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MINING CAMP MURDERS…
PRESIDENT ORDERS FULL, TRANSPARENT INVESTIGATIONS
- U.S. asked to provide forensic help
- Findings to be made public
‘It is a serious matter, eight of our citizens got killed and we owe it to them and their families to find out the truth. I am committed to doing that’ – President Jagdeo
By Priya Nauth
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo has assured that a full and transparent investigation will be carried out into the killing of eight men whose bodies were burnt at the Lindo Creek mining camp, along Berbice River.

The Head of State, addressing the media yesterday, expressed his condolences once again to the families of the men who were brutally murdered.

“I was in Toronto, Canada, when I got the sad news about the eight miners who were killed so brutally and I spoke with Mr. Arokium (owner of the mining camp) the same night,” Mr. Jagdeo related to reporters.

“These people were brutally murdered and I hope that the country will, at this point of time, express our outrage at what happened and also to be fully supportive of these families,” the President stated.

He reassured that with all the controversy that has emerged over the murders, the matter will be entirely investigated.

“We have already asked for some forensic pathology help from the United States of America (U.S.A) and all of the findings would be made public,” he said.

President Jagdeo said the request has been made through the U.S Embassy in Guyana, and is currently being processed.

The Head of State also appealed to the public to desist from speculating and allowed the independent investigation to take place.

Mr. Jagdeo also informed the media that Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), party, Mr. Raphael Trotman has written to him requesting a Commission of Inquiry be established to deal with the matter.

“I spoke with him briefly on the phone earlier today (yesterday) and I said that we should meet sometime later. I do not want to convey the impression that I will do this only for the killings in the mining camp, if we are to go this route then we will look at all the killings that took place and the circumstances that led to these killings and who may be involved and whether there are ties in the political circles of the country,” he pointed out.

Mr. Jagdeo also noted that at present, he has not decided whether a Commission of Inquiry would be the best vehicle for the investigation of this matter.

“I think it is critical that we get external expertise to look at it and this is what we are trying to secure at this point in time,” the President told reporters.

He said the matter will be kept under review and that all the information will be readily available to the public.

“The reason I am urging caution in speculation is because I have seen some internal analysis which are available to the Commissioner and to the Chief-of-Staff which has a theory about what took place there and it is substantiated by some evidence…and it looks very different from what the public speculation has been about,” Mr. Jagdeo said.

Asked whether the area that the incident occurred was sealed off, he said he will expect that it is secured since the request for help has been made to the U.S.

Meanwhile, responding to reports that there were at least two mining camps in the Christmas Falls area - and the June 6 raid at Christmas Falls was conducted by a small party of policemen and not the army, the President pointed out that there are different groups including the Special Forces, the police and the Joint Services (which is a joint group of policemen and soldiers) and different groups are operating at any given moment and there is not a specific group that will go off and do a particular operation.

He said the JOC was set up specifically to deal with this gang but it does not mean that any other group cannot carry out the operation.

“The problem with the Joint Services is that if they speak too early then people say they have not done a thorough investigation and when they do not speak and await the investigation then they are criticise for being silent.”

He continued: “They have, from what I gather, ballistic reports about the camp and the ballistic report does not reflect what was in the newspaper today (yesterday) but they are speculating…”

“It is a serious matter, eight of our citizens got killed and we owe it to them and their families to find out the truth. I am committed to doing that,” he attested.

The eight miners were discovered killed and their bodies burnt in their mining camp when its owner visited the camp on Saturday last. The local pathologist who carried out tests on some of the skulls found at the site also determined that the miners were beaten in their heads with hammers.

The dead men are Dax Arokium, 29, of Lot 1131 Crane Place, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown; his uncle, Cedric Arokium called ‘Brother’, 51 (no address given); Lancelot Lee alias ‘Piggy’, 42, of Lot 463 Kiskadee Drive, South Ruimveldt; Bonney Harry, 48, of Zorg, Essequibo Coast; Horace Drakes nicknamed ‘Pona’, 40, of De Kinderen, Compton Spires called ‘Tona’, 58, of Lot 149 West Meten-Meer-Zorg, also on West Coast Demerara; Nigel Torres, 17, of Kwakwani Jeep Landing. Berbice River and Clifton Wong called ‘Berry’, 46, of Lot 27 Norton Street, Wortmanville, another city address.

Ballistics test match Lindo Creek shells to Lusignan, Bartica massacres, other crimes - Police
THE Guyana Police Force last night stated that ballistics tests conducted on the four spent shells found at the crime scene at Lindo Creek, where eight miners were killed and their bodies burnt, have matched shells found at the Lusignan and Bartica incidents, the robbery/murder at Triumph, East Coast Demerara, where two men were killed and a robbery/murder at Canal No. 2 Polder, West Bank Demerara, during which a woman was killed.

