PSC clears air on elections statement
-- after urgent GECOM three press conference
By Neil Marks
OPPOSITION nominated commissioners on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) yesterday broke protocol and called an urgent press conference outside the consent of the elections body to deal with concerns of electronic fingerprint scanning and verification of the 2001 Official List of Electors (OLE).

But it turned out that their concerns were fuelled by inaccuracies in a statement issued by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) last week.

General elections are constitutionally due by August 4, but the commissioners also stepped out of the boundaries of an official release by GECOM that the commission had set a plan in motion which would see it ready to hold elections by July 17.

They said a review of this plan, done by a Joint International Technical Assessor (JITA) comes up for debate when the full commission meets today.

Commissioners Haslyn Parris, Robert Williams and Lloyd Joseph told reporters they wanted to clear up inaccuracies about the preparedness for the elections as reported in the media from a press release in which the PSC outlined assurances it was given during a January 27 meeting with GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally, Commissioner Mahmood Shaw and Chief Elections Officer Gocool Boodhoo.

However, during the press conference, it became evident that their concerns stemmed from inaccuracies in the PSC press statement, which were cleared up with the presence of PSC executives Gerry Gouveia and Norman McLean. And the commissioners might very well have a battle in the boardroom with Surujbally and the other commissioners today when they meet at GECOM’s statutory meeting.

The three commissioners held the press conference even with their own declaration that, under its modus operandi, no communication from the elections body goes out without the agreement of the entire commission.

When questioned about who exactly their quarrel was with -- whether the media, GECOM, or the PSC -- the commissioners had a difficulty answering and it became evident that they wanted to clear their names from the PSC inaccuracies reported by the media. In Mr Parris’ words, he wanted to get people off his back.

None of the commissioners who held the press conference were at the meeting with the PSC. Mr Paris was in a Caribbean island recovering from hypertension and Mr Williams was at a municipal conference, he being Deputy Mayor of Georgetown. Mr Joseph did not say why he didn’t attend the meeting.

In its statement, the PSC said it was advised that GECOM had “concluded” a contract with the election office in Jamaica early this month to carry out electronic scanning of the Master Record Cards from the 2001 register of electors to prevent against duplicate registration.

The commissioners yesterday said the contract was not signed. Even before holding the press conference, Parris said he was told by Surujbally that he never said the contract was signed.

Mr Mclean, in the middle of the press conference, pointed out that his draft for the PSC press release had the word “concluding”, not “concluded”, and so the mistake most likely was typographical. This was further verified by a statement the PSC issued in the afternoon apologising for the errors.

In addition, the PSC said it omitted to say that it is the “fingerprints” which would be scanned by the Jamaica office.

Commissioner Parris said this process is not intended to prevent or “guard against” duplicate registration, but merely to say to GECOM the “amount” of the names on the 2001 list which should not have been there, either because they were in duplicate or never existed.

The PSC, in its original statement, dated February 3, stated that it was advised that GECOM was still deliberating on the issue of the verification of voters, and that the commission “made it clear that house to house verification would not be an option for the verification of the OLE.”

However, in its statement of correction yesterday, the PSC said it should have stated that GECOM made it clear that “100%” house to house verification would not be an option.

The three commissioners noted that a decision has not yet been made on a method of verification.

Gouveia, who was invited to the press conference at the Water Chris Hotel not knowing what for, said he was surprised that the commissioners were not at the GECOM meeting of January 27, and didn’t understand the reason why the press conference was called yesterday.

He said he felt the issues could have been dealt with in the boardroom of GECOM.

He said the PSC would not be standing idly by for the elections and would be involved in the process all the way.

Young dad dies in `hole’ crash
BARELY two days after celebrating his 26th birthday, Mark Anthony Montouth met his death yesterday morning when the motorcycle he was riding hit a hole in a bridge in Georgetown.

Witnesses said that after the front wheel of the bike dropped into the hole in the Cemetery Road bridge, he fell and struck his head on a concrete post and tumbled into a trench.

Montouth, a father of two, of 382 Dove Square, South Ruimveldt Gardens in Georgetown, was on his way to work as a Junior Manager at Nigel’s Supermarket on Robb Street when the accident occurred.

Sharon Brown, who witnessed it from her upstairs window across the street, said he was riding over the bridge at a reasonable pace when the front wheel of his motorcycle dropped in the hole, causing him to lose control of the machine.

She said he fell and struck his head on a concrete post and then tumbled into the trench. When he was pulled up, he appeared to be lifeless, and there was a visible fracture on his skull.

Residents in the area said the hole in the bridge has been there for quite some time and they have always been concerned about it.

They said many pedal cyclists and motorcyclists have had minor accidents after riding into the hole.

Residents said workers from the Mayor and City Council patched the bridge on a few occasions, but the hole always reappeared after a week or two.

They said the council has promised to build a sturdy concrete bridge, but this has not yet materialised.

“We always saying that they not going to fix that bridge until somebody die on it. And now the same thing happen,” Brown commented.

Relatives said Montouth had just dropped off his three-month-old son Delon at a day care centre, and was on his way to work when the accident occurred around 10:00 h.

His wife Dacie, also 26, said her husband celebrated his birthday on Saturday.

He leaves to mourn his wife, his daughter Delecia, his son, two brothers, two sisters and his mother.

Cops hold suspects in woman taxi driver’s killing
POLICE have arrested three men at Rainbow City, Linden, two of them suspects in the murder of woman taxi driver Seerajiee Singh.

Singh, 41, of Success, East Coast Demerara, was killed on Friday evening, when she was shot in the mouth after refusing to give up her motor car at Ogle at the command of two men who had hired her.

Police said a .22 revolver and the motor car which was found at 47 Miles Mabura on Sunday are lodged in Police custody.

One of the two suspects has been further identified in another robbery in which a motor car was also stolen, Police said.

Seerajiee had braved the dangerous East Coast Demerara night to join her husband in providing for their family before she was shot dead Friday evening.

She was killed allegedly by teenagers, one a neighbour, from her East Coast Demerara village of Success. One of them had worked at 47 Miles where the motor car was found.

She leaves to mourn her husband, Pawan and their three children Indira, 24, Melissa, 14, and Kevin, 13.

Police said she was hired to do a pickup with her vehicle PJJ 3529, an AT 192 Carina, at Success, at about 22:30 h Friday.

Singh’s husband, also a taxi driver, said the phone call for the hire came from a Chinese restaurant in the village, and since those who requested the car were known to her, his wife decided to take the job.

Her eldest daughter, Indira, said her mother had transported the men before, and would only take jobs at nights with those who she was familiar with.

Police said the two men joined the car and requested to go to Ogle.

When on the Ogle Airstrip Road, they stuck her up and ordered her out of the car but she refused to get out. She was then shot in her mouth and pushed out of the vehicle which the men drove away with, Police said.

Police, who were investigating an incident nearby, responded to reports of the shooting and transported the woman to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where she died shortly before midnight.

Pawan and his wife started a taxi business four years ago.

She would always wear men’s clothing and a Kangol hat turned backwards and would only take night jobs with people she was familiar with, he said.

Guns probe continues
GUNS INTERCEPTED: Police yesterday released this photo of the AK-47 automatic rifle, Lugar sub-machine gun and a Glock 9mm pistol, along with a total of 93 rounds of ammunition of varying calibre suitable for use with the three weapons which were intercepted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri on Saturday. The small cache of weapons was shipped from the United States in a consignment by Caribbean Cargo in New York on board North American Airlines Flight 091. Caribbean Cargo and Packaging Services yesterday said it has launched an internal investigation into the discovery of weapons shipped illegally from its gateway in New York. The company said it is also cooperating with all the regulatory agencies in the U.S. and Guyana.

Teachers report 'good' meeting with Luncheon
THE Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) says its meeting yesterday with Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon was useful and agreement has been reached for another meeting tomorrow to continue discussions.

President of the GTU, Ms Avril Crawford told the Guyana Chronicle the discussions were conducted in an amiable atmosphere and Luncheon was sympathetic and open on proposals put forward by her union.

“The meeting was a good one,” she indicated.

As a result of this development, Crawford said there is no plan at this time to stage further protest actions following its `Day of Stress’ on the first day of this month to back demands for better pay and working conditions.

She said the meeting focused on the proposals of the union, including a 10%-15% increase in salaries, remuneration for additional qualifications, hard line allowances for teachers serving in hinterland communities, duty free concessions for motor cycles, cars and boat engines, reduction of class size, sabbatical leave for teachers who have served for 15 unbroken years, Whitley Council grant, house lots, and concessions for teachers serving in the interior to visit their families.

Crawford said there was no commitment at the meeting at the Office of the President by Luncheon but he was open and sympathetic to the union’s submissions and suggestions.

Carjackers strike again
CARJACKERS struck again yesterday in Georgetown, taking off with an AT 170 Carina belonging to a man from Enterprise, East Coast Demerara.

Police reported that about 12:30 h yesterday, Abdool Haniff was robbed by three men armed with guns on Sheriff Street, Georgetown.

Haniff, 33, was driving motorcar HA 8944 north along the main city road.

When in the vicinity of the Botanical Gardens, another car swerved into his path forcing him to stop, Police said.

The three men came out, confronted and assaulted him with their guns, then robbed him of jewellery and the vehicle, Police said.

Carjackers have recently been targeting AT 192 Carina cars and several taxi drivers have been held up and robbed of their vehicles.

Spanking new conference centre opens Thursday
By Mark Ramotar
THE state-of-the-art international conference centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, has been completed and is to be officially handed over to the Guyana Government by the Chinese Government at a grand inauguration ceremony planned for Thursday.

Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Minister, Mr Clement Rohee announced the date for the inauguration ceremony at a press briefing yesterday in the spacious and fully furnished main conference hall at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GCCI).

The briefing was held immediately after the sixth meeting of the centre’s Oversight Committee, and was followed by a media tour of the uniquely designed edifice.

“This completion of this centre marks Guyana’s entry into the world of modern conferencing…we are now part of that network,” Rohee told reporters.

The minister said Guyana is now in a position to provide an appropriate venue with all modern facilities to host local, regional and international conferences.

Rohee said the Oversight Committee meeting examined several issues, including the completion of the landscaping and the access road, outstanding debt to the Chinese contracting firm and furnishing the centre. He told reporters all these matters were “amicably settled between the two sides”.

