EU working on WTO concessions for poor countries
--- President urges G-90 solidarity
by Mark Ramotar
THE very important and crucial G-90 Ministerial Meeting which opened yesterday in Georgetown has been lauded for its timeliness and ‘farsightedness’ in giving priority to hammering out a common negotiating position on world trade issues.

Head of the Delegation of European Commission to Guyana, Ambassador Per Eklund, during his address at the opening ceremony at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel, noted that the EU was the first to recognize the G-90 group of countries as a serious negotiating partner and to welcome it as an influential coalition in the World Trade Organization (WTO).

“We continue to place great faith in your ability to shape events in a positive way to the benefit of your economic development and our own,” Ambassador Eklund told the large, high-level gathering.

“That is why the EU believes that this meeting is very important and very timely (and) it is farsighted of the G-90 countries to give such priority to hammering out a common negotiating position,” he said.

Eklund also expressed the hope that the two-day meeting - being held under the theme ‘Towards a Common Platform, For Development and Prosperity’ - will result in a broad platform that sets out the group’s basic aims and concerns and gives a strong and positive impetus to the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) work programme.

This, he said, would obviously help in getting agreement on negotiating modalities at the upcoming WTO General Council in July.

Ambassador Eklund also reiterated that the EU is ready to put on the table all export subsidies, provided the EU gets full parallelism and a balanced overall package on agriculture. He said, too, that the EU has new flexibility on the Singapore issues, and that the EU is proposing that the WTO membership agree to a package of concessions for the poorest and weakest WTO members - essentially the G-90 group.

He indicated that these proposals have been positively received by most WTO members and are considered as important contributions to re-launching the trade negotiations.

Eklund also called on other WTO members to “match this level of ambition and flexibility so that the Doha Round can make real progress in July”.

According to him, the EU considers development as the backbone of the DDA and a cross cutting dimension of the negotiations.

President Bharrat Jagdeo, in his feature address at the opening ceremony, stressed the need for participants to work in solidarity as they try to come up with a synchronized position for the grouping on crucial world trade issues.

“We are still trying to persuade them of the need to address these vulnerabilities (since) for us to benefit from the evolving trading arrangements, we require more binding commitments on our long-standing preferences,” President Jagdeo stated.

He warned that without the current preferential margins and tariff quota access that the G-90 countries now enjoy on their commodities, the group will be “wiped off the map by the large and more competitive producers”.

“The assurance we sought in Cancun on long-standing preferences have remained elusive and we are forced to keep on trying until we can knock on a more receptive door,” he posited.

“Your deliberations over these two-days will try to set up a common platform from which we can go forward with the necessary solidarity (and) I am confident that this solidarity and unity will emerge,” the Guyanese Head-of-State told the large gathering.

“A new G-90 platform will give hope to millions who live in our countries. It will add political and moral strength to our cause and send the right message to our trading partners. It will also surely sustain us in the tough negotiations in the months and years ahead,” he asserted.

“We need to act with dispatch and with conviction to ensure that the new Framework Agreements currently being examined for adoption in July go beyond Cancun and provide us with the security we need in the WTO,” President Jagdeo stated.

Guyana's Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Clement Rohee, who was very instrumental in organizing the meeting, noted the main purpose of the forum is to set the CARIFORUM agenda for the G-90.

According to him, the meeting is expected to provide a working document that CARIFORUM can take forward to the next two days' meeting, one that the region feels would lead to a high degree of comfort and acceptance at the G90.

As the largest constituency of the WTO, it is vital that the G90 formulate and maintain a harmonious position if the WTO negotiations are to make any progress.

The meeting will also examine areas where the region diverges from the other constituents of the G90.

It could be recalled that the breakdown of the Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancun on September 14, 2003 came when member states failed to reach consensus on a number of key issues,

Developed countries stuck to their guns and refused a proposal to 'unbundle' the 'Singapore issues' on the grounds that such a move would impose additional commitments at a time when offers from developed countries, particularly in agriculture, did not go far enough.

WTO members in general were not at one on central elements of the agriculture draft circulated on September 13.

Since then, there has been some movement with countries pushing the issues agreeing that three of the components be dropped and trade facilitation be put on the table.

According to Minister Rohee, this current meeting would examine whether the other three components should be dropped entirely or whether they be part of the work program of the Doha Development Round.

This would mean that they are not entirely removed from the negotiations, but would be placed for negotiating at some future time.

The groups would also have to deliberate on the issue of trade facilitation and countries' capacity to facilitate trade including administrative matters that affect trade such as the beaucracies associated with international trade.

Meanwhile, Brazilian External Affairs Minister, Mr. Celso Amorim, in his remarks at the opening session yesterday, urged the G-90 group to not be distracted at this crucial stage of negotiations.

“At this crucial stage of the negotiations, one of the greatest risks that we face would be to let ourselves fall into distractions that are artificially brought into the debate, distractions aimed at making us lose sight of our commonalities, and at splitting natural allies,” Minister Amorim asserted.

“In this regard, we should be guided by the twin objectives of mainstreaming the development dimension in the WTO and the increase in the ownership of the Organisation by all its members,” he added.

Also making very useful and thought-provoking presentations at the opening ceremony were Chief of Cabinet, Office of the Director General of the WTO, Mr. Stuart Harbinson; and Secretary-General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Secretariat, Mr. Jean-Robert Goulongana.

At Berbice Assizes…
Guard goes on trial over teen rape
THE trial of Charles Layne, who is indicted for rape, commenced yesterday before Justice Claudette La Bennett and a mixed jury at the Berbice Assizes.

In her opening address, State Prosecutor Candace Raphael said the victim was first raped by the accused on May 18, 1997, when she took food for him at Shell Antilles, Providence, East Bank Berbice, where he was employed as a security guard.

The Prosecutor said, on that occasion, the girl’s 15th birthday, Layne had forced sexual intercourse with her in the guard hut.

The teen’s mother later testified that, on September 28, 1997, she was under their house when her daughter told her the accused had sex with her twice, including on her birthday.

The witness said she accompanied the teenager to a Probation Officer on September 30, 1997 and, again, on December 12, 1997, after which they went to Central Police Station, New Amsterdam, where a report was made and statements given.

Former policewoman Lorraine Dow, giving evidence-in-chief, said she took the victim to New Amsterdam Hospital on December 12, 1997 and a registered medical practitioner who examined her issued a certificate that said no hymen was present in the vagina tract.

Layne, who is accused of raping the 15-year-old between May 1 and 31, 1997, is conducting his own defence as the case continues.

Food for the Poor joins housing drive...
Two of 15 Sophia families get occupying certificates
by Michel Outridge
THE Food for the Poor Guyana Incorporated yesterday presented certificates to two of the fifteen (15) families who are presently occupying the houses built in Sophia by the organization this year as a symbol of ownership.

According to Public Relations Officer/Manager, Food for the Poor, Vanessa Singh, this new initiative is a pilot project by Food for the Poor in which they construct houses for poor families who own their land and cannot access funds to build a home on their own.

She noted that fifteen houses were built in Sophia in March this year and is being funded by the Food for the Poor Incorporated based in Miami, Florida, USA.

The organisation's objective is to provide houses for poor families who are in need and who cannot construct houses on their own which is deemed as a start for those families, she said.

Food for the Poor also built 25 houses on the Essequibo Coast and there are plans to move into other areas such as Region One (Barima/Waini) and Berbice.

