Welcome to guyanachronicle.com

ARCHIVES FOR OCTOBER 09, 2009

New laser land leveller boosts production drive at Burma
By Tajeram Mohabir
The Burma Rice Research Station production drive has been given a boost with the agency’s acquisition of a spanking new tractor and laser land leveller, valued some $19.6M.

The tractor was financed through the Rice Seed Development Component and the laser leveller from the Farmers Training and Extension Component of the Agriculture Support Services Programme (ASSP).

Through the innovative laser technology, farmers will have their rice fields leveled, resulting in improved yields and income in the long run.

The technology is geared to improve water-use efficiency, water coverage, crop establishment and production, and to reduce time to complete tasks, including planting.

The occasion, attended by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Chairman Mr. Nigel Dharamlall, Rice Producers Association (RPA) President Mr. Lakeraj Rambrich, Burma Rice Station Plant Breeder Dr. Mahendra Singh, international experts Dr. Edward Pulver and Dr. Terrence Fullerton, and regional and other officials, was followed by an interaction session with scores of farmers

GRDB Chairman Dharamlall speaking at a rice farmers outreach meeting convened at the Burma Station at East Mahaicony said the GRDB investments though small, is another reflection of the Government’s support to foster development and improve production in the rice industry.

Dharamlall told the farmers from the various rice growing regions that the Government has a vested interest and has invested significantly in the various areas of rice industry to improve the their livelihood.

He pointed out that the GRDB, as part of its restructuring programme, has taken a 20 per cent budget cut in an effort to better serve them.

The top GRDB official acknowledged the challenges encountered by farmers, but urged they resolve these in the field, noting that aggressive strides are being made to enhance research and extension services.

According to Dr. Singh, the Burma Rice Station breeding programme is the best in South America. He observed that since 1995, 10 new varieties of rice have been released, yielding around 40 bags per acre.

In addition, he said researchers are always at the farmers’ disposal.

Rambrich said the equipment will be of great benefit to farmers as it will not only increase production, but enhance quality as well.

He disclosed that recently the Burma Rice Station released two new varieties which are currently on trial and both have produced about 50 bags of paddy per acre.

The aim, the RPA President, said is to get farmers to produce 60 to 70 bags of paddy per acre to make them more competitive on the world market.

This sentiment was well supported by Dr. Pulver who also stressed the need for better management and a more production friendly environment.

Minister Persaud lauded the outreach which saw farmers from the rice growing regions sharing their experience to improve production and efficiency, pointing out that at this time they have to be hungry for up-to-date knowledge in bettering their results in the field.

Guyana no longer enjoys preferential markets from Europe for the staple and has to compete with the big players on the international markets.

In a move to ensure the survival and viability of the industry, Persaud said the GRDB, in its strategic plan, has focused attention on the implementation of cutting edge technology to get the competitive edge ahead of other competitors.

He urged farmers to diversify into value-added processes and reminded them that the Government is giving inceptives to those who go this way.

He said local farmers have come a long way in raising production levels and this year will be breaking new ground; but they have to continue to build on these achievements as production determines competitiveness.

The minister told the farmers that the Government has invested heavily in the industry, and has been doing all within its power to help farmers get better prices for their paddy; and they must be aware of the scaremongers in society who are bent on spreading misinformation about the sector to achieve their narrow political objectives.

Some millers meeting their financial obligation to farmers has been a problem; but Persaud said when parliament resumes, an amendment to the Rice Factories Act will be tabled before the House, seeking to get millers to complete 95 per cent payment to the farmers as a prerequisite for having their manufacturing licences renewed.
He said too that all contracts submitted to the GRDB are being closely monitored to avoid price transfer.

New equipment for Fire Service
By Michel Outridge
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) yesterday received three water tenders, one water carrier and one Land Rover from Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee.

The handing over took place at the National Park, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, following a drill display, and coincides with Fire Prevention Week, with the theme: “Fire Prevention needs everyone attention”.

Minister Clement Rohee, in brief remarks, told the gathering that the administration recognizes the work of the GFS and is seeking to retool the entity and enhance its capacity.

The minister pointed out too that as part of the Ministry of Home Affairs strategic plan for the GFS, several new facilities units have been constructed countrywide, and these will be equipped.

He said the current expansion programme saw the construction of a new fire station at Bartica in Essequibo and Rose Hall, Berbice.

Rohee added that the government of Guyana has made $318M available to boost GFS mechanisms, even more so to deal with the current El Niño weather pattern.

He said that new appliances are expected shortly, including one for the aircraft at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CIJA).

Rohee pointed out that with the newer appliances, the GFS will eventually reduce the loss of lives and damage to property in fire fighting.

Meanwhile, the Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle expressed gratitude to the Ministry for the timely gift.

Mr. Gentle noted too that new emergency vehicles will be added to Regions Two, Three Seven and Ten.

17 years later: Consolidating democracy
As part of an annual effort to commemorate the return to democratic governance in Guyana, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat sat down with Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and Advisor on Governance in the Office of the President, Gail Teixeira, to discuss and reflect on the growth of the country since the advent of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government on October 5, 1992.

The 1992 elections and victory of the PPP/C ushered in a period of 17 years of growth and progress after 28 years of administrative dictatorship.

Dr. Luncheon referred to the big picture which deals with the reformed governmental activities and the achievements of four consecutive PPP governments from 1992 to 2009, which caused detractors to appear ludicrous in denying improvements and suggesting that nothing positive has happened in Guyana.

Dr. Luncheon declared that government and the people have risen to the challenge of reforming the country and mobilising to defeat obstacles.

He noted that Guyana in 2009 exceeds anything evident under the 28 years of People’s National Congress rule, with amazing achievements across the board and challenges handled in ways that promote the well-being of Guyanese by a sensitive and responsible administration, conscious of natural disasters, the economic sector and the working poor.

Most importantly, he stressed, is the positive psychological impact on the masses of this country as captured by the vision of a successful government and the development of a thriving private sector with an ability to move forward.

He stated that the PPP/C administration is prepared to confront whatever faces the nation, confident and assured, with a sustained belief in the destiny of the country, an emotion greatly lacking in 1992.

This, he noted, is no greater gift that can be bestowed on the people of Guyana: surety of development in an environment that practices democracy, poverty alleviation and enhanced material welfare of citizens, investing in people, the environment and infrastructure.

Minister Persaud posited that the defining attribute of the past 17 years lies most significantly in the skillful, structured and stable leadership of Guyana’s complex society. This has projected a measure of confidence and expectation and created a framework and policies for involvement and development.

He noted that in 1992, the country was bankrupt, financially. For example inflation then was at 100 percent; today it is in single digit; minimum wage in 1992 was $2,000, today it is in excess of $30,000; the lending rate was more than 36%, now it’s in the teens with instances of incentives giving lower rates; the exchange rate was fluctuating and sliding in 1992, today it remains stable. There has been increased private sector and regional and international investment, and a totally transformed economy, he said.

Teixeira referred to the vision and the skillful management of the country as manifested by the National Development, Poverty Reduction and National Competitiveness Strategies, and most recently, the Low Carbon Development Strategy which have all been relevant to the time, the vision and enhanced standard of living, and placed Guyana at the forefront internationally.

The PPP/C Government has reached across the political divide and made a tremendous effort, especially with a government composed of a PPP/C alliance, signalling a model involving larger forces.

Constitutional reform, community development, engaging society on all levels, working to bring trust and confidence at the community level with community groups and ministers visiting communities, access to leadership by community, national consultations, workshops, delegations, development in allocation of house lots, land ownership by Amerindians are among other aspects of a democracy at work.

Dr. Luncheon said that this administration is tried, test and proven, and has the trust of the Guyanese people who have recognized that the entire country is evolving. (GINA)

International politics slowing Guyana access
to child vaccines – Ramsammy
MINISTER of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy yesterday bemoaned the existing state of affairs between the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

He lamented the situation at the opening of a sub-regional training course on Integrated Management of Child Illnesses (IMCI) with participants from Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize and Jamaica.

Ramsammy disclosed that the disagreement involving the two agencies has resulted in what he described as the “slow introduction” of the pneumococcus and rotavirus vaccine in Guyana’s immunisation programme.

He said vaccines are resources that should be available to all children and no difference of opinions should stop them from getting to a child.

The two vaccines are recent additions to the local system and would place Guyana among top countries as it relates to vaccination programmes.

According to Ramsammy, in the past, PHAO has always procured vaccines for the Caribbean region because acquisition in larger volumes would facilitate a cheaper unit price.

“The price is always based on volume since buying in bulk means we pay less,” he explained.

However, Ramsammy said GAVI recently negotiated a higher price and wishes Guyana to buy its vaccines.

Limitation
He said non-compliance with this request has resulted in a limitation of access to vaccines usually made available by GAVI.

