71%
Diesel tax cut
THE Finance Ministry yesterday announced that the consumption tax on diesel was being cut from 35% to 10% to help businesses in sectors hard hit by rising world oil prices.

Gasoline is now retailing at more than $600 per gallon and diesel had reached more than $575 a gallon.

The diesel tax cut, which took immediate effect, followed a meeting yesterday between President Bharrat Jagdeo and other top government officials and representatives from the Guyana Manufacturers’ Association, the Guyana Rice Producers Association, the Guyana Forestry Producers Association, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association and the Trawlers Owners Association.

The ministry said they discussed the impact of recent increases in the acquisition cost of fuel on these sectors and the economy as a whole.

Mr. Jagdeo directed the Finance Ministry to reduce the consumption tax on diesel, widely used in the fishing and other sectors, the ministry said in a press release.

It said the significant tax reduction “is expected to provide much needed relief to the affected sectors.”

The Finance Ministry noted that the government earlier this year reduced the consumption tax on gasoline and consumers “continue to enjoy” this cut.

It also said that the government had earlier removed the consumption tax on kerosene and cooking gas.

The government delegation at yesterday’s meetings included Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Head of the Budget Office, Dr. Ashni Singh, Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Mr. Kurschid Sattaur and Presidential Adviser on Investment, Mr. Maniram Prashad.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, projected the tax cut Wednesday when he told reporters the government was considering several proposals and possibilities aimed at bringing relief to consumers, industries and the commercial sector.

Luncheon told his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing that measures under consideration include remission on the consumption tax on the various categories of fuel.

However, he explained that based on the levels of costs identified by the target groups for their operations to be financially viable, even the “most liberal of measures” would not suffice at current fuel acquisition costs.

President of the Guyana Petrol Station Dealers Association (GPSD), Mr. Steve Chung had called on the government to address the fuel price increases with urgency by lowering the consumption tax on gasoline and diesel.

Members of the Guyana Trawler and Seafood Processors Association had decided not to resume fishing after the annual closed season citing the high cost of fuel.

The 17 trawler operators and seven seafood processors, who had not reopened operations, employ thousands of people and said they contribute some US$55M in foreign exchange to the local economy.

Prime Minister Hinds, who has responsibility for the energy sector, has issued a call for a more “frugal” use of fuel in the face of steady price increases.

He earlier this month recalled that since 1999 there have been steady rises in oil prices resulting in increased marine, land and air transportation and utilities costs.

He said that even the higher price for cement was being attributed partially to the increased fuel prices.

Mr. Hinds noted too that increased fuel prices will impact negatively on the bauxite industry, increasing the cost of production by an estimated 15%-20%.

Prices for oil on the world market have reached US$55 a barrel.

Guyana pursues oil deal proposals with Venezuela
GUYANA is pursuing talks with Venezuela on accessing oil under the concessionary Caracas Energy Accord that country is extending to others in the region.

Prime Minister Sam Hinds earlier this month explained that Guyana could not access oil under the accord because its conditionalities run counter to World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) prescriptions under which finances must be managed so that the future of the country is not compromised.

He indicated that negotiations were under way to “soften up” the conditionalities.

Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Dr. Odeen Ishmael, told the Chronicle this country had submitted proposals to Venezuela and that Mr. Hinds wrote Venezuelan Minister of Energy Rafael Ramirez this week, urging him to quickly bring final resolution to this matter.

“I think the hurdles have been crossed and we are now awaiting a final response to our proposals”, he said.

Under the agreement, Venezuela sells to participating countries at the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) price.

Participating countries have to pay 70 per cent of the cost and the remaining 30 per cent is regarded as a loan to be repaid in 15 years.

Interest rates for the repayment of the loan have to be kept within IMF specifications under Guyana’s agreement with the fund.

Dr. Ishmael noted that another Venezuela initiative being pursued is PetroCaribe, the brainchild of President Hugo Chávez, aimed at reducing the effects of high oil prices on the region by offering petroleum products to Caribbean countries at reduced costs.

“One of the objectives of PetroCaribe is for upgrading refineries in the Caribbean region”, he said.

He said the Jamaica refinery will be expanded and upgraded with the help of Venezuela under the initiative.

 “When PetroCaribe is established, it will have its own tankers delivering fuel to the participating countries.

“It hopes to also set up its own storage tanks and sell fuel in competition with established oil companies.

“It is possible it may set up its own gas stations in the participating countries to retail fuel”, the ambassador said.

He said Venezuela was mandated by several Caribbean countries to draft a multilateral agreement to fast-track the implementation of the PetroCaribe initiative.

This was one of the decisions at the last meeting between Venezuela and Caribbean energy ministers in Jamaica.

The draft of this agreement will be presented to the next meeting of the energy ministers in the Bahamas in November, Ishmael said.

The Jamaica meeting also appointed a technical commission comprising Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Cuba, Jamaica, Suriname, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with the CARICOM Secretariat and OLADE (Latin American Energy Organisation) participating as observers, he said.

He also said that OLADE ministers are meeting on Margarita Island in Venezuela this weekend to examine the implications of rising energy costs and increased oil prices on the world market.

Jeffrey warns about rising violence in schools
EDUCATION Minister, Dr. Henry Jeffrey has warned about rising violence in schools and has declared that the ministry will not tolerate attacks and abuse on its employees.

His warning came Thursday at the 2004 National Awards Ceremony at which the ministry honoured top performers in the Secondary School Entrance Examination; the National Third Form Examination; the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination; the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination; the General Certificate of Education Examination and the Guyana Technical Education Examination.

At the function at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown, the minister said the problem of violence in schools, which is part of the overall problem of violence in society, “has become a pressing educational issue.”

“In communities where violence is more rampant, concerns about it have surpassed concerns about academic achievement, which has traditionally had priority.”

He said he wanted to send a wider message to teachers and all educators, but most of all to parents, “about the seriousness of the increasing violence in our schools and to remind all of us of our responsibility to do all we can, to use whatever legitimate means at our disposal, to curtail this growing trend.”

He recalled the recent death of Georgetown student Kevin Savory who was allegedly hit in the head with a brick by another student and said, “It must be a startling reminder to us but particularly parents, to pay attention to the issue of violence.”

“Let me make it quite clear: the ministry will not tolerate our employees being routinely attacked and abused. We call upon head teachers and all education officials to take quick and decisive action when such incidents occur.”

Jeffrey said administrators of disciplined schools understand that appropriate school discipline must be a part of every programme, curriculum and practice.

“The entire school organisation must be designed to support and encourage student responsibility and address those issues and behaviours that are not conducive to instructional and academic success.

“A school that fosters high expectations for student behaviour sets the foundation for a safe school: a safe environment frees students to focus on academic achievement and performance”, he noted.

The minister said a logical violence prevention strategy is to promote improvements in academic achievement.

“Students with good language skills and analytic abilities are less likely to use force to achieve their goals. The principal of a safe school values staff, student and community partnerships and provides the school community with opportunities to help fashion solutions to various problems”, he said.

He argued that this cooperative environment permits the staff and community to spend more time helping the students to accomplish.

The Ministry of Education recognises that the school is a logical setting in which to implement interventions designed to reduce the problem of violence in the society, he told the gathering.

Schools, he added, provide access to virtually all children on a consistent basis over most of a child’s formative years, and most parents and guardians can be accessed through them.

“Teachers are encouraged to take the necessary steps to help children with behavioural problems by speaking with parents and using our school welfare system.

“The Education Departments, for their part, should try as best they can to improve the staffing of school welfare departments and introduce parenting education as standard”, the minister urged.

He said the ministry has in place a comprehensive manual on discipline in schools and this should be used to encourage good practice and nip incipient negative behaviour in the bud.

“Those who are drafting our new Education Act will have to make more stringent and up to date rules for dealing with this growing trend.

“We are also in the process of implementing the life-skills based, Health and Family Life Education programme throughout the schools system. This programme teaches children to understand and deal with their emotions and feelings. More specifically, among other things, it teaches conflict resolution and issues relating to HIV and AIDS.”

Jeffrey said the ministry recognises that the prevention of adolescent violence calls for creative approaches in schools and communities.

It requires long-term intervention strategies which focus on adolescent behavioural change and environmental modifications, he said, adding that the ministry is organising a broad-based national arrangement to consider these issues.

“In this context, you can rest assured that the Ministry of Education is taking the initiative to make all schools safer and to improve the quality of education for all our children”, he said.

The minister said the tests and assessments for which the students were honoured at the ceremony “represent our collective efforts to provide our people with the correct tools and approaches to make a decent life as we strive to develop and modernise our society.”

“Congratulations to all of you who are recipients of awards. Your hard work and dedication have paid off. You have done exceptionally well and I trust that you will continue to excel as you utilise the same focus and determination which brought you success at this level.”

He also congratulated the teachers, principals and staff, saying, “Without your dedication and experienced guidance little would have been possible.”

“And, of course, congratulations to the parents and guardians. We insist that without your support success would have been all but impossible. This is why the Ministry of Education continues to implore parents to pay greater interest in their charges.”

PPP condemns PNCR attack on GECOM database
THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) yesterday charged that continued attacks by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) on the integrity of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and its database indicate that it wants to frustrate preparations for smooth elections.

At a press conference at PPP Freedom House headquarters in Georgetown, General Secretary Donald Ramotar said the PNCR “has been engaged in a big attack on the database at GECOM.”

“Whatever their motive it is certainly one of the most unjustified pieces of criticism on their part.”

The PNCR claims that the GECOM database is inaccurate and needs to be corrected.

At a recent press conference, PNCR Leader, Robert Corbin said his party believes work must begin now to review the system used in the 2001 elections and correct the problems at GECOM.

He also called for the activation of the Constitutional Review Committee to look at the system of governance to avert serious problems that could be ahead.

However, Ramotar stressed that the current database was compiled house-to-house in the run-up to the 1997 elections, and this process was scrutinised by political parties working alongside GECOM personnel.

He added that after the 1997 elections, because of organised violence and disruptions by the PNCR, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) sent a team of specialists who did a forensic audit of the elections, including the database, which held up to scrutiny.

Similarly, in the run-up to the 2001 elections, the process was under scrutiny by the political parties and all were satisfied with the database, Ramotar recalled.

In the post-2001 elections period, GECOM invited the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) to do an audit and systems review of the 2001 electoral process, and they concluded that the database is an accurate representation of the official list of electors, he related.

Immediately, after the PNCR again raised the issue of the database being tampered with, however, a clone that was held at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was compared with GECOM database which was found to be in order, he said.

This, Ramotar claimed, only quieted the PNCR for a while and it subsequently brought one of its experts from Canada who made charges against the database.

In response, GECOM brought an Information Technology forensic auditor who along with all the stakeholders gave the database the “green light”, he pointed out.

According to Ramotar, the forensic auditor reported that he investigated all the allegations of the PNCR but found no evidence to support the contention that the security of the database was breached or that the system of security at GECOM was at risk.

He further asserted that all the post-2001 problems that arose were in relation to presiding officers not signing statements of poll, or had these locked away in sealed ballot boxes, and that IT problems that arose were mostly in relation to field work.

“The PNCR is strangely quiet about those issues. Maybe those are the problems they do not want corrected for it offers them the excuse to beat up and bruk up in post-elections,” Ramotar charged.

He added: “The attacks of the PNCR are unjustified and are without basis. They should stop it, and let us work towards another free and fair elections in Guyana.”

The PPP General Secretary also accused the PNCR of using delaying tactics to frustrate the holding of local government elections, because that party is afraid of facing the electorate.

The two parties are deadlocked on the system to be used for local government elections which were last held in 1994.

Ramotar explained that the deadlock has been caused over the proposal by the PNCR to have 70% of seats on the basis of a constituency system and 30% under Proportional Representation (PR).

