Pres. Chavez's visit dawns new era of Guyana/Venezuela cooperation
--- Guyana's debt to Caracas written off
by Michelle Nurse
`The Essequibo issue will be removed from the framework of the social, political, economic relations between the two countries and we will tackle each issue from a different perspective based on mutual respect." President Hugo Chavez

PRESIDENT Hugo Chavez has signalled the dawning of a new era in relations with Guyana with which it has had a longstanding border controversy.

"The Essequibo issue will be removed from the framework of the social, political, economic relations between the two countries and we will tackle each issue from a different perspective based on mutual respect ..." Chavez said yesterday.

At a joint press conference with President Bharrat Jagdeo late last evening at State House, President Chavez said that things have changed drastically from the "imperialist" thinking of the past and Venezuela now has "no kind of sentiment against Guyana whatsoever."

Rather, Venezuela seeks to foster closer relations with Guyana.

Manifestations of the closer cooperation between the two neighbouring states were the cancellation of US$12.5M of the debt Guyana owes Venezuela, and the undertaking by President Chavez to favourably consider adjusting to terms and conditions of the Caracas Energy Cooperation Accord to make it compatible with Guyana's obligations under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. The HIPC conditions prevented Guyana from benefiting from the Accord.

Presidents Chavez and Jagdeo have also agreed to pursue poverty alleviation as well as infrastructure projects under the Hemispheric Integration Project. Among those projects is the construction of a road linking the two states. Both countries are to seek international resources to conduct feasibility studies to implement the road project.

"We have agreed to leave the Essequibo issue in the hands of the UN Good Officer Process," President Jagdeo said, adding that both countries will try to accelerate and develop closer economic, social and other types of development in the areas of agriculture.

Speaking through an interpreter, Chavez told the press corps: "We have come here to strengthen ties with Guyana.

"We have come with the willpower to foster ...further integration.

"The Venezuelan Government will not hinder any project to be conducted in (the Essequibo) whose purpose is to benefit the inhabitants of the area. By that I mean projects like water supply, communication roads, energy programmes, agricultural programmes.

"Any other sensitive projects that might be organized in the area, we are planning to immediately get in touch and review the projects together within the framework of the high level bilateral commission. We have to find the right way to tackle the problem," Chavez stressed.

President Chavez and his delegation leave today.

(More on President Chavez's State visit in tomorrow's issue of the Guyana Chronicle)

Student clings to life after electric shock
By Michel Outridge
Dakari Jordan, 7, of Lot 191, Da Silva Street, Newtown yesterday sustained severe burns to the hands and stomach and was clinging to life after he was shocked by an exposed, broken earth wire attached to a utility pole at Oronoque Street, Queenstown.

Jordan was awaiting transportation a corner away from his school.

The Saint Gabriel's Primary School student was picked after a resident had put out the flames, which had engulfed the child's stomach and rushed him to the hospital where he was immediately attended by doctors.

According to Neville Freeman of Lot 145 Oronoque Street, Queenstown, he was sitting in his verandah about 2:45 pm when he observed two children standing near the utility pole.

He related that he asked the children to step away from the post and as a result one of them ran away leaving the other and before he could turn away he saw thick smoke coming from the post and ran outside and saw Jordan lying on the ground covered in flames.

"I put out the fire from the child's stomach and placed him in the GPL vehicle and took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC),"said the man.

Freeman said that Jordan was still breathing but was in tremendous pain and suffered from burns to both his hands and stomach, which was almost burnt to the ribs.

Another resident who witnessed the incident said that she couldn't believe that the child survived because of the extent of the burns he received after he was electrocuted.

She however, lamented that the blame should solely be placed on GPL because they have failed to carry out maintenance work in the area for sometime.

The GPL Public Relations Officer was unavailable for a comment when contacted yesterday.

Meanwhile, Saint Gabriel's Primary School head teacher, Lorna Muhammad said that Jordan had just left the school compound and was awaiting transportation when he was electrocuted.

She disclosed that Jordan, a Prep B student was described as a quiet and intelligent pupil.

"I heard about the incident after the child was rushed to the hospital, when I saw him I could not believe what I saw," said the head teacher yesterday.

While at the hospital several teachers and his parents were outside the x-ray department eagerly waiting to get a glimpse of Jordan as he was being wheeled to the Burn Unit.

His distraught mother, Ava Mckenzie, said she received a telephone call from the head teacher that her son was electrocuted and immediately rushed to the hospital where she saw her son crying out in pain.

The woman could not contain her tears. She said that a minibus would usually pick her son up from school each day.

The child's father was also reduced to tears when he saw his son at the hospital; he was too distraught to speak.

Doctors said that the child's condition is listed as critical because he sustained third degree burns and may loose both his hands, which are badly burnt, and beyond repair.

Jordan's condition is being monitored and he is currently a patient in the Burn Unit.

President urges action on a Guyana/SA link
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo, hosting a one-day State visit to Guyana by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, yesterday reiterated his commitment to working with President Chavez to realize the Venezuelan leader's vision for "the creation of a vital infrastructure" linking the Guyana Shield with the whole of South America.

President Jagdeo was delivering a welcome speech at a luncheon at State House honoring a very jovial President Chavez and his delegation.

"With the creation of vital infrastructures to link the countries of the Guyana Shield, and South America as a whole, a new and dynamic hub can be formed to generate trade and economic expansion. I still recall the passionate enthusiasm with which you spoke of this exciting possibility and the rewards that it could offer to our countries. It is a vision that I fully share..."

President Chavez's State visit also conjured up memories of President Jagdeo's meeting with him at the South Summit in 2000. "At that time, as I recall, we had promised to get to know each other better in order to promote greater friendship and understanding between our two countries and peoples. You had undertaken to teach me baseball while I in turn would induct you to the intricacies of cricket.

"It was a jocular exchange but one that I have not forgotten because it augured well for our future relations. For it is through a greater appreciation of each other's culture and closer cooperation that our people will be able to develop greater confidence and trust in our association. We must therefore grasp every opportunity that will facilitate greater contacts between our two countries and peoples."

President Jagdeo's speech came after President Chavez had met briefly with just under 60 students of Queen's College, Bishop's High and St. Rose's High Schools on the lawns of State House.

The programme was running over two hours late so President Chavez, who always endears himself to children and young people, invited the students to Venezuela in July. By that time, he said, he'd be able to spend more time talking with them.

Inside State House, where the luncheon was attended by top Guyanese and Venezuelan officials, President Jagdeo recalled to attempts by Guyana and Venezuela over the years to "create a more propitious climate for enhancing" Guyana/Venezuela relations.

He expressed disappointment that high-level visits and the establishment of mechanisms for practical collaboration hadn't lived up to the high expectations of a more enlightened and productive partnership between Venezuelans and Guyanese, but held out hope that his discussions with President Chavez would "serve to re-launch and revitalize our common determination to dynamize our relations."

President Jagdeo also welcomed the resumption of efforts by the United Nations to address the border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela and added: "As neighbouring countries, seeking to preserve our security and stability, Guyana and Venezuela must work together to protect themselves from this contagion.

"Ultimately, the future welfare of our peoples lies in the greater integration of our hemisphere. This was the ideal for which the great Simon Bolivar fought and died. It must now be the ideal of all leaders of Latin America and the Caribbean if we are to guarantee the political, economic and social advancement of our countries."

Woman nabbed with coke at airport
A FEMALE out-going passenger was yesterday arrested at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CIJA) following the discovery of 4 kilograms of 545 grams of an illegal substance believed to be cocaine in the false side of a suitcase.

The 32-year-old was taken into custody about 07:00 hours after the illegal substance was discovered in her suitcase.

She is said to be an Ecuadorian national.

President Chavez arrives to red carpet welcome
By Shirley Thomas
President of the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela, His Excellency Hugo R. Chavez

Frias was yesterday accorded a red-carpet welcome to Guyana, at a Civic Reception held in his honour at the Promenade Gardens, Georgetown, during which he was presented with the symbolic key to the capital city.

The reception, hosted by His Worship the Mayor of Georgetown, Mr.Hamilton Green, was conducted under the band stand constructed in 1883, and bearing a rich cultural history.

The venue was attractively and appropriately adorned with the colours of the flags of the two countries: red, white, green, gold, black and blue, with the symbolic red carpet rolled out on the floor and down the stairs.

