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ARCHIVES FOR AUGUST 17, 2009

From Green Light Guyana, with love
By Shirley Thomas

GGEP President, Salome Osborne presents a back pack with school supplies to a student of Nismes primary School.

The U.S.-based Green Light Guyana Education Project (GGEP), on its third annual humanitarian mission to Guyana, last week made presentations of complete school uniforms, along with back-packs containing books and other educational tools to hundreds of pupils on the West Bank Demerara, Region Three.

The children were drawn from La Retraite, Nismes and Bagotville Primary Schools, adopted by that organisation which takes an active role in ensuring their basic educational and psycho-social needs are met, and that they are moulded into well-rounded pupils and ultimately citizens of whom their families and wider communities can be justly proud.

Making the presentations to the more than 325 children were President of GGEP-Ms. Salome Osborne of New York; her Education Consultant - Ms. Liz Best of Baltimore, Maryland; and Ms. Ngazi Osborne – support staff member, of Bagotville. Ms Osborne and Ms Best travelled to Guyana specially to undertake this engagement in which they take much pride.

The presentations were made at all three schools throughout Thursday, and had the support of parents, headmasters and teachers, along with members of the schools’ Parent Teacher Associations.

In a moving show of appreciation, the beneficiaries and their support groups, apart from literally saying “Thank you” to the donors, staged a heartwarming impromptu programme at the La Retraite Primary School with a praise service, and regaled their guests-of-honour with a spirited talent show.

Education Consultant - Liz Best poses with winner of the 2008 Reading Competition – Jaleel Roberts of Nismes Primary School, who read 78 books during the summer vacation.

A true and patriotic ‘daughter of Guyana’s soil’, Salome Osborne, who more than 24 years ago migrated to the United States of America, has served in many positions of responsibility through the years, including a top position with the prestigious Morgan Stanley on New York's Wall Street – one of the World’s foremost financial institutions. For 20 years she served that company with distinction, beginning at entry level in 1986 and retiring in 2006 as Vice President of Retirement Plan Operations.

And just what is it that would cause her to yearly invest in such a project in Guyana, instead of taking a cruise around the world, or to famous places of interest now that she is retired? The answer is her deep and abiding concern and close affinity to the less fortunate children, and a burning desire to ensure they are not made vulnerable to the ills of society that now loom large”.

GreenLight Guyana Education Project was the brainchild of Ms. Osborne who, about four years ago, on one of her trips home, observed that many children of the countryside communities of West Demerara, stayed at home for the first few weeks of school. Her enquires led her to find out that those children did so because their parents could not afford to provide them with school uniforms and books for the new term. And so the work of GreenLight is in direct response to that need.

“My biggest reward is for children to come to school and learn…Teachers, make sure the children are prepared to learn,” she admonished.

Ms. Best addresses the gathering during one of the presentation ceremonies.

Supporting this desire in other tangible ways that would make the school environment student-friendly and conducive to learning, GGEP has already financed the construction and installation of steel grills to enhance security at the Nismes Primary School. The organisation is considering landscaping and fencing the school compound which is bombarded by stray cattle. Plans are also on the cards for starting a feeding programme for the La Retraite and Nismes Primary Schools where pupils can get a hot meal – initially twice per week. Osborne observed that it is difficult for children to learn when they are hungry.

But even as the group is prepared to be of help, they are now partnering with the parents to inculcate in them – an attitude of self reliance and self-sufficiency. Education Consultant Liz Best, who is now on her second visit to Guyana after migrating more than 41 years ago, is planning an education intervention for parents, which would initially address three core competencies: customer service; empowering women to realise their potential and become self-sufficient; and understanding what makes students stay in school, and working towards providing that motivation.

Best, a dynamic change agent, is Founder - Best Writing and Consulting Services, Inc; Former Host of the Liz Best Online Talk Show, and Managing Editor of Scam and Fraud Alert – a national consumer newsletter featured on CNN, among other things.

Another area of focus by the group is – teaching children the importance of being able to ‘ feel good about themselves’.

No more prior notice for inspecting health care facilities
The no-notice inspection will now replace the inspection with notice that is intended for the Licensing and Renewal of License process at all health care facilities.

This was according to a release from the Ministry of Health as it takes steps to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

This means that inspections will now be carried out without prior notice, as was done in the past.

Recently there were reports in the media of unauthorised dumping of medical waste at the Lamaha and Camp Streets intersection in the city.

Since then the Ministry of Health has established an investigative team to address the issue.

The statement from the Ministry pointed out that the team is headed by Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud.

Additionally, the release reaffirmed that the medical waste did not come from the Georgetown Public Hospital, and highlighted that there was a reasonable level of certainty that it did not come from any private hospital.

According to the release, the issue of safety in hospitals and health centres are of paramount importance for the overall safety of the population. Hospitals, laboratories, and other health care environments, including stand-alone doctor’s private practice facilities, must comply with the safety regulations.

The Health Facilities Licensing Act has been in effect for over a year and the Ministry of Health assured that work has been done at health care facilities to ensure that the licensing requirements are met.

The release emphasised that the venture has been a collective effort on the part of all health workers to ensure “we improve the safety of the health environment.”

The Ministry of Health, in the statement, recognised and is very appreciative of the support and the willingness displayed by operators of both private and public health care facilities.

However, the release pointed out that the time has come for greater compliance with the rules, stating that there has been enough time to come to grips and familiarise oneself with the rules and regulations and to put mechanisms in place for compliance with the rules.

