings (target: 377 runs from 50 overs) HDRL Thirimanne c †Haddin b Johnson 1 TM Dilshan lbw b Faulkner 62 KC Sangakkara† c Finch b Faulkner 104 DPMD Jayawardene run out (Clarke) 19 AD Mathews* c †Haddin b Watson 35 LD Chandimal retired hurt 52 NLTC Perera c Doherty b Johnson 8 WU Tharanga c Warner b Faulkner 4 S Prasanna b Starc 9 SMSM Senanayake c Doherty b Starc 7 SL Malinga not out 0 Extras (b 2, lb 5, w 4) 11 Total (all out; 46.2 overs; 217 mins) 312 Fall of wickets 1-5, 2-135, 3-188, 4-201, 4-281*, 5-283, 6-293, 7-305, 8-307, 9-312.

Australia Bowling: MA Starc 8.2-0-29-2, MG Johnson 9-062-2, SR Watson 7-0-71-1, XJ Doherty 7-0-60-0, GJ Maxwell 6-0-35-0, JP Faulkner 9-0-48-3.

What the Windies need to do to qualify

P

The West Indies team

erth, Australia - A look at what Pakistan, Ireland and West Indies need to do to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals from Group B. While Pakistan’s win against South Africa has given them a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals without getting into the complications of net run-rate, Zimbabwe’s loss to Ireland has made them the second team from Group B to be knocked out of this World Cup after UAE. With a win against West Indies, India have ensured a place in the last eight. They are likely to end up topping the group should they win at least one of their remaining two games - against Ireland and Zimbabwe.

South Africa’s loss to Pakistan hasn’t done any real damage to their chances of qualifying, as they still have a game against UAE left. Their superior NRR will ensure that they qualify as the second team from Group B in the event that Ireland lose at least one of their two remaining games. This leaves three teams - Pakistan, Ireland

and West Indies - fighting for the remaining two spots in the last eight.

Pakistan Pakistan have one match left against Ireland. A win in this game will send them through to the quarter-finals. A loss though, will bring NRR into play. Should it come to that for Pakistan, they will be fighting for a berth in the quarter-finals based on NRR with West Indies, assuming the likely event of West Indies beating UAE in their final game.

Ireland - Ireland have six points and two matches still to go - against India and Pakistan. They have to get a point from one of those games to sail through to the knockouts. Though Ireland managed to add two important points to their account with their win over Zimbabwe, the narrow margin means that they haven’t improved upon their negative NRR. As it stands, Ireland have the worst NRR (-0.820) out of the three teams in contention. Losses in both these games will, in all likelihood, send them out of the World Cup because of their inferior

NRR, given the likelihood of West Indies beating UAE. West Indies - West Indies are the only team out of the three in contention to be completely dependent on other results to qualify. They will have to beat UAE to begin with and preferably by a huge margin. If Ireland beat India, that will leave only one spot to fight for. If Pakistan also lose to Ireland, then it will come down to NRR between West Indies and Pakistan. A Pakistan win in that game will knock West Indies out. If Ireland lose both their remaining games, West Indies will in all likelihood qualify ahead of Ireland on account of their superior NRR. If the game between India and Ireland is washed out or tied, then Ireland will advance to the quarter-finals.

Pakistan will then need an outright win against Ireland or a NRR healthy enough to pip West Indies. If any of the last two games in Group B Pakistan v Ireland or West Indies v UAE - is washed out or tied then it will be curtains for West Indies. (Cricinfo)

Maxwell hopes second-fastest ton opens floodgates

A

fter bludgeoning his way to the Cricket World Cup’s secondfastest century, Australia’s Glenn Maxwell is eyeing more talismanic displays.

Glenn Maxwell is hopeful his maiden one-day international century in Australia’s Cricket World Cup win over Sri Lanka will lead to more three-figure performances.

Maxwell ended his wait for an ODI hundred in devastating fashion on Sunday as he scored the second-fastest ton in World Cup history to inspire the tournament cohosts to a 64-run victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

His blistering 102 in 53 balls helped Australia to 376-9, with Sri Lanka bowled out for 312 in reply despite Kumar Sangakkara (104) becoming the first man

to post three straight World Cup centuries and only the second player to score 14,000 ODI runs.

