Quite in order
-- government defends extending elections deadline
THE government yesterday indicated that the architects of the Constitution contemplated the “frailties” involved in setting timeframes and said it will not consider accusations of ulterior motives in its resort to amend it to extend by a month the time for which elections are due after the dissolution of Parliament.

“Article 61’s main intent is to provide a cushion, some flexibility to GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) in meeting its obligations to hold general elections within a constitutionally mandated timeframe after the dissolution of Parliament,” Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon told reporters.

President Bharrat Jagdeo dissolved Parliament Tuesday by way of proclamation after the National Assembly, without the support of the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), passed an amendment to Article 61 of the Constitution to put the new elections deadline at September 4.

The original Article 61 stipulated that elections are to be held three months after Parliament is dissolved, putting the elections date at August 4.

However, with GECOM advising that it cannot administer the polls before August 30, the government moved to amend the Constitution to provide cover for the commission to hold the elections four months after Parliament is dissolved.

This means that elections must be held constitutionally on or before September 4, since Parliament stood dissolved yesterday.

Opposition Leader Mr. Robert Corbin vehemently denounced the amendment in the House Tuesday, charging that it was an attempt by the government t to unilaterally amend the Constitution under the guise that it was a simple matter.

“There cannot be peace without justice,” he declared.

However, Luncheon said the PNCR’s scepticism flows from their “public diatribes” about GECOM’s discharge of its mandate.

“But we are all beholders of the fact that GECOM is independent and its independence must be respected,” he argued at his weekly post-Cabinet meeting.

“It is clear to all why this amendment existed in the first place in the Constitution. It is even obvious that the need was so appreciated across the political and social partners that successive rounds of constitutional reforms left Article 61 untouched,” he posited. “The administration firmly believes that the existence of this remedy contemplated the frailties in setting timeframes that are effected by the will of the Executive, the Constitution and GECOM,” Luncheon added. (NEIL MARKS)

One killed in bus-truck smash-up
ONE man was killed and at least three other persons injured when a sand truck collided with a mini-bus yesterday on the main road at Coverden, East Bank Demerara.

Dead is Dylon Nicholls, the one son of renowned international cricket umpire, and senior Guyana Police Force officer, Edward Nicholls.

Injured in the accident were Debra Fraser and Evelyn Grant, who were also in the bus and Cleveland Gilgeous, 34, of Supply, Mahaica, said to be the truck driver.

Residents said the collision took place in heavy rain when the truck was heading towards Georgetown and the bus going in the opposite direction.

They said they had to cut open the cabin of the truck to get the driver out after the vehicle ended up in the trench at the side of the road.

The bus was crushed and witnesses said it was a miracle that anyone survived.

CARICOM team here for talks on governance methods
MEMBERS of a technical working group on governance established by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government yesterday met President Bharrat Jagdeo and a team on the issue.

The working group is headed by Professor Vaughn Lewis of the Institute of International Relations, of the University of West Indies St Augustine University campus in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said also at the State House meeting were Foreign Minister Dr. Rudy Insanally and Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper.

Professor Lewis told the agency that “for some time now we have been considering the most appropriate form of managing the (CARICOM) Secretariat and governance of CARICOM systems as a whole, and it raises questions whether what was established by the (founding) Treaty of Chaguaramas was the most appropriate instrument for running systems of CARICOM at this point in time.”

Additionally, he noted, the issue arose when the governments decided in 1992 to establish the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and a West Indian Commission was formed which was headed by Sir Shridat Ramphal.

Lewis recalled that the commission recommended an instrument for assisting the secretariat to implement decisions at the Heads of Government level and with representation in negotiations at international fora.

However, this was not met with consensus and once again the need for a specific method of governance arose, since CARICOM was involved in several negotiations, he told GINA.

He noted that these include negotiations with the European Union for a new arrangement to succeed the Cotonou Agreement with members of the African Caribbean and Pacific grouping, talks with the United States on the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas, and on the World Trade Organisation.

GINA said a team chaired by Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves, working on the subject, reported to CARICOM heads at their last meeting.

“And the heads have asked us to take those proposals and work at them again and see if we can find a methodology for ensuring some consensus among the heads when they meet again. So we have come to consult with the President on his view and the views of the government on the best forms of management of CARICOM systems,” Lewis told the agency before yesterday’s State House meeting.

The group also met Opposition Leader Robert Corbin, it reported.

Committee to examine effectiveness of law enforcement operations
THE government has announced plans to examine the effectiveness of the operations of law enforcement agencies amidst nationwide concerns about the security of ordinary Guyanese.

Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon said yesterday Cabinet has extended its oversight of the security sector by establishing a sub-committee to look into the operations of the law enforcement agencies.

At his weekly post-Cabinet news briefing, he noted that the committee would include “non-governmental personalities with suitable skills.”

Security concerns heightened with the disappearance of 30-AK 47 rifles and five pistols from the Army headquarters in Georgetown.

Fears mounted with the April 23 assassination of Minister Satyadeow Sawh, his siblings Rajpat Rai Sawh and Pulmattie Persaud, and security guard Curtis Robertson.

“Fears about the security of ordinary Guyanese abound in the current climate. Criminals using guns to execute their crimes have become increasingly common. Alarmingly, the weapons being used have also become increasingly sophisticated,” Luncheon told reporters.

He said the government’s request to international donors for help “with respect to the assassination of the minister and the disappearance of the AK-47s from the military” has had initial response with the arrival of the FBI team to continue the probe into the weapons loss.

Meanwhile, Luncheon noted the efforts to strengthen law enforcement at the Community Policing level and with implementation of the Neighbourhood Police Initiative.

In addition, commissioning of Police stations is expected by the third quarter of the year for the underserved areas of Sophia, East Coast Demerara, and Diamond/Grove, East Bank Demerara, he said.

UN representatives robbed in bandits attack
THREE United Nations representatives were among victims when gunmen staged a robbery just after midday yesterday at Tandy’s Manufacturing Enterprises, Lot 19, Public Road, Mc Doom, Greater Georgetown.

Police said two visiting overseas food technologists were at the business place and were robbed when the bandits struck at about 12:20h.

Also robbed were the owners, Kurt and Vilma Denny, three of their children and six employees, Police reported.

A Police press release said the three gunmen took away a total of $385,000 in cash and cheques, three cell phones, two Lap Top computers and two digital cameras.

The bandits escaped in a waiting silver grey Lancer motorcar with registration number HB 2542, Police said.

No one was hurt in the attack, according to an employee of the business who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal.

He told the Guyana Chronicle that the trio barged into the place through the unlocked front gate and took about $4,000 from a drawer after robbing the employees and the UN personnel.

The unmasked robbers, who escaped in the motor car that was parked on the other side of the road, particularly demanded to know the names of the employees whom they robbed, he said.

Meanwhile, in another crime, 17-year-old Raymond Shivcharran and Michael Hanoman, 24, were robbed of jewellery by three men, one of whom was armed with a shotgun, about 19:00h on Tuesday.

That happened in a yard at Lord Street, Canje, Berbice, where the fleeing duo damaged a refrigerator and other household articles in a nearby house as they fired indiscrimnately while escaping.

Police later recovered a spent 12-gauge cartridge at the scene and investigations are continuing.

With PNCR MPs absent…
National Assembly passes witness protection legislation
By Chamanlall Naipaul
THE National Assembly passed the Justice Protection Bill (JPB) without controversy at the final sitting of the Eighth Parliament of Guyana, on Tuesday, in the absence of members of the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

The absent parliamentarians said they had been dissociating themselves from the earlier passage of the controversial Constitutional (Amendment) Bill.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr Doodnauth Singh, who moved the second reading of the JPB, said the legislation will establish a programme for the protection of certain witnesses and other persons and is in accordance with readiness for the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).

He explained that Part One of the law deals with the definitions of key terms in it and Part Two provides for the establishment of a Justice Protection Programme (JPP) and three agencies - an administrative centre, an investigative agency and a protective agency - to administer the process.

It also spells out the functions of the three and their interdependence on each other for effective and proper administration, Singh said, adding that it requires the disclosure of certain information to the administrative centre by a prospective participant, including his/her application in a prescribed form, indicating that the person understands the implications of being included and will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Singh said, in relation to criminal matters, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), if satisfied that the circumstances so warrant, shall prepare and submit the application in the prescribed form.

Part Three of the bill identifies the agency that will prepare the MOU, the persons who will be eligible to sign (the prospective participant or where the circumstances so require, the person referred to in Clause 8 (c) and countersign (the person authorised by the President for the purpose and how the MOU may be varied.

Part Four provides for a register of participants which shall contain detailed information on each and makes it mandatory for all ancillary documents - the original of each MOU, new identities issued under the programme, the original of each approval granted by the centre, identity documents returned to the centre and the register - to be kept by the centre.

