Seized Polar beer saga:
GRA, Police at odds
By Wendella Davidson
CUSTOMS Officer, Keon Pryce, at the centre of a probe by the Police into the questionable release of a shipment of smuggled `Polar’ beer seized last Friday at Met-en-Meerzorg, West Coast Demerara, has surfaced.

The Police in a release Tuesday said they could not have located the Patrol Officer 11 attached to Customs Boat House and had launched a manhunt for him.

Sources told the Guyana Chronicle that Pryce was yesterday morning at the office of the Officer of Professional Responsibilities of the Guyana Police Force where he gave a statement.

According to the source, the statement has given a new twist to the incident, as Pryce, though acknowledging that he was at the Leonora Police Station in relation to the issue, denied that he uplifted anything.

The source added that due to a “grave” lapse, the Station Sergeant at the Leonora Station did not ensure that Pryce affix his signature as uplifting the vehicle and a Canter truck GJJ 4865 with the smuggled beer, and taking away the four suspects.

The suspects included the driver of the vehicle identified as Duean Boston, and Vijay Singh, 29, of Uitvlugt, also on the West Coast Demerara.

Police said the beer shipment was seized about 15:15h Friday at Met-en-Meerzorg by cops on patrol who had seen some articles packed in a yard and on closer examination found the smuggled beer.

Some cartons of the beers had already been loaded into the truck which was parked in the yard.

However, the saga began after the men with the truck and articles were escorted to the Leonora Police Station and after Pryce showed up, with Police saying he claimed he was there to uplift the seized items, the truck and the suspects.

The Police release Tuesday stated that a physical check of the beer was conducted in Pryce’s presence and he departed for the city under the pretext that he was escorting the truck with the beer along with the suspects.

Police said some of suspects sat in the same car that Pryce entered.

The source said the release was done on instructions from a senior in the Police Division and the truck and the men were reportedly intercepted along the way by some other Customs officers.

These, according to the source, were said to have been on duty in the Parika area and were told by a Police rank that some items had been seized by the Police and that the stuff and the men who were arrested were at the Leonora Station.

The Customs officers reportedly claim they were hiding in bushes in the vicinity of the station awaiting the vehicle and goods to be released.

However, no mention was made of their colleague who had left with the vehicle and questions are being asked whether he was not on the scene at the time the vehicle was intercepted.

Questions are being asked too about how the Customs officers who were not on the scene at the time of the seizure know that the vehicle and men would have been released, causing them to hide in the bushes.

The Guyana Chronicle learnt too that when the check was made at the station, it was recorded that 1,130 cartons of Polar beer were seized, while the report of the Customs officers claim they seized 800 cartons.

The seized beer shipment has reportedly been taken to a wharf in the city for safekeeping while the investigations are ongoing, and Singh, the owner, has been placed on $100,000 bail.

The Guyana Revenue Authority in a statement yesterday afternoon said the Police report on the seized beer excludes the controversial transaction.

GRA CONCERNED
The GRA said it is “concerned about the inaccuracies and irregularities” in the report issued by the Guyana Police Force as published yesterday in the Guyana Chronicle and Kaieteur News newspapers.

The Guyana Chronicle article, the statement noted, said the Police were “hunting a Customs Officer after a seized shipment of beer and several detained men disappeared.”

According to the GRA, reports from the Customs Enforcement Unit said that Enforcement Officials from the unit were on an operation on Hogg Island in the Essequibo River last Friday, where they seized three vessels containing Polar beer totalling 1,125 cases.

“Simultaneously, they received information that a Canter was held at the Leonora Police Station with a quantity of Polar beer”, the authority said.

It said a ‘low key’ enforcement team was immediately dispatched “to stake out and observe the operations” at the Leonora Police Station.

The Customs Officers, unknown to the Police were in the vicinity of the station looking on at the operations and observed that the Canter (GJJ 4865) was subsequently released from the Police station, the GRA said.

The officers, it said, followed the Canter and intercepted it at Anna Catherina, east of Leonora, where Duean Boston, alleged owner of Shemar Trucking Service, was held for questioning and later taken to Georgetown.

The GRA said that the Customs Officers, however, pointed out that there seemed to be some irregularities since when the Customs Enforcement official counted the cartons of beer, only 875 cases were loaded on the Canter, as against 1,130 reported in the General Property book at the Leonora Police Station.

The seized items are currently secured at a city wharf, it said.

The statement reported a Customs Enforcement Officer as saying that Vijay Singh claimed ownership of the smuggled beer and subsequently issued a report to the Customs Department in which he stated that his retailer, who was in negotiations with the Police at Leonora for the release of the goods, related that he had paid $600,000 to the Police there for the release of the Canter and the beer.

“This, the Enforcement Officer noted, seemed to collaborate with the observation by Customs Officers of the Canter and beers being released from the Police station,” the GRA added.

It said the Enforcement Officer further reported yesterday that the Police confirmed that the goods were not signed for nor officially handed over to the Customs, although there is standard procedure for operations of such nature in which files are specially prepared and in some cases sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who would normally forward the files to the Customs Enforcement Unit.

“It therefore begs the question, why was the standard procedure not followed by the Police in this instance?” the GRA quoted the Enforcement Officer as saying.

It said the Patrol Officer who the Police said they had launched a manhunt for, was yesterday assisting them with investigations at Police headquarters in Eve Leary, Georgetown.

The GRA said he has also issued a statement to the Enforcement Department stating that he was on his way to a private engagement on the West Demerara when he saw a friend’s car parked at the Leonora Police Station and decided to find out what was wrong.

The authority said he also stated that his ‘friend’ asked for his assistance but he indicated that he could not assist since the situation was out of his scope of duty.

The Customs Enforcement Officer said too that the Patrol Officer who was off duty “was involved in the issue in his own capacity since he is solely responsible for the operations at the Customs Boat House, and not authorised to carry out the business of the GRA in any other capacity.”

The GRA said the investigation into the Patrol Officer’s involvement is ongoing and the necessary actions will be taken, based on the outcome of the investigation.

It said it will continue to enforce the laws to its fullest capacity “in an effort to provide a level playing field for businesses and that any officer found colluding with businesses engaged in smuggling goods or any other irregular activity will be dealt with condignly”.

CWC security bills tabled in Parliament
By Neil Marks
HOME Affairs Minister Clement Rohee yesterday tabled three pieces of legislation to boost security for Cricket World Cup (CWC) in Guyana from March 28 to April 9.

The National Assembly will convene again tomorrow to debate and pass the bills, including one giving foreign security agents temporary attachment to the Guyana Defence Force, and affording them special protection under local laws.

Mr. Rohee will pilot the bills through their eventual passage in the House.

The Visiting Forces Bill seeks to give foreign officers working alongside law enforcers in Guyana the same powers that local officers enjoy. Some of the officers will be following specific teams from venue to venue.

India is sending two bomb disposal squads from the National Security Guards to work in the Caribbean during the tournament, and most of the top eight teams travel with security staff.

The Visiting Forces Bill is part of a raft of bills that seeks to give effect to decisions of a conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) concerning implementation of regional security during the hosting of CWC 2007. The other Bills are the Security Assistance (CARICOM Member States) Bill 2007 and the Status of Visiting Police Officers Bill 2007.

The Visiting Forces Bill seeks to provide for the civil courts in Guyana to have the primary right to exercise jurisdiction over members of visiting forces, and it authorises the Defence Board to order the arrest of a member of a visiting force or a dependant at the request of the officer in command of the Force.

After presenting the Bills in the House, Rohee said the visiting forces would interface and work with the security forces in Guyana. This Bill also allows members of visiting forces to possess and carry explosives, ammunition and firearms.

The Bill also seeks to exempt members of visiting forces from certain taxes and duties, including import duties and income tax, and exempts service vehicles, equipment and supplies of visiting forces from certain fees, taxes and duties.

Further, the Bill seeks to provide for a coroner not to hold an inquest and to adjourn an inquest if one was started if the deceased person has a relevant connection with a visiting force.

The Status of Visiting Police Officers Bill seeks to provide for the presence, activities, privileges and immunities of police forces of foreign countries and certain civilian personnel accompanying the forces during visits here during the staging of CWC 2007.

One clause in the bill seeks to provide immunity to the members of the visiting foreign police forces from civil and criminal proceedings in Guyana in respect of action taken by them in the course of their official duties.

The Bill seeks to empower the Commissioner of Police here to regulate the possession and carrying and use of explosives, ammunition and firearms by the members of the visiting police force. It also seeks to empower the Minister of Home Affairs to determine the functions of every visiting police force.

The Security Assistance (CARICOM Member States Bill) seeks to give the force of law in Guyana to the Treaty on Security Assistance among CARICOM members states arising out of a July 6, 2006 meeting in St Kitts and Nevis.

Among the objectives of the security assistance mechanism is to provide for expedition, efficient mobilization and deployment of regional resources in order to manage and defuse national and regional crises and to combat serious crimes.

Kites hampering GPL distribution system
THE festive season of Easter is some three weeks away and Guyana Power and Light (GPL) says its technicians have already begun to work over time to repair faults and damage to power distribution lines resulting from kites.

The repairs range from burst power lines, replacing blown transformers and transformer fuses, as well as having to repair damage to very “high” voltage transmission lines that transmit power to Georgetown from the Garden of Eden station on the East Bank Demerara, GPL said in a release yesterday.

The company lamented that despite years of imploring people to demonstrate good sense at Easter, by way of warnings and advisories, its technicians are stilling discovering damage to high voltage transmission lines in the vicinity of Sophia in eastern Georgetown, and Diamond and Mocha-Arcadia on the East Bank Demerara.

The lines carry 69,000 volts (69 Kilo Volts) of electricity and any major damage could affect power supply to the entire city and the East Coast, GPL warned.

And, while the company says it is ready to deal with any emergency, kite-related or not, it is appealing to parents to ensure that their children pay attention to the rule -- to fly kites in wide, open spaces.

The release added that Cricket World Cup has begun and GPL has done everything it could possibly do to deliver a superlative supply of power to the Providence Stadium, and to customers everywhere to enable them to view the cricket matches without interruption.

These include the installation of voltage regulators along the East Coast and East Bank corridors as a means of upgrading power quality.

Power distribution systems in those areas have seen major upgrading and a mobile Caterpillar set has been installed at the cricket stadium as a standby power facility, the company said.

