• claims unable to verify signature of gun transfer to thugs
• says intelligence officers reported directly to Burnham
Guyana has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Argentina for the establishment of a consultative mechanism on matters of common interest.
The memorandum was signed by Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and her Argentine counterpart, Hector Timmerman during the 44th Regular Organisation of American States (OAS) General Assembly in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday.
According to a release
by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the memorandum provides for consultations on all aspects of the bilateral relationship between the parties, especially in the areas of political, economic, commercial, scientific, technical, environmental protection, educational and cultural cooperation through meetings to be conducted at the level of ministers and senior officials.
The two countries also agree to carry out high-level consultations on international issues, interaction
in the international arena and on issues of mutual interest. Minister RodriguesBirkett expressed her satisfaction that Guyana and Argentina had taken such a significant step in improving and increasing the level of their relationship, which follows the opening of the Argentine Embassy in Guyana last year.
She declared that the memorandum was important bilaterally as well as within the context of Guyana deepening its relationship with the countries of Latin America.
Noting that operational costs remain the same despite the extended drop in the price of gold on the international market, several small miners are recommending that Government offer concessions on fuel and certain vehicles to bring some relief to them during this period.
According to goldrate. com, gold today improved slightly at US$1253.45 or G$261,281.68 but is still far below its best rates to be considered a significant recovery. Gold prices rose to nearly a one-week high following news that the European Central Bank cut several interest rates and introduced a negative deposit rate.
The drop in the price of gold has its many spin-off effects, but a steady dip in price can have very negative effects on mining operations and has been having such effects, as reported recently by the President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA).
Guyana Times spoke to several small miners who all related that the drop in gold prices has severely affected their operations, especially since the cost of operations remains the same.
“Even though the price is down, you still have to keep producing to keep in the game. And if you are not finding good grounds to mine, then it is even worst. Where I am working, we pay 80 to 90 thousand dollars for a drum of fuel and an ounce of gold is 220 thousand dollars.
duction costs and then there are the workers and maintenance.”
Another miner, Noel Charles Campus, noted that such is the effect of the drop in gold prices on small miners that it is one of the worst periods for him since he has been in the mining industry. He said some operations have even stopped; however, he doesn’t want to risk doing that since equipment can be damaged with too much downtime.
“The price for diesel doesn’t drop when the price for gold drops. I have to pay $100,000 to transport one drum of diesel where I work in Mahdia and my Cutter Head water dredge uses three to four drums of diesel per day. Some operations burn close to six drums a day,” Campus stated.
the international market. The association had noted, however, that the emphasis should be on improving recovery methods as one of the ways of cushioning the effects of the price drop on the local industry.
GGDMA President Patrick Harding had told Guyana Times that the GGDMA and the GGMC needed to work together to assist miners to improve their recovery methods using non-mercury technology, especially since the price for gold has dipped. Harding was also not optimistic that gold prices would improve in the near future, which further emphasised his point about improving mining technology.
he Guyana Police Force has announced that between 07:00h and 09:00h on Mondays to Fridays, motor vehicles will only be permitted to travel West along the Railway Embankment (towards Georgetown), between Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara and Sheriff Street, Georgetown.
“It is really difficult because in some areas if you produce 10 ounces of gold it costs you 10 ounces,” related miner Mark Defreitas.
This restriction is aimed at assisting with the peak period traffic build up along East Coast Demerara, the Police explained in a release.
The young miner’s view that Government should offer some concession on fuel tax was supported by other miners, since they believe it would make a big difference on operating costs. “We need to get some duty-free concessions on fuel so it can come down to like $60,000 a barrel. Fuel alone takes up about 40 per cent of the pro-
The miner recommended that Government offer duty-free concessions on single cab and double-cab pickups so that miners can save on transporting fuel. He noted that the pickups can carry more diesel than the ATV bikes that can be acquired duty-free.
A single-cab pickup, Campus said, is valued around $10 million and the double cab around $27 million and if the duty is lifted, for example, on the double cab it would cost only about $11 to acquire.
Meanwhile, the GGDMA had recently expressed concern at the effects of the prolonged drop in gold prices on
Also, Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) President Simona Broomes, had acknowledged that the dip in global gold prices was negatively impacting members, but had noted that the ‘slow pace’ of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) in executing its duties was more of a concern.
“All of the women have concerns as the expense to run operations remains the same, but more of a problem is the unprofessional way in which the GGMC handles matters pertaining to women miners. Every simple problem takes weeks and months to be resolved. The system is frustrating,” Broomes had told Guyana Times
Weather: Thundery showers in the morning are expected to give way to heavy rain showers in the early afternoon hours. Light rain showers and clear skies are expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.
Wind: North easterly between 4.47 metres and 4.91 metres per second.
High Tide: 10:36h and 23:13h reaching maximum heights of 2.22 metres and 2.24 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 04:07h and 16:38h reaching minimum heights of 1.03 metres and 0.97 metre respectively.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
The World Bank has approved US$21 million to reduce flooding along East Demerara and improve education delivery, particularly in Mathematics, the bank said in a statement on Thursday. According to the bank, more than 300,000 people from the flood prone regions of East Demerara will benefit from reduced flooding and climate risks as a result of a US$11 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) approved on Wednesday by the bank’s Executive Board of
Directors.
The World Bank noted that nearly 90 per cent of Guyana’s population lives in this narrow coastal plain, largely below sea level and vulnerable to climate change.
It added that extreme rainfall in 2005 resulted in flooding and damages estimated at nearly 60 per cent of Gross Domestic Product GDP or US$465 million at the time.
The bank noted that the impact on poverty was evident and many subsistence farmers, small business operators and vendors were affected. Specifically,
the classroom lay the foundation for future work-place success.
About 85 per cent of young Guyanese are enrolled in secondary education. The Government has set an objective to achieve quality universal secondary education.
the project will upgrade critical sections of the East Demerara Water Conservancy dams and channels; improve drainage capacity in priority areas along the East Demerara coast; and increase flood preparedness by installing instruments to monitor hydrometeorological data.
Meanwhile, the second project approved for US$10 million will increase enrolment in general secondary schools and improve delivery in Mathematics.
"These two credits aim at reducing poverty and providing opportunities for all Guyanese by reducing vulnerability to climate change
and ensuring quality secondary education", said Sophie Sirtaine, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean. To boost competitiveness, it is essential to address the vulnerability to climate risks and ensure that the skills learnt in
Among concrete results to be achieved by the project are: 2600 new students from vulnerable areas enrolled in general secondary schools; a pilot technology-assisted learning in Mathematics; and 600 secondary Mathematics teachers trained, the standard for Mathematics secondary school teachers increased, and Math kits distributed to 250 secondary schools.
These IDA credits to the Government of Guyana have a final maturity of 25 years, with a five-year grace period.
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
About three years ago, the school system was in a state of crisis, with frequent reports of violence among students, including some cases involving teachers. At the time, the Education Ministry in recognising the problem, convened a symposium, garnering the input of a variety of stakeholders to address the problem.
Some of the solutions proposed were agreed upon, including the need for more counsellors in the school system, random checks on students, and getting parents to be more involved in their children’s education. It was subsequently found that a majority of the reports of violence in the school system involved boys, many of whom lacked proper guidance and role models.
To address the problem, the Ministry at the time felt that with more male teachers in the school system, coupled with the strong support of counsellors and parental involvement in their children’s education, the unease would abate, and an ideal solution would be provided.
The idea was widely supported, and with backing from the World Bank, an initiative began, albeit in a small way, to convince males to join the profession, through a campaign called, “Be a man, teach Guyana”.
It was hoped that the message, through smart promotion, would stick, and the initiative would become a feature in the Education Reform Project. That was about three years ago.
Today, this project has not come off and it appears that the Ministry has abandoned the idea. But strangely, from what Chief Education Officer Olato Sam has told this publication recently, the Ministry has not shelved the idea.
This response is puzzling, as three years ago, a project was devised with room for further development, but yet we are told that the initiative has not been dropped, and there are several projects in baby stages. It was agreed then that the Ministry would be pushing the message through several avenues.
This is yet to happen, but this aside, the comment of several projects being in baby stages underlines an apparent infantile approach to a serious matter, which from the onset, had wide support.
Perhaps, this approach is not strange at all, as the Ministry umpteen times has been accused of “talking a good talk” but “failing to walk the walk”. Notwithstanding the chattering, one hopes that whenever the Ministry decides to pay serious attention to the male teacher recruitment drive, keen attention is paid to the characters they are recruiting, as it can ill-afford to have predators in the school system.
Attention was also to be placed on the remuneration package, as this has been touted as a major reason for males not joining the school system. But this must be done with careful attention, to avoid gender discrimination.
It would be wrong to put male teachers on a higher pay scale; hence, it would be judicious for the Ministry to incentivise the system, taking into consideration current needs. From all indications, the Ministry has a shortage of Mathematics and Science teachers.
What the Ministry can do, in its efforts to get more male teachers in the system, is to encourage those willing to join the profession to pursue Mathematics and the Sciences as their major. This will address the shortage of male teachers and at the same time; fill the void regarding Mathematics and Science.
Also, given the numerous pronouncements that Science and Technology hold the solutions for the 21st century, the move will set the foundation to position Guyana along this path.
For those who are trained graduates with families and have over 10 years in the profession, it would be reasonable for the Ministry to explore giving them preference to house lots, special interest loans to build their own homes, and perhaps duty-free concessions for those with more than 15 years of continuous service.
Whatever strategy the Ministry adopts, these pointers should be taken into consideration, but the goal should not only be to keep male teachers in the system, but also to instil in them the values of being proper role models.
Dear Editor,
Out of the usual race armory of Guyanese racial exchanges usually attributed to misunderstood poverty, Barrington Braithwaite bludgeon’s an exchange with the usual “guilt loaded racism” deployment on his Indo Guyanese countrymen in clockwork timing rapidity.
His letter titled, “The Sultan Mohamed group is becoming less and less viable to fool this generation” was responding to my letter titled, “Mr Braithwaite must build his own house as a priority rather than destroy others”.
If Mr Braithwaite feels so confident that “this”, “that” or any “generation” are no fools then what is there to be concerned, much less, worry about? His original letter titled, “The other normalcy”, excoriating the Indo Guyanese origins in India was targeting both an original religion and an entire country’s race population. But after censure Mr Braithwaite has shifted to make it a “generation” issue!
Endowment in black munificence has apparently either graced or bypassed Mr Braithwaite’s roots after slavery was abolished in 1838. Which is it, some three centuries after abolition of slavery? Publicly identified with the ACDA in becoming a cultured African, is he speaking as their spokesmen by use of the royal plural?
For him to claim that today’s black condition is “because we are victims of what is now established as ‘ideological racism’ plus spite,
and it was the manipulation of race, not ideas, that have always been the factor to exist of the PPP, with the IndoGuyanese as your pawns, and they’re not accepting the bottom-house ‘black man ah déblé’ (devil) anymore” is a talking drum out of tune with the times, especially black self sufficiency.
What Mr Braithwaite has done (he wrote it himself) is finding some kind of nirvana through validation from bottom house IndoGuyanese because commendably “they’re not accepting the bottom-house ‘black man ah déblé’ (devil) anymore”! He does not say why.
Must any laudable acknowledgement of any race as no longer the devil require specific Indo Guyanese endorsement to anyone including black emancipation and happiness? If such is a deal breaker revelation for any Indo Guyanese credit to interracial co existence, then what else is still secret to be revealed? What was received in return?
Without the presence of any Indians with ancient cultural origin in Haiti to be blamed for its poverty, Mr Braithwaite has no case whatsoever as in Guyana.
All the charges of racism against Mr Braithwaite were not in any systemic ambivalence, either vague or inferred as he now portrays them. They remain specific, factual and very clear without a shadow of doubt evidenced by his own words requiring clarification. What he had written contained
a glaring pivotal alteration of what he had previously written in ‘The other normalcy”.
On being taken to task and realising it was offensive he attempted to blur its severity by blatant fabrication and distortion of that first letter, prolonging this debate. This is dishonest and wrong for which he should apologise. Originally he first wrote “that India stands out as the host nation of the origins of the infamous Bramanic Aryan cult with its bizarre ideologies of racist oppression”.
After my response, he lied blatantly by clever rewriting to disarm readers by stating that “I will address the only area that can truly be attributed to me by Mohamed that India stands out as the host nation of the (he omitted three words: “origins of the”) infamous Bramanic (missing word: ‘Aryan’) cult with its bizarre ideologies of racist oppression”!
Why did he do this? You never know. Mr Braithwaite steps into unknown territory and therefore cannot be accused of only fooling himself. Shame on Mr Braithwaite for his clever wailing victimology of shifting blame in counter charging they were “implying their own illness of racism to me (Braithwaite), accusing me (Braithwaite) of despising Indians, naturally among them my own relatives”, but he still outshines Shakespearean drama.
As if in justified righteous anger he seeks to in-
voke and harness black umbrella sympathy and protection. Isn’t he such a joy of dignity to behold? Clean up your fake act man. It stinks. Sorry to disappoint, but allblack people are not automatically viewed as 'deble' (devils) most assuredly as he claims; with all certainty, no other races including Indians, are, likewise not devils or otherwise, regardless. Such perverted mentality becomes a verbal spectacle in gymnastics, plain and simple, and is what erodes collective dignity and does no good for all Guyanese. What originally began our exchange was only prompted by Mr Braithwaite’s initial provocative miasmic projectiles armed with his arcane race prejudices against Indo Guyanese in a letter titled, “The other normalcy”.
Let him now deal with its fallout by his own conscience, honour and the temperance cushion of any supposedly Indo Guyanese ancient unbuffed Aryan relatives or friends he may have recently discovered to proudly acknowledge and escape scrutiny.
However it was UWI’s Dr Kean Gibson’s inflammatory existing attack on Hinduism’s ancient Aryan origins by hook and book which automatically includes all those of Indian ancestry regardless of any unbleached non-Hindus Aryan race ancestry. That bold attack on Indian existence and their rights to survival cannot be more threatening.
continued on page 5
You
Dear Editor,
I would like to acknowledge my debt to an extraordinary woman. Her name is Maggie DaSilva, a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry. A woman par excellence, she was the spark of my intellect, the fire in my soul; she humbled me as she had a golden heart.
She challenged the male monopoly in the banking and business sectors during the dismal age of Guyana. She offered me material possessions beyond my imagination; this is how the story began.
In the late 1980s, I had a small business in Stabroek Market and was desirous of expanding as the Honourable Desmond Hoyte was creating avenues for free enterprise. But I needed funding for my business plans.
Without any referrals, I approached Ms Da Silva at her office, which was then located at Lot 47-48 Water Street, Georgetown, for a loan from the bank. She politely welcomed me into her office and the interview began. After a long and intensive questioning period she said, “Mr Mohamed I am sorry, but I cannot give you this loan, you don’t satisfy the requirements”.
