2006-07-nieuwsbronnen-engels

A major Joint Services operation was continuing last night in a large swathe of the East Coast backlands and so far one gunman has been killed, several servicemen injured and ammunition unearthed in two "well-established camps".

The gunman died after the police and the army came under fire last night at the back of Victoria. A policeman and two soldiers were injured and hospitalized in this confrontation.

According to a joint services release last night, while continuing an operation that had started on Saturday night, patrols in the backlands of Victoria came into contact with a group of armed men who opened fire on them at around 6.50 PM. The joint services returned fire, fatally wounding one of the gunmen who was still unidentified up to press time.

Up to late last night scores of army and police officers were scouring the backlands of Victoria and its environs as they continued the intense operation to capture the gunmen. Stabroek News understands that a pistol was found on the gunman and up to 11 pm his body was still lying in the backlands of Victoria.

One of the wounded soldiers sustained four gunshot wounds and was expected to be operated on last night. According to reports, the soldier received gunshot wounds to his chest, one above his left knee cap and one beneath the same knee cap and another one to his left armpit. The other soldier sprained his foot while the police officer was shot in the left shoulder.

Joint services sources last night said they are sure they are on to something big and they are confident that they will capture the gunmen who were dislocated from the camps. This incident affirms concerns that members of the public have that there are camps on the East Coast harbouring several armed gangs.

Earlier yesterday, members of the Joint Services came under gunfire following the discovery of the two camps in the backlands of the East Coast of Demerara (ECD). The Joint Services returned fire but the gunmen fled. One man was arrested. According to a press release, the Joint Services seized a quantity of ammunition for high powered weapons including AK-47s and a large amount of foodstuff that could have sustained the occupants for an extended period.

This is the first major encounter the Joint Services have had with the shadowy gunmen since the army set up camp at the back of Buxton several months ago. At the time the camp was established the police and the army had set themselves two goals: rid the village and other East Coast areas of criminal elements and recover the 30 AK-47s that went missing from army HQ, Camp Ayanganna on February 27.

While they had carried out numerous searches in Buxton and its environs there have been no reports of them encountering anything that confirmed that the criminals were indeed hiding out on the East Coast.

This breakthrough also comes on the heels of Guysuco workers being waylaid by gunmen last week at Lusignan and the police issuing wanted bulletins for persons suspected of participation in the killing of Minister Satyadeow Sawh, his siblings and his security guard. Sawh's assassins are believed to have been based in Buxton.

The police issued bulletins for prison escapee Troy Dick, who has been on the run for several years and notorious wanted man Rondell 'Fineman' Rawlins. So far the police have been unable to apprehend the two and the others they are seeking but the issuing of the bulletins confirmed what the police had indicated earlier, that the murder of Sawh and the others was committed by persons operating out of Buxton.

Sources yesterday said that the finding of the two camps by the Joint Services is significant and it is felt that they are nearer to capturing some of the criminal elements. One source said that the finding of the two camps in the dense backlands will certainly put the criminals on the back foot as not only their base has been dismantled but their food and ammunition have also been taken.

According to a release from the Joint Services, on Saturday night they "mounted a massive operation in the backlands of the lower ECD from Belfield to Golden Grove as efforts continued to recover the missing AK-47 rifles."

The release said that during the operation two well-established camps were discovered and a quantity of items recovered. These included: 64 rounds of ammunition for the AK-47; 56 rounds of ammunition for the G3 rifle; two M70 magazines; one G3 magazine; five hand-held radios; camouflage clothing; one cell phone; and one compass.

The release said that as troops were conducting the operation they came under fire from gunmen in a densely forested area at approximately 7.45 am yesterday at the back of Cove & John. The troops returned fire but the gunmen fled and one man was later arrested. The camps were well concealed in the heavily forested backlands and had enough supplies of foodstuff to sustain its occupants for an extended period," the release said

"As the operation continues the joint services is appealing to members of the public to report any suspicious movements in their areas. The joint services would like to express its gratitude to members of the public who continue to provide credible information." Sources said the fact that no weapons were found points to the gunmen being prepared to move at a moment's notice with their weapons strapped to their bodies.

It was only last week Monday at around 10 pm four employees of Guysuco came under attack at Lusignan Spring Bridge while transporting cane from La Bonne Intention to Enmore. The workers and security escorts were forced to lie face down after a couple of shots were fired in the air. One constable was injured in the face and left eye while two other workers were gun-butted and received injuries that required medical attention.

The gunmen then mounted the tractor and forced the operator to take them to Buxton after which the operator was allowed to leave, according to a release from Guysuco. In a separate release, the police had said that the gunmen threatened to kill the tractor operator. When the men released him he made his way to LBI where he reported the incident.

According to the release from Guysuco, the other constable hid in the cane field and was not accounted for until 5 am the next day when he showed up at Jail Cross, Lusignan.

Chandradeo Dharamdeo, one of the security escorts, was robbed of his firearm and ten cartridges and a radio set, property of Guysuco, along with a cell phone, wristwatch, a pair of spectacles and $1,800 cash. The three gunmen beat Dharmendra Ramlall, 36, Dhankumar Gopaul, 28, and tractor operator Sukhdeo, 59, about their bodies. They were treated at the Georgetown Hospital and sent away.

When the camp was set up at the back of Buxton the police and the army had vowed not to leave until they rid the village of criminal elements. The only success they have had so far is the finding of one of the missing AK-47s not far from Buxton. Residents had expressed dismay that the gunmen were able to operate with such impunity at Lusignan despite the presence of the Joint Services in the camp at the back of Buxton.

President Bharrat Jagdeo has long since impressed on the police and army to find the criminals who are operating out of Buxton and had strong words for them following the death of Sawh saying he could not understand how the many thousand of soldiers and police could not capture just around twenty gunmen operating out of the village. (Stabroek News)

The man who tried to evade a police patrol on Mandela Avenue on Thursday and was subsequently shot dead by police in the National Communications Network (NCN) compound has been identified as Michael Junior Mason of Public Road, Agricola.

Police reported yesterday that the 25-year-old man was fatally shot during an exchange of gunfire. A .38 revolver containing two live matching rounds of ammunition and two spent shells were recovered from the scene, according to a police release.

The driver of the motorcar in which Mason was travelling prior to the shooting and two others are in custody. Investigations are continuing into the matter. (Stabroek News)

President Bharrat Jagdeo likes to refer to the $3.5 billion budget and the 3,500 officers which make the Guyana Police Force one of the biggest corporations in the country. The manner in which the previous and present Administrations have selected the Force's CEOs - commissioners of police - however, hardly reflects that concern. The preference seems to have been for compliance rather than competence. Has anything changed?

When Balram Raghubir retired in 1990, for example, the PNC Administration passed over the senior deputy commissioner Cecil 'Skip' Roberts and appointed Laurie Lewis. The succeeding PPP/C Administration granted Mr Lewis a series of extraordinary extensions of service from 1996 when he turned 55 and was due to retire. This led to unprecedented calls for his removal from office and a threatened court action, by the PNC of all parties, which finally forced Lewis to retire in 2001 at the age of 60.

The PPP/C then created yet another absurdity by appointing the Force's 55-year-old retired former finance officer Floyd McDonald as acting commissioner in 2001 in preference to Deputy Commissioner Winston Felix. Obstacles were erected to obstruct Mr Felix's promotion, including being bundled to Britain with several of his subordinates on a contrived 'assessment' course. This chicanery eroded not only the personal fiduciary relationship that should exist between the Minister and the Commissioner but also the professional police officers' morale and the public safety situation at large.

Big criminals exploited the diminishing authority of the police command structure and embarked on the longest and bloodiest campaign of criminal violence in this country's history. Narco-trafficking and gun-running escalated; extra-judicial killings by identifiable police officers multiplied; shadowy death squads proliferated; immigration scandals involving named police officers became rampant; and, in the tradition of the inane press releases issued on the notorious Monica Reece case of April 1993, unsolved murders became the rule rather than the exception.

Mr Felix's retirement as Commissioner of Police last Friday should oblige the Administration to revisit its policy for creating a corps of competent police officers to run the Force and deal with the current crime crisis. On reflection, the Felix era will be remembered as a fearless, though far from faultless, effort to transform the much-traduced Force into a trusted public safety service. Many of those faults are to be found in the officers who run the Force.

Mr Felix once expressed the hope that his senior officers would follow "established rules of investigation, detention, search, pursuit, professional preservation of evidence, and prosecution." His biggest problem, however, was that these same senior officers could not change their competence and conduct overnight.

He did dismantle the thuggish special squads which had been accused of extra-judicial executions; strengthen cooperation with American, British and Canadian law-enforcement agencies; saturate the streets with armed patrols, and pursue suspected narco-traffickers. But much more still needs to be done.

As Mr Felix's farewell was proceeding at Eve Leary last Friday, the United States Department of State was announcing the revocation of his successor's multiple-entry visa, having already revoked his diplomatic visa. This is a clear warning for the post-election Administration to consider a new system for selecting, training and appointing officers if the Force's competence and credibility are to be re-established. The old methods just have not worked. (Stabroek News)

Night terror in cane fields

Gunmen beat GUYSUCO workers

Chandradeo Dharamdeo Nandkumar Gopaul Dharmendra Ramlall

Seven Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GUYSUCO) workers were wounded when they were beaten and robbed Monday night by three gunmen while on duty at Spring Bridge, Lusignan Backlands, East Coast Demerara.

Police said that at about 22:30 h, security guards Chandradeo Dharamdeo, 51, and Baburam, 54, both armed with 12-gauge Winchester shotguns, along with tractor operator Sukhdeo, 59, chain operator Dharmendra Ramlall, 36, and tractor operator Nandkumar Gopaul, 28, were at the Spring Bridge area awaiting the arrival of punts with sugarcane when they were confronted by the three gunmen.

A press release said while the men were approaching them, the GUYSUCO workers heard a loud explosion, and Baburam managed to escape by jumping into a nearby canal which he crossed, and then sought refuge in the cane fields. During his escape bid, Baburam dropped his shotgun.

The gunmen then relieved Dharamdeo of his firearm, 10 cartridges and a radio set, all property of the sugar corporation, along with a cell phone, wrist watch, a pair of spectacles and $1,800 in cash, Police said.

Dharamdeo, Ramlall, Gopaul, and Sukhdeo were all beaten by the three men and subsequently treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Police reported that after the attack, the three gunmen abducted Sukhdeo and ordered him to transport them with the tractor to a bridge aback of Buxton.

Meanwhile, other GUYSUCO security personnel rushed to the Spring Bridge area and rescued the other three workers after they had not received any response to their routine calls on the radio set, Police said.

According to the Police, they received the report at about 23:15 h and responded promptly, accompanied by soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Escape routes along the backlands were cut off and joint foot patrols were launched, Police reported.

Baburam was found about 04:50 h yesterday at a watch hut near the Lusignan Prison, after having crossed several canals in the cane fields. Police said they recovered two live 7.62 x 39 rounds and one spent shell at the scene and up to press time the perpetrators were still at large and investigations are continuing.

Dharamdeo, of 99 Dr Miller Street, Triumph, East Coast Demerara, was very fortunate to escape with his life after he pretended to be dead. He told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that he and another colleague were providing security for five other workers when three men in dark green army fatigues and floppy hats approached them. He said he was at ease because he felt they were soldiers on patrol in the backlands.

The Supernumerary Constable, attached to the Ogle Estate, East Coast Demerara, said the men first asked if they were GUYSUCO workers and they responded; but soon after the men said “Police” “Police” and opened fire on them.

The GUYSUCO worker said the gunmen thought they were policemen, as their uniforms are similar to those of the Police, and he was wearing a bullet-proof vest. “In my 16 years service to GUYSUCO I have never experienced anything so traumatic and it was a very frightening experience. I knew I had to play dead to save myself any further harm”, he said. Dharamdeo is a single parent with three children; his wife died a few months ago.

Gopaul, of 8 Triumph Side Line Dam, said he was gun-butted on the head twice while he pleaded for his life after the gunmen discharged several rounds at them and threatened to kill them all. Gopaul lost consciousness several times and returned home after 04:00 h yesterday after he reported to the police and was treated for his wounds. He said the other tractor operator, Sookdeo, called “Sook”, of 196 Mon Repos North, was ordered to transport the gunmen to the backlands at Buxton and was released.

Meanwhile, GUYSUCO chain boy, Dharmendra Ramlall, 35, of 593 Annandale West, is nursing wounds to his head after he was gun-butted by the gunmen. “I saw death and I was praying all the time and begging for my life when they were arguing whether to shoot us all,” the man said. He was yesterday surrounded by his family and neighbours and cane harvesters.