He said the PPP’s position is a reversal - 30%/70% constituency/PR. This is because it feels, in view of the formula for national elections where 38% of seats are allocated on a geographic basis, its advocacy would bring a greater sense of proportionality.

However, he is optimistic that ongoing discussions between the two major parties would result in a compromise which should bring the stalemate to a closure sooner than later.

Asked about the party’s view on the criminal activities in Buxton, he said that on the basis of what was found during the recent shootout with the police there, there is a motive beyond pure criminality.

He said it is clear that the criminals are being supported and protected by other forces.

“Clearly, the PPP cannot benefit from such activities,” he said.

However, he said the PPP is calling on the “intellectual authors to desist forthwith from such irresponsible actions”.

Young mother gets custody of 5-year-old daughter
‘I am capable of providing for, caring for, maintaining, educating, loving, protecting and guiding Aliyah.’
By George Barclay
THE attempt by a woman to permanently deprive 24-year-old Celia Vincent of her five-year-old daughter Aliyah Khan, backfired yesterday.

Agricultural development in Region Two
GINA - Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Crops and Livestock Satyadeow Sawh last Wednesday visited Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), where he commissioned a mechanical seed paddy dryer and a quality assurance laboratory at the Guyana Rice Producers Association facility at Anna Regina.

The seed paddy drying, cleaning and storage facility was funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and executed by partners in Rural Development through the Building Community Capacity Project (BCCP) and the Guyana Government.

Guyana exports more than 70 percent of its rice. More than 80 percent of the residents in Region Two depend on the rice industry for their livelihoods.

Over $12M was allocated for the construction of a laboratory and drying floor, also for the training of staff and the acquisition and installation of equipment.

Some $7.4M was spent on the mechanical dryer. This project was effected over a three-year period to the tune of $35M.

This year, which is designated the Year of Rice, has as it theme, "Rice is Life".

Minister Sawh also said rice is the backbone of the country's economy and has been sustained throughout the years.

Addressing the ceremony, Canadian High Commissioner Mr Bruno Picard said the facility will generate income for farmers in that community and the country, and will be able to sustain itself.

The Minister also commissioned an office extension at the National Plant Nursery at Charity, Essequibo.

The sum of $5M was spent in building the extension as well as sheds.

The nursery, which produced 10,000 plants when it was established in 1997, is now expected to increase its annual output of plants to 40,000. (Government Information Agency)

Catholic Charismatic Renewal members call on President Jagdeo
MEMBERS of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement yesterday paid a courtesy call on Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Presidential Complex. Here, President Jagdeo (right) shares a pleasant moment with the group during the visit. At left is popular City florist and former Mayor of Georgetown Mr Compton Young, who is a leading member of the Charismatic Movement. Picture by Winston Oudkerk)

Gunmen steal outboard engines
POLICE in Essequibo are investigating the theft of two outboard engines from a boat by gunmen on Thursday.

A police press release said two watchmen were in a boat at Aberdeen when they were attacked by three men armed with guns.

Police said the watchmen were keeping guard over the boat which had two 75 HP Yamaha outboard engines when the three gunmen turned up alongside in another boat.

The trio up stuck them up and hit them several times with their guns, police said.

They then removed the outboard engines valued at $800,000 and escaped.

The wounded watchmen were treated at the Suddie Hospital, police said.

National policy paper on orphans due soon
GUYANA is drawing up a national policy paper on orphans and other vulnerable children and a draft is expected by the end of next month, paving the way for a budgeted action plan.

An assessment report on the children, a collaborative work by the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), was launched yesterday in the presence of representatives of the different stakeholders.

As a result of the findings, outlined at Emba-Sea Courtyard in Pere Street, Kitty, Georgetown, the legal system, policies and services linked to the target group will be reviewed and strengthened to protect, care and support those children and their families.

Among the findings are that the 153 children interviewed shared similar needs and that HIV/AIDS is the highest ranked cause of others in this country becoming orphans and vulnerable.

The report found, too, that about 1,148 orphans and other vulnerables had approached 31 organisations, in Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice), for help.

Speaking at the forum, Minister within the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Bibi Shadick said the tripartite recommendations would seek to strengthen and support the capacity of families to care and cope, mobilise and bolster community-based responses.

These will also help children and young people meet their own needs and ensure that the government develops appropriate policies for the beneficiaries and raise public awarness to HIV/AIDS, murder, suicide and abuses, including sexual, in the society.

She remarked that the report was concise and will definitely make people conscious of the causes and effects of the social and economic factors which contribute to children becoming orphaned or vulnerable.

“I have always felt to myself that children are vulnerable because they are children and, in society, there are many simple vulnerabilities. For example, when parents send their children to buy rum and cigarettes, they are exploiting them,” the minister stated.

She said good education can help make vulnerability less prevalent and, as such, a number of decisions will be made in collaboration to ensure that each child in Guyana gets a proper education and a bright career start.

According to Shadick, her ministry has always tried to help people, especially youths and a number of organisations were established to provide temporary and permanent accommodation, counselling, health and other services, among them skills training, life skills and feeding, to orphans and the other vulnerables.

Another speaker, Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, noting that problems concerning those targeted will never go away, agreed an environment must be created in which the children have support and are safe.

Others present were UNICEF Representative, Ms. Maria Ribeiro; Child Care Counsellor, Ms. Violet Speek-Warnery, also of UNICEF; Child Care Counsellor from Linden Care Foundation, Ms. Maxine Fredericks; consultants Ms. Donnette Hope Ramsay and Ms. Lisa Thompson and Acting Deputy Chief Probation and Family Welfare Officer, Ms. Patricia Gray.

Grenadian children back in school
THE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) yesterday applauded the government of Grenada as thousands of children began returning to school just over a month after Hurricane Ivan battered the island nation.

Schools have reopened thanks to the clean-up efforts of school administrators, teachers, government officials and children, as well as to assistance provided by several neighbouring governments, UNICEF said.

“This is a miraculous turn-around under extremely demanding conditions,” said Ms. Karin Sham Poo, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director.

“Grenada is setting an example for other countries by making children paramount.”

When Hurricane Ivan struck the island on September 7, what should have been the second day of the new school term, it left nearly 30,000 children out of school.

Many of the island’s 79 schools were either severely damaged or had to be used as shelters for those whose homes were destroyed.

UNICEF said children are resuming schooling in classrooms whose roofs have been temporarily sealed with plastic sheeting provided by the United States government.

A shipment of 74 UNICEF-provided tent classrooms will provide more classroom space and is expected to arrive next week.

Some of the schools will need heavy repairs, the organization reported.

It said that for Grenada, returning to school represents more than just bricks and mortar.

“School is not a building, it is the space to learn, to teach and to perform,” said Mr. Victor Ashby, Principal of the Grenada Boy’s Secondary School.

“It is a combination of brains and brawn that is putting the education system back on track,” said Ms. Jean Gough, UNICEF country representative.

Ms. Gough praised the teachers and the children, parent-teacher organisations, education officers, district education officers, the Ministry of Education and the military forces of Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.

“They literally rolled up their sleeves and dug the schools out of the mud,” she said.

Twenty-two government schools were reopened on October 11, UNICEF said.

It noted that severe weather conditions also affected other islands in the Caribbean.

While children are back in school in Jamaica, parts of Haiti are still reeling from the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Jeanne, it said.

UNICEF, national authorities and other partners in education are working together to get children into school in the northern city of Gonaives in Haiti as soon as possible.

UNICEF said it marked the school openings by handing over 223 Schools-in-a-Box for primary school students, school supplies for secondary schools, and recreation kits as well as 12 Sport-in-a-Box kits donated by FIFA for nearly 25,000 primary and secondary schoolchildren at a ceremony yesterday at the Grenada Boys Secondary School.

“Today, Grenadian children are one step closer to regaining a sense of security and stability in their lives,” Poo told the gathering.

One week after the hurricane, UNICEF began working with volunteers on a psycho-social programme designed to help local children recover from the upheaval in their lives.

The programme, called ‘Return to Happiness', reached out to 400 children in the first one-month long workshops.

UNICEF said Grenada still needs more supplies, including:
• tents for temporary schooling

• tarpaulins for temporary shelter of the roofs of the 106 pre-schools

• the re-initiation of the school feeding programming for all schools

• text books for primary and secondary schools

• furniture to replace those damaged at all levels of schooling (pre-school, primary and secondary)

• upscaling of the Return to Happiness programme which aims to provide psycho-social rehabilitation to about 20,000 children.

Government taking special care of orphans in Guyana
GINA -- “EDUCATION is the key to eradicating poverty and eliminating vulnerability of children in Guyana.”

This is what Minister within the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Bibi Shadick, told the audience at the launching of the assessment report on orphans and other vulnerable children in Guyana at the Emba-Sea Court Yard, Kitty, Georgetown, yesterday.

The report focuses mainly on children who are on the streets and are unable to access education since they are easy targets for exploitation and abuse.

Minister Shadick said that community involvement is needed to fight the problem of children's vulnerability. “We have to form child protection committees in communities in the country to assist in the fight,” she said.

Poverty is said to be the main cause of children's vulnerability in Guyana. The report seeks to highlight cases of HIV/AIDS in Guyana, saying that after Haiti, Guyana has the second highest incidence of HIV/AIDS.

He said, “The world is changing and more children are becoming more vulnerable and Guyana has come a long way in fighting this.”

“Guyana has reached that state of maturity to say that we have vulnerable children” he noted.

“As a Government we don't have all the answers. We have to work together in finding them,” he said.

Representative of UNICEF, Ms. Maria do valle Ribeiro, told those at the launching, “When we talk about vulnerable children, we are talking about children who cannot help themselves.”

A National Plan of Action for Orphans and other vulnerable children will soon be developed.

Minister Nokta to visit Wakenaam
GINA -- MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta and a team will make an outreach visit to the island of Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara) on Monday.

While there, Minister Nokta will meet with community members and the Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) of Maria's Pleasure Primary School, Sans Souci Secondary School and Bonasika School.

The team will include Mr. Devindra Jaglall, Project Manager of Basic Needs Trust Fund, and Regional Chairman Esau Dookie and other regional officials.

PYO echoes support for police, urges more pro-active crime fight
THE Progressive Youth Organization (PYO) views with “tremendous concern” the criminal activities resurfacing in Buxton and joins the many voices supporting the Guyana Police Force, urging it do all in its power to rid society of “these heartless and gruesome murderers.”

“'We view with concern, the threat issued to peace minded Buxtonians and wish to express our solidarity with those law-abiding persons that seek peace and normalcy,” the youth arm of the ruling PPP said in a statement yesterday.

The PYO said “criminals should not be tolerated anywhere in our society. They should not be safeguarded and given hiding grounds, nor should their deaths be idolized and marked with acts of martyrdom.

“These acts serve to inspire the murderers and only fuel them to continue on their path of destruction and evil. Now is the time for us to bond together and rally with one voice – ‘our society has no place for these tyrants’.

“We must never tolerate the killings of our police officers, disruption of normal life along the East Coast and killing of peace minded citizens. And those that seek to defend these criminals and justify their actions must accept responsibility for the chaos that is occurring.”

The PYO said it still remembers clearly those "leaders" who attended the funerals of murderers and dishonored the national flag, the symbol of pride, by draping the coffins with that flag.

“We urge all those with information on these criminals and their associates to continue sharing such information with the police force as it seeks to drive them from our society. As an organization we pledge our support in all efforts aimed at freeing our society of these criminal and anti-social elements.”

The PYO urged the police force to be even more proactive in the fight against what it called “terrorists” and said it was confident that good would prevail.

Bust of outstanding Guyanese scholar unveiled at CPCE
By Shawnel Cudjoe
FROM this year, the best graduating student of Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) will be receiving US$1,500 for his or her performance.

