Mission accomplished
-- no serious case of ethnic division in Guyana says South African consultant
By Ruel Johnson
MISSION accomplished ? that’s the word from South African conflict transformation consultant Roelf Meyer who yesterday said he is leaving Guyana on a happy note after meeting various stakeholders over the course of last week.

Mr Meyer, a former politician involved in the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa, was here at the invitation of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) for a series of activities geared to bridge the local divide.

ERC Chairman Bishop Juan Edghill told a press conference yesterday that Meyer’s visit was a success.

“As was announced,” said Edghill, “we arranged for a conflict transformation workshop for central committee members, members of parliament of the various parliamentary political parties, and we were successful in hosting this event Sunday and Monday.”

He said the ERC and its partner in hosting the workshop, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Guyana, were impressed with the level of participation and the endurance shown by the participants through long hours of work.

He added that in addition to the workshop, Meyer spent the last week meeting various stakeholders, including President Bharrat Jagdeo, Opposition Leader Robert Corbin, representatives of minority political parties, both in and out of parliament, as well representatives of civil society.

Edghill registered his thanks to Meyer.

“As a man of faith, my choice of words would be ‘he was a blessing to Guyana’” said the Bishop.

He also thanked the UNDP and its staff including Resident Representative Youssef Mahmoud for assisting the ERC in the venture.

Mr Mahmoud said it was an honour for his organisation to be associated with the project.

“We went into this with a great deal of trepidation and humility and we set ourselves a very modest goal and even then we were not sure that it would happen…[But] it did happen and it went successfully”, he said.

He praised the participants for their dedication to the workshop and said that he saw this as a positive first step in the direction of encouraging the exchange of ideas which should aid in charting a peaceful course for Guyana.

“I think that Guyanese are serious about that first step,” Mahmoud told reporters.

Meyer thanked the local media for accurately reflecting whatever he said during the course of the visit adding that the reporting in the workshop can also make a contribution to paving the way forward.

“I am going to leave Guyana on a happy note, in my own mind, because I think the mission for which I came has been accomplished. Not because of my own interventions but because of the contributions from the people of Guyana: the politicians, the leaders in government, and civil society leaders”, he said.

He said he had seen their “willingness and their preparedness and to some extent their eager commitment to look at the future and resolving whatever is coming from the past.”

Meyer said that his first observation was that he didn’t see a serious case of ethnic division in Guyana.

“I say that particularly in respect to ethnic conflicts elsewhere in the world. There is no comparison to those and what you are experiencing in Guyana.”

“It’s true that ethnicity is part of the agenda, an issue that comes up from time to time in the political debating and obviously as history tells us, particularly at the time of elections. In my mind the question is not whether politicians and the political playing field will change; it’s rather to develop a process alongside the political process, in other words what is happening alongside what is happening in parliament, alongside what is happening in government.”

Meyer said that it was important that the people of Guyana come together and find consensus in the things that bind them together, striving towards mutual respect, equality for all and trust in each other.

“I think that is attainable from what I have learnt during the past week,” he told reporters at the ERC office in Georgetown.

“I’m leaving Guyana in good spirit on my side and I will have very happy memories of my visit here and maybe in the future there will be another opportunity [to visit],” he said.

Guyanese, Russian firms to forge links
BUSINESS groups in Guyana and Russia yesterday moved towards closer ties with the signing of a cooperation agreement here.

The memorandum of understanding was signed between the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.

Officials said it aims to explore investment and trade possibilities between businesses and entrepreneurs of the two countries.

The agreement was signed by GCCI President Gerry Gouveia and Russian Ambassador to Guyana Vladimir Starikov at GCCI office in Georgetown.

Ambassador Starikov said the agreement opens the door for closer cooperation and sharing of information between the business sectors of the two countries.

He also indicated that the historic signing will serve to promote “direct ties” between entrepreneurs and enterprises of Guyana and Russia.

He urged the chamber to send a group of Guyanese business people to Russia to explore investment possibilities and opportunities there.

Noting that the memorandum of understanding is basically an exploratory agreement with no guarantees on what definitively will emerge from it, GCCI Vice President Brian James told the Chronicle that it is a positive step forward and one which will promote closer links between Russia and Guyana.

He noted that although the agreement was signed by the GCCI, it was on behalf of all the other chambers of Guyana.

James, however, pointed out that it might be more difficult than anticipated to conduct trade with Russia since there are no established trade links with Russia.

He said sometime down the road, the possibility of Guyana trading its bauxite to Russia in exchange for petroleum from that country could be explored.

Guyana last year entered into a joint venture with the Russian giant, RUSAL, the second largest alumina company in the world for a US$20 million investment in the bauxite industry in Berbice.

A subsidiary of RUSAL, Bauxite and Alumina Mining Venture (BAMV) now owns 90 per cent of the shares for the new company - Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI).

The Guyana/Russia bauxite cooperation was cemented through an initial visit by RUSAL in March 2003. This was followed closely by President Bharrat Jagdeo’s trip to Russia, when he used the opportunity to push for further cooperation on the bauxite front.

Grenada praise for Guyana help
GRENADA Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell has lauded Guyana for helping the island recover after the devastation of Hurricane Ivan in September last year.

He conveyed the thanks of the people and his government to President Bharrat Jagdeo who was on the island Monday to meet the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) contingent now wrapping up a six-month humanitarian mission there.

Lt. Col. Bruce Lovell, head of the GDF contingent serving on the island, yesterday told the Chronicle they are expected to conclude the mission by the end of the month.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said Dr Mitchell extended to President Jagdeo his country’s “deepest appreciation to the government and people of Guyana for this enormous show of support they have given us in our greatest time of need”.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Guyanese Armed Forces was received at the Point Salines Airport Monday morning by GDF Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Edward Collins, Lt. Col. Lovell and Major Nazrul Hussein, the agency said.

President Jagdeo and the GDF officers then paid a courtesy call on Mitchell who was about to begin his Cabinet session for the week, it added.

According to GINA, Mitchell said Guyana’s response to Grenada’s call following the destruction by Hurricane Ivan was remarkable since it was not expected that a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) would have any resources to share with another country.

“If anything, it (Guyana) requires resources, and for the President and entire country to have taken the initiative to provide the support they have given us, we must be eternally grateful for this,” he said.

GINA said Mr Jagdeo noted that Guyana’s status as a HIPC country has plagued it for some time but it is rich in resources, especially human resources.

“There was no issue whether we should help Grenada. We are committed to this region and when brothers and sisters in this region are affected we have to help. It was an easy decision and that is why we have had such a sustained presence here because we thought that this would take some time”, he was quoted by GINA as saying.

The President also announced that Guyana will be keeping its commitment to Grenada prior to the January floods here to pay Grenada’s upcoming contribution to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the agency said.

“We will do that also in spite of the disaster we have had,” he assured Mitchell and his Cabinet.

He said if one part of the region is affected, the whole body is and it is for this reason that Guyana seeks to help.

“Therefore, whatever little assistance we could have given to Grenada, it was done as giving to your brothers and sisters.”

Guyanese rallied to the aid of Grenada after the hurricane struck, extensively destroying infrastructure, tourism, crops and other sectors of the economy.

Guyana also deployed 100 GDF troops as part of the Caribbean response to help rebuild infrastructure on the battered island.

GINA said Mitchell and President Jagdeo commended the work of the Guyanese soldiers.

“I hope our soldiers have done well. We have had very good reviews of them,” the President said.

The agency said he noted that some had questioned whether the Guyanese troops should remain in Grenada after floods struck large sections of the Guyana coast in January.

“I said no. The commitment we made to Grenada would remain intact. In spite of our difficulties we will maintain that commitment”, the President said.

Grenada also rallied to help Guyana after the floods with Grenadians and Guyanese in Grenada hosting fundraising activities for the relief programme.

“There was tremendous support from the Grenadian community and it has a lot to do with how Guyana responded and the historical relationship between our two countries,” Mitchell said.

GINA said he also wished Guyana a speedy recovery from the impact of the floods and thanked Mr Jagdeo for his special visit to Grenada.

The agency said the President was briefed about the GDF operations in Grenada when he visited their camp and met the soldiers after addressing them.

He returned to Guyana Monday night.

New `Papa’ takes over
By Philip Pullella and Crispian Balmer
VATICAN CITY, (Reuters) - Arch-conservative German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope yesterday in a surprise choice that delighted traditionalist Roman Catholics but stunned moderates hoping for a more liberal papacy.

Ratzinger, 78, the Church's 265th pontiff, will take the name of Benedict XVI.