It said a nerve centre at the stadium is also being powered by GPL and the team of the company’s technicians and engineers that has been working in tandem with the Local Organising Committee for CWC for more than a year, has assured that all systems are on the go.

National plan to protect orphans, vulnerable children unveiled
THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has announced that, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), it is designing a National Plan of Action to protect orphans and vulnerable children from all forms of abuse.

The Government Information Afency (GINA) said it is an attempt to provide supplementary measures for the purpose, as children without the guidance and protection of their principal caregivers are often more at risk of becoming victims of violence, exploitation, trafficking and discrimination, as well.

GINA said five inter-linked strategies will be employed to achieve the objectives and assist in ensuring that the rights of the target group - to survival, development, protection and participation – are maintained.

The approaches include strengthening capacity of families to care and protect those targeted by prolonging the lives of parents/guardians, providing economic, psycho-social and child care support, promoting children’s participation in gainful activities and helping young people acquire skills, the agency said.

According to GINA, UNICEF has estimated that 300 million children worldwide are subjected to violence, exploitation and abuse, including the worst forms of child labour in communities, schools and institutions and during armed conflicts.

They are also affected by harmful practices such as child marriage and millions more, not yet victims, also remain without adequate protection, the UN agency reported.

The Human Services Ministry will be instrumental in establishing mechanisms to assure information exchange and collaboration of efforts with the relevant agencies through adequate monitoring and evaluation, GINA said, adding that the National Commission on the Rights of the Child will be strengthened, too.

The agency said, in 2004, a rapid assessment conducted by the ministry found that HIV/AIDS is a danger to the increasing vulnerability of children and that the loss of both or one parent is the highest contributor.

Bed and Breakfast programme closes with target achieved
THE Bed and Breakfast (B&B) programme, initiated in January 2006 to complement accommodation and hospitality services during Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007, has been officially closed.

At the closure, the facilitating Local Organising Committee (LOC) had recorded in excess of 2,030 registered rooms, some extending as far as Linden in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) and Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, in Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica), surpassing the initial 2,000 target, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

GINA said the rooms are in different categories, ranging from double or twin bedrooms with air condition, television and other amenities; locations within prime zones and reasonable proximity to the (Providence) stadium or those shared by the visitor and the proprietor, all providing breakfast.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Karran Singh told GINA that, from the inception, the LOC made a substantial input to create the link between the proprietor and the visitor.  

He said all accredited rooms have been inspected by assessment teams from the B&B Secretariat and a website was created to showcase them to visitors.

Proprietors also took advantage of the loan system offered by Scotiabank, official bank for CWC, for remodelling their homes while others prepared theirs in anticipation of receiving visiting relatives, Singh said.

He said proprietors who are still uncertain about the scheme can contact the B&B Secretariat or check its website for clarification.

Singh said, while offering a comfortable environment for visitors to Guyana during CWC, the B&B venture is also intended to allow Guyanese to share their hospitality.

GINA said the LOC facilitated the overall planning and execution of various facilities for CWC, including accommodation and hospitality, public relations and marketing, local government and civil society, transportation and communication, security, health and emergency services.
STANDARDS CORNER
GNBS Product Certification Scheme
THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) conducts a Product Certification Scheme through which manufacturers are granted permits to mark their products with the National Standards Mark providing they are capable of meeting the requirements of the relevant Guyana standards on a continuous basis.

WHAT IS PRODUCT CERTIFICATION?
Product Certification is a procedure where assurance is given that a product or products conform(s) to specified requirements outlined in relevant standards. There are different types of certification, namely: first party, second party and third party certification. The GNBS Product Certification scheme is conducted using third party certification, where the producer’s claim of conformity is validated by a technically and otherwise competent third party (a body not controlled or under the influence of the buyer.)

PREREQUISITES FOR CERTIFICATION
Before certification can take its course, the following must be in place:

Relevant Guyana Standards

Available testing facilities

Adequate quality control systems

PROCEDURES UNDER THE GNBS PRODUCT CERTIFICATION SCHEME

(1) Granting of permit

This process comprises:

Application

Preliminary inspection

Audit, and

Approval

At the application stage, the client completes the application form and submits it to the bureau. If the application is successful, a preliminary inspection is conducted to determine the client’s capability of meeting the requirements of the scheme.

The client is notified about any deficiencies found and upon correction a final audit is conducted. The audit report is then submitted to the Executive Director of the GNBS for approval of the permit.

(2) Surveillance:

After granting the permit, surveillance inspections are conducted on a quarterly basis to ensure ongoing conformity. In this procedure, the inspection is planned, conducted and reported. Follow–up inspections are done if major non-conformances are highlighted.

(3) Renewal of permit

Permits are renewed on an annual basis upon request by the client. Usually expiry dates are affixed to permits which serve as a guide.

NB: During the renewal procedure the preliminary inspection stage is omitted.

HOW TO APPLY
Application to use the Standards Mark is voluntary

Pick up an application form from the bureau, complete it and return the completed form

Enquiries can also be made by contacting Mr. Rudolph Blair of the Conformity Assessment Department.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE CERTIFIED PRODUCTS:
Look for the GNBS standards mark which is the acronym GNBS in a double walled circle.
For further information, call on telephone numbers: 225-6226, 225-9013 or 227-7890

Questions on that CWC culture show
-- Missing links in great event    
By RICKEY SINGH
BRIDGETOWN -- High praise in the celebration of West Indian cultural creativity, as showcased by Jamaica on Sunday evening to officially launch the historic Cricket World Cup 2007 tournament will, deservingly, be sung long after the 51 games end on April 28 at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Picturesque descriptions have been used by journalists and broadcasters who covered the momentous  three-hour 'high energy' presentation in the performing arts that featured much of the creative genius in music, singing and dancing which have long distinguished our region on the world stage.

Some may have been so overwhelmed by the fantastic show that television viewers around the globe had the opportunity to witness, that they may have overlooked the puzzling absence in a cast of over 2,000 performers, significant components that would have undoubtedly made it an even richer experience.

As one among the estimated two and half billion viewers the organisers and sponsors of CWC 2007 expected to follow the grand cultural show, as I did from my special vantage point at home in Barbados, questions kept cropping up in my mind.

As it was in the curious choice of "Mellow" as mascot for CWC 2007, good intention may have led also in determining West Indian Energy as the central theme for the event at the spanking multi-purpose stadium at Trelawny.

However, whatever the problems encountered in ensuring in the presentation an authentic fusion of the varying strands of our rich multi-culture of the "peoples who came" the gaps could hardly have been missed by more inquiring viewers.

Here was an historic moment to showcase to a captive audience of over two billion across the globe -- an audience that NONE of the nine Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA) ever had, namely how our region, that's a microcosm of the word, celebrates its cultural diversity with awesome imagination and elegance.

Where, for instance, was ANY reminder of the indigenous peoples whose history is a foundation pillar of today's Caribbean Community? If it were too costly to have even a token contingent from Guyana where some eight Amerindian tribes constitute the third largest ethnic group, Belize is not far away from Jamaica.

Was either Guyana, Belize, Dominica, or St Vincent and the Grenadines approached for support?

And why the second largest ethnic community of CARICOM -- the East Indians -- was relegated to a mere fleeting dance performance that could hardly have made any impact in a crowded field of rich, pulsating reggae and dancehall musical presentations?

Where was the legendary "Calypso King of the World", the "Mighty Sparrow"? Was he invited and regretted his participation?

More strangely, whatever happened to the only "original music" of the 20th century --according to the experts on music -- the steel pan? Not a steel orchestra in sight for that memorable occasion.

Grateful as we all must be for the ever-shining collection of cultural icons whose performances made that "West Indian Energy" three-hour show the very great occasion it was, there needs to be some explanation for:

Example, why there were no representation of the culture of the Amerindian people; just an after-thought token presentation of East Indian culture with a fleeting dance; no steel pan orchestra; no Mighty Sparrow...

It may be tempting to heap criticisms on the host country's Local Organising Committee (LOC) until time is taken to speak with its representatives.

In so doing one can learn of the CARICOM states, foremost being Trinidad and Tobago, that had featured significantly in early preparatory arrangements for support in important areas for pan music, carnival bands and the East Indian cultural component (along with also multi-cultural Guyana) but failed to deliver.

Late decisions to avoid participation in the CWC 2007 cultural show by some countries contributed to some of the problems that had to be hurriedly overcome.

A classic example was one that led to the token East Indian cultural input. Thanks to the creativity of the local organisers, they improvised with the group of beautiful female dancers, of varying ethnic origins and also the relevant music.

To have the Caribbean on show for that historic inauguration ceremony for CWC 2007 required collective involvement of the talents and creative imagination of more than the host country.

Much of that were, thankfully, on display.

But what of the problems, the lapses the shortcomings that could have been avoided to have made it a richer experience in the celebration of our unity in diversity?

Stabroek News Managing Director gets U.S. award
MRS. Doreen DeCaires, Managing Director of the Stabroek News newspaper has been awarded the United States Women of Courage Award.

The U.S. embassy here yesterday said that during a March 8 ceremony in Washington, Condoleezza Rice announced the Secretary of State's Award for International Women of Courage to recognize women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women's rights and advancement. 

The embassy said the Guyana honouree of the Women of Courage Award is Doreen DeCaires.

U.S. Ambassador David M. Robinson will present an award certificate along with a letter from Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula J. Dobriansky to DeCaires tomorrow, the embassy said.

DeCaires has also been Vice-President of the Beacon Foundation charitable organisation for 25 years and up to recently was Chairman of the Guyana Public Hospital Corporation board.

Secretary Rice in her statement said that through this annual award, the U.S. will honour the courage of extraordinary women worldwide who have played transformative roles in their societies. 

She said: “The enfranchisement of women can no longer be a simple aspiration.  Women are essential agents in bringing about change and an often overlooked resource in the preservation of human security, in overcoming transnational dangers, and in managing threats arising from tyranny, trafficking, poverty, and disease.  Achieving the United States' mission of advancing democracy, prosperity, and security worldwide is not possible without the empowerment of women.  If women cannot participate in the political process, there can be no real democracy. If women are deprived of economic opportunity, development is crippled.  If women are not educated, they cannot pass knowledge to their children, and there is no true security for the next generation.”

