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ARCHIVES FOR AUGUST 18, 2009

Wanted bulletin issued for Health Ministry arson suspect
THE Police Force yesterday issued a wanted bulletin for another suspect in last month’s firebombing of the Health Ministry complex on Brickdam, Georgetown.

Police said George Lashley, 60, is wanted for questioning in relation to the fire which gutted the complex on July 17.

Lashley is brown, stout, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and his address is Lot 187 Freeman Street, North East La Penitence, Georgetown.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the police on the following telephone numbers or the nearest police station.

The numbers are 226-7065, 226-1389, 227-2138, 226-7476, 225-3052, 227-2610, 227-2603, 225-2317, 225-3064, 227-1270, 227-1611, 227-1149, 225-2700, 226-1326, 225-8196.

After the arson, President Bharrat Jagdeo had announced a $25M reward for information that could help investigators find those behind the firebombing.

Yesterday’s development follows the recent announcement by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon that the organization behind the arson has been identified and the hunt is on to fully expose the perpetrators.

He told reporters police here have asked for international assistance to find two key suspects who vanished from the lockups at the Providence Police Station, East Bank Demerara following evidence that they have fled the country.

He said the two men “contributed much information on the intellectual authors” of the pre-dawn firebomb attack on the ministry.

“Every single step has been disclosed and the individuals have confessed and provided utmost information on their engagements in destroying the Ministry of Health head office”, Luncheon said.

“Using the information they have provided, another hunt is on to fully expose those who organised, and the organization that has been implicated, as the intellectual authors who have designed this activity”, he reported.

He said the planners inveigled young people and others into setting the buildings in the complex on fire and commended the Police Force for the breakthrough in the investigation.

A female Police Corporal in charge at the Providence station when the two suspects disappeared has been charged with aiding their escape.

President Jagdeo said overseas connections have emerged in the widening probe into the firebombing and investigators were following leads to people connected to a house in Meadowbrook, Georgetown.

He provided some details on the plot uncovered so far but declined to give names from a list of suspects he had saying, “…that’s not the end of it, because it goes up and it goes overseas – the connections; they are going to emerge as the investigations continue.”

At a press conference, he said some of those being investigated may be in the formal political system and others “may be associated with politics.”

The President said those who started the fire have confessed and through caution statements have painted the picture of the plot leading investigators to the persons who sold them gasoline, bottles and other material for the Molotov cocktails (channa bombs) used in the attack.

He also came out strongly against what he said was a “very clever” and studied strategy supported by some sections of the media to divert attention away from the arson probe.

Mr. Jagdeo said catching those responsible for the fire and condemning the arson as a reprehensible act have been shifted into the background and there was a new, clever campaign emerging that is supported by some members of the media.

This, he charged, is designed to focus attention away from “this reprehensible act” and the loss it represents for the country to “so-called human rights issues”.

Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, at a press conference after the fire, said the blaze started on the upper floor of the main building in the complex.

The complex that was gutted by the blaze that started around 3am, housed the offices of Ramsammy and senior ministry officers and four other annexes.

Three other buildings in the compound were slightly damaged, including one in the southeastern corner of the compound in which an incendiary device was placed.

Top Cop slams PNCR over attack on Police Force
POLICE Commissioner Henry Greene has slammed the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) over claims that he is taking political direction and is not independent.

In a statement over the weekend, he said the party’s charges are a direct attack on him, his senior officers and by extension the Guyana Police Force.

He referred to the Police Act governing the operations of the force, noting that this was in force during the period when the PNCR was in government.

The PNCR, in a press release, accused Greene of acting as a “result of political direction” in hunting suspects in the July 17 fire-bombing of the Health Minister complex on Brickdam, Georgetown.

It also claimed that he has been reluctant to investigate claims in a New York court that confessed drug runner Shaheed Roger Khan was implicated in killings and other crimes here.

Greene asked the PNCR to produce the issues which point to the political manipulation in the face of evidence and facts.

He also noted that there is a distinction between information and evidence and what’s available in the Khan case are newspaper reports.

“The force has sought to acquire any document or documents which are public. However, statements will have to be acquired from those person or persons who have implicated others. It is expected that with the cooperation of the United States of America we would be able to access those persons in the USA to acquire the necessary evidence so as to proceed legally in an investigation”, he said.

“The Office of the Commissioner of Police is not reluctant to launch any probe nor has it received any instructions to the contrary”, he declared.

The commissioner recalled that in the Health Ministry arson, in referring to one of the suspects arrested in connection with the plotting of the fire, he said the man told at least one of the persons whom he recruited that among the reasons for him wanting to cause mayhem was that he disliked the government.

“Is the Guyana Police Force to understand that the arson of the Ministry of Health is not to be investigated based on the available evidence?”, he asked.

“The Office of the Commissioner of Police wishes to reiterate that the Guyana Police Force is apolitical and challenges the PNCR to produce evidence of the day to day political direction and the rouge cops working under the current administration who are given political cover”, he said.

He said the Police Force will discharge its duty without fear or favour, malice or ill will.

The PNCR claimed it was nonsense and a red herring that Guyana should wait until the trial in New York is complete, arguing that there is more than sufficient evidence to trigger a probe in this country.

“Unless there is something to hide, such a probe must be undertaken with dispatch or the integrity of the Commissioner of Police himself and some of his senior officers will be on the line”, it said.

It charged that while Greene was reluctant to launch such a probe into the Roger Khan matter, he has not been hampered by any such reluctance “when it came to hunting down persons suspected of being involved in the burning down of the Ministry of Health.”

Cousins killed at Tuschen to be buried Thursday
By Michel Outridge

Dead: Ricky Kumar

Dead: Amisha Alli

AMISHA Alli and her cousin Ricky Kumar will be buried on Thursday.

Alli’s father, Abdool Azeez, arrived in the country from overseas yesterday, heart-broken and confused.

Mr. Azeez added that it is difficult to cope presently and the incident has taken a toll on his wife, Sabita.

Kumar is from Parika, but was holidaying with the Azeez family at Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara.

The children were killed at about 15:30 h Sunday on the Tuschen Public Road, East Bank Essequibo.

Amisha Alli, seven, and her cousin, Ricky Kumar, 12, together with their grandmother, Jumrattan Hack, 66, were standing on the southern side of the Tuschen Public Road when motor car PLL 6744 ,driven by Mahendranauth Singh, of Industry Housing Scheme, together with two other occupants, came speeding east along the northern side of the road.

The driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle, and struck Hack and the children.

Kumar and Alli died on the spot, with Alli being decapitated.

The car sped away and was pursued by a police patrol which intercepted it at Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara.

Hack was treated for minor injuries at the West Demerara hospital and sent away.

The three occupants of the vehicle are in custody at the Leonora Police Station.

The bodies are awaiting a post mortem.

The Pearsons died on the spot

The pick-up involved in the accident

RELATIVES are desperately trying to come to grips with the sudden and tragic death of a husband and wife.

For the Pearson family, Sunday night is one they will never forget, having lost both parents to an accident on the Garden of Eden Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

It was about 19:00 h and the couple was on their scooter returning home from a family christening at Grove when they were killed by a speeding pick-up.

Dead are Marlyn Pearson, 62, and Albert Pearson, 59, of Land of Canaan, also on the East Bank Demerara. The Pearsons died on the spot.

The blood stains where Albert Pearson impacted the concrete bridge ‘after’ he and his wife were struck by a pickup truck which was proceeding towards Georgetown. The accident occurred at the double koker that separates the villages of Friendship and Garden of Eden on the East Bank Demerara. The motorcyclist and his wife were both pulled from the canal closest to Garden of Eden. The pickup ended up in the other canal closest to Friendship. A few brave villagers recovered both bodies that were submerged in the canal.

Albert was flung several feet away while his wife ended up in a nearby trench and was pulled out minutes after the impact by public-spirited citizens who rushed to the scene.

Their broken and bloodied bodies were placed at the roadside until the police arrived on the scene.

The pick-up landed in the trench while the motorcycle was on the road. Marlyn Pearson was employed at the Ministry of Culture as a welfare officer, while her husband was a supervisor attached to Barama Company.

The atmosphere at home was somber when this newspaper visited yesterday with relatives recalling the last time they saw them alive.

Police confirmed that the driver of the pick-up is still in custody. (MICHEL OUTRIDGE)

Suriname judge shows Guyanese pirates no mercy
. . . hands down lengthy jail terms
By Ivan Cario
PARAMARIBO, Suriname (Caribbean Net News) -- A judge in Suriname has slapped six Guyanese nationals with lengthy jail terms for piracy in the country’s territorial waters.

Churmandatt Sookdeo, Stevie Latchman and Tony Sookwah were sent to prison for 12 years each while their fellow countrymen Philbert Cush, Winston Bidesi and Junior Sookhoo were slapped with a 14 years jail term.

The sentences were in accordance with the demands of prosecutor Cynthia Klein.

The men were found guilty of several charges including armed robbery, abduction and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Judge Iwan Rasoelbaks showed no mercy, saying that the criminals have terrorized their victims. Several of the victims might be traumatized for life if they don’t receive professional help, he noted.

“Could you imagine the fear of the victims. These suspects have no compassion, simply because they are after money. Therefore we need to hand down harsh sentences in order to prevent this to happen in the future. On the other hand we need to discourage other to commit these acts,” said the magistrate.

The gang was captured red handed by local police officers during an attack on a yacht off the Surinamese coast. The vessel was occupied by eight Surinamese nationals.

Testimonies indicated that the victims were tied up, brutally beaten and threatened with cutlasses, firearms and other weapons. During the robbery they were also threatened with death.

During the trial, evidence surfaced that the pirates seized money, mobile phones and the outboard engine of the yacht.

The attack was foiled however after one of the victims succeeded in getting help. When police arrived at the scene, four of the attackers had already fled while the two remaining pirates were arrested on board the yacht.

The four fugitives were captured as a result of follow-up investigations.

For several years the coast of Suriname and Guyana has been terrorized by bandits, who attack fishermen, seizing their catch, nets, fuel, outboard engines and other valuables. In most attacks the victims have been beaten, while several were killed or thrown overboard.

