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ARCHIVES FOR AUGUST 25, 2009

Three GDF Coast Guards charged with Ramdass murder
- Alleged accomplices charged with accessory after the fact
By Telesha Persaud
THE three Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guards who were slapped with a murder charge yesterday appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

With them were their three alleged accomplices who were charged with ‘accessory after the fact of murder.’

The GDF soldiers, Sherwin Hart, 24, of 123 Eccles, East Bank Demerara; Deon Greenidge, 20, of 166 Middle Road, La Penitence; and Devon Gordon, 21, of 108 ‘C’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, were not required to plead to the capital offence.

Particulars of the charge said, on August 20, at Bonasika Creek, Essequibo River, they murdered Dweive Kant Ramdass.

The other accused, Shawn Ajeda, 22, of 123 Block ‘C’ Eccles; Viola Adolphus, 32, of 108 ‘C’ Field, Sophia; and Yvonne Beckles, 49, of 166 Middle Road, La Penitence, were also not required to plead to a joint charge.

It is alleged that, on August 20, they received, relieved, comforted, harboured, assisted and maintained Hart, Greenidge and Gordon who were wanted by Police in connection with the murder of Ramdass.

Attorney-at-law Mr. Hukumchand appeared for Adolphus and made a failed bail application for her.

Magistrate Latchman remanded all six accused and the case was transferred to Leonora Magistrate’s court for September 24.

Ramdass is the victim of a robbery by the three GDF soldiers who have since confessed to his murder.

The two Privates and a Lance Corporal who were manning the Coast Guard RC 12 motor boat in the Essequibo River, made off with $17M in cash which Ramdass was carrying in a box to Bartica for his employer, Baksh, who is based in the city and operates a gold and diamond business.

The three soldiers told investigators shortly after their arrest that they strangled Ramdass, took the money he was carrying and threw his body overboard in the vicinity of Bonasika Creek.

Ramdass, 24, of 95 Third Avenue, Bartica, realised he was in danger and attempted to solicit help by using his cellular phone. He was however prevented from doing so by the killers.

The GDF members took away Ramdass in their boat, relieved him of the cash, murdered him and returned to the Parika Stelling, where one of their female accomplices was waiting for them.

She is the sister of one of the officers and was given $5.7M in cash to hold.

According to reports, another portion of the money was recovered by the police during a roadblock exercise.

The three soldiers reportedly split the money in three after they killed Ramdass.

The GDF said it condemns in the strongest possible terms the criminal action of its Coast Guards stationed at Fort Island.

“It is reprehensible and will be met with the full force of the law. At present the ranks implicated are in Police custody,” a GDF press statement said.

It added that it is clear from initial reports that there was a breakdown in the command and leadership structure at this unit, for which strong administrative action will be taken.

The GDF said it wishes to assure citizens, the fishing community, fishermen, small boat and other vessel operators that the Defence Force subscribes to the highest of professional standards and will continue to discharge its mandate notwithstanding this unsavory incident.

Chief-of-Staff attends Ramdass funeral
- Asks relatives, community to forgive the GDF
A Guyana Defence Force contingent, led by Chief-of-Staff, Commodore Gary Best, yesterday attended the funeral of Dweive Kant Ramdass at Bartica.

The GDF flew the casket bearing Ramdass’ remains to Bartica where it was then driven through the streets of the community and eventually to his sister’s house and thence to the Church for the funeral service.

At the funeral service, which was held at the Lighthouse Assembly of God Church and attended by hundreds of Barticians, Commodore Best asked Ramdass’ family as well as the Bartica community to forgive the GDF for not being able to detect those among its ranks who committed the dastardly act which resulted in the young man’s demise. He commended the family members for the strength and fortitude they drew from their faith in God.

Commodore Best said that although he had never previously met or known Ramdass, he felt the strength of the love and adoration of the young man’s family for the loved one they have lost. The church’s pastor encouraged the family members of the deceased, the other mourners present, and the community at large, to let their faith in God be strengthened.

The funeral, a rather sombre event, was conducted in an air of piety, humility and orderliness.

The officers and Ranks of the GDF continue to mourn with the family of the late Dweive Kant Ramdass, according to a statement from the army.

Agriculture Ministry accuses Kaieteur News of smear campaign
THE Agriculture Ministry has accused the Kaieteur News of a smear campaign intended to bring it into disrepute.

Reacting to another front page photograph in the newspaper yesterday suggesting corruption in building bridges in farming districts, the ministry charged that it was part of a dishonest campaign by the media house.

The photograph of an obviously old bridge was accompanied by a caption claiming it was built at a cost of $26.3M.

Mr. Frederick Flatts, Senior Civil Engineer in the ministry’s Agricultural Sector Development Unit charged that this was “a clear act of callous reporting and mischief to manufacture a perception of over-priced projects and wastage”.

He added that it was a dishonest campaign intended to discredit the hard work of the sector to bring improvements to farming conditions.

“We wish to recall that the projects executed are supported by our international partners and all activities received no objections, are externally supervised and even audited by a professional accounting firm”, Flatts said.

The official said the Agricultural Support Services Project has not constructed any bridge at Ruby Back, East Bank Essequibo as claimed by the Kaieteur News.

He explained that the ministry, through this project, is constructing two new bridges at Barnwell Cross Dam, on the East Bank Essequibo, one of which was visited by Kaieteur News reporters on August 14, 2009 during a site inspection organized by the Ministry of Agriculture.

They declined an invitation to visit the other bridge, he said.

According to Flatts, the bridge photographed in yesterday’s Kaieteur News was built more than a decade ago under the East Bank Essequibo Development Project funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

“As a matter of fact, anyone who looks at the photograph of the bridge published would recognize that this is not a recently constructed bridge, nor is it under construction”, he noted.

He said it was important to note that the timber bearing piles of both bridges under construction at Barnwell Cross Dam are encased in concrete - thereby making the timber piles invisible.

“The wooden piles shown on the photographed bridge in Kaieteur News are clearly visible making the new engineering design absent, thus confirming that this bridge was/is not part of the existing project”, Flatts said.

He said representatives of other media houses who were on the site visit on August 14, 2009 can easily verify that no bridge in the Ruby Backdam was identified as complete or under construction, nor was any cost mentioned.

Finance Minister issues commencement order
…Money Transfer Agencies legislation becomes operational on October 1
A GINA Feature
By Imdaad Sattaur
The Money Transfer Agencies (Licensing) Act, which provides for the licensing of persons carrying on the business of money transfer agencies, makes provision for the registering of money transfer agents and for connected purposes, is set to come into operation on October 1.

This is as a result of the signing of the commencement order by Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, on August 21.

Greater transparency, accountability and good governance relating to the operations of money transfer agencies and money transfers agents’ operations are to be expected as the legislation lays out an effective administrative, operational and legal framework for the conduct of these businesses.

Application for licence
The legislation prescribes that the Bank of Guyana will be designated the oversight body for money transfer agencies and money transfer agents, and anyone desirous of carrying on the business of a licensed agency under the legislation is required to apply to the Bank in the prescribed form for a licence for that purpose.

In the case of a person engaged in the business of money transfer prior to October 1 (the appointed date), the person has to, within one month from that date, make an application to the Bank for a licence, and shall cease carrying on the business of money transfer within three months from the appointed date unless the licence is granted by the Bank.

The Bank, after consultation with the Minister of Finance, may grant or refuse the licence, after taking the following into consideration:

* The experience in financial business of the applicant;

* The financial resources of the applicant;

* The character and the antecedents of the applicant;

* The soundness and feasibility of the applicant’s business plan;

* The applicant’s competence and experience for operating the business of money transfer;

* The applicant’s ability to responsibly operate a money transfer agency;

* The best interests of the financial system in Guyana; and

* The public’s interest.

Once the licence is granted, the licensee shall display the licence at a conspicuous place at the licensed premises (place of business).

Renewal of licence
A licence, under this Act, expires on December 31 of the year in which it is granted, and where a person wishes to renew a certificate of registration, he shall, not later that January 15 in the new year, make an application on the prescribed form accompanied by the prescribed fee and a written endorsement of the licensee to the Bank of Guyana to renew the certificate of registration.

The Bank of Guyana may refuse to grant the renewal of a certificate of registration, after giving the applicant a reasonable opportunity of being heard, where the registered person has contravened any provision of this Act, any conditions of the certificate of registration, or where the Bank considers it to be in the public interest.

