Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Gibson was way ward gang member
Bleow is a police press statement issued today on the killing of three men including James Gibson, who is known as "Gibbo". It is belived that after several key members of the infamous gBuxton/Agricola gang were killed, especially gang leader, Rondell "Fineman" Rawlins, the remaining gang members were made to fend for themselves.
November 28, 2008
News Editors,
PRESS RELEASE
Acting upon information received concerning the activities of three men suspected to be ‘pirates’, about 0630h. this morning police ranks went to the Cromarty Foreshore, Corentyne.
On approaching the area, the police ranks came under fire from the three men and returned fire. During the exchange of gunfire Police Constable 18682 Oslyn Glasgow was fatally shot and the three men were shot and killed.
So far, one of them has been identified as James Gibson who was on bail on a matter of possession of firearm without licence before the Courts in Berbice, after he was found with a firearm that was stolen from the Police Outpost at Rosehall, Corentyne, which had been attacked by armed gunmen.
He was also later jointly charged with Oliver Hinckson, again for possession of firearm without licence, and was also on bail in this matter which is before the Georgetown Courts. He was not attending court in these matters and arrest warrants had been issued for him.
The police recovered three firearms and a quantity of ammunition at the scene, as listed below:
a) Two AK-47 rifles
b) One 12 gauge pump-action shotgun
c) Seven AK-47 magazines
d) 178 rounds 7.62 x 39 ammunition
e) Fourteen (14) 12 gauge cartridges
f) 28 rounds .30 ammunition
g) 17 rounds .40 ammunition
h) 6 rounds .45 ammunition
i) 1 round 9mm. ammunition
One of the AK-47 rifles has been identified as being one of those stolen from the GDF.
Photographs of Constable Oslyn Glasgow and the arms and ammunition recovered are attached.
Meanwhile, the body of fisherman Hector Boodhoo, 57 years of Rose Hall, Corentyne, was found tied to a tree at the Port Mourant Foreshore about 0550h. today. The body bore marks of violence to the head.
It was reported that Hector Boodhoo was in the area at the Rose Hall Foreshore, Corentyne, during the armed robbery committed on fisherman Bishan Motilall by three armed men yesterday (press release sent yesterday) and was kidnapped by the three perpetrators while making their escape.
The boat and engine stolen from Bishan Motilall were recovered at Cromarty Foreshore this morning.
Ivelaw Whittaker
Public Relations and Press Officer
November 28, 2008
News Editors,
PRESS RELEASE
Acting upon information received concerning the activities of three men suspected to be ‘pirates’, about 0630h. this morning police ranks went to the Cromarty Foreshore, Corentyne.
On approaching the area, the police ranks came under fire from the three men and returned fire. During the exchange of gunfire Police Constable 18682 Oslyn Glasgow was fatally shot and the three men were shot and killed.
So far, one of them has been identified as James Gibson who was on bail on a matter of possession of firearm without licence before the Courts in Berbice, after he was found with a firearm that was stolen from the Police Outpost at Rosehall, Corentyne, which had been attacked by armed gunmen.
He was also later jointly charged with Oliver Hinckson, again for possession of firearm without licence, and was also on bail in this matter which is before the Georgetown Courts. He was not attending court in these matters and arrest warrants had been issued for him.
The police recovered three firearms and a quantity of ammunition at the scene, as listed below:
a) Two AK-47 rifles
b) One 12 gauge pump-action shotgun
c) Seven AK-47 magazines
d) 178 rounds 7.62 x 39 ammunition
e) Fourteen (14) 12 gauge cartridges
f) 28 rounds .30 ammunition
g) 17 rounds .40 ammunition
h) 6 rounds .45 ammunition
i) 1 round 9mm. ammunition
One of the AK-47 rifles has been identified as being one of those stolen from the GDF.
Photographs of Constable Oslyn Glasgow and the arms and ammunition recovered are attached.
Meanwhile, the body of fisherman Hector Boodhoo, 57 years of Rose Hall, Corentyne, was found tied to a tree at the Port Mourant Foreshore about 0550h. today. The body bore marks of violence to the head.
It was reported that Hector Boodhoo was in the area at the Rose Hall Foreshore, Corentyne, during the armed robbery committed on fisherman Bishan Motilall by three armed men yesterday (press release sent yesterday) and was kidnapped by the three perpetrators while making their escape.
The boat and engine stolen from Bishan Motilall were recovered at Cromarty Foreshore this morning.
Ivelaw Whittaker
Public Relations and Press Officer
Thursday, November 27, 2008
OP shaking, McCoy shitting his pants as info leaked to Guyana360
Following our exclusive publication of this interview conducted by Kwame Mc Coy with Minister Jeffery, OP has launched an investigation to determine who may have leaked the transcript to Guyana 360.
Mc Coy is already facing the heat because he failed to get the Minister to slam Kaieteur News and barely managed to squeeze Jeffery into saying that he wanted out of Cabinet for some years now. Mc Coy is already being blamed for the release of the information as a means to get even with some OP staffers.
Mc Coy was sent by the President to get Jeffery to praise him (Bharrat) and that did not happen. The President is still fuming that Mc Coy failed to achieve the desired objectives during the interview. Now OP is reviewing the contents of the interview and was considering not to play it up too much, but now all of that is lost as it has been released for public consuption by us.
Just maybe, just maybe we would like to find out here and now from Mc Coy if he is seeking a diplomatic post.
We understand that he recently made it onto the firing list after screwing up on several occassions. It was Mc Coy who authorised the setting up of billboards that showered praises on Bharrat Jagdeo as the sole reason for Guyana's victory in the dispute with Suriname over maritime boundaries.
An embarrased Jagdeo pointed him out to media folks as the culprit who wasted tax payers dollars in setting up the billboards.
There is a school of thought among some OP staff, including Gail Tiexiera over Mc Coy's presence in certain key decision processes.
One can easily reacll Mc Coy's flirtation with guns when it was reportered that he and a Guyana Times reporter tried to solicit sex from a group of men. For his polished ghettoness, some persons close to Bharrat Jagdeo is urging that he be fired.
However, the weighty decision of Dr. Roger Luncheon is against Mc Coy being sacked based on the fact that Mc Coy has put his life on the line by hosting talk shows on NTN during a time when opposition fury was ripe. Luncheon believes that the PPP/C must repay Mc Coy.
Mc Coy is already facing the heat because he failed to get the Minister to slam Kaieteur News and barely managed to squeeze Jeffery into saying that he wanted out of Cabinet for some years now. Mc Coy is already being blamed for the release of the information as a means to get even with some OP staffers.
Mc Coy was sent by the President to get Jeffery to praise him (Bharrat) and that did not happen. The President is still fuming that Mc Coy failed to achieve the desired objectives during the interview. Now OP is reviewing the contents of the interview and was considering not to play it up too much, but now all of that is lost as it has been released for public consuption by us.
Just maybe, just maybe we would like to find out here and now from Mc Coy if he is seeking a diplomatic post.
We understand that he recently made it onto the firing list after screwing up on several occassions. It was Mc Coy who authorised the setting up of billboards that showered praises on Bharrat Jagdeo as the sole reason for Guyana's victory in the dispute with Suriname over maritime boundaries.
An embarrased Jagdeo pointed him out to media folks as the culprit who wasted tax payers dollars in setting up the billboards.
There is a school of thought among some OP staff, including Gail Tiexiera over Mc Coy's presence in certain key decision processes.
One can easily reacll Mc Coy's flirtation with guns when it was reportered that he and a Guyana Times reporter tried to solicit sex from a group of men. For his polished ghettoness, some persons close to Bharrat Jagdeo is urging that he be fired.
However, the weighty decision of Dr. Roger Luncheon is against Mc Coy being sacked based on the fact that Mc Coy has put his life on the line by hosting talk shows on NTN during a time when opposition fury was ripe. Luncheon believes that the PPP/C must repay Mc Coy.
Torture, Torture and...Torture
In a response to the demand, by significant sections of the society, that the Torture Report be published, the Jagdeo Administration has issued two versions of that document. One version is a comprehensive document in which the names of those who perpetrated acts of torture are clearly stated, and the other is the sanitized version of carefully selected extracts from this document with the names excised.
The names of the members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Board of Inquiry have been edited out, as are the names of those who, within the Military Criminal Intelligence Department (MCID), conducted the interrogation of individuals.
The Jagdeo Administration could have saved themselves the trouble of engaging in such a wasteful exercise. By now every school child knows the names of the officers who conducted the interrogation for the MCID. In this regard, the PNCR has taken careful note of the fact that Major O. Khan and Captain S. Sukull, among others, were asked to give evidence to the Board of Inquiry.
The report regrettably seeks to redefine the nature of torture even though the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT) explicitly states what this is. It would be appropriate, therefore, to give both definitions.
The GDF Board of Inquiry seeks to offer this definition of what it considers to be torture:
“It should be noted that from the Board’s interpretation of the UN convention Article 1 definition of torture, that the words “severe pains or suffering” allows for a threshold where torture can be described at the highest point or level of an interrogation process comprising cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment. Once an act therefore crosses this threshold where severe pain or suffering is inflicted, a distinction can then be drawn between acts of torture and physical abuse or ill-treatment.”
This torturous and misleading definition of torture cannot obscure its political purpose. It is intended to prevent the conclusion that persons, such as Victor Jones and Patrick Sumner, and members of the GDF, to wit, Alvin Wilson, Michael Dunn and Sharth Robertson, were not tortured. The Guyanese public have all heard the PPP propagandists engaging in vulgar and distasteful politicking by saying that those interrogated, by the MCID, were “roughed up” and not subject to torture.
The UN Convention Against Torture, contrary to what the GDF, at the behest of the Government, seeks to deny, is very clear about what torture is. Here is what Article 1 (1) of the UN Convention Against Torture states:
“For the purposes of this Convention, the term "torture" means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity.”
After it was first published on this blog, the PNCR has answered our question about three soldiers.
The PNCR said that it dares the Jagdeo Administration and the PPP to deny that severe pain and suffering, mental or physical, were not inflicted on Victor Jones, Patrick Sumner, Alvin Wilson, Michael Dunn and Sharth Robertson, in order to obtain information in relation to criminal activities in Buxton and the loss of an AK-47 by the GDF.
It is noteworthy that, even though Sharth Robertson alleged that he was tortured by the MCID, he does not seem to be the subject of the sanitized Report, for some strange reason. The Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best, might wish to offer an explanation.
The fact of two versions of the Torture Report, gives credibility to the belief that the Jagdeo Administration is prepared to go to any lengths to cover up the fact that it has condoned torture and to protect those who are engaged in this nefarious activity, especially the two GDF officers, who conducted the interrogation on behalf of the MCID.
The names of the members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Board of Inquiry have been edited out, as are the names of those who, within the Military Criminal Intelligence Department (MCID), conducted the interrogation of individuals.
The Jagdeo Administration could have saved themselves the trouble of engaging in such a wasteful exercise. By now every school child knows the names of the officers who conducted the interrogation for the MCID. In this regard, the PNCR has taken careful note of the fact that Major O. Khan and Captain S. Sukull, among others, were asked to give evidence to the Board of Inquiry.
The report regrettably seeks to redefine the nature of torture even though the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT) explicitly states what this is. It would be appropriate, therefore, to give both definitions.
The GDF Board of Inquiry seeks to offer this definition of what it considers to be torture:
“It should be noted that from the Board’s interpretation of the UN convention Article 1 definition of torture, that the words “severe pains or suffering” allows for a threshold where torture can be described at the highest point or level of an interrogation process comprising cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment. Once an act therefore crosses this threshold where severe pain or suffering is inflicted, a distinction can then be drawn between acts of torture and physical abuse or ill-treatment.”
