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ARCHIVES FOR SEPTEMBER 09, 2009

Soldiers are not police
-- Chief-of-Staff stresses
“When the soldiers perform security duties, they will be involved in Joint Services operations where they are asked by the police to provide support…They may not act independently…They are not there to carry out policing functions. That is for the police to do.” – Gary Best

GUYANA Defence Force Chief-of-Staff, Commodore Gary Best has stressed that members of the army do not have the same powers as the police and provide security backup when required.

“When the soldiers perform security duties, they will be involved in Joint Services operations where they are asked by the police to provide support”, he stated.

Best explained that supporting role requires them only to provide a safe environment in which the police are to carry out their functions.

“They may not act independently,” he said. “They are not there to carry out policing functions. That is for the police to do.”

He further explained that when a safe environment exists, the police can do their work and the soldiers need not be there.

Best reiterated that the Coast Guard has civil powers on the waterways of Guyana but no member of the GDF has civil powers on land. He emphasised that army ranks perform two distinct duties -- the first is their defence duty and the second security duty.

The army Chief-of-Staff said he stressed that when on jungle patrols in the far reaches of the interior and on the borders they engage in defence duties. Security duties, he said were performed when the GDF is working in support of the Police.

He indicated that Coast Guard uniforms will, in future, bear name tags and that the ranks will be required to have their identification cards. Members of the public will thus be able to immediately identify the ranks.

Best reiterated this position on August 25 and 28 last when he and other top army and police officers met members of civil society organisations and regional authorities in Bartica and Anna Regina.

The GDF said he undertook the meetings in the wake of the robbery and murder three weeks ago of Dweive Kant Ramdass at the hands of three Coast Guard Ranks, who have confessed to the crimes and are now before the courts.

It said the COS reiterated to the stakeholders at the meetings as he had said before, that the actions of the three rouge soldiers in no way reflect the character of the GDF.

He once again asked the residents of the communities, and all Guyana, to forgive the force for not having detected sooner, from among its ranks, the men whose criminal actions have brought so much pain to the family, relatives and friends of the slain man, the communities, the force, and all of Guyana, it said.

According to the GDF, Best said that despite the horrific occurrence, the army remains committed to the safety and well-being of all the citizens of those regions and Guyana as a whole.

The COS was accompanied by the Commander, GDF Coast Guard and other senior officers of the force. In addition, the Commanders of the Police Divisions of the two regions were at the respective meetings.

The army said that arising from discussions during the meetings were a series of issues which ranged from improper and unprofessional conduct of military and police ranks stationed in the riverine locations, to the need for corrective procedures and processes to be implemented to ensure a greater degree of professionalism by the military and police ranks stationed in those areas.

It said residents and regional representatives called for the superiors of the junior ranks who are usually on duty to execute greater oversight of their subordinates.

While the stakeholders called for a higher degree of accountability by the GDF and the Police, the COS and the GDF were commended for taking ownership of the incident that occurred instead of trying to shift the blame elsewhere, the army reported.

It said the residents felt it was very praiseworthy that the GDF did the honourable thing by assisting Ramdass’s relatives and for being open and honest with them. The leadership of the force was also praised for its efforts to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime were brought to justice, it said.

The GDF said regional authorities asked their civic partners to be careful in their attitudes toward the force and urged them to remember that there are many other good men and women who continue to serve honourably within the force.

Addressing the concerns raised by the stakeholders, the COS explained the operations of the Coast Guard and issued copies of the Standing Operating Procedures and the Coast Guard Act of 1990.

The Coast Guard’s number one mission is safety and in playing this role, the CG will have safety inspectors at loading/embarkation and off-loading/disembarkation points, the army said.

The COS expressed satisfaction at the frankness of the residents and said that systems will be implemented to facilitate more frequent and direct communication with them so that potential issues of discord could be addressed more swiftly.

The Commanding Officer Coast Guard expressed his disgust and deep regret at the unfortunate incident and assured the stakeholders that what transpired was not a part of Coast Guard training. He assured them that the Coast Guard will be working assiduously to restore the confidence of the community and asked for their cooperation in assisting the Coast Guard in executing its duties.

The GDF noted that it has since published in the print media the Coast Guard Standing Operating Procedures for the benefit of the general public, and, in particular, small boat operators who ply the waterways of Guyana.

“The Force encourages all members of the public to report promptly any infractions committed by its ranks and cautions persons against mischief making. The Guyana Defence Force remains committed to the highest principles of integrity in its commitment to serve the people of Guyana”, the army said.

M&CC announces amnesty on interest for rate payers
The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) yesterday announced an amnesty on interest for rate payers in the capital city.

M&CC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Royston King, told the Guyana Chronicle that the facility takes immediate effect and will run until September 30th, 2009.

He explained that the aim of the move is to encourage home owners to settle their outstanding rates to the city.

According to King, property rates account for some 70 per cent of the total revenue collection at City Hall.

He stressed when one compares the amnesty, coupled with the not too civil attitude of some rate payers who neglect their obligation to City Hall, it becomes very clear why the Georgetown municipality is faced with this extant financial challenge.

Notwithstanding this situation, King noted that the City Treasurer’s Department has put all necessary arrangements in place to accommodate home owners who are desirous to capitalise on the facility.

He said the M&CC is urging all defaulters to visit a tax office at City Hall to liquidate their arrears and settle their accounts during the period available.

CARICOM'S URGENT MOVES ON WEST INDIES CRICKET
- President Jagdeo proposes emergency meeting
By Rickey Singh (Barbados)
CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY Governments are in the process of becoming actively involved in a new mission to safeguard the future of West Indies cricket.

The first of contemplated initiatives, following the recent collapse of mediation to resolve a long standing dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players Association, is scheduled to unfold later this week.

Spearheading the moves is current CARICOM chairman, Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo, who had initiated the mediation process under the chairmanship of Sir Shridath Ramphal that failed to produce a positive outcome after a month-long efforts.

As CARICOM chairman, President Jagdeo of Guyana has now proposed an emergency meeting, via video-conferencing, of the Community's Prime Ministerial Sub-committee on West Indies cricket later this week, possibly on Friday.

Sir Shridath has been requested to participate in the video-conferencing.

The intention is that following Friday's discussion, the Prime Ministerial Sub-committee could come forward with an "urgent response" to the implications of the failed mediation process and to make recommendations to all Heads of Government.

Armed with a mandate from Friday's discussion, the Community Secretariat will move speedily to alert all Heads of Government for an extraordinary meeting later this month to determine "a strategy for action", in the best interest of the future of West Indies cricket.

The proposed extraordinary meeting of Heads could well take place in New York, as a matter of "convenience, and urgency", it was explained, as It will coincide with the attendance by all CARICOM's leaders for the start of the new session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Through the Community Secretariat, President Jagdeo reportedly forwarded this past Monday documents that include Sir Shridath's final Draft Agreement; WICB's "counter proposal"; and the mediator's "Memorandum" outlining the strenuous efforts made but failed to resolve the dangerous divide between the Board and WIPA.

While this was taking place, the problem for possible arbitration, as the next alternative to failed mediation, appeared even more unlikely by Monday's surprising decision by the WICB to reverse its earlier decision to drop disciplinary proceedings against "first-choice players" with whom the Board has had recurring disputes.

These developments and more, including the Board's unilateral release of its final "counter-proposals"---which have been blamed by some for wrecking the chance of successful mediation--have come against the backdrop of a verbal blast from former Jamaica Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.

A recognised big enthusiast of cricket, Patterson last month blasted the WICB for endangering the future of a sport that's deeply integrated with the region's history and culture.

He accused the Board for miserably failing to IMPLEMENT (as distinct from approving) ANY of the core recommendations of a 2007 report from a high-level committee he had chaired on the "Governance on West Indies Cricket".

In his memorandum to President Jagdeo as CARICOM's chairman and initiator of the mediation process, Sir Shridath has acknowledged that the process to resolve the dispute "was stormy without being tempestuous and frank, and without being rancorous…"

Sir Shridath also stated that beyond the mediation process, he wished to acknowledge the "value" of the Patterson Committee's report on Governance of West Indies Cricket.

In the mediator's view, the report provides "an excellent and authoritative basis for stakeholders in West Indian cricket to cogitate on the troublous present, to dissuade us from past mistakes and to point a way forward which is upward (and) not downward..."

It was learnt yesterday that once CARICOM Heads of Government agree to act with "speed and purpose", following this week's proposed emergency meeting of the Prime Ministerial Sub-committee on Cricket, then a consensus is expected to be reached on both timing and venue later this month for the extraordinary meeting of all Heads of Government.

Consideration is also being given to the possibility of inviting Patterson to join

the extraordinary meeting's session on West Indies cricket in view of the value of the report from the committee he chaired.

The two other committee members were Sir Alister McIntyre and Dr Ian McDonald, both recognised as being quite knowledgeable in the game. Patterson was conferred with CARICOM's highest honour--Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC)--at the Community's 30th regular summit in July in Guyana.

Improving literacy is everybody’s business
By Vanessa Narine

Minster Shaik Baksh and Minister Dr Desrey Fox viewing a section of the Exhibition. (Photos by Vanessa Narine)

Recognising the ‘Power of Literacy’, this year’s theme for International Literacy Day, Minister of Education, Mr. Shaik Baksh, emphasised that the will to improve literacy in Guyana rests with each individual.