Money transfer agents
A licensee may appoint a person, by agreement in writing, as its money transfer agent with the authority to provide money transfer services on behalf of the licensed agency.

However, no person shall act as a money transfer agent unless that person has first registered with the Bank of Guyana.

Every person who wishes to be registered as a money transfer agent shall make an application in the prescribed form and submit the prescribed fee to the Bank of Guyana, supplying his name, the address of the premises from which he intends to operate, a copy of the written agreement between the licensee and himself, and such other information and documents that the Bank may require.

The Bank, in determining whether to register any money transfer agent, will take into account:

* Whether the proposed money transfer agent is a fit and proper person to provide money transfer services;

* Whether the proposed money transfer agent has entered into a suitable written agreement to provide money transfer services on behalf of the licensed agency;

* The professional reputation and experience of the proposed money transfer agent;

* The best interests of the financial system in Guyana; and

* The public interest.

Where a certificate of registration is granted, the registered person shall display the certificate of registration at a conspicuous place at the premises from which the money transfer agent will operate.

Expiration of the certificate of registration, and its renewal, for a money transfer agent follows the same principles as for a money transfer agency.

Suspension/revocation of licence or certificate of registration
The Bank may suspend or revoke a licence or certificate of registration where the licensee or money transfer agent:

* Has ceased to carry on the business of money transfer for a period of six months;

* Has been convicted of a felony or of any offence involving fraud, dishonesty or breach of trust;

* Is a discharged or an undischarged bankrupt;

* Has presented misleading information to obtain the licence or certificate of registration;

* Has contravened or failed to comply with the provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act 2009; or

* Has contravened or failed to comply with any provision of this Act or any of the conditions subject to which the licence or certificate of registration was granted or where the Bank considers it to be in the public interest.

The Bank of Guyana shall not suspend or revoke a licence or certificate of registration unless the licensee or money transfer agent has been given a reasonable opportunity to make representation.

The Bank may suspend a licence or certificate of registration pending any investigation into a complaint of any act or omission that threatens or can affect the integrity, stability or soundness of the financial system.

Production and examination of books
Any person authorised by the Bank of Guyana may enter a licensed premises or premises from which a money transfer agent operates at all reasonable times and request the licensee, money transfer agent or any of the directors, managers, officers or employees to produce any accounts, books, records, documents, electronic data and any other relevant information:

* relating to the licensed agency or the money transfer agent’s business of money transfer that are found therein or that are in the possession or control of any director, manager, officer or employee; or

* likely to contain, in the opinion of the person, evidence of the contravention of any provision of this Act, the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 or any condition of the licence or the certificate of registration granted to the licensee or money transfer agent.

Penalties
A licensee, money transfer agent or any of their directors, managers, officers or employees who fails or refuses to comply with persons authorised by the Bank of Guyana, or obstructs that person from carrying out his function, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $250,000 and to imprisonment for six months.

Any person who contravenes any provision of this Act, any regulation, notice, guideline, or any condition of a licence or certificate of registration, for which no penalty has been specified in any other provision of this Act, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $500,000 and to imprisonment for one year.

Licensees under Dealers in Foreign Currency (Licensing) Act 1989
A licensee under the Dealers in Foreign Currency (Licensing) Act 1989 or any related party, holding company, subsidiary or other affiliate of such a licensee is not eligible for the grant of a licence under this new legislation.

Further, such a licensee or any related party, holding company, subsidiary or other affiliate of such a licensee who was engaged in the business of money transfer prior to October 1 (the appointed date), has to, within three months from the appointed date, cease carrying on the business of money transfer.

This legislation, part of Government’s efforts to streamline and improve the efficiency of Guyana’s financial system, will substantially improve the supervision of money transfer agencies and reduce the risks involved in these transactions, ensuring greater safety for the users of these services.

The Bank of Guyana will now have improved information flows based on a more systematic collection of data on which to be able to better access the scope and the extent of these agencies and their economic impact on Guyana’s economy.

Additionally, this information will serve to better inform key policy decisions taken by government.

Guyana moving on all fronts with LCDS
(OFFICE OF CLIMATE CHANGE) -- GUYANA is advancing on all fronts domestically and overseas with its draft Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) ahead of the United Nations climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark in December.

It participated in the latest climate change talks in Bonn, Germany, on August 10-14 and as in similar meetings held by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) earlier this year and last year, Guyana made several interventions on Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) and financing. Guyana was represented by Mr. Andrew Bishop, Adviser to the President.

Among the key issues which Guyana represented were:

** The incorporation of REDD, including Plus (avoided deforestation and sustainable forest management) into a new Copenhagen agreement in December.

** A new financial architecture for REDD which comprises of both fund-based and market-based financial mechanisms for REDD and Plus.

** A phased approach to REDD, where the early (readiness) phase will be financed by grant funds mainly and the later phase (full participation on the emissions treading schemes) will be financed by market-based payments.

** The generation of financial flows through cap and trade financial arrangements and the auctioning of allowable emissions units.

Bishop said that within the mitigation discussions, Guyana also advocated for:

** Forward looking reference emissions baselines, rather than pure historical emissions reference levels, recognizing that Guyana is among a group of highly forested countries with low deforestation rates, and that a reference level based solely on historical rates would be punitive to us.

** The separation of mitigation actions by developed countries (Para 1 b I of the Bali Action Plan) to be discussed and negotiated separate from mitigation actions by developing countries (Para1 b i)

** Emission reduction targets by Annex 1 Parties should be driven by the scientific findings in the latest IPCC (Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change) Assessment reports, and the principle of historical responsibility.

Bishop noted that Guyana has worked with the AOSIS (Alliance of Small Island States) group of countries in Adaptation in calling for

** Incentivizing adaptation and creating enabling environments to build climate resilience in the areas of risk assessment, reduction and management, disaster management strategy and actions, insurance-related mechanisms, and economic diversification.

** Support for vulnerable countries to formulate adaptation strategies, plans and activities and quantify the cost of adaptation.

** Scaling up of new, additional and predictable financial resources for adaptation.

In technology transfer, Guyana has been calling for

** A long term technology action plan, which must include specific policies, actions, and funding requirements for technologies in the public domain, patented technologies and technologies to be developed in the future.

** Financial resources for research, development, manufacture, commercialization and diffusion of appropriate technologies for adaptation and mitigation.

** Establishment of regional technology centres and networks, enhancement of existing ones or a combination of both.

While the world is dealing with the impacts of a global financial crisis and recession, Guyana is moving ahead with initiatives in its own small way and is not waiting for handouts.

The Government has gone ahead, prepared an LCDS and financed a countrywide consultation process.

The administration has maintained that it will continue to forge ahead within the scope of its limited resources even if it does not get the amount of financing anticipated.

Contrary to critics featured in the letters sections of newspaper and some blogs, Guyana is making its position known to the United States and many other countries aware when it participates in international fora and in bilateral meetings with Governments.

The estimate of the value of the forest was done by an internationally renowned firm (McKinsey) and was based on sound financial principles – the methodology is available for scrutiny.

For Guyana, it does matter if any country cuts down its forest and this is a fundamental difference in belief.

Guyana is also leading a group of 37 countries around the world that stand to benefit from the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), a Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) administered by the World Bank, according to the Bank’s Guyana Country Representative, Mr. Giorgio Valentini.

The participation in the FCPF is an initiative of the Guyana Government following President Bharrat Jagdeo’s approach to the international community for Guyana to get compensation from its forest value to future carbon markets.

As this is an initiative driven and owned by Guyana, the country is also likely to be the first to benefit from the FCPF's Readiness Mechanism Phase grant of US$3.6M to help prepare the necessary environment to participate in the Carbon Finance Mechanism (or Carbon Fund) of the FCPF, Valentini told the Sunday Chronicle in an interview.

At the FCPF Participants’ Committee (PC) meeting on June 16-18, 2009 in Montreux, Switzerland, the PC cleared the proposals for Guyana, Panama and Indonesia for funding under the Readiness phase (i.e. Total Grant, $3.6M), subject to compliance with safeguards and other Bank due diligence.

The FCPF was launched at the 13th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bali, and became operational in June 2008.