Only in a few cases law enforcement agencies from both countries have succeeded in capturing and bringing suspects to justice since the culprits have managed to elude the authorities either by hiding in Guyana or Suriname.

The biggest achievement of the Government, says President Jagdeo
Moving Guyana from bankruptcy to financial stability
By Tajeram Mohabir
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo is contending that the biggest achievement of his Government since assuming power in 1992 is moving Guyana from a state of bankruptcy to financial viability.

Mr. Jagdeo expressed this view in remarks to the 19th Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) Delegates Congress Saturday last at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Greater Georgetown.

“Not the many hospitals that we have built, as important as they are, not the many schools that we have built or rehabilitated, as important as they are, or the roads or the bridges or the housing programme, as important as that is to the realisation of the dreams of thousands of our people”.

“But the only way we could have done all of these things is because we took the tough decision at the right time. So when we were using, like Jamaica, some 94 per cent of revenue to service debt, we are using four per cent today, lower than most countries in the world,” he pointed out, drawing resounding applause from the gathering.

This, the Guyanese Head of State said, was significant; and it did not happen because the country received some US $1.5 B debt relief from abroad; but the Government paid back over US $1.5 B of its debt in the last 15 years.

“You know what we can do with that? Fix every road in Guyana and all the hospitals and schools in Guyana, and build the hydro and increase pensions, put a big chunk of money into NIS to increase workers’ pensions, and do a hundred other things.

“But where would we have been had we just spent the money without paying back our debts. We would have been in the same situation today,” Mr. Jagdeo reasoned.

He underlined too that Guyana’s capacity to face the crisis has been greatly enhanced as there is a smaller fiscal deficit than before, interest rates have come down, the exchange rate is relatively stable, inflation is controlled and debt is not such a big burden on the budget.

The President also noted that this year’s budget was bigger that last year’s, with more money being channeled into the social sector--- in education, health and particularly housing and water, to expand benefits to the populace.

Mr. Jagdeo said the various sectors are interconnected and Government has to ensure that all are progressing.

On this point, he stressed it is wrong for sugar workers to say that they are only interested in the sugar industry.

The Head of State said the five hospitals built by the Government, notably the one at Port Mourant in Berbice, will serve the entire country.

“Every single person in Guyana who has a problem with his eyes can go there and fix it for free. When they had to pay $150,000 in the past to fix one eye and $300,000 to fix both eyes if they had cataracts, they can get that done for free!

“And we have said that we are extending this to the rest of the Caribbean for free, as soon as we have gotten rid of the cases in Guyana,” he reiterated.

These developments, the President said, positively impact the lives of sugar workers, likewise the workers from other industries.

He noted that currently there are 150 doctors in the public health system and this year alone, an additional 65 have been added to that list; and with Cuban assistance, a further 300 will join the system in 2011.

“ It means that they will be coming not to the hospitals anymore, because we plan to go to people’s homes, we want to have family medicine, we want them to go to each village and have a database of all of the families there...to improve people’s care right in their homes.

“In education, we have spent billions of dollars, over $ 20 B. We have one of the highest expenditure to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio in the world in the education sector. That benefits your children too, so you have to be interested in it.

“And 80,000 house lots in a country of 200,000 households. Eighty thousand house lots being given out by the state and with some 30,000 houses built, is a major shift in people achieving their dreams and we plan to work until the day that every Guyanese owns his or her own home,” the President promised.

“You have to be concerned that this country continues to generate wealth and that it has the appropriate policy direction so that in five years from now, we are richer that we are today, and 10 years from now, we are significantly richer,” Mr. Jagdeo emphasised.

Hururu residents

The horrific road carnage continues to plague us

After a lull in fatal road accidents earlier in the year we have once again began to experience a series of horrific accidents on our roadways despite a redoubling of efforts by the police to curb the road carnage.

Last Sunday alone we had four road fatalities from two separate accidents-one at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and the other at Friendship, East Bank Demerara. The former snuffing out the lives of two young children while the later resulted in the demise of an elderly couple.

These tragedies came on the heels a series of others over the last few months.

These are some of the headlines of stories on fatal accidents this newspaper carried during this month and July: Vendor killed at: Anandale Market (August 5); Three friends killed in early morning car crash (August 1); Cyclist killed at Liverpool, Corentyne (July 29); Six-year old killed in Corentyne accident; Road fatality at Wismar (July 27); La Jalousie man dies in Crane accident (July 14); taxi driver killed in car, Canter collision (July 8). This makes an incredible total of 13 persons killed on our roads in July and August alone and the latter is not finished as yet.

The immediate pain, suffering, agony and devastation these tragedies cause are immeasurable and unimaginable. However, worse yet is that they leave an indelible emotional/psychological trauma on the loved ones left behind for the rest of their lives, from which many do not recover. Life is too precious for it to be lost in such preventable circumstances but only because of the carelessness, recklessness, callousness and disregard for the safety and well being of others.

Drivers have to be sober, responsible, careful individuals who have care and concern for the lives and limbs of others. Unfortunately, a large proportion of our drivers today do not fit such a description and the result has been continuous loss of lives and limbs at an alarming rate for a population as small as ours.

But while this excruciating road carnage continues to plague us we are still to find a way to curb it. So what is the solution? Some will contend stiffer traffic laws and penalties; some will call for more patrols; some will make a case for better training of drivers; some will urge implementation of greater safety measures on our roads. All of these measures do have merit and collectively will definitely help to stop this carnage on our roads.

However, even with all the above in place if the attitude of road users is not dramatically changed to one of care, consideration and respect for the lives and limbs of our fellow road users then we will get nowhere in curbing this most unfortunate problem.

This carefree and reckless approach to driving is a microcosm of a general descent into lawlessness in our society. When we look around we see the increasing use of indecent language, disrespect for the elderly, boisterousness, vulgarity, discourtesy and ill manners among a host of others.

But changing attitudes is not an easy task especially in today’s society when many attempt to turn wrongs into right and to justify it. Even some of the music today is infected with indecent language, violence and vulgarity.

Changing attitudes in the right direction is not only the responsibility of the government as some are wont to erroneously believe. It has to be the responsibility of the entire society including parents, NGOS, teachers, leaders from all walks of life and individuals etc.

Lawlessness of any sort is a severe impediment to the socio-economic transformation of any society, and if it is not curbed it could become cancerous and destroy the foundation of civilised society. And in this regard we should not be involved in blame throwing but rather every individual and entity should see themselves as agents of positive change as we seek to address the problems of our country and lead it towards the journey of peace, progress and prosperity.

We should take heed of the words of our great national poet Martin Carter: “All are involved, all are consumed”.

The PNC Congress may implode
By Dr. Randy Persaud
IT has been reported that a group within the PNCR is calling for the postponement of the 16th triennial congress scheduled for this week end. This is a serious development of national proportions and should be closely followed.

There are reports that some candidates for the leadership of the PNC are expressing grave doubts about the transparency of the upcoming leadership contest. Specific concerns are as follows – (1) that the membership list is flawed because of padding through inclusion of non-financial members, and of persons who have no connection to the PNC; the names of dead persons are apparently on the list as well; and (2) that candidates do not have sufficient access to the said membership list, and as a result, there is not sufficient confidence that the list is indeed clean (see Guyana Chronicle, August 17).

Guyanese should be deeply concerned about this development because the PNC is the main opposition party. If this skullduggery persists, the PNC would lose its ability to represent its constituencies with any moral integrity.

Worse yet for the party, this would allow the AFC to again claim that it is the main opposition, a claim that is preposterous at the moment.

The PNC should be extremely careful about these matters because of its long legacy of rigged elections. I would grant that at times these practices of rigging were done with some finesse and sophistication, but for the most part, it was the rigging that was transparent above all else.

Many folks in the PNC (and for that matter the AFC and WPA) think that it is a red herring to bring up the PNC’s mastery of rigging elections, but the issue is still pertinent. Here is why. How do you entertain any kind of discussion about governance with a party that refuses to learn?

At one level the imminent ‘victory’ of Corbin is bad for the country as a whole. Yet, there is something equally hurtful about this. This is about fairness to PNC contestants such as Murray, Norton, Van-West Charles, and others, who have given so much to their party. Party members should insist that the PNC holds a transparent election, even if just this time around.

I call on Lincoln Lewis and his supporters to publicly declare where they stand on this issue. Does Lewis want, or don’t want a transparent election this weekend at the PNC Congress?

The trick of silence would not do this time. Lewis owes it to the Guyanese people and the international community who are regular recipients of his noisy activism.

Where is the trade union movement now? Where is the voice of labour regarding free and fair elections in the PNC?

The international community and the GHRA must take note of the complicity of many so-called activists for democracy who have lost their voices on the PNC irregularities.

I have a strong belief that if there is indeed a free and fair ballot at the triennial congress Van-West Charles or Murray might do very well. But given the track record and the protests from within the party, I doubt they will ever really know how many votes they really got.

Southward Bound is the Key
By R.O. Bostwick
‘The world is now moving with tsunamic speed and ferocity.
Do not let Guyana be swept away into oblivion. Let us populate the interior not only with Guyanese but also with pioneers from around the Globe.’
THE United States will always remain a permanent monument to the world and living testimony of what could be achieved through pioneering spirit and the will to achieve the almost impossible.

Students of history will be aware of the movements westwards of early settlers in quest of riches and a better life that beckoned those who dared to venture west against fearful odds that included, but were not limited to hostile territory filled with wild animals, fierce native Indian tribes and the military of rival European nations competing to get a piece of the cake.

There were also greedy men seeking gold and other precious minerals, and others out to grab the most fertile land for cattle and farms. But by far the most dangerous threat was the hordes of warring tribes that asked no quarter and gave none.

Notwithstanding so numerous imponderables that also included burning of homesteads, scalping, torture, slaughter of entire communities and even whole battalions of troops, the West was slowly but surely tamed.

And today there are prosperous States and beautiful Cities where untamed jungles once stood and where many fierce and bloody battles were fought.

The moot question is what is there to stop pioneers of Guyana from going Southward into its deep bowels that hold untold opportunities and abundant wealth?