He is expected to defend Pope John Paul's strict orthodox legacy and reject changes in doctrine, raising fears that divisions in the Church left by the Polish pontiff will widen.

Ratzinger is the oldest man to be elected pope for three centuries and the first German pontiff for a millennium.

The speed of the election, on only the second day of a secret cardinals conclave, and its result were both a surprise.

Many Vatican experts had said Ratzinger, John Paul's tough doctrinal watchdog for 23 years, was too divisive and too old to become pope.

They had predicted he would have to yield to a more conciliatory compromise figure during the conclave, although John Paul had appointed all but two of the cardinal electors and one of those two was Ratzinger himself.

The election indicated that the cardinals wanted both to maintain John Paul's strict Church orthodoxy and to have a short, transitional papacy after the Polish pope's 26-year reign -- the third longest in Church history.

The white-haired new Pope appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica soon after his election, smiling broadly and greeting tens of thousands of cheering faithful.

"I entrust myself to your prayers," he said as the crowd chanted "Papa! Papa! Papa!" and waved umbrellas and flags. Some climbed lamp posts and fountains for a better view.

CONSTERNATION AMONG REFORMISTS
Benedict was showered with congratulations from foreign and religious leaders but the election was greeted with consternation by those hoping for a relaxation in John Paul's strict rule over the world's 1.1 billion Catholics.

"We consider the election of Ratzinger is a catastrophe ... We can expect no reform from him in coming years ... I think even more people will turn their back on the Church," said Bernd Goehring, of the German ecumenical group Church from Below.

The election dismayed liberal U.S. Catholics hoping for a softening of Church policy on married priests, the role of women, homosexuality, birth control and abortion.

Even in St. Peter's Square, some of the celebrations were tempered by fear of widening divisions in the Church.

"It's a historic moment, but a very sad one. He is even more conservative than John Paul II. All he knows to do is condemn, condemn, condemn," said Agusti Capdevila from Barcelona.

Benedict's election by a conclave meeting in the Vatican's frescoed Sistine Chapel was signalled by white smoke from the chapel chimney and the tolling of the bells of St. Peter's.

Ratzinger, dean of the cardinals, had dominated the Vatican since the death of Pope John Paul on April 2. He presided over the funeral Mass and daily meetings of cardinals since then.

He used a homily at a Mass before the conclave to issue a stern warning that godless modern trends must be rejected. The address was widely seen as promoting his candidacy.

Ratzinger was expected to take a strict line against reformist trends in Europe and North America. In a Good Friday Mass this year he said: "How much filth there is in the Church, even among those who, in the priesthood, should belong entirely to Him."

Ratzinger's stern leadership of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, the modern successor to the Inquisition, delighted conservative Catholics but upset moderates and other Christians whose churches he described as deficient.

It was only the third time in a century that a pope had been chosen on the second day of a conclave. The new Pope had to win a two-thirds majority of the 115 red-robed cardinals.

NEW POPE TOUGH DISCIPLINARIAN
In Germany, church bells rang out and Catholics streamed into churches to celebrate Benedict's election. But even in his home country some Catholics, especially younger people, expressed disappointment, saying it dashed chances of reform.

"Obviously it's great that it is a German pope but whether Ratzinger of all people is the right one to address the issues in the Catholic Church, I am not so sure," said Gerd Schrodat, among people gathered in front of Cologne Cathedral.

The choice of Ratzinger also quashed hopes of a pope from the developing world, where two thirds of Catholics now live. He is expected to pay more attention to the spread of secularism in Europe than chronic third world problems.

As John Paul's doctrinal overseer, Ratzinger disciplined Latin American "liberation theology" advocates, denounced homosexuality and gay marriage and pressured Asian priests who saw non-Christian religions as part of God's plan for humanity.

Matt Foreman, of the U.S. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force said: "Today the princes of the Roman Catholic Church elected as Pope a man whose record has been one of unrelenting, venomous hatred for gay people."

In a document in 2000, Ratzinger branded other Christian churches as deficient -- shocking Anglicans, Lutherans and other Protestants in ecumenical dialogue with Rome for years.

Ratzinger was the oldest cardinal to be named pope since Clement XII, who was also 78 when he became pope in 1730. He is the first German pope since Victor II (1055-1057).

Even his older brother Georg, 81, suggested he might be too old. "At age 78 it's not good to take on such a job which challenges the entire person," he said.

Born in Bavaria on April 16, 1927, the son of a police chief, he served in the Hitler Youth during World War Two when membership was compulsory, according to his autobiography.

But he was never a member of the Nazi party and his family opposed Adolf Hitler's regime, biographers have said.

Ratzinger later became a leading theology professor and then archbishop of Munich before taking over the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1981.

His papacy is expected to be a sharp change of style to John Paul, once known as "God's Athlete" for his love of sport and busy travel schedule after he became pope at the age of 58.

(Additional reporting by Clara Ferreira-Marques, Phil Stewart and Jane Barrett in Vatican City)

National Building Code for houses urgently needed
-- NBS Chairman
CHAIRMAN of the New Building Society (NBS) Leon Rockcliffe has lauded the firm’s significant contribution to the housing sector and housing development in Guyana.

Speaking to shareholders during the NBS 65th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Hotel Tower in Georgetown on Monday, Mr Rockcliffe said a most formidable challenge to any governmental administration is the satisfaction of the aspirations of thousands of citizens seeking, with minimal financial resources, to own a home.

The proliferation and regulation of squatter settlements and operation of state-owned housing schemes constitute a tremendous burden on national resources, he said.

“We therefore view with some comfort, the recent national budgetary allocation of $2.4B towards improvement of this sector,” he said, adding that NBS, as the principal financier of low-cost mortgages in Guyana, must, however, make several observations.

According to Rockcliffe, these observations entailed the fact that government housing schemes have been for over 18 years exempted from satisfying the requirement under the Public Health Ordinance, for the establishment and provision of infrastructural access and drainage works as a prelude to the issue of titles to purchasers.

The end result, he said, is often diminished quality of amenity to the home-owners and a corresponding unattractiveness to a mortgage investor.

The devastating floods of early 2005 are a poignant reminder of this, Rockcliffe said.

In this regard and with a view to the future, the NBS Chairman strongly urged the sacrifice of a few house lots for wider roads and reserves in the design of new housing areas.

He also pointed out that there is a crying and urgent need for a National Building Code for domestic houses generally, but more particularly for the protection of the low-income home-owner who remains at the mercy of the shoddy builder and who is burdened with repairs a few months after the builder has received full payment.

“The extreme suffering of home-owners caused by the recent flood or even a less intense rainfall surely point to a reconsideration of the level and design of the low-income house. Should there be a resort to stilts and possibly building in wood in the affected areas as an alternative to the hardier flat concrete structure?”

The NBS Chairman also highlighted the great need for the naming or numbering of streets in housing schemes, not only for the residents but also for the location and identification of lots by a prospective or actual mortgage-financier as well as the postal authorities and providers of utility services.

He said the welcome announcement of plans by Guyana Power and Light in respect of under-served and un-served areas as a complement to the government housing programme is likely to generate a greater activity in the establishment of new homes in the schemes identified.

This naturally presents a prospect of increased interest and activity in the area of mortgage financing, he added.

Rockcliffe also insisted on adherence by house-owners generally to the statutory requirement for lot numbers to be prominently displayed on their premises.

“Although on account of its relative recency, the affording of low income mortgages has not established itself as a sure financial investment, NBS, by virtue of its character and perceived national responsibility remains committed to examine every means by which to sustain mortgage financing to that vast sector within our community who seek the security, comfort and dignity of a home of their own,” the Chairman stated.

NBS recorded a profit of $397M for the last financial year, the highest in its history and an increase of 56% over the previous year’s results.

Gross mortgage lending for the year was $2.7 billion, another record achievement, and reflected an increase of 27% on what was achieved in 2003, the company reported.

Gunmen target
WORK HALTED: Gunmen earlier this month called a halt to this project at Yaya Roland Avenue, Friendship Middle Street, East Coast Demerara. The Government Information Agency (GINA) said the consultancy firm attached to the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) project is suggesting that it be shifted to another location after gunmen forcibly halted work. The project was being executed by the government through BNTF and involved the construction of a road, roadside drains and drainage structures

It said the gunmen on April 1 ordered workers to stop the excavation of the carriageway and to remove the machine because building that section of the street would give the police easier access to the area.

Gunmen in car rob pedestrian
TWO gunmen in a car robbed a pedestrian on the East Bank Demerara on Monday, police reported yesterday.