As of April 2009, 37 countries from Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America are participating in the FCPF, and 13 donors or contributors from both the public and private sectors are supporting the FCPF financially.

It is important to note that solutions to climate change do not depend on a single country and require a global effort, but with the developed countries in the forefront.

The Skeldon Sugar Factory a significant landmark

The commissioning of the flagship project the state of the art Skeldon Sugar Factory marks a very significant landmark in the local sugar industry and is the bedrock of dramatically increasing production and reducing the cost of production thereby ensuring our sugar is able to successfully compete on the international market.

But getting there was a long and painful process because it was an extremely difficult task to obtain funding for the project as the international financial institutions were adamant that it was not feasible and was therefore unwilling to provide the required funding. In fact, the project should have been on stream earlier had it not been for the difficulty in obtaining the necessary funding. Fortunately, and agreement was arrived at between the Governments of Guyana and China which saw the factory becoming a reality.

On this note, President Bharrat Jagdeo made a most pertinent observation:” “What I find very ironic today is that the same people who argued, against this, that the investment was too large, it was close to 25 per cent of GDP at that time, (today it is about 15 per cent of GDP), they are claiming that there are sectors and industries in the United States of America, Britain and the developed parts of the world, too large to fail, and therefore they are pumping billions of state dollars into these companies to ensure their survival and these are larger economies,”

He added: "We probably could have had the investment done ten years ago, long before the EU cut prices on sugar, and maybe we wouldn’t have been in the same kind of difficulties now that we experience, when we just have a start-up of a new investment coinciding with a major cut in revenue of 36 per cent in the same year. But that’s all water under the bridge,”

It is useful to recall the concerns of our late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan about the reluctance of the western controlled international financial institutions to provide funding for industrial development in developing countries. He said that when it came to funding of infrastructure projects they were more inclined to do so.

Dr. Jagan explained that reluctance to provide funding for industrial development in developing countries was part of the strategy to keep these countries dependent on western industries and at the same time force developing countries to remain commodity producers to supply raw materials at low prices for western industries. Even though the Cold War has ended these international financial institutions seem to have a hangover from that period and therefore their old policies are still being perpetrated. And therefore one of the best options for developing countries in this scenario is to intensify south-south cooperation. The Skeldon Factory is another perfect example of the success such cooperation could bring for developing countries.

Nevertheless, through thick and thin and the resourcefulness and persistence of the government the project has successfully materialised against the predictions and wishes of the “nay sayers” among us. It is good to recall how they jumped for joy and used their media fiends to blow out of proportion the initial start-up technical problems which the factory experienced.

Now that we have overcome hurdle number one the next most important step is to ensure that the factory is not under utilised and therefore the cultivation of more canes has to be accelerated swiftly. As such those who have the responsibility of cultivation, within GUYSUCO, have to diligently and dedicatedly get down to their task.

As regards this issue the President has made the clarion call: “We can’t wait to the end of 2011 to have 1.2 million tonnes of canes in the field; this has to be done now, next year we have to start working on this, and even if it means the state providing a bit more resources, we have to find innovate ways of getting this done, it could be done from all that I have heard. We are going to make a serious effort. I want the Board to understand that and the minister will have to push this to ensure that this happens.”

Now that a solid foundation for the transformation and modernisation of this vital industry has been laid, it is the duty of all stakeholders to work in unison and with dedication to continue moving it forward.

There are no choices as regards the performance of the sugar industry-the only option is that it must become feasible and increasingly productive because it is the backbone of the national economy and the livelihood of some 20,000 families directly depend on it while thousands of others indirectly do so. In addition, Sugar contributes close to 16 per cent of GDP and some $35B in foreign currency revenue.

The Observer
Attempts to thwart development
Robert Corbin has been returned as leader of the People’s National Congress reform. This was predicted. This prediction has led to many accusations of irregularities prior and during the process of electing the Party’s leader. This column has in the past pointed out some of these based on accusations made by prominent Party members who were themselves seeking the leadership position. These accusations were not confined to this particular Congress. Prior Congresses were riddled with many such accusations.

I also alluded previously to the actions of some sections of the media that have deliberately turned a blind-eye to the undemocratic practices of which the leadership of the PNCR have been accused. In explaining this, the sinister relationship between the guilty media houses and some affiliated organisations was exposed. Now that the Congress is over and the accusations remain, it is interesting to see how this set of media operatives deal with it. In my opinion, nothing will change. It is therefore not surprising that they have stuck steadfast to their modus operandi in this regard. While some have reported the developments, others have refused to get involved in the analytic processes. They are so engrossed with other issues which are used to disparage the administration.

Much has been said about this as was evident during the trial of Robert Simels. Some of what was revealed during the trial was used to cast aspersions on government while other revelations, which strongly alleged a collaboration among the Opposition, the 2002 prison escapees and some high ranking rogue elements within sections of the security forces, were deliberately ignored. Convenient reporting as I wrote in the past. This has been manifested through recent reports in the Kaieteur News. This paper has taken advantage of the freedom of expression which now prevails to bring the Ministry of Agriculture into disrepute. Any free press would use this freedom to monitor public projects and other developments within the society. This is acceptable. What is not, is when this monitoring is selective and is done under the pretext of being concerned.

The paper has over the last few weeks utilised its front page to highlight and question the cost of some projects. One thing is clear; the projects were completed. This is evidence of the administration’s relentless effort to improve the country’s physical infrastructure which collapsed under the PNC regime. This effort by the government will obviously come at a cost. Most of the materials needed are not manufactured here and have to be imported. Contractors’ fees throughout the world are astronomical. Costs for feasibility studies, technical work and the final execution of project, add up. Public tenders are placed in the media, including the said paper. Maybe the Finance Minister was correct when he encouraged the paper to submit a bid for the works advertised.

Any ordinary man building a house knows of the steep cost of construction and construction materials. The said paper recently expanded its Georgetown office. I would want to believe that the publisher is not oblivious of related costs. How is it then that the paper can boast of being able to procure materials at a much reduced cost? Not too long ago government, in the interest of ensuring the construction boom continues enhancing development and providing jobs, was justified in its actions to waive the Common External Tariff (CET) on some regional products. This was in an effort to allow extra-regional products to be accessible so that development would not be stymied and allow for competitive prices.

Just over a year ago, fuel reached over US$140.00 per barrel. This led to massive increases of manufactured products, including food-stuff, worldwide. A special CARICOM Summit to discuss rising food prices was held here in Guyana at the behest of President Jagdeo. This further exemplifies the extent of the rise in commodity prices. A mind-boggling situation thus presents itself as to how this paper can claim of being able to access the products it boasted of at much cheaper prices. Should this column believe that their procurement procedures deviated from the established norm? Should this column believe that the paper may have procured materials from sources which cannot be acknowledged because of legitimacy?

The question must be asked as to why has this paper has suddenly rabidly embarked, under the guise of monitoring, on this course of action. Why doesn’t the paper question the many deals and projects the PNC executed during its hold on power? The re-elected leader of the Party is infamously linked to the procurement of a power barge which not only cost tax payers millions, but never worked? Why this wasn’t questioned when the said individual sought and won re-election to his Party’s leadership? Why doesn’t the paper question the importation, in the late 80s, of the big buses, many of which were never driven? Why doesn’t the paper question and publish the sale of the many public entities under the said PNC regime? Why doesn’t the paper revisit the site where derelicts now lie as a reminder of the millions wasted in the attempt to provide hydro-power under the PNC? Why doesn’t the paper research and question the Glass Factory whose ruins still lie along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway?

There is a long list of the things I can ask the paper as to why they are not interested in researching and to make public the findings. I think my point has been made without listing all. Given what I alluded to in recent articles, the reason why the paper and the other media houses which share similar beliefs to that of the Opposition would not dare question the circumstances mentioned, is simply because of “cliqueism”. The paper and the other media houses in question are in direct competition with the Opposition to oppose the administration. This competition, while not necessarily a prize-winning exercise, is a competition of loyalty to the Opposition. This brazen loyalty reduces the publishing of material favourable to the administration.

This is evident in the lack of editorials, page-one comments and columnists decrying the undemocratic practices within the PNCR. The publishers/editors of these media houses are never hesitant to use these tools to tarnish the administration. The Kaieteur News carried a page-one comment defending its publishing of the many stories questioning government projects. Why not similar articles on the questions raised by senior PNCR officials pertaining to just concluded Congress? Why no protest is being called by the AFC and CN Sharma regarding these said undemocratic accusations? Why no boycott by the AFC of their joint alliance with the PNCR over these questionable practices?

