N Touch

Airlines need passenger dress code

THE EDITOR:  Perhaps this is not the best time to voice this sentiment, but I feel that our airlines should enforce a “dress code”.

I have been very uncomfortable sitting next to sweaty sleeveless travellers especially on the Tobago run, among other foreign ports. I am sure many will agree with me. People board flights in slippers, coveralls and general tainted work clothes. Some of these people fall asleep before the flight is airborne. Generally, the sleeping one gravitates close to you. Must I say more. Perhaps because we might have grown accustomed to similar situations in our taxis and buses we put up with such indignities.


THOMAS
METCAFFE
Pt Cumana

The Sugar Industry – before and after the PNM

There is nothing in the history of Caroni Ltd between 1956-2003, that the PNM Governments 1956-1986, 1991-1995, 2001-2003 has anything to be ashamed about. As a matter of fact, successive PNM Governments have been very kind and generous to the sugar industry. It’s one thing for Mr Panday both in his capacity as a politician and trade union leader to make his demands to the Government on behalf of his constituents and/or members of his union, after all this is his legitimate right, this is what he was paid for. It is however insanely absurd and totally incorrect for him and the President General Mr Indarsingh to accuse any PNM government of discrimination, racial or otherwise against sugar workers, and Mr Panday knows this more than anyone else. The following facts are well known to Mr Panday.

The PNM came to power in 1956 winning 13 out of the 24 seats in the General Elections. The party lost every seat in the sugar belt overwhelmingly to the then PDP led by the President General of the ATSEFWU even the seats that Bhadase did not win, the PNM lost to Independent. L F Seukaran, Stephen Maharaj, (Butler party), Ajodah Singh (Independent). One of the first responsibilities of the PNM government, six years before Independence, was to eradicate hookworm in the sugar belt, under PNM’s first Minister of Health, Dr Winston Mahabir.

In spite of the enormous success of this programme PNM again lost the Federal Elections in March of 1958 to the PDP under the flagship of Sir Alexander Bustamante and the Federal Labour Party. The PNM not only lost in Caroni, it lost in St George East, Victoria and St Patrick, wherever sugar workers were in the majority we lost. By 1961, Bhadase had given way to Dr Capildeo. We won the General Elections, but lost every seat in the sugar belt. It was no different in 1966 with a splintered DLP again under Dr Capildeo. In 1971 there was the No Vote Campaign, in the sugar belt.

In 1976, we saw the emergence of Mr Basdeo Panday and the ULF. Bhadase had gone, Rampartapsingh’s trade union stumps were uprooted by the grey fox, not yet silver. It was the period of the oil boom, but just remember that during the period 1956-1975 under successive PNM governments, the sugar industry was owned and controlled by Tate and Lyle and Sir Harold Robinson/Woodford Lodge. It was a period that no sugar worker wants to be reminded of, ask Mr Sudama? BP, Texaco and other oil companies were retrenching left, right and centre, wages and conditions in the sugar industry were very much inferior to most if not all of the other major industries.

 Tate and Lyle had their own sweetheart relationship with Bhadase who kept his membership under complete control with a perfect brew of religion, culture, politics, his blend of trade unionism and violence. Ask Sudama about this lethal combination? Successive PNM Governments continued not only to subsidise our sugar workers but the private cane farmers as well. Cane farmers for the first time obtained official recognition under the late Mr Norman Girwar, the Cane Farmers Act was made law. Cane farmers for the first time in their lives were united and recognised under the law. Copies of this historical document are available at the government printery. Tate and Lyle the absentee landlord and international exploiters correctly anticipated the demise of the sugar industry. Sugar was no longer King and it was time to sacrifice the workers and this useless kingdom.

 They offered us our own land for sale, it was the PNM government under our visionary leader Dr Eric Williams that purchased the estates to protect the jobs of the sugar workers, and the history and culture of this segment of our nation. Williams knew the history of the industry more than anyone else. He and his government saw the value current and future of the Caroni lands, he knew that these lands were soaked and baked with the blood, sweat and tears of African slaves, indentured labourers, Chinese labourers and poor classless Europeans all victims of European imperialism. Today we hear all kinds of bogus stories, unreasonable and totally unjustifiable demands for the 77,000 acres of land owned by the government, owned by all of us, without anyone taking into consideration or putting into proper perspective the historical origin and brutal development of an industry that has haunted, terrorised, and divided our forefathers and ourselves all our lives. How can anyone, more so a former President General of the union a former Prime Minister of our nation accuse the PNM, Manning, Chambers or Williams of discriminating against sugar workers? Mr Panday fortunately arrived on the scene at the right time.

