Guyana Times Daily

More employers dodging NIS – Nelson

monday, september 30, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

IDB promises financial help in energy sector

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has promised to assist Guyana with technical and financial support in an effort to reform the energy sector.

During a meeting in New York on Friday, IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno told President Donald Ramotar that the lending agency will help Guyana modernise its energy matrix and advance its innovative Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) in an effort to maintain debt sustainability, while providing the desired benefits to Guyana’s economy and its people.

Having acknowledged the pressing need to diversify Guyana’s energy matrix in a way that protects its environment, improves energy sustainability, and lowers total energy costs, the two officials agreed to have technical teams from Guyana and the IDB jointly explore alternative ways to upgrade and diversify the country’s energy matrix.

“They discussed the various development challenges facing Guyana as well as the IDB’s long-term commitment to support Guyana’s national development strategy,” a release from the IDB said.

The release said that

Moreno congratulated President Ramotar on the effective management of fiscal policy by the government of Guyana’s economic team following massive debt forgiveness in 2006.

“As a result, Guyana has consistently maintained fiscal stability and sustained economic growth throughout the international economic downturn,” the release said.

“During the meeting with President Ramotar, President Moreno emphasised that the IDB is fully committed to playing a leading role in helping Guyana to modernise its energy matrix and to advance its innovative Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) in a manner that maintains debt sustainabil-

ity while providing the desired benefits to Guyana’s economy and its people,” the release stated.

It said that both leaders agreed on the pressing need to diversify Guyana’s energy matrix in a way that protects its environment, improves energy sustainability, and lowers total energy costs.

“President Moreno emphasised that the IDB is especially enthusiastic about providing Guyana with technical and financial support to reform energy sector governance.

"This is of immediate importance to lower the risks and maximise the benefits of any initiative in the energy sector,” the release added.

BBCI aids nursery school’s literacy programme

The Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) has donated a television set and other electronic equipment to aid the literacy programme at the Sheet Anchor Nursery School, Canje, Berbice.

According to the BBCI, it had received a letter dated February 14, 2013 from Sheet Anchor Nursery School’s secretary/treasurer requesting a donation of a television set, a DVD player, and a voltage regulator to assist the school in delivering a literacy programme, as well as accessing the learning channel.

The company said after verifying the information submitted and further communication, it agreed to donate the

following items: one 21-inch flat-screen TV, one DVD player, and one voltage regulator. The items were handed over on September 27.

The company said it was privileged to have the opportunity to donate the items to the school which will greatly enhance the teaching methodology.

The television will enable the school to tune in to the learning channel for educational programmes designed for schools.

The BBCI said it has supported the Education Ministry extensively over the years by donating trophies and medals to a number of schools and technical institutions, waiving tolls for school tour buses tran-

siting the bridge, and sponsoring the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club’s Annual Tribute to Retired Teachers Programme in addition to various school activities.

“The BBCI not only plays the role of collecting tolls and facilitating vehicles crossing the Berbice River Bridge and vessels transiting through the retractor span and under the high span, but also discharges its corporate responsibilities and more importantly, played an integral part in the development of education, sports, national events, and donations to charitable and non-charitable organisations in close proximity of the bridge or in Region Five and Six,” a statement from the company said.

Woman gunned down at city bar

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

An Essequibo businesswoman was shot dead while three men, including her husband, are nursing gunshot wounds after two gunmen walked into the Mambo Sports Bar located at Barr Street, Kitty, Georgetown and opened fire Saturday night.

The incident occurred about 23:45h. Shelly BasirLall, 33, of Lot 2 Charity, Essequibo Coast, was shot at least three times and died before receiving medical attention, while her husband, Raymond Lall, 36, was shot five times and is reportedly in a critical condition at a city hospital.

One of the couple’s closest friends, Parmanand Persaud, 32, of Lot 27, Block B Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, also sustained one gunshot wound to his foot and is in the recovery room of another city hospital. He is employed with Crown Mining.

The Lalls’ chauffeur, “Reggae”, who travelled with them to Georgetown, was shot at least four times and is in the Intensive Care Unit at a private hospital. He is said to be out of danger.

Transact business

According to information received, Raymond Lall left Charity on Wednesday afternoon to transact business in Georgetown and was joined by his wife a day later. They were due to return to the Essequibo Coast on Sunday.

Guyana Times understands that once the couple were in Georgetown, they would meet Persaud and others to socialise before returning home.

On Saturday evening, they were doing exactly that when the bar was stormed by two masked gunmen who opened fire.

Reports gathered re-

vealed that Lall and Persaud and their wives were at a table while a female relative and another friend were on the dance floor when one of the armed men walked into the bar and pulled out a gun, which reportedly malfunctioned.

The businessman, according to reports, thought that he was one of his friends playing around and paid no heed. But within a few seconds, gunshots rang out.

Persaud and “Reggae” reportedly attempted to escape after they received injuries, but collapsed at the back of the building. They were subsequently picked up and rushed to a private medical facility.

Police arrive

After a while, police arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area. This publication understands that at least 19 9mm spent shells were recovered.

When contacted, the dead woman’s stepmother said they were home on the Essequibo Coast when they received a call from the now dead woman’s sister about the shooting. She said owing to the lateness of the hour, they were unable to travel to the city but a relative travelled to Georgetown the next morning.

The distraught woman

explained that information about the shooting remains sketchy, but from reports received, the possibility exists that her stepdaughter and husband might have been the targets.

When Guyana Times visited the bar on Sunday morning, the shutters were down and there was little activity in the area, other than small groups of people who converged to talk about the incident.

White car

An eyewitness said that about 23:45h, he was standing in his yard, which is a stone’s throw from the Mambo Bar when he heard gunshots. He said they lasted for about two minutes, after which he observed two men entering a white Toyota Carina AT 192 motorcar, which sped

hospital.

On the journey, he said the woman was groaning, but after a while, the groaning fizzled out, leaving him to believe that she died.

He explained that Lall told him that when he saw the man with the gun, he thought one of his friends was pulling a prank on them, indicating that all who were present at the bar were armed.

The businessman, the eyewitness said, related to him that he could not say who might want to kill him and his wife.

Phone call

Meanwhile, Ramona Samuel, a sister-in-law of Persaud, said she got a call indicating that her brother-in-law was shot.

“By the time we reach

away. He said he rushed to the scene when he realised that it was quiet and saw Lall and his wife lying on the ground with blood literally everywhere. He said persons in the shop appeared traumatised.

The man stated that with the assistance of some public-spirited citizens, they picked up Lall and his wife, placed them in a pickup truck and sped off to the

the hospital, he was in the x-ray room, so we went to the other hospital to see Shelly and Raymond….

"He was in a wheelchair and the doctors were looking after him… Shelly was already dead… Raymond was shot five times,” the woman stated.

The police are continuing their investigations, but so far no arrests have been made. (bhisham@guyanatimesgy.com)

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Kenya’s Westgate Mall

News about Nairobi’s Westgate Mall being held under siege by terrorists dominated the international news headlines over the past few days. It caught many Kenyans and foreigners alike by surprise that, on such a busy Saturday afternoon, where shoppers and those simply going about their business at the mall, could be caught up in such an event.

It was reported that the militants stormed Kenya’s Westgate Mall, known for its Western shops and tourists from all over the world, in a hail of gunfire and grenades. The attack, which lasted for four days, ended only when Kenyan troops detonated explosives to get through locked doors inside the mall as they searched for militants.

Many persons died after they were holed up for several hours by the attackers, some desperately trying to conceal themselves in the many stores and supermarkets.

Three floors collapsed after the blasts and a separate fire weakened the structure of the vaulted, marbletiled building. While the exact death toll is not known, it is believed that close to 90 persons, including Kenyan security forces, were killed and countless more injured. A senior Kenyan government official said they took “very few” people captive – the attackers were primarily out for blood.

It is now known who did it and the reason behind the attacks. Al-Shabaab, a terrorist group based in Somalia, took responsibility and said it launched the assault to demand Kenya withdraw its troops fighting with African peacekeepers in Somalia. It said hostages were killed when Kenyan troops used gas to clear the mall, but Kenyan officials were quick to dismiss this as “propaganda”.

Also, the president of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta has stated unequivocally that he will not bow to pressure and that Kenyan forces would not leave Somalia in the near future.

President Kenyatta said that Kenyan forces killed five terrorists, and 11 others are in custody over possible links to the attacks, declaring that his country had “shamed and defeated” the attackers. But even though Kenyatta declared the siege over, an immense amount of work remains to learn how Al-Shabaab, a terror group thought to be badly bruised by recent losses in its Somalian homeland, was able to pull off such a well-coordinated and brazen attack.

Kenyans are now busy picking up the pieces and certainly are still wondering as to how a terrorist act of such massive scale could take place without the authorities having any hint whatsoever in order to take preventative action.

The fact that the terrorists were equipped well enough to kill dozens of civilians, and then engage Kenyan security forces for four days raises a number of questions. For example, how could such a significant plot, involving travel arrangements, arms transfers and other details, have escaped the attention of intelligence officials? Did the persons involved have inside help, either at the mall or within security forces?

The Guardian in a recent article pointed to the fact that the attack highlighted the reach of the Somali al-Shabaab and the capabilities of its crack unit believed to be behind the bloodshed, confirming international fears that as long as Somalia remains in turmoil, it will be a recruiting and training ground for militant Islam.

No doubt that over the next few days, perhaps months, the authorities, along with the assistance of other key global allies on terrorism will be engaged in digging deeper to find answers and to chart the way forward.

In addition to doing everything in their power to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, they must work to dismantle other terrorist networks wherever they are. Fanatics are found in almost every country in the world and they must be stopped as the fight against terrorism continues.

The president’s power of withholding assent (part one)

Dear Editor,

The exercise of the president’s power to withhold his assent from bills passed by the National Assembly continues to evoke commentary in the public domain. Some of those who offer comments enjoy exalted status in our society. Their opinions, therefore, as flawed as they may be, are regarded in some quarters with inviolable sagacity.

Not baulked by this reality, however, I will express some views of my own, if only to put another perspective on the issues jaundiced by those to whom I have made reference.

Perhaps a convenient place to begin is the relevant articles of the Guyana Constitution.

Guyana’s Constitution

Article 51 provides, “there shall be a Parliament of Guyana, which shall consist of the President and the National Assembly”. Immediately, it must be recognised that the National Assembly is not Parliament but a part thereof. The other component is the president.

It is imperative that I emphasise that it is Parliament, constitutionally, and not the National Assembly, which is the law-making institution. Therefore, unless a bill receives the constitutionally required input from both the National Assembly and the president, it cannot become law.

Article 170 of the Constitution outlines the mode to be utilised by Parliament in

discharging its law-making powers. The relevant clauses are as follows:

Article 170: (1)“… the power of Parliament to make laws shall be exercised by Bills passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President.

(2) When a Bill is presented to the president for assent, he shall signify that he assents or that he withholds assent.

(3) Where the President withholds his assent to a Bill, he shall return it to the Speaker within 21 days of the date when it was presented to him for assent with a message, stating the reasons why he has withheld the assent.

(4) A Bill shall not become law unless it has been duly passed and assented to in accordance with this constitution. " It is crystalline from the above, that the president has an undoubted and untrammelled freedom to assent to, and to withhold his assent from, bills presented to him. In the case of the latter, he is constitutionally mandated to proffer reasons for so doing.

The notion, therefore, that the president is obliged, robotically, to render his assent to every bill passed by the National Assembly, is manifestly misconceived.

The constitution does not contemplate it, neither does legal logic support it. The quicker we rid our minds of it, the better.

In this regard, the presidential power of withholding

assent to bills is not peculiar to the Guyana constitution. It owes its genesis to the Royal Prerogative and has been retained by many of the great democracies of the world. I shall refer only to India and the United States, hereof.

India

Article 111 of the Indian constitution provides:

Article 111: “When a Bill has been passed by the Houses of Parliament, it shall be presented to the President, and the President shall declare either that he assents to the Bill, or that he withholds assent therefrom: Provided that the President may, as soon as possible after the presentation to him of a Bill for assent, return the Bill, if it is not a Money Bill, to the Houses with a message requesting that they will reconsider the Bill or any specified provisions thereof and, in particular, will consider the desirability of introducing any such amendments as he may recommend in his message, and when a Bill is so returned, the Houses shall reconsider the Bill accordingly, and if the Bill is passed again by the Houses with or without amendment and presented to the President for assent, the President shall not withhold assent therefrom.”

It can be readily discerned that the Indian president not only can withhold his assent but there is no time stipulated for him to return the bill to the House when he exercises that power. In Guyana’s case, there is a 21 days’ time stipulation. In addition, the Indian president has a power to recommend amendments to the bill. The Guyanese president has no such power.

United States Article 1( 7) of the U.S. constitution provides: Article 1(7): “Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate shall, before it becomes a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to the House in which it shall originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that house shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. “ It is excruciatingly plain that like the Constitution of Guyana, the constitutions of India and the U.S. express the power to withhold assent as an unfettered and untrammelled one. I submit that this is not by serendipity but by design.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Mohabir Anil Nandlall

Granger has accomplished nothing for those who voted for him

Dear Editor, I wish to commend Louis Holder for his contribution to the ongoing crime debate in his letter titled, “Security problems can be traced to inept managers,” (Guyana Chronicle, September 19). He has made some valuable points.

Then I wish to thank the men and women in law enforcement for a remarkable job performance by apprehending some suspects in recent murder and robbery related crimes. This police exercise clearly demonstrates that criminals can be brought to justice in a timely manner if the will is there.

There is no room for complacency among police officers in the fight against crime.

They already have the necessary training, technology and equipment. What is required now, is for divisional commanders to be more alert, committed, and for them to apply the pressure on their junior officers to ensure a higher level of jobperformance from the ranks in the field.

It is no secret that like teachers, police officers are not as well paid as they ought to be. But persons electing to join these noble professions must be committed and attracted to the mission as opposed to a means of just earning an income.

Now I wait to see if any attorney will provide services pro bono to these miscreants, and set them free to traumatise neighbourhoods, rob and kill again, as happened in the very recent past.

Prosecutors need to get it right this time around, and don’t allow some technicality or breach in the jury selection to give the defence another victory.

It defies logic that, on one hand, the opposition is calling for an end to the crime rate and blaming it all on

the Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee. Yet, leading members of the opposition are the attorneys of choice for dangerous criminals and drug-dealers. Although I’m aware that the profession allows unscrupulous lawyers to knowingly defend the guilty, it seems obvious that some in the opposition eagerly offer their services pro bono to build a strong political base and exert influence among criminals at the expense of human lives and grieving families.

Opposition Leader David Granger’s latest ploy to get the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to pressure President Donald Ramotar to remove Rohee has fallen on deaf ears. President of the GCCI and vice-chairman of the PSC Clinton Urling made it known that the removal of Rohee will not solve Guyana’s crime problem.

In fact, it appears that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is either deliberately using the crime situation to create conflict between the acting Commissioner of Police Leroy Brummell and the government, or wants to give him the impression that APNU is fighting for his cause.

In a recent statement, former police commissioner and APNU Parliamentarian Winston Felix called for Brumell to be substantively appointed to the post of commissioner of police, a position he has been acting in for almost two years.

This call comes despite a letter from President Ramotar to Granger on September 2, inviting him to a constitutionally mandated consultation to discuss the appointment of the commissioner of police.

The letter alluded to the president’s intention to sub-

stantially appoint Brumell as the commissioner of police. Was Felix aware of the president’s invitation to Granger, or was he intentionally trying to cause mischief?