Police said Ravi Dyal was walking on the Eccles access road around 07:30 h when the men drove up and robbed him of $20,000 and sped away.

Corentyne robbery suspects held
POLICE in Berbice are investigating a robbery which took place Monday at Nigg Settlement, Corentyne, by two men armed with knives.

According to the police Stephen Lall and a female friend were standing on a road in the village when the men robbed them of jewellery.

Police said that at about 00:25 h yesterday, a patrol in Belvedere arrested two men fitting the description of the suspects and who were found with a quantity of jewellery.

Region Six follows through on accountability framework
THE Regional Administration of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) yesterday met various stakeholders in the region, including Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL), Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the police and agriculture teams to discuss the "accountability framework" which arose from the recent Cabinet outreach there.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported that Regional Chairman Kumkarran Ramdass said the groups met to discuss the format to be worked out. They were also briefed on Cabinet's position, it added.

It noted that during the Cabinet outreach President Bharrat Jagdeo led to Berbice on April 8-10, an "accountability framework" was adopted to ensure the effective management of information flow from local authorities to Central Government.

Under the framework, local authorities are now required by the government to submit monthly reports through the Local Government and sectoral ministers to Cabinet on the 27th day of each month, GINA noted.

It said during yesterday’s meeting, the groups were asked to submit their reports on the 23rd of every month to the region so that it could also meet its deadline.

The Regional Chairman told GINA that another meeting was also held with a team from the Rose Hall Town municipality to discuss projects under the Municipal Governance and Management Programme (MGMP) funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

"They (Rose Hall Town) are requesting assistance from the region in the form of machinery and technical assistance under the MGMP to carry out projects", Ramdass told the agency.

It said he emphasised that the region is willing to help in that regard and to ensure effective management of the system.

He further said that under the MGMP, each team will be given $1.5M for each programme/project submitted.

Ramdass noted that all three municipalities in the region - Rose Hall, New Amsterdam and Corriverton - are requesting that residents of the areas make an input as well as cooperate with them during the exercise, GINA said.

It said he contended that the region will be giving assistance to the municipalities, including Rose Hall, with the emphasis mainly on drainage and irrigation.

Asked about the government's plans to dissolve the Rose Hall Town Council and the feedback in that regard, Ramdass told GINA: "That is still on stream and the dissolution of the council is expected to get under way shortly with MGMP willing to also work with the new council".

MGMP is a CIDA funded joint venture between the governments of Guyana and Canada and executed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

In November last year, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and the six municipalities of the country received donations in the form of four computers and financial disbursements under MGMP.

The funds will be made available to the municipalities monthly until the end of the programme, GINA noted.

Under MGMP, 21 projects were approved for implementation including municipal agenda support, assistance to the Local Government Ministry and the municipal direction project.

Support for the ministry is $33M, the agency noted.

Another Sophia robbery attack
POLICE yesterday said they were investigating an armed robbery at ‘A’ Field Sophia, Georgetown by two gunmen at 03:00 h on Monday.

Police said Leroy Stephen was walking on a road in the area when he was held up by the men who robbed him of G$18,000, US$200 and articles.

Man held with cocaine at airport
A MALE passenger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport was arrested by members of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) around 15:00 h yesterday after he was found with cocaine in his luggage.

An official said the man was about to board BWIA 426 flight to New York via Trinidad and Barbados when he was found with cocaine concealed in his luggage.

He is in custody and investigations are continuing.

Church donates wheelchairs
FIFTEEN organisations yesterday received wheelchairs as part of a joint programme between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Kids First Fund, to give mobility to those who need it.

The 250 wheel chairs were given to organisations such as Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, Davis Memorial Hospital, Guyana Red Cross Society and Kids First Fund.

Another 250 would be distributed to persons living in remote areas of the country.

President of the local branch of the church, Wayne Barrow said the distribution of wheel chairs is just one of the projects in which they are involved, with the vision treatment to help those with cataracts being another.

In brief remarks, humanitarian Clay Larson told the gathering that "humanitarian service is all about people who are in need".

He said that such works would continue.

Also at yesterday’s presentation was head of the Kids First Fund and First Lady Varshnie Jagdeo.

Firefighters on T&T training course 
FOUR members of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) are in Trinidad and Tobago undergoing training in fire-prevention techniques.

Fire Chief Lawrence David told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the ranks are participating in two workshops.

The objective of the programme is to boost the training capacity of the GFS, since training continues to be an important aspect of the service, he told the agency. 

“…the focus for this year is on fire prevention, and we need personnel to be properly trained to carry out their duties effectively,” said David.

Sub-officer Orin Brutus who left on April 17, is participating in a one-week Vector Command Course which deals with strategic and tactical planning in various types of emergency incidences.

Officers Mark Husbands, Roydon Blake and Deodat Goppe have begun a month-long training course in Fire-fighting, level I.

“These officers will have to undergo intense training on how to deal with hazardous materials during fires, fighting fires on aircrafts and extraction, among others,” the Fire Chief told GINA.

Last year, four officers were trained in the United States and 30 others in Trinidad and Tobago.  

GINA said that providing the necessary equipment for firefighters to combat fires is also a top priority.

It noted that the government recently purchased firefighting hoses, a portable pump, protective suits (helmets, jackets, trousers and rubber boots) and six self-contained breathing apparatus.    

New life in Linden bauxite operations
NEW blood is being injected into the bauxite mining operations at Linden with Omai Bauxite Mining Inc (OBMI) going into its first full year of production this year.

Under the December 8, 2004 agreement to privatise the state-owned Linden Mining Enterprise (Linmine), OBMI is investing US$40 million in mining in Linden.

In a recent interview, the company’s Human Resources Manager Norman McLean told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that when it first looked at taking over the bauxite operations, the entity was in a state of decline.

Linmine in 2003 was producing 68,000 tonnes of bauxite, down from 98,000 in 2002, 105,000 tonnes in 2001 and 120,000 in 2000, he recalled.

He told the agency that Linmine had been sliding and was heading for the stage where it would have had to be privatised to stabilise production.

The Canadian-based Cambior – parent company of the Omai Gold Mining Limited - first became involved in the bauxite industry in 2002 when Linmine asked it do stripping and mining operations.

Notwithstanding this downward trend, Omai entered into a management contract with the government to stem the decline in production and turn its finances around.

Last year, OBMI produced 134,000 tonnes of Refined Aggregate Super Calcined (RASC) bauxite, not only reaching its immediate goal but going beyond and turning its finances around.

The company this year expects to produce 217,000 tonnes of RASC.

Should this be accomplished, it would exceed its early projections and reach its third year production figures in its first full year of operation.

GINA said he noted that when OBMI first came on stream there were three main producing countries, China, Brazil and Guyana, with China utilising most of its production.

This placed Guyana in a comfortable position on the world market, he pointed out.

“If we can produce 350,000 tonnes, there is a market for it,” he explained.

OBMI is completely refurbishing the mining operations at Linden.

The Number 13 kiln has been completely refurbished and work is ongoing on the Number 14 kiln. The shell lining is being removed and replaced and conveyors are being replaced.

These corrective works, McLean said, are to modernise the operations to make these more cost effective.

A 14-kilometer road has been constructed so trucks can transport ore from the East Montgomery mine to the plant instead of using rail cars as was previously done.

McLean said this has significantly reduced the company’s electricity demand.

In addition, OMAI Services Inc was established to supply electricity to the bauxite company and to residents of Linden.

The company also intends to diversify its production line to include mullite, kaolin and other products.

OBMI employs 670 workers mainly from the Linden community and who would have worked with Omai Gold Mines Limited. (BEVERLY ALERT – GINA)

Commander-in-Chief commends troops on Grenada mission
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF of the Armed Forces President Bharrat Jagdeo has commended the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) troops deployed in Grenada for a job well done.

His praise came when he visited the 100-member contingent Monday as they prepared to wrap up their six-month mission to help the island rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Ivan in September last year.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said he commended the troops for “lifting the profile of Guyana” through their mission in Grenada.

According to the agency, he told the troops at the SSU Base, “I am very pleased to hear from everyone that I have encountered - the Prime Minister, the ministers, the Commissioner of Police, people at the locations I have visited - of the gratitude and support that the people of Grenada have expressed for you and their appreciation of your work. It makes me proud as Commander-in-Chief that you have done so well. So I want to thank and congratulate you on behalf of our people.”

GINA said President Jagdeo and the GDF officers visited the sites of some projects the soldiers worked on in the education, health, security, water and housing sectors.