This torturous and misleading definition of torture cannot obscure its political purpose. It is intended to prevent the conclusion that persons, such as Victor Jones and Patrick Sumner, and members of the GDF, to wit, Alvin Wilson, Michael Dunn and Sharth Robertson, were not tortured. The Guyanese public have all heard the PPP propagandists engaging in vulgar and distasteful politicking by saying that those interrogated, by the MCID, were “roughed up” and not subject to torture.
The UN Convention Against Torture, contrary to what the GDF, at the behest of the Government, seeks to deny, is very clear about what torture is. Here is what Article 1 (1) of the UN Convention Against Torture states:
“For the purposes of this Convention, the term "torture" means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity.”
After it was first published on this blog, the PNCR has answered our question about three soldiers.
The PNCR said that it dares the Jagdeo Administration and the PPP to deny that severe pain and suffering, mental or physical, were not inflicted on Victor Jones, Patrick Sumner, Alvin Wilson, Michael Dunn and Sharth Robertson, in order to obtain information in relation to criminal activities in Buxton and the loss of an AK-47 by the GDF.
It is noteworthy that, even though Sharth Robertson alleged that he was tortured by the MCID, he does not seem to be the subject of the sanitized Report, for some strange reason. The Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best, might wish to offer an explanation.
The fact of two versions of the Torture Report, gives credibility to the belief that the Jagdeo Administration is prepared to go to any lengths to cover up the fact that it has condoned torture and to protect those who are engaged in this nefarious activity, especially the two GDF officers, who conducted the interrogation on behalf of the MCID.
Minister Jeffery buckles in bid for Diplomatic post
Embattled Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooporation, Henry Jeffery has softened his stance on his firing by Bharrat Jagdeo which surfaced through a Kaieteur News article. A transcript of a recent interview has been exclusively obtained by Guyana360 and published below.
Interview with Minister Jeffrey on Kaieteur newsarticle
Minister Jeffrey
What the Kaieteur said was that there was a disagreement at the cabinet last Tuesday. I wasn’t at the cabinet last Tuesday so there was obviously nodisagreement at the cabinet last Tuesday.
It is true that over the last I would say eight months, I have been discussing at the office of the president the possibility of my shifting position. I thought that I was around the ministerial thing a bit too long and I was identifying positions that I would like to shift to. None of them were diplomatic so to speak because it was never my intention to leave Guyana and for one reason or another sometimes the positions were taken and sometimes what they offered was not sufficient and things like that.
Now today we have COTED which would run into next week and again we would be talking about Guyana, about Caricom, Canada negotiations, we were talking about EPA and that sort of thing. So I had a discourse with the president again and out of that discourse it was reminded that I was making these requests and so on and by mutual consent he agreed that now that they are moving around diplomats that there is a possibility for me to go to Suriname cause it’s close to home and for personal reasons I do not wish to go far.
He agreed and offered it and I said ‘great let me think about it’ so I thought about it and yesterday I said to the president that I would accept that position pending of course our negotiating conditions and that’s where we are at.
Question: So it has nothing to do with this report?
Minister Jeffrey:
I wasn’t at the cabinet for a start and it is true that myself and the president we have a bit of a different view on the EPA but that’s not the first issue this has happened to. I mean it’s my job as a minister, its said in the constitution, to be an advisor to the government; I advise and its for the government and the cabinet to take that advise or not and this would not be the first time that we have had a difference of opinion and I would assume that should be expected if you are going to discuss issues.
Question: Did you by chance, seek to get an explanation from the particular newspaper?
Minister Jeffrey
Not really, I suppose I made it clear to them today, they were here, prior to your coming here and I put it on to them that I couldn’t have had a disagreement at cabinet because I wasn’t there so an explanation is not forth coming. I think that what has happened there was that there was a lot of speculation, people are talking and you know what that leads to. That why I am holding the discourse to allow people to have whatever discourse they want because if you leave it hanging people speculate and when they speculate, that’s what you get
Question: So these reports are wrong?
Minister Jeffrey
It’s not wrong that I have been offered something in Suriname, its not wrong to say that I have accepted it, that is correct I think the paper also did say that there was talk about this for some time and indeed as I pointed out to you I have been having this discourse with people for the longest while, at least I would say seven months
Question: But it’s wrong to say that you were axed?
Minister Jeffrey
Well, not being axed from the cabinet as such, I will leave the cabinet by mutual consent, that’s what’s happening, the president something, he didn’t say Jeffrey you were sacked or any such thing. He knew of my overtime or what I have been trying to get to do something else and I took it so whether on not you want to. I am not going to be in the cabinet of Guyana from let’s say next year, whether or not you want to consider that axed.
Question: I would like you to just offer a comment on the whole issue of responsible journalism based on what came out of the newspaper.
Minister Jeffrey
As I said before, I am not a journalist but I believe that journalist seek out information, they have people who they believe are their sources who give them information and they attempt to piece those things together sometimes they piece them together wrong. I suppose they could have asked me and I would say that I wasn’t there but that’s the life of journalists. I suppose you have to be more careful in trying to crosscheck your sources.
Question: If successful, your post in the diplomatic arena, what would be your priority objectives?
Minister Jeffrey
I don’t know as yet, I have not checked it out, I have edited some books on Suriname, sustainable development of Suriname, we use to have conferences on the Guianas. I have never really understood why two small countries like ours quarrel about all these resources which I am sure our population together is just over a million and I am certain that if we can get together and work we would all get rich with the resources that’s there on both sides.
Interview with Minister Jeffrey on Kaieteur newsarticle
Minister Jeffrey
What the Kaieteur said was that there was a disagreement at the cabinet last Tuesday. I wasn’t at the cabinet last Tuesday so there was obviously nodisagreement at the cabinet last Tuesday.
It is true that over the last I would say eight months, I have been discussing at the office of the president the possibility of my shifting position. I thought that I was around the ministerial thing a bit too long and I was identifying positions that I would like to shift to. None of them were diplomatic so to speak because it was never my intention to leave Guyana and for one reason or another sometimes the positions were taken and sometimes what they offered was not sufficient and things like that.
Now today we have COTED which would run into next week and again we would be talking about Guyana, about Caricom, Canada negotiations, we were talking about EPA and that sort of thing. So I had a discourse with the president again and out of that discourse it was reminded that I was making these requests and so on and by mutual consent he agreed that now that they are moving around diplomats that there is a possibility for me to go to Suriname cause it’s close to home and for personal reasons I do not wish to go far.
He agreed and offered it and I said ‘great let me think about it’ so I thought about it and yesterday I said to the president that I would accept that position pending of course our negotiating conditions and that’s where we are at.
Question: So it has nothing to do with this report?
Minister Jeffrey:
I wasn’t at the cabinet for a start and it is true that myself and the president we have a bit of a different view on the EPA but that’s not the first issue this has happened to. I mean it’s my job as a minister, its said in the constitution, to be an advisor to the government; I advise and its for the government and the cabinet to take that advise or not and this would not be the first time that we have had a difference of opinion and I would assume that should be expected if you are going to discuss issues.
Question: Did you by chance, seek to get an explanation from the particular newspaper?
Minister Jeffrey
Not really, I suppose I made it clear to them today, they were here, prior to your coming here and I put it on to them that I couldn’t have had a disagreement at cabinet because I wasn’t there so an explanation is not forth coming. I think that what has happened there was that there was a lot of speculation, people are talking and you know what that leads to. That why I am holding the discourse to allow people to have whatever discourse they want because if you leave it hanging people speculate and when they speculate, that’s what you get
Question: So these reports are wrong?
Minister Jeffrey
It’s not wrong that I have been offered something in Suriname, its not wrong to say that I have accepted it, that is correct I think the paper also did say that there was talk about this for some time and indeed as I pointed out to you I have been having this discourse with people for the longest while, at least I would say seven months
Question: But it’s wrong to say that you were axed?
Minister Jeffrey
Well, not being axed from the cabinet as such, I will leave the cabinet by mutual consent, that’s what’s happening, the president something, he didn’t say Jeffrey you were sacked or any such thing. He knew of my overtime or what I have been trying to get to do something else and I took it so whether on not you want to. I am not going to be in the cabinet of Guyana from let’s say next year, whether or not you want to consider that axed.
Question: I would like you to just offer a comment on the whole issue of responsible journalism based on what came out of the newspaper.
Minister Jeffrey
As I said before, I am not a journalist but I believe that journalist seek out information, they have people who they believe are their sources who give them information and they attempt to piece those things together sometimes they piece them together wrong. I suppose they could have asked me and I would say that I wasn’t there but that’s the life of journalists. I suppose you have to be more careful in trying to crosscheck your sources.
Question: If successful, your post in the diplomatic arena, what would be your priority objectives?
Minister Jeffrey
I don’t know as yet, I have not checked it out, I have edited some books on Suriname, sustainable development of Suriname, we use to have conferences on the Guianas. I have never really understood why two small countries like ours quarrel about all these resources which I am sure our population together is just over a million and I am certain that if we can get together and work we would all get rich with the resources that’s there on both sides.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Jamaica media reports...
Jamaica Radio reports: Law enforcement officers in Guyana were on Tuesday on heightened alert after the country recorded three murders over a two-day period, breaking an apparent lull in violent killings.
Acting Police Commissioner Henry Greene issued a warning to criminals telling them that the Guyana Police Force would be relentless in the crime fight and would continue to hunt them down.On the weekend, Vikesh Budhram, 25, a carpenter, was executed in his bed by two heavily armed men in a rural community about 15 miles east of the capital.
That same evening, another man was stabbed to death at Better Hope, not far from where Mr. Budhram was killed.
The latest victim, a 31-year-old United States-based Guyanese businessman, was shot and killed execution style on Monday evening in Georgetown.
Only last Friday, President Bharrat Jagdeo called on the security forces not to become complacent.He stressed that despite the death of the country's most wanted man, Rondell "Fineman" Rawlins, their job was not yet complete.Rawlins was cut down by law enforcement officers on August 28.
Acting Police Commissioner Henry Greene issued a warning to criminals telling them that the Guyana Police Force would be relentless in the crime fight and would continue to hunt them down.On the weekend, Vikesh Budhram, 25, a carpenter, was executed in his bed by two heavily armed men in a rural community about 15 miles east of the capital.
That same evening, another man was stabbed to death at Better Hope, not far from where Mr. Budhram was killed.
The latest victim, a 31-year-old United States-based Guyanese businessman, was shot and killed execution style on Monday evening in Georgetown.
Only last Friday, President Bharrat Jagdeo called on the security forces not to become complacent.He stressed that despite the death of the country's most wanted man, Rondell "Fineman" Rawlins, their job was not yet complete.Rawlins was cut down by law enforcement officers on August 28.
One mad Bajan over illegal Guyanese
Who does Mr Singh think he is?
Published on: 11/26/08 in the Barbados Nation.
I AM MINDING my business but I would like to know who Rickey Singh think he is in Barbados that he can be publicly demanding an explanation from those in authority at the Immigration Department pertaining to illegal Guyanese being deported?
I am still minding my business and would like to inform Singh that the Government of Barbados, which was elected on the 15th of January 2008, is capable of dealing with the affairs of this country, including matters pertaining to effectively managing the immigration policy.
I would also like to inform Singh that David Thompson, Prime Minister of Barbados, is well aware of the socio-economic problems that would hurt this country if we do not manage our immigration affairs.
Effectively manage
Barbados is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, while on the other hand, Guyana is one of the less densely populated in the world; per sq.mile.
Barbados is listed as the 8th highest population, 279 300; 166 sq.miles; 1 678 people per square mile.
Guyana is listed as the 10th lowest population 765 300; 83 000 sq. miles, 9 people per sq. mile. (WorldAtlas.com )
I am, therefore, appealing to all patriotic Barbadians to assist the Immigration Department in effectively manage the immigration policy/policies mandated by the Government of Barbados.
"It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness".
