Massive
cocaine coconut bust
-- British police seize half-ton cocaine in Guyana coconuts
BRITISH customs officers yesterday said they had seized a half-ton of cocaine valued at US$190M inside a batch of coconuts shipped from Guyana.

Authorities have arrested six men in connection with the haul.
They suspect the men of arranging for the Guyana shipment to arrive at an east London market.

The drugs were reportedly hidden inside the coconuts but more details were not immediately available.

British Customs in a press statement, said the six men were arrested Thursday night, following the seizure by Customs investigators of more than half a tonne of cocaine, which had been concealed within a consignment of coconuts imported from Guyana and delivered to Spitalfields Market.

Duncan Stewart, Assistant Chief Investigation Officer, said: “As a result of this operation Customs have successfully stopped a huge quantity of cocaine being sold on London's streets, the proceeds of which would undoubtedly be used to fund further crime.

“This is an extremely successful operation and an excellent example of the way Customs are working to prevent the smuggling of Class A drugs, and thereby reducing the harm to our society”.

The consignment has a street value of 28.6 million pounds sterling, the Customs department said.

It said enquiries are ongoing.

Other large shipments of cocaine from Guyana have been intercepted in London in timber exports and in fish consigned to the United States.

President wants public debate with Corbin
-- on current economic policies
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo wants a public debate with the Opposition Leader Robert Corbin on the country’s economic policies, including the issue of debt sustainability.

Information Liaison to the President, Robert Persaud, who is in New York with Mr. Jagdeo, said he has indicated his willingness to engage the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader in a debate in the light of his party’s recent criticism of the government’s economic policies, particularly the issue of debt sustainability.

The Office of the President, Persaud said, will soon write the Opposition Leader inviting him to the debate on the economic policies practiced by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration, including the issue of debt sustainability. (GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AGENCY)

Kidnapped mechanic murdered
THE mechanic kidnapped when pirates hijacked a passenger boat at Parika on the East Bank Essequibo on Wednesday morning, was murdered and buried in a shallow grave on a sand reef, police said last night.

His body was found wrapped in tarpaulin in a shallow grave at Hamburg on the Essequibo Coast, he said.

There was a huge crowd at the Parika fish port when the body was taken there yesterday afternoon.

His wife and other family members wept loudly and openly as the sack containing the body was brought from the boat and taken into the Parika Police Station compound.

The Chronicle understands that the body was buried on a sand reef and was found by Prahalad's relatives.

His wife Marlyn Prahalad fainted several times as his body arrived at Parika and had to be revived by family members.

On Wednesday, five heavily-armed pirates staged a daring morning hijacking of the passenger boat at the `Two Brothers' shipping wharf at Parika, wounding the captain and another passenger in the process.

'Green-eye' and Harka were dumped from the vessel at Leguan Island but the pirates kept Prahalad called 'Davo' or 'Kaburi'.

All of the gunmen wore hooded cloaks with handkerchiefs wrapped around their faces, witnesses said.

One day after the attack, the hijacked vessel was discovered at Hamburg on the Essequibo Coast, with one of its engines missing, and relatives feared that Prahalad had been killed.

The men were attacked around 11:30 hrs, minutes after they purchased gasoline and were headed to the Parika stelling for a scheduled trip to Kaituma, relatives said.

Contract signed to rebuild destroyed PC dormitory
THE male dormitory of President’s College (PC), which was destroyed by fire at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, in March this year, will be rebuilt at a cost of G$78.8M.

The contractor, Mr. Winston Thomas, who clinched the $78,893,865 deal, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Pulandar Kandhi and Executive Director of SIMAP, Mr. Abdool Rahim signed the documents in the Camp Street, Georgetown boardroom of the last agency.

Rebuilding is scheduled to start next month and last for 12 months, excluding a defects liability period of six months.

The job involves reconstructing a 150 feet by 44.5 feet three-storey wooden and concrete structure, with a floor area of 20,025 square feet.

SIMAP will contribute $42,352,578 and Ministry of Education $34,053,787 to the construction cost while PC is putting $2,487,500 towards the purchase of 35 double bunk beds, 100 desks and benches and the installation of a concrete trestle with water tanks.

Permanent Secretary Kandhi said the objective is to provide a safe and conducive teaching and learning environment and, in the long term, help poverty reduction in Guyana.

Meanwhile, most of the students who were displaced by the destruction are currently housed in the college pavilion and the remainder in Guyana Women Leadership Institute (GWLI) hostel, at Cove and John, also on East Coast Demerara.

The March 26 blaze that completely burnt the male dormitory deprived 120 students from other rural and hinterland communities of accommodation.

After the signing yesterday, PC Principal, Ms. Evadnie Holder said she was very happy because the students and staff are anxiously awaiting the day when they can be one happy family again.

Woman beheaded, limbs cut off
POLICE were yesterday continuing investigations into the gruesome murder of a young woman who was beheaded and her limbs cut off.

Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. John Sauers, said the head of the 20-year-old was found floating Thursday in a canal in a canefield aback of Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara.

The limbs of the woman, of African descent, were also cut off, he reported.

Both hands were severed from the wrist and both legs were cut off.

Sauers said she was found naked.

The remains are at the Lyken’s Funeral Parlour in Georgetown and anyone who can help the investigation into the murder can contact the East Coast Police on telephone numbers 229-2700, 229-2289, 229-2569 or 229-2557

City Council fully supporting Lodge clean-up
- Deputy Mayor Williams
DEPUTY Mayor Robert Williams has announced that the City Council’s Solid Waste Management Department is in full support of Lodge Day, December 19,

A Press release said, as part of the Lodge Community Disposal Day observance, the Council’s Solid Waste/Cleansing Department will mass all of its own garbage collection vehicles, other contracted ones and equipment, including trailers, tractors, mobile dumpsters, trucks and vans to collect and remove all the big, bulky heavy-duty refuse that residents and businesses discard.

The release said abandoned refrigerators, furniture, mattresses, electronic equipment, clothing, tyres and vehicle parts will all be collected during the massive clean-up.

All householders and business places are required to deposit their unwanted things on bridges or parapets in front of their premises and the army of City Council and contracted garbage collectors would do the rest throughout the day or until the task is fully completed, the statement said.

Last Friday in Lodge, parapets, verges and reserves on Hadfield Street were graded, potholes were patched and other infrastructural works done on the D’Urban Park site nearest to Hadfield Street.

In Berbice…
Women Affairs Committee raises concerns of female prisoners
THE Regional Women Affairs Committee in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) has documented a list of complaints by female inmates of New Amsterdam Priosn.

The compilation followed a visit by four members of the Committee, last November 3, to offer counselling and cheer the women in their unfortunate circumstances.

Chairman of the Committee, Ms. Reka Majid, who raised the concerns with members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at the statutory meeting last Thursday, said the women prisoners in the penitentiary are dissatisfied with their limited visitations.

