Berbice rice sector reaping ends at 1M bags
--- cattle, irrigation woes cut gains
by Arjune Poonai
EAST BERBICE --- THE harvesting of paddy in East Berbice/Corentyne has been completed, with preliminary figures showing the county’s first crop yielding more than one million bags of paddy from 34,600 acres.

Guyana Rice Producers’ Association officials say the frontlands recorded an average of 28.4 bags to the acre, as against 26 bags per acre in Black Bush Polder.

But irrigation problems and the on-going cattle-crop conflict cut expected gains with the loss of paddy on 330 acres in Black Bush Polder and the No. 36 Village and Central Corentyne frontlands.

The RPA also said grains harvested averaged between ‘B’ and ‘C’ Grades, with about five percent being damaged by paddy bug infestations.

RPA and Region Six officials say about 15,000 acres of rice land have already been sown for the current spring crop. About 938 bags of basic seed paddy were made available to 180 farmers in the region.

The sub-research station at Black Bush Polder is currently conducting experiments on six acres of land, from which a new variety and five basic seed paddy will be distributed to growers.

Minister calls for more Guyanese poems in CXC texts
By Shauna Jemmott
MINISTER of Culture Youth and Sports Gail Tiexiera has called for the inclusion of more poems written by Guyanese in English texts used in Caribbean schools and especially by students preparing for the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations.

The Minister made the call while addressing a small gathering at the opening of a three-night poetry recital held in honor of Guyana’s foremost poet the late Martin Carter, at the Umana Yana in Georgetown.

She explained that while she was cruising through a main English text used in schools throughout the Caribbean she noticed that of the fifty selected poems used in the comprehension segments only two were composed by Guyanese poets.

According to her that can threaten the popularity of poems and poets from Guyana, and cause the youths to know little or nothing about the verses and their writers.

According to her, this should not be so but instead those communication channels should play a greater part in highlighting the nation’s “rich history and literary people” to show a more positive Guyana.

“There is so much in Guyana that is so rich that needs to be taken out of the corners,” she pointed out.

She said she hopes the recital staged by Petember Persaud and the Ministry of Culture would have been an excellent attraction to younger students and especially those attending the University of Guyana. She

Bookstores should return books featuring local writers to their shelves, and publications can also be reprinted, the Minister stated, adding that she welcomes suggestions from the public for Guyana’s cultural preservation and development.

Staged with the title, “An Odyssey in Poetry” the readings were staged Monday, Wednesday and

Friday evenings last week, to celebrate Guyanese poetry and poets and to revive the interest of locals in poetry in Guyana.

Persaud, host of television program Oral Tradition, who is the man behind the poetry reading production, presented a well-researched biography of each featured poet.

The event was staged especially in honor of the late Martin Carter, who was born in the month of June.

“Let us hope that these three nights will make people go back into reading, make sure we have more Guyanese content in reading (books) and in school work.”

Bollywood stars Aishwarya and Rhithik now expected Sept/Oct
By Shauna Jemmott
INDIAN movie stars Rhithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai along with a 37-member troupe are scheduled for a glitzy electrifying show in Guyana a few months from now.

The show, originally scheduled for August 6, was postponed to a later date because another popular star Shahrukh Khan is expected to perform in Trinidad and Tobago the same month.

One of the local promoters of the Guyana leg of the music, dance and drama production, Alvin Raghunauth, told Guyana Chronicle the two stars will definitely tour Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago this year and arrangements are being made for a similar show in Suriname also.

Studio 54, a Trinidad company, has contracted Roshan and Rai to stage shows in the Caribbean early August. They were scheduled to arrive in Guyana August 3 and depart August 7.

But Raghunauth told Chronicle that another Trinidadian promoter Mohan Yankarran signed an earlier contract with Shahrukh for the August show in Trinidad, and that caused the postponement of the other.

He explained that two big shows featuring top Indian stars by two different promoters around the same time would not be an excellent move, and Studio 54 is trying to get a date in either late September or early October for the postponed Caribbean entertainment events. The company has to contact the stars before deciding on a new date, since contracts have already been signed for the August dates, Raghunauth said.

Profiles of Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai
Roshan called ‘Duggu’ was born January 6, 1974 and is a six-footer who weighs about 180 pounds. He first acted when he was just six-years-old as a dancer in J. Om Prakash’s movie ‘Aasha’ in 1980, which saw Jeetendra and Reena Roy as the stars, then in that same year again in ‘Aap Ke Deewane’ produced by his father Rakesh Roshan.

However, Roshan’s first hero role was played in ‘Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai’, also directed by the older Roshan, and also starred in Karan Johar’s ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ among many others.

India’s darling and one of the world’s most beautiful women, Aishwarya Rai was Born in a traditional south Indian family, and launched her modelling career at a very tender age.

Aishwarya Rai has now stormed into the Bollywood movie industry and has proven her high status after receiving the screen best female debutant award for her role in ...Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997) in India.

She also starred in Khakee, Kyon Ho Gaya Na, Dil Ka Rishta, Tia

Shakti: The Power Dream Girl, and appeared in Mohabbatein and many more Indian films.

Consultations begin as NIS seeks sustainable financing strategies
GINA -- THE Board of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) has begun consultations with other stakeholders on strategies to ensure the scheme's sustainability in the future.

That’s according to NIS Board Chairman and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon.

On June 9, Dr. Luncheon disclosed that the NIS would have to choose a path that would see contributors being asked to pay higher contribution rates or have benefits slashed, following the findings of the report of the 6th Actuarial Review of the Scheme.

The Actuarial review covers the period of operation for 1999 - 2001. Among the key factors identified was the ageing of the population leading to unfavourable contributor/pensioner ratios.

When asked at a news briefing Thursday if the NIS had made any decision on the way ahead, Dr. Luncheon said there was a procedure that would entail the NIS Board sharing the actuarial report with the three stakeholders -- Government represented by Ministry of Finance, the Private Sector and the Trade Union Movement.

The views gathered from the stakeholders' engagements, both collectively and individually, will be presented to the Board for action to be taken.

"One of the main recommendations to sustain the scheme is to raise the contribution rates as outlined in the 2004 Budget Speech by Minister of Finance Sasenarine Kowlessar," he said.

Dr. Luncheon noted that the process of consultation with the stakeholders has started. However, he pointed out that because of the magnitude of the problem, the consultations may very well expand to include other stakeholders such as pensioners and consumers.

Once this process is completed, the report will be taken to Cabinet and eventually Parliament for final decision making.

The NIS was formed in 1969 and over a period the ratio was four contributors to one pensioner. According to the report, this can deteriorate in the future to one contributor to five pensioners. The report will now be examined by the stakeholders, then it will be made public.

When asked if the Scheme's investments and loans to Government and the Private Sector are contributory factors to its bleak financial outlook, Dr. Luncheon replied in the negative.

During 1999 – 2001 NIS granted loans to Courts Guyana ($500M) and Government for the CARICOM Headquarters (US$4M). Dr. Luncheon noted the statutes governing the operations of the fund call for extremely safe loans and places the Consolidated Fund as responsible for addressing shortfall or liquidity problems.

For this reason, he explained, there is some degree of ‘conservatism' in the way the investment fund is handled. According to the Chairman of the NIS Board, most of the loans issued by the facility have matured and investment fund has about $22B. He noted that bulk of the Scheme's fund is invested in Treasury Bills.

GINA essay winners receive prizes
WINNERS of the "Guyana -- 38 Years of Independence" Essay Competition sponsored by the Government Information Agency (GINA) received their prizes on Wednesday.

The competition, held last month, was open to all secondary school students. Judging was done based on a three-point system: use of language, relevance to topic and grammar.

The third prize entry was submitted by Nashree Singh, a student of form 2B of Cummings Lodge Secondary School. She received an Oxford School Dictionary donated by Austin's Book Store.

The second prize entry came from first former Indira Persaud of St. Stanislaus College and she received a scientific calculator donated by Metro.

The first prize of an Information Technology Course at Global Technology, donated by that institution, was won by sixth former of Queen's College, Eusi Anderson.

Journey opens at the National Gallery
GINA -- 'JOURNEY' showcasing works on paper and canvas by Chekama Skeete has opened at the National Gallery of Art, Castellani House.

Acting President, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds was among those viewing the exhibition.

Skeete is a graduate of St Rose's High School, the Burrowes School of Art and the Edna Manley School for the Visual Arts.

Skeete, German by birth, is not new to exhibitions here since he has held showings at the Guyana Museum and Burrowes School of Art.

He is a painting and drawing instructor at Burrowes School of Art.

The exhibition runs until July 10.

National Hardware launches 'Shine' competition
NATIONAL Hardware has launched a competition for 'Shine,' a multi-active laundry detergent, to sensitize the general public to the availability of what it says is a top-quality alternative to other brands of detergents.

Assistant Marketing Manager Shelley Duncan says the relatively new 'Shine' is already on its way countrywide. "We feel that this competition can create an impact, since the product is affordable and washes as good as any other," Ms. Duncan said at the weekend. 'Shine' is available in five convenient sizes - 100G, 1000G and 2000G.

With every purchase of the 500 gram packet of 'Shine' this month and next month, customers will get one dozen clothes pins, plus a chance to win big prizes - a washing machine (first prize), a bicycle (second prize), and an electric iron (third prize).

Ms. Duncan said a coupon along with four empty packets of any size of 'Shine' "can be dropped in boxes provided at all leading supermarkets and National Hardware stores."

"'Shine' gives a protective layer, smells fresh and clean and can really do it with its extra-cleaning power," she said. "Most of all 'Shine' is very affordable."

Wireless Connections launches ‘hook up’ promotion
WIRELESS Connections, one of the country’s cell phone service centers currently riding on a wave of popularity, Saturday launched a summer ‘Hook You Up’ promotion at its Bourda Market, Regent Street premises.

