Terror warning
`…these things are done strategically at different points in time to keep the fear in our society alive and that is terror’ -- President Jagdeo
By Mark Ramotar
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday warned that the motive behind the recent chilling disappearance of four East Coast Demerara sugar workers could be to drive fear and keep it alive among innocent law-abiding Guyanese.

He believes this was done not for financial gains but as an act of terror aimed at creating and keeping fear alive in the society.

Expressing deep concern about the crime situation in Guyana in general, and the disappearance of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) workers, specifically, the President said the issue came up at Cabinet on Tuesday and will be further explored at a joint meeting of the Cabinet and the Defence Board.

At a news conference at the Presidential Complex in Georgetown yesterday, he said the overall response and attitude by the Police Force in fighting the crime scourge leaves much to be desired.

“They (the Police) are planning and waiting and planning and waiting (but) this approach has to change; they have to be much more aggressive to deal with this matter,” Mr Jagdeo declared.

“You have a group of bandits who have been roaming in (the violence prone East Coast village of) Buxton with weapons and all I am getting from the Police and some times from other groups is that ‘they are planning’…these are symptoms, the cause needs to be tackled,” he lamented.

The President said he is “very tired of this cycle of planning and planning all the time” by the Police, while the crime scourge continues to eat away at the fabric of the Guyanese society.

He underscored the urgent and fundamental need for the Police Force to be “much more aggressive” in tackling crimes. He also said resources should not be used as an excuse for the Police not dealing effectively with the crime problem in Guyana.

“It is not a question of resources because with the same resources or even less resources, many times in the past the police have been much more aggressive in tackling this issue. So it’s not a question of resources but a question of attitudes that we have to get these people (the bandits and criminals) and that not only when there is a crime we go and look for them.”

The President said too that his frustration has been with “this planning cycle which seems to go on forever”. There is also a seeming reluctance to go after these bandits even though they are not many in numbers and their ‘safe havens’ are easily identifiable, he said.

“They (the bandits) are there (in Buxton); they are not in a large geographic area and I think much more could be done to deal with them than the current attitude of only react when some crime happens when the police and soldiers are sent out,” President Jagdeo declared.

GET AGGRESSIVE
He urged the Police Force to get out of the “laziness mode” and start some aggressive policing work. “I am not speaking about the Commissioner of Police, but generally I think they (the Police Force) need to shake out of the lethargy.”

This reluctance and seeming laziness by the Police, President Jagdeo believes, could be partially attributed to the fear by policemen of being accused of extra-judicial activities.

“Frankly speaking, I think sometimes there is this attitude of now being more concerned about the human rights groups than the victims. I feel some sense of this reluctance to deal with some of these issues. It might be because the opposition has been so effective in its campaign (on extra judicial killings, etc) that policemen are even afraid now of shooting at anyone lest they be charged or be subjected to a campaign of vilification even when they are in the right. I don’t know. It could also be a moral problem caused by some of these issues.”

He also acknowledged that the primary reason why the Army was deployed in the search for the missing GUYSUCO workers is simply because the disappearance of the men is “not an ordinary (type of) crime”.

On May 21, Sampersaud Taranauth of Enterprise and Maikhram Sawh of Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara, mysteriously disappeared while cleaning a GUYSUCO drainage canal aback Vigilance, the village which borders Buxton.

Just over four months later, on September 24, Sookram Dhani of Non Pariel and Hardat of Annandale also disappeared while guarding punts and other articles at a place called ‘Spring Bridge’ in the Lusignan backlands.

Despite intensive searches spearheaded by the Police and the Army, there has been no trace of the men – who were all breadwinners for their families.

The President said he wants the public to know what exactly is at stake here.

“At stake here (are) not criminal activities aimed at gaining money; what is at stake here I think, frankly speaking, is political power,” Mr. Jagdeo declared.

“What would you gain from robbing and killing two workers who, I am sure, did not have a lot of money at that time in the morning in the backlands?” he questioned, in reference to the recent disappearance of Dhani and Hardat.

“I think these things are done strategically at different points in time to keep the fear in our society alive and that is terror.”

According to him, this particular dimension of the crime scourge that is raging at this time in Guyana is aimed at “terrorising people” and “causing them to live in fear” since there are no monetary benefits to this type of crime “except to keep people in fear”.

NOTHING BUT TERROR
The President also recalled the debate surrounding the appropriate use of the word terror during the height of the crime wave that began shortly after five dangerous criminals escaped from the Camp Street, Georgetown jail on February 23, 2002.

Without trying to justify whether the word was appropriate or not in its usage then, the President said the situation now with regards to the missing sugar workers is nothing but terror and driving fear into the hearts of citizens, especially those living on the lower East Coast.

“When we said it was akin to terror (a few years ago), people said we were making light of the matter on the word terror. We have had several criminal activities and the last one is a case in point that is not designed for financial gain but rather instilling fear in the hearts of citizens”.

He pointed out that if the purpose is ‘terror’ and driving fear into the hearts of innocent, law-abiding citizens, then there could be many opportunities to harm innocent people and strike fear in their hearts, not just on the East Coast but anywhere else in Guyana.

According to him, one can never fully guard against such a situation.

The President was also asked where the ‘buck stops’ with regards to taking the blame for the current crime situation, given the fact that the Police Force, which is tasked with tackling the crime problem and enforcing and maintaining law and order, falls under the government which he heads.

He acknowledged that going into elections next year, people will judge his administration and inevitably, the crime and security situation will be one issue that will come up for judgment.

He, however, indicated that some of the people who are saying they have solutions to the crime and security problems now are really and truly part of the problem.

“I guess people will have to judge us on the security situation; but they should also judge us from all the attempts to promote instability or the plots to overthrow the government,” Mr Jagdeo posited.

President, Corbin pledge support against crime
By Shawnel Cudjoe
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition and People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader Robert Corbin yesterday pledged support for a bipartisan agreement in the fight against crime.

The stand came when the two, at different periods, joined a workshop sponsored by the private sector and the Police to look at battling the crime scourge.

Yesterday was the final day of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and Guyana Police Force workshop on ‘Crime – Analysis and Solutions’ at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown.

Responding to a question from participant Mr Kit Nascimento about whether they (Mr Corbin and President Jagdeo) would be willing to be at the same forum addressing the issue of crime, they replied in the affirmative.

“It is a welcome departure from the past and I would be glad to do it”, Mr Jagdeo said when he attended the forum yesterday afternoon.

Corbin also responded positively to the same question from the floor after his presentation to participants yesterday morning.

President Jagdeo joined the panel discussion as the workshop drew to a close and stayed to the end at about 17:00 h.

Responding to the issue of politically driven crimes, he suggested that a commission be established to look into the matter, so that the country can move on.

“We really need to get beyond perception, we can’t run countries and build policies on perception”, the President stressed.

On claims that the Government was entangled with organised crime, the President reminded the gathering that it was his Administration which established the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU).

“I would dare anyone to say that we have formal links to drug dealers”, he declared.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, who was with Corbin at the morning session, also pledged support for a bipartisan agreement after his address on solutions to crime in Guyana.

