IMF approves enhanced debt relief for Guyana
GUYANA has qualified for enhanced debt relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.

Word on Guyana's qualification came yesterday from the Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr. Murilo Portugal, when he emerged from an IMF Executive Board meeting in Washington, DC. at which Guyana's case was evaluated and approved.

Guyana had reached the completion point of the enhanced HIPC Initiative in 2002, after the Boards of the World Bank and the IMF accepted its PRSP.

Since then the country has been implementing widespread reforms to improve social and economic conditions in an effort to accelerate growth and reduce poverty.

As President Bharrat Jagdeo indicated at his news conference last Friday afternoon, IMF/World Bank qualification means that Guyana stands to benefit from a 20-year HIPC debt relief package in which the country will be allowed to keep US$30 million a year - money that would have had to be spent in external debt payments - at home to finance socioeconomic development projects.

Below is the full text of a statement issued on Guyana's qualification by IMF Executive Director Mr. Murilo Portugal:

"Guyana has established a satisfactory track record of social reforms and macroeconomic and structural policy implementation to qualify for debt relief under HIPC, and the requirements for reaching the completion point under the enhanced HIPC Initiative have

"The debt sustainability analysis - based on end-2002 date - indicates that the ratio of the present value of Guyana's external debt to revenue will fall below the 250 percent threshold and decline over the medium term after HIPC debt relief is granted.

"Macroeconomic stability has been maintained since the first review under the PRGF in September 2003, and progress is being made in implementing the envisaged end-2003 structural reforms under the PRGF arrangement.

"Sustained structural and macroeconomic reforms remain key to achieving the growth and revenue objectives needed to ensure Guyana's external and fiscal viability over the medium term. Further progress will be needed in particular in reforming the civil service.

"The additional measures taken in this area recently are therefore a step in the right direction.

"In that light, the Board has approved the authorities' request for waivers of two of the floating completion point conditions on civil service reform.

"Debt relief, together with the government's commitment to sustained structural reforms and macroeconomic stability, provide Guyana with a sound framework for achieving the poverty reduction and growth objectives of its PRSP."

Finishing touches to Umana Yana
Workmen were placing the final troolie fronds atop the Umana Yana in Kingston yesterday. The benab, as it is also called, was first constructed in 1972 as a lounge for the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers' Conference.

When Guyana was chosen to host the 1972 Meeting of Non-Aligned Nations, a committee of Government officials assembled to identify a building to accommodate the Conference.

As host to the prestigious event, Guyana wanted to meet the standard set by previous host countries and provide a glittering setting. However, time and limited finances determined the degree of dazzle Guyana could bring to the event.

The idea of an Amerindian benab was therefore greeted with enthusiasm and the lawns of the former Mariner's Club at the northeastern end of High street, where it meets Battery Road, was selected as an ideal location for the benab. The design would follow the traditional pattern used by the Wai-Wai Indians of the interior.

Wai-Wai chief Elka and some 60 Amerindians were recruited to construct the benab and an architect was commissioned to prepare the plans.

The benab was completed after a mere eighty days.

Today, more than 30 years later, no effort is being spared to preserve this historic site. The Umana Yana stands today as a reminder of Guyana's leading role in fostering harmonious international relations and as a reminder of Guyana's cultural diversity. (GINA)

EU to fund rice sector, weather warning system in Guyana
--- 3 other CARICOM countries to benefit
by Shirwin Campbell
TOP functionaries of the CARICOM Secretariat, CARIFORUM, European Union and two ministers of the Government yesterday met at CARICOM Secretariat, High Street, to sign financial agreements supporting the competitiveness of the rice sector and the regional radar weather warning system.

There was also the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the regional radar weather warning system for Guyana.

The two deals total some $37M euros.

The Regional Weather Radar Early Warning System in the Caribbean is estimated to cost some $13 M Euro while the support for the rice sector cost some $24M Euro.

During a simple ceremony, which was attended by members of the diplomatic community and the private sector, Head of the European Commission Per Eklund, Secretary General of CARICOM Edwin Carrington, Minister of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock Staydeow Sawh, and Minister of Foreign Trade and International Development Clement Rohee, made brief remarks on the projects.

The project is being funded by the European Union from the European Development Fund. The objective is to reduce the vulnerability of the region to adverse weather, particularly floods and hurricanes.

The funds will finance four new digital weather radar early warning stations to be constructed in Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Belize, which will be linked to the five existing stations in the region to form a complete regional network.

Integrating radar images from multiple sources on a regular basis is already being done by Meteo-France in Martinique. This composite system will be adapted and upgraded to provide radar images and data, throughout the Caribbean

In the case of Guyana, the site of the weather station will near the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The Secretariat of CARIFORUM, located in Guyana, has overall responsibility for the project, whilst the executing agency will be the Caribbean Meteorological Organization in Trinidad.

The $24M euro grant for the rice sectors in the Caribbean region will benefit Guyana and Suriname in particular. The objective of the programme is to improve the competitiveness of the Caribbean rice industry in order to contribute to the region's social and economic development. The programme will be managed overall by the CARIFORUM Secretariat.

The Caribbean Rice Association will be delegated responsibility for the regional component while with the Ministries of Agriculture in Guyana and Suriname will be the implementing agencies in the respective countries.

Rice vendors robbed in Buxton
--- headmistress loses $900,000 to bandits
Two rice vendors who went to the troubled village of Buxton, East Coast Demerara, yesterday afternoon to sell their produce ended up being attacked and robbed of $33,000 in cash by three men, one of whom was armed with a cutlass.

According to a police press release, about 13:30 hours on Wednesday the men were selling rice in South Buxton, Railway Embankment, when the three men came up and attacked them.

The cutlass-toting bandits fled further south of the village soon after the incident.

The men were not physically harmed in what the police said was a clear case of opportunity crime - where people who make themselves vulnerable are pounced upon by bandits looking for money for the holidays.

The police, meanwhile, are continuing their patrols in Buxton and other villages on the East Coast of Demerara, the release stated.

Police are also investigating yesterday's alleged robbery of a headmistress of approximately $900,000. The headmistress had just drawn the money at a Vreed-en-hoop bank and was returning to pay teachers when the robbery took place.

Education Ministry proud of Guyana Scholar
GINA -- The Ministry of Education has expressed warmest congratulations to Miss Amlata Persaud, who was recently awarded the prestigious Rhodes scholarship.

Persaud, who is currently a final year student pursuing an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, Politcs and Economics (PPE) at Oxford University, is a former pupil of Queen's College. She was the Caribbean's top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations (CSEC) pupil in 1999, winning the prize for Best Performer in the Humanities and Guyana's top achiever at the General Certificate of Education Advance Level Examinations in 2001.

