Welcome to guyanachronicle.com

Govt. moves to mitigate rising cost of living
‘Whatever relief the government seeks to initiate would be focused on vulnerable populations, groups and sectors’ – Dr Luncheon
By Neil Marks
THE government says its measures to mitigate the rising cost of living may include taxation measures, liberalising the domestic market and monitoring the export of foods.

The announcement came from Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon at his weekly post Cabinet news briefing yesterday.

He said government acknowledged that the price for imported and home grown food had risen significantly.

Luncheon said Cabinet was to meet again to decide on exactly what the interventions will be.

Ministers of the Government will then fan out to communities across the country to announce the measures, Dr Luncheon told reporters.

These visits by the ministers are likely to start at the weekend.

The Government has set up an inter-ministry committee to assess the impact of the rising cost of food. The committee includes representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Local Government, Amerindian Affairs and Labour.

According to Dr Luncheon, Minister of Agriculture Mr. Robert Persaud indicated that while the Terms of Reference for the Committee deal with causes, the main focus was interventions to manage price escalations and addressing supply and demand considerations.

“Cabinet examined in great detail the situation with the major dietary commodities, including flour, rice, green vegetables, animal protein and plant protein, pulses and ground provisions,” Dr Luncheon stated.

He said that whatever relief the government seeks to initiate would be focused on vulnerable populations, groups and sectors.

According to Dr Luncheon, when the Ministers go into the communities, they will “explore additional moves” and identify target populations.

On Wednesday the Agriculture Minister met with importers of food, and millers and exporters of rice, to discuss the availability of food supplies.

At both meetings, there were assurances by importers and exporters of adequate food supplies to satisfy export and local demands.

PROUD AMERINDIANS
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS
New Foreign Affairs, Amerindian Affairs Ministers sworn in
By Shirley Thomas
FORMER Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, was yesterday sworn in as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mrs. Pauline Sukhai as the new Minister of Amerindian Affairs.

Mrs. Rodrigues-Birkett succeeds Mr. Samuel Rudolph Insanally who recently demitted office due to ill health, after rendering seven years of yeoman service in that position, and previously as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, a position he held for several years.

Mrs. Sukhai, who has assumed a ministerial appointment for the first time, after serving as a Parliamentarian for 15 years, now demits her former position as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

Sukhai has been a long-standing advocate of Women’s and Amerindian rights in Guyana.

Both women were sworn in by President Bharrat Jagdeo in the Credentials Room of the Presidential Secretariat, New Garden Street in the city.

Following the taking of the oaths, President Jagdeo congratulated both Ministers for the good work they did in their former positions.

He spoke of the growing number of women now in the Cabinet, noting that such positions demand commitment and hard work, and he is sure that the two new ministers will be equal to the task ahead.

The 34-year-old Rodrigues-Birkett hails from Santa Rosa Mission where she received her early education. In 1989, she relocated to Georgetown where she continued her education, and in 1991 was granted a scholarship by the Canadian Government to pursue studies in Amerindian Affairs and Business Administration at the Saskatchewan Federated College, (a part of the University of Regina).

On her return home in 1993, Rodrigues-Birkett worked with the Social Impact Amelioration Project (SIMAP) as the Assistant Coordinator for Amerindian Projects, and was later promoted coordinator with responsibility for more than 100 projects in Amerindian communities.

The announcement of Ms. Rodrigues-Birkett’ appointment as Foreign Affairs Minister was made by President Jagdeo Wednesday evening.

In a statement, the Office of the President noted that Ms. Rodrigues-Birkett brings to her new appointment a wealth of experience.

“With her academic qualifications in Social Work and Business Administration, experience and highly respected leadership and management qualities as a Minister in the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs over the last seven years, she will add a new vibrancy to Guyana’s foreign image,” the statement stated.

And in an invited comment on what will be her immediate priorities, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett stated that a high premium will be placed on ensuring Guyana has a positive image abroad.

Meanwhile, Minister Sukhai, who now has responsibility for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, acknowledged that she has inherited an office which has already realized substantial development for the Amerindian peoples under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.

She said she will be working assiduously to further such development. Other areas of emphasis will be promoting Tourism, and finalizing the issue of land demarcation in Amerindian communities.

Sukhai holds a first degree in Economics and a post-grad in development studies. Her previous postings include working with the Social Impact Amelioration Project (SIMAP) as an Economist, and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Project as a Socio-Economist.