Thus far, the Ministry of Health has monitored the compliance with rules through an inspection process based on notice of inspection. All facilities inspected were informed before hand of the inspection and are informed as to the nature of the inspection.

The Ministry of Health usually submits at least two weeks ahead of schedule the names of the inspectors and what aspects of the health care services the team will inspect.

There has been no inspection without notice.

However, the Ministry of Health will now add to the inspection services the mandate for inspection without notice.

When introduced, the Health Facilities Licensing Bill met with objections from several professionals in the health sector.

One of the arguments was that that private doctor’s offices should not be included in the regulatory framework.

According to the release, the Ministry of Health itself did not believe that the new Act should immediately apply to private doctors’ offices.

The basis for this conclusion, as highlighted by the statement, was different from that of the professionals themselves, as the Ministry did not believe the reasons provided by the doctors were persuasive enough; but the end result of the two trends of reasoning was the same – that the new Act will not apply to private doctors’ offices.

However, while the doctors opined that the Health Facilities Licensing Act should not apply to them, the Ministry of Health, in the statement, emphasised that their vision was of a day when the Act should apply to all health care environments.

The Ministry’s release made clear that with situations like the unlawful dumping of medical waste, a resolution can only be had if the ability is there to regulate all environments where health services are provided.

For the time being, the release underscored, a quantum leap has been made in being able to regulate the hospitals and laboratories; but there is a need for capacity development which would allow regulation of all facilities in which health care is delivered.

McCoy finds Freddie Kissoon’s column repugnant and racist
PRESIDENT’S Press Liaison Officer, Kwame McCoy has lodged an official complaint against Kaieteur News columnist Mr. Freddie Kissoon for an article he wrote titled “Ten years of Jagdeo-Faustian journey.”

McCoy told this newspaper that Kissoon, in his Thursday, August 13 article, exhibited racist behaviour when he associated him with a monkey.

McCoy said it is his contention that Kissoon’s article contained language that was unambiguously offensive and repugnant.

According to him, the racist connections between black people and primates are of the past, but hold deep and immediate social implications even today because it reinforces the common, demeaning and dehumanising imagery.

As a young professional, McCoy said he is utterly concerned about Kissoon’s article which has racist connotations and could negatively affect efforts to sustain national unity.

McCoy is requesting the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to examine this complaint.

President joins India’s Independence anniversary celebration
- calls for developing countries’ interests to be better recognised

President Bharrat Jagdeo and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Subit Kumar Mandal toasting at the 62nd anniversary of India's Independence.

President Bharrat Jagdeo Saturday joined the Indian High Commission in a ceremony at the Tower Hotel in Georgetown to mark the 62nd anniversary of India’s independence.

The Head of State and the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Subit Kumar Mandal, toasted to the continued good friendship and bilateral relations which the two countries have shared for a number of years.

India has a special place in the hearts of all Guyanese, according to President Jagdeo, who also noted that a significant part of Guyana’s history is connected to the “distant land” which has brought great inspiration for many decades.

“Throughout the independent history of India, we have seen its struggle moving from a country that experienced famine routinely to a world power today. Your rich culture, music, art form, dances, and its deep history are all in some form or fashion in the Guyanese culture, and we all own it, people of all races in Guyana, because it’s part of who we are,” President Jagdeo said.

The Head of State pledged that Guyana will continue to look to India in its quest to provide a better life for Guyanese and build better relations between the two countries.

He was however more interested in speaking about the role of the developed and the developing world in fashioning a global solution to the current economic and financial crisis.

Calls were made for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international financial instructions to expand shareholdings to the developing world in a more equitable manner.

President Jagdeo alluded to the unfortunate situation of Asia, having over 40 percent of the total global economy, but owning only a fraction of the shares in the international financial institution.

Nevertheless, he was pleased that calls for the Group of 20 (G20) Financial Ministers forum to be expanded into a Heads of State forum have been heeded and India is an integral part of this process.

Nevertheless, he expressed hope that the interests of the 170 odd countries that have a mere 14 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and are not part of the meeting are taken into account.

“We hope that India, consistent with its tradition of support to small developing countries, would champion that cause and that our issues could be taken to this forum so that when the new financial architecture is crafted at the global level, the interest of large and small, rich and poor would all be accommodated,” President Jagdeo said.

With Guyana being the first country to propose a model that calls on the international community to recognise the need for including a compensatory mechanism for forest carbon services, President Jagdeo expressed hope that such a bold initiative would win India’s patronage.

“We all have to work towards a solution that is just, a solution that recognises the need for the developed world to support developing countries big and small, so that they can get on a sustainable pathway towards limiting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere without affecting the future prosperity of their people,” President Jagdeo said. (GINA)

Facing up the realities within the sugar industry

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)-the largest trade union in the English-speaking Caribbean, opened its 19th congress over the weekend and will be ongoing until tomorrow in a period when the local sugar industry, which is the backbone of the national economy, is experiencing a testing and challenging time.

In this context the deliberations and outcome of the congress will definitely impinge on the operations of the sugar industry and help chart the way forward, particularly with respect to industrial relations, which is so crucial to its stability and by extension production and productivity.

GAWU has a long history of struggle and championing of workers rights and welfare ever since its origins in the late 1940s and because of its consistent militancy and uncompromising stance on injustice and exploitation of workers it has been able to attract workers from outside of its traditional stronghold. And so today it represents workers from the timber and seafood industries as well as the commercial sector.

