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ARCHIVES FOR OCTOBER 29, 2009

President Jagdeo commissions DDL US$9M state-of-the-art bottling plant
-lauds company’s private sector leadership role
By Parvati Persaud-Edwards
PRESIDENT Bharat Jagdeo commissioned a new US$9M state-of-the-art bottling plant at Demerara Distillers Ltd, a leading manufacturer of wines and spirits in Guyana, among many other products.

DDL’s Executive Chairman, Yesu Persaud said that he knew from the time he was asked to take over the company in 1975 that it had to change direction and from that day products were set aside in warehouses for aging.

Mentioning some of the products that have become very valuable because of their rarity on the markets, Dr. Persaud said the 25-year-old rum is a limited edition that has run out and that the very popular product will take another couple of years before it becomes available on the market again.

Persaud said that the company had survived the difficult period when everything was banned and foreign exchange was not available, rising to accrual heights after the economy was liberated and the business climate improved after the change of government in 1992.

He enumerated the many and expanded achievements and the diversified ventures that DDL had successfully initiated.

He noted that the company has come a long way, and explained that in 1992 it was recognised that the Company needed to move away from commodities into brands, so the idea of producing a product of distinction was then conceived and the El Dorado brand was born. The rest is history.

President lauds DDL’s greening of its operational methodologies:

President Jagdeo, in his feature address, said that he can certainly embrace the enthusiasm and the vision that DDL has displayed and congratulated the company for this new venture that will significantly improve their competitiveness globally and transform their operational methodologies in many ways.

Expressing his pleasure with the development at DDL, the President said that he was also pleased with what is taking place around the company’s location, citing the transformation of cane fields into a very vibrant housing scheme, with adjunctive institutions such as a new hospital, a new secondary school, a police station and a competition between three banks for a customer base.

The President said that it is encouraging that our country is moving forward, and businesses are moving in tandem with the vision to recognise that we all have to change, particularly to address the challenges of a changing national environment and a more challenging global environment.

He commended DDL for focusing more on efficiency, stating that many people look on this, in particular the biogas project and the move by the company to green its operations.

The President opined that third-world countries should not focus too much on greening their economies because this should be something for the developed world as they are the ones contributing to the majority of the concentration of greenhouse gases.

Observing that there is merit in that line of argument, he argued that we should also see opportunities in this, and that if we constantly complain about the deficiencies in appropriate actions by the other side, then maybe we will miss extant opportunities.

The President stated: “We may not contribute to a major reduction in greenhouse gases because we are not a large-scale producer of greenhouse gases, but we can benefit from the efficiency associated with the greening process through better and more efficient use of energy, less resources used in our production processes so that we achieve a competitive edge.

“There will be a premium in the future for greener products and maybe if we are early starters then maybe we can benefit from that premium in global markets that reward good green products,” President Jagdeo said.

Saying that the government is working at the national level with the private sector, in particular with the Private Sector Commission, to ensure that Guyana is prepared for a future where rewards will accrue to competitive countries, the President asserted. He assured that this does not mean that the fight for a special model for small developing countries to suit their peculiarities, and the fight for special instruments in the trading and the financing arenas to cater for specificities will be forgotten, because that is vital for survival.

Referring to his trip to New York, where he spoke with US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, the Secretary-General of the UN, Mr. Ban-Ki-Moon, the Presidents of the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), as well as other international powerbrokers, the President said that the thrust of the arguments used is aimed at building consensus at both the technical and political levels that there needs to be such a model.

Stating, that it is hoped that the assistance that have been provided through the ACP and Cotonou Agreements can continue and will not distort global trading, the President said that, notwithstanding all of these considerations, countries still have an obligation to focus on competitiveness, because winning support to that model entails developing a drive to innovate rather than depend on preferences as we have done in the past.

President Jagdeo said that the lack of innovation and the drive to be globally competitive, “because we saw the local market as our playing field, limited our vision, and consequently curbed our income-generation capacities as we never capitalized from the benefits that a more open, broader vision that the world and its opportunities can bring.”

He urged that entrepreneurs ensure that all these factors are addressed in a systematic way so that the highest levels of productivity can be achieved. He reiterated that the Government is working along with the private sector in efforts to create a new framework, factoring in the National Competitiveness Strategy, among others.

Alluding to the volatility in the stock exchange, the President said that, today, for every stock that gained in value, ten depreciated, which he thinks reflects grave uncertainties in world economies.

According to the President, it is very difficult for companies to operate in and make investment decisions in the global marketplace, because the different variable policies in world trading dynamics send very mixed signals.

However, as the President explained, Guyana’s macro-economy and most of the fundamentals are stable. He said that that confidence has been basically restored that our economy is being managed in a sustainable fashion, and that Government expenditure will not put pressure on interest rates and exchange rates and other factors essential to private sector planning and development. When these things are in place the President promised that the subsidiary imperatives will be tackled aggressively.

Stating that he hopes that many more companies will recognise the potential opportunities in our country and be as visionary as DDL has been, the President warned that there will be a future backlash in global interest rates because of the $12 trillion stimulus package, and that the cost of money will go up.

The President continued: “We have, in the near future, to ensure that we maximise our development assistance and try to finance as many as possible activities from self-generated funds, companies, and at the State level from revenues, and because of the huge liquidity in our system, and that we create opportunities for both bankers and the private sector–to finance their progress with a more stable investment outlook.”

The President concluded by applauding DDL for the very important role it has played in the leadership of the private sector.

DDL’s new modernised bottling plant is fully automated and has the capacity to double the bottling output, which will facilitate expanded productivity of the world-renowned El Dorado branded products to meet ever-increasing demand in both the local and international markets.

DDL had announced an estimated $4.5 billion expansion project in June of last year and this new bottling plant is one component in the Company’s projected capital expansion programme.

Persaud expressed his satisfaction at the growth trends of the Company, stating: “We are once again leading the way, not just among companies in Guyana, but we are also leading the way for Guyana. DDL remains active despite the present downturn in the global economy. The Group’s capital expansion continues as a demonstration of faith in the potential of the Guyanese economy and the rebounding of the global markets.”

A brief overview of the company
In the 17th and 18th centuries there existed in Guyana in excess of 200 small distilleries, not counting the illegal brew (bush rum, or moonshine). However, through consolidation and amalgamation, there evolved the singular existing distillery at Plantation Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara, which is solely owned by DDL.

The unique products of DDL owe their distinctive flavours to several factors, as explained in the Company’s website which states - As a result of the strength of the company's reputation, the company is executing successful brand management and distribution of international brands such as the Dekuyper liqueurs of Holland, of which the company has the franchise to bottle and distribute across the Caribbean, the Mc Murdo Scotch whisky, and a wide range of vodkas, gins, and beer.

At Demerara Distillers, the objective is to increase market share by diversification, product and market development in the domestic and international markets, as well as build customer satisfaction through quality, service and value.

The awards and prizes won by the company both regionally and internationally would fill volumes. As a result of the strength of the company's reputation, the company is executing successful brand management and distribution of international brands such as the Dekuyper liqueurs of Holland, of which the company has the franchise to bottle and distribute across the Caribbean, the Mc Murdo Scotch whisky, and a wide range of vodkas, gins, and beer.

UK denies withdrawal of SSRP funding linked to military exercise
THE UK Government has denied that its withdrawal of funding for the Security Sector Reform Programme (SSRP) is linked to a military exercise in the vicinity of Guyana’s borders with Venezuela and Brazil.

It also reiterated its support for the development of Guyana and the Caribbean.

A statement issued by the British High Commission here yesterday said: “There is no truth in the suggestion that the decision was linked to a UK military exercise. The decision by the Guyanese authorities (in June 2008) not to allow live firing as part of the exercise was fully accepted. The exercise took place, successfully, without live firing, in November 2008.”

“We remain committed to supporting the development of Guyana and the Caribbean and will continue to work closely with the Government of Guyana on economic growth, private sector development, and to support the country's efforts to implement the Low Carbon Development Strategy.”

The statement added that the UK Government fully respects the right of the Government of Guyana to determine the direction of Guyana's security sector, and any programme for that sector.

“The latest proposal from the Government of Guyana for UK Government funding for the security sector suggests a fundamentally different programme from the one we understood the Government of Guyana wanted. This understanding was based on President Jagdeo's letters of May 4 and August 14, 2006 which called for comprehensive, broad based, non-partisan and compelling reform of the security sector,” the statement said.

It added that the latest proposal from the Government of Guyana suggests a focus on police modernisation, rather than on holistic security sector reform. After careful consideration, the UK Government therefore decided to withdraw its offer of assistance in this area. This decision was not taken lightly. The decision was explained in person to President Jagdeo and in writing to Dr Luncheon. The funding has been re-allocated to other pressing needs within the Caribbean.

Guyana Ambassador elected as Chairman of SELA
CARACAS: Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Odeen Ishmael, was on October 27 (Tuesday) elected by acclamation as Chairman of the Latin American Council, the political governing body of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA).

Ambassador Ishmael will head the Council for the next year and will preside over all forums organised by SELA. This is the first time a Guyanese has been elected to this position.

Ambassador Ishmael’s candidature was proposed by Chile and representatives of 14 other countries made statements of support of his nomination.

The delegates from the 27 member states also elected Guatemala as First Vice-Chairman, Bolivia as Second Vice-Chairman and Cuba as Rapporteur.

The thirty-fifth annual Regular Meeting of the Latin American Council will conclude on October 29. At the start of the preparatory meeting on October 27, the Permanent Secretary of SELA, Ambassador José Rivera Banuet, in a call for regional integration, said: "The destiny of Latin America and the Caribbean is in the integration into the collective strength to develop and make progress that way, throughout the region, and to have a greater role in the international arena".

Discussions will focus on three main themes: strengthening regional integration with emphasis on its social dimension; expanding the economic and social cooperation between Latin American and Caribbean countries; and furthering coordination and consultation within the region with regard to the international agenda and relations with external powers.

During the Latin American Council Ministerial Stage, which begins on Wednesday, October 28, a "Forum on Convergence and Integration of Latin America on Health" will be convened with the participation of representatives of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

The meeting will also address various topics related to the better participation of countries in shaping programmes to develop the software and the digitalisation of the various procedures of foreign trade.

SELA is a forum for consultation and coordination that brings together the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. It was established in 1975 at the initiative of Venezuela and Mexico, and its charter and goals were set by the Panama Convention.

Refurbished Liliendaal drainage pumps commissioned
By Tajeram Mohabir
THE Ministry of Agriculture through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) yesterday re-commissioned and formally handed over the $ 76.1 M rehabilitated Liliendaal pumps to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

President Jagdeo inspects one of the rehabilitated pumps at Liliendaal. (Cullen Best-Nelson photo)

The now fully operational structures reflect the fulfillment of a commitment made by President Bharrat Jagdeo to have the pumps overhauled after he visited the facility early this January during the heavy rainy season.

The Liliendaal facility was first commissioned some 31 years ago as part of the East Georgetown Flood Alleviation Programme.

During that visit by the President, these pumps were operating at a low efficiency since essential components such as impeller housing, bearings, power cables, discharge pipes and all rotating element were found to be severely worn out and damaged beyond repair.

Following the instruction of the President, the NDIA procured contractors in accordance with the Procurement Act and a contract was awarded to Mr. Harrychand Tulsi and entered into on March 19, 2009 for a contracted sum of G$ 76,150,000.

With a contracted duration of three months, rehabilitation work began in April with the removal of one of the two pumps which was re-installed after being rehabilitated in May.

The work was delayed for six weeks to facilitate the mid-year rains and re-started in July on the second unit and completed in July and have since been in operation.

The rehabilitated pumps which are part of the NDIA work programme account for 50% of the city's pumped drainage and have a combined discharge capacity of 300 cubic feet per second.