According to her, they also complained about prolonged periods on remand, not being taken to Court on scheduled days, high prices in the canteen, absence of a full-time counsellor and the housing of convicts and remanded prisoners together.

Majid observed that almost 80 per cent of the women inmates are there because of drug related offences and no permanent scheme is in place for it although they are periodically exposed to skills training.

She said counsel is available to them sometimes and the inmates are relatively comfortable with meals and living conditions.

The Regional Chairman, Mr. Kumkarran Ramdass promised to discuss the issues with the relevant officials shortly, Majid said.

In Essequibo…
Kennard receives complaints against Police in Essequibo
CHAIRMAN of the Police Complaints Authority PCA), retired Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr. Cecil Kennard visited Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) again on Thursday and met several people in the Regional Boardroom at Anna Regina on Essequibo Coast.

A Press release by the Regional Administration said he received complaints against Police action in ‘G’ Division and persons had the opportunity to discuss their problems privately with him.

Some of the complainants told the Chronicle, after their meeting, they felt confident the issues raised would be addressed and justice will prevail.

Boat with contraband fuel seized, several arrested
POLICE and Customs officers in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) have impounded a boat with illegal fuel from Venezuela.

Reports said the vessel was seized at Paradise foreshore while the containers were being offloaded.

Some men on board were all arrested but released on $60,000 bail each, after being detained at Anna Regina Police Station, also on Essquibo Coast.

A lorry that was transporting the contraband is also in custody at the Anna Regina headquarters compound of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), together with drums and other receptacles containing the illicit cargo.

The confiscated ship is at Charity boathouse while the owner has, so far, eluded the Police and Customs dragnet.

Meanwhile, the cross border trade is thriving along Pomeroon River and in the Atlantic Ocean.

Dharm Shala hosting annual Christmas parties|
THE Dharm Shala - home of benevolence for all races - at King Edward and Sussex Streets, Albouystown, Georgetown, will be hosting its traditional Christmas party for poor children, in the compound on Tuesday, December 14.

The fun starts at 14:00 hours (2 p.m.).
The institution also announced that the old folks party held every year will take place at the same venue on Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25, starting at 11 a.m.

All poor persons are invited, said the announcement by the Managing Head, Mr. Harry Ramsaroop.

Region Two Mashramani Masquerade Band Competition December 19
THE Regional Administration in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) will stage a grand masquerade competition on Sunday, December 19.

Regional Youth, Sports and Culture Officer, Mr. Darshan Persaud said it would be part of the 2005 Mashramani celebrations and the venue is Anna Regina Community Centre ground on Essequibo Coast.

He said competitors from across the Region will vie for ‘Best Dressed’ and ‘Largest’ bands, ‘Best Individual Flouncer’ and ‘Band with the most Females’.

Persaud said the first prize of $15,000 will be awarded to the ‘Best overall Band’, $10,500 to the second prize winner and $5,000 for the third.

Cheddi Jagan Research Centre essay competition winners named
CHEDDI Jagan Research Centre (CJRC), in High Street, Kingston, Georgetown, has announced the names of winners in its ‘Amerindians - a people moving forward’ essay competition.

First prize of $50,000 was awarded to 14-year-old Maunisa Len Percy, of Waramadong Secondary School in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).

Another 14-year-old, Pauline George, also of Waramadong Secondary, copped the second prize of a short wave radio.

Third prize winner of a selection of books, Ryan Rebeiro is from Anna Regina Secondary School on Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam).

In fourth place was Gwenette Peters, 12, of Waramuri Primary School in Region One (Barima/Waini). She, too, would get a selection of books.

A press release said a total of 30 entries were received from schools in Regions Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Right (Potaro/Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), as well and Guyana Book Foundation has enabled CJRC to present each participant with one book.

The presentation ceremony will be held as soon as transportation for prize winners can be arranged, CJRC said.

Schoolchildren win prizes at impromptu road safety quiz
THE Police ranks from the Traffic Department conducted a lively and

educational interaction with schoolchildren during a ‘Road Safety Week’ rally at Rosignol, West Bank Berbice, last Friday.

The annual Schools Safety Patrol gathering was preceded by a march from Supreme Auto Covenience Store to Rosignol Primary School in the same village, where the salute was taken by Regional Vice-Chairman of Region Five

(Mahaica/Berbice), Mr. J. Baksh and Officer-in-Charge of West Berbice Police Sub-Division, Chief Inspector Bristol.

Children from several primary and secondary schools in West Berbice heard messages relayed by Superintendent Roland Alleyne and other policemen as well as a speech by Baksh, who also spoke on the importance of road safety.

Rosignol Secondary School won the prize for the ‘Best Banner on Display’ while Bush Lot Secondary copped the prize for ‘Best Marchers’.

Number 29 and Number Eight Primary Schools won prizes for ‘Best Banners’ and ‘Best Turn Out for Primary Schools’.

All the assembled students participated in an impromptu road safety

quiz and winners were presented with individual prizes for their efforts after rallying under the theme’Accidents can be deadly; Use the roads Safely’.

The proceedings were chaired by former Regional Education Officer, Mr.Randolph Mitchell.

Don't sell Banks DIH shares
-- Corbin urges PNCR members
PEOPLE'S National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader, Mr. Robert Corbin, has urged party members, who are shareholders of Banks DIH Ltd, not to sell their shares amid reports of a takeover bid by a Trinidadian company.

Mr. Corbin, while addressing the party General Council last Saturday, responded to reports that the Trinidadian company Ansa McAl was in a hostile takeover bid of Banks DIH Ltd.

A statement from the PNCR said he pointed out to the General Council that the party welcomed foreign investment in Guyana and has actively been engaged in encouraging investors to seize the many investment opportunities that the country's rich resources offered.

However, that foreign investment must result in more employment of Guyanese workers and an increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), he said.

According to Corbin, if the reports were true, he could not see how a hostile takeover of Banks DIH Ltd by a foreign competitor could result in either of the two being achieved.

In fact, based on his knowledge of a similar takeover by the company in Trinidad and the takeover of the former Seals and Packaging Industry Ltd (SAPIL) in Guyana, it is more likely to result in a loss of jobs to Banks DIH Ltd employees and perhaps a loss of revenue to the country, Corbin asserted.

He said Guyanese ought to be proud of both Banks DIH Ltd and Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL) as they persevered in difficult times.

"Their management should be commended for ensuring that the companies remained viable," Corbin said. He added that what Guyana needs is investment, not in an existing company, but in new areas of activities.

"We need factories in the villages along the coast and in the hinterland that could contribute meaningfully to the country's development."

The Opposition Leader also indicated that it is dangerous to allow Guyana's sole beer producing company to be controlled by a foreign firm that produces a similar product in another country.

"What guarantees would Guyanese have that Banks beer would continue to be produced in Guyana? What would happen to the other businesses controlled by Banks DIH Ltd, such as the restaurants? Would they be allowed to exist or would they be hived off?"

Apart from providing employment for 1,500 workers, Banks DIH Ltd contributes more than $3.3B in taxes annually which amounts to $9M in revenue daily to the National Treasury, he said.