In a further explanation, Singh said, in addition, that part gives access to the documents and the register only to the centre. However, in the interest of the due administration of justice, another approved authority defined in Clause 3 could access the documentation.

He said, where such access is allowed another approved authority, the centre shall notify the other authorities.

Part Five offers protection to the participant and, in instances where the person has been provided with a new identity, the individual must obtain written approval from the administrative centre before disclosing it, Singh told the House.

He said protection and assistance under the JPP may be terminated by the participant or the centre and, where the latter considers appropriate, it may restore the former identity.

It is also provided that a participant has 28 days after notification from the centre, with regard to either the termination of protection or assistance or both or where there is a decision to restore the original identity, to apply to the President for a review of the decision and the Head of State shall allow the applicant reasonable opportunity to be heard.

Part Six makes it an offence for a person who has been a participant or has undergone assessment for inclusion in the programme to disclose any information about it without lawful authority.

Two more offences are created if a person offers a bribe to another employed in the administration of the Act and when the offer is accepted.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarian, Mr Ramesh Rajkumar, in support, said the bill is a most important piece of legislation in the context of organised crime being on the increase.

He said it is the duty of the state, therefore, to protect witnesses and observed that similar legislation was instituted in the United States since the 1960s in the face of escalating organised crime.

Speaker remarks on significant improvements in Parliament
SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Mr Ralph Ramkarran has remarked that the term of Parliament ended yesterday was rewarding.

He observed that there has been a “major overhaul” in the administration and functioning of the legislative body.

Ramkarran made the observations in the House on Tuesday at the conclusion of the final sitting of the Eighth Parliament.

He recalled that, in the preceding 40 years, there were minor amendments and changes to the Standing Orders and other aspects of the process but, more recently, there have been significant improvements.

Ramkarran said of special significance is how the Parliamentary Sectoral Committees function, which would not have been possible without the sterling support of the donor community, including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Bank, the Commonwealth, as well as the government and President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The Speaker, disclosing that a manual for members of Parliament (MPs) is being crafted, pointed out that the one currently in use is mainly for parliamentary staff.

He lauded the work of the Deputy Speaker, Clerk and Deputy Clerk, the entire parliamentary staff as well as MPs, for their hard work and cooperation which made a tangible contribution to the successes achieved during the just concluded term of the National Assembly.

Ramkarran also thanked the media for their role in publicising the work of the National Assembly and ensuring that the public is updated on the happenings within the House.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Reepu Daman Persaud commended Ramkarran for the competent and efficient manner in which he discharged his duties as Speaker.

Persaud said, over the last 14 years, the legacy of democracy has been enriched in the Parliament and he joined in expressing appreciation and gratitude to the parliamentary staff and MPs for their unstinting contribution to its effectiveness.

Project Manager reports…
Skeldon sugar factory progress on schedule
WORK on the foundation for the boilers of the new Skeldon sugar factory, at Corentyne, Berbice, is nearing completion and the first consignment of equipment has arrived, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported yesterday.

GINA said the update was given by Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP) Manager, Mr Paul Hough, who indicated that current progress is in line with the schedule for completion by the end of next year.

He said 1,500 foundation piles have already been driven down and that coincides with the arrival of the superstructure for the boilers.

Hough said manufacturing of more machinery is ongoing in China, Europe and South Africa and generators are expected to be shipped from Finland and Sweden, over the next few months.

Other necessities for land preparation and planting have been received and commissioned into use for the second sugar crop.

Hough said development of new plots for cane farmers is progressing slowly but should accelerate when the link canal from Moleson Creek to the estate is dug.

The Chinese construction team, China National Technology Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC), on site since September 2005, has established a sizeable self-contained community to cater for a group that will eventually number more than 250 workers who will work along with in excess of 100 Guyanese, he said.

Hough explained that the SSMP has a cogeneration facility with a capacity of 10 megawatts that will also aid the production of at least 500,000 tonnes of sugar annually.

The contract for the construction of the factory and cogeneration plant was signed by Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) and CNTIC in June 2004, GINA recalled, adding that the SSMP is part of the government’s efforts at reform to mitigate the effects of sugar prices reduction within the European Union (EU) and ensure sustainability of the industry.

GINA said the ultimate aim is to completely restructure the sector at a cost of US$600M over six years, including its modernisation and diversification into new product lines such as ethanol and outside of it through cattle farming and cash crop cultivation.

Another aspect of the goal is to increase sugar production to 450,000 tonnes within the next four years for the supply to identified markets, GINA said.

The agency said the US$110M SSMP is being undertaken to boost sugar production for sale locally and internationally.

U.S. bird flu plan aims to slow pandemic
By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - Americans should prepare for travel restrictions and school closures if an influenza pandemic hits, but such measures can only temporarily slow the inevitable spread of disease, the government's new flu plan says.

The White House influenza plan released yesterday builds on an earlier plan to combat a potential pandemic of H5N1 avian influenza, including preparations to build a stockpile of vaccines and drugs, already under way, and work to develop newer and better vaccines.

"In terms of its scope, the impact of a severe pandemic may be more comparable to that of a war or a widespread economic crisis than a hurricane, earthquake or act of terrorism," the report reads.

The advice ranges from general recommendations to prepare and consult, to detailed information -- for instance, that keeping people three feet (one metre) apart should reduce transmission of the virus and that it can survive on dry surfaces for days.

At the height of a pandemic, people should prepare to hunker down for a while, Frances Fragos Townsend, assistant to the president for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, told a news conference.

"Imagine your average summer vacation. It would be limiting nonessential travel that you don't have to take inside the United States," she said.

"I wouldn't be going to the mall if I didn't need to be there."

WORKING ON A VACCINE
The plan does not give specifics on who would get vaccinated first or who would be the first to get scarce antiviral drugs. Administration officials said research on vaccines is moving too fast to make it possible to plan yet.

There is currently no licensed vaccine against H5N1 avian influenza but experimental forms are being tested.

Some Democrats immediately attacked this omission.

"A flu plan that doesn't say how to distribute vaccine is about as useful as a hurricane plan that doesn't say how to rescue people from a flood," Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy said.

The administration of President George W. Bush, whose approval ratings have been sagging, was broadly criticised for responding slowly to Hurricane Katrina last year.

The widely leaked plan has changed considerably from earlier versions, according to sources who saw drafts. It makes clear that closing borders would not be a major part of the U.S. defence.

"Measures at our borders may provide an opportunity to slow the spread of a pandemic to and within the United States, but are unlikely to prevent it," the report reads.

"When you look at border restrictions, there's a period of time very early on in a potential pandemic where they may be effective not in stopping the arrival of the virus but in buying us time and slowing the spread of the pandemic to allow communities, frankly, and individuals to get better prepared, if they haven't already," Townsend said.

"And so we look at things like departure screening, on-plane screening and arrival screening."

"INCREDIBLE PROGRESS"
"We have made incredible progress," said Mike Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota who has been warning of the risks of a pandemic for years.

"The one area that I continue to worry about in a very real way is the lack of resources. Planning for pandemic influenza at the local, state and federal level is not cheap," Osterholm added.

Townsend said local governments and businesses will have to provide much of the funding themselves.

"We believe that this should be a priority for resource allocation and for planning -- for policy implementation and planning," she said.

The plan also lays out specific responsibilities for each government department, but makes clear the Department of Homeland Security will be in overall charge should a pandemic hit.

Democrats attacked this, also.

"Given the Department of Homeland Security's track record, I don't think I'm alone in raising concerns about whether they're prepared to execute and manage a crisis of this magnitude," said Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel.

Police still probing GDF Officer Cadet’s murder
THE Police are yet to complete the investigation into the death of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Officer Cadet Amar Rajcumar who was murdered during training last month.

Police Public Relations Officer Ivelaw Whittaker yesterday said the investigation is still ongoing.

Rajcumar died on April 11 at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was taken after he reportedly collapsed during a Standard Officers training session at the GDF Camp Stephenson base, Timehri.

GDF Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Edward Collins told this newspaper that the post mortem results showed the cadet was murdered. Rajcumar died from a severe blow to the back of the head, the post mortem showed.

The GDF said an inquiry into the death has been completed and the matter handed over to the Police.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Bharrat Jagdeo has assured the young man’s family that everything will be done to bring his killer or killers to justice.

New tourism vision on private sector summit
“CREATING the brain gain,” developing fast track sectors, scoring big for Cricket World Cup and a new tourism vision for Guyana are among key topics slated for discussion when President Bharrat Jagdeo hosts the Presidential Summit on Private Sector development Monday.

The summit reflects the ongoing commitment of the government to private sector development, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon said yesterday.

“This specific summit is timely, as our private sector must utilise all the opportunities made available in Guyana in expanding to meet the challenges facing Guyana,” he told reporters at his weekly post-Cabinet news briefing.

The summit, he said, has a major interactive segment in which invited participants would assemble in seven groups, jointly moderated by a government and private sector representative.

