Guyana, U.S. sign US$1.6M pact
By Chamanlall Naipaul
THE Governments of Guyana and the United States yesterday concluded an agreement that will allow for the disbursement of US$1.6M to be used to enhance the capacity of the private and public sectors to implement economic policy.

The money is part of a package of the Strategic Objective Grant Agreement (SOGA) valued at US$7,250,000 and represents the fifth amendment of the agreement. "This agreement was originally signed on September 30, 1998 and was previously amended four times to allow for the disbursement of the grant funds in tranches. The signing of this one will allow for the disbursement of an additional sum of approximately US$1.6M, which brings the total drawdown of the grant to US$6,911,585 to date,” Finance Minister Saisnarine Kowlessar explained.

He added: "It will be used to increase the private and public sectors’ capacity to implement economic policy, strengthen the private sector capacity to influence public policy and to increase services available to support small and micro enterprises. It will also be used to boost investment and support production in Guyana."

United States Ambassador to Guyana Mr. John Godard, who signed the agreement on behalf of his Government said it will help Guyana address some of the key economic areas where advances will help unleash the private sector's full potential to contribute to the economic growth and future of the well being of the citizens of Guyana.

Mr. Godard observed: "The agreement we have just signed for approximately US$1.6M in technical economic cooperation is a tangible demonstration of continued United States Government commitment to Guyana's economic development. Another example was the signing in June of our two countries twelfth in a series of PL-480 agreements. In that agreement, the United States undertook to provide Guyana with commodities valued at US$5M."

The Ambassador acknowledged that there is a broad acceptance in Guyana of the need for the Government and private sector to work collaboratively to find solutions to its economic problems. "There is a pressing need to attract foreign and domestic private investment to provide new jobs by creating an investor-friendly environment. A development strategy built around a model for economic growth that assigns a central role to the private sector is the most effective strategy for overcoming unemployment and underemployment. This project is designed to advance such a strategy," the Ambassador exhorted.

He said Guyana also needs to look at its trade policy within the context of the WTO obligations and the ongoing Free Trade of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations to take advantage of export market opportunities.

Mr. Godard stressed the importance of political stability apart from the economic requisites. "Besides the economic building blocks, clearly, economic growth requires a stable democracy, the elements of which are respect for the rule of law, transparency in decision-making, accountability and broad citizen participation in government. Currently, Guyana is engaged in an energetic debate on how this society can best address some of these issues. The recent dialogue initiated last week under the sponsorship of civil society, specifically the social partners group, is promising," Mr. Godard declared.

Newly appointed Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Guyana Mr. Mike Sarhan underscored the importance of the prerequisites in the sustenance of high economic growth rates. "I must emphasise here that if policies of a country, macroeconomics, the rule of law, trade and investment environment are not right, the country cannot sustain high growth rates over time. All countries that have graduated without exception, have done so through high rates of economic growth over 10-20 years," Sarhan observed.

He, however, was optimistic that the economic challenges facing Guyana can be overcome. "As we all know the economic challenges that Guyana is facing are not easy to overcome. However, I know that we have the tools to deal with even the most daunting problems. These tools were developed from the wealth of information, empirical evidence, and the many lessons learned from our developmental work since World War 11, but especially since the 1960s," Sarhan assured.

President meets gold and diamond miners’ body
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday met with members of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) to discuss issues pertaining to the sector.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, the meeting came about at the request of the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Stanislaus Jardim and Secretary, Mr. Tony Shields.

It follows a previous one with Adviser to the President on Investment, Mr. Maniram Prashad, during which several concerns about the mining industry were raised.

Also discussed at yesterday’s meeting were issues pertaining to management of the hinterland by GGMC, hinterland roads, security in the interior, partnership for increase declaration of gold, protocols for granting additional incentive for productive miners and Brazilian miners.

Jardim noted that the Government had always cooperated with the mining sector and that the meeting served to review some accomplishments, among other issues.

“It is a meeting dealing with general issues, reviewing the position and status of the industry, and how we can help each other to ensure that we get the best out of the industry in the future,” he told GINA.

The Association also sought to enhance a partnership between its executive and the government.

The GGDMA’s representatives said they were happy with President Jagdeo’s announcement sometime ago that when the price of gold fell below a certain price the royalty would be reduced by a certain percentage.

That relief, Jardim said, significantly helped to save the industry from serious problems.

Benschop and Bynoe treason charge--
Magistrate to continue P.I. as charged
MAGISTRATE Chandra Sohan, whose oral directions to the Prosecution to amend the treason charge against Phillip Bynoe and Mark Benschop sparked off a motion in the Full Court, has changed his position and now undertakes to conduct the Treason inquiry in accordance with the treason charge as sworn to.

After hearing this revelation from Attorney General Doodnauth Singh, S.C., who was appearing on behalf of the Magistrate, the Full Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature, which was asked by the Director of Public Prosecutions Mr Denis Hanomansingh to find that the Magistrate had erred in his ruling, decided that there was no need to make a further order in the matter.

Consequently, President of the Court Mr B.S. Roy, with Justice William Ramlall and Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards ruled:-

"Based on the undertaking given by the Magistrate, through his Counsel, the Attorney General, Mr Doodnauth Singh, S.C. M.P., that he (the Magistrate) would proceed with the Preliminary Inquiry into the treason charge as sworn to by Deputy Commissioner of Police Leon Trim, we do not see the need for a further order by us."

Senior Counsel Mr Bernard De Santos, representing the DPP, Leading Counsel for the Defence Mr Basil Williams and the Attorney General, were among a battery of lawyers, who left the crowded Courtroom after hearing the Full Court pronounce that the Preliminary Inquiry would begin on Monday next. (GEORGE BARCLAY)

Parliament to deal with measures to combat crime
PARLIAMENT will convene today to deal with several important legislative initiatives, including those aimed at addressing and monitoring deportees, the Evidence Act, racial hostility and criminal proceedings - all aimed at addressing the recent surge in criminal activity.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Reepu Daman Persaud requested that the Speaker of the House, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran convene Parliament during the current recess period.

"This request was honoured and Parliament would be meeting (today)," Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon told reporters at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

The legislative initiatives to be dealt with at today's sitting "would be the main consideration...in support of the actions being taken by the administration in the context of the recent surge in criminal activities".

According to Luncheon, the People's Progressive Party/Civic administration feels that these "important pieces of legislation", if and when enacted, would address "the facilitation of prosecution, that is to render prosecutions more certain of successes; toughen the penal clauses in the various pieces of legislation and widen the ambit of the law in respect to solving crimes". - (MARK RAMOTAR)

National awards ceremony to coincide with PPP/C milestone
THE state-sponsored investiture ceremony for this year will be held on October 05, which will coincide with the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in office.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, yesterday said the annual ceremony to present national awards to outstanding persons who have displayed dedication and devotion to their country will be held at the National Cultural Centre and followed with a civic reception.

He told his regular weekly post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the President in Georgetown that the anniversary celebration of the PPP/C will take place in all 10 administrative regions and in Georgetown.

According to Luncheon, there will be a critical examination of policies, programmes and their consequences, as well as reviews of decision-makers and their decisions and the achievements of 10 years of consistent success by the PPP/C Government.

Luncheon said, too, that the anniversary celebration will also highlight contributions made by former PPP/C Executive Presidents.

It provides an opportunity for Ministers in the social sectors, such as health and education, to highlight the policies and programmes that have been carried out during the 10 years, he said.

The celebration also allows Government Ministers to converse with Guyanese about the inspiration and motivation behind their efforts to implement programmes and policies, despite difficulties and constraints, Luncheon added.

"It is indeed a fitting time, one decade later, for those movers and shakers on the executive to discourse with Guyanese (on) why we did what we did; how we did what we did; any second thoughts and would I have done things differently. This is part and parcel of the intended tenth anniversary celebration activities," he told reporters.

The PPP/C administration took office on October 05, 1992 after winning the national elections conducted freely and fairly. The administration continued in office after successfully winning elections again on December 15, 1997 and March 19, 2001.

A statement from the Government Information Agency (GINA) noted that during the 10 years in office, the PPP/C has improved the living standards of all Guyanese and all the social sectors.

New schools have been constructed while existing ones have been rehabilitated, it said. Thousands of teachers have also been trained and examination results have improved tremendously, GINA noted.

In the water sector, billions of dollars have been spent and about 100 new wells have been drilled to provide every Guyanese with potable water. There are still several projects on stream in this area.

It noted too, that health care and facilities have been upgraded at the hospitals and health centres throughout the country.

The PPP/C administration distributed more than 50,000 house lots between 1993 to 2000 and has embarked on a massive drive to provide housing for all Guyanese, GINA added. - (MARK RAMOTAR).

Luncheon says US$73M credit from IMF ‘speaks volumes’
By Mark Ramotar
HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon has joined the bandwagon lauding the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for approving a much-needed and very important US$73M three-year credit to Guyana.

He yesterday said it is an indication of the Government's economic policies that for vast numbers of Guyanese are reflected in the country’s macro-economic stability.

Luncheon told his regular post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the President in Georgetown that this is indicative of the confidence the IMF has in Guyana's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and the Government's economic policies.

"Guyanese have, of course, welcomed the news of the IMF's approval under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) of the US$73M on concessionary terms over the next three years. Cabinet, of course, whilst noting the successful decision by the Board of the IMF, is more concerned or equally concerned (with) the indications of the approval," he said.

According to Luncheon, Cabinet recognised clearly that the approval of the credit by the Executive Board of the IMF is an indication of the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration's economic policies that for vast numbers of Guyanese are reflected in macro-economic stability.

The approval, however, was also important in that it supported the financing part of the budget, he said, asserting that in "political terms", it speaks volumes.

"That approval is despite the aggravations in our domestic environment and (with) political stability...aggravations initiated and being carried out daily by the main opposition Peoples National Congress/Reform (PNC/R).

“It is also despite the frantic efforts of the PNC/R and their acolytes, in their useless and unjustified protest to the management and to the boards of the international financial agencies such as the IMF, the World Bank and the IDB," Luncheon said.