A press release from GUYSUCO Ogle Estate, East Coast Demerara, yesterday said that around 22:00 h, five cane transporters and security escorts came under attack by three unknown gunmen at Lusignan Spring Bridge while transporting cane from LBI to Enmore.

The release said GUYSUCO would like to highlight the fact that all seven employees involved in the incident are accounted for and have received medical attention. The workers and security escorts were forced to lie face down after shots were fired in the air, the corporation confirmed. (Michel Outridge/Guyana Cronicle)

U.S. visa decision 'very strange'

President Jagdeo asks for answers

THE United States Government has been asked to provide the specific reason(s) for its “very strange” decision to revoke the U.S. visitor’s visa of acting Police Commissioner, Mr. Henry Greene, President Bharrat Jagdeo said yesterday.

Declaring that he needed “answers”, the President said if the U.S. government has evidence linking Greene to wrongdoing or the narcotics trade, it should provide such information to the Government or make it public.

Mr. Jagdeo also told reporters he will not remove Greene from his current position as Acting Police Commissioner without any incriminating evidence, or based on rumours, even though the visa revocation by the U.S. has certainly cast a “shadow of doubt” on his (Greene’s) character.

“First of all, I find the timing very strange because if there was this ongoing investigation (by the U.S.) then this should have been done much earlier. This gentleman held some critical positions as Crime Chief and as Acting Commissioner several times so I find the timing strange and I have asked the United States Government to provide us with specifics,” President Jagdeo told reporters.

“We can’t move, like we did not move against Felix, based on rumours or anything else; we are not prepared to do that,” he declared. Asked if there is any timeline for the U.S. Government to respond, President Jagdeo said “No. The U.S. Government will respond in its own good time.”

Mr. Winston Felix, who served as Commissioner of Police for the past two years, proceeded on pre-retirement leave from yesterday until his tenure ends on October 30, leaving Greene – Deputy Commissioner, Law Enforcement (Crime Chief) - to act as Police Commissioner through the crucial elections period ahead.

And in the face of the revocation of his U.S. visitor’s visa, as he assumed the office of acting Commissioner of Police, Greene on Saturday described the move as “painful” and stressed he has never been involved in illegal drugs.

In a promised statement to the media following the reports Friday on the revocation of the second visa – his diplomatic visa was revoked two months ago – Greene acknowledged that it is the right of any foreign government to grant or revoke visas, but charged that character assassination may be at the root of the matter.

Reports are that Greene was issued with a diplomatic visa in 2002 to attend a course on terrorism on behalf of the Guyana Police Force in Washington. The visa was for five years and had not expired.

The U.S. Embassy had taken a similar decision two years ago against former acting Police Commissioner, Mr. Floyd McDonald and Home Affairs Minister, Mr. Ronald Gajraj.

President Jagdeo yesterday questioned the logic and timing behind the revocation of Greene’s diplomatic and visitor’s visas. “Sometime ago, he had one visa revoked - now if you revoke one visa, why not revoke both at the same time? If you were so concerned about his involvement then all of his visas should have been taken away at that same time,” the President contended. “I find (the visa revocation) very strange…and I want answers and we have asked for those answers,” the President said.

Asked whether the revocation cast a shadow on Greene’s character, Mr. Jagdeo responded: “It must cast a shadow because it leaves doubt in the minds of all Guyanese and they (U.S.) have some obligation to all of us as a country to say ‘here are some of the reasons why we revoked the visa and we will provide the evidence to your Government’.”

“If they give me the evidence, I am prepared to make it public,” the President said. He noted that Greene has acted as Police Commissioner several times in the past. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces also pointed out that on October 30, the tenure of Felix as Police Commissioner comes to an end and at that time, a decision will be made on who will be the new Commissioner.

This decision, the President said, will be made in the context of a reform of the police organisation. “I think it is only right to leave that for after the elections too and at this time all Mr. Greene is doing is performing the functions of the Commissioner which he has done on several occasions before.”

On Sunday, Home Affairs Minister, Ms. Gail Teixeira said the Government is not in possession of any evidence to suggest that Greene is linked to drugs or other wrongdoing. “We have no evidence (against Greene) and therefore we are asking those who say they have the evidence to bring it to our attention,” the minister told reporters in an invited comment.

She indicated that if one were to deal with issues based on rumours, then many people will lose their jobs in Guyana.

Greene, in his statement, said it is obvious that “unjustified and improperly motivated attempts are being made to besmirch my good name and character, perhaps due to my impending ascendancy to the post of Police Commissioner. The United States Embassy has recently revoked my visitor’s visa to that country. That has been a painful event for me.” “I want to categorically state that I have never been involved in any way with illegal drug operations either locally or abroad; and I have never associated with any drug dealer,” Greene stated.

“I have taken steps, and will continue so to do, to ensure the eradication of the drug scourge in this country. My role and work at the Criminal Investigation Department is ample testimony to that fact,” Greene said in the statement. Pledging to uphold the mantle of leadership expected of the Police Commissioner, Greene said the immediate focus of the Force is security during the upcoming general and regional elections. Elections are to be held on August 28. (Mark Ramotar/Guyana Cronicle)

Barbecue killings probe continues

Police were yesterday continuing their probe into the killings at a barbecue Saturday night at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, triggered by a row over a bicycle.

Troy Andrews, 16, of Chelsea Park, Mahaica, who was shot dead by Presidential Guard member and villager, Chaitnarine Kellowan, will be buried tomorrow, relatives said. After the shooting, Kellowan was set upon and beaten to death at the barbecue and Police yesterday said they had not recovered his gun which was stolen from the scene.

Post mortem examinations were done yesterday on the bodies of both Andrews and Kellawan and according to the pathologist’s report, the teenager died from perforation of the heart and liver due to gunshot. He was the third of four children of Sherlon and Yvonne Andrews, the surviving siblings being Cindey, 20, Isabella, 19, and Servan, seven years old.

According to a Police report, immediately following the death of Andrews, Constable Kellowan, 27, his brother Sudarshad also known as `Rocco’ and a friend Deonarine Nityanand were pounced upon by irate relatives and friends of the dead teenager and severely beaten.

The three were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where the policeman was pronounced dead on arrival, his brother Sudarshad was admitted in an unconscious condition but later regained consciousness, while Nityanand was treated for his wounds and sent away.

Nityanand was later detained by the Police but yesterday Commander ‘C’ Division (East Coast Demerara), Assistant Commissioner Leroy Brumell, told the Guyana Chronicle that he has since been released. The Police, however, are continuing their investigations into the deaths, Brumell added.

The Police reported Sunday that the Kellawans and their friend, Nityanand, were at the barbecue fete in the village when they reportedly confronted a man who allegedly attempted to steal Nityanand’s bicycle.

The Policeman is reported to have gun-butted Donville Andrews, also of Chelsea Park and a relative of the dead Troy Andrews, causing the latter to intervene and resulting in the Policeman, a licensed firearm holder, shooting him in the chest.

Reports are that Andrews had attacked the cop with a piece of wood. The dead Kellowan and his brother are the only children of Ramrattie `Data’ and `Willie’ Kellowan of Supply, Mahaica. A source said Kellowan will be buried Thursday. (Guyana Cronicle)

Minister calls for "zero tolerance of serial killers"

Home Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira lays a wreath at the monument to slain police officers.

Home Affairs Minister Ms. Gail Teixeira yesterday called on the law enforcement agencies to have zero-tolerance in their pursuit of ‘serial killers’ who, she claimed, are well organised and roaming around Guyana.

While alluding to the changing faces and nature of crimes committed and recognizing that there has been a lull in serious crimes lately. Minister Teixeira said she firmly believes there are well-organised serial killers still roaming around in society and who have eluded the law enforcement agencies for sometime now.

Speaking at the Guyana Police Force wreath-laying ceremony for fallen heroes at the Police Officer’s Mess compound, Eve Leary, the Home Affairs Minister pointed out that some of the officers who were being honoured were actually victims of these serial killers.

She noted that many of the officers who were brutally slain during the height of the crime wave that plagued Guyana during the 2002 to 2004 period were killed by these assassins, and many are still around.

“You know when you look at CSI and all these television programmes you learn about serial killers and we think it is a foreign thing but I firmly believe that we have serial killers in Guyana who are very organised and who have tested the law enforcement agencies over the last few years,” Minister Teixeira told the gathering.

She said the presence of armed gangs in some of our communities and their mobility and ability to out-manoeuvre sometimes the law enforcement agencies will continue to be a major challenge over the next few months.

"...but we as a people, in our communities, have to show zero tolerance to those who wish to bring weapons and drugs and illegal activities into our communities," Minister Teixeira charged. In this regard, she stressed the all-encompassing need for Guyanese to be able to live peacefully and harmoniously in a safe society.

The son of a slain policeman remembers his Dad as he takes a wreath to be laid at the monument.

"This is a very solemn occasion and we are here today to honour those who have lost their lives while serving the Guyana Police Force and the country,” Minister Teixeira told those present at the ceremony.

“The occasion is not only one that in is honour of those who have died but also to pay homage to their relatives (present at the ceremony) who stood by their men all the years that they served the Guyana Police Force…and who will continue to be loyal to their memory,” Teixeira asserted.

“We must use today to look ahead and to recognize that we have great challenges, and we must also recognize that in 2005 and so far in 2006 we have not lost a member of the Police Force in action due to criminal attacks,” she said.

Teixeira believes this is due to improved policing work and better training of policemen who are now more confident, organised and disciplined in how they manage certain situations. “I believe too that now that we have joint operations (Police and Army) this has helped to forge between the Police and the Army better working relations and a better image out there on strength and unity.”

Nothing that the criminals and some others in society would want to see the Police and Army divided, the Minister implored the joint services to work together to ensure that this does not happen. “We need to look at all the challenges…we have elections in a matter of five weeks and we know what happens (during this time),” the Minister said, referring to the traditional break-down in law and order through violent street protests, looting and mayhem in society.

The Minister, however, expressed optimism and confidence in the Guyana Police Force’s ability to maintain law and order during the upcoming elections period. She noted that tremendous work has been done over the past two years to improve the Police Force.

“The most important element that will be needed for the police as we go into the elections is for the police force to be strong, to be disciplined and be united and to be able to show that the Guyana Police Force is a modern police force that is capable of handling a variety of situations,” Teixeira said.

She noted that the GPF, in this its 167th year, carry “an enormous responsibility, burden and duty” in maintaining law and order and ensuring that the upcoming elections are peaceful. “We want to make sure that we don’t lose any lives, whether citizens or policemen or policewomen,” she said, giving the assurance that the law enforcement agencies will be doing everything possible to ensure that our citizens are confident and secure as we go towards the elections, billed for August 28.

Acting Police Commissioner, Mr. Henry Greene, in his remarks, told the gathering: “Today we are gathered here for a day of symbolic mourning and remembrance for the passing of 50 sons of this soil who gave their lives serving the Guyana Police Force. Today must be a solemn day for all of us (and) for us, the members of Law Enforcement - either one of us could have had our name on a plaque today, inscribed in stone.”

Greene said it is quite important that we observe these traditions as it gives due recognition to those who have died in the line of duty and serves as a motivator to those currently in the force in relation to the quality of service they provide.

“Those who have gone to the great beyond are many – to some they were your husbands, to some they were your brothers, to some they were uncles, to others they were friends, but to us – they were brothers in Law Enforcement,” Greene said.

“We have taken an oath to serve this country and once you are in law enforcement, the work you have is a dangerous job. And any one of us could fall under a bandits’ bullet or an attacker’s knife...(so) the death of these noble sons must serve as a catalyst for us to maintain law and order,” Greene said. (Mark Ramotar/Guyana Cronicle)

The village of Mahaica was plunged into mourning shortly after 23:00h Saturday when a barbecue fete hosted by a policing group turned sour with the deaths of a policeman and a 16-year-old.

Dead are Constable Chitnarine Kellowan, 27, of Supply, a member of the Presidential Guard since 1998, and Troy Andrews,16, of Chelsea Park, both villages in Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.

The teenager died on the spot while the policeman was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Sudarshad Kellowan, also known as `Rocco’, brother of the policeman, who was unconscious when he was admitted in hospital, reportedly regained consciousness late yesterday afternoon. The dead Kellowan and his brother are the only siblings of `Data’ and `Willie’ of Supply, Mahaica.

According to a police report, the policeman, his brother and a friend Deonarine Nityanand , were patrons at the barbecue fete in the village when it is alleged that the three confronted a man who it is alleged attempted to steal Nityanand’s bicycle.

The policeman, a licensed firearm holder, is reported to have gun-butted teenager Donville Andrews also of Chelsea Park, who intervened. The dead Andrews, a cousin of Donville, reportedly attacked the police rank with a piece of wood and during the process was fatally shot in his chest.

Reports are that irate family members and friends of Andrews, on hearing of his death, came out in their numbers and attacked and beat the policeman, his brother and the friend with pieces of wood and other objects.

