Life in shelters getting to evacuees
By Michel Outridge
A WEEK after the West Coast Demerara flood, 69 people left homeless, including dozens of children who are still asking when they will get to go back to their homes, are waiting it out in two shelters on the West Demerara.

The families are staying at the Shirley Merle Field-Ridley Nursery School, Phoenix Park, and the Uitvlugt Community Centre.

At the Phoenix Park shelter yesterday, 32-year-old Joylin Gibson, whose Stewartville sea dam house was destroyed by unusually high tides, was huddled with her three children.

Gibson, a single parent, and pregnant told the Chronicle yesterday she is willing to pick up the pieces and start over, even though it will not be easy.

“I will accept the government’s offer of land title and I know I will get help to build a house for myself and children,” she said.

Like many other families she lost everything.

Another pregnant mother at Phoenix Park said she is worried about the children asking about going home, and this is making it more difficult for her.

She is also a single mother, with five children, and her Cornelia Ida home on the sea dam was destroyed.

She said at the shelter three meals are provided by the Army every day, but she wants to know where she will live with her children.

Since the high tide washed away her small house she was unable to re-visit the area, but she knows for sure that all her possessions were gone.

Some eight families, totalling 34 people, are now housed at this nursery school shelter.

Many of the children were watching television when the Chronicle visited yesterday, while others were lying around on beds. They were all a bit hungry, waiting for lunch. The Chronicle understands that preparation of the midday meal was running a bit late.

As for Mohammed Salim Khan, his wife and six children, they are thankful for the shelter. They lost everything and he is unable to go to work since the flood. He is a cane cutter, and the situation is getting to him.

At the other shelter at the Uitvlugt Community Centre, there are 16 children, ten women and nine men. The families here are worried about their future.

Their meals are also being prepared by the Guyana Defence Force ranks stationed there.

Homeless senior citizen, 67-year-old Randolph John, told the Chronicle yesterday that his house was destroyed by flood waters after the sea defence collapsed.

He owns a plot of land in the Stewartville Housing Scheme. He has no one, and is asking for assistance to rebuild his house.

Meanwhile, Amanda Regan, who gave birth to a baby girl during the flood, when her home was destroyed, was yesterday cuddling her newborn, while her other two children sat close to her, just a bit jealous of the infant. The mother said she is coping.
Baby Maryann is 12 days old and doing fine.

President calls on all to condemn race-hate incitement
THE multi-ethnic and multi-religious Guyanes society needs to vigilantly guard against the incitement of race hate and religious intolerance. And even though Government can establish the legislative framework, religious leaders and civil society organisations have a critical role to play in keeping this evil at bay.

This according to President Bharrat Jagdeo as he addressed Hindus from across the country gathered at State House Saturday for Diwali Utsav.

The Utsav was part of the President’s frequent encounters with the religious community to ascertain its views on national issues and find ways of working closer with the various religious communities, a statement from the Government Information Agency said.

While the Hindus were hosted Saturday at the President’s reception, Muslims will have their turn in November and Christians in December.

The President acknowledged that there are many shortcomings in the Government apparatus dealing with race issues, “and we have to work to change that,” he said, adding that the task becomes more difficult when there is incitement.

The President referred to the recent television programme “Taking Care of Business,” hosted by People’s National Congress Reform activist Ronald Waddell, and broadcast on HBTV Channel Nine on October 17, as an example of complicating the problem.

“It is the task of all of our citizens, the Hindu, the Muslim, the Christian organisations, to come out and say this is wrong. The diplomatic corps too has to say that it is wrong and the Ethnic Relations Commission and every decent organisaton, the Human Rights Association. The only way we would isolate these people who are hell-bent on creating division in our society is if we all take a stand,” he said

The President urged the Hindu leaders and all other religious leaders to ensure that this message of love, and tolerance be taught in their respective Temples, Mosques and Churches, adding that in this way it will be more effective.

President Jagdeo spoke of the tremendous influence religious leaders have on young people, and so he urged leaders in the Christian, Hindu and Muslim religions to speak up against racial incitement to the young in their congregations..

Guyanese footballer dies of cocaine ingestion
GUYANESE footballer Marlon Hendricks, who was found dead at Wotton, Christ Church, in Barbados,last Wednesday, a day after arriving on the island, had nine bags of cocaine in his stomach, according to a report in the Barbados Nation.

A post mortem carried out on the body of the 29-year-old Hendricks, who played football for Camptown Club in Guyana, revealed that he died from cardiac failure as a result of one of the bags bursting.

Hendricks arrived in Barbados last Tuesday and was staying at a guest-house at Kingsland, Christ Church.
On Wednesday he reported that he was not feeling well and was taken to a private doctor. The doctor summoned an ambulance to take him to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

On arrival at the hospital, Hendricks fled before receiving medical attention. Hours later his body was found on the lawn of a house at Wotton.

Police said on Saturday that Hendricks was accustomed to making trips to Barbados and this time he had gone there from St Lucia.

"We suspect he was an international drug mule", a police source stated.
He said two tubes of cocaine were discovered in the refrigerator at the apartment where he was staying, as well as two bottles of a laxative, two cartons of milk, and an empty snack box.

The police source's opinion was that Hendricks may have eaten, and that made it difficult for him to excrete the bags of cocaine.
It is understood that his sister arrived in Barbados on Thursday morning.

People living on reserves impeded sea defence work
PRIME Minister Sam Hinds told the National Assembly during last Thursday’s sitting that the recent experience with unusually high tides has been costly and has made it clear that people should not be living on reserves, as this impedes sea defence work and endangers the lives of those occupying such places.

He said the recent high tides experienced, resulting in a large breach of the sea defence at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, was the highest for more than 75 years.

According to the Prime Minister, who has responsibility for Public Works and Communications, the tides attacked the sea defence “with such fury” it resulted in a breach which led to heavy flooding, collapsed houses and severe damage to property.

The areas affected mainly were Sea View (Stewartville), Sea Spray (Leonora) and Anna Catherina (North).

Precautionary measures and preparedness were made for expected high tides, Mr. Hinds assured, but they were much higher than expected.

Some of the flooding on the West Demerara was caused because a façade could not have been cleared, as houses were constructed on reserves, preventing machinery from accessing the site, Hinds noted.

He also informed the National Assembly that the sea defence at Devonshire Castle on the Essequibo Coast also suffered a breach and flooding, while at Triumph on the East Coast Demerara there was some degree of flooding as well.

Severe pounding of the sea defence by unusually high and heavy waves during last week resulted in a 600-metre (about 1,800 feet) stretch along Stewartville/Leonora collapsing, resulting in several houses being flattened and forcing some 16 families to evacuate.

Housing schemes severely affected by the flooding were Sea View (Stewartville), Sea Spray (Leonora) and Anna Catherina (North).

Two temporary shelters were immediately established to house dislocated families. These were set up at the St. John’s Community High School, Edinburgh and at the Uitvlugt/Leonora Community Development Centre. The 44 people at the community high school have since been shifted to the Shirley Field-Ridley Nursery School at Phoenix Park, and there are 27 people at the community centre.

Food and water are being provided at the shelters.

The persons located at the shelters told the Chronicle they are generally comfortable and expressed gratitude to the authorities for moving swiftly to ease their plight.

According to Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford, there is no threat of a disease outbreak or health problems as the accumulated water is not stagnant.

Work is also under way to temporarily prop up the stretch of the sea wall which broke away, as machinery began moving boulders to the site.

In addition, several Hymacs were used to clear clogged trenches and widen and deepen a trench running parallel to the sea wall.

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) company, in a precautionary move, had reinforced its exchange at Leonora with sandbags and has placed a standby generator at the facility.

Former Chancellor Massiah says Judicial system in state of confusion
FORMER Chancellor Keith Massiah, S.C., was presenting the petition of new lawyer Steven Lewis for admission to the Bar, before Acting Chancellor Mr. Carl Singh, when he referred to the judicial system in Guyana as being in a state of much confusion.

And, in another nearby Court, Justice of Appeal Mr. Ian Chang was admitting new lawyer Haymant Kumar Ramdhani, whose petition for admission was presented by former Attorney General Mr. Bernard De Santos, S.C..

Mr. Massiah noted that there is no Chancellor of the Judiciary, although Article 124 of the Constitution, an entrenched provision, provides that the Chancellor shall be the President of the Court of Appeal.

“So, at the moment our court of last resort, our cherished Court of Appeal, has no head. What a dreadful state of affairs.

“The same article names the Chancellor as one of the judges of the Court of Appeal. At present there is no such person sitting in that august assembly.

“I am not attempting to apportion blame, but what I am saying is that both His Excellency, the President and the Leader of the Opposition have let us down rather badly in what I would call a tacit defiance of the Constitution.

“In any event, the judiciary is not an acceptable stadium for the playing of political football. There are other more suitable arenas.

“To say, as some are saying, that it really does not matter, because the courts are still functioning, is to miss the point; it is to reduce the matter to rather simplistic terms; it is to devalue our system of justice and to misapprehend the importance of the Constitution, and to sneer at the significance of its invaluable provisions”, the former Chancellor, who was also an Attorney General, said.

He added, “I think I speak for the entire Bar when I urge a very speedy resolution of this matter

Attorney Lewis promised to live up to the high traditions of the Bar and thanked his parents and his tutors , the Acting Chancellor for admitting him, and Mr. Massiah for presenting his petition.