“It is not about anything else but about those who need the vaccines…maybe a child that would die tomorrow would be alive if we have the vaccine,” Ramsammy pointed out.

He said vaccines are a critical element that assists in the reduction of child deaths.

“It is criminal that there is the availability of these vaccines and it is not accessible to the children,” Ramsammy declared.

He said most disturbing is the fact that financing, the usual constraint, is not the problem but politics has reduced access to the vaccines.

Ramsammy said PAHO and the Revolving Fund, as well as GAVI play critical roles in procurement of vaccines, which is much appreciated.

But these international players which have always assisted in increasing accessibility to vaccines have now slowed the access because of “political problems,” Ramsammy said.

“They can’t solve the issue and so we are unable to move on,” he added, expressing his desire for the agencies to resolve their differences as soon as possible, hopefully, by the week end.

Ramsammy said it is desirable to see the two vaccines offered as part of the routine immunization programme.

“No region has had success with immunisation like we (the Caribbean) have,” he said.

The Minister said equitable access can only be ensured if manufacturers are allowed equal space in the market.

GPL new plant to come on stream soon
COMMISSIONING of another generating plant by Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is due by November 5 and this is expected to improve its power supply to customers, Prime Minister Sam Hinds said yesterday.

The plant could be in line earlier and will add some 20MW to GPL’s current output, Prime Minister Sam Hinds said yesterday.

But he indicated that with growing demand, the company’s system is coming under increasing strain and it is gearing to cope with several projects under way and on the cards.

The additional power supply from the new plant is expected to ease the current spate of power cuts affecting customers along the coast.

Mr. Hinds, who has Cabinet responsibility for the energy sector, said two other generating units sent for repairs overseas should be back in the system between early next month and mid-December and these will also help reduce power cuts.

Mr. Hinds said he and GPL regret the frequent interruptions in the supply of electricity but reported that the company’s system as a whole is “being pushed beyond its normal limits in generation and transmission and distribution”.

He noted that in August this year, GPL recorded its highest ever output of power, reflecting the increasing demand being put on its system.

A major project is under negotiation for support from China that will see seven new sub-stations put down in Demerara and East Berbice within about two years and this will ease current transmission and distribution problems, Mr. Hinds said.

GPL is also putting up a new 69KV power link from its Sophia complex to the Kingston power station and is undertaking a frequency conversion programme.

Late night fire destroys house at Boeraserie
A fire late Wednesday night destroyed a house at Boeraserie Line Top, East Bank Essequibo. The owner of the house, Sheldon Carew, who works in the interior, was not at home at the time of the fire.

According to Ionie Humphrey, the next door neighbour, she was in bed 23:00 hours Wednesday night when she was alerted to a fire.

She said, “I got up and saw a small fire inside the house and within a few minutes it engulfed the entire building.”

Ms. Humphrey said she and the neighbours watched as the fire got out of control, adding that the Guyana Fire Service ire tender showed up and managed to contain the blaze.

It is believed that the fire was deliberately set from a kerosene stove which was placed under a bed.

Since the fire took place, the reputed wife of Sheldon Carew, Tracy Hendricks, 28, and their three-year old son Marvin Carew, who occupied the house before the fire, are reportedly missing.

The Guyana Chronicle learnt that contact has been with Mr. Carew and he is on his way from the interior. (MICHEL OUTRIDGE))

One of the darkest days in our history
Today marks 56 years since one of the most unfortunate and tragic events in our political history took place. It was on October 9, 1953 the British government suspended the Constitution of Guyana and removed a freely elected People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government after it was in office for only 133 days and installed a puppet interim government of its choice. It was one of the darkest days in the history of our country.

Maybe this single incident, more than any other, determined the course of this country’s politics because it marked the beginning of the division of a united anti-colonial/pro-independence movement along political and ethnic lines which our society is still struggling to resolve.

What was a great irony in this scenario is the fact that the 1953 election was the first ever to be held under Adult Suffrage and saw the PPP led by Dr. Cheddi Jagan won a landslide victory. Of course the achievement of having Adult Suffrage came as a result of a long battle waged against the colonial power, first by the forerunner of the PPP-the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) which was formed in 1947 shortly after Dr. Jagan returned to Guyana after completing studies in the U.S, along with his wife Janet Jagan. Eventually in 1950, the PPP was born out of the womb of the PAC and it immediately set out as one of its major goals the attainment of independence, and from thereon galvanised the masses and built up a powerful and united anti-colonial movement which most naturally was not to the liking of the colonial master. The independence struggle here was of course deeply influenced and inspired by India’s struggle as well as the struggles that were being waged in many African countries in their quest for liberation from British colonialism.

In the 1950s the British became panicky and frantic as the anti-colonial movement within its Empire intensified and gained momentum and as such it increasingly resorted to strong arm and interventionist tactics and the PPP government was one of the victims of this scenario. Of special note is the fact that at that time nearly all the anti-colonial political movements within the British colonial empire were tarred with the “communist brush” and in the case of the PPP it was used as the launching pad for the suspension of the constitution and the forcible removal of a freely elected government. It should be noted to that in 1953 as well, the Mossadegh government in Iran was overthrown by the western powers and the dictator, Shah of Iran was installed. What was ironic in Mossadegh’s case is that by no stretch of imagination he could be regarded as a communist. On the contrary was staunchly ant-communist, but he was also tarred with the “communist brush.” The real reason behind his overthrow was because he nationalised the local oil industry was being controlled by powerful western companies. So communism was used as the “bogey-man” and the excuse for intervention when governments did not pursue policies of the liking of the British and its allies.

British troops who were brought here were told that their role is to quell a rebellion and to stop the violence which was erupting here. However, as Dr. Jagan recalls in his book “Forbidden Freedom” when the troops landed here they were puzzled because the found a peaceful country with no indications of violence.

But early on being ignorant of the practices of Hinduism they took the red jhandi flags which Hindus have in their yards for being communist flags and several persons were harassed. However, this subsided when it was explained to the troops the significance of those flags.

The Governor at the time, Sir Alfred Savage in his address to the nation on the issue said: “My first duty is to maintain law and order and I call upon the Police and Volunteer Force to carry out faithfully the tasks assigned to them. I know attempts have been made in recent months to undermine your loyalty to the Crown and by intimidation and other methods to seduce you from the high traditions of the Forces to which you belong. I know the strain which this has put on you but I rely on each one of you to do your duty without fear or favour and to obey your superior officers implicitly as you have done at all times in the past and in particular during the recent strike in the sugar industry.”

So the stage was clearly set for the suspension of the constitution and the removal of the government and this was followed by a number of PPP leaders being jailed including Dr. Jagan and his wife Mrs. Janet Jagan for breaking a restriction which was placed on them aimed at preventing them from meeting with the people.

However, during this period there another unfortunate development as the PPP being split by a group of opportunists led by L.F. S Burnham hungry for political power.

Burnham demanded leader or nothing and when he did not get his way broke away with his supporters in 1955 and for a period of time there were two PPPs-one led by Dr. Jagan and the other by Burnham, the latter eventually becoming the People’s National Congress (PNC) now PNCR.

Eventually the British and Americans were courting Burnham in a move designed to defeat the PPP which they did not want to lead the country to independence. However, in the 1957 and 1961 elections the PPP won overwhelmingly. But these elections were held under the First Past the Post system and in 1964 the British imposed the Proportional Representation (PR) system and even though the PPP won the largest number of votes but was below 50% of the votes cast and a coalition between the PNC and United Force, (UF) arranged through a Anglo-American, formed the government and we all know what happened after that.

It was because of the grave injustice that befell this nation on this date Dr. Jagan chose October 9 in 1992 for his historic inauguration as the first freely elected executive President of Guyana.

Friday Musings
Dog dung bonanza
By Sharief Khan
THERE’S money in dog poo and the Mayor and his band in the Georgetown City Hall who say they are constantly strapped for cash to properly run business in this capital city can take heed.

Garbage recently began piling up again in the city because City Hall said it did not have money to pay its garbage collecting contractors and the government had to intervene to ease the mounting stench.

City Hall’s garbage collection headaches may soon be over, however, if the Mayor and his band latch on to a trick from colleagues in a city in central Taiwan where they are paying money for dog dung.

City officials in Taichung in Taiwan are offering shopping vouchers to volunteer dog waste collectors in a bid to clean up a perennial problem caused by the large number of stray animals island-wide.

The officials said the Taichung environmental protection bureau would give vouchers worth 100 Taiwan dollars (US$3) for every kilo of dog poo collected. In areas of the city especially affected, the reward will be for every half-kilo.

"By means of offering rewards, the bureau hopes to goad the public into spontaneous clean-up efforts that protect the environment," the city council said on its website.

The reward programme should also raise public awareness of the main cause of the problem -- people who no longer want their pet dogs and who release them onto the streets, said Wang Wen-ge, a project manager with the bureau.

