Final pdfs

Greenidge knocks “crooked” PNCR

internal elections machinery

Gregory Smith file missing from GDF

Two shot in botched robbery

UGSS urges students to pay increased tuition fees

…but to demand quality education

Seaman accused of robbing, beating estranged “wife” Food processing industry to boom in seven years – Ramsammy Car driver on bail for charge of causing death

wednesday, july 30, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Armed bandits attack Sophia family

Afamily is now living in fear after bandits terrorised several of its members on Saturday evening at their home at B 17 North Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Bhim Singh, 50, claimed that two masked armed men rushed into his home on Saturday around 09:30h, with intentions of robbing his family. He stated that at the time of the incident, his wife, his 17-year-old son, and two grandchildren

were at home. Singh said around 09:30h, after he had just returned from a family function, he heard a scream coming from the lower flat of his home and ran downstairs to investigate when

he came face to face with a bandit. Singh said he jumped on the man, after which they scuffled.

After he separated from his attacker and ran outside, he saw the other bandit holding his wife at

gunpoint. Another scuffle ensued. He stated that the only reason that the assailants did not run off with anything from his home, was because he “was not going to let that happen”. Singh sustained several small injuries after a gunman repeatedly struck him in the head with his weapon.

The injured man stated that he made a report at the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost about 20 minutes after the attackers left his home and made another report at the Kitty Police Station the following day, but since then, no one has shown up to investigate the matter.

Singh claimed that he also related to the Police the identities of persons he suspected were behind the incident, but they failed to deliver on their promise of investigating the matter.

He told Guyana Times that he was fearful for his life and the lives of his family members as he thinks the bandits will strike again.

Singh believes he is a target for robbers because of his field of business, which he declined to identify. He stated that he had applied for a firearm licence since 2012 and had been approved by then Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell. He stated that he was later sent to the Brickdam Police Station to fill out a processing form, which the station later claimed to have misplaced.

He stated that he has since been given the “runaround” with no direct information. He said if he had a firearm in his possession, he would have been able to better protect his family.

Teen killed in hitand-run accident

Police are investigating a hit-and-run fatal accident that occurred on the Number 66 Public Road, Corentyne Berbice early Tuesday morning.

Dead is Haresh Roth of Number 69 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. According to Roth’s uncle, Annand, the 18-year-old was last seen on Monday evening when he left to purchase something in the village.

The grieving uncle related to this publication that it was unusual for Roth to leave his Number 69 Village and venture to other villages. The uncle related that he was on his way to the

Number 66 Fishery when he heard about and accident.

“I stop at the scene, then me realise was me nephew, me see his whole face is blood and his shirt like it tie up his neck and his pants was down by his foot.” He disclosed that the family believes foul play was a factor in Roth’s death. He is pleading for justice and for the Police to fast-track their investigation in order to bring closure to the case.

Annand noted that the incident has left the family traumatised and very sad as it brought back memories of the passing of Roth’s parents, Walter and Hemwattie, who died 11 and 10 years ago respectively.

Roth was a former student of the Number 68 Village Primary School and was described as helpful and kind. He leaves to mourn his four siblings aged 33, 27, 23 and 14 along with his uncle.

Meanwhile, the family is in dire need of assistance to offset expenses for Roth’s funeral and wake as they cannot afford it. Persons desirous of assisting the family are asked to contact Annand on telephone 3384576. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

WEATHER: Thundery showers can be expected during the day with heavy rain showers in the late afternoon hours. Thundery showers are expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East north-easterly between zero and 3.57 metres per second.

High Tides: 06:20h and 18:39h reaching maximum heights of 2.63 metres and 2.57 metres respectively.

Low Tides: 12:15h reaching a minimum height of 0.61 metre.

Greenidge knocks “crooked” PNCR internal elections machinery

By Jomo Paul

eople’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Executive Member and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Finance Minister

Carl Greenidge said the PNCR should reform its “crooked” internal electoral process with modifications to its electoral staff.

Greenidge said he did not believe that the electoral machine was welloiled to deliver free and fair elections, but insisted that the structure that was established under the Linden Forbes Burnham PNC Administration was still there and should be adhered to.

According to Greenidge, there was a major issue with the persons installed to overlook the process and they should be held responsible for failed or rigged elections. The PNCR’s 18th Biennial Congress which was held over the weekend was marred by accusations of vote rigging, "list padding", protests by Lindeners, resignations, and a gunshot that was fired to quell a tense crowd.

PNC stalwart Aubrey Norton had withdrawn from the race for the leadership of the party, citing serious “flaws” in the process. He told Guyana Times that he cannot be part of a process that is flawed.

Greenidge also told this publication in an interview that as a result of the poor display at the Congress, the populace now has the impression that the PNC

is unable to successfully organise its internal elections, but this was not the case. Greenidge said he believes that the party has the infrastructural capacity to deliver well-organised elections that are void of allegations of corruption.

Personnel issue

When questioned by Guyana Times as to whether PNCR General Secretary Oscar Clarke should be culpable for the outcome of the Congress, Greenidge said he would not comment on that aspect of the situation. On Sunday out of disgust, Greenidge had called for the long-standing General Secretary to be sacked. Despite his initial reluctance, Greenidge said: “If you don’t have a good electoral machinery and that is happening, then you need to look at the personnel... it is a very straightforward process.”

He said it may be a case where the people who were appointed were not com-

pletely cognisant of their responsibilities to deliver transparent elections. He said such an occurrence only came to the fore in the last three Congresses, during which there were widespread allegations of wrongdoing with fingers being pointed at each incumbent leader.

“These things were not common when I was a minister under Burnham.... we must not operate that way, there are rules and they need to be clearly followed,” the Shadow Finance Minister argued.

Voting privileges

Responding to questions about the alleged unavailability of lists, Greenidge said he believes there should have been a cut-off point in the collection of names of delegates for the Congress. “But this was not done hence the ensuing confusion over voting privileges at the 18th Congress.

“I don’t have time for these complicated explanations as to why Mr Sharma queried his lists,” Greenidge stated. He articulated that had there been a cut-off date there would have been ample time for each person to scrutinise their lists and make the necessary queries without all of the confusion.

“It wasn’t Region 10 alone,” Greenidge said, explaining that other regions were also affected. It was explained that Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon would have provided a list to the Accreditation Committee, but later provided another

list with names that were not on the previous list. This had served to slow down the process of verification.

But, PNCR Vice Chairperson Volda Lawrence had said that with respect to the “lists” of delegates provided by Solomon, the General Secretary and the Committee had met with him to iron out some issues but to no avail. “He was supposed to go and look back at some of the persons that he had listed there given the information the General Secretary provided. They were making changes all the time,” said Lawrence.

She said both Aubrey Norton and Solomon had preapproved the final list on Saturday evening.

“With regard to Mr Norton and the new list, Mr Norton brought the list, he asked a few questions, they were answered, then he himself concluded that he wouldn’t worry about Region 10 ... to hear all of these things, it is rather strange.”

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, letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Disproportionate force

Yesterday, as Muslims across the world celebrated Eid, as a day of peace and reflection, the carnage in Gaza continued unabated. While Palestinians are both Christians and Muslims, it is generally the Muslim nations that have provided the bulk of support to the embattled Palestinian nation.

Guyana, to its credit, has condemned the Israeli onslaught, along with Brazil and India which have recently spoken out against Israel’s use of “Disproportionate Force”.

In international humanitarian law, the harm caused to civilians or civilian property must be proportional and not excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated by an attack on a military objective.

One clause explicitly, states: “Intentionally launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects or widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipate.”

While the answer in the case of Gaza might appear clear cut, that Israel has gone too far in its offensive against Hamas rockets in the Gaza Strip, international legal experts are divided over where the right to self-defence ends and when the use of force becomes disproportionate.

The war in Gaza is not just about military and political goals. In the face of the mounting death toll, questions of proportionality and international law have been raised. When and to what extent can Israel defend itself against rocket attacks launched by Hamas? Is the ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip by Israel a grave violation of human rights?

The UN Human Rights Council believes so. On Wednesday, the body sharply condemned the military offensive in Gaza and called for an investigation into whether or not Israel has committed “war crimes”. But Israeli UN Ambassador Eviatar Manor has rejected these accusations.

Every state has the right to defend itself, Manor said, and Israel is doing everything it can to avoid civilian casualties. The diplomat accused Hamas of committing war crimes. While all states would agree that Israel has the right to defend itself, the question of “proportionality” will not be brushed aside.

Experts therefore disagree on the legality of the war, which has killed 700 Palestinians but just 34 Israelis. Some cite the aforementioned right of states to respond to attacks. Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, states do not need permission to exercise the use of force if it’s done in selfdefence. But the riposte is that Israel should have consulted the UN Security Council after the fighting began. And in any case it violated international humanitarian law by waging a war against a civilian population.

It is also difficult to judge whether the strategy of Hamas to rain missiles against Israel is compatible with international law, since the Islamist group operates out of residential areas. According to Israeli UN Ambassador Manor, Hamas fires rockets from Palestinian schools, hospitals and apartment buildings. If Israel attacks rocket launchers in those locations, civilian casualties are hardly avoidable, he said.

This implies that Hamas is wilfully risking the lives of Palestinian civilians. But the evidence on the ground is that Palestinians who are killed are far out of proportion to Israelis.

It’s unclear whether either side will ever have to justify its actions before an international tribunal. According to experts, both state and non-state actors such as Hamas must answer for war crimes. But national courts have jurisdiction first. International tribunals would not have any responsibility, because neither Israel nor Hamas have recognised their jurisdiction.

The UN Security Council can initiate a case at the International Criminal Court in The Hague against a state that has not signed the treaty. However, in the end, it is the US that is backstopping Israel almost totally, and the world has to convince that country to be more evenhanded.

UNDP’s Guyana report shows improved human development

Dear Editor,

I was so disappointed to read a headline in another section of the press: “Despite eight years of consecutive growth… Guyana lags behind LatAm, Caribbean in human development”. The headline was disappointing primarily because it made clear its unpatriotic and biased disdain for anything that shows progress in Guyana.

I looked at several newscasts which showed clips of the Minister making the point that Guyana is not exactly where it should be in comparison to the Region, but the Human Development Index (HDI) needs to be looked at within the context of Guyana’s history.

The numbers indicate that in 1980, Guyana’s HDI was relative to its regional counterparts at 0.516 but by 1990, that number fell to .505. Guyana’s HDI was among the lowest in the

Region while our counterparts were continuing their upward climb!

When the current administration took office, it inherited the lowest levels of life expectancy, education, gender equality, access to health care, etc. By 1992, the PPP Government had to essentially put Guyana on a road that was long and successfully travelled by its regional countries. When we were now starting the race to a high HDI, countries like Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica were years ahead of us.

So when one section of the press is going to run the headline it did, it begs the question, why do their reporters not understand how to interpret and analyse data? Or is it just that the editors are malicious and unpatriotic, who want to project Guyana as such a poor, non-progressive country?

How can a newspaper in

good conscience write about the lack of investor confidence, when it is damaging the image of Guyana!