He made these remarks yesterday as he declared open a Book Fair and Exhibition, organised to commemorate the day, at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

Gathered at the NCERD Auditorium for the launch were the Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr Desrey Fox, Director of NCERD Mr. Mohandatt Goolsarran, headteachers from several schools, and other education officials.

Baksh pointed out that worldwide there are 776 million people who are illiterate and Guyana must not fall behind which is why an improvement in literacy levels is imperative.

Speaking of some of the initiatives undertaken in the Education Sector, he highlighted:

* The $251M allocated for the Fast Track Initiative, a countrywide literacy programme, in this year’s budget;

* The establishment of a more focused/concentrated literacy unit, in June of this year, which is staffed, according to Baksh, by some of the best in the education sector; and

* The continuation of the Literacy Hour and other such initiatives that deliver support to the school system, among others.

A cross section of the books on display at the Book Fair and Exhibition.

However, the Education Minister noted that while there have been strides on Guyana’s part, through several interventions, there is more work to be done.

“We have to make changes and do more for the children of Guyana,” Baksh said.

He explained that the Book Fair and Exhibition at NCERD should be taken to the other regions in an attempt to sensitise the Guyanese public to the importance of literacy.

The Minister added that this venture can be done in collaboration with the National Library, which is also working on taking literacy to the people via its mobile unit service.

Baksh pointed out that his Ministry, in collaboration with the National Library, is looking to source mobile units that can operate in each region.

Looking at the schools, Baksh noted that he was very optimistic that Guyana is making some headway with the literacy development system that is being embedded in the school system.

Mr. Nashrullah Khan, head of the newly established Literacy Unit, stated that his Unit is working assiduously in supporting schools in all the regions, since the schools are an important front in the struggle to improve literacy levels.

The Literacy Units has two branches; one headed by a National Coordinator and one by a Schools Coordinator.

The National Coordinator deals with literacy efforts across the country with the target group being out of school youths and adults.

And the Schools Coordinator focuses on school children.

Both coordinators are supported by regional coordinators that propel the Unit’s mandate to focus attention on literacy and numeracy.

Khan said, “There is work to be done; and while we are striving to achieve our objectives the general public is reminded that it must be a collaborative effort.”

Director of NCERD, Mr. Mohandatt Goolsarran, reiterated this and highlighted that the Book Fair and Exhibition was a means to showcase the work that is being done and at the same time emphasise the importance of literacy to a nation.

Among the partners of the Book Fair and Exhibition were New Era Bookstore, Austin’s Bookstore, Adventist Bookstore, Georgetown Reading and Research Centre and the Literacy Bookstore.

Representative stakeholders concurred that ‘The Power of Literacy’ cannot be priced and added that it was a must for national development.

At regional conference…
PAHO endorses Guyana’s inclusive approach to suicide
By Vanessa Narine

Facilitators of the Regional Suicide Conference with Minister Leslie Ramsammy, fourth from left and Dr Kathleen Israel, fifth from left.

A TWO-DAY regional conference began at Pegasus Hotel, in Kingston, Georgetown, on Monday, gathering various stakeholders to develop a National Suicide Prevention Strategy.

The importance of mental health was emphasised as a key area of suicide prevention and the World Health Organisation (WHO) prevention strategies were introduced to delegates also from Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname.

One of the speakers, Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Representative, Dr Kathleen Israel declared it is past the time that the necessary attention and resources be devoted to taking care of the whole person and provide individuals and communities with the tools to look after themselves, both physically and mentally.

She pointed out that the victims have been increasing worldwide by as much as 60 per cent and suicide is now among the three leading causes of deaths in 15 to 44 years old groups.

In that context, Israel said, given the fact that the 15 to 44-year-olds comprise the backbone of the productive sector, the social and economic cost to developing countries could be considerable.

She added that renewed emphasis on primary health ware, with the full involvement of the community, is critical.

“The complexity of the suicide problem begs a multi-disciplinary/multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary/inter-sectoral approach for it to be effectively addressed,” Israel posited.

FEASIBLE
She said current thinking and research have shown that suicide prevention, while feasible, involves a whole series of activities, ranging from provision of the best possible conditions for bringing up children and youth and the effective treatment of mental disorders to the environmental control of risk factors.

In this regard, Israel said, for any response to suicide prevention to be effective, it must involve a wide range of individuals and groups, including health professionals, religious leaders, educators, social agencies, governments, legislators, social communicators, law enforcers, families and communities.

“This workshop is, therefore, more than timely in attempting to address this serious public health problem,” she acknowledged.

Israel said understanding of the root causes of why people resort to suicide as an option for addressing life’s issues is critical, as is an understanding of how to more effectively address the factors related to it and related behaviours.

To this end, she reiterated that the meaningful inclusion of mental health in national public planning, in like manner to the attention given to addressing physical health issues, is overdue.

“This is not an option, it is an imperative and failure to do it is untenable,” the diplomat said.

Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who also spoke at the opening, asserted that Guyana has taken steps in dealing with suicide but agreed more is to be done.

“We have a responsibility to prevent suicide and that responsibility cannot be that of the Government but it must be the responsibility of everyone,” he said.

Ramsammy said some areas that should be considered include:

* a look at the follow back method used in Canada to deal with suicide;

* accessibility through which persons commit suicide, like in Guyana where the more common means is by poison ingestion and

* a look at global agreements surrounding trade issues and availability of certain chemicals with the aid of international agencies such as the PAHO and WHO.

FOCUS
He concurred that it is of importance to put focus on the issue of mental health but said physiological disorders must be addressed as they contribute to the disease burden of a society.

“Mental health has for far too long been neglected. It is contributing to the disease burden and, therefore, the underdevelopment of a country,” Ramsammy observed.

He called for a paradigm shift in the manner of dealing with mental and suggested that, instead of using a restricted model, which is to treat it as a separate and isolated illness, it should be treated by using a continuum model, introducing it in the wider health care system.

“Every health worker should be able to use an index of suspicion when it comes to mental health issues and identifying suicide,” Ramsammy said.

Noting that suicide has always been a public health problem and there has not been enough done to address it, he said the conference should be seen as a timely opportunity to pursue avenues for the purpose.

“Life lost through self-inflicted wounds is not a personal loss but a loss that affects the country and erodes its development,” Ramsammy contended.

He said, with the realisation of the impact of suicide and the necessity to address it, Guyana continues to strengthen its mental health capacity and build on the prevention initiative that has been integrated in its health services.

Additionally, the National Committee for Suicide Prevention (NCSP), which was convened in 2007, has since worked to tackle the issue of suicide prevention through establishing methodology to research the biological, psychological and social factors contributing to suicidal deaths and behaviour in Guyana.

The NCSP also undertaken several other initiatives since its establishment in recognition of the severe negative effects suicides have on the social fabric of society and that it is a concern requiring a national response.

Three arrested in Roreema Dookie kidnapping
Two men and a woman are in police custody following the kidnapping of businessman Beharry Dookie’s daughter, Roreema Dookie, who was taken in front of her school on August 26 by a group of unidentified men.

Reports said that the trio was arrested sometime yesterday and are assisting with investigations.

They were reportedly taken from the house in the Stevedore Housing Scheme where Dookie is believed to have been held by her captors until her escape.

Dookie, in an earlier interview said that her abductor’s girlfriend went into the room where she was being kept and began questioning her.

“She come in and ask which one of them I belong to and before I could try and explain, she went and got a window pane,” she stated.

There was some commotion as Dookie tried to get away from the woman.

This attracted the attention of neighbours who, upon realising who she was, grabbed her and took her to the East La Penitence Police Station.

She added that at no time was she harmed or harassed by the men who took her. According to her, the men, whose faces were covered at all times, grabbed her after her class at the Business School on August 26 at around 20:00 h and took her to a house where they locked her in a bedroom.

Dookie was unable to say where she was being held as she said when she left the house there was a power outage in the area.

“I was very scared but I tried to be brave through the entire thing.”

Dookie also pointed out that she was taken by surprise when the men grabbed her but she cooperated as she was afraid that they would harm her. She added that she had never noticed the strange characters hanging around the school before nor had she seen anyone following her at any time.

Relatives said that demands were made for ransom but none was paid.

Dookie’s father, well-known bar owner, Beharry Dookie, known as "Natoo" of Lamaha and Pike Street, Kitty, last said that he was unaware of the police arrest of three persons for the kidnapping but was nevertheless relieved.

Dookie was taken at gunpoint by three men after her class at the International Business School on Thomas Street.

Two in custody following murder of overseas-based Guyanese

MURDERED: Moti Lall Singh.

Two men are in police custody following the murder of overseas-based Guyanese Moti Lall Singh, whose body was found a short distance from his home at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara, on Monday morning.

The husband of one of Singh’s stepdaughters has since turned himself over to the police at the Lenora Police Station.

Meanwhile, one of Singh’s friends was arrested pending investigations.

However, his stepson with whom he left to go and have drinks and who was detained by the police is likely to be released, along with four female relatives.