Persaud's latest award, the Rhodes Scholarship, comes as no surprise to the Ministry of Education, which has been following the young woman's academic achievements over the years.

Criteria for the award include proven intellectual and academic achievements, caring for the weak, leadership and a desire to return to one's country to contribute to its development.

The Ministry of Education wishes Persaud well in her future studies. The award is tenable only at the highly recognized Oxford University.

Guyana's first Rhodes Scholar was Habibullah Niamatalli, also a Queen's college student, in 1962.

'Six Head' injured in highway crash
Guyana's first world welterweight champion, Andrew 'Six Head' Lewis,reportedly crashed on his way to the mining town of Linden yesterday while driving his Lincoln SUV.

According to reports, the boxer suffered a blow-out of his tyres and crashed minutes after losing control of the vehicle.

Unconfirmed reports state that Lewis sustained minor injuries to the body but his Lincoln SUV was badly damaged.

Reports state that Lewis was in the vicinity of Dora and Long Creek on the Linden /Soesdyke Highway when his tyres blew out, causing him to lose control and crash.

The Police Public Relations Officer, David Ramnarine yesterday could not be reached for a comment.

President impressed with Relief Council's Emergency Shelter
GINA - I'm very impressed with the shelter," was the view expressed by President Bharrat Jagdeo after touring the $35M structure built by the Guyana Relief Council to house victims of disaster.

The shelter was commissioned last week, following its completion in August this year. The building was constructed from contributions by donor agencies including the Canadian International Development Association (CIDA), the Chinese Embassy, German Micro Project, Japanese Grass Roots Fund, Republic of Netherlands Embassy and funds raised by the GRC and local donations.

The shelter can accommodate about 100 persons, Mrs. Yvonne Hinds, Chairperson of the GRC told the President during the tour.

There are four rooms (self-contained upstairs and two regular rooms down stairs, storage facilities and dining, washing and living areas.

In 1993, Mrs. Yvonne Hinds was asked by the then Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Henry Jeffrey to take over the reins of the National Relief Committee.

The GRC was formerly the National Relief Council. In 1996 the organization became autonomous and Mrs. Yvonne Hinds, wife of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds was elected as Chairperson. The organization was renamed the National Relief Committee.

Presently there are approximately six persons working as staff members at the Council. Three are part-time and three full-time. The Board members are all volunteers.

The fortunes of the GRC began to change when Hinds met First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Venezuela Akina Yusuni and Hans Barrow, Guyana's Honorary Council to Japan with whom she discussed a permanent residence for victims of disaster.

Discussions continued and in March 2003, the Japanese Government through its Embassy in Venezuela presented a US$60,000 cheque to the GRC to build an Emergency Shelter. This was made possible through the Japanese Government Grass Roots Programme.

The British High Commission also made a substantial contribution of $7,125,000, through their DFID small branch scheme to the building project.

Mrs. Hinds expressed gratitude to the Japanese Government for its patience while the GRC sought to have both building at the same location.

The contract was then signed on December 15, 2000 with Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited and the cornerstone laid in February 7, 2001.

Hinds said that at the time of the signing, the GRC had almost matched the amounted donated by the Japanese Government.

The Council then sought additional funding to complete the ground floor of the building, car park, walkway and landscaping of the ground.

With the assistance of businesses and individuals, in March 2002, the GRC received the keys to the ground and building.

Approximately US$100 will be expended to accommodate each family staying at the Shelter for a period of two weeks to a month. Persons with special circumstances will be considered by the Council for a longer stay.

Each family will be provided with three meals daily because persons will not be allowed to cook on the premises. They will also be provided with eating and drinking utensils, packaged food, washing items, cleaning agents, bed linens and other necessary supplies.

At the end of their stay, each family will be allowed to leave with their packages. This accommodation will be made especially for hygienic reasons.

While at the Shelter, school-aged children will be provided with transportation to take them to and from school.

The head of each family however, will have to sign a contract agreeing with the terms and conditions for their stay at the Shelter. Deviation of any sort will entail immediate expulsion.

This year alone the GRC has been able to help 214 families in all ten Regions, senior citizens homes, orphanages and interior schools and villages.

Today the Brazilian Ambassador presented Mrs. Hinds with a $150,000 cheque towards the Council raised from an event held at the Brazilian restaurant in Georgetown.

Telkom Caribe donates 32 CDs to National Library
By Shawnel Cudjoe
The National Library yesterday received a small but significant boost to their music department when the Telkom Caribe, a Miami-based organization, donated some 32 Compact Discs (CDs) of Latino and Classical music to the institution.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Guyanese Mike Singh, told the small gathering that Telkom Caribe is committed to helping the Library rebuild, especially in the Arts department since according to him, over the years it has died a slow death.

He further stated that it is his commitment to give something back to the institution that provided him with the knowledge he has today and promised to make the donation a regular one.

Singh pointed out that the company has set aside a certain amount of money towards the development of arts and Guyana is the first country to benefit from this.

President of the company Mark Peschke on his first visit to Guyana said that he was impressed by the beauty of Guyana's flora and fauna and felt welcomed by the generosity and hospitality of the Guyanese people.

He expressed great satisfaction towards contributing to the upgrading of the young minds in Guyana.

In expressing her heartfelt thanks to the company, Chief Librarian Ms. Karen George said that the symbolic donation would upgrade the gramophone (record) collection that the library has.

She said that the music would be made available to members of the public early next year and a small fee would be charged for borrowing.

According to her, Guyanese should be aware of the cultural diversity of their Caribbean neighbours, since their presence in the country is significant, especially Brazil.

In order for persons to be able to borrow the CDs, they must be members of the National Library and also active members of the gramophone library.

Some of the artistes were Pablo Monteno, Mille, Juan Gabriel and Sarah Brighton.

Rotary club assists Land of Canaan residents
THE residents of Land of Canaan on the East Bank of Demerara now have clean, safe and accessibly drinking water, thanks to the interest of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central.

Previously, they had to take water from a contaminated canal and transport it on head or hand, and walk a quarter of a mile along and across a busy highway.

The Rotary Club, through its Community Service Director, Neville Peters, offered to lend a hand and organized the residents of the village, about 14 miles from Georgetown, into a committee to help provide safe drinking water.

They were able to raise funds to purchase pipes and provided self help for ditching and laying the pipes.

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) provided the fittings, while the Rotary Club paid the cost of the connection to the main.

The project was commissioned by the Rotary District Governor Jean-Claude Blancaneaux, during his visit to Guyana last month.