Among those present at the swearing-in were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; former President – Mr. Janet Jagan; other Cabinet colleagues and senior government officials.

Also present were Minister Rodrigues-Birkett’s husband, Roland Birkett; her son Randy and sister Cassandra; and Minister Sukhai’s husband Errol, and their daughter Demi.

CRIME AND SECURITY
Fortnight time-line to address Summit recommendations
By Neil Marks
THE government has set a two-week timeline for the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Legal Affairs to address legislative and administrative measures to implement the recommendations coming out of last weekend’s crime summit of heads of government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

CARICOM governments agreed to take collective action to arrest the region’s growing crime and security troubles, saying they would sign a Maritime and Airspace and Security Agreement as part of the collaboration to stem the rising rates of murders, kidnappings, drug trafficking, and violent gangs.

The decision was made when the Cabinet met Tuesday this week, Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon said yesterday at his weekly press conference.

At the Cabinet meeting, Dr Luncheon said President Bharrat Jagdeo and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee made extensive briefs on the discussion and output of the conference.

Importantly, the Heads agreed that 31 specific activities in 11 broad areas would be accomplished.

Some of those specific tasks fell under the areas of illegal firearms, drug trafficking, intelligence and information sharing, kidnappings and deportees.

“These decisions demonstrated the most important response to crime and violence in our community,” Dr Luncheon said. He noted that coordination and collaboration were highlighted, and in that context, the Heads agreed to sign a number of agreements and treaties emphasising collective responses.

“I think the most important decision of the Conference was a commitment to enhance and expand the very successful arrangements that were put in place for CWC 2007,” said host Prime Minister Patrick Manning at the closing news conference.

Among those institutions and measures to be re-implemented is the re-establishment of a single domestic space in the Caribbean.

The leaders also agreed to renew the system of having airlines submit advance passenger lists of the persons who are booked to be flown into the Caribbean.

The leaders have committed to re-establishing a common visa for visitors to the region.

These measures are to be developed, agreed upon and put in place before April 2009, when Trinidad and Tobago will host the Summit of the Americas conference to be attended by 34 nations, said Prime Minister Manning.

Another measure of the CWC to be returned, this time on permanent basis, is the Rapid Deployment Force that will respond to any emergency security situation in CARICOM.

And so too the leaders agreed to revive the regional intelligence centre in Port of Spain and the joint communication centre in Bridgetown.

The use on a regional basis of DNA in police investigations, changing and harmonizing national laws to use video images in crime procedures are other measures to be adopted by the Heads.

Common wire-tapping legislation is to be developed to track telephone conversations.

“But of course it has to be done under controlled circumstances to respect people’s privacy; but this is absolutely necessary,” President Jagdeo told reporters.

Final closure plan announced for OMAI mine sites
THE curtains have finally come down on the operations of Omai Gold Mines Limited following the announcement of a detailed closure plan for the OMAI Mine Site which has been agreed to by OMAI, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

It is envisaged that all environmental and other activities at the OMAI Mine site would be completed by the end of September 2008.

The release said OMAI has given notice of its intention to “terminate the mineral agreement and voluntarily relinquish its mining licence with effect from October 1, 2008 to which the GGMC and EPA have agreed.

“The EPA confirms that, generally, OMAI Gold Mines Limited has complied with the identified limits and other environmental requirements of the EPA, and that the company’s compliance was consistent with its ISO 14001 certification for environmental management,” the release added.

The closure plan at the request of the government has been changed from “back to nature” to an “after use” of the OMAI mine site. The infrastructure which includes internal roadways, landing barrage, airport, access roads, power plant and camp site facilities will however, be retained.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who is also the minister responsible for mining was quoted in the release as saying that Government, consistent with the after-use option for the OMAI site is inviting other mining companies to re-evaluate its underground mining possibilities.

The Prime Minister reiterated government’s policy of foreign-direct investment but also welcomes responsible mining which facilitates successful large scale operations in Guyana.

The GGMC also acknowledges the operations of OMAI noting that regulations provide a framework for the operation of gold mining in compliance with international standards.

“The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission notes the long gestation period associated with birthing large scale operations and challenges all exploration companies to stay on course with their field activities.”

The release added that although OMAI departs with dignity, it looks forward to other interventions such as pursuing prospecting activities of Eagle Mountain and has been reviewing other prospects in Guyana.

The relinquishing of the company’s operations is considered closure to an important chapter in the life of gold mining in Guyana.

