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ARCHIVES FOR NOVEMBER 05, 2009

Heavily armed gang unleashes terror in Georgetown
-police stations attacked; murder; abduction; attempted arson on schools, Supreme Court
-Ministry of Health arson suspects identified as part of gang
BY Michel Outridge
COMMISSIONER of Police, Henry Greene yesterday told a press conference that early yesterday morning a group of about eight men armed with firearms, including AK-47 rifles, shotguns and small arms engaged in a series of terrorist activities that included murder, armed robbery, arson, abduction, attacking police stations, and shooting police ranks.

Stunned policemen in discussion early yesterday morning at Houston following the discovery of the abandoned car.

Greene said that the motive for yesterday’s terror is unclear and it was not known that wanted men Kurt Thierens and Colin James, who escaped from police custody at Providence Police Station in connection with the Ministry of Health fire, were in the country and was identified as being part of the gang.

He added that at about 00:15h miner, Sean Embleton, 25, of Kuru Kururu, along with two employees Wodette Roberts called ‘Buckman’, 22 , of Kuru Kururu and Roopchand Gopaul, 47, also of Kuru Kururu, Linden/Soesdyke Highway, were in a gold coloured Tacoma pick-up GLL 7171 travelling on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway in the vicinity of Loo Creek with Roopchand driving, when a white Toyota wagon and a silver grey motor car overtook their vehicle and one of the men in the back seat of the wagon signaled with a red triangular reflector, similar to those used by the police, for them to stop.

Greene said about eight men dressed in black clothing resembling police uniforms, who were armed with firearms and wearing bullet-proof vests, one of which was marked ‘Police’, exited the vehicles and said that they were policemen searching for arms and ammunition.

Hit: A police points to the bullet hole at the East La Penitence Police Outpost yesterday.

The Top Cop explained that during that time a grey Carina motor car with two persons dressed in civilian clothing came up and spoke to the men in uniform and left in the direction of Dora, also on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

He stated that the armed men handcuffed the three men, placed them in the back of the Tacoma pick-up and then drove off in the three vehicles.

Greene explained that they turned off the Highway at Dora and about one hundred yards off they took out the three men and tied them up with duct tape and placed them in different locations. While lying on the ground, one of the men discharged a round at Sean Embleton but he was not hit. The armed men then drove away in the vehicles.

The Commissioner pointed out that Embleton later managed to free himself and found that Wodette Roberts called ‘Buckman’ had died.

He said, “Apparently duct tape was placed over his mouth and nostrils, with his hands handcuffed behind his back, and it is suspected that he had suffocated.”

Greene noted that Embleton then went to a home at Long Creek from where he made a report to the police at Timehri Police Station.

However, at about 09:05 h Roopchand Gopaul, who had managed to escape, also reported the incident to the Kuru Kururu Outpost.

The Commissioner said two empty twelve gauge casings were found by the police at the scene.

He added that at about 02:30 h three men dressed in dark clothing, armed with firearms and wearing toque went to the home of Clayton Westford at West La Penitence, Georgetown, who has been charged in the matter of arson committed on the Ministry of Health and is on bail.

There they claimed to be police ranks upon which his mother, Pamela Westford opened the door and the men entered. They then handcuffed Clayton Westford and took him away.

Greene said it was later revealed that the armed men took Clayton Westford to the La Penitence Cemetery where they assaulted him claiming that he is talking too much and giving evidence against them. He managed to escape and the men discharged rounds at him but he was not hit.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner added that at about 02:55 h three armed men wearing dark clothing and toques approached the female Roshan Khan (RK) Security Guard at the High Court in Georgetown and told her not to be alarmed. One remained with her, while the others went to the Registry and later a fire was seen emanating from the area. All three men then left in a gold coloured Tacoma pick-up vehicle. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was summoned and extinguished the fire. Damage was done to some records and a part of the building. A quantity of channa was found in the building, he reported.

Greene added that later at about 03:00 h a group of armed gunmen in a gold coloured Tacoma vehicle proceeded to the Brickdam Police Station where they threw a grenade at police vehicle PLL 6345 driven by Lance Corporal 17830 Devane Cummings, which was about to enter the compound. However, the grenade failed to explode and is in the custody of the police.

The Top Cop said that the gunmen then discharged rounds at the Brickdam Police Station while travelling along Brickdam, Magnet Place and Hadfield Street. This resulted in bullet damage to the walls of the Impact Base, Barrack Room, Traffic Office, Operations Room and the Divisional Commander’s Office.

As a result, Greene explained that Detective Corporal 16450 Dharmendra Indarpaul and Constable 18961 Robin Singh, who were in the Barrack Room at the time, were shot and injured to their left ankle and right side jaw, respectively. Constable Singh was treated and later discharged while Corporal Indarpaul has been admitted for surgery. Singh is to receive further medical treatment.

The Commissioner said the air conditioning unit of the Commander’s Office was also damaged. Forty-two 7.62 x 39 spent shells; five warheads and a 12 gauge cartridge were recovered by the police.

Greene added that subsequently, at about 03:15 h while Clifton Westford, the father of Clayton Westford, was making a report at the East Ruimveldt Outpost in relation to the incident involving his son Clayton Westford, the Tacoma pick up vehicle and a white motor car bearing registration number plate PLL 6081 approached and shots were discharged at the station hitting the concrete wall. No one was injured.

Two 7.62 x 39 spent shells were found by the police.

The Top Cop told the press conference that later, at about 03:30 h person(s) unknown entered the Richard Ishmael Secondary School at Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, and set fire to several areas of the building – Home Economics section, head teacher’s Office, Staff Room, Administrative Office and four class rooms.

He said law abiding citizens informed the police by telephone and the GFS responded and extinguished the fires averting major damage. Three bottles with a flammable liquid and channa were found in the building by the police.

Greene added that the Joint Services have responded to these incidents and are engaged in a number of operations along the East Bank of Demerara, East Coast, and the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. Joint patrols have also been intensified.

The Commissioner explained too that the gang operated simultaneously and it would appear as a well thought out plan to distract the police because it happened so quickly the police did not get a chance to respond.

Greene told reporters that there was no armed confrontation between the police and the gang yesterday but they have teams of ranks from the Joint Services ‘out there’ searching for the hijacked Tacoma vehicle and the group of men.

Two cops charged with wounding over alleged torture
By Telesha Persaud
TWO policemen have been charged with wounding two of the suspects who were detained during the investigation into the murder of former Vice-Chairman of Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Mr. Ramenaught Bisram.

Narine Lall, a Detective Sergeant in the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and Mohanram Dolai, a Constable, faced joint indictable charges of unlawful and felonious wounding before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday.

The allegations against the two officers engaged a lot of media attention.

It is alleged that Lall, 38, of Leonora Police Station compound and Dolai, 30, of Lot 101 Met-en-Meerzorg, both West Coast Demerara addresses, between October 28 and 29, unlawfully and maliciously wounded Nouravi Wilfred.

Another allegation against them said, during the same period, they maliciously wounded Deonarine Rafeek, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or cause him grievous bodily harm.

Police Inspector Deneshwar Mahendranauth, prosecuting, said the two cops were stationed at Leonora and they arrested and investigated the two virtual complainants.

The Prosecutor said the duo used unnecessary force on the detainees causing the public to become involved through the media and he objected to bail for the accused, on the grounds that investigations are ongoing and further charges may be instituted and the accused would tamper with witnesses if released.

Part of the crowd made their way to Croal Street where the bus was awaiting the officers.

Defence Counsel Hukumchand said the Prosecution did not advance any evidence to support the claim that the policemen, who were in custody for some 96 hours, would interfere with witnesses if granted pre-trial freedom.

The lawyer said Lall has served the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for 20 years and Dolai has eight years service but, throughout, they were neither charged departmentally nor in a Court.

The Prosecutor countered that, because the ranks have spent all that time serving the GPF, they should have known the amount of force that was required.

Hukumchand referred to the accused as ordinary public servants who are employed within a disciplinary organisation.

“Sometimes I’m completely taken aback by the denial of pre-trial liberty when it can be granted,” he lamented, pointing out that some persons in high ranking offices seek to persuade decision makers in certain areas.

Lall and Dolai were, however, remanded to prison and the cases were transferred to Leonora Court for November 19.

Meanwhile, relatives of the virtual complainants and other members of the public gathered in and around the courtyard and voiced their annoyance at the alleged torture of the suspects in detention.

Prisoners on remand are usually removed from the courtyard in the Prison Truck but the two accused were taken through a different route to a GPF bus that was waiting on Croal Street.
The crowd, on becoming aware of the deviation, pelted objects at the vehicle and some shouted: “Murderers! Murderers!”

GRA unearths multi-million dollar cashier fraud
-IT security system infiltrated
THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has unearthed a multi-million dollar fraud suspected to be carried out by cashiers in collusion with personnel of the IT Department who would have infiltrated the IT security system.

The successful detection came as a result of the proper functioning of the internal control system and the scrupulous performance of duties by some staff members which led to further checks being carried out by a special team on the IT system.

Information pertaining to the fraud has been sent to the Commissioner of Police who has since launched an interrogation of the persons suspected of being involved. This includes four cashiers and an IT personnel who is suspected to be the mastermind of the plot

The Commissioner-General of theGRA, Mr. Khurshid Sattaur has indicated that the extent of the fraud is likely to be in the vicinity of millions of dollars and is too early for him to have a precise estimate. He indicated however that the period of commencement is suspected to be over a year and would have seen a significant amount of revenue being fraudulently converted on some days.

