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ARCHIVES FOR OCTOBER 06, 2009

World Bank reaffirms support for Guyana’s climate change model
THE World Bank is moving ahead with a milestone support project for Guyana’s climate change model and a large bank mission is due here today to finalise aspects of the scheme.

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

World Bank Guyana Country Representative, Mr. Giorgio Valentini, yesterday said the bank wants to reinforce the message that it supports the Guyana Government on its climate change programme, including the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

“We think the government has done a very good job in the consultations on the strategy”, he told the Guyana Chronicle. He said this view is also shared by the donors.

Valentini said the 20-member mission includes representatives from the United States and the United Kingdom, two of the FCPF donor countries, and it is the final assessment before anticipated approval of support for Guyana under the trust fund.

The visit, organised by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), is financed by the World Bank and the British Department For International Development (DFID) and the mission will undertake field trips, Valentini said.

The team will travel to the Iwokrama Forest Reserve, Nappi and other communities in Region Seven, and participation in its work will come from Conservation International, the World Wildlife Fund, the four non-governmental organisations involved in Amerindian affairs, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, and the Chairman of the National Toshaos Council, among others.

This country’s 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 said in July.

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.

An earlier World Bank due diligence mission came up with a “very positive assessment” and the grant may be approved in the next few months, Valentini said earlier this year.

The GFC did a superb job in documenting the issues for the Bank’s Readiness Preparation Plan (R-PP formerly known as R-Plan) and Guyana is the only country cleared at the PC meeting that is undergoing the due diligence of the World Bank for approval of the FCPF's grant, he said.

This means it will probably receive the grant before Panama and Indonesia, the other two countries that are at a similar stage of readiness, he said.

Valentini earlier this year said, “I am a supporter of the climate change agenda of the country and the proposed LCDS provides a very good entry point into the preparation mechanism for the FCPF and the future carbon fund mechanism. The President has well illustrated the benefits of Guyana's forest to the world and the potential for improving Guyana's socio-economic development. On this, we are looking forward to supporting the government in implementing the LCDS and to make Guyana a best practice for the rest of the countries in the FCPF.”

“It’s a very unique opportunity if you think about Guyana being the first of 37 countries worldwide in this”, he said.

He explained that the preparation phase to be supported by the grant involves a baseline and historical assessment of the forest to understand the rate of deforestation, changes in the forest and the drivers of deforestation.

The grant is to prepare the country to move into the Carbon Fund Phase, which remunerates selected countries with Performance-Based Carbon Payments from carbon markets and/or funds, with a certain baseline, including a monitoring and verification system by which international organisations can monitor the forests for deforestation, the impact of mining and other factors, he said.

“Guyana can become the best practice after this is done…something that Guyana can be proud of and that can provide long-term sustainability to improvements in the social and economic sectors”, he said.

UN Human Development Report offers hope amidst challenges
- Minister Rodrigues-Birkett
MINISTER of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, said yesterday that the 2009 Global Human Development Report offers hope in the midst of challenges confronting mobility and development.

The compilation, commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was made public yesterday at the Georgetown Club, on Camp Street, Georgetown.

Titled ‘Overcoming Barriers – Human Mobility and Development’, it was presented to Minister Rodrigues-Birkett by UNDP Resident Representative and Coordinator, Mr. Kiari Liman-Tinguiri.

The Minister, in her remarks, commended the UNDP and all those who have contributed to the successful compiling of the documentation which explores how improved policies on human mobility can enhance development and reinforces the need for governments to work towards reducing restrictions on movements within and across their countries’ borders.

“It also addresses the implementation of practical measures that can improve arrival prospects for migrants. No doubt, the achievement of such objectives can result in benefits worldwide, as we address human mobility with development in mind,” she stated.

“Like human development reports before it, the theme of this report is certainly fitting. It comes at a time in our international relations when Guyana and other developing countries are confronted with unprecedented challenges - the food crisis, the global financial and economic crisis and also climate change,” Rodrigues-Birkett observed.

She said the impact of these crises have created or reinforced other difficulties, including the challenge of overcoming barriers to human mobility.

According to her, in many cases, people have returned to their countries or cities as a result of the crisis and immigration policies that, in some cases, resulted from one or more crises.

Mobility
“But let me hasten to add that human mobility is a fact of life and, with globalisation, may have even increased,” she offered.

Minister Rodrigues-Birkett addresses the gathering at the Georgetown Club.

Rodrigues-Birkett explained that many of the debates on human mobility are slanted towards the disadvantages of migration.

“We often hear, in Guyana, about the brain drain and other negative impacts caused by migration but there are opportunities as well.

“Harnessing the prospects offered by the Diaspora through remittances, trade and capacity building come to mind. Indeed, I am advised that, at the global level, remittances outweigh official development assistance by far,” the Minister said.

She expressed hope that the report will contribute to a better understanding of human mobility and inform productive debates at both the local and global levels.

“Consistent with Guyana’s interest in contributing to the success of the human mobility agenda, as outlined in the report, is our willingness to play a role in creating a new global regime to improve migration management, “ Minister Rodrigues-Birkett assured.

She said this year’s report coincides with a period of much concern to Guyana and other regional governments which, following the implementation of new immigration policies, are witnessing the return of their nationals from other regional and international capitals.

“Logically, it will be expected that we deal with this issue closer to home at the bilateral and regional levels,” Rodrigues-Birkett suggested, assuring that Guyana has welcomed migrants who have invested in the country’s development and will continue to do so.

Alluding to last month’s commissioning of the Takutu River Bridge link with Brazil, she said this will encourage greater people-to-people contact in the region and add benefits for trade, investment and development.

“We have also started discussions at the level of the UNASUR (Union of South America) of abolishing visas in South America. I know these things take time but the good news is that we have started that discussion,” Rodrigues-Birkett disclosed.

About Brazil, she said significant advances have been made, resulting in nationals not requiring passports to travel up to a certain distance in both Brazil and Guyana.

At the regional level, Rodrigues-Birkett reminded that the ultimate goal is for total free movement within the Caribbean Community.

“Of course that is a recognition that human mobility can bring benefits to our countries while, at the same time, making this regional integration, that we speak so often about, real,” she said.

Rodrigues-Birkett said the issuing of the CARICOM free movement of skills certificate for certain categories of skilled persons is a step in making this goal a reality.

Peculiarities
“However, there are certain peculiarities that must be addressed. In recent times we have witnessed events that border on and, in some cases, confirm the disregard of basic human rights of our citizens that have left our shores and have contributed to the development of the destinations in which they reside.

“These actions set back the regional integration movement since at the core of this movement, is the people-to-people contact,” she admitted.

Minister Rodrigues-Birkett insisted that the 2009 Human Development Report is, therefore, very instructive, in that it speaks to proposals including the opening up of existing entry channels; ensuring basic human rights for migrants; lowering the transaction cost for migration and, generally, finding solutions that benefit both the destination communities and the migrants.

“It is, therefore, of much significance that this report, through an engendered spirit of continued dialogue and cooperation, offers hope in the midst of challenges confronting human mobility and development,” she reiterated.

Rodrigues-Birkett concluded, “I look forward to the cooperation of the United Nations (UN) agencies and, indeed, other partners, as we work towards overcoming the barriers to human mobility and development”.

Liman-Tinguiri said the compendium covers 192 UN Member States and, each year since 1990, UNDP has published the Human Development Indices (HDIs) which look beyond the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to a broader definition of human well-being.

He said, while the HDI does not cover all components of human development, it provides a basis for viewing human progress and the complex relationship between income and well-being”.

The diplomat noted that, often, the HDI would also cover a topical developmental issue, as, like this year, migration.

Liman-Tinguiri said the report breaks new ground in applying the human development approach to migration and discusses who migrants are and why they move; examining the dynamic impact of migration and how countries, working together, can optimise its benefits; mitigating the challenges it poses and uses the rewards as a catalyst for complementing development strategy.

He gave the assurance that the 2009 documentation covers most of the current debate on migration and prescribes a core set of polices that countries can look at.

It is both forward looking and introspective and has always addressed issues relevant to Guyana’s development context such as climate change in 2008.

“The issue of migration has been with us for generations and will continue to influence our development trajectory,” Liman-Tinguiri acknowledged.
Complement
He revealed that the findings of the global assessment of the issue as it relates to the developed and the developing world, show how it can complement development, the gain can be enhanced and policy can mitigate the adverse effects.

“Globalisation and rapid integration of nations make this issue a key global priority for immediate action,” he contended.

Liman-Tinguiri said the development debate is often enriched with such publication as the Human Development Report (HDR) and the UNDP stands committed to supporting civil society and other stakeholders’ efforts to address the issues, as they are critical to enhancing human well-being.