It is clear that the AFC and the PNCR, along with their affiliates in sections of the media, have become galvanised in their disposition towards the administration. As hinted by Dr Randy Persaud in his article yesterday, in this paper, the silence of the AFC on the developments within the PNCR is tantamount to support of such electoral malpractices the leadership of Congress is being accused of. The silence of Freddie Kissoon, CN Sharma and the other rabid commentators, must be seen as tacit support of such irregularities Winston Murray and others have accused the PNCR leadership of. Why are the AFC, Freddie Kissoon the Kaieteur News and the Stabroek News so silent on this?

The AFC rushed to boycott parliament based on revelations in the Simels’ trial. This Party has baselessly accused the government of a lack of transparency, yet is silent on what was revealed prior and during the just concluded PNCR Congress. The AFC especially must be forced to speak out about these accusations. Their remaining silence will further confirm the belief of their hypocrisy; the same for Freddie Kissoon and the Opposition media houses.

A page-one comment of the Barbados Nation published in the Stabroek News yesterday noted that “Independent media houses in democratic countries can choose to facilitate thought and discussions. Or they can stifle it. They can advance the cause of society, or they can thwart it and be a disservice to those they serve”.

In Guyana, these independent Opposition-aligned media houses have indeed chosen to thwart the advancement of our society. They have deliberately chosen to exclude the many developments which have taken place over the years. That’s selective journalism for you.

Social responsibility critical for the editor’s role
I refer to Freddie Kissoon’s letter in Kaieteur News of August 23, 2009.

I referred to owner Mr. Glen Lall ‘perusing’ the editorials, not to apportion the label ‘final approval’ to editorials because of limited journalistic display in Kaieteur News’ editorials; the Editorial in question stated thus in part: “…Perhaps, the role of the state newspapers is to defend the government in the same way that the private media see their role as reporting on those things that the government would wish to keep quiet. Dr. Misir should recognise this. He should know that no media house has a duty to reflect the positive views of the government only…The private media houses, regardless of the political affiliation of the owner or the reporter, always carry the news as they see it…”

The responsibility of the media is not merely to make public what any ‘government would wish to keep quiet’; then the thought of media houses carrying the news as they see it is nauseating; but if this is their modus operandi, then what has happened to objectivity and fundamental fairness, inclusive of balance in their application of ‘Guyanese’ journalism. And so, this is the compelling reason why I wrote the letter that columnists are presenting unverified information.

As I previously indicated there is something wrong with the modus operandi of Kaieteur News’ journalism, if this is what constitutes their brand of journalism.

There is nothing wrong with the Kaieteur News’ owner perusing ‘pieces’ within a context of sloppy journalism. And do not allow Kissoon to camouflage this situational context of slipshod journalism with his references to Rupert Murdock in relation to the London Times and the Wall Street Journal, and Kathleen Graham of the Washington Post. It is inappropriate to compare things that are unlike; but then even if you allow the comparisons for a fleeting moment, it will then be apposite to assess and evaluate stage of development and maturity of The Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post in relation to the Kaieteur News. The Wall Street Journal was born on July 8, 1889; The Times (not the London Times) on January 1, 1785; and the Washington Post on December 6, 1877.

This is what Former Executive Editor of the New York Times had to say about media mogul Rupert Murdoch: “I believe a Murdoch takeover of our last independent national newspaper would be a disaster for the trustworthy reporting on which our civic life depends.” Raines presented an ancedote about a meeting he had with Rupert Murdoch in 2002. Murdoch then spoke about the Bancroft-owned Wall Street Journal and Mr. Murdoch issued this instruction: "You ought to hit them where they live. Go after hard business news and beat them on their strength." This is the ‘timid’ Rupert Murdoch that Kissoon presented; my foot! Murdoch is an aggressive intervening, and hands-on media modul; make no mistake about that. And there are numerous other reports about his leadership style when it comes to running his media world. The management and leadership styles of many media owners are quite ruthless.

I am not suggesting that Mr. Lall finally approves all editorials, but as an owner he must be au-fait with the goings-on at his establishment; otherwise, the end result could be unseemly; that is the compelling reason for him or any surrogate to peruse the editorials.

I think, too, in the interest of ‘best-practices’ journalism, I would reintroduce a piece from the Hutton Inquiry of 2004 “…the right to communicate …information is subject to the qualification…that false accusations of fact impugning the integrity of others, including politicians, should not be made by the media. Where a reporter is intending to broadcast or publish information impugning the integrity of others the management of his broadcasting company or newspaper should ensure that a system is in place whereby his editor or editors give careful consideration to the wording of the report and to whether it is right in all the circumstances to broadcast or publish it…”

I know that editors have a critical role; but there are editors and editors; and so where an editor excludes the principle of social responsibility from his repertoire of journalistic skills, then the editorial function becomes wanting; when this happens, why should an owner not engage in ‘perusing’? Perhaps, it might be time to find new editors.
PREM MISIR

More distortions from Freddie on Bisram
In his vitriolic column of Aug 23, Freddie Kissoon made references to me that are untruthful – deliberate and malicious attack to impugn my political independence and objective analysis as a social analyst. Freddie smeared my character with lies and distortions. I don’t understand how an academic can be so dishonest.

Freddie pens that “Vishnu Bisram writes daily pro-PPP personalized attacks against him” in the Chronicle. Firstly, there are no daily letters from Bisram published in GC or in any paper on any topic, least of all on Freddie. Secondly, my recent letters in GC are responses to bile attacks against me in Freddie’s daily columns because Kaieteur News has not published all of my responses to Freddie – violating a rule in journalism known as “the right to reply”. None of my responses to Freddie are at the behest of any political party, least of all from the PPP about which I have very serious and critical issues. So Freddie is untruthful – plain and simple.

Freddie also pens that I refer to Kwame McCoy as my “political brother”. That is an absolute lie. I wrote that “Brother Kwame should ignore Freddie”. “Brother” in that context is the same as I would refer to Bro Eusi Kwayana or Bro. Freddie or Bro. Basil Williams, etc. No political affiliation was intended and there is none between me and McCoy. I do not know and never knew McCoy. Freddie you are outright dishonest! For that you ought to be referred to the highest disciplinary board on journalism in the country! KN also should take disciplinary actions against your latest lie.

Freddie may not know much about Indian culture. In the Indian community, we refer to one another as Bhai or bhaiya – meaning brother. So when I call Khemraj Ramjattan Bhai Khemraj, it does not mean we are political brothers. I even refer to some Africans in the villages as bhaiya and they use the same term to me. Does that mean that we are comrades in a political movement? Now, I understand what people mean when they say "Don't respond to Freddie". He is a barefaced liar.

Finally, Freddie pens my “polls are done for the PPP”. Can Freddie please cite any evidence to support his lie? I never conducted any poll for the PPP or any party in Guyana. As best as I know, one party commissioned polls in Guyana and it used the services of Dick Morris who gave the party a six for a nine and Freddie praised Dick and lambasted me for accurate findings.
VISHNU BISRAM

Some people want to measure truth by modern societal standards
I wish to express my disappointment with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for approving homosexual activity among its clergy.

It is sad that some people want to measure the truth of the faith by modern society’s standards. They mistakenly believe that divine Revelation must adapt itself to the current mentality in order to be credible, instead of the current mentality converting in the light that comes to us from on high. The result is a stripping of the Redeemer of man of his radical uniqueness, and classifying him as someone who can be managed and domesticated.

The Bible clearly and unequivocally condemns homosexual acts (Gen 1:27-28; Gen 2:24; Matt 19: 4-6; Rom 1:24-27; 1 Cor 6:10; 1 Tim 1:10 etc.). They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Not surprisingly, there is no scientific evidence to confirm homosexual activity as a normal behavior.

Dr. Francis Collins, who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work sequencing the human genetic code has stated that homosexuality is not genetically “hardwired.” If genetics were determinative, then identical twins should “virtually always” show the same pattern of same-sex attraction. However, a study of the Australian Twin Registry showed that only 11% of identical twins with same-sex attraction had a twin brother who also experienced it.