The three, on being rescued, were rushed to the GPHC where the policeman was pronounced dead on arrival, his brother admitted, and the friend treated and sent away. The weapon which was the policeman’s personal property has not been recovered. Investigations are continuing and one man has since been detained. (Wendella Davidson and Telesha Persaud/Guyana Cronicle)

Former GDF soldier killed in smash-up

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, the parents of the deceased, Mrs Claris John and Mr. Gregory John, the chairman of the village, revealed that their son had attended the wedding reception of one of his relatives at the Bourda Ground, and was on his way home when he died.

Reports say Shurland was driving his motorcycle when he collided with an Indian Chief Taxi. He was flung into the air and landed on another vehicle. He is reported to have died on the spot.

Shurland was described by relatives as disciplined. He is a former member of the Guyana Defence Force. (Guyana Cronicle)

Essequibo police are investigating an incident believed to be a case of an accidental shooting involving two ranks at the Suddie Police Station on Friday.

According to a police press release, investigations have so far revealed that Constable 18883 Faizul Mohamed and another constable were on duty in the Radio Room of the police station around 5:30 pm. The other constable was armed with a .38 revolver, the report noted.

The armed constable allegedly got up to answer the telephone when the firearm became dislodged. It is suspected that while attempting to replace the firearm, a round was discharged which struck Constable Mohamed in the right side.

He was rushed to the Suddie Hospital and then to the Oscar Joseph Cottage Hospital at Charity where he was admitted in stable condition. Meanwhile, the rank who discharged the round is under close arrest as the investigation continues. (Stabroek News)

`I HAVE NEVER BEEN INVOLVED WITH ILLEGAL DRUGS’

Elections security first priority of Force

`I want categorically to state that I have never been involved in any way with illegal drug operations either locally or abroad; and I have never associated with any drug dealer’

Acting Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene

In the face of the revocation of his United States visitor’s visa as he assumed the office of acting Commissioner of Police, former Crime Chief, Mr. Henry Greene yesterday described the scenario as “painful” and stressed he has never been involved in illegal drugs.

In a promised statement to the media following the reports Friday on the revocation on the second visa – his diplomatic visa was revoked two months ago – Greene acknowledged that it is the right of any foreign government to grant or revoke visas, but charged that character assassination may be at the root of the matter.

Reports are that Greene was issued with a diplomatic visa in 2002 to attend a course on terrorism on behalf of the Guyana Police Force in Washington. The visa was a five-year one and had not been expired.

The U.S. Embassy had taken a similar decision two years ago against former acting Police Commissioner, Mr. Floyd McDonald and Home Affairs Minister, Mr. Ronald Gajraj.

“It is obvious that unjustified and improperly motivated attempts are being made to besmirch my good name and character, perhaps due to my impending ascendancy to the post of Police Commissioner. The United States Embassy has recently revoked my visitors visa to that country. That has been a painful event for me.

“However, it is the prerogative of foreign states to grant a visa and it is also their prerogative to revoke such visas in their own deliberate judgment subject to the application of their laws. “I want categorically to state that I have never been involved in any way with illegal drug operations either locally or abroad; and I have never associated with any drug dealer.

Pledging to uphold the mantle of leadership expected of the Police Commissioner, Greene said the immediate focus of the Force is security during the upcoming general and regional elections. Elections are to be held on August 28.

Mr. Winston Felix, who served as Commissioner of Police for the past two years, will proceed on pre-retirement leave tomorrow, leaving Greene – who is the Deputy Commissioner, Law Enforcement - to act as Police Commissioner through the crucial elections period ahead.

The former Crime Chief, pledging his support and commitment to the people of Guyana, said he will make every effort to fulfill the requirements of his mandate of law enforcement with due diligence and fervour.

“I wish to pledge my support and commitment to the people of Guyana. I shall be guided at all times by the oath I have taken and will make every effort to fulfill the requirements of my mandate of law enforcement with due diligence and fervour and I pledge to uphold the mantle of leadership expected of the Commissioner of Police,” Greene said in the statement.

He added that he will always strive to uphold the noble traditions of the Police Service and work within the laws of this country to ensure the peace and security of this nation. He also expressed thanks for the confidence reposed in him and his ability to do the job at hand.

“I remain your humble servant and intend to serve this country to the best of my ability and I pray God to be my Judge and my Guide,” Greene asserted. (Guyana Cronicle)

The US Embassy has revoked the visitor's visa of Crime Chief Henry Greene just a few months after it revoked his diplomatic visa.

The move came even as Greene was appointed acting Commissioner and yesterday he would not comment on the issue at Commissioner Winston Felix's farewell parade, choosing to say that a statement would be issued today.

According to reports, Greene received a letter to this effect, which did not give a reason for the revocation. Observers say the withdrawals likely signal a move to thwart the appointment of Greene as the substantive replacement for Felix.

When his diplomatic visa was revoked over two months ago Greene had said he did not know what was behind the sudden revocation of the visa, and had added that that he had no problem with the US government or the embassy. The revocation of both of his visas comes amidst a tense crime and political situation in the country and the joint services' recent stepped-up efforts against drug dealers and other criminals.

The embassy had taken a similar decision two years ago against former acting police commissioner, Floyd Mc Donald and home affairs minister, Ronald Gajraj. Greene had said that he was issued with a diplomatic visa in 2002 to attend a course on terrorism on behalf of the Guyana Police Force in Washington.

He said the visa was a five-year one and had not expired. He had received a letter from the US embassy informing him that the diplomatic visa had been revoked. "I don't know why it was done and so suddenly," he had said. At that point he had noted that his US visitor's visa was still intact and as such he could still travel to the US. The US had moved in the past to revoke the visas of prominent Guyanese.

Many had believed that the revocation of Gajraj's visa had been linked to him being associated with a death squad. Gajraj was later cleared of these charges. In Mc Donald's case, it was felt it stemmed from him granting a firearm licence to 'hitman' Axel Williams alleged to have been the lead figure in the death squad. Gajraj's Canadian visa was also revoked. (Stabroek News)

`I have fought the good fight’

Felix bows out after 36 years

`I have finished the race. I have kept the faith’

Mr. Winston Felix shakes the hand of Minister of Home Affairs Gail Teixeira who he thanked for her fairness during his tenure as Police Commissioner. (Winston Oudkerk photo)

SAYING his tenure was the most challenging of any commissioner in independent Guyana and one that has been relatively free of political interference, Mr. Winston Felix yesterday ended a 36-year career in the Guyana Police Force.

“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith,” Felix said, quoting the biblical verse at 2 Timothy 4:7, to thunderous applause from a large crowd gathered for the farewell parade at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Felix, who served as Commissioner of Police for two years, proceeds on pre-retirement leave on Monday, leaving Deputy Commissioner, Law Enforcement, Henry Greene to act as Police Commissioner through the crucial elections period ahead.

Reflecting on the tapped phone conversations that bugged the remaining months of his career and saw him being pitted against the government and vice versa, Felix hailed Minister of Home Affairs Gail Teixeira for her “intellectual maturity and professionalism.”

“Minister, your commitment to fairness and non-partisanship is truly enviable. You made and upheld policy at the most difficult time for policing in Guyana’s history,” he told Ms. Teixeira.

He said in the “highly publicised and high profile issue”, both parties recognised the right of recourse to the judicial process and due process, both important foundations of a democratic society.” “That brief phase apart, I have largely had the freedom to function as Commander. That I acknowledge without hesitation and fear of contradiction,” he stated.

Deputy Commissioner Paul Slowe (left) guides Mr. Winston Felix for his final salute as Police Commissioner. (Winston Oudkerk photo)

He enthralled the crowd when he declared the “phantom” is no more and they showered praises on Felix when Constable Williams sung “Wind beneath my wings,” raising their voices at the chorus line “…did I ever tell you that you’re my hero.”

Felix thanked the government for paying heed to the material needs of the Force and for increasing budgetary allocations notwithstanding the many competing demands common to developing countries.

However, he said much more needs to be done, as the challenges to law enforcement become greater and as criminals, regardless of their disguise, become bolder and more audacious.

“Sometimes they achieve the status of folk heroes. We need to remember that the legend of Robin Hood, who robbed the allegedly rich to help the poor, was a fable,” he warned.

Felix also paid tribute to the other Disciplined Services, which together with the Police, function as the Joint Services in the maintenance of law and order in Guyana. “Their worth is even more striking when one takes into account the shared problem of limited financial, human and technical resources in each service,” he said.

Felix added that the Force is not a perfect one, but defended his officers, saying they have much to be proud of. “The public is aware that if we were all that we are sometimes accused of, it would be near impossible to sleep at night, let alone carry out normal societal functions like school, religious and social functions, sport or internal travel.”

He added that as the majority of the population is asleep, police at roadblocks and other security duties are protecting the wider communities, while the areas in which many of the ranks live are patrolled less often.

Mr. Winston Felix hails supporters at his retirement parade yesterday. (Photo by Winston Oudkerk)

In cases where policing has been lax or unfair, he noted that the Force has to continue to move to address the issue with the thoroughness it warrants, while adhering to due process and fairness to all involved.

Felix added that this is particularly relevant in areas such as community policing, custody of prisoners, public order, criminal investigations, including raids, and traffic.

He wished his successor positive results in transforming the Force into a truly “diversified and modern police service” with the physical abilities, technical and technological assets to deal with the impact of the “globalisation of crime.” “Gradually, one will observe a civility and professionalism in our public conduct as a result of this technical and skills upgrade,” he added.

He said his vision for the force is a situation where there is opportunity for career advancement and specialisation in professional and technical areas, improved accommodation and working environments for the police, and a hazard element to the pay of ranks involved in crime fighting. Felix joined the Force on October 15, 1970. (Neil Marks/Guyana Cronicle)

As investigations into Wednesday's double murder at Soesdyke continue, efforts are being made to have samples of the burnt bodies sent overseas for testing.

Police are still hunting a suspect in the case but according to reports, a man was being grilled by police yesterday. He is the second to have been questioned since Fayon Williams and her partner, John Hernandez was shot and the house they were in set ablaze.

A man who is known to Williams' family is said to be hiding following the murders. He was one of three men who crashed a car at the army base at Timehri around the same time Williams' house was on fire.

Two of them then fled the scene and left an injured man behind who is presently a patient at a city hospital. Two gunshots were heard in the Soesdyke area minutes before residents saw Williams home on fire. (Stabroek News)

Found dead in the shocking incident at Lot 33, Nursery School Road - just off the Soesdyke/Linden Highway - were Fayon Williams, 22, of the same address and her ‘friend’ John Hernandez, 30, of Bagotsville, East Bank Demerara.

Speculation was rife yesterday among the throng of neighbours, family members and curious onlookers that a man known to them might have had a hand in what transpired.

Neighbours said they heard about two gunshots around 01:30 h yesterday and when they peeked through their windows, they saw the front room in the upper flat of the two-storey concrete building where Williams lived, on fire.

SHOCKED and distraught relatives taking a closer look at the inside of the burnt building yesterday. (Photos by Cullen Bess-Nelson)

The neighbours, also close relatives of the dead woman, said they rushed over to the burning house but found the side door tightly secured and bolted down. However, a check of the back door of the building revealed that this was left wide open.

THE outer walls leaning precariously on what has been left of the badly damaged house.

Meanwhile, the Timehri Fire Station, a short distance away, was summoned and although it responded promptly, by the time the fire was brought under control, everything inside the building had already been destroyed.

The roof caved in and the wooden floor that separated the lower and upper flats of the still unfinished building was also gutted.

Eyewitnesses, relatives and investigators believe the bodies of Williams and Hernandez fell through the burnt-out floor from the upper flat to the rubble below.

THE mother of John Hernandez, Ms. Lorna Hernandez being consoled by relatives at the scene.

When this newspaper arrived on the scene shortly after 10:30 h yesterday, the bodies had already been removed and investigators were combing the rubble for clues. Relatives of Williams said she recently ended an ‘abusive’ marriage which did not last long.

They said Williams and her ex-husband used to live at the Soesdyke back road, a relatively short distance from where the tragic incident occurred, but when her mother migrated to the United States last November, she and her husband moved into her mother’s house at Nursery School Road to take care of the place.

Relatives claimed that the fighting continued between the couple and escalated a few months ago when they separated – with her husband returning to their former home. She reportedly became ‘friendly’ with Hernandez who frequented the house regularly.

Relatives said Hernandez was working with a mining company as a driver attached to the company’s head office in Georgetown. They said he left his Lot 4 Public Road, Bagotstown home around 20:45 h Tuesday saying he was ‘going out’.