“The UNDP core mandate is to accelerate progress towards human development; ensure real improvement in people’s lives and choices and opportunities open to them,” he reminded.

Liman-Tinguiri said the UNDP Guyana Country Office is committed to play its role in this regard, currently supporting the Government in areas such as poverty reduction, government, energy and environment and crisis prevention and disaster mitigation.

“As a result, we are proud to support several initiatives, including the Low Carbon Development Strategy and other efforts towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as building social cohesion, enhancing public trust and fostering inclusion,” he said.

Liman-Tinguiri encouraged the gathering to read the HDR which can be accessed easily online although the local office will distribute some copies.

Doppler weather radar commissioned at Timehri
By Tajeram Mohabir
The state-of-the-art Doppler Weather Radar at Hyde Park, Timehri, linking with similar European Union (EU)-funded structures in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Belize, was yesterday officially commissioned.

The grand commissioning coincided with the launching of Agriculture Month 2009, under the theme “Building a New Agriculture Sector along a Long Carbon

Path".
The four radar towers join five others in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Guadalupe, Martinique and French Guiana, to complete the wider Caribbean basin weather radar network.

From left, Caribbean Meteorological Organisation Director Tyrone Sutherland, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Edwin Carrington and Acting President Samuel Hinds at the unveiling of the commemorative plaque at the weather radar.

Addressing a well attended gathering including Acting President Samuel Hinds, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Edwin Carrington, Caribbean Meteorological Organisation Coordinating Director Mr. Tyrone Sutherland, and Acting Chief Hydrometeorological Officer Ms. Bhaleka Suelall at a ceremony convened at the radar’s site Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud hailed the commissioning as an historic occasion.

“Seventeen years ago, our country witnessed the dawn of the new era. Guyana successfully transitioned from an underdeveloped, undemocratic nation to one which can hold its head high in the community of nations.

“The era we live in today is one in which long-held dreams of people are being materialised, the potential of this nation being unlocked, and Guyana is playing a pioneering role on issues such as climate change and a just world economic system.

“Today, we meet to celebrate one of the many manifestations and developments of this new period in our country's history - the historic commissioning of our own Doppler Weather Radar,” Persaud said.

He acknowledged that while the radar may not be able to prevent a drought or a flood, it will provide improved forecasting accuracies, strengthen early warning systems, mitigate and even prevent the occurrences of losses from weather related events.

The Doppler Weather Radar here is part of an EU Euro 13 M regional project funded by the EU and implemented through the CMO in Trinidad, with support from the Government of Guyana.

Persaud said too that undoubtedly, the structure constitutes a reflection of Government’s ongoing efforts to address weather and climate related issues.

“This new generation of radar will complement our current hydrometeorological monitoring network,” he stressed.

The state-of-the-art radar will provide continuous real-time radar coverage out to 400 kilometres from Timehri.

It will allow forecasters to increase precision in defining the areas where severe weather is likely to form; identify the characteristic patterns indicating a high probability of severe thunderstorms; improve accuracy in forecasting the time, intensity and location of heavy precipitation; and provide timely and accurate weather information.

“Consequently, planners and policymakers in agriculture, water resources management, engineering, aviation, mining, sea defences and the public at large, would also be provided with much needed real time weather information which will make a timely impact on security, civil defence and national development,” Persaud outlined.

The modern facility, the minister said, will also have a crucial role to play in wider risk management strategies in agriculture.

“Already, we have been discussing relevant agriculture insurance instruments with both local and international agencies.

“Investment in this and similar infrastructure is also linked to the broader goal of making our agricultural sector more competitive and viable,” he told the gathering.

Persaud said as part of the wider modernisation programme, his ministry envisaged that as the Hydromet Service expands, it will one day in the near future centralise its entire operations to Hyde Park Timehri.

The minister also noted that Guyana is deeply affected by longer-term weather patterns like El Niño and La Niña, and on that point underlined that climate change has become the defining issue of the 21st century.

“For the Agriculture sector, favourable weather conditions are critical. We may have the best planting material, best technologies and may have invested in significant financing and our time, yet extreme weather events, such as typhoon Ketsana that struck the Philippines and surrounding countries can devastate all of that in a matter of hours,” he contended.

With this situation in mind, Persaud reasoned, climate change and global warming will mean even more severe weather conditions, not only in Guyana, but around the world.

He said President Jagdeo has recognised the role Guyana can play in helping the world fight climate change and has set out his vision for Guyana to assist in the mitigation of climate change.

CARICOM Secretary General Dr Edwin Carrington said the services of the radars under the EU project are invaluable to the Caribbean Community, stressing that the prediction and monitoring of hurricanes are critical, as he alluded to the case with hurricane in Ivan Grenada in 2004.

He lauded President Jagdeo and St. Lucian Prime Minister Stephenson King (who is the regional spokesperson on climate change) for their advocacy as well as the determined efforts they have been making in the international community on climate change.

The Secretary-General underlined that disaster preparedness and mitigation are vital elements of planning within key sectors of local and regional sectors, particularly in agriculture, tourism and transportation, in terms of their contribution growth and economic development.

Acting President Samuel Hinds also pointed out that the project is a reflection of national development, and said Guyana still has a far way to go.

He said too that development is beyond the efforts of any single individual, and on that note urged all Guyanese to put their shoulders to the wheel in unity and harmony for the betterment of their country.

Head of the EU Delegation to Guyana, Mr. Geert Heikens, lauded the Government for the quick adjustment of the project site after discovering the original location was unsuitable.

He said the EU supports the Government’s initiative on climate change and would allocate a further Euro 4 M to support the local efforts.

During the ceremony, St. Joseph High student Joshua Hammichand was honoured by the Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI) for his outstanding performance in agriculture at the last Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

President Jagdeo takes part in Bali climate change dialogue in Turkey
- Calls for climate issues to be fully integrated into development planning
President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday participated in a high level climate change dialogue event hosted by the President of the World Bank in Turkey to coincide with the 2009 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank group.

The dialogue event, held under a series of events titled the Bali Dialogue, brought together senior policymakers from around the world to discuss issues related to climate finance and the role of multilateral development banks. Among these present were Mr. Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat, and representatives of all of the major regional development banks.

President Jagdeo updated those present on Guyana’s low carbon development strategy, and on the country’s partnership with the Government of Norway. He urged increased support for small states with tight fiscal space and which have to accommodate high levels of spending to adapt to climate change. He also argued for better integration of climate change issues into development planning processes.

The Bali Dialogue Series is held against the background of a high-level event held by senior policymakers on climate change in Bali on December 10 and 11, 2007, which concluded that it is important to integrate climate change issues into development planning and economic policies in a variety of future discussions at ministerial level.

The World Bank subsequently launched an initiative, together with the UNFCCC COP Troika of Indonesia, Poland, and Denmark, to further explore the development aspects of the Bali meeting and to provide leaders and policymakers on development and finance with an opportunity to discuss and address key issues of climate change mitigation and adaptation for low-income developing countries in an informal setting.

This effort will support, inform, and complement - without duplicating - the UNFCCC process, as well as supplement discussions among policymakers on climate change, such as those in connection with the COP meetings, and within the G-8 and G-20 country groups with respect to low-income developing countries.

President Jagdeo was accompanied at the meeting by Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh, who is currently also participating in the 2009 annual IMF and World Bank Boards of Governors meetings. (GINA)

K.P. Thomas Consultants had been ordered to remove
All others on the Railway Embankment had agreed to go elsewhere
By Wendella Davidson
The Saturday morning demolition of the K.P. Thomas Consultants building on the railway embankment at the corner of High and Lamaha Streets is the culmination of efforts by the government lasting over three years to have the business removed, Head of the Presidential Secretariat/Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon, said yesterday.

He told a reporters at a press briefing hosted at the Office of the President that the business had, like others who had occupied the embankment, been given orders to remove from the area.

The area is now being used by the Guyana Power and Light as a conduit pathway for high tension wires that will run from Georgetown to Sophia. All other persons who previously occupied the area, with the exception of K.P. Thomas, have complied with the order.

“His (K.P. Thomas ) squatting days on the embankment are over, they are no more,” said Dr Luncheon, who recalled that since the closure of the railroad from Georgetown to Rosignol in the 1970s, the fixed and moveable assets have been put to various usages, including squatting.

The HPS noted that among the strategic usage is the reversal of an earlier policy that allowed for the indiscriminate and ill-defined usage of the property, commonly known as squatting.

But with the onset of the PPP Government in 1992, a more strategic focus was introduced and sections of the railroad have incrementally been converted to more.

It was on the latter basis that the administration has moved, “firmly” but in “a reasonable way”, to deal with those who have enjoyed unauthorised, illegal but obviously sanctioned usage of those assets, Dr Luncheon added.