– ANTHONY T. WIGGINS
Published on: 11/26/08 in the Barbados Nation.
I AM MINDING my business but I would like to know who Rickey Singh think he is in Barbados that he can be publicly demanding an explanation from those in authority at the Immigration Department pertaining to illegal Guyanese being deported?
I am still minding my business and would like to inform Singh that the Government of Barbados, which was elected on the 15th of January 2008, is capable of dealing with the affairs of this country, including matters pertaining to effectively managing the immigration policy.
I would also like to inform Singh that David Thompson, Prime Minister of Barbados, is well aware of the socio-economic problems that would hurt this country if we do not manage our immigration affairs.
Effectively manage
Barbados is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, while on the other hand, Guyana is one of the less densely populated in the world; per sq.mile.
Barbados is listed as the 8th highest population, 279 300; 166 sq.miles; 1 678 people per square mile.
Guyana is listed as the 10th lowest population 765 300; 83 000 sq. miles, 9 people per sq. mile. (WorldAtlas.com )
I am, therefore, appealing to all patriotic Barbadians to assist the Immigration Department in effectively manage the immigration policy/policies mandated by the Government of Barbados.
"It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness".
– ANTHONY T. WIGGINS
is it Corbyn or Corbin
Eurodad reports: Responding, several MPs stressed that World Bank staff consultation of parliamentarians was the exception rather than the rule. Robert Corbyn, an MP from Guyana asked whether the Bank will review the conditionalities on its loans to developing countries. He pointed out that the Bank had in the past persuaded countries to adopt measures “that are now prohibited” in the advanced economies. Zoellick responded with the World Bank’s general line on the conditionality issue, emphasising that condition numbers are down and that conditions are often requested by the government to boost reform. This was perhaps not a sensible message to an audience of MPs, who often feel that the executive and the World Bank gang up to frustrate a proper law-making process.
Internet Cafes ban
The AP reports...Guyana plans to close hundreds of Internet cafes that it accuses of bypassing the telephone company system to offer cheap international calls.
The Revenue Authority accuses them of tax evasion because they do not charge sales tax or other fees for calls made through alternative phone providers like Skype, Vonage and Packet8.
The agency says cafes are multiplying so fast that "their collective impact on the national revenue is too significant to ignore."
It says callers who use Digicel and the U.S.-owned Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Co. account for 16 percent of sales tax revenues. GTT spokeswoman Allison Parker praised the move on Wednesday and said the agency has long complained about the cafes' effect on revenue.
Guyana360: Hope the Government quickly lifts the monoply on international calls and stop the raping by GT&T.
The Revenue Authority accuses them of tax evasion because they do not charge sales tax or other fees for calls made through alternative phone providers like Skype, Vonage and Packet8.
The agency says cafes are multiplying so fast that "their collective impact on the national revenue is too significant to ignore."
It says callers who use Digicel and the U.S.-owned Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Co. account for 16 percent of sales tax revenues. GTT spokeswoman Allison Parker praised the move on Wednesday and said the agency has long complained about the cafes' effect on revenue.
Guyana360: Hope the Government quickly lifts the monoply on international calls and stop the raping by GT&T.
Guyana Government scams and more
Probably the most disgusting piece of news we have heard about this corrupt and inept Government led by Bharrat Jagdeo has just surfaced.
Well placed Government officials who belive that the administration has overstepped the mark, have leaked information to Guyana360 which suggest that there are wicked moves to block Robert Badal from buying Pegasus.
Badal is well known Guyanese businessman who owns Guyana Stockfeed, a company that the Government doesnt like too much. There are widespread speculations that Badal had even purchased the hotel.
Pegasus recently went under a new management team. A share purchase agreement for the sale of the hotel was reportedly executed some time last month, between an overseas-based company, of which Badal is the principal and Starman.
According to an article in today's SN, Bert Plas, now former general manager, previously confirmed that discussions for the sale and upgrading of the hotel were underway but stopped short of saying there had been a deal.
Shortly afterwards, Badal had indicated to Stabroek News that a group of businessmen out of Miami had signed a letter of intent with the owners of Le Meridien Pegasus for the purchase of the hotel but he had said that no deal was concluded.
Guyana360 is certain that the owners were ready to push the deal foward until the Government moved in to block it.
What is very interesting is the Government's continued interference in matters as a means to protect its supporters.
Let's fan away the smoke for a minute.
The Government wants to ensure that the hotel under construction next to the Pegasus is assured of any investments. In a free market system, one does not expect Govarnment to be dabbling in the affairs of the private sector.
Why is the Government doing so? Just recently, the Government rewarded Captain Gerry Gouveia Guivea quite handsomely by selling him the Duke Lodge opposite the US embassy for what can be considered a straw.
Now there are plans to put Odinga Lumumba office up for sale so Gerry can buy it and exand the hotel. Not bad for Gerry, who is struggling as hell to keep his airline service in the air.
But, how many people knew that Duke Logde exisited and that Govt had owned it? Not too many.
How could Gerry get such a sweet deal when the hotel is worth US$1.5, but only paid approximately $500k.
More to come on this story.
Well placed Government officials who belive that the administration has overstepped the mark, have leaked information to Guyana360 which suggest that there are wicked moves to block Robert Badal from buying Pegasus.
Badal is well known Guyanese businessman who owns Guyana Stockfeed, a company that the Government doesnt like too much. There are widespread speculations that Badal had even purchased the hotel.
Pegasus recently went under a new management team. A share purchase agreement for the sale of the hotel was reportedly executed some time last month, between an overseas-based company, of which Badal is the principal and Starman.
According to an article in today's SN, Bert Plas, now former general manager, previously confirmed that discussions for the sale and upgrading of the hotel were underway but stopped short of saying there had been a deal.
Shortly afterwards, Badal had indicated to Stabroek News that a group of businessmen out of Miami had signed a letter of intent with the owners of Le Meridien Pegasus for the purchase of the hotel but he had said that no deal was concluded.
Guyana360 is certain that the owners were ready to push the deal foward until the Government moved in to block it.
What is very interesting is the Government's continued interference in matters as a means to protect its supporters.
Let's fan away the smoke for a minute.
The Government wants to ensure that the hotel under construction next to the Pegasus is assured of any investments. In a free market system, one does not expect Govarnment to be dabbling in the affairs of the private sector.
Why is the Government doing so? Just recently, the Government rewarded Captain Gerry Gouveia Guivea quite handsomely by selling him the Duke Lodge opposite the US embassy for what can be considered a straw.
Now there are plans to put Odinga Lumumba office up for sale so Gerry can buy it and exand the hotel. Not bad for Gerry, who is struggling as hell to keep his airline service in the air.
But, how many people knew that Duke Logde exisited and that Govt had owned it? Not too many.
How could Gerry get such a sweet deal when the hotel is worth US$1.5, but only paid approximately $500k.
More to come on this story.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Running question
We dare anyone out there to tell us what the following army men all have in common?
Major Khan, Captain Sukul and Major James
Major Khan, Captain Sukul and Major James
Embattled Minister Henry Jeffery speaks out
Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Dr. Henry Jeffrey, has broken his silence on the reported conflict between himself and President Bharrat Jagdeo. He said that, as things stand, he could be out of his ministry by January.
During an interview with some members of the media yesterday, Minister Jeffrey said that he was not ‘sacked’ by President Bharrat Jagdeo. Rather, it was a mutual agreement between himself and President Jagdeo that would see him demitting office.
Dr. Jeffrey noted that the matter has been ongoing for the past seven months, when he first signalled his readiness to cease being a member of the Cabinet.
He explained that he is prepared to leave at anytime, and it is likely that there will be a new Foreign Trade Minister by January of 2009.
“This here is the outcome of what I was saying. It is something that I was trying to get going for a considerable period of time,” Dr. Jeffrey told members of the media.
The decision to leave the Cabinet, he said, has to do with the fact that he and the President shared different views on the recently-signed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
“It is true; there were some disagreements on how we view the matter. It did cause some problems, because my position as a Cabinet Minister is to be an adviser to the President.
I must tell the President my mind, and regardless of what he may think, he does not have to take the advice, but I advise him and tell him what I think,” Minister Jeffrey said.
Dr. Jeffrey noted that President Jagdeo had told him that if he could not support the Government’s take on the EPA, then he should leave the Cabinet.
He and the President had agreed that if he intended to criticise the Government’s position on the EPA publicly, then he should leave the Cabinet. This, Jeffrey said, is an acceptable position anywhere.
“You can’t be in a government and then go out there criticising the government. The President said if you are going to criticise the Government publicly, then you will have to leave the Government. I said to him on that occasion, ‘I know that, I have no intention of doing that.’ Anytime, I think I have to do that, I will have to leave.”
He added that it would have been immoral of him to give his support to something with which he is not in agreement; and, as such, he chose this road to get out of it.
“I think it was a sensible move. That was in a sense a saving grace for me, because I would have either been in a moral dilemma or I would have had to resign.”
Contrary to what was reported in Friday’s edition of this newspaper, Dr. Jeffrey said, there was never any quarrel between himself and the President at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.
Minister Jeffrey said that he was not even present at Cabinet, since he was taken up with other issues. He explained that he did have a discussion with President Jagdeo on Wednesday, where the fact was laid on the table that he was pushing to leave the Cabinet, and had been doing so for some time now.
Dr. Jeffrey explained that the President told him that, when he leaves the Cabinet, it must be by mutual consent. Following his meeting with President Jagdeo, he said, he told the Head of State that he needed time to think about it, and that was when he consulted with his family and arrived at the decision that he is ready to resign from the Cabinet.
“The President has not asked me to resign, but a mutual agreement is being worked out.
For personal reasons, I don’t want to go far, and I think it’s a good shot and it’s an opportunity to do something else. There is no official position as yet.”
He admitted that, after he decided to resign, he called the Public Buildings on Thursday and discussed his entitlements.
According to Dr. Jeffrey, he has identified three options that he would like to move into, including the diplomatic option, but he would prefer to remain in Guyana.
He explained that on many occasions when he would vent his concerns about leaving the Cabinet to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, he was told that the jobs were not of any sufficient stature.
According to Dr. Jeffrey, with the COTED meeting coming up, he drew President Jagdeo’s attention to the fact that there could be discussions on the EPA, and that it would be fitting for the Government to find someone else to represent it at the meeting, as well as in new negotiations with Canada.
From now until President Jagdeo decides, Dr. Jeffrey will still be the Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation.
When contacted by the media on Thursday for a comment on the matter, President Jagdeo said that, as far as he was aware, Dr Jeffrey remains in his office as minister, and that he, President Jagdeo, would be the person to determine whether Dr Jeffrey remains a minister.
He was reportedly responding to a question about whether Dr Jeffrey had been sent home. Dr Jeffrey was appointed a minister in 1992, as a member of the Civic component of the Government, after Dr Cheddi Jagan had won the elections. He was appointed Minister of Labour.
He then served as Minister of Education, having replaced another member of the Civic component of the Government, Dr Dale Bisnauth.
In the wake of the 2006 elections, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Trade and International Co-operation, after Minister Clement Rohee was appointed Minister of Home Affairs.
During an interview with some members of the media yesterday, Minister Jeffrey said that he was not ‘sacked’ by President Bharrat Jagdeo. Rather, it was a mutual agreement between himself and President Jagdeo that would see him demitting office.
Dr. Jeffrey noted that the matter has been ongoing for the past seven months, when he first signalled his readiness to cease being a member of the Cabinet.
He explained that he is prepared to leave at anytime, and it is likely that there will be a new Foreign Trade Minister by January of 2009.
“This here is the outcome of what I was saying. It is something that I was trying to get going for a considerable period of time,” Dr. Jeffrey told members of the media.