The criteria for home ownership by Food for the Poor are easy and simple. The family must be assessed and qualify for home ownership.

They must own their own land and unable to acquire funds to construct their house.

Singh disclosed that water and sanitation is another aspect under consideration and the Food for the Poor is working in collaboration with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to improve the situation at Sophia in a matter of weeks.

The houses are given to poor families free of cost.

The cottage style, light green and white wooden houses built by Food for the Poor were constructed at a cost of $550,000 each.

Singh told reporters yesterday morning that Food for the Poor came into the Sophia to construct ten houses but ended up building 15 instead after they had assessed the need for houses by poor families.

"Our aim is to make sustainable houses for poor families, noting that today Food for the Poor celebrates its 13th Anniversary," Singh disclosed yesterday at Sophia.

The two families who were presented certificates of home ownership are the Adolphus family and Penny Abrams and her family.

GMA to lobby for improved Customs efficiency
THE Guyana Manufacturers' Association (GMA) met with senior officials of the Customs and Trade Administration (CTA) last Tuesday in an effort to improve the efficiency of the latter.

The GMA has undertaken to lobby policy makers and the donor community for their assistance and support initiatives to improve the efficiency of the CTA.

The areas identified for improvement the fight against smuggling, software for an upgraded Asycuda system, conclusion of contracts for remission on duties between manufacturers and government, staff training and exposure to overseas customs operations to enhance networking capability and implementation of an incentive package for CTA staff.

All the items on the agenda of the meeting raised by the GMA were addressed and solutions within the CTA were identified. The solution to those matters, which did not wholly fall under the purview of the CTA, were also discussed and a plan of action was agreed on.

G-90/G-20 ties vital for trade talks success
by Mark Ramotar
BRAZIL’S External Affairs Minister, Celso Amorim, has lauded the exchange of views between the G-90 and the G-20 groups, saying this is a key element for the success of the Doha Round of trade negotiations.

“Since their inception, during the Cancun Ministerial Meeting, both groups have been acting in a complementary way,” Minister Amorim told the opening session of the G-90 Ministerial Meeting in Georgetown yesterday morning.

Brazil is a member of the G-20 group and Minister Amorim was a special invitee at yesterday’s G-90 meeting at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel.

According to the Brazilian Minister, the G-90 and the G-20 groups, together, constitute the bulk of the World Trade Organization (WTO) membership.

“We also share a commonality of interests centered in translating the Doha Development Agenda into reality (and) above all, we have behind us the strength of millions of competitive producers in the developing world whose access to the benefits of a fuller participation in international trade is yet to be ensured,” Minister Amorim told the large, high-level gathering.

“We find ourselves at an important crossroads for WTO trade negotiations (given the fact that) we witnessed in Cancun (Mexico) a fundamental change in the dynamics of multilateral negotiations as a result of our actions,” he posited.

He also indicated that for the first time, developing countries “refused to be cast as supporting actors”. “Separately, but with a shared sense that legitimate aspirations of the majority of the world’s population could no longer be ignored, we constituted a virtuous, albeit informal, alliance in support of fair and balanced results,” he stated.

He noted that during the Fifth WTO Ministerial meeting, the G-90 articulated a mature and consistent view regarding the so-called Singapore issues.

According to him, it was the Groups’ resistance to embark on negotiations on new onerous obligations within the WTO system that helped streamline the agenda and concentrate on essentials.

“The perception that we should first address and resolve key unfinished business such as implementation, (special and differential treatment), and agriculture, prior to setting up additional burdens on poor countries has found sympathy, support and understanding among most Organisation’s members,” the Brazilian Minister contended.

For its part, he said the G-20 focused its action on agriculture.

“Addressing shared concerns by all developing countries, we engaged developed countries on issues regarding better access to markets; elimination of trade distorting practices through billionaire subsidies to production and export and preservation of food security and livelihood of populations which depend on subsistence agriculture,” he posited.

In this regard, Minister Amorim indicated that the G-90 members stand to gain from the liberalization of agricultural markets and from the elimination of distortions that plague it. He, however, cautioned that in order to get there, “we need the participation of all WTO stakeholders to support our fight”.

“At this crucial stage of the negotiations, one of the greatest risks that we face would be to let ourselves fall into distractions that are artificially brought into the debate, distractions aimed at making us lose sight of our commonalities, and at splitting natural allies,” he asserted.

“In this regard, we should be guided by the twin objectives of mainstreaming the development dimension in the WTO and the increase in the ownership of the Organisation by all its members,” he added.

Minister Amorim also stated: “Developing countries have a rare window of opportunity. There is so much that unites us. Let’s work out our small differences in perception. Let’s continue to build up a common front, so that the Doha Development Agenda becomes more than a title. Brazil and the G-20 stand ready to contribute to that objective and we pledge our full cooperation to achieve it.”

He said this is why he valued so much the invitation by Guyana’s Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Minister, Mr. Clement Rohee to address the opening of this G-90 meeting.

“I am sure this is a preclude for an intensified dialogue between our two groups,” he hinted in obvious reference to the upcoming UNCTAD (G-20) meeting in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

RPA reports harvesting nearly complete in Region Six
HARVESTING of the current Spring crop in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) is nearing completion, Rice Producers Association (RPA) President, Mr Leekah Rambrich reported this week.

He said, so far, paddy has been reaped from 34,500 acres of the 36,600 acres sown but the present inclement weather is stalling the pace.

Rambrich said late payment to farmers by some overseas based companies, whose debts date back to the last harvest, is another factor affecting the production process.

According to him, up to now, the Region has netted about 950,000 bags of the grain, with an average yield of 27.8 per acre.

Rambrich disclosed that, although five per cent of the cultivation was affected by bugs, the grades recorded were between 'B' and 'C' and prices being paid for paddy range from $1,000 to $1,100 per bag.

He said 350 acres were lost at Black Bush Polder, Number 36 Village and in other Central Corentyne frontland areas.

Rambrich also blamed the loss on continuing conflict between cattle rearers and rice farmers, inadequate irrigation earlier in the season and the recent heavy seasonal downpours that resulted in flooding at Letter Kenny.

Meanwhile, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has announced that already 12,000 acres have been put under the plough for the next planting and the acreage to be cultivated will increase over the next two weeks.

GRDB said, through its joint extension services with RPA, Region Six rice planters received 874 bags of high quality seedlings for sowing, from Burma Rice Research Station on East Coast Demerara.

WPO joins other groups in condemning abuse of girl, 13
THE Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO), the women’s arm of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), has joined other groups in expressing outrage over the alleged abuse suffered by a 13-year-old girl at the hands of a City businessman.

A release from Freedom House earlier this week said that the issue raises two important points: one is the legal aspect and the flouting of the Court’s decision that businessman Mr. Reeaz Khan should return the child to her mother and not see her again, and the other is that this dreadful example of sexual offences against a child has shown the need for the age of sexual consent to be changed from the archaic 12 years to 16 or 18 years.

The WPO urged the Government to treat this matter as urgent and to immediately set about drafting the required legislation. It noted that had the necessary change been the law, the character of this case would have been changed.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child signed by the previous Government and implemented and upheld by the PPP/C administration calls for the improvement of all laws relating to children’s rights, the women’s body noted. Those responsible for these changes, which include the alteration of the age of consent, have been much too slow in preparing the draft legislation and “we urge them to move ahead with the urgency and commitment required”, the release said.