He said that a culture that does not promote disrespect for the rule of law must be reinforced, adding that “this is a tacit recognition that indeed there has been erosion of that culture”.

In addition, crime reduction demands a properly functioning national institution, he said. “Strengthening of the national institutions must be another solution that can have a significant impact on crime reduction.”

He acknowledged too, that the efficient and effective distribution of social services can and must be implemented to provide the basis for addressing the crime situation.

Luncheon also said that “more aggressive and coordinated campaigns in mobilising the public” are needed to address the crime situation, since this resource is “inexhaustible”.

Another issue to be looked at, he said, is incentives for persons who provide information in relation to criminal activities.

He maintained that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has been studying crime, and continues to study it, because of its evolving nature.

He told participants that core criminal activities have retained their general character, with progress being made in the organisation of crime. “Criminals have resolved to modern technology to promote their deeds”, Luncheon said.

In addition, his Administration has had to deal with “politically inspired crime which has also reared its head”, he said. “Guyana must join the rest of the world putting in place mechanisms to deal with practitioners of politically inspired crimes and their mentors.”

Luncheon said that although it is an accepted fact that there is some linkage between poverty, joblessness and the crime situation, “we continue to be careful about uncritical adoption and uncritical conclusions drawn from such studies”.

In the area of economic crime, there is greater need for the supervision of the financial sectors, he pointed out.

Law enforcement ought to be brought to a state of unified command in crime fighting, he said, adding that although financial and economic constraints will always be there, the key is finding “ingenious ways”, comprehensive enough to address all categories of crime.

Corbin, in a presentation yesterday morning, highlighted six public perceptions that, according to him, are seriously hampering the fight against crime.

** Crime is only important if it interferes with one’s interest or ethnic group.

** Since crime is condoned by the Administration, it lacks the moral authority to prosecute.

** Organised crime is in bed with the Administration.

** The security service is fully or partially infiltrated by organised crime and therefore people feel that reporting matters to the Police will have repercussions.

** The State has a vested interest in creating ethnic insecurity, since it enhances electoral prospects.

** Crime is a political matter and should only be addressed if it affects one group.

“If we are to deal with crime then we have to extract it from the interpretation which suggests that crime exists for political and ethnic reasons”, he argued.

Corbin stressed that “whether these perceptions are true or not, I believe that they are out there.”

“It doesn’t matter whether these perceptions are real or imagined, the question is, if crime is to be addressed in a holistic manner, these perceptions need to be examined fully”, he said.

According to Corbin, undoubtedly, the single most important area of concern for Guyanese is the crime situation, which if not addressed can lead to a negative impact on the country.

He said that his party has been consistent in the condemnation of all types and forms of criminal activities and has demonstrated its commitment to crime fighting.

He said that although crime and security should be the concern of all citizens, the Government ultimately has the primary responsibility and criticisms levelled against it when it fails to carry out this mandate should not be termed political.

At the forum, President Jagdeo also stressed the need for the Police Force to be more aggressive in its approach to crime fighting.

He admitted that the Force is under resourced, but pointed out that since his Administration took over resources for it have increased significantly.

A follow-up meeting between the private sector and the Police Force will be held in a few months when the Force launches its Christmas policing campaign, Police Commissioner Winston Felix announced yesterday afternoon.

GuyFlag red-flagged
By Ruel Johnson
COMMISSIONER of Insurance, Ms Maria Van Beek, has put up a red flag against the Guyana Fire, Life and General Insurance Company (GuyFlag), ordering the business to cease all operations.

At a press conference at her Georgetown office yesterday, she announced that she has ordered GuyFlag to stop operating “on the grounds that it has not been able to satisfy the Commissioner of Insurance with regard to its application.”

Van Beek warned that the company was no longer authorised to issue any new policies and will not be permitted to do so until her office is satisfied with the firm’s representation on its behalf.

The insurance company – in operation since 1997 – has had a meteoric rise on the local corporate scene, sponsoring cricket matches and securing important contracts, including the management contract of the $418M Linden Economic Advancement Fund (LEAF).

In October last year, the company announced a US$5M investment in the country’s cement importation sector in order to counter the then crippling cement shortages affecting Guyana, an initiative that won plaudits from members of both the government and the private sector.

All that changed, however, when the Stabroek News reported that GuyFlag had attempted to collect money from a Barbados-based re-insurer on behalf of a policy purportedly made out in the name of the Catholic Church in Guyana, the registered owner of the Sacred Heart Cathedral which was destroyed in a fire late last year.

According to the report, an insurance adjuster was invited to Guyana by GuyFlag and was introduced to the CEO of GuyFlag’s sister company, the National Cooperative Credit Union Limited (NCCUL); the adjuster was led to believe that he was a representative of the Catholic Church, but subsequently became suspicious of the grounds for the company’s $400M. The matter eventually found its way to Van Beek’s office then into the media spotlight.

Questioned whether the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) can effectively monitor the insurance sector properly, she yesterday said that while she would appreciate more resources, she and her staff are doing the best they can with what they have.

The Insurance Commissioner said her office has a duty to safeguard the public and is striving to ensure that current policy holders with GuyFlag are granted the best protection she can offer. She advised that GuyFlag policy holders with concerns or queries should contact their brokers, or the OCI – preferably in writing. These can be addressed to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, 126 Barrack St., Kingston, Georgetown; or can be sent through the OCI’s e-mail address, oci@guyana.net.gy.

Gas almost $1,000 per gallon
FUEL prices seem to be heading upwards again as a check with Shell stations yesterday revealed that gasoline had moved from $812-$820 to $966 per gallon.

Up to press time Texaco and Esso, the other private fuel companies, had not increased prices but indicated that they might be doing so from today or in a few days.

The reason for the upward climb is unclear and efforts to get a response from the Guyana National Energy Authority and the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr Manzoor Nadir were unsuccessful.

Over the last few months fuel prices, triggered by higher oil prices on the world market, have been escalating continuously, resulting in increased transportation fares and other higher costs.

The government was also forced to adjust the consumption tax to cushion the effects on consumers.

However, it has indicated that there is a limit to which adjustments to the consumption tax can be made because in accordance with the Fiscal Policy and Management Law revised taxation must not result in being revenue neutral.

Schoolgirl sodomised as food errand turns violent
A GROUP errand turned violent on Tuesday night when one of two sisters was sodomised.

Police were yesterday still hunting for the suspect who forced a 14-year-old Wales Secondary School student into the unnatural sex act at Sisters Village, also on West Bank Demerara.

The victim, a 26-year-old sister and her fiancée had left their home to purchase Chinese food about 11:40 h. They met the assailant, with whom they were familiar before, along the way and the older sibling and her companion went elsewhere, leaving the other two by themselves.

They were still en route to the eating house when the attacker, known to her, from Patentia, another West Bank Demerara village, dragged the schoolgirl into some bushes and forced himself on her.

Up to press time, the Police manhunt was fruitless.

Police report…
Man shot at roadblock, two more armed robberies
A MAN was shot and wounded at a Police roadblock on Houston Public Road, East Bank Demerara, Tuesday night.

The Police said a .38 revolver with five matching bullets and a spent shell were seized from a mini-bus in which the wounded passenger was travelling.