They serve areas extending from East Cummings Lodge to the East of Sheriff Street and to the South Ruimveldt. The President had also instructed that the pump at kitty be rehabilitated.

Speaking at the occasion convened at the site of the multi-million dollar facility, President Jagdeo said the structures will bring significant relief to the thousands of citizens in Georgetown during the rainy season.

He told the gathering which included Georgetown Mayor, Hamilton Green, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, Local Government Minister, Kellawan Lall and other City and Government officials that the investment is just one of many facilities that will be rehabilitated as part of a wider plan to tackle the issue of climate change and changing weather pattern which forms part of local adaptation measures.

Earlier yesterday the President discussed with representatives of several agencies, including those from the donor community at his office, the noteworthy role mangroves can play in protecting the country’s sea defences.

Mr. Jagdeo disclosed that with the assistance from these organisations, the government is looking to spend close to $1M next year on the development of a programme that includes, an assessment of the coastline, identification of suitable soil types for mangroves cultivation, the varieties of mangroves to be cultivated and the building a large nursery to support the drive.

He said this move is imperative in light of recent estimates the government has received from McKinsey and Company, which pointed out that if Guyana is going to adopt to climate change only on the coast, it will have to spend close to $ US1 billion.

The Guyanese Head of State pointed out that for a poor country like Guyana, this sum will be a huge challenge to muster, particularly if the resources that it is hoping to garner from the forest carbon mechanism does not materialise in the magnitude it expects.

He said the country’s developmental challenge, in the next five to 10 years will be great when it is added to the challenges of health care, education housing and now climate change and the resulting consequences.

These, the President said all require money for fixing which will be taken from the treasury and this is why the government has to find the lowest possible cost solutions to address climate change related problems.

Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Hamilton Green expressed gratitude to President Jagdeo for the good gesture and promised to take great care in maintaining the facilities.

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud said the City does not fall within the ambits of NDIA as that agency has responsibility for drainage and irrigation in agriculture areas.

But he stressed that Georgetown is the country’s main commercial zone and the pride of all Guyanese and for this reason the president instructed that his Ministry give drainage and irrigation (D&I) support to the M&CC which has been affected by its management shortcomings.

The facility in Kitty Persaud said, was rehabilitated to the tune of $63M and from 2001 to 2008 the Government has spent more than $200M to improve D&I and on other initiatives in the City.

The Minister underlined that these structures will not prevent flash flooding in Georgetown but will play a significant role in bolstering D&I capacity.

He told Green and other senior M&CC officials at the handing over ceremony that the government wants to see full utilisation and proper maintenance of the facilities so that it will get value for money.

Persaud said the structures are part of the government’s broader plan to rehabilitate, reactivate and construct new structures to withstand the effects of the heavy rainfall and to protect agriculture cultivation.

On that score, he said $ 250M have been allocated for the rehabilitation of the Golden Grove, Victoria and Cane Grove pump stations. The bids for these projects, the minister reported are currently out for tendering.

Persaud said too, that recently a World Bank Rapid Response team of experts commended Guyana for the steps and progress it has made in getting water off the land compared to what they saw in 2005.

That team, the minister pointed out also was impressed with the amount of work that has been done to improve D&I across the country.

Four suspects in custody for Bisram’s murder
FOUR persons are in custody following the brutal murder of former Vice- Chairman of Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Raminauth Bisram, at his Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara home.

Police reported yesterday that two of the four are relatives, his brother-in-law and his father-in-law, while one of the suspects is the handyman and a young man who frequented the home.

The young man has since denied his involvement in the murder and has announced his innocence.

The handyman was picked up at the wake on Tuesday night by the police for questioning while the others were arrested on Monday night.

Bisram’s naked and battered body was discovered in his home on Monday afternoon when relatives went to his residence to enquire of his whereabouts after calls to his phone went unanswered.

The police reported that Bisram, 55, of North Section, Canal Number Two Polder, was found at about 14:30 hours on Monday lying on the floor of his bedroom with suspected stab wounds.

A blood-stained kitchen knife was found next to the body, which is currently at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Bisram’s brother-in-law, Walter Mustapha, told the Guyana Chronicle that he became suspicious when Bisram did not answer the phone and he subsequently observed the back door ajar. He entered the house and saw the body lying in a bedroom.

The man explained that he immediately exited the house and summoned the police.

Mustapha pointed out that Bisram lived alone since his four children and wife reside overseas. He is of the opinion that the victim was attacked by someone he knew because he opened the door for the assailant, who eventually murdered him.

Neighbours said they did not hear any noise coming from the house because the house is secure and sealed.

Relatives said that the body bore a gaping wound to the right side and that his intestines were protruding.

He also had slashes on his head and neck, and multiple stab wounds about the body.

The only thing that was disturbed in Bisram’s house is a suitcase which was lying next to the body. It was ransacked, with its contents strewn on the floor.

Testing of engines at GPL’s new plant ongoing
GUYANA Power and Light Inc. (GPL) Project Engineer – Civil Engineer, Mr. Erwin Chapman told reporters during a visit yesterday at the Kingston Plant, Georgetown that they began testing of the engines on Tuesday. He added that they are ahead of the November 5, 2009 deadline and so far they have fired up number two and three engines and later this week the number one engine will be turned on.

The engine at Kingston Plant being “fired up” yesterday under the testing period. (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

He said that the tests were effected to ensure that the engines are in working order, which will add 20.7 megawatts to the power grid when they become operational.

Production from the 20.7 megawatts factory will be fed into the Demerara Interconnected System, resulting in a significant reduction of generating problems being experienced in various areas presently.

GPL is also currently undertaking maintenance of transmission and distribution lines countywide and that has caused a shortfall in electricity generation.

Negotiations are ongoing for a major project with support from China, which will see seven new sub-stations established in Demerara and East Berbice within two years.

That accomplishment would ease current transmission and distribution difficulties, McGregor said.

Meanwhile, GPL is laying a cable link from its Sophia complex to the Kingston Station simultaneously with a frequency conversion programme. (MICHEL OUTRIDGE)

We must focus on the costs of not curbing emissions
The issue of climate change is gaining increasing attention but even though its disastrous long term effects are predictable through authentic scientific research and events that are taking place today the urgency to deal with it in a comprehensive and decisive manner seems to be absent. What is very worrisome is that many of the countries that are among the worst polluters are showing scant interest and are demonstrating a great degree of ambivalence on such a crucial issue.

It seems ironical that these countries are more concerned with the costs of curbing greenhouse gas emissions rather than the costs of not working towards reduction.

David Crane in his article The Three Stooges of global climate change points out:

“The urgency of dealing with climate change is not going to go away. It is only going to get worse. Moreover, the longer we delay in getting truly serious, the greater the cost of curbing emissions and adapting to the impact of greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere.”

“While politicians, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, wring their hands over the costs of curbing greenhouse gas emissions, they foolishly ignore the costs of not curbing them.”

“It was the Swedish Prime Minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, who told the recent U.N. High-Level Conference on climate change, "we need decisive and global political action to prevent further dangerous changes to our climate system and to adapt to the consequences that are inevitable."

Indeed, the consequences will be inevitable if we do not act with the required urgency.

According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF) data showing Arctic sea ice may reach its lowest level on record this summer underscores the need for governments to speed up talks on a new climate pact, the Worldwide Fund for Nature said.

The WWF said observations on ice coverage and thickness pointed toward a record low for the second year in a row, continuing a "catastrophic" trend that could threaten polar wildlife and accelerate global warming.

"If you take reduced ice thickness into account, there is probably less ice overall in the Arctic this year than in any other year since monitoring began," said Martin Sommerkorn, senior climate adviser of the WWF's Arctic programme. "If you take reduced ice thickness into account, there is probably less ice overall in the Arctic this year than in any other year since monitoring began," said Martin Sommerkorn, senior climate adviser of the WWF's Arctic program.”

"This is also the first year that the Northwest Passage over the top of North America and the Northeast Passage over the top of Russia, are both free of ice," he said.

The U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Centre said earlier this month that Arctic sea ice coverage was the second lowest on record, and could break last year's low mark before the season is over. Satellite measurements began in 1979.

Last month, a scientist at Trent University in Ontario, Canada, reported that a chunk of ice shelf nearly the size of Manhattan broke away from Ellesmere Island in Canada's northern Arctic, another dramatic indication of how warmer temperatures are changing the polar frontier.

"There are already signs that species such as polar bears are experiencing negative effects as climate change erodes the ice platform on which they rely," Sommerkorn said. "These changes are also affecting the peoples of the Arctic whose traditional livelihoods depend on healthy ecosystems."

The amount of scientific evidence that underlines the seriousness of this is voluminous and overwhelming but those who possess the financial and scientific and technological resources seem to lack the will and commitment to deal with the issue apparently putting short term economic considerations in front.

On the other hand the small and developing countries which lack resources seem more inclined towards tackling the issue, notably Guyana has been in the forefront in this regard with President Jagdeo aggressively articulating and marketing our LCDS, which is increasingly gaining accolades throughout the world.

Only recently internationally acclaimed expert on Reducing Carbon Avoid Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD), Dr Martin Herold said that a Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is the right avenue to avoid an increasing carbon emissions profile and associated loss of forest as part of a country achieving its developmental objectives.

Noting that he has seen numerous examples of countries that have generated significant emissions while transitioning to emerging economies, Dr Herold said he would like to “particularly congratulate Guyana for having taken steps to deviate from this pathway towards a more climate-friendly direction”.

“In this context, Guyana is on the forefront internationally and has generated significant interest and attention…including those countries willing to support Guyana in its efforts,” he said.

So while some of our locals are busy trying to paint a picture that the LCDS is somewhat like “building castles” in the air” the reality is quite the opposite because the Strategy is being increasingly accepted, throughout the globe, as being practical and realistic and should form a major part of the overall strategy in grappling with the crucial issue of climate change.

SEASON OF 'JOKE POLITICS' IN T&T
By Rickey Singh
IS this the season for 'joke politics' in Trinidad and Tobago by the leadership of the governing People's National Movement (PNM) and the main opposition United National Congress-Alliance (UNC-A)?

In what could only be unintentional and uncoordinated behaviour, the leadership of both the PNM and UNC-A (assuming the 'A' in the original acronym is still valid)--are providing political amusement at a time of growing tension over endemic criminality and economic uncertainties.

If it is not amusement, then this columnist for one would like to benefit from an intelligent explanation why both Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday are so willing to expose leadership problems of their own makings?

Let's look first at Mr. Manning, according to headlines in the Express: “I don't want to be President” (Sunday, October 25); “PM changes mind--interested in President's job” (Tuesday, October 27).

Apparently affected by the carping criticisms and picong about his wanting to be the first Executive President of the nation, the Prime Minister and his opponents, or detractors simply being mischievous, would be aware that a new constitution to enable a politician's to rise to such an eminent and powerful position remains very much a work in progress.

True, there are various "drafts" around of what a new post-republic constitution should provide in relation to the election and powers to be vested in an Executive President--considering, for example, variations in Guyana, Haiti and Suriname, within the Caribbean Community.

But Manning, whose powers as Prime Minister under the existing constitution, are quite immense - as also obtains in other Caricom states - and can be exercised judiciously, or quite harshly and controversially - does not really have to embarrass himself with an uninvited declaration, such as: "I don't want to be President...”

"That (executive presidency) holds no attractions for me. My concern is not personal aggrandisement...," he assured.

Then followed, a day later what his supporters and opponents would already had suspected:

Manning performed his verbal summersault just one day later with a straight face: "If the electorate wants me (as President) I will accept..."

Sweet, sweet politics! And then there was Mr. Panday:

Defiant as ever and without any willingness to at least share blame for the multiplicity of wrongs by him and others that have combined to rule out the seriously ruptured UNC-A from returning to power under his leadership, Panday was boastfully telling his opponents within the party:

"Those threatening to join another party (should be dare to again contest the leadership at UNC-A elections scheduled for January 2010), do us a favour and go now..."