This announcement was made yesterday by Mr. Denys Vaughn Cooke.

The Francis and Doreen Vaughn-Cooke Award will be an annual event and the family also disclosed plans to make contributions to the college library. The event was one of those to mark CPCE's 75th anniversary.

Director of the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) Mr. Samuel Small said that as Principal of the Government Training College, to which he was appointed in 1957, he was very instrumental in requiring competence in academic performance and professional ability.

According to Small, Vaughn-Cooke was also responsible for replacing the old Education Department Library, which consisted of three presses of ancient and outdated books by a library of over 7000 volumes of the most modern texts, including works of Guyanese and Caribbean authors.

"Vaughn-Cooke tried to make the college the focal point of education in Guyana. He arranged seminars and courses for teachers who would be able to take back what they had acquired to their colleagues".

Small told the gathering that Vaughn-Cooke inspired both his staff and students and had a vision for the development of education.

"His leadership skills and his managerial competence have earned him a place in the hall of fame in the edifice of teacher education in Guyana."

Vaughn-Cooke was born on April 4, 1913 at Vergenogen on the East Bank of the Essequibo River and got his early schooling from his parents - his father, the head teacher of Great Troolie Island School, and his mother, taught at the same school.

At the age of 10, the elder Vaughn-Cooke obtained a place at Queen's College and throughout his secondary school life was always the youngest in each form and performed brilliantly.

Cooke was admitted to the Teachers Training College (then the Teachers Training Centre) in 1932. He acquitted himself with great distinction as a student of the third batch of students.

He carried his brilliant academic performance from high school over to college and was first in his batch for two years.

Upon graduation, he was appointed to St. Stephen's Church of Scotland School in Georgetown where for many years he taught pupils for the Blair Scholarship, which was awarded on the basis of performance at the Preliminary Cambridge Examination, an overseas secondary examination, for which primary schools competed.

This scholarship was won by a student of St. Stephen's the year Mr. Vaughn Cooke joined.

Through correspondence courses, he secured an external Bachelor of Arts Degree of the University of London in 1947.

Five years after becoming Assistant Master of the Government Teachers Training College, Vaughn Cooke was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship. He proceeded to London where he completed a Diploma in Education at the University of London.

He retired from college in 1965 and died at the age of 88 in 2001.

National Drawing Competition winners collect prizes
WINNERS in the National Drawing Competition received their prizes at the opening of the National Drawing Exhibition on Thursday at the National Gallery.

The competition, sponsored in its fifth consecutive biennial by the
National Bank of Industry and Commerce Limited (NBIC), attracted ten entrants,
ranging in age from 15 to 77 years of age, who submitted a total of 23 entries.

The first prize in the competition of the Castellani House gold medal and a cheque for $50,000 was won by Garfield Gillis, for his drawing ‘Looking Fo’ Mama’. Gillis is a graduate of the Burrowes School of Art who had earned a Judges’ Special Mention at the 2002 biennial.

The second prize of a silver medal and $30,000 was awarded to Travell Blackman, a July 2004 graduate from the Burrowes School, for his portrait composition, ‘Holly’. Blackman had received the Young Person’s Prize at the 2002 competition.

The third prize of the bronze medal and $20,000 was won by Walter Gobin, an artist and art teacher living in the Bahamas, for his work, ‘Mahaica: Friends’.

The special prize of a bronze medal and $10,000 for an entrant between the ages of 16 to 18 years was awarded to Troyden Bonds for his work, ‘Entrapment’. Honourable Mentions were also won by Garfield Gillis for ‘Story Telling’ and by Walter Gobin for ‘Wild Things: Anteater’. A Special Judges’ Mention was awarded to the youngest entrant in the competition, Vernon Lallman, for his drawing, ‘Driftwood’.

Competition prizes were awarded by Ms. Magda Pollard, member of the Board of

Directors of the NBIC. Judges of the competition were the sculptor Winslow Craig, the painter Merlene Ellis, and the architect and painter Michael Leila. The drawing exhibition features the entries submitted in competition and additionally work from the National Collection and artists’ collections, to highlight the range and expressiveness of skills within the discipline of drawing.

The exhibition will continue until Thursday, November 4 next.

The public is invited to view this exhibition. Gallery hours are 10 am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 2 to 6pm on Saturday. The gallery is closed on Sunday. (National Art Gallery)

Family planning outreach at Anna Catherina
THE Family Planning Association of Guyana (FPAG) in collaboration with the Sunshine Women and Youth Centre conducted a free outreach programme at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara on October 14.

More than 50 persons, including doctors and nurses attached to the FPAG attended the outreach, which included discussions on several aspects of sexual and reproductive health activities, among them contraceptives, termination of pregnancy and HIV/AIDS.

Project Coordinator of the FPAG, Gwen King, said emphasis was also placed on encouraging women to do Pap smear.

After the discussions, the FPAG, which is a non governmental organization, distributed condoms and leaflets and also did blood pressure testing.

Coordinator of the Sunshine Women and Youth Centre, Sandra Persaud, who was also present, stated that the level of participation was very high. However, she noted that men did not attend the outreach.

Sunshine Centre was established in 1999 and currently has a membership of more than 150 women and youths.

Guyana's constant battle against the sea
A GINA Feature
THE low-lying coastline of Guyana is approximately 430 kilometres and so there is need for sea defences to protect the land from the Atlantic.

The Ministry of Public Works has to rehabilitate and maintain approximately 340 kilometres of sea defences between the Pomeroon River in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and Crabwood Creek in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne). This includes defences on the islands of Leguan and Wakenaam in the Essequibo River.

Within the Works Ministry, a Sea Defence Board is tasked with the responsibility of maintaining the sea defences with a Sea and River Defence Division - supervised by Mr. George Howard.

There are several types of sea defences. These include concrete walls (approx. 100 km); mangrove forests with earth embankments (approx. 145 km); natural sand reefs (approx. 80 km) and riprap (approx. 15 km).

What are the functions of the sea defences? They prevent the loss of land caused by erosion and stop saline flooding of the protected area. Land levels on the coastal plain are about one metre below the high tide level.

Over the last 12 years, there has been funding for sea defences from the Government of Guyana; USAID (PL480); European Union; Inter-American Development Bank; the International Development Association; the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme. From 1992 to 2004, Government has spent more than $5.7B, while international funding has amounted to over $5.6B.

"We are doing our best to protect communities along the coastal plain and riverain areas, and I hope persons appreciate it," said Minister of Public Works and Hydraulics, Anthony Xavier.

The River and Sea Defence Officer, George Howard supplied GINA with the major works completed over the past few years.

According to Howard, with the exception of works at Queenstown, and L'Union on the Essequibo Coast, which was done with direct labour - all other works were executed by contract. Additionally, all proposed major works will go to tender.

How does the River and Sea Defence Board operate? Howard said that to execute the works, the Division has 19 technical staff, trained at tertiary level between undergraduate diploma level to post graduate level, in Civil and Mechanical Engineering.

They design new and improved sea defences; prepare tender documents; assess bid documents submitted and supervise construction.

There is the Finance and Accounting Section at the Head Office, Kingston and in each of the regional offices, a record is kept of the expenditure.

The vast majority of the staff are field workers or rangers responsible for executing works by direct labour or ensuring the quality of work executed by contractors. The River and Sea Division employs about 300 field officers.

"These persons are like the Police. They oversee everything. The Ministry provides living accommodation to senior staff in the various areas," added Minister Xavier.

Solid waste call centre established
A PILOT call centre (PCC) has been established by the Solid Waste Management Public Awareness and Education Project to promote support for environment-friendly garbage disposal in Georgetown.

The centre is expected to serve an extensive range of functions in support of public education and awareness of solid waste issues.

Though the centre falls under the auspices of the Lodge/Regent Street Pilot Project, it will accept calls from anywhere within the city, a programme statement yesterday said.

“The just-installed facility…is intended to contribute to the solving of various problems (citizens) experience with respect to municipal departments,” the statement said.

The Mayor and City Council has endorsed the initiative, with Mayor Hamilton Green and Deputy Mayor Robert Williams participating in a solid waste seminar that sought to make citizens even more aware of the importance of disposing of garbage in accordance with the law.

Any facts on offences and penalties can be raised.

Initially manned by a staff of two, the centre is open for calls, mails and/or visits from 9:00 hours (9.00 a.m.) to 18:00 hours (6.00 p.m.), Monday to Saturday.

Procedures must be followed – Home Affairs Ministry
GINA -- THE Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to inform all persons or agencies living or operating in Guyana who may require visas on arrival for relatives and employees and extensions of stay or work permits that applications should be made in writing to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Lot 6 Brickdam.

A release from the Home Affairs Ministry stated interested persons should apply at least one month before the intended date of arrival, the expiry date of stay, work permit or date of commencement of employment.

Failure to comply with the procedure may result in delays in processing applications.

The release also said that persons living overseas who desire to visit Guyana are asked to go through the Guyana Mission in their country or the nearest country where there is a Guyana Mission to process their applications.

Guyana wins tourism essay competition
GUYANA has won the "My Caribbean" Conde Nast Traveler Essay Contest for the first time.

Eleven-year-old Roshan Morris of Marian Academy got the top honours with her essay on the "Magnificent Kaieteur".

The Conde Nast Traveler Essay Contest is a collaborative effort by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine Group and the Caribbean Tourism Organization and is facilitated by the Tourism and Education Ministries in each nation.

Ms. Morris was selected from a group of entries garnered from eleven public and private schools by the Guyana Tourism Authority. Mr. Donald Sinclair, Head of Guyana Tourism Authority, said that as soon as the authority saw the essay, staffers knew it was a winner.

The winning article will be published in the next issue of Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. Ms. Morris has won US$2,500 and will also be featured in the magazine. She also traveled to Aruba to collect her prize.

Ms. Morris will narrate her essay for a video that will be produced by the Guyana Tourism Authority, featuring the Kaieteur Falls. The essay will also be displayed at the world travel market in London next month which the Authority attends annually.

Bandits rob watchmen in Essequibo
POLICE in ‘G’ Division, Essequibo, are investigating a robbery under arms committed Thursday on two watchmen at Aberdeen, Essequibo Coast, by three men, two of whom were armed with a shot gun and a handgun.

Enquiries by the police disclose that the watchmen were keeping guard over a boat which had two(2) 75 HP Yamaha outboard engines fastened to it, when the three men, who were in another boat, came alongside theirs, boarded, stuck them up and dealt them several blows with their guns.

The bandits then removed the outboard engines, valued $800,000, and escaped.

The watchmen sustained injuries and were taken by the police for medical attention at Suddie Hospital, where they were treated and sent away.

Investigations are continuing. (Police press release)

Lifeline Counselling celebrates eighth year
Lifeline Counselling Services yesterday celebrated its eighth anniversary with the launch of the video documentary "Coping with Puberty".

The girl remembers that her boyfriend touched (hugged) her and immediately presumes that she is pregnant. She confides in her school friends, who find her concerns amusing.

The documentary uses the young girl’s plight to examine many myths surrounding puberty.

A peer educator meets with a group of young friends to clarify the myths. This encounter encourages a candid discussion that allows young people to clarify myths.

They also can develop a better understanding of the physical and emotional changes that they experience during puberty.

Lifeline Counselling Services, a registered non-profit, non-governmental organisation, was established in October 1996 to respond to the insufficient provision of HIV and AIDS counselling.

Its co-founders are Mr Dereck Springer, Mr Philip Vanderhyden and Ms Jennifier Rosenzeig.

Lifeline Counselling Services was officially launched on December 3, 1996 by the then Minister of Health, Gail Teixeira

The Mission of Lifeline Counselling Services: "To reduce the psycho-social impact of HIV/AIDS on persons living with and affected by the disease through counselling and education".

