More gun terror
-- gang robs Rose Hall banks
-- orders people to form human roadblock
-- woman shot in back
By Jeune Bailey Van-Keric
LESS than two days after the massacre of five persons on the East Bank Demerara, another heavily-armed gang stormed into the bustling Rose Hall town in Berbice in broad daylight yesterday, shooting a woman in the back while robbing two banks.

And in another brazen display of firepower and military-like precision, the gang rounded up and forced people in the area to form a human line to block the main road to carry out the robbery attacks.

Police said Surujdai Virasammi, 39, who had just withdrawn money from the Republic Bank branch in the town, was robbed of $10,000 and shot in the back. She was admitted to the New Amsterdam Hospital, police said.

Police said the gang of about 15 heavily-armed men struck at about 11:15 h.

In a precision operation that last under 15 minutes, residents and other witnesses said they simultaneously approached the Republic Bank and Demerara Bank, which are near each other, firing shots indiscriminately.

People who first saw the men said they were carrying large canvas bags and as they approached they whipped out guns from the bags and opened fire, forcing residents and others to flee for cover.

Rose Hall residents said it was like in a Wild West movie, with bandits sweeping in and firing wildly to take over the town.

And to the horror of all those around, the gang ordered persons they found in the vicinity on the main road of the town to quickly form a human line which blocked the road. Among those commandeered into the human roadblock was a child, witnesses said.

Police said the gang members entered the banks, held the staff and customers at gunpoint and forced the two Managers to open the vaults, which were both emptied.

Two cars were later recovered in the Rose Hall back lands.

Police said they found several 7.62 spent shells and two live rounds at the scene.

During the daring attack, the town was virtually shut down. Businesses quickly closed doors and vehicles disappeared from the main road.

A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was plying his trade along the main road when he was alerted at about 11:10 h of the presence of two men dressed in black.

He said the relative who informed him of the men’s presence, advised him to run but he decided otherwise.

The eyewitness said the men were armed with guns and were cranking the weapons on the road shoulder as they moved along.

Shortly afterwards, he said, the gunmen began to quickly walk towards him, and in the process ordered those they found to form a human barrier across the roadway.

The witness said that in company with a relative and a child, they too were ordered to join the line across the road where they stood facing west.

He said two armed men kept patrol in front of the barricade, while three stayed at the back. None of the 15 persons in the line were allowed to speak or move during the ordeal, he recalled.

As one set kept watch on the human roadblock, another group entered the Demerara Bank where they robbed several customers before requesting keys to the vault from the banking staff.

Rampersaud Pertab, a rice farmer of Black Bush Polder, had just completed changing a cheque for $500,000 and was waiting on his wife and another relative to complete their transactions when he saw two gunmen hurriedly enter the bank, requesting that everyone empty their purses, pockets and hand over everything they had.

The man said the money he had uplifted earlier, in addition to his gold band and fingerings valued at $600,000, were taken from him.

He told the Guyana Chronicle death stared him in the face and he straightaway remembered his four children, aged 12 to 8 years.

His wife, Somattie, still visibly shaken from the ordeal, lost a pair of gold jingles.

Parbattie Pertab, sister of Rampersaud, had also gone to cash a cheque but did not bother after the bandits entered. However, they robbed her of $5,000 in cash and jewellery.

Following the robbery at the Demerara Bank, the bandits left the building and, according to witnesses, an accomplice asked them whether all was well.

The bank robbers responded in the affirmative and they then ordered those forced to form the human barrier across the road to move forward.

At Main and Independence Avenue, the terrified bunch was ordered to lie flat on the asphalt roadway, while some of the bandits swept into the Republic Bank.

A child who was among the adults in the human barrier cried repeatedly because of the scorching heat from the asphalt road.

According to one eyewitness, the gunmen ordered the child’s relatives to remove him, but before they could do so, another couple quickly got up, taking the child with them and escaped.

The parents, however, were afterwards reunited with the child.

At that moment, being military trained, he said he looked towards the door where he observed the guard closing the door, just before the tinted glass on it was shattered.

The customer said about five unmasked men then entered and demanded the film from the closed security camera, and did not stop firing shots until their demands were met.

They also demanded keys to the vault and robbed customers of their cell phones.

Sadik said he for a moment forgot he was not in London, and dialled 999 seeking help.

He said the female staff members cried uncontrollably during the ordeal which he estimated lasted about 10 minutes.

He said it appeared that the men’s demands were met as they left, taking two vehicles, one owned by acting Branch Manager of the bank, Imran Sakoo.

Sadik said one of the guns the men had was an AK-47 rifle.

Those who were forced to form the human barricade fled after no one responded to the bandits’ demands for a driver for mini-buses parked nearby.

Witnesses said the gunmen had no getaway vehicle and were looking for a driver to help them escape.

However, the gang members who left the Republic Bank signalled their comrades to join them in the hijacked vehicles and they drove towards the back lands of Rose Hall, witnesses said.

Residents in that vicinity said the robbers fired shots indiscriminately as they left the town.

The vehicles PFF 3748 and PFF 6369 were later found abandoned in the back lands and are under police guard.

Rose Hall residents were very vocal about the long time it took for police or soldiers to arrive at the scene.

The police arrived 30 minutes after the bandits escaped, residents said. It was observed that the Police Outpost a street away remained shut during and after the attack.

President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce Mr. Adrian Anamayah said the body was very concerned about the attack and although it has been very vocal and outspoken about crime, the situation seems totally out of control.

He said the chamber is calling on the armed forces to arrest the situation.

Yesterday’s chilling attack at Rose Hall came after the Tuesday night massacre when a gang of heavily-armed gunmen swept into the East Bank Demerara villages of Bagotstown, Eccles and Agricola, leaving five dead.

Four of those killed execution-style were members of the printing staff of the Kaieteur News newspaper at the Eccles printery.

Tight passenger checks at CJIA
By Wendella Davidson
PASSENGERS on flights out of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, bound for the United States, as of Thursday, are subject to more stringent checks following reports from London of the foiling of a plot to commit “mass murder” by blowing up aircraft flying over the Atlantic Ocean to the U.S.

The new security measures being enforced internationally as well, no longer permits passengers to carry beverages, gels, suntan lotions, toothpaste, creams, shampoos and other items of similar consistency, beyond the screening checkpoint or in the cabin of the aircraft.

Officials here said the new restrictions caught a number of passengers by surprise.

In addition, departing passengers are required to now remove their footwear and belts, to allow for a more comprehensive search of their person and clothing.

As anticipated, several passengers unaware of the reported plot and new security arrangements now in place were caught by surprise, as most of the items listed were previous allowed in carry-on luggage.

Contacted yesterday, Chief Executive Officer at the CJIA, Mr. Ramesh Ghir, confirmed that the heightened security measures have been enforced at the airport, in compliance with a security directive issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security via the Transportation Security Administration.

He made it categorically clear that passengers have to transport the named items in their check-in luggage, and any of the items found in the carry-on luggage of a passenger will be confiscated.

According to him, notices to the effect have been noticeably placed at the airport, in particular, the departure area, and airlines have been informed and are expected to take the necessary action.

Presently, only two airlines operate flights directly to and from the U.S., BWIA and North American Airlines.

Reached yesterday, Mr. Compton De Four, BWIA Area Representative in Guyana, said the airline had been forwarded a directive from its headquarters in Trinidad.

He said understandably, the new security arrangement greatly affected flights arriving and departing Timehri on Thursday.

Noting that a similar situation existed in Trinidad, De Four said yesterday there was a great improvement in the movement of flight.

And, in an effort to help alleviate long delays, De Four said BWIA’s check-in time for passengers has now been extended to three-and-a-half hours before departure.

He noted, though, that as had occurred on Thursday, some persons were still questioning why they are not allowed to carry the identified items in their carry-on baggage.

The BWIA official concurred that because the measures have just been implemented it will take some time for some people to become familiar with the new do’s and don’ts.

Over at North American Airlines, Ms. Jennifer De Barros, the airline’s representative for this country said, ironically the airline’s first flight from New York after the new security directive was issued was delayed because of mechanical problems.

She said the airline’s officials would have, however, kept a watchful eye on the departing flight to see how it would have been affected.

Remarking that the airline like BWIA has to comply with the new directive, De Barros pointed out that because the airline flies directly from New York to Guyana, the only new addition in the security measures which did not initially apply to North American airlines passengers is the prohibition.

“We have since the 9/11 incident implemented a number of security measure which are still in force,” De Barros said, adding too, that passengers have been calling since the news has been out, and officials from the airline have also been calling persons booked to travel to inform them of the new arrangement.