The summit would be held at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Turkeyen.

GECOM opposition members back
OPPOSITION-nominated commissioners on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) who had withdrawn from the commission over grievances with Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally are back in, a source indicated last evening.

Commissioners Mr. Robert Williams, Mr. Haslyn Parris and Mr. Lloyd Joseph met Surujbally and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) yesterday and after a “favourable meeting” they agreed to rejoin the commission, the source said.

This would be borne out when GECOM meets for its statutory meeting today.

The opposition-nominated commissioners had requested the meeting with Surujbally to address their concerns.

They have met President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader Mr. Robert Corbin on their concerns.

The commissioners withdrew from the commission on April 15 saying they were fed up with Surujbally’s leadership style.

Lumber truck driver robbed
POLICE on Tuesday reported two more armed robberies that occurred Monday and yesterday.

In the Monday attack, Brian Hutson, 32, of Aroaima, Berbice River, was robbed of $15,000 by three gunmen while on the way to the city in a truck laden with lumber.

Police said the vehicle was at 19 Miles on the Ituni Road when three gunmen appeared in front of it and forced its driver to stop about 18:00 h.

The robbers held Hutson and Tameshwar Narine, 43, of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, at gunpoint, robbed them and escaped.

In the other incident, Beepat and Sons storage bond, at Blue Mountain Road, Festival City, Georgetown, was broken into about 03:00 h by six gunmen yesterday.

Police said the two unarmed security guards on duty were bound hands and feet and the padlocks on a door to the place were cut to facilitate the burglary but, up to press time, it had not been ascertained what was stolen.

The two guards, who are from a private firm, were freed when a supervisor visited their location, Police said.

In Region Two…
$11.5M project for Unu Creek Fishermen’s Co-op
THE Government of Guyana, through the Poor Rural Communities Support Services Programme (PRCSSP) is to erect an $11.5M storage and drying facility for Unu Creek Fishermen’s Development Co-operative Society on Essequibo Coast.

Chairman of Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Mr Alli Baksh, who made the announcement, said the project includes a four feet by four feet ice box for preserving fish and shrimp.

The structure with a walkway would be in a fenced compound and have an efficient drainage system.

The contract has been awarded to Mr Sattaur.

New $6M roadway to Golden Fleece estate
THE 300 adults and some 600 schoolchildren who live at Golden Fleece estate on Essequibo Coast will be the beneficiaries of a new $6M paved roadway.

According to Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Chairman, Mr. Alli Baksh, it will be built with sand, loam, crusher run and chip seal.

He said the project would make access to schools and the main public road easier and heavy vehicular traffic would be better able to traverse the estate.

Baksh said farmers would also greatly benefit from improved, cheaper transport for their produce.

Another poison suicide on Essequibo Coast
THE victim of the latest reported suicide on Essequibo Coast is Bibi Sunita Imram, 20, of Charity Housing Scheme.

She died at Charity Hospital on Monday after ingesting a poisonous substance a week before.

Reports said Imram drank the fatal potion at home because of a broken relationship with a young man and doctors had tried desperately to save her life while she was hospitalised.

Over recent weeks, several suicides have occurred in the ‘Cinderella County’.

Before Imram, a 14-year-old boy, of Walton Hall, also succumbed to self inflicted poisoning and he was preceded by a 14-year-old girl, of Golden Fleece, who suffered similarly.

One week after those two, a 21-year-old man, of Somerset and Berks, also chose the poison route to die and, exactly one week since then, a 21-year-old woman (no address given) ended her life the same way.

The deaths have prompted calls for the sale of poisons to be more strictly regulated and for farmers to take greater care in monitoring the storage and use of such substances.

Writ filed against GECOM, Attorney General
CITY Councillor Llewellyn John has asked the High Court to restrain the Guyana Elections Commission and the Attorney General from acting under the recently propounded regulations pertaining to the 2006 general elections which were published in the Sunday Stabroek and the Sunday Chronicle.

John is claiming that he is against the regulations because they have a retroactive effect and were introduced to correct a major deficiency.

According to the writ which was issued by Attorney-at-Law Frank James, the commission caused publications to be made in the newspapers with reference to registration of voters for the next general and regional elections.

The regulations, he said, purported to have retroactive effect and to be enacted with reference to registration of voters which had already teminated, all contrary to law and to the Constitution.

The statement of claim said John and other councillors of the municipalities and local authorities have an interest in seeing that free, fair and transparent elections are carried out by GECOM for the benefit of the municipalities and local authorities, and for the citizens of Guyana.

No provision was made during the registration period, purportedly just concluded, to cater for the registration of the old, infirm, and disabled, and persons who, by virtue of lack of means, were unable to go to the registration centres, it said.

The plaintiff’s statement of claim said he was therefore seeking a declaration of irregularity, nullity and voidance of regulations cited as the National Registration (Residents) (Amendment) Regulation 2006.

John is also claiming an order of court restraining the defendants their servants, and or agents from acting under the regulations purportedly published as Regulations No. 4 of 2006 in the Sunday Stabroek of April 30, 2006 and as Regulations No. 3 of 2006 in the Sunday Chronicle of April 30, 2006.

The defendants have been given 10 days to file entry of appearance.

Overloaded truck causes scare at New Amsterdam stelling
COMMUTERS on the New Amsterdam to Rosignol ferry in Berbice had a scare early yesterday morning when an overlodaded truck carrying lumber nearly caused the m.b. ‘Baramani’ to capsize.

A passenger on the vessel, who requested anonymity, said it happened about 03:00 h when the driver of a lorry weighing more than 20 tonnes attempted to drive it on to the boat at the New Amsterdam stelling.

The gantry on which the vehicle had to proceed could only accommodate 16 tonnes and the extra weight shook the Baramani from side to side, to the point where it appeared to keel over, the eyewitness told the Guyana Chronicle.

Consequently, almost half the cargo was offloaded to allow the rest to continue the crossing, causing a one and a half hours delay of the schedule.

An official of Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), at the affected terminal, declined to comment when contacted.

The Baramani was operating in tandem with m.v.`Torani’ yesterday.

Korean Ambassador hands over refurbished Takuba Lodge lift
AMBASSADOR of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Soong Chull Shin on Tuesday handed over a refurbished elevator to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Georgetown.

The Takuba Lodge elevator, out of service for a number of years, was refurbished by the government of the Republic of Korea.

At the handing over, Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Rudy Insanally noted that the facility would serve two ministries.

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation is also housed at Takuba Lodge.

Minister Insanally pointed out that this kind gesture by the Korean Government is a demonstration of the cooperation which exists between Guyana and that Republic.

In response, Ambassador Shin said the elevator project represented his government’s warm affection for Guyana and its people.

According to the ambassador, during last year his government donated items of office equipment to the ministry and similar assistance will be forthcoming this year.

Although the cooperation is still modest in tangible terms, Shin, who is based in Caracas, believes that new opportunities will be opened to enhance relations between the Republic of Korea and Guyana.

European help for Caribbean learning network
By Shawnel Cudjoe
THE European Commission (EC) yesterday signed an agreement with the Caribbean members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group, called CARIFORUM, to finance the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN) to the tune of two million euros.

Secretary General of CARIFORUM Mr. Edwin Carrington, in remarks at the ceremony, said the EC’s support for CKLN helps to alleviate fears of its neglect of the region following its erosion of preferential treatment for Caribbean products.

“The challenges which we face in the erosion of preferences for our products are well known, and the diversification of our economy to provide meaningful employment and investment opportunities has almost become a mantra,” he said.

Carrington added: “Therefore projects such as this have the potential to allay some of the fears of the region that it is being abandoned by its historical friends.”

The CKLN, an ongoing project to support and facilitate the work of tertiary education systems in nine Caribbean countries, was described by Carrington as a major step in addressing and solving problems of connectivity in and outside of the region.

The nine countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Carrington noted that staying connected is a critical building block for the growth of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) attaining the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and building and sustaining a Caribbean information society.

The objectives of the project include enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s labour force by developing the human capacity to access and utilise affordable information in the communication sector, and addressing the need to upgrade and diversify the skills and knowledge of the Caribbean people by improving the ability of institutions to deliver cost efficient and effective technology-based education training.

He described the agreement as another welcome link in the chain of relationship between the European Union and CARIFORUM.

European Union Ambassador to Guyana Per Eklund said this is one of the many projects aimed at regional integration through economic repositioning being carried out in the Caribbean that has the EU’s support.

“Over the last 30 years, the European Commission has been one of the largest, if not the largest grant donor to the African, Pacific and Caribbean, providing over 50 billion of the fund’s resources,” he said.

He added that they also support the banana, rice and rum industries.

Mr. Eklund said that since it is important for the Caribbean to be able to retain its human resources in order to compete effectively in the global market, the CKLN project is extremely important.

It offers further education opportunities to adults who work full-time and persons at home in charge of their families.