Among the highlights of OMAI’s operations in Guyana is the spearheading of the first large scale cyanide extraction operation in 1993 with the opening of the mine by the late President Dr Cheddi Jagan.

Among its other success stories was the accomplishment of producing approximately 3.8 million ounces of gold from operations in 2005. The company’s contribution to gold mining operations in Guyana is considered by government as sterling.

Re-naming during national registration needs addressing at larger forum - HPS
HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon said re-naming Guyanese, on the basis of registration during the national registration exercise, needs to be examined while a process that would accommodate time-tabling for Local Government Elections would have to be put in place.

His comments were made during yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President in light of GECOM’s move to put in place a final and definitive model by which names are associated with individuals.

Dr Luncheon said many people are being advised that at the end of the registration exercise, complying with all of GECOM’s rulings, they would all have different names.

“As a consequence, as GECOM proclaims National Registration documents would suffice for a number of legal and other purposes, it means those whose names would have to change would now be burdened with effort, cost and other things of going and making those changes,” Dr Luncheon said.

He added that whether the appropriateness of national registration is debatable, the process is seen as a definitive activity.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Wednesday said that the registration process is 55 percent complete. (GINA)

Dr. Gobin to appear in court
- Labour ministry file charges
THE Ministry of Labour, Human Services & Social Security yesterday indicated that it has filed charges against Managing Director of Woodlands Hospital Ltd. Dr. Neville Gobin, who is now scheduled to appear in Court next week.

One such charge by the ministry, as outlined in a press statement yesterday, is the (alleged) failure by Dr. Gobin to consult with the Chief Labour Officer as required by Section 12 (3) of the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act No. 19 of 1997 on possible measures that could have been taken to avert the ceasing of operations within the laundry department which was done on Monday, March 31, 2008.

The other charge entails failure to recognize the Guyana Labour Union, a duly registered Trade Union under the provision of the Trade Union Act Chapter 98:03, in that the Trade Union Recognition & Certification Board, a body corporate established under the Trade Union Recognition Act No. 33 of 1997, had certified the union to be the recognized majority union for Porters, Security Officers, Nurses and Nurse Aids employed by the Hospital.

After a meeting with the Guyana Labour Union and Woodlands Hospital at the Ministry of Labour on February 4, 2008, the company agreed to recognize the union but failed to do so, according to the statement signed by Mr. Mohamed Akeel, Chief Occupational Safety & Health Officer at the Labour ministry.
Dr. Neville Gobin is scheduled to appear in Court on April 18, 2008.

Removal of asbestsos from Turkeyen campus to be done in summer
MINISTER of Education Mr. Shaik Baksh Wednesday said that the removal of asbestos from the University of Guyana (UG) will be done in the summer and the campus will be closed for about two months to facilitate the process.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, he pointed out that the work will commence mid-June and is expected to be completed early September.

The university administration had proposed that the school be closed for the first semester of 2008-2009 to allow for the asbestos removal.

But the Ministry of Education subsequently wrote the administration, requesting that the removal be done in the summer where there will be least disruption.

The minister noted that the tender for the project will be out in another two weeks and his ministry is looking to recruit about four contractors to be supervised by a technical steering committee.

Mr. Baksh said students who have to study during the summer will be accommodated at the Cyril Potter College of Education and Queen’s College.
Government has allocated $ 200 M for the project.

$14M Albouystown Nursery School commissioned
Ministry to propose nursery education from three and a half years
By Tajeram Mohabir
The Ministry of Education is looking at making early childhood education compulsory from three and a half years, as against the current required age of five and a half years.

Minister Shaik Baksh made this announcement yesterday when he commissioned the spanking new $ 14 M Albouystown Nursery School, and in the process moved a step closer to achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goal for nursery education.

Addressing parents and their little ones, Minister Baksh pointed out that the institution clearly reflects the administration’s keen interest in developing the child at an early age. The Minister last week commissioned a similar facility at Lusignan, on the East Coast of Demerara.

Mr. Baksh commended the school’s Parent Teachers Association (PTA) and members of the community for the role they played in the construction of the school, and solicited their continued support of the institution.

He pledged government’s commitment to providing students with trained teachers, materials and an environment conducive to learning.

He stressed too that parents also have a critical role to play to ensure their children’s success.

The Ministry will soon launch a nationwide campaign to make parents more aware of the importance of having a keen interest in their children’s education.