Earlier, as the vehicle was about to go through the barrier at 22:45 h, an explosion was heard and Winston Junior, of Boeraserie, East Bank Essequibo, was found with a gunshot wound in his abdomen.

Junior was taken to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he is still a patient and two other passengers were held.

Meanwhle, two more armed robberies were reported, at Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice and Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

One of the victims was Chinese restaurant owner Dai-Hon Fung, of Ankerville, who was beaten by two bandits and robbed of jewels and a cellular phone, as well, at his home about 04:30 h on Tuesday.

The robbers also took G$140,000 and US$1,600 in cash and fired a shot while escaping.

Fung was treated for his wounds from the beating at Port Mourant Hospital.

The other victim was Steve Delph, of Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, who was attacked at 22:00 h by two men, one with a handgun.

Delph had gone to ‘E’ Field, Sophia on his Honda ‘CG’ motorcycle, to visit a female friend when he was confronted by the duo who rode away on the motorbike, CD 8815, after he fell while avoiding a blow.

Gajraj appointed High Commissioner to India
FORMER Home Affairs Minister, Mr Ronald Gajraj, is scheduled to leave Guyana today to take up his post in New Delhi as Guyana’s High Commissioner to India.

A brief statement yesterday from the Protocol and Consular Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Guyana Government received agreement from the Government of India for “the appointment of (Mr Gajraj) as High Commissioner of the Republic of Guyana to the Republic of India”.

The ministry said he will leave Guyana today to take up his appointment in New Delhi.

Police investigating car stealing ring
POLICE in Georgetown yesterday said they believed they have cracked a major car stealing ring.

The police said in a press release that the ring appeared to be operating out of a mechanic shop at Craig, with links to Grove, both locations on the East Bank Demerara.

The police added that an AT 192 Carina motorcar number HB 1923 was found at Grove on Tuesday.

The colour had been changed and chassis number removed and a new licence number put on it.

Police said the car had been stolen from Navin Sugrim at La Grange on July 29, 2005, and was involved in a fatal accident at Agricola that same day.

Several persons are assisting the Police with their investigations.

Students need a broader world view
-- President urges
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo is urging students to keep an open mind with respect to information in a world where development is driven by it and to assimilate only that which is positive and useful to society.

The President made this pitch yesterday when he addressed the gathering at the Ministry of Education National Awards Ceremony for 2005 at the National Cultural Centre, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

He exhorted students to have a broader view of the world and to have “the appropriate filter” because not all information is positive.

Academic achievement is essential, the President noted. But in addition, youths should strive to contribute towards the building of a society where there is unity, as some members of society use race, skin colour and other means of stirring conflict which retard the developmental process, he advsised.

“You have an important role in helping to guard the society,” he emphasised.

The President added that those who are tolerant and respectful of other views are the ones who are going to be successful.

He observed that the world has changed significantly in the last 50 years, and there is still too much inequality and poverty. Education is a good way to help reduce these problems, but it is also necessary to change the world system of inequality in trade and economic relations, he said.

In this regard, he said youths should play an important role in changing the system, and they need to become aware of the challenges and difficulties which would affect them and their parents as well.

Commending parents for providing support to their children in acquiring education, the President expressed the hope that the partnership between parents and the education system would grow.

He assured that the government will dedicate increasing resources to social development, but noted that it is facing a situation where needs exceed resources, and so priorities have to be weighed.

Regional Director of the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), Henry Charles, in his remarks, asserted that all efforts at reshaping society will be meaningless unless issues and challenges facing youths are not dealt with now.

Like everyone else, youths have rights, including the right to develop their creative talents, but responsibilities are attached to these rights, Mr Charles cautioned.

He impressed upon them that responsibilities include having respect for authority and exercising tolerance, and helping to ensure the safe use of natural resources in building a progressive society.

Among the top performers at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations were Linbert Lewis -- 13 Grade Ones; Kumarie Kooseram -- 11 Grade Ones and Valinie Ramotar -- 10 Grade Ones and one Grade Two. All of them are from President’s College.

They were also the top performers among the senior secondary schools category.

In the junior secondary schools category, the top performers were Farnaz Habeeb from Abrams Zuil Secondary School, with 10 Grade Ones, one Grade Two, and one Grade Three; Orin Stanley from Patentia Secondary School, with nine Grade Ones and one Grade Two, and Malinie Ramnarine from Anna Regina Secondary School, with nine Grade Ones and one Grade Three.

At the Grade Nine level (national third form examinations) the top performers were Sarfraz Sharief -- 364 marks, Gibron Rahim -- 344 marks and Avinash Persaud -- 338 marks, all of Anna Regina Secondary School.

For the Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (SSEE) Kevin Chan of St. Margaret’s Primary, with 548 marks, emerged top student, while Saieed Khalil of Leonora Primary and Gabriella Bulkhan of the New Guyana School, each with 547 marks, were runners-up.

Makouria and Covent Garden Primary Schools were adjudged the most improved primary school, while Tagore Memorial Secondary emerged as the most improved junior secondary school.

St. Stanislaus College was adjudged the most improved senior secondary school.

Following the release of this year’s CSEC examinations results, Minister of Education, Dr Henry Jeffrey said the results are the best in many years, particularly in relation to Mathematics and English A.

He said, “Given the controversy that surrounded the examination of these subjects, the results far surpass our expectations. For the first time in more than a quarter of a century, more than 30% of those taking Mathematics have gained Grades One - Three, and more than 50% Grade Ones - Four.”

`Scandalous’
-- President
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday described as “scandalous”, the alleged multi-million dollar attempted fraud by the Guyana Fire and General Insurance Company Inc. (GuyFlag).

“I think the GuyFlag issue is scandalous,” he told reporters in Georgetown.

He commended the Commissioner of Insurance for doing an internal investigation but called on the Police Force to carry out a full-fledged investigation into the matter.

The President said he had asked Finance Minister Saisnarine Kowlessar to look into this matter to see that the Central Bank has a greater role to play in monitoring credit unions in Guyana.

Guyanese Imam’s boo-boo
NEWSDAY, New York - Though Imam Intikab Habib expressed anguish and regret for comments he made about 9/11 that resulted in his stepping down Friday before being sworn in as chaplain of the Fire Department, some members of the local Muslim community reacted with slightly less dismal emotions.

"Fifty years from now, we will think this is all a step forward," said Dr. Abdul Jamil Khan, of Muttontown.

The semi-retired chairman of pediatrics at Brooklyn's Interfaith Medical Centre said Habib should have been more diplomatic. "He is backing off because he made a boo-boo," Khan said. "You can make many theories, but as a person who was going to be sworn into that sensitive position, he should have been very careful not to hurt others' feelings."

Habib, 30, a Guyana native who teaches junior high students in Ozone Park, was in line to be the second Muslim chaplain in fire department history. He studied Islam in Saudi Arabia and immigrated to New York in July 2000.

In a last Thursday interview with Newsday, Habib stated doubts about who was responsible for the September. 11, 2001, attacks, saying conflicting reports left him wondering if it was 19 hijackers or some larger conspiracy that brought the towers down.

On Friday, after his views appeared in the newspaper, he stepped down a few hours before he was to be installed as chaplain. Habib and fire department officials agreed it was the right thing to do, as did some in the Muslim community.