One newspaper has a clear trend of promoting everything that is unhealthy for Guyana. Not only does it attack large-scale projects that are intended to benefit the country such as the Marriott Hotel, Specialty Hospital, CJIA expansion and Amaila Falls Hydro Projects, but it also serves as the vehicle to attack our professional workforce that is essential to the development of Guyana.

This newspaper needs to act responsibly and recognise that it shares the moral and ethical responsibility to the people of Guyana, like all patriotic Guyanese, to contribute to our nation’s development. It is not just the responsibility of Government to promote and develop Guyana, it is every citizen’s responsibility.

I am not suggesting that

they pretend that everything is fine and dandy with Government or Guyana and to err in their duty to report on the news. But when there is good news, when there is positive news, let’s put aside our political differences and biases and celebrate our victories as a united Guyana.

Guyana did well in the Human Development Report. Our growth, for the year when compared to other regional countries was actually higher than most. We have more gender equality, more educated citizens, a higher life expectancy and a booming economy compared to previous years. There is still work to be done, but there is much to celebrate and to be proud of given our damaged history.

Sincerely,

Richard Paul

We are being bamboozled by a no-confidence motion

Dear Editor,

The whole sordid affair that took place over the weekend at the PNCR Congress serves as a reminder that our political leaders are failing the people and are afraid to embrace the tenets of what true democracy is all about.

How else could one describe the internal jiggerypokery and shenanigans to subvert a democratic

process that took place at Congress Place or the ruling Government’s brazen unwillingness to call a date for crucial democratic local government elections?

Now we are being bamboozled and distracted by a “No-Confidence” motion. This is supposed to be the panacea for all our troubles; go to general elections and elect from the same crop of politicians.

Well, I personally want to see local government elections conducted before any talk of general elections. I want to see the same vigor that our Opposition is leading the charge for a no-confidence motion applied to the call for local government elections.

Local government elections give the people of Guyana the best chance

to start taking ownership of their communities and what matters most to them. The local level is closer to home for citizens and the consequence of effective local governance has a sharper impact on their survival and prosperity. Call local government elections now!

Sincerely, Michael Leonard

Eid celebrated in New York

Dear Editor,

Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with fervour and tradition on Monday morning in New York by the large Guyanese Muslim population. There were prayers, feasts and charitable contributions to the less fortunate.

Muslims gathered at mosques early on Monday morning all dressed up in traditional garb for prayer. The mosques in Richmond Hill were packed to capacity with worshippers overflowing onto the sidewalks.

Eid is not a public holiday but is accorded official city recognition resulting in cancellation of parking regulations for Monday and Tuesday and Muslim students are excused from attendance in school. In the neighbourhoods where Indo-Guyanese Muslims are settled, businesses were decorated with greeneries, crescent moon, trimmings, colourful lights and huge signs of Eid greetings.

The Eid festivities culminated the end of the pious observance of Ramadan (called Rojah in the Caribbean and parts of India). During the holy month (June 27 through July 28), Muslims were seen flocking to their masjids or jamaats at dusk for prayers and the breaking of the fast.

And one could have heard the azan over the microphone during the day and every evening from half a mile away alert-

ing Muslims that it was the time for prayers or the breaking of the fast. In Richmond Hill, people attired in simple conservative Islamic garb crowded the masjids in congregations for night prayers that normally ended around 21:00h.

Fasting is celebrated as a token of appreciation to Allah, God Almighty. The fast was usually broken after prayers with the consumption of dates and a meal. Eid is a thanksgiving for a great reward that God has promised to distribute to faithful servants.

The Guyanese Muslim Diaspora in NY is a very tight-knit community observing all Islamic festivals. Each ethnic community (Bangla, Pakistaini, Indian, Arab, etc) has its own masjid in NY with people preferring to patronise their own masjid. Guyanese usually coming together to observe festivals like Rojah and Eid zealously observe them as they do in Guyana. The community has been steadily growing in Richmond Hill, with worshippers overflowing from the masjid onto the streets for Eid; masjids are steadily expanding to accommodate the rapidly rising population.

For Eid, the masjids were beautifully decorated with colourful lights, trimmings and crescent moons and they were packed with worshippers during dusk for the breaking of the fast as well as for Eid cel-

ebration. Homes were also brightly decorated with green trimmings, crescents and other blinking lights.

For Eid, people put on their best, fanciful and most colourful traditional clothing (shalwar, kurtha, Nehru jackets, shirwani, etc) and took the day off from work as it is not an official holiday. Muslimowned businesses, including medical offices, corner stores, and halal shops, were closed to celebrate the holiday on Monday.

It is an annual rite for the Muslim community to contract theme parks for a fun day of recreation for children. Many host lunch and dinners inviting friends, neighbours and relatives. During the day, people feasted on a variety of cuisine (gulab jamun, vermicelli, sirni and other mithai).

As in Guyana, it is a tradition to distribute sawine to neighbours, friends and relatives. To accommodate the throngs of people, tents were constructed outside of the masjids and some communities contracted catering halls for the occasion. During the course of the day, Qawalis and qaseedas were aired on the TV in recognition of the festival.

The West Indian Radio Station also broadcast live Bollywood Islamic religious songs. Muslims had a most joyful time. Belated Eid Mubharak Ho!

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Private security companies must be held accountable

Dear Editor,

The recent stabbing to death of two young transgender persons on the streets of Georgetown has raised several important issues which I think all Guyanese should be concerned about.

I write specifically with regard to the role of the private security firm, whose vehicle and staff members were on the scene at the time of the incident.

Numerous eyewitnesses reported that security officers, in a marked vehicle, picked up the confessed murderer after he threw gasoline on several sex workers in an attempt to set them on fire.

They then took him away from that scene to another location where he then attacked and killed the two other individuals. This is extremely troubling to me because it reveals a significant problem in the way private security companies operate in Guyana.

Private security forces are widespread in Guyana; as a matter of fact – in

some communities, these private companies have more of a presence than the Police! However, unless I’m wrong, is the Guyana Police Force not the body to which all crimes have to be reported? Why then, did the security officers not take the murderer, immediately to the Brickdam Police Station?

It was clearly stated to them that this individual had attacked several people on the streets of Georgetown.

In addition, eyewitnesses report that he continued to attempt to attack persons with a knife while inside the security vehicle, in the presence of other staff.

Obviously this was an individual determined to do harm. So I repeat my question – why did the security officers not take this obviously violent and dangerous individual directly to the Brickdam Police Station?

Does the mandate of these private security companies allow them to overrule the basic law en-

The UGSS President acted ultra vires

Dear Editor,

The UGSS President acted ultra vires (beyond [the scope of his] power) in representing the students on the fee increase issue. The impending tuition fees increase is arguably the biggest issue any UGSS President has ever encountered in the past 20 years.

As President of the UGSS, Richard Rambarran was the point man for the UG Administration in the consultations with the student body prior to June 24. In this regard, the UG Administration represented by Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi was quite in order. After all, Rambarran was a representative of the opinions and interests of the student body, right? Wrong!

On the matter of implementing the increase, Rambarran stood in full support and after all he is the students’ representative. One would be inclined to believe that Rambarran adopted this position after consultations with the entire student body or at the very least the elected members of the UGSS executive council.

After much probing, this student advocate has learned that Rambarran did not put the issue of the increase to a vote in any meeting of the UGSS Executive prior to the date above. How can a student leader let his personal views speak for over 6000 students without the nod of approval from the UGSS Executive? This is beyond my comprehension!

A quick look at the UGSS Constitution, Section 20 (1): will show that the Executive Council (EC) of the Society is vested with the power to conduct the business of the society. It further states that the EC shall be the recognised means of communication between students and the university authorities. The emphasis throughout the constitution on the powers of the Executive Council, outlined at Section 22, should not be taken lightly.

It is notable that every power listed is vested in the Council, not in the President. This means that the UGSS President should not purport to represent the students unless he has the support of the Council. It is submitted that on the issue of tuition fees increases, having acted without the approval of the Council, the President acted ultra vires in representing the interest of the Students Society. Therefore, any consultation and/or opinion expressed by Rambarran should be deemed unconstitutional, thus null and void.

I make specific reference to Rambarran’s interactions with the Vice Chancellor, comments to the media in May, and presentations to the students at the ‘consultations’ held on June 24.

In these three instances, Rambarran was acting irresponsibly because of his failure to consult with students prior to this session, and as a consequence, students will now face a fee increase for which they had no real representation.

Let us take a moment to liken this to something the general populace can relate to – the then acting Foreign Affairs Minister Priya Manickchand’s speech on the occasion of the observance of America’s 238th anniversary.

My first comment to a colleague was that the speech had to have the support of Cabinet. Whatever your thoughts about the timeliness of the speech or diplomatic protocols the fact remains, the Minister spoke for, and on behalf of, the Executive of this country and by extension the people of Guyana.

Her words were authorised by the people of Guyana through the Cabinet, even if they are unpopular in the eyes of people. Therefore, the people of Guyana have to bear the consequences of those words.

Rambarran, on the other hand, had not sought the approval or guidance of the Executive of the Student Society before making representations on its behalf.

The attention of the Administration of the university and by extension the University of Guyana Council Members is called to this matter. I implore the council members to reconsider the recent decision to raise tuition and non-tuition fees and have meaningful student consultation in light of this new revelation.

Sincerely, Glenfield G Dennison Student Advocate University of Guyana

forcement mechanisms of Guyana? Or, was the security firm’s inaction because the individuals getting attacked were transgender and/or sex workers?

I am very concerned about this matter and call upon both the Chief Executive Officer of the security firm in question, as well as Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud for immediate answers.

All citizens of Guyana –including transgender persons and those engaged in sex work – have the right to safety and security.

The citizens of Guyana also need clarity about the role and responsibilities of private security forces – are they free to act with impunity or are they also subject to the same laws and oversight of the Guyana Police Force like everyone else?

Respectfully, Concerned citizen (Name withheld by request)

wednesday, july 30, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Two shot in botched robbery

Two persons are now nursing gunshot wounds to their torsos after a lone gunman Tuesday evening attempted to relieve a woman of her valuables, but failed in his bid.

Bernette Campbell, of 60 West Road, Plaisance who is in her 30s, and 20-yearold Delroy Carr are listed as stable at a city hospital after the shooting.

Guyana Times understand that Campbell boarded a Route 44 Minibus, BRR 4735, at the Plaisance bus park in Georgetown and was followed by the gunman who has since been identified as Sheldon Benjamin, a known criminal of the East Coast Demerara.

Campbell, who was decked out in an array of gold jewellery, explained that she boarded the minibus, but was cognisant that she was being followed. However, it was not until

the gunman who sat in the back of the bus stopped to get out that her worst fears were confirmed.

It was explained that Benjamin exited the bus at ‘Rolex Corner’ along Prince William Street, Plaisance, and as he stepped out, pointed a gun at Campbell ordering her to hand over her jewellery. But Campbell refused and the gunman fired two shots in her direction before proceeding to make good his escape. Campbell was shot twice and one of the bullets passed through her and hit Carr who was sitting adjacent to her in the front of the minibus.

