Guyana Times Daily

AFC, APNU in coalition

fridAY, NOVEMBEr 14, 2014 | guYANAtiMEsgY.cOM

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AFC, APNU in coalition

... claim it is “interim”

The formation of a coalition between the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) is a “matter of time,” APNU’s General Secretary Joseph Harmon said.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Thursday, Harmon said future occurrences will influence the parties’ decision, noting that the matter is still on the table.

“As political parties, we do not throw all our cards on the table at once. But if the time is right, there is a possibility,” he said.

With the announcement of the prorogation of Parliament by President Donald Ramotar on Monday, both the APNU and AFC vowed to unite to create a greater force against the current Administration.

Offering clarity on the statements made in the Parliament’s Chamber on Monday, Harmon claimed that the call for unity was in a direct response to the

“threat to democracy in Guyana” by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.

He explained that the Opposition is appealing to the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), religious organisations, political organisations, trade unions and members of civil society to form a broad coalition against the “injustices inflicted upon the people by the Government”.

According to Harmon, many of these organisations and institutions have been sidelined and condemned by the Administration. Now, he said Guyanese are severely affected as the PPP/C Government suffers from a severe case of “incumbent fatigue”.

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, in a separate interview with Guyana Times, on Thursday said the Opposition would be replicating an action taken by the PPP when it formed the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD). In 1986, the PCD was formed pulling together political parties and civil groups in defense and promotion of democracy.

This time around, Ramjattan said the Opposition would be forming an “anti-dictatorial coalition” to fight for the “restoration of democracy”. He too explained that it is in direct response to the Government’s “abuse of the Constitution”.

Speaking at a press conference earlier on Thursday, he said citizens on the ground are outraged over the President’s abuse of his power, noting that they are making demands but the Opposition must remain responsible. “It is cutting across all ethnicities, all classes,

businessmen are very angry at what the Government has done.”

Meanwhile, responding to questions posed at the said press conference on the forming of a coalition between the political Opposition parties, AFC General Secretary David Patterson said his party’s position remains the same.

He opined that the change in demographics and the increase in new registrants can significant influence the voting pattern. It was pointed out that because of AFC’s multi-ethnic characteristic; its rating can go up, positing that it is a party for all the people.

Based on the 2012 Population Census Report (Preliminary), Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have experienced a sharp decline in their populations by 16,969 persons. According to Guyana Population and Housing Census 2012 Preliminary Report, the regions’ population fell from

176,123 persons in 2002 to 159,154 in 2012. Regions Five and Six form part of the Coastland Regions which also include Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). Collectively, the six regions recorded a population of 666,261 persons when the last census was conducted on September 15, 2012 while the overall population was recorded at 747,884. Regions Five and Six are PPP/C strong holds. Patterson had explained that the AFC believes that the Opposition will be more effective contesting General Election as individual entities. Asked what the party’s is objective is moving into a possible General Election; Patterson said AFC would be contesting to win. He is a strong believer that the AFC has the ability to win the upcoming elections based on the strides made over the years.

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

Ex-parliamentary grandstanding

It is disappointing that the combined Opposition parliamentary parties have refused President Donald Ramotar’s invitation to have dialogue following the exercise of his constitutional authority and decision to prorogue Parliament. Those parties are trying desperately to convince the public here and further afield that Ramotar acted ultra-virus as regards the Constitution of Guyana.

Over the past few days, the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have also launched a frenzied campaign to convince the world that the Government is “undemocratic” and is seeking to “muzzle the voices” of the elected representatives of the Parliament. Using a barrage of rhetoric that evidently changes according to the audience and the mood of the Opposition parliamentarians, these parties are arguing that the Donald Ramotar Administration wants to avoid scrutiny and will most likely enter into contracts of a questionable nature before any decision to reconvene Parliament is taken.

Surprisingly, a regional newspaper and a small number of civil society organizations swallowed the Opposition’s bait and are expressing the view that Guyana is headed down the “path of a dictatorship” and some sort of subversion of democracy is occurring. Instead of using the period of prorogation to enter into serious discussions with the Donald Ramotar Administration aimed at resolving political differences and moving the country forward, the APNU and AFC are busy campaigning, inciting racial and political violence, and imputing all sorts of negative motives on the Executive.

It would appear that neither the APNU nor AFC has confidence that dialogue, even at this late hour, could result in the interim or long term resolution to some of their concerns. Neither party appears willing to demonstrate statesman behaviour and political maturity to give talks a final chance. But they continue to make comments aimed at coaxing Guyanese here and in the Diaspora into believing that they are genuinely concerned about reconvening Parliament, a restoration of democracy and developing Guyana.

There must be no ambiguity about this issue. The APNU and AFC are interested in reconvening Parliament to shut it down and cause the collapse of a Government. They were never really interested in good governance or consensus building with the Donald Ramotar Administration. As such, Parliament turned into the Opposition's sanctuary and a place where Opposition legislators sought political revenge, piloted controversial and spiteful Bills, and un-parliamentary behaviour reigned supreme.

As a result, Guyanese became disappointed and frustrated over the pointless politics that was playing out from the Opposition benches. The 10th parliament was not the people's Parliament; instead it degenerated into a place and stage for the AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan to launch vicious attacks against their ex-colleagues in the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and former President Bharrat Jagdeo after they were rejected.

It became the Parliament where the APNU’s Carl Greenidge and Joseph Harmon could pilot Motions and Bills targeting specific members of the Government and politicians within the local landscape. Additionally, since the November 2011 elections, both APNU and AFC have been working desperately to cripple the Government’s efforts to run an effective development programme by mis-using their one-seat majority.

In fact, they have breached and forcefully changed every single parliamentary convention that could give Government the opportunity to carry on their development programme. They have wreaked havoc in the National Assembly by rejecting billions of dollars in Government spending aimed at reducing poverty and lifting the standard of living of all Guyanese under the guise that the dealings of the Government are corrupt and non-transparent.

When Government found innovative ways within the confines of the State apparatus and the Courts to continue delivering basic goods and services to the public, the Opposition, along with its media aides, launched intemperate attacks on private investors, local businesses, the integrity of Government Ministers and law-abiding private citizens.

One can only hope that this political grandstanding by the Opposition won't spill over into the ex-parliamentary arena following the prorogation of Parliament by the President.

President has been ‘Job-like’ in his patience with Opposition parties

Dear Editor,

The Opposition parties are now making threats of violence against the people of this country simply because the President has done what he should have done some time ago.

But the President has been ‘Job-like’ in his patience and perseverance in trying to work out solutions with the Opposition parties who are hell-bent on only deposing the Government and getting into power.

Nagamootoo, Harmon

It is the mother of irony to read Moses Nagamootoo’s conclusion that the PPP/C can be likened to “an ungrateful dog” and he lamented that Parliament is no longer used “to talk people’s business”.

By now everyone knows who the ‘namak haram kutta’ is so I will not elaborate on that, but I want to remind Nagamootoo that the Parliament has ceased a long time ago “to talk the people’s business”.

In fact, after the 2011 General Elections, the only business that is being carried on in Parliament is the business of trying to usurp power by destabilising the PPP/C Government through derailing of all its socio-economic projects and voting against vitally important Bills such as the AML/CFT Bill.

The coup de grace would have been the passing of the No-Confidence Motion. Fortunately, our President has successfully used legal means to bring those unpatriotic acts to an end.

Moreover, it is laughable to hear APNU’s MP Joseph

Harmon speak about making “democracy homeless”. The PNC did not only make “democracy homeless”, it killed and buried democracy so deep that it took 28 years for it to resurrect!

Guyana’s Constitution

The Constitution of Guyana gives the President the power to prorogue or dissolve Parliament (Articles 69 and 70). If we look at the mischief rule and the intention of the framers of the Constitution, it is clear and evident that these two Articles are there in the interest of the country and its good governance.

The Opposition claims of misuse are misguided and irrational, since it is extremely evident that since the 2011 General Election, both APNU and AFC have been trying their utmost both in and out of Parliament to stymie social and economic development in order to get rid of the PPP/C government.

So far they have been unsuccessful, thanks to the astute leadership of President Donald Ramotar and legal minds of persons like Attorney General Anil Nandlall.

Modus operandi

The Opposition parties have realised that to embark on violent protests will only serve to destroy them. They have tried that at Linden and Agricola and it was counter-productive for them.

Indians will never forgive Nagamootoo for the atrocities and indignities they suffered at both places. They have also tested the legality of their budget cuts in the courts and they have lost.

Much to their trepidation, the Chief Justice has ruled that constitutionally, they cannot cut the budget. Therefore, they have to find an alternative route.

Then the Opposition parties, through Nagamootoo, saw an opportunity to legally depose of the PPP/C Government by using a NoConfidence Motion, which if passed in Parliament, will result in fresh elections within three months.

In light of this, the President has said pointedly that there are more urgent matters, which are of immense economic and social benefits, to be dealt with in Parliament, and if the AFC and APNU push ahead with their nonsensical NoConfidence Motion, then he would either prorogue or dissolve Parliament, as he is legally entitled to do, given the current circumstances.

He has done exactly that, so where is the illegality?

Genesis

Now let us look at the genesis of this absurd motion. It was brought by Nagamootoo simply because the Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh legally spent $ 4.5 billion dollars on the development of this countryall duly accounted for, every dollar.

This is quite unlike the PNC times when millions of dollars were not accounted for - no documentary evidences were provided. Just ask the former PNC Finance Minister Carl Greenidge!

The Guyana Constitution gave the Finance Minister the right to spend those monies and all the legal minds in the Opposition know that

fully well. They know for a fact that if they go to the Courts again they are going to lose.

So what is their only alternative? The NoConfidence Motion!

Ram misguided Christopher Ram, as a political commentator, must have realised that it is the Opposition parties that have been employing devious tactics to depose of the PPP/C Government, all outside the ambit of the laws of the land.

On the other hand, the Government has been operating within those laws, so where is “the egregious misuse”, as he claimed, of the Burnham Constitution? Articles 69 and 70 are there to ensure that, for whatever reason, national security and development are not held hostage, and in this case by some power drunk individuals and political parties. These Articles were meant to safeguard this country and that is exactly what the President has done. Is the President acting illegally and unconstitutionally? The answer is a resounding NO!

He cannot allow APNU and the AFC to destroy this country. The Opposition wanted to end the life of Parliament pre-maturely and the President has given life to Parliament. The Opposition should not be allowed to destroy the socioeconomic progress of this country.

Furthermore, Ram, in his article hinted with regards to the Guyana Constitution that “the irony would surely be disregarded by the PNC”.

Continued on page 4

The parties should have compromised rather than force the President’s hand

Dear Editor,

Democratic politics is about compromises, especially when there is a standoff between two almost equally strong opposing forces. In America, two critical principles of democracy are compromises and majority rule with respect for the minority.

These elementary principles have been missing in Guyana’s politics since the 1950s struggle for the founding of nation; neither side has been willing to work with the other for the nation’s benefits.

And it has brought us to the current impasse in Parliament (where the majority wanted to eject from office the minority that controls the Executive) that has led to its proroguing and more than likely its early dissolution sometime next year triggering elections.

The proroguing of Parliament is most unfortunate. Now the peoples’ business would be left dormant (not that anything meaningful has been achieved since the logjam arising out of the November 2011 elections) until Parliament is recalled.

It was generally felt that the AFC-PNC (APNU) coalition was bluffing on the NoConfidence Motion to force the ruling PPP/C into making concessions away from Executive governance, contending that the Executive was abusing its power over expenditures.

It seemed the PPP/C was softening its position when it agreed to hold talks with the Opposition but something went awry and discussions between the two sides ended abruptly taking us to the current situation. The PPP/C did not back down in spite of threats against it to topple the democratically elected Government.

The issue (spending money without parliamentary approval) about which the AFCPNC complained is a political one and a political solution (compromises) short of bringing down the Government would have been the ideal solution.

In a recent opinion poll I conducted, people expressed a desire to have the life of the Parliament run its full course to address their pressing needs rather than on the politicians’ personal agenda, ambition and grouse. The parties should have sought mediation to arrive at a com-

promise.

The AFC-PNC combined pursued four simultaneous courses of action and has lost every one of them – legal challenges, criminal proceedings, sending the Finance Minister to the Privileges Committee, and the No Confidence Motion – very unusual in a body politic for an Opposition to pursue four courses of action, though it was uncertain of its position and desperate to pursue any means necessary to punish the Government over a political issue.

The court has not ruled against the Government in legal challenges over expenditures – interpreted by the Government to mean it could spend money without parliamentary approval.

The AFC-PNC sought a criminal solution by asking the Police to file criminal charges against the Finance Minister. Clearly not a criminal issue, the Police dismissed the request as being frivolous – the Minister did not steal any money.

Sending the Finance Minister to the Privileges Committee seemed to have been the strongest of the positions pursued and maybe the recourse and should have been pursued from the start, but the Minister was spending money based on his interpretation of the court’s ruling and upon instructions of the President – he could not defy the President and or the court.

Thus, it would have been difficult to find the Minister guilty of breach of any parliamentary rules for he did not mislead his colleagues – he simply acted on instructions of his boss, the President, backed by the court.

And even if the Minister violated a rule, it should not lead to the dismissal of the entire Government especially if the court did not rule against the government. Some kind of compromise “punishment” may have been accepted short of toppling the Government.

In the US, for example, when an official is believed to have violated a rule, he or she is investigated by the legislative branch, and, if found guilty, a motion of censure is adopted to hold the official accountable especially if he is from the executive branch of government.

In Guyana, some kind of action short of bringing

down the government would have been the best solution. It was reckless to pursue the No Confidence option without exhausting other options to reach a compromise solution.

If the Government violated the constitution, it should be punished. But the Opposition should not invoke its majority arbitrarily simply to punish the government for in the end everyone is hurt – the Opposition can’t have their way and the peoples business is neglected.

Clearly, there was a collision course in which neither side was going to gain advantage over the other over the no confidence motion. And the people have lost out. The combined Opposition threatened President Ramotar with bringing down his Government.

The President responded with his own threats that he would prorogue Parliament unless the majority Opposition acted responsibly and enacted legislation against money laundering, terrorism, etc.

The Opposition should have known that the President would exercise his nuclear option if they were going to bring down his Government. Is the Opposition stupid? Which leader would not take defensive action if he is going to be bombed?

The Opposition should not have threatened the President without having a back up plan or a way to pull back from the precipice. Trying to project a machismo image, neither side was willing to wink.

They took their threats to the precipice forcing Ramotar to take the best option available – exercise a six months cooling off period hoping that compromises could be reached during that period.

It is hoped that over the next several months, the two sides would hold meaningful discussions (and each would be willing to give a little rather than stick to their untenable obstinate position) that would lead to the recalling of Parliament to advance the peoples’ interests.

Proroguing Parliament may have been the best way out to save the Parliament from its untimely death from the no confidence motion.

Yours truly,

Vishnu Bisram

President has been...

