Peace Corps can help Guyana reclaim excellence in education
--U.S. Ambassador Godard
UNITED States Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Ronald Godard has said that the Peace Corps can help Guyana reclaim its tradition of excellence in education.

And although technological advances have changed the environment for learning at an unbelievably rapid pace, for Guyana to recognise its human potential it must harness the needed tools to the best of its advantage.

Mr. Godard was speaking at Friday’s swearing in ceremony for 23 new Peace Corps volunteers at the National Cultural Centre. The Ambassador said that like every other country in the world, Guyana needs to adjust and make new innovations if it wants change.

However, he noted that keeping up with any field of endeavour requires constant effort. Peace Corps volunteers can help give Guyanese the skills they need today in order to excel in the information age, the Ambassador added.

The batch of volunteers comprises persons who underwent a ten-week training period designed to prepare them for working in Guyana. They would be deployed within the Ministries of Health and Education, and will also work with various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Volunteers would be posted to work at institutions within the ten administrative regions of Guyana for a period of two years.

Ambassador Godard noted that in many countries of the developing world there is a profound uneasiness about the forces of change, a sentiment President Bharrat Jagdeo expressed in his recent speech to the Jamacian Parliament.

President Jagdeo had "put in very stark terms" the idea that globalisation poses a serious threat to the way of life of people in the Caribbean and in other parts of the developing world, Godard said.

"That expresses the sentiments of most Guyanese, I think, right now...globalisation is a bad word right now, and like others in the Caribbean, Guyanese view globalisation as a threat to their livelihood. They see changing trade patterns as an introduction of unfair competition -- the big guys, who under-sell and drive them out of business."

Mr. Godard also noted that the increasing free movement between nations has resulted in the loss of the country's human resources including nurses and teachers. The growth of international entertainment industry and the explosion of telecommunication as well, have caused dramatic changes, he said.

The Ambassador pointed out that in the Caribbean there are small and fragile states, and the changing trends in the world are often very unkind. As a result, the small nation states fear they would get lost on the shuffle.

He noted that these countries are competing on a world stage with others that are many times larger than they are, so they have joined together to better defend their interests by forming a single market and economy to more effectively compete on the world stage.

"This small place that has limited ability to influence the forces of change that are going to inevitably impact people's personal lives in positive and negative ways for every person in Guyana," he predicted.

Mr Godard said that, too often, particularly in developing countries, which have many problems to resolve, the response to change is to ignore it and hope that with the benefit of time it will go away.

The Ambassador said that from the beginning, the Peace Corps have been taking a proactive approach towards change. He said the important part of their mission as volunteers is to help the people of Guyana take charge of their destiny rather than become the victims of change.

He pointed out that over the years, political and social changes in Guyana undermined the educational system, which had given the country one of the most literate and cultured populations in the region.

Mr Godard also noted that for many years, the private sector in Guyana languished in a state-controlled economy, and is now still trying to catch up. In the meantime, all professional business pursuits have been changed irreversibly by the tremendous advances in information and other business technologies.

Guyanese can now master the necessary technology and the information technology skills through the Peace Corps volunteers, who will help them to compete on more equal terms with the rest of the world.

Mr. Godard noted that despite other disadvantages, Guyana in one way is very fortunate because it has been spared the great disasters of its Caribbean sister states. But the challenges to good health for a tropical climate are ever changing and keeping the people healthy is one of the country’s, highest priorities.

He also noted that the country is under siege by HIV/AIDS, one of the most relentless killers in human history, with the instance of infections being estimated at five to seven per cent of the population, second only to Haiti. Unfortunately, he said, there are still many people in Guyana who believe that HIV/AIDS has nothing to do with them.

The American envoy said that unless effective measures are being adopted to deal with this scourge and to arrest this disease, Guyana like some parts of Africa would become a wasteland.

Mr. Godard told the volunteers that he hopes they will use their training to help eliminate those remaining centres of ignorance about HIV/AIDS. He said that could be one of their most gratifying contributions to this country.

The Ambassador said that after living here for more than 18 months, he believes that the Guyanese way of life is worth preserving and added that he also believes Guyanese can achieve greater prosperity. The Government of the United States will stand ready to help this country secure its unique place in a world of rapid change, and protect its cultural identity, he stated.

Peace Corps Country Director Mr Earl Browne in his remarks at the ceremony noted that over 40 years more than 165,000 Americans have been working as Peace Corps volunteers in 95 countries. Currently, 72 of those countries are in the developing world.

He said the idea of the Peace Corp has captured the imagination of the entire nation and in taking on the challenge, volunteers will be able to open their talents, energies and commitment to serve the people of Guyana.

Browne told the volunteers that as they begin to accept the challenge of working in a developing country, they should simply look on and observe the community in which they would be placed to work with the people.

He added that they should focus on assisting the people in making incremental and positive changes towards achieving their development efforts.

"Respect the culture, traditions and values of the people you serve. Recognise that you cannot do all things at once and learn to live with whatever limitations you may have. Recognise the things you cannot change and have the wisdom to know the difference," he charged.

Browne also advised the volunteers that they should learn to grow from every experience and challenge they encounter during the two years, and ensure that there is a positive contribution to change, human understanding and building peace where possible. (Jaime Hall)

New study says oil came from minerals not plants
By Neil Chatterjee
LONDON (Reuters) - Fossil fuels -- used for everything from keeping us warm to powering space rockets -- could have formed from minerals instead of plant and animal remains as generally believed, say United States and Russian scientists.

The team of geologists, including J.F. Kenney of the Gas Resources Corporation in Texas and Vladimir Kutcherov of the Russian State University of Oil and Gas, argue that petroleum originated from minerals at extreme temperatures and pressures.

They have mimicked conditions more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) below the surface by heating minerals containing carbon at around 1,500 degrees celsius and 50,000 times atmospheric pressure.

"Experiments to demonstrate the high-pressure genesis of petroleum hydrocarbons have been carried out using only 99.9 percent pure solid iron oxide, and marble...with triple distilled water," their report said.

This produced various hydrocarbons including methane, the main constituent of natural gas, and octane, the hydrocarbon molecule that is the basis for gasoline.

Other geologists say that the research, reported in the journal Nature last week, reignites a debate that is almost fossilised itself.

"It periodically comes up as an issue -- it's a possibility that some hydrocarbons formed inorganically," said Lidia Lonergan, a petroleum geologist at the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine in London.

"But it's perceived that the majority of oil reserves discovered are of organic origin," she told Reuters.

Geologists say that there is overwhelming chemical and biological evidence that fossil fuels are composed of animal and plants, or organic matter. These chemical signs are also used to find oil.

A mathematical model of the researchers' process suggests that none of the ingredients of a mineral-based fossil fuel other than methane could form at depths of less than 100 kilometers, whereas petroleum is found at much shallower levels.

The conventional view is that oil forms just a few kilometers below the surface at temperatures of 50-150 degrees celsius, a process that can be recreated in the laboratory.

Petroleum that forms inorganically at high temperatures close to the Earth's mantle layer could be forced higher up by water, which is denser than oil, before being trapped closer to the surface by sedimentary rocks.

But geologists think this could not create the huge volume of proven world oil reserves -- 143 billion tonnes according to energy major BP -- that are expected to last around 40 years at current rates of use.

