N Touch

Beware of US news bias on Iraq

Check this out. You see the fiery thrust of huge cruise missiles launched from US Navy ships, and later exploding in a Baghdad city centre. You learn that 500 such devasting weapons have been fired, again and again, on this population centre. Hundreds of  supposedly “guided” cruise misiles and “smart” bombs, have wreaked hell upon the people of Iraq, albeit to remove an evil dictator. 

Yet ignoring all this, up pops US President Bush moaning that the parading of US prisoners of war on Iraqi television violates the Geneva Convention! What is the real crime against humanity — insulting POWs or smashing down hundreds of cruise missiles and B-52 planeloads of bombs upon the people of Iraq? US television news channels have often failed not just to faithfully report news events, but also to pose some very basic questions to the American public.

Apart from the physical terror of the saturation bombing of population centres in Iraq, the other disturbing aspect of the US military campaign, not yet been exposed, has been the complicity and even active support of sections of the US media. The most basic rule of journalism is to ensure objectivity, fairplay, and even-handedness, with reporters seeking out the views of the other party however odious he may be. It’s certainly no surprise the US military should seek to influence war reporting, acknowledging the dictum: “Truth is the first casualty of war.”  Even in the 15th century, Italian statesman and author Niccolo Machiavelli in The Prince repeatedly said that in war and politics, perception was more important than reality. Adolf Hitler once asserted: “The victor will not be asked, later on, whether he told the truth or not.” In Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh surely foresaw public opinion as the USA’s vulnerability when he rightly predicted: “You will kill 10 of our men, and we will kill one of yours, and in the end it will be you who will tire of it.” 

In the Iraqi War, the bias of US television news is shown even in its very inciting screen headline titles. One CNBC headline is “Target Iraq”, while Fox News has “Operation Iraqi Freedom: War on Terror” (despite that Saddam has never been linked to Osama bin Laden and that many would say it is Bush not Saddam who is now creating terror). US news shows its reporters (imbedded) on location reporting, attired in gas-masks and even chemical suits. This is great theatrics, but extremely prejudicial for independent journalism. Sadly the US media has too readily adopted the terminology given to it by the US Military. Reports say that the US Military needs to capture an Iraqi port city in order to deliver “humanitarian aid” to the “liberated” Iraqis…this after the US has bombed the hell out of thousands of Iraqis and caused the shortages of food and water! We hear of the US/UK’s armies “progress” and “advance”, but never of “invasion”. Let us instead hear the words “The Bush regime”, “Genocide”, and “War of Aggression”.

Even the History Channel for weeks in the lead up to the war helped to prime American minds for the slaughter by showing programmes with instigatory titles like “Killing Saddam” and “Inside the kill box”. On Fox News one night an announcer claimed: “You can count on Fox for fair and balanced news coverage.” Yet seconds later the station broadcast an emotive salute to the US troops set to sentimental music! So much for walking the line. US newsroom anchors openly betray their bias in news reporting when they repeatedly refer to “our troops”. On Fox Channel there is an early morning newsroom report, which resembles a cosy breakfast-table chat where three reporters openly shoot off their mouths, biasedly presenting their limited opinions as being facts.

One reporter, a blonde woman, sounds like a real fascist with her “Ra! Ra Ra!!” advocacy of blowing the Iraqi soldiers to smithereens. Television stations report US military/government propaganda as fact but without assessing what it means. Just so, US news reported that contracts had already been awarded to rebuild Iraq, without even pausing to ask: “Wait a minute who gives the USA the right to blow a soverign country to pieces, invade it, and now start to award contracts to rebuild its infrastructure?”. Bush will spend US$75 B to destroy Iraq, but just $2.5 B on humanitarian aid and rebuilding Iraq. Which reporter is challenging the equitableness of these figures?