I spent three years with Aroaima Mining Company as Personnel Manager and those years were perhaps the very best of my life.

The Hinterland got a hold on me that was almost like ‘crazy glue’.

I was amazed at what Reynolds Metal Company had done in less than seven years. They built a lovely township called Mapletown with well laid out roads that were well-kept all year round.

Electricity was generated from a mobile plant that supplied power to the bauxite mine site and the entire community. It was operated by the press of a button and not by scores of workers – only a lone Security Guard had to be around.

In those three years I only experienced ‘black outs’ when I returned to Georgetown on my occasional trips.

Water from the taps was clean and wholesome to drink so there was absolutely no need to boil it. The air was pure and healthy.

The entire community was well-disciplined and everyone knew everybody by ‘First Name’ or ‘Nick Name’. I have a broad smile on my face when I recall that my ‘Nick Name’ was ‘Five Star’.

It was real life in an excellent natural atmosphere, especially when you woke up to find a deer lying on your front porch and a wide variety of exotic birds chirping as they flew overhead.

Now if we cannot harness the Interior by ourselves, certainly we ought to have partnerships from abroad to join with us.

In days gone by pioneers came from Barbados, St Luica and Grenada in particular and went straight into the Hinterland to settle and search for gold and do farming.

The Brazilians are very interested because they have the pioneering spirit. Then let us go Southward and establish townships like Mapletown as Reynolds did at Aroaima.

And finally there is certainly no good reason why Guyana cannot enter into an arrangement with the United Nations to relocate skilled displaced persons and refugees from around the world in our hinterland.

I recall that there had been a proposal at the end of the Second World War to resettle the Jews in the Rupununi.

But this was aborted by the British, perhaps for good reason. We need to have more forward planning if we are not to revert to the Dark Ages.

The world is now moving with tsunamic speed and ferocity.

Do not let Guyana be swept away into oblivion. Let us populate the interior not only with Guyanese but also with pioneers from around the Globe.

It was the skills from many nations that helped make the United States the most powerful nation on Earth.

The Observer
After 10 years, success breeds enemies
‘Guyana has been transformed for the better as a result of the PPP and President Jagdeo. This is a fact. This, along with the immense popularity of the President as confirmed by the NACTA polls, has driven fear into the Opposition; fear that Guyanese will once again reject them at the polls.’
THERE is much in the media landscape pertaining to President Jagdeo’s ten years in Office.

Let me rephrase that. There is much in the Opposition media pertaining to President Jagdeo’s ten years in Office. In the two articles preceding this one, I showed the strategic alliance between the Opposition and some media houses.

This alliance is not just of convenience, but mutual in their quest to tarnish the reputation of the President and his government.

The Opposition, through their media associates, has attempted to paint a bleak picture of Guyana and, by extension, casting aspersion on the President.

When their rabid diatribes are analysed, bleak picture and aspersion seem an understatement.

On the 10th anniversary of the President in Office which was observed last week, a few skewed articles to analyse those ten years appeared in sections of the media.

What is interesting is the two that appeared in the Kaieteur News and the Stabroek News. Before touching on these, readers need to be reminded as to who are speaking on behalf of the Opposition in the media.

There are some known geriatrics with regards to their long association to the Opposition. By long, I mean since the PPP won the general elections in 1992.

Some of these include Channel 9 now officially named “Hoyte-Blackman Television”, Prime News, Capitol News, Freddie Kissoon, CN Sharma and the Stabroek News.

Some others who are no longer visible in this regard include Anthony Vieira, Clem David and Roger Moore, barring a few sporadic letters from the latter. Mark Benschop, who once dominated prime time on Channel 9, no longer seems to have a fixed place of abode in the media.

However, his vile pronouncements are being facilitated in the media houses mentioned. The latest being the Stabroek News of Saturday, August 15, 2009, which allocated a half page to present his diatribes along with that of Lincoln Lewis and Norris Witter.

Others who are not part of the media, but who spare no effort to vilify the administration, include, the GTUC, Patrick Yarde, Rickford Burke, Eric Phillips and the ever-hopping opportunistic politician cum columnist, Peter Ramsaroop. The Kaieteur News has officially joined this clique.

The articulations of these associates of the Opposition are synchronised and orchestrated in an effort to destabilise the government. For some, the reason for this alliance to the Opposition is fairly obvious; for others, not so. Or, is it deliberately withheld?

Briefly, the following cannot be disputed. Channel 9 is owned by a former Health Minister of the Hoyte regime. This relationship has led to Hoyte’s name being part of the station’s identity.

This explains the anti-government bashing through programmes and Prime News. Prime News editor, Adam Harris, was once the Editor-in-Chief of the Guyana Chronicle under Hoyte.

The gunmen are dead. The fear that gripped this country has dissipated. Why is it that the Opposition and their media faction are so obsessed with the demise of these ruthless men? Is it that they prefer the wanton rampage to continue? Is it that they prefer Guyanese to live in fear? Is it because they have lost alleged henchmen?

Whatever the reasons, it is clear that the President and his government has been extremely successful in transforming this country into a better place having inherited a bankrupt State seventeen years ago.

This success will naturally breed enemies. It is part of life. That is why the vile and venomous diatribes of the Opposition and their colleagues in sections of the media, will continue.

He doubles as Editor of the Kaieteur News. He was also the Editor of the New Nation, the paper of the PNC! Enrico Woolford, owner/Editor-in-Chief of Capitol News was once the Head of GTV, now NCN and Clem David was once the News Room Editor of the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation all under Hoyte, some under Burnham.

These three, who have never accepted a PPP government, enjoyed immense privileges through their jobs under the PNC regime. They never envisaged the dawn of democracy in 1992.

Following this and their loss of extravagance provided by the PNC when in government, they stayed true to a proclamation Hoyte made whilst President to dedicate his life to ensure that the late Dr. Jagan do not ascend to the Presidency of Guyana.

The electorate, in the first free and fair elections in 28 years, returned the PPP to government embarrassing Hoyte in the process.

Following the return to freedom which was ushered in with the PPP administration in 1992, Capitol News and Prime news were born. Sharma’s Channel 6, which was established in 1991 reportedly under the pretext of glorifying Hoyte, was used by Clem David to propagate his anti-government vile.

Seventeen years after, Harris and Woolford have continued their anti-government tirade.

Health has prevented David from doing so for over the last year or so. Sharma’s attempts to hoodwink the populace on humanitarian grounds were revealed following the Mahaica/Mahaicony floods in the mid-nineties when numerous allegations of impropriety with regards to the receipt of money and goods destined for victims, surfaced.

He subsequently officially entered the political arena by forming a Party. Sharma was a member of the CREEP (Committee for the Re-election of the President) when Hoyte was seeking another term in 1992. His anti-government rants which have gotten more rabid today, can so be explained.

The Stabroek News, which professes to be unbiased in its reporting, has, by its biased reporting, aligned itself with the Opposition. Over the years, they have not been subtle in its condemnation of government. Freddie Kissoon became bitter at the government after his choice for a senior position at the University of Guyana was not facilitated.

This, along with him not receiving duty-free concession, caused him to brand the administration of being an “elected dictatorship”.

He would have considered Guyana democratic if his candidate (who he probably wanted to manipulate) for the UG position was adhered to, and if he had gotten the concession to which he is not entitled. His case is a classic example of narrow-mindedness and “sour grapes”.

In the case of the others, Vieira has been a long associate of the PNC before becoming one of their Members of Parliament.

Peter Ramsaroop was a member of the PNC before forming his own Party and being currently associated with the AFC.

Rickford Burke is a former Special Assistant to Hoyte. Patrick Yarde is a known anti-government trade unionist closely associated with the PNCR.

Eric Phillips was an integral member of the Reform wing which is reflected in the name of the PNCR.

The Kaieteur News has now joined this anti-government band-wagon. The Observer is in receipt of information which can explain this association. The information is being verified. However, as like Kissoon, it points to another case of “sour grapes”. The tirades of Benschop, Lewis and Witter need no explanation.

The aforesaid description is to re-sensitise readers, both locally and internationally, about the few who daily chastise the administration. Given their political alliance, there is no way that their analyses can be objective.

Their views are thus tainted. This tainted view is an apparatus for the political Opposition. By extension, any analysis of the President’s execution of his duties by those mentioned will reflect the whims and fancies of the Opposition. It will never be fair and accurate.

On examination of the related articles and opinions, a fixation with a current court case in New York is pellucid. An obsession with the deaths of merciless gunmen, who wreaked havoc following the 2002 jailbreak, is also clear. Why?

Why not talk about the numerous developments which Guyana has undergone during this period? Why not talk about the economic growth and stability the country enjoys despite a global recession? Why not talk about the thousands of Guyanese who now own their own homes as a result of government’s housing program?

Why not talk about the many hospitals, health centres, schools and roads that were built? Space would not permit me to list all the positive things that were made possible by the PPP administration through the astute leadership of President Jagdeo.

The reason why the Opposition and their cohorts in the media would not talk about the President’s achievements, but will clutch at straws from the court case, is because they are afraid.

They are afraid that they will be embarrassed if they were to honestly relate to their supporters these many developments and achievements; embarrassed because it will show the lack of achievement of the PNC regime; embarrassed because the PPP do not need to boast since the evidence is there for all to see.

The fact that elections are fast approaching in 2011, the Opposition and their media cronies have nothing of substance which they can deem as “bad” to tell their supporters regarding the development of the social and physical infrastructure.

Guyana has been transformed for the better as a result of the PPP and President Jagdeo. This is a fact. This, along with the immense popularity of the President as confirmed by the NACTA polls, has driven fear into the Opposition; fear that Guyanese will once again reject them at the polls.

The gunmen are dead. The fear that gripped this country has dissipated. Why is it that the Opposition and their media faction are so obsessed with the demise of these ruthless men? Is it that they prefer the wanton rampage to continue? Is it that they prefer Guyanese to live in fear? Is it because they have lost alleged henchmen?

Whatever the reasons, it is clear that the President and his government has been extremely successful in transforming this country into a better place having inherited a bankrupt State seventeen years ago.