"I think the resolution was appropriate," said Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington, D.C.-based Islamic civil rights group. "People are people and they sometimes say things they shouldn't," he said, citing famous foot-in-mouth examples such as William Bennett and Pat Robertson.

Habib's comments, unseemly as they may have been to some, should not be completely dismissed, said Ghazi Khankan, an Islamic affairs consultant from Westbury. "What happened to freedom of speech?" said Khankan, adding that Habib's comments should not have rendered him jobless. "If he has a political opinion, it should not affect his work or his position. Before we condemn, we must investigate ... question the Imam further as to why does he believe this to be so."

Khankan said there are many other people, in the Middle East and in America, who question the conclusions of 9/11.

"I hope this will create a movement to call for further investigation into the tragedy of 9/11 ... people can fume," Khankan said, "but opinions are good because they can bring solutions if they are aired and discussed."

Guyana-born star cop chases down crooks
NEWSDAY, New York - As a wide receiver for the NYPD football team, Shan France is often called "Flash," Franchise" and "Speedy" by his colleagues.

After an early-morning robbery attempt in Richmond Hill, a couple of would-be robbers found out why.

France, who has been with the 102nd Precinct for 10 months, was on foot patrol at 12.10 am Friday when three men tried to rob a home on 102nd Road, police said.

After the men forced their way in, something went awry, and one man, believed to be a resident, was shot in his left thigh, police said.

The would-be robbers, who included Fabian Villeda and Steven Semidy, both 20, fled, police said.

France, a track runner in his native Guyana, responded to the robbery call and pursued Semidy.

"It wasn't much of a race," France, 24, said at a news conference during the afternoon. "Not at all."

France said it took all of five seconds to get his man.

"When I caught up to him, I guess he was in shock," he said. "He didn't know, I guess, someone from the NYPD could run so fast."

About 10 minutes later, Officer John Schaefer tracked down Villeda a few blocks away.

The third robber escaped.

Semidy, of Euclid Avenue in Brooklyn, and Villeda, of 78th Street in Queens, were not armed, police said. A gun was not recovered.

Charges against both men were pending, police said.

The unidentified victim was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he was in stable condition, police said.

France, who said he trains six days a week, hopes to represent the United States in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles at the 2007 World Championships in Japan.

The Friday rundown wasn't the first time France had flashed his speed to make an arrest.

His first collar involved a fight among teenagers in which France and his partner had to pull over a car.

"One guy decides he wants to go run," France said. "I foot chase and catch him on the next block."

That took about 10 seconds, he said.

"He also was surprised."

October sessions open
ACTING Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr Carl Singh, on Tuesday inspected a Guard of Honour at the opening of the Demerara October criminal sessions.

He also took the salute during the traditional march past, flanked by fellow judges.

In the courts, the sessions did not get off to a flying start, since there were a number of cases that could not get started as some of the accused on bail could not be located.

In photo, Mr Singh during the inspection of the Guard of Honour.

West Berbice farmers harvesting autumn rice crop
-- acreage under cultivation relatively low
RICE farmers in West Berbice have begun harvesting the autumn crop and are hoping for good prices which should be driven by the relatively low acreage cultivated this season.

An industry source said production in the area will be less than 60% of the usual because of the unfavourable state of some rice fields during the May, June planting period, the poor state of canals and drains in West Berbice, and late flood relief to some farmers who had lost their crop to flooding earlier this year.

However, several farmers who did not cultivate this crop have already begun land preparation for next year’s spring crop.

Of a total 38,000 acres usually cultivated in West Berbice only about 20,000 are being harvested.

Huge wheel ruts left by machines harvesting the spring crop during heavy rains earlier this year had made land preparation difficult for some farmers.

Others had received flood relief too late to cultivate for the crop and had opted to wait out the autumn crop and get an early start on the spring crop 2006.

Cultivation had also been hard hit by increases in the price of fertilizer and fuel.

Even now, at harvesting stage, increases in the price of diesel have triggered resultant increases in the cost of harvesting and transportation of padi.

Harvesting cost has gone up from $190 to $220 per bag, and transportation from $125 to $150 per bag, the source said.

It is expected though that prices for padi are going to be higher this crop than the last.

Rice millers at Spooner, Mahaicony, last week released purchasing prices at $1,875 per bag for grades A, B and C, $1,825 per bag for Grades D and E, with the same price for sub-standard grains with up to 9% damage.

This represents a fairly substantial increase on the average $1,500 per bag for the last crop.

Industry sources and farmers are hoping that competition for the relatively low supply of padi this crop may push prices up so that farmers who persevered with the autumn crop 2005 can get satisfactory returns for their efforts.

Harvesting is expected to peak mid-October.

Two freed of rape
TWO MEN were freed by Magistrate Kim Kyte of separate charges of rape after their alleged teenaged victims declined to give evidence at Blairmont Magistrate’s Court Monday.

The two who walked free were Trevor Evans, 20, of Armadale West Coast Berbice, and Nigel Lewis, 35, of D’Edward.

Evans had been charged with abducting an unmarried girl, 14, and raping her at Armadale between September 24 and 25th last, while Lewis was alleged to have raped a 13-year-old at D’Edward in April.

Seven Cayenne deportees cite employment opportunities
SEVEN people, including a teenager, charged with departing Guyana illegally, yesterday cited better employment opportunities in Cayenne as their reason for breaking the local law.

The defendants, 17-year-old Kevon Brown, Mark Williams, Sherwin Lambert, Orin Van Sertima, Michael Matthews, Mark Rogers and Sean Austin (no addresses given) all pleaded guilty to separate charges before Magistrate Bertlyn Reynolds.

The group left this country by boat, from Springlands, Corentyne, Berbice, between July and August, without presenting themselves to an immigration officer but they were deported back here after the authorities in French Guiana discovered they were not legal aliens.

Brown and Williams were each fined $20,000, with the latter being given two months to pay.

Lambert, Van Sertima, Matthews and Austin were slapped with $40,000 individual fines with the alternative of three weeks imprisonment.

The fine imposed on Rogers alone was $30,000.

Guyflag
The recent Guyflag fiasco that has been making the rounds in the local media is worthy of comment.

To sum the case so far up: the landmark Sacred Heart Cathedral went up in flames last year; apparently the Guyana Fire, Life and General Insurance Company (Guyflag) submitted a claim to a re-insurer (basically an insurance company’s insurance company) based in Barbados on behalf of the Catholic Church in Guyana, owner of the Scared Heart building; when a claims adjuster visited he was introduced to Dr. Fred Sukdeo Chairman of the National Cooperative Credit Union Limited (NCCUL), whom he was led to believe was a representative of the Church; it turns out that Guyflag’s CEO, Joshua Safeek, is the Treasurer of the NCCUL; developing suspicions, the claims adjustor reported the incident which was subsequently reported to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OIC); as reported in today’s paper, the OIC has ordered Guyflag to cease operations.

A cursory glance at the articles involving Guyflag and its principals reveal a company that enjoyed the sort of free publicity – almost as a matter of due course – that other insurance companies have to dedicate entire annual budgetary allocations to. Much of that publicity was based on that company’s generous support of cricket. But of course the company’s generosity, its largesse spread far beyond the confines of the cricket pitch.