The overseas-based Guyanese was knifed to death early Monday morning while on his way home from a liquor bar.

Singh, 45, was staying at 38 Second Street, Windsor Forest. The killing took place about 03:00 h when Singh and his stepson were walking back home after having drinks at a popular Blankenburg hangout, also on West Coast Demerara.

They had just got out of a minibus when they were surprised by three men wearing toques.

The stepson claimed the assailants told him to run and he alerted his wife, who advised him to summon the Police.

He summoned the Police an hour after, but by then Singh had succumbed to his injuries. His jewellery, cash and cellular phone were all found on him.

Singh was wounded in the stomach and his intestines were protruding when his body was discovered on the side of the road on First Street, Windsor Forest.

Singh had come home for the funeral of a brother.

Singh and his stepson had left the house in which he stayed about 17:30 h on Sunday.

Survived by his wife, six step-children and other relatives, Singh was expected to return to the U.S. next week.

Addressing the single parent problem
The government has begun delivering on yet another of its promises to the people of Guyana, as it moves steadily to provide training for single parents in its efforts to empower them so that they would be able to improve their lives and by extension that of their children.

Single parents result from various circumstances including divorce, death and conviction of one parent for crimes etc. While it is ideal for any society not to have single parents, the reality is that this is inevitable and therefore measures have to be implemented to deal with this issue as it involves the future of children.

The single parent problem has been around since the modern era but in today’s world where divorce and broken homes are on the increase the issue of single parents is assuming even greater proportions.

United Families International notes: “For the last four decades, societies have been participating in a great social science experiment regarding divorce. The end result has been disposable marriages and shattered lives. Society's cavalier attitude towards marriage and divorce is not a positive phenomenon and has perpetuated a cycle of failed marriages and a lengthy list of associated social problems detrimental to children and to adults. Divorce is not a solo act, nor is it a victimless phenomenon. There is no debate that divorce has brought enormous physical, emotional, and economic harm to families and to society at large”

“Governments have a great stake in responding to an epidemic divorce rate. Indeed, government can never create enough safety-net programs to compensate for such comprehensive failure in marriage. Divorce prevention should be a high priority around the globe, beginning with a renewed effort to provide positive pre-marriage training, crafting public policy to strengthen existing marriages and to create social and cultural environments supportive of the commitment to marriage. We must reverse the decades of marital decline by not buying into the divorce culture, notions of same-sex marriage, or any form of contemporary sexual liberation. We must regenerate a culture that understands the significance of marriage and in so doing give our children back their lives and their most basic human right — their mother and father bound together in a faithful marriage covenant.”

“The scale of marital breakdowns in the West since 1960 has no historic precedent that I know of, and seems unique. There has been nothing like it for the last 2,000 years and probably longer." -- Lawrence Stone, Princeton University Family Historian

“Divorce can be deceptive — legally it is a single event but psychologically it is a chain, sometimes a never ending chain, of events, relocations and radically shifting relationships strung through time, a process that forever changes the lives of people involved.” --Judith Wallerstein, Second Chances

“Each divorce is the death of a small civilization.” -- Pat Conroy

In Guyana the overwhelming majority of single parents are women and a significant proportion are poor and not properly educated or equipped with appropriate skills and this increases their vulnerability, thereby jeopardising the future of their children who often would have to go job hunting from an early age to make ends meet and would therefore more than likely be deprived of a sound education.

The training programmes across the country for single parents embarked upon by the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security is most relevant and commendable and certainly will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of many single parents and help to equip and empower them with the ability to better their lives and that of their children who suffer the most in situations of broken homes or separation of parents for whatever reasons.

At the recent launching of the training programme for single parents in Region 5, Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir made a very pertinent and practical point when he exhorted that: “We could have given out monetary assistance of $150,000 to each single parent, but what will happen when the money is used up. If we invest to empower you, it will last for a lifetime.” This is tantamount to the old Chinese adage: “Don’t give the man a fish, teach him how to catch a fish.

Indeed, empowerment is the way forward because giving handouts will only create a dependency syndrome which has several negative spin-offs associated with it. At the same time people are given an opportunity to unlock and discover their creative talents which is a key to a successful life.

It would be hoped that as resources allow these training programmes would be intensified as they are critical in helping to reduce vulnerability and poverty.

Whispering Mabel
The work Mabel is forced to observe is the issue of the Mormons totalling over missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and immediately questions the volume of these church workers. She is wondering whether any other religious denomination employs so many proselytes within our country.

Mabel also observes that without any urging or otherwise, PNCR bigwig Volda Lawrence has volunteered the astounding information that her political party is in partnership with the Church of Latter Day Saints, the very church of the Mormons. Indeed, the Stabroek News editorial of Sunday, 6th September, 2009, did suggest as much. Prior to all this news about political association, the PNCR rushed to the defence of the church in attempting to lambaste the government for enforcing the laws of the land as it relates to infringements of immigration regulations.

Quite clearly, then according to long-held convention and practice, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints must be seen as interfering with our internal political affairs as a religious group of outsiders. Dabbling in politics is a no-no and questionable presumption by guests of our country.

Fanciful foot dangling by Robert Corbin, leader of the PNCR, cannot untangle the reality that his party is in engagement in politics with a foreign religious group.

What is the saying about drowning rats?

The truth be told about the Mayor & City Council, it just isn’t possible to say that is newsworthy about the incompetence that has consumed the entire operations of that civic organisation. Cleansing operations must await the Local Government Elections.

Joke of the week is Robert Corbin saying that “steps underway to close PNCR divide,” when the first step should be to rid themselves of Corbin himself.

Shades of misplaced status of grandeur?

According to the latest report from the WPA, the party appears to have lost an identifiable mouthpiece. The newspaper news item “The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) yesterday said that it hoped that the PPP/Civic should not engage in any ‘adventurist’ steps to subvert themselves.”

Notice the obvious dumbness.

STANDARDS CORNER
The Role of Standards in the Development of the Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Sector
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards in keeping with its mandate to develop national standards has formulated a number of standards for the fresh fruits and vegetable sector in order to improve the quality of products available for local consumption as well as exportation. Some of these are: Specification for grades of banana, pineapple, watermelons, cassava, eddoes, plantains, hot peppers etc. These standards have been harmonised with international standards, mainly Codex standards, to facilitate acceptance of Guyana’s products in international markets. The GNBS has formulated three more standards which will further enhance the operations in this sector. These are:

1. Code of Practice for packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables.

This Code of practice specifies hygienic practices for the production and packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables. It addresses microbial, physical and chemical hazards, as these relate to good agricultural and manufacturing practices.

2. Guidelines for the production, processing, labelling and marketing of organically produced foods.

These guidelines set out the principles of organic production at farm, preparation, storage, transport, labelling and marketing stages; and provide an indication of accepted, permissible inputs for soil fertilising and conditioning; plant pest and disease control; food additives and processing aids.

3. Guidelines for Good management practices for micro and small enterprises.

The guidelines in this standard set out the principles for implementing a Quality Management System, Environmental Management System and an Occupational health and safety Management System in all small enterprises including, the fresh fruits and vegetable sector.

When farmers utilise available standards there will be a further increase in the demand for local fruits and vegetables on the international market; which will require expansion in their level of production, hence a significant increase in revenue.

Further, it is compulsory that Guyana as an exporting country of fresh fruits and vegetables comply with the international quality and safety standards promulgated by international standards institutions under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary measures (SPS).

For further information: visit the Guyana National Bureau of Standards at Exhibition Site, Sophia or call on Telephone Nos: 219-0062, 219-0065, 219-0066

TRANSFORMING GUYANA’S POLITICS
By Ralph Ramkarran
POLITICAL alignments all over the world evolve over time. Guyanese of my generation and the preceding one believe that the period 1947 - 1953 marked the beginning of modern politics in Guyana.

That period is nostalgic for those who were interested in or influenced by political events of that time and even in the 1960s when I became an adult.

In 1950 the Guyanese working class was united in a mighty wave by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) whose founding leaders had a vision of freedom and justice that wrested universal adult suffrage from our rulers and swept the PPP to political office in 1953. The 1950s merged into the 1960s as I came to adulthood so the euphoria of struggle and inspiration of 1950/53 were still dominant sentiments in politics.

It was a time of unity, courage, sacrifice and anticipation of the freedom to come. It was also a time of ideals, when all were ‘involved’ in the struggle for the common objective of independence, which would lead to the promised land of freedom and socialism. The rallying cry of ‘death must not find us thinking that we die,’ Martin Carter’s inspiring paean to Ivan Edwards, a live wire in the early PPP and Transport Workers Union, who died by drowning in Barbados in 1952, inspired the generation of Leslie Melville who recently called for a rekindling of ‘the spirit of 1953.’ The shattering ‘clang’ of the ‘illiterate’ prison door ended this era.

Alas, 1953 will never return but the spirit can be rekindled and Leslie Melville’s dream can come true. The movement ruptured in 1955 leading to the first divisive elections in 1957.

Internecine strife in the early 1960s, foreign interference, rigged elections and authoritarian rule, the bitterness and rancour of years of political disputes in the 1970s and 1980s, the end of the cold war, the return of democracy, the changing structure of our society in and up to the 1990s have all led to the hardening of political perceptions and alignments in the 1990s and at present.