Twelve projects were completed, including repairs to the Richmond Home for the Elderly, police stations, the prisons, residents’ homes, non-governmental organisation buildings, the Grand Roy Government School and the Happy Hill Secondary School, the agency said.

The troops also helped to distribute food and water on the island.

GINA said the GDF soldiers are expected to complete three remaining projects by Saturday.

The GDF contingent comprises three officers and 97 other ranks, six of them female.

The troops specialise in various trades including construction, plumbing, carpentry and masonry.

The GDF operation in Grenada was called ‘Operation Phoenix’ and was executed under the guidance of the Office of the Prime Minister and the National Emergency Relief Organisation (NERO).

GINA said head of the contingent Lt. Col. Bruce Lovell told the Commander-in-Chief in a brief that the troops found rebuilding homes particularly rewarding, as it was completed in time for families to return for the Christmas holidays.

A major challenge for the construction was the unavailability of materials but this did not dampen their determination as they executed several projects simultaneously, moving to one when materials from the other were exhausted, he said.

The GDF soldiers also participated in ‘Operation Yuletide’, mounted by the Royal Grenadian Police Force during the Christmas season.

GINA said although the families of more than 50 of the soldiers deployed in Grenada were affected by the January floods here, they remained on the island to keep the Commander-in-Chief’s commitment to Grenada.

It said Lovell added that the soldiers have upheld the proud tradition of the GDF throughout the mission.

President Jagdeo assured that all expenses would be met for the soldiers to return home, the agency reported.

Also praising the soldiers were GDF Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Edward Collins and Commissioner of the Royal Grenadian Police Force Winston James.

The GDF troops were on Monday presented with several plaques for their performance from, among others, the Royal Grenadian Police Force, the Grand Roy Government School and the Central Fire and Traffic Department.

GINA said Lovell remarked that Monday was a ‘red letter’ day for the GDF, as it marked the first visit by the Commander-in-Chief to a GDF overseas mission.

The agency said he noted that the motivation for the troops during the past six months was the support back home and the interest of the Commander-in-Chief in their well-being.

Leaders hail new Pope, liberal Catholics dismayed
By Steve Pagani
LONDON, (Reuters) - World leaders congratulated former German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger on his election as Pope Benedict XVI yesterday, describing him as a man blessed with the same wisdom and compassion as Pope John Paul II.

Many among the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics welcomed Ratzinger as representing continuity after serving as one of the late Pope's closest aides and guardian of Church doctrine for nearly a quarter of a century.

There was disappointment among those, however, who had hoped a new pope might relax the Church's views on issues such as contraception. Liberal U.S. Catholics expressed dismay at the choice of an arch-conservative as pope.

Others voiced concern over whether Ratzinger was committed to ecumenism.

"That a fellow countryman has become pope fills us in Germany with special joy and also with a little pride," German President Horst Koehler said. Ratzinger is the first German pope for some 1,000 years.

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder called him a worthy successor to John Paul II.

"In Pope Benedict XVI, a pope has been chosen who knows the world Church like no one else," Schroeder said.

Besides being leader of the Catholic Church, the Pope is also head of state of the Holy See and his election was met with congratulations from around the world.

U.S. President George W. Bush called Ratzinger "a man of great wisdom and knowledge.”

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Ratzinger would bring a wealth of experience to his papacy.

President Jacques Chirac sent his sincerest wishes, adding that France would pursue its dialogue with the Vatican to promote peace and mutual respect among the world's religions.

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said Ratzinger was a good choice and would carry on John Paul II's fight for peace.

"He has been portrayed too often as a bogeyman and as a 'panzer cardinal' by his opponents," Balkenende said. "It is very clear the cardinals chose a safe transition ... a man with whom they can think: 'we can go home safely, the shop in Rome is in good hands'."

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said: “I'm confident that Pope Benedict XVI is blessed with the same compassion and vision that made Pope John Paul II one of the world's most revered and respected voices."

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was quoted by aide Nabil Abu Rdainah as saying he hoped the new pope would continue the Vatican's support for a just peace in the Holy Land.

CONTROVERSIAL
As conservative arch-theologian during the last papacy, Ratzinger became a controversial figure, attracting his critics.

U.S. liberal Catholics doubted he could heal a Church racked by disillusionment and tarnished by a sex abuse scandal among the clergy.

"Ratzinger is a polarising figure to many, who seems to prefer combativeness to compromise and compassion," Mary Grant of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said.

In 2000, he branded other Christian churches as deficient and then lambasted Lutherans as "absurd" when they complained.

Bernd Goehring, director of German ecumenical group Kirche von Unten, said the election was a catastrophe.

"We can expect no reform from him in the coming years ... I think that even more people will turn their back on the church."

Bishop Wolfgang Huber, chairman of the Protestant Church in Germany, said it was good for ecumenism to have a top theologian as pope, but recalled he had in recent years "treated ecumenicals with a considerable degree of exclusion and prejudice".

The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, leader of the world's 70 million Anglicans, praised the new pope, however, as a theologian of "great stature" and said he looked forward to working with him.

Jewish leaders said they believed Ratzinger would build on the strides made by John Paul II in helping repair the centuries of mistrust between the two monotheistic faiths.

Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, said Ratzinger grew up in an anti-Nazi family but was forced to join the Hitler Youth Movement.

"The new Pope, like his predecessor, was deeply influenced by the events of World War Two," Hier said, adding that he was confident Pope Benedict XVI would continue to reach out to other religions such as Judaism.

"Cardinal Ratzinger already has shown a profound commitment to advancing Catholic-Jewish relations," said Rabbi David Rosen, the American Jewish Committee's international director of interreligious affairs.

In Latin America, which had hoped one of their own would be elected pontiff this time, the choice may be seen as divisive.

Ratzinger had disciplined Latin American priests who backed Marxist-influenced "liberation theology" to fight against social injustice and military regimes in the 1970s and 1980s.

"This is a triumph for the dogmatic, capitalist right," said Argentine theologian Ruben Dri, a professor at the University of Buenos Aires.

But Brazilian archbishop Raymundo Damasceno Assis praised Ratzinger as a person who was aware of Brazil's social problems.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, the world's biggest Roman Catholic country, congratulated the new pope and said he hoped he would promote "peace and social justice at the same time as reviving the spiritual and moral values of the church".

U.S. gays were outraged at the choice of Ratzinger, who has denounced homosexuality and gay marriage.

`Rapid’ work under way on drainage system
-- task force reports
THE Government Information Agency (GINA) yesterday said that the special task force the government appointed to improve drainage systems on the East Coast and East Bank Demerara in anticipation of the May/June rains has reported that work is “rapidly ongoing.”

“Of the $800M allocated by (the) government, $400M has already been committed towards infrastructural works. The projects identified by the task force are the rehabilitation of canals and sluices/kokers on the East Coast and East Bank Demerara and the water conservancies”, the agency said.

It said additional contracts will soon be awarded to clear canals and other drainage systems.

“Pumps that were acquired have already been deployed at Helena, Greenfield, Belfield and Buxton while others are also scheduled to be deployed at Plaisance, Lusignan, Paradise and Enterprise”, the agency reported.

It said that the task force headed by Ravi Narine of the National Drainage and Irrigation Board (ND&IB) has prioritised clearing outfall channels on the coast and riverbanks.

“Works are also being done on the East Demerara (Water) Conservancy Dam to drain excessive water into the Demerara River. In addition, stockpiling of materials is…under way to prevent overtopping”, it said.

The agency also issued the following table showing areas identified for drainage works:

Works for drainage canals
Status of works
Cunha
started
Kofi
started
Shanks
started
Region Three drainage channels
started
Region Four drainage channels
started
Region Five drainage channels
started Works for sluices in the seawall
Status of works
Hope
started
Beterverwagting/Triumph
started
Belfield
started
Buxton
started
Beehive
started
Victoria
started
Guysuco outlets
ongoing by Guysuco Conservancies
Status of works
East Demerara Water Conservancy Dam
started
Road to Flag Staff
started
Clay bags
filled with clay and packed on both sides of dam.
Boerasirie Dam (Region Three)
started GINA said the supervision of these works will entail compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements.

It said the task force noted that repairs will have to be done where requirements could not be met immediately.

It said that on April 8, 1.64 inches of rain were recorded in the East Demerara Water Conservancy and immediate steps were taken to fully open all five sluices at Land of Canaan to drain off the excess water while the Maduni sluice was put on standby in case of any eventuality.

Guest editorial
Monitoring of police services
ACROSS the Caribbean Community, including Barbados, there have been recurring reports of acts of corruption and abuse of powers by members of police services.