This success will naturally breed enemies. It is part of life. That is why the vile and venomous diatribes of the Opposition and their colleagues in sections of the media, will continue.

Guyanese are now free. They are no longer under the brutal regime of the PNC. They can think and analyse for themselves. They can see the successes. That’s why the PNCR’s calls for protest, echoed by their media arm, have been ignored. Don’t be distracted fellow country men and women. Don’t be distracted Mr. President. Continue with the success.

Kissoon’s paranoia and abnormalities
I would like to apply consistency to my highlight of Freddie Kissoon’s paranoia which seems to be related to his exposure to and grooming in a combination of biological, psychological and environmental abnormalities.

Even though I bring to the public’s attention Freddie’s case, I am in no way rejoicing over the ‘unfortunism’ some people become victim to.

I am sensitive to the reality of some human beings whose brains suffer from misuse or dysfunction.

Understanding normal and abnormal behaviors allow us to identify the difference between those who are brilliant against the dullards.

I therefore take this opportunity to share with you the encyclopedic version which highlights interesting aspects of behavioral science.

Biological factors involved in mental illness?

“Some mental illnesses have been linked to an abnormal balance of special chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters help nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other. If these chemicals are out of balance or are not working properly, messages may not make it through the brain correctly, leading to symptoms of mental illness. In addition, defects in or injury to certain areas of the brain have also been linked to some mental conditions.”

Other biological factors that may be involved in the development of mental illness include:

Genetics (heredity), Infections; Brain defects or injury; Prenatal damage; Substance abuse; Other factors.

Psychological factors that may contribute to mental illness?
Severe psychological trauma suffered as a child, such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse

· An important early loss, such as the loss of a parent

· Neglect

· Poor ability to relate to others

Environmental factors that may contribute to mental illness?
Certain stressors can trigger an illness in a person who is susceptible to mental Illness. These stressors include:

· Death or divorce

· A dysfunctional family life

· Living in poverty

· Feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, anxiety, anger, or loneliness

· Changing jobs or schools

· Social or cultural expectations (For example, a society that associates beauty with thinness can be a factor in the development of eating disorders.)

· Substance abuse by the person or the person's parents
KWAME MC COY

Wonder if Freddie knows people see him as a comic
I am currently in Stockholm, Sweden. Do you know people who know about Guyana are laughing at us because of a character by the name Freddie Kissoon? Around the globe, people know him as a comic and a failed academician. This fella is lacking in academic credentials. Do you know this fella does not have a solid academic background and does not comprehend social science or natural science concepts? Anyone who is a specialist in a field will tell you Freddie does not understand concepts. He also has a tendency to distort facts and create great myths. In fact, he is an expert at creating fantasies and myths. Most of his writings are fiction. He is a great fiction writer and I have just nominated him for the Nobel Prize in fictional literature while in Oslo last week. Freddie’s colleagues tell me he has an academic complex and a low self esteem probably because so many of his peers and younger people have achieved higher academic status than him. Freddie tries to make up for his academic failures by attacking others who have achieved higher than him and by pontificating on concepts which he does not understand. He misleads readers about these concepts which I will address in another missive.

This chap has a daily column which he abuses spitting venom at people he envies. It is unfortunate that KN gives him a license to pen lies and unsubstantiated allegations. Almost all of his claims are without merit and have repeatedly disproven. Yet he persists hoping that his mud will stick on the people he attacks unjustifiably.

Since Freddie can hardly prove any of the allegations he makes against others, one must not take him seriously as I have been repeatedly advised by respected Guyanese. Even Guyanese who like Freddie say “don’t take him on”.

Freddie frequently complains that writers in the Guyana Chronicle abuse him in the letters section. This is exactly what he has been doing to others. The abuses Freddie delivers to others (including me) far exceeds those from any media house. This is the same chap who says Guyana is a dictatorship and there is no press freedom in Guyana. Yet there is no gag to his abuses and unsubstantiated charges.

KN has to take action to stop Freddie from using the paper to get even with others and to make Guyana a laughing stock. The paper should be used to educate and inform not to propagandise as Freddie has been doing daily against people more qualified than him. It is not too long from now that people will take the paper to court to stop Freddie’s abuses. I let him roll in faeces which he likes. He is Willy, the Pig.

The paper also needs to take actions against Freddie for making Guyana the laughing stock of the world. Guyanese are good, fun people. The Swedish people talked about their positive experiences in Guyana. A few of them talked about choke and rob. But they remember Freddie, the comic, the most. When they want to laugh, they said they read his column. They roll in laughter for the chap pens so many inaccuracies. I wonder if Freddie knows people see him as a comic.
VISHNU BISRAM

It is bread and butter versus intellectual comfort
DANIEL Singh’s letter “Daniel’s worldview is shaped solely by the Lion of Judah” of 07-08-09 refers. Daniel has taken to writing in riddles but it is clear that he is now shifting to Rastafarianism.

The Lion of Judah is the well-known emblem and symbol of the Rastafarian religion. The “Lion of Judah” is synonymous with Rastafarianism. Daniel has now jumped on the Rasta limb and this time he could assume the appellation of ‘Ras Daniel Singh’. Rastafarianism is antithetical to fundamentalism from which Daniel seems to be moving away with the rise of the Hindu underground in his psyche manifesting his halting acceptance of the sciences. Indeed, Daniel claims that his ‘philosophy’ accepts history, archaeology and the biological sciences and as such rejects the Hebraic myth that the world was created in 4004BC as well as the Adam and Eve myth.

Daniel bemoans that he is entrapped in the lion’s den. He could come out by disclosing his authenticity as a pastor, the name of the Bible school he attended, the name of his church and the size of his congregation and where it is. His refusal to disclose this legitimate information keeps him entrapped with the lion threatening to maul him.

But I must alert Daniel that funds from American fundamentalist sources will soon dry up if it is felt that a recipient is moving towards the spiritual and intellectual explorations and broad tolerance of Hinduism or the open attitude of mainstream Christian churches or the vibrant freedom and free-for-all of Rastafarianism. Daniel needs to do some immediate damage control and loudly reiterate and proclaim his commitment to fundamentalism with its narrowness, illogicalities, hatreds and contempt for other faiths, its cultivation of poverty among its followers, and its rejection of the sciences, history, archeology and even modern medicine. It is a question of bread and butter versus spiritual and intellectual comfort and freedom.
KALANDAR BAKSH

Journalists represent those who can’t scream
I DON'T possess the credentials of an accredited journalist, but it has long been a profession that I have an internal passion for. The main reason is because journalists represent the ones who can't scream loud enough and it's the risks and danger involved in having those screams heard.

This forum helps me in many ways with my bits and hopefully down the line, I intend to embark on independent photo journalism because of being an adventurer.

It would be a joy for me to have the opportunity to run with something on The Ancient and first Olympic Sports venue.

The international renowned journalist that has impacted me over the years is none other than CNN American/Iranian Journalist, Christiane Amanpour.

She is just unique for the profession she represents.

On journalism, I was truly satisfied with the decision of the government of North Korea and the US entourage with the release of the two female journalists who were guests of the state.
T. PEMBERTON

Ram true to form
CHARTERED Accountant Christopher Ram, to the surprise of no one, was true to form, trying to embellish his non-partisan credentials by attempting to `chair’ a large gathering of 25 persons at a so-called civil society meeting at City Hall this week.

He lost all claims to being non-partisan by being a co-author of the manifesto of the People’s National Congress Reform for the 2006 general elections. He has not disavowed his connections with that party and cannot pretend he is a member of civil society which by definition and practice is supposed to be above partisan politics.

This means that the work done by his accounting firm now has to be seen in a new light, since he may be able to alter his assessments based on his political affiliations.

One wonders what will now happen with his firm’s affiliation with the Ernst and Young company?

If Ram felt so strongly about justice as he claimed at the `civil society’ forum at City Hall, he would not have prevented the some 3,000 small depositors of the Globe Trust and Investment Company Limited (GTICL) from getting their money back when it was being liquidated in 2002.

After the Government of Guyana sought liquidation of Globe Trust, Ram, representing the directors in the court case, blocked liquidating the firm, thereby frustrating payments to the depositors.

So how can he now pretend he is a fighter for justice?
TROY TYRELL

Some people will try anything to get into power
POOR Barack Obama, militant forces here in Guyana are trying to get him to fight for their cause, but the chap seems to have his own headaches to think about. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is reporting that right-wing militia groups in the United States, incensed by the election of the first black US president, are rising again after a decade in decline. In April of this year a government report warned that right-wing extremists are exploiting America’s economic woes and the election of a black man as recruiting tools for private armies.

President Obama has little need for activists in Guyana trying to use him as a champion to their cause of often made-up racial grievances. Imagine, some are even screaming about genocide and expect that foreign powers will take them seriously.

In Obama’s own country, the SPLC says, the latent rage of white supremacist culture is aimed especially at the federal government because it is presently headed by a black man. Obama has no time to play referee in an instigated racial conflict in some obscure South American republic such as ours.

Predictably, the activists in Guyana will say that their attempts at engaging Obama have nothing to do with racial power even though one wrote recently that Obama is closely watching the debate about Indian indentureship and Black slavery in Guyana.

It is not clear if the activists tried engaging Bill Clinton and George W. Bush in their imagined cause. Or how about the influential Jimmy Carter? Carter played an important role in Guyana’s democratic process in the past. Have the activists approached him?

No? I wonder why they chose the Obama administration instead.

These people, it seems, will try anything except the right thing to get themselves into power in Guyana.

They can exclude the American president from their racial scheming, not only does Mr. Obama have his own very serious problems to resolve, but this brilliant man will see right through their appeal to “kith and kin”, even if they try to dress it up as something else. Screaming genocide might get some attention, but what will happen when people realise that you’re trying to lie your way to political power?
JUSTIN de FREITAS.

Was it Lewis who objected to resolution at opposition parties meeting?
“THE opposition group ups fight for probe of Govt-Khan ties”, the Stabroek News highlighted in its Friday 14 August edition and Andre Haynes reported what took place at the meeting held at City Hall, Georgetown.