Hoyte returned as leader of PNC/Reform
Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, the man at the helm on the People's National Congress party for the last 17, years has been returned as leader of the PNC-Reform with an overwhelming victory.

After just weeks ago announcing his intention to demit office after his next birthday on March 9, 2003, Mr. Hoyte recently signalled his intention to continue to lead the party he has been heading since the death of Founder Leader Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham in August 1985.

And delegates to the just-concluded 13th Biennial Congress of the PNC/Reform yesterday gave him their whole-hearted endorsement when they re-elected him leader.

A release issued late last night from the Party’s Sophia headquarters, stated that with a “resounding mandate Mr Hoyte defeated the lone remaining challenger in the race for the leadership post, Ms. Germane Vansluytman, in a straight fight”.

Mr. Hoyte secured 508 of the 541 votes while Ms Vansluytman secured 33 votes.

This followed the withdrawal of two other main contenders -- Mr Vincent Alexander and Mr Raphael Trotman.

Mr Robert Corbin was returned as Chairman with 300 odd votes, defeating Mr. Raphael Trotman, who secured some 200 votes.

Mr. Vincent Alexander was returned as Vice Chairman of the Party, with an overwhelming 341 votes as compared to the other contestant, Mr. Raphael Trotman, who secured 176.

Meanwhile, 61 members were in the race for the 15 positions on the Central Executive Committee. Up to late last night, following the close of Congress, the ballots were still being counted.

Returning Officer was Professor Keith Massiah.

Ms Vansluytman was also a contestant for the Vice Chairman post. At press time, tallying of the results of the election for members of the Central Executive was still on-going.

Mr Hoyte, 72, had faced stiff opposition for the leadership post in the run-up to the Party Congress.

Guyana African Heritage Pageant hopefuls tour Omai
OMAI, we are at Omai! Communication Officers of Omai Gold Mines Limited on the Essequibo River, Stanhope Williams (left) and Colleen Braithwaithe (second from right) pose with the organisers and delegates of the Miss Guyana African Heritage Beauty Pageant. The touring party had just arrived on a weekend visit to Omai as part of the Emancipation celebrations organised by the company for their large workforce.

The organisers of the annual pageant, billed to be staged this year on Sunday, September 1 at the National Cultural Centre, are Physiotherapist, Mrs Paula Alexander (centre) and Mr Lorri Alexander (extreme right). The delegates and guest models seen here are (from left): Kinesha Headley, Celeste Mullin, Lonnette Brotherson, Nicole Marcus (stooping) Marissa Primo, Shyon Jones, Fidela Marcus, Shebaun Spooner, Claudette Moore, Collette Newland and Petal Fraser.

Absent from picture are Candace Wickham, Sabrina Perry and Tenesha Leacock. The members of the African Heritage group were invited to model and/or perform along with the National Dance Company and the Palm Tree Cultural Troupe from Linden. Mr Alexander, President of the National Emancipation Trust (NET), was tasked to be the guest speaker on "Emancipation: Before and After" at the celebrations there.

Russian cuisine to tickle local tastebuds
By Neil Marks
IT’S East meets West this week at Le Meridien’s El Dorado Restaurant as Russian chef Vadim Voiteshko is heating up the hotel’s kitchen with his native food.

Le Meridien’s Executive Assistant Manager Guillaume Warnery told reporters last Friday that the El Dorado’s “Week of Russian Cuisine” is a chance for Guyanese who have visited Russia for whatever reason to rekindle their tastebuds to what they enjoyed there.

However, there is no harm in trying something new, especially when Russian food -and drink - is so good!

Judging from the Coulibiac (pie filled with trout, salmon and spinach) sample served to the media, we’ll say you’re in for a treat. Oh, the Kvas, (a liquoured drink with breadcrust) is excellent also!

Since the dishes are sure to be enjoyed, Le Meridien’s Executive Chef Christian Sarrasy will then most likely have no problem with 30-year-old Vadim in his kitchen.

Vadim is chef to the Russian Ambassador. He has been working in Guyana for the past two years after spending his career in St. Petersburg. Previously, he worked at the “Nevskiy Place”, a property that then belonged to the renowned Marco Polo chain of hotels.

As well as perfecting the preparation of his native dishes, Vadim is said to be good at French and other European cuisines.

From today right on to Friday, Vadim and his wife Ulia, also a trained chef, will prepare a number of dishes.

The names might sound scary to you locals, but the ingredients are nothing more than you know of. For example, “Pelmeni Siberian” is actually pork and beef dumplings served with crab sauce. “Puff pastry pig with stewed sauerkraut and mushroom sauce”, is but pork fillet with bacon, pickled mushrooms, cheese, carrots and vegetable marrow.

According to Warnery, those guests who are not so adventurous will be able to select dishes from the regular El Dorado menu along with the Russian delicacies.

Genetically modified seed found
LONDON (AP) - Unauthorised genetically modified seed was found in some scientific field tests in England and Scotland, the government said Thursday.

The Department for Environment and the Scottish Executive said the material was found in rapeseed fields that are part of genetically modified crop trials. It will investigate how it happened.

The seeds were sown in England in 1999 at three sites, in 2000 at six sites, and currently are being grown at 12 sites in England and two sites in Scotland. Two genetically modified seed varieties were found to mixed, only one of which was approved for the trials.

None of the seeds from any year had entered the food chain, the government said. The plants in this year's trials are to be harvested and destroyed in the next few weeks.

Officials said the unauthorised strain was supplied by Aventis CropScience Ltd.

"This issue demonstrates our need to be vigilant with quality control," said Department of Environment minister Elliot Morley. "The government has asked for an investigation and if the conclusion shows that consent conditions have been breached a prosecution may result."

The Scottish Executive, the local administration of Scotland, said it too had requested an investigation.

Kevin Dunion, chief executive of Friends of the Earth ( news - web sites) in Scotland, called for the postponement of the sowing of all genetically modified oilseed rape in Scotland.

Polls have suggested most Britons oppose genetic modification of food. In the past few years, activists have destroyed government-sponsored test fields of such crops, and animal rights activists have threatened scientists conducting research on animals, in one case setting off a car bomb.

CCWU holds Sixth Biennial Delegates Conference
THE Sixth Biennial Delegates Conference of the Clerical and Commercial Workers Unions took place at the Umana Yana on Saturday. Dr Harold Lutchman, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana delivered the feature address and declared the Conference open. Presentations were also made by CCWU General President Roy Hughes; Mr. George De Peana, General Secretary of the Caribbean Congress of Labour, and CCWU General Secretary Grantley Culbard. Theme of the Conference was “Promoting Trade Union Unity and Seeking Industrial Justice for Workers”.

Fort Island community benefits from Omai medical clinic
OVER 75 residents of Fort Island benefited from a medical clinic conducted by Omai Gold Mines Limited on Sunday, August 11, 2002.

A release from Omai’s Public Relations Department last week stated that the medical team comprised: Dr. Abdul Bari, medical doctor at Omai and assistant, Susan Charles; Omai Medex Gloria Arthur and Microscopist Arnold Powell. The dental team contracted for the exercise comprised Dr. Joseph Armstrong and Dental Nurse, Patricia Daniel. Accompanying the medical team was Public Communications Officer, Colleen Braithwaite.

The clinic was conducted at the Fort Island Community and Health Centre, which was handed over by Omai Gold Mines Limited in October 2000.