There are doubts even as to the accuracy of some “facts” reported. One minute you hear the US has captured a city, days later you hear the Iraqis are putting up stifff resistance there. Unlike the print press wire services like AP and Reuters which have showed worldwide protests against the Iraq bombings, US television news is largely quiet on this. US reporters announcing the take-off of bomb-laden B-52s do so with a sense of undisguised glee, failing to even state that this plane is a symbol of US shame and excess, through its carpet bombings in the Vietnam War including civilians. Further, excitedly reporting the take-off of huge Tomahawk cruise missiles from US Navy ships, for many days the reporters did not even question their accuracy and indeed whether they could actually hit their target.

Only once did CNN show US POWs paraded on Iraqi tv and is seems likely that the channel deliberately “pulled” the footage, very likely at the request of the US Government/Military, fearing  public opinion. The US authoritities and media make a big thing about every single little US casualty, but what about the hundreds or  thousands of Iraqis buried under the rubbble of Baghdad or anonymously in the sands of the desert? As usual, an American life is more valuable than an Arab life. But even before this war, the US media has for years been portraying Arabs unfavourably.

Anti-Arab racism has for decades been viciously shown in the films of Hollywood. One of the most disgusting films I have ever seen is Rules of Engagement (2000) starring Samuel L Jackson. A US Marine who is accused of shooting innocent Arab civilians is saved by video-cameras which “prove” him innocent. What “really” happened, shows the videotape, is that a little girl aged about eight, disabled with just one leg and walking on crutches, along with other little children and some adult civilians, had all started firing guns at the US Marine, who duly fired back with his M16 rifle. The film portrays Arab children as terrorists who are thus justifiable targets of US military firepower. I was shocked at the raw bigotry of the film and at a black actor allowing himself to be used to justify American abuse of another minority group, Arabs.

In US films and television, nothing good is ever shown of this ancient race of millions who are portrayed as just terrorists, dictators or self-indulgent sheiks. The manipulation continues. At this year’s Oscar Awards the organisers restricted the length of winners’ acceptance speeches to stop them talking against the war. Further, literally regressing to 1950 McCarthyism, reports are that Hollywood actors now again face blacklisting if they publicly oppose the war. So, you have a war of aggression in Iraq fuelled by a long history of US media bigotry against Arabs, and with other Arab States like Syria surely wondering what’s in store for them too. Remembering that up to recently Northern Ireland had a murdrous civil war fueled by memories of the 1690 Siege of Derry, and that up to recently Serbs were killing Albanians as “payback” for their defeat in the Battle of Kosovo sometime in the 1200s, surely America should realize it is now sowing the seeds of hate in the Arab world which could last for decades and maybe centuries to come. Meanwhile let us monitor and debate the fairness of the US broadcasts. Let’s keep on our guard. Think for youself, play devil’s advocate, and always read between the lines!

Save us from SARS

WE EXPECT that by now the Ministry of Health has devised a plan to deal with the possible spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) to our shores. Given the high volume and frequency of air travel in and out of TT, we may consider ourselves lucky that this killer strain of influenza has not as yet hit our country. But that fact should not make us complacent and, at the very least, we feel the Health Ministry should be monitoring, at our ports of entry, passengers coming into TT from Toronto and Far East countries — Singapore, Hong Kong, Guangdong Province and other regions of China and Vietnam — where most SARS cases have been reported over the last two weeks.

The outbreak of this contagious disease is not like the epidemics of flu we have experienced in the past, including the extensive but not really dangerous Hong Kong flu. As its name implies, this is a severely acute infection which has already spread to 52 countries affecting some 1,804 persons of whom 62 have died in 15 different places. What the world is facing here is an infectious killer disease for which there is no vaccine or medical remedy. According to an alert issued by the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (Carec) each of its member countries should be prepared for the possible importation of SARS cases. This is important since, as Carec points out, “early detection, isolation and infection control are essential elements for containment of infection.”

It seems necessary then for our public health authorities to be closely monitoring persons arriving in our country who may be suffering from the common symptoms of SARS, such as high fever, respiratory problems like coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing. Such persons should be immediately hospitalised and isolated, since this appears to be the only means of halting the spread of this virulent flu. According to Carec, close contact is thought to be an important factor in transmission of SARS, with an incubation period of two to ten days. The Centre explains: “Close contact means having cared for, having lived with, or having direct contact with respiratory secretions and bodily fluids of a person with SARS. Close contact in an aircraft would be sitting next to a case, in the same row, sitting two rows in front or two behind.”