The airline has also being putting up its own notices to alert passengers to avoid any inconvenience when they arrive at the screening point.

She said too, passengers travelling for the first time to the U.S. may find it a “bit uncomfortable” when they are asked to remove their footwear on arrival at the screening area.

Should anyone refuse to comply they should know that they will not be allowed to board the flight, De Barros stressed, adding that the airline’s check-in time remains three hours before departure.

Good progress in resolving ethnic problems here
-- South African expert finds
A LEADING conflict resolution expert feels ethnic problems here can be overcome through the continuing sharing of experiences among societies which have had similar problems.

The optimism was expressed by South African conflict resolution expert, Mr. Roelf Myer at a press conference the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) hosted yesterday.

He indicated that in Guyana ethnic difficulties arise from a perception or a reality but regardless of the actuality, these can be resolved through economic advancement and education.

He recalled that in his country, after 14 years of post-apartheid democracy, all the difficulties which existed prior to apartheid have not been overcome as South Africa is still in a transition to democracy.

However, Myer said that since his visit here last year, good progress has been made in resolving ethnic problems as he has witnessed frank exchanges during the national conversations organised by the ERC where persons from all divides of the society have been expressing matters of concern.

This, he said, is a positive development and is an indication that the problems here can be resolved.

However, Meyer exhorted that the key towards resolving ethnic insecurities is in the country making economic progress where the best and brightest remain here, and through good governance and a demonstration of capable and competent decision making.

He stressed that despite the prevailing conditions, Guyanese have to remain focused and “keep an eye on the bigger picture” which according to him is ensuring a brighter future and everyone should be involved in pursuit of this goal based on trust and respect.

He said even though South Africa is bigger than Guyana, it still suffers from poverty which currently stands at 105 below the official poverty line.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Representative here, Mr. Mahmoud Youssef, who also shared the press conference, said he is encouraged by the response to the efforts in bringing greater harmony in the Guyanese society, particularly civil society.

He commended the ongoing efforts towards managing differences in the society and bringing peace, unity and prosperity and assured UNDP’s continued support in this process.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the ERC, Bishop Juan Edghill said the body is mounting an investigation into the alleged racial slurs used against a reporter from the Kaieteur News during a political rally in Linden.

He declined giving details pointing out that the ERC refrains from conducting its business in public.

However, he added that people must be free to practise their profession and while followers of parties may be carried away in the political season, parties should denounce any unbecoming behaviour.

Bishop Edghill also observed that based on reports it was encouraging that persons apparently of the same political persuasion condemned the behaviour by those who made the racial slurs against the reporter.

As regards the matter where the Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform referred to him as a “house slave”, Bishop Edghill said he would not comment as the matter was being investigated by others within the ERC and he is not involved directly in that probe. (CHAMANLALL NAIPAUL)

'Culture Fest' spreads message of love
GUYANESE yesterday gathered in a `safe space’, at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, Georgetown, to celebrate each other’s culture at `Culture Fest’ hosted by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

The resounding messages in dances and songs at the opening yesterday afternoon were peace, love and tolerance.

President Bharrat Jagdeo said it was indeed pleasing to see other bodies bearing the responsibility for cohesion instead of leaving the task solely for the politicians, as was done earlier.

He urged the ERC to take its message to places of worship since there is where many people’s views are formed.

He said the `Culture Fest’ was to provide an alternative way to solving conflicts other than through the violent means.

He summed up the two-day event as a long journey of bringing about tolerance and healing.

Art, music, literature and foods of all of Guyana’s ethnic groups were on display.

The culture fest, which is free, ends today.

PNCR-1G urges 'solid responses' to crime wave
EXECUTIVE member of the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform-One Guyana (PNCR-1G) Mr. Deryck Bernard yesterday charged that the Government needs to stop its “pussy-footing, half-hearted, ham-fisted and self serving” approach to tackling the spiralling crime scourge.

“As far as we are concerned, what Guyana needs now is a government that has a reputation for being ruthless and efficient in dealing with serious crimes,” Bernard said at a news conference the PNCR-IG hosted at its Congress Place headquarters in Sophia, Georgetown.

He said that when his party was in government “in a previous incarnation”, it dealt with the crime situation at that time both from the point of view of increased police presence and proper sanctions and a rigorous reform of all the necessary systems.

“The state of affairs is lamentable and the outlook is grim,” Bernard said, pointing out that the recurrence of trouble in Buxton, the Bagotstown/Eccles executions and the traffic shoot-up on the East Bank highway are all grim reminders of the February massacre in Agricola in which eight persons were slaughtered.

These and Tuesday night’s brazen and brutal massacre, he said, make “grim reminders of the problems and harbingers of our future”.

“We are amazed that some sections of the Guyanese population still fall for the empty promises of a solution to the crime problem (President Bharrat) Jagdeo churns out like vanilla ice cream; Guyana needs solid responses and action,” Bernard asserted.

He said the intention of President Jagdeo to bring the former New York Police Commissioner to Guyana to help in the reforms of the Police Force is the “latest vanilla promise”.

President Jagdeo, at a news conference at the Presidential Secretariat in Georgetown Thursday, announced that he has been in discussions with the former New York top cop and a nominee for the powerful post of Head of Homeland Security in the United States, Mr Bernard Kerik, to play an integral part in planned restructuring and reforms of the Guyana Police Force.

Bernard said that poor Guyanese at the village and community level feel and experience crime and its effects in almost every aspect of their lives and daily activities. According to him, it has become dangerous to send children to school, relax at home or in a restaurant or bar, visit one’s neighbours and friends, work at night, sell in shops, or carry money and valuables on the street.

Bernard also accused President Jagdeo of being “a reaction politician” and “a low impact leader” particularly where crime is concerned.

“As far as we are concerned, it is the responsibility of the Government to ensure that Guyana has a peaceful period running up to elections,” Bernard posited.

The news conference was chaired by Ms. Abiola Wong, an Attorney-at-Law and candidate on the PNCR-1G platform.

International Youth Day:
Wake-up call for the world
`Particularly disquieting is the fact that girls and young women are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the pernicious effects of poverty’
(Message from Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of International Youth Day)
THIS year, International Youth Day will be celebrated under the theme ‘Tackling Poverty Together’.

An estimated 515 million young people (aged 15-24) live on less than two dollars a day – that is, nearly 45 per cent of all youth. This is a wake-up call for the international community to do more to meet its commitment to building a world of inclusion, justice, mutual trust and prosperity. In particular, it demands that we work harder to improve the social and economic opportunities of the younger generation.

The goals and objectives of the Millennium Declaration, reaffirmed by the 2005 World Summit, are galvanizing the international community’s efforts towards the eradication of poverty. Indeed, the fight against poverty has become the undisputed, overarching goal of the entire UN system, if not the entire international community.

Given the fact that young people constitute a large and growing proportion of the population of developing countries, and given the prominence of questions affecting youth within the millennium development agenda, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) can be seen in essence as “youth development goals”.

Yet, the gap between the vision inherent in the MDGs and the current reality for young people in many countries is widening.

Poverty in all its various dimensions – hunger, ill health, inadequate access to education and other basic services – combined with a lack of participation in decision-making processes, greatly impedes the development and well-being of young people. Particularly disquieting is the fact that girls and young women are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the pernicious effects of poverty.

Poverty is not only a violation of basic human rights; it is also a denial of opportunity. Governments and international organizations have an obligation to respond to the hopes of young people for a fulfilling life and a chance to realize their potential.

UNESCO has made considerable efforts to address the urgent needs of young people suffering from poverty. We have designated the eradication of poverty, in particular extreme poverty, as a cross-cutting theme for the whole organization, and have at the same time ensured that the needs of youth and young people are mainstreamed by all Programme Sectors.

UNESCO has also launched innovative intersectoral pilot projects in all regions of the world, aimed at targeting the needs of young people and strengthening youth leadership. As we move closer to 2015, the target date set for many of the MDGs, it is imperative for UNESCO – as for the international community at large – to work in a more focused and effective manner to meet the challenge of eradicating poverty among youth.

The lessons learnt in our work confirm that tackling the conditions of youth poverty requires a sustained and integrated approach, which promotes awareness of human rights and educates young people on the availability of health and legal support.

Above all, concerted efforts are needed to empower young people as actors and partners in development. Young people need to acquire the encouragement, skills and knowledge that will enable them to join hands and lead initiatives to combat poverty.