Outside the bandstand, majestically overlooking the proceedings, the Golden Arrow Head and the Bolivian Flags fluttered in the gentle morning breeze. And peeking through the lush green vegetation with a proliferation of colourful and sweet scented flowers, the sun shone through in all its glory.

Among the hundreds assembled to greet the Venezuelan Head of State were the Mayor of Georgetown, Ministers within the Ministry of Local Government - Mr.Harripersaud Nokta and Mr. Clinton Collymore, Councillors and staff of the Georgetown and other Municipalities, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, leading political functionaries, church leaders, school children, businessmen and Venezuelan nationals residing in Guyana.

There were appropriate musical renditions by City Hall's "City Jammers Steel Orchestra" which soon gave way to the sound of sirens filling the air, and at exactly 11:00 hours, the Presidential entourage made a ceremonial arrival at the Promenade Gardens under heavy security escort.

Among the Presidential entourage were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr.Samuel Rudy Insanally and others. The President, Hugo Chavez was enthusiastically greeted by scores of well intentioned Guyanese who lined the route to the Band Stand - some cheering and others waving tiny flags as a symbol of welcome.

President Chavez, evidently has a close affinity for children. He showed his appreciation for the hundreds of school children who had long been waiting under brilliant sunshine to get a glimpse of him, by stopping along the route to hug, kiss and say a few words to them.

After being introduced to the Mayor and City Councillors of Georgetown, President Chavez was escorted on stage where the formal ceremony began. He was introduced by Town Clerk, Ms Beulah Williams. The welcome address was given by Mayor Hamilton Green, after the Town Clerk Ms. Williams presented him with a golden key to the city, made, according to Mayor Green, from "pure rich gold, taken from the bowels of the hinterland."

Mayor Green in welcoming President Chavez to the city of Georgetown, Mayor Green hailed the Venezuelan Head of State as an "authentic people's President" - one who made time to hug, kiss and talk to the children who had assembled to greet him.

Mayor Green said he hoped that, as President Chavez moved around Georgetown, he would find ways for the two countries to work together, to improve relations and the welfare of Guyanese and Venezuelans living in Guyana.

Pres. Chavez brings olive branch, proposes 'true unity' with Guyana
by Shirley Thomas
President of the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela, His Excellency Hugo Raphael Chavez Frias, yesterday made his first official visit to Guyana, bringing with him the proverbial 'olive branch'.

Addressing citizens at a Civic Reception held in his honour at the Promenade Gardens, the Venezuelan Head of State who spoke through an interpreter made it clear that he had come to Guyana to make a proposal about "true unity between Guyana and Venezuela."

Speaking from the band stand in the Promenade Gardens, President Chavez made this heart warming revelation, as he unveiled plans and outlined a number of measures he has in mind for strengthening the relations between Guyana and Venezuela which in the past have faced somewhat strained relations over border and marine resources.

Naming other categories such as the politicians, academicians, teachers, youth, fishermen, President Chavez made it pellucidly clear: "We've come to make a proposal to everyone about unity - true unity between Venezuela and Guyana ... real integration between our people.

He said his Government has resolved to move on as quickly as possible, over the next few months, in order to quicken and strengthen the relations between the two countries.

President Chavez disclosed that his Government already has the first part of a budget to build a roadway, which will link Venezuela to Georgetown. He said that into the framework of this physical infrastructure will be included Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil. "We want to unite, because we feel that we have a great potential," President Chavez affirmed. Outlining the benefits of the communication link, he said it will offer Guyanese direct access to the Caribbean.

And on the question of marine resources, visiting Head of State said that there is need for Venezuelan and Guyanese fishermen to come together so that they can do what they do more efficiently.

He also alluded to obstacles impeding the supply of petroleum from Venezuela to Guyana, and reiterated the importance of energy for the development of countries.

And stating that he wished his visit to Guyana to be recorded as an historic one, President Chavez reiterated: "And it will be recorded in history, because from today we will be initiating a new era in history between Guyana and Venezuela." This statement was accompanied by optimistic applause.

The President urged that, as from today both Guyana and Venezuela must put to work all their creative capacities... so that the two can truly unite, leaving behind - old complexities, heritages of the old empire.

President Chavez expressed his appreciation to President Jagdeo for inviting him to Guyana, to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds for the confidence he had shown in him, to Mayor Green for the beautiful key to the city of Georgetown, and to all Guyana for the affection conveyed to him.

Speaker notes at parliamentarian meeting...
Pres. Chavez one of region's best known leaders
Mark Ramotar
SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, yesterday described Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as "one of the best known leaders in our region" as well as in the wider world because of the dedicated commitment with which he continually advance policies designed to secure economic and social justice for developing countries.

"We share with your Excellency and the people of Venezuela your belief in and advocacy of the right to economic self determination which is vital to the eradication of poverty and the establishment of equal opportunities for all our citizens," Ramkarran said last night during a forum held at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown where President Chavez, in his own charismatic style, delivered a lengthy, thought-provoking address to a large, high-level gathering comprising Parliamentarians and Civic Leaders in Guyana.

Ramkarran noted that ever since the establishment of diplomatic
relations , the Governments and peoples of Guyana and Venezuela have sought to forge a relationship between our countries based on a desire to live as good neighbours.

"While, the controversy that exists sometimes serves to distract us from this endeavour, the aspirations of our peoples have nevertheless served to focus our attention also on the means to solve development problems which are common to both countries," he stated.

The Speaker of the National Assembly in Guyana also told President Chavez that his visit is testimony to the fact that "we are committed to live together, in cooperation, peace and understanding".

According to him, this commitment as neighbours is premised on a mutual desire to preserve the freedom, which we inherited from the "courageous efforts of our fore-parents".

"Although there are differences between our two countries, we must, as neighbours, continue to live in peace with each other and to cooperate on the basis of mutual respect and understanding," Ramkarran contended.

The Speaker also noted that both Guyana and Venezuela are faced with many similar problems and therefore have an interest in closer cooperation. As such, he said the proposals, which Guyana and Venezuela have advanced for a reform of the development agenda, demonstrate a common concern for the welfare of mankind.

More Police promotions
243 junior ranks elevated
NEWLY appointed Commissioner of Police, Mr. Winston Felix, has approved the promotion of 243 junior ranks in the Guyana Police Force.

Those promoted are 97 Corporals to the rank of Sergeant; 100 Lance Corporals and Constables to that of Corporal; and 46 Constables to the rank of Lance Corporal.

RPA announces donors inputs to bolster industry
THE Rice Producers Association (RPA) has unveiled a development plan to bolster the industry.

RPA President Leakah Rambrich said it would be funded by donor agencies, with the objectives of enhancing farmers capability and improving the quality of seed paddy varieties for the competitive overseas market.

He outlined the strategy to farmers at Corentyne, Berbice last weekend, telling them a multi-million dollar scheme, including a seed paddy drying and storage facility is earmarked for Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).

Mr Rambrich said, on completion, the project will make available the capacity to store 10,000 bags of high grade planting materials in the Region.

The RPA previously completed a similar venture on Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is supporting the Berbice equivalent, he said.

Rambrich said installation of a mechanical dryer to reduce paddy moisture is also on stream and the Building Community Capacity Project (BCCP) will fund it with the aim of reducing stakeholders production costs.

He said another donor institution, OXFAM is expending $10M on other improvements for the agriculture sector.

According to Rambrich, negotiations are underway with a private entrepreneur to import fertiliser in large quantities and the new arrangement would lessen the price for that input, to about $1,900 per bag.

Currently, the RPA, in conjunction with Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), is moving to acquire mobile grading equipment to assess paddy quality immediately after harvesting, he disclosed.

CaribCash Money Transfers comes to Guyana
CARIBCASH Money Transfers opened its doors for business in Guyana Wednesday, and at a news conference held at the Water Chris Hotel, officials of the new entity urged Guyanese to visit any of the 62 Post Offices countrywide or the CaribCash main office at 231 Camp Street, Georgetown to send or receive money worldwide.

Among persons at the head-table during the press conference were Mr Manzoor Nadir, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Industry, who welcomed the company to Guyana.

In his remarks, Minister Nadir said that the money transfer service is a big industry, which has attracted some attention in recent times because of the large cash flow into this country especially that which comes from North America.

After urging the management of the new money transfer service to maintain high standards, the Minister praised the company’s initiative in establishing an alliance with the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC).

Nadir predicted that the fees garnered by GPOC would significantly boost the agency’s developmental plans.