With increasing concerns over perceived low level in police intelligence in curbing criminal activities, especially spiralling narco-trafficking and gun-related violence and killings in some of the CARICOM states, there are now also new calls for more transparency and accountability in the functioning of the region's police services.

Such calls have been more strident in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago where the rates of murder and kidnapping crimes respectively are mind-numbing.

Now the Jamaica Government has decided to take the bold step of establishing a civilian body to oversee the operations of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

The thinking behind such a move is that the traditional role of a Police Services Commission (PSC), more confined to hiring or firing of personnel, cannot effectively respond to today's challenges.

It is either the PSC is significantly empowered or a new body vested with relevant authority be established, according to the president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ).

The latest report out of Kingston suggests that National Security Minister, Peter Phillips, needs no prompting for independent monitoring of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. He has told the 'Jamaica Gleaner':

"We recognise the needs for greater levels of accountability. Even as we have quite properly given operational autonomy to the Commissioner of Police, we need, equally, to ensure there is accountability to civilian authority generally as well as to the society as a whole...We are exploring different models of achieving this, including the possibility of adjusting the role and responsibilities of the Police Services Commission..."

The parliamentary opposition Jamaica Labour Party has already signalled its interest in the government's invitation to have a bi-partisan approach to the idea of either a strengthened PSC or an independent civilian monitoring body.

Perhaps when the region’s police chiefs meet next month in St. Croix for the annual meeting of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP), they may wish to ponder on the usefulness, or otherwise, of such a civilian mechanism, as they deliberate on cooperative strategies to battle the growing menace from the criminal underworld and threats posed to national security.
(Courtesy yesterday's Barbados Nation)

April Sessions open with traditional ceremony
--Hearings affected by absence of accused, witnesses
The twice-postponed April Criminal Sessions of the Demerara Assizes were opened yesterday with the traditional ceremonial parade outside of the Supreme Court in the heart of the city.

However, the Sessions were immediately affected by problems since State Prosecutors reported to the various judges that some accused persons and material witnesses could not be located.

As a result, Justice James Bovell-Drakes granted Bench Warrants for the arrest of three accused, who did not turned up yesterday for their trials.

The missing accused are: Ralph Clarke, who is facing trial for rape and buggery allegedly committed on January 4, 1999; Mohamed Ayube and Keith Ferreira, who are facing two counts of causing death by dangerous driving said to be committed on November 17,1996; and Devon Richards, who is accused of buggery reportedly committed on December 2,1995.

In a manslaughter case before him, Justice Jainarayan Singh threatened to set free the accused, Patrick Joseph, if the Prosecution fails to produce the witnesses by today.

At yesterday’s ceremonial opening, Judge Rishi Persaud inspected a guard of honour and took the salute during a march-past of a 60-person contingent of the Tactical Services Unit of the Guyana Police Force.

Justice Rishi Persaud has been assigned to conduct the re-trial of treason accused Mark Benschop. (George Barclay)

Gunpoint robbery case transferred
THREE men were each granted $25,000 bail by Magistrate Maxwell Edwards yesterday, when they pleaded not guilty to a joint robbery under arms charge.

Particulars of the offence said the trio, Quasy Gomes, Wendel Wilkinson and Raj (only name given) robbed Mark Gritten, at gunpoint, of a motorcycle valued $200,000 and $300,000 cash, on April 13.

Police Inspector Kevin Adonis, prosecuting, said the defendants went to the virtual complainant’s home and accused him of buying jewellery stolen from them.

After Gritten denied the transaction, Gomes, Wilkinson and Raj committed the crime, the Prosecutor said.

The case has been transferred to another Court where it will be called on May 9.

Benschop re-trial hit by cash constraints
--Says Attorney-at-law
ATTORNEY-at-law Mr. Mortimer Coddette, a leading team member of the Defence for treason accused Mark Benschop, disclosed yesterday that Benschop's re-trial is linked to a money problem.

The lawyer made this comment after he was asked why the Benschop Defence did not take advantage of the clause in Judge Jainarayan Singh’s decision, which gives a prisoner the chance to ‘leap-frog’ other trials rather than to wait his turn in the order of committals.

While admitting that Judge Jainarayan Singh's decision does provide the opportunity for an accused to apply for an early trial, Coddette pointed out that there was a money problem, and that at present, he was working pro bono (for nothing).

The Lawyer went on to say that while he has heard a lot about a Benschop defence fund being arranged in the United States, he has not benefited from any such arrangement. He indicated that in these circumstances, he could not work for free.

A State Prosecutor yesterday dispelled any rumour that his agency was responsible for holding up the treason trial. According to the officer, it was the duty of the Defence to pursue the necessary applications for an early trial as provided by law. (George Barclay)

Father of poisoned children charged with incest
THE father of the children suspected of having been poisoned, including one who died, has been charged with incest.

The 51-year-old man was not required to plead to the indictable charge when he appeared before Magistrate Kim Kyte, at New Amsterdam Court yesterday.

The accused was refused bail on the allegation that he had carnal knowledge of his surviving 14-year-old daughter at their home, along Canje River, also in Berbice, last February 15.

Prosecutor Police Lance Corporal Rawle Ferreira, who opposed the granting of pre-trial liberty to the remanded prisoner, said an investigation is ongoing into the mysterious death of the 12-year-old sibling of the sex victim.

The carnal knowledge case will be called again for report on May 5.

Jailed thief for trial in other larceny case
MARTIN Emptage, 44, was yesterday sentenced to four months imprisonment for larceny.

He pleaded guilty to the offence before Magistrate Kim Kyte at New Amsterdam Court in Berbice, where he admitted stealing a bag valued $200 with $10,000 in it belonging to Ishmael Rock.

Inspector Percel Moore, of New Amsterdam Constabulary, who prosecuted in the case, said Rock, a vendor in the Amsterdam Municipal Market, had put the bag with money on a nearby bench while opening his stall.

After the thief grabbed his belongings, Rock raised an alarm and other vendors chased and apprehended Emptage with the booty.

Meanwhile, Emptage (no address given) denied another similar allegation which said he stole a carton of Ovaltine valued $7,000 from a stall owned by Kishore Sooklall, on April 4.

The trial in that case is scheduled for May 10.

Assault defendant alleges estranged lover injured while fleeing
A MAN charged with assaulting his estranged lover alleged yesterday that she suffered injury while running away from where he saw her in a compromising position with another man.

Fifty-one-year-old Rudolph Bhagwandin, of Lot 121 New Street, East Canje, said Marcia McKenzie had warned him not to visit her anymore.

But he disregarded her admonition and, while walking towards her home, he noticed her with the other man and she fell and injured herself as she fled the scene, the defendant told Magistrate Kim Kyte at New Amsterdam Court in Berbice.

Bhagwandin pleaded not guilty to assaulting McKenzie so as to cause her actual bodily harm and threatening her at Vryman’s Erven, also in New Amsterdam, last April 10.

He was granted $15,000 bail until his May 17 trial.

Man in burglary case granted $25,000 bail
CARL Blair also known as Godwyn, 34, of Lot 156 Carnage Road, Rosignol, was granted $25,000 bail on a burglary charge yesterday.

The defendant appeared before Magistrate Kumar Doraisami, in Blairmont Court, also at West Bank Berbice, where he pleaded not guilty and was ordered to return on May 9 for statements in the case and fixture of the trial.

Particulars of the offence said Blair broke and entered the dwelling house of Edbert Loures at Rosignol, on April 16, when he stole a video cassette recorder (VCR) and a digital video valued a total of $65,000.

Ruling in soldier murder case April 29
MAGISTRATE Kim Kyte is expected to rule on April 29 whether or not a prima facie case of murder has been made out against Allan Eric Joe.

The ruling was reserved yesterday after the Prosecution closed its case but sought leave to still call the witness Kurt Leitch called Mackey, of Lot 127 West Canje, who was not located since the preliminary inquiry (PI) started.

Joe is charged with unlawfully killing Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldier Errol John, who was fatally stabbed along Sandvoort Public Road, on October 11, 2004.

The last witness to testify yesterday, in the pre-trial proceedings at New Amsterdam Court, also in Berbice, was crime scene expert, Detective Lance Corporal Gavin Moriah.

Fairness, objectivity missing?
I HAVE read the “Minority Report” of Commissioner Massiah in the Presidential Commission of Inquiry relating to the alleged involvement of Minister of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj in extra-judicial killings.

I have also read the “Majority Report” signed by all the members of the Commission including Commissioner Massiah.