Haynes reported that the resolution supporting then demand for an international Commission of Enquiry to carry out a fair and impartial investigation was passed “with near unanimous support as only one person objected.” The names of several persons were mentioned as being present, but the person who objected to the resolution was not identified. Was this person a government agent or spy who went intended to create confusion among the opposition?

I note that Kaieteur News made no reference to any objection raised, but the Chronicle made reference to the presence of General Secretary of the Caribbean Labour Union, Mr Lincoln Lewis, who is reported to have said that the meeting was just another talk shop that would have little or no results. The newspaper further reported that Lewis’s statement was met with great opposition from PNCR Leader Robert Corbin.

Can the Editor of Stabroek News tell us whether Lincoln Lewis was the person his paper referred to who objected to the resolution, and if that is so, why Mr. Lewis was not identified? It seems as if the policy of Stabroek News is to publish only what the opposition parties proclaim, and ignore the views of prominent and respectable Guyanese whose views may run counter to them?
BRIAN JORDAN

Practice and custom becomes law
I NOTE the response of Mr. Anil Nandlall, Attorney-at-Law and a PPP member of Parliament, to my criticism of the PPP of Magistrate Cave in rejecting the alleged confession statement of David Leander.

Mr. Nandlall made the following points—

(a) The statement of the PPP opined that the ruling of the learned Magistrate consisted from the current legal practice and procedure and considered the same to be extraordinary.

(b) The statement advanced no contention either expressly or by implication that the learned Magistrate was influenced by any improper motives.

(c) That I did not cite any legal authorities for my contention that the magistrate was correct to reject the alleged confession.

(d) Mr. Nandlall then cited some cases and writings in support of the contention of the PPP that the voluntariness of a confession statement is to be determined at the trial in the High Court.

The statement of the PPP as reported in the Weekend Mirror of the 18-19 July, 2009 read in part as follows and I quote “In the circumstances, we, therefore, view the departure from this legal practice and procedure by the learned magistrate as extraordinary—to say the least. Our only hope and desire is for justice to prevail”.

There clearly is an implication that the learned magistrate departed from what was normal and or legal. The innuendo that was left hanging in the air was that there was much more than meets the eye. What is meant by the words “to say the least”?

It is no good to kiss a person on one cheek and then immediately slap the other cheek. I would hope that any future criticism of any member of the judiciary would not by implication leave sullied innuendos. I am not advocating that there should not be criticisms of the judiciary but they must be constructive and not leave anyone guessing as to what the implications are!

I would now wish to get to the most important part of Mr. Nandlall’s letter that I was wrong. A preliminary inquiry is in essence a trial and at the end of the evidence of the prosecution and defence, a magistrate will commit an accused for trial in the High Court if there is a sufficiency of evidence.

A magistrate in the proceedings has to determine whether any evidence put forward by the prosecution is admissible and there are rules to determine this. As regards a confession statement the classic formulation of the principle applicable is found in the case of Ibrahim v R (1914) AC 599 where Lord Sumner stated “ It has long been established as a positive rule of English criminal law that no statement by an accused is admissible in evidence against him unless it is shown by the prosecution to have been a voluntary statement in the sense that it has not been obtained from him either by fear or prejudice or hope of advantage exercised or held out by a person in authority”.

If the only evidence at the preliminary inquiry is an alleged confession statement and an objection is taken as to its admissibility, then it is incumbent for the magistrate to hold a voire dire. This is a trial within the trial and here the magistrate can make findings of facts as if he believes or is left in a state of doubt as to whether an accused person was beaten, tortured, coerced ,threatened and or forced to give a statement, he can refuse to admit it in evidence. Once an objection is taken as to the admissibility of a confession, the magistrate has to rule on the objection.

This has been the practice in Guyana for decades and this practice can be considered to have become part of our law. There have been a multitude of cases over the years where alleged confession statements have been rejected at preliminary inquiries. Mr. Nandlall was also reminding me the other day that Mr. Doodnauth Singh S.C. was successful, some years ago, in having the confession statement rejected at the preliminary inquiry of the murder of the late president of the Guyana Bar Association Mrs. Pearlene Roach and as that was the only evidence against the accused, he was discharged and set free.

I challenge Mr. Nandlall to produce any local case that prohibits a magistrate from holding a voire dire where the only evidence is the alleged confession statement. All the cases that are reported in relation to voire dires and as to the duty of a judge are those cases in the High Court, as no case where a confession was thrown out and an accused set free is reported.

The practice which has been concretized cannot be thrown out at the whims and fancy of any individual and or entity who is dissatisfied. Laws which the courts recognize are made by parliament, precedent, custom and practice. Guyana is an independent country and we have developed our own customs and practice which can and do have the force of law.

The case of Watson v Fernandes CCJ Appeal No Cv2 of 2006 bears reference to this point. The judgment at paragraph 26 states as follows—“This Court would ordinarily be reluctant to depart from established culture and practice. However, where that practice and culture are premised upon interpretation of the relevant rules of court and the matter is argued before us, we must give what we consider to be the correct interpretation of the rules”.

“ The common law in its ultimate origin was merely the custom of the King’s courts; the regular routine which they developed in the administration of justice became settled and known, and therefore served as the basis upon which people can forecast with some certainty the future decisions of the courts. The growth of such a custom depends to some extent upon the habit of following precedents, although it is more than likely that this development took place quite unconsciously”—page three hundred and forty two from the book Concise History of the Common Law by Theodore Plucknett.

“Deductions thus formed, and established in the adjudication of particular cases, become, in a manner, part of the text of the law. Succeeding judges receive them as such, and, in general, consider themselves as bound to adhere to them no less strictly than to the express dictates of the legislature”, page twenty nine from the book Potter’s Outlines of English History by A. K. R. Kiralfy.

Thus from the fore-mentioned one can see that practice and custom as is obtained in the courts of an independent Guyana will be treated as law unless there is some Act of Parliament to the contrary. There is no law from our Parliament that states a voire dire in relation to a confession statement should not be done by a magistrate in a preliminary inquiry and that this is only to be done in the High Court. The practice and custom that have developed over the years in our courts in relation to voire dires are and should be accepted as our law. They have been by our judiciary over the years!

Mr. Nandlall referred to the book Commonwealth Caribbean Criminal Practice and Procedure by Dana Seetahal. When one reads that chapter one will see that it is a generalisation and no reference was made to any local case either in Guyana or the Caribbean which condemned a magistrate from holding a voire dire. This is also the same position as regards comments made by Mr. Ramdani in his book.

I would therefore be grateful if Mr. Nandlall could refer me to any case from Guyana where it has been held that a magistrate, in a preliminary inquiry, was wrong to have rejected an alleged confession as not being voluntary and moreso where there was no other evidence. Failing this, he can refer me to any case in the Caribbean in which his contention obtains.

Could Mr. Nandlall also say how many voire dires he has done in the magistrates court? If he has, then his statement is contradictory and only self serving as a politician.
K.A. JUMAN-YASSIN
Attorney-at-Law

A report a year overdue is less than desirable
ON January 15, 2008 and February 7, 2008 my premises, occupied by my parents, one of whom is infirm, was bombarded by Molotov cocktails. The police at the Anna Regina Police Station describe the incident as attempted felony, since purportedly there was no incendiary evidence.

According to the investigators at the Anna Regina Police Station, one of two files is lodged there while another - the analyst’s report on the evidence collected- is yet to be returned from Georgetown. This report is necessary for continued investigations on the Essequibo Coast. Hypothetically, evidence collected may have taken, no more than a week following the respective incidents, to be dispatched to the analyst in Georgetown. Such evidence, therefore, has been in Georgetown presumably for more than a year to date, still awaiting a report.

My matter, compared to an actual malicious fire is criminally - inferior, but apparently not insignificant, since according to the Criminal Law Offences Act:

“Everyone who unlawfully and maliciously places or throws in, into, upon, under, against, or near any building, any explosive substance, with intent to destroy or damage any building… whether or not any explosion takes place, and whether or not any damage is actually caused, be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.”

There is a certain trauma which has accompanied these criminal acts, so as long as the investigations remain suspended and the felonies unsolved, the victims justifiably dread a repeat of such villainy.

I am not undiscerning of the slothfulness which characterizes some investigations, but I believe for a report to be a year overdue is less than desirable.

Hooligans who sought to torch my property, mindful of lives within, are still roaming free. Stalled investigations will empower anyone but the victims. The Guyana Police Force owes me better.
ROMAIN KHAN

Fraser secures Jamaican double in 100 metres
By Karolos Grohmann
BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) - Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser of Jamaica exploded from the blocks to win the world 100 metres title yesterday in 10.73 seconds, the joint third fastest women's run of all-time.

Compatriot Kerron Stewart took silver with American Carmelita Jeter snatching bronze.

As in last year's Olympics, Jamaica have won both blue-riband 100 metres events here after Usain Bolt smashed the world record to take the men's gold in 9.58 on Sunday.

"When he ran I said this boy is just not human at all. I went to bed thinking 'ok it is my time now'," Fraser told reporters.

The 22-year-old burst into the lead before thwarting a late challenge from Beijing Games joint silver medallist Stewart, who ran a personal best 10.75 and ended in Fraser's lane in the last steps.

"I know if I want to do the best race I have to work on my start," added Fraser. "The victory is no surprise to me and the time of 10.73 either.

PERFECT START
"I wanted to win, I made a perfect start and then executed well."

Her run-up to the championships was plagued by injuries, an appendix operation in April and a loss of confidence.

"Then I realised I had come so far and everyone around me was supporting me. I wanted to come back (after the Olympics) and win," said Fraser.

Jeter, who was also third at the 2007 world championships, claimed the bronze in 10.90 ahead of holder Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica.

The American ran a personal best of 10.83 to win her semi-final heat but was unable to keep up with the Jamaicans in the final.

Stewart said: "If I am going to run 10.75, my best, and get beat that just shows the (depth of the) field and shows Jamaica has taken track and field to a new and higher level."

