Newspaper

monday, june 30, 2014|

12 homeless, 3 buildings destroyed in Sisters Village fire

Twelve persons are now homeless after a fire of unknown origin destroyed three buildings at Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara, just after midnight on Saturday, leaving millions of dollars in losses.

The fire, which reportedly started in an abandoned chowmein factory, quickly spread to two other wooden houses, leaving nothing behind but ash.

One of the buildings ravaged in the blaze used to house apartments which were being sublet to three families. Though firefighters responded promptly, they were unable to contain the blaze.

One of the tenants, Narima Khalil, who had occupied the apartment with her husband, three children and grandson, stated that she strongly believes that the fire was a result of arson.

She based her suspicion on the fact that when she got up around 23:00h to escort her youngest child to the washroom, footsteps

I hear the footsteps but I didn’t take it for anything because I thought was cat or some animal went over there,” the woman said.

Reflections

She continued that it was not long after retiring to bed that her husband awoke her, disclosing that he had seen reflections of flames on the glass windows.

“He wake me up and

were heard coming from the abandoned factory.

“I wake up to carry him to the washroom and when I come out, you know like when people walking on zinc, that is what I hear.

show me the fire reflecting on the glass window and we run out. We come out now, we see the fire taking over the factory, moving to our house. We didn’t even bother to pick up anything… we

just focus on coming out the house; so we run back in and pick up my grandson and wake up the children, holler for the other people in the house and we just run out for safety. We didn’t hesitate,” Khalil related.

got up after hearing shouts of “fire! Fire!”

She noted that she too left the apartment without making any attempts to save anything, and the only possession she had was the clothing on her back.

disclosed that as per norm, he would usually visit the location around 17:30h every afternoon to turn on the lights in the factory. He noted that he was there on Saturday afternoon, turned on the lights,

The woman noted that nothing was saved from the building and all her family had in their possession was the clothes they had worn to bed.

“Right now I don’t have anything because we didn’t focus on saving anything. How I work my money and bring it home yesterday, is just like that it left in my bag and it get burn up. I didn’t get to buy grocery, nothing, nothing. All we own right now is the clothes we got on, nothing else,” the woman cried.

Shouts of fire

Meanwhile, Rafeena Rasheed, another tenant of the building, told this publication that she was asleep when she heard screams and other noises quickly taking over the silence which had prevailed.

Knowing that something had gone wrong, Rasheed noted that she and her husband immediately

“I didn’t get to save anything. Nothing. I just run out to save my life but I had everything… fridge, gas stove, television, everything gone,” Rasheed lamented.

Rasheed estimated her losses at more than $500,000 while Khalil has approximated hers as just below that amount.

While the other tenants have found refuge at family members and friends, Khalil and Rasheed are now contemplating where they would stay in the coming days.

The two women noted that they have no other family members who could accommodate them and their families, while pointing out that they are awaiting permission from the landlord to erect a shack until they can access better accommodation.

Meanwhile, owner of the factory, Zhu Ying, who lives a couple of houses away,

but subsequently left, but did not notice anything out of the ordinary. Ying said that it was around 12:30h that he received a call from a neighbour relating that his factory was on fire, noting that he has no idea what could have caused the fire.

“The shop owner down the road call me and told me the factory on fire so I rush down, but there was nothing I could have done. The fire apparently started from the back of the factory, but I don’t know what could have caused that. I have no problems with anybody,” Ying said. He has however noted that the Guyana Fire Service has undertaken investigations into the matter and he hopes that the origin and particulars of the fire will be made known.

Ying estimated his losses at $40 million, and disclosed that the factory was uninsured.

Nursing School woes’ diagnosis ...poor management

On the heels of blistering public criticism over the sustained decline in the State Nurses examination results for the Georgetown School of Nursing, the Guyana Nurses Association (GNA) reiterated that the school should be managed by a Board of Directors.

Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran has rebutted the criticism, saying that the nurses have shown improvement, as the overall results from the schools across the country reflected that improvement.

However, the data has shown that the Georgetown School of Nursing has had consistently low results which the Minister has attributed to some students failing the course for a second consecutive year. Dr Ramsaran noted that some 19 nursing students who were given the opportunity to rewrite the exams after previously failing were again unable to pass.

He further explained that 2010 marked the introduction of a new curriculum that was intended to align Guyana with Caribbean standards.

Weather: Thundery showers can be expected to give way to heavy rain showers in the morning hours with light rain showers in the afternoon. Clear to partly cloudy conditions can be expected during the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Wind: Easterly between 4.02 metres and 4.47 metre per second.

High Tide: 06:04h and 18:29h reaching maximum heights of 2.59 metres and 2.48 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:03h reaching a minimum height of 0.64 metre.

DEA will monitor Guyana’s underground economy

– local law enforcement agencies being “fed” with intelligence

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

The US continues to monitor and pay keen interest to the movements of key individuals and organisations operating in Guyana’s underground economy.

US Ambassador to Guyana D Brent Hardt, speaking with Guyana Times on Thursday during an exclusive interview, explained that the US is always trying to do everything in its power to reduce acts of crime and criminality, which could have a debilitating impact on the socioeconomic development of Guyana and the hemisphere.

“Certainly, we do everything within our power to combat illicit trafficking, whether it be people, drugs or guns in the country we operate in,” he stated.

presence here for years now.

But the Ambassador said that such an approach is taken with the aim of ensuring that the local authorities are just as “strong and capable” to deal with these threats as their US counterparts.

He said the US would normally analyse information gathered locally and would bring expertise that would have a “broader hemispheric perspective” to understand the possible links between developments here and elsewhere in the Region and the wider world.

is necessary to be able to empower the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to gather this sort of information and act when necessary.

Request Ambassador Hardt said as a result, the US Embassy here has been working closely with the local law enforcement agencies to empower them to be able to respond to key security threats emanating from the underground economy and illicit activities within the State.

“Well I think that kind of sharing is going on really on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. I mean we have already had the DEA while they are going to be physically here; they have been operating out of Trinidad. The FBI comes through here and so you know there is a constant sharing of information and obviously we’re pleased it’s going to intensify.... As information is developed, we can share it... but we want to share it with a purpose and with a goal of trying to make cases... arrests...”

The Government has been requesting a DEA

When this is done, he reasoned, there can be a clear understanding of Guyana’s involvement in and contribution to the wider underground economy of the world that sees people and goods as well as arms being trafficked across borders.

Ambassador Hardt stated that the US continues to work with the local agencies here to ensure that once they make their case against elements of the underground economy, convictions and jail sentences can be secured in the courts of law.

Asked whether the US has been paying close attention to and investigating specific individuals and businesses here involved in the narco trade, the Ambassador responded: “It’s easy to say that”.

Lead

He then explained that the local law enforcement agencies need to take the lead in this respect apart from the work that is already being done by the US in the country. Ambassador Hardt was adamant that a strong AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism legislation

“If some guy has 12 houses and 18 cars and doesn’t seem to show up to work any day, you perhaps [know] that’s why, also the money laundering investigative capacity and the legislation is critical to be able to make those cases where people seem to have that wealth that just materialises out of nowhere, but when we have information about somebody that may be engaging in activity that may be illegal, we will share that with our law enforcement agencies and allow them to develop information,” he asserted.

Drug Enforcement Office Hardt informed that already law enforcement agencies have a regular annual conference in the Caribbean where they get together and identify what are the main targets in each country, and the priorities for law enforcement agencies across the Region in the fight against the underground economy.

He said those are also shared on the global level in global drug officers conference held every year.

Meanwhile, the US Ambassador explained that in a matter of months, Guyana will see the establishment of a new Drug Enforcement Office here, which will see more being done to fight the illegal trafficking of narcotics. He said the staff is already in the Region and are scheduled to arrive to intensify work with their local counterparts.

“So it’s a matter of obviously we need to get them a place to live and carve out some office space within our embassy office as well to squeeze in a little bit.... They are already moving their personnel resources in the country and it really shouldn’t take that long. I mean, the key thing was to make sure we had the Congressional funding organised. They’ll be some internal shifting. We’ll have to do to create the space and make sure we have the funding streams in hand but it think we’ll start to see a more active DEA presence here very soon within months.”

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Death of the (paper) book?

While there have been concerns expressed about the decline in reading in Guyana (which tracks the worldwide trend), we should also be concerned about the impact that e-book readers and tablets (which are heavily used as e-book readers) are having on the traditional book printed on paper. There is the possibility, after all, that reports of the negative downturn in reading might partly be due to less “paper” books being purchased.

While Guyana might not have reached the e-reader penetration of, say, the US, it might be useful to look at their statistics that are invariably precursors of our future. In the US, e-readers (tablets and dedicated e-readers) have jumped from eight per cent of Americans in 2010 to 50 per cent by January.

This year, 28 per cent of Americans reported reading an e-book. But booming sales of e-readers do not necessarily translate to a decline in sales of traditional books. Most Americans who read e-books also read paper books: only four per cent of readers stuck exclusively to e-books.

For example, even though Amazon.com’s January 2011 news about e-books outselling paperbacks shocked the traditional book publishing world, this came on top of reports of continued growth in paperback sales – at least for that online retailer. The situation, however, is a bit different for some traditional bookstores. Borders, a national chain of bookstores, declared bankruptcy in February 2011, reporting that it will refocus on e-book and e-reader sales in order to save the company. Barnes and Noble’s Nook is now one of the top e-readers.

There is definitely an age bias in the use of e-readers, with older readers overwhelmingly preferring paper books. In the beginning, they complained that reading from backlit screens might place a strain on the eye, but with recent innovations, these were addressed. Ditto for other objections, which might have been played out when leather manuscripts were replaced by paper books after the Gutenberg Press of 1450.

Right up there is the cost of e-readers, which can start at around $40,000. But this factor diminishes when it is considered that the electronic devices can contain thousands of books – most of them for free – that are always available for use, their popularity can be appreciated. The e-books are invariably cheaper than paper books and there are no shipping charges involved.

There were accusations that the e-readers did not cater for the different readers that are out in the real world – for instance “deep readers” versus “active readers”. The former are individuals who get immersed into the text while the latter underline or make notes in the margins, etc. Studies showed that people read slower on e-readers and screens, which would facilitate “deep reading”. Recently, however, the makers of the electronic readers have incorporated highlighting and note making, which combines the benefits of the two styles.

In addition to being obsessive writers of marginalia, readers are also skimmers, skippers (some even skip to the back), or the more staid front-to-back completists. The newer e-readers facilitate all these styles with their greater functionality but have not been able to crack one paper book feature – that is, in tandem with the workings of our minds.

This is the creation of “cognitive maps” of what we’re reading, which include visual memories of whether certain passages were top of a left-hand page, for example, and kinaesthetic information based on heft and bulk, which tells us how much we have left to read. But this might be more than counteracted by e-books keeping our reading habits private and obviating the need for brown paper covers.

In the end, the battle between paper books and e-books, might be resolved actuarially: the older folks will gradually be supplanted by the e-reading youths. We hope it leads to more reading.

The PNC’s position on the Walter Rodney CoI

Dear Editor, PNC Leader David Granger is reported to have said that he and his party will not be reversing their position on the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry set up by President Donald Ramotar into the death of historian Dr Walter Rodney, even though he was identified by name as a commander in the Army during the period when Rodney met his death.

The question that needs to be answered is why is it that Granger is refusing to appear before the Commission despite overwhelming evidence which points in the direction of his party’s involvement in the death of Dr Rodney.

Is it because Granger is afraid to face up to the truth which is becoming increasingly manifest every time someone takes to the stand,

in particular those who witnessed firsthand the atrocities of that period?

If, as Granger is saying, he and his party have clean hands, then why is he so reluctant to give his take on the events as they unfolded at that time when he was a key player in the military? One would have thought that the best recourse to clearing his name is to take to the stand and explain his and the Army’s involvement in the matter.