On the occasion of International Youth Day 2006, I therefore call upon leaders in all walks of life to come together to raise awareness of youth poverty, to scale up investments in tackling this problem, and to develop integrated policies and programmes that engage young people and their organizations as key partners in development efforts.

I also urge young people to make their voices heard and to take action towards our common goal of a better life for young people today, and for all of humanity in the future.

New restrictions on U.S., UK flights
BRITISH West Indies Airways (BWIA) Thursday said it has been advised by the United States Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration that with immediate effect, passengers travelling to and from the U.S. “may not” have liquids or gels of any size at the screening checkpoint or in the cabin of the aircraft.

It said the Department for Transport for the United Kingdom has also advised of additional security measures applicable at all UK airports.

In a statement yesterday, BWIA said prohibited items on flights to the U.S. include beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, skin lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and other items of similar consistency. According to the regional airline, such items may be transported “only” in checked baggage.

BWIA said passengers may have baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is travelling; prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket as well as Insulin and other essential non-prescription medicines.

It said, too, that all beverages purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding the aircraft.

It said the following measures will take immediate effect for all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport.

All cabin baggage must be processed as hold (check-in) baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports.

Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets:

* Pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags);

* Travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets);

* Prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g. diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.

* Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.

* Contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.

* For those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags).

* Female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (e.g. tampons, pads, towels and wipes).

* Tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs

* Keys (but no electrical key fobs)

All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened.

Wheelchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.

BWIA said passengers are asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time to get to the airport and to ensure that other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in.

ACDA presents prizes
THE African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) hosted a prize giving ceremony Thursday for those who won competitions at the Emancipation Day festival.

The ceremony was at ACDA’s newly renovated headquarters at the GSC ground, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

Response to free air time offer poor
-- NCN
THE state-owned National Communications Network (NCN) says the response to its offer to political parties for free air time in the run-up to the August 28 elections has been poor.

In a press release Wednesday, the company noted that immediately after Nomination Day, it informed political parties of several programmes it has made available to specifically support electioneering activities free of cost.

However, NCN said after two weeks, the response has been poor.

It is reminding political parties that they each have five minutes of free air time per week to address the electorate, and in addition the company is offering to assist in this production by providing studio facilities.

Presidential candidates are also being invited to be guests on the discussion programmes `Close Up’, `Let’s talk’ and `One on One’, NCN said.

In addition, parties will be invited to send representatives to participate in another series of programmes and NCN said it is looking forward to full participation by the contesting parties.

With respect to advertising, the company said it has reviewed its rates for political advertising on radio and has decided to apply the same rates that were used for the 1997 elections and political parties and advertising agencies have been so informed.

OAS office condemns attack on Kaieteur News
-- demands prompt investigation
THE Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organisation of American States (OAS) has condemned the Tuesday night attack against the Kaieteur News printing plant at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

Four employees were killed and two seriously wounded and a statement yesterday from the Washington office said the Rapporteurship urges Guyanese authorities to investigate these crimes swiftly and effectively and to ensure that the persons responsible are duly punished.

“The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression emphasizes that according to the American Convention on Human Rights, states have the duty to prevent, investigate, and punish all violations of rights recognized therein”, the statement said.

“To this end, the Rapporteurship urges Guyanese authorities to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the persons responsible for this crime are brought to justice and that it be determined if the murders were related to the exercise of the journalistic activity of the Kaieteur News”, it added.

Principle 9 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression notes that: “the murder, kidnapping, intimidation of and/or threats to social communicators, as well as the material destruction of communications media violate the fundamental rights of individuals and strongly restrict freedom of expression. It is the duty of the States to prevent and investigate such occurrences, to punish their perpetrators and to ensure that victims receive adequate compensation”. 

The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Ignacio J. Álvarez, noted that “when investigating these crimes it is especially important to charge not only the direct perpetrators, but also the masterminds and the additional individuals whose collaboration and tacit acceptance made these crimes possible.”

For additional information about the Office of the Special Rapporteur: http://www.cidh.org/relatoria

Why destabilisation won’t work
GUYANA has found itself in the middle of what seems an attempt at creating chaos.

It may not have reached the stage where lions roam openly and casually in the street, and men walk about on fire yet unscathed.

However, the events of the past couple days either constitute some omen in themselves – beware the ides of August, perhaps – or are intended to. Two days ago, in the wake of the senseless murders of Kaieteur News workers, an editorial in another daily newspaper speculated on whether there was a destabilisation campaign going on.

This sort of speculation is not unwarranted in the present environment. In the same week in which there was a virtual prison riot, the same week in which a media house suffered tremendous losses, fifteen armed gunmen attack and rob two banks – and each incident occurring just weeks before the 2006 national elections.

While we can understand prisoners protesting justifiably for better conditions, we can also reasonably assume that there is some connection between the men who murdered the Kaieteur News workers and those who robbed the banks yesterday.

The likelihood that there are similar groups of men with similar high-powered weapons using the same modus operandi – large numbers, fast movement, multiple targets – without coming into open conflict with each other is virtually impossible.

Add to the equation the occurrence of these events in an election month then the most logical conclusion is that at some level, there is in fact a destabilisation in progress.

Here are the key reasons why a destabilisation campaign cannot work.

Firstly, the Guyanese people will not allow it. Whatever central intelligence is behind these attacks on the Guyanese society should take note that while Guyanese as a people may have our racial prejudices, while there may exist a political schism in the society since the pre-Independence era, the majority of people here in Guyana have not reached the levels of mutual hatred for each other that they are going to tolerate sustained terrorist attacks on the society.

Each day, the numbers of those who may have for some strange reason or the other excused their actions grow smaller. One day, the seeds of hatred some seem to want to sow are going to turn into the very weeds which strangle them.

Secondly, though there may be hints of a political motive being the driving force behind these attacks, it is clear that what is really being established is a criminal enterprise masquerading as either an anarchist or ‘liberalisation’ movement – a ferret in wolf’s clothing. No democracy is going to sanction the rape of the wealth of its people while it still has control of its security forces, even as seemingly ineffective as the Guyanese forces are in the present crisis. As for the foot soldiers in this charade, they are only being indoctrinated and enslaved into a way of doing things that can only result in their early demise while the intellectual authors of their actions become enriched.

The third reason that this campaign against destabilisation will not work is that forces outside this country are not going to allow it. Whether it is the strategic military intervention of the United States or the humanitarian military intervention of the United Nations, it is not in the interest of a great deal of people with better guns and better training that Guyana not be destabilised.

At the present time, as was also suggested by the editorial mentioned earlier, it is wise that the political leadership show a unanimity in facing the present conflict, not just because the country needs the best ideas present in all camps, but also – and this is equally important – the symbolic gesture that Guyanese have a common enemy in whomever is behind this.

PERSPECTIVES
PROMISES, PROMISES
By Prem Misir
Promises, promises, the stuff that decks all election seasons, have arrived. The PPP/C’s post-1992 promises really have been conduits for the consolidation of hope, conduits bringing decimation and defiance to hopelessness that stalked this land many moons ago; the 1968-1992 dark years; these are simply authentic promises when used in this vein. But promises also can be true and/or false.

Some see the PPP/C’s current campaign promises as suspect and other contesting parties’ promises as authentic. But PPP/C’s promises in election campaigns since 1992 have restored hope; and the PPP/C’s previous campaign promises already have metamorphosed into bona fide policies, programmes, and projects.

But in all of this, there are two questions: are the PPP/C’s current campaign promises merely promises, are they real? Why the PPP/C’s present campaign promises were not translated into projects for development over the last decade?

Those who cast aspersions on the ruling party’s promises imply that these promises should have been fulfilled within the last 14 years; in these years, numerous accomplishments transforming the face of Guyana clearly demonstrate how cramped the 1992-2006 programmes were; even touching outer planning limits where no further programmes were possible; so the unfinished business now becomes today’s promises. The PPP/C’s stupendous achievements will suffice to showcase the enormity of progress through many completed developmental projects; a transformation of Guyana; but the inevitable unfinished business under these circumstances prevailing; normal for any government; and also progress is relative, not absolute, a scenario where there indeed would be some unfinished business; absolute progress brings no unfinished business; unreal, unlikely.

Therefore, the PPP/C’s existing campaign promises, a sense of unfinished business linked to the end point of this Administration, are real; but what evidence is there to show that the present campaign promises could not have been fulfilled in the 1992-2006 years? I believe the answer to this question requires responses to another question: what has the PPP/ Government done over the last 14 years?

