US/Guyana accord to hasten conflict resolution, promote social harmony
by Mark Ramotar
THE Government of Guyana and the Government of the United States of America, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), yesterday signed a Limited Scope Grant Agreement for the US/GOG Democracy and Governance Programme.

The agreement (Amendment No.6 to the Limited Scope Grant Agreement between the Guyana Government and the U.S. Government) authorized an additional US$1,193,794 for strengthening democratic activities in Guyana. This is the last addition to the programme's funding and will last until June 2004.

The programme, initially authorized in July 1998 for a duration of five years, provides assistance to the Government of Guyana (GOG) to build better governance and strengthen the rule of law, up to 2003, it is understood that some US$6,056,206 was released in phases.

Newly accredited United States Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Roland Bullen, and Mission Director of USAID in Guyana, Dr. Mike Sarhan, signed on behalf of the U.S. while Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Rudy Insanally signed for the Guyana Government.

The programme consists of five broad areas - legislative strengthening, the administration of justice, elections, civil society strengthening and local governance.

The signing ceremony took place in the Seminar Room of the Foreign Service Institute, New Garden and Charlotte Streets.

Ambassador Elizabeth Harper noted at the ceremony that funding for training and technical assistance are being provided through a cooperative agreement with the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) and its partners, the Carter Center (TCC) and the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES).

She pointed out that NDI holds responsibility for legislative strengthening and local governance activities while the Carter Center is taking the lead in work with judicial administration and strengthening civil society organizations while IFES provides leadership in the area of elections.

According to Harper, the programme provides assistance to the Government of Guyana to build and establish more participatory and responsive governance and rule of law. She also noted that the Programme, which is now entering its fifth year, is mandated to work in five broad areas: legislative strengthening, administration of justice, elections, civil society strengthening and local governance.

Dr. Sarhan, in his remarks at the signing ceremony, noted that in the democracy and governance area, USAID's new strategy has been informed by the current programmes and the many lessons learned from them.

"It is shaped by our awareness of existing constraints, as well as the activities of other donors; and is responsive to new opportunities," he said.

Dr. Sarhan also indicated that USAID will pay a special attention to the area of conflict, governance and local governments with the aim of reducing conflict among the various ethnic groups and improving overall governance.

To this end, Sarhan said USAID will work with both public and private institutions, NGOs, and individuals. "Our goal is to help Guyana consolidate its democracy by promoting social harmony and greater citizen participation and accountability at all levels of government," he said.

He said, too, that the current Democracy and Government programme provides assistance in legislative strengthening, local governance activities, judicial administration, strengthening target civil society organizations (women, youth and Amerindians), and elections support activities.

"In the past 12 months our implementing partners have stepped up institution-building efforts in all five areas of our programmes, namely: Parliament, the judiciary, GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission), target civil society organizations, and local Government," he said, adding that USAID will continue to provide training and technical assistance in these areas, as appropriate.

Sarhan also noted that USAID had supported the Attorney General's efforts in compiling the Laws of Guyana, put them on CDs and widely distributed them to Judges, Lawyers and all interested citizens in a format that is uniformly accessible.

He said the administration of justice in Guyana continues to be "a labourious, time-consuming, process". "While cases do get resolved, eventually, the backlog continues to grow (and) there is a recognized need for additional Judges and Magistrates and improved case tracking in the supreme court registry," Sarhan stated.

He noted that the appointment of a Court manager was a step in the right direction, but said much more needs to be done to address the fundamental problems in the system.

To this end, Sarhan said USAID is working with the Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice to explore and encourage the utilization Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods to help resolve the backlog crisis.

"We also realize that in dealing with each of these problem areas, we must address the necessary structural and organizational changes that are necessary to provide a working environment that attracts qualified personnel, and then provides incentives for them to stay," Sarhan posited.

He noted, too, that the USAID's Democracy and Governance programme was instrumental in establishing a Permanent Elections Commission and Secretariat, and during the past year it continued to work with GECOM to strengthen those key components that need to be maintained between elections, and to prepare for the upcoming Local Government elections, including the establishment and maintenance of a valid and reliable registration database, and civic education covering elections systems and electoral procedures.

According to him, USAID/Guyana Programme recognizes the strong synergy among the various sectors. "...we know that broad-based economic growth, increased employment and improved real wages are essential for democracy to flourish.

"At the same time, we also know that stable institutions of governance, characterized by transparency and accountability are vital for continued economic growth," Sarhan stated.

Dr. Sarhan also assured Minister Insanally that USAID will not be wavering in its efforts to assist the Guyana government in broadening and deepening democratic institutions in Guyana.

"Democracy is the parent of peace and stability...without which sustained development and economic growth are virtually unachievable," Sarhan added.

Minister Insanally thanked the US Government and USIAD in Guyana for the assistance and expressed the hope that both parties would work assiduously to implement the programme. The Minister also said he is encouraged by the developments which have already taken place in Guyana as a result of the programme.

U.S. Ambassador, Mr. Bullen, said the technical cooperation programme is designed to help Guyana in its pursuit of the principles fortified in the Inter-American Democratic Charter. He noted that in that document, both the US and Guyana governments renewed its commitments to strengthen and perfect our democratic systems. "This agreement will renew our mutual commitment to work together to achieve these vital objectives," he said.

Bullen also pointed out that civil society participants have been assisted in engaging with policy makers on a variety of issues such as poverty eradication, the administration of justice and conflict mitigation. "We are very excited to be working with the justice sector to explore our alternative dispute resolution mechanism which will reduce the backlog of cases and improve the overall administration of justice in Guyana," the new U.S. Ambassador posited.

He noted that the first article of the Inter-American Democratic Charter proudly proclaims that the peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and the governments have an obligation to promote and defend it.

According to him, "democracy is essential for the social, political and economic development of the people's of the Americas".

He said, too, that in Article Six, the Charter sets forth the principles that it is the right and responsibility of all citizens to participate in decisions relating to their own development. This, he said, is also a necessary condition for the full and effective exercise of democracy, since, according to him, promoting and fostering the various forms of participation strengthens democracy.

Inflation rate at 4.4 percent
-- prices rise 0.6%
THE retail prices of goods and services monitored for the Urban (Georgetown) Consumer Price Index basket of goods in the month of July 2003 rose by 0.6%, according to the Bureau of Statistics.

The Bureau, in a statement yesterday, attributed the slight increase to an upward movement in the value of the index from 182.1 to 183.2. Consequentially, the overall year-to-date inflation rate for the period December 2002 to July 2003 increased to 4.4%. It also led to 5.8% increase in the annual (month-to-month) inflation rate for the period July 2002 to July 2003.

There were three primary groups of the basket that was responsible for the 0.6% increase in the price of consumer items for the month of July 2003. The groups were food, furniture and transport and communication, the prices of items within these groups rose by 0.9%, 0.2% and 2.8% respectively.

The sub-categories that were significant contributors to the increases in the Food group were meat, fish and eggs (1.6%), this was as a result of increases in the price of stew beef (1.0%), frozen chicken (2.2%), eggs (2.7%), steak sirloin (2.7%), other steak (2.7%) and shoulder pork (14.1%).

There was a 1.8% increase in the Milk and Milk products sub-group, which was as a result of increased prices in powdered milk (0.3%), cheese (2.3%) and pasteurized milk (29.9%).

The 1.5% increase in the sub-category of condiments and spices was as a result of increases in the prices of onions by 0.8%, curry powder by 0.8%, red peppers by 15.8%, celery by 3.4%, tomato ketchup by 2.9% and baking powder by 1.6%.

The bureau also stated that fruits and fruit products sub-group rose by 3.3% due to increases in the price of oranges (1.6%), bananas (7.1%), papaws (7.5%), limes (14.9%), pineapples (7.7%) and grapes (1.9%).

The sub-category of Alcoholic beverages registered a 0.8% increase as a result of increased prices in the following items - soft drinks (3.3%), coffee extract (0.4%), ground coffee (0.8%), tea (0.1%) and malta (2.0%).

It said the final sub-category within the food group that contributed to the 0.6% increase was tobacco and tobacco products, that is, the cost of cigarettes rose by 1.0% in the month of July 2003.

The Bureau noted that the increases mentioned were not the only increases but were the significant ones. It said despite these increases there were also simultaneous decreases in the prices of other items.

Within the non-food category, the bureau said furniture, which rose overall by (0.2%), there were recorded increases in the price of mattress (16.2%), and in the sub-category of cleaning materials; soap prices rose by (0.5%) and soap powder by (0.5%).

The other group in which increases were also observed was Transport and Communication (2.8%). The bureau said this was attributed to an increase in the cost of personal transport equipment (0.2%), gasoline (4.0%) and a notable increase in the cost of postage stamps by 281.7%.

Police probing deaths of three men near ganja field
POLICE are investigating the deaths of three men, whose bullet-riddled bodies were found on Thursday near fields of cannabis (marijuana) at “Swan” on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The remains of the men, who were dreadlocked, were partly decomposed and had what appeared to be gunshot wounds.

A Police team was dispatched to the area yesterday to carry out more comprehensive investigations.

A Police press release yesterday stated that the three male Rastafarians, whose bodies were riddled with bullets, were discovered at Camp Swan, Soesdyke/Linden Highway at about 11:30 hours on Thursday, had been identified by relatives.

Dead are Daniel Marcus, 41, of Cinderella City, Linden; Richard Thomas, 33, a farmer of 164 Smythfield, New Amsterdam; and ‘Dandy’, who is about five foot seven inches tall, and of dark complexion.

The release said that Thomas was a Public Health Inspector, who had been suspended from duty as a result of a matter before the Court.