The GRA has recently implemented a new information technology system costing in excess of US$6 M through support given under loan agreement with the Inter American Development Bank (IDB). This system has strengthened GRA’s safeguards against fraud and corruption. The integrated database has high security features which are capable of tracking any unauthorised use of the system.

According to Mr. Sattaur this feature of the system has provided the necessary information on the persons who are suspected to be involved in the fraud. The Commissioner General is not ruling out the linkages this fraud may have with prominent city businesses because of the high prevalence of these businesses featuring in the information being provided by the system.

The GRA boss is once again calling on the business community to guard against the temptation of engaging in unscrupulous acts to defraud the state of revenue while at the same time compromise the integrity of officers within the GRA.

Live-in girlfriend of beheaded murder victim detained

Murdered Taxi driver, Gavin Washington.

POLICE have detained the 19-year-old girlfriend of murdered taxi driver, Gavin Washington, whose decomposed body, with the head hacked off was found on Monday, at Hauraruni, along Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

The couple had lived at the home of the man’s aunt, at Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara, for a year, before the 13:00 h discovery.

Washington, 23, was employed at a taxi service in Georgetown and a gunshot wound was on the severed head.

The decomposed body of Gavin Washington.

He was reported missing, to the Police, on October 27, the same day he was last seen alive by his uncle, Cleveland Washington, whom he asked for some money at a city minibus park.

The surviving Washington said his nephew also indicated that he was going to have a few beers and would be heading home after.

Other relatives told the Guyana Chronicle that, a few days after Washington did not show at home, the detained woman had said he left their home and did not return.

His remains, which were discovered among some bushes, with a .45 spent shell and a warhead nearby, are being kept in a metal box with ice in Le Repentir Cemetery while investigating Police await the results of a post mortem examination.

Arbitration Tribunal members in GAWU/GUYSUCO wages dispute appointed
MINISTER of Labour, Manzoor Nadir yesterday named the members of the Arbitration Tribunal for the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) wages dispute.

Last Thursday the Minister imposed compulsory arbitration on the parties after conciliation proceedings between GUYSUCO and GAWU was declared deadlock on October 29, 2009 by the Chief Labour Officer.

The Minister, in letters to the parties stated, “Conscious of the threat by the union to go on full scale industrial action which can have serious consequences for the industry, the Hon. Minister wishes to advise that he is satisfy that the continuance of the difference is likely to be gravely injurious to the national interest and has decided to impose compulsory arbitration by virtue of the powers conferred upon him by Section 4 (1) (c) of the Labour Act, Cap. 98:01.”

The Minister opted for a Tribunal that will have a nominee from the Company and one from the Union.

The Members are
* Dr. Gobin Ganga (Chairman)

* Ms. Sonya Roopnauth representing GUYSUCO

* Mr. Yog Mahadeo representing GAWU

with the following terms of reference:-

1. “To enquire into the difference between the Guyana Sugar Corporation and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union as it relates to wages and salaries to be paid to those categories of employees of the Corporation that are represented by the Union for the year 2009 and to make an award as the tribunal deems fit.”

2. The Tribunal shall commence its work on Monday, November 9, 2009 and shall give its final decision and report within five weeks.

The Secretary to the Tribunal shall be Mr. Clive Nurse the Deputy Chief Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Officer.

The minister is calling on the workers in the sugar industry to return to work in full numbers tomorrow and on the company to ensure that an amicable environment exists so as to allow the Tribunal to conduct its work without duress.

Prashad optimistic as Guyana tops Caribbean tourist arrivals
By Priya Nauth
GUYANA has taken the lead in tourism, recording the largest tourist arrivals increase in the Caribbean region, for this year, so far, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Mr. Manniram Prashad said yesterday.

The minister was reporting, at a press conference, in his South Road, Georgetown office, on a recent Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) meeting in St. Lucia.

He said the disclosure was made in a document prepared for the CTO, under the title ‘The Outlook for the Global Economy and Caribbean Tourism’, by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company.

Prashad said, according to it: “The Caribbean has borne the brunt of the economic downturn with double digit declines in visits across the majority of destinations. Only Guyana, Jamaica, Cuba and Saba have registered increases for the year.”

He said: “I am happy to say that we have been vindicated in what we have been saying all along, that Guyana is seeing increased arrivals for 2009.”

Prashad said, at the end of October, the numbers showed close to nine per cent and, at the CTO gathering, Guyana came in for high praise, in terms of having increased its arrivals over 2008.

He said the circulated documentation illustrated that most of the countries suffered a reduction in tourist arrivals for this year, up to October, with the only countries showing positive increases being Guyana, number one followed by Jamaica, Cuba and Saba.

Prashad emphasised that all the others have shown declines, some significant.

Against this backdrop, he said the Tourism Ministry took the opportunity to thank all the stakeholders in the industry for their efforts and contribution towards the signal achievement and growth, among them tour operators, hoteliers and resort owners.

“We are very happy to speak about this. Whilst we are not boasting, there is always room for improvement. But we are happy that we did not have a decline in tourist arrivals for 2009 and, in fact, we are number one in the Caribbean right now…” Prashad said.

Quality

But he acknowledged that further efforts would have to be made towards quality service and to have more resorts in birding areas, especially in the corridors of the Iwokrama Field Station, Surama, Rockview and Karanambo, most of which are booked until 2010.

Prashad said that the hotels have given very good indications of occupancy growth and, recently, Aracari Resort introduced the ‘staycation’ concept.

He reminded that President Bharrat Jagdeo, at a tourism summit earlier this year, advocated affordable domestic tourism.

“That is what ‘staycation’ is all about,” Prashad said, encouraging Guyanese to travel within Guyana and explore all the beautiful locations and tourist attractions, such as Kaieteur Falls, Orinduik and Orealla, Cow Falls and Number 63 Beach, Corentyne, Berbice, rather than go aboard.

He also observed that more and more people are coming back to Guyana for town days, like at Grove, Plaisance, Mahaica and Mahaicony and reunions, such as for Queen’s college (QC) and Bishops’ High School (BHS).

Prashad said, importantly, the duck curry competition, which is staged every year in New York and usually attracts between 15,000 and 20,000 people, will be hosted here for the first time, at Albion Sports Complex, also in Berbice, on November 29.

“They have brought that into Guyana and are chartering aircraft to come down specially for that event,” the Minister announced.

He said people are returning for a lot of events because of the improved facilities and the good climate for them to relax and enjoy what is on offer.

Prashad said more and more airlines are flying to Guyana now and, even at peak season, there is still a demand for additional charters.

More international artistes are coming, as well, with this country now touted as a meeting place for conferences at Guyana International Conference Centre on account of the rates and facilities available, he said.

“We are happy with the growth in tourism. We are happy with the quality and the improvement we have seen in tourism and that is why, during this Tourism Awareness Month, we are concentrating on training,” Prashad stated.

He said during the month, started last Sunday in Bartica for the first time under the theme ‘Promoting Quality and Sustainable Tourism in Guyana’, training and capacity building will be conducted with customs officers, taxi drivers and other customer service staff.

Campaign

Prashad will be addressing University of Guyana (UG) tourism students and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) will be organising talks in schools countrywide on tourism and campaign against littering.

Alluding to the upcoming Christmas season, he said: “We look forward to welcoming our returning Guyanese who come to visit at that time. We expect this Christmas to be one of the biggest and brightest ever.”

Prashad said his ministry has been assured that the electricity supply, which is a cause for concern, will be good.

He said most incoming flights are already fully booked and Delta and Caribbean Airlines will put on additional ones during the season.

Prashad also mentioned that Titan Tours will continue on December 7 with non-stop flights from Toronto every week until the holidays are over and, similarly, SkyService will be mounting one a week from Toronto.

Meanwhile, the Ministry is engaged in discussions with Jet Blue, which is already operating in Barbados and St. Lucia, to come to Guyana.

He disclosed that the airline has requested some information and will be meeting with them in a couple of weeks to further discussions adding, “They would not be coming for this Christmas but obviously because of the interest and the traffic between North America and Guyana, they are showing a keen interest so maybe very soon we will be having them flying to Guyana.”

He maintained that all these improvements have contributed to the increase in arrivals over last year and positive growth this year.

Minister Prashad expressed his hope that this trend will continue for the remaining of the year and noted, “From all the information that we have received and airline bookings, we feel that November and December would be extremely good months for us surpassing 2008 so that definitely by the end of the year, we should have close to an increase of 10 per cent in arrival over 2008.”

He assured that those arrival figures are tourists and was derived through the MIST system which is linked up to all the other countries and the CTO to monitor the information carefully.

“That is how we arrived at these figures. Remember these figures here are not figures supplied by the Ministry, these are figures that are supplied by a contracted British firm for the CTO,” he reminded.
v

‘Staycation’ a laudable tourism initiative
Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the global economy and developing countries are attempting to cash in on this expanding industry in an attempt to boost foreign investment and financial reserves. While conceding that the uncontrolled growth of this industry can result in serious environmental and social problems, the United Nations contends that such negative effects can be controlled and reduced.