He would not be "blackmailed", he threatened..

Well, Panday may be right in ridiculing his opponents, in and out of the UNC-A, who glibly call on him to disappear into the sunset and let the leadership be replaced by others ambitious enough to take on that challenge.

But is he willing to at least admit that his leadership, or lack of it, has contributed to much of the prevailing ridicule, hilarious jokes and bitterness to which the UNC-A is currently exposed?

Not really. This would not accord with our own West Indian brand of 'realpolitik'.

This could play into the hands of his political detractors and enemies, some of whom may already have, unwittingly, written their political epitaph-- ahead of new national elections.

And whether or not Manning succeeds in becoming the first Executive President of this nation, it is very doubtful that, for a start, the likes of parliamentarian Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, Winston 'Gypsy' Peters and that enigmatic politician of football fame and money, Jack Warner, can really make a success by themselves, under whatever banner, against the PNM.

Let me leave with a final observation on perceived "political jokes" with a reminder of the thinking of Lawrence Maharaj, Panday's once controversial Attorney General and assumed likely successor as party leader:

Instead of doing what 'Gypsy' Peters had done in showing up at the UNC-A weekend congress, the MP for Tabaquite was telling residents of Cocoa Piece in Gasparillo, (as reported in the Express), that he plans to call on all Heads of Government attending next month's Commonwealth Summit in Port-of-Spain to "make a donation which will be used to alleviate the suffering of the people of Cocoa Piece..."

You think it easy! Who wants to be serious in a season for political jokes? (Courtesy yesterday's Trinidad Express)

THE OBSERVER
Guyana’s press is freer than some G8 countries
A few days ago, the prestigious international organisation, Reporters Without Borders, published their annual report which ranks countries for their adherence to press freedom, or lack thereof.

Guyana is ranked 39 out of 175 countries surveyed, moving up from the 88th position last year. This represents an upward jump of 49 places. What is interesting is that, by being ranked at position 39 this year, Guyana’s press is freer than that of two notable countries - France and Italy.

These two countries are members of the elite league of rich nations - the G8. The other members are Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Russia.

This group can be considered as the major contributor of funds used for international aid and as the bastion of democracy. Democracy and the adherence to democratic principles are the hallmarks of this group’s individual and international policies. The United States especially, is seen as the leader and defender of the free world.

Over the years, the individual members of the G8 have generally tied international aid to democracy. Recipients must adhere to acceptable democratic principles. If there is a deviation from this stringent requirement as stipulated by donor countries, it’s based on humanitarian grounds as evident in parts of Africa and East Asia.

Prior to 1992 under the PNC dictatorship, some international donors withheld funds to Guyana following that regime’s propensity for undemocratic norms.

The action by the donor countries was as a result of sustained efforts by the then Opposition, the PPP, to sensitise the international community about the atrocities perpetrated by the PNC regime.

The actions of the PPP and others, led to the 1992 General Elections being scrutinised by the Carter Centre headed by former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. The results of that Election led to the rebirth of democracy after an absence of almost three decades.

Subsequently, as development flourished following the return of international aid and prudent management, the said Carter Centre used Guyana as a model country for democracy and related advancement. Countries are therefore aware of the democratic conditions that are necessary for the accessing of international aid. Simply put; no democracy, no aid. One of the pillars of a democratic society is press freedom. This returned to Guyana following the 1992 Elections.

It would be remiss if what obtained prior to 1992 is negated from this article. Then, only two major newspapers existed; the Guyana Chronicle and the Stabroek News and four television stations of which two were well established, WRHM and VCT. CNS 12 was new and GTV 10 had little presence. Today there are some 21 television stations and a multiplicity of cable providers. Two other major newspapers; the Guyana Times and the Kaieteur News have since been established.

Guyanese here learnt about the internet under this administration. Surfing the net, which is now an extremely easily accessible medium, has become an integral mechanism for communication and debate. The Press Association has been resuscitated and is as vibrant as its counterparts.

In addition to this, Guyana’s media is permeated with columnists and commentators. Every newspaper and television station has a multitude of columnists and talk shows, the vast majority of which freely and openly articulate anti-government sentiments on a daily basis.

These rabid diatribes often transgress into the realms of sedition. Character assassination has become a norm for some columnists and commentators. Some of what is written in sections of the press here may not even be tolerated in the protector of the free world; the United States.

Yet, these columnists and commentators continue to spew their hatred and wild accusations unabated. When on one occasion, action was taken against Channel 6, the owner and his cohorts in the media and the Opposition screamed suppression of freedom of speech.

The incident involved a tape of a live programme, in which a threat was made against the Head of State, being played continuously on the said channel.

The owner presented the frivolous excuse that one of his junior staff was responsible for the tape’s subsequent screening. This was ludicrous since the said threat was made on the live programme hosted by the owner!

The action taken against the station was not for what transpired on the live programme; it was because a recording of the said programme was played over and over again.

Why didn’t the owner instruct that the threat be edited out? The fact that it wasn’t, and that the recording was played many times after, shows blatant disregard for the safety of the Head of State. That was tantamount to sedition.

The owner of Channel 6 continues his verbal assault everyday; the same for Freddie Kissoon.

Articulations by their associates are facilitated by many media houses including the Kaieteur News, the Stabroek News, Capitol News, Channel 9 and many other talk-shows with similar anti-government sentiments. Gordon Moseley has been banned from covering assignments at the Office of the President and State House for publicly making disparaging remarks against the President. Moseley is not banned from covering any other assignment that may involve the President.

The President has the right like any President to decide who enters his office or home, based on actions perpetrated by those who are deemed disrespectful. It is therefore, malicious for the Channel 6 and Moseley’s incidents to be used, as they were and still are, to suggest that the press is being muzzled in Guyana.

The related lobbying by these Opposition-oriented individuals and the Guyana Press Association created the false impression that press freedom was threatened. The reality is that no newspaper here is prevented from importing newsprint and from publishing what they want irregardless of their skewed, inaccurate and anti-government analyses.

Television hosts are not told what and what not to say. The indecency that passes for debate on the internet is unrestricted.

The President and his Cabinet can be easily accessed by media operatives. Every week the Head of the Presidential Secretariat hosts a Cabinet related press conference to which all media houses are invited. Questions are not restricted to Cabinet matters. Given all of this, yet some sections of the media which are aligned to the Opposition, desperately try to convey both locally and internationally, that freedom of expression is non-existent. They have conveniently forgotten what obtained under the PNC dictatorship.

Guyanese know different; the same for Reporters Without Borders. Their independent survey has vindicated the administration and has dispelled the false notion of an opportunistic politically-tainted few in the media who serve as mouthpieces for the Opposition.

The fact that the report rated Guyana so high, speak volumes for this country’s adherence to the principles of press freedom. The fact that the donor countries, including those in the G8, continue to provide assistance to Guyana, speak volumes for its adherence to democracy and democratic principles.

The fact that Guyana ranked higher than Italy and France, speak volumes for the commitment to democracy by the government and the PPP. Is it therefore a coincidence that the report in question was ignored by a vast majority of the media houses alluded to? Is it a coincidence that it was not given prominence by the two that reported on it? Just an observation.

KLEPTOMANIA
By Ralph Ramkarran
QUOTE:I hope that this article demonstrates that the public and the various authorities understand the urgency to be able to recognize, not only obvious mental illnesses, but the insidious ones as well, such as kleptomania, and ensure that such people get treatment rather than live in torment all their lives.

KLEPTOMANIA is compulsive stealing. Where a person steals persistently over a period of time when there is no apparent reason to do so, then the person can be deemed a kleptomaniac.

Where, for example, an article can be lawfully rented, hired or borrowed but a person chooses instead to steal the article, even though the person has no permanent use for it, then that can be a sign of kleptomania.

It is a mental disorder. Where the stealing starts from a young age and persists into adulthood, particularly in relation to a specific type of article, and then the person justifies it, one can be certain that one is dealing with a confirmed, determined and unrepentant kleptomaniac.

Whenever that person is around, then steps should be taken to protect goods with which the kleptomaniac has an affinity.

Such a person is in need of professional help because even if exposed, the person will not stop.

In fact, the person cannot stop. When the opportunity presents itself and the person is in the presence of the object of his/her fantasy or fetish, whatever the case, and the person thinks that no one is looking, he/she will swipe the article, especially if it is small enough to be secreted on the person’s body.

QUOTE: Kleptomania is compulsive stealing. Where a person steals persistently over a period of time when there is no apparent reason to do so, then the person can be deemed a kleptomaniac.

Wikipedia says that kleptomania is distinguished from shoplifting or ordinary theft because shoplifters and thieves generally steal for monetary value while kleptomaniacs act by compulsion.

I confess that I am wholly unqualified to speak or write on this subject with any professional authority; but I am not certain about that conclusion.

The fact is that kleptomania is not confined to persons who are unable to rationalize. Many are educated people. Wynona Ryder, the film actress, was a kleptomaniac. They know what they are doing and know that they are doing wrong. But they cannot control the impulse to steal.

What if the kleptomaniac understands his/her compulsion and then seeks to profit from it? The compulsion takes hold of him/her, he/she gives in to it and then sells the object of the theft to make some money on the side.

In other words, the kleptomaniac can channel his/her compulsion into a profitable undertaking. I think that this is quite feasible and could happen.

According to Wikipedia again, Kleptomania is associated with a borderline personality disorder (BPH). This is a very complex disorder and while much has been learnt over the years, its full scope and magnitude have not yet been fully explored.

It is known, however, that persons with BPH are sensitive and react strongly to perceived criticism. Their attitude to persons can shift from positive to negative. For example, they may support a particular political party or leader at one time, or be highly critical of another, and then change sides. They can be abusive.

If untreated both BPH and one of its by-products, kleptomania, will persist.

The kleptomaniac needs to first recognize that he/she has a problem and is desirous of resolving it. The recognition that kleptomania results from a mental condition is likely to alleviate feelings of shame or guilt to a sufficient degree where it becomes possible for the person to seek help.

A problem arises, of course, where the kleptomaniac, unable to conceal his/her activity, publicly defends it. Such a person cannot be saved and will suffer continuous torment throughout his/her life. Such torments may be manifested in compulsively lying and abusive conduct to others. This is one sign of the underlying basis of kleptomania which is BPH.

Unfortunately there are not many health professionals in Guyana but Dr. Bhairo Harry is a very experienced and long serving psychiatrist who either has the skills to treat such a disorder or can direct the kleptomaniac where to go, say to a psychologist, if available in Guyana, for the necessary treatment.

The condition of kleptomania, as far as I know, may require medication, and will certainly require psycho-therapy, but would not require hospitalization. So the patient can continue his/her work without interruption. And, being a professional person myself under an obligation to maintain confidentiality over clients’ business, I know that doctors also strictly apply this rule to their treatment of patients.

The kleptomaniac ought therefore to have no fear that his/her condition will be revealed, unless it has been revealed or he/she has confessed to it. I appreciate that unintended revelation might have a devastating impact on the kleptomaniac but no such fear should exist in relation to a professional.

Where the kleptomaniac proudly parades his/her condition, then there would be no need for this reassurance.

Last week I wrote an article on the plight of the mentally ill. I explained the inadequate tools of both the police and the magistracy to deal with the mentally ill. Where a kleptomaniac appears before a magistrate, it is highly unlikely that the police or the magistrate will recognize a mental disorder.

The person, if guilty, will be fined or imprisoned and then continue with the same activity, committing criminal acts because he/she cannot help himself/herself.

I hope that this article demonstrates that the public and the various authorities understand the urgency to be able to recognize, not only obvious mental illnesses, but the insidious ones as well, such as kleptomania, and ensure that such people get treatment rather than live in torment all their lives.

GAWU presses for investment in sugar workers
THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) wishes to present to the public the under-mentioned facts relevant to the current performance of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (Guysuco) lest the public be misguided by the Corporation’s perspective only.

