Guyana Times Daily

monday, february 9, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

WEATHER TODAY

High

Remigrant duty-free scam:

PSC roasts “shadowy tax evasion settlement”

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has expressed alarm over the dubious settlement of a multi-million dollar tax evasion case between the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall, urging that the tax body come clean on the transaction and explain to the Guyanese public the full details of the deal.

The business umbrella body also said it will be writing the GRA on the issue as it raises serious doubts about the operations of the revenue body and its objectivity in applying the law. The GRA over the years has taken court action against several businesses and in some instances levied on their properties for defaulting on their tax payments. Commissioner General of the GRA, Khurshid Sattaur has also been on a crusade against delinquent tax payers complaining about the many who do not remit Value Added Tax and was involved in smuggling activities.

In addition to Lall the multi-million dollar tax fraud case had embroiled Lall’s wife, Bhena Lall and a USbased couple, Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan. On Wednesday last the GRA Prosecutor Sandil Kissoon petitioned the court, on behalf of the GRA evidently at the request of Sattaur, with an application before Magistrate Judy Latchman requesting that the charges against the Lall’s and the US couple be withdrawn, noting that a resolution had been worked out. The next day the petition was granted and despite issuing a statement announcing the deal the GRA has failed to lay bare the facts of its settlement with Lall and the US couple.

Contacted on the issue on Sunday Chairman of the PSC, Ramesh Persaud said the dropping of the case

in this particular instance and agreeing to a settlement raises doubt about the Guyana Revenue Authority within the PSC. “We will be writing and will be seeking to make contact with the Commissioner General with our clear expectations. These clear expectations will be for the grounds and basis of the settlement to be made known, how does it affect other businesses and we would also want to know whether this settlement will be extended to the other persons who are in default. We will be asking for that,” Persaud declared.

Something to hide

Another senior official of the PSC said while Commissioner General has the powers to settle matters of this nature, he has to do it in a transparent manner. “I am shocked that he is not saying or responding to reports on the matter. I am appalled that he has chosen to stay quiet. It is a very serious issue and he should he explaining to the tax payers, explaining to the people on what grounds he has settled the matter,” the PSC official said. “But I think the question which should be asked is whether Glenn Lall has

something on the GRA that they want hidden, that they are afraid will come out if they proceed that pushed them to drop the matter and settle it,” the official queried.

Similar observations were made on Saturday when this newspaper spoke with a large East Coast Demerara businessman. The businessman felt that the settlement of the tax fraud should have been handled in a much more transparent manner and that the

people of Guyana are entitled to know the quantum of the settlement amount. The businessman questioned whether Sattaur was the only individual in the GRA who decided on the “settlement” and opined that if the amount was significantly smaller than the taxes evaded, then this would give other individuals contemplating fraud an incentive to go in the direction of fraud and subsequent “settlements”.

Another matter that came up in the discussions was the status of the $500 million libel suit the GRA head had brought against Glenn Lall and the Kaieteur News for the publication of allegations on his hiring of his sons and some other matters that included duty-free allowances to Bai Shan Lin, a Chinese logging company. The businessmen wanted to know if this was also dropped as was Sattaur’s earlier change against Lall for uttering “threats” against him. There were also questions as to whether a $30 million libel suit the Attorney General had brought against Lall had also been dropped.

Editor: Nigel Williams

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Opposition’s leadership legitimacy crisis

The upcoming elections have uncovered an intriguing contrast in the choice of Presidential Candidates by the parliamentary parties, leading to a dangerous disinformation campaign by the Opposition. In the People’s National Congress-Reform (PNCR), their leader, who is traditionally their Presidential Candidate, was to be elected last August at Congress Place in Sophia.

The Chairman of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), PNCR member Sharma Solomon described the rigging of the election. Instructed to select delegates from Linden based on specified boundaries, Solomon complied.

However, as he later explained: “Subsequently and without consultation with leaders of the Linden groups and the regional leadership, the (PNCR) Secretariat, apparently aided by others, dismantled the original groups (i.e.) the groups formed on boundary lines.”

Linden was eventually allocated 54 delegates rather that the 120 originally calculated. The Linden delegation, including Aubrey Norton, who had challenged David Granger for the leader’s position, all walked out of the Congress, rather than rubber-stamping a fraudulent election.

The leadership of the PNCR thus fell into the lap of David Granger, but it has created a rift between him and one of the most critical regions with a significant bloc of traditional PNCR supporters. This rift has reverberated across the other PNC party groups in the country, compounding the alienation from 2011 when Granger brought in a phalanx of volunteers from the ex-army corps to mobilise.

While APNU has been locked in coalition talks with the Alliance For Change (AFC), that grouping has not unexpectedly confirmed that Granger is also their Presidential Candidate. APNU is basically a cover from the PNCR to convince the electorate they have changed their core PNC stripes. There exists, therefore an existential crisis of leadership legitimacy in the PNCR/APNU combine.

In the AFC, the leadership crisis presented by their putative Presidential Candidate is no less severe. That party had been founded by Raphael Trotman from the PNCR and Khemraj Ramjattan of the PPP/C, after both could not get into the leadership sweepstakes of their party.

Their foundational principle to address what they identified as the fundamental contradiction of Guyanese politics - the racial/ethnic schism between Indian and African Guyanesewas to alternate their Presidential Candidate at each election.

This year, however, when it was the African-Guyanese leader’s turn, Khemraj Ramjattan unilaterally and arbitrarily selected his Indian-Guyanese friend Moses Nagamootoo. While he has attempted to justify the choice as a pragmatic one - to “split” the Indian-Berbician vote that had traditionally gravitated to the PPP/C to deliver at least a plurality to APNUthe African-Guyanese members of the AFC were peeved.

By demanding that the AFC - read Nagamootoo - be the Presidential Candidate if the coalition emerges, the AFC is hoping that when Granger eventually emerges as the leader and candidate, the AFC’s supporters in Berbice will see they “tried”. They would have eaten their cake and had it too.

But it is clear that the AFC is taking a big gamble and, like the PNCR, their Presidential candidate has severe illegitimacy issues for the May elections. On the other hand, and in contradistinction, stands the PPP/C which has unanimously stood behind Donald Ramotar as their Presidential Candidate.

Unable to find a chink in the PPP/C’s leader’s legitimacy armour, and smarting from their deficit in this area, the Opposition has insidiously attempted to create a contretemps by suddenly invoking their chant from the past that “Jagdeo is trying for a third term”.

Because President Ramotar has built and furthered the successes of the predecessor Jagdeo regime, this was presented as “delegitimising” him. Most recently when independent actors challenged the legality of prior constitutional change, including the two-term Presidential limit, Jagdeo was accused of being behind it, even though he rubbished this claim and gave his unequivocal support to President Ramotar.

Guyanese voters should not be distracted by the Opposition’s desperate attempts to shift their leadership legitimacy woes.

Black American experiences do not match Guyana’s uniqueness

Dear Editor, British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill who suspended Guyana’s 1953 constitution said once, “The farthest backward you can look, the farther forward you can see.” This maxim, of course, recommends knowledge of Guyanese history and its wisdom to enoble and advance federalism as Guyana’s best political resolution.

Currently, Guyana’s “ruminating” race problems are without much long term relief; they are only made worse with no peaceful permanent resolutions under consideration.

Eusi Kwayana’s partition agenda is also alive and rolls on as the alternative.

An anchoring mental enslavement, despite emancipation since 1838, has kept all Guyanese enshackled even into the 21st century and is likely to keep spinning into ad infinitum gridlock.

Now that it has been made very clear that “to ignore normal ethnic considerations” will also make for instability, what’s next? With both the British and Portuguese in exodus so far, the Indo Guyanese presence has been the most formidable target to be overcome.

Considered automatically guilty because of their numbers, the stratagem to whittle them down have been in full swing for a long time.

Problems

Already the Indo Guyanese population is being either miscegenated into oblivion, frightened away by targeting crime to stimulate emigration, actively creolized, subjected to religious changeover, facing increased suicides and threatened with massive job loss by a threatening AFC-PNC coalition for sugar industry shutdown.

“Worry” is kept alive among indentured descen-

dants because the other side’s problems and their past have not been adequately resolved. Why it must be done at the expense of Indo Caribbean ethnic annihilation is not acceptable nor will it be conceded.

Slavery’s horrors were not due to any indentureship descendants’ designs, conspiracy or exclusionary policies. Applying the formulas of the Black American experience to Guyana should also not become foregone conclusions, but it is.

Neither of the countries have the same history. There was no civil rights movement in Guyana. Political power was a UK-US gift because of the threatening PPP’s ideology. “In fact, during the American slave era, it was Whites that decided who was Black, in terms of people of mixed heritage.

The notorious ‘one-drop’ rule, passed as US law from 1910 onwards, classified as legally ‘Black’, any individual with as little as one drop of ‘black blood’. It was a legal method of discriminating against all peoples with African ancestry.”(Ben Arogundade.)

Ancestry

President Barack Obama is celebrated worldwide with pride as America’s first Black President. But Guyana’s Presidents Janet Jagan, Sam Hinds and Donald Ramotar do not all become “Indian” by any assertion that the PPP/C government was headed by “Indians” for 23 years.

Since President Ramotar’s ancestry is composed of Amerindian, African and Portuguese ancestry on his mother’s side with his Indian father, he remains the PPP/C’s and Essequibo’s quintessential and exemplary Presidential luminary in Guyanese history.

In the meantime, while united Black problem solving is now riding in confident justified anticipation of reparations

billions, all other Guyanese cannot remain static. Time does not wait.

Living for tomorrow’s promises should be no hindrance to todays’ now agenda of continuous progress. But by all that is associated with touted “ethnic honour” double dipping cannot also become “temporarily” honourable.

The departing British colonials did not specifically confer exclusive ownership or entitlement of their Caribbean real estate possessions, to anyone, by race, or otherwise on leaving. If they did, future reparations for slavery is completely lost as payment was made and accepted as is, at that time.

Since the PPP was not a final party to Guyana’s independence - even though they were the forefront fighters made up of the entire Guyanese race spectrum - from the British, they did not seal or sold anything in finality.

Benefit

What will Caricom’s current quest for reparations achieve should Caribbean real estate be designated as forfeited collateral for slavery?

Even by UWI’s Professor Rex Nettleford’s academic staking of entitlement claims of the Caribbean as owed inheritance for slavery’s miseries, there was no mutual settlement.

The taxpayers funded Caricom’s quest for reparations will also overwhelmingly only benefit slave descendants. Reparations justice by Caricom’s similar fairness can therefore only speedily find full and adequate compensation provided for the unprovoked Wismar 1964 massacre of Indians.

All subsequent losses due to rioting, rapes, injuries and property which occurred during Afro Guyanese rioting should also get adequate relief. Mutual excellence in education and desire to excel, allow-

ing all to become completely and economically free within Federalism is a far better existence. Pushed to the brink, but still in silence, the Indo Guyanese response is no match for the swarming bees.

Love and honour

What love has got to do with it? Indeed, what does “ethnic honour” have to do with it? By what criteria, or who will satisfactorily determine what’s honourable in race polarised Guyana with “ethnic honour” the new seasonal flavour?

What secret guiding literature informs its unknown codes? Prejudged by race, and automatically condemned by some slave descendants (not all) what better acceptable alternatives are in comparative existence, which guarantees Indo Caribbean peaceful coexistence?

Imposing slavery’s unending problems to all Guyanese cannot be fair. Ever. Could playing God by marking demarcation race lines in the sand be due to an empowerment piety possession so far unknown, which is an exception to the usual, so familiar?

All which may be cause for “worry” could so easily collapse when the rug is pulled away if ethnic reassurances are institutionalized. Currently there is no Indian on the other side, like the PPP/C’s own Afro Guyanese leaders who towers above us all.

When Afro Guyanese within the PPP/C Government give reassurances, it is firmly established they are with authority of backup honour in compliance. To set others free, requires all to be free especially the enslaved who must be fully mentally emancipated. It’s the physicians who must first heal themselves of any afflictions which daily torments them. It must begin soon.

Sultan Mohamed

The PNC Govt neglected, abandoned the Amerindian peoples of Guyana

Dear Editor, I read Vanda Radzik’s letter in another section of the media on February 6 under the headline, “The way the security forces manhandled two Rupununi Amerindians is unlawful and challenges our democratic rights”.

Reading Radzik is not surprising, since she is a supporter of the PNC/APNU. This is her democratic right anyway. But being supportive of the political Opposition tarnishes her rationalization.

Radzik, in her letter said, “The PNC made efforts to improve the status, conditions, rights and representation of Amerindians in Guyana”.

This is simply a lie. Unfortunately, Radzik did not state the track record of the PNC when it was illegally in Government for 28 years prior to 1992 and having neglected and abandoned the Amerindian peoples of Guyana.

Radzik claims that “Mr

Sydney Allicock is forever a beacon”. Many Amerindians communities in Guyana, particularly in the Rupununi region are of the view that Sydney Allicock is a beacon of Burnham’s ghosts, having played an active role in voting against budgetary allocations since 2012 for Amerindian people’s development in the 10th Parliament. And now he is searching for votes from Amerindian communities for his PNC/ APNU party? What barefacedness and hypocrisy! Radzik in her letter said that “Nicholas Fredericks of Shulinab who, in the last few months, has endured two aggressive swoops by security forces on his person, his family and home acting on high authority”.

Did Radzik, before she wrote her letter, take the time to find out from Shulinab villagers why the Police swooped on Mr Fredericks? It is alledged that Fredericks en-

gages in the trafficking of marijuana, hence the Police action.

And Radzik knows the dangerous effects of marijuana use on users, particularly our young people, especially in an Amerindian village or community.

DoesRadzik wants to see the destruction of an Amerindian villages by marijuana consumption? So the Police swoops were justifiable.

Radzik, in her letter, also mentioned the name “John Adams”. My advice to Radzik is to simply find out from Aishalton villagers about the conduct of this John Adams before she writes trash in an anti-Government section of the media as part of her Opposition political propaganda against the Government of Guyana.

Our democratic rights in Guyana remain firmly intact, Vanda Radzik.

Peter Persaud

Victimisation at Regional Schools Mash 2015

Dear Editor,

It is with great disgust that I penned this letter. The Children’s Costume Competition in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) culminated on February 4 at the Albion Sports Complex.

The regional competition was so exciting where we saw dances, gospel and secular music, dramatic poetry, masquerades and physical displays.

The day’s event was one of mind blogging, but ended with a bitter taste in the mouth of others and myself. The dances in the 11-13 and 14-17 year-old female groups, respectively, were partially unfairly judged.

Corentyne Comprehensive High School took to the stage two soul-touching dances in the religious belief segment and danced to the hearts of almost all in attendance, but was robbed of the position by (name given).

I was told after the decision was reached by the Judges, this individual changed the results and awarded the position to the New Amsterdam Secondary School, mentioning the fact that “Compri (referring to Corentyne Comprehensive High School) always coming with Gospel” .

I want to know, isn’t “Religious Belief a segment in the competition? It is my belief that this individual has a personal vendetta against “Compri”. Those 24 girls ministered to the crowd only to be snatched away.