“CaribCash.com is the address of the Internet-based system that allows you to send international money transfers via our Website to relatives, friends, and for personal financial transactions in the Caribbean. Our payout locations are widespread across the various islands and include all branches of the Post Offices in these countries as well as prominent banks and reputable businesses,” said Mr Keith Brotherson, CaribCash Vice Chairman and Executive Director of Sales and Marketing.

He continued: “Our Internet service is strongly supported by an extensive network of collection points located in most Caribbean-based communities in the United States. Customers, who desire to remit cash, can call our toll free number 866-511-CASH (2274) to find an agent nearest you. We accept your online payment by Visa or MasterCard.”

Brotherson said that CaribCash will soon launch its own Smart Card and Secured Visa Credit card products.

“These products are intended to offer our clients more savings as they utilise our services. They add even more security while facilitating a complete financial transaction on our Website,” said Mr. Brotherson.

CaribCash.com is an authorised agent of CashPoint Inc., a licensed money transfer institution in the United States.

He said that CaribCash is a brand name and subsidiary of Roraima Financial Services, a Nevis Business Corporation with registered offices in Charlestown, Nevis, West Indies.

The company was established in January 2000 to focus on the development of an Internet-based medium that will:

* Conveniently transfer funds to relatives, friends, and businesses within the Caribbean from any location in the World.

* Allow nationals or temporary residents abroad (non-residents/ undocumented workers) the opportunity to conduct personal financial transactions in a convenient and efficient manner, with the use of a CaribCash Visa or Smart card, and

* Offer Caribbean expatriates the ability to pay utilities, furniture, mortgage, rent, taxes, and other bills in the Caribbean from any location in the world.

“The principals of CaribCash are extremely confident that this facility will confirm to its motto of, ‘Keeping the Caribbean Connected’, which is the guiding principle of its parent company, Roraima Financial Services,” a brochure noted. (Michel Outridge)

"The PPP notes the significant achievements of the GPF through huge investments in training, equipment and human resource, geared to improve the overall capabilities of the police, preparing them to utilize modern techniques and operations, says the PPP statement.

It acknowledges that Commissioner Felix has served with distinction over the years, coming through the ranks of the GPF and is therefore competent to discharge his mandate well.

"The PPP encourages the public to continually lend support to the efforts of the force as it moves towards reform, which includes greater professionalism," the statement notes. "Community interaction and involvement are important in strengthening good relations and developing sound responses and approaches to crime and other issues under the mandate of the force."

The case for Guyana/Venezuela unity
PERHAPS because of its complexity, politics seems always to have epitomized the principle of self-preservation.

Political leaders usually mentor a following with rhetoric that echoes sentiments of unselfishness.

But once spun, the other side of the coin inevitably reveals a fistful of self-interest strategies characterizing relations between and among nations.

Yet, on the advice of analysts and aides, officials continually argue against policies that emphasize self-interest at the expense of bilateral or multilateral relations.

It is to the good of the Guyanese and Venezuelan people, and to Caribbean/Latin American relations, that President Bharrat Jagdeo and President Hugo Chavez yesterday reiterated their commitment to policies geared toward what President Chavez said here yesterday was, "true unity between Guyana and Venezuela."

In fact, unity was a recurring theme in speeches the two leaders delivered at forums devised for President Chavez's State visit to Guyana.

"We've come to make a proposal to everyone about unity - true unity between Venezuela and Guyana ... real integration between our people," the Venezuelan leader stressed at a civic reception for him and his delegation in the Promenade Gardens.

President Jagdeo agreed. Said the Guyanese leader in his welcome speech at a luncheon for the visiting Venezuelans at State House: "Faced as we are by the challenges of globalization, our countries have no other option, I believe, but to come together in unity and in strength for our economic survival."

The message by both Presidents couldn't be clearer. At a time when individual countries and regions and blocs of nations are preparing for globalization, the diversion of scarce resources to fester trans-border hostility is no longer a credible option.

For Guyana and Venezuela, each with its own natural resource wealth yet still battling poverty and want, "promoting greater friendship and understanding between our two countries and peoples," as President Jagdeo put it," or "true unity between Venezuela and Guyana ... real integration between our peoples," in President Chavez's words, is the only way to go.

If, as the saying goes, "one hand can't clap," then the two countries need to address their differences by peaceful means, in the same way that they work closely together to forge development in other areas.

A case for Guyana/Venezuela unity, as President Jagdeo pointed out, is that, "although democracy is now the accepted norm of governance in our region, it is not immune from attack by those who would wish to deny the popular will. Both within and beyond our societies, there are criminal elements that constantly seek to undermine the legal and constitutional order of the state. These insidious attacks are often sustained by illicit gains from trans-boundary crime in arms and drug trafficking. This scourge of the 21st. century recognizes no borders and spreads like wildfire. As neighbouring countries seeking to preserve our security and stability, Guyana and Venezuela must work together to protect themselves from this contagion."

The agreements that the two Presidents signed at the conclusion of their rounds of discussions harbor well for Guyana and Venezuela meeting the many challenges that lie ahead and the ultimate realization of the goals they've set for their two peoples.

Man charged in $7M gold heist remanded
THE man accused of the $7M gold heist in the interior made a Court appearance in Georgetown yesterday.

Nicholas Higgins familiarly called Nick (no address given) pleaded not guilty to robbery under arms and was remanded to prison by Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen.

Particulars of the offence said Higgins was armed with a gun when he robbed Dhanraj Narine of a bag containing 105 ounces 17 pennyweight of gold worth $7, 191,000 last Saturday, February 14, at Six Miles Junction.

Before the case was transferred to Matthew’s Ridge Court, also in North West District, for May 6, Police said the stolen gold belonged to Jainarine Jairam

At Berbice Assizes…
Prosecution closes in Black Bush Polder murder case
DRUPATTIE Narine, who operates a canteen at Joanna North, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, testified yesterday that she helped attend the victim in the murder case at the Berbice Assizes.

She said, on receipt of certain information, she went outside her business premises and took a mug with water which she applied to the bleeding head of Hemchand Juman nicknamed ‘Sonny Boy’.

The witness said she also used methylated spirits to treat the man she observed could not help himself.

Narine was one of three witnesses who gave evidence before the Prosecution closed.

A second witness, Gopaul Singh recalled that, in response to a request about 5.30 pm on July 24, 2002, he drove the unconscious man, his sibling and their parents to Mibicuri Hospital.

The case for the Prosecution, presented by State Counsel Candace Raphael, is that Latchman Ramjit, 17, inflicted some fatal blows on Juman with a four feet piece of jamoon wood on July 26, 2002, three days after the two were involved in an argument.

Another witness, Police Detective Constable also named Gopaul Singh, said, on July 27, 2002, he contacted the accused at his Joanna South, Black Bush Polder home, told him of the allegation and cautioned him before escorting him to Mibicuri Police Station.

The cop said, the following day, he took Yadram Ramjit to Mibicuri Hospital where he was examined by Dr Ganesh, who issued a medical certificate.

The policeman said he also uplifted the original medical certificate in relation to Latchman Ramjit and lodged both at Mibicuri Police Station.

Singh said he witnessed the post mortem examination on the corpse of the deceased, performed by Dr V. Brijmohan at New Amsterdam mortuary on July 29, 2002 and collected the autopsy report which gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage due to a fractured skull.

Under cross-examination by Senior Counsel Crawford, for the Defence, the detective said investigations into the crime revealed that the accused suffered injuries at the hands of Juman before the latter died.

Re-examined by Raphael, Singh pointed out that he made a mistake when he said he escorted Yadram Ramjit instead of Latchman Ramjit to Mibicuri Hospital.

Asked by Justice Winston Moore, who is presiding over the continuing trial, the witness was unable to say when and where the accused was injured. (Jeune Bailey Van-Keric)

After remand…
Previously refused defendants granted bail
MORRIS Philips, the man at the centre of a fishing trawler sale scam, was one of two previously refused defendants granted bail yesterday.

Making his second appearance, as well, before Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen, he was allowed pre-trial freedom on a $250,000 bond.

Philips is charged with the larceny of the m.v ‘Gill Backer’ and obtaining money by false pretence through selling the boat twice.

The defendant (no address given) denied all the allegations before he was remanded to prison Tuesday.

One charge said he stole the craft belonging to Bharrat Bissoon from a wharf at Houston, East Bank Demerara, on August 14, 2003.