A Police press release stated that the tests also revealed that one of the spent shells matched one of the rifles recovered from the two gang members who were shot and killed during an armed confrontation with the Joint Services at Goat Farm, Berbice River during last week.

Referring to articles published in yesterday’s edition of the Stabroek News and the Guyana Times, under the caption “Ballistics show no link to Fineman gang” and “Fineman gang weapons not used”, respectively, the release said:

“The statement said that there is no link to the gang members’ firearms is absolutely false and misleading and can only be construed as an attempt to discredit and sully the image of the security forces.”

It cautioned all agencies and stakeholders, including the media, to refrain from making irresponsible and wild statements which are unsubstantiated and unconfirmed and to act in a responsible manner.

The investigations into the murders at Lindo Creek are being supervised by the Office of Professional Responsibility.

Leonard Arokium, a diamond miner operating in the Berbice River areas close to Christmas Falls, claimed that he travelled to his mining camp last Saturday after receiving a telephone call informing him that his employees were all killed and their bodies burnt.

‘Skinny’ escapes from police custody
- Murder accused walks out of courtroom and into minibus
By Michel Outridge
MURDER accused Jermaine ‘Skinny’ Charles, 19, of 133 Brutus Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown, escaped from police custody yesterday, during his court appearance at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, East Coast Demerara.

Reports said that Charles was left in the courtroom unattended and calmly walked out of the building without being detected by ranks and joined a minibus.

By the time he was discovered missing during a routine check by ranks at Sparendaam, Charles had already made good his escape, reports said.

Upon discovering that the high profile prisoner was missing, police launched a frantic search for him without success up to press time.

The Police in a statement last night, said it is investigating the circumstances under which ‘Skinny’ escaped from the Sparendaam Police Station lockups yesterday.

Jermaine Charles who has been charged with the murder of the late Agriculture Minister Satyadeow Sawh and his siblings, and security guard and with several other murders including the Kaieteur News staff, had been taken to the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

Police said ‘Skinny’ had appeared before Magistrate Yohancie Cave in relation to the Satyadeow Sawh matter, after which he was placed in the station lockups for movement back to the Georgetown Prison.

“A check later revealed that he had escaped. It is believed that he escaped by removing part of the wooden section of the flooring of the lockups,” the Police said.

On August 17, 2006, three men, said to be part of the gang that shot dead five men at the Kaieteur News printery at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, appeared under tight security in the Georgetown Magistrate’s court before acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan.

Alleged ring leader Jermaine Charles, Dwight DaSilva and Quincy Evans, known as ‘Jimmy Dog’, were not required to plead to the indictable charges.

The first charge read to Charles, DaSilva and Evans said that between August 7 and 13, 2006, at the Kaieteur News printery, they murdered Mark Maikoo, Chitram ‘Boyo’ Persaud, Eon Wigman, Richard Stuart and Shazim Mohamed.

The three were also jointly charged with murdering Wordsworth Grey at Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, on August 8, 2006.

Charles and DaSilva were separately charged with murdering Barbot Paul at Kaneville, Grove, East Bank Demerara, last August 6, 2006.

‘Skinny’ faced three other murder charges and an attempted murder charge.

Police said on January 23, 2006, at Agricola, he allegedly murdered Devon Charles.

On March 18, 2006, at McDoom, East Bank Demerara, he allegedly murdered Kevin Browne; and on the same day, at the same location, he attempted to murder Shaundell Browne, police said.

‘Skinny’ was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, to which he pleaded not guilty. The charge said that on August 11, 2006, he was found with a .32 millennium pistol, together with 29 live rounds of matching ammunition.

The Police yesterday appealed to anyone with information that may lead to the recapture of Jermaine Charles called “Skinny” to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-7625, 225-6940, 225-6941, 229-2701, 229-2702, 911 or the nearest police station.

The Police said all information will be treated with strict confidence.

The Guyana Police Force also reminded all members of the public and family members of ‘Skinny’ that it is an offence to harbour any person wanted by the police.

The Police Force also calls on all family members and civic minded persons not to shelter this fugitive from justice but to hand him over to the authorities as soon as possible.

MURDER PLOT, DEPORTEES ON CARICOM SUMMIT AGENDA
- Gonsalves briefing heads
By RICKEY SINGH
A REPORTED plot to assassinate Vincentian Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and the eruption of a new controversy over dumping in the region criminal deportees from the United States of America are among sensitive issues for special attention at next week's 29th annual summit of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The specific details will be highlighted at a closed-door caucus session when Heads of Government deal with crime and security challenges as part of a packed agenda for their four-day conference that begins with a ceremonial opening on Monday evening, July 1 in St John's, Antigua and Barbuda.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who shoulders lead responsibility for crime and security matters among Community leaders, will be expected to provide an updated assessment of the situation.