The initiative will start next week and vouchers can be redeemed from a local chain store.

According to Reuters news agency, stray dogs may be a common sight in poor, less developed countries, but affluent Taiwan's cities are also full of them, with official figures showing there are about 180,000 living on the island of 23 million people.

The problem began in the 1980s, when Taiwan saw a boom in pet dogs following economic success, but now residents complain about the canine menace and the government has been fighting the issue for years.

The number of strays has also risen further in the current economic downturn as more pet owners dump animals they can no longer afford to keep.

The indiscriminate dumping of garbage remains a major problem in Georgetown and a cousin of mine who lives in Florida and was here on a recent visit felt it is a big eyesore amid all the vast improvements he has seen here.

He feels a small returnable fee on stuff like plastic bottles and other containers can be an incentive for some people to collect and return instead of dumping, and this may ease the garbage problems, which as the 2005-2006 floods showed, can have horrendous consequences.

If City Hall can emulate that Taiwan city and entice shopping and other business firms to offer vouchers for volunteer garbage collectors in and around Georgetown, it may just make a huge difference.

They may not have to go around scooping up the stuff, but can concentrate on other garbage – if you see what I mean.
Looked at in that light, even dog dung has its attractions, huh?

Gimme a “towel” fuh de heat
The Parrot, like thousands of others, is finding it extremely challenging to mitigate the harsh effects of the current heat as a result of an extended dry spell in parts of this land of many waters. Ironic, eh? Having many waters and still having dry spells. Blame it on climate change. The dry spell, which has been protracted, has led to many seeking countering mechanisms. Some are generic; umbrellas, thin clothing, no clothing, fans, air conditioners or simply “liming” under a big tree.

The problem with the last option, is that the cows and horses, which don’t stay in pens simply because the owner ain’t got any, competing for the same tree. I don’t have to tell you who will win. The cows and horses of course! That’s why the trees ain’t die out. The “liming” cows and horses ensured that the trees are “nurtured” with both liquid and solid manure. They give something back. This “manuring” explains why even when the cows and horses not under the tree, it cannot be used by human “limers”. Smart animals eh? They know how to keep their cooling spots.

The key is to how best to beat the heat. A few ways were mentioned. There are others; staying in a pool or trench and sitting either inside of a fridge or in front an open one. The problem with the first option is that given the way City Hall and the NDCs operate, all the trenches are either clogged up or the water dry up due to the heat. With the second option, GPL always giving “blackout” so the fridges can’t wuk. This would also rule out fans and air conditioners. The only fanning that can happen is with a newspaper.

The problem with newspaper fanning is that if you not fit, your muscles will begin to ache after two minutes and you have to stop, unless you are an ancient King who had many to fan him. Another option is to have a wet rag or towel to moisturise the head and face. Problem here is that GWI who blames GPL for not getting power wouldn’t be able to provide water to soak the rag. You can’t use the trench because it is clogged up. So is back to “square one”; either thin loose clothing or no clothing. The problem with thin clothing is that if it is too thin, then no visual aid is needed to see all the way down to “Arizona” as Uncle Dave from the Tradewinds described it.

The Parrot presumes that some from both genders would entertain the idea of having to freely view members of the opposite gender. Given how liberal some are, they will have no problems with one viewing another of the same gender. I can literally see the excitement in your face. Yes, you. The no clothing option is far more exciting, isn’t it? Stop drooling! Problem is, it’s an offence, so it ain’t gon happen. Sorry to burst yuh bubble. So it’s clear that cooling down from the heat is indeed challenging despite whatever option you adopt. Even a drink at a “cool down cart” may not be able to sustain you from the intense heat.

However, all is not lost; some people have shown how they can survive the heat despite having to wear thick clothing whilst holding heavy objects. Seriously; I am not kidding. Who am I referring to? Well, no name, no warrant. You’ll get it. There are some people who are so bold that, in their effort to “cool down”, they insist that you, if yuh driving, must provide them with a “towel”. Not a bathing towel that is always half wet, a “towel” which has purchasing power. Some of these “towel boys”, either blue or black in clothing, can be seen at various points of this said land of many waters. Sometimes their approach to solicit the “towel” is subtle and extremely diplomatic. Other times, it’s the complete opposite.

They can routinely “pull” the cars over to “check” documents. This is unavoidable. This “pulling” over is possible if they see a defect or a transgression or have suspicions. Of course, this “pulling” over can have a positive effect. Fugitives and those who might be in possession of “things” to commit crimes are nabbed sometimes. However some “pull-overees” have indicated that despite them adhering to all the rules, they are still asked to provide a “towel” or two so that the receiver can “cool down”. Even a “big one” who wasn’t recognised, was asked for a “towel”.

Living overseas and not understanding the local connotation for “towel” and having been accustomed to having real towels in his trunk, he offered that. The “pull overers” “schupps” their set teeth and sent him on his way. He was never “pulled” over again. He seems to have innocently created a mechanism to deter the “towelers”. A note on the “towel” solicited. It is dry. Used by itself, it cannot mitigate the heat in any way. However, given its “power” it ensures that whatever is needed to cool yuh down, can be procured. Dem boys seh that one “towel” has the equivalent “power” of five Uncle Barrack’s dollar. Now yuh get the “drift”.

So next time you see these people dressed up “tightly” with plenty clothes in the scorching heat with heavy objects, don’t wonder how they are “making out”. They have devised a clever way to beat the heat; “towels”. I hope they don’t mistakenly stop Uncle Henry one day and ask for one. Squawk! Squawk!

JUST 5 CARICOM HEADS SET FOR CSME FORUM
By Rickey Singh
--in Bridgetown
JUST FIVE Caribbean Community Heads of Government had confirmed by yesterday their participation in the two-day forum on the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) that gets underway today in Barbados.

Among the confirmed, apart from Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson--host for the event--are the Prime Ministers of Trinidad and Tobago (Patrick Manning); Antigua and Barbuda (Baldwin Spencer); St.Vincent and the Grenadines (Ralph Gonsalves) and Dominica (Roosevelt Skerrit).

Notable absentees among leaders expected to be represented at ministerial level, will be Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo, current chairman of the 15-member Communit and Jamaica's Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who heads the Community's Prime Ministerial Sub-committee on External Negotiations.

The primary focus of the convocation, to which stakeholders from regional private sector and labour moverment organisations have been invited, will be consideration of an "audit" on progress made in implementation measures to advance the CSME, viewed as the Community's flagship project.

The answer to exactly how steadfast the member governments have been in moving the process forward to achieve a single economic space by target date 2015, should be forthcoming with an official statement tomorrow. Apart from levels and extent of participation, a major concern has arisen, according to organisers of the even. It has to do with the conduct of the event-- whether it will be an "open forum" as was the original intention, or restricted to primarily closed sessions.

Now in its 36th year as a regional economic integration movement, inaugurated at Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago in July 1973,.it was some 16 years later, at the pathfinding CARICOM Summit of July 1989 in Grenada, that ideas and strategies unfolded, in the form of a "Grand Anse Declaration", for the creation of a seamless regional economy with the CSME.

It was to take a further 17 years before the completion of arrangements to make the single market component a reality, starting with the historic 'Mona Declaration' in Jamaica in January 2006.

Since then, and despite having the benefit of clear guidelines to guide implementation efforts for the realisation of a "single economy and a single developoment vision" with the CSME, it is evident that CARICOM has been on a "slow march" towards the realisation of a seamless regional economy..

The audit report is a voluminous document of some seven hundred pages, chockful of raw data. But a summary has been prepared to facilitate deliberations, and according to informed sources, it is not regarded as offering a critical assessment on the way forward for the CSME.

Sensitive issues, such as legal arrangements on regional economic investment and a relevant governance mechanism to drive the implementation process forward, would be among questions to be raised

Participation itself may evolve as an issue among stakeholders representatives, dominated by member governments, and including the region's umbrella private sector and labour movement organisations, as well as some from civil society agencies.

There remained "concerns" over participation from opposition parliamentary parties. The Community Secretariat has indicated that invitations were sent to the opposition parliamentary parties but no responses had been received by Wednesday evening. It was not clear whether the parties were invited as participants or observers.

Amerindians form complaints review board
DENNIS Abraham, the leader of the Amerindian civil rights movement has a responsibility to make the following public announcement in Guyana. The native Amerindians with its nine tribal peoples in Guyana have concluded the formation of the “Amerindians complaints review board”. The board is now the latest formation of an organised selective body to be formed after following the deaths of four native Amerindian female children in September 2008.

The native Amerindian tribal people in their villages and communities have strongly concluded their support for such a civil community forum which had dealt specifically on various serious matters of concerns in their villages and communities including serious tragedies to the extreme, crimes and corruption, illegal substances of drugs and other dangerous substances of abuse which can eventually endanger the welfare of the entire native Amerindians nine tribal people of Guyana.