A defeated man, I
thanked her for her time and made my way to the door. As I was about to exit her office, I heard the most beautiful feminine voice say, “Come Mr Mohamed, be seated”. For a brief moment, I thought I was dreaming or it was a call from a supernatural being, but reality struck me hard as her words still resonate in my soul until today.
Ms Da Silva broke the conventional rules of banking to facilitate my request. For another extensive period she lectured and advised me in the sternest manner and then words of encouragement came. She said “Mr Mohamed, I see in you integrity and for that reason I am approving the loan”. Those golden words were said to a young, poorly attired East Indian businessman. From that day onwards, I never disappointed her. She kept me under her wing and as my prosperity grew, her advice became sterner and our business and friendly relationship grew stronger.
Ms Da Silva had a special ability to make anyone feel important and special. She invited me to the Lusignan Gulf Club to try my hands at the sport. She was a good golfer, an excellent communicator and she had a passion for helping ‘the ordinary man’.
Yesterday, I spoke with a female manager of a popular city bank who shared similar thoughts and her experiences about Ms Da Silva – experiences that send chills through my body. She said, “Maggie would fight for workers' rights with all her strength until her beautiful white face became red”.
Ms Da Silva never lost a battle; the directors of the banks would become weary of her relentless pursuits. In the highest of forums she would ‘big up’ the ordinary staff members like the ones who participated in activities that made the environment clean and tidy.
Words failed me as adjectives are limited to correctly describe Ms Da Silva, but permit me, I will still try. She was full of grace.
Grace is the life of talents. Grace is the breath of speech. Grace is the soul of action. And grace is the ornament of ornaments. Perfection is the adornments of our nature. But grace is the adornment of perfection itself. Without grace, beauty is lifeless. It surpasses valour, discretion, prudence, even majesty itself.
That was Ms Da Silva – pure amazing grace. It’s a pity that a fantastic, astonishing woman like Ms Da Silva is only born once
in a generation. She consumed my entire being through her extraordinary brilliance. Her stunning words were the most dazzling pearl necklace around the neck of humanity. Millions will stand in front of God wearing her necklace and be granted salvation through the fact that her astonishing words brought them into contact with the divine author.
Additionally, when corporate Guyana and the feminist movement will write their annals of history, Ms Da Silva will be on top of the list of the most influential women of all time. She stood tall like a palm tree and was never swayed by the wind.
The joy of having known her trumps all the other temporary pleasures I have ever had. I cannot bear the thought that if I were to subtract her out of my history, what my life would be like. Throughout our sojourn on earth, one person can touch our lives and we become better, so much better.
Peace to the greatest CEO of the 21st century, as she has returned to the divine author. Peace to a stern advisor, peace to a generous giver, and peace to a friend.
With utmost respect and deep sympathy, Nazar Mohamed
Mr Braithwaite’s echo of Black satisfaction that no one is a devil now requires Dr Gibson’s insensitive assault be withdrawn with full apology and restitution.
By Mr Braithwaite’s own measurement standards what determines priority to resolve Guyana’s problems is made clearer.
Constantly claiming the Black condition was neglected due to race can never be righteously sustained by rampant political cannibalism of the “others” for peaceful coexistence. It is conclusively Caricom’s Indians who can justifiably assert to their detractors that it's “because we are victims of what is now established as ‘ideological racism’ plus – spite and it was the manipulation of race, not ideas, which have always been the factor to exist of the PPP, with the IndoGuyanese as your pawns”.
Add Dr Gibson’s fuel to Mr Braithwaite’s Black assault on Indians to make it
worse by its concentrated “religious and ideological racism”. In Mr Braithwaite’s original identification of his own racist projection from Georgetown all the way to New Delhi, claiming “India’s serious domestic resistance to this 3000year practice (Aryan Indian origins of Hinduism that) is ongoing and is commendable, yet, its vestiges remain rooted over there, (India) and have troubled this country’s (Guyana) modern history significantly for too long ” is what underlies his preoccupation which has been troubling.
But his macabre letter is only incredible foolishness without justification. He continues the habitual re-anchoring to another, in this case to Indo-Guyanese, as the central target and resolution of slavery’s many leftover problems. But Indo Guyanese did not enslave anyone in the Caribbean as everyone knows, even noted by Eusi Kwayana.
Why must their Caribbean presence automatically require their descendants to be saddled with slavery’s forever problems by inheritance? Indians themselves absolutely required no others' validation for their presence, cultural, economic and political survival. Neither has it been a Caricom Indo-Guyanese achievement that drove out all Euro-Guyanese, forced the Portuguese to quit in disgust and is currently serving the Chinese with the usual menu’s acrimony.
Truth be told, the Indo Guyanese has always automatically become subjected to Black prejudgment and found guilty because of their numbers and economic success. Whittled down by internal and external interests, their unique cultural and religious practices remain defenceless.
By what peaceful, necessary means must their continued existence prevail for human rights survival
from page 4
is only theirs to decide. No claim of mandate or authority to speak for anyone or group belongs to me.
Sincerely, Sultan Mohamed
or letters@guyanatimesgy.com
Dear Editor, The Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry/National Sports Commission in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council, Region Two has once again organised a successful day of interaction at Moruca in the North West District, Region One.
The journey to Moruca commenced at 09:00h on May 31 by road from Georgetown to Parika, Parika to Supenaam by river, Supenaam to Charity by road, and Charity to Moruca by river, arriving at approximately 14:00h.
The visiting party, which comprised Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Regional Chairman of Region Two Parmanand Persaud, and other officials from the National Sports Commission and the regional administration, was given a warm welcome, as the officials moved around the community meeting residents and sensitising them of the purpose of the visit and encouraging their participation.
On June 1, the community centre ground was alive with activities as residents from various communities converged and participated in a number of sporting disciplines, including football (male and female), volleyball (mixed), softball cricket (male and female) and dominoes (mixed).
Participating communities included Paloma, Karaburi, Hurudaia, Santa Rosa/Kumaka and Waramuri. Sports in the communities seem to be well organised, as even the five female teams were smartly attired in colourful uniforms.
The female teams comprised girls as young as 13 years. These young ladies possess and displayed tremendous talent and skill. With proper training, teams of the hinterland will
match those in and around Georgetown. It is therefore necessary and important for the Guyana Football Federation in collaboration with the National Sports Commission to organise programmes to reach these areas and assist in the development of football in the hinterland.
The Director of Sport and Regional Chairman encouraged the residents (participants and followers) to continue using sport as an integral part of their entire development. They also expressed thanks to all for accepting the call to participate in the day of interaction.
As a means of encouraging sport development in the various communities, sport gear and equipment were distributed. The call was made for the gear and equipment to be utilised properly for the benefit of all.
A presentation of sport gear and equipment was also made to the Headmaster of the Moruca Secondary School Martin Da Silva, who promised that the gear and equipment will be properly used as a way of encouraging the youth to be involved in physical education and sport.
Sincerely, Seema Budram
BY LUCY RECTOR FILPPU AND KEREN PERLES
“Bang, bang! You’re dead!” In a culture filled with violent video games, TV shows and images of war, it’s unnerving to see children pretending to kill each other. But whether it’s pretend gunplay, fake sword fighting or a superhero scene recreated, there’s more to it than just violence. How can children safely use their imagination, and when should you step in?
Clarify your values Children want to understand power in relationships. By killing the “bad guys,” they can, in their minds, exert some control over their world. “Model ways of problem solving that are respectful of all the parties concerned and that are not hurtful physically or emotionally,” says Marjan Wilkes, a long time preschool teacher. “Talk about what you can do to promote a more peaceful culture.”
Use props that have multiple uses
Don’t buy your child realistic-looking toy weapons. If your child wants to shoot pretend guns, try using popsicle sticks or rolled-up newspaper – something that can easily transform into a thermometer, microphone or baton. Weapons should be just one part of a broad repertoire of playing possibilities.
Know when to step in “If two children are wrestling, and one child is being pinned, and they’re smiling at each other while it happens, that’s fine,” says Dr Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play and author of Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. But if one child is definitely not en
–by pushing it underground, you give it more intrigue and power. Instead, allow your child to play and keep the issue open for discussion.
Don’t shame children
Despite your discomfort, be careful in disciplining children for play you find inappropriate. “The last thing you want to do is
joying it, you should intervene and help them understand where they stepped over the line.
Allow children some leeway
No study has linked pretend gunplay to future violent behaviour, and Dr Brown says studies linking superhero play to violence can be misleading. Furthermore, many child experts agree that forbidding play fighting entirely makes it more appealing
shame your child, because that leads boys to mask their feelings and act with false bravado,” warns William Pollack, PhD, author of Real Boys. Instead, ask open-ended questions and even play along to better understand your child’s perspective.
Make decisions together
If your child’s gunplay is too gritty or his fighting is too fierce, calmly tell him you’d like him to cool it down, and
work together to find a compromise. Say, “I know you’re having fun with your pretend play, but I feel a little scared by guns. Real guns can kill and I feel afraid when you point your finger at me like that.”
Watch out for mismatches
Pretend violence or roughand-tumble can go over the line depending on the players involved. For example, an introverted, shy child may not feel comfortable playing with an older, extroverted, fearless child. In this case, protect the younger child and help the older child gain the necessary social skills to make playing safe and appropriate.
Put a positive spin on play
Children want to challenge the world and change it for the better. Tap into that drive by making pretend play an exercise in doing the right thing. Superheroes and Police put their lives on the line to help people in need and society as a whole. Point out these qualities of character to your child. Think play fighting is devoid of moral value? Think again. Take a deep breath and realise pretend fighting is a stage like any other. It doesn’t mean your child is destined for a life of crime. Curiosity and vulnerability often lie beneath the “Bang, Bang” bravado. Use the opportunity to teach your child about the world and about his own ability to reach great heights. (Education.com)
How cartoons help your children in
BY MS EMILY
Learning a foreign language should be encouraged.
There are lots of benefits to be reaped via becoming multilingual. A lot of people underestimate the importance of this because they assume that everybody speaks English nowadays.
However, if you get your child to learn a foreign language from an early age, then you are giving them a huge opportunity for the future. Furthermore, it is always better to learn foreign languages from an early age because children are more receptive and they find languages easier to pick up. For instance, in general, a seven-year-old would be able to pick up a foreign language more quickly and effectively than a 15-year-old child.
Innovative learning methods
As is the case in most areas of education, you will need to find an innovative method of engaging your child. This applies to both parents and teachers; whoever is taking it upon them self to teach a foreign language. Nevertheless, both seem to be recognising that nowadays creative methods of teaching are an essential.
You need to use these sorts of methods to capture children’s attention and in order to help them learn more effectively. Using online cartoons provides a fantastic method of helping children to pick up a foreign language. All children love cartoons. Mixing enjoyment and education proves to have great results.
Interactive educational cartoons
You can find cartoons that have been specifically designed in order to help children learn a foreign language. A lot of these cartoons are actually interactive and therefore they encourage children to speak back towards the cartoon. In order to give further illustration to this point you should focus your mind towards Dora the Explorer. In this cartoon Dora asks the children watching to help her pick different goods out of her bag and alike while she is on her adventure. This gives children the opportunity to get their minds working as they reply to Dora. This concept is very much followed in other interactive educational cartoons. Furthermore, this concept works particularly well for foreign languages in particular. After all, it gives children the opportunity to practise their pronunciation. It also ensures that they don’t switch off while watching the cartoon either.
Get clever with cartoon watching
One of the best ways to learn foreign languages through cartoons is to go for a cartoon that is available in a different language and have the sub titles on in English. This will help your child to pick up the different words, yet because they see the English meaning for the words on the bottom they learn a lot easier. You can also try this the other way round, meaning that you can listen to the cartoon in English yet read the sub titles in a different language.
This is recommended because it will help your child with the correct spellings of words as well. So, next time your child wants to watch Ben 10 Ultimate Alien games online, you should look for these in a different language. Once this has been done your child can watch their favourite cartoon yet at the same time they are picking up a key skill as well. Cartoons can provide you with a fantastic way to help your children learn a foreign language. Whether you use specific educational cartoons or you find the likes of Ben 10 Ultimate Alien games and cartoons in different languages one thing is for sure; your child will pick up a foreign language more efficiently and effectively. Au revoir! (homeschoolingparent. com)
BY SVETLANA MARSHALL
The US$970 million Timehri Road Expansion Project has been delayed for approximately 18 months due to existing utility structures.
BK International, the contracting company complained bitterly on Thursday as it again laid the blame at the feet of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company.
BK International Project Coordinator Lionel Kandasammy told reporters that the project which spans from Grove to Timehri commenced approximately three years ago, but has been stalled resulting in millions of dollars in losses being incurred.
“The first aspect which was the rehabilitation of the road financed by the InterAmerican Development Bank was completed, the second part, which is the construction of a new twolane passage to and from
continues to wait on GT&T to remove the cables, poles and lines, the material cost has escalated over the past two years. But despite the challenges being faced, Kandasammy said the company would not be demobilising because it would be a breach of the multimilliondollar contract.
Just last month, the same company reported that it has lost over $50 million on the East Bank Four-Lane Expansion Project due to a similar problem, but then, it also blamed the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).
BK International said water pipes and telephone cables had been in the way, preventing the continuation of the road project in the vicinity of Diamond.
Not us
But GT&T had denied the allegations levelled against the company. In a statement, the company said it has an obligation to protect the integrity of the na-
tional communication infrastructure in the interest of all of its users, but said that it also remains committed and ready to cooperate with the Public Works Ministry.
Referencing to the construction of the new access road at Timehri, GT&T said it was contacted by BK International Inc on July 29, 2011 concerning the relation of its network plant and facilities (aerial and buried copper and fibre-optic cables, poles and network access cabinets) in the vicinity of the project area at Timehri. The company recalled that on August 2, 2011, its engineering representatives as well as those of BK International and the Public Works Ministry conducted a joint survey of the project area to identify the locations of GT&T’s facilities.
According to the company, consistent with established protocols for the execution of such works, on September 2, 2011, an in-
the airport, is consistently delayed because of utility problems,” Kandasammy explained during a press conference held at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
Scores of letters
He further explained that despite writing more than 60 letters to the Public Works Ministry concerning GT&T underground cables, poles and overhead lines, the structures remain in the path of the project.
“We have done all that we could have done…. We have been consistently writing the employer which is the Ministry of Works, every Monday morning, there is a reminder letter, that is sent to the coordinator, notifying again and again, that we are still faced with these problems,” the BK Project Coordinator said.
Due to the encumbrances, the project has been stocked at 40 per cent; an issue the company describes as “worrying”.