He noted that the PPP/C administration knows that this support shown by the IMF "would now silence (its) hereditary critics…and it expects those critics to redouble their useless efforts to prevent (it) creating economic improvement in Guyana".

Finance Minister, Saisnarine Kowlessar indicated earlier this week that the approval of the credit by the Executive Board of the IMF "displays a vote of confidence" by the international donor community in Guyana's efforts and its commitments to prudent economic management towards sustaining growth and reducing poverty.

"Altogether, it is a tremendous boost of confidence from the international donor community in Guyana's efforts towards having macro-economic stability and discipline in the economy as a whole," Kowlessar said Tuesday.

The IMF Board approved a three-year credit under its PRGF for an amount equivalent to SDR 54.55 million (US$73M) for Guyana.

An IMF press release on Monday said the Executive Board determined that Guyana's PRSP "provides a sound basis for Fund concessional financial assistance. "As a result, Guyana will be able to draw immediately up to SDR 5.5 million (about US$7.3M) from the credit," the IMF said.

At a news briefing on Tuesday dealing entirely with the IMF's approval of the credit, Minister Kowlessar said "this vote of confidence by the IMF" clears the way for other international donors to provide interim assistance to the Government. According to him, both the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank "will now view Guyana's position more favourably based on what has taken place over the last few days with the approval of the IMF programme".

Also, it will clear the way for assistance from bilateral donors from countries with which Guyana shares bilateral relations, the Finance Minister said.

He pointed out that some of these countries would usually use the IMF as a "yardstick" or "measuring rod" for providing bilateral assistance.

Kowlessar said the IMF credit will also help to service Guyana’s debts and reduce it further.

"So based on all of these factors, I think it was a big plus for Guyana getting this assistance at this point in time and I am sure it will be used to the benefit of all the people of this country," he assured.

"The Government is very pleased with the approval of the IMF Board of the PRGF, which is a concessional facility for low income countries, and is based on the PRSP," Kowlessar told reporters.

He, however, noted that the success of the programme will naturally depend upon all stakeholders playing a role, since at the moment Guyana is faced with tremendous problems both locally and internationally.

The approval of the credit was also lauded by President Bharrat Jagdeo, who said Guyana must be practicing sound economic policies to get such an approval from the IMF.

"I think it is a good thing for the country, especially in light of some people trying to block this programme," the President told reporters on Tuesday.

Bandits rob church Penny Bank
The high spate of robbery in Guyana took a new twist yesterday when bandits carted off over $100,000 from a city church after 'sticking up' the Minister, Assistant Minister and another member of the congregation.

Pastor Una Barker, her daughter and Assistant Pastor, Ms Pamela Barker, and Assistant Secretary of the church's Penny Bank, Ms Carmen Byron, were tallying the day's deposits, when two armed men calmly walked in and demanded the money.

The money was being counted in another building in the compound of the Lodge Truth Church, Chapel and Norton Streets, Lodge, Georgetown.

Pastor Barker told the Chronicle that the men, one of whom she said was a “stout Rasta fellow” and the other tall and fair in complexion, left the compound $120,000-plus richer.

She suspects that the men were tipped off about the income of the Penny Bank and the day on which banking is done. Banking is only conducted on Wednesdays.

The Pastor said that the church's Penny Bank has been in existence for about 32 years, since the establishment of the institution. This is the first time it has been robbed.

The elderly Pastor recalled that herself and the other two church officials were involved in the usual banking session at about 17:10 hours when the men pounced on them.

She said the intruders held a gun to her head and demanded the cash. The women’s bags were searched for valuables and she was relieved of her gold chain while Ms Byron's cellular phone was taken. She said the men also tried to take the rings she wears but she resisted.

Ms Barker said she feels badly about what happened, but noted that the robbery has been done and added that she is thankful that her life was spared.

The Pastor is now contemplating security measures for the building.

The Lodge Truth Church has about 300 members.

Cabinet gets good feedback from crime talks
…time extended for better response from target groups
THE countrywide crime consultations have entered their second week, and based on a report received by Cabinet on Tuesday, the sessions have had good responses from communities in the various regions, Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon said yesterday.

He, however, told his regular post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the President in Georgetown that the target group consultations have not been so well attended.

"So far, the crime consultations have had good responses from the communities in the various regions. The target group consultations, unfortunately, have not been so well attended. As a consequence, the steering committee has decided to extend the period of consultation into the week of September 23 to facilitate a second opportunity…for the earlier planned consultations that attracted poor responses…," Luncheon said.

He noted that the Question and Answer period of the consultations and the filling out of questionnaires provided reviewers with an excellent opportunity to assess citizens' reactions, concerns and their views on the current crime fighting tactics and strategies of the law enforcement agencies.

Sessions are planned for Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam); West Coast and West Bank Demerara, Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands); Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice); Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne); Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).

The National Steering Committee on Crime planned 25 public consultations which began on September 09. The committee was established following the national consultation on crime organised by the Office of the President on August 22 at the Ocean View Convention Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

The committee comprises members of the political parties, civil society including the private sector, religious organisations and the legal fraternity. - (MARK RAMOTAR).

Panday charged on overseas bank account
From Rickey Singh
BASDEO PANDAY, former Prime Minister and leader of the main opposition United National Congress (UNC), has been charged with three offences under Trinidad and Tobago's Public Integrity Act.

The charges are in connection with his failure to disclose a London-based bank account he shares with his wife, Oma Panday.

Panday had provided the Integrity Commission with information following media disclosure of the account, variously reported to involve TT$5 to $TT10 million (TT$6=US$1).

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had forwarded a file to the Police authorising them to probe the issue of a possible violation of the Public Integrity Act.

Yesterday's dramatic development amid intense campaigning for the coming October 7 general election, immediately provoked speculations about its likely impact on the UNC's chances of regaining the government.

But criminal and constitutional lawyers have pointed out that no proper assessment could be made at this stage before the matter actually comes up for a Court hearing.

Panday, who was charged by way of summons served on him at his home at Gulfview, San Fernando, was on the election campaign trail last night and could not be reached for a comment.

In July this year, following a report in the local media that some TT$5 million in deposits had been made into the overseas bank account of the Pandays in four years, Panday told a UNC rally that the account did not "contain either $10 million, $5million or $1 million".

But he did not say how much money was actually in the account.

New Amsterdam crime consultation puts focus on confidentiality
RESIDENTS of New Amsterdam and its environs, who attended the public consultation on crime at the Town Hall on Tuesday, made recommendations mainly on issues surrounding confidentiality to improve the relationship between the Police and citizens.

Some speakers at the forum said, when a complaint is made to the Police by a member of the public against another, about noise nuisance or drugs, the complainant’s confidence is breached many times and the offending party is informed, leading to threats and assaults.

Other contributors were of the opinion that, because of distrust between the two major ethnic groups, the role of the Police should be redefined to make it more people-oriented.

One participant, quoting from the late poet Martin Carter, said: “All are involved, all are consumed” and suggested they look at themselves for answers.

His suggestion was to reactivate the Police youth groups/clubs towards rebuilding good relations with the Force.

Another said people of a certain ethnic group rejoice at the slaying of cops because their particular race is constantly harassed by the ranks.

The matter of thoroughly screening recruits was mentioned and one view expressed is that many of them might have been linked to anti-social cliques prior to joining the law enforcement agency.

More suggestions called for the resuscitation of Guyana National Service to provide skills and training for youths, some of whom are school dropouts and a review of the judicial system to produce speedier trials and night sittings of the Courts to reduce the backlog of cases.

Mention was also made about bandits having high-tech communication gadgets, which should be matched by Police on patrols.

At the forum, which is part of the countrywide series ending today, were Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe and Colonel Mark Phillips and Major Dindyal William of the Guyana Defence Force.

The National Steering Committee on Crime, whose representative was Mr. Errol Van Nooten, is spearheading the exercise to help formulate positive strategies for dealing with the heightened current crime situation.

DPP denies recruiting Prosecutor in Trinidad
DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions, Mr Denis Hanomansingh, yesterday publicly denied that he had recruited a lawyer in Trinidad to lead the Prosecution team in the current treason case involving Phillip Bynoe and Mark Benschop.

The DPP was in the Courtroom when he made the denial to members of the media, who had read the report in a section of the local press.

According to the DPP, "I have not spoken to anyone as alleged by the newspaper".

Emergency repairs for three sets of schools
THE Emergency Repair of Schools component of the Secondary Schools Reform Project (SSRP) is to begin shortly.

A press release from the SSRP said that this component contains three packages, each of which has been awarded to different consulting firms. Package A has been awarded to VIKAB Engineering consultants Ltd, Package B to David Klautky Associates and Package C to Claude Henry & Associates.

The five schools in Package A are Port Kaituma, Abrams Zuil, Leguan and Bartica Secondary Schools and St. John's Community High School. Package B comprises Charlestown, East Ruimveldt and Rosignol Secondary Schools, BV and Paramakatoi Community High Schools and Bygeval Multilateral School. Package C consists of Covent Garden and Kwakwani Secondary Schools, Friendship and St. Ignatius Community High Schools, Corentyne Comprehensive High School and New Amsterdam Multilateral School.

The Secretariat of the SSRP is awaiting World Bank approval of contracts for schools in Package A and the cost of the final design by the consultants for the schools in Packages B and C.

In each of the packages, there is a multilateral school, which has asbestos roofs. Courtney Benn Contracting Services has been awarded a $100M contract for the removal and disposal of the asbestos from these schools. Presently, the Secretariat is awaiting Cabinet Award for the Supervision Consultancy for this project. Also being awaited is the World Bank approval of the text of the contract for the Supervision Consultancy, the release said.

Students and other occupants of these schools will have to be relocated during the removal of the asbestos.

Ricks & Sari honours top SSEE students, teachers
FOURTEEN children, who topped the list of passes at this year’s Secondary Schools Entrance Examinations (SSEE), were honoured at a special ceremony hosted by the Managing Director of Ricks & Sari last Saturday afternoon. Seven teachers were also singled out for commendation and gifts by the firm.

