Guyana Times Daily, September 14, 2014

PPP/C awaits Granger’s “action” on Monday

Students urged to remain focused, aim for the stars

Say ‘no’ to child beggars – Green – claims parents, others

children

Preliminary probe into recent maternal death completed

Joiner killed en route to ailing mother

No arrests yet, as Police probe Popeyes’ robbery

Foreign Affairs Minister bemoans Western diplomatic arm twisting

Guyana rejects call to take sides on Ukraine crisis Suspected cases of Chikungunya climb

Weather: Thundery showers can be expected in the morning with sunny weather prevailing during the rest of the day. Clear skies are expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly between 4.47 metres and 5.36 metres per second.

High Tide: 07:52h and 20:06h reaching maximum heights of 2.47 metres at each scheduled high tide time.

Low Tide: 01:24h and 13:40h reaching minimum heights of 0.61 metre and 0.81 metre respectively.

Suspected cases of Chikungunya climb

– denial, poor public education among the reasons

uspected cases of the Chikungunya virus are on the increase in many communities, but there continues to be an apparent denial on the part of those running the public health sector about the extent to which the disease has pervaded the country.

This, coupled with what seems to be a less than energetic public education campaign being rolled out by the Health Ministry, and a veil of secrecy prevailing over the actual statistics of confirmed cases and their geographic areas are contributing to the spread of the virus and more complacency among residents.

The Health Ministry has conspicuously failed to keep media and other critical stakeholders abreast with the extent to which the virus has spread and its debilitating symptoms, experienced by many people as well as of the effectiveness of the systems in place to tackle the spread of the virus via its mosquito vector.

The last statistics made available showed that the country had between 62 and 76 confirmed cases of the virus, but this flies in the face of widespread reports from private doctors and others in the medical field – especially pharmacies.

No other information has been forthcoming from the Health Ministry, despite the warning of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) that the Region should brace for the “full impact” of the virus

and must immediately take measures to prevent further infections by engaging in frank and open public education campaigns, aimed at strengthening the resolve of Caribbean nations to deal with Chikungunya.

While Government is insisting, even at this stage, that the virus is concentrated in the East Berbice area, residents of several other villages across the country, especially on the coastal areas are claiming that they are experiencing symptoms

gion’s statistics, persons have only been receiving treatment for Dengue fever, and so far, only seven persons have received treatment for this infection.

Suspected cases of Chikungunya have been reportedly sent to Georgetown to be tested. But the officials could not divulge the number of cases, although confirming that it was a sizeable number.

In Region Three –West Demerara-Essequibo Islands – Guyana Times

related to the virus.

Guyana Times sought to contact the Regional Health Officers (RHOs) of the 10 administrative regions across Guyana to ascertain the prevalence of the virus in the respective regions.

Suspected cases

In Region One – BarimaWaini – while there are no confirmed cases of the illness in the region, there are seven suspected cases.

Officials from Region Two – Pomeroon-Supenaam – said there are no reported cases of the virus in the region. According to the re-

surprisingly learnt that there were no confirmed cases there. However, the few cases that were suspected were sent for testing in Georgetown. Yet, this appears to contradict public reports and feedback obtained by this newspaper.

Several other health officials told this newspaper that their reports are in Georgetown, since samples sent there for testing had not yet returned.

Officials in Region 10 –Upper Demerara-Berbice – said they have confirmed four cases of Chikungunya,

with a number of persons showing symptoms of the virus.

Prevention Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director, Dr Carissa Etienne, speaking to this publication on Friday reiterated the need for Caribbean nationals, especially Guyanese, to take all necessary steps to contain the spread of the virus.

She urged persons to seek to reduce the prevalence of the disease by sleeping under bed nets and urging controlled use of appropriate insecticides, along with widespread information, education and communication campaigns.

Executive Director CARPHA, Dr James Hospedales said while the organisation has been monitoring the virus since it came to the Caribbean some six months ago, regional governments have not been doing enough to control the mosquito that transmits it. He said even though the virus is not fatal, health officials are still concerned.

The Health Ministry in an effort to control the spread of the virus had commenced fogging exercises across the city. Similar activities are said to be ongoing in Berbice.

Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran had early last month stated that Government was doing all it could to reduce the impact and spread of the Chikungunya virus here.

Editor: Tajeram Mohabir

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Village renewal

During the month of August, this newspaper proposed that because of the seminal event that occurred on the first day of the month – the Emancipation of all slaves in the British Empire – the entire month be labelled “Emancipation Month”. But even without an official imprimatur, we were pleased to notice that throughout the month, there were events and activities that used the theme of “Emancipation” to spur discussion of the way forward for the descendants of those freed slaves.

To those who stubbornly insist that “we must forget slavery”, we say that they are ignoring all the evidence laboriously and painstakingly collected with scientific precision, that demonstrates the effects of slavery are alive and well (so to speak) in the present. But how do we counter these effects? While there is no one “silver bullet”, we believe that a good place to start in our country is to return to one of the greatest achievements of any people in the New World: the formation of the village movement by the ex-slaves.

While there are those that say the movement of millions of tons of earth by African slaves “humanised” Guyana, believe this was achieved with the formation of villages, in which the freed Africans demonstrated that while they might have been treated as chattel for centuries, that experience could not destroy their innate drive to succeed as equals to all.

Unlike the case of many Caribbean Islands, the freed slaves of Guyana did not receive much help from the Christian churches which had began to proselytise among them, but built the villages through their own sweat and blood.

It was in these villages that they tried to revive the traditional African practice of the cooperative effort in taking care of the needs of all. But within an economy and legal structure along the lines of individualism, that approach found the going very hard.

But the villagers began to organise themselves along the lines of the new system they found themselves and very soon, there were elected Village Councils to run the affairs of the community. It was the ex-African slaves that first experienced the meaning of democracy in this land.

They organised not only for political representation, through their Village Councils, but for farming and other pursuits designed to make them economically independent. We know that eventually the brave new world the freed slaves tried to create eventually collapsed. But the question is “why?”

One reason was that the cultivation of the abandoned estates that had been purchased to provide a livelihood for the freed slaves from their labour had been blocked by the authorities at every quarter, especially in irrigation and drainage, in their struggle to make a success of their agricultural endeavours.

The clincher occurred ironically after “independence” when the PNC Government acted to destroy the democratic imperative that had been kept alive at the village level. In 1980, “when that Government moved to introduce decentralisation through Local Government, it deliberately ignored the foundational decentralisation principle of “subsidiarity”, in which functions are specified at the lowest level of the organisation that is practical.

Rather than using the village as the starting unit of organisation, and thus strengthening the inhabitants and their ability to perform local tasks, five to 10 villages were agglomerated into Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and run by elected officials. Because of the linear structure of Guyanese settlements on the Coast, the organic connections within a village were lost in the NDCs. At this time most of these entities are severely dysfunctional.

What we propose is a programme of “village renewal” that would look at the re-development of our villages from a holistic standpoint. And this would have to being by returning village governance to the people who actually live there. In this way we would be paying tribute to our forebears who dreamed of this possibility and also to realise that dream.

NGOs must be the front line in the fight against suicide

Dear Editor,

I write on behalf of Hindus for Selfless Service, a group that has been working in the social field within the Hindu community since 1996, especially among male youths. We participated recently in the The Caribbean Voice’s “Suicide Prevention is Everybody’s Business” initiative, and would like to share our perspective on this tragic subject.

As far back as 1997, our group participated in a pioneering seminar on “Suicide” at the Cove and John Ashram. The small sample study that was done for the seminar on the West Coast Demerara showed that while individuals from all groups committed suicide, it was overwhelmingly a Hindu problem.

None of the studies that have been done subsequently, starting from the one by Dr Frank Beckles in 2001, really challenged this finding.

We would like to commend the Government of Guyana for launching several initiatives since that time to address what Dr Leslie Ramsammy, then Health Minister, described as a “public health issue”.

Apart from launching a National Council on Suicide Prevention, which was chaired by the late Prakash Gossai, the Government introduced several counselling centres especially in Berbice, identified early on as a hotbed for suicide.

Later, they worked closely with a Canadian University, Dalhousie, to customise a commu -

nity based “Gatekeepers’ Programme” to deal with suicide. The Health Ministry had a team that trained several groups across the country to be alert to signs of potential suicide victims and to make interventions. Our group felt that this was the way to go, since the generally rural-based suicide victims did not feel comfortable seeking help in formal settings.

We organised a seminar in 2010, which was addressed by Dr Ramsammy and a Dr Chehill’ along with several trained health workers. Several members of our group were later trained by the Ministry’s team to become Gatekeepers trainers of other individuals in the country.

After the elections of 2011; however, the Ministry’s suicide unit must have been disbanded, because the individuals we used to contact were no longer there. We do not know if this was due to budget cuts. However, we agree with the organisers of the recent seminar that Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) must be the front line in the fight against suicide. We would like to be part of that fight. But we agree also that the Ministry must provide the training along with other necessary resources needed in the fight.

Sincerely, Praem Rambharak Secretary Hindus for Selfless Service

Open letter to PAHO Director, Dr Carissa Etienne

Dear Dr Etienne,

There is a serious health crisis unfolding in Guyana that has yet to be sufficiently addressed by the authorities responsible for maintaining and assuring the public safety and welfare.

We urge you to leverage your good office to impress upon your hosts the absolute, necessary steps that should be taken to address the debilitating Chikungunya viral threat that plagues a growing proportion of the nation’s population.

Unofficial reports indicate that the virus has reached grave proportions in Guyana,

yet the Health Ministry is downplaying the health crisis and doing little to address it. Unconfirmed yet credible reports on the ground significantly surpass the documented 81 confirmed cases, as revealed by the PAHO Country Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow.

Entire families are experiencing symptoms that are consistent with this virus. Our young students are missing essential classroom time and studies in order to recover.

Our private sector is losing its critical momentum for productivity as many

employees must stay home to recover from the painful, dreadful effects and complications associated with Chikungunya.

Our newspapers carry daily accounts of people who have been afflicted by the virus, yet nothing substantive is being done to mitigate these effects.

We repeat our call for the health authorities to investigate immediately this concern and to develop urgently a reporting system for health-care institutions and the national Health Ministry to track confirmed cases of the virus.

Also, health officials should be given the resources to conduct surveillance studies for tracing Chikungunya’s spreading pattern to determine how best to deploy targeted health and preventive interventions.

We also take this opportunity to call on your local office to assist with technical support and guidance for managing effectively the current situation.

Faithfully, Clinton Urling, Executive Chairman Blue CAPS

An encounter with Guyana’s justice system

Dear Editor,

I am convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that the justice system in Guyana is up for sale. I can outline to you countless experiences that led me to the conclusion that our justice system is biased to people of certain social and financial standing.

Take for example, a situation that I encountered with a popular businessman (name given). After purchasing part of a satellite system from me for his location in the interior, and my technician had successfully installed it in January 2014, he chose in February to switch the bandwidth to another provider.

Since the equipment supplied by my company was incompatible with those supplied by the other provider, it could not work. I informed him of the situation

He chose, however, to come to my office where he choked me and slammed me to the wall in my office. I then told him that I will do no talking with him since he assaulted me, and he needs to pass all further communication through the Police. His response to me was that he has not assaulted me as yet, and that I would see

when he is finished with me.

I was very fearful and expected that he would have shot me. However, he came to my seat where I was sitting and choked me again.

His worker, who is only known to me by (name given) and one of my staff members (name given), whom I had just dismissed, then stole one desktop computer and three laptop computers from my office.

I decided to go to the Brickdam Police Station to report the incident and saw my former staff member leaving the compound, so the Detective from the station called him back. The other two men only showed one laptop computer and the desktop computer.

Since I vehemently objected that these were not all the items, the Police decided to place the men into custody. At this point, the businessman asked me what it would cost for the matter to go away. My reply was that he assaulted me and stole my equipment, and, therefore, the Police have to deal with the matter.

After several weeks of running to the Brickdam Police Station and dealing with a senior officer at

the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Brickdam, I observed that the Police were not pressing charges.

So I started to question, was someone being bribed or was it racial preference that was immunising the individuals from the due course of the law? Subsequently, I was informed that the Police were sending the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

It was in May of 2014, that I was eventually informed that the Police, on advice of the Office of the DPP, decided to charge the perpetrators for felony for assault only, and to just return the items to me.

I went to the Police station on September 8 in the presence of my brother and my father (names given) and collected the desktop computer, minus the power and monitor data cables, and one laptop only, minus the charger, with the advice to return on Wednesday for the laptop charger, because the Police would have to look properly in the property room for the laptop charger.

A detective informed us that the course of action

that was taken was due to the fact that one of the individuals gave a statement that he and the other individuals collected equipment unlawfully from my office. He also informed us that my secretary who was not at the office during the incident in question also gave a statement on what was carried away without my knowledge.

The heart-wrenching evidence is that the individuals assaulted me and stole my equipment in contravention of the law. When the equipment reached my office, on closer inspection, it was discovered that the power button was disconnected from the desktop computer so it could not start.

In summary, I had to purchase a new stock of computers, lost millions of dollars, since all my contracts and business records were on the computers in question, and the machines that I received back from the Police were not in working order.

My question is, who do I have to bribe to have justice from the legal system?

Ranfred Williams, General Manager weChatting.com

The 500th Test in the West Indies

Dear Editor,

The 500th Test in West Indies history is now under way between the home team and Bangladesh at the Beausejour Cricket ground in St Lucia.

Guyana seems to be dominating in several respects, namely, the player with most Test appearances – 158, in Shivnarine Chanderpaul; the most successful captain and the man who captained most Test matches – Clive Lloyd; the bowler with most wickets in the1970s – Lance Gibbs (309); and the most mag-

nificent fieldsman who hit the stumps from the boundary in Melbourne, Australia and created history in the first tied Test in 1961 – Joe Solomon

The West Indies played their first Test match against England at Lords in 1928 and Guyanese Maurice Fernandes was in the team and was the first captain.

Seven Guyanese captained the Windies and a total of 52 Guyanese played Test cricket – the last being Assad Fudadin.