Any hostile takeover of Banks DIH Ltd must, therefore, be taken seriously by all Guyanese, he added.

Corbin also referred to the United States, which despite its vast wealth has been the scene of a constant battle against outsourcing to protect American jobs.

While this is a matter for the shareholders of the company and its management, he said the PNCR has a responsibility to advise its members on what is in the national interest as many of them are small shareholders who would not have the benefit of expert economic and financial advice.

GAWU reaches more pay deal with GUYSUCO
THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) yesterday formally signed an agreement for more pay and better working conditions for some 320 Field Foremen/Women.

The workers will benefit from increases in first aid and cycle allowances, up from $2,000 to $6,000 and $1,200 to $2,000, respectively.

The agreement, signed at the union's headquarters in Georgetown, covers protective footwear and an increase from one pair of 'yachting' boots to two pairs.

GAWU General Secretary Seepaul Narine told the Chronicle that the 38-clause agreement is comprehensive in that it encapsulates all the conditions of work into one document.

Union President Komal Chand said negotiations leading to the agreement were frank and took place against the background of the global changes and challenges for the sugar industry, including the announcement by the European Union (EU) to cut sugar prices by about 37%.

Guyana exports about 167,000 tonnes of sugar annually to the EU and industry officials say the proposed price cuts would jeopardise the sector here.

However, Chand explained that despite the changes, the union's primary concern was job protection, improved working conditions and a level of wages in the context of a market-driven economy.

He said he was satisfied with the government's repeated assurances that the Demerara estates will not be closed as GAWU was firmly opposed to any closure.

"The union is prepared to take up the cudgel," Chand assured.

He said sugar workers are assured of 21 days pay under the Annual Production Incentive (API) scheme and possibly more when the crop concludes shortly.

The union was happy that the API has been retained because it has been a motivating and encouraging factor to production and financially beneficial to workers, he said.

Negotiations with GUYSUCO are expected to begin next week for wages and salaries and working conditions for next year, Chand said but pointed out that the sugar corporation favours a two-year agreement.

He explained that the union is flexible on this issue but acceptance depends on what GUYSUCO offers.

Industrial Relations Director with the corporation, Jairam Pitam told the Chronicle that a peculiarity of the agreement is that it covers a category of workers who are supervisors to field and factory workers also represented by GAWU.

As such he is advising the Field Foremen/Women to conduct themselves in a manner which does not give rise to a conflict of interest and to work towards reducing the cost of production, improving quality and efficiency so that the industry remains sustainable and competitive.

In this respect he said the union needs to balance its representation and has assured that it will pursue such a path.

Meanwhile, as the current crop nears conclusion, Pitam said that figures up to yesterday show that sugar production stood at 318,000 tonnes and he was optimistic that the revised annual target of 325,000 can be achieved and even surpassed.

He said all the estates performed well with the exception of Wales which suffered from a poor quality of cane and will not be able to meet its target.

He also pointed out that the annual target had to be revised because during the first crop of this year there were two work stoppages at Albion which significantly reduced production.

However, Pitam said industrial relations during this crop were "good and stable."

Youth Friendly Health Centre launched
By Nathalene DeFreitas
THE first Youth Friendly Health Centre was yesterday officially launched at the Dorothy Bailey Health Centre on South Road, Georgetown, by Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.

The project targets young people in all communities in providing and encouraging an atmosphere for young people to explore ideas, enhance their social skills and easily find information that relates to their well-being.

This is because young people too often find themselves in all sorts of difficult circumstances, an official said.

Giving advice and counselling young people with problems they face and finding ways to help them will also be done at the centre.

In addition, the project aims at addressing the social and spiritual needs of teenagers who are encountering problems such as teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, suicide, substance abuse and other related social problems.

The centre is equipped to help young people study, play, enjoy recreational activity and generally spend time in a normal constructive atmosphere.

The officials said the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) provided the centre with furniture, electrical equipment and games and the Pan American Health Organisation and World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) donated books.

Dr. Ramsammy said he would also provide the centre with resources it needs and noted that this will not come from the City Council's budget.

He said he was pleased that the Dorothy Bailey Health Centre has been recognised as one of the most successful in promoting the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and was happy that it had requested to be a Youth Friendly Health Centre.

"The objective of the Ministry of Health in 2001 was to create youth friendly health centres throughout Guyana, since there is a need to transform the health centres to be visited by young people", he said.

"We are working feverishly to establish more youth friendly health centres across Guyana so that our young people can benefit from these projects."

The minister also noted that the Dorothy Bailey Health Centre is now the pilot for the ministry's project.

Georgetown Mayor, Mr. Hamilton Green, said this initiative should be multiplied in all areas in Guyana and that all young people should enjoy the benefits of such centres.

"This is a challenge to everyone since I know that this project will be a success," he said.

Acting Chief Health Visitor, Ms. Joan Stewart, said that before the centre was established, she visited schools to find out what will encourage children to go there.

She said most young people indicated that the nurses have to be supportive and friendly to make them feel welcome at the centre.

As a result of this the nurses had to undergo a training course on how to deal especially with young people, she reported.

The nurses who completed the course were yesterday presented with certificates.

Canadians, Guyanese donate 420 books to UG
THE University of Guyana (UG) received 420 books from Canada-based Guyanese as well as Canadian citizens at a short ceremony conducted in the foyer of UG Library on Wednesday.

Making the presentation was Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Bruno Picard, while UG Vice-Chancellor Dr. James Rose accepted the gift on behalf of the institution.

The books will become a valuable addition to the stock of the UG Library, a release stated.

Health posts, school commissioned in Region Ten
GINA - With the commissioning of two new Health Posts and the completion of a building to house nursery and primary school pupils, health services and education have been further boosted in Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice).

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Mr Harripersaud Nokta declared these projects open when he visited the Region on Wednesday.

The Minister and team, including representatives of Government's executing agency, the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), and Regional officials visited Coomacka and Ebini, where the new buildings are located.

At Coomacka, where the St. Thomas Primary and Nursery Schools and Health Post were commissioned, Project Manager of BNTF, Mr Devindra Jaglall, explained that the residents of the area had requested the new buildings after noting that the population has been increasing.

Acting Regional Education Officer, Mr Lloyd McBean, also emphasised the need for the school in the community as he thanked Government for the structure. McBean pointed out that the administration is indeed reaching out to hinterland communities and the new buildings are proof of this development.

Regional Health Officer Ms Claudette Martin said the Health Post will provide, among other services, immunisation and counselling as well as treatment for maternal and elderly patients.

"These projects are proof of what can happen with the coming together of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Central Government, the funding agency, and the people of the community," Regional Chairman Mr Mortimer Mingo stressed in his address to the residents of Coomacka.

The Chairman further said the Regional Democratic Council would continue to represent the Region to Central Government.

Mr Mingo declared that the RDC is grateful for the assistance given to the Region by the loan agency and Central Government. He explained that Minister Nokta, especially, has always been understanding and kind when working with officials of the Region.