Anita Pleumarom in an article which considered whether the global tourism industry can really be propelled towards sustainability under the current international and political regime that underpins the drive towards globalisation, notes: “So far, the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution on 'Sustainable Tourism' as part of its 'Programme for the further implementation of Agenda 21', the action programme adopted at the Rio Earth Summit. This resolution acknowledges the need to consider further the importance of tourism in the context of Agenda 21. Among other things, it states: 'For sustainable patterns of consumption and production in the tourism sector, it is essential to strengthen national policy development and enhance capacity in the areas of physical planning, impact assessment, and the use of economic and regulatory instruments, as well as in the areas of information, education and marketing.' Furthermore, the resolution calls for participation of all concerned parties in policy development and implementation of sustainable tourism programmes.”

In this regard, Guyana in developing and expanding its relatively young tourist industry has adopted the policy of involving all stakeholders, which has paid off dividends because in recent years there has been a steady growth in the tourism sector. Noteworthy is the fact that the local tourism industry is overwhelmingly in the hands of Guyanese.

The Minister noted that, in countries like Barbados where 95 per cent of the industry is owned by foreigners, in Guyana that percentage is owned by Guyanese.

“It shows the confidence that they have in the product, the confidence they have in the industry and in the Government to invest,” he said.

According to Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad the local tourism industry has seen significant developments in various areas and arrivals here to date, have increased by 9.4 per cent and since 2007, hotel capacity has increased, from under 300 rooms to at least 2,000 rooms and there has been successes with birding and other eco-tourism products and recognition in the international market.

Of special importance too is the fact that Guyana has its own brand of eco-tourism which is not found in many tourism based countries.

There are many different benefits that can be derived from Ecotourism if it is used as a tool by local communities, rather than by large outside interests. However, the results would be a direct reflection of the motivation behind the project. Since these motivations are often mixed it follows that the results are often mixed too.

USAID, an organisation that helps fund various ecotourism projects in many developing nations points out:

“Whether called nature tourism or ecotourism, recreational and educational travel based on natural attractions is a promising means of advancing social, economic, and environmental objectives in developing countries. It offers countries new opportunities for small-enterprise investment and employment and increases the national stake in protecting their biological resources. However, making ecotourism a positive economic and environmental tool requires policies that foster responsible nature tourism development, broad-based and active local participation in its benefits, and conservation of developing countries' biological heritage.”

Another recent positive development with respect to local tourism is the disclosure by Mr. Prashad that the concept of “Staycation” will be embraced.

A ‘staycation’ is a period of time during which an individual or family stays at and relaxes at home or takes day trips to local area attractions and it has achieved high popularity in the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK).

Through the initiative, guests are being offered 20 per cent discount on all hotel packages for ‘staycation’ holidays.

This is yet another fine gesture on the part of the local tourism sector and shows that it is being managed by people with vision, innovativeness and commitment.

This laudable initiative should provide a stimulus for Guyanese to have their vacation at home.

THIS MUST BE CONDEMNED
Ralph Ramkarran
I had cause to write recently in an article entitled “Questions Must Be Asked” on problems within the security forces. It gave me great pain to do so. I am now forced to return to the subject. Once again, it pains me.

There has been a recent proliferation of allegations against the security forces of torture against persons in their custody. Despite credible reports and even photographs of the alleged victims published in the daily newspapers, there have been no published reports of investigations into these allegations. The result is that there is widespread suspicion that the security forces are engaged in the abuse of citizens, and now children. This is not good for Guyana because it discredits our country and people, painting all Guyanese as barbarians.

Inactivity at higher levels has created the belief that such abuse is tolerated. This notion needs to be immediately dispelled and torture of persons in custody, of which PPP members and supporters have been early political victims, must immediately cease. Too many loyal Guyanese, including top leaders of the PPP, have devoted too many years of energy fighting against the torture of persons in custody. Too many citizens have suffered from this type of atrocity for it to be allowed to continue for one day more. The recent photographs in the newspapers cannot be lying. They bring great discredit to the dedicated members of the security forces.

The Bar Association, in its heyday from the late 1970s to the restoration of democracy in 1992, has been a leading champion of free and fair elections, a sterling defender of the fundamental and constitutional rights of the citizen and a vigorous campaigner against what at that time it called ‘police brutality.’ Unfortunately, after 1992 the raison d’etre for its revival in 1978, democracy and free and fair elections, having been achieved, it took its eye off the ball, concentrating on other issues such as constitutional reform. I am not saying that the Bar Association became dormant. It still vigorously pursued its agenda. But as its old leadership fell away, the old issues began to fade and its agenda became filled with new ones.

We have all learnt by now that good intentions are not an adequate assurance for good governance. Institutional mechanisms must be devised and implemented to ensure that the abuse of citizens in custody does not occur. The fact that reports of torture supported by photographic evidence are surfacing more regularly suggests two things, namely, that no such mechanisms are in place and that these acts can no longer be hidden from public view. Sooner or later public condemnation and revulsion will demand that transparent systems be put in place as preventative measures. Why wait on public pressure? Delay will result in the continuation of the abuse.

There is an absurd view which has long been held by some in law enforcement that extracting a confession by means of duress is an acceptable way to solve crime. Imbued with this erroneous belief, inducements, threats, then coercion, are employed as part of the investigative techniques. These methods never work. Any hint of unlawful conduct by the police in taking confession statements usually results in the statements being thrown out by the courts. For decades the police have believed that the first step in the investigation of crime is to round up the suspects on the basis of information and not investigation. With no evidence, the next stage is to obtain a confession.

When resources for all agencies began to dry up in the 1970s, the investigative capacity of the Police Force began to deteriorate. As a result the steps of investigation, accumulation of evidence and then arrest of suspects had to be reversed. The process began from the arrest of suspects based on the accumulation of minimal evidence and then the process degenerates. This culture has clearly proven to be deeply entrenched because despite more resources, many reforms, greater openness, the work of the GHRA and a vigilant press, the same situation prevails. And it is getting worse.

The recent debate in the United States on torture of detainees, and the documents which have been released by the US Government, show that torture does not work because the information it elicits is unreliable. It further shows that it is much more likely that questioning without the use of or threat of force is more likely to result in the extraction of accurate information. So that the use of torture in Guyana, quite apart from being horribly and criminally wrong, is useless and counter-productive in the solution of crime quite apart from proof in court.

The establishment of the Police Complaints Authority and the internal Office of Professional Responsibility were clearly steps in the right direction. Equally clearly, these have not deterred security officials intent on violating the rights of citizens. Because they may have been led by inaction or otherwise to believe that they have free reign, they now believe that they can visit inhuman and degrading treatment on children, if the allegations are true. This is wholly unacceptable and must be condemned without hesitation or reservation. This situation now calls for a thorough investigation with wide consultation of the measures which can be adopted to strengthen or reorganise these bodies to ensure that no such horror, as we saw last week, returns to haunt our dreams of creating a nation which respects its citizens, nurtures its children and abides by the rule of law. (www.conversationtree.com).

THE OBSERVER:
Falsehoods and selective condemnation
TWO days ago I reiterated the condemnation of the torture perpetrated on a teenager, allegedly, by police.
This dastardly act which irked Guyanese will forever scar the mental fabric of the teen. Many have raised their voices to rightly admonish those responsible for inflicting the excruciating pain the lad now endures.

At the time of writing this article, it was reported that two errant ranks are to be charged for this heinous incident. This swift action by the Police is a most welcome development and paves the way for the court to bring closure.

In perusing the numerous responses the incident attracted, it was discovered very early that one particular letter was signed by some twenty-five prominent Guyanese. This, and the many other responses, serve to dispel any lingering notion that democracy is absent from this young nation as a few so propagate. While some may want to balk at this being mentioned at the time of the lad’s traumatising experience, they should be reminded the fact that members of the public can freely access the media to air their concerns, vindicates the democratic advancement made within the last seventeen years.

Everyday, Freddie Kissoon freely peddles in the Kaieteur News inaccurate diatribes with the hope that Guyanese will succumb to his far-fetched fantasy that Guyana is an undemocratic State. A cliché has since been established with regards to his daily false pronouncements and the freedom he now basks in, in executing his constitutional rights. He proclaimed on Tuesday, November 03, 2009, that “…Guyanese are letting horrible things happen to us that never occurred under the Burnham regime”. On reading that, the first thought was that only someone with idiotic tendencies would venture to make such an imprudent statement.

Generally, the best advice is to ignore such persons. I beg to differ. Sometimes, these vile, irresponsible rants solicit a response. First of all, how can Freddie who was banished from his homeland by Burnham, make such a statement? Banishment is one of the worst things that can befall someone. It leads to loss of dignity, inconvenience and trauma amongst others. Today he can freely practice what Burnham prevented him from doing. This in itself dissipates as fantasy his “elected dictatorship” harangues and his bogus claim of Guyana being deficient in democracy.

He and his cohorts within some sections of the media and the Opposition openly criticise the government on a daily basis. If this had occurred under the brutal PNC regime, harsh consequences, included death, would have been meted out to those who dare raised their voices. The death of Father Bernard Darke, Dr. Walter Rodney and others, epitomises this. For twenty-eight years Guyanese were forced to endure or flee the brutality that the PNC inflicted. Shouldn’t that be categorised as torture? Today while all are competing to condemn the torture of the lad who is currently the focus of the media, they should not forget what thousands suffered at the hands of the PNC.