In addition, it ensures that low cost distance learning is extended to some 20 more tertiary education institutions across the Caribbean, bringing to 50 the total number of beneficiaries.

The ceremony took place at the CARICOM Secretariat building at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

Convicted panman escapes
CONVICTED prisoner Ryan Ramfarose escaped from lawful custody while he was a member of the Republican Steel Band which was on engagement at Water Chris Restaurant and Hotel, Waterloo Street in Georgetown.

According to a release from the police, Ramfarose escaped about 16:00 h on Saturday last.

Reports say that while taking the steel pans from the venue at the end of the performance, Ramfarose caught a taxi and escaped.

The prisoner is about 5’7” tall, has an oval-shaped face and “bat-like” ears, the police said in a release.

On his admission, he gave his address as 2 Mon Repos, Railway Settlement, East Coast Demerara and his next of kin is Alicia Ramfarose of the same address.

Anyone knowing of his whereabouts is asked to contact the nearest police station or call 226-5855 or 226-5856.

GNBS gets new fuel testing system
THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has acquired a 2000L Seraphin Mobile Prover System to, among other things, test the accuracy of bulk fuel storage tanks at petrol terminals.

At a press conference last Thursday, Director, Dr. Chatterpaul Ramcharran said the bureau acquired the system for the following reasons:

* The need to verify the accuracy of Bulk Metres and Tanker Wagon Compartments used at petrol terminals to deliver large quantities of petroleum products to service stations countrywide, in order to ensure transparency and equity in trade.

* Due to numerous complaints received from the Guyana Petroleum Station Dealers Association and petrol dealers themselves, regarding the delivery of inaccurate quantities of products by petroleum companies to their service stations.

* The absence of appropriate and verified equipment in Guyana to conduct verification of high flow metres and Tanker Wagon Compartments, in order to ensure the accuracy of the same is maintained.

Ramcharran said the Seraphin Mobile Prover System would be used by GNBS primarily to conduct the calibration of bulk metres and Tanker Wagon Compartments used at petrol terminals countrywide. He explained that this would be done twice yearly in order to ensure that accuracy is maintained and to facilitate equity in trade, as required by the 1981 Weights and Measures Act.

The 2000L system was included on a list of equipment to be purchased by GNBS for 2005 and based on funding acquired from the 2005 capital budget. He said it was bought from Western Scientific Company Ltd. of Trinidad at a cost of G$9,654,200.

The system is manufactured by Seraphin Test Measures Company of New Jersey, USA, he noted. It is made up of a precision volumetric stainless steel Prover connected to a pump-off system, which is mounted on a trailer.

Ramcharran said the Prover drain valve is plumbed to piping that can be routed via butterfly valves to gravity or to the pump and a manual hose reel, with hose and nozzle, is connected to the pump.

At the press conference, he also discussed general requirements on Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S).

He said there is a standard that specifies requirements for an OH&S management system, to enable organisations to formulate a policy and objectives, taking into account legislative requirements and information about significant hazards and risks which an organisation can control and over which it can be expected to have an influence, to protect its employees and others.

This standard is applicable to any organisation that wishes to:

* Implement, maintain and improve an Occupational Health and Safety management system;

* Assure itself of its conformance with its stated Occupational Health and Safety policy;

* Demonstrate such conformance to others;

* Seek certification/registration of its Occupational Health and Safety management system by an external organisation; and make a self–determination and self declaration of conformance with this standard.

Ramcharran also referred to general requirements for safety in laboratories and the Code of Practice on Occupational Safety and Health audit.

40th Independence Anniversary exhibition opens
AN EXHIBITION in celebration of Guyana’s 40th Anniversary was formally opened Tuesday at the National Museum in Georgetown, part of a month of activities planned to mark the country’s 40th Independence Anniversary.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Mr. Anthony Xavier, his Permanent Secretary Mr. Keith Booker apologised for the minister’s inability to appear at the event as was originally scheduled. Minister Xavier was at the time attending Parliament, Booker explained.

The Permanent Secretary told the media that despite the 40 years that Guyana has been independent, it is still very much a fledgling nation.

He said the exhibition serves to remind Guyanese of the legacy passed on to them by those who struggled for the country’s independence, and that those today still have to pass on the torch to future generations.

“We have a task before us which never ends since the building of a nation is a continuous activity,” stated Booker.

Acting Archivist with the National Archives, Ms. June Dubisette, said the exhibition is being held under the theme “Forty Years as a Sovereign Nation”. The exhibition is being held by the National Archives in conjunction with the National Museum and features two sections.

The first section, according to Dubisette, focuses on the immediate pre-Independence period, highlighting some of the persons involved in the struggle for independence from Great Britain in 1966.

The second section was designed to highlight some of the activities which took place over the 40 years. The exhibition is made up largely of pictures and old newspaper articles, while there is a small section of historical stamps.

“For some of us,” stated Dubisette, “it would be a refresher course while for others it would be educational.”

Essequibo Coast villagers warned over dumping
THE Public Health Officer in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Ms Shalina Jaigobin has warned residents of Lima Sands Housing Scheme and Mc Nabb, as well as farmers in the backlands, not to dump animal carcasses in the main irrigation canal on Essequibo Coast.

She said a dead cow was recently seen floating in the waterway from which people living at D8 and Mc Nabb use to drink, cook and wash.

Jaigobin said, if the warning is not heeded, prosecutions will follow.

CARICOM states agree public services must be strengthened
-- to meet CSME demands
COMMONWEALTH Caribbean countries have agreed that their public services must be strengthened and improved if they are to meet increasing demands by businesses and communities now that the Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME) has been established.

Cabinet secretaries and heads of public services from the region met at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, UK, April 19-20 last and drafted a Plan of Action to implement best practices in public service delivery from the Caribbean and the Commonwealth.

They also agreed on the design of short-term training programmes and seminars on public service administration and administrative law for senior public service officials.

Joan Nwasike, Adviser, Caribbean and Mediterranean, at the Governance and Institutional Development Division of the Secretariat, said: "It was also agreed that leaders of the public sector should ensure that the public service has adequate information and be involved with the CSME, which was established in December 2005 to facilitate the free movement of people, goods, services and capital."

The participants also endorsed the strengthening of their capacity in legal drafting through the use of information and communication technology.

They supported the development of performance management systems for senior officials and the documentation of regional experiences in litigation for public administration. (COMMONWEALTH NEWS AND INFORMATION SERVICES)

EAB joins call for non-violent environment
THE Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB) has joined in the call by stakeholders in the political process and civil society for a stable, non-violent environment in the pre- and post-elections period.

The EAB, in a press release, said it is also heartened by the recent public condemnation of the escalating level of violence in the country.

The group reported that it conducted training workshops for 11 Field Workers and Coordinators from six of the 10 administrative regions on April 21 and 26. This brings the total of persons trained for the verification of the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) to 56, it said.

They were drawn from Regions One (Barima/Waini), Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice).

The EAB said it had also invited all non-parliamentary political parties to a meeting on April 24 to discuss their programmes.

The National Democratic Front, the National Front Alliance, the Alliance for Change, GAP-ROAR, and the People’s Democratic Movement were at the meeting, it said.

The EAB confirmed that it has received official accreditation from the Guyana Elections Commission as a domestic observer for the upcoming general and regional elections.

Food For The Poor helps those in need
- Executive Director
FOOD For The Poor Guyana Incorporated has defended its work in the country as it tries to secure a better way of life for Guyanese in need.

The organisation’s work here is in keeping with its mission statement, Executive Director, Mr. Leon Davis, said last week as he defended it against criticism on a television programme that Food For the Poor was offering expired items to people.

He did not deny the charges made on the TV programme, admitting that some items might have been distributed in error.

But this, he said at a press conference, does not negate the good work being done by the organisation.

“The main reason for this press conference is to challenge journalists to tell us if we’re doing the right thing,” Davis explained.

“When we started to build the houses for poor people I received a number of telephone calls from persons trying to find out what we were achieving by building free houses for poor people,” he said.

“Of course it is for the betterment of poor people. And that is part of our mission statement. We do much more than offer food,” he said.

Davis reported that during last year Food For The Poor spent about $5M on food, clothing, and housing for poor people.

Food For The Poor is also involved in distributing agricultural implements, sports equipment, educational tools, hospital equipment, and paying fines for prisoners. He said it is also involved in school feeding programmes.

Over the past three years, the organisation has built 450 houses for the needy, and at the moment, it is engaged in building a housing scheme for Amerindians in Region One (Barima/Waini).

Davis said they are moving Amerindians from the Sumato swamp to Wauna Tobago, where the scheme is being constructed. Each of the houses will cost half a million dollars.

He also reported that the organisation has donated $71M in equipment, including maternity kits, to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Food For The Poor is particularly interested in improving the lot of children in orphanages and Davis said there is no discrimination as to whom assistance is offered.

