Weekend Mirror 28 29 January 2017 by Weekend Mirror

28-29 January, 2017 / Vol. 9 No. 55 / Price: $100

Internet: http: //www.mirrornewsgy.com / e-mail: weekendmirror@gmail.com

GECOM debacle:

PPP will challenge unilateral move by President – Jagdeo P PP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, said the his party will challenge any move by President Granger to appoint a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission outside of the constitutional arrangements which requires the President to choose from a list submitted by the Opposition leader. “If he goes unilaterally, we will have to challenge it,” Jagdeo told a large gathering at a Umana Yana public consultation which was organised to appraised the public

about developments related to the stalled efforts to have a new Chairman of the Elections Commission. The Public forum was addressed by civil society representatives, Mr. Ronald Burchsmith, Attorney-at-Law, and Mr. Nigel Hinds, Financial Analyst. Mr.Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP, Attorney at Law/Former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, also addressed the forum which was chaired by former Tourism Minister, Mansoor Nadir.

The guest speakers, Burchsmith and Hinds concluded that the President must expeditiously address the issues surrounding the appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission and that the position as Chairman is too important to be delayed. Both addressed several of the constitutional issues involved. Nandlall dealt with the several legal matters that are involved. Main Speaker and former president, Bjarrat Jagdeo, highlighted

the fact that even while the constitutional process has not been concluded, the President has publicly stated that he will choose a judge to be the next Chairman. According to Jagdeo, this position is undermining the process since the constitution requires that persons other than judges can benamed as Chairman. He said that the situation has the potential to determine the country’s future in myriad ways if proposed (Turn to page 2)

SEE INSIDE

Jagdeo slams gov’t for trying to intimidate members of the judiciary PAGE 2

Donald Trump: Most Controversial President Ever? PAGE 3

GAWU in the dark about sugar investors PAGE 2

PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, met members of the Party in West Coast, Demerara, to update them on current national political issues. He was accompanied by PPP Ex-Co member, Irfaan Ali and others. Picture shows section of well-attended meeting at Zeeburg.

Cabinet makes decision to go after another PPP/C Parliamentarian PAGE 10

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Jagdeo slams gov’t for GAWU in the dark about sugar investors trying to intimidate

he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), though a stakeholder, is now forced to depend on media reports to be aware that the Government and the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) are engaging more than one foreign investors who have, reportedly, expressed interest in investing in the sugar industry. The current visit and engagements mentioned by the media, we note, is taking place a month after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked with a Trinidadian firm regarding the divestment of the Skeldon Estate. That MoU, as it turned out, was signed December 08, 2016 and its existence was only made known on December 31, 2016 when certain Ministers met with representatives of our Union, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE). On this matter, we believe, there is still

much more than what meets the eye and which, eventually, would come to light. The GAWU as an important stakeholder urges, at this time, that the Government and GuySuCo seek to update all stakeholders regarding the ongoing developments since the meeting of December 31, 2016. We make this call in the firm belief that GuySuCo as well as the Government has a responsibility to the employees of the industry who are threatened with joblessness and an uncertain future. We are also mindful of the stance of President Granger who recently committed to have unanimity and consensus in arriving on the future direction of the sugar industry. In the meantime, our Union awaits the receipt of a number of requested documents and other information it has sought through Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. GAWU also takes this opportunity to reiterate strong belief that the industry can overcome its current travails and have a viable

and sustainable future. Estate closures and sellout are not wise choices and it will hurt workers as well as the economy, an observation made by several organisations and many patriotic and competent Guyanese. Divestment in Jamaica, we wish to point out, has had painful consequences for the people there when some of the investors simply walked away from the industry last year. Moreover, moving along such a path (closure and sellout) is a grave departure from commitments made by the contesting parties during the 2015 National and Regional elections campaign. Several proposals by the Sugar Commission of Inquiry, the Trade Unions and serious-minded persons to turnaround the sugar industry have been made and, we are convinced, deserve the resources and general support of the Government and GuySuCo in the interest of the thousands of sugar workers and the country. (Press Release)

PPP will challenge...

talks between a representative from the Government and Opposition ended in a stalemate and the president unilaterally chooses a chairperson. “Many people have been calling me and they have many opinions. One is the president is getting bad advice from an incompetent Attorney-General and there is another view that the President intends, on this own, given his philosophy and history, to break with democratic tradition and appoint a chairman having paid lip service to the process using

obscure legal arguments…. appoint a chairman that is sympathetic to the PNC that will upset the balance at Gecom and convert Gecom into a tool of the PNC with the aim of rigging elections in the future,” he said “If the first view is true… we were hoping to meet with the president not to have tea or have coffee or discuss a personal issue but to discuss a matter that involved our future. We are not begging for a meeting to go and see Granger and see how beautiful his office is. We believe, if the first view is relevant,

that the meeting would have helped shape his opinion that there is a significant body out there that points to a direction different from what his Attorney-General is advising him on… if he goes unilaterally, we will have to challenge it… We have already been in the public domain on how we want to deal with the matter…,” he added. The issue has its genesis in President Granger’s rejection of a list of six nominees submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after consultations with a number of

members of the judiciary

he current Coalition government came in for blows by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary and Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, today, over its attacks on the local judiciary. Deeming the recent attack on the Chancellor of the judiciary (ag), Carl Singh, as an “unprecedented” move, Jagdeo charged that the motive seems to be to intimidate the judiciary to influence decisions of local courts. Over the last four weeks, headlines in the state-owned Guyana Chronicle screamed ‘Sun setting on Chancellor’s career… concerns raised over whether he will try to prolong stay’ and ‘Chancellor too powerful – AG’, among others. Speaking at a news conference, held at Freedom

(From page 1)

stakeholders. After rejecting the list Granger publicly expressed his preference for a Judge, former Judge or someone qualified to be a Judge though the constitution also mentions any other ‘fit and proper person’. President David Granger has refused to meet with the Opposition Leader and instead proposed a meeting of representatives of the two of them. That meeting has not been held as yet. He has also not responded to numerous calls for him to give reasons for his rejection of the list submitted by Jagdeo.

House today, he pointed to the fact that the new order of the day seems to be that members of the judiciary are subject to campaigns aimed at destroying their credibility if decisions are not made in their favour. “In their warped thinking, they believe that this will

intimidate judges to be compliant,” the PPP General Secretary said. Jagdeo likened the current state of affairs to a manifestation of the days under the People’s National Congress (PNC), which is the majority party of the current Coalition government, when the PNC’s flag was flown at the Court of Appeal, over the national flag – to solidify the paramountcy of the PNC. “There is a growing tendency to go back to the era when the PNC and a particular mindset dominated Guyana…it is this mindset that drove Guyana into the ground…this is the same mindset that set back development by many years…this is very worrying,” Jagdeo declared.

GAWU still to get requested documents on sugar

he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) was surprised and taken aback to learn from an article appearing on news-website Demerara Waves on January 19, 2017 that “the Government is at this stage concerned, that no response has been provided by the Opposition or the Unions…”. Speaking for GAWU, we find such statement to be misleading and not reflective of what is really the current situation and the Government’s spokesperson is being obviously misinformed. At a December 31, 2016 meeting, with the GAWU, the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the Government, among other things, committed to supply all documentation and other relevant information that may be requested by the Unions and

the PPP/C. Such requests we were informed should be addressed to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. To that end, the GAWU, through letters dated January 04, 12 and 16, 2017, wrote to the Minister requesting thirty-one (31) items which included reports and certain information to aid in our urgent analyses and thus allowing us to arrive at positions for presentation to the Government at the next meeting. To date, no information has been received. Our Union is committed to finding workable solutions to safeguard the sugar industry and protect the livelihoods of the thousands who are directly and indirectly dependent on its operations. The data we have sought is crucial for the Union to be in a state of preparedness. It is hoped that this will suffice, for now, to clarify the news which appears on Demerara Waves on January 19, 2017.

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Donald Trump: Most Controversial President Ever?

By Donald Ramotar

onald Trump seems certain to go down in history as one of the most controversial Presidents in the history of the United States. His inauguration on January 20th has not quieted the controversy he has evoked since he won the elections. Indeed, it appears to have escalated. No other President in the history of the United States has been met with such vehemence in the form of nationwide demonstrations and marches at the very beginning of their presidency. That opposition has come because the new President, during the campaign, as President-Elect and now as President, made some strong anti-establishment pronouncements. His constant attacks on the mainstream media pushed them to be extremely aggressive to him. The ‘fighter’ in Trump made him react strongly to them and this has

made the situation more tense. We should not allow these controversies to cloud an objective assessment of what seems good in his positions and what appears to be bad. We can surely find both in him. In his international policies, we can see much that will create difficulties for the world if he implements them. One such position is his attitude to China. China is no pushover. It is the second largest economy in the world and is still amongst the fastest growing countries. Any trade dispute with China will certainly have an impact on the rest of the world. It is possible that the U.S itself can be seriously hurt by such a policy. In this case, it is hoped that the new President will rethink his position. A trade war between with these two economic giants will not benefit anyone. Third World countries will be certainly be negatively affected. His policy towards the agreement that President Obama reached with Iran is also troubling. This is an excellent accord for both countries and for Trump to now change that position could very well push Iran towards re-developing nuclear weapons. If he carries out that threat, he will be creating more tensions in that already troubled part of the world. President Trump would be well advised to stick to the commitments his predecessor made.

Still in the Middle East, his policy on the Israel/Palestinian conflict will greatly heighten tensions in that area. To agree to move the U.S embassy to Jerusalem is a de facto recognition of that city as the capital of Israel. That would be unacceptable to the Palestinians and could lead to another explosion there. Such a move would also be another nail in the coffin of a twoState solution, which can only lead to more conflicts that can spill over to other countries and further complicate the situation in that deeply troubled part of the world. His pronouncement on Cuba is also worrying. The great gains made by President Obama in turning a new page in Cuba/U.S relations could be undone if Trump implements his stated position on Cuba. The aforementioned are just some of the major areas that could be lead to deterioration in the security of our world if President Trump has his way. However, President Trump has positions that can lead to greater stability and security as well. His policy towards Russia is sensible and it is what is required at this time. After all, Russia and the U.S both possess a vast amount of nuclear weapons. They are not only capable of destroying each other, but the entire world. Therefore, good relations between these two countries are extremely important to the promotion of world peace, stability and prosperity. What is of concern, however, is

the opposition Trump is faced with to push him away from having better relations with Russia. The pressure is being heavily applied by the mainstream media, who have substituted the ‘Communist bogey’ for the ‘Russian bogey.’ This is the a reflection of the link between the military industrial complex and the mainstream media. We have seen the intelligence community applying their own pressure, most likely to justify their own massive existence. They have spoken of Russia’s interference in the elections without providing any evidence to the public. Trump was right to point out that they got it wrong when they charged Iraq with having “weapons of mass destruction”. On that basis, the U.S went to war and more than a million persons were killed and one of the most prosperous countries in the Middle East now lies in ruins. We can pinpoint many other similar cases, for example, the “attack” by North Vietnam on the U.S warship in the Gulf of Tonkin. This was also staged by American intelligence and led to a huge war in which hundreds of thousands of lives were lost and massive destruction took place. It is hoped that President Trump will stand up to the massive pressures being placed on him. The other policy that Trump has that can contribute to peace and stability in the world is his position regarding North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). He is right that NATO has

been a drain on the USA’s resources at a time when there are great national demands on his budget. He spoke about building back the infrastructure of the U.S. That would cost billions and/or trillions of dollars. Those monies going to build NATO can be diverted to rebuild America’s infrastructure to meet the needs of the poor in that country. It should be remembered that the Warsaw Pact collapsed almost three decades ago. Therefore, the justification for keeping NATO is extremely weak. After all, Russia has no military bases surrounding the U.S or any of its allies. It has not placed weapons on the borders of any NATO member state, except those that borders her. Her weapons are inside its territory and not in any other country. Russia stated that this was a response to NATO placing weapons on her borders. The talk about a Russian threat is, therefore, highly exaggerated and the demonization of President Putin is unwarranted. President Trump’s attitude to NATO would lead to the lessening of tensions and improve world security. The coming months and year ahead would be very interesting to see how the USA’a politics would develop. However things develop, the Trump presidency is already set to go down as one of the most controversial in the history of the United States.

We have a plan to make sugar viable – Jagdeo

ormer President, Bharrat Jagdeo, has said at a PPP press conference last week that unlike the present government, the PPP/C administration had a plan to make the sugar industry viable. Jagdeo, now also PPP General Secretary, has questioned the basis for decision-making on the sugar industry. He has also highlighted the move by the Granger administration to offer Skeldon Estate for sale while talks are ongoing with the opposition and sugar unions on the future of the industry. How is it that President David Granger has not taken responsibility for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) to give two companies – one company supplying

auto parts in Trinidad and Tobago and another local company repairing vehicles and supplying parts – huge benefits, including the option of a takeover of the Skeldon Sugar factory? He asked A Trinidad and Tobago company, with no experience in the areas of producing bulk rum or the production ethanol, has been engaged by the current Government, via GO-Invest, to look at developing an integrated sugarcane processing facility at the Skeldon Sugar Estate. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked between D. Rampersad and Company Limited (DRCL) and Government on December 8, 2016, for the undertaking of a feasibility study to determine the success of such a venture which

will see it taking over the Skeldon Estate. Noel ‘Rupie’ Shewjattan, the owner of Auto Fashion Store on Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, signed the document as a witness. Noting that Granger has said he is interested in consultations on the way forward for the sugar sector, he said, “We attended the first meeting. A letter was written by the (former PPP) General Secretary (Clement Rohee) and we had asked for more information. A bit of that has come to us, but we are still waiting on the studies that are the basis on which they are making decisions. “If you repudiate the Commission of Inquiry report (on the Guyana Sugar Corporation), which you spent $70M on….a defini-

tive and in depth study, as far as I am concerned that recommended the closure of no estate….on what basis, on what study are you making decisions?” Jagdeo also questioned whether an economic feasibility study has been done on the way forward, as opposed to a financial study. “Have we looked at the social impact, the cost to the country, etc.? We would like to see those documents, so that if they seem reasonable we can participate, but we don’t have any access to those documents.” He made clear that the political Opposition cannot participate fully in discussions on the future of the sugar industry, unless the necessary documents are provided. “We cannot par-

ticipate fully, unless we see the documents and can say here is the approach. We had a programme to make sugar viable,” Jagdeo said, making clear that the Opposition wants to be able to participate fully in the engagements on sugar. Addressing Granger’s expressed concerns about the investments needed in the sugar sector, he underscored the fact that billons are spent

on things like the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) settlement, yet the government laments investing in a major sector like sugar. “There seems to be no technical or economic basis on which the decisions are made, they are all political. And if they are political then we would not have a role to play because those are all preconceived ideas,” Jagdeo declared.

PPP HOTLINE

Our valuable supporters and friends please call our hotline number 225-4279 and give us all important information. Pensioners please inform us about any issues you may have in respect to you getting your well deserved pensions. Further, let us know about the issues you are having in respect to your ID cards. Do not hesitate to speak to our activists and leaders in your communities. Call 225-4279. The PPP will always represent you.

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Grassroots Talk By Jagnarine Somwar

he topical discussions engaging the Grassrooters commenced last week in this column based on the fact that Mr. Granger has rejected the list of six names proposed by the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo for the chairman of GECOM. This column alluded that if President Granger is allowed to unilaterally appoint the Chairman of GECOM, then the worst case scenario would lead to another fraudulent election by the PNC under the fold of the APNU+AFC government. This column went on to describe the fraudulent and rigged Elections of 1973 and 1985 but because of limited column space much of the details as recorded during those dark days were not stated. It is obvious that it would take several columns to complete an analysis of the events

that occurred during those dictatorship years. However, through requests from the Grassrooters, further discussions must continue on the atrocities of the Burnham and Hoyte regimes, which should not be allowed to go unnoticed. This week “Grassroots Talk” would reveal some of the damning occurrences of yesteryear, during those rigged elections period, for the benefit of our young population and as a reminder to all Guyanese on the “military state” that was created to subdue the people and their democratic rights as was embedded in the then Constitution by the PNC government. The Grassrooters pray that history does not repeat itself and urges all Guyanese to guard against the return of those days of dictatorial violence, terror and cruelty. Various methods, including suspected murders and

assassinations, were prevalent in the Burnham government of the 70’s and 80’s. David Hill, popularly known as Rabbi Washington, a fugitive from the United States who fled that country and was given asylum in Guyana by Burnham, expressed his loyalty to the PNC and established a cult under a so-called religious organisation, the “House of Israel”. The cult members were involved in numerous violent acts against political opponents of the PNC regime. Their actions included the violent breaking up of opposition meetings, attacking anti-government demonstrations and working as ‘Black Leg’ or strike breakers whenever workers went on strike for improved wages and better working conditions. In July of 1979, the building housing the Ministry of National Development and

the Office of the General Secretary of the PNC and the GUYSUCO building next to it were destroyed by fire. The Government claimed arson and Dr. Walter Rodney and eight other WPA leaders were arrested and charged for the offence. On the day of the Court hearing, a WPA-organized protest demonstration was mounted outside the court and numerous press photographers were observing and taking pictures. Among them was Father Bernard Darke, a Roman Catholic priest, who also took photos for the weekly Catholic Standard. He was also a teacher at the St Stanislaus College. Fr. Darke had gone to the college that morning and he took some shots of the WPA demonstration outside the Magistrates’ Court and returned to the college. Shortly after, the WPA leaders, after being granted bail, were transported in a police van to the Camp Street prison where the police planned to release them away from the crowds. The WPA demonstrators marched with their pickets along Brickdam behind the van, and as they passed the college, Fr. Darke came out on the street to snap more photographs. Suddenly, as the demonstrators passed the Brickdam Police Station, they were attacked by a group of young men, carrying staves, cutlasses and knives. The assailants were all members of the House of Israel. To escape the brutal attack, the demonstrators ran in all directions with many running into yards opposite the Police Station. As people were attacked by the House of Israel thugs, Fr. Darke took photographs of what was happening. Then three of the gang turned on him and beat him with staves. As he ran towards the street corner, one of them then stabbed him with a bayonet in the back. Mike James, a journalist, and Jomo Yearwood, a bauxite worker, were also seriously wounded in separate attacks. Fr. Darke was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital and was later transferred to the St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital and operated on by two surgeons to repair his damaged lung. However, at around 6:00 p.m. he died. Subsequently, five men, all members of the House of Israel, were convicted in court for carrying dangerous weapons during their attack.