EARNINGS, PRODUCTION – AND IMPLICATIONS
Notwithstanding that the Corporation is confronted by a thirty-six (36) per cent price-cut imposed by the European Union, Guysuco’s average export price has not been on the decline. Instead there has been an increase which undoubtedly is attributable to the appreciation of the Euro vis-à-vis the US dollar. The Euro, when it was introduced on January 01, 1999 was at par with US dollar. Subsequently it depreciated and by October, 2000 it reached an all-time low whereby one Euro was equivalent to US$0.82. However, since then, the Euro has gained significant value and as at October 27, 2009 one Euro was equivalent to US$1.48. Guysuco’s export-earnings are repatriated in US dollars.

Taking in account the average export prices over the last five (5) years, it was, according to Guysuco’s own 2008 Annual Report, as follows:-

2004 - G$87,498 per tonne

2005 - G$92,835 per tonne

2006 - G$107,332 per tonne

2007 - G$110,676 per tonne

2008 - G$115,832 per tonne

It is important to note that from 2005 the year prior to the first phase of the price-cut, to last year (2008), the second phase of the price-cut, the average price rose by 24.7 per cent.

Accordingly, the Corporation’s revenue position has not been declining over the last five (5) years, as is illustrated hereunder:-

Had sugar production remained at the 2002-2004 level, averaging almost 320,000 tonnes per annum and even higher, the revenue position of the Corporation would have been immeasurably higher. The currently high world market price of over US23 cents per pound at this point in time, would have contributed to even higher revenue.

The Union also finds it interesting that the Corporation yielded almost the same levels of revenue in 2006 and 2008, but however made a profit of G$476M in 2006 and a loss of G$4.089B in 2008.

The loss last year can be attributed to the excessive amount of canes utilized at Skeldon during the trials of the new factory – approximately 60,000 tonnes. For 2008, the cost of production at Skeldon was approximately US40 cents per pound undoubtedly as a result of the massive wastage of canes and the delay in new factory becoming functional.

The Employment Cost for all categories of employees of this labour intensive industry for the corresponding period was as follows:-

It is noted that despite thirty four (34) per cent compounded increase in wages over the above-mentioned period, the Corporation’s Employment Cost rose merely by 6.7 per cent. It is also worthy to note that the aggregate annualized inflation rate was forty-four (44) per cent resulting in the deterioration of workers real income. The Corporation’s argument that a rise in pay of every one (1) per cent will require G$150M, noting the analysis and revelation of the above-mentioned table, is baseless.

The seasonal sugar industry does not provide work to its field workers regularly, the bulk of whom are offered work less than forty (40) weeks per year. Further, the fact that the industry’s workforce is gradually on the decline, the rise in the wage bill is not proportional.

The Union submits that the industry, given its almost 45,000 hectare cultivation, the capacity of its eight (8) factories, its other assets and its reliable and hardworking workforce, is simply not growing the requisite quantity and the quality of canes to utilize adequately its productive capabilities.

MIS-MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTION DECLINE
The Union, over the last five (5) years, had identified the abysmal management of the industry by Booker-Tate as the main cause of the industry’s woes, but our calls fell on deaf ears and the Corporation did not terminate that institution’s entanglement with the industry earlier than when it took place. The contact was finally terminated in March, this year. It was pellucid that Booker-Tate had departed from its obligations enshrined in the contract it entered into. Noteworthy is that among its contractual obligations, it had agreed “to monitor and maintain the standards and best practices of management/operations in the areas of agriculture, factory, finance, procurement, administration, human resources, information technology and marketing.”

In the Union’s opinion the alleged inability of Booker-Tate to fulfil its contractual obligations constituted a breach of contract and, therefore, justifies the need for compensation by Booker-Tate, as the Union finds it difficult to fathom how such clear-cut cases of mismanagement could have been perpetuated.

Last year, the industry sunk to its lowest level since 1990 having produced 226,267 tonnes of sugar. The Union submits that had the industry produced according to its revised target of 260,000 tonnes as was determined by a Booker-Tate official, among others, following the conclusion of an audit of the industry’s cultivation, before the commencement of the second crop last year (2008), the industry’s revenue would have increased by G$4B and thus there would not have been the massive loss of G$4.089B in 2008 as declared by the Corporation earlier this year.

We wish now to make some references to the poor and plummeting sugar production reflected mainly on the Demerara Estates:-

1. The four (4) Demerara Estates – Enmore, LBI/Diamond, Wales and Uitvlugt produced a total of 85,068 tonnes of sugar in 2008 (a bad year) as against 128,208 tonnes in 2004 (a good year), representing a decline of 50.7 per cent.

2. A ministerial appointed Commission of Enquiry, in 2008, in its report on the performance of East Demerara Estates, found that cane fields, just a stone’s throw away from Guysuco’s Head Office, where the CEO and other senior functionaries are located, had had sparse cane growth, significant weed infestation and poor drainage.

3. Wales Estate, which was producing sugar at sixty two (62) tonnes per hectare in 2007, is now producing canes at forty two (42) tonnes per hectare. This estate’s factory facilitates 775 farmers who supply almost 50 per cent of the canes crushed at that location for their almost 2,200 hectares or 5,400 acres. Should this Estate be allowed to decline?

4. A Review Committee found in 2007 that Uitvlugt Estate’s cultivation was significantly rundown with a significant proliferation of weeds in the fields and in the canals of the Estate. Even more revealing was the testimony given by a previous General Manager to the Committee, whereby he confirmed that he was tasked by the Chief Executive, a Booker-Tate personnel, to prepare a Paper for the closure of the Estate despite the mandate of the Guysuco’s Board to maintain productively all eight (8) estates. The rumour that the Estate was slated for closure had a demoralizing effect on the Estate’s workforce as it was widely said that the Estate was going to be closed leading to high incidences of absenteeism and lack of commitment.

5. The closure of the Diamond cultivation, a sizable area of some 2,600 hectares (6,424 acres) of prime arable land requiring no drainage pumps unlike many of the industry’s other cultivated areas, is imminent. The Corporation has proposed the expansion of the East Demerara cultivation in order to offset the production loss resulting from the closure of the Diamond cultivation and to satisfy the cane demand of the consolidated Enmore factory which is slated to become operational in 2012. Interestingly, it is known that the proposed “new land area” was previously retired by Guysuco because it was established that the soil was not adequately productive and, as marginal lands, it was not economically viable to cultivate. The Union asks Why Abandon Prime Arable Land and Adopt Less Arable But Marginal Lands? Is it to further drive another nail in the coffin to establish that the Demerara Estates are not economical to retain? Who will buy the land of this cultivation valued by Guysuco at G$30.6B? Will squatters take it over? Or will it be acquired without compensation by the Government?

6. The expansion of Skeldon Estate’s cultivation by 4,685 hectares is now being aggressively undertaken by the management of Skeldon Estate. The expansion should have been completed simultaneously with the commissioning of the new factory. The project, while under the direction of Booker-Tate, merely expanded 1,500 hectares from 2002 to 2008 when Booker-Tate was belatedly released from the land expansion component of the contract. Not having the 1.2 million tonnes of cane to supply the new factory, is depriving the industry to benefit from sugar production this year by almost 80,000 tonnes.

Sugar workers are the industry’s prime stakeholders. Their presence, contributions and dedication are required to ensure the industry’s prosperity. The Corporation needs to invest in the workers and to sincerely take into account the workers’ role to keep the wheels of the industry turning profitably once there is adequate production arising from better productivity.

The Union and the workers stand ready to negotiate a settlement to the current wage dispute taking into account the crossroads at which the industry has unfortunately found itself. Guysuco should it fail to invest in the workers could very well contribute to the further weakening of the industry at this crucial juncture. Never to be ignored is the role of the industry in terms of employment opportunity, employees contribution to taxes, its foreign exchange capacity, etc and not forgetting its contribution of G$34B to the coffers of the Government by way of the controversial Sugar Levy.
GAWU’s stands ready to discuss and defend its position as outlined in the above brief.
Research Department
GAWU
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Wrong idea that the coast is flat and level
I would like to respond to a Peeping Tom article in Kaieteur News article on October 11, 2009 headlined “Modern Technology must be appropriate, cost effective and beneficial.”

Nothing is wrong with that statement; I fully agree.

However, I disagree with the article itself. With the views expressed in the article and applied, we would still be driving Austin Cambridges, Morris Minors etc. and flying Dakotas.

It is a wrong idea that the coast is flat and level. It indeed looks flat but it is not level.

Height differences of 4-6 inches or more are common within a rice field in many areas, some farms over one feet!

The farmers’ solution is to create dams or levees in rice fields to keep water levels within a reasonable limit.

* Small rice fields are inefficient to cultivate.

* Dams decrease the net acreage planted.

* Dams need maintenance or weeds and other pests will thrive (rats, paddy bugs); this decrease yields and paddy quality.

* Uneven fields create when seeding, low germination rates and uneven germination results in uneven ripening.

* Uneven ripening results in immature grains and/or overripe grains, resulting in low harvesting yields and later in the rice mill, low milling yields.

* Uneven water levels promote the growth of weeds; low water levels promote the growth of grasses, high water level and other weeds such as duckweed.

* Unleveled land also makes the land dry out unevenly. The low area will still be wet while the higher part is dry. This creates problems with harvesting; the combine harvesters might bog down in a wet soft spot and / or create deep tracks in the land, which must be repaired. It also prevents the combines from working on wheels instead of tracks. Harvesting on wheels cost much less than tracks. Tracks are expensive and wear out fast. Even if only 5% of the land is wet, it is necessary to use tracks unless we leave part of the field not harvested. Unfortunately we see this a lot.

* Wet areas also make ploughing the land difficult. The most efficient way is to use the “ploughing disc harrow” (aka Rome Plough), but it can only work in reasonably dry soil. If part of the field is too wet, an inefficient disc plough has to be used. This doubles the time and decreases the quality of ploughing.

* There are ways to control “red rice,” but they only work well in level land.

* Level land also creates possibilities for No-Till planting or minimum tillage planting. No-Till planting can drop the cost price of paddy by 40%.

* Uneven fields decrease the efficiency of fertilizing; fertilizer applied in water is lost.

* Although the “Land of many waters” has an abundance of waters, that is only partly true. We often have too much and often not enough in the rice and cane belt. Ask a farmer who has to pump water if it is free, it costs a lot of money! Level land reduces the amount of water required.

* There are more reasons why level land is “extremely” important, but I leave it here.

Experts worldwide have estimated that laser leveled land increase yields by 30%, but let’s be realistic and assume it is 15%. It is still worth it.

High cost is the largest problem that the rice industry in Guyana faces.

Two examples:

200 acres farm, with good yields and a decent paddy price.

Yield: 40 bags / acre.

Price paid: G$3,500.00

Production: 8000 per bag @ G$3,500.00

Gross Income: G$28 million

Yield Increase: 15%

Gross Income: G$32.2 million.

Additional income: G$4.2 million.

The equipment would pay for itself in two crops!

200 acres farm, with mediocre yield and a low paddy price.

Yield: 30 bags / acre.

Price paid: G$2,500.00 bag.

Production: 6000 bags a G$2,500.00

Gross Income: G$15 million

With a 15% yield increase, the income would be G$17,250,000.00 a difference of G$2.25 million.

Not taking into consideration yet the cost price lowering effects as explained earlier.

There is no reason every farmer should have the equipment; it would not be cost effective for small farms. They should hire a contractor to do the leveling.

We estimate if every rice growing region has 10-15 units, within 5-10 years, most land would meet the1 inch criteria.

Why such a large 5-10 years spread?
The equipment can only function in dry land which has been ploughed and harrowed; unfortunately we have no control over the climate.