“We must not forget the moral issue which is basic. The sexual abuse of women, and in particular young women and girl children, is a mark of moral degeneration, and any society, which condones this abuse is bound to be in trouble. We know that Guyanese as a whole condemn such practices and we hope that justice will be quick and positive,” said WPO press release pointed out.

The Indian Arrival Committee (IAC), which also issued a press release on the issue this week, noted that the body was extremely concerned about the sordid developments in the story of the Camp Street businessman and the 13-year-old child, with whom he has allegedly been having an affair.

“The IAC strongly condemns such alliances, which involve girls of all ethnicities, who are minors and not those of Indo-Guyanese origin only.

The organisation calls upon the authorities, in light of this incident, to set up the Law Reform Committee, which is provided for in the 1997 Law Revision Act, to deal urgently with family law reform so that in future girls of all ethnicities can be protected from sexual predators such as this businessman,” the IAC press release said.

The IAC said it is of the view that the age of consent for Indo-Guyanese girls must be moved to 16 years of age, and that the penalty for statutory rape be a minimum of 15 years in jail for offenders.

In most countries the age of consent ranges from 14 years to 18 years, the IAC said, but in Guyana it remains at 12 years. In light of the many new cases of child abuse, rape and other child-related crimes many persons are of the view that the laws should be amended and the age of consent be set at 16 years.

The Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) in a press release said that the recent concerns over the relationship between Mr. Reeaz Khan and Miss Hamid highlight the vulnerability of children in Guyana.

The GIT said that a key point of contention is the legal age of consent, which, “in a permissive society like ours has become, opens the doors to just this kind of scenario”.

The Guyana Islamic Trust noted that this issue also highlights the necessity for strengthening and emphasising the family unit (which entails) the development of a strong and mutual relationship between parents and children; as well as the discipline, conduct and attitude displayed by parents, which often determine the behaviour of their offspring.

“Islam is also definite in its complete prohibition of sexual relationships outside of wedlock, and consequently, prohibits any form of interaction that will lead to this. This must once again become a core value of our society. It is useless to rail against the inevitable products of a society from which basic moral values are steadily eroded and de-emphasised,” the organisation stated.

The GIT said that it also viewed with great concern the sensationalising of the matter by the news media, and any attempt to use this incident to portray Muslims in a negative light.

According to the Guyana Islamic Trust, Islam, in fact, established and upholds the rights of men and women, parents and children; but at the same time, establishes guidelines to ensure that these rights are exercised in the best possible manner.

GIT said that it is the responsibility of Guyanese to build a society based on clear principles of purity, faith and morality.

Meanwhile, the man who is standing in the centre of all the allegations involving his alleged relationship with the 13-year-old child told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that he is especially upset with the article published in the ‘Stabroek News’, which media house did not contact him for a comment.

He said that the allegations leveled at him in the ‘Stabroek News’ are very serious and have caused him some discomfort, while damaging his character.

“The child’s mother is misleading the public. She brought the girl at my home, spent two weeks (and) left the girl at my home. Since I picked them up at Parika they have been staying at my house. (This was) after we attended a religious function together that day,” Khan said during an interview.

He said that the child and her mother spent time at his home and that the mother left the child in his care. It was then, Khan said, that he brought the child to his business place.

On Friday, May 28 2004 Reeaz Khan petitioned the High Court for permission to marry the 13-year-old girl, stating among other things, “that much love and affection had grown between us”.

That petition followed the mother’s move to the High Court by way of a habeas corpus order before Justice B.S. Roy to compel Khan to produce the girl.

Justice Roy had granted the mother a nisi order directing that the girl be placed in custody of the mother Bibi Sameeza Hamid and the child’s aunt, Bibi Hamid.

That matter comes up for hearing today.

PNC/R links migration attempts to 'inconsistent' economic policies
THE main opposition party, the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), said the government is embarrassed by the recent meeting at the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Hall where lawyers from the Canadian firm IPACS came to advise Guyanese how they could migrate to Canada.

According to reports the visitors brought 80 forms, which are used as part of the emigration process, but surprisingly hundreds turned up at the meeting anxious to flee here.

The party in a statement read yesterday during its weekly press conference at Congress Place, Sophia said based on President Bharrat Jagdeo's Independence message at the National Park on May 25, "one would have heard of an idyllic paradise where there were jobs for all and there was peace and security".

However, PNCR said the truth was painfully exposed by the large crowd of people, including teachers, nurses, disciplined services workers, business people and Guyanese citizens from all over who turned up for the session.

This revelation, the party said, gives the lie to the President's platitudes about the successes of the government, and exposes the bleak economic and general outlook, which faces the Guyanese population.

The party said people are flocking to leave the country because many of them have become despaired of the government's confused and inconsistent economic policies.

Guyanese have suffered enough from the deteriorating security and crime situation and those who are public servants have become fed up with the way they are being treated by the government and therefore sees no future here for their children.

Developments in economy positive
--- PPP
by Chamanlall Naipaul
THE RULING People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has noted recent positive developments in the economy of Guyana, particularly the increase in production at LINMINE under new management as well as consideration of producing new products such as alumina.

General Secretary of the PPP, Donald Ramotar at a press conference yesterday at Freedom House said the Central Committee of the party met on May 22 and discussed current developments both at the local and international levels.

Ramotar expressed optimism that the modernization of the sugar industry, which is scheduled to begin shortly, will see Guyana not only producing raw sugar, but would also result in the generation of electricity, adding value to molasses and possibly refining sugar as well.

In addition, he noted that massive infrastructural works are ongoing, including the replacement of bridges from Timehri to Rosignol with reinforced concrete structures, while the resurfacing of major roads is to begin shortly.

He said, too, that progress has been made on the confirmation of the execution of the Berbice River Bridge, the stadium, the International Convention Centre and new hospitals for Linden, New Amsterdam and Lethem. “All of these will no doubt have beneficial effects on the economy in the short, medium and long term,” Ramotar offered.

Continuing strides in education, health, housing and water among others as well as the in the area of participatory and inclusive governance were also acknowledged by the Central Committee, Ramotar reported.

However, pointed out that while the Central Committee noted these positive developments it also recognized the unfavourable effects on the economy as a result of the rise in oil prices.

The Central Committee expressed confidence that the genuine concerns of individuals and communities would be addressed in an expeditious and sustained manner.

Asked whether the party is satisfied with the energy situation in the country, particularly the dependence on fossil fuels, the General Secretary alluded to the exploration of alternative sources of energy being pursued by the government including hydroelectricity and wind power as evidence of the steps being taken to address the issue.

Touching on the issue of seasonal flooding Ramotar said the PPP has recognized the improvements in the management of flooding, but is of the view that had maintenance of the drainage and irrigation system and infrastructure been executed earlier much more could have been achieved.

Dealing specifically with an incident at Fyrish/Gibraltar on the Corentyne Ramotar condemned the actions of some persons who dug ditches on roads in the community.

“It should be noted that such actions were taken by a few misguided elements, shortly after a visit by Robert Corbin, the leader of the PNC/R. Moreover, most of the issues raised by the community were satisfactorily addressed by the administration. Those elements determined to cause problems than called on the Chairman of the NDC to be removed. It is apposite to note that the current Chairman of the Fyrish/Gibraltar NDCis not from the PPP/C. If that were the main problem then he could have been removed by the internal arrangements of the PNC/R influenced community grouping. Clearly therefore, that was a mere excuse for causing mischief, in accordance with the present political line of the PNC/R,” Ramotar charged.