The only disappointment came as Maxwell missed out on breaking Kevin O’Brien’s record for the fastest 100, with a single off his 49th ball denying him that achievement before a leg bye on the next delivery prevented him from equalling the mark.

“It was a massive weight [lifted],” Maxwell said of his hundred. “Hopefully it sort of opens the floodgates a little bit. It was a lot of fun, it was a nice wicket to play on out there.

“The top order did a great job and set it up for us.”

While Maxwell will take the plaudits for Australia’s batting display, captain Michael Clarke was eager to

praise the bowlers for their contribution.

Mitchell Starc (2-29) produced a strong display, while James Faulkner also enjoyed an impressive outing with the ball - taking three wickets for the loss of 48 runs.

“I thought the way all the bowlers held their nerve today was exceptional,” Clarke said.

“Starc is bowling beautifully. He’s executing very well. He’s bowling quite fast with the new ball, he’s swinging. His death bowling is very good at the moment.

“We need momentum and we need to grab it and run with it for as long as we possibly can. Once we get into Hobart [to play Scotland], it will be full steam ahead.”

(Digicel Sportsmax)

21

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Doping culture in cycling still exists, according to Circ report

monday, march 9, 2015

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ycling continues to struggle with widespread doping, according to a landmark report into the sport's troubled recent history.

Set up last January to investigate how cycling so badly lost its way during the 1990s and 2000s, the Cycling Independent Reform Commission (Circ) has heavily criticised the sport's leadership throughout that era.

Its 227-page report, published on Monday, clears the International Cycling Union's (UCI) bosses of outright corruption but censures them for a litany of failings.

Foremost among these are that the UCI did not really want to catch cheats and therefore turned a blind eye to anything but the worst excesses.

The report's authors also accuse former UCI presidents Hein Verbruggen and Pat McQuaid of failing to follow their own anti-doping rules and showing preferential treatment to disgraced former champion Lance Armstrong.

That may feel like ancient history to many cycling fans but they will be alarmed to learn what the 174 anti-doping experts, officials, riders and other interested parties who gave interviews to Circ have to say about the sport today. * One "respected cycling professional" believes that 90% of the peloton is still

Lance Armstrong

doping, another put it at 20% * Riders are micro-dosing, taking small but regular amounts of banned substance, to fool the latest detection methods * The abuse of Therapeutic Use Exemptions, sick notes, is commonplace, with one rid-

er saying 90% of these are used to boost performance * The use of weight-loss drugs, experimental medicine and powerful painkillers is widespread, leading to eating disorders, depression and even crashes * With doping done now on a more conservative basis, other forms of cheating are on the rise, particularly related to bikes and equipment * Doping in amateur cycling is endemic The €3m (£2.16m) report was compiled by chairman Dr Dick Marty, a former Swiss prosecutor, and two vice-chairs, German anti-doping expert Professor Ulrich Haas and Peter Nicholson, an Australian who has investigated international terrorism and war crimes.

Current UCI president Brian Cookson, who swept into office in 2013 promising a fresh start for an organisation that had been badly damaged by its close links to Armstrong, thanked the panel for its work and did not try to sugar-coat its findings. (BBC Sport)

Atletico Madrid, Valencia draw

Koke scored his first La Liga goal since September

A

tletico Madrid’s chances of retaining their La Liga title suffered a blow as they were held at home by Valencia to slip seven points behind new leaders Barcelona.

Koke fired Atletico into a first-half lead as Diego Simeone’s side chased a sixth straight home league win.

Valencia equalised through Shkodran Mustafi’s 78th-minute header before defender Javi Fuego was sent off.

The visitors held on to stay just one point behind Atletico in fourth place.

Barcelona’s 6-1 win over Rayo Vallecano earlier in the day had put the pressure on Atletico not to slip up with the two sides due to meet on the penultimate weekend of the season.

Despite missing the suspended Antoine Griezmann, who has scored 17 times this season, Simeone started with 20-goal top scorer Mario Mandzukic on the bench.

That meant a chance for former Chelsea and Liverpool striker Fernando

Torres, despite his failure to score in La Liga since returning to the Vicente Calderon on loan from AC Milan in January.