But the current political climate offers possibilities. Conditions are now emerging which suggest that the development of a form of expanded political and ethnic unity than currently exists is now possible.

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is today facing daunting challenges. The accession of Opposition Leader Robert Corbin to the leadership of the PNCR five years ago has been followed by a gradual withdrawal of support by its middle class adherents.

A similar disenchantment occurred from the late 1970s when Burnham overreached for power with a referendum and a new constitution in the midst of a deep economic crisis.

It was eventually followed by the loss of office by the PNCR in 1992, a loss from which it has never recovered and which the PNCR has been struggling unsuccessfully to come to terms with ever since. The challenges from the Alliance For Change (AFC) has not made it easier.

The last two Congresses of the PNCR exposed, through the leadership controversies, the deep dissatisfaction of the core middle class membership with the current leadership of the PNCR.

I believe that the disaffected members, together with the PNCR’s broad middle class support are waiting in the wings for a leadership acceptable to them to emerge at which time they will restore their support.

This has happened before. When Burnham died the middle class support that he had driven away by his excesses returned and remained with the PNCR until Hoyte passed away.

This middle class is vital for the PNCR. It is its anchor, necessary in turbulent times. It is influential in the society and has provided the intellectual and academic resources for PNCR policy development and advocacy. It gives prestige to the PNCR.

While this middle class is in the stands, the PNCR will remain hobbled.

Because of the challenges resulting from this loss of support, the PNCR will face an insurmountable task to maintain its already reduced level of electoral strength at the next general elections. Meanwhile the PPP, with its unified leadership and formidable Party machinery, perfected in difficult conditions and still intact, appears equipped and resourced to dominate the political landscape for years to come.

With the expectation that succeeding leaderships of the PPP will continue the Party’s policies of inspiring the unity of the Guyanese people, promoting economic growth, advocating fairness and equality, ensuring equity in resource allocation, providing human security for all sections of the population, and if it convinces the disaffected middle class supporters of the PNCR that it will strive to deliver on these goals, then there is no reason why the PPP ought not to seek to attract, and win, the support of this large and influential section of the Guyanese population.

This is a realizable goal and if this happens it can transform politics in Guyana.

The PPP’s unique creation, the CIVIC, still exists as a forum to attract the support of Guyanese who do not share the PPP’s political orientation, but who agree with enough of its policies to accept it as a credible vehicle to achieve Guyana’s important goals by working together and in consultation with opposition parties and civil society.

The burdens of office have deprived the PPP of the time to focus on the structuring of the CIVIC in such a way as to increase its capacity to attract increasingly large forces in the society, such as the current PNCR’s disaffected leadership.

This can be done in such a way to maintain their political independence while advancing the cause of Guyana.

I do not speak for the PPP on this matter because I have not consulted my colleagues.

But subject to that, I invite the members of the PNCR who are now contemplating withdrawal from it, and those who have already done so, to consider the CIVIC, fashioned to current needs, fashioned even by themselves to their needs, as their new political home.

This can be the beginning of the long journey back to 1953 in search of the future. (www.conversationtree.gy)

‘The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is today facing daunting challenges. The accession of Opposition Leader Robert Corbin to the leadership of the PNCR five years ago has been followed by a gradual withdrawal of support by its middle class adherents. A similar disenchantment occurred from the late 1970s when Burnham overreached for power with a referendum and a new constitution in the midst of a deep economic crisis. It was eventually followed by the loss of office by the PNCR in 1992, a loss from which it has never recovered and which the PNCR has been struggling unsuccessfully to come to terms with ever since. The challenges from the Alliance For Change (AFC) has not made it easier.’

The parrot
Prickled by a pickle
The Parrot would never profess to be a connoisseur of pickle. No sire, the tartness is repulsive to my taste buds.

The vinegary onslaught on my palate is too overwhelming for any sort of ingestion. By extension, digestion is not even a figment of my imagination.

De thing just too sour! Plenty sour! Sometimes the mere visual contact with such edibles induces nauseous propensities. As such, the distance between the Parrot’s primary anatomical structure for ingestion and the pickle jar is so vast that even Usain Bolt would be unable to cover it despite his seemingly super-human efforts.

Based on many recent discussions pertaining to pickles, the Parrot feels as if it is in a minority with regards to consumption. It seems plenty people just like the thing.

Never would I have thought that such acidity would be considered as a delicacy. Well, there is an old adage for that; “the more yuh live, the more yuh see”.

And boy did I see! Who would have thought that so many big people like pickle? By “big” I don’t mean size, you know; “plus” sizes. I mean big people like being adults and their status in this here society. By status, all are included, including politicians.

As a young Parrot, the school vendors, most if not all, seemed to have specialised in pickling. The vendors’ stands were cluttered with numerous bottles containing various chips, sweets, jams and pickles. Mango, gooseberry, cucumber and golden-apple are the “hot-cakes” pickles.

What’s that? A banana pickle? I don’t know. I hate to imagine someone in the process of ingesting one. Today, schools around the country offer a wide variety of this “delicacy” which provides good business.

The children would flock around during breaks. But somehow, I don’t see the adults converging at the stands and jostling to be sold.

Subsequent checks revealed that they prefer not be seen when procuring and ingesting pickles.

They want this exercise in mastication to be hidden from the probing eyes of the public. They resort to clandestine operations to so source and indulge in the digestion of their favourite pickles.

Whilst being involved clandestinely, they did not envisage the investigative capabilities of RP, not that Persaud who is the Grow More boss over at the Agriculture Ministry, but Randy; Randy Persaud, with the Dr in front.

The man discovered how some leading politicians love pickles.

According to him, Randy that is, some so love the taste of sour that they jump into the vat (not Kurshid’s) which facilitates the pickling process.

He has shown how the AFC has ended up in the pickle. Not only did they eat, they ended up in the tart brew and were even taken for a cucumber pickle. They joined historical pickles from the PNCR (Pickles Now Congregating Rapidly) as they discharged their “sourness” by protesting and boycotting Uncle Ralph’s Chambers.

They have been doing this for a while since a certain court case began in the US of A. This was the excuse to take vinegary positions in the streets and in front some important edifices.

Whilst doing this, they never thought they would have been caught. Randy was responsible. By associating with the seasoned pickles, sorry, protesters from the Place of CONgress, the AFC (All Freddie’s Colleagues) have not only added more “sourness” to the already “sour” pickle marinade, but have leaped into the said vat.

By leaping, as in the principle of floatation, they have displaced an amount equal to their weight in “sourness”; “sour” in, “sour” out. The AFC, whilst swimming in the pickle, have sought to deny that they are not so submerged.

This can be explained. Being infused with “sourness”, the sour brew in the vat has little or no effect on them. In other words, their engrained “sourness” has provided the “immunity” from the effects of the vat. Simply put, sour don’t affect sour.

It doesn’t mean that they are not sour nor are they out of the pickle. Having been discovered in the pickle, the AFC got prickled.

This term is used colloquially to describe someone who is intoxicated or vex; blue vex. Both apply to the AFC being in the pickle. They are so intoxicated with “sourness” and vex, blue vex, that Randy squealed. What is left is a prickled pickled AFC.

For the AFC to become de-prickled and de-pickled is for them to just answer Randy. Tell de man where yuh stand. Not with Uncle Bob at the Place of CONgress.

Everybody knows you are there. Randy wants to know where you stand on rigged elections as strongly alleged by some of yours and Uncle Bob’s former colleagues. Not only Randy wants to know, but everybody else, including the pickle eaters.

Boy, don’t we learn with time! Who would have contemplated in 2006 that the AFC would have ended up in the same pickle as the PNCR? Another adage surfaces; “what happens in de dark does one day come to light”. Squawk! Squawk!

Lewis’s anti-sugar workers agenda is becoming pronounced
THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) views with grave concern the misleading and malicious assertions made by Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary of the Caribbean Congress of Labour in a letter entitled “An open letter to Rickey Singh” published in the August 23, 2009 edition of Kaieteur News. In that letter Lewis categorically states that the Government of Guyana dismantled the Bauxite Industry Pension Fund while providing significant sums to the Sugar Industry’s Pension Fund.

With respect to the Sugar Industry’s Pension Fund, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) maintains a Contributory Pension Scheme called the Sugar Trading Enterprise Pension Scheme (STEPS). The Scheme applies to senior and junior managerial and supervisory staffers, with employees contributing five (5) per cent of their salary and the employer, eight (8) per cent. Piece and time-rated employees receive pensions through an ex-gratia arrangement, funded wholly and solely by the Corporation. Under this arrangement, an employee’s pension is determined by his years of service and earnings levels. Contrary to Lewis’ assertions, never have any of these arrangements received support from the Government.

Lewis also claimed that the government continues to allocate significant resources to the sugar industry despite declining Preferential Prices. For Lewis’ information, the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP) formed an integral component of the Guysuco Strategic Plan, which took into account lower revenue arising out of reform of the EU Sugar Regime. Further, the Project was scrutinized by independent experts who found the Project to be viable and allowed the Government to secure funding from among others, the World Bank. All the loans are to be repaid by the Industry whose contribution initially is US$68m.