In one article glowing “Cement galore” published in this paper in October of last year, we have Prime Minister Sam Hinds applauding Mr. Shafeek’s “commitment” of US $5M to the importation of cement at a time when the country’s main supplier Trinidad Cement Limited were experiencing production hiccups. According to our report, Shafeek proclaimed “There is no longer a cement shortage in Guyana and there isn't likely to be any in the near future.”

In another Guyana Chronicle article published in July of this year, we have Shafeek proclaiming – in his role as Chairman of the Association of Regional Chambers of Commerce (ARCC) – at the Berbice Trade Fair and Exposition that Guyflag was willing to contribute up to 25% of the cost of the planned bridge over the Berbice River.

Whatever Guyflag was intended to be when it was started by former founders Bish Panday and Manniram Prashad (who both have nothing to do with the company’s operations), what it is today seems to be the epitome of the sort of corporate greediness and viciousness that most of us have thought only possible on Wall Street.

From Government officials, to international donors, to ordinary policy holders, to a timid press, what Guyflag seems to have done was to dupe an entire nation; what we appear to have here is our own little Enron.

Without prejudicing current investigations into the company’s operations we can be sure that Guyflag and its sister NCCUL have been built upon some of the existing regulatory gaps and loopholes that exist within the local insurance operating environment.

It is high time that the government starts looking at turning these loopholes into nooses for companies like Guyflag.

Viewpoint
`We have gained greatly’
By Donald Ramotar General Secretary, PPP
WE ARE once again observing another anniversary of the victory of the democratic forces at the elections of October 5, 1992.

That date has become one of the most important dates in the history of independent Guyana. It was a juncture in which one stage of our people’s lives was closed, while simultaneously, a new one began.

Over the last 13 years our country moved forward at a rapid place. We have gained greatly in tangible and intangible ways.

It is important to recall that in 1992, the PPP/Civic inherited a country in ruins. We were bankrupt. Our foreign debt stood at some US$2.1 billion. Ninety-four per cent of government revenues went towards servicing that debt. Despite the heavy borrowing by the previous regime we had nothing to show for the debts we had.

Today, that debt has come down by more than 50 per cent. Inflation which was in the three-digit level in the early 1990s has been in the single digit for almost the whole period that the PPP/Civic has been in government.

Moreover, the minimum wage of the workers in the public sector was just about $3,000 per month and the income tax threshold was a mere $6,000. Today the minimum wage is almost $24,000 per month while the income tax threshold has been raised to $20,000 per month.

At the same time the non-wage benefits of the people increased even more impressively. Spending on education increased from $1 billion in 1992 to some $14.5 billion in 2004. Almost 1,000 schools have been built or rehabilitated. In the same period more than 5,000 teachers have been trained. That is why we are witnessing a strong increase in the passes at examinations.

The PPP/Civic government has also increased spending on health significantly. In 1992 the sum of $703 million was allocated to health. In 2004 that figure was $6.7 billion. New hospitals have been built and health services have been reaching the population in every part of our country. Together with the Cuban government hundreds of Guyanese are having operations to improve their sight.

In the area of housing the achievements have been impressive. More than 60,000 house lots were distributed in this period. We have made reality the dreams of many Guyanese.

The government has also built hundreds of miles of roads. That process is ongoing.

Electricity has improved greatly; so too has the delivery of water and other vital services.

The economy has also bounced back. Production in every area has increased greatly. The sugar and bauxite industries are getting new investments and are being modernised. Non-traditional exports have increased.

The challenge in the economy remains the further diversification.

Those are but a few of the tangible things that our people and country have benefited from the return of democracy.

However, a great amount has also been achieved in the sphere of governance.

We have a new Constitution which is designed to promote inclusivity in governance.

The Parliament has set up committees of government and Opposition members to scrutinise the work of the Executive. These committees have rotating chairs of both government and opposition.

An Ethnic Relations Commission was created after years of trying to do so, even before the new Constitution was written. It was frustrated before because the PNC was opposed to the chairperson that Dr Jagan had identified.

Our public accounts have been tabled every year in Parliament and a committee of the Parliament examines those accounts and reports to the full Assembly.

The government has passed laws to allow the press to be present at the meetings of the committees as well as the full sitting.

Apart from these, the freedoms and rights associated with a democracy are fully respected. Freedom of speech, of the press, etc., are all upheld and defended by the government.

We have an independent Judiciary and legal system.

Of course, coming from a background where we had a dictatorship just 13 years ago, one would appreciate that we have a lot of obstacles and problems to overcome. Many old habits continue to weigh on us and threaten our forward march.

Corruption is one of the hangovers of the past that continues to cling on tenaciously even in the present. Much more efforts have to be exerted to uproot this scrounge from our country.

The crime situation is another great problem that has to be grappled with. The government has been steadily increasing the capacity of the security forces.

In 1992 the previous regime spent $45 million on the security forces; in 2004 that figure rose to $527 million. This of course shows a serious commitment on the part of the administration to fight crime. However, crime still remains a problem that has to be more vigorously tackled.

Despite some of the major difficulties we have to face and the challenges that are ahead of us, I can say proudly that our country has grown appreciably. According to the World Bank and IMF, Guyana has moved out of the group of being a Heavily Indebted Poor Country. We are now described as a lower middle income country.

Indeed, I believe the appointment of President Bharrat Jagdeo to the position of Chairman of the IMF/World Bank Board is a recognition of the prudent management of the Guyanese economy that has taken place over the last 13 years.

In reflecting on the advances made, a word must also be said for the support of the international community to our struggles for democracy and for the other assistance in our country moving forward.

The future poses many challenges but also hope for greater progress.

On the eve of 1992, Dr Cheddi Jagan urged PPP members and other patriots of Guyana to give a bit more to our country, to care a bit more for our people as we move forward.

Today, I wish to repeat that call to all Guyanese.

Illegal fuel bust…
‘Buddy’, 10 others in second court appearance
OWNER of Buddy’s Farm at Coverden, Prakash Shivraj called ‘Buddy’ and the 10 other men arrested there during the big bust involving alleged smuggled fuel last week Tuesday, made their second court appearance yesterday at Providence, also on East Bank Demerara.

The well-known businessman faced a charge that was transferred from a Georgetown Court on Tuesday, which said, on September 27, at Lot 6 ‘A’ Coverden, he stored a quantity of illegal petroleum which did not contain the marking in the proportions required by GEA (Guyana Energy Agency not Authority as was inadvertently stated yesterday).

Magistrate Priya Beharry instructed Shivraj, already on bail totalling about $1.1M), to return on October 18, the same day as the other 10 defendants whose case files were not before her.

The 10, Wazir Mohamed, of Lot 28 North Road, Bourda and Errol Prince, of Lot 43 Garnett Street, Kitty, two Georgetown addresses, Deoram Singh (no address given), Clement Huntley, of Lot 39 Wisroc and Fitzgerald London, of Lot 494 Canvas City, both in Linden, Sanicharran Ramlogan, of Number 64 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Cezann Vanelwin (no address given either), Joseph Allen, of Diamond Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara, too, Ramsahai Basdeo, of Lot 101 Cornelia Ida Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara and Osbourne Richards of Supenaam, Essequibo Coast are all on $175,000 bail.