Rice said this is why the U.S. is committed to sustained efforts to improve the political, social, and economic standing of women everywhere.

British High Commissioner addresses students on Commonwealth Day
BRITISH High Commissioner Fraser Wheeler Monday addressed students and teachers of Marian Academy in Georgetown as part of Commonwealth Day activities and presented sports equipment and books to the school.

Commonwealth Day is observed annually on the second Monday of March. The theme for this year is `Respecting difference, promoting understanding'

The British High Commission said that in his address to more than 700 students, Mr. Wheeler noted that Commonwealth Day is about recognising that we are all part of a family of nations committed to the common principles of equality, justice and democracy. "There are 53 countries spread throughout Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, North America and the Pacific with a population of over 2 billion people."

The High Commission said he congratulated the school for its focus on Commonwealth Day and encouraged students to describe to one another their experiences in other Commonwealth countries and to find out about the different cultures of the Commonwealth, but above all, they should have fun.

The activity started out with a procession of the flags of Commonwealth states that were drawn and coloured by the students. The message by Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon was read by Meshach Pierre, a student of the school.

Clemwood head teacher’s quarters to be reconstructed
THE head teacher’s quarters at Clemwood in Upper Demerara River will soon be reconstructed, the Regional Administration Office of Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) has reported.

It said Regional Chairman Mr. Julius Faerber, Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Nandlall Ramkissoon and Regional Engineer, Mr. Patiram Ramlall visited the area last Saturday.

Faerber stated that the existing wooden structure is beyond repairs and following discussions with the Head teacher and residents, it was agreed that a flat two-bedroom concrete building would be erected, the office said.

The Regional Chairman also assured residents that the new building would be completed before the new school term begins in September.

The office said residents who called for an extension of the primary school building were told that the possibility would be explored during this year.

It said residents of Santa Mission, another settlement which falls under the purview of Region Three, are also calling for a new concrete structure to house the Santa Mission primary school.

The new proposal of an 80’ x 30’ two flat concrete structure is engaging the attention of the Region Three administration, the office reported.

Minister Persaud hears Pomeroon farmers’ litany of woes
POMEROON farmers regaled Agriculture Minister, Mr. Robert Persaud, with a litany of woes at a meeting on Monday.

Apart from electricity and telephone services, the planters requested that the government construct roads along both banks of the Pomeroon River and a bridge across it, to link the two sides, for transporting produce to Charity on the Essequibo Coast.

They lamented that the cost of water transport to Charity has become very expensive and recalled that a Pomeroon road project had started several years ago but was halted abruptly.

The farmers said they are willing to give up portions of their land holdings to make way for the roadways which would boost development in every part of the riverain area.

Persaud replied that their proposal seems very good but said the government would have to look at factors including expenditure.

However, he said he would ask his Cabinet colleague, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr. Robeson Benn, to examine it.

Recent acquisitions aid Immigration readiness for CWC
- Vyphuis
THE local immigration authority is confident that systems are in place, at several pertinent areas, to recognise illegal activities that may affect Guyana’s security arrangements as it prepares to host Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007.

Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Senior Superintendent of Police George Vyphuis told the Government Information Agency (GINA): “I am proud to say that we are ready.”

“All our systems are in place and are working very well. We will make Guyana proud.”

According to GINA, Vyphuis said, judging from several exercises that were conducted, it is clear that the Immigration Department is ready, citing the recent Rio Group Summit, during which there were no hiccups, as an example.

He said, on January 12, officers of the Immigration and Customs departments were trained in the mechanics of the advance passenger information and CARICOM visa systems, trafficking in persons and smuggling, among several other issues that may arise from the influx of visitors.

Vyphuis said finishing touches are being put to the arrangements at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.

He explained that signs, directing passengers to the various serving areas, including the Single Domestic Space (SDS), have already been erected and travellers, especially those coming for CWC, are assured of hassle-free immigration processing.

GINA recalled that, on January 31, the National Assembly of Parliament passed four Bills to collectively provide legislative support for enhanced security and hassle-free movement within the newly established SDS.

Vyphuis said his department is now adequately equipped to detect tampered passports, after receiving 20 ultra violet (UV) fluorescent lamps and a similar number of magnifying glasses from the United States Government.

He said the work of immigration officials, in detecting forgeries at Guyana’s main port of entry and departure, will be made much easier with the acquisitions.

The UV light is the standard technology being used worldwide to detect fraud, Vyphuis confirmed and said, in addition to that, the U.S. Government also donated several pieces of literature, flyers and brochures included, for the purpose of education on fraud detection.

Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee has expressed satisfaction with the security readiness of Guyana for CWC, GINA stated.

Roads, D&I the focus in Region Three
ROADS and drainage and irrigation (D&I) have received the largest budgetary allocations under the 2007 capital works programme in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), in line with the infrastructural development focus in other regions.

Consequently, Regional Chairman, Mr. Julius Faerber told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has undertaken to refurbish and build several roadways.

He said those include roads at Uitvlugt, Vergenoegen, Leonora, Stewartville, Goed Intent, Sisters and La Grange, at a cost of $44M.

The sum of $33M will be spent on D&I work, for the excavation, construction and maintenance of related structures at Farm, Canal Number One Polder, Zeelugt, Leguan and Wakenaam, Faerber said.

He said bridges will be built, including at Ruby Backdam, Karia Karia, Phoenix, Leguan and Hamburg, Wakenaam, with a total of $11.5M.

The Chairman said a substantial amount has been earmarked to develop the social sectors and health will be complemented with the construction of a clinic at Belle West, an x-ray department at Leguan Cottage Hospital and a satellite outpost at Tuschen, all costing $22M.

Faerber said that expenditure excludes $4.5M budgeted for the procurement of an automatic tissue processor for West Demerara Regional Hospital.

That machine is designed to rapidly process tissue samples in laboratories by removing water and replacing it with paraffin wax, at optimum speed to minimise damage caused by dehydration and shrinkage, he explained.

In the education sector, Vreed-en-Hoop Primary and Leguan and Stewartville Secondary schools will be extended and a primary school building is to be erected at Santa Mission, all with $29M.

Faerber said, presently, Greenwich Park Primary is under construction and should be completed in about two months, with $65M funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to accommodate 900 pupils.

The edifice will boast an administrative block, offices for a headteacher and staff, a kitchenette, library, computer room and modern sanitary blocks and the furniture and equipment as well as other educational facilities will cost $5M.

Faerber said the land and water transport programme will be enhanced with the procurement of a tractor, a boat and an outboard engine for $10.6M.

In addition, improvements to the infrastructure in several housing schemes will be funded from a $19M allotment for land development, he stated.

West Berbice CDC introducing hydrophonic method organic farming
CANADA-BASED Caribbean and African Self-Reliance

International (CASRI) is assisting Trafalgar/Union Community Development Council (CDC), at West Coast Berbice, to introduce greenhouse/hydrophonic organic farming.

The intended beneficiaries of the CASRI assistance, being given in collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), said it would be used for demonstration and commercial purposes.

Apart from production to be utilised commercially, the main aim of the project is establishment of a micro cultivation to educate and encourage people to adopt the demonstrated forms of agricultural practices.

CASRI International Director, Mr. Franklin Harvey said his organisation works actively with partners in the Caribbean and Africa and peoples of their heritage, in Canada, the Americas and Europe, to promote self-sustaining and equitable development among themselves.

“We are about helping people and communities to build themselves up from the ground, about people taking initiatives, taking responsibility for making things happen and having the courage to make things happen, even against all odds, to transform their places of livelihood and their lives,” he explained.

Harvey said CASRI also intends to get at least one school in Region Five

(Mahaica/Berbice) to have a similar production centre after the current venture is accomplished.

IICA Representative in Guyana, Mr. Cromwell Crawford said the agency is fully supportive of the West Berbice scheme because of the role it can play in helping rural communities to produce their own food.

He said he has previously seen hydrophonic or soil-less farming methods practised in Puerto Rico and became convinced that the methodology can be replicated to enhance food security at the household and community levels locally.

Coordinator of the CDC, Mrs. Sandra London said she made the contact with CASRI through her involvement with other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

But she eventually obtained support for the CDC from CASRI on the basis of initial contacts.

CASRI and IICA have been meeting members of the CDC in recent weeks and work on construction of the greenhouse and related facilities should begin at Trafalgar within a week, London said.

GRDB stages field day on new commercial varieties
THE Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) recently staged a mini field day, to share, with farmers, knowledge on the growth characteristics of some new varieties now available for commercial production.

About 70 planters, from Regions Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/Mahaica) and Five (Mahaica/Berbice) attended.

They were taken to plots at Handsome Tree, Mahaica River, on which six species were cultivated, late last year, to determine their performance in riverain conditions.

The cultivation was done by volunteer Handsome Tree farmer, Mr. Jeenarine Maraj, in collaboration with GRDB extension staff.

The programme began with a welcome and, during the formal session, the group was informed of the results from trials and taken on a tour to observe the matured plants which were ready for harvesting.

General Manager of GRDB, Mr. Jagnarine Singh gave welcoming remarks and Regional Vice-Chairman of Region Five, Mr. K.P. Deokarran also spoke under the chairmanship of Mr. Bissasar Chintamani, GRDB Regional Supervisor for Extension and Quality Control in Region Five.

The closing speech was by Mr. Mangal Ramphal, General Council member of the Rice Producers Association (RPA).

Plant breeder at Burma Rice Research Station, Dr. Mahendra Persaud gave a briefing on the observed outcome of the experiments, among them the grain and milling yields of each variety and other supplementary data, such as maturity dates, resistance to blast disease and seed dormancy periods.

Maraj spoke about the cultural and agronomic practices he employed in the cultivating and husbandry through to the pre-harvest stage.

Persaud, Mr. Leroy Small, Chief Scientist at Burma and technical officers, Mr. B. Bisnauth and Mr. S. Sookram also supplied additional facts while in the field.

At the end of the day, one of the organising officials said many of those who participated admitted they were in a better position to evaluate the types planted and decide which one would give them the least trouble to cultivate and yield the most per acre.

Bogus ‘Lux’ for sale after brand name removal
A CONTAINER with 150,000 bars of counterfeit ‘Lux Beauty Soap’ will be sold locally after the bogus brand name is removed from the boxes, wrappers and the product itself.