The promotion will run for 12 weeks. It features weekly drawings for five prizes and a final grand prize draw that will see five lucky promotion participants receiving “big, impressive” prizes.

Wireless Connections is also offering five prizes to participating customers at each of the promotion’s five weekly preliminary drawings.

“Non-weekly winning tickets will be rolled over weekly towards the final draw,” the company says.

Making the bigger picture count
RELATIONS between Government and Opposition in Guyana have never been very cordial. Leaders and top members of the PPP/Civic and the PNC/R get on well together at the individual, private level. When it comes to addressing public policy issues at the macro level, however, these acquaintances/friendships/colleague-ships (as fellow parliamentarians) fade in the shadows as these issues take on a corporate or party dimension.

Trying to determine why this is so isn’t a pleasant exercise. Neither, apparently, are promptings even by members of the international community for the country’s major rivals to make partisan interests play second fiddle to the bigger picture – the public interest.

Yet, as we’ve all been pleading, the resumption of the “constructive engagement” process is as desirable today as it was when Government and Opposition signed their Communiqué a year ago.

We’ve been re-drawn to this subject of inter-party dialogue by our observation of how the Government and Opposition of Trinidad and Tobago plan to address their own impasse.

Here’s an excerpt from the Trinidad Guardian on arch-rivals Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday acceding to the aspirations of the public for a joint approach to dealing with the scourge of crime and the issue of police reform in that twin-island Caribbean republic:

A close encounter behind the Speaker’s chair and congenial exchanges over tea were what it took to bring Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday closer to a meeting of the minds on the contentious police reform legislation.

The two leaders are due to meet this week, and hope stirs for a joint response to perhaps the sternest national challenge of the times.

Crime has jangled national nerves. The authorities’ failure to cope has led to public despair and spontaneous demonstrations and other gestures among local communities.

Expectations now rise for a fresh access of imagination and new resolve, if the parties can somehow be made to read from the same page of an anti-crime playbook.

The Manning Government holds that such a playbook already exists. Ministers repeatedly cite the UNC’s earlier endorsement, when themselves in government, of the three bills set for debate on June 29.

Over 30 months, the PNM, under two National Security Ministers, and working with two Police Commissioners, have come up with one crime plan after another. In his Budget address last October 6, Mr. Manning announced the creation of a special anti-crime unit headed by Army Brig Peter Joseph.

This topped a 12-point plan that included establishment of a “think-tank” on crime prevention and detection, involving former PNM, NAR and UNC National Security Ministers. Other points included expansion of the Cadet Corps, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Brownies and Boys’ Brigade to “engender discipline” in the schools, and “partnering with communities.”

The Prime Minister concluded by appealing to the Opposition to “support the Government in this exercise.”

Once again, the Government is throwing considerable resources into the effort of gaining Opposition support for a three-year old legislative project. But no accounting is offered for the Budget crime plan of eight months ago.

The public may assume that the October, 2003 plan, whose implementation did not critically need Opposition support, has not worked. By June 2004, then, the Government is falling back dramatically, if not desperately, on three bills dating from 2001, and is promoting them as “anti-crime legislation” to “rebuild” the police service.

Passage of those three bills does require Opposition support, so Mr. Manning is taking up Mr. Panday’s offer of face-to-face talks.

The Government hopes that, when these talks take place, the UNC will have been softened up by the advertising barrage, urging constituents to “contact your MP” and “let these bills pass.”

Yes, as the Guardian tactfully says, “It is a fond hope.”

We in Guyana remain optimistic that despite the barriers that separate them, the Government and Opposition of Guyana will soon resume their constructive engagement, making the bigger picture count.

Sophia:
from a squatter settlement to a housing scheme
A GINA Feature by Rekha Budhna
Sophia is one of the largest squatter settlements in the country to be converted into a flourishing housing scheme. Prior to the regularization process, the area was merely mud dams, bushes and small shacks.

Today, the area has been transformed into a community with beautiful houses, paved roads and proper but still developing infrastructure. Over the last few years, approximately $250M was expended in the area under the regularization programme.

Progress over the years
In 1990, about 400 people moved into Sophia and squatted on the land, which was once used for the cultivation of rice and the rearing of fish. It was all swamp and mud when a group of persons decided to use the area for housing.

Prior to 1992, the demand for housing was growing at an astounding rate and people erected shacks on Government reserves and other unoccupied lands. This led to the establishment of a large number of squatter settlements across the country.

In 1992, when the present Government took office, there were about 120 squatter settlements, both large and small. One of the first tasks of the Ministry of Housing was to register the existing squatter settlements and put a stop to squatting because it is illegal.

Before 1992, nothing was done by the previous Government to help the people in squatting areas, especially those in Sophia.

Regularization
Over the years, the population in Sophia increased to about 5000 households. Residents were living in the area in a disorganized way and there was no drainage system. There was an urgent need for regularization of the then squatter settlement.

Recognizing the urgent need for a housing project, Government embarked on a squatter regularization programme which was recommended in 1993. At that time, Sophia comprised mud dams. The trenches were clogged and there were serious problems with drainage and irrigation.

Two surveys were done in 1995, the Site and Occupational and the Cadastral surveys. Residents in the area were told to fill out application forms in accordance with the procedures at the Ministry of Housing and Water.

Recently, a group of residents were given their letters of allocation, since the area has now been regularized. Minister of Housing and Water Shaik Baksh noted that the occasion was momentous, since the area is the last of the nine areas in the Sophia Zone to be regularized. He stated that the area has developed a lot during the past years and now there are over 5,000 households in Sophia.

Squatter settlements are plots of land that were not surveyed and do not have basic infrastructure. In many cases, the land is overcrowded and create health-related problems.

Government is not satisfied with giving people land without ownership, but wants to give people a legal document, which they could pass on from generation to generation.

The Government has improved a large number of squatter settlements and regularized them into housing schemes. The basic infrastructural work, including the supply of potable water, the construction of drains, culverts and roads, has been a high point in the Government’s agenda to improve squatter settlements. Some residents of the regularized squatter settlements have also received titles to their lands.

The Ministry of Housing has been encouraging residents to maintain healthy environments in the housing areas. Residents are urged to dispose of garbage in a proper manner and construct flush toilets instead of pit latrines.

Through Government funding, the CH&PA has been developing new housing schemes and upgrading squatter settlements countrywide with proper infrastructure, including roads, potable water supply, and drainage structures.

The process of squatter settlements regularization starts when residents make requests to the Ministry of Housing and Water for their area to be regularized and for infrastructure to be established. After this the Ministry of Housing would visit the area and carry out surveys to identify areas for roads, drains and water supply.

After the surveys are effected, the Ministry would then move to provide the necessary social services needed.

In the case of new areas, land allocation starts with the selection of land for a new housing scheme, then potential homeowners apply for lots at the CH&PA. Priority is given to families with the largest number of children, after which lots are awarded to those families with fewer children.

Once a family is allocated a lot, it has three months to put down one third of the price. It is then given an additional nine months to complete payment. If an allottee fails to make the final payment, the lot reverts back to the Government. Persons whose lots have been taken back will then be placed on a register for a later allocation when they are ready to commence building their houses.

Infrastructural development
In 1995, millions of dollars were spent to construct the main access roads into the scheme. The main access roads, two bridges and four culverts were constructed at a cost of approximately $85M.

Government often uses the payment for house lots to develop the areas, but in Sophia many residents have not paid up their fees. The actual cost for each 40 x 80 plot of land there is $700,000. However, the Administration is asking residents to pay only $58,000.

Two other roads, of approximately three miles, were constructed with funding from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), at a cost of approximately $55.5M.

Residents had a difficult time to access water, but through an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan, funding was secured. In continuing efforts to provide potable water for the area, trunk mains were installed at a cost of about $30M with funding from the European Union (EU) and secondary mains were installed at a cost of $27M with funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

Fire hydrants were also installed at strategic locations when the water project was completed.

Future plans
President Bharrat Jagdeo recently announced that approximately $1.3B will be spent to develop Sophia. However, negligent residents will not benefit, as electricity will be installed only at the homes of those who have paid for their land.

Some of the areas would have roads this year, while in other areas roads have already been constructed. The community will also be connected to the electricity grid this year, and residents would only have to make a beneficiary contribution of $10,000.

Under Phase Two of a Government of Guyana/Inter-American Development Bank programme infrastructural works will be effected in several areas, including Parfaite/Harmonie, Section A, B and C, Farmers Field and Plum Park, Sophia.

A market was constructed at the request of residents which will assist in removing the vendors off the streets. A new Primary School and Secondary School were constructed in the area and plans are underway for the construction of a Police Station.

Through the Government of Guyana/Inter-American Development Bank programme, Guyana will soon benefit from assistance with providing electricity to housing areas.

Also, through the Government of Guyana/Inter-American Development Bank programme, infrastructural works are being effected in 12 areas in the first phase of the project. The areas include Good Hope/Pomona, Charity and Charity Extension in Region Two, Block Eight Tuschen, Crane/Best, Diamond/Grove, Non Pariel, Foulis, and Good Hope.

Under Phase Two of the programme, several other areas will benefit, including Parfaite/Harmonie, Sections A, B and C, Farmers Field and Plum Park, Sophia.

Additionally, under another programme, financed by the Government and the European Union, several other areas will benefit, including Bell West, Parfaite/Harmonie, Glasgow, Sophia, and Area ‘Y’ Cummings Lodge.