He explained further that a pump has been ordered for the area as agreed to in the dialogue between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader Robert Corbin, but in the meanwhile the regional administration has deployed a pump to ease the flooding in the area.

The General Secretary contended that the withdrawal of the PNC/R from parliament ostensibly because of the “Gajraj affair” is a clear indication that the PNC/R’s intention is to be disruptive, adding that apparently that party does not want a conclusion of the matter based on the negative stand it has taken to the Commission of Inquiry announced by the President.

He observed that the PNC/R’s absence from Parliament could frustrate important constitutional appointments such as the Equality, Rights of the Child and Procurement Commissions. These measures, he added is important for protecting people’s rights and enhancing good governance.

“Obviously, perceived narrow political goals are far more important to the PNC/R leadership than the interest of the Guyanese people as a whole,” Ramotar charged.

He nevertheless said the PPP is always open to dialogue and exhorted the PNC/R to behave in a more matured manner and to discuss issues in an effort to bring resolution to differences.

The Central Committee took note of what it described of the emerging tense situation in this hemisphere and the build up of arms in several regions, despite the end of the cold war.

It also called for a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian problem which must take into consideration the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and the security interests of the parties involved.

The General Secretary said his party offers its best wishes to the incoming heads of the disciplined services and is fully supportive of all bodies comprising the disciplined forces and called for their professional conduct at all times.

He also said that the PPP views the G-90 meeting that was held here yesterday as being timely in dealing with issues that have direct bearing on the lives of people, adding that trade has always been seen as an activity in bringing social and economic benefits.

Accredited envoy pledges India economic aid to CARICOM
by Jaime Hall
NEWLY accredited Ambassador of India to CARICOM, Mr. Avinash Gupta yesterday reiterated India’s commitment to the continued economic development assistance to Caribbean countries and pledged to work towards ensuring greater cooperation between his country and the Caribbean Community.

This commitment was made yesterday when the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana presented his Letters of Credence to CARICOM Secretary-General, Mr. Edwin Carrington at a simple, but significant ceremony at the Secretariat’s Annex in Kingston, Georgetown.

Mr. Gupta also expressed optimism that the establishment of the Joint Commission in November last year would play a crucial role in this direction.

The High Commissioner presenting of his Letter of Credence to the Secretary- General now accredits him Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to CARICOM.

Mr. Gupta said among other things, India has noted with interest the progress made on many issued during the 15th Inter Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM held in St Kitts and Nevis in March this year.

And he is satisfied that CARICOM Single Market and Economy has become a reality and is expected to fully operational next year. What he also noted is that things are moving in the right direction towards the inauguration of the Caribbean Court of Justice.

He noted that almost all Caribbean countries are covered under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme, which highlights India's desire of South cooperation. During last year 240 slots were revised for Caribbean countries which unfortunately remained underutilized.

"I think we have to exert additional efforts to ensure that slots allocated under the Cooperation Programme are fully utilised so that the number of beneficiaries from the Caribbean countries is increased in subsequent years", the High Commissioner said.

Trade between India and the Caribbean countries has grown in recent years, but the total volume remains below potential, he noted.

Mr. Carrington in his remarks to the Indian High Commissioner noted that India as a leader in the Group of 20 developing countries has given a voice to the concerns shared by less developed countries with regard to their exclusion from the world trade process.

And CARICOM is appreciative of this stance given its continuous lobbying for more equitable terms of trade for developing nations and particular small economies.

"We cannot forget India's proactive role in the battle against HIV/AIDS, of which the rate of infection within the Caribbean Community is the highest worldwide, apart from that of sub Saharan Africa" Mr Carrington said.

India has generously shared its expertise in facilitating the production of anti retroviral drugs here in Guyana.

In the field of information technology, India he noted, now sets standards for education system worldwide.

Member States of the Caribbean Community continually receive assistance from the Government of India in this area, often through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme.

Mr. Carrington said CARICOM looks forward to deepening its cooperation with India in the area of information technology, particularly as the institution work with the Government of Guyana to prepare the CARICOM headquarters new building for occupancy.

Arawak leather craft for Trinidad trade fair
GINA - A quantity of leather key rings manufactured by the Arawak Leather Craft Association will be among the local exhibits on display this weekend at the Guyana on Show trade fair in Trinidad and Tobago.

During a recent visit to Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice), Prime Minister Sam Hinds met with workers of the growing establishment, which operates out of South Amelia's Ward, Linden.

The establishment manufactures leather craft, shoes and sandals, and is registered as a client of the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP). As a result, LEAP has offered consultancy services to the company to guide its development, business management and operational capacity.

Briefing the Director of Arawak Leather Craft, Richard Winter, the Prime Minister related that Government looks forward to the possible setting up of an alumina plant in the mining community by Russian bauxite investors RUSAL.

He noted that Government anticipates an eventual response from RUSAL for the venture, which will provide jobs in the bauxite community.

Winter explained to the Prime Minister and visiting team that he hopes to make inroads on the Brazil market, through his association with a group of stores in Manaus, Boa Vista and Belem, which are affiliated to the Leather Craft Association.

Through the services and support provided by LEAP, Arawak Leather Craft has recently acquired a site for its expansion project, to enter full-scale commercial operations in collaboration with a Trinidadian company.

A major feature of the expansion will be the manufacture of safety boots for industrial employees. The current staff complement is less than 20 persons but the expansion is expected to create employment for over one hundred residents.

The Prime Minister pledged Government's ongoing support of new and emerging ventures and encouraged the Arawak Leather Craft staff to keep up the good work.

Since getting off the ground in December 2001, LEAP has provided guidance, advice and necessary manpower training for new economic ventures in the mining region.

The EU/GOG seven-year work programme is intended to promote entrepreneurship among residents of Region Ten in an effort to cushion the effects of the cash-strapped bauxite industry.

Swollen rivers affecting hinterland communities
GINA - In its May 31 report, the Committee mandated by Cabinet to monitor the impact of the heavy rains has indicated that heavy rainfall continued along the coast with consequential flooding in a few housing areas, mostly in Regions Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) and Four (Demerara/Mahaica) and in hinterland communities.

Speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing Tuesday, Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon said, "In the hinterland areas, the rivers are all flooding their banks and communities continue to be affected in Regions Seven and Eight."

Transportation is affected by flooding in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

According to Dr. Luncheon, also in Regions Three and Four, desilting of outfall channels and cleaning of obstructed canals in drainage systems are being concluded, which has aided in reducing flooding.

In its report, the Committee pointed out that in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice), surface rainfall has exceeded design capacity of the drainage system in a few areas and this has also resulted in flooding.

Meanwhile, in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), the low-lying areas, particularly Fyrish/Gibralter and Black Bush Polder, have been assisted with mechanical drainage and clearing of outfall channels, which has led to the floodwaters receding.

Dr. Luncheon said that the three main conservancies, the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary/Abary Development Association (MMA/ADA) and the Boeraserie Conservancy have all been functioning without problems.

Early May, Cabinet mandated a Committee to conduct a daily assessment of the flood situation and devise quick responses where necessary.

Minister of Agriculture (ag) Satyadeow Sawh leads the team of officials to make daily assessments of the flood situation in the Administrative Regions.

A weekly report of the situation in each Region is being circulated by the Regional Administration, which is working in collaboration with the Police Divisional authorities and the Drainage and Irrigation Unit. These weekly reports are also submitted to Cabinet.