It was very soon after his election to office as President General of the union, decapitating Rampartapsingh his nominator and mentor that the oil dollars began to flow. He rightly, and correctly so, demanded and obtained his pound of flesh from the government who now owned the industry for his members.

The best increases and working conditions sugar workers ever obtained in their over 150 years of history were given to them by successive PNM governments, 100 percent increases, pension plans, diversification, new crops, increase management, more jobs, more subsidies. Guaranteed employment (40 hr week). Panday became the doyen, the sahib of the sugar workers, he was now King Baz. Year after year he threatened to close down the industry, bring down the government, he learnt his lessons well, he was able to increase the power of the lethal brew much stronger than his predecessor Bhadase Maraj. Of course better educated, a Hindu, a professional actor, he combined the ingredients of religion, culture, politics and trade unionism with his natural charisma. He appeared to be fearless and unstoppable in the sugar belt. He courted George Weekes and the so called radicals. Bhadase had betrayed them, their messiah had arrived it was only the brilliance, timing, and political astuteness of Dr Eric Williams that stopped him from taking over the government.

 Fortunately for us, in retrospect, Dr Williams read him, understood him, and played on his ego and ambition, like Cassius he was a very ambitious man, and Williams was quite happy, recognising his limitations to accommodate his limited attributes, once he was able to confine him to the sugar belt. Most of the time he and his government generously bowed to Panday’s demands, Errol Mahabir the brilliant politician that he was and I assume still is, was the middle man, the conduit. Errol also knew Panday’s limitations, he knew Panday was quite happy and satisfied once the sugar workers got what they assumed was and what he Panday convinced them was their share of the cake, Williams, Errol and the party never considered him a serious political threat not even Kamal.

The flamboyant leader had more bark than bite, Panday knew how to get what he wanted even from George Chambers, ask Errol. They knew his measure, it would not be incorrect to say that the PNM assisted Panday to become the force he eventually became. He was pampered and encouraged by the government once he didn’t pose a threat, he knows this more than anyone else. Ask Errol, Kamal, Padmore. As a political adviser to Dr Williams I not only knew the shots, I knew when, where and how they were to be played again ask Errol, Padmore and the top public servants Barsotti, Rampersad, Alleyne, Moore or the late Sam Worrell.

Williams, Chambers and the PNM were always there for him and the sugar workers. Successive PNM governments downsized, retrenched, call it what you want. On the Port they reduced the labour force from over 6000 in the late fifties early sixties to the current 700. They emasculated PTSC ask Joe Young, Clive Nunez, Aberdeen, and Brewster, they emasculated WASA, National Fisheries,TSTT, the IDC They divested several state enterprises thousands of workers, traditional PNM supporters lost their jobs, lost their homes and families while all this was going on, successive PNM governments were heavily subsidising Caroni 1975 which appeared to be the only legitimate child of the PNM government.

Caroni was untouchable three billion dollars in debt was written off in 1993-94, by the very Manning government whom they are now accusing of racial discrimination against sugar workers unadulterated rubbish from the voice of a dethroned monarch who is desperately struggling to regain his lost tribe. I can only hope that our comrades in the sugar belt recognise like their trade union colleagues on the port, WASA, PTSC and the other enterprises who were victims of downsizing and restructuring that the party is over, take the best package and move on as the rest did. Just remember, less we forget sugar workers are not lazy or lacking initiative, unlike Panday. Thy must and will survive.

Mr Panday must now tell his faithful, loyal, dedicated, fanatical disciples what he did to protect and secure them between 1986-1988 and 1995-2001, after all he had to bite to sweeten the brew for his members, a careful examination of the history of this brutal and notorious industry will clearly reveal that the sugar workers/cane farmers best days, years, were under the successive PNM governments.

I challenge anyone to deny this unquestionable fact. It’s time for our research scholars to document the history of the industry that brought most of our forefathers and mothers here, with a special study on the industry titled “The Sugar Industry Before and After the PNM”.
The PNM can be accused of many, many indiscretions. Political, economic and otherwise, discrimination against workers and the sugar industry, is certainly not one of them.

What price liberation

TO PUT IT simply, the United States is responsible for the alarming state of chaos that now exists in Iraq, particularly in the capital city of Baghdad, and it is, therefore, the urgent duty of the invaders to restore order in that unfortunate country. In other words, they made the mess by their massive assault on Saddam Hussein’s country and they must now clean it up if the terrible human tragedy they inflicted on Iraq is not to get worse.