Meanwhile, Mr Nokta stated that it is very important that when resources are available, that they are divided equally in the Regions so that Government can provide infrastructural and other services to all the people of the country.

He said that Government wants to see people enjoy life not only for the present but for the future as well, stressing that two of the best gifts in life are health and education.

The new school costs approximately $10.7M and is a Government of Guyana, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) project, while the Health Post is one of the projects completed by the Regional Administration through its budgetary funds.

At Ebini, another Health Post was commissioned by the Local Government Minister, who promised that Government would work toward fulfilling other requests made by residents. Several requests are for the establishment of a Police Outpost, the construction of a secondary school, and for improved communication services for the remote community. (Government Information Agency)

Indian H.C. presents Hindi, Urdu texts to religious bodies
HIGH Commissioner of India to Guyana, Mr. Avinash Gupta, has presented 4,000 copies of Hindi and Urdu language books to several local religious organisations with the aim of increasing knowledge of the two languages.

Included in the quantity of books were copies of the 'Holy Quran', the 'Bhagwad Gita', and the 'Ramayana'. There were also Hindi and Urdu dictionaries.

High Commissioner Gupta said that a complete computer system would be presented to the Guyana Hindi Prachar Sabha, which is tasked with distributing the consignment to the organisations.

After making the presentations, Mr. Gupta said that India is a multi-religious, multi-cultural and secular democratic country, with approximately 120 million Muslims. Because of this, Mr Gupta said, knowledge of Urdu is relevant.

"In India there are hundreds of languages and thousands of dialects and its Constitution itself recognises 18 languages of which Urdu is one. It is the sixth largest language spoken all over India. In fact, the language generally spoken in India is a mix of Hindi and Urdu," he explained.

"I believe that a person's best companion are books," Mr. Gupta added.

According to the High Commissioner, Hindi and Urdu should be promoted, and for that reason, he noted, Hindi classes are being held at the Indian Cultural Centre, while plans are on stream for the teaching of Urdu.

The religious representatives expressed appreciation for the books, saying that the publications will be of tremendous use in the teaching and propagation of their differing religions.

Court rules Nadir a sworn member of the National Assembly
By George Barclay
An Originating Motion taken out against Trade and Tourism Minister Manzoor Nadir seeking to punish him for crossing the floor after the 2001 general and regional elections, and taking up the position of Minister with the PPP/C Government, has ended in victory for the Minister.

Elector Alexis Reets had brought the Motion citing Minister Nadir and the Attorney General of Guyana as Respondents.

Reets had accused Nadir of acting in contravention of Article 156 (3) of the Constitution of Guyana, as amended by the Constitution (Amendment) (No.3) Act, 2000, when on June 15, 2001 he relinquished his seat on the opposition bench, took up a seat on the Government bench and continues to give his support to the PPP/C list in the National Assembly.

Reets, represented by Attorney-at-law Mr. Roysdale Forde, had among other things asked the Court to declare that it is not competent and lawful for Manzoor Nadir to continue sitting in the National Assembly as a member of Parliament by virtue of his appointment as Minister of Trade and Tourism inasmuch as he has acted in contravention of Article 156 (3) of the Constitution (Amendment) (No. 3) Act, 2000.

He also sought a declaration that the Government acted unconstitutionally and unlawfully when President Jagdeo appointed Manzoor Nadir as Minister of Trade and Tourism and allowed him to sit on the Government bench and to support the PPP/C list of candidates in the National Assembly inasmuch as he was at the time the representative of the United Force (UF) in the National Assembly.

The applicant wanted the Court to issue an order prohibiting Manzoor Nadir from participating forthwith as a member of the National Assembly and in the deliberations of the National Assembly and from exercising any of the functions and enjoying any of the privileges, emolument and benefits as member of the National Assembly.

At the hearing before Chief Justice Mr. Carl Singh, Manzoor Nadir, was represented by Senior Counsel (SC) Mr. Ashton Chase.

The order of the Chief Justice, which was, entered yesterday read:-

"Upon this Origination Motion coming on for hearing on the 9th November, 2001, 13th November, 19th and 29th November, 2001 and 10th December 2001 and on this day -

"And upon reading the Motion herein, the affidavits in Support of the Motion the Affidavits in Answer and the Affidavits in Reply -

"And upon hearing Attorney at Law for the Applicant and Attorneys at law for the Respondents -

"It is this day declared that on the 4th day of May, 2001, the First-named Respondent (Manzoor Nadir) was duly sworn in as a member of the National Assembly as the sole representative of the United Force List of Candidates in the general and regional elections held in Guyana on the 19th March, 2001 -

"And it is ordered that the other declarations and Order sought in the Originating Motion herein be and are hereby refused."

Firm opens Avgas fuel outlet at Linden Aerodrome
THE local aviation industry now has an alternate means of sourcing Avgas fuel for aircraft at a competitive price with the opening of the LIG International, Inc. Avgas fuel facility at Linden.

It said the first shipment of Avgas 100LL (low lead) aviation fuel arrived from the United States several weeks ago and a sample was sent to a Miami lab for testing.

The lab results were received and the Avgas 100LL aviation fuel was approved for resale and distribution, it reported.

“The aircraft owners and operators will now have an alternate means of sourcing Avgas fuel for their aircraft at a competitive price,” it announced.

The Avgas 100LL is said to be a more environmentally friendly fuel, blue in colour along with a cleaner and lower temperature burn that enables aircraft owners and operators to realise lower aircraft engine temperatures which contribute to lower maintenance costs.

The company said it is acquiring additional equipment to further enhance the dispensation of Avgas 100LL and service at the Linden Aerodrome.

The intent is to create a more user friendly environment that will allow more than one aircraft to refuel simultaneously, accept credit cards and give customers a quality service that will encourage them to return, it stated.

The competitively priced aviation fuel, duplicated dispensed systems, stringent quality control, acceptance of credit cards and a world renowned and acceptable grade aviation fuel will drive the business development at the Linden Aerodrome, the company asserted.

It said, too, that the main focus of the operations of LIG International, Inc. is on quality, safety and security at the Linden Aerodrome.

The quality methods employed in controlling the Avgas 100LL will result in detailed readings, monitoring and numerous international testing methods being applied several times per day to guarantee 100 per cent quality, the firm promised.

It assured that all operations will be based on international safety standards to ensure staff, equipment and operations are at a high degree of safety. Training and adherence to quality and safety standards will be ongoing for the staff and operations at the Linden Aerodrome.

The Linden Aerodrome will not be accepting any cash or payment on site and all business will be done through customer established accounts using cheques, credit cards and debit cards, the company said.

Negotiations are ongoing to allow the use of international credit cards and payment systems that will see more international customers, it said.

The company noted that discussions are ongoing with several international suppliers to further improve the Avgas 100LL (low lead) refueling process and operations at the Linden Aerodrome.