The disclosure was made yesterday by Mr. Nick Hart, representative of Unilever Plc, who said it was the result of a court order that followed a legal action his company had filed.

Hart warned, though, that the merchandise is of poor quality and a health risk to users.

He said the consignment was the centre of dispute since it arrived at the John Fernandes Terminal, on Mandela Avenue, in Georgetown.

It was sent to Guyana by a manufacturer in China to a local importer and it had been the subject of litigation.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of DeSinco Trading Limited, Mr. Frank De Abreu said they discovered the soap is an imitation of what his company is the sole distributor.

He said they have been investigating the importation for the past two years and is pleased to have finally made the discovery.

De Abreu appealed for assistance from the relevant authorities to crack down on similar imports through which rip-offs are being proliferated on the local market, depriving consumers of quality goods.

He said the name of the importer is being withheld until further investigations.

Conserve water
-- GWI stresses
GUYANA Water Incorporated is calling on its customers in Georgetown to conserve on the use of water since the current prolonged dry season has resulted in a marked drop in the water level in the Lamaha Conservancy, as well as at its Shelter Belt.

Water Leakage Manager, Mr. Aubrey Roberts yesterday said the regular operating level at the Shelter Belt is 53 feet, but during last week that figure dropped considerably to 49 feet.

However, with a bit of rain over the last few days it is now about 52 feet, he told a news briefing at GWI headquarters in Kingston, Georgetown.

Stressing the importance of economising in the use of water at this crucial juncture, he urged that wherever the washing of pavements and concreted yards and large surfaces becomes necessary, sound judgement be exercised.

Roberts also made an appeal for persons to report any broken water mains or other form of water wastage, noting that about 150 mega litres of water treated and distributed by GWI daily goes to waste.

Supporting the need for water conservation, Corporate Secretary, Mr. Nasir Bacchus said this approach is extremely important to the GWI as it helps to reduce operational costs in many ways, particularly in the company’s electricity consumption.

He said the benefits of water conservation gained by GWI are passed on to consumers by enabling the entity to ensure that all customers receive an efficient and reliable service at all levels of their business dealings with GWI.

On this note, Bacchus reminded customers of the importance of paying their water promptly. “In doing so you will provide GWI with the necessary means, not only to detect and repair leaks and broken mains in your distribution systems, but will assist us also, in our ongoing effort to improve the provision of our service to a standard which you as consumers deserve…”

World Water Day will be observed on March 28, and as part of the activities to mark its observance, GWI will be hosting several events aimed at educating consumers countrywide, on the need to conserve water.

Among them will be competitions and “Give Away” promotions to be launched today, for consumers paying their bills at any of GWI’s Customer Service locations.

Traffic lights installation advances
CASTING concrete blocks and installing poles for traffic lights at critical junctions around the city are expected to commence today, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Engineer of the Work Services Group (WSG) Kadri Paris told the agency priority will be given to completing critical intersections before Cricket World Cup (CWC) to make the roads safer and easier for travel during the busy period.

However, he said, the project was never intended to be completed for CWC and has a completion date at the end of April.

The traffic lights project is being done under a US$2.1M scheme that entails installing about 50 traffic lights in Georgetown and its environs. It is being carried out by CMS Traffic Systems Limited, an Indian firm and local contractors, GINA said.

Preparatory civil works by GAICO Incorporated, a local firm, have been ongoing for several weeks, the agency reported.

It said Paris explained that there was a delay in the shipment of equipment from India but all materials have been procured to complete the project on schedule.

Traffic lights will be installed at the junctions of Camp and Lamaha streets, Vlissengen Road and Homestretch Avenue, Church and Main streets, the East Coast Highway and Courida Street, the East Bank Highway and Eccles access road, Mandela Avenue and Hunter Street, and Ogle Airstrip Road and the Railway Embankment road.

The contract for these works was signed last November between the Ministry of Public Works and Communications and CMS Traffic Systems Limited.
The project is an initiative of the governments of Guyana and India.

Police probing death of baby
POLICE were last night questioning a 13-year old boy, his mother and grandmother, about the death of his 15-month old baby sister at their home at Nonpariel, East Coast Demerara.

Residents said the boy was usually left at home to care for his baby sister while his mother and grandmother sold eggs at the Stabroek Market in Georgetown.

Sources said police are looking into reports that the baby may have died from suffocation.

Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control (Amendment) Bill passed
By Neil Marks
A $150M LABORATORY will begin testing Guyana’s fruits and vegetable varieties for purposes of quality control in two months time, Minister of Agriculture Mr. Robert Persaud said yesterday.

Minister Persaud made the announcement when he piloted the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control (Amendment) Bill through its passage in the National Assembly, ensuring Guyana’s accession to the Rotterdam Convention, which among other things addresses the concerns of farmers, agro-processors and agricultural exporters about the importation of severely hazardous and persistent pesticide formulation into Guyana.

Persaud said the laboratory will eliminate the need for Guyana having to send samples for testing in the Caribbean and the United States. The laboratory is located at the National Agricultural Research Institute at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

The legislation which was passed in the House gives the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board the responsibility for making arrangements and providing facilities for controlling the export of pesticides and toxic chemicals.

The amendment also makes provision for all pesticides and toxic chemicals exported to be certified by the board and that an application for such a licence may be made to the board and should be accompanied by the prescribed licence fee.

These amendments will provide the basic requirement for Guyana to accede to the Rotterdam Convention and enable implementation of the obligations of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade.

Persaud said Guyana needs the convention because it represents an important step towards ensuring the protection of citizens and the environment.

“It will save lives and protect the environment from the adverse effects of toxic pesticides and other chemicals.” He said it would assure importers of agricultural produce that Guyana does not use hazardous pesticides in Guyana and thus open new markets for local produce.

He said the convention establishes a first line of defence against future tragedies by preventing unwanted imports of dangerous chemicals.

Opposition Member of Parliament Mr. Everall Franklin expressed concern that certain chemicals which are allowed under the convention but banned in some countries can have adverse effects on a person’s health, but Persaud was quick to point out that Guyana has a list of such items which are prohibited.

He said the convention provides Guyana with the power and authority to decide which chemicals it wants to receive and to exclude those it cannot manage safely.

In addition, he said the convention extends to Guyana the ability to protect itself against the risks of toxic substances and raises global standards for protection of human health and the environment;

According to Persaud, the convention would enable Guyana and other participating countries to monitor and control the trade in very dangerous substances and ensure obligatory detailed information exchange between countries on hazardous chemicals and pesticides allowing informed decision-making on the national use of such chemicals.

Under the convention, if a country agrees to import chemicals, it promotes their safe use through labelling standards, technical assistance, and other forms of support. It also ensures that exporters comply with the requirements, Persaud stated.

People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member, Dr. George Norton in his presentation urged that the functions of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board be extended.

Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan of the Alliance For Chance (AFC) urged that the capacity of the board be increased to allow testing of toxic chemicals that come into the country. He also urged that there be a public education campaign targeting farmers, so that they know of the chemicals seeping down to them.

As an importing country the national control authority - Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board – has to ensure that importers, exporters and users are informed regularly of all notifications and responses received and proposed by Guyana under the convention.

The National Authority will also be required to apply uniformly all notifications and decisions to any exporting countries and to all domestic manufacturers of the notified chemicals.

Persaud said Cabinet approved in December of the proposal to amend the Act and for Guyana’s accession to the Rotterdam Convention.

CWC Minority Report
A FEW months ago, it was verboten almost to mention anything negative or even too critical regarding Guyana’s preparations for hosting the CWC 2007 Super Eight matches – it was virtually guaranteed that the stadium would be ready, the city would be clean, the visitors would come in droves, there would be adequate accommodation, and the West Indies would have trounced all their opponents.

Today, even as the green light has been given for Guyana’s hosting of its scheduled matches, some red flags are popping up.

While some of these have been noted recently in the press, yesterday’s article in this paper “Guyana last lap for CWC”, confirms that all may not be well come the end of this month.

The most remarkable of revelation concerns the accommodation for the visitors.

Over the past year, Guyana’s accommodation industry has seen an unprecedented boom in construction. Yet there is no way that the existing hotels, including those with little work left to be done, can accommodate some “20-30,000 cricket fans”. In light of this fact, it is curious that only a small fraction of the registered bed and breakfast rooms have been booked.

Then there is the element of poor ticket sales. While the “cultural mentality” of Guyanese may be a factor in the lack of sales of the cheaper tickets, the socioeconomic reality of Guyana – where the cheapest ticket represents a decent chunk or all of the average monthly paycheque – can also be a likely factor as well.

And supposing that Guyanese are tardy in purchasing their tickets – why is it that the tickets are not being booked by overseas visitors?

Taken together, the two elements of unsold tickets and unbooked rooms seem to indicate that the actual number of arrivals may be less than projected.

Finally, there is the question of preparation. Surely for an event some two years or more in the making, 48 hours is not the sort of window period that can be construed as comfortable.

It is true that a successful hosting of the CWC matches has the potential of bringing unheralded positive recognition for Guyana – this is something our minuscule tourism marketing budget cannot do and which a sprinkling of annual international reports makes more difficult with each passing year.

CWC offers the opportunity of the mass conversion of not only tens of thousands of foreign cricket fans, but to millions of viewers as well, to the beauty we have to offer here.

It is also true that the potential direct socio-economic impact would be tremendous.

If we were to assume that some 20,000 fans were to spend on average US$1,000 each on food, accommodation, transportation, entertainment et cetera, that would amount to a US$20 million injection into the local economy within that two week period.

And the long term benefits, provided that the visitors enjoyed their stay, wouldn’t be too bad either.

That said, the simple fact of the hosting of the event cannot be seen as a panacea for the very problems associated with it.

It is perhaps time that, our best hopes and expectations notwithstanding, we are presented with a detailed minority report on the status of Guyana’s preparation of CWC 2007.

Tenant refused injunction over removal from Gafoors Mall
DESIGNER, entrepreneur and consultant Eric Benjamin, who filed an action over his removal from Gafoors Houston Mall, was yesterday refused an interim injunction against Gafoor Industries Ltd.

The ex parte application was made by attorney-at-law Mr. Joseph Harmon but the judge also heard arguments by Senior Counsel Mr. Moen McDoom, for the defendant, before ordering that the summons be served on the company to involve both parties.

McDoom was granted leave to file an affidavit in answer by April 19.