Secondly, all the judges that judge the event

were from New Amsterdam. It makes me ask why the judges were not mixed or neutral? Why were there no judges from the Allied Arts Department of the Ministry of Education?

I am so angry that a school is trying to bring back the morals in the society and this said school had that dream snatched by the provocative sexual dances and obscene language music by the New Amsterdam Secondary School students.

How can we get back the society when those trying are being stifled?

Thirdly, I have been visiting the National Championship for years, and also read the booklet, and noticed that “Compri” had the full works, a lift, floor moves, different formation but yet not given the opportunity to go further.

Fourthly, the individual mentioned earlier in the competition that “Compri” is not going to Georgetown. If it is not possible for any Corentyne schools to go to Nationals, then it is best that only New Amsterdam schools take part in the competition.

I would like for the Head to intervene in this matter and allow the right school to go through and the right school to receive it rightful position, and STOP the other schools, especially Corentyne Comprehensive High School, commonly called Compri, not to be victimised.

Drupattie Bhoait

Concerned Parent

APNU (PNC) has no intention to break from its authoritarian past

Dear Editor,

I read with interest the decision taken by the APNU to officially launch its elections campaign on February 20, the birthday of Forbes Burnham, Founder-Leader of the People’s National Congress.

The fact that APNU has chosen that date to launch its election campaign on the birthday of Burnham can be construed as a subtle hint to the electorate that it has no intention to break from its authoritarian past.

This is also an insult to the memory Dr Walter Rodney whose party, the WPA, is now in an alliance with the PNC under the umbrel-

la of the APNU. Both the late Dr Walter Rodney and Dr Rupert Roopnarine, along with several other WPA leaders, were targeted under the Forbes Burnham regime for their opposition to dictatorial rule, as was revealed during the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry.

Politics, it is said, makes for strange bedfellows. One can hardly think of anything stranger where oppressor and the oppressed have now found common cause to subvert democracy in Guyana.

Hydar Ally

Tribute to a cultural promoter who passed away in New York

Dear Editor, Ajit Praimsingh, a cultural (music) promoter of IndoCaribbean events passed away in New York where he was undergoing medical treatment.

Praimsingh lives in Trinidad, but he has been well known by the Guyanese community, especially singers, in New York.

They expressed shock over his passing. I know him well and we would meet regularly in New York and Trinidad whenever I visit for Indian cultural celebrations, especially chutney finals, Indian Arrivals, and Classical Singing competitions. I last saw him at the classical competition last July.

Praimsingh understood Indo-Guyanese problems well and he reached out to them in Trinidad, New York

and in Guyana. When Indian foods and religious items were banned by the PNC, Praimsingh assisted IndoGuyanese with both so they could continue their religious practices and uphold their cultural diet.

Praimsingh has been a frequent visitor to New York attending Phagwah, Indian Arrival, and other IndoCaribbean celebrations. Many described him as an unsung hero.

I meet him numerous times every year at various cultural celebrations in Trinidad including at Chutney Finals and at Indian Arrival celebrations, Duck Curry and various and various Paratha Roti and Chokha Competitions.

He also attended Duck Curry and chutney contests in Guyana and in Queens, where I also bounced up with him some time ago.

Praimsingh was owner of Praimsingh’s Pooja Bhavan and Indian Music Store in Trinidad and he would visit New York regularly supplying Guyanese stores with his CD and pooja items.

He worked closely with Guyanese music producers, promoters, deejays, and radio announcers. He produced several recordings of Guyanese artistes

Praimsingh launched Mere Desh (My Country) a couple decades ago to educate the Indo-Trinidadian community about their culture. He

sponsored various cultural events, and each year awards were presented to men and women who kept the old traditions alive.

The non-profit organisation also organised competitions to renew interest in the art and culture handed down in the rich oral traditions of India. Praimsingh encouarged community groups and individuals to nominate outstanding person, who had failed to gain recognition for their role in nation building, and a committee made selection to honor these individuals, unsung heroes like himself.

He wanted to recognize those who did so much for culture but the Government let down. He was involved in the installation of the monument dedicated to popular chutney singer Sundar Popo, widely known as the Father of Chutney. He also did a lot to upgrade cremation sites in Trinidad.

In spite of all he has done to promote Indian culture, Praimsingh, himself, was never recognized by his Government. But in New York, Indo-Caribbeans recognized and saluted his work. Few have promoted and funded Indian culture like him in the Caribbean.

He was a cultural icon who will not be forgotten for his contributions to the IndoCaribbean Diaspora.

Vishnu Bisram

Morning Times premieres today

Television Guyana (TVG) will this morning televise its first episode of a new and exciting television talk show titled “Morning Times”.

The programme will be hosted by Guyana Times/ RGI/TVG Senior Crime and Entertainment Reporter Bhisham Mohamed and former Miss Guyana/ India Worldwide Roshini Boodhoo.

The one-hour programme will feature the latest in news, sports and entertainment. It also caters for a live interview and several other segments including “Young Guyana,” “Chef It,” “Good Vibes” and a fitness workout, among others.

The show will be televised live on TVG Channel 28/12 on Mondays and Thursdays between 7:30h

and 8:30h. A special production team, comprising Ashley John, Paul Persaud, Delnay Dehnert and Orlando Woodman, was established to oversee the smooth execution of the show. They are all excited

about the launch and are encouraging persons to tune into TVG for one hour of full entertainment.

Advertiser are asked to contact the Marketing Department on telephone number 226-9921, 2237230-1

Would you like to have a child who can deal with his positive and negative emotions in a healthy and constructive manner, who has good social skills and is an understanding and empathic listener? Then you need to raise a child with a high EQ or Emotional Intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence, more commonly known as EQ, is the awareness and ability to manage one’s emotions in a healthy and productive manner.

For many parents, figuring out how to deal appropriately with our children’s feelings is difficult. When we are faced with an angry toddler, a frightened child or a screaming infant, few of us know what to do.

To complicate matters, some of us grew up in families where feelings were suppressed and open, honest dialogue was discouraged.

So how can you then teach your children to become emotionally literate? Here are 10 strategies to help you to do just that.

1. Respect your child’s feelings. You need to realise that all your child’s feelings are important, regardless of how difficult they are to deal with.

2. Label your child’s feelings. Look for opportunities to teach your child the appropriate names for the feelings that he is experiencing.

3. Share your own feelings with your children

Be careful not to use your children as confidantes for difficult and conflicting emotions that you are experiencing, but at the same time let them see that you are human and have feelings too.

“I feel really sad that Aunt Suzie passed away. I miss her very much and that’s why I’m crying.”

4. Become a role model for trying to deal with feelings in an appropriate way. If you rant and

flect them back to him.

“You sound really sad. Do you want to talk about it?” or “You seem delighted with your new kitten.”

7. Allow your child time to work through his feelings. Resist the temptation to rush in and fix whatever is ailing your child. This helps to build emotional resilience and your child will soon realise that negative emotions do fade and that he or she will feel better.

8. Always prioritise

rave when you are angry then your children will learn to do the same when they are angry.

5. Acknowledge your child’s feelings. Stay in close proximity to your child as he shares his feelings and offer to touch or hold him if appropriate.

6. Listen to your child’s feelings and re-

safety and set limits if necessary. Children need to be kept safe even in the midst of an emotional meltdown. You may need to firmly restrain your toddler who is throwing a tantrum or perhaps even move him to a safer environment.

9. All feelings are okay, but all behaviours are not. Children will often express strong negative emotions through inappropriate behaviour, for example biting the new baby or breaking things when angry. This is when you need to step in and intervene. Stop the inappropriate behaviour and suggest a more suitable outlet. “If you’re really angry and want to throw something, you can throw these socks at the wall.”

10. Get the help and support you need to deal with your own feelings in an appropriate way In order for you to be a good role model for your child, you need to be able to express your own feelings in an appropriate way. This could be through writing in a journal, through talking to a friend or even a professional counsellor... whatever works for you.

Emotional Intelligence is an important part of your child’s development and the time and effort you spend helping your child to raise his EQ will pay off. Your child will be happier and more prepared to face the challenges that life will bring. (www.edutainingkids.com)

UG unions threaten total strike from today

The University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) and the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA)have threatened that from today they will be intensifying their protest actions against the administration to press demands for a hike in remuneration, which the Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi said they do not deserve based on their teaching hours.

“Following the letter sent to the Unions by the Vice Chancellor on February 5th that withdrew the minimal salary increase offer and refused to negotiate until we returned to the negotiation table, staff met on Friday, February 6 and agreed to ... escalate the industrial action from the sitin to a full-blown strike,” the two Unions said in a joint statement.

They added that staffers have agreed to congregate at the main gate at the University but not go into offices or classrooms; write a letter to the President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar requesting his urgent in-

tervention in the crisis prior to the dissolution of Parliament and write a letter to the Minister of Labour, Dr Nanda Gopaul noting the breakdown of talks and requesting the Ministry’s intervention in resolving the crisis. The letters to the President and the Labour Minister will be delivered by hand this morning.

Noting that they understand the strain that this action has and might have on all of them, the Unions said: “We are particularly mindful of the impact on UB staff. We have commenced collecting strike relief, which will be given in the first instance to the most vulnerable among us who have expressed solidarity with our call for in-

dustrial action. We have also prepared letters that will be sent to all the commercial banks and credit institutions advising them of our industrial action and requesting that they allow affected staff members time to honour their obligations without imposing late payment penalties. These will be delivered by Wednesday to all institu-

tions. If anyone wants an individual letter, please contact us for same.”

VC calls off negotiations

Professor Opadeyi on Thursday called off talks with students and workers unions of the institution, insisting that the lecturers must return to their classrooms and that he would not negotiate under duress. He also withdrew his offer of a 25 per cent increase in salaries for workers, stating that there would be no more negotiations until classes resumed.

Opadeyi, in his letter to the Unions, said that he had interpreted the meeting with them on Wednesday to mean that the strike action would be ended and normalcy would be returned once the 25 per cent offer was made.

“We cannot negotiate under the atmosphere of industrial actions,” the VC stated. He added that the “administration is dismayed at our Unions’ action of proceeding and continuing industrial actions without using all available avenues under the labour

regulations to ensure that salary and benefits [negotiations] take place without any form of industrial unrest”.

The VC had related this to the Unions after receiving a missive to the effect that the members have turned down the 25 per cent offer and were demanding a 75 per cent increase instead of the 60 per cent that had initially been requested.

Meanwhile, UGSSA President, Dr Mellissa Ifill has indicated that the Turkeyen Unions met their counterparts at Berbice Tain campus on Friday, where it was agreed that the proposal by the VC was inadequate. Thus the UGSSA and UGWU decided to intensify their industrial action.

The Unions insisted that classes would not resume until a favourable proposal was made by the Council. Dr Ifill indicated that the campuses have been running on the “personal resources” of the lecturers, without which, there would not have been a functioning University.

Region 9 has great potential for agriculture – President

Head of State Donald Ramotar said that the communities in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) has great prospects in agriculture.

“It (the region) has huge agricultural potential; it has huge possibility for agro-industrial development and a big possibility within agriculture itself and in the livestock area,” Ramotar said following a visit to the region recently.

After visiting a cattle ranch in Meriwau, President Ramotar said that it was clear that people were becoming more aware of the needs and opportunities in that region. Meriwau in July 2009 received a Presidential Grant from the Government for cattle rearing, and another grant from the President’s Youth Choice Initiative which was also used to purchase cattle.

While livestock initiatives seek to develop the economies of the villages, the President said the Meriwau ranch had far more potential if the resources were utilised and marketed properly. The ranch has been aiding the development of the community, through the provision of beef to the Schools’ Hot Meal programme in the re-

gion at a subsidised cost.

The Meriwau cattle ranch, the President added, could also support a vibrant craft and leather operation once the necessary infrastructure was in place.

“Moreover, the cattle industry itself has possibility of not only producing beef, but leather and other things that can be targeted for producing handicraft, so there is huge possibility for devel-

opment within this area,” Ramotar said.

The President said he visited another community in the Rupununi, which has a small restaurant, and this illustrated the services that were being developed in remote communities. This, the Head of State said, showed very clearly that services in that region were developing well, and there was also the growing need for stock to meet the constant demand, as well as for other services.

The President noted that his Administration remained committed to providing the necessary infrastructure, which would aid in bridging the development gap between the coastland and hinterland. However, while noting that there was much more to be done in the region, the Head of State ob-

served that Lethem, which is the main population centre in the Rupununi, has drastically developed. “Lethem is comparable to many other parts of Guyana as far as services are concerned in shopping and different areas.”

The President said that bringing Rupununi communities on par with the coastland would take some time. However, in the interim, the Administration continued to put key infrastructural measures in place in all sectors. Meanwhile, the President noted that it was the policy of the current Administration to enhance the social sector, and by lifting the standard of education in the interior, Guyana was moving in the direction of providing equal opportunities for all people.

NICIL vs GSL court battle: Yassin/RII did not renew agency agreements

The Tony Yassincontrolled Guyana Stores Limited had failed to renew agency agreements with at least three of its major suppliers once the business was privatised by Government, a High Court trial heard last Thursday.

Yassin’s Royal Investment Inc (RII), owner of GSL, was sued by Government for money owed from the sale of the company. Yassin made the disclosure when he returned to the stand to be cross-examined by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Attorney, Rafiq Turhan Khan, in the legal battle over the outstanding US$2 million owed to the State for the sale of the company.

During cross examination it was pointed out that RII had failed to take steps to renew agency agreements that were signed by Government with suppliers before the business was privatised.

Yassin initially had tried to deny this, but after being shown documents he admitted. Yassin was asked if after signing the Agreement in October 2000 he approached any of the manufacturers with the aim of continuing business with them. He said yes and agreed that one of the manufacturers, Perkins, had moved its business to another compa-

ny.

The Attorney then questioned the witness whether the other manufacturers declined to continue doing business with GSL, to which he responded: “They did not decline and the others were not interested because GSL was not purchasing from them.”

Attorney Khan further enquired whether he said so because GSL was not buying from some of the manufacturers and he was offering to start purchasing but they were not interested. Yassin confirmed that the manufacturers “were not interested”.

He also confirmed that there was a letter from the manufacturers enquiring whether the new owners wanted to continue the business relationship and noted that it was the manufacturers’ prerogative to cancel franchises once there was a change in the major shareholder.

New franchise agreements Yassin was shown the document, whose contents he acknowledged, stating that RII had to make its own arrangements with the manufacturers for continuation of the franchises. “Do you agree with me that RII was aware that it had to take some action to have these franchises re-established or continued?” the Attorney questioned Yassin,

Tony Yassin

who disagreed.

He was then shown a fax from Perkins to GSL outlining its position as it related to the continuation of the Perkins franchise. The witness accepted that the document was saying that the franchise was not automatically transferable and that the new shareholder of GSL would have to make new arrangements with Perkins.

The GSL boss went on to say that prior to October 2000, when the agreement was signed, RII did not contact or meet with anyone from Perkins to negotiate a new business arrangement. He added that he was not aware of any new agreements in relation to the franchise of Fisherman’s Friends and Kalamazoo.