The PPP/C is of the view that the Commission should use the power vested in it to summon all witnesses with relevant information to share in order to ensure that there is full disclosure of what transpired. There can be no ‘sacred cows’ or ‘untouchables’ insofar as the Inquiry is concerned and appearance before the Commission should not be

an option which any individual or party should seek to exercise.

The overall objective should be to arrive at the truth and any known individual or group with information considered helpful to the work of the Commission should be made mandatory to appear and share information at their disposal.

It is clear that Granger and the PNC are seeking to belittle and denigrate both the decision to establish the Commission and the character of some of those who gave evidence in an attempt to shield itself from the shame and embarrassment which are emanating from the disclosures. The PNC is clearly in denial mode as an increasing body of new information is coming up which links Granger’s PNC to the death of Rodney.

The truth is that no

amount of denial will suffice to erase the agonising pain inflicted by the PNC on Guyana’s body-politic during that period in our history which will go down as the darkest and most painful episode in our political history.

The PPP feels justified in its call to have the Inquiry set up and views the evidence and confessions made so far by those who appeared to give evidence as a necessary condition for the restoration of our political health. It is the view of the Party that the Commission is tantamount to a Truth Commission as was the case of South Africa during the post-apartheid period which can only bring positive benefit to our society as it seeks to come to terms with its past.

PPP/C Freedom House

Is Goolsarran now speaking on behalf of the Parliament?

Dear Editor,

I refer to the article, “Approval of $8.7B from Contingencies Fund an embarrassment… Finance Minister still personally liable for unapproved $700M – Goolsarran”, on June 24 in another section of the press.

What caught my attention and left me baffled is the part where Goolsarran says that “the Assembly was extremely generous in approving expenditure out of the Contingencies Fund that did not meet the criteria”.

Are there not lawyers or experts in Parliamentary procedure who can speak to the constitutionality of what transpires in

Parliament? Is Goolsarran somehow the only person in all of Guyana who has the knowledge and analytical know-how to determine that the expenditures presented to Parliament violate the Constitution and breach the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act of 2003?

It would appear that Goolsarran has no understanding of the laws, Constitution, or financial controls that govern Guyana. Yet he insists on making public pronouncements on issues he has no knowledge or understanding of.

Perhaps that is why he failed as Auditor General to

deliver the audited reports for the country under the PNC regime. It was until the PPP/C Government took office that the Administration insisted on transparency and accountability and demanded that his office do its job and present the Annual Reports on the public accounts of Guyana to the National Assembly.

The article claims that the National Assembly would have approved the expenditures with a “very heavy heart”. Is Goolsarran speaking on behalf of the PPP/C Government members of Parliament or the APNU or AFC Members of Parliament (MPs) all of whom approved

the $9.2 billion?

I was not aware that Goolsarran was a spokesperson for any MP and would have the knowledge or authority to tell the public how the MPs felt when they voted for six separate financial papers! Given that all the MPs supported the bills, who exactly is Goolsarran speaking on behalf of when he says the National Assembly voted with a heavy heart? Goolsarran needs to acknowledge that he is not a spokesperson for any Member of Parliament.

Sincerely, Curious citizen

CoI report vital for Burnham’s biography

… Gregory Smith only took orders from superiors

Dear Editor,

It was in the Guyana Press dated July 22, 2013 that US Professor Linden Lewis (Barbadian origin), Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Bucknell University, USA was currently compiling data with regard to writing a biography of the late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham (1923-1985).

I am not sure who the resource persons in Guyana are, assisting this Professor with his data, but with

the current Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the death of the late Dr Walter Rodney, I am hoping that the Professor is contacted and following the proceedings of this Inquiry.

When that final report is drafted and made public, it should be a very vital reading for the Professor before he completes his research for publishing of Burnham’s biography.

On the other hand, I have been following some reports and am in shock to witness some of the per -

sons who were subpoenaed to take the stands. In brief, this CoI of Dr Rodney reminds me of the classic movie “A Few Good Men” starring Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise and Demi Moore.

The late Mr Gregory Smith was only taking orders/instructions from his superiors as any soldier is expected to.

Yours faithfully, T Pemberton

Time to increase the jail time for drug traffickers

Dear Editor,

It is high time to increase the period of incarceration for drug traffickers. I make this bold suggestion in light of the prevailing circumstances. In today’s society, persons seek every conceivable way to traffic this stuff, especially going the North American route. This route is most lucrative; hence, individuals will seek out all sorts of ways to get the drugs through.

As one drug trafficker remarked, “the hardest thing is to get the stuff past the watchful eyes of the Caribbean, in this case Guyana’s drug enforcement”. Once this is achieved, the rest is “easy pickings” which is interpreted as – the situation in the North is not so stringent. To sum it up, some people would literally sell their souls to the devil to sell drugs.

There are old folks, very old folks, young folks, middle-aged folks, preachers,

common folk, some use their sons, and others would even use their young babies to avoid detection.

The list is endless as the innovative ways are: in the weaving of your hair, in the soles of your shoes, in the handle bars of your suitcase, in ochroes, in cabbages, in pepper sauce and in passion fruit juices; on your person as well as in your person. It is amazing to know the places drugs are being trafficked. So, as these desperate innovative ways abound, how should our courts deliver justice? I would say in-

Can Parker honestly say why he was removed

Dear Editor,

I read Carl Parker’s letter in another section of the press on June 23 under the headline, ‘This confounded nonsense has got to stop”. The letter was also printed on June 25 under the headline, “An Abuse of Power”.

Carl Parker, a PNC/ APNU activist and Regional Councillor of Region Nine, is claiming unprofessional behaviour and an abuse of power by an official of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, where an Amerindian woman is concerned.

In view of this allegation by Parker, is he not looking back at his past conduct and in the process abusing his power, as well as involving a young Amerindian female under the care of her parents when he was a senior official in the capacity

of a District Development Officer (DDO) based in Aishalton Village in 1992?

Further, can Parker honestly say why he was removed from Aishalton Village while still holding the position of a DDO, a position of trust?

I can provide the name of the girl and the names of her parents as well as their letters to the Regional Executive Officer (REO) dated the September 11, 1992 and October 4, 1992 requesting the removal of Carl Parker from Aishalton Village.

So as soon as Parker is ready, his track record in the Rupununi while he was an official of the Local Government Ministry of will be released in the public domain.

Yours faithfully, Peter Persaud

crease the jail time significantly, the innocuous time given is no deterrent. What the present harmless jail sentencing does is act as an incentive to traffickers and would-be traffickers. Our sentencing is a big joke.

Take for example the time given to that father who coaxed his son into trading in cocaine, he got a paltry three years which in essence would amount to 27 calendar months – an incarceration year is nine

months.

So, taking into consideration good behaviour, that father might very well be out in a calendar year’s time; a strong healthy man of 42 years ready and able to carry on with his nefarious trade. Fantastic!

I would agree that in a previous letter my request for a 20-year jail term might have been too draconian, but I would adamantly hold to my view of 10 years.

This is enough time to teach him a lesson while sending a strong message to the would-be traffickers out there – not to try the trade.

My call to the powers would be to increase the jail time for traffickers. It is the only way to send home the message that this trade would not be tolerated here.

Sincerely, Neil Adams

Govt committed to assisting squatters re-locate for CJIA expansion

Dear Editor, The Public Works Ministry is extremely disappointed with the biased nature of an article published in another section of the press headlined, “Timehri farmers losing valuable crops as airport expansion moves apace”.

The article is centred on Patrick Gray – a farmer squatting on Government lands for over a decade – and his fear of losing his livelihood as the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion moves ahead. The article leaves readers with the perception that there is no regard for the farmer’s plight.

To this end, the Ministry seeks to shed some light on the prejudiced missive.

First and foremost, the Ministry and Airport Authority have held meetings and engaged in oneon-one conversations with squatters since 2008 on the airport expansion and relocation options.

Furthermore, the Ministry encouraged each of the farmers to apply to Lands and Surveys for suitable alternative farming lands; however, most of

them have failed to take up this offer.

In Mr Gray’s case, he has been approached on no less than 10 times, repeatedly with officers from the Guyana Police Force, to desist farming on airport vested lands. Mr Gray was advised that suitable land would be provided for him to relocate where he may continue to cultivate his cash crops, since his farm is in the project’s immediate construction path. However, in all instances, Mr Gray has blatantly refused to even engage the Ministry and Airport Authority in any discussion. The airport expansion is crucial to Guyana’s development. In this light, the Ministry and Airport Authority are committed to assist squatters, including Mr Gray, to relocate to suitable farming areas so as to ensure their source of income/livelihood is sustained; despite claims by some of being bullied and disenfranchised.

Aneka Edwards, Public Relations Officer CJIA Corporation

President, US Ambassador demonstrated statesmanship

Dear Editor,

I would like to commend our President and the US Ambassador for their statesmanship and open-mindedness that made them able and willing to forget any differences which they had encountered in relation to the democracy project. This has led them to start cooperating in other areas of our political apparatus, as in the establishment of the DEA office in our country.

The efforts of our most

important leader, His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar, and the most influential diplomat, US Ambassador D Brent Hardt, clearly provide a shining example to others in the various sections of our political system, as well as the rest of our society, to override any misunderstandings which may develop and work towards the overall betterment of our affairs.

It demonstrates that we should always avoid making

any judgments on other people’s actions, consider that any rifts that may develop in our interactions may have come about as a result of some misinterpretation of what transpired in any situation, and work towards reestablishment of a cordial relationship.

What has resulted is that two projects, which undoubtedly can significantly improve our dealing with problems in our administration, will come on stream, and the

relationship between our country and the USA will continue to be one of cooperation and mutual respect. If only the other actors in our political structure can adopt this broadminded approach to their interaction with one another, then I believe that our country will, once again, be on the real path to harmony and progress in our affairs.

Yours sincerely, Roy Paul

Page Foundation

By Megan Devine, LCPC

Many parents are at a loss for what to do with their older children during the summer months – they may get the summer off, but you probably don’t. That leaves a whole chunk of time to fill each day. How do you know if your child is responsible enough to be left home alone? What if you know he isn’t, but he won’t stop begging to be in charge of his own schedule this summer?

If your child is old enough to be left home alone, how can you tell if they actually deserve to be left home alone?

What if you’ve tried it before, and they broke your trust by having too many friends over, or by not getting their chores done in the time you scheduled for them?

While every family is different, there are certainly some good guidelines for how to decide whether a child is responsible enough to stay home alone, even part of the time.

Does your child follow basic safety rules, and can she tell you where she would go for help if she needed it? (be sure to have a list of emergency numbers in a central place in your home)

Has your child shown improvement in other areas of his life, such as increased compliance with household

chores (even if he disagrees with them)?

Are you willing to set clear expectations and rules, and follow through consistently with the consequences for not meeting those expectations?

Remember – you actually want your child to have the skills it takes to stay at home safely and responsibly. You want them to learn the time-management and selfregulation skills that will let them balance responsibility

pectations and consequences.

Find ways to let him show you he’s improving his ability to follow the rules. Find ways to help him learn better skills. Keep him working towards his goal of being on his own.

Dos and Don’ts

Once you’ve made the decision to let them try being on their own, there are several things you might want to consider:

and play as they move into adulthood.

The more they can show you their skills are improving, the more freedom and autonomy they can have.

And that will help make a great summer – for everyone.

Remember, as James Lehman says: you can’t punish a child into better behaviour. You can help your child improve his behaviour through the use of clear ex-

DON’T: be vague about your expectations. Don’t expect your child to “just know” what the rules are. Your ideas about common sense aren’t necessarily the same as your child’s.

DO: be very clear with your child about your rules and expectations. This includes any daily chores, as well as rules around how many friends can be in the house at one time, and whether your child can leave

Is your child responsible enough to be home ? alone

your home to go elsewhere. Clarity now means fewer problems later.

DON’T: let consequences be a surprise.

