Guyana 360

Really not five stars

2010-02-13T06:23:00.002-04:00

Kaieteur News' Latoya Giles reports: "After numerous calls were made to the prison officials, the inmates, according to the source, broke off a piece of rotting wood which caused a hole in the wall."

A convenient paradox

2010-01-31T08:49:00.002-04:00

There seems to be a big drive by the Government and its cronies to form some sort of alliance with the business community in an apparent effort to garner funds through various means. Keith Burrowes writing in the Sunday Chronicle "Revaluing the retired*" is suggesting that the private sector set up a fund to help our seniors. On the surface it seems like a wonderful idea. To support his idea he draws reference to the over reliance on Government. However, in the very same paragraph he still wants Government to facilitate the administration of the funds. The citizenry of this country should not put up with another scandal Mr. Burrowes or another fat cat to watch milk. Not that you are a fat cat or a cat for that matter. Your suggestion is conveniently flawed.

Mr Burrowes states...

"In this column, one of the issues I've usually written on is the over-dependence on government in too many areas. While government’s input is no doubt invaluable to the development of certain programmes, ownership of any initiative on the elderly needs to be at a national level. For example, one idea I would like to put forward is that of a sort of needs-based Pensioners' Fund, wherein government facilitates the administration of the fund which is supported by private sector contribution.

Related by purpose

2010-01-31T08:41:00.002-04:00

Hello, I am Guyana Chronicle and today (Sunday January 31, 2009) I decided to dress like my brother in crime Guyana Times. My cousin is the Mirror and my step brother resides at Congress Place. You will meet more of my relatives during the third term campaign for my father, Bharrat Jagdeo.

Still alive...just like the third term-mobile

2010-01-13T07:44:00.001-04:00

Be warned...we are still inclined to blog!

Run Kwame Run....

2009-10-01T09:25:00.000-04:00

Kwame McCoy leaves town

October 1, 2009 | By KNews | Filed Under News

Information Liaison to the President, Kwame McCoy, who is embroiled in a controversy over a recorded conversation purportedly to involve him soliciting sexual favours from a 15-year-old boy, has left the city.

Yesterday he touched down at Lethem at the border with Brazil. He is heading to Brazil and is likely to end up in Venezuela.

However, Kaieteur News has been informed that McCoy, who boarded a Trans Guyana flight which left the Ogle Airport at 10:43 hrs yesterday, arrived at Lethem under an “assumed name” and not his known name.

Since news reports linked the adult voice making advances to the minor to McCoy, the President’s L:iaison officer proceeded on annual leave which was due to him.

McCoy reportedly went on leave last Wednesday. Permanent Secretary within the Office of the President Dr Nanda Gopaul did not return Kaieteur News’s call seeking confirmation on this.

McCoy was at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, on Monday when President Bharrat Jagdeo returned to Guyana after high levels meetings in the United States.

The President told reporters, soon after, that he would look into the McCoy matter and would make a determination on McCoy’s fate once he was fully briefed.

On Monday, activist Mark Benschop delivered a copy of the recording to the Office of the President.

When McCoy landed at Lethem yesterday, sources told Kaieteur News that he was picked up by an official of the ruling People’s Progressive Party.

McCoy’s departure from Georgetown came a day after Chief Justice Ian Chang dismissed an injunction McCoy had brought against Kaieteur News, Prime News and Capitol News, to prevent the media houses from “further publishing words or images that have the effect of insinuating or suggesting that Kwame McCoy is involved in acts of child molestation and sexual predation on minors until the determination of a summons to continue injunction.”

McCoy was also seeking damages in excess of $50M from each of the named defendants for what he calls libel.

Ann Greene calls on the community to protest McCow

2009-09-28T13:09:00.002-04:00

CHILD Protection Week, observed under the theme ‘Caring communities raise caring children - Protect them now’, ended Friday, but Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Mrs. Ann Greene, maintained that community involvement remains a must for effectiveness.

Come on people follow Mrs. Greene and start an effective campaign to protect other children from venomous child predators the likes of Kwame McCow

Run lil boys run...

2009-09-28T13:02:00.002-04:00

KN reports:

The group chanted slogans such as “run lil boys run, Kwame the predator is around”; “Shameful Kwame, wants protection from the judiciary”, “Kwame, you bring shame pun we country”, “God made Adam an Eve not Adam and Steve”, and “Kwame in the garden hiding”. The chanting went on for over an hour and caused drivers and passersby to stop and look in amusement.

Question it

2009-09-28T13:00:00.002-04:00

Why is Dr. Randy Persaud anxious to promote Bharrat Jagdeo for a Nobel Peace Prize?

McCow must reign to Monkey Mountain

2009-09-28T12:18:00.004-04:00

This Kaieteur News front page is glowing with colourful and interesting headlines, but the one that caught us is at the lower section of the Page. If Mr. McCow has any decency he would step down from all the state positions and allow for an investiagtion of some sorts. We will not debate the fairness of the investigation, but he must allow for one. Mr. McCow can go to Monkey Mountain for a while to ponder his actions.

If he refuses to do so, then the ball is in the President's court as other matters are being the micromanger he is. If Bharrat Jagdeo allows McCow to continue serving in his administration, then he would be in danger of exiting a morally broken Office of the President - one that supports abuse of our women and children, who are protected by numerous laws across the world. The incoming president will have a lot of work to restore respectability to the office. It is not impossible.

Life is fair in Guyana!

2009-09-26T10:55:00.004-04:00

Mr. Evan Persaud makes sexual advances at students and he is fired as a lecturer at the University of Guyana, Kwame McCoy makes sexual advances at a little boy and he is allowed to continue serving. Both have political connections to the governing party. Isn't life fair in Guyana?

McCoy should reign...SASOD should lead the call

2009-09-26T10:34:00.002-04:00

Phone records show that the infamous sex call was made from 226-1832 to 223-7502, a direct line to Kwame McCoy at Office of the President.The call started at 16:54:03 hrs and lasted for 20 minutes.

However, in the mico-management scheme of things, this little 15-year-old boy must wait until daddy returns from New York before a public paedophile is dealt with.

Kaieteur News reports...It was pointed out that in light of McCoy’s denial the unit has to wait until President Jagdeo returns to ascertain the likely course of action. What the fuck is this about. This makes a mockery of the Rights of the Child Commission and Guyana as a state.

Where is SASOD in all of this. Is forcing buggery on a child something that you condone. Certainly you do condone buggery and you fight for it to become law. Speak up, let's hear from you memebers of SASOD. The last time you spoke you accused the state of sponsoring homophobia. Will you now accuse the state of sponoring paedophiles?

Smart move!

2009-09-26T10:31:00.001-04:00

We must applaud the fact that Mark Benschop took this bold move yesterday. We encourage him to take the cart to Berbice, Lethem, Esequibo and Linden. They too have not heard!

'Operation Koetai’

2009-09-26T09:12:00.003-04:00

Guyana has made a mockery of its immigartion laws by attempting to deport a large group of mermons. That is agreed and accepted by most right thinking Guyanese. Guyanese throughout the Caribbean have been the constant target for deportation and are subjected on a regular basis to additional immigration scrutiny especially in Barbados and Antigua. Perhaps because these two islands are bursting with expatraite Guyanese, a large percentage working and living illegally.

It was only a matter of time before other Caribbean countries jump on their band wagon and started to deport Guyanese living and working illegally in their jurisdiction. Suriname has done so under "Operation Koetai". Bahamas has repeatedly held immigration sweeps which net Guyanese literally. Bahamas employs a less humane method to capture illegal migrants, but it depends on which side of the argument you stand. Guns and batons are hardly used in the Bahamas. Instead, they use large nets and often pounce on unsuspecting aliens like dog catchers.

We expect immigration operations to launched in St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Grenada and Trinidad. Guyanese continue to be driven out by political unrest and victimisation; insecurity and crime; lack of economic oppertunties and vision of the Government; and rampant corruption condoned by those in authority. Those elected are running around chatting about stark developments, yet Guyana is seen externally hovering above Haiti, considered the poorest country in the hemisphere. Until, the Government come to grips and accept the realities that confront this nation, Guyanese will continue to find ways to make hay in other countries. Life's lessons are simple and it teaches that for you to fix a problem, you must first find it.

There is a sense of hopelessness and dispair with a large percentage of citizens craving for an Obama-type leader to enter the fray. Faced with so many internal struggles, the Government of the day acted like morons when they jumped on those mormons who preach peace, love and togetherness.

We need an immigration policy that works better than the bandaid policies that have come on stream since 1992.

Timeka's upcoming project

2009-09-26T08:54:00.003-04:00

When we heard about Timeka's newest project with popular danchall act, Busy Signal, we could not help but think when will she get down to writing and producing her own songs. Everyone else is busy, busy trying to write their own music while she is satisfied with joyriding on everyone's track.

Did we mention her slutty out of character roles she has been portraying in those videos? She is Guyanaese, but her aim should be above appearing in a few videos, rolling up in bed and grinding at the bar.

Hits and Jams which manages this young lady must sample the blame here. If you are a singer in the Caribbean, you will not make much money from cd sales. Your cds are promotional items for a stage show invite. Money is really raked in from tours and stage performances.

We ask of anyone reading this to rest you patriotism for a moment and ask what songs would Timeka excite a crowd at Summer Splash (since she is working out of Jamaica). The answer is pretty simple. Below is the teaser for her video with Busy Signal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vZe6ys7elo

Oooh Oooh Haaaa...Monkey that..Evolution explained

2009-08-20T21:19:00.005-04:00

First there were Monkeys

Then came evolution

Which resulted in dumb Presidential Advisors

Quote of the day

2009-08-20T10:54:00.000-04:00

According to Ramjattan, the PPP/C has ‘out of the blue’ said that the Royal Mounted Police of Canada investigated him for backtracking.

“I am totally unaware of all of that…I want to mention that I have my visa to Canada, Britain and America…many of them in the PPP and in Cabinet don’t have that.”

Van West Charles officially pulls out of PNCR leadership race

2009-08-20T10:29:00.000-04:00

Today marks an historic time in the history of not only the PNC but inGuyanese political history. Today, Dr Richard Van West Charles andWinston Murray will begin the process of changing the political culturein the party founded by Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.

Dr Van West Charles, in a display of political maturity rarely seen inGuyanese politics will withdraw from the PNC leadership race andsupport former Party Chairman Winston Murray whom he believes is anexemplary candidate who has served the PNC and Guyana for the pastthirty years.

This move comes after many discussions over recent yearsbetween both leaders whose common fear is that under the presentleadership the PNC will soon fade into oblivion thus denying thousandsof Guyanese the representation against a repressive, racist, corruptand inept PPP.

An official press briefing will be held at noon today then both leaderswill depart for Berbice in a last minute campaign tour.

Stone her!

2009-08-19T09:53:00.002-04:00

What kind of sick woman would do something like this. She needs to be dragged in front the Stabroek Market square and stoned!

Corbin slides into leadership race

2009-08-19T09:41:00.001-04:00

Ending months of speculation, incumbent Robert Corbin yesterday officially announced his decision to contest to retain the post of leader of the main opposition PNCR, saying his primary motivation is the need to have stable leadership to make the party “fit for purpose.”

Flanked by supporters including PNCR vice-chairs Basil Williams and Volda Lawrence, Corbin told a news briefing that he accepted the nomination of the 160-odd groups which nominated him and emphasised that he would be part of a team concerned about the future of the party, and Guyana.

“I am part of a team that recognises that the enemy is not within but is the present administration that has been involved in several violations of our constitution and has indeed put Guyana in a parlous state at this moment,” he explained.

He said too that in order for the party to confront the current administration, it needed to build unity and strength. He acknowledged that there was a mammoth task ahead of the party in terms of conflict resolution, building harmony and ensuring that it was all inclusive to confront challenges that lie ahead. [link]

Chronicle paints Robert Persaud a liar

2009-08-16T06:23:00.002-04:00

There has been a big flare up over Friday's meda inspection of projects being undertaken by the Agriculture Ministry. Persaud claims here that he was not moved to take the media by compelling reports and questions from Kaieteur News. He dispells the claim.

However, the Guyana Chronicle has proven that the Minister is lying about the reasons behind the media tour.

Chronicle claims " The inspection exercise was also in response to a number of queries raised by the local daily, the Kaieteur News, at press briefings and in articles, for specific information on these projects, and the representatives of that entity not only had the opportunity of having all its uncertainties clarified but were also provided with a map of the locations at reference."

The Minister certainly needs to explain how a paper friendly to him opposes what he stated. Robert "Backpeddling" Persaud has some explaining to do.

Tajeram Mohabir in bed with Robert Persaud

2009-08-16T06:08:00.002-04:00

After reading this KN article, one is left to wonder just how further up Robert Persaud's rear end is Tajeram Mohabir willing to go. We know the fella is trying to keep his job in this tough economic times, but his article is clearly bais and is structured to paint Persaud a saint. Come on Taje, you did not have to be so blatant. This is how the article starts off...

"A TEAM of officials from the Ministry of Agriculture on Friday paid a visit to Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Island) to assess the progress being made with work on several key drainage and irrigation (D&I) structures there.Heading the delegation was Agriculture Minister, Mr Robert Persaud, and the purpose of the exercise was to make good on a promise to deliver quality service to farmers by adapting an inclusive approach."

However, way down the article, Mohabir tries to show some balance, but fails miserably.

"He had one gripe however, which was the deplorable state of the dams whenever it rains, which makes it difficult for the farmers to access their farms during the rainy season."

Robert Persaud under fire

2009-08-16T05:57:00.003-04:00

Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, yesterday reneged on a promise to take the media on a thorough inspection tour of drainage and irrigation projects totaling an estimated $1.1 billion.

Further, there was clear evidence that Persaud’s Ministry and the contractor of the projects he visited, intended to frustrate the efforts by the press to police the works being executed.

Following scrutiny by Kaieteur News, Persaud, two Fridays ago, promised to take the media on an inspection tour of the projects between Bonasika Creek in the Essequibo River and Crabwood Creek on the Corentyne Coast.

However, yesterday, after inspecting just eight structures in one of four of the “Lots” Persaud left without informing the media. This was after he had inspected a drainage and irrigation structure under construction at Philadelphia, East Bank Essequibo.Four “Lots” of rehabilitation projects of Drainage and Irrigation structures were recently awarded through the Agriculture Sector Development Unit, with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank.

Essequibo contractor, Roopan Ramotar, popularly known as ‘Fowl Cock’ was awarded two of the ‘Lots.” These are Vergenoegen/Bonasika, East Bank Essequibo and Den Amstel/Fellowship, West Coast Demerara.

The two were constructed at a cost of $385 million; and the one at Golden Grove/Victoria, cost $202 million.The other “Lots” were for Vreed-en-hoop/La Jalousie and Crabwood Creek, and these were awarded to BK International.Persaud, two Fridays ago, said that he would personally take the media on a tour from 05: 00 hrs yesterday and go up to midnight if that was necessary to cover all the areas, including up to Crabwook Creek.

Yesterday morning, the tour commenced at the Parika and Ruby backdams, where Persaud examined seven structures. Thereafter, the state-owned media, consisting of the Guyana Chronicle, National Communications Network, and the Government Information Agency, left.Persaud then moved on to inspect one structure at Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo.