“His refusal has been a consistent one that has relied on his access to the law, and at the bottom line, total refusal and rejection, flaunting his power and mocking the authority. This is the sum total of our (Government ) three years plus saga to get K.P. Thomas to move.”

The HPS noted as well that the company seemed not to have taken into consideration the health and safety concerns of his workers, while work was ongoing to run the high tension electricity wires and even after.

Luncheon also debunked alleged statements in sections of the media that the action taken by the Government was not supported by due process, that there were no formal engagements, and that K.P. Thomas had been paying rent, pointing out that the company was treated no differently than all the other squatters and business people who have removed, and who had agreed to remove from the embankment for its more productive purpose.

“The insult was brought to an end and as expected he has secured his sympathy from misguided, misinformed, like-minded people who use their powers and influence, to bribe and shout out loud,” he said.

The building and others in the immediate vicinity were demolished on the orders of Minister of Hydraulics and Transport, Robeson Benn, amid high drama as officials of K.P. Thomas sought to stop the demolition by the use of vehicles and also by securing an injunction.

Amid the confusion, Minister Benn arrived on the scene and the demolition continued under the watchful eyes of armed police ranks.

In April this year, a row erupted over the non-payment of some $5M rent to K.P. Thomas by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the use of a building on High Street, Kingston, which the company owns and rents to the Commission for use as its administrative office.

GECOM staff, including its Chief Executive Officer, Gocool Boodoo, were met with huge concrete slabs blocking entry to the building when they turned up for work.

Minister Benn had intervened then, by going on the scene and ordering workers employed by his Ministry to remove the concrete slabs. The Minister had said that the building was a “government occupied facility” and he was “removing the obstruction to its use”.

Kenrick Thomas and Ken Thomas, both administrators of the company, and of 28-30 Agricola Public Road, East Bank Demerara, were subsequently charged for obstruction.

Implications of climate change and agricultural output
The issue of climate change is high on the international agenda and this is natural as the phenomenon has serious long term consequences with respect to weather patterns, sea level rises etc-all of which have implications for agriculture and food security.

In fact we are already witnessing some very unusual weather patterns and unprecedented disastrous floods and heat waves. And this may only be the tip of the iceberg if the current trend continues.

According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency the Earth's climate has changed many times during the planet's history, with events ranging from ice ages to long periods of warmth. Historically, natural factors such as volcanic eruptions, changes in the Earth's orbit, and the amount of energy released from the Sun have affected the Earth's climate. Beginning late in the 18th century, human activities associated with the Industrial Revolution have also changed the composition of the atmosphere and therefore very likely are influencing the Earth's climate.

The Agency further notes for over the past 200 years, the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, and deforestation have caused the concentrations of heat-trapping "greenhouse gases" to increase significantly in our atmosphere. These gases prevent heat from escaping to space, somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse.

It also pointed out that if greenhouse gases continue to increase, climate models predict that the average temperature at the Earth's surface could increase from 3.2 to 7.2ºF above 1990 levels by the end of this century. Scientists are certain that human activities are changing the composition of the atmosphere, and that increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases will change the planet's climate. But they are not sure by how much it will change, at what rate it will change, or what the exact effects will be.

Agriculture is highly sensitive to climate variability and weather extremes, such as droughts, floods and severe storms. The forces that shape our climate are also critical to farm productivity. Human activity has already changed atmospheric characteristics such as temperature, rainfall, levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ground level ozone. The scientific community expects such trends to continue. While food production may benefit from a warmer climate, the increased potential for droughts, floods and heat waves will pose challenges for farmers. Additionally, the enduring changes in climate, water supply and soil moisture could make it less feasible to continue crop production in certain regions.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) concluded:

“Recent studies indicate that increased frequency of heat stress, droughts and floods negatively affect crop yields and livestock beyond the impacts of mean climate change, creating the possibility for surprises, with impacts that are larger, and occurring earlier, than predicted using changes in mean variables alone. This is especially the case for subsistence sectors at low latitudes. Climate variability and change also modify the risks of fires, pest and pathogen outbreak, negatively affecting food, fibre and forestry.”

So the implications on agricultural output and food security are grave especially in the light of a fast growing global population, as such the issue of climate change is not a trivial one. On the contrary it is one of the toughest challenges of mankind, which perhaps his future existence is inextricably linked and therefore the need for a heightened awareness and implementation of mitigation measures is a most urgent one.

On this note the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Guyana National Climate Change Unit Conservation International (CI) must be given full credit for the production of a farmers guide on climate change The 26 page booklet is entitled “Farmers Preparing for Climate Change in Guyana--A guide”,was prepared by the Guyana National Climate Change Unit with support from Conservation International (Guyana) and the Guyana National Climate Committee.

At the launching of the booklet Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud correctly and pertinently pointed out that based on the 2005 floods and subsequent events, it is evident that farmers lack basic knowledge of what to do in these circumstances.

“We recognise that we need to do much more training, much more awareness, but certainly in programmes and activities by our extension staff and other technical officers; we need to make climate preparedness and awareness a central part of these programmes,” he declared.

OPINION POLLING
By Ralph Ramkarran
Opinion Polling is not an instrument used extensively or at all in Guyana. Apart from an occasional poll relating to the outcome of elections or the popularity of political leaders, no other significant polling is carried out, except perhaps in connection with academic research. Yet the importance and value of polling has long been established. Polling for business and academic purposes has long been used to test the market or to obtain information. Before a product is introduced in the market, serious businesses conduct one or more polls. When I was a student overseas and a smoker, I participated in a poll in connection with the introduction of a new brand of cigarettes. I was happy to be given a pack of twenty. I saved a few shillings, a lot in those days. Polling also takes place on a wide variety of social and/or academic issues. In Guyana we can get accurate figures about child abuse, domestic violence, divorce rates, the acceptability of political and economic policies intended to be pursued or being pursued and many others. I think that I have made the case about the importance of polling.

The absence of a history of polling, combined with our charged political atmosphere since independence, has resulted in the existence a healthy skepticism among our population about revealing sensitive views and information to strangers. A pollster knocking on one’s door requesting private and confidential information, even of a non-political nature, is likely to be given short shrift. The population is simply not accustomed to this kind of activity and most of them are unaware of its objective, except perhaps polling for political purposes.

Opinion polling in the U.S. and other developed countries are conducted with highly sophisticated techniques and in circumstances where polling is an accepted activity and its purpose is understood. While there might be suspicion, it is certainly not sufficiently grounded to be an obstacle to successful polling. Even in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago polling on political opinions has reached a high level of sophistication and acceptance, even if the polls are not always accurate.

Some years ago an organisation known by its acronym, NACTA, began political polling in Guyana. Because of its novelty it was some time before the results made an impact. By the time NACTA became known, most of the players had left the group and Vishnu Bisram remained. Of one thing we can be certain. Bisram is a real person and his existence is accepted. Maintaining the name of NACTA is not unusual. Millions of people all over the world use business names or trade names. Some are registered and some are not. Mr. Bisram had clearly intended to continue polling and it was more than sensible to use the name NACTA once his former colleagues had agreed, as they appeared to have done.

By the time Bisram took up polling the name NACTA was known and soon after the name of Vishnu Bisram became known and associated with polling in Guyana. The question has since arisen as to whether he does ‘real’ polling and whether his published results are ‘accurate.’ Even some of my friends have at certain times condemned Bisram’s conclusions, especially when the results do not meet their hopes or expectations. When at other times they do, the criticisms melt away. In response to all of these factors, when asked about Bisram, I reported an incident involving myself some years ago, before I had met Bisram. I met a friend at one of my regular Saturday afternoon ‘outings’ at my village shop. I hadn’t seen him for some time. He pulled me aside and said that Vishnu Bisram is doing a poll and that I was involved in the poll. Upon my further inquiry he told me that a man had stopped by his store and had asked him to fill a questionnaire. Having enquired of the person he learnt that it was a political poll being conducted by Bisram. He readily agreed to fill it. This one story has confirmed my belief that Bisram does ‘real’ polling. I am prepared to give the friend’s name to any credible person who does not want it for a hostile purpose, just to prove his existence.

But there are other indicia. His polling in Guyana has been remarkably accurate. Poll after poll has predicted the election results with varying degrees of accuracy. It may be argued that Guyana’s conditions give rise to the possibility of easy guess work. OK. So what about Trinidad? The so called experts who would have spent the millions and who have outstanding academic records all got it wrong. Only Bisram’s poll said that the Congress of the People led by Winston Doekaran would get no seats and accurately predicted the number of seats the two other parties would get. I recall when the Congress Party of India won the elections before the last, Bisram ran a poll and predicted that it would. Many, if not most, experts concluded from their own polling that the BJP would be returned to power on account of the spectacular economic progress which had been made. I therefore don’t need any proof that Bisram does ‘real’ polling. Bisram has done polling in many countries with outstanding success.