Programmes and Services include care and support for persons living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, condom distribution, counselling for persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families, Public awareness through visual flyers, pre and post-test counselling, risk assessment and reduction, sexuality, relationships, suicide, training of trainers, educators and counsellors.

Present at yesterday’s event were Patron, Mrs Kayleigh Burgess; Goodwill Ambassador, Ms Olive Gopaul; Ms Julia Ruwrinkle; Managing Director of Courts, Mr David Burgess; Co-founder, Mr Dereck Springer, and other invitees from the Ministry of Health.

Facing the rising oil prices crisis
THE government has moved to ease the impact of rising world market oil prices by cutting consumption tax on diesel from 35 per cent to 10 per cent.
The Finance Ministry yesterday said the 71 per cent decrease in the tax will bring the retail price of diesel down to about $480 a gallon.

The announcement of the measure followed meetings between President Bharrat Jagdeo and other top government officials and representatives from the rice, forestry, fishing, mining and manufacturing sectors.

The Finance Ministry said the reduced tax on diesel is expected to provide “much needed” relief to these sectors and noted that the government had earlier reduced the consumption tax on gasoline, kerosene and cooking gas.

Despite the relief measures the government is implementing to ease the pressures, there may be tough times ahead.

Crude oil prices rose for the third straight day yesterday, hovering near US$55 a barrel as heating oil futures hit another record high over supply concerns ahead of the Northern Hemisphere winter.

The rising fuel costs have prompted fears of the toll the winter cold will take on those who may not be able to pay for the vital heating supply in North America and other countries in the Northern Hemisphere.

Reports say that many in these countries face a choice of `eat or heat’ in the coming winter with the climbing crude oil prices.

Disruptions in production and turmoil in key producers Iraq, Venezuela, Nigeria and Russia continue to haunt the market, according to reports.

Oil prices have gone up more than US$10 in the past month because of production snags in the Gulf of Mexico, where more than 23 million barrels have been lost since Hurricane Ivan hit in mid-September.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard yesterday joined German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder as the latest in a string of world leaders to express fears over how skyrocketing oil prices will affect economic growth.

"If it goes on indefinitely, of course it will have an effect on the economy," Mr. Howard said on Melbourne radio station 3AW. "It will mean that we have slower growth than might otherwise be the case."

Smaller and poorer countries like Guyana face even grimmer prospects because they have to buy oil and have no control over the prices.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, noted Wednesday that based on the levels of costs identified by the target groups here for their operations to be financially viable, even the “most liberal of measures” would not suffice at current fuel acquisition costs.

Prime Minister Sam Hinds, who has responsibility for the energy sector, has issued a call for a more “frugal” use of fuel in the face of the steady price increases. He earlier this month recalled that since 1999 there have been steady rises in oil prices resulting in increased marine, land and air transportation and utilities costs.

He said that even the higher price for cement was being attributed partially to the increased fuel prices.

The grim reality is that Guyanese would have to conserve on the use of fuel and electricity and be sparing in other high-energy consumption areas to be able to cope with what lies ahead.

They may not be facing the daunting `eat or heat’ choice of people in the Northern Hemisphere, but the rising oil prices are throwing up some equally grim prospects for those in struggling, developing countries.

Before 1992, the demand for housing in the towns was at an all time high due to urbanization trends. Hundreds of people were moving to urban centers only to find poor and limited housing, high rentals and a mal-functioning Government housing policy.

Squatting became a large-scale trend with over 200 squatting areas springing up across the country. Thousands of people were living without basic infrastructure such as water, electricity, roads and drainage.

Houses sprang up in a haphazard manner on private lands and Government reserves. Living conditions were poor and residents endured crowded, insecure shelter, as well as flooding and no access to potable water. They also had to cope with the spread of diseases, with little help from the Government.

A high demand for land for housing that was affordable for every Guyanese continued unabated, even as the standards for land distribution remained shrouded in ad hoc practices. This lack of transparency opened the door for subjectivity and favouritism in land allocation.

To compound matters there was no ministry of Government mandated to focus on housing. The Government of the day did not see an effective housing policy as integral to national and human resource development. There was no obvious housing policy and residential housing development came to a virtual standstill.

Squatting was out of control and nothing was being done to improve the situation. That’s the scenario that prevailed when the PPP/C took office in 1992.

The new Government immediately began to formulate a housing policy that placed public land distribution as a key factor in the social and economic development of Guyana.

A squatter regularization programme was drafted to provide basic services and improve the quality of life of people living in these areas. Land distribution and allocation remain a key part of this programme.

The new housing drive is intended to ensure that people own the land they occupy and have basic infrastructural facilities. The issuance of land titles became a huge part of Government policy. This drive has resulted in over 60,000 land titles being distributed in the last 12 years.

The Ministry of Housing, which the new Government established on assuming office, reduced the processing fee for land titles from $12,000 to $8,000 to be paid in two installments of $4000 over a three-month period.

All the land that squatters occupied was not owned by Government and efforts had to be made for land divestments from organizations such as GUYSUCO.

As part of the regularization programme, the Ministry of Housing and Water assesses the squatting communities and surveys are carried out. Through this process, house lots are allocated. This is in an effort to correct the haphazard manner in which the houses have mushroomed in these areas.

Government has also allocated land in these areas for social services such as health centers, schools and playfields.

A large part of the problem is that many people have occupied land that cannot be regularized, such as sea defence reserves, Government reserves, and cemeteries; these cannot be converted into housing areas.

In these instances, Government embarks on a re-location programme that provides residents with house lots in an alternative area. The relocation programme seeks to place people in areas that have been allocated for housing and which will benefit from infrastructural works.

An example of successful relocation occurred when the Ministry of Housing and Water completed relocation of residents of Ogle Squatting Area to the Enmore/Haslington Housing Scheme. Residents were given a $50,000 incentive to relocate and the neediest of the group were able to access housing from Food For The Poor. These individuals are now living in a housing scheme that is being equipped with basic infrastructure. Residents already have access to potable water.

The Ministry of Housing and Water has a zero tolerance policy for those who do not follow regulations in squatting settlements. Basic infrastructural works cannot be completed if these areas are not regularized.

This year, some major squatting areas, including those at Tuschen, Zeelugt, Sophia, Liliendaal, Turkeyen, Pattenson, Williamsburg and Hampshire are benefiting from the Government of Guyana/Inter-American Development Bank (GOG/IDB) infrastructural development programme.

Infrastructural works will continue in 2005, incorporating all 145 squatter settlements nationwide. Minister Baksh said, “It is the ministry’s objective to complete basic infrastructure works in (many) squatter settlements by December 2005.” Laying water mains, drainage, roads and electricity are priorities.

The Government of Guyana is working with Guyana Water Incorporated to ensure that all regularized squatter settlements receive a potable water supply at their homes. While there have been some problems, GWI has an ongoing campaign to correct leakages in the system and clamp down on the wastage of water.

A Government of Guyana/IDB’s $300M Un-served Areas Electrification Programme will be implemented next year. Under this programme, squatter settlements will be electrified in two phases: older communities will be the first to benefit from this programme. But the newer communities still have the option of forming committees and, at a higher cost, having their areas electrified.

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Housing and Water, is continuing to work to ensure that all Guyanese have access to affordable housing with the necessary infrastructure to improve their quality of life.

At Berbice Assizes…
Judge rejects motion to quash murder indictment
THE trial of Dennis Edwards called ‘Shabba’, who is indicted for murder at the Berbice Assizes, continued yesterday after Justice James Bovell-Drakes rejected a motion to quash the indictment.

The judge overruled a submission, by Senior Counsel Marcel Crawford, that the committal procedure was bad in law and began taking evidence in the case as State Prosecutor James Bond called the first witness, Mohandir Sugrim.

Edwards is accused of unlawfully killing Khemraj Singh, who was fatally wounded with a spear on May 8, 2002.

Sugrim testified that the victim was his brother-in-law, at whose home he was on that night, before leaving to purchase cigarettes at Ivan's shop on Kildonan Public Road.

The witness said he was leaving the business place when the accused, who was with three other men, held on to the bicycle he was riding and the others lashed him with wooden pickets.

Sugrim said they were about 90 metres from Ivan's shop when Edwards pushed the blade in Singh’s stomach and the injured man fell in a trench.

The wounded man’s brother took him to Whim Police Station in a car but was referred to Port Mourant Hospital, another part of Corentyne, where the wound was dressed with the weapon still in the man’s body.

Sugrim said an ambulance transported Singh to New Amsterdam Hospital, also in Berbice, where the latter was x-rayed before being taken into the operating theatre.

The witness said at 01:45 hours (1.45 a.m.) on May 9, 2002, a doctor reported that Singh had died.

Sugrim said the death weapon, made of steel, was five feet in length, with a six-inch part of a cutlass welded on in the form of a hook.

Cross-examined by Defence Counsel Crawford, the witness said he could not read or write although he attended Kildonan Primary School up to Standard Three.

However, on seeing the signature on his deposition, he said the record was correct.

Sugrim admitted that, on May 8, 2002, he was charged with wounding Ewart Mendonza and paid a fine after pleading guilty to the offence.

The witness said that wounding took place in front of Sankar's shop, on Kildonan Public Road, as well.
The trial is continuing.

Drug defendant granted bail
TONY Sookram, 24, was granted $10,000 bail yesterday on a drug charge.

Before Magistrate Kim Kyte, at New Amsterdam Court in Berbice, the defendant was charged with being in possession of three grammes of cannabis (marijuana) at Overwinning, a village on the outskirts of New Amsterdam.

Police said the labourer, from Abary Creek, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, had the prohibited substance in a trousers pocket.

Sookram will make his next Court appearance on October 26.

Prison wounding case…
Manslaughter convict faces new charge
POLICE have substituted a charge of felonious wounding against a convicted woman prisoner who was previously charged with having unlawfully wounded another inmate.

The accused, Melissa Beveney faced the new allegation before Magistrate Kumar Doraisami at New Amsterdam Court in Berbice yesterday and the case was adjourned to Novemebr 29 for report.

Police said several wounds were inflicted on Jennifer Harris in the kitchen of the New Amsterdam Penitentiary last July 25, while the victim was serving a three-year jail sentence for a drug conviction.

Harris was transferred from New Amsterdam Hosptial to Georgeotwn Public Hospital where she remained a patient until August 10.

Beveney is currently on a 15-year sentence for manslaughter.

Remanded two granted bail in nightclub shooting, sodomy cases
THE two men who were remanded overnight on Thursday, in the nightclub shooting and sodomy cases, were granted bail yesterday when they returned before Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen.

One of the prisoners, Curtis Robertson, of Lot 59 Cross Street, Werk-en-Rust, who is charged indictably with attempting to murder Warren Forrester in David Street, Kitty, was ordered to post a $65,000 bond.

The virtual complainant suffered gunshot injuries to his back following an argument with the accused over the removal of a parked motorcycle outside Bollywood where Robertson, a Strategic Action Security (SAS) guard, was on duty Saturday, October 16.

The preliminary inquiry (PI) in that case will begin on November 18.

The other man previously denied pre-trial liberty, William Daly, of Lot 2 Hadfield Street, Lodge, in Georgetown, as well, was allowed freedom on a $45,000 recognisance.

He is charged with sodomising his wife in their matrimonial home after accusing her of infidelity last Tuesday.
Daly has to be back in Court on November 23.

Mahaica Robbery under arms accused freed on no-case submissions.
JUSTICE Winston Moore yesterday accepted defence no-case submissions in the Mahaica Robbery under Arms case and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty in favour of the accused Richard Argyl.

The accused Richard Argyl and two other men not before the Court had allegedly committed the offence at Mahaica on December 30, 1998

State Prosecutor Mr. Audranauth Gossai had presented four counts for consideration - Break and Enter and larceny, Robbery, Rape and wounding.