Around the same time, Justice of Appeal, Mr. Ian Chang was admitting Haymant Kumar Ramdhani to the Bar.

Mr. Ramdhani, who is also the Principal of the International Business College and a Fourth Degree Black Belt in the art of Ju-Jitsu, now joins the legal profession.

His petition was presented by Senior Counsel, Mr. Bernard De Santos.

Mr. Ramdhani thanked the Honourable Justice Chang for admitting him to the Bar, adding that His Honour’s words of advice would play an integral part in his new profession.

He also thanked Mr. De Santos for taking time off from his busy schedule to present his petition to the Honourable Court.

Mr. Ramdhani also said thanks to God, his dad, his friends, his tutors, and his brother, Darshan Ramdhani, Senior Crown Counsel in Grenada.
Attorney-at-law Stephen Lewis, at right, with Acting Chancellor Carl Singh, centre, and Keith Massiah, S.C..

US$17M shot in the arm for judicial system
GUYANA’s judicial system will soon receive a fillip through an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded programme designed to improve its efficiency and technical capacity.

IDB Representative here, Mr. Sergio Varas Olea, told the Chronicle that a US$17M loan has been approved for the Justice Sector Strengthening Programme (JSSP) which should be implemented early next year, and a study is underway to determine the needs of the local judicial system.

He added that a consulting firm is here doing the required “groundwork.”

According to Mr. Olea, the objective of the JSSP is to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, reliability and timeliness of the local system in handing down legal decisions.

He noted that an efficient and effective justice system is important not only for social development. There are economic implications as well, because investors and the business community tend to shy away from countries which lack adequate legal institutions to which they can seek legal redress expeditiously, he posited.

To attract investment, which Guyana’s economy vitally needs, all “elements” are important, with each system complementing each other to ensure a favourable atmosphere for potential investors.

In this regard, the IDB Representative said through a US$600,000 grant, Guyana will be assisted to establish a commercial court as well, which should become operational in a year’s time.

Discussions with members of the judiciary have revealed that they are very much aware of what is needed to improve the system, Mr. Olea said, pointing out that among the areas cited are revision of certain laws, refurbishing and construction of new buildings where necessary and the establishment of an information management system and computerisation.

“Judicial officials have a lot of ideas and they know what they want,” Mr. Olea said.

Olea said discussions are with stakeholders, including the Guyana Bar Association, for recommendations on improving the justice system, and when this process is completed, a consensus approach will be sought as to what is to be done.

He stressed that whatever is eventually included in the programme would not be an imposition but rather a mutual agreement between the IDB and all relevant parties.

The IDB is Guyana’s largest source of development financing, international debt relief and technical assistance.

The Government and the IDB share a joint strategy based on meeting major development challenges, including improving growth performance through policy reforms and enhanced productive infrastructure; strengthening institutions, and improving the life of vulnerable population groups.

Meanwhile, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon recently announced that a National Commission on Law and Order will soon be established, as Cabinet has concluded discussions on its composition, terms of reference and reporting relationships.

He said this initiative originated with a decision taken at the 2001 CARICOM Heads of Government meeting to have such bodies established in member states in response to the spiralling increase in crime and violence in the region.

The purpose of the Commission is to maximise efforts in addressing law and order through the mobilisation of other segments of society, including civil organisations, Dr. Luncheon indicated.

During discussions at Cabinet, Dr. Luncheon said Minister of Home Affairs, Ms. Gail Teixeira apprised members of the existing models of similar commissions in sister CARICOM countries.

Watercolour Competition Winners to be awarded Wednesday
Winners of the fourth National Watercolour Competition, sponsored by the New Building Society Limited, will be announced and awarded Castellani House medals and accompanying cheques at the opening of the National Watercolour Exhibition Wednesday at the National Gallery, Castellani House.

Prizes of gold, silver and bronze medals and honoraria of $10,000 to $50,000 will be presented to winners by Chairman of the Board of the New Building Society, Mr. Moen McDoom.

Though competition entries were limited this year the organizers and judges were pleased at the high standard of work, and hope that such standards continue in future competitions. Entries will be on display in addition to works by artists out of competition and works from the National Collection that exemplify the outstanding skills of good watercolourists.

Classes in the technique of watercolour are soon to be offered at the gallery, and it is hoped that potential students of the classes will be inspired by the current exhibition and by the pleasing but challenging nature of watercolour as a medium of expression.

The exhibition will be open to the public from Thursday through Saturday, November 19.

The UN at 60
In conjunction with the United Nations in Guyana, the Guyana Chronicle has published profiles of four Guyanese who have done outstanding work in the United Nations system: Rudy Insanally and Jocelyn Dow, published in yesterday’s Sunday Chronicle; and Hugh Cholmondeley and Carmen Jarvis, published in today’s paper.

Today the UN is 60. The organisation was birthed in the aftermath of the most devastating conflict humanity has ever seen, World War II; it grew up, as it were, in the hair-trigger tense, nuclear capable environment of the Cold War; and battle-scarred, it is currently seeking to redefine itself in a world where precise definitions – peacekeeper, arbitrator, developmental agency – are hard to come by. For example, in the present global environment, the United Nations’ present ‘administrative structure’ – a sort of mostly benevolent oligarchy comprising the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – is being seen by many developing countries as outmoded and unrepresentative of the present reality.

Nevertheless, the United Nations has been striving to fulfil both its original mandate and amendments and additions that have popped up over six decades of making sure the world is not such a bad place to live in. While preventing the threat of war on a global scale is no longer on the front burner, the UN has been busy doing other things. UN programmes are aimed at benefiting the poor and the underprivileged, the un-educated, the persecuted; UN initiatives are the major reason today that many languages will not die, and certain ways of doing things are not forgotten; UN personnel continue to ensure, with varying degrees of success, that whole peoples are not wiped away after a conflict.

There is the tendency – by its detractors, defenders and the indifferent alike – to look upon the United Nations as this sort of Ivory Tower, floating above the rest of the world, to which people go and spend time and come up with mostly unattainable ideals which the world must strive to attain. While this perception is mostly a fallacy – one both wittingly and unwittingly reinforced by the UN Secretariat itself – in a very real sense it is also true.

The United Nations is a macrocosm of both our individual humanity and the embodiment of our common brotherhood. Whether we are speaking about Rudy Insanally’s necessary invention or Hugh Cholmondeley’s catalyst, or Jocelyn Dow’s separate space, or the organisation at which Carmen Jarvis embarked on an incredible second career, the United Nations has always amounted to more, something markedly greater, than the sum of its parts.

Just as there is something more to a person than the Gray’s anatomy picture of ligaments, tendons, bones and muscle and organs – something that by common consensus has been called a soul – so too the soul of the United Nations exists both apart and because of its various organs, bodies, the individual atoms that are the persons like the four featured in our profiles, persons who dedicate their time, energy, their lives to it.

In the final analysis, the world today cannot do without the United Nations. To paraphrase legendary Guyanese diplomat and Guyana’s present Foreign Affair Minister, Rudy Insanally, if the UN could be taken away with the snap of a finger today, tomorrow we would find it necessary to re-invent it.
Happy birthday, United Nations! May you live to see many, many more.

UN PROFILES:
CARMEN JARVIS ---
If more countries were to cooperate, the world would be a far more peaceful place than it is today
CARMEN Jarvis speaks of the United Nations in a matronly, ever-so-slightly-patronising, way – reserving for the organisation she spent a quarter century in service of the sort of tone that a patient, understanding teacher would for a promising if at times problematic pupil. She arguably has earned the right to. When the United Nations was established in 1945, Jarvis (then Carmen Peterkin) had already been a teacher and Girl Guide leader for two years.

Jarvis started out her teaching career as a young teacher at Smith Church Congregational [Primary] School in 1943, spending two years there before moving to the prestigious all-boys school Queen’s College. Her résumé, listing her as Temporary Non-Graduate Master and then a Temporary Graduate Master, is an indictment of the then school administration’s sexist mindset in their refusing to make permanent the bright and qualified young female “Master”. At the same time, it is a testimony to the resilience that has characterised Jarvis throughout her life, the ability to keep at whatever task was presented her even in an adverse environment; she served five years as temporary staff at Queen’s.

It was only after transferring in 1950 to the top girls' school of the time, Bishops’ High, that she was offered permanent employment as a Graduate Mistress. Jarvis spent a total of 27 years at Bishops’ High, including the last seven, 1971-77 as Headmistress. Between Bishops’ and Queen’s, names on the list of young people that passed through Jarvis’ capable hands can be used to supply a substantial Who’s Who of Guyana today.

Jarvis left Bishops’ for the post of Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration) within the Ministry of Education, Social Development and Culture in 1977. She spent two and a half years in that position before retiring from the State’s employ at the mandatory age of 55.

Whereas most people would have been left contemplating their twilight years, she did not feel that she was ready to go gently into that good night called retirement. During her tenure as a Deputy Chief Education Officer, Jarvis had worked with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), at one point leading the Guyanese delegation to a UNESCO Regional Workshop on Drug Use and Education in Kingston, Jamaica.

When Dr. Rudolph Gomes, Secretary-General of Guyana’s National Commission for UNESCO, decided to head back to his job as Associate Professor at York University – after just a year at the Commission – he recommended that Carmen Jarvis be appointed to the post. Jarvis says that the transition from a career teacher to the UNESCO administrative post was not that hard. She had already had almost two decades of administrative experience between Bishops’ High, the Ministry of Education and her work with the Girl Guides Association of which she was at the time Chief Commissioner in Guyana.