Vishnu Bisram has done pioneering work in Guyana and thus a great service to the political process. He has sensitised a large number of people to the issue of polling, which is far advanced in sister CARICOM countries which I have pointed out above. Were it not for Bisram Guyana would have been lagging far behind. This is why it is so sad to see the mean attacks which are being levelled at him all over the independent press. And no matter what cogent arguments he advances, these unabated attacks continue. Anyone who dares to go to Bisram’s defence is likewise denigrated.

One of the criticisms made against Bisram is that he is not a professional and even if he does polling, they are not professionally done. The first and quick answer is; check the results! It’s the results that count. But there is another answer. Many years ago there was a surgeon at the Georgetown Hospital who performed neuro surgery. It was alleged that he was not a qualified neuro surgeon and public concerns were expressed. I remember when I enquired of Roger Luncheon, he put it this way to me. Before the surgeon came to Guyana (he was a foreigner) 100 percent of all patients with serious head injuries died. Since he began operating, of the 100 percent on which he operated, 40 percent are saved. He asked me whether, with those statistics, the hospital should stop the surgeon from operating. We have the other case of Dick Morris who came to Guyana at the instance of the AFC. He is a professional pollster and allegedly conducted a poll which showed the AFC winning the elections. As a result of the findings of this poll, Bisram was roundly condemned when he did his own. We know the results of the elections.

Despite the attacks on Bisram’s integrity, he has the full support of many people, merely because he has introduced and is popularising a mechanism which other independent people and political parties should adopt. Political parties would find private polling extremely useful in determining policy. I’m not arguing that policies should be determined on the basis of how acceptable they are. Government is often required to adopt and implement policies which are unpopular. The same applies to the Opposition. But polling would assist politicians to understand where, when and how to convince those who are skeptical to support policies which are necessary for the country’s benefit.

THE OBSERVER
The underlying significance of October 5
I vividly recall how high and volatile the tension was months before. People were apprehensive to display their sentiments publicly, but extremely confident of the outcome if agreed procedures were adhered to. Optimism was rife, evident in conversations; conversions which were vociferous at public show of support but reduced to lower decibels in smaller gatherings. In these small gatherings, activists for change risked their lives to ensure that all were kept abreast about the winds of change that were fast approaching. Fear permeated. It was the key used by the incumbent to suppress the masses. This was the norm for almost three decades.

Over these years, a wary people, including many who publicly proclaim their loyalty to the political bosses, yearned for change. Fear led to such display of loyalty shown by some. Many who mustered the courage to openly advocate their desire for a transition of power encountered the brutal wrath of those who commanded the armed forces. This tactic was successful in curbing most public demonstrations that demanded change. However, it was futile in breaking the spirits of the masses who saw the best, and maybe, the only opportunity for the winds of change to blow across the Atlantic and descend into every square inch of the 83,000 square miles of the only English speaking country in South America.

The struggles of the nearly three decades were on the homestretch of its climax. Prior to this historic moment, some were relentless and consistent in their pursuit to end the reign of the dictatorial regime which had raped and destroyed every fabric of the weave that represented a nation crying for help. These valiant champions of change, led by the indomitable Dr Cheddi Jagan, sacrificed much in their quest to sensitise the international community to the atrocities committed on a defenceless populace by a dictator. They sacrificed much in their endeavours for democracy to have its rebirth after twenty-eight years. They sacrificed much for this nation to once again be free.

These sacrifices culminated in the dawn of a new era which ushered in the return to democracy seventeen years ago. October 5 will forever be etched in the annals of this nation’s history as the day Guyana truly became free; a day when Guyanese, especially those who struggled, were rewarded for their endurance; a day when dictatorship fell; a day when transparency and democratic principles returned; a day when Dr Jagan took his rightful place as leader of a freed nation; a day that saw the beginning of the prosperity which now prevails.

Many would have stories about their harsh experiences during that regime’s stranglehold on this nation from 1964-1992. All of these stories, when analysed, will have a number of commonalities, including lack of freedom and lack of economic opportunities for personal advancement. Today, these inhumane impositions are locked in the past. Seventeen years after, Guyana and its people prosper; seventeen years after the economy is vibrant and continues to grow; seventeen years after development continues unabated; seventeen years after the country’s international image and profile have been restored; seventeen years after it leads in the global quest to save the planet from the current trend of changing climatic conditions.

Following the deaths of Dr Jagan and his wife, the two people who led the struggles for a better Guyana, this nation remains strong with a resolute young leader at the helm. President Jagdeo has defied the odds and has led Guyana to economic prosperity. He continues to advance Guyana’s position as the leader in this part of the world. His achievements are numerous. Today the many new schools, hospitals, roads, bridges including Berbice and Takutu, inclusive governance, advancement in Information Technology, the Skeldon factory, the Cuban Scholarship programme, the housing thrust, the Stadium and the retooling of the disciplined services are just a few testimonies to progress, the President’s astute leadership and the commitment of the People’s Progressive Party to the development of this nation.

The generation is gradually changing. Those whose memories have been scarred by the atrocities of the PNC will not only be proud of Guyana’s advancement under the PPP, but will deeply appreciate the many profound changes that have taken place. The younger generation in the 20-22 age group will have no recollection of the pains and sufferings their parents endured under the PNC regime. The fact that they did not experience what their parents did is in keeping with a particular aspect of the culture our forefathers brought from their various homelands; a culture of making it better for their children. This principle still governs mankind.

Today, the children of Guyana are far better off than their parents were, thanks to the commitment of the PPP and the vision of the President.
October 5, is truly Guyana’s day of redemption.

The Caribbean and global warming
By James Painter
(BBC Caribbean) Dramatic new projections for global warming have raised fears of the severe consequences for low-lying areas of the world, including in the Caribbean.

The results from computer modelling used by the British Met Office and released this week at a conference in Oxford suggest that a potentially devastating rise of four degrees celsius in the global temperature could happen sooner than expected this century – within the lifetimes of many people alive today.

Dr Richard Betts of the Hadley Centre told the BBC that the results show that under a high carbon emission scenario "our best guess is that a four-degree increase would take place in the 2070s. But a plausible worst case scenario is that we could get it by 2060."

A four-degree temperature rise would increase the chances of significant sea level rises by the end of this century.

Professor Stefan Rahmstorf, from the Potsdam Institute, warned that such an increase would result in sea level rises of between 1 metre and 1.3 metres by 2100 compared to 1990 levels.

At risk

According to the World Bank, the Bahamas, Suriname, Guyana, Belize and Jamaica are among the countries in the Americas region most vulnerable to a one-metre increase.

In Guyana for example, about 90 per cent of the population lives on the coastal belt which is 1.4 metres below sea level.

The issue is of concern to the Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson.

"The crux of the sea level issue is that the sea starts rising very slowly," Professor Rahmstorf told the BBC.

"But once it starts, it is virtually unstoppable.

"Our best hope is that the rate of acceleration slows down. But that’s not very reassuring."

Scientists say that the likelihood that sea level rises happen slowly over several decades makes it possible to prepare for them.

For example, a recent in-depth study of Guyana by Swiss Re and Mckinseys called the ‘Economics of Climate Adaptation’ concluded that "maintaining sea wall protection…is already a critical concern, given the possible impacts of sea level rise – however these impacts are projected to occur over the next 100 years."

Guyana's GDP loss

However, the study warned that much sooner than that (by 2030) global warming could cause Guyana to lose annually between 12 and 19 per cent of GDP (US$1.1 to 1.3bn), mostly due to the increased risk of flooding.

Experts say that for some Caribbean states, it is the combination of sea surges, an increase in the intensity of hurricanes due to warmer seas, and minor sea level rise that will cause the more immediate problems.

The leaders of the world's small island states are demanding that a new international climate change agreement guarantees their countries' livelihood by ensuring that global warming be kept below 1.5 centigrade.

Grenada's Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, who is chairman of the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS), said that urgent action was needed.

"Small island developing state survival is time bound.

"Any agreement beyond 1.5 degrees celsius will seriously threaten our survival."

However, Professor Rahmstorf points out that "even with a 1.5 degree temperature increase, it is very likely we could easily get a two-metre sea level rise over the coming centuries."

Ghost states

Scientists at the Oxford conference warned that rising sea levels could cause some small island states like Tuvalu and the Maldives eventually to become "virtual" or "ghost" states as a way of surviving the disappearance of their land.

Dr Francois Gemenne from the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations in Paris said a state might continue to exist with a seat at the United Nations, with a government in exile trying to keep the idea and the culture of a nation alive.

The conference also discussed the increased risk to the Amazon as a result of a 4 celsius global warming.

Dr Betts from the Hadley Centre suggested that under a high-emission scenario, parts of the Amazon, and particularly the north-eastern corner, could suffer the highest temperature rise in the Americas by as much as 10 degrees celsius.