According to him, the centre has been completed except for some minor works to be done before Thursday’s ceremony. He also indicated that the project cost about US$6.5M or G$1.3B.

Engineering Consultant at the Ministry of Public Works, Mr Walter Willis said the landscaping of the area immediately around the centre should be completed during next month.

The centre was built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation through a grant by the Chinese Government.

It comprises a main conference hall which can seat 350 people, five meeting rooms, an exhibition hall, training and dining rooms and a parking lot.

Construction commenced on September 1, 2004 and was expected to be completed in October last year. However, due to the flooding disaster in Guyana in January 2005, the completion date for the conference centre was extended to mid-December and then re-extended to the end of January this year.

The main conference hall of the GICC - sited west of the spanking new Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat headquarters at Turkeyen - has already been furnished. However, the rest of the centre is still to be furnished – with furniture being procured from China.

After his tour of the centre yesterday, accompanied by the Chinese Ambassador, Mr Shen Qing and other officials, Rohee again hailed the GICC as another landmark contributing to the creation of a modern landscape at Liliendaal.

The GICC occupies a total site area of 49,252 square metres and the two-flat building covers 3,619 square metres with seats for 372 people, in addition to two special seats for persons in wheelchairs.

The roads and plaza will occupy more than 17,000 square metres. The park under construction will hold 180 vehicles.

The GICC project is funded by a series of grants provided by the government of the People’s Republic of China and is one of several bilateral, economic and technical cooperation programmes funded by China.

The governments of Guyana and China have shared fruitful bilateral relations since they established diplomatic ties more than three decades ago.

At the launching ceremony of the project on May 28, 2004, President Bharrat Jagdeo had alluded to the assistance China has been providing to Guyana during the past 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and noted that the construction of the GICC “is a symbol of cooperation.”

The proposed project became a reality at the Eighth Session of the Guyana/China Joint Commission in March, 2003.

Lotto jackpot still unclaimed
THE Guyana Lottery Company (GLC) said that up to yesterday, no one had come forward to claim the $112,647,940 jackpot won in a drawing last month.

The GLC, in a statement, said the unclaimed jackpot was won in the drawing on Saturday, January 21, 2006.

The winning numbers were 5, 9, 10, 14, 28 and 29 and the ticket was sold by Benie Sukra – a Lotto agent from Charles Place, New Amsterdam on Friday January 20 at 10:48 h.

The GLC pointed out that the winner had 90 days to redeem the ticket and claim the jackpot – said to be the largest ever.

The 90 days will expire on April 21, 2006.

Bounty’s names promotion winners
BOUNTY’S Meat Centre has announced that its “Make My Day” promotion which concluded last December has been a huge success

In a release the company reported that it gave out three Jailing 150 cc motorcycles valued at some $250,000 each, and the winners were Michelle Archibald, Doris Persaud and Gledon Harris.

It further stated that during the course of the six-month long promotion, each branch gave away one of six prizes in a drawing at the end of every month with the prizes totalling some $2M, ranging from an Ultra Chef Oven to a 150cc Jailing motorcycle.

The management and staff of the company have expressed their appreciation to customers for their continued support and say the public should be on the lookout for other promotional competitions during this year.

Twelve calypsonians in Mash finals
TWELVE contenders from the Mash calypso semi-finals at the Wales Community Centre, West Bank Demerara have qualified for the finals at the National Park on Saturday.

The finalists are “Sniper”, “Random Order,” “Mighty Roots” “Calypso Stella,” “VJ,” “Mighty Duke,” “Mighty Hunter,” “Lard Canary,” “Mighty Rebel,” “Ras Marcus,” “Young Bill Rogers” and “Voter.”

All finalists will be competing against the reigning Calypso monarch “Lady Tempest”.

Information Officer of Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Mr Jaidev Dudhnath said there was an extremely good turnout for the semis Saturday at the Wales Community Centre.

He told the Government Information Agency (GINA) he was very impressed with the energetic but cordial behaviour of the spectators. He also said it was noteworthy to see leader of the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform, Mr Robert Corbin present at the event.

Following the calypso finals, will be the Mash Steel pan competition on Sunday at the National Cultural Centre, also in Georgetown.

Bands will be competing in solo, trio, pan jazz quartet, church and school band performances.

On the same day, the Seawall Band Concert for the elderly will be hosted at the Seawall Band Stand.

GINA said this event is mainly for the elderly and those unable to view the other events.

Extended electrification scheme transforming 220 communities
(GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AGENCY) -- “It’s literally coming out of darkness into light. Having electricity for the first time is simply wonderful. I don’t know how to explain it but I am proud that my children will now have the chance to study and do better. It’s good to know that after a hard day’s work I can relax and watch some television.”

This is how Chaitram Singh, a beneficiary of one of the Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) areas currently receiving electricity under the government’s Unserved Areas Electricity Programme (UAEP), summed it up.

The UAEP has been one of the major accomplishments of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, which aims to supply power to approximately 50,000 households living in currently unserved areas, as the government continues its thrust of providing better living standards.

Following the rapid expansion of the housing sector over the last few years, a number of new housing schemes and other residential communities have been created or regularised countrywide that include low and middle-income housing development projects.

In some cases, the urgent need to provide adequate housing for many families exceeded the government’s ability to provide immediate infrastructure.

In view of this, the government acquired a multi-billion dollar loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to fund the programme that saw its genesis, on September 3, 2004. The government and the IDB signed an agreement for a US$27.5 loan contract, part of a wider US$34.4M programme which seeks to electrify approximately 220 communities in various regions across the country.

Executed by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL), the programme caters for the provision of electricity to emerging communities, as well as others previously established which have been without power supply, along with a hinterland component.

The programme which commenced in July 2005 will facilitate the provision of electricity to 65 communities in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six.

Even though work in this current phase had to be suspended at Black Bush Polder, due to inclement weather, contractors have been able to complete all primary and secondary connections in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three, Four Five and Six, including planting electricity poles and installing power lines and transformers.

The government stood the household infrastructure cost which ranged from $60,000 – $90,000 depending on the locations; however, some of the far-flung areas not within the proximity of GPL’s network would cost the government much more since contractors would have to purchase additional materials to extend the service.

Despite the challenges, the programme is almost 80 per cent into its work programme and the contractors are still aiming for the April 2006 deadline.

Several communities in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six are benefiting from the programme.

In Region Two -- Henrietta and Richmond; Charity; the Jibb; Lima; Dairy; La Belle Alliance; Suddie New Housing Scheme; Suddie Sand Pit; Bush Lot; Pomona.

In Region Three -- Zeelugt South; Patentia; Tuschen North; Vergenoegen South; Prem Nagar; Cornelia Ida; Crane; Zeelugt North; Parika; Stewartville.

In Region Four -- Sophia Block ‘AA’, ‘E’; Cummings Lodge, Area Y; Turkeyen, Section C,D; Mosquito Hall; Pattensen; Strathspey, Area G; Foulis, Block 1&2 Coldingen; Goedverwagting South; Paradise South; Waterloo and Hope.

In Region Six – Rotterdam; Lansdale; Kortberaad, and Brothers and Sisters.

INFRASTRUCTURE COMPLETED
Region Two - all nine communities are completed

Region Three - eight out of 12 areas

Region Four - 10 out of 18 areas

Region Five - 10 out of 12 areas

Region Six - 6 out of 13 areas

In many of the earmarked areas, the infrastructure is completed but GPL is awaiting payment from residents as this aspect will determine the rate of connection.

Construction Manager of the UAEP, Kumar Sharma said that 20,000 meter boxes are expected soon and this will help to accelerate the house-to-house interconnection process.

The supply of electricity poles, he indicated, has been somewhat slow, but has not significantly inhibited progress.

One of the government’s executing agencies, the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP), is funding part of the current programme at a cost of $109M, catering for the electrification of communities within Regions Three, Four, Five and Six.

Some areas already completed under SIMAP are: Number Four Village, Corentyne; Foulis Block 1&2, East Coast Demerara and Stewartville and Prem Nagar, West Coast Demerara.

The second phase of the UAEP is expected to commence in 2007. The programme will run concurrently with a hinterland component.

UAEP commenced in July, 2005 and is being executed by three contractors - Cummings Electrical, Power Lines Construction Company and Dynamic Engineering.

In order to speed up the interconnection process, residents can do the following:

** Ensure that the building is professionally wired and certified by the electrical inspectorate of the Ministry of Public Works.

** Submit completed application forms.

** Make payment of $10,000 for meter and interconnection ($2,000 minimum part payment), in addition to $5,000 security deposit.

** When making payments, take along proof of property ownership/lease agreement/transport/land allocation letter/agreement of sale or Power of Attorney and national identification card or passport.

Homeowners can get IPED loans
-- for ICC CWC 2007 B&B scheme
THE Guyana Local Organising Committee (LOC), in its drive to expand the accommodation base for ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, has embarked on new initiatives to ensure that the Bed and Breakfast Accommodation programme is successful.

The LOC, in a press release yesterday, said it held talks with the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) to provide loans to persons who are interested in providing Bed and Breakfast accommodation to visitors expected for the Guyana leg of ICC CWC 2007.

The lending institution has agreed to provide loans and additional services, such as training and preparing its clients, to ensure that those undertaking the venture receive maximum benefits from their investments, it said.

The joint discussion panel which met last week comprised of Dr Leslie Chin A.A, Chief Executive officer of IPED, and his team, Indar Singh, Administrative Manager/Company Secretary; Yogieraj Das, Credit Manager, and Carlotta Walcott, Entrepreneurial Development Manager, and from the Guyana LOC, Karan Singh, CEO, along with Andre Dukhia, Travel, Accommodation and Hospitality Manager and Nikolaus Oudkerk, Project Officer Visitor Experience.

Dukhia said the initial meeting was very productive, and a smaller group of the panel met again last Friday to finalise the concept document and the conditions of undertakings that will come from the two agencies in order to maximise on human resources and promotion of the initiative.

A joint action plan has been agreed upon and this goes into effect immediately, he added.

The LOC said homeowners can approach IPED now for loan arrangements. The procedures for applying are no different from those currently in place and interested parties are encouraged to contact the IPED office in South Road, Bourda, Georgetown.

The training package will be available to every interested individual providing the B&B accommodation service at a low cost.

Persons who do not require a loan, and have just registered with the LOC office, can benefit from training which will be very useful and quite invaluable, since most of these arrangements will continue even after March and April next year, the committee said.