This reminder is not an attempt to be insensitive to the lad’s horrific experience. What happened to him was wrong. Similarly, the PNC wronged Guyana. Wrong is wrong, and despite consequences in articulating the wrongs, activists are never afraid to do so. Gandhi was not afraid. Martin Luther King Jnr was not afraid. Dr Cheddi Jagan was not afraid. Nelson Mandela was not afraid. Many of those who rushed to condemn the torture of the lad were around during the PNC dictatorship. Today, like Freddie, they are branded as activists. Did they voice their disdain at the atrocities committed by Burnham and the PNC then? No. Torture, as described in the Oxford Dictionary, is equivalent to “great suffering”. The lad in question has indeed suffered greatly.

Guyanese too, suffered greatly under the PNC. They suffered when they saw their ballots being hijacked by soldiers. They suffered from imprisonment when they spoke out against such atrocities; many in the PPP can so testify. Guyanese suffered when they saw their children in pain having being deprived of basic food. Many suffered when their homes were torched by PNC thugs. Many suffered when they saw their wives and daughters being brutally beaten and raped by heavily armed gunmen with alleged ties to the PNC. Many suffered from the brutality inflicted by Rabbi Washington’s thugs who were known associates of the PNC.

Many suffered inconvenience and loss of dignity when they were either banished or forced to abandon their homeland. Many suffered from enduring long lines to get food, water and fuel. Many suffered when their hopes for change through Elections were dashed when the process was rigged. Many suffered from collapsed health-care, sub-standard education and impassable roads. Many suffered from the atrocities committed during National Service. Many, who tried to eke out a living by trading with neighbouring countries, suffered at the hands of Immigration and Customs Officers and Police.

The PNC and their affiliates have ensured that their propensity to inflict suffering on Guyanese didn’t end with their regime in 1992. There were strong allegations of involvement in the spate of crimes that gripped the country following the 2002 jailbreak. This is still fresh in the minds of victims. The massacre of innocent Guyanese including children in 2008 will forever be traumatising to surviving relatives and etched in this country’s history. The killing of policemen and women cannot be forgotten. Only yesterday, gunmen shot at the Brickdam police station injuring two ranks. The said gunmen are believed to have tried to torch the High Court and a secondary school in the city.

Violent protests that literally brought economic growth to a halt between 1997 and 2002, traumatised the nation. Hundreds of innocent Guyanese were beaten and robbed during that time. Many businesses were burnt incurring millions in losses to owners. The Office of the President was invaded by a treasonous gang in 2002. These are just some of the many torturous episodes that were meted out to the populace; some directly under the PNC rule and others with their alleged involvement. Did those who today rightly condemn the torture of the lad, speak out against these atrocities? Even if they claim that they were afraid of Burnham the dictator, did they speak out against the crimes perpetrated on Guyanese from 1997-2002 by PNC protestors?

Did they condemn these crimes with concern for the well-being of Guyanese and Guyana? The answer is no. Today it seems that the unfortunate torture of the lad has provided an opportune moment for those who were silent a few years ago. This can only be described as “selective condemnation”. Others should not be silent to highlight this phenomenon. The impression created by some media houses and media operatives pertaining to the harrowing experience of the lad in question is that, such atrocious behaviour allegedly committed by the police ranks, may have been sanctioned by the administration. To even contemplate that is hovering in the realms of ludicrousness.

The PPP administration has consistently reiterated that the human rights, including that of prisoners, must be upheld in all circumstances. In a previous article, it was explained that some quickly try to politicise issues. This case seems no different. Some incidents of human rights violation in the United States within the last decade or so were mentioned in the last article. During those incidents, none of the multiplicity of media ever suggested that the White House sanctioned such acts. Which sane journalist would think that the White House should be blamed for Rodney King’s beating at the hands of Los Angles Policemen and for Abner Louima’s sodomising with a broomstick by New York cops?

Guyana’s history would show that the PNC, whilst in Office, would have sanctioned some of the atrocities perpetrated on the nation. This continued whilst in Opposition as seen from the protests. Freddie and his cohorts should not forget this. As for Freddie, he may be right; “Guyanese are letting horrible things happen to us that never occurred under the Burnham regime”; they are allowing Freddie and his opportunistic band of cohorts to get away with falsehoods.

STANDARDS CORNER:
GUIDELINES FOR PURCHASING PAINTS
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards has developed three important standards which outline requirements for paints imported or manufactured for use in Guyana. These standards include: Specification for Paint: Interior and exterior, emulsion type, flat, Specification for Paint: Emulsion type, Interior and exterior low, Sheen and Semi-gloss, and Specification for the limit on lead content for paints.

In addition, the GNBS has been monitoring paints under its Standards Compliance programme to ensure that the commodity complies with labelling and quality requirements, as outlined in the standards. Hence, consumers can make complaints regarding poor quality or inadequately labelled paints which they may have purchased.

As the holiday season approaches, many more consumers will be purchasing paints to complete their holiday paint jobs and here are some tips to help you select the right paint for the job.

When purchasing paints ensure that:

* The Paint is suitable for the surface to be painted, that is, concrete, wood, metal ceiling, indoor or outdoor use. This information is normally stated on the label that is affixed to the container.

* The Paint is adequately labelled. Labels should state:

- The manufacturer’s name and address, the date of manufacture and batch number.

- Thinning instructions which can provide adequate guidance when reducing the viscosity of the paint purchased.

- Colour and type of paint e.g. White emulsion.

- Drying time.

- Precautions/warning statements. Example conditions 51% lead; may be fatal if swallowed. Ensure also the container addresses information regarding anti- fungal protection.

Consumers who engage in purchasing paints sold from unlabelled containers by roadside vendors may be engaging in ‘risky purchasing’ since the quality of such paints is questionable and there is no guarantee for the safety of the product.

NB. Labels must be written in English Language and the containers in which the paint is stored should not show signs of deterioration or rust.
For further information please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0065, 219-0062 or write to us at the National Exhibition Complex, Sophia.

Teixeira sets the record straight
IT is not my habit to respond to the many reports, allegations and misinformation peddled in many of the media in Guyana. However, I am forced, albeit reluctantly I must say, to put pen to paper and respond to the SN article in Tuesday November 3, 2009 entitled ‘Drug seizures, charges up this year’ wherein the unnamed author states that ‘During her tenure, Rohee’s predecessor Gail Teixeira had said government had no interest in Khan.

The first time I heard of this aspersion was at a recent meeting of the JOPP in front of the Parliament Buildings. I interpreted it as a cheap political shot and dismissed it. But to see it in writing in a newspaper as if it were truth and to go further to question my colleague Minister Rohee on it, shows how far a lie repeated often enough become accepted as truth.

Let me set the record straight for those who may have problems remembering those days. I was the Minister of Home Affairs when Roger Khan et al were apprehended in Suriname for narcotic trafficking. I have never said “the government had no interest in Khan”. I know what I said at the time of his arrest and during the period as it is etched in my memory.

May I remind SN of my public statements on the drug barons and the narco-trade, quoted extensively in SN may help in elucidating my posture on such issues.

It would do well for the SN in the future to be more responsible in presenting what it deems as ‘facts’ to the public and be less susceptible to repeating what some street corner politicians are saying with no proof, no video recording, or interview to indicate that I said anything of the sort.
GAIL TEIXEIRA MP
……………………
An important question for the PNC, AFC and WPA
I read, watched and listened with much amusement the pronouncements and political grandstanding efforts of the Opposition parties, their leaders and appointed spokespersons as it relates to the allegations/revelations of the torture of a 14/15 year old lad at the hands of police ranks stationed at the Leonora Police station.

I also had the opportunity to do the same in relation to the response of those in authority, except that I found their response to be more appropriate given that investigations are not yet completed.

However, what I am also mindful of is the efforts taken by members of the opposition, their leaders, spokespersons, sympathizers, and extensions in the media to readily lay blame for the indiscretions of a few rogue officers at the feet of the government.

It is within this context that I wish to ask of them, specifically, the PNC, AFC and WPA, what guarantees could they, who see themselves as alternatives to the current ruling government and party, give us the citizens, that were they in government rogue elements within the security services and other state agencies would not have taken it unto themselves to deviate from the standard operating procedures governing those institutions?

What actions would they have taken that has not been taken by the current political directorate should such a situation occur under their watch?

I am asking that they respond urgently and through the letter pages. The Guyanese populace is awaiting their response.
BALDEO MATHURA
……………………
Good seed material essential to any agricultural industry
IN any agricultural industry, the production of good seed material is of paramount importance. The success of the rice industry of Guyana is pivoted on a sound seed programme.

Since the departure of Dr S. Devadattu the Indian ITEC expert and Principal Scientist the quality of good seed paddy from Burma is not up to standard.

Dr Devadattu joined the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) on May 12, 1995 as Head of Plant Pathology under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation of the Government of India. He has been awarded a number of merit certificates and medals for his outstanding research work in rice.

Immediately after joining the Rice Research Station at Burma, he visited all the rice growing regions, had discussions with farmers, millers and all those concerned in the rice industry. He along with his Guyanese and Indian colleagues started working on the development of blast resistant lines. Thousands of breeding lines were evaluated at different blast prone areas and hundreds of blast resistant lines were identified.