The majority of aliments were fungal infections such as ringworm, lata and rashes, with some cases of respiratory infection and pains in the joints. Four smears for malaria were taken and all proved negative.

The dental team distributed 74 dental kits to children and adults, and also checked the dental health of 47 children. These children were given advice on how to brush and care for their teeth's. Seven extractions were performed on adults.

Several persons attending the clinic came from surrounding communities of Aliki, Morashee and Karia. A donation of over-the-counter drugs was made to the community and received by Community Health Worker, Enid Debideen.

The medical clinic is another in the series of outreach exercises to riverain communities on the Essequibo River for the year. Other communities, which benefited include Agatash, Rockstone and Riversview. The Rockstone community already has a Health Centre which was built and donated by Omai Gold Mines Limited.

Talented teens for steelpan motorcade
THE Miss Guyana Talented Teens will be out and about this Saturday for a steelpan motorcade around Georgetown as they wrap up activities leading to the August 31 pageant at the National Cultural Centre.

Yesterday, the delegates were expected to do their last lap goodwill project at the New Opportunity Corps on the Essequibo Coast.

Previously, the delegates visited centres on the Corentyne, the Mahaica Children’s Orphanage, Linden Home for the Handicapped and Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre.

Executive Producer of the pageant, Pamela Dillon, told the Chronicle that the contest is not all about girls dressing up and looking good. Rather, she said, it affords the delegates and opportunity to upgrade their education.

To this end, each delegate will receive a $20, 000 educational award.

On August 31, reigning Miss Talented Teen and Miss West Indies Asha Pieters will feature in the opening dance sequence.

According to Dillon, the swimsuit competition will be unique as delegates have been afforded the opportunity of choosing their own swimsuit style.

In the talent segment, Dillon said there would be strong dance pieces, accompanied by superb dramatic poetry and singing.

Sixteen contestants are in the run for the crown.

Here, the delegates are featured in their outfits from a July 13 Cotillion. (Pictures courtesy Pamela Dillon) - (NEIL MARKS).

Oceans may help clean the air
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - That refreshing breath of sea air may do more than raise the spirits. The world's oceans could be helping to clean the atmosphere, according to a study that says the salty sea spray encourages rain that washes out dust and other pollutants.

"We have discovered a process by which nature apparently cleanses the ... air pollution quite effectively when it spills from land over to the oceans," said Daniel Rosenfeld of Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Practically all the pollutants are removed at the lower layer of the atmosphere, Rosenfeld said. That's one reason why the air in Hawaii is always so pristine, except during volcanic eruptions, he said.

It's the salt that does the trick, he added: "The conclusion stands that the air that we breathe near the surface remains clean because of the fact that the oceans are salty."

Rosenfeld and his colleagues used satellite data to study the air over the Indian Ocean, where massive amounts of particles from burning, urban air pollution and desert dust are blown from southern Asia. He stressed that such effects "are not unique to that part of the world."

Nearly three-fourths of the Earth's surface is covered by water and the winds are constantly moving air from land onto the oceans and from the oceans onto land worldwide.

Rosenfeld's findings are reported in Friday's issue of the journal Science.

"The paper presents an interesting point, which has not been discussed for some time," commented John N. Porter of the Hawaii Institute for Geophysics and Planetology.

Porter said the idea of coarse sea salt initiating rainfall was proposed as early as the 1950s, but studies in the 1970s seemed to show it was not an important factor. Rosenfeld's work seems to support the earlier research, he said.

Porter, who was not on Rosenfeld's team, said his own research indicated salt helped to increase rainfall in relatively clean air but was less effective in more polluted conditions.

In other papers in the same issue of Science:

A team of British scientists reports finding a source of methyl and ethyl nitrates in the Atlantic Ocean. These compounds play an important role in regulating the amount of ozone in the atmosphere. It's not clear how the compounds were produced, but it's the first indication of an oceanic source for them, said team leader Adele L. Chuck of the University of East Anglia.

Ariel D. Anbar and colleagues at the University of Rochester, N.Y., report that during the Proterozoic eon, 2.5 billion to 543 million years ago, the oceans were oxygenated only near the surface and contained sulfides in the deeper waters. They say that means primitive forms of cellular life probably could only have lived near shore where trace metals needed for nutrition were available.

In his paper, Rosenfeld explained that tiny specks of air pollution can suppress rain by serving as nuclei on which moisture can condense. They form such tiny droplets that they can remain suspended in the air without falling.

But the salty sea spray attracts water into larger droplets, which can merge with the tiny ones, growing big enough to form rain and wash the pollutants out of the air.

Graham Feingold of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Environmental Technology Laboratory in Boulder, Colo., was cautious about the report.

"We must bear in mind that only about one in every 100,000 particles is a giant particle capable of forming a small raindrop. Our current methods for measuring these particles, as well as other important parameters that determine precipitation formation, will have to be improved significantly before we can quantify the role of giant salt particles," Feingold said.

If salty spray does help create rainfall over the ocean, could it also be used to increase rain in the desert, Rosenfeld was asked.

"There is no reason why we can't do artificially over land what happens naturally over oceans. In fact, we have started in Israel an experiment of cloud seeding" using brine from the Dead Sea, he said in an interview via e-mail.

However, Rosenfeld added, "Most deserts exist because of lack of clouds and moisture in the air. Where there are no suitable clouds, of course such methods are not going to help."

NASA Comet-Chasing Spacecraft Lost
By ANDREW BRIDGES, AP Science Writer
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - A $159 million spacecraft remained lost in space Friday, one day after it was to have left Earth's orbit to explore several comets. NASA (news - web sites)'s Contour spacecraft was supposed to have automatically fired its solid-rocket motor at 1:49 a.m. Thursday to propel itself out of an orbit it was placed in after its launch July 3.

At the time, the octagonal spacecraft was about 140 miles above the Indian Ocean, too close to Earth and moving too fast for NASA's Deep Space Network of antennas to track.

The network was to have picked up a signal from Contour 48 minutes after the burn, as the spacecraft moved away from Earth, but by Friday morning, no signal had been received.

"I guess we are still certainly hoping this will turn out all right. Spacecraft have been lost before and safely regained," said Michael Belton, a member of the mission's science team.

The giant dish antennas in California, Australia and Spain continued to search for the spacecraft Friday, alternately sending it commands and listening for a response. Nothing was heard from Contour - short for Comet Nucleus Tour.

The mission's operations team looked for Contour at points along the paths the spacecraft was supposed to have taken. If the motor did not fire, the spacecraft would have remained stuck in Earth orbit.

Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory built the spacecraft, with assistance from Cornell University, for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

The spacecraft was in Earth orbit since its launch last month, looping around the planet every 42 hours on an elliptical path.

Thursday's motor firing was designed to increase the spacecraft's velocity by 4,299 mph, releasing it from the Earth's grasp and sending it on a comet-chasing orbit around the sun.

The mission plan called for Contour to meet up with comet Encke in 2003, Schwassman-Wachmann 3 in 2006 and perhaps comet d'Arrest in 2008.

Contour is part of NASA's Discovery program of quickly developed, low-cost missions. None of the previous five Discovery missions have failed, including 1997's Mars Pathfinder.

Region to embark on aggressive public relations campaign for CSME
THE Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on the CSME has agreed to embark on an aggressive Public Relations programme on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). This is to ensure a better understanding of the concept and the benefit for the average citizen.