The ceremony was conducted at the Ricks & Sari office located at 135 Sheriff and Fourth Streets, Campbellville, Georgetown, and each student and teacher was presented with a gift-wrapped hamper of Ricks & Sari products.

Managing Director Mr Reagan Rodrigues, who presented the hampers, announced that the three top students would receive Ricks & Sari hampers each month for the next year. They are: Vedawattie Singh of Leonora Primary, Junell Pedro of Mae’s Primary and Abdool Jabar of West Ruimveldt Primary.

The other students are: Daniel Seeram; Nadia Bulkan, Ijak Rafik, Deewan Persaud, Praim Persaud; Ashmeema Bacchus; Colwin Bailey; Michael Perreira; Alex Deochand Chetram; Randy Wilson and Yolander Persaud.

The teachers honoured were: Latchmin Gopaul; Teacher Success, Carol Joseph; Gem Moriah; Teacher Rambarose; Drupitee Singh and Deewan Persaud. Teacher Latchmin Gopaul of Leonora Primary School will also receive a hamper each month for the next year.

Russian Federation, CARICOM express satisfaction after first meeting
THE Russian Federation and CARICOM have indicated the need for close cooperation and have expressed satisfaction with their first meeting, which was held on Tuesday, September 17 on the sidelines of the 57th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The Foreign Ministers of member States of CARICOM and the Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov were present at the meeting, which was co-chaired by Ivanov and External Affairs Minister of St. Lucia, Julian Hunte.

A joint communique stated: “The Ministers expressed satisfaction with the results of the first meeting between Russia and CARICOM nations, directed to creation of a forum for political dialogue and the expansion of ties in the areas of mutual interest."

It further stated: "The sides underscored the necessity of close coordination and cooperation in the combating of terrorism, the drug business and organised crime. They spoke in favour of the elaboration of effective measures at the national, regional and international levels to ensure security in all its dimensions."

The Ministers also spoke in favour of fostering relations of practical cooperation, and for this purpose they agreed to hold a meeting of experts to determine the most optimal forms of collaboration in the political, economic and law enforcement fields.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Igor Ivanov signed with the Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Louis Straker, a joint statement on the establishment -- and with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Grenada Elvin Nimrod - on the re-establishment of diplomatic relations and the exchange of ambassadors between the Russian Federation and these Caribbean states in New York on Tuesday, September 17.

The statements expressed readiness to develop relations in the interest of peace and cooperation between the peoples on the basis of mutual respect for independence, sovereign and territorial integrity, the principles of non-interference and non-use of force in international relations, the pacific settlement of disputes and other legal norms enshrined in the UN Charter.

Despite intermittent rain rice harvesting moving apace
Current paddy quality better than last crop
--Says GRPA General Secretary
By Chamanlall Naipaul
THE harvesting of the present rice crop is progressing well, but the rate has slowed down in some communities because of intermittent rain.

Mr Dharamkumar Seeraj, General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA), told the Chronicle that harvesting is currently ongoing in all the rice growing Regions and the quality of paddy being produced is better than the previous crop.
Mr Seeraj attributed this to an intensified pest management training programme for farmers being carried out jointly by the GRPA and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). He disclosed that 28 training seminars were held during the year throughout the five rice growing Regions. In addition, subsidised chemicals for the control of paddy were provided to farmers by the GRPA and GRDB and better extension services helped improved farm management.

However, he said there is need for better drainage and the RPA has been making ongoing representations on this issues at all levels including the Regional and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and at the level of Central Government.

Seeraj pointed out, too, that the yield in some Regions has the exceeded the national average of 71 bags of paddy per hectare, with Essequibo recording the highest yield of 75 bags per hectare.

At the present time, 33 per cent of the harvesting has been completed and Seeraj is optimistic that once the weather holds the harvesting of the entire crop would be completed by mid-October.

Of the 13,000 hectares planted in the Essequibo, 8,000 hectares have been reaped so far representing about 62,000 tonnes of paddy. Average damage to paddy has decreased from 15 per cent in the last crop to 6 per cent this crop, Seeraj disclosed.

In Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) 300 and 350 hectares have been harvested on the islands of Leguan and Wakenaam respectively. Sixteen hundred hectares were planted in the former, while 800 hectares were sown in the latter. On the West Demerara, 700 of 5,500 hectares planted have been reaped. The yield is 72 bags per hectare.

In Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) 2,700 hectares were planted and so far harvesting of 2,000 hectares has been finished, with a yield of 70 bags per hectare. The comparable figures for Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) are 13,000 hectares and 3,200 hectares and 64 bags respectively.

In Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) where planting was done later than in the other Regions because of floods at the beginning of the crop, only a small proportion of harvesting has been completed, about 1,700 hectares out of a maximum of 10,200 hectares.

Guyana Water Inc takes disconnection campaign to Linden
THE Guyana Water Inc has moved its disconnection campaign to the mining town of Linden. Yesterday, the agency began disconnections in the wards of Fairs Rust, North Mackenzie, Amelia's Ward, Cinderella City and Kara Kara.

The agency, however, sought to assure its Linden customers, through a release issued Tuesday, that they could yet beat the campaign by paying up their water bills. This transaction can be carried out at either its West Watooka office or at any Post Office in the area.

"Customers who might be visiting Georgetown and are willing to pay in the City can do so at the Commercial Services Department located at Vlissengen Road and Church Street or at the office at Peter's Hall on the East Bank Demerara," the agency said.

You will not regret it. We are living in a metric world.

Passport forgery costs U.S. deportee $15,000
UNITED States (U.S.) deportee Sarojiji Somai, 29, of Albion, Corentyne, Berbice, was yesterday fined $10,000 with the alternative of nine months imprisonment for passport forgery.

Before Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen, she pleaded guilty to forging a travel document issued to Angela Hemwattie Haley, by inserting her own photograph.

Police said Somai passed through immigration at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, with the bogus documentation but the crime was detected by the authorities there when she arrived in New York.

She was arrested by the local Criminal Investigations Department after being deported back here.

Fine for unexplained rear view mirrors
KERRY Vancooten, 29, who could not give a proper account for three motorcar rear view mirrors which he had, was fined $15,000 yesterday for unlawful possession.

If he does not pay the monetary penalty, he has to spend three months in jail, Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen stipulated, after Vancooten pleaded guilty to the offence.

Police said a security guard apprehended Vancooten with the fixtures in the vicinity of Thirst Park, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, last Saturday, September 14.

The defendant had been acting in a suspicious manner and many motor vehicles were parked in the area, the Court was told.

Water pumps thief fined $15,000
FIFTY-YEAR-OLD Samuel Charles, who pleaded guilty to larceny before Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen, was yesterday fined $15,000 with the alternative of four months imprisonment.

The defendant admitted stealing two water pumps valued $75,000, from Charles Validin on September 13.

Police said the virtual complainant secured the motors in his Subryanville, Georgetown yard but discovered them missing the following day.

However, a security guard reported seeing Charles taking away the booty in a bag.

Shot burglary defendant makes Court appearance
MARK Boyce, 31, of Lot 107 Albouys Street, Albouystown, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen yesterday, still nursing a gunshot injury he suffered at the scene of a break and enter crime.

Police reported that the defendant, now aided by crutches, was wounded on his right knee on September 10 by city mortician Claude Merriman.

Merriman had responded to a report that his Lot 18 John Street house, also in Georgetown, was being burglarised and he arrived there to find Boyce jumping through a window.

The licensed firearm holder reported that, when he commanded the defendant to halt, Boyce advanced with a knife in hand and he fired his gun, hitting the foiled burglar, Police said.

Boyce was put on $15,000 bail and has to be back in Court on November 7.

To his credit he asserts, "Indians cannot be charged with marginalising Africans". To his discredit, however, is his unpardonable argumentation in the past which, with equal clarity of impress and pretext, urged the contrary view, and one may now be excused for believing that his intentions were tailored to support the insurrectionary endeavours of the opposition elements who vowed to make Guyana ungovernable. With the overthrow of the PPP/C, the PNC/R would then take over.

Not so long ago, I sought to urge in a letter to the press that academics like Hinds have been largely responsible for the mayhem and anarchy visited upon society, having regard to their craftily tutorialised viewpoints, which endear themselves to the unschooled masses. Sooner or later, the canker was bound to spread beyond the intended victims, and tribal cannibalism is spawned to satiate the needs generated by the Neanderthal urges, if not instincts, of the rampaging mobs.

It is at this stage that Hinds and company seek refuge in their sliding-rule of esoteric logic in an attempt to atone for their lack of political foresight. 20-20 vision remains the aphoristic definition of hindsight and some analysts need to constantly remind themselves that unintended consequences can be avoided by a greater focus on the reality rather than the theory.

With uncanny sophistry, Hinds perpetuates his emotive slander against Indo-Guyanese by embracing the incantation of the megalomaniac segment of the political opportunists that "governments operating in the name of Indians have presided over the persistent marginalisation of Africans", followed later by "I don't have to tell Africans they are marginalised; they know it because they experience it everyday".

Any literate African reading this diabolical viewpoint can hardly be blamed for developing a mindset of distrust and rejection of the Indo-Guyanese. And who should the Indo-Guyanese blame? Hinds, McCallister, Lowe, Abu Bakr and other academics who practise theory at the expense of the stability and sanity of the nation! At least McCallister and Lowe are resident Guyanese who can claim to have constituency - PNC/R. Hinds' erstwhile constituency, the WPA, was salvaged from the ocean bed by the towline of GAP so much so that its residuary, but resident leader, Roopnarine, now seeks refuge in Academia where his wisdom is superlatively demonstrated.

The ultimate in Hinds' anfractuous essay is his reliance on Dr. Jagan's 1988 speech, and his reference to ladder theory, both contextually inapposite to the issue of marginalisation in Guyana. Cheddi was an internationalist and "blacks" in his lexicon was not limited to "Africans". Jagan, while he recognised there was a racial problem, did not say that Africans were marginalised by "Governments operating in the name of Indians". Cheddi was in opposition at the time and his speech should be construed to reflect his then mantra that Indians, in particular, were being discriminated against and victimised by the Hoyte regime. Anyone reading that speech will have noticed that his incantations were shorn of the combative nuances permeating Hinds' discourses nor did he proclaim that he was the leader of an ethnic grouping, a constant boast of Dr. Hinds and others.