After conducting on farm evaluations, blast resistant F-10BR 240 and BR 444 were released. These varieties not only increased the national average yields but also saved millions of dollars for control of blast through fungicides. Today we are struggling to maintain the quality of seeds and the national average yield of 40 bags per acre since his departure from Guyana. The aims of the research station at Burma are rice breeding, development of new varieties, pre-basic and basic seeds, and to a lesser extent certified on (C-1) seeds. The benefits of supplying good seeds to the rice farmers are control of red rice, seed of uniform grain, length and width, thereby reducing the breakage during milling, better and even plant stand in the field, uniform ripening of field.
MOHAMED KHAN
Former Extension Officer
……………………
Torturing of 14-year old is barbaric and despicable
THE beatings, burnings and pains inflicted on a fourteen-year old is indeed most heinous, barbaric and despicable.

Indeed, police work is no piece of cake. It could be nerve-wracking and heart aching as well. It is not unusual for police Investigators to be heavily pressured by the people for results by victim’s families, by the police hierarchy, the media, and the politicians. It is usually the case whereby: �mned if you do and damned if you don’t’.

This kind of push at times forces police to excesses. Then enthusiasm to solve important and powerful crimes at times causes police to also use excessive force in interrogation sessions and at Police Action in events of raids (visits by police via the element of surprise). Their zeal and dynamism at times takes control of the human faculties and excesses may be utilised.

Then also in event of patrol vehicles stopping vehicles and persons to effect searches, citizens at times could err and go for a cigarettes in an undershirt, or jacket or under seat, or a drivers license, causing Police Officers to be intimidated and apprehensive which could cause the police to react, sometimes deadly, in self-preservation, believing that the person is going for a weapon, and who knows he may have been doing just that.

Then there is ego, the adrenalin rush and power of the feel of super human capabilities. Some people, e.g., police, security guards and soldiers, at times, issued with a firearm, one can see their personality change, and a gush of power within them, which could be dangerous. For this reason, a serious personality profile is done on all persons applying to carry firearms. Citizens with certain behavioral patterns cannot be issued with firearms. Almost everyone wants a firearm, for it is now seen as a status thing, as finally almost everyone has DVD.

I wanted to give some ideas why police may use excessive force. But the force used on this young man, the burning of his genitals, and other body parts is most inhuman, a crime indeed against humanity. It is vulgar and despicable, and yes, unforgivable.

I can just imagine that handsome young man being beaten, in terror placed in a lockup or place of torture, beaten again, starved, hit on the walls, beaten again. Then lighting a fire on his private body parts displays a set of people who are depraved. This could not have been done by a rush of enthusiasm; it has to be bestial personalities embedded in human bodies. The genital area is the most sensitive, the most of areas on the human body, and it is a blessed area of the Creator, for by it his creative powers is displayed, and mankind created.

I feel so sad for this boy and his parents. Oh how he must have felt alone, in pain, brutalised, and burnt and alone in a cell. He must have cried out in his head, in tears and devastation: “Oh lord why me?” He must have stretched his arms for a hug from the womb…his mother that bore him, that suckled and nurtured him, and weaned him into a teenager. He must have wondered: ‘will I see my dear mamma oh God!!”

Are the police interrogators who did this bereft of children? What would they do if someone did this to their children? Have they forgotten their own childhood? It is said, and I believe firmly in this philosophy:“

I ask the Minister of Home Affairs, the. Minister of Justice and even our Dear President, visit the children kept in remand. Children kept in remand could have their lives destroyed at the wrong place. Children being attended to by young junior magistrates, need to be looked to by an experienced magistrate or agency. Word has it that they are filthy, dingy and stinky, many with sores and infestation of ticks.
My heart aches.
ROSHAN KHAN
Chief Servant
GUYANA ISLAMIC FORUM
……………………
Pickering’s Devi Mandir congratulated on 20th anniversary
I write to congratulate the (Guyanese) Devi Mandir in Pickering on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. The mandir observed the occasion last month with a Maha (great or huge) Gyaan (knowledge) yagya (prayer) over a five nights period culminating in a cultural variety concert at the mandir’s ground. The organisation must be applauded for encouraging youth participation and for building inter-religious harmony in the Durham community.

According to a report in the Indo-Caribbean World, Devi Mandir, one of several Guyanese affiliated temples in Canada, was founded by several families who settled in the area and wanted to propagate their cultural traditions in their new homeland. They got together and committed funds to purchase the land that houses the mandir some 20 years ago. After a lengthy period of fundraising, the new temple was constructed in 1998 with a lovely design.

The objective of the mandir is to fulfill the spiritual and cultural needs of the growing Hindu population in the Durham area and to work together with other faiths for the good of society.

The temple has been governed by a Board of Directors in a proper structure with everyone, save the spiritual leader, volunteering their time. There is financial transparency and no one man dominance as in several other organizations. Its annual audited financial statements are available to the public and posted on the website.

The organization has a weekly TV program which the Guyanese community look forward to every Saturday morning.

In addition, the mandir has dance, music, yoga and Hindi lessons. And the mandir participates in outreach programs for the larger community. The City of Pickering has recognized the organization’s work honoring it with two civic awards. The spiritual leader of the mandir is a Police Chaplain with the county’s Regional Police Services. The organisation has also been honored by Common Good, an organization involving with greening scared spaces, says the Indo-Caribbean World, the premier Caribbean paper in Canada.

The Chairman of the Temple’s Board said the mandir is working with other faiths to make the community a better pace to live. And the President, Amar Binda, said the organization has been advocating for activities for the youth and has established an annual college scholarship fund for a high school graduate.

Thanks gentlemen and to all others in your organization who are involved in propagating the beautiful Guyanese cultural traditions in Canada.
VISHNU BISRAM
……………………
Agrifest fulfilled its objectives
THE recent Agrifest held at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence would have fulfilled its objectives due to the thousands that turned out to view the exhibits. I was very impressed at the layout of the stadium and the creation of an environment that would have made Guyanese very proud of the agricultural sector.

I can vividly remember as I enter the stadium on Saturday night, the warm welcome by the sounds of forest animals and walking through a makeshift forest (Low Carbon Tunnel) that was well decorated with posters that presented a wide range of information was something I didn’t expect to meet. This creative design must be commended since it brought a new dimension to the activity. I thought that this alone was worth the three hundred dollars ($300.00) that I paid to enter the stadium.

Visiting the booths then lend to the importance of the whole activity. Again, these exhibits had something to share with every age group that attended the fest. The information provided was of very high quality and relevant to the present day agriculture. If it weren’t for the rains the night before and earlier that day, I am convinced that the turnout that night would been much larger than the huge crowd that attended. I must also commend the private sector for the full involvement and participation. I know this should be the job of the Ministry of Agriculture, but I too feel it’s my duty to do so since I am also a farmer/entrepreneur.

I wish to also say that the fest did not only provide good entertainment but has made me aware of the various ongoing related activities around the country.

I am quite certain that many farmers would have met potential buyers and would have expanded their marketing horizons. To top it off was live entertainment by International artiste, Rupee. Now where can you get such information and entertainment for the price of $300.00? I hope that the organizers of the Agrifest will continue along this line and continue to be creative in the future.
SURAJ SINGH
……………………
2,400 tonnes of canes were abandoned at Skeldon
THE Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) reportedly stated, during his appearance on “Close Up” which was broadcast on NCN on October 30, 2009, that the Guyana Sugar Corporation would lose some 17,000 tonnes of burnt canes equivalent to 1,550 tonnes sugar from the current strike. Is this assertion factual? As at Monday November 2, 2009 there were close to 3,600 tonnes burnt cane across the industry. This figure was garnered from usually reliable and impeccable sources. Should the canes remain unprocessed it will amount to approximately 305 tonnes sugar.

The goodly gentleman should have revealed that some 2,400 tonnes of burnt canes were abandoned at Skeldon before the current strike commenced, albeit at the Skeldon Factory which is affected by a host of problems. It is to be hoped that sugar workers are not made scapegoats for this wastage.

GUYSUCO indicated through the 2009 National Budget, a production of 290,000 tonnes sugar, this was later revised to 250,000 tonnes then 242,000 tonnes. Before the workers’ protest over the withdrawal of the three per cent wage increase it was a known fact that there were enough canes to produce 235,000 tonnes sugar according to the Corporation’s latest assessment, again according to reliable sources.

He should remember that GAWU said in its press statement of October 14, 2009, that it “is of the view that the decision by the Guyana Sugar Corporation to withdraw from the wage/salary negotiation is influenced by ulterior motives?” Blame the workers and the Union for the sugar production which will be less than the originally budgeted number. The Corporation knew of the silent internal revision even before any industrial action, which they precipitated, was taken by the workers and the union.
SEEPAUL NARINE
General Secretary
GAWWU
……………………
Reconnected to DirecTV after letter appeared in Guyana Chronicle
IN a letter published in this newspaper a few weeks ago I had vented my disgust with the DirecTV service of one (name given) of Status Investments in Georgetown. In an update to the situation, I am pleased to announce that my service and the service of the other customer (whose name I included with the letter) have been reconnected and restored. The service was reconnected sometime on Monday last.

The individual contacted me via cell phone on numerous occasions after the publication of the letter in the Guyana Chronicle and informed me that our services would be reconnected as soon as possible. He explained that he was robbed in Venezuela and hence no payment could have been made earlier.