I support Brumell’s appointment as commissioner of police, and my position is documented in a previous letter months ago. But isn’t it strange that there is no urgency on the part of the leader of the opposition, or calls from Felix to confirm the appointments of the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh and the acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, who have both been acting in those positions much longer than Brumell? I wonder why?

But as I’ve said before, Granger’s obsession with trying to get Rohee removed from office is putting the security of all Guyanese at risk.

And I’m equally convinced that it is preventing him from effectively performing his duties as the leader of the opposition. Everything Granger does as opposition leader has been counterproductive to economic growth and the prosperity of Guyana.

Whatever ongoing government projects are taking place in known People’s National Congress (PNC)/ APNU constituencies is part of the current administration’s policies and commitment to serve all Guyanese. Neither Granger nor Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan can take credit for that.

As opposition leader, Granger has accomplished nothing for those who voted for him. He sadly lacks the art of compromise and the political leadership so necessary to unite our people.

In a letter, one of Granger’s strongest supporters, ex-Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officer Malcolm

Harripaul recently admitted that “the PNC, in its 28year reign, established an African-dominated state”.

He advised that “the problem facing the current leader of the PNC and APNU is how to win some Indian votes in order to win the 2016 elections.

Granger can win over Indian voters if he should start the healing process in 2013, and the first step is that of a political apology to all Guyanese for the PNC’s role in the 1960s”.

That apology will never come. Harripaul and the recent AFC defectors are in for a tremendous disappointment if they believe that the PNC/APNU is more credible and less corrupted than the AFC.

My advice to them is to be very cautious and suspicious of any request for financial contributions to APNU at this time. They’ve been bitten before, and have learnt nothing from this experience. Now, they have jumped from the frying pan directly into the fire. How dumb can that be?

Regards, Harry Gill

Refuse all bail for robbery under arms

Dear Editor, For me, anything with a gun means real trouble. A gun may be just that blanket for a thief to intimidate, but the truth is that many times a robbery goes wrong, and someone is killed.

So I vote for instant “no granting of bail” whenever a man has a gun. We have to protect our people. The mere fact that a man has an ille-

gal weapon that is capable of killing, then into the lockups he must go.

Moving from guns, I think other dangerous weapons must be searched for too – knives, ice picks and cutlasses. The violence is too much, so we need to show that law is very potent.

Respectfully, Cindy Moore

The folly of youthful exuberance

Dear Editor, This story about a murder accused and his being a top student is quite intriguing.

I have to congratulate him for being this poised, writing and passing his subjects. Even though he is not a super performer, and the school this time around cannot really boast an excellent status rating, I am still very much impressed. A student, ready to sit examinations the next day and now being embroiled in a violent beating to death! How come this lad sunk this far so quickly? The request now is really one for empathy as permission was

sought for him to attend the graduation ceremony, since he was the top student. I ask here if this reduces the severity of his act? How would members of the dead man’s family feel?

I can only opine that young people today must watch with whom they hang out. When they make mistakes, they must not be discarded as well. Somehow we have to find a way to blend mercy and judgment. Second chances for erring young people is a good topic to dwell on.

Yours sincerely, Carl Walker

monday, september 30, 2013

Parenting For Success Joining hands for effective child protective services

– ChildLinK’s vision is a Guyanese society where every child enjoys the right to a childhood in a safe and caring family, free from poverty, violence, and exploitation

Child protection is fundamentally necessary for the development and sustainability of the family, community and country. We recognised child protection last week (September22-28) as an important part of our development. We must reflect on the words of Mohandas K Gandhi: “If we are ever to have real peace in this world, we shall have to begin with the children.” It is crucial that we begin the process of truly looking into the affairs of children and our individual and collective roles in protecting them. The protection of children is everybody’s business and we need to play our part in ensuring that they are in a safe and secure environment, an environment that will allow the child to develop to their fullest potentials.

Who needs to be involved in child protection?

Faith-based community

Members and spiritual leaders can play important roles in supporting families

and protecting children by:

• supporting and providing spiritual leadership to children in trouble; identifying and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect; participating in prevention programmes to help stop child abuse;

• supporting the child and family through potentially traumatic events, for example, court hearings, out-ofhome placement, and financial and material assistance; and

• organising self-help or mutual support groups at their facilities for parents who have maltreated a child or are at risk for doing so.

Health-care providers

Physicians, nurses, emergency medical technicians, and other medical personnel play a major role in the child protection system in every community.

Key functions of health-care providers include: identifying and reporting suspected cases of child abuse and neglect,

providing consultation to child protection agencies regarding medical aspects of child abuse and neglect, providing expert testimony in child protection judicial proceedings, identifying and providing support for families at risk of child maltreatment, and

• providing training for medical and non-medical professionals regarding the medical aspects of child abuse and neglect.

Educators and early childcare providers

Principals, teachers, school social workers and counsellors, as well as early childhood education and childcare providers, play a critical role in the community child protection system. Key functions of educators include:

• developing and implementing prevention programmes for children and parents on child abuse;

• identifying and reporting suspected child

abuse and neglect;

• recognising and reporting child abuse and neglect occurring in the school system or child care programmes;

• developing a school or programme policy for reporting instances of child abuse and neglect

; keeping the child protection agencies informed of the changes or improvements in the child’s behaviour and condition following the investigation;

• supporting the child through potentially traumatic events, for example, court hearings and out-of-home placement; and providing support services for parents such as school-sponsored selfhelp groups

Law enforcement

Law enforcement’s involvement in the initial assessment and investigation of child abuse is important. A high degree of coordination between child protection agencies and law en-

forcement is necessary to minimise the confusion and trauma to the child as a result of system intervention.

The primary responsibilities of law enforcement include: identifying and reporting suspected child abuse,

• receiving reports of child abuse and conducting investigations of reports of child abuse when there is a suspicion that a crime has been committed, gathering physical evidence,

• assisting with any need to secure the protection of the child,

• providing protection to child protection agencies’ staff when a caseworker’s personal safety may be in jeopardy if confrontation occurs with alleged offenders, and supporting the victim through the criminal court process.

All concerned citizens

In addition to the various persons described above, concerned citizens, particularly friends, neighbours, and taxi/minibus driver play an important role in responding to child abuse. All individuals in the community can contribute to the protection of children by providing social and emotional support to fellow community members, reporting suspected abuse, modelling good parenting behaviours, advocating for needed resources, and helping educate others about the problems of child abuse.

Who to report to when a child is being abused

• Police station in the area

• Human Services and Social Security Ministry –Child Care and Protection Agency (225-1257), Hotline (227-0979)

• NGOs, including ChildLinK Inc (2317174/227-2023)

It takes a community to raise a child, let us all join hands in ensuring that the children within our country are safe from abuse and neglect.

Please contact us on telephone number 231-7174 or email us at programmes. childlink@networksgy.com for any support you may need on parenting and other challenges you are experiencing with your children.

Credit bureau will play key role in Guyana’s growth – Canadian envoy

New Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana Dr Nicole Giles has underscored the importance of access to credit in Guyana and in the Caribbean, for Canada’s continued investment and development in the region.

Dr Giles made this comment on Friday at the launch of Credit Info Guyana Inc at the Georgetown Club.

The Bank of Guyana on August 30 officially presented the Icelandic company with its licence to operate here, enabling Guyanese to get easier access to financing.

The granting of the licence followed a lengthy selection process that reviewed four other requests from international operators. The aim of the credit bureau is to enable more reliable, competitive and responsible lending, while protecting borrowers’ rights.

The newly-appointed Canadian high commissioner said access to credit was a

key component to establishing a more receptive framework for entrepreneurship and private sector investments, which are essential elements for sustainable economic growth.

“Our development initiatives for the region, and by extension Guyana, have been strategically clustered around this overall goal of enhancing sustainable economic growth.

"We believe that a more

integrated Caribbean region will be better positioned to compete in the global economy, contributing to the welfare, prosperity and security of its people,” she stated.

Milestone

Dr Giles disclosed that Canada is working along with the various governments in the Caribbean to enhance their countries’ operations in areas that will see the economies flourishing.

These areas include public finance management; strong leadership in the public service; a strong and more entrepreneurial private sector; a highly trained workforce, with skills that are needed by the Caribbean Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); strong rule of law, enforced by an efficient and effective judiciary; and disaster risk management.

In addition, she stated that the establishment of the credit bureau has proved to be a significant milestone for

the development of Guyana’s financial sector, which will see businesses benefiting immensely.

“The foundation of the credit bureau heralds a new chapter in the credit appraisal process – one that is responsive to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector. SMEs con-

sistently cite access to credit as one of the greatest operational barriers to flourishing business,” the high commissioner said.

SMEs are major contributors to the global economy, providing employment for more than 60 per cent of the workforce; however, this sector is still considered high

risk and is largely underserved by the financial community.

Dr Giles stated that Canada is pursuing an ambitious free trade model in the Canada-Caribbean Community (Caricom) trade agreement negotiations, which will see both sides benefiting.

Stabroek Rotary hosts Education Fun Day at Bagotville

The Rotary Club of Stabroek, in collaboration with the Bagotville Community Library, held its annual Education Fun Day at the Bagotville Community Centre in observance of Education Month and Rotary’s new generation month.

The event also kickstarted the club’s literacy programme for the new school year. The children were treated to a day of fun and educational games, geared towards helping them to gain a better appreciation for spelling and reading.

Students quickly cycled through game booths with hang man, spelling bee

and word scramble games, to gain points for each successful attempt at spelling a word.

According to a release from the club, in the 8-13 years category, Ashell Lynch emerged as the winner while Chamen Giles and Zaria Parris placed second and third respectively. In the 5-7 years category, Mark Pooranman, John Pooranman, and Cassie McKenzie copped first, second, and third places respectively.

The event was a resounding success where a total of 63 children participated in the 8-13 years category, and 19 in the 5-7 years category, all from LaGrange, Bagotville,

Nismes and beyond.

“The Rotary Club of Stabroek is working at the forefront of bringing about a paradigm shift in the

way we look at education and better prepare students for the reality that we live in. For the past six years, the club has been

implementing its read and play project, which is premised on the enjoyable aspects of reading and writing, and underpinning this is the belief that it is easier to learn something when actively involved and having fun through sports,” the release said.

The initiative is dedicated to helping students through after-school tutoring to improve their literacy and numeracy skills. It is being offered to under-resourced youths, ages 5-18, allowing them to explore their creativity and learn requisite life skills.

In keeping with the read and play concept, students participated in as hula hoop, skip -

ping, hanging ball cricket and other competitions. Competition winners were Anisa Wilson for hula hoops, Omari Harding for hanging ball cricket, and Nkomo Doris for skipping. Stabroek Rotary President Sharon Sue-Hang-Baksh and Rotarians challenged the students to take learning seriously and encouraged parents to provide the best learning and educational experience for their children. Stabroek’s Interactor Club President Thea Tobin urged students to stay in school to at least achieve a basic education in order to apply themselves as productive members of society.

monday, september 30, 2013| guyanatimesgy.com

Four Brazilian miners die in pit collapse

Four Brazilian gold miners died in Region Seven when a pit in which they were working collapsed, authorities said Saturday.

Police said the men were mining in the pit,

which was about 9 to 12 metres (30 to 40 feet) deep, “when it caved in and covered them”. The incident occurred at Arau, Eteringbang, Cuyuni near Guyana’s western border with Venezuela

late Thursday afternoon. The victims have been identified as Taigo Nunes Pinto, Ronaldo Da Silva Sousa, Joao Nelson Pinto Mands, and Joao Gonsalves Martins.

Government has re -

peatedly cautioned miners to abide by occupational safety and health rules, but enforcement is lax due to a shortage of staff to cover the country’s vast mining districts.

Eyew tness

Snake oil...

...grasshopper

The dust is settling over the stampede from the Alliance For Change (AFC). And if you’ve seen the stampedes in the old “cowboy” movies (“westerns”, if you will), you’ll know that’s a whole lot of dust. But we’re gradually beginning to make out the lay of the land. Unfortunately, while their locations have changed, the bolted cattle still exhibit the same bovine qualities from their AFC days.

Take this Dr Asquith Rose fella. He used to be a tag team with Sase “Thunderbolt” Singh, singing hosannas to Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo and the rest of the AFC bunch. That they took nasty pot shots and low blows against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) went without saying. Well, now that Dr Rose has said “so long” to the AFC, and found a home in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) corral, seems he lost “Thunderbolt” sometime during the stampede.

Not to worry: in a missive in the MuckrakerKN, he’s picked up another sidekick – one Chandra Deolall, Esq. Looks like companions who can provide “multiracial” credentials are a dime a dozen in New York. But we’d thought he’d have at least told us what happened to old “Thunderbolt”. Did he also “bolt” from the AFC camp? He was such a loyal Nagamootoo man. But hey!! Birds of a feather do stick together, no?

But even with the new partner, Deolall, Esq, the APNU Dr Rose still exposes the same abysmal level of ignorance as the AFC Dr Rose. (A “rose” by any other name?) He’s back with the old canards on the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project. Let’s take one of them – that the Guyanese people would’ve acquired a “billion-dollar debt” with that project.

Now, let’s say the government can’t get the project off the ground again. What then? The Guyanese people will still be paying collectively about US$100 million annually for electricity, no?

Even if the price of oil running the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) generators doesn’t increase, we’re still talking of paying that much for about 105 megawatts (MW) of power forever. But if we had Amaila, at the very worst, we’d be paying the same amount – but at the end of 20 years we’d own a hydro plant. And pay peanuts for our electricity for another 50 years at least.

So what “debt” are we talking about? The kind of thinking exhibited by people like Dr Rose is that of the fella who’d rather pay rent forever than build a house of his own. Even though with the same monthly payment for rent, he could’ve had his own house after 20 years of paying the mortgage, he only focuses on how much the bank will make on the mortgage. Not on the fact that with renting he’ll never stop paying and yet own nothing.

...racist

Barrington Braithwaite is one of those fellas who have race on their brains. It doesn’t matter what the issue – he’ll find a racial explanation. An asteroid heading for earth? Got to be a racist plot to exterminate some friend or other of Braithwaite’s. How’d the racists manage this feat... don’t ask. Yours is not to reason why. But his race card is always played selectively. Always.

For instance, there’s a whole host of overseas Guyanese fellas – from all varieties of “race” groups – who’ve exited the AFC and joined the APNU (see above)... but Braithwaite has no comment. However, one from the same tribe dares to defend the PPP/C government against the opposition’s vicious attacks – and viola! – the race angle is bared. In a letter, also in Sunday’s MuckrakerKN, Braithwaite tries to be subtle with his racist attack on Harry Gill, who is of European persuasion.

When Gill was People’s National Congress (PNC) and critical of the PPP/C – no racial bias was discerned. Guess only people friendly to the PPP/C can be racists. Go figure.

monday, september 30, 2013 |

Moraikobai girl crowned Amerindian heritage queen

About 01:45h on Sunday morning, before a sleepy almost packed National Cultural Centre, Miss Region Five Analisa Andrews, 21, of Moraikabai was crowned Miss Amerindian Heritage 2013 after six hours of exhilarating competition.

Andrews, an aspiring accountant, won the judges' hearts as she mesmerised them from the beginning of the competition to the end.

She sealed the deal when she answered the question: “The theme for Amerindian Heritage Month is ‘honouring our culture, advancing our future’; what does this mean to you?”