The Hadley Centre model also suggests 20 per cent reductions in rainfall across Central America by the end of the century under the same scenario.

Since the late 1990s, greenhouse gas emissions have increased at close to the most extreme scenarios projected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

However, many at the conference were keen to stress that the future does not have to be a doomsday scenario.

"If we get big cuts in greenhouse emissions soon," Dr Betts told the BBC, "we can still avoid the worst consequences."

The rule of law is what matters, not Williams piffle
ROBIN William’s letter in the Kaieteur News on October 5, 2009, is a deliberate attempt to politicize my previous letter. Dr. Misir’s statement was made within the jurisdiction of the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, and not as a columnist.

Robin Williams must understand that the Pro-Chancellor’s media briefing on the Evan Persaud matter was merely to inform the public that no decision has been made on the person in question; as the due process pertaining to Statute 25 of the Acts and Statutes Governing the University of Guyana is still in process; and so, the media was advised to be circumspect in their remarks.

As I understand it, a preliminary investigation on the matter in question was concluded, and Statute 25 was invoked.

According to Statute 25, “If it appears to the Council that there is reasonable cause to believe that the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, The Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, or any other member of the university administration staff may be guilty of grave misconduct, or is unable to perform the functions of his office as might warrant the termination of his employment, the Council shall:-

(a) give him notice, in writing, of the reason within the period of the fourteen days beginning with the date of the notice, make arrangements;

(b) If he or the Council so request within the period of fourteen days beginning with the date of the notice, make arrangements:

I. for a Special Committee, comprising two members of the Academic Board (not being members of the Council appointed by the Academic Board), and three other persons appointed by the Council none of whom shall be members of the Council, to investigate the charges;

II. for the person to whom the investigation relates to be afforded the opportunity of being heard on his own behalf and to be allowed legal representation at the hearing by the Committee with respect to the charges;

And if the Council, after considering the report of the Special Committee, is satisfied that the person to whom the investigation relates ought to be removed from office may terminate his appointment.”

This matter is a matter within the confines of the University of Guyana Council. Mr. Williams is free to ramble on other matters that are not within the Pro-Chancellor’s jurisdiction; but he needs to understand the intent of the Pro-Chancellor’s media briefing on this specific issue.
MARISSA LOWDEN
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Note to the diaspora
PLEASE allow me the use of this medium to communicate with the Guyanese diaspora population. I would especially like to open up a conversation with Guyanese in the United States and Canada, two countries that I lived in for extended periods.

The first thing I want to bring up is the media, and especially the newspapers. This is a good place to start because I know from experience that the diaspora is especially dependent on the newspapers for keeping up-to-date with developments in the country.

Let me go to the point directly. Given what makes news and how that news is represented in the newspapers you might feel as if the country is in turmoil. For those of you who have strong feelings about your homeland that must induce feelings of sadness. Many of you may even contemplate throwing in the towel. Others might develop feelings of anger and those feelings might push you to supporting forms of extremism.

I ask you to be careful with this stuff. Guyana is alive and well. The stores are stocked to the ceilings and there is no shortage of customers. In the Guyana of today you can find most things you have in North American stores. I know some will say yes, but things are so expensive. Fair enough, but not everyone in Canada and the U.S. can shop at Macy’s or Lord & Taylor as a matter of routine. This is why Wal Mart, K-Mart, and Target are so popular. And then of course, there is no shortage of dollar stores, places where you will also find Guyanese shopping.

On the fast food scene you will find Pizza Hut, KFC, Church’s Chicken, and Popeyes. I am not thrilled with this development, but they are here. What you have to keep in mind is that these outlets are considered a ‘big-thing’ here.

I must also mention New Thriving Restaurant on Main Street. It is without qualification one of the very best Chinese restaurants I have ever been to anywhere in the world, and say this having been to Asia on many occasions.

Last night a bunch of us visited GuyExpo. This is a trade fair, much like the county fairs they have in the United States. I, for one, went to the Montgomery County Fair outside Rockville, Maryland, every year over the past decade. GuyExpo is a much more interesting and much more fun. Twenty five thousand people attended on Saturday, and Sunday pulled in a figure close to that.

This year’s GuyExpo has nearly 300 exhibition stalls and many of the products are top notch by any standard. I know you will be proud of these products and many might even doubt that they are made here. My pick of the lot is Summerson’s Furniture. If you lay eyes on their kitchen cabinets I feel sure you will import them into North America. This is the real wood.

Most of you must have heard about how people dress in Guyana, you know, better than overseas. This one is simple. It is true.

Developments are popping all over the country, something that some in the newspapers refuse to acknowledge. Incidentally I saw the Berbice Bridge and I can tell you it is rather handsome. It makes the Outerbridge Crossing in the New Jersey/New York area look ugly. There is no bridge in Toronto that has the scale and beauty of the Berbice Bridge. Come and take a look.

For those of you who haven’t been here for a while you will be taken aback by Don Valley Parkway quality lighting on the major roadways here. Imagine Vreed-En-Hoop to Parika will so get ‘wall-to-wall’ street lights.

Last month I went to the commissioning of the Skeldon Sugar Factory. It is a gem. You must insist on seeing it. When it is up to capacity, the Skeldon Factory will also produce enough excess electricity to light up most of Berbice.

Last week I passed by the water front and saw with my own eyes the new GPL generators being installed. The blackouts that have dogged the Georgetown area over the last little while will soon be history.

When you do come you may want to stop by the Diamond Housing Scheme. Take even a cursory look and tell me if things are that bad. You may want to also go to Tuschen and Cornelia Ida where they also have giant housing schemes. On top of that, the indefatigable Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali and his staff have, in one fell swoop, modernised the housing sector by developing One-Stop-Shops.

Major developments have also surfaced in healthcare. Let’s take a good look at this sector. In 1964 the life expectancy was 60; it moved up to 65 by 1975, but then plummeted to 59 in 1990. Today it is 70 years! In 1991 per capita expenditure from the fiscal budget was $U.S.7 per person (seven dollars); in 2008 it was $US 80 (eighty dollars). This is expenditure from the fiscal budget. It does not include grants and other funding from external sources. In 1990 the MMR (Maternal Mortality Rate) was 34:10,000. The comparable rate today is 11:10,000. In 1989 the Infant Mortality Rate was 78:1000; today it is 19:1,000. In 1990 Guyana was administering 6 (six) antigens (i.e vaccines), today it is administering 14. My friends in the diaspora may know what it costs for one of these vaccines. If you do not, I can tell you that the yellow fever vaccine in the U.S. costs $US 600 (six hundred). All of these vaccines are now provided free of cost in Guyana. The H1N1 vaccine is coming next.

These are measurable improvements. There is more, but for now let me just remind my overseas friends that today Guyana does open heart surgery, hip and knee replacement, and radiation therapy for cancer! There is a new Ophthalmology Centre in Berbice. Cataract cases that had people in the dark for a long time have now taken care of and older people can now see the grandchildren for the first time. President Jagdeo stated recently that apart from the obvious service to Guyanese, the Centre will provide care for other Caribbean nationals free of cost!

Yes, things are challenging, but that is no different from where you are now. As in any country, some people have it relatively easy while others do indeed find it hard to make ends meet. I am confident that President Jagdeo and his Cabinet would acknowledge that we have quite a distance to go in order to have the kind of Guyana we all want. The difference here is that this president and his cabinet are out there everyday working to make this a better Guyana. President Jagdeo must be one of the hardest working leaders in the history of the Caribbean.

There are so many things happening in this country that would make those of you who live overseas proud to call yourselves Guyanese. I urge you to be careful with the daily dose of dread that has become the signature of the newspapers. Perhaps I should go back to where I started, that is back to GuyExpo.

Yesterday about 25,000 people went to this event. It is nowhere to be found in print. Not news worthy enough I suppose. Yet, if one – I mean that literally – if one person had engaged in an act of protest, there is a good chance it would be on the front page. Absent that, one newspaper opted for a story of a man and a horse caught in an act of sexual perversion.
Guyana is on the move. If you want the evidence, come and see for yourself.
Dr. RANDY PERSAUD
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Padang will again rise from the destruction
I have visited Indonesia about 12 times in the last five years and every time I have gone there, there is so much to learn and see. I usually make one trip every time I visited, lasting about two weeks to Padang, West Sumatra, in this beautiful country. Each time, I am there, I am engaged in all sorts of conversations, even discussing, when the next big earth quake would hit Padang, as was forecasted. No one seemed to have any details, citing the fact that the Government along with its’ Japanese counterpart, have installed high tech alarm systems, of any impending earthquake and or tsunami. However, on Wednesday of last week, these systems did not sound an alarm.