Anyhow, he did say that our services would be on “from now until the contract expires”. I am pleased at this development and hope that no further hindrance or unpleasing situation would arise out of our agreement and to further disrupt our customer- agent relationship. I shall be monitoring this situation very closely in the near future.
LEON SUSERAN

WICB President’s Cup day/night final…
T&T highly favoured as Guyana hunt 9th title
By Calvin Roberts
THE die is cast and the stage is set for today’s final of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) 2009 President’s Cup limited overs tournament between host nation Guyana and defending champions Trinidad and Tobago at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, from 13:30 h.

Both teams’ passage to today’s game was an easy one, even though Guyana, who will be hunting her ninth Regional limited overs title since claiming their first back in Antigua 29 years ago, made heavy work of their first round target of 194 set by the Leeward Islands.

T&T, who defeated their nemesis Barbados in last year’s final as well as their semi-final clash this year, came into the tournament brimming with confidence following their emphatic showing in the just concluded Champions League T20 in India where they ended as runners-up to Australia’s New South Wales, hence they will be wearing the tag as favourites for this encounter.

After ruthlessly disposing of powerhouse Jamaica in their opening match, before the weather intervened in their remaining preliminary round matches, which were abandoned, a clinical and unbeaten half-century from skipper Daren Ganga guided them to a two-wicket victory over Barbados in their semi-final encounter at the same venue of today’s final.

Apart from Daren Ganga, the defending champions’ lineup includes the Bravo siblings Dwayne and Daren, along with Australia-bound Adrian Barath, Lendl Simmons, William Perkins and Kieron Pollard, all of whom took the Champions League by storm with their powerful hitting at strategic stages of their team’s matches.

As they have been doing throughout the tournament for T&T, Barath and Simmons are expected to start things off against Guyana, with Darren Bravo, Daren Ganga and Dwayne Bravo following in that order.

The hard-hitting Pollard will shore up the lower order with assistance from West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Dinesh Ramdin, Samuel Badree, Dave Mohammed, Ganga’s younger brother Sherwin and Ravi Rampaul.

Their bowling, which was spin-based throughout the tournament, may be the same on the flat Providence track, with Rampaul sharing the new ball with Badree, while Sherwin Ganga, Mohammed, Dwayne Bravo who took six wickets against Barbados and Simmons offer their support.

Make no bones about it the Guyanese are hungry for success, having won their last Regional title in 2005, which was followed by the inaugural Stanford 20/20 tournament held in Antigua, in which they defeated their opponents for today’s match in the final to take the US$1M first prize.

The in-form Narsingh Deonarine who struck a whirlwind unbeaten 79-ball 102 against Barbados, was the man who slog-swept Badree over wide midwicket to seal the win for Guyana in the Stanford tournament, a shot he repeated four times with the same result against Barbados on his home ground Albion Sports Club last Friday.

Deonarine, who became the first batsman to score over 1 000 runs in a WICB first class season, is in ripping form at the moment and, along with the experienced West Indies duo in skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan and the 2008 ICC Cricketer-of-the-Year Shivnarine Chanderpaul, will be expected to lead the home team to the bacon.

Apart from the abovementioned three, there are also vice-captain Sewnarine Chattergoon, Travis Dowlin and brothers Esaun and Royston Crandon, who have all played for the West Indies. National spin twins Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul and wicketkeeper/batsman Delbert Hicks are all capable of excelling with the bat for Guyana.

All-rounder Christopher Barnwell, whose father and uncle (Christopher and Dion Barnwell) have represented this country with distinction in the game of soccer, has been having a lean time with the bat in this tournament while his bowling has been sound at the top.

He will definitely be looking to end this tournament with a bang and at the same time to boost his confidence for the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) four-team four-day tournament which continues next Tuesday.

As was mentioned, Barnwell and Esaun Crandon will take care of the new ball for Guyana, following which the spinners, led by Bishoo, who is in his maiden tournament in this form of the game, and Permaul with support from Royston Crandon and Deonarine, will take care of the bowling for the hosts.

Teams for this encounter will be chosen from: Guyana Ramnaresh Sarwan (captain), Sewnarine Chattergoon, Travis Dowlin, Narsingh Deonarine, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Christopher Barnwell, Royston Crandon, Delbert Hicks, Esaun Crandon, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Assad Fudadin, Dion Ferrier and Trevon Garraway.

Trinidad and Tobago from: Daren Ganga, Lendl Simmons, Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Imran Khan, William Perkins, Dinesh Ramdin, Dwayne Bravo, Sherwin Ganga, Dave Mohammed, Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Navin Stewart and Samuel Badree.

Jack helps Windies women draw first blood against England
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Cordel Jack hit 81 from 116 balls to set-up a 40-run victory for West Indies Women in the first One-day International against England Women yesterday.

Jack smashed 10 fours and one six to help West Indies Women post 235 for six from their allocation of 50 overs at Warner Park.

Chadean Nation then captured three wickets for 22 runs from five overs and Pamela Lavine collected three for 26 from eight overs, as England Women crashed to 195 all out in 47.4 overs.

The result gives West Indies Women a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the second match tomorrow at the same venue which also hosts the third and final ODI on Saturday.

“This is the moment for which I have been waiting,” said Jack. “I felt really good when I was batting, and I am so pleased that we were able to beat England.

“Winning against the best team in the World feels really good, and this is a moment I will cherish.”

She added: “We are a colourful team and we always enjoy our cricket so this is the way we like to play. We also showed the discipline required and that is what also makes us feel very proud.

“I was not really nervous and I did not feel any pressure. We had a very good start, and I put my head down and decided to carry on the good work.”

She continued: “We are back in the field again today, and we will be looking to do our very best again. We want to win today, and take the series.”

Choosing to bat, West Indies Women benefited from an opening stand of 75 from openers Stafanie Taylor and Pamela Lavine.

Taylor was run-out in the 16th over for 24, and Lavine fell for 92 in the 20th over to leave West Indies Women 92 for two.

Shanel Daley entered and laboured to add 48 for the third wicket with Jack before she was dismissed in the 33rd over, and Deandra Dottin gave Holly Collvin a return catch in the 35th over, as West Indies Women wobbled to 144 for four.

In the late overs, West Indies Women’s captain Merissa Aguilleira led the charge for her side with two fours and two sixes in 32 from 28 balls to beef-up the total.

Colvin was England Women’s most successful bowler with two for 47 from 10 overs.

West Indies Women made an early breakthrough, when Taylor had Ebony-Jewel Rainsford-Brent stumped in the eighth over.

But the home team were under pressure, when Lydia Greenway joined her captain Charlotte Edwards and put on 83 for the second wicket.

Lavine bowled Greenway for 41 to trigger a collapse which saw the visitors lose seven wickets for 61 runs in the space of 81 balls, and effectively the match.

Edwards hit four boundaries in the top score of 58 from 85 balls for England Women before she was one of two run-outs by direct hits from Deandra Dottin.
WEST INDIES WOMEN (maximum 50 overs)
S. Taylor run-out (Edwards) 24
P. Lavine c Brunt b Marsh 49
C. Jack not out 81
S. Daley c Shaw b Colvin 7
D. Dottin c and b Colvin 2
M. Aguilleira lbw b Brunt 32
S. King run-out (Edwards) 11
C. Nation not out 4
Extras: (lb-2, w-16, nb-7) 25
Total: (for 5 wkts, 50 overs) 235
Fall of wickets: 1-75, 2-92, 3-140, 4-144, 5-208.
Bowling: Brunt 8-0-40-1 (nb-1, w-2), Guha 7-0-35-0 (nb-4, w-3), Colvin 10-0-47-2 (nb-1), Marsh 9-1-39-1 (w-6), Shaw 7-0-30-0 (w-1), Edwards 8-1-35-0 (w-1), Morgan 1-0-7-0 (w-3).

ENGLAND WOMEN (target: 236 off 50 overs)
C. Edwards run-out 58
E. Rainford-Brent stp. Aguilleira b Taylor 16
L. Greenway b Lavine 41
B. Morgan c Daley b Lavine 1
C. Atkins c Taylor b Lavine 3
H. Colvin run-out 6
K. Brunt c King b Nation 10
L. Marsh c Selman b Nation 11
N. Shaw c Selman b Nation 27
T. Beaumont not out 14
I. Guha c Jack b Daley 0
Extras: (w-6, nb-2) 8
Total: (all out, 47.4 overs) 195
Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-107, 3-114, 4-123, 5-125, 6-132, 7-142, 8-168, 9-190.
Bowling: Selman 7-0-26-0 (w-1), Taylor 10-3-39-1 (w-1), Campbelle 4-0-25-0 (nb-1, w-2), Mohammed 5-0-19-0; Lavine 8-0-26-3; Daley 7.4-0-30-1 (w-1), King 1-0-8-0 (nb-1, w-1), Nation 5-0-22-3 (nb-1).

`Riding for Life 3’…
Minister Anthony challenges cyclists to break stage records
By Michael DaSilva
MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony yesterday challenged participants in this year’s Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/Ministry of Health `Ride for Life’ Five-Stage Cycle Road Race to break last year’s stage records.

The event, which wheels off this morning at 07:30 h from outside the Corriverton Police Station and culminates on Sunday on Homestretch Avenue, has attracted participants from the USA, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St Maarten, Anguilla and Suriname.