Proud of tradition

In response, she confidently and eloquently said: “Honouring our culture means to me that I should be proud of my tradition, my culture, my history, my ancestors and even though changes are occurring everyday in our lives, for example, technology, I shouldn’t forget where I came from by always preserving my culture, but at the same time advancing the future − meaning to take my education seriously, and move on.”

The newly-crowned queen enjoys delicious servings of crispy fried otocuma (tocuma worms), with thin cassava bread and a cool glass of cassiri. She also enjoys making people laugh, and loves a good game of cricket during her spare time.

The beauty believes that youths have an integral role to play in the development of their respective communities; hence, she chose “Youth leadership in Amerindian communities” as her platform, which she competently advocated for during the competition.

Coming in as first runner-up was Miss Region Three, Letitia Sacajawea Daniels,19, of Santa-Aratak in the Kamuni Creek, while the second runner-up spot was captured by Miss Region Seven, Gleary Williams,21,

who hails from Batavia, in the Lower Cuyuni River, Region Seven.

Copping the third runner-up spot was Miss Region Six, Shevon Hyderkhan, 19, of Siparuta, a tiny village, 53 km down the Corentyne River, and rounding off the top five was Miss Region Eight, Vickiola Aaron,19, of Paramakatoi.

The Miss Congeniality

her public speaking skills.

The title, she added, not only comes with prestige, but hard work, pointing out that her primary focus will be to promote her culture and more importantly, youth leadership development in Amerindian communities.

“I am part of a youth group with one objective being to help educate youth and support them… I will

communities.”

When asked to tell the Guyana populace something special about her, she grinned, saying “I am a very funny person.”

As usual with pageantry in Guyana, the proceedings did not start on time, but those who waited to the end were given their money’s worth.

In the first half of the

prize went to Danielle Felicity Graciela Calistro, 19, of Kabakaburi, Region Two while Miss Region Three, Letitia Sacajawea Daniels copped the Best Talent Prize.

Gail Robeiro, 20, of St Ignatius Village, Region Nine, took the prize for Best Traditional Outfit.

Hard work

Speaking with Guyana Times immediately after being crowned with the first ever traditional crown made from the feathers of four species of bird, including the eagle, Andrews expressed her excitement to have won the title, noting that it was achieved through hard work.

With a painted smiling face, the newly-crowned queen said nothing comes easily, but at the same time she feels blessed to have won the title which will now give her the leverage to work on

use that organisation to develop youth leadership in my community, but not only mine, but all Amerindian

competition, the delegates competed in the introduction segment, describing themselves and the communities

from which they came.

This was followed by the talent segment which saw some of them showcasing their dialect and intellectual skills, while the others showed off their culture and heritage in the form of dance.

At the end of the exhausting segment, there was an intermission for 30 minutes, 15 more than the stipulated time.

Fierce competition

As the night proceedings resumed, the delegates were ready for the fierce competition, but had to wait for sometime as an SOS had to be sent out for the judges who were missing in action.

Nevertheless, they were found and the competition continued.

The delegates appeared on stage with the most creative and dazzling evening gowns.

Each delegate showcased their curves and grooves in elegant moves on stage. The gowns were designed by Pat Coats, Randy Madray, Marcia De Santos, Neilson Nurse, Mwanza Glen, Natasha Galleria, Maxi Williams, Alana Gidden and François. Unfortunately, this segment was not judged.

As the ladies made their way off the stage, they were

individually recalled for the interview segment based on their platforms. Some of the delegates were more prepared than their rivals, but Miss Region Eight Vickiola Aaron did extremely well.

Crunch time

As the delegates don their traditional outfits, there was an appearance by the Miss Guyana Universe 2013 delegates.

It was then crunch time after close to one hour of colourful displays.

The 10 delegates were narrowed down to five after the scores from the previous competitions were tabulated.

The delegates were each given the same question without a timeline to answer. The final results were based on how well they answered the question, and Miss Region Five emerged the winner.

The queen won herself $250,000, among other prizes, while the first runner-up secured $150,000 and other prizes, and the third runnerup pocketed $100,000 with other fabulous prizes.

The other delegates also won monetary and other prizes. All the monetary prizes were sponsored by General Equipment and Farm Supplies.

London’s Caribbean Hindu Cultural Society dedicated to spirituality

By Vishnu Bisram

Caribbean Hindu

he

TCultural Society (CHCS) in South London – though founded by Guyanese and Trinidadians – is open to people of all nationalities.

The CHCS seeks to address the spiritual, social, and cultural needs of the growing Hindu community in England.

The society was founded to develop a better understanding of Hinduism and to give greater significance to this knowledge over rituals, as well as to educate the larger society about Hindu values. It helps to foster the development of spirituality and culture within the Hindu community in England.

The cultural aspect of Hinduism is encouraged through singing, dancing, drama, and other related activities. The members of the society, comprising diverse nationalities, work harmoniously for their benefit and the larger Hindu community.

The organisation was founded in May 1959 by a group of young immigrants, mostly from Guyana and Trinidad, who came to the UK to further their academic and professional studies. They named it “Hindu Dharma Sabha”. In 1961, the name was changed to “Caribbean Hindu Society”. It was one of the earliest Hindu organisations in England for the promotion of Hinduism and Hindu culture.

From 1959 to 1972, the group held meetings in

their rented living accommodation, while major religious festivals, such as Diwali and Holi, were held in rented rooms, including at Hammersmith and Lambeth Town Hall.

Charity status In 1966, the first constitution of the society was prepared and in 1967, it was approved by the Charity Commission, granting it charity status. Fundraising to purchase a building was seen as a priority.

In 1967, chartered flights to Guyana raised significant funds. These were repeated for the next two years. However, in 1969, this operation ceased, because charity law did not permit permanent trading in economic enterprises. The management committee had acquired some £11,000 for the building fund.

In 1972, a bid of £6500 cash was made for the purchase of 16 Ostade Road that was used by the Federation of Boys Scouts Inc. When it was obtained, it was in a derelict state and almost completely destroyed by fire. Refurbishment was started by the members – with many volunteers and community members donating materials and labour to realise the dream of a temple in London.

In 1978, a successful grant application was made to Lambeth Council and, in 1982, building works were completed allowing for activities and rituals celebrating various festivals.

Members say that the building has provided a conducive environment for worshipping, and learning and practising the teachings of the scriptures.

In 2000, the name was changed to “Caribbean Hindu Cultural Society” to make it more broad-based in its activities. It caters to both Sanatanists and Aryan forms of worshipping with pandits from both sects attached to the society.

On January 30, 2001, the CHCS was formally registered with Lambeth Council as a place of worship and as a place for the solemnisation of marriages. Membership to the society is open to the diverse communities in England providing a range of benefits to members and participants.

Awareness building

Over the years, CHCS has reached out to the wider community in greater London, providing a range of cultural programmes and activities for all. Members say that the society has helped to maintain Indian culture.

Since the early 1980s after completion of the building, there has been a Sunday Havan service as well as the observation of Hindu festivals.

Cultural programmes include music, dance, Hindi, religious and music classes. The CHCS is also involved in a variety of activities that benefit the large Guyanese and other Hindu populations settled in England.

At its weekly (Wednesday) social, members sing oldtime Indian songs accompanied by traditional Indian music.

The harmonium, tabla, dholak, dhantal, and majeera are played in accompaniment to the singing, as people join the chorus. It is an informal meeting of the community members, where they sing, eat, laugh, and converse.

For more information, visit om@chcstemple.org.uk.

De North Americans got big eye problems

Plenty of dem North Americans does like to come to de land of many waters. And Guyana got plenty black water, so like de black water does go in one eye and dem does only see wid de other eye. De other eye does block up, so dem can only see some tings in some places, but dem don’t see de same tings in other places conveniently.

That is why dem seein plenty tings in Guyana wid de one eye which de black water ain’t gone in yet. But dem not able to see tings wheh dem come from, although de same tings deh more plentiful right wheh dem born and grow.

Apparently, it was Guyana black water that was blockin up some of dem eye after dem come back from one of de many interior escapades. Instead of comin hey to wuk, it look like dem come fuh get away steady to de places whah got nuff black water.

In North America, de U.S. and Canada deh very close to one another. Just like how bamzee and po deh within touchin and smellin distance of each other, Canada and America deh de same way. When yuh see one, yuh see de other. And when yuh smell one, yuh smell de other. Is just like Suru and Duru at de Kocheur and de two old rams who rammin one another. Guyana got plenty bamzee and po too.

One of de Canadians look at Guyana wid one eye and see plenty corruption, but ain’t see none in Canada. An American also see de same ting in Guyana, but he ain’t see none wheh he come from. De eye doctor seh de Americans and de Canadians deh so close to one another that dem always sufferin from de same eye problem. He seh is like dem seein pun one eye and dem totally blind in de other eye!

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And de eye doctor also seh dem ain’t got no cure fuh that, so look out fuh de one-eye North Americans!

Four charged for abusing their children

At least four parents were arrested and placed before the courts as a result of a massive child abuse campaign held to commemorate Child Protection Week.

Over the past week, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) heightened efforts to bring parents to face the full force of the law as it relates to child abuse.

During an interview, CCPA Director Ann Greene said the objective of the week of

activities was achieved.

Greene said the media and the Guyana Police Force have been very helpful in raising awareness of child abuse and how it can be prevented.

The week’s activities included the launch of a One Stop Centre and the registration of daycare centres through the Childhood Registration Programme.

CCPA officers, Greene said, have done a good job in keeping with the theme, which is to join hands for essential child services.

Green also sounded a strong warning to parents who continue to break the laws and disregard the rights of their children.

She promised that the CCPA will intensify its efforts to eliminate any form of abuse meted out to children. From January to June this year, 1717 cases of child abuse were recorded and necessary actions have been taken against those responsible.

Times Notebook

A breakthrough on the horizon for breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in Guyana and is the number one cause of cancer deaths in our country. It affects more persons than any other cancer in Guyana. But promising new technologies and treatments are on the horizon.

For example, a preventive breast cancer vaccine developed by Professor Vincent Tuohy of the Cleveland Clinic in the U.S.A. will be brought forward to the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for permission to begin clinical trials to see if it is safe and effective for use in women.

Vaccines

Of course, using vaccines to fight cancer is not a new approach. Already scientists have shown that cervical cancer, the number two cancer in Guyana, can be successfully stopped with the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine. And already Guyanese girls are being vaccinated with HPV vaccines.

The potential new breast cancer vaccine was shown to be completely safe and 100 per cent effective in preventing breast cancer in three animal models, and was also found to slow the growth of tumours that had already formed. The vaccine is especially powerful in in-

hibiting the growth of triplenegative breast cancer, the most aggressive form of the disease with the lowest survival rate.

Triple-negative breast cancer is breast cancer where the cancer cells lack estrogen, progesterone and Her2 receptors. It occurs in approximately 15 per cent of cases and is the kind of breast cancer most common in women who carry a BRCA mutation – this is a kind of cancer with a high mortality rate.

The initial clinical trials, called Phase One studies, will be conducted in two groups of volunteers, women with triple-negative breast cancer who have completed their treatment and are free of disease, and women who will be vaccinated shortly before undergoing bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.

Lower risk Typically, these are women like Angelina Jolie with BRCA mutations who elect to remove their breasts to lower their risk for cancer.

The first group of women will be studied to determine the dose and effectiveness of the vaccine. The second will be studied to make sure the vaccine does not trigger an untoward immune response in breast tissue.

The vaccine targets a unique protein normally made only by women who

are breastfeeding, alphalactalbumin (ALA). In the 12 years Professor Tuohy spent developing and researching his vaccine, he discovered that the majority of breast tumours express, or make, ALA. Professor Tuohy’s vaccine works by priming the immune system with a vaccine so that it attacks any cell that makes ALA.

Because the vaccine targets ALA, a protein necessary for successful lactation in healthy women, the vaccine would not be appropriate for use in women who are still in their childbearing years.

However, the majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer in the United

States and other western countries are post-menopausal: at least 70 per cent of the cases in Guyana occur in women over 55. Given this reality, Professor Tuohy’s vaccine holds great potential as a preventive vaccine for the majority of women.

Because the vaccine has also demonstrated therapeutic potential (in slowing the growth of tumours that have already formed), it may also prove useful in treating women who already have the disease, particularly women with triplenegative breast cancer for which there are presently no available targeted therapies.

Other scientists have

joined the movement toward creating preventive as well as therapeutic vaccines. Dr Brian Czerniecki of the University of Pennsylvania has a very effective vaccine to treat women with ductal carcinoma in-situ whose tumours express the growth receptor, Her2. A nd just recently, Dr Susan Love and the National Breast Cancer Coalition began working with a panel of scientists on the Artemis Project, whose goal is to end all breast cancer in seven years, hopefully by way of a vaccine.

Potential

However, only Prof Tuohy’s preventive breast cancer vaccine and Dr Czerniecki therapeutic breast cancer vaccine have reached bench-to-bedside potential to begin clinical trials in human subjects. While it’s true that not everything that works in mice works in women, everything that currently works in women first worked in mice.

Since so much is at stake – millions of lives, millions of breasts, billions of dollars – the possibility of developing an effective preventive breast cancer vaccine has captured the imagination of scientists, the financial commitment of institutions like the Cleveland Clinic, and broad support from a

BEST awards bursaries to 22 students

Twenty-two secondary school students from all 10 administrative regions were awarded bursaries when the Burnham Educational Scholarship Trust (BEST) held its bursary awards ceremony last Friday.

The bursaries, valued at $660,000, were awarded to 10 continuing students and 12 new students for the 2012, 2013 academic years.

The awards are made on the basis of the students’ results at the annual National Grade Six Assessments (NGSA), which are certified by the Education Ministry, the PNCR said in a release.

Regional education committees in all 10 administrative regions nominated candidates for final selection by the board of trustees of the trust.

The board comprises veteran educators Alan Munroe, Yvonne Harewood-Benn and Cheryl Sampson. BEST is a registered, non-governmental, non-profit sharing trust.

People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) leader retired Brigadier David Granger congratulated the awardees, contending that

they are “the future of Guyana”.

He said it was the older generation’s duty to give younger persons the best education possible in order to prepare them to inherit what he called the “biggest and most beautiful country in the Anglophone Caribbean”.

The way to do that was to invest in education, which he described as the “mother of employment, empowerment, enterprise and equality” and the gateway to a “good life”.

Granger said the bursaries were investments that would pay dividends in the form of development of Guyana’s resources.

This was the vision of Forbes Burnham, who was this country’s first elected education minister 60 years ago. BEST was founded to perpetuate that vision.

According to the PNCR, Burnham, as Guyana’s first prime minister, embarked on a massive education programme.

The PNCR said Burnham’s commitment to education also saw citizens’ entitlement to free education being embedded in Article 27 of the Constitution up to the present day. The awards ceremony, held at the PNCR headquarters, Congress Place, Sophia, was attended by recipients, parents and guardians, party officials and trustees of the Burnham Educational Scholarship Trust.

groundswell of women who would prefer prevention to the rigors of a cure. The pure cure for breast cancer, prevention, is now the mission.

Clinical trials

Fast-tracking Professor Tuohy’s vaccine through the FDA so that clinical trials can begin as soon as possible is the present objective –to see if it’s safe and, if safe, to see if it works.

Opinions may vary about its potential – they always do – but, fortunately, clinical trials are the arena in which final scientific arbitration takes place, and they are now on the road with regard to this vaccine.

The gruesome data on the global burden of breast cancer remains vivid. In 2013 alone, 1.5 million new cases – one every 20 seconds, and 500,000 deaths –one every minute.