Persons in the area said that Benjamin was a known criminal element and was responsible for several robberies in the area.

Police Crime Chief Leslie James confirmed that the Police have the man on their radar, but he has proven to

Greenidge knocks...

PNCR Chairman Basil Williams had also highlighted that there were no “monumental” modifications to the List of Delegates from Linden.

“There were slight corrections which were based on what Mr Sharma would have queried, so there were no monumental changes on the list. Up to the 11th hour, we were in that room trying to answer questions by Mr Norton or Mr Solomon... they left the room and came downstairs, it was only then that we were informed that

they were not contesting...” said Williams.

Resignations

As a result of the highly flawed elections and accusations of the party being undemocratic, the PNCR now stands to lose one of its stalwarts, Clarissa Riehl. The former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly told reporters on Sunday that she intends to dissociate herself completely from the party. Riehl contends that the party has lost its way under the stewardship of

be elusive.

It was alleged that Benjamin was responsible for a robbery on a senior salesman attached to Edward B Beharry and Company Limited, Mohindra Persaud. On that occasion, the alleged perpetrator managed to escape with $100,000.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, Persaud had made a stop at a shop located in Better Hope, ECD, to deliver chowmein when an unidentified man ran into the shop behind him and discharged a round at the ground.

The shooter then turned to Persaud and shot him to his knee. Despite being injured, Persaud tried to make his way back to the delivery bus, but was pursued by the shooter who then shot him to his head. The shooter then made his escape on a bicycle.

from page 3

David Granger. Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) National Secretary Adel Lilly had also said he would resign as he cited the death of democracy under Granger’s tenure.

Despite all of this, Granger, who was returned as leader, was adamant that the Congress was successful. He said while the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) may have attempted to sabotage the Congress, they had failed.

East Coast businessman shot in robbery

Abusinessman is now nursing a gunshot injury to his right thigh at a city hospital after two armed gunmen invaded his business premises - Ramkissoon Supermarket located alongside the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Public Road, East Coast Demerara Tuesday night.

The crime occurred around 21:00h. The bandits carted off an undisclosed sum of money. According to security guard, Ibrahim Kalamadeen, he was outside of the supermarket when he saw a grey Toyota Premio pull up and two men, dressed in dark- coloured clothing, bulletproof vests and toques and carrying machine guns, exited the vehicle, making their way to the entrance of the supermarket, where he was standing at the time.

“Right now me trembling. All me see is a grey Premio pull up and two man jump out the vehicle. They had on bulletproof vest, black clothes and toques on their heads. Them run out from the vehicle to the door, hold me and throw me into the glass. Me fall down and I beg them and tell them “don’t shoot me”. They say them won’t shoot me and they hold me and carry me inside,” he related.

He noted that it was at this point that the cashier, aware of what was taking place, made an attempt to escape.. “The cashier girl go to make a run out and the one who was standing at the vehicle holler on she and ask she where she going. She run in back into the supermarket, but I run away.

I tell them if they want shoot me, they got to shoot

me outside here not inside and I run away and hide behind the container at the back,” the visibly traumatised man related.

Kalamadeen explained that after he escaped, he was not aware that they had shot the businessman, identified as Ramkissoon also known as “Wood”, and it was not until they had left and he went to check on his boss that he realised that he had been injured since there were droplets of blood where he was sitting. He could not identify any of the men except to say that they were tall, above six feet; medium built, and were of African descent.

Sources at the hospital where the man is currently receiving treatment say that he received injuries only to his right thigh and is in a stable condition.

Rodney CoI hears: Gregory Smith file missing from GDF

By Alexis Rodney

The Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) opened its fourth session on Tuesday with news that the personal file of the alleged assassin William Gregory Smith could not be found.

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick West representing the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) told the tribunal investigating the death of the late academic and historian that Smith’s file could have been destroyed during the massive flood of 2005. The announcement by the GDF comes on the heels of the Guyana Police Force also declaring that a number of critical files from their investigation have gone missing. Both the GDF and the Police Force were highly politicised and controlled by the Forbes Burnham-led PNC Administration during the period before and after Rodney’s killing.

PNCR leaders

Several of the top officers then, including former GDF Commander, Brigadier David Granger and Lieutenant Colonel Joe Harmon are now leaders of the PNCR. The GDF has been tasked with locating files which could determine whether the now dead Smith had been in its employ during the time Dr Rodney was killed. Lieutenant Colonel West told the Commission that while he did not find a Gregory Smith, records indicate that there was a William Smith in the Army during that period.

The Army Sergeant and electronics expert William Gregory Smith, who became an active member of the Force on June 27, 1975, had been accused of handing Dr Walter Rodney a bomb planted in a device, which exploded and caused his death on June 13, 1980.

When news of the explosion spread, fingers pointed at the accused which led investigators to the army. But head of the military body at that time, Major General Norman McLean, had stated that there was no such officer in the Army with that name. However, during his testimony close to two months ago, Mc Lean said that he was later informed by staff that instead of a “Gregory Smith”, there was rather a “William Gregory Smith” with regimental number 4141. According to Mc Lean, the investigation revealed that he was a deserter.

But Colonel West during his testimony said that the investigation, carried out by

staff at the Army’s Personnel Department showed that there was no record of the Sergeant being Struck off Strength (SOS), Absent without leave (AWOL), deserting the Army or ever being dismissed.

In fact, records that he presented to the tribunal included a payroll, an alphabetic numbering ledger and the male numbering ledger all with regimental number 4141 with name William Smith. The records however show that Smith received a salary until June of 1979. However, according to West, that does not mean that Smith had left the Army, it only indicates that the payroll records for the time of Smith’s death could not be found.

West said that if an officer is discharged, a publication is made. He explained that in excess of seven days, the officer’s salary is withheld. If it prolongs for 21 days, he is deemed Absent without Leave (AWOL). In such instance, the officers’ name will be published. However, no record of any such publication for Smith has been found.

Inactive

Mc Lean had told the Commission that Smith was not an active member of the Force and when a photocopied form with regimental number 4141 was presented to him by Counsel for the Commission Glen Hanoman, he concluded it was a cut and paste. Commissioners and legal representatives pressed the Army official for clues surrounding the disappearance of Smith’s personnel file, when his other records are still in place. West said he did not know but could only assume that the 2005 flood may have destroyed some of these files. West, questioned by Hanoman on Army protocols, was asked if it was normal practice for officers working undercover to sport an afro and beard. He respond-

ed in the affirmative.

Former Police Corporal Robert Gates had told the Commission that when he saw Smith a few months before Dr Rodney’s assassination, he had an afro and was heavily bearded.

Further grilled on the issue, West directed Attorney Hanoman to the Army Intelligence Unit, which he said could furnish him with such information. Smith was accused of handing Dr Rodney a walkie-talkie device with a bomb hidden inside. Claims are that Smith was used by the PNC Government to carry out the assassination.

The PNC Government then and the leadership of the party have always denied the allegations, although recently party Leader, David Granger had admitted that the then Government had a right to protect the state from a civil rebellion” which was led by Rodney and the WPA. This protection included the widespread surveillance of political opponents and plots to kill top leaders of the WPA at the time.

Man found dead in Mon Repos yard was sick

The man who was found dead in his Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara yard on Monday is believed to have died as a result of a chronic disease.

Thirty-nine-yearold Raymond Alli, called “Dado”, of Lot 478 Block 8, Mon Repos, was found lying in his yard on Monday afternoon by another resident of the village. According to a relative, the man was suffering from a severe case of tuberculosis; however, he was telling persons that he had leukaemia.

Alli was recently hospitalised and was discharged on Wednesday last. Nurses reportedly informed his father that he would not survive for long. The relative said that since Alli came home from the hospital, his father had been checking up on him to make sure he was fine. The young woman explained that Alli was an only child and lived alone. She further disclosed that due to his illness, he was “in

and out” of the hospital all the time.

According to reports, Alli was last seen alive by the door of his makeshift home around 09:00h on Monday by a resident in the area. His body was then discovered in the unfenced yard later that day.

One neighbour related to Guyana Times that Alli was usually reserved and rarely had visitors. Another

person said he was not stable and used to do odd jobs around the village to earn a living.

Most persons knew that Alli was sick and believed that his sickness was the cause of his death. Alli’s body is at the Lyken Funeral Parlour, awaiting a post-mortem examination. He leaves to mourn his elderly father and other close relatives.

wednesday, july 30, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Eyew tness

In the genes...

...rigging in PNC

It used to be said, Corbin was “the PNC rigger”. But that couldn’t have been so from the beginning, could it??

After all, when the 1968 elections were rigged, Corbin was still in the YSM. It was the Founder-Leader himself, working with his legal chambers associate, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, who pulled off that heist. When journalism classes the world over teach “the rigging of elections” they still pull out that classic effort that the BBC filmed.

From the voters’ list in London, (they had overseas voting then) horses can be seen serenely grazing at identified voters’ addresses – presumably having already cast their ballots. The camera, however, was unable to pick up any ink-stained hooves.

One thing with Burnham as a rigger...he never pulled the same stunt twice when he rigged. The man had imagination. By 1973, he’d moved on to calling in the Army and National Service to stuff ballot boxes. This was when Young Corbin earned his rigging spurs.

In the 1980 elections, dubbed by international observers as “more crooked than barbed wire”, Burnham’s riggers didn’t even bother to remove the rubber bands from the wads of ballots “cast by voters”. Folks didn’t want to be “ballot box martyrs” no mo’. Corbin had earned a graduate degree in rigging by now. By 1985, with Burnham gone to the hereafter, redolent of sulphur, Hoyte gave himself a majority greater than Burnham had ever dared. This was post-graduate stuff for Corbin.

But at the next round in 1992, Hoyte gave away the store and state (as Hamilton Green charged) so when Corbin’s turn came, he couldn’t do a damn thing, excepting marching up and down the streets, creating mayhem.

But hey...when you’ve been rigging for so many years, you can’t be expected to stop cold turkey, just like that, can you? So Corbin then turned to the next available thing – rigging the internal PNC’s election. Hey!!! When a guy’s gotta rig, a guy’s gotta rig!!

Vincent Alexander, long time stalwart of the party, was rigged royally and left, swearing never to cross the bridge to Congress Place again. But stalwarts tutted and said, “Well, you, know it’s that ruffian Corbin. What can you do?? Things will be better when we put that gentleman Granger there.” So no one said anything when Corbin rigged the vote to get Granger in ahead of old stalwart, Greenidge.

So why’s anyone surprised that Granger has now rigged Norton out of his turn?? Didn’t Burnham the rigger begat Hoyte the rigger, who begat Corbin the rigger – and now, Granger the rigger?? It’s in the genes.

...conflict of interest in AFC

The PPP/C’s finally woken up and brought motions in Parliament against AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan and Executive Member Cathy Hughes to be brought before the Privileges Committee for engaging in blatant conflicts of interest. We don’t know why they didn’t do so before...but better later than never, we guess.