But after the close of the Prosecution's case yesterday afternoon, defence counsel Mr. Michael Somersall and Mr. Lawrence Harris elected to make no-case submissions. (George Barclay)

Accused in Hague poison case freed on no-case submissions
By George Barclay
JUSTICE William Ramlal, the trial judge in the Hague Poison case yesterday accepted no-case submissions from counsel for the three accused and directed the mixed jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

The accused Deodat Doobay called 'Pillar' or 'Milkman', Kemchand Kissoon called Morgan and Roopchand Singh called 'Black Boy' were on trial for the murder of Chaitranjan Dass Mahase called 'Custom' who was allegedly poisoned to death for stealing $5, 000.00 from 'Pillar.

There was no eye-witness evidence and the Prosecutor Miss Faith Mc Gusty had set out to prove her case with, among other things, evidence of cause of death and an alleged 'Dying declaration' by the deceased "Custom'.

But during the hearing, defence objections were made against the cause of death and a statement, which purported to be a dying declaration.

Separate voir dires were held by the judge to determine the issue. And it was found that both the dying declaration and the cause of death as contained in the post mortem report were inadmissible.

Prosecutor Mc Gusty did concede that cause of death had not been proved.

At the close of the Prosecution's case, Attorneys-at-law, Mr. Glenn Hanoman, Mr. Compton Richardson and Mr. Hukumchand submitted that a prima facie case or no case at all had been made out to show that the accused had anything to with the death of Custom.

The judge agreed with the submissions and directed the jury to return formal verdicts of 'not guilty'.

Motorist fined for exceeding speed limit
A MOTORIST who exceeded the speed limit because he said he was in a hurry to catch the Rosignol/New Amsterdam ferry, has been fined $10,000.

Magistrate Kumar Doraisami also ordered Mohamed Razak, of Vryheid, Canje, to pay the fine immediately, at Blairmont Court, also in Berbice, or spend 20 days in prison.

That was after the defendant pleaded guilty, on Tuesday, to exceeding the speed limit at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice.

Police said Razak was driving motor van GEE 2735 at the rate of 81 kilometres per hour (kph) when he was clocked last July 9.

$200,000 bail for defendant accused of ‘Bass’ possession
ORIN Dover, 30, was ordered to post $200,000 bail on Tuesday, when he appeared at Blairmont Court, West Bank Berbice, on a charge of being in possession of an obnoxious spray.

Police Sergeant Terrence Cumberbatch, prosecuting, had asked Magistrate Kumar Doraisami to set substantial surety because the substance is frequently being used by criminals for sinister purposes.

The magistrate said, although he was not presuming guilt in the case, the Court has to be vigilant in such matters.

Dover, a Regent Street, Georgetown clothes vendor, was held with six tins of the ‘anti-aggression’ stuff, popularly known as ‘Bass’, during a Police stop and search exercise outside Fort Wellington Police Station, West Coast Berbice, on October 9.

The Prosecutor said the defendant was in a mini-bus travelling to the city when he was found with the banned commodity.

Dover, who pleaded not guilty to the offence, will get a trial starting November 4.

Glaring omission
ONE cannot help noticing that several knowledgeable people of high levels are willing to sound off against this President and government, but were unwilling to do so against the late President Desmond Hoyte and the PNC.

Take for example the recent fulminations by Auditor General Anand Goolsarran in his letter to President Jagdeo.

Mr. Goolsarran, in his letter, tells us that on December 31st, 1990, he took the oath of office in which he solemnly swore allegiance to the Constitution and agreed to faithfully discharge his duties and responsibilities without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

He also went on to state that throughout his career as Auditor General, he has not knowingly done otherwise and as long as he remains in this position he will endeavour to continue to do so.

He has left an obvious and glaring omission in his letter and that is to tell us why he did not carry out his duties under Mr. Hoyte under whose entire tenure as President 1985 to 1992, no Auditor General’s reports were presented to the National Assembly.

Why didn’t he write Mr. Hoyte then about the non-presentation of reports and that the PNC administration denied him the right of access to records to enable him to discharge his responsibilities, as he mentions in his letter?

After all, as Mr. Goolsarran says in his letter, he is “under the direction and control of no person or authority.”

Why didn’t he use his powers when Mr. Hoyte was President?
JOHN DA SILVA

Offended at attacks
I LISTENED to Mr. Robert Corbin’s address on TV Wednesday night and was very offended by his attacks on President Jagdeo whom I feel has been doing a great deal for the country.

As a resident in West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, I was very glad when the President visited this area and saw the conditions under which we were living.

He took a great interest in our complaints and immediately set about having something done about them, which we appreciate very much.

The many problems which we have were created by past PNC administrations and the City Council, and it was finally left to the President and the government to have something done about them.

So, Corbin and others should give Jack his jacket and not criticise for the sake of their political agenda.
RAYMOND RAMPERSAUD

Jaundiced rhetoric
MR. CORBIN in his ‘address’ to the nation merely rehashed the usual PNCR rhetoric and dished it out again.

It sounded like a broken record.

He, as usual, refused to pay attention to the realities, and recognise the many accomplishments of Guyanese of all walks of life.

The people and the country have been continuing to make progress, in spite of difficulties, and Guyanese remain optimistic.

All he has to do is to ask the donors to the various programmes in the country about the commitment of the government and people and the progress being made in many fields, including the growing successful fight against HIV/AIDS.

The people of the country would rather hear the comments of the donors and their specialists as to how the country is progressing, than the jaundiced rhetoric of disgruntled opposition politicians such as Corbin.
SAMANTHA GEORGE

Child sacrifice
AS I looked at the front page pictures of the cache of arms and ammunition found in Buxton this week, I wondered how a teenager would acquire the undoubted millions of dollars required to buy such high-tech weaponry.

Obviously, the weapons did not drop from the sky, unless they were dropped by planes.

How do misguided youths between 12 to 18 years of age obtain very big guns? Guns and ammunition do not come cheaply.

A teenager would not be able to use his measly pocket money to buy an AK 47, unless he is given the money and/or arms by wealthy adult criminal masterminds.

These adult masterminds have some sinister objectives of their own to achieve and what better tools can they use but the damaged youths who are the products of broken, neglectful and delinquent adult homes?

Street urchins, who are in cahoots with adult criminals, are also the products of broken homes.

That a youth comes from a good religious home is no guarantee that he will not gravitate to a life of crime. The oft lazy parents of many such homes leave their children “in the hands of Jesus or God”, expecting Him to do the job that they ought to be doing.

They fail to teach their children responsibility in handling money, in dealing with friends, peers, strangers, even with relatives.

They expect the television and lavish money to do the job of parenting. There is nothing such as a spoiled child; the child is actually an irresponsible child who learned irresponsibility from irresponsible parents and poor parenting practices.

Some parents even teach their children to steal and to fight.

When adults see children involved in an infraction, minor or major, they must immediately intervene to help the children to desist from such misbehaviour before it graduates into a misdemeanor, then into a felon.

I often do this. A year ago, while walking along Camp Street, Georgetown, in the vicinity of then Courts building, I saw a group of primary school children exchanging cigarettes.

Other adults saw, looked away and passed on. Willfully blind Pharisees!

I intervened and gave them a stern mini-lecture on the dangers of smoking cigarettes.

Every single one of those children dropped his cigarettes unto the pavement and promised me that he will never smoke. Whether or not they ever will smoke I don’t know, but at least they now know about the dangers of smoking.

But then, who benefits from cigarettes? Adults who make and sell them, of course. Ditto for guns.

The police might shoot and kill armed misguided teenagers, but they are only loping off the branches of a tree whose roots are deeply embedded in the homes of society.

So long as broken, irresponsible and delinquent homes remain, so long will broken, irresponsible and delinquent teenagers continue to emerge from them, and so long will cannon fodder continue to be provided for the wealthy adult criminal masterminds to feed their voracious maws.

It is child sacrifice, plain and simple.

Pity me to come to Thee, for Christ’s sake. Amen.
M. XIU QUAN-BALGOBIND-HACKETT

Bad experience at Auditor General’s office
I PROVIDED almost 18 years of continuous, dedicated and sincere service to the government and people of Guyana in the Office of the Auditor General (OAG).

I started humbly as a Clerk 11 and worked myself up to a Head of Section.

Sometime in the late 1990’s, there were several attractive opportunities at foreign-funded projects such as SSRP, PEIP, SIMAP, to name a few.

Several staff members from the OAG applied for these positions and they were offered varying posts at these foreign-funded projects.

They were given these jobs mainly because of their knowledge, expertise, sincerity, dedication and of course qualifications.

These dedicated, hard working employees then approached the head for a release on secondment or transfer and he refused indicating he does not have the power to grant secondment.

These employees, however, approached the PSC and PSM, in writing and verbally, and were assured that they couldn’t get a request for a transfer or secondment unless the Head of Department sanctioned it.

In the interim, the head issued an instruction to all the senior staff that any request for transfer or secondment should go to only him.

These staff members who were offered the positions on the projects went back and told the head about the issues with PSM and PSC and did not grant them their request.

When I resigned, I had 120-odd days annual leave accumulated and I applied for same. This was denied and I was asked who will do the work.

All these staff members eventually left the Public Service for good because of this kind of behaviour.

They could have still been giving some meaningful contribution towards the people and government of Guyana.

I and several other colleagues would have still been employed in the Public Service as professionals had it not been for this kind of attitude.

I am willing to make a contribution to the government and people of Guyana in whatever way I can.

I have approached a few ministers of the government on this and hope to hear a response soon.
DISAPPOINTED

Failure should not be an option
I READ in the Stabroek News of October 18, last a story about a fellow young Guyanese who just wrote exams and has had success in securing a job.

It's great when one is focused on a goal or dream, but the reality of life is that not all of us are fortunate to have the resources we need, so plan B, C and D should always be an option and you must never allow failure to be an option.

You did exceedingly well and I must congratulate you. But at the same time you must seek your other potentials and strengths and you might even surprise yourself.

Life is full of pain and challenges, so get used to it. If it means you have to relocate to the city, so be it.

I just believe that there are other avenues you can venture through and with such results from your exams, why not have a try at journalism?

This thing about going on to university just after exams is something I just don't believe in.

A break in between, for at least a year with working experience, is what I believe in.

I believe it helps build one’s strengths and the nurturing from the short work experience is what helps for the challenges at the university level.

One may argue that you have to make hay while the sun shines, but breaks are necessary to quench your thirst.

So, to that educated lad - until you secure a job, if there is a boat to build, or rice to reap, take the challenge.

I am so certain that the private sector will be willing to take you on their team on the Essequibo Coast.

As a start, try Imam Bacchus & Sons or do part time teaching.
Those are only suggestions.
T. PEMBERTON

Why has the PNC lost so many Indian votes?
RECENTLY, there have been many calls, both in the print and electronic media, for power sharing in government.

Many intelligent persons have been pushing for this. We hear of political parties coming under one umbrella or tent in order to run the government.

I would like to remind those persons that under the rule of the late President Forbes Burnham, the People's National Congress (PNC) had a two-thirds majority Parliament.

This clearly showed that thousands of Indians then voted for the PNC.

The PNC should convene a committee to look into why that party has lost so many Indian votes.

What is needed is a person like Burnham to lead the PNC once again, so that the many thousand Indians will again vote for the PNC and then there would be no need for any talk about shared governance.
MALCOLM MANGRU

Awaiting his return
I HAVE noticed, and all of us in Guyana have seen, that those who have graduated from the mayhem of February 23, 2002 and the aftermath of that 'escape' have started again in Buxton and its environs.

I will not elaborate, but I do hope that our 'hardworking' Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Ronald Gajraj, will be at his desk again to deal with those so-called 'Resistance Fighters'.