Torres, 30, gave no shortage of effort without seriously threatening to break his duck before being replaced

by Mandzukic after an hour.

However, he did play a part in Koke’s goal, heading down a free-kick for Tiago Mendes to lay the ball off for the Spain international to thump a right-footed shot into the bottom corner from 16 yards.

Valencia showed little of the form that had seen them climb the table to challenge Atletico’s hold on a topthree place and automatic Champions League qualification.

Atletico should have doubled their lead 20 minutes from time when Tiago volleyed against the bar from close range after Diego Godin had headed a corner back across the face of goal.

But that miss proved costly when Mustafi headed in after a long-range freekick had come back off the crossbar.

Fuego then picked up a second caution in the 89th minute but Valencia extended their unbeaten run to five games to stay in the hunt for automatic Champions League qualification.

Real Sociedad beat Espanyol 1-0 as David Moyes’ side made it three wins from their last four home games.

Sergio Canales got the only goal as Sociedad climbed to 11th, one place and two points behind Espanyol.

Villarreal stayed on course for a place in next season’s Europa League as they beat mid-table Celta Vigo 4-1 to move to within a point of fifth-placed Sevilla.

Giovani dos Santos opened the scoring as Villarreal bounced back from the disappointment of losing to Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey to hand Celta their first defeat in six games.

Mateo Musacchio, top scorer Luciano Vietto and Gerard Moreno were also on target. (BBC Sport)

22

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, march 9, 2015

Mohammed hundred upstaged by Peters as Windwards flourish J

ason Mohammed stroked his fourth first class hundred but was outshone by leftarm seamer Kenroy Peters whose six-wicket haul put the Windward Islands Volcanoes on top, on the third day of their eighth round WICB PCL clash in Trinidad on Sunday.

The right-handed Mohammed struck exactly 100 as Red Force, resuming the day at the National Cricket Centre on 228 for four, were dismissed for 299 to concede a lead of 51 runs to the visitors.

However, the hosts squandered a position of 265 for four to lose their last six wickets for 34 runs.

The architect of their demise was the wily Peters who snapped up six for 59 to destroy the innings.

Batting a second time, the Windwards recovered from a dodgy position of 85 for four to reach the close at 199 for five, an overall

Jason Mohammed

lead of 250 heading into Monday’s final day.

Romel Currency gath-

ered his second half-century of the game to be unbeaten on 53 at the close and

was partnered by wicketkeeper Dennis Smith on 20.

Miles Bascombe and Dalton Polius both got 42.

Earlier, Mohammed and Kieron Pollard stretched their fifth wicket stand to 108 before being separated. Overall, Mohammed struck 12 fours and a six in an innings that spanned 153 balls and 228 minutes while Pollard, who started the day on 27, added 18 before being dismissed.

He batted 1-1/2 hours, faced 94 balls and slammed two fours and four sixes but was the first to fall, becoming one of off-spinner Shane Shillingford’s two victims, stumped by Dennis Smith.

Once he fell, Red Force lost wickets steadily as Peters ran through the lower order.

Seamer Rayad Emrit then claimed Tyrone Theophile cheaply for four with the score on eight but

opener Devon Smith (20) and Bascombe patched up the innings with a partnership of 59.

Three more quick wickets saw the Windwards

stumble but Polius and Currency added an important 74 for the fifth wicket to keep Red Force at bay.

(CMC)

SCOREBOARD WINDWARDS 1st Innings 350 T&T 1st Innings (overnight 228 for four) J Solozano lbw b Peters 31 Imran Khan c (sub) Bobb b Peters 22 K Ottley c wkp Dennis Smith b Johnson 20 Y Cariah lbw b Shillingford 40 J Mohammed c Polius b Peters 100 K Pollard st Dennis Smith b Shillingford 45 A Hosein lbw b Peters 1 +S Katwaroo c wkp Dennis Smith b Peters 9 *R Emrit c Emmanuel b Peters 14 M Richards not out 7 D St Clair absent out Extras (b5, lb3, w1, nb1) 10 TOTAL (all out, 86.4 overs) 299 Fall of wickets: 1-53, 2-62, 3-79, 4-157, 5-265, 6-268,

7-273, 8-284, 9-299, 10-299.