Even as BK International
voice for the cost associated with the required relocation of GT&T’s facilities was released to BK International Inc and copied to the Public Works Ministry.
“Although the invoiced sum was not paid, BK International Inc commenced work and GT&T began to experience damage to its network facilities as early as September 28, 2011,” the phone company explained.
Partial relocation
It added that subsequently, the Ministry requested partial, rather than complete relocation of its facilities in the project area and the invoice for those works was dispatched to the Ministry on January 20, 2012.
“A payment of 50 per cent of the partial relocation cost was received from
the Ministry on February 9, 2012 and the partial relocation of our aerial cables was completed on March 7, 2012. However, a considerable amount of our major assets remained to be relocated out of the project area.”
All the while, GT&T said BK International Inc continued, seemingly “in a reckless manner, damaging previously identified facilities seven times in various locations between September 28, 2011 and May 13, 2013.
The damage affected some 1800 of our residential and business customers and the cumulative restoration cost amounted to $2.9 million. Equally important is the fact that the damage compromised critical communications at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and nearby sensitive locations, including the
Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Instructively, although invoices indicating the cost of the damage were sent to BK International Inc, to date, GT&T has received neither acknowledgement nor payment,” GT&T said.
According to GT&T, it was forced on May 8, 2012 to seek relief in the High Court where the judge encouraged the parties to settle the matter. On May 6, 2014, a settlement was reached. “As a result of this settlement, GT&T waived claim to G$20.5 million of outstanding facilities relocation costs. To date, payment of the amount due as per terms of the settlement remains outstanding,” the company complained. (svetlanam@ guyanatimesgy.com)
Gunmen carted off an undisclosed sum of cash from the Soesdyke Post Office Thursday morning, Police have confirmed.
They carried out the act at gunpoint, holding up employees and persons who were there conducting their business at the time.
Residents told this newspaper that they heard a “loud banging” and later saw two men exiting the post office with their weapons. The men then joined a heavily tinted blue car which was awaiting them outside and sped off.
Guyana Times understands that the car had been in the area for the past two days traversing the very vicinity. It was also stated that a former employee of the post office was in the building at the time of the robbery. He was arrested and is in Police custody assisting with the investigation.
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APolice raid on a Kitty apartment landed four men before the court on a possession of narcotics charge on Thursday, with one of them getting three years in jail and a fine for the offence.
Rohan Singh, 25; his brother, Satesh Singh, 25; Devian Sardina, 27; and Ortte Summoner, 27, appeared at the Georgetown
Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Faith McGusty to answer to the charge.
The charge states that on Sunday, June 2, Police ranks, acting upon information received from a credible source, carried out a search on an upper-flat apartment on Railway Street, Kitty where 7.6 grams of marijuana were found in a cupboard.
Three of the accused,
Satesh Singh, Sardina and Summoner pleaded not guilty to the charge, while Rohan Singh pleaded guilty.
The Magistrate granted the men bail in the sum of $25,000 each, with the exception of Rohan Singh who was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of $10,000.
The defendants released
on bail are scheduled to make another appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on June 12.
A33-year-old mother of four who said she was a victim of theft and not a thief herself appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday charged with simple larceny.
Felicia Skeete was accused of stealing one cellular phone valued $30,000, property of Holston Newyear, on Saturday, June 1, in Georgetown.
However, the defendant, who sells water for a living, told the court that on the day in question, she borrowed the cellular phone from the Virtual Complainant, who is known to her, to make a call.
She said as she was proceeding across the road to purchase credit from a nearby shop, a young man with plaited hair who was riding by on a bicycle snatched the phone from her. Skeete told the Magistrate that although she did not steal the cellphone, she would pay for it.
The Magistrate agreed to this, and Skeete is to pay the said amount of money for the article by the 16th of this month.
he Brits do have a way with words...but they’re not known for being very direct. In fact, they usually mince words finer than the main ingredient in their traditional mince pie – giving us the word “mincemeat”. So when they finally “tell it like it is”, you know you’ve crossed a line – and then some –on propriety. At the very least.
So here it was, the British High Commissioner –who is TRAINED to be diplomatic – accusing the press in Trinidad of making “pornography out of crime”. He was reacting to the sensationalist reporting on the execution-style murders of two pre-teen brothers, who’d evidently gone over to the “wrong side of the law”. Rather than pointing to the societal responsibility for socialising youths properly, the TT media had a field day pointing fingers, while stressing the gory details of the executions.
The High Commissioner was outraged that one of the papers had published a front-page photo of a man’s severed head on a table. Seems that his fiveyear-old daughter became distraught. He wondered as to what effect all the other gory and sensationalist photos published in Trinidad were having on local youngsters. He speculated that the two young brothers could’ve turned to the wild side after being warped by the literal onslaught of blood and guts.
That British High Commissioner to Trinidad should have a word with his colleague in Guyana. Here, whatever offended the sensibilities of the fella in TT would be seen as “family fare”. Because here, the bar for gore and titillation is set by the MuckrakerKN – and that’s set so low, even a snake can’t slither under it. And they have quite a few snakes over at that outfit.
Severed head on a table? How about several severed heads and various parts of the human anatomy at Agricola? How about the protruding guts of young children at Lusignan after Fineman’s attack? How about bombarding citizens of this country daily with lies and innuendos that seek to destroy the reputations of people who’re working to improve this country?
And as the British Trinidad HC surmises, the morals of the youth become callused, abraded and eventually snap under the bombardment of filth. The US Ambassador and the British High Commissioner have waxed eloquent about the garbage problem in Guyana. It would serve their country’s interest much better if they would comment, as did their Trinidad compeer, on the garbage that their Muckraker buddy in the media purveys.
The WICB pulled the New Zealand third Test match scheduled here and gave it to Barbados. Some think they were acting with the arrogance born out of knowing whose bread in high places they’ve buttered. But this Eyewitness thinks otherwise. As patriotic West Indians, the WICB stalwarts are just doing their bit to help rescue the island that revels in its nickname, “Little England”.
You, dear readers, might know that the still proud island – which has a special bench at their airport reserved for Guyanese – is in the throes of a financial meltdown. A couple of months ago, their Government had to lay off some 3000 public service workers. So many of them started to leave the island to look for work, they had to take away the “Guyanese Bench” to let Bajans rest their tired and weary feet.
And now comes further bad news. Moody’s, the rating company, downgraded Barbados’ credit rating massively from BA3 to B3. They are now in “junk bond” territory. You don’t have to know all the details. Just that the Bajans are being pulled off their high horse.
...on AML/CTF
As the Attorney General warned, now that the Opposition has pushed Guyana over the brink, getting CFATF approval isn’t going to be like turning on a radio. C’mon Prezzie. Call snap elections and throw them over the brink.
By Andrew CArmiChAel
AWest Bank Berbice man, who recently lost his job, on Wednesday night stabbed his 14-year-old girlfriend to death before taking his own life.
Tamesha Latoya
Natasha Adams was found with a knife stuck in her neck in a plot of land behind her Sisters Village, East Bank Berbice home while Kellon Sam, 23, was found
hanging from a mango tree in the back of his yard two houses away. Adams, a third form student of the Berbice Education Institute (BEI), also had her throat slit. She would have celebrated her 15th birthday on June 15.
According to reports, the teenager could not have been accounted for at home during the night and a search
for her was unsuccessful. It was only until morning that her mother stumbled on her body lying next to a garbage heap.
Sam was earlier seen by a neighbour hanging from the tree. According to Seeta Ramkarran, she went to check on her sheep pen and when she raised her eyes, she noticed a body hanging from the mango tree in the next yard.
She said she quickly walked back to her door and then took another look, but could not identify who it was because the body was backing her.
“Ah call out me neighbour, which is he brother Calvin, and he ask me if everything alright so Ah tell he come… when Ah show he, he start to holla an say, ‘Oh God is Kellon.’” The body with the rope wrapped
around its neck four times was later cut down by relatives.
Adams’ mother, Maureen, told this publication that after she heard the screams coming from a house in the back street, she left her house and walked through her backyard to investigate. “And is right there I see she lie down… and Ah done know she dead.”
Missing
According to the grieving woman who adopted her niece legally, she received a telephone call from her husband about 20:00h on Wednesday stating that Tamesha was not at home. She said she left work one village away and joined a search party, but did not find her and returned to work after 22:00h.
According to a next-doorneighbour, Mayleen, some time after 21:00h she heard the teenager in the yard telling someone that the door was locked, but could not say to whom she was speaking.
Reports are that the couple recently had a misunderstanding over a tattoo the teenager had put on her leg.
On Tuesday, Adams came home from school about 22:00h and was seen by Sam getting out of a car. The two had a subsequent argument over the name ‘Seon’, which is tattooed on
her upper left leg. According to the dead girl’s mother, in October last year, she became aware of the relationship between the two.
However, villagers say that the two were together for more than one year. According to Sam’s father he was unaware of the relationship, but he also said that his son spent quite a lot of money on the teenager.
The young Sam earned $60,000 monthly and was dismissed from Caricom
Cement two weeks ago. He worked with the company for four years as a checker.
Tamesha’s father, Robert, noted that the teen had been living with them for the past eight years. He said she was a very helpful and jovial person who wanted to pursue a career in agriculture.
Residents say that the two started talking when the teenager started a food stand that she operated on Friday afternoons and Saturdays selling black pudding and
other items.
They say the two soon became close. Reports are that the teen wanted to sever the relationship after Sam lost his job. Police in a release said they are investigating the suspected murder/suicide.
The bodies are at the Arokium Funeral Parlour, awaiting a post-mortem examination. Adams leaves to mourn her parents while Sam leaves to mourn his parents and three siblings.
Digicel Guyana
Inc on Thursday launched its Mobile Advertising Service in the form of a presentation by Mobile Advertising Manager Alexis Crawford to the business community at a lively ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel.
The main objective of the event is to educate the business community on the advantages of using the service when compared to the other medium of advertising.
Crawford told the gathering that in an evolving world, technology is becoming more advanced, and as such, must be utilised in a more effective manner.
With the new service, she explained that Digicel can promote their businesses by pressing a button that will reach over 250,000 Digicel subscribers on their network for as low as $0.48
a message.
Crawford is encouraging businessmen and women to take full advantage of the new service.
The manager added that with the new service, messages are disseminated to the advertisers’ target audience. She explained that if an advertiser wants to target any geographic location in Guyana, it can be done once the request is made.
“If you have a business in Bartica, Linden, and Georgetown and want to advertise a product, Digicel can send the messages to the mobile phone of those who were registered in the particular area,” she added. This way of advertising, she noted is building a relationship with customers and subscribers.
She also added that the service will soon be enhanced, which will see advertisers getting the oppor-
tunity to sent short videos and even pictures of the product they wish to advertise. This service is referred to as MMS.
Those who wish to sign up for the service would be required to pay $150,000 to send one message that will be sent to 250,000 Digicel subscribers. The 250,000 subscribers are listed as full base.
For those who wish to
send only to Georgetown subscribers, they are required to pay only pay $135,000.
The price is reduced if the advertisers send more than two messages per month. Crawford further stated that the messages have to be appealing to customers, hence, precision is necessary.
Digicel Chief Executive Officer Gregory Dean encouraged those present to take advantage of the services and guarantee that it is the most effective way of advertising.
He added that once the market become liberalised, the company will be expanding its services to their customers, noting that presently Mobile Advertising is a wonderful tool in terms of targeting customers. He is also optimistic that sooner or later, Guyana will benefit from a 4G network.
Five men have been arrested following two armed robberies in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo on Thursday, Police have said.
The gunmen terrorised sections of the community and subsequently made good their escape with thousands of dollars in cash and jewellery. Guyana Police Force Public Relations Officer Ivelaw Whittaker on Thursday said Police are investigating the two armed robberies in Tuschen Housing Scheme. Investigators are of the opinion that both robberies were executed by the same set of bandits. According to Police reports, at approximately 04:15h on Thursday, two men armed with a handgun and a knife attacked 39-year-old Michelle Boyer in her home. Boyer and other family members were held at gunpoint as the ban-
dits took away their jewellery, two cellphones, a bicycle and a pair of boots.
Subsequently about 06:45h, two men, who were also armed with a handgun and a knife, entered the premises of Gracie Ghanie and held her at gunpoint. At the time, the 32-yearold woman was washing clothes.
The perpetrators reportedly took her into the house which they ransacked and took away jewellery, four cellphones, $15,000 in local currency and US$24. Since the robberies, five men have been taken into custody to assist ranks with their investigations.
It got two types a people in this world. It got some who does talk nuff because dem have some ting to seh. And de other type is people who does talk just because dem have to seh some ting. Guyana got plenty of de second type.
No matter whah religion, dem church people does have to seh some ting every week, so dem does just go and find some ting to seh. Well, it got one a dem from de East Bank who live not too far outta GT de garbage town. He gon soon have to find some ting to seh to de judge bout whah he do to de lil school girl who come to he fuh get jahray.
He give she a different jahray, so de court waitin to see if he gon talk bout that like how he does talk plenty in de temple when people deh round he. In de mean time, de judge shoulda tek way he bail so that dem fellas can jahray he back in Camp Street.
It also got another people who so desperate to seh some ting that dem lookin fuh jokes every day pun de Internet and then writin dem in de paper in a certain column fuh de readers believe that is dem seh so, and that is dem own joke.
Yet another one in he column always sayin that he can’t call names and that how de column too short to seh every ting he want to seh, and promisin to seh de rest in another column, or in a research paper.
People still researchin to find de research paper and waitin fuh de follow up column. Is no wonder U-Gee decide to throw he out after all dem research bluffin, and not to mention thiefin books, whah he clearly don’t ever read anyway.
Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! De other one who got to find some ting to seh every day is de Cross Examiner at de Rodney CoI. But these days, he soundin more like a cross, rather than a examiner!
The Guyana Lottery Company Limited (GLCL) was forced to close its Regional Office in Georgetown for two days after there was a chemical spill.
According to a notice issued by the company, the harmful chemical was spilled in the office by a customer resulting in its premature closure on Wednesday and Thursday. The spill occurred at the company’s office located in the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) building.
The company said: “We are working assiduously to ensure that the area is safe and are hopeful of opening to the general public on Friday June 6 at 12 [sic]
noon,” the notice said. Guyana Times understands that a customer went into the company’s office to make a purchase on Wednesday and had the chemical in a glass container. The person reportedly dropped the bottle, which fell on the floor and broke causing the chemical to spill. Further reports indicated that immediately after the spillage, staff were affected resulting in the closure of the office. While the chemical is not known, it is suspected that it is a strong insecticide.
The Lottery Company apologises to its customers for any inconveniences caused.
Fifteen Linden youths between the ages of 16 and 24 recently graduated after completing work and life skills training through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Skills and Knowledge for Youth Employment (SKYE) Programme.