The members of the Sub-Committee agreed too, to have the Community’s laws and protocols translated into national laws and protocols to ensure domestic commonalities for Member States.

This will be done in several areas, a key one being the CSME law, a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) stated.

The translation process will ensure that the Region's laws governing the CSME agree with the laws of individual countries so that there is no contradiction.

And in keeping with the commitment to involve civil society in its affairs, Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting in St Lucia since Friday last, have planned a Regional Convention of the Private Sector to be held before yearend.

The Heads, who have decided to set up a Business Committee, also adopted the recommendations of the Advisory Council that was set up recently.

Harbour Master must say why he did not license ferryboat 'Checkmate'
JUSTICE Claudette La Bennett on Friday issued a Nisi order for a writ of mandamus in favour of Gopal Ramdass, compelling the Harbour Master to show cause why he should not be compelled to license and, or register Riverain Vessel ‘Checkmate II’.

Justice La Bennett granted the Order after hearing ex parte arguments in Chambers by applicant's Counsel Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall.

In his affidavit in support of Notice of Motion, Gopal Ramdass, the businessman of 14 Pouderoyen, West Coast, Demerara said that on, or about May 1, 2002, he completed construction of a Riverain Vessel which he named Checkmate to transport passengers across the Demerara River. He promptly made the necessary application for a licence.

According to him, the craft, which cost over $1,000,000 to construct was built in compliance with all the relevant regulations.

Pointing out that smaller boats had been given registration, Ramdass is alleging that the Harbour Master's refusal to grant him the relevant licence and, or permission is unconstitutional, discriminatory, vindictive, unreasonable, unlawful, arbitrary, capricious, without and in excess of jurisdiction, ultra vires, null, void and of no effect.

The judge, who ordered that a copy of her Order with summons be served on the Harbour Master, has adjourned the hearing to August 23, 2002, when the Harbour Master is expected to appear in Court. (George Barclay)

Hazrat Ally murder trial--
Prosecution closes case; Defence makes no case submissions
By George Barclay
THE Prosecution in the Hazrat Ally murder trial closed its case Friday after the testimony of 18 witnesses giving way to leading defence Counsel Mr. Nigel Hughes, who elected to make no-case submissions in the absence of the jury.

Among other things, the defence, on the basis of the nature of the evidence led, is attempting to persuade Justice of Appeal Ms Claudette Singh to discharge the accused at this stage without calling on him for a defence.

Hazrat Ally is facing trial for the murder of Vishnu Singh, whose body was fished out of a trench at Lusignan, some days after he (Singh) was invited to the Ally’s home.

On arrival at Ally's home, Singh was fully clothed, but when he was seen leaving later the same night, witnesses stated that he was partly clothed and was being propped up by two men who were taking him to Ally’s 4 x 4 Land cruiser.

Singh left with Ally and others in the vehicle and was never seen alive again.

Some days later, his body was fished out of a trench at Hope, East Coast, Demerara, tied to a length of iron.

On Friday a witness, Akbar Husain, testified about seeing two strange men in trunks trembling in the Hope trench not far from a car from which, what appeared to be blood, was dropping from the trunk.

Following Police investigations, Hazrat Ally was arrested and charged with murder.

On the resumption Friday State Prosecutor Ms Jo-Ann Barlow called, as her penultimate witness, Pathologist, Dr. B. Bridgmohan, who explained to the jury the terms on the post mortem report that was written by Dr Leslie Mootoo, now deceased.

The post mortem report disclosed that the body had such injuries as laceration of the penis, contusions on the forehead, a swollen penis, rope marks around the neck and injury to the trachea.

According to Dr Bridgmohan, the post mortem report by Dr Leslie Mootoo disclosed that death was due to asphyxiation

In answer to cross-examination by Mr. Nigel Hughes, the doctor said that although mention was made about external injuries and haemorhage, those injuries had nothing to do with the cause of death.

The asphyxiation, the doctor said, had come about by muddy water getting into the windpipe and into the lungs while the body was in a trench.

In answer to the judge, the doctor said that the evidence revealed that Vishnu Singh was alive when he was placed into the trench at Hope on the East Coast of Demerara.

Akbar Husain of Coglan Dam, West Bank, Demerara, said that about midday on October 17, 1998, he was driving his lorry in the vicinity of Hope Estate.

On reaching the Old Bridge, he had stopped to pick dunks from a tree, near to a trench when he saw two men wearing trunks in the water.

According to him, his two porters enquired from the men what they were doing in the trench and they explained that they were fishing.

Witness said that not far from the men on the road was a car and it appeared to him that blood was dropping from the trunk of the car.

Witness also said that he saw a “fishing net” at the back of the car.

The witness, who was being cross-examined, said that he had seen the faces of the men and would be able to recognise them if he sees them again.

The accused was not one of the persons he saw in the trench that day.

Witness also said that when the men in the trench saw him they began to tremble.

Husain said that he was invited to the Brickdam Police Station where he attended two ID parades but did not identify anybody.

At this stage, the Prosecutor closed the case for the Prosecution.

Appearing for the accused are Mr. Nigel Hughes, associated with Mr. Glen Hanoman, Darshan Ramdhani and Mr. M. McDoom.

Ms Jo-Ann Barlow associated with Miss Kim Kyte is representing the Prosecution at the trial which continues today.

Guyana has been fortunate over the decades to be assigned High Commissioners and Ambassadors who have gone beyond the formal confines of their diplomatic duties to reach out in various ways and befriend groups in the Guyana society. However, in High Commissioner Glover and his wife Audrey, Guyanese found a caring and sincere couple who have not only come to love and appreciate the majesty of the landscape, but who have also shown by their actions their deep and sincere interest in the development of the people of this nation. One did not have to meet the Glovers face-to-face to be convinced of their concern for the betterment of the Guyanese. The High Commissioner interacted easily with the youth of Albouystown, the organic cocoa farmers of Region One and the residents of hinterland communities.

Last December, while on his first visit to Aishalton in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), Mr Glover met Mr Brian Gomes, the Principal of the Aishalton Secondary School. And during a conversation with the educator, the High Commissioner learnt of the Principal’s concern about the poor English Language performance of First Formers. Gomes had analysed the situation and had arrived at the conclusion that the problem originated at the Primary School level, and, to a lesser extent, Nursery School. At these levels of teaching, the children are exposed mainly to their indigenous tongue of Wapishiana. In an effort to rectify the problem, Gomes had begun by himself a bi-lingual project. High Commissioner Glover was so impressed with the Principal’s initiative that he began to explore the possibility of finding a graduate place in a British university for the Aishalton educator. With the assistance of Banks DIH, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, the Guyana Power and Light, John Fernandes Ltd, the Mazda Mining Company Ltd and the National Bank for Industry and Commerce, Gomes would soon be attending Leeds University where he will pursue a Masters Degree in the Teaching of English as a Second Language to Young Learners. This is all because High Commissioner Glover was genuinely concerned about the efforts of a humble school principal to improve the language skills of his charges.