The team then moved on to Philadelphia, also on East Bank Essequibo.When Kaieteur News inquired about Minister Persaud’s whereabouts, Parmanand Persaud, who goes by the title “Farmers Relations Specialist”, said that the Minister had a meeting for 10: 00 hrs.

Along with Persaud, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth, and contractor Roopan Ramotar also left without informing the media team.The only other media house remaining on the inspection tour was Evening News, which only happened to be traveling in the same vehicle with Kaieteur News.

The media team was never told who would be the alternative spokespersons given that Persaud, Wordsworth and Ramotar had left.”As a result, reporters were at a loss as to who would answer their questions regarding the projects that they were being taken to.

It was at this point that Kaieteur News discovered a clear attempt by the Ministry and the contractor to frustrate efforts to reach the project sites. At the head of Philadelphia, the media team was told that the bridge they were going to inspect was one and a half miles into the backdam, and that they had to walk because the road was impassable to vehicles.

One of the reporters from Kaieteur News was taken in on a motorbike by a ranger of the Parika Water Users Association. When the ranger was about to return to pick up another member of the group, to save the team from the arduous walk in, he was stopped by a gentleman who, in clear ear shot of a Kaieteur News reporter - told him to assist anyone besides any member of the media. [link]

Robert Persaud is confused

2009-08-16T05:53:00.006-04:00

Further to this and this, the Government Incompetent News Agency (GINA) issued the following...

Agri Ministry responds to spurious claims by Kaieteur News- remains committed to infrastructural advancement despite negative press

Georgetown, GINA, August 15, 2009

In response to spurious claims and malicious reporting by the Kaieteur News team of developments at an inspection visit yesterday, the Ministry of Agriculture has released a statement condemning the unfair attack of the media house on the ministry and Minister.

The ministry asserts that, in light of the article: ‘Minister Persaud backpedals on agri inspections – abandons media team; contractor seeks to frustrate Kaieteur News’ of the Kaieteur News dated Saturday August 15, 2009, it is clear that the media house is, beyond a shadow of doubt, on a campaign to ‘go after the Minister of Agriculture’ as opined by several observers.

The Kaieteur News (KN) team reported of being abandoned by the Minister and frustrated by the contractor and technical team. This, the ministry stated, is part of a sustained attack by KN and other pro-Opposition media outlets, and is a contravention of a major tenet of journalism - the principle of fair and accurate reporting.

The ministry held that the KN team, in its report of the field visit, omitted or twisted certain facts:

The visit was not requested by anyone; rather, it was proposed by the Minister himself as part of his recent campaign to get all stakeholders, particularly farmers, involved in the monitoring of agriculture projects. This is indicative of his unprecedented drive for ensuring value for money and beneficiaries’ participation;

The Minister was the first to arrive on the worksite, having commenced the journey to the inspection tour site before 05:00 hrs;

Minister Persaud was not scheduled to be with the monitoring party for the entire duration of the activity, but he spent close to five hours touring the sites and interacting with stakeholders;

During a media briefing at one of the project sites at the Parika/Ruby Backdam following hours of inspection to other sites, the Minister questioned whether any member of the media wanted to opt out of the inspection activity and be transported back to Georgetown.

He stated that those who wished to remain would be accommodated. The KN and Evening News teams opted to continue on the inspection activity and were adequately taken care of; Minister Persaud, owing to the exigencies of his job, could not stay on for the full duration of the activity and did not want to limit the media inspection to the time he could spend.

Instead, he encouraged continued inspection of the media, and ensured that the Ministry’s technical team was on hand to facilitate in his absence; and it was the KN team that urged that the activity be terminated before all project sites were visited.

The ministry posited that perhaps the KN team, not being able to find fault with the state of the project; the dispositions of stakeholders; the number of works executed within the project framework; and the ministry’s resolve to improve conditions for all members of the agricultural fraternity and the wider Guyanese citizenry, felt the compulsion to present its version of the reality.

The ministry informed that, notwithstanding the barrage of negative reporting of KN – something that seems to be a policy position of the media house – it will soon be arranging other inspection visits to other project sites, and all stakeholders and media houses, including KN, will be invited.

Jagdeo's Robert Persaud hair cut

2009-08-16T05:36:00.005-04:00

We just had to post this photo which was circulated yesterday. Below is the President sporting a clean shaven look - the smooth look one gets right after leaving the barber's chair.

However, we could not help but notice that the President looked somewhat like Robert Persaud, especially with the sideburns. This has nothing to do with Persaud's marriage to the head-of-state's neice.

We understand this is a major campaign ploy by the PPP/C to confuse voters by 2011, when Robert is expected to be the party's presidential candidate.

Once Jagdeo continues looking like Robert Persaud, voters will be tricked into thinking that Jagdeo is the front runner when instead it will be Robert. Once again the PPP/C is one step ahead. Observers say the only challenge to teh plan is that Jagdeo does not have a full head of hair like Robert. However, a PPP/C insider said that's not a problem as the leader has been washing his hair with Ochro slime and by next year, should see visible signs.

Jagdeo's Robert Persaud hair style impression

The real Robert Persaud hair do

Enjoying cricket on Demerara Waves

2009-08-12T19:24:00.003-04:00

Here we are being swept up in a whirlwind of random boredom this evening and happened to recall the historic broadcast of Demerarawaves – run by Dennis the Menace and his sidekick, Lloyd King. The topic focused on alleagtions that are flowing from a NY court case which implicated Minister of Health, Leslie Ramsammy. Very interesting topic to launch on. Very bold.

Once tuned, it was impossible to vacillate on the ultimate ennui that the programme disgorged. Even the music played during the More than the show, we have been hypnotized by the cricket in the background that is competing for airtime with Dennis…The chirping is driving us insane to the point of slamming the laptop…Chirp, Chirp, Chirp.

We understand that to avoid any Government interruption during the programme, Mr. Chabrol took his operations underground. It appears to us he was reporting from some lonesome, bushy area hence the cricket in the background…There goes that cricket again…chirp, chirp, chirp. It’s disgusting because we wanted to hear from Gordon Moseley, especially since he has a running rift with President Bharrat Jagdeo. Mr. Moseley is again jumping on Mr. Jagdeo and the Government.

We have tuned out for now, but more on the embodiment of internet radio craziness after we awake.

Demerara Waves goes live...Tonight

2009-08-12T14:25:00.000-04:00

DEMERARA WAVES begins regular LIVE INTERNET RADIO WEBCASTING on Wednesday, August 11, 2009.

Log on to www.demerarawaves.com at 6:30 PM (Guyana Time) for a LIVE DISCUSSION and call-in programme: PERISCOPE ON POLITICS.

The topic is: ‘The Future of Guyana’s Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and the Politics of Protest’

If you are calling from the United States, the Caribbean and other foreign countriesl you can dial 718-404-9243. If you are calling from Guyana; the number to dial is 223-6625.

You can also email your questions and comments to newstalkradio@hotmail.com or newstalkradioguyana@gmail.com or interact with or interact with us LIVE via MSN Messenger or GoogleTalk on either of those two e-mail addresses.

Oh now you question data collected!

2009-08-11T18:46:00.003-04:00

When a man of no morale repute publishes a poll they all jump and sing praises, however, when a indisputable organisation publishes a report they get upset. These idiots are so flipping amazing!

Sleeping bloggers

2009-08-10T23:58:00.002-04:00

If your blogs appear below, you are a lazy blogger and sould delete your postings immediately.

Guyana: Freedom Under The Law - last upaded June 23, 2009. We will cut this author some slack because they were witness to an accident. Well not really witness, but they sure act the part.

Media Imran - last updated June 19, 2009 but posted some Tweets.

Chris Ram - last update July 26, 2009. However, the length of the posts should keep one occupied for the rest of the year.

Go Moseley - last updated April 28, 2009 for the Guyana Press Association Elections. The Elections and the author have not gone anywhere since. Perhaps ideas to move the GPA foward have dried up.

Guyana Girl - last updated July 31, 2009. Normally blogs every 2-3 days so we are a bit worried.

Young Entrepenure - last updated July 11,2009 and lastly blogged about trying to learn somthing. He might be out somewhere still trying to learn about updating his site.

Adam's inner self shines through AGAIN!

2009-08-10T19:51:00.004-04:00

Adam Harris writing under his own name (not Peeping Tom, Blame the Governmnet or Dem Boys Seh) has finally allowed his inner self to really shine through. Very sly and a master of the language, Harris made the following statement...

"And for the records, I am surprised that there is so much brouhaha over what Simels and Vaughn have said. Some of the things they have told the American court were not true. Logic and legal principles dictate that if one aspect is untrue then the court has a right to deem everything untrue.Soldiers fetching beheaded bodies from the front of Buxton to the back? Come now Mr Simels."

Harris who has over the years been seen as an active voice for blacks in Guyana has thrown a master curve ball. Lets rip that statement apart.

Firstly Harris establishes that some of the things that were said in the Simels' trial is untrue. Such a statement would prejudice the outcome of any trial albeit miles away from the origin of the writings. If Harris is going to make such a bold statement, then he must decipher for readers the truth from the lies. Come on Mr. Harris, call on the inner baccoo.

Harris is obviously trying to tell us as readers that we must not accept some of the information being reported in the press about the trial. He goes further then to give evidence to support his statement.

But, Harris is very smart and is aware of the pro-black sentiments that maligns him that he feels less pressured to go the route to deal with an issue that Simels claims occured in Buxton.

Harris can do no wrong if he appears to disagree with a somewhat negative issue relating to Buxton. Simels spoke of soldiers fetching the bodies of beheaded canecutters from the front of Buxton to the back of the village. To this Harris says, "Come now Mr. Simels", suggesting that the embattled lawyer is making false claims.

We will not be hoodwinked by Harris because he used the Buxton example. Truth be told Harris is actually trying to have us reject the testimony by the US Government informant and Simels himself. Harris' real contention is not about Buxton, but about the grey clouds that hangs over the current Government, especially the Health Minister.

The wolf in sheep's clothing has thrown a smoke screen. He hopes that through his cunning writing, readers would begin to doubt the testimony against the Government that flowed during the trial in NY. Why doesn't Mr. Harris say directly that readers must not believe the evidence against the Government? He can't and so he tries to reverse the angle of attack.

Next time Mr. Harris, next time you might get past us!

A big warning to all Guyanese!

2009-08-10T19:11:00.002-04:00

August 10, 2009 By KNews Filed Under Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

Please do not accept polling statistics and surveys that go under the name NACTA with a “pollster” by the name of, Vishnu Bisram. There is no such organization. It does not exist. There has never been such an organization.

There is no group, institution or organization by the name of NACTA that does polling anywhere in the world. No Google search, no investigation in New York, no journalistic research will reveal any information on NACTA or polling work done by a man named Vishu Bisram. What searchers will find are publications by Mr. Bisram himself talking about polls he said he conducted.

Two years ago, Mr. Bisram was exposed as doing polls under the umbrella of an organization named NACTA. David De Caires, one year before he died, found out that Mr. Bisram was not being truthful to him. The late editor-in-chief of the Stabroek News then penned an editorial note in his newspaper explaining how he came to publish Mr. Bisram surveys.

According to Mr. De Caires, last year, Mr. Bisram approached him to have Stabroek News finance a poll. Mr. De Caires said he merely offered a small sum to defray expenses. Mr. De Caires went on to say that Mr. Bisram merely handed him the results and there were no discussions on how and where in the Guyana the operation took place and who were Mr. Bisram’s associates.

After this, Mr. Bisram sent in two poll results and the Stabroek boss informed him that they will have to be carried as letters by Mr. Bisram. They were published in the letters section of the Stabroek News. Mr. Bisram waited and now has resurfaced. He would not have reappeared if David De Caires was alive.

In seeing the publication of Mr. Bisram’s latest poll on Mr. Jagdeo, I immediately sent off an e-mail to Mr. Anand Persaud, the editor-in-chief of the Stabroek News alerting Mr. Persaud to Mr. Bisram’s game. I don’t think we can blame Mr. Persaud for publishing the personalized fictional survey on Mr. Jagdeo last Saturday. I don’t think he has the background information on Mr. Bisram.

There were a number of the reasons why David De Caires refused to accept further submissions by Mr. Bisram. He couldn’t provide details on NACTA. He couldn’t name its elected executives and locate its address and telephone numbers.

Then, Mr. Bisram gave a horrible explanation for why he could not state which school he worked at even though he claimed he was a high school teacher. In both the KN and SN as he was pressed to say where he worked, he wrote; “With regard to my employment, I have sound reasoning for not releasing such information. I held a teaching position and someone tried to get me fired.

That individual is now employed as an advisor the Guyana Government. My place of employment should remain private.”(KN, March 25, 2008). Readers can see Mr. Bisram wrote that more than a year ago. This did not impress David De Caires.

There was more that turned Mr. De Caires off. Mr. Bisram was finally exposed and he disappeared. He wrote in both newspapers as the criticism against him poured in. “Most of my polls are self-financed as part of my personal studies.” Then came the denouement. When pressed as to who he works with when he is in Guyana, he wrote; “In Guyana, I cannot give names because they (his co-workers) will run into trouble with their employment; they worked for me when they should have been at their desk.”

It was for these reasons David De Caires rejected further publications of Bisram’s so-called polls. He chose not to approach this newspaper because of my queries of his bona fides. He knew I would have asked this newspaper to investigate him.

In addition, he promised the editor of this newspaper to confidentially supply the name of the school he teaches at in New York but to this day, never sent in the information.
Let me repeat for all readers and all the Guyanese people - the late Editor-in-chief of the Stabroek News refused to publish any further findings on Guyanese politics by Mr. Bisram because he, Bisram was exposed. It is unfortunate he waited for time to elapse and sought the attention of Mr. Anand Persaud. Mr. Bisram does not conduct polls in Guyana.

He is not a teacher in New York, and is suspected to be a researcher for President Jagdeo. Five polls he has done over a five year period puts Mr. Jagdeo as the most popular living citizen in Guyana. I urge all Guyanese not to be taken in by Mr. Bisram. He is not a professional pollster.

Is Donald Duff writing as a Jamaican?

2009-08-06T17:31:00.001-04:00

The Letter Of The Day titled 'Dual citizenship farce continues', authored by Donald Duff and appearing on page A8 of The Gleaner, Tuesday, August 4, has been premised on misunderstanding/ misinformation.

The issue is not ostensibly that a Jamaican with dual-citizenship is ineligible to sit in Parliament or the Senate, as the Duff argument had suggested. Constitutionally, only Commonwealth citizens are eligible for nomination and election to Parliament or appointment in the case of the Senate (Section 39). Consequently, where a Commonwealth citizen had sworn allegiance or is under acknowledgement to a Commonwealth power or state, he is not disqualified under Section 40 2-a. For example, if Rowe had won the West Portland by-election, a successful action could not be brought against him under Section 40 2-a for reason that he held Canadian citizenship at the time of nomination.

The Vaz, Stern and Mair cases are of different complexions. The former two had sworn or were under acknowledgement to the United States and the latter to Venezuela. Both powers are non-Commonwealth countries. Hence, the disqualifications under Section 40 2-a.