I have noted that Commissioner Massiah stated in the Minority Report:

“It is the Majority’s view that Axel Williams’ clandestine nightly forays into criminal territory were undertaken in an effort to collect information for the Minister, and for no other purpose. I do not believe it is as simple as that…”

My perusal of the “Majority Report” did not leave me with the impression that the majority were saying that Axel Williams’ nightly forays in criminal territory were for the sole purpose of collecting information for the minister. I got the distinct impression that the majority were clearly saying that Axel Williams was involved in other activities in addition to information–gathering – though not for the minster. It does appear to me that Massiah was being critical of a non-existent view.

Commissioner Massiah essayed an analysis of the evidence in order to show that there was or might have been another purpose for Axel Williams’ forays. But in so doing his analysis was seriously flawed.

Commissioner Massiah stated in his analysis:

“It is utterly unrealistic to suppose that on his nocturnal excursions, Axel Williams would have confined his attention to the worthy pursuit of information gathering only and would have controlled himself and recoiled from any impulse for violent conduct. After all he was confronting criminals who could possibly have killed him without any uneasy twinge of conscience and whom he could have killed also. It was in this situation of peril that caused the police to `duck and hide’.

They were not hiding from the gathering of information but rather from bullets. The possibility existed that in that volatile situation someone could have been killed extra judicially.”

Clearly, Commissioner Massiah was saying that Axel Williams’ impulse for violent conduct exposed others to the possibility of being killed extra-judicially while he was on his nocturnal information-gathering excursions. In such a case, an extra-judicial killing might have been a real possibility incidental to the enterprise of information gathering.

But such a possibility cannot constitute or be described as an additional purpose. Proof of purpose is not as simple as that. The assumption of a foreseen risk, even if unreasonable, does not and cannot constitute purpose. The relevant issue was whether the assumption of such a risk was unreasonable in the prevailing circumstances.

From the Majority Report, no evidence appears that Axel Williams was confronting criminals in the course of his information-gathering excursions. Yet, Commissioner Massiah stated “after all he was confronting criminals”. He repeated his inaccuracy, with some effect against Minister Gajraj, when he stated:

“In stentorian terms, the Minister praised Axel Williams for his courage in confronting armed criminals”.

I got the impression that the minister did praise Axel Williams not for his courage in confronting armed criminals but for not fearing the possibility of such a confrontation.

Commissioner Massiah later stated that the minister ought to have terminated the relationship between himself and Axel Williams “whose errant proclivities were not unknown to him”. There was apparently no evidence that all of Axel Williams’ errant proclivities were known to Minister Gajraj. It did appear that the Minister Gajraj, at the time he engaged Axel Williams in information gathering operations, knew only of the incident involving the shooting of Rodwell Ogle by Axel Williams in respect of which there were police investigations and the DPP saw it fit not to advise the institution of criminal proceedings.

In relation to the upgrade of Axel Williams’ firearm licence, Commissioner Massiah stated:

“There ought to be compulsive reasons for empowering a dangerous criminal to possess a more powerful weapon that the one already in his possession. No such cogent reasons were proffered for the Commission’s evaluation and acceptance and one is left to wonder why the Minister chose to accede to Axel Williams request for a more powerful lethal weapon.”

If Minister Gajraj stated that one of the reasons for the upgrade was that Axel Williams was engaged in the dangerous enterprise of information-gathering on criminal activities (which Commissioner Massiah himself described as a worthy pursuit), that itself was a very plausible reason for the upgrade.

Commissioner Massiah concluded that the minister’s upgrade was wholly wrong. In so doing, he substituted his own discretion for that of the minister on the issue of the merits of the upgrade. This he did without applying the test of whether any minister in Minister Gajraj’s position could have reasonably made such a decision. The substitution of the Commissioner’s discretion for that of Minister Gajraj on the issue of merits or demerits of the grant was wholly wrong and unfortunate. The majority deftly avoided the application of the test of “reasonableness” by making the finding that there was no jurisdiction in the minister.

Similarity, Commissioner Massiah rushed headlong into political value judgment, which was not within the remit of the Commission, when he stated that Minister Gajraj’s conduct fell below the accepted standards of ministerial propriety. Whether or not that was so, was not a matter for the Commission but for political judgment.

If it was Minister Gajraj’s purpose or intention that Axel Williams should go out and confront and shoot criminals extra judicially, it is inconceivable that he would have approved that Axel Williams should do so with a licenced rather than an unlicenced firearm. Moreover, a 9mm firearm was a relatively ineffective weapon with which to confront criminals who were armed with fully automatic weapons.

In relation to the usurpation of the statutory power of the police Divisional Commanders in approving the grant of firearm licences, Commissioner Massiah stated:

“The present Minister of Home Affairs is a lawyer and knows fully well that he is acting ultra vires. He cannot shelter behind the wrongdoings of his predecessors in office.”

However, according to the Majority report, the unlawful practice had this genesis as far back as 1962-1964. Commissioner Massiah must have oversighted the fact that most of Minister Gajraj’s predecessors in office were lawyers and one was even a Senior Counsel.

It does appear that the Minority Report of Commissioner Massiah fell below the accepted standard of objective analysis. No one expected Commissioner Massiah to defend Minister Gajraj. But a fair and objective analysis of the evidence was something to which the minster was entitled.

Both fairness and objectivity seem to have lost their way in the Minority Report.
ANALYST

Deeply concerned
I SEE that the USA says it is “deeply concerned” by the PPP/Civic Government’s decision for Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj to resume duties.

I am “deeply concerned” about the decision to confirm the appointment of John Negroponte as Director of National Intelligence in the USA.

During a confirmation hearing by the Senate Intelligence Committee, several Democratic senators charged that Negroponte was involved in human rights abuses when he was an ambassador.

This is not a new charge and was made prior to the senate hearing. His name has also been linked to the charges that the U.S. used torture in the treatment of prisoners in the war on terrorism.

Of course, the Republican majority will be able to confirm Negroponte’s appointment despite the doubts about his human rights record. The same is being done in the confirmation hearings of John Bulton as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Fifty-nine former U.S. diplomats have opposed Bulton’s nomination, claiming that Bulton’s view that the UN is useful only when it directly serves the interest of the USA.

And we constantly hear protests that the PPP/Civic uses its majority in the National Assembly to get what it wants. Protestors, take a look at the USA!

What concerns me is the audacity of the USA to publicly criticise the decision of the Cabinet to allow Minister Gajraj to resume duties.

The Commission was not, by any stretch of the imagination, a PPP supporter. I wonder what the USA would have said if, per chance one of the Commissioners had been an Indo-Guyanese – pro or anti PPP?

The Commission clearly exonerated Minister Gajraj. On the other hand, the democratic senators clearly charged Negroponte with having a bad human rights record.

Double standards please the USA.
SHAWN MARSHALL

What does it mean to the ordinary Guyanese?
THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was launched Saturday in full pomp and ceremony in Trinidad and Tobago finally removing the Privy Council as the final Court of Appeal for the Caribbean.

But what does this mean to the ordinary Guyanese?

At present there is no Ombudsman, no Appellate Tribunal and no Supreme Court Registrar (Ms. Ramlall should have gone into retirement March 31st).

This country has not informed its citizens about how, when and why one can approach the CCJ.

Rumour is that one has to lodge G$1 million. It is reported that you have to lodge the judgment before the matter can be heard. This means that the ordinary Guyanese, unless there is legal aid available, cannot use the court.

He would be funding the court through his taxes but unable to use the services of the court because it is exorbitant.

The Privy Council was free because it was paid for by the British tax payers

We want a court that can bring relief to the people, not oppression.

I think overall there is agreement in its creation and that it is a good thing, but we the people must be able to use it.

Any decision in a criminal matter by the Guyana Court of Appeal is appealable to the CCJ, but in civil matters the subject matter has to be over G$1M.

The CCJ can cover patent and trade rights and handle disputes between member territories such as the CGX matter involving Guyana and Suriname.

The CCJ was funded by a US$100M loan from the Caribbean Development Bank which has been reinvested. The interest obtained is supposed to cover the salaries and the administration costs of the institution.

So the money does not come from the member states as such and in effect that helps to maintain its independence and freedom.
ROGER MOORE

Boxing exchange…
The Americans are here for two-night show
By Isaiah Chappelle
FOUR boxers, including one woman, from New York arrived, yesterday, for an adjusted two-day boxing exchange with their Guyanese counterparts in the opening visit of Guyana-USA exchange programme.

Host Carryl Boxing Gym held a press briefing just after the boxers and their coach Michael Smith arrived at La Belle Apartments, Restaurant & Bar on Norton Street, which is available free of cost to sporting bodies for press conferences.