We need hardly add that visitors who develop the symptoms of SARS after their arrival in our country should immediately seek medical help. Infection with this flu virus, we are told, is most dangerous among persons over 40 who suffer from or have had illnesses such as coronary heart disease, renal impairment or liver problems. These persons are among the ten percent of SARS cases which progress to a more severe form of the syndrome and among whom the mortality rate is high. The other 90 percent of cases seem to recover in six to seven days.

The World Health Organisation issued an advisory on Wednesday recommending that “persons travelling to Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China and Guangdong Province, consider postponing all but essential travel.” In this regard, it may be advisable for Minister of Legal Affairs Camille Robinson-Regis to cancel her trip to Beijing later this month. The Minister is due to attend a summit of the World Intellectual Property Organisation in the Chinese capital, but she will have to consider the risk to herself of contracting SARS and the possibility of bringing the disease back to TT. The team of world scientists studying this flu will sooner or later, we expect, reveal its precise source and genesis. However, the perverse capacity of some viruses to mutate into more virulent forms seems almost diabolical, adding to the woes that already distress our world. Please save us from SARS.

Freedom, a feeling that anything goes

The Editor: The majority of citizens of Trinidad &Tobago will agree that our country, one of the wealthiest in the western hemisphere based on its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is caught up in the throes of social and moral decay presently and Manning and his PNM administration do not know what to do to solve the problem.

Freedom and democracy then as it is now in T&T is the thinking and feeling that “anything goes.” One can cuss, fight, commit murder, rape, run guns and drugs, wine-down in public during carnival, harass, steal, abduct and carry out the most heinous crimes, all in the name of freedom and democracy. And, although the police may charge you for the crime committed — you are almost certain that the judiciary or the magistracy with their own perception of social behaviour and crime will set you free based on technicalities because of old, outdated British law! What a beautiful country to live in!

To build a fair and good society meaning a free society, requires more than simply formal legalisms and economic theories. If our institutions of democracy and capitalism are to work properly they must coexist with certain pre modern cultural habits that ensure their proper functioning. Law, contract and economic rationality provide a necessary but not sufficient basis for both the stability and prosperity of a small yet rich society like ours. They must as well be leavened with reciprocity, moral obligation, duty towards community, and trust which are based in habit rather than rational calculation. This is what a well-meaning government must strive for. Not the empty, vacuous statements and approaches that the PNM has always been noted for while simultaneously running-down our country!


Dr Chris Mahadeo
Port-of-Spain

‘Dear’ doctors

The Editor: Is the action of the doctors part of the civil disobedience campaign?

We can all remember the pain this society endured a few months ago when the doctors bellyached over matters of recognition for their new union which they knew had to go before the recognition board. People died as a result of their callous action.

The foolishness only stopped when an injunction was filed and the doctors were forced back to work or face jail. Part of the settlement was to have the injunction removed; this was a mistake; they are back on the sickout scene again and with another pureile cause. Ironically the PSA is still restricted by an injunction filed against it for a doctor strike in 2002. This has not being repealed and the doctors have left to form their own union while leaving the PSA in a legal straight jacket.

None of them wants to go to Tobago to work yet they want to get comparable salaries (after getting money recently and are still able to do private practice on the people’s time) as the Tobago doctors who are disadvantaged by higher cost of living and other conditions there. It is time the state get itself some backbone and deal with these doctors once and for all, before the pressure cooker which our society has beome erupts in the waiting rooms of our hospitals and blood is spilled in anger.


Mc Donald James
Couva

Time for Constitution change now

THE EDITOR: A TV clip showed an MP berating an opposition MP for wanting Constitution change now but not when they were in power. All that is politics. What is important is that both parties agree on Constitution review now: The Opposition champions it for whatever reasons; the PM wants to move Parliament from the Red House because he anticipates the need for more space through demands of the new Constitution. What we really need now is action. With the unity of vision of Government and Opposition, why the delay in getting the Commission going?