However, they were given barely minimum fines. One of the biggest cover-ups during that period occurred when Vincent Teekah, the Minister of Education, was killed on the night of October 24, 1979. He died of a bullet wound and it was apparent that the shot was fired at very close range. Teekah was in the company of an American dentist, Dr. Oswaldene Walker, who lived in Maryland, USA and worked at Howard University in Washington DC. She was visiting Guyana as the private dentist for Burnham. Around midnight on October 24, she had arrived with the already cold body of Teekah at the St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in his car, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. According to Dr. Walker’s story, two men had attacked them as Teekah was sightseeing with her, and he had been shot while they parked on the East Bank Demerara roadside. After calling for help, she reported that an Indo-Guyanese man had helped her to shift the body over from the driver’s seat and he had accompanied her to the hospital. On Teekah being pronounced dead, she tried unsuccessfully to contact Prime Minister Burnham by phone. She then drove the car with the corpse to the Prime Minister’s residence where she stayed the night. Early the next morning, Dr. Walker was taken to the airport by Shirley Field-Ridley, then wife of Hamilton Green. There she was put on the flight which left for the United States. Dr. Walker was the only known witness to the shooting, but her hasty removal from Guyana meant that she could not be questioned by the police. According to Fr. Andrew Morrison, writing in his book, Justice, “the police should certainly have wanted to know how a shot fired from outside the car could have entered Teekah’s right hip and travelled horizontally across his body and how the body could have been cold on arrival at the hospital if it had been brought there in about fifteen minutes after the shooting.” Fr.Morrison went on to say “Watchmen in the area where the shooting was supposed to have taken place reported that they heard two shots fired in rapid succession at about 11.30 p.m. that night,

that a car had been parked in that area for some time and it started and moved off in great haste after the shots were fired. The hustling out of the country of the only reported witness and the silence of the police, apart from ruling out death by accident, drew widespread charges of yet another deliberate cover-up by the authorities.” The police ruled out accidental death by his own gun since the bullet that killed him was not from his personal pistol which was found on him. It should be noted that Shirley Field-Ridley also died under questionable circumstances. The WPA faced severe pressure from the PNC regime. In November 1979, one of its activists Ohene Koama, was shot dead by the police in South Georgetown then in February 1980, Edward Dublin, another unarmed WPA member, was shot to death by the police in Linden. This persecution against WPA leaders came to a head on the evening of June 13, 1980 when Dr. Rodney was assassinated by a bomb blast, while sitting in his car with his brother Donald, a few blocks from the Georgetown prison. The bomb was planted in a walkie-talkie set given to him by Gregory Smith, a sergeant in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Smith had befriended Dr. Rodney who apparently trusted him. After Dr. Rodney’s assassination, the GDF stoutly denied the existence of any Sergeant Gregory Smith in its ranks, and numerous statements issued by the Ministry of Information suggested that Dr. Rodney died accidentally when a bomb he had in his possession went off prematurely. And some PNC spokespersons, still believing that the explosion occurred near to the prison, even claimed that Rodney was attempting to destroy the prison walls to allow certain prisoners to escape. Meanwhile, Gregory Smith was flown out of Guyana in an army helicopter on June 16, 1980 and several years later he was located by journalist Rickey Singh in French Guiana where he was working with a fishing company. He died a few years ago; hopefully his memoirs would have more intriguing revelations. Such was the nature of the PNC Government; they were merciless to even their own.

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

By Dr. Bheri Sygmond Ramsaran

Getting It Right

WHO Puts World on Watch for Bird Flu after Outbreaks in Several Countries

CHALLENGES IN 2017

The new year began with peaceful protests T More Scandals, Cronyism, Corruption and Confusion in the Coalition G

uyana entered the New Year embroiled in protests and revelations of more scandals and executive lawlessness. The protests are gaining in number and all seem to be large or “mass” in nature. That is to say they attracted considerable numbers of peaceful but agitated citizens. The early January peaceful protests have attracted from 50 to as much as 220 persons. The geographic spread, too, is also of interest - in Region 10 and Region 5. The protests are manifestations of the push back of the poor and powerless against the exploding blunders of the APNU+AFC Administration and its imposition of arbitrary interventions and its disregard for the rule of law. Two major “mass” protests were in full swing last week. Two “protests” stand out - firstly the West Berbice Farmers’ picketing of the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) over its recent increases in land rentals. And secondly, the peaceful gathering of residents from five Communities in the area of the Linden/ Kwakwani Road junction supported by dozens of aggrieved motor vehicle drivers to protest the gross neglect

of the road serving these communities. Noteworthy is the vast difference in geographical locations and backgrounds of the protestors and the natures of their complaints. Note, too, the unresponsiveness of the Authorities. At the same time the emerging scandal surrounding the Government’s secret deal with a Trinidad firm for the possible takeover of the lucrative GUYSUCO Skeldon Sugar Estate is generating more disquiet and concern in wide cross-sections of the population. And as if this was not enough disturbing revelation in the very first few weeks of the New Year, more was to follow in quick fashion. It is now public knowledge that a lawsuit has been filed by Banks (DIH) against the Guyana Revenue Authority, (GRA) for some 28.5 billion worth of consumption taxes and interest which the company says it overpaid to the tax body due to a legal error. The beverage company is claiming the sum as a refund for the period of 2001 to 2007. People Progressive Party/Civic General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, had predicted this eventuality several months ago. The trained

economists had immediately commented comprehensively on the issue when the PNC/ APNU+AFC administration had first revealed that it had given a similar waiver to another local beverage company -- DDL. The General Secretary had stated so many months ago that the APNU/ AFC Government was setting a bad precedent by settling a court matter with DDL. The Opposition Leader opined that the Banks DIH court action now emerging vindicates his stance on the matter. The unfolding controversial, arbitrary and non-transparent City Hall Parking Meter project reinforces this perception of widespread disquiet and concern. The non-consultative and arbitrary approach of the APNU-dominated City Council has in the past few days generated concerns, outrage and protest from yet two more sub-sections of our population - the the Guyana Teachers’ Union and the Association of Disabled Persons. More importantly, this perception is further reinforced by the more recent attempt by APNU+AFC Administration to rig GECOM by undermining Article 161.2 of the Guyana Constitution which speaks to the

election of a Chairman for the Commission. But the latest insult to Guyanese is the move by President Granger to disregard the list of candidates for the post of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission submitted by the Leader of the Opposition as is demanded by the Constitution as a “consensus mechanism”. The fear is that Granger is setting the stage for the unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful selection of a biased Chairman of the Elections Commission as a first step in rigging the 2020 General Elections as in the Burnham period. Wide sections of the populace, even some supportive of the administration, are apprehensive and shudder at the thought of Guyana going back to the dark Burnham days. The clouds of more protest storms are gathering. This will indeed be a stormy year. The two mass protests of the very first weeks of 2017, and the DDL scandal are rollovers from the past year. The mood and mode of disquiet and unease seem to be the emerging feature which will characterize our socio-political environment for 2017.

he World Health Organization (WHO) is on high alert and has called on all countries to closely monitor outbreaks of deadly avian flu in birds and to promptly report any human cases that could signal the start of a pandemic. Several different strains of bird flu have been spreading across Europe and Asia since late last year, resulting in large-scale slaughter of poultry in affected countries and some human deaths in China. According to the WHO, nearly 40 countries have reported new outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry or wild birds since November. “The rapidly expanding geographical distribution of these outbreaks and the number of virus strains currently co-circulating have put WHO on high alert,” said director-general of the UN health agency Dr Margaret Chan at the start of the agency’s 10-day executive meeting in Geneva. According to Dr Chan, the new H5N6 strain causing severe outbreaks in Asia was created by gene-swapping among four different viruses. While the world is better prepared for the next influenza pandemic following the H1N1 pandemic that circled the world in 2009-2010, it is “not at all well (prepared) enough,” she said. Chan noted that there has been a “sudden and steep increase” in human cases of H7N9 since December in China, and the WHO has not been able to rule out limited human-to-human spread in two clusters of human cases although no sustained spread has been detected thus far. China’s delegation, led by Zhang Yang of the National Health and Family

Planning Commission, told the Geneva meeting that China would carry out its obligations on communicating and responding to any outbreaks. “Currently H7N9 overall statistics remains the same,” Zhang said. “China will continue to strengthen its cooperation and exchange with WHO in this regard.” Under the International Health Regulations, a binding legal instrument, WHO’s 194 member states are required to detect and report human cases promptly, Chan said, adding: “We cannot afford to miss the early signals.” Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, was first noted by veterinary scientists in the early-1900s. It is an infectious disease of birds caused by a variant of the standard influenza A virus. Since mid-December 2003, a growing number of countries, starting in southeast Asia, have reported outbreaks of bird flu in chickens and ducks. The virus can spread rapidly through flocks of domestic poultry, and infections in several species of wild birds and in pigs have also been reported. Humans can catch bird flu directly through close contact with live infected birds and those who work with infected chickens are most at risk. The virus is excreted, and people may inhale these germs as dust when the droppings dry out. In humans, symptoms include fever, sore throats and coughing. People can also develop conjunctivitis. It takes three to five days after exposure to develop symptoms. Birds may die without showing any symptoms but typically birds suddenly show swelling about the eyes and ear lobes.

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Local Government and You!

here is a very strong link between occurrences of the past, current and likely future performances, given the behaviors or decisions of those in control of Government and the foundational parameters informing the existing framework. Governance in Guyana, in the near term, will be no different from the observable trends associated with the Burnham PNC era, which measurably, project a close to accurate indicator of things to come. It is also a useful conclusion that social behaviors are conditioned and influenced by public policy, and that the impacting effects on the surface are often difficult to measure by the common citizen, abstract of most significant and contingent factors. acceptable scientific research approaches to these measurements, will pronounce among others; on the relationship of trends, probability and the strength of correlation between occurrences (robustness), and the particulars of forecasted future happenings. The local scenario requires no sophisticated research! The trends reverberating across all communities clearly indicate to the common citizen, that we are swimming against the tides of our constitutional freedoms. We are being pushed off the precipice of achieved heights of a development path

admired globally, back into the dark doldrums of devastation, which characterized the PNC era of Governance. These facts will be highlighted and illustrated using a few of the many recent indicators. Firstly, the short term economic plan for our country from a government level is projected through the National Budgets. It is not coincidental that all three of the budgets produced by the APNU/AFC Coalition to date have reported significant and extremely worrying downturns in the most productive sectors. It is not an anomaly and the admission of the Governments’ move to reverse a working Economic Model, was made in the 2017 budget presentation. Finance Minister Winston Jordon in his presentation stated that other than Gold sector: “The economy felt the drag of dismal output performances in sugar, rice, forestry, and construction, including housing. While detailed analyses of these developments will be presented shortly, suffice it to say at this stage that, as explained by His Excellency President Granger, in a recent Public Interest programme, the current development model can no longer be pursued.”(Section 1.4, Budget 2017) In his feeble attempt to justify the above statement in

the following paragraph, he contradictorily states: “We inherited an economy that was built essentially on the proverbial sand and running on the proverbial fumes. It is an economy which, in spite of positive growth performances, averaging 4.5 percent in the period 2010-2014, remains undiversified and incapable of withstanding even small shocks.” It is a known fact that under the PPP/C Government, Guyana achieved positive growth rates of over 4% annually, over the past 10 years. We were the envy of the region and stood strong to reflect high positive growth, albeit, the 2008-2009 global economic downturn. The fact is that our economy was able to withstand the shocks while most of the Caribbean and other countries globally recorded negative growth levels. Our economy was consistent and we were poised to broaden and fortify the structures towards the achievement of really significant growth levels. Omitting to admit these facts, however, is sinister and may not be of significant consequence to many in the context. What is significant, however, is that the tried and tested approach is being defragmented, as this incompetent government continues to derail the enabling environment pillars supporting the economy. It is sad that instead

of strengthening the tried and tested, the comedy of errors continues to be perpetuated by replacing the approach with a cocoon of burdensome and unsustainable web of taxes. A formula unknown and untried that will render all our industries uncompetitive. Granger wishfully makes shallow unsupported comments and expects things to fall into place. He knows no better and mere talk is cheap! The degradation is clear and it reflects in the sector performances. The situation is akin to making the Guyanese economy an experimental laboratory for working on a new cure, or enslavement, which could only be achieved in a monarchical or dictatorial system. We in Guyana are neither rats or guinea pigs to be experimented upon, nor slaves! Secondly, from the foregoing, control governance under the circumstances mentioned will be vehemently rejected. It, therefore, seems that attempts to repeat the dark rigging days of the PNC are very much on the forecasts for future elections in Guyana. The approach of the APNU/AFC signals are ominous in this respect, if President Granger is unilaterally allowed to select the Chairman of the Guyana Election Commission, without the acceptance of any lists submitted by the Leader of the Opposition.

Moment in History

A concert in progress at the Seawall Bandstand, 1954

Although the general feedback suggests that many citizens have already prepared to demonstrate their strongest objections, it is important that all and sundry consider the most civil approaches to let the government become aware of their intolerance to the unacceptable banter and sinister decisions. Every avenue must be pursued, including updating the international community, because the country must be governable in the long term. It is of note that the former President and Opposition Leader, now General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, the Honourable Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, along with several eminent Guyanese, recently shared a second pro-active consultative session on the issue. The massive crowd which turned up at the PPP’s Public Forum at the Umana Yana, indicates the seriousness and genuine concern of citizens about the selection of the next GECOM Chairman. The Public Forum and the discussions that followed were indeed a revelation. The activity was chaired by veteran member of Parliament Manzoor Nadir, while strong and powerful presentations were made by Mr. Ronald Burch Smith (Attorney-at-Law/ Former President of the Guyana Bar Association), Mr. Nigel Hinds (Financial Analyst), Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall MP, (Attorney at Law/ Former Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General), while the main presenter was Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (PPP General Secretary/Leader of the Opposition/Former President). Dr Jagdeo warned that Guyanese must be aware that this Administration could become “more repressive and return to their old ways” of rigging elections as seen in the matter of the selection of the new GECOM Chairman, which has morphed into a highly controversial issue. Guyanese have expressed serious concerns about our future and the return to Party paramouncy that was practiced by the People’s National Congress in the 1970’s and 1980’s, along with the blatant rigging of elections. We appreciate the fact that although the consultations does not specify a limit option, those being done by the Opposition Leader towards the selection of the six names, embraces cross-cutting relevant representation of more than half the Guyanese population. This is based on the more that than thirty organisations, entities and stakeholders, before coming up with the list of names that he presented to the President. Based on the presentations made at the forum, there

was consensus among all presenters that the Constitution, through Article 161(2) was misinterpreted by the President. The call is for the President to expedite the process and name a Chairman from the list submitted by the Leader of the Opposition for GECOM without any further and undue delay. This is since the appointment of a Chairman for the election body is a critical matter that needs to be addressed urgently. GECOM is presently being managed by a questionable Chief Elections Officer, whose tenure of recent has been plagued by procurement improprieties and other scandalous precedents. The Commission is not meeting to adjudicate on issues and matters in arriving at decisions, thus the Commission cannot approve any Cycle of Continuous Registrations. Further, GECOM has become an embarrassment to the Guyanese public and this nation as a whole. Their administrative staff is inundated with many questionable characters, who were accused of being part of the scandalous misappropriations remained on the job. Those persons should have been immediately removed based on the damning report of the Auditor General. But this Government has no regard for the Auditor General’s Report and continues to have in their employment the questionable characters to further fleece the Election Body. Conclusively, the areas examined shows only part of the APNU/AFC’s sinister and clandestine intent, which is being demonstrated without any meaningful consultation, consideration or candor. But they definitively identify with the retrogressive steps are observable in strongly correlated with the governments’ economic and social policies. In every stream of Government there are concerns of malfunctioning systems and unabated biasness by the dictators. Many are frustrated and discouraged and have become wary of the discriminating actions of the Coalition Government. Even as we experience and reject the hardships imposed on the population and the surreptitious moves by Government to create an imbalance at GECOM, let’s employ a structured approach, which would be sufficiently assertive and serve the better interests of all Guyanese. For the good of all Guyana, we should and MUST prevent any further rigging and ensure equal advantage for all parties concern. (This Column is produced by Neil Kumar along with Mr. S and Mr. A)

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Party News

January 22 2017 Follow Up: Post-Congress meetings and caucuses

By Eddi Rodney

ubsequent to the conclusion of the Cotton Field 31st Congress of the People’s Progressive Party, there have been a number of Freedom House meetings including that of January 7 2017 Central Committee inaugural that facilitated the elections for General Secretary, Executive Committee and Secretariat

visible in various Sub-regions wherever picketing demonstrations and workers protests were occurring over a period of the entire 2016. This was particularly the experience along the West Demerara (the Wales Estate closure decision of the APNU-AFC administration). Region Four (East Bank/ East Coast

Horse Race event scheduled for No 79 Village, Corentyne. This is an expensive labour intensive and complex undertaking that involves challenging engagements with Georgetown based authorities and bureaucracy (eg. Permit/licence from the Environment Protection Agency or EPA as well as arrangements with the Berbice Division of the Guyana Police Force who provide a detachment of police officers as a paid for service security). Due to circumstances beyond the control of the Organisers this event could not be sponsored as envisaged to attract several thousands of Berbicians. It was called off Visits and Interactions with Senior Party Personnel Another incident that involved party responses was the Magistrate court appearances of Dr Bheri Ramsaran at the Whim jurisdiction. That episode practically was a consequence of a planned provocation on the part