Windies stick with depleted ODI squad for Champions Trophy
… Guyana’s Royston Crandon gets nod in 15-man team
AS expected, the West Indies selectors have named a squad without most of the leading players for the Champions Trophy in September, giving an indication that there might not be an early resolution to the long drawn-out contracts dispute.

The mediator in the impasse between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA), Sir Shridath Ramphal, had said that the ongoing negotiations between the disputing bodies in no way affected the obligation of the board to select the best available team for the Champions Trophy.

He had hoped that the row would be resolved by the end of August, but the retention of a makeshift team for the tournament implies that little headway has been made in resolving the problem.

Last month, a weakened 30-man pool had been chosen from among those players who declared themselves available for selection for the tournament within the deadline date. Daren Powell, the fast bowler who reportedly turned down the chance to be part of the West Indies side after Chris Gayle and Co. decided to strike, has been picked.

Floyd Reifer, who captained a depleted West Indies side in the Test and one-day series losses to Bangladesh recently, has been appointed as captain. There are three omissions from the squad that played the ODI series against Bangladesh - Devon Thomas, the wicketkeeper-batsman, fast bowler Nelon Pascal and leg-spinner Rawl Lewis.

The squad features two new inclusions; rookie Guyana batsman Royston Crandon receives his maiden international call-up while Chadwick Walton, who played the Tests against Bangladesh but was left out for the ODIs, earns a place.

West Indies squad: Floyd Reifer (capt.), Darren Sammy, David Bernard, Tino Best, Royston Crandon, Travis Dowlin, Andre Fletcher, Nikita Miller, Daren Powell, Kieran Powell, Dale Richards, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith, Gavin Tonge, Chadwick Walton (wkp.). (Cricinfo)

WICB on right wicket
By Sir Hilary Beckles
CRICKET journalists and academics are at odds in their interpretation of the current events taking place in West Indies cricket. Senior cricket journalists, academics are saying have not captured accurately the facts and principles. Academics have been silent in the press, though vocal in their circles.

I wear both hats, and indeed a third, as I have been invited onto the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to develop the cricket academy and to participate in President Hunte’s Cricket Strategic Planning. My opinions are shaped from these perspectives.

The players’ strike needs to be seen in the context of the state of West Indian democracy. Cricketers have refused to represent their nation in the international arena on account of pay and terms.

This has enormous implication for the process of governance and the meaning of citizenship. Our political leaders should think about this very carefully. If a citizen is well paid and respected, and his call to service is approved by law and civic values, should he refuse to represent his nation?

What we are seeing here is a clash of the traditional values of national representation with the new ultra-individualism unleashed by economic globalisation.

The new ideology is citizen first and nation second; cash before country. West Indies has the most vulnerable cricket culture in the global arena because the West Indian nation as a political construct is weakest, and therefore most at risk. Unless there is civic renewal among the youth, and a recommitment to the values of nation-building, cricket and country will crash as failed projects.

In this cash-driven instance, striking players represent that section of youth society that has lost its way; it is misled, misguided, and in need of re-education and political orientation in respect to the legacy of cricket. As a WIPA supporter I have shared this view with Mr Ramnarine.

My advice to him has been “negotiate and agitate but do not violate”. It was the same in 1998 when our well-paid players when on strike for more cash, disgracing the nation in the face of Mandela’s invitation. They got the cash and lost Test and ODI’s 11-0.

I have closely associated with the preparation of the Patterson Report. I was a part of the WICB meeting and sat in the Caricom Cricket committee chaired by PM Spencer of Antigua when the document was received. It is not true that the report was disregarded. The vast majority of its recommendations matched the objectives of the WICB Cricket Strategic Plan which I helped to prepare. They were welcomed and approved.

The central proposal of a Stakeholders Council was also approved, though not as authoritative over the WICB but as advisory to the WICB. A period of three years was set aside to monitor this arrangement with a view to further reforms. Also, the Cricket Stakeholders Conference was approved. Prof. Eddie Green of Caricom and I are currently working on this. President Hunte endorsed these recommendations.

Non-cricket agenda unfortunately surrounds the Patterson Report, some of which have been scuttled. News out of Trinidad and Tobago has also been misleading. While Directors Deryck Murray and Dr Sammy did not attend the AGM of the WICB both were reelected to the WICB on their request to serve for another term and have since been active in the discharge of WICB duties. Director Murray has been a keen supporter of the difficult decisions taken by the WICB in respect of the tough issues before it.

The toughest of these concerns the integration of all players into Test and ODI teams. Striking players have been asked to commit to West Indies cricket by playing in the regional competition, and by showing purpose.

This is a correct position. The fear is that many brilliant young cricket careers are currently in balance on WIPA’s scale, but these should not be lost on account of the politics of a “few dollars more”. The best of bargaining comes from seeing that the golden goose should not be imperilled.

The WICB needs the money to modernise. Its management is under-resourced and weak. At the moment six people are trying to manage the tasks which are done by over 50 persons in England and more than 80 in Australia. Without WIPA’s support this modernisation cannot be achieved. Nor will the funds be found to invest in youth cricket, clubs, and other critical support systems.

The WICB has adopted the Australian model: about one quarter of all revenues to go to players. This is a good development and should find consensus.

Meanwhile, the youngsters in Reifer’s care should be nourished because when the likes of Gayle have moved on, it is these players who will be called upon to rebuild of greatest West Indian project - CRICKET.

(Professor, Sir Hilary Beckles, CLR James Centre for Cricket Research, UWI).

Supreme Bekele claims fourth consecutive 10 000 title
… Gay pulls out of 200 metres
By Mitch Phillips
BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) - Jamaica's sprinting dominance continued in sizzling style yesterday when Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser clocked 10.73 seconds to win the women's world 100 metres, 24 hours after Usain Bolt's 9.58 in the men's event.

At the other end of the track spectrum, Kenenisa Bekele was again awesome as he won the 10 000 metres gold for the fourth time in a row but Yelena Isinbayeva's bid for a hat-trick of pole vault titles imploded when she failed to clear a height, allowing Poland's Anna Rogowska to take a shock gold.

Primoz Kozmus added the hammer world title to his Olympic crown and Cuba's Yargelis Savigne retained her triple jump title.

Spain's Marta Dominguez, 33, ran the final straight like a teenager to take gold in the women's steeplechase, waving her headband in the air as she crossed the line.

As in the Olympics, the sprints at the world championships have been turned into a local turf war between Jamaica and the United States and, as in Beijing, it is the yellow vests coming out on top.

Fraser was the fastest of the semi-finalists and exploded from the blocks in the final to win in 10.73 seconds.

Kerron Stewart made a late surge but finished two hundredths adrift and had to settle for silver, as she had in Beijing.

Only Florence Griffith-Joyner and Marion Jones have run faster than Fraser but she said she had expected something special.

"I made the perfect start and executed well," she said. "I left all the world behind me down there on the track."

America's Carmelita Jeter prevented a repeat of Jamaica's Olympic clean sweep as she took bronze in 10.90, edging defending champion Veronica Campbell-Brown into fourth.

BRILLIANT BEKELE
Bekele won the 10 000 the way he won the last three, as well as two Olympic gold, with a devastating last lap that this time left long-time rival Zersenay Tadese suddenly 30 metres adrift.

The Ethiopian had a moment of eye-popping panic when officials wrongly rang the bell for the second time as he crossed the finish line, but his time of 26 minutes 46.31 seconds confirmed he had matched compatriot Haile Gebrselassie's achievement of winning four successive titles.

The regularity of that sub-60 seconds final lap makes it no less impressive and the Berlin crowd, still abuzz from Bolt's performance on Sunday, rose in recognition of an athlete who rivals the Jamaican for quality, if not pizzazz.

Isinbayeva came to Berlin seeking a third successive world title having also won the last two Olympic gold and totally dominated the event for a decade.

As usual, she spent the first 90 minutes prone in her tracksuit with a towel over her face but when she did join the fray, instead of delivering her usual demolition job she looked sluggish and out of sorts.

She barely got off the ground attempting 4.75 metres then twice failed miserably at 4.80.

That left Rogowska the winner as the only woman to clear 4.75, with compatriot Monika Pyrek and American Johnson sharing silver with 4.65.

"I have no proper explanation of what happened," said the tearful Russian.

There is no question about the highlight of today's programme - the return to the track of Usain Bolt.

The Jamaican, proud owner of a 100 metres world record of 9.58 seconds, begins his assault on the 200 in morning heats but 2007 champion Tyson Gay, second in the 100, will not be there having withdrawn with a groin injury.

There are medals on the table for the men's steeplechase, 400m hurdles and triple jump as well as the women's 400m and javelin.

Rastas and Baldheads to clash this Saturday
THE third biennial Masters Football Classic known as ‘Rasta v Baldhead’ is set for Saturday August 22 at the Georgetown Football Club ground, Bourda at 19:00 h.

The event which was inaugurated in 2005 is a showcase for the talent of the footballers of old as players from over 40 years ago participate in the series.

From its inception the series has made an impact, attracting not only a large fan base but also interested sponsors. This year the game will boast an international flavour as players from St Lucia, Mexico and Senegal will be participating.

The Baldheads won in 2005 and the Rastas took it away in 2007 but despite this competitive enmity the series’ main objective is being served. In this instance sports is being used to promote and highlight tolerance, unity, cooperation and dialogue among Guyanese citizens and the world at large.

Brilliant Permaul ensures Albion retain Tenelec 50-overs title
By Vemen Walter

Albion’s skipper Orvin Mangru (right) receives the 2009 Tenelec 50 Overs First Division Trophy from BCB vice-president Mark Lyte in the presence of other BCB officials. (Vemen Walter photo)

VEERASAMMY Permaul produced a brilliant all-round performance to inspire defending champions Albion Community Centre to an easy 40-run victory over Rose Hall Town Windies Sports Bar (RHTWSB) in the final of the 2009 Tenelec 50-overs first division competition, played last Sunday at the Albion Community Centre ground.

Permaul, known more for his left-arm spin bowling, hit a well-composed 52 before returning with the ball to capture five for 41 from 9.2 overs as Rose Hall Town were all out for 223 in 44.2 overs, replying to the challenging 263 for five in 46, made by Albion.