He leaves to mourn his two children – aged three and five years old from a previous relationship, parents, five siblings and scores of relatives. Williams leaves to mourn her mother, two brothers and other relatives. (Mark Ramotar/Guyana Cronicle)

Felix exhorts Police Force to maintain stability

‘We must not live under anybody’s threats or guns’

RETIRING Police Commissioner Winston Felix yesterday exhorted others in the Force not to become complacent over a recent lull in criminal activities but maintain stability in the society.

His exhortation came during an awards ceremony, which he said was his last, on the tarmac at the Eve Leary Force Headquarters, in Georgetown. Mr. Felix reported that from the beginning of 2006 to now, there has been a six per cent decline in crime although robbery under arms continues to be a bugbear.

The function was to publicly honour Police ranks, members of the Rural Constabulary and Community Policing Groups (CPGs) who were given monetary and other incentives for outstanding anti-crime work. Felix implored those who received awards to see them as a sign of trust in the recipients for the good policing work they have done.

According to him, the decrease in criminal acts has been related to the Police campaign which is targeting people with illegal weapons and the creation of an atmosphere in which criminals do not feel free to pounce upon innocent citizens.

Felix said many in the Force have been involved in serious work that has led to the prosecution of many persons and urged cops to continue performing to a high degree of excellence.

He commended members of the Force for demonstrating the capacity to work under pressure and endure tremendous strain to reduce crime and occasion relative stability in the society.

Felix also encouraged Police men and women to continue striving for excellence, noting that any complacency will result in the crime situation returning to previous levels. The top cop called on ranks, as well, to respond promptly and professionally to reports, so as to maintain a positive image in the eyes of the public.

“The public knows good Police work and the public knows poor Police work,” Felix reminded his audience. He implored ranks that, while they must continue making arrests when it is necessary, they must, simultaneously, recognise the rights of subjects and not deny them that which is accorded by the Constitution.

In that way, the Force’s image of professionalism will be enhanced, the Commissioner remarked. Felix also challenged the Force to bridge the gap between the institution and the law-abiding citizenry. He explained that the Force draws its strength and derives its authority from the public with which it must foster the best possible relationship.

“You must stay visible and positive,” he advised, saying that, to achieve this, sound leadership is necessary. Speaking to reporters after the formalities, Felix said whoever replaces him will be free to adopt his/her methods to link with what existed during his tenure. “The person will be free to accept what exists or to change it,” he responded, when asked whether he thinks his successor will continue along the path he charted.

Felix said his most successful achievement is that the society has become freer and safer and the Police have become professional. He said that the Force, during his watch, has been able to recover a significant number of illegal guns.

Commenting on the Roger Khan controversy, Felix said the previously wanted man is now where he is supposed to be. Pressed to state if the Force is receiving intelligence from the United States on Khan, he offered: “No comment.”

On the issue of the recent unearthing of a pornography ring here, Felix described it as an unfortunate development and said this society needs to ensure that such immorality does not prevail. But he assured that the Force is vigorously pursuing the investigations, though one of its limitations is the reluctance of alleged victims to come forward with information.

However, Felix said that is understandable because the matter is shame based. Nevertheless, people must not abandon their social responsibility and allow the society to descend into immorality. The outgoing Commissioner, who begins his pre-retirement leave Monday, said relations between the media and the Force have generally improved, particularly at a personal level.

Still, he observed that many of the problems which might have arisen were attributable to the exuberance of both young cops and media personnel. He conceded, too, that some divisional officers need to “grow up” and develop the ability to deal with the media. (Chamanlall Naipaul/Guyana Cronicle)

SHAWN Sooklall, 30, of Lovely Lass Village, West Coast Berbice, appeared in court in Georgetown yesterday charged with the brutal slaying of freelance photographer Tricia Welch earlier this week.

He was not required to plead to the murder charge and acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan remanded him to prison until August 17.

Welch, 29, was brutally stabbed and her throat slit at her Lot 2307 Soufriere Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown home early Monday morning. (Guyana Cronicle)

Brave Rasta rewarded for rescue bid

BRAVERY REWARD: Supervisor of Household Plus Store, Ms Leolynn Boyce hands over the money to Mr Ordock Reid yesterday.

Ordock Reid, the brave Rastafarian who dived amidst faeces to recover five-year-old Brianna Dover from a sewage reservoir in Tucville, on Monday, was yesterday given $20,000 by the management and staff of Household Plus store, on Regent Street, also in Georgetown.

Supervisor of the business, Ms. Leolynn Boyce told reporters the reward was in recognition of his bravery in rescuing alive the child who later died. She said her employer, Hamid (only name given) and other staffers contributed to the sum given Reid.

Reacting to the gesture, Reid said he did what he could to retrieve Brianna from the cesspit into which he went with a good mind set after a rope was attached to his person for his safety. “I did what I had to and I don’t feel I did anything because the child died. But I appreciate the donation,” Reid said, after receiving the money.

He acknowledged knowing her family but said he never met Brianna until he pulled her from the Tucville sewage plant Monday afternoon. Reid said his health appears to be good except for the taste in his mouth and the hurt in his eyes and ears. The man chopped off his dreadlocks to perform the daring rescue act which resulted in the girl being found four hours after she fell into the faeces dump while playing with her two siblings.

Reid, subsequently, told the Guyana Chronicle he had heard there was a fight at the dump (sewage pumping station) and did not go to verify it immediately but arrived at the scene 30 minutes later to be greeted with the anguished faces of Brianna’s parents and many deperate others.

The rescuer said no one was willing to take the plunge, so he did it after a rope was tied to his waist and he braved the filth under which he went to search for the child.

He even went home and cut off his dreadlocks after they proved to be a humbug and returned to the pool in which he felt a nudge on his waist and realised it was Brianna whom he pulled up. (Guyana Cronicle)

FOUND: Ordock Reid passes an unconscious Brianna Dover to residents after he had brought her up from the faeces.

The tragedy occurred at the non-operational Tucville sewerage pump station in Georgetown, where the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) said residents vandalised the fence to use the compound as a “walkway.”

BRAVE RASTA: Ordock Reid searches for Briana Dover in the Faeces

A glimmer of joy flickered in the hearts of the scores who had gathered at the site when brave Ordock Reid, 44, pulled the child out alive. However, their hopes, including his, turned to utter grief when she was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where she was rushed by a fire tender.

She was left in the care of her grandmother, Audrey Grannum, who was also keeping her sisters Tianna, 4, and Kayla, 3 while their mother, Carol Grannum, was out to do business and attend court in a dispute with her reputed husband, Chrwyne Edson Dover.

The couple had an argument Saturday and the child’s mother moved out of the 59 Durban Street, Georgetown house to go live with her mother, who had been relocated to Tucville in a government plan to clear the Georgetown port community of Tiger Bay.

A MOTHER’S ANGUISH: A distraught Carol Grannum, mother of the child, during the rescue attempt to save her daughter.

The matter ended up in the hands of the Police and the two were due to appear before the court yesterday morning.

She said she warned them not to go too far and went inside to do her chores. Grannum said when she missed the children, she looked over in the yard to see them playing in the company of their uncle, Paul.

She said about 09:30 h, she called out to the children, but only Tianna and Kayla came. She said when she realised Brianna was missing, she went in a mad search for her, but the sewerage dump was not on her mind.

The focus on the faeces dump became the centre of attention when a physically challenged child pointed to one side of her pair of slippers. Many attempted to get into the reservoirs, but Reid was the only one who braved it through until he found her.

BRAVE RASTA

LOCK’S GONE: Ordock Reid, without his locks, after he had cleaned up from his brave attempt to save Brianna Dover from the faeces pit.

Thirty minutes later, however, he decided to see what was happening. He said he was greeted with anguished faces, and many who were desperate to get the girl, but no one willing to take the plunge, so he did it.

He said after a rope was tied to his waist, he braved the filth and went in search of the girl.
However, his dreadlocks, sacred to Rastafarians, was a humbug, so he rushed home, took a knife and cut them out and returned into the pool of faeces. At the fourth hour, he said he felt a nudge to his waist. “I knew it was her,” he said. Reid reached down and said he grabbed the girl and brought her up.

ANXIOUS: Residents gathered at the Tucville sewerage pump station where five-year-old Brianna Dover fell in and eventually died.

Anxious residents grabbed her from his hands when they realised she was alive, though unconscious. He emerged and immediately helped in the efforts of GWI Health and Safety Officer Mr. Christopher Cathro, in performing CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation). Cathro said the child responded by “coughing up a lot of water” and she bit his fingers three times.

When residents urged that she be rushed to the hospital, it was Reid who grabbed her in his arms, and unto the fire tender standing by. He burst into tears when he realised that she had not made it.

He said cutting out his dreadlocks was not something he would have done ordinarily, since he felt the emotions of all the people around and he loved all children like his own. “When I cut out my hair, I felt like Sampson – I lost all my power,” he said.

He said he was treated at the hospital and sent home. He said he felt he had done something good when a man reached out to hand him $1,000 and remarked that he was a brave man. Reid regretted not having investigated the matter as soon as he heard there was a commotion at the pump station.

DEATH TRAP

SAVED: Earnnel McKay, left, who was saved from the pit five years ago, stands with friends he plays with not far from the pit in which Brianna Dover drowned.

The tarmac where children of the relocated Tiger Bay residents play is near the pump station which has been deemed non-operational by GWI.

Residents complained that the fence to the compound is not proper and the gate is left open for private disposal services which dump sewerage every morning.

In fact, shortly after the time it was believed Brianna fell into the dump, residents said a company was dumping faeces into the pit. Residents said it was the government which had relocated them to the area and bore responsibility for their safety from the pit. “It ain’t easy for my sister to lose her child like that. I have children too. Everybody here has children,” an angry Natasha Alexander, the dead child’s aunt said.

However, GWI in a press release it had repaired the gate to the facility on numerous occasions after it was vandalised by persons who utilised the compound as a walkway in order to gain access to the area behind the pump station where they live. The company said the facility is supervised by an operator who functions during daylight hours, while guards monitor the compound at night.

GWI said it is immediately implementing measures to prevent a reoccurrence of yesterday’s tragedy. The company said these measures would include placing warning signs and additional security measures. The guard on duty at the time of the incident, John Davis, said he did not see the children playing, neither did he hear any noise, as the pump was on. He said he only became aware of what was going on after the child’s grandmother asked whether he had seen Brianna.

GWI Director of Operations, Mr Sizwe Jackson told the Guyana Chronicle that last week GWI officials visited the scene after the security guard complained that he had received death threats from residents who had cut the chain link fence at the back of the premises to walk through to their homes.

He said GWI received a telephone call about 13:00 h and he notified the Health and Safety Officer, Mr Castro and within 10 minutes responded to the scene with a team. He said that holding tank is about 20 to 30 feet deep and contains both solids which are at the top and liquids at the bottom.

Although a report was made at the East La Penitence police station minutes after the child disappeared, the Police were nowhere around throughout the harrowing rescue attempt.

Brianna’s eldest sister, Tandika, 15, from a different mother, said she heard of the news from her father at about 13:30 h. She said he left home to collect some money his relatives from overseas were sending him to take a lawyer to handle the dispute he had with the children’s mother, Carol Grannum. She said she lived upstairs with her father, while her three sisters lived downstairs with their mother.

Tandika said on Saturday they had an argument and the woman took the matter to the station, claiming that Dover had broken her nose. She said she saw when her father carried down a suitcase with his reputed wife’s belongings, but the woman brought them up back. She eventually left for her mother’s place in Tucville. Little did she realise that the move would cost her her eldest daughter. (Guyana Cronicle)Neil Marks and Michel Outridge; Photos by Delano Williams)

The government is awaiting the return of Attorney General Doodnauth Singh to obtain details as to what information has been sought from the Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago governments in relation to their handling of the Roger Khan affair. The Attorney General has sought medical assistance overseas following a severe low blood sugar episode.

Khan was arrested in Suriname and expelled to T&T where he was handed over to US law enforcement officials and flown to the US to face a drug charge. He had entered Suriname illegally.

Asked whether the government had sought information about Khan's arrest and incarceration in Suriname, his subsequent deportation from Suriname and his removal from T&T, Dr Luncheon told the media at his weekly press briefing on Thursday that he had some reservations about answering the question.

Nevertheless, he said, "the indications clearly are that the information has been sought. I would hesitate to be categorical because our Attorney General is getting medical attention overseas. So I can't be specific about the details â€¦the way that information is being solicited from Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago."

Dr Luncheon said he was told that the Attorney General would be returning to work soon "and we ought to be given some information as to what precisely is being sought and how it is being sought from our bilateral Caricom partners."

Khan's lawyers have contended that Khan was drugged and deported to T&T where he was kidnapped by the US. The US has denied that Khan was kidnapped saying that he was extradited from T&T based on a request made by the US Department State.