It must be emphasised that the sugar industry ought not to be seen only from a bottom line dollar position, but from a comprehensive, macro and holistic position of what it contributes to our nation. Just imagine if the Industry is to be done away with what will be its replacement to avoid the social consequences to the Nation that will certainly attend its closure. The sugar industry remains an intrinsic component of the economy. Many developed and developing countries continue to maintain their vital agricultural industries through appropriate interventions and support.

The socio-economic reality is that the sugar industry is still the nation’s lifeblood. To cut it off, to engender its failure, is to endanger the very economy of Guyana at this time

What Lewis should be explaining to his converted sycophants is the vital position of sugar vis-à-vis the challenges facing bauxite internationally – and the fact that the government subsidises the people of Linden against great odds

It is interesting to note, however, that Lewis’ anti-sugar workers agenda is well known and is becoming more pronounced.
ASLIM SINGH
Research Department
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Pleased about President’s planned visit to Iran
I was very disappointed with the news of the President’s recent trip to the Middle East. He went to a few Arab states accompanied with a delegation of Guyanese Muslims, skipping Iran. As a Guyanese Muslim of Indian decent, I would have thought that the most important country for the President to visit would be Iran. Guyanese Muslims are culturally closer to Iran than any Arab nation. Most Muslims in Guyana originally came from India, where Islam ruled for 800 years. For most of this time, the dominant influence was Persia (Iran). The official language of India was Farsi (Persian). The practice of Islam was greatly influenced by Iran. Traditionally, our fore parents who brought Islam from India were more Persian in their practice of Islam, than Arab. Many of our fore parents spoke Farsi (Persian), a language that is very close to Urdu spoken among the Muslims in the India subcontinent today. Though Muslims in Guyana have lost many important traditions with the passage of time, such traditions as the various forms of Islamic songs, eg qawwalis, qaseeda, etc sung in the Urdu and sometimes Farsi language at functions, Islamic occasions and on the national radio, especially in the month of Ramadan have become a part of life and links us to the Persian subcontinent, where this unique and rich culture developed.

Another living evidence of our foreparents attachment to Iran is the fact that most Muslims adopted the title Ali (after the Cousin of the Holy Prophet), a tradition which was offending in the Arab world because of the facts of Islamic history. After the demise of the Holy Prophet a group of Muslims harboured around the family of the Prophet accepting Ali and Imams from the Descendants of the Holy Prophet as the rightful leaders of the Muslims. This group of Muslims were called Shia-te-Ali (Partisans of Ali) or Shia in short and includes also the descendants of the Holy Prophet. The main concentration of Shia is in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria with minorities scattered throughout the Arab world, accounting for 25 per cent of the total Muslim population worldwide. The Indian Muslims not only chose the name of Ali as their title, after conversion to Islam, but also chose first names that compliment the noble traits of Ali, eg Zhulfiqar Ali (sword of Ali), Chirag Ali (light of Ali, Mazahar Ali among a few. Many were named after the sons of Ali, eg, Hassan, Hussain and together with the title Mohamed, Muslim names adopted by Indians were primarily derived from the Holy Prophet of Islam and his noble family. This is living proof of our strong ties with Iran. The traditional Islam practiced in Guyana has more semblances to Iran than to Arab nations.

The strong attachment of the ‘Indentured’ Muslims and their children to the family of the Holy Prophet was also evident in the Muharram observances. The Islamic month was treated with special regard because of the killing of the grandson of the Holy Prophet and close relatives by the despotic Caliph of that time. No amusement or happy occasions were entertained in the Muslim family – no music, no weddings, etc, in sympathy with the family and relations of the Prophet who were martyred in the aimed ‘Tragedy of Kerbala, The most vibrant of expression this month – the TADJA procession became the biggest commemorative/festive activity of all Indentured people. It was banned by the British colonial rulers because of the fear that it will spark revolution against colonial rulership. The Moharran observances were similar to those practiced in Iran and are the strongest indication of our ties with Iran.

(Iran’s influence in India was so tremendous that during the Muslim rule more Hindus read the Bhagwat Gita in Farsi than in Hindi languages).

Source: Iran and the surrounding world: interactions in culture and cultural politics. By Nikki R. Keddi, Rudolph P. Matthee

Iran, also, has since history had great relations with North and Central Africa. Arabism which is gradually replacing Islam in the Arab world has backslided on the noble teachings of the Holy Prophet and especially with regards to the treatment of non-Arabs. Bilal and Fizza were Ethiopians having close regards by the Holy Prophet. They were not heard of again in the Arab world after he (the Prophet) died. It was the Persians who continued following the noble teachings of Islam and embraced everyone with a true sense of brotherhood of humanity.

A visit to Iran by the President would be of more benefit to Guyana. Iran has practically demonstrated how a nation can become self-ufficient to the extent of emerging as a super-power having nuclear capabilities. Iran 30 years ago depended totally on foreign products. Today Iran produces almost everything they need. Guyana can do well with this experience and especially from a nation that is willing to give a helping hand. Modern colonialist powers aim at exploitation of one’s country’s natural resources for their own benefit.

With the very high possibility of oil deposits, the far better deal for Guyana would be to seek the help of Iran in all aspects of oil exploration. That is what is happening in Latin American countries.

I wonder, what prevented the President from going to Iran? Is it the pressure of international propaganda politics, where Iran is being broadcasted as a ‘rogue state’ or is it that an ‘Arab-sponsored Muslim’ advice the President.

I felt happier recently when I heard that the President is planning to visit Iran. We need to shake off international political propaganda and narrow-mindedness and see the world as a global community helping one another. We need to see the world as it really is and not through the eyes of those who have self-interest. Contrary to what propaganda would want us to believe, Iran is a model of a dignified nation and the most Islamic of all ‘Muslim countries’
ASHRAF ALLI
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Athletes who cheat should face a lifetime ban
I am always in awe when others are available and pen publications on sports and Kit Nascimento's contribution on 9/6/09 in the GT deserves acknowledgement.

On another aspect relating to sports, it was just made public that four Jamaican athletes admitted to digesting banned substance and namely, Yohan Blake, Marvin Anderson, Allodin Fotergill and Lanceford Spence.

My expectation is that they not only pay the penalty sanctioned by the World Sporting Body, but they should all be banned for life from all future competitions.

Am I been harsh? No.

The world had a field day with the unfortunate circumstances surrounding US Marion Jones and she returned her medals as requested. I am also certain that her name was erased from the events at different meetings where her performances became questionable by the Sporting Body, she served her time as a guest of her country and she was banned for life from competition.

As much as I was a huge fan of hers, she made unhealthy decisions and she had to pay the price meted out by the authorities.

In my books now, there should be no second chances given to any cheat/s in sports and all found guilty should face the gun with a lifetime ban.
T. PEMBERTON
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No more Jim Joneses; corrupt and morally bankrupt evangelists
I read with great interest this developing story reported in your esteemed newspaper and would like to comment as follows:

1) Once those people broke our laws, they should be deported forthwith and should not be allowed re-entry as they are likely to break the law again. Furthermore, I would like to ask what happens to Guyanese on visitors visas to the USA who over stay their time? Quite likely many of them are severely penalised by the rejection of future applications for visas etc.

The point is that not because we are a small poor country we should accept anything that people of the developed world would like to foist on us.

2) I am of the strong opinion that the agenda of these foreign based churches is the aggressive conversion of our poor Hindus and Muslims, in particular by dangling the carrot of material help and then coercing them to join these churches.

It is mind boggling to see a host of foreign looking youths walking and riding throughout the length and breadth of Guyana on this mission of conversion.

The Ministry of Home Affairs must crack down on the issuance of visas to representatives of these foreign based churches as they are taking advantage of the poverty of our people.

3) Guyana has well established Hindu, Muslim and Christian churches and probably has more places of worship per head of population than most countries in the world .We do not need foreign missionaries coming in droves to convert our hapless people.

I know that it is very difficult for a Hindu or Muslim Missionary to get a work visa to go to the USA, Canada, and Europe etc.

In conclusion kudos to the government and Commissioner of Police for taking the correct steps which should be further reinforced by reviewing the very lax policy of allowing droves of foreign missionaries into our country.

No more Jim Joneses and corrupt and morally bankrupt evangelists.
C. PERSAUD
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Salary of Corriverton Primary School teacher withheld
LAST school year I wrote this newspaper when the Department of Education, Region 6 withheld my salaries because I was pursuing studies at the University of Guyana, Berbice Campus after school hours. The authorities withheld my salary for November 2008 to April 2009 although I had worked. The salaries were released in part at the officers’ own whims except for the salary for February 2009.

Every month end, since May, I have been asking the head teacher, Ms Sonawattie Singh, about my February salary and would receive this response: “Yuh gon get it.” I have been very patient and a new school year has started, yet no salary for February 2009 is paid to me. At a staff meeting on Friday, there was no definite answer anymore. Now I am somewhat convinced that somebody has embezzled my salary.

The Department of Education changed my payment from bank to cash in January without my knowledge. I worked for my salary like in any other month and this attack on me is likened to the days of slavery.

The education authorities put me at great risk in July and August. The head teacher telephoned me to uplift my salaries and each month I had to walk through a desolate street to get to the Corriverton Primary School to uplift my salary in cash.