As the nation of Guyana hurtles metaphorically to the edge of a precipice, opinion leaders and those keepers of the gates of politics and culture should listen to the High Commissioner Glover’s comments and do their utmost to bring this nation to its senses: “I recognise - and have said so recently in interviews - that these are anxious times for Guyana. It is not for me to comment specifically on what could be the way forward. That is for others to do. But what I could say is that I hope that, before too long, the people of this country would turn away with determination from the echoes of the past and listen more intently to the sounds of the future. This country has priceless assets, its size, its resources, its cultural diversity and heritage and its remarkable people. The most important asset in any country is the people. I hope that the wish of all the people of Guyana for a material improvement in the quality of life will soon be achieved, as we could all agree, it is the people who really matter.”

Both GPL and GT&T, two very important facilities are using their monopoly status and nobody could stop them.

I applied for a land phone on January 24, 2002 and all I received from the GT&T to date is an acknowledgement, which came one week after making application.

I have since made several queries, only to be told that I would receive a landline only when telephone facilities are available.

Officials at the company are not sure when these facilities would arrive and this could run into months or years.

But if anyone wants a Cell-Phone you could get one in three weeks because GT&T is getting good rates from this service.

I think that for too long the GPL and GT&T have been allowed to do whatever they want to Guyanese. It is time that something be done so that the Guyanese public could get better service from these two entities.
M. RAHMAN

Positive signs must be acknowledged
Whenever, and as a direct result of either Government or State policy or civil initiative (as most recently) there are positive trends in the struggle against crime and criminal activities, this must duly be acknowledged.

Guyanese have had that long experience that provides for a capacity to demystify and make value judgements that are advanced, as one would expect, providing that there is that information flow.

In fact, Law Enforcement Officers have been emphasizing since the Mash Day prison breakout, the key to solving the crime upsurge dilemma is intelligence.

The Guyana Chronicle editorial of August 10, 2002 confirms in a relative sense precisely such a perspective. However, it is necessary to note that despite what could be described as a kind of bipartisan response emerging on the crime situation and the need to seriously address it, there are clear instances where criminals are targeting individuals for essentially political reasons.

Some of these people are or were previously Government Ministers.

Others would be part of the Civic component. I refer to the unprovoked and scandalous assault made against Kwame McCoy at the forecourt of the Georgetown Public Hospital on Friday, August 9th (as reported by Simone DeNobrega, "kaieteur News" 11/8/2002.

Mr. Editor, there are instances where a group of individuals are motivated by xenophobia, or vindictiveness (a form of irrationalism) and they carry out criminal arracks on others which are not analysed as these ought to be. This for a number of reasons; especially when there are periods when "justification" is attempted by people who are quite comfortable either in their protective cocoons, or their skins.

Mr. McCoy is responsible for the carrying out among other things, the tasks related to the Office of Public Relations at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Some weeks ago he was threatened by a leading member of an opposition party who reportedly said that McCoy would be punished for the views as expressed on a local T.V programme. The fact that there was a subsequent denial on the part of the opposition spokesman, is beside the point. What we are dealing with here is a situation where 'auxillaries' and 'freedom fighters' of a certain political outfit believe they can attack perceived 'soft targets'.

Unlike the case where a bandit sheared off the hair of a defenseless woman whilst carrying out a robbery at her home, the assailant of Mr. McCoy, a former employee of the G.P.H.C., is known by several persons. Without in any way wishing to pre-judge the issue especially as police investigators are underway, it is clear that if there is a case for a public condemnation of an assault on a Government official, then there can be no better deserving one than this atrocity.

Let the chief of G.P.H.C. Security carry out an investigation into the incident. Also should the need arise, the security guard who failed to prevent the attack on Mr.McCoy should be disciplined.

This outrage should not be allowed to be swept under the carpet and subject to the kind of jaded hypocrisy one recognises as a support valve for criminals.
EDDI RODNEY.

How quickly do some people forget!
Krishna Persaud in a letter to Stabroek News (August 17) asked: "If the PPP can practice shared governance with the UF, why then would Mr. Jagdeo not extend that to GAP/WPA, ROAR and PNC as this would address the current political situation in Guyana."

Persaud needs to be reminded that after the March 2001 elections, President Jagdeo invited the leader of the GAP/WPA coalition to join the Government, but this invitation was not accepted due to pressure on the GAP leader by the WPA. The leader of ROAR announced that
he had no interest in any invitation to join the Government, while the PNC stated on numerous occasions that it did not subscribe to power sharing, saying that a viable Opposition was necessary. As everyone
fully well knows, Government/Opposition political cooperation was scuttled after the PNC executive council instructed its leader to suspend the dialogue.
Daren David
Pembroke Pines, Miami, Florida

Guyana advance to next stage of Under-17World Cup
By Isaiah Chappelle
GUYANA advanced to the Caribbean group qualifiers of Under-17 World Cup football championships, ending the preliminary series with a lacklustre 1-0 return leg win over Dominica at the GCC ground, Bourda, yesterday.

Rolston Morrison tucked in the lone and winning goal just before halftime for Guyana to end the home-and-away series with a 3-0 aggregate.

President of the Guyana Football Federation said: "I am happy but disappointed. The players did not perform to their full potential. We should have been treated to a better game with about five goals."

The team performed below their showing in the first leg in Dominica where they won 2-0. There was no real outstanding player except for the captain Konata Mannings, whose level of play was distinctly way above his team. Only Quincy Madramootoo supported him with a fair run.

Mistakes made in Dominica were again evident with an almost unchanged starting line-up, with only Morrison taking the place of the injured Adrian Adams.

The visitors again made inroads down the Guyana's left flank through winger Shevane Seaforth and wing-back Javin Crawford. Goalkeeper Fidel Smith still threw the ball across his goal.

Seaforth was sinner extraordinaire - failing to find the net in front of a clear goal on numerous occasions. Daniel Favourite who had won the hearts of Dominicans in the first leg, also, had a poor game over on the right wing.

Playmaker Mannings was in a dilemma. He fed Favourite in the first half and with no results, turned to Seaforth in the second half, but was again he was let down.

Within the first minute Guyana had a clear chance for goal. Seaforth advanced with the ball down the left wing, crossed to Morrison in front of the goal. Morrison missed the ball, which continued its path in front of the goal and Favourite pushed it outside the right post.

Dominica's captain Mitchel Joseph played his heart out but his team could not respond effectively. In the 20th minute, he went close to scoring, racing with the ball down the right wing, crossed from inside the box. The ball hit the last post and deflected back into play. A mix-up ensued in the box, but the eventual shot to goal went high over the crossbar.

Guyana made a change in the 36th minute, replacing defender Dwayne Duke with Colin Clarke. Shortly after, Jonathan Abel came off for Dominica and Warren Mark took his place.

Then in the 45th minute, Quincy Madramootoo sent a nice through pass from the centre. Morrison collected the ball on top of the box and pushed it past the advancing goalkeeper Glenson Prince.

The locals led 1-0 at halftime but after the resumption just could not finish the several clear chances.

Eight minutes into the half, Madramootoo headed the ball forward, finding Dwight Peters at right just inside the box, but the shot went past the last post. Shortly after, Peters on the left wing, sent the ball to Madramootoo (at centre) who found Seaforth unmarked inside the box, but he fumbled and messed the chance.

Seaforth had one bright spot, 17minutes into the half. He took a corner kick from the right flag, curving the ball into the goal that beat goalkeeper Prince, but a defence player cleared the ball from the goal line.

Dominica made two changes, ten minutes apart. Michael Warrington went on for Joel McIntyre in the 57th minute and Larry Lazare replaced Michael Massicot.