“The response to the Bed and Breakfast call is very encouraging,” Dukhia said, “and we are dedicating our efforts to providing as much support to the potential entrepreneurs that are willing to embark on the programme.”

“There are no limits set at this time, and the deadline for submission is likely to close by the end of February next year (2007)”, he added.

The Bed and Breakfast Accommodation programme was launched three weeks ago at the Demerara Harbour Bridge Promenade and the LOC said it will also meet other residents in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Region Four (Demarara/Mahaica), Region Five (Mahaica/ West Berbice) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) to push the initiative.

Guyana will host six Group C matches of the Super Eight from March 27 to April 10, 2007 at the Providence Stadium, East Bank Demerara.

Not 40-inch
IN THE article on page 15 of the Sunday Chronicle of February 12, 2006, headed `Mobile clinic to be stationed near stadium’, it was incorrectly stated that it was a 40-inch mobile clinic.

It is in fact a 40-foot mobile clinic.

We sincerely regret the error.

Qaseeda finals to coincide with Independence celebrations
ORGANISERS have announced that the annual national Qaseeda finals this year will coincide with the country’s 40th Independence anniversary celebrations.

A press release said the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex, West Coast Demerara, will be the venue, for the fourth consecutive year, for the Qaseeda (Muslim songs in praise of Prophet Muhammad) singing competition.

The programme is billed for May 27-28 and competition will be in four categories — Male, Senior & Junior, and Female, Senior & Junior.

Successful contestants in each category will represent Guyana at the International Qaseeda Competition to be hosted in Trinidad and Tobago on August 25-27, the release said. Guyana hosted last year’s International Qaseeda Competition.

Organisers said among those expected at the national Qaseeda competition are guest artistes from Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago and representatives from the Anjuman Sunnatul Jamaat Association Inc. (ASJA) of Trinidad, host of the International Qaseeda Competition. Representatives from Khilafat Anjuman, Hedayatul Islam and Masjidul Azam of Suriname, are also due here, the groups said.

The release said the female competitions will be held on the evening of Saturday May 27 while the male contests will be on Sunday May 28. Prizes and awards will be presented on May 28.

The organising committee is advising persons interested in participating to contact their respective Imams for application forms and rules, or direct from the secretariat, Anna Catherina Islamic Complex; tel: 276-0029 or email: muslimjournal@yahoo.com.

Closing date for registration is May 15.

The committee is also advising persons who want to go to Trinidad and Tobago for the International Qaseeda Competition 2006 to contact the secretariat to make arrangements.

The air fare is being arranged at a discount and meals and accommodation will be provided free of cost in Trinidad and Tobago.

The event is being organised again by the Muslim Youth League of Guyana, the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman, the Guyana Islamic Forum and the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex.

Barbados police issue warnings to vendors
-- some Guyanese affected
CITING many complaints from store owners, Barbadian police have warned vendors plying two major thoroughfares in the capital Bridgetown to move on or their goods will be confiscated.

According to a front page story in the Saturday Sun newspaper, the “clean up” was due to start yesterday following the warnings. It would also impact on store owners who place their goods on the outside pavement.

The Bridgetown police commander, Senior Supt Morgan Greaves, was quoted as saying: “Over a period of time we have issued notices asking illegal vendors to move but we were sympathetic and understood the social issues…but we have been bombarded with complaints from the business community that there has been a big fall off in their businesses because of the blocking of store entrances.”

In a response similar to what obtained in Guyana’s capital a couple years ago when authorities made vendors move from Regent and Water streets, he added: “In the same way that illegal vendors complain that they have to make a living, they too must consider that storeowners have to pay mortgages, taxes and Vat as well.”

The store owners will have to remove all displays on the outside of their premises. This is also illegal, said the Barbados police.

Predictably, a sample of the vendors complained they will be driven to hard times because they also have bills to pay. They openly say they set up in the heart of the city, rather than regulated areas in other parts, because of the large passersby traffic.

The two areas targeted by police officers over the weekend were Swan Street, which lies parallel with the main Broad Street thoroughfare, and Bridge Street, next to the main bus terminal over the so-called (you can actually step from one side to another at low tide) Constitution River.

Several vendors have set up tables, stands, some with wheels and other arrangements selling an assortment of goods, including shades, ladies handbags, toiletries and other items sold inside the stores. Fruits and vegetables are also sold, especially at the Bridge Street location.

In recent days, on the eve of Valentines Day, most vendors have things like cards and stuffed teddy bears on display.

A number of Guyanese nationals resident in Barbados are also affected by the police directives, according to the Guyana Consulate in Barbados.

Contacted, Honorary Consul Norman Faria said he went to Swan Street and surrounding thoroughfares to check out the situation and offer advice if necessary.

The Guyanese he talked with had residency status, he said. He said that while he sympathised with the vendors’ plight and the need for them to make a living, he stressed the law had to be complied with and urged them to heed police directives and not be confrontationist.

Last year, during a public debate on the allocation of spaces for vendors’ stalls in one of the regulated areas next to the Parliament buildings, then leader of the Opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP), Clyde Mascoll, complained that some stalls were being given to “non-nationals” at the expense of Bajans.

During the recent budget debate in the island’s parliament, several DLP MPs openly mentioned or intimated that Guyanese were coming to Barbados to “take way’ jobs from Barbadians.

Commendably, say political analysts, the ruling Barbados Labour Party of Prime Minister Owen Arthur has condemned such nationalistic jingoism and commended the Guyanese and other non-nationals presence in the island for their sterling contribution to the island’s economy in many spheres.

Sources yesterday said the Police have given the vendors a reprieve until other arrangements are made for their relocation.

And yesterday, the vendors were once again doing thriving business but undoubtedly worrying about the future.

Rotaract presents physiotherapy bars to the Palms
THE Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central, in collaboration with Brass Aluminium and Cast Iron Foundry Limited (BACIF), has handed over a pair of assistive parallel bars to the Palms Physiotherapy Department at Brickdam, Georgetown.

The bars are physiotherapy assistive devices used by disabled patients to improve balance, reduce lower limb pain and provide sensory feedback.

At the Palms, Works Superintendent of BACIF, Mr Rondell Ali, last week presented the equipment to the Supervisor for Occupational Therapy, Yolindi Divas, with members of Rotaract Club looking on.

Community Service Director of the club, Debita Haripersaud, said BACIF bought the equipment for about $85,000, while Rotaract facilitated and installed the bars in the department.

After Pomeroon flood…
Farmers claim deployed excavators unsuited for task
THE two management committees elected to oversee the operations of two excavators that would be deployed in lower and opper Pomeroon River want six of a different type sent there.

The farming groups put the request to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr Harripersaud Nokta yesterday, saying the recommended ones are needed to excavate drains and impolder farmlands before the next anticipated heavy and consistent rainfall in January 2007.

The farmers told Nokta they inspected the two ‘Caterpillar’ types, now at Anna Regina on Essequibo Coast en route to Pomeroon, but found them unsuitable for the intended purpose in terms of weight and fuel consumption.

According to the planters, the machines, which weigh an average of 15 tons each, will surely sink in the pegasse Pomeroon soil.

They said their recommendation is based on consultations with experienced and “seasoned” operators who stated that the smaller ‘312’ type ‘Caterpillar’ with extra long booms would work well in Pomeroon.

They maintained that the two already dispatched will take too long, at least two years, to effectively impolder and drain all the Pomeroon farms and would not complete the task before the January 2007 rainy season.

However, Nokta, who was accompanied by Regional Vice-Chairman of Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Mr Vishnu Samaroo, and Member of Parliament, Mr Heeralall Mohan, promised to take the Pomeroon proposition to Cabinet.

Nokta, noting that the government has to also pay urgent attention to other flooded areas countrywide, said the administration purchased 15 excavators at a cost of $60M with limited resources, in an effort to drain and impolder farms along both banks of Pomeroon River.

He said the pontoon to transport the two earmarked for Pomeroon is under construction and should arrive there shortly.

The ERC deserves full support
THE Ethnic Relations Commission, headed by the indefatigable Bishop Juan A. Edghill, has signalled its intention to be more proactive in fulfilling its mandate

“Promoting Harmony and Good Relations” is the slogan on the commission’s logo, in keeping with its constitutional mandate which it takes quite seriously.

This year, the goodly Bishop announced at a media conference last week, the commission will host a secondary schools debating competition, and an essay competition, and will encourage letters from young people to political leaders.

Erecting billboards at strategic locations in communities and a multi-stakeholder project enabling persons from the grassroots to contribute to national development are also on the commission’s plate in 2006, along with meeting all municipalities, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Amerindian communities.

And here’s the big one --- participants from constituencies countrywide will meet in regional conferences, then participants from each region will be chosen for one big national conference, reports from which will be presented to the government and the opposition 100 days after the general and regional elections.

The commission has begun enhancing its staff complement for this year, as it gets into full swing with meetings around the country, film shows at schools in the city and all the regions, meetings with ministries and business houses and other employers, and investigating complaints of discrimination from all over, all in keeping with its mandate.

In all this, commissioners and technical staff, assisted through training sessions held by relevant international agencies, are faced with the formidable task of imparting to those they interact with workable solutions to conflict, and methods of promoting and sustaining good relations.

In this very demanding task, commission personnel come up against those who talk about incidents of discrimination that mar relationships, as well as those who seek to sweep their problems under the carpet, and tell the commission that everyone gets on swimmingly with everybody else, and there are no problems.

At one meeting with a government ministry in the city some months ago, the Personnel Officer told commissioners that there were no problems there.

“We are one big happy family here, and there is not even a hint of racial discrimination here,” she gushed.

It was later discovered that she was telling anything but the truth.

As the commissioners move around, gathering information about employment practices, how promotions are determined, how contracts and scholarships are awarded, and looking into situations that allow for all kinds of discrimination, the degree to which they will succeed depends on the willingness of those they speak with to be open and truthful.

It is unfair to expect the commission to deal effectively with matters about which they are unaware.

The few critics who say that having an Ethnic Relations Commission is a waste of time must bear this in mind, and must also have a look at the commission’s record of successes in resolving situations, many of which could have got completely out of hand.

The Act of Parliament that brought the Ethnic Relations Commission into being was an important bit of legislation, one that faced up to the very real problem of ethnic problems in our society, and that decided that something had to be done about them.

With general elections just around the corner, we cannot help but recall all the fear and pain that gripped us, as a nation, at elections times not so many years ago.