I am not suggesting that other contesting parties’ promises are not authentic; the Guyanese people will judge the authenticity of their promises. But most of the other parties saving the PNCR-1G have no record on which the masses can apportion judgment; whereas the PPP/C has accomplishments, significant accomplishments. You see assessing and evaluating a party’s ‘track record’ become one of the main bases for validating ‘promises’ in any election campaign. Well, what has the PPP/C Administration achieved over the last 14 years?

However, I do not want to emblazon this piece with an entire trail of statistics. Perhaps, it would be useful for voters to refer to government information on development matters, and then go out and verify them for themselves; and I am convinced, that having executed this exercise, confused voters will see the light of day; confused voters, now becoming new witnesses to the enormity of progressive national development over the last 14 years.

Table 1 depicts the economy as positive which generally gets lost in the scramble to demonstrate negatives. The modest inflation and interest rates, and the constant exchange rate are the pillars of Guyana’s macroeconomic stability. And since 1992, there has been a 625% tax free allowance and an 886% increase in the minimum wage to facilitate an enhanced purchasing power.

TABLE 1: Economic Indicators

Table 3 shows that as the education budget increases, the CXC success rate increases; and this Government continues to pump enormous sums into education annually because it understands the relationship between education and national development. General secondary enrolment was 35% in 1992; today, it stands at 72%; and in the 1992/2005 period, 84 schools were built – 21 Secondary; 24 Primary; and 39 Nursery. The evidence thus far demonstrates an enormity of progress, consuming numerous projects; and I have not even touched on health, housing, etc. I am merely attempting to point out that the Administration’s 1992-2006 plans, notwithstanding some downturn cycles, have been filled to capacity with scores of consummated policies, programmes, and projects; hence some unfinished business.

There also have been a few downturn cycles in the economy over the last decade; among other factors, the downturn impact came through the senseless post-elections violence that emerges at each election in Guyana; the economic stranglehold that the World Trade Organisation has on poor developing countries; only reaching financial viability after about 10 years in office, given the external debt of US$2.1 billion and an inheritance of practical financial bankruptcy in 1992; the Great Flood of 2005; and the world economic situation.

The world economy currently is in bad shape; emasculating developing countries. Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Social and Economic Council Jose Antonio Ocampo recently launched the report “World Economic Situation and Prospects 2006.”

Ocampo asserted that the world economy experienced an economic slow down since 2004: global investment anemia disrupting global economic growth rate, creating a disorderly adjustment of macroeconomic imbalances; higher oil prices of about $60 per barrel; the crash of house prices, especially in the U.S. negatively impacting global consumption and demand; high unemployment growth; and many developing countries’ experience of structural unemployment and underemployment impacting poverty reduction. Surely, these factors impacted Guyana’s progress.

Perhaps, if the PPP/C’s current campaign promises that some people thought should have been fulfilled over the last decade were really satisfied, then what would have happened to the present enormity of progress, progress now achieved? Could it not be that the working class people of this country savor this current spate of development? Could it not be that the working people believe that the PPP/C’s existing campaign promises should be addressed in its next tour of duty? Folks, let us be patient; the new PPP/C’s promises will find a place on the production line in the next few weeks when a new PPP/C Administration takes office.

An attack on the State
PLEASE permit me to express my condolences to the families of those killed recently by the Buxton gangs, as well as support for those injured.

Do allow me to encourage Kaieteur News to maintain its reportage and, more importantly, take it to another level which is extremely necessary.

Let us mourn, but not be thoroughly fazed. We must not become complacent. In the past after each attack, we raise our cries momentarily, before slipping back into being comfortably numb and complacent.

Guyana is in a state of conflict. I said this before and I say it again. The attack on Kaieteur News was not an attack on the press; it was an attack on the State.

The State is in a conflict with the Buxton Blueprint and all of its trappings. The people of Guyana must fight the ringleaders of the Buxton Blueprint in the back lands, in the streets, on the seas, in their homes, and in the press.

Unless the ringleaders of the Buxton Blueprint are neutralized, the State shall gain no inch in this conflict upon which the present and the future of Guyana exist. All else is trivial.

Guyanese everywhere must decide what their position is: either we stand with the State or stand against it. There is no middle ground.

Unfortunately, these (and more) executions/murder happened because we the State allowed the Buxton Blueprint to exist and flourish unchecked; we, the people allowed certain “security” leaders to deceive us.

Again, Guyanese must choose between the State and the Buxton Blueprint.

We must make a choice: stand up, or stand down.
RAKESH RAMPERTAB

What have they done to help?
THE upsurge of crime and violence in our society has reached a very critical stage and we are all scared and worried about the situation.

Every time something happens, we all jump up and criticise the activities and hit out on the present government.

The main opposition is most guilty of this and so are other agencies from the political arena, sections of the media and private sector.

Yet, what have they done to help the government or the police or any one who has the ability to fight crime?

Instead, when the bandits are shot, they are hoisted in the air and hailed as freedom fighters and the government is accused of extrajudicial killings.

Again the main opposition is guilty of this. Look at what they did with Blackie and Shaka Blair!

I am not a politician and I don’t have favour in any political party but I have my own opinions of the way in which some people conduct their activities and the things that they go about saying in society.

I agree that the defence force and the police need to be more proactive but, then again, what can they do when these criminals are so organised and have bold links?

What can they do when the criminals have people sheltering them?
JULIAN MORTAGUE

Political partisanship?
IT SEEMS that the Media Monitoring Unit {MMU} is becoming subject to political partisanship.

I came to this conclusion when I read a part of their report in which they claim that the Stabroek News gave more than two thirds the amount of the positive space to the PPP/C.

This is a figment of somebody’s fevered imagination, or maybe some error was made in typing out the release or somebody decided to play a macabre joke.

The MMU needs to publish a correction to this obvious misstatement, as the Stabroek News has established itself by its editorials, articles and negative reportage on the PPP/C to be very much biased against this party.
CINDY ANDERSON

Help fight crime
ORDINARY Guyanese must take their own steps in fighting crime.

Avoid keeping large sums of money, jewellery and important documents in your home. Expect to be robbed if you have family visiting from overseas or if you look like you have something worth stealing, take the necessary precautions.

Until banks and other institutions can provide vaults for personal use, Guyanese must use other means to safeguard important documents and excess cash, other than in their homes.

A buddy system must be developed with those next to you to help watch and give alarm and information to police if a robbery takes place.

Look around before leaving or entering your home. If possible, let trusted neighbours know your comings and goings.

Finally, have your watchmen/guards awake and not easily visible and able to contact police at the first sign of trouble. Don't hire guards who are easily caught unawares and overpowered. 

Be prepared to give as much information about robbers as possible to the police.
DISGUSTED

Follow Canada example
I HAVE been following developments on the recent Grove murders and noted that there is a woman suspected of committing the murders, but no description of her,

Here in Canada, a description of suspects is published in the newspapers for public assistance in capturing the suspect and many cases are solved that way.

Perhaps the Police in Guyana should follow suit.
M. L. KERSTING

Getting ready
GUYANA’S readiness for Cricket World Cup 2007 cannot be judged from observations. It also has to be determined from facts and statistics.

I think too many hasty generalizations are made by some sections of the public about Guyana’s lack of readiness because it appears to them that preparations are moving slow.

There is often talk about the slow pace of the cricket stadium but the contractors who have been there from the inception are saying that the stadium is eighty-five per cent complete and the remainder of the works are the enclosure fencing, internal concrete drains, parking and access roads.

During his recent visit to the stadium, the ICC Venue Development Director Don Lockerbie expressed satisfaction with the progress of work being done. He even mentioned that the Providence Cricket Stadium is way ahead of all the other host venues in the Caribbean.

Accommodation facilities are still a worrying factor, and with the tens of thousands of people expected in Guyana during the period, there is still cause for concern.

The LOC has, however, expressed confidence that all accommodation facilities will be ready for next year’s event. They have identified in excess of thirty hotels in Georgetown and its environs preparing for CWC accommodations.

Cricket World Cup is a major world event and with Guyana being one of the host venues, the opportunity is presented to showcase Guyana to the rest of the world.
STANLEY NATHAN

Guyana’s oldest centenarians
MINISTER Bibi Shadick must be highly commended for her visit and gift to the 110-year old Mathilda Lewis, to whom I also tender congratulations and sincere best wishes.

While that lady is Guyana’s oldest woman, this country’s oldest man is the 106-year old Sonny Hendricks, an Amerindian who resides with his 65-year old widowed daughter, Ethel Primus, at Lethem in the Rupununi District.