The Speaker – ex-leader of the AFC, Rafael Trotman –summarised the gravamen of the charge: “The accusation against both is that they committed unethical violations as both have/had conflict of interest issues which influenced their decisions with respect to the Amaila Falls project, the Marriott Hotel project and the Specialty Hospital project.”

We got a hint of where the Speaker’s most likely going with this when he scoffingly referred to the PPP/ C’s motions as “two letters that were styled as motions”. But this is where the PPP/C will have to draw the line on constitutional supremacy and equal treatment in Guyana. If the performance of his Office can take the Finance Minister to the Privileges Committee, why allow representing paid clients in Parliament to be less of an “infraction”??

...no confidence

Having stated they’ve “lost confidence” in Granger, but will remain in the PNC, shouldn’t Lindeners move a party “no confidence” vote in the General??

Rodney CoI

GDF disputes document used in arms transfer to House of Israel

GForce

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick West on Tuesday adopted the same position taken by former Army Chief Norman Mc Lean that a form purportedly signed by a senior officer of the Force during the 1980s to transfer arms and ammunition from the GDF to the notorious House of Israel was flawed.

In fact, Colonel West, who appeared at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to address records shown to Mc Lean, said the form presented is only used for reporting purposes whenever equipment go missing.

The GDF has been accused of issuing arms and ammunition to the religious cult House of Israel to carry

out acts of violence against opponents of the then PNC Government as well as to safeguard itself.

But Major General (Rtd) Mc Lean, during his evidence in chief, had told the Commission that he was unaware of the Force under his leadership ever handing over arms and ammunition to the organisation, dismissing the document. The document titled Accounting Form bears the name Major Godwin McPherson. Among the items listed as handed over are: 19 G3 rifles; 19 G3 Bayonets (sniper); 1500 rounds of 7.62 ammunition and 10 Browning Pistols. Mc Lean told the Commission that the Army was not in the habit of transferring weapons to organisations outside

the security forces.

Colonel West explained that while the Army was in possession of such arms during the specified period, he could not identify the signature on the form as Major McPherson’s. Further, the regimental number 9142 was not the regimental number of the “McPherson” he knew whose regimental number was 9129.

Unaware

Questions were asked whether there could have been more than one Major McPherson at the time. He said there could have been, but he was only aware of one. Several previous witnesses had testified that the House of Israel, which was allegedly used as a

BBCI plugs cash into D’Edward Masjid Eid programme

Tthe D’Edward Masjid

for children.

In a release, the Bridge Company said after receiving and verifying a request from the Masjid, it donated the funds on July 25.

The Company said it was a privilege to have had the opportunity to make a donation towards the D’Edward Sunnatul Masjid. “The Company decided to come on board mainly due to the fact that the Masjid has started a Youth Movement dedicated to have children off the streets and inculcate religion in their everyday activities.”

The BBCI said it not only plays the role of collecting tolls and facilitating vehicles crossing the Berbice River Bridge and vessels transiting through the retractor opening and under the High Span, but also discharges its corporate responsibilities, playing an integral role in the development of education and sports.

wednesday, july 30, 2014|

Police make big ganja bust in Demerara River

P“tool of oppression” by the Forbes Burnham-led Administration, was offered arms and ammunition. Former GDF Officer Wycliffe McAllister has also been alleged to have offered his expertise in training House of Israel members in the use of firearms.

However, at the Inquiry, Mc Lean related that while he knew McAllister, he was unaware whether the officer had rendered his service to the religious body. Although the document in question was dated to a time before he became Chief of Staff, and although he knew McAllister, Mc Lean said he could not identify the signature of the commanding officer as that of Godwyn McPherson. What he could identify, however, were some of the contents of the list, which included the G3 rifles and 7.62 ammunition which he described as “generic” or items commonly used in the Army. He then suggested that the signature be authenticated by a “fingerprint body”. He stated too that he could not have known whether officers serving before him were involved in the alleged practice.

olice ranks of the D Division (West Demerara /East Bank Essequibo) on Tuesday morning seized approximately 19 pounds of marijuana while patrolling the Demerara River.

According to reports, the bust was made around 10:00h. D Division Commander, Senior Superintendent Ian Amsterdam confirmed that senior officers from his Division were on routine river patrol duty when they made the discovery.

It was reported that the ranks were in the vicinity of Vriesland, West Bank Demerara, when they observed two persons on the western shore, acting in a suspicious manner.

This prompted the ranks to investigate; however, the tide was low, so by the time they were able to reach the shore and disembark, the two men had managed to escape.

Still suspicious, the ranks conducted a search of the area where they discovered a salt bag containing a large quality of leaves, seeds, and stems. They also found a compressor scale in the area.

Commander Amsterdam told Guyana Times that while his ranks were unsuccessful in apprehending the two suspects, they have since received vital information that may help in identifying the owner of the narcotic. He noted that an active investigation is ongoing.

The D Division Commander expressed satisfaction with the work of his ranks, noting that they are constantly making similar discoveries in the Division. On Sunday last, during a raid in the Division, two drug busts were made.

Police discovered a quantity of marijuana in a house at Vreed-enHoop. Another raid carried out the same day saw a Stanleytown man being arrested and charged for the cultivation of marijuana. Two marijuana plants, along with a nursery of marijuana plants, were found on his property. The two plants were four and two feet respectively. The man was arraigned on Tuesday at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court and is currently on remand.

After further combing of the area, the Police took possession of the drug and the instrument. When the marijuana was weighed, it amounted to some 8.749 kilograms or 19.248 pounds.

Govt boosting Hydromet weather monitoring capacity

Agriculture

Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said the Ministry, though its Hydrometeorological Office, will be installing at least 30 more Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) across Guyana to supplement and verify radar data.

The Hydromet Office monitors weather patterns by looking at data provided by the manual and automated stations that have been installed around the country. At present, there are 14 AWS, seven meteorological observatories/synoptic stations, 60 water level stations, and 148 rainfall stations at strategic locations across the country.

Minister Ramsammy said in addition to providing short, medium and longterm forecasts for farmers, the Hydromet Office provides weather conditions for aviation purposes at the Cheddi Jagan International and

Ogle Airports, and other airstrips across the country.

The office has also been working to archive water and weather data such as the volume of water in the waterways, amount of rainfall and sunshine hours, and data for construction planning. With regard to the Doppler Radar, Dr Ramsammy said, a lot of people are under the misconception that it should ensure that the country gets better

long-term forecasts; however, this was not the case.

“The Doppler does not help us with long-term forecast, the Doppler enables us to tell what conditions exist at the moment at a particular area and it has a limited space that it monitors for example,” the Agriculture Minister said. The Doppler provides information such as the level of humidity, kind of raindrops, visibility and wind speed; all of which are important in the safe landing and take-off of aircraft at the CJIA, Ogle and other airstrips.

The most effective use of the Doppler Tower is its ability to engage with other Doppler systems in the Region, such as those in Trinidad and Tobago, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica. However, Minister Ramsammy explained that in the Caribbean, all of the systems do not work at the same time, as there is always

one or two that are down.

In addition to the 30 new stations that will be installed, the Ministry will be placing 40 transmitting rain gauges in flood-prone areas to enable forecasters to see what is happening on the ground on a 24-hour basis and make adjustments to forecasts.

The Hydromet Service has a combination of 40 transmitting water level and rainfall loggers in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) and Mahaica River areas. As such, should water reach a certain level in the Mahaica area, an alarm is sent to the Ministry. This would in turn inform the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to ensure that sluices and pumps are monitored and operated as required to protect residents in those areas. The Ministry plans to extend this system of monitoring to all the other conservancies and flood prone areas. (GINA)

Car driver on bail for charge of causing death

An East Coast Demerara (ECD) car driver who allegedly caused the death of a 26-year-old Berbician has been placed on $500,000 bail. Ricardo Ramcharran Approo, 19, of Le Ressouvenir, ECD, appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver on Monday in a New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charge of causing the death of Vickram Ramlakhan by dangerous driving. Approo is accused of causing the death of Ramlakhan, of Number 11 Village, East Coast Berbice who was a pedestrian at the time of the accident. The Bell Loader operator of the Albion Sugar Estate was killed last Thursday after motor car PRR 9655, driven by Approo,

slammed into him. At the time, Approo was using the car as a private taxi.

He was granted his pretrial liberty with conditions. In granting bail, Magistrate Weaver ordered that the defendant’s passport be lodged and the defendant reports to the Sparendaam Police Station every Monday and Friday. Bail was granted after Police Prosecutor

Sergeant Godfrey Platter offered no objection to a bail application.

Approo told the court that his passport had been vandalised, but produced an expired passport instead. The matter will be called again on September 2.

Top sleuth

Satiricus was amazed. He’d been promised the “greatest exercise in democracy ever practised by a political party”

– the Pee an’ See. They were having their CongoDress to choose their next leader. Satiricus was the hack covering it for his newspaper.

The Pee-an’-See sisters and brothers were coming from far and wide so Satiricus wasn’t surprised that some people tried to “pope” the party. At least that’s what Oskar said.

Then lo and behold, Satiricus suddenly heard a shot. Everyone who’d “been around” – which included practically everyone at the CongoDress – dove for cover. Including Satiricus who ended up under a sister’s dress. After he came up for air, he joined the other newshounds to seek some answers.

If there was one person who’d know what was going down, Satiricus figured, it would be Feel-Iks. Hey... the chap used to be the TOP COP in the whole country, no?? Satiricus would never forget Feel-iks’ briefing (Voice 2) the Pee-an-See Mustache Man (Voice 1) after the Agricola massacre.

Satiricus could recite the dialogue by heart.

Voice 2: (Muffled)... watch the move good, but yuh all ain’t mek no statement about them eight people wa dead you know.

Voice 1: I did saying the same thing.

Voice 2: Yuh all ain’t mek no statement.

Voice 1: I did saying the same thing, they ain’t mek no statement deh.

Voice 1: but, am...

Voice 2: Yuh all playing dangerous games.

Voice 1: No, I don’t check pun da PR thing, but ah gon gaffa find out from them in the morning.

Voice 2: You all shoulda been the fus people fuh run in deh. That is a black people community.

So here it was a bullet had been fired, not just in a “black people community”, figured Satiricus, but in a “black people party”!! Who better to explain than Feel-iks?? And this is what Feel-iks, Voice 2, said, “Bannuh!! I did hear a sound that could have been a balloon.”

Aah, what expertise!! What sleuthing power!! What a man to head the Pee-an-See security system!! While everyone thought it was a gunshot...Feel-iks immediately figured it was just a balloon. But then Satiricus remembered another snatch of the taped conversation:

Voice 1: You give me information.

Voice 2: I, eh eh, (cough) I, I deliberately...

Voice 1: I know.

Voice 2: I, I deliberately turn the thing away...

Voice 1 : I know.

Voice 2: From it...(muffled)

Voice 1: I know.

Voice 2: But now I can’t do duh because the facts coming out. Satiricus wondered if the facts of the balloon from the CongoDress would “come out”.