Meanwhile, the Committee continues to monitor the situation closely, Dr. Luncheon said.

Officials of the Hydro-meteorological Department of the Ministry of Agriculture have also been asked to inform residents of predicted weather patterns so that measures could be taken to reduce the likelihood of flooding.

Government had allocated $400M for drainage and irrigation works this year. Some of this money is expected to be spent to bring immediate relief to the affected areas.

Cabinet approves US$4,353 contract for GJIA navigation aids
GINA - Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon, at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing Tuesday, announced that Cabinet has given its 'no-objection' to the award of a contract in the works sector.

According to Dr. Luncheon, the award is for a US$4,353 contract for the procurement of navigation aids and communications equipment for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri (CJIA).

Several tenders have recently been advertised to upgrade and improve the facilities of the CJIA.

A tender was approved to revamp the Executive Lounge to have a bar and an Internet café and the organisation that won the tender will commence work shortly. There are also plans to have duty-free shops in the Arrival lounge.

Works are due to start on refurbishing the Arrival Lounge shortly and soon the Arrival area will be closed for the start of rehabilitation works.

Retiling, installing new chairs and a roof are on stream this year for the viewing gallery, and when the Arrival Lounge is completed, work will commence on the viewing gallery. Also, a contract has been given the 'no-objection' by Cabinet for the installation of cameras to monitor various points at the airport.

Last year, a tour of the 7,500 feet runway revealed an improved and upgraded runway, completed in July. Lagan Contacting Company was hired to carry out the US$4.2M project.

The runway was part of an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) project, and the threshold and runway lights were also part of this. The threshold lines and centre line markings on the 5,000 feet non-precision runway are being painted. This runway is used in visual flight conditions.

Four vehicles have been made available to the Airport under the IDB programme for security, maintenance and operations.

A 3.3 kilometre road was constructed this year, also under the IDB programme, at a cost of more than US$30,000 and the Airport security at regular intervals, patrols the area. This is a Lagan project.

Two new security scanners have recently been installed, one in the Immigration Lounge and the other in the VIP Lounge.

CJIA Airport, Timehri is approximately a 45-minute drive from the City, and is the main point of entry into Guyana.

In Region Two...
Amerindian leaders exposed to new forestry initiative
THE goals of Guyana National Initiative for Forest Certification (GNIFC) were outlined to Captains and Councillors of the nine Amerindian communities in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) at a seminar on Wednesday.

Addressing the leaders at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, GNIFC Coordinator, Ms Sharon Ousman said the certification is very important because it will open up new international markets for this country's forest products.

She said the process will provide the incentive for concession owners and forest managers to raise their standard of management.

Ousman said GNIFC was registered under the Friendly Societies Act, in May 2003, as an independent non-profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO) to promote effective voluntary forest certification and enabling conditions for the encouragement of sound management.

Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Mr Wesley Belle encouraged the seminar participants to take the training very seriously.

NARI helps facilitate seminar on fertiliser management
MINISTRY of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock Support Services, in collaboration with National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI), conducted a seminar on fertiliser management in vegetable production in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) on Wednesday.

It was attended by farmers at Charity Extension Centre on Essequibo Coast.

Acting Senior Agriculture Officer in the Region, Mr Charles Spellen told the gathering the objective was to examine and reiterate the importance of fertiliser application on vegetables.

Agronomic practices in pepper production was another subject on the training programme and resource personnel were NARI soil scientist, Mr Mortimer Livan and Agriculture Officer in Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Mr Glendon Critchlow.

The Migration Issue
THE controversy over the aborted attempts by a Canadian agency, IPACS, to recruit skilled Guyanese to work and live in Canada has spilled into the political arena.

The PNC/R told reporters yesterday the Government was embarrassed by the recent meeting at City Hall that IPACS convened "to advise Guyanese on emigration to Canada."

Said the PNC/R in a statement issued at a news conference: "Guyanese are flocking to leave these shores in even greater numbers because: · many have become despaired of the Government’s confused and inconsistent economic policies; · they have suffered enough from the deteriorating security and crime situation; · those who are public servants have become fed up with the arrogance and callousness of their treatment by the government and can see no future for themselves and their children."

The party's stark conclusion: "People are fed up with this regime."

For a poor country whose population is less than a million and whose endowed natural wealth remains largely untapped, emigration is hardly a laughing matter. It is something that should be addressed by our leaders across the country's sociopolitical divide.

Of course, addressing emigration means talking about its history as well as its current status in order for the people on the remigration think-tank to get a full grasp of the enormity of the issue.

Author Lomarsh Roopnarine began an article titled Guyanese Migration in the Guyana Chronicle on December 2, 2001, with these satirical words: "The national slogan seems to be 'now you see me, now you don't.'"

Then: "There is clear evidence that even though one takes into consideration the recent influx of deportees and the return of an unknown number of Guyanese, the pattern of Guyanese migration since independence has been predominantly outward."

A U.S. Library of Congress Country Study on Guyana says, "Guyanese statistics indicate an average of 6,080 declared emigrants a year between 1969 and 1976, increasing to an average of 14,400 between 1976 and 1981. Figures for 1976 showed 43 percent of the emigrants going to the United States, 31 percent to Canada, 10 percent to Britain, and 9 percent to the Caribbean.

"Deteriorating economic conditions caused emigration to increase sharply in the 1980s. Unofficial estimates put the number leaving the country in the late 1980s at 10,000 to 30,000 annually. Many of these emigrants were reported to be middle-class professionals, largely Indo-Guyanese, who opposed government policies that favored employment of Afro-Guyanese in the public sector. This emigration resulted in a significant loss of skilled personnel."

A United Nations Human Rights database on Guyana points out that emigration soared as a result of the country's economic problems of decades ago. "Commencing with the oil crisis in the 1970s, the 'cooperative socialism' that had been the official policy of the country...led to a continuous breakdown of the basic infrastructure. Growing unemployment and low wages had led to increased internal migration and emigration of men. Female-headed households had increased from 24.4 per cent in 1980 to 29.5 per cent in 1992."

Another reason for emigration between the 1970s and the early 1990s was, according to the UN database, the fact that "Guyana had been rated as one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere. The widespread impoverishment of the majority of Guyanese had brought with it a continuous decline in per capita production and real wages while prices of basic commodities were rising; a severe reduction in the quality of the educational system; hunger, malnutrition, homelessness and an increasing number of street children; inadequate housing and a decline in the public health services."

And that's only the tip of the iceberg. Question is, If Guyanese today are "fed up with the government" when the country, under the current government, has been transformed from the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere into a developing middle-income one, and the percentage of its people living under the poverty line has declined significantly, as the latest country census testifies, what were they back then?

According to Lomarsh Roopnarine in his 2001 article, Guyanese Migration, "Some sources place the Guyanese overseas population at around 400,000, but it is believed that the figure is probably much higher since many Guyanese have entered foreign countries illegally and these countries do not always count undocumented aliens in their census."

As we see it, Government and Opposition should resume their dialogue soonest and include emigration/remigration as a top agenda topic.

This is a Guyanese issue, not a partisan one, and should be dealt with urgently by all sides in the political arena.

CEDERA to widen humanitarian aid policy
By Rickey Singh
BRIDGETOWN -- THE Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CEDERA) will next month move for a change in its operational policy to be empowered to provide humanitarian assistance to countries of the region that are not currently members of the disaster relief mechanism.