REHAB CORNER
AUDIOLOGY
Audiology deals with the identification and rehabilitation of hearing impairment.
Thought for the day: Exposure to loud noise at work or elsewhere can cause a person to become so severely deaf that he/she will not be able to continue in his usual job, will become depressed and may eventually withdraw from society

THE EFFECTS OF NOISE ON THE HUMAN EAR
Noise Induced Hearing Loss is caused by long exposure to high levels of noise.

At first noise will cause a temporary threshold shift, that is, a temporary hearing loss which recovers to normal after a period away from the noise. However, after repeated exposure the hearing loss becomes permanent. The longer the duration and the more intense the noise, the greater will be the damage to the ear. Ear protection should therefore be worn by all those who spend hours of their day in a noisy environment

(e.g. with generators running, machines and loud music). People who play loud high frequency music are not only disturbing those in their immediate surroundings but are also causing irreversible damage to their own ear. The loud noise levels destroy the sensory part of the ear including the ear nerve.

This type of hearing loss is progressive as long as one continues to be exposed to the noise. It is also accompanied by a very irritating and disturbing sensation of noise (tinnitus) in the ear. Noise usually affects the high frequency area of the ear but cases have been observed where low frequency area was also affected after being exposed to long low frequency noise.

People who play disturbing loud music for pleasure should be aware of the consequences and be reminded that they are not only disturbing their neighbours but are also damaging their own ears. To make matters worst the deafness develops slowly and one is not conscious of it until their hearing is already far gone.

Prepared by Dr. Ruth Quaicoe, Audiological Physician.

PERSPECTIVES
PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS: KEY TO REDUCING HIV TRANSMISSION
BY PREM MISIR
“Clara”

“My first boyfriend was a guy called Steve. We started to grow apart when we left school, and I started college. Just before my 20th birthday, my parents were diagnosed with cancer and I heard through my friends
that Steve had started getting ill. Steve had barely reached 20 and I
found myself at his funeral. Three months after both my parents passed away, I went out with Daniel. He had known Steve and I from school. One night at a nightclub, he mentioned that his sister had told him that Steve had died of AIDS. I snapped back at him “No one knew Steve like I did and he would have told me.” Daniel made an appointment for me to get an HIV test. The night after I went for the dreaded blood test, I asked him “What will we do if I’m positive?” I should have guessed by his answer, “I’m banking on the fact that you’re not.”

Well, three days later, my life ended. I was so sure that it would be
negative I had taken the wee girl I looked after with me. I phoned my
sister-in-law to collect me, the news was bad. I was at my lowest and feltso insignificant. I told my previous boyfriends and their reaction was bad enough, as if it couldn’t get any worse. I was threatened and judged like I should have known Steve had AIDS – I was only 17 then for goodness sake. A child, that’s all I was. Daniel, my boyfriend told his parents, and that was it, I was alone with nothing left.” (Compiled by AVERT).

The voice of Clara resonates with the urgency for behavioral prevention intervention programs. Clara’s declarations address stigma, risk behaviors, lost opportunities, and the snuffing out of life at an early age, all as factors associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

The global scourge of HIV/AIDS continues to take its toll, even as we enter the third decade of this deadly disease. Since 1981 when the virus was first identified, about 60 million people contracted the infection. Further, HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death in Sub-Saharan Africa, and globally, it is the fourth leading executioner. The task here is to aggressively encourage the application and implementation of behavioral prevention intervention programs, given the rapid transmission of HIV infection in the Caribbean.

Behavioral prevention interventions a must
In the absence of a cure for eliminating the AIDS virus, behavioral prevention interventions today become the only means to reduce the spread of HIV transmission and reduce new HIV infections.

However, HIV infection is preventable through behavior change. Therefore, efforts exerted to prevent HIV/AIDS depend on an understanding of the factors that affect behavior and behavior change.

However, significant social and psychological stressors have marred HIV prevention intervention outcomes over the years. The time may have now come for interventions to break away from the traditional models of behavior modification. Interventions now have to redirect their perspective toward shared safety where the focus is on the sexual behaviors of all sexual partners.

Therefore, behavior intervention efforts may have to incorporate customization principles in its design. Customization could include a cultural understanding of the social networks of the HIV-infected as well as those at risk. The notion of integrating the larger social forces influencing reduced HIV transmission into the intervention design, may be quite instrumental in effecting desired behavior change.

In addition, interventions based on a formal theoretical framework have a greater potential for effectiveness and generalizability of outcomes than interventions built on informal and logical grounds (Coates, 1990). Additionally, elicitation research used in needs assessment, can enhance the intervention design by its focus on group intervention strategies (Jemmott et al, 1993).

Explaining behavioral prevention interventions
Fishbein (1997) argues that an understanding of why people engage in risk behaviors could result in the development of effective interventions to change that behavior. The three theories that greatly impacted AIDS intervention research, according to Fishbein, are the Health Belief Model, the Social Cognitive Theory, and the Theory of Reasoned Action. Two other theories that have aided the behavioral intervention process are the Theory of Self-Regulation and Self-Control and Theory of Interpersonal Relations and Subjective Culture.

The first three theories are quite adequate to predict behaviors. For instance, the probability is high that a given behavior will be effected, if the following conditions are present:

* The person has a strong intention or commitment to perform the behavior

* The person possesses the skills and abilities needed to perform this behavior

* The person faces no environmental constraints to perform this behavior

* The person has the belief that performing this behavior will result in positive outcomes

* The person accepts the norms regarding this behavior, that is, norms that are accepted by people important to him

Fishbein points out that we need to identify all these factors that strongly influence a given behavior, and then apply this information to design behavioral interventions.

Behavioral intervention trials
Over the years, a few randomized controlled trials were administered to assess the efficacy of some behavioral intervention strategies. Some studies showed decreased sexual risk-taking (primarily unprotected sex) while others demonstrated a reduction in new infections of STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) and HIV (Wang & Celum). Behavioral interventions target a recognition of risk and the need to design effective risk-reduction strategies. Knowledge of a subject matter is not sufficient on its own to effect change. As an example, although we have a large stock of knowledge on the harmful health effects of eating fatty foods, complying with the diet is easier said than done. In the same way, knowledge about STDs and HIV alone is not sufficient to employ change in sexual behavior, as demonstrated in five randomized-controlled studies. We need factors other than didactic education to motivate change.

The National Institute of Mental Health (Multicenter), Project Respect Study Group (Multicenter), University of Texas (San Antonio), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (Houston), and the University of California (San Francisco), together conducted such studies, utilizing STD incidence as an outcome. These studies provided ample evidence of a behavioral intervention’s efficacy and at the same time, showing that much more than education is needed to change behavior. In fact, behavioral interventions can produce reduced rates of contracting STD, and even short counseling sessions also can result in diminished STD rates. But is there a consensus in the Caribbean on what interventions to use and which interventions work?

Consensus statement on interventions
Some years ago, I attended the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Conference on Interventions to Prevent HIV Risk Behaviors at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland, USA.

This Conference attempted to review what is known about behavioral interventions that are effective with different populations in different settings for the following modes of transmission: sexual behavior, mother to child transmission, and substance abuse.

This Conference had in attendance social scientists, prevention researchers, statisticians and research methodologists, clinicians, physicians, nurses, social workers, mental health professionals, other health care professionals, and patients.

After presentations and audience discussion, a consensus panel reviewed the scientific evidence, and subsequently produced a consensus statement on behavioral prevention interventions.

In the attempt to develop this consensus statement at this Conference, the following issues were addressed:

* Identify the behaviors and contexts that place individuals/communities at risk

* Identify the individual/community-based methods of intervention that reduce behavioral risks

* Determine whether or not reduction in behavioral risks lead to HIV reduction

* Determine how risk-reduction protocols can be implemented effectively

* Identify the research urgently needed.

There is consensus that behavioral interventions today are still the most effective method to reduce the spread of HIV infection and slow the growth of new infections. As pointed out by the NIH some time ago, vaccines for future trials may yield moderate or unknown efficacy, and so the trials will require behavioral interventions. In fact, recommendations from the consensus statement will generate direct and instantaneous consequences for health care, according to the NIH.

Theory-based behavioral prevention intervention is the way to go, and has been so for some time. It must inform policy formulation in health settings in any society ravaged by HIV/AIDS. Health policy makers in the Caribbean may need to consider developing a comprehensive consensus statement on interventions to prevent risk behaviors, to reduce the spread of HIV transmission, and to lower the rate of new infections. Caribbean policy makers need to agree now on what the ‘best practices’ prevention interventions are!! This ‘best practices’ intervention process, first would require, as a precondition, an effective coordination, assessment, and evaluation of the policies, programs, and projects, engaged in battling HIV/AIDS. History and time are not our side amid this deadly disease, if we are to boost national development!!

A law on trafficking in persons would be welcome
THE government is reportedly finalising the preparation for presentation to Parliament, of the law to help facilitate the prosecution of any persons engaged in the crime of human trafficking.

There is a high level of this crime in many countries around the world, and with its increasing and vigorous economic development and open borders, Guyana is attracting the interests of international criminal organizations with local links, in narco-trafficking, money laundering and trafficking in persons as well as kidnappings and violent crimes.

The anti-crime fight is being stepped up to deal with the ever-changing faces of crime not only with the updating and modernisation of laws, but with the increased training of our law enforcement officers and the provision of more resources.
Yours faithfully,
Jeremy Watson

An incorrect picture
MR. Aubrey Norton is certainly giving an incorrect picture to the public when he claims that there was no progress or implementation of agreements reached under the Constructive Engagement process between President Jagdeo and Mr. Robert Corbin leader of the Opposition and the PNC/R.

Both the government and the opposition were reporting to an independent group set up to monitor the developments of the engagement, and both groups submitted reports of the substantial progress made.

This is a part of the records, so it can only be surmised that the progress in fact being made did not fit in with the political agenda of the PNC/R, so they had to find some weak excuse – a few issues, which were taking a little longer to complete – in order to withdraw.