Apart from man-of-the-match Permaul, West Indies opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon and promising Berbice Senior Inter-County middle-order batsman Ranga Lachigadu played important roles in Albion’s triumph.

Sewnarine Chattergoon, who batted at No.6 in the order, arrived in the country from Trinidad and Tobago just after 09:00 h. He struck four fours and a six in a superb unbeaten 63 while Lachigadu weighed in with an attractive 56, a knock spiced with five fours and a six.

The pair posted 87 for the fourth wicket in 13 overs that pushed Albion from 142 for four in the 31st over to 229 in the 44th over, when Lachigadu, in his haste for quick runs, was run-out, looking for a second.

Lachigadu and Johathan Foo (21) also added 35 for the fourth wicket in seven overs, but it was the second wicket partnership of 97 between Permaul and teenager Harrinarain Chattergoon (47) that really laid the platform for Albion’s formidable total.

Invited to take first strike in a match cut short by four overs per side, after play started half an hour late, in sunny conditions, Albion, on a good batting track, lost the wicket of Imran Khan (0) in the first over with the score on one.

However, Permaul, surprisingly slotted in at the important No.3 position, rose to the occasion admirably with some very intelligent batting, in company with Harrinarine Chattergoon.

Both batsmen mixed solid defence with timely aggression, aided with smart running between the wickets before Permaul, whose innings was decorated with five fours, holed out at long off in the 21st over when the score was on 98.

Doodnauth Lalbeharry, unbeaten on 10, was Sewnarine Chattergoon’s partner when the overs expired.

With an asking rate of 5.74 runs per over, Assad Fudadin and Royston Crandon both with half-centuries tried desperately in Rose Hall Town’s run chase but apart from them, only Renwrick Batson (28) and Khemraj Mahadeo (24) were able to reach double figures.

Fudadin, after a slow start, blossomed out nicely, hitting one four and two huge sixes in a well-compiled 73, while the hard-hitting Crandon, who delighted the small crowd that included former Albion, Berbice and Guyana cricketer Fazil Sattaur. smashed four fours and a six in a quick-fire 56.

Leg-spinner Sewnarine Chattergoon assisted Permaul with three for 34, while there was also a wicket each for leg-spinner Davindra Bishoo and off-spinner Lachigadu for 26 and 35 respectively.

Albion took home the Beautiful Tenelec Trophy and $100 000 while Rose Hall Town pocketed $50 000.

Warne calls for end to 50-over format
… teams should only play Test and T20 cricket
SHANE Warne has called for the end of one-day cricket, saying that the 50-over format has "passed its sell-by date". He is of the opinion that teams should play only Test and Twenty20 cricket with a World Twenty20 being held every two years.

"This is a big call, but cricket evolves and the 50-over game has passed its sell-by date," Warne wrote in his column for the Times. "It's amazing to think that after the Ashes series, England and Australia play seven one-day games, which take about a month. Sorry, but that's just greed on the part of administrators."

By eliminating one-day matches, Warne wrote, international players would be able to play more domestic cricket, thereby improving its quality, and also have more time with their families.

"Under my plan a tour would last roughly five weeks: three Tests with a warm-up game and five Twenty20s in a ten-day period. The Ashes would stay as a five-match series."

Warne also advocated a world Test championship with two divisions and one team getting promoted and demoted from each every two years, as well as a separate window for the IPL.

"I wonder if people in England realise how big the Indian Premier League is," Warne, who is captain of the Rajasthan Royals, wrote. "I've read that it is the fourth biggest sporting event in the world in terms of value, estimated at around $1 billion. England are having to move away from early-May Tests because they are struggling to find opponents during a clash of dates with IPL. A gap of a month or six weeks fixed in the calendar would ease all potential problems and keep the players happy."

Warne also criticised the present standard of umpiring in international cricket, saying it was "as low as I've known it in 20 years". "Yes, it is a difficult job and technology exposes any mistakes, but some of the performances in the Ashes series so far have been pretty ordinary," he wrote.

"Players will accept that the odd bad decision gets through now and again. At the moment, there are just too many." He also felt that the remuneration umpires currently receive should be revised upwards to "reflect the importance of the job.” (Cricinfo)

Ponting labels The Oval his biggest Test
RICKY Ponting is not given to hyperbole, so when he declares this week's Ashes finale the most important match of his 135-Test career, it is worth taking note.

In a revealing column in the Daily Telegraph, the Australian captain predicted the pain of England's 2005 Ashes victory would prove a motivating factor for his side entering The Oval Test, and hinted reverse swing could play a role in determining the outcome of the match.

But by far Ponting's most eye-catching statement was that regarding the personal significance the fifth and final Ashes Test holds for him. In a career that has spanned 14 years, four continents and every major trophy, Ponting insisted his 136th Test would be the preeminent match of his career.

"I have played in 135 Test matches but never played in a match as big as this one," Ponting wrote. "There is nothing bigger than playing a deciding Test in an Ashes series, and you have to grab these moments when they present themselves because you may never experience such a match ever again.

"That kind of excitement adds a bit of zip to your training and when that starts happening it generally spills over into the week of the game. There has been a very positive feel about our training during the last couple of days. We enjoyed a few days of rest in Leeds but since arriving in Canterbury we have trained very hard and I'm happy with where we are at the moment."

Ponting has previously denied any lingering disappointment from the 2005 Ashes defeat but, since Australia's series-leveling triumph at Headingley last week, has been more forthcoming in discussing the topic. Immediately after the fourth Test, Ponting conceded redemption in England was "a chance I've been waiting this whole tour for", and has since gone on to discuss the pain of watching Michael Vaughan hold aloft the urn at The Oval.

"The only motivation I need this week is the memory of having to search out Michael Vaughan, congratulate him and shake hands at the end of the Ashes series of four years ago," he wrote. "We were off the field when we lost the match due to bad light and the fact that we never had a chance to have a crack at chasing down our target left a bitter taste in the mouth.

"I also remember we made sure we stood outside and watched the ticker tape, the popping of champagne corks and the fireworks. We made sure we took it all in to make us better and stronger for the next time we played in 2006-07. But heading to The Oval this week it is clear that roles have been reversed completely since 2005.

"Then we were the team facing questions over selection. They had a settled line-up and just come off a victory in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge. Now it is we who have the momentum gained from comprehensively winning at Headingley. We are comfortable with what we have achieved in the last Test-and-a-half."

Most pundits have given Brett Lee little chance of breaking into the Australian XI at The Oval, but Ponting has kept the door ajar for his most senior paceman to make an improbable comeback.

The Australian captain suggested reverse swing could play a role in deciding the outcome of the final Test; an art at which Lee has proved particularly adept in recent years, never more so than when he claimed 6 for 76 against England Lions at Worcester six weeks ago.

"Brett Lee is jumping out of his skin to get involved," he wrote. "It was very exciting watching him bowl with reverse swing in the match at Worcester, and if he had not been injured he would have played in the first Test.

"In 2005 reverse swing dominated the series. This year it has probably been a damper summer and we have only seen conventional swing. The Oval is the one ground where that may change, especially if we have a dry, hot week.” (Cricinfo)

Denly called up as Pietersen out of England ODI squad
KENT'S opening batsman Joe Denly has been called up to replace the injured Kevin Pietersen in England's one-day squad for their seven ODI series against Australia, plus the subsequent Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Denly, 23, is the only uncapped player in a 15-man squad, and will also travel to Old Trafford for the two Twenty20 internationals on August 30 and September 1.

"Joe Denly has impressed the selectors for a while with some excellent performances in one-day cricket and with Kevin Pietersen unavailable through injury, this is an excellent opportunity for Joe to step up to the next level and show what he is capable of," said the ECB's national selector, Geoff Miller, who added that the selectors had kept faith with the bulk of the squad which was successful in the ODIs against West Indies earlier in the summer.

"It is a dream come true for me," said Denly, who averaged 51.85 in the Friends Provident Trophy this season, and who made 66 and 36 for England Lions against the Australians at Worcester in July.

"As a youngster, I dreamt about representing Kent and now I have the honour of hopefully playing for my country. I've always had ambitions of playing for England; whether it be at one-day or Test match level. I feel very proud and hope to forge a long international career.

"I won't look to change too much. I'm confident that I've got the game to step up to the next level and I cannot wait to represent England. I've played for the Lions but stepping up into the main side is great for me. I did pretty well against the Aussies for the Lions and will hope to carry that on for the rest of the summer.

"Hopefully I will get a go in a few of the one-dayers and Twenty20 matches and you never know where that will lead.

If I continue my form in the County Championship then hopefully they will consider me, for Test match cricket too, although I realise that could be a while off as there are a few players ahead of me. I just need to keep performing for Kent and now hopefully for England too. I cannot wait to link-up with the group."

Andrew Strauss will once again lead England in their major ODI campaigns, although not in the two Twenty20s where Paul Collingwood continues in the role he assumed for the ICC World Twenty20 in June. Collingwood will also take charge for the one-off ODI against Ireland in Belfast on August 27 that serves as a warm-up for the main events that follow.

"Andrew Strauss has led the side extremely well in both forms of cricket this summer," said Miller, "but the selectors felt it would be beneficial for him to have a short break from international cricket following the conclusion of the npower Ashes Test series and Paul Collingwood will lead the side in Ireland and in The NatWest International Twenty20s. "

As expected Ravi Bopara, who was axed from England's Test squad for Thursday's Ashes decider, is included for all formats, alongside Andrew Flintoff, who will retire from Test cricket this week, but who will remain available to England in the limited-overs format for the foreseeable future. Jonathan Trott, Bopara's replacement in the Test side, has been named in the squad for the two T20Is at Old Trafford, having previously played two such matches for England in 2007.

Luke Wright and Adil Rashid, who impressed for England during the World Twenty20, have been rewarded with places in the ODI squads, but three other squad members from that tournament have not been retained.

Denly's Kent captain and opening partner, Robert Key, is back on the sidelines, along with Essex's specialist wicketkeeper, James Foster, who has been superseded by an in-form Matt Prior, and Dimitri Mascarenhas, who has been discarded from all formats.