The Central Committee held its first meeting

The first meeting of the Central Committee Members elected at the 31st Congress took place on Saturday, January 7th, 2017 at Freedom House, Georgetown At the meeting, elections were held for the General Secretary, Executive Committee and Secretariat Members. Cde. Bharrat Jagdeo was elected as the Party new General Secretary with Cde. Zulfizar Mustapha re-elected as the Executive Secretary. Other Secretaries elected were: Public Relations- Cde. Anil Nandlall, Finance Secretary- Cde. Irfaan Ali, Education Secretary - Cde. Hydar Ally, International Affairs - Cde. Bheri Ramsaran, Membership Secretary - Cde. Shyam Nokta, Mass Organization - Cde. Gail Teixeria, Organizing Secretary - Cde. Ricky Ramraj and Trade Union Secretary - Cde. Nigel Dharamlall. Pre-Congress Mobilization-the Binary and Thematic

It is worth some considerable reflection and observation to note that the 31sr Congress took place in the kind of political conditions where Party Activists were quite

Demerara (protests over the blatant irregularities of Gecom), as well as in the twin Berbice sub-regions (Sugar workers industrial action as well as picketing of Gecom branch offices). The continuing armed violent crime wave in several parts of the country especially in vulnerable rural or township locations, also served to place many local party groups on virtual red alert The result of these trends was that Congress preparations ensued on the tracks of the traditional District/ Regional Raffle and Barbecue Fun Day affairs. In fact the Fun Day aspect may well have been reset to coincide with a planned

of a local rights activist who was a subject to Dr Ramsaran’s admonition. In fact there were at least two picketing exercises carried out in support/ solidarity with Dr Ramsaran as the matter was heard before a local judicial official. East Berbice in particular has also witnessed a number of Reach Out type of community interactions where senior Party officers have been visible. One day visits have additionally been organized where former General Secretary Clement Rohee has been on hand to engage at the political level. Accabre Education Courses

The PPP, has over the months since

the 2015 general and regional elections, mobilized on a broad front and based on the 2015 Manifesto, or, more correctly recommendations. To empower the present cluster of groups Accabre Education courses have been sponsored directly through the Secretariat’s Education Secretary Hydar Ally and others (Essequibo and Berbice). During the course of 2016 one group of students completed the topics assigned and were presented with Certificates. It should be recognized that internal to this Sub-region there has historically been a robust stream of political supporters, mainly of younger aged citizens as well as the Progressive Youth Organisation becoming card carrying PPP members Work Programme and Group Flexibility

All Party groups (Article 13) must be ‘referrals’ of District. No group has the right to dictate to another. Based on July 2005 renovated Constitutional Clauses approved at the 28th Anna Regina Congress, Article 13 highlights two issues. These are as follows: i. The basic group unit to be drawn from members of the Party in a place of residence, work or study in the District. ii. Each Group’s formation shall be subject to the approval or ratification of the Central Committee. What actually has tended to be the experience is the residential formula or criteria qualifying the establishment of a group. Group creation on the other hand and in certain Neighbourhoods where, for example there are large housing schemes poses a different community dilemma in terms of the traditional village, or “ ribbon settlement”, or ward, or PCU, or Neighborhood as the case might (well) be (come). East Bank Demerara, West Coast Demerara as well as the hinterland locations of Barima/Waini and the Rupununi not to overlook the Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice riverains, have special demographic characteristics of a socio economic as well as ethnic kind that must be resolved from the inception of a new basic unit or Group. It would seem therefore that the authority of the Regional Secretariat is critical.

Govt continues to disrespect elected local bodies

he Peoples’ Progressive Party’s (PPP) Head Office, late yesterday afternoon, January 19th, 2017, was contacted by a number of Regional Chairmen and Mayors expressing their disapproval in attending a Government of Guyana activity hosted by the Ministry of Communities to launch the inaugural meeting of the National Regional Development Consultative Committee (NRDCC) on January 20, 2017 at the Marriot Hotel, Kingston. Among invitees to the inaugural NRDCC are Regional Chairmen, Regional Vice Chairmen,

Mayors and Deputy Mayors. Of interest is that the Regional Chairmen and the Regional Vice Chairmen of the seven (7) Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) won by the PPP/C at the 2015 General and Regional elections, and the Mayors and Deputy Mayors of the three (3) Municipalities also won by the PPPC at the 2016 Local Government Elections, were given very short notice and were not given details regarding the meeting prior to travelling. Further, they were also asked to fund their own travelling costs.

The PPP notes with interest that there was no prior consultation with the Parliamentary Opposition or with the invited Local Authorities (Regions and Municipalities) on the inauguration of a NRDCC and the establishment of ten (10) Regional Development Consultative Committees (RDCCs). The latter would be co-chaired by the Regional Chairman and Mayor for each Administrative Region. Also of interest is that the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) which were also overwhelmingly won by

the PPP at the 2016 Local Government Elections have been excluded in the NRDCC and the ten (10) RDCCs. As a result, the seven (7) Regional Chairmen and Vice Chairmen and three Mayors and Deputy Mayors of the Municipalities have written to the Minister electronically and by hand informing him that they will not be attending the inauguration of the NRDCC on January 20, 2017 due to lack of prior consultation. These elected Regional and Municipal leaders also stated that they will not endorse attempts to create any

body which will impinge on or dilute the Constitutional and legal power and authority of these elected Councils. They are, however, prepared to meet the Minister to discuss the proposed NRDCC at a properly arranged meeting with adequate notice with in-depth consultations in each of their Administrative Regions with the RDC, the Municipalities and the NDCs. (PPP Statement). Of note on the programme is the introduction of Regional Flags and Symbols. These Regional Councils have opposed this and believe the

event in question appears to be one contrived to impose these on the Regions. The PPP concludes that this is yet another example of the government’s unwillingness to hold proper and meaningful consultations with the elected bodies at the Regional, Municipal and NDC levels. The government’s consistency in their attempts to control in all ways possible can only now be described as utter disdain and disrespect for these elected bodies which are controlled overwhelmingly by the PPP/C.

EDITORIAL

Lack of sincerity

he government of the day seems hell-bent on creating occasions for political tensions and confrontation in the society on an everyday basis. It is not without reason, therefore, that to most Guyanese the government is regarded as confused, dis-organized and without any clear direction. Further, there is an inherent lack of sincerity and decency in dealing with government business. It is as if the rulers believe that the country is their property and they can do what they like and the masses will have to take it or leave it. Recent and past practices have confirmed this though the APNU/AFC coalition has been in government for almost two years. A few weeks ago the government invited the political opposition and trade unions to discuss the future of the industry. Such a meeting was demanded by all stake-holders in the industry ever since the government revealed its intentions reduce the scale of the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation or get rid of it altogether. At the time, the government kept it a secret that it was negotiating with local and overseas businesses to take over parts or all of the industry. The Opposition, the Unions, the workers and the Guyanese people were not aware that this was a policy of the government. How is it possible to have meaningful consultation on such an important matter when the government is not sincere in its dealings with the opposition or with the society at large? And this is in the context that both the Opposition and the sugar unions have expressed objections to the closure of the industry and have put forward what they consider to be workable solutions to revitalize the industry. This is tantamount to a willful sabotage of the consultation since the actions of the government show that the government is already set on a course to destroy the industry. This is a sure basis for protracted confrontation. The feeling of skepticism about government’s intentions is similarly evident in the handling of the selections of a chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission. The President has rejected the list from the Opposition Leader and has asked for another list. He has not, despite many requests, publicly stated his reasons for rejecting the list. He has refused to accept a request from the Opposition Leader to sit face to face and discuss the matter and arrive at an acceptable position in the interest of the nation. He has since delegated the task to his Attorney General to talk with the opposition. Yet, the President has made it public that he will be selecting a judge or someone qualified to be a judge to the next chairman of the Elections Commission. This is definitely a recipe for disaster since the President must know that the opposition and most other segments of the population have a different view from that of the government. The Opposition Leader cannot send another list until many issues are clarified and in any case the President is actually forcing him to craft a list in keeping the President’s own understanding of the constitution. All of this point to bad faith by the government in doing business with the rest of the population. The government is set to rule by command and is insensitive to the norms of a democratic culture.

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

We must demand full disclosure of the government’s foreign policy Dear Editor,

t should have dawned on foreign policy watchers by now that there are some common characteristics between the political and ideological praxis of the Trump administration and the Granger administration in so far as foreign policy is concerned. Take for example, the patently nationalistic and inward focus of both governments. In so far as the Granger administration is concerned, this is manifested in the views expressed by both the President and his Foreign Minister in respect of the controversy with Venezuela. Further, in the promotion of its foreign policy beyond Venezuela and Suriname, the Granger administration has demonstrated a lukewarm predisposition towards a host of critical global issues affecting developing countries. The APNU+AFC government is not known to be actively fighting at the level of the G77; or the Non-Aligned Movement; or at ECOSOC; or in the context of South-South cooperation to advance, in cooperation and collaboration with like-minded developing countries, the common interests and goals to rebalance international trade as a tool for human development, in bridging the prosperity-poverty divide. It is not addressing the ramifications of the worst financial and economic crisis yet affecting small economies, reforming the international financial system and further democratizing the multilateral financial institutions. Similarly, they are not known to be pressing the international donor community to meet their longstanding commitment to allocate 0.7 per cent of donors’ gross national income as assistance to developing countries, and to improve the quality and effectiveness of aid. If these conclusions are not true, then the government must produce the evidence to prove otherwise, so that we Guyanese could know how our tax dollars are being spent through our missions overseas in pursuit of our

country’s foreign policy, and whether that foreign policy is indeed a reflection of our country’s domestic policy which many of us have serious doubts about or disagree with partially or totally. Incidentally, it was loudly proclaimed soon after assuming office, that the priority of the Granger administration via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be “economic diplomacy.” It would be useful if government, after almost nineteen months in office, could provide an inventory of concrete achievements in pursuit of this goal. Another example of diplomatic insularity would suffice. It was passing strange that neither the Government of Guyana nor the ruling coalition ever took a public position in respect of the deposing of President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, nor the move by a group of South American countries to deprive Venezuela of the chairmanship of the Pro-tempore Secretariat of Unasur. In the case of President Rousseff, there should have been some expression of solidarity in light of the principled stand Brazil has always adopted in respect of our borders being fixed centuries ago. And the Venezuela-UNASUR controversy should have been addressed as a matter of principle. But alas, this was not to be in either of the two cases. At least the citizenry are not aware of the stand adopted by their government. The escape routes adopted by the Granger administration vis-à-vis climate change, environmental degradation and a green economy, which incidentally, approximates to the stand taken by the industrialized states in respect to greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrate the weak, accommodating and collaborative predisposition of the Granger administration to act in consort with countries whose foreign policy does not coincide with Guyana’s interests in these matters. In this regard, the Government of Guyana now seems to be in cahoots with countries whose permanent interests

are diametrically opposed to those of developing, small economies, of which Guyana is one. The dismissive attitude of the Granger administration towards the call for a New Global Human Order, which remains quite relevant notwithstanding the meaningless efforts and indifferent attitude adopted by some, in and out of government, who view this call as ‘outdated’, simply because it is associated with Cheddi Jagan and the PPP, is a case in point. Once again, the so-called fresh approach is resorted to as the get out of jail card, to deny a call which more than one hundred and fifty countries at the United Nations support. These are just a few examples of the nationalistic and insular approach by government that raises more questions than answers in respect to its foreign policy praxis. There is, however, a certain familiarity with past practice, and that is, the Granger administration, from all indications, seems to be pursuing a foreign policy reminiscent of the 19641970 Burnham era. In matters of foreign policy, citizens must never give their government the benefit of the doubt; such a national dereliction of duty to can prove harmful to the economic and financial interests of a nation state. It does not matter whether you are a supporter of the APNU+AFC or the PPP/C, our country’s foreign policy is inextricably bound up with, and is in fact a reflection of, government’s domestic policies. If we are not supportive of and disagree with government’s current domestic policies then we must of necessity demand full disclosure and accountability of the Granger administration’s foreign policy. CLEMENT ROHEE, FMR PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY GENERAL SECRETARY

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Excess Pregnancy Weight, Overweight Kids? (HealthDay News) -- Kids whose moms were overweight during pregnancy have increased odds of being overweight themselves -- but the connection may be largely genetic, a new study suggests. The implication, researchers said, is that overweight women are unlikely to influence their kids’ future weight by shedding pounds before pregnancy. But they also stressed that more research is needed to confirm their findings. And no one is suggesting that a woman’s weight before and during pregnancy is unimportant. There are plenty of reasons to go into pregnancy at the healthiest weight possible, said Rebecca Richmond, the lead researcher

is not “deterministic,” and bigger newborns are not necessarily going to become bigger kids. Richmond and her colleagues focused on over 6,000 mother-child pairs who were taking part in two long-term health studies. The kids’ body mass index (BMI) was recorded throughout childhood and adolescence. BMI is a measure that roughly estimates body fat, using weight and height, and in children, age and sex. In general, the higher someone’s BMI, the more body fat they have. The researchers found there was a correlation between moms’ pre-pregnancy BMI and kids’ BMI across the age span. But it seemed to be mostly explained by genes.

herit” behaviors such as eating habits from their parents. Dolan agreed that there are already “compelling reasons” for women to head into pregnancy at the healthiest weight possible. And those reasons go beyond curbing the risk of pregnancy complications. In the long run, Dolan said, excess weight can raise a woman’s risk of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Pregnancy may only compound the issue if a woman gains too much weight -- those pounds can be tough to shed after giving birth, Dolan noted. That’s why, she said, it’s important to try to follow guidelines on weight gain Doctor’s Note: The advice given by the Mirror Doctor is issued free of charge to all readers and contributors to the column. All letters are answered with the exception of those with illegible handwriting.

during pregnancy. According to the Institute of Medicine, overweight and obese women should put on fewer pounds during pregnancy, compared with normal-weight and underweight women. Obese women should gain around 11 to 20 pounds during pregnancy, says the IOM -- an expert panel that advises the U.S. federal government. Overweight women can gain a bit more, but no more than 25 pounds. Another important point, Dolan said, is that genes are not destiny: Even if kids inherit genetic variants that raise the odds of obesity, that can still be countered with a healthy diet and regular exercise, she said.

Mirror

Dear Doctor, How do I know if I have colon cancer? Marlon Dear Marlon, The only way to definitively know if you have colon cancer is to be evaluated for it. There are many different ways of screening for colon cancer. Colonoscopy is considered the standard because it not only can detect cancer and precancerous polyps, it can also serve as a way to biopsy the abnormal tissue for diagnosis. In some cases, the doctor can completely remove the polyps before they become cancer. You should have a discussion with your physician to see if and when you

Readers wishing to ask questions, which will be kept in full confidence, can write to: Mirror Doctor, PO Box 101088, Georgetown or 8 Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

should undergo a colonoscopy. Oftentimes, colon cancer or precancerous polyps do not produce any symptoms. In other words, there is nothing that suggests they are there. That is one of the reasons colonoscopy is so important as a screening tool. Sometimes, patients will have symptoms that could be caused by colon cancer, such as a change in bowel habits (for example, new onset of constipation or need to strain, diarrhea, and/or thinning of the caliber of stools), crampy abdominal pain, or bleeding from the anus with or without bowel movements. These symptoms should be evaluated by a physician who can determine if you need a colonoscopy.

Dear Doctor, Is there an increased risk of migraine for women who choose to take estrogen for menopausal symptoms? Sunina Dear Sunina, Yes, possibly. Women with a history of migraine who take estrogen (i.e. birth control pills or hormone therapy) may experience a worsening of their migraine. Headache can be one of the more common side effects from estrogen containing medications.

In the running for AFC leader, Nagamootoo takes aim at APNU colleague A on the study. A high body mass index (BMI) raises the risk of pregnancy complications such pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, explained Richmond, a senior research associate at the University of Bristol in England. Plus, she said, those extra pounds boost the odds of having an abnormally large newborn -- another risk factor for complications. The new study, being published online Jan. 24 in PLOS Medicine, tried to address a question raised by past research: Do pregnancy pounds, in and of themselves, affect a child’s weight in the long run? Pregnancy weight does affect birth size, Richmond said. But, she added, birth weight

Using blood samples from mothers and their children, the researchers gave each pair a “genetic risk score.” That was based on 32 gene variants that have been strongly linked to BMI in past studies. In the end, Richmond’s team found, the genetic risk score largely accounted for the higher BMI among kids of overweight moms. However, the findings shouldn’t be considered the final word, said Dr. Siobhan Dolan, an obstetrician-gynecologist and medical advisor to the nonprofit March of Dimes. “Disentangling what’s genetic and what’s environmental is challenging,” said Dolan, who wasn’t involved in the study. For example, she said, kids can also “in-

day after it was made public that he would be challenging the incumbent Alliance For Change (AFC) leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, for the post, Moses Nagamootoo, has come out swinging against his A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) colleague and Attorney General, Basil Williams. Nagamootoo, who is acting President, addressed the opening of the Annual Police Officers’ Conference today and blasted Williams for the attacks on the judiciary. “Our government does not encourage attacks on the legislature and the judiciary. It is not government’s policy or decision to besmirch the character of any judicial officer,” he said. Nagamootoo added that Williams’ actions are not condoned by the Coalition Government. “Our government would not

condone attempts, however well-meaning or veiled, to impugn the integrity of judicial officers,” he said. Meanwhile, at a news conference held yesterday, Williams dismissed criticisms that he has been interfering in matters of the Judiciary. However, he repeated his charges, saying that Chancellor Carl Singh is sitting on handpicked cases at the Court of Appeal. “That couldn’t be well for the administration of justice,” Williams said. Nagamootoo also took a swing at the state-owned Guyana Chronicle, for his he is responsible, on the same matter. Over the last four weeks, headlines in Guyana Chronicle screamed ‘Sun setting on Chancellor’s career…concerns raised over whether he will try to prolong stay’ and ‘Chancellor too powerful – AG’, among others.