Another charge said, the same day, with intent to defraud, Philips obtained $1,700,000 from Travis Saddick by falsely pretending that he was the owner of the vessel.

Two more charges alleged that, on August 14, 2003, too, he collected $175,000 and $550,000 from Doodnauth Ramsawar under the pretext that he owned the craft.

The other defendant who secured liberty was 18-year-old Roseann Alana Samuels, who is facing a robbery with violence charge.

She was ordered to post $35,000 after being remanded overnight.

Samuels, of Lot 62 Bent Street, Werk-en-Rust, is alleged to have used personal violence on Peter Joseph to rob him of his wallet containing US$1,500 and a cellular phone, making a total loss of G$283,000 to the victim.

But she denied that she and unnamed accomplices committed the crime on February 10, in a yard on Charlotte Street, Lacytown, also in Georgetown, while the virtual complainant was under the influence of alcohol.

The trial for Samuels begins today.

Following arrest warrant…
‘Fat Man’ faces groceries larceny charge
SUNIL Persaud nicknamed ‘Fat Man’, for whom an arrest warrant was issued Wednesday, yesterday faced the joint larceny charge against him.

Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen put him on $20,000 bail after he pleaded not guilty.

Persaud and co-defendants, Ramesh Persaud called ‘Tall Man’ and Raj Sureshdesh (no addresses given) are charged with the theft of a quantity of bottled coffee, macaroni, cheese, green peas, vegetable oil, mixed vegetable, sausages and fabric softener valued a total of $48,000.

Particulars of the offence said the trio stole the goods from the Lot 60 Robb Street, Bourda, Georgetown business place owned by Jacquelyn Hussein on February 17.

The two defendants who appeared in Court Wednesday when the third was absent are on $25,000 bail each.

The case involving all three of them has been transferred to another court for March 26.

Employees charged with B.K. larceny
TWO employees of the contracting firm B.K. International have been charged with stealing from the company.

Security guards Christset Rose, of Lot 48 East La Penitence and Lakeram Singh, of Lot 20 Hogg Street, Albouystown, are jointly accused of the larceny of a $60,000 alternator from an excavating machine on February 15.

Police said the two were on duty when the component was reported missing but it was recovered at a shop in Mandela Avenue.

Rose and Singh are on $10,000 bail each and will be back in Court March 16, the same day like other larceny defendant Shawn Hughes, 32, of Lot 271 West Ruimveldt, also in Georgetown.

Hughes is alleged to have stolen a gas cylinder, two teddy bears, two buckets and a haversack, all worth $10,500 from his sister Phyllis Hughes, with whom he shares a home.

The Hughes defendant is on $5,000.

Prosecution closes case in McDoom manslaughter trial
STATE Prosecutor Ms Faith McGusty yesterday closed her case in the McDoom Village manslaughter trial after the testimonies of eight witnesses.

Defence Counsel Mr. Vidyanand Persaud, who is associated with Ms Vidushi Persaud for the accused Hardatt Singh, indicated to the Court that he would be leading no-case submissions when the trial continues next Tuesday.

Hardatt Singh is on trial for unlawfully killing Vibart Brown on August 7, 1997, following a rum spree, a row, and a struggle between the two men.

The accused is alleging that Brown, now deceased, had attacked him with a piece of wood and that he had thrust forward with a knife to scare off his attacker, who accidentally plunged forward and was fatally wounded.

Ms McGusty told the jury in her opening address that evidence would be led to show that the killing followed a drinking spree and a row between the two men, who it is said, had a good relationship. (George Barclay)

Police promotions at long last!
LOOK how many members of the Guyana Police Force have at long last received long awaited recognition and promotions with consequential increases in salaries and allowances and other benefits, less than two days after the appointment of Commissioner Winston Felix!

One can understand how frustrating it must have been for those promoted to have to wait almost three years for this moment!

The promotions would be of great benefit not only to the promoted but also to their families. Promotions in addition to the tremendous boost of morale in the force and would now result in greater upward mobility from among the ranks and make the force once again attractive to many young people as a career choice.

It is indeed a pity that the politics of the PNC/R resulted in such a delay, frustrating the legitimate ambitions of Police Officers and ranks.

We can only be glad that the roadblock has been decisively removed, which will result in increased professionalism, efficiency and service to the public.
Yours faithfully,
John Da Silva

We're getting fair weather, so let's Mash
WE are now winding down or perhaps we should say winding up to Mashramani Festival on Republic Day, that is, on Monday the 23rd February 2004.

There have been a great many competitions in the different regions throughout the country, and many are still in fact going on.

The excitement and expectations and competitive spirit are at fever pitch and there is great enthusiasm and enjoyment among contestants, participants and spectators.

It is of course expected that many more people will be taking part, including more organizations from the private sector.

We have been getting fairly good weather and we are expecting another bright and sunny Mash Day, when thousands will be on the road enjoying themselves either as participants or simply viewing the floats and walking around.
Yours faithfully,
Rawle Persaud

The expectations of Guyanese have increased
THERE can be no doubt that the expectations of the Guyanese population were high in 1992 after the change of Government and that these expectations have increased each year since then, rising as performances and accomplishments became more manifest.

Since 1993 the Auditor General's Reports were once again laid in Parliament to give account of the spending of the public purse.

Larger and larger allocations to all sectors of the economy were made especially in the social sector and all of the people benefited regardless of race, colour, creed or political affiliation.

Changes inevitably took place in the economy, especially as a result of financial constraints and changes and movements in the global economy. If products were no longer in demand because other countries came on the market with more resources and were able to supply a better product at a cheaper price, then it became uneconomical to spend scarce resources competing.

Nevertheless, the people saw a greater ability and capacity in the PPP/Civic Government to tackle the problems of the country, than was obvious in the previous administration and their imperatives increased while their patience decreased.

Many people who were particularly quiet and quiescent prior to 1992 became vocal and vociferous in their demands and complaints because of their new-found freedoms and this is all to the good.

The opposition could no longer sustain their arguments that there was no development or progress so they had to switch their arguments to claim that the progress was not reaching the section of the population that are their supporters. Yet, here again, they have not been able to justify such claims as the statistics show otherwise.

But we of course expect them to keep trying to spread their propaganda.
Yours faithfully, Bharrat Seecharran

Governments as protectors and violators of human rights
Governments, whether they are capitalist, communist, socialist or religionist, are the greatest violators of human rights across the world. This is a paradox that governments- the main protectors of human rights- are also the main violators of human rights. Governments that have solemnly affirmed human rights are the very entities that violate them. This paradox is like crime - it cannot be totally eradicated; the best that can be done is to minimize it.

A democratic capitalist system of government is no guarantee that it will not deny or abuse the human rights of its citizens, especially the human rights of its minorities or voiceless citizens. It is even worse when the government is undemocratic or only pays lip service to democracy while democratic norms go out the window.

Governments are like the two-faced Janus -- they are the main protector and the main violators of human rights. This is why freedom of expression is so vital and the work of the judiciary, the media, human rights organizations and similar institutions must not be hindered, muzzled or suppressed in any way. These bodies, by virtue of their independent watchdog functions, encourage the government-protectors to protect us and discourage the government-violators from violating us.
Yours faithfully,
M. Xiu Quan-Balgobind-Hackett

Are we being fooled about 'police-bandit gunfire'?
I am no BACCOO but I was willing to predict when I heard about bandits and police 'exchanging' gunfire in Buxton that no one would have been hurt and I would have been right as subsequent reports revealed.

It seems to me that these are mainly 'public relations exercises' to bamboozle the public, but very few are indeed fooled.

For years now, we have read of regular 'exchanges' of gunfire between police and bandits at Buxton with no one being hurt, which caused me to wonder exactly what the police are using - split peas, rubber bullets or caps?

Day after day commuters are robbed along a very short piece of road at Buxton and I am constrained to feel that it is certainly not a lack of manpower or other resources that are hampering the police from protecting citizens.

We have to travel each day to go to work or school and look after different commitments and then return along this same roadway to go home - ourselves, children, relatives and friends, and we travel in fear both ways every day.

So are the police congenitally unable to protect these citizens and would they ' function' the same way if the violence was emanating from Annandale or Enmore or Albion?
Yours faithfully,
Nathan D. Singh

Is the 'resistance' membership still around
I READ with interest Tacuma Ogunseye's letter published in Stabroek News of 23rd January 2004, under the caption, "Dialogue is not feasible with the Phantom Squad issue still pending".