This action by the PNC/R caused dismay in the minds of most people of all political persuasions.
Yours faithfully,
Kevin Williams

That’s putting the cart before the wheel
TOO often our systems are like putting the cart before the horse.

We are struggling to lessen the pilfering and cyhoning off of public funds in our country, and the whole world of men and women whose desire out weigh the true yearning of their pure souls are also on this same universal outrage.

What we must do is strengthen the adage "prevention is better than cure" and our public accounts committee and our Auditor General's office must be more involved in the pre- awarding and pre- examination of payments. Let us change the outdated system and procedures.

The P.A.C and A.G. must demand their presence on the Tender BOARDS and Finance committees of R.D.C's and on Ministerial Tender Board so that from the very root of the transaction, they can monitor.

The Opposition Parties who also represent a great % of the Guyanese people must also be involved to ensure the maximum checks and balances to ease off castigation and disunity and to bring to justice all those whose guile deceit and treachery is sinking this nation into economic woes and slavery.
Sincerely yours,
S.M. Khan

The big question
THE big question for me is – which of the stories that ‘informant’ George Bacchus is giving to the public must we believe?

First he accuses the Home Affairs Minister of being involved in death squads, but while he makes a statement to the police about who killed his brother allegedly through a case of mistaken identity, as he says he was the real target, and three people were subsequently charged by the Police, he didn’t at the same time make any statement to them about his allegations against the minister.

Now it has come out and he has admitted in the media, that he gave an interview at his own request which was recorded, to the effect that the Minister was in fact in no way involved, and in fact that the allegations he had made were false.

He tells us now, that what he said in this interview, which he had requested, is false and “when the commission is set up, I will say everything there, as he is not prepared to say anything now.”

He also claims that he was offered a bribe of $ 10 million and safe passage out of the country and that is why he gave the statement.

As an ordinary Guyanese citizen, I doubt that I would in fact have any confidence in what George Bacchus finally decides to tell us, is the ‘correct’ story.

He is one confused and unreliable hombre.
Yours faithfully,
Keith Jackson

What is the truth here?
MAY I revisit the ongoing saga of corruption and cover-up in Guyana? There will be a quick look at the drug informant developments, a comment on the re-migrant scam, then a more wide-ranging take on things political. 

According to a Chronicle item, and compliments of a press release from an MP, the informant exonerated the Hon Minister of Home Affairs from any involvement with any Death Squads. Today, SN reports that the informant himself has first denied that his allegations have been withdrawn, and, further that he was offered a bribe to recant his original claims against said Minister. Money aside –which may have been substantial- what is going on here? The two newspaper reports, when placed side by side, present a “truth” that could not be more polar opposites. One of these reports is guilty of being inaccurate, calculated spin, outright falsehood, or gospel.

The question is –which one is the real truth here? That aside, the government has refused to acknowledge, and the public has refused to believe, that this is about one man, or one minister. The announced inquiry –if it can ever emerge from its near moribund condition- may end up leaving us dangling more in the wind than before, in terms of who is implicated about what. For now, I think it behooves us all to observe the spirit of -if there is nothing to hide, then it is in the nation’s best interests to look, and to cleanse ourselves of this ignominy. 

As for the re-migrant scam, it appears that official sloth and boredom have added this so-called investigation to the nuisance heap. Once again, there is conflicting information on the state of affairs in this matter. On this occasion, everything is within SN with a source close to the police efforts saying nothing is happening, while the Tax Chief states that progress is happening every day.

Excuse my stupidity, but something is not quite right here. Poles apart, a scam within a scam, stonewalling, and stagnation are some thoughts that come to mind. For now we must be patient and wait to see how long this will continue in both matters. Now I seek your permission to freewheel into broader territory using these two situations as launching pads. 

It is 2004, and the local existence is rife with corruption, cover-up, a government inclined Greek chorus (really Guyanese) of dreamy enthusiasts, allegations of discrimination, and information management at the state level. If this sounds familiar, you are not mistaken. Simply turn back the clock two decades and do the following:

* Change the political initials from PPP to PNC

* Change the names of today’s power brokers to their equivalent from after 1966

* Change the ethnicity of the aggrieved of the present from Black to Indian

Notice that the issues are the same, the approach is the same, and the results are the same. Only the victimized are different.

To its credit, the PPP has escaped – up to this time – the tinge of electoral skullduggery, and ethnic directed violence. The latter may be particularly egregious to some given the Death Squad victims, subsequent allegations, and pending developments. Given the experiences of the post independence years under the PNC, and the last twelve years of PPP rule, can anyone distinguish between the two? I think the painful political reality is that the PPP has now evolved into the 21st century equivalent of the PNC. On the more troubling matters of the times, they are one and the same. This becomes more undeniable with every passing day, and reports of the latest misadventures. Protestations from the sycophants aside, we are in real deep trouble. 
Sincerely, 
G.H. K. Lall

Amerindian ‘representatives’ should be pro-active vs. the trafficking of persons
SUDDENLY in the media a serious matter has arisen concerning allegations of “trafficking in people” in Guyana, especially targeting the Amerindian areas.

While there has been from time to time, even in the colonial days, cases of exploitation taking place by some wicked people, there has never before surfaced any reports of wholesale exploitation, including the smuggling of women and children.

Our interior was largely opened by the Christians especially the Roman Catholic Church, making converts of many of these hinterland folks to their religion and providing education and health care –and doing a very good job.

Amerindians have been greatly empowered over the years, legal authority being given to their Chiefs and other officials and access to healthcare and education has been considerably extended, with many Amerindians themselves being trained as teachers, nurses and medical technicians.

There is greater communication with Georgetown and main townships through the building of many roads and the provision of radio and internet communications.

There are political parties and other organizations who claim to represent the interests of Amerindians and while they raise many issues, none of them have raised any matters of illegal transportation of people. Neither has any church.

Also there are several benevolent international organizations and other groups which are engaged in research or in protecting our flora and fauna and work closely with Amerindian communities.

There is also the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs which is very active in promoting the interests Amerindians as well as the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

So it is somewhat of a puzzle to citizens, to suddenly read that somehow or the other Guyana is a place involved in the illegal transportation or movement of Amerindian communities.

When Amerindian organizations meet among their concerns are protection and treatment against the various forms of malaria, and the protection and safeguarding of their ancestral land rights and in getting water during the dry seasons and protecting the sources of their water supply in which the Ministry of Housing and Water is actively engaged as well as the Guyana Geology and Gold Mines for which the Prime Minister has responsibility. These over the years have been their major concerns which are continually being addressed with the Amerindian themselves playing an important role, and growing economic activities are being provided in their areas.
Yours faithfully,
Rebecca Patterson

Wise enough I hope
AS ALWAYS, Guyanese are very elated when a foreign military ship visit its ports and the recent visit of the Indian Navy ship to Guyana must have been no different. I can remember in the 1980's when we had one such visit. I can clearly remember driving around Georgetown and what I saw was so disgusting that I felt so belittled.

Young Guyanese women were hanging on to those sailors all over Georgetown, as though they had never seen a foreigner. And the sailors, well, many of them felt they had the right to leave those women pregnant and give them the world of promises, no where to be seen of heard of afterwards. The desperation in those women gave the sailors all the excuse in the world to fool them.

After all, they were sailors and that is what sailors are famous for -- going from port to port and having a nice and memorable time.

I hope that, in view of what is going on around our changing world, the beautiful virgins in Guyana were wise enough not to give themselves away to any 'swingers'. Also, this is the time when the drug dealers are very busy, on their motor bikes and bicycles, selling and dealing in drugs to sailors. And who knows, many of our beautiful young women could end up being couriers. 
Colin Singh, 
New York

The Islamic perspective on race suggests a spiritual dimension
RACE and race problems may have been approached secularly and otherwise but hardly has the spiritual dimension of man been given a fair chance on this issue. Has Islam been seen yet as a decisive role player in transforming ethnic and race relations, made monstrous at times and downplayed at other times?

I’ll leave the famous Malcolm X, black racist turned Muslim and lover of all races, to say on this after his enlightening historical Pilgrimage to Mecca: "Each hour here in the Holy Land enables me to have greater spiritual insights into what is happening in America between black and white. The American Negro never can be blamed for his racial animosities - he is only reacting to four hundred years of the conscious racism of the American whites. But as racism leads America up the suicide path, I do believe, from the experiences that I have had with them, that the whites of the younger generation, in the colleges and universities, will see the handwriting on the walls and many of them will turn to the spiritual path of truth - the only way left to America to ward off the disaster that racism inevitably must lead to.”

Recently reports are also corroborating this factor-that if religion faces discrimination then it is equally potent to alleviate the very racism it seeks to protect itself from. “The leading motivator for hate crimes is race and ethnicity, followed by religion and sexual orientation,” suggests a Statistics Canada study, May 2004.

Here are some important quotes and suggestions from the 1400 years of the proven Islamic experience.

1. Knowledge is power
Know that we are humans first and the nuances of creed and ideology, race and ethnicity should be seen as flowers in the great garden of Adam and Eve. Masjids always accommodate people regardless of race that even many prayers are lead in Guyana by African and even Amerindian Imams. In the farewell sermon the Prophet had said: O People! Be conscious of Allah, even if a mangled Abyssinian slave becomes your leader hearken to him and obey him as long as he establishes and institutes the Book of Allah. The criterion for leadership in Islam is subservience to the word of Allah and not based on any kind of ethnic postulations. “All men are sons of Adam, and Adam came from dust.” Hadith. “O You who believe! Indeed We have created you from a single male and female and We have made you into nations and tribes so that you know each other, Verily the noblest among you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold Allah is all knowing, all aware.” Quran. So if Adam is our physical father then Abraham is our spiritual patriarch. Therefore Muslims cannot hate people, our own brothers and sisters, as a single Satanic spark is enough for making a nation genocidal and having them damned into eternal Hell. Cain killed Abel out of xenophobia.