Being trained in our Army in the "Rules of Engagement", I know he will utilise 'all means possible' and return some normalcy to this troubled area, whose decent inhabitants are held at ransom by a few so-called 'freedom fighters'.

Minister Gajraj stands out among the professionals in the government.

I do hope that our President in his next five years in office after the 2006 elections, will have persons like him continue their positions.

For those who through race are surprised at this letter by a Black man, I will quote Mahatma Gandhi:

"In a democracy people are not like sheep one behind the other - individual liberty and freedom of expression and opinion is zealously guarded.”
MURTLAND WILLIAMS

We are all involved
IT IS indeed an honour and a pleasure for me to write in recognition of the latest publication of the Evergreen Club Booklet.

As a product of 'academia', living in the world of books, I have come to realise that we can no longer isolate ourselves from the realities of our physical environment.

It used to be the fashion in some western circles to speak disparagingly about 'primitive peoples' whether in Africa, America or in Asia.

But surely the lesson these peoples have taught to the world, is one of humility and wisdom.

We were given the world to live in. We did not merit it, nor did we ask for it.

But having the privilege of finding ourselves here, we must all take care of the nature around us - the plants, the trees, the animals, the flora and fauna, that are so vital for a sustained healthy world.

We are all involved.

Among the youths, the Evergreen Nature Study Club is actively realising this crucial formula, and not only are they to be congratulated, but their efforts must be supported by all in this our beautiful country of Guyana.

I therefore commend the publication of the Evergreen Club Booklet entitled "A Fresh Look at Nature Study in Guyana" to all fellow Guyanese.
PROFESSOR JOYCELYNNE LONCKE
EVERGREEN NATURE STUDY CLUB

Award richly deserved
THE management and members of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club would be grateful if you allow us to use your letter coloum to publicly offer congratulations to Mr. David Burgess, Managing Director of Courts on his achievement of being awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth.

This award is richly deserved and our club is proud of Mr. Burgess's achievement.

Since his arrival in Guyana, Mr. Burgess has played a major role in our club's development and is one of the main reasons why our club is now rated one of Guyana's leading youth organisations.

Apart from being one of our official sponsors, Mr. Burgess is a close friend, advisor, mentor, role model to all our members and is always willing to lend a hand to the less fortunate.

Under his leadership Courts (Guy) Inc. has expanded its operations in Guyana and is reaching out to youths, the elderly, sports, culture and education.

Youths in Rose Hall Town have benefited a lot from Courts and Mr. Burgess and national cricketers Assad Fudadin, Esuan Crandon, Andre Percival, Royston Crandon, among others, are products of his relationship with the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club.

It is our hope that he would continue the good work he is doing and that our country would continue to benefit from his outstanding business and social leadership.
H. FOSTER
SECRETARY OF CLUB

High class nonsense
WHY in the name of God must City Council workers be paid by the 15th of each month, reportedly by agreement between the council and the union?

This is high class nonsense and an insult to other workers, whether in the private or public sector.

This entity is overstaffed and overburdened with too many councillors and staff and it is not giving the public adequate service, attention or courtesy.

According to the media, the ‘workers’ said that they had “stopped pushing in nuff work” because of the delay in payment, but when is it that they ever put in much work?

The public needs to get the audited figures of this entity and an audit of the human resources must be done to establish the adequate number of efficient and capable workers needed to get the work done.
CARLA SEMPLE

Solid contributions
THE parliamentary debate Thursday on the bill introduced by the government on Combatting Trafficking in Persons {TIP} was indeed lively and brought out much additional information and knowledge to the general public.

Government and opposition speakers made solid contributions to the debate on this very important and serious subject and the bill has been sent to a Special Select Committee with the agreement of both sides.

It was good to know that with the strenuous efforts by Minister Bibi Shadick and the government, Guyana has been elevated from its Tier 3 position to Tier 2 by the United States State Department.

All the opposition parties supported the measure with certain reservations, but no doubt these are likely to be further explored and resolved by the Special Committee.
BRENDA SUTTON

Jamaica fight back to beat Barbados by seven runs
By Imran Khan
THE WICB Regional One-Day Tournament has been short on huge totals but has been overflowing with dramatic finishes. The script was no different yesterday at Uitvlugt as Jamaica barely defended a sub-200 total to beat points leaders Barbados by a slim seven-run margin.

Jamaica’s big name batting line-up, after losing the toss, once again failed to live up to expectations, capitulating for 165 from 49.5 overs, which the Barbadians should have felt confident to overhaul.

It did not work out exactly that way though. They buckled and broke down under pressure, leaving them at 158 all out with 4.1 overs still in the bag.

Though the low and slow Guyanese pitches have not been ideal for one-day cricket, with six batsmen who were considered worthy enough to have played Test cricket either as batsmen or all-rounders, struggling to cope.

Throughout the competition’s solitary first round, batting required application and purpose. Sustained explosive strokeplay has not flourished, and after a blazing start to his innings Marlon Samuels, the man-of-the-match, seemed to have recognised this and grounded himself in.

His 54, lasting for a gargantuan 122 balls, was the only score of significance for Jamaica as his teammates failed to properly understand their roles or the match situation. Xavier Marshall (26) and Brenton Parchment (16), playing his first game of the tournament, got starts and looked to be in good touch before throwing their wicket away.

In the 14th over Marshall, like Chris Gayle (8) had done, followed a wide ball that kept low, under-edged and keeper Courtney Browne finished cleanly. Parchment and Samuels moved the score from 40 to 88 but then Parchment lost patience, charged Ian Bradshaw and was hauled in by Dwayne Smith at backward point.

Bradshaw cashed in on the Jamaican impatience, snapping up 4 for 34, including the further wickets of Wavell Hinds, who could not properly negotiate a delivery which moved from leg to off, nibbled and was taken behind. Bradshaw cleaned up the innings by bowling Nikita Miller (4) and Dwight Washington (9).

Prior to the close, Samuels, after striking two mammoth sixes and a similar number of fours was, for a prolonged period, heavily restrained by some incisive spin bowling particularly from the wicketless but impressive Ryan Hurley. Hurley wielded away for ten overs that cost a tightfisted 15 runs.

With Corey Collymore, whose initial spell (5-1-9-0) struggling with a groin strain, Antonio Mayers was called into action and having only bowled four overs in the three previous games looked rusty, going for 36 from five overs but picking up two wickets.

Barbados started with young left-hander Martin Nurse wanting to hit every delivery out of Guyana. He succeeded in incredulously lifting three sixes beyond the ropes.

His second and third maximum hits, off successive Evon McInnis balls, in the 8th over raising the fifty, by which time the Barbadians had already lost two wickets.

At 68, Nurse, who was caught off a McInnis no-ball when on 22, popped one back to Gayle and put pressure on the remaining batsmen particularly Floyd Reifer who badly twisted his right ankle while fielding. Nurse had gotten a rocketing 45 from 39 balls but left repair work for his captain Browne who was next best with 37 and the others.

While Browne measured up to the task adequately the lack of support caused Barbados to cave in. Pushing the panic button, Barbados forced a seriously discomforted Reifer, who needed a runner, out to the middle and he could only manage to steer a sharp Samuels delivery to Gayle at slip.

Serious trouble began to brew at 82 for six with the Jamaicans tasting blood. Gayle (10-2-18-2) and Samuels (10-1-29-1) bowled flat and sharp, as they usually do, to nudge the advantage in their team’s favour but Browne and Bradshaw who came together at 115 for seven began to change things over again.

The pair who took the West Indies to an astounding win in the ICC Champion’s Trophy final last month, added 24 and were comfortably securing singles. Browne then tried to flick to leg from outside off-stump, popped the ball to Breese at cover and again the Jamaicans took the initiative. Another 18 runs with the score on 157 and Barbados seemingly coasting to a win and Bradshaw was needlessly run-out for 15, leaving the last pair of Sulieman Benn and Collymore to take them home.

Jamaica’s captain Breese called a mid-pitch conference to determine who should bowl next and after extended deliberations he settled with Dwight Washington who was playing his first game and who bowled very poorly in his only two overs before, costing 22 runs.

With only 8 runs needed for victory, it was a huge risk with Breese himself still having two overs and the experienced Hinds being another option.

Washington bounded in and was impeccable. He bowled the first four deliveries fast and perfectly into Collymore’s block hole. Gayle then made what turned out to be an inspired match-winning move.

Without consultation he moved himself from first slip to short mid-wicket. The next delivery was no different from Washington and a nervous Collymore pushed forward picking out Gayle.

After taking the catch Gayle leapt in the air, flinging the ball wildly away, his team-mates similarly joyous as they romped around. Another thrilling game ended with about 2 000 spectators pretty pleased with their investment in tickets.

Barbados still sit on top of the points standing with 10 but Jamaica’s victory means that semi-finalist spots are still wide open with only the Leeward Islands struggling though not yet mathematically out.

JAMAICA innings
C. Gayle c wkp. Browne b Hinds 8

X. Marshall c wkp. Browne b Benn 26

B. Parchment c Smith b Bradshaw 16

M. Samuels c Campbell b Mayers 54

W. Hinds c wkp. Browne b Bradshaw 1

C. Baugh Jr stp. Browne b Benn 3

G. Breese c Benn b Hinds 7

D. Bernard Jr c Bradshaw b Mayers 6

E. McInnis not out 13

N. Miller b Bradshaw 4

D. Washington b Bradshaw 9

Extras: ( w-8, nb-2, b-6, lb-2) 18

Total (all out, 49.5 overs) 165

Fow: 1-35, 2-40, 3-88, 4-92, 5-96, 6-106, 7-132, 8-145, 9-154.

Bowling: Bradshaw 9.5-2-34-4 (w-1, nb-1), Collymore 5-1-9-0 (w-1), Hinds 10-0-34-2 (nb-1), Benn 10-4-29-2 (w-1), Hurley 10-1-15-0 (w-2), Mayers 5-0-36-2 (w-3).

BARBADOS innings

S. Campbell c wkp. Baugh b McInnis 7

M. Nurse c & b Gayle 45

D. Smith c & b McInnis 1

R. Hinds lbw Gayle 11

C. Browne c Breese b Miller 37

F. Reifer c Gayle b Samuels 0

A. Mayers run-out 9

R. Hurley b Breese 1

I. Bradshaw run-out 15

S. Benn not out 10

C. Collymore c Gayle b Washington 0

Extras: (w-13, nb-06, b-1, lb-2) 22

Total: (all out, 45.5 overs) 158

Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-34, 3-68, 4-79, 5-82, 6-107, 7-115, 8-139, 9-157.

Bowling: Washington 2.5-0-22-1 (w-1), McInnis 4-0-30-2 (w-3, nb-4), Samuels 10-1-29-1 (w-1), Gayle 10-2-18-2 (w-3), Breese 8-0-28-1, Miller 10-1-24-1 (w-5, nb-1), Marshall 1-0-4-0.
Points: Jamaica 4

Williams claims St Lucia cycling gold
TOP cyclist on the local scene, Marlon Williams, stamped his authority in St Lucia as a force to be reckoned with in the future after he claimed the gold medal in the 2004 Caribbean Cycling Championships, organised by the St Lucia Cycling Association last weekend.

His winning time was recorded as 2:50.30 with Christian Luce (Guadeloupe) second, Oliver Ragot of Martinique third and Jude Bently of Guyana fourth.

The other Guyanese in the race were Alonzo Greaves (11th), Warren McKay, and Raymond Newton (13th).

McKay fell out of the race when he suffered a puncture.

Earlier in a 5-mile time trial Gerald Fowler finished 18th and Newton 21st.

Floodlights to be commissioned tomorrow at Tucville ground
MANAGING Director of the Guyana Beverages Company, Robert Selman, will tomorrow officially commission the recently erected and installed floodlights on the Tucville ground.