Jarvis says that she didn’t expect the UNESCO post to be as exhausting, or as rewarding, as it turned out to be. She says that though UNESCO is not one of the major funding arms of the UN, in her view, it provides the intellectual impetus for where the United Nations goes.

Whatever little money came in for projects was strategically spent: travel grants, fellowships, the establishment of projects like a now defunct radio station at the University of Guyana; and the setting up of the still functional National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD) in 1986.

Carmen Jarvis retired as Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO in December of 2004. During her 25 years in office, she had campaigned successfully for the inclusion of two Guyanese on UNESCO’s Executive Board, Sir Edward Victor Luckhoo (1983-1997), and Dr. David Dabydeen, currently Guyana’s permanent Ambassador to UNESCO. She has collected more awards and medals than most people would ever dream of: a 1981 Golden Arrow of Achievement; a 1994 Special Award from the Ministry of Education; the Cacique Crown of Honour in 1998; the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Award for Service to Education and the Community; an ASCOM Award for Support to Communication Education; an Olave Baden-Powell Society Certificate for her work in the International Girl Guides Association; and a Certificate of Appreciation from UNESCO on her retirement.

Her most important accolade has been however, the UNESCO Aristotle Silver Medal in 1998, for what was then just over 18 years in service to the organisation. She says that after receiving it, she felt as if she had finally done her bit. Of course that bit was to last for another six years.

Jarvis’ views on the relevance of the UN after 60 years of existence is that the organisation is indispensable. Specifically referring to the role of UNESCO, she quotes the UN Charter which says that “Since war begins in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.” She believes that though the UN is not perfect in itself, if more countries were to cooperate and implement the programmes conceived by the United Nations, the world would be a far more peaceful place than it is today.

Hugh Cholmondeley
HUGH Cholmondeley is the type of person you could safely refer to as an achiever – perhaps even a hyper-achiever. He is a Queen’s College old boy, from that era when being a QC boy meant being a QC boy; but this – the academic pedigree – doesn’t hold precedent over what he conceives to be certain fundamentals.

Cholmondeley started out his career as an announcer with the British Guiana Broadcasting Service in 1958. From early on, his instinct for initiative kicked in. He recalls one time when, scheduled to go on air, he was faced with the problem of a missing operator. The still teenaged Cholmondeley raced back and forth between the studio and the operating room, announcing and operating the equipment; after months of observing the operator, he had picked up a thing or two. He says that he has been fortunate in that he has worked under superiors who have instilled enough confidence in him to push the envelope, and get things done.

After several years at the radio station, Cholmondeley left British Guiana to study; on his return, he was asked by the Government of newly independent Guyana to set up the Guyana Broadcasting Service, the precursor of the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation now National Communications Network (NCN) Radio. At just 28, he was the GBS’ first General Manager.

Young as he was, Cholmondeley didn’t rest after attaining his position at the helm of the fledgling radio station. He remembers a frank meeting he called with his underperforming staff, telling them that at his age (late twenties) he didn’t intend to retire as general manager of GBS; and if they did not perform and take advantage of the training opportunities provided for them, positions, when vacant would pass them by. That meeting initiated a marked improvement in performance.

Again, he didn’t just throw back, doing nothing. Shortly after assuming the GM position, Cholmondeley noticed that there was not enough information at hand concerning development issues in the Caribbean, particularly at a time when CARIFTA – the precursor to CARICOM – was just evolving. One day he went into a travel agency and booked flights to every single Anglophone Caribbean territory he could. At each stop, after checking into a hotel, he literally went and knocked on the door of the local radio station, asked for an audience with the general managers and pitched his Big Idea. What emerged from that inspired bout of island hopping was an agreement to form the Caribbean Broadcasting Union which was eventually established in 1970, with Cholmondeley as its honorary Director General.

The establishment of the CBU inspired an exciting if brief era of Caribbean radio with intra-region staff exchanges and collaborative productions; and set the stage for Cholmondeley’s entry into the United Nations. Around the time that CBU was enjoying its short-lived golden age, UNESCO commissioned a survey and subsequent report on regional communications for the CARICOM Heads of Government. Among the report’s recommendations was the strengthening of the CBU, the establishment of a Caribbean News Agency and the establishment of a Caribbean Institute of Mass Communications and the University of West Indies, Mona Campus.

After the Government of Guyana had reviewed and approved the project, it was Cholmondeley’s turn to receive a knock on his office door. A UNESCO staffer arrived at GBS one day and offered him the job of running the UNDP/UNESCO Caribbean Media Development Project, which he readily accepted. That was in 1972.

Over the next 25 years, Hugh Cholmondeley rose through the ranks of the UN, morphing from media manager to crisis manager. His UN résumé is, in a word, impressive. Cholmondeley moved from CMDP Project Manager in Georgetown to Programme Specialist at UNESCO in Paris, France (1977-79); UNESCO Representative to the Caribbean, based in Kingston, Jamaica (1979-85); Deputy UNDP Resident Representative, still in Kingston (1985-89); UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to Jamaica, with operational responsibility over many of the surrounding northern Caribbean islands (1989-1991); from 1991-1993, he was Chief of the Caribbean Division, in UNDP’s Washington-based Regional Bureau for Latin America. After what he refers to as his New York-phase, Cholmondeley embarked on his crisis countries phase: he served in senior posts (director, senior advisor) to several UN missions to hotspot countries across the world.

From his relatively serene house in New Providence, East Bank Demerara – his home for about 30 years – Cholmondeley speaks of going to places like Mogadishu in Somalia; Monrovia, Liberia: Rwanda, Sierra Leone; and Taliban-era Afghanistan. In 1996, he formed part of a three-member task force established by the Secretary General to undertake a feasibility analysis and report on the establishment of a UN Staff College. That UNSC was eventually established in Turin, Italy.

His philosophy is that whatever a person’s foundation is, it must always serve as a stepping stone to greater knowledge, in any field – something that is going to be increasingly brought to bear in today’s world. According to Cholmondeley, the basics of journalism – the questioning of who, what, why, when, and where – were synchronous with work in development, since development work involves an interrogation of the systems under which people live.

Cholmondeley sees the UN as a catalyst for development. In fact, the major catalyst. During his work with the organisation, particularly in crises countries, he feels that he gained a strong insight into the ways countries deal with crises: many of them wrong. For example, he says that many crisis countries fail to do a proper audit of their resources at their disposal; if they were to put, say, a dollar value on the volunteer work that takes place, then they could not only factor it into their overall strategy for economic recovery, but encourage it as well. Also, says Cholmondeley, development is stymied in many countries because they operate on the misconception that recovery is dependent on the complete eradication of conflict: for the veteran UN worker, the two can be concurrent, recovery being encouraged as the flames of war were being put out.

He says that he is an unapologetic advocate for the continued existence of the United Nations in the global arena. Many of the organisation’s detractors, says Cholmondeley, point fingers at the United Nations, ignoring the fact that it is a conglomeration of countries, inclusive of their own. He acknowledges that there have been errors within the UN Secretariat – the Oil-For-Food scandal, for instance – and that there is undoubtedly need for reform.

Despite retiring officially from the United Nations in 1997, Cholmondeley has continued working with the UN on a consultative basis, most notably perhaps as Manager for the UNDP-coordinated National Elections in Fiji in 2001. Currently, Cholmondeley spends most his time between Providence and Haiti in his role as CARICOM’s Chief Coordinator for its Task Force on Haiti.

Take the Buxton bull by the horns
WHEN would the authorities take the bull by the horns in Buxton?
Again there is another ghastly act committed by `unknown’ gunmen with one of the victims being a Police rank and the Police response is `routine’.

The killing of a Police officer, whether knowingly or unknowingly, warrants an overwhelming response by the authorities. And because of the brutality of the crime, the entire area should have been cordoned off and house-to-house searches conducted in an effort to find those responsible and to obtain information on those responsible.

What happened to the much touted about `better intelligence gathering’ claimed by the authorities?

Where were the Police patrols? How could individuals be allowed to dig a ditch across a road without the knowledge of the authorities?

Are the authorities relying on eyewitnesses to come forward to solve this crime? And why was the car not towed away from the scene to Police headquarters to be checked for forensic evidence?

Based on the reports and photographs in the newspapers, it is evident the crime scenes were never secured.

No searches appeared to have been conducted in the surrounding areas of the initial shooting and abduction or where the car was eventually torched.

Detectives should have searched the immediate area for evidence, including the container(s) that held the accelerant used to set the fire to lift fingerprints - the basics in crime scene investigations.

Instead of `dumping’ containers for policing groups in desolate fields and building a Police outpost in Sophia, the authorities should have demonstrated their resolve to combat crime by building a Police outpost smack in the middle of the railroad embankment in Buxton.

Someone has to be held accountable for the pin prick responses to the crime epidemic engulfing the country and ultimatums have to be given to arrest the situation.
We are fed up!
JOE OWEN

Come on, Transparency International
Dear Editor,
The article published in one of our daily newspapers, ‘Guyana gets poor rating on corruption perception index’, does not represent the true image of a country such as Guyana – but is a perception. 

We have all come to the realisation that Guyana is a developing country, but has shown tremendous growth and progress over the past 13 years, more so with the accession of the PPP/C to office in 1992.

It is culturally biased and should be viewed from a wider perspective. Basically, Guyana is a multi-ethnic society, with a cultural potpourri of culture.  