PSC roasts...

Since the withdrawal of the case several questions have been raised about the transaction and the lack of transparency.

Among the questions are; was any action taken against the Brijnanan’s son who is an employee of the GRA and who was accused of colluding with his parents and Lall to defraud the State; how much money was paid over by the defendants to settle the case; was the US couple’s remi-

grant status revoked based on the rigid criteria of the Remigrant Scheme; are there any implications for Lall’s businesses given the alleged illegal transaction.

Sattaur backtrack

The about turn decision by the GRA to settle the case had run counter to public statements made by Sattaur early January. He had told Guyana Times that his agency will go through with the matter in

The NICIL Attorney fur-

from page 3

Court, and was hoping it will be resolved in the judicial system within a timely manner.

Additionally, noting that while the matter is ongoing, Sattaur had said that “GRA will not be entering into any negotiations outside of the Courts unless directed by the Courts to do so.” Not many days hence, Sattaur commented that he was anxious to settle the matter with Lall and the US couple because a close relative the remigrants

ther pressed Yassin: “You will agree that these are the three franchises you tendered specific evidence about. Will you agree with me that it was clear that RII had been fully informed by PU (the Privatisation Unit) about the status of these three agencies?” And the witness responded in the affirmative.

The matter will continue on March 19 before presiding judge, Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire. Under the terms of the privatisation agreement, the balance owed by RII, which acquired 70 per cent of GSL’s shares in the sale, was due by September 2002.

However, the company failed to make this payment. In a subsequent agreement between the plaintiff and the defendant on October 5, 2000, the parties decided that the latter would pay interest on the said sum at the US prime rate prevailing at the time of payment, commencing one year after September 30, 2000.

In June 2004, the Government holding company initiated legal action against RII for the recovery of the US$2 million plus interest. The court battle began in late 2010 and had almost a year’s break before resuming. Senior Counsel Edward Luckhoo, in association with SC Rex Mc Kay, is representing RII.

is allegedly threatening witnesses.

The two Lexuses caught up in the scandal were parked at the man’s house when they were seized.

Sattaur had told Guyana Times that since the matter was taken to court; the relative had been allegedly sending threats to the witnesses “that if they dare go on the witness stand they will face the worst exposure in their lives”.

Eyew tness

E...from Ramkarran

ver since he departed the PPP/C following the bitchslapping from Gail Texiera, Ramkarran's been yapping at the heels of former President Jagdeo. He blames Jagdeo for him ending up with larwah after 50 years in the party! That he was never prepared to sacrifice for the party doesn't enter his delusional mind.

Here it was, old man Cheddi himself wanted to make him a Minister and he refused because the "money wasn't enough"! He could earn more at his law firm - to which the Government should direct its legal affairs. That happened for a while - but when Jagdeo came into office and the gravy train slowed down, he realised he might lose corn and husk.

Suddenly, he wanted to be President as Jagdeo's second term was coming to an end. But by then, new lawyer Nagamootoo'd put up his hand. Ramkarran'd never believed Jagdeo didn't want a third term - so his adamant disavowal was like manna from heaven. It's not that Ramkarran suddenly decided he'd look good in sackcloth and ashes but he just looooved the new Presidential compensation and pension package!!

He still can't get over that Ramotar beat him for the party's Presidential Candidacy in a vote of fellas who he thought were his "friends". Little did he know his middle class pretensions had grated on them - all the more so since he spouted Cheddi's Marxist phrases.

His sickening, sycophantic pean to Jagdeo to curry favour just before the vote confirmed their scorn. He and Nagamootoo had never respected Ramotar - who was the essence of the PPP/C's path for leadership: work your way from the bottom and be humble about your ambitions. Up to this day, he still doesn't understand that Ramotar got to where he is on his own merits - he continues to insult the President by constantly insisting that he's "Jagdeo's pawn".

Look at Ramkarran's latest foray into PPP/C's business. He's convinced that Jagdeo's behind the recent case filed to have all constitutional changes made after 2000 - including the Presidential two term limit - declared void because they weren't confirmed by a referendum.

He believes Jagdeo still wants to run for a third term - even though the man's once again reiterated he ain't interested and that he's backing Ramotar. He even dismissed the PPP/C's denunciation of the "legal twaddle".

But Ramkarran should know better. If Jagdeo wanted to run, say after the second Ramotar term (which he'll win for sure), back in 2013, Ramkarran himself provided the legal justification of that move.

Remember when Ramkarran parsed the word "reelection" in the Constitutional Article: “A person elected as President after the year 2000 is eligible for re-election only once”??

...and coming out of the

closet into PANTY!

After playing ducks and drakes about where he stood politically after flouncing out of the PPP/C's Ex-Co, Ramkarran's come out of the closet. He's finally admitted he'd be "willing to be the consensus Candidate" of the proposed coalition between the PNC/APNU/AFC.

Talks have bogged down since Ramjattan backed off his original catchy name for the union - "Partnership Alliance For National Trust - Yes!" (PANTY) and went for ProDemocracy Alliance (PDA).

Your Eyewitness has been saying for years that Ramkarran's been preparing for the consensus role as the Opposition Presidential Candidate. And here it is from the horse's mouth! Undercutting Ramjattan, Ramkarran says he's comfortable in PANTY! Nagamootoo however is raising hell - he can't believe his old nemesis from the PPP/C's on his tail again.

Pissed that Ramkarran again wants leadership on a platter, quoting Ramjattan, Nagamootoo advised, "Haul yuh ass, Ralph!!"

...on taxes

The denouement between Glenn Lall and the GRA on his $100 million tax fraud case was described by the GRA boss as an "amicable settlement". Stabber News says not a penny was paid to the GRA. As part of this "amicability", did the GRA boss also apologise for "persecuting" Lall??

APNU/AFC coalition: APNU nixes Ramkarran’s candidacy

Despite being bogged down by their inability to agree with the (Alliance for Change) AFC on who will lead a proposed ProDemocracy Alliance (PDA), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Sunday said that it would stick with David Granger and did not see former Speaker Ralph Ramkarran being their consensus candidate.

Observers say that Ramkarran has been preparing himself for the post since leaving the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). On Saturday, Ramkarran told the Guyana Times that he would seriously consider taking up the post if approached by the Opposition parties but noted that it is highly impossible for this to happen.

“If asked, it is a matter that I would give some consideration to,” the former House Speaker mentioned while stating that no such proposal has been brought to him as it is being reported that the two parties have met a deadlock in deciding a presidential candidate. A coalition between the two Opposition parties is necessary in their quest to unseat the ruling PPP/C.

When contacted on Sunday, General Secretary of the APNU Joseph Harmon pointed out that the parties have not come to a point where they have any hurdles to overcome in selecting a presidential candidate. He noted that the coalition talks are still ongoing. Harmon

further stated that he did not want to anticipate that there will be a situation where the parties will be faced with hurdles but added that if it comes to that, then they will deal with the matter at that time. “It is not something that we wish to consider or pre-empt,” Harmon told the Guyana Times

The APNU GS went on to point out his party believes Granger is the best candidate for the presidential position but will have to wait and see what comes out of the coalition talks with the Alliance For Change (AFC).

“An old PPP/C man”

Meanwhile, Political Commentator Ramon Gaskin

told this newspaper that the APNU would not want to accept a Ramkarran lead-coalition because he is “an old PPP/C man”.

Gaskin explained that Ramkarran is not from either APNU or AFC; as such the parties would not want to pick such a candidate. Gaskin underscored that the APNU still sees Ramkarran as a former PPP/C man just as AFC’s Presidential Candidate, Moses Nagamootoo.

He further mentioned that he does not know what Ramkarran will bring to the table since he has been out of politics for a while, adding that he does not even have a constituency. “At least Nagamootoo has some votes in Berbice,” he noted. Gaskin added that the former National Assembly Speaker is an attorney and there are already too many attorneys in both the APNU and AFC parties.

Another political commentator Dr Henry Jeffrey, welcomed the idea of having a

“consensus candidate” leading the APNU/AFC coalition. “It is a good idea to have someone who is not attached to any of the parties to lead the coalition,” he said.

He highlighted that Ramkarran can get the two opposition parties “off the hook” in that there will not be a situation where one party is leading over another, which he noted may cause some complications.

Last week this newspaper reported that the two parties have fundamental issues with establishing the alliance with APNU refusing to change its name and give way to the AFC’s proposed PDA, well placed sources in the negotiating team said.

Well placed sources in the negotiation team also told Guyana Times that the parties are also divided on the symbol for any coalition and a proposal for them to enter the elections on a compromise as APNU/ AFC is being extensively discussed.

After more than a month of talks the parties have only agreed on a few policy positions and the need for a Government of national unity.

However, they are skirting around the elephant in the room: the issue of leadership, which AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan has declared must go to his party’s nominee, Moses Nagamootoo. They are also yet to tackle the other problematic issue of governance, the highly-placed source disclosed.

The source disclosed that at the onset of the discussion between the two parties APNU has refused to concede to changing its name to PDA, insisting that it has worked

extensively to sell the idea of APNU and was not willing to give it up.

Secondly, the source told this newspaper that APNU has also refused to accept the structure of a PDA as proposed by

the AFC.

Guyana Times was told that the parties have committed to meeting every day to negotiate, insisting that they will do so until an agreement is reached. Both parties have since an-

nounced separate dates for the launch of their campaigns and have selected their Presidential candidates.

Noting that the way talks are going, there is a likelihood that the coalition would not

come off, the source said that APNU has been readying itself to contest the elections alone. “We have been planning and our candidates have already been identified,” the source who asked not to be named said.

UGSS holds pageant amid industrial crisis

The University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) on Saturday evening crowned its inaugural King of Erudition and Queen of Elegance, when the pageant was hosted at the National Cultural Centre before a packed to capacity audience.

After a fierce competition, 21-year-old Esther Inniss, a third-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Social Science Degree in International Relations, walked away with the coveted crown.

Coming in the first runner-up spot was Gabriella Chapman, 19, an agricultural student and rounding off

the top three was 21-yearold Melissa Rushanna Canterbury, a communications student.

Inniss also shared the best evening gown prize with Chapman as she displayed a gown designed my Randy Madray. The newly crowned queen also walked away with the prize for best talent. She performed a dance which obviously got the nod from the judges.

In the male category, outshining his five other rivals, Dwayne McKinnon out of the mining town of Linden was dubbed the best of the lot, followed by Jermain Deharte who holds a Diploma in Banking and Finance and is currently

working towards completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.

Taking the final spot in the top three was Taise Seepaul who is currently perusing a Diploma in Civil Engineering after which he plans to complete the full degree. The best talent prize was shared between McKinnon and Seepaul. McKinnon performed a prophetic dance while Seepaul performed a dramatic poetry.

The King and Queen will receive $200,000 towards their tuition while the first and second runners-up will collect $100,000 and $50,000, respectively. In addition, each of the del-

egates was given $30,000 for participating in the pageant, compliments of the Vice Chancellor, Dr Jacob Opadeyi.

However, the grand event started a little late but it was worth the wait as the 11 delegates wowed the audience with an opening dance to the soca tune, ‘Personally.’ This was followed by the talent display by the delegates who again impressed not only the audience but the judges.

The wowing continued with a splendid performance by the Octive Bank out of School of the Nation and an excellent rendition from Kurt Johnson who performed the song, ‘Stay with me.’ As the delegates prepared for the evening wear segment, reigning Miss Guyana Universe Niketa Barker educated the audience on disability. Her presentation was applauded by those present.

By this time, the 11 delegates took to the stage as they displayed their charm and grace in the evening wear segment. The well behaved crowd cheered lustily as the intelligent young people paraded on the stage to soft soulful music.

They were serenaded by former Miss Guyana Talented Teen, Tiffany Bonner who belched out Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song.’ This made way for the special prizes. The congeniality prize went to McKinnon while the People’s Choice Award went to Canterbury and Chapman. The prizes for Best Talent, Best Evening Gown and others were also distributed. Before the final eight were selected, a former member of the ‘Camouflage’ Band performed to the satisfaction of the audience. The final eight were then required to answer the final question which was based on current issues facing the University.

After the responses, it was all up to the judges to make the final decision. After the tabulation of the scores, the winners were announced. The Miss and Mister UGSS pageant was hosted by Keron Noble who did a fantastic job while the Chief Judge was Alicia Bess.

De wild west in Guyana

Some people right fuh seh that Guyana gettin from bad to worse. De country gettin like de wild west. Instead of law and order, people gettin outta order and de country gettin more outlaws.

A man get charge fuh murder in de interior and he get bail. And was only until people find out that dem change it. If no body didn’t find out, de man woulda be a free man on de road to kill another man. That was how de wild west was.

A big man knock down lil Johnny fuf life. Lil Johnny cry till dem even stop he from cryin. Now Lil Johnny start cryin all over again because de big man ain’t even had to answer why he knock down Lil Johnny. That is wild west style.

Another big man been gettin off over de years fuh a long time wid back track. Even he visa get tek way and he lie till he get it back from de very same embassy people who he tell de lies to.

Dis is de same man who call de tax man and cuss he up nasty just because de man was doin he tax wuk. When he done cuss de tax man he turn round and threaten to kill he. Eventually de tax man get friken like a lil gyal and seh he ain’t want nutten to do wid de matter.

To add insult to injury, de same man surface again before de court and de same ting happen all over again. De tax man who supposed to collect all de taxes suddenly seh he ain’t want no more taxes from this man. Cowshid musbe hope to collect cows instead. That coulda only happen in de wild west.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! A man in de market seh he goin and tell he uncle who was a watch man at Wal Mart to send two BMW fuh he and he wife. Never mind he uncle dead last week. After all is de wild wild Guyana!

IRO lauded at UN Human Unity Seminar

Science of Spirituality Guyana (SOSG) and members from various sections of society on Friday commended members of the Inter-Religious Organisation of Guyana (IRO) for the outstanding work done.

“Today we would like to salute the IRO for its vision ‘One family under one God’ and the practical steps taken by this group of humble individuals to achieve universal harmony,” Coordinator of SOSG, Kenneth Daniels said during the first ever Human Unity Seminar held at the National Library.

Daniels recollected the IRO’s first meeting held at the Mayor’s Chambers at the Georgetown City Council when the organisation embarked upon it mandate.

“I remember the chair was Bishop Juan Edghill, who is now the Minister within the Ministry of Finance… I remember the contributions then of Sister Jenny Dewar along with sister Kala of the Bahai’s,” Daniels added.

He further highlighted the work of persons such as Sister Jean of the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University who he said, along with other women in the organisation, continue to dominate and promote the mandate of the organisation.

Joyce Nauth of the IRO was also singled out by

Daniels for her hard work in supporting the SOSG.

Daniels also credited the members of the IRO for working zestfully and without fanfare or acclaim as representatives on national boards and commissions to ensure women health, justice, parent education, criminal rehabilitation and the security of a peaceful aftermath of elections as from 2006.

He further encouraged the IRO to continue its good work. He also pointed out the togetherness of members of the organisation despite their varying backgrounds, religions and groups they represent.

He urged members of society to take the example set by members of the IRO to strive for the betterment and peace of all humanity.