Let the vaccine speak for itself. Put it to the test and let slip the dogs of war to prevent breast cancer if we can, as soon as we can.

Guyana Times is grateful to Dr Kathleen Ruddy, founder and president, Breast Health and Healing Foundation in the U.S.A., for collaborating with Times Notebook on this article. Readers are invited to comment on this article via email (times.notebook@gmail.com) and on Facebook.

monday, september 30, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

Miss Guyana Universe delegates receive sponsorship sashes

The eight contestants of the Miss Guyana Universe pageant received their sponsorship sashes on Saturday evening.

The ceremony was held at the Pegasus Hotel poolside, where the delegates were sashed by representatives of their sponsors.

Delegate number one, Carlea Chappelle, 19, is sponsored by NABI Constructions while delegate number two, Kenwah Cho Quan Yi, 25, is sponsored by Muzik Club in Canada.

Delegate number three Tiffanie Nieuenkirk, 21, is sponsored by Canadian Jason Schwars while delegate number four Shyon Hoppie, 18, is sponsored by Shalinsky & Co.

Rainbow Fashions is the proud sponsor of delegate number five Ayana Whitehead, 18, while Red Earth Crystal Clear Waters is sponsoring delegate number six, Carla Browne, 19.

Meanwhile, delegate number seven, Katherina

Roshana, is proudly sponsored by the NEW GPC INC under its Limacol brand and delegate number eight, Alicia Best, 23, is being taken care by AU Drilling Inc. In an interview with

Guyana Times, Roshana, who is also the reigning Miss Guyana India Worldwide queen, said she is privileged to be sponsored by a household brand such as Limacol. The vibrant young lady

said she will be representing the brand to her best come October 6, and is encouraging Guyanese to go out and support the pageant. She noted that the contestants have been working

CARPHA monitoring spread of H1N1 flu across Caribbean

The Caribbean, like other regions in the Americas, experiences seasonal influenza activity, but improved health monitoring by ministries of health in the region is providing more timely and detailed information on viruses currently circulating here.

This has resulted in the recent confirmation by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus from samples received from St Vincent, according to a release by the agency. The identification of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus from persons seen at health care facilities in St Vincent is as a result of the increased investment by ministries of health, CARPHA and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in laboratory services and surveillance.

In the Caribbean, the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus is the most commonly identified influenza virus circulating in the region and this is not an unexpected finding. There have been no deaths related to this incident and all patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital.

In addition, health ministries in the region are aware of the situation and are closely monitoring their health facilities. CARPHA and PAHO would like to advise members of the public to practice respiratory hygiene measures in order to reduce the risk of transmission of influenza and other respiratory viruses.

Influenza is a viral infection that affects mainly the nose, throat, bronchi and, occasionally, lungs. Infection usually lasts for about a week, and is characterised by the sudden onset of high fever, aching muscles, headache and severe malaise, non-productive cough, sore throat and rhinitis.

The virus is transmitted easily from person to person via droplets and small particles produced when infected people cough or sneeze.

Influenza tends to spread rapidly in seasonal epidemics. Most infected peo-

ple recover within one to two weeks without requiring medical treatment. However, in the very young, the elderly, and those with other serious medical conditions, infection can lead to severe complications of the underlying condition, pneumonia and death. Influenza A (H1N1) pdm 2009 virus (also referred to as 2009 H1N1 influenza virus) is the sub-type of influenza A virus that was the most common cause of human influenza in 2009. In June 2009, the WHO declared a new strain of swine-origin H1N1 as a pandemic. This strain is often called “swine flu” by the public and the media. In August 2010, the WHO declared the H1N1 influenza pandemic over, saying worldwide influenza activity had returned to typical seasonal patterns. Internationally, 2009 H1N1 viruses and seasonal influenza viruses are circulating in many parts of the world and the 2009 H1N1 virus is considered to be a regular seasonal influenza virus and is also included in seasonal influenza vac -

cines.

CARPHA is the new single regional public health agency for the Caribbean. It was legally established in July 2011 by an inter-governmental agreement signed by Caribbean Community member states and began operation in January 2013.

The agency rationalises public health arrangements in the region by combining the functions of five Caribbean regional health institutes (RHIs) into a single agency.

They are: the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI), the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI), the Caribbean Health Research Council (CHRC) and the Caribbean Regional Drug Testing Laboratory (CRDTL).

CARPHA brings these RHIs together as one strong force under a public health umbrella, under which issues requiring a regional response can be addressed.

hard in preparation for the final moment next month.

NEW GPC Marketing Manager Trevor Bassoo said the company is proud to once again be part of the pageant.

New GPC was involved in the Miss India Worldwide 2012 pageant and the delegate it sponsored won.

“We have high hopes and confidence in Miss Roshana. We strongly believe she will come out victorious in this competition and go on to represent Guyana and Limacol internationally,” he said.

The NEW GPC INC representative noted that Limacol has been associated with coolness and freshness; hence, with the support of Limacol, Roshana will be the “coolest” delegate in the competition and is bound to emerge victorious.

These eight delegates will take centre stage on October 6, at the Pegasus poolside, with the aim of capturing the coveted and prestigious Miss Guyana Universe 2013 crown.

Tickets for the finals cost $6000 for VIP and $3000 for regular seating, and are available at the Pegasus front desk. The competition gets underway at 20:00h.

Gunmen attack manicole cabbage boat, fire shot

Gunmen last Tuesday attacked and robbed passengers of the MV Lady Christine around 02:30h, escaping with some $125,000 at Kimbia, Berbice River.

The boat, which belongs to Amazon Caribbean Guyana Limited (AMCAR), was carrying manicole cabbage (heart of palm) at the time. One shot was fired as the four gunmen made good their escape with the cash, leaving the crew members traumatised.

In a release, the company said at 07:00h the said morning, the matter was reported by the manager at Berbice to the Blairmont Police Station via telephone.

On Thursday, the crew returned to shore and went to the Blairmont Police Station to make a report. They were referred to the Kwakwani Police Station. The head of the boat crew became very frustrated and contacted the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Georgetown.

He was then advised to go to the Blairmont Police Station, where a report was finally taken about 10:00h. Later that day, an officer from the Blairmont Police Station inspected the boat and saw the bullet marks on the cabin. He took statements from the crew members of the boat and promised to launch an investigation.

According to the company, the incident has resulted in not only its staff being

scared to return to the area to transact business but the residents being terrified to go about their regular business.

“This can have serious economic implications as we are purchasing raw material for our processing unit in Rosignol, night and day. Manicole cabbage harvesting is a significant source of earning for more than 50 families on the Berbice River, providing steady income and low-cost bartering system,” the company said.

According to the company, despite this ordeal, the boat crew was encouraged by a commendable senior colleague to continue their mission and ensure that harvesters make a living by selling their palms to the manicole cabbage boat.

“Management of AMCAR is very disturbed about this incident, and has officially contacted the Ministry of Home Affairs and the commissioner of police,” the business entity said.

AMCAR noted that its cabbage boat was attacked three years ago in Berbice with the same tactics. At that time, the Home Affairs Ministry had acted promptly and the police force had investigated the incident, leading to the arrest of three individuals.

“Management of AMCAR and hundreds of residents of Berbice River hope that the same swift action could be repeated to secure the area,” the organic agro-processing company said.

More employers dodging NIS – Nelson

– says structured workforce dwindling

In light of the continuous trend of deficit in the amount of contributions collected by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the organisation has rolled out several campaigns to aggressively monitor contributors for accurate and timely remittance of contributions, and to also ensure compliance with the laws and regulations.

This was disclosed by NIS General Manager Doreen Nelson in her message to mark the company’s 44th anniversary on Sunday. Nelson said NIS continues to operate in an environment that has negatively impacted its collection of contributions because of the economic and financial crises.

She pointed out that investigations have revealed that there has been a 25 per cent reduction of active employers over the last year.

Additionally, public disclosures show that some industries and large employers are having a financial crisis.

“The structured workforce is still apparently dwindling while the expanding informal workforce is not complying with the NIS regulations. Many self-employed persons are still reluctant to register and remit contributions in accordance with the law.

These, together with an ever aging population and smaller returns on investments, are causes for concern about the future of the scheme,” Nelson stated.

Deficit

The NIS general manager highlighted that since the deficit at the end of 2011, the trend continued with a deficit of some $474 million at the end of 2012, and a review of the organisation’s perfor-

mance reflects the same pattern.

“Contributions collected over the period January to August 2013 was approximately $7.754 billion while total expenditure over the same period was approximately $9.120 billion. The projections to the end of the year show

that income from contributions would be approximately $11.631 billion while the projected expenditure would be approximately $13.684 billion,” she noted.

Nelson further disclosed that benefits paid during 2012 amounted to $11.7 billion and it is projected for 2013 that the amount will increase to $12.3 billion, while noting that 89 per cent of the payments are towards the pension branch, which accounts for old age, invalidity and survivors.

Increase

She also reflected on the findings of the actuarial review of the fund, which was completed in December 2012, stating that it was confirmed that the organisation’s expenditures on benefit payments and the management of those benefits have already exceeded the income received from

contributions.

However, she pointed out that from June 1 this year, contributions rate had increased by one per cent while from March 1, the insurable earnings ceiling was increased by five per cent from $143,455 to $150,628 per month.

The general manager noted that NIS received 28 recommendations, adding that those which affect the administration and public awareness are being addressed.

“It is hoped that recommendations in respect to pension management and reform would be seriously considered so as to provide the necessary interventions that would ensure the sustainability of the scheme,” Nelson said.

The NIS general manager acknowledged that there is a lot of work that needs to be done to improve the organisation’s system of record-keeping

so as to allow the timely processing of claims and review of appeals.

Training In addition to the campaigns that have been launched, NIS is also continuing to train its staff to ensure that courteous and informed service is provided to the public.

“The management of the National Insurance Scheme remains aware of its obligations and responsibilities to the workers of this nation and the challenges that will be encountered along the way to fulfilling its mission and ensuring viability,” Nelson stated.

Nevertheless, the general manager extended her gratitude to the dedicated staff and the members of the board along with other stakeholders for their commitment and hard work.

All must work for improvement of Guyana – prime minister

Prime Minister

Samuel Hinds over the weekend joined residents of Capoey, Region Two as they celebrated Amerindian Heritage Month. He told the gathering that government remains committed to improving the lives of all Guyanese, and that they all have a role to play in continuing the country’s development.

“Who is to build Guyana but us... it is a job for all of us,” he said.

The prime minister urged the indigenous residents, in particular, to honour their past achievements and heritage.

“We must all use our culture as a basis to grow and take care of it. As our country goes forward, we must use the best from our culture, regardless of our different backgrounds,” he noted. “We can only progress as a nation if every constituent also advances so all have to do their part.”

Residents were also urged to take advantage of the livelihood programmes being initiated, which will see more persons undertaking ventures such farming to a more advanced level and earning more income, a move which will only lead to further devel-

opment of their respective communities.

Accompanied by Region Two Chairman, Parmanand Persaud, the prime minister was treated to various cultural performances, including traditional dances and songs.

He was also able to view craft and handiwork produced by residents, in addition to partaking in some of the traditional foods and beverages.

The Capoey heritage event was part of the month-long Amerindian heritage celebrations held under the theme “Honouring our Culture, Advancing our Future”.

US$2M worth of ganja seized in The Bahamas

The United States Coast Guard says a joint operation with the Royal Bahamian Police Force Drug Enforcement Unit and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), known collectively as Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT), seized 67 bales of marijuana on Little Farmer’s Cay in the Exuma island chain of The Bahamas.

The Coast Guard said the seizure, the second in a week, has a wholesale value is in excess of US$2 million. The seizure, made this week is “a direct result of coordinated U.S. and Bahamian counter-narcotics effort, known as Operation Lion Fish.

The drug, totalling 2307 pounds, was discovered in a hidden cache on a remote cay, the Coast Guard said

Following the discovery, a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew deployed from

Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida, transported the contraband to

St Lucia Minister expands legal threat to media

Expanding on a press statement released on Friday, in which he announced that he was commencing legal action against a local journalist, Saint Lucia’s minister for legal affairs, home affairs and national security, Phillip La Corbiniere, told reporters that “a number of ministers have also instructed their attorneys to begin to take legal action of various kinds.”

Ironically, the foundation for the threatened action by La Corbinere and others for alleged damage to their reputation appears in turn to

relate to allegations that so far unnamed members of the St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) tarnished the reputation of former housing minister Richard Frederick by supplying false information to US embassy officials.

In his formal statement on Friday, the minister did not elaborate on what that legal action was; what conduct or comment he found objectionable; or what others are going to be included in the threatened action.

However, he now claims that he will “not have his reputation destroyed by

Caribbean News Now,” which he described as “a ragtag called Caribbean news because it’s nothing more than a ragtag.”

In saying this, La Corbiniere seems to be ignorant of the fact that Caribbean News Now, along with its predecessor publication, has been publishing regional news for over 10 years and outranks any other regional website in every measure, usually by several orders of magnitude, with website visitors and page views measured in the millions annually.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Bahamian law enforcement authorities in Nassau. Four suspects were also taken into custody during the seizure.

“The OPBAT team continues to protect both Bahamian and U.S. citizens from the dangers of illegal drug trade,” said Commander Mark Driver, director of Coast Guard OPBAT.

“This drug seizure reinforces the importance of continued cooperation between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, and Royal Bahamas Police Force to combat illegal narcotic trafficking through The Bahamas,” he added. (Jamaica Observer)

Moonilal: Bill to deal with corruption coming to the House

The long awaited Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Bill 2013 aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the tendering and awarding of contracts will come before the House soon. Leader of Government Business Dr Roodal Moonilal promised that the bill will be presented after the budget debate. The bill will focus on strong penalties for corruption. Also, a procurement regulator will have powers to investigate anomalies, infringements and violations.

It will also promote competitive bidding and local industry, support environmentally friendly and sustainable development products, honour enlightened labour practices and bring

all state entities under the law. This comes after 40 months of clamouring from political parties, businesses and interest groups for procurement legislation under the People’s Partnership administration.

In an August 8, letter sent to Planning and Sustainable Minister Dr Bhoe Tewarie by the JCC, acting on behalf of the Private Sector/Civil Society Group, which comprise the construction industry, TT Transparency Institute (TTTI), TT Manufacturers’ Association and the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the groups described the bill as a preliminary draft, stating that it was unsuitable for legislative consideration. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Puerto Rican psychiatrist arrested on child exploitation, sex trafficking charges

The United States Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agency says a Puerto Rican psychiatrist has been arrested for transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and sex trafficking of a minor.

On Saturday, the ICE said the arrest was made by its Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, working jointly with Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force officers.

HSI special agents ar-

Colombian president rejects Jesse Jackson's FARC mediation

olombia’s President

CJuan Manuel Santos has rejected proposed mediation by U.S. civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson over a rebelheld hostage.

rested Gerardo V NavarroRodriguez at his medical office in Caguas, Puerto Rico after an investigation revealed he allegedly “induced, coerced and enticed at least one 17-year-old male to engage in commercial sexual acts.”

The investigation was spurred by a referral from the Puerto Rico Police Department, ICE said.