It will be indecisive to say that Guyana could be ranked to say Barbados which is a more developed country.    

Transparency International should be objective in its analysis and this is a source of embarrassment to all Guyanese who have a thorough knowledge of their country.

It would be unfair to sow the seeds of discord in a society where unity is being encouraged by the Government and the same time, promote racial harmony.

Let us not be like the proverbial ostrich and bury our heads in the sand. This country has demonstrated several conscious efforts to move away from the old system of injustice and corruption, as well as fraudulent elections, among other corrupt practices.   

We must remember that transparency was the watch word. It continues today.
Sabrina Narine

Are the watchdogs hungry enough?
THIS piece from your editorial (Saturday 22/10) needs highlighting.

“…Where was the Advisory Committee on Broadcasting in all this?

The Ethnic Relations Commission and the Advisory Committee on Broadcasting are two bodies with constitutional mandates.

For the ERC, it is to make sure that racist attitudes and behaviours do not infringe upon an individual’s or group’s human rights; and to dispense sanction wherever it feels necessary to do so.

The ACB is supposed to be the media watchdog, the body that insures that nothing inflammatory gets broadcast.”

Other questions need to be asked:

** Are these ‘watchdogs’ satisfied just to look on?

** Are they restricted by ‘pieces of chains’ and can only ‘bark’ when awakened?

** Are they hungry enough to chase after some ‘meat’?

** Can they identify the family (good guys) from the thief-man (bad guys)?

** And how interested and determined are these watchdogs?

Because, keen interest is always followed up with every day and every night lookout!
FAIYAZ

Different kettle of fish
‘BREADO’ is dead wrong again!
He is not being confused with anyone else. My response was directed to `Breado’ and no one else.

Forget the tone of my letter. Let’s get to matters of substance.
First, I suggest `Breado’ should do an Internet search to determine which other CARICOM countries have conference centres, how many seats they have in the main conference hall, as well as the amount of space available for wheelchairs in the same conference hall.

The Government of Guyana never did set out to build a conference centre for the handicapped. And in any case, I maintain the Government of Guyana’s position that 374 seats are quite suitable for a conference centre in a country like ours. Moreover, I insist there is adequate accommodation for the handicapped, wheelchair or no wheelchair.

Further, I am not sure that building conference centres around the country is a priority for the Government of Guyana as regards its development strategy. `Breado’ should tell us where is the money to come from to build his dream conference centre or centres around the country.

It would seem to me that such money would be better spent on drainage and irrigation projects. How’s that for priorities `Breado’?

My contribution to this polemic has been about the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), not about the use of Parliament Building. That’s a different kettle of fish. Unless `Breado’ is suggesting that non MPs and overseas delegates be allowed to use the Parliament Chamber to do what a conference centre is expected to facilitate.

Remember `Breado’ you can take Parliament to a convention centre as was done between December 2002 and December 2004 at the Ocean View Convention Centre – but heavens forbid – can you take non-Parliamentarians and overseas delegates, etc. to the Parliament Chamber for conferencing?

I hope you get the point `Breado’.
Everybody knows no government is perfect and since `Breado’ himself accepts that fact then why set out to write a letter criticising the Government and the GICC in the first place? Why not simply accept the Government with all its faults?

Of course there should be freedom to criticise a government in a democracy; no one denies that, but when a criticism is without foundation and reasonable explanation is provided to the critic by the government, he or she should gracefully withdraw the criticism and move on…hasta pronto.

As for taking `Breado’s letter personal, for someone who has been in the political trenches for a while, `Breado’ can rest assured that the thickness of skin is not to be underestimated (nor overestimated sic!)

Much has been learnt over those long difficult years `Breado’. Trust me.
CLEMENT J. ROHEE
FOREIGN TRADE AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION MINISTER

Bad pub judgement
IT IS very wrong to open a pub or `rum shop’ opposite any house of worship anywhere and in any country.

The owner of the liquor premises has made a bad judgement.
There are also two rum shops opposite the Hindu temple at Leonora Market, also on the West Coast Demerara.

One of the pubs is on the roadside and is frequent by the village alcoholics who disturb the peace and silence of the neighourhood at all hours in the night.

The music is loud and I have a difficult time getting a good night's sleep, especially on the weekends.

On several occasions I brought this to the owner's attention only to be abused. He told me that the temple should be relocated.

I pointed out that the senior folks have a hard time getting a good night's rest and the children who have to study and go to school are being disturbed.

The language of the patrons is filthy and very explicit for all to hear, especially the school children.

So I think that not only the pub at Met-en-Meerzorg should be closed down but all the other rum shops at Leonora.

A law should also be passed that the music from these places should be banned.
N.S.

Checkpoint or torment point?
I AM disgusted to be reading of what the Police call a checkpoint at the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

For every one mini-bus pulled in, it is miserable for 13 commuters. The Police know perfectly well that there will not be alternative transportation for those commuters and just could not care in the least.

In this modern world, there are means of bringing defaulters of the law to justice. Just imagine for every two defaulters of the law, the Police are making 13 persons suffer.

Why? To make it safe for the people they are causing to suffer? Where is the logic?
How barbaric.
Or, is there a different motive?
ED DAYALSINGH

Essequibo transformer mystery
EARLIER this year, a prominent Essequibo businessman was awarded a Tender to supply a transformer to the Regional Administration in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam).

A transformer that turned out to be the property of Guyana Power and Light (GPL) was supplied. This was brought to light by the then R.E.O (Regional Executive Officer) (A.G) Mr. Deonarine. (Please see an article in the Guyana Chronicle of February 22, 2005.)

The R.E.O himself made it public. Shortly after this incident the individual was blacklisted from tendering with the administration.

Since that incident GPL took possession of the transformer.

The people of the Charity, Pomeroon and riverine communities continue to suffer since the transformer was supposed to have been installed at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital at Charity, to operate the X-ray unit there.

The absence of this transformer has also caused a component which operates the unit and which is valued at more than US$5,000 to be damaged.

The Regional Administration has to find this sum to replace the component.

I deliberately enquired from the Regional Vice Chairman of Region Two while he was visiting Charity a few Mondays ago and was told that the businessman has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

This is shocking and we are asking the President of this country to look into this matter because something seems have seriously gone wrong.
EMELDA AND FELLOW VILLAGERS

Stay put
AFTER reading the article `PNCR seeks to unseat Trotman as MP’ in the Guyana Chronicle of 10-22-2005, I smiled with indignation at the preposterous request coming from this side of the aisle.  

They claimed it has been five months since Mr. Raphael Trotman resigned from the PNCR, resigned from the Parliamentary sub-committees on which he represented the PNCR and has been absent from the last 11 sittings of the National Assembly.

So what? How many times have the PNCR parliamentarian members abandoned the Guyanese people because they refused to attend parliament for more months and years than I can count on my two hands? Did they all resign? No.

Their actions were inappropriate then and are now. These members fail to realise they have a duty to serve the Guyanese’ best interests. I have seen an abandonment of the people.

The crime rate is through the sky. The infrastructure of the city and country leaves much to be desired. Blame must be shared equally among those who failed in their duties as representatives of the people's interests.

Mr. Trotman should stay put and serve his country and people as all members of parliament should have been doing primarily.
MUBARAK KAZAN

Utterly despicable
I WAS very disturbed and disappointed to learn that the domain of the Alliance For Change (AFC) had been hijacked by some persons connected with something called the Guyana Third Force who appear to have hijacked also the phrase “third force,” the name by which the AFC was originally identified.

I consider it utterly despicable, dishonourable and dishonest that politicians who claim to be promoting “new politics” should behave in this manner.

It is difficult to reconcile this type of misbehaviour with the lofty rhetoric emanating from that group. I hope that Messrs Roopnaraine, Hardy and Dev can prevail upon the civil society activist/politician/businessman/boxing co-promoter Ramsaroop to use his influence to relinquish control of the AFC domain.

They may also wish to consider the propriety of confusing the people of Guyana with a third force name. There is no evidence that Guyanese people embrace “smart” men who may be strictly, technically, legally in order but grossly morally out of order. Similarly, there is no evidence that because you can afford full page ads, people will gravitate towards you.

All of these politicians who wish to challenge the main parties need to do some serious soul searching.

Now that the political cantering has started and most horses are out of the paddock, Messrs Ramjattan and Trotman and Ms. Holder should now relinquish their seats in the National Assembly which they secured on the basis of their respective party lists.

There can be no justification nor was there ever for these members of the National Assembly to continue to hold these places after they broke from their parties.

There can be no new politics until and unless the politicians demonstrate by deed, not words, that they understand moral and ethical issues.
RAYMOND GASKIN

South American 10 km road Classic ...
Brazilians capture top two positions again
By Isaiah Chappelle
THE Brazilians continued to rule the Guyana leg, again capturing the two top positions of the 3rd South American 10 km Road Classic run, Race One, but Guyana improved to silver.

After a keen tussle with Kenya-based Cleveland Forde, Brazilian Jose Do Nascimento Souza ran away in the final two kilometres to finish in 30 minutes 55 seconds to become the new champion but with the slowest time, with Forde finishing a comfortable second in 31:20 minutes, followed by Colombians Javier Alexander Guarin (31:51 minutes) and Jason David Gutierrez (33:12), with Guyana’s Colin Mercurius (35:15) completing the top five.

Compatriot Selma Candida Dos Reis made it three in a row to capture the Women’s top prize, finishing 14th overall in 37:31 minutes, her slowest time in the three meets to date.