He said “take a leaf from their book and join them in advancing the campaign of neighbourly love to all villages and out posts, frontiers of the nation and across borders.”

Over the years, the IRO has always been looked at for views on controversial matters such as same sex relations among others. The organisation seeks to promote peace and harmony among persons of varying religious, beliefs and customs.

Times Notebook

Greene is shameless in calling Guyana’s development cosmetic

Hamilton Greene has always shamelessly defended the PNC and his own role in the under-development of Guyana, the wicked dictatorship after Independence, and the terrorism on the Guyanese population throughout the 28 years they ruled with an iron fist.

He has a lot to say in boosting about the terrible under-achievement during the time he was a senior member of the ruling PNC when Guyana in 1992 was below its 1964 level. During this past week, Greene dismissed development in Guyana in the last 20 years as cosmetic.

Greene says that nine successive years and 18 out of 22 years of economic and social development, with per capita GDP moving from US$250 to almost US$4,000, is cosmetic. He

should tell the nation why the PNC Government had not one year of development between 1985 and 1991.

The PPP/C transformed Guyana from one of the most indebted country in the world (the PNC legacy) to one with the most sustainable debt ratio. Guyana had to use its earnings to pay interest on the debt that the PNC accumulated and squandered, but today the PPP/C Government is ensuring that our earnings could help build roads, schools, hospitals, pay better wages, better pension, support more than 70,000 Guyanese families to build homes, provide more water and electricity, provide school uniform vouchers and $10,000 for every child that goes to school today, instead of paying interest on debt like the PNC chose to do.

Greene, a senior cabi-

net member of the then PNC Government, refuses to come forward to say what he knows about the Walter Rodney assassination in 1978. The man who fulminates on plenty subjects has nothing to say about the Rodney murder. He could also take the time then to tell the nation about the many other murders of political opponents and the brutal beatings of hundreds of political enemies, like the cruel attempted murder of Dr Joshua Ramsammy.

We are forced to ask if the Berbice River Bridge, a promise that the PPP/C made and delivered on, is cosmetic. For Berbicians and others who had to wait for many hours and sometimes for several days to cross the Berbice River during the 1980s, the Berbice River Bridge is a major development and has solved

First ever Human Unity Seminar held in Guyana

As part of World Interfaith Harmony Week, the United Nations (UN) on Friday held the first ever Human Unity Seminar at the National Library with the aim of promoting peace and love in Guyana.

Speaking at the event, Coordinator of Science of Spirituality Guyana (SOSG), Kenneth Daniels said the seminar is an extension of the many dialogues called around the world to facilitate and promote peace.

Held under the theme “Love of neighbour,” Daniels said the purpose of gathering into one room, with religious speakers from varying backgrounds, is to simplify the meaning of the theme with the hope of inspiring

persons to get actively involved in carrying out the purpose.

“What we people hope to achieve at this seminar is that speakers with a wealth of knowledge draw from personal experience and active years of service to humanity and people of integrity will dwell on and clarify for us the meaning and significance of the topic “love of neighbor”, he explained.

Daniels further explained that he hopes the speakers can provide insight and hints as to what human being can do to create a comfortable life for others. He added that this applies to creating a comfortable life for people “we come into daily contact with, not only by physical proximity but with

the use of the far reaching electronic media.”

Daniels stated that the event in Guyana coincides with a similar event being held in India by President of the SOS, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj.

Further, he stated that the members of the SOS sees the declaration of World Interfaith Week by the UN as very fitting since it coincides with the birthday of Sant Kirpal Singh who is the former President and founder of the “World Fellowship of Religions,” an organisation recognised by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Singh was President of WFR from 1955 to 1970.

The event was attended by persons from various sections of society as well as religious leaders since the SOS seeks to create unity among all.

The SOS is a non-profit organisation. Its mission is to find the crossroads between science and spirit and to raise the frequency of people on earth, thus raising the frequency of earth, and to share this knowledge with the world.

Early this week, the UN launched the WIHW at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) where members of the Government and Opposition called for peace to prevail in the upcoming elections since Guyana has always struggled to maintain order during elections.

many problems. Greene should tell us how many pump stations the PNC inherited from the PPP Government in 1964 and how many were functional in 1992. What happened to pump stations like the ones at Lima, Rose Hall Town, Ogle, Number 28 Village, Buxton and many other places?

He should tell us why they closed down all five of the pump stations that served as discharged points into the Atlantic Ocean along the East Coast Demerara for the East Demerara Water Conservancy. Greene should tell us why the Dawa and the Mibikuri irrigation pumps, established by Dr

Cheddi Jagan and the PPP Government in the early 1960s, were less than 25 per cent functional in 1992.

Greene should tell us why production of more than 634,000 tons rice and almost one million tons of paddy are cosmetic development. He was Prime Minister of a PNC Government during which Guyana’s rice production collapsed and thousands of hectares of rice land laid abandoned as the PNC’s legacy. In 1989, Guyana’s rice export was less than 40,000 tons and in 2014, it was 503,000 tons.

Does Greene remember that Guyanese children not only ranked last in the Caribbean in CXC, but we stood by and celebrated the success of other Caribbean children as top performers at CXC? Can Greene tell us how many Guyanese children under the PNC topped the Caribbean at CXC, CAPE or GCE or GCE Advanced Levels?

Guyanese students routinely win the top awards at CXC and these children have won more top awards than children from any other country in the last 10 years. Greene not only insults our farmers, he insults our children and our

teachers.

The rich and powerful in the 1980s accessed services like brain surgery, heart surgery, kidney transplants, dialysis, radiation therapy for cancer, hip and knee replacements, glaucoma surgery and many others by going abroad.

Today, any Guyanese citizen can access these services right here in Guyana. The PPP/C Government has not only increased access to life-saving surgeries wherever they are possible, but they have ensured that young Guyanese professionals are trained to provide such services.

It is the silly season and we are aware that political rhetoric and political misrepresentation and misinformation will bombard us in the coming weeks. But no politician should be allowed to insult our citizens.

Greene must apologize for describing significant developments in Guyana as cosmetic, like the ones we mentioned above and the many others. He is shameless and will find an unforgiving population in the 2015 elections.

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

monday, february 9, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

APNU to consider legalising ganja – Harmon

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said it would examine the legalisation of marijuana if it won the General Elections slated to be held on May 11.

While responding to questions posed by members of the media on what the party’s manifesto would consist of for the upcoming elections, General Secretary Joseph Harmon said the Partnership remained committed to considering the legalising of marijuana and a review of the sentencing policies as it relates to its use.

“First of all, the APNU is committed to ensuring that the energies of all the people in this country are utilised for the building and development of the country and to the extent that we have a large group of our young men in prison for minor offences in relation to marijuana, we believe that that requires a review and we have committed to reviewing that. We have committed to reviewing the law

as it relates to these offences and the way it is dealt with by Magistrates,” he said.

The hope is that once APNU forms the next Government after the May 11 elections, it will commission a study on the matter that will inform the issue which the local Rastafarian community is holding as the bargaining chip for its support.

He clarified that the aim of the review was to ultimately see results for the legalisation of marijuana here, noting that times were changing and Guyana too needed to change its perspective on these matters.

“We are also committed to a review of the full legalisation of marijuana once we get into Government, but we will do it by a study on the matter to be advised. We aren’t like the PPP/C [People’s Progressive Party/Civic] and say that it will never happen. The world is moving in a certain direction and we have

APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon

to recognise that. We have to take cognisance of the world trends and world patterns. So, we as an APNU, what we are committing to is a review of the laws relating to the use of and sentencing policies in relation to marijuana,” the General Secretary expressed.

Examine thoroughly It was only recently that the Caricom Heads of Government had agreed to set up a commission that

will examine social, economic, health and legal issues surrounding marijuana use in the Region.

At that time, President Donald Ramotar had stated that the move by the organisation to establish a committee to look into the use of marijuana for medical purposes was a step in the right direction and was welcomed by the Guyana Government.

“I think it is something that we need to examine thoroughly … it is a good thing. The United States has already implemented this in many of their states across the country and a lot of people are pushing for it. A lot of emphasis has been placed on the positive side of it,” Ramotar said.

He, however, had highlighted that while it seemed a good idea thus far, there was need for adequate information on its effects before steps can be made to legalise the illicit drug. “Many are pushing for it and people are looking at all the positives, but the question

is how do we control and maintain the health of the citizens and how it is used? We need to look at the negatives too and see which one outweighs the other before we make a decision, but we have definitely welcomed the initiative,” he said.

The Caribbean trade bloc has created a Commission to study whether the Region’s 15 million people should be allowed to use medical marijuana and how courts should handle possession of small amounts of the drug.

The accord was reached at the semi-annual summit of Heads of Government of Caricom in Antigua. The Commission is expected to submit reports by Caricom’s next summit, scheduled for February 2016.

Activists in Jamaica, St Lucia and other islands have pushed to legalise marijuana use, with the Jamaican Cabinet recently approving a bill that legalises the possession of small amounts of marijuana in that country. It means that for the first time the country’s Rastafarian community, which uses the herb for religious purposes, would be able to smoke it legally.

The bill also envisages a licensing authority for the cultivation, sale and distribution of marijuana for medical and therapeutic purposes. However, many in the Caribbean still consider it a dangerous drug and marijuana possession can lead to jail time and stiff fines across the Region.

Researchers with Caricom have found that decriminalising marijuana and exploring its use for medicinal purposes could help boost the Region’s sluggish economy.

A recent preliminary report from Caricom found that decriminalising medical marijuana could help boost the Region’s economy. Puerto Rico is currently debating easing marijuana possession penalties, legalising medical marijuana and allowing cultivation of medical-grade marijuana, according to the company.

Reduction in deforestation recorded …despite US$54M in log exports

Despite managing to garner US$54 million through log exports, the Guyana Forestry Commission has reported a decline in the rate of deforestation in the country for the year 2014.

According to the Commissioner of Forests, James Singh, who was at the time speaking to media operatives and stakeholders at the annual sector review of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) and

its respective agencies, the country only utilised just over a quarter of its maximum allowable annual cut for 2014, with stringent reforestation policies in place for the logging companies.

During 2014, there was in excess of 500,000 cubic meters of logs harvested which represents an increase from just over 400,000 cubic meters the previous year. In 2014, total production of logs, primary lumber, long wood, fuel wood and split wood, was at

527,000 cubic metres compared with 437, 000 cubic metres, an increase of 21 per cent while companies were strictly monitored for reforestation practices.

Singh, in providing the review for the Forestry Sector, told the audience that despite this, Guyana was able to receive an estimated US$54 million last year from exports compared with US$39 million in 2013, a 37 per cent increase in export earnings over the previous year.

In addition, he related that the sector was able to employ some 23,000 persons in various categories, as approximately $3.5 billion was invested in 2014 for the development of the division. Of the 26 large concessionaires operating in Guyana, Singh reported that 25 have already completed their Annual Operating Plans, while Forest Management Plans are in place for all.

In highlighting the reasons for the improvements made by the sector, the Forests Commissioner said the GFC has placed increased focus on assisting those in the industry by exhibiting a greater tolerance in allowing rental agreements since companies needed to use some cash flow to retool and recapitalise, while it provided skills training for its sector employees to aid in efficiency, competence and quality and Coordination of road user agreements.

He noted that these agreements have been instrumental in the rehabilitation and maintenance of roads and the GFC has also

been very flexible when it comes to the inventories required to be submitted by companies or operators operating in Guyana’s forests.

It was explained that inventories are required to be submitted within a particular time-frame (November of the preceding year), but in the past year, the GFC has been waiving the stringent requirements to accommodate operators, adding too that based on requests, the GFC would, in fact, undertake inventories for companies unable to undertake this task on their own.

Challenges

Meanwhile, the Commissioner expressed frustration and disgust at what he called “the biased, negative coverage” by a certain section of the media, which he said created an adverse impact on the international markets for Guyana’s forestry exports.

The GFC suffered negative publicity for several months via sections of the media over the volume of logs exported in containers during the past year, but

Singh sought to clarify the matter, noting that there could have been more exports without causing any detrimental or negative effects had there been containers available. “We could have done much more exports in 2014,” he said.

Another matter which he said plagued the Commission was the high cost of energy but he expressed hope that this year would be better in this regard.

Other challenges which affected the low harvest level of the sector he said were companies not beneficially using large areas, companies not investing in inventory teams, companies not submitting their required short/ medium, long-term investment plans, standards, and access to low-cost financing, and skilled labour.

However, he noted that the GFC remained hopeful of a better year this year and to ensure this it would be looking to actively address these issues. The Commission will also be conducting a review of its Log Export Policy which should be implemented in the first quarter of this year.

“Many of the thematic goals developed for the sector in 2014 will roll over to this year, in areas such as improved production, processing, manufacturing and export of forest produce; increase and enhance local forest products value-added activities; tribulation of greater foreign and local investment and to encourage and monitor investments from existing stakeholders, among other activities,” Singh said.

Vector Control Unit puts out Chikungunya alert

By Devina Samaroo

Even though the virus has seemingly settled down, Director of the Vector Control Unit, Dr Reyaud Rahman said the public should still be on the alert for Chikungunya, considering that Guyana’s climate is well suitable for the breed of mosquitoes.

Dr Rahman said that the Vector Control Unit is still monitoring the spread of Chikungunya, noting that the public should not let its guard down.

Reflecting on the department’s performance in addressing the outbreak last

year, Dr Rahman admitted that it was initially unprepared to contain the disease.

“I must say that we were a bit rusty. We were a bit rusty because we weren’t used to having such a large outbreak,” he stated.

Dr Rahman said the Health Ministry and by extension the Vector Control Unit from the inception knew it was not feasible to eliminate the spread of the Chikungunya virus, noting too that they were fully aware that it could not have been contained to one region.

“We knew that we can’t stop the disease but our main goal was to minimise the disease…and minimise it in that, if you have 100 people working at your workplace, it would be an absolute disaster if all 100 got that disease around the same time…so we tried to cushion that blow so let’s have 5 at one time and maybe 10 at another,” Dr Rahman explained.

Despite the public’s opinion that the department made the disease spiral out of control, Dr Rahman said the workers did an excellent job in minimising the spread of the virus.

Additionally, he not-

Geo-textile tubes a better alternative for sea defence – Minister Benn

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn said it is very cost effective to use geo-textile tubes to aid in the improvement of Guyana’s foreshores.

“We as a Government are focusing on reducing the cost for the installation sea defence structures. It is very expensive to install concrete walls,” the Minister stated.

The Public Works Minister explained that in addition to being cheaper, the geo-textile tubes are also installed at a much faster rate when compared to concrete walls.

“When this project was first started, the workmen took about a week to install a single tube but they now take about a day and a half, depending on the tide levels,” he further explained.

He attributed the increased expertise in the installation of the tubes to the training workers received over a period of time.

The Minister also expressed satisfaction in the results received from the installation of geo-textile tubes along the foreshore of certain sections of the Georgetown seawalls.

The Minister explained that since the deterioration of the groynes from the foreshore since the 1980’s, the geo-textile tubes have thus far proven to be one of the most effective and economically viable means of protecting Guyana’s foreshore

ed that the situation was a great learning experience and the department is now better equipped and skilled to handle another outbreak of Chikungunya.