“We help the needy, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation. What is our main concern is that we help those who are poor,” he explained.

Miss Linden Town Week Queen won close contest
A RADIANT looking Miss Amelia’s Ward, 19-year-old Tamicka Pellew won the Miss Linden Town Week Queen title from seven other delegates at the pageant last Saturday night.

Sponsored by Charmaine Critchlow and Friends, of Edison, New Jersey, she starred at one of the many colourful events staged, at Mackenzie Sports Club ground, for the 36th anniversary of the town.

The charming winner got an appreciative applause after qualifying with three other contestants, Miss L & L Lounge, 18-year-old Sheba Herman; Miss Kwakwani, Alicia Hartman and Miss Central Mackenzie, 19-year-old Queenette Dundas, to move into the final round where questions and answers ultimately decided the contest.

In the crowd witnessing the show, too, were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Opposition Leader Robert Corbin, Region 10 Chairman Mortimer Mingo, Chairman of Linden Fund U.S.A., Dr. Vincent Adams, Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards and International Project Manager of Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP), Ms. Kathleen Whalen.

Scores of overseas-based Guyanese, especially from the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom, were in attendance, as well.

Pellew was chosen ahead of third runner-up Dundas, whose sponsors were Cheryl’s Delight and the David family, second runner-up Hartman and first runner-up, Ms Canvas City, Sheba Herman, whose sponsorship was by Linmine Friendship and Dominoes Club.

The other participants were Miss Wisrock, 17-year-old Jamacie Stephens, sponsored by Guyanese American Ambassadors; Miss Silvertown, Joycelyn Wilson, sponsored by Berkely and Cheryl Pollard of New Jersey; Miss West Watooka, 22-year-old old Tashana McLennan, sponsored by the Adams Family and Miss Silvercity/Victory Valley, Debra Orna, sponsored by Seaforth Family Dentistry.

Herman had been adjudged the ‘Most Intelligent Delegate’ since the intelligence segment ended last week Wednesday and the remaining results were not totally surprising although many felt she should have placed higher.

Aspects of the entire outcome were not popular because, while there was some measure of jubilation over Hartman’s placing as second runner-up, an air of non-acceptance was evident at the winning declaration.

However, the intelligence rivalry between her and the winner proved a close competition.

Pellew and Herman are to represent Linden at the Miss Jamzone 2006 in July at Splashmin’s Fun Park along Soesdyke/Linden Highway, it was announced after the former was sashed by last year’s Linden Town Day Queen, Ms Teneisha Elexey.

The Saturday night programme included appearances by the four contestants in the ‘Miss Big and Beautiful’ contest staged earlier last week. (JOE CHAPMAN)

We do need to try again
THE peace pact and political code of conduct signed by political parties contesting general elections later this year is sweeping in its declarations, covering just about every aspect of the relevant processes to make the exercise trouble-free and decidedly utopian.

In raising the bar so high, those who drafted the peace pact and political code of conduct hardly considered the human factor.

This is not to say that the exercise on Tuesday on the forecourt of Parliament Buildings, the seat of government, was a waste of time.

Far from that.

The declarations to which the parties affixed their signatures testify to an ideal not unattainable, but rather one that is not easily achievable.

They demand a selflessness and a compassion for others that some might consider impractical and way beyond one’s capabilities.

Be that as it may, the parties which signed to the peace pact and code of conduct are probably saying, “We will do the best we can to adhere to these declarations”.

The exercise is useful, as it also brings to the attention of those concerned with running in the elections those tenets which are fair and unselfish and moral, fashioning a yardstick for behaviour that would redound to the well-being of the people in both the pre- and post-election periods.

Many of us still ask ourselves why is it that we have to be traumatised at varying degrees whenever election year comes around.

Why the pain and suffering, the loss of life and property, with the younger ones among us wondering at animosities coming to the fore in their elders, prejudice and envy of which they were hitherto unaware.

Why can’t it be different this time around?

The signing of the pact and code might not be the answer.

If it is not, what is?

The constitutionally approved Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) was set up for just this reason.

Its genesis is in the need to rid ourselves of those prejudices that lead to mayhem whenever we go to the polls, and to a lesser extent, the prejudices that hinder us from being one people in the years between.

In the run-up to this year’s elections, the ERC has brought together, on more than one occasion, political parties to sit and discuss conflict resolution and making room for each other, in the realization that we all have a right to be here, that we must accommodate each other, sharing resources equally and accessing opportunities without any ethnic bias.

This all sounds very familiar.

We have looked at this before, and the problems are still there.

But we do need to try again.

Perhaps, come elections 2006, we will find ourselves saying, at last, “It worked”.

Scientists worry about solar superstorm
-- Sun capable of unleashing geomagnetic blast that could cost tens of billions
By Leonard David Senior space writer
BOULDER, Colo. - Californians have long been bracing for the "big one" in terms of an earthquake.

But the sun lobs flares that are the most violent events in the solar system. A large flare releases a million times more energy than the largest earthquake.

The relative void between the sun and Earth is loaded with electrically charged particles, radiation, magnetic fields and electromagnetic energy. The effects of this space weather can range from damage to satellites to disruption of power grids on Earth.

Space weather can wreak havoc on a planetwide basis. And a look back more than 145 years ago may offer clues as to how harmful a space superstorm might be, given our dependence on technological systems.

Understanding and dealing with such consequences was a key issue for nearly 350 industry, academic and government experts taking part in Space Weather Week, held here April 25-28.

Space Weather Week was co-sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Environment Center, NASA's Heliophysics Division and the National Science Foundation's Division of Atmospheric Science.

Satellite-linked society
The implications stemming from a geomagnetic superstorm akin to the one that occurred in 1859 would be economically devastating, given our reliance upon satellites. That's the view of Sten Odenwald of the QSS Corp., based at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

Odenwald's satellite economic modelling work was melded with historical aspects of the 1859 storm, researched by Goddard scientist Jim Green. That 1859 event extended over a period from Aug. 28 to Sept. 3. One impact back then: A significant portion of the world's 140,000 miles of telegraph lines were unusable for a number of hours.

Now jump to today's satellite-linked society.

Taking a statistical approach is probably the only way to get a global handle on the economic impact, Odenwald told Space.com. "Our satellites have collectively shown themselves to be incredibly robust against major failures. Typically during the last solar activity cycle — Cycle 23 — only a few satellites seemed to suffer debilitating damage to their ability to operate profitably," he said. 

However, Odenwald advised, Earth did not experience the space weather conditions expected for a major "superstorm" like the one in 1859.

Statistical confidence level
Hypothetically thinking, Odenwald said, what about the scenario of an 1859-type superstorm taking place in 2012 at the peak of the next sunspot cycle?

Of the nearly 300 geosynchronous Earth-orbiting (GEO) satellites in operation, "such a storm may only actually kill a few dozen of the oldest systems, but will likely reduce the operating life of all the other satellites by 5 to 10 years," Odenwald said. "That would, in the long run, be a bigger economic catastrophe."

Odenwald projects billions of dollars of lost GEO satellite profit during an 1859-caliber superstorm. The model he has used to reach ballpark numbers includes a realistic treatment of how leased transponders are actually shifted to neighbouring satellites from failing "host" satellites.

The estimated profit loss tallies about $30 billion, Odenwald said. That figure is expected to climb higher as he mixes in various types of catastrophic satellite anomalies.

Future work will include collateral economic impacts, pushing the profit loss upwards of $70 billion, Odenwald suggested. "The GEO satellites themselves generate about $97 billion in revenue each year. A superstorm may well eat up most of that revenue for at least a few years."

Odenwald said that his research approach, coupled with more knowledge about how satellites are affected by severe solar storms — some of which is proprietary or classified — will help boost his statistical confidence level.

Dollar impact
A superstorm would influence operations below GEO, among lower-altitude satellites. For one, such a powerful outburst would disrupt civil and government navigation systems like the Global Positioning System. GPS satellite signals travel through a part of Earth's atmosphere called the ionosphere to receivers on or near Earth.

GPS is a worldwide radio-navigation system formed from a constellation of satellites and their ground stations. GPS uses the satellites as reference points to calculate positions on the ground accurate to a matter of metres. Space weather disturbances in the ionosphere seriously degrade GPS accuracy.

In his work, Odenwald suggests that roughly 100 low Earth-orbiting spacecraft would experience an earlier-than-normal reentry. The storm would heat Earth's upper atmosphere, causing it to expand and therefore increase the drag on satellites.

"The $100 billion international space station may lose significant altitude, placing it in critical need for reboosting by an amount potentially outside the range of typical space shuttle operations, which are in any case scheduled to end in 2010," Odenwald and Green reported.