The struggle by GAWU has been an extremely difficult one, particularly in the early days of its formation as it had to provide representation for sugar workers and simultaneously wage a struggle for recognition, despite having the overwhelming support of sugar workers, against the company union Man Power Citizens Association (MPCA) now defunct. The latter was led by the arch reactionary the late Richard Ishmael who worked had in glove with the CIA and other foreign and local forces to destabilise the PPP government in the 1960s and to keep out GAWU as the recognised bargaining agent of the sugar workers.

It took GAWU over three decades, through tremendous sacrifices and persistence by sugar workers before the former PNC regime agreed to hold a poll in the sugar industry in 1975 which it overwhelmingly won and finally became recognised officially as the bargaining agent of the sugar workers.

It should be recalled, however, that the then Minister of Labour, Winslow Carrington who was a veteran trade unionist, perhaps was sympathetic to GAWU’s struggle for recognition and this may have influenced the holding of the poll. While there is no hard evidence, circumstantially it would appear that this resulted in Mr. Carrington losing grace from his party because he did not last much longer as a minister and since then he has been unheard of. His name is never even mentioned by the party of which he was a member. Incidentally, too the late former President of Guyana, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, as Honorary President of GAWU led a delegation to Mr. Carrington with a seven-point memorandum pertaining to matters which the union felt should be addressed as priority. However, Dr. Jagan reported that Mr. Carrington asked why only a seven-point memorandum because he saw 50 things that are wrong in the industry.

Today, GAWU has to continue championing workers rights and welfare but it also has an important role as a partner in the industry to help to turn around the industry which is faced with severe challenges and difficulties in a difficult global trading and financial climate.

On this note, President Jagdeo at the opening of the congress sounded a pertinent exhortation when he declared: “By all means, strike if you want to; I am not saying don’t strike, but go through the established grievance process. Let us have this done, because we are trying to save this industry too, and we are showing the commitment by the money we put into it.”

Indeed strikes have contributed to disrupting production but on the other hand workers and the union alone cannot share the blame because in many instance it is the arrogant attitude demonstrated by management towards workers grievances which spark off strikes. So it is necessary that both sides display a sensible, reasonable and responsible approach in order to prevent industrial action.

It is almost certain that the touchy and important issue of wages and salaries will feature prominent during the deliberations of the congress, and this is expected because of the difficulties and hardships being faced by workers.

However, it is hoped that good sense will prevail and the reality of the financial situation facing the industry will be acknowledged, as the President correctly pointed out.

“We can always talk about [wage] increase, but we have to face the reality of the industry, and we want to save it for all of us, so that sugar contributes to our economy… and the life of all the workers and the people who rely on the industry.”

The Parrot
The three blind mice
The Parrot hasn’t had a chance to revisit books in an effort to refresh its memory on nursery rhymes. Yeah, having been all grown up, I am more occupied with other things, nursery rhymes being the least of my priorities. However, a recent press release which was given prominence by the Big Market paper, immediately “transported” me back to my childhood. Since reading the article in last Saturday’s edition of the said paper, a particular nursery rhyme is stuck in head; “Three Blind Mice”.

People are generally classified as being visually impaired when they cannot see. Mice too. With this impairment, one cannot make an informed judgement and opinion based on what they would have seen. However, there are some with no known visual impairment who make pronouncements; pronouncements which clearly indicate that they suffer from acute blindness. There is no reason to doubt that the mice in the rhyme were blind; however, based upon the article in question, there is no reason to believe that the three characters involved can see.

The three; two tirade…oops, sorry, two trade unionists and a media opportunist, jointly opine that “…Guyana has never been this bad…” Now, I cannot help but opine that they had to be feeling the effects of a “joint” to make such a “blind” statement. These three mice, oops again, three “musketeers” as they are referred to, seem to be a new political alliance with only three members, themselves. Apparently the people at the Place of CONgress and at the KEY headquarters have discarded them. However, the convenient protest of these three mice, ah… “politicians”, are being used to propagate the political adventurism of Palm Tree Jungle and the Turn-key party.

Lincoln, not the car; Norris, not Chuck and Mark, not this paper Editor, who were charged for disorderly behaviour by Henry, not Jeffery, are trying their utmost to seek public attention in the context of opposing Uncle Bharrat. They are trying to “out-do” Uncle Bob (Corbie), “Ruff-fella” (the turn-key man), Norton (who Uncle Bob and Volda discard), Van West (who challenging Uncle Bob) and others from the less-than-smaller parties. These three, are trying to “out-do” the poor-turned-out protests and grovel for media attention by flaunting their ASSets.

Yes, with all their rants about how bad Guyana is and how difficult it is for people, the former “straight-up” man with a crooked surname drives around a multi-million dollar worth vehicle; Tundra! Things “so bad” that he drives, not one, but two! The car-name trade unionist built a big-big fancy house on the East Coast and the other with the “star-boy” name enjoys many privileges from his position. So, the obvious question is, how can these privileged men claim that Guyana has never been so bad? In their boys’ time, Forbes and Desi that is, there weren’t even roads, much less two Tundras!

Then, there wasn’t enough food and money was scarce. Building houses was done only by Mr. Joe; the builder in the primary school book! So how come things bad now? Look how many houses and businesses were built over the years. Construction continues rapidly. Look how many thousands of cars there are now that every driver, including these three, does “fret” because of the plenty traffic jam. In Forbes and Desi time a car used to pass every hour and nine out of ten times it was a Minister. The list of developments for the last seventeen years too long to list, any person with eye-sight will know that these three men are as blind as the mice in the nursery rhyme.