“Normally, we are more experienced in dealing with malaria outbreaks but Chikungunya is a completely different type of disease…but the difference with Chikungunya is that we have it right in the city… but we’ve learnt quite a lot so if we do have another outbreak of another vector borne disease…I think we are far better equipped and skilled to deal with the public,” he assured.

The doctor further stated that the ‘Chikungunya experience’ also benefitted the workers as it boosted their leadership skills and capacity to tackle diseases.

In fact, Dr Rahman revealed that one of the plans for 2015 is to provide continuous training for workers so as to further advance their capacity in this regard.

Meanwhile, one of the flaws he detected whilst dealing with the Chikungunya outbreak was the initial neglect to inform the public.

Dr Rahman explained that the public was not aware of the background work that was being done, noting that, that aspect should have been done differently.

“We got better later on but one of the things we realised was that the public wanted to know more…”

Moreover, Dr Rahman disclosed that neighbouring

countries sought help from Guyana to address the virus in their homeland.

He pointed out that countries like Suriname and Barbados sought technical advice in the fogging and spraying of chemicals.

He also stated that other countries would usually need assistance with medicines for various treatments.

It was in May 2014 that the first cases were discovered in a toddler and a woman from the Cumberland and Canje areas.

The Chikungunya virus

is an arthropod-borne virus that is transmitted to humans by Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Its symptoms are similar to those of dengue fever. The virus causes an illness with an acute febrile phase, lasting two to five days. It can result in some longterm effects, primarily joint pain, and causes moderate to severe illness. Depending on an individual’s reaction after the incubation period, persons may experience pain even after seeking medical attention. This period can last from two to six days with symptoms lasting four to seven days after infection. Individuals experiencing any such symptoms are asked to visit the nearest health facility as soon as possible.

In October 2014, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud revealed that more than 5000 persons reportedly contracted the Chikungunya virus, although only 105 cases were confirmed.

and replacing groynes.

Post-installation surveys carried out on the geo-textile tubes along the Kingston/ Kitty seawall indicated that the shoreline has improved with much wider foreshore area.

It was stated over a three month period – April to July – the Ministry of Public Works installed six tubes to form a groyne field. The project is an initiative under the 2014 Sea Defence’s Programme.

Amitab Babulal, one of the Ministry’s Sea Defence Engineers, who executed the project, was quoted as saying that “the geo-textile tubes have contributed to beach stabilisation and the retention of shell/sand/sediment drifting in the westerly direction. In recent years, the sediments have been moving towards the Demerara River channel, which would pose a challenge to marine/ maritime businesses and operators.”

Further, due to the success of the beach material retention, the Ministry is identifying other vulnerable sites to replicate the exercise such as: Number 63 Beach, sites on Leguan and Devonshire Castle, Essequibo.

In addition, Minister Benn said the Ministry is also exploring the option of installing the tubes on dams with breaches to aid in protecting the livelihood of Guyana.

Haitians demand lower fuel prices in mass protests

At least 6000 protesters have marched through Haiti’s capital to demand lower fuel prices and the ouster of President Michel Martelly.

The protest in Portau-Prince on Saturday remained peaceful overall although Police briefly threw tear gas and dispersed a crowd that had burned rubbish and tyres in the streets to block traffic.

The protest, which diminished in strength as the afternoon wore on, was the latest in a series of demonstrations over recent weeks fuelled by anger over fuel prices.

The Government recently lowered the price of gasoline by about six cents to US$1.19 a litre and diesel prices dropped by about five cents to US$0.94, but protesters say the reductions do not fully reflect the global drop in oil prices.

“The cost of living is too high,” said Joel Pierre,

a welder who joined Saturday’s protest instead of going to work.

He told the AP news agency he also would join in a two-day general strike scheduled to start today that is aimed at forcing a shutdown of schools, banks and other institutions.

“We need to let the

Government know that this is serious,” Pierre said.

Bus drivers went on strike for two days earlier in the week, leaving hundreds of thousands of workers and students stranded.

In protests last Monday, at least three people were wounded by gunshots in

a neighbourhood south of Port-au-Prince during clashes between protesting youths and Police.

Protesters also remain angry that Martelly began ruling by decree last month after Parliament was dissolved. Long-delayed elections have not been held.

Persad-Bissessar still favourite for PM

In the midst of a raging controversy last week between Police Complaints Authority Director David West and then Attorney General Anand Ramlogan over witness tampering, a fourth Cabinet reshuffle mere months before the next General Election, and the firing of two People’s Partnership (PP) Ministers, a recent poll has shown that if a General Election were called now, Prime Minister

Kamla Persad-Bissessar would be the top choice for Trinidad’s next PM over People’s National Movement (PNM) leader Dr Keith Rowley.

However, the poll also revealed that voters would support the PNM over the UNC or PP Government because the PNM was seen as the most experienced party in existence. While PersadBissessar was credited with doing a good job and trying

to improve the lives of citizens in the last 57 months, she was given a thumbs down for lack of leadership skills, not following up on election promises, and failing to be more assertive with her Cabinet.

Those polled felt Rowley could achieve first world status and has true courage and leadership. These were some of the findings in a Trinidad Guardian poll conducted and supervised

by Professor Derek Chadee, Director of the ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre, University of the West Indies, St Augustine. The poll, a nationwide survey held from January 29 to February 3, interviewed 507 respondents over the age of 18 selected by a random digit dialling method.

The intention of this survey was to assess popular opinion on a number of major issues. (Excerpt from TT Guardian)

Guatemala volcano: Fuego eruption showers towns with ash

Scores of residents have been evacuated from their homes in southern Guatemala after the Fuego volcano erupted, the country’s President says.

Clouds of black ash belched into the sky, while showers of rock and dust fell on to surrounding towns.

The international airport in the capital Guatemala City was closed as result of the explosion, President Otto Perez said.

It is expected to reopen later on Sunday, reports suggest.

The Fuego volcano is about 40 kilometres (25 miles) south-west of the capital and stands 3763 metres (12,346 feet) above sea level.

In September 2012, the authorities evacuated thousands of people from the area after Fuego started spewing large volumes of lava and ash.

Experts said at the time it was the biggest eruption from the mountain since 1999. (BBC News)

Locals wore face masks to protect themselves

Argentine experts query Mexico missing students’ forensic results

Argentine forensics experts have questioned Mexico’s investigation into the disappearance of 43 students, saying the evidence does not support the Government’s conclusion that the youths were killed and burnt to ashes.

The Argentine Forensic Anthropologists team, hired on behalf of the victims’ parents as an independent party, on Saturday issued what it said

was a list of discrepancies in the case.

The team had access to forensic evidence and crime scenes along with federal prosecutors and Mexico’s own forensic investigators.

Its statement said Mexico’s Government presented biased analyses of the scientific evidence to support its conclusion that the bodies of the college students were burnt to ashes in Cocula in southern Guerrero

state and their remains thrown into a river to hide the evidence.

So far only one of the students has been identified from charred remains found at the river.

The team “would like to reiterate that it doesn’t exclude the possibility that some of the students met the fate described by the Attorney General”, the experts said in the statement issued after they met with parents. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Reward offered for Caribbean Airlines Director missing since late January

The family of Caribbean Airlines (CAL) Director, Azad Niamat, who has been reported missing since January 29, is offering a reward as they continue the search for the retired pilot.

While the relatives did not disclose the amount of money being offered for the information, they said it would be paid to the informant if the information is accurate and leads to his recovery.

Niamat, 69, is reported to have left his home in Chaguanas in central Trinidad on January 29,

said he was going to purchase a part for a wireless router and has not been seen since.

His burgundy coloured Toyota Prado has been found and appeared not to have been tampered with.

A relative told reporters that Niamat had pressed his GPS (Global Positioning System) in his van which sent a message to his daughter in Florida.

But the father of two has not been found. Police are also assisting in the search.

The family said they have not received any ransom demands. (Excerpt from CMC)

FARC invites Miss Universe to talks

Rebels from Colombia’s FARC militia have invited the newly crowned Miss Universe to assist their peace negotiations with the Government.

In a statement published on its website, the group said it was taking up an offer made by Colombia’s Paulina Vega in her quest to win her title.

Vega, 22, has so far not responded to the offer.

The rebel army has been in talks with the Government for the past two years.

It has waged an anti-government guerrilla war for the past 50 years.

Representatives of both sides are trying to strike a deal, but the talks in the Cuban capital, Havana, are deadlocked.

Agreement has so far been reached on issues of land re-

form and bringing the FARC into formal politics, but a final peace deal remains elusive.

During interviews prior to being crowned Miss Universe, Vega had spoken of wanting to see peace in Colombia.

In their statement, FARC rebels said they welcomed her “willingness” to travel to Havana, adding: “We invite you to materialise your visit to update you about the development of the peace talks.”

The BBC’s correspondent in Havana, Will Grant, said it was surprising that the group would act on Vega’s sentiments.

Some 220,000 people, most of them civilians, are estimated to have been killed since the Marxist-inspired FARC rebels launched their armed struggle in 1964.(BBC News)

Mexico’s drug “Queen of the Pacific” freed on appeal

AMexican woman known as the “Queen of the Pacific” for her links to drug cartels has been released from prison after winning an appeal.

A judge ruled Sandra Avila Beltran’s sentence was based on offences she had already served time for. She was first arrested in Mexico City in 2007, along

with her boyfriend Juan Diego Espinosa, a top drug trafficker.

Prosecutors say Avila played a key role liaising between Mexican and Colombian cartels.

She spent years in prison in Mexico and the US, before being extradited to Mexico in 2013 to face money-laundering charges.

Her uncle Miguel Angel

Felix Gallardo, known as the Godfather, is serving a 40-year prison sentence in Mexico for drug crimes. Avila maintains her innocence, saying she made her fortune selling clothes and renting property. She has inspired several Mexican folk ballads as well as a popular television soap opera, the Queen of the Pacific. (BBC News)

Ukraine crisis: Leaders plan new Minsk peace talks

The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France aim to meet in Belarus’s capital Minsk on Wednesday to discuss a peace plan for eastern Ukraine.

It comes after leaders of the four countries discussed the ongoing conflict by telephone on Sunday.

More than 5300 people have been killed by fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russia rebels since April 2014.

Western countries accuse Russia of arming the rebels and sending troops to Ukraine – claims Russia denies.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French

President Francois Hollande have been leading efforts to establish a new peace plan.

The detailed proposals of the peace plan have not been released, but the plan is thought to include a demilitarised zone of 50-70 kilometres (31-44 miles) around the current front line.

Merkel, Hollande, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin held an “extensive” telephone conference on Sunday, German Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement.

The four parties discussed “a package of measures” to try to reach “a comprehensive settlement of the

conflict in eastern Ukraine”, Seibert said, adding that the leaders aimed to meet on Wednesday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he expected the meeting in Minsk to produce “important decisions”.

However, Putin said the planned meeting would only take place “if by that time we manage to agree on a number of points”.

Signatories of a previous ceasefire deal – Ukraine, Russia, rebel representatives and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) – would also meet in Minsk on Wednesday, Seibert said.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Iran nuclear talks: Ayatollah

Khamenei says “no deal better than bad deal”

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he would rather see no deal on the country’s nuclear programme than one that undercuts Iranian interests.

He would back an accord, but only if neither side got everything it wanted, he said in a statement. The comments came as the US and Iran held further talks in Munich.

Iran and six international powers are aiming to reach a framework agreement in March and a final deal by June 30.

The world powers want Iran to curb its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions.

Ayatollah Khamenei said he backed President Hassan Rouhani’s line that “negotiations are all about trying to reach a common stand”.

This meant that no side could end up getting everything it wanted, he said, warning that “it’s better to have no deal than one that goes against our national interests”.

He also expressed reservations about the current plan of reaching an agree-

Around the World

Greece needs bridge loan, not bailout – PM

Greece cannot service its huge debt and will seek a bridge loan rather than an extension of its bailout, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has said.

In an address to Parliament, he also promised measures to cut bureaucratic spending and said his Government would stick to all its pre-election pledges.

Tsipras’s far-left Syriza

party won elections last month on a promise to end austerity measures.

European Union officials have rejected his efforts to renegotiate Greece’s bailout terms.

“Greece wants to service its debt,” Tsipras told Parliament on Sunday. “If our peers want so too, they are invited to come to the table of dialogue so we can dis-

cuss how to make it viable.” Greece’s current programme of loans ends on February 28. A final €7.2 billion is still to be negotiated, but the new Government has already begun to roll back austerity measures. Greek debt stands at more than €320 billion, or about 174 per cent of Greece’s economic output.

Egypt sets retrial date for jailed Al Jazeera staff

Egyptian authorities have set a date for the retrial of jailed Al Jazeera journalists Baher Mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy.

The two journalists will appear in court on February 12 after spending 407 days in prison.

An Al Jazeera spokesman said the retrial “should be a day of justice prevailing.”

“Baher and Mohamed have been unjustly jailed for over a year, even though the entire world knows they are innocent. With a date now set for the retrial, the Egyptian authorities know exactly what to do – throw the entire case out and give Baher and Mohamed their freedom which has been denied to them for more than 400 days”.

Baher Mohamed, a producer, and Al Jazeera’s Cairo bureau chief

ment in two stages, first on general issues and then on details.

“We don’t approve of this as we don’t trust the other side. They would use the general agreement to put pressure on us on details. Any agreement should be reached in one stage,” he said.

Iran would consider the deal unfavourable if sanctions were not lifted with immediate effect after a comprehensive accord, Bozorgmehr Sharafedin from the BBC’s Persian service reports. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Chinese exports fall as trade surplus hits record

China’s slumping economy hit trade in January. Imports and exports came in worse than anticipated and the monthly trade surplus bulged to a record US$60 billion as a survey published on Sunday revealed that manufacturing, a key sector of the Chinese economy, contracted in January for the first time in more than two years.

China’s exports fell 3.3 per cent in January from a year earlier, while imports slumped by 19.9 per cent, according to data released

on Sunday by the Customs Administration. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected exports to rise by 6.3 per cent and imports to fall only three per cent, to give a trade deficit of US$48.9 billion.

The majority of the slump in imports was the result of falling commodity prices, especially coal and oil, according to analysts at ANZ Research.

China’s iron ore imports and crude oil imports fell by 9.4 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively by volume.

However, in value terms, iron ore imports dropped by 50.3 per cent and crude oil imports declined by 41.8 per cent.

The data reflect the cooling of China’s economic growth engine — last year the country’s Gross Domestic Product grew at its slowest rate in more than two decades.

“China’s manufacturing sector is under great pressure as both external and domestic demand remains sluggish,” said ANZ in a statement. (Excerpt from Financial Times)

Mohamed Fahmy, were jailed after being falsely accused of colluding with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

They were arrested along with Peter Greste in Cairo on December 29, as they covered the aftermath of the army’s removal of Mohamed Morsi from the presidency in July 2013.

Greste, Al Jazeera’s East Africa correspondent, was released on February 1 after being jailed for 400 days.