The problem is also linked to arbitrary actions in the deportation of CARICOM nationals as criminal deportees, particularly from the USA, but including the United Kingdom and Canada, and often without prior consultation in the spirit of mutual cooperation in the fight against narco-trafficking, gun-running and terrorism.

The matter has now been further aggravated by last week's development of a private jet being used to fly eight criminal deportees from the United States to Trinidad and Tobago in a manner that has proved quite embarrassing for local law enforcement agencies and prompted critical media responses.

Like governments in other CARICOM jurisdictions, the Manning administration is also left to assess the domestic consequences of the continuing unloading of criminal deportees at a time of mind-boggling rates of murder and criminal rampage across the 15-member Community with Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana being the most affected.

In Jamaica, where there have already been a shocking murder toll for the year of 760 by last weekend, Prime Minister Bruce Golding has lamented that the country was evidently faced with "a new kind of terrorism".

One, he feels, that require further strengthening of the security forces and enactment of new legislation appropriate for restoring a law and order environment, including "unusually long detention of persons under investigation..."

As Golding was recounting the "viciousness and level of calculatedness" of some of the planned and executed killings in Jamaica, the Guyana government of President Bharrat Jagdeo was confronting the latest act of criminal barbarism.

It was the slaughter and burning of bodies of eight miners a few days ago, reminiscent of two other massacres of civilians earlier in the year involving the executions of 23 Guyanese.

The horrendous tragedies have all been linked to a network of armed criminals, a few of whom have been killed and others taken into custody by the security forces. But, as it is in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, the Guyanese nation remain deeply traumatised by the reign of terror from well armed killers or, the "new kind of terrorists", as described by Prime Minister Golding.

Meanwhile, across in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Gonsalves is preparing to brief CARICOM leaders at a special session, possibly on the second day of their summit, on a plot by well-connected drug dealers to murder him.

The Vincentian Police Commissioner Keith Miller has confirmed that the security forces were now in a position, thanks to regional and international cooperation, to obtain specific information on the identities of key elements involved in the assassination plot.

Gonsalves is known to have already briefed three of his CARICOM counterparts--the Prime Ministers of Trinidad and Tobago (Manning); Barbados (David Thompson) and St. Lucia (Stefen King).

In the case of St Lucia, he has also "provided relevant information" to Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister Kenny Anthony in view of a claimed "high-level St. Lucian connection" with Vincentians currently under investigation for drug-trafficking and association with the reported assassination plot.

The Vincentian police have confirmed receiving the cooperation of British and American intelligence services to trace two of the alleged "hitmen" for the assassination plot - one a Puerto Rican, the other from the Dominican Republic.

Prime Minister Gonsalves said he was particularly "appreciative of the level of cooperation" received from both the government of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's commercial banking system that has so far resulted in freezing private bank accounts of elements under investigation.

As the Community Secretariat finalises arrangements for next week's 29th summit with a major focus on crime and security, a former senior cabinet minister of the previous Owen Arthur administration in Barbados, Elizabeth Thompson, has called for a more critical review of the region's security cooperation with the USA.

A lawyer by profession, Thompson told the House of Assembly last week during a debate on amendments to the country's Civil Aviation Act, that it was becoming increasingly evident that CARICOM's "security agenda is being driven by the USA".

This approach, she said, was costing this region "a tremendous amount of expenditure" and wonders "where this would all end".

Guyana regarded as an exciting new bird-watching destination
- USAID Consultant says at Caribbean Tourism Summit
INITIATIVES to promote Guyana as a viable eco-tourism destination are becoming fruitful as more and more people internationally now recognize the country’s potential in this area.

Judy Karwacki, who represented Guyana at the first Annual Caribbean Tourism Summit (ACTS) in Washington, DC, noted that her work in Guyana has been quite successful.

She said key components that have added to the success of the programmes launched in Guyana have included working with small, niche tourism operators; focusing on current tourism market demands and creating partnerships with funding agencies and non-governmental organizations that have a vested interest in the country, a Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) press release said.

Judy Karwacki, who is the President of Small Planet Consulting and lead tourism consultant on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS) project and the Guyana Sustainable Tourism Initiative (GSTI) also noted that as a result of the Birding Tourism Programme Initiative, Guyana is now regarded as an exciting new bird-watching destination by bird-watchers and tour operators around the world, especially with more that 30 international companies now selling, designing and bringing tours to Guyana, the release noted.