In 1954, when there was an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in Brazil, he assisted in the erection of several miles of barbed wire fence, along our western border with Brazil, to prevent our cattle from being affected with that disease.

At his farm at Moco Moco Village, in 1955, Sonny Hendricks accepted the Government’s invitation and became the first person to successfully cultivate rice in the hinterland of this country.

As there was no sawmill or chain saw available in the Rupununi District while I was stationed there as a Public Works Department officer from 1954 to 1959, Sonny Hendricks with saw pit and gang saws, was the sole supplier of all sawn lumber for the construction of all government buildings that were being constructed at Lethem, St. Ignatius, Good Hope and Annai at that time.

Today, at 106 years old, he still manages to cultivate a little kitchen garden to assist with the normal old age pension he receives from the Government.

Could anything better be done for him?
ROCKCLIFFE PATRICK PITT

History has proved us right
I AM happy to see that you have opened your letter columns to a healthy debate among the parties about the future of Guyana.

However, I am disappointed that many of the contributors dwell on personalities and emotional matters rather than focusing on what needs to be done to move Guyana forward. The debate needs to concentrate on what type of society and economy we wish to build.

Our party, The United force (TUF) was founded over 46 years ago by Guyana’s most visionary and successful entrepreneur Mr. Peter D’Aguiar who later went on to become Guyana’s most successful Finance Minister who was able by sheer force of example, to inspire confidence of investors, workers and farmers.

From the very beginning, D’Aguiar put forth the idea of private sector development whereby ordinary members of the public and workers could participate in the ownership of companies and by extension share in the profits.

He not only preached this but actually successfully executed the plan. Banks Breweries and Banks DIH are the living examples of what D’Aguiar stood for.

The United Force still believes in the philosophy of D’Aguiar and we believe that this philosophy of people’s ownership in the private sector environment is the solution to Guyana’s search for serious sustainable economic development. Many systems have been tried in Guyana since 1960. All have failed, especially the PNC’s Sophia socialism.

Now all the parties have agreed that the private sector is the way to go. We said that 46 years ago.

The difference between us and the latest converts to TUF philosophy is that we know how to do it successfully and we know how to make ordinary people and workers benefit, not just the “big ones”.

We will continue to push for our ideas which we believe to be the correct ones in the campaign. We have no interest in attacking any one or any party, but we do believe that history has proved us right.
RON PERSAUD

Robbery questions
IT IS out of deep concern that I write this letter, concerning the robbery of the MMC Security Service vehicle on Monday August 7.

It seems to me that there is more in the mortar besides the pestle. Can the following answers be given?

1. Were the SOP’s (Standard Operation Procedures) for cash in the transit operation followed?

2. Was the vehicle used ideal for such an operation?

3. If the answer is no for the above question 2 what about the insurance coverage?

4. Was there collusion between the parties concerned?

5. Was the best route used, taking into consideration the time of the day?

6. Where did the MMC personnel disappear to and why?

7. Was radio contact made with MMC headquarters?

8. How is it possible that the robbers would have gained the knowledge of the route that the MMC driver had taken?

9. Are the citizens of this land to believe that this is an act of organised crime, internal corruption or is it an act of incompetence and a lack of unprofessional attributes?

MMC Security Service should go back to the drawing board and revisit the way such operations are conducted.
CONCERNED CITIZEN

Standard procedure
I SAW in the newspapers where the Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Mr Calvin Benn has declared that he disagreed with the policy of his office and as such would be unable to execute the policies.

He quite rightly offered to resign.

By the British system of Public Administration which we have inherited and which informs our system, an officer who cannot agree with the policy of his office, or who finds it difficult to execute same, must immediately go. This is standard procedure.

Mr. Benn must tender his resignation immediately or those responsible for his employment must immediately part company.
J.J. FORDE

We need African songs
I WILL like to endorse what Mr. Ellion Gates wrote in your papers dated Thursday July 27, 2006 that the festival should be African Emancipation Song Festival Competition not shanto or calypso.

It should be African Songs. It is my opinion that the first, second and third place winners never sang about slavery and emancipation.

They sang about Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Marcus Garvey, Bill Rogers, Malcolm X and others. These men did not play any part in the Emancipation of slavery; these men fought because of political oppression.

Cuffy and Accra were the ones who fought and died for our freedom.

Emancipation is not freedom from political oppression.

We need African songs relating to our roots and slavery.
THOMAS JONES

Not true
PLEASE allow me the privilege of responding to a comment I heard from the lips of Mr. C.N. Sharma, on television on Monday August 7.

What I write now is directed at the leaders of all those contesting Guyana’s elections this month.

I have written repeatedly that I belong to no political party in Guyana and no one pulls my strings, so I write as a free spirit.

Mr. Sharma is or should be a treasure for highlighting all the ills in Guyana; I truly respect him. However, he and his rivals must at all times avoid irresponsible, insulting and denigrating statements during the campaign.

Mr. Sharma said “the Minister of Health is just a Lab Technician”. This is not true; the minister has obtained a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Biochemistry from a prestigious university if the United States of America, years ago.

I personally evaluated Leslie Ramsammy as competent, knowledgeable, rounded and a dynamo in health and health care.

Unlike many fellow Guyanese I have encountered since my return from overseas after close to fifty years, he is not a square peg in a round hole; in fact we are very fortunate to acquire his services.

A medical degree is definitely not a prerequisite for the position he currently occupies.

How do I know this? Well fifty years in Health Care starting at the level of “Lab Technician” then traversing the globe studying, teaching and running health institutions gives me licence at age 68 plus to judge.

Did Mrs Janet Jagan and Dr Henry Jeffrey have medical degrees?

They did not, neither do I. But search this world and you will find that I am one of fewer than six persons of colour who have the title Executive Member, the Canadian College of Health Service Executives.

So Mr. Sharma if I were to join your J.F.A. party and you win the election would you overlook me as a possible Minister of Health?

And what about you? I respect your qualifications as a Motor and Air Condition Mechanic.

Are you not running for the position of Guyana’s Executive President? I think you will do a very good job and get us out of the morass in which we currently find ourselves, but a few words of caution; surround yourself with a few ex or practicing “Lab Technicians” and I guarantee you success will be assured.

Finally, please do not attempt to engage me in a dialogue on what I have written or you sure to get yourself scorched (embarrassed).
GEORGE MUNROE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (RETIRED)
GPHC

Nagas, Cush spur Guyana into Stanford 20/20 final
ST JOHN'S, Antigua, (CMC) - Behind a superb spell of bowling from leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo and clever batting from the top order, Guyana beat Grenada by six wickets to advance to the final of the Stanford 20/20 Cricket Tournament on Thursday night.

Playing at the Stanford Cricket Ground, the Guyanese restricted the ‘Spice Boys’ to 158 for eight in their 20 overs and then powered to 160 for four off 18.2 overs, to win with ten balls to spare.

They now await the winner of last night’s other semifinal between Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago to see who will be their opponents in tomorrow’s grand final, where the top purse is US$1 million.

Nagamootoo entered at the midway point of the innings after Grenada had racked up 86 for the first wicket and he immediately put a halt to the free-scoring.

He ended with five wickets for 15 runs off his four overs to pocket the Man-of-the-Match cheque of US$25 000.

The strong start for Grenada was provided by the powerful opening pair of Andre Fletcher, who blasted 50 off just 31 balls with five fours and two sixes, and Clevron Antoine, who added 30 off just 22 balls.

Both fell to the steady off-spin of Narsingh Deonarine in the space of two balls and the innings suddenly lost momentum.

Then in stepped Nagamootoo, a clever leg-spinner who has taken over 350 wickets in regional cricket in a career spanning 12 years.

He was simply too good for the Windward Islands as he offered little to hit as the batsmen came after him.

His biggest wicket was that of skipper Rawl Lewis, who made 36 from 30 balls, before being caught at mid-wicket by Deonarine looking to push the score along.

Asked to score at eight an over, Guyana's experienced batsmen, laid the foundation and at the end the little known Imran Khan smashed two towering sixes in his 21 from ten balls to send the estimated 3 000 Guyana fans into a frenzy.

With him at the end was Deonarine, who showed his maturity in 23 not out as the two shared an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 32.

Before this, opener Lennox Cush opened his shoulders to crack 49 from 42 balls and his massive six over extra cover earned him the Play-of the-Match award of US$10 000.

Cush added 57 for the first wicket with Travis Dowlin (19), as they set the tone for the run chase.

Skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan fell for eight, but left-hander Esaun Crandon, banged 17 from nine balls to keep his side in the hunt on another action-filled night.

GRENADA innings

A. Fletcher c Ferrier b Deonarine 50

C. Antoine c McGarrell b Deonarine 30

R. Etienne b Nagamootoo 0

R. Lewis c Deonarine b Nagamootoo 36

J. Sylvester c Khan b Ferrier 5

M. Henry b Nagamootoo 5

D. Charles c wkpr Tull b Nagamootoo 0

C. Telesford not out 16

T. Baptiste b Nagamootoo 0

D. George not out 1

Extras: (b-1, lb-6, nb-2, w-6) 15

Total: (8 wkts, 20 overs) 158

Fall of wickets: 1-86, 2-86, 3-89, 4-117, 5-136, 6-137, 7-146, 8-149.

Bowling: Crandon 2-0-17-0, Cush 3-0-36-0, Ferrier 3-0-25-1, McGarrell 4-0-29-0, 4-0-29-2, Nagamootoo 4-0-16-5.

GUYANA innings

T. Dowlin c wkpr Fletcher b George 19

L. Cush b George 49

R. Sarwan c Charles b Lewis 8

N. Deonarine not out 23

E. Crandon b Sylvester 17

I. Khan not out 21

Extras: (b-4, lb-2, nb-4, w-13) 23

Total: (4 wkts, 18.2 overs) 160

Fall of wickets: 1-57, 2-85, 3-90 4-125.

Bowling: Pascal 3-0-20-0, Etienne 3-0-28-0, George 4-0-15-2, Sylvester 4-0-39-1, Lewis 2.2-0-26-1, Baptiste 2-0-26-0.

Metro knock out two-time champions Pele 3-2
By Isaiah Chappelle
METRO of Linden knocked out two-time champions Pele (3-2), who turned violent at the GFC ground, Bourda, yesterday, while Georgetown Football Club (GFC) scraped past Camptown 1-0 for the other place in the final of the Smalta/Camptown New York Under-15 knockout football competition.

Dashawn Joseph, Jermaine Grannum and Mark Stewart netted for the winners, and Colin Nelson and captain Andre Easton scored for the reigning champions.

But Pele supporters and players did not take the loss well and launched a verbal and physical attack on the officiating personnel that ended with a referee, who was not even in the game, sustaining a cut to the back of his head from a hurled broken bottle.

Easton punched one of the Metro players while shaking his hand after the match ended, injuring the eye of the player. The Pele captain later spat expletives at the referee, saying that he could be banned because football gave him nothing.

Coordinator Franklin Wilson told Chronicle Sport that the organisers would have reviewed and decided on the fate of Pele, last evening.

But two of the Camptown New York members told Chronicle Sport that Pele were suspended from the rest of the competition, with one indicating that the club might not be invited again for subsequent competitions.

A signal for the violence to follow came within six minutes of play, when Jermaine Sutton was ejected for dangerous play, reducing Pele to ten players.

However, they netted the first goal in the 15th minute. It started with a direct free for a handled ball at the top of the box. The kick was muddled, but they recovered and Nelson received a short pass just inside the box, shooting instantly, the ball slicing through the crowd to beat the goalkeeper.

Metro used their number advantage, forcing some four corners in the half. Joseph floated the ball from the right corner in the 28th minute, the ball dipping close to the near post, and bouncing off the header of an opponent over the goalkeeper. The match was deadlocked 1-1 at halftime.

The Linden club went ahead 13 minutes into the second half. A pass from left of centre, went through the defence and Grannum collected the ball just outside the box at right, shot on the run to the far corner.

Stewart sealed the match in the 54th minute, receiving a pass from the centre and racing from just inside the box, past the lone defence player to beat the goalkeeper.

Pele were awarded a penalty, a minute before the final whistle, which the Easton converted.

Later, Camptown dominated the first half of the match against GFC, but messed several scoring opportunities and the segment was goalless.

Then three minutes after the resumption, Sherwin Arthur netted the winner. During a defence lapse, he collected the ball outside the box, and as goalkeeper Richie Richardson advanced, shot the ball past him.

Each player of the four teams in yesterday’s fixtures, along with Regal of Linden, received their participation prize of a football, jersey and competition medal.

Players of the other participating teams are required to report to the GFC ground, Bourda, at 12:00 h tomorrow to uplift theirs.

Bently, McKay out for 18 months
JUDE Bently and Warren McKay will be out of cycling officially for a total of 18 months as the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) enforces the bans meted out for indiscipline.

GCF president Hector Edwards, yesterday, told Chronicle Sport that the executive decided on Thursday to enforce the penalty because the appeals had not reached the body in the stipulated time.

“They have not complied with the procedure. Bently did not submit the appeal by his club, and Continental’s for McKay came after the stipulated time frame.”

However, Edwards said that McKay’s case would be reviewed in three months’ time, half the time of his ban.

The two were slapped with penalties for misconduct while wearing Guyana’s colours at the Melbournce Commonwealth Games, for which Bently was banned for one year and McKay six months, effective July 21 last.

Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) had already suspended the two cyclists from GOA-sanctioned events for 18 months each, effectively preventing them from representing any international events like the Pan-American Games.

Edwards also disclosed that McKay was being investigated for possible fraud, although he did not go into details.

T&T hoping for improved performance
By Naz Yacoob
TRINIDAD and Tobago youth cricketers will be hoping for an improved performance when they take on last year’s beaten finalists Barbados in round two action of the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Cricket Challenge, today at the Enmore Ground.

The defending champions gave a below-par performance against Jamaica in the opening round at the Bourda Ground and had to settle for first innings points.

The T&T team, led by 2006 Youth Cricketer-of-the-Year, Sunil Narine, had the Jamaicans on the ropes on several occasions and failed to deliver the ‘killer’ punch.

It was also the opinion of many that Narine over-bowled himself, in addition to enacting some strange bowling changes.

But according to manager Roland Sampath there were several bright spots emerging from the match, with talented batsmen Adrian Barath and Darren Bravo, along with Player-of-the-Match and medium-pacer Jeewan Ramroop seeming destined for bigger things as the tournament goes along.

Barath told Chronicle Sport that although hampered with cramps to his right-hand and dehydration, he was pleased with his overall performance.

“I batted well within my limitations, given the hazards while at the crease. I believe that I will go on to better things as the tournament progresses,” Barath said.

The left-handed Bravo was also satisfied with his batting and said his confidence is on a high.

“I am feeling good in the middle and I only hope that it will get better and better,” Bravo stated.

Ramroop, an 18-year-old student of the Toco Composite and all-rounder with FCB Clarke Road United was elated at his bowling and is looking to go to better things in his second tournament at this level.

“I am happy with my bowling in this match and would like to thank my coach, Anthony Gray, for his valuable assistance. I also hope that this performance will go a long way in realising my dream of becoming a regional first-class and international cricketer,” Ramroop stated.

Not many changes are expected to the team, with Ceramic Merry Boys Sports batsman, Franklyn Rouse, likely to replace opener Alden Daniel, who looked completely out of this league.

The team under the supervision of Gray and Sampath rounded off preparations for this crucial encounter with a light training session yesterday at the Malteenoes Cricket Ground.

Barbados and Guyana lead the standings with 12 points, followed by T&T on six and Jamaica three.

The Windwards and Leewards are pointless.

Matches start at 10:00 h.

TEAMS:
T&T : Sunil Narine (captain), Adrian Barath, Visham Jagessar, Marlon Barclay, Alden Daniel, Somant Maraj, Franklyn Rouse, Vishan Ramroop, Jeewan Ramroop, Darren Bravo, Keegan Roy, Shannon Gabriel, Gareth Boodhai, Akiel Timothy.

BARBADOS: Reynaldo Arthur, Carlon Braithwaithe, Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Shamar Cooke, Renaldo Holder, Kyle Hope, Adrian Maynard, Kevin McClean, Kemar Roach, Dwayne Sealey, Reydon Toppin, Roger Williams, Jed Yearwood.

Guyana hunting for more points against Windwards
By Ravendra Madholall
GUYANA Under-19 opening batsman Richard Ramdeen has been ruled out of today’s encounter against Windward Islands with a hamstring injury when the home team resume battle in the second round of the 2006 TCL Group West Indies Under-19 three-day cricket challenge at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground in Queenstown.

Ramdeen sustained the injury during the first round match at Everest against Leeward Islands which Guyana won comfortably by six wickets while the injured Danney Narayan will continue to sit on the bench after an aggravated leg-injury.