DO: tell your child what he stands to lose. Just as you need to be clear about your expectations, you also need to be clear about the consequences for not meeting those expectations. Again, clarity now means fewer problems later.

DON’T: have nowhere else to go. It certainly is

tricky figuring out what to do with your older child if staying home alone is not an option. However, if your child knows there is nowhere else you can send her, why should she comply with the rules related to staying home alone?

DO: have a back-up plan. Can your child be sent to a parent, grandparent, or family friend? Is there a day camp, vocational programme, or volunteer ser-

vice where they might spend their day? Be sure your child knows where they’ll be going if they can’t comply with your rules.

DON’T: overschedule your child’s day. While it’s tempting to give a long list of things to be done each day so that your child has no time to get into trouble, such an approach is unlikely to be effective.

DO: leave some empty space. Some chores or daily tasks should be on your list of expectations, obviously. But allow there to be down time in there, too. If there is no benefit to staying home alone – freedom, play time, spontaneity – your child won’t bother complying with the rules that let him stay home alone in the first place.

DON’T: force your child to adhere to a strict structure while you’re not home. It’s impossible to dictate what your child does in any given hour while you’re not there.

DO: Give your child a list of things you expect to be completed by the time you return home. Let her know that while she can choose when she does them, she cannot choose not to do them. Letting your child dictate the order and rhythm of her day will help her learn to manage her time effectively. It’s definitely a learning curve, so use your privileges and consequences to help

her practice those skills.

DON’T: dive right in with leaving your child alone all day, every day.

DO: if possible, give your child a limited trial run. Let them know that they will earn more time alone as they show you they can handle it. This will allow you to gauge their ability to follow the rules, and to stay home alone safely.

Begin by letting them have shorter windows where they can demonstrate their ability to follow rules even when they don’t want to. Remind them that they only earn more independence when they show they can follow the rules as they are now.

If your child is basically responsible – they have a part time job, decent grades, keep up with their chores (even if they do so begrudgingly), you can be a little more generous with your starting point. You might have them in a half-day programme somewhere, or give them one day a week to try things at home on their own. Extend that time as you see them consistently meet your expectations.

If your child isn’t so good at following the rules as they are now, give him a chance to earn an hour at home by himself while you head to the store or the gym.

Doing it this way lets your child know exactly what skills they need to improve, and what they can expect to receive for that improvement. Break it down into steps, and help them learn and practise those steps.

Whatever your starting point, if at any time your child fails to meet your expectations, you can put them back on the reduced schedule. You might even give them fair warning: “you didn’t get your chores done while you were home today. I’ll give you a chance to do better tomorrow, but if you can’t get them done, you’ll go back to a half day again this week. I know you want to be on your own, so show me you can handle it.”

And one last thing: DON’T: make it all-ornothing. If your child lies, or breaks the rules, don’t remove any chance to stay home alone for the whole rest of the summer.

DO: let your child earn his freedom back again. Look, children want autonomy. They want to be able to be in charge of their own day. That’s a powerful motivator. Use it to your advantage by letting your child earn back your trust, even if he’s broken the rules. (Excerpt from empoweringparents.com)

US standing by TIP Report despite Govt objections – US Ambassador

The US is standing by its 2014 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report on Guyana, Ambassador D Brent Hardt said, even as the Government contends that it is laden with inaccuracies.

US State Department 2014 TIP Report said the Government of Guyana should put the requisite systems in place to ensure convicted human traffickers are held accountable. According to the US, three traffickers were set free after being sentenced to a maximum of five years imprisonment.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times , the US Ambassador said the granting of bail to convicted traffickers after they were sentenced, creates an unfavourable environment by sending the wrong message. While Guyana has made progress, Hardt said corrective steps should be taken to protect persons residing and operating in vulnerable communities.

“I think it is really vital for the Government to step up its effort to make sure that people on the frontline have training,” he said, positing that the judicial

system should be equipped with the requisite information to guarantee full prosecution.

The US is also calling on the Government to strengthen its relationship with civil organisations, which have set out clear objectives to fight human trafficking.

“The only way the fight will be effective is if the Government taps into the efforts of civil society groups like the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO),” Hardt claims.

Alluding to the issue of inaccuracies, the US

Ambassador said extensive investigation and research were conducted before compilation of the report. According to him, Guyana was slow in its response to the US when key information was sought on the TIP fight here.

Rejection

“We were late in getting information and we did not get all the information we would have wished to have had.”

Despite the challenges faced, Hardt said the US is convinced that the report on Guyana is accurate.

“We are very confident in the contour of our report… we don’t put in things that we cannot back up,” he added.

The Government has been repeatedly rejecting the US TIP Report; however, Ambassador Hardt remains adamant that the report is accurate.

When the US 2013 TIP Reports was rejected by the Government of Guyana Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons, Hardt said the State Department defended its report and stands willing to do so this time around.

“We would have provided to the Government following their critique last year, a line-by-line break down of the information we had and the sources of the information,” he recalled.

Condemnation not intention

The State Department TIP Report serves to identify weaknesses a country may have in its fight to eliminate human trafficking and simultaneously offer recommendations to strengthen the fight against human trafficking.

“We do not see the report as offering condemnation.

That is not the purpose of the report,” Ambassador Hardt said in his quest to clear the air.

On Friday, Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster said the US State Department 2014 TIP Report on Guyana misrepresented the scope of human trafficking in Guyana.

Representing the Chairman of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Person Clement Rohee, Webster said the Guyana Police Force thoroughly investigates cases of human trafficking.

Webster noted too that the Government does not interfere with the proceedings of the courts, as she referenced to the three convicted traffickers who were placed on bail after appealing their cases.

“Under judicial consideration, the court’s role should not be usurped by others making public statements, about how these issues should be dealt with.”

In defence of the Government, Webster said in addition to the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2005, Guyana has also enacted the Status of Child Act of 2009, the Protection of Children Act of 2009, the Adoption of Children Act of 2009, the Child Care and Protection Agency Act of 2009 and the Sexual Offences Act of 2010. Just recently, the National Plan of Action for 2014-2015 was approved with the intent to put greater preventative and awareness mechanisms in place to combat the crime and simultaneously grant direct assistance to victims of trafficking.

30 Linden farmers to be trained in hydroponics

The Region 10 Administration said 30 farmers will be trained in the area of hydroponics

In an effort to sustain and diversify agriculture in Region 10, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) said 30 farmers will be trained in the area of hydroponics.

Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon said the venture was made possible through a grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and is expected to commence sometime in May.

Hydroponics, which is a subset of hydroculture,

is another method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water instead of the traditional method using soil.

RDC Councillor Maurice Butters said the selection and training of persons should have already commenced, however, the selection of 30 eligible persons within the Linden community is yet to be done.

He related that persons are expected to be trained in regards to the technicalities surrounding hydroponics, noting that one of the

requirements will be that participants possess sufficient land space for the exercise to be carried out.

“First of all, you would have to submit your name to the Regional Chairman’s Office and then you would be selected to participate,” he noted.

The initiative is part of the RDC's mandate to improve agriculture in Region 10, which had failed to receive budgetary allocations over the past year.

Solomon recently bemoaned the state of agricul-

ture in Linden and Region 10, stressing that no agricultural advancement provisions had been set aside.

A number of initiatives, including the establishment of farming cooperatives, have also been implemented over the past year in areas across Linden and by extension communities such as Rockstone and Moblissa, in an effort to sustain and improve the state of agriculture.

While Solomon explained that Region 10 is not producing sufficient food, he blamed the high percentage of food importation as the main cause. He said while Region 10 has some of the most suitable lands for crop cultivation, there are numerous challenges surrounding the region’s agri-

cultural advancement.

Solomon noted that the hydroponics initiative is aimed at assisting in the advancement of local food production and sustainability.

Stranded Dynamic Airlines passengers arrive in Guyana today

The passengers who have been stranded due to the glitches experienced by the newest addition to Guyana’s aviation industry, Dynamic Airlines, are scheduled to arrive in Guyana today.

According to an airline official, systems have been put in place to address the failures and to have the Guyana-bound passengers here as soon as it can be arranged.

The official noted that while the airline has arranged flights on other carriers for the passengers to travel to their destinations, a flight is scheduled to depart from the Atlantic City Airport and not the John F Kennedy Airport, to facilitate the passengers.

The airline said that due to “temporary technical issues, we have experienced in operating from JFK airport and due to very limited amount of seats available on other airlines, to carry our remaining passengers to their final destination – Georgetown, Guyana, we have organised alterna-

tive transportation for all our passengers in order to prevent cancelation of the flight”.

According to the information received, the expense of travelling from Terminal 4 of the JFK Airport will not be borne by passengers, but rather by the company, who will be providing luxury buses to the Atlantic City Airport.

The airline has also organised for company officials to be placed at strategic locations at the airport to guide the stranded passengers through the checkin process and to the desig-

nated plane so that they do not become lost and miss the flight.

According to the official, this arrangement could not and would not have been possible had it not been for “the cooperation and great support of the authorities, airports and all other parties involved”.

This arrangement comes days after the airline was grounded at the JFK Airport by US authorities.

According to information received, the airline had left Guyana on Friday morning after several hours of delay on its inaugural flight out

of Guyana, but arrived at the JFK Airport only to be grounded.

Captain Gerry Gouveia, the Chief Executive Officer of Roraima Airways, the local ground handling agency for the airline, when contacted for a comment, had related to this publication that contrary to what was being peddled in some sections of the media, the grounding was not as a result of money or legal issues.

He noted that the airline had signed an agreement with a Guyanese-linked ground handling agency, which was tasked with the responsibilities of baggage handling and the provision of a gate.

However, the agency reportedly reneged on the agreement at a moment’s notice, leaving the airline without a ground handling agency or a gate for its passengers.

Gouveia noted, however, that the airline’s officials are currently looking into the matter and will be seeking to replace its ground handling agency in the US.

ASL announces special tour offers for Guyana Festival

... city tours and day trips to Shell Beach

IASL General Manager

Annette Arjoon-Martins

n anticipation of the large influx of tourists and overseas-based Guyanese heading our way for the Guyana Festival slated for August 8-10, Air Services Limited will be offering special aerial tours for that period.

This announcement was made by ASL General Manager Annette ArjoonMartins who said the company was inspired to offer the tours after it facilitated several trips into the interior and other exotic parts of Guyana for documentaries and similar work.

Speaking from ASL headquarters at the Ogle International Airport, Arjoon-Martins said this idea was being pursued in or-

der to “maximise opportunities” and options for patrons at the festival to be held at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

In addition to the city tours originating from the Providence National Stadium, the company is also set to increase its weekly trips to Kaieteur Falls and for the first time, the company will offer one-day trips to the majestic Shell Beach in Region One. The commercial air company will also be offering four weekly trips to Kaieteur Falls, the largest single-drop waterfall in the world.

“We are positive about the potential for growth in tourism in Guyana, we have so much to offer that is unique, and even though we’re adding these services because of the festival, our plan is to

keep them going year round,” said the General Manager.

She explained that the tours around the city will be done via helicopter and will start seven days before Guyana Festival.

“Niche tourism activities have been happening with the helicopters over the past year and we thought we’d want to offer that to Guyanese,” Arjoon-Martins said.

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, who was present at the launch, lauded the company for continuously pushing the frontiers of tourism in Guyana, and hence playing a fundamental role in the development of Guyana’s tourism product.

“They have constantly invested in the resources and equipment needed that would bring new opportunities to the tourism product...

which strives off the adventure aspect,” said Minister Ali.

He said too that the management of ASL have decided to be a part of the festival in a most “dynamic and versatile” manner, noting that there was some issue –with enough flights not being available to take tourists to the Kaieteur National Park.

He has contended that the Guyana Festival has taken on a “life of its own” and has already been generating much excitement. “The excitement of Guyanese rekindling with our country is enormous,” said Ali.