In his filing, Benjamin alleged that, in 2006, he entered into a written contract with Gafoors that was to be effective through January 31, 2007.

The arrangement was to rent a cubicle, unit 118, in Gafoors Houston complex, at a monthly rate of US$140 or its equivalent in Guyana dollars.

But he claimed he was removed from the premises following his protestation over the payment of 16 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) in December, as requested by the Marketing Manager.

Benjamin said he has been prevented from entering his office in the place to conduct business or even to speak to his clients.

Apart from the injunctive remedy, he is seeking:

* damages in excess of $50,000 for breach of the agreement;

* $50,000 damages for breach of quiet enjoyment of unit 118 on the middle floor of the mall and

* a declaration that his constitutional right to free movement, provided for in Article 148 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana, has been violated by Gafoors.

Judge rules tomorrow in ‘Red Cake’ murder case
THE voir dire (trial within a trial) in the ‘Red Cake’ murder case at the Demerara Assizes ended yesterday and Justice James Bovell-Drakes reserved his ruling to tomorrow.

In the dock is Raymond Semple alias ‘Bundo’, who is indicted for the unlawful killing of Joseph George nicknamed ‘Big Hand’.

The smaller trial started after State Prosecutor Donelle Harding attempted to tender an alleged confession to which Defence Counsel Vic Puran objected at the opening.

The case for the Prosecution is that George was killed on February 15, 2005, following a row over a piece of Red Cake.

Returned migrant faces 2001 burglary charge
A DEFENDANT charged with a 2001 burglary appeared in court, for the first time yesterday, before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan.

The long delayed appearance was because Troy Green, 26, of Lot 64 Howes and Adelaide Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown, had migrated to French Guiana and only returned last Sunday, Police said.

The allegation against Green is that he broke into the house of Shane Small, at Lot 109 D’Anrade Street, Newtown, also in the city, on March 6, 2001, when he stole jewellery, two wristwatches, a cellular phone, $65,000 cash and other articles all to the total value of $1,391,000.

Defence Counsel Sonny Sarawan said Small is the uncle of the defendant and it is possible he would have a change of heart and not proceed with the case.

But Small, who was in the courtroom, gave no such indication and Green was put on $75,000 bail to face trial on April 24.

Man accused of shooting at cops remanded
TREVOR Alfred, 35, of Lot 308 North East La Penitence, Georgetown, has been charged in connection with the January 17 shooting at policemen at Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

Before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan yesterday, it was alleged that the accused and others unknown unlawfully and maliciously discharged loaded firearms at Police Constables Kester Cosbert and Cecil Adams.

Assistant Superintendent of Police, Maxine Graham, prosecuting, said the indictable charge followed an incident in which the cops were attempting to arrest several persons including Alfred, who fired guns at them.

The case was transferred to Providence Court, also on East Bank Demerara, where Alfred will make his next appearance on March 21.

Another gun case defendant before the same magistrate, Marlon Alleyne, 39, of Lot 6 Henry Street, Wortmanville, in the city, too, was also remanded to prison.

He pleaded not guilty to four charges which said, he, on March 10:

* had a .32 ‘Rossi’ revolver and three .32 live rounds of ammunition without being the holder of licences and

* at D’Urban and Henry Streets, unlawfully assaulted and made use of threatening language to Keith Hughes
Alleyne has to be back in the same court on Friday.

Duo charged with killing bull to steal carcass
POLICE have charged two men with killing a bull to steal the carcass.

Deonarine Deochan and Anthony Evans (no addresses given) appeared before Magistrate Chandra Sohan yesterday, at Fort Wellington Court, West Coast Berbice, where they pleaded not guilty.

Particulars of the offence said they wilfully slaughtered the branded animal, belonging to Deonarine Ramkarran, intending to commit the larceny last January 3.
They were each put on $25,000 bail until March 29.

Pathologist describes injuries on disfigured child murder victim
GOVERNMENT pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh yesterday described in detail the injuries he found on the victim in the child murder case at the Berbice Assizes.

He was testifying at the trial of Peter Collins, who is indicted for the murder of his daughter, six-year-old Samantha Robertson.

The witness testified to examining the partially decomposed body after a voir dire (trial within a trial), surrounding challenged statements, was interrupted.

In his testimony, Singh said the corpse measured three feet seven inches and was dressed with a pair of white shoes, a white dress and a blue and white panty pulled down to the ankle.

He said the remains were beginning to decompose and was bloated with lost hair and facial features.

According to the witness, the soles of the feet were wrinkled and white, indicating that they had been submerged in water for a significant period of time, between three and four days.

Singh said the external examination revealed that the intestines protruded through the anus and there was a loss of the soft tissue from the upper right limb from the elbow, which occurred after death.

There was also subscalpular haemorrhage to the left front and side of the head, due to trauma and the witness explained that a severe blow could have opened a suture which was not completely sealed.

The pathologist said the thorax, including the trachea and right bronchi  contained mud and decomposition had begun in the lungs. There was haemorrhage to the muscle of the left chest, because of the trauma, as well.

Singh said the stomach had blackish mud and the intestines a muddy liquid as the decomposing process had started on other organs, too.

In his opinion, there was evidence of trauma to the head and submersion, causing him to conclude that the cause of death was drowning compounded by blunt trauma to the head.

Cross-examined by State appointed Defence Counsel Adrian Anamayah, Singh said it is very difficult to determine the time of death in such cases and he did not state it in his findings from the autopsy ordered by a coroner.

The witness said natural elements would have affected the rate of decomposition. Muscles will take a longer time to decompose while soft tissue organs will decay faster.

Singh said the head trauma could have been consistent with a fall or a blow.

In answer to the jury sitting with Justice RishimPersaud, Singh said his impression is that the tissues on the arm might have been eaten by something.

The judge also yesterday ruled that the oral statements attributed to the accused, to which his lawyer had objected, were admissible in evidence.

The ruling followed the smaller trial which proceeded in the absence of the jury since March 8, after retired Police Inspector Olbert Halley gave his evidence.

Anamayah had argued that the attestations were obtained in breach of the Judges’ Rules.

Halley previously said Collins made them at Whim Police Station, Corentyne after his sisters visited him on July 26, 2004.

Following the decision, State Prosecutor Nadeen Singh called Eloise Isaacs as the next witness.

The woman, a sister of the accused, of Lot 152 Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown, said she and another sibling, Pamela, were present in the upper flat of Whim Police Station where the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is located.

Isaacs said she was standing just outside the office door when she saw Halley beating her brother with a cow pistle (penis) and telling the latter to admit he had given the victim to ‘Muriel’ for a sacrifice.

In response to the jury, the witness said she did see Halley beat Collins in a room but the Police Inspector could not have seen her.

She said the officer insisted that the accused state he had given Muriel the child to sacrifice.

Isaacs said there were no other witnesses to the beating or the subsequent order for her brother to sign a piece of paper.

When the State Prosecutor referred Isaacs to her deposition in the lower court, the witness remembered signing it but denied telling the magistrate what is recorded that, after Halley lashed the accused on his back, then a document was signed.

She said she told the magistrate that Halley ordered Collins to come into a room and sign.
The trial is continuing.

Court told…
Mini-bus passenger had marijuana worth $3.2M
A PASSENGER in a mini-bus plying the New Amsterdam to Moleson Creek route in Berbice was nabbed with a bag containing cannabis (marijuana) worth an estimated $3.2M on the street, it was alleged in a court yesterday.

The allegation was made when Andre La Rose alias ‘Red Man’ appeared before Magistrate Geeta Chandan at New Amsterdam Court on a drug trafficking charge.

Particulars of the March 13 offence said La Rose had 20 kilogrammes of the narcotic for the purpose but he pleaded not guilty.

Police Sergeant Donna Grant-Fraser, prosecuting, said the defendant was apprehended at Garrison Road, Fort Canje, also in Berbice, where the vehicle, BGG7366, was stopped and he was seen acting suspiciously and holding on to a bulky blue bag.
La Rose was refused bail and remanded to prison until March 27.

CWC opening ceremony marginalized some cultures
I WAS disappointed in the 2007 World Cup opening ceremony for the following reasons:

1. The hosts made it look like an all Jamaican affair, and not a true Caribbean event. Remember, the Caribbean or West Indies are hosting the World Cup, not Jamaica alone.

2. Other races or cultures were either ignored or marginalized. The Portuguese, Chinese, Aboriginal or Indigenous peoples were completely ignored. The East Indians were marginalized with some token performances. There were no Chutney performers!

Perhaps the US$50,000 that Guyana gave to Jamaica to assist in hosting this apparent all-Jamaican affair would have been better spent.

We must re-hink how we waste our hard earned dollars.
If you must waste, then waste it on your own people.
C. RAHAMAN

Timely phone ban
THE ban of cell phones in schools from the August school term couldn’t have been timelier.

The practice which seems to be permeating the school system across Guyana is upsetting. Although this situation is fairly new to Guyana, many other countries have experienced this problem many years ago, and have put situations in place to deal with it.

Of course the increased ownership of cell phones by children who attend public and private schools in Guyana can be credited to our two cell phone providers -- GT&T and Digicel.

However, if students survived in school all those past years without the use of a cellular phone in the school environment, I am sure they could continue surviving come August school term.

When I attended school a couple years ago, cell phones were a luxury, and I had no reason whatsoever to take the instrument into my learning environment, as it would’ve only caused major distractions. Then why are our parents today allowing their children to purchase these items and take them into the schools?

In case of emergencies, students and teachers would be able to make contact with the relevant persons through the school’s telephone.

But then some may ask what about emergencies outside of school? Did we have any life and death situation in the past years involving any student outside of a school where a cellular phone might’ve saved the day?

Occurrences such as the World Trade Centre bombings in 2001 and the Columbine High School shootings in America have made most school districts permit the use of cellular phones within school grounds. Many states have followed suit on this.

Many states in America have been pressured by students and their parents for the use of cell phones in schools.

One writer recently recommended that the phones be banned only in the classroom. That is nonsense, since students are expected to spend most of their school day in the classroom.

Since many phones have the vibrate feature, it would be easy to trick the teacher into bringing the phone into the class and having it turned on. And teachers have enough on their plates already than to check students with cell phones to make sure that they’ve turned them off.

All this would impede teachers who have lessons to be taught in specific time frames.