The decision to leave the Cabinet, he said, has to do with the fact that he and the President shared different views on the recently-signed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
“It is true; there were some disagreements on how we view the matter. It did cause some problems, because my position as a Cabinet Minister is to be an adviser to the President.
I must tell the President my mind, and regardless of what he may think, he does not have to take the advice, but I advise him and tell him what I think,” Minister Jeffrey said.
Dr. Jeffrey noted that President Jagdeo had told him that if he could not support the Government’s take on the EPA, then he should leave the Cabinet.
He and the President had agreed that if he intended to criticise the Government’s position on the EPA publicly, then he should leave the Cabinet. This, Jeffrey said, is an acceptable position anywhere.
“You can’t be in a government and then go out there criticising the government. The President said if you are going to criticise the Government publicly, then you will have to leave the Government. I said to him on that occasion, ‘I know that, I have no intention of doing that.’ Anytime, I think I have to do that, I will have to leave.”
He added that it would have been immoral of him to give his support to something with which he is not in agreement; and, as such, he chose this road to get out of it.
“I think it was a sensible move. That was in a sense a saving grace for me, because I would have either been in a moral dilemma or I would have had to resign.”
Contrary to what was reported in Friday’s edition of this newspaper, Dr. Jeffrey said, there was never any quarrel between himself and the President at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.
Minister Jeffrey said that he was not even present at Cabinet, since he was taken up with other issues. He explained that he did have a discussion with President Jagdeo on Wednesday, where the fact was laid on the table that he was pushing to leave the Cabinet, and had been doing so for some time now.
Dr. Jeffrey explained that the President told him that, when he leaves the Cabinet, it must be by mutual consent. Following his meeting with President Jagdeo, he said, he told the Head of State that he needed time to think about it, and that was when he consulted with his family and arrived at the decision that he is ready to resign from the Cabinet.
“The President has not asked me to resign, but a mutual agreement is being worked out.
For personal reasons, I don’t want to go far, and I think it’s a good shot and it’s an opportunity to do something else. There is no official position as yet.”
He admitted that, after he decided to resign, he called the Public Buildings on Thursday and discussed his entitlements.
According to Dr. Jeffrey, he has identified three options that he would like to move into, including the diplomatic option, but he would prefer to remain in Guyana.
He explained that on many occasions when he would vent his concerns about leaving the Cabinet to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, he was told that the jobs were not of any sufficient stature.
According to Dr. Jeffrey, with the COTED meeting coming up, he drew President Jagdeo’s attention to the fact that there could be discussions on the EPA, and that it would be fitting for the Government to find someone else to represent it at the meeting, as well as in new negotiations with Canada.
From now until President Jagdeo decides, Dr. Jeffrey will still be the Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation.
When contacted by the media on Thursday for a comment on the matter, President Jagdeo said that, as far as he was aware, Dr Jeffrey remains in his office as minister, and that he, President Jagdeo, would be the person to determine whether Dr Jeffrey remains a minister.
He was reportedly responding to a question about whether Dr Jeffrey had been sent home. Dr Jeffrey was appointed a minister in 1992, as a member of the Civic component of the Government, after Dr Cheddi Jagan had won the elections. He was appointed Minister of Labour.
He then served as Minister of Education, having replaced another member of the Civic component of the Government, Dr Dale Bisnauth.
In the wake of the 2006 elections, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Trade and International Co-operation, after Minister Clement Rohee was appointed Minister of Home Affairs.
Those online ads
Something struck us after reading the two most read local papers online. Almost every story has a sponsored ad next to it that addresses some of the content of the story. Take this story on the KN site about local comic act, Kirk Jardine who confessed to being a drug addict. On the right of the article, there are two adverts with links to drug rehab websites.
On the SN site there is this story about a pitbull attack and lo and behold there are ads to the right of the article about dog training and first aid for dogs.
On the SN site there is this story about a pitbull attack and lo and behold there are ads to the right of the article about dog training and first aid for dogs.
Don's vested interest in the Prison
There seems to be some good reason why local optician Don Gomes wants to give the Brickdam Police lockups, notorious for their inhumane and insanitary conditions a facelift, hopefully in time for Christmas.
What ever his intentions are we are certain that the hundreds of male prisones that will pass through the facility will be eternally grateful to uncle Don for giving them a clean place to do what prisoners do....spend time waiting to get out.
We just have to wonder what will be Don's gift from the male prisoners. Whatever it is, we are sure he will be delighted
What ever his intentions are we are certain that the hundreds of male prisones that will pass through the facility will be eternally grateful to uncle Don for giving them a clean place to do what prisoners do....spend time waiting to get out.
We just have to wonder what will be Don's gift from the male prisoners. Whatever it is, we are sure he will be delighted
This spells hope for Jagdeo/Jeffery fallout
The Vatican's newspaper has finally forgiven John Lennon for declaring that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, calling the remark a "boast" by a young man grappling with sudden fame.
The comment by Lennon to a London newspaper in 1966 infuriated Christians, particularly in the United States, some of whom burned Beatles' albums in huge pyres.
But time apparently heals all wounds.
The comment by Lennon to a London newspaper in 1966 infuriated Christians, particularly in the United States, some of whom burned Beatles' albums in huge pyres.
But time apparently heals all wounds.
Fishyness on the East Bank, its not from around the Meadowbrook Koker
Burglars escaped with some $6.4M on Friday night after breaking into a safe at Arakhan Spares, a business located at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.
Business manager Iqwaz AraKhan said that the theft was discovered at around 8:15hrs yesterday when staff reported for duty.
It was then that the staffers observed a gaping hole in the concrete wall at the back of the building. The robbers also cut open a safe with a blow torch.
Although there were two guards on duty, none of the two guards saw or heard anything. They have since been detained.
AraKhan said that the business entity, which imports truck spares, has been in operation for about seven years.
Business manager Iqwaz AraKhan said that the theft was discovered at around 8:15hrs yesterday when staff reported for duty.
It was then that the staffers observed a gaping hole in the concrete wall at the back of the building. The robbers also cut open a safe with a blow torch.
Although there were two guards on duty, none of the two guards saw or heard anything. They have since been detained.
AraKhan said that the business entity, which imports truck spares, has been in operation for about seven years.
Sugar workers get sweet deal
At a time when the world is hurting from the US economic slide, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will have to pay $1.3B to its workers following a ruling by an arbitration tribunal set up to deal with the wages dispute between the company and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union.
The tribunal ruled that a six percent across the board payment will have to be paid to employees by the end of this year.The tribunal also ruled that a further 2.1 percent one-off payment must be made to workers as a cost of living adjustment for 2008. However, given GuySuCo’s financial constraints, the company has been given until March 2009 to pay the living adjustment to workers.
Comment: Guyana Fire, a poster to this blog sent us a mail and after some heated arugments via gmail chat, we all concluded that this tribunal ruling has several lessons, some maybe hurtful and others are instructive.
Firstly, this six percent ruling is not enough for sugar workers, but by the same token, its an increase which is better than nothing.
Secondly, the move to go to abritration is proof that Government which has a large share in GuySuco is willing and able to negotiate with a union that represents a large portion of its constituents. Nothing is wrong with negotiating with unions, but the irony in all of this is that the Government refuses to hold wage negotiations with the Guyana Public Service Union. Government has contended that wage talks with the GPSU often end in deadlock. True or not, bi-lateral neogiations are not the end of the process. That is why our founding fathers included a move to abritration in the event of a deadlock. Clearly this was the was the case with GuySuco. The GPSU under the life-sucking vampire leadership of Patrick Yarde cannot even make this argument since hundreds of workers view the union as irrelevant to the current socio-economic climate in the country.
Thirdly, what the hell is this cost of living adjustment anyway. The idea is nothing new. In some western countries, a Cost of Living Adjustment or COLA is paid, but not to workers. The COLA payment is usually made to fixed government benifits which are not necessarily affected by increases over time. Guyana Fire was making the point that a sample of sugar workers spending should have been done and this would have resulted in some information about spending habbits. Fire was joking that one needed to determine how much money was spent on rum alone. Joke aside, this so called cost of living adjustment ruling opens a pandora box because we truely believe that ever worker in Guyana is in need of a cost of living adjustment package that is separate and apart from any wage increase offered by their employers.
Lastly, the ruling did not take into account the pending staff cuts that will prevail when the Skeldon factory becomes fully operational.
The tribunal ruled that a six percent across the board payment will have to be paid to employees by the end of this year.The tribunal also ruled that a further 2.1 percent one-off payment must be made to workers as a cost of living adjustment for 2008. However, given GuySuCo’s financial constraints, the company has been given until March 2009 to pay the living adjustment to workers.
Comment: Guyana Fire, a poster to this blog sent us a mail and after some heated arugments via gmail chat, we all concluded that this tribunal ruling has several lessons, some maybe hurtful and others are instructive.
Firstly, this six percent ruling is not enough for sugar workers, but by the same token, its an increase which is better than nothing.
Secondly, the move to go to abritration is proof that Government which has a large share in GuySuco is willing and able to negotiate with a union that represents a large portion of its constituents. Nothing is wrong with negotiating with unions, but the irony in all of this is that the Government refuses to hold wage negotiations with the Guyana Public Service Union. Government has contended that wage talks with the GPSU often end in deadlock. True or not, bi-lateral neogiations are not the end of the process. That is why our founding fathers included a move to abritration in the event of a deadlock. Clearly this was the was the case with GuySuco. The GPSU under the life-sucking vampire leadership of Patrick Yarde cannot even make this argument since hundreds of workers view the union as irrelevant to the current socio-economic climate in the country.
Thirdly, what the hell is this cost of living adjustment anyway. The idea is nothing new. In some western countries, a Cost of Living Adjustment or COLA is paid, but not to workers. The COLA payment is usually made to fixed government benifits which are not necessarily affected by increases over time. Guyana Fire was making the point that a sample of sugar workers spending should have been done and this would have resulted in some information about spending habbits. Fire was joking that one needed to determine how much money was spent on rum alone. Joke aside, this so called cost of living adjustment ruling opens a pandora box because we truely believe that ever worker in Guyana is in need of a cost of living adjustment package that is separate and apart from any wage increase offered by their employers.
Lastly, the ruling did not take into account the pending staff cuts that will prevail when the Skeldon factory becomes fully operational.
Freddie's Jealous Monsters Burst Out
As a columist, one should try to keep their personal feelings out of the public domain. But try telling that to dear old Feddie Kissoon, a tormented UG lecturer. His Column on VS Naipaul in today's KN is proof that Kissoon's sick and tormented monsters are driving him straight to an ancient facility in Berbice.
Obviously we the readers can easily trace streaks of jealousy in Kissoon's writing on Naipaul.
There is one thing to be jealous, but another to be jealously obsessed. Kissoon is the latter. He admires the man's writings, but he is jealous of Naipaul's acheivements, yet obsessed over his share popularity. For this we would have to agree with the current Government that Freddie is a lunatic. If you read his column, you soon learn that Freddie is far from reality when he speaks of how he could have spoken to Naipaul about his personality mix up, but the botton line remains that Freddie never did.
In his personal attack which he passess off as critique, Kissoon touched on Naipaul's treatment of women and this we too have problems with. However, we were shaken and fearful that Kissoon even had the "balls" to talk about another earthly creature's treatment of women.
For years, Kissoon has been at the heart of sexual misconduct charges at the University for exploiting young and voluptuous female students who want to improve their grades.
Society can blame the women just as Freddie is blaming Naipaul's wife for sticking abuse for years. Kissoon should have known better than to take advantage of those UG students. We are not talking about senior adult male treatment to a younger female. We belive that since Freddie basks in philosophical teachings, he should have used the oppertunties to teach the young girls about working academically, not sexually, to acheive good grades.
Thanks in part to his sickening beliefs, there are women leaving university beliving that they can get anything with sexual favours. Freddie and the Government are sitting comfortably on their shared throne of corrpution, both exploiting their authority to grant favours to persons who treat them well.