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

GECOM’s Chairman talks in limbo

he proposed consultation between the representatives of the government and the opposition on a way forward on the appointment of a Chairman of the Elections Commission is in limbo. Up to press time the Attorney General, Basil Williams, the government’s representative, has not named a date, time or venue for the meeting. Opposition Leader,

Bharrat Jagdeo, named his representative, former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, more than a week ago. Nandlall had written Williams on January 22, requesting a date for the meeting and has received no response. President David Granger has publicly stated that he wanted an early resolution of the matter. These latest develop-

ments were captured in a statement issued by Nandlall last week. The statement reads: The President’s letter to the Leader of the Opposition, proposing a meeting between a nominee of the Leader of the Opposition and the Attorney General, was received at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition after 4pm on Thursday the 19th of January, 2017.

The Leader of the Opposition responded on Friday the 20th of January, 2017, accepting the said proposal and informed the President that the Attorney General will be contacted. On Monday the 22nd of January, 2017, I wrote to the Attorney General requesting a date, time and venue of this proposed meeting. I said in that letter, “…if I may express a preference, I would

prefer to meet on a date beyond the 25th of January 2017.” In expressing this preference I took into account that Tuesday the 24th of January 2017, the Attorney General would more likely than not be engaged at Cabinet and I knew that Wednesday the 25th of January 2017, would be the funeral of my Colleague, Priya Manickchand’s mother. In the circumstances,

it ought to be clear that I merely proposed a date beyond the 25th of January 2017. The Attorney General was always at liberty to reject my proposal and fix the meeting to a date and time convenient to his schedule and itinerary. Needless to say, I remain ready, willing and able to meet at any time. I am enclosing a copy of my letter to the Attorney General.

Cabinet makes decision Not a dime for Banks DIH to go after another PPP/C – says Govt A Parliamentarian

abinet at its January 24 meeting decided to have the police investigate a $100M loan the Guyana Rice Producers Association’s (RPA), which was used to pay rice farmers. RPA Head, Dharamkumar Seeraj, is also a People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarian. The Final Report of the Forensic Audit on the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) was handed over to Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud at his office yesterday, in the presence of Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Assistant Commissioner Sydney James. The report was handed over by Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma. The audit was done by the firm, Nigel Hinds and Associates. The loan agreement featured the signatures of former Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and was reportedly approved by former GRDB General Manager Jagnarine Singh. Ramsammy in explaining the matter in the past, had said, “The fact is that we did provide a sum of $100M to pay farmers from Region 3 who were not paid for the paddy sold in the first crop of 2014. The payments were made after farmers directly and through the RPA made representation for relief after Quality Rice Co-op failed to pay the farmers for paddy which they procured from the farmers. “Quality Co-op procured an amount of paddy totaling more than $220M. Some of the farmers were shareholders of the Co-op, but others were rice farmers from Region 3 who sold their paddy to the Co-op. We decided we will pay those farmers who were not members of the Co-op.

“The RPA was engaged by the GRDB and the Ministry of Agriculture to facilitate the payment, since we wanted to ensure that Quality Co-op did not use the resources to pay the members themselves.” Meanwhile, Seeraj has addressed the matter several times in the National Assembly, in response to comments made by members in the Government benches. The head of the RPA, in prior comments, had said that the RPA had provided the GRDB with the list of farmers who were paid using the $100M. Seeraj stressed that at the time farmers were not paid and litigation was pending between the co-op and the Ruimzeight Rice Mill which was hired by the former to mill the paddy for export to Venezuela. Seeraj said that he wanted to get farmers paid quickly because once the issue moved to the courts farmers would be left in the lurch. He explained that the coop was given a preliminary 4,000-tonne quota that was to be sold under the PetroCaribe Venezuelan Rice Agreement and at the time a tonne of paddy’s world market price was about US$500.

Seeraj made clear that the RPA was just used to facilitate the transfer of money to farmers but that the co-op and its members which include the proprietor of the rice mill, Turhane Doerga, were well aware that they would be responsible for paying back the funds. Notably, the audit into GRDB was ordered by the government since June of 2015. Over the last few weeks, Seeraj and the RPA has been at the forefront of protests against what has been deemed the “draconian” increased forced on farmers by the current Coalition Government, via the Mahaica, Mahaicony Abary Agriculture Development Authority (MMA/ADA). RPA Head and PPP/C MP, Dharamkumar Seeraj, addressing farmers during a protest outside the MMA/ ADA Region 5 office The Cabinet decision also comes days before Seeraj and other stakeholders are set to meet with the MMA/ ADA Board of Directors, tomorrow (Friday, January 27) on the matter. The RPA has called for the land rental fees remain the same, until there are broad based consultations with farmers in the MMA area.

ttorney General Basil Williams declared Banks DIH Limited will be fighting a lost cause against the country’s tax authority, guaranteed that all efforts will be exhausted to ensure not a dime comes out of the national treasury to refund the beverage giant, which has filed a $28B lawsuit against the GRA to be given the same tax treatment as its competitor DDL. Williams at a press conference on Wednesday contended that the time has passed for the beverage company to take any actions against the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), even in light of the extravagant tax write-off granted to the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) last year. “You must always remember in tax matters, there is a statutory limitation, you can’t sit on your rights and hope that the cost keeps increasing and then you come 10 years later. You have three months within which you must bring an action,” the Attorney General asserted. Moreover, Williams argued that he was wrongly named co-defendant in the matter because the settlement of tax cases falls outside of his jurisdiction. “The GRA is an independent institution and not a Government department so the Attorney General whose remit is to represent the Government departments and the aspects of Government sectors, Ministries, etc, would not come under that,” he explained. Nonetheless, given that the legal proceedings filed by Banks DIH could result in a significant depletion in the Treasury’s balance, the Attorney General said he would lend his assistance to ensure the GRA wins the case. “I will give all and every assistance that is necessary in protecting the

Government’s coffers, the taxpayers’ coffers,” he stated. GRA’s take

Meanwhile, the Guyana Revenue Authority in a statement late Wednesday evening stated that Commissioner- General Godfrey Statia has indicated that the tax body was served with a Writ of Summons dated December 16, 2016, by Banks DIH Ltd. The statement added that the beverage company is seeking declarations that Consumption Tax paid for periods 2001 to 2006 were paid under a mistake of law. Alternatively the Company seeks an Order for repayment by the Government of Guyana of the said taxes. To date the Company has not filed its Statement of Claim in the matter, the GRA said. According to the revenue authority it will respect the Court’s jurisdiction by not litigating issues of law in the public domain. Lawsuit

Banks DIH on December 16, 2016, filed legal proceedings against the Attorney General and the GRA, claiming over $28 billion in repayments in light of the $3.8 billion tax write-off granted to its competitor, the DDL. DIH paid some $12.8 billion in taxes over the period 2001 to 2006. But in light of the DDL tax write-off last year, the beverage giant calculated that it should have only paid some $3 billion. The company argued that the Government would be “unjustly enriched” if it retained the approximately $9 billion (the difference between the paid amount in taxes and the net figure Banks DIH estimated it should have paid). In this regard, Banks DIH claims that it is entitled to some $9 billion plus 10 per cent interest compounded over the period 2001 to

2006 resulting in a total of some $28 billion after taking into account the settlement figure payable by DDL of $1.5 billion. In 2002, a legal challenge was launched by DDL against the GRA over its assessment by the Commissioner General of consumption taxes owed by that company in a sum exceeding $1 billion, for the period January 2001 to September 2002. It was eventually quashed by the High Court on February 1, 2005. The GRA appealed that decision in the Court of Appeal. On July 31, 2008, the Court of Appeal dismissed this appeal on the ground that the Commissioner General had used a wrong formula for the calculation of the consumption taxes. The Court prescribed a formula to be used. In 2009, the Commissioner General, utilising the court-recommended formula, assessed DDL’s consumption tax liabilities for the period 2001-2007 (since after 2007 Consumption Tax was abolished with the introduction of Value Added Tax). The newly assessed liability of DDL for that period was some $5.3 billion. Again, DDL filed legal proceedings challenging this assessment. According to the records, the GRA then retained an external Senior Counsel and was steadfastly defending this challenge when the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition assumed office. Instead of continuing to defend Government’s case against DDL, the beverage company was granted a $3.8 billion tax write-off, having only to pay $1.5 billion. Therefore, after about 15 years of litigation, with DDL having the use of several billion dollars of State funds, interest-free, the APNU/AFC Government settled for $1.5 billion.

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Bandits beat, rob Chinese national during brazen supermarket robbery

our men pretending to be customers tied up and robbed the proprietor of the Chinese owned Convenience supermarket at South Ruimveldt, Georgetown on Wednesday morning. The men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, entered the supermarket at about 09:35h, locked its doors and held the proprietor and cashier at gunpoint as they demanded cash. The Chinese national proprietor handed over a small amount of cash that he acquired from the morning’s sales but the men demanded more. Reports indicated that

the unsatisfied bandits took the proprietor to the upper flat of the building and threatened to shoot him if he did not hand over more money. He was gun butted and beaten about the body as the bandits made their demands. The man then handed over almost $1 million more in cash after which the men made good their escape. Police ranks later took statements from the employees and a few customers who were in the supermarket at the time of the incident. According to reports, one man recalled that he stopped at the supermarket to purchase an item but re-

alised the door was locked. This, he stated, was abnormal, noting that since the supermarket opened about a month ago, it always opens on time. Nevertheless, the man said he saw movements but at that time, he did not know that a robbery was in progress. It was after the men rushed out of the doors, he realised what was happening. Soon after, an employee ran out of the building and raised an alarm. The Police are reviewing the surveillance footage that was taken from the supermarket. No arrests were made.

Suspect in murder of Guyanese man nabbed in T&T A fter nine months on the run, the suspect in the murder of Guyanese national, Khemraj Persaud, is now in police custody. The Trinidadian national was arrested as he pulled into a service station at Duncan Village, San Fernando, on Monday night. He was held by head of Anti-Crime Operations, Inspector Don Gajadhar, who had him under surveillance as he awaited the arrival of back up from the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) and Homicide Region Three. According to reports, around 7 pm on Monday, Gajadhar spotted the suspect who, lived in the area and was believed to have fled to Venezuela after the murder. He was seen exiting a heavily tinted vehicle and entering a supermarket in Duncan Village. Gajadhar kept him under surveillance as he called for back up. However, before help could arrive, the man exited and drove off. The officer continued to follow the man as he pulled into the service station, a safe distance behind him. As the suspect waited by

an avid cricketer and represented many local cricket teams in the eight years he spent in Trinidad According to a police report, the suspect, while visiting a relative in the apartment building where Persaud and Boodhoo lived, reportedly urinated on a washing machine the men used. An argument ensued when Boodhoo, who witnessed the act, chastised the suspect. Persaud who was inside the apartment came out and tried to quell the disturbance. KILLED: Khemraj Persaud However, the suspect went to his parked the pump to fill his tank, the RRU arrived and together vehicle, took out a gun and with Gajadhar, apprehended opened fire, hitting both men. the man. Persaud was shot twice He was arrested and in the head and died on the handed over to Sgt Ramjag spot. Boodhoo was shot in of the Homicide Division. the chest. Persaud, 30, was shot to Persaud’s body was death at Duncan Village, La flown back to his Berbice Romaine, on April 25. His home for burial, ten days affriend, Guyanese Sean Boodhoo, with whom he shared ter he was murdered. Generan apartment, was also shot, ous Trinidadians responded overwhelmingly to an appeal but survived. The two men were em- from his fellow Guyanese ployed in construction work national and friend Kumar in T&T. Persaud was also Shivpersaud, who said Persaud’s family was very poor.

Drama in Tucville as horse thief evades arrest

A The Chinese owned Convenience Supermarket at South Ruimveldt

Two persons arrested in connection with Crane Housing Scheme robbery

olice are investigating a robbery under arms committed on Hanson Forde, 24 years, an excavator operator, and his mother Dawn Martin, 40 years, a housewife, both of Crane Housing Scheme, WCD at about 20:20 hrs Wednesday evening. According to a police statement, four identifiable men, two of whom were

armed with handguns, robbed the duo of several pieces of gold jewellery, two ounces of raw gold, two cellular phones and G$60,000.00 cash. Enquiries disclosed that the victims were in the bottom flat of their two-storey home conversing, when the suspects pounced on them through an eastern door

which was left opened. One of the armed men, then discharged two rounds towards the ceiling, after which they relieved them of the items mentioned and fled. Two suspects, both 19 years old, have been taken into custody and are assisting with the investigation. Two (2) .32 spent shells were retrieved at the scene.

horse thief managed to evade arrest after Police gave chase in Tucville, Greater Georgetown, with a horse he had stolen some two weeks ago from a Better Hope, East Coast Demerara man. According to a friend of the horse’s owner, he was in the Tucville area around 11:30hrs on Tuesday when he saw a man riding the stolen horse. He immediately alerted a Police mobile patrol passing at the same time. However, when the suspect observed the Police, he attempted to escape with the horse, colliding with a pedestrian and cyclists in the process. This collision resulted in an elderly man suffering injuries to his head and damage

to the rear wheel of the cycle. The man then dismounted the horse and made good his escape by scaling a nearby fence, and plunging into a canal. The Police were forced to abandon the chase as they transported the injured pedestrian to a medical facility. The owner of the horse,

Rohan (only name given) of Better Hope, made a report to the Sparendaam Police Station about two weeks ago. It is alleged that the perpetrator is a known felon called “Gunzie”, who was wanted for other criminal activity. The horse was taken to the East La Penitence Police Station.

Dialogue with the Deaf By Hydar Ally

here has been a fair measure of anxiety by a significant body of public opinion regarding the future direction of this beautiful country of ours. This mood of anxiety and trepidation has been enhanced by some recent developments, which do not seem to bode well for the consolidation of our democratic and consultative institutions. The rejection of the list of nominees for the post of GECOM Chairman by President Granger and the attempted ejection of the Red

House administration within a mere forty eight hours notice have been interpreted as a shift away from dialogue and reason to one of high handedness and a unilateralist approach in dealing with matters of grave national interest. What is needed in the country at this moment in our history is a culture of reason and dialogue, which must have as its overarching objective the overall good of the nation and the preservation of its democratic institutions. No good can emanate when those who have access to the levers of power utilize that power in a reckless and

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

unbiased manner. Such an approach is tantamount to a dialogue, with the deaf in which the views of one party does not matter in the overall scheme of things. I believe that this country can only move forward if there is a sincere effort on the part of those who control the levers of power at the national level to put the interest of the society as a whole above narrow, partisan interests. Regrettably, this has proven elusive over the decades despite the best efforts of the PPP to create a climate of peace and national reconciliation. The PPP has always Dr Cheddi Jagan and other PPP members protesting the 1986 elections in Guyana

had as its principal objective the attainment of national, racial and working class unity. Such unity was attained when the PPP, with the support of the most powerful unions, won 18 out of 24 seats in the elections of April 1953. This victory demolished the myth of a racially divided society and destroyed the racialist/conservative political influences of both the League of Colored People and the British Guiana East Indian Association. Intervention by British troops in October 1953, and divide and rule methods unfortunately resulted in a split in our national liberation struggle. Ever since, the PPP consistently sought to attain national unity, but all attempts failed because of imperialist machinations and PNC opportunism. Again during the 19751976 period, when the PNC regime took some positive postures on the issue of nationalization, the PPP sought to give ‘critical support’ to the PNC regime, but the talks collapsed because Burnham wanted to maintain state/ bureaucratic capitalism masquerading as ‘socialism’. Again, during the 19781981 period when the country was bleeding from IMF-imposed anti-working class prescriptions and policies, the PPP agreed to resume talks with the PNC regime with a view to come up with an agreed programme of development, but the talks collapsed after the sudden passing of Burnham in August 1985. His successor, Desmond Hoyte, ended the talks and proceeded with national and regional elections, which were massively rigged. The PPP, in alliance with four other parties formed the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy immediately after the rigged elections. An

agreement was reached to form a united electoral front in keeping with an understanding to form a future government of national unity. Again, a major difficulty arose over the presidential candidate. Some of the coalition partners opposed the candidacy of Dr. Jagan on the grounds of race/ethnicity, ideology, age among other unrealistic proposals. A final proposal was hammered out with the support of the business community, which would have seen Dr. Jagan as the Presidential Candidate, Dr. Clive Thomas as Prime Minister and Paul Tennassee of the DLM, but disagreement among some members of the coalition over the choice of Mr. Paul Tennassee as a Deputy Prime Ministerial candidate eventual led to the collapse of the PCD. It was after all attempts by the PPP to arrive at a reasonable compromise failed that the PPP finally resorted to a Civic alliance with Dr. Jagan as the Presidential candidate and Mr. Samuel Hinds as the Prime Ministerial Candidate. The PPP/C went on to win the historic October 1992 elections. I thought of resorting to the above excursion in our political history if only to make the point that political dialogue is never easy. It is likened to a case of pulling out teeth but in the final analysis it is the only way out of our current political morass. The President cannot escape his constitutional responsibility to engage the Opposition Leader on fundamental issues of governance. Such responsibility cannot be ‘delegated’ to subordinates, especially when it comes to the vital issue of the nomination of a Chairman of the Elections Commission.