Karwacki noted that after listening to the feedback from international tour operators, the USAID/GTIS project is now using a market-response approach that will expand the focus from just bird-watchers to also include wider sustainable tourism initiatives. These include eco-indigenous tourism, volunteer conservation tourism and research-based tourism which is expected to boost tourism growth in Guyana.

The Tourism conference lasted from June 21 to 24 and was attended by political, tourism and investment community leaders from the Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora who have an interest in the future of Caribbean tourism.

The summit aim was to discuss the increasing global competition within the tourism sector and the rising oil prices that create many obstacles to travel and to find ways of working together to improve and expand the region’s tourism industry.

Four persons in PNCR’s ‘massive’ NY protest
- says President Jagdeo
By Tajeram Mohabir
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday reported that while the objectives of the recently concluded New York Heads of Government conference were met, the opposition, rather than focusing on the positives, used the opportunity to spread propaganda.

Addressing the media at a press briefing at the Office of the President, the Guyanese Head of State pointed out that this included Peoples’ National Congress Reform (PNCR) statements in the press that there were “massive protests” in various places in New York.

“I was one of the few CARICOM Heads who did not use the Secret Service, that means I was on my own. I walked through the big protest that they had there; at one place there was a phenomenal number of four, and at the other meeting an even more phenomenal number of seven,” the president related.

They protested the cost of living increases, an issue that every CARICOM head was worried about, President Jagdeo posited, while noting that the Guyana Government has made numerous interventions to address that problem which is not unique to Guyana.

Mr. Jagdeo acknowledged that he was also very dismissive of Rickford Burke, President of the Caribbean/Guyana Institute for Democracy. Most people did not know who he was, and moreover, he never mattered, the President declared.

“Those who knew him put him down as a very divisive force, with his constant talk about racism and discrimination which doesn’t accord with the reality of Guyana,” the President stressed.

Mr. Jagdeo noted that he was in New York for more serious business.

Arthur Chung remembered
GUYANA’S first President Arthur Chung died at age 90 on June 23.
This noteworthy figure in Guyana’s political history served as the country’s President from March 1970 to August 1980.

He has made significant contributions to the nation during his tenure as Head of State and as a magistrate, and many prominent figures recall his life.

Former President, Mrs. Janet Jagan
I was very sorry to hear of the death of the late President Arthur Chung. I know he has been ailing for some time but I think he was in good hands. He had a very devoted wife and I can recall seeing the former President and his wife walking in Bel Air taking exercise.

He was a very agreeable, friendly and dignified man and played his role as President very well. He made his contribution to the nation in his work as a magistrate many years ago in the judiciary and finally as President of the country.
****
People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader, Mr. Robert Corbin
He has been a beacon in our Republic having the honour to have been the person to steer our Republic in 1970 when we embarked on that new journey.

As a member of the legal profession, he was very distinguished and he served with great integrity and respect.

I am confident that he will be recorded in the annals of Guyana’s history books as one of those who made a significant contribution towards shaping the Republic of Guyana.

He has lived a very long and productive life and I know that in the latter years, he has had not the best of health but I am confident that with his contribution to Guyana and his profession that he will be accorded a proper place in our history.
****
General Secretary People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Mr. Donald Ramotar
President Arthur Chung has the distinction of being the first Guyanese Head of State. He was President of this country from the day we became a Republic until the new constitution was promulgated in 1980. The distinction of being the first Head of State has earned him a place in the history of our country.

Prior to that he was a Judge, one of the country’s distinguished judges, and he of course was involved in many important cases in Guyana.

I would say he lived a very modest life but he made a big contribution in the area of the Judiciary and at the level of the State.

We are sad at his passing and at this time I want to take the opportunity to extend to his family and friends the deepest sympathy of the party.
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Alliance for Change (AFC) Leader, Mr. Raphael Trotman
He was a man who many did not know after retirement when Guyana assumed an Executive President in 1980. He retired with grace and style without interfering in the politics of the day or making interventions and having his views heard and I think people respected him for that. He was also a quiet person and we will remember him in that way.

Most young people do not know him and of his role as the first President of Guyana and I hope something is done to honour him and his memory for all times. I believe that Parliament as soon as possible will pay respects.

We offer our condolences to his wife and family and all of Guyana should be in mourning for his passing.
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Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Hamilton Green
Arthur Chung was my friend - a man of great depth and I believe a genuinely good Guyanese patriot.

Arthur’s rise to Presidency came out of Sir David Rose in November 1969 when he was in London to take leave of Her Majesty the Queen and return to Guyana.

At that time the administration and the opposition thought it prudent to identify as our first President after being declared a Republic, someone who could capture the imagination of the nation, someone who can be considered non partisan.

Arthur Chung tried his job with dignity and decorum and in fact he did a lot to enhance the image of Guyana as President.