He should have elaborated more on this since the 1980 Constitution, which was framed and passed by “a landslide victory” at the Referendum by the PNC, ensured that no one can remove the PNC Government from power for whatever reason. If the PNC-held Referendum is correct, then it is the will of the people that made the Constitution the Supreme Law of the land. Ironic? Yes! Illegal? No.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the No-

Confidence Motion, if analysed, against the background of its genesis will show that it is illegal and void of any substance and merit, since it is aimed to be used to circumvent what was a legal act by the Finance Minister and to bring down a democratically elected Government. Is it morally or legally wrong for the President to use his powers given by the Supreme Law of this land to prorogue Parliament with the aim of fulfilling his mandate to the people of this country and to allow social and eco-

Prorogation has nothing in common with suspension of Constitution

Dear Editor,

Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman drew a parallel between the suspension of the Constitution by the British Government in 1953 and the recent prorogation of Parliament by President Donald Ramotar.

One is led to assume that Mr Trotman is either totally unfamiliar with the political and historical antecedents that led to the suspension of the 1953 Constitution and the forcible ejection of the popular and democratically elected PPP Government, or that he is being intellectually dishonest in trying to juxtapose what happened at that time with the legal and constitutional action taken by President Ramotar to restore normalcy to the body politic.

To begin with, the suspension of the Constitution by the British Government was done mainly because of ideological and geo-political considerations and out of fear that the country was pursuing programmes and policies that were meant to favour the working class and not the monied class.

In other words, there was a distinct ideological and class context to the suspension of the Constitution.

Secondly, the suspension of the Constitution brought to an end the life of the PPP Administration, which was then replaced by an interim Government, which for the most part was made up of the very persons who were rejected at the polls in what was the first election to be held under universal adult suffrage.

A salient point to note is

that it was the PPP that successfully waged the struggle for the universalization of the suffrage. The suspension of the Constitution was therefore an aberration of the democratic aspirations of the electorate who voted overwhelmingly for the PPP, which won a landslide victory.

Thirdly, the atmosphere at that was time characterized by intimidation and suppression of fundamental human rights including the right of assembly and to engage in protest action. It was during that period that both Dr Jagan and his wife Janet were imprisoned, both for six months on trumped up charges.

The suspension of the Constitution was therefore anti-national and served to blunt the patriotic and nationalistic aspirations of the Guyanese people who were just beginning to savour the joy of democracy and elected governance after nearly 150 years of imposed colonial rule.

The decision by President Ramotar has absolutely nothing in common with the dispensation which obtained at the time of the suspension of the Constitution. Indeed, the prorogation of Parliament was only done after it became clear that attempts were in train to derail the democratic processes by way of a NoConfidence Motion, which would have brought to a premature end the life of a democratic and constitutional PPP/C Government.

Unlike the use of big stick and high handed methods to bring down a democratical-

ly elected PPP Government then, President Ramotar has make use of constitutional and legal mechanisms to preserve the life of our Parliament and our democracy with the aim of seeking some measure of political accommodation in dealing with matters of grave national importance.

Among these are the holding of local democratic elections, the passage of important pieces of legislation to advance the common good, such as the anti-money laundering and the telecommunications bills aimed at opening up the sector and making it much more competitive.

The President could have opted, if he had so wanted, to dissolve Parliament and pave the way for new elections in the face of an impending No-Confidence Motion, but he opted for the much more sensible and politically desirable option of proroging Parliament which now leaves the door wide open for fresh and innovative thinking on the way forward for the country.

Speaker Trotman clearly has got his facts all wrong and is viewing current realities through the prism of a politically biased and jaundiced mind. This stance taken by him objectively plays up to the opposition gallery but certainly cannot advance the political health of the nation which has been seriously ruptured by the uncompromising and vindictive actions taken by the combined Opposition.

Respectfully submitted PPP/C, Freedom House

From page 4

nomic development to continue?

Nagamootoo has called the Government “a rogue Government”, but if he wants to play with words he should understand “prorogue” can also be interpreted to mean “for rogues - like APNU and the AFC.

The President surely knows how to treat rogues!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)

Page Foundation

First Ebola treatment trials to start in west Africa

Global aid agency Doctors Without Borders said on Thursday it would begin unprecedented trials on patients in West Africa to test Ebola drugs and the use of survivors’ blood as therapy. The trials in Guinea are aimed at rushing out an emergency therapy to battle an epidemic which has taken more than 5000 lives since December.

“This is an unprecedented international partnership which represents hope for patients to finally get a real treatment against a disease that today kills between 50 and 80 per cent of those infected,” said Annick Antierens, who is coordinating the trials for the medical charity, known by its French initials MSF.

The first trials are due to start in December and results could be available by February next year, MSF said.

Ebola, transmitted through bodily fluids, leads to haemorrhagic fever and -- in an estimated 70 percent of cases in the current outbreak -- death.

There is no specific treatment regime and, as yet, no licensed vaccine -- although one of the leading candidates, known as ChAd3 and made by Britain’s GlaxoSmithKline, is being tested in Mali and elsewhere.

given the green light.

The drugs have been shown to work on other viruses, but not Ebola, Antierens told AFP.

“Either it is very efficient, and then it is a miracle drug... (or) it is not efficient at all, and this is very much possible. We have reason to believe that that is not the case, but it is still very much possible,” she added.

She added that there could be “an intermediary result, whereby it’s promising and we’re not sure if it will be efficient for every patient”.

Ebola is one of the most aggressive

with a treatment could reduce the stigma they encounter back in their villages.

“We want to find out whether it works for Ebola, whether it is safe and whether it can be scaled up to reduce the number of deaths in the current outbreak,” he said.

The antivirals were selected from a shortlist drawn up by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which is overseeing the project, after a review of a wide range of issues, including trials on nonhuman primates and availability.

Patients’ best chance of survival, if their condition is caught early enough, is taking paracetamol for their fever, rehydrating and being kept well nourished.

‘Miracle drug’

The French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) will trial antiviral drug favipiravir in Gueckedou, southern Guinea.

Meanwhile, the Antwerp-based Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) will lead trials of “convalescent whole blood and plasma therapy” at MSF’s Donka Ebola centre in Conakry, Guinea’s capital.

MSF is in discussion for a third trial, on antiviral brincidofovir, in Liberian capital Monrovia, but has not yet been

pathogens known to humankind, and victims tend to die a few days after showing symptoms.

The target for a successful trial in each of the treatments under consideration will be the patient surviving for two weeks, said MSF, adding that no one would be tested without informed consent.

The charity said there would be little disruption to the patients’ normal care.

Patients in the Conakry trial will be administered with blood or plasma containing antibodies from survivors.

“New experience”

Lead coordinator Johan van Griensven called on recovered patients to give blood, saying their help in coming up

“Conducting clinical trials of investigational drugs in the midst of a humanitarian crisis is a new experience for all of us, but we are determined not to fail the people of west Africa,” said Peter Horby, who is expected to lead the Monrovia trial if it gets the go-ahead.

The trials will be the first ever on Ebola patients, Horby told AFP.

“Every time a patient gets to day 14, we will recalculate the numbers and see what proportion of patients are alive or dead... So once we have confidence that the fatality rate is 50 per cent or worse, then we would say there is no evidence that the drug is improving things, because that’s about the rate we see, and then we would stop the trial,” he added.

“If the survival rate is 80 per cent or better, we would say that this is good evidence that the trial is effective.”

Almost all of the deaths in the current outbreak have been in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, but smaller outbreaks have emerged in Nigeria, Senegal, the United States and Spain.

Mali is scrambling to prevent a serious epidemic after the deaths of an Islamic cleric in October and, this week, the nurse who treated him in the capital Bamako.

The WHO announced on Wednesday that the outbreak had passed a gruesome landmark, with 5160 deaths from around 14,000 cases since Ebola emerged in the forests of southern Guinea. (AFP)

Teacher Talk: Communicating with your child’s teachers

By Dr Doug HaDDaD

When a parent establishes a strong connection with a teacher early on, children quickly realise that both parent and teacher are on the same nurturing team: their team. I have the pleasure of working with middle school children on a daily basis and see their joy and delight when their parents are involved in their schooling. The fact of the matter is, when parents and teachers are united, they’ve created one of the most powerful partnerships a child could ever ask for.

In order for parents and teachers to be “tuned in to the same station” and successfully make this connection happen, they must being willing to focus on the best interests of the child and let go of judgments and the impulse to jump to conclusions. The most successful proactive approach for benefiting a child is getting to know the child. When both parents and teachers commit to this philosophy, a child feels cared for, loved, and better understood, which results in better behaviour and school success.

When should I reach out to my child’s teacher?

Parents may be hesitant to meet a teacher, perhaps anticipating bad news or worried that their parenting will be questioned. One of the biggest mistakes parents make is waiting until a problem arises with their child’s academic performance or behaviour at school to

initiate contact with a teacher. At that point, the child is often deeper into a problem than the parent realises, and it’s harder to start a good parentteacher relationship when the waters are already troubled. While being in touch with the teacher when an issue is brought to your attention certainly is imperative, my advice is to be proactive. Don’t wait until a problem comes up to begin a relationship with your child’s teacher. The easiest way to start is by striking up a conversation with your child’s teacher at Parent-Teacher events. Whether it’s 20 minutes or two hours, setting aside time to meet your child’s teachers will be the best investment you make for your child this school year. Besides getting to hear what teachers have to say about your son or daughter, you’re laying the foundation for your parentteacher relationship. You are also indirectly communicating positive messages to your child: that you care, are aware of what’s going on at school, and that you’re not too busy for them. And kids tend to like it; they feel they can talk more openly to you about their teachers when you actually know who they are.

What should I ask my child’s teacher?

While speaking with a teacher, it is important to make the most of the time, no matter how much or how little it is. Parents sometimes discover interesting information about their child’s behaviour and overall performance at school versus what they see happening at home.

I advise, first and foremost, before inquiring about how your child is learning, ask the all-important question, “How is my child doing socially?” “Is he being teased or teasing other children?” “Does she appear happy, withdrawn, outgoing?” While grades are important, they are not the only indicator of whether matters are okay at school. We’ve seen the increasing amount of school violence over the past 15 years, and have come to understand that preventative factors include helping children feel accepted, valued and respected. One of the biggest reasons for low academic achievement and unhappiness at school is not feeling accepted socially or flat-out being bullied. Knowing if your child is feeling happy, is not in constant fear, and is doing okay socially is extremely important. If this is not the case, these matters must be addressed. Learning appropriate social skills helps develop a child’s self-confidence and forms who they will become as they get older and enter the workforce. (Excerprt from empowering

Man dies after vehicle topples into creek

ASoesdyke man has been found dead after the vehicle in which he was travelling toppled while crossing a bridge at Mousie Creek, Kanawaruk, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) on Wednesday evening.

The body of Stephen Culley, 23, also called “Buckman” of Lot 10 Dr Charles Housing Scheme, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara was retrieved from the creek late Thursday afternoon.

According to information, Culley and two others were heading to a mining camp at Kanawaruk when the vehicle reportedly slipped off the bridge.

The two others suffered minor injuries, but Cully reportedly went down with the vehicle.

The driver, Ivan Das was subsequently taken into Police custody.

Steve Culley, the father of the now dead man stated that he had to travel to the North West District, and such, had left his now dead son in charge of the business.

The distressed man stated that it was only

when he received the news of his the accident, he became aware that his son had gone into the interior.

The man is trying to come to grips with the harsh reality. His wife died about a year ago after a long battle to cancer.

He told Guyana Times that the driver’s father drove up to the area on Thursday morning.

On the other hand, an aunt explained that Stephen left home on Monday morning with his girlfriend and another friend for the interior.

She too stated that she

Guyanese students perform well at CAPE, CSEC

– CXC announces regional top candidates by subjects

The Education Ministry has reported that Guyana has once again placed well at the recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advance Proficiency (CAPE) at the (May/June 2014) examinations.

According to a release, Guyanese students have performed remarkably well and have been placed among the top 10 best performing candidates in the region in a number of subject areas.

The release said candidates have excelled in 16 subject areas at CSEC while at CAPE candidates outperformed the region in nine units.

Among the schools

at which the students excelled included the Tagore High School, Berbice; Hope Secondary School Hope, East Coast Demerara; Essequibo Islands Secondary School; North West Secondary School, Mabaruma, Region One; Zeeburg Secondary School, Region Three; President’s College, Mackenzie High-Linden and Annandale Secondary School, Region Four; and Queen’s College and St Roses High, Georgetown.

“The Ministry would like to extend best wishes to the candidates on their spectacular achievements and hopes that their resolve, hard work, and abilities continue to propel them to greater heights,” the release added.

Packed agenda for Caricom Energy Week

Gdid not know that he had gone into the interior until she enquired about him. They were reportedly embarking on a business venture of providing meat for a mining camp in the area.

The distraught aunt stated that she was at home on Wednesday evening when she received a telephone call from Das (the driver), informing her about the accident.

At that point in time, he did not tell her that Stephen was missing until she further questioned him. She was told that they were crossing a bridge when the vehicle capsized with her nephew inside. The woman recalled getting “lightheaded” and screamed.

Up to now, she noted that they were not properly briefed on how the accident occurred, but she is aware that the two other passengers are okay.

Culley attended the St Mary’s Primary School after which he was awarded a place at Covent Garden Secondary School where he sat the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). After school, he used to work with his father.

The Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

uyana will join other Caricom member states in observing Caricom Energy Week 2014 under the theme “Achieving Climate, Environmental and Economic Resilience through Sustainable Energy”.

CEW 2014 will be commemorated simultaneously across the Caribbean by Caricom member states from November 16-22.

According to a release, the main thrust of CEW “is to build awareness among various segments of the society across the Community about critical energy issues with a key focus on sustainable energy development at the national level”.

The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has therefore planned a week of activities which will focus on energy while giving recognition to

its importance in achieving a reliable energy future that is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.

“Through art, media, essay writing and open discussions, the objective of the week of activities planned by the GEA is to sensitise the Guyanese population, with specific focus on youths, on sustainable energy, energy conservation (the ‘saving of energy by any means including energy efficiency’) and energy efficiency (the use of less energy to do the same amount of work).”

Guyana’s observance of Energy Week can be traced back to the 1980s during which it was an annual feature. Promoted by enabling a week of activities that depicted various aspects of new and renew-

able sources of energy, the National Energy Week was once again revitalised in 2008 with support from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme (CREDP) and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The Guyana Energy Agency, in the exercise of its mandate, continues to promote energy efficiency, energy conservation and the development and utilisation of alternative sources of energy. The observance of Caricom Energy Week’ serves as an annual feature in fulfilling part of the mandate of the GEA through the dissemination of information, essential to improving public awareness on sustainable energy, conservation and overall efficiency.

Cabinet approves oil and gas policy

With Cabinet’s approval of a national upstream oil and gas policy, Guyana is well positioned to develop an oil and gas sector should it happens to discover oil.

On Wednesday, at the Pegasus Hotel, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud announced that much work has already begun to prepare Guyana to manage an oil and gas sector.

“Just recently, with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat, a national upstream oil and gas policy was crafted and approved by the Cabinet.”

The Minister stated that Guyana has potential for more than 15.2 billion barrels of oil and already international companies are increasingly showing interest to develop these unexplored waters, both onshore and offshore.

“It must be recognised that Guyana’s legal, regulatory and contractual frame-

work is attractive for petroleum investors, while simultaneously ensuring that there are maximum benefits accruing to the people of Guyana.”

Minister Persaud assured that Guyana is currently involved in preparations for the initiative to reach the competitive platform of the oil and gas sec-

tor.