Guyana’s Alika Morgan was the second female athlete to cross the finish line, 19th overall in 40:15 minutes, with Ashanti Scott completing the finishers in the Women’s category, placing 27th overall in a time of 45:28 minutes. The other two prizes could not be awarded.

Patrick Bobb finished eighth overall in 35:10 minutes to capture the Under-20 Boys’ prize, with Leonard Chapman taking the second prize, the tenth person to complete the course in 37:08 minutes, while Shawn Gonsalves got the third prize, with 28th position overall, clocking 43:17 minutes.
On the distaff side, there was one competitor, Donna April, who finished 50th overall in 52:6 minutes.

In the Under-18 division, Teon Roberts was first for the Boys, finishing eleventh overall in 37:12 minutes, with Dennis Horatio second, placing 12th overall in 37:23 minutes, while Nigel Newton took the third prize, with the 21st overall finish in 41:11 minutes.

On the distaff side, Lindie Nichols of Grenada was first, 36th overall in 46:56 minutes, Guyana’s Portia Schepmer second, 40th overall in 49:22 minutes and Doneka Lyle third, 46th overall.

Some 61 athletes faced the starting line on Thomas Road in front of the Thomas Lands YMCA, with Davidnan setting the pace in the first two kilometres, but by the Kitty Pump, a six-man bunch broke away, with Souza, Gaurin, Gutierrez, Forde and Guyana’s Kelvin Johnson.

Forde surged past Souza just after entering Kitty Public Road, but just past Queen Street, a vehicle got into the way of Forde and Souza shot past, and never looked back as Forde seemed to lose his rhythm and the Brazilian increased the lead on Vlissengen Road to about 25 metres.

The Guyanese regained his stride going into Thomas Road and increased his pace in the final kilometre just past Camp Ayanganna, but Souza’s lead was too great.

Forde told Chronicle Sport that he tried to go for victory from Kitty Public Road, but could not sustain the attack.

“I didn’t have it to go through. I don’t think the vehicle obstruction was a factor anyway. I’m very much satisfied with my effort. I did not give up although I realised he was going to win down the homestretch. Something really had to happen to him for me to catch him. I dropped my pace and went for a comfortable second. I also tried for a good personal time.”

Forde pointed out that the heat was intense. It was 32 C with a 61 percent humidity, while where he was training in high altitude, on a hot day at midday it reached 27 C and on a rainy day, it was 13 C.

The traffic control was the worse in the meet with motorcyclists ignoring the outriders and race officials, riding close to the competitors.

Guyflag first division cricket ...
Narayan spins Malteenoes to commanding victory
By Ravendra Madholall
LEG-SPINNER Danny Narayan (6-83) from 14.5 overs spurred his team Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) to a commanding 39-run outright victory over Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) at the conclusion of the fifth round Guyflag 2005 Demerara first division cricket competition which ended yesterday at the (MSC) ground at Thomas Lands.

The leg-spinner spun webs around the visiting batsmen as only captain Daniel Harricharran spanked an aggressive half-century (58). The right-hander Harricharran hit five towering sixes and four powerful fours, before his team were all out for 195 chasing a huge 300 for victory imposed by the home team.

Supporting Narayan was skipper Neil Barry with two wickets for 20 from his 16 overs.

Scores in the match: Malteenoes 181 and 234 for four declared; GYO 115 and 195.

Over at the Eve Leary ground, Police and Transport played to a tame draw after the latter, who were nicely placed at 135 for four on the penultimate day, reached 251 all out with the elegant Kellon Carmichael striking 78 decorated with eight fours and one six.

Rodwin Clarke who was unbeaten on 66 made 71 (6x4, 1x6). Also chipping in was Kevin Ross with 20.

Bowling for the cops were left-arm spinner Latchman Persaud and skipper Garfield Morris with four for 80 and three for 55 respectively.

The cops needed 251 to win but had lost four wickets with the score at 146 when the match ended. The consistent Rawle Brown made a fine 50 that contained six fours while the experienced left-hander Reginald Rodrigues contributed 39 punctuated with six fours.

Scores in the match: Transport 175 and 251; Police 166 and 146 for four.

Over at the Guyana Defence Force ground at Camp Ayanganna, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) were 40 for one after bowling out GNIC for 218 with Guyana Under-19 opening batsman Christopher Barnwell on 22 and national middle order batsman Travis Dowlin on nine after the completion of their first day’s play in the Guyflag competition. National fast bowler Reon Griffith has been the wicket-taker for GNIC so far.

Earlier DCC won the toss in glorious sunshine and inserted GNIC to bat first with former West Indies off-spinner Clive Butts making an entertaining 40 with two sixes and four fours while Marvin Fitzalbert and Mark Montfort chipped in with 32 and 31 respectively. Jason Melville made 30 (2x4, 2x6).

Barnwell, in an impressive spell of fast bowling, grabbed five wickets for 35 runs from his 14 overs while off-spinner Dennis Squires supported with two wickets that caused 12 runs.

At the Everest Tropical Shipping Cricket ground on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) were in a formidable position at 236 for the loss of only Wasim Haslim who smashed a breezy 60 that included eight exciting fours and an effortless six after GCC knocked out Uitvlugt for 124 (nine batsmen were available).

For the West Coast side skipper Avinash Shranandan made 34 (6x4) while opener Yutesh Dhanpaul assisted with 20 as national Under-19 captain Leon Johnson, who finished the Senior Inter-county level with fourteen wickets against Essequibo, grabbed three for 49 while left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell took three for 17 and skipper Jason Benn had two wickets. The not-out batsmen for GCC were former national opening batsman Azeemul Haniff on 78 and the diminutive left-hander Ricardo Judunauth on 70.

Haniff so far has hit the boundary 11 times while Judunauth did so eight times.

Points standing:
In zone A: Everest Tropical Shipping on 60 points from five matches, Malteenoes 44 points from four matches, GCC 40 points from three matches, GYO 24 points from five matches, Cornelia Ida (CI) four points from three matches and Uitvlugt nine points from three matches.

In zone B: Police 56 points from four games, Transport 36 points from four, Lusignan 25 points from four, DCC 24 points from three and GNIC five points from three matches.

CLICO to sponsor Under-17 Inter-county cricket next year
… says Manager - Sales and Training
By Vemen Walter
VANITA Bovell - Manager, Sales and Training, CLICO - has assured her company’s commitment towards continued sponsorship of the Under- 17 Inter-county two-day cricket tournament next year.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the end of the third and final round match between Berbice and Demerara in the 2005 tournament, which concluded on Saturday at the Albion Community Centre ground, Bovell disclosed that CLICO is very pleased to be involved with the tournament and was very happy with the way the tournament was organized, thus assuring sponsorship again in 2006.

“We at CLICO are very pleased to be associated with the Under-17 Inter-county cricket in Guyana and we are very happy with the way the tournament was run by the Guyana Cricket Board. I can assure everyone that CLICO will again be sponsoring this tournament next year”.

She also congratulated the winners Demerara and wished Berbice better luck next time around.

Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) vice-president Malcolm Peters, speaking on behalf of the Board, thanked CLICO for their generosity, especially in these days where sponsorship is so difficult to obtain. He also congratulated Demerara for winning the title.

Peters, also the president of the Berbice Cricket Board of Control, pointed out that the Under-17 Inter-county tournament plays an integral part in the development of Guyana’s cricket and urged the young cricketers to continue taking their game seriously while at the same time not neglecting their education.

“This tournament is very important towards the development of cricket in this country and although there isn’t a Guyana Under-17 team to be selected, the national youth selectors have looked at all the matches in this tournament, which will assist them to select the country’s Under-19 team.

“You young cricketers will have to continue working hard on your cricket and at the same time your education must also be priority since it would help to develop your cricket a great lot.”

This is the second year that CLICO has sponsored the tournament since it was introduced in 2001.

Demerara were crowned champions after taking first innings honours from defending champions Berbice, to top the points table on 18 points from their two matches, three ahead of Berbice who ended with 15.

Essequibo, the other participating team in the tournament failed to gain a point after being beaten outright by both Demerara and Berbice.

Demerara took home the beautiful CLICO trophy while a cricket bat and a box of balls were presented to Rajendra Chandrika and Anthony Bramble for being the top performer in the Demerara and Berbice teams respectively.

Chandrika, the Demerara captain and opening batsman had scores of 50 and 60 in the match while middle order batsman Bramble also enjoyed a good match with scores of 58 and 51 not out.

This is the third time that Demerara have won the title following their success in 2001 and 2003. Berbice were victorious in 2002 and 2004.

Several other senior officials of CLICO and the Guyana and Berbice Cricket Boards were also present at the ceremony.

WICB making efforts to be more transparent - Gordon
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) - Ken Gordon, the president of the West Indies Cricket Board, has admitted that the regional governing body had credibility problems, but that the organisation was actively making efforts to be more transparent.

Gordon, WICB chief executive Roger Brathwaite, and managing director of the 2007 ICC World Cup Chris Dehring were under the microscope on Friday during a live broadcast hosted by I-95 FM.

The three main men in West Indies cricket were grilled by reporters over several issues, including the public image of the WICB.

"Yes, there is a credibility problem and we make no bones about this, and in fact, we acknowledge it," Gordon told reporters.

"But we have been moving towards being more transparent. The Sponsorship Negotiations Review Committee Report only exists because the WICB felt it needed to have the public involved in taking a look at itself. All that happened with the Report was initiated by the board. "Even this meeting with the media, I don't know if there is a precedent for this, but you cannot honestly say that we aren't trying to completely level with the media, and trying to be more transparent."