They pleaded not guilty, in front of Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan last week Thursday, to being in possession, at Coverden on September 27, of illegal petroleum that did not have the marker required by the GEA.

Shivraj is to appear, again, before a different city magistrate on November 22, in the other case in which he is alleged to have had a quantity of illegal petroleum, at Brickdam on October 1, which did not have the required GEA marking.

All the charges against Shivraj and others followed the seizure of a boat and several motor vehicles in which the suspect fuel was contained.

The vessel had gone missing but has since been recovered and, yesterday at Providence Court, Defence Counsel for Prince, Allen, Basdeo and Richards, Mr Vic Puran complained that the GEA is insisting his clients provide security for it.

But Special Prosecutor, Mr Anil Nandalall, after consultation with GEA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Joseph O’Lall, denied the claim.

Puran, however, maintained that one of the defendants was guarding the ‘Ashley S’ and was released to attend court with orders to resume such duty after. (PRIYA NAUTH)

Brother on incest charge refused bail
A TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD man was charged before Magistrate Bertlyn Reynolds yesterday with having carnal knowledge of his sister.

Lester Roberts (no address given) was not required to plea to the indictable incest charge and was refused bail and remanded to prison.

Particulars of the offence said it was committed between July 2 and September 22 last, at Pakera, Matthews Ridge, in North West District.

The case has been transferred to Matthews Ridge Court for November 2.

False assertions
I FEEL obligated to respond to Dr. Deonarine’s letter in Stabroek News (2005.10.05) headed “Mr. Jagdeo’s appointment as Chairman is a routine role rotates from country to country,” given my vantage position.

Dr. Deonarine made a number of false assertions which need to be corrected.

Dr. Deonarine claims that the Chairmanship of the Boards of Governors rotates from country to country and therefore it is an automatic appointment. This is untrue.

The Chairmanship was competed for (there was another candidate) and President Jagdeo, with his credentials and being the Governor for both the Fund and Bank Group, was formally selected by the Board of Governors at the Plenary Session of the Annual Meetings on 24th September, 2005.

Dr. Deonarine also tries to trivialize the role of the Chairman by positing that it is routine and only to facilitate the Annual Meetings. This is also untrue.

The role of the Chairman, which begins immediately at the end of the last Annual Meeting, is clearly outlined in the GINA press release published in the Stabroek News and Guyana Chronicle newspapers on the 25th September, 2005.

These roles are by no means insignificant and the President, who is now the Chairman of the Boards of Governors, has to be available to attend to all matters pertaining to his role throughout the year and not only to chair the Annual Meetings, which is a hallmark in itself.

At the Annual Meetings, which are held each autumn, important policy decisions are made when a range of issues related to poverty alleviation and economic development are discussed.

For example at this year’s meetings, the G8 Debt Initiative was accepted by the Boards of Governors. These meetings also provide a forum for international cooperation and enable the Bretton Woods Institutions to better serve their member countries.

Dr. Deonarine claims that only Ministers of Finance are Governors. This is also untrue.

Every country appoints a Governor and an Alternate Governor according to its own conviction.

It is indeed most worthy to celebrate President Jagdeo’s Chairmanship of the Boards of Governors of the Fund and Bank Group.

He has a huge responsibility and being Chair provides him with an ideal platform, with an audience of about 10,000 and of which 1,000 are representatives of the media, to champion the cause of developing countries in areas such as debt relief and fair trade.

It also provides a rare opportunity to outline Guyana’s accomplishments, lessons learnt and challenges ahead.
DR GOBIND GANGA
WORLD BANK

Fostering good governance
GOOD governance has eight major characteristics.

It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law.

It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making.

It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society.

These characteristics are inherent in the PPP/C working agenda towards fostering good governance.

The PPP/C is continuously working towards expanding efforts to encourage broader cooperation by all forces in society involved in public affairs but particularly political parties.
SUSAN CHEN

Inconsistent selection
THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is inconsistent on the selection of staff to work for the process of Continuous Registration.

During the period May – June 2005 GECOM published numerous vacancies in the print media for the following positions -- Registration Officer (RO), Assistant Registration Officer (ARO), Clerks 1, 2 and 3; mention was later made of the required qualifications and experience in the Election Process Field.

A process of short-listing was done. After that process, persons identified had to attend a one week training session and an evaluation at the end of the training for (RO, ARO and Clerk 3).

At that training it was stated that the scores gained and the appropriate qualification were the ultimate requirement for selection. The qualifications for the three areas stated in this paragraph were a Degree/Diploma or Certificate in Management.

Presently, this is the opposite when it comes to the selection of candidates. In some cases persons selected to work in the three critical areas do not even have the experience or the qualification, but were selected to function in those positions.

I humbly ask of the Chairman, Chief Election Officer, and Commissioners to look into this matter with some degree of urgency.

South Georgetown to date has a total of 15 staff, 1 RO, 2 AROs, 1 Clerk Three, 4 Clerk twos and 7 Clerk Ones.

When you look at the population of the South Georgetown, one office cannot work.

Permit me to share also the unprofessional manner in which Letters of Acceptance were distributed by the unappointed Registration Officer. These letters were not even placed in an envelope and so labeled your name.

Many persons who had applied for various positions are upset. There are persons with degrees who are placed as Clerk 1, and these individuals did the training for the field.

Those who applied for Clerks 1 and 2, I am told, had to do an interview and were required to have the basic CXC.

There are persons appointed to Clerk 3 and with only the basic CXC and to ARO with the basic also.
DERRICK CHARLES

Writing on the wall
A MEETING was recently held at the Catholic Life Centre, aimed at resolving the crisis in the Roman Catholic Church over the proposed plan to dissolve the Sacred Heart parish.

At the commencement of that meeting, each person was asked to state in one word how they were feeling.

I answered that I felt betrayed, just like Jesus must have felt when he was sold out by Judas. At the end of the meeting four hours after I felt as if I had endured the Passion.

It was, as I recalled during the meeting, the Sacred Heart parish that led the struggle of the Church for justice in Guyana. And it is disappointing that having struggled for so long, we are now struggling against the leadership of the Church.

But struggle we must if we are to ensure that Sacred Heart retains its status as a parish.

The parishioners are resolute and I believe prepared for the long haul. I am convinced that only through struggle will we achieve our goals.

The meeting last Monday was not productive. When Church member, William Cox got up on Monday afternoon at the Catholic Life Center and pleaded with His Lordship, Bishop Francis Alleyne to make a goodwill gesture by deferring the October 23 deadline for a decision on to the future of the parish, expectations were high that a concession would have been made and the process of dialogue advanced.

However, no deferment was forthcoming from our Bishop. This put a damper on the entire meeting and even the normally conciliatory Cox was forced to express his disappointment that the simple concession he asked for was rebuffed.

The parishioners of Sacred Heart need to see the writing on the wall. It is now their moment of truth to decide whether to continue the struggle or humbly succumb to the wishes of the Church.