‘Dandy’ and Marcus were lying on the floor of the camp, while Thomas was found in a hammock.

The camp, which was covered with a tarpaulin, contained ten bags of compressed marijuana weighing approximately 700 pounds; one bag filled with ten pounds of cannabis seeds; the spent shell of a 12- gauge weapon; one small television set; a small scale and a grass cutting machine.

Surrounding the camp were hundreds of cannabis sativa plants.

Father of five dies in bike collision
By Shawnel Cudjoe
A FATHER of five met his death yesterday morning after a collision with a CBR motorcycle a few yards from his home on his way to work.

Fifty-six-year-old Lewis Eastman, of 14 East Ruimveldt Front Road, died on his way to the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was struck down by the cycle, which reports state, had no number plate.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that around 7:05 am yesterday morning, Eastman a plumber working at the Mayor and City Council was in the process of pushing his pedal cycle out of his yard when the big bike fatally struck him.

The cyclist, twenty-eight-year-old Carl Benjamin of Lot J 1048 Tuc Ville swerved to avoid hitting a dog and collided with Eastman in the process.

Benjamin was admitted to the hospital nursing injuries to the head, and both cycles have been impounded at the East La Penitence Police Station.

When Guyana Chronicle visited the dead man's residence yesterday, his sister-in-law and neighbour Jacklyn Blaize related that she was in her house when she heard a loud crash.

She said that she looked outside and discovered her brother-in-law lying motionless on the road, and the other man also on the ground with his feet in the air.

Blaize said that she became so confused that she immediately rushed back into her yard.

Eastman leaves to mourn five children ages 1-8 years old and his reputed wife Debra Melville.

On Wednesday last Gopaul Panday a 44-year-old father of three was also killed by a speeding CBR motorcycle in Garnett Street around 23:30 hrs.

Panday was about to enter his car when the two motorcyclists identified as Vishlall Ragnauth and Owen Glasgow struck him from behind, hurling him several feet into the air.

The cyclists were hospitalized while Panday died two hours after he arrived at the hospital.

Pastor seeks redress for son's disappearance
By Nivedta Kowlessar
A MOTHER, distressed over the disappearance of her son six months ago, yesterday turned to the Disciplined Forces Commission for redress, saying she hopes the Police, accused of taking him away, would be "made to answer".

"I am hoping that after bringing this evidence, that something would come out of it...something should happen...," Pastor Patricia Padmore told the Commission conducting a public inquiry into the disciplined forces.

Padmore of Mount Sinai Faith Mission Church said her son, Kenneth Bacchus, disappeared after leaving their Agricola, East Bank Demerara home to spend the weekend with his girlfriend at 'C Field' Sophia, Greater Georgetown earlier this year.

In the previously highly publicised incident, the girlfriend, Tracey Bailey, claimed she and Bacchus were standing by the roadside with friends, when Police approached them. There was an exchange, and Bacchus, a former policeman, was called out by name and eventually ordered into a Police vehicle, and driven away.

He has not been seen since, and Padmore said checks at several Police stations revealed no one by his name had been detained.

Padmore told the Commission she subsequently sought the help of the Police Public Relations Department, which said there was no record of Bacchus being a wanted man.

Requests made personally, and by a group on her behalf, for a meeting with the Police Commissioner have not been acknowledged, Padmore reported.

In response to questions by Commissioners, she said her son worked as a labourer, mason and business partner with a half-brother. He left the Guyana Police Force because the family was making arrangements to migrate.

She said no report about his disapperance was filed with the Police Complaints Authority or Ministry of Home Affairs.

Padmore said she was satisfied, based on the accounts of what happened, that it could only be the Police who took Bacchus away and the Force should be made to answer questions about his whereabouts.

"They can't keep ignoring the fact...the Police is for service and protection, and I'm looking for that," she stated during the afternoon hearing at the Supreme Court Library in Georgetown.

Padmore said September 08 will be six months since her son was last seen and his disappearance is "now taking effect" on her. "...it is getting to me now, but there is still hope," she told the Commission.

The body has been mandated to give priority to the Police Force in its probe of the disciplined services which comprise the Police, Army and Prison and Fire Services.

Conducting the hearings are Chairman of the Commission, Senior Counsel, Ian Chang and members, Senior Counsel, Charles Ramson, Attorney-at-Law, Anil Nandlall, Brigadier (retired), David Granger and Maggie Bierne, a member of the Commission for the Administration of Justice in Northern Ireland. They are supported by legal advisor, Bertlyn Reynolds.

The inquiry fulfills a measure in the Joint Communiqué signed in May by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Mr. Robert Corbin, Leader of the Opposition and People's National Congress/Reform.

Reproductive health forum at Plaisance tomorrow
THE Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA) Guyana Chapter, and members of the Plaisance Dorcas Club, will be holding a forum on Sexual and Reproductive Health/Rights tomorrow.

It is due from 16:30 hrs to 19:30 hrs at the Plaisance Dorcas Club, East Coast Demerara.

The objectives of the forum are to create awareness among youth of their sexual and reproductive health/rights; eliminate some of the myths associated with sexual and reproductive health as it relates to young people; and strengthen collaboration among Dorcas Club members.

Topics to be covered in the forum are sexuality, sexual and reproductive organs of male and female, and sexual and reproductive health/rights of young people.

The presenter will be Ms. Sheila Yaw-Fraser, a registered nurse/midwife, public health nurse and Clinic Supervisor of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA). Ms. Yaw-Fraser has over 309 years' experience in the nursing profession.

Dorcas Club and CAFRA Guyana Chapter collaborated and held a forum on "Creating a Gender Awareness among Youth" in June of this year. A similar forum was held, also in collaboration with Toucan II Multipurpose Youth Club in Buxton, in July.

Who will go to China?
By Neil Marks
The 13 delegates of Miss Guyana World are set to stage a spectacular Orient-style show this evening, but as far as the competition goes Alexis Glasgow and Suzette Shim are the ones to be watched.

The tall and stately Suzette Shim is the favourite for the crown.

An employee of the Supreme Court Registry, and a management student at the University of Guyana, Suzette's Indian and Chinese ancestry has given her a unique face that would work beautifully at Miss World. At the evening gown competition, she stood out among the other delegates.

As it is, Suzette is the best choice for the $200, 000 cash prize, and the trips to New York, London and eventually one month in Sanya, China.

Alexis, the tall, pretty and articulate Universal Airlines flight attendant has made her mark and is definitely a step behind Suzette as far as popular opinion goes. What has made her a top contender is that she is always smiling and has a very outgoing personality.

My other bets for a spot in the top five are former Miss Guyana Talented Teen Shammane Joseph, Psychology student TannyLee Munroe, and sports enthusiast Chelan Yhapp.

Latoya Perreira, a contestant in last year's Miss Guyana Universe pageant, can easily put herself in the top five. She is a smooth talker, has a radiant smile and a warm personality. Let's wait and see what the judges think.

The other delegates, Omega Narine, Angeelena Murray, Camilla Patterson, Ann Lyken, Shunella Anthony, Quintanilla Simon and Nevillean Dundas made up for a good crowd of contestants, but their odds at placing are not as good as those mentioned.

Again, let's see what the judges think.

In the opening sequence of the show, the delegates will be "walking" on the world amidst an Orient style setting created by Derek Moore who said he wanted to add a "Chinese" flare to the pageant given that Miss World will be held in China.

The show commences at 20:00 hrs and funds from the sale of the programmes, which will cost $500, will go towards the Guyana Society for the Blind.

Another batch leaves for Cuban scholarships September 26
ANOTHER batch of Guyanese students awarded scholarships by the Cuban Government leaves for Cuba on September 26.

They will pursue studies in various fields, Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon announced yesterday at his weekly news conference.

He said the 94 awardees will depart on a specially chartered flight to start the 2003-2004 academic year.

But, before their departure, they will be hosted by President Bharrat Jagdeo at a farewell function in the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown, next Monday.

The function will also serve as an orientation session for them and their parents/guardians, Luncheon said.

He said, of the 94, 25 will be pursuing courses in human medicine, like 69 of those in the first batch of 124.

All of the students study Spanish in their first year before going on to specialise in their respective disciplines.

A total of 350 scholarships were offered to Guyanese when President Jagdeo visited Havana in 2001 and held discussions with Cuban President Fidel Castro.

Permanent Secretary appointed in Amerindian Affairs Ministry
A PERMANENT Secretary has now been appointed in the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to make it “self-standing” by next year, Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon disclosed yesterday.

The appointment of Mr Reginald Brotherson has been approved by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Luncheon said it “recognises the administrative abilities of this young professional officer in the Accounting System in the Public Service.”

Brotherson’s appointment takes place “in the context of marked expression in the administration’s inputs into activities concerning Amerindians,” the HPS said.

Meanwhile, as the observance of Amerindian Heritage Month continues, President Jagdeo will be leading a delegation of Cabinet members to St Ignatius in Rupununi on September 10, to participate in the celebrations there.

St Ignatius, in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), has been identified as the Heritage Village this year and regional communities have already been advised of the grant of a holiday on that date, Luncheon stated.

The theme for Amerindian Heritage Month is ‘Igniting Our Indigenous Roots Amidst Change’.

Alert issued on drug Lipitor
GOVERNMENT Analyst Food and Drug Department has issued an alert to health care providers and consumers on the drug Lipitor, which contains the active ingredient atrovastatin, used for lowering cholesterol.

A press release said investigations by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) revealed that there is a counterfeit version of the medicine which is packaged in 90-tablet bottles and labelled repackaged by MED PRO Inc, Lexington NE 668850.