Gordon acknowledged that the WICB should see itself being accountable to the people of the West Indies, although there was direct responsibility to the six territorial boards.

"It should, therefore, think through its business in much the same way a public company would," he said.

"Rome was not built in a day, and we have to deal with a whole cultural change from where the WICB has come.

"The WICB is moving into a different mode of operation and these things take time, particularly when you have some critical crises on your hands that require almost total consumption of time to sort them out.

"This process has started, and I wish I could say when it will end, but I can't at this stage."

Gordon indicated that though he was willing to foster an atmosphere of transparency, outsiders had to accept that there were certain limits to what can be made public.

"Sometimes giving too many details is asking for confusion, and I am not about causing confusion," he said.

"There are some things within any organisation - private or public - that must remain confidential. Once people begin to talk about personal things and personalities, a 'can of worms' is opened that does not serve any purpose.

"I, like anyone else in the WICB, am prepared to talk about the business of cricket and anything that impact on it."

On the WICB's response to the SNRC Report, Gordon denied assertions that the regional body had rejected it.

"We announced that it would be posted on the WICB's website for everyone who wanted to read it," he said.

"Then, we went through the document sentence by sentence, statement by statement, criticism by criticism, and responded to them individually.

"I was rather disappointed with certain sections of the media, who described the Report as being rejected. No one who read what we said could possibly have arrived at that conclusion.

"They were seven recommendations the SNRC made, of which we accepted five outright, and the other two we said would be part of a re-organisation process."

Gordon added that the SNRC in its substantive report never questioned the validity of the board's sponsorship contract with Digicel which was being investigated, but Justice Anthony Lucky, the Chairman, offered this personal opinion to the WICB in a 'minority report'.

"His colleagues clearly did not agree with him, and were not part of what can be termed, 'a minority report'," Gordon said.

"Having received 'a minority report', we could have dealt with the substantive report from the SNRC, but we didn't. We also dealt with the 'minority report'.

"We sent it to get the best legal advice, and that advice was 'yes, there were flaws in the procedure'. The WICB made errors to which we admitted, but our advice was those errors were not sufficient to invalidate the process.

"Now, this is a position that was given by a Senior Counsel, but if people want to equate Justice Lucky to the Senior Counsel that's another matter. Or if people want to seek another opinion, they are free to do so, but I think the kind of opinion we have received, we stand fully behind it, and see no reason why we should discard it."

In conclusion, Gordon remarked that the problems that are evident in West Indies cricket could not be solved overnight, but they are being addressed, and progress will be made at all cost.

ITF coach receives high praise from participants, officials
By Isaiah Chappelle
INTERNATIONAL Tennis Federation (ITF)-certified Level II coach, Sydney Lopez, wrapped up a ten-day visit, yesterday, at the Le Meridien Pegasus, following much praise from participants and officials of the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA).

In the closing ceremony at the same venue on Saturday, Lopez said he was “pleasantly surprised” at the standard of the junior players but decried the lack of facilities.

“That ability needs to be enhanced, but they need courts to play on. The facilities were disappointing.”

He called for support for the GLTA to get facilities, pointing out that despite the short-coming, the players still achieved a high level of play.

“That (lack of facilities) should not deter you from putting in the effort,” he told the young players.

Lopez said he would support one youth to play in one international tournament.

“I look forward to do this again. I’ll be back once there are facilities.”

Lopez came here through the Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira Foundation. GLTA vice-president Dr Joseph Haynes thanked Perreira for initiating the venture for Lopez to share his knowledge.

Dr Haynes said the GLTA could stage a tournament each week, but there would be no courts for it.

“Facilities involve infrastructure and sponsorship. But check other countries, the sport facilities are built by their governments. We need the government’s involvement. Governments play a key role in sport development.”

The GLTA official said he was confident that Lopez would be back next year, because there would be facilities with assistance from the government.

GLTA Life vice-president Fitz McLean he was happy that Perreira had a part in the venue, recalling that 30 years ago, Lopez was here in the Caribbean circuit when Perreira was sport adviser to the then government and promised to build courts should Guyana win the Brandon and Phillips regional tournaments.

“We won both the Brandon and Phillips tournaments, the one and only time, but no courts materialised.”

McLean said that Perreira was now making a big input into the sport, through Lopez’ stint here.

“Your inputs will ensure that the GLTA moves on.”
Coach Debbie Bunbury said the local sport was in “dire need of such assistance” while coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan promised to “put what we learnt into training”.

Player Fiaz Yamin said he and his colleagues would benefit from Lopez’ services, noting the sessions were tough, but the players pulled through.

Female player Renee Vieira said: “His expertise brought up the level of the game.”

GLTA secretary Grace McCalman moved the Vote of Thanks, saying everyone was comfortable being around Lopez.

“It was one of the greatest training we’ve had. We can start 2006 with a new face.”

Lopez conducted his final session yesterday morning from 09:00 h at the Le Meridien Pegasus courts. He departed for his home in Barbados later in the day.

Tikolo lashes stunning 220 off Bermuda’s bowlers
WINDHOEK, Namibia, (CMC) - Gus-Logie coached Bermuda suffered badly against rampant batting when they opened their Intercontinental Cup semi-final against Kenya at United Ground yesterday.

The Kenya captain Steve Tikolo won the toss and then lashed a double century for his side to pile up 403 for six declared.

The Bermudians, who have qualified to compete in Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007 in the Caribbean, were under pressure at the close on 13 for one.

Yet the start for Bermuda was not bad.

Kenya, the tournament favourites, had stumbled to 39 for three, before Tikolo and Hitesh Modi came together for a punishing near 400-run fourth-wicket stand.

Tikolo powered his side into a dominant position with a stunning 220.

He came in at 32 for two and was soon joined by No.5 Modi with Kenya looking shaky.

The pair blasted their team towards 400, with Tikolo hitting his highest first-class score as Bermuda saw their chances of a final place evaporate.

While Tikolo's knock came off just 233 balls with 27 fours and a six, Modi was more watchful.

Tikolo declared with Modi unbeaten on 98 from 161 balls with only three boundaries.

He was just two runs from his maiden first-class hundred.

Left-arm spinner Dwayne Leverock, who came into this match with 16 wickets at 9.93 in Bermuda's two group matches, eventually accounted for Tikolo but took heavy punishment, conceding 105 from 23 overs for his only wicket.

Saleem Mukkuddem (1-38), Ryan Steede (1-58) and Hasan Durham (1-108) were the other wicket-takers for Bermuda.

Bermuda lost Curtis Jackson as they made a painstaking 13 from 13 overs and finished the day a hefty 390 runs behind on first innings.

T&T-born Singh guides India to Sixes title
… Runners-up Windies come away with US$50 000
HONG KONG, (CMC) - Trinidad and Tobago-born veteran Robin Singh lashed a rapid 34 and steered India to victory over the West Indies with six balls to spare in the final of the Hong Kong Sixes cricket tournament at the Kowloon Cricket Club yesterday.

All-rounder Singh led by example, scoring 34 off 15 balls before retiring, leaving Hrishikesh Kanitkar to hit the winning runs as the Indians avenged a preliminary round defeat against the West Indies on Saturday's opening day and their 1996 final defeat to the West Indies.

Singh, the 42-year-old all-rounder who coaches the Hong Kong national side, is the only survivor from the 1996 Indian squad.

"We really wanted to restrict them and the bowlers did a magnificent job," Singh said after claiming the US$100 000 dollar prize.

West Indies collected US$50 000 for the runner-up spot.

"We played to win the tournament and that's what we did so we are delighted," Singh said.

The Indian bowlers stifled the West Indian batsmen, who racked up their 72 for one from their five eight-ball overs, which applied to the finals and third-fourth play-offs only.

Lendl Simmons top-scored with 31 off 17 balls, while his Trinidad and Tobago teammate Richard Kelly contributed 17 not out and Runako Morton 10.

It never looked likely to be enough against India's hard-hitting batsmen, who had 40 deliveries at their disposal.

The Indians paced their chased perfectly, reaching 76 for two with six balls left.

Kanitkar (19 not out) had the distinction of striking the winning boundary, sparking wild celebrations among the large Indian contingent within the capacity crowd of more than 4 000.

Morton (1-17) and Simmons (1-21) got the wickets for the Windies.

West Indies, despite falling short, performed beyond expectations in reaching the final.

Skipper Sylvester Joseph, whose squad travelled farthest of the seven visiting teams, paid tribute to his players.

"It was disappointing to lose but, you know, we came here to play some good cricket, we fought really well and had some good wins," said Joseph.

"Unfortunately, in the end, we didn't manage to pull it off. But we can hold our heads up high. We understand that this is a game that we are still working out. You really need about 80 or 90 runs to set a tough target, but the Indians bowled really well and they deserved it," Joseph added.

In the semi-finals earlier in the day, West Indies had beaten England, the tournament winners in both 2003 and 2004.

Robert Croft's team were unable to overhaul a total of 72 for three, in which Simmons top-scored with 25, supported by Darren Sammy (18 not out) and Joseph (14 not out).

Chris Read gave England hope by clobbering 27 runs from nine balls, but a collapse of three wickets for two runs ruined their prospects.

Left-arm pacer Deighton Butler, with two for six off his one over, Simmons (2-8) and Kelly (1-19) propelled the Caribbean side to their win.