The question we must ask ourselves is, “In what areas has the Constitution failed us and, therefore, what changes are necessary?” It is to discuss and decide on this that we need a Constitution Commission, and we must start now. We can’t wait till the eve of General Election to hustle some kind of something or postpone it again and again.

Some say we need no change, “we like it so”. Some say we should make little adjustments, see how they work, then make other changes later on. Some say big changes are needed now. After forty years of operating this Constitution with its philosophy and its results, we must have an idea of its strengths and weaknesses and of the Constitution that should help create a better world for ourselves and our children. But we shall not know, shall we, until we discuss it through a Constitution Commission.


VAN STEWART
Diego Martin

Hooper, a well-respected regional icon

The Editor: As the 2003 international season gets underway in the Caribbean, cricket is now foremost in most peoples’ minds. The series against Australia and Sri Lanka will prove whether the team rebuilding process succeeded.

The WICB hosted a press conference on Monday last to announce its management team and there are some issues surrounding that event that need to be ventilated. First, there is the issue of the appointment of the captain. Let me state clearly that I am not questioning the replacement of Carl Hooper — I view this as the prerogative of the Board. What I am questioning is the manner in which it was done. This administration came to office promising to be a kinder, gentler administration for whom player concerns would be paramount. In pursuance of that objective, I would have thought that the Board would have extended a word of consolation and appreciation to Carl at this time.

That would have delivered a clear message to player and public alike that the Board is sincere about the well-being of cricketers and West Indies cricket. Shame on Mr Hall and his administration for this grave omission!  After all, this is the current West Indies longest serving individual who has not only held the most prestigious position in regional cricket, but he has served with great humility, dignity and distinction.  

I am sure that I speak for millions of sporting fans in the four corners of the world when I say that we appreciate the grace that Carl Hooper brings to this great game. Though his employers may not think it prudent to do so, we wish to express our gratitude to him as a player and for shouldering the thankless job of captaincy during this critical rebuilding period. The fact that the young players have blossomed under his leadership is testimony to his contribution.

This brings me to a second issue. In the information age, it is now impossible to “fool all of the people all of the time”. The immediate past coach, Roger Harper, is credited with a statement that insularity is creeping back into West Indies cricket and that this will be its undoing. Does the Board think that there is any merit in this comment? It is no secret that there is a story making the rounds of the internet to the effect that discipline on the recent World Cup tour left much to be desired and that there was an unbecoming public altercation between coach and a certain very senior player who allegedly displayed a level of petulance and egotism at a practice session that has no place in team sport. One is forced to ask the question, is super brat back? Does this administration think that it is in the long-term interest of West Indies cricket? In his reference to “insularity”, is Roger Harper reflecting on the adage “no ‘man’ is an island”?

It is very significant that team manager Ricky Skerritt is the only member of the former management team to survive this recent shake-up. Given his well publicised difficulties with the previous president and vice-president; the over-riding of a tour management decision to send Marlon Samuels home from a recent tour of the Indian sub-continent for disciplinary reasons; Harper’s recent admonition about insularity creeping back into West Indies cricket; and clear indications of disunity and low morale in South Africa, as team manager, should he not be held accountable?

The cricket public needs to know from the WICB what the Carl Hooper’s current status in West Indies cricket is. Will the team be chosen on merit and will Carl Hooper have a fair opportunity to compete for selection as a player? Brian Lara stated that Carl would be welcome, but one is forced to ask the question what is Lara’s locus standi, since Hall stated clearly on the radio programme Best and Mason that Lara is merely captain select, since his contract is yet to be negotiated. What are we to make of the much puiblicised reassurances given to Hooper by Sir Vivian Richards, chairman of selectors, following his announcement that he needed time to assess his future role in West Indies cricket? Things get curiouser and curiouser by the day. Surely, we need to hear from Mr. Hall on this matter.