The release said a USFDA laboratory analysis determined that the safety and efficiency of the tested tablets, although containing atrovastatin, cannot be assured.

It said there may be significant variations in individual tablets because the source of the atrovastatin is unknown and there is no evidence of good manufacturing practices in the process.

The statement said preliminary investigations have disclosed that no such products are on the local market but the alert is for the lot numbers:

· 20722v 90 tablet bottles 10 mg expiry date 09, 2004

· 04132 v 90 tablet bottles 10 mg expiry date 01, 2004

· 16942 v 90 tablet bottles 10 mg expiry date 09 2004

· 20842 tablet bottles 10 mg expiry date 09, 2004

· 16092 v 90 tablet bottles 10 mg expiry date 07, 2004 and

· D 270481 v 90 tablet bottles 10 mg with no expiry date available.

The statement said tablet bottles containing those lot numbers should not be sold, dispensed or used but submitted to the department for necessary regulation.

The Department can be contacted on telephone numbers 226-8795, 226-3711 and 226-8337 or Fax number 225-4249 or e-mail fooddrug@networksgy.com.

Contracts awarded for water systems, roads and drainage
CABINET has approved a number of contracts for the expenditure of $180M on improved potable water supply in several places, Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon announced yesterday.

Speaking at his weekly news conference, he said contractors were awarded $24.3M, $43.9M, $27.2M, $10.1M and $19.9M jobs, respectively, for the installation of systems at Vergenoegen/Tushen/Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands)); Number 79 Village to Crabwood Creek, Number 52 to Number 58 and Ulverston to Whim, all on Corentyne, East Berbice in Region Six; Rosignol to Shieldstown in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and Onderneeming on Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam).

Luncheon said a $19.9M award also gained approval for the Eccles water metering project on East Bank Demerara in Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica).

The HPS disclosed, too, that a $28M deal was sanctioned for the construction of roads, drains and culverts at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara and $12M for the rehabilitation of the access ring road through Lesbeholden, Mibicuri, Johanna and Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, another part of Corentyne, Berbice.

No new strain of malaria infection in Guyana
GEORGETOWN (GINA) -- There isn't any new strain of malaria in Guyana.

That's the word from Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.

Minister Ramsammy gave this assurance to the general public amid reports in the media contending that a new strain of malaria was present in Guyana.

Recently a patient was tested with a malaria strain - P. strain, which has not been reported in Guyana for over 20 years.

The Ministry of Health believes that this may have been due to the migration of persons from neighbouring countries. Studies have shown that the P. malaria strain is present in neighbouring Suriname.

Malaria in Guyana is caused predominantly by P. falciparum and P. vivax.

Prior to 1984, there was also a third strain in Guyana - P. malaria. It was detected in a patient recently.

Recent reports in the media state that there was a new strain of malaria in Guyana and the Ministry of Health was ill equipped to detect this disease.

But Dr. Ramsammy says all possible malaria strains can be detected through tests at the various health facilities throughout the country.

Additionally, there are several preventative measures being taken by the Ministry of Health, which says there is also an adequate supply of drug treatment throughout the country.

FAREWELL RECEPTION --- From left: U.S. Ambassador Ronald Bullen, IMF Representative George Bindley-Taylor, Opposition/PNC-R Leader Robert Corbin, European Commission Country Representative Vincent DeVisher, and Demerara Distillers Limited Chairman Yesu Persaud. The occasion was a grand farewell reception at Le Meridien Pegasus for Mr. DeVisher, whose tour of duty in Guyana has ended. (Cullen Bess Nelson photo)

Abandoned newborn re-united with his mother
--17-year-old girl was scared to tell her parents of her pregnancy
THE two-day old baby, who was found near a pit latrine in the village of Shieldstown, West Coast Berbice, has been united with his mother.

According to reports reaching this newspaper, a frightened teenage girl gave birth to the child and later placed him in the yard near to the pit latrine. She said she was scared to tell her parents of her pregnancy.

The baby was first taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital, and after Police had traced the mother, the baby was handed back to her.

While the parents of the teenage girl are said to be shocked over the events, the new mother and baby are reported to be "doing well".

City Hall to curb littering in $13.4M R'veldt canal
The Georgetown Mayor and City Council will be deploying a maintenance gang at the West Ruimveldt drainage canal, which was being cleared over the past two months, to ensure that the area is kept free from litter.

Mayor Hamilton Green during a visit to the area yesterday said the gang would be using rakes to clear and maintain the area daily and would be supported by the Constabulary to arrest defaulters.

Green said he has instructed the City Engineers department, the Health Department and the Constabulary to pool their resources to deal with people who continue to dispose their waste in the drainage canal.

He said people dumping in the canal interfere with the free movement of the water. He also noted that there is a problem with squatting in the area and people disposing their fesses in the canal along with other waste, which create condition for rapid aquatic growth.

If the canal was not maintained for the next three months, it would become once again blocked up as it was two months ago, Green pointed out.

"We cannot allow the millions of dollars spent here to go down like that and we have got to let people understand that. What is left to do now after much talking is to take condign action", he stated.

The Mayor also noted that many of the people living along the canal do not have receptacles to properly dispose of their waste as required by law.

Rehabilitation works to the canal started two months ago and was recently completed. It cost $13.4 million. The contract was awarded to Mr. Maurice Glasgow. (Jaime Hall)

It is a question waiting for a serious answer from the administration of Prime Minister Owen Arthur that had established the high-level Constitution Review Commission under the chairmanship of Sir Henry.

The issue of Barbados moving away from the current monarchical system to that of a constitutional parliamentary republic is linked to the wide-ranging recommendations of the ten-member commission.

In fairness to the distinguished members of that commission and all those Barbadians, of various walks of life, who took time to turn up at public meetings of the commission and those who offered written submissions, the question raised by Sir Henry deserves to be answered.

Since the submission of the commission's 136-page report, including appendices with dissenting views, among whom were former Attorney-General Maurice King and the late Wendell McClean, there have been some strident calls, from various segments of society, for the move towards republican status.

The need to change the oath of allegiance when, for instance, cabinet ministers and judges are being appointed, or even important commissions of inquiry, only underscore the need for a proactive agenda on constitutional reform with a change to republican status at the core of such a development.

Jamaica, for one, has not bothered to wait for the change to republican status with a non-executive president, as being envisaged, in order to terminate the practice of lawmakers having to swear allegiance to a monarch in England.

Departing from the existing constitutional status is neither an emotional anti-Queen posture nor a radical manifestation. It is simply a development whose time has not only come, but is long overdue.

Indeed, the thrust towards creation of a Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the region's final appellate court - an institution encouragingly being advanced with much enthusiasm by Barbados - is quite in keeping with the sentiment for a change in the constitutional status quo to that of a republic,

It has not escaped consideration that two general elections have taken place since the appointment of the Forde-led Constitution Review Commission. An expected referendum on the question of Barbados becoming a parliamentary republic was not on the agenda of either the incumbent Barbados Labour Party or its challenger for power, the Democratic Labour Party. It is high time for the waiting to end for Barbados to hear from both parties, now that the election season is behind us, on this crucial constitutional issue. (Nation)

Woman recounts daughter’s ordeal after rape by ‘family friend’
THE High Court heard Thursday that rape accused, Ewarth Benjamin, 21, reportedly told his victim’s mother that he had been aroused after peeping into a bedroom where the 13-year-old girl lay in bed dressed only in her bra and panties.

“After I peeped into the bedroom and saw the girl in bed wearing only panty and bra, I do not know what happened afterwards,” man allegedly told the girl’s mother.

Benjamin, also called ‘Hubert’, is accused of having carnal knowledge of a girl of 13 years of age at her home on the night of June 3, 1999.

The victim’s mother, who was testifying before Justice Winston Moore and a mixed jury at the beginning of the trial at the Demerara Assizes on Thursday, added, “I asked Ewarth why he raped my 13-year-old daughter. At first, he denied, but after I insisted with the question, he replied, ‘I do not know what got into my head to do something like that’.”

The names of the mother and the father have been kept secret to protect the identity of the girl.

At the time of the incident, the girls’ parents were away from the home.

According to the mother, the accused was a family friend and had lived at the same home for over five years prior to the incident.

She said that on the day in question, there was a family reunion at Beterverwagting, East Coast, and Demerara. Four children, included the victim, and the accused, were among persons, who ate, drank and danced at the celebration.

The children, including the victim, were taken home at about 8 o’clock the night. The accused left about 10 minutes later.

The mother and father left the party at about 11 o’clock that night. The mother testified that upon opening the door of the house, she saw her daughter leaning against a wall trembling. The child appeared to be in shock.

Believing that thieves had entered the place, the woman said she hugged her daughter and tried to find out what had happened. The girl then related to her what the accused had done.

The hearing continues on Monday. (George Barclay)

Army flagship drug bust…
Second cop concludes testimony at PI
THE second Prosecution witness concluded his testimony when the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the fresh charges against the two ex-Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers implicated in the Army flagship drug bust continued before Magistrate Maxwell Edwards yesterday.

Through Detective Constable Karl Jones, the Prosecution, being conducted by State Counsel Simone Bullen and Paula Gilford from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), tendered three bags containing 50 packets of cannabis (marijuana) before the adjournment was taken, to September 10.

The policeman was also cross-examined by Defence Counsel Vic Puran.

In the continuing pre-trial proceedings, Wayne Inniss, of Lot 130 Lamaha Springs, Georgetown and Shandy Stephens, of Lot 118 Dacama Circle, Mackenzie, Linden, who were both dishonourably discharged from the GDF, are now jointly charged indictably with conspiracy to traffic in 60 kilogrammes 681 grammes of marijuana, between May 1 and 11 this year.