Oh Freddie has overstepped his boundaries. Probably Adam Harris who vents his vexation about men preying on young girls need not look to far when he begins gathering data of sexual molestations in Guyana. Seek out that Green RAV 4 with the unique PK number plates. Hope its not parked on the seawalls like it was last week.
Obviously we the readers can easily trace streaks of jealousy in Kissoon's writing on Naipaul.
There is one thing to be jealous, but another to be jealously obsessed. Kissoon is the latter. He admires the man's writings, but he is jealous of Naipaul's acheivements, yet obsessed over his share popularity. For this we would have to agree with the current Government that Freddie is a lunatic. If you read his column, you soon learn that Freddie is far from reality when he speaks of how he could have spoken to Naipaul about his personality mix up, but the botton line remains that Freddie never did.
In his personal attack which he passess off as critique, Kissoon touched on Naipaul's treatment of women and this we too have problems with. However, we were shaken and fearful that Kissoon even had the "balls" to talk about another earthly creature's treatment of women.
For years, Kissoon has been at the heart of sexual misconduct charges at the University for exploiting young and voluptuous female students who want to improve their grades.
Society can blame the women just as Freddie is blaming Naipaul's wife for sticking abuse for years. Kissoon should have known better than to take advantage of those UG students. We are not talking about senior adult male treatment to a younger female. We belive that since Freddie basks in philosophical teachings, he should have used the oppertunties to teach the young girls about working academically, not sexually, to acheive good grades.
Thanks in part to his sickening beliefs, there are women leaving university beliving that they can get anything with sexual favours. Freddie and the Government are sitting comfortably on their shared throne of corrpution, both exploiting their authority to grant favours to persons who treat them well.
Oh Freddie has overstepped his boundaries. Probably Adam Harris who vents his vexation about men preying on young girls need not look to far when he begins gathering data of sexual molestations in Guyana. Seek out that Green RAV 4 with the unique PK number plates. Hope its not parked on the seawalls like it was last week.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Good by Jeffery...hello lonely days
Minister of Foreign Trade and International Co-operation, Dr Henry Jeffrey, has been dropped from Cabinet. He is now likely to serve in an ambassadorial position.Reports are that Dr Jeffrey and President Bharrat Jagdeo have been having differences of views over time.
A source close to the Office of the President said that the most recent clash occurred during discussions on the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.
On Tuesday, at the statutory meeting of Cabinet, President Jagdeo and Dr Jeffrey once more had a disagreement that led to the decision that Dr Jeffrey will no longer serve as a minister in the Jagdeo Cabinet.According to reports, Dr Jeffrey had indicated to people that if he had any option, it would be to serve in a diplomatic capacity.
President Jagdeo reportedly got wind of this sentiment; so, on Tuesday, at Cabinet, he reportedly indicated to Dr Jeffrey that he would be willing to offer him a diplomatic posting.
However, with Dr Jeffrey’s wife being a lawyer in the Chambers of the law firm Cameron and Shepherd, people close to the issue of Dr Jeffrey’s dropping from Cabinet said that it would be unlikely that she would be willing to pick up her roots and leave with her husband.
This may have sparked the decision to have Dr Jeffrey posted to Suriname, a diplomatic mission close to home.And a source in the Public Buildings said yesterday that Dr Jeffrey has approached the staff to have his pension and other benefits sorted out.
Dr Jeffrey was appointed a minister in 1992 as a member of the Civic component of the Government after Dr Cheddi Jagan had won the elections.
He was appointed Minister of Labour.He then served as Minister of Education, having replaced another member of the Civic component of the Government, Dr Dale Bisnauth. In the wake of the 2006 elections, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Trade and International Co-operation, after Minister Clement Rohee was appointed Minister of Home Affairs.
Contacted by the media yesterday, President Jagdeo said that, as far as he was aware, Dr Jeffrey remains in his office as minister, and that he, President Jagdeo, would be the person to determine whether Dr Jeffrey remains a minister.
He was reportedly responding to a question about whether Dr Jeffrey had been sent home. And indeed, Dr Jeffrey remained in office yesterday, pending the formal announcement of President Jagdeo’s decision.
-->
A source close to the Office of the President said that the most recent clash occurred during discussions on the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.
On Tuesday, at the statutory meeting of Cabinet, President Jagdeo and Dr Jeffrey once more had a disagreement that led to the decision that Dr Jeffrey will no longer serve as a minister in the Jagdeo Cabinet.According to reports, Dr Jeffrey had indicated to people that if he had any option, it would be to serve in a diplomatic capacity.
President Jagdeo reportedly got wind of this sentiment; so, on Tuesday, at Cabinet, he reportedly indicated to Dr Jeffrey that he would be willing to offer him a diplomatic posting.
However, with Dr Jeffrey’s wife being a lawyer in the Chambers of the law firm Cameron and Shepherd, people close to the issue of Dr Jeffrey’s dropping from Cabinet said that it would be unlikely that she would be willing to pick up her roots and leave with her husband.
This may have sparked the decision to have Dr Jeffrey posted to Suriname, a diplomatic mission close to home.And a source in the Public Buildings said yesterday that Dr Jeffrey has approached the staff to have his pension and other benefits sorted out.
Dr Jeffrey was appointed a minister in 1992 as a member of the Civic component of the Government after Dr Cheddi Jagan had won the elections.
He was appointed Minister of Labour.He then served as Minister of Education, having replaced another member of the Civic component of the Government, Dr Dale Bisnauth. In the wake of the 2006 elections, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Trade and International Co-operation, after Minister Clement Rohee was appointed Minister of Home Affairs.
Contacted by the media yesterday, President Jagdeo said that, as far as he was aware, Dr Jeffrey remains in his office as minister, and that he, President Jagdeo, would be the person to determine whether Dr Jeffrey remains a minister.
He was reportedly responding to a question about whether Dr Jeffrey had been sent home. And indeed, Dr Jeffrey remained in office yesterday, pending the formal announcement of President Jagdeo’s decision.
-->
Spot the fib teller
The Freedom of Information legislation that is currently on hold by its mover Raphael Trotman is being advanced, and fast as possible, aimed at having it implemented.
This is according to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds when asked on the status of the Government’s position on the Bill.
Hinds said, however, that no significant issue was ever as simple as a yes or no, but work was moving apace.
When contacted yesterday, Trotman said that he was unaware of any such initiative on the Government side to quickly implement the legislation, but he was optimistic that he would gain the support to have the legislation tabled by year end. He emphasised that the Freedom of Information Bill was an absolute necessity.
He noted that there was a renewed vigour in democracy worldwide, and he was hopeful that the Government would follow suit.
He pointed to the fact that Barbados is gearing to implement similar legislation, as well as the fact that Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica have already implemented their Freedom of Information legislations.
The People’s National Congress Reform has already voiced its support for the legislation, and yesterday, leader of Vision Guyana, Peter Ramsaroop, voiced his support for the Freedom of Information legislation.
In an invited comment, Ramsaroop said: “This will allow us to ensure accountability and transparency…Critical information such as procurements and contracts should be visible to the public.”
He said that his party actively supports the AFC cause in getting the legislation passed in the National Assembly. ‘There should be no objection by the Administration if they believe everything is being done above board.”
During a mid-year press briefing, General Secretary of the PPP, Donald Ramotar, had disclosed that at that time the party “has never consulted internally on whether it would support a Freedom of Information legislation.”
According to Ramotar, “We have not examined it as yet… the whole draft, the legislation and what it entails.”Ramotar, at that time, did concede that the PPP may have to do so some time in future, and it is likely that this was what the Prime Minister was referring to.
That position adopted by Ramotar at the time came on the heels of public statements by both the Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy, where they conceded that the enactment of the legislation was inevitable.
Despite acknowledging its inevitability, the Prime Minister had said that Guyana was already experiencing some 80 per cent of freedom of information, in that the Government already makes information available in a proactive manner. The Prime Minister made this statement recently at a forum to discuss the mining situation.
The essence of the Freedom of Information Act, according to the Commonwealth Parliament Association (CPA), is the empowerment of the populace to request any piece of information (with few exemptions, such as medical records) held by a public authority.
One such utilisation of the Act was cited by a renowned Trinidadian journalist, Sasha Mohammad, at a recent CPA workshop held for media operatives and Parliamentarians.
According to Mohammad, one such incident was where there was a request that the salaries and monies paid to the director of a bank be disclosed.
During the debate on the 2007 Budget, Trotman had indicated that the passage of legislation to allow access to information is more important than personal endeavours, and he had indicated his willingness to step aside and allow the Government to take up the initiative.
The Bill proposed by Trotman is based on the Trinidad model, which has been criticized by the Government, saying that it had too many flaws.
According to Trotman, the idea of freedom of information must now be expanded from the political realm to that of a multi-stakeholder-driven agenda.
He noted that everyone — not just politicians — must become involved in the process, and consensus must be arrived at.
This is according to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds when asked on the status of the Government’s position on the Bill.
Hinds said, however, that no significant issue was ever as simple as a yes or no, but work was moving apace.
When contacted yesterday, Trotman said that he was unaware of any such initiative on the Government side to quickly implement the legislation, but he was optimistic that he would gain the support to have the legislation tabled by year end. He emphasised that the Freedom of Information Bill was an absolute necessity.
He noted that there was a renewed vigour in democracy worldwide, and he was hopeful that the Government would follow suit.
He pointed to the fact that Barbados is gearing to implement similar legislation, as well as the fact that Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica have already implemented their Freedom of Information legislations.
The People’s National Congress Reform has already voiced its support for the legislation, and yesterday, leader of Vision Guyana, Peter Ramsaroop, voiced his support for the Freedom of Information legislation.
In an invited comment, Ramsaroop said: “This will allow us to ensure accountability and transparency…Critical information such as procurements and contracts should be visible to the public.”
He said that his party actively supports the AFC cause in getting the legislation passed in the National Assembly. ‘There should be no objection by the Administration if they believe everything is being done above board.”
During a mid-year press briefing, General Secretary of the PPP, Donald Ramotar, had disclosed that at that time the party “has never consulted internally on whether it would support a Freedom of Information legislation.”
According to Ramotar, “We have not examined it as yet… the whole draft, the legislation and what it entails.”Ramotar, at that time, did concede that the PPP may have to do so some time in future, and it is likely that this was what the Prime Minister was referring to.
That position adopted by Ramotar at the time came on the heels of public statements by both the Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy, where they conceded that the enactment of the legislation was inevitable.
Despite acknowledging its inevitability, the Prime Minister had said that Guyana was already experiencing some 80 per cent of freedom of information, in that the Government already makes information available in a proactive manner. The Prime Minister made this statement recently at a forum to discuss the mining situation.
The essence of the Freedom of Information Act, according to the Commonwealth Parliament Association (CPA), is the empowerment of the populace to request any piece of information (with few exemptions, such as medical records) held by a public authority.
One such utilisation of the Act was cited by a renowned Trinidadian journalist, Sasha Mohammad, at a recent CPA workshop held for media operatives and Parliamentarians.
According to Mohammad, one such incident was where there was a request that the salaries and monies paid to the director of a bank be disclosed.
During the debate on the 2007 Budget, Trotman had indicated that the passage of legislation to allow access to information is more important than personal endeavours, and he had indicated his willingness to step aside and allow the Government to take up the initiative.
The Bill proposed by Trotman is based on the Trinidad model, which has been criticized by the Government, saying that it had too many flaws.
According to Trotman, the idea of freedom of information must now be expanded from the political realm to that of a multi-stakeholder-driven agenda.
He noted that everyone — not just politicians — must become involved in the process, and consensus must be arrived at.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Name the ranks before we do
The army has taken “appropriate action” against members accused of torturing two soldiers during interrogations, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff Commodore Gary Best said yesterday.