The veteran journalist

has since vowed to continue the fight to release his two colleagues, whom he described as brothers.

Fahmy, an EgyptianCanadian, is serving a seven-year jail term, while Mohamed, an Egyptian national, was sentenced to 10 years. Fahmy renounced his Egyptian citizenship after security officials said it would lead to his freedom. Fahmy’s family told Al Jazeera on Sunday the decision had left him demoralised. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

monDAY, februArY 9, 2015 | guYAnAtimesgY.com

Crime down in Agricola

...following Police community project

Acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud on Sunday said that since the implementation of the Impact Agricola Project, the crime rate and general security in the community have been stable.

Speaking with reporters following the commissioning of a renovated community ground in the area, Persaud said that the Project, which was implemented under the Social Crime Prevention Programme, has been yielding positive results and many of the troubled youths have been channelling their energies into productive and constructive activities, leaving little or no room for “mischief”.

He noted that when the programme was launched in the community, they had to get the support and acceptance of residents and they have been seeing this over the months. “If the people don’t want you, there is nothing you can do for them,” he noted.

Heading into the community for the commissioning of the play field, which the Police recently rehabilitated as part of the programme,

Persaud walked along the main access road in Agricola and spoke to some of the residents.

He enquired from them issues they were facing and while some took the opportunity to voice their concerns, others were not so vocal. The Guyana Police Force commenced the programme in April last year. At the time, records showed that in March 2014, serious crime was higher than the figure for the same period in 2013; however, by the end of last year, the figure reflected a reduction of 15 per cent. According to the acting Police Commissioner, there are a lot of things that contributed to this result including the Social Crime Prevention Programme.

Positive engagement

“You see when you engage people in a positive way, then they think positive and do positive things. And if you leave them alone, then they drift to take advice from anyone who offers and sometimes those advices are not necessarily productive advices,” he highlighted.

Persaud went on to say that the programme consist-

ed of social programmes and work force development. He explained that while it was the Police who were offering the services, they recruit other skilled persons to teach life and vocational skills development. He added that they even channel persons into institutions to help them improve on their skills; for example, Carnegie and salons.

“So we go to communities and talk to people and whatever they want to do, we try help them to realise it in an organised way. We don’t just come up with ideas and force it on the communities. We talk to the community members or community leaders and find out what the people need and provide it for them,” he disclosed.

Persaud said that the

programme has yielded much success since its implementation with most of the communities accepting it. He noted that only recently he visited Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, and the response there was overwhelming.

“It’s a different kind of engagement especially since some of the troubled communities expect when the

Police comes in, they come arresting people and prosecuting, but this is a total different engagement and the communities are very responsive in a positive way,” he outlined.

While the Police Chief could not say how many communities the programme has been implemented in, he noted that there were a few in West Demerara, another set in A Division (Georgetown) and in Berbice. He added that the Force even conducted a medical outreach in Essequibo last year. There were eight doctors who conducted the exercise and did presentations on lifestyle diseases and how to treat them. Over 500 persons benefited from the exercise.

Persaud remarked that going forward this year, he has tasked the various Divisional Commanders to take charge of the programmes under their jurisdiction and expand into other communities. “We provide support to all those projects from Headquarters, but they themselves get a lot of support from the Divisions,” he stated.

Guyana’s first Petting Zoo opens …more

improvements in the line up

Guyana’s first ever Petting Zoo, which falls under the Three-Parks Initiative of the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), was officially declared open on Sunday by Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud.

Just before cutting the ribbon, Minister Persaud told the public to expect much more improvements and exciting additions to roll out in the months to come.

The public is quite impressed by the massive change with the local zoological experience through the addition of pathways leading through a few of the en-

closures, a donkey cart which takes children on rides through the zoo, a fully-functioning play ground with swings, seesaws, slides and trampoline, and the spanking new Petting Zoo, which cost in excess of $35 million. But, the improvements will not stop there.

Minister Persaud disclosed that moves are afoot to bring in animals from other continents such Asia and Africa to further enhance the zoo.

According to the Commissioner of the PAC Damian Fernandes, the cages are currently being established to house these animals when they arrive.

“At this point, we’re focusing on the cages, we’re kind of identifying where we would put cages and what size and so on and then based on that we will determine what kind of animals we’ll bring in… there will be a few animals from Africa and a few animals from Asia but most of the zoo will focus on teaching animals about their own animals,” he stated.

Additionally, there are plans to develop the bird watching trail in the Botanical Gardens and provide better access to the famous kissing bridges. Efforts are also underway to develop an aquarium throughout the entire zoo.

“What we’re doing is taking the aquarium and spreading it throughout, there’s a caiman pond there, so what we’re doing is we’re buying a filtration system and installing a waterfall…so this caiman will be in clear water and in the water will be turtles and fishes and so on, so it’s almost like we’re bringing the aquarium to each of the cages,” Fernandes explained.

There are many more exciting ideas to realise the zoo’s full potential, but the challenge is accumulating finance for such projects.

Fernandes disclosed that the maintenance cost is already very high and the zoo fees alone do not cover those expenses.

“Right now our maintenance cost is covered by a

combination of the zoo entrance fees which really is US$0.50 for children and US$1.00 for adults, so it’s very, very small fees, as well as the annual subvention from the Government… we are still very dependent on the Government’s budget subvention”.

As such, corporate Guyana was called upon to assist with the funding for these projects.

“The zoo offers an opportunity unlike any other in Guyana. For instance, 120 schools come into the zoo a year, so you have an opportunity to really educate an entire generation of Guyanese.

So as a corporate sponsor, it’s a really concrete way to contribute to the development of Guyana and its children and its future”.

Meanwhile, the Petting Zoo provides a friendly environment for children to admire the rich biodiversity Guyana has to offer while developing appreciation for animals. This section houses donkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs and ducks.

There is also a shop where visitors can purchase appropriate foods to feed the animals.

The Zoological Park came into existence in 1952, and affords both locals and tourists the chance to experience a diverse animal collection in a safe and accessible environment.

It occupies approximately four acres of land, and serves as a shelter for abandoned and abused animals.

Philadelphia tragedy:

Hundreds bid farewell to victims

The small community of Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo on Saturday bade farewell to the four persons who mysteriously drowned on Tuesday evening near the koker.

Fifty-six-year-old Radhika Persaud; her son, Ravin Persaud, 15; her great niece Annatina “Tina” Persaud, 9, and her great nephew Billy “Amit” Narine,12, reportedly went to dispose of items from a Hindu ritual when the tragedy occurred. They were found at the koker a few hours after.

Hundreds flocked the house at Lot 32 Vergenoegen Public Road to get a glimpse of the four bodies as they lay

mother being consoled by the friends and relatives

and sprayed sweet fragrances.

Tributes poured in, including from Attorney General Anil Nandlall, Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber and First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar who all spoke very briefly. They all expressed their sadness upon hearing about the tragic incident.

Nandlall spoke about karma in the Hindu context and wished the four eternal rest while encouraging the family to be strong, especially during this time of mourning.

A Leonora Secondary School teacher fondly reminisced about Ravin, a former student. Scores of students from the secondary school attended the funeral and left with tears in their eyes

knowing that one of their dear friends would not be seen anymore but his memories would live on.

More tears fell, as the mother of “Tina” stood over her daughter’s funeral dhoolie weeping unceasingly. She periodically wiped her daughter’s and son’s faces.

After almost two hours at the house, the bodies were then transported to the Khasi Dhaan (crematorium), Ruimzigt, West Coast Demerara in two hearses and the final rites were read.

There again, scores of people turned up to get a glimpse of the bodies, forcing family members to uncover the dhoolies. The pyres were lit some time after 13:00h after all the rituals had ended.

Public Works Ministry undertaking clean-up at UG

The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has mobilised equipment and manpower to clean up the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, fulfilling a request made by the institution’s management.

Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn visited the campus last Friday and Saturday to inspect the ongoing exercise. Since Wednesday, employees of the Force Account Unit

(FAU) and Sea and River Defence Unit have been cleaning the clogged drains in and around the institution, trimming overgrown trees and weeding overrun bushes, the Ministry said in a release.

Additionally, the Ministry’s Engineers have been tasked with finding a viable solution to rectify the institution’s sewerage system. A draft proposal is expected to be reviewed

in another two weeks. The University of Guyana is currently in the throes of ongoing industrial action.

Last week, the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) promised to make a donation of a quantity of teaching materials, assist with the initial cleaning of UG’s compound and address issues of drainage.

The group said it would also source materials and construct a four-foot walkway and pavement from the gate leading to the Education Lecture Theatre that could be used by students.

PYO Chairman Irfaan Ali said that the body was more concerned about the students, their future and the need for an amicable decision to be arrived at in the interest of returning calm and normalcy to the operations of the tertiary institution.

Ali said that the students and their interests would remain the major concern for the PYO until the improvements promised materialised.

FOn Sunday, the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) and the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA)threatened that from today they would be intensifying their protest actions against the administration, demanding a hike in remuneration, which the Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi said they did not deserve, given the rate of teaching.

“Following the letter sent to the Unions by the Vice Chancellor on February 5th that withdrew the minimal salary increase offer and refused to negotiate until we returned to the negotiation table, staff met on Friday, February 6 and agreed to ... escalate the industrial action from the sit-in to a full-blown strike,” the two Unions said in a joint statement.

They added that staffers have agreed to congregate at the main gate at the University but not go into offices or classrooms; write a letter to the President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar

ollowing our path is more like following our hearts, which is a very powerful voice than we can ever imagine. And speaking o f following our hearts, I have heard people talk over and over about their passion and dreams in life, but let they are not achieving results.

And in no shape or form I am saying that this is an easy thing to do, but I one thing I know for sure is that the heart itself has a mind of its own.

your path

Narine Dat Sookram

For example, sometimes we are thinking of things that we ourselves cannot understand, which makes it even twice as difficult for society and friends to fully understand. The thing is though, if we don’t follow our hearts, it is most likely that we will spend a lot of time wishing that we did the things we always wanted to do.

Sometimes our ego gets in the way to connect with other people. It is usually our ego that holds us back from doing what’s right, like acknowledging that we are sorry or tell someone how much we miss them.

The point I am trying make here is that when we put our ego aside we can easily connect on a much higher level thanwe feel in our hearts. I know that we can quickly get lost in the world we live in today, because it is not easy to always think our way out of pain.

In many cases, we can only get answers when we have a relaxed mind and when our heart is in tune with the real world.

Sometimes we are afraid to have a conscious mind as to what’s happening in our heart, and that’s because it can be very painful just to think about our feelings. However, being honest to ourselves is key, because it only then we can get the opportunity to heal.

Also when we do so by telling our own stories, then we can help to heal other people as well.

It is interesting how our ego and heart are so different. On the one hand our ego will tell us that we are not enough, whereas our heart will tell us that we are more than enough.

Following our hearts will be key because when we do so, we will learn that we are very worthy of being loved. This is important, because if we do not love ourselves, it will be very difficult to share that love with anybody at all.

And remember that loving ourselves is not something optional, but rather necessity. Loving others can be a hard thing to do, especially if we have had bad experiences.

I strongly believe that we should never settle for anything less than pure love. Because when we let our ego take control, we are really missing out from potentially life changing opportunities.

If we experienced a bad relationship, we are most likely to close our hearts, because we are afraid of getting hurt. Without any doubt, it takes a tremendous among of courage to truly follow our hearts, but let’s remember that it is important to live life with an open heart, because we really don’t know what is to come our way.

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

requesting his urgent intervention in the crisis prior to the dissolution of Parliament and write a letter to the Minister of Labour, Dr Nanda Gopaul noting the breakdown of talks and requesting the Ministry’s intervention in resolving the crisis.

The letters to the President and the Minister of Labour will be delivered by hand this morning.

Professor Opadeyi on Thursday called off talks with students and workers’ unions of the institution, insisting that the lecturers must return to their classrooms and that he would not negotiate under duress. He also withdrew an offer of a 25 per cent increase in salaries for workers, stating that there would be no more negotiations until classes resumed.

monday, february 9, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Culture Ministry wins Panorama steel pan competition

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s steel pan band was named the winner of this year’s Mashramani Panorama Steel Pan Competition on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

This is the seventh year the Culture Ministry has been hosting the competition. It collaborates annually with Republic Bank, which plugged some $2.8 million into this year’s competition, to host the event as part of the list of activities planned for Mashramani.

On Thursday, the first leg of the competition was held at the Theatre Guild, Kingston, with performances in the categories of junior soloist, pan duet, senior soloist and pan jazz.

Sunday’s finals saw the participants competing in the school, medium and large band categories. The Culture Ministry took the prize in the large band category while the Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra topped the medium band category.

More support needed for Berbice cycling

By Andrew CArmiChAel

All Berbice cycling lovers should join in the call for facilities to promote the sport. That is the view of retired head teacher, community leader and sports enthusiast, Ian “Bertie” Carter.

Carter made the call as he delivered the feature address at the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) 15th annual award and presentation ceremony for 2014, held at the New Amsterdam Town Council auditorium recently.

Carter said that the atmosphere must be created to have more youths participate in the sport.

“We are losing them to drugs and suicide. Some are being killed by drunken drivers. Efforts must be made to get better facilities for our youths. We need to ensure that they become better citizens,” he said.

Carter noted that in the past there was the Mental Hospital Ground and the Sugar Estate Ground in East Canje where several cycle meets were held annually.

“In Georgetown they have the National Park; what we have here? Only the road for our cyclist to train, yet the Flying Ace Cycle Club has been producing top quality riders over the years,” Carter added.

Ray Millington was awarded top cyclist of the FACC for 2014. Millington won the coveted award ahead of Elijah Bhajadder, who was awarded the runner up trophy.

In the veteran category, Syborne Fernandez took the top award, with the runner up being Wasim Hassnu.

Other awards presented to cyclists of the club were most “promising junior”, which went to Audrel Ross, while the female champion rider was Mercia Dick, with her two runner-ups being Whitney Poyer and Shenika Teixeira in that order.

The Top BMX rider for the club was Shane Sue Hang.

Two of the club’s biggest sponsors were also awarded at the presentation ceremony. Benjamin Sports Club for sponsoring the two

biggest races in 2014 and Arokium Funeral Home, which also played a big part in FACC races in 2014.

Speaking at the ceremony, Regional Councillor Phillip Rose called for more females to get involved in the sport.

He also congratulated parents who play a great role in the sport with the

support they give to their children.

Rose also congratulated the business community and the media. “Continue giving your support. It will take time to make the club the number one in the country. This can only be possible if all of us continue to support the club,” Rose said.

Treasurer of the club Randolph Roberts lamented that cycling is a sport for the affluent. He noted that the cost for a tire is $15,000 and a chain is $18,000, while a bicycle handle used by riders cost $20,000.

“Cycling in not a sport the poor can afford, but thanks to the business com-

munity for assisting the club, which has been attracting many from the grass roots.”

Special mention was made of Neil Reece, the 2013 champion who did not ride in 2014 because of work commitments and Whitney Poyer of Fyrish, whom Roberts singled out for her performance in 2014.