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

COMMENTARY

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

APNU+AFC railroading justice, sidestepping DPP with another barefaced corrupt deal A

nother day, another scandal has been revealed. The appointments of Special Prosecutors to go after PPP leaders can be viewed from different perspectives. Whichever perspective one chooses, the inescapable conclusion is that APNU+AFC has no interest in justice. They are on a witch hunting rampage. As if that is not scandalous enough, the $100M price tag and the procedure utilized to contract the special prosecutors are also adding to the heap of corrupt deals. APNU+AFC has appointed family and friends as special prosecutors with a budget of $100M, outside of the DPP’s office, while significantly reducing the 2017 budget of the DPP’s office. The special prosecutors emanate directly out of the private offices of Basil Williams and Joe Harmon, one is a brother of a sitting Minister and another a candidate on the

APNU+AFC list of candidates for the 2015 elections. There was no advertisement or tender for special prosecutors, breaching the procurement laws and underlining another corrupt deal. The evident nepotism adds to the stench emanating from this scandal. Guyana has a Westminster-style governance model underpinned by the doctrine of separation of powers between the executive, parliament and the judiciary. The DPP, part of the judiciary, is independent and acts without fear or favor. It is not beholden to the Presidency or the Parliament. It acts base on evidence provided by the police and other investigative agencies. Special Prosecutors can be a useful instrument available to the DPP, not a convenient weapon for a Cabinet to bypass the DPP. The DPP office is the independent constitutional body responsible for prosecuting alleged

offenders. Cabinet’s appointments of special prosecutors breach constitutional requirements. Decisions to prosecute, or not, need to be made free of any suspicion that they may be politically motivated. Since APNU+AFC appears not to be able to compromise the present DPP, they have two choices - first fire the DPP and or force her to resign, or second bypass the DPP. They clearly have chosen to bypass her and carry out their lawless behavior through direct charges by the police or through the use of a Special Prosecutors Unit in the Ministry of Public Security. Clearly, APNU+AFC is engaged in a brazen hijacking of the DPP’s office and is recklessly railroading justice. Through this mechanism, they will now embark on a political witch hunt which we, unfortunately, are no strangers to, given our experience under the

People’s National Congress. The overtly lurid efforts to circumvent the DPP raise suspicions and questions about the government’s motives. Clearly, the way APNU+AFC is acting raises suspicion that they are motivated by a desire to shackle any individual or organization that is willing and able to challenge them by exercising a degree of independent power. When a government starts messing with the independence of the DPP, the unmistaken signs of a police state become far too real. Given the constant condemnation of judicial decisions when it is not in their favor, as witnessed with the disgusting “cussing” out of Carl Singh for disallowing an appeal in a case unfairly and illegally harassing Bharat Jagdeo, we are witnessing an overt effort to take control of the judiciary. Taken with the other evidence to silent the auditor gen-

eral and statutory commissions, the signs are ominous. In less than two years, APNU+AFC has taken too many steps down a path of dictatorship. But then again APNU+AFC is deeply rooted in the DNA of authoritarianism. The President served as an important player in the PNC dictatorship. The Attorney General is a disciple of Burnham, the PNC dictator. The Minister of Public Security is a poodle of the President, too comfortable with the trappings of unbridled power. APNU+AFC is not timid in displaying those genes of dictatorship. The latest move to silent the DPP and their desperate efforts to lock up their political opponents are nothing but dog whistle that a new era of unbridled power, dictatorship and brutal intimidation of political opponents has arrived. Creeping dictatorship is not a hyperbole. It is very real.

Scholarships for Ministers: Abuse, misuse of public office for private gains

resident David Granger is reported on in the State Media as saying “there is nothing corrupt about the granting of scholarships to Ministers Annette Ferguson and Nicolette Henry.” Along the same vein, I also have the Brooklyn Bridge to sell. First of all, the President and his Cabinet have violated the general principles of granting scholarships in the public services by not acting impartially to all groups, persons, and organisations when these scholarships were distributed. This 2016 scholarship-gate was a giveaway fest for party members. Even the professionals in the Public Service Ministry Training Division expressed private disgust at the level of political interference to one of my friends and they all voted for the Coalition. The line between professionalism and unprofessionalism continues to be crossed every day by this Government; it is like they cannot help themselves and act professionally and with-

in the rules for once. Secondly, the President is being absolutely dishonest with the public with this statement because he is fully aware once these Ministers commence their programme of studies, they will not be able to give an honest effort in delivering service to the public. They cannot be “sucking cane and blowing the whistle” at the same time! They are either Ministers or students during this period, but undoubtedly they cannot be both since a Minister is a full-time effort. Thirdly, this act of doling out these funds to these Ministers evidently represents a failure to protect and spend public funds in the best interest of the nation. This act of having the Minister with one foot in and one foot out is nothing but public fraud, public waste and misappropriation of public funds by the Granger government. Any high school child will know that this act by the Administration is public corruption.

The duty of a minister is to fulfill their mandate in good faith and with a full obligation to the citizens of Guyana. How can a Minister who is busy doing an assignment for a school project be able to offer the Guyanese people top service in the middle of a seawall breakaway? That Minister will never be 100 per cent on the job and what is the most important role of a Minister – making decisions. So we can expect many clumsy and illthought decisions by these Ministers in the ensuing period. In conclusion, this scholarship situation is nothing but a wanton abuse of the rules and the misuse of public office for private gains for selected persons. This is an immoral commitment of State funds for Government officials that bind the taxpayers in a relationship that has very little value for money for them and all the benefits for a select few. The mere fact

that these scholarships were offered to sitting Ministers illustrates that they are gaining financially from a transaction that comes into direct conflict with their responsi-

bilities to the Government and people of Guyana. So this last minute whitewash statement to justify the act cannot and will not erase the black mark concerning

this unethical abuse of the Treasury. We must reject and combat these immoral acts of abuse by the Granger administration on all fronts. (Surujdai Lilmohan)

Unruly

The

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Horse Rice: An Industry Kicked Into Crisis By: Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP. Attorney-at-Law

he Monday January 30th Sitting of the National Assembly is members day, meaning that at this sitting, mainly the Opposition’s business will be discussed. Among the items on the Order Paper for debate, is a motion calling upon the government to immediately reverse the proposed increases of rent/fees for land, drainage and other services by the Mahaica Mahaicony/Abary Development Authority (MMA/ ADA) in respect of State lands rented by farmers, which fall under the administration of the Authority. The proposed increase in some of these charges is in excess of 600 percent. Farmers, who currently pay $3,500 per acre, will by these increases, be required to pay $15,000 per acre. To many, this will signal the death knell of the rice industry in Region 5 and will be yet another nail in the coffin of an ailing cattle industry. No one can dispute the importance of the rice industry to the Guyanese economy. It remains as one of its bedrocks; it continues to be one of the larger earners of foreign exchange, earning more than US$250M annually; it provides employment for and is the source of livelihood of over 6,000 families right across the coastland; indirectly, another 200,000 benefit from this industry; rice farmers invested more than $30B annually in the economy over the last decade. This industry is deeply interwoven in the heritage and culture of the largest ethnic grouping in this country and it is a business that has been passed from generations to

generations. In short, its economic value apart, it is a permanent feature of the cultural and social mosaic of this country. One would expect, that in relation to an industry with such multifarious dimensions, the Government would spare no effort in ensuring its survival and moreover, its viability. However, if the record of this Government is examined, it lends itself to the ineluctable inference, if not conclusion, that the opposite obtains. In fact, one can formidably argue, supported by empirical data, that it is the design of this Government to emaciate this industry. One can even accuse this government with reasonable accuracy, of using this industry as a stadium to play political football, kicking around rice farmers’ welfare at their political whim and fancy. No one can forget the platform promise at the 2015 General Elections that farmers would be paid $9,000 per bag for paddy made by those who now enjoy the seat of government. Neither can one forget the promises to hold a national rice farmers conference, to establish a financial fund to provide support for farmers in times of need and to establish an agricultural bank to which rice farmers can resort for financing. Within one month of this Government assuming office, the rice industry lost the most lucrative market it ever had- the Venezuelan market- negotiated under the PPP/ Civic government. It has been an irreversible downward slide since. The promise of $9,000 per bag for paddy was replaced with the reality of $900 per bag for paddy.

A confabulation was held at the National Convention Centre to which a few farmers were invited and this was passed off as the promised national conference for rice farmers. At this engagement, neither the rice farmers nor their representatives were afforded a fair and adequate opportunity of discussing the issues affecting the industry. When queries were raised regarding the plans which the Government has for the industry, in particular, in relation to securing substitutes for the lost Venezuelan market, the President bluntly told the rice farmers that rice is a private industry. When asked what the Government is going to do in relation to the debts owed by millers to farmers, the President’s posture was similar. He simply said that the question should not be directed to the Government. Not a word has been uttered by anyone in this Government about the establishment of the promised revolving fund for rice farmers. Neither has anyone heard a word about the creation of the promised agricultural bank. On the contrary, the nation has witnessed a slew of policies and a series of decisions, either by design or indifference, which have had debilitating if not disastrous consequences on the industry. In this milieu, one cannot turn a blind eye to the Government’s sins of omission as well. The Government has abysmally failed to make any dedicated efforts to find new markets for rice after the collapse of the Venezuelan market. Among the vicious blows inflicted upon this hemorrhaging industry was the imposition of the

Value Added Tax (VAT) on all capital equipment by the 2016 budget. This was followed by capricious, unlawful and politically inspired revocation of leases of rice farmers, the repossession of those lands and the delivery of them to Party hacks and cronies. The dismissal of senior officials at the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority and the dismissal of dozens of other well-trained workers and their replacement with Party faithfuls have cumulatively crippled the efficiency of the drainage and irrigation system. So when the rains came, the magnitude of the destruction done to growing rice crops quadrupled. These perilous events have forced hundreds of farmers out of production and have pushed hundreds precariously close to bankruptcy. I know of rice farmers who have died of heart attacks and other stress-related medical conditions; I know of suicides being committed- all having a causal connection to the economic decline of the industry. In these calamitous circumstances, the Opposition proffered to the Government, a nine-point plan which was designed to offer some reprieve to the rice farmers. Among the proposals were: negotiations with the commercial banks to write off interests, reorganize and refinance loans to rice farmers; remove taxes on fuel to rice farmers; subsidize cost of seed paddy; resume negotiations with the Government of Venezuela to regain the rice market; remove all taxes and duties on inputs for the industry including machinery, equipment and spares; to immediately implement minimum export prices for rice and

paddy; to bring supplementary provisions in the National Assembly to provide financial support to farmers and to suspend payments of land rents and drainage and irrigation charges for state and government lands occupied by rice farmers. I do not recall the Opposition even receiving a response from the Minister of Agriculture to whom these proposals were made in writing. The Opposition next moved and debated a Motion in the National Assembly, soliciting the Government’s assistance for the rice industry. Still yet, the Government remained unmoved. Instead and paradoxically, we have witnessed the imposition of more taxes on rice farmers and rather than a suspension of rents and drainage charges, we are witnessing an increase by 600 percent being proposed. While this increase is proposed only for the MMA/ADA lands at this stage, I am told that similar increases will be visited upon all those occupying Government and State lands across the country. Sadly, but perhaps realistically, rice farmers across the country with whom I have spoken, have resigned to the fact that they will not secure help from this Government. Forty percent of the farmers who cultivated rice in 2015 are no longer cultivating in 2017. The 60 percent that have decided to remain in cultivation have reduced the acreage that they are cultivating. They continue in the industry because they have no alternative. The farmers, with whom I spoke, have informed me that they are simply waiting this Government out.

Corner

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Economic Dr. Peter R. Ramsaroop, MBA

Structural Stagnation – APNU/AFC Fails Economic Test – No Growth Just Decline – Puts Our Nation 3 Years Behind For Every Year Of Failure – PPP Version 2.0 Must Be Adopted Summary:

here continues to be a lack of an Economic Vision for our nation. Analysing all the speeches and press coverage from the Government, one can see that there has been no indication on what are their economic plans. It is now over a month since the Budget was presented, and we have yet to see a formal short and/or long-run integrated framework on what the new initiatives are to move our economy along. The Government has failed with policies and implementation of both the micro and macro economics. These are both interelated. What happens in the economy as a whole is based on individual decisions, but individual decisions are made within an economic framework For example, whether a firm decides to expand capacity, it will depend on what the owners expect will happen. With the negative envrironment that APNU has created, most business owners have made the decision to maintain or cut investments. This has caused our economy to become stagnant. Senior PPP/C MP, Irfaan Ali, referred to this as Stagflation. With the 200 tax increases, consumers are limiting their spending. Where we should have been in 2017: Looking at the manner in which our economy is managed and comparing it to the policies the PPP/C had advocated we are now almost 3 years behind where our structural infrastructure should have been. The short sighted stoppage of the Amaila Falls Hydro project as a Capital Investment (Long Run Plan) has been done with zero alternatives. Currently, they are still analysing alternative energy scenarios postulating that they will build many Hydro Plants. By the time those are assesed, Amaila would have been completed in our original plans This is a prime example of their incompentency in strategic thinking and planning, leaving us way behind on alternative energy.- another structural stagnation. Cheaper energy leads to new industries and new jobs and creation of new wealth for the citizens. Below is a summary of the PPP/C Version 2.0: Note, under the Transformative Infrastructure, the key Structural Components that were necessary to move our nation along included, the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, the Georgetown ByPass Road, Airport Expansion,

Expanding our Domestic Cargo Port, Building a Deep Water Harbour and Paving the Road to Lethem. We were already in the process of acessing a new Demerara Harbour Bridge. Have you heard any of these projects being seriously talked about by APNU?

15 These should have been started in 2015 three years behind. We have seen APNU take the Demerara Bridge as one of their plans. It was not about new towns, but they should have been creating economic free zones to boost our trade. Creation of new towns without plans; additional new tax burdens on our citizens. I specifically left out the Specialty Hospital. This was the most unconscionable plan that was stagnated and withdrawn by the APNU/AFC. Just imagine the government is encouraging the Diaspora to come back, the foreign investors to come in, yet they can’t provide the necessity of healthcare that requires a specialty focus. Most Diaspora individuals that can return with money are older and healthcare in Guyana scares them. For those of us at home, as we get older, it becomes more frightening. Many do not have money to travel to the US or Trinidad for treatment. The PPP had already gotten the funding for this - just simply cruel to punish our citizens. The overall summary plan above is very comprehensive. We even have full details on implementation. With all of this, the Government is still struggling to come up with any alternative of their own, resorting to disingenuously adopting some of ours and using them. Even with that, we are worried that there are no competent Ministers to implement. Our nation is under structural stagnation slow growth and rising unemployment. We are experiencing a rise in our exchange rates and rising prices in our every day goods, along with all the new taxes, parking meters and rising fuel prices. With the recent MOU signed to relook at the sugar industry, with an Auto Car Company, was , as I had mentioned in a recent interview, rather disturbing. This company appears to have no experience of looking at the sugar industry. As quoted in Guyana Times from my interview I said: “how can Go-Invest sign such a MoU with a company to look at sugar production, make rum or ethanol, etc. in Guyana….The last time any Trinidadian company managed sugar was in 2007, when the industry was abolished and thousands were out of work.” The APNU/AFC is planning on putting thousands of our own sugar workers out of work. There is danger brewing, as I said

before. Why are the PPP Version 2.0 2015-2020 plans critical? An integrated approach of cheaper energy, creation of new industries such as the Deep Water Harbour, and the Transport Economic Initiative of the paving of the road to Brazil and the Bridge to Suriname, increases our ability to create products and get them to market with the right transportation routes. These lead to new jobs, higher paying jobs, growth of our nation, and money to support our families. There must be a comprehensive and integrated plan to move our nation forward. The APNU/AFC continues to take us backwards. The u-turn of our economy to the 1980s continues. Summary The prospect of oil will not take us into the modern world, as we had proposed. There are many transformative infrastructural initiatives that must be implemented as per our plan. We have to look at continued development of our nation. The APNU/AFC went ahead to dismantle our economic institutions without any form of restructuring or new initiatives. If one studies the PPP Version 2.0 carefully, we see an integrated approach to managing our economy. Invest more in sugar and the diversification to ethanol, energy etc, build a Deep Water Harbour and Road to Brazil, adding cheaper energy with hydro would have propelled our manufacturing sectors and entice new industries to come in given the fact that oil is in our future. Now we have the potential of oil, but no structural improvement in order to create industries that will give us more jobs. The PPP is about economic growth, continued development, jobs, more income, creation of wealth and above all, a safe environment. There is Danger It is incumbent on all of us to shape our future by being involved to avoid the continuation of the destruction of our economy by the APNU/AFC government. We have to be strong, brave and vigilant as we work at regaining power for the benefit of all Guyanese.

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Highlights

News

Glitz

Big Brother Nigeria in trouble Pay attention 007! Salman Khan as FG probes choice of South Gadget whizz ‘Q’ is a to head out on Africa as location a vacay after woman in real life behind James Bond’s lethal array of gadgets like ‘Tubelight’? Thecarboffin ejector-seats and exploding toothpaste - known only

he Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported shooting in South Africa of the ongoing Big Brother Nigeria Reality Show. In a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister said the NBC should determine whether Multi-Choice, by shooting the show in South Africa, has breached the Nigerian Broadcasting Code in any way, as well as the issue of possible deceit, since the viewing public was never told that the event would be staged outside Nigeria. "As a country of laws, only the outcome of the investigation will determine our next line of action," he said. Alhaji Mohammed said while concerned Nigerians had bombarded his office with calls to complain about what they regard as an anomaly (of shooting outside the country a show meant for Nigerians), they should remain calm while the NBC investigates the issue and submit its findings.