Generally, Arthur Chung’s death is a great loss to this nation and I hope those who write our history will compile the story of his life: a simple boy from West Demerara who rose to be President.
NEWS

Attempt to burn Cultural Centre ‘a despicable act’
- President Jagdeo
By Priya Nauth
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo described the attempt to burn the National Cultural Centre (NCC) in Georgetown last week as a “despicable act” and urged the Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) to disassociate himself and party from the terrible act.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday at the Office of the President, the Head of State was responding to questions that given the recent attack on the NCC, there has been several websites (blogs) calling for a boycott of the hosting of the Tenth Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA X) to be hosted in Guyana form August 22 to 31.

“It was a despicable act for anyone to try to torch the Cultural Centre; I urge the opposition leader to disassociate himself and his party from that terrible act, I do not know if he has done so,” Mr. Jagdeo told reporters.

The President also said he would not ‘pay much attention to the blogs’.

“You can base a blog site on any matter; many people I am sure do not pay much attention to the reports on blog sites because there is no responsibility, no one forces you to be responsible there…people can do this in a relatively anonymous way,” he noted.

President Jagdeo added that he has seen great interest from persons in Canada and New York who will be coming here for CARIFESTA, and similarly from the Trinidadians who are spending over a US$1M to send a huge delegation to participate in the mega event.

He also noted that over 1500 persons are registered as delegates and it will probably be bigger than Cricket World Cup (CWC) in terms of foreigners coming to Guyana.

The President said that during his recent visit to New York and Toronto - along with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony - they took the opportunity to do several interviews and meet with the Caribbean media to raise awareness about CARIFESTA X.

Alluding to security, the Head of State pointed out that, “We had put together solid security arrangements for CWC, Rio Group Summit and hosting of the Commonwealth Finance Minister Meeting and I do not see any reason why we cannot put together solid security arrangements for CARIFESTA too.”

“So I do not see the voices that are in the wilderness making any impact on people’s attendance or likely attendance for CARIFESTA,” he stated.

Youths on global exchange mission call on Minister Anthony
FIFTEEN youths from Guyana, the Caribbean and South Asia have commenced an exchange mission to address issues of globalisation and its effects on the underdeveloped and developing countries.

The youths from Jamaica, Grenada and India are members of the Council for World Mission (CWM), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in London which has coordinated the Short Term Global Exchange (STGE) programme.

The team yesterday paid a courtesy call on Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony at his Main Street office.

Their mission began on May 17 in Jamaica and continued in Guyana from June 20. After the completion of the Guyana phase on June 27, the missionaries will move on to India from June 29 to August 10.

The Guyana component of the programme was hosted by the Guyana Congregational Union (GCU) which is an affiliate of the CWM.

Coordinator of the Guyana mission component Kaome Fernandez said the social, economic and political impact of globalisation will be the main focus of the three-month tour.

“In identifying these effects, we will look at solutions and things that we can do. We wouldn’t be able to stop globalisation but by sensitising people they will know what they can do to deal with the situation,” Fernandez said.

India’s participant, Jyoti Singh, said the global exchange programme enables the participants to acknowledge the difficulties faced as a result of globalisation which brings both positive and negative impacts on a society.

“As youths we are coming together to understand what we can do to this changing scenario and how we can keep pace without losing our own identities,” Singh said.

She considers her first time to Guyana an enriching and a learning experience since it has taught her how to be tolerant in a multi-ethnic society.

Khereen Wilson of Jamaica said the mission has had its challenges since the participants are drawn from different parts of the globe with different world views but they have come to a compromise on how to collaborate to capitalise on globalisation in the best way possible.

She was also amazed at the multiculturalism of Guyana’s society, noting that it is different from Jamaica. (GINA)

13th Anniversary of Amazon Cooperation Treaty to be observed July 3
WITH current discussions ongoing on climate change and the importance of tropical rainforests to the world, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will, on July 3, be observing the 13th Anniversary of the signing of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty by the Foreign Ministers of Guyana, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.

According to the Ministry, the Treaty, signed on July 3, 1978, signified the willingness of these Amazonian countries to promote through joint actions, the harmonious development of the Amazon region.

In 2002, the Permanent Representative of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO) established its headquarters in Brasilia, Brazil, following which its Permanent Secretariat was set up in 2003. Since then it has continued to be committed to the sustainable development of the Amazon region. It has also been seeking to foster regional integration, cooperation and the harmonious development of the Amazon Basin.

ACTO’s strategic plan for the period 2004-2012 comprises the sustainable development of the Amazon region through the conservation and sustainable use of renewable natural resources; knowledge management and technological exchange; regional integration and competitiveness and institutional strengthening.