LIG International said it will conduct several refuelling operations during the initial phase before formally opening the Avgas fuel facility for business.

LIG International expects that over time operations of aircraft into the Linden Aerodrome will be a catalyst for growth and drive economic activity in the town of Linden.

The second phase of the Linden Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Project will see more employment being created and direct and indirect benefits for Linden, it said.

Several international companies that have visited the area in the past and expressed an interest in investing and supporting the project have indicated their interest in returning to the Linden area through next year for further assessment and evaluations, it added.

LIG International said it remains confident that the start of operations at the Linden Aerodrome will be “a magnet for the international companies to invest in the Linden area”.

“Investment possibilities in the Linden area will include processing, manufacturing, distribution and distribution opportunities for investors,” the company s tated.

It said it remains bullish on the area and expects Linden to start seeing the benefits of the Linden Aerodrome operations throughout 2005.

The second phase of LIG’s development will result in additional employment for more persons within the area and more economic development for Linden, the company said.

US$350,000 airport waste disposal plant nearly complete
- contractor
THE contracted company announced yesterday that construction of a new state-of-the art sewage treatment plant for Cheddi Jagan International Airport and its environs, at Timehri, is almost complete.

UEM Inc. is a United States based entity that specialises in designing and building such plants but all mechanical works on the Timehri structure are being done by George Union Pipe and Tanks, a Georgetown Guyanese-owned firm.

Srivastava said the local sub-contractor was previously responsible for refurbishing a number of Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) storage facilities countrywide for UEM Inc.

According to him, the plant at the East Bank Demerara terminal would be the first of its kind to be built here and can collect and process between 348 and 870 cubic metres of sewage.

Srivastava said the plant will be fully automatic and only one person is required to monitor its operation.

He said a laboratory and other monitoring mechanisms at the location would ensure the sewage processing is done according to the best environmental practices.

The system will be connected to the sewage pipe network at Timehri, which spawns the airport, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) military base at Camp Stephenson, as well as the business and residential areas of the community.

Srivastava said the waste, after being processed, will be used as manure for agricultural purposes but assured that the water discharge from it would not contaminate nearby waterways.

Another hallmark for Linden
ON A visit to Linden in late October this year, President Bharrat Jagdeo promised a “massive infrastructure” programme for residents of the bauxite mining town whose fortunes had dropped with the depressed world market for bauxite.

On that visit, more than 1,000 residents got letters of allocation for house lots and the President announced at a meeting that the government would be “trying all methods to stimulate the housing drive” in the town and more money would be spent on infrastructure in the housing areas.

He also announced that US$7M would be spent to build a new hospital in the region and noted that the Russian company RUSAL is conducting a feasibility study to revitalise the alumina plant at Linden.

Mr. Jagdeo said funds would be allocated to modernise the technical institute at Linden to help broaden areas of study for students.

Bauxite has long been the lifeblood of the town but the President pointed out that it cannot depend on the ore alone.

He noted that the 1980’s were good years for bauxite because of the high price for the product. But after the price fell on the world market things went on the decline and this meant that over the years the economy of Linden and Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) has had to be diversified.

Outlining steps the government is taking for an economic turnaround in Linden, he said other social and health needs would have to be met. He said the Linden Technical Institute will be modernised for students to do programmes in other subject areas that could be important for the development of the country.

While it might not be feasible now to build a campus of the University of Guyana at Linden because of the number of people that would be needed to sustain the expansion, students there can benefit from distance education programmes in the meantime, he said.

But bauxite remains a vital part of the community and the President said there are prospects of more jobs with RUSAL planning to invest US$25M in bauxite mining in the region.

If the RUSAL feasibility study, which would take about a year, goes well, as everything seems to be going now, the President said that by mid-2006 Linden could see a new US$1Bln alumina plant going up.

He said about 4,000 jobs could be created in the construction stage, and 2,000 after that.

Now the former Omai gold mining company has formally taken over the running of the Linden Mining Enterprise (LINMINE), firming up prospects for revitalising the town.

The Canadian-based Cambior parent company of Omai owns 70 per cent of the new Omai Bauxite Mining Incorporated (OBMI) and the Guyana Government has the other 30 per cent.

OBMI plans to invest almost US$40M in the sector over the next two years and Chairman Rejan Gourde has expressed confidence and optimism about the future of the local bauxite industry.

He said the revitalisation of the bauxite industry would result in the survival and growth of the Linden community, noting that permanent employment at the company stands at 475 while 150 persons are employed in ongoing construction work.

The new Cambior investment is another hallmark for Linden and a more than welcome boost for the local economy.

Viewpoint
A good time to reflect on peace and human progress
By Hydar Ally
WE are gradually inching our way to the festive season of Christmas and the New Year. This is usually a good time to reflect on the current state of affairs with respect to peace and human progress, not only in Guyana but also in the world at large.

Unfortunately, the situation with respect to world peace leaves much to be desired. This current year has seen even more violent conflicts when compared to the preceding year accompanied by heightened tension and fear of terrorism. The war on poverty seems to have taken backstage in favour of the war against terrorism.

The reality is that there are far too much hotbeds of conflicts in the world today, most if not all of which could have been avoided, if only more reasoned and enlightened approaches to problem solving were employed by the contending parties. Every day one opens the newspapers or looks at the television, there are incidents of senseless killings. The slaughter in Iraq continues to dominate the headlines, despite the military buildup and the promise of election in a month's time; the killings in Darfur, Sudan, and in the Ivory Coast continue to be sources of grave concern. There are indications of new tension developing between the Rawandan government and neighbouring States which must be closely monitored by the international community if only to prevent any recurrence of past genocide which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people whose only crime was to belong to rival ethnic groups.

The most recent is the conflict in Somalia, which has resulted from factional fighting. There is the recent storming of the US Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and a series of bomb blasts in Madrid, Spain. To these must be added the continuing killings of innocent civilians in the Palestinian conflict, which remain unresolved despite several mediation efforts by the international community.

And as if these were not enough, we have natural disasters to contend with from time to time, such as the hurricanes which swept across the Caribbean leaving death and destruction in the wake and more recently, the typhoons in the Philippines, which left a trail of death and destruction. Adding to our misery are the millions who die from the HIV/AIDS virus, which is continuing to take a heavy toll on people, in particular our young people.

But it is the avoidable man-made disaster that is the main subject and concern of this Viewpoint. Each year there are millions of people who die out of want of food and water. When consideration is taken of the huge sums of money that are spent in wars and weapons of mass destruction, the action, or rather inaction, on the part of those responsible are all the more inexplicable. A study done by Oxfam found that it is quite possible to eradicate poverty, disease and hunger if only a number of commitments made by the industrialised countries could be honoured. These included a commitment made during the last decade, dubbed the Development Decade, to make available 0.7 per cent of their GDP for development assistance; a reduction in military expenditure; the writing off of debts owned by developing countries, among others.