Duff had quoted Ken Jones' letter of August 31,2007, (a response to Abka Fitz-Henley's July 31). Jones had characterised as 'enlightened governance', the Guyanese, Baroness Amos, and Jamaican-born Lord Morris serving in the British House of Lords. John Turner was also highlighted as having retained his United Kingdom citizenship while he served as prime minister of Canada.

Nor does the reference to "Stephane Dion, the present head of the Liberal Party of Canada and leader of the Opposition has retained French citizenship without being put under pressure" make good for clarity.

Reciprocation

The arguments and references are oblivious of the fact that Britain is and has been the mother of the Commonwealth of which Guyana, Jamaica and Canada are members. Membership accords benefits, privileges and reciprocation. Consequently, it should not be surprising to find citizens of the Commonwealth serving in the British House of Lords or Parliament, or in the Canadian Parliament, without having to denounce their nationalities of birth.

The inclusion of Dion adds more confusion than it minimises. It creates the impression that he was a French-born citizen who had migrated to Canada. The facts are that Dion was born on September 28, 1955, in the province of Quebec, Canada. True, he is of French ethnicity. But it does not make him any less a Canadian citizen than if he were an Anglophone.

If the Jones/Duff criticisms were meant to distinguish Britain and Canada from Jamaica as 'enlightened governance', they have only served to heighten confusion and tension on the dual-citizenship subject. Neither have they provided sufficient response to Fitz-Henley's provoking question as to whether "the spirit of the law [ Constitution ] intended to punish individuals for deciding to serve ... rather than serving overseas?". What is clear, is that the spirit of the Constitution had opted for patriotism rather than making eligibility to sit in Parliament or the Senate a matter of laissez faire. This seems to be a value worth preserving.

I am, etc.,

Lionel Russell

Ensom City

St Catherine

[Link]

Guyanese migrants remembered after boating mishap

2009-08-06T17:27:00.001-04:00

Two days after a personal watercraft accident at a Lawrence dock that claimed the lives of a Queens man and his 5-year-old son, their family traveled by boat to the site of the crash — a place where the pair loved spending time together — to memorialize the father of two and the child by placing flowers in the water. [Link]

Singer with Guyanese roots rated highly by ABC

2009-08-06T17:18:00.003-04:00

Listening to Anjulie's self-titled debut CD is like hearing a nice blend of Nelly Furtado and Corinne Bailey Rae, vocally speaking. But what makes this newcomer's album so impressive is the lyrical content.

"He got a knife in my back, stop turning please," she pleads on "The Rain." "Sometimes I lock myself inside your closet, breathe in the scent of your clothes," she sings on the exceptionally smooth (and appropriately titled) "Crazy That Way."

The Canadian pop singer, whose parents migrated from Guyana, is mostly singing love songs — but not typical ones.

"Keep your clothes off, I'm not rushing out like some dumb girl," she commands on the infidelity tune, "Some Dumb Girl."

Other top tracks include the beat-driven "The Heat," the suave "Colombia" and the mysteriously gloomy first single, "Boom."

Anjulie, who wrote or co-wrote each song, closes the CD with "Day Will Soon Come," where the anxious singer lets you know she'll become a big star. After listening to this top-notch debut, she sure deserves to become one.

CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: On "Addicted2Me" Anjulie's voice is definitely addictive with its winning bridge, "Nobody's got a love like mine."

(Courtesy of ABC)

Guyana 360 vindicated

2009-08-06T07:43:00.002-04:00

After we first raised the possibility of there being more than one spy equipment and laptop, the Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene has finally vindicated our position. It is on rceord that this blog had called on the top cop to produce the infamous spy equipment to reporters so that some lingering questions can be answered. Yesterday, Mr. Greene did so, but his refusal to field questions from reporters, still leaves many unanswered questions.

We were brave enough to call Enrico Woolford's reporting into question. Several emails chided us for it - many suggesting that a man of Woolford's stature should not be mde to answer to a blog. It was Woolford who boldly reported that the spy equipment which Guyana authorities say they have in their possession was wheeled into court in New York.

From the opening paragraph of his report he said, "The Guyana Government says that the Guyanese police have the ‘intercept’ receiver and laptop that Roger Khan was using. Yesterday the US Government produced it in Court."

His obvious suggestion is that the Guyana authorities were lying. Mr. Woolford should be made to retract his comment or at least provide evidence to support this claim. The police has provided evidence to support that they have a "spy equipment" in their possession, reportedly taken from Khan. Woolford must be made to do the same.

Reporters live fo that big story and in Guyana, it just does not get any bigger than the current Roger Khan saga, but Woolford must be mindful not to interject his political views. He seems so excited that he had an orgasmic experience the size of a vulcanic eruption in the NY courthouse...ahhhhh, oooooo, ahhhhh....Yessssss.... I got the Government finally!

We openly challenge this letter writer to prove when and in which court it was said that the spy equipment in the hands of the US was the same one seized by Guyana authorities. This is an almost clear cut case that Woolford injected his own scrambled views into the report without first verifying the facts.

We take note with interest the fact that Kaieteur News has dumped Woolford and turned to Julia Johnson to report on the court proceedings. If this is their way around Woolford's scheme, then it is too late. The trial is drawing to an end and the damage has already been done. In addition to her school girl writing for TV, Johnson seems not to know what is news. Anyway, the trial will soon be finish!

A lame attempt to tame the PPP/C

2009-08-04T06:34:00.003-04:00

Is it us or is Corbin's weak ability to command the masses peeking through hiswashed-up political career? Yesterday's march in the city is compelling evidence that the masses are tired of being taken for asses under the PNCR at least under Corbin.

If this be a wake up call, we are sure that sometime during the day, the lions in Government heard the cries of the opposition mice even if some were shuttled to the city from various cracks to help the cause.

Back to news from NY

2009-08-03T21:20:00.002-04:00

By David Hinds, Nigel Westmaas & Alissa Trotz
Editor’s Note: Next week we will return to the second part of the discussion on domestic violence in Guyana.

One of the ironies of the post-1992 era is that the return of electoral democracy has been accompanied, some will say tarnished, by persistent charges of official corruption.

The stunning charges being made in a US court and reported in the media of government facilitation of a notorious criminal enterprise pushes this issue to the front burner. While one cannot take all of what is said in the New York court as gospel, given the government’s track record one cannot be faulted for smelling something rotten.

If you ask what corruption is, most people would link it to ‘obvious’ graft and stealing. But there are many other forms of corruption. Those performing the act see it as a favour for party cadre, family or friends, all of which is treated as normal and not a corrupt activity.

This is a critical loose area of graft and that one is not dealt with adequately by most governments. The usual range of nepotism and corruption involves friendship, flattery, small gifts, lunches, and mixing business with pleasure.

The identification and prosecution of corruption in Guyana has a slow and sordid history. Within the first five years of independent rule, Eusi Kwayana challenged the then PNC government to address corruption charges.

When Prime Minister Burnham’s subsequent promise of a Code of Conduct for government officials did not materialize, Kwayana moved to the Ombudsman with charges against two government ministers.

The outcome of the case set in train a culture of government sweeping corruption issues under the carpet and affording protection of those accused. This pattern continues up to the present day, making a mockery of the hopes of all those who imagined that 1992 would have ushered in a new dawn in the Guyanese political culture, and despite the pronouncements of those in the current administration who, seventeen years later, would have us believe there has been a sea change.

Kwayana, who continued to plug away at the issue throughout the PNC’s tenure in office, would later observe that corruption under the current government outstrips that of the PNC. We do not take Kwayana’s observation lightly; in fact we embrace it.

The PPP tacitly acknowledged corruption during its first term when it removed one of its ministers under a cloud. It was announced that Mrs. Jagan would head an anti-corruption committee. But these proved to be more political tactics than a concerted effort to confront a fundamental problem.

The rest as they say is history. From charges of misappropriation of public funds to the steering of government contracts to party supporters to involvement with underworld criminal elements, the fingers have consistently pointed at the government.

Yet the government, apart from casual denials, has done little or nothing to demonstrate its innocence. Government must not just say it is not corrupt; it must be seen to be above corruption in the eyes of the population.

It is funny the way those now in power so easily refer to ‘28 years of dictatorship’ whenever hard questions get asked. It has become an alibi for the status quo. You are not supposed to raise or ask questions about the blatant abuses of power we see today when that mantra gets trotted out.

And yet the way the current regime has operated is almost exactly the way Kwayana described the previous administration back in the 1970s when corruption was a “new” phenomenon – “shadow-boxing”.

It entails angry denials (we are supposed to believe that these are sufficient and the end of the story), indignant calls for evidence or derailing of allegations or evidence in endless obfuscations and bureaucratic sloth.

They dismiss corruption charges on the basis that there is no proof provided by the opposition. But how much leeway is given to opposition MPs, journalists and the institutions of state that should be preserving the people’s money – like the ombudsman or committees of the people representing all political parties? How many in the current and past governments could come out and expose corruption?

What do we currently have in place for protection of public funds? In a letter to the press some time ago, Frederick Kissoon stated that President Jagdeo never “acted on information supplied to him.” Chris Ram in a three-part series also examined ways in which corruption seeped under the official gaze.

But these are “opposition” critics whose word is not to be trusted, so the criticism is shunted aside in the polarised culture of “we” versus ‘them”…“they can’t be rational”.

There are some basic ways to prevent and fight against corruption in a society like Guyana, bereft as it is of objective oversight standards amidst an ethnically driven system.

The first would be the state’s willingness to be frank and to have an open door policy on public scrutiny of public funds and its expenditure. Where is the Ombudsman today and what is the precise role of this position, then and now? Are the current powers, role and activity of the Auditor-General sufficient to the task in modern Guyana? What about the involvement of a genuine non partisan watchdog committee and effective legislation? Where are the whistleblowers from within? Why is it that with the exception of a miniscule representation of key party activists in the government and PPP, few can or do speak publicly?

There are at least three possible reasons for the PPP’s attitude. First, the party seems to have decided that it will do anything it takes to ensure that it does not experience a recurrence of the wrongs it suffered in the 1960s. Second, its apparent confidence that it can win all elections given the country’s ethnic voting patterns has made it the most unaccountable government in the country’s history.

Finally, the lack of sustained and thoughtful opposition has allowed the government incredible leeway to indulge in all kinds of practices. For its part, the opposition has often been too preoccupied with looking for knock-out punches rather than persistent, systematic and well-informed positions.

How much research goes into corruption? Is there a willingness to do the hard work? Ask Kwayana about his favourite domain, the Committee of Supply in parliament. He would spend hours and hours going over critical documents and finding the truth, questioning on Order papers. It involves detailed work, the labour that is so necessary if we really want to usher in a new dispensation and fundamentally change our political culture.

The record suggests that there are intensified declarative statements on corruption fighting and other ills around the point of elections. All sorts of things are promised by all those looking for votes. Once there is victory the intensity dissipates.

The government needs to stop behaving as if corruption charges are simply politicking. Certainly some of it is partisan and will always be.

The current charges and counter charges offer the opening for a thorough investigation, for instance by a competent CARICOM-led commission that includes prominent Guyanese and appointed by the parliament, in other words some grouping that has the full confidence of all Guyanese across divisions.

In the meantime the President and his government can begin house cleaning by coming clean with what it knows.In 1974, a visiting journalist for the New Yorker magazine observed that Eusi Kwayana demonstrated “inflexible incorruptibility.”

He wrote of Kwayana that after a “paid state visit to Africa he received a thousand dollar check for ‘additional expenses and inconveniences’” but Kwayana “sent it back, received another check, and sent that one back with a note saying he had not had any additional expenses and, furthermore, had not been inconvenienced in the least.”

Is this generation of political leaders too far away from that standard? And are we prepared for the hard and careful, committed work it will take to insist on that standard from those who claim they want to ‘serve’ the people of Guyana (instead of taking office to serve themselves)?

In non-Ramsammy related news from NY

2009-08-03T21:12:00.003-04:00

Former junior welterwight champ "Vicious" Vivian Harris has signed with Golden Boy Promotions, according to a release sent out by Golden Boy.

"Vivian Harris has always been a great fighter to watch, simply because of the excitement he brings to the ring," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.

"He is without a doubt one of the premier junior welterweights in the world and now it's time to remind the boxing world of that fact. We will do our job to put Vivian in big fights that will have the fight fans cheering." [Link]

GPA fires at Government for chiding Woolford

2009-08-03T20:56:00.004-04:00

The Guyana Press Association (GPA) condemns strongly and utterly the Government of Guyana for its unwarranted and unprovoked attack on veteran Guyanese journalist, Enrico Woolford, for simply reporting the proceedings in a New York Court.

The entire media corps holds the Government of Guyana responsible for the safety of Mr. Woolford, his staff, his company and his family and any property associated with him and them.

The Government of Guyana is the elected administration of the country and should immediately cease being insensitive to robust criticism and evidence being led in a Court of Competent jurisdiction.

The GPA finds the singling out of Mr. Woolford a gross attack on freedom of expression to the extent that it seeks to not only question the credibility of sworn testimony but also intimidate this well-respected journalist.

Rather than erroneously identify Mr. Woolford as the villain, the Government of Guyana and in particular Caribbean Community (Caricom) Chairman, President Bharrat Jagdeo should engage the parties named in the court documents in meaningful investigations that would lead to clarity.

It seems that Mr. Jagdeo, who is charged with upholding the Laws of Guyana and the Caricom Charter of Civil Society, has arrogated unto himself the right to impugn the character of other persons in society and at the same time enjoys immunity from prosecution.

None of those claims by Mr. Jagdeo has been made in a Court of Competent Jurisdiction, whether in Guyana or overseas, compared with those contained in testimony in the trial of witness tampering against Mr. Robert Simels, former lawyer for confessed drug-lord, Roger Khan.

The GPA shall be taking steps to immediately advise our regional umbrella Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), the France-headquartered Reporters Without Borders, and the International News Safety Institute (INSI) that the Government of Guyana has put at risk the safety of Mr. Woolford, his staff, family and property.

Jagdeo, Ramsammy must resign, says NY group

2009-08-02T14:50:00.003-04:00

NEW YORK: The New York based Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) announced Sunday that its legal committee has analyzed transcripts of testimony and evidence presented by the United States (US) Justice Department in the trial of Robert Simels in Federal Court in New York.

“The evidence establishes that Guyana’s President, Bharrat Jagdeo and Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, “Are crooks who are alleged accessories to murder, and who allegedly countenanced the killing of hundreds of Guyanese citizens," the organization said.

“The evidence has proven both Mr. Jagdeo and Dr. Ramsammy to be chronic liars who have breached the public trust. We call on them both to resign forthwith," the Institute declared. CGID also called on Guyana’s Police Commissioner Henry Green to resign, saying

“Commissioner Green has blatantly mislead the public and intentionally overlooked hundreds of murders by a network of “Phantom” hit-men, some government Ministers and members of the security forces. He must resign so that the Guyana Police Force can be reformed and its integrity rehabilitated.”

The Institute noted that since Guyana’s Police, Military and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), appear to be irredeemably corrupt, they cannot be trusted to conduct a professional or credible investigation of these matters. Hence, it called for Jagdeo, Ramsammy and other accomplices to be hauled to the International Criminal Court in The Hague and prosecuted for ‘crimes against humanity.’