Bowling: Johnson 15-2-671, Matthew 14-4-29-0, Peters 22.4-6-59-6, Shillingford 285-110-2, Polius 7-2-26-0.

WINDWARDS 2nd Innings D Smith b Pollard 20 *T Theophille lbw b Emrit 4 M Bascombe c wkp Katwaroo b Pollard 42 C Emmanuel c wkp Katwaroo b Pollard 9 D Polius b Cariah 42 R Currency not out 53 +Dennis Smith not out 20 Extras (lb6, w2, nb1) 9 TOTAL (5 wkts, 65 overs) 199 Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-67, 3-82, 4-85, 5-159.

Bowling: Richards 7-2-21-0, Hosein 14-4-28-0, Emrit 7-036-1, Imran Khan 16-1-56-0, Pollard 10-2-26-3, Cariah 100-21-1, Mohammed 1-0-5-0.

Andy Murray wins to wrap up GB victory over USA A ndy Murray sealed a Davis Cup quarterfinal place for Great

Britain with a straight-sets win over American John Isner in Glasgow.

He saved three set points in the first set and won 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 7-6 (7-4) to give

Britain an unassailable 3-1 lead in the World Group first-round tie.

Britain will next play France at home in July, with the venue to be decided.

“It feels great. This is a team effort and I think everyone agrees the team played their part,” said the Scot.

Murray, 27, who returned to play in Scotland this week for the first time in four years, looked edgy in the early stages against Isner but was clinical when it counted.

“It’s so, so disappointing for me. I feel like I let us down this week. It’s a terrible feeling.”

Isner began the better, however, earning seven break points - three of them set points - before Murray finally fashioned his first after 86 minutes.

A double fault from Isner at the start of the tie-break proved the decisive moment in the first set, but he had already wasted two inviting forehands on set points.

was the steadily rising number of unforced errors that was now more significant as Murray saw out the set and pushed hard early in the third.

Isner served his way out of a seemingly desperate situation at 0-40 and got within two points of the set at 5-4, 0-30, but Murray snuffed out the danger.

Another early break in the tie-break helped the Scot to a 6-2 lead and he converted his third match point with

Andy Murray said the whole British team deserved credit for the victory

“On behalf of all of the players I want to thank the crowd because it’s been one of the most special atmospheres I’ve ever played in,” he added.

Murray had been a heavy favourite to finish the job for Britain against a player who had suffered a “brutal” fiveset defeat by James Ward on Friday.

It is the second year running that Britain have beaten the United States, and Isner said: “This one’s on me.

“My team-mates may say otherwise but when you look at this match-up on paper, my loss on Friday put us in a huge hole.

Murray’s previously shaky serve found its range as he closed out the set efficiently, much to the relief of most of the 7,700 spectators.

It seemed inevitable that Isner’s challenge would fade after his exertions of 48 hours earlier but it took a moment of brilliance from Murray to get the better of his huge serve.

After some loose Isner forehands offered the Briton his first break point of the day, Murray sent up a brilliant lob that had the 6ft 10in American scrambling in vain.

While Isner was predictably leading the ace count, it

an ace, drawing a deafening roar from the home crowd.

Asked about the prospect of facing France at home the week after Wimbledon, Murray said: “I would imagine we’d try to play that on a grass court possibly.

“I don’t know how many grass courts they have here in Glasgow but if they can lay one, I’d really love to play here again.”

Ward played the final dead rubber against Donald Young but retired after winning the first set to protect a sore knee, as he will fly to Indian Wells with Murray on Monday, so the tie ended in a 3-2 win for Britain. (BBCsport)

23 CJIA XI devour Gafoor’s XI in Pacesetters continue to steamroll Rovin Deokie’s birthday classic opposition guyanatimesGY.com

monday, march 9, 2015

The victorious Cheddi Jagan International Airport XI pose for Guyana Times Sport

A

superb all-round performance by the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s XI was enough to topple Gafoor’s XI in the final of the Rovin Deokie Tapeball Cricket Tournament held at Nirmal Sand Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara on Saturday evening.