Added to these are the need to address the deep-seated and persistent imbalances in the current workings of the global economy, which are highly skewed against the poorer countries. This has resulted in a widening of the gap in living standards between the poorest and the richest countries, from US$212 and US$11,417 in the 1960's to US$267 and US$32,339 today. Just a handful of countries could claim a per capita growth rate of more than three per cent over the past decade or so.

The solution to our problem cannot be resolved unless there is a fundamental restructuring of the global economy. As it currently stands, world trade is dominated by the bigger powers resulting in structural imbalances, which continue to drain the already slender resources of the poor countries. For example, 22 industrialised countries with just 14 per cent share of the world population dominate about half of the world's trade and more than half of its direct foreign investment. Since the 1980's, more than a hundred developing countries were pressured to adopt significant liberalisation policies to attract assistance, but with less than satisfactory results.

In Guyana, as we prepare for the festive season, let us recommit ourselves to the goal of a peaceful and prosperous society. Let us add our own voices to a world free from the ravages of poverty and war.

At Berbice Assizes…
Retrial for robbery murder accused after jury disagreement
A HUNG jury at the Berbice Assizes yesterday resulted in the robbery murder accused having to face a fourth trial.

The 12 jurors, after deliberating for in excess of two hours, returned to report, to Justice James Bovell-Drakes, a disagreement of equal numbers among them.

Consequently, the judge ordered a retrial for Selwyn Deen called Archie, who was indicted for the unlawful killing of three-year-old Trevon Ramjit on November 20, 1996, when bandits robbed his parents’ business place and also wounded his mother, Jenny Ramjit and brother, Troy Ramjit.

The case of the Prosecution was presented by State Prosecutor James Bond and Defence Counsel Mootee Singh represented Deen.

It was alleged that Deen and a now dead accomplice stole $50,000 and cutlass chopped the shopkeeper and her two sons, one of them fatally.

The prisoner has been incarcerated for eight years since being charged with the crime.

$1M bail for man accused of gunpoint robberies
NIGEL Bobb, of Angoy’s Avenue Squatting Area in New Amsterdam, was yesterday ordered to post $1M bail on two charges of robbery under arms.

Magistrate Chandra Sohan fixed the surety at New Amsterdam Court after Defence Counsel Geeta Chandan renewed an application for the defendant’s pre-trial freedom.

One of the allegations against Bobb is that he was armed with a gun, on October 27 last, when he robbed Mayleen Shikumanie of two finger rings, two cricket bands also made of gold and a diamond ring, all valued $58,200, at Palmyra, in Berbice, too.

The other accusation said the defendant, that same day, relieved Jaganise Chandradat of $73,000, at gunpoint, while the victim was walking along Palmyra Public Road.
The trial will start on January 7, 2005.

Suspected suicide linked to undelivered financial report
THE suspected suicide of former headmaster George Michael has been linked to his failure to present a report to the annual general meeting (AGM) of Tucber Housing Co-op Society in Berbice last Sunday.

The deceased, who was found hanging from a tree near his Tucber home in New Amsterdam on Thursday, had been required, as Secretary, to make the financial report at the AGM.

But another member said he requested more time to do so, saying the records were in Georgetown.

However, when confronted on Wednesday morning, Michael is alleged to have claimed that the documentation was destroyed by a fire in the city.

A post mortem examination is expected to be performed Monday on the body of the 64-year-old who was, at different times, headmaster of St Patrick’s, St Therese’s and Overwinning primary schools, all in Berbice, too.

The discovery of his corpse Thursday was made after he was reported missing since midday Wednesday.

Essequibo carnal knowledge accused refused bail
KOMAL Persaud nicknamed Ghandi (no address given) was refused bail and remanded to prison yesterday on a rape charge.

Before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan, it was alleged that the accused had carnal knowledge of a 14-year-old girl without her consent at Coffee Grove, Essequibo Coast, last November 11.

Police Chief Inspector Gordon Peters, prosecuting, said the victim, the prisoner and the woman with whom he has a relationship live in the same house.
Persaud will make his next Court appearance on December 21.

Fined for marijuana possession
SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Valdron James (no address given) was yesterday

fined $7,000 with the alternative of three months imprisonment for possession of a narcotic.

Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan imposed the monetary penalty on the defendant, who admitted having six grammes of cannabis (marijuana) at Six Miles, Port Kaituma, North West District, last Tuesday.

Police Chief Inspector Gordon Peters, prosecuting, said James had the drug wrapped in silver foil when a patrol saw him acting suspiciously and searched him.

A matter of life or death
THIS is a response to the letter sent in about 'No condoms in prison' this week.
I am definitely appalled that someone would think that it is smart not to give condoms out in prison. Yes, I understand that it may put out there that homosexuality is okay (who am I to say that it is or is not) but then again giving out the condoms say in a positive point that one should always protect oneself no matter what the situation.

In a country where HIV/AIDS is getting to be in the high numbers any measures taken should be gladly accepted.

Who is to say that these prisoners (who were not given any protection while incarcerated) will not get out of jail one day and go sleep with a slew of innocent people unprotected too and infect them?

Come on people, let's use our brains here. What is really wrong with handing out condoms in prison? Nothing!

For Pete's sake it is a condom, it is a matter of life or death.

HIV/AIDS is not a game. It is serious. It does not have a name of a person - it just kills.

Please do not fall into the idiocy that HIV/AIDS is a GAY disease. I am quite sure that Guyana is not that far behind in times that it does not know the seriousness of the disease.

It is almost the same reason that the U.S.A. gives out clean needles to the drug addicts who need that every day relief.

It is not the American people saying "Oh, okay. Yes we are permitting you to use drugs". We are not and it is illegal and if you get caught you are going to jail where they will not give you that syringe to get your rocks off.

It is the American people saying "Okay, if you have to shoot up shoot up with a clean needle". As a result, the percentage of any high-risk diseases being passed around drops.

Where that is wrong I just don't get it, especially coming from a third world country that does not have the medical advancements as most countries.

For RN to say that the Western morals have decayed is just complete utter nonsense.

I am glad that the government under which I live takes into consideration that these acts are wrong (premarital sex, drugs and other things) but people are going to do it regardless and eventually an innocent person will come in harm's way.

So, if we cannot fix the problem let's help take away some of the other consequences that may arise because of another person's wrongdoing.

In a show that was aired on 'Oprah' a couple of months ago, the author of the 'Down Low' said that men should always protect themselves but especially women.

The use of a condom could be a great thing. In the time that it takes to put on a condom, persons have to think about their actions and what they are about to do and whom they are about to do it with.

I am quite sure that no one knows who did what in prison - even the straight heterosexual man has his downfall. But when he gets back out to the real world, he will fall back into the schedule of things.
A condom is a rubber contraceptive that can save someone's life.
RASHIDA F. LUNCHEON

Ansa McAl should target Guyana Stores
IF IT is true that Ansa McAl of Trinidad and Tobago is vying to take over the Banks DIH and DDL beverage companies, it should have second thoughts.

These companies belong to Guyanese shareholders and we would like this to remain this way. These companies are already well established and are making huge profits.