The Windies, who outplayed India and Pakistan in Saturday's preliminaries, had lost to South Africa early yesterday to wrap up the qualifying round with a 2-1 record.

Sammy (1-5) was the only successful West Indies bowler when South Africa made 86 for one, and West Indies replied with 69 for four from their five overs -- with Kelly (24), Simmons (14) and Sammy (14 not out) the only double-digit contributors -- to lose by 17 runs.

Hosts Hong Kong were unable to win any matches against tough competition, losing in the Plate third-fourth play-off to Australia by one wicket.

Third-placed England took home US$35 000 and Sri Lanka won US$30 000 for fourth.

Australian players' take on international cricketers
Lara voted the most dangerous batsman
BRIAN Lara has been voted the most dangerous opposition batsman, ahead of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, by Australian cricketers. Andrew Flintoff, Australia's Ashes tormentor, was voted the most dangerous opposition bowler and Muttiah Muralitharan was rated second in that list according to a report in The Australian.

Lara polled 55% of the votes, while Tendulkar only got 25%, and Dravid 20%. While Ricky Ponting was regarded as the best batsman in Australia by his fellow cricketers, Shane Warne beat Glenn McGrath to claim the best-bowler honours. Mike Hussey, the Western Australia batsman, was the best domestic batsman ahead of Brad Hodge and Darren Lehmann. Andy Bichel was voted the best domestic bowler; Mick Lewis from Victoria was second ahead of Shaun Tait. Stuart MacGill was clearly regarded the best spinner.

South Australia's Callum Ferguson was considered the most promising batsman, his team-mate Dan Cullen the most promising spinner, Queensland's Mitchell Johnson the most promising fast bowler and another Queenslander, Chris Hartley, the best young wicketkeeper.

Rudi Koertzen, the South African umpire, was voted the best umpire by the national team and Australia's Simon Taufel was ranked second. Billy Bowden, the New Zealand umpire, was rated the worst. (Cricinfo)

Kemp’s quick-fire 73 helps SA to two-wicket victory
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, (Reuters) - A quick-fire 73 from Justin Kemp helped South Africa to a two-wicket victory with three balls to spare in the first one-day international against New Zealand yesterday.

Kemp dominated the closing overs to score his runs off 64 balls after South Africa's middle-order had rallied from 85 for four to 182 for six.

Ashwell Prince added 31, with five boundaries, and Mark Boucher 33, but Kemp led the way as the hosts notched up 115 runs in the last 15 overs to reach their winning target of 250.

Kemp started his innings patiently before changing his approach to take 20 runs off Nathan Astle's last four balls of his sixth over.

After he and Boucher put on 65 for the sixth wicket off 69 balls, the South African wicketkeeper missed a wild sweep at Daniel Vettori and was bowled.

Shaun Pollock came in and blasted 37 off 29 balls to set the hosts on to the victory path.

The New Zealand bowlers had earlier stifled the South African top-order, with the normally free-scoring Herschelle Gibbs failing to hit a boundary in his contribution of 25 off 69 balls.

Shane Bond began erratically by bowling numerous wides in his opening over but struck back in his second when he trapped Boeta Dippenaar (10) in front of his stumps.

Jacques Kallis was bowled for a duck by Kyle Mills, while Graeme Smith (19) and Prince chopped the ball on to their stumps, off Andre Adams and Astle respectively.

The collapse left South Africa struggling on 85-4 in the 21st over before Kemp and Pollock came to the rescue.

With Kemp and Pollock both caught on the boundary off spinner Jeetan Patel in the penultimate over, Nicky Boje hit the winning runs.

He skied Bond over mid-on and Stephen Fleming, running back, was unable to cling on to an awkward catch coming over his shoulder.

Craig McMillan had earlier scored a composed half-century to steer New Zealand to 249 for eight after they won the toss and chose to bat.

DIVING CATCH
McMillan worked the ball around sensibly on a surprisingly slow pitch to compile 66 in 75 balls.

He and Jacob Oram put on 75 for the fifth wicket to deny a South African attack that dominated early on.

Astle (1) and Lou Vincent (8) were dismissed in the first six overs, offering easy catches to Boucher off Pollock and Makhaya Ntini respectively.

Kiwi captain Fleming hit a brisk 45 to lift his team to 70 for three before falling to a fine diving catch by Gibbs at backward point off Andre Nel.

When Kallis trapped Hamish Marshall lbw for 16, New Zealand had slipped to 97 for four in the 21st over.

Once the pacemen came off, McMillan and Oram flourished against the slower bowling of Kallis and spinner Boje.

McMillan was dismissed in the 43rd over when he tried to chip Kallis over the infield and lobbed a catch to Prince at wide mid-on, giving South Africa's premier all-rounder his 200th one-day wicket in his 221st international.

Kallis is the third South African to reach the landmark, after Pollock and Allan Donald. He is also the eighth player to score 2 000 runs and take 200 wickets in one-day internationals.

Oram's fine supporting innings ended when he was run-out by skipper Smith for 35 after McMillan had turned down a quick single.
Nel picked up three for 42 while Kallis took two for 45.

NEW ZEALAND innings
S. Fleming c Gibbs b Nel 45

N. Astle c Boucher b Pollock 1

L. Vincent c Boucher b Ntini 8

H. Marshall lbw b Kallis 16

C. McMillan c Prince b Kallis 66

J. Oram run-out 35

B. McCullum c Dippenaar b Nel 28

D. Vettori c Prince b Nel 1

A. Adams not out 30

K. Mills not out 1

Extras: (b-1, lb-11, nb-2, w-4) 18

Total: (for 8 wickets, 50 overs) 249

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-18, 3-70, 4-97, 5-172, 6-200, 7-204, 8-241.

Bowling: S. Pollock 10-2-43-1, M. Ntini 4-0-19-1 (nb-2), C. Langeveldt 10-1-48-0 (w-1), A. Nel 9-0-42-3, J. Kallis 9-1-45-2 (w-2), N. Boje 6-0-32-0 (w-1), J. Kemp 2-0-8-0.

SOUTH AFRICA innings
G. Smith b Adams 19

B. Dippenaar lbw b Bond 10

J. Kallis b Mills 0

H. Gibbs c H. Marshall b Bond 25

A. Prince b Astle 31

M. Boucher b Vettori 33

J. Kemp c Vincent b Patel 73

S. Pollock c Adams b Patel 37

C. Langeveldt not out 0

N. Boje not out 3

Extras: (b-1, lb-4, nb-1, w-13) 19

Total: (for 8 wickets, 49.3 overs) 250

Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-34, 3-41, 4-85, 5-117, 6-182, 7-247, 8-247.

Bowling: S. Bond 9.3-1-50-2 (w-2), K. Mills 10-2-38-1, A. Adams 6-0-28-1, D. Vettori 10-0-35-1 (nb-1), N. Astle 6-0-46-1 (w-1), J. Patel 8-0-48-2 (w-1).

Unsettled India face Sri Lanka challenge
By N.Ananthanarayanan
NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - Unsettled India will hope to answer many questions when they face visiting Sri Lanka in a tough seven-match one-day series starting tomorrow.

India's poor form and their one-day ranking of seventh make for a difficult job against a side placed behind only champions Australia and eager to shine on their first Indian trip since 1999.

Indian cricket is passing through a turbulent phase.

Their most successful Test captain Sourav Ganguly was sacked 10 days ago after a five-year tenure following a major spat with coach Greg Chappell about his prolonged batting slump.

Ganguly has been left out of the team for the first two games due to an elbow injury.

Premier batsman Rahul Dravid, who has deputised for Ganguly in the past, will have to guide a largely inexperienced side as well as anchor the innings.

Millions of cricket-mad Indians will focus on Sachin Tendulkar, one-day cricket's most prolific batsman who is on a comeback after being sidelined for six months following surgery to rectify an elbow injury.

OPENING WOES
The 32-year-old Tendulkar is uncertain to bat at the top immediately on his return. That would leave the job to the explosive Virender Sehwag, who has looked shaky with just two fifties in his last 20 innings, and youngster Gautam Gambhir who is making his one-day comeback after nearly two-and-a-half years.

Indian selectors have surprisingly ignored wristy batsman Vangipurappu Laxman, and one-day batsman Mohammad Kaif is out with a hamstring injury, depriving them of further batting depth.

India, who also host South Africa for a one-day series starting on November 16, will play three Tests against Sri Lanka.

They tour Pakistan in January and host England in March and April.

Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu's team won all three clashes against India in a home tri-series in August.

On India's batsmen-friendly pitches, they will pin their hopes on spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan and left-arm paceman Chaminda Vaas.

Muralitharan, 33 and the second highest Test wicket-taker, needs only 14 scalps to become the third one-day bowler to reach the 400 mark.

Sri Lanka's only concern is all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya.

The 36-year-old player's recovery from a dislocated right shoulder suffered a setback a few days ago when he collided with the team physiotherapist during a water polo game.

He retired while batting in a warm-up game on Saturday but coach Tom Moody said that was only a precautionary step.
Tomorrow’s game will be played in the central city of Nagpur.

CARICOM talking cricket next month (Repeat)
CASTRIES, St Lucia, (CMC) - Plans for Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007 will be taken up at the CARICOM Heads of Government level, when regional leaders meet in Castries early next month.

CARICOM Chairman, St Lucia's Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony, Wednesday announced that a team of regional Heads of Government will meet in Castries with representatives of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) on Friday, November 4.