I have great difficulty in trying to understand what Ogunseye ranted about when he stated that the President and others were "unprepared to demonstrate respect for the nation and the international community by not allowing Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj, to demit office until such time as an independent commission of inquiry examined and pronounced on the credibleness of the allegation made by Mr. Bacchus".

Yet he goes on to point out that the formation of the state sponsored phantom killing squad was a criminal act; it used criminals to commit heinous crimes such as murder, kidnapping and torture.

I think he should enlighten us what he meant when he wrote that it was pressure from the US government that played the major role in ending the "resistance" in Buxton.

I would certainly like to know what role the US government played in clearing the streets of many of the criminals who were wrecking havoc in our society.

I'd also like to know from somebody who the members and leaders of the "resistance" in Buxton were and whether that resistance membership is still around, or whether the US government had a hand in its extermination.
NYRON ALLY

Sarwan’s 151 puts Guyana on top
By Imran Khan
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (CMC) - Ramnaresh Sarwan stroked his highest first-class score and his 12th century as Guyana pounded Kenya on day one of the final preliminary round of the Carib Beer 2004 Series at Bourda, Guyana's premier international cricket venue.

Choosing to bat on a placid Bourda track, Guyana ended the day on 319 for three, with Sarwan on a tormenting 151 and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, with a composed 63 at the crease.

Guyana, opting to start the innings with the regular opener in Sewnarine Chattergoon and middle order batsman Narsingh Deonarine instead of the struggling Krishna Arjune, started off the day badly.

In the second over, Peter Ongondo got one to lift as it moved across the left-handed Deonarine and forced him to play at it. He managed to get a nick and Guyana were seven for one, as Deonarine failed to get off the mark.

Thereafter though, the Kenyans were made to pay heavily for dropping Sarwan twice during a 150-run partnership with Chattergoon, who got his third half-century this year.

Sarwan's first life came with his score on 14 when he drove straight through the hands of Hitesh Modi at extra cover.

However he was not bothered by the chance and paced himself well in getting to 50, building a solid partnership with Chattergoon (60).

Chattergoon, after facing 146 balls and slamming eight fours, tried to put away a poor Ragheb Aga delivery outside leg stump and was caught by Martin Suji at backward square to end an innings in which he offered Sarwan commendable support.

By then, the two had resuscitated Guyana's innings to take the score to 157, then with the addition of another 19 runs, the form batsman Travis Dowlin (8) was trapped by off-spinner Steve Tikolo, who did the bulk of the bowling with 24 overs for 68 runs and his solitary wicket.

The trend of one wicket per session did not change as Sarwan and his captain Chanderpaul put on another century partnership, totalling 143 at the close of the day in which the Kenyans were made to suffer at the hands of the Guyanese batsmen.

Sarwan, returning to Guyana's team in the last round after completing his duties with the West Indies in Africa, has so far been involved in three century-partnerships.

He posted 162 with Dowlin in their last game against the West Indies-B and then two yesterday.

In the last game he missed out on a century but he did not make that mistake twice, though he had a second chance just after getting to 50.

When on 59, he edged Aga to Tikolo at slip but was put down.

Sarwan, batting with purposeful application and an unhesitant tendency to punish anything too short or two full, served himself to 15 fours and two mighty sixes.

One of the sixes went sailing out of the ground, over long on, while the other scattered commentators in their booth, almost dead centre, behind the bowler's arm.

Chanderpaul started his innings in an ultra-aggressive mode but then contained himself to picking up singles as Tikolo, the Kenyan captain spread his men on the boundary to prevent fours.

Chanderpaul faced 107 balls and spanked four fours, the first of which was an exquisite drive through extra cover off Aga when he had just arrived at the crease.

The Kenyans’ limited experience in the longer version of the game was glaringly evident, as they seemed clueless as to how to attack or contain the Guyanese Test batsmen.

Tikolo did not get much support from his back up bowlers, especially Collins Obuya, who has been having a poor series and whose six overs cost 39 runs.

Sarwan, batting at number three, spent almost the entire day at the crease, facing 283 balls in just under six and a half hours and led the Guyanese as they seek to bat once in a game in which they must get full points if they are to get a semifinal place. They will also be hoping that Barbados beat Trinidad & Tobago outright in their clash.

With Kenya missing the services of two of their key and experienced batsmen in Ravindu Shah and Maurice Odumbe to fractures, Guyana will feel that any score over 450 should be difficult for the Kenyans to get, even with two attempts.

GUYANA 1st innings

S.Chattergoon c Suji b Aga 60

N.Deonarine c wkp. Ouma b Ongondo 0

R.Sarwan not out 151

T.Dowlin lbw Tikolo 8

S.Chanderpaul not out 63

Extras: (b-4, lb-4, w-2, nb-27) 37

Total: (for 3 wickets, 90 overs) 319

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-157, 3-176.

Bowling: Suji 11-4-33-0 (nb-3), Ongondo 15-4-51-1 (nb-7), Onyango 8-0-42-0, Otieno 10-0-38-0 (nb-9), Tikolo 24-3-68-1, Obuya 6-0-39-0 (nb-8), Aga 13-2-36-1 (w-2), Patel 1-0-3-0, Modi 1-0-1-0.

One day away ...
Boxers primed for Mash Bash
By Isaiah Chappelle
WITH a mere day away from the Mash Bash boxing card, staged by Holland’s Entertainment Promotions (HEP) at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, the principals are bubbling with confidence for their respective ring dates tomorrow night.

HEP’s Managing Director Carwyn Holland, yesterday, uplifted sponsorship for the amateur part of the card from Beepat’s on Regent Street.

In a simple ceremony at the distributor, Marketing Manager Angelique De Groot handed over three Brunswick hampers for the winners of the three fights.

Welterweight Lennox Alleyne meet Anton Green in the first of a three-bout series that will decide the boxer for the Pre-Olympic Box-off in Brazil.

Another bout pits Andrew Murray Jr against Clevon Parks of Linden in a 69-lb encounter, while Dexter Wray comes up against Kevin Allicock in a 45-lb scrap.

In the main bout on the professional part of the card, Guyana’s newly crowned Junior Middleweight Champion ‘Deadly’ Denny Dalton will be fighting USA-based Edward Meertens for the Caribbean belt.

Edwards left Guyana when he was eight years old, but still qualify to fight for the national title after 22 years because his parents are Guyanese, according to Holland.

Holland who is manager of Dalton, told Chronicle Sport: “He is in the best of shape. He’s fully prepared, being just out of a second round knockout of Keith ‘Crusher’ Thomas. He did not expend much energy and is still primed, so he just had to fine-tune his skills.”

The promoter said he also saw the visiting Meertens preparing and he looked “very classy”.

“So we just have to wait for ring night. As we always say, if the fans behave themselves, the fight will last long,” Holland declared.

In the main supporting bout, two former Caribbean amateur champions, Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore and Mark ‘Pit Bull’ Dummett, clash in a long-awaited match for the National Bantamweight title.

The third title clash will pit Berbician Pamela ‘Grenade’ London against Linden’s Shondell ‘Dynamite’ Parks for the National Heavyweight crown.

London was recently fighting out of the mining town but trained in the capital city for her last victory over ‘The Agricola Boom’ Shelly Gibson.

On show also will be Guyana’s world-rated female Light Heavyweight Gwendolyn O’Neil in a warm-up for her World Title bid on May 1 against a man, Dirk Alexander, a card to be promoted by HEP right here in Guyana.

And to complete the card, Lindener Sean ‘Fathead’ Quallis and Lyndon ‘Boney’ John of Georgetown will clash in a return exhibition bout. ‘Fathead’ won the first encounter.

Weigh-in is fixed for this afternoon at the Mackenzie Market Square from 16:00 hrs and the first gong will sound at 20:00 hrs.

The Mash Bash is being staged in honour of former national champion Andrew Murray who pioneered boxing cards for the mining community. He died on the 26th January 2002 while returning from a trip to Linden to finalise details for a card.

Demerara Distillers Limited is the main sponsor under the Pepsi banner.

Caribbean teams here for Mash darts classic
SOME three Caribbean teams are here for today’s start to the Guyana Darts Association (GDA)-organised Mashramani Classic, which is scheduled for three days at two venues.

Barbados, St Lucia and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) have all sent players to challenge the Guyanese in the third such event to be staged by the GDA.