For those who will choose the former, the struggle begins now and does not end until victory is assured with the help of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and his Holy Mother.

The struggle does not end on Oct 23 regardless of what decision is taken then; we must not give up in our quest to have our parish remain intact.

The position I have taken cannot be construed as attacking the Church. As a member of the laity, I am under the obligation of obedience to the Bishop and his priests.

However, having been the President of the Faith Justice and Social Action Group for ten years and having been conscripted at one time into the Justice and Peace Commission of the Church I have had the benefit of understanding some of the important documents of the Universal Church.

One such document, the Sacred Constitution of the Church, Lumen Gentium observes that we as laity should openly reveal our needs and desires with “that freedom and confidence which is fitting for children of God and brothers in Christ”.

And the same document goes on to state that we, the laity are permitted and even obliged to express our opinion on those things which concern the good of the Church.”
MARTIN BOLLERS

No Immigration officer
IT’S a good thing that President Bharrat Jagdeo was made the Chairman of the board of governors of the World Bank and the IMF.

It was also a good thing that Mahatma Gandhi is being remembered after all he did in his days.

It's lovely because it was Sunday, (a day of rest), all these calls for celebration.

But I believe this is not nice; a friend of mine came into the country from one of the Caribbean countries on Sunday.

On getting to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, to his amazement, there was not a single immigration officer to attend to them.

They had formed a line (the usual thing) and they had waited 30 minutes (the unusual thing) waiting their passports or travel documents to be stamped.

So my question is -- where were all the immigration officers? Where did they all go? Who was in charge?

Someone should not tell me they all went 'liming' because of the many celebrations around.

I think someone has to be questioned.
SYDNEY .D. E

Thanks, BWIA
I FINALLY received my reimbursement cheque for dry cleaning of wet clothing in my suitcase. 

I boarded a flight from Miami in February 2004, and upon my arrival at the airport for the routine customs check of luggage, I noted that some of my clothing were wet. 

After consultation with BWIA to dry clean my garments and submit the bill to them, I did not receive my cheque until September 2005. 

If I were waiting for US$22 from BWIA to supplement my daily bread, I would still be hungry.

Thank you BWIA for my reimbursement cheque.
YVONNE JACKSON

South American Road Classic launched with a $10 million budget
… Three new foreign teams confirm participation
By Isaiah Chappelle
THE 3rd South American 10 km Road Classic was launched, yesterday, at Olympic House in Queenstown, Georgetown, with a $10 million budget and three new countries confirming participation.

President of the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) Claude Blackmore gave a background on the event and introduced the partners and sponsors.

The partners are Continental Group of Companies and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), while Swansea, Dyna’s Embroidery, Beepat & Sons and Paper Craft are the sponsors.

Blackmore said Continental was injecting some $1.5 million of the budget, but did not put a figure to the other sponsors’ contribution.

Company Secretary M.S. Ally said for the past three years running his company was a partner and was happy with the association.

“It is interesting to look at the participation the race now attracts. That will lead to international recognition which we badly need.”

Jonathan Beepat said he was happy to see the high level of organisation level, while Swanea Marketing Executive Seaton Griffith said the meet would bring benefits such as togetherness among participating countries and Dyna’s Marketing Executive Audi Singh disclosed that it his company’s first venture with the race, but the next contribution might come bigger.

Blackmore announced that Trinidad & Tobago, the Bahamas and Grenada would be fielding athletes for the first time, while regulars St Vincent & the Grenadines and St Lucia would again have athletes, including Pomenos Ballentyne.

South American teams will come from Brazil, Suriname, Colombia and Venezuela, but Brazil will field just male and female athletes, reduced from the usual four, to spread distribution of the cash prizes because their runners have been dominating the race.

“We will have a formidable line-up,” Blackmore declared.

The race will be conducted in three categories: Youths (15 years and Under-18), Juniors (18 years and Under-20) and International (Men and Women).

The International winners will pocket $200 000 (US$1000), second-placers $120 000 (US$600) and third-placers $80 000 (US$400), while the top five finishers will also receive trophies.

Runners in the Youth and Juniors categories will be presented with trophies for finishing in the top three positions.

Blackmore recalled that the run started in 2003 after it was ratified by the IAAF, the world governing body, in 2002 to be staged by countries in the hemisphere that did not have synthetic tracks - Panama, Suriname and Guyana.

Guyana had been hosting the first leg and this year it will be on October 23, a Sunday; the second leg will be in Suriname on October 29, a Saturday; and the third in Panama on November 14, a Sunday.

This year’s meet has been given full IAAF status therefore reports will have to be forwarded to the world body, too.

To fulfil the IAAF mandate, a Local Organising Committee (LOC) was formed at the end of June to run off the event - consisting Chairman Claude Blackmore, Vice-chairman Keith French, Secretary Ken Elexey, Chief Executive Officer Karen Cumberbatch, Director of Finance & Budget Kwabena Wright, Director of Security Police Commissioner Winston Felix, Director of Accommodation & Hospitality Amanda Hernmanstine, Director of Transportation Neville Denny, Director of Media Relations Leeron Brumell, Director of Medical Services Dr Clive Bowman, Competitions Director Edward Singh and Secretarial Manager Pamela Phillips.

A dress rehearsal will be the Thomas Lands YMCA 10 km on Sunday that will follow the route in two categories - Under-18 and Open, with a $15 000 cash prize for the Open winner.

Squads for Australia and Hong Kong Sixes named…
Chanderpaul retains Windies captaincy
ST JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC - The West Indies cricket selectors, yesterday, named 15 players for next month's tour of Australia while retaining batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul as captain.

The 31-year-old Chanderpaul will have fellow Guyanese Ramnaresh Sarwan as his deputy, and Sarwan is one of several top players, who missed the recent Sri Lanka tour this summer over the players' contracts dispute, returning to the unit.

Antiguan Sylvester Joseph will captain the Hong Kong Sixes squad.

Double world batting record holder Brian Lara, Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, and Devon Smith are all included in the Test side, after missing the Sri Lanka trip.

Pacer Jermaine Lawson, recently cleared by the ICC over a suspect bowling action, has been included in the party that travels on October 17 for the series of three Tests.

Notable absentees include injured left-arm pacer Pedro Collins, batsmen Runako Morton and Joseph, who were key batsmen on the Sri Lanka tour, and West Indies-A team captain Daren Ganga, who led the reserves admirably on the A-team tour of Sri Lanka this summer.

West Indies play Australia in the first Test November 3-7 in Brisbane, followed by Hobart November 17-21, and Adelaide November 25-29.

The West Indies will also play two first-class matches on tour, against Queensland and Victoria.

The selectors have also named a seven-man squad for the Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes, scheduled for October 22-23 at the Kowloon Cricket Club, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Joseph will be leading that party that includes Morton, Lendl Simmons, Narsingh Deonarine, Darren Sammy, Deighton Butler and Richard Kelly.

Squad - Shiv Chanderpaul (captain), Tino Best, Dwayne Bravo, Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Brian Lara, Jermaine Lawson, Darren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Dwayne Smith.