UGSS urges students to pay increased tuition fees

… but to demand quality education

The University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) is calling on students to pay the increased tuition fees, but, at the same time, demand a higher quality of education from the Turkeyen-based tertiary institution.

The UGSS has been under fire from some students for endorsing the fee hike.

One student, Glenfield G Dennison in a letter to this newspaper, said UGSS President Richard Rambarran never consulted with students about the tuition hike although he supported it at the level of the UG Council.

“… Rambarran did not put the issue of the increase to a vote in any meeting of the UGSS executive prior to the date above. How can a student leader let his personal views speak for over 6000 students without the nod of approval from the UGSS executive? This is beyond my comprehension!” Dennison said.

He noted that a quick look at the UGSS Constitution (s. 20 (1)) shows that the Executive Council (EC) of the Society is vested with the power to conduct the business of the Society. It further states that the EC shall be the recognised means of communication between students and the University authorities. The emphasis throughout the constitution on the powers of the EC, outlined at s. 22, should not be taken lightly. “It is notable that every power listed is vested in

the Council, not in the President. This means that the UGSS President should not purport to represent the students unless he has the support of the Council. It is submitted that on the issue of tuition and fee increases, having acted without the approval of the Council, the President acted ultra vires in representing the interest of the Student Society.”

Value for money

Speaking to Guyana Times on Monday, acting UGSS President Joshua Griffith noted that at a meeting with students during the ‘season of consultations’ in June, Vice Chancellor Jacob Opadeyi had asserted that “when you start paying for quality, then you demand quality.”

“Now that it appears that the fee increase is a done deal, the entire student body must commit itself to holding the Vice Chancellor to his word. In as much as adequate finances are needed to deliver an effective University, so too are students entitled to receive value for money,” the student executive told this publication. He noted that the support stemmed from the fact that the UGSS was and has always been concerned over the physical conditions at the University as a result of continual under-resourcing. Griffith said as a result of this reality, past students have had to pursue their studies in unpleasant conditions and the time has come for this to change if the current generation of students is to excel

at the institution.

“Successive generations of students have had to pursue their studies in what have been and continues to be altogether unwholesome conditions. It is the considered opinion of the UGSS that current and future generations of UG students must adopt a more assertive, perhaps even more militant, posture in the matter of the wholly unacceptable standards that obtain in many areas at the University. For as long as this situation persists, the intellectual resources of our country will remain imperilled,” Griffith said.

Misgivings

The acting UGSS President has said that while the students’ body has extended its support to the administration for the new changes, it has several misgivings, which it intends to have addressed as soon as possible.

“We are acutely aware of the fact that the entire student body remains perturbed and in some instances completely mystified over the status of student loans. We can only hope that this critical issue be settled to the satisfaction of the student body in the shortest possible time, since it has become an additional source of controversy and irritation among the many others confronting the University,” the executive noted.

The University recently announced that continuing Guyanese students will be required to pay

increased fees, beginning with $130,000 in 2014, $145,000 in 2015 and $160,000 in 2016, in addition to the $50,000 Facilities Fee, which replaces the various miscellaneous fees they previously paid.

However, the fees will not be adjusted for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Science Degree in Optometry, Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Imaging, Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy, Bachelor of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Dental Surgery, Master of Science in Environmental Management, Post-Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management –Climate Change and Disaster Management and Natural Resource Management, Bachelor of Laws, Commonwealth Master of Business Administration, Commonwealth Master of Public Administration, Master in Education, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Tourism Studies and the Associate Degree in Tourism Studies programmes, but the students pursuing these programmes will be required to pay the Facilities Fee of $50,000.

The new Guyanese students who will be commencing studies from September at the institution will be required to pay $210,000, inclusive of the Facilities Fee for most programmes, except for those listed above.

wednesday, july 30, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, july 30, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

Caricom, Turkey to strengthen relations

Turkey and Caricom recommitted to strengthening existing fields of cooperation and to explore new areas to deepen interaction, at their Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism Meeting of Foreign Ministers.

The Meeting, held July 18 in Turkey at the invitation of that country’s Government, and attended by Foreign Ministers and Heads of Delegations of Caricom and Turkey, “noted with satisfaction, the steady and continuous progress… since the Turkey-Caricom High Level Meeting in Istanbul in 2008”. Trade and investment and possibilities for a Caricom-Turkey Free Trade Agreement; cooperation in the field of education, partic-

ularly through Turkey’s offer of scholarships for youth; and support for each other’s culture through cultural exchanges were among the issues discussed.

Turkey signalled its “clear and long-term engagement” to strengthen relations with the Caricom Region, as it declared its intention to open an embassy in the Region and to establish a Joint Chancery “for the common use of Caricom Members that would appoint Ambassadors to Ankara, to facilitate diplomatic representation in Turkey”.

According to the communiqué of the meeting, the two sides affirmed their commitment to addressing a number of global challenges. These

include: poverty; inequality; racism; intolerance, including Islamophobia; transnational organised crime; climate change and energy security. They also expressed “determination to work together and [to] combine efforts for sustainable development in the course of shaping the post-2015 development agenda”.

The Caricom ministers noted Turkey’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the term 20152016, and acknowledged “Turkey’s positive role in supporting the efforts of the UN for fostering global peace, security and sustainable development…”.

Earlier this year, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu was a Special Guest, at the 25th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Turkey was also represented at the 35th Regular Meeting of the Conference in Antigua and Barbuda in July.

At the latter meeting, Heads of Government approved the Community Strategic Plan for 2015-2019; and deepening foreign policy coordination was listed as one of 11 top priorities for the Community.

Pork-knocker gets $359,000 bail for break and enter, larceny

Apork-knocker appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday morning after he was slapped with two charges of break and enter and larceny.

It is alleged that on July 24 at Matthews Ridge, North West District, Kevin Giles broke and entered the Comfort Inn Hotel, Restaurant and Sports Bar where he stole $160,000 in cash, two ounces of raw gold val-

ued $605,000, a quantity of clothing worth $33,500, one G-Shack wristwatch valued $50,000, one pair of eye glasses worth $60,000, two Alcatel cellphones valued $15,000, one GBTI ATM card valued $5000, a quantity of tablets worth $11,000, and a driver’s licence valued $2000, all valued $941,500, property of Sherlock Harper.

On the same day, the defendant allegedly also stole a purse valued $9000 and one Apple iPhone worth $156,000, property

of Golden Solomon.

Giles was represented by Attorney Paul FungA-Fat, who told the court that his client had never been in trouble with the law. He said his client had lost all his documents and asked for reasonable bail to be granted.

The defendant was given bail in the sum of $259,000 for the first count of break and enter and larceny and $100,000 for the second. His next court hearing will be on August 4.

Seaman accused of robbing, beating estranged “wife”

Aseaman who allegedly robbed and assaulted a woman who he claimed was his estranged wife was on Tuesday placed on self-bail and a bond to keep the peace.

Claudius Gobin, of Lot 6 Yarrow Dam, La Penitence, Georgetown, appeared be-

fore Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on charges of simple larceny and unlawful assault.

According to the charge read by the Chief Magistrate, on July 22, at Yarrow Dam, the defen-

Global plans of action endorsed to halt escalating degradation of soils

Urgent action is required to improve the health of the world’s limited soil resources and stop land degradation, to ensure that future generations have supplies of food, water, energy and raw materials, Government representatives and experts told a Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) forum recently.

The Global Soil Partnership endorsed a series of action plans at its plenary assembly in Rome last Thursday to safeguard soil resources which provide the basis for global agricultural production. Recommendations include the implementation of strong regulations and corresponding investments by governments for the sustainable management of soils in ways that contribute to the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and poverty.

“Soil is the basis for food, feed, fuel and fibre production,” FAO Deputy Director General Maria Helena Semedo said. “Without soils we cannot sustain life on earth and where soil is lost, it cannot be renewed on a human timeline.

The current escalating rate of soil degradation threatens the capacity of future generations to meet their needs.

Soils: easy to lose, hard to recover

“That’s why the adoption of Global Plans of Action to sustainably use and protect soils is a major achievement. But we cannot stop here. We need commitments from countries and civil society to put the plan into reality.

This requires political will and investments to save the precious soil resources our food production systems depend on,” Semedo said.

The area of productive soils in the world is limited and faces increasing pressure from competing uses such as cropping, forestry and pastures/rangeland, urbanisation, as well as ener-

gy production and mineral extraction, experts at the three-day meeting warned.

Soils represent at least a quarter of global biodiversity, and play a key role in the supply of clean water and resilience to floods and drought. Crucially, plant and animal life depend on primary nutrient recycling through soil processes.

Reversing the trend

While some parts of Africa and South America offer scope for expansion in agriculture, according to FAO, the global population, which is expected to exceed nine billion by 2050 – resulting in a 60 per cent increase in the demand for food, feed, and fibre – will put an even greater strain on land resources. Some 33 per cent of soil is moderately to highly degraded due to erosion, nutrient depletion, acidification, salinisation, compaction and chemical pollution.

The resulting damage to soil affects livelihoods, ecosystem services, food security and human well-being. Soils are also both affected by, and may contribute to climate change.

For example, sustainable management of soil resources can impact positively on climate change through carbon sequestration and a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and also by mitigating desertification processes.

The Global Soil Partnership, which brings together a broad range of Government and non-government stakeholders,

stresses the increasing need for governments to preserve soils and make the necessary investments. A Healthy Soils Facility was established with this aim.

The global soil community decided to establish global programmes for the promotion of sustainable soil management, soil conservation, and soil restoration. Interventions should be based on the use of suitable technologies and sustainable and inclusive policies that directly involve local communities in actions to protect soils.

In particular, there is a need to prioritise the safeguarding and management of organic carbon rich soils, notably peatlands and permafrost areas.

A global soil information system will be established to measure progress made and the status of soil resources. Considering that awareness-raising, education and extension on soils is much needed, a special programme for capacity development will also be established.

In addition, the firstever Status of World Soil Resources Report is set to be launched on December 5, 2015. The UN has recognised December 5 as World Soil Day, and 2015 as the International Year of Soils. In Latin America, it is estimated that the natural potential soils for intensive agriculture occupy only 25 per cent of the continent. Still, soil degradation is a major challenge in the Region.

Frenchman fined for illegal entry

Adant stole one Sharp cellular phone and unlawfully assaulted Gomattie Persaud.

Gobin, who was unrepresented, told the court that he was married to Persaud for 18 years, but they never lived together. With that, he pleaded not guilty to both charges laid against him.

34-year-old French electrician was fined for illegal entry into Guyana on Tuesday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

On July 3, Narcello Brown entered Guyana through Charity on the Essequibo Coast by sea and disembarked without

the permission of an immigration officer, the charge against him read. According to Brown, his mother, father and siblings reside in France and he had come to Guyana to marry a girl. He told the court that his intention was to visit the immigration office but it was closed and he wanted to return to France until a later date, but the boat had al-

ready left. When the Chief Magistrate asked him what he did afterwards, Brown stated that he came to Georgetown after which he was caught. The French citizen, who was unrepresented, told the court that he had never been in trouble with the law before. He was given a fine of $30,000, with an alternative of three months’ imprisonment.

wednesday, july 30, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

Food processing industry to boom in seven years

...as Guyana looks to capitalise on high food import bill

Guyana’s food processing industry is expected to undergo major development in the next seven years, as Government looks to capitalise on the food import bill of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

The advancement of the industry would see Guyana being able to produce and export canned foods, such as sausages, corned beef, corn and a host of other food items used daily. In addition, it is expected that the milk processing industry would be clearly defined and subtract from the high milk import bill for Guyana.