According to the criminal complaint, Dr NavarroRodriguez was a psychiatrist working for APS Healthcare Puerto Rico. APS is a pri-

vate corporation contracted by the Puerto Rican government and is the sole provider of mental health services under The Puerto Rico Health Reform, “Mi Salud.” In his position as a psychiatrist for APS, NavarroRodriguez provided, among other things, psychiatric therapy sessions to children and adolescent victims of sexual abuse. From about October 2011 through May, a male minor identified as John Doe was a patient of Dr Navarro-Rodriguez. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Chile's "Caravan of Death" general commits suicide

Santos said only the Red Cross would be allowed to be involved, because he did not want “a media spectacle”. Jesse Jackson had agreed to go to Colombia next week to seek the release of former U.S. marine Kevin Scott Sutay, held by leftist FARC rebels since June.

rience and probity” would speed up the process of freeing Scott, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan.

The FARC say they want to free Scott to boost peace talks. During a visit to Cuba on Saturday, Reverend Jesse Jackson had agreed to mediate, following a FARC statement saying his “expe-

But President Santos reacted quickly, writing on Twitter. “Only the Red Cross will be allowed to facilitate the release of the North American kidnapped by the FARC. We won’t allow a media spectacle.”

Earlier this month, during a visit to Colombia, Jesse Jackson had called on Colombia’s largest rebel group to release Scott. The left-wing rebels responded by releasing a statement on Saturday inviting the civil rights leader to participate in the negotiations over the ex-soldiers’ release. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Cayman Islands defends decision to review immigration

The Cayman Islands government has defended its decision to review the immigration legislation, even as a group announced plans to stage a protest march next month.

Premier Alden McLaughlin told business leaders that he believed the fear is about the “floodgates opening” and that based on

legislation

the utterances he has heard so far “they are completely mistaken as to what is being proposed and the effect it is likely to have”.

The government intends to bring the new legislation for debate next month and one of the key concerns centres on the right to apply for residency in the British Overseas Territory.

Premier McLaughlin said that it does not mean all persons who have applied for permanent residency would receive it and that even those who happen to reach the eighth year of the nine year period, would also have to go through a much more stringent points system. The application fee is being increased from US$250 to

US$1000 in addition to others fees paid in advance.

“Hopefully it will discourage what we call frivolous applications, that is applications by persons who don’t have a chance,” he said, adding that he believes there were more people in support of the reform that those against the proposed measures. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

The former general committed suicide at home while on release from prison

Aformer Chilean general and director of intelligence during Augusto Pinochet’s rule has killed himself while on weekend release from prison. Odlanier Mena, who was 87 years old, was serving a six-year jail term.

The crimes were allegedly part of the “Caravan of Death” – a military operation thought to have killed more than 100 opponents of the 1973 coup.

On Thursday, President Sebastian Pinera announced plans to close the jail where Mena was being held.

A lawyer representing Mena said his client had

been worried about having to be moved from Cordillera to another military facility at Punta Peuco. Mena is said to have shot himself in the head at home on Saturday. He had been due to return to prison the following day. At Cordillera, prisoners have access to the internet, cable TV, a tennis court, gardens and a barbecue area. “He had been terribly upset by the move. It affected him a lot that in Punta Peuco he would not have the medical attention he needed,” Jorge Balmaceda told 24 Horas TV (Excerpt from BBC News)

Nigerian attack: Students shot dead as they slept

Sregularly target schools in Yobe, such as this one in Mamudo

uspected Islamist gunmen have attacked a college in north-eastern Nigeria, killing up to 50 students.

The students were shot dead as they slept in their dormitory at the College of Agriculture in Yobe state.

North-eastern Nigeria is under a state of emergency amid an Islamist insurgency by the Boko Haram group.

Boko Haram is fighting to overthrow Nigeria’s government to create an Islamic state, and

has launched a number of attacks on schools.

Casualty figures from the latest attack vary, but a local politician told the BBC that around 50 students had been killed.

The politician said two vanloads of bodies had been taken to a hospital in Yobe’s state capital, Damaturu.

A witness quoted by Reuters news agency counted 40 bodies at the hospital, mostly those of young men believed to be students. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Kenya’s government faces questions over siege

Kenya’s government is facing questions over whether it ignored warnings about last week’s siege on a shopping centre.

A leaked intelligence report obtained by Al Jazeera says security agencies were alerted about a possible attack on Westgate mall about a year ago.

According to the report, officers were warned that al-Shabab was planning suicide attacks on the Westgate shopping centre and the Holy Family Basilica, a church in Nairobi, in September last year.

In January this year, the report looked at the possibility of attackers storming a building and holding hostages, much like the siege last week.

Earlier this month, the Israeli embassy in Nairobi raised concerns

Italian president hopes to solve political crisis without new vote

talian Prime Minister

IEnrico Letta will meet the president on Sunday to try to chart a way out of a deep political crisis after Silvio Berlusconi pulled his ministers out of the government and called for new elections.

President Giorgio Napolitano said he would only dissolve the parliament as a last resort, but just seven months after the last vote it was not clear if an alternative majority can be found.

Berlusconi, the centreright former prime minister who was forced from office in November 2011 at the height of the eurozone debt

crisis and faces a ban from the parliament for tax fraud, has already launched his reelection campaign.

On Sunday he attacked Letta’s government and demanded a vote “as quickly as possible”, but said his party would still vote for the 2014 budget, which must be presented next month, on the condition the package of measures “is really useful to Italy”.

Infighting among the left-right coalition government has thwarted efforts to push through reforms Italy needs to emerge from a two-year recession, a twotrillion-euro public debt and

youth unemployment of around 40 per cent.

The political paralysis resulting from the government’s collapse will delay those reforms even further in the eurozone’s third largest but most sluggish economy.

“It is tradition for the president to dissolve Parliament early when it isn’t possible to create a majority and a government for the good of the country,” Napolitano told reporters ahead of his meeting with Letta.

The prime minister will address the parliament on the crisis early next week.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

about a possible attack on Israeli citizens during the Jewish Holiday period in September, and also revealed that a number of Somaliabased al-Shabab fighters were apparently given refugee cards to enter Kenya.

Al Jazeera’s Nazanine Moshiri, reporting from Nairobi, said the end of the report is also quite damaging to the Kenyan government as it lists recipients of the intelligence document, which includes top Cabinet officials.

The report raises questions as to why security was not increased at the Westgate shopping centre, and adds to other credible reports that the attackers were able to rent areas in the mall to store weapons in preparation for the attack. (Al Jazeera)

Capitol building eerily quiet as government shutdown

With a midnight deadline (today) to avert a federal government shutdown fast approaching, the U.S. Capitol building was eerily quiet on Sunday, with meeting rooms locked, lawmakers not to be found, and both parties waiting for the other to blink.

Senate Democrats decided on Sunday not to take up a measure approved in the early morning hours by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives that ties funding for government agencies to a one-year delay of President Barack Obama’s landmark healthcare law.

After spending Saturday locked in bitter debate amid partisan chants by Republicans, the House also voted to repeal a medical device tax that would generate about US$30 billion over 10 years to help fund the healthcare programme. That measure attracted some Democratic support.

And in a sign that lawmakers might be resigned to

nears

a shutdown, the House unanimously approved a bill to keep paying U.S. soldiers in the event the government runs out of money October 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

As government agencies edged toward closing their doors, the standoff is a harbinger of the next big political battle: a far-more consequential bill to raise the federal government’s borrowing authority. Failure to raise the US$16.7 trillion debt ceiling by mid-October would force the United States to default on some payment obligations – an event that could cripple the U.S. economy and send shockwaves around the globe.

When the Senate next convenes at 14:00h today, it will manoeuvre to strip out the amendments to delay “Obamacare” from the House bill and send back a “clean” funding bill, known as a continuing resolution, or CR, that won Senate approval last week. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Amid rare unity, UN Security Council mulls action on Syria aid

After adopting a hardfought, Russianbacked resolution to rid Syria of chemical weapons, the United Nations Security Council is now turning its attention to the country’s dire humanitarian crisis, putting to the test its fragile consensus on the conflict.

The Security Council is considering a statement to try to boost aid access in Syria by urging Syrian authorities to allow cross-border deliveries from neighbouring countries and asking parties to the conflict to hold humanitarian pauses in the fighting.

Iran’s foreign minister says nuclear enrichment not negotiable

Iran’s foreign minis-

ter said on Sunday the country’s right to peaceful nuclear enrichment was not negotiable in talks with the United States, but it does not need to enrich uranium to military-grade levels.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran was willing to open its nuclear facilities to international inspections, but the U.S. must end economic sanctions as part of any deal on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Speaking in the midst of an intensified effort to resolve the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme, Zarif said he could see a “real chance” for agreement with the U.S.

“Negotiations are on the

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks to the media after a meeting of the foreign ministers representing the permanent five member countries of the United Nations Security Council, including Germany, at the UN Headquarters in New York on September 26

table to discuss various aspects of Iran’s enrichment programme. Our right to enrich is non-negotiable,” Zarif told ABC’s “This Week” programme.

Iran consistently has defended its right to enrich uranium as part of a civilian nuclear energy and medicine programme, but America and its allies have sought

an end to higher-grade uranium enrichment that could be a step away from the production of weapons-grade material.

“We do not need militarygrade uranium. That’s a certainty and we will not move in that direction,” Zarif said. “Having an Iran that does not have nuclear weapons, is not just your goal, it’s first and foremost our goal.”

U.S. President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke by telephone on Friday in the highest-level contact between the two countries in three decades. It was the culmination of a recent, dramatic shift in tone between Iran and the U.S., which cut diplomatic relations a year after the 1979 Iranian revolution. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Amid a newfound unity of the 15 members, which overcame a long diplomatic deadlock between Russia and Western powers on Friday to pass a resolution on Syria’s chemical arms, Australia and Luxembourg circulated a draft statement on the aid crisis. More than two millions Syrians, mostly women and children, have fled during the two-and-a-half-year-old civil war, which the UN estimates has killed more than 100,000 people. Millions more inside Syria are in desperate need of help, but aid has slowed to a trickle due to excessive red tape and vi-

olence.

Only 12 international aid groups are approved by the Syrian government to work in the country and convoys of aid trucks struggle to meet demand, delayed by having to negotiate dozens of government and opposition checkpoints, UN officials say.

Deputy UN council envoys are due to meet to discuss the proposed Security Council presidential statement today, said diplomats, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Unlike a resolution, a presidential statement is not legally binding. (Excerpt from Reuters)

India and Pakistan “will work together over Kashmir”

The leaders of India and Pakistan have pledged to work together to halt a recent upsurge of violence in Kashmir, according to senior officials.

Both sides were upbeat about the pair’s first meeting since the May election of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

On Saturday, India’s Manmohan Singh told the UN General Assembly that Pakistan had to stop being “the epicentre of terrorism”.

Bilateral ties have been strained over deadly clashes in the disputed region.

On Thursday, at least 10 people were killed when militants stormed a police station and an army camp in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Delhi has also blamed

Pakistan-based militants for the deadly attacks in Mumbai in 2008, urging Islamabad to punish the perpetrators.

The two leaders met for over an hour on the sidelines of the UN assembly in New York, for talks described by Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani as “extremely positive”.

“They were both agreed that the pre-conditions for forward movement in the relationship, which they both desire is an improvement of the situation on the Line of Control (LoC) where there have been repeated ceasefire violations,” Indian national security adviser Shivshankar Menon told reporters.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan by the LoC. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Pop star Rihanna has generated more than Bds$20 million in exposure for Barbados over the life of the three-year deal the megastar has with the Barbados Tourism Authority.

Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy quoted the figure as he defended government’s decision to spend millions of dollars on the deal which was signed with the megastar in 2011. Rihanna is set for her second major concert in

Barbados on November 1 as part of her Diamonds world tour.

Sealy commented on the matter at the official opening of a conference on Employee Engagement in the Digital Age-The Role of Communications, hosted by the International Association of Business Communications at the Barbados Hilton. He also gave details about another tourism initiative, the National Tourism Host programme. (Trinidad Guardian)

Nigeria signs US$1.3B power plant deal with China

Nigeria has signed a deal for Chinese state companies to build a US$1.3 billion power plant, the Finance Ministry said on Sunday, part of efforts to end chronic electricity shortages that are a major brake on growth.

Nigeria produces only a few hours of electricity a day, forcing those who can afford it to rely on expensive diesel generators that drain billions of dollars from Africa’s second

largest economy and discourage foreign investment.

President Goodluck Jonathan is on a drive to increase investment in the power sector and has nearly completed the privatisation of its inefficient state electricity company. A loan from China’s Eximbank will pay for 75 per cent of the planned 700 megawatt Zungeru hydro-electric power plant, while the Nigerian government has put up the rest of the cash.

The plant would be a boost to the country’s current 4500 megawatt electricity capacity and is scheduled to be finished in four years, although Nigerian projects usually run over time and over budget and many are never completed.

The building of a hydro plant in Zungeru, Niger state, was first announced three decades ago but this is the most significant effort yet to get the project underway, experts say. (Reuters)

The U.S. government has less than 48 hours to avert a shutdown of government services amid political divisions over President Obama’s healthcare law.

On Sunday, the Republican-run House of Representatives voted to pull the law’s funding, raising chances of a shutdown. The government needs to agree a new policy-wide spending bill before the U.S. fiscal year ends at midnight on Monday.

If it fails, non-essential federal services face closure,

with employees sidelined or left working without pay.

Early on Sunday, the House passed an amended version of the Senate spending bill that removed funding from the healthcare law.

U.S. Senate Majority leader Harry Reid has vowed that his Democrat-led chamber will reject the Republican bill.

But with the Senate not due to meet again until Monday afternoon, it will have just hours to pass a stand-alone bill free of any measures that undermine the

law. In a statement, Senator Reid said that “after weeks of futile political games from Republicans, we are still at square one”.

He added that Republican efforts to change the bill –that would delay the healthcare law for a year and repeal a tax on medical devices – were pointless.

Speaking for the president, White House spokesman Jay Carney said: “Any member of the Republican Party who votes for this bill is voting for a shutdown.” (BBC News)

China opened a new free trade zone in Shanghai on Sunday in what has been hailed as potentially the boldest reform in decades, and gave fresh details on plans to liberalise regulations governing finance, investment and trade in the area. Officials gave no details on when specific initiatives will be implemented but the government has said most will be introduced in the next three years. The Shanghai FTZ, which covers an area of

Middle

Argos is to recruit around 10,000 seasonal workers in the runup to Christmas to join the firm’s existing 30,000 employees in the UK for the busy festive season.

Initial contracts are for around three months, with the potential for some jobs to become permanent at the end

of the season, where vacancies exist in the 735 stores.

John Walden, managing director of Argos, said: “As we approach our busiest shopping period of the year, we need the extra support in our stores from enthusiastic colleagues to ensure that we continue to deliver brilliant customer service to the millions that shop with us at this time of year.

“We are looking for people who are customer-focused, passionate and enthusiastic to join our teams.” Last year the retailer advertised for 12,000 seasonal workers.

The announcement follows Amazon’s call for 15,000 Christmas recruits this week, up 5000 on last year. (The Guardian)

Tourism chiefs in Dubai on Sunday announced plans to encourage more mid-market hotels to set up in the emirate, which is traditionally dominated by luxury offerings.

Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of the Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has revealed that the hotel investment industry is to be given a financial incentive to develop more mid-range hotels in Dubai.

nearly 29 square km on the eastern outskirts of the commercial hub, was approved by China’s State Council, or cabinet, in July.