At present neither Haiti, which is a member of the Caribbean Community, nor the Dominican Republic---both of which are current victims of enormous flood-created disasters--are not among the 16 member countries of CEDERA.

It has been noted that within two days of the Barbados "Daily Nation" editorial in Tuesday's edition, that was critical of the lack of response by CARICOM, and by extension CEDERA, to rush emergency aid to Haiti and the DR, the management of CEDERA took temporary action to do so pending a change in official policy.

The editorial, titled "The choice--rush relief no 'mourn' ", said that non-membership of CEDERA "cannot and must not, pose a problem for governments and organisations within CARICOM from exercising their own initiatives to mobilise speedy bilateral assistance for both Haiti and the Dominican Republic...."

Following a meeting of its management team on Wednesday at which the crisis situations in both Haiti and the DR were reviewed, CEDERA has now launched an appeal directed specifically at member governments of the agency as well as its traditional key partners.

Based on consultations and information provided by the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA), and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Society, CEDERA said it has decided against seeking help for emergency relief supplies to the affected remote areas and, instead, is appealing for cash donations.

*At the local level here in Barbados, organisations and members of the public interested to providing monetary assistance have been asked to make deposits to the CEDERA Emergency Assistance Fund at First Caribean International Bank.

Meanwhile, the CEDERA management team, headed by Co-ordinator Jeremy Collymore, is making plans to have the Council of the agency remove existing restrictions that debar non-members from receiving emergency relief at times of disasters.

The Council, comprising heads of government of the region, is scheduled to meet on July 1-2 ahead of the forthcoming 25th annual CARICOM Summit slated for the Grenadian capital, St. George's.

The Greater Caribbean This Week
Latin American/Caribbean/EU summit: multilateralism, regionalism in action
by Luis Carpio
THE 3rd Summit of Heads of State and Government of Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union was held in Guadalajara, Mexico on May 28-29, 2004 and was attended by 58 Heads of State and/or Government: 33 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 25 from the European Union, including the ten new Members from Eastern Europe, for whom this Summit represented their baptism as Members of the European Union in an international setting. Also participating were various intergovernmental bodies, among which the Association of Caribbean States was highlighted, as this was its first time attending the Summit and given the important acknowledgements received by the ACS. The results of this meeting (Round Tables and Declaration of Guadalajara) hold strategic interest of prime importance to our region since, in our globalised world, the diversification of dependencies is the only path toward true and viable independence.

The Summit was an excellent opportunity for biregional partners to hold extensive discussions on fundamental issues concerning the Summit's two focal themes of Social Cohesion and Multilateralism. Without downplaying the importance of social cohesion, I would like to focus on the matter of multilateralism, as topics of vital importance were addressed for the purpose of strengthening it.

In this respect, it was unanimously agreed that multilateral approaches to global problems carry more weight now than ever before, as no country can take on the global challenge on its own. There was general agreement regarding the multidimensional challenges being faced by the modern world and that by strengthening multilateralism, this will become the nucleus of strategic partnerships between Latin American and Caribbean countries and the European Union, as they share a vision of an international order based on human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles.

The Summit yielded significant agreements for the ACS where its mandate is concerned, having recognised that regional organisations play a crucial role in the creation of a multilateral system that can face the future. According to the Summit, the process of European integration, as well as Latin American and Caribbean organisations, are examples of an effective multilateralism that depends on the equality and strength of members.

Furthermore, the Summit agreed that consolidating regionalism is one way of reinforcing multilateral action, which must favour the forces emanating from the multilateral system over countries' coalitions, in the event of conflicts. For the participants, there is no contrast between regionalism and multilateralism, since regionalism in itself, constitutes a highly advanced _expression of multilateralism.

In the Declaration of Guadalajara, the Heads of State and/or Government acknowledge the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) as an important regional entity, through which co-operation can be deepened and consolidated between the European Union and the Greater Caribbean. They also recognise the progress made by the 28 Members of the ACS in consolidating a Co-operation Zone of the Greater Caribbean, through political dialogue, co-operation, consultations and coordinated actions in the areas of trade, sustainable tourism, transport and natural disasters. The Declaration further notes the efforts undertaken by the Caribbean countries assembled in the Association of Caribbean States, to develop and seek international recognition for the Caribbean Sea as an Area of Special Importance in the context of sustainable development.

Luis Carpio is the Political Adviser of the Association of Caribbean States.

Two accused drug traffickers among remanded quartet
TWO accused drug traffickers were among four men remanded to prison on different charges yesterday by Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen.

One of the duo, Charles Beratto pleaded not guilty to trafficking 31 grammes of cannabis (marijuana).

He was arrested the afternoon of June 1 after a basin with the illegal substance was found on the bed at his Surgim Singh Road, Industry home, Police said.

Beratto will make his next appearance at Sparendaam Court, also on East Coast Demerara, June 7.

The other man implicated with a narcotic, Keith Brian Maxwell (no address given) was busted with five kilogrammes, of marijuana, too, at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, also on June 1.

He returns before Mrs Holder-Allen on June 10.

The third remanded prisoner, 29-nine-year-old Kenneth Wray, of Lot 256 ‘C’ Field, Sophia, denied robbing Prison Officer Andrew Brock, at knifepoint, of $15,000 cash and a wrist watch worth $3,500 as the victim was sitting with his girlfriend on the seawall at Kingston, in Georgetown, as well, last May 29 about 22:35 hours (10.35 p.m.).

The case, like that of Tony McGregor, 32, will be called again today.

McGregor, of Mocha, another East Bank Demerara village, is a taxi drover who is alleged to have made sexual advances to a fellow villager he offered a ride home on May 29.

Police said the victim would usually hire McGregor to transport herself and children but, on that occasion, instead of taking the homeward route, the defendant drove to Kingston seawall where he committed the crime.

Case of brand name clothes theft transferred
CHIEF Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen yesterday put burglary defendant Trevor Garraway on $20,000 bail and transferred his case to another city Court for June 25.

Garraway (no address given) pleaded not guilty to breaking into the dwelling house of Samantha Rodrigues and stealing brand name clothes valued $42,600 on May 27.

Police said the defendant was arrested after neighbours told the virtual complainant they had seen him leaving the building with his booty.

Duo granted bail in case of unloaded gun
THE owner of a mini-bus, who became embroiled in a verbal exchange with a policeman, headed towards the vehicle and the cop followed him and found a .22 pistol in it.

But the gun was not loaded and no ammunition was found in the glove compartment where the firearm had been.

Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen heard the narrative yesterday when Marlon Knox, of Lot 7 Supply, East Bank Demerara, appeared in Court, jointly charged with Ashman Scott (no address given) with the illegal possession of the weapon.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty and were each granted $25,000 bail until the case is called at Providence Court, also on East Bank Demerara, June 22.

The May 30 find was at Yarowkabra Creek, along Soesdyke/Linden Highway, where Police encountered a disorderly crowd while on patrol.

It was there Knox and the peace officer were involved the quarrel.

Arrest warrant for maid on larceny charge
CHIEF Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen yesterday issued an arrest warrant for an absconded maid charged with stealing from her employer.

Particulars of the larceny charge against Sabrena Persaud, of Lot 83 William Street, Kitty, Georgetown, said she stole US$100, 120 pounds (Sterling) and G$71,000 belonging to businessman Paul James.

Police said the money went missing between January 1 and May 27, when the woman was seen opening a drawer in which the currencies were put.