Meanwhile, at its press conference on Thursday, the PNCR lambasted the government over the Khan matter and said that if it was elected to office at the upcoming elections it would make major revelations about the drug trade and indictments in its first 100 days in office.

"The PNCR takes this opportunity to commit its government to zero tolerance on drugs and gun smuggling. The new PNCR led government will give total and unreserved support to the Guyana Police Force so as to ensure the total destruction of the organized drug trade in Guyana".

The party said that it had noted with great interest the lack of enthusiasm on the part of the Guyana Government for the capture of Khan by Suriname and his subsequent arrest by US authorities.

After Khan was apprehended in Suriname on alleged drug charges the government here had said that there were no serious charges pending against him here and that there would be no attempt to extradite him at this point. The PNCR said that the US and Suriname governments and the police force here have all deemed Khan a "menace to society" based on his alleged involvement in the narco trade and gun smuggling.

"As a result, it would be expected that any decent government would be highly pleased by the capture and arraignment of Roger Khan. However, it is sad to say that this does not appear to be the case with the Jagdeo Government". The PNCR added that the drug trade and its attendant criminal activities undermine the investment climate by hampering the ability to attract serious investments which would create jobs for young people. (Stabroek News)

This was confirmed yesterday by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his media briefing at the Office of the President. Felix formally retires as Commissioner of Police in October, 2006.

“The superannuation consequential steps are being implemented in collaboration with the Police Force, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Office of the President, all of whom have a role to play in bringing the retirement from the Public Service matter to the standard and usual closure,” Dr. Luncheon said.

On February 16, 2004, President Bharrat Jagdeo swore in Felix, who was then Deputy Commissioner of Police, to the substantive post of Commissioner of Police. Felix's appointment as Police Commissioner filled the void created when former Commissioner of Police Laurie Lewis retired in 2001. Floyd Mc Donald acted in this capacity until Felix was confirmed.

As the Constitution requires, the Head of State has to consult with the Police Service Commission and the Opposition Leader in appointing a Police Commissioner. For the Police Service Commission to be appointed the Public Service Commission must first be operational, as its Chairman sits on the Police Service Commission. However, there was no Service Commission in Guyana in 2001.

The Public Service Commission was appointed on December 2003, and the Police Service Commission on January 9, 2004. This cleared the hurdles in appointing Felix, who held the position of Commissioner-designate for more than two years. The swearing-in was also another follow-up process to the May 6, 2003 Communiqué agreed to by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader, Robert Corbin.

At the time of being sworn in, Felix had urged Guyanese to hold him accountable for his service, a pledge that has attracted many criticisms over the past few months, when Felix’s professionalism, character and integrity were questioned, following the disclosure of taped conversations purportedly between him and members of the Opposition.(GINA/(Guyana Cronicle)

Another alleged Roger Khan bodyguard for Suriname High Court.

ANOTHER of Roger Khan’s bodyguards who Suriname authorities continue to hold in jail there is due to make a High Court appearance next week. Suriname lawyer Irwnis Khanai yesterday told the Chronicle that ex-cop Sean Belfield will appear before the Suriname High Court on Wednesday. He however did not elaborate.

Belfield’s appearance is set on the same day that the hearing of an on-going motion filed by Paul Rodrigues will re-convene. According to Khanai, Rodrigues was back in Court on Wednesday. Asked about the status of the remaining Guyanese, Lloyd Roberts, another former policeman, the Surinamese lawyer who said he visited with him on Wednesday, said no date has been fixed for him as yet. He noted though the three prisoners are “doing well.”

Rodrigues, Belfield and Roberts and their alleged bossman Roger Khan were arrested during a huge drug bust which Suriname Police said netted 213 kilos of cocaine on June 15 in Paramaribo. Khan who was subsequently expelled from the country on June 29 after the authorities there deemed that they had no charges against him, is currently in jail in the United States.

This was despite the fact that Suriname Minister of Justice Mr Chandrikapersad Santokhi had linked Khan to plots to assassinate key government and judicial officials in that country and had deemed him a threat to national and international security, in addition to being investigated for cocaine trafficking, firearm possession and being part of a criminal gang.

In a strange twist, Khan was nabbed by DEA agents soon after he deplaned from a Suriname Airways aircraft at Piarco International Airport and taken to the U.S. Less than 24 hours later Khan was arraigned at the Brooklyn Federal Court in New York before Judge Roanne Mann on a charge of “conspiring to import cocaine”.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded to the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Brooklyn. He will next appear before U.S. District Judge Dora Lizzette Irizarry, on August 4 at 10:30 h. Meanwhile, a motion filed on Khan’s behalf seeking to have Suriname rescind its decision to expel Khan thus allowing the arrest by U.S. DEA agents in Trinidad, was rejected on Tuesday.

Khan was represented by Khanai and another of his Dutch counterparts, Gerold Sewcharan while Prosecutor - General Subhas Punwasi appeared on behalf of the Suriname authorities. Last week, relatives, friends and acquaintances of the Guyanese four began mounting daily protests in support of the men being freed from both the Suriname and U.S. jails.

They gathered at the 1763 monument site in Georgetown before moving to the Suriname Embassy, Peter Rose Street, Queenstown, the United States Embassy Young Street, Kingston and the CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen. The placard-bearing group included Lisa Lawrie who has a one-year-old daughter, Rebecia, for Khan; Fiona Rodrigues, wife of Rodrigues and mother of two, along with ex-cops Eon `Gangsta’ Smith and Otis Grant.

The group expressed its disgust at CARICOM’s silence over Khan’s alleged “kidnapping” in Trinidad by the U.S., which, according to his local lawyer Glen Hanoman, suggested complicity among Suriname, Trinidad and the U.S, along with the continued holding of the three in jails in Suriname. (Guyana Cronicle)

The accused, Orrette West, 19, of Lot ‘J’ Tucville, East La Penitence, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan yesterday and was remanded to prison until August 17, when he will make his next appearance in another Court, to which the case has been transferred.

The 22-year-old victim, of Lot 10 Gordon Street, Kitty, also in the city, was fatally stabbed and two other GDF soldiers, Lance Corporal Corwin Arthur and Andrae Haynes were injured in the same incident.

Police reports said the uniformed men were relaxing at the crime scene about 23:55 h when an argument developed between Andrae Haynes and the alleged killer and the others intervened, resulting in a fight that ended tragically. (Guyana Cronicle)

No discussion on Felix successor

PSC says

The leading private sector body yesterday said it had no discussion about a successor to Police Commissioner Winston Felix as suggested in an article in the Sunday Stabroek.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) in a press release distanced itself from the July 2 page one lead article headlined “Private Sector would support Greene as top cop.”

The article quoted the President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Mr Gerry Gouveia as saying the private sector would support Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr. Henry Greene for Top Cop.

The PSC said it was advised by its members that they were not a part of any such discussion of the sort either at a commission level or at any other fora. Mr. Gouveia is a member of the PSC. “The PSC fully recognises that the appointment of a Commissioner of Police must be in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution and expects that this would be duly observed,” the PSC stated.

“The PSC further wishes to state that it has no position on the choice of a successor to the Police Commissioner and would support the appointment of anyone who satisfies the leadership qualities, character and integrity required for holding such a distinguished office,” the commission added.

In a statement yesterday, Gouveia said the Sunday Stabroek article “accurately represents the substance of the interview between the Stabroek News reporter and myself”, but added that his “remarks during that interview were not intended to reflect or represent the views” of the PSC.

“Insofar as I am aware the PSC has never formally discussed the issue of succession to the office of Commissioner of Police. The views expressed in the interview represent my personal perspective as a private sector official and ought not to be construed otherwise”, he added. (Guyana Cronicle)

Businessman Roger Khan, who is at present in a US jail on a drug charge, had paid informants who provided him with video clips of known Buxton criminals during the crime spree, one of his lawyers says.

According to attorney-at-law Vic Puran, who along with his colleague Glen Hanoman, were on Christopher Ram's Plain Talk programme on VCT Channel 28 last Sunday evening, after a well-known person was kidnapped, taken to Buxton and later released, he arranged an interview with the victim and Khan during which video clips of alleged Buxton criminals were shown.

Describing the kidnap victim as his "friend and client" Puran told Ram before the man flew out of the country he arranged to have a meeting with Khan. The lawyer stated that during that period Khan was using his own resources to gather intelligence which he would pass on to the security forces and as a result he had infiltrated the Buxton criminals and had paid informants in that village.

When the video clips were shown the victim pointed out the persons who had grabbed him from his home. The two lawyers stoutly defended Khan on the programme saying that the only reason he was ever held in Suriname and then placed in a US prison is because of a personal vendetta against him by an individual.

According to Hanoman, Khan was not involved in any killings but just gathered intelligence and passed it on to the security forces. However, on most occasions they did not act on the intelligence and Khan later concluded that they were in fact sheltering the criminals.

It was during that period a number of men were kidnapped and later turned up dead, most times with bullet holes in their bodies. The men were said to have had a criminal past or were alleged to have been linked to criminals. The two lawyers said that their client had no hand in the killings.

Hanoman went as far as naming Khan as a humanitarian who he said built numerous schools in Essequibo, constructed over 200 homes and refurbished parts of the University of Guyana.

Questioned why Khan does not name himself as the owner of certain businesses such as the carpeting firm he has in Bel Air, Hanoman said those are just rumours since as far as he knows Khan is not the owner of the business but rather he sits on the board.

Speaking about the recent bundling of Khan to the US, the lawyers said that it was a clear case of their client being kidnapped. The procedure is still being questioned as Khan was taken from a Suriname prison and Surinamese officials said he was deported to Guyana via Trinidad. When he arrived in Trinidad he was said to be a "stateless" person and the Trinidadian authorities handed him over to the US.

Hanoman stated that he is now hearing that an international arrest warrant was out for his client but there is no such thing as an international arrest warrant. US Ambassador Roland Bullen had told Stabroek News in an interview that because an international arrest warrant was out for Khan and he was a stateless person at that point in Trinidad, he was handed over to the US officials.

Puran revealed that he had since travelled to Trinidad where he retained counsel for his client who in turn has written that country's attorney-general seeking an explanation of Khan's removal from Trinidad.

Puran alleged that his client was drugged in the Suriname prison and a bag placed over his head before he was taken out of the jail. Asked by Ram how they received that information, the lawyers said from sources in the prison. However, even though Khan was drugged and a bag was placed over his head, Hanoman said he was still able to recognise the head of the US DEA office in Trinidad, Gary Tuggle, as one of his alleged kidnappers.

He said Khan recognised Tuggle from a meeting he had with US officials at the Ocean View International Hotel on March 16. He said the lawyers in Trinidad had requested the manifest of the flight from Suriname to Trinidad to verify that Tuggle was indeed on the flight, but they have been denied access.

The attorneys also said that when the joint services targeted their client's premises and that of his friends from March 19, it was not in an effort to recover the missing AK-47s but rather it was to recover tapes of alleged conversations between Commissioner of Police Winston Felix and others.

They pointed out that on March 16 their client met with US officials and handed over one of the conversations and it was just two days after that meeting the joint services launched the operation. The lawyers attempted to say that the meeting took place before their client was named in the US drug report as a drug trafficker, but Ram pointed out to them that the report was out weeks before March 16.

The lawyers also took umbrage at their client being referred to as a fugitive. Since the police had issued an arrest warrant for Khan, the US had indicted him and he had not made himself available, they were asked if that did not make him a fugitive. Hanoman said it did not since according to him a fugitive is someone who is convicted of a crime and escapes. However, two of the many definitions of a fugitive state that it is someone who is sought by law officers and someone who is trying to elude justice.

The lawyers also took offence to their client being labelled a drug smuggler, naming Minister of Home Affairs Gail Teixeira and PNCR leader Robert Corbin as the chief culprits.

According to Hanoman, the minister has made some very "irresponsible" statements in the media and he has since received instructions from the man's family and as a result libel charges may be filed against her in the near future. As for Corbin, Hanoman said he should be careful what he calls persons as he had been accused of committing a crime in the past.

Questioned by Ram as to how they will be paid now that their client is in jail, Puran said that he has already been taken care of. According to Puran, about a year ago he and Khan had a discussion during which the man had outlined certain things to him, implying that Khan even then had known that one day he could be held by the authorities. He said they then discussed a certain sum. ". . . I told him give me x but he said no that is not enough, I will give you x plus," Puran said laughing, adding that Hanoman was there during the discussion.

However, Hanoman said he has not been paid as yet but expects when he sees his client he would be paid. He said he would be seeing Khan who has been his client for over ten years, "soon". (Stabroek News)

Roger Khan removal from Suriname:

Guyana had no role, Luncheon says

THE Guyana Government had no role in Roger Khan’s removal from Suriname to the United States and it had no other alternative, but chief government spokesperson Dr. Roger Luncheon said yesterday government objects to “the forceful and unlawful removal of its citizens across jurisdiction.”