Smith said his team was very experienced and very strong, all being Golden Gloves champions in Metro Inc, the governing body for amateur boxing in New York City.

“We are trying to test the waters to see what level of boxing is on here.”

The coach disclosed that it was the first trip outside USA for the boxers, but they will give good account of themselves.

Female boxer Ronica Jeffrey has been fighting for a year and the 20-year-old is undefeated in five bouts, including the Golden Gloves.

The oldest of the group is Andre Henry who fights at 132 lb division, while Wesley Hobbs is 20 years old.

Durrel Joseph is also 20 years old, and a champion in last year’s Golden Gloves but lost this year. He has Guyanese parentage.

The exchange, initiated by USA-based boxing enthusiast Michael Carryl, has been two years in the making, but the young Metro team had passport problems last year and could not make the trip, according to organiser Gary Stephens.

Letters already were sent to the relevant authorities for sanction and the use of sport facilities to stage the cards.

This year, the organisers decided to use older boxers who could handle their own immigration matters to bypass the passport problem.

Stephens said the organisers were prepared to do their best to make the exchange a success.

“It is designed to bring the best out of youth. With the exposure, this could be preparation for the Olympics.”

However, the event is not without obstacles. The Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) only put their stamp of approval, yesterday, likewise the National Sports Commission for the use of the National Gymnasium. The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall was booked for international volleyball.

The three-day programme was cut down to two, according to Colin Aaron who is coordinating the venture as an assistant from the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation.

GABA officials would not be able to make the trip to Linden for the opening card at the Christianburg Community Centre hardcourt fixed for today.

Therefore the cards will be staged tomorrow night and Friday night, a change from Saturday and Sunday, according to Aaron.

There will be ten bouts each night and the organisers were to visit gyms, later yesterday, to get opponents for the visitors.

Aaron said the gyms could not give a commitment before the GABA sanctioned the programme, but boxers would be available for all the visitors for the two nights.

Royals Schools Basketball…
Wilson three-pointers propel Multi to victory
By Joe Chapman
JAMIE Wilson hit a record six three-pointers as Wismar/Christianburg Secondary School (WCSS) stopped the winning streak of previously unbeaten Linden Foundation Secondary (LFS) as the Victory Valley Royals inter-secondary school basketball championship continued, yesterday, at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

Wilson lit up the game's scoreboard in front of a large following of schoolchildren who had turned up to witness the game. Both teams were tied at 23 at the end of the first half.

In fact Wilson was so impressive that he was six of nine shooting from beyond the arc, which accounted for all of his 18-point top score for WCSS, with teammate Onel Grant contributing 11.

With 1:23 minutes to go and the scores tied at 43, Wilson broke the deadlock with his sixth shot from downtown to give his team the lead for good. LFS tried valiantly to recover from that shot but could only end one point short of the winning mark 46-47.

Once again Kevon Nelson was outstanding for LFS scoring 21 points as Keon Sears added eight.

The stunning victory for WCSS, better known as ‘Multi', moved them to the top position, locked there with LFS and Linden Technical Institute (LTI), on seven points, after compiling three wins and one defeat each, with one game to play in the preliminary round. From the six contesting schools, the top four will advance into the semifinals.

Next in the points standings MHS and Wisburg Secondary have four points each from one win and two losses, while New Silvercity Secondary School (NSSS) also have four points but with four losses.

In the other game, Mackenzie High gained their first victory in four games beating the hapless New Silvercity Secondary 52-38 after leading 36-15 at halftime.

Roderick McDonald had a game-high 21 points and Kevin Williams 16 for the MHS side. Jermaine Ramsey had the top score for NSSS with eleven points.

On Monday, LFS humbled NSSS, 67-29 points, while LTI drowned Wisburg Secondary 61-9.

That was the third straight win for LFS. Javon Nelson continued his fine display with 14 points. His top score was matched by teammates Kevin Allicock and Keon Sears in a solid team effort following a 31-14 halftime score in their favour. Jermaine Ramsey with ten points and Joelyn Jones nine were the top scorers for NSSS.

In LTI's demolition of Wisburg by a 61-9 score-line after leading 24-6 at the break, Keith Moore was the hot shot with 19 points as Akali Moore tucked in eleven.

At 14:00 h today, Wisburg play MHS in a game which was postponed due to bad weather.

Tomorrow, Wisburg face WCSS at 14:00 h while on Friday LTI and NSSS clash and MHS oppose LFS to complete the preliminary round play.

The top four teams will advance to the semifinal round and the team with the most points will play the fourth place finisher. The second and third teams will play in the other semifinal match.

South Africa dilemma…
To select or not to select Pollock
By Telford Vice
BRIDGETOWN, (Reuters) - South Africa must decide whether to risk selecting Shaun Pollock for the third Test against the West Indies, which starts in Bridgetown, tomorrow.

All-rounder Pollock has missed South Africa's last three Tests and three one-day internationals because of chronic inflammation in his left ankle but he joined the squad on Monday night.

He bowled without obvious discomfort at net practice yesterday.

"My ankle feels better with every ball I bowl, but it's not my decision," Pollock told reporters.

"There isn't much I can accomplish in the two days before the Test, but for the selectors to be able to see me bowl might ease the decision they have to make," he added.

With 377 wickets and 3 120 runs in 93 matches, Pollock would normally be an automatic selection but aside from the risk of him breaking down South Africa may not want to tamper with the combination that won the second Test by eight wickets in Port of Spain.

Strike bowler Makhaya Ntini took 13 wickets for 132 in Trinidad, the best return by a South African in Test cricket.

Pollock has played three domestic 20-over matches since returning from injury.

"There was nothing more I could do at home," the 31-year-old said.

"I still have a little discomfort, but it's not going to go by the end of the summer.

"It's either have a go now, or take the rest of the season off."

The traditionally lively surface at Kensington Oval, venue for the third Test, may lead South Africa to choose an attack that does not feature Pollock.

"I remember from when we were here last time (in the drawn Test of 2001) that the pitch does a bit in the morning, and then tends to calm down," Pollock said.

"It was one of the nicer wickets we played on; it had some pace in it."

If Pollock is selected, it is likely to be at the expense of fast bowler Monde Zondeki.

Greaves now dons Carlton Wheelers jersey
By Isaiah Chappelle
TOP junior cyclist Alonzo Greaves will now be wearing the Carlton Wheelers jersey, a switch from Roraima.

President of Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club, Hassan Mohamed, introduced the club’s new member at last Saturday’s National Park meet presentation.

Mohamed, yesterday, told Chronicle Sport that Greaves resigned from his previous club, paving the way for his membership in Carlton Wheelers.

He disclosed that Greaves’ usual teammate Marlon Williams had indicated that he would like to join the Wheelers, but he has not yet resigned from Roraima.

Williams is now in Anguilla where he is preparing with other Guyanese riders for the annual Independence Three-Stage road race.

Mohamed announced on Saturday that some 20 overseas riders were expected for the 23rd two-day meet, May 21 and 22.

Meanwhile, Carlton Wheelers elected a new executive, Saturday last, with Mohamed also winning the post of treasurer.

The first vice-president is Patrick Santos, second vice-president Jennifer Santos and third vice-president Courtney Thomas. Joseph Britton is the secretary.

Six Committee members were elected - Indira Lall, Shameer Baksh, Ossie Edwards, Johnatan Creavalle, Clifford Sardinha and Compton Persaud.

Michael Da Silva was appointed the public relations officer, Junior Niles the club captain and Greaves his deputy.

The patron is Jainarine Singh Jr and club doctor Dr Carl Max Hanoman.

Shameer Baksh of Universal Auto Sales & Supplies provided Carlton Wheelers with 24 jerseys at a cost of about $6 000 each.

Also, Andrew King of Toucan Industries Limited donated $15 000 and hamper of the company’s products to club captain Junior Niles, while Frank De Abreu of DeSinco Trading donated a chain and sprocket to club member Shane Boodram.

The duo will be participating in the Caribbean Cycling Festival to be staged in Trinidad & Tobago.

Niles was selected by the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) following an invitation from the Trinidad cycling body, and would ride with the Caribbean team, while Boodram will be participating on his own.

The cyclists will leave on Saturday for the Twin Island Republic and return on May 9.

Schools rugby…
Inaugural league to kick off this weekend
By Isaiah Chappelle
EIGHT schools will clash in the inaugural Diamond Mineral Water Schools Rugby League that will open on Saturday with pomp and ceremony at the National Park.

Coordinator of the Schools Development Programme Noel Adonis made the announcement at the start of the rugby season, some weeks ago.