Inniss alone faces a separate charge of trafficking in the same quantity of the narcotic by exporting it.

The two were previously charged summarily but, last August 12, the DPP instituted the new charges and the others were adjourned indefinitely.

Inniss and Stephens were slapped with Police charges after a military trial following discovery of the drug aboard ‘GDFS Essequibo’ when the naval vessel docked in Barbados to participate in the Caribbean regional ‘Exercise Tradewinds’ in May.

The first witness to testify in the case was Police Constable Patrick Carter, who is attached to the Photographic Branch and he tendered pictures of the drug haul.

Businessman, employee committed for orphan murder trial
MAGISTRATE Melissa Robertson-Ogle yesterday committed businessman Nazeer Hamid and his employee Yusuf Rahaman to stand jury trial for the murder of orphan Raheem Abdool.

The magistrate ruled that enough evidence was adduced at the preliminary inquiry (PI), over which she presided, to establish a prima facie case against the accused.

The prisoners are charged with unlawfully killing 14-year-old Abdool, who was an inmate at United Sad’r Islamic Anjuman Orphanage in Alexander Street, Kitty.

Hamid is Chief Executive Officer of the orphanage and Manager of Rahaman’s Spare Parts, where Rahaman was employed, as well.

They are alleged to have killed the lad whose partly decomposed body was found on the railway embankment at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, after he was reported missing between December 16 and 17 last year.

State Counsel Simone Bullen and Paula Gilford, from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) prosecuted at the pre-trail proceedings.

Defence Counsel Vic Puran, on hearing the ruling, made an application for all handwritten notes taken by the magistrate in the case.

Hamid, of Lot 51 Russell and Evans Street, Charlestown and Rahaman, of Lot 84 Garnett Street, Newtown, both Georgetown addresses, have been remanded to prison to await their indictment.

Families of murdered victims should be compensated
I wish to correct several mistakes made in the article 'Implement Forces Commission recommendations - Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) pleads' (KN, Thursday, September 4, 2003). This article reported on the IAC's submission to the Disciplined Forces Commission (DFC) on Thursday, September 4, 2003.

The first mistake concerned the term 'ETHNIC CLEANSING'. The IAC, which was represented by me, never used the term "ETHNIC CLEANSING" in its 14-page document that was submitted to the DFC. The term 'ETHNIC CLEANSING' was used by the DFC personnel as they queried the use of the term 'CLEANSING' by the IAC executive member during the question period.

The term "CLEANSING' was used in relation to the absolute need for the removal of the clinging stigma attached to the Guyana Defence Force, which it acquired as a result of its collaboration with the illegal PNC dictatorship to deliberately violate the human rights of and to willingly participate in the disenfranchisement of the Indo-Guyanese especially during the fraudulent general elections (selections) of 1968, 1973, 1980 and 1985 and also in the fraudulent referendum (riggerendum) of 1978.

The term "CLEANSING" was used also in conjunction with the term 'CLOSURE' to refer to the need for justice and compensation for the families of the Ballot Box Martyrs Jagan Ramessar and Bholanath Parmanand who were brutally assassinated by members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) during the fraudulent 1973 general elections.

It should be noted that one of the PNCR members of the DFC, Brigadier (retired) David Granger MA, arguably the intellectual author of the GDF allegiance to PNC, was a senior GDF officer throughout the years of the PNC dictatorship and is someone who must have intimate knowledge of the unconstitutional behaviour of the GDF throughout the PNC years in office.

The second mistake refers to the army's involvement in the electoral system between '1961 and 1975'. It is obvious that this reporter misunderstood my statement.

The third mistake refers to an entire paragraph which reads: ' On the question of ethnic balance in the services, Mr. Persaud feels that this is not realistic since the historical make up of the two major races are like 'oil and water'. The failure of the reporter to understand what was being said is regrettable.

What the reporter failed to report is that the two major races in Guyana, the Indo-Guyanese and the Afro-Guyanese, are separated by seven streams of division - the historical, cultural, religious, economic, geographic, occupational and political streams - and that these streams of division have separated the two major races like 'oil and water'.

The IAC recommended that the disciplined forces be balanced ethnically and feels that this process can be realistically accomplished in opposition to what the KN reporter wrote.

The fourth mistake, which happens to a creation of the reporter's mind, also refers to a complete paragraph which reads: 'You will not have a major turn around in the ethnic balance, but once the salaries are right and people feel comfortable, the arithmetic will play out itself."

What the reporter failed to report accurately was the argument that if salaries, allowances and incentives are increased in addition to having higher admission (qualification) standards, ethnic balance in the disciplined forces will more likely be achieved.

All for your information and guidance.
Evan Radhay Persaud Misra
IAC Executive Member

Increases are justified
Persons are claiming that the increase in fees for professionals is unjustified, but the increase did not happen without consultations. Like similar important decisions in Guyana, government held several debates and consultations before any major decision was made.

Several data checks on annual average income and expenditure levels are conducted before decisions are reached. Additionally, all tax options are reviewed and analyze before a decision is made.

Government has resorted to this increase because it has always been problematic to collect basic income taxes from these professionals. So, I am sure this option was chosen and was found to be lucrative, as well as feasible.

The aim of any tax increase is to ensure an even distribution of income throughout the country.

Professional are the ones, who can afford to pay extra, so why not have them pay. So, persons who are claiming that there has been an unjustified increase in fees for Practice Certificate for lawyers and other professions need to check the statistics for themselves (unless they already have the information but are seeking unjustified sympathy from the public).

Professions who have benefitted from Guyana in terms of free or subsidized education should gladly repay in some way. They should be happy to serve and repay Guyana for their high personal and financial standings in society.

So, what is the fuss to pay an increase annual fee?

These professions are the ones receiving/charging substantial sums to clients. It is time that they give back some of that to society in some way.

Government has done the right thing. This is better than exhausting limited human and financial resources, running behind delinquent professions who fail to submit income tax returns.
Elizabeth Reid

Government must collect tax where necessary

Hotel owners and the Tourism and Hospitality

Association of Guyana (TAG) who are claiming that the 10 percent tax on food and beverages would decrease the amount of tips to workers is misguided. Decrease in tips collection should not even be a publicly debated issue.

Officially, all source of income should be declared to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Since, tips for hotel workers are not declared claim or reason for change does not stand as a justification for the elimination of the tax. A Government, who is elected in Office, is mandated to manage the affairs of a country. That is, they should decide the best way to make and distribute public finances.

In doing so, they make decisions, which positively affect the equal distribution of a country's income. The tax imposed is designed to ensure that adequate amounts of essential goods and services are available to the general public (not just one group).

Ironically, only the persons who are directly affected by the tax are objecting. Why is the entire society not objecting? Because persons are aware of the real issues.
Shawn Greene

Of Jews and Arabs - and religion
I was just raising the sandwich to my lips when I felt the shadow over me. I turned to face my religious fundamentalist "friend", smiling in the usual scornful manner that seems particularly reserved for me. "I see your letter in the newspapers referred to the bible as a book of tales," he began, drawing up a seat without an invitation. I stifled a surge of irritation; this guy makes a habit of intruding on my quiet time.

Taking a deep breath, I chastised myself, thinking that I may be at fault here; after all I could be encouraging him by tolerating these religious conversations. My obligation to share my opinion could have been misinterpreted as interest in his beliefs.

"The bible is not fable," he insisted. "It is not an anecdote. It is the living truth, the divinely inspired word of God. It is unadulterated fact, every word of it comes from a God who cannot lie." He had an indisputable flair for flowery rhetoric. I was tempted to point out that he had just revealed a contradiction, something that his omnipotent God cannot do. If his God cannot lie then he is constrained and not all-powerful. I fought the urge to tell him also that in the New Testament Jesus told his brothers that he was not going to the festival but did so "in secret" and this qualifies as a lie (John 7.8-10). Instead I sipped my soft drink.

"I'm glad that you have testified that the bible is actual fact," I said. "A few modern Egyptians do too and they are suing all the Jews of the world for the loot they stole in exodus."

"Huh?" his eyes widened a bit.

"Yes, see in the Book of Exodus 12:36 it says the Jews 'plundered the Egyptians' before they left and now some Egyptians want their stuff back," I explained. Nabil Hilmi, the dean of the law school at Egypt's University of Al-Zaqaziq, I had read, is suing Jews for stealing gold, jewelry, cooking utensils, silver ornaments, clothing, and more, then leaving biblical Egypt in the middle of the night with all this wealth, which today is priceless.

My fundamentalist challenger was incredulous, so I pointed out that though this action is probably three millennia late, the Jerusalem Post writer Yossi Klein Halevi says that the lawsuit is no joke. I decided to show him details of some research I had done. Hilme, the law school dean, had told a Cairo newspaper that, at an annual interest of only five percent, the worth of a ton of the material taken would double every twenty years. Hilme is using Old Testament figures to determine the worth of what was "plundered".

"In one ton of gold is 700 kg of pure gold-and we must remember that what was stolen was jewellry, that is, alloyed with copper. Hence, after 1,000 years, it would be worth 1,125,898,240 million tons, which equals 1,125,898 billion tons for 1,000 years," Hilme explained. "In other words, 1,125 trillion tons of gold, that is, a million multiplied by a million tons of gold. This is for one stolen ton. The stolen gold is estimated at 300 tons, and it was not stolen for 1,000 years, but for 5,758 years, by the Jewish reckoning. Therefore, the debt is very large ... the value must be calculated precisely in accordance with the information collected, and afterward a lawsuit must be filed against all the Jews of the world, and against the Jews of Israel in particular, so they will repay the Egyptians the debt," he added.