Besides Chanderpaul, two other Guyanese played

more than 100 Tests. They are Clive Lloyd (110) and Carl Hooper (102). Ramnaresh Sarwan played 87, while Rohan Kanhai and Lance Gibbs played 79 Tests each.

To date, West Indies had 162 wins, 168 defeats, 168 draws and one tie. To date, 299 players represented the West Indies in the 500 Tests. In the early days, Barbados dominated the Test scene with players like Frank Worrell, Everton Weekes, Clyde Walcott, Garfield Sobers, Wesley Hall, Charlie Griffith, Malcolm Marshall, Conrad Hunte, Seymore Nurse, Desmond Haynes, Gordon Greenidge and others.

Later, Antigua produced Viv Richards, Andy Roberts, Richie Richardson, Curtly Ambrose and others.

Guyana now seems to be struggling to have players in the West Indies team. As a matter of fact only Chanderpaul is now in the squad and he is only selected for Test matches.

Yours truly, Oscar Ramjeet

Editors note: This letter was re-

The quality of our education system

Dear Editor, Reference is made to the comprehensive letter from my very special colleague Mr E B John of September 6 titled, “Rewards for success”, in which he compares the salary structures between the Public Service and the Teaching Service.

Through the accompanying tables, Mr John rightly underscored the contrasting financial disadvantages portrayed for the teachers which are exacerbated by the lack of any “official commendation” for the reported “gloated achievements” in the recent examination results in public schools.

And, as if to add insult to injury, “official commendation” was profusely showered on the “administrators of education”.

I now wish to add that the situation described by Mr John is indeed more

acute when one compares the current salary scales of teachers with the compensation (and benefits) of other categories of staff in the private sector, for whom the required competencies, responsibilities, outputs, decision-making, consequences of underperformance and other related compensable factors are significantly less than for counterparts in the teaching profession.

When we add to this, the anachronistic management style which the Chief Education Officer has promised to subject our hapless teachers (reference my recent letter to the editor), then we cannot but feel very concerned about the quality of our education system and the future generation of Guyanese.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

ceived prior to Guyanese Leon Johnson making his debut in the current Bangladesh/West Indies Test match in St Lucia

Page Foundation

Anu Dev

New York had always been a looming presence in my life. My dad had lived there for over 20 years after high school before returning to live in Guyana. With almost literally all his relatives up there, he’d visit two or three times every year sometimes with us in tow.

Skyping with relatives from New York made allusions to the city redundant. But I hadn’t visited since 2005, when we’d spent most of the time up in Cape May, on the Jersey shore, at a family reunion.

The following year, for some reason, the US Embassy decided I either presented a threat to the national security of the US, or that I’d abscond and sponge off its largesse and denied me a visa. I was 10 and had done well at the Common Entrance and the extended family thought it’d be fun for me to join them at the annual reunion.

New York, New York

“New York is the meeting place of the peoples, the only city where you can hardly find a typical American.” – Djuna Barnes

This year, when my parents decided that the entire family had to go up to New York (a cousin was tying the knot), I discovered the US had taken me off their “undesirables” list.

We were going to spend a month – with the wedding as the cap on the vacation. The icing on the cake, so to speak. My parents insisted that my brother and I plan the vacation – down to booking theatre tickets, hotels, trains and the whole shebang.

The Internet and credit cards are really fantastic human innovations!!! It became a vacation to bring to life the New York of books and movies that my brother and I consumed like candy! I’d done the tourist bit with the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Centre (saw that a week before it came tumbling down), and the boat ride around Manhattan, etc... so that was nixed.

Interestingly enough, while we have hundreds of

thousands of Guyanese in New York, they’re mostly in Queens (Indian Guyanese) and Brooklyn (African Guyanese) – and it doesn’t appear that the twain meets very much – if at all. But most of the action we wanted to see was in Manhattan –the “City that never sleeps”, the “Big Apple”, “The City that’s so nice – they had to name it twice” – New York, New York!!

And we weren’t disappointed. My dad had worked for years at Broadway and 40th Street. And we discovered this was as close to the heart of the City as you can get – Times Square. Was there a movie in New York made that didn’t showcase the glitz, glamour and glory represented by the neon lights of Times Square? Not to mention the ball dropping from the Times Tower at the moment of “New Year”. It didn’t disappoint.

My dad reminisced as to how squalid and taw-

dry Times Square and 42nd Street had been in the 70s and 80s....but as we looked around, that was definitely a time and place that was no more.

It gave me hope that maybe Georgetown can be restored to its former grace and charm – which is definitely history to me.

For the “weekend on the town”, hanging out in and around Gramercy Park (and just freaking out about the millions of books in the grand New York Public Library just behind), the Lion King at the Minscoff Theatre, dinner at Buca di Beppo (avoiding the stuffier joints on 45th St “Restaurant Row”), and rounding it off sleeping and having breakfast at the Times Square Hyatt, prepared my brother and me for the IMAX experience at the 42nd St AMC – Guardians of the Galaxy.

Our parents were good sports and fell into line. They might have even enjoyed it!!!

Breastfeeding for working moms

– continuing to provide breast milk to your baby after you go back to work is a process, and we’ll walk you through it

By KimBerly Demuch

Just when you’ve hit your breastfeeding groove, you may be facing a whole new set of challenges if you return to work: pumping and stockpiling breast milk at home, introducing a bottle, negotiating a time and place to pump at work, and dealing with co-workers who may not understand your decision. On top of all that, you’ll still need to do your job while missing your baby.

Even with these obstacles, women do continue providing breast milk for their babies, but it’s not easy. Only eight per cent of new and expectant mothers report being extremely satisfied with their ability to manage the multiple demands of their lives, according to a survey by Bravado Designs, maker of intimate apparel for pregnant and nursing moms.

Get pumped

The first step is to buy a good-quality electric breast pump that empties both breasts at once. Sure, they can be expensive, but the time you save will be well worth it. Check with your health provider.

You may also want to keep a lower-cost, but efficient, manual pump at home so you don’t have to haul the machine around. Some moms say they keep the heavy, motorised pump at work Monday through Friday, and tote only the bottles back and forth.

Learn how to use your pump before you return to work. Going back to work is overwhelming enough; you don’t want to spend your first day back at work trying to figure out how to operate your pump. About two weeks before you go back to work, practise using the pump and start storing your breast milk.

Stock up

Now that you know how to use your pump, it’s time to start building a stash of milk in the freezer that a caregiver can thaw and use to feed your baby while you’re at work. Start by pumping after each morning feeding, when your supply is usually at its peak. In the beginning, it may be an effort to get as little as two ounces of milk from both

breasts, since your baby just ate. But once you’re away from your baby, you may find that you can produce five to eight ounces at a time, assuming you are able to pump about three times during the workday.

Output can vary widely from mom to mom and depends on a number of factors: the age of your baby, the time of day and how well you’re able to maintain your milk supply. Expect to pump for 15-25 minutes with a double electric pump. It could take longer if you’re not using a double pump.

You can freeze your breast milk in resealable plastic bags designed for single-serving portions. Pick up these bags and other supplies, such as bottles, nipples, and breast pads, where you find infant feeding items.

Before you freeze your milk, label the bag with the date you pumped the milk. It’s also okay to “layer” milk from different pumping sessions in the same bag as long as you have expressed it on the same day and chill it before adding it to the frozen milk. Breast milk can be refrigerated and used within 48 to 72 hours. It will keep in a freezer compartment inside the refrigerator for two to three weeks, in a separate freezer unit of a refrigerator for three to six months, or in a stand-alone deep freezer for six to 12 months. Keep in mind, however, that all of these guidelines are just that. Use your best judgment. Like any spoiled milk, breast milk will smell bad, so you’ll be able to tell after you thaw the serving whether it’s okay to use.

Introduce a bottle At least two weeks before your maternity leave ends, have someone else, such as dad, grandma or the new caregiver, give the baby a bottle. Practice this new feeding technique – once a day to start – so your baby gets used to it before you actually have to be separated for a long period of time. When you return to work, you may want your partner to give your baby a bottle during the night so that you can have at least one solid block of sleep. (Parenting.com)

to be continued

Canada wants trade deal with Caricom finalised

PPP/C awaits Granger’s “action” on Monday

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

– disappointed over stalled negotiations

BY SvEtLANA MArSHALL

Canada and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) have failed to conclude trade negotiations after initiating talks back in 2007, with the aim of replacing an agreement which expired in December 2013.

“After seven years of negotiating with Caricom, Canada is disappointed that an agreement has not been reached,” Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles said during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Friday.

In a quest to whip up support, Dr Giles advocated for Canadian partners within Caricom to “redouble their efforts” to ensure an agreement is reached in the near future.

The seventh round of

tries with Cdn$14.5 million allocated for the Caricom Trade Competitiveness Programme, Cdn$20 million for the Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Programme, and Cdn$20 million for the Caribbean Institutional Leadership Development Programme.

It is estimated that over the last six years, two-thirds of the US$600 million has been allocated. Additionally, during the period 2006-2011, Canada had given financial aid to Haiti to the tune of Cdn$555 million.

Asked whether an extended negotiating period was granted following the June 30 deadline, the High Commissioner was unable to indicate, but maintained that Canada stands willing to finalise the agreement.

In May, Caricom had stated that the “simultaneous negotiation of several trade issues as part of one

Canada has been attempting to put arrangements in place for the free trade agreements, but it was only until 2008 that Caricom agreed to engage Canada. That level of agreement too occurred at a time when the previous agreement was nearing its expiry date.

Initiated in 1986, it had paved the way for Caricom commodities to enter the Canadian market dutyfree, with just a few exceptions.

Just after the US, Canada is the third largest market for exports of goods from Caricom. It is said that although Canada represents a meagre four per cent of Caricom’s market for the export of goods, it is the only developed nation which allows Caricom countries to enjoy a trade surplus.

In a quest to build its argument, Canada has said that Caricom had benefit -

negotiations toward the Canada-Caricom Free Trade Agreement was held in Barbados from June 1621, days ahead of the drop dead deadline – June 30 –which was agreed upon by both parties.

Even as uncertainty looms, the High Commissioner said Canada remains committed to negotiating a modern trade agreement with Caricom, positing that Canada has been extremely generous and accommodating.

“We have made clear every step of the way that we remain firmly committed to the US$600 million development assistance that has been announced for the Region. Sadly, despite the extensive flexibility and accommodation that Canada has shown over the past seven years, Caricom nations, as a group, have not been able to come to an agreement,” Dr Giles said.

It was Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2007 who pledged the US$600 million to Caricom coun-

international trade agreement” is a complex process. The regional grouping had said “successful conclusion of the exercise requires not only administrative coordination but technocratic/ thematic synchronisation to ensure that per issue, the terms negotiated are complementary and are consistent with the overall negotiation mandate”.

Committed to negotiations

But international analysts have said that strong political will is needed.

On the flip side, Canada said the free trade agreement would give rise to new opportunities for Canadian businesses in varying sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture and financial services.

Canada maintains that it remains committed to negotiating a modern trade agreement with Caricom that will take into account differing levels of development, vulnerabilities associated with island states, and trade-related capacity challenges.

Since the early 2000s,

ted significantly from the two-way merchandise trade which has “more than doubled over the last decade”.

It was pointed that revenues garnered from trade arrangements with Canada had jumped from $1.0 billion in 1998 to $2.5 billion in 2008.

Since 1963, Canada has provided over $2 billion in development assistance to the Commonwealth Caribbean, becoming one of the Region’s most important bilateral donors.

“Canada recognises that while trade liberalisation offers the Caribbean many important opportunities for growth, it could also present some challenges.

As such, Canada is helping to build the Region’s capacity to negotiate and implement trade and regional integration imitative, through the Trade and Competitiveness Programme, to support the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM) and the Caricom Secretariat,” Dr Giles said. (svetlanam@guyanatimesgy. com)

The

People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) says it is awaiting with anticipation the “action” promised by Opposition Leader David Granger, if President Donald Ramotar does not announce the date for Local Government Elections (LGE) by Monday.

The party’s General Secretary Clement Rohee, speaking with Guyana Times during an exclusive interview on Friday, described the deadline issued by Granger as “political”, while expressing support for the President’s decision to request that Granger’s letter be further clarified given the contradictions and ambiguities therein.

“We are waiting to see what will unfold with the passing of the political deadline… we would also like to see what kind of international and national mobilisation would take place”, the General Secretary reiterated. Rohee maintained that the party is still studying the letter and has noted the threats issued to the President. He said that soon, the media would be furnished with a stern response from the party which has always stood up against any form of intimidation and thuggery.

The General Secretary nonetheless recommitted the PPP/C to local democracy and the staging of Local Government Elections.

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

Rohee’s comments come on the heels of threats issued by Granger to President Ramotar that should he fail to issue the commencement order for LGEs and announce a date, that the APNU would resort to local and international action.

Another senior party member has strongly condemned the tone of Granger’s letter, which he said was aimed at scoring cheap political points, as the Opposition Leader is fully aware of the reasons why Government has not called the elections.

He said that the PPP/C is always ready and able to mobilise mass support if the political environment requires such. “You can’t threaten the President of Guyana and expect him to

cooperate with you. You can’t issue him an ultimatum and expect him to move swiftly to avoid political sanction. This is ridiculous. Granger is playing tricks and is seeking to undermine the AFC by creating opportunities to get away from the no-confidence motion,” the party’s General Secretary said.

United States Charge d’Affairs Bryan Hunt, when asked by Guyana Times on Thursday as to whether Granger had discussed his resort of national and international action against the current Administration if a date for Local Government polls is not announced by Monday, he responded in the negative.

“The Honourable Leader of the Opposition did not send me copies of the letter that he sent to the President. I honestly don’t know anything more than you about the contents,” he said.

He denied having any meetings with Granger before or after the letter was sent to President Ramotar.

“I have not had any discussions with the leader of the Opposition about this letter on the purported demands he made to the Government”, Hunt said. No other member of the diplomatic community confirmed support for Granger’s letter or knowledge about his threat to take “action” if the President does not yield to his demand.