Presently, Caricom is home to approximately 16 million inhabitants in its 15 member states and has an annual food import bill of more than US$4 billion which is equivalent to G$800 billion.

Jamaica is the leading importer of agricultural products from outside the Caribbean Region, with 21 per cent, which equals US$997.5 million of the total regional import bill. Trinidad and Tobago is the second largest importer, accounting for 20 per cent or US$950 million, and Haiti is third at 19 per cent or

US$902.5 million.

But, while these three countries are the largest importers in total volume, they are not the biggest food importers on a per capita basis. Antigua and Barbuda leads the Region in 2013 at US$1170 followed by Barbados at US$1126, The Bahamas at US$1106, and St Lucia at US$969. Guyana has an annual per capita food importation bill of approximately US$250, which is still high since the average global per capita importation rate worldwide is US$66.

100 per cent food security

According to a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation study, with the exception of Guyana, Belize, and St Kitts and Nevis in the English-speaking Caribbean, no country has the required land space to achieve 100 per cent food security.

These figures alone should be strong reasons for Caricom Governments to swiftly involve the private sector and financial institutions in acting to reduce the enormous food import bill. Experts have sounded alarms repeatedly that failure to deal with the issue

is harming Caribbean economies and increasing their vulnerability to prices and supply from external providers.

Guyana’s own Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said the Government is heeding those warnings. He said the Government would be taking elaborate steps towards the modernisation of the food processing industry.

He said this would be done in conjunction with several other projects that would see a radical decline in Guyana’s overall import bill and would also see Guyana earning revenue as it capitalises on the extremely high Caricom food import bill. “We are confident that at the end of the development period 2020 that we will be able to report to the nation that we have seen an agriculture transformation, that our imports have lessened, and that our exports have increased, that the sector has generated wealth,” he said.

It was noted that the Government hopes to have a largescale dairy industry, with at least one dairy plant being operationalised, by 2020, which would not only reduce milk importation but also produce a host of other byproducts.

Other targets include a 50 per cent reduction in the import of commodities such as carrots, commercial production of potatoes, a 50 per cent increase in agro-process production.

Plans are also set to see a 25 per cent increase in non-sugar, non-rice exports, and at least 50,000 litres of bio-fuel on a commercial scale, a five per cent increase in cultivation areas by small farmers. Presently, agriculture contributes almost 20 per cent of Guyana’s economy and accounts for more than 33 per cent of employment. Almost 40 per cent of Guyana’s export earnings come from agriculture, with only an average of about 11 per cent of the national budget estimates going to the sector.

Guyanese wins Canadian award for helping seniors

Canada-based Guyanese Narine Dat Sookram has won the Regional Geriatric Programme central (RGPc) and St Peter’s Hospital Hamilton Health Sciences 11th Annual Service Awards for Geriatric Excellence (SAGE).

SAGE is a unique programme that celebrates the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations committed to providing the highest quality of care to older adults in communities to ensure they can age with optimal health, independence, and dignity.

The awards were presented at a gala dinner recently at the Burlington Convention Centre. Fiftyeight nominations were received from six regions across Southern Ontario (Hamilton, Niagara, HaldimandNorfolk, Waterloo, WellingtonDufferin and Halton).

Among the winners were Sookram who volunteers at the Community Support Connections, Meals on Wheels in Kitchener, Ontario. Narine is a dedicated volunteer who is passionate and committed to seniors’ well-being and independence. “Rain, shine or snow, he is committed to making sure seniors receive the care and nourishment that they require and always ensures to deliver their meals on time every day,” a release said.

Most recently, Narine started to

volunteer his time with Community Connection, “Meals on Wheels and more”, in Kitchener to deliver meals to senior’s homes, because of his passion and drive of wanting to care for others. Narine continues to drive door to door to deliver the meals, because he can see how much the seniors appreciate the service, but most importantly he also recognises the need. Narine also takes a few minutes to talk to the seniors every time he delivers the meals, because he says it helps the seniors not to feel so isolated.

For Narine, a senior is a senior, meaning that he does not choose which location he wants to deliver the lunches, but rather he goes where he is assigned, regardless of the distance from his home nor does he worry about the weather, because when it snows he gives himself extra time to make sure that the seniors will not miss their meal. “I remember during the second week of December when we had some heavy snow here in Kitchener and for that reason, one of the seniors thinks that it will affect her from having her meal on time.”

However when Narine arrived on time to deliver her meal during lunch hour, this particular senior says, “Oh you are here, I thought I wasn’t going to have my meal on time today, because of the snowy weather,” she said with a smile.

Guyanese back from US-sponsored leadership training

US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt recently met with Annette Jaundoo upon her return from the United States after participating in the prestigious Embassysponsored International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) exchange.

Jaundoo participated in an IVLP exchange on “Human and Civil Rights for All,” from June 7 to 30, the US Embassy said in a release. Jaundoo, who is the Executive Director for a US Agency for International Development (USAID)supported non-governmental organisation – Family Awareness Consciousness Togetherness (FACT), shared her IVLP experience with the Chargé d’Affaires and US Embassy representatives. She underscored the value of this experience and discussed how she intends to apply the knowledge

gained to the benefit of her organisation and the NGO Coordinating Committee for HIV/AIDS to service NGOs and more particularly, members of the Lesbian, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community. She also pledged to work more closely with faith-based organisations, the private sector, and grassroots agencies towards strengthening alliances for the LGBT community.

During the programme,

Jaundoo and her counterparts from the Caribbean visited several cities, including Washington, DC; Memphis, Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; Des Moines, Iowa; and San Francisco, California. These visits pro-

vided varied insights and understanding of how civil society organisations support the LGBT community and influence human rights policy at the local, state, national, and international levels in the United States. Through in-depth discussions, meetings, and site visits, Jaundoo and her colleagues had the opportunity to review the legal and political framework for recent advances in civil and economic rights for LGBT Americans, as well as international and hemispheric initiatives for the protection of LGBT human rights. Participants also explored the evolution of public opinion in the United States during the past two decades and the influence of both traditional and social media.

Chargé d’Affaires Hunt reaffirmed the US Government’s commitment to work with and strength-

en the role of civil society organisations and advocates on behalf of human rights issues within and through multilateral fora.

He encouraged Jaundoo to build on the many professional linkages made with US institutions and other IVLP participants from countries throughout the Caribbean to strengthen her work and that of her organisation for the benefit of Guyanese people.

The IVLP is the Department of State’s premier professional exchange programme. The programme brings together emerging leaders in their respective professions to learn how US experts in their professions operate, and to share best practices with the other programme fellows who hail from across the globe. To date, approximately 50 Guyanese midlevel professionals have participated in the Programme.

T&T PM hails tourism impact of Limacol CPL

Trinidad and Tobago

Prime Minister

Kamla PersadBissessar has hailed the Limacol Caribbean Premier (CPL) as a great tourism product not just for the island, but the Region as a whole. She made the comment on Sunday while viewing the Trinidad and Tobago Red/St Lucia Zouks game at the Queen’s Park Oval.

During an interview with commentator Fazeer Mohamed, the Prime Minister said the tourism development element cannot be ignored as the Region stands to benefit tremendously.

The Limacol CPL has attracted tourists from

all parts of the globe, giving rise to the sport tourism concept that most of the territories are now embracing.

During the inaugural tournament in 2013, over 250,000 spectators and a global television audience of 36 million viewed the six franchises in action.

Persad- Bissessar said that was one of the reasons she took the decision to retain the prefix ‘Trinidad and Tobago’ as part of the Red Steel name. Anil Roberts, the Sport Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, had expressed reservations about the island’s name being used, since it was not an entirely Trinidad and Tobago team.

Roberts had written to the Limacol Caribbean Premier League following which the Trinidad and Tobago name was dropped from Red Steel- a move

The Trinidad and Tobago name was reinstated following the intervention of the Prime Minister and Limacol CPL subsequently issued a release thanking her.

Persaud-Bissessar went on to state that the atmosphere in Trinidad during the three matches was fantastic, as citizens, as well as tourists, have bought into the idea of franchisebased cricket in this part of the globe.

over which team captain Dwayne Bravo had expressed concern.

WICB Regional Under-19 cricket…

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister would no doubt be rooting for the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, who now lead the points table with five wins from six games ahead of the next set of games.

Guyana’s confidence lifted ahead of final round, says Black

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Guyana’s Under-19 Manager

David Black says beating the Windward Islands in round two in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19, Three-day tournament has lifted the players’ confidence ahead of their final round, beginning today.

The Guyanese are atop the table with 26.3 points will play Trinidad and Tobago, who sit at the bottom of the table on 9.6 points at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.

The host and Leeward Islands played to a draw in the opening round but Black says the fourwicket win against the Windward Islands has motivated the players

going into the final round.

“Mentally, it’s good for us,” Black told Guyana Times Sport at the conclusion of the squad training session on Tuesday.

“We will take the positives from this game into the final round and it gives the players confidence and self-belief that they can come out victorious,” Black said.

An outright victory can propel Guyana to their 13th title since their first in 1974.

Meanwhile, the Leeward Islands are in second position on 25.6 points follow by the Windward Islands 21.9 points, Jamaica 20.8 points and Barbados 12.6 points.

The other final- round matches will see Barbados challenge Leeward Islands at the Enmore Community Centre ground and

defending champions Jamaica oppose the Windward Islands at the Guyana National Stadium. All games start at 10:00h and admission to the venues are free.

The full tournament, into its 47th edition, is the main scouting ground for the Region’s finest talent and dates back to 1968.

Most of the current West Indies players found their footing in the Regional Under-19 Tournament before going on to represent the West Indies in Test, One-Day International and Twenty20 International cricket.

Guyana have been dominant in the three-day format, winning the title on 12 occasions.

Jamaica captured the threeday title last year in St Kitts when they finished on 47.9 points to top the points table ahead of T&T, Guyana, Windwards, Barbados and Leewards.

Squads: Barbados: Joshua Drakes (captain), Chad Williams (vice captain), Leniko Boucher, Alex Fergusson, Lee-Germon Gaskin, Akil Greenidge, Keon Harding, Matthew Jones, Nicholas Kirton, Neil Persaud, Tarik Shorey, Shamar Springer, Jafari Toppin, Dikembe Wilson.

Guyana: Brian Sattaur (captain), Sharaz Ramcharran (vice captain), Balchan Baldeo, Daniel Basdeo, Tagenarine Chandrapaul, Shimron Hetmyer, Askay Homraj, Keon Morris, Keemo Paul, Steven Sankar, Kemol Sevory, Niall Smith, Daimon Waldron, Akel Wallace.