He said Guyana already has bilateral programmes with the United States and Canada and multilateral programmes with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to address the many complex issues that are critical to sustain an oil and gas sector.

Minister Persaud also noted that Guyana is confident that companies will view this policy as a foundation for a local oil and gas sector.

Exxon Mobil guaranteed the strictest safety procedures throughout the project. The company has already trained a fleet of drivers they will be using for the venture. Additionally, every staff was trained in basic First Aid procedure and contractors were encouraged to wear appropriate attire on the job.

Officials also stated that they will not conduct any work unless it is done in an

environmentally safe surrounding.

This is not the first time companies have embarked on a journey to discover the richness Guyana has to offer. Companies, like CGX Energy Inc have already explored various sections of Guyana, but to no avail.

CGX have been exploring Guyana in search of oil and gas for over 14 years. Just last year February, the company invested another US$1 billion for the next five years in their efforts to discover the lucrative resources.

Speaking to the media, President Donald Ramotar said he is hoping Exxon Mobil will be successful so that Guyana can join the ranks of oil producing countries.

“All the conversations I’ve been having suggest that the possibilities are good and the prospects are good and to have a company of this reputation adds to our optimism.”

International Language Institute to open next month

The International Language Institute (ILI), which will teach non-native speakers English or Portuguese, is set to have its grand inauguration on December 5.

The school, located at Laluni and New Garden Street, Queenstown, Georgetown, will target the younger population, offering classes to children as young as five years old. Additionally, anyone who wants to learn either language, even if their mother tongue is neither English nor Portuguese, can attend the school.

ILI owner Enrique Couchman, who is wellversed in both languages, noted that this initiative had no connections with the Education Ministry’s plan to introduce Portuguese in all secondary schools in Guyana. Nevertheless, he

is very optimistic that he can collaborate with the Ministry for various projects.

In fact, he expressed a willingness to help in training the Ministry’s teachers to become fluent in Portuguese.

Couchman also declared that anyone can attend the institute regardless of their social status.

“If you have money, you will pay to study. If you don’t have money, you will study. We’ll find a way for you to study, even if I have to get sponsors.”

Unlike the many other language institutes in Guyana, the ILI will offer more than just the concept of learning a new language. In fact, the classroom plan and atmosphere to teach students will be totally different from the school-like setting.

“For example, on

Saturdays… any child… well the boys can come here to get a haircut. We’re going to be having a lot of different activities. We want to have other activities like dancing, karate and judo, anything that children can connect to.”

After being a Director of language institutes for 21 years, Couchman has a vision to offer more than just the experience of learning a new language.

“We’ll be having exchange programmes with schools in Brazil. Brazilians can come here to learn English and then we can send students from the institute to learn Portuguese there; or we can meet at a camp here in Guyana…”

Couchman wants to offer the students an experience like never before to lure them to the idea of learning not only a new language, but

a new culture.

He explained that being exposed to the culture and persons speaking the new language can help students who are eager to grasp the language.

He noted that many parents normally encourage their children to do something other than being on their electronic gadgets, and he was now offering that alternative, with all the activities he has planned for the school.

In fact, Couchman declared that this initiative was not about the money, but a self-fulfillment venture that would allow him to give back all that was given to him.

“God has blessed me so much that I think it’s time for me to give back some of what I’ve been blessed with in terms of talent… just to impact other people.”

Hold me... loose me

...Ramjattan

Ramjattan's trying to run with the hares and hunt with the hounds. But with Ramjattan the more apt expression for his two-faced behaviour would be "to run with the crabs and hunt with the crab-dogs"!! The wanker knows more than a thing or two about crab dogs. Anyhow, have you noticed his flip-flopping on the Opposition's anti-prorogation march scheduled for Friday??

This is the man - along with his buddy, Nagamootoo - who slunk into Linden and bad -mouthed Granger as a wimp - he used a much stronger expression that begins with"sku**. That's when Granger had to eat his words with the PPP/C to overcome Ramjattan's backstabbing. You see...it was easy for Ramjattan to "talk fat" in Linden 2012 - that was Granger and the PNC's constituency. Ramjattan could be even more militant than Malcolm X, with his "burn baby, burn!!" No skin off his teeth, he figured. Let "them" kill each other - or better yet, be killed. And of course, when the inevitable killings did happen - Ramjattan and Nagamootoo were never to be seen. They sent "Brother" Nigel Hughes. Ditto for Agricola...

So when the talk of protesting in GT surfaced this week...why weren't we surprised that Ramjattan protested - against the protest!! For a second he let his guard down and confessed he didn't want "his people" to get hurt. Realising his racist blunder, he tried to extricate his foot from his mouth. Which isn't so easy for a fella who speaks from both sides of the selfsame mouth!

But we note that he sent Brother Nigel and Sister Kathy to talk cold turkey to Granger about protests. Seems that Granger'd finally had it with being suckered by Ramjattan. After being left standing at the altar so many time, you'd think it's time, no?? Or is that the Hughes duo have to offer their pound of flesh to be "rehabilitated" from their Sithe conflict of interest saga??

Anyhow, Ramjattan finally allowed that he'll "support" the protest. NOT "protest" mind you - just SUPPORT the protest! That's the kind of parsing that fellas like Ramjattan get paid for. Remember the one that he wasn't "paid yet" by Fedders-Lloyd, and they're not REALLY clients??

So when's Granger's gonna ask Ramjattan. "If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you poison us, do we not die." And most pertinently, "And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?"

...Ombudsman

The new Ombudsman's certainly opened quite a few eyes in this country with his pronouncement on the NBS matter. We heard the fella was a judge - but you'd never guess it going by his comments. Here's a man "A" who's supposed to be dispensing justice - and he gives total credence to the complainant when he said he heard a thing from a man "G" who said he was told something by a man "J"!!?? For Chrissake!! This is hearsay to the third power!!

And what makes it worse is that "G" says he never said any thing to "A". But that's the point isn't it?? Just to use the flimsiest excuse to drag "J" into the picture. But the Ombudsman doesn't stop there. He pronounces CONCLUSIVELY that the DPP KNEW she didn't have CONCLUSIVE evidence that the complainant had the necessary criminal intent to change him for the crime he was charged for.

So how come the Ombudsman can be conclusive about another's state of mind, but the DPP can't?? He's clairvoyant??

...WICB

The depths of depravity to which the WICB has sunk can't be plumbed. They promised they wouldn't victimise any of the players who walked out on the India your. But not having the necessary cojones, they got their territorial boards to do their dirty work - on Ramdhin, Bravo, etc. We hope the BCCI "skin-up" this self-confessed "bankrupt" bunch?

AFC to give critical support to APNU rally

– Ramjattan claims AFC not part of planning

BY JOMO PAUL

As the business community and the rest of Guyana hold their breath for A Partnership For National Unity’s (APNU) rally at Square of the revolution today, Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan has confirmed that his party will be lending critical support to the hosting of the event.

Ramjattan told Guyana Times on Thursday that while his party is not a part of the organising group/committee for the event, it will be sending a representative to the rally as was requested by the APNU.

“Of course we are going to be a part of it, we will be sending a representative” said Ramjattan.

When questioned who that speaker will be, Ramjattan responded that no decision has been taken with respect to that aspect of the arrangement. He told Guyana Times that members of the party will be engaging villagers across the country today, so a decision will be arrived at sometime before the rally.

Ramjattan on Monday indicated that the Government should not be surprised if Guyanese respond violently to President Donald Ramotar’s decision to prorogue Parliament.

In fact, Ramjattan had warned that people who were frustrated were likely to be part of demonstrations with that course

of action.

He was also quoted in one section of the media as saying that he would not be surprised if “all hell does not break loose in the streets before that time by the frustrated masses, spontaneously reacting to the PPP/ C’s [People's Progressive Party/Civic] lawlessness. The PPP/C is provoking protests…”

On Wednesday, APNU announced its intention to host a mass “rally” to protest the President’s decision to suspend the legislature.

The rally is also being planned in light of the Opposition declaring that it does not intend to engage the President in any form of dialogue until the prorogation of Parliament is rescinded.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader David Granger has called on Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips and Guyana Police Force (GPF) Commissioner Seelall Persaud “not to allow members of their respective services to be drawn into any unlawful actions against law-abiding citizens”.

According to a release from the APNU, the coalition will be launching a “series of lawful and peaceful ‘Pro-democracy’ protests to raise public awareness over the President’s prorogation of Parliament on Monday 10th November”.

Since Monday, Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) have been calling on Guyanese

to take action against the Government.

Interestingly, they have not specified what type of action they endorse but have been using the words “mass protests”, “resistance” and “fighting for democratic rights”.

One Opposition parliamentarian went as far as to call on Guyanese to give an “aggressive rejection” to the President’s decision.

In addition, Ramjattan has been accused for inciting racial violence and making threats against the Executive.

On Monday, he told the East Indian constituency that were they to notice instances where their members were being beaten and attacked that the PPP/C could be responsible, as it was all part of the PPP/C’s plan to drive fear into that community.

“This is exactly where the PPP/C wants us. And they are going to get their people if people started demonstrating and things run bad out there, to beat us East Indians and then they will play it on NCN,” he said with the intention of taking advantage of the race card.

Civil society… Compromise, not protests, the way forward

While Government and the combined political Opposition continue to differ on the Prorogation of Parliament, the people in the streets maintain that only compromise will solve the problem.

This comes ahead of a grand rally hosted A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) set for today at the Square of the Revolution. Guyana Times went into the streets and spoke to several persons about their thoughts and expectations for the rally.

Most persons expressed non-interest in the matter while others are of the belief that the Opposition should go ahead and do what it is doing as it has a right to engage its supporters.

Lorain McAllistor, a newspaper vendor said she does not “follow up politics” because it can be too stressful with the back and forth between the Opposition and Government.

She added that engaging in acts such as protests and rallies are not her “cup of tea”, but she would look at the events on the television to get a balance perspective of what all the sides’ positions are.

The elderly woman further opined that all of the political parties or maybe the stalwarts in the party should “just give up and done”, paving the way for the younger generation to take charge and move the country forward.

Indranauth Singh, an East Coast Demerara resident told this newspaper that he is the least interested in politics and the recent prorogation of Parliament.

However, the man said while he is forced to keep abreast with the happenings, he does not believe that the actions taken and decisions made by both Government and the Opposition will do the country any good if things continue the way they are.

Get nothing

“The politicians them does want call out the people to go out and show support but when people go…what they does get… how it does help them or benefit them? Nothing good does come out from all this protest and rally so it doesn’t make sense. What Government and the Opposition should do to help us is meet one another halfway go that all this would end and we could all move on in peace and unity,” the middleaged man related.

Another vendor, Leeta Henry explained that the behaviour of the Opposition and Government will only affect the lower class people while all the politicians will still maintain their status.

“They people in power have nothing to lose; we in the street have to fight for what we want every day. This thing is a physical battle, a mental battle and emotional one, not just a verbal one,” she stated.

turn to page 10

Remigrant scheme needs attention – Greenidge

... but avoids commenting on Glenn Lall case

BY JOMO PAUL

Chairman of the now defunct Public Accounts Committee and Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge has blasted the manner in which the overall administration of the remigrant scheme and the tax regime as a whole operate.

But while he was willing to criticise the scheme from a more or less theoretical perspective, he was totally unwilling to comment on the ongoing investigation that the Auditor General Office and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) are conducting into identified abuses.

The former Finance Minister under the Peoples National Congress (PNC) told Guyana Times in a brief interview on Thursday that several issues needed to be addressed at the level of the administration.

Greenidge, who is an A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) Executive Member, explained to this publication that those issues currently affecting the effective administration of the scheme range from Value Added Tax

(VAT) to the Excise Tax.

“The administration of the scheme clearly needs attention,” emphasised Greenidge, who went on to indicate that attention also needs to be given to the entire tax regime in Guyana. Referring to several issues raised with respect to the administration of duty-free concessions over the past period of months, Greenidge pointed out that “fiscal concessions in general” are in dire need of reform.

Greenidge said the Government should take steps to “set taxes at more reasonable rates, so

that more people will pay them”. He reasoned that if taxes were lower people would not resort to all forms of illegal activities in dire attempts to cheat the system.

Dodge

Greenidge did not comment about the current imbroglio involving Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall and his alleged tax evasion surrounding the importation of two Lexus luxury SUVs,

He appeared to be offering an excuse for the massive illegalities the publisher of the Kaieteur News is being hauled before the court for. The Kaieteur News has been very supportive of the actinides of the Opposition party to which Greenidge belongs.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma had disclosed that two reports were submitted to the GRA, noting that one was completed about a month ago, and the other recently handed over to the Authority’s Board.

He said that investigations are still continuing into the issue and opted not to reveal any findings of the probe until the Board completes its review.

Sharma explained that his office is probing the scheme all the way back to its establishment in 2010 to find whether the applicants are complying with the stipulated threeyear stay and other requirements outlined in the scheme.

Under the remigrant scheme, a Guyanese who is 18 years and above, who has been residing legally overseas for a minimum of five consecutive years and is now returning to Guyana, can benefit.

Also, Guyanese students/graduates who have attended or are attending a training institution and residing overseas for a minimum of four years and are now returning to Guyana, can also benefit.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry was forced to revoke the re-migrant status of several persons under the programme as many were using the facility to bring in all manner of luxury vehicles.

One notorious attempt at trying to defraud the GRA of millions of dollars is the GRA vs Glenn Lall, Bhena Lall, Narootandeo Brijnanan and Gharbassi

However, the mother of nine opined that protests and rally should not be the option taken because there are a lot of frustrated people out there who might want to use this venue to lash out and when things turn physical, then it will be the common people who will be affected.

“The APNU and the PPP ain’t got nothing to lose… this thing about is not about politics it’s about interests,” she noted.

One businessman who requested anonymity pointed out that the current situ-

Rum Jhaat can’t mek up he mind

Rum Jhaat is a man who does change he mouth from one minute to de other. One minute he seh he and de whole of de KFC gon join wid Green Jah and de whole of de HAPNU. Next minute he seh he never seh so, and that he not a part of any ting whah does join wid something else.

One of Rum Jhaat 7-Owe-4 pardna seh he not sure if de problem is that Rum Jhaat don’t wanna join up wid any ting, or he ain’t got nutten to bring to join up wid.

One minute Rum Jhaat seh he gon join de protest and de next minute he seh he ain’t gon be part of the protest. Now Rum Jhaat seh although he was never part de plannin fuh de protest, he still supportin de protest.

Rum Jhaat sound like de kinda man who just can’t mek up he mind bout whah he want from whah he ain’t want. Some body seh that is because Rum Jhat ain’t gotta mind of he own and he can’t even mind he own business.

De one ting Rum Jhaat know fuh sure whah he want is dem bottles whah does disappear in he hand at 7-Owe4. That is de one ting bout which Rum Jhaat does never change he mind or he mouth. And if yuh know Rum Jhaat, he does change he mind bout a lotta tings.

Rum Jhaat change he mind bout de P-P-Pee/C, so he tek up with de KFC. Now he wanna change back he mind, but he still got two mind, so he can’t mek up he own mind. But whah he ain’t know is that de P-P-Pee/C done mek up dem mind bout he, and that mind ain’t gon change.