Political scientists of the calibre of Hinds ought to adopt the regnant wisdom of the Roopnarines and act out their intellectual skills on the hallowed stage of academia, if not, they may find themselves condemned to the boot hill of extremism.
ALBERT DAVID.

Totally opposed to internet censorship
I AM totally opposed to any kind of censorship on access to the internet, more so to the invasion of privacy of internet users. The warning that anyone downloading copyright material would be disconnected is dangerous. Who appointed any of these local internet providers as policemen and judge?

I also applaud reference in your letter column to the former Minister of Information, Moses Nagamootoo, as "learned" in relation to his effort to speed up Internet access in Guyana. I hope the government consults him on this matter now that he has become an Attorney-at-law.

As a seasoned journalist, Nagamootoo knew what he was doing as Information Minister and he did it competently. His departure from government is noticed.

This government had done much good for many, but it has lost out in public relations and is too defensive. Will Nagamootoo help to turn things around?
JANICE LACHMANEN.

Pleased with PPP/C’s accomplishments
MR. WALTER Jordan is making a claim in his letter in Stabroek News of September 16 that `The PNC government had several achievements to its credit’.

I would like to examine some of his claims and offer comments.

It seems that because he found offence at the statement of fact made by Azad Sookram in Stabroek News of September 7 that people are pleased with the PPP/C's "efforts to move the country forward", that he has been moved to try to justify his claim of (let me put it in capital letters POSITIVE achievements) by the PNC, because achievements can be also negative, for which the PNC is well known.

Walter Jordan says that if the PPP/C has built and repaired hospitals and schools, that is what they are there to do. Well, as everybody knows, this is what they have done and are continuing to do. It is necessary to do so given the very long backlog of the things the PNC did not do, although this is what they should have done when they were there.

Jordan mentions only two concrete examples, the Bartica Police Station and the Bartica Secondary School, but besides these, he is less specific when he says "there are umpteen other facilities all over the land, that need a board or two, and a sanitary block here and there'.

Well, if these are all that he can find to mention, I and many others are considerably pleased with the accomplishments of the PPP/C in their ten short years in government and Jordan, although it was not his intention to do so, has given us the foundation for this well-earned accolade.

Although having claimed that the PNC had several achievements to its credit, perhaps realising the paucity of these, Jordan goes on to charge the PPP and its "quislings" of doing their worst to "bankrupt" the nation and the only examples he can give is the spurious and improvable claim that they destroyed cane crops and made many other efforts to undermine the production of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, but has left us in the dark as to what form these efforts took.

He goes on to claim that the PNC "gave currency to the idea of respectable housing for all Guyanese". He is somewhat more cautious here as he probably recollected that the PNC had promised to feed, clothe and house the nation by 1976. Incidentally, Walter, they had also promised us free cassava and milk; maybe this was only for PNC high-level members because we didn't get nor did we hear that anybody else got. Neither was the nation fed, clothed or housed.

It therefore became necessary for the PNC to find excuses and what better else than falsely blaming their opponents, the PPP. At one time, they used to blame the high oil prices, remember Jordan?

Let me handle one more point, which Jordan mentions and the PNC is fond of talking about, and that is the road to Linden. Well, let me tell you, that when Jagan demitted office, plans for this road and its funding were in Jagan's development plan and all the PNC did was to carry out what was already in the PPP's development plan.
JOHN DASILVA.

Streamlining operations at City Hall
THE Statement by Minister Nadir, with reference to the state of affairs at City Hall, is one with which I can agree.

I agree that something needs to be done to streamline the operations at City Hall. In fact, at the Statutory meeting of August 2002, the Council, by a majority vote, passed a motion seeking to have an investigation done with respect to the Engineering Department.

I do not suppose that it is prudent to be a part of an organisation and criticise it, but I hold the view that if something needs to be corrected, it needs to be said. However, because of the investigation which is expected to start shortly, it will not be appropriate to comment any further.

The public should know, however, that recognising this fact, the political administration of the Council sought and obtained permission to engage a consulting firm to recommend the streamlining of the operations of the administrative directorate.

This initiative has met with some negative responses from a number of persons.

Perhaps, it is instructive to read Cecil Griffith's City Council Round Up, of September 16, 2002 captioned ‘City Hall is out of money’.

Griffith, in his review of the last statutory meeting, reported on the controversies surrounding the City Engineer's absence.

In the first instance the way the City Engineer was able to travel to Singapore needs to be noted.

Secondly, his absence from the last Statutory meeting, and from work, in circumstances where the Mayor was not informed, even as a matter of courtesy, tells a story all by itself.

I wish to advise the public that renewed efforts are being made to have the works done, although the Engineer is still not available to the Council.

The Mayor has been assured that the Acting Engineer, Mr. Alleyne, will cooperate to have the work done.
UHLAN LEANDER
Special Assistant to the Mayor

A giant step forward
THE Working People's Alliance's (WPA) reply to Mark Benschop's letter in Kaieteur News of September 13, 2002 is simple.

Benschop has expressed many views on the history and development of the WPA. This is his right as a citizen.

These are matters the WPA will like to discuss openly when there is not a more compelling crisis in the country, which crisis some deny. Much of what he claims as hidden truth can be found in WPA's public writings.

Perhaps his claim that the WPA was responsible for the death of one Abrams and a Hamilton is a genuine mistake or misunderstanding of what he heard.

Abrams and others were killed in the backlands on Company canal in the 60s. They were not shot from the direction that would suggest an attack from Annandale.

The WPA was born in 1974 and became a political party in 1979.

Information about alleged history of certain activists is pouring in to the WPA, but we really ignore it.

The important part of Benschop's statement reads: "However, I do ask persons who, for understandable reasons, are against the judicial system and the criminal gangs within the Black Clothes, not to hurt innocent Guyanese regardless of race".

This is an important statement and WPA hopes that Benschop's large following will hear it and put in into practice.

The WPA is surely not looking for praise. This call not to hurt innocent people regardless of race is a giant step forward.
DESMOND TROTMAN
For the Working People's Alliance.

Enhance relationship with Police through crime consultation process
THE Guyana Police Force wishes to thank all law-abiding citizens for their cooperation and support, to the general effort to deal with the current crime situation in Guyana. Indeed, this assistance has bolstered the confidence of its ranks and strengthened their hands, in certain vulnerable areas, where such violent crimes have been perpetrated.

Clearly, this is the kind of help that could only result in a desired positive change, where law and order are the two main pillars of our society. These two - law and order - guarantee the rights of citizens. The broad sweep of history has shown, not surprisingly, that in the absence of law and order, society finds it difficult to adequately provide even the most elementary human rights. From the Middle Ages to contemporary times, law and order and rights and other corresponding civic responsibilities and obligations have always been intrinsically linked to each other.

The upsurge in violent crimes which resulted in robberies, murders and the spread of the spirit of fear signal the urgent need for organisations, agencies, groups and citizens to strengthen their relationship with the Guyana Police Force, and work together, in the interest of all concerned. Otherwise, there would be nothing to bequeath to our children and posterity will not forget to judge us for being so obtusely neglectful.

One way by which such a relationship can be enhanced between the stakeholders and the police is through their active participation in the ongoing process of consultation on crime. No one should let up on this opportunity to make a contribution that would add meaning to this necessary arrangement. There is the speculation abroad that the process is narrow, but what comes out in the final policy document depends heavily upon the quantity and quality of citizens’ participation. This is what will make the difference and advance our position as a nation on this recent situation which has gripped our local communities, within recent months. Of course, there will always be those who will mark the soil more deeply with their footprints than others, either because of their weight (their influence) or interest in the particular subject matter. Really, citizens should make themselves the guarantors and defenders of this process. Their role, which should be decisive, must determine the degree of effectiveness of this process without which the condition of general assent would find no sufficient basis in the present reality of our nation.

The Guyana Police Force has been doing all things possible to curb the present crime wave. But its efforts must be buttressed by the view, ideas and suggestions of those who have a genuine interest in the general welfare of our society. Citizens must contemplate ways by which they can help. As Commissioner, Mr. Floyd McDonald said at the funeral of Inspector October, "Those who encourage criminal activities are just as guilty as those who pull the trigger to end the lives of law enforcement officers". He noted that an attack on a police officer was a direct attack on law and order and added that the entire society will suffer if there is a breakdown in the law and order. But he said the force was comforted by the public's support.

Let us remove this blot from our society by discouraging those who are bent upon breaking the law and encourage the police to press on with the task of serving and protecting our country. This is the only way our Guyana would survive.
ROYSTON KING
Public Relations Consultant
The Guyana Police Force.

Foulis Housing Scheme needs electricity
WE, the residents of Foulis Housing Scheme, have read in the newspapers about the US$27.4M loan contract that Government has signed for the supply of electricity.

Unfortunately, in that entire article, there was no mention of Foulis. This is a Government Housing Scheme that has been in existence since 1996. This area has about 764 house lots, and already, about three-quarters of these lots are already occupied.

The residents are really being inconvenienced because of the lack of this basic commodity. Our children have to be doing their studies by lamplight. Many of us have household appliances that must be surely damaged by now.

There are a few smaller housing schemes on the East Coast that started after Foulis and they have already received electricity.

Please, Mr. Prime Minister and the Minister of Housing, I hope you read this letter and can be of some help in correcting this situation for us. If you have forgotten about Foulis Housing Scheme, please be reminded that there are hundreds of families living in darkness.
FED-UP RESIDENTS.

Authorities should urgently, effectively deal with noise nuisance
THE authorities are partly responsible for the sick way in which a man lost his life on the East Coast Road on Sunday, September 15 while going home with his family from a wedding they had attended earlier that day. Reason? Noise nuisance.

The man’s family was ordered to leave the taxi they joined after her husband objected to the loud music that was being played by the driver. The man, at first, refused to disembark, but later complied because he was told that it was a private vehicle.