2. Respect for others
In the first Muslim community a black slave, Bilal was chosen to call the “Adhan”. Here is the secret of good relations- giving people jobs they deserve and not positions based on their skins. All five fingers aren’t equal and so too different individuals have been created with different skills. All will not be rich and neither all literate. But colouration, party membership or village residence should never be the criterion for giving people the opportunities to earn. Neither should it be instrumental in preventing people from progressing let alone receive salvation. That’s a terrible sin. Islam teaches according to a learnt scholar: “The financial inequality between various members of society is to facilitate mutual coexistence. It promotes interdependence within the human race and weaves the diverse segments of society into an organized community.” The Historian Syed Amir Ali states: “ the fidelity of the Arabs in maintaining their promises, the equal-headed justice which they administered to all races and classes, without distinction of any kind, secured them the confidence of the people...”

3. Have a clean heart, bereft of contempt
Avoiding ill feelings and harbouring good thoughts is crucial for a society that’s pure at heart, free of racist remarks, hateful to violence, indifferent to ethnic backgrounds and genuine in praise of good qualities instead of following the majorities’ syndrome. The Prophet said: Whoever has pride in his heart equal to the weight of an atom shall not enter Paradise. Malice destroys one’s sanity and peace, the way fuel enrages fire. Speak it out. Forgive. Let go of evil thoughts. Love is the medicine of war. The Prophet forgave his enemies when he conquered Mecca and treated them the way Joseph did to his own brothers. Let us be reminded that to entertain difference of opinions is a genuine Islamic notion called Ijtihad and it has been praised as a mercy of God to humanity. It is when we refuse to accept convincing truths and further our racist agenda, even at the cost of lives, that instead of mercy, curse becomes the lot. “Pride is linked to self-esteem that drives an individual to oppose the truth and to hold people in contempt because of his own vainglorious self.” Hadith.

4. Stand up for justice
If a person is guilty of an injustice he cannot be a member of the management of the masjid and a person without Taqwa, piety, cannot lead the prayers. Regardless of kith or friendship, one must realize that with the lost and sell out of justice no peace and happiness could be guaranteed. "O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it is against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a better Protector to both (than you) are. So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is ever Well-Acquainted with what you do." Quran- 4:135. Muhammad said even if his daughter Fatima steals He would cut her hand off! According to Arnold Toynbee when Islam was ruling Palestine the three major religions lived with such harmony that it was believed that three brothers existed in the same house! "Liberate, Egalite, Fraternite!" In India, the similar architecture of mandirs and mosques bears testimony of the Mughal commitment to religious tolerance. We must respect the fact that Hindus and Muslims are “Jahajis bhai” and much of the African roots lie with Islam. These common grounds, if passed to others, will definitely help us reach the nexus of mutual respect and holding back the hate speeches and warring hands.

5.Give someone Salam and Hug him or her.
It is a noble practice in Islam to greet others firstly and also embrace them, as this removes rancour and enhances love. Salam means peace be unto you. Muslims do not only give their own Muslims salaam but to others. They must reply to Non Muslims when they Salam, with an equal and lively Wa alaikuma Salam. How nice to hug a non-Muslim in public especially from another race! Shaking hands was Muhammad’s special way of greeting the young and old, those he knew or knew not. He made Salman the Persian, Bilal the Ethiopian, and Suhail the Roman in those days his own household members. He said for example that Salman is from me and I’m from him! Breaking the fast of Ramadan together, sharing from the same platter of Halal delicacies in a culture of common t most Masjid in Guyana. Race and ethnicity has nothing to do with halal food or sharing dates and mittai. “All believers are but brethren, so make peace between your (contending) brothers; and fear Allah that you may be graced with His mercy.” Quran. Rather Muslims are happy to have interracial marriage based upon this very verse. That such marriages were never frowned upon by Muslims in borne out by the fact that many a Ruler of the Umayyad and Abbasid as well as of later dynasties, had Turkish, Greek or even Negro mothers.

6. No racist jokes, no false names, no hate slurs
Islam condemns name-calling to the extent that this Haram or forbidden act includes making signs with one’s hands contemptuously against another or even winking or making facial expressions of disgust. Backbiting is a major sin that eats away all good deeds, making a Muslim bankrupt on the Day of judgement. "O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one's brother after having Faith. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed wrong doers". Quran.

There is a lot in a name, as it is a self-filling prophecy, hence Islam emphasizes on having beautiful meaningful names. Don’t call people Buck and Blackman; Kapar and Coolie; Kafir and Fullaman. Guyanese like “to gaff and have kicks”, passing many a sinful thing jokingly. Well that hurts and has lead to violence in the past. In making jokes, they will sometimes justify that it is the exact truth they are talking about the person, although it is a sick joke of speaking ill of someone behind their back. Defining backbiting, the Prophet said that backbiting is anything that you say about someone in his absence that may displease him. When he was asked by one of the Companions, ‘even if he is as I describe him?' he responded by saying, If he is as you describe him then you are guilty of backbiting. If he is not then that is slandering.” As a Muslim, it’s myopically baseless and unislamic to harbour beliefs that I’m superior to someone because of my religion, status, family background, society, etc. “All men are equal in Islam. The Arab has no superiority over the non-Arab, nor does the non-Arab have superiority over the Arab, save in the fear of god.”

7. Challenge racism
If someone is guilty of racist conduct in your presence, do not become a passive spectator. That could be hard especially if you want to curry favour or he is close to you. To behave silent is to subscribe to enjoining evil instead of forbidding it. The Prophet said: If a man's Muslim brother is slandered in his presence, and he is capable of defending him, and does so, Allah will defend him in this world and in the next. But if he fails to defend him, Allah will destroy him in this world and in the next. Let not our young hear racist comments. Turn off the channel that promotes it. The masjid is a place of positive values. It is incumbent rather a constitutional right of masjid members to stop the Imam from inviting known racists in the Masjid’s public forums. Organisations and schools who do not dispose of a balanced ethnic database are guilty of a serious crime and sin in Islam. Remember how Abu Bakr had to apologise to Bilal for a racist remark, unintended as it was and regardless of Abu Bakr being senior and had actually paid for Bilal’s freedom. To quote Vidya Kissoon from Help and Shelter: Islam may be the last vestige against racism in Guyana. Don’t give that away too
Habeeb

Children behave as well as they are treated
I REFER to the letter “Ban all forms of corporal punishment? No!” (KN June 14), penned by an anonymous Retired Teacher.

Retired Teacher tells us that, “…children are themselves inflictors of corporal punishment on their peers and … even on their teachers, sometimes simply because they are bullies or sadistic.” What Retired Teacher needs to consider is the question: Why do children become bullies or sadists? No child becomes a bully or a sadist because of nature or genetics. They are made bullies and sadists by early childhood maltreatment especially in the form of corporal punishment (CP) by their caregivers. Because they were beaten by big and strong adults and could not retaliate or run away, their rage had to be suppressed and internalized, waiting for the day when they would encounter a weaker person upon whom they can externalize their rage.

According to Straus, Sugarman & Giles-Sims (1997), “Children who get spanked regularly are more likely over time to cheat or lie, be disobedient at school, bully others, and show less remorse for wrongdoing.”

Jordan Riak (1996) tells us,” Spanking teaches children that human interaction is based on force that might make right. The more a child is spanked, the greater is the likelihood that that child will become an adult who deals with others, not by reason and good example, but by force. What kind of person are we describing? The bully is such a person.”

Tim Fields says, “The child learns, usually from an early age, that using bullying behaviours brings relief from anxiety.... Controlling other children through violent behaviour means brings a sense of power (control) to the child; he can't predict or control his parents but he can control other (smaller or less physically strong) children. His targets also become useful objects onto which he can freely displace his own aggression.” (Bully Online, Website of the UK National Workplace Bullying advice Line)

Norm Lee (2004) states, “I had long understood that there could be no end to violence - from schoolyard bullying to full scale war - so long as corporal punishment of children was allowable.”

Children also learn bullyism from parents, teachers and other adults, including national leaders. If adults’ method of social interaction involves the use of strong-armed bullyism, the child will learn to be a bully. Children take unconscious cues for their own behaviour from adult behaviour. When they see adults use CP at home and in school to deal with problems, they learn that they too can use CP on their weaker peers. Thus, CP is a form of bullyism that perpetuates a generational cycle of bullyism.

Not being familiar with the all the details of the case of bullying described by Retired Teacher, I can only suggest that the bully be physically separated from his victim and be given meaningful counseling by competent persons. What is definite is that beating the bully will not drive the bullyism out of him, but will only drive him toward a violent adulthood. Beating the devil out of them has never worked. All we ever did is to beat them into the arms of diverse demons. Woe be unto us if those CP-produced bullies ever become politicians.

This loud-mouthed advocate with an unpronounceable name has done some research on CP in the USA. I have found that (i) 23 states still allow beating in schools (ii) CP of children by their parents or guardians is legal in every state except Minnesota (iii) an overwhelming majority of American parents continue to use spanking to punish younger children. A 1995 survey by the Gallup organization found that nearly 90 percent used CP on their 3-year-olds. Fewer parents (about 80 percent) spanked their 2-year-olds, but that age child was hit most frequently. Parents estimated they had spanked their toddlers an average of 18 times that year. One-third of parents spanked babies one and under. Almost one in five said they hit their 2- and 3-year-olds with belts, paddles or other objects. (http://lifewise.ahealthyadvantage.com/topic/spanking1to3#contents).