Officials report…
Region Six anti-truancy campaign a great success
THE Department of Education in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) has hailed the recent truancy operation ‘Care’ as a “great success”.

Schools Welfare Officer Alpha Mohamed said 192 school age children were apprehended during the exercise aimed at ensuring they attend classes.

He said the campaign snared those who were not at school for various reasons and identified Albion/Belvedere and Upper Corentyne as well as Angoy’s Avenue in New Amsterdam as places with high truancy rates.

Mr Mohamed said special attention will be paid to squatter settlements and Black Bush Polder early next year.

He disclosed that the majority of the truants, between six and 14 years old, were intercepted by a team, comprising personnel from the Schools Welfare Department, the Police Force, teachers and nurses, who found them at municipal markets, eating houses and squatting areas, among other places.

A similar previous drive in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) netted about 100 children between Shieldstown, West Bank Berbice and Weldaad, West Coast Berbice, where their parents offered different excuses.

Mohamed said the adults were reminded of their responsibility and advised on the procedure to get assistance from Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security.

He pointed out that a system is being put in place to enable those without to obtain birth certificates for the first time.

Education officials said all the children found absenting themselves from school will be closely monitored and visits would be paid to ensure their continued attendance.

It is also planned to prosecute parents of the delinquent next year and other people in the community should cooperate with the programme to eradicate illiteracy, the officials said.

COMPETITORS OF HONOR --- Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Ms. Gail Teixeira, with the six students whose entries have been selected for inclusion in the 2004 almanac of Guyana Bank for Trade, Industry and Commerce (GBTI).

The occasion was the launching Tuesday of the GBTI 2004 calendar and the awarding of the six winners.

Minister Teixeira used the ceremony to urge parents to spend more time with their children, taking greater interest in what they do, in helping to identify and pursue worthy aptitudes and to show them love.

The GBTI competition attracted more than 100 entries this year.

Under the theme, 'At Home With My Family,' the competition sought to bring out the creativity and talent of our young people, emphasize the importance of parental concern for the well-being of children, and give young people a greater sense of awareness of their communities.

Apart from the six entries being featured in the Almanac, 15 others will be on display in the Bank for the month of December.

The six winners are: Ms. Angelena Adams and Ms. Sabrina Rochelle Gittens of Queen's College, Ms. Hilary Rosa Bose of Marian Academy, Mr. Lazaire Browne and Rashleigh Williams of Waramadong Secondary School (Cuyuni/Mazaruni - Region 7), and Ms. Raveena Devi Mangal of St. Stanislaus College.

Ms. Bernadette Persaud, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Arts of the University of Guyana, also delivered some remarks.

ACP seeks emblem, logo
The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP Group) has organized a competition for the design of an ACP emblem and logo.

Separate prizes will be given for each.

The two winners of the competition would be awarded $5000 and should a sole person design link the emblem to the graphic representation, namely the logo, that person receives two prizes.

The competition is aimed at providing the ACP Group with a flag and persons from any ACP country, Secretariat or Embassy are eligible to enter.

The designs must be original and the logo must comprise the three letters of the group's acronym A, C, P, and the format of the designs to be forwarded to the secretariat should not exceed 30 cm by 40 cm.

Candidates may use any material or technique of their choice including canvas, paper, cardboard, etc and can only submit one entry in respect of each prize.

However, preference shall be given to entries presenting the emblem and the logo at once.

Entries may be submitted my mail, by completing the on-line.

The winning entries shall become the exclusive property of the ACP Group, while unsuccessful entries not claimed by their authors by December 31, 2004 shall become the property of the ACP Group and may be destroyed.

Entries must reach the ACP General Secretariat no later than February 29 and must be accompanied by the candidate's curriculum vitae.

The closing date for the registration of the intention to submit entries is January 31, 2004.

Participants shall guarantee to the ACP Secretariat, organizing body of the competition that they hold all the intellectual property rights on their production.

Ministers Nokta, Shadick visit centenarian Ramlagan
GINA -- Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Bibi Shadick and Local Government Minister, Harripersaud Nokta, along with others, yesterday visited centenarian, Elijah Ramlagan of Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

The centenarian turned 100 on September 17, 2003 and he lives with his eldest daughter, Somaria Rajpaul, who is herself 72 years' old.

Mrs. Rajpaul stated that everyone calls her 'Elsie' and she is quite happy to be taking care of her father. He has lost his sight and also cannot hear properly.

She noted too that whenever she leaves the home, a family living in a downstairs apartment, would look after him.

Mr. Ramlagan seemed to be quite fond of the elderly woman downstairs as he called the woman's name 'Ginette' frequently.

The centenarian has problems hearing and seeing but his speech is certainly not affected as he spoke quite fluently to the two Ministers and even recited the entire 23rd Psalm for them.

The Ministers presented gifts to the old man, including food supplies and perfume, as they congratulated him on his 100th birth anniversary.

The centenarian thanked the group and expressed his gratitude for the visit.

Mr. Ramlogan requested that they assist him monthly with food supplies, including milk, biscuits and tea.

When he was told that this request would be granted and that some supplies were already there, the centenarian was quite happy.

The 100-year-old, who did not realise his story would be publicised, requested that he 'be put in the paper' and that ' he would pay for it'. He was told that it would be done free.

Minister Shadick, on leaving, promised to assist the centenarian in acquiring a 'hearing aid' while Minister Nokta promised to visit Mr. Ramlogan again another day when he would be given more supplies.

No breach of Parliamentary procedures in passage of Fiscal Management Bill
--says Minister Persaud
GINA - There has been no breach of Parliamentary procedures in the passage of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Bill No. 21 of 2003. This is according to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Reepu Daman Persaud.

According to Minister Persaud, the Parliamentary Management Committee (PMC) has agreed that complex Bills will be referred to a Special Select Committee, except urgent matters. Given the urgency of the Financial Management and Accountability Bill 2003, the Government proceeded to pass the Bill while including several of the amendments as proposed by the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR).

The Minister reiterated that there has been no breach of Parliamentary procedures or of the role of the Parliamentary Management Committee.

The Bill which was passed last Monday and which has been assented to by the President seeks in principle, to improve Fiscal management and also to improve accountability in systems of management. This is an essential requirement set out by IFI's for Guyana to benefit from further debt relief.

When he presented the Bill before the National Assembly, Finance Minister

Sasenarine Kowlessar had said that it is the intention of the Government to meet a pending deadline in order for Guyana to secure further debt relief to the tune of US$30M per year for the next ten years.

He said that the comprehensive piece of legislation is geared at improving and at the same time enhancing Government's accountability. (Government Information Agency)

Speaker moots early debate on DFC Interim Report
- Optimistic about improved police operations
GINA - Speaker of the National Assembly, Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran, believes that deliberations on the Interim Report of the Defence Forces Commission on reform of the Guyana Police Force should commence in the near future.