Speaking to the graduates, American Embassy Political and Economic Section Chief, D James Bjorkman stressed the US Government’s ongoing commitment to partnership with the Government of Guyana in ensuring that young people have continued opportunities to obtain the necessary skills to allow them to become productive members of their communities.
According to a US Embassy release, to date, 190 Guyanese youth from Linden have completed work and life skills training through the programme. From this group, 82 young men and women have been linked to employment with BOSAI, BK Quarries and other employers. Twenty-six participants are now pursuing further education.
The SKYE training provides young Guyanese with the self-confidence, communication skills, and knowledge necessary to find longterm employment. They also learn practical financial management tools that will help them become productive employees and engaged citizens in their communities. This training is one of several complementary programme elements designed to assist youth in improving their lives. It draws on the
experience and advice of local private sector employers, who provide insights on interview techniques and the importance of a sound work ethic for ensuring the youth stay employed once they have secured jobs. They also serve as mentors, who help guide youth in the early stag-
es of their careers.
The SKYE Programme continues to work with the Government of Guyana, the private sector, and non-governmental partners, including the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to meet the needs of atrisk youth across Guyana
through workforce development, juvenile justice, and related policy support. Since its inception in the first quarter of 2012, the programme has provided training for 1073 youth, 400 of whom have already been linked to long-term employment.
Funded by the US through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), SKYE aims to help expand economic opportunity and strengthen the environment for youth development. The SKYE Programme supports youth who are secondary school dropouts, young people who have completed formal education but require additional skills in order to gain employment, and youth in the juvenile justice system.
Through such CBSI partnerships, the US and Guyana are working together to ensure that young people in Guyana and throughout the Caribbean have the economic opportunity to build productive lives and contribute to their countries.
An Industry, East Coast Demerara family is counting their losses but is happy after a fire suspected to be electrical in origin destroyed the upper flat of their house where their youngest member was sleeping.
The fire occurred sometime around 11:45h on Thursday at the family’s Lot 97 Fifth Street, Industry Housing Scheme home. The family of eight lives in the upper flat while they operate a supermarket in the lower flat.
Guyana Times understands that the owner, Nitesh Sewnarine and his wife Marissa, were in the lower flat while their oneyear-old baby was sleeping upstairs when the fire start-
ed.
Nitesh managed to rescue the child from the blaze. It is unclear whether the fire started in the
same room where the child was sleeping. This newspaper was told that the fire reportedly started on the ceiling in the room.
The couple was too distraught to talk to the media in detail; however, Nitesh told this newspaper that he was downstairs when he saw smoke coming from the top flat and he immediately ran to get his son. The man said by the time he got there, smoke had spread throughout the entire top flat, but he managed to save his son.
His wife, who also spoke briefly with this newspaper, said she was in the supermarket when she heard her husband called out to
her, raising an alarm of the fire. The woman noted that when her husband came downstairs, he handed her their child and she quickly rushed him over to their neighbour, while raising an alarm about the fire.
After neighbours were alerted, they rushed out and began helping to clear out goods from the supermarket while others formed a bucket brigade to put out the fire.
When Guyana Times visited the scene, neighbours and villagers gathered looking on while some were still busy packing away items they salvaged from the supermarket.
One of the couple’s workers, Amer Prashad, related that after he saw the smoke, he ran upstairs to save the infant, but saw the child’s father brining him down, so he returned to the supermarket where he, along with neighbours, cleared the store of goods with the help of neighbours.
One neighbour, Dr Benjie Singh, who operates a clinic at his home, recalled that he was tending to a patient when he heard his neighbour screaming.
The doctor said when he looked outside, he saw Marissa running towards his yard with the baby in
her hands and smoke billowing from the upper western side of the building. He noted that he quickly examined the baby who was out of danger.
Another neighbour Mahammed Salim told this publication that he was inside his house when he smelled something burning, and when he went outside to investigate, he saw smoke coming from the upper flat of the house.
The man said he began alerting neighbours and they rushed to render assistance.
“It was heartwarming to
see everybody from the village come together to help out… some of them were busy emptying the shop to take out good while others were trying to put the fire out,” he stated. Salim noted the Fire Service took a while to arrive at the location and when they did, they had to tap into a water source, which took some time.
The man noted that there was a lot of smoke emanating out of the building but flames were not seen. Fire officials have launched an investigation into the blaze.
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, a member of the Eminent Persons Group, recently participated in a meeting of the group in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, to look at the future of the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP).
A year shy of its 40th anniversary, having spent decades working to lift its people out of poverty, the 79-member ACP – the largest intergovernmental association of developing countries in existence – is undergoing a period of profound self-review.
According to a release, the Eminent Persons Group (EPG), comprising
of 12 distinguished personalities led by the former Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo, have been charged with gathering views from stakeholders across the six geographical regions of the ACP, as well as reviewing past successes and failures of the organisation.
They will submit proposals of how to reorient the ACP Group directly to Heads of State and Government by the end of the year.
“We have to project forward to look at what do we think is the future of the ACP and what will its character look like. Will it be different from what we currently have? There have been a lot
of changes of the world since the construct was created –do we have the right construct today?” said Patricia Francis, former head of the International Trade Centre in Geneva and Chair of the Drafting Committee of the EPG.
The three-member Drafting Committee, which also includes former IMF Executive Director Peter Gakunu of Kenya, and former Financial Secretary for Samoa Kolone Vaái, had met in Brussels to begin analysing information gained so far.
To date, the Eminent Persons have held comprehensive consultations in the Pacific, the Caribbean, West Africa, and Eastern Africa,
with Southern and Central Africa to be organised before June. Meetings with EU officials, ACP ambassadors and the staff of the ACP secretariat, were also held.
“Once there is clarity on the organisation’s vision, mission and objectives beyond 2020, the institutional framework for implementation should be considered as a matter of priority.
Political commitment will be essential in terms of resources to fund the ACP Secretariat and its financial sustainability,” adds Vaái.
“Amendments to the [ACP founding document] Georgetown Agreement to affect these reforms may be required,” he said.
Six boys have been removed from the Berbice Anjuman Orphanage in New Amsterdam following reports of sexual abuse.
In a release issued late Thursday night, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry said a report has been lodged concerning alleged acts of sexual abuse at the institution. It was explained that a child reportedly escaped from the Orphanage and subsequently sought his parent after alleging that he was sexually abused. The report was received on May 28, and, according to the Human Services Ministry, the Child Care and Protection Agency responded “immediately”. An investigation into the allegation resulted in the removal of five other boys from the Berbice Anjuman Orphanage and their placement into protective care to facilitate the continuation of the investigation. The Child Care and Protection Agency is working closely with the Guyana Police Force as investigations continue.
The Home Affairs Ministry has finalised an arrangement through the Office of the President which will result in a number of Police Cadet Officers, who were enlisted to satisfy the long-term needs of the Guyana Police Force, being promoted when they qualify for such appointments.
At the moment, 24 of the Cadet Officers have been found to be suitable to be promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police. The requisite administrative process that will result in those appoint-
ments have already commenced with the issuance of under a ‘no objection’ for the creation of the specific posts, a release from the Ministry said.
The positions created for those Cadet Officers will become redundant when they are appointed to those positions beyond that of Assistant Superintendent of Police.
They will, therefore, have to compete with the other Assistant Superintendents of Police who will be promoted through the ranks for the positions of Deputy Superintendent and above.
The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has commenced fogging in all Amerindian communities in Region Two, as it steps up efforts to rid the acoushi ants from evading farmlands.
According to Region Two Agriculture Officer Kaimraj Kandhai, the two-week exercise which commenced on Tuesday, is a joint initiative between the Village Council and NAREI.
Kandhai said officers are on the ground supervising the process, as well as rendering technical advise and
training farmers.
He also noted that farmers are conducting land preparation and seeds are being distributed to them.
The officer said the regional administration has received numerous complaints of the ants destroying residents’ crops.
The seeds distributed to farmers include red beans, corn, watermelon, ochro and boulanger. Communities benefiting from the venture will include Capoey, Mashabo, Mainstay, Betany, Kabakaburi, Akawini, St Monica, Karawab and St Densy Tapakuma.
Five days after the death of Edward Williams, 58, of Lima Sands Village, Essequibo Coast, his accused Rabindra Ramnauth was remanded to prison until June 18.
This initiative that was taken by the Home Affairs Ministry would result in the temporary increase in the number of Assistant Superintendents of Police in the Force, but this special arrangement would only relate to the Cadet Officers who were trained as part of the long-term plan of the Ministry for the Guyana Police Force.
“Therefore, these positions cannot be used to promote other ranks in the Force, as they will be unique only to the identified Cadet Officers,” the release said.
The decision was handed down to Ramnauth who made his first appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Thursday at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
He was not required to plea to the indictable charge.
Standing before a packed courtroom, Ramnauth, a labourer from Anna Regina, dressed in blue jeans and white shirt, appeared undisturbed.
But his mood changed to one of sadness when the Magistrate informed him that he will be remanded after the charge was read to him.
Representing Ramnauth was Attorney Sonia Parag, who applied for reasonable bail for her client. She told the court that her client is not at flight risk and is a family man.
Prosecuting the matter was Prosecutor Ramsawack Hemwant, who objected to bail, noting the seriousness of the offence.
According to the Police, on June 1, Ramnauth allegedly killed Williams of Lima Sands Village. Investigations revealed that Williams was among a group of men consuming alcohol, when an argument started, during which he was stabbed about the body. He succumbed while receiving medical attention at the Suddie Hospital. Williams’ family members are pleased that the accused has been remanded.
By Alexis Rodney
Admitting that Dr Walter Rodney had infiltrated the army, Former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Major General Rtd Norman McLean, said he was unaware of the force under his stewardship ever handing over arms and ammunition to the House of Israel and also dismissed a document showing a senior officer during his time signing off for several weapons to be handed over to the people’s National Congress and the House of Israel.
The document titled Accounting Form bears the name McPherson. Among the items are: 19 G3 rifles; 19 G3 Bayonett (sniper) 1500 rounds of 7.62 ammunition and 10 Browning Pistols.
McLean, who once headed the Guyana National Service (GNS), pointed out that the GDF was not in the habit of transferring weapons to organisations outside the security forces. The former army chief made the disclosure on Thursday, while presenting his principal evidence at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry.
Several previous witnesses had testified that the House of Israel, the religious body allegedly used as a “tool of oppression” by the Forbes Burnham led administration was offered arms and ammunition. Former GDF Officer, Wycliffe McAllister has also been alleged to have offered his ex-
pertise in training House of Israel members in the use of firearms.
Training However, at the inquiry, McLean related that while he knew McAllister, he was unaware whether the officer had rendered his service to the cult. In further evidence the Commission’s Counsel Glen Hanoman presented a requisition form bearing # 64 (APP 1954), purporting to be a form sealing a transfer of weapons from the Guyana Defence Force to the House of Israel. Although the list was dated at a time before he became Chief of Staff, and although he knew McAllister, McLean said he could not identify the signature of the commanding
officer as that of Godwyn McPherson. What he could identify however, was some of the contents of the list which included the G3 rifles and 7.62 ammunition which he described as “generic” or items commonly used in the army. He then suggested that the signature be authenticated by a “fingerprint body”. He stated too that he could not have known whether officers serving before him were involved in that practice.
Hanoman, through his line of questioning, sought to establish that McLean as head of the Army was by some means influenced by the government of the day. The former army chief however maintained his ground,
noting that his officers were a disciplined bunch and was trained to protect citizens.
Ballot boxes
It was at this point that the commission’s counsel questioned whether as Chief of Staff he could recall soldiers being involved handling ballot boxes during the 1980 elections. McLean pointed out that that may have occurred in the 1973 general elections. He said
objective to “develop the Guyana man”, was an exhilarating and rewarding experience, he told the commission. He sought to clarify too that the GNS was not a support group of the Guyana Defence Force, as suggested by attorney Hanoman.
The commission, seeking to understand the political atmosphere at the time pointed to the Commission’s Terms of Reference (TOR) 4, which speaks to the military
Police force, McLean said that the body reported directly to Prime Minister Burnham and did not share any information with him. At that time he recalled the unit included then Major General Norman McClean representing the army and Laurie Lewis representing the Guyana Police Force. He said the intelligence committee had the very important responsibility of relaying all necessary in-
it was never done under his leadership. He noted too that the Army was not guided by any political influence, pointing out that the military body had exempted itself from the party paramountcy which was embraced by the Government.
Before becoming Chief of Staff, McLean confirmed that he was the founding director of the Guyana National Service which came into existence in 1974.
The GNS, which had an
organisations at the time being involved in surveillance activities of the political opposition. He said as far as he knew, the army was too much occupied in looking after its own affairs to be involved in such activities.
He however did not deny that the Head of State had it in his power to do so through the intelligence Committee
Examining the role of the intelligence Committee, which comprised representatives of the Army and the
formation deemed issues of national security to the Prime Minister. Addressing the issue of allegiance, McLean pointedly declared that he had never stood before Prime Minister Burnham to pledge his allegiance. The oath he took was instead to the citizens of Guyana. He was asked this under cross examination. He fired back “what oath are you talking about?” to which he continued by reciting the National Pledge.
World Environment Day 2014 was officially observed in Guyana with the hosting of a ceremonial event at the Kingston Seawall Bandstand by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.
The focus of the event was alerting persons to the effects of climate change and what could be done to help save the environment. It featured a spectacle of activities, including dancing, singing, poetry and remarks from Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, Transportation and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Executive Director Indarjit Ramdass.
In his address, the EPA Director stated that the observance was intended to create aware-
ness as well as galvanise action for the third international conference on Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), which is
scheduled for September in Barbados. He also stated that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world to -
day, and global warming is causing water levels to rise with the consequential effects of floods and storms in every country,
with small islands being the most vulnerable. In this respect, Guyana is no less vulnerable because of
its low-lying coast where most of its settlements and population are found.
The vaunted Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is intended to coordinate and drive efforts to adapt to the effects of global warming, both locally and as a model for the international community.
At the World Environment Day event, the EPA presented awards to individuals and organisations who are the living embodiment of the aim of World Environment Day, and help keep the environment clean. The groups that were awarded for their work were the President’s Youth Award Programme, the Leos Club of Ruimveldt, Marian Academy’s Environmental Club and Graham’s Hall Green Ambassadors Environmental Club. The individuals recognised were Rhonda
and
AVenezuelan Judge has ordered Opposition Leader Leopoldo Lopez to stand trial on charges of instigating violence at an anti-government protest in February.
Lopez of the Popular Will party has been in jail since he handed himself in to the authorities on February 18.
The charges relate to demonstrations on February 12, during which three people were killed. If found guilty, Lopez could face up to 10 years in jail.