CJIA XI won the toss and elected to bat and managed to compile 53 runs in their allotted six overs. Initially, spectators thought that the meagre score would not be enough. Nevertheless, a powerful first over by fast bowler Anil Somwaru and a second by spinner Sunil Sarjoo set the pace for a perfect defence.

The game was firmly in the CJIA XI’s grasp when

two crucial wickets fell in the third over, as Somwaru’s display of outstanding bowling continued. A brilliant fourth over kept the pressure firmly on Gafoor’s XI. At the end of the fourth over, Gafoor’s XI were 16 for two and needed another 38 runs to win from the last two overs. Again, the high-class overhand bowling did it for the CJIA XI. At the end of the sixth over, Gafoor’s XI managed to scrape 30 for four.

The man of the match was unanimously decided upon by the judicators as Anil Somwaru for his brilliant spell of bowling with figures of 3-6 off two overs.

Meanwhile, 14 teams participated in the Flood Light Cricket Competition which bowled off on

Saturday morning and ended in the wee hours of Sunday. The teams came from as far as Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

Several awards were given out, including for the best bowler in the tournament – John (only name given) from Little Diamond, while the best batsman trophy went to Avenash Mohabir of the Hill Foot Cricket Team who scored a blistering 83 from 23 deliveries.

In the veteran match, the winning trophy was handed over to Lalo Ram of the Soesdyke Cricket Team while the best bowling trophy went to Kumar Lall and the best batsman award went to Michael Veersammy who scored 30 in that match.

Pacesetters’ Michael Turner (left) goes for a two-handed put-back off the glass in heavy traffic

N

ational Point guard, Travis Burnett came through in the clutch to lead his Trinity Grid Holding sponsored team to a 62-57 final win over the Victory Valley Royals (VVR) in the Mecca to Mackenzie basketball clash on Friday evening at the Mackenzie hard court in Linden.

With the score locked on 55, Burnett made a crucial steal to before finishing with a lay-up on the other end of the court to give his team the lead for good.

Burnett dropped a game high 17 points while budding division one forward, Michael Turner also scored 17 points as guard, Ruel Ritch had 11 points.

Forwards, Orlan Glasgow top scored for VVR

with 13 points while Dwight Cooper had 10 points, and Harold Adams nine points.

Royals needed shooting guard, Chris Williams to step up big against their long time nemesis, but Williams had a cold night.

Amelia’s Ward Jets won the first game when Plaisance Guardians failed to show up to play them in a rematch of the Road to Mecca II National Basketball Championship round-of-16 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall three weeks ago. Jets received a ‘walk-over’.

Retrieve Raiders, the only Linden team that reached the last four in Georgetown after playing in the final last year, then featured a few guest players from Jets to play

Colts in the second of three games scheduled for the night of rivalry basketball in Linden.

Raiders managed to topple Colts 68-45 with Neil Marks shooting his way to 15 points with Keon Cameron adding 18 points. Guards, Sheldon Noel and Alexander Rose scored eight points apiece for Raiders that Colts had beaten in the national semi-final in Georgetown.

The local basketball community will now shift its attention to this week when Bermuda arrives to play Guyana in a three game series beginning Wednesday night. The series continue Thursday night and culminates Saturday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Greaves’ sportsmanship hands...

The Lindener, who rides for the newly formed Team Evolution, pulled away with a solo effort at Adventure on the return journey to the finish line and was only caught by Greaves during the later stages of the race.

That created the possibility of a sensational sprint finish, but that never materialised, as Greaves opted against that, allowing Hinds to casually cruise past the line at Port Mourant.

It was not the type of finish many at the finish line were hoping for, given Greaves’ sprinting ability, but the Roraima Bikers Club rider was later full of praise for Hinds for making the decisive move all by himself, noting that he deserved the win.

Hinds was clocked at two hours, 38 minutes, 29.44 seconds (02h: 38m: 29.44s), a whopping 21 minutes slower than last year’s winning time set by Greaves.

Greaves missed out on completing a unique weekend double after carting off the spoils in the CIDI main race at the National Park on Saturday, while Team Coco’s Raynauth Jeffrey

battled the heat to finish third.