He said he met with representatives of both sides of the House to indicate to them that he would be expecting a resolution to be presented to the National Assembly soon, for debate.

In an exclusive interview with the Government News Agency, Mr Ramkarran said he couldn't comment on whether or not the Commission has lived up to expectations. But they presented what he described as a detailed and comprehensive report covering a lot of ground and making many recommendations.

The Speaker said that one of the more telling recommendations is the call on Government to submit a five-year plan of action on reform of the Guyana Police Force. It is expected that the plan would be submitted before the work of the Commission is completed. It is the intention of the Commission to make comments on the plan, which would span the years 2004 - 2009.

Ramkarran regards as significant aspects of the report, the recommendations that control policing in the Regions be decentralized and there should be reform of the Special, Rural and Supernumerary Constabularies. This reform process, according to the DFC, would lead to the abolition of the Special Constabulary.

‘Gee Whizz, It’s Christmas’ and other rites of the Yuletide
SOME 30 years ago, a period regarded by a few old-timers as a Golden Age of journalism in newly Independent Guyana, newspaper writer Rickey Singh penned an article titled, “Gee Whizz, It’s Christmas” for the Sunday Graphic. In that article, which was, of course, a take-off of the still very popular Carla Thomas Yuletide song, Rickey Singh transformed the almost trite and vacuous line, “Gee whiz, It’s Christmas” into a kind of metaphor for the time, magically weaving the vexing social ills, the pleasant happenings and the hope and potential of the nation into a mural of the human condition. Surely middle-aged Guyanese, who spent the latter years of the 1960s and the early 1970s in the Cooperative Republic, are likely to view with no little nostalgia the seemingly calm tenor of existence when some of the biggest controversies were over the statue of the late respected Trade Unionist Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, and the green coat of paint despoiling the beautiful Public Buildings.

Now, as the nation makes preparation for celebrating the third Yuletide of the new millennium, the concerns and delights of the early 1970s Guyana seem light years away. And perhaps they are. The entire world has changed and although Guyana is still a Third World country grappling with the challenges of modernising the state and converting huge lodes of untapped natural wealth into income-earning foreign exports, it is also a country linked to international agencies and centres of industry through the miracle of state-of-the-art communications. He might be living in a crude hut, but even the poorest tiller of the soil in Guyana enjoys the pastime of witnessing such riveting and dramatic happenings as the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia; World Cup Football in Asia; the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York in September 2001; and, just last Sunday, the capture of the deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

In this moment of our civilisation, schoolchildren wear designer sneakers that cost more dollar-for-dollar than what their grandparents earned in six months 30 years ago; children seem to be far more precocious than the last generation; some defiant young teens and even pre-teens have lovers and are sexually active and more intelligent young people from relatively good home environments are easily persuaded to become drug mules for rapacious drug lords. While some youths are incarcerated when discovered transporting quantities of drugs, others, who were persuaded to ingest the substances in various packets have paid for their folly with their lives. The HIV/AIDS scourge is claiming the lives of youths as well as older citizens. The stigma society attaches to the disease forces many a person to keep quiet about their illness until it is too late. Thankfully, with the current availability of anti-retrovirals, which slow down the march of the disease and help victims live a fairly normal life, this threat will soon be under control.

But, perhaps the greatest occurrence of this time is what the social theorists term the explosion of information via the worldwide web. With a computer linked to an Internet provider, the seeker of information has the world literally at his or her fingertips, or as the advertisement says, “Just a click away”. One could stay in the comfort of one’s home and communicate with another person or agency at the other end of the world. Citizens could access any Website or correspond with relatives, friends or workmates without uttering a word. Corporate employees could prepare and dispatch critical documents to their principals without the intervention of other parties. Corporate executives could conduct teleconferences with partners at various points of the planet; and students could access lectures and tutorials and resources information with relative ease.

The tenor of Guyanese existence has indeed changed over the last 30 years. Yet, as the Yuletide season gets into gear, the magical mood of Christmas with its beautiful illuminations, the promise of pepper-pot, garlic pork, baked ham, fruity black-cake, flouncing masqueraders, colourful flowers and baubles, still exerts its power on the nation. Let us all sing with Carla Thomas - “Gee Whizz, It’s Christmas!”

Lawyer claiming $5M for assault and false imprisonment
ATTORNEY-at-law Frank O. Fraser is claiming $5M from Police Sergeant Seimon Reid and Superintendent of Police Leon Trim as damages for alleged assault, Police brutality and false imprisonment.

A writ to the effect was issued by Attorney-at-law Mr. Llewellyn John and filed in the Supreme Court Registry on Tuesday.

Lawyer John is alleging that his client was unlawfully arrested and incarcerated on December 8, 2003 under the pretext that the Police were pursuing a claim for false pretence in relation to the sale and purchase of a property, which resulted in an unfair unwarranted representation in a section of the press (not the ‘Chronicle’) on December 9.

In the indorsement of claim, the plaintiff is also asking the Court for an injunction restraining the defendants from further committing assault, battery and false imprisonment on the plaintiff. (George Barclay)

Stepfather remanded on carnal knowledge, sodomy charges
ANTHONY Kellman, 32, a mason of Lot 454 Caneville, East Bank Demerara, appeared in Court yesterday, charged with carnally knowing and sodomising his stepdaughter who is under 12 years of age.

One charge said the defendant had unnatural sex with the 10-year-old child between February 1 and December 8, this year.

Particulars of the other offence said Kellman had carnal knowledge of the victim on December 8 in their home.

Police said the defendant had forced sexual intercourse with the girl on several occasions but would give her money and tell her to keep the acts secret.

However, on December 8, she confided in an uncle.

The accused, who faced the indictable charges before Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen, has been remanded to prison until Monday, December 22.

Trade union security company being prosecuted over severance
MINISTRY of Labour is prosecuting United Associates Security & Domestic Services Incorporated (UASDSI) for alleged non-payment of severance benefits to previously employed guards.

Secretary to the company, Yusuf Ishmael was named defendant in 12 charges to which he pleaded not guilty before Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen yesterday.

The allegations said Ishmael failed to pay the ex-employees severed between November 1, 2000 and April 30, 2003.

Labour Officer Camille Liladri from Ministry of Labour is appearing for the Prosecution and she said more charges would be slapped against the defendant by the time he makes his next Court appearance on January 16, 2004.

Liladri disclosed that approximately 200 more intended beneficiaries are expected to press claims by then.

Meantime, Ishmael is on $35,000 bail.