There was no doubt in anybody’s mind about the vast superiority of the American military force that stormed into Iraq and that the US invasion, supported by some British troops, would eventually succeed in toppling the Iraqi dictator’s nasty regime. And, having regard to the hardships they suffered under Saddam’s long and despotic rule, the scenes of rejoicing among crowds of Iraqis after the heart of their capital was “liberated” seemed only natural. The reign of the odious oppressor was no more and the jubilant crowds vented their feelings by toppling his statues, bashing them in and dragging the heads through the streets of Baghdad.

But their newly won freedom was far from being an unmixed blessing, as chaos and confusion took over the city whose water and electricity supply had been destroyed by US bombs. In the absence of law enforcement, looters are now rampaging through the city, stealing from shops, government buildings and palaces and even from the homes of private citizens.

After the horror of the bombs, a different kind of terror now grips Iraqi cities as the invading soldiers are not mandated to enforce civil order. While some were celebrating the fall of Saddam, the battle was still raging in another part of Bagdad and other Iraqis were plotting to wage a different kind of war against the occupying forces. As an ominous sign of things to come, a suicide bomber killed a number of US soldiers at a checkpoint in the capital. Over in the city of Najaf, now under US control, an armed mob burst into the country’s holiest Shiite shrine and stabbed and shot dead senior cleric Abdul Majid al-Khoei and an aide. Khoei, who was photographed with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair during his defection in London and was clearly backed by the United States, was a victim of the power struggle that has now erupted among the Shiites for control of the city. His assassination now seems certain to spark an internecine religious struggle that can only add to the country’s instability.

The “liberation” of Iraq has also produced a potentially volatile situation in the north of the country where Kurdish fighters have taken over the oil-rich city of Kirkuk as the first step to setting up a new Kurdish state. This move has provoked great anxiety in Turkey which has been fighting a Kurdish secession movement at home and fear that establishment of a Kurdish state in northern Iraq would spark a rebellion among the large Kurdish population occupying most of Turkey’s south east.

Accordingly, Turkish officials have sought US assurance that the Kurds will not have their way at Kirkuk and are moving to send their own military observers into the area. So the United States has achieved its objective of toppling Saddam Hussein, but at what price? Apart from the killing and maiming of hundreds of Iraqi citizens, the repercussions and consequences of this “victory”, both in the region and across the world, seem truly frightening. A myriad of contending factions, both religious and ethnic, seem intent on taking advantage of the chaos in Iraq to make their play for influence, hegemony, power and the fulfilment of old ambitions. Also, the other side to rejoicing in Bagdad is a switch to guerrilla warfare by Iraqis opposed to an American occupation of their country. What price liberation!

Aussies rout Windies for 237

GEORGETOWN: Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored the third fastest hundred in Test history yesterday to keep West Indies’ hopes alive in the first Test against Australia.

Australia, celebrating captain Steve Waugh’s world record 157th Test appearance, were still in control as they reached 120-1 at the close in reply to West Indies’ 237 all out with Justin Langer unbeaten on 55 and Ricky Ponting on 46. But it could have been a lot worse for the home team, who were reduced to 53 for five before Chanderpaul, batting in front of his home crowd, helped them to relative respectability. The West Indies were also boosted by an undefeated, one-legged half-century by Ridley Jacobs, who batted with a runner after straining a hamstring. He was left stranded on 54 as the wickets fell around him on a day when four West Indies players were dismissed for ducks and six failed to make double figures.

Chanderpaul, batting at six and better known for his adhesive rather than attacking qualities, took 70 balls to reach his hundred — 14 more than the quickest Test century, by current West Indies chairman of selectors Viv Richards against England in 1986. Chanderpaul’s seventh Test century, which he completed by hitting leg spinner Stuart MacGill for four and then kissed the ground in celebration, was part of a 131-run sixth-wicket stand with Jacobs. Chanderpaul finally fell LBW to quick bowler Andy Bichel — who ended with three wickets for 55 — as he collected a painful blow on the point of the knee without adding to his 100. Moments later Bichel also dismissed Vasbert Drakes for a duck, wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist scooping up a fine one-handed catch.

But Jacobs, who was unable to keep wicket in the Australia innings and was replaced by Wavell Hinds, carried on to complete an 11th Test half-century off 100 balls, including six fours and one six. The second session was an extraordinary reversal of the first. Struggling on 89 for five at lunch, West Indies then scored 147 at 5.65 runs an over at the cost of three wickets. Waugh, who broke Allan Border’s appearances world record as he took to the field, had spent the morning applauding his bowlers. Australia, seeking to return to the top of the world test standings, soon broke through with wickets in successive overs to reduce their hosts to 10 for two.