"Wow!" my biblical literalist exclaimed, he seemed a bit at lost for words and I seized the opportunity for a dig of my own: "Don't despair man," I said, "some Jews have decided that seeing as how Hilme, like you, accepts the bible as historical fact that they would too. Beth Goodtree wrote in the Israel Insider that, 'we Jews should comb the Bible for historical references to Jewish ownership of other lands and sites that are rightfully Jewish... We should then sue all the interlopers and usurpers to get back that which is ours.' But some Egyptians argue that the Israelis are already doing this through force in Palestine."

My bible-thumping colleague began to mumble, but I cut him off: "Sounds like a literal interpretation will bring more chaos and bloodshed to the Middle East, huh?" I said, needling him.

"I dunno," he muttered, rising to leave.

"By the way," I asked, "what time are you having lunch tomorrow? I made a mental note to take my break an hour later than his.
Justin DeFreitas.

Guard against wolf in sheep's clothing
Sunday Stabroek edition's publication of the letter captioned "Crime is Rife In King Street" by Mohamed Khan (Page 8) thereof, refers.

The Commissioner of Police wishes to assure the writer that his perils and that of customers allegedly emanating from the presence of opportunity criminals have never consciously escaped the attention of our patrols when in that area.

In view of those concerns however, and while the Force will employ stringent measures to arrest such development (s) unsuspecting victims are reminded to be more vigilant in the securing of their private and personal property. Since ever so often, a lack of attention leads to tension.

In the past, the Force had repeatedly called on persons who ventured to conduct business or other engagements, to ensure that they endeavored to reduce the opportunity for the criminal minded to operate.

It is generally acknowledged that various disguises will be fashioned by opportunity criminals particularly that referred to by the writer "well-dressed criminals...' etc.

This is all the more commanding why customers and others should be on the alert at all times and guard against the "Wolf in Sheep Clothing".
Public Relations & Press Officer
Guyana Police Force

A Fresh Look At Nature Study In Guyana
It is a fact that natural science taught in tropical schools suffers through having evolved from that of temperate countries; and this may be said not lonely of its content, but of the methods used in teaching it. The long 'dead' inter of the temperate zones, connected to a commonly urban environment, has encouraged an indoor approach to the subject, based on the study of dead specimens and of books which we who teach in the tropics have less need to impose on ourselves. We are fortunate to work where direct contact with plants and animals in their natural habitats is usually possible at all seasons of the year.

To exploit this asset, especially when introducing biology in the fourth year of Secondary School, would seem to hold considerable advantages. Then our students are most likely to come to appreciate the subject for what it is - a study of plants and animals by man rather than as information to be accepted and memorized. A prior acquaintance with living plants and animals would provide the soundest possible background for the more systematic study of later years.

Today Guyana, a developing country having come out of a period of colonialism, greatly needs to make careful and accurate stock of its resources. The development programmes are placing increasing emphasis on agriculture, particularly the need for its diversification, but it is obvious that in order to accomplish diversification of agriculture and improvement of our natural resources, we need to know, among other things, exactly what (edible) plants, animals and soils we have in Guyana, where they are and what are their characteristics. With such knowledge we can develop techniques for maximizing our gains from the soil, conducting research, promoting eco-tourism, creating employment and thus, go a long way towards real economic independence.

Towards this end, Evergreen Nature Study Club: a Way of Life was formed solely by me in September 1997 and soon taken to the North Georgetown Secondary School from where I obtained a Secondary education before pursuing post-graduate studies. However, membership to the Club is not limited to students of the school, but open to any interested person at least 14 years of age. The outreach programme offers a one year certificate course with emphasis on practical studies including vacation camps in the rainforest. The National Agricultural Research Institute, Iwokrama International Centre and UNESCO participate in the programme as signatories on certificates.

It is my belief that there must be a change of attitude with regard to appreciation of our tropical environment/ biodiversity and agriculture along with consumer tastes, what we eat. It is this whole idea of studying together for the natural good of us, the human resource.

Congratulations to all representatives and students in every Administrative Region of Guyana on the occasion of the Club's Sixth Anniversary.
FITZ H. OGLE

Guyana take gold and silver at World Masters
GUYANA got off to a good start in the World Masters Weightlifting Championships with a gold and silver in the female division in Savannah, Georgia.

Alethea Joseph-Letlow claimed gold in the 35-39 age group 75+ category, while June Bell took the silver in 35-39 age group 63kg class.

Joseph-Letlow snatched 47.5kg and clean-and-jerked 65kg for a total 112.5kg. Reports reaching this newspaper stated that she was the only lifter in that division.

Bell snatched 50kg and clean-and-jerked 67.5kg for a total of 117.5kg, which was good enough for the silver.

Bell’s category was won by C.Boudreau of the U.S.A who snatched 65kg and clean-and-jerked 80kg for a total of 145kg.

The other female, Subrina Pestano was unsuccessful in her bid for a medal as she failed to get a lift starting at 55kg. She then failed twice at 57.5 kg, thus ruling her out of the medal hunt. V.Cabreba who snatched 47.5kg and clean-and-jerked 67.5kg for a total of 115 kg eventually won the class.

Pestano had in 1999 claimed a gold medal and in 2000 a silver.

Guyana’s quest continues on the 8th when the men, Deion Nurse at 14:00 hrs and Colin McKoy at noon, will be in action.

Nurse and McKoy are scheduled to contest the 40-44-age division, with the former entering the 77kg class and the latter the 62kg class.

The championships began on September 3 and will conclude on September 8. (Leeron Brumell).

Law(168) and Hooper (177) set new Lancashire record
STUART Law and Carl Hooper rewrote the record books at Edgbaston as Lancashire stepped up their late challenge for the First Division crown in the Frizzell County Championship yesterday. They put on 360 against Warwickshire to beat their county's previous highest partnership for the fifth wicket, also set in Birmingham by Barry Wood and Andrew Kennedy in 1975.

The duo were only 11 short of the record for any Lancashire wicket when Hooper was finally dismissed for 177 after completing 1 000 runs for the season in only his 16th innings.

Law became the first batsman to reach 1 500 runs this season and stretched his sixth hundred of the summer to 168 before Lancashire were dismissed for 781, the third highest Championship total in the history of Edgbaston.

The massacre opened up a lead of 332 and, following hundreds by Mark Chilton and Mal Loye on the second day, Lancashire had four century-makers in an innings for the second time in a fortnight.

The same four players had reached three-figures in a score of 734 for five against Middlesex at Old Trafford last month.

Warwickshire's attack was depleted by the absence of Dougie Brown, who strained a calf muscle when making a century on Wednesday, but even with the all-rounder, they would have been hard-pressed to stop the tide of runs.

While Law gave the impression that he was merely ticking over, Hooper hit half-a-dozen sixes off the only spinner, Mark Wagh, and one each from the medium-paced support bowlers, Ian Bell and Michael Powell.

After a relatively sedate start - they took 27 overs to compile a century stand - the runs came in a torrent and Lancashire certainly did not need the assistance of more than 60 extras, mostly in no-balls.

Hooper was closest to giving a chance in his century, edging the otherwise wayward Melvyn Betts inches wide of slip on 67, and Law was almost faultless in picking off 23 fours.

Hooper, who hit 24 boundaries including six sixes, was first to go for 177 when caught at long-off by Corey Collymore. The wicket was one of seven for Wagh, a personal-best but at a cost of 222 in 39.5 overs.

Alan Richardson was the only pace bowler to test the batsmen and no-one was more deserving when Law's innings, spanning nearly five-and-a-half hours, finally ended with a catch at slip.

It was not much in the way of relief for Warwickshire as Glen Chapple smashed 60 to take Lancashire beyond 700.

The only other counties to do this at Edgbaston were Yorkshire (887 in 1896) and Warwickshire, with 810 for four against Durham in 1994 - the match in which Brian Lara made his 501 not out. (SportingLife.com)

Sixteen wickets tumble at LBI ground
BERBICE closed the first day in the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) Under-17 Inter-county two-day fixture at 100 for six. The Berbicians are replying to Essequibo’s 124 all out off 51 overs. Scores: (Essequibo 124; Berbice 100 for six).

On a day when sixteen wickets tumbled at the LBI ground, Berbice won the toss and invited Essequibo to take first strike. The Essequibians were soon in trouble with half of their side back in the pavilion before the score had reached 60.

Only Abdool Salim with an unbeaten 34 and David Wallace 30 made any real impression against the Berbice attack. Pacer Jeremy Gordon with three for 28, and Anil Solomon two for 14 were Berbice’s best bowlers.

But Berbice, in reply, did not find the going any easier and lost wickets frequently in getting to 100 for six. Riad Ally has so far top-scored with 30. Skipper Karran Ganesh unbeaten on 29 found a useful partner in Abdul Fudadin, 18 not out, the pair having added 41 runs so far, improving on the score of 58 for six.

Medium-pacer Ryan Hercules has so far returned the impressive figures of three for eight for Essequibo, while Teekaram Persaud has chipped in with two for 19.

The match will end today.

Four teams reach De Sinco Under-13 semifinals
By Isaiah Chappelle
GEORGETOWN ‘A’ East Coast Demerara, Upper Demerara and Bartica reached the semifinals of the De Sinco Under-13 Inter-association football championships.

In the preliminaries at NIS ground last weekend, Georgetown ‘A’ played unbeaten to top Group A, while a similarly unbeaten Upper Demerara won Group B.