Some of the programme areas set out by ACTO examine water - the integration management of hydro-biological resources; forest/soils and protected natural areas - the sustainability of Amazon as a Standing Forest, forest management criteria, integral management of natural protected areas, ecotourism; and territorial ordering, human settlements and indigenous affairs - ecological and economic macro-zoning, cultural diversity and respect to the rights of indigenous peoples.

The ACTO has also listed its general objective as being the creation of conditions for the Continental Amazon to gradually consolidate as a sustainable development space.

Guyana’s response to climate change and global warming has been to offer the services of the country’s intact rainforest, one of four remaining in the world, in the fight in the battle against the phenomenon.

President Bharrat Jagdeo is however, arguing that this will only be done if the countries with intact forests are provided with monetary compensation from the developed world, where most of the pollution (carbon emissions) that has caused the phenomenon occurs.

In this light, he is arguing for countries to support changes in the current Kyoto Protocol that would provide for this type of compensation. (GINA)

Nand Persaud competition…
Importance of increasing rice yields underscored at presentation
By Priya Nauth
NAND Persaud and Company Limited, producers of the ‘Karibee’ brand, has initiated a rice growing competition to encourage farmers in Berbice to maximise yields.

The awards for the first 2008 crop were presented last Saturday at the residence of Mr. Nand Persaud, Number 36 Village, Corentyne.

Mr. Chandradat Persaud, of Number 55 Village, received the top prize of $1M, for his production of 50.26 bags per acre.

Second prize awardee was Mr. Haimraj Baboolall, of Number 45 Village, who produced 43.95 bags per acre and third was Mr. Harinarine Persaud, of Mibicuri South, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, too, with 36.8 bags per acre. They both received trophies

At the ceremony, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Mr. Ragindra Persaud said the contest was inaugurated last year, with the intention of boosting paddy production, recognising that the acreage cultivated for the last crop of 2007 was below 10,000 acres, which is below normal.

“We felt that, if we can try to boost the yield, then we can achieve the same as we use to,” he said, reporting that the venture was very successful, with planters using there basic knowledge and good common sense.

Persaud said, with the addition of technology, 60 bags per acre can be achieved and farmers are being given the opportunity and support.

Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud, who delivered the feature address on the occasion, commended the scheme and congratulated the winners.

He expressed hope that the programme would inspire farmers to improve their cultivation practices and productivity as well as motivate other companies to do similarly and create a positive effect on the industry.

“Today, people who are involved in agriculture and food production are not only important in an economic sense but are also critical to man’s survival,” the minister noted.

He said Government has always had a vision and continues to hold the view that the country’s development is primarily premised on a well develop agriculture sector.

“Our vision for the agricultural sector is one that is diversified, one that is competitive and one that gives maximum benefits to all our people,” Persaud explained.

He said rice can be used as a catalyst for wider agricultural development because it is the main product after sugar.

“We have always placed emphasis on the rice industry and we have done that because we recognise how important it is, in the social and socio-economic dimension for the thousands who are engaged in the industry and also, in the global context, there will always be a market and a place for profitable rice,” Persaud stated.

He said that is why the Government has consistently invested in the industry, even during difficult times.

“We always knew there will be sometime in the future when Guyana’s rice industry will rise and today it is rising and what this event signifies is the celebration of that rise, the advances and the successes made and also the investments that the Government has made,” Persaud elaborated.

However, he said the function is not about the Government, as its role is to create the environment for a productive and competitive rice industry.

“It is about the hard work, dedication and the persistence of the farmers and millers and investors such as Nand Persaud and Company,” Persaud emphasised.

He warned that markets will not be automatic and would require persons to enhance competitiveness and do things differently, so as to defeat constraints such as climate change, rising costs of input, logistics and non-tariff barriers.

“The competitiveness of our rice industry is critical for us going forward and every farmer, miller and everyone involved in the industry must identify how it is that individuals can improve his/her competitiveness,” the minister pointed out.

Persaud said the Administration is already strategising and planning on where it wants the industry to go.

“We have to recognise that, increasingly, we have to compete with countries which are also going through this similar process of defining, refining and articulating and even implementing a strategic plan and vision for their rice industries…it will require all of us to embrace a process of reflection and change,” he advised.

100th anniversary
Acknowledging 2008 as a landmark year, the 100th anniversary of Guyana being a rice exporting nation, Persaud announced that, in November, a major conference will be held, with international exporters, academic researchers and local leaders in the industry, to assess Guyana’s position and what should be done in the coming years to maintain this country as a big rice producer and exporting nation.

He said the world rice reserves are depleting and many leading producers have taken a severe knock as a result of weather and other factors.