Bravo and Pollard a “huge loss” – Holder

West Indies captain Jason Holder has admitted that the absence of Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo is a “huge loss” to West Indies’ chances at the World Cup.

Holder described the decision not to select the pair as “beyond my control” and, in an indication that he did not agree with their dropping, pointed out “I’m not a selector.”

Holder became the youngest captain in West Indies’ history

when appointed, aged just 23, in the aftermath of the players’ strike that saw the team abandon their tour of India. While the chairman of selectors, Clive Lloyd, has insisted that neither Pollard nor Brave were omitted for disciplinary reasons or out of any sense of vengeance, it is clear that Holder feels that, on ability, they should be in his team.

“They are two players who have done well in world cricket,” Holder said. “But it’s out of our control. Not having them would be a huge loss to any side. But it’s beyond our control and we have to accept it and move on.”

Holder’s authority as captain was further undermined when, during the media conference, the team’s press officer took the unusual step of calling a halt to proceedings and demanding journalists ask no more questions about Chris Gayle. If the intention was to avoid any uncomfortable questions, it succeeded only in making Holder appear like a young man who needed shielding.

Up to that point, Holder had looked comfortable if a little nervous. Admitting he had taken some

time to decide whether to accept the captaincy, he conceded that his side’s form had been “inconsistent” but expressed confidence in the raw ability of his squad.

“Being captain is a huge thing for me. At 22-years-old I was the

youngest captain of all time. Yes, I had to think about it. It was a delicate time. So I gave it some thought and spoke to a few players around the dressing room and made my decision

“I’ve seen myself to be a leader in most teams I’ve put myself into. I’ve led teams before. I led West Indies Under-19 and I was vice-captain on the West Indies A team. It’s not something that I’m fresh to. We’ve been inconsistent and not played to the best of our abilities but we have some world beaters in our team. It’s all about putting it all together.”

One of those “world beaters” is Gayle. But despite Holder’s relative youth and inexperience - he is 12 years younger and has played 237 fewer ODIs than Gayle - Holder insisted that captaining him would provide no significant challenges.

“Chris is big player for any team he plays for,” Holder said. “He’s a world beater. He’s been a top batsman for us for a number of years. We just want him to be his normal self and get the best out of him.

“I have built a relationship with

some of the senior players. Being captain has not been that difficult thus far. We didn’t do too well in South Africa but we didn’t have our full-strength team out there. I have a good relationship with all the guys.”

West Indies’s final preparations for the World Cup begin with a warm-up match against England, in Sydney on Monday. (Cricinfo)

Maxwell, Warner set up crushing win

Explosive centuries by David Warner and Glenn Maxwell helped Australia gallop to their latest comfortable win over a lacklustre India, this time in a World Cup warmup match at Adelaide Oval.

Warner’s innings provided the platform for Maxwell to launch from at the back end of the innings in a fixture that was not an official ODI. Less fluent was the acting captain George Bailey, who played in fits and starts during his 44. He grows more likely to be the man to make way when Michael Clarke is passed fit after hamstring surgery.

India’s reply was notable only for a return to runs from Shikhar Dhawan, who showed improved balance and intent while making 59, and another useful innings from Ajinkya Rahane. Otherwise MS Dhoni’s men showed little sign of escaping the torpor that has seen them fail to win a single match on the tour so far - the flight home presently appears more tempting than the prospect of a successful Cup defence.

Rohit Sharma’s return from a hamstring injury was brief, ending when he snicked a well-pitched ball from Josh Hazlewood to Aaron Finch at slip. Virat Kohli started fluently on a pitch that showed many of the characteristics of a block of concrete, but dragged Mitchell Starc onto the stumps before he could threaten further.

Dhawan and Rahane looked at ease during a stand of 104 that momentarily had India looking like they could make a tilt at the distant target, but both deliv-

Australia

ered catches to mid-on while trying to clear Bailey’s field and the rest of the middle order melted away - Starc’s long arms pulling in a super catch to dismiss Dhoni.

A pesky union between Ravindra Jadeja and the impressive Ambati Rayudu served mainly to give a crowd of 13,909 something to cheer about. The noise generated by a large Indian contingent lent the occasion an atmosphere more Ahmedabad than Adelaide, even if the attendance was considerably less than expected given that all “free” tickets had been snapped up sometime before game day.

Warner and Finch had made a sound start after Bailey had won the toss, rattling to 62 inside nine overs before Finch shovelled Stuart Binny to mid-

SCOREBOARD

runs from 50 overs)

RG Sharma c Finch b Hazlewood 8

S Dhawan c Starc b Johnson 59

on. Shane Watson also made a start before miscuing an attempted pull off Mohit Sharma, who has replaced Ishant Sharma in India’s Cup squad.

India’s bowlers struggled to contain throughout, apart from a phase in which R Ashwin and Axar Patel put some clamp on the scoring by tying down Bailey. Warner’s hundred arrived in 80 balls, though he never appeared to be rushing or straining for effect. A wellflighted delivery from Axar eventually did for him, but not before Australia had been given the ideal base for later acceleration.

Maxwell duly provided it with an innings of power and poise, even if his infatuation with the reversesweep saw him try it no fewer than three times in a single over from Axar - two fours followed by a top-edge, and then an orthodox version of the sweep for six over midwicket.

NBA roundup… Hawks overpower Warriors

Atlanta’s balance overcame Golden State’s 1-2 backcourt punch.

Jeff Teague scored 23 to lead seven players in double figures and the host Hawks beat the Warriors, 124-116, Friday night in a showdown between the NBA’s conference leaders.

The anticipated matchup did not disappoint. It was tied at 52 at halftime and Atlanta led by 4 entering the final period.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Mike Scott and Kyle Korver, who each had 17 points, helped stretch the lead.

Warriors All-Stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson did do some damage. Thompson scored 29 points and Curry had 26 for Golden State, which had its three-game winning streak snapped.

Al Horford had 12 points and 14 rebounds despite being limited by foul trouble in the second half. Paul Millsap scored 21 points.

Pacers 103, Cavaliers 99 — C.J. Miles had 26 points, George Hill converted a key 4-point play, and host Indiana ended Cleveland’s 12-game winning streak.

rebounds and outdueled Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, who had a career-high 48 points to go with 11 assists and nine rebounds. Westbrook, who scored 45 points as part of a triple-double Wednesday in a win at New Orleans, made three free throws with 1.2 seconds left to tie the game.

Davis took the ensuing inbounds pass from Tyreke Evans and, with Kevin Durant (27 points) running at him, swished the winning shot to silence a raucous sellout crowd.

Nets 92, Knicks 88

Johnson c MM Sharma

b Mohammed Shami 19

MA Starc c †Dhoni b MM Sharma 0 PJ Cummins b Mohammed Shami 5

XJ Doherty not out 0

Extras (b 2, lb 5, w 3, nb 3) 13

Total (all out; 48.2 overs) 371

Did not bat: JP Faulkner, JR Hazlewood, BJ Haddin†

Fall of wickets: 1-62, 2-115, 3-120, 4-185, 5-227, 6-318, 7-345, 8-346, 9-371, 10-371.

India Bowling: STR Binny

6-0-41-1, B Kumar 5-0-310, Mohammed Shami 9.2-083-3, UT Yadav 9-1-52-2, MM Sharma 6-0-62-2, R Ashwin

6-1-29-0, AR Patel 5-0-471, RA Jadeja 2-0-19-0.

India innings (target: 372

V Kohli b Starc 18 AM Rahane c Marsh b Cummins 66 SK Raina run out (Warner) 9 AT Rayudu c †Haddin b Hazlewood 53 MS Dhoni*† c Starc b Cummins 0 STR Binny b Johnson 5 RA Jadeja c Warner b Cummins 20 AR Patel not out 5 R Ashwin c Cummins b Starc 1 Extras: (lb 3, w 17, nb 1) 21

Total: (all out; 45.1 overs) 265 Did not bat: Mohammed Shami, B Kumar, UT Yadav, MM Sharma Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-53, 3-157, 4-172, 5-173, 6-173, 7-185, 8-254, 9-258, 10-265. Australia Bowling: MA Starc 4.1-0-16-2 , MG Johnson 6-026-2, JR Hazlewood 6-1-252, MR Marsh 6-0-38-0, XJ Doherty 7-0-51-0, GJ Maxwell 4-0-29-0, SR Watson 3-021-0 PJ Cummins 6-1-30-3, SPD Smith 3-0-26-0.

Upon passing 50, Maxwell moved into full destruction mode, clattering the bowlers with something like impunity and rendering MS Dhoni powerless to protect the boundaries. By the time he retired on 122 from 57 deliveries, Maxwell’s last 29 balls had reaped 88 runs.

India’s fielding and bowling gave the impression that they were not fresh for a new tournament but jaded by more than 70 days without a win of any kind in Australia. The day after he reckoned India would be among the best fielding sides at the tournament, Suresh Raina turfed a skier from Pat Cummins.

A late fade of the Australian innings meant they did not bat out 50 overs, the only real blemish to an effort that showed the team is building up a fair head of stem for the Cup proper. Nothing of the sort can be said about India. (Cricinfo)

Trailing by 1 with 1:26 to play, Hill hit an off-balance, one-handed 3-pointer and was fouled taking the shot. He made the free throw to extend Indiana’s lead to 3.

Kyrie Irving scored 29 points and added five assists. LeBron James had 25 points, 5 assists, and 6 rebounds in his first game in Indianapolis since last season’s Eastern Conference finals with Miami.

Pelicans 116, Thunder 113 — Anthony Davis scored 41 points and hit a 3-pointer as time expired that gave New Orleans a win in Oklahoma City.

Davis also grabbed 10

— Brook Lopez scored 22 points, Jarrett Jack made a clutch 3-pointer with 13.8 seconds left, and Brooklyn beat crosstown visitor New York.

The Nets secured the city series by beating the Knicks for the third time in three meetings this season, clinching the series for the first time since sweeping all four games in 2006-07.

Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points for the Knicks but shot 6 for 23.

Rubio appeared to reinjure the same ankle that kept him out for 42 games earlier in the season on a driving layup with six minutes to play. He came back a minute later, hit two big 3-pointers, and then knocked down a pair of free throws with 10.2 seconds to play that put the Wolves in front and snapped the Grizzlies’ eight-game winning streak.

Raptors 123, Clippers 107 — DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points, Kyle Lowry had 21, and host Toronto rallied from a 20-point deficit to hand slumping Los Angeles its fourth loss in five games.

Blake Griffin scored 26, Chris Paul had 22, and Jamal Crawford 18 for the Clippers, who dropped to 2-4 on a season-high eight-game road trip that concludes with visits to Oklahoma City and Dallas.

Spurs 98, Heat 85 — Kawhi Leonard had 24 points and host San Antonio beat Miami in the first meeting between the teams since the NBA Finals.

Tony Parker added 21 points and Tim Duncan had 10 points and 12 rebounds for his 24th double-double of the season.

Rockets 117, Bucks 111 — James Harden scored 33 points and Houston hit 15 3-pointers in beating visiting Milwaukee.

Magic 103, Lakers 97 — Tobias Harris had a career-high 34 points and host Orlando snapped a 10game losing streak with an overtime victory over Los Angeles.

Suns 100, Jazz 93 — Marcus Morris scored 24 of his career-high 34 points in the first half, grabbed a career-best 12 rebounds, and led host Phoenix.

Pistons 98, Nuggets 88 — Greg Monroe had 21 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, and Detroit cruised past slumping Denver in Auburn Hills, Mich. (The Boston Globe)

Timberwolves 90, Grizzlies 89 — Ricky Rubio shook off an ankle injury in the fourth quarter and scored 8 points in the final 1:47, and Minnesota stunned Memphis in Minneapolis.

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Williams sisters see US through in Fed Cup promotion bid

Apersistent, nagging cough bothering world number one Serena Williams since her Australian Open victory gave Argentina a chink of light in their one-sided Fed Cup tie against the United States on Sunday.

However, Argentine number one Paula Ormaechea’s 6-4 6-4 win over Coco Vanderweghe, standing in for Williams, was a minor setback on the Americans’ way to a 4-1 victory in the World Group II tie at Pilara outside Buenos Aires.

“Since last night, we’d seen that (Serena) wasn’t going to play much... I knew I would have revenge,” Ormaechea, beaten in two sets by Venus Williams on Saturday, told reporters.

Venus Williams dispatched Maria Irigoyen 6-1 6-4 as the record 17 times champions U.S. cruised to-

wards a promotion playoff in April in their bid to regain World Group I status.

“It was a great atmosphere, we played well and I’m proud of the win,” said Venus Williams.

The Williams sisters had put their team 2-0 up on Saturday with wins over world number 121 Ormaechea and number 197 Irigoyen whose country were seeded and had a choice of court, opting for clay, despite the huge gap in world rankings favoring the Americans. (Reuters)

Ivory Coast lift African Cup of Nations in dramatic fashion

and twice hit the woodwork.

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Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic 9-8 penalty shootout victory over Ghana.

Keeper Boubacar Barry saved a penalty then scored the winning spot-kick, the game having finished goalless after extra-time in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

Barry seemed to be suffering from cramp during a shootout in which five penalties were missed.

But the 35-year-old’s heroics gave the Ivorians their second title, in a repeat of the 1992 final.

Twenty-three years ago, Ivory Coast lifted their first trophy when they beat Ghana 11-10 on penalties after a goalless draw.

Ivory Coast missed their first two kicks - Manchester City’s new signing Wilfried

Bony hit the crossbar and substitute Junior Tallo dragged wide with his first touch of the game - but Afriyie Acquah and Frank Acheampong failed with their efforts for Ghana.

After every outfield player had taken his turn, Barry brilliantly saved Ghana keeper Brimah Razak’s effort.

Having annoyed some of the Ghana players when he delayed their kicks because of cramp, Barry slotted home straight before being mobbed by his teammates.

Frenchman Herve Renard became the first coach to win two Africa Cup of Nations with different countries, following Zambia’s success in 2012.

Ghana had the better of the chances in the match

Christian Atsu was unlucky to see a superb 25yard shot come back off the keeper’s left-hand post, while Andre Ayew struck the outside of the other upright from a tight angle. But there there was a sense of inevitability throughout the match that it would go the distance as neither team appeared to be prepared to take the risks that might bring a victory.

The big names – Ivory Coast’s Yaya Toure and Bony, and Ghana’s Ayew and Asamoah Gyan – failed to have a decisive influence on the game, which never really flowed.

This was the sixth time in the last 12 tournaments that the final went to penalties, two of which had been lost by Ivory Coast.

CPL sells newly formed St Kitts and Nevis franchise

As the excitement continues to grow for the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament, the CPL today announced that it has sold the newly-formed St Kitts and Nevis franchise to an investor group led by businessman, Uday Nayak.

The news comes hot on the heels of the announcement that the Government of St Kitts and Nevis has signed a deal with CPL to host six neutral games when the tournament takes place in June and July of this year – meaning St Kitts and Nevis fans will not only see their home team play four games, but also six neutral games with all teams playing one another.