Essequibian Mohindra Boodram is likely to make his debut while Rajendra Chandraka should accompany Shemroy Barrington in the opening slot. Another option for the Steven Jacobs-led team will be batting all-rounder David Wallace who was overlooked for the opening match.

Meanwhile, Chronicle Sport caught up with the manager of the team, Alvin Johnson, when the team held a net session yesterday at Everest ground. Johnson said that Ramdeen, given his reputation at this level will be certainly missed but opined that the team has suitable reserves.

“He is a seasoned campaigner but we all understand his situation and definitely he will be ready for the third round while there are plenty of batting options especially in that department,” Johnson, who in his third year as manager, declared.

Johnson and incumbent skipper Jacobs were also very optimistic in their comments that Guyana will continue their winning ways.

The Windward Islands, with four of the players back from last year’s tournament which was held in St Vincent and the Grenadines, have a talented team and no doubt will be looking for a better showing than they put up against Barbados where they lost by an innings.

The action is scheduled to begin at 10:00 h.

Guyana team reads: Steven Jacobs (captain), Gajanand Singh (vice-captain), Shemroy Barrington, Rajendra Chandrika, Mohindra Boodram, Krishna Deosaran, Richard Ramdeen, Danney Narayan, Troy Gonsalves, David Wallace, Veerasammy Permaul, Maxwell Georgeson (wkp.), Ryan Hercules and Brandon Bess. The manager is Alvin Johnson and the coach is Hubern Evans.

Windward Islands from: Lauron Francois (captain), Donwell Hector (vice-captain), Seon Sween, Dawnley, Andre Fletcher, Heron Campbell, Bronson Johnson, Ortis Lewis, Danton Polius, Keddy Lesporis, Tariq Edward, Haysel Charlery, Gary Prince and Kevin James. The manager is Shawn Edwards and the coach is Irvin Warrican.

Netherlands Antilles win Group E Under-20 CFU qualifiers
PARAMARIBO, Suriname, (CMC) - The Netherlands Antilles toppled hosts Suriname 2-1, Thursday evening, to qualify for the second round of the Men's Under-20 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) play-offs as round one Group E winners.

The win by the Netherlands Antilles propelled them to joint top of the Group E standings - on six points -- with Suriname, and although their goal difference ratio was inferior to the hosts, they advanced because they won the head-to-head meeting at the Dr Essed Stadium.

With both securing records of two wins against one loss, Suriname finished with seven goals for and three against and the Netherlands Antilles ended with five goals for and three against.

The Dutch Antilles, who had lost to Guyana (1-2) in their opening game and rebounded to beat Aruba 2-0 in their second game, got goals from Wilmar Jantji (25th) and Erikson Rosini (74th) to defeat Suriname.

Julio Afoemang had evened the game for Suriname in the 57th minute.

Guyana placed third in the group after they drew with Aruba 1-1.

Gideon Payne scored for Guyana in the 29th minute and Aruba equalised through Jerano Cruden 11 minutes into the second half.

As Group E champions, the Netherlands Antilles join other first-round winners Bermuda (Group A), the Dominican Republic (Group B), St Kitts and Nevis (Group C) and automatic qualifiers Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Haiti in the CFU's 2nd Round Qualification series, from which three teams will progress to the CONCACAF Final Round next year.

Only Group D in St Lucia - with Grenada, Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines and the hosts -- remains to be decided.

Mexico and Panama will each host a four-team CONCACAF Final Round Group, with the top two squads qualifying to the FIFA Under-20 World Championship in Canada 2007.

Powell accepts that he is under suspicion
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) - Jamaica's joint 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell conceded Thursday he knows he will always be under suspicion for doping because of his fast times.

Powell's comment came in the wake of American Olympic 100-metre champion Justin Gatlin's positive drugs test, which the sprinter confirmed two Saturdays ago.

Powell, said since Gatlin's positive test, he has no doubt that he is under suspicion, especially since they both shared the world record of 9.77 seconds.

However, he made it clear that it is no a bother to him.

"From start, I know people were going to say that about me - because I said that about everybody who ran fast when I was younger, so I expected that," Powell said on local television.

On the same day Gatlin broke the news to the media, Powell's agent Paul Doyle had jumped to his athlete's defence by saying his client is clean.

Powell also insisted he is drug-free.

"I am Jamaican born, grew up in the church and there is nothing unfair about me. I am just trying to keep it that way," said Powell, who has already run eight sub-10 second times this season.

Gatlin faces a possible lifetime ban after a previous positive and his world record matching run could be stricken from the books.

Meanwhile, Powell, along with World Championship 100-metre silver medallist Michael Frater, World Championship bronze medallist Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Olympic sprint relay gold medallist Sherone Simpson, among other Stephen Francis-coached MVP athletes rescheduled their European departure from yesterday and may now travel today or tomorrow to Golden League meets.

The group's late departure, ahead of the fourth IAAF Golden League meeting in Zurich next Friday, is due to the terrorist threats in London.

Powell has already won three of the six Golden League races and is poised to win a share of the US$1 million jackpot for competitors winning all their races in the series.

WICB on course to break even - Gordon
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) - Following a US$6.5 million loss in the last year, West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Ken Gordon says the cash-strapped organisation is likely to break even during the current financial year.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday at a media briefing, Gordon said a number of cost-cutting initiatives recently implemented had helped to improve the Board's finances.

"We have also restructured our marketing department which will now have a sales function, along with a marketing function, so we will now be selling ourselves," Gordon pointed out.

"When we realised our finances were in such bad shape we appointed a committee to identify how we were going to tackle those.

"We have addressed that thoroughly and we are now on stream to break even this year." Gordon said after his administration took office, they had cut expenditures by about US$3 million.

"That was a tremendous start," he said.

He pointed to the cut in the Carib Beer Series format as one of the ways the Board had managed to reduce expenditure.

"That (Carib Beer Cup) was not something we wanted to do, but we thought as a one-off thing we could do that, and that has assisted us," Gordon explained.

"If you can't finance your way and keep alive, you can't play cricket. We have gone through everything that has been budgeted with a fine-tooth comb and reduced it and that's how we are fairly confident that we will break even."

He continued: "We are on target (to at least break even). We feel we will get there. These are all geared towards strengthening our credibility.”

South Africa battle injuries in run-up to tri-series
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - South Africa hope several of their key players recover from injuries before the triangular series with Sri Lanka and India begin next Monday.

The South Africans, keen to make amends after their 2-0 Test series defeat by Sri Lanka, have concerns over the fitness of pace bowler Makhaya Ntini, all-rounder Shaun Pollock and captain Mark Boucher.

Pollock is nursing a sore lower back and Boucher has an injured left elbow, but both are expected to play in the opening match against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

A question mark, however, remains over Ntini's participation in the match after he pulled a hamstring during the second Test. Fast bowler Dale Steyn has been drafted into the squad as cover.

"Makhaya is receiving treatment and his injury is being monitored closely by the physiotherapist, but we are confident that he will pull through by Monday," coach Mickey Arthur told reporters.

"He is due for a fitness test over the weekend and it is very unlikely that he will play any part in the team prior to that."

The injured trio missed a practice game against a Sri Lanka Academy XI yesterday.

"As a precautionary measure Mark and Shaun will be rested from tomorrow's practice game. Both should be available for selection on Monday," said South Africa's media liaison officer Gordon Templeton.

AB de Villiers will keep wicket in the absence of Boucher.

Old rivals, new faces spice up Community Shield
By Mitch Phillips
LONDON, England (Reuters) - Chelsea and Liverpool have met 10 times in the last two seasons so it is befitting that they will feature in the Community Shield prologue to the new league campaign at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium tomorrow.

There was little love lost between the teams or their coaches in recent clashes of which Chelsea won five but lost the semi-finals in the Champions League and FA Cup.

That ill-feeling has already filtered into the new season with Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho writing off Liverpool's title chances and predicting a fourth-place finish at best for Raphael Benitez's side.

That will add spice to what is developing into an ever-more competitive pre-season friendly in the annual meeting between league champions and FA Cup winners.

PAST EXPLOITS
However, it is not past exploits that will be on the minds of fans in Cardiff but new faces and hopes for the future.

Liverpool, playing courtesy of an FA Cup success over West Ham United at the same stadium last May, have already kicked off their competitive season with a 2-1 Champions League third qualifying round win over Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday.

Unsurprisingly they looked rusty in the Anfield encounter but there were some encouraging signs, particularly the goal-scoring debuts of Craig Bellamy and Chile's Mark Gonzalez.