Minister Anthony, in delivering a pep talk to most of the participants, challenged them to break the records that were established for each of the five stages over the past two years.

“We would want to see the race grow to involve more Caribbean participation and the only way this can be done is by trying to break the records” Dr Anthony stated.

The minister said he is pleased to have an increase in the number of participants this year, as three years ago there was doubt among many sectors of society that the race would be successful.

Minister Anthony stated that in discussion with the Ministry of Health, the two ministries have been able to secure substance for the event until 2015.

“This is the premier cycling event in the GCF’s calendar, stretching from one end of Guyana (Corentyne, Berbice) to the other (Essequibo), so we can safely term it the `Tour of Guyana’,” Minister Anthony suggested.

He called on the participants to consider at the end of the race the two ministries’ message “Healthy Lifestyles”.

Minister Anthony also reiterated that the two ministries have recognised that the overzealous supporters of the sport interfere with the race and so this year there would be special measures in place for this and every other cycle race in Guyana. “So standards will be set and we want records broken and new times set.”

National cycle coach Hassan Mohamed in opening remarks yesterday welcomed the foreign participants and said he is very happy that this year there would be more overseas competition.

He disclosed that up to yesterday’s departure time, the Surinamese had not arrived but disclosed that those from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and the other Caribbean islands had arrived and most of them made their way up to Corriverton on their own.

When asked about his predictions for this year’s race, Mohamed said the race should be an interesting one and while he did not predict a winner, he said for the first two years of the event, cyclists from his club Carlton Wheelers have won on both occasions.

He reminded that in the inaugural event in 2007, Alonzo Greaves won while last year, Junior Niles came home the winner despite not winning a single stage.

Director of Youth, Carl Brandon, in an invited comment said preparations for stage four of the race (Supenaam to Charity and return to Suddie) is all set as accommodation and meals have already been taken care of, and noted that Essequibians are looking forward to the event.

Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Alfred King, in brief remarks joined Mohamed in welcoming the overseas riders and expressed the hope that they would enjoy what Guyana has to offer.

The PS said for the past 10 weeks his ministry, along with the Ministry of Health, has been putting things in place for a successful staging of the third edition of the event in order to make it a success, and also expressed the hope that the ride along Guyana’s roadways would be as safe as possible.

King said the organisers discussed in detail the past two editions with an aim to make this year’s activity more successful than the other years and reminded that the event is not only about cycling, but about bringing good practices to healthy lifestyles.

Acting president of the Guyana Cycling Federation, Cheryl Thompson, in her remarks to the participants and officials thanked the participants for coming out and said she is looking forward to a keenly but friendly contested event.

She reminded the cyclists to observe the UCI rules as the GCF is looking forward to that.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar in brief remarks told the participants present that they are fortunate to have such an event and called on them to be disciplined throughout.
He called on the foreigners to have fun and a good time.

GDF, Seawall FC tangle in GFF Super League this evening
… seek top-four position
THE Guyana Defence Force and West Demerara’s Seawall FC will tangle from 18:00 h this evening when play in the Guyana Football Federation’s Super League continues.

A win for either team will see them sit comfortably among the top four in the points standing which is headed by Georgetown Football Association’s 2009 Premier League champions Alpha United with 20 points.

GDF currently have 13 points and a win will earn them a further three and a sure place in the final four with one match remaining against Alpha United.

Seawall FC who are on nine points must win both of their remaining games which will take them to 15 points.

Today, also, Milerock of Upper Demerara and East Demerara’s Buxton United who are both on 11 points will tough it out at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden commencing at 20:00 h.

A win for either side will propel them to 14 points and in second position awaiting the other results since this will be their final game.

The competition will continue on Sunday with a double-header at the Uitvlugt Community Centre ground where, from 13:30 h, East Demerara’s Victoria Kings and Liquid Gold of Bartica will be playing for pride and a chance to lift them from the bottom of the standings. Victoria Kings have seven points and Liquid Gold eight.

The feature game brings together Seawall FC and Rosignol United in a match that is expected to be keenly contested since both teams will be seeking to sneak into the top four.

Over at the GCC ground on Sunday, Topp XX, who are already out of the race for the final four, will throw down the gauntlet to Sunburst Camptown who are on 12 points and sitting dangerously and a loss for them (Camptown) will have them hoping that other results go in their favour.

Topp XX will have other ideas and will be hoping to win so that their other Upper Demerara home team Milerock will get in with a fighting chance.

In the second game at the GCC ground, Alpha will oppose GDF in a match that could see the probable two finalists meeting in a dress rehearsal.

In female play, Bartica and Linden will meet at 18:00 h today at the MSC ground in Linden.

Bartica will then travel to Lethem to oppose Rupununi in a match which may determine who will emerge in second place in the women’s tournament.

The game will be played this Sunday at the Lethem ground.

Georgetown have already won the tournament after they defeated Rupununi last Sunday by one goal to nil, a goal scored by Charmaine Wade.
The game was played at the Lethem ground.

Campbell-Brown starts training with new coach
ATLANTA, Georgia (CMC) – Reigning Olympic 200 metres champion Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica has started training under her new coach Tony Carpenter, after completing her move to this American state.

By her standards, the 27-year-old Campbell-Brown had a dismal year in which she was plagued by injury, and failed to hold onto her World Championship gold medal in her pet event in Berlin.

“The month of October saw me parting ways with my long-time coach Lance Brauman,” Campbell-Brown wrote in her online diary on the International Association of Athletics Federations’ website.

“Coach Brauman has guided me since I left high school in Jamaica, and I have had a very productive partnership with him.”

She added: “As I indicated to him when I told him about my decision, his work is sincerely appreciated. (But) I felt there was a need for a change in direction, hence my switch in coaching.

“I am now based in the state of Georgia and my new coach is ‘Tony’ Carpenter. I am eagerly looking forward to the upcoming season.”

Campbell-Brown disclosed that she’s feeling right at home, since her training partners include her husband Omar, the reigning Commonwealth Games 200m champion, as well as Olympic and World Championships 4x400m relay medallist Shereefa Lloyd, and IAAF Youth and Junior 100m champion Dexter Lee.

She noted: “In my previous entry, I had remarked that there is not really an ‘off-season’ in our sport anymore and how right am I?

“It is already November, less than three months since I last competed, and I am already back in training. The last month has been almost whirlwind-like, as I have done so much in so little time.”

Campbell-Brown also related her pleasure at receiving the designation of UNESCO Ambassador for Sport, and her trip to Paris to receive the designation.

“My husband Omar, my manager Claude Bryan and his wife Juanita, and the Jamaican Minister of Sport Ms Olivia Grange accompanied me,” she said.

“We stayed in a hotel just beside the Eiffel Tower, and I had a room with a great view – giving me a direct sight of the marvellous structure.”

She continued: “The ceremony itself was wonderful and it reminded me of how privileged I am to be conferred the honour as I am now in the company of sporting legends such as Brazilian footballer Pele, German Formula One race driver Michael Schumacher, and Belgian tennis star Justine Henin.”

“My role will be to promote gender equity in sports and it is an area that I feel strongly about as I think our sport and sports in general can do a lot to foster this.”

Campbell-Brown was also pleased to be inducted into the University of Arkansas Hall of Fame.

Retired first and second division players honoured by BCB
TEN outstanding former first and second division players and an umpire were honoured by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) under its Tribute to Heroes Programme.

The players honoured included former West Indies opening batsman Leonard Baichan and national wicketkeeper Sydney Jackman, along with Adrian Amsterdam, Edmond Gravesande, Moses Samlall, Moses Jaipaul, Jaipersaud Hardeo, Inderpaul Mohan, Lawrence Bahadur, Godfrey Mendonca and former umpire Courtney Daniels.

Each of the awardees received a hamper from the National Milling Company and two gifts, compliments of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club.

President of the BCB Keith Foster hailed the awardees as living heroes in Berbice cricket as they served the game well in the past and left a high standard for the present generation to follow and uphold.

Foster noted that the BCB under his leadership would not only recognise the current batch of players, but also those who laid the foundation in the past and who in most cases played the game without much rewards.

Chairman of the BCB Special Events Committee, Hilbert Foster, stated that to date close to fifty persons have been honoured under the Tribute to Heroes Programme. He challenged the awardees to share their experience with those currently playing, especially the importance of discipline, team work and a positive attitude.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Baichan who played three Test matches and averaged 46.00, noted it was an honour to be recognised by your cricket board and hailed the BCB for its investment in human resources while at the same time, recognising the contribution of former players and umpires.

He pledged his support for the Board’s work and called on everyone involved in the game to work together with the main aim of making Berbice Cricket the best it can be.

Ferguson wants freedom to appeal
MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes clubs should be free to appeal against European bookings.

Darren Fletcher appeared to be tripped in the area during the 3-3 draw with CSKA Moscow but was instead cautioned by referee Olegario Benquerenca.

"I can't believe the decision. It's one of the worst I've seen," said Ferguson.

"You can't appeal a yellow card - it is crucial because to miss an important game because of that is unfair. They should look at that but they won't."

At present, UEFA follows a strict policy with appeals only allowed on the grounds of mistaken identity.

United were denied an appeal last season when Fletcher was forced to miss the final against Barcelona after being sent-off for a professional foul in the semi-final against Arsenal despite playing the ball.