A clean list reduces the window for skullduggery – Rohee

By Michael younge

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Clement Rohee says that the party’s field workers and activists have completed reviewing about 80 per cent of the Preliminary Voters List (PVL) compiled by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) with a view of ensuring that it is “satisfactory and clean”.

Rohee said his party continues to have concerns about the PVL and is constantly working to strengthen the list and boost the levels of confidence that all stakeholders repose in the cleanliness and accuracy of the document.

“We are working to establish not found and dead persons on the list… to ensure that the list is clean… our task primarily is to help GECOM,” he asserted, dispelling assertions that

the PPP/C was anti-GECOM and creating a storm in the tea-cup.

Rohee insisted that his party understands the importance of ensuring that the list is fully sanitised, given the history of elections in Guyana and the party’s own experiences of thousands of Guyanese being disenfranchised.

“We must go to the elec-

tions with a list that is acceptable to all parties,” he implored. Rohee said that in order for there to be free and fair election as well as elections free from fear, all parties must be comfortable with GECOM’s work and the list.

He maintained that the party will continue to voice its concerns, pointing out as many deficiencies as

possible, with the aim of having them resolved.

“Once that happens, it minimises the whole question of any confusion taking place in respect to where people ought to go and vote and the locations of polling stations, where votes are counted. In essence, it reduces the possibility for confusion, skullduggery,” he said.

The party came in for heavy criticisms from Chairman of the GECOM, Dr Steve Surujbally, who claimed at the information released to the media by the PPP/C was malicious and aimed at discrediting the work of the Commission.

Despite adopting this position, GECOM’s Chairman has supported the concerns raised by the party through his own admissions about the number of dead people that are still on the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) and the number of people still to access transfers.

Porter, 19, charged for larceny

A19-year-old por-

ter attached to Ariel Enterprise’s was on Friday remanded after being charged with larceny from a person.

Ricky Lakeram of Lot 40 Seaforth Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, pleaded guilty to stealing two gold chains when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The chains were valued at $120,000 and belonged to Vanessa Pier. They were sto-

len on September 11 on Croal Street, Georgetown. Lakeram was represented by Attorney Paul Fung-AFat who told the court that his client has one child and another baby on the way, before requesting bail in a reasonable amount.

The facts of the case read that on the day in question, at about 17:45h, Pier was on Croal Street wearing the chains. The defendant walked up and snatched them after which he made good his escape. Pier then raised an alarm and the de-

fendant was apprehended by Police. According to Lakeram, the articles were recovered.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Michael Grant objected to bail on the grounds of the prevalence of the offence, the gravity and nature.

He also noted that the defendant had pleaded guilty to the charge and that he had previously been charged for breaking and entering although he was not convicted. Bail was refused and the defendant will return to court on October 13.

Eyew tness

Bubble...

...in doomsayers

The recent “One Stop Shop” house lot allocation – saw another 500 lots, this time by Subject Minister Irfan Ali – reminds this Eyewitness of the doom and gloom prognostications from the MuckrakerKN, Lalloo Ram and the rest of the Opposition naysayers that we are in the midst of a “housing bubble”. Well, from the evidence, the only bubble we can see is maybe the bubble session joyous house lot awardees might throw now that they have achieved their dream.

What the doomsayers are moaning about “bubbles” is that the number of houses being constructed and the rise in prices have no bearing to the “economic fundamentals” of supply and demand. So whenever the “artificial” factors – always read “the Government” when these wankers are spouting off – are gone, house prices will plummet. Ruining folks like in the US “NINJA” housing bust.

But all this caterwauling does is to show how low the Opposition and their handmaidens will sink – lower than the belly of a snake – to bad mouth even the most positive achievements of this PPP/C Government. Which Guyanese can deny that the PNC left this country’s housing stock woefully in tatters? Remember their promise to “Feed, Clothe and House” the nation by 1976?? Well, if we were all starving and naked by then (excepting the party boys, of course) imagine the state of our housing needs!!!

Now, since the PPP/C came into office, over 100,000 house lots have been given out. “Squatting settlements” – which sprouted up like “jumbie umbrellas” under the PNC all over the place – became a thing of the past. Even the PNC’s Squalid Squatting Settlements had been regularised by the PPP/C! Seventy thousand houses have been built!!! So we can see the pickle the wankers are in: how the hell can they deny this kind of success??

And so we have their spin about “housing bubble”. Well, they have been crying “the bubble is bursting! The bubble is bursting” for a decade now...and even more people are stepping up to the housing crease. What these “One Stop Shop” house lots demonstrate is that it’s real flesh and blood people who’re rushing for house lots and houses. This isn’t the “speculation” that drives “bubbles”.

The Government has worked from any number of fronts to create the biggest housing boom the Caribbean has seen: the NBS with low cost mortgages; special interest rate write-offs by commercial banks for low-income applicants; pre-built and financed homes; etc...etc.

Owning your own home, creates law abiding citizens who can live with dignity. The Opposition wants to deny the goodwill this creates for the Government. For them, it’s all politics! So what else is new??

...in elections

PNC-APNU-Opposition Leader Brigadier David Granger seems to have developed a bubble in his head when it comes to elections. He needs to get his head straight on whether he wants Local Government Elections or General Elections.

But then, this Eyewitness guesses the burden of being the leader of all the above titles must be weighing heavily on him. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown – especially when the crown was filched and the other contenders are lurking by!

On one hand, Granger is adamant he’s supportive of the AFC’s “no-confidence” motion. Now unless he’s been told confidentially by the AFC (we know the PNC and the AFC are in bed and under the sheets, so confidences will be shared, no?) that all the huffing and puffing on the no-confidence motion is a bluff and hot air, this means there’ll be General Elections three months after.

So exactly where does Granger schedule the Local Government Elections he simultaneously demands the President call??

...in fried foods??

When the developed countries clamped down on cigarettes (for health reasons) they were dumped into the Third World. Is the same thing happening with fast foods, now that “fat” is “out”?

PAHO Director lauds performance of sections of health sector

– officially commemorates Wellness Day

Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Dr Carissa Etienne, during the official commemoration of Wellness Day 2014, at the Wellness Fair and Exhibition held at the Square of the Revolution, commended the Government of Guyana on the performance of various sections of the health sector.

“I am encouraged by the work that is being done in primary health care, certainly to ensure you have trained health care workers at the community level and that you are expanding the access to care at that level. I noted the work that was being done at Campbellville and I think it is commendable,” Dr Etienne said

She added that she also looked at the immunisation coverage and the way healthcare officials manage chronic diseases is quiet impressive. She pointed out that access

to universal health coverage and care has to be based on a strong primary health care approach which she has seen as quite prevalent in Guyana’s health sector.

“At the hospital, I visited the diabetic foot initiative, you know that one of the complications of diabetes, people a lot of time have to have amputations because of infection in their limbs and so this programme helps to treat, manage and follow up people with diabetic foot ulcers and save many amputations, and I think this is an extremely good initiative in a country with a high incidence of diabetes,” Dr Etienne related.

Further, the group consisting of Minister Ramsaran, PAHO Representative in Guyana Dr William AduKrow, President of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition Sir Trevor Hassell, and Director – NCD/Mental Health PAHO/Headquarters

Dr Anselm Henniss, among others, visited the neonatal care unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation on Friday.

Dr Etienne said it is an expanded unit and, “I met with the staff and it is a committed staff and most of your mortality under the age of five is from the neonatal and so we looked at the work that they were doing there. I am very pleased, I think this is the way we can build the awareness, this is very good because yesterday we said that it is a multi-sector approach, it is not just a Health Ministry, it’s all other sectors working together to combat emerging health threats of NCDs,” Dr Etienne said.

She further congratulated the Health Ministry and the Government for the organisation of the week’s activities to commemorate Wellness Day. Wellness Day is not only celebrated in the Caribbean, but also all of the Americas. She urged everyone to work together to ensure chronic diseases are prevented and controlled, and those who are victims of NCDs are treated.

There were booths from the various health organisations on display, the Guyana Shop, Namilco, and the Guyana Pharmacists Association among others. Patrons benefitted from testing their blood pressure and sugar levels, as well as for HIV/AIDS, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

13 complete Sterling Products work study programme

Sterling Products Limited (SPL) facilitated 13 students in its annual work study programme this year. The company held a simple ceremony on August 28, at which the students received gifts and were recognized for their performance.

Speaking at the event, acting Chief Executive Officer Deodat Indar said SPL is proud to have provided yet again, an opportunity for students to acquire work experience and the opportunity to explore their strengths in a corporate setting.

“We try to provide an environment whereby you can take away from the organisation through the learning process and you can use it in your life somewhere, sometime and somehow. We try our best to make sure that the environment that you were put in; that you could learn something and you can take away something from your experience here,” Indar stated.

Other members of SPL’s management team expressed appreciation to the students for their input over the two-month period and wished them well in their future endeavors.

The students also thanked SPL and the man-

agement team for the support and encouragement shown.

“I would like to say a special thank you to the management and staff of Sterling Products Limited for offering us the opportunity to work in this vibrant and reputable organisation and for providing us with an opportunity to gain new knowledge, skills and experience. It has been a great pleasure working for this company for the past two months in the Human Resource Department with the friendly and encouraging staff,” commented Reona Persaud.

Adding her voice of appreciation, Ravita Latchman said, “Thank you very much for accommodating us once again. I realise the invaluable experience gained in working with one of the largest companies on the East Bank Demerara. This company has an enviable record of innovation and an excellent reputation as an employer which makes wanting to work here more attractive.”

SPL has been conducting its work study programme for more than 10 years. The company remains committed to playing an integral role in the growth and development of the nation’s youth

and will continue to support initiatives that aid in this regard.

september 14, 2014

Guyanese youth honour the past of the first peoples

In observance of Amerindian Heritage Month 2014, the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, in collaboration with the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, has organized multiple displays of Michael Khan’s adaptation of “Amerindian Tales, Myths and Legends of Guyana 2014”, under the theme, “Honouring the Past of the First People”.

This is the third year in

there.

The audience is treated to Ole’ Man Pappie’s adaptation of Amerindian stories such as, “How the Cassava came to the Amerindians”, and “the Hole in the Clouds”, which tells how the Amerindians came to Earth.

Another aspect of the presentations involves “Show, Tell and Learn”, where the audience has an opportunity to learn about various

Faculties of Education and Humanities, Earth and Environmental Studies at the University of Guyana (UG) and the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) have also shown an interest in the way of life of Guyana’s indigenous people.

Over the years more of the students have been attending the event and applauding the knowledge being shared through the storytelling, art making

which the event is being held in observance of Amerindian Heritage month.

The activity is geared to assist patrons to develop an understanding of and respect for Amerindian artifacts, myths and legends. This year, there is a change in the programme, with schools –both primary and secondary– included. The students will have a first-hand experience of the way of life of Guyana’s first people.

Some of the activities over the four weeks of presentations include a conducted tour of the museum and discussions on the artifacts which are housed

Amerindian artifacts such as the Warishi, Matapee, and rain stick, etc.

After that it is art making, where the children are given a chance to express themselves through painting, drawing, bead making and craft oriented activities.

Apart from that, there are live demonstrations of Amerindian weaving for basketry and decorative use. In addition there will be a demonstration on how to make cassava bread.

Over the past two years, approximately 500 persons, including children, have benefitted.

Students of the

and demonstrations.

Some of the schools which were present on Friday are Mae’s, St Gabriels, St John’s College, St Roses, St Georges, Campbellville Secondary, South Ruimveldt Park Primary, Graham’s Hall Primary, Stella Marris, North Georgetown Primary, and Redeemer Priamry, among others.

For this month, Ole’ Man Pappie will be visiting schools, telling stories, doing puppetry workshops for teachers, and preparing for “Global Day of Play” on October 10 in the National Park.

NEW GPC INC Annual Bursary Awards…

Students urged to remain focused, aim for the stars

By Vahnu Manickchand

The Region’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, NEW GPC INC, continues to honour its social responsibility by rewarding children of its staff members

for their outstanding performance at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations.

At its annual bursary awards ceremony held in the company’s boardroom, Company Secretary Romeo Seenjan, told the awardees that preparation is key if they are to be successful in other academic pursuits.

“If you want to be successful in life, a good place to start is your schooling. Preparation for school and your exams will no doubt translate into success. You have to be good at preparations in order to become successful.

This includes preparing and going to school on time, doing your assignments and homework as required, and laying the foundation for that success,” he stated. With these traits, Seenjan said, any child would be successful.

He urged the awardees to continue working hard, stating that NEW GPC is committed to seeing them succeed.

“We are ready to equip you with the tools for your success. Your parents are also ready and have been preparing you for success with the sacrifice they make towards your education and general well-being. You have to play your part – study and continue to work hard,” he urged the students.

NEW GPC General Manager (GM), Ravie Ramcharitar underscored the importance of education, saying that it should be seen as the only way in which a person can develop themself. “If you want to be competitive, if you want to be up there, if you want to be in the race, then you have to focus on education,” he said.

Ramcharitar added that with all the sacrifices that parents make, it is now up to the children to

Over the hill

Satiricus was surprised at the humility of GrainJa. How many politicians would publicly admit they were so old and their hands were probably so arthritic, they had to “write slowly”? But here it was GraniJa had so declared!! “What a guy!!!” thought Satiricus.

No wonder that “Donkey Cart” economist was so love smitten with the man, he jumped ship from the KFC to GrainJa’s APANU. Some said it was a case of jumping from the frying pan into the fire...but that was neither here nor there.

Fact of the matter, at long last, here was an honest politician. And if GrainJa could admit to the infirmities of old age...who knows what revelations might lie ahead. Even more than the fairer sex, politicians loathed revealing their age.

GreenBridge, who lusted for GrainJa’s position, but lost, has to be in his 80s – and he certainly looked it! – but were you ever hear him admitting it?? “I’m not holding my breath,” muttered Satiricus.

But GrainJa was “de man” when it came to baring his soul – and Satiricus was so happy to have the purloined secret diary of the man who would’ve made Diogenes finally take a rest. Courtesy of his niece, maid to the Opposition.