It got to be that Rum Jhaat and Khurshi* got de same kinda mind. Because one day Khurshi* talk he mind and seh he friken de paper man like cat, and de next week he seh that had to be only in de reporter mind.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Thank de almighty fuh phone recordings!

Brijnanan case currently before the Georgetown Magistrates’ court. This is the case that Greenidge is studiously avoiding offering any comment.

It is being alleged by the tax body that the defendants collectively defrauded the state of over $100 million in revenue payable to the GRA for the importation of two Lexus LX 570 luxury vehicles.

Lall and his wife, Bhena, the owner of Bhena’s Footwear, were on October 13 arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on multiple tax eva-

ation can only lead to “bad days” for Guyana.

“We dwell among each other very well throughout the years but when it comes to elections time, they turn against each other, it becomes a racial thing and that is what politics does to us and it happens every time elections comes around.”

The businessman disclosed that he has been around for at least three of the major riots and protests that had shattered the country, nothing that every time, it

sion charges. They were also slapped with two counts of aiding and abetting in a conspiracy to defraud the Government of due taxes. Despite the Brijnanans being a no-show, the two couples were instructed to appear in Court Three on November 24.

Commentators point out that unless the Opposition supports efforts of the Government and its agencies to curb offences such as the one involving the remigrant scheme, the society will continue to slide downwards.

from page 9

was the people who suffered the most.

He believes that politics, not only in Guyana but around the world, has lost its meaning. The man said it has become a thing about personal interests rather than taking the interests of the people at heart.

He went on to say that every Guyanese, regardless of their race depends on each other for their survival, and as such should not believe or follow the “rumour-mongers” and “trouble-makers” who are trying to bring down the country.

Broaden focus on environmental services

– Jagdeo urges Int'l Timber Council

Former President, Dr Bharat Jagdeo emphasised that for the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) to continue being relevant, it had to refocus on other important non-timber trade opportunities.

These include forest carbon and other environmental services, he former President said as he noted the need for continuing to build on the already strong foundations of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), legality and timber trade Jagdeo was at the time delivering the feature address at the opening of the 50th Session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) in Yokohama, Japan on Monday.

Speaking to representatives from 69 tropical timber producer and consumer countries, Dr Jagdeo congratulated the organisation on the impressive successes achieved over the past decades in creating effective synergies among member countries, especially in the areas of forest biodiversity protection, implementation of sustainable forest management (SFM) social forestry policies, and trade in legal timber.

He highlighted the crucial relationship that forests play in climate change mitigation, and the ambitious targets set by the international community to contain global warming. These targets would necessitate the developed countries to either make significant investments to meet their targets, or to look for other less expensive solutions.

His President reminded the meeting that both the Stern review and the McKinsey report identified forests as the lowest cost abatement solution for

Prorogation developments...

achieving these targets.

He also noted that in view of the promising progress has been made at recent international negotiations (IPCC, REDD+, UN Climate Summit etc.), ITTO needed to reposition itself to take greater advantage of the additional and potentially more lucrative trade opportunities that these will bring.

Dr Jagdeo also highlighted that functional models for trade in forest carbon already exist such as the one between the Government of Guyana and the Kingdom of Norway; Guyana has already earned US$ 150 million over the past four years for its forest carbon services.

He stressed that this was not at the expense of the sustainable timber trade, but complementary to it. The additional monies earned from the forest carbon services go to fund agreed social developmental activities, and projects identified under Guyana's Low Carbon implementation activities.

One such activity was the development of a hydroelectric power generation facility which will completely remove Guyana's dependence on fossil fuels.

Additional benefits in-

APNU leaders meet ABC-E diplomats

... diplomats refuse pleas to condemn prorogation

APartnership For National Unity (APNU) on Thursday met with the diplomatic representatives of the ABC-E international community to discuss the prorogation of the National Assembly by President Donald Ramotar on Monday.

According to a release from the APNU, the two contingents met at the office of the Opposition Leader on Hadfield Street, as a result of a requested meeting by the diplomatic community.

The members of the diplomatic community included, Canadian Ambassador Dr Nicole Giles, US Charge D Affaires Brian Hunt, Deputy British High Commissioner Jim Couzens and European Union Ambassador Robert Kopecky.

Meanwhile, APNU was represented by its Leader David Granger, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Joseph Harmon and Ronald Bulkan.

The release said that “the discussions were cordial, and centred mainly on

the prorogation of the parliament of Guyana”.

It was also noted that the diplomatic community “seem to favour an early end to the prorogation”.

The APNU also reaffirmed it previously established position to the diplomatic community that there will be “no extra-parliamentary engagement with the President which were before the National Assembly”.

It also noted its plans to launch a series of measures dedicated to the prorogation proclamation being rescinded by the President.

Since the prorogation of Guyana’s Parliament, the local diplomatic community has opted not to comment on the decision taken by President Donald Ramotar, explaining that they do not want to interfere in Guyana’s domestic affairs.

The Guyana Times made contact with some of the major embassies that share a strong relationship with the country on Wednesday.

The United States Embassy, the Canadian

High Commission, the British High Commission, and the Chinese Embassy were contacted, among others.

However, this newspaper was told by the respective foreign missions that they will be commenting on the issue only after much consideration has been given to the entire situation and all stakeholders are engaged in dialogue. They refuse to interfere now or at any point until considered advice is sought on the matters engaging the Guyanese public.

It is likely that they will respond in a joint statement as they have done several times before on a number of other national issues.

By refusing to comment, the diplomats have in fact rejected the pleadings and provocations from the combined parliamentary Opposition parties for a condemnation by the diplomatic community of President Ramotar’s decision to prorogue sittings of the National Assembly.

clude the formulation of a world class MRV system and significant capacity building of Government staff, private sector employees and civil society in general.

Similar models are also operational in Brazil and Indonesia.

In conclusion, Dr Jagdeo

again congratulated ITTO for the great advances already made, but reiterated the need to refocus more on other opportunities complementary to the tropical timber trade such as forest carbon and the other forest environmental services.

He also cautioned that for ITTO to remain relevant, it must be aligned to the realties and opportunities arising out of the climate negotiations-, reminding that forests present the lowest cost abatement solution.

Dr Jagdeo expressed sincere wishes for a productive Council Session.

friDAY, november 14, 2014 | guYAnAtimesgY.com

Hard work paid off – Best Graduating Medical Student

Despite a plethora of challenges, Stephen Shane Veerasammy braved the weather, emerging as the University of Guyana 2014 Best Graduating Medical Student, walking away with the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award.

After six years of intense studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Guyana, the 25-year-old said his hard work finally paid-off.

On Saturday last, he graduated with a Grade Point Average of 3.6, copping the top spot for the batch of medical students.

But his road to success was not smooth as it was filled with bumps and potholes.

Veerasammy, who hails from Mon Repos, East Coast of Demerara, recalled that his journey began at the Mon Repos Primary School under the watch of his grandparents with whom he lived. In 2000, Veerasammy knew he was destined for greatness when it was announced that he was the only pupil from that primary institution to

er, I played Second Division Cricket for the Queen’s College Team,” he recalled. But as the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination (CSEC) approached, Veerasammy “picked” himself up. In 2005, he graduated with six grade ones and

acquire sufficient marks to attend Queen’s College.

However, while studying at the top secondary school; Veerasammy said his attention was not fixed on education, but recreational activities like many children his age.

“I was never really a book worm… I was a cricket-

four grade twos in the field of science before moving on to the Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

“At the O’ Levels, I didn’t do as good as I wanted, so I took a break and taught at a private school.” He taught Mathematics, English and Biology at the Institute of

Professional Education.

But after one year of teaching, Veerasammy realised that tertiary education was necessary for him to acquire the ideal job in the medical field. In a quest to gain entry into the medical school, the 25-yearold said in 2008, he commenced the first year Biology Programme at the University of Guyana.

He explained that students who mandated to get a GPA above 3.0 gain entry to the medical school. Unlike many of the other students, Veerasammy acquired a GPA of 3.9, giving him automatic access to the Medical School.

Sky was the limit

From that point, the former QC student said the sky was the limit, though the task ahead of him at the time was not easy. He explained that because of the nature of the programme, there was no spoon-feeding, but simply students who were determined to succeed. For him, there were many sleepless nights.

“I remembered at times going 72 hours without sleep because you have an exam one day and you have to study for that and the following day; it’s another exam. Sometimes you have

exams three days in a row, so you just have to keep going,” he said.

Asked how he managed to maintain such a high GPA at the Medical School, Veerasammy said he has a deep love for medicine.

“I think once you put in the work and you enjoy what you are doing, it helps a lot, basically, when I read medicine, it amazes me. Sometimes, I read for long hours and don’t know the amount of time has passed because I enjoy learning about the body.”

Veerasammy also credited his success to his grandparents, his mother who is a teacher in the public education system, his father, a fisherman, his lecturers and friends for the assistance offered over the years.

Today, he awaits the commencement of his internship at the Georgetown Public Hospital. In addition to the Prime Minister’s Award, the budding doctor is set to receive additional awards in days to come from the School of Medicine. To aspiring doctors, lawyers, journalists, engineers and others, Veerasammy offered his favourite quote.

“If you want things you never had before, you must be able to do things that you have never done before.”

Granger calls on Police, Army to act

– to prevent unlawful action against citizens

Opposition Leader David Granger on Thursday called on Guyana Defense Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips and Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud to prevent their members from engaging in any unlawful action against law-abiding citizens.

This call comes in light of a series of “pro-democracy” protests planned by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to raise public awareness on the implication of the President’s prorogation of Parliament.

“APNU has been concerned and dismayed at newspaper reports that there has been sudden, heightened training by members of the Police Force in Georgetown under the Command of Senior Superintendent, Clifton Hicken,” Granger said.

But officers and members of the Guyana Defense Force and the Guyana Police Force, he said should not be swayed by perverse political directives aimed at provoking a disturbance of the peace or causing injury to innocent individuals.

The joint forces are being reminded that Article 147 demands of them to protect citizens’ right to: freedom of assembly, association and freedom to demonstrate peacefully.

Today, the APNU backed by the AFC will host its first rally at the Square of the Revolution since the prorogation of Parliament. It commences at 16:30h.

According to APNU, the minority People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has never accepted the will of the

majority.

“They used every means in and out of the National Assembly to obstruct good governance.

"The PPP/C’s tactics included the willful expenditure of funds which had been disapproved; the noncompliance with resolutions and the non-assent to certain bills which had been passed and challenging the authority and autonomy of the National Assembly in the High Court.”

The coalition has pledged to resist the denial of democracy by the Government. In response, the Opposition through these rallies will seek to educate the populace and simultaneously ventilate their views.

At today’s rally, presentations will be made by Opposition Leader David Granger, in addition to representatives from the Alliance For Change (AFC), the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), the Guyana Action Party (GAP), the National Front Alliance (NFA), religious and civic leaders.

“Odd” beverage... Woman reportedly agrees for out-ofcourt settlement

Shelly Gomes will be having an out of court settlement with Banks DIH Limited after she consumed a popular beverage believed to be “laced with bleach”.

This was confirmed by a close relative during a recent interview with Guyana Times

It was reported by this newspaper on Monday that Gomes wanted compensation for her hospital bills. It was also revealed that Banks DIH Limited made contact with the family but the content of the conversation was not disclosed. When Guyana Times contacted the company on Tuesday, an official there declined to comment on the situation, claiming that the matter is already under Police investigation.

Moreover, Gomes’ mother affirmed she will not disclose any other information until she is advised by her

Attorney. The mother had stated that the bottle containing the remaining beverage is with the Police for testing. However, Superintendent of the Forensic Laboratory Phillip Azore on Tuesday said they are not in possession of the beverage nor its contents.

While Gomes has said she believes that the liquid she drank was bleach, a Rose Bud’s Cafeteria official expressed doubt.

Gomes purchased the bottle of beverage at the Rose Bud Cafeteria, Fogarty’s on Friday around 09:20h, and almost immediately after, she consumed it. She was rushed to The Balwant Singh Hospital by a Rose Bud Cafeteria staff. At the hospital, Police collected statements from family members as Gomes’ father demanded an explanation for what happened.

Caribbean needs to increase food production Assuria supports Police Community Outreach Programme

As the Guyana Police Force continues its Community Outreach Project in various areas, donations from the private sector and other stakeholders have been pouring in to support the initiative.

This time the Assuria Insurance Company handed over some $400,000 to the Police Force to support the Force’s goal of developing a better Police/community partnership by regaining the confidence of the public while at the same time strengthening their relationship with citizens.

At a simple handing over ceremony on Thursday morning in the Commissioner’s Conference Room, Eve Leary, the insurance company’s acting General Manager Yogindra Arjune said the company is impressed with the work of the Guyana Police Force and the many community projects that have been initiated, geared at building capacity in the youths.

He said the company felt that it was its corporate responsibility to come on board in support of the Police Force. Additionally, the acting General Manager further pledged Assuria’s support for the continuation of the project and expressed a willingness and intention to assist in future ventures.

Arjune was accompanied by the company’s Operations Manager Clyde Muntslag and Agency Manager Erwin Daniels.

Meanwhile, the donation, which was in the form of a cheque was received by acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud in the presence of other senior Police officials, including Assistant Commissioner (Administration) Balram Persaud.

Persaud expressed the Force’s gratitude for the donation, which he said will contribute significantly towards the realisation of the community projects.

Persaud added that ultimately the initiative will not only benefit the Police Force,

but the wider community as well.

Over the past few months, the Police Force has been engaged in a number of activities as they seek to reduce crime in communities and improve their relations with the public.

In a prior interview with Guyana Times, Commissioner Persaud pointed out that projects such as “Impact Albouystown” have caused a reduction in crime in communities where they have been implemented. He added that there are a lot of positives coming out of these engagements.

“In Albouystown, for example, there were cosmetology courses, people have been trained and are now operating beauty salons; there were training in cooking, I think all those persons are now certified now by Carnegie and they are working to supply restaurants and snackettes. There are persons who were limers and are now involve in block making, we have provided markets and provided some materials for them so they are actually earning by conventional means,” he highlighted.

The Commissioner went

on to say that they Force is also working on the youths by building facilities for them so that they can direct their energies in constructive activities such as sports.

He noted that the with Albouystown Project, they are currently working on improving the play field on Independence Boulevard and have plans in store to develop the play field in St Stevens’ Street. The Police are also targeting youths in Agricola and have started working on developing the play field there.

Also Commander of the A Division, Clifton Hicken, noted that the outreach programmes allows the Police to better interact with the public and identify where the Force’s weaknesses are from feedbacks given by the public.

“Coming out of the outreaches, we are getting feedbacks on the service delivery we are giving to people; hence, it will not finish if a complaint is above a Constable’s head. It is good for us because whenever a complaint is made, we will discipline the Constable with the objective of having him improving his professionalism,” he said.

The local Agriculture Ministry has joined those of other Caribbean countries to discuss the issue of climate change and its effects on agriculture, with the target group being small and medium-scale farmers.

The three-day workshop, which commenced on Monday, seeks to address putting measures in place to ensure the sector’s sustainability. The workshop is also aimed at tackling three themes: to create a disaster risk management plan, to deal with the issue of climate change, and to provide agriculture insurance for farmers.

Among those addressing the workshop was the Associate Deputy Director General for the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), David Hatch, as well as top Government representatives from various countries, including Guyana, Jamaica, Belize, and Dominica.