Cell phones can create havoc in the school environment. Students can text message each other in class, cheat in tests, taking and sharing illegal digital photos and videos of other students.

The increased presence of the instruments in schools would also encourage stealing, not to mention fighting.

Please do not get me wrong. The invention of the cellular phone is one of man’s greatest inventions, and the tool can be very useful at times.

However it is how, when and where we use the thing that is bringing a lot of disgust. We have allowed the instrument to be too big a part of our daily lives. It is also a bigger problem in places of worship where persons, who really have no regards for the sacredness of such places, would take cell phones to church with them, and even answer them during the religious services.

Hospitals and other public places in Guyana should be declared cell phone-free zones. And the decree should be imposed as well.

The school environment should be one where students are not permitted to be in possession of cell phones, and parents can help a lot in this cause.
LEON JAMESON SUSERAN

Road lights still not working
SOME time back I wrote seeking to highlight the non-working road lights on the Happy Acres Turn, located on the East Coast Demerara main road.

I am aware that this area is not located in the CWC region and as such will not be a priority by the relevant authorities.

But what is the use of putting up new infrastructure and not doing periodic maintenance?

Will it come to someone's attention when the whole line of lights stops working?
P. BANKAY

Preferential City Council treatment?
MY ELDERLY uncle, who lives in Queenstown, was just told by the City Council that he has to remove a few bricks he put on the parapet to prevent big trucks from destroying the grass.

However, just a couple of streets away the owners of a large house on the corner recently installed a permanent concrete border around "their" parapet just a few inches from the street.

I think this goes against the law, is an eye sore and is extremely dangerous for traffic.

Who in the City Council authorizes such construction?

Shouldn't all residents be given the same treatment by the City Council?
Disgusted

CWC greetings
CONGRATULATIONS to Guyana on their new Stadium and Cricket World Cup.

I am very surprised that the officials did not invite past retired cricketers to the grand opening of Cricket World Cup.

I am one of those who spent many years playing not only cricket but soccer (football), field hockey and rugby for then British Guiana.

Three of my other brothers also played cricket for the country and were members of the GCC.

I have many great memories of all the team mates, many of whom are still alive. I still keep up with the news of Guyana and maybe God willing someday will pay a visit.

Again, congratulations on your great success and the best to you all in the coming World Cup series.
NORMAN WIGHT

Smith inspires Windies to victory in World Cup opener
KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Dwayne Smith featured with both bat and ball to inspire West Indies to a 54-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match of Cricket World Cup 2007 at Sabina Park yesterday.

The exciting all-rounder smashed a quick-fire 32 off 15 balls that helped West Indies to 241 for nine off their 50 overs, and returned to grab three vital wickets in the middle of the Pakistan innings to restrict the 1992 champions to 187 in 47.2 overs, despite an aggressive 62 by Shoaib Malik.

The victory sparked huge celebrations among a near-capacity crowd, and gave Brian Lara’s side a boost in their quest to become to first host team to win the World Cup.

Sent in after Pakistan won the toss, West Indies owed their total mainly to Marlon Samuels’ impressive 69 and Ramnaresh Sarwan’s 49, but it was Smith’s excitement at the death that helped them to a total with which they could work.

The right-hander blasted three sixes and then came back with the ball to remove two of Pakistan’s key batsmen at a critical stage.

With fast bowlers Umur Gul and Rao Iftikhar bowling well at the start, the hosts were kept in check, despite a second-wicket stand of 56 between Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

They came together in the third over after Gul removed Chris Gayle by way of a catch to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, as the opener edged a defensive stroke.

Sarwan, dropped by Younis Khan at second slip to the first ball he faced, showed positive intent in striking eight fours before edging a drive to first slip off Iftikhar.

Samuels was in wonderful touch from the moment he went to the crease and played equally confident against both pace and spin.

He sent the crowd into frenzy when he magnificently lifted Iftikhar for a straight six, and there was more jubilation around the ground when he advanced down the pitch and lifted leg-spinner Danish Kaneria over long-on and into the new North Stand.

The hometown boy reached his half-century in grand style with another straight six against off-spinner Shoaib Malik.

Samuels however, failed to carry on, and ended up giving a catch to long-on off off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez after striking eight fours and three sixes off 68 balls.

By then, West Indies had also lost captain Brian Lara for a measured 37 off 58 balls, falling to an attempted sweep that resulted in an edged catch to the keeper off Hafeez.

It was Akmal’s third catch of the innings, following an excellent tumbling effort earlier that accounted for Sarwan when the West Indies vice-captain was one short of his 50.

Lara, Samuels, and Denesh Ramdim fell in quick succession, causing West Indies to lose momentum, and it required Smith to come in and provide a flurry at the end.

Smith’s departure in the 49th over led to another clatter of wickets, but the crowd had something to shout about when Corey Collymore swatted the final ball of the innings over long-on for a six.

Pakistan’s response started in sensational fashion with a six by Imran Nazir off Daren Powell to the second ball, and the drama continued next ball, when the batsman edged a drive to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.

West Indies sustained the pressure by removing Younis Khan, who edged an attempted pull off Jerome Taylor to the keeper, and the advantage was with the home team at 39 for three, following the dismissal of Mohammad Hafeez, who gave a catch to mid-on off Powell.

Pakistan were in need of a consolidation and they got it from their two most experienced batsman, captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf, the pair responsibly adding 60 for the fourth wicket.

As the partnership grew worrying for West Indies, Smith made three telling strikes that put West Indies on course for victory.

He first dislodged Yousuf for 37 as the prolific right-hander was caught at the wicket trying to cut.

Inzamam made 36 before falling lbw when he played across the line, and Smith tightened West Indies’ grip next ball, when Akmal was magnificently caught low down by a diving Dwayne Bravo at point.

The slide was halted in a seventh-wicket partnership of 28 between Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan before the latter missed a big swing against Bravo and was bowled.

There was another useful stand before Bravo took an excellent return match to claim his third wicket, and the match ended with Malik, who hit six fours and a six off 84 balls, caught at deep mid-on.

WEST INDIES innings

C. Gayle c wkpr K. Akmal b U. Gul 2

S. Chanderpaul c wkpr K. Akmal b I. Anjum 19

R. Sarwan c Y. Khan b I. Anjum 49

M. Samuels c S. Malik b M. Hafeez 63

B. Lara c wkpr K. Akmal b M. Hafeez 37

D. Bravo c Rana Naved-ul-Hasan b I. Anjum 16

D. Ramdin stp. K. Akmal b S. Malik 1

D.R. Smith c Inzamam-ul-Haq b U. Gul 32

J. Taylor run-out (Anjum) 2

D. Powell not out 1

C. Collymore not out 8

Extras: (lb-2, w-6, nb-3) 11

Total: (9 wkts, 50 overs) 241

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-64, 3-77, 4-168, 5-181, 6-183, 7-223, 8-228, 9-232.

Bowling: Umar Gul 9-1-38-2 (nb-1, w-3), Rana Naved-ul-Hasan 9-1-49-0 (nb-2), Iftikhar Anjum 10-3-44-3, Danish Kaneria 9-2-45-1 (w-3), Mohammad Hafeez 9-0-39-2, Shoaib Malik 4-0-24-0.

PAKISTAN innings

I. Nazir c wkpr Ramdin b Powell 6

M. Hafeez c Lara b Powell 11

Y. Khan c wkpr Ramdin b Taylor 9

M. Yousuf c wkpr Ramdin b D.R. Smith 37

Inzamam-ul-Haq lbw b D.R. Smith 36

S. Malik c Chanderpaul b Collymore 62

K. Akmal c Bravo b D.R. Smith 0

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan b Bravo 11

I. Anjum c Lara b Bravo 11

U. Gul c and b Bravo 0

D. Kaneria not out 0

Extras: (lb-2, w-2) 4

Total: (all out, 47.2 overs) 187

Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-17, 3-39, 4-99, 5-116, 6-116, 7-144, 8-187, 9-187.

Bowling: Powell 10-1-42-2, Taylor 10-1-38-1, Collymore 8.2-3-27-1 (w-1), D.R. Smith 10-0-36-3, Bravo 9-0-42-3 (w-1).
Points: West Indies 2, Pakistan 0.

Colourful, nostalgic start to 2007 World Cup…
World Cup members of 1975 and 1979 teams honoured
KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – It was with a mixture of nostalgia and expectation that the first match of the CWC ICC Cricket World Cup got under way at Sabina Park here.

Excited fans rose with the dawning of the day and converged on historic Sabina from the East, West, North and South of the capital city.

They poured onto North Street and down South Camp Road with many heading straight for the stand named for that icon of the West Indian game, George ‘Atlas’ Headley.

Others, dressed lightly and brightly for the party atmosphere, made their way to the grassy mound in the shadow of a new giant electronic scoreboard. Yet others made their way over to the giant temporary South West stand and some to the spanking new North stand.

Mostly a partisan crowd, they were not reticent about expressing their unbridled joy at witnessing the first World Cup to be hosted by the Caribbean, and expectations of a successful start for the home team.

The Pakistani fans in attendance, buoyed by a recent run of good returns against the Wes Indies, were no less confident.

The nostalgic inspiration for the morning’s start was provided, appropriately, by the surviving members of the West Indies teams that won the inaugural World Cup in 1975 and the second in 1979.

Led by Clive Lloyd, captain on both occasions, the other team members present were Rohan Kanhai, Lance Gibbs, Deryck Murray, Sir Vivian Richards, Vanburn Holder, Alvin Kallicharran, Gordon Greenidge, Collis King, Colin Croft, Faoud Bacchus, Maurice Foster, Larry Gomes, Bernard Julian, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, and Joel Garner. Desmond Haynes who participated in the 1979 World Cup was absent.

These maroon clad stars of the dominant era of West Indies cricket marched like giants onto the lush outfield of the renovated Sabina Park to thunderous applause from the fans.

There, in a brief ceremony, they were again hailed for their achievements by Ken Gordon, president of the West Indies Cricket Board and presented with commemorative medallions by Malcolm Speed, chief executive of the International Cricket Council and Portia Simpson-Miller, Jamaica’s Prime Minister.

Percy Sonn, the ICC president, in a re-enactment of the 1975 and 1979 triumphs, symbolically presented Clive Lloyd once again with the World Cup trophy.