“Countries such as Guyana will be looked upon and pressured to take up some of those places and we must see that as a pressure but certainly as a positive challenge which is an area of an opportunity,” Persaud said.

He mentioned that the first 2008 crop, which is usually the small one, will achieve close to 176,000 tonnes and said that is a positive development, despite the weather and exports for last year reached the record high level of nearly 250,000 tonnes.

Persaud alluded to those developments and said he is quite sure this trend will continue, although there will be constraints surrounding the cost of inputs such as fuel, chemicals and fertilisers.

The minister said governments have been trying to cushion the international impacts by taking steps to overcome those hurdles.

Referring to Berbice, particularly, he said there has been some improvement in production and the Government is investing more in drainage and irrigation to resuscitate lands used years ago because of the need and demand by farmers.

Persaud challenged Berbice farmers to increase and improve their rice production in the region that has one of the lowest yields compared to other producing regions.

He assured them of the necessary support from Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and other agencies while Government is investing in the region to ensure the necessary ingredients to improve yields.

“Only through the improvement of yields would you be able to defeat factors such as the rising cost of input,” Persaud told them.

He said Guyana exports close to 80 per cent of the rice it produces but the industry is first built to satisfy local demand, which is between 45,000 and 50,000 tonnes, but, primarily, it is geared towards exporting and meeting the international markets.

Dynamics
Persaud exhorted all stakeholders to understand and appreciate the dynamics of trade.

“The trading arrangements are not constant. They are evolving and we have to prepare ourselves for that. We have to understand our system and those dynamics,” he asserted.

Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) Chairman, Mr. Zulficar Mustapha also guaranteed support for the rivalry among farmers.

“This competition has taken place at a time when the world is faced with a crisis and I think this is a perfect example that our corporate bodies in the region should promote for the rest of the country and the world to follow,” he observed.

Mustapaha said, although the rice industry has undergone many changes, the competition is an upsurge in the sector.

He disclosed that, last year, more than $250M were spent on drainage and irrigation and the Regional Administration is in the process of rehabilitating those schemes that were previously used for large scale rice production.

“We are also putting a lot of effort into our drainage system within the region, because, with the climate changes, we have to set systems in place to avoid serious flooding and save farmers from losses,” Mustapha said.

He predicted an increase in the upcoming crop and posited that Nand Persaud is one company that has not short changed the farmers.

Another speaker at the forum, Rice Producers Association (RPA) General Secretary, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj said increasing yields is one of the best ways of ensuring that farmers make more from their activities in the field.

He admitted that some farmers have been recording consistently high yields of more than 60 bags per acre, using the same varieties available.

“It is not only the variety that you use, it is your general approach to rice production itself,” Seeraj said, observing that one of the common factors among top producers is good agronomic practices.

“The farmers who have been consistently registering high yields per acre are the farmers who visit their fields not once a day but twice a day,” he offered.

Seeraj said a lot has to be done, including timely interventions and assuring good drainage and irrigation.

He admonished farmers to work hard, inspect their fields thoroughly and collaborate with the extension officers and other farmers who have achieved high yields.

GRDB General Manager, Mr. Jagnarine Singh congratulated those who gave the winners the opportunity to exhibit their potential in rice cultivation.

He repeated that rice has a long history in Guyana and recommended the new venture to be adapted by other industries.

“This intervention is another evolution of the industry that would add to its rich culture,” Singh commented.

Managing Director of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Mr. Edwin Gooding, recognising the importance of agriculture, said he looks forward to the sharing of information on the methods and practices employed by the top producers to educate other rice farmers countrywide on how to achieve greater production.

First annual Caribbean Tourism Summit takes place in Washington, DC
By Kirk Smock
WASHINGTON, DC – Political, tourism and investment community leaders from the Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora with an interest in the future of Caribbean tourism gathered at the First Annual Caribbean Tourism Summit (ACTS) in Washington, DC from June 21-24.

‘As a result of the Birding Tourism Program initiative, Guyana is now regarded as an exciting new bird-watching destination by birdwatchers and tour operators around the world, with more than 30 companies now selling, designing and bringing bird-watching tours to Guyana’

Today, there is an increasing global competition within the tourism sector and the rising oil and gas prices are resulting in many obstacles to travel.

To discuss these issues, representatives from the public and private sector met at the Summit to seek ways of working together to improve and expand the region’s tourism industry.

The four days consisted of workshops, expert panel discussions, meetings, networking sessions, and Caribbean exhibitions and celebrations.

Panel discussions covered topics including outbound travel, creating opportunity through sustainability, investing in Caribbean innovation, creating the future

through educational partnerships, volunteerism, and carbon trading.

The Summit’s keynote speaker was Dr. Alan Greenspan, who served as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for more than 18 years.