The violence that Retired Teacher refers to in Atlanta (in Georgia, a school beating state), the Bronx (in NY, a no school beating state) and Columbine (in Colorado, a school beating state) is therefore explainable and unsurprising. Children behave as well as they are treated. The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, is true for all humans, regardless of age.

One US research states, “In fact, government statistics show that the violent crime rate among teens has reached its lowest recorded level in more than 25 years; between 1990 and 2000, the juvenile crime rate declined by 56 percent” (http://parentinginjesusfootsteps.org, Articles, The Current Youth Violence).

Of the states with the ten highest murder rates in the United States, educators beat children in eight of them. Of the states with the ten lowest murder rates in the nation, educators beat children in one of them. Of the ten states with the highest percentage of the population in prison, educators beat children in nine of them. Of the ten states with the lowest percentage of the population in prison, educators do not beat children in any of them.

Of the ten worst states in the United States in which to raise children, as measured by the condition of children index, educators beat children in all ten of them. Of the ten best states in the United States in which to raise children, as measured by the condition of children index, educators do not beat children in any of them.

Of the states in the bottom ten percent in terms of average proficiency in mathematics, educators beat children in all of them. Of the states in the top ten percent in terms of average proficiency in mathematics, educators beat children in one of them.

Of the states with the ten worst high school completion rates, educators beat children in seven of them. Of the states with the ten best high school completion rates, educators beat children in one of them.

Of the ten most impoverished states in the United States, educators beat children in seven of them. Of the ten least impoverished states in the United States, educators beat children in two of them.

There is a strong statistical correlation between those states that use CP in public schools and negative societal outcomes, and there is an equally strong correlation between those states that have banned CP in public schools and positive societal outcomes. Those states which have banned CP altogether and which employ more positive disciplinary measures in the classroom achieve far greater educational success and have created far more functional societies than those states which still use CP. That fact is simply irrefutable. (John Guthrow, Correlation Between High Rates of Corporal Punishment In Public Schools and Social Pathologies, 2002, http://www.nospank.net/toc.htm#guthrow).

How’s that for research and empirical evidence, my dear Retired Teacher? Will you give me ten out of ten? Or six of the best? By the way, the phrase “spare the rod and spoil the child”, often incorrectly attributed to the Holy Bible, was first written in a poem by Samuel Butler in 1664.
Yours faithfully,
M. Xiu Quan-Balgobind-Hackett

I’m a little uneasy about the PNCR/NDP MOU
MANY people may well be uneasy and apprehensive over the announced signing of a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] between the main opposition party of Guyana the PNC/R led by Mr. Robert Corbin and the major opposition party of Suriname, our neighbour to the east, the National Democratic Party [NDP] led by the internationally known Desi Bouterse, which initiated the move.

While good intentions are being promulgated by both parties for the signing of the MOU, such as supporting the settlement of the border controversy, the history of these two opposition parties gives legitimate cause for pause.

Desi Bouterse of Suriname, a strongman and a former coup leader, is suspected of being linked to drugs trafficking and human rights abuses and is reportedly wanted on an international warrant for trial at the International Court at the Hague.

Mr. Robert Corbin, leader of our opposition and the PNC/R, recently broke off talks with our President under a constructive engagement agreement signed on May 6, 2003 and he and his parliamentary colleagues have boycotted Parliament and have been engaging in extra-parliamentary activities such as so-called ‘rule of law’ marches and rallies. His party has also been accused by several commentators of having links to criminal elements in the country.

Mr. Corbin is also being accused by some of duplicity in that when the Guyana government was about to refer the border controversy to arbitration under the UN Law of the Sea Convention, he ignored an invitation by President Jagdeo to meet with him so as to be brought up-to-date and advised of the new move.

But now here he is saying that the arbitration process has created windows of opportunity for other agreements and he is supporting it but yet has broken off discussions with the President and he and his party have boycotted Parliament. Surely, no one can be faulted if they say that Corbin is more content to play games rather than fulfill his constitutional mandate to represent the interests of the people in the forum provided by Parliament.

So people on both sides of the border cannot be blamed if they are suspicious at the Memorandum of Understanding, and what it really portends.
Yours faithfully,
Jenny Wilson

Richards quits as chairman of selectors
…Clyde Butts now a senior selector
FORMER West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richards has resigned as the West Indies Cricket Board's chairman of selectors to take up a job as a BBC Test Match Special pundit.

Richards had been up for re-election but decided instead to commentate on the West Indies tour of England.

The legendary batsman had been accused, along with other selectors, of "verbally belittling" players during two recent home series.

The WICB has appointed an interim selection committee for two months.

After that period a review of the management structure of the West Indies team will be published which will "have an impact on the role of selectors", the WICB said in a statement.

Michael ‘Joey’ Carew will be chairman of the interim committee which will also feature former Test batsman Gordon Greenidge.

They were both existing selectors and are joined by former Test off-spinner Clyde Butts.

Courtney Walsh, who retired in 2001 after becoming the most successful fast bowler in world cricket, was nominated for election but did not gain a post on the committee.

The West Indies Players Association (WIPA) claims its members have been victimised by selectors this year.

Its president Dinanath Ramnarine told The Independent on Sunday: "They were verbally belittled and threatened in public by selectors.

"Our members spoke of outright intimidation by selectors.” (BBC Sport).

GABBFF arranges visas for Latin American athletes
By Leeron Brumell
THE local organising committee of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) bodybuilding championships is assisting in travel arrangements for Latin American countries that do not normally compete in sporting events staged here.

Head of the committee, Donald Sinclair, said that El Salvador and Mexico indicated that they would be attending the championships to be hosted by Guyana, October 1-3, at the National Cultural Centre.

Sinclair said that teams from that part of the world did not normally come to Guyana for any type of competition so it was a plus for the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF).

“We’re absolutely certain about Caribbean participation but for some reason or the other participation from the Latin countries is sometimes a bit of a challenge, so to receive early word from the two countries that they definitely are participating, I think is an important plus to us.”

He said the local committee assured the countries that a good welcome awaits them, as the GABBFF is attempting to make the championships the best organised and administered event.

Sinclair said the Ministries of Foreign and Home Affairs were involved in facilitating the visiting countries’ travel arrangements to the country.

“We will very soon be setting that procedure in motion to facilitate the participation in terms of visas of the Latin American countries, not only El Salvador and Mexico, but countries like Costa Rica and Panama and others.”

Sinclair disclosed that the committee would meet with official carrier BWIA tomorrow to finalise travel arrangements for the officials and executives of CAC, while North American Airlines indicated last Wednesday, it was finalising group fares for USA supporters.

For accommodation, Ocean View International Hotel is offering low rates on rooms, while ten other participating hotels will have concessionary rates for local out-of-city supporters.

Local CAC bodybuilders to undergo drug test
ATHLETES, selected for the Central American & Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships, will be drug-tested on July 12.

President of the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (GABBFF), Yale Holder, said that it would cost US$150 to drug-test one athlete. The federation has asked the gyms, to which the athletes belong, to work along with them to find money to pay for the test.

The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) will coordinate the test in line with standards set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the samples will be sent to an internationally recognised drug-testing lab.

Veteran bodybuilder and the current holder of the 13th Musclemania title, Hugh Ross, who has indicated his willingness to represent Guyana at the championships, will also undergo the test.

Fit-again Harbhajan, Zaheer named in India’s probables
BANGALORE, India, (Reuters) - Off spinner Harbhajan Singh and fast bowler Zaheer Khan have returned from injuries to be named among India's 20 probables for next month's Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

The 23-year-old Harbhajan has not played since the first Test in Australia in December after surgery to repair a ligament tear on his spinning finger.

Zaheer has had hamstring problems for months. He was first sidelined in Australia, returned for the March-April tour of Pakistan but was sent home midway through the series after breaking down again.

The selectors are to announce the final 15 on July 7 after a weeklong camp in Madras. The six-team Asia Cup one-day tournament will be held from July 16 to August 1.

Probables: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Vangipurappu Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Parthiv Patel, Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Irfan Pathan, Ashish Nehra, Murali Kartik, Zaheer Khan, Rohan Gavaskar, Ramesh Powar, Hemang Badani, Amit Bhandari.

Montgomery accuses White of providing information to USADA
By Gene Cherry
EUGENE, Oregon, (Reuters) - World 100 metres record holder Tim Montgomery has accused banned world sprint champion Kelli White of providing U.S. anti-doping officials with information against him.

"They don't have anything on paper. It's all someone saying something ... Kelli White," Montgomery told reporters at the Prefontaine Classic meeting here on Saturday.

Montgomery, one of four U.S. athletes who have received letters from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) alleging potential doping violations, has never failed a doping test. His lawyer said on Friday the sprinter had "done nothing wrong".

"USADA alleges that it 'anticipates' testimony from unidentified witnesses regarding Tim's alleged admission of the use of banned substances," his attorney Cristina Arguedas said in a statement.

Arguedas said virtually all the allegations in USADA's letter to Montgomery came from the files of Victor Conte, who is one of four people indicted in a federal grand jury investigation of BALCO, the California nutritional supplement company that Conte founded.

But Montgomery twice accused White of being a source on Saturday.

"She doesn't live with me so I don't know how she would know," said Montgomery after finishing sixth in the 100 metres.

White, who was stripped of her world 100 and 200 metres titles, last month accepted a two-year doping ban from USADA and agreed to assist in the agency's investigations.

WORLD RECORD
Montgomery also downplayed newspaper reports he was the object of a project by Conte and others to produce a world record.

"I only knew the guy for six months," Montgomery said of Conte. "I only knew him from working with CJ (Marion Jones's former husband CJ Hunter) in Sydney."

He added Conte had written an e-mail to someone that said Montgomery 'was stupid and could have broken the world record and made a lot of money if he had listened to me'.