St. Paul tells us that the “aberration” of homosexuality is both the proof and the result of the exclusion of God from collective attention and social life. The Christian approach to modern-day homosexuality must distinguish between the respect due to persons and the necessary repudiation of any exalted ideology of homosexuality.
PAUL KOKOSKI

Awed by determination of medal and non-medal athletes
I am very thankful to the management of WRHM for the broadcast of the just concluded 12th IAAF Berlin 2009 World Championship Games and hope that such an event serves as an inspiration to current and future Guyanese Olympians with their quest at future global meetings.

The representation by the locals must be commended and getting on that podium needs some serious ground work and adjustments from my observations.

I was in awe with the determination of medal and non-medal athletes and I have to admit that Americans Alison Felix (200m winner) and Sanya Richards (400m winner) lived up to my expectations and it's those smiles that have some serious effect on me. Marion Jones also had that killer smile, but unfortunately she got mixed up in some serious situations.

The women’s 4 x 400 which included both Alison and Sanya was a moment of glory with the blow out win.

Anyhow, taking a break from athletics, I expect the 2010 Canada Winter Olympic Games to be sheer "X ICE MENT" and also looking forward for the 2010 South Africa World Cup Soccer.

This should also be an ideal time to kick start with any promotion giveaways for the World Cup Soccer. Enthusiasts like myself would love to have the opportunity and to cherish the memories of attending any global sporting event and of course, having an all expenses paid trip.
T. PEMBERTON

Guyana should seek to bring in Indian conglomerates
THE President should complement his investment seeking trips with government sponsored "investment delegations" from overseas to visit Guyana. Guyana should be aggressively seeking to bring in Indian conglomerates, like the Tata Group. These large companies are involved in multiple industries, and may find more than one thing to invest in, if Guyana can make it attractive enough to them or other investors like Brazil.

We must first seek investments in the infrastructure needed to make a Lethem to a deep water port a reality. We should be seeking investment in all forms of transportation, packaging and tourism development, among a host of of other value added projects in our mining and agriculture areas. We need a Guyana Development Fund partly funded by government that will allow overseas Guyanese to invest in such projects.
N. AUGUSTUS

Freddie should seek to prove Bisram’s polls are generally inaccurate
RE RAVI Dev's article (KN, August 23), I have stated before that I (along with many others) also know that Bisram is a teacher (and where he teaches et al) but Freddie Kissoon chooses to conclude that Bisram is not a teacher based partly on his own 'sources' which he has never disclosed and partly on a logic that says that since Bisram refuses to tell Freddie where he teaches and what colleges he attended, Bisram cannot be a teacher. I also know that Bisram possesses several masters’ degrees and that as a teacher with over 20 years experience he is among the highest paid teachers in New York. In fact any teacher who has been teaching for more than twenty years, automatically falls into the highest paid bracket - one of my colleagues (name and address of school given so Freddie cannot conclude that I'm not a teacher) at Middle School 206, 2280 Aqueduct Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468) falls into this bracket.

I also know that until the financial crisis kicked in last year, many Guyanese (and others) invested in real estate while holding down nine to five jobs. On Sunday, for example, I met a Guyanese lady from Brooklyn, who works with the city and who has extensive real estate holdings. I, myself, own a couple of buildings, but I don't work in real estate.

Finally, I've stated in the past that I know of the existence of NACTA as that was one of the first organisations I gravitated towards when I came to New York in the early nineties. In addition to the three names that Ravi Dev mentioned I know of a number of others who are/were members.

Incidentally, since Bisram has repeatedly said that he attended City College and New York University, it is rather very easy for Freddie's 'sources', especially the one who is in the media to verify or refute this. That same media source can also verify/refute the claim that Bisram is a teacher by using his/her investigative skills and, if needs, be, file a freedom of information claim. Media in the US routinely obtain all sorts of info by investigation and/or using the FOI. In fact, although we have never had cause to use the FOI, The Caribbean Voice has always been able to ferret out information for the numerous investigative pieces published over the years, many of which led to redress.

Finally, regardless of what he thinks of Bisram as a pollster, Freddie should know that the only way Bisram's findings can be disregarded is on the basis of his track record, not on mere speculation and certainly not because Bisram refuses to answer questions posed by Freddie Kissoon. And any analysis of Bisram's polls over time will reveal that he has only been off target a couple of times. I know this because The Caribbean Voice has always been tracking Bisram's polls. Now if Freddie can prove that Bisram's polls are generally inaccurate, then his call not to take Bisram seriously will have merit. Otherwise it is Freddie who will not be taken seriously.
ANNAN BOODRAM
The Caribbean Voice

President has hard working Ministers, Permanent Secretaries
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo has some wonderful Ministers and Permanent Secretaries who have interest in the poor and needy in Guyana and with this I will agree with him when he said that his government is here working for all the people of Guyana and because of his leadership his ministers have made him proud.

Minister Robeson Benn of Transport and Hydraulics, Minister Ali of Housing and Water, and Permanent Secretary Emil McGarell of Housing and Water, these are some wonderful Ministers and Permanent Secretaries you have working hard for a better Guyana, and because of their hard work, Guyana is a developing.

I can remember in those days when I used to fetch water from long distances, now I can stay in my home and have pure water.

I also remember when I used to walk through mud and water to go about businesses, now I have beautiful streets and roads to walk on. I never thought of having a home for myself, but this happened and was made possible because of this government and its hard working Ministers and Permanent Secretaries.

I will continue to support this party and may these ministers keep up the good work, Guyana will go forward.

Long live the People Progressive Party.
MR. BELLE

GPL needs to improve its PR Department
THE Guyana Power and Light (GPL) company has three emergency numbers listed in the directory. Last Sunday, after enduring more than 10 hours of no power, I tried all the numbers to see if I could get some type of explanation or better yet to find out when will power be restored.

After an half hour or more I finally got a recording to press two, which I did and got another recording telling me that all the operators were busy, but my call was important and I must keep holding. After 15 minutes of holding I realised it was a lost cause and gave up until power was restored at 08:30 hours.

Mr. Editor, if there was a real emergency I shudder to think what would have been the outcome. GPL has to improve its public relations (pr) department as it is worse than GPL itself.
PETER ADAMS

WICB women’s final…
Mixed reaction from T&T and Jamaica coaches
By Calvin Roberts

Victory at last!!! Coach of the victorious Trinidad and Tobago women’s team Marjorie Thomas (second left back row) takes time out to strike a pose with her team and their spoils, following their four wicket victory over former champions Jamaica. (Sonell Nelson photo).

BOTH coaches of the two teams which contested the just concluded West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) regional women’s limited overs tournament final, Trinidad and Tobago’s (T&T) Marjorie Thomas and Jamaica’s Calvin Smith expressed mixed reactions to their team’s performance.

“Our batting let us down today. In fact, it has been our bowling which has been seeing us through the entire tournament. With the batting line up that we have, there were targets we were setting ourselves to work with but we did not get them” said Smith.

He further stated, “If we are batting first, we have to get a decent total that we can defend and a meager total of 116 is hard to defend as you are talking about 300 legal deliveries and against a team like T&T who has been playing good all round cricket throughout the tournament, we knew we had to bowl them out.”

Jamaica did had the Twin Island republic team on the ropes at 63-6 in the 16th over, leaving the fans gathered at the ground in a hush as many thought they would have seen a miraculous comeback from the defending champions.

But player of the match Whitney Cudjoe who made a responsible and unbeaten 54 decorated with nine fours from 71 deliveries and Anisa Mohammed, who had earlier joined forces with her twin sister Alisa to wreak havoc of the Jamaican batting lineup, saw their team to victory with 9.4 overs to spare.

“That is the game of cricket. You must expect a partnership which must come from somewhere and when they were 63-6, I told myself that if this is not the partnership based on the way they were going, then we will repeat as champions” said Smith.

Whilst Smith was expressing his sorrows at the loss, his opposite number was high in praise for her team, whom she said deserved every right to be champions based on their performances throughout the one week tournament.

“First of all, I must tip my hat to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) for hosting such a wonderful tournament. It was well organised and executed. To my team, I want to say congratulations on your success. I told persons that we have been batting from 1 to 14 and I am elated for the girls.”

“They have prepared and worked hard at achieving this success. They really wanted to win this tournament and they got it. They (Jamaica) played right into our hands when they won the toss and chose to bat first” Thomas said.