Judge Adriana Lopez made the decision to send Lopez for trial shortly after 03:00h local time after a marathon session which had begun on Monday.
She said Lopez would face charges of damaging property, arson and instigating violence.
Analysts had expected the decision, but said they were surprised at the length of time it took the judge to reach it.
Supporters of Lopez have always maintained that his
detention and the charges against him are purely political.
Following the ruling, his party wrote on Twitter that “unfortunately, justice has not been done”.
The former Mayor is one of the main leaders of the mass protests which have
Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller Wednesday expressed a vote of confidence in her energy minister, Phillip Paulwell, informing the House of Representatives that the job remains his, unless he displeases Jamaicans in a serious way.
“Let me make it quite clear: I have a Minister of Energy in place. Unless he does something wrong that would affect and impact the Jamaican people in a serious way, and the Government of Jamaica [he will not be fired],” Simpson Miller said, in responding to a question from Opposition Leader Andrew Holness.
“...And that would be my decision, not yours,” Simpson Miller said in a sotto voce remark as she sat down.
Prime Minister Simpson Miller was answering ques-
tions from Holness in the House of Representatives on the 381 megawatt energy project.
At one stage she asked Paulwell to stand and show Holness that he was not “paralysed” by his recent failure to pin down the energy plant project.
“It is a very important statement you have just made,” Holness reacted, recalling that the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) had expressed the view that the procurement process was flawed and that Paulwell’s contribution was improper.
Holness criticised the Prime Minister for not taking any action in response to the comments made by the contractor general in his special report on the matter. But Simpson Miller reminded the House that her administration had disagreed with the report. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
rocked Venezuela in recent months as hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans demand an end to extreme inflation, high crime rates and shortages of certain food staples.
Using social media, Lopez founded a movement to advocate a change of gov-
ernment using the hashtag #lasalida, which in Spanish means both “the exit” and “the solution”.
A total of 42 people, both supporters and opponents of the Government, have died in the protest-related violence which followed.
The Government of Nicolas Maduro has blamed Lopez and his supporters for the violence, accusing them of trying to start a coup with the backing of the United States.
The Opposition, meanwhile, accuses the Government of suppressing freedom of expression and repressing peaceful protests.
A number of members of the security forces are under investigation for using excessive force.
Talks between the Opposition and the Government to end the protests are currently stalled, with the Opposition demanding the release of all of those jailed during the protests. (BBC News)
Small Island Developing States need more support – PM Stuart
Barbados Prime Minister Freundel
Stuart has expressed his dissatisfaction with the level of attention being given by international bodies to matters of urgency for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), such as those found within the Caribbean, and is calling for early agreement to unresolved issues that would help such states chart a better path towards sustainable development in the face of their “many inherent vulnerabilities”.
One of the vulnerabilities on which he focused his attention during his address at the Global Celebration For the World Environment Day (WED) 2014, was on climate change. The WED Celebration, in its 42nd year, was held Thursday morning in Independence Square, The City, and was attended by regional and international dignitaries, including United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the OECS, Stephen O’Malley and
Under Secretary General and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Achim Steiner.
The Prime Minister made the statement before the UN representatives that SIDS needed support for undertaking urgent adaptation action; adequate financing, in particular the finalisation and operationalisation of the Green Climate Fund; and the conclusion of the discussion on loss and damage.
Carrying the theme “Raise Your Voice, Not the Sea Level”, Stuart noted that such a focus was in sync with the UN Year of Small Island Development States also being celebrated this year under the theme “Small Island development States and Climate Change”. He was of the strong view that inter- and intra-regional collaboration across the SIDS regions remained one of the weakest aspects of the implementation of the SIDS Agenda. (Excerpt
Sao Paulo subway workers have announced an open-ended strike amid fresh protests against the World Cup, threatening preparations for the tournament as Brazil defended itself against criticism over chronic delays and soaring costs.
Workers decided to strike from midnight on Thursday after negotiations on a salary increase fell through.
They rejected an offer of 8.7 per cent, insisting on at least 10 per cent, said the President of their union, Altino Melo dos Prazeres.
The Sao Paulo metro is the main transport link to the economic capital’s World Cup host stadium, which will host the opening ceremony and kick-off match on June 12, and the strike could pose a massive logistical headache for organisers.
“If there’s money for the Itaquerao (the nickname of host stadium Corinthians Arena) and the World Cup, how is it they don’t have any money for public transport?” said Prazeres, quoted by newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo.
Trinidad recorded its twenty-fourth police killing for 2014 on Thursday.
Chaquille Mc Coy, a 21-year-old resident of Mon Repos, Morvant was killed by police on June 5, causing protests by members of his community.
Residents set up road blocks which were subsequently set on fire, sending
black billows of smoke into the air.
In another killing three hours prior, officers of the North Eastern Division Task Force shot and killed a 27-year-old Laventille man they said was wanted in connection with attempted murder, shooting with intent, robbery and trafficking cocaine in the division. He was identified as Jerome
“Box” Cross, who was at a house along Laventille Road, Laventille, in an area known as Shadow Hill.
He was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The officers recovered a .38 revolver with three rounds of ammunition and a quantity of marijuana at the back of the house. (Excerpt from TT Guardian)
The strike will affect 4.5 million daily passengers and could unleash commuter chaos in the sprawling city of 20 million people, which was already hit by a paralysing bus drivers’ strike last month.
Three Barbadian fishermen were rescued at sea some 14 nautical miles to the east of St Lucia on Wednesday after their vessel encountered engine trouble.
The Captain of the vessel – Henderson Mayers reported that they spent three days fishing at sea and were about to head home when the electrical
About 12,000 protesters rallied by the Homeless Workers’ Movement marched on the Corinthians Arena on Wednesday, joining about 400 retired military police and their relatives who were calling for higher pensions.
Protesters say that more than US$11 billion being spent on the World Cup should have been used to help address urgent needs in education, health and transport. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
system on the vessel shut down.
The men encountered two St Lucian vessels and used mobile telephones belonging to local fishermen to make a distress call, following which the two St Lucian vessels started towing the stricken boat to shore.
But because of the size of the Barbadian vessel
“Kera Lee” – some 33 feet in length, the vessels encountered difficulty and the Marine Police were alerted.
The boat with Captain Henderson and his men was towed to the Marine Police base at Vigie, where the men are staying until their vessel is repaired. (Antigua Observer)
US President Barack Obama and lead-
ers of the G7 group of nations have threatened Russia with more sanctions if it continues to undermine the sovereignty of Ukraine and fund separatists in the east of the country.
The US President issued the warning on Thursday and urged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to hold direct talks with the Ukrainian President-elect Petro Poroshenko to end the crisis.
“The kinds of destabilising activities funded and encouraged by Russia are illegal and not constructive,”
Obama said in Brussels following a meeting of G7 leaders.
“There is a path in which Russia has a capacity to engage directly with President Poroshenko now. He should take it.”
Obama said Russia must help stop the flow of arms into Ukraine, and exert its influence to stop further separatist operations.
“If Mr Putin takes those steps, then it is possible for us to begin to rebuild trust between Russia and its neighbours and Europe,” Obama said. “We will have a chance to see what Mr Putin does over the next
two, three, four weeks, and if he remains on the current course, then we’ve already indicated that kinds of actions that we are prepared to take.”
The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, said Putin must meet the conditions in the next month.
“If these things don’t happen, then sectoral sanctions will follow,” he said.
“The next month will be vital in judging if President Putin has taken these steps,” said Cameron, who later met with Putin in France. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Suspected Boko Haram militants have launched an attack on a village near the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, killing about 45 people.
The attackers told villagers they had come to preach before firing on a crowd that gathered, survivors told the BBC.
Separately, officials say up to 200 may have been killed in a wave of attacks in villages in the region this week.
Militants have frequently targeted remote areas since emergency rule was imposed a year ago in the north-east.
Nigeria’s Government has been facing growing pressure both at home and abroad to do more to tackle Boko Haram, since militants kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls in April.
The group has waged an increasingly bloody insurgency since 2009 in an attempt to create an Islamic state in Nigeria – and thousands of people have died in their attacks and the subsequent security crackdown.
The attack on the village of Bardari, near the University of Maiduguri on the outskirts of the city, took place late on Wednesday.
The militants entered the village telling people to gather to hear them preach, but then turned their guns on the crowd.
Police sources told Reuters news agency that the attackers then fled across a river, setting fire to houses in a nearby village.
It follows an attack on Attagara village in the remote Gwoza area of Borno state on Tuesday, when gunmen dressed in military uniforms convinced residents that they had come to provide protection after an earlier attack on Sunday. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Authorities in China’s restive Xinjiang region have sentenced nine people to death for “violent terrorism” crimes, state media reported, as part of a nation-wide crackdown on alleged separatist groups.
The announcement comes as state news portal Xinjiang Net reported on Thursday that another 29 suspects had been rounded up on charges such as inciting separatism, in the regional capital Urumqi, the site of a suicide bombing that killed 39 people last month.
A total of 81 people from Xinjiang, home to a large Muslim Uighur minority,
were handed sentences for crimes related to involvement in “terrorist organisations” to intentional homicide and arson, state broadcaster CCTV said on a microblog.
“Among those, nine people were sentenced to death, and three people were given death sentences with a twoyear reprieve,” CCTV said, the latter referring to a sentence that is often commuted to life in prison.
Others were given life in prison or shorter sentences.
China has launched a year-long “anti-terrorism” operation, and hundreds of suspects have already been detained.
Only last week, 55 people were also found guilty of “terror links” in Xinjiang’s city of Yining, and the verdicts were delivered before a crowd of 7000 at a sports stadium.
Experts said economic marginalisation of Uighurs is one of the main causes of the violence, which has killed at least 180 people across China in the past year. They argued that benefits of development in Xinjiang, a resource-rich and strategically located region on the borders of ex-Soviet central Asia, have largely gone to majority Han Chinese, stoking resentment among Uighurs. (Excerpt from Al
Police in India say they have arrested 17 members of a hardline Hindu group after a Muslim man was beaten to death in the western city of Pune.
Mohsin Sadiq Shaikh, 28, was stopped by a group of men on Monday night and beaten with rods and sticks.
The attackers were angry over some “distorted” images of the 17th Century warrior king Shivaji and late Shiv Sena party leader Bal Thackeray on Facebook.
Officials say he was innocent and simply got up caught in clashes.
“Shaikh was return-
ing home after prayers on Monday night when he was stopped by a group of about a dozen men who assaulted him brutally,” senior police officer Manoj Patil told BBC Hindi.
“The attackers were accusing him of posting offensive photos on Facebook.
When Police reached the scene, the attackers had run away. Shaikh was taken to hospital, but he died from his injuries.
“There is no doubt that this was a case of religious hate crime,” Patil added.
He said the arrested men belonged to the Hindu Rashtra Sena (Hindu
National Army), a small radical Hindu group. At the weekend, Police said there were clashes in Pune and other cities of Maharashtra state over the offensive images on Facebook. The images were later removed.
Officials said Shaikh, who worked in the IT department of a textile firm, was not involved in any way.
“Shaikh had no connection with these images. Police have arrested all the accused and we will take strict action against them,” Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil said. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Canadian Police mounted a massive hunt on Thursday for a 24-year-old man armed with high-powered weapons who they suspect shot dead three Police officers and wounded two more in the eastern city of Moncton.
The incident was one of the worst of its kind in Canada, where gun laws are stricter than in the United States and fatal attacks on police are rare.
Hundreds of Police,
some in armoured vehicles and some with dogs, cordoned off a large area in the city’s north-west and warned residents to stay inside their homes and lock their doors. At one point, officers surrounded a house but later left without making an arrest.
Schools and Government offices were shut in Moncton, a city of 70,000 in the East Coast province of New Brunswick.
Police told residents
not to tweet the locations of officers for fear they could be helping the suspect, who they named as Justin Bourque. He has no previous criminal record.
Police said Bourque had been spotted three times in Moncton since the Wednesday shootings, most recently just after dawn on Thursday.
“Our search for the suspect is still ongoing,” Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) spokeswoman Chantal Ferrer
told a news conference in Moncton at 3.45 p.m. EDT (1945 GMT).
North-west Moncton was largely deserted. Some residents took no chances and fled as soon as they heard about the shootings.
Police were alerted on Wednesday afternoon by a member of the public who spotted an armed man in camouflage clothing walking down a residential street. (Excerpt from Reuters)
By Alexis Rodney
Tempers flared at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry on Thursday between Barbadian Queen’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim and Former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Norman McLean, over his disclosure that he, as head of the military organisation back in 1980, did not probe the involvement of Sergeant William “Gregory” Smith in the death of Dr. Walter Rodney.
Pilgrim’s position was that McLean had deliberately recused himself from the investigation.
The Queen’s Counsel is representing the affairs of Donald Rodney, the younger brother of slain political activist and co- founder of the Working People’s Alliance, Dr. Walter Anthony Rodney, who was killed on June 13, 1980, when a bomb in a walkie talkie exploded while he sat in a car outside the Georgetown Prison.
That bomb, according to reports from Dr. Rodney’s brother Donald, who was also in the car at the time, was handed to him by Smith, a serving member of the Guyana Defence Force Marine Corps. McLean told the commission that soon after the explosion, fingers were pointed to the military body.
According to him, the claim was that a sergeant of the Army was fingered in the explosion. He admitted that he had first made a public announcement that there was no “Sergeant Gregory Smith”, serving in the army. However, a subsequent report given
by officers of the Personnel Department proved that Smith, bearing identification number 4141, had indeed existed. A few days following that disclosure, the army chief learnt that Smith was in fact a “deserter”. Mc Clean sought to explain that a deserter was someone who would have been absent without leave (AWOL) for several days, without making any contact with the force.
Annoyance
During his first crossexamination by Pilgrim, McLean demonstrated some level of animosity and answered many of the questions posed with simple, short responses, much to the annoyance of the Queen’s Counsel, who found himself occasionally raising his voice.
Pilgrim questioned whether he McLean thought it was necessary, as head of the army to personally pay attention to Gregory Smith, since he had in fact shed a bad light on the disciplined force. McLean said the investigation was being carried out by the Guyana Police Force and that it was expected that officers under him would be assisting. “There were people doing that. I didn’t have to do that as Chief of Staff. There were officers under my command who were doing that”, McLean responded languidly. Pilgrim further questioned whether he kept in contact with the officers whose names he gave as Colonel McPherson and Major Lewis who were working along with the Police. Mc Lean responded in the negative. Asked then how he was sure that the men were doing
their work. “McLean responded, “They were supposed to do it”. Asked further if he had any information to suggest that the officers were cooperating with the police, McLean suggested “you should ask the police”.