“Desk riding” experts like Peeping Tom should talk to farmers who actually ride tractors and riding out crisis after crisis, low prices, droughts, floods, high input cost, pests, diseases, non-paying millers etc.

Please ask rice farmers their opinion about land leveling before you spout nonsense about unproven technology not applicable for Guyana.

This criticism is for the sake of criticism.

In Pakistan 2500 units were distributed by the Government to farmers, something similar also done in India.

At least they saw the light!

Also ask us why the equipment was more expensive than necessary.

Today all shipping lines only ship containerized cargo.

An order for one tractor of special model from Brazil (JD 6415) means shipping one tractor in a 40ft. H.C. container, while there is room for three tractors.

This alone increased the cost of the tractor with approx. US$4,000. We absorbed 50% of that.

The Laser leveling equipment was made in and shipped from Holland.

One unit, while the 20 ft. container could take three, was shipped. This increased the cost price, approx. US$2,000.00

This total is G$1.2 million shipping inefficiency. This should be acceptable because of the “experimental” nature of this project to use for the first time this equipment in small and mid size farms.

A farmer does not have to purchase another tractor. Any tractor above 100 hp. with 4wd. will do, the leveling equipment is “plug and play.”

Laser Land leveling equipment could be supplied from approx. G$3.5 million up to 10 million (less tractor).

We selected extremely sturdy, well designed, but simple equipment, also the electronics and hydraulics are top of the line.

The G$3.5 million equipment would not last one season in Guyana conditions.

Next season we will try to bring the price down considerably, probably G$6-7 million for the land leveler and Laser control system.

We should not suffer from a NIH (Not Invented Here) syndrome, but be open for proven technology which is used worldwide, including Third World Countries, except Guyana up to now.

For one reason or the other we are running behind other countries in lowering cost price and increasing yields.

Anything what could assist to obtain this objective should be received with open arms and not criticised to dead before it is even utilised.
RENGER van DIJK
Managing Director
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Still haunted by British legacy of imperialism and racism
MANY Guyanese were greeted late on Tuesday or early Wednesday morning with the news that the British Government has cancelled a 4.9 million pounds security sector reform project for Guyana.

What should we learn from this? The British has not abandoned its colonialist mindset, its demeaning portrayal of being the superior white race and the coloured being of an inferior race. This was so grotesquely manifested by the revelations emanating from the Office of the President that the decision by the UK Government is believed to be linked to this government’s refusal to allow the British Special forces to use live firing in an Amerindian community. Do they not have any regard for human life? Or are the Amerindians lesser human beings than the “white masters?”

Another point to be noted is that, such projects involve the hiring of foreign contractors who are chosen by the funding entity and more that 98% of the time those contractors are closely affiliated to the funding body. The fees for these contractors alone account for almost ¾ the cost for the entire project, thereby leaving the project incomplete and then the blame is cast upon the beneficiary country.

Importantly the British from time immemorial have sought to impose itself on other nations in the form of tied aid and this security reform project should be examined within this very context; they give with one hand but end up taking more with the other hand. Yes, the British are giving us money for this project but they want to dictate who must implement it, how it must be executed when and where and at the end of the day the government is left like a puppet.

This government first and foremost has to look after the interest of this country. If our sovereignty is being eroded or compromised whereby their role in the implementation of this project is subdued to the detriment of the country, then they have all right to protect the very sovereignty that we have fought for from these imperialists.

To understand what is being said here one just has to examine those countries in Africa where the British rule has left a brutal and nasty legacy of racism and imperialism. Guyana will not become one of its victims.
BALDEO MATHURA

WICB President’s Cup…
Guyana register hard-fought victory over Leewards
By Calvin Roberts
HOSTS Guyana scored a hard-fought three-wicket victory over the Leeward Islands in their opening zone B game of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)-sponsored President’s Cup limited overs competition at the Enmore Community Centre ground yesterday.

Being asked to take first strike by the hosts, the Leeward Islands were bowled out for 193 from the final delivery of their 50 overs, with skipper Steve Liburd and Kieron Powell leading the way with 38 each, supported by Jamal Hamilton (34) and Gavin Tonge 28.

West Indies limited-overs player Royston Crandon with 3-55, Devendra Bishoo with 2-37 from 11 overs and Christopher Barnwell 2-38 did the damage with the ball for Guyana, who made heavy work of the target before finishing on 194-7 from 46.1 overs in reply, thanks to the batting of Narsingh Deonarine (51) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (43) against the bowling of Justin Athanaze who took 3-36.

Powell got things started for the Leeward Islands, with two fours through mid-off, off the bowling of Esaun Crandon who was miserly in his bowling, conceding a mere 15 runs from his seven overs and Barnwell.

He lost his partner Chesney Hughes (2) who was caught by debutant wicketkeeper Delbert Hicks pushing tentatively forward to a delivery from Barnwell and he was quickly followed by Runako Morton (7) who was lbw sweeping to Royston Crandon, leaving his team on 43-2 in the 12th over.

A consistent line and length from the Guyanese bowlers restricted their opponents from scoring heavily and at the end of 35 overs, the Leeward Islands were 100-6, having lost Powell who struck four fours in his 59-ball innings before holing out to long off in his attempt to hit Veerasammy Permaul out of the ground, and Tonito Willet (10).

Belligerent hitting from Liburd and Hamilton added 44 for the seventh wicket, after seeing the demise of Wilden Cornwall (22) who was run-out by Ramnaresh Sarwan after his call for a single was turned down by Liburd, and Justin Athanaze (0).

Liburd struck Permaul over square leg for six - the first boundary since Morton’s four off Royston Crandon in the 10th over - followed by a four through extra cover off Royston Crandon, who was also dispatched through the same area by Hamilton in his next over.

In his attempt to up the scoring rate for his team after accumulating 31 runs from the first three overs in the final power play, Liburd who had gotten an outside edge off Barnwell from an expansive drive to third man for four, lost his off stump to the same bowler at the end of the 43rd over.

Entering the scene at 145-7, Tonge and Hamilton enjoyed the free-scoring opportunity which presented itself, thanks to the power play, with the former hitting Bishoo inside out and over extra cover for six, followed by two more off successive deliveries over wide long on off the bowling of Royston Crandon.

Hamilton refused to be left out and cashed in with two boundaries off Royston Crandon, followed by a tickle to fine leg off Barnwell before he ran past a googly from Bishoo and was slowly stumped by Hicks in the 48th over.

Guyana should have picked up Tonge who skied a full-length delivery from Barnwell when he was on 26 to Sarwan at extra cover, who grassed the offer with Leeward Islands on 190-8, but they did not pay heavily for the blunder as Royston Crandon won the battle between himself and Tonge who was caught by Sewnarine Chattergoon at short midwicket in the final over.

Tonge faced 15 balls in his pugnacious innings but his demise left his team on 193-9, a total they failed to add to, as they lost Anthony Martin who was caught by Travis Dowlin at long on two deliveries later.

When Guyana began their reply, they lost Chattergoon (3) and Barnwell (5) in quick succession to be 11-2 in the seventh over, before racing to 20-2 following two fours by Sarwan off Tonge, with the second coming from his trade mark square cut through point.

Deonarine joined Sarwan and after a sedate start, opened his shoulders with a pugnacious straight drive off Baker, followed by another through wide mid-on off Cornwall that pushed Guyana to 45-2 after 17 overs.

While Sarwan was bent on picking up the singles, Deonarine showed his intention to have a go at the bowling with two more fours square of the wicket off Martin, pushing Guyana to 69-2 and his personal score to 30.

The 50 partnership between himself and Sarwan was raised in the 21st over, after which the team’s 100 came in the 28th over, followed by Deonarine’s 50 off 54 deliveries and was decorated with six fours.

Deonarine was caught by Powell at cover when he attempted to drive a delivery from Lionel Baker, bringing an end to the 94-run third wicket partnership he shared with Sarwan from 23.3 overs. After recording his half-century he was followed by Sarwan who lost his off stump to Athanaze when he attempted to cut at a delivery that was too close for the shot, having faced 74 balls, hitting two of them for four in his 43.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul replaced Deonarine while Dowlin replaced Sarwan and the latter who is averaging 46.65 from his two Tests, quickly got into his stride with a deft steer to third man off Athanaze (3-36), while Chanderpaul drove Tonge through the covers for four.

Guyana lost Dowlin who was caught by Hamilton off Athanaze off the 19th delivery he faced in the 36th over with the scoreboard reading 134-5. But the dependable Chanderpaul who was joined by Royston Crandon, continued to soldier on for his team with an audacious drive through mid on off the bowling of Willet.

Crandon showed the fans, who filled the venue to its capacity, his ability to hit the ball hard when he struck Willet back over his head for six to raise his team’s 150 in the 39th over, pushing his score to 8 while his more illustrious partner Chanderpaul was on 22.

The lanky Athanaze continued to take wickets for the Leeward Islands, when he had Chanderpaul adjudged lbw to Athanaze without any addition to his or the team’s total in the 40th over.

Hicks 8 (2x4) opened his scoring for Guyana in this form of cricket with a sweetly timed drive through point off Willet, followed by an audacious flick off his legs through backward square for another, which brought a loud round of applause from both his teammates and the crowd before he was run-out at 164-7 in the 42nd over.

Guyana took their batting power play at the start of the 43rd over with the Crandon siblings at the wicket and the score 167-7. The younger Crandon, who played one limited overs match for the West Indies in the just concluded ICC Champions Trophy tournament in South Africa, drove Baker through extra cover with disdain for four.

It was all over bar the shouting, when Esaun Crandon, who had driven Athanaze through extra cover for four, pushed the first delivery of the 47th over bowled by Cornwall back past mid on to seal the win for Guyana.

He finished unbeaten on 17 made off 19 deliveries with one four, while his younger brother Royston was there with him at the end on 24 (1x4, 1x6) with Baker offering support to Athanaze, claiming 2-32.

Today is a rest day but the action resumes tomorrow at the Albion Sports Club ground, where Guyana will take on Barbados from 09:15 h.
LEEWARD ISLANDS innings
K. Powell c R. Crandon b Permaul 38
C. Hughes c wkp. Hicks b Barnwell 2
R. Morton lbw R. Crandon 7
T. Willet lbw Bishoo 10
S. Liburd b Barnwell 38
W. Cornwall run-out 22
J. Athanaze c Permaul b Deonarine 0
J. Hamilton stp. Hicks b Bishoo 34
G. Tonge c Chattergoon b R. Crandon 28
L. Baker not out 2
A. Martin c Dowlin b R. Crandon 0
Extras: (b-1, lb-2, w-8) 11
Total: (all out 49.5 overs) 193
Fall of wicket: 1-13, 2-43, 3-61, 4-68, 5-100, 6-101, 7- 145, 8-185, 9-193.
Bowling: E. Crandon 7-1-15-0, Barnwell 6-0-38-3, R. Crandon 9.5-1-55-3, Permaul 8-2-23-1, Deonarine 8-0-15-1, Bishoo 11-0-37-2.

GUYANA innings
C. Barnwell c Cornwall b Baker 5
S. Chattergoon c wkp. Hamilton b Tonge 3
R. Sarwan b Athanaze 43
N. Deonarine c Powell b Baker 51
S. Chanderpaul lbw Athanaze 22
T. Dowlin c wkp. Hamilton b Athanaze 14
R. Crandon not out 24
D. Hicks run-out 8
E. Crandon not out 17
Extras: (lb-5, w-2) 7
Total: (7 wickets 46.1 overs) 194
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2- 11, 3-105, 4-106, 5-134, 6-153, 7-164.
Bowling: Baker 10-2-32-2, Tonge 9-0-36-1, Cornwall 4.1-2-14-0, Willet 10-1-50-0, Martin 3-0-20-0, Athanaze 10-1-36-3.

Former Test umpire David Shepherd dies at 68
DAVID Shepherd, the former England umpire, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 68.