Selman will deliver the address on behalf of its parent company in Trinidad and Tobago, S. M Jaleel during the triple-header affair.

The director earlier in the year had presented the Fruta Conquerors club with the lights and also pledged his support for the team and has sponsored the current senior league tournament.

Meanwhile, a release from the club has stated that some 47 of the scheduled 56 first round matches have been completed with a total of 163 goals being scored at an average of 3.22 per game.

Group A has scored 82 goals while Group B scored 81.

Group A leaders Fruta Conquerors with 21 points from the required seven matches have advanced to the second round and have scored 29 goals and conceded four for a goal difference of 25, while Santos standing second in the group on 15 points have scored 22 goals and conceded four for a difference of 18.

Flamingo are on nine points with two matches remaining and are in contention of advancing, with Camptown, Uprising and Police on six points apiece with each team having two games remaining.

In Group B Pele have advanced with 17 points, scored 24 goals while conceding eight for a goal difference of 16.

Alpha United are currently in second with eleven points after scoring eight goals, conceding six and having a difference of two, while Western Tigers, Thomas United and Beacon are all on ten points, however, Tigers have a match remaining and have a goal difference of seven.

Thomas United and Beacon have both completed their matches with goal differences of minus six (-6) and minus one (-1) respectively.

GDF with one match remaining are on seven points and have a goal difference of one, can claim the fourth spot, providing they win.

GUYOIL sponsors golf tourney today
COME today at 12:30 hrs golfers will tee up for the GUYOIL Golf Tournament at the Lusignan Golf Club course.

Players would be using these next few tournaments to sharpen up for the Suriname Invitational on November 6 and The Guyana Open, which is scheduled for November 20 and 21.

The current dry conditions have been giving lots of run on the fairways and with the current cutting of the rough, players should have no problem from tee to green.

The greens are being watered daily and are in excellent shape and only difficult pin placements could be the cause of any difficulty in getting the putts. Low scores should be the order of the day as many players are on top of their game.

A keen contest is expected from Nazeen Deo, Bolaram Deo, Vishnu Ramjoo, Judy Cooper, Colin Ming, Dr Ram Singh, Mike Mangal, and Christine Sookram.

Trophies will be awarded to the first, second and third best net scores while prizes will be up for grabs for the Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin. Trophy and prizes will be presented by a representative of GUYOIL.

DIGICEL & WICB map out new era for Windies cric
… new sponsorship deal designed for success
ST JOHN’S, Antigua - Digicel, the fastest growing mobile telecommunications provider conducted an intensive strategy session with the West Indies Cricket Board in Antigua this week mapping out the elements for a new era in West Indies cricket.

According to Roger Brathwaite, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the West Indies Cricket Board: “A lot of exciting initiatives and proposals were discussed during our meeting and we are very impressed with the level of energy, professionalism and dedication that Digicel is bringing to the table.

“They have shown us that they are committed, sincere and dynamic partners and we are confident that they will have the same vitalising impact on West Indies cricket as they have shown in the Caribbean telecommunications industry. Have no doubt, our partnership with Digicel represents a new era for West Indies cricket”.

“Digicel takes enormous pride in being the official main sponsor of the West Indies Cricket team and we are delighted to share our vision with the WICB in Antigua this week,” said Ms Sarah Gill, Commercial Director for Digicel Group. “We are committed to further strengthening our support of communities in Antigua and throughout the Caribbean. We believe in the future of the Caribbean and in particular West Indies cricket. Our intention is to enable West Indies Cricket to get back to the top of world Test cricket and to build on the success of the team in the ICC Champions Trophy” she added.

The US$ multi-million sponsorship deal with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), is for 5 years with an option to renew and will officially come into operation for the January - February 2005 tour to Australia.

Digicel is the official sponsor of the West Indies Test and ODI (One-Day International) teams, Event Sponsors for the Home Test and ODI Series, and the official mobile and communications provider of the WICB.

With new programmes in place to improve the team’s current and future performance, Digicel’s sponsorship represents the largest deal ever done with the West Indies Cricket Board. It’s the first ever home and away sponsorship secured by the WICB and incorporates unprecedented incentives to raise players’ performances and sponsorship of select junior teams.

ABOUT DIGICEL
Since its launch in 2001, Digicel has become the fastest growing mobile telecommunications operator in the Caribbean. In three years Digicel has become renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, a wide variety of products and services and state-of-the-art handsets.

By offering innovative mobile services and community support, Digicel has become a leading brand in the Caribbean and has placed the region at the cutting edge of mobile communications.

Digicel operates in seven countries including Aruba, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines. It is the largest GSM mobile operator in the region and plans to extend their footprint into other Caribbean countries.

Digicel is headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica, and has approximately 900 employees. The company is the lead sponsor of Caribbean sports teams including, the West Indies Cricket Team, Special Olympics teams across the Caribbean and is title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Football Union Cup, which involves over 30 Caribbean countries and is an important qualifier towards the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Auto Fashion donates trophies for South American 10km run
RACE CAR driver Noel 'Rupee' Shewjattan and owner of Auto Fashion, Regent and Wellington Streets yesterday presented three trophies to the local organisers of the South American Road Race Classic-Race One tomorrow.

Shewjattan presented the trophies for first to third places in the Under-17 girls’ division of the event that starts outside the YMCA Thomas Lands building.

Other business entities have also sponsored the various categories in the under-15, -17 and under -20 divisions.

The race will feature athletes from Barzil, Suriname, Venezuela and Barbados along with a number of top local distance athletes for a top prize in the men's and women's division of US$1 000, second US$600 and third US$400.

Linden/Georgetown in Goodwill Table tennis series
TABLE tennis players from Georgetown will be invading the mining town of Linden tomorrow to participate in two goodwill team matches.

Players expected to participate in these matches are Lindeners Maurice Cummings and Deon Bacchus in the juniors and Marlon Washington and Raynor Anderson in the seniors while Matthew Khan, Paul Meusa, Raymond Baksh and Sydney Christophe of Georgetown will be playing exhibition games.

Trophies and medals for the series have been donated by 1997 Caribbean Men's Double Gold medallist Godfrey Munroe and Sydney Christophe.

This programme has been organissd by Marlon Washington and Linden Johnson.

SRI LANKA first innings 243 (T.Samaraweera 100; Shoaib Akhtar 5-60)

PAKISTAN first innings (o/n 256-8)

Y.Hameed c Mubarak b Fernando 58

I.Farhat c Mubarak b Malinga 11

A.Kamal c Jayawardene b Fernando 17

Inzamam-ul-Haq c Malinga b Herath 32

Y.Youhana c Kaluwitharana b Herath17

S.Malik run-out (Vaas) 48

A.Razzaq c Jayawardene b Vaas 39

M.Khan b Jayasuriya 5

M.Sami not out 5

S.Akhtar lbw Herath 6

D.Kaneria run-out (Jayasuriya) 1

Extras: (b-6, lb-4, nb-12) 22

Total: (all out, 84.1 overs) 264

Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-94, 3-109, 4-134, 5-188, 6-227, 7-246, 8-248, 9-262.

Bowling: Vaas 26-5-62-1 (nb-2), Malinga 10-1-50-1 (nb-4), Fernando 16-0-65-2 (nb-6), Herath 27.1-5-68-3, Samaraweera 1-0-5-0, Jayasuriya 4-1-4-1.

SRI LANKA second innings

M.Atapattu lbw S.Akhtar 0

S.Jayasuriya not out 131

K.Sangakkara c M.Khan b S.Akhtar 59

M.Jayawardene c M.Khan b D.Kaneria 57

T.Samaraweera not out 15

Extras: (b-4, lb-1, w-2, nb-11 penalty runs-5) 23

Total: (for three wickets, 70 overs) 285

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-98, 3-216.

Bowling: Shoaib Akhtar 13-1-61-2 (nb-5, w-2), Mohammad Sami 12-1-48-0 (nb-4), Abdul Razzaq 18-7-61-0 (nb-2), Danish Kaneria 23-1-87-1, Shoaib Malik 4-0-18-0.

Jayasuriya’s unbeaten 131 puts Lanka in command
FAISALABAD, Pakistan, (Reuters) - A majestic, undefeated 131 from Sanath Jayasuriya put Sri Lanka in the driving seat against Pakistan on the third day of the first Test yesterday.

Appearing in his 93rd Test, Jayasuriya reeled out his 13th Test hundred to allow Sri Lanka to finish on 285 for three at the close, an overall lead of 264.

The 35-year-old reached his hundred in style in the final session by lofting leg-spinner Danish Kaneria for a big six over mid-wicket.

Having survived a caught behind off a no-ball from Shoaib Akhtar when he was on nine, Jayasuriya had added 69 with Thilan Samaraweera (15) at the close.

His 100 came from 164 balls in 278 minutes with 13 fours and a six.

In the final session in which the Lankans added exactly 100, Mahela Jayawardene was out caught behind for 57 after getting a faint edge to Kaneria.

Jayasuriya, who struggled for a brief period as he neared his century, was savage afterwards hitting Abdul Razzaq for three fours in one over.

Sri Lanka had started their second innings badly with skipper Marvan Atapattu collecting a pair when Shoaib again trapped him leg-before.

But after losing Atapattu, the Sri Lankans showed more resilience after being bowled out for 243 in the first innings.

Pakistan in reply could manage 264 losing their last two wickets yesterday for eight to enjoy only a 21-run advantage.

On a pitch that is offering some encouragement to the slow bowlers, Jayasuriya had partnerships of 98 with Kumar Sangakkara (59) and 118 with Jayawardene.

Pakistan's highest successful run chase remains 314 against Australia in Karachi in 1994. They are bidding to win their first home series against the Lankans since 1995-96.

BANGLADESH first innings 177 (M.Ashraful 67; J.Franklin 5-28)

New Zealand first innings 402 (B.McCullum 143, M.Sinclair 76; M.Rafique 6-122)

Bangladesh second innings (o/n 41-2)

N.Iqbal run-out 49

J.Omar c McCullum b Vettori 14

H.Sarkar c & b Vettori 1

R.Saleh c McCullum b Vettori 0

M.Ashraful c Styris b Vettori 26

A.Kapali c McCullum b Wiseman 0

K.Mashud c Styris b Wiseman 2

M.Islam Rana c Richardson b Vettori 1

M.Rafique not out 20

T.Aziz lbw b Vettori 0

Extras: (b-6, nb-3) 9

Total: (for nine wickets, 53.5 overs) 122

Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-33, 3-41, 4-87, 5-88, 6-92, 7-101, 8-112, 9-122.

Bowling: Oram 7-4-6-0, Franklin 5-1-14-0 (nb-1), Butler 4-1-8-0, Vettori 21.5-12-28-6 (nb-2), Wiseman 16-1-60-2.

Six for Vettori as Bangladesh lose by innings
DHAKA, (Reuters) - Daniel Vettori took six wickets as New Zealand romped to victory by an innings and 99 runs against Bangladesh on the fourth day of the first Test yesterday.

Bangladesh, trailing by 225 runs after the first innings, had resumed on 41 for two but soon lost Rajin Saleh (0) when he was caught behind off Vettori.

The left-arm spinner then ran through the Bangladesh order for his eighth five-wicket Test haul, finishing with figures of six for 28.

He was supported by Paul Wiseman who claimed three wickets, including the final one of tail-ender Mohammad Rafique who hit five fours in his innings of 24 before being caught by New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming.

Opener Nafees Iqbal had earlier offered some resistance until he was run-out on 49 as only four Bangladesh batsmen reached double figures.

Bangladesh have lost 28 of their 31 Tests, drawing the other three. The second and final Test against New Zealand begins on October 26 in Chittagong.

New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum had hit his highest Test score of 143 to help the tourists to a first innings total of 402.