State-run Xinhua news agency quoted Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng as saying that the creation of the FTZ was a crucial decision for China’s next wave of reform and opening-up. “It follows the trend of global economic developments and reflects a more active strategy of opening-up,”

Gao said at the launch ceremony. The State Council said on Friday it would open up its largely sheltered services sector to foreign competition in the zone and use it as a test bed for bold financial reforms, including a convertible yuan and liberalised interest rates. Economists consider both areas key levers for restructuring the world’s second-largest economy and putting it on a more sustainable growth path. (Reuters)

In his keynote speech to The Hotel Show in Dubai, he said three- and four-star hotel operators would be granted a concession on the standard 10 per cent municipality fee, which is levied on the room rate for each night of occupancy. The initiative is designed to encourage hotel owners to bring forward their construction timelines, creating more three and four star hotel rooms in Dubai more quickly, he said.

Investors in new hotels will be granted a waiver on the fee for a period of four years from the date the permit to construct is granted and provided that this date is between October 1 this year and December 31, 2017. Almarri said: “In order to achieve our headline objective of 20 million visitors per year by 2020, we need to both increase the overall stock of hotel rooms in Dubai and widen the range of options for visitors. (Arabianbusiness)

Wall Street braces for volatility as shutdown seems likely

As a last-minute deal to resolve spending negotiations in Washington appeared less likely, U.S. stock investors braced for what had previously seemed remote: a shutdown of the U.S. government that could spark a major equity decline.

The House of Representatives early on Sunday voted for an emergency spending bill that includes a delay of President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare reform law despite veto threats from the White House.

While a deal could be reached before the govern-

ment’s fiscal year ends at midnight on Monday, the unanimous passage of a bill to continue paying U.S. soldiers in the event the government runs out of money was viewed as a sign that there would be no agreement between Republicans, who hold a majority in the House, and the Democrats, who control the White House and Senate.

Among the consequences of no deal being reached are many government employees will be furloughed, and the Labour Department will not issue its monthly employment report scheduled for next Friday.

A shutdown is expected to have a major impact on markets, injecting massive amounts of uncertainty into all asset classes. If a deal is reached quickly, that might allow markets to recover, but a prolonged shutdown could have significant implications for economic growth and consumer confidence.

“A shutdown is just one domino; if it falls, it will cause a series of unknowns, and those unknowns are impossible to quantify,” said Adam Sarhan, chief executive of Sarhan Capital in New York. (Reuters)

monday, september 30, 2013

Dr Gonsalves vows to intensify reparations drive next year

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said he plans to intensify efforts in addressing the issue of reparations for native genocide and slavery when he assumes the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) early in the New Year.

“When I take over the chairmanship of Caricom in January, I hope to get letters to Europe,” Gonsalves, told a standing-room-only town hall meeting in Brooklyn late Saturday.

“We’re going for reparations because of state-sponsored genocide and statesponsored slavery,” he added. “Europe, by engaging us in this matter, can make us more free,” he continued. “We need reparations, but we need available resources.”

Serious conversation

The Vincentian leader, who has been taking the lead in Caricom on the issue, said efforts at seeking reparations from Europe are “not a conversation about protests. This is a serious conversation to see what is the legacy”, he said.

“I’m not a little boy holding up a placard. I’m the prime minister of an independent country.” Gonsalves warned that, as the reparations issue gains ground,

European governments and their “agencies” are already “finding means to divide the reparations movement,” adding that “reparations is for all of us”.

It was mentioned at the recently-held reparations conference in St Vincent that Caricom should mandate reparations education in schools’ curriculum. Recognition was also given to past reparations initiatives, such as the work done by the Rastafari Movement and some major reparations conferences that have occurred in Nigeria, Washington DC, and Barbados.

Objectives

At the conference, a structure was proposed for the regional commission. It was agreed that the body would be led by a chairman and three vice chairs with responsibility for certain key tasks. Professor Hilary Beckles was elected as chairperson of the Caricom Regional Reparations Commission. Vice chairs are Jomo Thomas, St Vincent and the Grenadines (responsible for inter-governmental relations); Dr Verene Shepherd, Jamaica (research); and Ahmad Zunder, Suriname, (mobilisation).

The commission was constituted to achieve the following aims and objectives:

establish the moral, ethical and legal case for the payment of reparations by the governments of all the former colonial powers and the relevant institutions in those countries, to the nations and people of the Caribbean Community for the crimes against humanity of native genocide, the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and a racialised system of chattel slavery; advise and make recommendations for coordinated Caricom action by the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Reparations; coordinate and support the work of National Reparations Commissions and taskforces and encourage the development of commissions in

those countries that have not yet established national bodies; receive reports from national reparations commissions; develop and implement a regional strategy to pursue reparations, including the following actions: coordinate and/or undertake relevant historical research at the national, regional and international levels; coordinate and/or undertake legal research to inform case preparation and litigation strategies; coordinate national and regional public education campaigns; and coordinate and/or conduct national and regional public consultations on reparations.

Further, the commission has been tasked to develop

Whittaker conducts outreach in Region 10 communities

Junior Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker recently conducted outreaches in Malali, Muritaro, Great Falls, 47 Miles and 58 Miles in Region 10.

During his interactions with residents, Minister Whittaker recalled that at the recently held Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO) conference, one of the topics discussed was indigenous people living in isolation.

This, he posited, is something that does not occur in Guyana since Amerindians are given many opportunities to interact with the president and government ministers. Reach out

“We are challenged every day to reach out across the hundreds of communities in the 10 administrative regions in Guyana and to interact with the people… this is not just as a tourist will visit to see and enjoy, this goes beyond that… this meeting is about seeing the improvements/developments and also seeing the areas that need further improvement and development and interacting with people,” Minister Whittaker noted.

Further, these engage-

ments are important for the verification of projects while ensuring that ministers are not only guided by reports from officers.

During the discussions with the residents, Minister Whittaker spoke about the state of the health and education facilities since these are two key sectors that seek to sustain the lives of people.

In recognition of the fact that the villages he visited depend on logging exercises for income generation, Minister Whittaker urged that they do farming as an alternative since food and income can be generated from that one venture. With regards to logging, he also called on the loggers to monitor the number of

trees they cut down and also stressed that replanting is of great necessity.

As is the norm, residents were given the opportunity to share their needs and concerns with the minister; some of these include the need for a secondary school, improved access to the Linden Hospital Complex, need for a brush cutter and trained teachers.

The minister committed to sending in a brush cutter for Malali, and urged that it be used for the benefit of the entire village. Meanwhile, while in Muritaro, the minister presented some farming tools to the village council.

Commendation

At the meeting at Muritaro, Minister Whittaker commended the village council and residents for the evident development, especially in education, that has occurred in the village over the years.

The headteacher of the village’s school supported the minister’s sentiments by reporting on some of the achievements.

The village’s headteacher reported that the school has also benefited from a $1 million grant provided through the School Improvement Programme (SIP).

The funds were put towards the development of a recreation area for children and to repair the school’s engine and boat.

Additionally, now that the school has adequate teachers, there have been noticeable improvements in school attendance and performance.

Support

The Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) was also commended for the support they offer to the school’s development. The next stop was at Great Falls, where Minister Whittaker emphasised the role of the Amerindian culture in Guyana.

At the interactions at Mabura/58 Miles and 47 Miles, the minister met with residents and discussed development issues as well.

He also encouraged the residents to practise farming as an alternative for income generation since they depend a lot on logging.

The Local Government and Regional Development Ministry has been spearheading these community interactions, and thus far many villages in the hinterland regions have been visited.

and recommend diplomatic strategies to advance the case for reparations in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and with other supportive governments, identify and recommend the appointment of eminent spokespersons and champions for the cause of reparations among artists, attorneys, scholars, indigenous peoples, Rastafarians, youth, women and politicians; engage and partner with national and regional civil society organisations involved in the reparations movement, especially, the Rastafarian and Pan Africanist formations of the Caribbean; develop and recommend decisive political action at the national and regional levels through parliamentary debates and resolutions and national, regional and international popular mobilisation; and conduct consultations to develop proposals on appropriate forms of redress through reparative programmes and projects among other things.

The conference also zeroes in on legal strategies for a successful reparations claim. A presentation was done by the UK law firm of Leigh Day & Co and it was evident that this effort would

require a regional consortium of experts in law, research and academia, a communiqué issued at the end of the conference stated.

It was also emphasised that any legal effort must be coupled with the mobilisation of people and an intensification of the political and diplomatic outreach that has already begun.

First step

Participants considered that the conference was the first step in a series of conferences and workshops that were necessary to continue the reparations effort.

It was agreed that a website should be created as a focal point for ensuring that information on the work of the regional commission and national committees/task forces was made readily available.

It was further agreed that national committees/ task forces would create Facebook pages to highlight the progress of their work.

The conference ended with a resolve to have a second follow-up conference within a reasonable time-frame to ensure that the momentum started in St Vincent and the Grenadines could be accelerated.

PNCR saddened at passing of former Georgetown deputy mayor

The Central Executive Committee of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has expressed sadness at the passing of former Georgetown Deputy Mayor Herbert “Herbie” Esmond Harper on Friday.

Harper served in Guyana as the general manager of the Guyana Radio and Electronics Company (GRECO), then a part of Guyana Stores Limited. He was also a businessman.

The party, in a statement, said Harper was a veteran of the Royal Air Force (RAF), which he joined at age 21 in January 1944, to take part in the Second World War.

He was part of a distinguished contingent of volunteers from British Guiana that included former Chancellor of the Judiciary Victor Crane; Kenyan Chief Justice Cecil Miller; Guyana Defence Force Chief-ofStaff, Brigadier Clarence Price and Attorney

Cleveland Hamilton, all of whom are now deceased. After the war ended in 1945, he remained in the RAF and served in Singapore, Germany and Malta. He retired in March 1969 and returned to live and work in Guyana shortly afterwards. The PNCR extends its sympathy to Harper’s widow, children, siblings and other relatives.

SUDOKU

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(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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A hasty decision will cost you. Step back and take a closer, more realistic look at the budget you have to work with, and you’ll find a smart solution.

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Listen to what’s being said, but refuse to let an emotional situation escalate into a disagreement that could damage an important relationship. Offer patience and avoid stubbornness.

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Make the necessary changes to your living arrangements to improve your emotional situation and outlook. Socialise with people sharing your current concerns and interests. Passion is in the stars.

Explore new interests and check out what others are doing. The knowledge you gain will open up all sorts of possibilities. Offer your services or join a group that shares your concerns.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Focus on the positive and how you can help others. Your interesting approach will draw attention, leading to a surge in your popularity.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Explore some interests and broaden your knowledge and skills. Expect a jealous person to try to make you look bad. Emotions, particularly anger, must not be allowed to interfere with work.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

It’s what you do that will count. Step your productivity up a notch and make the professional and financial changes that will lead to a better future.

Tourist villa apartments 1, 2 & 3 bedroom, long & short term, and car rental service. Phone: 227-2199, 227-2186

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GPSU maintains call for 25 per cent hike in salaries

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has maintained its call for a 25 per cent increase in wages and salaries for public servants this year.

The union also declared that it is prepared to initiate any form of industrial action if the demand is not met, even as it called for unity, militancy, solidarity and strength as it wrapped up a two-day conference last Friday.

The 20th biennial conference of the union was held on September 25 to 27 under the theme “Relentlessly Pursuing Good Governance, Decent Work, Social and Economic Justice”.

The conference brought together delegates from Georgetown and the 10 administrative regions of Guyana, who reviewed the biennium, and planned and made recommendations for the union for the next two years, the GPSU said in a statement.

As the highest decisionmaking forum of the GPSU came to a close on Friday, motions were brought to the floor for discussion and consideration. These motions included wages and salaries, and meal, uniform and footwear, leave passage allowances.

There were also motions relating to amending the Constitution of Guyana with respect to the Public Service Commission, and amendments to the laws of Guyana (1) 1997 Trade Union Recognition and Certification Act, and (2) the Pensions Act.

Contract work in the public service; land for housing,

day care and child care facilities and agriculture for public servants; filling vacancies in the public service;, corruption, training and human resources development of public servants; GPSU Sports Complex land; the parity in station allowance and the non-payment of the hinterland allowances; parity in conditions and early appointment to the regions; and payment for maternity and/or sick leave in excess of 28 days for contract workers were also among the motions brought to the floor.

The non-completion of collective bargaining agreements in commissions and agencies was also discussed and strategies developed to have these agreements finalised.

Finally, delegates unanimously agreed that the GPSU condemn the government for breaking the law, flouting the procedures and not honouring its obligations to meet with the bargaining agent of public servants.

Further, delegates called on the government to meet with the union within two weeks at the bargaining table and to conclude such negotiations in a timely manner.

Delegates committed themselves to updating the membership at their work location and their communities, in the process mobilising all members, and to discussing with them forms of action they would undertake to convey to the administration the seriousness and commitment to pursuing their right to decent work and fair treatment.

UG to hold symposium

on

its early history

The University of Guyana (UG), as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, will on Tuesday hold a symposium at its Turkeyen campus at 14:00h, in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre.

The symposium will be held in keeping with the anniversary’s theme “Honouring the Past, Moulding the Present, Transforming the Future”.

According to a UG release, the panel discussion, the first of 12 planned for the year, will focus on the very early history of the university, especially its physical location and construction, the thinking and act that created it and the early days at Queens College.

The panellists are expected to be President Donald Ramotar; Phillip Allsopp, who will speak about the construction of the road connecting UG to the main road, the soil testing and foundations of the buildings that he was

directly involved in building as clerk of works in those days; Joseph Holder, who will discuss construction aspects, but also speak from the perspective of an early student who attended the university at Queens College.

Professor Mary Noel Menezes will discuss the very early history in terms of factual underpinnings. There will also be presentations from George Cave, who was one of the first students and also registrar of the university and Yvonne Stephenson, one of the first librarians.

The conversation will be moderated by two young students of the university, Sherod Duncan from the Department of Law and Searali Phalai from the Department of English.

Vice Chancellor Dr Jacob Opadeyi is also expected to give the welcoming remarks. According to UG, the event is expected to be attended by a wide-cross section of society.

Royals saunter into semi-finals

Rajasthan Royals breezed into the Champions League semi-final on Sunday with a nine-wicket win over Perth Scorchers that rarely looked an even contest, and preserved their unbeaten streak in Jaipur this year.

The result also knocks Scorchers out of contention for the semi-finals, meaning no Australian sides remain in the hunt.

Kevon Cooper was the primary architect of Scorchers’ collapse, settling into a fine rhythm early to deliver a number of humming yorkers, two of which yielded scalps. He took four wickets in total and conceded 18 from his four overs, while Pravin Tambe’s canny legspin removed batsmen at the other end. Both he and James Faulkner finished with two wickets apiece.

Half-centuries

With only 121 to chase down, Sanju Samson and Ajinkya Rahane stroked attractive half-centuries to remain unbeaten at the close.

Liam Davis hit 13 runs off the second over of the match, but that was as good as Scorchers’ evening got, as they embarked on a slide that began gradually at first, before reaching its hapless crescendo in the middle overs. Davis and opening partner Ashton Agar departed inside the Powerplay, and though Voges promised a bright innings with three early leg-side boundaries, the batsmen at the other end could not muster sustained competence.

Simon Katich was the recipient of Pravin Tambe’s largesse, when a return catch was dropped in the eighth over, but the batsman could make no use of his second life. Two balls later, he ran past a googly. Hilton Cartwright failed to get bat to a straight Cooper yorker soon after, before Tom Triffitt offered Tambe a return chance the bowler could hold onto this time.

Ashton Turner and Joel Paris were castled by two more yorkers, and somewhere during the collapse Voges had mishit a slower ball to long-on, to top-score with 27.