Shepherd was a renowned international umpire and officiated in 172 ODIs, including three consecutive World Cup finals, and 92 Tests between 1983 and 2005.

His good-humoured approach to officiating and quirky superstitions - most notably his 'jig' when scores reached 111 or a multiple thereof - made him a favourite with players and spectators the world over.

Shepherd was appointed a first-class umpire in 1981, and made his international debut at the 1983 World Cup. He would go onto become one of the game's most decorated and beloved officials. Only Steve Bucknor and Rudi Koertzen have stood in more Tests.

His last Test match was between West Indies and Pakistan in Kingston in June 2005 - after which Brian Lara presented him with a bat inscribed with a message thanking him for "the service, the memories and the professionalism" - and his final county appearance came at his former home ground of Bristol. Shepherd had represented Gloucestershire as a batsman over a 14-year career, which included 282 first-class matches and 12 centuries.

Upon his retirement from umpiring, Shepherd returned to Devon and remained involved with his local club. He married Jenny, his long-time partner, in 2008.

In confirming his passing yesterday, a statement on the Gloucestershire website spoke of Shepherd's "cheerful west country approach."

"He was respected by all with whom he came into contact, especially the international players whom he encountered in so many Test Matches," the statement continued. "He always brought a smile to all our faces. For him cricket was a lovely game, a simple game and a game to be enjoyed. He himself brought so much enjoyment to so many of us."

One of the first personal tributes to come in was from his long-time colleague, Dickie Bird. "I feel very saddened this has happened," Bird told Sky Sports. "He was a fine umpire; we spent many happy hours together. He was a great man and a tremendous man to umpire with. He was a good bloke, he'll be sadly missed."

ICC president David Morgan called him a true gentleman of the game, a match official of the very highest quality with an immense positive influence on the sport.

"The example he set as someone who took the art of umpiring very seriously while also enjoying what he did immensely will leave a lasting legacy for the game," Morgan said. "He was an engaging character which meant players and other umpires were always delighted to be around him."

The current international umpires issued a statement saying many were indebted to him. "Every time we see Nelson on the scoreboard, we will be thinking of Shep's little jig and saying a quiet 'thank you' for having him as one of us.

As Shep would always say to every umpire he worked with on the way out to the middle, we now say to him: 'Good luck mate, and may your God go with you. (Cricinfo)

Bravo brothers help T&T jolt Jamaica at Providence stadium
THE Bravo brothers, Dwayne and Darren, fashioned pivotal performances and vaulted team-of-the-moment Trinidad and Tobago to a massive 90-run victory over Jamaica in their first-round WICB President’s Cup limited-overs match yesterday.

In a match reduced - because of a rain delay - to 44 overs per side, Trinidad and Tobago scored 201 for nine and Jamaica replied with 111 for nine off their 44 overs at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Seemingly unfazed by lengthy travels and little recovery time, coming from the Asian continent where they played superbly to finish runners-up at the Champions League Twenty20 in India, T&T tormented the Jamaicans with a stiff bowling performance after young Darren Bravo had steered the defending champions to their winning total.

Opening batsman Brenton Parchment top-scored with a dour 23 in Jamaica’s failed run-chase with medium pacer Dwayne Bravo and left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed ripping through their batting line-up with three wickets apiece.

Danza Hyatt (16), Andrew Richardson (14 not out), and Brendan Nash (12) were the only other Jamaicans getting to double figures and there was never a chance getting to the 202 target.

Bravo sent the Jamaicans reeling at 50 for four after he sent back Hyatt, Xavier Marshall (5) and Wavell Hinds (1) while Mohammed bowled Nash to inflict irreparable damage to the Jamaica batting.

Mohammed went on to snare three for 25 off his nine overs and Bravo picked up three for 30 off his nine overs.

Sharing the new ball with Ravi Rampaul, leg-spinner and man-of-the-match Samuel Badree went wicket-less but his economical returns - conceding just nine runs off nine overs with four maidens - proved vital for T&T.

Medium pacer Kieron Pollard, with two for nine off five overs, and off-spinner Sherwin Ganga, one for 13 off four, also made useful contributions for T&T.

Earlier, Darren Bravo top-scored with 43 and was the only significant scorer for T&T, who lost their first wicket when promising opener Adrian Barath (18) fell to pacer Daren Powell at 21 for one.

Young Barath attempted to drive a delivery leaving him outside the off stump and edged to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh, deputising as Jamaica’s captain after Chris Gayle withdrew -- along with pacer Jerome Taylor -- because of illness.

It became 56 for two when Lendl Simmons (11) played back to a delivery from Nikita Miller that spun across him and bowled him, off stump.

Medium pacer David Bernard and leg-spinner Odean Brown then combined for a three-wicket burst that left T&T under pressure on 107 for five.

Brown dislodged the dangerous all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, caught behind for nine and Bernard removed captain Daren Ganga (19) and Darren Bravo.

The left-handed Darren stroked five boundaries in a 61-ball innings before falling seven short of a half-century, bowled off the inside edge.

Denesh Ramdin (25), Badree (22) and Kieron Pollard (17) hustled late in the innings to get T&T past the 200 mark.

Miller picked up two for 28 off his nine overs, while Bernard (2-29) and Brown (2-39) equally shared four wickets.

When the competition continues tomorrow, T&T will tackle Windward and Jamaica face CCC in the Zone A matches while in Zone B, Barbados play Guyana and the Leeward Islands face West Indies Under-19. (CMC)

Kantasingh bowls CCC to exciting one-run win over Windwards
COMBINED Campuses and Colleges (CCC), propelled by Kavesh Kantasingh’s three-wicket haul, clinched a one-run win over Windward Islands yesterday at the Everest ground as action began in the 2009 WICB President’s Cup regional one-day tournament.

CCC batted first at the invitation of Windward Islands and scored 178 for six off the reduced 44 overs and the Windwards – in reply -- were bowled out for 177 with two deliveries to spare.

The reduction of the overs was due to an early morning shower that resulted in 75 minutes being lost.

When the action started at 10:30 h, CCC’s innings was built around an impressive unbeaten 45 from experienced skipper Floyd Reifer, while other useful contributions came from Nekoli Parris (40), Kjorn Ottley (39), and No.8 batsman Kevin McClean with an unbeaten 21.

Fast bowler Nelon Pascal, who toppled the frontline batsmen and sent CCC reeling at 17 for three, grabbed three wickets for 28 runs from his eight overs, while leg-spinner Shane Shillingford snatched two wickets for 20 from his allotted nine overs.

Former captain picked up one for 33 off nine overs.

Parris and Ottley first featured in a solid 80-run fourth-wicket stand that rallied CCC then Reifer and McClean continued the revival with a responsible 71-run seventh-wicket stand.

When Windward Islands batted, skipper Darren Sammy batted resolutely but failed to find a willing ally. He scored a fine 65 which contained four fours and a six from 88 deliveries while Shillingford chipped in with 23.

CCC’s left-arm orthodox spinner Kavesh Kantasingh grabbed three wickets for 22 runs from eight overs to take the man-of-the-match award, while off-spinners Romel Currency (2-30) and Ryan Austin (2-42) shared four wickets.

When the tournament continues tomorrow, Windward Islands play Trinidad and Tobago at Uitvlugt and CCC face Jamaica at Bourda in the two Zone A matches. (CMC)

Barbados hold their nerves to escape with victory
BARBADOS held their nerves collectively to escape with a two-wicket victory over the West Indies Under-19s in the WICB President’s Cup yesterday.

After restricting the Under-19s to 172 for six from their allocation of 40 overs, Barbados limped to 177 for eight from 38.4 overs to secure victory with eight deliveries to spare in the weather-affected, first round match at Bourda Oval.

Having been reduced to 141 for eight in the 34th over, the Barbadians were in danger of falling at the hands of the youngsters.

But beanpole West Indies spinner Sulieman Benn hit a courageous, unbeaten 27 from 20 deliveries to seal the victory, and bring a huge sigh of relief to the tense Barbadian dressing room.

After losing an hour and 45 minutes due to a wet outfield caused by overnight and early morning rain, the match was reduced to 40 overs-a-side.

The Under-19s chose to bat and they approached their batting with much caution early, before Evin Lewis stroked seven boundaries in 53 from 76 deliveries to give their total a late boost.

Teenage batting sensation Kraigg Brathwaite supported with 48 from 95 balls, and caressed three deliveries to the boundary on what remained a damp outfield throughout the contest. He added 73 for the second wicket with Lewis.

Yannick Ottley, the stand-in Under-19 captain for Andre Creary, who is carrying a groin injury, added some beef to the total with an unbeaten 35 from 40 balls. He put on 48 for the third wicket with Lewis.

A flurry of wickets in the 36th over pegged the youngsters back, as the Barbadians – dogged by poor ground fielding – managed to keep the score in the realm of modesty.

All-rounder Dwayne Smith bagged two wickets for 27 runs from his allotted eight overs.

When their chase commenced, Barbados suffered an early setback, when Rashidi Boucher was trapped lbw for two.

Top-scorer Martin Nurse and captain Ryan Hinds plugged away for a 43-run partnership, but a quartet of feisty Under-19 spinners then put the pressure on the Barbadians.

The match swung in favour of the West Indies Under-19s, when they reduced Barbados to 113 for six in the 26th over.

The Barbadians then slipped further before an unbroken ninth-wicket partnership of 36 between Benn and Kemar Roach saw them over the threshold.

Under-19 leg-spinner Akeem Dewar won the Man-of-the-Match award for his three for 23 from eight overs. He also had two catches put down off him, bowled a probing line, and repeatedly beat the tentative Barbadian batsmen with bounce and spin. (CMC)

WICB PRESIDENT’S CUP SCOREBOARDS
T&T V JAMAICA
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO innings
L. Simmons b Miller 11
A. Barath c wkp. Baugh b Powell 18
Darren Bravo b Bernard 43
D. Ganga c Powell b Bernard 19
Dwayne Bravo c wkp. Baugh b Brown 9
K. Pollard c Richardson b Brown 17
D. Ramdin c&b Miller 25
D. Ganga run-out 18
S. Badree b Richardson 22
R. Rampaul not out 6
D. Mohammed not out 3
Extras: (w-5, b-4, lb-1) 10
Total: (for 9 wickets, 44 overs) 201
Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-56, 3-92, 4-107, 5-107, 6-129, 7-170, 8-174, 9-194.
Bowling: Richardson 7-0-34-1 (w-2); Powell 7-0-43-1; Bernard 9-0-29-2 (w-1); Miller 9-0-28-2; Brown 9-0-39-2 (w-1); Nash 3-0-23-0 (w-1).

JAMAICA innings
B. Parchment stp. Ramdin b Mohammed 23
D. Hyatt b Dwayne Bravo 16
X. Marshall lbw b Dwayne Bravo 5
B. Nash b Mohammed 12
W. Hinds c wkp. Ramdin b Dwayne Bravo 1
D. Bernard lbw Pollard 9
C. Baugh b Mohammed 9
N. Miller c D Ganga b Pollard 5
D. Powell c wkp. Ramdin b S. Ganga 6
A. Richardson not out 14
O. Brown not out 3
Extras: (w-4, nb-1, b-3) 8
Total: (for 9 wickets, 44 overs) 111
Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-34, 3-49, 4-50, 5-68, 6-72, 7-83, 8-83, 9-98.
Bowling: Rampaul 5-0-20-0 (nb-1); Badree 9-4-9-0 (w-1); Dwayne Bravo 9-0-30-3 (w-3); Mohammed 9-2-25-3; Pollard 5-1-9-2; S. Ganga 4-0-13-1; D. Ganga 2-0-2-0; Barath 1-1-0-0.
Points: T&T 2, Jamaica 0

CCC v WINDWARDS
CCC innings
O. Phillips lbw b Pascal 0
R. Currency c Smith b Pascal 5
S. Jackson c Sebastien b Pascal 0
N. Parris lbw b Shillingford 40
K. Ottley stp. Fletcher b Lewis 39
C. Walton c&b Shillingford 2
F. Reifer not out 45
K. McClean not out 21
Extras: (lb-8, b-4, nb-2, w-12) 26
Total: (for 6 wickets, 44 overs) 178
Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-13, 3-17, 4-97, 5-103, 6-107.
Bowling: Butler 6-2-14-0; Pascal 8-2-32-3; Sammy 7-0-34-0; Emmanuel 3-0-12-0; Lewis 9-0-33-1; Shillingford 9-0-20-2; Sebastien 2-0-21-0.