Lloyd, in brief remarks, said it was a privilege to have led the team into battle on behalf of the people of the region and wished similar joy for his successor of this generation.

The joyful reminiscence also was tempered with sombre reflection, as the former captain recalled the memories of those who have passed on – Roy Fredericks, Keith Boyce, and Malcolm Marshall, along with Sir Clyde Walcott, manager for both the 1975 and 1979 World Cup.

When Guyana’s cricket is strong so is West Indies’ - Panday
SECRETARY of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Bish Panday and two vice-presidents, Alvin Johnson and Malcolm Peters, were in attendance of the annual 17th awards ceremony of Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports (RHTY&SC) which was held last Sunday at the J.C. Chandisingh Annexe Building where national batsman Royston Crandon was named cricketer-of-the-year.

Panday, giving the feature address at the well-attended ceremony congratulated RHTY&SC for their brilliant work over the years and said that other clubs in Guyana should emulate them.

Panday said he was taking the opportunity to highlight a serious problem in the local cricket arena – that is players leaving Guyana and playing League cricket in Trinidad and Tobago. That should not happen because that will subsequently strengthen that country’s cricket and weaken Guyana’s cricket.

“Today, I want to take my thinking a bit further and to reflect a bit on why I think the importance of improving cricket in Guyana is vital to the overall improvement of West Indies cricket itself.

The history of cricket in this region shows that Guyana has always been an important source for the vitality and improvement of West Indies cricket.

I may be wrong but I am prepared to assert that West Indies cricket is strong to the extent that cricket in Guyana is strong,” Panday declared.

Both Peters and Johnson congratulated RHTY&SC for its outstanding work over the past 15 years and wished all the awardees will be inspired with whatever they received and they should be role models for others to emulate.

Crandon cops RHTY&SC cricketer-of-the-year award
… receives $400 000 in prizes
By Ravendra Madholall
WHEN the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) held its 17th annual awards ceremony on Sunday at the J.C. Chandisingh Annexe Building, national opening batsman Royston Crandon received over $400 000 in prizes, inclusive of a trip to the United States.

Crandon, after having a relatively good run with the national team this year in the Carib Beer and KFC competitions, striking a century on his one-day debut and his dominance for RHTY&SC at the first division level, was named cricketer-of-the-year.

Royston, the younger brother of national fast bowling star Esaun Crandon, chalked up some 648 runs and took 37 wickets at the first division level for the vibrant RHTY&SC in the year 2006.

Renwick Batson who scored in excess of 750 runs was named runner-up cricketer-of-the-year.

Esaun was also the recipient of the abundance of prizes to young aspiring cricketers while various clubs, schools and other entities also received gifts at the presentation ceremony.

Esaun Crandon was recognised for his outstanding match against Jamaica in the inaugural Allen Stanford Twenty20 tournament last year, and his KFC and Carib Beer performance for Guyana in the 2007 season while Andre Percival also joined the honours list.

National middle-order Assad Fudadin was one of the cricketers honoured for his consistent scoring in the local competition for RHTY&SC while several young cricketers received prizes for their various contributions to the club over the past twelve months.

Secretary, CEO and founder member of the club, Hilbert Foster, gladly expressed his gratitude to the following official sponsors: DDL Pepsi, Bakewell, Courts, GT&T Cellink, Farfan and Mendes, Food for the Poor, North America Airline, Roop Group and Windies Sports Bar.

Foster distributed the 2006 prestigious awards not only to the sports fraternity but also to schools in Berbice. The Guyana Cricket Board also collected trophies.

“We have a packed programme every year and we are not only looking at sports but other areas especially for children, disabled persons. Our workers in the club Monish Singh, Stanley Alexander and others have been working feverishly over the years and without them nothing is possible,” Foster exclaimed.

He further stated: “Our club has no secret formula for its success. The honest truth is that our membership is the main reason why we are the best in Guyana.

I have seen individuals working beyond the call of duty and I have served people who practice what they preach to assist others. Our membership is a special bunch, who have over the years achieved what others can only dream about.

Foster said the club would like to thank all its donors for making the awards ceremony possible especially US-based Rose Hall residents Anil Rampej, of Rampej Real Estate of Richmond Hill, New York, Martin Cort and Ralph Fingall

This is why each year we meet as a group to honour those who have excelled in their different fields,” Foster concluded.

Australia aim for unbeaten record
By John Mehaffey
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (Reuters) - Australia embark on a Caribbean journey today as they plan to end in Barbados on April 28 with a unique hat-trick of World Cups and an unbeaten record for the second tournament in a row.

The world champions meet Scotland at Warner Park in the first of the Group A matches which include a game against the Netherlands and climax with a match against the new world number one side South Africa on March 24.

"It's a very special event to us and we would like to think that we are as equipped as anybody else to win this time around," captain Ricky Ponting, who led the undefeated 2003 side, told reporters.

"Last time to go through a World Cup undefeated was fantastic."

A warm-up week in St Vincent, during which Australia defeated Zimbabwe and England convincingly in 13-a-side games, was enough to convince Ponting and any neutral observers that Australia have put their five consecutive losses this year well behind them.

"All the guys have got over it," Ponting said. "We are ranked second in the world but we are probably favourites to win this event. I know our team doesn't pay any attention to the table whatsoever."

Glenn McGrath, Australia's veteran strike bowler who is playing in his final series of any sort, suggested yesterday that the pressure was now on South Africa.

"I have always felt that they are a team who don't handle pressure as well as the Australia team," he told reporters.

'FEARED LOSING'
"The fact that they're ranked number one now means there is a whole lot of pressure on them to hold top position.

"I have always thought they feared losing. They have always feared losing more than backing themselves to win."

Opener Matthew Hayden, who broke his right toe against New Zealand last month, is scheduled to return to the side while Shaun Tait's four wickets against England have ensured he will take the new ball.

Scotland won the associate nations' tournament in Kenya this year but they have lost each of their five World Cup matches to date and would need a miracle today to topple Australia.

"Obviously it's going to be an incredible challenge for us," their Australian-born coach Peter Drinnen told reporters yesterday.

"We've got to be realistic about it. What we are concerned about is that we have set certain standards over the past five or six weeks and it's very, very important for us to reach those standards."

Both sides will name their final teams after examining the pitch today.

Teams (probable):

Australia - Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Brad Hodge, Michael Hussey, Shane Watson, Brad Hogg, Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath, Shaun Tait.

Scotland - Fraser Watts, Majid Haq, Ryan Watson, Gavin Hamilton, Neil McCallum, Dougie Brown, Colin Smith, Craig Wright (captain), John Blain, Ross Lyons, Paul Hoffmann.

Canada and Kenya can both bank on experience
By Mark Meadows
GROS ISLET, St Lucia (Reuters) - Rank outsiders Kenya and Canada will both be relying on some solid World Cup experience when they clash in Group C's opening match today.

Kenya captain Steve Tikolo is 35 and played in the last three World Cups, including their amazing run to the semi-finals in 2003, while Canada's Anderson Cummins returns 15 years on after playing for West Indies in the 1992 tournament.

Cummins is now 40 but after being coaxed into playing cricket again in Canada he is ready to cause a stir with bat and ball.

"I still feel I can contribute to this team and add value. If I wasn't passionate I wouldn't be here," he told Reuters.

Canada, who lost to Pakistan and Ireland in the warm-ups, have a full squad to choose from while Kenya also have no injury worries after beating the Netherlands and losing to West Indies in last week's practice games.

Victory for either side today could be crucial for their outside chances of reaching the Super Eights if they could then pull off a major shock by beating England or New Zealand in the other group matches.

Kenya have form for causing surprises, however, defeating West Indies in 1996 and beating Sri Lanka by 53 runs in 2003.

They also overcame Canada by four wickets on their way to the semi-finals last time, although their progression was partly due to New Zealand refusing to play in Nairobi because of safety concerns.
Kenya lost by 91 runs to eventual runners-up, India, in the last four in 2003.

England bowlers having to learn new skills - Plunkett
By Mark Meadows
RODNEY BAY, St Lucia (Reuters) - England's seam bowlers are having to learn new skills to adapt to the slow Caribbean wickets just days before their first World Cup match, Liam Plunkett said yesterday.

Plunkett is battling with James Anderson, Sajid Mahmood and Jon Lewis for two spots in Friday's line-up for the Group C clash with New Zealand.

But despite the competition for places, the bowlers are working together to find inventive ways of getting batsmen out as their usual swing and seam deliveries are unlikely to be effective in the conditions.

"We've been getting together, chatting about the wickets," Plunkett told reporters.

"We have had some really good discussions about how to bowl on these wickets."

Plunkett, who recently offered to donate a kidney to his sick dad but was refused, has been trying out some off-cutters in the nets after being impressed by Australia's bowling in England's warm-up defeat on Friday.

"We need to adapt to these wickets really early. Practice on the last couple of days has been focused on that," he said. "The warm-up games were of huge benefit but obviously we are here for the World Cup so it is good to get on with it now.”

Roberts recalls the great escape of 1975 over Pakistan
By Richard Sydenham
KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters) - West Indies and Pakistan launched the ninth World Cup yesterday and one ex-West Indies great believes it is the biggest match between the teams in 32 years.

Fast bowler Andy Roberts was an unlikely match-winner with the bat in the 1975 World Cup when West Indies recovered from 203-9 to overhaul Pakistan's total of 266 at Birmingham.

Roberts was 24 not out and batted for 55 minutes as he put on 64 for the last wicket with wicketkeeper Deryck Murray, who was 61 not out from 76 deliveries.

It was a shattering defeat for Pakistan after they felt the match was as good as won with batting stars like Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd and Roy Fredericks all dismissed.

West Indies went on to win that inaugural World Cup.

'ALWAYS APPREHENSIVE'
"Years after that match, every time I went in to bat against Pakistan they were always apprehensive, all the time," Roberts told Reuters.

"This is probably the biggest game since then, in a World Cup between the teams. I don't think we have had such an important game since that one.

"We beat them in the semi-finals in 1979 but 1975 was maybe a bigger game because of the psychological victory for us when they had the game in the bag."

The Sabina Park clash yesterday, between Inzamam-ul-Haq's Pakistan side, winners in 1992, and Brian Lara's West Indies, who have not won since 1979, would struggle to match this 1975 clash for drama.