The itinerary for the tour to Australia is as follows:

October 27-30 - Queensland

November 3-7 - 1st Test (Brisbane)

November 11-13 - Victoria

November 17-21 - 2nd Test (Hobart)

November 25-29 - 3rd Test (Adelaide)

December 2 - Prime Minister's XI (Canberra)

Fruta Conquerors outclass the Army 3-0
… Tigers win as well
By Allan La Rose
NATIONAL striker Anthony Abrams scored twice and assisted with the other to play the pivotal role in Fruta Conquerors’ 3-0 drubbing of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in yesterday’s Premier League action at the Tucville ground, while at Camp Ayanganna, Cari Air Western Tigers beat Thomas United 2-0.

It was another vintage display by the Premiership’s leaders before their home crowd against an Army side which had promised to change the score of the first round clash. The result certainly was different from the 3-1 loss, and the man who made the big difference was the competition’s top goalscorer who opened the scoring in the 18th minute.

Abrams, on receiving a precise through pass from striking partner Dexter Bentick in the area, cleverly turned two defenders inside-out as they collided while he slipped the ball past a bemused Keith Fraser for goal number one.

It should have been 2-0 in the 25th minute but the dreadlocked Daniel Favorite missed from close-up a clear-cut chance as the first half of the 80-minute affair ended 1-0.

On the resumption Conquerors continued to dominate as they attacked with consistency and were richly rewarded after 20 minutes when Abrams turned the provider for Bentick, who made no mistake with a perfectly-executed header from a left-side cross. After leaving two defenders helpless on the ground Abrams delivered the ideal pass for a 2-0 lead and Bentick’s third conversion of the season.

Ten minutes from the end, Abrams crowned an entertaining afternoon when he drew the goalie off his line and rounded him before scoring in an open goal. It was the 14th goal of the competition for the goal-hungry forward and the last team for him to net on.

The three points propelled Conquerors to 25 as they stretched their lead at the top with their seventh win, while the Army were left on 14.

Over at the Army’s Headquarters, Western Tigers welcomed home their captain Shawn Beveney from the UK with a comfortable 2-0 win over Thomas United who went under for the seventh time in the competition.

Beveney made his presence felt almost immediately in the 70-minute encounter as he gave the Tigers the advantage three minutes from the half. Forward Stellon David added the other four minutes after the break to secure the Tigers’ third victory which moved them to fifth position with 12 points.

Jefford, February, Carter declared UG’s Athletes-of-the-Year
SPRINTER Edison Jefford from the School of Humanity and Education copped the Male Athlete-of-the-Year prize for the second consecutive year.

The third-year student, who majors in English Literature, at the Inter-Faculty Athletics competition in May this year won the 100-metre race while he finished second in the 200 and 400 m.

The Female Athlete-of-the-Year was not a runaway and the selection committee was forced to split the top spot in the middle, awarding Social Sciences students Aranka February and Dacia Carter.

The awards were announced during University of Guyana (UG) Sports Department 2004/2005 Athletics and Football Competitions Award Ceremony at the Education Lecture Theatre on Tuesday afternoon.

At the Inter-Faculty competition, February placed first in the 200 and 400 metres while also placing second in the long jump. Carter, on the other hand, was second in the 200 metres, first in shot put and first in discus.

In football, Staff received their trophy for victory in the finals of the Inter-Faculty competition. The lone goalscorer of the match Troy Bentick was chosen by FIFA-referee Dianne Ferreira-James, who officiated in the game, as the most outstanding player.

In the feature address, Mr Vincent Alexander, Deputy Registrar of the University of Guyana, opined that UG should have teams in all different sporting areas.

“Our sporting activities must result in the selection of a team called the University team, be it in football, cricket, athletics, volleyball, tennis -- every kind of sport, it must end up at the end of the competition as a team that we put under the guidance of a coach.”

He said one of the biggest problems our society faced was the question of tolerance, the question of one-man-ship, and that sport provided the opportunity for the collective body to understand what it is to work together.

“Sport goes a long way beyond merely exerting your energy. It has a role to play in character development as well.”

Also speaking at the award ceremony was president of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) Jason Benjamin, who said that next year the body would present monetary awards for outstanding students in sports. He also stressed its support for sports on campus.

Chairing the ceremony was sports officer Claude Blackmore while Staff football team captain Quacy Cooper moved the vote of thanks.

GFL division one football…
Santos and Camptown set for wins today
UNBEATEN leaders Santos FC and fourth-placed Camptown FC are not expected to drop any point this afternoon when action in the Georgetown Football League’s (GFL) division one continues at two different venues.

President’s Cup finalists Santos started the second round in a very devastating mood as they paraded a virtual second-string team which swept aside bottom side Northern Rangers 9-1 in their opening game of the second round last week Thursday.

Today they take on second from last UG at Tucville where it is anticipated they will secure their eighth win of the competition.

Camptown at home to Rangers should have no problems in moving into second position as the three points will take them one better than current second-placed Flamingo on 19 points.

Police, who are third on 18 points, were surprised last Saturday by Uprising who won handsomely by a 4-2 margin. The Lawmen and Flamingo also played to a scoreless draw in their opening game of round two to help bring Camptown back into title contention.

Both games this afternoon kick off at 16:00 h.

El Dorado/Carib tennis…
Pegasus ladies champ reaches semis
PEGASUS Ladies’ Singles champion Rebecca Mitchell advanced to the Ladies’ Open Singles semifinals of El Dorado/Carib tennis tournament at Le Meridien Pegasus courts, Tuesday night.

Mitchell powered her way to straight sets victory over Delicia Young, dropping just one game 6-0, 6-1.

Also, going into the semis, former National champion Shelly Daly secured a win with an identical score, disposing of Efanie Doobay, still displaying the fine touches and ground strokes of yore.

But Grace McCalman put away Joella George in straight sets without conceding a game 6-0, 6-0 to secure her semi-final place.

In the Men’s Open Singles, Lester Alvis and Nicholas Fenty registered identical scores 6-1, 6-1, to secure victories. Alvis beat Thiago Reis and Fenty disposed of Adrian Wong.

Fenty advanced to the quarterfinals, along with Rudy Grant who was awarded a walkover from Jeremy Miller.

Adam Alves defeated Geraldo Alphonso without dropping a game in straight sets 6-0, 6-0, to secure a semi-final place in the Boys’ 18-&-Under Singles.

Pegasus Men’s Singles champion Phillip Squires who was knocked out from the present Singles Open by 16-year-old Sue-Ho, teamed up with Gilbert Barckoy in the Men’s Open Doubles, beating Dax Hutson and Stephen Longe 6-1, 6-2. They advanced to the semifinals.

Don Singh and Sanjiv Datadin were awarded a walkover from Owen Lewis and Andre Lopes to reach the quarterfinals in the same competition.

KFC jumps in to sponsor regional one-day championship
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) will sponsor the regional limited overs cricket tournament to the tune of US$479 000 for the next three years.

This was revealed by Chief Executive Officer of Prestige Holdings, Dane Darbasie, at a media briefing at the Queen's Park Oval Tuesday.

The 2005 series, which began on Monday in Barbados, will now be known as the KFC Cup, replacing the President's Trophy, which has gone without a sponsor since Red Stripe ended its sponsorship in 2003.

The absence of sponsorship over this time w