WINDWARDS Innings
D. Smith c wkp. Walton by McClean 0
M. Bascombe c&b Kantasingh 2
A. Fletcher c&b Kantasingh 18
D. Hector c Phillips b Kantasingh 2
D. Sammy c Phillips b Currency 65
R. Lewis c Ottley b Austin 18
L. Sebastien b Parris 15
C. Emmanuel lbw Currency 0
S. Shillingford run-out 22
D. Butler c wkp. Walton b Austin 15
N. Pascal not out 0
Extras: (lb-6, w-13, nb-1) 20
Total: (all out, 43.4 overs) 177
Fall of wickets: 1-00, 2-22, 3-10, 4-41, 5-85, 6-113, 7-114, 8-141, 9-176.
Bowling: McClean 5-1-32-1 (w-2); Kantasingh 9-2-22-3 (w-1); Austin 9-0-42-2; Wallace 8-0-34-0; Currency 9-0-30-2; Parris 3.4-0-11-1.
Points: CCC 2, Windwards 0

WINDIES UNDER-19 v BARBADOS
WEST INDIES UNDER-19 (maximum 40 overs)
K. Brathwaite c&b Benn 48
K. Tyson lbw b Hinds 14
E. Lewis run-out (Roach) 53
Y. Ottley not out 35
Y. Carriah run-out 1
A. Dewar b Smith 0
S. Dowrich c Benn b Smith 6
J. Blackwood not out 2
Extras: (b-3, w-9, nb-1) 13
Total: (6 wkts, 40 overs) 172
Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-100, 3-148, 4-149, 5-149, 6-169.
Bowling: Best 8-0-31-0 (nb-1, w-3); Roach 8-1-39-0 (w-5); Hinds 8-2-25-1 (w-1); Smith 8-0-27-2; Benn 8-1-47-1.

BARBADOS (target: 173 off 40 overs)
M. Nurse c Gordon b Dewar 40
R. Boucher lbw b Bolan 2
R. Hinds b Gordon 23
K. Edwards c wkp. Dowrich b Carriah 32
A. Holder c and b Dewar 6
D. Smith lbw b Dewar 6
J. Carter c and b Harty 0
C. Morris b Blackwood 23
S. Benn not out 27
K. Roach not out 7
Extras: (b-1, lb-1, w-3, nb-6) 11
Total: (8 wkts, 38.4 overs) 177
Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-45, 3-82, 4-102, 5-112, 6-113, 7-127, 8-141.
Bowling: Gordon 6-1-34-1 (nb-1, w-1); Bolan 3-0-20-0 (w-1); Blackwood 8-0-38-1 (nb-3, w-1); Dewar 8-1-25-3 (nb-1); Harty 7-1-28-1; Carriah 5.4-2-23-1 (nb-1); Ottley 1-0-7-1.
Points: Barbados 2, West Indies Under-19s 0

MPS continues to show support to Yamaha Caribs
By Michael DaSilva
MINGS Products and Services (MPS) continued to show its support to Yamaha Caribs Rugby Club by donating a quantity of gear and equipment to the club yesterday.

The donation, which was handed over to the club’s president Robin Roberts by the company’s Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors, Siroj Persaud, at MPS head office yesterday, includes balls, playing jerseys, coolers, a medical kit and gear bags.

The Yamaha Caribs will don their new playing jerseys on Sunday when they celebrate their 17th anniversary with a Sevens tournament at the National Park.

Speaking to members of the media yesterday, MPS Sales and Marketing Supervisor, Kurt Yee, said his company has had a long-standing relationship with Yamaha Caribs “which just goes to show our commitment to sports in Guyana.”

Yee said MPS is doing its part to help local athletes shine locally, regionally and internationally.

He informed that every year since MPS started sponsoring the Yamaha Caribs, his company keeps renewing its support to the top local rugby club.

MPS’s sponsorship to the club started in 1992.

He said MPS is satisfied with the club’s performance over the years and with every team sport there is always commitment to working together, not only with Yamaha Caribs, but other local athletes in order to give them the assistance they need.

He closed by saying MPS will continue to play an active role on the local sporting arena.

Roberts, in brief remarks, said he and his club are pleased with the support MPS has been offering the club over the years and he feels justified that the club has given of its best.

He reminded that Yamaha Caribs has won two of the three local tournaments it has participated in this year, while placing second in the third.

Yamaha Caribs won the William Blackman 15s tournament as well as the Hornets’ Anniversary Sevens tournament, but placed second in the Guyana Rugby Football Union’s Sevens League.

There has been no women’s tournament so far this year, but according to Roberts, Yamaha Caribs’ women are the current defending champions.

He said the men’s national team that is currently in training for a tournament in Mexico includes six of its players including Rugby West Indies and Guyana national captain Claudius Butts, while the national women’s team in training for the women’s version of the championship in Mexico includes eight Yamaha Caribs’ players, including national captain Sabola Gray.

Roberts noted that the sponsorship the club receives from MPS each year helps to offset expenses to the club as well as to assist with the club’s youth development programme.

Yamaha Caribs is currently working with the Covent Garden Secondary School in one of its youth programmes.

Yesterday also saw Mike’s Pharmacy and Leather Land International making donation of trophies to Yamaha Caribs for its 17th anniversary tournament on Sunday, while the Yamaha Caribs donated jerseys to the referees for Sunday’s matches.

The trophies from Mike’s Pharmacy will be contested for in the men’s competition, while the women will vie for the Leather Land International trophies.

Redbacks get Pollard
SOUTH Australia has added more firepower to its batting line-up through the recruitment of explosive West Indian batsman Kieron Pollard for this summer's Big Bash Twenty20 series.

Just two days after the Redbacks announced Pakistan's Shahid Afridi would be leading the South Australia's attack in the competition, the state's high performance manager Jamie Cox announced Pollard's recruitment.

Pollard's appearance for South Australia will come as a rude shock for New South Wales when the two states meet on January 17 next year in Sydney.

The towering batsman blasted 54 from just 18 balls as he helped Trinidad and Tobago claim a preliminary round victory over the Blues in the recent Champions League Twenty20 tournament.

Pollard couldn't quite repeat the performance in the tournament's final, however, but was still his side's top scorer with 26 from 15 balls.

"We have been talking with Pollard for a while, even before his match-winning efforts in the Champions League," Cox said on Thursday.

"And, we were thrilled to secure his signature on Tuesday night."

"The addition of both Shahid Afridi and Kieron Pollard will add an explosive dimension to the Redbacks' KFC Twenty20 Big Bash campaign this summer."

"(It) will provide fans with a fantastic opportunity to watch one of the most exciting ball-strikers in the game today.

Agassi revelations leave sport in state of shock
By Martyn Herman
DOHA, (Reuters) - Eight-time grand slam winner Andre Agassi left the tennis world in a state of shock yesterday when he admitted using the recreational drug crystal meth and lying to men's governing body the ATP to escape a ban.

In his autobiography "Open," the American candidly describes being introduced to the drug in 1997 and the moment when he was informed he had failed a drugs test.

International Tennis Federation (ITF) president Francesco Ricci Bitti said he was "surprised and disappointed" by the revelations and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) chief John Fahey called on the ATP to "shed light" on the circumstances that allowed Agassi to escape punishment.

In his book, Agassi, now 39, spoke of the moment he took crystal meths, a highly-addictive amphetamine, for the first time when his career was in freefall. He was helped by his drug-user assistant, known as Slim.

"Slim dumps a small pile of powder on the coffee table. He cuts it, snorts it. He cuts it again. I snort some. I ease back on the couch and consider the Rubicon I've crossed," he said.

"There is a moment of regret, followed by vast sadness. Then comes a tidal wave of euphoria that sweeps away every negative thought in my head. I've never felt so alive, so hopeful -- and I've never felt such energy."

REBELLIOUS STREAK
Agassi burst on to the scene in the late 1980s with a maverick streak, long hair and a wacky dress sense that made him an instant hit with a new generation of tennis fans.

He won Wimbledon in 1992, the U.S. Open in 1994 and the Australian Open in 1995.

However, wrist injuries and a loss of form sent his career on to the rocks in 1997 and his world ranking tumbled to 122.

A year later he began a new training regime that sparked an incredible turnaround. After a spell on the second-tier Challenger circuit he shot back up the rankings and in 1999 completed a career grand slam at the French Open.

Agassi, now married to former women's number one Steffi Graf with whom he has two children, ended 1999 atop the rankings after winning the U.S. Open again. He won three more Australian Open titles before a tearful retirement in 2006.

However, had tennis's doping programme been under the WADA code at the time there is little doubt his cover-up of his drug- taking would have failed and his career could have been ruined.

Agassi, in extracts from his book serialised in the Times, remembers receiving a phone call in 1997 from a doctor working for the ATP who informed him that he had failed a drugs test.

"My name, my career, everything is now on the line. Whatever I've achieved, whatever I've worked for might soon mean nothing. Days later I sit with a legal pad in my lap and write a letter to the ATP. It's filled with lies interwoven with bits of truth," Agassi said

AGASSI ASHAMED
He said the ATP threw out the case against him after he concocted a story that he had accidentally drunk a soda spiked with crystal meth belonging to Slim.

Agassi's admission that he took drugs casts a shadow over a player widely regarded as one of the greatest ever while it also exposes the ATP's lack of strict doping controls at the time.

"This is a very serious statement which, if reported accurately, is one that is disappointing coming from a role model such as Andre Agassi," Fahey said.

The ITF has been responsible for the ATP Tour's anti-doping programme since 2006 and the women's WTA Tour a year later.

"The ITF is surprised and disappointed by the remarks made by Andre Agassi in his biography admitting substance abuse in 1997," Ricci Bitti said in a statement.

"The events in question occurred before the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was founded in 1999 and during the formative years of anti-doping in tennis when the programme was managed by individual governing bodies."

"The ITF, Grand Slams, ATP and WTA Tour are now unified in their efforts to keep tennis free of drugs. This should not be overshadowed by an incident that took place over 12 years ago."

Agassi said he was not worried about the impact of his revelations.

"I was worried for a moment, but not for long," he told People magazine's website.

"I wore my heart on my sleeve and my emotions were always written on my face. I was actually excited about telling the world the whole story."

Lakers begin NBA season with 99-92 win
KOBE Bryant scored 33 points as defending champions Los Angeles Lakers opened the new NBA season with a 99-92 win over city rivals the Clippers.

Diamond-encrusted gold rings were given to last year's team and the 2008-09 championship banner was unveiled.

Boston defeated Cleveland 95-89, spoiling the eagerly-anticipated debut of Shaquille O'Neal for the Cavaliers.

Britain's Pops Mensah-Bonsu went scoreless on his Houston Rockets debut, in a loss to Portland Trail Blazers.

London-born Mensah-Bonsu, who signed from Toronto during the off-season, played four minutes and three seconds for the Rockets, who are without injured stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.

Bryant was one of the few Lakers to take his championship ring out of its box.

But he said: "I never wear them except for the night that I get them. I do that and then I go home and put them in a vault."

Seven-foot Lakers centre Andrew Bynum celebrated his 22nd birthday with 26 points, while Lamar Odom started in place of injured Spanish star Pau Gasol.