On exiting the taxi, they saw another car over the road and the man decided to cross the road to find out if the other driver of this vehicle would take them home. But as soon as he stepped out to go across the road, he was hit by a bus causing him to lose his life.

When will the authorities come to the realisation that noise nuisance is a very serious, damaging and inconsiderate act and should be dealt with urgently and zero tolerance.

In the September 6, 2002 edition of Stabroek News, a woman is desperately appealing for support and has started a Freedom From Noise Campaign. It is high time the CBRs, private vehicles owners, taxi drivers and mini-bus drivers, too, be penalised for their inconsiderate actions, especially after hours when persons have long retired to their beds.

Beer Gardens and discos should be made to turn their music down after a certain hour especially where children and working people reside, because apart from messing with one's rest and health noise annoys, and loud music does not determine the number of patrons an operator gets to enter his business.

From Sunday to Sunday, my rest is disturbed by an inconsiderate tenant. I am always feeling tired during the day, my life is completely taken away from me since I have to read, watch television, speak on the phone, sleep and awake with the booming sound in my head every day.

I urge persons who are affected and seriously want to have this sick problem eradicated to fully support the Freedom From Noise Campaign. In case they did not get the address, it is Freedom From Noise Campaign, Sapodilla Learning Centre, King Street, No. 22 Bel Air, Berbice.

I fully support this woman and I am calling on the Minister of Health especially to speak out and advise the authorities and general public of what damage stress can cause to your whole mental, physical system.
CONCERNED CITIZEN.

Trescothick powers England to big win
By N.Ananthanarayanan
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - England overwhelmed Zimbabwe by 108 runs in their Champions Trophy pool two opener yesterday, powered by opener Marcus Trescothick's second consecutive one-day hundred.

The 26-year-old Somerset batsman stroked 119 from only 102 balls and shared in a 141-run second wicket partnership with skipper Nasser Hussain, who hit 75 from 97 balls after choosing to bat first in the day-night match.

England amassed 298 for six and restricted Zimbabwe to 190 for nine with some devastating fast bowling from Matthew Hoggard and Ronnie Irani.

Zimbabwe were always up against it after being restricted to 48 overs because of their slow bowling rate.

Irani claimed 4-37 after Hoggard snapped up three early wickets bowling a sharp 10-over spell of pace and seam movement costing only 25 runs.

Irani's victims included the consistent Andy Flower for a 59-ball 44.

Zimbabwe were eliminated from the trophy after losing both their pool games.

England take on India on Sunday and the winners will qualify for the semifinals of the competition.

TRESCOTHICK SHINES
Zimbabwe, having lost their last eight games to England, had hoped to make a turnaround, but Trescothick took early command with a flurry of fours to dominate the new-ball attack of skipper Heath Streak and Douglas Hondo on a flat pitch.

Trescothick reached his fourth one-day century in only 89 balls and hit 11 fours and two sixes in all.

The batsman, who drove fluently through the covers and pulled firmly, was eventually bowled by left-arm spinner Grant Flower in the 39th over, trying to make room for an off-side shot.

His partnership with Hussain was England's highest for the second wicket in one-dayers against Zimbabwe, bettering the previous best of 134, while England's total was also their best ever against the Africans in limited-overs cricket.

Hussain, who played forceful shots off his pads and used the reverse sweep frequently, reached his 14th one-day fifty with six fours before being bowled trying to pull Streak in the 32nd over.

Debutant all-rounder Ian Blackwell hit 17, which included a six, before Alec Stewart (23) and Owais Shah (25) boosted the score in the final overs.

Hoggard bowled left-hander Alistair Campbell (2) between bat and pad with an incoming delivery and had Grant Flower caught in the slips for seven runs before dismissing second opener Dion Ebrahim for a slow 48-ball 20.

Streak showed some late heroics to remain 50 not out, facing 58 balls and hitting three fours and two sixes, but his effort came too late.

ENGLAND

M.Trescothick b G.Flower 119

N.Knight b Hondo 8

N.Hussain b Streak 75

R.Irani c Campbell b G.Flower 4

I.Blackwell c A.Flower b Streak 17

O.Shah c Campbell b Hondo 25

A.Stewart not out 23

D.Cork c Streak b Hondo 0

J.Snape c & b Hondo 7

A.Caddick not out 10

Extras: (lb-3, w-6, nb-1) 10

Total: (for eight wickets, 50 overs) 298

Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-187, 3-200, 4-224, 5-240, 6-272, 7-273, 8-287.

Bowling: Streak 10-0-50-2 (nb-1, w-1), Hondo 6-0-45-4 (w-1), Mbangwa 10-0-52-0, Whittall 7-0-44-0, Marillier 4-0-26-0 (w-2), Price 4-0-27-0 (w-2), G.Flower 9-0-51-2.

ZIMBABWE

A.Campbell b Hoggard 2

D.Ebrahim c Blackwell b Hoggard 20

G.Flower c Trescothick b Hoggard 7

A.Flower c Snape b Irani 44

S.Carlisle c Knight b Irani 23

G.Whittall lbw b Irani 4

H.Streak not out 50

D.Marillier lbw b Snape 6

D.Hondo b Irani 11

R.Price run-out 7

M.Mbangwa not out 1

Extras: (b-1, lb-6, w-6, nb-2) 15

Total: (for nine wickets, 48 overs) 190

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-14, 3-55, 4-102, 5-111, 6-112, 7-129, 8-150, 9-188.

Bowling: Caddick 10-0-37-0, Hoggard 10-1-25-3, Cork 8-0-37-0, Irani 10-0-37-4, Snape 6-0-18-1, I.Blackwell 4-0-29-0

Result: England won by 108 runs.

Lara to spend a second night in hospital
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Brian Lara is spending a second night in a Colombo hospital after undergoing tests for suspected hepatitis, West Indies team manager Ricky Skerritt said yesterday.

The 33-year-old was admitted to hospital on Tuesday after scoring 111 in the West Indies 29-run win over Kenya in the Champions Trophy.

``Brian is spending another night in hospital and we should have some more news in the morning,'' Skerritt told Reuters.

Skerritt also confirmed he had visited the left-hander during the day.

``I've been to see him and he can sit up in bed, we talked,'' he said. ``But I'm not a medical man so I can't give you any more information.''

Lara was hospitalised after being examined by a doctor when he came off the field following his innings, his first century in one-day internationals since January 2001.

``Brian had discoloured eyes, they were yellowy-orange, there was weakness and he was de-hydrated,'' Skerritt said after the match.

Lara was due to undergo tests to determine the exact nature of his illness, but a media release sent out on Tuesday afternoon said the player had ``suspected hepatitis.''

Hepatitis is an illness that primarily affects the liver. It has various forms, is potentially serious and symptoms include a general lethargy.

Lara's condition places his role in next month's Test and one-day international tour of India in doubt.

The tour starts on October 4 and includes three Test matches and seven one-day internationals.

Despite Lara's century, the West Indies will miss out on a semifinal place in the Champions Trophy if South Africa beat Kenya in the final match in pool 3 tomorrow.

Whether or not they qualify for that semifinal berth, the squad is due to stay in Colombo for a two-week training camp ahead of the India tour.

``The first week is going to involve physical fitness and the second week there should be more attention to technical stuff,'' said captain Carl Hooper.

``We're also trying to arrange a three-day game against a local side.''

WICB president for Williams’ funeral
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (WICB) - Rev. Wes Hall, president of the West Indies Cricket Board, will attend the funeral service for former Jamaica all-rounder Laurie Williams in Kingston today.

The funeral was scheduled for Sabina Park yesterday, but the inclement weather Jamaica has been experiencing over the last few days has forced the postponement.

The 33-year-old Williams and his brother, Kevin Jennison, died in an automobile accident in Jamaica last Sunday.

Williams, a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-paced bowler, played 15 limited-overs internationals for West Indies.

Brazil's 1962 World Cup captain Mauro dies
RIO DE JANEIRO, (Reuters) - Mauro, captain of the Brazil team who won the 1962 World Cup in Chile and a member of the renowned Santos team of the early 1960s, died yesterday at the age of 72.

The former central defender, famous for his elegant style of play, passed away in Pocos de Caldas, the town where he was born, in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais after a battle against cancer, his family told local media.

Full name Mauro Ramos, he was a reserve in the squad that lifted the 1958 World Cup in Sweden but won a place in the team and the captaincy under coach Aymore Moreira four years later in Chile, playing in all six of Brazil's games.

He was also a reserve at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland.

His death came one day after former striker Dida, who was a team-mate in the 1958 squad, died in Rio de Janeiro.

Mauro's career spanned nearly 20 years, beginning with Caldense, then Sao Paulo and finally Santos, where he played alongside Pele in the memorable team that twice won the South American Libertadores Cup and the World Club championship.

He played 28 times for Brazil in an international career spanning 16 years -- starting in a 10-1 win over Bolivia in 1949 and ending with a 2-2 draw against the Soviet Union in 1965.

Montgomery will not run 100 metres at World Cup
By Gene Cherry
MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - World record holder Tim Montgomery will not run the 100 metres at this weekend's athletics World Cup but he might compete in the 4x100-metre relay, his manager said yesterday.

``He's definitely not running the 100,'' Charles Wells told Reuters. ``He has not recovered from the world record last Saturday.''

``There's a possibility he might try to run a leg on the (United States) 4x100-metre relay, but we will know more tomorrow (Thursday).''

Montgomery clipped 0.01 seconds off Maurice Greene's 1999 world record of 9.79 seconds when he clocked 9.78 seconds at the IAAF grand prix final in Paris last Saturday.

He said on Tuesday he was still sore from the spectacular race.

``My feet are swollen from striking the ground so hard, my knees are swollen, my joints are swollen,'' Montgomery said.

Montgomery's training partner and girlfriend, triple Olympic champion Marion Jones, will compete in the women's 100 metres tomorrow, Wells said.

``She will run the 100 and a leg on the 4x100 relay,'' Wells said.

Jones ran her lifetime best in both the 100 and 200 metres at the last athletics World Cup, in 1998 in Johannesburg, when she clocked 10.65 seconds in the 100 and 21.62 seconds in the 200. Only world record holder Florence Griffith-Joyner has ever run faster.