“They deserve to be thrown in jail like other international criminals such as Slobodan Milosevic, Manuel Noriega and Charles Taylor, Jr.,” the CGID statement said. The organization appealed for an International Inquiry into extra-judicial killings, torture and executions by government officials and the “Phantom” gang, as detailed in the Gay McDougall Report, which was presented to the United Nations General Assembly in February 2009.

The Institute also said that "Now that evidence of atrocities committed by the Guyana government has been established through the judicial process, Caricom Heads must no longer show forbearance to a Head of State who that has been complicit with murder. We call on them to speak out."

CGID singled out Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, whom it said recently called for the elimination on term limits on the Presidency of Guyana. This would allow President Jagdeo to contest the presidency for additional terms.

“Now that Prime Minister Gonsalves has ‘opened the door’ to comment on Guyana’s constitutional political process, we hope that he will lend his extraordinary moral and legal prowess to the condemnation of acts of extra-judicial killings and torture in Guyana.

His prospective is necessary, as he has been a champion of human and civil rights in the Caribbean,” CGID noted. The CGID statement came as the US government presented damaging evidence in the Robert Simels trial, which implicated senior officials of the government of Guyana (GOG).

Simels, who is on trial for witness tampering and possession of eavesdropping equipment, is a former lawyer for confessed criminal, Roger Khan. Khan is a Guyanese drug baron and alleged financier of the ruling PPP. He was arrested in Paramaribo, Suriname on June 15, 2006 in a Police sting operation, and charged with drugs and weapons possession and plotting to assassinate several Surinamese government officials.

His preventive incarceration was then lifted by the Prosecutor’s office, and he was ordered deported to Guyana. Police officers then took Khan from his cell in the Santo Boma penitentiary straight to the international airport and placed him on a flight to Guyana, en route through Trinidad and Tobago (T&T).

However, while his flight was in-transit in T&T, DEA and FBI Agents arrested him and brought him to the US, where he was charged with multiple counts of “importation of cocaine” and “conspiracy.”

Khan retained Simels as his Attorney but has since pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. President Jagdeo had viciously attacked the US government in Khan’s defense, and had labeled his arrest a US ‘rendition.’

Simels’ indictment information states that he attempted to hire a hit-man, on Khan’s behalf, to “eliminate” a witness in Khan’s case. The prospective hit-man turned out to be a DEA informant and Simels and his associate, Arienne Irving, were consequently charged with “witness tampering.”

FBI and DEA Agents raided Simels law office on September 10, 2008, and found telephonic eavesdropping equipment. Hence, they were subsequently slapped with an additional charge of “possession of electronic devices for the purpose of surreptitious interception of wire, oral and electronic communications.”

The equipment was first found in Khan’s possession when his pick-up truck was pulled over by an Army patrol in Good Hope Village, Guyana, in December 2002. Khan was in the company of Haroon Yahya and policeman Sean Belfield.

The surveillance computers were seized and Khan and his accomplices were charged and placed before the courts. Thereafter, the charges were mysteriously dropped by the DPP and the equipment was unlawfully returned to Khan.

Khan’s lawyers claimed that when a large number of prison escapees went on a killing spree in 2002, Khan responded by providing “financial and logistical support to the GOG,” and that he was in pursuit of the escapees when he was arrested. In an affidavit filed in US Federal Court, DEA Agent Cassandra Jackson, swore that US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, records show that Simels traveled to Guyana from October 9 to 12, 2007.

She attested that DHS records show that on or about October 11, 2007, a ‘Portable Auto Data Processing computer/machine was shipped from Guyana to Simels York Avenue Office, New York City.

She also attested that Simels, in secretly recorded conversations, confirmed possession of Roger Khan’s surveillance equipment.

The CGID statement quoted its President, Rickford Burke, as saying that the spy equipment has the capacity to intercept cellular phone communication anywhere in Guyana as well as pinpoint the geographic coordinates and location of callers.

He said that the evidence shows that Roger Khan and his “Phantom Death Squad,” while acting as agents of the Jagdeo Administration, used it to track down and kill individuals who were marked for elimination.

He noted that Journalist Ronald Waddell and boxing coach Donald Allison, were named in the testimony as two of the over 400 victims who were executed. Burke said that Khan had breached the country’s national security by tapping multiple alleged conversations of former Guyanese Police Commissioner, Winston Felix, rand eleased said illegal recordings on a CD to the media, with the full complicity of President Jagdeo.

He noted that when the recordings became public, Jagdeo, rather than seek international assistance to determine how Khan had breached national security, instead asked the FBI to authenticate Felix’s voice.

The FBI declined Jagdeo’s request, as the original recording had been altered and rerecorded multiple times. Burke said that Felix became a target because the Bush Administration had disengaged then Minister of National Security, Ronald Gajraj, and had been directly engaging Felix on law enforcement and national security issues.

The latter information was disclosed to a CGID delegation and a number of New York elected officials, when they met with US government officials in Washington DC, to discuss Roger Khan and the “Phantom” gang’s connection to President Jagdeo and his government.

Gajraj later resigned in disgrace after telephone records showed hundreds of calls between he and well known “Phantom” hit-man, Axel Williams.

“The US government was aware that President Jagdeo and Ministers Leslie Ramsammy, Ronald Gajraj, Clament Rohee, and others, had knowledge of, and had allegedly been complicit with, Roger Khan’s criminal enterprise,” Burke asserted.

On July 19, 2009, when President Jagdeo and Burke met for over six hours at the Brooklyn Marriott during the Caricom Heads meeting in New York, Burke pointedly asked Jagdeo if his government had purchased or authorized the purchase of the spying equipment that was found in Khan’s possession in 2002, and who had current possession of the said equipment.

President Jagdeo’s response was that“No one in my government purchased nor authorized anyone to purchase that equipment. Only Dr. Roger Luncheon has the authority to authorize that kind of transaction. And the computer is in the possession of the Police, ask the Police Commissioner.”

However, on July 28, Peter Myers, the Director of the Smith Myers Firm, the UK based company which manufactured the equipment, testified in New York Federal court that the cellular intercept equipment used by Roger Khan had been sold to the GOG by his company.

Myers provided evidence that the said equipment comprised a CSM 7806 intercept receiver and two “Tough Book” Laptops, and told the court that they were sold to the GOG by the company’s Florida sales office, through the Fort Lauderdale-based Spy Shop.

Moreover, Simels’ Attorney disclosed to the court that the equipment was purchased for and received on behalf of the GOG by Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.

Myers also confirmed that independent contractor, Carl Chapman, traveled to Guyana to train Khan and others in the use of the equipment.

CGID has now called on the Smith Myers Firm to release the bill of sale, Fedex shipping invoice, signature of the party in Guyana who received the equipment as well as the names of the individuals whom Chapman trained.

The Institute’s President also contended that “The evidence demonstrates that President Jagdeo has swirled himself into a contorted web of lies and deceit; conduct which is unbecoming of a Head of State.”

On Friday July 31, the GOG issued a statement saying that “The Government of Guyana rejects the claim that it bought the spy equipment… The main source of the information disclosed in the local media frenzy is Enrico Woolford, known for his anti-government journalism and reporting selectively on the ongoing trial in the USA.”

Reacting to the latter statement, Burke said “The Jagdeo administration’s credibility is in the cesspool. Its denials are a joke as the evidence is incontrovertible. No mendacity propagated by its Goebbels can save it from culpability.

Rather than attack the journalist who has accurately reported on the evidence presented to the court, the GOG should acquire a copy of the transcript and use this evidence as a basis to pursue the criminals in its midst.”

Burke also said “I dare President Jagdeo and Minister Ramsammy to come to the Federal Court in New York and testify under oath.” Furthermore, FBI informant, Selwyn Vaughn, a confessed former member of Khan’s “Phantom” death squad” gang, last Tuesday also testified that Khan ordered the execution of journalist/political activist, Ronald Waddell, with the full knowledge of Dr. Ramsammy.

Waddell, a talk-show host on HBTV Channel 9 and a former parliamentary candidate for the opposition PNC, was executed on January 30, 2006, as he entered his car outside his Georgetown home.

Vaughn, who is in US protective custody and who has immunity from prosecution by the US Federal government, testified that he was the “lookout man” in Waddell’s execution, and that he was situated in a Burgundy AT 192 motor car staking out the Talk Show Host.

He attested that he tracked Waddell to his home in Subrianville, Georgetown and called Khan on his cell phone and reported that Waddell was at home and had left his car idling on the roadway. Vaughn said that within minutes, four members of Khan’s squad, all former members of the GPF whom he named, turned up and shot Waddell when he returned to his car.

Vaughn testified that after the shooting he and the shooters assembled at Khan’s Nightclub - the Blue Iguana, where Khan, in his presence, called Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, and informed him that Waddell had been shot and that doctors at the Hospital must let him die.

Vaughn said that he had previously met Ramsammy at his Ministry of Health office and at the Blue Iguana, as an emissary of Khan’s. He also told the court that Waddell was killed because he was criticizing Khan and the government, and was connected to the prison escapees’ gang.

Vaughn also stated that around the period when Waddell was killed, he and Khan met with Ramsammy to discuss the Buxton Gang.

Vaughn also testified under oath that Khan’s gang had conspired to kidnap the wife of a high-ranking US diplomat in Guyana in retaliation for Khan’s arrest by the US government.

Ramsammy, in Guyana, has vehemently denied that he has ever had any contact with Khan and said he has no knowledge about the surveillance equipment. This prompted Burke to call on the telephone company “to release Roger Khan’s ‘unsanitized’ phone records for January 29th through 31, 2006.”

Burke added that “It is one thing to issue mendacious statements from Georgetown but it is another to testify under oath. I understand that Dr. Ramsammy is a US Citizen. Hence, I again urge him to come to the Federal Court in New York and present his testimony under oath, so that, according to him, he can clear his name.”

The CGID President said that court documents establish that Simels met with Ramsammy, in pursuance of information for his client’s defense, and at one point asked that Jagdeo “lodge a formal protest with the United States government regarding the arrest of Roger Khan.”

President Bharrat Jagdeo, when asked at a press conference on July 28, to respond to Vaughn’s testimony that Ramsammy had been complicit in the assassination of Waddell, said “Maybe if at the end of the day, all the criminals were to deal with each other we may have a better society but I am not going to sanction that. This is not government policy… but I wouldn’t lose any sleep, frankly speaking, about criminals when they kill each other.”

Jagdeo also further said that “If you believe all that this informant is saying you have to also believe that he (Waddell) was a member of the Buxton gang and that he was basically in a criminal enterprise. Waddell was a criminal involved in a criminal enterprise.”

When asked whether his administration would appoint a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the matter, Jagdeo rejected the idea. He noted that “You don’t need a Commission of Inquiry to go after criminal acts, the police should do that.”

He also stated that his government “does not go on the basis of allegations” and asserted that “there is nothing for a commission of inquiry to address.”

Responding to Jagdeo’s comments, Burke asserted that “Both President Jagdeo and Dr. Ramsammy have referred to the testimony presented in Federal Court in New York as ‘allegations.’

However, they are wrong. I suggest that they retain a Criminal Attorney, who, I’m sure, will appropriately advise them that testimony under oath in a court of law is not “allegation” but “evidence.”

He said that it is ironic that President Jagdeo readily accepts Vaughn’s testimony that Waddell had an alleged connection to a Buxton gang, and on that basis alone, declared Waddle to be a ‘criminal’ but conveniently rejects Vaughn’s testimony about his government’s connection to Khan’s criminal enterprise as mere ‘allegations.’

Burke contended that “Jagdeo’s mindset telegraphs their modus operandi. "They labeled whomever they choose as ‘criminals’ and then direct their “Phantom” gang to eliminate them." He slammed Jagdeo for labeling Waddell a ‘criminal’ saying, “Waddell’s only crime was to exercise his constitutional right to free speech. President Jagdeo continues to demonstrate complete repugnance to this fundamental civil right.”

Referring to Jagdeo’s statement, made in relation to Waddell, that “I wouldn’t lose any sleep, frankly speaking, about criminals when they kill each other,” Burke observed that “The instant comments by President Jagdeo are uncivil, callous and reckless.

They seem to emanate from the mind of a psychopath.” Burke strongly accused President Jagdeo of attempting to divert the nation’s attention from the testimony presented in New York to the investigation into the fire that recently destroyed Guyana’s Ministry of Health.

He labeled Jagdeo’s efforts “A smoke screen to obfuscate the mountain of evidence about the criminal conduct of his government.”

Burke said that said that a Guyanese political commentator who likened the Ministry of Health fire to “The Reichstag fire” in Germany, was “spot on.”

The Reichstag fire was an orchestrated arson attack on the Reichstag building in Berlin which housed the German parliament, on February 271933. The event led to the rounding up and banishment of opposition politicians and the birth of Adolph Hitler’sNazi majority government in Germany.

Enrico's suspect reporting

2009-08-01T17:14:00.002-04:00

Half a loaf is better than none and we welcome the effort made by journalistic icon, Enrico Woolford to bring the Roger Khan revevaltions to the Guyanese audience. Without Mr. Woolford's daily reporting, no one in Guyana would have a clue. However, his confusion of the facts must be called into question. And we do so without any political motives.

We refused to speak on it before now because we belived that Woolford could have corrected the confusion in a subsequent story, but he only added more fuel to the fire. Contrary to what was reported this week by Woolford in the Kaieteur News, the infamous spy equipment is with Guyana law enforcement officials. This has been confirmed by the Commissioner of Police. However, the editor/publisher of the Kaieteur News should have realised by now that there are two different sets of spy equipment. One of our sources spoke with the US prosecutor who confirmed that they understand that there is another spy computer in possession of Guyanese law enforcement and that attepts will be made to gather it as evidence in time for Khan's trial. Thats how easy it was to confirm. Perhaps the security officials should invite the media to see the equipment in their possession.

The other bone of contention is who purchased the spy equipment currently in the hands of local police/army officials. Woolford and the Kaieteur News carried a huge headline that it was Health Minister Leslie Ramsammy. This has been denied by the Government and the Minister. Sitting in the Court, our source has been able to confirm that at no time did the NY Court hear that Ramsammy or the Government purchased the equipment.

It was said over and over again that Ramsammy facilitated the purchase. This could easily mean that he gave the OK for Khan or someone else to make the purchase. The screaming headline by the Kaieteur News is ground enough for Ramsammy to sue Woolford, Glenn Lall - the publisher of the Kaieteur News and Adam Harris - the editor of the Kaieteur News.

Jagedeo touring

2009-07-31T11:44:00.001-04:00

The president of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo is scheduled to arrive in Jamaica this afternoon.

The Guyanese president will be on a five-day official working visit, which will end on Tuesday.

This afternoon, he’s scheduled to tour the St. Mary Banana Estates along with the agriculture minister Dr. Christopher Tufton and other ministry officials.

President Jagdeo will also tour the Jamaica Broilers Ethanol plant in Port Esquivel, St. Catherine and attend the Emancipation Jubilee in Seville, St. Ann.

Over the weekend, he will attend more emancipation day celebrations as well as the Denbigh Agri-Industrial show in Clarendon.