Also greater emphasis will be placed on supervision at the primary level, to ensure that students entering secondary schools are functionally literate and numerate.

The Minister spoke of being upset at students seen on streets in the city well after 9 hrs on school days, and he called on head teachers to look into this urgently.

The ministry has recruited the services of an additional 30 schools’ welfare officers to reinforce students’ self-esteem to ensure discipline in the school system.

Former head teacher of the newly commissioned school, Ms. Linda Dainty, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education for the new facility, and remarked that the school is a dream come true after 17 years of praying for a permanent building.

She said the students were previously housed at the YMCA building on Sussex and Albouys Street, where they suffered from several incidents of vandalism.

Current head teacher of the school, Ms Belinda Cameron, in brief remarks, said the new building provides the proper environment for realizing the children’s potential and for further development of their curriculum.

The school currently has a population of 74 pupils and four teachers.

They were occupying the new school house since March 10.

Mass literacy programme gets underway next month
THE mass literacy programme being undertaken by the Ministry of Education is expected to come on stream next month
Education Minister Shaik Baksh told the Guyana Chronicle, that the $115M programme will target mainly primary school students but attention will also be given to school drop-outs between the ages of 15 to 24, as well as adults.

Mr. Baksh pointed out that some 14,500 students will benefit from the programme and appealed for donor support to extend the initiative for another three to five years.

The minister disclosed that already a national literacy coordinator has been appointed and soon those at the level of the regions will be known.

This month about 300 literacy educators under the programme will be trained and Mr. Baksh expressed optimism that the project would have a significant impact on those who are deficient in this area.

Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will assist in the delivery of the programme, particularly the Adult Education Association (AEA) and the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE).

This programme will supplement the Ministry of Education, Basic Education Access Management Support (BEAMS) literacy and numeracy programme.

Barakah Barrels donates to Joshua House
JOSHUA House Children Centre yesterday received a charitable donation from the London-based Barakah Barrels organization.

Mr. Osama Samad the leader of Barakah Barrels Guyana made the presentation of clothing, food items and educational supplies to the centre, as part of the organisation’s many planned charitable programmes.

Samad said the organisation donates items to all the Caribbean countries that are affected by natural disasters. He said, since Guyana is not so much affected by natural disasters the organisation decided to donate items to orphanages in the country.

“We are fulfilling a mandate that was given to us by the almighty and at the same time we are assisting especially orphanages. We are here to stay and assist those in need,” noted Samad.

According to the leader, other social programmes will be launched at orphanages that include activities which will benefit orphans.

Arrowhead Promotions stages music awards
GUYANA will once again be making its mark in the international arena when ARROWHEAD PROMOTIONS stages its Music Awards in November at the National Cultural Centre.

A release said the awards ceremony billed for Sunday, November 30 this year promises to be a premiere event comparable to international awards ceremonies such as the Grammys and BET.

According to the executive director of Arrowhead promotions, Kwame Mc Coy the prestigious awards ceremony seeks to reward artistic excellence in the music industry that has definitely shown signs of growth and development over the years. He said it will coincide with strategic efforts to “promote Guyana” through its rich and diverse arts and cultures.

“Exhibiting our local talent at another level is the continuation of the unleashing of vast potentials,” Mc Coy said.

He disclosed that a group of Caribbean personalities in the creative arts is teaming up with major sponsors, to bring audience and industry representatives – from veterans to the latest surge in fresh new unsigned talent a memorable event.

Mc Coy is optimistic that the line up of fantastic performances will represent the climax in the local entertainment sphere, promote and represent the hype in the music industry.

He said “Arrowhead” their promotional group is advancing strategic partnerships for high level sponsorship with major commercial brands and public sector organizations as part of their inclusive approach to maximize the potential of the music industry.

Arrowhead Promotions is calling on Guyanese to prepare themselves for an event which, according to Mc Coy “can only be billed as an excellent experience from red carpet entrances to local and regional performances to a mind blowing Awards Ceremony and Celebrity Treatment.”

He is confident that this gala celebration will be Guyana’s most prestigious event of the music industry.

Shafee wins TV in ‘Anything is possible at Courts’
COURTS Guyana Inc. yesterday presented a 42’ inch Panasonic Plasma television to Shazid Shaffee of lot 2, Blygezight Bel Air, as part of the “Anything is possible at Courts” promotion.