Her best this season in the 100 is 10.84.

Deonandan crowned Champion of Champions pool player
RAKESH ‘Anil’ Deonandan was crowned the Champion of Champions pool player when the Shameer Ali-sponsored competition, organised by Jaypees Recreation Club, climaxed at its Barr Street and Stanley Place, Kitty headquarters on Sunday last.

Playing in his first major competition, the Station Street, Kitty lad upstaged his more accomplished counterparts, his opponent in the final being Calvin from Soesdyke.

According to reports all the ‘big guns’ with the exception of seasoned campaigner Paul Taylor participated in the competition that saw 57 players vying for supremacy.

Third place went to Patrick ‘Blindie’ Edwards, better known for his umpiring skills in softball cricket. He defeated sponsor Shameer Ali who had to settle for fourth.

The winner carted off $40 000 and a trophy; the first runner-up $20 000 and a trophy and the second runner-up $10 000 and a trophy.

Sponsor Ali, who is based in New York, also donated the winning first prize trophy while the second place trophy has been donated by 4 R Bearings and Survival and the third prize by Tony’s & Ray’s Auto Spares. Ali promised to make it an annual affair.

Tournament coordinator was Ramjit Singh.

Goodluck retains title at national championships
DEFENDING champion Ransford Goodluck won five prizes in retaining his title as the curtain came down on the poorly attended National Rifle Shooting championships last weekend at the Timehri Rifle Ranges.

Goodluck, who represented Guyana at the just-concluded Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, won the Sigmund Douglas grand aggregate prize with a total of 340 points and 30 V-bulls but was denied a few of the top prizes by full bore vice-captain Derrick Naraine who won three prizes of his own including the prestigious Valladares Trophy.

Goodluck also won the Wood Davis trophy with a grand total of 145 points and 15 V-bulls, the Lushington prize with 102 points and 11 V-bulls, the Wood Stock trophy with 147 points and 14 V-bulls and the Aubrey Tappin short-range prize with 166 points and 20 V-bulls and the Leslie Dowridge Memorial trophy with 84 points and 10 V-bulls.

Naraine also won the Junior Sports Bar trophy with a total of 127 points and 11 V-bulls and the Denise Carryl long-range trophy with 175 points and 14 V-bulls.

Dane Blair was second in the grand aggregate with 334 points and 29 V-bulls, with Naraine placing third with 329 and 23 V-bulls and Claude Duguid 322 with 15 V-bulls.

Ryan Sampson was top among the junior shooters recording a grand aggregate of 313 points and 15 V-bulls followed by Everad Nelson with 307 points and nine V-bulls and Denise Carryl third with 243 points and three V-bulls.

Sampson, who received a three-point handicap, upstaged his senior counterparts on the penultimate day of the competition winning events number six and seven.

He scored 50 points and five V-bulls to edge out Nelson who also scored 50 points but with two V-bulls.

Sampson secured 84 points with six V-bulls in event number seven with Goodluck claiming the second spot and Nelson third.

Several of the country’s top shooters failed to attend the competition including captain Mahendra Persaud, Leo Romalho, Lennox Braithwaite Paul Slowe and Richard Fields.

The presentation of prizes will take place at the end of the year.

Guyana is due to host the Caribbean Rifle Shooting championships in April next year at the Timehri Rifle ranges.

A Caribbean 16-member team will also travel to England next year following the English team’s visit to the Caribbean this year. (Troy Peters)

Coca Cola football
New Campbellville Secondary hammer Kingston
THREE players hit double goals as New Campbellville Secondary hammered Kingston Community High 7-1, in the Georgetown fixtures of the Coca Cola National Secondary Schools Under-18 football championships, Tuesday.

Alex Joseph, Alex Bradford and Marlon Richards each rattled up two goals and Wayne Richards added his name to the scorecards with one. Wayne Phillips pulled back a consolation for Kingston.

In the East Bank Demerara fixtures, Covent Garden Secondary edged out Mocha Community High 2-1, as Sean Hope blasted a double while Ijaz Cave tucked in one for Mocha.

On Monday, National Under-17 midfielder Quincy Madramootoo found the net once for St Mary’s 7-1 trouncing of Tutorial High, as Kardel Young and Adrian Adonis hit hat-tricks. Adrian Millington stitched in the consolation for Tutorial.

In another Georgetown encounter, St George’s High minced Carmel Community 11-1, with National Under-20 striker Linden Simmons blasting a helmet-trick and Mandela Mannings and Trewayne Roberts hit doubles. One each came off the boot of Otis Daniels, Kwesi Thompson and Damion Barker. Gregory Boyce pulled back the consolation for Carmel.

Meten-Meer- Zorg suffer mixed fortunes
METEN-MEER-ZORG had mixed fortunes over the week in the Humphrey’s Bakery & Farm Products Under-18 football competition in West Demerara.

The club won against Stewartville 3-2 on Saturday but lost to Uitvlugt/Warriors 4-1, the following day.

Playing the second match of a double-header Saturday, Meten-Meer-Zorg secured the victory as Regan Washington hit double, while Sean Alleyne tucked in the other. Kester Thomas and Clement Archer stitched in one each for Stewartville.

But when Meten-Meer-Zorg returned to the field of play the following day for the first game, only Alleyne was able to find the net, while Desmond Hector, Jermaine Murray, Samuel Petty and Lennox Torrington hit home one each for Uitvlugt/Warriors.

However, Meten-Meer-Zorg protested the match, alleging Uitvlugt/Warriors fielded an over-aged player. The matter is being investigated.

In the feature game, Pouderoyen beat Den Amstel, 3-1. But Devon Dash registered the first goal for Den Amstel when the match was 26 minutes old.

Owen Prince levelled the score seven minutes later in the 33rd minute, and Adani Hoyte gave Pouderoyen the lead in the 41st minute.

The score at halftime was 2-1 and Steve Marshall wrapped up victory in the 64th minute.

Three East Bank teams advance to Bristol play-offs
BARAMA, 110 and Reform ‘B’ will represent East Bank in the Bristol countywide dominoes play-offs set for September 28 and 29 at the National Gymnasium.

The three teams earned the right after registering victories in the three zone finals, played last Sunday at Onassis Sports Club, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara.

In Zone One, Barama made a late surge to tally 74 games, edging Home Base on 73 and Snake who finished on 70.

In Zone Two, 110 also rallied to win with 82 games with Rising Sun placing second on 80 and Gun Down, failing to shoot, with 79.

In Zone Three, Reform ‘B’ tallied 80 games to get past Onassis on 78 and the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) on 72.

Meanwhile, the Essequibo South Zone final will be played on Saturday at Massiah’s Place, Johanna Cecelia, starting at 14:00 hrs.

The New Amsterdam final is also set for Sunday at 13:00 hrs at the Bermine Management Centre.

Meeting was the best organized…
LETTER TO THE SPORTS EDITOR
AS one who has been following horse races in Guyana for several decades now, I had the pleasure of witnessing the recently concluded two-day horse race meeting of the Kennard's Memorial Turf Club at Bush Lot, Corentyne, Berbice.

In my view, the meeting was the best organised by any club since the closure of D'Urban Turf Club, three decades ago. The races, generally speaking, were run off on time and there was no incident of any kind.

What was very noticeable was that the last race both days was run off in good time so that most of the persons who attended the race meeting were at their respective homes well before it became dark.

The races were keenly contested and no dispute of any kind arose. I was quite impressed with the cleanliness of the surroundings. There were toilet facilities for all and these were kept clean at all times. The complex is supplied with electricity provided by the Guyana Power and Light Company and there was a standby generator in case of a blackout.

Everyone with whom I spoke complimented the organisers, Justice Kennard and other members of the executive who left no stone unturned in order to ensure the success of the meeting. I also share their views.

For the benefit of those who had not the fortune of witnessing a race meeting at the Kennard's Memorial Turf Club, I must state that it is the only racetrack in Guyana with a double-decker grandstand.

The scene is quite picturesque as the Atlantic borders the racetrack to the north. It is a mere 21 miles from New Amsterdam.

I ask all horse owners, trainers and all those interested in horse racing to give their full support to this club as it has the potential of producing horse racing which can reach international standards.
MICHAEL JAMES

Untouchables softball climaxes
Demerara, Berbice showdown looms in Sunday’s finals
A DEMERARA-Berbice showdown looms when two of the most seasoned campaigners in the softball arena clash in Sunday’s Major League final of the Untouchables-sponsored competition at the organiser’s venue, Guyana Softball and Windball Cricket Association (GS&WCA) ground, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.

Ariel, the Demerara powerhouse, earned the right to meet the rampaging Berbice senior team after an easy victory over Savage Rockets in last Sunday’s semifinal, played at the same venue.

Savage batted first and reached a challenging 156 for seven in their allotted 25 overs while Ariel raced to victory in 20.1 overs.

The Minor League final will also follow pattern as the Major with Berbice’s Untouchables ‘B’ battling with Demerara’s Sussex XI.

The Minor League final starts at 08:30 hrs while the Major League gets under way at 12:30 hrs.

Umpires for both matches will be selected at 17:00 hrs tomorrow at the GS&WCA pavilion and the participating teams are asked to witness same.

The Major League winners will take away $40 000; the losers $25 000 and the man-of-the-match $3 500.

The Minor League winners are guaranteed $25 000; the losers $15 000 and the man-of-the-match $2 500.

Trophies will also be awarded in all the categories.

The adjudicator for the Minor League is Richard Persaud while Frederick Halley will perform similar duties in the Major League.

No entrance fee will be charged for Sunday’s finals.

XM Xtra 50-over cricket
Blairmont, Young Warriors advance to semifinals
BLAIRMONT Community Centre and Young Warriors are the latest teams to reach the semifinals of the 2002 XM Xxtra First Division 50-over round-robin cricket competition in Berbice.

In their fifth and final preliminary round match played at the Blairmont ground, Blairmont had a close 10-run victory over Young Warriors to end with nine points and clear winners of Zone 'A'.