Dear Diary, I must tell you that I feel soooo much lighter now that I have admitted I am an ooooold man. I remember that poem I had to learn as a child back in the 1940s: “My hair is grey and it is with years/nor grew it white in a single night. My back is bent and it is not with toil/ but rusted with a vile repose.” This is me, Dear Diary.

And it is not only writing that I have to do slowly. Have you heard me speak lately?? That damned whippersnapper North Ton, always tried to finish my sentences when we debated, because I just couldn’t get the words quickly enough.

But I tell you, Dear Diary, what makes my years weigh most heavily on me are the secrets I had to carry all these years. You think lead heavy?? You should try carting around secrets. Especially the deep, dark secrets I had to carry. They are heavier. Now that I have admitted that I am so old I can barely write, I will spill my guts if they ask me to testify at the CoI.

Didn’t my old pastor always tell me that “confession is good for the soul”? And after all I have done, God knows I need something to help my soul.

play their part to succeed academically. “This is the best time to start, nothing should distract you or take you away from your education… education is and must be your main priority,” he said.

The GM encouraged the children to work hard now, saying this will allow them to lead a comfortable life in the future.

Other speakers at the awards ceremony were Michael Stephens, representative from the Guyana Labour Union (GLU), and Sherwood Clarke from the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCCW); both of whom urged the parents gathered to continue playing an active and supportive role in their children’s lives.

The bursary awards will last for five years with an additional two years for those students who proceed to Sixth Form. A minimum pass rate of 55 per cent and 99 per cent attendance are required to qualify.

Four other students who were given summer attachment jobs at the company were also recognised at the ceremony.

The summer attachment students were Marvin Scott, Bianca Phillips, Nankishore Rup and Akeisha Cave; all of whom expressed sincerest appreciation for the opportunity as their first step in the working world.

Since its establishment in 2000, NEW GPC has been awarding children of employees for their excellent performance at the Secondary School Entrance Examination (SSEE), now called NGSA. ( vahnum@guyanatimesgy. com)

The four NGSA students who joined the club of NEW GPC bursary awardees are Sushmita Bharat, John Singh, Stayana Browne and Joemain Wray. They each received a cheque for $25,000 along with a hamper containing school supplies.

Say ‘no’ to child beggars – Green

Fate of CJIA Control Tower employees still in limbo

– says parents, others exploiting children – GCAA Chairman yet to make decision on disciplinary action

By Alexis Rodney

Government is gravely concerned over the alarming increase in the number of children who are engaged in begging, and is therefore urging those involved against supporting the practice, in an effort to end the cycle of child exploitation.

The Government took the position after careful analysis of the situation found that not all children who are engage in begging for money do so because of poverty, but rather because they were forced into the practice by adults, including their parents.

Child begging and child trafficking have become serious concerns for many Caribbean societies, in particular, as many are struggling with their economic and social inequalities. The practice can take various forms, including, but not limited to, forced child begging, sexual exploitation, child pornography, child marriage and child soldiers.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has also reported that children being trafficked across the globe mainly engage in street begging, prostitution and crimes such as stealing.

A Caribbean media house reported this month that there are growing concerns over child labour and other forms of begging. Children, the report said, could be seen working in various forms of street hustling, including the selling of counterfeit movies, stolen electronic devices, or local produce such as fruits and vegetables.

“These economic burdens that are placed on children can have a devastating impact on their lives. Many of these children are lured into various forms of illicit activities, like child pornography, theft, gang violence and child trafficking,” the report said.

This state of affairs has forced Head of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) of the Human Services and Social Security Ministry Ann Green, to take a firm stance on the issue.

Safety net Green admitted that it is a growing concern of the Agency and while she could not provide statistics on the incidences of child begging around the country, she said the Ministry is continuously working with families engaged in the practice, offering them support through its “Safety Net Programme”.

“These families do not have to beg. It is an offence; worse yet if that child is of school age,” she told Guyana Times earlier this week. She admitted that the Ministry is called upon on numerous occasions to rescue children from their parents, who would have them involved in begging.

Green explained that often, people are placed before the courts for engaging in the practice, but said further that this has not deterred others from seeing it as a lucrative exercise.

The situation is so severe that persons would even rent their babies to persons who would, in turn, set themselves on the street corner to beg for money, while playing on the emotions of citizens.

Green advised citizens that if they were to be approached by such individuals, they should link them to the services offered by the Human Services Ministry. She said that many adults leading comfortable lives would take advantage of children by sending them out to beg. This, she said, is nothing more than “sheer exploitation”.

The CCPA head said she has had cause on many occasions to upbraid parents who allow their children to be exposed to the elements of the weather while begging for money along the roadside. She said it makes children very vulnerable.

She explained that the organisation has been conducting many programmes to get children off the streets; carrying out such exercises at least once per quarter. However, the situation continues to escalate.

Guyana Times recently met with a single mother of three young children, who frequents the corner of Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown, which is right where this newspaper’s office is located.

“Many cars passing, we could have gotten some money by now,” Simone Ferdinand of Sophia, Greater Georgetown told this newspaper as she was preparing to beg with her children.

Ferdinand said she sees no other way to make a living. “People would see them and give them money, you know, they are children,” she said calmly. Ferdinand said the father of her children died some three years ago and she has since been begging.

Employment was not an option for her despite her admission that the money earned from begging was insufficient to take care of her children.

Chairman of the Board of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Hugh Denbow has still not made a decision as to what definitive action will be taken against three employees implicated in the Control Tower fiasco at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in March of this year.

Denbow was furnished with a set of recommendations as to how the matter should be dealt with, including what disciplinary action could be taken following a comprehensive investigation launched into an incident which saw an Air Traffic Control Officer abandoning his post while a Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) aircraft was mid-air.

A senior official told Guyana Times on Saturday that the recommendations were submitted to the Chairman about five months ago, but he is yet to make a decision on the issue.

Three trained air traffic controllers were initially suspended for more than two months but subsequently returned to work where they were given administrative duties.

The official explained that their licences to operate in the Control Tower would have expired; hence the three men will have to be placed under supervision if they are filtered back into the Tower. He added that while the GCAA would like to see the three men taking their rightful positions at the Control Tower, the Chairman has the last say.

He explained that on the night of the incident, the air traffic controller who was on duty would have indicated to his superior that he was feeling unwell and could not work the extra shift, although the other person who was supposed to take over reported

Chairman of GCAA, Hugh Denbow

sick as well.

When the supervisor reportedly refused to listen, the young man left the control room. Even at that time, the supervisor who is believed to be a member of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), refused to land the aircraft which was already in close prox -

imity to the CJIA. Several minutes, the official said, had elapsed which caused a delay in facilitating the aircraft’s landing. It was during this period that the supervisor rushed to the control room and landed the aircraft safely.

With respect to the air traffic controller who reported sick, Denbow was reportedly concerned with the manner in which he reported to his supervisor. Guyana Times understands that the air traffic controller sent a text message to his superior rather than calling him. To date, the Timehri air traffic control Tower is understaffed and with the absence of the three qualified Air Traffic Controllers, the existing staff is under pressure, the official stated. Attempts to make contact with Denbow proved futile up press time.

St Lucia Police probe death of Guyanese tourist –

foul play ruled out

AGuyanese tourist who was on vacation in St Lucia was found dead in his hotel room at Gros Islet on Tuesday last, but Police have subsequently ruled out foul play.

Sixty-one-year-old Richard Gordon Proffitt was discovered dead in his hotel room at about 17:00h. It is unclear who found the man’s body. However, St Lucian Police confirmed that there were no marks of violence about his body.

They are also trying to ascertain whether or not the elderly man had any visitors on the day his body was found.

While speculations are in the air, Police claimed that they have to wait on the post mortem results which will give the cause of death.

It was reported that the man was last seen at about 13:00h but was found dead four hours later. It is not clear whether the man was on holiday alone, but ac-

cording to information, he checked in a few days prior to his death.

A post mortem examination is expected to be performed on the man’s body shortly.

Another Guyanese, 34-year-old Cedolf Hunte of Ciceron, was attacked and stabbed to death by four masked men while playing cards with friends in the community. A stab wound under his right arm is believed to have caused his death.

Simply the Truth

Security and law enforcement

The Guyana Police Force often comes in for great negative criticism from all quarters. Sometimes those negatives are justified; mostly they are not.

My experience has been that for every unscrupulous law enforcement officer, there are five who try as much as they can to resist the temptations that are offered up by the very people who are deeply negative in their condemnation. But many of our cops refuse.

Those that refuse to be bribed are then subject to negative criticisms for following the law which they are sworn to uphold. It is like this: if they take a bribe from some reckless fool, they are condemned for it. If they refuse an exact legal penalty from perpetrators, they are condemned just the same.

These are the men and women on whom we call when there is trouble! We expect them to place themselves in harm’s way for our sake since that is their job (as we tend to say). They are there, indeed, to serve and protect. And oftentimes, all they want back from us is respect. Sometimes, even thank you.

We depend on law enforcement officers to maintain some kind of order in the chaos that visits our nation every minute of every day. And that chaos is often of our own creation. This is not only true on our roads and in our communities, but also in our houses.

The domestic violence and child abuse. The rapes within and outside of what passes for marriages. The drunk and disorderly behaviour everywhere. These cops often stand between us and the monsters that we can often be and often are.

Every now and then, someone pipes up about “Police training.” And it could be that the Government spends some of our taxpayer dollars to improve training facilities and methodologies. It could be so. If they do, then we can find ways to make that money work better.

For instance, we can design a more scientific aptitude test for new recruits. At this point, we have the CXC requirements, and we depend on the intuition of training officers who interview potential recruits. It would take some work to have a psychological evaluation, but it is not too hard to do. This is the start. We interview, choose, and train.

The training needs to be much more than skills at arms, drills, vehicular training, etc. We do have the “classroom aspect” and much of this is done well. But we could expand our training

(without taking away from the normal training and without adding time to the training regimen). We can have intense sessions on things like oral communication and mannerly conduct; written communication; fundamentals of law; first responder training; conflict resolution and domestic violence; information technology; dealing with survivors of suicide; managing at-risk youth, and so on.

When I was Director of the UG Berbice Campus, we did all of this in a week – for free! Everyone gained. The greatest beneficiaries were the members of society. The course programmes still ought to be at UGBC, unless they have been thrown away like so much useless trash. I am confident that the great expertise and experience of the retired cops can be engaged or re-engaged, even for free!

It does not stop there. Each and every Police station and outpost must be furnished with ‘connected’ computers. It allows every station to know what is transpiring elsewhere in the country because the communication links are there! And do remember that our cops will now be trained in the use of Informaition Technology (IT).

We could also design a modern technologybased tracking system that measures how each and every law enforcement officer is performing: where, how, in what disciplines. This includes current ranks that can be rotated for training upgrades. The rotation could or should be done in such a way that there is not too much interference with regular duties.

With the new tracking system in place, we can now identify officers for advanced training and academic development. I know many cops who are as bright as anything. Let them perform on the job and up they go!

The rewards for measurable excellent performance on the job (or on academic self-development) would be immediate rewards: increased salary and

Construction worker remanded for stealing $80,000 bicycle

Fpromotion. Of course, those who are not up to snuff will be left behind or dropped completely.

However, with this kind of training, upgrade, tracking and reward system, our law enforcement officers will now have tangible personal, promotional and monetary incentives to reach for excellence.

A similar but modified system of training can also be developed for the Community Policing Groups and other security agencies. In many ways, this is all logical and obvious; however, it takes the will to strive to be better.

None of this is the stuff of genius, but we need to have the humility to take on board some of this. Take it all. Modify it all. But let us begin the work.

orty-nine-year-old construction worker Frank Spencer appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday charged with simple larceny. It is alleged that Spencer stole a bicycle from Stephen Diego.

Spencer, who was represented by Attorney Peter Hugh, pleaded guilty to the charge, which was read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. It is alleged that on Thursday, September 11, in the vicinity of Bourda Market,

Georgetown, he stole the bicycle, valued $80,000, from Diego.

Diego told the court that after the man stole the bicycle, he gave chase immediately in a taxi. Spencer dropped the bicycle on the Kitty Public Road and fled, but was later apprehended. He then begged Diego not to take him to the Police station, as he would never do it again.

The matter was transferred to Court Three and will be called again on September 19.

Man who used ganja to calm nerves charged

ALinden resident on Wednesday pleaded guilty to the charge of ganja possession, but not before telling the court that he “needed ganja to calm tensions” after having an argument with his girlfriend.

Lawrence St John appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after it was alleged that he had five grams of marijuana in his possession on September 7.

The illegal drug was unearthed during a Police search operation. Lawrence alleged that the substance was found in his house and not on his person.

He was fined $3000 and sentenced to six months community service to be served at the Wismar Police Station where he is expected to cooperate fully with ranks.

Preliminary probe into maternal death completed

By Bhisham mohamed

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has completed a preliminary probe into the death of Evita Singh, who died while she was a patient at the medical institution’s Maternal Ward.

Singh died two Saturdays ago after experiencing complications during her attempt to deliver a full term baby. A senior hospital official told Guyana Times on Saturday that the preliminary report was completed after several forms of investigations were launched to get to the bottom of the incident, which has resulted in public outrage and concern.

The detailed report is expected to be sent to Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, after which findings will be made public.

From the onset, Minister Ramsaran described the incident as unfortunate, as he ordered the probe. He also said the Georgetown Public Hospital needs to provide a higher standard of service to the public, referring to some of the things that currently occur as “unacceptable”.

The report took approxi-

mately seven days to be completed. After the Minister would have considered the findings therein, it will be forward to an expert committee that will make their recommendations and advise accordingly. While this is being done, it is highly unlikely that staff would be suspended or disciplined, the official said, given the precedent set when matters like these are investigated.

Guyana Times understands that the investigation was primarily done with the aim of finding out what transpired from the time Singh was admitted to

the time of her death.

However, Singh’s family stated that they will ensure the young woman’s death does not go unnoticed, as they intend to have the hospital administration release the findings.

Family members also expect disciplinary action to be taken against the doctors and nurses involved.