UASDSI was established after the Administration handed over responsibility for the security of Government properties countrywide to the trade union which was representing the guards.

Man charged in bail scam
POLICE have charged a man implicated in a Berbice bail scam surrounding the defendant in a Georgetown drug case.

Terrence Moore, 44, of Lot 85 Third Street, Craig, East Bank Demerara, is accused of trying to obtain $10,000 from Jairam Persaud by falsely pretending to the latter that he could secure pre-trial liberty for Chabilall Hardyal.

Details of the charge said the offence was committed at Rosignol, West Coast, Berbice last October 11.

Hardyal is the brother of Persaud and has been on remand in prison since he was busted nearly three months ago for allegedly trafficking in narcotics.

Moore appeared before Magistrate Kumar Doraisami at Reliance Court, East Canje, Berbice, yesterday and pleaded not guilty.

The defendant was granted $30,000 bail and the case has been transferred to Blairmont Court, West Bank, Berbice, for January 19, 2004.

Gunpoint robbery defendant further remanded
MAGISTRATE Kumar Doraisami yesterday, at Reliance Court, East Canje, further remanded to prison robbery under arms defendant Jermaine Simpson also known as Samuel Fable and Jacob Fable.

Simpson will remain incarcerated until his January 14, 2004 trial.

The prisoner, of Fyrish Road, Corentyne, is charged with robbing Stephen Thomas at gunpoint last October 12.

The victim was walking along Asylum Street, New Amsterdam, also in Berbice, when he was relieved of gold jewellery.

Villager bonded to prevent future indecent exposure
EMRAJ Karim, 33, of Betsy Ground, who is alleged to have indecently exposed himself to a fellow villager, was yesterday put on a bond.

Magistrate Kumar Doraisami, at Reliance Court, also in East Canje, Berbice, ordered Karim to keep the peace for six months.

The magistrate said, although the Prosecution had failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, he bonded the probationer to prevent such an occurrence in the future.

Police had accused Karim of committing the offence in front of Kamlawattie Premchand after she objected to him removing her pig from its pen.

Additional prison sentence for wounding
ANDREW Gardener, 30, currently serving a nine months jail sentence after failing to pay affiliation arrears for his three children, was yesterday sentenced to an additional one month in jail, for wounding Morris McLean.

Gardener pleaded guilty, at Reliance Court, East Canje, Berbice, to the charge which said he wounded McLean last November 9 when they were involved in a misunderstanding over $4,000 the prisoner had previously borrowed from the virtual complainant.

McLean suffered wounds after Gardener lashed him several times with a piece of wood, the Court was told.

Rape accused will know fate today
JUSTICE Jainarayan Singh will today conduct the summing up in the trial of rape accused Orlando Prince.

Justice Singh was yesterday forced to reschedule the summing up because two Note Takers, reportedly contracted from a private company, did not turn up in his Court.

The victim, a 34-year-old woman, told the Court that on the night of September 30, 1998, she and the accused were having drinks at a rum shop.

Later, she said, the accused invited her to his home where he raped her at knifepoint. The woman told the Court that she had tried to fight off her attacker, but was overpowered.

According to her, that same night the accused accompanied her to the Police Station where she reported the matter.

The accused, who is conducting his own defence, denied that he had raped the woman and declared that whatever happened that night, she was a willing partner and had consented to everything.

He also said that the victim was an “old time friend” of his.

Prince, who described himself as a “gold digger”, said that he used to give the victim gifts of gold, but the friendship became sour when instead of gold he gave her brass.

He insisted that the woman had gone to his home of her own free will that night. He denied that she had been raped at knifepoint.

He also claimed that the woman had no medical certificate to support her contention.

Ms Faith McGusty, who along with Ms Kim Kyte is representing the prosecution, told the Court that whilst the woman went to a doctor that night, she did not make herself available for a medical examination.

The Police witness confirmed the report that the victim did not make herself available for examination by the doctor, but maintained that she was raped by the accused. (George Barclay)

Continue to rid the Stabroek Market Area of thugs, muggers
I have been reading the Chronicle Online for sometime now and I am always very pleased to read your fair and balanced reporting. I would really appreciate if you can publish this letter because I speak for many Guyanese and tourists as well who visit Guyana regularly. Many Guyanese living abroad would often times swear not to come back because of the fear of being mugged or killed. Unfortunately, some of these muggings go unnoticed by the police. My intent is not to demoralize any one ethnic group in Guyana but it seems however that this mugging spree is especially directed towards people of Indian descent and mixed race people.

I have personal experience of a horrifying encounter during my trip to Guyana last year. By the way, I am a Guyanese living in the United States for many years. After a 28-year absence I paid a visit to Guyana to see if I could establish a business. Not only was I happy and proud at the progress of Guyana has made, but shocked as well because I nearly got robbed and possibly killed by three Afro-Guyanese "rasta hoodlums". It quickly dawned on me that the paradise I once knew has been changed forever for the worst. I had heard of many muggings but now I experienced it myself.

I purposely visited the Stabroek Market area, which now makes the slums of Calcutta or Soweto pale in comparison to the present scene at the Stabroek area. In the 1960s and into the early 1970s one was proud to go to Georgetown and visit the market. I was taking a picture of the Stabroek

Market clock when suddenly, out on nowhere, three hoodlums approached me and surrounded me, a technique they must have used many times before. They accused me of taking their picture and wanted to take away my camera. There were no policemen around and given the makeup of the stalls and the crowd I could have easily gotten mugged and killed had I not stood my ground.

My life flashed in front of me as I stood there trying to reason with these thugs. They all seemed intoxicated. I thought to myself that I traversed the world over and as an engineer visited many countries. I thought to myself that I even proudly served in the American military during the Vietnam era and now I am back in my own native land to be bullied because of who I am! None of the passersby even dared to get involved because these thugs seemed to have a hold on their turf. Luckily I was able to walk away from that experience by God's Grace.

I urge President Jagdeo and his leadership to please CONTINUE to clean up the Stabroek Market Area and get it back to where it once was. Guyana is a beautiful place. Let's not further tarnish places like Stabroek Area by providing a safe haven for thugs and criminals.
Thanks
Harry Jagernauth

K&S tourney continues after back-to-back champions kicked out
By Isaiah Chappelle
WITH back-to-back champions Fruta Conquerors and Victoria Kings kicked out the Christmas Football Festival staged by the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation, the action shifts to another upset venue, Camptown ground, tonight.

In the opening match from 18:00 hrs, Rupununi make their third appearance in the championship, bursting with confidence of bettering their previous performances as they take on the Berbice combined team, Cougars All Stars.