Barbados will be represented by 13 male and female players; St Lucia 14; the BVI by one, while some 20-25 persons will participate from Guyana.

According to national men’s champion and tournament coordinator, Norman Madhoo, between 50-60 persons are expected to compete in the event that has cash prizes totalling over US$3 000.

The tournament opens today at Club De Sucre, High Street Kingston (next door to the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre/Red House) at 18:30 hrs, while action moves to the Savannah Suite, Le Meridien Pegasus, tomorrow and Sunday.

Tomorrow’s action starts at 14:00 hrs, while on Sunday play begins at 13:00 hrs.

Madhoo said that the Caribbean Darts Organisation (CDO)-sanctioned tournament has been growing over the years with a significant increase from last year where only 13 Caribbean players participated.

Competition will be held in men’s singles and women’s singles, open doubles, mixed trios, blind draw, men’s singles cricket and a four-man team.

Players from any country can team up since it is an individual rather than a team tournament.

The cream of Guyana’s crop will be out for the tournament with Madhoo expected to lead the way, since he is fresh off the Las Vegas Open where he notched up two top-ten rankings.

Mashramani volleyball serves off in Berbice
SOME 17 secondary schools in Berbice will clash today in a Mashramani volleyball competition, organised by the Berbice Volleyball Association at two venues.

At the Area ‘H’ ground court, eight schools in the Lower Corentyne will meet in the competition, sponsored by the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club and coordinated by Levi Nedd.

The schools invited to participate are Central Corentyne Secondary, Manchester Community High, Lower Corentyne Secondary, Port Mourant Community High, Winifred Gaskin Secondary, Corentyne Comprehensive, JC Chandisingh Secondary and GUYSUCO Training Centre, Port Mourant.

Silvina and family of Belvedere, Corentyne, will sponsor the competition at BHS court, New Amsterdam, coordinated by Walter Bascom and Romel Bansie.

The nine competing schools are Berbice High School, New Amsterdam Multilateral, Canje Secondary, Vryman’s Erven Secondary, Tutorial Academy, Rosignol Secondary, New Amsterdam Technical Institute and Blairmont Primary.

Trophies will be at stake in both competitions and serve-off time is 13:00 hrs at both venues.

GFL/Business School Under-15 presentation tomorrow
PRESENTATION of prizes in the Georgetown Football League (GFL) Business School Under-15 competition takes place tomorrow at the GFC Pavilion from 13:00 hrs.

Pele who defeated Fruta Conquerors by a 3-0 margin will receive the winners’ trophy, while Uprising will take home the third place trophy and Western Tigers the fourth.

Other prizes to be presented include the MVP, fair play, highest goals scorer, best offensive and defensive and the best goalkeeper.

James Bovell, Managing Director of the Business School, along with executives of the GFL will be on hand to present the prizes.

Both finalists are asked to be attired in their uniforms and must have a contingent of not more than 18 persons, while Uprising and Western Tigers are asked to be represented by their managers and coaches.

FIFA revamps Club World Championship
ZURICH, (Reuters) - Two days after Europe's top clubs demanded the Club World Championship be scrapped, FIFA has announced a revamp of the tournament to incorporate the annual fixture between the European and South American champions.

The six-team championship will be played in 2005 and 2006 over eight days, under a proposal which has to be ratified by the world governing body's executive committee on February 29.

The European and South American champions will be introduced at the semifinal stage of the championship, meaning they will play a maximum of two games.

The first revamped tournament will be held in Japan in December 2005, FIFA said yesterday.

The World Club Cup, played most years since 1960 between the champions of South America and Europe, has been staged in Tokyo since 1980. Last December, Boca Juniors of Argentina beat AC Milan on penalties.

FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, said in a statement that the new format was not only a solution to suit all parties, but also ``an expression of solidarity in world football''.

On Tuesday the 102-strong European Club forum said it was totally opposed to the Club World Championship, which was held for the first time in 2000 and cancelled in 2003 because of a lack of funding.

``The clubs were vehement in rejecting proposals to re-launch the FIFA Club World Championship, recalling that they had advocated a reduction of Champions League fixtures in order to lighten the workload and that it would be incoherent to support any additional tournament,'' the forum said in a statement.

Baisya and Rafique lift Bangladesh
HARARE, (Reuters) - Tapash Baisya and Mohammad Rafique took two wickets each as Bangladesh earned parity with Zimbabwe on the first day of the first Test yesterday.

Zimbabwe, who won the toss and chose to bat, were 175 for four when bad light ended play one over early on a day reduced to 74 overs by overnight rain.

Seamer Baisya took two for 47 and left-arm spinner Rafique claimed two for 41.

Their success negated the early progress Zimbabwe made thanks to opener Dion Ebrahim's 65 and 58 from Stuart Carlisle.

After the morning session was washed out by heavy overnight rain, Bangladesh made an early breakthrough when Trevor Gripper edged Baisya to Habibul Bashar at first slip without a run on the board.

On a sluggish pitch that gave inconsistent bounce Carlisle and Ebrahim then shared a stand of 107 but they had to survive a fourth-over scare when Ebrahim pushed a delivery from Baisya towards mid-off and set off on an ill-judged single.

Baisya fielded but his throw just missed the stumps with Carlisle well out of his ground.

Carlisle made the most of his escape to hit six fours and a six in his 119-ball stay, particularly favouring the cut shot and cover drive.

The stand was ended 11 balls after tea when Carlisle drove Baisya firmly to the bowler's left and was well caught low down.

Ebrahim, who hit eight fours in 3½ hours at the crease, was dismissed 13 overs later when he lunged at a short but sharply turning delivery from Rafique and was easily stumped by wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud.

In Rafique's next over Grant Flower, on five, top-edged an attempted pull and was caught by Hannan Sarkar at midwicket as Zimbabwe slumped to 133 for four.

Tatenda Taibu was 25 not out with Sean Ervine on 18 in a steadying unbroken stand of 42 for the fifth wicket.

ZIMBABWE first innings

D.Ebrahim stp. K.Mashud b M.Rafique 65

T.Gripper c H.Bashar b T.Baisya 0

S.Carlisle c & b T.Baisya 58

G.Flower c H.Sarkar b M.Rafique 5

T.Taibu not out 18

S.Ervine not out 25

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

Total: (for 4 wickets, 74 overs) 175

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-107, 3-130, 4-133.

Bowling to date: Manjural Islam 16-5-38-0 (w-1), Tapash Baisya 17-3-47-2 (w-1), Mushfiqur Rahman 12-3-37-0, Mohammad Rafique 22-3-41-2, Manjural Islam Rana 7-2-10-0.

Under-19 World Cup 2004 …
Australia and South Africa face early exit
Group A Zimbabwe 183 for 2 (Cameron 84*) beat Canada 180 for 9 (Utseya 4-41) by eight wickets.

ZIMBABWE ran out comfortable winners against Canada in front of another sell-out crowd at the Bogra District Stadium. They cruised home by eight wickets and put the pressure on Australia, whom they beat Wednesday, ahead of the final Group A fixture, Australia v Sri Lanka, at Rajshahi today.

Australia must now win that game to ensure they have a better net-run-rate than either Sri Lanka or Zimbabwe to make it through to the Super League.

Zimbabwe, however, did their chances of qualifying no harm by restricting Canada to 180 for 9 and then cruising home with 17 overs to spare. Tinashe Panyangara, Zimbabwe's hero against Australia with six scalps, bowled 10 wicket-less overs yesterday, but Prosper Utseya instead led the attack with 4 for 41.

Zimbabwe lost opener Brendon Taylor with the score on only 16, but James Cameron and Sean Williams then came together to provide the platform. Williams was run-out for 35, but Tinotenda Mawoyo helped Cameron complete the win. Mawayo finished on 32 not out, while man-of-the-match Cameron was not out on 84.

Group B Nepal 195 for 5 (Gauchan 80*) beat Uganda 194 (Lama 4-40) by five wickets.

Nepal moved to within sight of an unexpected place in the Super League, as their five-wicket victory over Uganda piled the pressure onto yesterday's victims, South Africa. Everything now rests on today’s mouthwatering clash between South Africa and England - and all of Nepal will be praying for an English victory.

Nepal were made to work hard for their victory, although it was not quite as nail-biting as their one-wicket win yesterday. Uganda won the toss and elected to bat, and at 91 for 1 in the 28th over, there was scope for an impressive total.