In this way, they added, that the Georgetown Public Hospital and other hospitals will be pressured to take every step to reduce the high incidence of maternal deaths in Guyana, as they blamed poor medical care for the woman’s demise.

Incidentally, one of Singh’s relatives also died a few days after giving birth, along with her baby. In that case, it was found that the hospital did not have a proper functioning incubator.

Upon Singh’s admittance to the medical facility, she was placed in the maternity ward where she was treated for high temperature, which was brought under control by Tuesday, September 2.

A few days after her admittance, the nurses reportedly induced labour via the use of Cytotec. It was report-

ed that about six of the tablets were inserted into the expectant mother over a period of two days. They later claimed that Singh was not responding to the tablets and that there was no movement from the foetus.

This led to the woman bleeding profusely, followed by tremendous pains, Chandra Ramjit, the dead woman’s mother recalled. The pains were followed by strong contractions, and it was at this time it was understood that they had to perform a Caesarean Section (C-Section).

Singh was taken to the labour room where the nurses attempted to deliver the child, but in the process, the bleeding became excessive. Eventually, a decision was taken to perform the C-Section, but by the time it was done, the baby was already dead.

During the labour attempt, Singh lost a significant amount of blood and her heart rate had declined. She lost and never regained consciousness. The doctors reportedly told the family that Singh’s body was also rejecting the blood transfusion she had been given.

Joiner killed en route to ailing mother – driver in Police custody

Moments after leaving his place of employment to meet his ailing mother, a father of three was crushed to death on Friday afternoon in the vicinity of Poke Bridge on the Lethem Trail in Region Nine.

Dead is Lindy Ambrose, 26, a joiner of Haiwa Village, Central Rupununi. He reportedly suffered severe head injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Lethem Hospital just about 18:00h.

According to informa-

tion received, the joiner was heading home on his motorcycle when he collided with a Bedford truck that was tuning at the time. Ambrose was reportedly in the process of overtaking the truck that was carrying several tanks filled with water.

It is believed that Ambrose might not have seen the indicator of the vehicle due to the positioning of the tanks. Despite wearing a helmet, his head was reportedly crushed.

Deerdat Harrinandan, his employer, told Guyana

Times that Ambrose left his furniture store at about 17:15h. The man further explained that after he received the news of the accident, he rushed to the scene, but Ambrose was already dead.

The man related that Ambrose had been working with him for the past three years and described him as a very ambitious individual.

He said Ambrose would normally work late in the nights since they had a deadline to produce the furniture to schools in the community.

Attempts to make contact with relatives of the dead man proved futile. His body is at the Lethem Hospital mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination.

Police in a release stated that the driver of the truck was taken into custody and is assisting with investigations. Preliminary investigations indicate Ambrose attempted to overtake a motor lorry and lost control of his motorcycle and was run over by the lorry.

Investigations are continuing.

Younge’s Take

When desperation steps in

The no-confidence motion tabled by the AFC has exposed the high levels of desperation that exist within the country’s political Opposition.

It is being used as a mechanism to fast track attempts to grab executive power from the PPP/C after the Opposition failed miserably to halt development and progress by shooting down several large-scale modernisation projects.

That aside, the motion is being used to create more tension in the country and paint the impression that Government is incapable of managing the socioeconomic affairs in Guyana, even when statistics as far as development and standard of living of the people paint a different picture.

By tabling the motion, the AFC is hoping to breathe new life into the nostrils of its waning popularity.

Interestingly, the party’s tabling of the motion is coming at time when there is distrust, infighting and resentment among its Executive membership and a host of other problems about the course that it is charting.

In fact, analysts say the AFC, even with Moses Nagamootoo at the helm, is in no position to win an election against the PPP/C. Since the 2011 elections, the party has not managed to keep its promises to the thousands of voters it gained from PPP/C strongholds.

This has led to widespread resentment for the AFC as an alternative to the PPP/C and APNU/PNC, especially at Berbice and in Regions Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The party has shot itself in the foot and continues to ‘test the waters’ by the adaptation of unreasonable parliamentary postures and the articulation of confusing and trite public policies on sugar, rice, education and Amerindian development.

The AFC is fooling no one by its denial that its system of choosing Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates is based on race rotation. Perhaps if the dead could talk, the late Sheila Holder would have said something differently.

If walls could talk, those who were there at the birth of the party would reveal some damning truths about the AFC’s hidden ideology, adding to the stories already spoken by Gomattie Persaud, Haseef Yusuf and others.

The party has until October to hide behind the noconfidence motion. The AFC appears comfortable in continuing its pretence that it is not engaged in back-door negotiations with the APNU about a pre-electoral alliance.

Recall, David Granger has publicly invited the AFC to join his partnership. It would appear that the AFC’s leadership is finding more favour with the invitation as it has quietly been discussing the terms and conditions of such an alliance at various levels.

But the question must be asked: Can the AFC trust the APNU to stay true to any agreement and turn down the temptation to outwit the AFC?

Interestingly, the APNU was forced to recommit its support for the no-confidence motion last week after the party’s letter to President Donald Ramotar sent mixed signals to the Opposition supporters about its stance on the issue. The PR stunt employed to do damage control was ‘comical’, but necessary.

Despite all this, the PPP/C has managed to keep a cool head and it appears to be business as usual for that arty. Its focus on getting GECOM to produce a clean list, while other parties are campaigning, is worth closer examination, because it signals a return to Cheddi Jagan’s belief that hardcore political work must be done quietly, humbly and away from the media limelight and fanfare.

Maybe, the PPP/C has learnt its lesson and instead of throwing tantrums and descending to desperation by commencing a nation-wide and large scale political campaign, the Party is pacing itself because the race ahead is no sprint, but one that will require endurance.

Regardless of the skewed headlines in certain sections of the media about the Opposition's posture, it is clear that desperation has already gotten hold of the politicians associated with the APNU and AFC.

Police, medical staff urged to end discrimination against high risk groups

By Andrew CArmiChAel

Despite the successes in achieving a decline in the number of HIV/AIDS cases and deaths from the diease in Guyana over the past decade, the epidemic remains high among vulnerable groups, such as Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and female sex workers.

That is according to Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Chisa Mikami. She made the comment at the launch of an Urban Health and Justice Initiative workshop held at the New Amsterdam Town Hall, Berbice.

The workshop on human rights training was held for security officers, Police, members of the Joint Services and health care providers.

having sex with men is illegal, means that sector of the population is not free to function socially in mainstream society.

“They are restricted, victimized and violated completely from their obligated human rights as opposed to the general heterosexual

Mikami said the fact that those vulnerable groups are more concentrated in urban communities makes the HIV/AIDS policy making programme more complex in those areas.

In Guyana, the MSM population is highly stigmatized and the fact that men

population, ” said Mikami.

Under the HIV/AIDS Cites Project, a plan was developed to target two audiences: health care providers (doctors and nurses) and the disciplinary forces with whom members of the key areas interface. The two day work shop was one of the ac-

tivities outlined in the HIV/ AIDS Cites Project plan.

The workshop targeted the municipalities of New Amsterdam and Linden. Among the issues focused on were the rights to nondiscrimination, remedies when human rights are violated, and sexuality and the law. The project started two months ago with the two municipalities being targeted.

“There have been too many unsettling stories that reinforce the issue of stigma and discrimination being endorsed, but it is pleasing to hear that since more than 100 Police and nurses have been trained in the two townships through the project, there has been improved understanding and better treatment of target persons within the population,” Mikami noted.

The New Amsterdam Municipality has provided the space for the first 24hour testing site in the town and already Scotia Bank has offered assistance, providing furnishing for the office.

Despite all the initiatives taken to stop discrimination, the Mikami said she is not pleased and called on others join, while noting that those already on board need further training. “Police and health care professionals throughout the country still need to be trained; legislative assessment of laws and impact on key population need to be addressed,” she said.

Mikami also called on faith based organizations lend more assistance and noted that the media have a role to play in providing education. The event was coordinated by Social Care Consultant Paulette Henry.

BBCI donates trophies to Draught Association

The Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) donated two trophies to the Guyana Draught Association towards its annual national gymnasium Championship Tournament.

Thus far for the year, the Company has made 75 donations to different organisations.

The donations consisted of sponsorship for Mashramani 2014 and horse racing events, and donation of trophies to various non-profit and educational institutions.

The Company has also facilitated tours by various schools, waivered toll charges for tour buses, sponsored cricket tournaments, and made donations towards Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica) Cricket

Tournament and religious organisations.

In a release, BBCI said the company was “privileged to have the opportunity to make a donation towards the Guyana Draughts

SAG participate in annual “Clean up the World” campaign

In observance of the “Clean up the World” environmental campaign, the Scouts Association of Guyana (SAG) along with a large contingent of youths turned up on Saturday morning to conduct a clean-up exercise on Woolford Avenue.

This year’s campaign is being held under the theme “Our Place…Our Planet… Our Responsibility” and saw the SAG teaming up with Hand-in-Hand Trust Group of Companies and other international bodies to take part in the activities.

According to a press release from SAG, the insurance company has also donated a number of materials to aid in the cleanup efforts. SAG is calling on other companies to recognize their corporate responsibility and support the organization in is efforts.

In addition, the United States Scout Leader, Derek Anderson, who is visiting for the event, said that the activities held local -

ly as part of the “Clean up the World” campaign are different from what they do in the US. However he noted that the experience here is rewarding as he lauded SAG for their efforts to clean-up Guyana. Anderson expressed his appreciation to be invited to the country not as a tourist but a scout.

This is the sixth year that SAG is participating in the campaign which is aimed at inspiring communities around the world to clean-up, fix-up and conserved the environment.

This year’s campaign saw SAG cleaning up Woolford Avenue between Camp and Albert Streets, Georgetown, and the SAG Headoffice.

Additionally, SAG groups in Linden, Berbice, West Coast Demerara and Buxton also hosted activities in their respective communities. Previously, SAG have done participated in costal clean-up, tree-planting and environmental education exercises with the Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA).

“SAG has been placing significant emphasis on the development of young people in Guyana over the years. The association has been encouraging parents to have their children become members, pointing out that the values and discipline scouting imparts benefit not only the young members, but the country as a whole,” the release said.

“Clean up the World” is one of the largest global environmental campaigns which mobilize an estimated 35 million volunteers from 130 countries. This is the 21st year the campaign is being held and is being observe in concurrence with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).

Some of the activities held as part of the campaign includes planting trees, cleaning parks or beaches, conserving water or undertaking environmental awareness raising or education initiatives.

Association and will continue to donate and sponsor other events as they arise”.

The Company had also sponsored events in other regions, stretching as far as the hinterland.

SunDAY, September 14, 2014

Debate on forestry sector…. Harmon furnished with documents requested –

date still to be set for showdown

BY JOMO PAUL

Commissioner of Forests at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) James Singh has furnished A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Joseph Harmon with all the requisite documents he needs for a public debate, but a date is still to be set for the debate.

Harmon had accepted a challenge for a public debate with Singh, but had asked that a series of documents related to the agreement with Chinese firm Baishanlin (BSL) be released as a precondition for the debate to take place.

Harmon also wants the debate to take place in Linden at a venue that can accommodate around 3000 people and that the media must have full access to the event.

“Every single piece of document that was requested by Mr Harmon was sent to him. Once it is in the remit of the GFC to provide the documentation, we send

it as requested,” a source told Guyana Times. This publication was also given a list of what appears to be a comprehensive compilation of documents sent to Harmon, and to Chairman of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Clinton Williams.

The documents sent to Harmon include State Forest Permissions on BSL, State Forest Exploratory Permits,

Timber Sales Agreements, Export Licences, Summary of Export Logs, and an Assessment of Baishanlin’s forestry operations, among other requisite documents.

While this is so, an actual date for the much anticipated public debate is yet to be set, although Harmon had said he preferred the date to be between September 15 and 30.

In his letter accepting the debate challenge, Harmon told Singh he welcomes his offer to provide any information which is needed before the event.

“I am very pleased to know that your subject Minister would permit you, a public servant, to publicly debate an Opposition Member of Parliament. It is my hope that this major shift in Government approach to the release of information will be followed in other areas of national life,” he said.

“I would appreciate you providing the Guyanese public with the information which would help in their understanding of the issues before the event. In the event that the GFC is not in possession of the information, I am satisfied that you can access it from other agencies of Government since you will be representing them in this matter,” he said.

The information includes copies of all agreements between BSL and GFC, BSL and Government; copies of agreements between BSL and other entities involved in the forestry sector for the cutting and exporting of logs; a report on GFC supervision of the aforesaid agreements and GFC opinion on “Landlord” in the forestry sector and a host of other documents.

National Drug Plan with Cabinet for approval

BY VAHNU MANICKCHAND

The long awaited National Drug Strategy Master Plan (NDSMP) is completed and has been presented to Cabinet for consideration and approval.

This is according to Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who disclosed that it was submitted two weeks ago for approval. While the Minister is hoping for a timely response from Cabinet, he did note that it will take some time, since there are a lot of matters that are also awaiting Cabinet’s attention.

“We hope that in the not too distance future the National Drug Strategy Master Plan would be approved with possibly amendments and suggestions by Cabinet, so that it would be publicly presented. Then people could see what are the strategic, tactical and institutional objectives of the Government are in so far as the Drug Strategy Master Plan is concerned,” he stated.

Commenting on the funding for the Plan, Rohee said that financial resources will have to be made available to the various Government agencies and departments that will be playing an active role in its implementing.

The Home Affairs Minister was at time speaking while viewing the Self Propellant SemiSubmersible (SPSS) vessel, which was found at a creek in the Waini River last month. Authorities are confident that the vessel was built in Guyana to be used for narco trafficking.

Head of the Customs

Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU)

James Singh said that the vessel was more likely destined for Europe or Africa continents. He noted that CANU is working with its overseas counterparts to find a linkage of the vessel to a drug mafia, which are known to use this mode of operation.

The NDSMP comes at a time when calls are being made from all stakeholders for Government to implement measures to curb the increasing incidences of narco trafficking in Guyana.