Following Thursday’s draft, which took place in Kingston, Jamaica, the newly-formed St Kitts and Nevis franchise has secured a winning line up, picking Shahid “Boom Boom” Afridi as its first round pick, fol-

lowed by Marlon Samuels in round two, Sohail Tanveer in round three and former Guyana Amazon Warriors star, Martin Guptill in round five.

A well-known investor in St Kitts and Nevis, Uday Nayak is Chairman and CoFounder of Veling, a niche aircraft lessor and owner of YU Lounge (www.yulounge. com), state of the art luxury airport terminals located in Mauritius and St. Kitts.

As St Kitts and Nevis’ new franchise owner, Nayak, said; “I am honoured to be a part of the ‘Biggest Party in Sport’ and even more honoured to have the opportunity to represent St Kitts and Nevis on the world stage as an owner of its CPL franchise team. Before the Draft, we had retained four fantastic Caribbean players and now, with the addition of players like Shahid Afridi, Marlon Samuels and Sohail Tanveer, we believe we have

a very strong team that will contend for the CPL 2015 title.”

CPL CEO, Damien O’Donohoe, said; “We are thrilled to welcome a new owner on board for CPL 2015 – a testament to the growing success of the tournament. We are confident that Nayak is going to be a fantastic partner and addition to CPL and a great ambassador to the St Kitts and Nevis franchise in the team’s endeavour to become CPL Champions. On behalf of the Tournament Committee and CPL Management, I would like to wish Nayak and his partners the very best for CPL 2015 and beyond.”

The 2014 Limacol Caribbean Premier League saw St Kitts and Nevis hosting the last nine games of the tournament in 12 days, reigniting the passion for cricket in the ‘Sugar City’ and pumping in excess of US$26 million into its economy. (CPL Release)

Hafeez ruled out of World Cup

akistan allrounder

PMohammad Hafeez has been ruled out of the World Cup with a calf injury. Opener Nasir Jamshed is set to replace him in the squad, after he was approved by the ICC’s Event Technical Committee.

Pakistan also have lead spinner Saeed Ajmal available for the World Cup, after his reworked action was cleared by the ICC, but the PCB named Jamshed as a replacement. Hafeez is the second Pakistani player to miss the tournament with an injury, after Junaid Khan.

“It’s confirmed that Hafeez is unfortunately out due to an injury. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq, coach Waqar Younis and chief selector Moin Khan decided the replacement as they wanted an opening batsman in place of an opening batsman,” PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said.

The board chief also said Jamshed already has an Australia visa and is expected to join the squad in five days to be available for their opening match against India on February 15 in Adelaide. Hafeez picked up the injury while batting in the second ODI against New Zealand in Napier on February 3. He was ruled out of the World Cup after undergoing MRI scans on

WI rebel Richard Austin dies at age 60

Former West Indies allrounder Richard Austin has died in hospital, aged 60. Austin won three caps for his country but was ostracised after participating in the 1982-83 rebel tour to South Africa, which led to him becoming homeless and developing a drug problem.

Austin, who was also a talented table-tennis player and good enough at football to represent Jamaica, was picked for two West Indies Tests against Australia in 1978, having made his ODI debut earlier on the same tour. He was dropped over signing for Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket, prompting a walkout by West Indies’ players.

Although his form remained good, he was never recalled and a few years

later was tempted to go to South Africa, despite the country’s isolation due to the apartheid regime - a tour which had far-reaching effects for those on it.

A batsman who could bowl medium-pace or offspin, Austin was for a time

known as the “right-handed

was ended at the age

29 by playing in South Africa and he was reduced to living off the streets in Kingston, addicted to cocaine, known to local children as “Danny Germs”. (Cricinfo)

Barbados Pride crushed hapless Leeward Islands Hurricanes by an innings and 190 runs inside three days here Sunday, to make a strong surge in the WICB Professional Cricket League standings.

Using their varied pace and spin attack, the hosts bundled out Hurricanes for 136 in their first innings nearly 50 minutes before lunch and after enforcing the follow-on, sent them crashing for a paltry 80 in their second innings, to wrap up victory on the stroke of tea.

Barbados Pride make surge after crushing Hurricanes SCOREBOARD

With the success, Pride moved up to 60 points and could assume second place in the standings after the current fifth round of matches, if Jamaica Franchise lose to leaders Guyana Jaguars in Kingston.

Resuming the third day on 84 for five in reply to Pride’s massive 406 for six declared, Hurricanes folded meekly as seamer Carlos Brathwaite and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican ran through the innings, claiming the last five wickets for 52 runs.

Friday in Sydney, following which he was advised a month-long rest. The allrounder was available only as a batsman in the tournament after he had been suspended by the ICC in December.

He was scheduled to undergo an official test with a reworked action in Brisbane on February 6, which the PCB wanted pushed back to February 10 because Hafeez was not fit. (Cricinfo)

Right-armer Brathwaite finished with four for 18 while Warrican took four for 33. Fast bowler Tino Best picked up two for 35. Only wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton showed any resistance, carving out a top score of 66 to register his ninth first class halfcentury.

Resuming the day on 30, he stroked 12 fours off 85 balls in two hours at the crease, to be the only bright

spark for the luckless visitors.

He extended his sixth wicket stand with Akeem Saunders (16) to 60 before the partnership was broken, when Warrican had Saunders caught at mid-on by Best, driving.

This led to a slump where the last four wickets fell for just 26 runs, with Hamilton the last to go, caught and bowled by Brathwaite.

Following on by 270 runs, Hurricanes fared little better the second time around, slumping to 23 for two at lunch.

Warrican was once again in the forefront, tak-

ing three for 17 while fast bowler Miguel Cummins finished with three for 24. Best chimed in with two for 12. Hayden Walsh, batting at number nine, top scored with 17 not out and was one of only two players in double figures as Hamilton scored 14.

The writing was on the wall for Hurricanes before lunch once Sherwin Peters was snared by Kyle Corbin at slip off Best without scoring in the third over of the innings, and Austin Richards was lbw to Cummins in the next over, playing across. (CMC)

BARBADOS PRIDE 1st Innings 406-6 decl.

LEEWARD ISLANDS

HURRICANES 1st Innings

(overnight 84 for five)

A Richards c C Brathwaite

b Best 0

S Peters c Hope b Best 17

M Hodge c Chase

b C Brathwaite 8

*D Thomas c Corbin

b C Brathwaite 0

O Peters b Warrican 6 +J Hamilton c and

b C Brathwaite 66

A Saunders c Best

b Warrican 16 R Cornwall st Dowrich

b Warrican 0 H Walsh Jr lbw b Warrican 3

G Tonge b C Brathwaite 7

Q Boatswain not out 0 Extras (lb6, w1, nb6) 13

TOTAL (all out, 46.2 overs) 136

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-16, 3-25, 4-37, 5-50, 6-110, 7-114, 8-124, 9-135, 10-136.

LEEWARD ISLANDS HURRICANES 2nd Innings A Richards lbw b Cummins 7 S Peters c Corbin b Best 0 M Hodge c K Brathwaite b Cummins 4 *D Thomas c wkp Dowrich b Cummins 4 O Peters c Edwards b Best 0 +J Hamilton c (sub) S Brooks

b C Brathwaite 14 A Saunders run out 10

R Cornwall c Best b Warrican 9 H Walsh Jr not out 17

G Tonge c Corbin b Warrican 0 Q Boatswain lbw b Warrican 0 Extras (b1, lb5, nb9) 15

TOTAL (all out, 34 overs) 80

Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-15, 3-26, 4-27, 5-27, 6-46, 7-57, 8-74, 9-74, 10-80

Bowling: Best 6-2-12-2, Cummins 8-1-24-3, Warrican 10-3-17-3, C Brathwaite 5-4-8-1, Nurse 5-1-13-0. Result: Barbados Pride won by an innings and 190 runs.

Dominating wins on 4th day of tournament GTTA fitness test a success

By TreisTon Joseph

Chase Academy produced a goal scoring fest against St Stanislaus College to secure maximum points on Sunday, when the Milo under-20 school football tournament continued at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown.

There were five goals and five different scorers as Chase Academy displayed superb passing and team chemistry in the win, and could be a force to reckon with once they continue to play with the fluidity that they showed against St Stanislaus.

Marlon Nedd opened the scoring for Chase with a goal in the fourth minute, and the St Stanislaus defence produced an own goal in the ninth minute to put Chase’s advantage at 2-0.

St Stanislaus defensive woes continued as Isaiah Reddy scored easily with practically no defence around him in the 19th minute.

Jeremy Garrett’s goal in 34th minute increased Chase’s advantage t o 4-0 just before Keith Caines

rubbed salt into the wounds of St Stanislaus with another goal that would put the game out of reach in the 40th minute.

In the first game of the day, Central High School routed Cummings Lodge 3-0 to easily take maximum points in their group.

After a passive start by both teams, Orwin Hunte’s goal in the 15th minute seemingly put a pep in the step of the Central High players as they found their rhythm to end the half with a 1-nil advantage.

Central’s momentum carried over into the second half as Tariq Jacobs was able to sneak in a goal in the 41st minute for a 2-0 lead. Emmanuel Williams sealed the deal for Central in the 54th minute with a strong right-footed effort.

Meanwhile, South Ruimveldt topped St John’s College 3-0 to add to their win column.

After a nil-all first half with both teams struggling to keep possession of the football, Adrian Aaron made the game’s first break-

through in the second half with a goal in the 40th minute.

Junior Thomas added o the lead in the 58th minute, while Aaron scored in the 70th minute to notch a double and to ensure the win for South Ruimveldt.

In the third game of the day, Ascension Secondary fell to Brickdam Secondary 0-2. Andrew Adams’ goal in the 15th minute, along with Wayne Baker’s goal in the 30th, was enough to top Ascension.

The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) held a successful fitness test for their juniors and cadets on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The session had over 20 players and was instructed by top fitness trainer Barrington Browne who also works with the men’s national rugby team.

Technical Director of the GTTA, Linden Johnson who got reports on the proceedings noted that the session was a success. Browne also informed

Guyana Times Sport that it was a good session for the players.

Browne also outlined that Kyle Edghill, Edinho Lewis and Joel Alleyne were a few players with really good scores on their beep test. However, Browne also noted that top stars Chelsea Edghill and Priscilla Greaves will have a lot of work to do since their score were average at best.

President of the GTTA Godfrey Munroe could not be reached for comments on the fitness test.

The Heart of Oak Masters Football Club Inter-Primary School 2015 school season kicks off on Tuesday with an under-13 competition for boys and girls.

Seven schools have been invited to participate in the round robin tournament which will last for four days.

The competition seeks to unearth young talent and encourage promising players to associate themselves with clubs.

Organized Neil Humphrey told Guyana Times Sport that this year the tournament has been extended to include females.

“We are hoping that all

The schools have been drawn from New Amsterdam, East Canje and West Canje; namely, New Amsterdam Primary, All Saints Primary, St Theresa Primary, School of the Nations, St Aloysius Primary, Fort Ordinance Primary and Lochaber Primary.

of the schools will be able to field a female team. When we look at, it we have some very talented girls at the secondary level and if nothing is done now, then when they would have left school the female football in Berbice will go back down,” Humphrey said.

At the end of the tournament, the outstanding players will be awarded. All Saints Primary are the defending champions. (Andrew Carmichael)

West side Ballers upset...

WICB PCL Regional 4-day tournament…

Guyana ends day 3 in strong position

The Guyana Jaguars put themselves in strong position to stretch their lead over Jamaica when the third day of their first class encounter concluded on Sunday at Sabina Park.

After bowling out the host for 177 in their first innings reply to Guyana’s 314, Guyana made 202 all out in their second innings behind a composed half century of 77 by veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Captain, Leon Johnson contributed a patient 33 while Christopher Barnwell scored 28 runs to give Guyana a 340 run lead to play with. Jamaica hoping for better fortunes in their second innings fell to 105 for 6 by the close of play after just 38 overs by the roaring Jaguars.

Keon Joseph was the chief wicket taker, pick-

ing up 2-20 while Ronsfor Beaton, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo and Raymond Reifer picked up a wicket each to end the day’s proceedings.

SCOREBOARD

GUYANA JAGUARS 1st Innings 314

JAMAICA 1st Innings 177 Guyana 2nd Innings

(overnight 54 for four)

S Hetmyer c wkp Baugh

b Dawes 0

V Singh c wkp Baugh

b Mindley 14

*L Johnson c wkp Baugh

b Bernard 33

R Reifer c wkp Baugh

b Mindley 0

S Chanderpaul c wkp Baugh

b Bernard 77

C Barnwell lbw b Jacobs 28

+A Bramble c Blackwood

b Brown 4

V Permaul c Bonner b Brown 5

D Bishoo c Campbell b Jacobs 5

R Beaton c Miller b Mindley 10

K Joseph not out 8

Extras (b14, lb4) 18

TOTAL (all out, 69.5 overs) 202

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-19,

3-21, 4-54, 5-105, 6-124, 7-138, 8-150, 9-190, 10-202. Bowling: Mindley 21-6-513, Dawes 18-7-44-1, Bernard 6.5-1-24-2, Blackwood 1-0-1-0, Jacobs 11-2-352, Brown 12-3-29-2. JAMAICA FRANCHISE 2nd Innings (target: 340) N Bonner lbw b Joseph 1 J Campbell c Permaul b Beaton 8

J Blackwood c Reifer b Joseph 7

H Miller c Barnwell b Reifer 7

*T Lambert c Hetmyer b Bishoo 29

D Bernard Jr not out 16

+C Baugh Jr lbw b Permaul 1 D Jacobs not out 24

Extras (b6, lb1, w3, nb2) 12 TOTAL (6 wkts, 38 overs) 105 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-11, 3-17, 4-50, 5-71, 6-72. Bowling: Beaton 7-2-19-1, Joseph 6-3-20-2, Reifer 5-1-1311, Barnwell 4-3-4-0, Permaul 8-5-9-1, Bishoo 8-1-33-1.

West Demerara Guinness Greatest of the Streets tournament… West Side Ballers upset Showstoppers to be crowned inaugural champs

By TreisTon Joseph

West Side Ballers played a thrilling game to win the inaugural West Demerara Guinness Greatest of the Streets tournament that culminated on Saturday evening at the Pouderoyen tarmac, West Bank Demerara.

In front of their hometown supporters, Pouderoyen Showstoppers, who were pegged as favourites to win the final, were unable to stop the fast paced attack of the West Side Ballers.

There was a slick combination of passes along with a brilliant finish from Anthony Harding to beat Showstoppers’ final defender for the game’s opening goal in the 19th minute.

West Ballers then started to play stellar defence, only attacking on counters

or from mistakes made by the host team, as the first half ended 1-0.

On resumption of the second half, Pouderoyen came out in attack mode, creating chance after chance only to be denied continually.

West Side Ballers would seal the deal in the 39th minute to send the crowd into complete frenzy when Morgan Denny finished a brilliant counter attack after Pouderoyen failed attack attempt.

In the third place playoff, Patentia Street Ballers won 3-2 on sudden death kicks after a 1-1 draw with Raiders.

Kelvin Roberts scored for Patentia in the third minute of the game, while Dexter Marshall replied almost immediately in the eighthm as the game finished without another goal being scored.