Guyana gone to the dogs

2009-07-31T11:35:00.001-04:00

The inventors of “Greenies ” dog treats got the idea of joining forces with a relief organization to build a village when a substitute priest came to their church and discussed the great need in third world nations like Guyana. [Take a bite]

Opposition confused

2009-07-31T07:41:00.000-04:00

Sometimes we have to hand it to the Government of this country. Kudos to the Government for acting quickly to put an end to any organised opposition protest against Minister Leslie Ramsammy. Unlike the Gajraj protest, there is no ministry office for the opposition to picket daily. The Ministry of Health was completely destroyed by a mysterious fire.

Corbin, Trotman what will it be gentlemen? Perhaps you might try to answer where it will be first?

Question it!

2009-07-18T09:19:00.003-04:00

How come everytime there is a protest in my country, there is some channa bombing. Is Odinga still gathering youths rom Tiger Bay and other depressed communities in the city to make a mess of organised protests? Youth Empowerment indeed!

The heat is on!

2009-07-17T14:10:00.001-04:00

Just ask the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy! We mean Burnsammy

Touching base...

2009-07-15T09:29:00.002-04:00

Any Guyanese living legally in Barbados out there!

Testing....1

2009-07-15T09:25:00.001-04:00

New management test!

Keep four eyes on this

2009-05-09T09:30:00.001-04:00

Kaieteur News had previously reported the Maria van Beek quit her office. The brouhaha that followed was amazing. Kaieteur News has been proven right. Stabroek News, Guyana Chronicle and National Communication Network are silent.

The National Assembly, on Thursday, approved the Insurance (Supplementary Provisions) Bill which when enacted will transfer the functions of the Commissioner of Insurance (COI) to the Bank of Guyana.

This Bill adds the final nail to the departure of Mrs. Maria van Beek, a departure that people purporting to be close to her denied, and one, which the other media houses deemed inaccurate.

Mrs. van Beek has since left Guyana but it has not been ascertained whether her departure is permanent.

PNCR Shadow Finance Minister, Winston Murray, also pointed to the article published by Kaieteur News that the Commissioner of Insurance Maria van Beek was not interested in carrying out the functions inherent in that office ever since the attack on her life.

People purportedly aligned to Mrs. van Beek immediately dubbed the article as erroneous and the other media houses rushed to condemn Kaieteur News without doing their own investigation.
In a telephone conversation with a Kaieteur News editor, Mrs. van Beek had asked whether the editor was prepared to take a bullet for her.

That was never reported out of deference for the Commissioner of Insurance.

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance condemned the article by this newspaper and the publication was also subjected to a barrage of attacks by the National Communications Network purporting that Kaieteur News was misinforming the public.

The Bill was presented to the House by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, who, in seeking to strengthen his position told the House that an IMF (International Monetary Fund) paper completed in 2000 had listed the benefits of unifying the regulatory framework of the financial sector including that of the insurance sector.

According to Dr Singh, the unification of the regulator of the sector will reduce cost and remove duplicity.

He noted that whilst there were also arguments against the unification of the regulatory framework it was an ongoing debate and the Government has opted for the unification approach.

According to Dr Singh many jurisdictions are currently reviewing their regulatory architecture in that the financial sector’s supervision is subject to ongoing analysis.

“I must emphasis the high priority that the Government places on policies to ensure a strong stable financial sector and to promote growth.”

He pointed out also staff at the Commissioner of Insurance will be augmented at BOG. “All resources available should be utilised to supervise the insurance sector.”
Dr. Singh noted that in Guyana’s environment, technical resource was modest and the need to optimise its use was important.

According to Dr. Singh, the Bill seeks to ensure the efficient use of Guyana’s limited resource as it relates to the supervision of the financial sector.

Mr. Winston Murray in his presentation said that the paper that Dr. Singh sought to support his argument in the House with information that was based on a 2000 paper when the financial crisis was not in full swing.

He noted that the Insurance Act of 1998 came into force in 2002 when the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance was set up and as recent as March 12 this year when the House debated a motion on the Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO) Guyana debacle, the work of the Commissioner of Insurance (COI) was praised.

He noted that the Government had seen it fit to run two separate regulatory bodies namely Bank of Guyana for banks and other financial institutions, and the COI for the Insurance Sector.
“Between then and now that had been good enough,” said Murray who pointed to the fact that the Minister is now calling for adequate supervision.

According to Murray, inherent in the Minister’s comment was the fact that the system prior to last Thursday was inadequate.

“If you say that you want a more robust framework then we did not have that…Something must not have been functioning well.”

He said that the Bill may very well have been motivated by that fact and it is quite possible that the administration was not willing to frontally acknowledge it.

“We don’t object to increased oversight,” said Murray who questioned the motive behind the move at this time.

Leader of the Alliance for Change Khemraj Ramjattan however was convinced that the Bill has a sinister motivation giving that the PPP was now reneging on its previous position.
He noted that it was the same People’s Progressive Party whose Finance Minister then was Bharrat Jagdeo. It was Jagdeo who when presenting the Insurance Act in 1998 argued against sentiments that were being expressed by the Government now.
He recalled that Jagdeo’s position then was there was a need for a separate body to regulate the insurance sector and the architecture should not be singular.

Ramjattan questioned what could have possibly happened over the years. If the party had wanted the BOG to regulate it, that would have been done since then.
He noted that the separate regulators were to ensure greater transparency in that there would have been more checks and balances.

He said that the party loves to preach its love for supervision and appointed the COI as a watchdog and now is coming to the House with a retrograde step that the AFC could not support.
He reminded the House that the now President Bharrat Jagdeo had then argued that there needs to be specialized areas of supervision and the new Bill is seeking to have a monopoly as it relates to supervision, “it is better to have a variety of people watching over each other”.

He also questioned the track record of BOG given that van Beek was doing a good job and had warned BOG that CLICO Guyana was breaching the law and that nothing was done by the bank to intervene.

Ramjattan told the House that the only fault he has found with the current COI was the fact that the Insurance Act caters for her to prosecute and she did not, “but I was reliably informed that when she pointed out CLICO Guyana’s breach she was told to shut up about it.”
The outspoken Parliamentarian after telling the House that his party could not support a scam and major cover up, left the National Assembly and was followed by his colleagues.

UPDATE ON PNCR LEADER’S HEALTH CONDITION

2009-05-06T17:06:00.001-04:00

The People’s National Congress Reform wishes to advise of the significant improvement in the health of its Leader, Mr. Robert H. O. Corbin, MP, who was taken to the United States of America on Monday, April 27, last and to inform that he is still receiving medical attention in Long Island , New York .

Mr. Corbin was initially hospitalized at the Heart Center , St. Francis Hospital , Long Island where he underwent tests, evaluation and medical procedures, including angiography. Following his discharge, Mr. Corbin was subjected to a series of other medical tests and evaluation as a result of which, he is expected to undergo surgery tomorrow, Thursday May 7, 2009 in Long Island , New York . His doctors expect a full recovery shortly thereafter.

The PNCR and Mrs. Corbin acknowledge with appreciation the many expressions of concern and good wishes for a speedy recovery from friends, supporters and well-wishers. These messages have been conveyed to Mr. Corbin who has asked us to express his personal appreciation to all those persons and organisations. He plans to resume duties in the shortest possible time.

People’s National Congress Reform

Congress Place, Sophia,

Georgetown, Guyana

Wednesday May 6, 2009

Visit our website @ www.guyanapnc.org

Where is media Imran

2009-05-06T01:05:00.003-04:00

The following line appeared in the Kaieteur News and we kid you not. Since Guyan Media Critic shut shop all hell has broken loose.

"A women who lives nearby, said that she heard the gunshots and upon peering out saw Savory running towards her yard."

Ever wonder?

2009-05-06T00:47:00.002-04:00

Have you ever wondered what does BJ do with all his free time since he chased his illegal wife? Then worry no more, because Guyana 360 has the shocking details, which you will know in the days ahead. Keep reading and looking for the revealing photo.

YES RASTA

2009-05-06T00:05:00.003-04:00

My songs are not smiling songs.

Lets face it, Peter Morgan has a wonderful voice, but his brother Gramps has powerful vocals - a riviting voice that touches your inner being. Perhaps Timeka Marshall and her manager/sweet man should have taken this into consideration.

We maybe wrong, but that Marshall girl is heading for distruction faster than a hijacked plane aiming for the twin towers. At the pace she is going, she is likely to burn out. Look at her TV appearances...in a video humping at a bar. Then she produces a single that made her look like a confused teenage girl. If you were a guy, you felt guilty not knowing for sure if she is over the age of consent. There she was, trying to seduce a guy. Not sure that she fits the script of a seducer.

Not satisfied with that video, she gets even more bitchy in her duo with Peter Morgan. Some critics say she took the song to send a message to her BF, Mr. Hayden. True or not, we don't care. Again, her teenage voice and looks just didn't fit the script of the video. That Marshall girl needs to cut her own image. She needs to cut a softer image because the Marshall we know is not an 'in your face' character. Her management is trying to potray her as the next Rihanna or Beyonce, but in reality her persona fits the softer, more relaxed Etana or perhaps Alicia Keys.

We await her next single.

Tek ups bitter

2009-05-03T09:08:00.001-04:00

Old people seh nah hang yuh dutty panty and bukta in de Kaieteur News

KN's Michael Jordan up shit creek

2009-04-27T00:55:00.000-04:00

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE STATEMENT ON MISLEADING KAIETEUR NEWS ARTICLE

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) wishes to express surprise and concern about an article that appeared in the Kaieteur News of Saturday 25th April 2009 entitled "Maria van Beek Quits," which falsely reports that the Commissioner of Insurance and Judicial Manager of Clico (Guyana) Mrs. Maria van Beek, is stepping down from her position as Commissioner of Insurance and Judicial Manager of Clico (Guyana) due to concerns for her safety.

The OCI would like to inform the public that the Mrs. van Beek never indicated to the reporter or for that matter anyone that she has plans to resign and affirms that there is no truth whatsoever to this claim as purported in the newspaper article. Mrs. van Beek is at this time on leave for medical reasons. She nevertheless remains the Commissioner of Insurance and Judicial Manager of Clico (Guyana).

The statement, "Close associates of the 36-year-old van Beek revealed last night that she has decided to resign out of concern for her safety, despite the presence of armed security at her home", is considered by the OCI to be false, misleading and irresponsible reporting that fails to meet the high media standards expected of a national daily newspaper.

In the circumstances, the OCI expects that the newspaper involved would wish to publish a correction that is accurate fair and balanced in as prominent a place, as the previous misleading statement.

Not a good year to be a politician

2009-04-26T06:10:00.001-04:00

Opposition leader Robert Corbin was hospitalised yesterday after complaining of chest pains.

Up to press time Corbin, 61, was a patient at the Woodlands Hospital in the city, where he was admitted after experiencing a sudden discomfort in his chest while driving in the morning. Although it was initially suspected that the PNCR leader might have suffered a heart attack, his brother Charles Corbin said that test results were negative.

“The results are in and they are negative,” he told Stabroek News last evening. He also explained that his brother’s physicians in the US have requested that he be flown overseas to be placed under their care. Although preparations were being made, there no decision had been made up to press time. “I can’t say when he will be flown out,” he said, while noting that his doctors both here and overseas were making arrangements. [Link]

SN Slams KN

2009-04-26T05:59:00.001-04:00

Reports that Commissioner of Insurance and Judicial Manager of CLICO (Guyana) Maria van Beek has decided to resign are inaccurate, a source close to her has said.

An article in yesterday’s edition of the Kaieteur News headlined ‘Maria van Beek quits’ said that close associates of van Beek had informed the newspaper that the commissioner was resigning. “Close associates of the 36-year-old van Beek revealed last night [Friday] that she has decided to resign out of concern for her safety, despite the presence of armed security at her home,” the newspaper said. [link]

Sad development

2009-04-25T08:19:00.002-04:00

Fearing for her life after narrowly surviving a gunman’s bullet two Thursdays ago, Maria van Beek is stepping down as Commissioner of Insurance and Judicial Manager of Clico (Guyana).

Close associates of the 36-year-old van Beek revealed last night that she has decided to resign out of concern for her safety, despite the presence of armed security at her home.

Kaieteur News also understands that police allowed van Beek to view two of the men who were deemed to be suspects in her shooting.However, a source said that she failed to pick the men out during the identification parade.

Van Beek was shot in the chest while driving along Lombard Street in heavy traffic on April 16, last.The gunman then escaped on a motorcycle with an accomplice, who was waiting in Leopold Street.

An eyewitness told Kaieteur News that he saw a man, with one hand tucked under his sweater, walking ‘calmly’ from Lombard Street into Leopold Street seconds after the shot was discharged.

He described the suspect as a short, dark-complexioned individual of medium build, who was wearing a cap, jersey and three-quarter pants.

The injured woman managed to drive to Mohamed’s Enterprise on Lombard Street, where she sought assistance from staff who drove her to the Woodlands Hospital in Carmichael Street.

Police ruled out robbery as a motive for the attack.A sister of van Beek’s had told reporters that the shooting might be linked to the contentious issue of the CLICO debacle but could not understand why her sister, in her role, was a target.

The relative described the attempt on her siblings’s life as “an eye opener for the entire family”, adding that security arrangements would be put in place to prevent any further attack.

She stressed that although van Beek was integrally involved in the CLICO issue, she was not personally responsible for the debacle that the company found itself in.

van Beek was appointed Judicial Manager of CLICO (Guyana) on February 25 last and was tasked with assessing the entity’s financial position.On Tuesday last she presented her report to the High Court, declaring the company insolvent, adding that in a worst-case scenario the company’s liability outweighed its assets by some US$60M.

Kaieteur News report by Michael Jordan

Drunk on cool-aid at Guyana Chronicle

2009-04-24T08:17:00.002-04:00

"Rohee critical of "sexing up" news reports USE file photo of Rohee"...what in Stabroek Market is that piece of garbage about. These state employees getting paid our tax monies to fuck up. In these hard economic times, people should be made to pay for skunt like this. Too much cool-aid from the Jagdeo VAT got dem rass drunk and stupidee or is it Rohee's sex that got dem stupideeeeee...ROHEEEEEEE got dem STUPIDEEEEEEEE...

NBS responds to sharp criticisms

2009-04-24T08:11:00.001-04:00

THE Board of Directors of the New Building Society Limited (NBS) have reviewed statements appearing in some sections of the media attributed to particular spokesperson(s) calling themselves “concerned members”. These statements are considered slanderous/ libelous, misleading and mischievous.

The Society wishes to set the records right. It must be made clear that the Board of Directors have always and will always act in accordance with the Rules of the Society and good governance practices. We now wish to clarify the undermentioned issues:

NOTICE OF MEETING

The Notice of the Annual General Meeting and Agenda was first published in the Guyana Chronicle on 3rd April 2009 and subsequently in other newspapers in keeping with the rules. The Notice and Agenda was also displayed at the Chief Office and all of its Branch Offices from the same date. A contributor to the Business Page of Stabroek News of April 19, 2009 failed to mention that fact.

PENSION SCHEME FUNDS INVESTED IN CLICO

The Society’s Pension Scheme currently holds a Flexible Annuity Policy of approximately $111M with CLICO. This is contrary to speculations contained in the Kaieteur News of 15th April, 2009 and Business page of the Stabroek News, of 19th April 2009, that the Society may have negotiated redemption of its Pension Scheme Investment in CLICO at the time of purchase of the Bonds for the Berbice River Bridge. We repeat there was no trade off or insider dealings in this matter as suggested by ‘So-Called Concerned Persons’.