My caution to the WICB is that this is an issue that has to be confronted urgently. At the start of our most important Test cricket engagement in decades, we cannot afford to allow insensitivity and incompetence to create a public relations nightmare, particularly in as much as the world is constantly assessing our suitability to host the 2007 World Cup. Cricket is a West Indian institution and Carl Hooper is a regional icon. Neither the institution nor the man deserves to be treated in a cavalier, undignified fashion. Time will tell, but by their words and deeds the administrators may have unnecessarily invited a crisis of confidence.

Finally, the tassa drums that urged Carl on to a brilliant unbeaten century at Albion on Monday and Tuesday are clear in their message. To the cross section of Guyanese, this issue transcends race, it transcends nationality and it transcends politics. This is a fundamental issue of common decency. My experience as an international sportsman, cricket and public administrator who has lived and worked across the length and breath of Guyana tells me that Guyanese will unite in support of Carl Hooper. For the good of the game and the welfare of present and future generations of cricketers, my plea is that this climate of arrogance and insensitivity should be brought to an end.


Wilton A Angoy
St Michael’s
Barbados

Wilkinson, Reifer stonewall Jamaicans

BRIDGETOWN: Kurt Wilkinson and Floyd Reifer both stroked confident, unbeaten half centuries as Barbados set the foundation for a formidable first-innings total on yesterday’s opening day of the Carib Beer International Challenge cricket final against Jamaica.

The pair added a chanceless, unbroken 130 for the fourth wicket as the home team closed at 228 for three after being sent in to bat. Right-hander Wilkinson was the more fluent in his unbeaten 74, his highest score of the season. The 21-year-old had been dropped after scoring just 74 runs in five matches earlier in the season. But he justified his recall for this crucial encounter, hitting 10 boundaries off 166 balls in 194 minutes.

The more experienced Reifer played with calm assurance in an undefeated 59. The 30-year-old left-hander counted four fours and a six off 182 deliveries in 277 minutes. Off spinner Gareth Breese was the most successful Jamaican bowler with two for 61 off a marathon 31 overs. Jamaica started encouragingly after captain Robert Samuels won the toss on a true pitch. Jerome Taylor, the 18-year-old pacer, struck in the sixth over, removing Sherwin Campbell for 11. Campbell miscued a hook off the top edge to be caught at fine leg by Jermaine Lawson. Philo Wallace and Ryan Hinds consolidated the early loss and put on 45 for the second wicket before Breese struck for the first time just before lunch.

Wallace, Barbados’ century-making star of the semi-final win over Trinidad and Tobago, looked in typically forthright mood in scoring 35 off 52 deliveries. The powerful right-hander lashed four fours and two sixes before he top-edged a sweep to deep backward square leg. Left-hander Hinds compiled a workmanlike 38 before perishing when well set once again. He struck three boundaries off 123 balls. Breese accounted for him but was indebted to David Bernard, who grasped an outstanding catch diving away to his left at mid-off. But, from 98 for three, Jamaica were stonewalled for the remainder of the day by Wilkinson and Reifer. West Indies pacer Jermaine Lawson was restricted to just eight overs in the day as he spent some time off the field with an upset stomach. The four-day match continues today. 

Creamer on top in Seniors Classic golf

Veteran English golfer David Creamer played brilliantly to top the leaderboard at the end of the opening day of the 54-hole Seniors Classic 2003 at the Tobago Plantations and Country Club Course in Lowlands yesterday.

Creamer had only one birdie on the front nine but picked up his game on the back, despite the strong steady breeze to card four birdies and complete the first 18 holes on the par-72 course with a five-under-par 67. But Australian Terry Gale, winner of the Barbados leg of this European Seniors tour last weekend, continued his fine form to be one stroke off the lead on 68. Jamaican Delroy Cambridge and Guiseppi Cali of Italy are a further stroke adrift in joint third with 69 apiece.