Young Warriors remained on six points and with Police losing to West Berbice and the match between Bermine and Rose Hall Community Centre washed out, resulting in no other team acquiring six points, they became runners-up to Blairmont in Zone 'A', thus qualifying for the semifinals.

Young Warriors won the toss and sent in Blairmont Community Centre who proceeded to post 196 for 9 in their 50 overs. Nadesh Basdeo top-scored with 42, Vejai Heeralall 31, J. Heeralall 30 and Karran Ganesh 27. Damodar Dasrat tok 3 for 30 from 10 overs and Munilall Shivdyal 2 for 24 from 6 overs.

Young Warriors responded with 186 all out in 47 overs with the veteran former Berbice and Guyana all-rounder Hubern Evans top-scoring with 60 while Gajanand Singh hit 33.

Nigel ‘Train’ Wilson, playing his first match for Blairmont this year, took 3 for 16 from 10 overs, R. Imram 2 for 42 and Naresh Roopnarine 2 for 49.

Over at the D'Edward ground, West Berbice upset Police by 17 runs to end their hopes of reaching the semifinals.

West Berbice won the toss, batted first and reached 231 all out in 42 overs with Kwesi Mentore hitting 63 (8 fours and 2 sixes), Kenje Sedoc 26 and Eon Abel 20. Imran Moakan took 3 for 28 from 9 overs and Cylus Gibson 3 for 51 from 7 overs.

Police were dismissed for 214 in 41 overs with Zaheer Moakan 56 (10 fours and 1 six) and Gary Soloman 27 being the principal scorers. Hoolsarran Lalsa took 5 for 16 from 10 overs and Shamsheer Ayube 2 for 16 from 6 overs.

At the Bermine Ground, Bermine batted first and made 156 all out in 42 overs with Rawlston Tappin top-scoring with 38, Anthony D'Andrade 37 and Collis Tappin 23, Ricardo Bahadur took 3 for 32 from 10 overs, Krishan Sobhai 3 for 23 from 10 overs and Jameel Blair 2 for 19 from 8 overs.

Rose Hall Community Centre were 24 for one in the 12th over when rain caused the game to be abandoned.

Murray undertakes to unearth new blood of spin bowling
By Naz Yacoob
PORT of Spain - DERYCK Murray, former West Indies vice-captain and Test wicketkeeper has undertaken the task of unearthing a new blood of spin bowling talent in Trinidad and Tobago.

The head of the Sir Frank Worrell Development Cricket Centre at Balmain Village in Couva, Murray and the TTCBC last week entered into an agreement with Insurance Brokers West Indies Limited to coordinate and administrate a ‘Spin Bowling’ clinic at five venues throughout the country.

The centres include Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre, Wilson Road, Penal, Aranguez Savannah, Honeymoon Park, Tunapuna and Ojoe Road in Sangre Grande. Three former T&T and West Indies Test spinners, along with two ex-national players will be involved in the coaching programmes.

Heading the list is former T&T captain and off-spinner Rangy Nanan, left-arm bowler Raphick Jumadeen and right-arm spinner Jack Noreiga.

The trio will be supported and assisted by leg-spinner Ganesh Mahabir and off-break bowler Surujdath Mahabir.

The programme is expected to bowl off on October 1, and will cater for youngsters between the ages of 12-19.

Former West Indies opening batsman and the TTCBC’s Marketing Officer, Suruj Ragoonath supported the idea of such an exercise.

He said that the main purpose of the clinic is to unearth and discover new spin-bowling talents in the country.

“This is in order to propagate our tradition of producing good quality spinners and to uplift of what is becoming a lost art in the Caribbean,” Ragoonath said.

The right-handed batsman added that this would be the ideal opportunity for coaches to work with their role model youngsters in T&T, given that the country’s social structure is being eroded on a daily basis. “ We feel that there are loads of ability and talent but not enough guidance. We are hoping to fill that void by exposing these youngsters to the former Test players.”

The Insurance Brokers WI Limited have pumped US$4 000 into the project.

Ewing named Wizards coach; does not rule out playing
By Peter Ramjug
WASHINGTON, USA (Reuters) - Patrick Ewing, who retired this week after nearly two decades as one of the top players in the National Basketball Association (NBA), was introduced yesterday as an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards but the door was left ajar about a return.

Ewing, an 11-times All-Star who finished his NBA career ranked in the top 20 in points and rebounds, will bring 17 years of pro experience to a team that finished last season with 37 wins, 45 losses and glaring defensive shortcomings.

``My job is to try to help them develop the skills that they have and try to make them better,'' the 40-year-old Ewing told a news conference. ``I'm going to be at practice and at games and in the off-season just working with them.''

While this will be his first official NBA assistant coach's job, teaching will not be new to him.

He has tutored several of the game's premier big men, including Miami's Alonzo Mourning and New Jersey's Dikembe Mutombo, both of whom followed him at Georgetown University.

``It was easy with those guys, they learned pretty quick,'' said Ewing, the Number one overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.

Head coach Doug Collins said: ``I've always viewed Patrick as a mentor with all the Georgetown players.''

``I know how those guys get together in the off-season, Alonzo and Dikembe and the various centres who've been through there, and I've always felt Patrick was a great teacher.''

``We've got to be a better defensive team this year and Patrick always played on great defensive teams.''

The seven-feet-tall Ewing, who scored 24 815 points and pulled down 11 606 rebounds with the Knicks, Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic, was asked by reporters if he would ever consider donning a Wizards' uniform if the chance came up.

``I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth,'' the 40-year-old said. ``I'm not going to turn it down.''

Collins said: ``I don't want to start looking ahead because now all of a sudden we start saying is he a player or a coach. I want his focus to be on coaching.

``The one thing you always have to do in this business is be flexible.''

ICC releases figures for TV technology trial
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Half the lbw decisions referred to the third umpire for TV replays in the Champions Trophy have been given out, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday.

World cricket's governing body is using this tournament as an experiment -- allowing lbw and bat-pad catches to be adjudicated by the third official after referral.

Figures released by the ICC showed that 11 decisions for the 'new' categories had been referred in the first six matches.

Eight were for lbw and three for caught decisions. Four of the lbw consultations were given out, while each of the three caught appeals was adjudged not out.

``Any definitive conclusions on this trial will obviously have to wait until the end of the tournament, but these early figures give an interesting insight into progress so far,'' said David Richardson, ICC's general manager. ``Decisions have been taking between 40 seconds and a minute and initially I thought that would be too long, but as it's turned out it has worked out fine in practice and it's difficult to get a much shorter period.

``As long as it's under a minute I think it's okay.

``We'd not taken into account the need for television to focus in on the flashing orange lights to give the sponsors some mileage and the practical aspect of allowing time for them to focus back onto the on-field umpire to give the decision.

``That adds another 10 or 15 seconds to the process.

``It's come across as important for the umpires to have high levels of communications skills because requests to the third umpire need to be clear and concise.''

Under rules in force for the one-day tournament, field umpires can refer any decision, including lbws and bat-pad catches, to the third umpire. He in turn can then study two TV replays before giving his verdict.

Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik made history by becoming the first batsman ever to be given out lbw by the third umpire in the opening game against hosts Sri Lanka.

South African TV umpire Rudi Koertzen ruled Shoaib had been trapped lbw for one after he was hit on the pads by left-arm paceman Chaminda Vaas bowling over the wicket.

Umpire Daryl Harper referred the decision to Koertzen who decided the ball had been in line with the stumps.

``It's a learning process for us,'' Richardson added. ``An umpire might ask for a replay to see if a ball has pitched outside leg-stump but the television producers may also know that a batsman has nicked the ball onto his pad.

``So to prevent the wrong decision and to save embarrassment later on, we're now rolling in three replays before the umpire makes his decision, not only to determine whether the ball pitched outside leg-stump but also to check for an inside edge and the height of the ball.''

Henry escapes punishment over elbow incident
LONDON, England (Reuters) - Arsenal striker Thierry Henry will not face disciplinary action over an elbowing incident in last Saturday's premier league game at Charlton Athletic, the English Football Association (FA) said yesterday.

The FA said on Monday it would investigate the clash at The Valley between Henry and Charlton's John Robinson, which was missed by referee Steve Dunn.

``Having given the incident due consideration, the FA has decided that no action will be taken,'' the ruling body said on its official website yesterday.

``The matter has not been referred to the Video Advisory Panel and the investigation is now closed.''

The FA's decision to investigate the incident provoked a furious reaction from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who said it was ``not logical'' that the FA did not also investigate a similar incident involving Manchester United's David Beckham.

Beckham caught Leeds United player Lee Bowyer in the face with his elbow at Elland Road on Saturday.

But because, unlike in Henry's case, the referee saw that incident and decided no action was needed, the FA considered the matter closed.

Wenger, who said Henry was innocent anyway, has called for the FA to be able to use video evidence in all cases, whether or not the referee has seen the incident.

He was backed up yesterday by Leeds manager Terry Venables, who said: ``If we've got the video facility and we're going to use it, use it for all -- or none at all.''

Turkey make top 10 in world rankings
LONDON, England (Reuters) - Turkey's emergence as a new force in world football was reflected in the latest FIFA rankings yesterday when the World Cup semi-finalists reached the top 10 for the first time.

Senol Gunes's side moved up four places to seventh after beating Slovakia in a European championship qualifier this month following their performance in South Korea and Japan.

Spain climbed one position to joint second alongside France, whose win over Cyprus in a Euro 2004 qualifier helped them put their World Cup disappointment behind them.

Cameroon and the United States are enjoying their best ever positions in the rankings, with the African champions jumping two to 15th and the Americans up one place to eighth.

World Cup winners Brazil retained their number one ranking, but Argentina dropped from second to fifth following their first-round World Cup exit.

Libya and Wales were the biggest climbers, with Libya up 16 places to 104th and Wales leaping 14 spots to 76th.

Hewitt to play less events in 2003
ADELAIDE, Australia (Reuters) - World number one Lleyton Hewitt says he will reduce the number of tournaments he plays next year to protect himself from burnout.