BANK OF GUYANA OVERSIGHT

The Bank of Guyana conducted three (3) inspections of the Society’s records, two of which were done in the last three years. Accountability of the Society is under the purview of the Minister of Finance who has power to examine or cause to be examined the books of accounts of the Society. The Bank of Guyana or any other agency may be utilized for this purpose. We reiterate that we are guided by our own set of rules and the law under which we are governed.

CHANGE OF AUDITORS

The Society received a nomination for an Auditing firm to be appointed Auditors for the year 2009 in accordance with the Rules of the Society. As required by the rules, the NBS informed the current Auditors by way of letter and informed its members by an advertisement in daily newspapers. We subsequently received notification from our current Auditors of their desire not to seek re-election at the Society’s AGM on April 25, 2009.
The Board of Directors in accordance with the Society’s Rules does not appoint Auditors, so it cannot be accused of removing the Auditors. In fact, the Board over the years has enjoyed cordial relations with Messrs. Jack A. Alli, Sons & Company. The Board and the Management of the Society categorically deny that they had anything to do with the process of elections of the Society’s Auditors. This is within the purview of the members.

INVESTMENT IN THE BERBICE RIVER BRIDGE BONDS

It is a fact that NBS purchased $1.5B in Bonds in the Berbice River Bridge from CLICO. The Bonds were purchased at face value. The Society wishes to make it pellucidly clear that the investment is in the Berbice River Bridge and not with CLICO and the bridge is fully insured. The acquisition of the Bonds we emphasize is in the interest of our members and the Society as a whole.Our Bridge Investment is a merely 5.0% of Total Assets. Of the other 95.0%, 54.0% or $19.0B is invested in mortgage loans, amounting to 7,819 in number. This translates into an average mortgage loan of $2.4M. Our maximum exposure in any one security until recently was $8.0M. The investment therefore in the bridge is sound, justified and is the most lucrative investment opportunity currently available to NBS. Thus, the directors are satisfied that they have met their fiduciary obligations to the institution.

PROFIT

The Society recorded a profit of $288M for the year 2008. Had it not been for an exchange loss of $200M as a result of the depreciation of the pound sterling due to the Global Economic Meltdown, the total profit for the year 2008 would have been $488M. The investment in the UK is guaranteed by the Government of the United Kingdom.Of interest to members it should be noted that the investment in Britain has been there for decades inclusive of the period when a self styled ‘Concerned Member’ was a Member of the Society’s Board of Directors. The Society’s profits over the years had the benefit of significant increase in the value of the pounds sterling. Therefore the $200M losses for this year will have to be measured against those massive gains in previous years.

FINANCIAL STATUS OF NBS NOW

The Society has always been and continues to be very sound financially. It surpassed all of its key financial indicators, strategic goals and operational targets in achieving record earnings despite many challenges during the year.We wish to remind our members of the 2007 sinister plots which were designed to undermine the Society by the same ‘So-Called Concerned Members’ who predicted the downfall of the Society. However, the Board of Directors wishes to assure all members that the Society continues to be strong and will continue to be sound well into the future.We regret that the media houses which continue to publish these inaccurate and misleading statements continue to do so without seeking our view on these matters. We hope that sacred tenets which form the basis of good journalism will be adhered to in the future. We equally hope that these facts will be published fully in the interest of fairness to the Society and balanced reporting.

AHMAD M. KHAN
CEO/Director/Secretary
On behalf of theBoard of Directors

Freddie daggers BJ...ragga, ragga, ragga

2009-04-24T08:07:00.002-04:00

President Jagdeo told a press conference in Trinidad during the Summit of the Americas that Guyana has one of the most progressive constitutions in the world.

What that means no one knows since Mr. Jagdeo didn’t define the adjective, “progressive.”This is a very nuanced term that traditionally has a socialist connotation and has a comparative function to it—progressive in relation to what?

Many interpret the word to be synonymous with “modern.” Generally, when a political or judicial or constitutional system is modern, it means it has the features that are part of a modern world, meaning it offers justice, equality and freedom.

Most countries in the world have the type of constitution that is progressive in the way Mr. Jagdeo means. Haiti has a progressive constitution.

If you exclude the Arab sultanates, other countries like the kingdoms of Saudi Arabia and Swaziland, dictatorships like North Korea, Cuba, Myanmar, Libya and a few others, a majority of States at the United Nations have “progressive” constitutions.

On the question of Guyana itself, it is debatable that it is a democratic document.Mr. Jagdeo has the habit of engaging in convenient arguments. In extolling the Guyana Constitution, he made mention of the changes to the 1980 Guyana Constitution but chose not to cite the egregious aspect of that very document.

Quite a number of legal experts have condemned the authoritarian nature of the 1980 Constitution. Mr. Jagdeo stayed clear of such features.For a brilliant examination of the nature of the 1980 treatise see the book by two former UG professors, Harold Lutchman and Rudolph James, “Law and the Political Environment, Univ. of Guyana, 1977.

This is the best exposition on the authoritarian dimensions of Mr. Burnham’s blueprint of 1980. Readers will find it a fascinating journey as the authors show where one article allows for freedom while another article cancels the enforceable power of that said article.

The part of the book that readers may like is the section on impeachmentThe Parliament of Guyana can impeach the President for criminal conduct or should he lapse into insanity. The framers made that clear.

But there is an article that says that the President, in his capacity as Head of State, can prorogue Parliament as he sees fit.It makes you smile as you read this description because you know Mr. Burnham was a cunning politician who would have closed all the loopholes. So the situation is easy to comprehend.

The President has committed a criminal act. He knows that in a week’s time, Parliament will meet to impeach him. He makes his move before Parliament can act.Mr. Jagdeo cites the two-term limit but one wonders why he did that.

Many, many countries have that cut-off point so it is old news to people around the world. But Sigmund Freud was at work when the President told the press conference he is not interested in a third term.Why did he use the word, “interested?”

Legally, Mr. Jagdeo cannot have fifteen years. The Constitution only allows for ten. So even if he is interested, he cannot seek re-election. I read the transcript of the press conference three times and nowhere did I read the President as saying that the Guyana Constitution outlaws third terms.

No mention was made of the impossibility of fifteen years.Was the President showing a Freudian preference when he used the words “not interested?” Could a candidate be interested in running for a third term when that is not legally possible?

One wonders if Mr. Jagdeo remembered what he told the press in Guyana about the Constitution when he used the word “progressive” in Trinidad. Mr. Jagdeo made it quite clear that the Constitution did not say that the Opposition Leader has to agree when the President consults him and if he withholds his assent, the President cannot go ahead and make his decision.He was speaking about the nomination of former UG Vice Chancellor, Dr. James Rose, to head the Integrity Commission.

Well not only is the Constitution of Guyana not progressive but it is farcical. All the President has to do is to call the Opposition Leader, say to him, “Dear Robert, I have James in mind to head the Race-Horsing Authority.”

Robert says, “Nah, I don’t think the guy is the right choice.” The President then says: “You cannot claim that I didn’t consult you.” Next day, the appointment is made. Of course the President can intensify the farce in by-passing the Opposition Leader by making acting appointments.We have an acting Chief Justice and acting Chancellor. Looks like the President may soon be sharing out Academy Awards.

An original cool-aid drinker

2009-04-23T03:25:00.001-04:00

Professor Narine lauds President’s avoided deforestation model-suggests Guyana join biological revolution
Georgetown, GINA, April 22, 2009

Professor Suresh Narine, Director of the Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (IAST) today, told University of Guyana, Earth Science students that reducing the quantity of forests results in a decline in the carbon sink side of the equation, and this upsets the equilibrium of carbon in the atmosphere, as it is generally accepted that deforestation leads to an increase in atmospheric carbon.

In case you are wondering who is Dr. Narine, click here

which contractor will be fined for this mess? None maybe.

2009-04-22T21:24:00.001-04:00

Reactive fools!

2009-04-22T21:08:00.001-04:00

ACTING Chief Magistrate, Melissa Robertson-Ogle, yesterday confirmed that the Magistrates’ Association of Guyana met with Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Clement Rohee and Commissioner of Police Mr. Henry Greene last Monday evening, as was requested by the Association in an effort to avert any hiccups in the administration of justice.

Robertson-Ogle, speaking exclusively with the Chronicle, said the Magistrates’ Association had called for the meeting following the recent criminal attacks on Magistrate Nigel Hawke and his wife.

The Acting Chief Magistrate said the results of that meeting with Rohee and Greene, which was held about 18:00 hrs Monday evening with a number of Magistrates, yielded “favourable” results. “It was very amicable and very hopeful,” she said.

According to Robertson-Ogle, the Minister as well as the Commissioner undertook to provide Magistrate Hawke with additional security, and after speaking with Hawke yesterday, she said he confirmed that these were indeed provided.

Robertson-Ogle said she did not wish to disclose further details of the meeting she had with the Minister and Commissioner but may do so after she meet with her colleagues in the near future.
She added that various magistrates would be present at their monthly meeting this Saturday and the Association would thereafter determine whether or not they would release another press statement on the issue.

Had the Magistrates’ Association not receive any sort of satisfaction at the meeting, Robertson-Ogle said as a start, Magistrates would have chosen not to sit their courts.

Meanwhile, a source told the Guyana Chronicle that at the meeting, the Magistrates made a number of requests as it relates to their security.

The source said among the requests made were the need to have personal bodyguards and security guards at their homes.

In addition, the Association also requested armed policemen and women in the courts over which they preside.

As a result, the source said heightened security measures were put in place from yesterday around the courts with an officer scanning every person that went through the Georgetown Magistrate’s court gate.

The source added that the back gate which gives the public access to the other courts in Jainarine Singh’s building may also be closed, except to prisoners. A police rank will also be present in that building.

On Monday last, an emergency meeting was called by the Magistrates’ Association in Robertson-Ogle’s Chamber and a number of Magistrates attended along with a representative of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) ‘A’ Division, Ms Maxine Graham.

Magistrate Robertson-Ogle had told reporters that no courts on the West Bank Demerara and on the East Coast were being held subsequent to the criminal attacks on Hawke.

The Magistrate had mentioned that the Association was “weary” of making complaints but nothing has so far been done for them as it relates to their security.

A press statement from the Association had the following to say:

“There is grave concern among all Magistrates at this time especially in light of repeated attempts for the authorities to address the burning issue of security for Magistrates vis-à-vis other judicial officers.

“A detailed security memorandum was prepared by the Association since October 11, 2009, and sent to the Honourable Chancellor of the Judiciary and a copy was later forwarded to the Commissioner of Police. To date, no action has been taken with regards to any of the recommendations therein.

“Magistrates at first instance deal with 90 per cent of the criminal proceedings and as a consequence, we are a constant target of criminal aggression. Magistrates, and in some instances members of their family have been threatened, abused and attacked in and out of the Court Room by criminal litigants and their associates. This must not be allowed to continue”.

Magistrate Hawke and his lawyer wife, Donnelle, were robbed in their Section ‘B’ Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara, home by a lone gunman with an AK-47 assault rifle in the early hours of Monday morning.

Hawke told this newspaper yesterday that an armed guard was posted at his residence from 15:00 hrs.

He added that after the incident on Monday night, a policeman was stationed at his house and the police also patrolled the area every hour.

The ranks in the mobile patrol were backed-up by members of a neighbourhood policing group.
Magistrate Hawke said he learnt that several suspects were ‘picked up’ by the Police for questioning since the robbery at his home.

He noted that the incident has left him and his wife shaken and he is hoping to resume work shortly.

Hawke pointed out that so far he is pleased with the efforts that are being made to beef up security at his home, the courts and in general for magistrates. (Additional reporting by Michel Outridge)

Question it

2009-04-17T22:55:00.002-04:00

Did the Trinis cultural presentation outdo the Guyana Carifesta opening?

SN's Page one comment

2009-04-17T09:42:00.000-04:00

The shooting of Commissioner of Insurance, Ms Maria van Beek, yesterday morning marked a new low point in our downward slide towards a nihilistic society. From police reports it is clear that this was no random robbery attempt; the gunmen used a motorcycle, and made no effort to try and steal anything. One of them simply fired a shot and then they both made good their escape. It is a sign of the levels to which we have sunk that their target was a civil servant who had been appointed by the court to discharge the functions of Judicial Manager of Clico (Guyana).

Ms van Beek’s name until recently probably would not have been recognized by the vast majority of Guyanese; she was just a conscientious official working in the background with little or no public profile. It was with the collapse of Clico that she became a household name, and while it is still too early to speculate on who the perpetrators were, it is reasonable to surmise that the attempt on her life had some connection to the events surrounding the collapse of that ill-managed entity.

And now everyone has become acutely aware of just how dangerous this society has become. In a general way citizens have been conscious for a long time that potentially they could become the victims of armed robbers, or find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time; but the deliberate targeting of a public servant who was simply trying to carry out her duties has taken us into a new dimension.

If there is one case that the Guyana Police Force needs to show some energy on, then this is it. For the sake of Ms van Beek and her family, and for the sake of society at large, this case must be solved. For its part the government should ensure that any resources needed by law enforcement to assist in their investigations, are provided expeditiously.

We cannot afford to allow this particular crime to join the long list of cold cases which the police will never clear up.

The AFC's very short statement on Van Beek shooting

2009-04-16T17:49:00.001-04:00

The Alliance For Change expresses deep regret at the shooting incident of Guyana's Commissioner of Insurance, Ms. Maria Van Beek.

We condemn without reservation this violent attack on an innocent citizen and hope that the perpetuators are brought to justice.

Our prayers are with her and we wish her a speedy recovery.

Breaking News: Van Beek's shooters known

2009-04-16T17:12:00.006-04:00

Police sources are confirming that at least two men who opened fire on Commissioner of Insurance, Maria Van Beek are well known 'guns for hire' working closely with a major drug ring in central Georgetown.

A police source not authorised to speak publicly about the investigations, said that the men lay wait on Van Beek. The source said that several high-profile businessmen are currently being looked at in the current ongoing investigations.

"There could be several possible motives for the killing. Many are looking at the fact that she was appointed Chairman of Clico by the Court. But, we must remember that as Commissioner of Insurance, she did rub a few people the wrong way. Maybe they could have used this opportunity to get back at her," the source stated.

During her tenure, Van Beek had sought to close down GuyFlag as part of an investigations into a multimillion dollar scam involving the burnt Sacred Hearts Church. Several Government officials, including a former Finance Minister have invested heavily in GuyFlag, which has sister companies engaging in beer and cement importation.

"I cannot tell you who we suspect at this moment," the police source stated.

Guyana360 has been able to confirm that Van Beek has since been transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where she is under police guard.

See previous posts here, here, here but not here

GOVERNMENT STATEMENT ON SHOOTING

The Government of Guyana notes with the greatest concern the dastardly attempt on the life of Mrs. Maria van Beek, the Commissioner of Insurance, which was made this morning in Lombard Street, Georgetown.

The Administration finds it incomprehensible that any sane mind would stoop to such an act that would seem to have an intention of frustrating the work she is doing as the Commissioner of Insurance.

The Guyana Police Force has already commenced its investigation into this incident.

The Commissioner of Police has indicated that no stone will be left unturned during these investigations.