The Amerindian Complaints Review Board is an independent representative body, it is not a political body or a political forum neither will it be affiliated to any of the nation’s political parties. It has supported the selection of Dennis Abraham an Arawak descendent from Moruka as the first executive Director who is also the Amerindian Community affairs Representative in Guyana. The board will be holding its annual meetings, its regular meetings and conventions so it can provide an update of its work, responsibilities and commitments to the Native Tribal People in their villages and communities.

The board will also make provisions for the selection of the next executive director. The board will not receive and record any form of minor complaints, minor problems, and minor reports because it has to comply by its strict policy towards dealing specifically on matters of serious concerns.

The board will be working in a system of cooperation and mutual understanding alongside the two Amerindian representative bodies, the GOIP and APA. The board believes that the native Amerindians of Guyana will be in a position to having a much stronger National representation in their villages and communities. It will demonstrate an act of civil responsibility and will work for the benefit of all the native people under the nation’s democratic system so it can take its rightful place as the representative body of an organisation in Guyana.
SHAWN GONSALVES
…………………………………………….
RK does not have any employee by such a name
A number of print and electronic media reported on Tuesday October 6 and Wednesday October 7 that RK’s Security Guard Mark Lachish held for alleged trafficking in narcotics.

We wish to inform the media that RK’s never had and does not have and employee by that name on our list.

It is advisable that the media display professionalism and maturity by always confirming such information before publication on any media.

We do expect the courtesy of a retraction/correction
ROSHAN KHAN
CEO/Founder
…………………………………………….
Why are the same problems within the university still recurring?
THE University of Guyana (UG) needs to get its act together. The administration and the lecturers seem to be a problem within their own educational institution, and so the University cannot function to its true capacity.

I heard that Professor Lawrence Carrington is UG’s interim Vice-Chancellor. I understand that he is credible enough to make change happen at the university. If he is so credible, then why are the same problems within the university still recurring?

Every single day, we continue to hear the laments of students about their grades not being submitted on time. Do lecturers have a deadline for the submission of grades? Or is the Examination Division of the University not functioning effectively? Who are we to blame? Many second-year students still have not received grades from the last semester, and so cannot register at this time; although classes started on October 5, 2009. Professor Carrington needs to look into these small issues, because they can have great implications for students, such as, problems to graduate with the correct GPA or to graduate at all.

Another problem prospective and present students complain about is the new UG’s Website, which is “supposed” to make registration easier and hassle-free for students. However, this is not the case. Many students complain that they are unable to register for their programmes, and so I would think that the “functioning website” has some serious kinks which need ironing out. The staff within the UOG keeps forgetting that the University’s purpose is to serve the students, and so these students deserve a proper functioning registration system. The administration should look into this matter and immediately address it for the sake of the students.

Also, why does any problem that is student-related take so long to be processed and addressed, whether it is the review of a grade, or the change of a course, etc? These issues take forever to be completed, which has great implications for the students passing grade. The UOG is presently functioning on an old bureaucratic system that needs to be modernized, because we are no longer living in the past, things have changed and time is important these days.

And those students who come to waste time at the University should be immediately dealt with. The UOG is not a place to waste time, and instead be taken seriously by the many students who would prefer to lime on the tarmac.

The Students, the Administration, and the Lecturers are shortchanging the UOG, and should this continue, then it will become a mere ‘cowboy’ institution, and this would certainly be despicable.

Professor Carrington needs to urgently address these matters since the future of Guyana is at stake.
M. ALEXANDER
…………………………………………….
Freddie should start penning truths
IF Mr. Freddie Kissoon were penning facts, he would have been a respected writer. Most of what Kissoon pens – including his allegations about Bisram and NACTA, attacks against Speaker Ralph Ramkarran, denigration of Dr. Joey Jagan, etc. -- are fictions. There is no truth to them. It is a shame that this guy has so much talent but he cannot bring himself to write truths. It will not be surprising that most, if not all, what he writes about the President and the government is inaccurate. Freddie, it is about time you stop penning fictions and start penning truths.
VASSAN RAMRACHA
…………………………………………….
It is no fallacy that Guyana is on the move
PLEASE permit me to respond to a letter by Dr. Randy Persaud entitled “Note to the Diaspora” (GC October 6, 2009).

While Dr. Persaud’s intent is sincere and honest, I respectfully wish to point out a few items, which if acted upon, could also be persuasive in encouraging people in the Diaspora to visit and support the on-going development in Guyana.

1. In one of my prior letters, I encouraged the Guyana Government that it is critical for Guyana to tap into its unlimited resources inherent in its Diapora population, residing in North America and Europe, among other countries. To date, I have not seen any positive step in that direction. Hopefully, Dr. Persaud will strive to make the Guyana Diaspora’s involvement more meaningful.

2. I personally know many of my colleagues who, similar to Dr. Persaud, have been successful here in North America and were willing to provide their expertise to Guyana, at times at no cost to the Guyana Government. Contacts (both verbal and written) were made to the Guyana Government but years later, there has been no positive step made by the Guyana Government to forge a partnership with the Guyanese Diaspora.

3. In the past, the proposal was made to the Guyana Government to establish an Office in the Ministry of External Affairs that will address and quickly act on support offered by members in the Guyana Diaspora. So far, I have not seen any progress made in that direction.

4. I urged the Guyana Government to develop a model similar to India’s Parvasi Bharatiya Divas, a yearly forum where Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and People of Indian Origin (PIO) meet to discuss means to assist India achieve its Millennium Development Goals and provide investment to accelerate the development of India. So far, no progress has been made in this regard.

5. I would encourage Dr. Persaud to initiate a “mini Parvasi Bharatiya Divas” to be held in Guyana every year.

6. Based on conversations with many Guyanese who would like to re-migrate or start up a business in Guyana, the red tape is still inhibitive.

As Dr. Persaud rightly noted, it would appear that the mission of some sections of the media is to nit-pick and find fault with the Government while they offer no solution to the major issues.

One columnist, a so-called University Lecturer, in one of the dailies uses his poisonous pen daily not to write objectively about events, but to write about the “gloom and doom” about Guyana. He chooses to be oblivious of any positive developments. The Guyanese people are smart enough to ignore elements in our society whose primary objective is to see a destructive Guyana rather than a unified and developing Guyana for all the races.

One wonders how a University Lecturer can lack impartiality and genuine academic scholarship in his reporting. It may be fair to say that he probably fails students who maintain objective views of events. Obviously, he has no fortitude to run for office himself but daily casts stones at others who are struggling to make a better Guyana for our future generations.

During my many visits to Guyana, I have seen that it is no fallacy that Guyana is on the move, both in terms of infra-structure development and economic development. To many Guyanese, Guyana will always be home despite many years of living abroad.

I trust that Dr. Persaud is extending an olive branch to the Diaspora. The ball is in his court now to act.
SHIV MAHARAJ PhD
…………………………………………….
Thought time for lamenting over state ads long gone
I really thought that the time for lamenting over state ads was long gone for the Stabroek News, since Government has resumed advertising with that newspaper; however this seems to be a bone of contention that the paper will continue gnawing at.

The Newspaper has been touting the withdrawal of ads as an attack on press freedom and on its finances since it felt that by the withdrawal Government was trying to undermine the entity. Government gave its reasons and like any private individual using the medium to advertise it has a right to decide where to place its ads for maximum benefit. Government has no obligations to any entity to place ads.

The editorial speaks about the newspaper having to take a loan but I am sure that in the process of so doing, the newspaper would have had to submit a proposal before the loan is sanctioned. Am I to believe that the Stabroek News, in its proposal, cited Government ads as a means of garnering funds to repay the loan? And in so doing how did the newspaper arrive at its figures and how much ads would have to have been placed with the entity for it to have enough funds to meet its quota? If this was indeed stated in the business proposal then how could the bank accept that with no guarantee?

I am sure that with business sense, no entity would venture into business using Government ads solely as the premise for sustaining the business; this would be a recipe for financial collapse.

It is unfortunate in Guyana that according to the Stabroek News, State Advertisements = Press Freedom.
DAVID LEWIS
…………………………………………….
You are never too old to learn
FREDDIE wrote I would like to think that by now, all the readers of the Kaieteur News and the Stabroek News know that it is just a few high-powered government officials that saturate the Chronicle’s letter pages.

Freddie no one pays you to "think" so your thinking is 110% wrong. It’s nice to hear you call me "a high-power government official though.

Freddie you ought to stop thinking that all those who write in the Guyana Chronicle are government officials or government supporters.

People who know me know that I never voted for any politician ever in the history of Guyana.

So please allow me to make things simple for you. Freddie, you write trash daily in KN but you do not want others to respond to it. The other day you called letter writers of Chronicle "Jumbies". On October 6, 2009 you are calling them "high powered government officials" with fake names.