Then from 20:00 hrs, the first team outside of Linden to participate in the tournament, Santos, meet four-time champion, Topp XX, setting the stage for another explosive night of football.

Already, last year’s champions Conquerors were needled by Netrockers, with a Matthew Pollard goal in the second half in the opening double-header at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Linden, on Sunday and two-time champions Milerock began setting claim for a possible third title also, needling 2001 champions Victoria Kings with another second half goal off the boot of Trevor Tudor.

Rupununi will field several past junior National players, including Olympians Emerick Williams and Daxton Park who both wore the country’s colours in the recent qualifiers for the Athens Games.

Former junior Nationals Johnny Farias and Daxton’s brother will also be in the line-up, along with several players who have experienced playing against teams from Brazil.

The Region Nine boys should go into the game as the favourites, having put up good performances during the recent Amerindian Heritage month invitational games against top city teams.

Berbice had to come as a combined team to be more competitive in the championship, and with players coming from the fast-running Paradise team and those from New Amsterdam it would make them a force to be reckoned with.

Santos have been reorganizing. At one time they held the record of being the only club to win the National knockout championship, back to back. They, along with Camptown, have been in the championship since the early stages, back in the 1992.

Again several former senior and junior Nationals will be in the line-up, including Seon McKenzie and Jermaine Alleyne. Add power striker Chris Duggan and Santos will produce a strong challenge.

Topp XX go into the tournament with the best credentials in its history, having already won the championship back to back. The first time was when they hit the National spotlight with the NBIC championships, following up with the Kashif & Shanghai title in 1994 and again in 1996. They were back in winners’ row in 1999 and 2000.

The most-titled ‘Most Valuable Player’, Collie Hercules, will be at the helm, coaching and playing. He will be backed with the usual young input Adrian Reid, along with experience in Carey Harris, Troy Richards and Sheldon Noel.

But Camptown ground was witness to the biggest upset last year when Stewartville knocked out the star-studded Topp XX.

Thus tonight, victories will not be straightforward storming to glory. The winners will have to earn their places in the next round.

WICB boss to address GCB awards ceremony
PRESIDENT of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Teddy Griffith, will deliver the feature address when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) holds its annual presentation of awards ceremony tomorrow night.

Griffith was elected President of the WICB at the end of September, replacing

Rev. Wes Hall, who is a former Barbados and West Indies Test player.

In his address tomorrow, Griffith is expected to examine the state of cricket in the region and to share his vision of the future of the regional game.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, as Cricketer-of-the-Year, heads the list of awardees who have all contributed in various ways towards the development of cricket in Guyana.

Presentations will be made to the Team-of-the-Year, the Batsman-of-the-Year, the Bowler-of-the-Year and the Most Improved Player. Individuals and Companies who have contributed to cricket will be recognised.

The programme will also feature remarks from the Minister of Sports, Ms Gail Teixeira and a review of the year’s activities by the GCB president Chetram Singh.

The function is being held at the Convention Centre of the Ocean View International Hotel, and invitees are asked to be seated by 19:15 hrs.

Scotia ‘All Fours’ volleyball this weekend
THE Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) will bring the curtain down on its season with ‘All Fours’ competitions in Demerara and Berbice.

The competitions are both sponsored by Scotiabank. The competition is the brainchild of current GVF president Lennie Schuffler and is the type of game that helps to develop all-round abilities of players.

Over the past two years several such competitions were held, but played by serious volleyballers.

The competition in Berbice is set for this Sunday at the GTM hard court, New Amsterdam.

All players are invited to participate and a team can only consist four players and they need not be from the same club.

Teams are required to report to the venue at 09:30 hrs for registration and their opponents will be determined in the draw.

Some $25 000 will be at stake for the top three teams.

Demerara will also have a similar amount but a date and time will be announced.

Dreamworks supports K&S football
THE Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) Football Association has benefited from more sponsorship for the major football tournament on the local calendar.

Dreamworks Development Incorporated yesterday presented an undisclosed sum of money to the organisation to help defray expenses.

Representative of the company, Troy Richmond, made the presentation to Kashif Mohammed at the company’s office in Garnett Street.

Mohammed said that the organisation was extremely pleased with the support from the company and many others such as the Government of Guyana, Banks DIH Limited, Swiss House Cambio and Western Union - who he said are the major sponsors annually.

He said a number of other companies such as Courtney Benn Contracting Services and Dreamworks have also played a part in the success of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Mohammed said that the Golden Stars Football Club of Golden Grove on the East Coast of Demerara would replace the Trinidadian team Caledonia, which has pulled out of the tournament.

He said that there will be a slight adjustment to the fixtures, but the team is expected to come up against B.V/Triumph United in their first match.

Action moves to Georgetown tomorrow for the first time since the tournament kicked off a week ago with a double header at the Camptown ground, Campbellville.

At 18:00 hrs the Rupununi team meet New Amsterdam while at 20:00 hrs Topp XX of Linden tackle Santos.

The prestigious tournament culminates on January 1, 2004 with the final in Linden. (Leeron Brumell)

India relish being out of spotlight
… says coach John Wright
MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - India's stunning win in the second Test against Australia sparked national celebrations at home but the tourists are enjoying being away from the spotlight, coach John Wright said yesterday.

India defeated Australia by four wickets in Adelaide on Tuesday to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.

Captain Sourav Ganguly's side play Australia A in a three-day match starting tomorrow in the Tasmanian capital of Hobart.

``We'll just keep our feet on the ground and keep working,'' Wright told reporters in Hobart.

The former New Zealand opening batsman added: ``(Staying grounded is) a little bit easier here than in India.

``We've enjoyed the success but there are still two Tests to go,'' the coach said following India's first Test victory in Australia for 22 years.

India's player-of-the-match Rahul Dravid, who hit 233 and 72 not out, said: ``Everyone has spoken to family and friends and we're happy that we've made a lot of people happy.

``But it's quite different (here) because you're away on tour and cocooned away from what's happening (in India) which is sometimes a good thing because you can stay focused on the job at hand.''

Dravid said India would be keen to enjoy the next week before building up to the third Test starting in Melbourne on December 26, followed by the fourth Test in Sydney from January 2-6.

``It's a bit more relaxed in these side games,'' said Dravid.

``I wouldn't say we're going to take the foot off the pedal but it's a bit more relaxed but I think we'd like to keep up our intensity here as well.''

Wright added: ``Our batsman are in good form which is good and we just have to keep that form going.

``We've got the belief that has come from the way they've played ... it's the key for any side.''

Flower 'planned' team boycott
FORMER Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower considered trying to organise a team boycott from the World Cup earlier this year, it has emerged.