Why am I robbed my salary for February 2009 when the education officials in Region 6 have urgent issues to address at Corriverton Primary School?

1. The Department of Education transferred a teacher, a Trained Unqualified Master/Mistress (TUM), from Corriverton Primary in March 2009 upon her request, to Massiah Primary and issued another transfer back to Corriverton Primary on September 1, 2009.

2. My name was mysteriously omitted from the Teachers’ Attendance Register and later written at the bottom.

3. Pupils are moved from ‘dunce teacher’ class to ‘bright teacher’ class at parents’ request. This started at the end of last term and continued in this term. This caused tempers to flare between teachers last Wednesday.

4. Some teachers exhausted their medical leave, UPA leave and MSL. Once I was in the office last term at 10:30 hours when the head teacher called at a teacher’s home to know if he would be coming to school. I have never overstepped my leave and if I would ever absent I am always prompt with my excuse.

5. A male and a female teacher who usually engage in ‘love play’ in the presence of pupils would remain in a classroom locked away until after 16:00 hours some days. Last Thursday was no exception and this seems okay with those in authority.

I want to know what has happened to my salary for February 2009 and I would like the relevant authorities to investigate this.
SALOME HOOPER
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JPs/COA urged to adhere to correct procedures
A declarant is required to sign a Statutory Declaration, Affirmation or Affidavit before a Justice of the Peace/Commissioner of Oaths (JP/COA) by being present in person at the time of signing. Unfortunately, it has been the custom and practice for certain legal practitioners to send their clerks with the documents bearing pre-written signatures of Declarants and requiring the signature and stamp of the JP/COA in order to complete the process. This is an irregularity.

Some JPs/COA even affix their signatures and stamp to the documents even without acquainting themselves thoroughly with the contents therein. Although the Declarant, however, is solely responsible for whatever a document may imply or connote, the JP/COA involved should not blindly respond thereto. As a matter of fact, the JP/COA should ensure that the declarant clearly understands what he is signing for.

JPs/COA are expected to verify the identity of the declarant by proper means of identification, eg. ID card, Passport, Travel Document or Driver’s Licence.

JPs/COA are therefore advised to avoid any malpractices as regards adhering to the correct procedure at all times.
HERMON BHOLAISINGH
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At a loss to understand reason for resignation call of Rohee
I read in the Kaieteur News an article by Freddie Kissoon headlines, Clement Rohee must resign. I read the article about a dozen times and I am at a loss to understand the reason for the call to resign. Can Kissoon clarity and explain if he can. The article itself is devoid of any sense and consistency. I recall Kissoon protesting that Indian Film actresses are selected because of their clear complexion. Perhaps the film people who audition and select prospective actresses are of the view that dark skinned people are prone to be worthless and vindictive, bad minded and envious of everyone else. Kissoon is not clear complexioned. Can he comment on this?

The article by Kissoon betrays his narrow, selfish and jealous nature. This is what he wrote, “as someone who hardly made it through primary school Mr. Rohee rose to become one of the longest serving Cabinet Minister in the CARICOM region”. What proof he has that Mr. Rohee did not finish primary school. Can he recommend a ‘reputable institution’ to conduct a survey to determine the admiration the citizens have for Mr. Rohee? At the same time can be get that respectable institution to canvass the views of the citizens concerning Kissoon’s character? Kissoon goes on to write “it is a huge embarrassment for a nation when a Minister of a Government in 2009 does not know about Google’s search”, and continued, “I can understand a mediocre pretender like Vishnu Bisram who didn’t know about that.” Kissoon should be advised that what Bisram has forgotten about Google search and computers Kissoon has not yet begin to know. You see the jealousy of the man Kissoon. It is a pity that someone claiming to be a Dr. Dalgeet has joined his bandwagon to challenge Bisram’s credentials. In the said article by Kissoon he wrote about Mr Rohee and visa. He claimed that he Googled the following questions: “Mr. Rohee USA Visa Revoked” and he got 122 items. Can Kissoon be honest and say which one of the 122 items confirmed that Mr. Rohee’s visa was revoked? As a ‘lecturer’ Kissoon ought to know the different between a revocation of a visa and the refusal/revocation of an application for a Visa.

Does anyone believe that Kissoon was told by a US Embassy official why Mr. Rohee’s visa was not granted, and that the official told him not to print it? Who can believe that Kissoon who enjoys a consistent defect in his character make-up, that is, a diarrhoeal mouth would not have told the world the cause of the revocation of the visa, or the refusal of a visa –depending on which one he really meant.
WESLEY HEADLEY
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Old New Amsterdam Hospital building should be refurbished to house scattered Government Departments
AMIDST all the wailing and beating of breasts for the old New Amsterdam Hospital, may I offer a simple suggestion:

Let the government refurbish the building and departmentalise it to house the various scattered Government Departments in Berbice.

In simple words, preserve the historical significance of the building while at the same time, provide a "one stop shop" place where Berbicians can get service and do business with the government.

How will it be paid for? The money saved from rental or maintenance or sale of all those scattered present locations where Government Departments are now being housed.

Just think about it, will you.
SHAWN MANGRU

Caribbean Fury boxing card boosted by COURTS $400,000. cheque
By Storme Moore

Peter Abdool of the GBBC receives the cheque from Clyde de Haas.

S&S Promotions and Holland Entertainment were on the receiving end of the continued magnanimity of corporate giants COURTS Guyana Inc. yesterday as they were presented them with a cheque for $400,000. towards their Caribbean Fury boxing card that is set for September 26.

Carwyn Holland assured the sponsor that their kindness will not go in vain as he emphasised the fact that this will be a history making event.

According to Holland this will be the second time that such a world rated Guyanese fighter, Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore who is 7th in the world’s ratings, will be doing battle at home for a major title.

And to top it all off Moore will be fighting former IBF, WBO and IBA world champion, Colombia’s Mauricio Pastrana for five titles.

These include the North American Boxing Association (NABA), the Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE), the WBA Fedecaribe and the WBA Fedelatin championships. The other title which is the WBC Inter-Continental Title is a possibility but has not yet been confirmed.

“This will be the biggest Guyanese boxing event in decades” he said.

Clyde de Haas who is the Manager of Purchases and the acting Country Manager of COURTS Guyana Inc. said that the entity is proud to be a sponsor of the international event. De Haas said that in serving in this capacity Courts sticks to it’s motto of “Bringing Value Home” and they are glad to be an aid in bringing such high level entertainment to at ringside come fight night.

Peter Abdool, President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control, said that this event poses a big opportunity for Guyana as it will receive airplay in 22 foreign territories; as such he thanked COURTS for their support in helping Guyana to shine on the international boxing scene.

COURTS, who Abdool described, as a sterling supporter of boxing has been doling out such incentives for years and in their honour he said “this is the Courts world title bout”.

The Caribbean Fury boxing card will also see “The Battersea Bomber” Howard Eastman in action against Trinidadian and World Boxing Empire (WBE) Champion Kevin Placide.

Guyana’s Heavyweight Champion Mitchell Rogers will also be in action. Dexter Marques will stand toe to toe with Hewley Robertson while another Guyanese Iwan Azore will face off with Wayne Briggs and Paul Lewis Jr. also of Guyana tackles Shawn Pile.

Club Champions League in India...
Borde tips T&T to put up strong challenge
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Trinidad & Tobago team manager, Colin Borde has tipped the national side to challenge strongly in the upcoming club Champions League in India, despite the tough competition they are expected to face.

T&T, the regional Twenty20 kings, have been installed in Group A of the lucrative tournament with IPL champions Deccan Chargers and English title holders Somerset.

“We have a very good chance to win matches and prove to the world that the standard of cricket in T&T is high,” Borde said.

“This is a tough tournament and there will be no easy games but I have confidence in our squad that they can go very far.

“We are going there with the hope of winning every game. It is not a matter of thinking that we are going to lose against the big team Deccan Chargers and hoping for a win against Somerset.”

T&T will be boosted by the inclusion of several of their top players who have international experience and Borde said this would be a definite plus for the side.

“We have a number of experienced players like Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Daren Ganga and Rayad Emrit and they would play a vital role in leading the others,” the official said.

“This T&T team has been doing very well in regional cricket and although the Champions League is a major step-up, they are talented enough to fit in and get the job done.”

T&T are currently in training for the October tournament and are expected to have two trial matches before trimming the final squad to 15 before their departure.

Borde said while the rainy weather had hampered preparations somewhat, he was still pleased with the commitment of the squad during the training sessions.

“The inclement weather has been a factor in our preparations thus far but we are hoping to round off our preparations with at least two trial matches,” he said.

“The guys have been working very hard and they have taken a very professional outlook to their preparations. We have been touching all aspects of the game in our training sessions and we are about to embark on some game scenarios.”

T&T will begin their campaign on October 12 against Somerset at Bangalore before meeting Deccan Chargers on October 14 at Hyderabad.

They are scheduled to leave here on October 4.

Soca Warriors still chasing points despite losses-coach Latapy
…face US today at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras, (CMC) – Trinidad & Tobago coach Russell Latapy said his Soca Warriors would strive to win their remaining matches in the World Cup qualifying campaign, even as the country’s hopes of making next year’s showpiece in South Africa all but faded with another defeat at the weekend.