Freddie, one thing you must learn because you are never too old to learn. That is, not because letter writers respond to your daily trash makes them PPP supporters or ghost writers or Jumbies as you call them. Like I said you are the seen “jumbie” and everyone in Guyana knows you are a lackey for AFC.

The likes of Mark Benschop and Lincoln Lewis want you to be seen and not heard.Then when they achieve their goal and their agenda they will wipe their feet on you Freddie.

Then, the big boss you are so strongly advocating for to lead Guyana, Trotman will do a Gumattie Singh special on you Freddie.

Freddie you are no different from Ramjattan or Gumattie Singh and your boss man Trotman will do you the same as he has done to those two.

Oh Freddie! I am still maintaining that "elected dictatorship" worked best.

Installed dictatorship failed. Unconstitutional dictatorship failed.
Take off your blinders and see it for what it is.
T. KING
…………………………………………….
Guyanese are not blind; they know very well where they have come
I think that Freddie Kissoon is completely off his rockers and should have a psychiatric analysis done as soon as possible since it seems that his mental faculties are not all there anymore. Having followed Mr. Kissoon’s writings for a fair amount of time I am convinced that he is totally confused and does not know on which path reality truly lies.

A few years ago Freddie Kissoon gleefully celebrated October 5 as one of the best days in Guyana’s history, and he could not celebrate it enough. He even wrote columns of praises. However, today he says October 5 is one of the worst days in our country’s history.

Mr. Kissoon’s continually shifting position on issues that he writes about is a clear indication of his dementia as his skewed analyses show us every day. I think Mr. Kissoon needs to make up his mind about what October 5 really means to him and then whatever he decides should be what he sticks with instead of back pedalling.

Mr. Kissoon talks about speaking with Trinidadians and Jamaicans who claim that Guyanese are soft and that they would not allow what is happening here to happen on their islands. But I think what Mr. Kissoon failed to realize is that Guyana is much better off that any of those islands, in terms of so many things including crime and politics. It is so easy to compare Guyana to other places and say these things but Mr. Kissoon should examine things carefully before he puts pen to paper.

Do we really need a history lesson Mr. Kissoon? Guyana has seen development over the years, much more than it did in the 28 years under the PNC. The evidence of the development is quite visible that even a blind man would see it; roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, better health care services, water, electricity, telephone, and so much more.

And what exactly is happening here Mr. Kissoon? Guyanese are not blind; they know very well where they have come from and how far Guyana has progressed these past years. I believe that this is just a case of sour grapes, what Mr. Kissoon was after he could not get, so in those days when he was pursuing whatever his goals were, he was high in praise for the Government. However, when they refused to agree to whatever it is he was seeking, he changed his tune.

For the sake of the people who follow your writings for years please make up your mind Mr. Kissoon.
RICKY PERSAUD
…………………………………………….
Traffic ranks should be strategically placed along the East Coast
WHILE it is heartening to see thepPolice moving to intensify its campaign against reckless driving and drivers who do not heed sirens, it is unfortunate that it took an accident to prompt them to action. What makes it worse is that the accident involved a vehicle from the Presidential fleet.

Drivers do not heed traffic lights these days much less sirens and it is disgusting to see that drivers refuse to pull over when the sirens are on. Sometimes, this is done in front of the traffic police who do nothing to change the attitude. Police would be at corners where there are traffic lights and yet when people would jump the lights and drive recklessly they do nothing. It makes one wonder what is going on when they are supposed to ensure that people uphold the law.

I am appalled at the recklessness and irresponsible behaviour I see on the road everyday. I’m a resident of the East Coast and I travel to Georgetown everyday, and at the stoplight at the University of Guyana junction drivers engage in reckless behaviour that worries me. Although there is a functioning stop light there, people seem not to want to wait for even a few seconds, they would prefer to go ahead and drive straight through without a concern for the passengers they are carrying or other road users.

I have seen drivers turn into a corner just so that they can turn around and use the light to get across the intersection instead of waiting a few seconds. This is a dangerous practice and traffic ranks should move to stop this lawlessness. Passengers also have a right to demand that drivers do the right thing.

I would suggest that since the traffic department will be stepping up its campaign, that it should look into having traffic ranks strategically placed along the East Coast to curb the lawlessness. There are already ranks along the East Coast but a few more would enhance the situation.
L. EDWARDS
…………………………………………….
There should be respect even when highlighting wrong doings
THE Kaieteur News continues to carry out its agenda of creating mischief in the public domain. Recently the newspaper carried an article saying that lecturer at the University of Guyana Evan Persaud was fired but was still on the job which was entirely untrue.

The university stated that there will be due process in the matter and that the lecturer remains on the job while the investigation is being carried out. However, the Kaieteur News, in its quest for sensational news, has not only sought to tarnish the reputation of the lecturer but has falsely reported that he was fired.

While the issue is being reported, should the findings prove the lecturer not-guilty, I am sure he would take umbrage at the position which the newspaper is taking and could quite possibly take it up in the courts, to which Kaieteur News is no stranger.

While it is just for people to demand justice in any given situation and for the authorities to act in the best interest of the people, and for the newspaper to highlight wrong doings, there is also need for respect. The way in which the newspaper reported on this issue shows a total lack of responsible journalism and speaks volume for the newspaper’s regard for people’s basic rights.
EMILE SULLIVAN

Crunch time in CONCACAF qualifying
… three places in World Cup finals remain up for grabs
By Simon Evans
MIAMI, Florida (Reuters) - All three regional places in the World Cup finals remain up for grabs as the tightly contested CONCACAF qualification process reaches the penultimate round tomorrow.

The United States, who lead the six-team group on 16 points, would book their place in next year’s finals in South Africa with a win in Honduras although that is a far from simple task.

The Hondurans, who, despite the distractions of a military coup, are seeking their first appearance in the finals since 1982. With a 100 percent home record in qualifying, they will fancy their chances of maintaining that form

Mexico, who made a poor start to qualifying, are second on 15 points and have an easier task at home to fifth-placed El Salvador despite an injury doubt over influential forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

Former group leaders Costa Rica have slumped to fourth following defeats by Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador. After Rodrigo Kenton was fired last month, new coach Rene Simoes hopes to get them back on track against his former team Trinidad and Tobago.

The top three teams in the group qualify automatically while the fourth-placed side has to playoff against the fifth-placed team in South America - currently twice world champions Argentina.

For the U.S, who have appeared at the last five finals, three points will make their final game - against Costa Rica on Wednesday - a celebration rather than a tense decider.

“Ideally we can finish up things tomorrow but, again, there are factors in all of this that are sometimes out of our control,” said coach Bob Bradley.

“It’s been a very tight final round because of some of the other results. But the opportunity to go there and play to win and come away with three points is a great challenge, one that we are embracing.

“I think the players are ready for it and we’re going to go for it with everything we have knowing that obviously we still have the home game to follow.”

POLITICAL TENSION
Bradley will be without attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey who has a shoulder injury and indicated that either Stuart Holden or Benny Feilhaber would deputise in San Pedro Sula.

Honduras, who have had to cope with the political tension in their country, will be without midfielder and captain Amado Guevara who is suspended.

Mexico have won four successive qualifiers since losing to El Salvador away in June but the absence of Blanco would rob them of the player who so often makes them tick.

El Salvador coach Carlos de los Cobos does not see such a scenario as handing his team much of a boost.

“It’s not an advantage. I think Mexico have a sufficient number of players to replace Cuauhtemoc and any other player. Whether Cuauhtemoc plays or not is all the same to me,” de los Cobos said.

Simoes, who coached Jamaica at the 1998 finals, has had little time to sort out Costa Rica’s problems but they are still in with a chance of an automatic place.

“A team that has gained 12 points in this group has to be strong and South Africa are still a good possibility for us,” said the Brazilian, whose team face a Trinidad and Tobago side who are already eliminated.

WADA requests files from case of suspended four
KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – The Jamaica Star evening daily newspaper has reported that the World Anti-Doping Agency has requested the case files of four track & field athletes that have been suspended for three months for violating anti-doping regulations.

The newspaper said that WADA may consider appealing the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if it is not satisfied that proper procedures were followed in the adjudication of the four cases.

Yohan Blake, Marvin Anderson, Allodin Fothergill, and Lansford Spence were suspended until December this year, after they returned an adverse analytical finding from samples taken during the Jamaica national championships in June this year.

“As it does with any decision taken by a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code, WADA requested the case files,” said Frédéric Donze, WADA’s senior manager, media relations and communications, in an email response to questions posed by the newspaper.

“Upon receipt of the documents, WADA will review the reasons for the decisions before determining whether or not to exercise its independent right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

The Star added that Dr Patrece Charles-Freeman, executive director of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission, confirmed the request for the files had been made last week, and they were sent off this week.