East Coast Demerara and Berbice tied on points for Group A, but East Coast claimed the runner-up slot with a superior goal difference. In Group B, Bartica were a clear second.

Georgetown ‘A’ won all three allotted games, scoring 17 goals and conceding only one for a plus-16 goal difference and tallied nine points.

There were four teams in the group.

Group A’s second-placer East Coast won one match, drew one and lost one, registering six goals and giving up four, ending with a plus-2 goal difference and four points. Berbice had similar results, but scored five goals and were bored five times for a goal difference of zero. East Bank Demerara won no games and were blasted 18 times, without scoring any goals.

Upper Demerara won their two allotted matches in the three-team group, scoring five goals, while conceding two, ending with a points difference of plus-three and six points. Runners-up Bartica won one game and lost one, scoring four goals and conceding three for a goal difference of plus-one and three points. Georgetown ‘B’ lost both their matches, and conceded four goals without scoring any for themselves.

In Group A fixtures yesterday, Georgetown first massacred East Bank, 10-0, with Manaseem Primo blasting a helmet-trick, while one each came from Omallo Williams, Frank Dover, Devon Pydana, Michael Henry and Roy Charles.

Berbice and East Coast next played to a 1-1 draw, with Odari Dalrymple scoring for East Coast and Roger October putting in the one for Berbice.

The following day, Georgetown ‘A’ whipped Berbice 4-0, with Michael Henry hitting a hat-trick and Primo chipping in with one.

East Coast next trounced East Bank 4-0, a double coming from Dalrymple and one each from Randy Phil and Akeem Haywood.

Berbice whipped East Bank 4-0. October scored a double and Jamaul Joseph and Tarique Pollard added one each.

Georgetown ‘A’ beat East Coast 3-1 in the final game of the group. Primo, Henry and Williams scored for the city team, while Dalrymple pulled one back for East Coast.

In Group B matches yesterday, Upper Demerara defeated Georgetown ‘B’ 2-0, with goals from Kevin Beaton and Sanjay Wilson. They then got past Bartica 3-2. Beaton hit a double and Ryan Noel the other for Upper Demerara.

The following day, Bartica beat Georgetown ‘B’ 2-0, with goals from Rickford Simon and Wayne Blake.

Georgetown ‘A’ will now clash with Bartica in one semifinal and Upper Demerara will take on East Coast in the other, next week Saturday. The final is fixed for the following day.

SOUTH AFRICA first innings (overnight 362-4)
G.Smith run-out (Vaughan) 18

H.Gibbs b Giles 183

G.Kirsten lbw b Giles 90

J.Kallis run-out (Giles) 66

N.McKenzie c Stewart b Anderson 9

J.Rudolph lbw b Bicknell 0

M.Boucher c Stewart b Bicknell 8

S.Pollock not out 66

A.Hall lbw b Flintoff 1

P.Adams run-out (Butcher) 1

M.Ntini b Anderson 11

Extras: (b-12, lb-10, w-4, nb-5) 31

Total: (all out, 128 overs) 484

Fall of wickets: 1-63, 2-290, 3-345, 4-362, 5-365, 6-385, 7-419, 8-421, 9-432.

Bowling: Bicknell 20-3-71-2, Anderson 25-6-86-2 (w-1), Harmison 28-9-73-0 (nb-4), Giles 28-2-102-2, Flintoff 19-4-88-1 (w-2), Vaughan 5-0-24-0 (nb-1), Butcher 3-0-18-0 (w-1).

ENGLAND first innings
M.Trescothick not out 64

M.Vaughan c Gibbs b Pollock 23

M.Butcher lbw b Hall 32

G.Thorpe not out 28

Extras: (lb-6, w-5, nb-7) 18

Total: (for two wickets, 46 overs) 165

Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-78.

Bowling (to date): Pollock 12-3-38-1, Ntini 8-0-29-0, Hall 12-5-39-1, Kallis 9-1-35-0, Adams 5-0-18-0.

Trescothick hauls England back after Pollock’s 300th Test wicket
By Tony Lawrence
LONDON, England (Reuters) - Shaun Pollock claimed the history but England took the honours after the second day of the fifth and final Test.

Pollock began yesterday with 66 well-struck runs and ended it as the second South African to take 300 Test wickets as England, having dismissed their opponents for 484 in their first innings, closed on 165 for two.

Marcus Trescothick was 64 not out, having batted just over three hours, while Graham Thorpe, recalled after a year in Test exile, was on 28, the left-handed pair combining in an unbroken stand of 87.

The 30-year-old Pollock reached his milestone by inducing England captain Michael Vaughan to overstretch for a ball on off-stump and edge to third slip, where Herschelle Gibbs pouched the chance.

Vaughan, wretchedly out of form since scoring 156 in the first Test -- he has now made 149 in his next eight knocks -- had promised more with a series of flashing cover drives off Makhaya Ntini, before departing for 23.

``It was nice to get Vaughan for the 300th, I think of him as England's best batsman'' Pollock said.

The 19th man to take 300 wickets in Test history, he joined compatriot Allan Donald (330 wickets) on the list, his wickets costing just over 20 each. No bowler on that list ended his career with a better average.

``I would like to thank Allan,'' Pollock added. ``Maybe batsmen played a few more shots against me when he was operating from the other end.''

South Africa remained well placed, despite failing to capitalise on their dominance of the opening day.

SERIES TRIUMPH
Needing only a draw to win their first series in England since 1965, they had resumed on 362 for four with a total of around 600 runs in mind.

One key moment in the morning session, however, killed off that ambition as the last seven wickets fell for 122.

Jacques Kallis, on 66, was trying to relaunch the innings after the early morning departures of Jacques Rudolph and Mark Boucher when, backing up, he was run-out at the non-striker's end.

A return drive from Pollock brushed bowler Ashley Giles's fingertips before cannoning into the stumps, the third umpire confirming the decision.

``The luck didn't really run for us,'' Pollock said. ``Jacques looked really set for a good score, but 484 is still a decent first-innings total and we have the runs on the board. I think we are still just on top.''

Earlier seamer Martin Bicknell, shaping the ball from right to left, had trapped the off-colour Rudolph lbw for a four-ball duck as the left-hander played across the line to a ball that straightened.

The seamer then had Boucher caught behind for eight to make it 385 for six. Television replays suggested Boucher had brushed his pad with his bat rather than snick the ball, but that strike gave Bicknell two victims for six runs in 23 deliveries.

The departure of Kallis was quickly followed by Andrew Hall, trapped lbw for a single by Andrew Flintoff, before Paul Adams was the third man to be run-out, chancing a second on Mark Butcher's throw from long off.

Pollock, however, protected Makhaya Ntini from the strike as they put on 52 before the number 11 lost his middle stump to James Anderson. ``Those runs will have frustrated England,'' Pollock concluded.

East Coast teams battle for Gavin Sobers trophy
THE East Coast Demerara Under-18 knockout football tournament kicks off today with double-headers at two venues from 14:00 hrs. Eight teams will battle for the Gavin Sobers trophy.

The East Coast governing football body is staging the event in conjunction with Melanie Tritons.

At Melanie ground, Victoria Kings clash with Mahaicony Lions then Melanie Tritons meet Ann’s Grove United.

Over at the Beterverwagting ground, Buxton United come up against Golden Stars and BV/Triumph United take on Plaisance.

The first set of matches will start at 14:00 hrs, with the second set following at 16:00 hrs.

Meanwhile, the Pepsi Cup senior knockout tournament gets under way next week Saturday with a double-header at BV ground, with Ann’s Grove United meeting Positive Vibes, then BV/Triumph clashing with Enterprise.

The following day, Sunday, September 14, matches will be played at two venues, with a doubleheader at Victoria ground.

From 14:00 hrs, Determinators will face Line Stars, then Golden Stars will clash with Melanie Tritons at 16:00 hrs.

At Better Hope Community Centre ground, Victoria Ajax will meet Plaisance United from 16:00 hrs.

Six teams will advance to the next round, called the Super Six stage, of which the top four will move on to the semifinals to be staged on Saturday, September 26. The final is fixed for Saturday, October 3, under floodlights.

The tournament is sponsored by Demerara Distillers Limited under the Pepsi banner, with $100 000 in cash prizes along with trophies at stake.

Kiptanui blames Kenya dope cases on greed
NAIROBI, Kenya (Reuters) - Moses Kiptanui, Kenya's head coach at the Paris world championships, said yesterday a recent spate of doping cases involving Kenyan athletes stemmed from greed.

``While the majority of Kenyan athletes excel due to natural talent, the few who are using performance-enhancing substances are just over-ambitious runners who want to reach the top by dubious methods,'' Kiptanui told Reuters yesterday.

``This is greed, nothing else. They are spoiling the reputation that we helped to build over the years.

``But they should realise that they are not only spoiling the image of our beloved sport but making their own lives very dangerous.''

Sydney Olympics 1500 metres bronze medallist Bernard Lagat was withdrawn from the Paris world championships after testing positive for EPO on August 8 and was subsequently provisionally suspended by Athletics Kenya.

Lagat's agent James Templeton said on Wednesday that Lagat denied taking any banned substance.

Pamela Chepchumba was handed a two-year ban after testing positive for EPO at the world cross-country championships in Lausanne in March. Chepchumba, 24, finished sixth in the women's 8 km race.

On Thursday, Athletics Kenya chairman Isaiah Kiplagat told a news conference that the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) had informed him that Kenyan runner Ambrose Bitok tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug at an IAAF meeting in Linz on August 19.

Bitok, a 5 000m runner, had tested positive for the drug norandrosterone, Kiplagat said. Like Lagat, his A sample tested positive and as is the procedure, he is provisionally suspended pending results of the B sample, Kiplagat said.