Bellamy will add much-needed pace and punch to Liverpool's attack while Gonzalez and another new boy, Jermaine Pennant, also provide options that were sorely missing last season.

"It was important to show that this year we have more players who can score goals," said Benitez, whose team have been rated 6-1 second-favourites behind Chelsea for the title.

It is the first time in Premier League history that Liverpool start the season at shorter odds than Manchester United.

They are still a long way adrift of Chelsea, who are odds-on to make it a hat-trick of titles, but if Liverpool can beat them in Cardiff it might give Benitez's team the confidence to think they can challenge for the season's more important silverware.

STELLAR SQUAD
It is more than 15 years since Liverpool won the last of their record 18 league titles in 1990 and now it is big-spending Chelsea who are threatening domestic hegemony.

The London side have boosted their stellar squad with top-drawer acquisitions and while the Champions League is Mourinho's number one priority, competition for places will ensure they will again be formidable opposition domestically.

Midfielder Michael Ballack and striker Andriy Shevchenko should get their first competitive taste of the English game at home to Manchester City on August 20 but tomorrow will be close enough to the real thing to serve as a worthwhile introduction.

Mourinho, meanwhile, has made no secret of the fact that he sees the Millennium Stadium clash as just another step in their preparations for the real thing.

"I cannot do it any other way," he said. "I want to win it but that's about it. I will have a different approach to it than in previous years and I want to play most of my players and try different things out.”

New season cannot start soon enough for England flops
By Mike Collett
LONDON, England (Reuters) - The start of the new season cannot come soon enough for the England players who flopped so miserably at the World Cup finals.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson were among the biggest disappointments.

Indeed, the England squad's poor campaign made a mockery of pre-tournament claims that they were among the favourites and real candidates to win the World Cup.

In reality they were barely good enough to beat Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago and Ecuador.

The truly world class performances were produced by the WAGS -- the players' wives and girlfriends -- whose shopping sprees and late-night partying could not be topped by any other country's comparable ensemble.

That was because Sven-Goran Eriksson was the only coach to allow a group of distracting females to be close to his squad during the tournament.

On the field England's failure to pass the ball, or build from the back or through the centre of midfield, where Lampard and Steven Gerrard proved they cannot play together, symbolised the campaign and dominated England's sports pages.

Lampard's reputation took the biggest battering of all. He had more shots on goal -- 28 -- than any player in the finals yet was unable to score and even failed with his penalty in the losing shootout against Portugal in the quarter-finals.

A Yahoo poll among tens of thousands of website users named Lampard as the biggest flop of England's sporting summer -- ahead of disappointing tennis prodigy Andy Murray.

Lampard will be particularly eager to score his first goal of the new campaign so he can kiss the badge on his Chelsea shirt and show the fans his World Cup nightmare is over.

OFF AGAIN
Rooney, who was sent off against Portugal in the quarter-finals, began this season as he ended the World Cup by being sent off against Portuguese opposition.

Rooney was shown a straight red playing for Manchester United after elbowing Porto defender Pepe in the pre-season Amsterdam tournament on August 4 and will also be keen to put the World Cup behind him.

Goalkeeper Robinson, so solid for Spurs as they qualified for Europe last season, also had an anxious World Cup, his long-ball clearances being the epitome of England's failure to adapt their play as circumstances dictated.

England's failure in Germany will do little to harm the bank balances of their mega-rich top players, and such is the culture in football that few will publicly take responsibility for their failings, but the fans are not fooled for long.

The biggest cheer of the night when rock star and long-time Watford chairman Elton John played a concert in Bournemouth just after England's elimination in Germany came not for one of his classic hits but when he told his audience:

"You have all been let down by the team and people earning 125 000 pounds ($238 500) a week. It was an absolute disgrace." There are not many in England who would disagree with that and it is now up to the players to justify their inflated salaries over the next 12 months.

Sharapova eases, Serena battles into LA quarters
By Mark Lamport-Stokes
CARSON, California, (Reuters) - Serena Williams had to battle from a set down in the third round to join top seed Maria Sharapova in the Los Angeles Open quarter-finals on Thursday.

Playing her second tournament in seven months because of a knee injury, Williams overcame Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 in a match littered with rasping winners and unforced errors.

Sharapova, however, made short work of Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli with a 6-1, 6-2 demolition, to complete her seventh victory in a row.

The 19-year-old Russian, who claimed her second title of the year at the Acura Classic on Sunday, was hardly troubled as she set up a meeting with compatriot Dinara Safina in the last eight.

Safina, the fifth seed, beat American Laura Granville 6-2, 7-6 in an earlier third-round match.

Seventh-seeded Hantuchova took full advantage of an erratic Williams to breeze through the opening set before the twice champion raised her game.

After breaks of serve were traded at the start of the second set, Williams again broke the Slovakian in the fourth game and held on to level the match.

FEROCIOUS WINNERS
Williams, unleashing a series of ferocious backhand winners, broke her opponent in the seventh game of the deciding set before holding serve to clinch her fourth win over Hantuchova in five career meetings.

"If it had to be three sets, I'm just glad I was able to come back with a win," Williams told reporters.

"The first set was definitely a nightmare. I felt that I got off to a slow start. I never felt out of it but I was making some errors.

"I don't feel like I was aggressive tonight at all," added the former world number one, who had her left ankle strapped after falling late in the opening set. "Maybe a little bit into the match. I wasn't playing well at all."

Hantuchova, who beat Williams in straight sets in the Australian Open third round in January, was frustrated after wasting her early advantage.

"I felt like I was in control but I let her get back," she said. "She started to go for her shots more and cut down on her unforced errors. Until then, I felt I was doing all the right things."

Sharapova, dominating from the baseline, hit 38 winners and broke Bartoli six times before coasting to victory in 73 minutes on another hot afternoon at the Home Depot Center.

SECOND WIN
It was the Russian's second straight-sets win over the 15th-seed Frenchwoman in their two career meetings.

"Why would I want to make it any longer than I have to?" Sharapova said.

"I won't really say I overpowered her but I took advantage of the short balls and her second serve, which was about 85 mph.

"She started to play better in the second set and I made a few errors and was a little up and down. But other than that, it was fine."

The last time Sharapova played Safina, in the fourth round of the French Open, she lost in three sets after leading 5-1 in the decider.

"I don't feel I have any more Christmas presents in my suitcase, so I hope I don't give any away tomorrow," Sharapova said of their yesterday’s quarter-final.

In other matches, third-seeded Russian Elena Dementieva beat Israel's Shahar Peer 7-5 6-3,

American wildcard Bethanie Mattek eased past Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine 6-1, 6-1 and Serbian 10th seed Ana Ivanovic upset German sixth seed Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-1, 6-4.

2006 Inter-ward title within grasp of North Ruimveldt
By Faizool Deo
POINT guard of the Lodge/Meadow Brook ward, Jermaine McAllister, will have to be on target from tip-off tonight in order for his team to pose any challenge to defending champions North Ruimveldt in the second game of the best-in-three final of the 2006 Courts Pacesetters Carib Malta, Inter-ward competition at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Having claimed victory in game one, the defending champions will certainly look to close off the series. They possess a talented line-up, with each player capable of taking control at any given moment.

During game one, McAllister, despite leading all scores with 26 points, found himself in foul trouble early, which shortened his playing time. This might be a strategy employed by North Ruimveldt again, given that the 25-year-old Nets basketball club player has proved to be one of the best scorers in the competition. McAllister arguably the most improved point guard in Georgetown for this basketball year would be guarded by veteran player Lugard Mohan and seasoned guards Aubrey Younge and (if fit) Darcel Harris.

Phelam Doris who has the ability to shoot from long distance and drive to the basket must lend assistance to McAllister in the guarding department, while knowledgeable forward Tristan Tulloch and power players Fabian Johnson and Dayne Kendall will have to take control on the inside.

This might not be such an easy task for the big guys, since they will have to contend with Guyana’s captain at the recent international tournament involving Trinidad and Tobago and DC Jammers, Andrew Ifill.

The power forward, along with centre Damien Liverpool, dominated the middle in the first game, scoring 25 points while Liverpool scored 23.

If they claim victory tonight, North Ruimveldt will be $225 000 richer, if not the final clash will be tomorrow night at the same venue. The second-placers will collect $125 000.

Prior to that game, Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust and Charlestown/Albouystown will clash for the third place prize and trophy from 19:30 h.

Fans will also be entertained by Brutal Tracks singers, while some will get a chance to participate in Swansea’s phone dance competition.