They will discuss key issues relating to the future of West Indies cricket and the region's successful hosting of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Cricket World Cup in 2007.

Prime Minister Anthony said that he, along with Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur and Grenada's Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, will meet with the representatives of the WICB and the WIPA, "to communicate to the Board and the players the recommendations from decisions taken at the last CARICOM Heads of Government Summit held here in July".

Dr Anthony said the July summit, held in the northern town of Gros Islet, discussed the crisis -- the WICB/WIPA players' contract conflict -- in West Indies cricket and its possible consequences for the region's hosting of the Cricket World Cup in 2007.

The Heads of Government, when they gathered here in July, discussed specific matters relating to the players, the administrators and the game itself.

They also discussed strengthening mechanisms for better governance and communication at all levels, resolution of disputes, as well as deepening the institutional relationships between the CARICOM and the main institutions.

Sao Paulo lose after goalie misses free kick
By Brian Homewood
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) - Sao Paulo goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni missed a free kick and allowed opponents Santos to break up-field and score into an empty net in their 2-1 defeat in the Brazilian soccer championship at the weekend.

It was the first time in his career that Rogerio, who has scored 51 goals from penalties and free kicks, had been caught out after going up-field to join the attack.

"It was going to happen one day, but we still have confidence in him and he's going to keep taking free kicks," said Sao Paulo coach Paulo Autuori.

"If you remember all the important goals that he has scored for Sao Paulo, then he is still in credit."

A bad evening for the South American champions began with Renan putting through his own goal early in the second half.

Shortly afterwards, Rogerio sent his free kick straight into the Santos wall, the visitors broke up-field and Geilson added a second.

Former Borussia Dortmund and Parma striker Amoroso pulled one back late in the game for Sao Paulo.

In other matches, four players were sent off as Juventude beat title contenders Internacional 2-1 with a twice-taken injury-time penalty to give new coach Helio dos Anjos a winning start.

Internacional goalkeeper Clemer saved Enilton's first effort but the referee judged he had moved and ordered a retake. After three minutes of Internacional protests, Enilton stepped up and converted at the second attempt in the fifth minute of injury time.

FLAMENGO WOE
The penalty was awarded for handball against defender Vinicius who became the fourth player to be dismissed. Internacional also had Edinho sent off in the 73rd for a bad tackle while Juventude pair Tucho and Ze Carlos were red-carded for elbowing.

Rafael Sobis had given Internacional a first-half lead with Ze Carlos equalising seven minutes from time.

Internacional stayed third with 56 points but are now 10 behind leaders Corinthians, who beat Parana 1-0 with an early strike from Argentine forward Carlos Tevez.

Experienced pair Junior Baiano and Romario combined to give Vasco da Gama a 2-1 win over Flamengo in a Rio de Janeiro derby which left Flamengo, the country's most popular club, stuck in the relegation zone.

Former Brazil defender Junior Baiano put through his own goal in the fifth minute when he tried to chest the ball to goalkeeper Diego. Then 39-year-old striker Romario made it 2-0 in the 36th minute with his 15th goal of the championship.

Paraguayan striker Cesar Ramirez reduced the deficit for Flamengo midway through the second half.

Flamengo are 20th in the 22-team table with 34 points. The bottom four teams go down.

Paysandu dropped back into the danger zone after their run of victories under Brazil's 1970 World Cup captain Carlos Alberto came to an end in a 4-3 loss at Cruzeiro.

Paysandu, 19th with 35 points, had won their first three games under Carlos Alberto, who coached Azerbaijan in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

Chelsea held to surprise 1-1 draw, Emre fires Newcastle
By Ed Osmond
LONDON, England (Reuters) - Champions Chelsea dropped their first points of the season when they were held to a surprise 1-1 draw at bottom club Everton yesterday.

James Beattie put Everton ahead but Frank Lampard equalised just after halftime to extend their unbeaten Premier League run to 39 and keep them nine points clear at the top.

A brilliant free kick by Turkish midfielder Emre Belozoglu earned Newcastle United a 3-2 win over north-east neighbours Sunderland,West Ham United beat Middlesbrough 2-1 and Bolton Wanderers defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-0 in yesterday’s other games.

Everton were dreaming of only their second win of the season when striker Beattie converted a 35th-minute penalty following a foul on Tim Cahill by Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

England midfielder Lampard continued his prolific scoring form, however, with a clinical 20-metre strike five minutes after halftime at Goodison Park.

Chelsea dominated possession for the rest of the match but were unable to break down a disciplined Everton defence except when striker Didier Drogba had an effort ruled out for offside, a decision that angered Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho.

"My team scored two beautiful goals in the second half so for me we won the game," Mourinho told Sky Sports. "You saw the reaction of the players and I think we deserved to win because we were the best team and dominated the game."

WINNING STREAK
The draw ended Chelsea's nine-match winning streak since the start of the season, two short of Tottenham Hotspur's record, and Everton manager David Moyes was delighted with his team.

"We had to work hard against a great Chelsea side, probably the best in Europe at the moment," Moyes said.

"The crowd were fantastic and the players have raised the bar now, this is the level we have to reach for the rest of the season."

Newcastle and Sunderland were level at 2-2 after four goals in seven minutes shortly before halftime at St James' Park.

Shola Ameobi twice put Newcastle in front with headers but Sunderland hit back through Liam Lawrence and Stephen Elliott.

The derby game was heading for a draw until Emre struck in the 63rd minute, curling the ball round the wall from 25 metres.

Elliott nearly equalised again six minutes from time when his deft lob struck the crossbar but Newcastle hung on to climb to 12th in the table. Sunderland stayed one place off the bottom, a point ahead of Everton.

Substitute Teddy Sheringham put West Ham ahead on 66 minutes at Upton Park and a Chris Riggott own goal doubled the hosts' lead before Franck Queudrue headed a late consolation for Middlesbrough.

West Ham climbed to ninth, two places below Bolton who also needed two late strikes to see off West Brom at the Reebok Stadium.

Japanese midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata scored his first goal for the club with an 81st-minute free kick and Kevin Nolan sealed victory in the final minute to leave West Brom down in 16th place.

Manchester United drew 1-1 with Tottenham on Saturday, Arsenal beat Manchester City 1-0, European champions Liverpool lost 2-0 at Fulham.

Charlton Athletic won 2-1 at Portsmouth to move second on goal difference, level on 19 points with Tottenham and promoted Wigan Athletic who beat Aston Villa 2-0 to continue their fine start to the season.

Celtic keep pressure on Hearts with narrow win
By Kenny MacDonald
GLASGOW, Scotland (Reuters) - Celtic kept up the pressure on leaders Hearts with a 1-0 victory at Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League soccer yesterday.

A first-half goal by Bulgarian Stilian Petrov separated the teams although Celtic striker Craig Beattie missed three chances after the break to kill off the home side.

Chris Sutton held the ball up on the edge of the box for Petrov to burst into the area after 24 minutes and clip a neat, angled shot over sprawling keeper Graeme Smith.

Hearts top the standings on 29 points from 11 games following their 2-0 home win over Dunfermline on Saturday just hours after manager George Burley left the club by mutual consent.

Celtic are second on 26 points from 11 games and champions Rangers trail in fourth slot on 20 points from 11 matches after beating Motherwell 2-0 at Ibrox. Hibernian occupy third place with 22 points from 11 games.

Despite their win Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was disappointed with his side's display.

He told BBC Radio Scotland: "The only thing I am happy about is the three points.

"We had five players that played to a standard and played well. We fell below what I am looking for.

He added on Setanta TV about match winner Petrov: "He has been immense for us this season."

Scotland striker Beattie headed a teasing cross from Japanese midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura against the left post in 54 minutes.

Then four minutes later he failed to beat keeper Smith in a one-on-one showdown before blazing another chance wide from six metres after 71 minutes. He was substituted seconds later by Welsh striker John Hartson.

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies said: "We have been scoring goals and creating chances and today we just didn't. It didn't fall for us.

"If we could continue that performance, and we have been consistent this year ... I think we will do well and make the top six.”

Mourinho fumes as Chelsea's winning run ends
LONDON, England (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was left fuming after his side's perfect start to the season was ended by a 1-1 draw at bottom club Everton yesterday.

Chelsea came from a goal down to level the match just after halftime and their striker Didier Drogba then had an effort disallowed for offside.

"For me we won the game 2-1," Mourinho told Sky Sports. "We scored two beautiful goals in the second half and for me that means we won the match."

The draw ended the champions' run of nine victories from the start of the season but extended their unbeaten streak to 39 games and kept them nine points clear at the top of the table.

Television replays suggested Drogba was not offside when he received a pass eight metres from goal before putting the ball into the net, although his team mate Eidur Gudjohnsen was.

"You saw the reaction of my players," Mourinho said. "If there is any doubt the linesman should give the benefit to the attacking side."

Chelsea's England midfielder Frank Lampard scored five minutes after halftime to cancel out James Beattie's penalty but the champions were unable to breach Everton's well organised defence again.

"The Everton players were exhausted because they fought so hard during the game," Mourinho said. "I hope they get out of trouble because they are a team of fighters.

"They were very aggressive but in a fair way."

Mourinho had no complaints about the penalty awarded to Everton for a foul by Chelsea midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips on Tim Cahill.

"It was a penalty, there is no argument and I thought it was going to happen two seconds before it did because Shaun Wright-Phillips is a winger and not a defender and wingers can make mistakes like that," Mourinho said.