She further stated, “We knew that once we removed their skipper and a few others, their batting would crumble as was evident against Dominica in their final preliminary round match and if we had won the toss, we would have invited them to take first strike too, so they made it easier for us when they did so.”

“After restricting them to 116, we set up a plan to get there and even though they set us back when we were 63-6, our batting which I love to boast about because we bat from 1 to 14, was not fazed as was evident in Whitney Cudjoe’s innings.

The tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Britney Cooper normally bats at number seven and this tournament is the first time we utilised her at four. Cudjoe is an opener in her own rights, but we asked her to bat out of that position for us in this tournament and she complied and performed exceedingly well” Thomas lamented.

Both teams left these shores yesterday for their respective homes and no doubt the Trinidadians would be returning to a hero’s welcome, following their triumph which stopped Jamaica from making a clean sweep of regional cricket titles this year.

GFA/Cellink Plus Premier League football…
Tigers hold Alpha to 0-0 draw, GDF edge GFC 3-2
By Michael DaSilva
BK International Western Tigers held points leaders Alpha United to a 0-0 draw while GDF edged GFC 3-2 when play in the Georgetown Football Association/Cellink Plus Premier League continued on Sunday evening at the Tucville ground.

Despite the draw for which they earned one point, Alpha United still leads the points standing with 25 points from nine matches.

Western Tigers who also secured one point from Sunday night’s drawn game has progressed to nine points from an equal amount of matches.

GDF on the other hand has progressed to 21 points from nine games while GFC remains on two points from nine matches.

In Sunday night’s opening fixture between GDF and GFC, Kelroy Pilgrim sent the Bourda team into the lead in the 15th minute after receiving the ball approximately 25 yards out after it had rebounded off one of the soldiers’ defenders and took a clinical first time shot that sent the ball sailing into the army’s goal.

Fifteen minutes later the soldiers retaliated as Warren Gilkes received an aerial pass from Sheik Kamal and headed it into the opposition’s goal to level the score, but GFC, determined as they come, responded in the 46th minute when Pilgrim received the ball on the flank and zeroed into the soldiers’ 18-yard box and was brought down and the subsequent penalty shot was taken by Peter Parks who made no mistake.

After trailing 1-2 going into the second session, Marlon Benjamin leveled the score for the army team from the penalty spot in the 75th minute and Royston Morrison sent them ahead in the third minute (93) of injury time.

The competition will continue on Friday evening at the same venue with another double header. In the feature match which is scheduled to get underway from 20:00h, GDF will face Western Tigers, while in the opening encounter from 18:00h Alpha United take on GFC.

Meanwhile, Alpha United’s Shawn Bishop is currently leading the race for the highest goal scorer award in this year’s league with nine goals to his credit.He is followed by Pele’s Marvin Joseph with seven goals to his name. Bishop’s team mate Dwight Peters and GFC’s Peter Parks both have five goals each while another Alpha United player Quincy Madramootoo along with GDF’s Marlon Benjamin, Flamingo’s Deon Alleyne and Western Tigers’ Devon Millington all have four goals each to date.

In the points standing, Sunburst Camptown is currently placed second with 24 points from nine matches, while Fruta Conquerors has 13 points from nine matches.

Pele has seven points from nine matches while Flamingo has two from nine matches also.

Jamaica cop all-time best 13 medals in Berlin
BERLIN, Germany, (CMC) – Jamaica completed their awesome all-time best World Championship showing by grabbing an impressive silver behind winners USA in the women’s 4X400-metre relay Sunday at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.

It was the 13th medal for the Jamaicans and a solid end to the 12th IAAF World Championship for the Caribbean side that – led by the astounding Usain Bolt -- captured the hearts of fans here.

The USA, with Jamaica-born athletes Sanya Richards and Debbie Dunn in their quartet, clocked a world-leading three minutes, 17.83 seconds to win gold.

Jamaica’s time for silver was a season’s best 3:21.15 with their team of Rosemarie Whyte, Novlene Williams-Mills, Shereefa Lloyd, and Shericka Williams.

“To win Jamaica’s last medal in the championship is really great,” Williams said.

“Jamaica has been doing spectacular from last season and this season and I hope we continue for the future,” she added.

Williams, the 400-metre silver medallist, ran a fabulous last leg to secure Jamaica’s runner-up finish.

She blazed past 400-metre bronze medallist Antonina Krivoshapka during the final leg and the Russian was unable to respond.

“I just tried to go out there and execute my race properly to make sure that we secured a medal going home,” Williams said.

Russia clocked 3.21.64 in third a long way behind Richards on anchor for the USA.

“My team-mates were phenomenal … and made it very easy for me tonight,” Richards said.

“Our competition was great from Jamaica and Russia so we wanted to come out and run our best races and we did that and won the gold medal, we are very thrilled,” Richards added.

The USA picked up other gold medals through their men’s 1600-metre relay and the women’s long jump with Brittney Reese to move clear of Jamaica in the gold medal tally.

The USA and Jamaica both started the final day on seven gold medals and the USA surged to 10 to cement their place as medal leaders at the nine-day championship.

Jamaica placed second with a best ever seven gold, four silver and two bronze medals to trail the Americans with 10 gold, six silver and six bronze.

Also on the last day, the 20-year-old Anguillian Shara Proctor posted a national record 6.71 metres to place sixth in the women’s long jump.

Proctor, the first Anguillian ever to reach an IAAF World Championship final, bettered her previous national mark of 6.61 metres as Reese copped gold with a world-leading 7.10 metres.

Proctor, also the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) champion, had Brazilian Olympic champion Maurren Higa Maggi behind her.

GAWA Intermediate championships set for Sunday

Sean Cozier in action on his way to a bronze medal performance in the 2008 Criollo Cup weightlifting championships.

THE Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA) national intermediate weightlifting championships will be held this Sunday at the Aracari Resort, Versailles, West Bank Demerara from 1400h sharp.

A total of twenty five (25) lifters from four gyms namely the Hardcore Gym of Berbice, Barims Gym of East Bank Essequibo, Briswood of Linden and the True Foundation Gym of Georgetown, will be vying for top honours.

Guyana’s 2008 Criollo Cup bronze medalist Sean Cozier and 2008 national senior champion Fazim Abdool will be on show along with other young lifters who will be vying for a place on this year’s Criollo Cup Championship which is scheduled for Puerto Rico from 21st -25th October.

The competition will be graced with the presence of president of the Pan-American Weightlifting Federation (PAWF) William Ozuna and his assistant Luigi Matos, both of whom are expected in Guyana on Saturday August 28, to assist with the further development of the sport locally, as well as the future development of weightlifting in Guyana.

Garner admits to mistakes by WICB
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – A senior director of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has admitted a number of mistakes have been made by the regional governing body over the years.

But Joel Garner, the president of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), does not feel that West Indies cricket is the laughing stock of the rest of the world.

“In the last two years, most of what we have been dealing with over the last two years is cricketing issues,” Garner said in a wide-ranging on CBC Radio here.

“Everybody goes through cycles, but we made the mistake that when we were at the top, we did not build our cricket to have people to follow. As a result, we did not have people to follow, and we have been left in a deep trough.

“I believe the attitude of the players need to improve, and if we start dealing with our cricket in the way that we should have been dealing with it – in a firm way – we can get back to the top through hard work and dedication.”

Garner rejected the notion that the WICB lack a system of accountability, but he agreed that the current method of directors reporting back to the territorial boards had its flaws.

“The directors of the WICB answer to their territorial boards, and the administrators on those boards have to ask the right questions,” he said.

“We do not go to WICB meetings not thinking about cricket. We look at all the issues and we deal with them for what they are worth.

“Every territory has the same opportunity to send two directors and two other representatives to the AGM to ask all the questions and get all the answers. It’s not our fault that everybody does not take advantage of this.”

Garner also advanced opposition to a change in the structure of the WICB to place a guardian council above the board of directors as prescribed by the Governance Review Committee headed by former Jamaica Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.

“If we are saying that there are too many directors on the WICB, it makes no sense to institute a governance committee of 23,” he said.

“If people want to agitate for change, it has to be about making things better, and not just because you want to put people in a position.

“It does not serve any useful purpose to put another tier of management, so there are aspects of the ‘Patterson Report’ that were dealt with – and a lot was implemented – but we take strong offence when people say 17 directors are too many, but want to impose 23 over us.”