With regard to the “Tundra” man, who physically abused his wife during a show in BV a few months back, the case was not dealt with through the courts. Reports suggest that was not the first of his “expression of love”. The “pashway” was big. Dem boys who witnessed it know it was “nothing to laugh about”. She, the Mrs. that is, has since reportedly filed for divorce. What is bad is that this was not dealt with by law enforcement. Maybe, this is the bad the three mice,…oops, the three men in question were alluding to. It was bad for such things to happen in Guyana! Back to my nursery rhyme book. “Tom, Tom, the piper son…” Squawk! Squawk!

Claiming racism last refuge of incompetent and hopeless politicians
IT is quite incredible that the party which moved Guyana from being the bread basket of the Caribbean to a nation poorer than Haiti can still convince some people that their candidates fail at elections only because of their race. The PNC's record in government, some insist, has nothing to do with the people’s rejection of their poor governing abilities.

In opposition, the party engaged in riotous action that involved brutal assaults on innocent people pushed a campaign of “slow-fire mo fire” and even, some believe, encouraged murderous terrorism from gangs in Buxton village. Such actions were all part of a programme meant to destabilise the country and foment an anti-democratic atmosphere through which the party might seize political power, irrespective of the will of the people.

Despite all this, I recently read a claim by a Kaieteur News columnist that Indians vote for the PPP only to keep their Black brothers out of power. How insulting.

This argument is also strange because there are Blacks in positions of power right now in government and the power of the civil service is overwhelmingly in black hands.

Indians rallied to Dr. Walter Rodney, a black man who they wanted as their leader. They felt that Rodney could have run the country better than those in government. Indians honoured and trusted Dr. Rodney. If free elections were held in Rodney’s day he would have won by a majority. Indians were confident of Sam Hinds as he took the role of interim president as per a coalition agreement with the civic component of the governing alliance.

There is evidence that a majority of Indians do not have issues with competent and honest black political leaders. (In the United States Indians voted overwhelmingly for Barack Obama.)

Claiming racism, it appears, is the last refuge of incompetent and hopeless politicians and government haters who write in the press.

The Kaieteur News columnist said that the PNC has a lot gifted people who can do a better job in government than the PPP. The Alliance for Change, he claimed, has superb quality in its leadership. Perhaps it would be useful for him to spend some time introducing such folks to the rest of the nation instead of always preaching PPP hate in his column.
DAVID SEEGOBIN

Opposition parties, media quiet on kidnapping of Khan
THE opposition parties and their backers in the media have been taking every opportunity to jump on the government whenever they find the flimsiest excuse to do so.

In recent times, they have been talking about torture in our country. Their stories are based on statements by criminals who were interrogated by the security forces.

Whenever they were criticized for attacking the security forces on behalf of the criminals, their usual reply is “criminals have rights too.” This is true but in Guyana only some criminals seem to have rights.

For instance, Roger Khan was kidnapped by the US agents and taken to the United States.

Our media said not a word about this violation of the rights of a Guyanese by another country’s agents and government.

Not a word of concern or criticism was uttered in protest against Suriname and Trinidad that were part of the conspiracy to break national and international laws.

Some may say Khan is a criminal but once we begin accepting these violations we would be forced to accept all others.

I would like to hear the media; political parties and civil society condemn this act. It is not too late.
SYDNEY JOAQUIN

Reporting on investigations should be left to Commissioner, Home Affairs Minister or authorised person
THE handling of investigations leaves much to be desired. The reporting on investigations should be left to the Commissioner, Home Affairs Minister or one authorised spokesperson.

There should be no speculation or remarks by anyone else, only facts and that there are persons that are being sought in an ongoing investigation.

The President should not have spoken about the former chief magistrate until the police investigation was completed. This was not legally or politically astute. Too much unofficial information seems to come from inside the GPF that could hurt an investigation.

The showing of the spy equipment should have been done long ago and the Commissioner should have given a better accounting of where, when and how the equipment surfaced and not run out as if this had nothing to do with him. He should have at least stated that an investigation will take place when the US provided the requested information.
N. AUGUSTUS

A minute of silence should be observed for Ms. Eunice Kennedy
AS the countdown to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games has begun, local television station owners who might have an interest should begin their quest in acquiring broadcasting rights. That is, if they haven't already embarked on it.

If it is not too late, a prize promotion could also be considered by the business community for a few persons to have the opportunity of experiencing the winter games. It could be for the opening ceremony and an all expenses week at the event.

If I were to name a company to lead off with such project, it would definitely be The Bank of Nova Scotia.

The main reason for that is because of its sister offices based in Canada.

If this becomes a reality, I would also be so happy for it not to be a credit card give away promotion for the mere fact I am not a card holder and I wouldn't qualify for the competition.

A raffle promotion is what I would suggest.

Touching on the subject of the Olympics I would suggest that the local Olympics Office and the agency overlooking the physically challenged give a minute of silence sometime during one of its meeting sessions with respect to the passing of the founder of the Special Olympics, American Eunice Kennedy.

I only just learnt of her being the founder of the Special Olympics and she was a champion for the physically challenged like Mother Theresa was, for the poor and sickly.
T. PEMBERTON

Day of worship should be respected
THERE are people who believe in observance of Sunday as the day of worship, and they are those people who believe in the observance of Saturday as the day of worship.