McLean remained calm throughout the questioning until the Queen’s Counsel questioned whether he had anything to hide from the commission. Agitated, McLean seemed to move to the edge of his seat, anger beaming in his face, declaring that he took offence from the statement made.
Pilgrim put to McLean that he did not take any interest in the matter and did nothing, and the former GDF chief said “No”. “Did you deliberately turn a blind eye to this investigation and its circumstances? McLean also responded in the negative.
McLean said too that he
never tried to find out why Smith deserted the GDF and never asked for his personal file even after the incident. After stating that he did not know that Smith was an active member of the military on June 14,1980; Commission Counsel Glenn Hanoman showed him a copied section of the payroll that recorded a salary payment for May 1980. McLean challenged the authenticity of the document and charged that it was merely a “cut and paste”. “I am not challenging the veracity of the document. I would like to see the document in its entirety if you want to ask me something about the original,” he said.
Political threat
During his evidence in Chief, Major General McLean told the Commission that indeed Dr Walter Rodney was considered a political threat to the then leadership of the country and indeed his party, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) had come up at the many meetings held with the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence at the time, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, since it was considered a “thorn” in the flesh. Pilgrim then questioned McLean: “So you would regard the death of Dr. Walter Rodney in the context of what you have described for us as a significant matter?” McLean responded “I would think so yes”. Further, Pilgrim asked, “and you did not think you should follow up the progress of the investigation of someone who was a former officer under your command?” Mc Lean responded “No”
In July of 1979, McLean
was moved from the Guyana Police Force and sworn in as head of the GDF, replacing Colonel Price. Reports are that due to some family connections, Mc Lean might have been given the job and he admitted at the inquiry on Thursday that his presence in the army during that time was not a welcomed one. He related that a “bomb scare”, was what greeted him, on the first day. He also said that his elevation to the post caused some resentment in the Officer Corps, noting that several of the officers might have felt that they were deserving of the promotion. McLean also admitted that he was surprised at the decision to appoint him Chief-of-Staff, not because he was not from the army, but because there were other competent officers in the military at the time.
Smith air-dashed to Kwakwani
At the time of McLean’s appointment he said his office was at the Parliament Building and he had very little to do with the operations at the GDF Headquarters at Thomas Lands, Camp Ayanganna. He pointed out that although he was head of the army, there were other commanding officers who were responsible for the various corps and battalions.
Meanwhile, questions were also raised about Smith being air-dashed by the GDF to Kwakwani in the aftermath of Rodney’s bombing from where he exited Guyana to French Guiana. McLean told the Commission that he was not aware that Smith was ever taken to Kwakwani. In fact, according to him, he heard the
news just a week ago when he was told by former army pilot and now Managing Director of Roraima Group of Companies, Captain Gerald Gouveia, who had confided that he was asked to appear before the commission to give evidence about him flying an aircraft into Kwakwani.
Reports reaching the commission state that Gouveia was in fact the captain of the plane that took Smith to Kwakwani, a day after Rodney was killed. This is yet to be confirmed with Gouveia’s testimony. During the cross-examination, Queens’ Counsel Pilgrim suggested that because McLean was unaware of the movement of the aircraft, it spoke much to his claim that the army was a well disciplined organisation.
Asked if he knew that Smith was flying around in a GDF aircraft, McLean told the Commission that he would not have been surprised that other officers in the GDF might have been taking political directives such as those dealing with the movement of aircraft. “There may have been somebody giving instructions about which I knew nothing about.” He told the inquiry that the Head of the Air Corps was responsible for the deployment and dispatch of aircraft.
William Gregory Smith was accused of handing Dr. Rodney a Walkie Talkie device with a bomb hidden inside. Claims are that Smith was used by the PNC Government to carry out the assassination. The PNC Government then and the leadership of the party have always denied the allegations.
Guyana joined the world in observance of World Environment Day on Thursday. While the need for more international attention to the environment was highlighted, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud said at the local level, the Ministry, in collaboration with other sister agencies, will shortly begin holding a series of national conversa-
environment in our society and in our country as a whole … through these national conversations, we do hope to enhance and expand mobilisation,” Minister Persaud said.
The Ministry, in association with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Thursday held its annual activity to commemorate World Environment Day which was observed under the theme “Raise your
“We have to recognise that the change that we want to see with respect to global warming, climate change, sea level rise…..that change has to start with us also at the individual level, the community, the administration, the society and departments” – Public Works Minister Robeson Benn
tions on the environment.
“These are not only about talking, but also hoping that we can mobilise increased awareness, ensuring that Guyanese groups and the business community, that we get more on board in terms of looking at the immediate issues of the
voice, not the sea level”, dedicated to Small Island Developing States (SIDS), at the Seawall bandstand.
World Environment Day is an annual event that is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action and rais-
ing awareness about climate change and global warming. Today, there are in excess of about 10 million climate refugees as a result of extreme weather patterns and sea level rise.
Minister Persaud said Guyana is fortunate to have a level of awareness among the national population, and also, over the years, Government has recognised that the issue of the environment and implementing the necessary policy programmes and projects must be given priority.
The protection of the Guyana’s coastline is linked to the country’s economic and social existence.
Minister Persaud stated that Guyana is vulnerable as any small state, and while there are awareness programmes, both locally and internationally, much more needs to be done to tackle the issue of climate change, locally, regionally and internationally. Minister Persaud highlighted the issues farmers and other residents face as a
result of the rise of sea levels. “The issue is not only of concern in a general way to the environment, but also what we can do in mitigation and adaption in preparing our population, those matters remain a priority for our President and for our entire Government.”
Minister Persaud reiterated that it is hoped that occasions such as this can result in enhanced action at
both the private and public sector levels.
However, the Environment Minister noted that support at the international level was also important, explaining that “while at the local level, and we can talk about how proud we are as Guyanese and other countries to have done their part, collectively at the international level especially where we have commitments made, we do not see these commitments being honoured and delivered upon” .
Meanwhile, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn stated that Guyana must react to the fact that the coastland is below sea level and might be another two metres below sea level in years to come.
Minister Benn said Government with support from international agencies has invested more than US$1.9 billion for sea and river defence this year. “We have to recognise that the change that we want to see with respect to global warming, climate change, sea level rise…..that change has to
start with us also at the individual level, the community, the administration, the society and departments,” Minister Benn noted. He said that his Ministry has been working and trying to cut costs, hence the reason for the establishment of programmes such as mangrove replanting and improved maintenance. He urged all Guyanese to keep the environment clean and desist from doing anything that will have a negative effect on it.
During the event, tribute was also paid to former chairman of the EPA Board of Directors, Ronald Webster, and prizes were handed out to schools, organisations and clubs that would has been actively involved in keeping the environment clean. The World Environment Day celebration began in 1972 and has grown to become one of the main vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action.
With the Opposition disapproving funds for several programmes under the Public Works Ministry and other agencies, the contractors who would have signed legally-binding agreements are resorting to the use of their own funds to keep the projects moving.
This is according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon who made the disclosure at Thursday’s postCabinet press conference at the Office of the President.
Dr Luncheon, who was at the time responding to questions posed by reporters at the press conference, related that the contractors were cognisant that they are legally bound by the contracts that they would have signed with the Government.
As such, he further explained, the contractors took it upon themselves to fund the projects, including the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion Project, out of their own pockets.
Possible penalties
He maintained that the contractors do not believe what they are doing is a “gift” to the Government, as they are aware that they will be repaid whatever monies spent to acquire material and on other construction expenses.
Dr Luncheon further related that if the contractors fail to meet the deadlines in their undertaking, then they are liable for damages
claimed by the Government, likewise if Government does not pay on time, it runs the risk of being penalised. “The contractor is under obligations and if he doesn’t [complete work], he could get liquidated damages, all sorts of things happen to him, and the client too is under certain obligations and if he don’t meet them, he got to pay interest, he got to pay all sorts of little things,” added Dr Luncheon.
Since Guyana has been missing payments to the contractors, Dr Luncheon was asked why the contractors have not moved to take legal action to get their payments. He replied that he was unsure, and “the contractor and the affiliates of the contractor” were the ones to ask.
The Cabinet Secretary reiterated that the contractors and their staff are continuing the work on their respective projects with the expectation that they will be paid
in the near future.
He said the same is applicable to workers at the Office of the President and the Government Information Agency (GINA) who continue to work despite not receiving their salaries.
Expectations of payment
“Our workers here have worked, our workers here have continued to work, and sooner or later, and we’re saying sooner rather than later, they expect to be paid and the same goes for other workers at the specialty hospital and the Cheddi Jagan airport project, they are also continuing to work with an expectation that they would be paid,” he said.
A total of $5.3 billion was budgeted for the upgrade, expansion and modernisation of the CJIA through the construction of a new terminal building, aprons, air-bridges, taxiways and the extension of the runway by a further 3500 feet.
The funds, however, were disapproved by the National Assembly as the Opposition parties, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) acted on their previous statements that they were not in support of the project.
Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, had prior to the Opposition’s action pleaded with them to review the disapproved allocation, reminding them that during the consideration of the 2012 Budget, both parties had voted in favour of the project.
Rice farmers in Region
Two have been paid some $100M of monies owed them, however, millions are still owed farmers for paddy sold to two rice millers since the last crop.
Golden Fleece Rice Investment began making payments on Wednesday as promised at a special meeting organised by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and Rice Producers Association (RPA) on Monday to solve farmers’ paddy payments in Region Two.
We started making payments on Wednesday and those who didn’t come to collect came today (Thursday),” stated the accountant at Golden Fleece Rice Investment, Kiran Ramkarran, who confirmed that the $100 million allocated has been paid out.
Scores of farmers who gathered in the Regional
Democratic Council (RDC) boardroom had made it clear that they needed their money. Many farmers said they borrowed money from the bank to buy fertilisers and needed to honour their debts.
The farmers also requested prompt payments from millers and called on the major rice stakeholders to step up and take necessary action against millers.
Nazeemul Hakh, owner of Golden Fleece Rice Investment, had said he was trying his best to pay farmers and that when the $100 million is paid out, he would still owe millions.
It was disclosed that some $700 million is still owed farmers following the most recent payout.
Hakh also said he is lobbying for contracts to export rice.
Wazeer Hussain, the other miller who owes millions
to rice farmers, indicated to Guyana Times on Thursday that he is still awaiting payment from the GRDB for paddy supplied to it so that he can honour his debts. Hussain said he owes farmers some $750 million. He had said on Monday that there is a situation whereby millers can take money from the bank; however, farmers will receive less money for paddy. “We collect money from the GRDB and then we pay farmers”.
Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud, at the meeting, had said he was supportive of the farmers and wanted them to receive their payments. He had also called for an early solution to the problem. Farmers’ representative and AFC Councillor, Naithram, had said there should be a special loan fund that could be accessed by farmers.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett on Wednesday told delegates at the 44th Session of the General Assembly of the Organisation of American States (OAS) that poverty, climate change and access to basic human rights are still major issues hindering the Region’s growth and as such, more needs to be done to address these.
According to the Minister, though the three are all major hindrances to growth of the economies of the Region, poverty is the most critical one which affects the smaller economies in particular.
It was on this note that she advocated for more to be done cooperatively by all member states for these countries of the organisation, noting that Guyana in particular subscribes to a vision of the organisation which gives due regard to the equality of democracy, human rights, security and integral development.
According to the minister, the goal of eradicating poverty lies at the heart of the debate on the Strategic Vision of the organisation because,
among the core responsibilities of the OAS, poverty is the one immediate problem that our people want solved more than any other.
“We would further contend that if the fundamental proposition of the visioning exercise is that the organisation must become more effective and relevant, it stands to reason that greater attention must be paid to the areas that most warrant it. Our vision for the organisation is one, which among other things, takes account of the special case for development of the Small Island Developing States. These countries that form more than 1/3 of this organisation’s membership remain a special case for sustainable development in view of their unique vulnerabilities. This is reflected in Article 44 of the OAS Charter by which member states agree particular attention must be paid to the relatively less-developed countries and it is important that we address how effectively the OAS can assist member states in achieving this”, she said.
However, RodriguesBirkett noted that while the
Region still has a far way to go, there have been some encouraging developments towards greater equity and social cohesion in the hemisphere.
Climate change
She disclosed that the middle class has expanded by 50%, the Region was able to halve the number of people living in extreme poverty down to 13 % and some 70 million people were lifted out of poverty but pointed out that despite these successes, nearly 28 percent of the population of Latin America and the Caribbean are still surviving on $2 per day or less, while the income-gap in our Region remains one of the highest, compared to other regions. The richest 10 percent of Latin Americans receive 32 percent of total income; the poorest 40 percent receive 15 percent.
Turning to the issue of climate change, she noted that the discussion on the vulnerabilities of the Region would be complete without an allusion to the question of climate change. “In the Caribbean, the two industries which will sustain the most damage
Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
from the effects of Climate Change are tourism and agriculture, the very industries which are most critical to the survival of the Region. Other vital industries, such as fisheries, will also be greatly affected by global warming. With our basic industries damaged, unemployment will rise, with concomitant increases in threats to the security of the Region such as drugs, crime, food security and sustainable development.
No other threat to growth or to social inclusion is more
potent or more certain than Climate Change. It is time for this topic to take its rightful position on the OAS security and development agenda”, the Foreign Minister said.
On the subject of human rights, Minister RodriguesBirkett said that Guyana views the Human Rights system as an invaluable mechanism for the protection and advancement of human rights in the hemisphere.
She articulated that in order for citizens to be accorded the fullest recourse to the protection of their human rights, it is imperative that human rights mechanisms balance the interests of those whose rights are jeopardised, more so the vulnerable and marginalised, against the rights of those who are defending the allegations.
Human rights
“Justice is worthless in the eyes of he who perceives bias in its dispensation.
Unless the Inter American Human Rights system is universally perceived to be promoting and defending human rights evenly, equally and neutrally, the effective-
ness of the system will suffer. We urge all states, parties and non-parties alike, to work toward a political consensus that would enhance the promotion and protection of the human rights of all”, she urged.
The Minister communicated that too often deliberations over issues such as human rights and democracy are weighed from ideological perspectives and too often we speak at and not with each other saying “the evidence is clear that what our people are more interested in are policies that address poverty and inequality, not whether these policies are being implemented by the left or the right. As a country which has been ravaged by dictatorship and [is] rebuilding a democracy, Guyana is convinced that the only acceptable way to acquire political power is through the electoral process and that all unconstitutional means should be rejected.” Rodrigues-Birkett disclosed that Guyana is willing to work with the organisation and every member state, so that solutions to the issues identified can be found.
Find out more about what’s going on in your community. Look into projects and developments that you can contribute to. Valuable connections can be made close to home.