Garner also refuted claims that the directors interfere too much in the day-to-day running of its secretariat in Antigua.

“The directors set the policy, and the chief executive officer carries out the day-to-day responsibility and runs the office,” he said.

“If the CEO does not do what he is supposed to do, you will always have problems. But we do not interfere with anything.

“We are moving to a point where the CEO and the Human Resources Specialist will look at the needs of the WICB, and fill the posts.

“The employees will have goals and targets, and if they cannot meet them on an annual basis, they will go through the appraisal process, and they will go through the door.”

`Lightning’ Bolt sprints to the rescue again
By Mitch Phillips
BERLIN, (Reuters) - When Usain Bolt blazed to glory at the Beijing Olympics, he was feted as the hero his tainted sport had been crying out for. Now, having repeated them in Berlin, he can consider himself the saviour of the world championships.

When the event was changed from four-yearly to biennial it lost much of its lustre, and to many fans became just another, slightly more glamorous extension of the grand prix circuit.

While memories of Seoul, Barcelona, Sydney and Athens jump from the mind, it's far tougher to recall the exploits seen at Seville, Edmonton, Paris and Osaka.

Berlin 2009 will be different, however, and not just because of the iconic blue track and the superb 1936 Olympic Stadium that provided such a stunning backdrop.

Nobody will ever forget the place where a man first ran "9.5-something" for the 100 metres. Bolt's 9.58 still seems a barely believable time coming just a few years after 9.8 was beyond the reach of all but the absolute cream of sprinting.

The 11 hundredths of a second he took off his own world mark was twice as big a slice as any previous reduction since electronic timing was introduced around 40 years ago.

And then he did it again in the 200, clocking 19.19, also taking 11 hundredths off.

"I'm on my way to becoming a legend," said the Jamaican, who duly added a third gold, as he had in Beijing, in the sprint relay, while having to settle for the second-fastest time ever.

SMILING SENSATION
What makes Bolt's performances doubly enjoyable is that he achieved them with a smile on his face and without any of the posturing and trash talk that characterised sprinting in the 1980s and 90s.

On his 23rd birthday, the Jamaican spent 40 minutes walking round the stadium patiently signing autographs and joking with fans and not one person begrudged him his long-awaited Saturday night party.

Bolt, as in Beijing, was the cutting edge of another terrific Jamaican sprinting display. Shelly-Ann Fraser added the women's 100m title to her Olympic gold while they also took both relays.

Only American Allyson Felix stood in their way as she won the 200m for the third time in a row.

Less high profile but in his own way equally impressive is Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele, who like Bolt now owns the world and Olympic titles and world records in both of his events, the 5,000 and 10,000 metres.

The 27-year-old has now won the 10,000 title four times in a row, matching the feat of compatriot Haile Gebrselassie, and is the first to achieve the double at the world championships.

Polite and unassuming, Bekele is nevertheless a fierce competitor, as shown on Sunday when he held off defending champion Bernard Lagat of the U.S. in a home-straight duel.

AMERICAN AUTHORITY
The United States, as usual, topped the medal table with 10 golds and 22 in all, with Jamaica second on 7/13.

Among the most impressive American performers were Trey Hardee, with a gun-to-tape victory in the decathlon that included a marathon 12 hours in the field on the second day, and LaShawn Merritt, who followed up his Olympic 400m gold with another win over defending champion Jeremy Wariner.

The two teamed up to secure a predictable 4x400 relay gold, the U.S. women doing the same, but there will be some hard talking after both squads failed to make the final of the 4x100 due to changeover foul-ups - just as they did in Beijing.

And spare a thought for Tyson Gay. Running with a groin injury he clocked 9.71 in the 100 metres. The third-fastest time ever - good enough to have won every other world championship and all but the last Olympic final yet here merely the bridesmaid's act to Bolt.

There was a world record in the women's hammer, though Anita Wlodarczyk's 77.96 metre throw was barely noticed in the cauldron of Saturday night's action. The Pole will not mind that though as she banks the 100,000 dollar cheque the record earned.

Caster Semenya was one of the few winners in Berlin who struggled to find a smile on the podium and who can blame her.

Hours before the 18-year-old was due to run in the 800 metres final the IAAF, responding to a leaked newspaper story, announced that the South African was undergoing gender verification tests following her startling improvement in times.

She deserves enormous credit for putting that, and all the speculation that accompanied it, behind her to run a perfect race and win the gold medal.

Berbice Zone Neal and Massy cricket…
Five half-centuries recorded in opening round
By Vemen Walter
BERMINE, Young Warriors, West Berbice and Port Mourant all recorded victories as the Berbice Zone of the Neal and Massy National 40-overs first division cricket competition got on the way last Saturday with four first round matches.

Highlighting the matches played were half-centuries from the Bermine trio of Eugene La Fleur Anthony D’Andrade and Devon Clements who cracked (77), (75) and (53) not out respectively to engineer a one-sided 110 runs win over Rose Hall Community Centre.

Port Mourant’s duo of Davendra Takurdeen and Homchand Pooran also hit half-centuries in their team’s commanding 119 runs triumph over Skeldon Community Centre, while in the bowling department, there were four wickets haul for left-arm-spinner Troy Mickle, medium pacers Youdendra Harrinarine and Davendra Ramoutar together with off-spinners Ralph Chackalall and Chrisindat Ramoo.

In Zone ‘A’ at the Rose Hall Community Centre Ground in Canje, Bermine rattled up 247 for four in their allotted 40 overs, after winning the toss and taking first strike.

La Fleur who opened the batting slammed three fours and two sixes in his knock, having added 162 for the second wicket in 27 overs with D’Andrade, whose innings was decorated with three fours and a six while Clements hammered two fours and five sixes in his cameo.

Medium- pacer Sanjay Khan and off-spinner Sasenarine Sukdeo took a wicket each for the Rose Hall Community Centre.

The home team was then undermined by Mickle, whose four wicket cost him 22 runs, crashing to 137 all out in 30.5 overs.

Sukdeo with (45) and Totaram Seenanand (22) were the only batsmen offering some amount of resistance.

Off-spinner Joemaul La Fleur supported Mickle with two for 37.

Over at Blairmont, the home team lost to Young Warriors by eight wickets.

Winning the toss and having no hesitation to bat, Blairmont were shot out for 99 in 28.5 overs with Govinda Raj Singh top scoring with (28).

Ramoutar was the chief destroyer, picking up four for 26 and was assisted by left-arm-spinner Charran Singh with three for 17.

Young Warriors then raced to 101 for two in just 16 overs with Farouk Hussain leading the way with (25) and Ishwar Singh (20).

Pacer Brendon Bess took one wicket for Blairmont.

At Edingburgh, West Berbice beat Edingburgh by 63 runs.

Sent in to bat, West Berbice made 207 all out in 39.1 overs with Ramoo making (45), Artley Baily (39) and Keith Fraser (25).

Chakalall pocketed four for 31, medium pacers Zaheer Hussain three for 38 and Raid Ali two for 49.

Edingburgh in reply, were all out for 144 in 35.5 overs with Ravi Brijlall (27), Denny David (24) and Mark Sampson (20).

Ramoo returned with the ball to capture four for 15 while pacer Keiron Fraser had three for 20.

And across in Zone ‘B’, at Port Mourant, Port Mourant asked to take first strike, in a match reduced to 35 overs per side as a result of the late arrival of the Skeldon team, rattled up a challenging 256 for four in their allotment of 35 overs to which Skeldon responded with 137 all out in 27 overs.

Thakurdeen hit ten fours in a well composed (79), Pooran (67) not out, an innings adorned with five fours and a six, Sameer Khan (38) and Krishnan Narine (28).

Medium-pacers Sherwin Murray, Andrew Saul and Clifton Pestano all had a wicket each for Skeldon.

In Skeldon’s effort with the bat, Neville Williams got up to (29), so too was Jermaine Raid while Saul contributed (22).

Off-spinner Steven Latch took three for 26 and left-arm-spinner Bisham Deolall two for 18 to back up Harrinarine’s four for 40.

Chandi’s half-century fails to save Durham
LONDON, (CMC) – Shivnarine Chanderpaul made a return to the playing field on Sunday, but his half-century failed to save Durham from a 22-run defeat by Hampshire in their Pro40 Division 1 match.