Robin Persaud took fourth, followed by the ever-improving Hamzah Eastman and 18-year-old

spot, with Andrew Hicks second and Christopher Griffith third. Junior Niles was the top Veteran rider, beating off a spirited challenge from Ian Jackson and

Garbarran third, while hometown girl Marica Dick was the top female rider of the day. Whitney Pierre and Toshawna Doris were second and third respec-

emony, which took place at Jagan’s resting place at Babu Jaan, the top performers were rewarded with trophies, while last year’s overall winner Greaves was

The top performers with executive members of the PPP/C on Sunday at Babu Jaan

Raul Leal in fifth and sixth respectively from a field of 47 riders.

In the Junior category, Raphael Leung took the top

Thuran Harris.

The Mountain Bike race was won by Ozia McUally, with Julio Melville claiming second and Deeraj

tively.

Walter Isaacs, 65, was the oldest rider to complete the race.

At the presentation cer-

presented with a special prize.

Executive members of the People’s Progressive Party, including Sport

from back page

Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, lauded the riders for participating in one of the activities to honour Jagan during the month of March.

Prior to the start of the race, in front of Freedom House at New Amsterdam, General Secretary of the Party, Clement Rohee, had shared similar sentiments, adding that Jagan was one who advocated for persons to get involved in sport and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Sunday’s race was sponsored by BK International for the 18th year in succession.

The third and final leg will take place in Essequibo on March 22. The first stage was held on March 1 in West Demerara.

The races are being coordinated by the Jagan Commemoration Committee, led by Hydar Ally.

Ally took over the post following the death of Chairman Navin Chandarpal last year. A minute of silence was observed in his memory just before the race started.

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

monday, march 9, 2015

WICB PCL 4-day cricket tournament...

Cheddi Jagan memorial cycling, Berbice leg...

Guyana overcome Greaves’ sportsmanship hands Hinds easy win Jamaica to win 5 in a row L eft-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul finished with a tenwicket match haul as Guyana Jaguars continued their imperious march through the WICB PCL with a resounding five-wicket win over Jamaica Franchise here Sunday.

Chasing a moderate 161 for victory, Guyana eased to their target late on the third day of the eighth round fixture, to complete their fifth straight win of the tournament.

Captain Leon Johnson stroked 58, Vishaul Singh, 57 while Chris Barnwell finished on 21 not out.

Permaul had earlier claimed five for 33 as Jamaica, starting the day on 22 for one, were bundled out for 138 at the National Stadium here.

He was supported by legspinner Devendra Bishoo who picked up four for 22 to end with an eight-wicket match haul.

Permaul, overlooked re-

Orville Hinds crosses the finish line ahead of Alanzo Greaves Leon Johnson

Vishaul Singh

cently for the West Indies World Cup squad, finished with match figures of ten for 110.

Not for the first time this season, Jamaica’s batting struggled and only Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood with a top score of 47, and opener John Campbell with 28, showed any enterprise.

They put on 77 for the second wicket to lift Jamaica to 78 for one at one stage but once they were separated, the last nine wickets crashed for 50 runs.

Blackwood’s innings was a breezy one, requiring just 57 balls and including five fours and a six while Campbell struck four fours off 53 balls in 79 minutes at the crease.

Permaul removed both within 11 runs and 15 balls of each other, and along with Bishoo, then decimated the remainder of the Jamaica innings.

In pursuit of their victory target, Guyana slipped to 42 for three after fast bowler Jason Dawes, who finished with three for 24, made two early strikes.

He bowled Assad Fudadin for two with the score on 14, trapped the other opener Rajindra Chandrika lbw for 15 with 32 on the board, before leg-spinner Damion Jacobs claimed veteran lefthander Shiv Chanderpaul cheaply for four.

However, Johnson and Vishaul Singh stroked halfcenturies in a crucial 89-run, fourth wicket stand which put Guyana on the brink of victory.

Johnson hit five fours off 95 balls in 160 minutes at the crease while Vishaul faced 147 deliveries in 158 minutes and counted six fours.