With their latest loss, a 4-1 trouncing at the hands of Honduras here, T&T remained bottom of the CONCACAF zone tables with five points from seven matches.

In their final three matches, T&T face tough assignments against the United States, Costa Rica and Mexico but Latapy said it was important to get maximum points from these fixtures to create a winning culture for the younger players.

“As a national team you always go out to try and win all your matches and that is what we are going to do in our remaining three games,” Latapy said following Saturday’s defeat.

“Every time a player represents the country they must play to the best of their ability. We want to end up with as much points as we can.

“We are also changing generations as well so winning games brings confidence for the players so that means we are going to try and win as much games as possible.”

T&T face the USA today at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, with the Americans on the verge of qualification with 13 points from their campaign.

They have a similar number of points to Honduras who with their win over T&T, also put themselves firmly in pole position to secure a qualifying spot.

Latapy admitted taking points away from Honduras at home would have always been a difficult prospect.

“We know that coming to Honduras was always going to be a very difficult game. I must say congrats to Honduras. They made this stadium a very difficult one to come to and well done to them,” said Latapy who took up the head coach role earlier this year.

“In my opinion, we gave away two very soft goals as well and these are the mistakes you need to avoid when you play matches like this. But again we will point no fingers and we will regroup and come again for the remainder of matches starting on Wednesday at home.”

T&T will have a short break after their US fixture before they play Costa Rica on October 10 and Costa Rica four days later.

WIPA advises players to seek legal advice
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) has advised its players who are subject to disciplinary action by the West Indies Cricket Board to seek legal advice.

In a release yesterday, WIPA stated they had read with dismay the statement issued by the West Indies Cricket Board on September 7, regarding continuation of disciplinary matters against a number of players.

The players’ union feels that the WICB’s statement not only announces the regional governing body’s intention to continue such matters, but it goes considerably further making claims that are highly prejudicial and intrinsically at odds with the very process the WICB wants to pursue.

According to WIPA, it is clear that several of the statements made in Monday’s release have already drawn conclusions that impinge on the entitlements of the players who may be the subject of any such disciplinary matters.

“It may well give them the view that the WICB referral mentioned in the release is for sentencing rather than for hearing,” WIPA stated in the news release.

The WICB has said that they would continue disciplinary action on the players for a number of breaches of the Code of Conduct during home series against England, India, and Bangladesh earlier this year.

Wins for Christianburg and Back Scheme
By Joe Chapman
THE Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport sponsored Linden Inter Block basketball championship bounced off on Monday with wins for Christiabnburg/ Blueberry Hill scoring a 76-43 win over Block 22/Wisrock while Back Scheme defeated Front Scheme 53-50 in a battle of the Amelia’s ward sides at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

Christianburg/ Blueberry Hill led at half time 47-21 and with the scoring spread among the players they were never threatened as Wendell Warrick with 19, Stryon Obermuller 14, Shane Lewis and Mark Louis 12 apiece ensuring the win.

Gavin Clarke was the best player for Block 22/ Wisrock with 13 points.

In the other game Amelia’s Ward Back Scheme edged past their Front counterparts 53-50 after leading at half time 27-22.

Leading scorers for the winning Back Scheme side were junior national Akeem Kanhai with 15 points, Javon Nelson and Oscar Adams with 10 each, while for the losing Front team Kevin Joseph had a game high 16 points and Lawrence Da Costa 11.

The competition continues today (Wednesday) with two more matches where in game one at 19.00h Constabulary/ Richmond Hill/ Fairs Rust/ Watooka take on Central Mackenzie/ Retrieve and at 21.00h the First, Second and Third Alleys combine to face Canvas City/ Half Mile/ One Mile.

The tournament will see play in two groups namely on the East and West of Linden.

Two groups are from the east comprises Amelia’s Ward Front, Amelia’s Ward Back Scheme, Cockatara/ Retrieve/ Kara Kara, Constabulary/ Richmond Hill/ Fairs Rust/ Noietgedacht and the west comprises Christiabnburg/ Blueberry Hill, Canvas City/ Half Mile/ One Mile, Silvertown/ Scheme, First, Second and Third Alleys/ Silver City/ Victory Valley.

Sir Garfield says practice must be viewed seriously
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: In a brief motivational address to the participants of the Digicel Cricket Clinics in Barbados, the world’s greatest all -rounder, Sir Garfield Sobers, emphasised that practice must be viewed as a serious endeavour and not a necessary inconvenience.

“Practicing is very important, it is one of the most important things in cricket development and not just practicing but doing it the right way from a very young age,” Sir Garry told the youngsters prior to the start of the second day of the Digicel Cricket Clinics at the world renowned Kensington Oval.

“Some players practice to have fun and some players practice to be serious and improve their game, so I implore you to practice seriously and practice the right way and you will improve,” Sir Garry pleaded with the youngsters.

Sir Garry – who appeared in 93 Test matches scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 – also explained afterwards that the young Under-13 players must strive to retain the knowledge they acquire during the Digicel Cricket Clinics and not just let it go to waste.

“I am also telling them to retain the things the coaches tell them and that the coaches that are teaching them haven’t come to tell them things that are wrong, they are giving them the right ideas and information and these are players who have played successfully at the highest level,” Sir Garry lamented.

“If they try and do some of the things they have been told, I’m sure that these youngsters will improve their cricket,” Sir Garry asserted.

And the still sprightly 73 year old who bagged 235 Test wickets also said he was encouraged by the sponsorship of the Clinics by Digicel.

“As a boy growing up we never had this kind of opportunity. We never had sponsors like Digicel who brought youngsters of this age group together and brought in experienced coaches like Keith Arthurton,” Sir Garry recalled.

“This is a wonderful initiative. What Digicel is doing for cricket in the Caribbean is tremendous. And this is not something that only started this year, I remember doing Clinics like these two years ago,” Sir Garry remembered, while noting that continuity on an annual basis is necessary.

“When you have Clinics like these there must be some sort of continuity and you must be able to select players at every camp so that you can say to the Barbados Cricket Association, or whoever is responsible, that these are the players you should keep looking at and make sure that they get the proper training and practice,” Sir Garry advised.

The Digicel Cricket Clinics concluded yesterday at the Kensington Oval before the final round in Turks and Caicos starting tomorrow.

Defections worry Kenyan officials
By Jack Oyoo
NAIROBI, (Reuters) - Bahrain basked in the glory of Kenyan-born Yusuf Saad Kamel's victory over 1,500 metres at the Berlin World Championships last month but back in East Africa the subject of defecting athletes is worrying many people.

Allegations that young runners are being smuggled abroad, diplomatic rows and complaints from athletes about their treatment in their new homes have all fuelled the flames of controversy.

Kamel himself -- born Gregory Konchellah 26 years ago -- was at the centre of one row, asking Kenya to take him back after accusing Bahraini officials of withholding his passport, failing to pay him bonuses and recruiting under-age athletes.

The dispute was settled in time to allow Kamel to run for Bahrain in Berlin, where he added an 800 metres bronze to his 1,500 gold, but concerns continue about other athletes following in his footsteps.

"The smuggling of athletes, perpetrated by unscrupulous coaches operating illegal camps away from our radar, is going on," Athletics Kenya chairman Isaiah Kiplagat said recently, after reports that children were being lured from schools in remote parts of the Rift Valley Province to run for Gulf States.

"Do we consider these children as expatriates or refugees?" asked Kiplagat, Kenyan member of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). "Some of them come to us complaining about poor conditions out there. Others are suffering silently."

PASSPORT COMPLAINTS
Athletics Kenya raised concerns about the issue in February when Kiplagat accused a local coach of smuggling under-age athletes to the Gulf States.

At the same time, six athletes, including Kamel, lodged a complaint with the Kenyan federation that they were being denied their passports by Bahraini officials when they wanted their former nationality back.

Kamel, who had even joined the Bahrain Armed Forces after moving to the state in 2003, wrote to Athletics Kenya, saying he wanted to give up his Bahrain passport.

"The reasons for revoking my residency/citizenship are: non-payment of bonuses earned in various races, the passport I hold indicates that I am a resident, not a citizen, and non-respect of human rights, treating African athletes differently from Bahraini athletes which I cannot withstand any more.

"I also object to the recruitment of under-age Kenyan athletes by the Bahrain Athletic Association," wrote Kamel, the son of 1987 and 1991 world 800 metres champion Billy Konchellah, before changing his mind.

Kamel was followed to Bahrain by Abel Cheruiyot, who later died after an illness, and Leonard Mucheru, who became Mashir Salim Jawher.

Mucheru regained his Kenyan passport after running and winning a marathon race in Israel in 2007, which sparked a diplomatic furore and his deportation from Bahrain.

TRAINING FACILITIES
Early defections were influenced by better incentives on offer abroad, exposure to better training facilities across the world and Kenya's notoriously tough trials for global competitions.

In 2002 Stephen Cherono, renamed Saif Saaeed Shaheen, and Albert Chepkurui, who became Ahmad Hassan Abdullah, switched their allegiance to Qatar. Shaheen won world steeplechase titles in 2003 and 2005.