The Ethnic Relations Commission is right on target, and we owe the commissioners and their staffers our unstinting support as they work towards fashioning a society that epitomises harmony and good relationships.

Remanded Barlow Landing $50M robbery accused granted bail
THE three men charged with the daring $50M gold and diamond robbery at Barlow Landing, Eping Creek, Mazaruni, last December, were each granted $500,000 bail by Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan yesterday.

Previously remanded Godfrey Smith, 53, Wayne Grant, 41 and Rohan Khan, 47, facing 13 joint indictable robbery under arms charges, secured the grant when they made another court appearance at which their case was transferred to Bartica Court, for February 21.

Particulars of the December 14, 2005 offences, allegedly committed on gold miners and diamond buyers said they robbed

* Barras DeAndre of $10,000;

* Christopher James of $600,000, raw gold and jewellery, making a total loss of $1M to him;

* Anthony LaRose of $400,000 and gold jewels to the total value of $680,000;

* Conrad Gomes of $40,000, diamonds and raw gold worth $290,000;

* Maria Vazzle of gold jewellery valued $600,000;

* Jonas DaSilva of money and diamonds with a total value of $1.5M;

* Headley Nascimento of cash and jewels valued $5M;

* Henson Thomas of gold and diamonds worth $22M;

* Viola Atkinson of $600,000, jewels and other valuables worth $697,000 in all;

* Valdie Lessos of money and diamonds valued $20M;

* Kenneth (only name given) of half drum dieselene valued $30,000;

* Kenneth Simmons of $300,000 cash and

* Jacquin Sarmentio of gold and diamonds valued $5,900,000.

Police Inspector Lloyd Thomas, prosecuting, had objected to the trio being allowed freedom, citing the likelihood of witness tampering and the accused absconding.

But Defence Counsel Peter Hugh, for him, said Khan had been in custody for about five days when Police released him on $10,000 station bail and he reports to them every day.

Other Defence Counsel Frank Fraser, representing Grant, submitted there is no evidence that he will not attend court and argued that the seriousness of the offence is not sufficient to refuse bail.

A gang of 10 men, heavily armed with rifles and hand grenades and dressed in apparel similar to Police uniform, held the victims at gunpoint and robbed them at 16:30 h that day.

Grant, separately charged with fraudulent conversion, has been ordered to lodge an additional $100,000 bond until March 1.

JP Sukhu on more criminal charges
JUSTICE of the Peace (JP) and Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits Parmanand Sukhu, of Lot 109 Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, faced more criminal charges yesterday.

Before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan, the 48-year-old cultural promoter, producer and host of the television show ‘Sangeet Ki Raat’ (Night of Music), was not required to plea to an indictable charge of obtaining money by false pretence.

But he pleaded not guilty to another of pretending to be a marriage officer.

Particulars of the June 16, 2005 offences, said they were committed at Maraj Building in Charlotte Street, Georgetown:

The allegations are that Sukhu:

* with intent to defraud, obtained $25,000 from Sandramani Ramnarine by falsely pretending to her that he is a legal marriage officer and

* knowingly and willingly solemnising a marriage between Ramnarine and Raymond Madhoo by falsely pretending to be a marriage officer.

Defence Counsel Glenn Hanoman, in a successful bail application, said Sukhu has been a JP for many years and would help people prepare documents.

The accused, he said, was just helping the couple with preliminary steps and the two virtual complainants, unaware that he is not a marriage officer, went to the United States Embassy and said Sukhu married them.

Sukhu was allowed pre-trial freedom, until March 9, on $20,000 bond.

Sukhu was previously granted his liberty on a $40,000 recognisance when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle and pleaded not guilty to falsely pretending to be a marriage officer and obtaining money by false pretence.

Psychiatric Hospital patient convicted of drug trafficking
MAGISTRATE Geeta Chandan yesterday postponed sentence on a patient of the National Psychiatric Hospital, at Fort Canje, who was convicted of drug trafficking.

Putting off the sentencing until February 20, the court ordered that a medical certificate be produced on the condition of the convict, Nicholas Pluck.

Magistrate Chandan also instructed that the doctor supervising Pluck must be present on that occasion.

Meanwhile, the inmate was remanded to prison.

Police Sergeant Elton Davidson, who prosecuted the case at New Amsterdam Court, also in Berbice, said cops, acting on information given to the Hospital Administration earlier yesterday, searched the suspect with the aid of nurses and found 79 and a half grammes of cannabis (marijuana) on his person.

The Prosecution contended that Pluck was in possession of the narcotic for the purpose of trafficking.

Remanded accused charged with both murder, attempted murder
TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD Andrew Rodney, of Lot 33 Robb Street, Bourda, Georgetown, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan yesterday, charged with both murder and attempted murder.

Particulars of the capital offence said Rodney murdered Elton Fullington on July 23, 2005, the same day on which he is alleged to have unlawfully and maliciously wounded Rudolph Adams, with intent to kill him on Avenue of the Republic, also in the city.

Rodney was remanded to prison until March 1 and an arrest warrant was issued for his co-accused Alpha Huston.

Second man charged with January gunpoint robbery
A SECOND man has been charged with the January 26 gunpoint robbery in which cellular phones were stolen.

Ronaldo Marks, 20, of Lot ‘A’ 71 East La Penitence, Georgetown, yesterday faced the joint indictable charge previously read to Phillip Drepaul.

Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan, before whom he appeared, granted Marks $75,000 bail and transferred his case to another court for February 28.

Police Inspector Lloyd Thomas, prosecuting, said the two accused on the robbery under arms charge, used a gun to rob Keith Durant of his and Orin Paul’s cell phones, valued $52,000.

Million-dollar burglary accused refused bail
THIRTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD Frank Griffith (no address given) was yesterday refused bail and remanded to prison on an indictable charge in relation to a million-dollar burglary.

Before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan, Griffith was accused of breaking into the dwelling house of Edmond Sampson and stealing a quantity of gold jewellery, $70,000 cash and other booty, with a total worth of $1.1M, on October 24, 2005.

The case will be called again on March 16.

More charges against granddaughter in money theft case
POLICE have slapped four more indictable charges on 16-year-old Teshana Reece and her boyfriend, Kevin Hope, who are accused of stealing money from a bank account belonging to the girl’s grandmother.

Before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan yesterday, the two faced an additional four simple larceny allegations which said they stole $380,000 from Erlene Sam between December 5 and 9, 2005.

Thirteen previously laid summary charges said the duo had stolen $354,000 between November 29, 2005 and January 3, 2006.

Hope (no address given either) pleaded not guilty to all the latter accusations while Reece did similarly to 12 and admitted she stole $54,000 on December 18, 2005.

Police Inspector Lloyd Thomas, prosecuting, successfully requested the magistrate to postpone sentence in the case where Reece pleaded guilty, pending the outcome of the others.

Both Reece and Hope were each put on $75,000 bail and the continuing cases have been transferred to another court for March 31.

Two weeks ago, they were granted $50,000 bail, individually, on four joint indictable charges which said they stole $324,000 between December 3 and 16, 2005.

Where are our heroes?
WHAT is going on in the tourism authority of Guyana?

The news on February 2, 2006, confirmed that this authority is using a “very popular and internationally acclaimed Guyanese singer who is making waves in Brazil” to promote Guyana.

No one in the diaspora has heard about Sach Persaud but he is described as internationally famous.

Recruiting a singer who was absent from Guyana for 20-odd years to suddenly promote Guyana is utterly ridiculous on the part of the GTA.

The tourism `experts’ are doing pure nonsense with the government’s efforts to promote tourism in Guyana.

The government and people of Guyana should not accept this ludicrous and unfortunate decision, among others, from the Guyana Tourism Authority.

Guyana needs to get real.

What about our world renowned/internationally acclaimed recording Guyanese artists like Mr Eddy Grant? What about Mr Dave Martins, who spent all of his life promoting Guyana and still does so in song, heart and soul?

How about X2 with Jumo Primo, the lead singer for the internationally-renowned Bryon Lee and the Dragonaires, and the accomplished Adrian Dutchin, the reigning Soca monarch of Guyana?

What about Guyanese Chutney King Mr Terry Gajraj? What about the vibrant Mighty Chief and flamboyant John `Slingshot’ Drepaul?

Judge for yourselves:

** Singing in Portuguese and English will enhance tourism?

** How much tourism do we get from Brazil?

** How can Dave Martins be ignored? (`Not a Blade of Grass’; `Is We Own’).

** X2 is extremely popular and is making significant waves throughout the Caribbean, North America and Europe. Where is our fairness as a people?

** Poor Mr Terry Gajraj, Mighty Chief and Mr John `Slingshot’ Drepaul -- they are at the back of the bus. Can we reward and recognise the artists who promote Guyana in real life?

Please fix this, Mr President.
DJ KMAN

Excavators too heavy
THE two farmers groups formed to manage the operations of the two excavators sent to the Pomeroon, to help reduce flooding, are calling on the Central Government to consider putting four Hymacs, which would do a better job and are much lighter to work on their farms.

The two excavators sent are not acceptable since they carry excess weight, e.g. 320 CL is 20 tons and the 312 CL is 13 tons.

Several prominent farmers have experience in empoldering and already have had problems with the weight of the machines, so it is time we take warning before we experiment.
ANDRIEKO BASIR

What freedom?
READING the local news, one can never fail to be horribly astonished and appalled at the surprising statements, unbelievable actions and the criminal behaviour of some of our fellow Guyanese.

Mr Ronald Waddell is dead -- quite unfortunate and sad. The Guyana Police Force has not yet concluded their investigations.

However, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has already made certain public pronouncements.

President Bharrat Jagdeo has stated that the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), through the years, has tolerated the significant abuses not only from Waddell but many others who every day criticise the government. One is then left to wonder who stands to benefit from Waddell’s murder at this time.

Apart from the President’s comments, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic has publicly condemned his killing and sympathised with relatives.

Moreover, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, as well as the Minister of Home Affairs have both given assurances of full support for a thorough investigation.

Another surprising episode is the appearance of the Rise, Organise and Rebuild (ROAR) party leader, Mr Ravi Dev at Waddell’s funeral. I wonder what his followers are saying now.

How can this man, who proclaims to be working in the interest of Indians, be in support of an individual who publicly supported the criminal elements in and around Buxton, who predominately attack the Indo-Guyanese population?

Contrary to all those who proclaim the non-existence of gangs of criminals aback of Buxton and surrounding villages, the evidence speaks for itself.