"So far as I know, my study is the first of its kind, and it leads to some very interesting limits to the dollar impact of severe storms on our satellite industry," Odenwald said. (From Space.com)

Confident Windies arrive for one-day action
A CONFIDENT West Indies 13-man team arrived in Guyana yesterday to take part in the third and fourth Digicel one-day internationals against Zimbabwe which will be played on Saturday and Sunday at the GCC ground, Bourda.

The team, led by star batsman Brian Lara, landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, at approximately 14:30 h looking on a high after coming off victories in the first and second one-dayers in Antigua last weekend in the seven-match series.

President of Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Chetram Singh was on hand to welcome the players, except newly called-up Guyanese Sewnarine Chattergoon, who was expected to join the squad at the Le Meridien

In the first game, West Indies beat the tourists by five wickets while on Sunday they regained the momentum by claiming a comfortable 98-run triumph.

The visitors are expected to arrive in the country today after their participation in a 50-over encounter with the University of West Indies Vice-Chancellor’s XI in Antigua yesterday. (Ravendra Madholall)

Greaves strikes gold in T&T
GUYANA’S top junior cyclist Alonzo Greaves struck gold in Trinidad & Tobago over the weekend in the Beacon West Indies versus the World cycling series there.

In results released for Saturday’s 29 events at the Arima velodrome, Greaves won the Juniors’ seven-lap race, beating Trinidadians Nicholas Lopez into second and Jude Codrington to third. Earlier in event number seven, the Juniors’ eight-lap event, he placed third. Codrington was first.

In the Category 1 race, Warren McKay finished third in the two-lapper, with Danielle Halloway first and Adam Alexander second.

And 14-year-old Geron Williams placed second in the Juniors’ B race over four laps, finishing behind Trinidadian Trevor Commissiong, while Jamal Clarke of Barbados was third.

Golden Coast golf competition set for tomorrow
THE Golden Coast-sponsored golf competition will be held tomorrow at the Lusignan Golf Club.

The Format will be medal play shot gun start, with tee-off from 08:30 h.

The in-form players are: Patrick Prashad, Mike Mangal and Maurice Solomon, who will be challenged by John Tracey, Mike Guyadin and Bholawram Deo who have all scored below par (with their gross scores) in the GBTI tournament played last Saturday.

Rain over the past few days has made the course very challenging and tantalisingly encouraging for the golfers. Registration must be done before 17:00 h this afternoon at the Club.

Everest Hikers continue unbeaten hockey run
EVEREST Hikers continued their unbeaten run by defeating the lowly Police hockey team 7-0 last Friday at the Everest ground in the Farfan and Mendes first division league.

Among the leading marksmen were Jerry Bell and Marc King each with a double, along with Timothy McIntosh, Shane Samuels and captain Devin Munroe with one each. Despite several promising individual runs by veteran Ivor Thompson, the Police team were never in the legitimate running as the Hikers opened their account early in the going in their typical style of team play and deflections, to carry the score to 4-0 by the half. 

They then rained in three more in the second half to finish on seven without an answer from the Police.

The GCC meanwhile recovered from their first Farfan & Mendes loss (at the hands of Everest) in several years to defeat the Old Fort High Flyers by two goals to one. Under heavy conditions, the GCC made several strong right-side attacking runs and were rewarded in the 17th minute when captain Philip Fernandes slipped a pass from the right side to his brother Stephen, who slammed it past goalkeeper Tony Cole of Old Fort. A few minutes later Philip blasted a shot in from a penalty corner to take the GCC tally to 2 goals.

Old Fort came out with renewed vigour in the second half and after having several attempts foiled by goalkeeper Gregory Garraway of GCC, eventually pulled one back in the 57th minute with a deflection off the stick of Dexter Wyles. 

The game ended at 2-1 in favour of the GCC.

Tiger Woods' father Earl dies at 74
By Mark Lamport-Stokes
LOS ANGELES, Calif., (Reuters) - Earl Woods, who started his son Tiger on the path towards golfing pre-eminence at a tender age then mentored him through his early career, died yesterday at the age of 74.

Earl Woods had been battling prostate cancer since 1998.

"I'm very saddened to share the news of my father's passing at home early this morning," his son, the world number one, said on his official website.

"My dad was my best friend and greatest role model, and I will miss him deeply.

"I'm overwhelmed when I think of all the great things he accomplished in his life. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend.

"I wouldn't be where I am today without him, and I'm honoured to continue his legacy of sharing and caring.

The 10-time major champion had spent the last week with his father at his home in Cypress, California, after returning from a trip to New Zealand where he attended the wedding of his caddie Steve Williams.

COMPETITIVE GOLF
At the time, Woods said he was unlikely to play competitive golf again until next month's U.S. Open at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, New York.

His father's condition had deteriorated since the end of last year and Woods junior skipped the final practice day for the Players Championship at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, in March to spend time with him.

Earl's prostate cancer was initially eradicated by radiation therapy before it returned in 2004, causing lesions on his back and a tumour behind his left eye.

More radiation therapy followed and he was given a clean bill of health last year before his condition again deteriorated.

Tiger, who was introduced to golf as a young child by Earl, has often attributed his mental toughness in tournaments to his former Green Beret father.

Earl nicknamed his son 'Tiger' after a Vietnamese soldier who became a good friend when he served with the U.S. military in Vietnam.

Germany well prepared for World Cup security
VIENNA, (Reuters) - German security preparations for the World Cup finals are going well, a senior U.S. Homeland Security official said yesterday.

"It is the work of governments to make sure that we are taking prudent precautions, and I have every reason to believe that the host nation for the World Cup is doing exactly that," Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson told reporters.

He was speaking before talks with EU counterparts on security cooperation in areas including terrorism and passports, just over a month ahead of the tournament's opening game on June 9.

Without being "unduly" concerned about security at the event in Germany, all large public gatherings such as the World Cup or the Super Bowl require "prudent measures", Jackson said.

Jackson's comments come days after the head of the EU's police agency, Max-Peter Ratzel, gave a thumbs-up to Germany, saying he had no concerns and that everything was in place.

Swedish Justice Minister Thomas Bodstrom told reporters last week that EU countries would send police officers on the ground to help the German police. Jackson said he was considering technical assistance and exchanges of best practice.

"I would like to watch what they do because I can certainly learn some good lessons," he said.

U.S. President George W. Bush will ask German Chancellor Angela Merkel to do more for women who may be exploited through prostitution during the World Cup when she visits Washington, U.S. Congress human rights committee chairman Christopher Smith said earlier.

Bryant loses cool as Lakers are sunk by Suns 114-97
NEW YORK, NY (Reuters) - Kobe Bryant lost his cool and the Los Angeles Lakers lost the game falling 114-97 to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday in Game Five of their fiery Western conference quarter-final.

The New Jersey Nets, Miami Heat and defending champions San Antonio Spurs all posted big Game Five victories to seize control of their best-of-seven series 3-2.

The Suns were the only team facing elimination on Tuesday and responded with their best effort of the post-season, but still trail the Lakers 3-2 with the series shifting back to Los Angeles for Game Six today.

After the Suns' Raja Bell was ejected from the contest for close lining Bryant midway through the fourth quarter, the Lakers' all-star soon joined him to the locker room exiting the game after receiving his second technical foul with 3:11 left to play.

Down by 23 and with Bryant done for the night, Lakers coach Phil Jackson threw in the towel looking forward to a Game Six home court showdown.

Boris Diaw, who was voted the NBA's most improved player of the year on Monday, led the Suns narrowly missing out on a playoff triple-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

Despite the early exit, Bryant, had a game-high 29 points and pulled down seven rebounds to lead the Lakers.

"I thought we just played really solid tonight," the Suns' Steve Nash told reporters. "It would be nice to be 3-2 up but we're in a position now where we can ride the momentum and let it all hang out in LA."

NASTY SPILL
In Miami, Dwyane Wade shook off a nasty spill to bag a game-high 28 points sparking the Heat to a 92-78 victory over the Bulls and a 3-2 series lead heading back to Chicago for Game Six today.

With time running down on the opening half Wade crashed to the floor driving to the basket and had to be helped off the court and carried to the dressing room with an injured hip.

But after taking a pain-killing shot, Wade returned late in the third quarter to finish what he started leading the Heat to a Game Five win going 9-of-18 from the floor and 9-of-10 from the free throw line.

Antoine Walker contributed 17 points and seven rebounds to the Miami cause while Shaquille O'Neal celebrated the birth of his daughter on Monday, with a 16-point and 10-rebound effort.

In East Rutherford, an inspired Vince Carter poured in 34 points, pulled down a playoff career-high 15 rebounds and dished out seven assists as the Nets pushed the Pacers to the brink of elimination with a 92-86 win.

After falling behind 2-1 in the series, Carter has taken the third-seeded Nets on his back, scoring 62 points in back-to-back wins in Games Four and Five sending New Jersey to Indianapolis for Game Six today with a chance to advance to the next round.