The case will be called again on June 30.

Nisi Order granted by Court to prevent trespass on Lacytown property
By George Barclay
JUSTICE Yonette Cummings-Edwards has granted a Nisi Order for an interim injunction restraining two defendants from remaining or trespassing on a Lacytown property that they allegedly obtained by fraud or misrepresentation.

The plaintiff, Gregory Marques Nichols, represented by attorney-at-law Mr. Basil Williams, has filed the complaint in his capacity as administrator of the estate of Ivan Hinckson Smith Nichols, deceased, against the defendants, Maisie Croft, Shirley George and the Registrar of Deeds.

Among other things, Nichols is asking the Court to declare that Transport No. 2194 of 2003 passed by the third defendant, the Registry of Deeds of Guyana to the first and second named defendants, Maisie Croft and Shirley George, respectively, of Lot 66 Atlantic Gardens, be recalled on the grounds of fraud and or misrepresentation.

Another declaration sought is that the plaintiff by virtue of Transport No. 516 of 1950 dated the 11th day of April 1950 and letters of administration No. 390 of 1997 dated the 5th June 1997 of Ivan Hickson Smith Nichols, deceased and granted to him, is the person legally entitled to the possession of property described as:

“E half lot 174 Charlotte Street, Lacytown, Georgetown County of Demerara, Guyana, with all the buildings and erections thereon.

The plaintiff is also seeking an interim injunction restraining the first and second named defendants by themselves, their servants and/or agents from trespassing, entering upon or having entered, from remaining thereon, constructing, building or selling, further mortgaging or encumbering or dealing in any manner whatsoever with the said property E half of Lot 174 Charlotte Street, Georgetown, Demerara.

The Order delivered by Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards reads in part, “Upon hearing attorney-at-law for the plaintiff and the plaintiff through his attorney-at-law undertaking to abide by any Order the Court or Judge may have as to damages in case the Court or Judge shall hereafter be of the opinion that the first and second named defendants shall have suffered any by reason of this Order which the plaintiff ought to pay.

“It is ordered that the first and second named defendants by themselves, their servants and/or agents be restrained and an injunction is hereby granted restraining the first and second named defendants by themselves, their servants and/or agents from selling, leasing, mortgaging, encumbering or dealing in any manner whatsoever with the property East half of Lot 174 Charlotte Street, Georgetown, Guyana until the hearing and determination of a summons in the case, returnable on the 8th day of June, 2004 at 09:00 hours.”

In an affidavit in support of the interim injunction, Lucas Whyte of 73 Lamaha Street, Newtown, Kitty, who is the duly constituted attorney of the plaintiff Gregory Marques Nichols of Lot 866 East 93 Street, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A., said that the plaintiff is the Administrator of the estate of Ivan Hinckson Smith Nichols, deceased.

She said that the first named defendant is the mother of Ivan Hinckson Nichols, deceased, and the second named defendant.

She also said that after the death of Nichols, the first and second named defendants filed in the Land Court a Petition for declaration of title, with affidavit in support, in which they claimed prescriptive title to the property and failed to disclose that the said property was in fact owned by Ivan Hinckson Smith Nichols, and that at his demise, he was survived by four children.

The attorney said that as a consequence of their failure to disclose certain material facts in their petition, the Land Court judge was fraudulently induced to grant the petition sought by the first and second named defendants.

The parties concerned will appear in Court on June 8, 2004, when the defendants are expected to apply for leave to file an affidavit in answer.

There can be no let up
THE Guyana Police Force has been pursuing those who have broken the law and are placing them before the Courts for trial.

Every day, there are a whole host of reports in the print and electronic media of those who have been apprehended and charged by the Police and who have been convicted or whose trials are still going on. The criminal elements and those so inclined are learning that crime does not pay in the long run and that the capabilities of the law enforcement agencies have increased and keep developing. It must be quite a job for these officers to wage a 24/7 war against criminals and also to keep increasing the levels of safety and security of citizens. There can be no let up. Yours faithfully,
Rebecca Adams

Little Enkofi needs love, affection, respect and proper nurturing
LITTLE Enkofi Simon spent three days and four nights locked up in a house with the dead and decaying bodies of his parents. It is indeed a miracle that he survived hunger, thirst and the poisonous gases of decomposing corpses. Who knows the horrors that those big staring innocent eyes witnessed in the final moments of his parents’ lives? Being just one year old, he might not have any conscious memories of that traumatic event, but his body will definitely store the unconscious memories of his early childhood traumas. His body will remember the sight and the smell, even though his mind will not. If he is not properly nurtured, cared for and loved, those traumatic unconscious memories can find _expression in his adolescent and adult life leading to life-long neuroses or psychoses and even illnesses. In the hands of his new caregivers lies the awesome power to turn him into another Walter Rodney or, God forbid, another Linden London.

Little Enkofi needs love, affection, respect and proper nurturing. As he grows he certainly does not need to be reminded daily that his father killed his mother and as a result he is a good-for-nothing wayward child. In time he can be told the truth in a sensitive and responsible manner. And most definitely he does not need to have evil beaten out of him and goodness beaten into him. Not even one little smack. He is already a little angel sent from God. Who would smack an angel? The way he is treated by adults will make him a saint or turn him into a devil.

Jesus said, “Allow little children to come unto Me and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God. Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones, for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold My Father’s face.” God bless little Enkofi.
Yours faithfully,
M. Xiu Quan-Balgobind-Hackett

There is need for protocol at all times
THE program for the change of command and farewell parade held at Drill Square, Base Camp, Ayanganna, was a wonderful experience.

The Army should be complimented for their smart turnout and the precision drill. Their military band performed well showing off their new instruments.

Beyond that something bothered me. Our society has many problems and unless we can at high levels demonstrate to our young people basic etiquette and correctness of behavior, particularly at public ceremonies, we will continue to send messages of disorder, on protocol, a prescription for confusion and the further deterioration of the already fragile social fabric of our society. I am talking about the need for protocol at all times.

The fist instance, the Prime Minister and President arrived after the time stated on the program and no explanation was offered to those of us who arrived on time.

The seating of the Diplomatic Corps showed absolute confusion. The Diplomatic Corps has a Dean and at these functions he should be given the first up-front seat of the diplomatic line up.

I noticed the former Chief-of-Staff Brigadier General Mc Lean was put to sit in a row behind senior and former senior officers.

Then there was the outgoing Chief-of-Staff. We can say (nervous) for in this salutation he recognized the President, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, but did not recognize the Prime Minister who was present.

To make things worse, I noticed that the Head of “Food For The Poor” in Guyana, Mr. Leon Davis, was put to sit ahead of senior functionaries.

As if that was not enough a former Prime Minister of Guyana and the Mayor of the City where the ceremony was being held was shepherded in to sit in the last back row behind PNC members, Mr. Stanley Ming and Mr. Trotman, C.N Sharma other businessmen and citizens.

I have attended functions where the Chancellor of the Judiciary was present and senior functionaries who should know better recognize a long list of dignitaries, ignoring the Chancellor who, as I understand it, ranks next to the Prime Minister and certainly ahead of Ministers.

If all this has changed, somebody should tell us, so that we can continue our merry march towards anarchy based on new rules.
Jerome Bacchus

Region 9 should be better off this year
THE administration plans to move ahead this year in all sectors, including that of education.

A lot more children, of all ages are attending school as can be seen from the frequent complaints of overcrowding at some schools, which clearly necessitates the building of new ones and in some cases the extension of existing ones.