Squad for ODIs v Australia & Champions Trophy: Andrew Strauss (capt.), James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Joe Denly, Andrew Flintoff, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wkp.), Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.

Squad for ODI v Ireland: Paul Collingwood (capt.), James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Joe Denly, Andrew Flintoff, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wkp.), Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.

Squad for Twenty20 internationals v Australia: Paul Collingwood (capt.), James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Joe Denly, Andrew Flintoff, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wkp.), Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Luke Wright/. (Cricinfo)

Bolt rips up the rulebook on 100m record-breaking
By Mitch Phillips
BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) - From the moment that Usain Bolt danced across the line in the Olympic 100 metres final exactly one year ago and still clocked a massive world record of 9.69 seconds people began asking just how fast he could go.

Scientists used freeze-frame technology to try to extrapolate what his time would have been had he gone hard through the line -- as he did in the 200 metres when he shocked everyone by breaking Michael Johnson's world record over that distance too.

Talk of a 'low 9.6' lifted eyebrows while 9.5-something was surely fantasy.

NOT ANY MORE
For decades 10 seconds was the benchmark for a world class sprinter and only the very best dipped under.

Jim Hines clocked 9.95 at altitude in the Mexico Olympics and that mark lasted 15 years until Calvin Smith ran 9.93.

Only in the late 1980s, initially through the now-expunged times of Ben Johnson and then the likes of Carl Lewis, Leroy Burrell and Donovan Bailey, did it start to edge down regularly, still usually by a 100th at a time.

Maurice Greene began the era of chunk-taking when he took five hundredths off Bailey's mark. Asafa Powell continued the trend before Bolt took over.

He took two hundredths off his compatriot's mark in May 2008 with 9.72 then three more in Beijing.

Then on Sunday, an unbelievable 11 hundredths! After taking 30 years to work its way through the '9.9s' the record has raced through the '9.6s' in exactly 12 months.

Bolt has ripped up the rule book and now no guess is too extreme. "I've said 9.4. I think it will stop at 9.4 but you never know. We'll just keep racing," he said after Sunday's win when asked the inevitable question.

He has also changed the template of how a sprinter should look.

Lewis was liquid motion but the best of the rest of the last 40 years have been muscular, powerful athletes, usually well under six feet (1.83metres), who spent as much time in the gym as on the track.

Bolt, at 6ft 5ins (1.95m) is loose limbed and lean and defies gravity the way he gets into his huge stride so quickly.

Advances in track and spike technology, nutrition and scientific training methods have no doubt helped the advance in times but the bottom line is that Bolt is just a once-in-a-century athlete who has earned the admiration and respect of fans and rivals alike.

"I've been telling you someone could run 9.5. I'm happy he did it," said Tyson Gay, whose second-place time of 9.71 was barely noticed despite being the third-fastest ever.

"It showed a human can take it to another level."

Powell, third in 9.84, added: "I'm just so excited about Usain's run, I'm stunned but it's great to be a part of this."

Yang lives a dream, outduels Woods to win maiden major
By Larry Fine
CHASKA, Minnesota (Reuters) - It was a scenario he had long dreamed about, yet facing the reality of playing Tiger Woods in Sunday's final round for a major championship made it difficult for South Korea's Yang Yong-eun to sleep.

Yang kept his cool when it counted and outplayed Woods to win the U.S. PGA Championship, ending the American's perfect mark of winning all 14 majors in which he led going into Sunday and becoming the first Asian male to win a major in one fell swoop.

"At first when I saw the tee time, I was just really happy to be the last group on the final day of a major," Yang told reporters through an interpreter about being paired with Woods at Hazeltine. "For a split second that was the first thought.

"And then second, my heart nearly pounded and exploded being so nervous.

"Actually I think the most nervous part passed by through the night because I woke up about two, three times through my sleep. I didn't really get a good sleep yesterday."

Yang, 37, played like a dream, overcoming a two-shot deficit in his duel with Woods before seizing the outright lead with a spectacular chip-in for eagle on the 14th hole.

STUNNING APPROACH
Late bloomer Yang, who took up golf as a 19-year-old, capped his stunning upset with a soaring 210-yard approach to within 10 feet of the up at the 18th to birdie for 70.

"I've sort of visualised this quite a few times, playing against the best player, if not one of the best players in the history of golf, playing with him in the final round in a major championship, always sort of dreamed about this," he said.

"I've seen throughout Tiger's career that a lot of players have folded probably on the last day when playing with him.

"I'd usually try to visualise and try to bring up a mock strategy on how to win, if I ever played against Tiger.

"But when the chance came, I sort of thought, hey, I could always play a good round of golf. Tiger's good, but he could always have a bad day. I guess today was one of those days."

The self-deprecating Yang, ranked 110th in the world, had a great day on the longest layout to host a major and said his underdog status helped him.

Yang won this year's Honda Classic for his first U.S. Tour win to go with one European win, five Japan Tour victories and two Korean triumphs on his resumé Woods' victory last week at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational was his 70th U.S. Tour win.

"The odds are against me. Nobody's going to be really disappointed that I lose. So I really had nothing much at stake, and that's how I played it," he said.

Yang created the turning points that usually lift Woods to victory. After his ball fell in the hole for eagle at 14, he gave a celebration befitting the world number one himself.

"I did let out a bit of emotion with that fist pump," he said. "I tried my best Tiger imitation."

Yang never gave a hint of nerves.

"I guess the fearlessness comes from the fact that I know I'm doing my dream job. Every day I'm living my dream. I have this mentality where I try my best and leave no regrets.

"I wasn't that nervous, honestly, because it's a game of golf," said Yang, who also tamed Tiger at the 2006 HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

"It's not like you're in an octagon where you're fighting against Tiger and he's going to bite you or swing at you with his nine iron."

Asked whether he would like a rematch with Woods, the wry Yang replied: "Never again. I would like to stay as the guy who won over Tiger at the PGA Championship."

WICB Women’s cricket ...
Outar guides Jamaica to second win
By Calvin Roberts
STEADY and controlled bowling from medium-pacer Roshana Outar (4-22) guided defending champions Jamaica to a comfortable 36-run victory over St Lucia in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) women’s regional limited overs tournament at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground yesterday.

Losing the toss and being asked to take first strike on a good batting track, Jamaica were bowled out for 211 off the final delivery of their 50 overs, but Outar and company had other ideas in mind when they bowled out their opponents for 175 from 49 overs in reply.

St Lucia began their reply disastrously losing both openers in Yasmine St Ange (1) and Tara Lewis (8) to be 17-2 in the seventh over and found the going tough against Outar, despite some lusty hitting from Maria David.

Verena Felicien, who top-scored with 46 and Swayline Williams (22) added 55 for the third wicket from 18.2 overs, before the latter was bowled by Vanessa Watts, but not before she had contributed two boundaries to her team’s total.

Pamela Alfred, 21 with two fours) joined Felicien and they brought up the St Lucians’ 100 in the 33rd over, before Alfred was caught by Karla Cohen off Watts and when Felicien, who struck four fours in her innings, was bowled by Roshana Outar, St Lucia were 118-5 in the 38th over.

David (35*) got into the act by hitting Watts over long on for the first maximum of the day, as she tried to single-handedly carry her team over the final hurdle, but she lost her captain Phillipa Thomas-Eudovic (3) and Heide Sandiford (3), both falling to Outar.

David counter-attacked with three fours, including an audacious drive past mid-on off the bowling of Outar; but she could only watch from the other end, as Jamaica’s skipper Herma Nathan-Dawes took a splendid one-handed catch to account for Rayline Cooper (9) at 158-8 in the 46th over.

St Lucia began the penultimate over on 170-8 but did not survive to see the final one bowled, as they lost Naralie Cooper (4) and Chameka Abraham (4) to Chadean Nation, leaving David who faced 35 deliveries whilst hitting four fours and the lone maximum of the innings, stranded at the other end.

Outar led the defence of her team’s target when she scalped 4-22 from six overs of gentle medium pace and received support from Nation (2-27) and Watts who took 2-43, whilst there was a wicket each for Peta Gaye Hanson and Cohen.

As was the scenario when they played Barbados in their first-round match, Jamaica, invited to take first strike, quickly lost the wicket of Jodian Morgan who was adjudged lbw to Alfred for two at 14-1 in the eight over.

Nathan-Dawes who failed to trouble the scorers in the Barbados match and was forced to retire hurt after passing her 50 in this one, was joined by Chedean Nation and together they took the score to 119-1 in the 31st over, before the former began to experience pains in her lower back.

Prior to retiring her innings, Nathan-Dawes had eased the shackles applied by the St Lucian opening bowlers in Eudovic (3-34) and Alfred (1-37), by hitting the former back over her head for the first boundary in the 11th over of her team’s innings.

She was given two lives by Felicien and Naralie Cooper off the opening bowlers and she responded by running Alfred past the slip cordon to the vacant third man boundary for four, followed by two more boundaries off the bowling of both Felicien and Cooper to push Jamaica to 50-1 in the 18th over.

Dawes reached her half-century, hitting four fours from 79 balls and when she was forced to retire hurt in the 31st over, she had added 105 from 22.1 overs with Nation on 37 and Jamaica 119-1.

Things went downhill for a brief period for Jamaica following their skipper’s retirement as Nation (43, 82 balls, 2x4) and the burly Tameka Sanford (1) to be 137-3 in the 37th over but some lusty hitting from Shanel Daley who scored a 26 off 49 balls and Chinelle Henry 20 (22 balls 4x4) weathered the storm for their team as their opponents’ fielding left much to be desired.

Eudovic took 3-34 including the wicket of Nathan-Dawes who had resumed her innings at the fall of Henry’s wicket, but only added five runs to her ‘retired’ total before going back to the comforts of the dressing room, via lbw.

There was a wicket each for Alfred, Felicien, Williams and David, efforts that proved to be insufficient for their team as they succumbed to the defending champions who easily recorded their second victory of the tournament.

Action will continue today, with host country Guyana looking to record their first win of the tournament when they oppose St Vincent at the Police Sports Club ground, while Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada will do battle at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground from 09:30 h.