There is no indication about how long the review of the case files would take and when WADA would made its decision.

The four male athletes, along with Sheri-Ann Brooks all tested positive for 4-methyl-2-hexanamine at the national championships to select Jamaica’s team to the World Championships last August in Berlin.

Brooks’ case was, however, thrown out because her B-sample was tested without her knowledge.

None of five took part in the Worlds, although they had been cleared by a disciplinary panel which ruled that the stimulant was not on WADA’s banned list.

But JADCO appealed the verdict of the four male athletes which was upheld by a tribunal and they were all subsequently suspended.

Windies women cricketers upbeat ahead of SA tour
… squad departs today
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – West Indies women’s head coach Sherwin Campbell said yesterday his side were upbeat ahead of the tour of South Africa, and were confident of dominating the Proteas on the upcoming two-week tour.

“I’m expecting the team to do very well. We’ve just come off the regional tournament and most of the girls are a part of this tour. We just had four days of camp and the team is looking forward to the tour,” the former West Indies vice-captain said during the squad’s final practice session.

“The girls are fairly confident. Obviously they are a couple of new faces in the side … and we are trying to get the team to gel together and for players to recognise each other and know each other’s games.”

West Indies will face the hosts in four One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals, beginning October 16.

In recent encounters earlier this year, the regional side have gotten the better of South Africa, defeating them in the Women’s World Cup in Australia and the T20 World Cup in England.

Campbell, who led the squad on both those tours, said he was hoping to dominate the South Africans in their backyards this time around.

“We have four one-days and three Twenty20s and I’m looking to win every game on tour and that’s the aim. When you go on tour you want to win every game,” the former Windies opener stressed.

The 14-member side, which is being led by wicketkeeper Merissa Aguilleira, includes four new players who starred in the regional tournament in Guyana in August.

Britney Cooper, Tremayne Smartt and teenagers Amanda Samaroo and Shemaine Campbell, have all been included and Campbell said he would be looking at them closely.

“A couple of girls who had done really well in the regional tournament, the selectors decided to give them a chance and have a look at them,” Campbell noted.

“Obviously there is a Twenty20 World Cup next year and we want to look at as many players as possible.”

He said while the fitness of the squad was not as high as he would like, he had used the recent four-day camp to work on these issues.

“It (camp) was only four days and we tried to get as many (things done) as we could in those four days,” Campbell explained.

“We worked on fitness (and) cricket skills (and) we basically tried to get the players pretty fit because I recognised that a couple of players who came to this camp were not as fit as they should be.”

Campbell, who played 52 Tests and 90 ODIs between 1994 and 2002, said he was expecting to see a big improvement from the team’s batters.

“Obviously you want to see some improvement from the players as well in terms of our batting because in recent tours the bowlers have been doing pretty well but the batters have not been getting the consistent scores as we would like,” he pointed out.

“We are looking forward to seeing the batters put together some useful scores.”

The squad will depart the Caribbean today and should arrive in South Africa on Sunday.

SQUAD: Merissa Aguilleira (capt.), Anisa Mohammed, Shemaine Campbelle, Britney Cooper, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Cordel Jack, Stacy Ann King, Pamela Lavine, Chadean Nation, Amanda Samaroo, Tremayne Smartt, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor.

Italy captain Cannavaro fails drugs test
ITALY captain Fabio Cannavaro has failed a doping test after taking a medicine that contained the banned substance cortisone.

The former World Player-of-the-Year was allegedly stung by a wasp and took a medicine that contained cortisone.

He requested an exemption on the grounds of having taken a medication in the case of an emergency but his request was missing a document and while awaiting a decision he was subjected to an anti-doping test, which returned a positive result.

Sources close to his club Juventus have claimed he took nothing more than an anti-allergy medicine.

Cannavaro is currently on international duty preparing for Italy's last two World Cup qualifiers against Ireland in Dublin tomorrow and then at home to Cyprus on Wednesday.

Cannavaro is suspended for the Ireland match but was expected to return to the team he captained to World Cup glory in 2006 for the Cyprus game.

He is due to be interviewed by the Italian Olympic Committee's (Coni) anti-doping prosecutor Etorre Torri this morning in Turin.

Coni released a statement on its website explaining the circumstances of the positive test without revealing if any action has been taken against the play

Duminy’s superb unbeaten 99 leads Cobras to victory
JEAN-Paul Duminy struck a superb 99 as the Cape Cobras opened their campaign in the Champions League Twenty20 with a five-wicket win over the Royal Challengers in Bangalore.

The Challengers had seemed to have half the battle won when Robin Uthappa (51) and Ross Taylor (53 not out) hammered half-centuries to power the home side to a formidable 180 for four.

Praveen Kumar then claimed wickets in successive overs with the new ball, as the South African side struggled to get up to speed, but Duminy led a remarkable revival, finishing unbeaten one run short of his century off 52 balls, as the Cobras completed an astonishing triumph with two deliveries to spare.

The victory had seemed unlikely at the end of the first innings as Uthappa and Taylor - along with Rahul Dravid - were handed reprieves as Andrew Puttick's side embarrassed themselves with a shoddy performance in the field.

The visitors had begun well enough, snaring Jacques Kallis early on, but opener Uthappa set the tournament alight with a rollicking, if not fluent, performance with the bat.

The local lad was dropped on 18 by Charl Langeveldt, the Cobras fast bowler landing awkwardly on his bowling arm while attempting the catch, the resulting injury ending his spell with the ball.

Uthappa reached his half-century off 38 deliveries but was dismissed immediately after, while the fall of Dravid (28) and Virat Kohli (17) in quick succession opened the door for a Cobras revival.

Taylor's power hitting at the death, however, with four fours and four sixes helped the home side amass 66 from their last five overs and to what seemed a winning total.

Praveen kept the Challengers on target with two wickets in his first two overs, but Duminy settled in and single-handedly swung the verdict in his team's favour.

He struck eight boundaries and five sixes, just falling short of an astonishing ton as his team ran out winners. (Eurosport)
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE (20 overs maximum)
J. Kallis c wkp. Canning b Langeveldt 8
R. Uthappa c Gibbs b Zondeki 51
R. Dravid run-out 28
V. Kohli stp. Canning b Henderson 17
R. Taylor not out 53
M. Pandey not out 10
Extras: (lb-4, w-9) 13
Total: (4 wkts, 20 overs) 180
Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-82, 3-97, 4-115.
Bowling: Langeveldt 3-0-12-1 (w-1), Kleinveldt 4-0-45-0 (w-1), Philander 2-0-21-0 (w-1), Zondeki 4-0-39-1 (w-1), Henderson 4-0-34-1, Ontong 3-0-25-0 (w-5)

CAPE COBRAS (target: 181 off 20 overs)
A. Puttick c Kohli b P. Kumar 11
H. Gibbs c wkp. Boucher b P. Kumar 0
H. Davids c Kohli b R.V. Kumar 27
J. Duminy not out 99
J. Ontong b van der Merwe 19
R. Canning c Kumble b P. Kumar 20
R. Kleinveldt not out 5
Extras: (b-1, lb-1, nb-1) 3
Total: (5 wkts, 19.4 overs) 184
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-14, 3-62, 4-103 5-164.
Bowling: P. Kumar 4-0-32-3, Kallis 2-0-18-0, R.V. Kumar 3.4-0-40-1, Kumble 4-0-35-0 (nb-1), van der Merwe 4-0-34-1, Kohli 2-0-23-0.
Points: Cape Cobras 2, Royal Challengers Bangalore 0

Harmison, Bopara left out of England tour squad
STEVE Harmison's international career appears over after he was omitted from England's Test squad for the tour of South Africa.

His Durham team-mate Liam Plunkett was preferred after an impressive domestic season and is recalled to the international set-up for the first time since 2007.

Kevin Pietersen has been included in both the Test and one-day squads although he will miss the two Twenty20 internationals as he continues to recover from his Achilles surgery.

Geoff Miller, the national selector, explained that Harmison, who said he was keen to tour South Africa but not as a bit-part player, hadn't produced enough performances in recent times to justify selection.

"Stephen has not been included in the Test squad because we feel his form has not been consistent enough over the past 12 months to justify a regular place in the side and we want to give an opportunity to other players to make a case for selection."

The selectors have made a few surprise calls to fill the vacant positions in both parties with Luke Wright included in the Test squad instead of a frontline batsman, while Alastair Cook and Sajid Mahmood are recalled to the one-day side.

Wright averaged 47.90 with the bat in eight Championship matches and took 21 wickets at 33.80 to nudge the selectors, while Cook struck back-to-back Pro40 hundreds for Essex after the Ashes.

As expected Jonathan Trott comes into the limited-overs squad as a replacement for Ravi Bopara, who missed out altogether after a poor Ashes series and disappointing performances in the recent ODIs.