Their (criminals) elaborate early warning network and communication systems (during recent police raids) and the access to high-powered arms and ammunition are widely reported in the press, and they were seen especially during the funeral of Mr Waddell.

One is tempted to ask whether Waddell knew the identities of the gang members. The answer is a definite yes, yet we have to ask ourselves why this information was never communicated to the Guyana Police Force or other law enforcement bodies.

I have also noted many organisations and individuals hailing Waddell as a freedom fighter.

What freedom was he fighting for? Freedom to disregard law and order, rules and regulations, and the acceptable morals and values of our society?

Moreover, it is not a surprise that the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has once again conveniently come out of its dormancy.

This organisation condemned his killing; fair enough. It also called for external help in solving this case.

Where was the GHRA when Waddell was calling on the criminal elements in Buxton to keep up the pressure?

These are all dynamics of the current situation that we must factor in before joining the band wagon.

This administration, along with the law enforcement agencies, must continue to work to ensure the safety and security of all law-abiding citizens.
RONALD HARSAWACK JR.

Not the source of any flooding
IT SEEMS as if Stabroek News has a problem with the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary (MMA) scheme.

Last year they blamed us for the floods on the East Coast Demerara.

That was in spite of the fact that at the time there was no flooding as yet in the riverain areas, until later the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) discharged.

For this year, every article in relation to the current flooding has followed the same trend.

The most recent is one headed `Abary conservancy for rehabilitation’ carried in the Sunday, February 12 issue, where our annual capital budget allocation from the government, is laid over as if it is money allocated to fix the Abary conservancy, because it is causing the floods.

For the record, and for those unfamiliar with the national budgetary process, the allocation instead represents an amount which the government gives to MMA every year to be used for capital works.

Capital Works usually are works of a “Public Good” nature, and rehabilitation of drainage and irrigation (D&I) structures, including the conservancy dam, is a part of the Civil Works component of those works.

We will continue to execute them with pride and efficiency.

We reiterate that the Abary conservancy is not the source of any flooding. Not last year. Not this year.

We think that Stabroek should stop the ‘Public Mischief’ now.
RUDOLPH GAJRAJ
CHAIRMAN
MMA/ADA

Styrofoam is dangerous
A PETITION to the U.S. Congress to eliminate Styrofoam as a food packaging material can be found at http://www.petitiononline.com/5706esp/petition.html.

Here is an extract from the petition:

"Styrofoam food containers (for eating or drinking) emit Benzene and Styrene into the air. More importantly, into our food (especially hot food or drinks) when the food/drinks come in contact with this type of food container. Research from Government agencies like the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is the best reason for eliminating Styrofoam as a food packaging material.

“ATSDR states:

Benzene: The major effect of benzene from long-term (365 days or longer) exposure is on the blood. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that benzene is a known human carcinogen (a substance with the ability to cause cancer). Eating or drinking foods containing high levels of benzene can cause vomiting, irritation of the stomach, dizziness, sleepiness, convulsions, rapid heart rate, and death.

"Styrene: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that styrene is possibly carcinogenic to humans. There is also little information on human health effects from eating or touching styrene. Animal studies show that ingestion of high levels of styrene over several weeks can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, brain, and lungs. When styrene was applied to the skin of rabbits, it caused irritation.

"These chemicals are among the worst in tobacco smoke already recognized as a health hazard. Do not be forced into being exposed because of the widespread use of Styrofoam food containers. Eliminate the use of Styrofoam food packaging."

More information is available at http://www.comfortncolor.com/HTML/PoisoningPage.html, or any search engine can be used to check up on the carcinogenicity of Styrofoam.
M. XIU QUAN-BALGOBIND-HACKETT

Don’t blame the rains
I REFER to the article headed ``Abary draining slow - options may have to be considered’ in the Stabroek News (9/02/06).

Mr Malcolm Alli, who has vast experience in Drainage and Irrigation, has already said that he was not surprised that the Abary River is taking a long time to drain since its conveyance (passage) system has been compromised by siltation over the years.

The Abary River does not appear to be functioning as a normal river any more since it is displacing its water sideways, consequently flooding the existing common (command) living/farming areas between the Berbice and the Mahaicony rivers.

In previous letters published (in both the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News), Mr Alli who worked on the MMA at the inception, had stated that after the MMA scheme was completed, water was not being released through the seven-door sluice to keep the river alive during the rainy season. As a result the situation had led to the river being silted up over the years, and is therefore primarily responsible for the flooding problem in the Mahaicony area.

Dredging the mouth of the Abary River may help with the flooding on the eastern side, but very little with the conveyance (passage, or transport) of the river itself, which is some 35 miles upstream.

In short, the problem lies with the river being silted along the 35 miles stretch of waterway and dredging the mouth may most likely only provide short-term relief with regular flooding still being possible at the slightest rainfall.

One is left to believe that unless there is extremely massive dredging along the 35 miles of the river, with the accompanying transport of the silt to other areas, there would not be a reliable reduced possibility of the expected flooding that now occurs regularly, whenever the rainy season occurs.

This gross neglect over the years of not carrying out regular maintenance and accumulating regular engineering data to constantly guide the upkeep of this river and making it alive is costly; and may also cost the Guyanese people dearly since it reduces the agricultural potential of these lands, due to the constant flooding.

It is grossly inaccurate to blame/excuse the flooding on unprecedented rainfall and global warming when poor management and maintenance of the drainage and sea defences over the last 30 years are the real causes of the numerous floods.

When the MMA was completed 25 years ago, there was no flooding in these areas. The regular flooding has occurred over the last few years primarily on account of the Abary River being unable to discharge its floodwaters effectively.

Similarly, the flooding in 2005 occurred when the East Demerara Water Conservancy dam was compromised after its vegetation was removed from the dam (causing piping, seepage, etc.) and the dam raised an additional four feet.

That action caused the placing of an enormous load on its already poor pegasse foundation. Again, poor maintenance of the conservancy itself as well as its relief five-door sluice also played key parts in the flooding.

The drainage system on the East Coast was not designed to release overtopping water from the conservancy due to poor maintenance and tampering of the dam by raising it.

The livelihoods and the economy depend on a successful resolution (quality assurance maintenance programme, a regular dredging regimen, dredging along the 35 mile stretch of the Abary and transport of silt away, properly trained engineers, facilities at the University of Guyana to properly train engineers, the use of external qualified experts not linked to (or imposed by) the party in power etc) to solve this now recurring flood problem.
ANAND DALJEET

On the front burner
I HAVE noticed that in our time of need, the cordial relations we have with other countries have allowed them to extend the necessary assistance to us.

It is quite clear that our relations with other countries have grown tremendously.

The intervention of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Venezuelan Government was timely.

The recent floods we endured were very devastating and the loss irretrievable to many Guyanese.

The government must be commended for its continued and tireless intervention at monitoring and alleviating the situation.

I thank the government (especially the President) for all they have done, during that time. Some may see it as a job being done.

For me, it was much more than that.

It shows that care and concern for the citizens of this country is on the front burner of the governmental mandate.
JULIAN MORTAGUE

Negative attitude
RECENTLY, I saw the Minister of Public Works, Mr Harrynarine Nawbatt speaking out against impediments on the sea defence reserves, particularly sporting activities such as the popular Sunday seawall lime in Georgetown.

I do believe that citizens have a part to play in seeking to alleviate these occurrences.

People need to speak out and encourage their fellow citizens against these practices.

Most people seem to be under the perception that issues such as squatting (a very popular practice) and these sporting events are primarily matters for the government authorities.

This negative attitude is what causes problems in our society and we as citizens need to address it.

After all, who will feel the brunt if the sea wall breaches or overtops?
ANITA WONG

Apan and Jhat
I SEE Apan Jhat is again current.

Mr F. Kissoon has referred to it. But I wish to point out first, that the phrase was first used by a Mr Dan Debidin over 50 years ago.

Secondly, there is no word as Apan in Hindi and Jhat refers to a sensitive area of the human anatomy.

And as I am on meaning of words, let me refer to Mr Kissoon writing that he ate Dhal Puri. Poor fellow – what he ate was Dal Puri: like Dal and Rice – not dhal or dholl.

Yet again as I am on it, the stuff is called Chokha not choka – like Bigan Chokha, Aloo Chokha, Tomato Chokha.

But we have to be exceedingly careful lest we read the sentence as E IT IS EAD WITH A EAVY EAVY AMMER!!
SHARDA SINGH

Retirement age queries
A MR King had questioned Mr Patrick Yarde of the GPSU of his emoluments.

The Secretary responded, but did not tell us the quantum. Can she now tell us what are Patrick Yarde’s monthly salary and the amount paid to him for housing and telephone each month?

We also wish to be told how much in union dues the GPSU collects per month, and what is the status of the union’s finances – both cash at hand and in the banks.

Can she also confirm that when Mr Norman Semple was the President of the union and Mr Yarde his deputy, a move was made to have the President demit office at age 60 instead of at age 55 and Mr Yarde opposed it? When Mr Semple left and Mr Yarde succeeded him the age was extended to 60 years.

Can she also confirm that the age of retirement of the President, for the President moved from 60 to 65 and then on to 70 years? What is the age now up to which a President can hold office?

Public servants retire at age 55 years – is this so?
VERWAYNE ADAMS

A misunderstanding somewhere
MR P. Yarde in a letter in the Stabroek News of Friday, February 3, 2006 stated that both the government and union had in 2002 agreed to Fr. Malcolm Rodrigues as the Chairman of the arbitration tribunal and that he was to be written to by the government to determine his willingness to serve; but according to Fr Rodrigues, he never received any correspondence.

There has to be a misunderstanding somewhere. I wrote Fr Rodrigues on November 11, 2002 (copy enclosed) and same was copied to the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Ministry, and the President, Guyana Public Service Union.

Fr Rodrigues advised me via the phone that he would not be available as he was required to be in Trinidad. This was communicated to the parties and no one claimed then that Fr Rodrigues was not written to.

Now, four years later, we are told that Fr Rodrigues recently disclosed that he was not written to.

Well, three weeks ago Fr Rodrigues phoned me to ask if he had sent a reply to my letter.

He did not ask whether I had written him, but whether he had replied.
MR M. AKEEL AA
CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER

Thanks for the flood help
RESIDENTS from the upper end of the Mahaicony River, especially Gordon Table, Cook Tom catchment area who constantly faced the brunt of floods, wish so express our gratitude to President Bharrat Jagdeo for his sterling contribution of the much needed cheques.