Cleveland showcased their new pairing of O'Neal, who joined from Phoenix Suns in June, and last year's league Most Valuable Player LeBron James.

But they were overshadowed by Boston's reunited big three of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and a fit-again Kevin Garnett, who scored 13 points in his first regular-season game since last March.

Orlando, surprise finalists last season, hosted Philadelphia last night.

They have brought in veteran playmaker Vince Carter as one of five new players to join Dwight Howard at the Magic.

Chicago, who beat Utah in a pre-season clash at London's O2 Arena earlier this month, begin their season today against San Antonio.

The Bulls will be boosted by the return to fitness of British-raised forward Luol Deng, who suffered a leg injury towards the end of last season.

But they will be without London-born guard Ben Gordon, who signed a free-agent contract with Detroit worth around £34.2m over five years, and is set to make his debut for the Pistons against Memphis. (BBC Sport)

Dottin smashes half-century to ensure Windies whitewash
PAARL, South Africa (CMC) – Teenager Deandra Dottin thumped a typically aggressive half-century that spurred West Indies to a narrow two-run victory in the third Women’s Twenty20 International and a series whitewash of hosts South Africa yesterday.

Sent in to bat at Boland Bank Park, West Indies struggled to a flimsy 97 all out off 19.2 overs but used a diligent bowling performance to restrict South Africa’s reply to 95 for six off 20 overs.

Amid a wretched batting effort by West Indies, Barbadian Dottin sparkled with her top score of 52 off just 36 balls.

There was no other score in double figures in the West Indies innings, with Shanel Daley (9) and rookie Britney Cooper (7) the next highest scorers.

Largely below par on the tour, Dottin exploded with an explosive knock – her highest score and only half-century on the trip -- that single-handedly propped up the West Indies batting.

The 18-year-old imposingly slammed two fours and six in a 20-run opening over.

The powerful former CARIFTA Games, shot put, discus and javelin gold medallist, cracked six fours and two sixes in a strike rate of 144.44 that set the platform for a West Indies win.

Ashlyn Kilowan (3-20) and Marcia Letsoalo (2-16) led the bowling for South Africa, who suffered similar batting problems when they chased 98 for victory.

Captain Alicia Smith (44) and Kirstie Thomson (32) were the only batters getting to double figures while part-time bowler Chedean Nation claimed two for 14 off four overs to lead the West Indies bowling.

Pacer Shakera Selman and off-spinner Anisa Mohammed, each bagging one for 10, and medium pacer Stacy-Ann King (1-27) were the other wicket-takers for West Indies, who had already clinched the series with a 13-run victory in the second match on Monday.

King delivered a stiff final over that began with South Africa needing 12 runs to win.

The result gave the Caribbean side some measure of revenge after losing a competitive four-match ODI series 2-1, with the fourth ODI ending in a tie.

The West Indies women will now return home to face touring England in a six-match series -- three ODIs and three T20 Internationals -- in St Kitts from November 4 to 12.
WEST INDIES innings
D. Dottin c wkp. Chetty b Taai 52
A. Samaroo c Letsoalo b Kilowan 6
B. Cooper b van der Westhuizen 7
S. King lbw b Kilowan 0
S. Campbelle run-out (Ismail/van der Westhuizen) 2
M. Aguilleira c wkp. Chetty b Letsoalo 5
C. Nation c Kilowan b Letsoalo 5
S. Daley b Kilowan 9
T. Smartt run-out 3
A. Mohammed c Smith b van Niekerk 2
S. Selman not out 1
Extras: (lb-1, w-3, nb-1) 5
Total: (all out, 19.2 overs) 97
Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-40, 3-47, 4-52, 5-62, 6-76, 7-79, 8-86, 9-89.
Bowling: Ismail 1-0-20-0, van Niekerk 3-0-19-1 (nb-1, w-1), Kilowan 3.2-0-20-3 (w-1), van der Westhuizen 4-1-12-1 (w-1), Letsoalo 4-0-16-2, Taai 4-2-9-1.

SOUTH AFRICA innings
S. Fritz c Dottin b Selman 0
T. Chetty lbw b Nation 5
K. Thomson c Daley b Mohammed 32
M. du Preez b Nation 3
A. Smith lbw b king 44
A. Taai run-out 4
A. Kilowan not out 2
Extras: (w-5) 5
Total: (6 wickets, 20 overs) 95
Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-20, 3-26, 4-83, 5-90, 6-95.
Bowling: Selman 2-0-10-1, Daley 2-0-8-0 (w-1), Nation 4-0-14-2, King 4-0-27-1 (w-2), Smartt 2-0-7-0, Campbelle 4-0-19-0, Mohammed 2-0-10-1.

Dhoni’s superb 124 leads India to easy victory
SKIPPER Mahendra Dhoni struck a magnificent 124 as India beat Australia by 99 runs in Nagpur to square the seven-match one-day series at 1-1.

Dhoni's knock came from just 107 balls and propelled the hosts to 354-7, their highest score against Australia.

Gautam Gambhir (76) and Suresh Raina (62) also made hay after India were put in first by the world champions.

In reply, Mike Hussey made 53, but Australia lost wickets at regular intervals and were dismissed for 255.

"It's a special century because it has come after such a long time," said Dhoni, whose last ODI hundred came against Hong Kong last June.

"When you bat at number five or six you usually get a 60 or an 80, but you can also get out playing big shots.

"Today, I had ample time to build my innings and I just exploited a good batting surface.

"I don't think it is the best innings I've ever played, but this performance is a good feeling."

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he had thought dew would be a factor when he won the toss and opted to field.

"It was always going to be a hard run-chase," Ponting said. "The wicket was very good and to be honest I thought at the toss it would slide a bit later on.

"But the dew which we expected didn't come in tonight. But full credit to India, they outplayed us in every aspect of the game.

"We've been beaten easily tonight, but it's still 1-1 and we start from scratch. We go on to Delhi and hopefully we can perform better there.

"Every aspect of our game has to get better and I'm sure we can do that."

Dhoni, whose fifth one-day century included nine fours and three sixes, put on 119 with Gambhir in a dazzling fourth-wicket stand.

Dhoni and Raina then put on 136 from 93 balls for the fifth wicket as Australia, without injured paceman Brett Lee and all-rounder James Hopes, were plundered for 108 runs in the final 10 overs.

Dhoni reached his hundred by smashing Shane Watson for a straight six, and celebrated the landmark with another towering six off the next ball.

The aggressive Indian captain was one of three batsmen to be dismissed in the 50th over, with Mitchell Johnson finishing with figures of 3-75.

Left-arm fast bowler Johnson had claimed the wicket of Virender Sehwag in the 11th over, caught at mid-off attempting a big hit.

Sehwag smashed 40 off 31 balls to give India the momentum after veteran batsman Sachin Tendulkar was removed by Peter Siddle in the fourth over.

Praveen Kumar bowled a fine opening spell for India, removing opener Tim Paine and Ponting, before left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja ripped through the Australia middle order.

He removed Hussey, Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh, and despite some spirited hitting from the Australia tail-end, the tourists were dismissed with nine balls remaining. (BBC Sport)

INDIA innings
V. Sehwag c Hilfenhaus b Johnson 40
S. Tendulkar c White b Siddle 4
G. Gambhir run-out (Hauritz) 76
Yuvraj Singh c & b Hilfenhaus 23
MS Dhoni c Paine b Johnson 124
SK Raina c Paine b Johnson 62
Harbhajan Singh not out 1
P Kumar run-out 1
Extras: (b-1, lb-6, w-14, nb-2) 23
Total: (7 wickets; 50 overs; 223 mins) 354
Fall of wicketsL1-21, 2-67 , 3-97, 4-216, 5-352, 6-353 , 7-354).
Bowling: Hilfenhaus 10-0-83-1 (nb-1, w-4), Siddle 10-055-1 (w-3) Johnson 10-0-75-3 (nb-1, w-5), Voges 5-0-33-0 (w-1), Watson 5-0-47-0.

AUSTRALIA innings (target: 355 runs from 50 overs)
SR Watson c Tendulkar b Sharma 19
TD Paine† b Kumar 8
RT Ponting* lbw b Kumar 12
CL White c Raina b Harbhajan Singh 23
MEK Hussey b Jadeja 53
AC Voges b Jadeja 36
SE Marsh Stp. Dhoni b Jadeja 21
MG Johnson b Nehra 21
NM Hauritz not out 30
PM Siddle c Dhoni b Sharma 3
BW Hilfenhaus Run-out 16
Extras:: (lb-5, w-8) 13
Total: (all out; 48.3 overs) 255 (5.25 runs per over)
Fall of wickets:1-20 2-41 , 3-45 , 4-93 , 5-140 , 6-180, 7-194 , 8-223, 9-230..
Bowling: Kumar 8-1-37-2 (w-1), Nehra 7-0-40-1 (w-2), Sharma 8-034-2 (w-1), Harbhajan Singh 10-0-62-1 (w-4), Yuvraj Singh 8-0-39-0, Jadeja 6.3-0-35-3, Raina 1-0-3-0.

Windies U-19s to open World Cup campaign against Pakistan
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) – In a repeat of the 2004 final in Bangladesh, West Indies will tackle Pakistan in their opening game of the 2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand next January.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the match schedule yesterday for the tournament, showing West Indies facing Pakistan on January 15 before tackling Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea in their remaining Group D matches in Napier.

The TCL Group-sponsored West Indies U-19s, currently contesting the WICB President’s Cup tournament in Guyana, will face Bangladesh on January 17 and Papua New Guinea on January 19 to complete the group phase.

Defending champion India will open their campaign against qualifiers Afghanistan in the January 15-30 tournament.

The 16 teams are split into four groups with Groups A and C being based in and around Christchurch, Group B teams playing their matches in Queenstown and Group D games taking place in Napier and Palmerston North.

In addition to the 10 ICC Full Members, there are six Associate and Affiliate teams taking part, having won through their respective regional qualifying tournaments as well as the global qualifier, which was held in Canada in September.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals with the remainder of the teams taking part in the plate competition.

India, England, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong are in Group A, Group B has South Africa, Australia, Ireland, and the USA, while New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Canada comprise Group C.

In their best ever showing in the Youth World Cup, West Indies had beaten England by 94 runs in the 2004 semi-final in Bangladesh before losing the final to Pakistan at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.

Denesh Ramdin, Xavier Marshall, Lendl Simmons, and Ravi Rampaul were among the West Indies U-19 players in a 25-run loss to the Pakistanis in that championship decider.

ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Schedule
Friday January 15:

Pakistan v West Indies – Fitzherbert Park

India v Afghanistan – Bert Sutcliffe Ground

Zimbabwe v Canada – Queen Elizabeth II Ground

South Africa v Ireland – Queenstown

Saturday January 16:

Bangladesh v Papua New Guinea – Fitzherbert Park

England v Hong Kong – Bert Sutcliffe Ground

New Zealand v Canada – Lincoln Ground

Australia v USA – Queenstown Ground

January 17:

Bangladesh v West Indies – Fitzherbert Park

Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe – Bert Sutcliffe Park

India v Hong Kong – Hagley Park Ground

Australia v Ireland – Queenstown Ground

January 18:

Pakistan v Papua New Guinea – Fitzherbert Park

Sri Lanka v Canada – Lincoln Ground

England v Afghanistan – Queen Elizabeth II Ground

South Africa v USA – Queenstown Ground

January 19:

West Indies v Papua New Guinea – Fitzherbert Park

New Zealand v Zimbabwe – Bert Sutcliffe Ground

Afghanistan v Hong Kong – Hagley Park Ground

Ireland v USA – Queenstown Ground

January 20:

Pakistan v Bangladesh – Fitzherbert Park

New Zealand v Sri Lanka – Queen Elizabeth II Ground

South Africa v Australia – Queenstown Ground

January 21:

India v England – Bert Sutcliffe Ground

January 23-29 – Super 8/Plate Championship Play-offs