But he felt uncomfortable forcing his beliefs on others, he told Australia's Inside Sport magazine.

Flower and bowler Henry Olonga created a storm at the tournament when they wore black armbands during Zimbabwe's match against Namibia.

They were protesting against president Robert Mugabe's oppressive regime.

Both players retired from international cricket after the World Cup.

Flower is playing for South Australia and Essex while Olonga is now a media pundit and musician.

Flower revealed in the magazine article that a former player rang him just before the World Cup to ask him to pull the team out of the tournament.

"He wanted me to influence the whole team," Flower said.

"I seriously tossed the idea around but in the end I told him I couldn't do that.

"It wasn't up to me to persuade others. They have to do what they think is right."

Flower said the participation of Olonga in the protest was important to its success.

"The most important thing was that a black man had to be involved," Flower said.

"It would have been pointless if I just did it. It would have been too easy to dismiss it as 'white imperialist'.

"As soon as I put it to (Olonga), he was straight up - it was an amazing reaction."

Flower criticised Zimbabwe coach, Australian Geoff Marsh, and captain Heath Streak, saying he was disappointed at their lack of support.

"There was a lot of unpleasantness there," Flower said. (BBC Sport)

FIFA may consider lifetime bans for doping

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Sepp Blatter says world soccer's governing body might consider imposing lifetime bans on any player caught taking performance-enhancing drugs.

The FIFA president admitted for the first time earlier this month that soccer has a doping problem and used a column in yesterday's Financial Times newspaper to defend his recent criticism of the Rio Ferdinand case. Last month Blatter said Ferdinand, charged for missing a drugs test, should be suspended pending his hearing. He also questioned the validity of Manchester United's results with the England defender playing on.

``Surely, if we condemn a player who has either refused or miraculously forgotten to take a drug test, it is not FIFA that is at fault, but those directly responsible for this inexcusable omission and its aftermath,'' said Blatter.

``That is the individual himself, his club and the FA, which has not swiftly enforced the laws on the suspension of players that ought to be applied,'' he said in the Financial Times.

``If FIFA sees this sort of thing happening, it is its duty to intervene. It is the only way to make sure that the law is the same for everyone, rich and poor. FIFA cannot accept different strokes for different folks.

``If this type of behaviour persists we may well consider promulgating a law to impose a lifetime ban on any player caught taking performance-enhancing drugs and relegation on his club. If clubs can't control their players, who can?''

Ferdinand failed to take a scheduled drugs test on September 23 and has been playing for his club, but not selected for his country, since then.

He has been charged by the FA with ``failure or refusal'' to take a drugs test, which he denies and has requested a personal hearing with the FA which will be held December 18-19 although no decision may be taken until the New Year.

Scotia ‘All Fours’ volleyball this weekend
THE Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) will bring the curtain down on its season with ‘All Fours’ competitions in Demerara and Berbice.

The competitions are both sponsored by Scotiabank. The competition is the brainchild of current GVF president Lennie Schuffler and is the type of game that helps to develop all-round abilities of players.

Over the past two years several such competitions were held, but played by serious volleyballers.

The competition in Berbice is set for this Sunday at the GTM hard court, New Amsterdam.

All players are invited to participate and a team can only consist four players and they need not be from the same club.

Teams are required to report to the venue at 09:30 hrs for registration and their opponents will be determined in the draw.

Some $25 000 will be at stake for the top three teams.

Demerara will also have a similar amount but a date and time will be announced.

The wheels come off Waugh's Ferrari
By Tony Lawrence, Reuters cricket correspondent
LONDON, England (Reuters) - Even Ferraris need a first gear.

Hurtling home along open roads may be a thrill, but everyone negotiates a hill or rush-hour jam every now and again.

It may go against the grain, but low revs have their place.

Australia's high-octane cricketing world champions seemed to feel that they were above such pedestrian pursuits during the second Test against India this week.

Their second innings of 196 all out in Adelaide, paving the way for a remarkable Indian victory, was an extraordinary exhibition, smacking either of supreme arrogance, utter recklessness or unprecedented cricket foolishness.

Looking to push the pace in search of a positive result, as Steve Waugh's magnificent team invariably do, Australia seemed unable to consider an alternative route when the wheels began to come off.

All it needed was a period of consolidation as the wickets began to tumble. Instead, Australia refused to even test their brakes and drove headlong towards defeat.

Seamer Ajit Agarkar, on his way to Test-best figures of six for 41, seemed surprised as one vaunted batsman after another threw away his wicket. ``I probably got lucky,'' he said.

Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Waugh, Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich all fell victim to over-ambition. Even occasional bowler Sachin Tendulkar took wickets as Martyn and Waugh were snapped up at slip as they chased wide deliveries.

It was all very well identifying the problem post-debacle, but it was surprising that no one suggested a little circumspection during it.

Coach John Buchanan accepted that ``some of the shot selection showed a bit of immaturity'' while Waugh, in his last Test series and looking for the perfect end to a near-perfect career, ruefully reflected that yes, perhaps his team had got it wrong against an excellent, resilient India team.

Australia, of course, have revolutionised Test cricket with their ambitious, fast-scoring approach.

They will be remembered for being one of the best, if not the best, side to ever play the game.

Their refreshing style, made possible by an abundance of talent, stands in complete contrast to the diesel-truck philosophies of more limited teams -- England in Sri Lanka come to mind -- who, while having a first gear, rarely attempt to find a fourth or fifth.

But great champions should surely be able to play in all styles, to suit all conditions. The Australians, such easy winners for so long, failed to do that in Adelaide, appearing to allow arrogance to cloud their judgement.

HUMBLE PIE
Another Australian sporting icon was admitting to just that weakness this week.

David Campese, having rubbished England's rugby World Cup pretensions, was busy eating humble pie in London after the English beat the Australians in the final.

The popular, outspoken Wallaby walked down Oxford Street with a sign declaring: ``I admit the best team won.''

England's rugby team, intriguingly, have put down their success to an ability to fine-tune their game to each and every condition and circumstance.

Waugh, however, has a chance to put things right in the last two games of the series.

And he might also point out that, all criticisms considered and notwithstanding the occasional deflating puncture, he would still prefer to drive a Ferrari than a diesel truck.

Blatter condemns European clubs
SEPP Blatter has accused Europe's richest clubs of 'despicable' behaviour and engaging in 'social and economic rape' as they scour the developing world for talent.

His comments echoed those made before this month's World Cup preliminary round draw in Frankfurt when the 67-year-old FIFA boss railed against the many wrongs he sees in the world game.

"I find it unhealthy, if not despicable, for rich clubs to send scouts shopping in Africa, South America and Asia to 'buy' the most promising players there," Blatter wrote in a column in Britain's Financial Times newspaper yesterday.