His statement was the first from the government since Khan, named by the U.S. as a known drug trafficker, was held in Suriname and subsequently taken into American custody under controversial circumstances and charged for conspiracy to import cocaine for which he is due back in court on August 4.

At his weekly post-Cabinet news briefing, Luncheon said that Guyana’s Constitution, domestic laws and international obligations allowed for no other alternative for the government. However, he said that Cabinet took note of “the continuing saga” of Khan “having been reportedly expelled from Suriname.”

“Confirmed details are currently unavailable about what exactly transpired but the public must know that Mr. Khan was not extradited from Guyana,” Luncheon stated. Speaking after the press briefing, Dr. Luncheon stated that the absence of exact details of what transpired between Khan’s removal from Suriname and his arrival in the U.S. prevents the government from moving in any direction.

He said the information currently available suggests that he is answering criminal charges related to narco-trafficking, adding that the government is fully supportive of the fight against narco-trafficking and will continue its national efforts.

Khan was believed to have been hiding out in Suriname after the Police here put him on a wanted list in connection with the theft of 30 AK-47 rifles and five pistols from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) headquarters in Georgetown.

Luncheon said the government has consistently thrown its full weight and support behind the operations of the Joint Services as they continue to address the country’s internal security situation. Khan was arraigned at the Brooklyn Federal Court in New York on June 30 less than 24 hours after being nabbed and spirited off there by U.S. agents.

He was collected at the Piarco Airport in Trinidad after he deplaned from a Suriname Airways aircraft on which he was put by Suriname authorities following his expulsion from Suriname. An official statement from the Suriname Office of the Prosecutor General said Khan’s expulsion was ordered by the head of the local police because he had illegally entered that country.

After his preventive custody was lifted by Prosecuting Attorney Garcia Paragsing, members of the Police SWAT team took Khan from the Santa Boma jail straight to the international airport and put him on a flight to Trinidad.

This action contrasts sharply with previous statements by Suriname officials that they had a strong case against Khan for drugs trafficking and alleged plots to assassinate top Suriname judiciary and other officials, and that he was a threat to the national security of Suriname, Guyana and other countries. A Suriname government minister had also said that Khan had been under close watch for two years and the authorities there had finally closed in on him last month.

Khan, 35, and 11 others including three other Guyanese, Paul Rodrigues, Sean Belfield and Lloyd Roberts were arrested on June 15 in Suriname in a sting operation that police said netted more than 200 kilograms of cocaine -- the biggest cocaine haul in that country this year. (Guyana Cronicle)

JAILED: Gordon Lemmon-Duke

Justice Winston Patterson yesterday sentenced convicted drug addict Gordon Lemmon-Duke to 15 years imprisonment for raping an 80-year-old woman. The sentencing, at the Berbice Assizes, followed the presentation of a pathetic probation report on the prisoner’s background. Prior to inflicting the custodial penalty on him, the judge observed that Lemmon-Duke came from “good stock” and could have done better with his life.

Justice Patterson noted that, sometimes, parents wish their children do well but they do the opposite. Since the age of 31 years, Lemmon-Duke was solely dependent on his overseas-based parents and had left a job because he claimed the salary was too low, the judge stated, adding that the convict should have secured better employment before leaving where he was employed.

Justice Patterson said Lemmon-Duke began to experience problematic years as an adult and it was pathetic that other people who once thought highly of him were subjected to his miserable habits. The judge pointed to evidence of persistent acts of rape and told Lemmon-Duke he, himself, could have been a victim and is in dire need of some help.

Justice Patterson, after carefully reviewing sentences previously imposed on other rape convicts, both nationally and regionally, said he considered what the probation officer reported and had planned to send Lemmon-Duke to prison for 20 years but reduced the term to 15. He advised the prisoner to avail himself of drug rehabilitation sessions if available in jail.

Earlier, Probation and Welfare Officer, Ms Ann Choy revealed that Lemmon-Duke’s parents are separated and resident in the United States. She said the now 38-year-old Lemmon-Duke has also fathered three children with as many mothers and has played no part in the upbringing of those offspring.

Choy said he became a journeyman, with then Guyana Electricity Corporation (GEC), at age 24 but ceased working there when he was 31 years old because he was dissatisfied with the pay. His early education was at Lichfield Primary, West Coast Berbice, prior to his relocation to Linden and attendance at the Multilateral School there but was compelled to return to West Coast Berbice after his parents migrated.

Choy said Ms. Eunice Edwards, a former headmistress, described Lemmon-Duke as intelligent and disciplined when a child. But he began having brushes with the law after he left school and, in 2004, was charged with raping a former girlfriend.

That case was dismissed for want of prosecution, especially on the part of the virtual complainant but Lemmon-Duke was on bail in a robbery case when the present offence was committed. Choy said, though, that Lemmon-Duke adamantly professes innocence and claimed he was framed by the Police and the victim, with whose relatives he had problems.

Choy concluded that Lemmon-Duke has embarked on an addictive road and, to satisfy his need, he selfishly ignored those of others. He has been indulged by his parents who think that catering for his material wants will cure him of his ills and, while it is obvious that his relatives love him, he has shown no regard or gratitude to them over the years, the officer found.

Choy said drug rehabilitation is an option but Lemmon-Duke must recognise that the onus is on him to make a positive change. At his trial, State Counsel Donnelle Harding led evidence that, during the night of March 9, 2004, he entered the bedroom of the octogenarian victim, placed a cutlass to her neck and forced himself on her.

The old woman, who testified in the case, recalled that it was a painful ordeal which caused her to shed tears. Until the end, before he was jailed, the convict, who said he could not afford a lawyer, maintained his innocence. (Guyana Cronicle/JEUNE BAILEY VAN-KERIC)

Roland Bullen

Outgoing United States Ambassador Roland Bullen last night said that there was much room for improvement in Guyana's fight against narco-trafficking and he said steps are in place for free and fair elections. Bullen made these remarks while addressing guests at the 230th Anniversary of the Independence of the USA at his official residence in Cummings Lodge.

In a power-point address, the ambassador also affirmed that the US was committed to supporting the elections process that GECOM is running, but asserted that it was not the job of the foreign donors to manage the process, but rather GECOM and the Guyanese people.

The ambassador said that the threats to Guyana's security and rule of law are also threats to the US, regional and international interests. He told the gathering that powerful narco-criminals want to create instability, which makes it easier for them to ply their illicit trade."

The United State is determined to help Guyana fight the drug trade," Bullen declared, adding that in the year 2005 alone, the US government's support to Guyana's counter-narcotics and law-enforcement efforts totalled over US$1.3 million, including an interceptor fast boat, polygraph testing and many training courses.

The US envoy said that the US was looking forward to establishing a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) presence in Guyana, which he envisions will help in the drug fight. He said however, that the DEA would only be here in an advisory capacity and not an operational one. Recently Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon had told the media that there were some problems in identifying a building to house the DEA office.

He said that at least two locations were selected by government, but the US rejected them, saying that it did not guarantee maximum security. Stabroek News understands that initially the DEA was slated to come here to operate, but a few impediments caused them to back away from this position. Bullen told the gathering that when the DEA comes here, success in fighting the drug trade would still depend largely on Guyanese forces obtaining good intelligence.

"Looking ahead there is plenty of room for improvement in fighting narco-crime in Guyana. We have dedicated many resources to this fight." He said for his government to invest more it will need to see greater returns, something he has said before. "Resources are success-driven and it is demoralizing to see drug shipments originating in Guyana seized abroad, while narco-criminals roam freely," the US Ambassador declared.

His remarks came in the wake of the drama surrounding the snatching of drug-indicted Guyanese businessman Roger Khan in Trinidad by DEA agents. The US had put out an international arrest warrant for Khan and the way in which he was grabbed by the US has been likened to the heavily criticized `extraordinary rendition' method. There is a growing controversy over how the US took custody of Khan and the roles that Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago played in facilitating this.

Bullen noted that in this atmosphere of creeping lawlessness, the country has seen the brutal murders of many Guyanese, including his friend, Minister of Agricul-ture Satyadeow Sawh. Seven masked men gunned down the minister, his two siblings and a security guard in April.

"These savage acts sicken me and the perpetrators of these heinous crimes must be brought to account, so that confidence in the rule of law can prevail," Bullen said. He said the US stands ready to work with Guyana on capacity-building measures to strengthen security and the administration of justice.

In an invited comment, Home Affairs Minister, Gail Teixeira who attended the function told Stabroek News last night that she was taken aback by the Ambassador's statements as she thought her country was making some headway in the fight against narco-trafficking. She said has tried to tackle the drug trafficking problem. She made mention of the launching of the Drug Master Plan in 2005, which has not yet been implemented.

The drug plan contained a number of initiatives, which would see the reduction and supply of drugs, but to date Teixeira said they were still looking for funding from the donor agencies and other groups. Teixeira believes that government has made major steps forward in the narco-fight.

She however affirmed that government would continue to do its best in the effort to fight the drug trade. The government has been widely criticized for not producing results in the fight against crime.

Democracy

Meanwhile, touching on the strengthening of democracy, Bullen said that in Guyana there is a lot of talk about things that happened in the past. He said as his three years in Guyana come to a close, he too has reflected on the past. He said that the United States and Guyana have already built a number of mutually beneficial partnerships aimed at a better future.

The Ambassador said that democracy is not just a system of elections to award public power. "We must work together to strengthen the institutions and processes of democracy." He added that institutions such as the police force and the judiciary must be free of taint or corruption. He mentioned that earlier this year the US Federal Bureau of Investigation trained police from around the country on the foundations of community policing.

According to him, he has encouraged the police officers to continue to implement and grow this programme, noting that political parties should be servants of the electorate. On the issue of elections, Bullen said that the US was committed to supporting the election process that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was running. He said steps are in place to ensure free and fair elections, stressing that all eligible and registered voters will be able to vote once.

He announced too that domestic and international observers would be on the ground to verify the elections. "But I want to be very clear - it is not the job of foreign donors to manage this election process. It is the responsibility of GECOM and the Guyanese people," the Ambassador said to the gathering of dignitaries.

Representing the government, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds made brief remarks, congratulating the US for celebrating achieving another milestone. He said that that the economic and political strides the US has made are testimony to their independence. Hinds also said that as Guyana approaches elections there would be attempts to destabilize the society. He said government was looking forward for US support in curtailing this.

The Prime Minister also said that these days, too, many resources are being spent on managing conflicts and security, which means that the social fabric in society has broken down. He also thanked the US for its support over the years in helping Guyana move forward. (Nigel Williams/Stabroek News)

Former President Janet Jagan has said that the police force needs reorganization to be more efficient and a SWAT team is needed to catch criminals.

In her column in last weekend's Mirror newspaper which dealt with crime, Jagan said "Our police force needs reorganization to be more efficient, particularly in crime detection. We need a SWAT team to catch the criminals. We need better laws to put away the criminals for longer periods and we need a fully dependable judicial system".

Jagan, who served as President from 1997-99, pointed to cases of rape and the fact that one case took 10 years to be heard.

"That is another problem in our legal system - unbelievably long periods before a hearing", Mrs Jagan, a pre-independence Home Affairs Minister wrote. She added that rape cases require much more attention in the judicial system and adverted to figures reported by the Guyana Human Rights Association on the very low conviction rate in cases of rape reported to the police.

"How many girls who are brutally raped would give evidence ten years after the crimeâ€¦How many girls or women could stand the brutal methods of some lawyers in cross-examination, aimed at making the victim a liar and/or a criminal for bringing the charge?"

Noting that crime is one of the country's gravest problems, she pointed out that it is also influenced by the proximity to criminal activity in the region including the United States and its citizens' "unquestionable appetite for drugs". (Stabroek News)

Cocaine, guns, ammunition and a boat were among items netted by joint services searches over the weekend and the new week. Eight persons were arrested and sixteen houses searched. A release from the joint services said that between Friday and yesterday a number of operations were conducted.

On Friday houses in West Ruimveldt, Charlestown and Craig Street, Campbellville were searched while on Saturday the operation continued in Prashad Nagar, Bel-Air, the University of Guyana (UG) Road and Ogle Railway Embankment on the East Coast Demerara.

On Monday and Tuesday operations were conducted in Houston, Good Hope, Kersaint Park, La Bonne Intention (LBI), Republic Park, and Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt.

According to the release, during the searches the joint services seized two motor cars, 51 grammes of cocaine, army-type boots, USA-type camouflage gear; one radio set; a pleasure boat; two Taurus pistols; 446 12-gauge shotgun cartridges; 170 .32 rounds; and 10 .38 rounds. (Stabroek News)

Fiona Rodrigues, wife of Paul Rodrigues, one of the three bodyguards of Roger Khan. Rodrigues is still in jail in Suriname and yesterday the mother of two joined with others in protest over his continued detention.