NSW chiefs reject dumping SCG for Olympic stadium
SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - An attempt by Sydney's Olympic stadium owners to wrest Test hosting rights from the traditional Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) has been rejected.

Instead, the New South Wales Cricket Association (Cricket NSW) announced yesterday that all international cricket would be played at the SCG until October 2010.

The Olympic Stadium would hold a number of interstate matches from the 2005-06 season onwards, it added.

Chairman of Cricket NSW Bob Horsell said: "The Board of Cricket NSW is unanimous in its decision that playing international cricket at the SCG for the next five years is best for the game's future."

Cricket New South Wales chief executive, David Gilbert, had caused concern among traditionalists in July by saying tenders had been sought for a long-term deal once the present contract with the SCG expired in September 2005.

The SCG, located at Moore Park in Sydney's inner east, has been hosting Test matches since 1882 but the Olympic Stadium, which opened in the city's west side a year before the 2000 Olympics, can hold more than 80 000 fans, roughly twice as many as the SCG.

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh played his farewell Test against India in January there this year.

Sydney Cricket Ground Trust chairman Rodney Cavalier said the decision maintained 150 years of cricket tradition at the venue.

"Cricketers young and old around Australia and throughout the world will be celebrating that Test and one-day international matches will remain at the SCG," he said in a statement.

"Every Australian cricketer aspires to play Test and one-day international matches at the SCG and now that dream will be maintained.”

United must beat Arsenal to retain title hopes - Ferguson
By Pete Oliver
MANCHESTER, England, (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is backing his players to rise to the challenge against Arsenal tomorrow in a match he admits his side must win to stay in the Premier League title race.

"Everyone is looking forward to it. Over the years my experience of situations like this is that we seem to revel in occasions like Manchester United-Arsenal games," Ferguson told a news conference yesterday..

"Every game is important to this club, but these are the special games, the ones you feel you're challenged in and your players are looking forward to. There's a general good buzz about the place.

Ferguson thinks United, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal, need victory to retain realistic hopes of winning their ninth titlin 13 seasons.

"For us to win the league I think winning is a very important issue for us tomorrow," he said. "Arsenal could come and get a draw and still be 11 points clear of us and they would be delighted with that at this stage of the season.

"But leagues can turn very easily. We were 12 points behind Newcastle once and won the league, so it can change. What we need is for Manchester United to win the game tomorrow and see how that affects the whole thing."

Arsenal go to Old Trafford looking to extend their unbeaten league record to 50 matches but Ferguson is not worried about that milestone.

"We don't concern ourselves about what a team has done in previous games," he said. "What we are going to be building on is that it's a game at Old Trafford and I've got a group of players who are well and truly capable of winning this match and that's what I expect us to do."

EXPENSIVE FRONTLINE
Arsenal have scored 29 league goals compared to United's nine, and Ferguson's expensively assembled frontline has scored only once in the last three games.

Ferguson, however, believes his strikers will soon be back among the goals.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy's record tells you that," he said. "Young (Wayne) Rooney's record tells you that also. We have others like (Louis) Saha and (Alan) Smith, who are proven goalscorers."

Last season's goalless draw at Old Trafford was marred by unsavoury incidents following the dismissal of Patrick Vieira and a late penalty miss by van Nistelrooy, with four Arsenal players suspended for their parts in the fracas.

Tomorrow’s match will again be highly charged, but Ferguson has faith in his players to maintain their discipline.

"It's a game, an important game and we know how to handle it," he said.

United captain Roy Keane remains doubtful with a virus, while fullback Quinton Fortune is ruled out with a calf strain.

Sharapova downs Venus to reach Zurich semi-finals
By Mark Ledsom
ZURICH, (Reuters) - Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova beat former world number one Venus Williams 6-3, 6-4 yesterday to reach the semifinals of the $1.3 million Zurich Challenge event.

Frequently putting Williams on the back foot in a battle of past and present Wimbledon winners, the 17-year-old Russian further underlined her country's current domination of the women's game.

The world number seven was in almost constant control, combining fierce ground strokes and ferocious returns of serve to win in just 75 minutes.

It was her 11th victory in a row, following on from tournament triumphs in Seoul and Tokyo.

Sharapova, seeded fourth in Zurich, will now take on third seed Elena Dementieva in an all-Russian semifinal.

Dementieva advanced to the last four earlier yesterday with a 6-1, 5-7, 7-5 win over Japanese ninth seed Ai Sugiyama.

The Russian world number five had looked on course for a convincing victory after easing through the opening set in 22 minutes.

But just as in Thursday's second round match against compatriot Elena Bovina, Dementieva seemed to lose her concentration in a second set strewn with unforced errors.

With both women keeping close to the baselines, the third set was tightly contested.

Dementieva grabbed a decisive break in the penultimate game, however, to reach the Zurich semis for the first time in six attempts.

Against Sharapova, Dementieva will be looking to end something of a jinx when it comes to playing her compatriot.

The 22-year-old was a finalist at both the French and U.S. Opens this year, but was beaten on both occasions, by Anastasia Myskina and Svetlana Kuznetsova respectively.

Dementieva has also lost to Russian opponents in three of her last five tournaments.

Young Achievers reach George Trim final
YOUNG Achievers of West Berbice reached the final of the first George Trim Memorial Under-19 tournament after defeating No.5 also of West Berbice by 32 runs when the two teams met at the Woodley Park ground.

Taking first strike after winning the toss, Young Achievers were all out for 138 in 28 of the allotted overs with Arthley Bailey 26, Dale Kewley 22 and Carlston Nurse and Patrick Thom 20 apiece.

Earl Johnson 3 for 24 and two wickets each for A. Johnson, O. James and L. Persaud were the prime wicket-takers for No.5 who in reply were bundled out for 106 in 21 overs with extra topping with 19.

Earl Johnson and O. James both had 17 runs, the only batsmen to offer some resistance.

Kennon McDonald 3 for 23, Travis Perry 3 for 12 and John Britton and Nurse two each were the wicket-takers.

George Trim was a late Mayor and educator of Rose Hall and the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club have sponsored the tournament in his memory.

The final is set for the Area ‘H’ ground on November 7 between Young Achievers and Rose Hall Pepsi.

Rumbling on after 30 years - the clash in Kinshasa
By Dave Thompson
LONDON, England (Reuters) - The action was set for 0400, two or three hours before the African dawn.

That did not stop over 60 000 people crowding the Stade du 20 Mai for one of the landmark sporting occasions of the century.

When the Rumble in the Jungle was done, the battle lost and won, there was a torrential thunderstorm, which flooded the stadium and cut TV communications.

But the outside world knew by then that Muhammad Ali had produced one of the most astonishing feats in boxing history to knock out the fearsome George Foreman and regain the world heavyweight title.

The venue was Kinshasa, in Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The date was October 30, 1974. The Thriller in Manila between Ali and Joe Frazier was another 11 months down the line.

The bizarre Kinshasa start-time was, of course, to cater for closed-circuit TV in the U.S.

Thirty years on the victor, now 62, battles the ravages of Parkinson's Disease; the loser, at the age of 56, is, remarkably, contemplating fighting again.

All those years ago, titleholder Foreman was considered unbeatable with a 40-0 record including 37 knockouts.

His eight previous bouts had ended in the first or second rounds and he was widely viewed as the heaviest puncher the sport had known.

Ali was Ali -- a PR dream, a walking quotes-bag, poet, and showman supreme. But last and not least he was a highly skilled fighter and tactician. A man who could take a punch although in later years his health was to pay a melancholy penalty!

The fight was largely put together by Don King, then a fledgling in the sport.

The purse was $10 million, split 50/50, with most of it coming from the Zaire government of President Mobutu, keen to raise the profile of his country.

COSTLY ENTOURAGE
Ali flew in with his costly 35-strong entourage a month in advance of the original scheduled date of September 25. A week before the big day Foreman cut an eye in training and the bout had to be put back.

More time for the wit and wisdom of Ali, caught and recalled in Thomas Hauser's book Muhammad Ali, His Life and Times.

"I got a punch for George. It's called the ghetto-whopper and the reason it's called that is because it's thrown in the ghetto at three in the morning which is when me and George are gonna fight."

And the poetry:

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee His hands can't hit what his eyes can't see

Now you see me, now you don't

George thinks he will, but I know he won't."

In fact, Foreman saw plenty of Ali, catching him hard and often but it was part of the strategy hit on by the challenger after the first round.

Apart from dancing on his feet, Ali was thinking on his feet.

The ring surface proved slow and Ali quickly concluded not even he could dance all night (or morning, as it was).

He decided instead to entrench by the ropes, duck and take the blows and tire his opponent out.

The blows came in, some so fierce even the battle-hardened at the ringside shuddered. But gradually they became slower and less punishing.

ALI TAUNTS
Ali taunted: "Hit harder. Show me something, George. That don't hurt. I thought you were supposed to be bad."

By round eight, Ali felt ready to emerge from the ropes where much of the fight has been conducted.

A fierce right-hander to the head and the "rope-a-dope" champion was down.

Had it been in the first round he would have got up. Mid-fight, like the pro he was, Foreman lay looking at his corner who signalled him to wait, regroup, clear his head -- and then rise.

But when the get-up call came and with the referee counting apace Foreman failed to make it.

The Rumble was over.

Foreman had been knocked down in other fights but got up to win. He now accepts Ali was too smart and even if he had risen he would have lost.

Ali had his title back. He was $5 million richer. He was more feted and famed than ever. People lined the soggy jungle roads as he returned to the compound in N'Sele where he had been for two months.

Then what?

Newsweek writer Pete Bonventre caught up in N'Sele with Ali about three hours after the fight and has told in Hauser's book how he found the champion sitting on a doorstep showing a magic trick to some children.

He wrote: "And it was hard to tell who was having a better time, Ali or the children.

"I don't care what anyone says, there'll never be anyone like him again."

Barrichello fires up the fans in Brazil
By Alan Baldwin
SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello fired up his passionate home crowd yesterday with the fastest lap in practice for tomorrow's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.

Barrichello, seeking to end an appalling streak of nine retirements in a row at his home track, roared round the undulating anti-clockwise Interlagos circuit in one minute 11.166 seconds.

"Listening to the reaction of the crowd brought a smile to my face," said the Brazilian, back in his hometown after winning two races this season.

"Now we just have to keep our cool and try and improve the car even more and I am sure we will be competitive for the rest of the weekend."

Team-mate Michael Schumacher, who clinched his seventh championship in August and has won 13 of the 17 races, was 0.168 of a second slower as Ferrari reasserted their dominance after a gentle start to the day.

Both times, set in the afternoon, were well inside Barrichello's 2003 pole of 1:13.807 and Schumacher's race lap record of 1:14.755 from 2000. The track has been resurfaced since last year's race in April.

"I am not sure where we are in terms of consistency of performance, but over a single lap we look very strong," commented the German.

"The track is very bumpy, which adds to the difficulty, but all in all we are looking good and should be in the fight for the win," added Schumacher. "Being first and second is a wonderful start to the weekend."

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, in his last race for Williams before he moves to McLaren, led the way in the morning on a dirty track with a time of 1:12.547 ahead of team-mate Ralf Schumacher in third.

The Brazilian Grand Prix is the only South American round of the championship and the closest Montoya gets to a home appearance. Williams have yet to win this year.

Finland's Kimi Raikkonen was third fastest overall on the day, ahead of BAR's Briton Jenson Button while the Williams drivers faded in the afternoon.

"The track seems to be massively bumpy," said Ralf. "It is therefore not easy to find the right setup nor will it be easy to make the right tyre choice."

Raikkonen and team-mate David Coulthard, winner in Brazil in 2001 but without a drive for next year, had also looked quick in the morning. The Finn spun at the start of the second session.

"There is no doubt that Ferrari will be strong here but I believe we will be able to battle with them," said Raikkonen.”