"This leaves those who trained them in their early years with nothing but cash for their trouble."

"Dignity and integrity tend to fall by the wayside in what has become a glorified body market.

Blatter added: "Europe's leading clubs conduct themselves increasingly as neo-colonialists who don't give a damn about heritage and culture, but engage in social and economic rape by robbing the developing world of its best players.

"If we're not careful, football may degenerate into a game of greed - a trend I will vigorously oppose."

In the past many African players, promised untold riches by unscrupulous football agents, have been greatly exploited by the very people who are supposed to be looking after them.

The phrase 'football slavery' was even coined to describe footballers, who ended up living in poor conditions and on insufficient salaries many miles from their homeland. (BBC Sport)

McGrath out of Test series
AUSTRALIA will be without injured fast bowler Glenn McGrath for the third and fourth Tests against India.

McGrath missed the first two matches following ankle surgery in August and will not recover in time to face India.

"Glenn had a scan on Tuesday and it's improved a lot but he's still not right to play," said New South Wales team spokesman Glenn Daniel.

"He's aiming for the New South Wales game against Victoria starting on January 9."

The news comes as a major blow to Australia, who trail 1-0 in the series after India won the second Test in Adelaide by four wickets on Tuesday.

Australian selectors face some difficult decisions with fast bowler Jason Gillespie struggling with a groin strain, picked up in Adelaide.

Brad Williams has a shoulder complaint but Brett Lee is set to return from stomach and ankle injuries for the third Test, starting in Melbourne on December 26. (BBC Sport).

Windies unable to follow captain's lead
By Colin Croft Former West Indies Test player in Johannesburg
ALTHOUGH the outcome became increasingly obvious as the first Test wore on, many were surprised South Africa took as long as they did to beat West Indies in Johannesburg.

Even though first-innings double-centurion Brian Lara was still at the crease, the game was finished as a contest when Makhaya Ntini ripped out the heart of the second innings late on day four.

Ntini, who won the Man-of-the-Match award for his nine wickets, was at his devastating best in reducing West Indies to 25-3.

Ntini hit the off-stumps of both Wavell Hinds and Vasbert Drakes so hard that they almost broke, while he nearly ripped off Daren Ganga's pads when trapping him leg-before.

It was a display packed with such aggression and panache that one could understand why he is considered a role model and one of the most popular sportsmen in the country.

Andre Nel was also a great surprise, bowling as quickly as 93 mph at times and really rattling the West Indies with his in-your-face attitude.

And Shaun Pollock may have got slower with the passing years, but his accuracy is so uncanny that once the batsmen made mistakes, the result was lethal.

These three pacemen simply tormented West Indies, though leg-spinner Robin Peterson will remember the Test for the wrong reasons, going for a world record 28 runs in one over to skipper Lara.

The pitch played excellently and did not start disintegrating until day five, despite the cracked appearance as early as day two.

After winning the toss and batting first, South Africa showed why they and their captain Graeme Smith are rated so highly.

Darryl Cullinan, a recent South Africa Test player, was moved to remark: "Gosh, is this guy Graeme Smith special or what?"

Smith's 132, made with great concentration and purpose, and Jacques Kallis' equally wonderful 178, effectively put paid to any hope West Indies had of winning. After making 581 in the first innings, South Africa could not lose.

The Windies also paid for a strange decision, playing the already injured and very important fast bowler, Corey Collymore.

To their credit, they managed well after their senior opening batsman, Chris Gayle, tore his hamstring in the outfield.

Ganga, promoted to opener, batted confidently in the first dig, but only Lara, and to a lesser extent Shivnarine Chanderpaul, could be given any real credit. Ramnaresh Sarwan was a disappointment.

Lara's 202 - almost half of the team total of 410 - was a great innings of survival under severe pressure, an effort worthy of very high praise.

It was a good Test match, but West Indies were playing catch-up throughout and were clearly the inferior outfit.

Indeed, with South Africa prevailing in a tough but perhaps not so close encounter, it paves the way for a repeat of 1998, when they won the first Test and then the rest.

The Windies, clearly, have to reorganise quickly. (BBC Sport)

NZ, Pakistan Test series overshadowed by pitch problems
By Geoff Young
HAMILTON, New Zealand, (Reuters) - The build-up to this month's two-Test series between New Zealand and Pakistan has been overshadowed by concerns over pitches.

Under-prepared wickets gave New Zealand a bad name 12 months ago when India lost both Tests of a series lasting less than five days, and Hamilton groundsman Karl Johnson has been unlucky with the weather in his preparations for the first match starting tomorrow.

Not enough sun and too much rain have threatened to turn the pitch into another seam bowler's dream but Pakistan coach Javed Miandad was anxious to play down the importance of the conditions.

``We're not interested in what happened last year,'' Miandad said yesterday. ``We're only interested in this year and we'll handle whatever is given to us for a pitch.''

Pakistan appear to be a happy touring side. The last time they came to New Zealand early in 2001 they arrived with problems in the form of ructions at Pakistan Cricket Board level and unrest within the squad.

Senior players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shoaib Akhtar were out of sorts, with Anwar and Inzamam struggling through injury and Shoaib leaving the tour after his controversial bowling action was again called into question.

Shoaib suffered a slight calf strain during the opening tour match against Auckland but returned to bowl a rapid spell on the last day.

``Everyone is fit and really looking forward to the Test,'' Miandad said. ``After the World Cup we got a good team and I took over again. The boys are doing well and we are confident of our chances against New Zealand.''

He was reluctant to give clues as to his Test side but said ``nine or 10'' players from the Auckland match would play, including seamer Shabbir Ahmed and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.

New Zealand's new coach John Bracewell cannot wait for the series to start.

``I'm nervous in all the right ways,'' Bracewell said. ``I've looked forward to this for two months and I'm glad it's finally arrived.

``I always wanted to coach at the pinnacle of the game and international cricket is that,'' he added.

New Zealand go into the match with just Daniel Vettori's orthodox left-armers in the slow bowling department but captain Stephen Fleming has been passed fit and experienced all-rounder Chris Cairns returns nearly two years after his last Test appearance.

New Zealand (from); Stephen Fleming (captain), Chris Cairns, Daniel Vettori, Craig McMillan, Ian Butler, Mark Richardson, Lou Vincent, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, Jacob Oram, Robbie Hart, Richard Jones.

Pakistan (from); Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat, Saleem Elahi, Yasir Hameed, Yousuf Youhana, Asim Kamal, Younis Khan, Moin Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Danish Kaneria, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed, Umar Gul.