Shaffee who purchased a gas stove at the store was given the opportunity to fill out coupons to be apart of the promotion. He said it was the first time he ever won a prize at Courts although he is a regular customer at the store.

However, Shaffee was delighted with the prize he won, which he emphasized was a huge surprise for him.

Courts Country Manager, Mr. Lester Alvis said that it is a pleasure to see one of the store’s long standing customers take home a grand prize.

“The more you shop at Courts the more opportunity you will have to win something. I must also highlight the fact that we have quality top brands here also,” noted Alvis.

One seriously injured in crash on Essequibo Coast
A man in his late 50’s is fighting desperately for his life in the Intensive Care Unit at the Charity Hospital on the Essequibo Coast.

According to reports, Carl Lawrie of Hampton Court, along with his wife and the driver of a van were returning home Tuesday afternoon when the driver lost control of the speeding vehicle which ploughed into the Better Success bridge and ended up in a drainage canal.

Fisherman working on their seine nearby and other residents rushed to the damaged vehicle and pulled out the wounded passengers.

Lawrie, who was sitting by the driver, was pinned to his seat by the bridge’s broken rail.

The impact of the crash also caused the engine of the van to be knocked out.

The driver of the vehicle escaped serious injuries, while Mrs. Lawrie, was hospitalized and discharged the next morning.

Police recover items believed stolen
THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) Wednesday informed the public that they have several pieces of electrical items, believed to have been stolen, at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Police in a press release said that ranks, during an early morning operation on the East Bank Demerara on April 1 last, seized one gas stove, one DVD/CD player, one stereo set, one microwave, one CD player, one television set, one CD car deck and ceiling lights.

The release asked that persons who had such items stolen from their homes visit CID Headquarters, Eve Leary, between 08:00h and 18:00h any working day to see if any of the items is theirs.

PSC commends government for resuming Stabroek News ads
THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) has commended the government on its decision to resume the placement of advertisements with the Stabroek News.
The Commission believes that the government’s decision will restore and confirm public faith in the government’s commitment to uphold the constitutional right of freedom of expression and freedom of the press,” a release from the PSC said

It added that the PSC believes that the society is best served by a media which is committed to the principles of the Declaration of Chapultepec and that “the credibility of the press is linked to its commitment to truth, to the pursuit of accuracy, fairness and objectivity” and that “the attainment of these goals and respect for ethical and professional values may not be imposed” as “these are the exclusive responsibilities of journalists and the media” in a free society.

Speed boat for health worker at Bethany
THE Government has handed over a new 15 HP outboard engine and a boat to the Bethany Amerindian Village Council to boost the delivery of health care to residents in the interior area.

According to Chairman of the Local Government and Hinterland Sub-committee of the Regional Democratic Council, Mr. Pooran Persaud, the health worker of Bethany up the Supenaam River will use the boat and engine to visit residents living along both banks of the river.

Tractor/trailer for Mainstay-Whyaka
THE Mainstay-Whyaka Amerindian Village Council, with assistance from the Guyana Micro Programme Projects (GMPP), has purchased a new 290 Massey Ferguson tractor and trailer to transport organic pineapples from farms to the processing factory.

According to a report presented to members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at their statutory meeting Tuesday, farmers in the community have increased cultivation of organic pineapple.

The report said farmers will also use the tractor and trailer to transport plants to their farms and other produce from their farms.

The Mainstay/Whyaka community currently exports processed pineapple chunks overseas.

Local rice exporters assures of supply to overseas markets
LOCAL rice exporters have assured the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud, that they will honour export commitments to CARICOM, including Jamaica.

The minister met with exporters on Wednesday to discuss the export of rice and its availability for the local market.

“The millers assure me that they are committed to the CARICOM market, especially our Jamaican importers,” Minister Persaud said.

“Working together with the GRDB, we can ensure that our regular overseas market commitments are honoured and at the same time, we maintain adequate supplies for the local market,” he said in a statement released by his ministry yesterday.

Three millers indicated that they have contracts with their Jamaican partners: Golden Fleece Rice Mill and Cane Grove Rice Mill have a contract with the Jamaican Rice Mill and Nand Persaud & Sons Ltd has a contract with a buyer - Horizon Distributors.

In response to a report in a Jamaican newspaper about local exporters being “cagey about long-term rice contracts”, Minister Persaud said he was told by the exporters that they are “reluctant to sell for the entire crop and this is because the paddy market in Guyana is very volatile and they cannot place a final cost for the acquisition of the paddy.