The final draft of the Plan was completed by the Task Force. It will empower the necessary agencies to tackle the drug trade head on and more so, stipulate heavier penalties for those who are found culpable of trafficking in narcotics.

Since the previous Plan expired in 2009, there has been talk about crafting a new plan. The last one was unveiled in 2005 and lasted for five years. The $650 million plan had comprised extensive measures to eliminate the scourge of narco trafficking and its spin-off

effects.

The Home Affairs Minister, and to a greater extent the Government, have come in for criticism after the revelation that Guyana had links to the Mexican and Italian mafias.

Concerns were expressed by the Opposition political parties and they called for the National Drug Plan to be reinstated.

In the recent National Drug Report for 2012, compiled by the Task Force, it was stated that CANU had intercepted 103.66 kilograms of cocaine valued some $93 million and 111.564kg of cannabis (ganja) valued in excess of $20 million.

During this period, 33 cases were made out and 36 persons charged. Further, the Guyana Revenue Authority’s enforcement unit seized 561.78kg of cocaine, valued $504.9 million, for which two cases were made out and two persons were charged.

In total, 151 people were charged for cocaine trafficking and/or consumption, in a total of 139 cases.

No arrests yet, as Police probe Popeyes’ robbery

Police ranks are presently reviewing the surveillance footage collected from Popeyes Restaurant, Vlissengen Road moments after the establishment was robbed of $1.1 million by three armed men on Friday night.

A Police source told Guyana Times that despite being in possession of the footage, they have not made any arrests, while also reiterating that investigations are continuing.

Based on information received, two men entered the restaurant and held Shift Supervisor Mahendra Persaud at gun point and demanded money.

This newspaper understands that the business was about to close its doors to the public when the robbery occurred. The Supervisor was at the time checking off sales for his shift.

Customers still inside the establishment were instructed to lie on the floor and keep quiet, while the other assailant kept watch at the door.

At the time of the robbery, it was reported that about 20 persons, inclusive of children, were in the restaurant. No one was hurt, but as the bandits left, they relieved several customers of their jewellery and mobile phones.

Eyewitnesses said that the men left the premises on foot. The Police were immediately summoned and statements were taken.

The surveillance footage may assist investigators as theytry to ascertain the identity of the bandits, but Guyana Times understands the men were wearing masks.

Guyana rejects call to take sides on Ukraine crisis – Foreign Affairs Minister bemoans Western diplomatic pressure

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett has rejected the call made by foreign envoys here for the Government of Guyana to condemn Russia’s actions against the Ukraine.

Guyana Times attempted to contact Minister Rodrigues-Birkett but all efforts were unsuccessful. However, on social media, the Minister said that she noted the comments attributed to the foreign envoys here, which were surprisingly made via a public press conference where they expressed the positions of their respective governments on

the crisis in the Ukraine.

“The conduct of diplomacy is ever changing, especially with the advancement of technology. Yet it is somewhat unusual for Ambassadors and High Commissioners that are based in Guyana to make a demarche on the host Government through a media conference, especially when there is easy access to the relevant authorities,” Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said through social media.

She explained that the envoys chose that forum, despite knowing what position the Donald Ramotar Administration already took on the matter.

The Foreign Affairs Minister advised that seven other Caricom countries, like Guyana, abstained, as well as six UNASUR [Union of South American Nations] countries, while two others voted against the United Nations (UN) Resolution on Crimea.

She said that this speaks to the complexity of the matter, which cannot be strictly compared, and or confused, with the territorial situations of other countries, given the history and geopolitical tenants among other considerations.

“Guyana calls on Russia and the Ukraine to exercise restraint and responsibility, to desist from any act that can lead to heightened tensions and to work to solve differences through dialogue,” Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said, reiterating

Ukrainian crisis….

Government’s position.

The Minister further noted that the call on Guyana regarding the Ukraine comes “after the world witnessed the disproportionate bombings by Israel which resulted in the deaths of more than 1700 Palestinians, with more than 70 per cent being civilians and the displacement of thousands of others”.

Despite that being so, RodriguesBirkett pointed out that the

communicated in the media on the Government’s position on this matter. As a small state, Guyana is obliged to insist on respect by all states for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law as a guarantor of international peace and security and as a bulwark against external threats.

It is a matter of concern that the application of these principles by powerful actors in the international

Government has previously expressed concern about the situation in Europe.

“Let me reiterate certain relevant sections of what was already

Sanctions useless, allegations baseless – Russian Embassy

In light of recent calls from the envoys of Western superpowers for Guyana to issue a statement in condemnation of Russia, the local Russian envoy says that such a statement is not needed.

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Andrew Ayre; Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles and United States Embassy Charge d’Affaires Bryan Hunt on Thursday jointly condemned Russia’s occupation of the Ukraine in the strongest possible terms.

The trio said that while more pressure needs to be placed on Russia to end its occupation of Crimea, war is not the answer to the issue at hand. They said too that the Guyana Government which recently abstained on a UN vote against Russia should issue a statement of condemnation and urged Russia to respect its neighbour’s territory.

This came as the European Union (EU) imposed new sanctions against Russia in an effort to pressure that country to end its occupation of Ukraine. The new sanctions against Russia took effect on Friday, effectively blocking loans for five major state banks and curbing EU business with oil and defence firms, but the measures could be eased or be lifted if a current ceasefire in Ukraine holds.

But, the Russian Embassy in a press release said sanctions imposed on Russia by

the EU and the United States of America are not very effective and almost never produce the results that the West would hope for.

The release said the sanctions “cause some damage, including for those who impose them”, noting that “the use of the latest round of sanctions looks somewhat strange, especially after Russia’s President Vladimir Putin proposed a seven-point plan that became the basis of the peace agreements signed at the meeting of the contact group in Minsk”.

The Embassy further noted that it is hard to understand what these latest sanctions against Russia are actually about. “Perhaps it is not to someone’s liking that the process has taken a peaceful turn?

“Our Western partners pushed things towards an anti-constitutional coup in Kiev, and then supported the military operations in Southeast Ukraine, and now, just when the situation has taken a turn towards a peaceful settlement, they are taking steps that practically aim to disrupt this peace process. Why are they doing this?” the release said.

It was noted too that the crisis in the Ukraine is being used as a tool to stir up international action and possibly turn the international community against Russia.

Ukraine, the Embassy contended, “has been made hostage to the desire of some

players on the international stage to revive NATO [North American Treaty Organisation], not so much even as a military organisation, but as a key instrument in the US foreign policy in order to consolidate satellites and scare them with a threat from abroad.

If it were not for Crimea or the South-east Ukraine, the Western countries would have come up with something else “to contain Russia” to isolate it, and by doing so, to impose their evading domination in the international system.”

US Charge d’Affairs Bryan Hunt had said the fact that Kremlin officials continue to deny that Russian troops and equipment are inside Ukraine in the face of multiple eyewitness accounts, satellite images, and the deaths of Russian soldiers “defies comprehension and does a great disservice to their own people who deserve to know the truth”.

But this was another notion denied by the Embassy which noted that, “The claims that Russia has invaded Ukraine or provides the militia in the South-east Ukraine with weapons are groundless.

Up to date, no evidence has been presented to support it. Observers deployed at the check points on the border between Russia and Ukraine have not confirmed any movement of military equipment or troops from Russia to Ukraine.”

community is often marked by unevenness, inconsistency and double standards,” the Minister said.

The Foreign Affairs Minister contended that Guyana has long upheld

the principle of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and the prohibition against the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, and against intervention in the domestic affairs of states.

“We also respect the right of people to self-determination and stress the need for a consistent and principled approach to its application. Guyana calls on Russia and Ukraine to exercise restraint and responsibility, to desist from any act that can lead to a heightening of tensions, and to work to solve their differences through dialogue” Rodrigues-Birkett said.

On Wednesday, British High Commissioner to Guyana Andrew Ayre; Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles and United States Embassy Charge d’Affaires Bryan Hunt hosted a joint press conference and called for Guyana to issue a statement in condemnation of Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

However, the Western envoys pointed out that, while they would have engaged the Government on the issue, whatever talks were held between the parties were being treated as a matter of strict confidentiality.

A similar call for Guyana to back sanctions against Russia was made in April this year by the US Embassy.

Team Coco dominate CWD cycling

− Eastman, Jeffrey steamroll field of 33

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Team Coco’s riders Hamzah Eastman, Stephano Husbands and Junior Niles won their respective categories, while Adrian Sharma copped the Mountain Bike race when the inaugural Caribbean Wellness Day 60-mile road race was contested on Saturday.

Eastman comfortably won the Senior division, while Husbands was the top Junior and Niles the leading Veteran from a field of 33 riders who started the race at around 13:00h at the Square of the Revolution in Georgetown.

The race proceeded to Perseverance (Halfway Tree at Mahaicony) before returning to Ocean View

International Hotel for the finish. While the Senior and Junior riders rode that course, the Veterans and Mountain Bikers went through the Old Road in Mahaica and turned by the Mahaica Police Station on the upward journey before returning to Ocean View International Hotel for the finish.

After a roll start, the

race officially began at the head of Sheriff Street and Eastman and his Team Coco’s teammate Raynauth Jeffrey stormed ahead of the pack in front of Ocean View International Hotel, constantly opening the gap.

As it turned out, that was the decisive move of the race as Eastman and Jeffrey kept the pressure on the chasing pack, increasing the lead on

West Indies v Bangladesh, 2nd Test, St Lucia, 1st day…

their rivals with every passing mile. At the turn point at Perseverance, the duo opened a two-minute gap on the others, and with the wind on their back for the return journey, that lead increased dramatically.

It was no surprise the pair was unchallenged coming down the homestretch, and with no attempt to initiate a sprint finish, Jeffrey slowed his pace, allowing the talented Eastman to cruise over the line in a winning time of two hours, 11 minutes, 37 seconds (02h: 11m: 37s).

The chasing pack came in an astonishing five minutes, 50 seconds (05m: 50s) behind the top two, with Godfrey Pollydore winning the sprint for third ahead of Christopher Holder, Marlon Williams and Robin Persaud in that order.

Jeffrey copped seven of the eight prime prizes on offer, with Eastman settling for one.

In the Junior division, Husbands outgunned Andre Green and Romello Crawford, while Niles prevailed over Jaikarran Sukhai and Mark Soonaram in the Veterans race. Sharma won

from Charles Ketwaroo and Michael in second and third respectively in the Mountain Bikes, while Monty Parris was the top Over-60 rider and Toshawna Doris was the lone female among the starters.

At the presentation ceremony, the top performers were presented with trophies and cash. National cycling coach and chief organiser of the day’s activity, Hassan Mohamed, congratulated the riders on their performance and urged them to remain fit.

Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill echoed similar sentiments, as he urged Guyanese to embrace healthy living, be it in the form of cycling or any other physical activity.

Caribbean Wellness Day is an annual event geared at increasing awareness and promoting activities to address the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases, which continue to severely impact the health, economy and development of the Region. In 2014 the focus is on adults, “Preserving the workforce for national and regional development.” It is observed every second Saturday in September.

Openers set up strong day for West Indies

It also flattered them, since they lost their way in the final session and Bangladesh bowled well but dropped some important catches.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Darren Bravo, unbeaten on 34 and 44 respectively, steered West Indies through a tough period. They have so far added 61 for the fourth wicket, with Bravo starting off with a string of fours and sixes before shutting up shop. But the partnership could have ended in the 72nd over when Al-Amin, who was getting the ball to straighten from around the wicket, found Chanderpaul’s edge only for Nasir Hossain to drop it, diving to his right from second slip. He could have left it for first slip, where Anamul Haque would only have had to lean forward to make the catch.

The Bangladesh pace

bowlers ended the day with their heads slightly higher after a disappointing first session. After Mushfiqur Rahim chose to field first on a pacy and bouncy pitch with lateral movement, they hardly attacked the stumps in the first session.

Johnson and Brathwaite gave West Indies the ideal start, going through the first session wicketless. Having scored at just over two runs an over before lunch, they picked up the pace soon after, adding 82 before Brathwaite, having scored his sixth fifty, played an out-of-character shot, chasing a wide ball from Shafiul Islam and spooning a catch to point.

Johnson’s 66 showed promise, not just while threading the ball through the covers or hitting straight. He took his time getting off the mark, off his 17th ball, but he ad-

justed manfully even though he is not a regular opener. He reached his fifty off 135 balls, but couldn’t take advantage of a half-chance, when he edged the ball through the slips on 61, and fell after adding just five more. Johnson’s 162-ball innings contained five fours and a six.

His dismissal, leg-before to Taijul Islam, came 25 balls after Brathwaite’s dismissal. He could have had another reprieve if he had asked for the review within 15 seconds but he was late by three seconds after consulting Kirk Edwards, the non-striker. Hawkeye suggested that the ball from Taijul Islam would have missed the leg stump.

Edwards had yet another unproductive outing, getting out for 16 to a good low catch, diving to his left, by Shamsur Rahman at cover off Mahmudullah. He had

been given a life on five when Taijul Islam dropped a simple chance off his bat at backward point.

Shafiul was lucky to get the wicket of Brathwaite but saw two chances, the ones given by Johnson and Edwards, going down off his bowling. This being his first Test in more than three years, it would be a satisfying first day though he too, like Robiul Islam and Al-Amin Hossain, was trying to overdo the swing and seam movement in the first session.

Robiul was having a poor day as he was wayward and undisciplined, but he bowled well after tea, getting the old ball to jag both ways to the left-handers. He gave Chanderpaul some food for thought with the second new ball too, as shots were attempted and edges missed by whiskers.

Al-Amin also improved as

the day progressed, ensuring he kept the ball up and used the movement in the air without forcing things to happen. He beat Chanderpaul in the 72nd over and a ball later, had him edging. He was livid at the slip cordon when Nasir dropped the catch.

West Indies added 93 runs in the last session without los

ing a wicket, ending the day on a bit of a high. Bangladesh, on the other hand, must have been peeved at not taking the chances. They will have a ball that is just five overs old and a pace attack that has learned what not to do on this pitch in the morning session. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Berbice clinch Inter-county one-day title

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Demerara’s quest to cop the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)

Senior Inter-county 50over title ended in heartbreak as a gutsy Berbice unit produced a clinical display in fading lights to win by 10 runs in the final on Saturday at Albion.