Hatch said that they were now concerned about not producing the kind of foods and the quantity they expected within the Caribbean and this should not have been so. He explained that the Caribbean did not need to import all of the foods that are currently being imported since it had the capacity to produce them.

Against this backdrop, he reiterated the fact that the Caribbean unnecessarily spends about four to five billion US dollars per year on food imports. He said the same money could be used to boost the sector and also to assist farmers when they are being affected by disasters.

Right policies

Hatch added that if the right policies were put

in place, much of the imported food could be produced under the same conditions in the Caribbean, helping small and mediumsize farmers recover from the disasters they would have experienced due to climate change by the importation of strategies not food to help them get back on their feet. “Disaster assistance by Governments in many instances has proven to be a political tool, which is often expensive and poorly administered,” he noted.

The IICA representative explained that the three initiatives that were being discussed were interconnected to deal with the issues of climate change effects on small and medium-size farmers who make up the most vulnerable group in the agriculture sector.

Plans to carry out these initiatives will be created for Guyana, Jamaica, Dominica and Belize. He said this was the beginning of a process, which would continue to move forward over the next three to four years.

The agriculture sector is faced with the twin challeng-

es of producing enough food for a growing population and ensuring the livelihoods of people whose subsistence depends on farming.

The Americas’ position remains firm on agriculture within the agenda of international climate change as they believe that urgent action is needed to support the people most vulnerable to climate change and to adapt production systems as explained by the IICA Associate Deputy Director General.

Measures need to be put in place to transform agriculture since it remains the source of our food and must be managed in a very coordinated way.

As for crop insurance to become an available economic tool for the farmer in Guyana, there must be a coordinated approach which involves the Government, the financial sector, programme leaders and the agricultural sector.

“The farmer should be the centre of our concern and we must do all we can to keep him in farming,” Hatch reiterated.

Dr Gopaul refutes claims in Ombudsman report

Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul has refuted statements made by sacked New Building Society (NBS) Manager Maurice Arjoon and said his lawyers have advised him to challenge the Ombudsman’s report.

Arjoon had made several claims in the report, excerpts of which have been published in various sections of the media.

President Jagdeo did not get the $2 billion for the Berbice Bridge he – the President will “deal with me!”

Arjoon, Kent Vincent and Kissoon Baldeo on June 1, 2007 were all charged with fraud over the withdrawal of some $69 million from a savings account.

New strain of Chikungunya in Brazil could spur North American outbreak

The Chikungunya outbreak which continues to affect thousands of Caribbean residents since it first appeared in St. Martin last year has been relatively self-limiting in the United States, due to the fact that the current strain only spreads through the Aedes egypti mosquito vector, which is uncommon on the US Eastern seaboard.

But recent diagnoses of a new viral strain in Brazil may turn the current hemispheric spread of the crippling disease on its head.

Dr Gopaul maintained that Arjune’s dismissal was as a result of negligence, and had nothing to do with the financing of the Berbice Bridge.

Arjoon claimed in the report that Dr Gopaul “telephoned me and said that as

“Many of the persons who are… in that report were not afforded the opportunity to respond to any of the allegations made against them… the NBS was not consulted to explain why,” the Minister told Guyana Times According to him, the bank had dismissed Arjune as a result of a fraud committed where millions of dollars were illegally withdrawn from a customer’s account, under his watch.

Jamaican man fined $25k for beating baby mother with fan

Aman was fined J$25,000 or two months after he pleaded guilty in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court to hitting his child's mother all over her body with a standing fan.

Reports are that Duran Blair 26, of a Cedar Valley Road address in St Andrew had an argument with the complainant, which allegedly ended with him hitting her repeatedly with the fan

"How you know each other? Resident Magistrate Lorna Shelly-Williams asked the complainant.

"Father of my child," she replied.

"How much you spend in hospital?" Shelly-Williams continued.

"J$3,000," the complainant replied.

The accused man was asked to pay the cost and subsequently fined. He is to serve two months in prison if the fine isn't paid. (Jamaica Observer)

Black box recovered from wreckage of crash that killed Munroe

The Department of Civil Aviation here says the information recorded on the black box from the jet that crashed on Grand Bahama on Sunday killing all nine people on board, including religious leader Dr Myles Munroe will be analyzed in Washington DC.

Authorities hope the recovery of the box will lead to answers about how the Lear Jet crashed into a construction crane in Freeport on the island of Grand Bahama.

The team of investigators combing the crash site includes officials from the Department of Civil Aviations Aircraft Accident Investigation and Prevention Unit, the jet’s manufacturers, the Federal Aviation Administration in the US and the National Transportation Board.

Munroe, founder and president of Bahamas Faith

Ministries International (BFMI), his wife Ruth, Dr Richard Pinder, a BFMI executive, Lavard and Rudel Parks, BFMI youth ministers, and their son Johanan were on board.

The pilot Captain Stanley Thurston, co-pilot Frankan Cooper and DeSantiago, were also killed.

They were heading to Grand Bahama for the 2014 Global International Summit, scheduled to be hosted by Munroe.

The plane crashed shortly after 5:00pm on Sunday, it’s believed that bad weather was the contributing factor.

Prime Minister Perry Christie who visited the crash site with Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin on Monday, described the incident as a “tragic, unpredictable loss of life”. (Jamaica Observer)

The charges were dismissed but they were already sacked by the NBS, which cited fraud, negligence and serious misconduct.

The Ombudsman report has cleared the three managers, saying that there was no evidence in the Police file again them.

Arjune had sued the bank for wrongful dismissal and the matter is currently ongoing in the High Court. The Minister will issue a more detailed statement shortly.

The strain – which is prevalent in some African states and which has been the cause of several outbreaks in South-east Asian countries – readily infects the Aedes albopictus mosquito, a hardier species which is common along the US East Coast, and which is adapted to colder climates.

Brazil has recorded over 200 cases of Chikungunya –

predominantly in the country’s east-coast Bahia state – but according to Kansas State University virologist Stephen Higgs, the African strain in Brazil has not yet developed the type of dangerous mutations observed in South-east Asia.

Such mutations could make the strain up to 100 times more infectious to mosquitoes, says Higgs, allowing the vectors to become more easily infected and pass the virus on to humans.

The virus itself has been shown to develop rapid adaptive mutations, underscoring fears of eventual epidemic circulations of the new strain. With the Brazilian summer beginning next month, increased rains may create more favourable breeding conditions for mosquitoes and facilitate the spread of the new strain, but local transmission of any imported cases in the US may be mitigated by the approaching winter months in North America. (Caribbean 360)

Grenada PM reshuffles cabinet

In what had been heralded as a major address to the nation, and one of his most significant since taking office last year, on Thursday night Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell addressed upcoming budget issues, as well as adjustments to ministerial portfolios.

Those adjustments are being made for a number of reasons, Mitchell said, including giving members of his team different ex -

Jamaica: Maggotty student shot dead, two men injured

The Maggotty High School in St Elizabeth has been plunged into mourning following the death of 16-year-old student Shemar Blackwood Tuesday night.

The boy was shot in the head during a rampage, by gunmen in the mountainous Pisgah/Huntley Castle area of north-west St Elizabeth, which also left two others injured. One was last night in serious condition at hospital while the other was treated and released, the police said. The criminals reportedly robbed cash, cellphones and other valuables and took the licensed firearm of a businessman.

"We are following some leads, the nature of which we cannot divulge at this time," head of the St Elizabeth police Superintendent Lanford Salmon told the Jamaica

Observer last night.

Yesterday, Sean Graham, vice-principal of Maggotty High, told the Observer that the mood at the school could best be described as "traumatic".

"It is very shocking; it has been a lot of tears and sadness [here], especially among students within his grade and a lot of teachers are mourning; they are also in total shock. It is a mixture of shock and disbelief mixed with sadness," said Graham.

Shemar, he said, was "fair academically", well-behaved, actively participated in a number of house activities and was respectful.

The vice-principal said that in-house guidance counsellors yesterday provided counselling for students, while the education ministry was expected to provide support.

(Caribbean News Now)

periences; to be sensitive to the twin demands of being an MP and a member of cabinet; and to seek to use skill sets and experiences in a way that will be most beneficial and fitting for new challenges.

“And so we are moving with immediate effect to make changes to both the ministerial portfolios, as well as the configuration in the Senate. We have decided to give some of our new constituency representatives who

have been cabinet members more opportunities to be able to consolidate their work as MPs, understanding that we are well into our five year cycle,” he continued.

The changes are described as consistent with the government’s aim and objectives as the administration gets ready to enter its third year in office, including its emphasis on employment generation, youth empowerment and housing. (Caribbean News Now)

No need to panic over telecoms merger –Barbados

Barbados Industry and Commerce Minister, Donville Inniss, has assured the public that there is no need to panic over the proposed merger between Cable and Wireless and Columbus Communications, as the relevant authorities would do what they had to do “in the best interest of consumers and also service providers in this country”.

In fact, the minister said he remained optimistic that Barbadians would continue to receive available telecommunications services, and that the country’s economy would benefit from the provision of such services, regardless of the provider.

Inniss explained that he was formally notified about the proposed merger in his capacity as minister of commerce, and has since had discussions with both companies about a number of is-

Minister

sues, including the way forward.

However, he noted that the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) was the entity charged with the responsibility of accepting notice of such mergers, especially when they affected market share and created dominant positions.

“The FTC will do what they are required by law to do, which is to thoroughly investigate… and make [what] decisions they have to make regarding this particular proposal between Cable and Wireless and Columbus,” he said. The minister added that he was leaving the matter up to the FTC to operate in an independent and professional manner, with the knowledge that “in the fullness of time”, they would make any necessary announcements.

(Caribbean News Now)

Around the world

Obama ‘close to acting alone on immigration’

Rfect as many as five million undocumented immigrants living in the US.

Republicans in Congress say such action would be beyond Mr Obama’s authority.

Senator Jeff Sessions told Fox News on Wednesday the reported execution actions were “a threat to the constitutional order”.

And House Speaker John Boehner said last week Mr Obama would end any chance of immigration reform within Congress if he took unilateral action.

Mitch McConnell, the incoming Senate majority leader, urged the president to “work with us to try to find a way to improve our immigration system”.

Ebola outbreak: Liberia President lifts state of emergency

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has lifted the state of emergency imposed to control an Ebola outbreak that has ravaged the country.

Veports in the New York Times and Fox News say Mr Obama is planning to extend protection from deportation to some parents of legal US residents.

The overall plan is estimated to af-

“The president has been told over and over and over again - and we’re telling him again today - don’t do this because his executive actions are not permanent changes,” he said. (BBC News)

Ukraine crisis: Russian ‘cargo 200’ crossed border

ehicles apparently used to transport soldiers’ bodies have been seen crossing the Russian-Ukrainian border, monitors from Europe’s security body have said.

The OSCE monitors said in one case a vehicle marked “Cargo 200” - Russia’s mili-

tary code for soldiers killed in action - crossed from Russia into Ukraine on Tuesday and later returned. Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of sending its soldiers to fight with separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin denies the allegations.

Jihadists returning to UK will face exclusion orders – PM

British jihadists who fight abroad could be prevented from returning home under powers to be outlined by the PM.

David Cameron is due to announce special exclusion orders which would ban suspected fighters entering the UK unless they comply with investigation.

The controversial measure is at the heart of a planned counter-terrorism bill due to be unveiled this month.

Some legal experts and ex-ministers have questioned whether the UK can ban its own citizens from returning home.

The plan to create Temporary Exclusion Orders comes after coalition talks, following the prime minister’s announcement in September of new counterterrorism proposals.

Under the unique powers, British citizens suspected of fighting with Islamic State (IS) militants would be stopped from re-entering the country unless they gave themselves up at the border.

Each suspect would have

their passport cancelled and their name would be added to a “no-fly list” that would prevent them departing for the UK

The exclusion orders would last for up to two years at a time and could be renewed. Breaches could lead to prison.

Government officials have told the BBC that the powers were designed to either stop suspects coming back - or only coming home on the UK’s terms. (BBC News)

More than 4,000 people have died in the conflict between Ukraine’s military and pro-Russian rebels in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Nearly a million people have fled their homes since the fighting started in April, a month after Russia an-

nexed Ukraine’s southern Crimea peninsula. The violence in the east has continued despite a ceasefire deal struck in Minsk, Belarus, in September, with both sides accusing each other of shelling and other violations of the agreement. (BBC News)

She said the move did not mean “the fight is over”, although numbers of new infections were no longer increasing.

The confirmed death toll from the virus is now 5,160 people, almost all of them from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Meanwhile, clinical trials to find an effective treatment for Ebola are due to start in West Africa next month.

The medical charity Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which has been helping lead the fight against the virus, says three of its treatment centres will host three separate research projects.

In nationwide address, President Johnson Sirleaf said that night curfews would be reduced and weekly markets could take place across Liberia.

She added that preparations were being made for the re-opening of schools.

The state of emergency imposed in August had allowed the local authorities to curb movement in the worst-hit areas of the country, including the capital Monrovia.

The lifting of the emergency comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) said “there is some evidence that case incidence is no longer increasing nationally in Guinea and Liberia”.

However, some reports suggest that new fresh hotspots have emerged in Liberia, the Associated Press reports. (BBC News)

Egypt sailors missing after navy ship attacked

Gunmen have attacked an Egyptian navy ship in the Mediterranean Sea, state media say, leaving five servicemen injured and eight more missing at sea.

The military says “terrorist elements” struck at dawn on Wednesday. More than a day later it has not released any information about the alleged assailants.

The incident happened north of the port of Damietta, where armed people

traffickers are known to operate.

The vessel reportedly caught fire in the assault, some 70km (45 miles) off the northern port of Damietta.

In two further attacks in northern Sinai, militants killed five policemen and soldiers, officials said.

A three-month state of emergency was declared in northern Sinai last month after 31 soldiers were killed. Jihadists have stepped up attacks against police and soldiers since

the overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi last year.

However, direct attacks on Egyptian naval vessels are unusual.

The group behind the latest attack, which happened on Wednesday, has not yet been identified.

Four fishing boats were used in the assault by “terrorists”, four of whom were killed, the military said.

Another 32 were arrested and were being interrogated, it added. (BBC News)

The Texila American University (TAU) will host its second annual cultural night and pageant on November 29 at the National Cultural Centre under the theme “A Royal Affair”.

The event commences at 20:00h and will showcase the rich cultural diversity of TAU students who have come from different parts of the world including Asia, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean.

The event will also include a night of pageantry with contestants from across the globe vying for the crown of Mr and Miss

The cultural segment will be packed with exotic dances, exquisite cultural fashion display, drama and talents from around the world. The TAU cultural event is one of a kind with rich originality and ethnic diversity.

This year, the pageant will have 10 contestants (five females, five males) competing for the honour of being called Miss and Mr Texila American University 2015.

Last year saw the crowning of the first King and Queen, Bonaventure Atulomah from

Nigeria and Umadevi Bux of Guyana.

The female contestants vying for this year’s title are Tiffany Gonsalves of Guyana, Yanil Valbuena of Venezuela, Treasure James, Damilola Aloba of Nigeria and Blessing Opara also of Nigeria.