Suriname police have detained a warder of the Santo Boma Prison where Shaheed 'Roger' Khan was being held before his deportation, for allegedly collecting large sums of money to release the businessman.

A reliable source from the former Dutch colony told Stabroek News yesterday that Prosecutor General Subhas Punwasi confirmed that the warder was detained on allegations that he plotted to allow Khan to escape.

Khan's lawyer, Glenn Hanoman when contacted on the matter yesterday said he had not heard the allegations. But said there had been no doubt that Khan was going to be freed without being charged and as such there was no reason to bribe anyone. "The only thing they could have possibly charged him with was being in the country illegally," Hanoman commented. He said the allegation was another wicked attempt by the Suriname authorities to criminalise Khan.

Khan was deported from Suriname on Thursday last under controversial circumstances. He was arraigned in a New York court on Friday on charges of conspiracy to import cocaine into the country. He entered a not guilty plea and was remanded to prison until August.

The allegation that a warder was being bribed to release Khan comes amidst reports also that a war among factions of the criminal underworld was brewing while Khan was in jail in Suriname. A report in de Ware Tijd Newspaper in Paramaribo said last week said that a man was killed in the war.

According to the newspaper, following the arrest and detention of Khan on June 15 there was talk of retaliation. de Ware Tijd reported that according to several sources within the Justice Department, there was a real threat of a possible war between Guyanese underworld gangs and other characters that would have been fought out in Suriname. According to the newspaper, the dead man is of East Indian descent. He was shot dead along the East Westbound Highway.

Meanwhile, a larger group of protesters turned out at the Square of the Revolution yesterday to protest the continued detention of Khan's three bodyguards, Sean Belfield, Paul Rodrigues and Lloyd Roberts. They also voiced their dissatisfaction at the manner in which US officials arrested Khan last Thursday. The protesters congregated first at the Square of the Revolution before moving off to the Suriname Embassy in Queenstown and later the US Embassy in Kingston.

A mixed group of relatives, friends and reputed wives of Khan turned out for the picketing exercise. Several placards decrying Caricom's silence on the matter, and slogans condemning the US actions were waved high.

Wife of Rodrigues, Fiona Rodrigues told Stabroek News in an invited comment that she has been having sleepless nights ever since her husband has been away. She said his primary reason for travelling to Suriname was to hide from persons who had threatened to kill him.

Police on March 30 published wanted bulletins for Rodrigues, Khan, Gerald Pereira and Ricardo Rodrigues after searches at their homes by the Joint Services unearthed illegal items. The men refused to turn themselves over to the police saying that if the police wanted to charge them then they should go ahead and do so and they would attend court.

Fiona Rodrigues said that she did not know when her husband travelled to Suriname. "All I know is that he was hiding all the time and then suddenly I heard that they found him in Suriname."

The mother of two said her husband was not a drug trafficker neither was he involved in any criminal activities. She said he served the Guyana Police Force with distinction during his time in the organization and was awarded 'Best Cop' in 2001. "Right now my children have been asking for their father everyday and I don't know what to tell them," she said.

She said no relative has travelled to Suriname as yet, but as soon as authorities over there give clearance for a visit she would go. Fiona Rodrigues said she was ashamed to be a Guyanese given the treatment meted out to her husband and the other men. She said when Minister of Home Affairs, Gail Teixeira said they were not interesting in Khan that was the turning point for her.

According to the woman, the Guyana government has basically turned its back on its citizens. She also criticized Suriname for deporting Khan to Trinidad and Tobago instead of sending him straight to Guyana. She said she has missed her husband and times have been hard since he has been away.

Khan and the three men were arrested during a huge drug bust, which netted some 213 kilos of cocaine on June 15 in Paramaribo. Suriname police then said that Khan and the men were being investigated for cocaine trafficking, being part of a criminal gang and firearm possession. They dropped all the charges against Khan, but are still holding the three men.

The United States Justice Department had contacted Trinidad and Tobago Attorney General, John Jeremie to facilitate the arrest of Khan once he had touched down in the country last Thursday morning. Khan was arrested by the DEA on a warrant signed by US Justice, Roanne Mann on April 13, on charges of conspiracy to import cocaine into that country between January 1, 2001 and March 2006.

A report in the Trinidad Express on Saturday said the US Justice Department had contacted Jeremie's office and provided Khan's arrest warrant and other relevant documents. The newspaper said the US had requested that Khan be extradited, deported or expelled to that country to face charges in New York on felony narcotics offences.

Trinidad and Tobago Central Authority Department official, David West along with US DEA officials, met Khan at the Piarco Airport on Thursday. Khan was then taken before an immigration officer, deemed not to have any travel documents and was denied entry into the country. It was at this point he was served with an arrest warrant by the DEA officials and spirited off to New York via Miami.

The sequence of events pointed to close collaboration among Suriname, Trinidad and the US to ensure Khan was placed in the custody of American officials. Khan's lawyers have claimed he was drugged and taken from a Surinamese prison by American agents. So far neither the US nor Guyana has said anything official on the sequence of events. (Stabroek News)

Canada help with local crime fight closer

Bruno Picard

In an effort to beef up its crime-fighting capabilities, the Canadian government is exploring ways to provide assistance to the Guyana Police Force, outgoing Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana Bruno Picard said.

The ambassador made the comment to this newspaper on Saturday during his farewell ceremony, which also coincided with the celebration of the 139th Anniversary of the Canadian Confederation.

The Guyana government had approached Canada for assistance following the murders of Agriculture Minister Satyadeow Sawh, his two siblings, Rajpat Sawh and Phulmattie Persaud as well as his security guard, Curtis Robinson. Up to now there has been no evidence of any tangible response, although the Canadian High Commission office in George-town had acknowledged receiving the request for help and undertaken to assist.

Following the murders it was touted that Canada was going to play the lead role in rendering assistance to solve them. A senior police officer had told this newspaper that the administration of the force met Picard and discussed matters relating to the assistance. The officer had said then that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) would assist in the investigation and its liaison officer for the region, based in Venezuela, was to have visited Guyana to assess the work done by investigators.

It was expected, the source said, that the officer would make recommendations based upon his assessment and this would determine what kind of help would be given. Stabroek News was told that the police force had asked for assistance in all areas and was prepared to have the RCMP work along with detectives in their investigations. Sawh and his two siblings were Canadian citizens.

At Saturday's anniversary celebration, Picard called for a moment's silence in memory of the late minister, his two Canadian siblings and his security guard.

He told Stabroek News that Canada had registered with the Guyana government that the crime was committed on Guyanese soil and therefore the police force that has jurisdiction to investigate the case is the Guyana Police Force. He said so far, "we have received an interim report on their investigations and we have received assurances that they would investigate this case and get to the bottom of it."

He noted that Canada was exploring ways to provide assistance in a broader context, such as beefing up of the crime fighting department as identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Guyana Police Force.

Seven masked gunmen armed with high-powered weapons and wearing military fatigues murdered Sawh, and his family. Police said ballistics test have traced the weapons to a gang operating out of Buxton. Since then there have been numerous searches in Buxton and other communities but the gunmen have not been located.

Electoral debate

Meanwhile, speaking at the reception on Saturday night Ambassador Picard declared that the electoral debate should now move away from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and focus on each party's vision and reform programme so that citizens make informed decisions and choose the political formation that is best positioned to restore Guyana as the leading Caribbean economic power that it should be.

The reception was held at the Ambassador's residence in Bel Air. He told the gathering that his successor would be arriving at a time when Guyana is at a crossroads.

Prime Minister Sam Hinds, who was among the guests from a cross section of the community, toasted the bonds that exist between Guyana and Canada and congratulated the government and people of Canada on another milestone. He also expressed appreciation for the assistance Canada has been affording Guyana.

Picard said the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy was not easy, was not achieved overnight, and it was not about celebrating regular elections either. He said it was primarily about an ongoing process involving the three independent braches of the government - the executive, the legislative and the judiciary - working concurrently in an effective and transparent way to achieve the best possible results for everyone.

He noted that Guyana wants free, fair and violence free elections and the international community was unequivocal and unwavering in its support by providing the necessary technical and financial support to ensure that elections are held as soon as possible.

Stating that GECOM was working assiduously on elections preparations and that it was well positioned to deliver free and fair elections within the timeframe that is being contemplated, he said elections offers citizens an opportunity to lay the foundations or lasting reforms and a prosperous future; it offers the political class an opportunity to show the world that it could address its differences peacefully and constructively for the benefit of all; and it offers the international community an opportunity to assess and to define its continued engagement with Guyana in the context of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and administrative reforms.

Picard told Stabroek News that there were a lot of good people within GECOM who were moving ahead with elections preparations on the basis of legislation at their disposal assisted by a number of international experts including Canadians. One of the international technical advisors is Canadian and the logistics advisor who recently arrived is also Canadian, he said.

He noted that the international community, which is very much behind a process that is free, fair and violence free in Guyana, has long-term observers and is also putting money into the process.

Once elections are over there are long overdue reforms, including the reform of electoral law, that need to be addressed, he said adding that some of the issues that are being raised, such as residency requirement where there might be no clarity, was a matter for the Parliament to address and not GECOM. "They (GECOM) are expected to play the role that Parliament should have played in the last four or five years," he said.

He said GECOM was a politicized entity and should be a technical one instead. Nevertheless, he feels it is organizing the work based on the legislation that is in place.

Noting that the opposition has been raising concerns and the international community has always encouraged GECOM to address them constructively, he said that what counted most at the end of the day was, one person, one vote and being able to vote without coercion.

However, he said there would always be imperfections in elections everywhere and it happens everywhere in the world including Canada and the USA but what matters was that the system in place guarantees one person and one vote.

Clean money

Apart from contributing "clean money" through investments by Canadian companies in Guyana such as Scotiabank, Canadian Bank Note, Cambior Strata Gold, Guyana Goldfields and CGX, which makes Canada one of the largest foreign investors in the country and "contributing in no small way to the genuine development of the country, he expects said that there would be another two or three gold mines opened in Guyana in another two or three years through Canadian investments.

Noting, too, that the new Canadian government in place was committed to supporting Canada's core values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights around the world, he said that in this regard, "We can expect the new government to support a more robust diplomatic role for Canada, a stronger military and a more effective use of Canadian aid dollars. These principles have been my guiding actions in Guyana and they will continue to guide the actions of my successor," the ambassador said. (Stabroek News)

CARICOM's crime and security focus

Manning briefs leaders on meeting with Cheyney

BASSETERRE -- Pressing crime and security challenges facing the Caribbean Community were discussed at a special session yesterday ahead of the ceremonial opening of the four-day 27th CARICOM Summit in the Leeward island state of St Kitts and Nevis.

Chairing the session was Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Patrick Manning who has lead responsibility among community leaders for crime and security matters.

Among matters listed for discussion were new threats from cross-border crimes in narco-trafficking, gun-running, criminal deportees and mutual cooperation by the 15-member community and the United States of America.

Prime Minister Manning was expected to share with his CARICOM colleagues the outcome of his meeting last week with U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney on mutual cooperation in the war against drug-trafficking and terrorism.

He told the Guyana Chronicle that the issues for consideration were "quite sensitive" and he did not wish to compromise the discussion "on any aspect". But he stressed the importance of "mutual respect" in the pursuit of structured cooperation between CARICOM and the U.S.

Yesterday's briefing session came ahead of a scheduled caucus of Heads of Government, possibly tomorrow to deal more fully with the crime and security problems that have had varying traumatic developments in community states like Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.

It could not be confirmed whether the implications of last week's dramatic seizure by U.S. law enforcement agents from a prison in Suriname of the Guyanese businessman Roger Khan, accused of being a major drug dealer, will be officially discussed.

Khan, according to his lawyers in Guyana and Suriname, was allegedly drugged and taken to the U.S. via Trinidad and Tobago's international airport at Piarco from where he was flown in a waiting aircraft to Miami. This was contrary to a claim by Suriname that he had been released from prison for deportation to Guyana.

The governments of Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana have so far been officially mum on the development. Yesterday Manning said he had no comment on the matter.

President Bharrat Jagdeo is a notable absentee from the summit owing to pressing issues of national importance at home, according to what was explained to the government of Prime Minister Denzil Douglas.

Yesterday's crime and security briefing by Manning was preceded by a meeting of the Prime Ministerial Sub-committee on External Trade and Economic negotiations, chaired for the first time by Jamaica's Portia Simpson-Miller, who succeeded the retired Percival Patterson last April. She is to provide a report to a plenary session of the summit either today or tomorrow, according to conference sources.

Secretary General Edwin Carrington, asked to confirm whether the signing ceremony for access to the Caribbean Single Market (CSM) by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States would take place as part of the opening ceremony, said he was still "awaiting word" from the OECS Chairman Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.