Indiana supplied a balanced attack with five players registering double-figure efforts led by 19 points from Jermaine O'Neal but could not manage to pull off the upset.

"That's why they're in the playoffs right now," said Richard Jefferson, who had 24 points for the Nets. "Indiana are a tough team, it doesn't matter if they're down … or fully loaded. They're a beast to handle.

CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE
In San Antonio, Manu Ginobili hit for 27 points and Tim Duncan added 24 as the Spurs displayed their championship pedigree dropping the Kings 109-98.

Tony Parker added 21 points and Bruce Bowen hit for 16 to help the Spurs offset dazzling individual efforts from the Kings' Bonzi Wells, who had 38 points and 12 rebounds and Ron Artest with 24 points and five steals.

After absorbing back-to-back defeats in Sacramento, the Spurs returned home trying to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season and were made to earn the win by the eighth- seeded Kings.

Deadlocked at 93-93 with just under two minutes to play in the fourth, Duncan and Bowen nailed back-to-back jumpers to give the Spurs a precarious lead which they held to the buzzer.

Venus earns first victory of 2006 to reach Warsaw second round
WARSAW, Poland (Reuters) - Venus Williams earned her first victory of 2006 yesterday when she defeated Urszula Radwanska 6-3, 6-3, to reach the second round of the Warsaw Cup tennis.

The seventh-seeded American, who was beaten in the first round of the Australian Open in her only other match this year, had managed just one win since reaching the quarter-finals of the 2005 U.S. Open after suffering elbow and arm injuries.

Top seed Kim Clijsters and number three Elena Dementieva both took 51 minutes to progress past Ukrainian qualifiers.

Belgian Clijsters enjoyed a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 win over Julia Vakulenko, while Dementieva surrendered just five points in the second set during a 6-2, 6-0 rout over Tatiana Perebiynis.

Wimbledon champion Williams could not have asked for a gentler return to the tour, facing a 15-year-old Polish wildcard playing her first WTA event. However, she faces a sterner test in the next round against Switzerland's Martina Hingis.

"I was really eager and ready to go. It was exciting," Williams told reporters. "All in all I'm happy. You can't ask for too much more.

"At this stage every match is important to me, to get a rhythm and start dominating hopefully.

"STRAINED LIGAMENT"
"Basically I strained a ligament in my elbow," Williams said of her injury. "It was like a golfers' elbow. It was a really hard place to heal and it just took time.

"I was always practising a lot but I couldn't serve. That was a big problem, so I had to wait until my arm didn't hurt before I could serve.

"I really didn't want any more Australian Opens where I wasn't playing at 100 percent with preparation or health. I just didn't want to come back until I knew I could do that."

Radwanska, whose older sister Agnieszka upset sixth seed Anastasia Myskina on Tuesday, competed well but had nothing in her game that could cause Williams any concern.

Williams's greatest challenge came from her lack of match play, and she only occasionally showed glimpses of her best level. Her greater power, though, always gave her the advantage, even though she sometimes lacked accuracy.

Two aces in the opening game gave Williams the start she needed as she held to love, and a deep ball forced a forehand error from Radwanska to earn her a break for 3-1.

Although Williams made a backhand error to concede her own serve in the next game, she broke again to lead 4-2 with a forehand winner, failed to convert a set point on Radwanska's serve at 5-2 but then served out for the set.

Williams broke again to begin the second set but Radwanska levelled at 2-2 when the ball hit the net cord and left Williams with no chance of reacting.

But the 2004 Warsaw champion broke once more to lead 3-2, and after failing to win two break points at 4-2 she took the match with a further break at 5-3 when Radwanska double-faulted.

Mbangwa pities Zimbabwe's young guns
POMMIE Mbangwa, the former Zimbabwe bowler, has bemoaned the state of cricket in his country and has pleaded with officials to "agree on a way to move things forward".

Mbangwa, commentating for television in the West Indies where Zimbabwe are involved in seven one-dayers, has expressed his sadness that such an inexperienced side was sent to the Caribbean. Before the series started, the entire squad had played just 176 one-day internationals between them.

"There have been problems in Zimbabwe cricket for a long time and they have been out there for everybody to see," he said. "It is very sad the problems obviously have not been solved, or else you would see a completely different side out there on the field, and Zimbabwe would not have been one of the whipping boys of world cricket over the last few years."

Mbangwa made reference to Zimbabwe's previous tour of the West Indies six years ago, when they came close to beating the hosts and showed promise. And four years ago, the West Indies narrowly avoided losing the one-day series during their tour of Zimbabwe.

"Unfortunately, things have gone pear-shaped about the same time that Zimbabwe had been able to get a side together that in time would have been very competitive," he said.

"All of the things said by the players that have chosen not to play for Zimbabwe must hold some water. Collectively, anybody who has any love for Zimbabwe cricket has to come together, and accept that things have been done wrong in the past, and agree on a way to move things forward."

He added that it would have been thrilling to see some of the more experienced Zimbabwe players - such as Andy Flower, who is currently playing for Essex, and Heath Streak who is captaining Warwickshire - come back and play for the country again.

"It's all they would love to do once they are still active and playing cricket," he said. "Here we have a side (whose) average age is around 20-year-old, and what is sad is that you have young players learning the game against players twice their age and several times their experience," he said.

"This is what the problems between the board and the players have brought on Zimbabwe cricket, and the sooner it's sorted out, the better."

Though Zimbabwe have surprised the West Indies with their competitiveness in the two one-dayers so far, Mbangwa was nevertheless sorry for the players who, given their lack of experience, should not be playing so soon against such tough opposition.

"It's unfair to them," he said. "It may be alright that one or two may stand out and people may say they have talent, but for the others, who don't quite get things right, they are coming into the international game five or six years too early.

"How much better it would have been for some of them to play five or six more years of cricket and then turn up as a guy who had talent at the age of 19, worked through his weaknesses, got better, got stronger, got fitter, knew a little bit more about the game, and played 25 or 30 first-class matches.

"The other reason I say it doesn't hearten me, but hurt me is that it could happen again. When these players get a little older, are they going to turn around and say they need this, this, and this, and not given it, get frustrated, then leave the game, and some other young players turn up."

Zimbabwe trail West Indies 0-2 in the seven-match series, after back-to-back losses by five wickets and 98 runs on Saturday and Sunday at Antigua. They meet again for the third and fourth matches at the weekend. (Cricinfo)

Serena targets return in next few months
LONDON, England (Reuters) - Serena Williams expects to return to competitive tennis in the next few months after being sidelined with a knee injury since January's Australian Open tennis.

"I want everyone to know that I will be back on the tennis court and that I fully intend to be competing on the WTA Tour in the coming months," the American, who has slumped to 106 in the world rankings, said in a statement yesterday.

She has played only four matches since last year's U.S. Open and has not participated on the Tour following her third-round defeat as defending champion at the Australian Open.

Williams has been fined heavily by the WTA Tour for pulling out of several tournaments in 2006.

She had knee surgery in 2003 and has not won a title since her seventh grand slam crown at the 2005 Australian Open.

"These past months have been very frustrating for me personally as I have had to take this time off to fully mend from a chronic knee injury," said the former world number one.

"What I can tell you today based on what I am being told by my doctors is that I should be in a position to be playing again by the end of this summer.

"I'm more excited than ever to resume my playing career as soon as my body is ready.”

UEFA blames rich clubs for soccer's loss of identity
By Darren Ennis
BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) - Football is losing its identity because wealthy clubs are signing players for their commercial value rather than their ability, European Union lawmakers were told yesterday.

"An example of just how bad the problem is, is what we call the 'Asian factor' where a club buys a player from Asia purely to gain commercial links, paying him big wages and leaving him on the sidelines," said Lars-Christer Olsson, CEO of European football's governing body UEFA.

Olsson also hit out at what he called "hoarding of players by big clubs".

"Too many big clubs are just going out and buying the best players and leaving them on the bench and so depriving the fans of seeing them, and also depriving other clubs at which they could play from having them," Olsson said.

"We have surveyed the fans and 66 percent of them say that they feel the game has lost its identity because not enough clubs are using local players."

Yesterday’s public hearing in Brussels is the first time those running the game have sat side by side in public with the G14, representing 18 of the world's most powerful clubs.

FIFA, soccer's world governing body, has refused to negotiate with the G14 and its president Sepp Blatter has threatened to go to 'war' with them.

The first topic under discussion was the so-called "home-grown player rule", agreed last year at UEFA's Congress. UEFA have set a minimum quota of locally-trained players, which would rise on a sliding scale starting from the 2006-07 season.

COMPETITION LAW
From next season, clubs entering UEFA competitions must have four 'locally-trained' players, defined as players who have been registered for three seasons or years with the club between the ages of 15 and 21.

A question mark remains over whether the rule is in breach of EU competition law. "We don't say whether the rule is right or wrong, but whether it is legal," Thomas Kurth, G14 general manager, told the hearing.