From 97 for 9, No. 10 Jason Behrendorff managed the kind of batting sense that had evaded the men above him to lift his team to 120.

Behrendorff engineered a tad more hope for Scorchers when he removed Rahul Dravid with the best yorker of the match - a late-swinging beauty - to have Royals 1

for 1, but 120 was always going to be difficult to defend on a pitch two teams had hit 167 on, hours before.

Range, composure

The occasional false stroke punctuated a spate of flowing square strokes off Samson’s blade, but the range and composure in his 42-ball 50 embellished his reputation as a rising prospect.

Rahane was the more circumspect of the two to begin with, but with so few to chase, Scorchers could not transform that reticence into pressure. The pair quickly began matching one another shot for shot, and the last half of the chase was little more than a simple stroll to the finish line.

Royals reached their target with 3.3 overs remaining, and their match with Otago Volts will now determine who finishes atop Group A. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Perth Scorchers innings

L Davis c Cooper b Faulkner 18

A Agar c Malik b Watson 10

S Katich* st †Samson b Tambe 12

A Voges c Faulkner b Cooper 27

H Cartwright lbw b Cooper 5

A Turner b Cooper 11

T Triffitt† c & b Tambe 2

J Paris b Faulkner 2

J Mennie c Binny b Cooper 2

J Behrendorff not out 12

M Beer run out (†Samson) 3

Extras: (b 4, lb 2, w 8, nb 2) 16

Total: (all out, 20 overs) 120

Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-29, 3-62, 4-76, 5-77, 6-80, 7-85, 8-97, 9-97, 10-120

Srinivasan re-elected with tighter grip on BCCI

NSrinivasan was reelected BCCI’s president for another year, as expected, and cemented his hold on the board with the appointment of his allies to key positions.

The other big winner at the BCCI’s 84th annual general meeting in Chennai on Sunday was Ranjib Biswal, the Odisha Cricket Association president, who was named the new chairman of the IPL governing council

Srinivasan had been under pressure for the past few days, after his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan was chargesheeted in the IPL corruption scandal, and there had been question marks over his immediate future following the Supreme Court directive to him to stay away from the job, should he win, till he is cleared by it.

However, events in Chennai sent out the unambiguous message that he remained as powerful as ever.

Unopposed

“I have won unopposed but I am not taking charge,” Srinivasan told IANS. “I have asked the new office bearers to take charge. I am awaiting the Supreme Court order. There are a lot of things on me now.”

New vice-president Rajiv Shukla sounded more triumphant. “Everybody was elected unopposed,” he said. “Mr Srinivasan chaired the meeting.

The meeting had to take place with the head (who is the new president). It’s not contempt of court. He will only take charge after the fresh Supreme Court guidelines.”

The daily work will be handled by Srinivasan’s close aide, Sanjay Patel, confirmed today as secretary, a post he had been handling on an interim basis since the IPL scandal broke out in June. The job had so far been assigned to Jagmohan Dalmiya but Patel’s ascension to a permanent role makes him eligible for this position.

Constitution

Bowling: A Menaria 2-0-110, V Malik 2-0-22-0, J Faulkner 4-0-16-2, S Watson 3-0-231, S Binny 1-0-7-0, P Tambe 4-0-17-2, K Cooper 4-0-18-4

Rajasthan Royals innings R Dravid* b Behrendorff 0

A Rahane not out 62

S Samson† not out 50

Extras: (lb 1, w 8) 9

Total: (1 wckt, 16.3 overs) 121

Fall of wickets: 1-1

Bowling: J Behrendorff 4-028-1, J Paris 4-0-28-0, J Mennie 2.3-0-22-0, M Beer

4-0-26-0, H Cartwright 1-010-0, A Agar 1-0-6-0

tumultuous phase not only for Srinivasan but for Indian cricket as well.

While all the major posts in BCCI - secretary Patel, treasurer Anirudh Chaudhary and joint secretary Anurag Thakur - went to those from the Srinivasan lobby, key personnel from each of the six south zone units were handed an influential position. Anil Kumble (Karnataka) and Shivlal Yadav (Hyderabad) retained their positions as technical committee chairman and vice-president, respectively; G Ganga Raju (Andhra) was appointed the finance committee chairman, TC Mathew (Kerala) replaced Biswal as the NCA board chairman, while Vinod Phadke (Goa) will be heading the media committee for the next year.

Dissenting voices

Srinivasan’s re-election came about via the amendment to the BCCI constitution that required any challenger to the presidential post to be supported from the incumbent’s zone - south zone, in Srinivasan’s case.

Once he had managed to get all of the BCCI’s six southern units on his side, his election was all but certain and he was the only candidate to have filed his papers on Saturday. After that, it was a matter of pleasing all his supporters who had stood beside him during what has been a

The BCCI has traditionally followed a system of appeasing all of its chief’s favourites. However, most of its earlier regimes, including the first two years of Srinivasan, have seen even dissenting voices being accommodated to a certain extent.

However, the manner in which Srinivasan has managed to get rid of all those who have opposed him or the board’s functioning during his rule underlines his reputation of being a shrewd operator.

Right from Jyotiraditya Scindia, one of the youngest federal ministers, to Niranjan Shah, who has been involved in the BCCI for four decades to Vidarbha’s Sudhir Dabir who was the central zone vice-president, Srinivasan has sidelined all those who

had given a hint of opposing him.

The BCCI structure in itself allows the four principal office bearers - president, secretary, joint secretary and treasurer - to dictate terms.

However, Srinivasan ensured that the likes of Shah and Dabir, who were closer to the opposing Sharad PawarShashank Manohar faction than him, were replaced as vice-presidents despite the post not holding much significance in the BCCI structure.

“As per the constitution, the board has conducted the AGM,” Shah said. “Srinivasan chaired it. It is part of the democratic process. It’s all about majority. I hold no grudge against anyone. It’s not necessary [for a vice-president to seek re-election].”

Credibility

With the credibility of the IPL at stake and the next edition likely to clash with union elections, it was a challenge for Srinivasan to rope in an IPL chairman who could understand the game as well as deal with politicians.

Besides being in Srinivasan’s good books, Biswal, a former MP and a former India Under-19 captain, fits the bill on both the counts. Through Kumble, Srinivasan also managed to rope in former great Gundappa Viswanath on the IPL governing council to lend it more credibility from the fans’ perspective.

Thanks to the court rider, the contentious issues, including dealing with the government’s double-taxation policy and India’s South Africa tour, were not even touched upon formally in the minutes.

Suarez lifts Liverpool into second

Luis Suarez marked his Premier League return with two goals as Liverpool beat Sunderland to go second in the table on Sunday.

Playing in the league for the first time since 21 April after a 10-match ban for biting, Suarez twice tapped in after being set up by Daniel Sturridge.

Sturridge put Liverpool ahead at the Stadium of Light with a close-range effort that appeared to hit his arm.

Emanuele Giaccherini pulled one back for Sunderland in between the Suarez efforts, but the visitors held on.

At 2-1 the Reds would have sat third behind Tottenham on goal difference, but the Uruguayan’s late third lifts them a place higher.

Suarez made his comeback in Liverpool’s League Cup defeat by Manchester United in midweek, but this was his first Premier League

game of the season - and he formed a lethal partnership with Sturridge.

The pair condemned Sunderland to a fifth defeat of the campaign and, as the only top-flight club without a league win, they remain bottom of the table.

But the Black Cats, under caretaker manager

Kevin Ball’s guidance following the sacking of Paolo Di Canio, showed signs of improvement and had their most shots in a league game (23) since December 2011.

Ball’s men showed predictable energy and desire in the early stages, passing and moving with confidence

and posing a threat going forward.

But for all of their positive play, the hosts lacked pace and cutting edge in the final third and looked vulnerable on the counter-attack.

Suarez threatened with an early drive before Martin

Skrtel’s strike was disallowed for offside after a Steven Gerrard free-kick was parried.

Sunderland replied with a Sebastian Larsson set-piece that struck the bar, but Liverpool’s pressure told when an unmarked Sturridge converted Gerrard’s corner from close range. Replays showed the ball went in off his arm, but the goal was allowed to stand by referee Howard Webb.

It was a blow that silenced the home supporters - and Sunderland’s afternoon took another turn for the worse as Liverpool hit a second.

Sturridge collected Gerrard’s brilliant crossfield pass with a stunning piece of control, eased past Carlos Cuellar and squared for Suarez to roll home a sixth goal in as many Premier League appearances against Sunderland.

The Black Cats worked hard to reduce the deficit

before half-time and Craig Gardner, from what seemed an offside position, had a volley well saved by Simon Mignolet before Adam Johnson fired narrowly over.

Sunderland carried that momentum into the second half as Mignolet spilled Ki sung-Yueng’s drive to Giaccherini for a routine finish.

Liverpool’s earlier fluency was now absent and their opponents almost struck again when a deflected effort from Gardner was tipped to safety.

With Sunderland pressing for an equaliser and Liverpool attempting to secure a third, play became stretched and Jozy Altidore tested Mignolet before Moses, Suarez and Kolo Toure went close.

However, the points were sealed as Suarez led a breakaway, fed Sturridge and then took his return pass to fire into an unguarded net. (BBC Sport)

Otago win after tie in Super Over

Two heroes of the night turned villains then turned heroes again, but Lions’ Quinton de Kock made the last couple of mistakes to facilitate an incredible tie in the Super Over on Sunday.

James Neesham’s Otago emerged winners because they had one boundary more than the Lions did.

De Kock could easily have ended on the winning side. He turned a scratchy innings into a superlative hundred to take the stumbling Lions to 167, and then kept decently for the majority of the chase as Otago struggled. Neesham kept Otago in with big hitting towards the end, even against Sohail Tanvir’s wily bowling. After Neesham’s 25ball 52, it came down to two required off the last ball. Tanvir beat the bat, but a fumble from de Kock allowed Otago the bye to push the game into the Super Over.

Tanvir responded superbly to the call of the

hour, bowling accurate yorkers, but Brendon McCullum charged him to take a yorker on the full and send it over long-off for six to take Otago to a fighting 13. Neesham’s response with the ball wasn’t as good: he kept bowling wide-length balls, and conceded 10 to de Kock off the first two balls. Jean Symes, though, slogged with just three required off three, and holed out.

Falter

Now was de Kock’s turn to falter. He played a drive off the fifth ball hard to deep point, but didn’t run hard enough, and was in no position to capitalise on the fumble in the deep. A couple there would have all but sealed the result in Lions’ favour, but now they had a new batsman needing two to win off the last ball because a tie just wouldn’t do.

Dwaine Pretorious hit a low full toss to deep midwicket, de Kock began to come back for the second, realised

halfway that he wouldn’t be able to make it, and turned back. Brendon McCullum’s throw was accurate, and Pretorious was run out.

De Kock remained unbeaten on the night - in the main match and in the Super Over - but when Twenty20 got to its cruelest - number of boundaries splitting sides that finished even twice - he froze.

That the match even reached the Super Over was due in no small measure to Neesham. He helped Otago smash 64 off the last five off overs, starting with a six that was a cross between a ramp and a paddle off Lonwabo Tsotsobe in the bowler’s final over - the 17th of the match.

Neesham struck two

more sixes through squareleg, both flicks, off Tanvir and Hardus Viljoen, and he slammed a straight six off Tanvir in the final over.

But the Pakistan fast bowler kept Neil Wagner quiet off the last three balls. Tanvir gave away 10 runs in that over and the bye that de Kock missed off the last ball set up the Super Over.

Hero

De Kock was Lions’ hero when they batted, hitting his second T20 century as well as the second hundred of the tournament. De Kock’s hundred was also the sixth overall ton in the Champions League.

The opener batted with a sensibility that hardly comes about in Twenty20

matches. He added 44 for the first wicket with Rassie van der Dussen and another 29 in a second-wicket stand with Temba Bavuma. The Lions, however, floundered after that stand, losing two quick wickets, including that of Alviro Petersen, who was given leg-before off Nick Beard for a first-ball duck.

But the Lions recovered well in the next six overs.

Jean Symes and de Kock added 76 runs in 6.1 overs, with de Kock completing his fifty in the 15th over. He had a reprieve in the same over, when Beard misjudged a catch at deep square leg off Nathan McCullum’s bowling and de Kock made that chance count.

Between the 15th and 18th overs, the pair picked up 13, 21, 18 and 11, pushing the total past the 150run mark. De Kock switched modes and took charge of the hitting, making sure none of the Otago bowlers had a hold on him. He

helped Lions add 70 runs in the last five overs and completed a century, off just 60 balls, in the final over. His 109 off 63 balls included 10 fours and five sixes.

Otago’s chase of a competitive total was stunted by Tsotsobe, who bowled three excellent overs spread over the innings. His first three overs produced the crucial wickets of Brendon McCullum and Ryan ten Doeschate and he conceded only 12 runs. But he couldn’t finish the innings well; his reputation as a slog-over bowler took another hit after Neesham’s charge.

Otago never had a rhythm to their batting, losing wickets just when it looked like they had a settled partnership at the crease. Rutherford and de Boorder added 51 runs for the third wicket but lost their wickets to Imran Tahir holing out while attempting slogs, to leave the team needing 65 off their last five overs. (Cricinfo)

Lions innings H van der Dussen lbw

Judging "travesty" gifts Chavez Jr win over Vera

Carson, CALIFORNIA

– Two weeks after C.J. Ross sent shockwaves through the boxing world with an incomprehensible scorecard, the judges were at it again.

Ross’ even scorecard in the Floyd Mayweather bout on September 14 in Las Vegas caused controversy but ultimately did not factor into the decision. On Saturday, though, the judging impacted the outcome in a negative way.

Gwen Adair (98-92), Carla Caiz (97-93) and Dr Lou Moret (96-94) unanimously called a fight for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr against Bryan Vera, raising boos from the proChavez crowd of 5,206 at the StubHub Center and incensing the Vera camp.

Yahoo Sports scored it

96-94 for Vera, who threw nearly twice as many punches as Chavez and landed 51 more over the course of the 10-round fight.

“The one judge had it 9892, which basically means that Bryan Vera wasn’t even in the fight and they didn’t give him credit for a thing he did,” Vera promoter Artie Pelullo said. “They gave him no credit for the quality of the fight that he had. It’s like he didn’t exist. It’s unbelievable. I told the commissioner [Andy Foster, of the California State Athletic Commission], ‘A judge in Nevada lost her job for doing this kind of thing.’ 98-92? 9793? What are you watching?”

Chavez, whose face was marked up and whose right hand was badly swollen after the fight, complained that Vera fought a dirty fight. He

said Vera was head-butting him constantly and hitting him with low blows.

Chavez, who said he thought he broke his right hand, clearly landed the harder punches in the fight and staggered Vera late in the eighth round along the ropes during a frenetic exchange.

“I was very close to knocking him out three times in the fight,” Chavez Jr said. “One of the rounds, he was really hurt and it should have been a 10-8 round.”

The crowd was overwhelmingly in favor of Chavez, roaring loudly whenever he even came close to connecting with a punch. But when the decision was announced, the crowd booed loudly and chanted obscenities.

Ronnie Shields, Vera’s

normally even-tempered trainer, raced from the ring after the bout. He said, “I’ve seen some bad [decisions], and that one is right up there. Every one of these [expletive] judges needs to [expletive] retire.”

Shields said Vera executed his game plan perfectly and clearly outworked Chavez. He said he thought Vera just had to make sure he wasn’t knocked out in the final round.