The guys are Collins Chidebere of Nigeria, Daniel Cullen of Guyana, James Lomonga of Congo, Jideofor Onwuasoigwe of Nigeria, and Harminder Singh Sohal of India.

An additional feature of this year’s event will be the launching

The atmosphere is expected to be live and intense when "Hip Hop Poetry and Blues", a concert organised by Jomo Paul of Livid Entertainment and Franale Holder, Miss Emancipation, goes down at South View Tavern on November 24.

The benefit concert organised by

the two local Hip Hop and poetry enthusiasts will see a host of poetry slam performances from Franale, Keeona Mckay, Nickose Layne, Ryan McKay, Aziza Edwards and an entourage of other local performers. Local Hip Hop and R&B sensations Rage Young and Jamar

Webster among others are also expected to perform.

One of the promoters, Paul, explained that this venture was seen as taking a dip in the waters of poetic entertainment. He told <<Guyana Times Entertainment>> that there are plans to make the event a monthly occurrence.

of TAU’s First Annual Magazine ARUBAH, which will focus on the lifestyle of medical students.

The magazine will also offer readers a rich variety of medical articles from TAU faculty and students. It will be the first of its kind in Guyana to be launched at such an eventful night filled with entertainment from local medical students as well as international students from across the globe studying here in Guyana.

Tickets for the cultural night and pageant cost $1500 and can be uplifted from the National Cultural

Centre and TAU Medical School

Building, Spareendam, East Coast Demerara; and TAU Campus 2, Critchlow Labour College.

TAU is an international university providing quality education in health sciences to students around the world. It awards degrees in Medicine, Nursing and Dentistry. The University has been operating in Guyana since 2010 and attracts a wide cross-section of students from countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

“Well, since Upscale closed down, artistes, poets – we have not really had an outlet for our pieces and Franale and I thought, why not give it a shot, so we will see where this goes,” said Paul. The event is set to begin at 19:30h and continue up until 01:00h. Admission is $500.

TIhe Ishara Dance Troupe is once again hosting its annual dance production entitled “Ishara 2 -- The Mesmerising Past and Present” at the Theatre Guild, Parade Street, Georgetown on Saturday, November 15.

n two weeks’ time, Guyanese will experience one of the biggest, hottest and most versatile shows to have taken place at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The show we are talking about is the transformational “Boombastic” Concert featuring the man himself, Mr Bombastic, Shaggy and his entire band. The show is slated for November 29 and it is expected to be epic with five high-level artistes and five bands.

The artistes are known for their energetic and versatile performances and patrons can expect the best in Soca, Reggae, Dancehall, R&B and other genres of music. Apart from Shaggy and his band, there will be Christopher Martin, Baby Cham, Lady O, Kranium and the locals including Jory, Lil Million and a host of others.

As the event draws near, the promoter, Golden Boy Entertainment, is making all the necessary arrangements to have one ofthe safest concerts everwhereby patrons will be well protected as they party down to the vibes.

Theprompter also made available a 31-foot by 31-foot LED screen which will be elevated so that everyone can see what is happening on stage. It is the first time such a large screen

lights to create that party-like atmosphere on stage.

Golden Boy Entertainmentisalso making sure that everyone has a chance to be part of the show henceearly-bird tickets havebeenmadeavailable at specially reduced prices: General admission tickets cost $2500 and are available at Ashmin’s on High Street.

Regular tickets are, however, available at White Castle Fish Shop; Smart Aid Pharmacy, Kitty and Diamond; M & M Snackette; Two Brothers Service Station (WCD); Rubis, Vlissengen Road; Moori Toori, Laing Avenue; Joseph’s Record Bar; Full Range Record Bar; Lifestyles Boutique; Colors Boutique; and That Look Boutique.

However, there will be no early-bird tickets for the stage front ticketsfor which remain priced at $16,000 and are available at Glamour Designer Brands and King’s Jewellery World.

The artistes are expected to arrive in Guyana one day before the big event and as such, a special “Meet and Greet Part” is slated for the Gravity Lounge on Friday, November 28 whenthe public will have a change to take photos with the artistes.

Southland International Inc, a subsidiary of the Pereira Group of Companies, will be hosting its official launch of Carlsberg Beer on November 22 at the 704 Lounge, Albert and Lamaha Streets, Georgetown.

As part of the launch, Trinidad’s Chutney King Kris Persad, popularly known as KI, is expected to perform live. In addition, Trinidad’s hottest DJ, Sheriff, will be in the house to set the right atmosphere.

Carlsberg Beer was recently made the official drink for the VIP section of Golden Boys Entertainment’s “Boombastic” Concert billed for November 29 at the Guyana National Stadium featuring the best in dancehall and reggae music.

The beverage which retails at $360 each will also be available at leading supermarkets and bars throughout the country. With a great taste that goes down smoothly, the beverage is expected to stay on the market and compete with other brands such as Stag, Banks, and Heineken.

Carlsberg is the flagship beer brand in the Carlsberg Group's portfolio of more than 500 beer and beverage brands ranging from alcoholic to non-alcoholic products including MOUSSY & SOMERSBY Apple Cider, which was introduced to the Guyanese market last year.

Carlsberg beer was first popularised locally in 2006 and was now back with an even more attractive and modern packaging synonymous with its rich heritage and authentic appeal to inspire

and be relevant to people’s lives today.

At this historic moment for the company, Southland International Inc is proud to be the sole official distributor in Guyana.

At the party, Carlsberg beer will be at a special price all night served up ice chilled by the Carlsberg Models.

Tickets are only $2000 for the event, with free giveaways with the purchase of every ticket.

Tickets can be uplifted at Southland International Inc's office at 23 Brickdam, Stabroek in the Buddy’s Building, at 704 Sports Bar, or by calling 223-1040, 223-1490 and 223-1496 for more info . Be sure to set aside November 22 and head down to the 704 Lounge for the official launch party.

This year’s production is very modern in most of its dance pieces and the selection of the songs, choreography, and costume designs -- the “present”. But, Ishara will also be performing pieces from yesteryear with its songs and 'blushing' dance moves – the “past”.

The two-hour production will definitely leave patrons mesmerised and fully entertained.

The leader and choreographer of the Dance Troupe, Shivanie Latchman, recalled that last year’s production “Ishara 1 -The Evolution of Dance” was a huge success, which saw choreography to a combination of old and new songs by Shiva Nayan. It also featured new and romantic dance pieces and skits that thrilled the audience.

The first production was

held as the troupe celebrated the hard work and dedication of its members. It was promised that the production would be done on an annual basis.

The Ishara Dance Troupe never forgets the less fortunate and as such, a portion of the proceeds last year went towards a feeding programme for the elderly, through the

Nirvana Society and this year will be no different. Part of the proceeds will go towards the feeding of children as the group spread cheers and give thanks for its success over the years.

Tickets for “Ishara 2 --The mesmerising past and present” cost $1000 while reserved seating cost $1500. Tickets are available at Sankar Auto Works, Campbellville or from the troupe's leader who can be contacted on telephone

Guyanese designers Nadia ThomasWinter and her niece, Natalya Thomas, will be launching their clothing line at the Princess Hotel in Providence, East Bank Demerara, in a month’s time.

The red carpet affair is dubbed “Fashion into the Night” and will feature a runway fashion show, wine tasting and art viewing segments.

The "Fashion Duo" plans to give some of the proceeds from this event to the Cancer Institute in its fight against breast cancer.

Thomas-Winter is a proud descendant of Guyana’s indigenous people, and the last of 10 children. She is a wife, mother of three children, educator, artist and designer. She graduated from ER Burrowes School of Art as Best Textile student and went on to the University of Guyana graduating with a BA in Fine Arts.

She currently heads the Visual Arts Department of a high school in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and is also a freelance artist/designer.

ThomasWinter has been designing for more than a decade. She designed a wide range of spectacular costumes for the Mashramani celebrations, BVI’s carnival and showcased striking pieces to high praise at numerous Caribbean fashion events.

Her aesthetic is modern classic meets trendy and she caters for all women.

When Thomas-Winter is designing, she is inspired by the everyday woman. She strives to make the everyday woman’s eclectic characteristics and natural beauty shine through art and fashion.

She ensures her designs flatter women’s bodies and uses

her innate creative abilities to produce stylish and wearable clothing, which empowers any everyday woman to be confident.

Natalya Thomas, 24, on the other hand, currently a Public Relations Officer/Fashion Designer, wants to elegantly dress women in an effortless fusion of current obsessions and eccentric cultural flamboyance. Her clothing line is not just inspired by different cultures, but also an exotic expression of unique experiences, timelessness, genuine individuality, and

“I love designing wearable clothing for my clients. My target market fits all silhouettes. I believe that all body types are beautiful and I am tasked with the duty to help you, the clients, stand out in a phenomenal way,”

In the year 2012, she was the winner of Sonia Noel's Model Search and Designer Portfolio competitions, gaining invaluable public

“I love my country, I would not trade for no other and I believe that we have great potential in the creative arts industry. It is just a matter of love and support of our own.”

The duo's designer brand outfits will also be on sale at the event. Interested persons can contact Thomas on phone number 647-4400 for more information on the event.

The Yoruba Band is the longest standing Guyanese band to date; the band which was found in 1971 by Guyanese Essie Rockliffe has been making major strides in Guyana and several other countries including the United States. It is also the first and only Guyanese band to perform twice at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1983 and 1984. As part of their anniversary celebrations, Guyanese will be entertained at a night filled with music as the singers reflect on their journey. The event is set for Sunday, November 16 at the Theater Guild.

The event will be held under the theme reflection and will see prominent Guyanese singers in action such as Charmaine Blackman, Sammy Baksh, Bonny Alves, Keith Campbell, Devon Denny, the Yoruba singers and many others.

Rockliffe in an interview with Guyana Times on Thursday said that this is a way to give back to Guyanese and showcase local talent which has been hidden for so many years.

He said that the experience of the cast will leave all Guyanese in a state of shock after they would have witnessed the show.

Admission to the event is $1500.

Newly-crowned Mr Guyana International Paul Charles says that winning the title is like a dream come true and feels overwhelmed that he is the crowned king.

Competing with nine other macho men was indeed a difficult task and he had to be determined to achieve his goal. Charles stated that since the inception of the pageant, he stayed focused, with his eyes on the big prize.

He worked extremely hard over the past three months getting the right tone, posture, attitude and charm which he used to captivate the judges.

The king stated that as in any competition, all the competitors wanted to be winners. “I would say my greatest competitor would have been the competitors themselves. They all brought their A game and that pushed to work harder and strive harder for what I was there to do.”

On pageant night, he recalled being in another world knowing that it was judgment night and only one of the 10 men would be crowned Mr Guyana International 2015. As such, he remained as calm and humble as possible.

Now that the pageant is over, he intends to focus his attention on educating Guyanese to be prominent role models in society, to become ambassadors. This, he noted, will be done by conducting a number of initiatives such as workshops and more so, encouraging

young men to join male competitions to better themselves in a positive way.

“Gone are the days where men used to be the foundation, so I want to bring that back, being the first-ever Mr Guyana International, the face and the voice of our men in society today,” he added.

Charles is a man with lots of plans and wants to see a change in society. He also intends to address the scourge of school dropouts which was his platform for Mr Guyana International

He intends to host charitable events and bring a change to lives in Guyana. “I will be taking the world at large,” he said. He plans to promote his country as a one that is blessed with rich cultural diversity when he takes to the

“My take would be the determination that our people have, never give up and work for what we want.

Guyanese have that mentality; we fight for what we want,” he stressed.

With all the negativity about male pageants in Guyana, Charles stated that the Mr Guyana International Pageant is a great motivation for men who want to be better individuals in society. He added that it helps to bring out the inner being and helps to deal with issues that affect men in

Valerie Hernandez, 21, a student and model from Carolina, Puerto Rico was crowned Miss International 2014 when the pageant was held at the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday evening.

Dressed in a goldembellished white gown, Ms Hernandez sobbed with joy as she was officially crowned by Miss International 2013 winner Bea Santiago of the Philippines.

During the question-andanswer rounds in the lead-up to the finals, Hernandez stated, according to the Philippine Star: “Thinking about [the] Miss International title, I think it’s not just crown, it’s not just the title, it’s one of the hardest responsibilities”.

Kulsoontornrut and the Third Runner-up spot went to Miss United Kingdom, Victoria Tooby. Milla Romppanen of Finland took the fourth Runner-up spot.

Immediately after being crowned, Hernandez sent a message of love, peace, and unity.

On her official Facebook

The First Runner-up spot went to Miss Colombia, Zuleika Suárez while the second Runner-up spot went to Miss Thailand Punika

Guyana set to utilise critical home field advantage

Islanders looking to play positive cricket

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The inaugural West Indies Cricket Board

(WICB) Professional Cricket League Four-day Franchise tournament starts today with three matches and the Guyana team will be hoping that the home advantage will provide the impetus for them to lift their performance after years of mediocrity.

The home team will clash with the Leeward Islands at the Guyana National Stadium.

It is hoped that Guyana’s standard will be lifted with the presence of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Captain Leon Johnson and his team will view Chanderpaul’s availability as welcome news.

Johnson, who joined Chanderpaul as the two Guyanese in the West Indies Test squad to tour South Africa next month in an invited comment at the conclusion of the squad net session on Thursday, said that the team’s preparations ahead of the tournament were good, adding that each player is looking forward to put

up a good show against the Leeward Islands.

“It’s a good mood in the camp,” Johnson said.

He added “We had a lot of training recently and the guys are fit and ready. It’s nice to get the services of six Test players so we are just looking forward to put up a good show against the Leeward Islands”.

The two teams have played each other on 35 occasions previously, with the Leeward Islands holding a 10 to nine advantage with 16

NBA Roundup…

Anthony Davis had 25 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots, and the New Orleans Pelicans pulled away from the reeling Los Angeles Lakers for a 109-102 victory Wednesday night.

Tyreke Evans had 19 points and 11 assists for New Orleans. Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday each added 17 points.

Kobe Bryant scored 33 on 10-of-28 shooting, one night after setting the NBA record for most missed field goals in a career.

Carlos Boozer had 16 points and Jeremy Lin 15 for the Lakers, who dropped to 1-7. The Lakers were as close as 63-60 in the middle of the third quarter, but the Pelicans closed the period on a 22-12 run that included nine points from Holiday.

New Orleans outscored Los Angeles 60-34 in the paint and shot 54.9 per cent compared to 41.7 per cent for the Lakers.

games have been drawn and three abandoned.

In their most recent meeting earlier this year, the visitors won by five wickets in Antigua. However, the Guyana skipper further stressed that the game it not so much of a revenge, but rather going out and play good cricket.

“Having said that, the Leeward Islands haven’t played here in six years and we are looking to take advantage of that. More so they

come with a relative young team so we will also look to take advantage of that too,” Johnson said.

On the other hand, Leeward Islands manager Leroy Percival had earlier stated that their team will be ready for the match especially since they know that their encounters with Guyana are never easy.

He acknowledged that Guyana’s chances will be increased with the presence of Chanderpaul, one of the best

players in regional cricket. He said, however, that he is confident going into the match.

Captain Devon Thomas said that his team is looking forward to the game and he will be setting the example. He said that the team will be looking to play positive cricket and take one session at a time.

“We had good preparation leading up so overall I am upbeat and confident,” Thomas said.