Padang, a relatively prosperous port city with a population of about 900,000.It lies on a coastal plain backed by mountains. The West Sumatra government does not allow night clubs, no bikinis on the beaches and no liquor to be consumed. It adheres to Islamic laws. Its’ beaches are clean and safe. There is no gun crimes as citizens all over Indonesia are not allowed to own guns. One feels very safe in Padang. Transportation is relatively dirt-cheap and gas sells nationally at $0.45 US per litre. Living costs, including grocery, fresh meat, fish and vegetables are very affordable. It has a state- of- the- art International Airport which hosts about 40 flights per day.

It is a home to the Minangkabau ethnic group, whose traders spread its traditions, - including their famed spicy food - as they settled across the country. Padang Makan as it is called is a national favourite. The menu is plentiful, mouth watering and satisfying.

The city also lies on one of the world's most active fault lines, making it vulnerable to the earthquakes and tsunamis that have become an increasing concern to residents in recent years. Where I usually stay, is about 300 meters from the Indian Ocean. Although this city is hot and humid, I never needed air-conditioning, as I enjoyed the same fresh breeze of the Indian Ocean as I am used to in Guyana.

It is a city that is used to smaller earthquakes but no recent ones that have created wide spread destructions as this one.

The streets of Jaunda and its’ surroundings, are laced with huge businesses and serve as the epicenter of banking and commerce in Padang. It boasts a population of close to 900,000 and has the finest universities, including law, medical and engineering faculties. Many thousands of Malaysian students study there.

In most government offices in Jakarta, courts, hospitals and engineering companies, one would find the majority are graduates from universities in Padang. It is one of the few good learning centres in Indonesia.

Padang is important to Indonesia and is also a point of transit for European surfers. It is an unspoilt city.

Culturally, it is known for the unusual matrilineal system of the Minangkabau, whereby inheritance passes from mother to daughter.

Padang women are seen as being particularly forthright and powerful and they exercise these rights to the fullest. These women are shrewd and powerful business people. They excel in all types of businesses.

It’s sister city, City of Buttinggi, on the other end of West Sumatra, boasts as the capital where all S. E Asian Royalties, Datuks and Datins, originate from.

The region also has strong literary and musical traditions, though it is Padang's spicy cuisine that has perhaps won most renown as the city's traders set up restaurants across Indonesia.

It typically consists of hot curries and other dishes served up in dozens of small bowls.

The area's most important businesses include textiles, cement, palm oil, rice, sugar, oil refineries and rubber. Transport across the province was reported to have been affected by the latest earthquake. Now everything is at a stand still. Roads are still impassable.

Despite the hundreds that were killed and the thousands of homes and businesses destroyed, Padang will again rise from the destruction to again be a bustling city.
MOHAMED MOBIN
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
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Amerindians form complaints review board
DENNIS Abraham, the leader of the Amerindian civil rights movement has a responsibility to make the following public announcement in Guyana. The native Amerindians with its nine tribal peoples in Guyana have concluded the formation of the “Amerindians complaints review board”. The board is now the latest formation of an organised selective body to be formed after following the deaths of four native Amerindian female children in September 2008.

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

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

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

The board will be working in a system of cooperation and mutual understanding alongside the two Amerindian representative bodies, the GOIP and APA. The board believes that the native Amerindians of Guyana will be in a position to having a much stronger National representation in their villages and communities. It will demonstrate an act of civil responsibility and will work for the benefit of all the native people under the nation’s democratic system so it can take its rightful place as the representative body of an organisation in Guyana.
SHAWN GONSALVES
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Success of President’s climate change initiatives would benefit the nation
AS expected, there have been many criticisms of President Bharrat Jagdeo’s efforts in relation to the global fight against the effects of Climate Change and although the Copenhagen date is still some way off, people are already predicting failure for the Head of State.

What our President has been doing successfully is to create awareness and to show how small states can play a major role in the fight. President Jagdeo’s effort all along has been an unselfish one, and if Guyana is successful, and I say Guyana since it is something that affects the country, then the entire nation stands to benefit. It won’t be a case where ‘Jagdeo’ would be benefiting from this situation.

Considering where Guyana has come from and the progress it has made during the last 10-12 years, we can all rest assured that the development in the future will be on a wider scale in all areas.

Guyana through prudent management has progressed from being bankrupt to being able to witness fast paced and extensive development which is an indication that Guyana can be successful in convincing those who determine the policies that countries should be compensated for their role in maintaining standing forests.

If we have been able to come this far on the little resources that were available then can you consider what the development of Guyana would be in the future if resources are made available through the LCDS? It would be unimaginable.

There are people out there who are touting failure even before the event has happened. Is it that they want to see Guyana fail at the Copenhagen meeting and if so then am I to believe that by extension they do not want to see Guyana develop?
L. EDWARDS
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Good things indeed come to those who wait
GOOD things indeed come to those who wait and I am on cloud nine with Rio De Janeiro been awarded the host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympics Games. It's basically a drive over the Takutu Bridge.

In neighbourhood friendship, warmest congratulations are extended to the Brazilian Ambassador and the people of Brazil for this amazing achievement and it is one that represents the entire continent of South America which Guyana is very much part of and which I am very proud of.

This being the very first time that the Olympic Games will be held in the tropics, I also believe that it should work in favour of the athletic ambassadors of Guyana. So, get going with the first gear preparations.

Oprah, The Obamas (Chicago), Tokyo and Madrid, eat your hearts out. This is South America's calling to the world to shine.
T. PEMBERTON
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Freddie refers to those who oppose him as “Jumbies”
MY response to Freddie Kissoon' captioned "How does Mr. Jagdeo feel about this? KN Sunday Oct -04- 09 is that he is proving more and more on a constant and daily basis how doltish he is.

I will now pose one simple question for the high and mighty Freddie Kissoon to answer.

Can he show any one where T. King ever highlighted a single achievement of President Jagdeo?

I bet he can't and won’t be able to show any such thing in my writings.

So what he does instead?

He reverts to calling people names like "Jumbies" because they oppose his daily trash.

Well Freddie that is ok with me and many like me to be referred to as “Jumbies.”

I am an unseen "Jumbie" where no one is afraid of me unlike him who can hurt a lot of people with his constant daily trash talk.

You see, the seen "Jumbies" are the ones who on a daily basis just trash talk for talk sake.

Are you not the "Seen Jumbie" that is calling the PPP and its President an "Elected Dictatorship"?

I just pointed out to him where an Elected Dictatorship worked wonders for the tens of thousands of Guyanese as opposed to the installed and unconstitutional dictatorships.

Now he is vexed so he calls others "Jumbies".

He must first learn to read and understand what he is reading before he responds.

You are never too old to learn Freddie.

You are not supposed to get vex when others point out your dotish contentions.
Take it like the big man you are.
T. KING
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Simply saying the government is bad gives voters no assurance
TOO many Guyanese seem to be bitten by the "R.I.C.E" virus. Racism, Incompetence, Corruption and Egotism are the symptoms of this virus. The "One Guyana" slogan seems to mean different things depending on party affiliation. Voters must have clear choices at election time. An opposition party should show by its plans and performance while in the Assembly that it can provide clearly better leadership than the present government.

If the opposition shows that it can not only oppose but support or propose good policies, then it could be measured against what the current government is proposing or doing. Simply, saying that the government is bad, therefore offers no assurance to voters that the opposing party can do better. Under these circumstances, people prefer the devil they know than the one they do not know. The opposition must do a lot better if we are to get the best governance possible.
N. AUGUSTUS

GABBFF boss pleased with CAC team’s performance
… Mr Novice needs to see uplift in standards
By Calvin Roberts
PRESIDENT of the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) Frank Tucker expressed his delight at the performance of the five-man, one-woman team who represented Guyana at the recently held Central Americas and Caribbean Championships (CAC) in Grenada, at a press conference held in the Conference Room of the Bank of Guyana yesterday.

The Guyanese contingent at the 37th annual Central Americas and Caribbean Championships, including GABBFF president Frank Tucker (left), strike a pose with guest Dennis James at the farewell banquet which was held at the Grenada Grand Beach Resort.

Guyana had athletes competing in the bantamweight, welterweight, light middleweight and heavyweight divisions, with 2009 GABBFF Novices champion Alfred Jordan picking up a bronze in the welterweight and Marlon Bennett silver in the bantamweight divisions respectively.

“For a team which has not been exposed at this level of competition, except for Clint Duke, they performed very well to win two medals and along with Alicia Fortune (the lone female) gaining honorable mention for her fifth place after making the final six, that speaks volumes for the sport,” said Tucker.

He continued, “Fortune’s performance should serve as a form of encouragement to the female population in Guyana who are interested in taking up the sport of bodybuilding. There is much scope for women in the sport, but they have to come forward and take it up and I know they will follow Alicia our 2009 national champion and do well.”