Steven Davies has been chosen as the reserve wicketkeeper for the Test leg of the tour following his last-minute call-up for the Champions Trophy and Adil Rashid is back-up to Graeme Swann with Monty Panesar omitted. Joe Denly, who had been tipped for a Test call-up, has to make do with a place in the one-day squad only.

"We are delighted to welcome Steven Davies and Luke Wright into the Test squad for the first time," Miller said. "Steven is a player of great potential who has been a consistent performer for his county and he will act as understudy to Matt Prior in South Africa.

"The retirement of Andrew Flintoff has created a vacancy for an all-rounder in the squad and while we do not see Luke Wright as a like for like replacement for Andrew, we are excited by the way in which his all-round game continues to develop and believe he can make an impact at Test level.

"Jonathan Trott, who has made an immediate impact in our Test side, has also shown through his performances at domestic level that he has the talent and temperament to succeed in the shorter forms of the game."

"Liam Plunkett has worked hard to improve all aspects of his game since he last played for England and his selection is reward for consistently putting in strong performances for Durham both with bat and ball. He will provide strong competition for a place in our pace attack this winter."

Plunkett took 60 wickets at 23.35 and scored 400 runs at 44.44 as Durham retained their Championship title and now has the chance to add to his nine Test caps, the last of which came against West Indies, at Old Trafford, in 2007.

Like Plunkett, Mahmood was first selected by Duncan Fletcher but faded from the scene after the 2007 World Cup. Miller, though, feels he is ready for a return as the selectors try to find an additional cutting edge to the one-day attack.

"Mahmood is another player who has had a taste of international cricket before and will be equally keen to make an impression in the one-day arena after continuing to show good form with Lancashire," he said.

"Alastair Cook has shown great determination to improve his one-day game this summer, made runs at domestic level in both 50-over and Twenty20 cricket and the selectors believe now is the right time to re-introduce him to our one-day side."

Owais Shah has been dropped despite his 89-ball 98 against South Africa at the Champions Trophy, while Bopara's omission was expected after he was left out for the final Ashes Test and also lost his one-day slot before Matt Prior's illness in South Africa last week.

"Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah will, of course, be disappointed not to be included in either squad but they are both high class players and will remain in the selectors' thoughts as we go forward," Miller said.

Paul Collingwood has been confirmed as the Twenty20 captain for the two matches that begin the tour in November. They will be followed by five ODIs before the four-Test series starts at Centurion Park on December 16.

Test squad: Andrew Strauss (capt.), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Paul Collingwood, Steven Davies, Graham Onions, Kevin Pietersen, Liam Plunkett, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Luke Wright.

One-day squad: Andrew Strauss (capt.), James Anderson, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Joe Denly, Sajid Mahmood, Eoin Morgan, Graham Onions, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Luke Wright. (Cricinfo)

Serena goes out, Nadal progresses in China
By Nick Mulvenney
BEIJING, China (Reuters) - Serena Williams was knocked out of the third round of the $6.6 million China Open by an inspired Nadia Petrova yesterday, leaving the WTA's new ‘crown jewel’ event without a top three seed in the quarter-finals.

Men's top seed Rafa Nadal, however, was delighted with his form and fitness after negotiating a tricky second round tie against American James Blake to reach the last eight.

Williams, who will retake the number one spot next week, lost 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 to the Russian 13th seed to join her third-seeded sister Venus and top seed Dinara Safina in exiting the tournament.

The Australian Open and Wimbledon champion had three break points at 4-4 in a third set that went entirely with serve, and scrambled back from 5-0 down to 6-5 in the tiebreak but Petrova held her off to claim victory with a final huge forehand.

"I don't feel like I ever got into high gear, she was controlling the whole match," said the 28-year-old Williams.

"In the second set, I got one break and I just made sure I held serve to win the set. I ran into a girl today who has never played so good."

Nadal, playing his first tournament since picking up an abdominal injury at the U.S. Open, was not at his rampaging best but certainly proved his fitness by outlasting Blake 7-5, 6-7, 6-3.

"I felt I played really well all the match, one of my best matches since the injury of the knee," said Nadal, who missed his Wimbledon title defence because of tendinitis of both knees.

"He's a very good player, I think he has one of the best returns of any player I have played."

MATCH POINT
Blake, ranked 24th after missing part of the season through injury, hit the ball low and hard throughout the match but errors on key points allowed the Spaniard to tie up their career head-to-head at 3-3.

The New Yorker refused to back down throughout the contest and saved a match point before winning the second set in a tiebreak, only to hand the world number two a 5-3 lead with a double fault in the decider.

"Winning in three sets always gives you confidence but today what really gives me confidence is how I played," said Nadal, who will meet Russian Marat Safin for a place in the semi-finals.

Former world number one Safin, who plans to retire at the end of the season, proved there was still life in his injury-racked body with a 6-3, 6-4 win over seventh seed Fernando Gonzalez.

"He served unbelievably and didn't let me do too much, one break point in the whole match," said Chilean Gonzalez, champion here two years ago.

In the women's draw, the third round proved a step too far for China's world number 226 Zhang Shuai -- the lowest ranked player to beat a world number one when she upset Safina in the second round.

The wildcard went down 6-1, 6-4 to France's Marion Bartoli, who will next play Vera Zvonareva after the Russian seventh seed outlasted 10th seeded Italian Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 5-7, 7-5.

Which African teams will join Ghana in South Africa next year?
By Peter Pedroncelli & Samm Audu
SOME surprises are in store for African football as World Cup qualification approaches a climax, and the giants of Egypt and Nigeria look set to miss the 2010 event.

Five group winners qualify for the 2010 World Cup, while the top three finishers in each mini-league go the African Nations Cup in Angola five months earlier.

Cameroon, Tunisia, Algeria and Ivory Coast are looking good to join Ghana and hosts South Africa to complete the African line-up at the global event.

The Black Stars became the first African team to secure a place through qualifying at the first World Cup to be staged on the 'Dark Continent' by topping Group D with two games to spare.

Ghana became the seventh nation to join hosts South Africa in next year's 32-nation tournament. A 100 per cent record for the Ghanaians shows the depth and ability of the squad, and the world should take notice, as this side is one of the best Africa have ever produced on an international level, and will be gunning for the trophy next year on African soil.

Cameroon, Algeria and Ivory Coast also took maximum points during the fourth round of games in the previous World Cup qualifying round, while Tunisia hit back twice to force a 2-2 draw with Nigeria.

The impact of recently hired French coach Paul Le Guen on Cameroon has been immediate, and after the Indomitable Lions defeated Gabon for the second time in five days, the side became Group A leaders.

This has been quite a turnaround for a team who were defeated in Togo, lost German coach Otto Pfister and managed only a goalless home draw with Morocco under caretaker Thomas N'knono before Le Guen came to the rescue of one of Africa’s traditional heavyweights.

This was seen as the 'Group of Death' for many experts, and it has turned out to be one of the most exciting out of the five, with all four of the teams still in with a chance to progress to the 2010 event, though Morocco seem destined to sit this World Cup out.

The Lions host Togo this weekend before visiting Morocco next month as they seek an African record sixth World Cup appearance.

Le Guen, winner of three consecutive French titles with Lyon, gambled by dropping long-serving defender Rigobert Song and passing the captaincy to star striker Samuel Eto'o. The results speak for themselves, with a 2-0 friendly win in Austria followed by a double win against Gabon, putting them in command of their group and heading towards qualification.

Tunisia can clinch the Group B honours if they beat Kenya at home and Mozambique away in their remaining games - an achievement that will be hard for Nigerians to accept after their shock failure to reach the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Nigeria have the same opponents - a visit from Mozambique followed by a journey to Kenya - but they are reliant on the Tunisians slipping up.

Nigerians have now turned into mathematicians, who have been working overtime to calculate the countless permutations that could see the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup.

The Black Mambas of Mozambique beat Kenya in the last round of matches to keep alive their Nations Cup hopes, meaning they still have something to play for. Most Nigerians are now placing their hopes on a resolute team like Mozambique to at least hold Tunisia to a draw in Maputo, come November 14. The Super Eagles travel to Nairobi to face the Harambee Stars of Kenya on the same day.

But first, Nigeria must beat the Mozambicans in Abuja on Sunday for such a permutation to work in the Super Eagles’ favour. Nigeria not only have to win, but win well to improve their goal difference.

Tunisia enjoy a better goal difference as it now stands - they have scored six times and let in three, while Nigeria have netted on five occasions and conceded twice. The teams have the same goal difference, but Tunisia have struck more regularly than Nigeria and on head-to-head they are also superior, having scored two goals away from home. It will without question be an interesting last few games in this group.

Ivory Coast have been cruising towards securing their second appearance in the World Cup, and they need one point from encounters with Malawi away and Guinea at home to top Group E.