Brett Lee trapped debutant Devon Smith lbw for three — television replays suggested an inside edge — for the first wicket of the series and Jason Gillespie bowled Daren Ganga for a three-ball duck. Left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg, in the side for the disgraced Shane Warne and part of a five-man attack also including leg spinner Stuart MacGill, was brought on after 12 overs and took two for five in two overs. Australia made a steady start despite losing Hayden when he was run out for ten by Drakes at mid-on with the score on 37. Langer reached a half century off 79 balls, including six fours and one six, while Ricky Ponting was not far behind, reaching 46 by the close off 72 balls.

WICB: Gayle is eligible for selection

FOLLOWING a review of reports from Jackie Hendriks, president of the Jamaica Cricket Association and Chris Gayle, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has decided that Gayle should continue to be eligible for selection for the Cable and Wireless 2003 Series against Australia.

Gayle stated that he had informed Hendriks that he wished to follow through with his plans to play in the Double Wicket Tournament in St Lucia rather than the Carib Beer International Challenge Final. “Mr. Hendriks indicated that he did not have a problem with my taking part in the said tournament, but he did not commit either way,” Gayle said in his report. Gayle added that he also informed the Jamaica team manager, Lyndel Wright who suggested that he needed to speak with the Jamaica chairman of selectors, Ruddy Williams. “In our conversation Mr Williams told me to think about my decision and whatever my decision was they would understand and support me either way,” the opening batsman reported.

Gayle indicated that these gentlemen had not objected to his participation although he had no formal written approval. He also stated that he was not aware that he could be in breach of the eligibility rule. Following its investigation, the Board has accepted that Gayle received tacit, if not explicit, permission to play in the Double Wicket Tournament in St Lucia rather than the Final of the Carib International Challenge. The WICB wishes to emphasise that players for the Double Wicket Tournament were selected solely by the organisers. In a letter to Gayle, the Board has expressed its disappointment about his choosing to play in the Double Wicket Tournament rather than for his national team in the Carib International Shield Final, even after the tournament organisers offered to release him.

Jacobs: I did it for West Indies

GEORGETOWN: West Indies wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs, who produced a remarkable one-legged half century to help keep his team afloat in the first Test against Australia yesterday, said he had put the team before his health as he hobbled through the innings.

Jacobs pulled a muscle above his groin early on but continued batting and in the process helped Shivnarine Chanderpaul hit the third-fastest century in Test history before he completed an unbeaten 54. Jacobs and Chanderpaul’s stand also pulled West Indies to 237 all out after being 53-5 when they came together.

The 34-year-old Jacobs, who said afterwards that he could not bend his left knee because of the injury, needed a runner and spent most of his innings hopping around on one leg after every shot. Wavell Hinds took his place behind the wicket when Australia batted. “When you get selected to play, you want to give everything for the countries of the West Indies,” Jacobs told reporters. “I saw Shivnarine was playing very well and I realised I had to stay there as long as possible. I just wanted to help him make some runs.” “We will have to see what happens in the next couple of days. I’m really pleased I got some runs (yesterday).”  Meanwhile, Chanderpaul said he felt the century, his seventh in Tests, was his best innings in Test cricket. “I was playing against the best team in the world and I was playing at home,” the 28-year-old said.

Rain robs TT women cricketers of victory

CASTRIES, St Lucia: Guyana and hosts St Lucia registered wins and defending champions St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) had a no-result finish in the latest round of the West Indies Women’s Under-23 cricket tournament on Wednesday.

Guyana defeated Jamaica by seven wickets, while St Lucia were five-wicket winners over the President’s XI, and a tense game between SVG and Trinidad and Tobago was aborted because of rain. At the Gros Islet playing field, Anabelle Lewis (2/18) helped bowl Jamaica out for 91 in 34.5 overs with Nickeisha Francis (16) the top-scorer.

Guyana replied with 92 for three in 25.3 overs with Onika Wallison (24) and Indomatie Goordial (21) leading the way. Maria David (38) and Minelva Flavius (23 not out) led St Lucia to 113 for five and a comfortable win at Vieux Fort against the President’s XI, who were bowled out for 112 in 38.2 overs. Captain Davie Latchman (14) top-scored for the President’s XI against medium pacer Royline Cooper (5/20). Bowling for the President’s XI, Angela Wade and Sharon Bowen had each picked up two for 25.

SVG and Trinidad and Tobago, both coming off first round wins, had to settle for two points each for their no-result match at the Mindoo Phillip Park. After a rain delay reduced the match to a 23-over affair, SVG were reduced to 84 all out in 22.5 overs, and T&T were 57 for two off 14 overs when rain finished the game prematurely. The tournament resumes today after yesterday’s rest day with St Lucia playing Guyana, SVG meeting the President’s XI and Trinidad and Tobago playing Jamaica.