We appreciate this gesture which came at a time of hardship caused by the current flood.

We are also thankful to our Regional Chairman Harinarine Baldeo and NDC Chairman Bindraban Bisnauth in the timely distribution of same.

We all join in wishing these comrades all the best in the years ahead.
SHAMKUMAR PERSAUD

Singh revs Mitsubishi car to winners’ row
… also shares honours for 2000cc turbo category
By Isaiah Chappelle
IN FRONT of a frenzied crowd, Terry Singh revved his Mitsubishi Evolution VI car to winners’ row in the first drag racing meet for the year at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri, on Sunday that opened the race calendar of the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC).

But Singh had to share the honours for the 2000cc turbo category with past champion Vivek Joshi because the final race did not materialise because of crowd encroachment on the track.

In the 1600cc 4AGE Engines category, the Toyota Corolla AE 81 sponsored by Miracle Optical beat the favourite red Toyota Marino driven by Fidel.

Safraz Ali in Toyota Starlet EP 82 beat Hassan in a Toyota Starlet EP 71 for 1300cc-1600cc Modified (includes turbo and supercharged engines) title.

The 1800-3000cc crown went to Awad Bodhoo in a Honda S2000 who defeated Rishi in a Nissan NSX.

Points will be awarded to the top four drivers in each category, accumulated over the next two drag events for a Drag Championship. Persons with the most points at the end of the year will be crowned overall drag champion.

The race of the day was between Singh’s Evolution VI and the later model Evolution VII driven by a youth, who prefers to remain anonymous. The two silver Evolutions sent fans jumping down the track behind them to get a better view of the race.

After several false starts, the race finally got under way, with the crowd jumping in anticipation.

Evolution VII fans burst into excited celebrations as the finish line flag indicated that that machine had triumphed, but then official word came that Singh had won the race, sending his supporters into wild celebration. The crowd called for a rematch.

Another big race was between arch-rivals Neville Codette in an Evolution IV and Billy Joshi in an ordinary-looking Toyota four-door Starlet with a Celica 2000cc supercharged turbo engine. Joshi again triumphed over the former pink Evolution now turned white.

Codette had the jump in the start but Joshi powered back into contention to take a close finish.

It was the biggest crowd since the GMR&SC began staging drag racing in an organised manner, and confusion reigned as over-excited fans and racers encroached on the racing stretch.

The organisers moved the meet to the southern track, having observed in previous meets on the northern track that the racers closed in on one another because of the turn after the clubhouse.

Racers dragged from the eastern end heading west for the finish, but fans who lined the stretch of the course, had poor viewing advantage and they were difficult to control especially with no marshals manning the route and no proper public address system. The flimsy ropes along the course could not contain them.

More confusion erupted as some dragsters still wanted to meet their rivals, even after the eliminated stage of the meet was under way. Grudge drags took place before the competition proper.

Still more confusion ensued as the big bike racers attempted to drag unofficially with their supporters swamping the start area. The organisers even threatened to call off the day’s event without the finals being staged if the crowd did not clear the track.

Windies bounced out of IRB Los Angeles Sevens
LOS ANGELES, California, (CMC) - West Indies could not match their rivals and were bounced out of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Los Angeles Sevens tournament with a winless record on Sunday.

On the second and final day at The Home Depot Centre, West Indies slumped to a 52-0 defeat to Samoa in the quarter-finals of the Bowl Competition, contested by losing teams that failed to advance -- from Saturday's group games -- to the Championship (Cup) Round.

West Indies had finished bottom of their Pool C schedule on Saturday after three heavy losses.

The Caribbean side had given a spirited effort for long periods against Australia before going down 33-0, and also lost to New Zealand (5-50), and Tonga (0-43).

England emerged Cup champions on Sunday when they defeated Fiji 38-5 in the final.

On the back of a strong start that saw David Strettle and Andrew Vilk power them to an early 14-0 lead, England kept control even though Timoci Volavola's try cut the half-time deficit to 14-5.

England had earlier produced another superb display against South Africa in the semifinal when Andy Vilk scored a hat trick as they blitzed South Africa 40-0.

Fiji had beaten New Zealand in the other Cup semifinal, William Ryder scoring a sudden-death extra time try for a 22-17 win.

Argentina recovered from a narrow loss to England in the Cup quarter-finals to beat France 21-5 in the Final of the Plate event.

In the Plate semis, Argentina had beaten Australia 19-12 and France got past Canada 20-14.

In the Bowl play-offs, Scotland beat Samoa 26-21 and Tonga got past Uruguay 45-7 in the semis and Scotland clinched the Bowl title with a 26-21 triumph over Tonga.

Rugby coaches Solomon and Adonis off to United Kingdom
NATIONAL senior coach Sherlock Solomon and National Under-18 coach Laurie Adonis departed yesterday for the United Kingdom to participate in the first Coaches Exchange Programme with Sports Development Centre of Loughborough University.

According to a release from the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), the two local Rugby Development Officers were nominated to participate in the first leg of the exchange in the Building On Overlooked Sporting Talent (BOOST) Charitable Trust of the United Kingdom.

“It is expected that the coaches will benefit from new knowledge and skills that will lead to improvement in local and regional rugby programmes.”

The GRFU and the Jamaica Rugby Football Union were selected by BOOST to benefit from the first year of the exchange, during the Caribbean Sevens championships, sponsored by the North America & West Indies Rugby Association (NAWIRA) in Barbados, November last.

Selection was based on the two unions and their coaches continued commitment to local and regional development of the game.

Solomon and Adonis will spend five weeks in the UK, guests of the Loughborough University and in the second leg, coaches of the university should be in Guyana between August and September.

The two coaches will be involved in a planned programme of continuous professional development including exposure to all levels of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Coach Development structure.

It is structured to offer interaction with schools, clubs, County Development squads and RFU Community Development Officers’ schemes. The coaches will also have the opportunity for coach observation, hands-on coaching experiences and relevant courses.

Solomon and Adonis will get an opportunity to witness the England versus Ireland Six Nations game.

BOOST is sponsoring the entire programme and Head of Rugby Coach Development, David Morris, who is attached to the Sports Development Centre at Loughborough University, will coordinate it.

Grove Hi-Tec suffer two losses
THE East Bank Football Union (EBFU) 2006 football season began on Sunday at the Splashmin’s Fun Park with three games, two in the senior league and one in the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC) Under-15 league.

The senior league which is being played after a three-year absence saw Timehri Panthers defeat Grove Hi-Tec Reform - 3-2 and Mocha Champs edge past Soesdyke Falcons 1-0.

Striker Delon Johnson scored twice for the winners in the 8th and 66th minutes, while Hilton Baptiste iced the cake in the 53rd. For Grove Hi-Tec both goals were scored by Orson Francis.

In game two the lone goal came off the boot Lylton Ramsay in the 43rd minute.

According to a release from the EBFU in the Panthers/Hi-Tec game, the eventual winners’ player Sydney Fredericks was given the marching orders by the referee Steven James for un-gentlemanlike conduct, but because of his behaviour afterwards he will now be facing the Disciplinary Committee during this week for charges brought against him.

The EBFU, the release stated, had hinted before the start of the season that no indisciplined behaviour would be tolerated during the 2006 season.

In the Under-15 league, Mocha Champs thrashed Grove Hi-Tec 5-0. Darren Peters scored twice while the other three goals came off the boots of Amos Rams, Steffon (only name given) and Leon Anders.

Bounty Farm Mash squash serves off today
SOME 37 squash players will clash for the first time in competition for the year as the annual Bounty Farm Mash Handicap serves off this evening at Georgetown Club.

According to a release from the Guyana Squash Association (GSA), it is usually the GSA’s largest tournament of the year, which attracts players of all different skill levels and enables them to compete on even ground by a system of handicapping.

The games go to 15 points and players starting as high as +14 points, will only have to win one point to win the game, while others starting as low as -45 points, have to win a total of 60 points just to win one game.

From last year the competition has been divided into two categories, with the better players competing in the Open category. National champion Shawn Badrinath is the defending champion and he will be starting with a handicap of –35.

Beginners and many juniors are placed in the ‘A’ category, which Darren McDonald won last year, but he will not be defending the title. Last year’s other finalist Deje Dias will have a handicap of zero.

Other top players expected to participate are Robert Fernandes who will play with a handicap of –30 and Jerazeno Bell with –25.

National Under-17 and Under-19 champion Kristian Jeffrey is recovering from an injury sustained in a Canadian competition in December and will not be competing.

Play will run to Sunday.

GABA second-division basketball
Bounty Colts and Nets book semi-final places
By Faizool Deo
WHAT started off as a one-side hammering by Nets over Park Rangers turned into excitement galore when Bounty Colts edged past Ravens on Sunday night at Guyana’s number one indoor venue, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The victories have carried the two teams - Nets and Colts to the semi-finals of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) second-division competition.

Nets will play Courts Pacesetters while Colts will take on the exuberant Plaisance Disciples tentatively set for Friday night, with the winners reaching for the grand finale on Sunday night.

Game one was a blow-away with Nets recording a 22-point victory over their opponents 73-51. The second game went down to the wire with Colts advancing 70-67.

Park Rangers had a horrible shooting night especially in the second half as their ‘big men’ even though they penetrated the paint were unable to score on a consistent basis.

In the first half, Park Rangers fought to stay close to their opponents’ score. This happened through the services of Hodayah Stewart, who was instrumental both offensively and defensively. By the half, Park Rangers had brought the lead down to three points at 31-28 after trailing by as many as ten.

It all went downhill in the third quarter, as the Stewart-led team were labouring -- having scored four points in the third quarter. During this time, Nets went on a 22-4 run.

Leading the charge was Jermaine McAllister who guarded the ball well and assisted his shooters when necessary.

In the last quarter, Park Rangers brought some sanity to their offensive play, but it was too little too late, as Nets’ Pelham Doris cashed in on good baseline jumpers.

Doris, playing small forward, finished with 10 points while Mortimer Williams shot his way to 15. At the other end of the court, Stewart led with 12, while centre Sheldon Howell scored 11.

Game two was heated from the start and Colts came out strong, they doubled on Ravens centre Kevin Azore, forcing him to give up the ball or take wild shots early.