By the time Dawes returned to claim Vishaul to a catch at the wicket at 131 for four, Jaguars already had victory well within their grasp. (CMC)

SCOREBOARD

JAMAICA 1st Innings 258 GUYANA 1st innings 236 JAMAICA 2nd Innings (overnight 22 for one) S Thomas lbw b Barnwell 0 J Campbell c Beaton b Permaul 28 J Blackwood st Bramble b Permaul 47 *+T Lambert lbw b Permaul 18 C Walton c wkp Bramble b Bishoo 8 B King c wkp Bramble b Permaul 0 D Bernard Jr c Johnson b Bishoo 18 D Jacobs c Johnson b Permaul 0 J Dawes c (sub) T Griffith b Bishoo 7 O Brown not out 4 M Mindley c wkp Bramble b Bishoo 4 Extras (lb4) 4 TOTAL (all out, 40.5 overs) 138 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-78, 3-89, 4-98, 5-98, 6-118,

7-119, 8-123, 9-132, 10-138.

Bowling: Beaton 8-1-36-0, Barnwell 5-1-25-1, Permaul 17-4-33-5, Bishoo 6.5-0-224, Deonarine 4-0-18-0.

GUYANA 2nd Innings (target: 161 runs) R Chandrika lbw b Dawes 15 A Fudadin b Dawes 2 *L Johnson c Mindley b Brown 58 S Chanderpaul c Campbell b Jacobs 4 V Singh c wkp Walton b Dawes 57 C Barnwell not out 21 +A Bramble not out 0 Extras (lb6) 6 TOTAL (5 wkts, 55.4 overs) 163 Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-31, 3-42, 4-131, 5-157.

Bowling: Bernard 6-0-190, Dawes 10-2-24-3, Jacobs 12-2-38-1, Brown 19.4-2-541, Lambert 1-0-6-0, Mindley 2-0-8-0, Campbell 5-1-8-0.

Upcoming World Cup matches (with Guyana time) Today: 34th Match, Pool B- India v Ireland, 21:00h Tuesday: 35th Match, Pool A- Scotland v Sri Lanka, 23:30h Wednesday: 36th Match, Pool B- South Africa v UAE, 21:00h

By Avenash Ramzan

O

rville Hinds made the tedious journey from the mining town of Linden to the Ancient County of Berbice a

worthwhile one on Sunday as he emerged champion of the second leg of the Cheddi Jagan memorial road race.

While Hinds rode brilliantly on the 65-mile course from New Amsterdam to

Number 63 Village and back to Port Mourant for the finish, he was aided by the benevolence and sportsmanship of defending champion and sprint ace, Alanzo Greaves. turn to page 23

Phillips, McKenzie, George, Hooper on their way to Carifta

Kenisha Phillips walks away with the girls’ 200 metres win (Treiston Joseph photo)

By Treiston Joseph

O

n the second day of the Carifta Games trials, a number of athletes stated their claim to the national team with exceptional performances at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ground, Camp Ayanganna.

Up and coming sprinter Kenisha Phillips was the star of the day on Sunday, clocking a blistering 200 metres time to qualify for the girls’ under-18 200 metres in 24.6s.

The 13-year-old is one of Guyana’s most talented athletes and left the Running Brave club to top

Carifta representative Avon Samuels who finished second in 25.1s.

Linden’s Compton Caesar continued to underline his rise to superstardom, with a brilliant 200 metres under-18 winning performance of 21.6s.

Cassey George who qualified for the girls’ 1500 metres on Saturday won the girls’ under-18 800 metres in 2:23.5s.

Running Brave’s Matthew Mckenzie also qualified for the games, clocking a blistering 9:36.1s to eclipse the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) mark of 9:40.0s.

Meanwhile, the boys’ un-

der-20 200 metres had a disappointing end when both the top athletes of the race failed to finish.

Jason Yaw cramped out in the preliminaries while Tevin Garraway cramped out in the final to allow Linton Mentis to win it in 21.8s ahead of Kareem Purch, 22.0s and Quacy Clemenson, 22.2s.

Claudrice McKoy was dominant in the girls’ 3000 metres, upsetting Carifta bronze medallist Andrea Foster to win the event in 10:40.6s.

Natricia Hooper also qualified for the triple jump event with a leap of 12.26 to out leap her competitors.

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