Jamaica: Ramaal Lewis (cap-

tain), Nicholas Walters (vice captain), Ryon Burnett, Shahid Crooks, Ramone Francis, Leroy Lugg, Abijai Mansingh, Odaine McCatty, Romaine Morris, Mark Parchment, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas, George Walker, Malcolm Whyte.

Leeward Islands: Jeremiah Louis (captain), Alzarri Joseph (vice captain), Colin Archibald, Therone Bussue, Kacey Carty, Jaeel Clarke, Mohit Hingorani, Asharn Hodge, Shaquille Martina, Ross Powell, Kenrick Scott, Mrinal Wadwha, Dion West, Saeed Williams.

Trinidad and Tobago: Jeremy

Solozano (captain), Amir Jangoo (vice captain), Jesse Bootan, Camillo Carimbocas, Brian Christmas, Tevin Jadoo, Brandon Jaggernauth, Justin Joseph, Keron Kanhai, Jemeel Maniram, Anderson Phillip, Samuel Roopnarine, Akil Seetal, Shane Smith. Windward Islands: Roland Cato (captain), Kershaskie Jno Lewis (vice captain), Doran Edwards, Melvin Gordon, Kharmal Hamilton, Sherman Hooper, Deron Hypolite, Ryan John, Anson Latchman, Sherman Lewis, Obed McCoy, Craig Phillip, Gidron Pope, Tonis Simon.

Anderson, Broad give hosts control

England’s bowlers backed up the good work of their batsmen to leave the hosts in a commanding position after three days of the third Test against India in Southampton.

India were reduced to 323-8, 246 behind England’s total of 569-7 declared and 47 short of avoiding the followon.

In an improved display from the attack as a whole, Stuart Broad claimed three wickets, James Anderson added two to the one he took on day two and Moeen Ali two of his own.

Ajinkya Rahane, who should have been given out on eight, resisted for 54, while Mahendra Dhoni remained unbeaten on 50.

However, on a blameless pitch, India did little to help themselves, with all of the top order who batted on Tuesday falling after passing 20.

That is to take nothing away from an England bowling unit that has so often been below par this summer, none more so than in the second Test defeat at Lord’s which handed the tourists a 1-0 series lead.

Broad told BBC Sport: “Dreamworld would have been to bowl India out this evening, but we have eight wickets on what is still a really good batting wicket.”

Bowling a consistent full length to find movement in the air and off the pitch, and sparingly using hostile short deliveries, Anderson, Broad and Chris Woakes impressed.

Spinner Moeen chipped in as Rohit Sharma (28) and Rahane gifted their wickets before tea, while only Chris Jordan was regularly wayward.

“Before this Test we had a really good sit-down to get

clarity on what we are trying to do,” added Broad. “We are making sure we are trying to hit the top of off as many times as we can, with an aggressive bumper thrown in. We did that today.”

On a scorching day, there were periods that looked ominous for England as Murali Vijay (35), Virat Kohli (39), Rahane, Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja made accomplished starts.

Yet, through patient probing, the hosts were able to prise the regular wickets that leave them well placed to level the series.

It was Anderson, swinging the ball both ways, who struck to remove two important threats. The first came just after lunch when Kohli, who had classily moved to his highest score of the summer, succumbed to a probing line and edged to Alastair Cook at first slip.

And, later in the day, Anderson swung the second new ball into the pads of

Jadeja to end a counter-attacking 31.

Broad, overlooked in favour of Woakes first up, eventually arrived to take two wickets in the morning session.

First, a bumper that followed Cheteshwar Pujara took a glove through to give Jos Buttler his first catch as a Test wicketkeeper.

Then Vijay, India’s highest scorer of the series and again looking dangerous, attempted to leave an outswinger that hit the bat and bounced down on to the stumps.

Following Kohli’s exit, Rahane, who survived gloving Moeen down the leg side to Buttler, scored heavily through the off side as he rebuilt in a stand of 74 with Sharma.

But both men would fall to the off-spinner in inexplicable fashion either side of tea.

Sharma, looking to repeat a hit down the ground, sliced horribly to Broad at mid-off.

And after the break, Moeen, who was warned by the International Cricket Council not to put on the proGaza wristbands he wore on Monday, served up a long hop that Rahane toe-ended to

mid-wicket.

At 217-6, India were exposed to the second new ball, only to be steadied by captain Dhoni and the dashing Jadeja.

That was until Anderson ended a partnership of 58 and, when Gary Ballance made up for dropping Bhuvneshwar Kumar at third slip off Broad by diving forward to take the same batsman off an inside edge, India were left further away from the follow-on mark.

Dhoni’s continued presence means hope remains, while England may have to assess the fitness of their bowlers overnight to decide if it would be enforced.

Batting again could mean being without Ian Bell, who spent the majority of the day off the field with a thumb injury.

When asked about the follow-on, Broad said: “As a bowler, I’m saying 100% ‘No’. But, I don’t know what Cookie is thinking.

“Unless you have a worldclass spinner, it makes it very hard.

“I’d always vote for even a 30 or 40-over rest for a bowler, to bring the fielding unit and the bowlers energy back, to go again.” (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

England 1st innings

569-7 declared India 1st Innings

Vijay b Broad 35

Dhawan c Cook b Anderson 6

Pujara c Buttler b Broad 24

Kohli c Cook b Anderson 39

Rahane c Sub b Moeen 54

Ro Sharma c Broad b Moeen 28

Dhoni not out 50

Jadeja lbw b Anderson 31

Malinga to play for Mumbai Indians at CLT20

Lasith Malinga will represent Mumbai Indians at the Champions League T20 over the Southern Express side he led to the Super Fours title in Sri Lanka. Although he will not turn out for them, Malinga has over the past few days negotiated higher pay for the Express side, for their participation in the tournament, after talks with SLC.

whilst expressing Sri Lanka Cricket’s preference for Lasith to represent the Southern Express Team, the Executive Committee left this decision at his sole discretion.”

Despite the request to turn out for his IPL franchise, Malinga had asked SLC officials to distribute as much as 50% of the board’s income from the CLT20 among the un-contracted cricketers in the Southern Express side. This initial figure was rejected, however. The board eventually settled on paying the players “around 15%” of its after-tax income from the tournament, according to CEO Ashley de Silva. SLC receives a $500,000 payment from CLT20 for sending a team to the tournament.

The Southern Express players’ cut of the SLC’s income from the CLT20 is expected to be spread evenly among the team, with no consideration to seniority.

B Kumar c Ballance b Broad 19 Shami not out 4

Extras (8-w, 12-b, 13-lb) 33

Total (for 8 wickets; 102 overs) 323

Bowling: Anderson 24-9-523, Broad 23-6-65-3, Jordan 17-4-59-0, Woakes 20-860-0, Moeen 18-0-62-2

Fall of wickets: 17 (Dhawan), 56 (Pujara), 88 (Vijay), 136 (Kohli), 210 (Ro Sharma), 217 (Rahane), 275 (Jadeja), 313 (B Kumar)

Malinga had officially asked the board for permission to play for Mumbai Indians on July 15, with that decision having been approved by SLC’s executive committee on July 22. The decision to play for his IPL team means Malinga will not forego the 20% salary payment made by IPL teams to the players who take part in the CLT20.

“As per the Team Participation Agreement of CLT20 2014, the decision on which team a player should represent is the sole prerogative of the player himself,” an SLC release said. “Accordingly,

Though the board has officially said it would prefer Malinga to represent his local side, SLC had not put pressure on Malinga to play for Southern Express, unlike in 2013, when Kumar Sangakkara had been asked to play for the Kandurata Maroons team over Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The board will also receive $150,000 from Mumbai Indians, as the sum a foreign franchise must pay the home team of a player who represents the foreign side at the CLT20. As the Southern Express side is effectively owned by SLC, this sum will go to the board.

The CLT20 will be played in India, and is expected to begin on September 7. (Cricinfo)

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While the ECB defended Moeen’s stance, describing his actions as humanitarian rather than political, Boon reminded Moeen of the ICC clothing and equipment regulations.

According to section F of the relevant ICC code: “Players and team officials shall not be permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey messages through arm bands or other items affixed to clothing or equipment unless approved in advance by the player or team official’s Board. Approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes.”

Boon also told Moeen that, while individuals are free to make political - or humanitarian - statements in their private lives, they do not enjoy such freedom while playing international cricket.

An ICC spokesman said:

“The ICC equipment and clothing regulations do not permit the display of messages that relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes during an international match. Moeen Ali was told by the match referee that while he is free to express his views on such causes away from the cricket field, he is not permitted to wear the wristbands on the field of play and warned not to wear the bands again during an international match.”

While the ICC have not guaranteed they will take no further action against Moeen, it seems safe to presume that all parties now consider the matter closed. He could, in theory, face a maximum penalty of a fine of up to 50% of his match fee if he is deemed to have committed a Level One offence.

It is not the first time

cricket has struggled with the grey area between legitimate free speech and political statements. Andy Flower and Henry Olonga were both widely praised for their black armband demonstration during the 2003 World Cup, which was designed to turn a spotlight on the political situation in Zimbabwe and neither faced ICC sanction.

Both sides observed a minute’s silence ahead of the third day’s play to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. The England team are also wearing shirts bearing the Help for Heroes logo. Help for Heroes describes itself as “a UK military charity… formed to help those wounded in Britain’s current conflicts.” (Cricinfo)

Noble House Goals Galore Indoor Hockey...

Pepsi Hikers among winners on opening night

TIndoor Hockey Championships got off to an exciting start with a number of high- scoring games in both divisions on Monday night at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue. The Pepsi Hikers stamped their authority as

favourites of the senior division with a 10-5 victory over Old Fort Vikings. With Vikings beginning on a (+5) handicap lead, the Hikers Captain Robert France signalled his team’s intentions with an early goal in just the second minute.

Old Fort held off the onslaught for the next 10 min-

utes and just as time seemed to be working against the Hikers, they made another breakthrough via young Michael Harding. France drilled in two more in a dominant second half for the Pepsi Hikers, while Aroydy Branford, Jamarj Assanah and Leon Bacchus each scored doubles.

GCC put in a stellar performance in their senior- division clash against Saints that followed. Super sub, Trevon Smith, was first on the scoreboard for GCC en route to a hat-trick, which was matched by team-mate Orland Semple.

Mark Sargeant scored a double for the victors, while Peter DeGroot and Captain Devin Hooper extended the lead with one each. Saints struggled to find rhythm throughout the match, and managed a lone goal from Joel Hunte.

Blue Steel rounded off the winners of the senior division on opening night with

a 19-9 trouncing of Old Fort Gladiators. Eric Hing scored a hat-trick for Blue Steel along with Keon McKenzie and Michael Craig, while Kareem McKenzie added a double. The Gladiators’ lone goal came through a penalty stroke by Omar Hopkinson.

of the match, leaving the Tigers shy of making up the large eight-goal deficit needed to catch Revelation.