Mrs. van Beek is receiving medical attention, and her condition is regarded as stable.

The Administration condemns this act in the severest manner possible and wishes Mrs. van Beek a speedy recovery.

Regarding the work that she is doing as Judicial Manager of CLICO (Guyana), the Government of Guyana continues to stand firmly by its commitment to protect the interest of policyholders of the company.

Rain, rain go away...

2009-04-16T16:17:00.002-04:00

We have sat playing cards for the last several hours wondering when this rain will stop. Some say God is really crying over Guyana. At least we have some where to stay, some people have not been so lucky and lost their homes during the downpour.

Wonder where is Minister Robert Montgomery "two seeds" Persaud?

PNCR on the Van Beek shooting

2009-04-16T16:15:00.004-04:00

The People’s National Congress Reform has received the shocking news of the shooting of Ms. Maria Van Beek this morning on Lombard Street, in the vicinity of the Public Buildings.

Whether it was an attempted robbery or for other reasons, the Party unreservedly condemns this criminal act and would urge the Commissioner of Police and the Jagdeo Administration to act with dispatch to ensure that the perpetrator(s) are caught and placed before the courts.

The Party has learnt, with some relief, that Ms.Van Beek is in a stable condition in a hospital in Georgetown.

The PNCR wishes her a speedy and full recovery.

More news on Van Beek

2009-04-16T13:32:00.002-04:00

Further to this AP story, it is being reported that Van Beek was shot twice in the chest area.

Breaking News: Van Beek esecapes execution attempt

2009-04-16T12:53:00.002-04:00

A gunman shot a Guyana official in charge of dissolving a failed insurance company as she drove to work Thursday, police said.

Insurance commissioner Maria Van Beek, who was hospitalized with a wound in her abdomen, has gained a high profile through the liquidation of Colonial Life Insurance Co. The company has 15,000 clients in this South American country.

The motive for the shooting was unclear, assistant police commander Ivan Daniels said.

"We are investigating exactly what happened," he said.

The collapse of Clico has left many policyholders and pension fund contributors in Guyana anxious about the company's ability to honor its commitments. Earlier this week, Van Beek filed a report saying the company's liabilities of more than $60 million far exceed its assets.

Guyana seized Clico after its parent company in Trinidad, CL Financial Ltd., received a government bailout. CL Financial suffered huge losses in real estate investments and could not borrow enough money on credit markets paralyzed by the global financial crisis.

President Bharrat Jagdeo's administration has said it will borrow from the Treasury to pay Clico policyholders, but payment could drag out over a 10-year period.

The bailout of the investment holding company — whose interests include manufacturing, health services, spirits, real estate and energy — sent shock waves across the 15-nation Caribbean Community bloc, where CL Financial is the largest business group.

Regulators in other countries including the Bahamas and Belize are moving to liquidate local Clico subsidiaries to protect depositors.

Who is a cool-aid drinker?

2009-04-16T00:02:00.003-04:00

In Guyana politics, the phrase 'soup drinker' has been used time and time again to describe individuals closely associated with the Governing PPP/C regime, who are willing to sell their souls just to be recognised by the Government.

Perhaps that is putting it lightly when one considers what these persons are giving up. Hence, going foward, this blog will recognise such individuals as cool-aid drinkers.

The likes of Kwame McKoy and Bishop Juan Edghill will be known as cool-aid drinkers.

The former Attorney General, Doodnaught Singh became a soup drinker during the 1997 elections and even declared...'that was good'

Jagdeo goes begging again!

2009-04-15T23:58:00.001-04:00

President Jagdeo leaves for Summit today with HIGH HOPES
- says President Obama’s presence at the Summit brings an ‘enlightened approach’ to several crucial issues up for discussion

By Mark Ramotar

PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo will today leave for the high-profile and much-talked-about Fifth Summit of the Americas to be held in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, where he has high expectations that at least ‘a few dollars or initiatives’ can emerge out of the long list of pledges currently on the draft declaration to be finalised by the some 33 Heads of State and Government that will be attending the Summit, including the highly popular United States President Barrack Obama. (Imran Khan/media critic should note length of sentence)

President Jagdeo, speaking at a news conference yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat in Georgetown, said he will be joining fellow leaders of CARICOM in a series of begging engagements before the formal opening of the summit tomorrow, in an effort to “concretise positions” that the regional leaders may wish to pursue at the Summit.

A wide-ranging declaration will be issued upon the conclusion of the summit on Sunday, entitled ‘Securing our citizens future by promoting human prosperity, energy security and environmental sustainability’.

Glenn's generousity

2009-04-13T13:58:00.000-04:00

Meanwhile, Managing Director and Publisher of Kaieteur News Mr. Glenn Lall yesterday expressed concern on seeing the burnt shack in which the family had lived.

“That is extreme poverty. I can’t believe that a family could live under those conditions,” he said.

“These are the kinds of people who need cheap house-lots.”Mr. Lall has promised to assist the family financially and has invited Mr. Munroe to meet him at Kaieteur News on Tuesday.

In the meantime, he will also assist them with their funeral expenses.Mr. Lall said he would also appeal to his other business colleagues to assist the family.

Refreshing, stunning , compelling and certainly brave

2009-04-12T13:00:00.003-04:00

It's not the Guyana Media Critic, but this certainly eases the pain. So long pro-government neophytes over at Liveinguyana.

Guyana Times editor praises govt.

2009-04-12T09:34:00.002-04:00

Our financial system is soundI AM convinced that the financial system is sound in Guyana. Another of Guyana’s many banks, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), has achieved a profit of some $940M even as the world is going through a financial crisis.

What is even more interesting is that the bank has invested some $2.6B for building a head office which will be completed by the end of this year. I have also noticed that there was a significant increase in the bank’s loan portfolio which has increased by a rate of $31.6%.

I sure hope that the critics of the financial system are taking note of this development. Isn’t this evidence that Guyana’s financial system is sound? Even after the financial downturn began last year, GBTI was still able to open another outlet at Diamond/Grove.

Some may wish to argue that the CLICO debacle has shown how vulnerable Guyanese are but the truth is that we are not much affected compared to some other countries.

I do believe that the financial crisis that is being experienced in other parts of the world could in fact be of advantage to us in Guyana because of our vast resources such as our agricultural base. On the contrary, Guyana could yet again emerge as the “Breadbasket of the Caribbean” because of this crisis!

NIGEL WILLIAMS

Jagdeo's child play

2009-04-12T09:28:00.001-04:00

Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo says that he will agree to an investigation into what transpired at Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO) Guyana only if there is a corresponding investigation into the affairs of Globe Trust and Investment Company Limited (GTICL). [Link]

While RP was blogging...

2009-04-11T11:19:00.000-04:00

Chairman of the No. 66 Fish Port Complex Pravinchandra Deodat has told Stabroek Business that irresponsible harvesting has contributed to a reduction in catch by as much as 40 per cent over the past two years and that there was indeed a need for the Ministry of Agriculture to put even stronger measures in place to protect the fishing industry. [Link]

Van West Charles returns to Guyana

2009-04-11T10:12:00.003-04:00

Dr. Richard Van West- Charles, former Senior Minister of Health and PAHO/WHO Senior Manager and Special Advisor on Partnership with the International Financial Institutions for almost two decades has tendered his resignation and will return to his home, by the end of April, to continue his contribution to his native land and to strengthen the role of the People’s National Congress in creating a cohesive nation with equal opportunity for all its citizens regardless of race, color or creed.

Over the years, Dr.Van West-Charles visited anually and maintained contact with his homeland, and was invited to be President of a not-for-profit organization – Partnering and Networking for the Development of Guyana (PNDG) - dedicated to poverty alleviation and capacity building. The motto of the Guyana not-for-profit organization is “Safeguarding our future and protecting the vulnerable.”

In his capacity as President of the PNDG, Dr. Van West-Charles has established a network of concerned Guyanese, at home and abroad, and together they are working to bring relief to many families and a number of Guyanese communities. The organization, under its capacity building program, has donated computers to churches and schools.

As Senior Minister of Health, Water, Housing and Environment in the Guyana Government during the period 1980 – 1985, and later as Minister of Medical Education, Food Policy and Environment, Dr. Van West- Charles within his portfolio of Medical Education, led the team which established Guyana’s First School of Medicine at the University of Guyana (UG).

Dr. Van- West Charles, also served as a Member of Parliament, and was engaged in many CARICOM, Commonwealth and Non-Aligned Summits and initiatives. He also served as Guyana’s representative to the Governing Bodies of PAHO/WHO and the Executive Board of WHO.

Dr. Van-West’s service as a Minister of Health prepared him for the several capacities in which he later served PAHO/WHO. During his service to both organizations, he was the PAHO/WHO Representative to Jamaica; Cayman Islands; Bermuda; The Commonwealth of The Bahamas ; Turks and Caicos and was also responsible for the technical cooperation for the Eastern Caribbean. He also was appointed as Area Manager for Information and Knowledge Management and acted as the Deputy Director of PAHO/WHO.

During his tenure, he travelled extensively and met with top Government officials of Latin America and the Caribbean, participated in many global and regional conferences which have shaped his vision and strengthened his capacity to make a significant contribution to the development of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. He was also immersed, in addition to health matters, in public administration, project management and implementation, politics, international affairs and diplomacy.

Doctor Van West-Charles will be accompanied by his wife Roxanne (nee Burnham) on his return to Guyana.

Lloyd King's 50 greatest hits

2009-04-10T20:30:00.002-04:00

1) Why did Brindley Benn leave the PPP? Was it for ideological or real estate issues?

2) Was it true that at a PPP congress, Ranji Chandisingh had the highest votes over the Jagans?

3) As a Head of State, why was Dr. Cheddi Jagan's will not made public to show what were his personal possessions as distinct from gifts he had received in his capacity as President and Minority/Opposition Leader, in keeping with precedents in some countries?

4) Who are the policyholders in the PPP's commercial arm, GIMPEX? How this party practices Marxism-Leninism but runs the party like a corporate entity?

5) Is it true that the PPP owns a number of buildings and lands around the country including the East Bank of Demerara?

6) Who is the PPP's political leader? Janet Jagan or someone else?

7) What was the role of the House of Israel in Guyana? Was Rabbi Edward Washington really a religious leader or a political thug for the PNC?

8) Why did Fr. Andrew Morrison S.J allow the Reverend Jim Jones to use the Sacred Heart Church for Jones to perform his first quasi-faith-healing scam in Guyana?

9) What was the connection between the PNC and the Peoples Temple? Was Viola Burnham really a member of the Peoples Temple?

10) Is it true that the GDF's Frontline Band was Jim Jones' band instruments and where did all of Jones' financial resources disappear to?

11) If Burnham was this intellectual Titan, how come he never wrote a single book chronicling political developments in Guyana from his perspective?

12) Was Forbes Burnham truly the fifth richest Black man in the world and did he have large amounts of investments in Africa, especially in Zambia?

13) Who really is the author of the book 'From Pain to Peace'? Was it Hamilton Green or Rovin Deodat?

14) What was the role of Jack Kelshall in Guyana and was he Dr. Jagan's private secretary or a Soviet agent planted to overseer the running of Guyana?

15) What was the purpose of the X-13 Plan and why LFS Burnham had appointed Cde. Van Genderen known as 'Old Man' to report to him and gave instructions that military training must be carried out to Cde. I. Thomas? Is there a modern X-13 Plan still in existence in Guyana?

16) Is it true that Forbes Burnham had a hyphenated name Sampson-Burnham and why is it the never used hyphen?

17) Why was Sydney King expelled from the PNC? Was it because of his strong Afro-centric views or because Burnham supported Jagan for independence? Or is it because he had dropped a 'bombshell' on the PNC by contesting as an independent against Burnham?

18) How did the PPP's heroine, Kowsilla, die on March 6,1964 at Plantation Leonora? Did she run in front of the tractor or the driver drive through the protesting squatters? How, then, the driver was never charged with murder?

19) Who threw the bomb into the bus at Lusignan, killing 13 year old Godfrey Texiera and 11 other children?

20) Was the Home Affairs Minister, Janet Jagan correct to say that the Commissioner of Police, Peter Owen should not use the Volunteer Forces but the British soldiers since the Volunteer Forces and the rioters were the same. Was this statement a parallel to Hoyte's "kith and kin" in relation to the army and police?

21) Was the former Minister of Information and Chairman of CASWIG, Shirley Field-Ridley a rising star in the PNC and even capable of replacing Forbes Burnham?

22) Who instructed that the Sun Chapman boat be bombed while plying the Georgetown- Mackenzie route?

23) Why did Hugh Desmond Hoyte mysteriously deviate from Forbes Burnham's political and economic directions of how the party must go, dismantling all the party structures that will keep him in power?

24) How did the body of Donna Mc Kinnon end up on the vacant lot adjacent to Freedom House and no one could have detected how it was placed there although there were guards on a 24 hour basis there?

25) Was Bilal Ato the real killer of Fr. Darke or another House of Israel?

26) Does the PPP really have a wing called the Red Army and what is its purpose?

27) Was Forbes Burnham really assassinated by the Cubans? Did he really refuse the valuable advice by his son-in-law, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles to go to Cuba?

28) What was the Del Conte road scandal? Is it true that large sums of money were siphoned off from this project during the PPP-led administration in the 1960s?

29) Why was Ronald Waddel shot in his foot in Buxton prior to his execution and who really executed him?

30) Is Eusi Kwayana's formula for partition of Guyana on the basis of race part of the solution to the country's problems?

31) Who was responsible for placing the bomb at Freedom House that killed Michael Forde and the one at GIMPEX that killed Eddie Griffith? Why wasn't Eddi Griffith immortalised like Michael Forde?

31) Why was the Dr.Jagan-Clive Thomas formula as a slate did not materialise just prior to the 1992 elections?

32) Which leading WPA member returned home and described the slate as "too left:" and worked to destroy it?

33) What was David Hinds doing with guns concealed in a false-bottom suitcase at the airport?

34) If Dr. Jagan was extremely sick at the Walter Reed Army Medical Centre, how was it that he could have written that his wife should take over?

35) Why was Michael X brought into Guyana and hidden clandestinely on the Highway? Was it to kill Eusi Kwayana?

36) Is it true that Moses Nagamootoo, Reepu Daman Persaud, Feroze Mohammed had contemplated joining the PNC in 1983, following in the footsteps of Ranji Chandisingh and Vincent Teekah. Is it true that Nagamootoo et al had been given keys to a car PCC 151 to go to Congress Place?

37) Who really killed Vincent Teekah, who was the political author behind his death and what was the reason?

38) Did Brother Walter Rodney engage in a failed revolution when he met his death and GDF Sgt. 4141 Gregory Smith aka Cyril Johnson an agent of Burnham?

39) Who shot Peter Taylor, the owner of the Evening Post, since he represented big business and not the working class?

40) Why the police sources were unable to say how the high-powered GDF rifles had come into the possession of WPA activist Brother Ohene Koama?

41) Who really killed Security Guard, James Henry, at the newly built No.63 toll station on the Corentyne? Did Arnold Rampersaud really have any knowledge of this killing?

42) Who burnt down TUF activist and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Hydraulics, Arthur Abraham's home on Hadfield Street and killed him and most of the members of his family?