This situation will change as soon as the harvesting is completed.

As an illustration, the price of paddy started this season at $3,200 and it is now $5,000 per bag. The millers do not want to commit to prices and in the future have to renegotiate. This may seem as bad business by some, but they are only playing it ‘safe”.

Minister Persaud noted that the Government is committed to ensuring that there is fairness in the business environment for the sale and purchase of paddy. “We will not fix the price for the commodity. The Government is closely monitoring the situation and is always ready to assist our Jamaican buyers.”

The Minister noted that adequacy of supply to meet regular export market demands will not be a problem. But surging demand on the world market has made it imperative for strict monitoring of exports to be put in place to ensure Guyanese consumers get their regular quota of 50,000 tonnes per annum.

Several Asian countries have gone as far as stopping exports. The Ministry of Agriculture said Guyana does not intend to go in this direction given the increase rice production for this crop.

The first crop of 2008 will be one of the largest. However, it must be noted that the price for rice globally has increased by 55 percent over last year.

The Minister noted that a Guyana delegation will be in Jamaica next week to hold talks with government agencies and rice importers during a Caribbean Rice Association Workshop entitled “Facilitating Rice Trade within the CARICOM Region”.

Meanwhile, Minister Persaud reiterated Guyana’s non-supportive stance of US rice being imported into the region without paying the relevant CET.

US rice is highly subsidized and creates unfair competition with Guyana’s rice, the minister contended.

CLOUSSEAU
There is a long history of acrimonious rivalry between multi-national corporations and the promoters of alternative therapies including, in particular, the use of herbal and natural cures.

It is becoming increasingly evident that the Food & Drug Administration is central to the ongoing controversy in this fight, and is positively on the side of the multinational corporations.

This worldwide tussle is being conducted in apparent unobtrusive dialogue to most people who are really unaware of the dangerous consequences to vital health care remedies. It is a shameful disgrace in its efforts to deny what is described as Health Freedom.

At the root of this phenomenon is the rapaciousness of the multi-national corporations who are fighting tooth and nail to preserve their stranglehold on the very enormous profits that are garnered from the sale of their pharmacology activities.

Despite all these aggressive campaigns to gain the confidence of consumers worldwide in their products, there is a vastly growing interest in the use of herbs as nutritional supplements.

There is a reprint of a question and answer dialogue between two proponents of Health Freedom appearing on a www website and Clousseau will use some passages to expose the sinister policy of suppressing Health Freedom:

“Mike: John is a fascinating story and a little bit horrifying, because it is still true today that the truth about nutritional supplements is being confiscated. Doctors, especially psychiatric doctors for some reason, believe that only synthetic chemicals can help patients and that nutrients play no role whatsoever in human health.

“Can you explain to readers the motivation of the pharmaceutical companies and why they want to censor information about nutritional supplements? What is in it for them to censor this information and control what people know about nutrition?

“John: Well, what is in it for them is that the pharmaceutical industry is the world’s No. 1 investment and they want to keep it that way. They do not like anything that competes with their profits and they especially do not like natural un-patentable substances that do not have to go through the FDA’s regulatory approval process that cost millions of dollars and takes many years. They do not want competition from these substances. What they want, ideally, is for people to be sick. It is not in their best interest for anybody to be healthy.

“I am sort of their worst nightmare, because I am a 49-year-old who is healthier than your average 22-year old. I give doctors a wide berth and I never go to the hospital for any reason, ever. I do not use any pharmaceutical drugs. I eat organic food and I do all the things that a person can do to be exceedingly healthy. If everyone were like me, the doctors would not have any money, so they do not want people to be like us, like you and like me, Mike. They want people to be sick and go to doctors who are writing prescriptions for their drugs.

“Mike: They actually depend on the continuation of sickness and disease in order to create repeat business, right?

“John: Yes -- exactly. They have a business with disease.

“Mike: It is also important to note that none of the pharmaceuticals on the market will actually cure anything, so it is not as if you take them, you are well and you won’t need them anymore. They always use the term “manage disease,” and that is the key for their repeat business -- managing disease.

“John: Yes, it is. There is no advantage in curing anything from their standpoint. If you cure somebody, he is not going to come back for more. It is to their advantage to make you as sick as possible.”

In Guyana the IAST and the UG are working together to identify and catalogue our herbal potential. It is in one’s best interests to keep abreast of this developing pharmaceutical aspiration.