The 21-year-old Australian told reporters yesterday that he needed to cut back on his playing schedule if he wanted to prolong his career.

``Next year I'll probably try to concentrate a little bit more on Grand Slams and Davis Cup,'' Hewitt said.

``I think I'll probably have a longer career because of that, if I make some smart scheduling moves within the next couple of years.''

Hewitt, the youngest man ever to finish the year ranked number one in the world, recently threatened to quit the sport because of a dispute with the ATP, the governing body for men's professional tennis.

But he said his decision to cut back on his programme had nothing to do with his row with the ATP and would ultimately help him stay involved in the sport for longer.

``I've got to sit down and think about what's right for me,'' he said.

Hewitt, preparing for this weekend's Davis Cup World Group qualifier against India, said his decision could cost him the number one ranking but his main ambition now was to win the Australian and French Opens, the two grand slams to elude him.

He was bundled out in the first round of this year's Australian Open after contracting chicken pox during the buildup to the tournament and wants to take things easier next year.

As the biggest draw card in Australian tennis, he is likely to face strong pressure to compete in as many lead-up events as possible but said he would have to choose carefully.

``I've got to make tough decisions to find out what's the best situation for me going into the Australian Open in Melbourne,'' he said.

Hussain eyes India clash
By N. Ananthanarayanan
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - England captain Nasser Hussain praised his side's emphatic Champions Trophy victory over Zimbabwe and believes a similar performance against India could book a semifinal place.

``I am pleased, it was a very professional performance,'' he told reporters after the 108-run victory yesterday.

Opener Marcus Trescothick slammed 119 from 102 balls to spur England to 298 for eight wickets and then pacemen Matthew Hoggard and Ronnie Irani grabbed seven wickets between them on a flat pitch to hold Zimbabwe down to 190 for nine.

Hussain said: ``First up in these (hot) conditions to go and play so well...If we play like that again we've got a good chance against India.''

Hussain, who scored 75 in a 141-run partnership with Trescothick, said the heat, coming from a cool English summer, made it tough for both batsmen and the fielders.

``We were probably 20 runs short through fatigue in the batting. We may have to make that up against India.''

Hussain said India start favourites for the decider on Sunday mainly because of his side's inexperience and the fact that India bat so deep.

In July, India successfully chased 326 for the loss of just five wickets to beat England in the triangular series final at Lord's in July.

TOTAL DOMINATION
Hussain praised Trescothick for his knock but said he was happier with his team's total domination.

``Usually at some stage the opposition will have the upper hand over you, but there were not that many times in the game.''

Hussain also said the form of his batsmen was a good sign as he looks ahead to the Ashes tour in Australia.

``It's nice; hopefully the Australians and everyone back in the hotel will be talking about Trescothick's innings and (Michael) Vaughan's in the summer,'' Hussain said.

``It is nice the English batsmen are being talked about for a period, it's been a long time since they were.''

Trescothick has been in superb form like fellow opener Vaughan, who hit four hundreds in seven home Tests against Sri Lanka and India, missing out on the Colombo trip due to injury.

Man-of-the-match Trescothick was happy with his continued rich batting form despite a broken finger forcing him out of the first three Tests against India.

``When I came back and started practising, I felt like I hadn't actually been away,'' he said. ``I didn't worry too much, the form I was in.''

Zimbabwe skipper Heath Streak said his bowlers should have contained England to around 260.

``Trescothick had a superb innings,'' he said. ``We always knew the key partnership to break would be the opening partnership.

``We got Knight early but unfortunately we couldn't get Trescothick.''

East Bank Group reschedules floodlight matches
BECAUSE of the overwhelming demand from 15 cricket clubs from as far as Linden, St Cuthbert's Mission and Ruimveldt, the East Bank Cricket Group’s 40-over cricket competition, sponsored by Banks DIH Limited, has been expanded to two games per week at Thirst Park.

The limited overs night cricket, originally planned for Wednesday evenings at Thirst Park, is now rescheduled and will be played on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 11:30 hrs.

The first game for the Banks DIH Trophy is scheduled for Saturday, September 28, with Diamond taking on Farm while St Cuthbert's Mission v Herstelling 'B' will take place on Sunday, October 29.

According to a release from the group, Universal Airlines is assisting in sponsoring the tournament by providing clothing.

Meanwhile, the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation-sponsored Limacol Trophy two-day competition, involving the 15 teams, starts on Saturday with Sandpipers Club meeting Herstelling 'A' at the Diamond Community Centre ground and Ruimveldt meeting Eccles at Providence Sports Club ground.

Both competitions will be supervised by the East Bank Demerara Cricket Group, whose head is Loknauth Persaud while the coordinator is Alik Saeed.

Special incentives have been earmarked for all the games, with cash prizes for batting and bowling achievements, the release pointed out.

Injured Martyn to miss Bangladesh clash
By Brian Murgatroyd
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Australia will go into their Champions Trophy pool 1 clash against Bangladesh today without in-form batsman Damien Martyn.

The right-hander suffered a hip injury while top-scoring with 73 in Australia's 164-run win over New Zealand on Sunday and will be replaced by Jimmy Maher.

Captain Ricky Ponting said he was extremely hopeful Martyn would be fit for a possible semifinal clash with hosts Sri Lanka, a match-up that will be confirmed for September 27 if Australia beat Bangladesh.

``Damien picked up a slight strain in his hip while batting,'' Ponting told reporters yesterday.

``He tried to have a run about yesterday but aggravated it so he stayed at the hotel today and we'll see if he can get over it, with the semifinals coming up.''

Maher's inclusion is the only change to Australia's line-up from their opening match, but Ponting also said Maher would bat at six, allowing Michael Bevan to take Martyn's place at four in the order.

``Michael's not had much batting and that's why he's at four,'' said Ponting. ``It would be nice if everyone in the batting and bowling line-up gets the chance for another solid hit-out.''

Ponting admitted he knew little about Bangladesh, who have won only three one-day internationals in their history.

``We'll attack the Bangladesh game in exactly the same way as we did the New Zealand game,'' he said.

``We don't know that much about them and we had a fairly short team meeting yesterday, but we are probably focusing more on what we have to worry about rather than them at the moment.

``If we do the basics of one-day cricket well then everything else should look after itself,'' Ponting added.

The two sides have only met twice before, the most recent clash coming in the 1999 World Cup when Australia romped home by seven wickets, reaching a victory target of 179 in only 19.3 overs.

Bangladesh go into the game with no injury concerns, but have dropped 18-year-old batsman Mohammad Ashraful.

TEST DEBUT
Ashraful made 114 on his Test debut, against Sri Lanka at the venue for today's match, the Sinhalese Sports Club, in September 2001, and scored 75 against Sri Lanka in a Test at the same ground in July this year.

But those two innings are his only scores over 50 in seven Tests and seven one-day internationals, and in the shorter form of the game he averages just 13.71.

``We are giving him a break because he is not getting any runs,'' team manager A.S.M. Faruque told Reuters yesterday.

Batsman Javed Omar, who missed the recent Test and one-day tour of Sri Lanka with a knee injury, returns to the side. Young fast bowler Talha Jubair and off-spinner Fahim Muntasir are the other players left out from their squad of 14.

The Australian team, who will remain in Colombo after the tournament for the first Test of a three-match series against Pakistan, are set to spend the weekend in the nearby Maldive islands.

``It looks a nice place so we are planning to get away from cricket for a few days, take it easy then come back refreshed,'' said Ponting.

Teams:

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Bevan, Adam Gilchrist, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shane Watson. 12th man is to be confirmed.

Bangladesh: Khaled Mashud (captain), Al-Sahariar, Tapash Baishya, Habibul Bashar, Mazharul Haque, Tushar Imran, Manjural Islam, Alok Kapali, Khaled Mahmud, Javed Omar, Mohammad Rafique. 12th man to be confirmed.

Umpires: Asoka de Silva and Russell Tiffin.

Third umpire Srinivas Venkataraghavan, fourth umpire Steve Bucknor. Match referee Wasim Raja.

Kenya need more top-class cricket, says Tikolo
By Brian Murgatroyd
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Kenya should be given more exposure to top-class cricket, to allow them to develop into the next Test-match nation, captain Steve Tikolo said yesterday.

The Africans gave the West Indies a tough examination before losing by 29 runs in pool three of the Champions Trophy on Tuesday.

But if they fail to beat South Africa in their next match tomorrow they will be knocked out of the tournament and have just a handful of matches against top-class opposition before next year's World Cup.

Tikolo says that is not enough cricket to allow his players to advance their case to become the 11th Test nation, a status he is convinced they deserve.

``We've improved quite a lot but the only hindrance is we don't get to play more often,'' he said.

``From here we go to India to play state teams, then from India we go to Nairobi to play Namibia in one-dayers then we go to Zimbabwe for five one-dayers ahead of the World Cup.

``When you play a lot of games you improve, but I mean a lot of games at the highest level. If we play at the highest level I think our team will improve.''

Tikolo performed superbly with the bat on Tuesday, making 93 from only 91 balls to lead the pursuit of the West Indies' 261 for six.

The captain lacked support with no other player reaching 50, but despite their failings on Tuesday, he remains convinced he and his players have what it takes to step up to full international status.

``Personally I feel Test status is not far away from us from a player's point of view,'' said Tikolo.

``I know we have players of ability who can play at the highest level, but it is in the ICC's hands.''

POOR FIELDING
One area Kenya will have to improve on in order to compete against senior international sides is their fielding.

Their display in the field against West Indies was woeful, with Brian Lara dropped three times on his way to 111, Shivnarine Chanderpaul also missed twice and numerous misfields and overthrows.

``Those chances should have been taken, I don't see why you should put down those chances at this level,'' added Tikolo.

``It's probably down to the different conditions, but it is back to the drawing board to work on our fielding. We'll try our best and see how it goes during the next game.''

That next game is against South Africa on tomorrow. If South Africa win they will go forward to the semifinals while Kenya must win and improve their net run-rate in comparison to the other two sides in the pool in order to progress.

The side that tops the pool will play the winners of pool two, containing England, Zimbabwe and India.