The city tours will cost $8000 and the tours to the Kaieteur Falls will be $29,000. The prices for tours to shell beach are customisable and depend on the number of persons taking the trip.

Eyew tness

Thrashing history...

...by AFC

Sam Cooke famously confessed in song: “Don’t know much about History...”. But with a voice like Sam's, it didn’t matter much. Not the same for the rest of us who have to deal with snake-oil salesmen. History’s taught as a subject for us to learn what those who came before us did in particular circumstances. And in the present, to the extent the circumstances are similar or analogous, we may act accordingly depending on prior outcomes.

We hear then, about the “lessons of history”. But in Guyana, unfortunately, there are some who’re either ignorant of those lessons or deliberately twist them. Or both.

Take, for example, yesterday’s excursion by AFC’s Ramjattan, equating the rise of Hitler to the PPP/C Government. “The Reichstag of January 1933 saw over 50 per cent of those who held seats being against the Nazi Party. What could have happened that resulted in Germany shortly thereafter having one of the most infamous dictators (Hitler) of all history?”

But rather than analysing the circumstances/factors that led to the rise of Hitler and then comparing them to our situation, the wanker disingenuously went off on a detour and frolic describing characteristics of dictatorships and arbitrarily pinning them on the PPP/C. Is Ramjattan saying that any party starting with less than 50 per cent seats in Parliament will create a dictatorship?? The entire exercise was to throw in the name “Hitler” and PPP/C in the same article.

Well, the cap he placed on the PPP/C’s head could as easily fit the AFC’s or APNU’s head – they each have less than 50 per cent of Parliamentary seats. In fact, like the AFC, Hitler started with a mere couple of seats in the 1920s. And like the AFC, used extremist rhetoric and actions to build his support base. Hitler rose to power by exploiting the resentments of Germany – which is precisely the AFC’s modus operandi here.

Remember the AFC’s racial incitement at Linden –over free electricity – right after the 2011 elections, leading to mass protests, arson, sabotage, strangulation of the interior and killings? Well, Hitler staged his infamous “Beer Hall Putsch” in 1923 by inciting German resentment at the deprivations caused by the Allies after WWI. And this has been the AFC’s Hitlerite strategy since – to polarise the Guyanese people and by stoking resentments.

For a while, before he self-destructed in his greed and avarice, Nigel Hughes was the propagandist comparable to Hitler’s Goebbels. Remember the man’s naked racist appeals to African Guyanese? As his buddy friend would say, Ramjattan’s Freudian slip was exposed when he invoked the name of Hitler.

...of the WPA

That same buddy friend also thrashed history when, according to the Muckraker’s report, “He posited that anti-colonial politics... was led by the mainstream middle class whose ancestral antecedents came from the house slave stratum. These were people steeped in European tradition and were the inheritors of status and wealth.” What a load of revisionist piffle!!!

Anti-colonialist politics in Guyana was led by Cheddi Jagan who returned in 1943. He did not come from “the house slave stratum” and certainly wasn’t an “inheritor of status and wealth”. Those politicians who came before Jagan and warranted the characterisation were not “anticolonialists” – they merely aspired to be selected by the colonialists to be part of the ruling clique.

It didn’t matter what their ethnic origins, whether they were members of the League of Coloured Peoples or the British Guiana East Indian Association – the colonialera politicians rejected root-and-branch change.

Jagan’s contemporary, Burnham, was also in that reactionary mould – hence his willing betrayal of the anticolonial movement of Jagan.

...through silence

The PPP/C is miffed that Granger’s refusing to testify before the Rodney CoI. Don’t they realise Guyana doesn’t have the US 5th Amendment where Granger can say, “I refuse to answer on the grounds my answer would incriminate me?”

‘Suspended’ APNU MP Kissoon lands before Disciplinary Committee

People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) General

Secretary Oscar Clarke said Party Member Vanessa Kissoon will be given the opportunity to present her case to the Disciplinary Committee.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Clarke confirmed that Kissoon’s membership has been suspended from the PNCR, but declined to divulge details on what would have led to the suspension.

against Kissoon. “I am not at liberty to discuss,” Clarke told this newspaper.

Reports indicate that a fierce argument between the two might have led to disciplinary actions being taken

Caribbean performing artistes face many challenges

Caribbean Performing Arts Federation (C-PAF) Chief Executive Officer Irvin Durand said, “The performing arts and our performing artistes are faced with an ongoing challenge in the area of training to become more competitive”.

“The artistes need training to become competitive with their international counterparts,” Durand continued Furthermore, he added, “Even within the Region, we found that our Caribbean counterparts are always way ahead.”

Durand expanded on this, saying that the competing Caribbean counterparts are always more structured; more developed, received more training, had more workshops, and always got the bigger share of the ‘pie’.

“Mark you, some of the other countries and their organised structures, assisted them in making sure that they had those segments of the market,” he said.

Durand said the pressure felt throughout Caribbean countries are the same. According to him, performing artistes in both the music and theatre arenas, all go through the limits within the Region’s small markets.

“The challenges are endless, but they are basically the same challenges that everyone faces. But we have less resources and less of an understanding.”

He said that the Dominica Government is less understanding of the sector as a tradeable or marketable product. He continued by saying that a lot of work has been done during the last couple

Irvin Durand

of years by individual countries through the Coalition of Service Industries.

“Some headway has been made, but it is nothing in comparison to what is really needed to propagate the industry,” he said.

The Federation aims to develop the needed infrastructure for a successful performing arts industry in Dominica to thrive.

Durand explained that, in referring to performing arts, these are performances that are cross-cutting with entertainment.

“The Federation is yielding a new flow of traffic for creators, trainers, and for people who want to do internships as we expose the talents and opportunities we have. Also, to be able to do inter-island joint ventures,” the CEO said.

He said that the federation’s flagship is called “Gems of the Caribbean”, which is a festival that is being planned to rotate around the islands.

“It will definitely bring certain influx of traffic and visitors to the various islands, therefore, the same to Dominica,” he concluded. (Caribbean News Now)

Nevertheless, with the charged levied against the Region 10 representative, the Disciplinary Committee led by Bishwaiswar “Cammie” Ramsaroop will soon convene a hearing to pronounce on the matter. Clarke said during that hearing, Kissoon will be given the opportunity to exercise her constitutional rights in keeping with the PNCR’s Constitution.

On Friday at the Leader of the Opposition’s Office, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Chief Whip Amna Ally said in her limited response to questions posed by reporters that the issue is an internal matter.

“If there is a matter, it has to be investigated. We cannot go out into the public and use speculations,” Ally told reporters. According to her, when the matter is thor-

oughly investigated, “if there is something to be said, people will know. There is no secrecy in our party”.

However, she assured media operatives that the matter involving Kissoon will be dealt with in accordance with the party’s

Constitution. “Our party is governed by a Constitution which is well known to aid its member… and if there is a matter, I can assure you that the way it is being dealt with will be by the party’s Constitution.”

When Guyana Times spoke with Kissoon on Friday, she was not in receipt of an official notification of her suspension.

However, she said it would be a breach of the party’s Constitution to take disciplinary action, without following the procedures of the day. She made it clear, that at no point she was consulted on the matter or given an opportunity to defend herself before the Executive.

But this is not the first time; the PNCR/APNU took actions without notifying her. Earlier in the year, Kissoon was demoted. Without her knowledge, Kissoon was moved from the second row in the National

Opposition’s cry of “constitutional crisis” paranoiac – Attorney General

Attorney General Anil Nandlall has described the frequent use of the term “constitutional crisis” by some politicians as “a pretence at profundity”, and “expression of paranoia”, or both.

The Attorney General was referring to a statement from parliamentary Opposition party, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which had accused the Government of “provoking a constitutional crisis”.

According to Nandlall, APNU in the release had outlined the provocation in three examples: Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh was restoring monies which had been withheld by the joint Opposition during budgetary deliberations in the National Assembly; the President non-assenting to Opposition Bills in the National Assembly; and the Attorney General challeng-

ing “certain actions” by the Opposition in the National Assembly via the High Court “on the ground of their unconstitutionality”.

which only those who are articulating this novel concept can explain”.

The Attorney General referred to Article 218(3) of the Constitution that authorises the restoration of monies by Minister Singh.

De long haul mek some people bawl

According to Nandlall, there was compliance with each of the above processes, since the Government had “acted in conformity with express provisions of the Constitution”.

He, therefore, questioned “how can the resort to constitutionally authorised processes result in the provocation of a constitutional crisis is a matter

Article 218 (3) of the Constitution provides thus: “If in respect of any financial year it is found – (a) that the amount appropriated by the (a) Appropriation Act for any purpose is insufficient or that a need has arisen for expenditure for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act ; or (b) that any monies have been expended for any purpose in excess of the amount appropriated for that purpose by the Appropriation Act or for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act, a supplementary estimate or, as the case may be, a statement of excess showing the sums required or spent shall be laid before the National Assembly by the Minister responsible for Finance ... “

He also reiterated that the latter “had acted in accordance with and in obedience of the letter and spirit of the said Article, contending that Alliance For Change Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo is in a greater state of confusion “as he is still grappling to understand the distinction between the Contingencies Fund and the Consolidated Fund”.

On the issue of the President not assenting to Bills, the Attorney General pointed to Article 170(2) that allows the Chief Executive such powers.

“When a Bill is presented to the President for assent, he shall signify that he assents or that he withholds assent.” And on the third instance of resorting to the High Court, the Attorney General said that “anyone who feels that the Constitution is being infringed, or is likely to be infringed, can approach the Court for appropriate redress”.

This is a fact which he said every law student knows.

He also said that having to “resort to the High Court to complain about a constitutional breach is a legal right”, and such an “invocation can never result in a constitutional crisis”.

Instead, he said that “it is the type of conduct which engenders greater constitutionality”.

Not too long ago, people coulda hardly get outta Guyana to go any where. All de airlines had start to leff Guyana one by one. De one that call dem self Caribbean Airlines was de only one leff at one time. And some times that was a nightmare even in de day time.

If yuh tink de Bajans does treat Guyanese bad, check out de Trinis. People don’t call dem Trickidadians fuh nutten. When ever yuh meet de airport in Tee-T, it was always a stand up, shut up, open up and a feel up before you could get to go up to de other flight.

Now it look like is airlines galore in Guyana. One by one dem airlines start to line up and set up shop. From TravelSpan to Fly Jamaica to Dynamic to Insel. Every one of dem seh dem come fuh de long haul. And Guyanese always ready fuh de long haul. Especially when dem gettin haul to de US.

Most times it don’t matter who haulin dem. But by de time dem get haul to de US, dem already haul in de Yankee accent, includin some of dem flight attendants.

But plenty of dem who tek de haulin to go gon never tek de haulin to come back. Except if de US send de ICE people to haul dem back when dem over stay dem welcome. Or if de people who dem goin to done haul in other people wid dem. But that is a different kinda haulin.

One man haul he self to de US Embassy and he get he visa. Right away de man haul he self to de airline and pay fuh de long haul to Queens to meet he queen. By de time he meet deh, some body else was haulin de queen as he own queen, and de queen she self was haulin some ting fuh nine months.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Well, that was when all de man haulin turn to bawlin and he start crawlin back to wheh he come from!

Nursing School woes’...

GNA Executive Director Grace Bond said it was against the backdrop of this year’s poor results and similar results in the past that the Association is advocating for the establishment of a Board of Directors to manage the affairs of the Georgetown Nursing School.

The GNA also highlighted a slew of other issues that were affecting the matriculation rate of students from the institution.

She highlighted that other issues affecting the performance of the nurses included the reduced bed capacity of the Georgetown Public Hospital, and increased number of trainee nurses competing with other health professionals (such as medical students, medex students, interns and other staff) for learning experience.

The nurses were also affected by an inadequate number of trained full-time tutors; inadequate teaching/learning materials; ill-equipped small skills labs; a 50 per cent reduction in time spent on specialised areas (from one month to two weeks); and inadequate classroom lighting and ventilation.