However, his annoyance at the referee aside, Ferguson was delighted with how his side fought back from 3-1 down to secure qualification to the knockout stages.
"I thought the intensity of our play, and particularly in the last 25 minutes, was terrific," he said.

United recovered after goals from Alan Dzagoev, Milos Krasic and Vasili Berezutski had given the visitors an unlikely lead.

Michael Owen had levelled for United at 1-1 while a Paul Scholes header and Antonio Valencia's deflected shot off Georgy Shchennikov rescued a point and sealed their place in the knockout stages of the competition.

United were lacklustre throughout and defended poorly but still created enough chances to win the game.

A combination of bad finishing, largely from Owen, and fantastic goalkeeping from Igor Akinfeev kept them at bay.

And despite their poor defending Ferguson felt the point his side earned was justified.

"We should have been four up before they even had a strike on goal," said Ferguson.

"We made a lot of chances and we deserved the point because we kept on going.

"Their goalkeeper made some fantastic saves but we lost three goals at home and you don't like that.

"We played very open tonight and it was difficult for Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher in midfield as they played one up front.

"But with the players I had available it was the right team to pick. I just can't believe how many chances we did create and we kept going until the end."

Ferguson praised the contribution of Wayne Rooney, who came off the bench just hours after arriving home with baby Kai Wayne.

"Wayne hadn't had much sleep. I would have preferred to leave him on the bench," added Ferguson.

"I think his energy and confidence were very high. He makes an impact. He is such a good player and is always capable of scoring. He was a wee bit unlucky."

Meanwhile, United's Brazilian defender Fabio da Silva has had a yellow card he picked up in the Carling Cup tie at Barnsley transferred to his brother Rafael.

Fabio was booked for a foul on Jamal Campbell-Ryce at Oakwell last week, but the FA agreed it was a case of mistaken identity. (BBC Sport)

ECB focus on points system
THE England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have released the rules and regulations for the 2010 domestic season and in so doing announced the formulation of a working group who will evaluate the points system in the LV County Championship.

There have been criticisms in recent seasons that the current system places too much emphasis on the collection of bonus points rather than victories, leading to too many draws in first-class cricket.

Now a working group has been established that will assess the current system and report its findings to the ECB in December.

Other notable points include the decision to trial a two-innings one-day format in the Second XI Trophy, something that is likely to be watched with significant interest by those who have called for wholesale change to the ODI format following the inception of Twenty20.

The precise format of the two-innings experiment has yet to be confirmed.

Additionally, the ongoing and vexed question of Kolpak players looks set to get another airing after the ECB confirmed: "A review of the issues relating to the registration and movement of cricketers is currently under way with a working group presenting findings to the December board meeting."

The release also confirmed that in situations where extreme wind was forecast in floodlit fixtures - and lighting rigs were unlikely to be safe - play would be reduced, with both sides being given equal time batting in natural light.

The playing regulations for the new ECB 40-over league were also unveiled, with eight overs of powerplay at the start of each innings and two additional blocks of four overs available during the rest of the game.

Glamorgan's two-point penalty from the 2009 Friends Provident Trophy has been carried forward to the new 40-over competition. (Eurosport)

Stingy Celtics maintain perfect start
PHILADELPHIA, USA (Reuters) - The Boston Celtics maintained their perfect start to the season by trouncing the Philadelphia 76ers, 105-74, on the back of a dominant defensive display and sharp three-point shooting.

Paul Pierce had 21 points and eight rebounds, while key reserve Rasheed Wallace made six three-pointers in his 20-point effort as the Celtics outscored the home team 61-38 in the second half to improve to 5-0.

The Celtics' miserly defence, which has not conceded more than 90 points this year, held the 76ers to just 36 percent in shooting from the field.

"It starts with defence for us," Boston centre Kendrick Perkins told reporters. "We know we're going to get our points. In the Eastern Conference, it's about getting stops."

Andre Iguodala shot 17 points for Philadelphia, who dropped to 2-2 on the season.

The Celtics raced to a 58-38 lead in the third quarter and kept the 76ers at bay, making 57 percent of their shots from the field, including 14-for-20 from the three-point line.

Eddie House made four three-pointers off the bench for 12 points, while Wallace, the seven-footer, signed by the Celtics in the offseason, was dominant from the perimeter.

Point guard Rajon Rondo finished with 11 points and five assists in his first game since signing a five-year extension with Boston on Monday.

Philadelphia point guard Lou Williams, who has taken over the starting spot after Andre Miller's departure to the Portland Trail Blazers, entered the night averaging 20 points and shooting 63 percent but managed just seven on 3-for-10 shooting.

"We need to keep improving in all facets," Williams said. "We'll keep working at it."

Toyota pulls out of Formula One
By Alastair Himmer
TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - Toyota Motor withdrew from Formula One yesterday, leaving Japan without a team in motorsport's premier series.

Company president Akio Toyoda apologised for the team's failure to record a single race victory since joining F1 in 2002 despite an estimated annual budget of around $300 million.

"This was a difficult but ultimately unavoidable decision," he told a news conference in Tokyo. "Since last year with the worsening economic climate, we have been struggling with the question of whether to continue in F1.

"We are pulling out of Formula One completely. I offer my deepest apologies to Toyota's many fans for not being able to achieve the results we had targeted."

The decision by the world's largest carmaker to pull out of Formula One comes as the auto industry starts to stabilise following a sales crunch in the wake of the financial crisis.

Cologne-based Toyota's departure as a team and engine supplier deals another major blow to the sport after Japan's number two carmaker Honda quit the series last December.

It leaves Japan without a team in F1 and continues the drain of Japanese companies from motorsport, which has seen Subaru and Suzuki withdraw from the world rallying championship.

LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS?
Bike maker Kawasaki also scrapped its MotoGP team in the grip of a severe market downturn.

Japanese tyre-maker Bridgestone announced on Monday they would not renew their supply contract with Formula One after the 2010 season.

In July, Toyota's Fuji International Speedway circuit surrendered hosting rights for the Japanese Grand Prix in 2010 and beyond to reduce costs amid the global economic downturn.

The pull-out of Japanese companies from F1 began with Honda-backed Super Aguri, who left for financial reasons early last year.

Toyota's exit leaves just three manufacturers in Formula One -- Ferrari (FIAT), Mercedes and Renault.

It also opens the door for BMW-Sauber's new Swiss owners to take their place as the 13th team on the grid.

Toyota signed the Concorde agreement earlier this year committing themselves to F1 until at least 2012, so a pullout could also have legal ramifications.

Toyota has forecast an operating loss of 750 billion yen ($8.3 billion) on revenues of 16 trillion yen. It is scheduled to report second-quarter results today.

Roebuck blasts Gayle’s reappointment
SYDNEY, Australia (CMC) – Controversial international cricket correspondent Peter Roebuck has blasted Chris Gayle’s reappointment as West Indies captain, slamming the move as “beyond comprehension”.

Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, the British journalist said Gayle’s modest record as captain and his role in the recent contracts impasse had disqualified him from taking up the post.

“Chris Gayle’s nomination as West Indies captain for the coming tour Down Under is beyond comprehension,” Roebuck wrote on Tuesday.

“Far from standing firm, the West Indies Cricket Board has capitulated (WICB) in the most craven manner. Never mind that their captain and senior players have let them down badly and repeatedly.

“Never mind that Gayle’s team was mauled in England or that a shadow side had unavoidably been sent to the Champions Trophy.”

Roebuck also questioned the 29-year-old Jamaican’s commitment, pointing to his late return from the Indian Premier League for the two-Test series in England earlier this year.

Gayle, who represents Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, created a stir when he returned less than 48 hours before the start of the first Test at Lord’s back in May.

West Indies lost the match by 10 wickets inside three days and were also soundly beaten by an innings and 83 runs in the second Test at Chester-le-Street.

“Sympathisers say he cares about West Indian cricket. If so, he has a curious way of showing it,” Roebuck continued.

“Appointed on a wing and a prayer by authorities desperate to stop the inexorable slide in West Indian cricket, the languid Jamaican has been a profound disappointment. If nothing else, his abject performance during last winter’s Test series in England ought to have cost him his job.

“He lingered longer (in the IPL), played an extra match and arrived a couple of days before the series began. So much for leadership. So much for the tradition of West Indian cricket. So much for Test cricket.”

Roebuck contended that Daren Ganga would have been a better choice for captain, especially against the backdrop of how he led the Trinidad & Tobago side at the Twenty20 Champions League.

“West Indian cricket’s truest leader, Daren Ganga, a tactician with a proven record and an ability to unite his players, has not made the touring party,” Roebuck lamented.

“Ganga has a modest record in Test cricket but he does turn up and he does create a strong team culture of the sort West Indian cricket has been missing for decades.”

While Roebuck acknowledged that Gayle’s explosive batting could turn the three-Test series on its head, he said the WICB had missed the trick by returning to Gayle.

“Perhaps Gayle will set the series ablaze with brilliant batting. He has the capacity,” Roebuck speculated.

“Perhaps his players will rally to the cause, whatever that may be. For now, it’s hard to avoid thinking that an opportunity has been missed.

“West Indies have a powerful batting order and some handy pacemen but it will count for nought unless the captain pulls his weight and then some Australia cannot be beaten by the half-baked.”

The Windies will leave for Australia next week where they will play Tests in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, starting November 26.