Augusta Masters washed out

AUGUSTA: The first round of the Masters was called off yesterday for the first time in 64 years, after more rain fell on an already water-logged course.

Tiger Woods’ quest for a record third straight green jacket is now set to begin today at Augusta National Golf Club. Officials hope to get in 36 holes then, though more rain was expected in the morning. “We believe this golf course is unplayable,” said Will Nicholson, chairman of Augusta National’s competition committees. “This golf course will just not take any more water.”

Look Loy’s plan for TT football

FIFA Development Officer Keith Look Loy, a member of the Technical and Development Committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), has presented a plan for the development of Trinidad and Tobago football.

That plan was announced to a large gathering of football administrators, as well as Sports Minister Roger Boynes and Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Orville London at the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence, Macoya, Tunapuna, on Tuesday. According to Rudolph Thomas, chairman of the TTFF Technical and Development Committee, “it is a philosophy based on collaboration and a commitment to excellence which also seeks the long-term sustainable development of our football.” Among the issues highlighted by Look Loy were (1) how do we arrive at a higher level, (2) development of coaching education and fitness and (3) the establishment of a National Association Development Plan from 2003-2006.

The former national youth team coach said that the plan was different from others in two ways — it is a construction from a consensus from a wide cross-section of the community and the scope and content provided by the approach. CONCACAF Director of Development and member of the TTFF Technical and Developement Committee Richard Braithwaite revealed that the details of the plan will be discussed at a workshop on May 22 and 23, following which the first draft will be completed (wthout financials) on May 26 and the second (with financials) on June 12.

The TTFF Executive is expected to approve the development plan by June 20 and a final presentation will be made six days later (June 26). Among the personnel in attendance were FIFA vice-president and CONCACAF president Austin Jack Warner, TTFF boss Oliver Camps, Caribbean Football Union (CFU) General Secretary Harold Taylor, TT Pro League chairman Larry Romany, TTFF General Secretary Richard Groden and vice-presidents Raymond Tim Kee and Lennox Watson,businessman Wilfred Espinet, technical adviser of the national football team Alvin Corneal and assistant team coach Jamaal Shabazz.

Royal Flush heads Easter Guineas list

ADORING GROOM STAKES winner Royal Flush is among a list of 20 runners for which final subscriptions were paid to be eligible to race in the Union Park Turf Club Easter Guineas.

Trainer Anthony Serville who trains the son of Time For A Trick/Royal Beauty, the shock winner of the 1750 metres contest could have two runners in this year’s renewal, with Affirm Decison also in the field. Champion trainer John O’Brien with five horses, has the largest number of runners in the 1800 metres contest, representing the first leg of the local triple crown. His string will be headed by Cornerstone, runner-up behind Royal Flush, and Ichiban who was installed favourite only to dissapoint behind the duo in their first run around two turns.

Due Dilligence, Hanniba’s Will, and Isle Be There are the other members of O’Brien’s string for which final subscriptions of $400 were paid in  the Group One event to be run off on Easter Monday (April 21). Trainer Glen Mendez who captured the 2001 edition of the event with triple crown winner Carnival Messiah, have three runners in this year’s renewal. His hopefuls in the West Indian-bred three-year-old classic are Celebration Time, Sweet Tempo and Top Of The Class. The kitty for the opening stanza of the tri-part series closed off with a healthy $42,400. The Champagne Stakes, the turf feature for the top bracket on the Easter holiday card saw eight runners being left in at the final stage of the 1600 metres contest.

Sugar Mike, who was reinstated as winner of the March 27 Allowance feature following an appeal to the Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority after being disqualified, is among the star-studded line-up. Connections of the American-bred five-year-old forked out $4,800 to be among the elite group, which includes last year’s Gold Cup winner Adawar and new staying sensation Phantom Bidder. Completing the small cast in the event closing off with a total subscription of $18,400 are Carnival Messiah, the first triple crown winner this century, Invincibility, My Son John, Smooth Operator and Sure Ting.

Following are the horses for which subscripions  were paid for the Guinea:
AFFIRM DECISION, CELEBRATION TIME, CORNERSTONE, DARE TO DREAM, DUE DILLIGENCE, FULL OF PROMISES, GOLDEN HONOUR, HANNIBAL’S WILL, ICHIBAN, ISLE BE THERE, NATURELLY CLASSY, PHENOMENON, ROYAL FLUSH, SIR VIDIA, SUPER GREY, SWEET TEMPO, TOP OF THE CLASS, UNDISPUTED, WILD LIFE, YAA ASANTE WAA.