Tucker stated that the GABBFF has plans to expose its athletes to international and world renowned bodybuilders, which can serve them better in the long run.

“At the CAC Championships, we had the opportunity of witnessing Dennis James who competed in the 2008 Mr Olympia Bodybuilding competition and placed eighth, while we met another lifter with Guyanese parentage from Aruba by the name of Hemraj Mulai.

Mulai, who placed eighth in the bantamweight division of the 2008 World Championships, has offered to come to Guyana sometime in the future to assist us with our developmental process in the sport, a move that would be welcomed by the GABBFF” stated Tucker.

He further told those gathered including treasurer of the GABBFF, Fiona Harris, who like Tucker travelled with the team to Grenada, about plans for the sport in this part of the world, which included the merging of the Southern Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (SCBBFF), of which he is the president and the Antilles Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (ABFF).

“First of all, there has not been any competition organised by the SCBBFF, which has eight countries under its stewardship, for several years now, due to numerous reasons while the ABFF which has 10, is finding it difficult to get athletes to compete.

The decision to merge the two, with Danny Sumner as the head and Tucker the deputy was taken unanimously at the CAC championships, with the interest of hosting competitions for athletes in this part of the world and our first competition will be held in July next year in Cali, Colombia.”

Defending champions Barbados who sent 19 athletes to the championships, came away victorious once again, leaving Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas, who were embroiled in a controversy over last year’s decision on the overall winner of the 2008 championships, in second and third place respectively.

Meanwhile, Mr Novice 2009 Alfred Jordan called on the GABBFF to uplift the standard of the sport, thus making it more competitive for local bodybuilders.

“It was a very good experience for me at the CAC Championships. My move from the Novices to the senior championships was competitive, with a higher competition at the CAC Championships, which left me with a different concept of bodybuilding,” said Jordan.

He stated, “Bodybuilding in other countries is far more developed than what we have here, with all due respect to our athletes. But at the same time, we have bodybuilders in lighter weight categories carrying more mass on their physique, which tells us we need to lift the standard of bodybuilding in Guyana.”

Jordan believes that the plan with regard to exposing local bodybuilders to more internationally recognised athletes and competitions would serve as a booster in the arm of development of the sport locally.

Harris used the opportunity to thank the many sponsors including Jai’s Signs and Designs, Professional Key Shop, Caribbean Airlines, HJTV, Hacks Hollow Block Factory, Total Fitness Gym, the Guyana Defence Force, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, King’s Jewellery World, Exclusive Styles, Queensway Shipping, Hugh Ross and other members of the GABBFF and the media for their support.

Striking Windies players to be available for Australia tour - Bravo
… players to take part in regional tourney
WEST Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has said that all the striking players will make themselves available for selection for the forthcoming tour of Australia, even though the contracts issue remains unresolved.

Bravo's statement will, nevertheless, come as a breath of fresh air in resolving the ongoing crisis between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA, though an official word is awaited.

''We are all going to make ourselves available, that is definite,'' Bravo told The Age. ''We are looking forward to getting back playing international cricket.''

The WICB had stated earlier that only those players who make themselves available for the regional one-day tournament this month in Guyana will be considered for the tour of Australia.

Bravo assured that the senior West Indies players, including himself, will participate and give the selectors the chance to pick a full-strength squad for the first time since the ICC World Twenty20 earlier this year.

''We will be taking part in it. All of us are going to be available for selection to go to Australia,'' Bravo said. ''Hopefully, they will select the best squad and we will get our opportunity again to represent the West Indies.''

When the contracts crisis broke out in July, the selectors were forced to field a second-string team for the home series against Bangladesh and the Champions Trophy in South Africa. Bravo said that it was painful to watch the current West Indies team getting hammered in both series but his team-mates had no regrets over going on strike over payments due from the WICB.

''It wasn't a great feeling, but as a team we came up with a decision and we stand by our decision,'' Bravo said.

There were fears back in Australia that the same weakened squad would tour the country, thus devaluing the tour, which includes three Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20s. Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland and captain Ricky Ponting said they had their fingers crossed over an early resumption of the dispute.

Tim May, the chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers Association, welcomed the move by the West Indies players to come forward and try to speed up the process.

''I think we will see a greater urgency on this issue now,'' May said. ''The West Indies players have made themselves available so you would like to think that the West Indies board would make some better decisions.

''If they go to Australia with a second-string team it will be as if they are airing their dirty laundry in public, and I don't think Cricket Australia would be too happy. There is a complete breakdown of trust between the players and the board. It is all well and good for the players to come back to the fold but that trust has to be rebuilt.” (Cricinfo)

Meusa cops National Chess Qualification
… Sham Khan plays unbeaten in junior category
WENDELL Meusa turned in another brilliant performance to win the National Chess Qualification when the curtain came down on Sunday at the Kei-Shars Sports Club.

Winner Wendell Meusa, Sham Khan and president of the GCF Errol Tiwari.

In Saturday’s action Meusa defeated Brian Thompson, Learie Webster played a master game to defeat Errol Tiwari while Taffin Khan got the better of Loris Nathoo.

Heading into the final day’s play, only Meusa was assured of qualifying as the next ten players were only separated between half of a point to one point.

Meusa’s first game of the day came against Ronuel Greenidge as both players fought vigorously for a win, but had to settle for a draw. However, Meusa found himself in trouble as he was down a knight and conceded a loss to Chino Chung in round ten.

Brian Thompson had previously upset Tiwari and Nathoo held Taffin Khan and Shiv Nandalall to a draw in round nine and ten respectively.

The seven players who have qualified for the National Championship 2009 are: Wendell Meusa, Learie Webster, Taffin Khan, Chino Chung, Ronuel Greenidge, Omar Shariff and Brian Thompson.

These seven players, along with the current National Champion Kriskal Persaud, will play a double round robin starting at the end of October. The final points standing: Wendell Meusa seven and a half, Learie Webster, Taffin Khan and Chino Chung on seven apiece, Ronuel Greenidge, Omar Shariff, Brian Thompson and Loris Nathoo on six and a half and Errol Tiwari and Shiv Nandalall on six points.

In the junior category it was no different as it took the final round to determine the top eight who will battle for the vacant junior title. Sham Khan played undefeated to win the junior category as he finished with six victories and four draws. He was closely followed by Saeed Ali and Rashad Hussain.

The eight players who have qualified for the Junior National Championship 2009 are: Sham Khan, Saeed Ali, Rashad Hussain, Raan Motilall, Crystal Khan Stanley Ming Jr, Kana Khan and Cecil Cox. The junior players will also play a double round-robin starting at the end of October.

The final points standing reads: Sham Khan and Saeed Ali eight points (Khan won base on the Median Buchholz Tiebreaker System), Rashad Hussain seven and a half, Raan Motilall seven, Crystal Khan and Stanley Ming Jr six and a half, while Kana Khan and Cecil Cox have six apiece.

Slim chance of Guyana carting off championship title - Guyadin
SECRETARY of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), Gavin Gayadin, believes there is a slim chance host country Guyana can come out on top at the end of the final race at the South Dakota Circuit on November 8.

“Each country is allowed six cars per race and once we have our full complement of cars ready to go, as well as all the drivers getting amongst the points, then Team Guyana can pull off a come-from-behind victory on November 8,” says Guyadin.

Guyana are out of the equation of the country championships with 31 points, lurking distantly behind Jamaica who have 62 points and Barbados on 82 points, even though they did not attend the first championship in Jamaica, which was dominated by current points leader David Summerbell of Jamaica and defending champion Stuart Maloney of Barbados.

“Everybody has been preparing for this meet since our return from Barbados and I can safely say that preparations have been ongoing and sound so far. Mark Vieira has applied a triple rotor which would provide him with an extra 150hp for his vehicle.

“This means he would be a threat to anyone on the straights in his tube frame Mazda RX8 whilst he holds an added advantage over his opponents on the turns, while I have added a new gear box, computer system and suspension to my car and once everything purrs on the November 8, we can record the team victory which would be an incentive, as our drivers are out of contention for the driver’s title,” says Gayadin.

Team Guyana comprises veteran race aces Vieira and Andrew King, along with Gayadin, Kevin Jeffrey and Shawn King and they will have their work cut out for them while competing on home turf against the heavyweights from Jamaica and Barbados, including Summerbell and Maloney.

He further told Chronicle Sport that Guyana’s non-participation in the Jamaica race meet was totally out of their hands, as the global financial crisis as well as the just concluded GMR&SC meet prevented same from occurring.

“We held our meet in November while the first meet in the Caribbean championships was held in February. As you are aware, one would have to go through Miami to get to Jamaica and with the financial crisis hitting the world, there was not even a remote possibility of us getting there and having said that, it would be nice if corporate Guyana can come on board with this sport which happens to be one of the most expensive sports in the world.”