Chanderpaul struck eight fours in the top score of 54 from 53 balls to lift Durham to 207 for five from 36 overs in the rain-affected match at the Riverside Ground.

When rain stopped play, Hampshire were 87 for one from 11 overs in reply, and under the Duckworth-Lewis Method, they were well ahead of the scoring rate.

Also over the weekend, Barbadian left-arm fast-medium bowler Pedro Collins bagged four wickets for 96 runs from 25.4 overs for Surrey, but the Londoners were defeated, when Essex clinched a nine-wicket victory at Colchester.

Collins’ performance came, as Essex, replying to Surrey’s first innings total of 428, were dismissed for 545.

Ace Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria then snared six for 50 from 27 overs, as Surrey were dismissed for 190 in their second innings, leaving Essex to get 74 for victory.

S. Africa players & coaches fined for armband protest
LONDON, (Reuters) - The South African Rugby Union (SARU) was fined $16,500 yesterday for bringing the game into disrepute after it carried out an armband protest during the series win over the British and Irish Lions in July.

South Africa's players and management wore armbands with the word "justice" on them during the third test on July 4 as a protest at what they considered an unfair two-week suspension given to lock Bakkies Botha for charging Lions prop Adam Jones in the second test in Pretoria.

"The South African Rugby Union, members of the South Africa squad and team officials have been found guilty of acts of bringing the game of rugby into disrepute in breach of the IRB regulations relating to the game," a statement on the International Rugby Board website (www.irb.com) said yesterday.

"The Independent (Disciplinary) Committee therefore imposed a fine of 10,000 pounds ($16,500) on SARU, 200 pounds against each of the other players who wore the protest armbands and 1,000 pounds against John Smit who the Committee determined as captain of the South Africa team has greater role model responsibilities."

Second-row Botha was banned for dangerously charging into a ruck without binding on to a player during the second test which left Jones with a dislocated shoulder.

The IRB, who wanted stiffer penalties imposed on SARU and its players, said it was considering whether to appeal against the level of sanctions imposed by the Independent Committee.

Smith to play for Sussex in Champions League
HOVE, England, (CMC) – Barbadian all-rounder Dwayne Smith has opted to play for Sussex, rather than Indian Premier League outfit Deccan Chargers in the Twenty20 Champions League in October.

The 26-year-old West Indies discard has been representing Sussex in the English County Championship as a Kolpak player over the last two seasons, at the same time, he has played in the IPL with the Chargers.

Smith has been named in Sussex’s 20-member squad from which the final touring party of 15 will be picked for the Champions League.

Players – like Smith – that had the choice of two teams for which to play had until last week to declare for which side they would play in the Champions League.

Smith, who has played 10 Tests, 71 One-day Internationals, and five Twenty20 Internationals for West Indies, will be a real boost for Sussex’s batting in the tournament.

They will have to do without former Zimbabwe international Murray Goodwin, who is ineligible for this year’s competition because of his prior links with the rebel Indian Cricket League.

Sussex have been drawn in Group-B, along with New South Wales of Australia and the Eagles of South Africa.

Sussex face NSW on Sunday, October 11, followed by the Eagles on Tuesday, October 13. Both will take place in Delhi, and the top two teams from each group qualify for the next round.

Meantime, Sussex had a memorable weekend, when they drew with Somerset at Taunton in their latest County championship four-day match.

Goodwin hit a lifetime-best, undefeated 344, Dion Nash stroked 157, and Carl Hopkinson 139 to lead the visitors to 742 for five declared.

Smith, who made four, then collected two wickets for 91 runs from 36 overs, as Somerset responded with 521 for six.

Cricket Australia backs Ponting after Ashes loss
By Ian Ransom
MELBOURNE, (Reuters) - Calls for Ricky Ponting to relinquish his captaincy in the wake of Australia's Ashes series loss to England are "completely unfair", Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said yesterday.

Australia's 197-run loss in the deciding fifth Test at the Oval on Sunday gave England a 2-1 victory in the pulsating series, and made 34-year-old Ponting only the second captain to lose twice in England since Billy Murdoch in the 19th century.

Ponting, who averaged 48 with the bat for the series, told reporters in England on Sunday he expected to come under scrutiny on his return home, after the defeat also stripped Australia of its number one status in test rankings.

"I think that's completely unfair," Sutherland told reporters in Melbourne, when asked about the calls in Australia for Ponting to lose the captaincy.

"Of course, we like to win and we'd prefer to win but as well we want to be proud of players who we know have given their all and I thought that Ricky held himself very well in the difficult situation of losing the Ashes," he added.

Ponting has led a side that is rebuilding since the retirements of bowlers Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne and wicket-keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist in the past two years, resulting in three series defeats in its past five test series.

Sutherland, however, said the organisation was well aware the team was rebuilding.

"I don't think Cricket Australia is under any illusions as to where this team is at," Sutherland said.

"We're definitely in a rebuilding phase after losing some of the best players to ever play cricket for Australia.

"What you get with a young and relatively inexperienced team is some ebbs and flows in performance and we saw a little bit of that in the Ashes series."

Sutherland also defended Australia's selection panel, after former players criticised selectors for failing to pick a specialist spinner for the Oval test on a sun-baked pitch that showed turn from day one.

"We've lost the game by 200 runs, it's a pretty significant defeat, and having a spinner in the side wouldn't have helped us in the first innings where we were bowled out for 160 and effectively lost the game," he said.

"I don't think that in any way we can hold the selectors accountable for us losing the Ashes. At the end of the day the players go out and do the business on the field.

"For now, we lick our wounds and we really look forward to the opportunity in 2010/11, which promises to be another huge summer."

How England defied the odds to win back the Ashes
By John Mehaffey
LONDON, (Reuters) - England regained the Ashes from Australia at the Oval on Sunday even though the Australians possessed the three highest wicket-takers and six of the top seven run-scorers.

Australia also scored more centuries (8-2) and held more catches (58-37) but still lost the series 2-1.

WHY DID ENGLAND TRIUMPH?
Despite Australia's overall statistical superiority, England won the critical battles in a series which fluctuated from session to session between two evenly matched sides.

Last wicket pair James Anderson and Monty Panesar batted for 69 balls to salvage a draw in the first test at Cardiff after England had been outplayed throughout.

Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook plundered 196 runs for the first wicket at Lord's to seize the advantage and Andrew Flintoff produced a magnificent spell of fast bowling on the final day to secure victory.

England's other Test victory also came in London. In the fifth Test at the Oval, Stuart Broad took five for 37 to demolish the Australian first innings. Jonathan Trott then scored a century on debut to help set a victory target which was always beyond the Australians.

WHAT WENT WRONG FOR AUSTRALIA?
Australia expected opening batsman Phillip Hughes and the team's fastest bowler Mitchell Johnson to make major contributions after outstanding series in South Africa.

But Hughes was axed following the Lord's Test after proving vulnerable against the short ball. Johnson endured a nightmare match at Lord's and although he recovered to bowl well in the crushing Australian victory at Headingley he was not a force in the deciding match at the Oval.

Australia also blundered by not picking specialist off-spinner Nathan Hauritz at the Oval, sticking with the side who won in Leeds in conditions ideal for quick bowlers. The Oval pitch turned from the opening day.

WHAT NOW FOR ENGLAND?
Injuries prevented England making a serious bid to reach their stated goal of world number one after the 2005 Ashes win. Michael Vaughan and Andrew Flintoff were never the same players again and fast bowler Simon Jones has not played test cricket since.

The present England management are keen to avoid any hint of complacency after beating their oldest rivals with coach Andy Flower pointing out yesterday that they are still the world's fifth-ranked team.

But the initial signs are promising that this team will develop rather than decline like their 2005 predecessors. Flower and captain Andrew Strauss took over a side in disarray this year and the latter has responded by scoring more runs than any other batsman in the world and winning back the Ashes.

WHAT NOW FOR PONTING?
Ponting, 34, is only the second Australian captain ever to lose two Ashes series in England after Billy Murdoch in the 19th century.

But he remains the one outstanding player in an Australian side in the process of rebuilding, after losing a group of great players, and he was admirably honest on Sunday, making no excuses for himself and his team.

If he retains his form and desire, Ponting is likely to be given the chance to win back the Ashes for a second time at home.