If on the other hand Ansa McAl would like to invest in Guyana, it is welcome to do so. It can begin any other manufacturing entity/entities besides beverages here as there are many opportunities open to investors.

It can also bid for Guyana Stores Ltd (formerly Bookers Stores Ltd) which was once a formidable company, and which was divested to new owners. GSL is now only a shell of what it used to be.

Shareholders are not now benefiting from any dividends as they did in the past.

I believe that all of the shareholders and the country will welcome Ansa McAl's intervention in a takeover bid to make this establishment profit-oriented.
Over to you Ansa McAl.
WYCLIFFE O. THOMAS

He was like a duck's webs
I RARELY, if ever, get 'up close and personal' in the letters column, but I would be remiss if I did not chime in with my bit on the passing of 'Bertie' Chancellor of radio fame in Guyana.

It must be hard on the local media community to have him pass so soon after the late Patrick Denny who, although I did not know him personally, I found to be an affable person during brief phone talks when I did some writings in the early nineties for Stabroek News featuring New York-based Guyanese.

I grew up listening to certain radio personalities, among them B.L. Crombie, Pancho Carew, Matthew Allen, Pat Cameron, James Sydney, and Ron and Ray Robinson.

Then I later had the pleasure of working with the GBC, where it was a pleasure to meet and interact with 'Bertie', as he was fondly called on a first name basis.

The man was such a humble soul it was hard to discern he was a radio personality. He was also an exemplary and tireless worker.

I echo the glowing sentiments of all who worked or interacted with him, especially when it came to putting together music for a particular programme.

In fact, if I am not telling tales out of school here, I recall when certain producer-announcers had to put together his or her own music for scheduled programmes and failed to do so, it was Bertie to the rescue. And he sometimes did so in less than 15 minutes before the programme aired and saved the day for the producer.

His work ethic reminds me of the duck swimming in a body of water: on the surface; the duck glides smoothly, but beneath, well, that's where the hard work is taking placing - outside the view of the observer.

Bertie was like a duck's webs - he worked tirelessly without much recognition and fanfare. He was, indeed, a reservoir of information on music for radio - be it musical accompaniment for an advertisement/commercial or straightforward musical selections.

On a more personable note, I never saw him throw a 'hissy fit', never heard him utter a profane word, never saw/heard him in a spat with a fellow employee, and never recall him being in the cross hairs of management. And even if he was, who could have detected?

But he did have a wry sense of humour, even when telling a joke.

When I first went to work for GBC, former colleague, Basil Bradshaw, a humorist in his own right, once gave him a nickname, "Certie Bhancellor", and whenever Basil called out to him as they passed each other in the station's corridors, a broad smile would just appear on Bertie's face as his eyes squinted behind those black-framed, thick-lens spectacles.

Before I knew it, I, too, was jovially addressing the man in like manner even though I was still getting to know him. And he kept on smiling.

I doubt radio broadcasting is poorer in Guyana because of his passing, because this human fixture has left a rich deposit in the industry that so many can tap into and work to make richer for generations of broadcasters to come.

To his surviving relatives and fellow co-workers: what the heart has loved can never be taken away, for it will always be in the heart.
EMILE MERVIN

Pass the Bill now
I SAW that some one would have challenged the Age of Consent Bill and it had to be the Opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNCR).

I would like to see the age of consent be 18 years as suggested by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA).

The ministers and members of the National Assembly should pass this Bill now and make the necessary amendments later if necessary and when necessary.

This has now become a stalemate by those who do not believe in progress and protection for women.

The time is now. Bring back the Bill to the National Assembly, amend it to 18, and give it royal assent with the blessings of all.
MOHAMED ALLI

Not fit to be a husband
I AGREE with Mr. Xiu Hackett.

I wrote a while ago to your paper with a similar suggestion that women should find out about the men they are courting.

Many men think that when they marry a woman, the woman becomes their property. Not so!

Any man who beats on a woman is a coward, not fit to be a husband or a partner or a parent.

They are not fit to be in society and to be counted among men.

Today's men should be more accountable to society and to their women folks.
M. A.

Has anything really changed?
THERE has been some reasonable commentary recently on the history of American belligerency, its predecessors, potential successors, and all the attendant implications.

I will limit myself to saying that while there is never a "good war" it is an inevitable consequence of imperial visions of grandeur.

Further, it is the price that accompanies the commitments and responsibilities of superpower status. Be it America, Assyria, or Babylonia.

For this effort, I endeavour to look instead at some of America's choices of leaders -those individuals and regimes imposed on hapless populations; the associated rationales; the pressures; and the results.

Let us confine ourselves to that most volatile region called the Middle East, and identify King Farouk of Egypt, Emir Feisal of Iraq, King Idris of Libya, and the Shah of Iran.

All of these men had some things in common. From an American perspective, each represented a sometimes sturdy, sometime rickety bulwark against the surging tide of communism; and a presence and protector for vital American corporate and National Security interests, as embodied in the vast oceans of oil under the sand.

They also exhibited a relatively subdued public posture towards Israel.

From the internal perspective of each of these countries, these well-entrenched and powerful figures represented severe repression, incalculable corruption, an ongoing economic headlock, and considerable social inequities.

While they upheld American interests - and were perpetuated in power by American armaments and packages - these leaders lost touch with their suffering and seething people; undertook belated and insufficient reforms; and enshrined a cabal of elites in ruling circles.

In the meantime, the oil wealth siphoned out of the ground flowed to these American supported leaders and their regimes to support ultra-luxurious lifestyles, while the common people raged, and their hatred of America grew.

Every nationalist aspirant was seen as a disguised "commie" and any individual that dare voice an interest in self-determination either got marginalised, or was delivered to another world. This was while Idris retreated to remote palaces, and the Shah sat enthroned on his golden toilets.

While war is immediate and arguably the worst that man can inflict on his fellow man, these allies of America, through their policies, inflicted a thousand deaths upon their countrymen, and made their meagre existence a living hell. And, all the while Washington spoke about the dire need for political reform and economic development.

These examples are from decades ago, but has anything really changed? Today, there is the House of Faud, instead of the Sanussi dynasty; there is Mubarak, and there is Musharraf.

Instead of communism, there is global Islamic terrorism, but the oil flows, the corporate coffers are full, and strategic interests secure. Temporarily.

And one U.S. President after another, along with the State Department speaks about democratic ideals, progressive governments, and economic improvement, while they prop up individuals and increasingly shaky regimes. Leaders, elites, and regimes that are in effect autocracies whose actions stoke an irreversible anti-American anger.

If anyone thinks that America's choice of repressive leaders has been limited to the Middle East, they should take a closer look at Duvalier, Pinochet, and right here in Georgetown.

War is truly hell, and there is some relief in its finality, but the pain inflicted by these self-serving stooges has truly been intense and enduring.
I can only say that this has been to the lasting detriment of America. Perhaps even more so than some of the wars for which it is remembered.
GHK LALL

Sexual orientation kudos
IT WAS with satisfaction that I read that the government stands firm on its position not to decriminalise prostitution, homosexuality and other immoral practices in this country.