On the opposite end, the experienced Kayode Murray went on a shooting frenzy, scoring numerous baseline jumpers along with a three-pointer to carry his team to a slim lead of 23-22 at the end of the first quarter.

In the early part of the second half Gavin Beeram was able to block out Azore from penetrating the paint while Anthony Deuel, the eventual hero, was pushing the ball up court as Colts controlled the tempo of the game.

This move saw the eventual winners going on an eight-to-nothing run, a lead which was maintained until the half at 38-32. The third quarter was a big one for the Ravens with Sariah Clarke powering his way through the defence of the opposition.

Azore also contributed to the offence. In the latter minutes of the quarter he pulled up for a baseline shot while immediately after he scored a reverse lay-up, cutting the lead to two at 45-43. By the fourth quarter the lead was three for Colts 48-45.

Bench player Marlon Rodrigues had an impressive fourth quarter, with his team down by eight points in the closing minutes he drilled two back-to-back three-pointers, cutting the lead to two 66-64.

A free throw by Deuel carried the lead to three, but then it was cut down to one when Azore scored two from the line, at 67-66, Colts were pressured in the back court and ended up turning over the ball with 11 seconds left on the clock.

Yusif Edghill who guards the ball for the Ravens was fouled, but he only scored the first as the second shot bounced off the ring and into the hands of Junior Grant who rocketed a pass to Deuel who scored a finger roll.

For the winners, Martin Edwards led the scoring with 13 points, while Murray and Oneico Fraser chipped in with 11 each and Grant 10. For the Ravens, Clarke finished with 16, while Edghill had 14, Murtland Murray 12 and Azore 10.

Gayle recognises need to shoulder the burden
By Fazeer Mohammed
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, (CMC) - As one of just a quartet of players who have been regular members of the West Indies squad in the last six years, Chris Gayle recognises that he carries a great responsibility on his shoulders at the top of the order in New Zealand.

"I always have a responsibility in this team," he stated in his typical laconic manner as the squad prepared for a net session at the Eden Park ground yesterday.

"I have a job to do. There are younger players in the team who are inexperienced. I have to use my experience and share it with them.

Whatever I can offer I will definitely put it forward to them, but at the same time, everyone has to learn quickly and once you get an opportunity, you have to grab it with both hands," he said.

Despite the usual media preoccupation with his ‘Cool Cat’ image, the hard-hitting left-handed opener has not always heeded his own advice. Yet together with skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul, vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan and former captain Brian Lara (who has opted out of the one-dayers), Gayle remains a key member of a batting line-up brimful of talent but dogged perennially by alarming inconsistency.

His own career, with big hundreds scattered among a string of low scores and irresponsible dismissals, reflects that inconsistency, even though he acknowledges the need to play according to the circumstances.

"You have to adapt to whatever situation there is," he stated. "It's not all the time you're going to see Chris Gayle go out there and blast, blast, blast for a quick 20. That won't do the team any good. It's just a mental part of being a batsman that you have to work out the situation out there and adapt to it."

As much as West Indian fans will be hoping that he takes his own advice in the longer version of the game, and even in the One-Day Internationals to a certain extent, all are expecting to see this ferocious hitter on an instant rampage in the tour-opening 20-20 match against New Zealand at Eden Park on Thursday night.

Following that crash-bang fiesta, the teams travel to Wellington for the first of the five One-Day Internationals on Saturday.

New Zealand are favourites for that series, and moreso for the three Tests that follow in March.

Estwick pleased with trio's performance
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, (CMC) - West Indies Under-19 coach Roddy Estwick says he is pleased with the development of several players, despite the team's exit from the main draw of the ICC Youth World Cup on Saturday.

The former Barbados fast bowler singled out top-order batsman Jason Mohammed, opener William Perkins and fast bowler Kemar Roach as three players that have done well throughout the tournament.

"The way Jason Mohammed played right throughout the competition, that was a positive," Estwick told CMC Sports.

"William Perkins got a hundred in the first game as well (and that was another positive)."

The right-handed Mohammed was the leading run-scorer in the competition after the quarter-final stage, finishing with 178 runs from his three innings at an average of 89.

Perkins, also right-handed, was second on the run-scoring list, garnering 164 runs in three innings at an average of 54.66.

Estwick also pointed out that even though Roach did not take many wickets, his line and length had been impressive.

The 17-year-old speedster took six wickets in the preliminaries at an average of 16.33 apiece and with an economy rate of four runs per over.

"The bowling of Kemar Roach (was also a positive)," Estwick continued.

"It might not seem like he took a lot of wickets but he bowled well at the top and then coming back at the death, he was able to put the ball in the areas and follow through on the things that we discussed and the lines that we wanted people to bowl."

West Indies Under-19 bowed out of the tournament on Saturday when they lost to India by 126 runs in a quarterfinal clash.

They are down to play Bangladesh in the Super League play-off semifinal at the Sinhalese Sports Club tomorrow.

India produce thrilling batting display to take 2-1 lead
INDIA produced a thrilling batting display to beat Pakistan in the third one-day international and take a 2-1 series lead in the five-match rubber, yesterday.

Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Dhoni all hit half-centuries as the tourists reached a target of 289 in Lahore with 14 balls remaining.

India won the toss and chose to insert the hosts, who hit 288-8 thanks to Shoaib Malik (108) and Abdul Razzaq. (Scores: Pakistan 288-8; India 292-5).

Irfan Pathan and Rudra Pratap Singh each took three wickets.

Malik and Razzaq came together with India in trouble on 158-6 but tore into the bowling of Sreesanth (0-74) and supersub Zaheer Khan (0-36 off four overs).

Razzaq finished unbeaten on 64 off 56 balls after Malik had been dismissed just before the final onslaught.

Pakistan supporters were in good voice at the mid-innings break, perhaps bearing in mind that it can be difficult for a team to chase a score under floodlights, and initially the tourists' reply was a shaky affair.

Gautam Gambhir and Pathan perished early on to the excellent Mohammad Asif and captain Rahul Dravid was out of sorts.

Dravid hung around for 42 balls, making just 24, before being run-out to bring Yuvraj and Tendulkar together.

With well over six runs an over needed, the two concentrated on accumulation early on with just the occasional streak of aggression.

And it served India well, so much so that with 97 balls remaining only 100 runs were needed.

But at that precise point Tendulkar, on 95, cut Razzaq straight to backward point and Umar Gul trapped Mohammad Kaif lbw for a duck.

The pressure was back on India, but they rose to the occasion as Dhoni found his timing immediately.

The pair were soon racing along to the delight of their travelling fans, many of whom had faced dreadful problems crossing the border and picking up their tickets.

But those difficulties were soon forgotten as they watched Dhoni tear into the Pakistani seamers in the latter stages.

He supplied the winning runs, hooking Razzaq down to fine leg for four to finish on 72 off just 46 balls, with Yuvraj on 79. (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD
Pakistan:

Salman Butt c Gambhir b Pathan 0

Shahid Afridi c Kaif b Pathan 19

Kamran Akmal c Pathan b Singh 34

Shoaib Malik c Dravid b Pathan 108

Mohammad Yousuf c Dhoni b Singh 1

Inzamam-ul-Haq c Dhoni b Tendulkar 16

Younis Khan c Dhoni b Singh 16

Abdul Razzaq not out 64

Naved-ul Hasan run out 7

Yasir Arafat not out 1

Extras: lb-5, nb-6, w-11 22

Total: for 8 wkts 288

Fall of wkts: 1-0, 2-39, 3-75, 4-82, 5-128, 6-158, 7-244, 8-277.

Bowling: Pathan 10-2-49-3, Sreesanth 10-0-74-0, Singh 10-0-51-3,
Agarkar 6-1-21-0, Tendulkar 10-0-52-1, Zaheer 4-0-36-0

India:
G. Gambhir b Asif 2

S. Tendulkar c sub (Farhat) b Razzaq 95

Irfan Pathan c Akmal b Asif 0

R. Dravid run out 22

Y. Singh not out 79

Mohammad Kaif lbw b Gul 0

M.. Dhoni not out 72

Extras: lb-11, nb-5, w-6 22

Total: for 5 wkts 292

Fall of wkts: 1-12, 2-12, 3-84, 4-189, 5-190

Bowling: Asif 10-0-47-2, Gul 10-1-42-1, Naved 8-0-72-0, Arafat 9-0-53-0,
Afridi 3-0-24-0, Razzaq 7.4-0-43-1.

England arrive in India for Test series
... coach trusting Simon Jones to deliver
ENGLAND coach Duncan Fletcher hopes Simon Jones can inspire England to success in the Test matches in India.

The squad arrived in the country yesterday and England were quick to be positive about their bowling options, despite worries over the spinners.

Fletcher said of Glamorgan paceman Jones, fit after missing the Pakistan tour: "You have got to assume his absence was very important for us."

Jones is fresh and raring to go after recovering from ankle surgery.

He was a vital part of the Test team last summer, when he took 18 wickets in four matches against Australia.

Dozens of Indian reporters and TV crews had been left disappointed as interview requests at Mumbai (Bombay) airport were declined.

But later Fletcher and captain Michael Vaughan gave a news conference from the team's hotel in the city.

Fletcher said: "In Pakistan - and you have to think to some degree here in India will be the same - skiddy bowlers are effective.

"These wickets tend to favour skiddy bowlers some of the time and Jones' strength is he bowls quickly, skids the ball and gets swing.

"We believe he will be effective on these surfaces so you have to say he was a loss in Pakistan as well."

Jones flew to India early with bowling coach Troy Cooley to acclimatise and has been bowling with the SG balls used solely in India at Test level.

Fletcher said: "From listening to Simon Jones he got it to swing conventionally from when it was new and when he roughed some balls up he got it to reverse swing.

"At least the balls here will help the seamers to some degree."

Vaughan refused to be drawn on what tactics would be employed in the spin department.

However, in the absence of the injured Ashley Giles, England are unlikely to use two specialist spinners out of Shaun Udal, Ian Blackwell and Monty Panesar.

"We will wait on the conditions, how our bowlers are bowling and how they are playing but we are not set in stone on one particular tactic," said Vaughan.

"We do think we might play on some spinner-friendly pitches, especially because of our attack.

"We will just have to come up with our best formula to get 20 wickets to put India under pressure."

The first Test of three is in Nagpur on March 1, while seven one-day internationals will follow.

Premier all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, meanwhile, could miss a match to be with his wife for the birth of his second child.