During the visitors’ second substitution in the half, Guyana injected fresh legs with Leon Grumble replacing Madramootoo in the midfield. Then in the 72nd minute, Peters came off and Devon Cormack took his place.

But Seaforth continued to mess some good chances. During a raid down the centre in the 76th minute, he received the pass at left, reached inside the box, but offered a soft shot that was easily clutched by Prince.

Two minutes later, Morrison collected the ball at centre, just outside the box, and tried to force through three defenders, instead of passing the ball.

Another glaring missed chance came about five minutes from regulation time. Adams raced with ball down the centre, found a totally unmarked Seaforth who received the ball inside the box, but hit the ball high over the crossbar.

Klass said finishing was a failure at every level and emphasis would be placed on finishing and concentration for the group qualifiers.

"The group qualifiers would definitely not be as easy as this (preliminary series). It is a real test of standards," Klass said.

But the GFF head did acknowledge that advancing to the first round gave local football a boost.

"In terms of Guyana's football, it’s an encouragement. With some more work, we could recapture what we had in the past. It is a young team and we cannot expect miracles. At least there are players we can work with," Klass said.

The GFF boss said he was surprised that some players who performed well in the warm-up matches in Suriname did not play, pinpointing Shivon Farias of the Rupununi.

But manager Roderyck Trotman said that the team had a lot of injuries in Suriname that determined the line-up for the match. However, he was confident that the mistakes would be corrected in time for the Group qualifiers that would start on October 20, hosted by Bermuda.

Group A consists of hosts Bermuda, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago and the winner of the St Lucia/US Virgin Islands preliminary.

GUYANA innings
S.Chattergoon c Lewis b J.Sylvester 12

R.Sarwan c Eugene b Sammy 22

S.Chanderpaul c Sammy b Shillingford 50

L.Cush c Thomas b Lewis 17

C.Hooper c Harris b Sammy 48

N.Deonarine c & b Sammy 7

N.McGarrell c Sammy b Thomas 5

M.Nagamootoo b Thomas 9

V.Nagamootoo not out 1

C.Stuart b Thomas 0

R.King not out 0

Extras: (b-1, lb-3, w-14, nb-3) 21

Total: (9 wickets, 50 overs) 192

Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-44, 3-93, 4-148, 5-170, 6-171, 7-186, 8-187, 9-188.

Bowling: Thomas 10-0-40-3 (w-8), George 2-0-12-0 (w-3, nb-2), Sammy 10-1-38-3 (w-3), J.Sylvester 8-0-20-1, Lewis 10-0-41-1 (nb-1), Shillingford 10-0-37-1.

WINDWARDS innings
A.Crafton c Stuart b King 5

B.Watt c Deonarine b King 12

D.Harris c Chanderpaul b McGarrell 18

J.Eugene lbw b M.Nagamootoo 2

J.Sylvester c McGarrell b Hooper 36

R.Lewis run-out 2

D.Sammy c & b Hooper 7

W.Phillip b Hooper 1

F.Thomas stp. V.Nagamootoo b Sarwan 13

S.Shillingford c McGarrell b Sarwan 6

T.George not out 3

Extras: (b-1, lb-4, w-18, nb-1) 24

Total: (all out, 43.4 overs) 129

Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-37, 3-43, 4-57, 5-62, 6-77, 7-81, 8-111, 9-124.

Bowling: King 6-1-20-2 (nb-1, w-5), Stuart 3-0-15-0 (w-2), Nagamootoo 6-0-14-1 (w-4), McGarrell 8-2-15-1 (w-2), Hooper 10-0-23-3 (w-4), Cush 8-0-34-0, Sarwan 2.4-0-3-2.

Points: Guyana 2, Windwards XI 0.

Hooper inspires Guyana to victory
By Ezra Stuart
CASTRIES, St Lucia - Captain Carl Hooper showcased a measure of his rich all-round skills as Guyana easily defeated the Windwards XI by 63 runs in a Red Stripe Bowl Zone ‘B’ limited overs match at the Beausejour Cricket Ground here yesterday for their second straight victory.

Hooper struck three sixes in a fluent knock of 48 off 59 balls to help reach Guyana reach a respectable if not satisfactory 192 for nine in their 50 overs.

The West Indies skipper then grabbed three wickets for 23 runs in a steady 10-over spell of off-spin bowling as the Windwards’ XI meekly subsided for a modest 129 in 43.4 overs.

It was Guyana’s eighth consecutive victory in the Bowl and was watched by their President Bharrat Jadgeo and Barbados’ Prime Minister Owen Arthur, who took in some of the action from the Hospitality Boxes at the state-of-art Stadium here.

Guyana’s total, after the Windwards XI inserted them, was built around a patient 102-ball even 50, with just a solitary boundary from Test batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

But it was Hooper, who gave the innings a much needed boost, by quickly adding 55 runs for the fourth wicket with Chanderpaul after Guyana had crawled to 100 in 31.3 overs.

Guyana had made a relatively slow start with the first boundary of the innings coming in the 20th over when Lennox Cush pulled leg-spinner Rawl Lewis through midwicket for four.

This was after openers Sewnarine Chattergoon (12) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (22) had departed at 32-1 and 44-2 respectively.

Chattergoon’s firm flick of the pads in the first over from medium pacer John Sylvester was held on the second attempt by Lewis at short midwicket while Sarwan casually steered an out-swinging delivery from medium pacer Darren Sammy into John Eugene’s lap at first slip.

When Cush fell at 93-3 for 17, Hooper entered the fray and set about the Windwards XI’s bowling.

Lanky 19-year-old off-spinner Shane Shillingford, who had the incredible figures of 10-5-9-2, two days ago against Trinidad and Tobago, quickly found out how good Hooper is against slow bowling.

Hooper effortlessly dispatched a flighted delivery into the stand at long on and in the bowler’s next over, he had the scores of spectators in the Western Stand at midwicket scampering for cover.

Hooper also hoisted Lewis over long on for another six but lost Chanderpaul, who in trying to emulate his captain, gave Sammy at long-off catching practice with a casual lofted shot off Shillingford, who was switched to the southern end.

That dismissal started Guyana’s decline as Hooper swung a full toss from Sammy, who bowled his ten overs impressively for three for 38, straight into the hands of Danny Harris on the midwicket boundary.

Two balls later, the 19-year-old Sammy, who recently graduated from the Shell Cricket Academy in Grenada, held a smart return catch to get rid of Narsingh Deonarine (7) as Guyana dipped to 171 for six.

Fast bowler Fernix Thomas ensured Guyana would not reach the 200-mark by dismissing Neil McGarrell (5), Mahendra Nagamootoo (9) and Colin Stuart (0) in the final over of the innings to finish with three for 40.

In response, the Windwards were in early trouble as pacer Reon King, who took two for 20, accounted for the big-hitting Balty Watt (12) and his opening partner Alton Crafton (5).

Watt skied an ambitious lofted drive to Deonarine at mid-off while Crafton cut a lifting delivery straight into Stuart’s hands at third man.

John Eugene, one of four St Lucians in the Windwards’ XI, was adjudged leg-before-wicket for just two, much to the disappointment of the 450 die-hard spectators watching the match.

The Windwards XI then slumped to 62 for five, losing Harris, who lobbed a catch to Chanderpaul at short midwicket off McGarrell and skipper Lewis, needlessly run-out by a throw from Deonarine at extra cover to wicketkeeper Vishal Nagamootoo.