Kintu Wambudhe contributed 46 and Denis Musali made 32, but Lakpa Lama led the fightback, picking up 4 for 40 as Uganda were pegged back to 194 all out in the 50th over. It was then over to Nepal's captain Shakti Gauchan, whose unbeaten half-century had secured that victory over South Africa.

Gauchan followed up with a fine 80 not out to guide Nepal to victory with a comfortable 11 balls to spare. He was ably supported by Monick Shrestha (30) and Sharad Vesawkar (23), and South Africa have it all to do.

Group C New Zealand 389 for 2 (Watling 154, Wilson 144*) beat Scotland 149 (Farid 60) by 240 runs.

After their defeat against India, Wednesday, New Zealand's progress was put back on track when they walloped Scotland by 240 runs at the Bangladesh Sports Institute. This now sets up an intriguing final group match between Bangladesh and India.

If Bangladesh win that game, to be played today, the group will be decided on net-run-rate, and New Zealand's large winning margin means even that could be tight.

After India and Bangladesh both racked up big scores against Scotland, New Zealand needed to do the same. After they were put in, the batsmen started in a hurry, as Liam Chrisp raced to 48 off 47 balls before falling lbw to Gordon Allan. Bradley-John Watling and Brad Wilson then went into overdrive, putting on 273 for the second wicket before Watling was caught in the 48th over on 154. Wilson finished unbeaten on 144 from 118 balls in New Zealand's impressive 389 for 2.

Then the bowlers provided an equally important contribution as the Scotland batsmen struggled for runs. Wickets tumbled at regular intervals and only a patient innings of 60 from Kasim Farid delayed the inevitable, and Scotland where soon all out for 149 in 33 overs.

"The result was important to us," said Pulley, New Zealand team manager. "If Bangladesh beat India today, the group will come down to net-run-rate. Our batsmen got some good time at the crease and all of our players did their bit. It is now out of our hands and we will be watching the match today very closely indeed."

Group D Ireland 212 (Vali 4-40) beat Papua New Guinea 142 (Kidd 3-36) by 70 runs.

Ireland picked up their first points of the Under-19 World Cup, thanks to a solid team performance against Papua New Guinea. They took West Indies to the wire in their first game, and performed creditably against Pakistan, so it was a deserved victory over the weakest team in Group D.

After being put in to bat by PNG, Ireland made steady progress, scoring at around four-an-over from the start. Seven of their batsmen made double-figures, but none could go on to make a telling contribution as they were bowled out for 212 in 49 overs. Andrew Riddles top-scored with 37, while opener Gary Wilson made 36. Vali Vali (4 for 40) and Lahui Davai (3 for 24) shared the wickets for PNG.

There was no rest for Riddles after his important innings, as he returned to open the bowling for Ireland. And it proved to be his day as he dismissed two of PNG's top three batsmen in a five-over burst that cost only eight runs.

Ireland's left-arm spinner Gary Kidd then took charge as Ireland mopped up the PNG lower-order for 142 in 38.2 overs. Kidd finished with figures of 3 for 36, while Riddles was deservedly named man-of-the-match.

Both Ireland and PNG will now compete in the Plate Championship in Chittagong while Pakistan and West Indies - who face each other today - are already through to the Super League. (Wisden Cricinfo).

ICC targets spinners' suspect actions
LONDON, England (Reuters) - Cricket's ruling body is commissioning research into the bowling action of spinners to counter suggestions that certain bowlers are being protected.

Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who has taken 485 Test wickets, has been a particular target of Australian critics who have alleged some of his deliveries are illegal.

``The ICC is commissioning new research relating to spinners so that we have a clear, fact-based understanding of what actually takes place in a spinner's (action) and rather than solely rely on the naked eye or on TV replays which have proved to be deceptive,'' the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement.

The research, under the direction of ICC general manager David Richardson, will take place later this year.

``I would also emphasise that every umpire and every referee judges these issues solely on what they see in front of them,'' said ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed.

``From time to time there are suggestions made that a particular player is either targeted or protected. This is simply untrue,'' he said.

``The ICC is committed to dealing with this issue and will continue to examine the best process to address any concerns.''

In the past year three fast bowlers -- West Indian Jermaine Lawson, Bangladesh's Sanwar Hossein and Pakistan's Shabbir Ahmed -- have been reported for suspect bowling actions and undergone work to reshape their deliveries.

ICC singled out for criticism
Simpson slams proliferation of chuckers
BOB Simpson, the former captain and coach of Australia, has slammed the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its lax attitude towards bowlers with suspect actions.

"While bowlers with illegal actions have been with us since bowling actions went upright, I have never seen so many bowlers infringe as they do today," Simpson wrote in his column in India's Sportstar magazine. "Why should bowlers who don't conform to the laws be handled with kid gloves while fair bowlers and batsmen have to abide by the laws of cricket?"

Simpson's comments have more clout as he was a member of the ICC committee charged with assessing bowlers' actions. And coming on the eve of the series between Sri Lanka and Australia, with all the history that involves, his remarks are sure to stir up anger in certain quarters.

Simpson was especially critical of the ICC's method of dealing with bowlers whose actions are reported and which he described as "hopelessly flawed". He also accused match referees and umpires of being willing to report lesser-known players but of bottling it when big names are involved.

"Unfortunately some of our most high-profile and successful bowlers have actions which, to say the least, are less than doubtful," he continued. "Little wonder we have so many bowlers around the world with actions which do not conform to the laws of the game.

"This is hardly surprising as players have always copied their heroes. Unfortunately cricket's governing bodies are doing very little to help the situation.

I still visit quite a few countries and do a lot of coaching around the world and doubtful actions are reaching almost epidemic proportions. (Wisden Cricinfo Ltd).

Windwards in control against West Indies-B
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, (CMC) - Devon Smith looks set for another major innings as Windward Islands took control of their final preliminary round match in the Carib Beer 2004 Cricket Series against West Indies-B at Queen’s Park Stadium yesterday.

Smith hit a string of boundaries on his way to an undefeated 32 as Windwards, replying to West Indies-B’s modest first innings total of 197, reached 36 without loss when stumps were drawn on the opening day.

Left-hander Smith, playing on home soil, has struck three hundreds in becoming the leading scorer in this year’s championship -- he entered the match with 634 runs at an average of 70.44 -- and has helped to put Windwards in line for a place in the semifinals.

A win against the B-Team would ensure Windwards of a place, and their bowlers diligently worked their way through the opposition batting, despite gutsy knocks from Austin Richards, Jr. and Kenroy Williams.

Richards anchored the top-order batting with the top score of 74 and Williams kept the bottom half of the B-Team batting together with a knock of 40.

Deighton Butler put the skids on the B-Team when he removed Ryan Ramdass, captain Jason Haynes and Shawn Findlay cheaply in a typical workmanlike opening spell that left West Indies-B on 14 for three.

Richards batted with enterprise to race to his 50 by the time lunch had arrived with West Indies-B on 94 for three. After the interval, the problems for the visitors continued with Danza Hyatt being caught, hitting out for 20 off Windwards captain Rawl Lewis after adding 80 for the fourth wicket with Richards.

Gregory Mahabir was caught behind off Darren Sammy and Richards eventually holed out to Shillingford to send West Indies-B crashing to 157 for six at tea.

Williams hung around to give a boost to the B-Team’s total, but the visitors lost their last four wickets for 26 runs.

Both sides made one change each to their teams. Windward Islands, fourth on 36 points, brought in Sergio Fedee for Kenroy Peters, while West Indies-B, sixth on 27 points, swapped Gregory Mahabir with Patrick Browne.

WEST INDIES-B 1st innings

J. Haynes c wkpr James b Butler 3

R. Ramdass c Martin b Butler 3

S. Findlay c Sammy b Butler 6

A. Richards c Butler b Shillingford 74

D. Hyatt c Butler b Lewis 20

G. Mahabir c wkpr James b Sammy 19

K. Williams c Sammy b Lewis 40

R. Austin b Shillingford 2

D. Washington c Smith b Shillingford 18

J. Bennett b Shillingford 0

D. George not out 0

Extras: (lb6, w2, nb4) 12

Total: (all out) 197

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-9, 3-14, 4-94, 5-124, 6-153, 7-171, 8-179, 9-197.

Bowling: Thomas 15-4-35-0, Butler 12-2-40-3, Sammy 10-1-20-1, Shillingford 19-5-50-4, Lewis 21-9-46-2.