Which ever day people observe should be respected.

As a matter of fact their religious rights are guaranteed under the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

In regard to the Holy Scriptures I quote “He that regard the day to the Lord he regard the day.“

Therefore if a man comes to you and say I cannot work Saturday because I observe today as a day of worship. Then that must be respected. Likewise if a man comes to you and say that I cannot work on Sunday. Then his rights must be respected.
CONCERNED CITIZEN
(Name and address provided)

Unprofessional behaviour at Anna Regina Police Station
REPORTEDLY, we are a nation in transition, and so we can reasonably expect certain aspects of our country’s development to move at a controlled pace. There are some though, such as police professionalisation which should not be as pedestrian.

Here at the Anna Regina Police Station, in my view, the level of such professionalism leaves much to be desired. On two occasions, while seeking to address a matter of grave concern with a senior officer at that station, I became the victim of a hung receiver. This is also the same senior officer who declared that he is “unapproachable”, when questioned as to why my matters cannot be addressed at his level. For a phone to be hung up on a civilian by a public servant executing a function of the state is a misfortune, but for a senior officer, entrusted with serving the public fairly and impartially to articulate he is “unapproachable” is most appalling. In addition to this letter, this encounter is now formally engaging the attention of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).

Police officers, especially one as senior as this gentleman, must know that with their office comes the responsibility of healthy public relations, dispensed most fairly. They must know that except in a totalitarian form of policing, discourtesy is a regimen for fractured police- public relationships. As it is, I now stand ill- disposed to any form of police mediation which might have resolved my matter. This is the grim consequence of domineering and boorish attitudes.

G. Douglas Gourley’s “Police Public Relations” can serve as a useful read for many police officers inclined to professionalism. Noteworthy in that treatise is the widely held view that “policemen are uneducated and of low mentality”; that they are “of doubtful honesty and integrity” and that “the only way to be safe from [their] tyranny is to have either wealth or ‘pull’.” Gourley does admit that many of such indictments cannot be fairly charged, but he affirms that “at various times and places each has been successfully proved”. I seek not to besmear the reputation of the police, but officers need to be reminded that their occupation carries many negative perceptions, and the surest way of disproving such jaundiced views is to maintain healthy relationships with all the respective “publics” constituting the society they serve.

Had it not been for my encounter with a few highly amenable and polite officers right here at Anna Regina, this senior officer’s conduct would have alienated not just me, but all other members comprising my sociological public.One can only surmise how disastrous solving crimes would be when citizens lack confidence in the police.

It is my hope that the PCA, along with the Commissioner of Police, and even the Minister of Home Affairs, would share these few pointers (paraphrased from Gourley’s treatise) with their subordinates, who are equally, public servants remunerated monthly from taxes levied on the common citizen:

1. Police represent only a fraction of the public they serve, and can only effectively discharge their duties if they maintain good will and co operation with such clients.

2. Law enforcement is not an end of itself, but a means to an end- an orderly society.

3. Police themselves are the most important factor of how the public view them.

Most importantly, I entreat the said authorities to examine the levels of professionalism which currently exist at this police station. There is no harm in proving me wrong.
ROMAIN KHAN

Big men with destructive agenda and little substance
PLEASE permit me a space in your letter column to express my opinion regarding the project of a certain three who take up valuable print space to register narrow-minded views.

I refer here to the article captioned: ‘ Guyana has never been this bad, say Lewis, Witter and Benschop’, and published in the Saturday August 15 edition of the Stabroek News.

Trade unionists Lincoln Lewis and Norris Witter and social activist Mark Benschop have been infamous for all sorts of irresponsible commentaries and actions, and have again made utterances that are rife with sentimentality and no substance. These gentlemen have, thus, been constructing for themselves a persona which can be appropriately named “The Trivial Trio”.

The Trio asserts that never since the pre-colonial struggles of Dr Cheddi Jagan has Guyana been this bad. The ‘bad’ seems to be defined by what they contend to be ‘President Bharrat Jagdeo’s “tyrannical reign”’; the reign of the ‘criminal drug empire’; the administrative obstruction to ‘free and fair elections’; and the government’s complicity in illicit acts.

Assertions that the current height of allegations of government ministers’ involvements in illicit acts is unprecedented may be formidable indeed. But have these gentlemen gone to the level of producing empirical evidence of this? Have they registered any supporting argument to their claim of President Jagdeo’s ‘tyranny’? Have they submitted facts to prove that the reign of the criminal drug empire and the contravention to the democratic right to free and fair elections are solely attributable to the tenure of the Jagdeo administration? If not, then of what merit are their claims?

Despite current unfortunate realities, no fair, objective Guyanese can refute the fact that under the leadership of President Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana has enjoyed an unprecedented level of growth made possible by significant infrastructural developments, expansion and modernisation of critical economic areas and improvement of general livelihood of the citizenry. The indicators are present for all to see.

It is obvious that the Trio has a clandestine motive; even this will soon be revealed given how inclined these gentlemen are to spewing their angst toward the Government. Or should one conclude that this angst is as a result of what these gentlemen claim to be the administration’s ‘imposition of wage increases for public servants’ and ‘withdrawal of state funding given to Critchlow Labour College and the Guyana Trades Union Congress’?

Whatever the project, their impetuous claims and myopic views have been reducing them rapidly to nothingness; they run the risk of becoming invisible in the eyes of readers should they persist in this version of critiquing which they have made their own.
GUY SCHOLARI

Amazed at the extent some go to make money
I am truly amazed to the extent some business people would go in order to make money.