I was never on drugs, my problem was spiritual – Majek Fashek

enowned reggae icon, Majekodunmi Fasheke, popularly called Majek Fashek, has said he was never on drugs, he only had spiritual problems. He said a section of the entire story about his rehabilitation was not true. It would be recalled that the legendary musician, for several months in 2015, was confined to an Abuja rehabilitation home, Synapse Services-Centre For Psychological Medicine and had openly declared that the time he spent in rehab helped him right his image. dailypost. ng/2015/10/25/majek-fashek-opens-up-on-his-timein-rehab/. But the ‘Rain Maker’ while speaking on his health status said his problem as then had nothing to do with drugs. In a chat with Vanguard, he said, “Let me put the record straight. I never used drugs. I was actually experiencing some spiritual attack as at that time. “My problem was spiritual and not drugs. I went through some spiritual problems and I paid the price for them, that was what happened to me, it wasn’t about drugs.

as “Q” - has always been portrayed in the 007 films as a man. Actors who have played him include Desmond Llewelyn, Geoffrey Bayldon and John Cleese. But in real life Q is actually a woman, the chief of Britain’s MI6 intelligence service has revealed. Speaking at the Women in IT Awards in London, Alex Younger invited his audience to consider a job with the service. “If any of you would like to join us ... the real-life Q is looking forward to meeting you and I’m pleased to report that the real-life Q is a woman,” he said. The agency’s chief, who has previously said he wouldn’t hire James Bond as a spy, also felt the film stereotype of spies being posh and educated at elite universities was unhelpful. “That stands in the way of something that I regard as being so important which is that we can reach into every community in Britain and make sure that we get the people that are the best, regardless of their background,” Younger said. ‘Q’, short for ‘Quartermaster’ was most recently portrayed by British actor Ben Whishaw in the Skyfall and Spectre films.

‘S

Actor Ben Whishaw poses during a photocall for the new James Bond film ‘Spectre’ in central London, Britain October 22, 2015

British rockers Kasabian to headline Reading and Leeds festival

ritish indie rock band Kasabian will return to England’s Reading and Leeds Festival as headliners after a five-year absence, organizers said on Thursday. The ‘Fire’ and ‘Shoot the Runner’ band, who plan to release their sixth studio album ahead of Reading and Leeds, join previously announced Grammy award-winning rockers Muse as headliners for the Aug. 25-27 festival. “It’s been five years, and as a band we have come a long way since then. We’re looking forward to playing tunes from the new record and bringing the mosh pit to Reading & Leeds Festival,” Kasabian said in a statement. Festival organizers said British DJ Fatboy Slim, Northern Irish band Two Door Cinema Club and American rockers Jimmy Eat World would also be performing at the festival, which will see over 100 acts appear at the two locations.

ultan’ star Salman Khan is currently juggling between shooting for Kabir Khan’s ‘Tubelight’ and hosting his popular TV show. The superstar has another film in the pipeline - ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ - the sequel to the 2012 hit ‘Ek Tha Tiger’. According to reports, Salman, who has had quite a hectic schedule in the last few months, is looking forward to take some time off with his family. He intends to take a well-deserved vacay once he wraps up shooting for ‘Tubelight’. The downtime will not be spent in the family’s Panvel farmhouse, as Salman is looking to head to international shores for the trip. Not just that, Sallu will reportedly follow this with another international holiday once he finishes shooting key portions of ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’. It is yet to be settled whether his rumoured girlfriend Iulia Vantur will accompany him on his vacation.

Amitabh Bachchan calls ‘Sairat’ a Marathi wonder

egastar Amitabh Bachchan has praised last year’s Marathi romantic drama ‘Sairat’ and called it a ‘won-

der’. The film starring Rinku Rajguru and Akash Thosar has been directed by Nagraj Manjule. The film was released on April 29 last year and it became a sleeper hit. “Oh ...!! and saw the film ‘Sairat’, the Marathi wonder.. what a great cinematic experience... what a movie,” Bachchan wrote on Twitter alongside the poster of the film. Sairat’ will be remade in Kannada, Telugu, Hindi and Punjabi, Malayalam and Tamil. The remake rights for the Hindi version of the film has been acquired by Karan Johar.

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Mexico wall: Trump questions talks over border dispute

Greece rejects Turkey soldiers’ extradition BBC -- Greece’s Supreme Court has ruled against extraditing eight Turkish soldiers whom the Turkish government accuses of being involved in last July’s attempted coup. The eight men fled in a helicopter to Greece after the coup attempt but say they were not involved. Presiding judge Giorgos Sakkas said the men were unlikely to receive a fair trial

in Turkey. The case has presented a diplomatic dilemma for Greece. But the court’s decision is final and cannot be appealed against. Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis said before the verdict that he would respect the decision and not intervene. Turkey has demanded the men, who it calls traitors, be returned to stand trial. The

soldiers - three majors, three captains and two sergeant majors - argue their lives would be in danger. The issue has created new tensions between the Nato allies, who have a complex relationship and are currently working together to help negotiate a peace deal in divided Cyprus. Turkey is expected to react strongly to the court’s decision.

BBC -- Donald Trump has suggested that Mexico’s president should cancel a planned visit to Washington if Mexico refuses to pay for the border wall. It comes after Enrique Pena Nieto again rebuffed Mr Trump’s assertion that Mexico would end up funding the wall. The Mexican president

made no mention of changing their 31 January meeting. President Trump has signed an executive order for an “impassable physical barrier” and insisted Mexico will reimburse the US. He and British Prime Minister Theresa May are separately due to make a speech to US Republican

party leaders at a retreat in Philadelphia on Thursday. Mr Trump will say “the era of divided government is over”, the president’s adviser Kellyanne Conway told reporters. Writing on Twitter, Mr Trump suggested Mexico owed the US for the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta).

Cases of Zika, Chikungunya and Dengue Iincrease in Costa Rica (Prensa Latina) Some data provided by the Costa Rican Ministry of Health have unveiled a total of 37 confirmed cases of Zika in the first two weeks of 2017, while excluding 79 people of being affected by this dangerous virus. The weekly bulletin of the Vector Control Department and Costa Rican Institute for Research and Teaching in Nutrition and Health, is reporting that in the first 14 days of this year 206 people were reportedly suspected of being affected by Zika, but only 37 were confirmed, 23 more than seven days ago. During 2016, there were 1,614 Zika cases, out of a total of 6,835 suspects, from which 2,814 were discarded. Among the 37 confirmed in the first two weeks of 2017, nine pregnant women are suspected, but they are yet to be confirmed in the laboratory. The bulletin states that in the first week of January

Portions of a barrier have already been built on the US-Mexico border

Dominica diplomat arrested in billion dollar embezzlement scheme

2017, there were around 115,935 potential mosquito-breeding sites, from which 79 799 were treated and 366 646 eliminated. Likewise, it notes that around 31 956 homes were visited, 13,984 homes were fumigated, and about 1,770 mosquito-breding sites with eggs or larvae were also found. The report made by the Costa Rican Ministry of Health’s Vector Control De-

partment also provides that in the period mentioned, there were 27 cases of chikungunya, much less than the 538 registered in the first two weeks of 2016, when three thousand 361 Costa Ricans were infected. In addition, it reports 228 cases of dengue, much less than the 1,669 reported in the first 14 days of last year, in which 22 thousand 209 citizens were affected by this disease.

TEHRAN, Iran -- An Iranian man, who holds a diplomatic passport issued by Dominica and is accused of helping to embezzle billions of dollars while Iran evaded international oil sanctions, has been arrested after a lengthy international manhunt. Alireza Zibahalat Monfared, 43, was arrested by Interpol and handed over to Iran on January 15, 2017. Monfared is accused of involvement in Iran’s biggest-ever corruption scandal, working alongside tycoon Babak Zanjani who was sentenced to death last year for pocketing $2.8 billion while helping the country bypass sanctions.

In addition to his Dominica diplomatic passport, Monfared had various passports, including a regular Dominica passport, and had managed to escape extradition at least once when he was briefly detained in Malaysia, where he claimed diplomatic immunity. Unconfirmed reports said he had finally been arrested in Dominica, according to the state-run Iran Daily newspaper. Monfared was involved in the so-called My Dominica Trade House (MDTH), later referred to as the MDTH fiasco. Monfared had falsely claimed that MDTH had numerous investments

in Dominica including several clinics and hospitals, all of which turned out to be false. Zanjani’s lawyer, Rasoul Kouhpayehzadeh, welcomed Monfared’s arrest, saying it would prove his client’s innocence. Monfared’s “interrogation and trial will shed light on many issues and unsolved puzzles,” Kouhpayehzadeh said, according to Iran Daily. Caption: (L-R) Alireza Zibahalat Monfared, together with the head of Dominica’s CBI program Ambassador Emmanuel Nanthan, Alick Lawrence and Minister Kenneth Darroux in Malaysia in 2015.

Guatemala and Cuba to be linked again by air (Prensa Latina) Guatemala and Cuba will once again be linked by air by the Spanish company WAMOS Air, which plans to inaugurate a route to this Central American country from Madrid and stop at Havana, officials said. The company announced that this connection will start operating from June and that the cost of the ticket per trip will be 376 euros, about three thousand quetzales. In the flight, whose final

destination will be the international airport La Aurora of this capital, travelers will be able to transfer up to 40 kilograms free of luggage in tourist class and 60 kilograms in business class. Guatemala is the third destination in the region that joins WAMOS Air to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic; and to Cancun, in southern Mexico. However, the authorities of the Guatemalan Tourism

Institute are seeking closer ties with other airlines, such as Iberia and Air Europa, with the aim of promoting similar collaborations. These efforts are linked to Guatemala’s commitment to recover its tourism potential and to make that region one of the axes of the nation’s development.

Children’s Corner

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

The Three Different Fishes

hree fishes lived together in a lake. Although the three were together, all of them are very unique. They had contrasting characters and argue over small things. Still, they were happy. The three were grownup into a bigger fishes. The first fish always dwell in past and very lazy. The fish doesn’t believe in preparing for the future. If you can find something that is quite opposite to the phrase, ‘Prevention is better than cure’ it could be the first fish! The second fish lives for the present. It is a little bit wise and tends to make some good decisions in the last minute. The third fish is an intelligent one. It usually thinks a lot, make the decision wisely and always carry smart and interesting ideas, suggestions and plans to live happily and safely. One day, as the three were playing in the lake, the third fish heard two fishermen talking about fishing. The fish called the other two fishes to hear what they speak. The first man told, ‘I heard about this take. It has some big fishes, Why can’t we enjoy our time here?’ The second man replied, ‘Yeah that’s a good idea. I love to cook and eat the fresh fish. We’ll make it tomorrow noon here!’ And they left. The third fish told the other two fishes, ‘see they are planning to catch out us. We

should go to some other place to live safely. I already found a route that will take us to the nearby canal and we may then reach a new lake’ The second fish told, ‘Yeah I too heard them. But they may not return or may end up fishing at a distant place. We can think about it tomorrow when we see them.’ The first fish, ‘Oh let’s just ignore it. Let us have some rest now!’ The third fish, the intelligent one, moved to the nearby lake through the secret way alone as the other two fishes denied accompanying. Next day, the two fishermen arrived. The second fish saw them at fishing and planned for an escape. As it was caught in the fishing net, it acted dead. The fishermen threw it back into the lake and the second one was escaped.

The first fish, the lazy one had no idea about the presence of the fishermen. Very soon it was caught and before it could think about how to escape, he was put into the basket and lost the life in a few minutes. Planning ahead makes lives easier!

Dear Children,

he winner of the colouring contest Bruno is Chris James. The picture to colour this week is entitled The Lion King and is submitted by Keisha Halls. Colour and send it to Weekend Mirror, PO Box 101088, Georgetown or 8 Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown. The winners will receive the prize of a storybook.

Name: ............................................................................................................................................ Address: ........................................................................................................................................ ......................................................................................... Tel. No: ................................................

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Discuss your Problem

with

PORTIA

This feature explores personal problems. We invite you to write to Portia, c/o Mirror, P.O. Box 101088, Georgetown,Guyana

How do I choose between my fiancé and my second lover? Dear Portia, I have two lovers. One I’m marrying this month. But the second (whom I’ve been sneaking around with for two years) promises that if I choose him, I can ask for “anything” and that he’ll give me whatever I want “and more.” Which should I pick? Torn Bride Dear Torn, Who says a girl should love only one man at a time? Call off the wedding. You’re not cut out for marriage.

Is my honesty hurting my relationship? Dear Portia, I recently fell in love with a wonderful guy. Early in our relationship he asked me: “Is my penis the biggest you’ve ever been with?” I was so taken aback by the question, I gave him an honest comparison. Since then, our beautiful relationship has been tainted by his insecurity. Our problems have escalated from the penis issue to the 37-year-old man I dated before him. (I’m 27, and my boyfriend is 29.) He admits he’s being insecure and jealous, but he constantly asks questions about the guy! My feelings for my ex were faint compared with what I have for my boyfriend, and I’ve told him that. I never talk to or about my ex-boyfriends, and in my opinion, I’ve been a great girlfriend, superunderstanding and patient. Is this whole jealousy situation an early alert? Should I be gentle with him? Or frank? Is It a Crime to Tell the Truth? Dear Miss Truth, Women are permitted to lie on three occasions: 1. When a man asks if he’s losing his hair. (Answer: “You look handsomer than ever, darling!”) 2. When a man asks if he played a game poorly. (“Your dexterity was so superior to the competition’s, you couldn’t help but lose.”) 3. When a man asks how he ranks in size. (“You’re a god among men! A marvel! Magnificent! Put it away, or I’ll faint!”) Go easy on the poor chap. It’s no picnic being a man these days. (P.S. After a month of reassurances, if he asks about the ex, tell him you love him but to shut the hell up.)

Corner Think You Have an Inferiority

Complex? Here’s a List of Symptoms I

nferiority is a feeling that is common to every individual. At some point in time, you may have felt inferior to a friend, a colleague, or even a sibling. While for you it may be a minor event that you may have overcome, there are some who develop a major inferiority complex. It is mainly a psychological condition that finds its roots in childhood and manifests itself into adulthood if not recognized at an earlier stage. Those who suffer from such a complex constantly belittle themselves, and are very sensitive. Some of you may have been taught to recognize, accept and then overcome your limitations as you mature; but there are some who have been given a constant reminder of their limitations as a result of authoritarian parenting or peer pressure. These may be in the form of physical appearance, cultural differences, emotional responses, and on the basis of certain abilities. It is such people who begin to exhibit certain inferiority complex symptoms, as a result of such constant reminders. They also develop a set of defense mechanisms that they employ whenever they feel inferior. These defense mechanisms then become the symptoms of an inferiority complex.

pany, or just their environment in general. They are never able to accept that the failure may have occurred due to a mistake on their part. The whole universe is responsible for their misery and their failure. Sour Grapes

One of the most prominent symptom is the ‘sour grapes’ attitude. For instance, they may not have been able to perform a certain task at work properly, and if a colleague did it successfully, they would attribute the success to external factors such as help from someone else, or just

Demeaning Others

Those with an inferiority complex feel the constant need to prove themselves better than others to boost their self-esteem. When they fail, they tend to belittle others’ efforts so that they can feel better about themselves. In such cases, instead of being socially withdrawn, they may be outspoken to an extent that is rude. Blaming the Universe

Any failure on part of such persons is directly blamed on external factors such as poor luck, bad com-

Extreme Sensitivity

Persons who have an inferiority complex exhibit extreme sensitivity to compliments and criticism. If it is a compliment, they question its genuineness, and if it is criticism, they go on the defense immediately. They do not respond to light humor too well. Also, even if you happen to make a passing comment, they may take it personally. Seeking Attention

Those suffering from an inferiority complex are most likely to be exhibiting attention-seeking behavior around others. They also tend to resort to other attention-seeking tactics such as aggression, pretending to be ill, appearing depressed/ unhappy, and the like. For instance, they may be found fishing for compliments from others. However, sometimes, in spite of fishing for compliments, they may not accept them and believe that the person giving them is doing so just because he was asked to. Fear of Making Mistakes

Symptoms Social Withdrawal

Those who suffer from an inferiority complex may be socially withdrawn. They may not consider themselves as worthy of being with others, whom they perceive as better individuals in every aspect.

subsequent disappointment they expect to experience.

plain luck. They will never attribute the colleague’s success to personal capabilities or merit. This symptom is a way of compensating for the truth, that the colleague may indeed be better at a particular task than them. Lack of Sportsmanship

Such persons refuse to participate in any type of competition, where their abilities will be tested against those of others. Even if they do, the ‘sour grapes’ attitude is most likely to come to the fore. In most cases, such individuals have already decided that they cannot win or compete with others, so they avoid instances where their abilities will be tested, and the

Such persons also fear attempting something new, simply because they have a deep fear of making mistakes and being reprimanded for them. Though these seem like obvious signs, some of them are not always very obvious. If you suspect someone portraying these symptoms or even traces of them, it is time to dig deeper and get to the root of the problem, so that it can be eliminated. Overcoming an Inferiority Complex

For someone to overcome this deep-seated psychological condition is no easy task. The roots of this problem lie in the past, in an event or a series of events and situations that have left a deep scar on the affected individual’s mind. This complex has then become a type of defense mechanism against all kinds of problems and situations. For such people to even accept that they may be suffering from an inferiority complex is ex(Turn to page 21)

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Tricks to disguise thinning hair W

ith the introduction of anti-aging hair products, the issue of women’s thinning hair is finally getting the attention it deserves. Whether your hair thins as you age or you experience thinning your twenties (called alopecia, the condition is triggered by genetics and even bad nutrition choices), there are simple cuts, coloring techniques and styling tricks that can disguise sparse strands.

Recipes

Milk Buns Ingredients: 1 pkt. yeast, ½ cup warm water, 1 tsp. essence , ¾ cup sugar , 1½ lbs flour ½ tsp. salt , 1 cup milk , ¼ cup margarine , sugar for the tops

Go Ombré

Starting with a darker base and slowly getting lighter towards the ends creates the visual effect of thicker hair at the tips. Go one or two shades lighter at the base for a subtle color change. Add Multi-dimensional Color

Create movement and the illusion of fullness with this color trick. Have your stylist use different tones and levels to create a soft, multidimensional look. “Oftentimes, I use three different formulas to do so. I use one shade that is my client’s natural base color, one that is slightly lighter and a third that is slightly darker. This creates a look that includes a play of light and dark shadows,” said one stylist. However, she warns against too many highlights. This draws attention to thinning hair at

the roots.

the hair look less fine and fragile,” she says.