The game start at

10:00hrs and admission to the venue is free.

The other two first round games will see Trinidad and Tobago Red Force host Barbados Franchise at the Queen’s Park Oval, while Jamaica Franchise host Windward Islands Volcanoes at Sabina Park. Guyana full squad reads: Leon Johnson (Captain), Assad Fudadin (Vice-Captain), Rajendra Chandrika, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Raymond Reifer, Anthony Bramble (wk), Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Ronsford Beaton, Vishaul Singh and Trevon Griffith. Leeward Islands full squad reads: Devon Thomas (Captain), Jahmar Hamilton (Vice-captain), Quinton Boatswain, Yannick Leonard, Jeremiah Louis, Anthony Martin, Orlando Peters, Austin Richards, Lyndell Richardson, Akeem Saunders, Jacques Taylor, Gavin Tonge and Kelbert Walters.

Lakers on losing streak

ROCKETS 113, TIMBERWOLVES 101

Dwight Howard had 22 points and 10 rebounds, James Harden scored 23 points and added 10 assists, and Houston beat Minnesota in the NBA’s first regularseason game played south of the border since 1997.

Howard, who missed the Rockets’ only loss of the season Saturday against Golden State, came back strong. He was 9 of 16 from the field and blocked four shots in 33 minutes.

Trevor Ariza had 19 points and Kostas Papanikolau scored a career-high 14 for the Rockets (7-1), who tied Memphis for the best record in the Western Conference.

With point guard Ricky Rubio sidelined indefinitely after spraining his left ankle last Friday, the Timberwolves lost their third in a row. Corey Brewer scored 18 points for Minnesota.

The teams played without a problem nearly a year after a game between the San Antonio Spurs and

Timberwolves was cancelled because a short circuit in a generator room sent smoke and fumes inside the Mexico City Arena during warmups.

won two straight after a 1-6 start.

Dwyane Wade scored 20 for Miami, which trailed by seven in the fourth quarter

PACERS 81, HEAT

75

Chris Copeland scored 17 points and put Indiana ahead to stay on a layup with 43 seconds left, and Roy Hibbert had 16 points and 15 rebounds to help the undermanned Pacers beat Miami.

Donald Sloan added 15 points for Indiana, which has

before tying the game twice but never recapturing the lead.

The Pacers outrebounded Miami 53-28, and the Heat missed 10 of 18 free throws.

Chris Bosh was held to a season-low nine points on 3-for13 shooting.

Miami had three late

shots at the lead, but a jumper by Luol Deng missed, Hibbert blocked a dunk attempt by Deng, and Bosh airballed a 3-pointer.

Indiana was missing six players, including four-fifths of its starting lineup from the last Pacers-Heat meeting — that being Game 6 of last season’s Eastern Conference finals. Hibbert was the lone returning first-stringer from that rivalry.

TRAIL BLAZERS 130, NUGGETS 113

Damian Lillard had 27 points and a season-high nine assists as Portland used a huge first half to hand skidding Denver its sixth straight defeat.

The Trail Blazers led 8450 at halftime, one basket from matching the team record for points in a half (86) set against Golden State on Jan. 5, 1986.

Portland showed no signs of fatigue, despite expending plenty of energy the night before in coming back from a 23-point deficit to hold off Charlotte at the buzzer.

Robin Lopez scored 15 of his 19 points in the decisive first half. LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 12.

Ty Lawson had 32 points for the Nuggets, who went on a 15-0 run in the third quarter and still trailed by 21. WIZARDS 107, PISTONS 103

John Wall had 27 points and 11 assists as Washington held off Detroit.

The teams traded the lead on five consecutive baskets before Wall’s jumper with 1:11 to play put the Wizards ahead 101-100. Marcin Gortat, who had 13 points and 14 rebounds, dunked with 38 seconds to play, giving Washington a three-point lead.

Rasual Butler had 18 points for the Wizards. His two free throws with 4 seconds to play put Washington ahead 107-103. Butler made seven of his eight field goal attempts.

Detroit lost for the third straight time and fell to 2-6. Brandon Jennings scored 16 of his 32 points in the first quarter. (Herald Sport)

Windies women fall to Australia

West Indies women squandered an impressive run chase and succumbed to a 53 run thrashing against Australia Women in the second OneDay International of the ICC Women’s Championship here Thursday.

An enterprising century stand for the first wicket offered promise but the Windies efforts to surpass Australia’s 256 petered out into a procession of batsmen and halted at 203 for the loss of eight wickets at Hurstville Oval

Hayley Matthews and Kycia Knight kept West Indies in the hunt with an opening stand of 115 but then the Caribbean girls were pegged by a middle-order collapse.

Matthews led with a

swashbuckling knock of 89 in 108 balls counting 12 boundaries while Knight scored 45 picking up four fours and a six along the way.

There were contributions of 25 and 23 from Britney Cooper and Shemaine Campbelle respecticely but no one else got into double figures except for the 10 extras.

Matthews and Knight could not find support from the other end and the wickets fell as the West Indies scoring slowed down, tumbling from 115 for one to 185 for seven.

Earlier Ellyse Perry starred with bat and ball scoring her fourth ODI fifty and picking up three wickets for Australia who won the toss and elected to bat.

Australia were off to a

strong start from Nicole Bolton, who top-scored with 76, and Elyse Villani with a contribution of 30- both compiling 65 for the first wicket.

Bolton and Perry , who scored 72, followed up with a 69-run stand for the third wicket before Perry added another 55 for the fourth wicket with Alex Blackwell to take Australia well past 200.

West Indies grabbed wickets towards the end of the innings to restrict Australia to 256 - Deandra Dottin emerging the top bowler with three for 42 while Hayley Matthews grabbed three for 42.

Australia have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match ODI series. (CMC)

WICB making progress with India tour...

President, Dave Cameron met and had preliminary talks with officials from the BCCI while attending an ICC meeting in Dubai recently. The WICB has also officially responded to the letter received from the BCCI. The WICB remains confident that an amicable and mutually agreeable resolution can be had.

The Terms of Reference of the WICB appointed Task Force is as follows:

(a) Investigate the cause of the actions perpetuated by the players leading to the withdrawal of their services. Based on the facts which emerge, the Task Force will render their opinion of the degree of culpability attributed to the WICB, to the WIPA and to the players and whether the action of the players was justifiable or considered a reasonable course of action.

(b) Examine the relationship between the West Indies Players’ Association (“WIPA”), West Indies

Cricketers and the West Indies Cricket Board (“WICB”), with a view to making recommendations on the nature and structure of the relationship between WICB and the cricketers (separate and apart from the relationship between WICB and WIPA).

(c) Design and propose a fast-track dispute resolution mechanism, which would apply to ongoing tours, and give the players an expedited process through which they could ventilate any issues, so as to mitigate against the risk of future tours ending prematurely as a result of player action.

Further, the release stated that the Task Force will report its finding to the Board of Directors by December 13, 2014.

Sir Richard Cheltenham has replaced Dennis Lalor on the Task Force. Mr Lalor withdrew in light of a potential conflict of interest.

The Secretary to the Task Force is WICB attor-

World Cup corruption report pointless, says EFA Chairman

Fifa’s report into World Cup corruption is now pointless and a joke, according to English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke.

He made his comments after the man who investigated claims of wrongdoing said the report was “erroneous”.

“It’s a bit of a joke, the whole process,” Dyke told BBC Sport, adding that it looked “pretty ugly for Fifa”.

The report cleared Russia and Qatar of corruption allegations but criticised the FA for flouting bid rules.

The 42-page document, published at 09:00 GMT on Thursday was put together by German judge HansJoachim Eckert. He based his findings on the work of American lawyer Michael Garcia.

But less than four hours later Garcia, who spent two

* Trying to help “a person of interest to him” find a part-time job in the United Kingdom

* Letting the Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 squad hold a training camp in the UK in the summer of 2009

* Sponsoring a gala dinner for the Caribbean Football Union, at a cost of $55,000 (about £35,000)

Dyke said the FA had “nothing to hide”.

“Within that report, most of the criticism is of people who co-operated the most fully,” he said.

“If you actually didn’t cooperate, you don’t get criticised, which seems very weird to me. The FA, I don’t think on this, has got anything to hide.

“Everything that was done was cleared with the Fifa executive beforehand and was told to the Garcia re-

Fifa’s inquiry looked at the conduct of the nine teams bidding to win the right to stage the 2018 or 2022 World Cups.

It was initiated after a number of corruption allegations were made once voting had taken place in 2010.

Russia won the right to host the 2018 tournament, beating England as well as joint bids by the Netherlands and Belgium, and Spain and Portugal.

England collected just two votes after expressing high hopes of winning.

To much surprise, Qatar was awarded the 2022 event, edging out Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States.

Qatar was subsequently accused of paying Fifa officials £3m to secure backing for its bid.

The report cleared the

ney Alanna Medford. Mr Gerard Pinard will serve as Industrial Relations advisor to the Task Force.

The Team Management Debriefing has been completed. The debriefing took place in St John’s, Antigua on Tuesday, November 11 and was conducted by WICB directors Ricky Skerritt and Chairman of the Cricket Committee Julian Charles along with Chief Executive Officer Michael Muirhead.

Debriefed were Team Manager Sir Richie Richardson, Chairman of Selectors Clive Lloyd, Director of Cricket Richard Pybus (who was in India with the team), coaches Stuart Williams and Andre Coley and Bowling Consultant Sir Curtly Ambrose.

Captains Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin and Darren Sammy participated via Skype. The debriefing report will not be made public for reasons of confidentiality which is standard in such exercises.

years investigating claims of corruption for Fifa, issued a statement questioning the report.

He said Eckert’s findings contained “numerous materially incomplete and erroneous representations”.

Garcia said he intended to appeal to Fifa, the governing body for world football.

“It has undermined the whole process,” added Dyke.

“It’s now pretty ugly for Fifa if the person who did the inquiry says the judge hasn’t properly reflected his inquiry.

“That’s pretty serious for Fifa. It now seems the interpretation of the Garcia report is not a fair one, according to Garcia himself.”

Fifa said it had yet to be notified by Garcia of his intention to appeal.

The FA was accused of trying to “curry favour” with former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner, who quit in 2011 amid bribery allegations.

The report said England’s bid team tried to win the support of Warner, who is from Trinidad and Tobago, by:

port by the English FA.” Dyke also called for Garcia’s report, which runs to hundreds of pages, to be published in full.

Lord Triesman, who was chairman of the FA at the time voting for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups took place, said he also wanted to see the complete document.

He was criticised in the report for failing to co-operate with the investigation.

“I’m never satisfied by seeing summaries by somebody else,” Triesman told BBC Sport. “In this day and age, people are entitled to see the original.”

British MP Damien Collins described Eckert’s report as “a whitewash” before Garcia’s statement was issued.

Fellow MP Clive Efford, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Sport, added: “Fifa has no choice but to publish Michael Garcia’s report in full if it expects anyone to believe their claims that there has been no cover-up over allegations of corruption in the World Cup bidding process.”

Gulf state of corruption, although it noted that there were “certain indications of potentially problematic conduct of specific individuals”.

Hassan Al Thawadi, general secretary of the Qatar 2022 organising committee, told BBC Sport: “Throughout this whole process we’ve been transparent when it comes to the process of bidding for the 2022 World Cup.

“We’ve always been confident about the integrity of our bid. Today’s report was confirmation of that.”

The report noted that the Russian bid team made “only a limited amount of documents available for review”.

According to the report, the Russian team hired computers that were subsequently destroyed, denying the inquiry access to email accounts.

“We were always confident that there could be nothing which would come out from this investigation,” said Alexey Sorokin, the head of Russia’s 2018 World Cup organising committee. (BBC Sport)

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Rohit Sharma’s first ODI in 10-weeks began with a touch of nerves. He was even kept scoreless in one Angelo Mathews maiden. By the end of the innings, his batting had become cartoonish. There was no shot he had not played. No part of the ground he had not exploited. No bowler who escaped his brutality. Rohit amassed 45 more runs than any ODI batsman had ever managed in an innings, finishing on 264 from 173 balls when he was finally caught off the last ball of the innings. India, almost incidentally, had moved to 404 for 5, despite having travelled at a run rate of less than six for the first 32 overs.

Rohit’s innings was so ludicrous that the first 100 runs, which were hit at a run-a-ball, seems achingly humdrum in comparison to the 164 that followed. The surge had actually begun before he reached his century, when he plundered 14 runs in four balls, in Nuwan Kulasekara’s 30th over. Soon after that, the ball would be leaping off the middle of his bat with almost every stroke he offered.

There were many incredible shots, from among his 33 fours and nine sixes, but the most gobsmacking was the six off Kulasekara at the end of the 48th over, when he walked across to off stump, took a half volley from about a foot and half away from him and flicked it high over the midwicket boundary. It was the kind of shot, and innings, that seemed in open defiance of physics.

Sri Lanka had played a tour match against Mumbai to warm-up for the series, but little did they know Rohit was warming-up against them. He hit 145 from 111 in that matchhis first competitive game since fracturing a finger in Augustand he has now re-embedded himself at the top of the India batting order in the most resounding fashion imaginable.

The most dispiriting aspect of the flogging for Sri Lanka was their complicity in it. Shaminda Eranga had extracted a thick outside edge from Rohit in the fifth over, and though the ball carried comfortably to Thisara Perera at third man, he shelled the chance. Having been dropped on 4, Rohit would become the third

runs, and was enough to hammer the Sri Lanka bowlers off their rhythm for the rest of the innings. Short, wide deliveries, thigh-high full tosses and rank long hops were presented with alarming regularity, and the fielding was almost as woeful. Sri Lanka had not expected to begin the series strongly, given their lack of preparation, but in these two disciplines, they have actually worsened significantly through the tour.

India centurion this series to have been reprieved early in his innings. It makes sense, then, that since he hit a double-century, he should be dropped twice. Seekkuge Prasanna obliged him, when he shelled another straightforward chance off Rohit in the 46th over, with the batsman on 201 this time.

Kulasekara had strayed too straight to Rahane, in particular, who picked him off for a spate of leg-side fours to kick the India innings into gear, in a 14-run first over. Angelo Mathews and Eranga delivered more disciplined new-ball spells, claiming a wicket each inside the first 15 overs, but that is as good as the visitors’ bowling effort got. Sri Lanka’s lines and lengths worsened gradually from the 20th over onwards, until they had become almost farcical by the 35th over.

Another beautifully orchestrated batting Powerplay from India - between the 30th and 34th overs - brought them 67

Having been joined at 59 for 2, Kohli and Rohit put on 202 brisk runs together, before miscommunication between the wickets saw Kohli run out for 66. That wasn’t even the most astounding partnership of the India innings. When Rohit and Robin Uthappa came together in the 41st over, the score was 276 for 4. They would put on 128 runs in 58 balls together. Out of that, Uthappa’s contribution was a run-a-ball 16. By the time Rohit hit Kulasekara down Mahela Jayawardene’s throat at longoff, the record for most fours struck in an innings had also tumbled, and Rohit was in possession of half the ODI scores over 200. One record he missed out on by one delivery, was Sunil Gavaskar’s record for most balls faced. Gavaskar had made 36 not out.