Double Olympics gold medallist Kip Keino was on Thursday named by Athletics Kenya to head a team to probe why doping cases are on the rise.

Kiptanui, a former 3 000m steeplechase world record holder tipped to step into the shoes of Mike Kosgei as national coach, following the latter's sacking this week, defended the performance of the Kenyan team in Paris.

Kenya finished equal seventh on the final medals table with two gold, one silver and a bronze.

``We need to train together for longer periods than is the case currently to instil teamwork and camaraderie. This is why Ethiopia did better this time,'' said Kiptanui.

Ethiopia finished third in the final table in Paris with a total of seven medals.

Brazil start out on long road to title defence
BARRANQUILLA, Colombia, (Reuters) - Brazil begin the defence of their World Cup title against Colombia tomorrow, determined to avoid the difficulties which have plagued previous qualifying campaigns.

On the last three occasions they have had to qualify, Brazil have only made sure of their place in their very last match.

They travel to the steamy Caribbean port of Barranquilla for the first of a marathon 18-match, 27-month long campaign, with the defending champions, under FIFA's new ruling, no longer enjoying the luxury of an automatic place at the following World Cup finals.

Ronaldo, who scored both goals as Brazil beat Germany in the 2002 final, will make his debut in the qualifying competition while Colombia, where coach Francisco Maturana is enjoying his fourth stint in charge, are determined to make up for the disappointment of failing to qualify for Japan and South Korea.

Brazil are the only country to have played at all 17 World Cup finals but have suffered numerous frights recently, often finding the qualifiers tougher than the finals themselves.

Carlos Alberto Parreira, the present coach, was in charge 10 years ago when Brazil were left needing to draw their last game at home to Uruguay to reach the 1994 World Cup after earlier suffering their first-ever defeat in a qualifier in a match away to Bolivia.

STUTTERING CAMPAIGN
Having qualified automatically for 1998 as champions, Brazil scraped into the 2002 finals after a stuttering campaign in which they lost six matches and used four coaches.

A 3-0 win over Venezuela kept their record intact and paved the way for their fifth world title.

``Hopefully, this time we can get off to a good start,'' said Parreira.

``We've been through difficulties before and nobody wants to repeat this experience,'' he added. ``This time we want to qualify with games to spare.''

Brazil have kept the heart of the team which won a fifth World Cup last year including captain Cafu, defenders Roque Junior and Lucio, left-back Roberto Carlos, midfielders Gilberto Silva and Rivaldo and striker Ronaldo.

Cruzeiro midfielder Alex is expected to replace the suspended Ronaldinho with former captain Emerson stepping in for the injured Kleberson.

Ronaldo has been in the Brazil squad at the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cups but this is his first taste of the tension of the qualifiers.

``I've played against South American teams before and played in the Copa America outside Brazil. I know how difficult it can be and that's why we have to prepare well and qualify as quickly as possible,'' he said.

Colombia believe their team is stronger and more experienced than four years ago with midfielder Giovanni Hernandez, who plays for Argentina's Colon, the main influence in a talented side.

Maturana, who has given little away on his possible line-up, promised his team will not be daunted by facing the likes of Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos.

``We can beat any team,'' he said. ``We can't just assume that we're going to be the victims. Colombia are not preparing to applaud Brazil, we are preparing to beat them.''

Probable teams:

Colombia - Oscar Cordoba; Gonzalo Martinez, Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, Mario Yepes, Gerardo Bedoya; Fabian Vargas, Jorge Lopez Caballero, Jairo Patino, Giovanni Hernandez; Victor Hugo Aristizabal, Juan Pablo Angel.

Brazil - Dida; Cafu, Roque Junior, Lucio, Roberto Carlos; Gilberto Silva, Emerson, Alex, Ze Roberto; Ronaldo, Rivaldo.

Referee - Horacio Elizondo (Argentina).

Who’s Who in National Under-23 football squad
TODAY, Chronicle Sport presents the midfield of the likely starting National Under-23 line-up for the first leg match of the Olympic qualifying series against Barbados at the Blairmont Community Centre ground, West Bank Berbice, tomorrow.

The final team was expected to be selected last evening after a practice match.

DIRK ANTHONY ARCHER
Date of Birth: June 30, 1982

Position: Centre midfield.

Club: Pele, playing since Pee Wee level.

National teams: Under-17, touring Netherland Antilles. Also, toured St Lucia in present Under-23 squad for warm-up matches there in July.

SHAWN BEVENEY (Captain)
Date of Birth: March 27, 1982

Position: Centre midfield.

Club: Western Tigers for five years.

National teams: Under-21, touring Barbados; also toured St Lucia in present Under-23 squad for warm-up matches there in July.

International goals: one (against Barbados).

JONATHAN SYLVESTER PETERS
Date of Birth: September 6, 1981

Position: Rightwing midfield.

Club: Camptown, since 1998.

National teams. First call to the National grid, touring St Lucia for the warm-up matches there in July.

EMERICK WILLIAMS
Date of Birth: July 31, 1984

Position: Leftwing midfield.

Club: Beacon. Previously played for Tabatinga Football Club in the Rupununi.

National teams: Under-15, Under-17 touring Barbados and Brazil; Under-20, Under-21 touring Barbados.

International goals: one (against Barbados).

Grogan expecting birthday gift from his Under-23 team
By Isaiah Chappelle
WHEN coach Egbert Andrew Grogan makes his way onto the field with the National Under-23 team to meet Barbados in tomorrow’s first leg of the Olympic qualifying series at Blairmont Community Centre ground, he will be taking 33 years of football experience with him.

Grogan is expecting that the team will give him a birthday victory, having celebrated his 42nd on Wednesday.

The former National captain wore the National colours from the Under-16 level in 1975, moving on to the Under-19 team, Under-25 and of course the senior team. He wore the senior captain’s band in 1988 and 1989.

He also ventured out in the Caribbean at the club level, playing as a midfielder for Everton in Barbados division one competition and scored in every game in the 1986 season. But it was for the Trinidadian team Furlongspain that he played several seasons -- 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990 as a defender and midfielder.

Grogan even went to England for trials with the famous Arsenal, while on a visit to the United Kingdom in 1991. He attended their weekend clinics. But he was already 26 years old, too old for such endeavours.

During his trading years, he trained with a club in Curacao and with another in Caracas, Venezuela.

“I ventured out to accumulate experience, which I could not get if I remained with my club at home,” Grogan told Chronicle Sport.

On the local club scene, he captained Santos from 1983 to 1990 and was player/coach from 1985. That marked the beginning of his coaching career and his quest to spread the game outside of Georgetown, even the coastland.

“I always like to help the people in the hinterland,” Grogan said.

Grogan started organised football in Kwakwani and formed a sub-association there in 1997 and sought affiliation with the national governing body. He travelled from Georgetown to get the game kicking there. The body achieved temporary membership with the Guyana Football Federation.

But before that venture, he formed Black Water Club in 1995, which won the East Coast Demerara league. The following year, he worked with GNIC players and the team rose from second division to first.

Grogan also ran courses in Lethem, Rupununi, and did likewise in Ituni and Kwakwani during an August holiday camp there in 1998.

He was called to National duties to work with the National Under-19 female team that toured Antigua for the World Cup qualifying series there. And this year, he worked with technical director Neider Dos Santos, touring Bermuda with the National Under-17 team in the CONCACAF qualifying series there. Guyana shared the top points with Bermuda but lost the chance to advance to play Cuba on goal difference.

He was already with the squad but assigned to tour Boa Vista in Brazil with a team from the Rupununi and did not make the Dominica leg with the National Under-17 team.

Grogan was called to train the national team, as a certified coach, having done his first course at the intermediate level in the late 1980s. He was under the tutelage of a German coach who worked through the National Sports Development Council in 1992, then did the FIFA Coca Cola Futura grade one programme in 1996.

Also in 1996, he did a Level 1 course under FIFA Technical Instructor Chief O.B. Adegboye Onigbinde.

The following year, Grogan was in the batch to do the Olympic Solidarity Level 1 course, and in 2001 was in another such course under Marcus Fallopa.

This year, he went on a licence course in Trinidad & Tobago, conducted by the English Football Association in March. He received his certificate and is now awaiting the licence. That was followed up with a seminar on Techniques and Tactics in May, again in Trinidad & Tobago, conducted by the English FA.

Grogan therefore does not only have experience on the field of play, but he is certified as a coach, a big plus for any national team under his hand.

Kenyan minister demands explanation for Cherono move
By Isa Omok
NAIROBI, Kenya (Reuters) - Kenya's government has given Athletics Kenya (AK) a week to explain why they hurriedly cleared the athlete formerly known as Stephen Cherono to run for Qatar in last month's world championships in Paris.

Sports Minister Najib Balala asked in a letter to AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat why the 3 000 metres steeplechase world champion, now known as Saif Saaeed Shaheen, was allowed to switch nationality so quickly.

The move to Qatar of Albert Chepkurui, now known as Hassan Abdallah, was also questioned.

``You are supposed to explain within seven days why the two were allowed to change citizenship, yet the world championships were just days away,'' said the minister in the letter he showed Reuters yesterday.

``The Government has no problems with athletes changing citizenship but rules must be followed,'' said the minister.

The minister wondered why the three-year rule, within which a defecting athlete cannot represent another federation, was not adhered to.

Kiplagat told Reuters the three-year rule could be circumvented if both federations agreed.

``The athlete changed his citizenship to Qatar, which is his fundamental right. We can't stop him and others from doing that,'' Kiplagat said.