"So that let’s you know I wasn't listening to him," said Montgomery, who set the world record of 9.78 seconds in September 2002.

"The truth will prevail," said Montgomery, who has always denied taking performance-enhancing substances.

While Montgomery performed poorly, another of those accused by USADA, Chryste Gaines, was a surprising third in the women's 100 metres.

"Life has to go on," said Gaines. "I've been trying to stay focused and, as you see, try to win here.

"I don't have anything to fight because I have not done anything," said the sprinter, who has never failed a doping test for steroids.

It would be unfair, she said, for USADA to suspend anyone without a positive doping test.

"It is kind of a shame that they would have to stoop to those lengths," Gaines said.

Nuno Gomes helps Portugal send rivals Spain out of Euro 2004
By Mitch Phillips
LISBON, Portugal (Reuters) - Hosts Portugal reached the Euro 2004 quarterfinals with a famous 1-0 win over Spain yesterday and sent their greatest rivals out of the tournament.

The Portuguese went into the Group A game needing a win to advance and got it courtesy of a sharp shot on the turn by Nuno Gomes 12 minutes after he had come on as halftime substitute.

The victory, 23 years to the day since their last win over Spain, was just reward for Portugal's enterprise against a side at first content to sit deep and play for the point they needed.

"It was suffering to the end, but it was worth it," said beaming Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso.

Winger Luis Figo, who played the ball into Nuno Gomes for the goal, added: "We have to be really proud. We did a great job and we're glad to be in the quarterfinals.

Greece's goal against Russia in a surprise 2-1 defeat ultimately proved priceless for the group outsiders, who qualified in second place ahead of Spain on goals scored.

In the last eight, group winners Portugal will meet the Group B runners-up while Greece will meet the Group B winners. France lead that group from England, Croatia and Switzerland.

It marked a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for both sides after the host nation had begun the tournament with a shock 2-1 defeat by Greece while Spain eased past Russia 1-0.

Fans of the Iberian neighbours had been on the streets of Lisbon all day in anticipation of the clash but the enormity of the occasion seemed to get to both teams as the opening 20 minutes was punctuated by poor control and misplaced passes.

RONALDO THREAT
Cristiano Ronaldo, enjoying his first Portugal start of the tournament, was a constant threat on both wings and missed their best first-half chance when he headed a Luis Figo cross wide in the 45th minute.

Spain were reluctant to commit men to attack and had only a Fernando Torres header over the bar a minute earlier to show for their limited efforts.

Portugal's Brazilian coach Luis Felipe Scolari sent on Nuno Gomes for the ineffective Pauleta at halftime and the change soon had an impact.

Figo slid a pass into his feet at the edge of the box in the 57th minute and the striker turned and fired low past Iker Casillas to send the Jose Alvalade Stadium crowd into raptures.

Spain, forced to change tactics and go for the equaliser, came close to getting it five minutes later when Torres beat the offside trap but poked his shot against a post.

Portugal hit back and Casillas made two sharp saves in a minute to keep out a Figo free kick and a close-range header by Jorge Andrade.

Spain went close through substitute Albert Luque and then Juanito, whose looping header grazed the top of the bar, as they threw everyone forward in a desperate last 20 minutes.

As the noise level was cranked up, so was the excitement.

Spain's all out attack left gaps at the back and Nuno Valente was off target with a free header in the 88th minute.

Spanish defender Raul Bravo then made a fantastic goal line clearance to keep out a Maniche shot and Nuno Gomes was foiled by Casillas in injury time before the final whistle sounded to spark a wild night of celebrations in Lisbon.

Greeks into last eight despite defeat by Russia
By Keith Weir
FARO, Portugal, (Reuters) - Greece celebrated the finest achievement in their foot-balling history when they reached the Euro 2004 quarterfinals despite slumping to a 2-1 defeat by Russia yesterday.

Portugal's 1-0 victory over Spain sent the Greeks into the last eight as Group A runners-up, edging out the Spanish on goals scored thanks to forward Zisis Vryzas's strike against Russia just before halftime.

"Today there will only be joy, no criticism," said Greece coach Otto Rehhagel. "We have already won everything. Every opponent from now on is a comfortable one.

"We have nothing more to lose. We will enjoy the success and look forward to the quarterfinals."

Greece will play the Group B winners in the last eight, with champions France their most likely opponents.

The Greeks, who came into the game needing a point to guarantee their progression, never recovered from conceding the fastest goal in European Championship history when Russia's Dmitry Kirichenko scored after just 65 seconds.

Russia, who had lost their other two games at Euro 2004 without scoring a goal, doubled their lead after 17 minutes when striker Dmitry Bulykin powered home a header.

CHIPPED OVER
Greece pulled a goal back two minutes before halftime when striker Vryzas chipped over goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeyev after Dimitrios Papadopoulous headed the ball into his path.

But Russia remained the stronger team in the second half and came close to a third two minutes from the end when defender Alexei Bugayev flashed a shot across the face of goal.

Both sets of supporters celebrated wildly at the final whistle. The Greek players, relieved to have squeezed into the last eight, took a bow at one end of the pitch in front of their supporters.

"It took us some seconds to understand what happened tonight," Greece midfielder Theodoros Zagorakis said. "We fulfilled all our promises. We made Greece not just the talk of Europe but also of the world."

At the other end, the Russian supporters, who outnumbered the Greeks in a stadium only two-thirds full, applauded their team for ending a record nine-game winless streak at European Championships.

Their last victory dated back to 1988 when the former Soviet Union beat Italy to reach the final.

Russia, beaten by Spain and Portugal in their first two games, made seven changes including bringing in Kirichenko for his first start.

He made an immediate impact, bursting through the middle of the Greek defence and firing past keeper Antonis Nikopolidis with little more than a minute on the clock.

Russia added a second after 17 minutes when the unmarked striker Bulykin converted a Rolan Gusev corner.

It could have been even worse for the dazed Greeks, but Russian midfielder Andrei Karayka volleyed a great chance over from close range, while Bulykin's header then grazed a post after another Gusev corner.

Greece, who beat Portugal and drew with Spain in their first two matches, badly missed injured midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos and the suspended Giorgos Karagounis.

The defeat ended a run of seven wins and a draw in their last eight competitive games but no Greeks were worrying about that.

NZ SQUEEZE..
NEW ZEALAND M.Papps c Bailey b Shantry 0 N.Astle b Shantry 11 H.Marshall c Sales b Greenidge 10 C.McMillan lbw b Brown 22 J.Oram c van Jaarsveld b Cook 50 C.Cairns b Greenidge 46 B.McCullum b Shantry 58 C.Harris c van Jaarsveld b Cook 24 J.Franklin c Bailey b Shantry 0 D.Tuffey c Afzaal b Shantry 2 I.Butler not out 0 Extras (lb-6 w-24) 30 Total: (all out, 49.1 overs) 253 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-24, 3-26, 4-74, 5-141, 6-200, 7-237, 8-238, 9-252. Bowling: Shantry 10-1-37-5, Greenidge 10-1-45-2, Jennings 10-0-61-0, Brown 10-0-48-1, Cook 9.1-0-56-2. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE T.Roberts c Harris b Tuffey 2 J.Cook c Astle b Franklin 6 M.van Jaarsveld c Franklin b Oram 102 U.Afzaal c Tuffey b Harris 29 D.Sales b Harris 23 G.Brophy not out 57 T.Bailey run-out 1 C.Jennings c Papps b Oram 1 A.Shantry c Marshall b Tuffey 6 C.Greenidge not out 2 Extras: (b-4, lb-5, nb-2, w-1) 12 Total: (for eight wickets, 48 overs) 241 Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-29, 3-97, 4-149, 5-205, 6-207, 7-210, 8-231. Bowling: Tuffey 10-0-44-2, Franklin 6-0-17-1, Oram 7-0-34-2, Butler 9-1-49-0, Harris 10-0-41-2, Cairns 6-0-47-0. NZ squeeze past Northants

NEW Zealand were run close for their second win of the weekend, clinching a five-run verdict over Northantamptonshire yesterday.

Scores: New Zealand 253 (49.1/50 overs) beat Northamptonshire 241-8 (48/48 overs) by five runs (Duckworth/ Lewis method).

A middle order of Jacob Oram (50), Chris Cairns (46) and Brendan McCullum (58) scored the bulk of the runs as the tourists posted 253 all out.

Seamer Adam Shantry, 21, took career best figures of 5-37 for the hosts.

And a below-strength side fell just short of a revised total of 241 in 48 overs after Martin van Jaarsveld (102) and Gerard Brophy (57) starred.

Daniel Vettori, who had hoped to test a hamstring tear, did not feature in the Black Cap XI.

And skipper Steven Fleming chose to rest a groin injury, leaving Cairns to stand in as captain.

New Zealand open the tournament against England on Thursday in a day-night match at Old Trafford. (BBC Sport)

Serena plans to `Bend it like Beckham’
By Ossian Shine
LONDON, England (Reuters) - Serena Williams has big plans for Wimbledon. "I'm going to bend it like Beckham," she laughs.

Williams says she is fully fit and raring to go as she prepares to defend the only grand slam title left in her possession.

She also claims to be drawing inspiration from England's soccer captain.

"I love David Beckham," she said at the All England Club yesterday. "I am really excited about the England team at Euro 2004.

"I'm going to be watching the matches ... and I've been following Beckham since the World Cup in '98."

The Williams girls have not been without a grand slam title since 1998, putting added pressure on Serena.

"I have to work really hard here," she said. "People are here trying to thieve my title from me.

"I think anyone is a big threat to my title. If I get over-confident I could end up going home early and that is not something I want to do."