43) Who killed PPP Home Affairs Minister Claude Christian? Was he stabbed with an old umbrella or did he die from a heart attack?

44) Was Dick La Borde removed from his post in Berbice by Forbes Burnham? Was it because he refused to carry out racial orders given by Forbes Burnham or because earlier in Burnham's legal career, La Borde working as a court orderly firmly insisted that Burnham must remove from the court's door, resulting in Burnham being embarrassed?

45) Where were the 23,000 members derived from to attend the Pincer's last congress and how manage they cannot muster 23 persons for a simple picket line outside parliament?

46) Was the Buxton gunmen really Freedom Fighters, as dubbed by certain sections of the society, or were they criminals who operated 'guns for hire'?

47) Who burnt down the PNC's headquarters on Camp Street? Was it a Machiavellian tactic to blame the WPA or was it really the enemies of the PNC?

48) Why did Eusi Kwayana chase Ronald Wadell from the 'Lessons Place' in Buxton? Was Wadell preaching hate messages?

49) Why was Khemraj Ramjattan disciplined and expelled from the PPP? Is it that he was a rising star in the PPP's executive and a beacon of democracy or he really divulged information to the Americans? Did Moses Nagamootoo sell out on Khemraj Ramjattan at the last moment?

50) Is it true that all members of the PPP's Central Executive and Cabinet members must sign an un-dated resignation in the event that anyone of them deviates, in keeping with a communist culture?

If these questions should be answered truthfully, the political culture would be much healthier for one to exist and practice in and the process of healing and reconciliation will be evident or serve as political fertiliser for the tree of progress in Guyana.

The high-tech bill

2009-04-10T16:52:00.001-04:00

The tabling of the Bill comes just shy of three months after a furore at the start of the year over President Bharrat Jagdeo’s alleged treatment of former First Lady Varshnie Singh, who said the Office of the First Lady was a “myth.”

Singh went public in January with complaints that she did not receive proper maintenance or care during their nine-year union. Singh, who revealed that the two were never legally married, also accused the head of state of, among other things, psychological domestic violence and using his authority to sideline her work for her sick children’s charity, the Kids First Fund. [link]

Twisted SN

2009-04-10T16:45:00.002-04:00

When Stabroek News had visited Cox at the hospital on Wednesday, he could barely mumble a few words.

He was unable to open his eyes and the affected areas were severely swollen and black, while the skin on his chest was peeling.

Yesterday, his condition seemed improved. He was able to open his eyes and was more alert and responsive. In addition, his speech was clearer and relatively intelligible. Read the rest if you dare

Guyana360: Don't beat up on Sn for reporting this. They actually omitted the gruesome parts. The fact that the man's ear was hanging by the skin, his right side balls had swollen, his eyes had fallen in and his rib cage was visible through the skin. Thank you SN for omitting the most sickening parts.

Surprise

2009-04-10T08:27:00.000-04:00

Did they did what?

Political smoke screen

2009-04-09T23:28:00.001-04:00

An official smoke screen.

Guyana no longer a sweet country

2009-04-09T23:10:00.000-04:00

KINGSTON, Jamaica, April 9, 2009 - Despite setbacks in its sugar industry Jamaica led production in February among Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) member states.
A release from the SAC says that in February, Jamaica produced 26,038 tonnes of sugar, compared to Belize's 10,503 tonnes; Guyana's 7,928 tonnes; and Barbados' 1,072 tonnes, following its late start on February 24.

Only four countries in the English-speaking region continue to export sugar. Trinidad and Tobago ceased production about two years ago. Total output by the four countries in February was 45,541 tonnes, with year-to-date production being 86,581.

However, Chairman of the SAC and General Manager of Jamaica Cane Product Sales, Karl James, said it is too early to say whether Jamaica will meets its target of 139,000 tonnes for the 2008/2009 crop.

"This reaping season has been one of the best ever, in recent times. It is taking fewer canes to produce the sugar, but it is early days yet. I think the end of March figures will give us a better indication, but those figures won't be ready until probably next week," he said.

According to the SAC, the region exported 35,054 tonnes of sugar to the European Union (EU) in February, bringing total sugar export to the EU to 155,296 tonnes. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) received 216 tonnes. Cumulative exports, including Complementary Quantities, United States and world market exports, added up to 163,720, of which 118,000 tonnes were from Guyana.

Jamaica has been trying to divest its five factories since moving to transform the industry, following the European Union's decision to reform its sugar regime in 2005/2006.
The huge debt burden of the Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ), which manages the government-owned factories, is also a major factor. The government has been looking for other private sector investors, since negotiations with Brazilian firm, Infinity Bio-Energy, fell through in January.

(JIS Story)

Konfuse us KN

2009-04-03T22:08:00.001-04:00

After stealing a video camera, biting a police sergeant and assaulting two other ranks, an 18-year-old Berbician begged Magistrate Chandra Sohan for a chance to bargain with the court.But the magistrate was not prepared to enter into any agreement with Aubrey Mc Lennon and sentenced him to a total of nine years, three months in jail, on seven different charges. Earlier, McLennon had identified himself as Abdool Melaram.

and later in the story...

However, Magistrate Sohan was in no mood to entertain any suggestion from Mc Lennon. He sentenced the convict to three years in jail on the larceny charge, and 18 months each on the unlawful wounding charges, 12 months on each of the resisting arrest charges, and a further three months on the assault charge.The sentences are to run concurrently.

Get your cup ready BJ

2009-04-03T07:48:00.000-04:00

As expected, the G20 won’t produce any big coordinated fiscal boost. Or at least not the kind that both British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and U.S. President Barack Obama had hoped.

But sources involved in the negotiations say it could provide as much as $1 trillion to the global economy through a combination of measures such as increased funding for the International Monetary Fund and a trade credit package.

British Minister Mark Malloch-Brown, the Prime Minister’s official envoy to the negotiations, says the aim is to bolster the economies of poorer countries. It’s providing “stimulus support for those parts of the globe that can’t do it on their own.”

Yes...BJ should apologise

2009-04-01T12:10:00.002-04:00

During an emotional eulogy at yesterday’s state funeral for former President of Guyana Janet Jagan, Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee broke down in tears and he called for an apology to the late president from those guilty of heinous acts perpetrated against her between 1997 and 1998 in the wake of the December 1997 polls.

The state funeral, which was held at Public Buildings, was well attended by individuals from every stratum of the social sphere, from diplomats to the ordinary man in the street who came out to pay respects to the fallen ‘freedom fighter’. (Link)

Well watered and ready to supply KM

2009-03-31T17:18:00.003-04:00

Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Water Authority, Karan Singh, was yesterday dismissed when the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Cyril Solomon, gave him his marching orders.
Karan Singh was summoned to a special meeting to discuss the allegations of procedural irregularities.

However, Mr. Singh is not taking the sacking lightly. Late yesterday he consulted his lawyers with a view to mounting a legal challenge.

Singh claimed that he never had a chance to see the report prepared in the wake of the allegations made against him and neither was he given a chance to defend those charges.
He said that the internal auditor conducted an investigation over four weeks, threatening and terrorizing members of staff while compiling the report. At yesterday’s meeting Mr. Singh asked for time to study the report since it had not been presented to him although he was expected to react to the contents.

According to reports, the Board declined and proceeded to sack Mr. Singh.
Having been sent packing, the former CEO is now seeking legal advice on the matter. The Board had already sent Dhani Narine on leave after discovering similar irregularities. The Board has not yet summoned Narine.

On March 25 last, following his return from his annual vacation, the GWI Board of Directors sent Singh on leave.

The Board commenced investigations into the allegations and thought it best that Singh be absent from duty to speed up the process.

Singh has since said that he is not guilty of any wrongdoing. He said that he agreed to proceed on leave to allow for a fully transparent investigation.

The disturbing state-of-affairs came to light after it was discovered that Head of Procurement of the water company, Dhani Narine, had for some time been involved in a scam over the issuance of contracts.

Narine has since been sent on 30 days leave following allegations of corruption.

There are allegations that over a period of time he has been making deals to receive ‘drawbacks’ from contractors employed by the water entity.

This newspaper has learnt that Narine would allegedly demand that contractors advance him specified sums of money from the contracted sum before they were guaranteed the contract.
A source related that the contractors became aggravated and, as a result, decided to lodge an official complaint with senior officials of the entity.

It was at this juncture that the Board became involved and recommended that Narine be sent on leave to allow the facilitation of a proper and unbiased investigation.

However, investigations revealed that Narine was not alone in his practices but was rather aided and abetted by high-ranking official(s) within the very entity. On March 26 last, the reins of GWI were placed in the hands of Director of Operations, Yuri Chandisingh.

Along with the former CEO, his entire secretariat, including an Executive Assistant, a Clerk and driver, were sent off the job to facilitate the investigation.

As part of the ongoing investigation underway, the entity’s Human Resource Manager, Sabrina Panday, had her contract terminated.

She said that she was on the job for less than six months and was therefore not considered permanent staff.

All of the staffers that have come under scrutiny were also former employees of the Cricket.

Question it...would KM have saved this child?

2009-03-31T13:00:00.001-04:00

The Guyana Police Force wishes to clarify aspects of an article published in the Kaieteur News of Sunday March 29, 2009, under the caption “Runaway teenaged boy rescued from bisexuals’ home”.

The article stated that the police had swooped down on a house at Victoria, ECD, and rescued the teenaged boy who was being held against his will by a group of bisexual men and a young woman.

The article also stated that one of the occupants of the home has been detained after he admitted that he had sexual relations with the boy and that police said that the man could face abduction and buggery charges.

Investigations into this matter have revealed that on February 22, 2009, the fifteen-years-old youth was sent on an errand by his mother to Leopold Street , Georgetown . After not seeing him return, she made a missing person report to the police on February 23, 2009, who subsequently located him at a house at Victoria on Saturday March 28, 2009. An alleged homosexual and his niece who were in the house at the time were arrested.

Further investigations revealed that the teenaged boy had traveled to Suriname and returned to the country on March 11, 2009, when he met the homosexual at the Stabroek Market area. He was subsequently invited to a house at Victoria where he went of his own free will and was reportedly not abducted and was free to come and go as he pleased.

It was also revealed that the teenaged boy was not sexually molested but had engaged in anal sex with the homosexual. Investigations are continuing.

BJ explains

2009-03-31T11:50:00.002-04:00

Looks like BJ is trying to explain why he rebuked Former president JJ on the Sn issue, but her son JJ is having none of it. JJ looks like he preparing to unleash one of his potent threats of a slap across the upper region of the body.

Rohee we feeeeel yuh pain

2009-03-31T11:46:00.004-04:00

In all we years of being aroundCde. Rohee, we never know him to be emotional. But, de man cry he soul case out while reading the eulogy at JJ state funeral this morning. We wonder if dem were tears of joy or of fright because everybody expected the real BJ to emerge after CJ is laid to rest.

Question it

2009-03-29T19:34:00.002-04:00

Maybe this might not be a good time to raise questions surrounding Mrs. Jagan's death, but we are left with no other alternative.

Could anyone say why was Mrs. Jagan admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital, a facility that has been discarded by senior officials of her party? Is this the care and attention she deserves as a fomer President? Was any effort made to remove her from the GPHC and fly her out of Guyana, maybe nearby Cuba? Did our political leaders determine that she had fulfilled her mandate and that it was her time to die? What exactly was the cause of death because the nation was unaware of any life threatening illness? Was she admitted directly into the Intensive Care Unit or was it to a ward? Why was the PPP/C so slow to react to her hospitalisation and subsequent death?

We are not insenstive to the mourning family, but someone has got to answer these questions...afterall this woman did achieve a number of firsts and one would certainly expect that such a political icon would have been treated better, especially with the party she helped steer to the seat of Government, still in full control.

Gail Teixeira on JJ's passing

2009-03-29T00:46:00.000-04:00

I hope that for all of us as Guyanese, despite whatever has happened in the past that we would stop and to give this woman and outstanding leader her due respect and honour that she truly deserved and more particularly Guyanese women. I think that we need more people like her and we as women should strive to be like her, to be good leaders, passionate about our beliefs and honourable to our beliefs and principle and to also find the balance as women between dedication to country, and in her case, to her party and of course most importantly to her children and grandchildren. I just want to say thank you Janet for everything.

Grenada on JJ's passing

2009-03-28T22:16:00.001-04:00

Minister of Tourism and Foreign Affairs, Hon. Peter David offered condolences to the Government and people of Guyana on the death of former President Janet Jagan, who died on Saturday.

The Minister said the death of Mrs Jagan was a great loss to the region and described the late Guyanese leader as a tireless fighter for the rights of developing countries.

“She served the Guyanese people with dedication, commitment and integrity. These attributes became the sustaining factor of her life’s work during the long battles with her husband, the late Cheddi Jagan, for an independent Guyana. Therefore it is heart-wrenching to begin to accept the loss of such a dedicated patriot of Guyana…”

Minister David said that Janet Jagan has been a very close friend of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government.

Finally, GINA on JJ's passing

2009-03-28T14:08:00.001-04:00

Click to see

US Embassy on JJ's passing

2009-03-28T14:06:00.000-04:00

Statement

March 28, 2009

U.S. Embassy, Georgetown

The death of former President Janet Jagan

The U.S. Embassy community is very saddened to learn of the death early this morning of former President Janet Jagan.

President Jagan’s U.S. roots and upbringing, as well as her Chicago-area courtship of then-dental student Cheddi Jagan, are well-known to the Guyanese people and a source of pride for the people of the United States. As a principal figure in Guyana’s successful struggle for independence, she embodied the fight for the right of people to choose their own destiny.

Born just two months after the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution first guaranteed women the right to vote in the United States, President Jagan was herself – both through words and deeds – a staunch advocate of the rights and role of women in society, politics, and government. Her lifelong commitment to this cause had a demonstrable impact on the lives of countless women in Guyana and throughout the world.

The entire staff of the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown expresses its condolences to the Jagan family, and to a mourning nation.

Guyana Government on JJ's Passing

2009-03-28T13:44:00.002-04:00

Still waiting....

AFC on JJ's passing

2009-03-28T12:49:00.000-04:00

The Executive and members of the Alliance For Change express their sympathy to the children, relatives and colleagues of former President Janet Jagan. Mrs. Jagan will be remembered as the woman who rose to the highest peaks of public life in Guyana through grit and determination. For her political activism she gained a reputation as a strong and fearless leader; never being deterred by her detractors and opponents, and by the controversy which shrouded her life. Though arriving in Guyana as the foreign wife of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, she embraced all things Guyanese and left an indelible mark on this nation.

It is regretful that genuine healing and reconciliation did not come between her and many who she was at odds with up to the time of her passing. With her death another chapter of Guyana’s history has closed without it being properly ended.

The AFC urges all those who have been a part of the political and social construct of Guyana in its formative years especially, since political independence was attained in 1966, to use the occasion of her passing to recommit to healing and reconciliation.
By our actions we must set the example that in Guyana there is no place for intolerance, bigotry and hatred and that a beautiful dawn awaits us if we begin to work together with mutual respect and appreciation for each other as true patriots.

SN reports on JJ's passing

2009-03-28T12:43:00.001-04:00

Link (Please ignore the google ads, which appear to ask if JJ was like Sara Palin (SP)