PIT REDESIGN
According to Gayadin, the pits at the South Dakota Circuit is not enough for the local drivers and with the influx of foreign drivers for this meet, which would be the largest ever to grace these shores, a redesign of the pits was done by himself and John Chin.

“Make no bones about it. We are looking to make this meet one of the best among the three being hosted. When we checked the pits and realised it was not adequate enough for our drivers at home, the only thing left to do was redesign it so that everybody would be accommodated, even if it is in a small way.”

Sponsorship for the meet has been forthcoming from corporate Guyana, even though the event is sponsored in full by Seaboard Marine, with Sunburst Orange Juice, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and Ansa McAl Limited sponsoring the venue meeting.

“Apart from the abovementioned, Princess Buddy’s Hotel will be providing free accommodation for a limited number of guests and with 18 competitors coming from Barbados and Jamaica, with 11 of those coming from the former, such a gesture is greatly appreciated,” said Gayadin.

No doubt, it will be a ‘November to Remember’ in the annals of the GMR&SC after this meet.

IOC’s choice for 2016 not motivated by money - Rogge
By Karolos Grohmann
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (Reuters) - The decision to elect Rio de Janeiro as the host of the 2016 Olympics was not driven by money, otherwise the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would have picked Chicago, IOC chief Jacques Rogge said yesterday.

“It is clear that the IOC in its choice has not chosen for the big money,” Rogge said, speaking at the end of the IOC Congress in the Danish capital.

Rio triumphed over Madrid in the final round of voting on Friday after Chicago were surprisingly eliminated in the first round and Tokyo in the second.

Had we had big money as our consideration we would have gone to Chicago,” he said. “That shows we did not go to big money.”

Chicago had the backing of U.S. President Barack Obama, who attended the final presentation in Copenhagen, but still managed to get only 18 out of 94 votes.

Rogge said while the IOC’s choice was not financially motivated, he did not expect it to be a loss-making operation.

“But let’s wait and see,” he said.

The IOC, among 66 recommendations adopted at their three-day congress, decided to set up a task force to make best use of digital technology as it seeks to attract younger viewers, Rogge said.

The IOC has been urged to re-examine its broadcasting rights deals, largely with traditional television stations, with on-line viewers and mobile phone users providing a huge, growing and lucrative market.

“We are still not there where we want to be,” Rogge said, adding any action should take into consideration the digital divide among developing and developed nations.

The IOC also urged governments to spend more on sports to improve facilities and battle what Rogge said was young peoples’ inactivity.

He said young people would be a top priority for the IOC, less than a year before its inaugural Youth Olympics in Singapore, designed to attract a younger audience to the Games and fight obesity.

The IOC will set up a commission to deal with matters relating to coaches, trainers and the athletes’ entourage, similar to its existing athletes’ commission.

The congress also adopted a recommendation to have the physical and psychological health of the athlete as priority, a move that could impact busy competition schedules for some sports.

English FA asks Ferguson to explain Wiley rant
LONDON, England - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been asked by the English FA to explain his controversial comments about referee Alan Wiley.

Ferguson questioned Wiley's fitness after Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland on Saturday and claimed the 49-year-old was struggling to keep up with the pace of the match at Old Trafford.

Having looked at the remarks, the FA have now requested that Ferguson explain the reasons behind his outburst.

"I was disappointed with the referee," Ferguson said at the weekend. "He was not fit enough for a game of that standard.

"The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. He was not fit. It is an indictment of our game.

"You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher's dogs. We have some who are fit. He wasn't fit.

"He was taking 30 seconds to book a player. He was needing a rest. It was ridiculous."

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher felt Ferguson's comments were unfair to all referees.

"In the 17 years the Premier League has been going this is the first time I have ever heard a manager use that criticism of a referee," Gallagher told Sky Sports News.

"I hear all kinds of things and I have never known a manager to say a referee wasn't fit enough.

"In the year 2009 with the training they have got now, it's the most ridiculous comment I have ever heard.

"The referees are fit for purpose. They are training four, five, six times a week.

"They are training to an intensity which 10 years ago I would never have believed."

Meanwhile, Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce will face no further action after the FA looked into his criticism of referee Peter Walton for not giving a penalty for Thomas Vermaelen's apparent trip on David Dunn in Rovers' 6-2 defeat at Arsenal.

"I don't want to detract from Arsenal but it was a blatant penalty," Allardyce had said.

"It is human beings in a very big pressure position. In the big pressure pot that is this league, you have got to get the major decisions right otherwise you don't stay in this league too long, not as a manager or a player, so as a referee you have got to be judged the same.

"They are fully professional now so if they are not good enough, we should find someone who is.” (Eurosport)

Man City draw at Villa to climb to fourth
… Dunne header puts Villa ahead
LONDON, England (Reuters) - Big-spending Manchester City fought back to draw 1-1 at Aston Villa yesterday and move ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool into fourth place in the Premier League table.

Former City defender Richard Dunne nodded Villa ahead from Stephen Warnock’s corner after 15 minutes when he outjumped Gareth Barry, who was booed on his return to Villa Park.

City levelled through striker Craig Bellamy on 67 minutes following a fine pull-back by Emmanuel Adebayor, who was returning from a three-match ban for violent conduct.

City moved on to 16 points, level with Tottenham Hotspur but behind the London club on goals scored. Villa are seventh.

Bellamy, who has scored four goals in his last five matches, came in for particular praise from City manager Mark Hughes.

“He gets bad publicity for a few of his past misdemeanours but he was outstanding tonight,” Hughes told the BBC of the often controversial Welshman.

“He is very driven and ambitious and sometimes he is demanding of himself and everybody who works with him but if you create the right environment he responds and works well.”

Hughes also praised the City fans for applauding Dunne, who left City for Villa in the summer after making 350 appearances and four times being voted the club’s player of the season.

“The fans respected what he did in a blue shirt and I was proud of what they did tonight,” added Hughes.

Dunne did not celebrate when he put Villa ahead but played down his respectful reaction.

“I don’t have a celebration. If I score it’s usually a surprise,” the Irishman told ESPN.

Safina and Venus stunned in China
DINARA Safina and Venus Williams both suffered shock defeats at the second-round stage of the China Open tennis.

World number one Safina made 20 unforced errors and 12 double faults en route to a 7-5, 7-6, (7-5) defeat by local wild card Zhang Shuai.

American Williams was beaten 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova - her second loss to the Russian in a week.

In the men's event, Serbian world number four Novak Djokovic beat Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-3, 7-5.

Djokovic struggled to find his form in the match blaming jet lag for his below-par performance.

"That's the first round, you have to get used to the ups and downs," said the 22-year-old.

"I am aware I need to raise my level of performance to get far in the tournament.

"I'll have a rest tomorrow. I'm still a bit jet-lagged, I think you could see that in the second set."

Top seed Rafael Nadal will play his opening match against wild card Marcos Baghdatis today. Both players are former winners of the event.

Nadal has a perfect 11-0 record in Beijing, having won the title in 2005 and the Olympic Games gold medal in 2008.

In the women's competition, Serena Williams just needs to beat her second-round opponent Ekaterina Makarova in order to reclaim the world number one spot from Safina, who left the court in tears following her defeat to the world 226.

Double faults blighted Safina's display and also the performance of Venus Williams.

The world number three was made to struggle again by 18-year-old Pavlyuchenkova, who beat her in Tokyo last Monday.

"She played really well, unfortunately sometimes I made errors too soon in the play," said the 29-year-old.

"Twelve double faults didn't help me today; I wasn't counting those, though."

Belgian Yanina Wickmayer, a semi-finalist at the US Open, was beaten 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 by Russian Alisa Kleybanova. (BBC Sport)

Rodman best Caribbean finisher in Tour of Tobago
SCARBOROUGH, Tobago (CMC) – Jamaican Marloe Rodman claimed seventh spot to be the Caribbean’s highest finisher as British rider Peter Williams captured the gruelling Tour of Tobago on Sunday evening.

Williams, riding in the colours of Team Barcode/Great Britain, clocked 13:03.17.35 after taking a hefty two-minute 47-second lead into Sunday’s final stage, a 120-kilometre race.

Rodman finished third in that event in a time of three hours 40.57 minutes to consolidate his position in the overall standings.

Germany’s Sacha Damrow, riding for Team Sachen Soxony, was a distant winner of the 120k as he crossed the line in 3:39.07 but failed to make the top five in the overall prizes.

He made a break from the pack early in the race and rode almost unchallenged as he finished ahead of Lisbon Quintero of Team Foundation/Colombia who clocked 3:40.57.

Quintero, who was the overall leader throughout the first two days of the Tour, finished second overall in 13:06.03 with Germany’s Timo Scholz clocking 13:06.2.