Guyana Observer News

By Freddie Kissoon

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Why is there a sudden rush of sexual allegations against very prominent East Indian politicians who are penetrating and effective anti- Government activists? Something seems not only rotten but go beyond decomposition and decay in the state of Guyana. he gargantuan headache this thing is creating for the Guyanese people is the zealous pursuits of the police officers in these situations. A young lady, a former tenant of Mr. Peter Ramsaroop, made a complaint of being videotaped, secretly. The police secured a warrant and swooped down on every property Ramsaroop owned in Demerara.

The Alliance For Change (AFC) in a statement yesterday said that it was shocked at the allegations being leveled against its former Chief Executive Officer Peter Ramsaroop. The party added that he has denied the allegations and the Party expects that a thorough and professional investigation would be conducted and that it will be free from political direction. The party also sought to clarify what it called recent erroneous press reports, which suggested that Ramsaroop was asked to resign from his position as CEO. The party explained that as part of its ongoing preparations for upcoming elections, the Party commissioned an Organisation and Management Review which was conducted by a Consultant during the first quarter of this year.

President Bharrat Jagdeo cannot inject money unilaterally into the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project. This is according to Eminent Chartered Accountant, and attorney-at-law Christopher Ram, who said that the any money to be invested into that project by Guyana has to be approved by the National Assembly. “He has changed the entire face of the project,” adding that there will be implications for the consolidated fund. Ram was at the time responding to statements made by the President at the International Conference Centre  where he said that he will be injecting some of the money to be had from Norway into the Project.

(VOA News.com) President Barack Obama has signed a law that will require the U.S. government to shine a brighter spotlight on governments that tolerate or sanction press freedom violations.  The Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act, which gained final approval from Congress last month, is named after the Wall Street Journal reporter who was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in Pakistan in 2002. The law directs the State Department to include in its annual global human rights report, information detailing the state of press freedom and the extent to which governments are supporting or tolerating or are actually involved in violations.

Is funny how news does spread. Imagine that C.N. end up in de papers wid a report how he beg de Americans fuh de visa that dem tek away. Dem boys want to know if de visa is like a piece of cake or book. People can tek it and put it up and give you back when dem ready. Well right away C.N. announce that he never beg de Americans. Dem boys want to know how de story reach de newspaper Dem know that if you got smoke you got fire. But one thing is certain. Dem Americans don’t give back dem thing just so. Dem know that when dem tek action is a serious action and is something that had to get approval from high up.

The Guyana Police Force seems to have squandered a whopping $19M on a twin engine boat that was supposed to be an integral part of their maritime operations but which is yet to be officially put to work. The boat, which was purchased last year, has been down for want of engine parts or maybe a new engine ever since it went on is first trial run up the Demerara River. It is now lying at a wharf at Parika awaiting possibly two new engines. This newspaper understands that in the first place the boat which ran on gasoline is more of a pleasure craft. The experts say that it is not suited for the operation for which it was bought. According to a source the first signs that the purchase was bad occurred when the boat was out on trial up the Demerara River. he boat which was purchased by the Guyana Police Force for $19M and never put to use after more than a year.

- recommends UNHRC working group

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has recommended that Guyana investigate and prosecute, where necessary, abuses committed by the “‘Phantom’ Death Squad”.  This was among the first of the recommendations made by the Council when this country presented its report for UNHRC Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Tuesday. Among the first questions posed after the report was presented, was one dealing with extra judicial killings and excessive use of force by the military and police forces. Questions were also posed on the issues of impunity and lack of accountability.
Recommendations call for Guyana to examine the adoption of a formal moratorium on executions, with a view to abolishing the death penalty, and to provide adequate human rights training to security forces officers. Guyana’s presentation to the Universal Periodic Working Group was made by Head of the Guyanese delegation, Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. Other members of the delegation were Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira, and Ambassador Dr. Patrick Gomes.

Vision Guyana leader Mr. Peter Ramsaroop is no longer a partner with the AFC, and has since resigned from the CEO position of the party. According to reports, Ramsaroop is now preparing to make his own run for the presidency. A source within the AFC has indicated that the party's leadership is behaving more like dictators, and that they are not prepared at all to govern Guyana if given the opportunity.