Roberts was an unrated number 11 batsman and few would have predicted what was to unfold when he came to the crease.

"We were struggling but at no stage did I think we would lose," Roberts said. "I always believed that as long as we were still in the match, whether batting or bowling, we could win.

"I never played cricket to lose.

"Pakistan helped us because they bowled their best bowler out -- Sarfraz. I think I only faced one ball from Sarfraz.

"I faced people like Asif Masood, (Pervez) Mir and Mushy (Mushtaq Mohammed).

"I was leading Deryck. He was the senior partner in age but I was the senior partner with what goes on in the field. I had the confidence and never thought we were going to lose."

Maybe one irony from that exciting clash is that two of the key men from the match are involved this time too.

Roberts is responsible for the playing surface as a World Cup pitch consultant.

One of the bowlers he helped defeat that day in Birmingham, Pervez Mir, is now the media officer for the Pakistan team.

Smith focused on being consistent
KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Smith said he was focusing on being consistent after picking up the Man-of-the-Match award in West Indies’ 54-run victory over Pakistan in their opening Cricket World Cup match yesterday.

Playing at Sabina Park, Smith belted 32 from 15 balls that helped West Indies rally to 241 for nine off their 50 allotted overs, after being asked to bat first.

Smith returned with his right-arm seamers to grab three for 36 as Pakistan were routed for 187 off 47.2 overs.

“I had a lot of practice in the nets so it was just to come out here and be consistent and keep my eyes on the ball and that’s what I did today. I am happy but still disappointed that I didn’t come in not out,” the 23-year-old said.

Smith, whose previous 10 Tests and 59 One-day Internationals have been characterised by under-achievement, said he had recently received help with his batting from former West Indies player Seymour Nurse.

Nurse, a Barbadian, played 29 Tests for the West Indies between 1960 and 1969 and averaged 47.

“He’s played a big part too because he had taught me a few things just to work on and that’s paying off so I’m going to keep working on it (my game),” Smith said.

Mavericks' long win streak snapped by inspired Warriors
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Reuters) - The Dallas Mavericks' 17-game winning streak ended in emphatic style when they were routed 117-100 by the Golden State Warriors in Oakland on Monday.

Golden State led by as many as 31 points during the game, handing the Mavericks their first loss since a 96-85 defeat at Chicago on January 25.

The Dallas win streak matched Phoenix for the longest this season and it was tied for the seventh longest in NBA history. The Mavericks' three victory streaks of at least 12 games this season is also an NBA record.

The Mavericks (52-10) struggled from the start, however, trailing 64-51 at the half and 98-69 after three quarters on the way to their fourth straight loss to the Warriors.

Golden State (30-36) shot a sizzling 57 percent from the field with six players scoring in double-figures, including Mickael Pietrus, who led all scorers with 20 points in just 28 minutes.

Stephen Jackson, Andris Biedrins, Jason Richardson and Al Harrington had 16 points each for the Warriors, who made so many shots that they only had five offensive rebounds all night, along with 31 assists.

Devin Harris and Jason Terry led the Mavericks with 16 points each, but Dallas shot just 42 percent and rested most of their starters in the second half.

Dirk Nowitzki was held to just 13 points and nine rebounds and he made seven turnovers for the Mavs who turned the ball over 23 times.

Dallas will meet Phoenix in a Western Conference showdown today between the two teams with 17-game win streaks this season.

Leandro Barbosa matched a career-high with 32 points as the Phoenix Suns won for the 11th time in 12 games, downing the Houston Rockets 103-82. Yao Ming had just 10 points in 30 minutes for Houston.

The Charlotte Bobcats snapped an eight-game losing streak by downing the slumping Orlando Magic 119-108. Orlando have lost three straight and 10 of their last 12.

Vince Carter scored 30 points to help the New Jersey Nets snap a five-game losing streak with a 113-102 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

T.J. Ford had 19 points and nine assists against his former team as the Toronto Raptors won their third straight game, downing the Milwaukee Bucks 108-93.

Berbice zone Neal and Massy cricket…
Six batsmen hit half-centuries
By Vemen Walter
SIX half-centuries were recorded as Berbice Zone of the 2007 Neal and Massy National 40 Overs First Division Cricket Competition continued last Sunday with third round matches.

In a round that also saw five bowlers grab four-wicket hauls, there were wins for West Berbice, Blairmont Community Centre and Rose Hall Community Centre in Zone ‘A’ while in Zone ‘B’ defending champions Albion Community Centre chalked up their third straight triumph in as many matches to almost guarantee them a place in the Berbice Zone semi-finals and Scotsburg United registered their first victory.

Skeldon’s Sherwin Murray with a superb 88 laced with five fours and four sixes notched up the highest score of the round but it was not enough to prevent his team from losing to Scotsburg United by three wickets.

West Berbice’s Salim Satar followed up his 55 made against Rose Hall Community Centre in last Saturday’s second round with a well constructed 55, a knock that included six fours and two sixes and together with Kwesi Mentore, who hit two fours and an equal number of sixes in 62, ensured that the West Berbicians handed Young Warriors their first defeat.

Karamdat Bissondyal’s exact 50 propelled Blairmont to their first win of the tournament, having disposed of Police by 72 runs while Daryl Narine’s 52 with two fours and Sewnarine Chattergoon’s 51, decorated with five fours, were instrumental in the victories by Rose Hall Community Centre and Albion over Bermine and Port Mourant respectively.

Young Warriors’ off-spinners Hubern Evans (4-19) and Gajanand Singh (4-36) along with Police’s left-arm-spinner Lawrence Bahadur (4-21), teenager Eugene La Fleur (4-44) and off-spinner Homchand Pooran (4-20) of Port Mourant were the bowlers with four-wicket hauls.

In Zone ‘A’, at Cumberland in Canje, West Berbice defeated Young Warriors by 39 runs.

West Berbice rattled up 199 all out in 39 of their allotted 40 overs after winning the toss and taking first strike with Mentore and Satar sharing in a third-wicket stand of 93 in 18 overs.

Chrisindat Ramoo also made 21.

Evans and Singh were the chief destroyers for Young Warriors, who crashed to 160 all out in 33.5 overs, slipping from a position of 91 for 2 at one stage.

Richard Ramdeen contributed 46, Damodar Daesrath (38) and Seon Hetymyer 21.

Satar returned to claim three for 23 and was well supported by fellow off-spinner Carlston Nurse with two for 25.

Over at Blairmont, the home team called correctly, took first strike and made 204 for 9 as their 40 overs expired, with Romesh Budhram (41), Altaf Khan (25) and Brendon Bess admirably backing up skipper Bissondyal.

Apart from Bahadur, medium pacer Kwesi Peters snared two for 38 for the lawmen who responded with 123 all out in 37.3 overs.

Albert Sinclair offered the lone resistance with 25 as left-arm spinner Horris McDonald bagged three for 18 bowling for Blairmont.

At the Rose Hall Community Centre in Canje, Bermine lost to the hosts by 28 runs.

Rose Hall won the toss and batted, posted 182 for 9 from their 40 overs with Narine and Vishal Mohabir (31) leading the way.

Left-arm spinner La Fleur and national fast bowler Jeremy Gordon two for 42 weighed in the best effort with the ball. 

Bermine replied with 154 all out in 36.4 overs despite 31 from Maxie De Jonge and 21 from Richard Fredericks.

Over in Zone ‘B’ at Port Mourant, Albion trounced Port Mourant by 29 runs. Batting first after winning the toss, Albion were dismissed for 160 in 37.3 overs. Chattergoon added 79 in 14 overs with Narsingh Deonarine for the second wicket (40) while Imran Khan contributed 34.

Rajendra Latcha three for 40 assisted Pooran.

Port Mourant, never really in the hunt were restricted to 131 for eight in their allotment of overs with Parsram Tilkuram making 21.

Veerasammy Permaul’s left-arm spin accounted for three wickets costing 20 runs and he was well supported by leg-spinner Davendra Bishoo with two for 20.

And at Scotsburg, Scotsburg United won against Skeldon Community Centre by three wickets.

In a match reduced to 25 overs per side due to rain, Skeldon, sent in to bat, made 131 all out in exactly 25 overs with Murray starring with the bat.

Medium-pacer Peter Grimes picked up three for 18 bowling for Scotsburg United.

Scotsburg in their turn at the crease reached 132 for seven in 24.4 overs. Grimes hit 34 and Anthony Bramble 20. Leg-spinner Ian Bagot snapped up three for 21.

India refreshed and ready to go - Chappell
By N.Ananthanarayanan
ST AUGUSTINE, Trinidad (Reuters) - India coach Greg Chappell said a welcome break from non-stop playing has revitalised the players before their World Cup campaign starts on Saturday.

The 1983 champions face Bangladesh in their opening game in Group B, seen as the toughest because of the presence of Sri Lanka, besides debutants Bermuda.

India trained in Jamaica and enjoyed time away from frenzied attention back home but opinion has been divided whether it was ideal to arrive so early in the Caribbean.

"It's been a good preparation," Chappell told reporters yesterday, a day after the team arrived in the Trinidadian capital, Port-of-Spain.

"It's a chance for us to get used to the conditions in a measured way without having to rush anything.

"We've have been doing practice, relaxing, we've been swimming, sailing, snorkelling, things you would expect to do in the West Indies.

"So it's been a nice change of pace from the point of view of what happens on a normal tour, particularly in India where you are playing every three days."

India have faced criticism for playing two many one-day games, with the national board, which has signed a multi-million dollar rights deal, also organising matches in non-regular venues such as Malaysia last year.

The team has had a packed schedule for almost one year. They toured West Indies in mid-2006 then featured in a tri-series in Kuala Lumpur against West Indies and Australia before the October-November ICC Champions Trophy at home.

They then toured South Africa and on their return played two back-to-back home one-day series against West Indies and Sri Lanka -- they won both -- which ended in mid-February.

Chappell said there were no concerns in the team.

There has been some worry over an ankle problem to Sourav Ganguly, who did not open the batting in Friday's warm-up victory over hosts West Indies in Trelawny, Jamaica, after he fielded for only 13 overs.

"We're prepared for it, and we are ready to go," said Chappell. "Most of the niggles are gone so it has just given us a chance to let rip a bit.

"We're looking forward to our first game."

Sri Lanka take on Bermuda in the first Group B match tomorrow.