The slide continued with Hooper luring Sammy into offering him a tame return catch and then bowling the left-handed wicketkeeper Wayne Phillip.

Sylvester, a late replacement in the Windwards’ squad for the injured Devon Smith, was the best of the Windwards’ batsmen with a solid 36 off 73 balls, studded with two fours and two sixes.

He hoisted Hooper for a six over long on and pulled Cush over the midwicket fence for another six but eventually holed out to McGarrell at mid-on to give Hooper his third wicket.

Sarwan replaced Hooper when he had completed his 10-over quota and immediately had Thomas stumped by Vishal Nagamootoo for 13. He then polished off the innings when Shillingford’s slog was skied to mid-on for McGarrell to pouch his second catch and give Sarwan two cheap wickets for three runs.

The five teams will take a two-day break before action in the Zone resumes on Wednesday with Canada opposing the Windwards XI. Guyana’s third match is against Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday.

Fernandes cops ‘Most Outstanding Player’ award
By Naz Yacoob
Port of Spain-Trinidad
GUYANA'S Robert Fernandes was voted the Most Outstanding Player at 2002 Southern Caribbean Squash Championships, which came to an end on Saturday night at the Cascadia Hotel Courts in St Anns, Port of Spain.

Fernandes edged out compatriot and Caribbean singles champion Luke Fraser for the prestigious title, at the presentation ceremony held at the Trinidad Yacht Club.

And at the conclusion of the championships, Guyana's team of Fernandes, Fraser, Shawn Badrinath, Julian Chin and Damien De Silva were crowned men's and overall champions, while Barbados took the women's version.

The Guyanese women led by dethroned singles champions, Nicolette Fernandes gave an inept and listless performance, as they were whipped by Barbados 4-0 with surprisingly ease, while their men's colleagues halted Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 to hold on to the title they last won two years ago in St Lucia.

Trinidad and Tobago came out fighting against Guyana but were unable to cope with the champions, despite the fact that they were off to a winning start, when Ryan Abraham defeated youngster De Silva in three straight sets.

Led by Caribbean singles champion Fraser, it was all Guyana after that, with the visitors winning the next four matches. And in the re-match of the individual final between Don Lee and Fraser, it again proved to be a one-sided affair, as the Caribbean champ routed his closest rival 9-3, 9-0, 9-0.

There was also a re-match of the individual final in the women's category and Barbadian Karen Hogarth proved that her upset of 2000 Caribbean and Guyanese champion Fernandes was no fluke with a 9-7, 9-7, 4-9, 9-3 victory on Saturday.

RESULTS: MEN
Guyana def. T&T 4-1 (Guyanese players mentioned first).

Damien De Silva lost to Ryan Abraham 2-9, 6-9, 0-9; Robert Fernandes def. Colin Ramasra 9-0, 3-9, 9-6, 10-8; Luke Fraser def. Don Lee 9-3, 9-0, 9-0; Shawn

Badrinath def. Paul De Verteuil 9-7, 9-6, 5-9, 10-8; Julian Chin def. Dirk Prudent 9-2, 9-2, 3-9,9-7.

WOMEN:
Barbados def. Guyana 4-0 (B'dos players mentioned first). C. Jackson def. K. King 3-9, 10-8, 8-10, 9-2, 9-5; J.Armstrong def. K. Shuffler 9-5, 9-7, 2-9, 8-10, 9-5; K. Hogarth def. N. Fernandes 9-7, 9-7, 4-9, 9-3; S.

Perkins def. D. Jeffrey 9-7, 9-3, 9-0.

Most Outstanding Player - Robert Fernandes (Guyana).

Most Valuable Player- Andy Gill (Barbados).

Men's and Overall Champions - Guyana.

Women's and Overall Champions- Barbados.

SOUTH AFRICA
H.Gibbs c R.Latif b W.Akram 0

G.Smith lbw b W.Akram 5

J.Kallis b W.Younis 3

B.Dippenaar run-out 55

J.Ontong c and b W.Younis 10

J.Rhodes c R.Latif b A.Mahmood 11

M.Boucher b A.Mahmood 57

L.Klusener not out 28

N.Boje b W.Akram 1

S.Pollock not out 13

Extras: (lb-2, nb-7, w-4) 13

Total: (for eight wickets, 50 overs) 196

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-8, 3-10, 4-29, 5-49, 6-127, 7-167, 8-171.

Bowling: Wasim Akram 10-2-31-3 (nb-2), Waqar Younis 10-0-48-2 (w-2), Azhar Mahmood 9-0-33-2, Abdul Razzaq 10-0-39-0 (nb-5), Shahid Afridi 10-0-28-0 (w-2), Shoaib Malik 1-0-15-0.

PAKISTAN
I.Nazir b Pollock 0

S.Malik run-out 12

S.Afridi c Boucher b Donald 62

Y.Youhana c Boje b Klusener 22

Inzimam-ul-Haq hit wicket b Ontong 41

Y.Khan lbw b Klusener 0

A.Razzaq b Boje 0

R.Latif b Donald 22

A.Mahmood not out 16

W.Akram b Donald 11

W.Younis c Smith b Donald 1

Extras: (w-1) 1

Total: (all out, 48.3 overs) 188

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-49, 3-92, 4-118, 5-118, 6-119, 7-155, 8-163, 9-186.

Bowling: Pollock 9-3-25-1, Kallis 10-0-56-0, Donald 9.3-0-43-4 (w-1), Klusener 10-1-21-2, Boje 8-0-36-1, Ontong 2-0-7-1.

S.Africa record tense victory to reach Morocco final
TANGIERS, Morocco, (Reuters) - South Africa recorded a tense eight-run victory over Pakistan yesterday to reach the final of the Morocco Cup triangular tournament.

A middle order batting collapse in the space of just seven deliveries cost Pakistan dear as South Africa held their nerve to reach Wednesday's final against Sri Lanka.

Chasing a modest 197 for victory after a fine bowling performance spearheaded by veteran fast bowler Wasim Akram, Pakistan appeared to be cruising to victory following a whirlwind 62 in 40 balls by Shahid Afridi.

But the dramatic collapse, which saw both Younis Khan and Abdul Razzaq depart without scoring, set up a tense finish.

The match turned in South Africa's favour when Inzamam-ul-Haq (41) attempted to hit part-time spinner Justin Ontong over the ropes at midwicket.

What should have been a six turned into a vital dismissal and Pakistan were plunged into trouble at 163 for eight wickets in the 42nd over.

Azhar Mahmood fought valiantly to keep his team alive with an unbeaten 16 in the closing stages but fast bowler Allan Donald (4-43) claimed the last two wickets to clinch a memorable victory.

South Africa's win was truly remarkable, considering they managed to post a respectable total despite being reduced to 49 for five wickets.

But battling half-centuries from Boeta Dippenaar and Mark Boucher helped to rebuild the innings after a splendid display of fast bowling from Akram and Waqar Younis.

Akram struck the first blow with the first ball of the match when Herschelle Gibbs edged a wide delivery into the gloves of Rashid Latif.

Jacques Kallis (3) quickly followed Gibbs back into the pavilion after being bowled by Waqar in the second over.

Opener Graeme Smith (5) was trapped plumb lbw in Akram's third over, Ontong (10) chipped a straightforward return catch to Waqar three overs later and the innings reached its demise when Jonty Rhodes (11) edged Azhar to Latif with the score on just 49.