Most of the OECS leaders, including Spencer, were due within hours of the formal opening ceremony, and Carrington said that while he was expecting the signing to take place, he preferred to hear from Prime Minister Spencer.

The opening ceremony, scheduled to start at 16:00 h, was expected to be a lengthy session with six Heads of Government and Secretary General Carrington listed to speak before delegates attended a "welcome reception". (RICKEY SINGH/Guyana Cronicle)

The private sector would support Deputy Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene, who is tipped to succeed Winston Felix as head of the Guyana Police Force, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Gerry Gouveia said.

But Gouveia believes that there should be some form of judicial hearing before the appointment is made. He also called for the re-establishment of an anti-crime unit, with well-trained and highly-disciplined ranks who would be tightly monitored under strong leadership.

"The Commissioner of Police is a very important functionary of the state and I believe that there should be some form of hearing where people can recommend or object to the person chosen," Gouveia told Stabroek News during an interview on Tuesday.

He said Greene was respected in the private sector and he had every confidence that the Crime Chief would perform his duties professionally. However, Gouveia said, the GCCI or the private sector reserved the right to criticize and or recant from its position if the commissioner failed to produce results.

Recently the GCCI and other members of the private sector had called for the resignation of Felix following escalating violence and the release of taped conversations allegedly between the police chief and other persons. Last year however, the GCCI had presented an award to Felix for outstanding work done.

Gouveia said many persons have looked at that and said the private sector had double standards. He told Stabroek News that at the time of the award the private sector was not in receipt of certain information, which sought to compromise Felix. He said once that information was available the GCCI had to take a stance, hence the call for Felix to resign.

Gouveia would not say exactly what information caused the call for Felix's resignation, but it is widely known that the conversation in one of the tapes makes some unsavoury remarks against Gouveia and another leading businessman. Felix is due to proceed on pre-retirement leave shortly and it is expected that Greene, who is next in line, would take over from him.

Not void of talent

On the issue of the performance of the police force, Gouveia said he believed that within the ranks there are intelligent, highly-trained and brave servicemen. He said the force needed to utilise these talents coupled with some foreign intervention. "But with all the talks of foreign help I don't believe that we are void of talent here in Guyana. Within the ranks of the army and police force they are high calibre men who will do their job professionally - men who are respectedâ€¦ so we don't necessarily have to look extra-regionally," Gouveia said.

He said what was needed was for the Joint Services to work on their image, noting that many citizens have expressed serious concerns and alarm on how searches are currently being conducted. The Joint Services launched countrywide searches late February following the disappearance of the 30 AK-47 rifles and five pistols from Camp Ayanganna.

So far several places have been searched and hundreds arrested and released. Citizens have routinely criticized the operations and some had even staged a week-long demonstration. Gouveia said while he supported the Joint Services operations he believed they must respect people's rights.

According to him, they are part of the country and they must pay very close attention to winning the hearts and minds of Guyanese and not alienating the population and making the public their enemy. He said while looking for specific law-breakers, the lawmen should ensure that they do not make people angry with them. "They need citizens as their allies and not their enemies," Gouveia said.

In the area of funding for the law-enforcement agencies, Gouveia said Guyana is quite capable of helping itself in this regard. He said government had been very generous, supplying the armed forces with adequate resources. He said what is now needed is the human will and commitment to get the work done. "If we can't find it in police alone then we have to look to the army," Gouveia who is also Managing Director of Roraima Airways and Roraima Inn said.

Anti-crime squad

He acknowledged that internal security instability is Guyana's greatest threat at the moment. He said to deal with this threat there is need for the re-establishment an anti-crime squad. A previous unit, the Target Special Squad (TSS), was disbanded by the current head of the police force owing to alleged unprofessional conduct and corruption.

Gouveia said any new unit should be set up under strong professional leadership with a group of men who are highly disciplined and well trained. He said with the escalating violence today such a squad is priority. He said too that members of any such unit are often called upon to put their lives on the line and as such they would need psychological counselling. Such a unit should be properly monitored and remunerated, which would minimize the opportunity for corruption.

Additionally, Gouveia said, members of the unit must also be kept under tight management control, as if there is no leadership members will go astray. Gouveia also said that there should also be an oversight body evaluating the modus operandi of the squad and its members' lifestyles.

He said the disbandment of the TSS was unwise, adding that if there was corruption among the ranks then they should have been charged and placed before the courts. He asserted that when the TSS was in existence it was taking the fight to the criminals, but since its disbandment criminal organization has evolved unchallenged.

Gouveia said too that if the police are serious about fighting crime then they should work vigorously to fix the 911 System. He said too often citizens reporting crimes have complained that the number has either rung out or it was busy. Gouveia said this must be quickly corrected. (Stabroek News)

PRIORITIES FOR ST. KITTS SUMMIT

Advancing CSM, regional crime, security and health agendas

Minister of Home Affairs Gail Teixeira (right) joined Commissioner of Police Winston Felix and other members of the Guyana Police Force in celebrating the institution’s 167th Anniversary yesterday at a Church Service.

Held at Police Headquarters at Eve Leary. The event kicked off a month of Anniversary activities, including a Route March around Georgetown next Saturday. (Picture by Winston Oudkerk)

Look out for a new format in the structure of meetings and shaping of agendas for Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, both for their Inter-Sessionals and Summits, after this week's 27th regular conference in Basseterre, St. Kitts.

It has to do, in part, with varying "consultation" meetings with civil society and other representatives in mind, as well as striving for more effective functioning of the Community Secretariat that could well highlight the necessity also for an empowered mechanism for better governance, such as a widely recommended CARICOM Commission.

However, re-organisation of the twice-yearly Intersessional and Summit meetings of the Community leaders would certainly not be pressing an agenda item in comparison to weighty, priority economic, political and social issues scheduled to be addressed during the four-day summit that begins with a ceremonial opening tomorrow afternoon at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank complex.

*CSM: Count priority issues to include, for instance, resolving differences for the much-awaited official announcement of a full slate of 12 participating member countries being on board for the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) with hopes of proceeding to a seamless regional economy in 2008 when the vital `E’ makes the CSME operational.

*DEVELOPMENT FUND: Secondly, there remains the issue of finalising arrangements, including the contribution formula for capital endowment of the proposed CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) which is to be initially established with US$120 million and later expanded, with envisaged external resources, to US$250 million.

*CRIME AND SECURITY: A third priority issues would be coming to grips with very challenging social problems of serious crimes that threaten to undermine national security in many of CARICOM's 15-memer countries.

These include, ironically, Trinidad and Tobago, whose Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, has lead responsibility among Community leaders for regional arrangements on crime and security.

Expected Difference

The difference for this week's summit in relation to the "crime and security" agenda, is that the CARICOM leaders would find it difficult to simply make bland statements about "progress" having been made in arrangements by the layers of structures and mechanisms created. Some specific details would be required in support of assurances in the face of societies traumatised by killings, kidnappings, rape, armed robberies by the criminals armed with sophisticated weapons and intelligence-gathering equipment.

The crime and security agenda, normally addressed in closed-door caucus sessions, will take place at a time of rising and controversial reports of stolen arms, ammunition and equipment from within some army and police services and ongoing public concerns about the independence and integrity of their respective high command.

*HUMAN TRAFFICKING: This horrible global phenomenon in the exploitation of men, women and children for the bourgeoning sex trade as well as a source of cheap labour, is to be discussed for the first time as an agenda issue at a CARICOM summit.

This would be at the specific request of Belize which has complained of having come under inordinate pressure from United States authorities, and unfairly given a punitive Tier-3 category rating that has identified it as "a source, transit and destination country" for the purpose of cheap labour and sexual exploitation.

A shared concern among some CARICOM states that have been previously identified by the USA as having a human trafficking problem, in varying degrees (including Guyana and Jamaica), is the arbitrary rating system employed by American authorities.

The policy, some contend, smacks of an earlier heavy-handed approach by other administrations in Washington in the unilateral deportation of Caribbean nationals deemed as criminals, among them those who grew up in America and often with no family member or close relative back in the land of their birth. This problem remains under review for amicable resolution.

Security Council seat

*SEUCURYT COUNCIL SEAT: Discussion by the leaders on hemispheric and international developments of importance to the Community would certainly include the current bitter clash between the USA and Venezuela in the filling of the two-year non-permanent UN Security Council seat which is being vacated in October by Argentina.

The George Bush administration, which is openly campaigning for Guatemala, has made clear its firm opposition to Venezuela, under President Hugo Chavez, being chosen for the seat. Currently, however, the majority votes among CARICOM and Latin American nations favour Venezuela.

Critical to a majority, if not a consensus vote in CARICOM for Venezuela, would be support from Guyana, which has a colonial-inherited border dispute with the Venezuelans, and Belize's backing also in preference to a representative of Guatemala with which the Belizeans have a historical territorial row.

*HEALTH AND FREE MOVEMENT: Review of actions being taken to advance recommendations from the Sir George Alleyne-headed Caribbean Commission on Health and Development will be led by host Prime Minister, Denzil Douglas of St. Kitts and Nevis, who has lead responsibility for health and human resources issues among heads of government.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica is to report on progress in the area of free movement of an expanded category of skilled CARICOM nationals.

Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo will, for the first time, be absents for a CARICOM Summit, due to what has been explained as "matters of pressing national importance" at home. His brief on regional agricultural development and food security will, however, be handled in St. Kitts by Foreign Minister Rudy Insanally.

There are to be updates on arrangements for the establishment of a Caribbean Business Council by Prime Minister Owen Arthur, who has overall lead responsibility for CSME arrangements, and, from Grenada's Prime Minister Keith Mitchell on the latest status quo on readiness arrangements for Cricket World Cup 2007.

*HAITI: There is to be a special working session with President Rene Preval on the current situation in Haiti and his government's future working relations with the rest of the Community.

Preval is among five speakers listed for tomorrow's opening ceremony at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank complex. The others are: Community Secretary General, Edwin Carrington; outgoing CARICOM chairman, Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago; Jamaica's Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller; Vincentian Prime Minister Gonsalves and Prime Minister Douglas, incoming Community chairman for the next six months. (Analysis by RICKEY SINGH/Guyana Cronicle)

Accused logger Bryan Vandeyar, who stabbed fellow logger Haimnauth Ramnarine to death in 2003, and then reported to the Police he had wounded a man who was sodomising him, was yesterday sentenced to death.

Defence counsel Mrs. Marcelle Hinds-Thompson argued that under the circumstances in which the offence was committed, the law says the killing was justifiable homicide, but the mixed jury returned a verdict of guilty of murder.

Although there is only one sentence that could be imposed for the offence of murder – the death sentence – defence counsel had asked the judge to impose a term of imprisonment instead.

But trial judge Yonette Cummings-Edwards, without responding to counsel’s application, ordered all in the court room to stand, as she read the death sentence.

Later, relatives of the accused intimated that the prisoner would appeal against the conviction and death sentence.

The Prosecution’s case was that following a rum spree at Governor Lyte, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, attended by the accused and Ramnarine, the latter was stabbed to death in a struggle with Vandeyar.

The post mortem revealed 10 stab wounds on Ramnarine’ body, and that he had died of shock and haemorrhage. On the other hand, Vandeyar’s story was that he was awakened from sleep by someone attempting to sodomize him, and he hit out at his attacker with a knife which was kept under his pillow.

The man turned out to be his friend and fellow-logger Ramnarine, called ‘Miner’. Yesterday, the judge summed up the evidence in two and a half hours, and the jury took two hours to reach its unanimous verdict. Guyana Cronicle)

Mother gets seven years for manslaughter

Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards yesterday ignored an application to impose a non-custodial sentence on Deniece Stewart, a mother of three who killed her 34-year-old husband Louis Lall, called ‘Steve’, on January 11, 2004, she was sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

Stewart was charged with murder but the jury found her guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter. The judge had ordered a probation report which was presented yesterday.

Before imposing sentence, the judge said that she had taken cognisance of the probation report on the woman – a junior teacher, who became car washer and waitress after she had to give up her teaching job because of pregnancy.

She resorted to these jobs as her husband spent his money and time in rum drinking. The trouble reportedly started when the husband invaded the wife’s home and demanded the three children who were then in her custody.

The Prosecution led by Miss Omeyana Hamilton said the woman beat the husband with a rolling pin and then stabbed him to death. But the accused, represented by Mr. Compton Richardson, said it was the husband who was armed with a knife, and might have received the injury when he was pushed into a trench.

Richardson had told the judge that the case was a fitting one for a non-custodial sentence. But the judge refused, taking into account the fact that the prisoner had already spent nearly three years in prison, and the sterling plea in mitigation by defence counsel. (Guyana Cronicle)