But he was soon in the hotel swimming-pool with the rest of his team-mates after the players had checked into their rooms. (BBC Sport)

McGrath doubtful for one-dayers in South Africa
GLENN McGrath is highly unlikely to play in any of the one-dayers during Australia's tour of South Africa which starts later this month.

However, he has yet to announce his non-participation in the three Tests that follow the ODIs. "I doubt he would be going," Warren Craig, his manager, said. "He might have changed his mind over the weekend, but I think it is doubtful."

McGrath has been excused from playing in the VB Series finals against Sri Lanka to be with his wife Jane, who has had further complications from breast cancer.

McGrath, 36 last week, is understood to have told Trevor Hohns, chairman of selectors, that he would be unavailable for the first part of the South African tour.

Craig said there was little chance McGrath will be announced in the one-day touring squad later this week. The selectors met yesterday to choose the touring side but are unlikely to announce it until after today's deciding one-day final at Brisbane.

McGrath wrote in his newspaper column last week that he did not intend to retire from international cricket. "Cricket does become a distant consideration at this time, but it's still a major part of our lives," he wrote." We have been through this before so we know what's in front of us and what we need to do to win the battle."

Jane McGrath has started radiotherapy treatment after being re-diagnosed with breast cancer. She had previously undergone surgery in her battle against the disease.

Liverpool and Arsenal begin make-or-break weeks
LONDON, England (Reuters) - Liverpool and Arsenal meet in a Premier League football Anfield today that begins a season-defining spell for both clubs.

Arsenal, out of both domestic cup competitions, are currently outside the top four in the league and desperately need to win today’s game in hand on fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur to close the four-point gap on their neighbours then they can turn their attention to their only chance of a trophy, slim though it may be, when they visit Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League knockout round tie.

Liverpool are better-placed all round than their London rivals but also face a demanding week.

After Arsenal they host Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday before travelling to Portugal to take on Benfica in the Champions League.

"This period coming up is very important to us," Liverpool manager Raphael Benitez told the club's Web site.

"To finish in the top four is very important financially for us as well as Arsenal. We know what finishing in the top four, staying in the Champions League and doing well in the FA Cup mean in terms of money.

"It is a vicious circle. To gain access to the best players you have to be in the top four and in the Champions League, otherwise they will not come.

"These games are going to be difficult for us, but the important thing is that at least we are involved in big games at this stage of the season. After playing Arsenal, Manchester United and Benfica, we will have a clear idea of how our season will go."

Liverpool looked well set to claim second place in the Premier League behind champions-elect Chelsea until conceding a last-minute winner to Manchester United last month.

That setback was the start of a run of three defeats and a draw that was brought to an end by Saturday's 1-0 win at Wigan Athletic but which handed the second-place initiative to United.

A win for Liverpool would take them to 51 points, three behind United in the race for automatic qualification for the Champions League.

A youthful-looking Arsenal scraped a 1-1 home draw with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday as they remain a shadow of their former selves.

REYES RELIEF
Hard-hit by injuries, there was some good news for manager Arsene Wenger when it was discovered that forward Jose Antonio Reyes has not, as feared, broken his leg and could be available for the Real Madrid game.

Reyes was carried off after being caught by a two-footed challenge by Bolton's Abdoulaye Faye but after an X-ray he was cleared of serious damage.

"Luckily it's only bruised but it could have been worse. I am grateful I haven't broken anything," Reyes told yesterday’s Sun.

"It's going to be treated as a bad knock and I will do everything possible to be ready for the game against Real Madrid.

"I wouldn't miss that game for anything in the world," added the Spanish international.”

Luxemburgo gives Santos edge over Corinthians
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) - Santos coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo delivered a tactical masterstroke on Sunday to help his team to a 1-0 victory over reigning Brazilian champions Corinthians.

The win, clinched with a second half solo-effort by Geison, lifts Santos to second place in the Sao Paulo state championship race.

Luxemburgo's club is level with Noroeste on 19 points but the team from the Sao Paulo satellite town of Bauru boasts a superior goal difference after beating Paulista 3-1 on Saturday.

Sao Paulo stayed in touch with the leaders by thumping Portuguesa Santista 5-0 and moving up to 16 points.

Corinthians came into the clash with Santos as strong favourites, having several first-choice players back from suspension or injury.

Luxemburgo declined to reveal his line-up until kick-off and surprised Corinthians by playing with three central defenders.

The tactic worked as Santos neutralised Corinthians' playmakers Carlos Alberto and Ricardinho and kept striker Carlos Tevez at bay, while posing a threat on the break.

Santos were saved by the woodwork twice before the interval but lost Reinaldo when the striker pulled a muscle and was substituted for Geison.

Things got worse 15 minutes from time when central defender Luiz Alberto was dismissed for complaining too strenuously after having a penalty appeal turned down.

But three minutes later Santos nosed ahead when Geison used his blistering pace to escape his markers and slid the ball past goalkeeper Marcelo.

Santos's defence held firm against a final onslaught from Corinthians for the win.

Sao Paulo outclassed Portuguesa Santista to notch a fourth consecutive win since shaking off some New Year cobwebs.

The reigning World Clubs champions play Bragantino on Wednesday and can draw level with Noroeste and Santos.

Palmeiras edged up to 17 points after a draw with Bragantino.

Real look to the past for Cup inspiration
By Simon Baskett
MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - Real Madrid are looking to the history books for inspiration as they seek to overturn a humiliating 6-1 defeat by Real Zaragoza and book a place in the final of the King's Cup.

Epic fightbacks have played an important part in the club's glorious past and fans are hoping for another when they host Victor Munoz's side in the second leg of their semifinal at the Bernabeu today (kickoff 2000 GMT).

"For the cowards the tie is over but in my view we have a team with enough pride, guts and talent to believe that we can turn it around," Real coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro said after last Wednesday's crushing defeat.

"Just as Zaragoza had a wonderful night, I believe we can have one too."

Real were torn to shreds by Zaragoza's high-speed attacking play, Argentine striker Diego Milito joining the select band of players to score four goals against Real and Brazilian international Ewerthon weighing in with two.

But even though they look to have waved goodbye to their most realistic chance of a trophy this season, Real's past is littered with near miraculous comebacks.

In 1975 they lost 4-0 to Las Palmas in the first leg of a Cup semi-final, but won through to the final with a 5-0 victory in the return and then went on to win the competition.

UNLIKELY COMEBACK
In 1960 they staged an unlikely comeback when they beat Athletic Bilbao 8-0 after losing the first leg of their semifinal 3-0, while most famously of all they steamrollered arch-rivals Barcelona 11-1 in 1943 in the last 16 after losing 3-0 at Les Corts.

"We would be unworthy of the shirt if we did not believe we could turn this game around," says midfielder Guti.

"We have to give absolutely everything and believe that we can do it. I think the first 20 minutes will be the key and if we can score a couple of goals early on then they might start getting nervous."

Real restored some pride after their defeat when they notched up their fifth league win in a row with a 2-0 victory at struggling Bilbao on Saturday.

Despite the size of their first-leg victory, Zaragoza are determined to take nothing for granted when they visit the Bernabeu.

"I honestly don't believe the tie is over yet," said coach Munoz.

"Madrid are a great team and deserve all the respect in the world. We are optimistic, of course, but we've still got to complete the job."

Espanyol have a narrow 2-1 advantage over Deportivo Coruna in the other semifinal, but the date for the return in Galicia has not yet been set because of problems finding a vacant slot on the calendar.

Bradshaw hopes Windies avoid slow start to tour
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, (CMC) - Ian Bradshaw is hopeful that the very recent experience of first-class cricket at home will ensure the West Indies avoid the familiar trap of starting poorly on the tour of New Zealand.

"Coming out of the Carib Beer Series, a lot of the guys would have gotten match practice. The majority of the batsmen, if not all, would have gotten scores under their belts while the bowlers would have gotten through quite a few overs," the left-arm seamer explained yesterday during a break in training at Eden Park, venue of the tour-opening Twenty20 clash with the Black Caps on Thursday night.

"That's a positive thing. What we're hoping to do now is to adjust to the conditions."

He added: "Even though we might have performed well back home, it's still necessary to come here and adapt to these New Zealand conditions. That's what we are trying to do right now."

Having been forewarned about bitterly cold weather and pitch conditions similar to that in England, the tourists have so far been blessed with ideal temperatures since their arrival in Auckland on Friday.

Their six-hour workout yesterday was conducted in bright sunshine with temperatures around 26 degrees Celsius, although they remain wary that the weather can change very quickly in a city with a reputation for being the wettest of the major cricket venues in New Zealand.

"I'm looking to have a good tour," the 31-year-old Bradshaw stated when asked about his own expectations for the seven-week campaign.

"I believe I worked hard leading up to the Carib Beer Series and due to that hard work I had a good tournament so I have some confidence behind me. I haven't seen enough of the conditions yet to properly assess what it will and will not do, but whether or not it favours me, I have to be prepared to go out there and do whatever is necessary for the team."

More than a year-and-a-half since he slashed the winning boundary in a pulsating two-wicket win for the West Indies in the final of the Champions' Trophy against hosts England, Bradshaw remains pragmatic about that achievement and why it has not translated into better performances by the regional side.

"We need to get in those consistent performances day in, day out," he emphasised.

"In the Champions' Trophy, it was only four days of cricket, and we played almost to our best on those four days. On a long tour, however, there are a lot more days of cricket and a lot more hard work has to be done. It's up to each guy to make sure that he is mentally ready and capable of giving 100 per cent day in, day out."

Bradshaw noted that the mood in the dressing room has been spiced up by Trinidad and Tobago's trouncing of Barbados in the deciding final-round match of the regional first-class competition.

"There is still a lot of banter going around," he said. "Obviously the Trinidadian guys are still basking in the glory of their first title after 21 years."

"We're going to let them have their moment, but we're just reminding them that there is still another part of the championship to go and we wouldn't mind them at all being successful against the Windwards and us doing the business against Guyana so that we can set things right in the final."

That banter, however good-natured, is expected to be reduced to a minimum when the real action begins here, for New Zealand have always been a tough nut for the West Indies to crack, even at the very best of times in the 1970s and 80s.

Indeed, many here are predicting a similar experience to the Caribbean side's last tour to these parts in 1999 when the team led by Brian Lara lost all five One-Day Internationals and the two Tests.

Thursday's Twenty20 duel, the first-ever for the West Indies, precedes another five-match ODI series followed by three Tests.