While not divulging what actions were taken against the accused officers, Best told Stabroek News that the army has taken actions against the men, after a Board of Inquiry concluded that while there was no evidence of torture, there were some instances of “roughing up.” Stabroek News has been told that the accused ranks may have lost their ranks as a result of the findings.
Asked if his administration sanctions “roughing up,” Best said no, explaining that this was the reason action was taken against the officers. He said they have since submitted their report to the Defence Board and there is nothing further for them to do in relation to the inquiry. More...
While not divulging what actions were taken against the accused officers, Best told Stabroek News that the army has taken actions against the men, after a Board of Inquiry concluded that while there was no evidence of torture, there were some instances of “roughing up.” Stabroek News has been told that the accused ranks may have lost their ranks as a result of the findings.
Asked if his administration sanctions “roughing up,” Best said no, explaining that this was the reason action was taken against the officers. He said they have since submitted their report to the Defence Board and there is nothing further for them to do in relation to the inquiry. More...
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Is it still the PNC-Reform?
The People's National Congress has tried for many years to hoodwink this nation ever since the party birthed by LFS Burnham lost power in free and fair elections in 1992. We have seen a party lost in the wilderness, searching for its oasis.
After they lost the elections, hundreds of its followers, especially the afro section of the population, kept lurking and waiting for a breath of fresh air. Maybe they needed an Obama to keep their hopes and dreams alive.
Instead, under Hugh Desmond Hoyte, the party led hundreds on violent street demonstrations. It was one the nation's darkest days as the PNCR made Guyana ungovernable by not being able to prevent crazy mobs along the various march routes from rioting, burning, looting, raping and murdering innocent bystanders.
Just when the party had the upper hand and was about to back the ruling, People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) into the wall, President Cheddi Jagan played a gem of a stroke and invited Hoyte for talks.
The move gave the PPP/C enough time to breathe, while ckoking the momentum built up by weeks of protests. As Hoyte sat to hold talks with the PPP/C regime, he silently began to take the party along a passive and less violent road, which angered many hardened memebers including those in the leadership bracket.
As it kept loosing steam faster than a hot pot, Hoyte, who was fondly called the Silver Fox, began meeting with several opposition leaders. The end result was a rebranded party - with ethnic and expereince balanced with political scope that was capable of toppling the PPP/C.
Stanely Ming, Peter Ramsaroop and Eric Phillips joined Hoyte on a quest to regain power. That attempt failed. Howevere, under Hoyte, the party looked willing to engage others with different views.
So strong was the belief that they added "Reform" to their name. Throughout the country, the party was known as the PNCR or the People's National Congress Reform. Momentum raged but after Hoyte died, it was clear that under new leadership, the party would sideline anyone who preached reform.
No one expected Robert Corbin - a man who played a host of dirty tricks to maintain an edge in the YSM, the party's youth arm, to rise to the top of the party. He was never talked about or even considered by Hoyte to take over the party leadership or even to play second fiddle in Hoyte's government.
Corbin did take over and today we see the effects of a deflated party surrounded by dejected followers. Williams, Ramsaroop and Ming have all be sidelined for various reasons, including the inability of the party to practice true reform.
The party has maintained its "refrom" handle, but its a ploy to fool voters into thinking that the party has changed its bitter past. Corbin has lost all clue of leadership and they are renewed calls for his resignation before the 2011 elections.
He promised last year to build a new cadre of leaders to take over by the time teh next party congress comes around. We await, but will not make any bets.
After they lost the elections, hundreds of its followers, especially the afro section of the population, kept lurking and waiting for a breath of fresh air. Maybe they needed an Obama to keep their hopes and dreams alive.
Instead, under Hugh Desmond Hoyte, the party led hundreds on violent street demonstrations. It was one the nation's darkest days as the PNCR made Guyana ungovernable by not being able to prevent crazy mobs along the various march routes from rioting, burning, looting, raping and murdering innocent bystanders.
Just when the party had the upper hand and was about to back the ruling, People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) into the wall, President Cheddi Jagan played a gem of a stroke and invited Hoyte for talks.
The move gave the PPP/C enough time to breathe, while ckoking the momentum built up by weeks of protests. As Hoyte sat to hold talks with the PPP/C regime, he silently began to take the party along a passive and less violent road, which angered many hardened memebers including those in the leadership bracket.
As it kept loosing steam faster than a hot pot, Hoyte, who was fondly called the Silver Fox, began meeting with several opposition leaders. The end result was a rebranded party - with ethnic and expereince balanced with political scope that was capable of toppling the PPP/C.
Stanely Ming, Peter Ramsaroop and Eric Phillips joined Hoyte on a quest to regain power. That attempt failed. Howevere, under Hoyte, the party looked willing to engage others with different views.
So strong was the belief that they added "Reform" to their name. Throughout the country, the party was known as the PNCR or the People's National Congress Reform. Momentum raged but after Hoyte died, it was clear that under new leadership, the party would sideline anyone who preached reform.
No one expected Robert Corbin - a man who played a host of dirty tricks to maintain an edge in the YSM, the party's youth arm, to rise to the top of the party. He was never talked about or even considered by Hoyte to take over the party leadership or even to play second fiddle in Hoyte's government.
Corbin did take over and today we see the effects of a deflated party surrounded by dejected followers. Williams, Ramsaroop and Ming have all be sidelined for various reasons, including the inability of the party to practice true reform.
The party has maintained its "refrom" handle, but its a ploy to fool voters into thinking that the party has changed its bitter past. Corbin has lost all clue of leadership and they are renewed calls for his resignation before the 2011 elections.
He promised last year to build a new cadre of leaders to take over by the time teh next party congress comes around. We await, but will not make any bets.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Piggot's mother should shut her pie hole
The man’s mother, Ena Piggott, told Stabroek News that her son was a taxi driver and that “anybody could put thing in the car”.
“We hear since yesterday [Monday] what the police say and we ent believe but we have to go with the flow and go on living,” one of the man’s sisters added.
Guyana 360: What is this woman talking about. She really blinded by the blood of her son. Sorry to dissapoint you madame, but that little dougla son you raised, got into vending then started hustling on the side. The money and fancy things he gave you was not from his vending sales. It was from his hustling business. You sound so fucking stupid trying to clear you fucking son name.
Yes, we have grown accustom to the cry by all you mothers...he was a good boy, a wonderful son and he did nothing wrong, its just the police and the government trying to frame my child. We had enough of that Mrs. Piggot. Just bury your fucking son and allow the police to do their work.
“We hear since yesterday [Monday] what the police say and we ent believe but we have to go with the flow and go on living,” one of the man’s sisters added.
Guyana 360: What is this woman talking about. She really blinded by the blood of her son. Sorry to dissapoint you madame, but that little dougla son you raised, got into vending then started hustling on the side. The money and fancy things he gave you was not from his vending sales. It was from his hustling business. You sound so fucking stupid trying to clear you fucking son name.
Yes, we have grown accustom to the cry by all you mothers...he was a good boy, a wonderful son and he did nothing wrong, its just the police and the government trying to frame my child. We had enough of that Mrs. Piggot. Just bury your fucking son and allow the police to do their work.
No luck for memebers of Taps family
Remember that big bad, ghetto fabulous bad man from Albouystown that was gunned down a few years back. OK! you forgot. His street name was Taps. It seems as if the saying 'the evil that men do will live after them' is certainly proving true judging from the number of Taps' family that died by the gun or by some mysterious way.
The murder of Taps' nephew in Suriname smells fishy and we bet that by tomorrow, we are going to hear about the incident being linked to guns and/or cocaine. Come on reporters get to digging for a link between this killing and the gunning down of that clothes vendor.
The murder of Taps' nephew in Suriname smells fishy and we bet that by tomorrow, we are going to hear about the incident being linked to guns and/or cocaine. Come on reporters get to digging for a link between this killing and the gunning down of that clothes vendor.
Knocked over by Raptus8
There is uniqueness that satisfies by tinged inquisitiveness that keeps dragging me back to this blog for more and more….and even after being floored and drunk, I still go back for more. Hmm. Can’t seem to put my hand on it, but I’m taking a piss. Is that it? I think I found it. Will share in due season.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Something sweet. Something sensual...something reggae
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Sunday, November 09, 2008
Adam Harris need he money to repair he house
Veteran journalist Adam Harris has championed for the rights of others on more occasions than he can remember.
But not many know that Mr. Harris himself has been battling an injustice that has been meted out to him for 16 years and counting.
Not many know that Mr. Harris, Editor-in-Chief of Kaieteur News, is still to be paid his pension and other benefits that are due to him since his forced resignation as Editor-in-Chief of the Guyana Chronicle.
Mr. Harris said that he had preferred to keep the issue out of the public domain, and to allow the democratic system to work, and work fairly.
“But recently, when I edited the last story concerning former Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder Allen’s fight for her benefits, and learned that her matter is being expedited after she protested, it awoke my senses.”
“I was not prepared to beg, but this money was something that I had worked for, and I am forced to fight for it.”“I don’t want to protest, but I don’t think that anyone should be made to beg for their entitlements.”
Mr. Harris’s woes began in October 1992, when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic came to power following national elections that many proudly state ushered in democracy to Guyana.By November, the members of the new Cabinet were identified.
PPP stalwart Moses Nagamootoo was identified as the new Minister of Information.“One of the first things that he did was to meet with the staff of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL), where I worked as the Editor-in-Chief. He said that the new Government wanted a clean slate and was prepared to accept the resignation of anyone who was prepared to leave in the public interest,” Mr. Harris recalled.
According to the veteran journalist, he was one of the GNNL employees who were singled out by the new Government.He was a former editor of the PNC publication, New Nation. Mr. Harris believes that some in the new Government viewed him as a staunch supporter of the PNC.
“I told him (Nagamootoo) that I was prepared to resign in the public interest and I expected to be paid my gratuity.“I met with Nagamootoo and (Communications Advisor) Vic Insanally in (former GNNL General Manager) Ulric Captain’s office, and we started to work out my benefits. Mr. Captain submitted all of my accounts to Nagamootoo, who was later to say that he passed them on to Dr. Roger Luncheon.
“He also said that Dr. Luncheon said that he was not happy about paying my benefits.”It was here that Mr. Harris’s long and frustrating wait began.
The months passed, and the veteran journalist was shunted from one Government official to the next in an effort to collect the money he had worked for.
“I approached President Cheddi Jagan in 1994 and he promised to look into the matter. I spoke to another senior PPP official after Cheddi died (to no avail).”
Four years ago, Mr. Harris ecided to renew his fight for justice.“I approached (the then Information Liaison to the President) Robert Persaud, who advised me to write a letter. I also approached Presidential Advisor Kellawan Lall, and Dr Nankishore Gopaul.
“Eventually, two years ago, I approached President Bharrat Jagdeo, who said that he would have Dr. Luncheon look at it.”
“Every now and then I would approach Dr. Luncheon and he would say that he was looking into it.”“It was no different with many of the other Government officials with whom I spoke on several occasions. There was no movement.
According to Mr. Harris, earlier this year, Dr Luncheon called him and informed him, yet again, that the matter was being addressed.
He arranged a meeting with the Chairman of the GNNL Board of Directors, Keith Burrowes, and worked out the details of the GNNL aspect of the payment.
“The cheque sent to me a few months ago by GNNL subsequent to that meeting was an insult.”The issue is now at the Ministry of Finance. Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has requested that Harris provide testimonials to support his period of employment as a teacher. Harris began teaching in 1966, and most of the people who could vouch for that are either dead or have migrated.
Fortunately, the headmaster with whom he first worked, Mr. Edgar Burchell Jordan, who is now 92, is still alive. He has provided one of the testimonials.
There is still another testimonial to be had, and efforts are being made to acquire this, but it is proving difficult.