We have recently learnt that in Region 9 alone, there are three secondary schools since 1992, and one more is to be built this year. Similar developments have taken place in other areas, and there will either be extensions of existing schools or the building of new ones. This is indeed a marvelous development in our country where so many are attending schools, plus the increased numbers attending technical and vocational schools and the University of Guyana as well as private educational institutions. This among other developments, bodes well for our country and its future.
Yours faithfully,
Randy Johnson

New ways for greater Government accountability
AMONG many other important issues in our country, the government is continually seeking new ways to improve its functioning and effectiveness.

Systems have been created to allow for the enhanced scrutiny of the nation’s business to ensure the more effective use of resources, hold public officials accountable and eradicate corruption. It is a well established fact that prior to 1992, the Public Accounts of Guyana were not audited for ten years.

Since 1993 however, each year the audited public accounts are submitted to Parliament. The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, which scrutinizes these accounts is chaired by an opposition member.

Recently passed is the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act which provides the enhanced framework for the administration of public finances. The Audit Act strengthens and gives greater autonomy to the Auditor-General’s office.

All these laws and procedures provide for greater scrutiny and accountability of government agencies, leading to greater transparency.
Yours faithfully,
Radica Singh

Correction to Kaieteur News report
MIKE Mc Cormack, Co-President of the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), denies stating to Kaieteur News that since he had not spoken to Khan or Hamid in the abduction case, he was “not privy to the real facts of the case”.

Mr. McCormack made clear that concerns expressed in the GHRA press release did not require interviewing either of the people. The facts of the court action as presented in Stabroek News have not been challenged by anyone.

Having been silent on the issue until two days ago, Kaieteur News cannot complain when people rely on other media. On the other hand, Kaieteur’s recent revelations serve to provoke uncomfortable comparisons with the grooming techniques of paedophiles that are causing widespread concern in developed societies.

Hopefully, they will shake us out of the complacency pervading Guyana on this issue.
Executive Committee
Guyana Human Rights Association

False claims!
ON Wednesday May 19, 2004, Mr. Tony Vieira’s commentary on Channel 28 focused mainly on attacking Hindus, in much the same vain as Ms. Gibson’s book. As a Hindu it was very hurtful to sit and watch this unwarranted and inexplicable attack on 35% of Guyana’s population.

Mr. Vieira mentioned inter-alia Hindu dominance of the country’s politics, which is a total falsity. If one examines the upper hierarchy of the PPP, very few are practicing Hindus and in fact most are communists, making their philosophy largely incompatible with Hinduism. In fact, I doubt very much that both Dr. Jagans have personally performed Jhandi or Havan ceremonies which most Hindus perform.

Mr. Vieira then went on to attack GIHA and even mentioned that Hindu contractors are the main beneficiaries of Government contracts. He even tried to provoke anti-Hindu sentiments by saying that Muslim contractors are being systematically “locked out” of contracts and that the CIOG should take this matter up on behalf of Muslims.

However, Mr. Vieira has not produced any hard facts to substantiate his claims and in fact quite to the contrary Muslim contractors, such as S.A Nabi and Sons, Kishun Bacchus Constructions, Ameerally and Shazam Hussein, have benefited from very large contracts. For example, the CARICOM building and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport rehabilitation.

In closing I call on Mr. Tony Vieira to make an unqualified retraction of his statements since they are baseless. If he fails to do so, Hindus must boycott his television station and, further, groups such as Guyana Hindu DharmicSabha, Ghandi Youth Orgainzation and GIHA should take Vieira in front of the Broadcasting Commission and the Ethnic Relations Commission.
K. Sharma

Final Test at Sabina Park…
Lara threatens to step down
By Fazeer Mohammed
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) - Brian Lara has staked his captaincy on the West Indies defeating Bangladesh in the second and final cricket Test, starting today at Sabina Park.

Fully expecting a bowler-friendly pitch and banking on his reconfigured armoury to do the job, Lara created a mild sensation at the pre-match news conference yesterday when he stated that he would resign as captain if the Caribbean side failed to defeat the visitors.

Yet, mere hours later, he seemed to be regretting the bravado of that
statement on examining a Sabina Park pitch that showed only a slight
tinge of green.

Although the surface is expected to have much more pace and bounce
than the surface for the rain-affected first Test at the Beausejour Stadium in St. Lucia, it is not likely to be the same as for last year’s corresponding fixture against Sri Lanka when West Indies rallied from a first innings deficit to romp to a seven-wicket win on the third afternoon that gave them the two-match series 1-0.

In the immediate aftermath of that triumph, Lara spoke optimistically
about his team turning their previously woeful fortunes around, only to
just stagger past Zimbabwe and then suffer 3-0 whippings in South Africa and at home to England.

On the ground where they were demolished for 47 - their lowest ever Test total - by England eight weeks ago, Lara’s bold pronouncement seems triggered not so much by overwhelming confidence, but by embarrassment at the resilience and resourcefulness of their opponents in St. Lucia.

A benign surface there blunted any perceived threat from the Caribbean side’s four fast bowlers, and in a first Test blighted by a succession of dropped catches from both teams, earning a draw from the depths of 79 for six in their second innings represented a huge improvement by Bangladesh in the wake of a record of 26 losses and two rain-affected stalemates in their previous 28 Tests.

Ironically, one of the West Indies’ architects of the series-clinching win over the Sri Lankans could be left out on the ground where he made a sensational Test debut.

Picked at the insistence of Lara and responding by taking five wickets on the first day then, Fidel Edwards could pay the price for poor performances in St. Lucia.

The 22-year-old fast bowler finished with match figures of two for 139 and dropped four catches, generally struggling to recapture the intensity and enthusiasm that has defined his cricket since that surprise call-up.

Even allowing for local sentiment, Jermaine Lawson should be another casualty as he looked short of work on his return to Test cricket. The
muscular fast bowler, who has spent the last year remodelling a suspect
action and sorting through an assortment of injuries, lacked pace and
consistency in Jamaica.

If the Bangladeshis were fearful of him reproducing a spell similar to his devastating figures of six wickets for three runs in the first ever Test between the two teams in Dhaka 18 months earlier, they were pleasantly surprised by his general ineffectiveness.

Influenced also by the continued failure of the bowlers to make any sort of useful contributions with the bat, Omari Banks and Ravi Rampaul are set to take the places of Edwards and Lawson.

Banks’ anticipated selection will mark a return to top-level cricket for the off-spin all-rounder following recuperation from a stress fracture of the lower back that curtailed his tour of southern Africa last December.

Rampaul, who has impressed in a succession of One-day Internationals
since making his senior debut in Zimbabwe last October, should get the chance to play his first Test and with the teenager’s tendency to bowl a fuller length than some of his counterparts, may be more effective if the pitch does develop into a batsman’s paradise, particularly after the first day.

Brimful of confidence after their heartening performance - except in the catching department - in the first Test, Bangladesh are nevertheless under no illusions about the challenge facing them in Kingston.

They have strengthened their line-up by omitting Faisal Hossain, who made his debut in St. Lucia, and including left-arm spin bowler and determined batsman Manjural Islam Rana in the only change from their first Test squad.

Facing defeat on the final morning at Beausejour, they resolved to Fight it out as a tribute to their coach Dav Whatmore, who has travelled to Australia following the death of his brother-in-law.

In the midst of grief in Melbourne, he would have taken pride in