After the game was reduced to 26 overs due to early morning rains, the hosts were first reduced to a decent total of 163 all out in 25.4 overs, but relied on a brilliant bowling display under pressure to stop the visitors at 153-9 in 26 overs in a nerve-wracking contest.

Earlier, Paul Wintz (340), Robin Bacchus (2-24), Steven Jacobs (2-31) and Raj Nanan (1-18) managed to restrict the Ancient County.

Berbice made a disastrous start after they were asked to bat first, losing Kandasammy Surujanrine (0), caught Trevon Griffith at first slip off pacer Paul Wintz from the third ball of the innings. Fellow opener Anthony Bramble and Devon Clements were quite sedate with both batsmen looking determined to get their eyes in against the new ball.

However, with Demerara skipper Christopher Barnwell opting for a pace/

spin attack from the onset, left-arm spinner Nanan struck in his third over, trapping Bramble leg before wicket for 12.

After skipper Narsingh Deonarine and Clements (30) put together 34 runs for the third wicket, Jacobs accounted for the latter at 69-3.

Rajiv Ivan (10) was also dismissed by Jacobs, but Deonarine provided some semblance of resistance to the visitors attack and cracked a top score of 44, which included three fours and one six before he was dismissed.

Jonathan Foo (10), VeerasammyPermaul (12) and Gudakesh Motie (12)

were the other batsmen to reached double digits before the innings came to a close.

In the run chase, the hosts’ bowlers bowled a tight line to contain the Demerara openers at less than six runs an over.

Andrew Lyght Jnr (17) and Trevon Griffith (44) were watchful in their approach picking up singles and twos instead of the usual flurry of boundaries.

Lyght Jnr, who was given a life off pacer Romario Shepherd, failed to capitalise on the opportunity, as Shepherd got some much needed retribution when he disturbed the stumps of the right-hander.

Deonarine proved to be a

handful on the gripping surface and removed Bacchus for 25 before Permaul uprooted the leg and off stumps of Barnwell.

Things got shoddier for the visitors with the lost of Griffith, Rajendra Chandrika (12), Shemroy Barrington (1) and Zaheer Mohamed (13).

With the lights fading, Demerara were still in search 34 runs off four overs, but Chanderpaul Hemraj (10), Steven Jacobs (1) failed to add any sort of contribution.

Requiring 23 off the last over, Wintz and Nanan were unable to cross the finishing line.

Permaul (3-32),

Deonarine (2-23), Joseph (2-28) were the most successful bowlers for Berbice.

At the presentation ceremony, Essequibo opener Kevon Boodie (259 runs) won the award for the most runs in the tournament. Deonarine copped the best bowlers’ award with 10 wickets and also the Most Valuable Player award.

Demerara’s Shemroy Barrington won the best wicketkeeper award with opener Trevon Griffith being adjudged the best fielder in the tournament.

The players will now switch focus to the FourDay version, which commences on September 18.

BCB inducts 6 into Hall of Fame

By andRew CaRmiChael

Six cricket administrators have been inducted into the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) Hall of Fame

They are Leslie Amsterdam, Mortimer George, Lennox Philips, Ancel Hazel, Duncan McGregor and Victor Omrow.

At a simple ceremony, which was held at BCB office, which was also renamed after Amsterdam, President of the BCB, Keith Foster, noted that it is heartening that the BCB can salute those who have contributed much to Berbice cricket.

He said the Board was not been able to salute everyone due to a large number. “It is with honour that these six men are inducted into our Hall of Fame for administrators.” Amsterdam and Omrow have passed on.

Foster referred to administrators as those persons behind the scenes. Those honoured he added, have done much for cricket. “Much of them are not seen, but they do work beyond the call of duty,” Foster said. He added, “Berbice is very grateful for those contributions of persons who have done much for Berbice cricket and have

not even received the acknowledgement... We are trying to correct this.”

The current BCB President added that in cricket persons tend to focus more on the cricketers.

“Past cricketers brought us much glory, but unfortunately most of them reside overseas or are deceased. The present cricketers we are happy to have them but they are not so much involved in community relations,” he posited

He said persons who serve in cricket must be able to do so for the benefit of the game and not for their own personal aggrandisement.

Meanwhile, Treasure of

the BCB, Anil Beharry, in speaking about Amsterdam, noted that he spent more time in the office that anyone else. “Morning, noon and night one could have found him at the office doing something for cricket and the development of cricket.”

Leslie Amsterdam played for the Fort Canje Hospital and represented the BCB as Vice-president from 1966-1968, President 1969, First Vice-president 1970-86 and then President between 1987 and 1999. He also served as Manager for the Guyana team between 1969 and 1998 and Managed the West Indies team in 1983.

Mortimer George played

for the Police Sports Club and was Chairman of the Competitions Committee of the BCB between 1968 and 1981, Treasurers 19681975, County Selector 19731983 and Secretary of the BCB from 1976-1983.

Duncan McGregor played for the Catholic Men’s Club and served as President of the BCB for two terms; 1948-1953 and 1956-1959.

Lennox Philips played for Bermine Sports Club and was Vice-president and Executive Member of the BCB between 1970 and 1971.

Ancel Hazel played for Rose Hall Estate. He served as 1st, 2nd and 3rd

Vice-presidents of the BCB and Secretary in 1984. He also served as Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer. McGregor was also President of the Board in 1986 and BCB representative on the Guyana Cricket Board.

Victor Omrow, who played for Rose Hall Estate, was Treasurer of the BCB from 1964-1965, Secretary 1969-75 and County Selector 1969-75.

Meanwhile, George, who was the only inductee at the ceremony, urged cricketers not to give up if they fail to make it on the field. He said there is room for administrators even at the highest level.

Mumbai

Indians v Lahore Lions, CLT20, Raipur…

Lahore Lions bowlers sink listless Mumbai Indians

Mohammad Hafeez had tried to portray Lahore Lions as the underdog, saying he would be content if his team played to potential and enjoyed themselves.

As the match wore on however, it was revealed to be a ruse as a bowling line-up that looked fit for an international team confounded Mumbai Indians. A target of 136 would not

bother most T20 champions and Lahore Lions, who had won the Faysal Bank T-20 in 2014, had Ahmed Shehzad at the top and Umar Akmal during the finish to guide them home and leave the defending champions with a tougher path for their place in the main draw.

The top order had been a point of concern through the IPL for Mumbai and those same concerns followed them to the Champions League. Aizaz Cheema’s nagging lines forced Mumbai to slip from a sedate 20 for 0 in the third over to 23 for 3 in the fourth.

Cheema induced Lendl Simmons into holing out to mid-off for 7. Jalaj Saxena, on debut for Mumbai, was on the receiving end of a lovely outswinger and edged to slip the very next ball. The hat-trick was denied by Ambati Rayudu, but an optimistic single could have caused problems had Saad Nasim nailed the throw at the non-strikers’ end. Lions were not hurt badly by that missed opportunity as Rayudu’s swat to midwick-

et resulted in an edge to the keeper in the next over.

Michael Hussey, who was picked ahead of Corey Anderson, added 44 runs with Aditya Tare to halt the slide. A cracking pull had got Hussey going and he looked imperious while lifting Hafeez over long-off but the pace of Wahab Riaz, melded with a good line outside off, had him nicking to the keeper. Tare trudged on for 37 off 36 balls, his efforts to accelerate stymied by offspinner Adnan Rasool, who conceded only 13 in three overs.

Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar went on a slogging spree in the final few overs but the final score of 135 looked quite light, 18.4 overs later it was proved so.

Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad collected 51 for the opening partnership but some smart fielding helped Mumbai hit back. Pollard dived and got under a skew to long-on and Tare displayed good presence of mind to have Jamshed stumped, as the batsman wandered out of his crease

without realising the ball had dribbled off his bat and pad to the keeper. Akmal arrived with 55 required off 37 balls and defused the situation with a flurry

of boundaries - he helped smack Lasith Malinga for 15 runs in the 18th over and killed the chase with four, six and four. (Cricinfo)

Mumbai Indians innings (20 overs maximum)

LMP Simmons c Wahab Riaz b Aizaz Cheema 7

MEK Hussey c †Umar Akmal b Wahab Riaz 28

Jalaj S Saxena c Nasir

Jamshed b Aizaz Cheema 0 AT Rayudu c †Umar Akmal b Asif Raza 3

AP Tare† c Adnan Rasool b Wahab Riaz 37

KA Pollard* b Imran Ali 6

Harbhajan Singh run out (Nasir

Jamshed/Wahab Riaz) 18

P Kumar not out 20 SL Malinga not out 1 Extras (b-4, lb-8, w-3) 15

Total (7 wickets; 20 overs) 135

Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Simmons, 3.3 ov), 2-20 (Jalaj S Saxena, 3.4 ov), 3-23 (Rayudu, 4.3 ov), 4-67 (Hussey, 11.2 ov), 5-94 (Pollard, 15.3 ov), 6-107 (Tare, 17.1 ov), 7-127 (Harbhajan Singh, 19.2 ov)

Bowling: Asif Raza 3-0-181 (1-w), Aizaz Cheema 4-0-

22-2, Mohammad Hafeez

3-0-17-0, Imran Ali 3-0-221, Wahab Riaz 4-0-31-2 (2w), Adnan Rasool 3-0-13-0 Lahore Lions innings (target: 136 runs from 20 overs) Nasir Jamshed st †Tare b Harbhajan Singh 26 Ahmed Shehzad c Pollard b Ojha 34 Mohammad Hafeez* c Hussey b Pollard 18

Saad

(lb-2, nb-1)

Total (4 wickets; 18.4 overs)

Fall of wickets: 1-51 (Ahmed

Williamson 50 leads Knights to victory

Gunathilaka had a scratchy start, especially against Sodhi, who gave only one run in the fifth over. But Gunathilaka broke the shackles by clobbering parttimer Devcich for two fours and a six in the eighth over to drive them to 82 after eight overs. Knights’ strike bowlers Boult and Tim Southee stalled the run rate in the last two overs, though, conceding only 10 runs while Express lost four wickets to score 92, which didn’t prove to be enough. (Cricinfo) Northern Knights v Southern Express, CLT20 qualifier, Raipur…

An unflustered Kane

Williamson propelled Northern Knights to a convincing sevenwicket win, chasing down Southern Express’ 92 in the rain-hit Champions League T20 opener in Raipur. Williamson’s 52 off 29 kept Knights on track throughout the chase, after the match was reduced to 10-overs-perside. That Express managed a defendable score came mainly down to their openers, but Williamson’s fifty and cameos from the rest of Knights’ top order made sure they were never in trouble.

Most of the runs in this game came courtesy the openers of both sides, who hit 142 of the 188 runs scored - 76 from the Express openers and 66 from the Knights’. And only one four was scored by a batsman who did not open the innings - the winning runs from Daniel Harris, with three balls to spare.

Express decided to open the bowling with spinners hoping to trouble the New Zealand side but Williamson found the gaps by using his feet against them, while Anton Devcich rotated the strike regularly and struck a four and six in the first two overs. Williamson targeted Danushka Gunathilaka in the third over, caressing

one four through the covers, sweeping one on the leg side, and lofting one over long-on for six, which helped them charge to 40 for 0 after three overs.

Express then brought in pacer Farveez Maharoof who dismissed Devich for 14. When they brought on a pacer from the other end too, Charith Jayampathi, Williamson carted him on both sides of the pitch for two fours. When Jehan Mubarak brought in Sachith Pathirana for Maharoof, the Knights batsmen scored 12 in the over, which brought the equation down to 27 off 24. Even though Knights lost two more wickets from there, including Williamson’s in the penultimate over, the chase was virtually over by then.

When Express were put in to bat, Kusal Perera launched second ball itself, smashing boundaries with swats and slogs, and minimal footwork. He collected five fours in the first 11 balls and nearly got out on the 12th when Scott Kuggeleijn ran to his right from midon but failed to grab on to a catch despite getting there on time. That was the first of many drops from Knights.

After Express scored 35 in the Powerplay, Scott Styris came in attempting to curb the run rate. But

wicketkeeper BJ Watling dropped Kusal on the last ball of Styris’ over, put down Gunathilaka off Ish Sodhi three balls later, and then Sodhi himself put down a return catch. Two more catches went through the fielders’ hands in the sixth over on the leg side, and the attempts conceded a six and a four. Kusal had raced to 37 off 19 by then and when he struck another one in the air on the leg side off the next ball, Trent Boult finally caught him at the deep square-leg boundary.

Southern Express innings (10 overs maximum)

MDKJ Perera† c Boult b Styr is 37 MD Gunathilaka b Boult 39 S Prasanna run out (Devcich/†Watling) 7 J Mubarak* c †Watling b Boult 1 AK Perera c Devcich b Southee 1 MF Maharoof not out 0

Extras (lb-3, w-4) 7

Total (5 wickets; 10 overs) 92

Fall of wickets: 1-55 (MDKJ Perera, 5.6 ov), 2-83 (Gunathilaka, 8.2 ov), 3-85 (Mubarak, 8.5 ov), 4-91 (AK Perera, 9.4 ov), 5-92 (Prasanna, 9.6 ov)

Bowling: TA Boult 2-0-12-2, TG Southee 2-0-20-1 (1-w), SC Kuggeleijn 1-0-11-0 (2-w), SB Styris 2-0-18-1, IS Sodhi 2-0-

10-0, AP Devcich 1-0-18-0 Northern Districts innings (target: 93 runs from 10 overs)

KS Williamson b Maharoof 52 AP Devcich c MDK Perera b Maharoof 14 DR Flynn* c †MDKJ Perera b MDK Perera 14 DJ Harris not out 10

SB Styris not out 4

Extras (lb-1, w-1) 2

Total (3 wickets; 9.3 overs) 96

Fall of wickets: 1-41 (Devcich, 3.1 ov), 2-74 (Flynn, 7.1 ov), 3-86 (Williamson, 8.4 ov)

Bowling: MDK Perera 2-011-1, S Prasanna 1-0-14-0, MD Gunathilaka 1-0-19-0, MF Maharoof 2-0-14-2 (1-w), WMC Jayampathi 2-0-18-0, SS Pathirana 1.3-0-19-0

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n light of Winston George’s performance at the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic, I will go out on a limp and openly say the George is arguably Guyana’s alltime all-round sprinter.