The upcoming tournament is one of several important events the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) will be staging this season.

“This year, we stand at an important juncture in the course of development,” Adonis declared.

Adonis pointed out the GRFU aimed to repeat winning the West Indies Under-18 championships, having successfully defended it last year.

A 31-member squad, selected on Monday, and will start training from this afternoon at 16:30 h in the National Park, according to coach Laurie Adonis.

The GRFU will host the Southern Caribbean Championships, August 7-14, which doubles as the qualifiers for the 2007 World Cup from which the winners will meet the winners of the northern West Indies tournament to advance to round three.

Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and the winner of the preliminary between St Lucia and St Vincent & the Grenadines, will compete in the southern series.

Noel Adonis pointed out that this was the third year of the Strategic Development Plan, in which the target would be having a women’s team in the Caribbean Sevens competition fixed for November.

“We are looking forward to clubs playing an integral part.”

The GRFU vice-president disclosed that the programme was started last year and the body proposed to put together a National squad by August.

“We can play catch up and do that very quickly.”

The William Blackman 15s championship is the second competition for the year and it kicked off Saturday last, the season having started with the Banks Sevens championship that was won by Yamaha Caribs.

And this week the Schools League championships will get under way. Two other tournaments were staged in 2002 for one day in each meet.

The upcoming meet is the first league championship to be staged at such magnitude, running over five Saturdays.

There are three categories: Under-14 who will play tag rugby (non-contact), Under-16 and Under-18, the latter two playing regular rugby.

Teams will come from Tutorial High, South Ruimveldt Secondary, Dolphin Secondary, St George’s High, St John’s College, Charlestown Secondary, Annandale Secondary and New Campbellville Secondary.

Six schools will field teams in the Under-14 competition. They are Dolphin, St George’s, St John’s, Charlestown, Campbellville and Tutorial, while Dolphin and Annandale will field the two teams in the Under-16 competition. The three teams in the Under-18 competition will come from Dolphin, South Ruimveldt and Annandale.

Adonis disclosed that the tournament sponsor Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) also supported the schools development programme.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar congratulated the GRFU for its “genuine effort” in spreading the game.

“The school programme is impressive. It has reached as far as Annandale who are now playing the game.”

Cricket on radio, now cricket on TV
… President Jagdeo again intervenes
LOCAL cricket fans will be able to see the Digicel series between West Indies and South Africa on television as government injects US$30 000 towards acquiring the rights of broadcast here.

For the past several months, State-owned National Communications Network (NCN) had difficulty raising the money to buy the rights for both radio and television broadcasts.

Marketing Manager Raymond Azeez, yesterday, told Chronicle Sport that the cost for television was US$180 000 and radio US$40 000.

He explained the initial TV cost was US$250 000 which dropped to US$205 000 after negotiations with rights owner Caribbean Media Communications (CMC).

Further negotiations brought the price to the present amount, but NCN would have to inject US$25 000 into local production for CMC.

According to Azeez, the cost covers broadcasts up to 2009, but only for series staged in the West Indies and comes with 60 percent advertising for CMC, leaving NCN with only 40 percent advertising.

Azeez said to cover cost for this year, 30 percent of the cost or US$54 000 must be paid to CMC by May 15. With government paying US$30 000, NCN must still raise a further US$24 000 by that date to ensure broadcasts.

But the marketing manager assured that there would be TV broadcasts of the third Test from tomorrow.

When the South Africa tour started here on March 31, there were no forms of broadcast locally and President Jagdeo intervened with government injecting US$20 000 for radio coverage that very afternoon.

The US$40 000 radio cost covers broadcasts for this year only which includes this present series, the West Indies/Australia and West Indies/Pakistan series, and the Red Stripe regional One-Day series.

Strength, conditioning overseer for Windies
WEST Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has appointed a Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the West Indies team.

The WICB, yesterday, said Australian Bryce Cavanagh was appointed to the post within the Windies Team Operations Unit with a two-year contract and should be in the region for the third Test in the Digicel 2005 Home Series against South Africa.

In the release, the WICB disclosed that Cavanagh was selected after a regional and international search.

He leaves his post as Physical Performance Manager within the New South Wales ‘Waratahs’ Rugby Union playing division where he was for the last five years.

Cavanagh will be expected to identify qualified strength and conditioning trainers across the region and, in consultation with these WICB-approved trainers, establish fitness level tests and required standards for players at first class and international level.

“His work experience with elite teams in professional sport, including the Waratahs, extends to the management of an entire Strength and Conditioning programme, encompassing programming and implementation of physical parameters, liaison with medical, dietitian staff and subsequent implementation of rehab and nutrition programmes as well as development and maintenance of various databases of physical records,” the WICB said.

At the end of his contract it is expected that there would be a cadre of strength and conditioning trainers who would be able to carry on the necessary programmes at all levels.

Additionally, Cavanagh is required to produce fitness programmes for players in West Indies teams designed to create a well-rounded athlete in the areas of strength and conditioning, coordination, speed, agility, power and balance.

He is expected among other things to liaise with the (WICB) Medical Panel and the West Indies Team Physiotherapist to ensure there is a coordinated and planned approach to the medical services provided to, and fitness preparation of, the players for West Indies teams.

Cavanagh completed tertiary qualifications at the University of Technology, Sydney, and the Australian Catholic University, Sydney, where he acquired a Sports Science Degree with Honours and a Graduate Diploma in Education. These studies involved a thesis focusing on Biomechanics along with the theory of sport science and education/coaching.

Chief Executive Officer Roger Brathwaite, in welcoming Cavanagh, said that this appointment was a vital cog in ensuring that the best technical resources were made available to the West Indies team.

“The expertise that Mr Cavanagh brings will not be limited to the West Indies team but will benefit all our members,” Brathwaite said.

Linden Town Day football…
Jim Jones scores, Notre Dame still go down
LLOYD Gilbert hit a double as Net Rockers hammered Notre Dame 4-1 while Silver Shattas scored a polished 2-0 win over Milerock when the Linden Town Day football championship kicked off Sunday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground.

Net Rockers got their first goal through a strike by Lloyd Gilbert off a free kick on the right side that dipped and scored in the 17th minute, after Jim Jones had sent Notre Dame into the lead after just seven minutes.

Then Roddy Richards struck with a shot inside the box across the body of the goalkeeper to rock the nets in the 20th minute.

The third goal for Rockers was scored from the penalty spot as mid-field player Dwayne Douglas was fouled in the box and Gilbert did the honours from the spot in the 44th minute to bring up halftime.

Dellon Langhorne was the other man finding the nets when he gave Net Rockers a fine win by scoring in the 67th minute.

In the other game Silver Shattas were able to dispatch the challenge of Milerock when in the 64th minute the first goal was scored by Anthony Liddell from a lobbed shot on the right which caught the goalkeeper out of position.

Goal number two came from a ball that was sent from the right, across the goal, where it was cleared and from just inside the 16-metre box Troy Richards banged home to score in the 73rd minute.

The competition is organised by the Mackenzie Sports Club and the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA). (Joe Chapman)

GABA eight-club KO tourney ...
Ifill explodes in fourth quarter, propels Colts into semis
NATIONAL forward Andrew Ifill exploded for 16 points in the fourth quarter, to push his team and national champions Bounty Colts into the semifinals of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball (GABA) eight-club knock-out basketball tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Sunday night.

Colts eventually netted 29 points in the last quarter as they squeezed past Eagles 71-70 points while Nets beat Park Rangers 85-71 to also advance to the semifinals.

The talented Ifill demonstrated his scoring prowess after being held to just two points in the first quarter as Eagles took the initiative 16-15. Ifill was checked with four points after the second quarter ended with Colts up by three points 39-36, and at the end of the third quarter Colts were trailing again as Ifill managed just seven points.

But Ifill rose to the occasion with a brilliant fourth quarter display which saw him gather 16 points to propel his side to a nail-biting one-point win as guards Rondel Murphy and Kerwin Blades each got ten points. Forward Lloydell Smith hit in 19 points and guard Eugene Kingston 16 for the Eagles team.

In the other game, Nets got past Park Rangers as Pelham Doris excelled with the game-high 25 points, Martin Williams netted 20 and Frank Belle 16. Darren Thomas with 20 was the best shoot for Park Rangers as Hodyah Stewart collected 19, Bertnel Young 17 and Sheldon Howell 10.

The competition continues with semifinal action Saturday night when Ravens meet Nets in one game and Georgetown club champions, Courts Pacesetters, face Bounty Colts in the other.