When he heard the scores, he was in disbelief.

“Come on, man!” Shields said. “Bryan won at least seven rounds. I think you can see eight rounds for him, but at least seven. This is [expletive]. Bryan fought a heavyweight in there tonight. Look how big this guy was and Bryan did a great job.”

Chavez weighed 172.4 at Friday’s weigh-in and appeared close to 190 pounds by the time the fight started. He declined HBO’s request to be weighed in the locker room before the bout, as most fighters routinely do.

Chavez used a lot of lateral movement, and a sharp left hook. His weight advantage didn’t seem to bother Vera, who steadily moved forward despite Chavez’s massive edge in size.

Vera wasn’t able to hurt Chavez, but he was able to consistently hit him with clean shots.

But Chavez was the bigger star with the far bigger name and, sadly, that determines the outcome more than what goes on in the ring in fights these days.

(Yahoo! Sport)

Marquez beats Lorenzo for Aragon win

Marc Marquez moved closer to winning the championship in his rookie season by clinching the Aragon Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Spaniard, 20, started on pole but soon lost the lead to compatriot and title rival Jorge Lorenzo.

But Marquez again showed his pace to reclaim the front - leaving Lorenzo to settle for second - and stretch his championship lead to 39 points.

Six-time champion Valentino Rossi was third and Briton Cal Crutchlow sixth, but Dani Pedrosa crashed out.

The slightest of contact between Pedrosa and his team-mate Marquez with 18 laps to go damaged the former’s traction control on his Honda, causing it to flip over. Race direction later confirmed the crash is under investigation.

Marc Marquez

“I’m sorry for that - it’s something very unusual to see,” said Marquez. “The important thing is that Dani is OK.

The crash dealt a significant blow to Pedrosa’s title hopes. Marquez is on 278 championship points to Lorenzo’s 239, while Pedrosa is third but now 59 points off the top of the standings with four races left.

Alvaro Bautista finished fourth after being edged out by Rossi late on while Stefan Bradl took fifth.

Lorenzo went into Sunday’s race knowing wins were needed to maintain a title challenge in the remaining grands prix.

He started well, stealing first place from Marquez before opening up a bikelength gap from the rest of the pack - and it looked as if the tussle between Marquez and Pedrosa behind him could work in his favour.

A brave, sweeping manoeuvre saw Pedrosa pass his team-mate into second early on and that appeared to set things up for a thrilling battle on the circuit and in the title race.

However, with 18 laps to go, Pedrosa high-sided his bike when coming out of a

Macaw dethrone Toucan in NA Multilateral inter-house c/ships

Macaw House dethroned defending champions

Toucan House at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School annual Inter-House track and field championships on Friday at the Reliance Community Centre in East Canje.

Macaw House, with 365 points, led the standings with Eagle House being their closest rival on 322 points. Pheasant House was third on 268, ahead of the defending champions on 209 points. Toucan finished ahead of Spurwing House, who ended in the cellar on 136 points.

Top athlete Quifa Arthur won the U-20 ladies 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m events. Her Macaw House teammate Joven Wright was also the champion male U-20 athlete, winning the 100, and 800m events, along with the shot put and javelin; he placed third in third discus event.

The male U-16 champion is Ryan Bramble, who won the 100m, 200m, 400m and the long jump. Godfrey

Howard, who participated in the same events, placed second in all of them. The female U-16 champion was Anieola Bowman who won the 100m, 200m and 400m events, along with the long jump. Juel Johosen, who participated in the same events, came second in all of them.

The female U-14 champion Alliyah Elexey won the 100m, 200m and 400m events. After making it easy in the 200m to put Towanna Newton into second place, she came back strong in the 100m but could not cross the finish line first. In the 400 she was a distant second. Garfield Benjamin who won the 100m, 200m and long jump was the boys U-14 champion athlete.

The U-18 champion girl was Shanotta Gladson who won the 100m, 200m, and 800m events; she and was fourth in the 400mrs event.

The highly-anticipated teachers’ 100m was won by Colin Bowery while Juanita Benjamin won on the distaff side. (Andrew Carmichael)

Wilson Kipsang sets new world marathon record

Kenyan Wilson Kipsang broke the marathon world record by 15 seconds as he claimed the Berlin title on Sunday.

corner, sending him tumbling across the track.

With Pedrosa out of contention, Marquez could focus on Lorenzo and he chipped away at his advantage before moving back in front with 10 laps to go - and he stayed there.

That left the battle for third as the most intriguing, with Bradl and Rossi exchanging places before the latter eventually got the better of the German to claim his fifth podium of the season.

In the Moto2 race, Nicolas Terol led a Spanish one-two-three for his second win of the season.

Esteve Rabat finished second with Pol Espargaro third while championship leader Scott Redding finished fourth.

It was enough for the Briton to maintain his lead but Espargaro cut his advantage to 20 points.

Finally, Spain’s Alex Rins won the Moto3 race ahead of compatriots Maverick Vinales and Alex Marquez. (BBC Sport)

The 31-year-old clocked a time of two hours three minutes 23 seconds to better the previous mark set by compatriot Patrick Makau two years ago.

That was also in the German capital, when Makau ran 2:03:38.

Fellow Kenyans Eliud Kipchoge (2:04:05) and Geoffrey Kipsang (2:06:26) finished second and third respectively in this year’s marathon.

Makau was not competing in the event after withdrawing two weeks ago with a knee injury.

Having trained specifically for breaking the world record in Berlin, Wilson Kipsang took control of the race in the final 10km, breaking away from the leading pack as the tempo dropped.

“I’m very happy that I have won and broken the world record,” Kipsang said.

“I was really inspired by [fellow Kenyan] Paul Tergat when he broke the world re-

Wilson Kipsang

cord here 10 years ago and I’m very happy that I was in a position to break the record on the same course.”

His victory takes his total marathon wins to seven since competing in his first in Paris three years ago.

Kipsang won the London marathon last year and also claimed bronze in the marathon at last year’s Olympic Games.

The Berlin win was his first marathon victory this year. Despite being among the favourites, he only managed to finish fifth in the London event in April. (BBC Sport)

Pepsi Inter-County 50-Over Final...

Demerara and Berbice play to exciting draw

…declared joint winners

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Defending champi-

ons, Demerara and Berbice played to a pulsating draw in the Pepsi Inter-County 50-over final at the Albion Community Centre ground on Sunday.

By virtue of the tie, the teams were declared joint winners and will share the $100,000 first prize.

Set a revised target of 151 for victory, Demerara finished on 150 for 9 when the innings came to a close.

Requiring 13 off the last over, Demerara’s last pair of Paul Wintz and Andre Stoll scored 10 runs off the first five balls. Needing three runs for victory, Stoll drove pacer Keon Joseph to the long on boundary, but a fumble by Jonathan Foo allowed the batsmen a second run that resulted in the tied score.

Meanwhile, early morning showers prevented play until 13:30h, reducing the game to 25 overs. However, another rain break during the Berbice innings further reduced the contest to a 20 overs.

Opener Anthony D’Anadrade topscored for Berbice with a 46-ball 39 that was studded with four boundaries, while Sewnarine Chattergoon made 36, inclusive of five boundaries.

Jonathan Foo contributed 23 to the team’s total.

Berbice openers Chattergoon and D’Anadrade led from the front with a partnership of 73 runs off 12.1 overs, before both were dismissed in quick succession by off-spinner Steven Jacobs (2-25).

The aggressive Foo slammed three four and a

Berbice openers Sewnarine Chattergoon (striker) and Anthony D’Anadrade put on a solid opening partnership

six in his 35-run partnership with Devon Clements, who finished unbeaten on 14. Medium-pacer Christopher Barnwell was the other Demerara bowler to pick up a wicket.

In their run chase, Demerara lost openers Trevon Griffith (19) and Robin Bacchus (20) after brief cameos within the first six overs to spinners Krishndat Ramoo and Clements.

Demerara fell to 64-4 with the dismissals of Shemroy Barrington (3) and Rajendra Chandrika (13).

Ramoo then picked up another wicket to finish with 2-24, while leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo claimed the wickets of Chandrika and Barnwell (18) within his first two overs. This further undermined the Demerara innings as their batsmen found it difficult to get away the bowlers.

Steven Jacobs scored a brisk 33 off 19 balls, which included three fours and a six. Jacobs’ wicket was key

to Berbice wresting the initiative at that point, since the advantage was in favour of the home side and the visitors needed 42 runs off 28 deliveries.

Zaheer Mohamed was bowled by Bishoo for seven, while Eon Hooper removed Derwin Christian (13) and Shaquille Williams (10).

Wintz and Stoll then kept a level head to see Demerara retain their title with the tie.

Bishoo, who was later adjudged Man-of-theMatch, was the best bowler on show with figures of 4-32 off his four overs. Ramoo and Hooper claimed two wickets apiece while Clements had one.

SCOREBOARD

Berbice innings

S Chattergoon b Jacobs 36

A D’Andrade c Wintz b Jacobs 39

D Clements not out 14

J Foo c Wintz b Barnwell 23

Extras: (nb-1, w-8, lb-6, b-3) 18

Total: (for three wickets; 20 overs) 131

Fall of wickets: 1-73, 2-96, 3-131

Bowlers: Stoll 3-0-30-0 (w2, nb-1), Wintz 3-0-230 (w-4), Barnwell 3-0-23-1 (w-2), Williams 5-0-24-0 (w1), Jacobs 5-0-25-2 (w-1), Mohamed 1-0-6-0

Demerara innings

T Griffith c Ivan B Ramoo 19

R Bacchus c Foo b Clements 20

R Chandrika stump Bramble

Ambrose was the best, says Williams

AHMEDABAD, IndiaDavid Williams, the former West Indies wicketkeeper, might not have enjoyed massive success in his playing days, but has solidly established himself as the most successful coach of Trinidad and Tobago.

Williams had 42 victims in 11 Tests and 45 in 36 One-Day Internationals during an international career that spanned 10 years, taking relentless pressure in his short stride.

In a candid chat with Wisden India, Williams goes down memory lane as he talks about his stint with the West Indian side, and talks at length about where cricket in the Caribbean is headed.

Legends

b Bishoo 13

S Barrington c Bishoo b Ramoo 3

C Barnwell c Chattergoon b Bishoo 18

S Jacobs c Shepherd-Dejonge 33

D Christian c Foo b Hooper 13

Z Mohamed b Bishoo 7

S Williams c Clements b Hooper 10

P Wintz not out 7

A Stoll not out 3

Extras: (b-2) 2

Total: (for nine wickets; 20 overs) 150 Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-40, 3-53, 4-64, 5-8, 6-109, 7-120, 8-132, 9-138 Bowlers: Joseph 3-0-290, Hooper 4-0-33-2, Ramoo 4-0-24-2, Clements 4-0-18-1, Bishoo 4-0-32-4, Ivan 1-0-14-0

Johnson, Fernandes win Marian Academy titles

Tline to win the event well ahead of his competitors in a time of 5:46.25s to take the title and trophy. Taylor Fernandes, out of form four, crossed the line in 6:52.6s to win the female ver-

sion of the event, breaking the female record as well. Meanwhile, the event was deemed a success by the head Physical Education teacher and sports coordinator, Chris Bowman.

You were a part of perhaps the last dominant West Indies side. It must have been quite an experience, sharing the dressing room with several legends.

It was really special. I got to learn a lot when I got into the side in 1988. Viv Richards was the captain, and we had guys like Dessie Haynes, Gordon Greenidge, Jeff Dujon and Gus Logie, those guys are legends. They all treated me like a kid since I was the shortest of the lot and also the youngest.

Just to be around Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh was a different feeling. I learnt so much just being in the same dressing room as these legends and it is one of the reasons I’m a coach now.

I apply whatever I gained from them during my playing days in my coaching role.

Your Test debut was historic, West Indies’ first ever Test against South Africa. Your memories of that game?

I’ve got a lot of good memories. It was our first game against South Africa after their re-admission into international cricket. Apart from the historical significance, the game in Bridgetown unfolded quite well.

We had got ourselves in a tricky situation and were about to lose the match. I think South Africa needed 70-odd runs, they had a lot of wickets in hand — eight wickets if I’m not wrong.

But then Ambrose and Walsh came to the party and pulled off what we considered a miracle. To come from behind and win a match like that was really tremendous.

You kept to some of the greatest fast bowlers the game has seen. Who do you reckon was the best among them?

It’ll be Curtly Ambrose. They are all different in their

ways. Malcolm Marshall was a great bowler too. He had the ability to swing the ball both ways, his control was immaculate.

But Ambrose made good use of his height and put the ball in the right areas more often than not. He always kept me nervous behind the stumps, because you’d have to be guessing which way the ball would move.

Do you think there is enough competition for the wicketkeeper’s slot in the West Indies side now compared to your time?

There is always competition. We’ve had some very good wicketkeepers in the past. (Denesh) Ramdin right now is doing a fantastic job, he is the best. We’ve had competition in the past too.

Courtney Browne and Ridley Jacobs put a lot of pressure on me not just with their keeping but with their ability to bat. These guys were better batters than I was, so it was very tough for me.

But I’ve always worked hard and given my best for West Indies. Over the years, I’ve seen that in every team, one needs a ’keeper who can score runs on a regular basis.

World Cup and CPL

After the World Twenty20 victory in 2012, it was believed that West Indies would be back on track, but the side seems to have stagnated. What is the reason for that?

We did play quite well in Tests after World T20, though it was against weaker sides like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. But we are in a situation where we love T20 cricket.

West Indies is a passionate place, we love our cricket, we love excitement, and we love to make people happy.

In Twenty20 cricket, we’ll always do well because of the spirit we possess. In the fourday or five-day scenario, it takes a little bit of time to settle down and bat for long.

But all in all, our cricket looks good. I think Ottis Gibson (the national coach) has done a fantastic job so far to try and get the team to this stage. Kudos to him for what he has done.

I’ve been a part of it as well. I think we are on an upward curve and have some young players that are coming through, so that’s going to carry West Indies cricket further.

If you look at the other teams, they’ve got guys who are aging out. We still have a lot of young talent who can carry the mantle. (First published by Wisden India)

Pepsi Inter-County 50-Over Final...

Demerara and Berbice play to exciting draw

…declared joint winners

Schools championships set for November …format likely to be changed for 2014/2015 season

After about a month of deliberations between the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and Ministry of Education, the national Schools Track & Field, Cycling and Swimming Championships will be held in November but it is likely there will be a change in the format next year.

The MoE had expressed concern about the time students and athletes spend out of school during the first term (Christmas Term) and had proposed that the championship, which is the culmination of Inter-House, Schools and Zones meets, be moved to some time early next year.

According to a source in the GTU, the move should have been made this but some members of the body expressed their skepticism with the arrangement, especially since it was at such short no-

tice. However, after a meeting last Thursday evening, it was noted

that the event will go ahead as normal until the 2014/2015 season.

Speaking with president of the GTU Colin Bynoe, he confirmed that the meet is on for November, stating “Nationals is on and we starting our preparations. Within the next week everyone will be briefed to when the dates will be.”

Bynoe and GTU are awaiting an official announcement from Chief Education Officer (CEO) of the MoE Olato Sam.

Meanwhile when this publication contacted Sam on Friday he stated, “Well maybe the decision has been made but I wasn’t a part of it so I would not be able to say anything on it.”

Further, news reaching this publication from a source, indicated that the GTU will be having their annual conference and general meeting during the same period the ministry is proposing for 2014/2015 championships.

(Treiston Joseph)