The GNA has made recommendations to the Ministry that would effectively resolve these issues; however, according to Bond, none of the recommendations were implemented.

Those recommendations included a review of the existing curriculum, the recruitment and training of tutors and clinical instructors, and an upgrade of the skills lab.

The GNA had also advocated for the Health Ministry to institute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, which would see wards being designated for training purposes.

Speaking to Guyana Times recently, Bond highlighted that in the past months, the Association would have urged Government to put proper systems in place to enhance the learning process; however, this advice went unheeded and hence students are still performing poorly in some areas.

The GNA Executive Director also said that the Ministry was warned of the issues that would result from the implementation of the new programme in March 2013. She told Guyana Times that prior to the implementation of the programme, the Ministry was supposed to make available a procedure manual for the training nurses and clinical instructors and conduct a pilot and review of the new curriculum at the Charles Roza School of Nursing in Linden.

NASA ‘flying saucer’ tests Mars tech

AUS space agency (NASA) experiment on Saturday to test future Mars landing technologies proved largely successful.

A flying saucer-shaped vehicle was sent high into the atmosphere via a balloon to trial a new type of parachute and an inflatable Kevlar ring that could help slow down a spacecraft as it approaches the Red Planet’s surface.

All of the equipment appeared to work apart from the parachute, which failed to deploy fully.

The experiment was sent up from Hawaii.

NASA hopes the lessons learned will enable it put heavier payloads on Mars in the decades ahead.

The current limit is about one-and-a-half tonnes.

If humans are ever to go to the planet, this mass capability will have to rise to well beyond 10 tonnes.

Saturday’s test vehicle, known as the Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD), ditched in the Pacific after its flight.

Teams were dispatched

Artist’s impression: A rocket motor was used to shoot the vehicle up through the stratosphere

to try to locate the demonstrator so that its data recorder could be recovered.

This will give engineers the most detailed information on what precisely happened during the experiment.

Video cameras on the ground and on the LDSD captured most of the flight.

The helium balloon was launched from the US Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai at just after 08:40 local time (18:40 GMT).

It took over two hours to raise the saucer-shaped vehicle to roughly 35km (120,000ft), whereupon it was released.

A rocket motor then kicked the LDSD on up through the stratosphere to above 50km (160,000ft), and to a velocity of Mach 4 (four times the speed of sound) - the sort of conditions a spacecraft approaching Mars might encounter.

As the vehicle began to slow, it deployed the first of its two new atmospheric braking systems.

This first system was a 6m (20ft) inflatable “doughnut”. It enlarged the LDSD’s girth and so will have slowed the saucer further by increasing the amount of drag it experienced.

The second braking system, however, did not come out properly.

Upward-looking video showed the 30m-diameter supersonic parachute failing to unfurl correctly.

NASA engineers said before the test that they would gather valuable data whether the technologies on the LDSD worked properly or not.

The project hopes to return to Hawaii next year to conduct two further test flights. (BBC News)

Suriname seeks to bridge Islamic Bank, South America, Caribbean

At the just concluded 39th Governors’ meeting of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last Thursday, Suriname called for expansion of ties with the bank and to position itself as the “bridge” between the IsDB, South America and the Caribbean after decades of isolation, in the words of Gillmore Hoefdraad, Governor of Suriname to the Islamic Bank.

Hoefdraad, who is also the Governor of the National Bank of Suriname, said, “As the only member country of the Islamic Development Bank in the Western Hemisphere, we see ourselves as a natural bridge between the new world and our fellow members in the other continents. Therefore, I want to mention that Suriname would like to support the efforts of the Islamic Development Bank to engage with countries in South America and the Caribbean.”

vestments. He pointed out also that Suriname continues to diversity its economy and is working to strengthen “institutional framework” and improve transparency of Government operations.”

“We are also strength-

enues during boom periods in Suriname.

“Transparency of Government operations is a high priority for our Government, and we are working with regional and international partners to

past 40 years and said that Suriname has been a proud member of the Islamic Bank since 1997. Suriname is the only country in the Americas that is a member of the Islamic Bank.

The Surinamese Governor gave an overview of his country’s economy. He told the gathering that Suriname is rich in natural resources and is safe for in-

ening our institutional framework, with the view to broadening our revenue base and improving public finance management and reporting.

In the past, insufficient public financial management and inadequate checks and balances squandered increased mining rev-

strengthen statistical data and information systems in national accounts, public finance, balance of payments, and monetary statistics,” he said.

Hoefdraad congratulated the IsDB on its 40th anniversary. He applauded the bank for its many achievements and successes in the

monday, june 30, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ending hunger by 2025: Africa raises the bar

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)

Director General José Graziano da Silva had congratulated African leaders attending the African Union (AU) Summit for “raising the bar” in the fight against hunger.

The continent’s renewed effort to boost regional food security include strengthening the Africa-owned CAADP strategy for agriculture development by including links to social protection, establishing an Africa-for-Africa South-South Cooperation Food Security Trust Fund and, most importantly, committing to eradicating chronic hunger by 2025.

African leaders formally committed to a number of bold goals to reflect “The Vision of the Agriculture We Want” including to ending hunger by the year 2025 and improving nutrition.

“There is an urgent need to value our local and traditional nutritious food and bring back the issue of eat-

ing well,” Graziano da Silva said.

“I share with you that a major priority is to cut the food import bill and reduce dependence on imports,” he added.

In an additional sign of a renewed focus on the catalytic role agriculture can play for Africa, the theme of this week’s summit is “Transforming Africa’s Agriculture for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods, through Harnessing Opportunities for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development” -and the union has also designated 2014 as the Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa.

This week’s summit also marks the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), a region-wide cooperative effort aimed at boosting agricultural productivity in the region.

Raagas N Rhythm 2 set for Theatre Guild

According to Hoefdraad, Suriname received US$102.8 million in financing for 12 operations since 1997. Recently, Suriname and the IsDB agreed on a new interim member country partnership strategy which translated into Suriname recently receiving additional loans totaling US$75.8 million for two projects in the health and education section.

Suriname will now work on a wider partnership with bank.

“We look forward to the success of the newly established projects and the definition and application of a wider member country partnership strategy,” said Hoefdraad.

Hoefdraad has been the most active representative of Suriname at the Islamic Bank since its membership began in 1997.

The Islamic Bank has received the highest ratings from the three major credit rating agencies over consecutive years.

(Caribbean News Now)

Indus Voices will be presenting Raagas N Rhythm 2 on July 5 from 19:00h at the Theatre Guild, Kingston, Georgetown.

According to a release, the event, which is an annual musical concert, is produced and directed by Amar Ramessar and Rena Ramessar.

Indus Voices, led by Amar Ramessar, is a group of musicians who are interested in the classical traditions of Indian music and in maintaining those traditions in contemporary music in Guyana.

Raagas N Rhythm 2 will feature a range of music, which include the Sufi expressions of Amir Khusrau; various forms of Indian folk music and experimental fusion performances which pay tribute to the universal experience of music.

The group will be joined by saxophonist Francis Bailey, singer and musician Hubert Norville, djembe drummer Nigel Lynch and the Shakti Stings Orchestra. Indus Voices will also bring to life the words of indentured labourer Lal Bihari Sharma, who published a pamphlet of songs “Damra Phag Bahar” in 1916. The original production can be found on https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=mhCQA7AYwbc ) Since the first production of Raagas N Rythmns in March 2013, the group performed in a music festival in Saint Laurent du Maroni, French Guiana and in several local productions.

Admission is $1000 and tickets are available at Theatre Guild and Anjee’s. Amar Ramessar can be contacted on telephone 6103109.

Lecture on democracy

Kudos to President Donald Ramotar for asking the US Ambassador if reading people’s emails and spying on people is a hallmark of a democracy. Citizens of Guyana and everywhere else in the world reject the notion that extensive spying by NASA on behalf of the US Government is a tenet of a strong democracy.

The Ambassador has never dared to tell us what he thinks of America spying on its own citizens and on leaders of other democratically elected governments.

It appears as if Ambassador D Brendt Hart’s concerns about Guyana’s democracy represent a case of “do what I tell you, not what I do”. The USA needs to take a good, hard look at itself, and its representatives should not throw stones while they live in a glass house.

The other day, Hart deemed the blackmail politics of the Opposition in Guyana as the “very essence of a democracy”. But blackmailing a government is never the same as compromises. In America, Republicans joined the Democrats to support President Obama’s

health insurance law, after many compromises.

The Opposition in Guyana agreed with all the provisions in the Anti-Money Laundering Bill. Even when they brought in additional amendments to the parent law, the Government eventually agreed. The Government’s example is compromise.

But the Opposition brought in external things to bargain and risked Guyana being blacklisted and all citizens suffer. This is blackmail politics, not compromise.

There are many reasons why local government elec-

tions have not been held for almost 20 years. The Opposition stopped local government elections from being held when during the Herdmanston Agreement in 1998, they demanded that local government elections not be held until constitutional revisions were made.

Among the new constitutional provisions in 2001 is that local government elections must be held under a different system. It is this agreement that led to the setting up of a special bipartisan committee to propose the new system.

Under their recommendations, new legislation was

completed between 2011 and 2013. The new system requires setting up of special constituencies and wards.

Government and all stakeholders should ensure that all provisions are in place for the earliest holding of local government elections.

Hopefully, the Ambassador is paying attention to the challenges of holding local government elections.

If he wants to play a positive role in encouraging the early holding of local government elections, then he must be fair and ask for compromises on all sides. Instead,

First Lady treats male residents of the Palms

First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar on Sunday visited and distributed goodies and clothing to male residents of the Palms Geriatric Home, as part of the First Lady Foundation’s post-Father’s Day activity.

Each year, the First Lady Foundation organises activities to commemorate a number of national events -- all in aid of putting a smile on faces, especially among the elderly, women and children.

While distributing parcels to the residents at the Geriatric Home, Brickdam, Ramotar expressed happiness at having the opportunity to bring cheer to the faces of the residents who would have been neglected by family members.

The First Lady explained that initially, the event was planned for Father’s Day, but due to unforeseen circumstances, it had to be pushed back. She noted that the Foundation mostly focused on those vulnerable sections of the

Guyanese population.

“The residents are here for whatever reason, and if they’re forgotten by their relatives, we want them to know that they are not forgotten by the Foundation because they have contributed to the development of this country; and, they deserved to be remembered,” Ramotar further stated.

Incidentally, she said that the activity also coincide with the beginning

of Ramadan, a month of prayer and fasting, and sacrifices observed by Muslims on the ninth month of the calendar. The First Lady also took the opportunity to wish all Muslim brothers and sisters, a happy month of Ramadan.

The residents were given a three-course meal according to their diets, and they also received clothing in the form of jerseys and socks.

his pronouncements are consistent with taking sides with certain stakeholders and being part of an antigovernment platform.

The US Ambassador must realise too that the principle of government of the people, by the people and for the people equally applies to the USA. The use of Presidential Order is another example of how democracy can be subdued, by-passing the people. American presidents have used Executive Orders on an average 44 times per year since 1900.

In lieu of a new system needing more time before local government elections are held, the President has the Executive Power to order the elections with the existing system or he can await the readiness with the new system.

A number of States in the USA have enacted laws called AG-GAG laws – laws that are frontally opposed to the principles of democracy.

The AG-GAG laws prohibit anyone from taking pictures or videoing anything that happens on farms and food processing facilities in the USA, even if the pictures or videos are tak-

en from a public street. The laws were implemented to prevent anyone from exposing illegal activities in farms and food-processing facilities. In effect, these laws restrict freedom of the press and freedom of citizens.

The US Ambassador joined in chastising those engaged in trafficking in persons for the sex trade. Sex trade trafficking is a huge problem in America too.