The Ivorian Elephants boast a 100 per cent record after four rounds, and having routed Malawi 5-0 in Abidjan last March, there is no reason to doubt that they can take at least one point from Blantyre this weekend. Ivory Coast are another of the African sides who will be looking at the 2010 World Cup as a fine opportunity to show the world just what they are capable of.

It looks like African champions Egypt will have to defeat Zambia away and Group C leaders Algeria at home to have any hope of reaching South Africa, as they trail their fierce North African rivals by three points.

This race may end up depending on the final direct match-up between the two sides in Cairo in November, as it seems likely that Algeria will defeat visiting Rwanda this weekend, while Egypt will probably achieve a similar result in Zambia.

Should the Desert Foxes beat bottom team Rwanda in their next match and Egypt fail to win in Zambia, however, Algeria will qualify for the 2010 World Cup, meaning their trip to Cairo on the final day of the qualifiers will just be a mere formality. Zambia are expected to clinch the third place and a ticket to the Nations Cup at the expense of a disappointing Amavubi of Rwanda.

The outcome of the games this weekend will go a long way to determining the final five African sides who will join South Africa at next year’s World Cup, so get ready for a whirlwind weekend of football from Africa, with your best coverage here on Goal.com.

Maraj returns to T&T training squad after three years
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – National selectors have called up the trio of Richard Kelly, Imran Khan and Amit Jaggernauth in a 19-man squad named to prepare for the WICB President’s Cup later this month.

The three players, who missed out on selection for the Twenty20 Champions League which bowled off in India yesterday, will now get a chance to make the final 14-man squad for the October 28 to November 5 tournament.

The national cricketers will now have a chance to represent this country in the regional President’s Cup, carded to get under way on October 28 in Guyana.

They joined the other selectees on Tuesday at the National Cricket Centre to continue their build-up for the regional tournament.

Batsman Tishan Maraj, who has not played for T&T for three years because of medical studies, has also been named in the training squad.

T&T Cricket Board president Deryck Murray told CMC Sports the selected players for the exception of Maraj had been in training since June with an eye on the Champions League, the President’s Cup and a possible Twenty20 tournament later this year.

“We have had these players in different training camps since June because we were preparing for the regional season,” said Murray.

“This means that they should be in good condition to play cricket and join in with the other players currently in India, for the tournament in Guyana.”

With the T&T team expected to return from India on October 24, Murray said the final squad would not be named as yet, adding that the TTCB would also wait on a deadline date from the WICB.

“This would give the guys down here ample time to state a case for selection,” said the former West Indies vice-captain.

Maraj, meanwhile, has not played plenty cricket of recent because of his medical studies but with these having ended, he has indicated his availability.

The 24-year-old, right-hander made his debut four years ago against Barbados and Murray said his inclusion had given him a chance to stake his claim again.

“Tishan has played for Trinidad and Tobago before and he was out of the game because of his studies but has now indicated that he is ready for cricket,” Murray explained.

“We took into consideration that he was a national player before and hence he was given the chance to fight for a place.”

Maraj is now a qualified medical doctor.

SQUAD – Gibran Mohammed, Shannon Gabriel, Atiba Alert, Magnum Nanan, Imran Khan, Amit Jaggernauth, Richard Kelly, Justin Guillen, Daron Cruickshank, Kevon Cooper, Mario Belcon, Nicholas Ramjass, Rishi Bachan, Dane Teelucksingh, Rishaad Harris, Deepak Kumar, Nicholas Sookdeosingh, Jason Mohammed, Tishan Maraj.

Champions League will make domestic cricket stronger - Modi
By Jamie Alter
LALIT Modi, chairman of the Champions League Twenty20's governing council, is certain the tournament will result in the "rapid growth" of club cricket around the world.

Modi also said there was a strong chance the Champions League would be taken to non-cricket playing countries as a means of expanding the game's reach and get other countries to embrace cricket.

"The Champions League has been developed to embrace club cricket all round the world," he said on the day of the tournament launch in Bangalore.

"It's a place where we can find young cricketers who then play for their national sides. The IPL is a great example of a domestic club-level tournament, and similarly nations around the world have club tournaments.

The objective here is not to make money, it is to build the game, to build club-level cricket, to find and nurture new talent. Money is not the criterion.

The objective here is that we have some of the best players around the world and we hope that in years to come the Champions League comes to symbolise what the UEFA (version) is to football.

"From this year itself the tournaments in countries like Sri Lanka, New Zealand and West Indies will become more competitive.

You'll see players who were not participating in domestic tournaments who will now take part and do well. Before, once players graduated from their clubs, they became international players and if at all they went back to their clubs they hardly played a few games.

But the rules of the Champions League are that you have to play for your club, and your club must win to participate here. You won't get a chance to be here unless you've played for your club."

Dean Kino, head of business and legal affairs for the Champions League, said one positive fallout of this competition would be to give context to domestic cricket. "It increases the passion of grassroots cricketers to be involved for their states and provinces. If you look at the interest in the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash in Australia and the IPL over the last six months, you will see that the result of going to the Champions League has been hugely stimulating. At the domestic level it will drive young cricketers to the game and that will build on domestic cricket and make it stronger."

Modi felt there was no better format than Twenty20 to draw new audiences and one way to do so was to broadcast matches across the world in different languages. While the current focus is to take the Champions League to participating nations, there is a definite plan to expand the competition. "That is a definite possibility.

“The immediate future is that we have South Africa, Australia and New Zealand as leading candidates and the objective would be to move within the participating countries," he said. "But we must make the competition more broadcast-friendly and show it to countries that have never seen cricket before. Like the IPL did, we have to get more women and children hooked onto this game."

The governing council has definite plans to take the tournament on the road, with Modi confirming that future editions will move from country to country. Kino said the concept was to move the competition around as much as possible.

"We will look at newer, cricket-playing countries primarily but beyond the next ten years a decision will be taken as to whether it is appropriate to bring the game to non-cricket-playing countries. We want to take the grassroots level of cricket to as many countries as possible."

To make the Champions League more prestigious, one change could be to increase the number of participating teams, something the governing council will decide on after the inaugural tournament. Modi and Kino ruled out a home-and-away format, like in the IPL and other domestic tournaments, because of the obvious difficulties in flying teams across the world on a daily basis.

"As a global league it is very important to get crickets playing all around the world and give them the opportunity to play on different surfaces, in front of different fans and cultures," Modi said.

The IPL, run by the BCCI, has been extremely successful and Kino was hopeful the Champions League would blossom with the inputs of Cricket Australia and other boards.

"The Champions League doesn't arise from the IPL," he said. "Representatives of Cricket Australia, the BCCI and Cricket South Africa talked about the possibility of a Champions League even before the concept of the IPL was invented. We've been talking about this for years and it's been a matter of getting the right time and place to launch.

Whereas the IPL certainly helped leverage interest in the event, the Champions League stands by itself as an international event. It becomes the apex of all domestic events around the world; its context and relevance is through domestic event. (Cricinfo)

QC badminton tourney enters final rounds
PLAY in the Queen’s College (QC) Lower and Upper School Singles badminton tournament continued yesterday with the semi-finals of the Lower and Upper School boys and third place matches for the Lower School girls and Upper School boys.

Nicholas Ali continued his dominance in the upper school boys’ category, as he made quick work of Stephan Greaves in their two-game semi-final match-up; Ali won the match 21-4, 21-11.

In the other semi-final match Avian Rodrigues also won in two quick games when he defeated Easa Sanichara 21-5, 21-14.

Sanichara subsequently turned his fortunes and won his third place match with Greaves in two games 21-14, 21-15.

In the lower school boys semi-final round Christopher Shewjattan defeated Troxley Cuttings, 21-18, 18-21, 21-11. Dennis Nelson was the winner of the other match in this round. He defeated Alexander Paul 21-14, 21-8. In the lone encounter for the lower school girls Sajeedah Khan won against Tera Jaipaul. Khan’s victory was reflected by the 21-16, 21-20 score.
Play continues today with the finals and the remaining third place playoff.

England sees $5 billion benefit from winning 2018 Cup bid
LONDON, England (Reuters) - The World Cup would benefit England by at least $5 billion if the country was chosen to host the 2018 tournament, bid chairman Andy Anson said yesterday.

“Every region will benefit if the World Cup came to England in 2018,” he told a Leaders in Football Conference at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium.

“In fact, an initial independent financial study indicates that an England 2018 World Cup will see five billion pounds ($8.04 billion) spent during the tournament benefiting England’s economy by 3.2 billion pounds.

“I am sure that once our technical plans are finalised next year, our final study will show an even bigger benefit to the economy.”

England are among 11 bidders to stage either the 2018 or 2022 tournaments, with world body FIFA to decide the hosts in December next year.