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(June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)
You need to better organise your life. If you find that you’re spending too much time looking for everyday items, set aside a few hours to put everything in place today. Your frustration level will decrease as a result.
Show off your sociable nature. Surround yourself with friends and family, and share your positive attitude. An informal get-together will lift everyone’s spirits. Share your memories.
Strike a better balance between home and work issues. Let others do their share without criticising their efforts. You can’t do it all, but you also can’t expect others to do things your way.
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Be extra cautious. A small injury will turn into a problem. Use your tools carefully. It’s how you interact with others that will determine your success.
(March 21-April 19)
Shake off the blues. Find people who have the same passions, and plan a joint project. Have some fun, lighten up and have a laugh or two.
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It would be wise to study wealth management and investment techniques. Spending your time thusly will bring you long-lasting benefits and ensure that you will be less likely to be conned by a self-proclaimed expert.
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Have faith in your own judgment. It’s important to stay in control. Take advice from experts, but ultimately make your decisions based on what works best for you.
President of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), Cheryl Thompson, has expressed confidence in the ability of the cycling team that will represent Guyana at next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
During an interview with this publication on Thursday, Thompson said the cyclists are currently in training at their respective locations.
The team includes six riders, inclusive of one female, and an official, who will take up the
dual role of manager/coach. The team comprises Roraima Bikers Club rider Alanzo Greaves and his clubmate, Marlon Williams.
One of Team Coco’s top cyclists, Raynauth Jeffrey, is also included, as well as overseasbased Guyanese Geron Williams,
who was the leading Guyanese rider at the recently concluded Independence Three-Stage, finishing second to Team Coco’s Darren Matthews.
US-based Scott Savoury and Claire Fraser- Green of England complete the list of riders, while former national cyclist Dwayne “Road Hogg” Gibbs will serve as manager/coach.
Thompson said she is confident of the team’s ability, pointing out that she has high hopes of them doing well.
According to Thompson, Greaves, Geron Williams, Savoury and Fraser- Green are in training at their respective locations, while Jeffrey and Marlon Williams have been doing their part on the roads of Guyana. Greaves is currently in the USA on a training stint as part of his preparations for the Games.
Thompson said she is looking to Greaves, Marlon Williams and Geron Williams to hold their own, given the fact that they have experience competing at the Games. The trio represented
Matthias was absent from the meeting, but this publication understands that a letter was personally dispatched to him, informing him of the reconvening of the Congress at the Water Chris Hotel in Georgetown.
After the no-confidence motion was passed, the Council installed first Vice-president of the GFF, Ivan Persaud, to take over the reins of local football in the interim, while the names of the other members of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) will be disclosed shortly, the body said.
No consensus
At the last Ordinary Congress on April 26 at the Regency Suites, there was also a no-confidence motion against the incumbent, which led to the reconvening of the Congress within 45 days.
The Congress, observed by CONCACAF’s Director of Legal Affairs Marco Leal, FIFA’s Developmental Officer Howard McIntosh and CONCACAF’s Legal Advisor Bruce Blake, was a heated one from the onset as the leading local football executives sat down to discuss the state of affairs with regard to the
game’s administration.
The reconvening of the Congress was arrived at by Matthias, who sought to settle the differences between the discontented associations, following a walking out and subsequent returning of six associations during the Congress.
These associations were the Georgetown Football Association (GFA); Guyana Football Coaches Association (GFCA); East Coast Football Association (ECFA); National Women’s Football
Association (NWFA); the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC); and East Demerara Football Association (EDFA).
The associations withdrew after the no-confidence motion against Matthias, which was filed by the EBFA and seconded by the ECFA, was discarded following a 9-9 tie at the voting.
It is understood that the noconfidence motion did not follow the protocols required for the filing of such a motion, as it did not state a reason for the motion, nor did it contain a letterhead or returning address.
Following the fallout, Matthias issued a challenge to the “aggrieved members” of the federation, a move that could have ultimately seen him resigning from the post if found guilty of “wrongdoings.”
Matthias challenged those members to select a leader who can represent their views and have a public discourse with him on national television.
“Let’s go public as they seem to want to go that way,” Matthias told media operatives, as he repeatedly referred to a press con-
ference hosted by the members on May 17 at the Water Chris Hotel.
The GFF head had said he would allow the nation to be the judge, and once he was found guilty of any wrongdoing at that public forum, he would resign with immediate effect.
If the members are found culpable, Matthias said they must also resign with immediate effect and apologise to the nation for what he termed deceitfulness.
Guyana at the Games in 2010 in India with Geron Williams placing 31st overall.
The upcoming XX Commonwealth Games is billed for July 23 to August 3 with 261 events in 17 disciplines. (Avenash Ramzan)
Snub
The aggrieved members never took up Matthias’s offer, but rather dispatched an email titled “Members of Congress versus Matthias in national debate on football” by Aubrey Henry to the media.
The email read, “Mr. Matthias, president of the Guyana Football Federation, we the members did not see it fit to accept your offer to have a public debate on national television at the expense of the cash- strapped Federation; however, we are prepared to have that debate here in the print media that will be seen by the entire world and not just a few that the national television station will reach.”
Quizzed on what’s next for football, given that the 48 hours deadline for the national discourse had passed with no cooperation from the aggrieved parties; Matthias said “development…the development of football.”
The GFF is expected to host a press conference today at football house in Campbellville, supposedly to address FIFA’s response to the current situation.
Beverage giants Banks DIH under the GT Beer brand has come forward to sponsor Guyana’s 15’s rugby side in their North American Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) southern zone fixture against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday at the National Park.
The crucial encounter will decide whether the Guyana Jaguars moves on to face the winner of the Northern zone.
At the simple handing over ceremony at Thirst Park, captain of the Jaguars Ryan Gonsalves noted the significance of the game to the Guyanese side.
“Saturday’s game is an
important one for us… this year is kind of a payback, they got the better of us last year and we are looking forward to a positive result on Saturday.
“The team is mentally and physically ready, the winner of any ball game is about who plays well on the day and hopefully we are the ones,” Gonsalves who thanked Banks DIH for their important sponsorship.
President of the Guyana Rigby Football Union (GRFU) Peter Green also thanked Banks DIH for the meaningful contribution to the sport.
Communication Manager of Banks DIH, Troy Peters related the rea-
son for the conglomerate’s support of the game.
“We look forward to an exciting match this weekend and it is a pleasure to see international competition returning to the National Park,” Peters stated.
In addition Americanbased rugger, Vallon Adams made a return to Guyana to be a part of the 15’sside.
Adams’ addition in the team is expected to provide some semblance of size against a much bigger Trinidadian side that trampled Guyana last year 20nil at the University of the West Indies (UWI) campus.
Meanwhile the Trinidad and Tobago side is expected to arrive later today for
their encounter against a motivated Guyana squad on home soil.
Guyana’s team to play Trinidad:
15 Ronald Mayers, 14 Avery Corbin, 13 Claudius Butts, 12 Theo Henry, 11 Carl Lewis, 10 Peabo Hamilton, 9 Ryan Gonsalves, 8 Clive Prowell, 7 Richard Staglon, 6 Felon Thompson, 5 Dwayne Schroeder, 4 Vallon Adams, 3 Jason Tyrell, 2 Allain Crawford, 1 Rondell McArthur.
Replacements: 16 Grantley Williams, 17 Rickford Cummings, 18 Cyon Kitt, 19 Kevon David, 20 Leon Greaves, 21 Chris Singh, 22 Jaques Archibald, 23 Delroy Gordon.
On a day when a transport workers’ strike brought part of Brazil’s biggest city to a halt, Brazil’s Sports Minister said it was impossible to promise his country would be ready for next week’s opening match of the World Cup.
“When you are dealing with an event as big as the World Cup there is no way for you to put a diploma on the wall saying you are ready,” Aldo Rebelo told reporters in Sao Paulo.
“You have to be prepared every day,” the normally upbeat Rebelo added. “Everything needs to be working 24 hours. I am not going to hang a diploma on my wall and say ‘Here is my diploma, everything is ready.’ We have done everything within our capacity so that things are as close as possible to ready.”
Large parts of Sao Paulo came to a standstill on Thursday after a strike by metro workers prompted people to take their cars to work. It was the latest in a series of stoppages to hit Brazil in recent weeks.
Police, teachers and bus drivers have also been on strike in search of higher wages, causing fears that the tournament, which kicks off next Thursday when the host nation faces Croatia, could be affected.
However, the 12 stadiums should be ready, even though workers are still putting the finishing touches to some of them, Jerome Valcke, FIFA’s secretary general, said.
Valcke acknowledged some stadiums are still fitting seats and others are installing generators, amongst other issues.
“It looks like there is quite a lot of work going on,” said Valcke. “I would say that is quite normal. And that is more normal when you consider the stadiums were delivered late.
“We are not afraid of the next days.”
FIFA President Joseph Blatter dodged the elephant in the room by sidestepping questions over Qatar, the hosts of the 2022 World Cup. Allegations have surfaced that money was paid to influence the decision, but Blatter said he would not address the issue until investigator Michael Garcia finished his enquiry.
“The only thing I can say to the Qataris is that in March this year we said we don’t put the World Cup in Qatar into question and we are waiting the result of the investigation,” Blatter said. “I am not a prophet, so we await the results and see what happens.” Blatter, who has indicated he will seek another term as FIFA president in 2015, also refused to take a stand on possible term limits. He said the Executive Committee meeting scheduled for next week in Sao Paulo might vote on the issue.
“My opinion is that we have already had this on the agenda in Mauritius and the congress said we will deal with it in Sao Paulo,” Blatter said. “So let them deal with it.” (Reuters)
By Keiran King, Gleaner Columnist
The world’s number 1 sport takes centre stage next week in Brazil, but No. 2 only relinquished it last week in Bangalore. The Indian Premier League ended on Sunday, and the maharajah of cricket tournaments again brought the largest stars, crowds, brands and pay cheques in the game. A host of imitators have sprouted across the former British Empire, including our Caribbean Premier League, hoping to capitalise on the novelty appeal of threehour fixtures.
Today’s top talent, like Chris Gayle, criss-cross the globe from one domestic T20 league to the next, racking up salaries inconceivable to the stars of even a decade ago, like Brian Lara. To the casual observer, the game of cricket is doing very, very well, thanks for asking.
Lost somewhere at the back of this noisy, glitzy, profitable parade is the elderly grandfather of the game – Test cricket. The five-day original is hopelessly anachronistic in an age of television, Twitter and 20-over matches.
On international tours, two or three Tests are thrown in seemingly out of habit or obligation, with audience and players slogging
Empty stands are a regular
through it like vegetables at dinner, anxious for ODI meat and T20 dessert. But this is no elegy for white flannel. Test cricket’s obituary has been in constant rewrite ever since its birth in Australia in the 1880s. In truth, the money now flooding the pitch is as much tonic as toxin for the long-form game, subsidising empty stadiums and leisurely play.
The real lament is for what happens beyond the boundary rope, in the stands. The art of watching cricket is dying. That might sound
silly, with record turnouts everywhere from Sabina Park, Kingston, to Sahara Park, Cape Town, and a satellite audience that keeps growing. But the Faustian bonanza of T20 attendance has been a trade of quality for quantity, and in the exchange much has been lost.
For openers, the average patron at a Twenty20 match doesn’t have a clue what’s going on. Every sport has its quirks and corners known only to the initiated, like the offside rule in football or club selection in golf. But cricket is nigh im-
penetrable to an amateur, stuffed to high heaven with English jargon. A leg-spin specialist can come around the wicket from the north end and bowl a short delivery on the offside, which the one-down batsman late-cuts between second slip and gully, beating third man for four, marked down as five runs because it was a no-ball. That’s a routine moment, but one lost on most who find themselves at the stadium nowadays.
A crash course in positions and principles is just the beginning, however. Twenty20 feels like a carnival – not the opulent samba of Brazil or iridescent soca of Trinidad but the generic, crassly manufactured Jamaica Carnival. The gameplay amounts to the cricketing equivalent of a home run derby, so to juice the excitement, organisers provide a smorgasbord of cheerleaders, giveaways, pyrotechnics and noisy distractions from the actual match. The effect, from the bleachers, is a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
This is anathema to true cricket-watching, whose rhythm is minutes and perhaps hours of restless quiet, sharply punctuated by the crack of the bat, the cartwheeling of the stump, the roar of the crowd.
The echo of these sounds live inside you forever – any diehard fan has only to close her eyes and hear
them, and suddenly a whole innings rushes back in glorious synesthesia.
Those who attend Test cricket are a dysfunctional family, joined in the certain knowledge that we have to live with each other for the better part of five days. The morning drunk, issuing mellifluous, superfluous coaching advice as he traverses the walkways, is treated with a respect he finds nowhere else in life. The legendary ex-player finds himself subject to diatribes and open disregard for his achievements. This egalitarianism is promoted by the architecture – rows and rows of identical seats – a levelling of the playing field outside the playing field. But it takes time to seep into your bones.
Cricket has never been about cricket. To watch the game was to subsume oneself in the fabric of West Indian life – to see complete strangers break bread, best friends break apart, and grown men break down. It was about waiting and waiting and waiting for what you want, and sometimes not getting it. The modern game, all whambam-Spidercam, is about cheap instant gratification. That’s why Test matches may survive yet. Sooner or later, everyone wants their life – and their cricket – to mean something.
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World and Olympic 100 meters champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's problems continued at the Rome Diamond League meeting on Thursday when the Jamaican was again upstaged by long jump specialist Tori Bowie.
Fraser-Pryce won gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at last year's world championships in Moscow but her start to the outdoor season has been dogged by a persistent leg injury and she showed no spark in beating home just one of the nine-strong field at the Olympic stadium.
After winning her seasonopener in Doha last month, she then pulled out of the Shanghai meeting and finished a disappointing eighth behind American Bowie over 200m in Eugene last weekend.
Bowie, 23, again showed the sprinters how it is done by taking another surprise victory in a personal best 11.05, ahead of Jamaicans Kerron Stewart (11.08) and Simone Facey (11.13).
Adam Gemili (10.07)
Former Olympic champion Gatlin, who powered out of the blocks and quickly had the race at his mercy, has run the three quickest times in the world this year.
In the night's tightest finish, world 100m hurdles champion Brianna Rollins just got the better of compatriot Dawn Harper-Nelson with just one hundredth of a second separating the pair.
Rollins looked to have the race in control but HarperNelson surged late to force a photo finish, with the younger American taking victory in a world-leading 12.53. Queen Harrison was third for a U.S. 1-2-3.
The much anticipated rematch between Rollins and Olympic champion Sally Pearson did not materialize after the Australian, second behind the American in Moscow, pulled out of the meeting earlier in the day.
Pearson said she would have risked suffering an injury by competing and pulled out as "a precaution".
door champion Ayanleh Souleiman to win the men's 1500m in 3:30.44.