But Dippenaar struggled to 55 from 89 balls while wicketkeeper Boucher played with similar caution to make 57 from 99 balls before a slow full toss from Azhar deceived him in the air and hit leg stump.

Pakistan's apparent cruise towards victory came unstuck at 92 for two when Afridi's thrilling hitting, which included five fours and four sixes, ended with an edge off Donald to Boucher.

Lance Klusener then took two wickets in successive deliveries when Yousuf Youhana (22) holed out to deep midwicket and Younis Khan was trapped lbw next ball.

South Africa and Sri Lanka play the final group match today in what has now become a dress rehearsal for the final.

Ali claims world title
LAILA Ali won her first world title on Saturday as her father, Muhammad Ali, watched at ringside.

The 24-year-old stopped Suzy Taylor in the second round to claim the IBA super-middleweight championship in Las Vegas.

Muhammad Ali received a standing ovation when he entered the arena.

And his daughter got the job done quickly with a barrage of blows to the head and body.

"I wanted to come out and hit her with some body shots,'' said Ali. "But once I saw how slow she was and couldn't do anything, I knew I had to go for it.''

Ali has improved her record to 12-0 with nine knockouts, and has no plans to stop just yet. "I'm just going to keep fighting, pick it up and go after the girls that have belts,'' said Ali.

Sharing the top of the bill was the fight between Armenia's William Abelyan and Panama's Orlando Soto for the NABO featherweight title.

Abelyan stopped Soto in the 10th round for a 20-4-1 record. (Extracted from BBC Sport).

SCOREBOARD
JAMAICA innings
L.Garrick b McLean 0

C.Gayle b McLean 14

W.Hinds c wkp. Pope b McLean 8

M.Samuels b K Martin 46

R.Powell run-out 12

R.Samuels C Stapleton b Jackson 6

G.Breese not out 44

L Williams b wkp. Pope b Martin 7

K Hibbert b Martin 9

D.Powell b Peters 3

J.Lawson c Martin b McLean 2

Extras: (b-1, lb-4, nb-13, w-2) 20

Total: (all out - 47.4 overs) 171

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-21, 3-33, 4-51, 5-61, 6-110, 7-126, 8-145, 9-165.

Bowling: Mclean 8.4-1-26-4, Hooper 6-0-19-0, Peters 6-0-21-1, Jackson 10-0-31-1, Martin 10-0-40-3, Stapleton 7-1-29-0.

ST VINCENT & the GRENADINES innings

R.McLean c Gayle b Lawson 3

R.Currency b Lawson 0

D.Byam c wkp. Hibbert b D.Powell 7

U.Pope c & b Gayle 15

D.Joseph lbw Williams 12

K.Martin c wkp K Hibbert b Gayle 14

B.Stapleton lbw Gayle 7

O.Jackson not out 26

N.McLean c Gayle b R.Powell 12

K.Peters b D.Powell 0

C.Hooper c Garrick b R.Powell 1

Extras: (lb-6, nb-2, w-12) 20

Total: (all out - 41.3 overs) 117

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-13, 3-21, 4-40, 5-56, 6-63, 7-78, 8-109, 9-110.

Bowling: D.Powell 9-1-35-2, Lawson 7-1-20-2, Williams 3-0-17-1, Breese 10-2-18-0, Gayle 10-3-14-3, R.Powell 2.3-0-7-2.

Points: Jamaica 2, SVG 0.

Jamaica post easy Bowl win over SVG
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) - Chris Gayle’s improving off-spin pulled Jamaica out of trouble and gave them an easy 54-run victory over St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) in their Red Stripe Bowl Zone A match at Alpart on Saturday.

Batting first, Jamaica slipped to 171 all out off 47.4 overs with a good return for Marlon Samuels from injury, before Gayle snared three wickets to reduce the Windward Islands champions to 117 all out in 41.3 overs.

Samuels and Gareth Breese were the only significant scorers for Jamaica, sharing in a team-best stand of 49 for the sixth wicket as big pacer Nixon McLean and Kenroy Martin shared seven wickets to rattle the home side’s batting.

“We just have to sit down and make sure that next time around we do much better," Jamaica captain Robert Samuels told the Sunday Observer newspaper.

McLean began the decline by sending back West Indies batsmen Leon Garrick, first ball, Wavell Hinds (8) and Gayle (12) as the home side stumbled to 33 for three.

Marlon Samuels, sidelined from West Indies duties for the past seven months following knee surgery, hit a fluent 46 off 73 balls with three fours and two sixes and shared in a defiant stand with Breese. He was bowled by Kenroy Martin (3-40) as he swished needlessly across the line two balls after hitting delightfully straight for six.

This restored hope for the Vincentians but the combative Breese kept one end going even as wickets fell at regular intervals, to get Jamaica to what proved a winning total.

Man-of-the-match Breese, fresh from the West Indies A team’s summer tour of the United Kingdom and Canada, hit 44 off 64 balls with two fours.

McLean, bidding to regain West Indies selection for next year’s World Cup in South Africa, where he plays club cricket, ended with four for 26 off m 8.4 overs, and Martin picked up three for 40.

There was a wicket each for left-arm seamer Kenroy Peters (1-21) and leg-spinner Olanzo Jackson (1-31).

As McLean had done earlier, the Jamaican fast-bowers, Darren Powell and Jermaine Lawson, made early inroads.

Lawson (2-20) disposed of Romell Currency (0), bowled off the inside edge from a sharp, lifting delivery, and Reynold McLean (3), while Powell (2-35) followed up with the scalp of Denis Byam (7).

The dismissal of the experienced and dangerous Dawnley Joseph (12), adjudged lbw as he pushed out to the medium-pace of Laurie Williams at 40 for four, was crucial.

There was never real doubt after that about a Jamaican victory, despite a fighting 71-ball unbeaten 26 from Jackson.

Gayle ended with three for 14 off 10 overs, while off-spinner Ricardo Powell took two for seven off 2.3 overs.

"I think we played some rash shots at times today (yesterday) to help St Vincent and the Grenadines," added Samuels, who credited the opposition.

"They bowled pretty well and they bowled straight and we played across the line a lot.

Vincentian skipper, Uzzah Pope, blamed his batsmen for the defeat.

"We had a bad day with the bat all round and that led to our losing the game," he said.

Tyson's world title goal
MIKE Tyson has made it clear that he wants to become world champion again. The 36-year-old is also ready for a rematch with Lennox Lewis, despite being comprehensively beaten by the Englishman in Memphis in June.

"I have been in the game and I am going to come back and be champion again," said Tyson on an American talk show.

"You strive to be the best in the world...and there will always be disappointments. But, it's the ones that are always striving to keep focus that wind up prospering."

Tyson was full of praise for Lewis' performance in their fight and made no excuses for his lacklustre performance.

"He fought well. It showed what could happen if you have a great deal of determination, persistence and consistency. I would love to fight him again. If he wants to fight, I would be willing to fight again."

Tyson would also relish a fight with Evander Holyfield, despite biting his right ear the last time the two met in a boxing ring in 1997.

But Tyson said that the fight would only take place if Holyfield dropped Don King as his promoter.

"He is such a great fighter, that he is the only one in the history of the sport, who never has to say he is going to beat his opponent. "Once he cuts his connection wit