WINDWARD ISLANDS 1st innings

D. Smith not out 32

R. Currency not out 2

Extras: (nb-2) 2

Total: (without loss) 36

Bowling: Washington 4-0-9-0, Bennett 3-0-11-0, Williams 2-0-7-0, Austin 2-0-9-0.

Powell rocks Leewards with four-wicket burst
NAIN, St Elizabeth, (CMC) - West Indies pacer Darren Powell rocked the Leeward Islands with a four-wicket burst that placed Jamaica in charge on the opening day of their seventh round Carib Beer Series match at the Alpart Sports Club yesterday.

After Carlton Baugh’s vital unbeaten 87 that lifted Jamaica to 200 all out, Powell blasted out four top-order batsmen to leave the bottom-of-the-table Leewards wobbling at 39 for five at the close.

Captain Sylvester Joseph (24) and Ridley Jacobs (8) were the not-out batsmen with the Leewards still 162 runs short of their first innings target.

It was a satisfying finish for the Jamaicans, who had struggled with the bat earlier -- against off-spinner Chaka Hodge and pacer Adam Sanford -- and lost their captain Gareth Breese to a fractured forearm when he was hit by a delivery from Sanford.

Chris Gayle took over as the Jamaica captain in Breese's absence.

Beginning their response to the Jamaica innings midway the final session, the Leewards quickly tumbled to 19 for three against Powell, making his belated start to the season because of a back injury that also forced him out of his contract with Gauteng in South Africa.

An impatient Wilden Cornwall (2) was caught by David Bernard at cover, loosely swinging at Powell, who then bowled Codville Rogers (0) next ball at two for two.

The 25-year-old Powell celebrated again when Tonito Willett chased a wide ball and edged to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh without scoring, and it became 28 for four, when Ian Tittle was brilliantly run-out by Keith Hibbert.

Joseph stroked the ball to cover where Hibbert snatched the ball quickly and fired a direct hit at the non-striker’s end where Tittle (4) had strayed out of his crease looking for a single.

The usually steady Carl Tuckett (0) then gifted Powell his fourth wicket when he attempted a rash pull shot and lobbed a catch to Maurice Kepple at wide mid-on at 29 for five.

Earlier, the Jamaicans -- electing to bat -- had made an unsteady start to their innings as Sanford dislodged his West Indies team-mate Gayle (6) with just 18 runs on the board.

The left-handed Gayle played across the line and was bowled.

It became 36 for two when former West Indies youth pacer Gavin Tonge bowled Donovan Pagon, his team-mate at the 2002 Youth World Cup in New Zealand, for 11 off the inside edge.

And Sanford struck again before lunch, removing Tamar Lambert for seven, also bowled off the inside edge at 49 for three.

From a lunchtime position of 63 for three, the Jamaicans continued to struggle and by the tea break had lost a further four wickets, plus Breese retired hurt.

Without addition to the lunchtime score, Jamaica lost Kepple (20) to Hodge, claiming his first of three wickets in the session.

Kepple missed a drive and was bowled, and Hodge struck again 16 runs later when Bernard (7) popped an on-side bat/pad catch to Tittle at 79 for five.

Sanford ended Breese’s innings and season when the right-hander, on two, was struck on the foreman trying to negotiate a rising delivery shortly after the Dominica-born Antiguan had dislodged Hibbert with another one of his short deliveries.

Attempting to hook, Hibbert top-edged high for Dane Weston to take the catch at backward square.

Jamaica dipped to 141 for seven just before tea when Powell (12) was caught at short mid-wicket by Tittle as he tried to on-drive Hodge.

Odean Brown (1) was unable to add to his tea-time score before pacer Weston trapped him leg-before-wicket, but Baugh defiantly rallied the Jamaican innings, posting a shot-filled knock that contained nine fours and two sixes -- one confidently flicking Sanford to clear the mid-wicket boundary and the other, a pull shot off Hodge in the same area.

Although dropped by substitute fielder Shane Jeffers -- a difficult chance -- at second slip off Sanford on 17, Baugh batted positively throughout his innings.

He faced 116 balls and was 13 short of a fifth first-class hundred when Hodge bowled Andrew Richardson (4) to finish the innings.

Hodge ended the top bowler with four for 67 off 24.4 overs, and Sanford picked up three for 57 off 20 overs.

JAMAICA 1st innings

C.Gayle b Sanford 6

M.Kepple b Hodge 20

D.Pagon b Tonge 11

T.Lambert b Sanford 7

K.Hibbert c Weston b Sanford 26

D.Bernard c Tittle b Hodge 7

C.Baugh not out 87

G.Breese ret. Hurt 2

D.Powell c Tittle b Hodge 12

O.Brown lbw Weston 1

A.Richardson c Cornwall b Hodge 4

Extras: (b-1, lb-1, w-1, nb-14) 17

Total: (all out - 67.4 overs) 200

Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-36, 3-49, 4-63, 5-79, 6-101, 7-141, 8-147, 9-200.

Bowling: Sanford 20-6-57-3 (nb-5), Weston 14-1-45-1 (nb-9, w-1) Tonge 12-2-29-1, Hodge 24.4-4-67-4.

LEEWARDS 1st innings

W.Cornwall c Bernard b Powell 2

C.Rogers b Powell 0

S.Joseph not out 24

T.Willett c wkp. Baugh b Powell 0

I.Tittle run-out 4

C.Tuckett c Kepple b Powell 0

R.Jacobs not out 8

Extras: (nb-1) 1

Total: (for 5 wickets) 39

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-2, 3-19, 4-28, 5-29.

Bowling: Powell 4-0-18-4, Richardson 4-1-17-0 (nb-1), Bernard 1-1-0-0, Gayle 2-1-4-0.

NSC Mash table tennis tourney under way
… two finals already decided
THE National Sports Commission (NSC) Table Tennis competition served off on Wednesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with action in the junior category.

Play was contested in the Under-9 and Under-11 categories.

In the Under-9 Boys’ division Travis Clemonds and Samuel Fraser will clash in the final, while Brandon Baldie and Ricky Rodrigues fight it out in the final of the Under-11 division.

In the semifinals of the Under-9 category Clemonds defeated Clarence Edwards 11-3, 11-4, 11-2, while Fraser got past Orlando Arno 11-1,11-2, 11-3.

In the third place play-off Edwards beat Arno 11-8,11-9, 8-11, 11-9.

Meanwhile, in the Under-11 category Baldie defeated Shaquelle Davis 11-7, 11-2, 11-4 to advance to the final with Rodrigues disposing of Bhonane Singh 11-3,11-9, 8-11, 11-5.

In the third place play-off Davis defeated Singh 11-4, 7-11, 11-4, 11-8.

Play in the competition continues today at the same venue from 15:30 hrs in the 13 years and under, 15 years and under & 18 years and under categories.

Director of Sports Neil Kumar who declared the competition open said the sponsorship of trophies and balls is worth over $125 000.

He said that he was pleased with the turnout of the players, totalling over 100, both male and female.

The competition concludes on Sunday at the same venue.

EBFU league continues with triple-header
HOUSTON Stars and East Bank Pacesetters will clash in the opening match of a big East Bank Football Union (EBFU) Mash countdown triple-header football at Thirst Park, today, from 17:00 hrs.

In the second match, Agricola Red Triangle meet Soesdyke Falcons and in the feature game, Mocha Champs take on Grove Hi Tec Reform.

The matches are in last year’s fixtures of the Banks Milk Stout Super League in which Banks finished their first round games and are leading with seven points.

More football is fixed for the holiday weekend with an Under-19 competition billed for the Mocha ground on Sunday from 09:00 hrs.

Golfers to compete for Pizza Hut/KFC Mash golf trophy
TOMORROW, Pizza Hut/KFC will be the sponsors of the Mashramani golf tournament for 2004. The course is now in excellent condition and a large turnout is expected for this holiday weekend.

The greens are expected to be moist and holding and some low scores should be the order of the day. Current in-form players include Patrick Prashad, Hilbert Shields, Raj Sankar, Fazil Haniff, Joan Fields and Christine Sookram. All members are invited to participate and should register at the clubhouse by today at 18;00 hrs.

Play will commence at 12:30 hrs tomorrow. All entrants are asked to be present by 12:15 hrs.

At the end of the day new president, Hemraj Kissoon, is expected to welcome an Executive representative of Pizza Hut/KFC who will be presenting the prizes to the various winners.