The truth is Guyana has had only the last 22 years and America almost 250 years in building a democratic state.

Both countries have not perfected their democratic institutions and systems. There is ample evidence that both countries are committed to building the strongest possible democratic state.

Recognising Guyana’s weakness and ignoring the obvious deficiencies in America seems to suggest that the US Ambassador chooses to lecture us and to ignore his own country’s murky place in practising democracy.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times. notebook@gmail.com.

First Lady extends Ramadan greetings

First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar has extended greetings and best wishes to the Muslim community in Guyana as it commences the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The First Lady in a statement said the occasion has special significance because it was during this month, 14 centuries ago, that Allah began to reveal the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.

During this month, Muslims deepen their relationship with the Creator and their fellow human beings through acts of prayer, abstinence and charity.

“Ramadan offers all Muslims the opportunity to perfect themselves and their faith by being closer to Allah and to their fellow human beings.

The Holy Month allows believers to step aside from the worldly pleasures and desires and to embrace acts of self-purification of the mind and body.

Fasting restrains and protects the body from the excesses of food and drink. It has been proven to have

physiological benefits.

Through fasting and abstinence, the body is protected and renewed and discipline is promoted,” the First Lady said. She noted that this disciplining of the mind is very important in building good character and relations with the Creator and with fellow human beings. Ramotar said actions that are blasphemous and hurtful to others originate in the mind.

“The harbouring of illthoughts and feelings begin in the mind and can lead to harmful actions. The practices of fasting and abstinence help us to discipline our thoughts also. By promoting purity of body and mind, Ramadan encourages us to purge ourselves of ill-thoughts and feelings towards others.

“As we therefore join in welcoming the advent of Ramadan, let us be mindful that we can all, as Guyanese, gain valuable lessons and insights from our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters and their observance of this Holy Month,” the First Lady contended.

India detains two in building collapse probe

Police in southern India have detained two construction company directors as rescuers continued searching for missing workers in one of two weekend building collapses that killed at least 22 people.

The 12-storey building under construction in Tamil Nadu state collapsed late on Saturday, killing four workers on the spot and another seven succumbed to injuries later in a hospital, said Police Officer George Fernandes.

Authorities said 31 construction workers had been pulled out of the rubble so far and the search was continuing for more than 100 people thought to be trapped under the rubble of the tower that collapsed while it was still being built.

Space programme will be given more impetus – PM Modi

Fourteen workers remained hospitalised, while six others were discharged, Fernandes said. Police Officer Kanan said two directors of the construction company, Prime Sristi, have been detained for questioning as authorities began investigating the collapse. The officer uses one name.

Balaguru, one of the builders, said the structure collapsed possibly due to the impact of lightning.

“Usually, once the construction gets over we install the equipment to prevent the building from a thunder strike. It was nearing completion”, the Press Trust of India news agency quoted Balaguru, who uses one name, as saying.

Nearly 300 Police and fire service workers worked overnight, looking for survivors in the debris. “Removing debris is a major challenge. It may take two to three days to clear the rubble”, said S P Selvam, who is heading the rescue operation. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Concern expressed over ongoing human rights violations in Venezuela Jihadist group ISIS declares Islamic ‘Caliphate’ in Iraq, Syria

The United Nations on Friday expressed concern about the continuing human rights violations reportedly taking place in Venezuela and reiterated its call on authorities to respect the rights of peaceful demonstration and assembly.

According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), national and international human rights organisations have recently published reports of violations, including purported attacks by security forces and armed groups on university premises and violent detentions of young people who are sometimes cut off from lawyers and families.

“Given the seriousness of these latest reports, we urge the Venezuelan authorities to undertake

prompt investigations into these allegations and to ensure that those found responsible are brought to justice,” OHCHR spokesperson, Rupert Colville, told journalists in Geneva. He underscored that the Office is prepared to assist those efforts.

National human rights organisations estimate that more than 3120 people were detained between February and May. While most were detained for only short periods, the attorney general has confirmed that 174 individuals remain in detention, including 17 university students.

In addition, since midFebruary, national organisations counted at least 51 attacks on university premises, by security forces and by groups of armed civilians. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

The jihadist group the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS or ISIL) on Sunday declared the establishment of a “Caliphate”, or Islamic state, with the group’s leader as the ruling “Caliph”.

The group, known for its ruthless tactics and systemic abuses during its involvement in the conflicts in Iraq and Syria where it has captured vast swathes of territory, also announced it was renaming itself the “Islamic State” and called on jihadi factions worldwide to pledge allegiance to it.

The Caliphate would be imposed on areas the group controls in Iraq and Syria with its Chief Abu Bakr alBaghdadi the Caliph, or head of state, and “leader for Muslims everywhere”, ISIS spokesman Abu Mohammad al-Adnani said in an audio

recording distributed online.

“The Shura (council) of the Islamic State met and discussed this issue (of the Caliphate)... The Islamic State decided to establish an Islamic Caliphate and to designate a Caliph for the state of the Muslims,” he said.

“The jihadist cleric Baghdadi was designated the Caliph of the Muslims,” said Adnani, adding that the Caliphate will extend “from Aleppo (in northern Syria) to Diyala” in Iraq.

The part of the group’s name referring to Iraq and Syria has been removed in official papers and documents, Adnani said, describing the Caliphate as “the dream in all the Muslims’ hearts” and “the hope of all jihadists”. He demanded that “all Muslims pledge allegiance to the Caliph”. (Excerpt from France24)

Prince Harry visits fire-hit Chilean shanty town

Prince Harry has visited a Chilean shanty town community where homes were destroyed by wildfires this year. Thousands were left homeless and 15 people were killed when the blaze hit homes in and around the port of Valparaiso in April.

The Prince visited people living on steep hills overlooking the city. He was invited into one temporary home where he proved popular by fixing a television just in time for Chile’s World Cup match against Brazil. Almost all of the wooden properties in the area, a small hilltop community called El Vergel, were destroyed in the wildfires, leaving 100 families homeless.

The charity Techo is helping the villagers build new homes out of chipboard and corrugated iron, and inside one of the shacks, home to Coca Perez, 50, and her teenage son and daughter, the Prince noticed their television was not working properly.

Perez said: “He looked at it and he started to fiddle with the cable. He managed to get it working so we could watch Chile playing Brazil. Now I can tell everyone that Prince Harry is my TV repair man.”

The Prince also visited Carolina Guzman, 33, who lost her home in the fire. “I feel really moved to have met Harry and thankful and happy. I feel like crying,” she said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a visit to Sriharikota to witness the launch of Isro’s PSLV C-23 rocket, on Sunday said his Government is committed to give impetus to the country’s space programme.

A few hours after he landed at the spaceport, about 100 kilometres from by a special helicopter from Chennai, Modi tweeted, “Will be in Sriharikota this evening and tomorrow [Monday] morning for launch of PSLV-C23. Will meet scientists during my visit. Looking forward.”

In another tweet few minutes later, he said, “Our Government is committed to give further impetus to our space programme.” A senior Isro official told PTI from Sriharikota that the PM was being taken to the launch pad to witness the PSLV-C23 launch vehicle and GSLV Mk III Vehicle Assembly Building and would be briefed by scientists.

Meanwhile, Isro said the countdown was progressing smoothly and Nitrogen Tetraoxide (N2O4) Propellant filling operation of Second Stage (PS2) of PSLV-C23 had been completed at 18:30h on Sunday. PSLV C23 is scheduled to lift off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 09:52h today with five foreign satellites from four countries. (Excerpt from Times of India)

Fight against corruption is key in fight against poverty, says Haiti PM

Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe said curbing corruption is key to fighting extreme poverty in Haiti where most people live on less than US$2 per day, while a small group of people in the Caribbean country continue to enrich themselves though corrupt practices.

Lamothe said his Government is banking on the fight against corruption as a poverty alleviation tool, to allow public institutions to have access to needed funds to invest in social and development programmes likely to positively affect the lives of the most vulnerable.

“Corruption is one of the biggest obstacles to Haiti’s social and economic development because it is keeping people in poverty,” Lamothe told the Haitian-Caribbean News Network (HCNN) recently.

“So when we fight corruption as my Government is committed to doing, we also fight extreme poverty

because public funds will be used to lift people out of poverty instead of ending up in the pockets of a small corrupt group,” said Lamothe. The Haitian Prime Minister cited a series of unprecedented measures taken by his Government to fight against corruption, such as the increase in the budget and logistical means for the anti-corruption unit, the promulgation of the first anti-corruption law ever passed in the country’s 210 years of history and a significant number of indictments and arrests on corruption charges.

“We are fully aware of the difficulty of this fight that we want to fight because there are very powerful people who are benefiting from the corruption who will try everything in their power to resist and fight back,” Lamothe told HCNN.

“But we are convinced that this is the right thing to do for the country and nothing will stop us,” he added.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

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You may be feeling insecure, but that’s no reason to share your secrets. Your plans cannot be sabotaged if you keep them to yourself. Play it safe.

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You will gain a lot of knowledge from someone who comes from a different background. Open your eyes and mind to new and exciting subjects and interests.

Kumar enthused by ruggers’ success

commends

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The national Men’s 15s ruggers have come in for high praises from Director of Sport Neil Kumar, who has expressed elation at the team’s success over USA South Panthers in the final of the North America and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) 15s championships in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon.

Skipper Ryan Gonsalves broke the deadlock to give Guyana Jaguars a spectacular come-from-behind victory over USA South Panthers after the game was forced into extra time, following a 27-27 scoreline at the end of full-time.

GCF

leadership of GRFU

Speaking to this publication on Sunday, a visibly elated Kumar said the ruggers should be commended for a job well done. “I want to personally extend congrulations to the ruggers. All Guyanese must be proud of their achievements and I also want to say to them ‘keep up the good work.’ I hope this victory will serve to inspire them to greater things in the future,” Kumar commented.

The Parliamentarian said while the ruggers have made the nation proud, the work of executives of the local governing body, the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), cannot be overlooked. He highlighted that the GRFU has been one

of the “better run associations”, basing their administration on “transparency and accountability.”

“I want to tell you that

the Rugby Union is one of the better run associations in this country…they are very much accountable and

they have transprancy. It’s a very hardworking executive led by Peter Green and all those who administer the sport of rugby in the country should feel a part of the success of the ruggers,” Kumar posited.

The Guyanese entered the game as heavy underdogs, as USA South Panthers had the comfort of home court, as well as being high ranked on the International Rugby Board (iRB) list.

From what transpired during the early exhanges, it seemed the game would have gone according to the script, as all hopes of an upset by the Guyanese seemed to have vanished at halftime when the hosts surged

to a 24-8 lead.

What followed in the second half, however, was a complete change in fortunes for the Guyanese, who first levelled the scores at 27, to force the game into sudden death overtime.

USA South Panthers then missed out on scoring a penalty, which would have guaranteed them the win, before Gonsalves converted in the dying stages of overtime to land the Jaguars a memorable 30-27 success.

The two sides were contesting the final after topping their respective zones. Guyana Jaguars won the Southern Zone, while USA South Panthers emerged as the Northern Zone champions.

Cycling Championships… Williams outsprints rivals for Senior title

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

New road race champions were crowned in the Senior and Junior categories on Sunday when the curtain came down on the Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) National Championships on Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown.

Geron Williams, now campaiging in the United States of America, won the Senior division to displace last year’s champion Raynauth Jeffrey, while the fast-improving Stephano Husbands copped top honours in the Junior category to take over the reigns from 2013 winner Michael Anthony.

The race started in front of Help and Shelter Building on Homestretch Avenue, proceeded to various distances on the East Bank Demerara and Linden/ Soesdyke Highway before returning to the start point for the finish. The Seniors turned back at Kairuni Creek on the upward journey, competing for a distance of exactly 100 miles, the longest course of the National Championships in recent time.

Geron Williams was in-

volved in a heated sprint finish with his namesake Marlon Williams and Jeffrey, but pulled away mere inches from the line to win the race.