I am truly happy to see the ever vigilant Minister of health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, personally involved in dealing with this sickening affair. Canned expired or packaged foods may be cheaper but indeed they are deadly killers. People could get very sick and even die, even if people recover, serious destruction could happen to various organs of the human body.

It is known that the industrialised nations sell food cheaper to countries like ours as the expiry time approaches, and our desperado of business people take advantage to pocket a few dollars more.

These importers must understand that Guyana is their country; they owe her loyalty, love and respect. Similarly they owe the citizens that keep them alive by supporting their various business enterprises, and their product lines. Hence, in reciprocation, they owe to the country of Guyana and the Citizens of this great country to ensure they import proper wholesome foods for consumption. Failing which, they should be banned from importing foods into Guyana, if their intent is only money and they care nothing about the citizens of this country.

Further, I challenge the authorities to make laws if they do not exist to deal appropriately with people who import near expired goods, and sell near expired or expired goods. Such people should have their licenses to operate seized and reprocessed under a sloth’s authority, with vigilant eyes to see that that they do not repeat the crime under a mere different name.

Such importers are like traitors to the nation. They are trusted by the people, and they betray that trust, how we can trust them again.

I again take the opportunity to compliment the same Minister of Health for action he took in regards to Swine Flu. He was criticized from all quarters, including his own for resources being expended on the disease. Look at other countries in the Caribbean and South America, and we can see the dividends now in the Hon. Minister’s aggressiveness in regards to Swine Flu.

May I make another comment? In regards to Simuels trial in the USA, it would appear somehow as if the Government of Guyana and the Minister of Health are on trial there. It is interesting how a confessed criminal, wanted by the Police in Guyana, is given residential Status in the US. I know when people are about to be hanged or are in trouble they will fabricate any lie to save their skin, and for a US Green Card as crème de la, they may even incriminate their own mother, an entire nation. Hey! Maybe the whole world.
ROSHAN KHAN

T&T win, Barbados as group phase ends at world juniors
AVARUA, Cook Islands, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago surged to a 50-35 win over little-rated Scotland while Barbados went down to Northern Ireland as the 2009 World Youth Netball Championship (WYNC) ended its first-round group phase Saturday night.

Needing to win while hoping that Barbados could upset Northern Ireland to give them a chance at a quarter-final spot, T&T were in control throughout and completed a solid victory over winless Scotland at the new Tereora Multi Purpose Sporting Complex.

T&T finished the round with a 2-2 record for eight points in Pool A behind group winners and defending champions New Zealand (16) and Northern Ireland (12).

Samantha Wallace led T&T’s scoring with 21 goals from 25 tries for 84 per cent accuracy, while Joelisa Cooper (18/23) and Adasha Norton (11/15) got the Caribbean side’s other goals.

The Irish shot into a 13-10 first quarter lead against the Barbadians and led 27-16 at the half.

Northern Ireland went on to win easily by 17 goals, reducing the Caribbean side to a 1-3 record.

The Barbadians, who got their only win – against Scotland – on Friday, got a team-high 20 goals (28 attempts) from Shanise Banfield, while Shekira Boxill netted eight from 13.

Lisa Bowman shot a game-high 40 goals from 50 attempts for Northern Ireland.

Yesterday was a rest day and both T&T and Barbados will be contesting the play-off series for ninth to 16th places from today.

Meanwhile, Jamaica will take an unblemished record in the quarter-final series.

After rushing to massive victories over USA, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Malawi, the Jamaicans topped Pool D with maximum 16 points and the best defensive record in the round, conceding only 84 goals, while netting 352.

Jamaica placed fourth behind New Zealand, England and Australia at the last WYNC in Florida four years ago and are targeting a medal finish this year.

Malawi, with 12 points, join them from Pool D in the last eight.

Title-holders New Zealand, England, and Australia all registered 4-0 records – like the Jamaicans – in topping their groups.

SVG’s Samuel and Guyana’s Pollard, score in T&T Pro League
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) international Shandel Samuel netted one of four goals for Ma Pau as they ran past Caledonia AIA 4-2 in Trinidad and Tobago’s Digicel Pro League on Friday night.

Anthony Wolfe struck a blistering hat-trick to propel Ma Pau to the upset victory against second-placed Caledonia, who got one of their goals from the veteran Pollard.

The result moved Ma Pau up from fourth to third in the standings.

Samuel gave Ma Pau a second minute lead and Wolfe made it 3-0 in a flash with goals in the eighth and 10th minutes, both times from the penalty spot.

Pollard pulled a goal back in the 14th minute in a frenetic start to the Marvin Lee Stadium match.

Wolfe scored again five minutes before the halftime break and Kareem Joseph notched a consolation strike for Caledonia in the 65th minute.

In the evening’s other match, Shahdon Winchester scored two first-half goals and Andre Toussaint's (12th) was also on target as W Connection dismissed St Ann's Rangers 3-0.

Ramdular impressed with Guyana’s preparation
GEORGETOWN, Guyana CMC – National team manager Maylene Ramdular is upbeat about her side’s chances ahead of this year’s West Indies Women’s tournament, which bowls off here on Saturday.

Following the recent conclusion of the camp, Ramdular, a former national wicketkeeper/batsman, said she backed Guyana largely because of the enthusiasm shown by the players so far.