"The rule could clearly be construed as a breach of EU treaties on non-discrimination and free movement and creates potential legal and financial challenges for clubs."

The EU hearing kicks off a big fortnight for soccer in Europe. Jose Luis Arnaut, the man leading a review into how the game is run across the European Union, is expected to deliver his final report in the next week.

On May 15, a Belgian court will rule in a landmark case lodged against world soccer's governing body FIFA by Belgian first division club Charleroi, who are backed by G14.

Charleroi are seeking compensation after one of their players was injured on international duty.

Big showdown expected between Squires and Downes
By Isaiah Chappelle
THERE is much anticipation of a big showdown between defending champion Phillip Squires and 14-year-old Anthony Downes, tonight, in the Men’s Open Singles final of Le Meridien Pegasus at the hotel courts.

Rebecca Mitchell retains the Ladies’ Singles crown without having to hit a ball, because opponent Shelly Daly will not take to the court due to an injured right wrist.

Daly, yesterday, told Chroncile Sport that she sprained the wrist during the semi-final match against Carol Humphrey.

“I probably put a lot of pressure on the wrist because my shoulder was not well.”

She was not aware of the extent of the injury and went on to play in the Mixed Doubles final, making it worse.

“I was waiting on the doctor’s report. It is not good. I cannot play for one month. Cast is on from wrist to almost the elbow.”

She said it was better to forego one title to be in more competitions and she would be back for the next one scheduled for the end of June-July.

Squires told Chronicle Sport, yesterday, that he was confident of turning back the challenge from the younger player.

“It should be a nice match. I will make him feel a like a star player, the other way round. I already know what I will do with him.”

While Downes was uncertain how the match would end, he told Chronicle Sport that he was not intimidated by the enormity of the encounter.

“Not too sure how the match will go; I can’t really say. But I’m supposed to win. My mind is telling me that. I felt good at practice. I know reasonably what to do. I am not intimidated by the match.”

Downes said he was going through his usual mental preparation, which should also prepare him for his first major final, which serves off at 18:30 h.

The Men’s 45-&-Over Doubles final precedes that match, starting from 17:00 h.

Squires and partner Maxie Fox lost the Men’s Doubles title on Tuesday, bowing to Clinton and Wayne Alphonso in straight sets 6-3, 6-4.

Rudy Grant captured the 45-&-Over Singles title, disposing of Feroze Khan in the straight sets. After a strong challenge, Grant won the first set 7-5, then Khan made several errors in the second as Grant took it 6-2.

In the 45-&-Over Men’s Doubles, Bobby Khan and Roy Rampersaud secured a place in the semifinals, defeating Albert Madramootoo and Steven Longe in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.

Indian board plans one-day internationals in U.S.
NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - The Indian cricket board is planning to organise a one-day series in the United States this year, secretary Niranjan Shah said yesterday.

"We are exploring possibilities of playing in North America in September," Shah told Reuters. "Nothing has been finalised, but West Indies and Australia could be the other teams."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said last month it would play around 25 one-dayers in the next five years in neutral venues such as the United States and Europe to raise funds and help Indians living abroad to watch their team in action.

Other proposed venues include Hong Kong, Canada, Netherlands, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Shah said the BCCI had initially wanted to organise a tri-series in the Gulf venue of Abu Dhabi in September but had decided to shelve the plan.

The Indian media quoted a senior BCCI official as saying that the decision was due to Pakistan pulling out because of their tight schedule. The event was planned between their Test tour of England and the ICC Champions Trophy in October-November.

Shah said a tournament in the United States would draw thousands of Indians and Caribbean fans living there. "There are a lot of Indians there, we can play on the West coast in Los Angeles or in the East in New Jersey," he said.

The Indian board's plans come at a time of serious concern over the crowded schedule, especially for one-day internationals.

International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani has expressed concern over player injuries and burnouts, saying it was up to the national boards to manage their schedules.

England can cope without injured Rooney - Lampard
By Marc Isaacs
LONDON, England (Reuters) - England midfielder Frank Lampard believes there is enough quality in the England squad to cope without injured forward Wayne Rooney and says the players are still confident they can go all the way in Germany.

"We're all upset that we could potentially lose Wayne because he is one of the best players in the world. But we cannot use that as an excuse," Lampard said yesterday.

"We have got to look at our squad and think; we have still got Stephen Gerrard, Michael Owen, John Terry, Joe Cole, and Rio Ferdinand at the back.

"I could go through every player because there is a great deal of Champions League experience and fantastic players throughout the whole team. We have now got to be sure what we are all about."

Lampard was speaking at a news conference after England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson had earlier said that Rooney, who has broken more than one bone in his foot, may need a miracle to play at the World Cup finals which start on June 9.

GREAT QUALITY
"Of course, we are going to miss Wayne, but we have got great quality in this team and we can go and win the World Cup," added Lampard. "We will have other options in the way we play and for me there should be no pessimism."

The FA are set to hold another board meeting today where they are expected to name the next England manager.

England assistant coach Steve McClaren, who has led Middlesbrough to this year's UEFA Cup final, is the favourite to succeed Eriksson after the World Cup. Lampard feels he would be a popular choice among the players.

"Steve has been a great coach for England and what he has done for Middlesbrough this season has been fantastic," said Lampard. "People thought they might have struggled in the league but he has managed to get them to a UEFA Cup final.

"I know Steve from working with him and if he does get the job he will be a fantastic England manager.

"He is a great coach on the training pitch. When he speaks to you it makes sense straight away. You can always learn things from him and he has that personal touch with the players. That is a big step for a manager.

Hinds lashes hundred in VC XI's win over Zimbabwe
ST JOHN'S, Antigua, (CMC) - Ryan Hinds hit a match-winning unbeaten century to spur the University of the West Indies Vice Chancellor's XI to a comfortable five-wicket win over the touring Zimbabwe team in their one-day match at the Jolly Beach resort yesterday.

Hinds, who last represented West Indies in April 2005 in a Test match against South Africa in Barbados, cracked 15 fours and a six in his 117 not out to lead the Vice Chancellor's to 325 for five off 46.1 overs to overhaul Zimbabwe's 324 for five off their 50 overs.

Hinds received good support from Chadwick Walton, who hit an undefeated 67 and opener Xavier Marshall, who made 54.

Walton struck 14 fours in his knock while Marshall compiled 10 fours and a six in his innings.

There were knocks of 37 from captain Shirley Clarke, a former West Indies youth captain, and 26 by Eric Batson.

Pacer Anthony Ireland, playing his first match of the tour after recovering from a broken hand sustained about six weeks ago in Zimbabwe, captured three for 52 from 8.1 overs.

Earlier, opener Piet Rinke cracked 113, slamming 14 fours and two sixes to help Zimbabwe to their challenging total.

Rinke was ably assisted by wicketkeeper batsman Brendan Taylor who made 80 with seven fours and two sixes while Charles Coventry supported with 54.

Vusi Sibanda, who also recovered from a broken hand to play the game, made 28 and Keith Dabengwa 23.

West Indies 'A' team medium-fast bowler Richard Kelly took two for 46.

The UWI honoured former West Indies pacers Winston and Kenneth Benjamin, both unrelated, during the game.

The Zimbabweans travel to Guyana today to oppose the West Indies in the third and fourth One-Day Internationals on Saturday and Sunday.

The home side has a 2-0 lead after the first two games at the Antigua Recreation Ground here last weekend.

ZIMBABWE innings

P. Rinke lbw R Singh 113

K. Dabengwa b C. Clarke 23

B. Taylor c Kantasingh b Kelly 80

C. Coventry c Marshall b Bobb 54

G. Strydom c Bobb b Kelly 1

E. Chigumbura not out 10

V. Sibanda not out 28

Extras: (lb-4, w-10, nb-1) 15

Total: (for 5 wkts, 50 overs) 324

Bowling: Moore 4-0-24-0, Kelly 7-0-46-2, C. Clarke 7-0-52-1, S. Clarke 7-0-45-0, Kantasingh 5-0-30-0, Hinds 10-0-53-0, R. Singh 8-0-41-1, Bobb 2-0-29-1.

UWI VICE CHANCELLOR'S XI innings

Z. Marshall c & b Chibhabha 54

R. Chattergoon c b Ireland 3

R. Hinds not out 117

S. Clarke c b Dabengwa 37

E. Batson c wkp. Taylor b Ireland 26

L. Sebastian lbw Ireland 0

C. Walton not out 67

Extras: (lb-8, w-8, nb-5) 21

Total: (for five wkts, 46.1 overs) 325

Bowling: Ireland 8.1-1-52-3, Mahwire 4-0-41-0, Mupariwa 5-0-37-0, Meth 6-1-42-0, Chibhabha 1-0-11-1, Higgins 7-0-50-0, Utseya 8-0-42-0, Dabengwa 7-0- 42-1.