All three riders, who have been selected to represent Guyana at next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, were given the bunch time of four

hours, 25 minutes, 02 seconds (04h: 25m: 02s), but it was Geron Williams who crossed the line first to be crowned champion.

The Juniors competed over a distance of 60 miles, turning at the Police Outpost on the Highway. Again, the top three finishers were awarded the bunch time of two hours, 31 min-

utes, 24.08 seconds (02h: 31m: 24.08s), but it was Husbands who was first to the line. Akeem Arthur and Alonzo Ambrose followed him in that order.

The Veterans and Ladies riders turned at Kuru Kuru, covering a distance of 45 miles. Raymond Newton won the Veterans Over-45 category ahead of Shameer

Baksh and Ian Jackson in a time of one hour, 56 minutes, 06 seconds (01h: 56m: 06s), while Stephen Fernandes stole the spotlight in the Veterans Under-45 division, also clocking one hour, 56 minutes, 06 seconds (01h: 56m: 06s) to finish ahead of Talim Shaw and Everall Mundy.

England-based Claire

Fraser-Green, another Commonwealth Games selectee, maintained her stranglehold on the Ladies division, successfully defending her title from last year. She completely dominated proceedings, crossing the line in two hours, 13.84 seconds (02h: 13.84s). Toshawna Doris (02h: 42m: 13s) and Crystal Lambert (03h: 07m: 56s) were distant second and third place finishers respectively.

The Juveniles division, staged for the first time at the National Championships, was won by Andrew Hicks in a time of one hour, 45 minutes, 58 seconds (01h: 45m: 58s). Raphael Leung and Romello Crawford were second and third respectively.

The Juvenile riders competed for 40 miles, turning back at Coverden on the East Bank of Demerara.

The championships started on Saturday with the Time Trial commencing at Long Creek on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, proceeding to Loo Creek and returning to the start point for the finish.

Jeffrey, Anthony, Newton and Fraser-Green all defended their Time Trial titles, while Crawford won the Juveniles division.

Permaul cops Albion Cricketer of the Year award

Veerasammy Permaul has won the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club (ACCCC)

Cricketer of the Year award for 2013. The West Indies batsman and left-arm orthodox spinner copped the award at the club’s 2013 annual awards ceremony held at the Albion Community Centre Mail Hall on Sunday.

After making his test debut in December 2012 against Bangladesh in Dhaka and his ODI debut, the same month, Permaul has been a permanent fixture in both the West Indies test and ODI squads.

To date, he has 12 test and 8 ODI wickets in four and six matches respectively.

Permaul also played for the West Indies ‘A’ team and for Guyana in First Class, 50 overs and T20 matches. In 2013 he captained Guyana.

The West Indian player

received the coveted award as arguably the number one cricket club in Guyana honoured its outstanding performers for 2013.

The Best Bowler of the Year award went to Gudakesh Motie, while the Best Batsman of the Year award went to Jonathon Foo, who scored 292 runs from five innings at an average of 58.4 in the 50-over tournament for Albion at the 1st division level, with a highest in the final of the Berbice Bridge Company final against Young Warriors. This is in addition to his 312 runs scored from ten T20 innings for Albion.

Motie had been a thorn in the flesh not only for Berbice batsmen but at the U-19 and senior levels and at the Regional inter-county U-19 level. For his club at the firstdivision level, he picked up a total of 41 wickets. He also

represented Berbice at the U-19 level where his performance was outstanding, resulting in Motie being called to represent Guyana and subsequently the West Indies at that level.

Motie was also adjudged the Under 19 Player of the Year while the Under 17 Player of the Year award went to the hard-hitting young batsman Balchand Baldeo who also was adjudged second division Player of the Year. The First Division Player of the Year award went to Foo, while the Under 15 Player of the Year award was given to wicketkeeper opening batsman Adrian Sukhwa.

The Most Disciplined Player award was given to Sharaz Ramcharran.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, President of the club Lloyd Kumar noted that 2013 was a successful year for

Dutch stun Mexico with late rally

Netherlands produced an astonishing late comeback to rescue their World Cup dream and deny Mexico a first quarterfinal in 28 years. Substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot in injury time after Arjen Robben was fouled by Mexico captain Rafael Marquez. They had equalised in the 88th minute through Wesley Sneijder’s thumping strike from the edge of the penalty area and with ex-

tra time beckoning, Robben won Louis van Gaal’s side the spot-kick that took them into the quarter-finals.

It was a heartbreaking moment for the Mexicans, who had gone ahead just after half-time through Giovani Dos Santos, the former Tottenham and Barcelona player, who scored from 25 yards with a memorable strike. At the final whistle at Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza, Mexico’s players fell to the ground, unable to grasp how

the game had slipped away.

For long periods they had out-thought and out-fought their more celebrated opponents as the Netherlands appeared to wilt in the stifling heat. Yet, when the final whistle blew, this would be marked down as Mexico’s sixth successive loss in the second round of the World Cup, dating back to 1994.

The Dutch, in contrast, can look forward to the prospect of meeting Costa Rica or Greece in Salvador in the last eight. (BBC Sport)

ACCCC. He said in 2013 the club took part in ten competitions; five at the first division level; two at the second division level and one each at the U-19, U-17 and U-15 levels.

The senior team won the Carib Beer T20 competition and the Berbice Bridge Company 50-over competition but lost in the Universal DVD T20 semi final.

Albion lost to West Berbice in the NAMILCO/ Bakewell T20 final but has already qualified for the final of the Anirood Ramcharitar 50 over competition. The club’s U-19 players also tasted success when they defeated Young Warriors in the final of the Berbice Cricket Board U-19 50-over tournament.

As a result of the ACCCC performance last year, the club has become the number one club in both Berbice and Guyana.

In congratulating all executive and club members, Kumar noted that the success was a result of careful planning and working to that plan.

“The Albion Cricket Club also successfully ran off its annual Inter-Primary School Tape Ball Cricket Competition for schools in the Albion area,” Kumar noted.

The club’s President was very critical that no official from the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) was present, noting that the BCB’s President Keith Foster had indicated that he was going to be part of the programme.

Kumar also sent down a bouncer at the local selectors saying, “If it is not strange, it is rather disgusting to see the attitude of selectors knowing that David Latchaya from ACCCC, who performed at the recent under 19 intercounty level, could not gain a

place in the Guyana team…” Meanwhile Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who also grew up in the Village of Albion and played cricket in his younger days, noted that cricket is part of the blood of the Albion community. “Everything must be done to preserve that.”

The minister said honouring the current players is not enough and urged the club to recognise some of the players who over the years have made significant contributions to the development of cricket and more so the development of cricket at Albion. The cricket enthusiast also took time out to congratulate all of the awardees. During the programme, awards were also given out to several persons who have been administering cricket at Albion.

Costa Rica through to last eight

Cmade

ry in Recife by overcoming Greece on penalties to reach the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals for the first time. In doing so, they denied their opponents the opportunity to set a similar benchmark after 120 minutes ended with the score at 1-1. Outstanding goalkeeper Keylor Navas was the hero of the shootout as he saved a crucial spotkick and allowed Michael Umana to book Los Ticos a date with the Netherlands.

The game began cautiously in north-east Brazil. The Greeks, surprise qualifiers from the group stage, did their all to slow the game down from the start. Perhaps fearful of Costa Rica’s lightning counter-attacks, the 2004 European champions rarely pressed forward in a cagey opening period.

Local supporters in the Arena Pernambuco, site of Costa Rica’s famous win over Italy in the group stage, whistled the dour Greek tac-

tics at every opportunity as they have come to appreciate Los Ticos in this part of the country. There were halfchances for both sides over the course of the first half, but neither Joel Campbell nor Georgios Samaras were able to make much of them.

The best chance of the period fell, almost predictably, to Greece on a sneaky break. A clever early cross from the left picked out Dimitrios Salpingidis at the far post, but the PAOK striker was denied by the sprawling Navas, who made a miraculous save from one of few shots on target. Samaras had another header saved shortly after the break. The Greeks were beginning to look dangerous from set-pieces, but it was a false dawn as Costa Rica thrilled their adoptive fans with a goal of stunning quality. Christian Bolanos picked out captain and classy creator Bryan Ruiz unmarked on the edge of the box, and he side-footed into the bottom

corner. Things suddenly went dark for the Costa Ricans mid-way through the second-half. Defensive lynchpin Oscar Duarte was shown his second yellow card in the 66th minute for a rash challenge on Jose Cholevas and was promptly given his marching orders. Just when it seemed Los Ticos would survive playing a man down, Greece broke their hearts. Navas palmed away a shot from close-range with two minutes to go and Sokratis hammered home the rebound to spark wild celebrations in the Greek camp. With an extra man and the extra options it brings, Greece were the dominant side in extra-time. But the spirited Costa Ricans gave everything to hang on for a shootout. All nine penalty takers scored before Theofanis Gekas stepped up and had his kick saved by Navas. Michael Umana then sealed the win for the Central Americans. (FIFA)

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ane Williamson was at his meticulous best. His seventh Test century took his series tally past 400 and guided New Zealand into a commanding position. The visitors stretched their lead to 307 and, with the fourth-day Kensington Oval pitch showing signs of variable bounce, West Indies’ hopes would have started to dwindle. A sudden downpour just before tea was the only menace to New Zealand’s hopes of a series win.

Memories of Dunedin were appeased when play resumed after almost three hours’ delay. Williamson switched from accumulator to aggressor to try and set up the declaration, but that avatar was given limited airtime as the ominous storm clouds returned to have the final say. New Zealand might be tempted to declare overnight considering weather is likely to intervene on the final day as well, with scattered showers predicted.

The West Indies bowlers struggled to pose much threat with the old ball. Turn was on offer but it was slow. Their desperation was best depicted when the new ball was taken and Jerome Taylor was seen talking to it, as if cajoling it would fetch him his first wicket of the match. His plea did work, but the benefactor was Kemar Roach who claimed his 100th Test wicket by dismissing BJ Watling. However, it was the batsman at the other end who sapped them of their energy.

Williamson had to defuse a tricky situation last evening and those skills were needed once again. He was the common denominator in all four

of New Zealand’s half-century partnerships. Soft hands were a feature of his play as he buckled down; decisive footwork got him into positions that allowed him to tackle extra turn or low bounce. He did not go chasing for runs. They came when the bowlers fed his strengths - behind square on the off side and through midwicket - to contribute to 90 of his 153.

He had begun with two fours off his first seven balls before settling into his designated role of sheet anchor. As familiar as that has become for New Zealand, it doesn’t happen often during the second innings. Williamson had four fifties but the remainder of his last ten second-innings knocks had all been single figures. However, his ability to focus on the next ball helped both him and his side to gain a solid foothold into securing the series. He also joined Martin Crowe at the top of the list of centuries made by New Zealand batsmen by the age of 24.

West Indies had bet on the pitch misbehaving as well and utilised spin for much of the morning session. However, Jimmy Neesham did not let them settle. His second halfcentury of the match was characterised by confident footwork and clean hits, especially down the ground. Neesham’s fluency melded with Williamson’s composure and their 91-run stand completely offset the loss of an early wicket. Brendon McCullum had not looked authoritative and was trapped leg before by an indipper from Roach. But aside from that West Indies lacked intensity for much of the morning session. Shane Shillingford, stripped of his doosra, traveled at 4.5 per over. Sulieman Benn managed only one maiden out of 26 overs. Their woes were compounded when Darren Bravo sustained a nasty blow to his hand at forward short leg when Williamson went for a pull and was not seen since. (espncricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Ninvalle nominated for AIBA executive post

President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle has been nominated for an executive position in the World Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA).

Times Sport late Sunday via telephone, Ninvalle noted that the meeting in Barbados was “basically to put Caribbean boxing on the forefront but for them to show this type of confidence in me I view it as an achievement and I feel credited,” Ninavlle stated.