Kusal Perera attempted to pull a short ball from way outside off stump and ended up scooping a catch to midwicket to collect his second duck of the series. Tillakaratne Dilshan was still visibly out of sorts, but he still outlived his next two partners. Dinesh Chandimal drove Stuart Binny uppishly to cover and Mahela Jayawardene was trapped in front by Umesh Yadav. When Dilshan himself fell, giving a catch to short cover off his leading edge, even the slim hopes Sri Lanka had of running down the total were effectively extinguished. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

India innings (50 overs maximum)

AM Rahane lbw

b Mathews 28

RG Sharma c Jayawardene b Kulasekara 264

AT Rayudu b Eranga 8

V Kohli* run out

(Prasanna/†Chandimal) 66

SK Raina c Jayawardene

b Mathews 11

RV Uthappa† not out 16

Extras (w 10, nb 1) 11

Total (5 wickets; 50 overs) 404 (8.08 runs per over)

Did not batSTR Binny, AR Patel, KV Sharma, UT Yadav, DS Kulkarni

Fall of wickets 1-40 (Rahane, 7.5 ov), 2-59 (Rayudu, 12.6 ov), 3-261 (Kohli, 38.5 ov), 4-276 (Raina, 40.2 ov), 5-404 (RG Sharma, 49.6 ov)

Bowling O M R W

K Kulasekara 9 0 89 1

AD Mathews 8 1 44 2

RMS Eranga 10 0 77 1

NLTC Perera 5 0 43 0

S Prasanna 10 0 70 0

BAW Mendis 7 0 70 0

TM Dilshan 1 0 11 0

Sri Lanka innings (target: 405 runs from 50 overs)

MDKJ Perera c KV Sharma b Yadav 0

TM Dilshan c Raina b Binny 34

LD

DPMD Jayawardene

b Yadav 2 AD Mathews* st †Uthappa b Patel 75

HDRL Thirimanne c Kohli b Kulkarni 59 NLTC Perera c †Uthappa b Kulkarni 29 S Prasanna c Patel b Kulkarni 11 KMDN Kulasekara c Rayudu b Kulkarni 0 BAW Mendis c KV

Crandon hoping Guyana avoids winless record

Whatever happens in this year’s regional first class season, Guyana Franchise will not want a repeat of the last one.

They failed to win a single match, losing four time six outings while managing to draw two games, and predictably finished bottom of the championship.

Understandably, head coach Esuan Crandon said he was anxious to banish the memories of last season, as his side geared up for the new look WICB Professional Cricket League which bowls off Friday.

“Our performance last season was very disappointing. We will have to put it behind us and seek to improve, try for greater consistency moving forward,” Crandon said.

“We have done a lot of soul-searching and planning after last season and in our preparations for this season. With this new franchise system in place and a longer season ahead, the players are all eager to go.”

Guyana lost their first two matches to Jamaica and eventual champions Barbados respectively, before drawing their third against Windward Islands at home.

Any hopes of arresting the slide soon faded with back-to-back defeats to Combined Campuses and Colleges and the Leeward Islands.

“We realised that one of our main problems was our opening pairs have not performed as consistently as we would like them and this has meant that we have not the base for big

first innings totals to put our opponents under pressure,” Crandon explained.

“We have also been working hard on situational-awareness in the hope that the thought processes of the players would improve and we will be able to endure and come out on top during those pressure moments in the game.

“We have had a number of young players and we have asked them to learn the game – and quickly –prior to this season when they were only five or six matches, but this season presents a good opportunity and we have asked them to prepare themselves in every area, so they can perform well for the team, themselves and Guyana.”

Guyana face Leewards in their opening game at Providence, and boast a relatively strong team for their first outing.

The side will be led by Leon Johnson who made his Test debut against Bangladesh recently, and includes international players like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Assad Fudadin,

Urling, CONCACAF meet

The interim head of Guyana’s football, Clinton Urling, met with CONCACAF officials here last week, to begin charting the way forward for the sport in the country.

Urling was recently named to lead the Normalisation Com-mittee, appointed by football’s world governing body, FIFA, in the wake of the recent bitter dispute among the Guyana Football Federation.

“The objective of this courtesy visit by Committee Chairman Urling was to determine the next steps in the progression of football in Guyana and to keep it on solid and stable footing,” said CONCACAF president Jeff Webb.

The committee will run the day-to-day affairs of

Guyana’s football and has been given full executive powers by FIFA in decision making.

More importantly, the committee has been mandated to update the constitution and organise fresh elections by September next year, when their tenure ends.

Urling, a Guyana businessman, said it was important that all key sectors in the country worked together to rebuild the sport.

“Faith in Guyana football must be restored,” said Urling.

“However, the cooperation and involvement of all football stakeholders and the country as a whole is required. Guyana is a country with amazing football potential.” (Jamaica Gleaner)

Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo.

Barbados all-rounder Raymond Reifer, picked up in the player draft, has also strengthened the squad.

“We have a pretty good balance for the first few matches – no less than six Test players are available to us – a pretty good range of players from which to choose,” Crandon pointed out.

“It looks good on paper, but we have to prove it on the field. We are hoping that we can make full use of home advantage, something which we have failed to do in the recent past, and I think the players are all in the right frame of mind approaching the start of the new season.”

(CMC)

Federer thrashes Andy Murray

Roger Federer thrashed Andy Murray 6-0 6-1 to end the Briton’s ATP World Tour Finals hopes in humiliating fashion.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion needed just 56 minutes to win his third Group B match and reach the semi-finals.

Murray needed a straight-sets win to qualify but won only eight points in the first set and did not win a game until 6-0 5-0 down.

The result is Murray’s worst since he lost 6-1 6-0 to Novak Djokovic in Miami seven years ago.

Japanese world number five Kei Nishikori qualifies behind Federer after his earlier 4-6 6-4 6-1 victory over Spaniard David Ferrer - a replacement for the injured Milos Raonic.

“Clearly, I’m very happy to play a good match today,” Federer said. “I knew I was qualified so maybe I went in a bit more relaxed.

“It’s not the way I thought

it was going to go, but there’s always next year for Andy and hopefully he can have a good season.”

After 24 minutes, Murray’s progress in the tournament was over as he suffered his first 6-0 set loss in four years.

The world number six had briefly threatened in the opening game of the match but then lost his serve in the

next game with two errors at deuce.

Federer never looked back and cruised through the second set in similar fashion to finish top of Group B, ahead of Nishikori.

The Swiss world number two now awaits the results of the third round of Group A matches on Friday to see who his semi-final opponent will be. (BBC Sport)

Beharry Group of Companies donates US$7000 to national ruggers

Volleyball Champion of Champions billed for Sunday

Guyana will now have a better chance of performing at a high level at the NACRA Seven’s Championships in December with the inclusion of their overseas based players compliments of Edward B Beharry and Company.

The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) on Wednesday was presented with a cheque totaling US$7,000 from the Beharry Group of Companies at their Charlotte Street head office in order to fly home the overseas based players who will start training with the local ruggers of the team.

Director of the company,

Anjali Beharry-Strand highlighted that it was the consistency of the ruggers that has the Beharry Company fully behind the national team.

“They won the Caribbean championships for many many years in a row and through our sponsorship, it gives Guyana an opportunity to possibly represent us at the 2016 Olympic Games and for that we are extremely proud and pleased to give them this opportunity,” Beharry-Strand stated.

Meanwhile patron of the GRFU, Kit Nascimento was heartened by the contribution from the Beharry

Company.

“Today we are here to celebrate because Beharry has come through big time… to put a winning team in the park we need to bring home some top players but the biggest expense the union faces is bringing home our top players. Beharry is bringing home these players,” Nasceimento lamented.

However, Nascimento made it clear that despite the players coming home, it does not mean that they have been selected to the final squad for the Championships that runs from December 3-4.

A win for the six time

NACRA champs will mean that Guyana will be eligible for the Hong Kong seven’s which will serve as a warm up for the Olympic qualifiers. The players expected to arrive in Guyana to start training are; Australia based, Kevin MacKenzie, US based, Vallon Adams and Isaiah Allen and Trinidad and Tobago based Ronald Mayers, Peabo Hamilton, Richard Staglon and Claudius Butts.

President of the GRFU, Peter green was thankful for the contribution, noting that “the stakes are high.”

WICB names Test squad for South Africa tour

Denesh Ramdin has been retained as captain of a fullstrength West Indies Test squad for their upcoming tour of South Africa, but the players have been given a deadline of November 18 to sign tour contracts.

The squad is the first to be named since West Indies walked out of their tour of India last month due to a pay dispute between the players, the WICB and the West Indies Players’ Association.

“Of course at all times the selection panel aims to select the best and strongest team available,” chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd said. “We look forward to this squad giving a good account of themselves for the three Tests in South Africa.

“There is a significant amount of international cricket to be played over the next six months, includ-

ing Test matches against some of the higher ranked teams in world cricket and as such it would be critical for the squad to get off on a positive note in South Africa.

“Specifically we have selected young fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell who is a good prospect. The selec-

tion panel is looking to introduce players such as Cottrell who can contribute in moving West Indies cricket forward.”

The three Tests are scheduled for Centurion, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town from December 17 through to January 6. The West Indies squad is due

to depart the Caribbean on November 30, but the WICB said in a statement that tour contracts still had to be signed.

“All players selected have been notified of their selection and that their selection is contingent upon their signing of the Match Tour Contract which was sent to each player selected on Tuesday November 11,” the statement said.

“The deadline for the return of signed Match Tour Contracts to the WICB is 5pm (ECT), Tuesday, November 18.”

Test squad Denesh Ramdin (capt), Sulieman Benn, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Leon Johnson, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton.? (Cricinfo)

The Berbice Volleyball Association in collaboration with the Rollers Old Boys(founder members of the Rollers Volleyball Club of New Amsterdam will stage the second Rollers Old Boys Champion of Champions Lien volleyball competition for teams in Berbice on Sunday, at the Port Mourant Community Centre Hardcourt.

According to the representative of the sponsors, Clifton Phillips (former National setter in the 70’s and Rollers Founder/Captain), the first place winner will receive a replica of the lien trophy.

BVA Competitions Coordinator, Godwyn Allicock said the following teams have signaled their intention to participate in the competition- PMTC 1, Berbice Under 19, Three Door Strikers, Tain Volleyball Club, Port Mourant Jaguars, PMTC 2 & Skeldon Jets.

Last year’s competition was won by PMTC 1 while Rollers of New Amsterdam placed second. The action is scheduled to commence at 10:30h. Teams are urged to be punctual.

Trophies will be presented also to the second and third place winners. There will also be incentive prizes for best setter and best spiker (attacker).

4th Winston Murray Memorial….

Speedboat XI set to defend title on Sunday

Defending champions

Speedboat XI will put their title on the line in the fourth annual Winston Murray Memorial 10/10 softball tournament on November 23 at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation Sports Club ground.

The Samuel Kingston organized tournament has announced that the first place prize for the tournament will be $100,000 along with trophies and medals.

Speedboat XI is expected to take on the lies of Regal XI, Farm, Omesh XI, Young Guns, Legaun XI, Shakir XI and Parika XI in the straight knockout tournament which bowls off at 08:00h.

The second placed team will pocket $60,000 and a trophy, while individu-

al prizes for best batsman, bowler and fielder will be up for grabs with the Man of the Match in the finals pocketing $5,000 and a trophy.

“Prior to his death, the late Winston Murray grew up in Leguan before journeying to Georgetown where he spent his adulthood, enjoying the ways of life while being an accomplished cricketer, playing the game as an opening batsman.

“Many, who knew him, would recall him stepping out the office to witness a cricket game at Bourda or if he is in Barbados, moving away from his duties to watch a game at the Kensington Oval” the words of former PNC/R Parliamentarian Aubrey Norton at last year’s presentation ceremony.

Government gives $4M to national ruggers

“You stand a good chance of winning the NACRA Championships, you have done it before and I want to say you have the best wishes of the president on behalf of who I speak of, you have the best wishes of the government, the stakeholders and the Guyanese people,” Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh stated passionately before handing over the cheque to the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU).

Singh made the donation on Thursday at the National Park on behalf of the Guyana’s President, Donald Ramotar.

The funds according to the GRFU will be used to ensure that the ruggers will be well taken care of in Mexico when the tournament runs from December 3-4. Further, once the na-

tional side is victorious, it will give the pathway to make their way to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. Singh was confident in the team’s capability.

WICB making progress with India tour pullout

Dave Cameron

Worldwide reaction was caused when the West Indies pulled out of their tour to India over pay disputes that were according to the players not properly discussed between the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) and the players themselves.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) failing to properly handle the situation only escalated the matter further which caused the said pull out by the players.

This caused the Board of

Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to issue a US 42 million dollar claim to the WICB, giving the WICB 15 days to respond.

However, the WICB is reporting that the issues are being dealt and progress being made not just with the players but with the BCCI as well. According to a press release, the WICB is pleased to report that the parties are making progress with regard to the premature end to the tour of India.

“I believe based on what I have read that this team has a realistic chance of competing at the 2016 Olympic Games. It would be the first time

that Guyana would qualify for a team sport and we all know the pride we feel when we see the Golden Arrowhead at an Olympic event, we all look on excited waiting for

the Guyanese athletes to come on the field… I believe you have the potential to do us proud,” said Singh.

President of the GRFU, Peter Green was most grate-

ful for the mega contribution, calling it motivational for the team.

The team is expected to depart for Mexico on November 27.

Pakistan v New Zealand, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi, 5th day... Bowlers meeting expectations of nation − Misbah

Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, credited his side's bowlers following their 248run victory against New Zealand in the first Test in Abu Dhabi. The victory was Pakistan's third successive one in the UAE and came soon after they had thumped Australia 2-0.

The most experienced bowler in Pakistan's line-up was Mohammad Hafeez, and the most experienced specialist bowler was Rahat Ali, who was playing his ninth Test. Misbah said it was commendable that a largely inexperienced attack had thrived on surfaces where more experienced bowlers had struggled.

"The kind of conditions we are getting, the worldclass bowlers are struggling but these youngsters are living up to the expectations of the team, me and the whole nation," Misbah said. "They are getting 20 wickets every match. So that's a really big achievement for them. "You can't say these are spinning tracks and that's why we are getting wickets. The fast bowlers are really chipping in and they are doing a wonderful job. These are the same pitches where the

top-class bowlers are struggling."

Misbah praised left-arm fast bowler Rahat Ali, who finished with a six-wicket haul in the game. Rahat's 4 for 22 in the first innings was vital to keeping New Zealand to 262 and came after he had taken only four wickets in the series against Australia.

The win made Misbah Pakistan's most successful Test captain and he said he was honoured to be in the company of legendary cricketers like Imran Khan and

Javed Miandad.

"It sounds great, because you could say the namesImran Khan, Javed Miandad those are the greats of Pakistan. But if I am at the top, it's something I could not really think of," Misbah said. "It's great to know that. I am happy about that."

Despite the huge margin of victory, Misbah refused to call it an easy win and said he was mostly happy because the team had not squandered momentum from the 2-0 series win against

Australia. "I think overall nothing is easy but it looked easy at the end. But you could say the team really played well, every individual held on to his responsibility and we stuck to our basics. We performed really well, like we performed against Australia, so we just kept that momentum and those performances intact. That was the key for us - that at the end, it looked easy. But nothing is easy in life and especially in cricket." (Cricinfo)