Create volume with your cut

Adding layers throughout the hair creates lift, volume and movement. A strong bang with soft layers like Michelle Obama’s or a side swoop fringe with soft layers like Jennifer Lawrence‘s. These styles “give the cut a much denser appearance and will make

Style It Right

Create long-lasting shape by setting hair with hot rollers or pin curls. Gradually layer in styling product and add as needed to achieve the desired result. Do not over-dry because hair will lose its manageability and fall flat.

Think You Have an Inferiority... tremely painful and difficult. An inferiority complex cannot be overcome overnight. It takes a good amount of time to regain one’s lost self-esteem, and to be able to ultimately see the world in a different light. However, the process has to start some time, for which some of these steps may be taken. Positive Thinking

While it may sound easy, being positive is something as challenging climbing Mt. Everest for someone who has an inferiority complex. Someone who is conditioned to thinking poorly about oneself is going to find everything about ‘positive thinking’ hogwash. If one believes that the universe is out to get one, one will not even allow the effects of positive thinking to show. However, like a dose of injection is given at regular intervals for someone who is unwell, so is a regular dose of positive thinking required for someone who has an inferiority complex. Reading good books on positive thinking, or just being with people who are positive, on a daily basis, can slowly bring about a difference. Also, on your part, highlighting the positive in every situation is important. Don’t do it explicitly, but there should be an undercurrent of

positivity flowing all the time. Differentiating the Good from the Bad

Another way of overcoming an inferiority complex is to have the suffering individuals assess their good qualities against the bad qualities. A self-evaluation and a comparison of oneself with oneself is more important than a comparison of oneself with others. Encourage them to enlist these qualities and keep going over them, so that they may remind themselves that they are not as bad as they think. Acceptance

Overcoming an inferiority complex begins with acceptance of the situation as it is, and of the individual as she is. This however, does not mean that once the complex has been identified it should continue. Acceptance marks the beginning of change, that will slowly help eliminate the problem. Acceptance also involves accepting that one is unique. This again may take a while, but will ultimately be set in the mind and bring about a positive change. Avoidance

Avoidance includes avoiding all those people who evoke a feeling

(From page 20)

of inferiority in the individual. This doesn’t mean avoiding those who are perceived threats, but those who constantly aim to put the individual down, or just have a natural tendency to do so. This should be followed at least until the individual has regained some self-confidence and feels capable enough of dealing with such people. In more serious cases, an individual may have to undergo therapy to overcome an inferiority complex. Nothing holds truer than the ‘easier said than done’ saying when it comes to overcoming all these symptoms of an inferiority complex. This is why, this article has been written for those of you who know someone suffering from it. A person who is suffering from an inferiority complex may find it extremely difficult to accept and face these symptoms, and ways of overcoming them. On the other hand, you as a loved one, can slowly bring about these changes in the individual, without stating the obvious. Love and support are extremely essential when trying to overcome such psychological conditions, and once these measures are successfully implemented, there is no looking back.

Preparation Dissolve yeast in warm water with two teaspoons of sugar and set aside until frothy. Mix together flour, sugar, salt, and margarine. Add essence to milk. Add the yeast and milk to flour mixture and knead until smooth. Leave to rise in a warm place until double in size. Divide into egg-size pieces and shape into rolls. Place on a greased baking tray and leave to rise again until double in size. Sprinkle sugar on the tops. Bake in a 375 degree oven until lightly golden.

Molasses Cake Ingredients: 3 oz. margarine ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ cup molasses, 1¼ lb flour, ¼ tsp ground ginger, ¼ tbsp salt, ¼ tbsp baking soda, 1 tbsp baking powder, ¼ lb raisins 1 egg, ¼ tsp ground cinnamon (or other spices) , ½ cup water

Preparation Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease loaf pan. Boil the water in a small saucepan. When water is boiling, remove from fire. Add margarine to the water. When margarine is melted, add sugar and molasses. Place mesh strainer over a large bowl and sift flour, ginger, salt, baking powder and baking powder. Add raisins and spices to the water in the saucepan. Beat egg and add to the flour bowl. Add liquid from the saucepan to the bowl and mix well. (The batter will be very thin). Bake for 30 to 40 minutes.

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Grade Six Assessment English Language Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions that follow

a. accept b. except 4. Do you......................my apology?

THE GOOSE VOYAGE

“Are you ready Greg?” Shane asked. “It’s going to be one long adventure!” “I was born

a. accept

b. except

ready!” I answered. We were all getting ready for our yearly migration south. The days were

5. I like all vegetables......................russel sprouts.

growing shorter, the weather was getting colder, and we all just felt like it was time to move.

a. accept

Somehow, we all knew there’d be more food and we’d be more comfortable if we flew south

6. I sure hope everyone at my new school will.......................me.

for the winter.

a. accept

This was mine and Shane’s first time migrating. We were a little nervous about going, but

b. except b. except

7. I never study....................when my parents make me.

everyone in the flock reassured us that we’d know exactly what to do when the time came.

a. accept

We had a lot of questions: why do we go south every year; what happens on the way; and

8. Those who paid a dollar are...........................from the dress code today.

how do we know when we’re there? We got a lot of different answers, so we still weren’t

a. accepted

exactly sure what to expect.

9. I hope I get............................to college.

“Well, let’s go!” Shane said. We met up with the rest of the flock. Shane’s mom was

a. accepted

b. except b. excepted b. Excepted

going to be the point of the flock first. We were all going to fly in a “V” shape, because they

10. There is an.................................to every rule.

all said it makes it easier on everyone else to fly behind the point.

a. acception

b. exception

Almost everyone would take a turn being the point, so that no one goose would get too tired. Shane’s mom took off, and we all followed. Higher and higher we flew, then everyone started leveling off.

EXERCISE B

We were in our “V!” Flying always felt great, it was fun to look at everything far below

Choose the best word to fill in the blank.

us, and it felt good to stretch out our wings. Soon enough, I could see why we were flying in the “V.” Flying for this long was tiring, but it was much easier to fly in the “V” than by

1. My mom has a set of dish......................for every holiday.

myself! It was also pretty cold up here, which wasn’t too bad, but wasn’t exactly fun either.

a. cloths

On and on and on we went. Nothing exciting happened, we were just flying along for miles.

2. My mom is taking me shopping to buy new for school.

It was too hard to talk to each other, we just followed the point. I was getting really hungry,

a. cloths

and couldn’t wait for a break.

3. Be sure to wear warm............................because it is cold outside.

Finally, we started heading down to land. I knew somehow that this wasn’t our final

a. cloths

b. clothes b. clothes b. clothes

destination, but I was glad for the break. I went to find Shane as soon as we landed, but my

4. Be sure to wear warm.............................because it is cold outside.

mom and dad stopped me to ask how I was doing. “I’m fine,” I answered. “Migrating isn’t as

a. cloths

exciting as I thought it would be.” “Be glad for that, Greg,” Mom answered. “If it’s exciting,

5. Be sure to wear warm...........................because it is cold outside.

that means there are problems. Problems are great in stories you hear, but it’s stressful to

a. cloths

be in those situations. I’m happy with a boring migration!” Dad agreed with mom. “OK,” I

6. The nurse covered the patient’s eyes with warm .

sighed, “I’m going to find Shane.” Shane was by the water, eating some plants. “How’s the

a. cloths

migration going for you so far?” I asked him. “I’m glad we have a break, we need it. I’m

7. Look at these baby........................ They are so tiny!

shaken up!” he answered. “Shaken up? Why? It’s been pretty boring so far!”

a. cloths

I said. “Didn’t you see the eagle? It was coming after us! It almost got Lucy!” Shane

b. clothes b. clothes b. clothes b. clothes

8. I fill my suitcase with...........................for the trip.

exclaimed. “What? I didn’t see that! What happened?” “Well, I must have been flying behind

a. cloths

you if you didn’t see it. We were just minding our own business, when my dad spotted the

9. The........................for dusting are under the sink.

eagle.

a. cloths

We decided to move closer together, but Lucy didn’t notice. The eagle started circling above her, then it dove! Luckily we all honked, and she got out of the way, but it was a close

b. clothes b. clothes

10. Instead of wipes, the new mother used wet ...........................to wipe the baby’s bottom. a. cloths

b. clothes

call! I’m ready to be done migrating,” said Shane. I thought about how terrified Lucy must have been, and if I’d have seen it, I’d probably be just as shaken up as Shane. I was glad I didn’t see it. “Hopefully that will be the only crazy thing that happens during this migration,”

EXERCISE C

Choose the word that best fits in the blank.

I said. “Let’s get some rest. We have another busy day of flying tomorrow.” 1. How have Greg and Shane’s migration experiences been different thus far?

1. I must..........................decline the position.

2. Retell the story in your own words.

a. respectfully

3. What does “final destination” mean in the 6th paragraph? How do you know?

2. We visited the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty .

4. How would a different point of view have changed the story?

a. respectfully

5. What problems could Greg and Shane encounter on day 2 of their migration?

3. Add the eggs and the bacon to the batter . a. respectfully

b. respectively b. respectively b. respectively

4. May I........................suggest that we gather more information before we come to a

EXERCISE A

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank.

decision? a. respectfully

b. respectively

Please.....................my letter of recommendation.

5. When you approach the judge, you must remember to speak honestly and .

2. Everyone is coming to the party..................Paul.

a. respectfully

a. accept

6. The winners of the race were Frank, Mark, and Jim, .

b. except

3. The publisher has decided to.................your proposal.

a. respectfully

b. respectively b. respectively

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

The Other View

Populism, Wrong Medicine Against Corruption, Inequality (IPS) - 2016 showed that around the world systemic corruption and social inequality reinforce each other, leading to popular disenchantment with political establishments and providing a fertile ground for the rise of populist politicians, warns a new report by an international anti-corruption watchdog. In its report Corruption Perceptions Index 2016, released on Wednesday Jan. 25, Transparency International (TI) says that 69 per cent of the 176 countries scored below 50, on a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 100 (perceived to be very clean), exposing how massive and pervasive public sector corruption is around the world. This year, more countries declined in the index than improved, showing the need for urgent action, reports this global movement with one vision — a world free of corruption — working in more than 100 countries. According to the Berlin-based TI, corruption and inequality feed off each other, creating a vicious circle between corruption, unequal distribution of power in society, and unequal distribution of wealth. ‘With the launch of Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2016 just five days after Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President, it’s timely to look at the links between populism, socio-economic malaise and the anti-corruption agenda.’ - Finn Heinrich As the Panama Papers showed, TI adds, it is still far too easy for the rich and powerful to exploit the opaqueness of the global financial system to enrich themselves at the expense of

the public good. “In too many countries, people are deprived of their most basic needs and go to bed hungry every night because of corruption, while the powerful and corrupt enjoy lavish lifestyles with impunity,” said José Ugaz, Chair of Transparency International. “We do not have the luxury of time. Corruption needs to be fought with urgency, so that the lives of people across the world improve,” added Ugaz. Grand corruption cases, from Petrobras and Odebrecht in Brazil to Ukrainian ex-President Viktor Yanukovych, show how collusion between businesses and politicians denies national economies of billions of dollars of revenues that were siphoned off to benefit the few at the expense of the many, TI stressed. “This kind of systemic grand corruption violates human rights, prevents sustainable development and fuels social exclusion.” “Brazil’s score on the index, for example, has significantly declined compared to five years ago as one corruption scandal after another involving top politicians and businesspeople was uncovered. Yet the country has shown this year that through the work of independent law enforcement bodies it is possible to hold to account those previously considered untouchable.” Populism, Wrong Medicine

People are fed up by too many politicians’ empty assurances to tackle corruption and many are turning towards populist politicians

who promise to change the system and break the cycle of corruption and privilege. “Yet this is likely to only exacerbate the issue.” “In countries with populist or autocratic leaders, we often see democracies in decline and a disturbing pattern of attempts to crack down on civil society, limit press freedom, and weaken the independence of the judiciary. Instead of tackling crony capitalism, those leaders usually install even worse forms of corrupt systems,” said Ugaz. “Only where there is freedom of expression, transparency in all political processes and strong democratic institutions, can civil society and the media hold those in power to account and corruption be fought successfully.” The index scores of Hungary and Turkey – countries that have seen the rise of autocratic leaders – have dropped in recent years. In contrast, the score of Argentina, which has ousted a populist government, is starting to improve. What Needs to Be Done

Technical fixes to specific anti-corruption legislation are not enough, according to TI, a world movement that, from villages in rural India to the corridors of power in Brussels, aims to gives voice to the victims and witnesses of corruption. “What is urgently needed are deep-rooted systemic reforms that even up the growing imbalance of power and wealth by empowering citizens to stop the widespread impunity for corruption, hold the powerful to account, and have a real say in the decisions that affect their daily lives.” These reforms, adds TI, must include the disclosure through public registries of who owns companies as well as sanctions for professional enablers who are complicit in moving corrupt money flows across borders. The Results

TI’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2016 covers perceptions of public sector corruption in 176 countries. Click here for the full index.

Denmark and New Zealand performed best with scores of 90, closely followed by Finland (89) and Sweden (88). Although no country is free of corruption, the countries at the top share characteristics of open government, press freedom, civil liberties and independent judicial systems, according to TI. For the tenth year running, Somalia is the worst performer on the index, this year scoring only 10. South Sudan is second to the bottom with a score of 11, followed by North Korea (12) and Syria (13). Countries at the bottom of the index are characterised by widespread impunity for corruption, poor governance and weak institutions. Countries in troubled regions, particularly in the Middle East, have seen the most substantial drops this year. Qatar is the biggest decliner compared to the 2015 index with a drop of 10 scores. “The FIFA scandals, the investigations into the decision to host the World Cup in 2022 in Qatar and reports of human rights abuses for migrant workers have clearly affected the perception of the country,” said Ugaz. TI’s Finn Heinrich commented that with the launch of Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2016 just five days after Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President, it’s timely to look at the links between populism, socio-economic malaise and the anti-corruption agenda. “Indeed, Trump and many other populist leaders regularly make a connection between a ‘corrupt elite’ interested only in enriching themselves and their (rich) supporters and the marginalisation of ‘working people’.” Is there evidence to back this up? Heinrich asks, and answers “Yes. Corruption and social inequality are indeed closely related and provide a source for popular discontent. Yet, the track record of populist leaders in tackling this problem is dismal; they use the corruption-inequality message to drum up support but have no intention of tackling the problem seriously.”

The rain has not stopped the ever-growing weekly torch marches organised by the Outraged Opposition citizen movement in the capital of Honduras and 50 other cities around the country. The peaceful protests are demanding the creation of International Commission Against Impunity, to combat corruption and strengthen democracy.

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Coping with the pressures of work – taking a break can work wonders

ecently, I was feeling a little bit under pressure. I had a few deadlines to meet and every spare moment seemed to be filled with paperwork or chores. I really needed a break, and I was at that point that when I did have a little time, instead of relaxing and being present in that moment, I was worrying about what I had to do next! Frankly, I feel that pressure can easily become a pretty regular state of affairs for many of us. The world is very stressful today, my good Readers, and we need to make a conscious effort to regularly step away from our crazy rhythms. The truth is that most of the stress we experience comes from our inability to just “be” in the way that young children are. When you spend time around little kids, they are present in the moment simply because they haven’t been trained to think about the future in the way that adults do. Of course, that is one reason we need to be responsible for their safety and overall wellbeing. I know that we “grownups” would be a lot happier and freer if each day we would give ourselves a short break from our tasks and projects to simply dedicate time “to being present” and “play.” Most of us would benefit by getting in touch with our inner child and just fooling around now and again. So, the next time you feel under pressure, Comrades, give yourself permission to take time out to do something that gives you pleasure. And I will bet that when you are ready to resume your responsibilities, you will be refreshed and able to view things from a calmer, even playful, place. That is my suggestion to you, and I hope you will try it out a few times throughout the week. I don’t want to make this an assignment because that would defeat the purpose. It should be fun and/or a relaxing time for you! Reflect on how many times you took a break and what you did. Someone said to me that if you took a break and be by yourself, you won’t enjoy and have as much fun, if you had spent the time playing some game with others. The child in us is still alive and so my comrades, let us bring that child into play at times. Trust me; you will be surprised of how much stress you will shed. Some people find it very relaxing to look at others involved in games, while others found listening to certain kinds of music as relaxing. Whatever is your preference, try focusing on behaving like the child now and again. Happy 67th Anniversary to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)! Remember to purchase and read your copy of the Mirror Newspaper and tune in to Freedom Radio, streaming on 91.1 FM in GT and its environs, 90.7 in Essequibo and 90.5 in Berbice. Streaming online freedomradio 91.com. Have an enjoyable weekend. (G. Persaud)

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Did Mount Everest Really Shrink? Scientists Measure Peak Again

ho’s ready to break out the 6-mile-long measuring tape? Scientists in India are prepping for an expedition to measure the height of Mount Everest, to determine whether a massive 2015 earthquake in Nepal really shrank the world’s tallest peak. India’s surveyor general, Swarna Subba Rao, plans to embark on a new effort to measure the peak, which is officially 29,029 feet (8,848 meters) tall, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. The trip, which will begin in two months, is scheduled to take a month to complete, with an additional two weeks for data analysis, according to the PTI. After a magnitude-7.8 quake struck Nepal in April 2015, the capital city of Kathmandu rose vertically by about 3 feet (1 m), while satellite imagery suggested Mount Everest became about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) shorter. That finding was controversial because conventional wisdom held that such quakes — which shove earth to the surface when two tectonic plates collide — should be building mountains, said John Elliott, a geophysicist at the University of Leeds in England. To see if other mountains in the region also lost some height, Elliott and his colleagues used satellite imagery to measure displacements in the mountains closer to Kathmandu, which is about 100 miles (160 km) from Mount

Everest. There, the earthquake’s impact was clear. “What we’ve shown and others have corroborated is, it shrunk the highest mountains,” Elliott told Live Science. “But the lower mountains it built up a bit.” If Everest had been closer to the quake’s epicenter, the shrinking effect would have been more pronounced, Elliott said.. However, “because Everest is far away, we can’t conclusively say it went down; it’s within the error of our measurement,” Elliott said. Now, the surveyors plan to use two techniques to measure Mount Everest: First, the team plans to put a GPS device at the summit and record a distance between the summit and sea level. Second, the team will use triangulation — essentially drawing baselines between two points on the Earth’s surface at the base of the mountain, and then using the angles between those lines and the peak to determine the height. “If you have two angles, you know the third,

because the sum of the angles is 180 [degrees],” Peter Molnar, a geologist at the University of Colorado, Boulder, told Live Science last year. “We are doing at the same time by both methods for better confirmation,” Rao told the Press Trust of India. However, answering the question on Mount Everest is going to be tricky, Elliott said. “The amount it’s likely to have moved from the earthquake is really quite small,” Elliott said. Meanwhile, myriad other forces

are also at work, shaping the mountains. The Himalayas are growing thanks to the slow-motion collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates. Scientists now believe that during the quiet times between earthquakes, buildup of stress on the faults between those plates fuels that growth. If it’s been many years since Indian scientists last surveyed Everest, then their current measurement will be a result not only of the height change wrought by the earthquake, but also changes due to that constant uplift, Elliott said. If

the area around Kathmandu is any indication, the mountains may grow about 0.25 inches (0.63 cm) a year. China conducted a survey in 2005, while India’s measurement (which remains the basis for the peak’s official height) was conducted in 1955 and confirmed by the Chinese in 1975, The Guardian reported. Nepal is planning its own survey, the BBC reported. So it’s possible the new survey may find the mountain has grown since the last measurement, and any shrinkage due to the quake would be drowned out, he added. What’s more, though uplift is assumed to occur at a constant rate between quakes, scientists don’t know exactly how much the fault ruptures undo that uplift in the immediate aftermath of a temblor. “We don’t know how much of that ‘up’ eventually must come back down in these earthquakes,” Elliott said. Given the limits of the measurement accuracy and all the possible unknowns, a new survey may not answer the question of whether Mount Everest shrank, Elliott said. “It’s going to be a challenge, but maybe not impossible,” Elliott said.