Many hours are spent tracking down someone who could give a testimonial. Harris is now wondering whether there is anyone else who could provide such a testimonial after nearly 40 years of Harris leaving the teaching profession.
Mr. Harris hopes that, this time around, there will be no more empty promises.“Sixteen years is a long time to wait. I am long past the age of retirement. I am closer to my grave than at any time in my life.
“I hope that now that the matter approaches its seventeenth year, there will at last be some resolution.”
But not many know that Mr. Harris himself has been battling an injustice that has been meted out to him for 16 years and counting.
Not many know that Mr. Harris, Editor-in-Chief of Kaieteur News, is still to be paid his pension and other benefits that are due to him since his forced resignation as Editor-in-Chief of the Guyana Chronicle.
Mr. Harris said that he had preferred to keep the issue out of the public domain, and to allow the democratic system to work, and work fairly.
“But recently, when I edited the last story concerning former Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder Allen’s fight for her benefits, and learned that her matter is being expedited after she protested, it awoke my senses.”
“I was not prepared to beg, but this money was something that I had worked for, and I am forced to fight for it.”“I don’t want to protest, but I don’t think that anyone should be made to beg for their entitlements.”
Mr. Harris’s woes began in October 1992, when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic came to power following national elections that many proudly state ushered in democracy to Guyana.By November, the members of the new Cabinet were identified.
PPP stalwart Moses Nagamootoo was identified as the new Minister of Information.“One of the first things that he did was to meet with the staff of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL), where I worked as the Editor-in-Chief. He said that the new Government wanted a clean slate and was prepared to accept the resignation of anyone who was prepared to leave in the public interest,” Mr. Harris recalled.
According to the veteran journalist, he was one of the GNNL employees who were singled out by the new Government.He was a former editor of the PNC publication, New Nation. Mr. Harris believes that some in the new Government viewed him as a staunch supporter of the PNC.
“I told him (Nagamootoo) that I was prepared to resign in the public interest and I expected to be paid my gratuity.“I met with Nagamootoo and (Communications Advisor) Vic Insanally in (former GNNL General Manager) Ulric Captain’s office, and we started to work out my benefits. Mr. Captain submitted all of my accounts to Nagamootoo, who was later to say that he passed them on to Dr. Roger Luncheon.
“He also said that Dr. Luncheon said that he was not happy about paying my benefits.”It was here that Mr. Harris’s long and frustrating wait began.
The months passed, and the veteran journalist was shunted from one Government official to the next in an effort to collect the money he had worked for.
“I approached President Cheddi Jagan in 1994 and he promised to look into the matter. I spoke to another senior PPP official after Cheddi died (to no avail).”
Four years ago, Mr. Harris ecided to renew his fight for justice.“I approached (the then Information Liaison to the President) Robert Persaud, who advised me to write a letter. I also approached Presidential Advisor Kellawan Lall, and Dr Nankishore Gopaul.
“Eventually, two years ago, I approached President Bharrat Jagdeo, who said that he would have Dr. Luncheon look at it.”
“Every now and then I would approach Dr. Luncheon and he would say that he was looking into it.”“It was no different with many of the other Government officials with whom I spoke on several occasions. There was no movement.
According to Mr. Harris, earlier this year, Dr Luncheon called him and informed him, yet again, that the matter was being addressed.
He arranged a meeting with the Chairman of the GNNL Board of Directors, Keith Burrowes, and worked out the details of the GNNL aspect of the payment.
“The cheque sent to me a few months ago by GNNL subsequent to that meeting was an insult.”The issue is now at the Ministry of Finance. Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has requested that Harris provide testimonials to support his period of employment as a teacher. Harris began teaching in 1966, and most of the people who could vouch for that are either dead or have migrated.
Fortunately, the headmaster with whom he first worked, Mr. Edgar Burchell Jordan, who is now 92, is still alive. He has provided one of the testimonials.
There is still another testimonial to be had, and efforts are being made to acquire this, but it is proving difficult.
Many hours are spent tracking down someone who could give a testimonial. Harris is now wondering whether there is anyone else who could provide such a testimonial after nearly 40 years of Harris leaving the teaching profession.
Mr. Harris hopes that, this time around, there will be no more empty promises.“Sixteen years is a long time to wait. I am long past the age of retirement. I am closer to my grave than at any time in my life.
“I hope that now that the matter approaches its seventeenth year, there will at last be some resolution.”
Stunning...is this our police???? WOW WOW!!!
Police disclosed in a statement yesterday that during their investigations into the armed robbery of the payroll at Stanleytown, WBD, ranks recovered three 12-gauge shotguns along with sixteen (16) matching cartridges at the riverside at Nismes.
Two of them have been confirmed as being those stolen from the GEB security guards during the robbery.
The release further said that the 9mm Glock pistol recovered by the police during the armed confrontation with four of the perpetrators at ‘Old Road’ Goed Fortuin, had been identified as belonging to cambio dealer Roy Sarjoo.
Roy Sarjoo was attacked and robbed of a quantity of cash and his firearm by armed gunmen on October 24, 2007, in Subryanville, Georgetown.
In addition, one of the men arrested by the police had been identified as a member of the ‘Fineman Rawlins’ gang and is suspected of having been involved in the murders at Bartica, the release added.
The police yesterday did not disclose if they had captured all nine gunmen or provide any information on those in custody or the status of their investigations.
Several efforts to contact senior police officials yesterday to get additional information were unsuccessful.
Around 11.20 am on Thursday, the police responded to a report that some fifteen minutes earlier a GEB private security cash escort vehicle had been ambushed and robbed at Stanleytown.
A gang of men reportedly numbering nine, four of whom had firearms, held up the driver and three armed security guards who were escorting a locked canister with $17.2M in cash to the Wales Estate, in the vicinity of the Stanleytown bridge. The bandits then took away the locked canister with the cash along with two shotguns and a .38 revolver and ammunition from the security guards and escaped using the GEB vehicle and a car which they had used to block the road.
Ranks from West Demerara set up roadblocks and began an immediate operation to locate the perpetrators. Subsequently additional resources were made available from the Police Marine Section, the Joint Special Operations Group and the Guyana Defence Force, whose helicopter joined the search.
The teams spread out at key points and cordoned off sections of West Demerara, including the Demerara Harbour Bridge, impeding the movement of the bandits. The GEB security vehicle was later found abandoned at Nismes.
Subsequently a police team encountered two of the bandits on the foreshore at Nismes, who opened fire on the ranks, and during an exchange one of the bandits who was later identified as Eric Williams of Fyrish, Corentyne, was fatally wounded while the other man managed to escape. An unlicensed .32 pistol with twelve matching rounds was recovered by the police along with a boat and an engine.
Williams is no stranger to the police. Over the years he had been linked to several crimes, and he served five years in jail for rape and armed robbery. At the time of his death he had a robbery under arms case before the court, and had recently been released by the Magistrate on bail.
The teams remained in ambush while teams from Georgetown were mobilized and arrests were made on the East Bank of Demerara and at the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
The man who had escaped during the armed confrontation at the Nismes foreshore was later arrested in the Nismes area.
While patrolling on Thursday night, a team of police ranks encountered a motor vehicle at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, with two men inside, who upon being questioned were suspected of being involved in assisting the perpetrators to get away; they were then arrested.
At about 1.15 am on Friday the police confronted a group of four men along the ‘Old Road’ at Goed Fortuin. During an exchange of gunfire Leon Dundas of Punt Trench Dam, Albouystown, was killed; the other three men were arrested.
The police also recovered the canister with the payroll; the .38 Smith and Wesson revolver and the six rounds that had been taken away from the GEB security guards, along with a .32 Taurus pistol with two magazines and twenty-one rounds; a 9mm Glock pistol with two magazines and thirty-one rounds; and two .38 Taurus revolvers with ten matching rounds.
During interviews members of the gang confessed to a number of robberies including the armed robbery committed on businessman Chetram called ‘Barry’ at Tuschen, EBE, on October 14.
Several police sources have told this newspaper that there is a bandit with gunshot wounds in hospital while the other four have been transferred to the city where they are being grilled. However, there has been no official confirmation from the police.
Two of them have been confirmed as being those stolen from the GEB security guards during the robbery.
The release further said that the 9mm Glock pistol recovered by the police during the armed confrontation with four of the perpetrators at ‘Old Road’ Goed Fortuin, had been identified as belonging to cambio dealer Roy Sarjoo.
Roy Sarjoo was attacked and robbed of a quantity of cash and his firearm by armed gunmen on October 24, 2007, in Subryanville, Georgetown.
In addition, one of the men arrested by the police had been identified as a member of the ‘Fineman Rawlins’ gang and is suspected of having been involved in the murders at Bartica, the release added.
The police yesterday did not disclose if they had captured all nine gunmen or provide any information on those in custody or the status of their investigations.
Several efforts to contact senior police officials yesterday to get additional information were unsuccessful.
Around 11.20 am on Thursday, the police responded to a report that some fifteen minutes earlier a GEB private security cash escort vehicle had been ambushed and robbed at Stanleytown.
A gang of men reportedly numbering nine, four of whom had firearms, held up the driver and three armed security guards who were escorting a locked canister with $17.2M in cash to the Wales Estate, in the vicinity of the Stanleytown bridge. The bandits then took away the locked canister with the cash along with two shotguns and a .38 revolver and ammunition from the security guards and escaped using the GEB vehicle and a car which they had used to block the road.
Ranks from West Demerara set up roadblocks and began an immediate operation to locate the perpetrators. Subsequently additional resources were made available from the Police Marine Section, the Joint Special Operations Group and the Guyana Defence Force, whose helicopter joined the search.
The teams spread out at key points and cordoned off sections of West Demerara, including the Demerara Harbour Bridge, impeding the movement of the bandits. The GEB security vehicle was later found abandoned at Nismes.
Subsequently a police team encountered two of the bandits on the foreshore at Nismes, who opened fire on the ranks, and during an exchange one of the bandits who was later identified as Eric Williams of Fyrish, Corentyne, was fatally wounded while the other man managed to escape. An unlicensed .32 pistol with twelve matching rounds was recovered by the police along with a boat and an engine.
Williams is no stranger to the police. Over the years he had been linked to several crimes, and he served five years in jail for rape and armed robbery. At the time of his death he had a robbery under arms case before the court, and had recently been released by the Magistrate on bail.
The teams remained in ambush while teams from Georgetown were mobilized and arrests were made on the East Bank of Demerara and at the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
The man who had escaped during the armed confrontation at the Nismes foreshore was later arrested in the Nismes area.
While patrolling on Thursday night, a team of police ranks encountered a motor vehicle at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, with two men inside, who upon being questioned were suspected of being involved in assisting the perpetrators to get away; they were then arrested.
At about 1.15 am on Friday the police confronted a group of four men along the ‘Old Road’ at Goed Fortuin. During an exchange of gunfire Leon Dundas of Punt Trench Dam, Albouystown, was killed; the other three men were arrested.
The police also recovered the canister with the payroll; the .38 Smith and Wesson revolver and the six rounds that had been taken away from the GEB security guards, along with a .32 Taurus pistol with two magazines and twenty-one rounds; a 9mm Glock pistol with two magazines and thirty-one rounds; and two .38 Taurus revolvers with ten matching rounds.
During interviews members of the gang confessed to a number of robberies including the armed robbery committed on businessman Chetram called ‘Barry’ at Tuschen, EBE, on October 14.
Several police sources have told this newspaper that there is a bandit with gunshot wounds in hospital while the other four have been transferred to the city where they are being grilled. However, there has been no official confirmation from the police.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Byron Lee Alive!!!
“Dear All: Our dad is very much alive. Since Tuesday afternoon, we have been bombarded with emails, calls, faxes etc, re: a rumour which started in Canada that my Dad passed way at 4 am.