“I think we have a very good bunch of talented players and with the kind of enthusiasm they are showing and the eagerness to represent their country. That has given me the confidence of their doing well,” Ramdular declared.

The Guyanese, who have not won a regional tournament for the past five years and who were left in the cellar position in 2008, will begin their campaign against rivals Trinidad and Tobago at the Police Sports Club ground on Sunday.

They will compete in Zone B against St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and Grenada.

Ramdular said the camp had helped to gel the team and had also served to enhance the players’ skills and mental preparation.

“I am satisfied the way they went about preparing themselves. They showed a lot commitment and concentration, so we are prepared for the tournament,” Ramdular asserted.

The Guyanese girls will be looking to exact revenge on the T&T girls in the opening match after losing to the twin-islanders by a solitary run last year.

Berbician Shemaine Campbell is in excellent form and should take up the responsibility with the bat.

She can expect great support from all-rounder Erva Giddings, Tremayne Smartt, Devanie Sewnarine, the consistent June Thomas, and last year’s skipper Zaheeda Samdally.

The players were scheduled to assemble in the capital yesterday to round off their preparation.

England gamble on uncapped Trott
LONDON England (BBC) - England have taken a major gamble for the crucial fifth Ashes Test by replacing Ravi Bopara with the uncapped Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott.

Andrew Flintoff, who missed the fourth-Test defeat at Headingley with his ongoing knee injury, is expected to play his final Test before retiring.

Ian Bell keeps his place in the 14-man squad and will bat at three while left-arm spinner Monty Panesar is recalled.

The series is tied at 1-1 and England must win to regain the Ashes.

Trott had been included in the 14-man squad for the Headingley Test, but was released to play for Warwickshire.

The 28-year-old was then left out of the England Lions team to face Australia at Canterbury this weekend, adding to the speculation that he would be included for the final Test.

And England national selector Geoff Miller confirmed on BBC Radio 5 live: "Ravi's omission means Jonathan Trott will make his Test debut at The Oval.

"Having been part of the squad at Headingley, he was the next batsman in line in our view and this rewards him for the excellent form he has shown in county cricket both this summer and with England Lions over the winter."

A delighted Trott told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek: "I'm chuffed.

"I've been playing pretty well this season and I hope I can continue to do so next week.

"I'll try to stay relaxed and let nature take its course and remember it's just a game of cricket.

"The pressure is on Australia to retain the Ashes. We're going for the win and hopefully our positive approach will work."

With 1,013 runs in the County Championship this season at an average of 92.09, Trott is a player in a rich vein of form.

Born in Cape Town, Trott played in the Under-15 and Under-19 World Cups for South Africa, making his first-class debut for Western Province in 2001.

However, he moved to Warwickshire the following year, qualifying as a non-overseas player through his English father, making a century on debut against Sussex in 2003.

His consistent performances in limited overs cricket were rewarded with a call-up to England's Twenty20 team against the West Indies in 2007, scoring 11 and two.

However, the decision to hand him a Test debut in the high-pressure environment of a decisive Ashes clash is a big gamble by the selectors.

Somerset's Marcus Trescothick, Kent's Rob Key and Mark Ramprakash of Surrey had all been mentioned as possible replacements for Bopara.

Trescothick ruled himself out earlier in the week, but any hopes Key and Ramprakash had of a recall were ended when Trott served a timely reminder of his ability with a century for Warwickshire against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

Bell also scored 126 in that game as he put on 188 for the third wicket with Trott to help his case to retain his place.

Miller added: "Bell will bat at three which is a position he has occupied for England before and we were delighted to see both him and Jonathan make centuries for Warwickshire this week."

Bopara's place had been in severe jeopardy, with just 105 runs from his seven innings in the series.

"He has been going through a tough time with the bat in this series and we have decided to leave him out of the squad for this game," said Miller.

"He will be extremely disappointed but remains very much part of our plans for the future and I am sure that he has the talent and temperament to regain his place in the side."

Flintoff is expected to play in his final Test match after an extended rest for his troublesome knee.

"The swelling has gone down on his knee and we're happy with his progress," continued Miller.

"It's always difficult to come through back-to-back Tests with an injury, but he's had more of a rest period so I'm extremely optimistic he will be fine."

England has added to their bowling options by recalling left-arm spinner Panesar and left-arm seamer Sidebottom.

England squad: A Strauss (capt), A Cook, I Bell, J Trott, P Collingwood, M Prior (wk), A Flintoff, S Broad, G Swann, J Anderson, S Harmison, G Onions, M Panesar, R Sidebottom.

Radcliffe wins NY half marathon, heading to Berlin
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Briton Paula Radcliffe won the New York half marathon yesterday in her first race in nine months and said she was heading to Berlin where she will decide if she is fit enough to run the world championships marathon.

Radcliffe, who had foot surgery in March and has not raced since winning the New York City Marathon in November, clocked one hour nine minutes 45 seconds, more than a minute ahead of Mamitu Daska of Ethiopia with Catherine Ndereba of Kenya third.

"I need to see how I come out of it," Radcliffe told reporters. "My legs felt a bit heavy in the last few miles. At this stage not really sure."

The 35-year-old Briton said she would leave for Berlin on Sunday night.

"I'll see how my legs feel in the next two or three days," she said. "At this stage, I'm not really sure. More likely now than last week."

Radcliffe, the world marathon record holder and 2005 world champion, broke away from her rivals near the seventh mile.