BAD KARMA
Both Serena and elder sister Venus lost in the quarterfinals of the French Open last month and Serena is determined not to repeat that disappointment.

"Oh my God ... my suicide in Paris," she groaned. "I was so disappointed. But no matter what I do or how hard I try I am not going to be able to rewind time.

"I have just got to get over it, you know? I didn't want to bring the bad karma to Wimbledon.

"You can't live in the past. You have to live in the present and in the future. If I lived in the past I would still be in the '80s."

Dismissing suggestions she has become distracted from tennis and is diverting time and energy away from the court and into her nascent acting career, the top seed said: "I am more serious about tennis than ever.

"Before when I was winning ... when I was able to play all the time it was like 'whatever'," she grinned. "Now it is different. I really want to win ... I just hate to lose.

"Physically I am close to 100 per cent. But you know, everybody expects me to win 100 per cent of the time. I expect myself to win 200 per cent of the time but no matter how good you are, you are not going to win every match you play."

Serena has not even looked at who will be her opponent in the first round.

"I don't know," she smiled. "All I can do is get myself ready, get my game going and then whoever I play that's okay.

Sukhai wins 40-mile road race
JAIKARAN Sukhai won the Flying Ace Cycle Club Ronson Gilford Memorial 40-mile road race yesterday in the ancient county of Berbice.

Sukhai, who had established a lead of 1 1/2 mile came home unchallenged in a time of 1:55:27 and claimed the eight prime prizes along the course as well.

Gregory Madray was a distant second, while Gary Benjamin placed third and Gary Webster third.

Asif Khan rode home to be the first juvenile competitor, while Jaikaran Balram was the winner in the 12-14 category.

The race started on Main and Alexander Streets, New Amsterdam, proceeded to the second toll gate before returning to the starting- point.

Ronson Gilford Jr. son of the late Ronson Gilford made the presentation of prizes to the various winners in the Randolph Roberts-organised event.

Business houses support Smart Touch/Freeman main bout
WITH the speeding-up of Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) light heavyweight champion Gwendolyn ‘Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil’s becoming the first local world champion fighting on home soil, sponsors have stepped in to support the clash with Trinidadian Cristal Lessie.

In a simple ceremony, yesterday, Managing Director of Giddings Pawnshop, Paul Giddings, handed out the sponsorship to promoter Dillon Carew at the Regent Street entity.

The business house and HN Toney Trading of Vryheid’s Lust on the East Coast Demerara injected funds for the main bout on the Smart Touch/Freeman June 26 card at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

O’Neil created history when she wrested a unanimous decision over American Kathy Rivers at the National Park on May 29 to become the first Guyanese to win a world championship on local soil. The world title card was the first staged in Guyana.

A star-studded card will unfold, Saturday night, with CABOFE lightweight champion Hugo ‘Hurricane’ Lewis at last clashing with Sherwin Marshall of Barbados in the co-main event over ten rounds. Marshall wanted to meet Lewis since amateur days.

World Boxing Council Latin American light middleweight champion Shawn Garnett will be fighting on home soil for the first time since entering the professional ring. He is back home after a successful sojourn in the USA and will come up against Benjamin Modeste of St Lucia in 10-round light middleweight scrap.

Shelly ‘Agricola Boom’ Gibson returns to the ring to take on the seasoned Margaret ‘Chico’ Walcott in a catchweight six-rounder.

Linden Arthur also returns to meet Kelcie Ross over six rounds in a featherweight encounter and to complete the card, former Commonwealth Games featherweight fighter Rudy Fraser will clash with Cecil Smith, a former Caribbean gold medallist, over four rounds.

This card would be Carew’s fourth card but his first at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall -- the others being staged at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Linden.

Lawson crucial for Windies
SKIPPER Brian Lara hopes Jermaine Lawson can inject speed into the West Indies bowling in the NatWest Series.

Lawson, who claimed seven wickets in a Test against Australia last year, has been forced to remodel his action.

"He seems to be coming into his own but whether he can bowl at the pace he used to remains to be seen," said Lara.

"Someone who has been out of international cricket for a year is going to take his time to come back, so we will be there supporting him."

With Fidel Edwards injured, Lawson and Tino Best carry the pace-bowling responsibilities.

The tourists, who lost a tour match to Ireland last week, play their final warm-up match against Kent today.

A number of injury problems mean there are still places up for grabs for next weekend's first match against New Zealand at Edgbaston.

"We have just come off the back of six Test matches and half-a-dozen or so one-dayers so, of course, the guys are carrying niggles here and," Lara said.

"It is a very young team and there are only a few definite starters like Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

"The rest will all be competing in these warm-up matches for their chance before the first one-day international.” (BBC Sport)

Sri Lanka to dedicate two-Test series to Murali
MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Sri Lanka will dedicate their two-Test series against Australia to world record wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan, following his withdrawal from the tour.

Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu said yesterday the tourists would struggle against the world champions without the controversial off-spinner.

"I'd love to have him here but he's made a personal decision and we have to wear it," Atapattu said at the team's arrival news conference in Darwin.

"When we are on the field he takes most of the burden, bowling 40 to 50 overs in an innings.

"Playing without him is difficult and unusual. The whole team will miss him. But it is a big challenge for every one of us to come out with better performances.

"This is one occasion where we can show gratitude towards him by performing well."

Muralitharan, who has been called for throwing on two previous visits to Australia, withdrew last week following an investigation into his bowling action. He was furious when Australian Prime Minister John Howard called him a "chucker".

The 32-year-old is the most successful bowler in history, with 527 Test wickets.

His nearest rival, Australian Shane Warne, trails him by 10 wickets. Warne is doubtful for July's two-Test series because of a broken bone in his hand.

TRAUMATIC TIME
Sri Lanka coach John Dyson said Muralitharan had experienced a traumatic few months after the International Cricket Council (ICC) ruled his arm straightened while bowling his 'doosra' leg-break and was thus illegal.

"He feels he's not ready to play these Tests and from that point of view I respect his decision," said Dyson, a former Australia batsman.

But he added: "We can put Australia under enormous pressure. While they won the series in Sri Lanka 3-0 (earlier this year), in every one of the those games they were under pressure and had to do something special to pull out of it."

Sri Lanka's opening tour match against a Northern Territory XI in Darwin starts on June 24. The first Test starts in Darwin on July1.

Houllier believes Euro 2004 tougher than World Cup
By Kevin Fylan
LISBON, Portugal (Reuters) - The European Championship is a tougher competition to win than the World Cup, former Liverpool and France manager Gerard Houllier said yesterday.

"It's really difficult here," said Houllier, a member of UEFA's technical study group at Euro 2004. "It's even harder than the World Cup.

"You have the best 16 teams in Europe here and really they're the cream. If it hadn't been for a late winner from the Czech Republic last night no side would be on six points from two games."

Houllier highlighted France's last-gasp victory over England, Italy's 1-1 draw with Sweden, Spain's 1-0 win over Russia and the Czech Republic's incredible 3-2 win over the Netherlands on Saturday as the best four games so far.

"The game between the Czechs and the Dutch will write itself into the history of the competition," Houllier said.

"It was not only spectacular but also emotionally intense. It had all the ingredients of defensive and attacking play. It had everything."

The technical study group chooses the man-of-the-match at each game and produces a report for UEFA at the end of the tournament.

Houllier said it was still too early to spot significant trends but was impressed by the speed of the play.

"Despite the heat, the matches have been played at a high tempo," he said. "Even the matches at 5 o'clock have been played at a high speed, just not for such long periods.”

Colts draw first blood in Invitational final
… Pacesetters claim third spot
By Leeron Brumell
NATIONAL club champions Bounty Colts drew first blood, winning game one of the best-in-three Invitational Basketball final at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Saturday.

Colts claimed a 67-52 victory over Nets in a game that saw horrible shooting by both teams, while the Courts Pacesetters were 76-68 winners against Ravens to take the third place spot.

Colts were better in the first half of the game scoring at a fairly good rate to establish a 20-10 lead by the end of the first period and looked set to record a big score against the Nets. They still had the ten-point lead at halftime, 34-24.

However, after the resumption, both teams had shooting problems, with Colts managing only two points in the first three minutes of play, while Nets managed their first point four minutes into the period.

Colts hit more shots than the Nets and established a 13-point lead, 48-35, at the end of the third quarter.

Frustration stepped in, in the fourth and final period with Nets desperately trying to decrease the lead, which seemed way out of their league, having trailed for the first time in the tournament by such a wide margin.

With less than six minutes to play, Colts had possession of the ball, and the unimaginable happened -- Nets spilled a cooler of water on the court. Was it deliberate, who knows?

At the stage the few spectators that endured the long night of basketball turned up their noses and filed out. Anyone could count the number of patrons left in the venue on their fingers and toes.

The referees then went to work on a massive mopping up exercise to get the game restarted. It took fifteen minutes.

Thereafter the game progressed without incident and Colts comfortably won in a low-scoring affair by some 15 points.

Gavin Beeram starred with 20 points and Trevor McLeod eleven for Colts while Pellum Doris and Tristan Tullock both netted eleven points for Nets who lost their first game of the tournament.

In the third place playoff, Pacesetters claimed an eight-point win over the Ravens.

The first period was closely contested with Pacesetters holding a very slim 19-18 lead at the end of the first quarter, but then went up 34-28 at halftime.

Ravens, however, worked their way back into contention and by the end of the third period trailed 52-54. But Pacesetters, now famous for their late bursts in the final period, claimed the 76-68 win.

Neylan Lonke had 21 and Stephon Gillis 12 points for the Pacesetters, while Darcel Harris netted 23 and Rudy James 18 for Ravens.

Game two of the best-in-three final was scheduled for last night, while Scorpions and Emperors were scheduled for the supporting encounter.