This news is also now being circulated in the USA, Jamaica and the Caribbean. Not true. Please circulate this mail to everyone that he is very much ALIVE and is bravely fighting. He has been bossing all of us around, and as usual, getting his own way (with our pleasure).
Please keep him in your prayers and continue to send him much love and hope. Don't give up on him.
Thanks again for your love and concern, Deanna, Julianne, Danielle, Edward John, Byron Jr., Judy and Sheila.”
Guyana360: We apologise to the children, other relatives, friends and fans of the well-known musician for the misleading report.
This news is also now being circulated in the USA, Jamaica and the Caribbean. Not true. Please circulate this mail to everyone that he is very much ALIVE and is bravely fighting. He has been bossing all of us around, and as usual, getting his own way (with our pleasure).
Please keep him in your prayers and continue to send him much love and hope. Don't give up on him.
Thanks again for your love and concern, Deanna, Julianne, Danielle, Edward John, Byron Jr., Judy and Sheila.”
Guyana360: We apologise to the children, other relatives, friends and fans of the well-known musician for the misleading report.
They dropping like flies...now VJ gone too
The entire Alliance For Change family mourns the passing of Vivian Jordan (pictured second from left singing to youths in Buxton), and extends sincerest condolences to his family at this time of their deep sorrow. “VJ”, as he was popularly known, was one of the pioneers of the AFC’s launch in October, 2005, and a vibrant activist and candidate in the 2006 General and Regional Elections.
His contribution to the success of the cause of Change in Guyana will rank equally with his other well known personas of being Calypso Monarch and Indigenous Rights activist.
We will miss his effervescent presence, his compassion for the promotion of sport and culture, and his vibrant and positive approach to his work, which were an inspiration to all of us, and a source of immense pride to his Amerindian brothers and sisters.
His contribution to the success of the cause of Change in Guyana will rank equally with his other well known personas of being Calypso Monarch and Indigenous Rights activist.
We will miss his effervescent presence, his compassion for the promotion of sport and culture, and his vibrant and positive approach to his work, which were an inspiration to all of us, and a source of immense pride to his Amerindian brothers and sisters.
no Rough joke
We dare anyone out there to tell us what the following army men all have in common?
Major Khan, Captain Sukul and Major James
Major Khan, Captain Sukul and Major James
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Rough necks must be named
The report into allegations of torture by ranks of the Joint Services will be released but without the names of the ranks mentioned in the document.
This is according to Head to State, President Bharrat Jagdeo, who said, during a press briefing yesterday, that the names would be removed from the report in order to protect the ranks from any from of discrimination.
He said that once the names of the ranks are published, it is more than likely their faces will also be published in relation to the accusations.
He noted that it was probably that fear that prompted Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, to declare on Friday that it was very unlikely that the report would be released.
The President also reiterated what so many before him on the Government side had said — that the men were not tortured, but were questioned aggressively.
He noted that the matters must be addressed in their contexts, pointing to the circumstances surrounding the men being picked up and questioned.
According to Jagdeo, the first was in the case of Buxton, when several soldiers and policemen were shot and killed by bandits. Many people lost their lives, and members of the Joint Services were being shot at routinely.
These shootings were post Lusignan and Bartica, where the Rondell ‘Fine Man’ Rawlins Gang was based.
“If they identify people who are linked to criminal gangs, then they will act in a certain manner, given the context…To act alternatively may cost them their lives.”
The second incident, according to Jagdeo, stemmed from the discovery of a huge cache of weapons that were lost by the army. Then another weapon went missing.
This is according to Head to State, President Bharrat Jagdeo, who said, during a press briefing yesterday, that the names would be removed from the report in order to protect the ranks from any from of discrimination.
He said that once the names of the ranks are published, it is more than likely their faces will also be published in relation to the accusations.
He noted that it was probably that fear that prompted Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, to declare on Friday that it was very unlikely that the report would be released.
The President also reiterated what so many before him on the Government side had said — that the men were not tortured, but were questioned aggressively.
He noted that the matters must be addressed in their contexts, pointing to the circumstances surrounding the men being picked up and questioned.
According to Jagdeo, the first was in the case of Buxton, when several soldiers and policemen were shot and killed by bandits. Many people lost their lives, and members of the Joint Services were being shot at routinely.
These shootings were post Lusignan and Bartica, where the Rondell ‘Fine Man’ Rawlins Gang was based.
“If they identify people who are linked to criminal gangs, then they will act in a certain manner, given the context…To act alternatively may cost them their lives.”
The second incident, according to Jagdeo, stemmed from the discovery of a huge cache of weapons that were lost by the army. Then another weapon went missing.
Opposition supports crime, Govt. allows torture...we all happy
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Donald Ramotar, yesterday accused the Parliamentary opposition, particularly the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), of giving tacit (implicit or unspoken) support to criminal activities in Guyana.
Ramotar made the statement during a media briefing at the party’s headquarters, Freedom House, yesterday.
He argued that his contention was based on the opposition parties’ position on the motion tabled recently by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee that was aimed at lauding the Joint Services for the killing of Rondell ‘Fine Man’ Rawlins and his gang.
When the motion was put to the House on Monday, the House asked for a division of votes and the opposition parties abstained from voting.
Ramotar added also that it was noticeable that the leader of the Alliance For Change, Raphael Trotman, after attacking the motion seeking to express appreciation to the Joint Services, left the National Assembly with his deputy, Khemraj Ramjattan.
“It was obvious that they did not want to be in Parliament to take a side for or against the motion…This was clear political opportunism, and can only encourage criminal activities in Guyana…He, however, returned to support the ridiculous allegation of torture contained in the motion of the PNCR.”
Ramotar made the statement during a media briefing at the party’s headquarters, Freedom House, yesterday.
He argued that his contention was based on the opposition parties’ position on the motion tabled recently by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee that was aimed at lauding the Joint Services for the killing of Rondell ‘Fine Man’ Rawlins and his gang.
When the motion was put to the House on Monday, the House asked for a division of votes and the opposition parties abstained from voting.
Ramotar added also that it was noticeable that the leader of the Alliance For Change, Raphael Trotman, after attacking the motion seeking to express appreciation to the Joint Services, left the National Assembly with his deputy, Khemraj Ramjattan.
“It was obvious that they did not want to be in Parliament to take a side for or against the motion…This was clear political opportunism, and can only encourage criminal activities in Guyana…He, however, returned to support the ridiculous allegation of torture contained in the motion of the PNCR.”
Byron Lee gone too...
Bandleader Byron Leader, who entertained the Caribbean for more than 50 years, died on Thursday night at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Jamaica.
A few days before his passing the Jamaican government had bestowed on him the Order of Jamaica (OJ).
A few days before his passing the Jamaican government had bestowed on him the Order of Jamaica (OJ).
A FIGHTER HAS FALLEN
GPA'S STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF STABROEK NEWSCO-FOUNDER AND EDITOR-in-CHIEF, DAVID DE CAIRES
1st November, 2008.
The Guyanese and Caribbean media fraternity have lost a hero of the modern press.
Mr. David De Caires, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief, of Guyana'sindependent Stabroek News newspaper has died. Though a British-trained solicitor, his first love had always beenjournalism- a craft he practiced to perfection along with long timelegal colleague, Attorney-at-Law, Miles Fitzpatrick, SC.
It was those earlier years of journalist practice in a number of magazines that eventually fructified in 1986 with the establishmentof the Stabroek News- Guyana's first privately-owned daily newspapersince the 1970s when the political-economy had forced the closure of several private newspapers.
David's greatest contribution to Guyana's era of glasnost and perestroika, therefore, was the opening up of the media landscape after a period of considerable state-control and authoritarianism under various guises by the then administration. Eventually, the wind of global change had touched the country and David and local and regional associates quickly grasped the moment,resulting in then President Desmond Hoyte fulfilling a promise that Trinidadian media magnate, Ken Gordon, had secured from him during an interview.
While David's name is etched in the annals of Guyanese and Caribbean media history for being instrumental in slackening the clutches of state control on the media several decades ago, he will more latterlybe remembered for his valiant struggle against the withdrawal of government advertisements from the Stabroek News newspaper.
Though that appeared to be a private business matter, he led Guyaneseof all walks of life in defiance against all odds not only for hisentity but for the entire country whose daily decision-making dependon authentic and credible information.
For him and all those who stoodby his side, Guyana must never go back to the dark ages of statecontrol of the media and set a precedent for other countries of thisregion to follow.His was a life of struggle-to-success, dating back to the early days of Stabroek News at the corner of Peter Rose and Anira Streets,Queenstown, when the staff had scooped its competitor and delivered the truth with either non-existent or limited telephone service.
As if that was not enough, the newspaper's content had to be flowneach week to Trinidad to be printed and returned later in the week for distribution. Such were his Caribbean connections to Barbados' Nation;Jamaica's Gleaner and the Trinidad Express.
Eventually, Guyana Publications Incorporated acquired a printing press and benefited from technical expertise provided by sister-newspapers in the Caribbean,resulting in the Stabroek News growing into a daily news-staple.
Our heartfelt condolences to David's immediate family, relatives, the Board of Directors and staff of the Stabroek News newspaper, and his friends in the Guyanese and Caribbean media fraternity.
We are confident that his contribution to the media-landscape will belong cherished and perpetuated by his competent team of editors andstaff.In mourning his loss, we must sustain the torch-light of freedom,truth and justice for which he fought.
1st November, 2008.
The Guyanese and Caribbean media fraternity have lost a hero of the modern press.
Mr. David De Caires, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief, of Guyana'sindependent Stabroek News newspaper has died. Though a British-trained solicitor, his first love had always beenjournalism- a craft he practiced to perfection along with long timelegal colleague, Attorney-at-Law, Miles Fitzpatrick, SC.
It was those earlier years of journalist practice in a number of magazines that eventually fructified in 1986 with the establishmentof the Stabroek News- Guyana's first privately-owned daily newspapersince the 1970s when the political-economy had forced the closure of several private newspapers.
David's greatest contribution to Guyana's era of glasnost and perestroika, therefore, was the opening up of the media landscape after a period of considerable state-control and authoritarianism under various guises by the then administration. Eventually, the wind of global change had touched the country and David and local and regional associates quickly grasped the moment,resulting in then President Desmond Hoyte fulfilling a promise that Trinidadian media magnate, Ken Gordon, had secured from him during an interview.
While David's name is etched in the annals of Guyanese and Caribbean media history for being instrumental in slackening the clutches of state control on the media several decades ago, he will more latterlybe remembered for his valiant struggle against the withdrawal of government advertisements from the Stabroek News newspaper.
Though that appeared to be a private business matter, he led Guyaneseof all walks of life in defiance against all odds not only for hisentity but for the entire country whose daily decision-making dependon authentic and credible information.
For him and all those who stoodby his side, Guyana must never go back to the dark ages of statecontrol of the media and set a precedent for other countries of thisregion to follow.His was a life of struggle-to-success, dating back to the early days of Stabroek News at the corner of Peter Rose and Anira Streets,Queenstown, when the staff had scooped its competitor and delivered the truth with either non-existent or limited telephone service.
As if that was not enough, the newspaper's content had to be flowneach week to Trinidad to be printed and returned later in the week for distribution. Such were his Caribbean connections to Barbados' Nation;Jamaica's Gleaner and the Trinidad Express.
Eventually, Guyana Publications Incorporated acquired a printing press and benefited from technical expertise provided by sister-newspapers in the Caribbean,resulting in the Stabroek News growing into a daily news-staple.
Our heartfelt condolences to David's immediate family, relatives, the Board of Directors and staff of the Stabroek News newspaper, and his friends in the Guyanese and Caribbean media fraternity.
We are confident that his contribution to the media-landscape will belong cherished and perpetuated by his competent team of editors andstaff.In mourning his loss, we must sustain the torch-light of freedom,truth and justice for which he fought.
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