"It was great to be out there and to win a race," she said. "This definitely did me good."

Coventry equals ODI batting mark
(LONDON, England (BBC) - Charles Coventry equalled the highest individual one-day international score but could not prevent Zimbabwe losing the series against Bangladesh.

Coventry fired an unbeaten 194 from 156 balls to equal the total set by Pakistan's Saeed Anwar in 1997.

But with his Zimbabwe side managing 312-8 from their 50 overs, Bangladesh reached 313-6 with 13 balls to spare.

The win gives Bangladesh an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series with one match still to play.

Coventry fired 16 fours and seven sixes as he equalled Anwar's feat with his maiden international ton.

"Well done to the Bangladeshis for the way they chased," said the 26-year-old. "We'll be out there trying the hardest the next time."

However, there was little support from his colleagues, Stuart Matsikenyeri's 37 the second-highest score.

Zimbabwe skipper Prosper Utseya said: "The innings of 312 wasn't enough but our game is improving.

"We're playing international cricket and we missed chances that should have been taken, 3-2 sounds better than 4-1 and we need to come back strong and play well for the fans."

For Bangladesh, Tamim Iqbal led with way with hit eight fours and six sixes in his 154 before being dismissed by Ray Price, who took three wickets.

Mahmudullah saw the tourists home with an unbeaten 21 from 11 balls.

"Tamim batted magnificently, can't get better than that," said Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan.

"We played very good cricket against West Indies and this series too, everyone chipped in but we need to improve our fielding."

The final game of the series also takes place in Bulawayo on 20 August.

Bolt sets record to win 100m gold
LONDON, England (BBC) - Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt set a new world record as he cruised to a stunning victory in the 100-metre at the World Championships in Berlin yesterday.

The 22-year-old Jamaican stormed home in a time of 9.58 seconds to shave 0.11 off the record he set last year when winning gold at the Beijing Olympics.

American Tyson Gay was second in a time of 9.71, with Jamaica's Asafa Powell claiming bronze in 9.84.

Britain's Dwain Chambers came sixth in a season's best time of 10.00.

Bolt, who set three world records when winning his Olympic golds in Beijing last summer, served up another superlative display as he bounced back from his false start in the semi-finals.

In the final, he powered out of the blocks at the first time of asking and took control of the race within the first 30m, the crowd going wild as he streaked across the line in another landmark time.

Bolt's time is the biggest increase in the record since electronic time was introduced in 1968.

"I was ready, I was feeling good after the semi-finals," Bolt told BBC Sport.

"I knew it was going to be a great race and I came out and executed it. It's a great time. I did well and I feel good in myself."

Former world record holder Powell paid tribute to his compatriot, saying: "When I saw the time I had to try and catch him, but I couldn't."

Gay, who went into the final as the reigning world champion, has been troubled by a nagging groin pain and had to cut practice on his start.

He set a national record with his time but admitted afterwards that he was short of his rival.

"I ran the best I could but it was not enough tonight," he said. "I believe I put in a championship performance and I am very pleased with the national record.

"I'm happy he ran 9.5 because I knew he could do it, and I know I can do it and I'm happy for him."

Chambers, who served a two-year ban for taking the designer steroid THG in 2003, said the final was a "great experience".

"It is hard to explain what it is like to out there and stand on the line to compete with the best in the world," said the 31-year-old. "It does not get easier as you get older but it is worth it."

Earlier, there was controversy as Britain's Tyrone Edgar was disqualified from the semi-finals.

After Bolt made the opening false start, any athlete guilty of another would be ejected and Edgar was the one who was adjudged to have transgressed the second time.

However, initial reaction times seemed to suggest that decision was harsh and afterwards, Edgar pleaded his innocence.

"I don't think it was a false start," said the 27-year-old, who was also disqualified at the London Grand Prix last month.

"To me it looked pretty good but there is nothing I can do. I am not going to argue the point. I am disappointed right now because I reckon I would have made the final."

Mining companies support 14th South Crescent Games

Region 9 Football Coach, Gary La Rose,on behalf of R&F Mining Co., handing over football equipment to Aishalton's Toshao Chris James with players looking on.

Two Mining companies of the Deep South Rupununi have come forward to offer support for the Wapisiana Villagers of Region 9 as they get ready for the staging of the 14th South Crescent Games. The annual Event which has been organised and run by the District Toshaos Council over the years have recieved significant contributions from R&F and MC Mining companies as well as a few individual miners from the area towards the successful staging of the Games.

The Games which will be hosted by the village of Maruranau is set to begin today and will climax on Saturday.

The other five villages which will be competing for top honors are Shea, Aishalton,Achawib, Awarewanawa and defending over-all champions Karaudarnawa in search of their third consecutive title.

Old rivals Aishalton who have won the overall Championship the most, will be seeking their eigth crown. They also boast the enviable record of being the only winner in the history of the Volleyball competition

The sporting disciplines to be contested are Football, Softball Cricket, Volleyball, Cycling and Athletics. In addittion there will be the tradittional competition in; Etae Tree climbing,Basket Weaving, Cassava Grating and a Beauty Pagaent.

Aishalton's preparations for this year's Games has been boosted by the services of Region 9 footballl coach Gary La Rose who has also been conducting clinics sponsored by R&F Mining Co.with the youths of the area. According to Toshao Chris James 'the Community is grateful for the work being done by coach La Rose and the support given by R&F Co. and I think this year we will be a force to reckon with as we go about recaputuring our Title'.