Dr. Greenspan spoke to a rapt audience about the economic outlook of tourism in the Caribbean.

At the Summit there were also representatives from industry and media giants such as Travelocity, Google, The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic Traveler and Budget Travel.

Guyana was also well represented at the Summit when Judy Karwacki, President of Small Planet Consulting and lead tourism consultant on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) / Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS) project - Guyana Sustainable Tourism Initiative (GSTI), spoke about her successful work in Guyana.

Ms. Karwacki, who was on a panel titled, “Attractions – Differentiation through Authentic Experiences,” gave a presentation on how she has been applying lessons learned from sustainable tourism projects she has worked on in Canada to the Caribbean and Guyana.

During her presentation, Ms. Karwacki explained the strategy utilized for the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and

USAID/GTIS Birding Tourism Programme and how it is now being applied to the GSTI.

Ms. Karwacki said key components that have added to the success of the programme have included working with small, niche tourism operators; focusing on current tourism market demands; and creating partnerships with funding agencies and non-governmental organisations that have a vested interest in the country.

As a result of the Birding Tourism Programme initiative, Guyana is now regarded as an exciting new bird-watching destination by birdwatchers and tour operators around the world, with more than 30 companies now selling, designing and bringing bird-watching tours to Guyana.

At the summit, it was often noted that because the Caribbean is one of the most tourism-dependent regions in the world, the industry must continue to grow and flourish.

Ms. Karwacki said that after listening to feedback from international tour operators and the wider market, the USAID/GTIS project is now using a market-response approach that will expand the focus from just birdwatchers to also

include wider sustainable tourism initiatives, including eco-indigenous tourism, volunteer conservation tourism and research-based tourism. This is expected to help tourism growth to continue in Guyana.

The Guyana Sustainable Tourism Initiative is receiving support from GTIS, a joint project of the Government of Guyana and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

For more information, please visit www.guyanabirding.com.

Ministers call for collective approach to domestic violence
By Nathalene DeFreitas
A TWO-DAY national conference on the elimination of violence against women and children opened Tuesday.

Organised by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, it is towards the drafting of a policy on domestic violence.

At the opening, in Le Meridian Pegasus Hotel, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Priya Manickchand said her ministry is determined that its efforts will not fail.

“We are determined…we must be able to deal with this effectively and efficiently in addressing the needs of the victims of violence,” she said.

Manickchand acknowledged that the Government alone cannot address the issues of violence against women and children and said the support of all Guyanese is desperately needed.

She called on all Guyanese to familiarise themselves with the Government policies as they relate to violence against women and children and be aware of the services that are available and how to access them.

Manickchand charged the participants to leave the forum with a resolution that decides how the policies are going to be implemented by forming a committee to deal with the issues.

“We can fix this. It is something that can be addressed and must be addressed and we must all leave here with methods as to how we are going to address it,” she implored.

Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who was also a participant, said violence against women and children remains a neglected rights issue and too much money is being spent on meetings and reports while not enough resources are allocated for action.

Calling for the situation to be corrected, he said: “As a man, I want to ask my brothers to stand in solidarity to be change agents and catalysts for a new beginning, a Guyana where no child or no woman becomes a victim of violence.

“It is a problem that diminishes us as human beings. It is a problem that is shameful and, collectively, we must accept guilt and responsibility.

“As a man, I feel shamed every time violence, sexual and otherwise, is perpetrated on women and children.

“As I plead with my brothers in Guyana, I plead with all of us, particularly the authorities, we must engage men and boys with greater intensity in order to change the horrendous status quo of violence against women and children,” he exhorted.

Ramsammy said the social expectations of what men and boys should and should not do can directly affect attitudes and behaviour related to a range of health issues, such as HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and men’s participation in child and newborn and maternal health.

“Studies have shown that we can change the behaviour of men and boys.”

Ramsammy said the elimination of violence against women and children requires national solidarity and a coalition of individuals and organisations.

He said, as President of the World Health Assembly, he argued that violence against children and women is a public health problem.

According to him, making the argument is not an attempt to expand public health responsibility or reduce that of other sectors but it is a plea that healthy, productive lives are not possible unless the issues of violence against children and women are addressed.

Ramsammy said alcohol is a major area for intervention and a determinant for violence in society and no one can deny the significant role it plays in domestic violence which affects both women and children.

He declared that the ambitious goal of the Ministry of Human Services will not succeed in the elimination of violence against children and women if the advocacy and action plan does not include an all-out assault against the harmful use of alcohol.

Ramsammy pressed for amendments to the deficiencies in laws pertaining to alcohol and added: “We owe our children; we owe our sisters, our women a life free of violence.”

Deputy Representative of the United Nations Children’