Souleiman had clocked the fastest time for a mile race on U.S. soil when winning in Eugene but could not hang on down the straight and was overhauled by Kiplagat in the final 40 meters.
Kenya’s double world champion Asbel Kiprop could not mount a challenge and clung on for third.
There was more Kenyan success with Eunice Sum continuing to show that her surprise world 800m title was no flash in the pan by taking the two-lap victory in 1:59.49, following up her win in Doha last month.
World 400m champion LaShawn Merritt was not extended in breezing to victory in 44.48, while Jamaican Kaliese Spencer clocked the fastest 400m hurdles time of the year with a 53.97 win.
Unlike Fraser-Pryce, American Justin Gatlin has had no such problems in hitting his stride and clocked 9.91 to win the men's 100, ahead of Jamaica's Nesta Carter (10.02) and Briton
"I am not injured but if I ran I either would've torn my hamstring or ran well off my best - either way was not an option for me," she tweeted.
Kenya's Silas Kiplagat surged late to reel in Djibouti’s 2014 world in-
After a terrific indoor season, Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba dominated a strong field to land the women's 5000 in 14:34.99, pulling clear of compatriot Almaz Ayana (14:37.16).
Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim won the men's high jump, equaling the best leap in the world this year with a 2.41m clearance. (Reuters)
West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron said the Board will not back down on the decision not to consider top spinner Sunil Narine for the upcoming three-Test series against New Zealand.
Cameron was responding to a letter from Minister of Sport Anil Roberts, who was pleading for the regional body to reconsider its position on omitting Narine after he failed to arrive at the pre-series training camp in Barbados by the June 1 deadline. Narine remained in India to play for his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise in the final of the Indian Premier League.
Roberts wrote the WICB president on May 31 last week, asking the Board to reconsider its decision to
drop Narine, who helped the KKR to the IPL Premier League title on Sunday. But in a brief response dated June 2, Cameron stated that the WICB “stands by
its processes where players are selected to represent the region in various formats of the game.”
Cameron wrote: “A few months ago, the Board of Directors, West Indies Players Association and the Territorial Boards agreed (on) a way forward regarding our management of the sport with the aim of getting us back to number one.”
He added that the parties arrived at a “transparent” consensus that places the players as a priority as the WICB seeks to grow the game.
“We are cognizant of the emotions which run contrary to the process. We ask that other administrators respect our position and when the time is appropriate, (the WICB) will seek your valued input,” Cameron stated. (
By Treiston Joseph
eaboard Marine
Swill be spending US $100,000 to ship the cars and bikes of racers involved in the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships scheduled for July in Barbados at the Busy Park race track.
At a simple ceremony held at John Fernandes Ltd terminal on Mandela Avenue, the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) thanked the major shipping company.
The championships will have four legs beginning in Barbados before moving to Trinidad then to Guyana and culminating in Jamaica in February of 2015.
“Racing is a very expen-
Rahaman who also thanked Seaboard Marine, highlighted that Guyana needs to remain the hub of motor racing in the Caribbean.
“On behalf of the Caribbean motor racing association we would like to thank Seaboard for once
motor racing a better product in the form of a speed village as coordinator of the speed village Bob Ramdhanie explained.
“Race village will provide an environment not just for fans and visitors to enjoy the circuit but
sive sport… without the help of Seaboard our vision for motor racing could easily be squashed and it is important to create that spectacle in Guyana is a major cost,” president of GMR&SC John Carpenter stated as he thanked Seaboard for their major contribution to the sport.
Coordinator of motor racing in Guyana Ray
again partnering with us… we must come up with a better product for motor racing, Guyana needs to remain the leaders for motor racing in the Caribbean.
“For 25 years we are the only country to hold motor racing in the month of November without stopping,” Rahaman stressed.
Further, GMR&SC revealed their plans to make
The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation has released the names of the players that will be called to training in an attempt to make the national squad for the upcoming Caribbean Basketball Championships (CBC) in July.
Both the male and female squads will also have international additions, most of which are scheduled to be in Guyana for at least one week in order to workout with the team.
The requirement for the players to come for the tryout is an effort by the GABF to have a first-hand look at their best possible 12 players that will give Guyana the best chance of winning the CBC title.
The locally based players for the male team are; Akeem Kanhai, Travis Burnett, Dwayne Roberts, Ryan Gullen, Ryan Stephany, Shelroy Thomas, Dave Causeway, Royston Siland, Shane Webster, Keon Cameron, Chris Williams, Orin Rose, Lawrence DaCosta, Stephan Gillis, Jermaine Slater,
Dominic Vincente, Randy Richardson, Jason Squires Nikolai Smith, Keifer Tappin and Kevin Emanuel.
Coming from different countries abroad will be; Damian Persaud, Tyler Persaud, Kevon Creepy, Delroy James, Rawle Marshall, Ray Victor, Gordon Klaiber, Andre DeFlorimonte, Steffon Farley, Richard Hall, Andrew Ifill, Keron McKenzie and Robert Davis.
Head Coach of the male team will be Mark Agard, while the Assistant Coach was named as Darcel Harris. The manager of the team is Andrew Hercules.
In addition, the GABF is trying to gain the services of Darren Collison who currently plays for the Los Angeles Clippers and plays backup point guard for Chris Paul.
Collison is the son of former national athlete and female sports person of the year, June Griffith.
Collison was an integral part of the Clippers rotation and helped the Clippers tie their series 2-2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder
with a clutch performance in game four of the ongoing playoffs, before falling to the Thunder in game six to be eliminated.
Meanwhile, the local females that will have a chance to represent Guyana are; Kadiann Rowe, Necosia Mitchell, Shakelia Sampson, Tamara Hunter, Timike Joseph-DeRouche, Kean Andrews, Natasha Andrews, Tanika Alphonso, Lowquantor Gibson, Ginelle Ifill, Kristy Roberts, Natoila Primo, Natasha Alder, Nichola Jacobs, Sonia Rodney, LaToya Rodney, Shanna Chester and Sharon Jerome.
The international players who are set to give Guyana a boost are Scantlebury Shellon, Tiffany Lefleur, Nikita Lefleur, Cindy Johnson, Mariam McKenzie and Philomena George.
Ann Gordon has been named head coach, while the assistant coach is Brian Carter. Manager of the team will be Herbert Adams.
Training sessions for the team are set to begin from June 10 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
to have a chance to view Guyana, Guyana is the only nation in the Caribbean with people of Amerindian decent and that culture might be interesting, so it’s about giving a package to enjoy the races and promote Guyana’s tourism,” Ramdhanie revealed.
The GMR&SC will also be looking to introduce a time attack race where participants will race against the clock instead of other cars, an event deemed better suited for beginners but opened to any racer willing to take the challenge.
Seaboard Marine representative, Peter Peroune revealed that the major shipping company was pleased to be associated with GMR&SC and wished the racers well throughout the series.
Meanwhile the cars and bikes will arrive in Barbados on June 27 for the first leg of the Caribbean Championships.
Andy Murray will not be overawed by eight-time champion Rafael Nadal when he attempts to reach his first French Open final on Friday.
The match, a repeat of the 2011 semi-final won by the Spaniard, is scheduled for around 15:00 BST.
Nadal has a 64-1 record at Roland Garros, but Murray is confident after reaching a 14th Grand Slam semi-final.
“It’s definitely a big achievement, but that’s not what I came here to do,” said the Wimbledon champion.
“My goals are different and my expectations are different to a lot of people.
“I expect a lot of myself. I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform well at these events, and thankfully I have done ok so far.
“There’s still hopefully a long way to go in the tournament.”
Friday’s second semi-final will follow the match between world number two Novak Djokovic and 18th seed Ernests Gulbis, which begins at 12:00 BST on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Murray might appreciate the extra few hours’ rest after playing five sets for the second time this week, as he beat France’s Gael Monfils in a dramatic quarter-final on Wednesday.
In 19 previous meetings with Nadal, the Scot has won just five times - and never in their five matches on clay.
Murray, 27, has taken a set on each of the last three occasions, however, and was encouraged by pushing Nadal close in Rome last month.
“I definitely learned some things in that match,” said Murray. “It was quite clear in my head, as well, what was working and what wasn’t.
“Conditions change, which makes a match slightly different, but there are some things I learned in that match that hopefully I can use to my advantage on Friday.”
Much has changed for Murray since he lost in straight sets to Nadal in the 2011 semi-final, despite creating 18 break points.
“I obviously know how to win these tournaments now; back then I didn’t,” said the two-time Grand Slam champion.
“Hopefully that will give me a little bit more confidence and belief when I go on the court on Friday.” Nadal has dropped just one set in his five matches but arrived in Paris on the back of his worst clay-court season in 10 years, with three defeats and a lone title in Madrid.
The Spaniard, who turned 28 on Tuesday, also said he had a slight back problem earlier in the tournament.
He remains a strong favourite to extend his incredible record at Roland Garros, with just that one loss against Robin Soderling in 2009, but takes the Murray threat seriously.
“I’m not surprised Andy is in the semi-finals,” said Nadal.
“He’s a candidate to win Roland Garros. Before the tournament he was a candidate to win Roland Garros for me.
“Andy can play on all surfaces. There’s nothing in his game that would prevent him from playing really well on clay. He’s gone really deep in the tournament several times here.”
The Government has placed on record its absolute rejection for the decision taken by the West Indies Cricket board (WICB) to deny Guyana from hosting the test match against New Zealand at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence later this month as was previous scheduled.
The venue for the match has been shifted to Kensington Oval, Barbados, a move that was described by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon as “appalling”.
The HPS said that what was more inexcusable was the arrogance with which the President of the WICB, Dave Cameron dealt with President Donald Ramotar and his Cabinet. He also lashed out against the support that the Guyanese directors provided during the Board’s recently held meeting that influenced an unacceptable outcome for Guyana.
The Cabinet Secretary explained that CARICOM and the West Indies have recognised the role that cricket has and continues to play in the region with regards to advancing the integration process.
“Here we have a regional institution that insensi-
tively acts in this indecent, high-handed and reckless fashion, issuing ultimatum to a regional Government… Guyana enjoys cricket and support cricket. Taxpayers’ dollars contribute to the development of the sport in Guyana, who are these Guyanese directors and what were their motives in contributing to the WICB’s terrible decision?” he questioned.
He noted too that since the announcement of this decision and the silence of the Guyanese directors and their failure to repudiate the decision taken by the WICB can be taken as evidence of their support and connivance with the WICB in foisting this unconscionable blow to Guyanese cricket lovers.
The Government has passed and enacted the Cricket Administration Bill to effect guidelines for the proper administration of the game in Guyana. (GINA)
The fourth annual Digicel schools football championship is set for a grand launch today, but unlike previous years, the activity will take place outside of Georgetown.
Dubbed the most exciting schools football tournament, the Digicel-sponsored competition is set to be launched in grand style in the mining town of Linden.
According to a correspondence from the company, the ceremonial launch will take place at the Egbert Benjamin Research Centre at Mackenzie, Linden, at 11:00h with representatives of the key stakeholder bodies set to deliver remarks.
These include Chief Executive Officer of the company, Gregory Dean, and Head of Marketing, Jacqueline James.
Over the past weeks, the company has been busy intensifying preparations for the knockout competition, which is expected to at-
tract the largest number of schools in its four-year history.
A number of coaches workshops were hosted across the country, with coordinator Lavern FraserThomas reporting a high level of interest and involvement at the respective locations.
According to reports, a significant number of schools have already confirmed their registration for the event, while a host of others are slated to complete their registration soon.
Like the previous years, games will be played at several venues in the rural areas to ensure maximum community participation, a key aim of the Digicel schools football championship.
The boys from Wismar/ Christianburg are set to defend the title they have won for the past two years, when they defeated crowd favourite Waramadong Secondary on both occassions.
Two athletes have been confirmed by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) to attend the World Junior Championships scheduled to start from July 22 in Eugene, Oregon, United States of America.
2012 World Junior 400 metres silver medallist, Kadecia Baird, will headline the team, while 2013 World Youth representative Jason Yaw will debut at the event for Guyana.
While both Baird and Yaw are no surprise to make the team, the addition of US- based sprinter Brenessa Thompson is still unclear.
Thompson clocked 11.79s
last month which is the qualifying time for the women’s 100 metres at the event.
A recent interview with president of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson, revealed that the AAG was in the process of confirming the athlete’s participation at the event with the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF).
However, a source close to the situation has confirmed that both Baird and Yaw are confirmed for the world meet, while Thompson’s status is still unclear as the process to confirm the sprinter is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Baird was phenomenal in her last outing at the World Championships for Guyana, clocking a speedy 51.04s to win the silver medal. Yaw on the other hand represented Guyana last year at the World Youth Championships and finished second in his heat with a time of 48.38s, but crashed out in the semi-final with a time of 50.39s.
However, this year at the CARIFTA Games, Yaw recorded a time of 47.74s in his preliminary round but finished fourth in the final, while Baird won gold in her 400 metres in a time of 53.48s.
By Avenash Ramzan
Football’s world governing body, FIFA, has finally broken its silence on the ongoing football saga in Guyana, stating that it does not recognise the no-confidence motion filed by a group of aggrieved members against incumbent president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Christopher Matthias.
In a correspondence, which was seen by this media house, FIFA also deems all the decisions taken at
the GFF Congress on May 31 to be invalid.
Below is the full text of FIFA’s statement, signed by Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, and addressed to Matthias.
“We refer to the matter of the reference and acknowledge receipt of a correspondence dated 1 June 2014, authored by Mr. Ivan Persaud that your association provided to our offices for consideration. This correspondence claims that the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Congress convened on 31
May 2014 and a no-confidence [motion] was passed against you.
In the above regard, we would like to inform you that based on the documents and information in our possession, it does not appear that the GFF Congress was convened in accordance with the GFF Statutes. Furthermore, it does not appear that the decisions taken during the GFF Congress on 26 April 2014, which was observed by FIFA and CONCACAF representatives, were respected.
Consequently, we inform you that we deem all decisions taken during the GFF Congress on 31 May 2014 to be invalid. Moreover, we inform you that we do not recognise the claim in the abovementioned correspondence that the GFF Congress passed a no-confidence vote against you.
In view of the above and considering the ongoing problems facing football in Guyana, FIFA and CONCACAF strongly recommend that GFF convene as soon as possible an
Extraordinary Congress to deal with all pending and agreed matters from the 26 April 2014 GFF Congress. We further inform you that this Extraodinary Congress must be held before 10 August 2014 to avoid referral to the responsible FIFA body for possible sanction.” The General Council of the GFF on May 31 reconvened and moved a noconfidence motion against Matthias, and Vicepresident Keith O’Jeer.