While many might disagree with such a statement, I make such a proclamation based on the fact that in spite of the past greats Guyana has seen; none can really compete with George’s versatility in the 100, 200 and 400 metres.

First of all, let’s get one thing straight, George is Guyana’s all-time best 400 metres sprinter, an attest to the national record he now holds with 45.57s earlier this year.

Besides his prowess in the 400 metres, George is exceptional at the 200 metres as well and even has a personal best of 20.59s, which is a few tenths of a second of the national record, which is currently held by the great James Wren Gilkes at 20.14s… not much of a gap.

However, while he might be underrated, George is also exceptional

he generates speed with his ability to use his arms and legs forcefully during his drive phase or while at top speed in flight, which allows him to create separation from his peers. This is showcased every time George laces his spikes for a 100 metres, which is the sole reason I believe George would make a brilliant 100

in the 100 metres and while he might not be a Gilkes or Adam Harris, it is my view that should George focus on the shorter distance. He just has it in him to break the 100 metres record held by Harris in a time of 10.16s.

So what makes George as unique as he is?

If one has ever seen the 400 metres Olympian run, the one thing you notice is his exceptional leg speed, which to me is his greatest asset.

Secondly, George is one of the most positive sprinters you will ever meet and if you don’t have that brashness about yourself then one should never sprint in the first place.

Thirdly, George is filled with strength which is showcased in the way he is able to close out his 200 and 400 metres.

Finally, while not the most explosive sprinter, George has what I would call deceptive power in that

metres athlete.

When you mix all of these things you have a talented athlete that stands head and shoulders above his peers in all of the sprints and would definitely outrun most of the past greats, especially in the 200 and 400 metres while holding his own in the 100 metres.

Many might want to label Gilkes as Guyana best sprinter or the late great Elton Jefford or even Colin Boyce.

Further, we can add juniors that have done well such as Quamie Caesar or Dax Dans to the mix, but many of the above athletes were great in either or the 100, 200 and 400 metres.

Hence, it is my belief that George is exceptional in all three versions of the sprints. Therefore, as I started I will end- George is arguably Guyana’s greatest all-round sprinter.

Soaring in the 1980s, slumping in the 2000s

in their pomp, West Indies had a 53-13 win-loss record; in their last 99, it is 16-53. That, in a nutshell, shows how steep the decline has been

Only two teams have so far played 500plus Tests in history - England (952), and Australia (767). When West Indies took the field against Bangladesh in Gros Islet on Saturday, they became the third team to enter the 500-Test club. For a team that hasn’t had much to celebrate over the past decade, this is a good time to look at their roller-coaster ride in Test cricket, and look back at a period when they were the undisputed champions of the game.

West Indies’ Test journey started on June 23, 1928, when they took on England at Lord’s. They lost that Test by an innings and 58 runs, and lost the next two by similar margins as well, but when England toured the West Indies in 1930, they notched up their first win, in Georgetown, by 289 runs, in only their sixth Test. George Headley scored a century in each innings, while Learie Constantine, the right-arm fast bowler, had a match-haul of 9-122,

his best in Tests.

From there, West Indies picked up the skills of Test cricket pretty quickly. Their first win abroad came in their eighth overseas Test, in Sydney in 1931, when they beat an Australian side that included Don Bradman, Bill Ponsford and Stan McCabe in the fifth Test of the series by 30 runs (though Australia had won the first four Tests and hence won the series 4-1).

Chasing a target of 251, Australia were bowled out for 220, with Bradman being bowled by Herman Griffith for zero; it was his first Test duck, and the only one he made against a team other than England in his entire Test career.

After just 50 Tests, West Indies had an impressive win-loss record of 1518 (Australia were 18-26, Pakistan 10-14, India 5-18 and South Africa 9-32).

When they beat England at Old Trafford in 1963 by ten wickets, riding on Lance Gibbs’ 11-157 and Conrad

Hunte’s 182, it was their 32nd Test win in their 95 Tests, and it brought their win-loss ratio up to 1.00 for the first time (which means the number of Tests won equalled the number lost).

It dropped to below one briefly a couple of times in the 1970s, but from July

99 Tests.)

That period between their 201 and 300 Tests, though, covered their best period almost exactly. It began in November 1980, when West Indies toured Pakistan for a four-Test series and won 1-0; it ended in a drawn one-off Test in

22, 1976, when they beat England by 55 runs at Headingley in their 172nd Test, to June 9, 2010, their win-loss ratio remained at 1.00 or more. In June 2010, when South Africa beat them by 163 runs in Portof-Spain, it was their 153rd loss, as opposed to 152 wins, in 463 matches, making it the first time in almost 34 years that their win-loss ratio had slipped to below 1.00.

Sri Lanka in 1993. In 23 series during this period (excluding one-off Tests), West Indies won 16 and drew seven. Their batting line-up during this period was formidable, but what made the difference was the bowling attack. They averaged 26.01 runs per wicket during this period, which is significantly lower than the other periods. Their batsmen scored fewer hundreds during this period, but that’s partly be-

Purple patch

Through their first 200 Tests, their win-loss remained marginally greater than one, but the period between 201 and 300 Tests was when West Indies truly dominated the world stage. In 100 Tests, they had a win-loss record of 53-13. (Interchange the positions of the losses and wins, and you get, almost exactly, the win-loss record in their last

cause West Indies often didn’t bat twice in a Test match.

West Indies continued their undefeated run for three more series after their 300th Test, winning at home against England in 1994 and in New Zealand in 1995, and drawing in India in 1994-95, but then they lost to Australia in 1995, and that set off the decline.

In the period between February 1994 and

November 2003, their winloss ratio dropped to 0.68 (from 4.07 in the previous 100-Test period), with the batting numbers dropping off as well: they scored only 67 hundreds, at an average of one century every 27 innings. Since November 2003, the stats have been abysmal.

Unbeaten West Indies’ best 100 Tests were, by far, the ones between 201 and 300, which also coincided almost exactly with their best period in Tests. The entire period when they didn’t lose a Test series extended between their 196th and their 310th Test (which was the last Test before the

More Numbers

300- The number of Test players for West Indies so far. This includes 40 players who played exactly one Test. Australia had given out 348 caps when they had played 499 Tests, compared to England’s 460 at a similar stage.

During West Indies’ finest period, when they had a 53-13 winloss record between their 201st and 300th Test, Malcolm Marshall

start of the series against Australia, which they lost). In that period between their 196th and 310th Test, they achieved a win-loss ratio of 3.93, which is far better than the other sides. They are the sort of numbers that drew comparisons with the great Australian teams of the 1930s and 1940s, and late 1990s and 2000s: between 1930 and November 1951, Australia had a 4411 record in 67 Tests, and between October 1999 and September 2008, they had a 76-11 win-loss record in exactly 100 Tests.

During their period of pomp, West Indies had four batsmen who scored 5000plus runs at 40-plus averages - Desmond Haynes, Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge and Richie Richardson, while Clive Lloyd, Jeff Dujon and Larry Gomes also made significant contributions in key series. There were other teams that averaged slightly more with the bat, but West Indies were unmatched as a bowling side, with an average of 26.56 runs per wicket. Malcolm Marshall was the biggest force, taking 373 wickets at 20.40, while Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Joel Garner and Michael Holding all took 150-plus wickets at averages of less than 25.

122- The first Test century by a West IndianClifford Roach scored those runs against England in Barbados in 1930. Roach was also the first to score a double-hundred - 209later in the same series in Guyana. However, of the first 14 hundreds scored by West Indian batsman, ten were by George Headley, who was also the first West Indian to score a century in each innings of a Test - 114 and 112, in the same Test in which Roach scored the double. It led to West Indies’ first Test win.

57.78- Garry Sobers’ batting average in 93 Tests. Among those with at least 8000 Test runs, only Kumar Sangakkara (58.76) has a better average.

4- The number of West Indian spinners who have taken 100 or more Test wickets. Lance Gibbs is way ahead with 309 wickets at 29.09, followed by Sonny Ramadhin (158 at 28.98), Alf Valentine (139 at 30.32) and Carl Hooper (114 at 49.42). The next-highest after Hooper is Chris Gayle, with 73 wickets at 42.73.

74- The number of Tests in which Clive Lloyd led West Indies. Only four players - Graeme Smith, Allan Border, Stephen Fleming and Ricky Ponting - have led in more Tests. Lloyd had a 36-12 win-loss record, making him one of only four captains to lead in 50 or more Tests and achieve a winloss ratio of 3.00 or moreRichards, Steve Waugh and Ponting are the others.

14- The number of Man-of-the-Match awards for Curtly Ambrose, the most for a West Indian in Tests. Lara has 12, while Chanderpaul, Marshall and Richards have ten each. (Cricinfo)

GCB congratulates Leon Johnson on Test debut

Guyanese batsman

Leon Johnson became the 300th player to represent the West Indies in Test cricket, when he made the starting XI for the second Test against Bangladesh on Saturday.

The left-hander was presented with his cap by legendary former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, who was recently appointed Convenor of Selectors.

Johnson opened the batting with Kraigg Brathwaite and immediately announced his arrival on the international scene, featuring in a partnership of 143 for the first wicket.

Johnson made a solid 66 to become the 10th batsman to score a half-century on debut against Bangladesh.

The match is also the West Indies 500th in history, since gaining Test status in 1928. In a correspondence to the media, the Guyana Cricket Board extended congratulations to Johnson on his Test debut.

Below is the full text of that message.

“The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) extends congratulations to Leon Johnson on making his debut to Test cricket; opening the batting for the West Indies in the second match against Bangladesh.

Johnson replaced West Indies prolific opener, Chris Gayle who missed the game for personal reasons. Johnson made use of the opportunity as he registered a crafty half-centu-

Elizabeth Styles Under-19, 50-over cricket…

ry in the first innings (66) which featured in a century opening stand with Craig Braithwaite.

The GCB is extremely proud of this promising 27-year-old left-handed batsman. We believe the Guyana 2013 captain has been ready for the challenge at the highest level for sometime now. We are elated that he is given the chance to start his journey as a West Indies Test player.

We believe he has the right attitude and discipline to compliment his skills and talent as a top cricketer. We fully support him and are urging Guyanese and West Indies supporters to rally hard behind him as he seeks to score well consist-

ently and hold his place in the team.

Leon Johnson has been playing cricket at the FirstClass level since age of 16 when Guyana took on Leeward Islands at Enmore in 2004. He also captained the West Indies Under-19 in the World Cup in 200506. His consistent performance saw him making his ODI debut in the Tri-Series involving Canada and Bermuda in 2008 where he scored 51 in the second match. He played three matches in all.

The executives, members and staff of the GCB wish Johnson well as a West Indies player. We urge him to do justice to his selection and continue to make us proud.”

Baldeo (203), Hardyal (105) put on record partnership for Albion

The 2014 Elizabeth Styles Under-19, 50over cricket competition in Berbice continued recently with defending champions Albion Community Centre becoming the latest team to reach the quarter-finals of the competition, joining Number 70 Young Star, Number 72 Cut and Load, Tucber Park and Police.

In their final Zone C match, they defeated Sand Reef by 279 runs to end up as winners of that zone, thereby earning the right to move forward.

For Albion, Guyana Under-19 all-rounder Balchand Baldeo slammed 203, which is the competition’s highest score so far. The innings included 20 fours and six sixes. Baldeo and Berbice Under-19 batsman Matthew Hardyal, who made 104 (8x4s), featured in a second wicket partnership of 323, which was largely responsible for Albion’s daunting 358-4 in 50 overs.

The previously unbeaten Sand Reef could only respond with 79 in reply with Berbice Under-19 off-spinner Daniel Lewis picking up 4-30.

Elsewhere, leg-spinner Leonardo Seetayah took 5-4 from five overs to help Cotton Tree Die Hard restrict Blairmont community Centre to 121. His effort went in vain however, as Cotton Tree were bowled out for 112 in turn with left-arm spinner Saheed Khan taking 4-17 and Berbice Under-15 pacer Rameshwar Somwaru 3-15.

In another match involving Blairmont, Somwaru took 4-22 and off-spinner Mark

Gowkarran 3-41 to help bowl at Achievers A for 135. When Blairmont replied, Achievers off-spinner Kareem Mentore took 4-23 and Berbice Under-19 pacer Grisean Grant 3-29, but Blairmont managed to scrape home by one wicket.

Below are the summarised scores from the games.

At Albion: Albion Community Centre beat Sand reef by 279 runs. Albion Community Centre 358-4 in 50 overs (Balchand Baldeo 203, Matthew Hardyal 104, Azim Panlall 2-63) Sand Reef 79 in 22.3 overs (Farzad Azeez 20, Daniel Lewis 4-30, David Latchaya 2-18).

At Cotton Tree: Blairmont Community Centre beat Cotton Tree Die Hard by nine runs. Blairmont Community Centre 121 in 18 overs (Nick Ramsaroop 48, Leonardo Seetayah 5-4, Adim Sheetahal 3-28) Cotton Tree Die Hard 112 in 40.1 overs (Saheed Khan 4-17, Rameshwar Somwaru 3-15, Ramanand Ramdhan 2-37).

At Bath: Blairmont Community Centre beat Achievers A by one wicket. Achievers A 135 in 19 overs (Grisean Grant 35*, Rennison Mitchell 27, Rameshwar Somwaru 4-22, Mark Gowkarran 3-41, Nick Ramsaroop 2-19, Avishkar Seekarran 2-26) Blairmont Community Centre 136-9 in 20 overs (Avishkar Seekarran 39, Kareem Mentore 4-23, Grisean Grant 3-29, Lawrence Sears 2-20).

for West Indies