``He later pleaded with us to allow him to run for Qatar, saying he was promised a certain amount of money and we would have been morally unfair to stop him,'' Kiplagat said.

BRAIN DRAIN
He added: ``The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) also urged us to allow him to represent his new nation and we thought it quite in order to do so.

``More that 10 Kenyans represented different countries in Paris and the only reason Cherono's case is eliciting emotions is because he won a gold medal,'' said Kiplagat.

Kiplagat said athletics was a profession suffering the effects of brain drain like any other.

``The mobility of athletes for greener pastures is now unstoppable. This is a fact we must accept just like nurses and doctors are moving to southern African countries,'' said Kiplagat.

``I think those opposing athletes' defections are not being honest. What I don't agree with is changing of names because it amounts to indoctrination of the athletes,'' said Kiplagat.

Shaheen was reportedly paid $1 million for his move, but he has denied this, saying he was only promised a monthly stipend of $1 000 throughout his life, even after retiring from athletics.

Athletics Kenya is under pressure to explain what many Kenyans consider was a poor performance in Paris, where the country won two gold, one silver and one bronze medals.

Pressure mounted after Shaheen won the 3 000m steeplechase, denying Kenya the victory for the first time in 12 years.

BANGLADESH first innings 281 (Habibul Bashar 72; Umar Gul 4-86).
Pakistan first innings 175 (Mohammad Rafique 5-36, Khaled Mahmud 4-37).

Bangladesh second innings (overnight 77-4)

H.Sarkar c R.Latif b U.Gul 3

J.Omar c Inzamam-ul-Haq b S.Ahmed 16

H.Bashar c R.Latif b U.Gul 3

M.Ashraful c S.Butt b S.Ahmed 3

R.Saleh c R.Latif b U.Gul 42

A.Kapali c R.Latif b Y.Ali 22

K.Mahmud lbw b S.Ahmed 2

K.Mashud lbw b S.Ahmed 28

M.Rafique lbw b U.Gul 4

T.Baisya not out 14

M.Islam c Y.Khan b S.Mushtaq 5

Extras: (b-5. lb-2. w-2. nb-3) 12

Total; (all out, 46.3 overs) 154

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-9, 3-23, 4-41, 5-77, 6-91, 6-111, 8-127, 9-137.

Bowling: Umar Gul 15-2-58-4 (nb-3, w-1), Shabbir Ahmed 23-6-68-4 (w-1), Yasir Ali 6-1-12-1, Saqlain Mushtaq 2.3-0-9-1.

PAKISTAN second innings
S.Butt c sub. Mortaza b M.Islam 37

M.Hafeez c sub. Mortaza b M.Islam 18

Y.Hameed c sub. Mortaza b K.Mahmud 18

Inzamam-ul-Haq not out 53

Y.Khan run-out 0

F.Adil c H.Bashar b M.Rafique 8

R.Latif lbw b K.Mahmud 5

S.Mushtaq not out 3

Extras: (lb-4, w-2) 6

Total: (for six wickets, 53.3 overs) 148

Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-62, 3-78, 4-81, 5-99, 6-132.

Bowling (to date): Manjural Islam 16-2-50-2, Tapash Baisya 6-0-27-0 (w-2), Khaled Mahmud 16-6-33-2, Mohammad Rafique 15.3-3-34-1.

Bangladesh on course for historic maiden Test win
By Abdul Waheed
MULTAN, Pakistan, (Reuters) - Bangladesh moved to within four wickets of a historic maiden Test win yesterday with Pakistan still 113 runs short after being set a victory target of 261 on the third day of the third Test.

Pakistan, who bowled out Bangladesh for 154 in their second innings, struggled to 148 for six when bad light halted play 8.3 overs early.

Experienced batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq is still at the crease having hit an unbeaten 53 on a pitch still offering help to the pace bowlers.

Bangladesh, seeking their first win in 24 attempts since gaining Test status, added just 77 runs to their overnight total after losing Khaled Mahmud lbw to the first ball of the day from Shabbir Ahmed.

A severe dust storm suspended play 25 minutes before lunch, and after an extended break the tourists were soon dismissed with Ahmed and Umar Gul finishing with four wickets apiece.

Pakistan made a solid start to their second innings and reached 52 for one at tea, losing opener Salman Butt to left-arm paceman Manjural Islam for a quick-fire 37.

Islam then struck again to dismiss Mohammad Hafeez, taken superbly in the gully by substitute fielder Mashrafe Mortaza.

Yasir Hameed, after unleashing two fluent drives on both sides of the wicket to race to 18, gave Mashrafe his third catch after fending off a good length ball from Khaled Mahmud.

Pakistan's fortunes suffered again with the total on 81 when Younis Khan was run-out without facing a ball, beaten by a direct hit by Mohammad Ashraful at mid-on.

Debutant Farhan Adil fell cheaply for five before Inzamam and skipper Rashid Latif took the total to 132, before Latif fell to a swinging full toss.

Discredited Argentina kick off 2006 World Cup qualifiers
By Javier Leira
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) - The long road to the 2006 World Cup in Germany starts today as Argentina, needing to win back the confidence of their disillusioned supporters, face injury-hit Chile in the first qualifier in Buenos Aires.

Argentina finished top of the South American qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup while Chile came last but the clash in Buenos Aires is anything but a foregone conclusion for the twice-former champions.

The home side still need to win back public confidence after their shock first round exit in Japan and South Korea which included a painful defeat by arch-rivals England.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa surprisingly survived the debacle and, defying much public criticism, has recalled a number of the players who took part, including Juan Sebastian Veron, Hernan Crespo, Pablo Aimar, Walter Samuel and Javier Zanetti.

``People are still hurt by what happened at the World Cup and I understand that, but we need them to believe in the team again in these qualifiers,'' said striker Hernan Crespo.

Bielsa admitted that he had been hurt after being jeered during a recent friendly at home to Uruguay but said there was no danger of Argentina missing out on a World Cup for the first time since 1970.

``I have absolute faith that Argentina will be at the World Cup,'' he said.

Former captain Diego Maradona has been among those calling on Bielsa to blood the younger players that the Argentine game continues to churn out, regardless of its financial difficulties and the problems facing the national team.

``What happened in Japan hurt me,'' he said in a radio interview. ``I want a different team. If the coach is able to combine the new players with the experienced ones, we can have a competitive team.''

Chile have had to rebuild their team after the retirement of striker Ivan Zamorano and the injuries which have plagued his former partner Marcelo Salas.

Coach Juvenal Olmos took over earlier this year but the new-look team, in which Italian-based David Pizarro is the outstanding player, is still an unknown quantity.

Salas has been ruled out of the match with a thigh strain, Pizarro is doubtful and midfielder Pablo Galdames is also sidelined after breaking his leg during an Argentine championship match with Racing Club last week.

Teams:
Argentina - Pablo Cavallero; Javier Zanetti, Roberto Ayala, Walter Samuel, Diego Placente; Matias Almeyda, Juan Sebastian Veron, Kily Gonzalez; Hernan Crespo, Claudio Lopez

Chile - Nelson Tapia; Cristian Alvarez, Pablo Contreras, Rafael Olarra, Rodrigo Perez; Fernando Martel, Marcos Gonzalez, Rodrigo Melendez, Mark Gonzalez; Reinaldo Navia, Hector Tapia.

Agassi, Roddick book U.S. Open semifinal spots
By Ossian Shine
NEW YORK, USA (Reuters) - Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick kept the stars and stripes flying high over Flushing Meadows yesterday, booking semi-final spots to stay on track for an all-American U.S. Open final.

World number one Agassi blasted his way past a patched-up Guillermo Coria 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 to reach his ninth U.S. Open semi.

In the bottom half of the draw, Roddick walloped Dutchman Sjeng Schalken 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 to reach the last four here for the first time.

Agassi's victory over the fifth-seeded Argentine earned him a shot at Juan Carlos Ferrero for a place in tomorrow’s final.

"This is what it all boils down to," he said. "Especially here at the Open ... it's where I'm from.

"This weekend will be one heck of an opportunity for pretty special memories. I'll go out there with great excitement."

Third seed Ferrero is also smacking his lips at the prospect of today's clash with top seed Agassi.

"It's exciting, I am playing good tennis here in New York," the Spaniard said after beating 2001 champion Lleyton Hewitt 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-1.

"It's gonna be a tough match because Andre is playing great ... it's gonna be very tough for me playing Andre here with all the crowd supporting him."

With Agassi gathering speed as he gallops through the draw, it will indeed be tough for the French Open champion.

Yesterday Argentine Coria was put to the sword.

Suffering from a left hamstring injury and with blood pouring from a cut thumb, Coria struggled with his movement for most of the contest under blue Flushing Meadows skies.

MORE CONSISTENT
Agassi, beaten by Coria at Roland Garros earlier this year, clinched the match with aggressive hitting from the back and is looking forward to facing Ferrero.

"I've beaten a lot of grand slam champions handily and I've lost to many of them," Agassi said. "It's about what you bring to the table that day."

Roddick demolished his Dutch opponent, a semifinalist here last year.

Schalken, the 12th seed, is respected as one of the more consistent players on the tour but he never came close to troubling the in-form 21-year-old American.

Even one unexpected blip, when Schalken broke serve to trail 5-4 in the first set, was quickly corrected, for Roddick immediately broke again to take the set.

Achieved in just one hour 25 minutes, it was Roddick's 17th consecutive win and sets up a semifinal match with either Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui or Argentine David Nalbandian.

"I'm definitely going to take a holiday after this tournament," Roddick laughed. "But it ain't over yet.”