I commend the government for stating its position on the issue clearly, as the human rights group and others supporting this thing have been getting ridiculous with this nonsense.

These groups think that they can pressure the government to institute measures and laws that will allow this immorality to take over our land.

The Catholic Church has already been bombarded with it, until some have accepted it, but then again, this is no surprise.

We simply cannot allow ourselves to be pressured to go in favour of something that is totally unacceptable and downright disgusting.

Please, Guyanese already have to tolerate enough in our dear country with the police trying their best to curtail robberies, rapes, and other crimes. We really don't need this now to be added to the problems facing us.

I also think the Cabinet Secretary was right in his statements on the subject.

Making these acts legal will only contribute to a higher rate in our already high number of HIV/AIDS cases in Guyana. Some of the individuals infected need counselling and assistance, as do persons who practise immorality.

Immorality will only serve to destroy our country. These people need help because that kind of behaviour is not normal.

Though some need to be empathised with, these things cannot be legislated because I, and I believe many other Guyanese, do not think it is okay for people to be going around doing these things when they know fully well that they are not right.

We should not follow suit just because other countries are making these things okay. Guyana is an independent country and the decision of the government should be independent as well.
Kudos to the administration!
ANDREW WILSON

Don't blame ghosts
THE alleged paranormal phenomena reported under the headline 'Strange phenomena at Charity school' (Stabroek News December 9) has rational naturalistic explanations.

As described in the report, all of the symptoms - severe headaches, abdominal pains, head-twisting a la Linda Blair in the 'Exorcist', and running into walls uncontrollably - are characteristic of one, or more likely a combination, of the following psychological disorders:

- multiple personality disorder or dissociative identity disorder, also called personality splitting, caused by severe childhood abuse, rape, sodomy or some other severely traumatic event in the life of the victim;

-flashback and intense autonomic arousal accompanied by hyperventilation due to post-traumatic stress disorder, again caused by severe trauma, e.g. Guyana, January 12, 1998; NYC, September 11, 2001.

- mass hallucination or hypnosis.
In the same manner as bleeding is the result of a physical injury, the symptoms the girls present are the results of mental trauma. The fact that the strange events originated in the female dormitory, not the male, suggests that the females involved might have suffered some sort of trauma.

It is possible that the trauma could be simply due to "students and staff buckling under the usual end-of-term tension and anxiety" as pointed out by one levelheaded education official.

Stabroek News should have consulted a psychologist for a genuinely expert opinion before publishing a report that only perpetuates nonsensical superstitious beliefs. This denies real help to the victims and allows the abuser(s) to get off scot-free by blaming the "paranormal phenomena" on invisible spirits.

We have to move away from blaming strange phenomena on ghosts, demons and the like.

Any form of so-called "demon possession" is definitely not a paranormal event; it may be a psychological disorder that requires meaningful psychological treatment and empathic counselling by knowledgeable personnel, not superstitious mumbo-jumbo.

Performing an exorcism ritual at the school will only serve to further terrify the already traumatised children, thus reinforcing the phenomena.

Stop traumatising the children. Start looking for the abuser(s).

The real demons and evil spirits are the living flesh-and-blood people who inflicted trauma on the girls. Fear the living, not the dead.

Another plausible explanation is that the acoustic properties of the female dormitory may have caused or triggered the events.

An article captioned 'Soundless music shown to produce weird sensations' (Stabroek News Sept. 8, 2003) reported that, "Mysteriously snuffed out candles, weird sensations and shivers down the spine may not be due to the presence of ghosts in haunted houses but to very low frequency sound [less than 20 hertz] that is inaudible to humans. British scientists have shown in a controlled experiment that the extreme bass sound known as infrasound produces a range of bizarre effects on people including anxiety, extreme sorrow and chills - supporting popular suggestions of a link between infrasound and strange sensations."

The scientists produced infrasound using a seven-yard pipe and tested it on 750 people at a concert. They found that 22 per cent of the audience reported unusual experiences.

The results of the experiment suggest that infrasound that cannot be consciously detected may be present at allegedly haunted sites and so cause people to have odd sensations that they attribute to ghosts.

Infrasound is also produced by natural phenomena such as earthquakes, waterfalls, ocean waves, volcanoes, and a variety of atmospheric phenomena such as wind, thunder, and weather patterns. Aircraft, automobiles, or other rapidly moving objects, as well as air handlers and blowers in buildings, also produce substantial amounts of infrasound.

Studies have shown that many people experience adverse reactions to large intensities of infrasound, developing headaches, nausea, blurred vision, and dizziness. (Encyclopaedia Britannica 2001 Deluxe Edition). Large cavities such as an open dormitory can also produce infrasound.

In the entertainment industry, extreme bass sounds are inserted in heavy metal music and in the sound tracks of ghost movies to produce the eerie sensations that all ghost movie watchers know so well.

Heavy bass music in an enclosed space, e.g. a mini-bus, can also cause unpleasant, depressing sensations.

I remember reading a school laboratory manual that totally forbids the use of extremely low frequency vibrations in the presence of children. So I am forbidden to scare the bejabbers out of my physics students using the required apparatus!

Trauma - physical, psychological or sexual - and/or acoustics are definitely responsible for the 'Strange phenomena at Charity school'.

As the education official sensibly noted, "It would appear that it is not something spiritual but more of a nervous situation." End of mystery.
M. XIU QUAN-BALGOBIND-HACKETT

King wants word `potential’ erased from Windies vocab
By Adriel Richard
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - New coach Bennett King wants to erase the word ‘potential’ from the West Indies' vocabulary and focus upon production as he embarks upon the task of transforming the team into a successful unit.

King believes the word potential leaves too much to chance and he would rather a player clearly demonstrate that he has the capacity to perform at the highest level of the game, rather than show he has promise.

"I hate the word 'potential'," he told reporters at a news conference on Thursday at the Three Ws Oval.

"To me it means something that has not been seen and I would rather be able to see a player produce. There are some aspects that I think are key and cricket is a skills-based game, and that's one of the beauties of the game. The skills side is important and they can be learnt."

In going forward, King outlined that he would want to develop a set of criteria, along with the West Indies selectors, to guide the process of selection to the team.

"We hope to come to some better criteria for picking players, so that if players are not selected, they have a specific area that they can target in terms of improving, so they can get selected," he said.

"My way is that players coming to these camps get an exit interview and, from this, we can be more specific in setting them some drills when they are home to help correct their deficiencies."

LITTLE BEHIND
King admitted that they were a little behind on the video analysis of Pakistan and hosts Australia, their opponents in next month's three-nation limited-overs series, but this would be rectified in the coming days.

"We have been working on how to get the info on the sides we are going to be playing," he said.

"In other places, there is usually a video library that helps make visual statements about how people play. It's going to take us a fair bit to