The IAAF last month released a list of nine Kenyans who had moved to Qatar and seven who had gone to Bahrain.

A Ugandan, Burundian and two Tanzanians have also become Qataris.

Kenyan officials say the current number of defectors is difficult to determine, however, because many leave the country surreptitiously and surface only when faced with problems.

Worried observers say the defections raise the prospect that one day a steeplechase race could feature an entire line-up of Kenyan-born runners, all representing different nations.

U.S. Open tennis..
Cljisters marches on, Murray cut down in last 16
By Pritha Sarkar
NEW YORK, (Reuters) - The beaming smile of Kim Clijsters once again lit up Flushing Meadows yesterday, while Andy Murray cut a sorry figure as his U.S. Open run was abruptly halted.

Murray had been tipped as one of the favourites to win his first major title here but the Briton scarcely resembled a player rated second best in the world as he shouted his way to a 7-5 6-2 6-2 last 16 defeat by Croatian Marin Cilic.

While American Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe commentated "we did not see this one coming," Murray said: "Today I could have been better in pretty much every part of the game, whether it was mental or serve, forehand, backhand returns. I just struggled today. I played poorly."

Murray's abysmal performance left Cilic to face another rising 20-year-old, Juan Martin del Potro, in the quarter-finals. The Argentine sixth seed cantered to a routine 6-3 6-3 6-3 win over ex-world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero.

But it was another former top-ranked player who has been providing the feel-good factor at this year's championships.

Belgian mother-of-one Clijsters, who flew into New York with more toys stashed in her suitcase than rackets, showcased her lightening court speed as she dispatched China's Li Na 6-2 6-4 to reach the semi-finals.

While many tennis fans are wondering how a 26-year-old woman who has been out of action for over two years can create so much havoc at a grand slam, men's world number one Roger Federer had an easy explanation.

"It's like riding a bike; once you know how to ride a bike, you never forget that," said the new father of twins.

"That's why I'm not that surprised. I think it's a beautiful story. It's nice that she hasn't lost the love for the game. Going out of the game at 23, that's for me just shocking. It's nice to see her back in the game."

Federer and the fans may be delighted to see Clijsters back but her vanquished rivals are unlikely to agree.

CLIJSTERS MASTERCLASS

After taking down 14th seed Marion Bartoli and world number three Venus Williams in previous rounds, Li was the latest to be on the receiving end of the Clijsters masterclass.

Next up for Clijsters, who needed a wildcard to play here as she does not even have a ranking yet, will be either three-times champion Serena Williams or Italian 10th seed Flavia Pennetta.

No longer bogged down by the litany of injuries that forced her out of the game in 2007, the 2009 incarnation of Clijsters described her amazing run to the last four as "wow."

However, just 15 months ago the thought of becoming the first mother to win a major since Evonne Goolagong in 1980 had not even entered her head.

"I felt like an elephant just trying to move. Even two steps was terrible," recalled Clijsters about her first experience with a racket following the birth of her daughter Jada.

On Monday, it was the usually fleet-footed Murray who lumbered around court.

Carrying a left wrist injury which hindered his two-handed backhand, Murray went into meltdown after failing to take two set points on the Cilic serve at 5-4 in the opening frame.

With Murray emitting a series of anguished cries of "aaargh" and "ayeeeeeee" every time he missed a shot, those walking on the National Tennis Centre grounds might have thought Arthur Ashe Stadium had temporarily been turned into an ER.

Murray could have done with some medical attention but instead dropped serve at 5-5 and from then on the 16th seeded Cilic surrendered only four more games.

"I'm disappointed. I don't know how long or how quickly it will take me to get over it," said a glum Murray.

The Scot could be in for some more heartache later on Monday because if Rafael Nadal beats Gael Monfils to reach the last eight, the Spaniard will reclaim the number two ranking.

Samaraweera first ODI ton takes Sri Lanka home
A maiden century from Thilan Samaraweera and three wickets in an over from Lasith Malinga helped Sri Lanka steamroll New Zealand by 97 runs in the triangular one-day series for the Compaq Cup in Colombo.

Samaraweera cracked a superb 104 and Angelo Mathews chipped in with a knock of 51, the two putting on 127 for the sixth wicket as Sri Lanka recovered from 69 for five at one stage to finish with a respectable 216 for seven.

Sri Lanka's new ball bowlers Nuwan Kulasekara and Thilan Thushara then chipped in with three wickets each at the start of their reply, Malinga claiming his share in a single over as the visitors slipped to 41 for six.

Malinga then returned to pick up the final wicket as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 119 in 36.1 overs.

Left-arm fast bowler Thushara produced the early breakthrough, sending back Jesse Ryder for a two-ball duck with the second delivery of his first over.

Kulasekara followed up with the wickets of Martin Guptill (three) and Ross Taylor (two), although he was lucky to win a leg-before decision against the latter.

Brendon McCullum blocked and pushed for singles in uncharacteristic style as he attempted to revive the innings.

But with the required run rate climbing steeply, the wicketkeeper batsman was forced into a wild shot and succumbed.

McCullum, dropped by Kumar Sangakkara two deliveries earlier, attempted a heave across the line to a full-length delivery from Malinga and missed, the ball crashing into the base of middle stump.

At the time McCullum had just 14 from 52 deliveries.

Malinga then picked up the wickets off Jacob Oram (four) and debutant Nathan McCullum - bowled first ball - in the same over to leave the result a foregone conclusion.

Grant Elliott had battled hard en route to a painstaking 41, but his resistance was ended by the left-arm spin of Sanath Jayasuriya, who also scalped Daniel Vettori (10).

Malinga returned to bowl Ian Butler - the second highest scorer with 25 - to finish with four for 28 from 6.1 overs.

Earlier, Kiwi paceman Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey made a fine start with the new ball.

Tuffey, playing his first match on this tour, claimed the wicket of Tillakaratne Dilshan (four) in the very first over, while the returning Bond scalped Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene cheaply from the other end to leave the home team reeling at 22 for three.

Dilshan attempted an aggressive start but perished in the first over, dragging Tuffey's last delivery back onto his stumps.

At the other end, Bond produced a little extra bounce and snared Jayawardene, the batsman attempting to steer to third man and instead presenting Taylor with a simple catch at slip.

Jayasuriya, struggling to retain his place in the side, was then lured into his trade-mark cut shot and was caught at third man.

Butler, bowling first change, removed Sangakkara (18) - caught at deep square leg as he miscued a clip through midwicket - while Vettori sent back Thilina Kandamby (15) as Sri Lanka slid further into trouble at 69 for five.

Samaraweera, however, took charge and in the company of Mathews resurrected the innings with a superbly-paced knock.

Samaraweera started cautiously on a pitch which had kept slow and low, but exerted authority as his innings progressed.

He reached his 50 with a single off Nathan McCullum and accelerated nicely through the batting powerplay, slamming Butler for three boundaries in one over.

Mathews kept step with Samaraweera, reaching his second one-day half-century with a single off Bond, but fell two deliveries later.

A rare misfield which yielded three helped Samaraweera amass a century, but his innings ended when he was bowled by Butler.

Bond finished top of the pile among the bowlers with figures of three for 43. (Eurosport)

Chile seek 2010 berth against qualified Brazil
SALVADOR, Brazil, (Reuters) - Chile can reach their first World Cup since 1998 if they win in Brazil for the first time in their qualifier in Salvador today.

The Brazilians, who will be depleted by the suspensions of key players Kaka, Luis Fabiano, captain Lucio and Ramires and the absence of the injured Robinho, have already qualified for South Africa after a crushing 3-1 win in Argentina on Saturday.

Luis Fabiano's absence could mean a first competitive start since last year for Adriano, whose career went off the rails in April when he quit Inter Milan in Italy to return home, but he has revived his fortunes at Flamengo.

Chile blew a chance for their own celebration at home at the weekend when they were held 2-2 by Venezuela, having to wait longer for the near-certainty of a berth in the finals for the first time since France '98.

Whenever the Chileans, second in the 10-nation South American group three points behind Brazil do qualify, it will be a triumph for their Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, who has given the team new belief and brought the best out of them.

ATTACKING CONVICTIONS

Bielsa, who will face a team who are most comfortable playing on the break, is expected to stick largely to his attacking convictions.

"What we are not going to do is look for a cautious position (on the field)," Bielsa said after the Venezuela match.

"Our hope is to share the initiative with a team like Brazil, which is not something easy (but) worse is to hand over pitch and ball and wait."

Bielsa mindful of the 3-0 loss to Dunga's side in Santiago last year, will however probably strengthen his defence by playing four across the back, welcoming central defender Waldo Ponce back from suspension.

Former Argentina coach Bielsa is also likely to start with Jorge Valdivia in the middle behind strikers Alexis Sanchez and Humberto Suazo with Mauricio Isla dropped.

If Chile only manage a draw, Bielsa's team can still qualify if Colombia and Ecuador, who are seven points behind the Chileans with three matches to go, do not win away to Uruguay and Bolivia respectively.

The top four at the end of qualifying in October will go to the 2010 finals in South Africa while the fifth will play off over two legs with the CONCACAF's fourth-placed team for a another berth.