Meanwhile, it will be the first time someone from the English-speaking Caribbean would occupy the post if Ninvalle is elected.

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Ninvalle’s nomination was made at a meeting with the heads of various boxing associations in the Caribbean on Sunday evening in Barbados. Ninvalle was nominated to run alongside the President of the American Boxing Confederation (AMBC), Dr. Domingo Salano, and once elected will serve in the capacity as an Assistant Vice President under Salano.

Ninvalle was nominated by Barbados for the post and was seconded by the US

Virgin Islands and subsequently all of the 13 countries to be involved in the voting process in November indicated their support.

Talking with Guyana

With Guyana having the lone Olympic boxing medallist in the Caribbean in Michael Parris, the view was shared at the meeting that more needs to be done in order to have the sport developed in the Region.

Gayle rested, Barnwell in for T20s against new Zealand

West Indies opener Chris Gayle has been rested from the two Twenty20 internationals against New Zealand in Dominica, while allrounder Dwayne Bravo remains unavailable due to injury.

the new inclusions in the 13man squad. The three missing from the group that travelled to Bangladesh for the 2014 World T20 are allrounder Marlon Samuels, fast bowler Ravi Rampaul and opener Johnson Charles.

Bangladesh. Dwayne Bravo has been sidelined ever since he hurt his shoulder during the IPL in April. The T20 matches will be played at Windsor Park on July 5 and 6.

Squad: Darren Sammy

Allrounder Kieron Pollard, who has not played internationals since July 2013 because of a knee injury but has played domestic cricket since, is set to make a comeback.

Bowling allrounder Christopher Barnwell, and batsman Darren Bravo are

Samuels had scored only 86 runs in five innings during the World T20 and was also dropped from West Indies’ Test squad after making a pair in the first match against New Zealand in Jamaica. Neither Rampaul nor Charles played a game during the tournament in

Samuel Badree, Christopher Barnwell, Darren Bravo, Sheldon

Andre Fletcher, Sunil Narine,

Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith (espncricinfo)

Lifters in preparing for Caribbean Championships

‒ but face financial bugbear

The national powerlifters selected to represent Guyana at the upcoming Caribbean Powerlifting Championships in St Croix, US Virgin Islands, are busy in training ahead of their defence of the team title.

However, the lifters face a familiar problem that has plagued Guyanese sportsmen and women over the years: a lack of funds.

“The athletes are currently completing the final touches of their training, but we are still in dire need of sponsorship to confirm their presence at these championships,” Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF), Paul Adams, informed the media at the weekend.

The Guyanese currently hold the team title, and the GAPF was hoping to send 12 lifters to the championships, but due to a lack of funds, it has been forced to trim the

GABF says team is 15

…12 will be named on game nights

squad to seven, inclusive of six males and one female.

Adams, who is also one of the seven lifters in preparation, added, “There is still a risk of further reduction [of the squad] if sufficient funding is not covered. As such, the GAPF is encouraging corporate Guyana to come on board in sponsoring these athletes.”

Adams said the lifters are seeking individual sponsorship to cover their respective expenses, and up to Sunday afternoon, the athletes were short by approximately $2 million of their total sum.

Persons/businesses desirious of assisting the lifters are asked to contact GAPF executives John Edwards on 6236550, Gordon Spencer on 6264717 or Adams on 641-6021.

The seven lifters preparing to head to the USVI are: Paul Adams (74kg), Osmond Mack (74kg), Germain Snagg (83kg), Erwyn Smith (83kg), Marino Smith (93kg), Karel Mars (105kg) and the lone female Kimberley Mars-Loncke (83+kg).

The Championships will be held from July 8-13.

By TreisTon Joseph

The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has stated that the 12 players named by Guyana Times Sport on Sunday is not the definitive 12 for the national side.

While the 12 players named by Guyana Times Sport are indeed in the squad, the reserve players that Guyana Times Sport named which amounted to three players in Tyler Persaud, Shelroy Thomas and Richard Hall,are also eligible for the final 12, therefore making the squad a 15-

Keron Mackenzie

man team.

According to the President of the GABF, Nigel Hinds, the final 12 will

be “game night decisions”.

Further, the starting five is being tentatively set as Rawle Marshall, Andre

Telenec Inc. U-15 cricket in Berbice…

Ramnarine drives Bush Lot into quarter-finals

An outstanding all-round performance from Berbice Under-15 cricketer Kris Ramnarine led his team, Bush Lot New Generation, to full points from D’Edward to end their Zone ‘A’ preliminaries with 24 points.

Bush Lot New Generation ended runnerup in the zone to Blairmont Community Centre, thus earning their place in the quarter-final of the 2014 Tenelec Inc Under-15 club

cricket competition in Berbice.

Ramnarine first top scored with 20 in Bush Lot’s first inning of 76 and then came back with his leftarm spin to take 7-24 as D’Edward crumbled for 56 all out in reply.

In his team’s second innings, Ramnarine stroked 63 not out as they declared at 117-5, leaving D’Edward 138 for an outright win in their second innings. They were, however, bowled out

for just 51 with Ramnarine taking 4-13, to end with match figures of 11-37. Below are the summarised scores of the two games played.

At Bush Lot: Bush Lot New Generation beat D’Edward by 86 runs. Bush Lot New Generation 76 all out (Kris Ramnarine 20, Dishan Phillips 5-17, Hemraj Harilall 2-20) and 117-5 decared (Kris Ramnarine 63*, Henry Harilall 4-33) versus D’Edward 56 all out

(Kris Ramnarine 7-24, Nivendra Prasad 2-16) and 51 all out (Kris Ramnarine 4-13, Nivendra Prasad 3-8, Nicholas Shivrattan 3-15). At Cumberland: Police took first innings points from Young Warriors in their drawn match. Police 145 all out (Malcolm Mickle 49, Junior William 4-19) versus Young Warriors 115 all out (Junior Williams 44, Alex Algoo 23, Kevin Sinclair 4-35, Malcolm Mickle 3-25).

Forde reclaims Caricom 10K crown in Antigua

Cleveland Forde had told Guyana Times Sport during last week that he was fit and ready for the Caricom 10K road race in Antigua on Sunday and he had to be as he had to battle strong

winds and a few inclines en route to recapturing his crown he lost last year in Trinidad and Tobago.

thing is in order and I am ready,” Forde had stated Tuesday last.

Meanwhile, four-time female champion Alika Morgan did not compete in the event for the first time.

Her coach Leslie Black had said it wasn’t feasible for Morgan to travel to Antigua to compete for a prize that would not cover her expenses. “…the first prize is just $1000 and the airfare for her trip alone is 600 US dollars, and we aren’t talking about accommodation and meals yet,” Black had stated.

Letter to the

Dear Mr. Editor,

By the time this letter is published, the team selected to represent us at the CBC championship in the BVI early in July should be made public. The team of players which were selected by the appointed captain Mr Rawle Marshall, along with the coach and assistant coach, are scheduled to depart with hopes of bringing back gold.

The man who had dethroned Forde last year, Denzil Ramirez, did not participate.

“I am prepared for this run. I am healthy, every-

Word out of Antigua yesterday was that Forde won the Male Open race, while Trinidad’s Tonya Nero (38:36) won in the Female Open category.

Morgan remains the only athlete to have won the Caricom 10K title four consecutive times. The Guyanese finished second behind Trinidad’s Tonya Nero last year. (Reuben Stoby)

daunting task lies ahead for swimmers at commonwealth games

By TreisTon Joseph

Guyana’s swimming team will be headlined by two swimmers at the Commonwealth Games set for Glasgow, Scotland from July 23.

Niall Roberts and Onika George will take the pool for Guyana, but will have one of the toughest if not the toughest chance to medal at the event, or even make the final of their respective events.

George, who will debut at the event, is at the tender age of 15 and will likely come up against competitors far superior in talent and experience.

However, George is talented and still has some way to go before finding her true potential in the pool, but in her strongest event which is the 50- metre backstroke will definitely have to pick it up a notch if she is to go further than the first round.

In 2010, only 16 participants had registered for the event, therefore the event went straight o the semi-final round.In the semi-finals however, all the swimmers swam faster than 32s, a time which George is capable of making with the competition she will be meeting in Glasgow.

The last- placed finisher in 2010 swam a time of 29.14s, which makes the task even more daunting for George if

she is to somehow make it past the semi-final stage.

A personal best time for George might be the best outcome in this situation, since it seems unlikely that the budding swimmer will proceed to the semifinal.

Meanwhile, Olympian Roberts will also be making his debut at the Commonwealth Games and his chances do not seem any better than George’s in his strongest events, which are the 50 and 100 metres freestyle.

In 2010, only 16 participants registered for the 50 -metre free-style event, which went straight to the semifinals and in those semifinals all of the swimmers swam faster than 24s.

Roberts however, is hovering around the 24s mark and

therefore if he doesn’t somehow improve miraculously, will crash out of the games at that stage.

In the men’s 100 metres freestyle, seven heats were held with the fastest 16 advancing to the semifinal, the slowest qualifier for the semifinal in 2010 swam 51.64s while Roberts is swimming around 55s.

Yet another possible firstround exit for swimming and an early end to their performances at the competition.

In addition, 2014 is a long way from 2010 and the competition is expected to be

fast. Roberts has been hovering around the same times he swam since 2012 ,which is not looking good for his chances at the meet.

Such stagnation can be attributed to the lack of competition for a swimmer such as Roberts who basically gets little or none in Guyana.

George on the other has continually improved from 2012 to 2014 and should only continue to progress at this early stage of her career.

Moreover, the task for swimming to produce a finalist, much less a medallist, seems highly improbable.

But is the team selected by these three selectors the same team that will leave these shores to represent us? Is the team leaving here the best 12 that were in training? I don’t think so and I would spare very little time in getting to my point.

Mr Editor, based on feedback from multiple sources, multiple credible sources I might add, it appears that a 12 man team which represented the cream of the crop of the 19 man squad, was initially named by the above mentioned selection panel.

This initial team comprised six foreign and six local based players which meant that three of the overseas players would have been cut simply because they were not good enough. In simpler terms, we had local based players that were outperforming them, as seen through the eyes of another overseas based player; only this one has NBA credentials.

According to these feedbacks, when this list was presented to the GABF president he immediately fell out of favour, citing the absence of the three overseas players. All resistance from the selection panel was overruled by the president who dictated whose names should make up the new team. The team was subsequently amended to include these three underperforming “foreign” players at the expense of our more “ready”, “need the experience”, fit local players, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice to be there, and earned their selection.

Mr Editor, if these allegations are true then what message are we sending to our locals who have to go against a ton of adversities. For the players outside of Georgetown it’s even worse. Linden players travelled the highway all hours of the morning returning from practice only to be told at selection time that you will be deprived of what you worked this hard to earn? This is not right.

What’s the purpose of naming coaches and captain? Why didn’t the president triple as coach, assistant coach and captain instead of rubber stamping individuals? Is this the same president that wants to win a CBC championship that will now compromise the quality of team for, heaven knows what or why?

Also coming out of the said camp are reports that one player has been selected because he plays for the same club that has an executive in the hierarchy of the GABF. That executive promised to donate funds under the condition that two of his players (one of those players has since been cut at final selection) will make the team.

Mr Editor, again, if there is truth to these allegations, then I feel the pain of all the players involved, I know of their sacrifices. Is it because it is felt that they have no voice? To remain silent is to validate and consent to the skullduggery. This is more than enough to kill a career and should be investigated. The GABF’s side of this story would be welcomed.

Mr Editor, My enthusiasm and passion has waned over the past 24 hours but I still wish our team well and hope they perform well at the championship. We are grossly undersized at the big positions but have a glut at the smaller positions. I guess that means we have to be running, gunning and shooting really well since we have limited rebounding. Problem is, other teams will have the same qualities plus rebounding. Good luck none the less.