Early menopause linked to reproduction in women

he age at which women get their first period, along with the number of children they have, may influence when they enter menopause, a new study from Australia finds. Women in the study who got their first period before age 12 and had no children were five times more likely to experience premature menopause, and twice as likely to experience early menopause, than were women who got their first period at age 12 or later, and who had two or more children. Women are considered to have premature menopause if they stop

menstruating before age 40; they’re considered to enter early menopause if they stop menstruating between ages 40 and 44. A woman’s age at her first period and age at menopause are both markers of reproductive health, and while it’s not clear what the link between the two may mean for women’s overall health, a better understanding of the possible link between them “will provide us with the opportunity to monitor and intervene as early as possible,” to prepare women for the possibility of things like ovarian failure or early

menopause, said Gita Mishra, the lead author of the paper and an epidemiology professor at The University of Queensland. In the study, the researchers looked at data that was drawn from nine previous observational studies about 51,450 menopausal women in the U.K., Scandinavia, Australia and Japan. The researchers looked at the self-reported age of a woman’s first period as well as how many children she had. The median age of menopause was 50, the researchers found. Among all women

in the study, 2 percent experienced premature menopause and 7.6 percent experienced early menopause. But among the women who got their first period before age 12 and who also had no children, 5.2 percent experienced premature menopause and 9.9 percent experienced early menopause, according to a statement about the study from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. When analyzing their data, the researchers adjusted for factors that could influence women’s age at menopause, including their edu-

cation level, marital status, smoking status, body mass index (BMI) and year of birth. The researchers noted that most women in the study self-reported their age at their first period, however, and it’s possible that the participants might have recalled the age incorrectly. In addition, they said that more studies are needed to tease apart the effects of genes and the environment on the age of a woman when she has her first period and her age at menopause] “To improve health outcomes in later life, we need to be thinking of the risk

factors through the whole of the woman’s life, from the early years and the time of their first period, through to their childbearing years and the menopausal transition,” Mishra told Live Science. The researchers wrote in their findings that they hope that the study will help shape clinical guidelines for reproductive health. For instance, doctors may decide to prepare women with no children, who had their first period before age 12, for the possibility of early menopause, to help them make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

BP replaces Total as Renault F1 fuel partner D

WICB selector says dispute needs settling for Bravo to be picked

P and its Castrol brand will replace French oil company Total as the Renault Formula One team’s official fuel and lubricant supplier this season, both sides said on Thursday. The two companies last worked together in 1997 when the then-world champions Williams had Renault engines and BP sponsorship. “With the new aerodynamic regulations for the 2017 Formula One season, power sensitivity will increase,” said Renault Sport managing director Cyril Abiteboul. “Therefore fuels and lubricants will make an even

greater difference to the overall performance of the car than they have since the new power unit regulations have been introduced in 2014.” Renault, champions in 2005 and 2006 with Spaniard Fernando Alonso, sold their factory team in 2010 but returned as constructors last year after buying it back from Lotus. They finished ninth of 11 teams with only eight points but are hoping to make significant progress with an improved engine and German driver Nico Hulkenberg drafted in alongside Britain’s Jolyon Palmer. The fuel supply an-

nouncement had been expected and continues a shake-up that started in December when ExxonMobil ended a 21-year partnership with McLaren and switched to Red Bull, who use Renault engines with Tag Heuer branding. Former world champions Red Bull were also previously fueled by Total. Honda-powered McLaren have yet to announce their new fuel supplier but are also expected to do a deal with BP. Mercedes are partnered with Petronas while Ferrari have been with Shell for decades.

arren Bravo will not be considered for West Indies selection until he settles an ongoing dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board according to Courtney Browne, the West Indies’ chairman of selectors. Bravo, 27, was forced to return home from Harare on the eve of the November tri-series in Zimbabwe after the WICB cancelled his match contract reacting to his criticism of board president Dave Cameron. Bravo, who declined a WICB central contract, was also not picked in the Trinidad & Tobago squad for the Regional Super50, the domestic limited-overs tournament that got underway on Tuesday. Bravo recently had a Skype meeting with WICB officials, but details of the meeting have not been made public. In the current circumstances, Browne said that Bravo could not be selected despite being “one of our better players”. West Indies’ next international assignment is a three-match ODI series at home against England in early March followed by a full series against Pakistan beginning on March 31 in Trinidad & Tobago. “At this stage all I know is there is supposed to have been some discussion be-

tween Darren’s team and WICB,” Browne told Line and Length Network, a Barbados-based TV station. “Until that is settled, I don’t think there will be much going on in terms of Darren playing cricket. He is a talented young man, one of our better players. Obviously it was sad to lose him but at times these things happen, you just need to deal with it and see how you can get him back on the field playing cricket.” Former West Indies wicketkeeper Browne, who took over as chairman of selectors last June, said that his panel will be monitoring the performances of players over a period of time. He said tournaments like the Regional Super50 were very important as the selectors were looking towards building a squad keeping the 2019 World Cup in mind. Browne said the key for young West Indies players, which formed the bulk of the ODI team that played in the tri-series in Zimbabwe, was to gain as much experience as possible and the Regional Super50 offered just that. “This [Regional Super50] is going to be very important for us,” Browne said. “Coming after the Zimbabwe tri-series, we saw some good signs there. Obviously we

have a young team. Our captain Jason Holder has played around 50 ODIs, while the others have played 20-22, quite a few are below 10 ODIs. “It’s a young ODI team for us. So we are looking forward to the Super50 to see the incumbents continue to do the good work, and then those other players who are challenging for a place. We have a lot of ODI cricket coming up this year. We’re building up towards the World Cup. So all the players coming in to get runs, wickets can show us they have the attitude not just to be part of the team, but the kind of attitude that makes West Indies people proud.” Browne also pointed out the selectors would not consider age as a deterrent. Consistency was what they were after. “Age is just a number as the old saying goes,” Browne said. “People need to perform and perform consistently. We are trying to look at players over three seasons. What we are trying to do is not pick players after just one season. At times that will happen. But if we can get a guy performing consistently for two or three years, then you know he is deserving of an opportunity at the senior level or at least be considered.

Tiger hopes fond Torrey Pines memories provide boost

iger Woods hopes the familiar surroundings of Torrey Pines will ease his transition to tournament golf when he plays in his first full tournament field in 17 months starting on Thursday in the Farmers Insurance Open. Woods, who last played a regular PGA Tour event in August 2015, has fond memories of the southern California setting after winning the tournament seven times on a layout where he also won the 2008 U.S. Open for the last of his 14 major titles. The 41-year-old Woods, who was sidelined by back pain and a series of back surgeries, plunges into his comeback with a string of

tournament appearances. “We all know I haven’t played a full schedule in a very long time so this is an unknown,” said Woods, who played in Wednesday’s Pro-Am to have a look at the revamped North Course. “One of the reasons why I’m playing four out of five (weeks) is to get into the rhythm of playing competitive golf again. I’ve been away for so long. “It’s nice to start here at Torrey, also to go to another place, at Dubai, where I’ve won before as well.” After Torrey Pines, Woods will compete in the Feb. 2-5 Dubai Desert Classic, the Feb. 16-19 Genesis Open at Riviera before heading home to Florida for

the Feb. 23-26 Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens. Woods will also be getting used to new equipment, having announced on Wednesday that he will play TaylorMade clubs given Nike’s exit from the golf hard goods business. A TaylorMade driver, three-wood and five-wood will be in his bag along with his Nike irons while his new provider customizes irons for him. Woods will also continue using the Scotty Cameron putter he swung to win all but one of his majors. During the Pro-Am, Woods hit his irons beautifully, but was hit and miss with his short game on the rain-softened course.

WEEKEND MIRROR 28-29 JANUARY, 2017

Sport View by Neil Kumar

Jaguars suffer humiliating defeat by Barbados Pride T

he Guyana Jaguars were humbled by the Barbados Pride in their opening match in the 2017 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Super 50 one-day tournament at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. The home team destroyed the Jaguars batting line up, bowling them out like novices. The Jaguars lost by a massive 145 runs. This poor performance by the Jaguars was due to the fact that they dropped their most experienced and reliable batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, without any explanation. Barbados Pride took first strike and hammered the Jaguars bowling all over the field as they made a massive 302 runs for the loss of seven wickets off their allotted 50 over’s. Barbados’ slow, but sure Kraigg Braithwaite scored a solid 101 for his team. While the more aggressive Jonathan Carter slammed a magnificent 75, and they received valuable support from the power hitters Ashley Nurse and Skipper Jason holder scoring 28 and 31 respectfully. Bowling for the Jaguars, Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul took two wickets

each. However, it must be noted the Jaguars’ fielding was atrocious and their batting was equally atrocious, with only skipper Leon Johnson scoring a steady half- century. Young Shimron Hetymer was unfortunately dismissed without scoring. While the other batsmen failed miserably with the bat. The Guyana Jaguars lacked confidence and appeared to be clueless during the match. The bowlers were not bowling to the field, while the fielding was sickening. As for the batting, the Coach examine carefully the batting order. Chanderpaul must bat very high or open the batting. Most disturbing was the fact that the Caribbean ‘pensioner’ Sulieman Benn and the up and down Nurse captured eight wickets on a wicket that was very good for batting. The Jaguars will have to make significant improvements if they are to qualify for the quarter finals. The Jaguars were scheduled to play the Jamaicans Scorpions in their next match. The Scorpions also suffered a first match defeat and a keen contest was anticipated.

Federer sees off Wawrinka to reach Australian Open final

oger Federer held firm against a furious fightback from fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka, edging his former apprentice 7-5 6-3 1-6 4-6 6-3 in a Melbourne Park classic to reach the final of the Australian Open on Thursday. On the day the Williams sisters booked their place in the women’s final, 35-yearold Federer continued the march of the veterans, becoming the oldest man to reach a grand slam final in more than 40 years. The Swiss master was

shaken as fourth seed Wawrinka stormed back to level the match at a floodlit Rod Laver Arena but it was his opponent who blinked first in the tension-riven decider. Wawrinka double-faulted to hand Federer the key break in the sixth game and fourtimes champion Federer rode a wave of adulation from the terraces to serve out the match to love. One win from an 18th grand slam title and a first in five years, Federer also kept alive the chance of a dream

final with great rival Rafa Nadal, who plays the second semi-final against 15th seed Grigor Dimitrov. The Swiss will become the oldest men’s grand slam finalist since Ken Rosewall featured in the US Open in 1974 at the age of 39. “It’s all real, I never thought in my wildest dreams I would come this far in Australia,” a glowing Federer said in his courtside interview, having come to Australia with no expectations after six months out of the game.

Bolt loses relay gold after Jamaica’s Carter tests positive J amaica’s Usain Bolt has lost one of his nine Olympic gold medals and his perfect triple treble of Games’ sprint victories after team mate Nesta Carter was found guilty of doping at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Carter was found in retests of his sample to have taken the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Wednesday, meaning Jamaica’s 4x100 metres relay team must give back their gold medals. Carter’s lawyer, Stuart Stimpson, said the sprinter would be lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). “Mr. Carter will be taking his appeal to CAS,” Stimpson told Reuters by telephone on

Wednesday. Bolt is considered the greatest sprinter of all time, having won an unprecedented treble of consecutive golds in the 100m, 200m and 4x100 relay in three straight Olympics. He is also credited with being a key factor in maintaining a global interest in athletics at a time when the sport has been ravaged by doping scandals and a drop in popularity. Bolt was sleeping after a training session and unavailable to comment on Wednesday but in June, when sources familiar with the case told Reuters that Carter had failed a doping test, he was philosophical about the prospect of losing a gold medal. “It’s heartbreaking (the

positive test) because over the years you’ve worked hard to accumulate gold medals and work hard to be a champion... but it’s just one of those things,” Bolt had told Reuters. “Things happen in life, so when it’s confirmed or whatever, if I need to give back my gold medal I’d have to give it back, it’s not a problem for me.” Trinidad and Tobago are set to be promoted to gold in the Beijing 4x100, in which Jamaica set a then world record, with Japan moving up to silver and Brazil earning bronze. The IOC also stripped Russian Tatiana Lebedeva of her long jump and triple jump silver medals from the Beijing Games after she tested positive for a steroid.

Reckless attacks on the Judiciary by govt must end now - Anil Nandlall “…for the first time in 23 years, orders have been made by Judges in our Courts against the President, Prime Minister and Attorney General, without giving them a hearing…” These words are attributed by media to the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Basil Williams, speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the PNC to the Party’s General Council. This contention by the Attorney-General is not only factually inaccurate but constitutes another reckless,

scathing, unjustifiable and unwarranted assault on the integrity and independence of the Judiciary. Ralph Ramkarran S.C., over the weekend wrote, elegantly, condemning similar attacks by the Attorney-General which he described as “unprecedented in their savagery”. Firstly, I know of no Order granted by the Judiciary against President David Granger, simpliciter, moreover, one that was granted against the President, without a hearing. I call upon the Attorney General

to produce a copy of any such order. In any event, it is trite and settled law that though the President is personally immune from suit, his actions are not. They are lawfully challengeable by proceedings filed against the Attorney-General. A number of legal challenges have been filed against Presidential actions, decisions and conduct through the Attorney-General, over the past twenty-three years. The legal challenges filed against the suspension of Channel 6 from broadcasting and the grant of Radio

Picture shows section of crowd of PPP activists in Parika who turned up to listen to PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, and other party leaders, speaking on current national political issues. This is part of an on-going outreach programme to meet with party members in different parts of the country.

Licenses were challenges to Presidential actions/ decisions that occurred over the last twenty-three (23) years, which quickly come to mind. Significantly, where a citizen alleges that his/her fundamental rights have been, are being or are likely to be contravened, Article 153 of the Constitution confers upon the High Court, as the guardian of the Constitution, an original and unlimited jurisdiction to “make such orders, issue such writs and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of securing or enforcing any…” of these fundamental rights and freedoms. Presidential actions and/decisions are not exempted and if the justice of the case demands, then conservatory orders can issue and have known to be granted, ex-parte, against such actions/ decisions. As regards, the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General, in the eyes

of the Law, they enjoy no special place and they stand before the Law on the same footing as every other Public Officer. In fit and proper cases, ex-parte orders can be made against them. There is only one exception. In private law matters, prohibitory or coercive orders cannot be made against the State, as per the State Liabilities and Proceedings Act. However, this Act has no applicability in constitutional or public law proceedings. Therefore, it is perfectly proper and lawful for ex-parte orders to be made against the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General in appropriate cases in constitutional or public law litigation. The clear intention of the Attorney-General was to mislead a substantial political block of persons in this country and to pit them against the Judiciary by dishonestly conveying the impression that the Judiciary is against them. This is a

most ominous and dangerous development. Not only is it designed to sap the Judiciary of its independence and autonomy but it also drags the Judiciary baselessly into the political realm which can result in an erosion of public confidence in the legal system. Further, it is equally clear that the Attorney-General is laying the foundation to cast further blame on and to ascribe more improper motives to the Judiciary whenever they do not rule in accordance with his expectations, irrespective of how weak the cases are or, however infantile and misconceived the legal submissions maybe. No democratic society governed by the rule of law can afford to stay silent in the face of these atrocities. The Judiciary must function fearlessly and operate in an atmosphere free from fear. This constant barrage of attacks and intimidation must end now. (Press Statement)

The City Council got a shock as motorists in the City steered clear of the various newly-installed parking meters. The imposition of the meters has been widely criticized but the government insisted on implementing the programme. Picture shows a vacant spot in Central Georgtown which is normally very packed.

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