The Old Fort Shooting Stars, the newest ladies side to enter local competition, drew some of the loudest cheers as they recorded their first competition victory of their short existence. The Stars managed to secure a 15-12 victory at the expense of Saints who gave up a monstrous ninegoal handicap at the opening whistle.

Saints would chalk up eight goals through doubles from Meshach Williams, Myron Phillips, Kirk Persaud and Shemar Boston in their effort to reel in the Shooting Stars, but a late penalty for the Stars, which was converted by Minsodia Culpepper, brought vociferous applause for the underdogs.

The junior division saw the first upset of the tournament as Revelation upstaged Ladies powerhouses, the GCC Tigers 8-3.

Beginning with a (+8) handicap, Revelation’s defend-atall-costs strategy paid dividends as the Tigers could find their way into the net on only three occasions.

A Trisha Woodroffe single and an Ashley DeGroot double were the only goals

The final junior-division game of the evening saw the Spartans brush aside the Hikers ladies by 7-4 after beginning with a two-goal deficit. Captain Marzana Fiedtkou led from the front in scoring five of the Spartans’ six goals with the other coming through the skilful Aliyah Gordon. Hikers managed to score a lone goal mid-way through the second half through speedy Latacea Chung, by which time their grasp of the match had already slipped . The tournament will continue until Sunday with the category finals scheduled to begin at 18:00h.

Green remains head of GRFU

The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) held its Annual General Meeting on Sunday last with the incumbent President Peter Green being returned to the helm.

Immediately after being re-elected, Green said his priority would be the development of Men’s 15s and Sevens rugby; Under-19 and Women’s rugby; rugby in schools and among youths; Referees and Coaches workshops and Constitutional Review.

John Lewis and Alwin Etwah are the two Vicepresidents, while the other executive members are Terrence Grant- Secretary; Roger Perreira- Treasurer; Petal Adams- Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer and Esan GriffithPublic Relations Officer. The three Committee Members are Robin Roberts, Daniel Anderson and Joseph Rahaman.

While Green’s plans are admirable, he must work to overcome a huge hurdle going forward: the issue of financing. For far too long, the GRFU has been plagued by a lack of funding, making Guyana’s representation at regional and international competitions an arduous exercise. Only recently, Treasurer Perreira announced that the Union was “in the red”, as it was grappling to reach its budget to send the national Men’s 15s team to the North America and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) final against the USA South in Atlanta, USA. As fate would have it, the GRFU managed to garner the necessary funding to send the team, which returned home with championship glory, coming from 8-24 down at half-time to beat USA South Panthers 30-27 in over-time.

Indiscipline could cost West Indies cricket ‒ Roberts

Darren Sammy believes that Tino Best still has a part to play in the St Lucia Zouks’ 2014 Limacol CPL campaign despite his disciplinary problems. Best and Shoaib Malik were fined following a clash on July 23, with both players pleading guilty to their respective charges.

Sammy maintained that Best had a lot to offer the regional game, but needed to live up to his seniority as a West Indian international after concerns were raised by Best’s franchise mentor Andy Roberts.

“Tino is a special character. The more I’ve played with him, the more I grew to understand him and the person he is,” Sammy said. “In any cricket game, you want to play in the true spirit of the game. I hope it gets better because he’s not a young man. But he’s still integral to our team.”

Sammy believes that while Best’s reputation precedes him, the bowler is one who can be reined in and utilised to the franchise’s advantage.

“Once we control him and use his head a bit more wisely, he’s a good asset for us. The cricket is being played on the field. We’ve spoken

Andy Roberts - “This sort of thing could hurt Tino’s career on a regional and international level. It’s been happening for years now and he needs to learn”

to Tino and I see all of you [the media] all pointing towards Tino Best, but there were two guys involved in the incident. It was not just one person.

“Everybody keeps jumping on Tino, Tino, Tino. It takes two hands to clap. We’ve dealt with it the best way possible and we’re moving on now.”

The Limacol CPL management had also stated that

there were investigations into an incident at the hotel stemming from the fallout of the Best-Malik clash, with sources indicating that the Barbados Tridents captain Kieron Pollard was involved.

Pollard had also exchanged words with Best on the field after the Malik incident. Roberts confirmed that he had spoken to Pollard over the fracas at the ho-

tel. Further speculation was fuelled when Sammy confirmed that the management opted for Best not to travel to Trinidad for the weekend game against Red Steel.

Roberts was worried that the indiscipline in West Indies cricket could erode their talent-pool, and hinted that it may have been Pollard who had instigated the incident.

“Not for a lack of trying, I’ve spoken to Tino,” he said. “Many people have, over and over again. Cricket is also a mental game, not just about talent. After the hotel incident, I spoke to Pollard about it and he was apologetic.”

Roberts said that the team needed to focus on consistency and playing well in pressure situations as opposed to sledging and other on-field antics.

“This sort of thing could hurt Tino’s career on a regional and international level. It’s been happening for years now and he needs to learn. Back when I played, we didn’t do much talking. We just did our jobs with the ball and had a glare. You need to be mentally strong and disciplined. You can’t be taught that. Either you have it or you don’t.” (Cricinfo)

Lucozade sponsors Team Alanis

Team Alanis will be donning their new colours shortly, the bright bubbly colours of Lucozade after beverage giants Ansa McAL donated a full kit to the team on Tuesday.

The up and coming team with top cyclists such as Paul Choo-We-Nam and Paul deNobrega will don the bright yellow and black colours this Sunday in a 40- mile race set to start at Wales.

Meanwhile, a manager at Ansa McAl, Sunesh Maikoo, was pleased to collaborate with the group, stating that the team shows the quality that characterises Lucozade.

“There young energetic and talented a team on the rise and Ansa McAL under the Lucozade brand is proud to be teaming with team Alanis and we wish the well,” Maikoo stated.

Veteran cyclist Choo-WeNam was thanked the major

beverage company for their support, “We appreciate the support from Ansa McAL because they are a great com-

pany and this is an opportunity for other sponsors to get involved,” Choo-We-Nam asserted.

DCC cricket camp commences

With the main aim of producing well rounded cricketers and to keep the youths meaningfully occupied during this August vacation, the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) on Tuesday commenced a two-week cricket camp at the club’s ground in Queenstown. The camp, in its ninth year, targets both male and female cricketers at the Under-13 and Under-15 levels. The camp is conducted by Coach Garvin Nedd and will focus on the fundamentals of cricket, as well as several top-

ics of interest.

Sessions for the Under 13 cricketers will be held from 09:00-12:00h, while the Under-15 session will run from 13:00 -15:00h. Interested persons can contact Nedd on 617-9381.

Ansa McAl supports Kennard Memorial Turf Club

Major beverage company Ansa McAL on Tuesday under its Carib Beer brand sponsored the featured race of the turf club’s Emancipation meet set for Sunday in Berbice.

Seven races are scheduled for the meet on Sunday, with the featured race having the most lucrative purse of one million dollars, which has attracted some of Guyana’s top horses.

At the press briefing held in the Ansa McAl boardroom, Public Relations Officer of Ansa McAL, Darshanie Yusuf revealed the reason for Ansa McAL’s continued support of the meet.

“We are happy to be partnering with the Kennard Memorial Turf Club and one

of the reasons why we continue is because we have gotten good reposes and have seen good turn outs but we have also seen the sport grow, which is important and that is what we want,” Yusuf stated.

President of the turf club

Cecil Kennard noted the importance of sponsorship: “We are happy that Ansa McAL responded to our request and they have been there for us and as I have said over several years sports cannot develop without sponsorship so I hope our relationship with Ansa McAl continues,” Kennard highlighted.

Meanwhile, the event will be run under the rules and regulations of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority.

K&B Mining on board with Boyce/Jefford Classic

K&B Mining and Hardware Supplies have renewed their sponsorship with the organisers of the Boyce/Jefford Track and Field Classic for the 2014 edition of the event set for August.

At a simple handingover ceremony on Tuesday, Accountant of the company Seeta Husain noted that the five years of supporting the event has been a rewarding experience.

“It is indeed our pleasure to support this event; we have been here from the beginning and we will continue to support this event. We are proud to be a part of something that is continuing to give athletes a prominent place by showcasing their talent,” Husain noted.

Director of the Management Committee for the Boyce/Jefford Track and Field Classic, Colin Boyce,

assured that the meet will continue to grow as one of Guyana’s premier track and field events, while thanking CEO of the company Hema Persaud.

“We’re extremely grateful for your support. We will continue to have an impressive meet that you can always be proud to be a part [of].

“When you look around, you had every other major sport in Guyana with a signature event with lucrative cash prizes, but none for athletics; we want to continue to change that dynamic with this meet and so far we have been achieving our goals,” Boyce stressed.

The fifth edition of the Boyce/Jefford Track and Field Classic will be held on August 16-17 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden, with international athletes from at least five different countries set to participate.

The team is expected to travel early Sunday morning for the event that begins at 08:00h.

The Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) eight- team Trifecta knockout tournament will head into its final day on August 3 with the final of the tournament. After Sunday’s semi-finals, Colts and Plaisance Guardians will contest the final after both teams defeated the TGH Pacesetters and the Pepsi Sonics respectively at the Burnham Court.

Colts would come out with a 20-9 run that would cripple the effort of the Pacesetters who fell behind at halftime by 20 points with the score on 3616. Pacesetters were nev-

er able to recover from the haphazard first quarter as the game ended 76-46 in favour of Colts, with Delon LaRose leading the way with 24 points. Errol Lennox and Lennox Thornhill both had 11 points in the win. Ruel Ritch was in the zone for Pacesetters, netting a game- high 30 points in the loss to the Colts. Meanwhile, in the second semi-final Plaisance downed Pepsi Sonics 58-51 to move on to the final. Kendo Bowen was the top- scorer with 10 points. Tige Clarke scored a gamehigh 13 points in the loss and will now play Pacesetters for third place on August 3.

Leicestershire captain leaves Grace Road

captain Ramnaresh Sarwan

Leicestershire captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has left the club after an agreement is reached to end his contract early, reports BBC Radio Leicester.

The West Indies batsman, 34, has missed the majority of the last two seasons with the Foxes because of international commitments and a back injury.

Sarwan only played five Championship games this summer, scoring 184 runs at an average of 18.4.

Meanwhile, one-day captain Josh Cobb has fractured his thumb.

Cobb sustained the injury in Sunday's seven-wicket defeat by Derbyshire but no timescale has yet been set for his absence.

New Zealand international Scott Styris will replace

Sarwan in the One-Day Cup. Sarwan took over from ex-England bowler Matthew Hoggard as Leicestershire’s four-day captain.

Sarwan, 32 when appointed captain, impressed during his first season at Grace Road, with a Championship batting average of 40.91 and had a contract until 2014.

Hoggard, who was named captain when he joined ahead of the 2010 season, gave up the one-day skipper duties in July. Head Coach Phil Whitticase said at the time: “I’ve really enjoyed working with Matthew over the past three years, especially during our successful T20 campaign. It is important for everyone to get behind Ronnie (Sarwan) as we look to take the club forward.”

could cost West Indies cricket