Ex-Trinidad and Tobago champion and “wonder-kid” Allan Mew was well placed on minus four on the 12th hole but faltered on the next and again at the final 18th to be in a five-way tie in fourth place on 70. Joining Mew were Horacio Charbonetti of Italy, John Grace and David Oakley, both of the USA; and Mike Miller of Scotland. Following in eighth position on 71 are a cluster of nine golfers — Keith McDonald (England), David Good (Australia), Bernard Gallagher (Scotland), John Benda (USA), John McTear (Scotland), Jerry Bruner, Gerry Burns, Joey Combs (USA) and Guillermo Encias of Chile. Defending champion Steve Stull of the USA is well within striking distance off the lead with an even par 72.

He is joined by John Chillas of Scotland, Tommy Horton of England, Russell Weir of Scotland, Denis Dornian of England, John Mashengo of Japan, Neville Clarke of South Africa, Scott Davidson of England, Malcolm Gregson of England, Noel Ratcliffe of Australia, John Irwin of Canada, Simon Owen and Barry Vivian both of New Zealand. Almost all the golfers complained of the strong steady winds which blew across the parched course and bone-hard, fast greens. Second round play begins at 7.30 am today.


Leading Scores: 67 —- D Creamer; 68 —- T Gale; 69 —- D Cambridge, G Cali; 70 —- A Mew, H Charbonetti, J Grace, D Oakley, M Miller; 71 —- J Benda, K McDonald, D Good, B Gallagher, J McTear, J Bruner, G Burns, J Combs, G Encias; 72 —- J Chillas, T Horton, R Weir, D Dornian, B Vivian, J Mashengo, N Ratcliffe, J Irwin, S Owen, M Gregson, N Clarke, S Davidson.

Vranes holds first training session tomorrow

Trinidad and Tobago’s interim head football coach Zoran Vranes will hold his first session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, with a 27-man squad tomorrow.

This is in preparation for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup playoffs in Martinique from  April 23-27 from which the top two nations will advance to the Gold Cup finals in July. TT are carded to face Martinique on April 23 and Honduras on April 25. In the squad selected are seven overseas-based invitees including  Birmingham City striker Stern John, Livingston defender Marvin Andrews, Avery John (Longford Town), Dennis Lawrence (Wrexham), Brent Rahim (Northampton Town)  Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop as well as English-based goalkeeper Mikhel Peters who is now playing semi-professionally. He  was part of the TT team during the early part of the final 2002 World Cup qualifying round.  Rahim and Avery John have already confirmed their availability.

John (S) indicated his desire to return for the two matches. Among the locally-based professionals recalled are Brent Sancho, Arnold Dwarika, Ansil Elcock, Cornel Glenn, Ian Gray, Aurtis Whitley, Keyeno Thomas, Travis Mulraine, Reynold Carrington, Aurtis Whitley and Cyd Gray. Vranes believes that intense preparation is a key factor now.
Local-based professionals called: Keyeno Thomas, Hollis Brown, Kevin Graham, Denzil Theobald, Julius James, Andre Toussaint (Joe Public); Anton Pierre, Jason Scotland, Selwyn George (Defence Force); Devon Mitchell, Cyd Gray, Ian Gray, Brent Sancho, Aurtis Whitley, Kelvin Jack, Travis Mulraine, Nigel Daniel, Cornell Glenn, Ansil Elock, Trent Noel (San Juan Jabloteh); Kendell Davis, Silvio Spann, Arnold Dwarika, Reynold Carrington, Stokely Mason (Vibe CT 105 W Connection); Peter Ramon Fortune (Arima Fire), Conrad Smith (Caledonia AIA).

TT need one victory to stay put

The combined experience and controlled aggression of the Stone brothers — Shane and Troy — and national champion Ivor Grazette ensured Trinidad and Tobago achieve their goal of whipping Caricom partners St Lucia 3-0 in the crucial American Zone Group Three relegation tennis tie yesterday.

The 3-0 victory placed the “Calypso Boys” in the leader position for the four-team play-offs to determine the two teams which will remain in Group Three. Playing on court one at the Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo, 25-year-old Shane Stone, playing as the number two player, proved too much for Yves Sinson and romped to a convincing 6-2, 6-1 victory. Grazette, playing as the number one seeded player, continues to impress with his overall development and recorded his first victory for the 2003 competition. Yesterday, TT’s reigning senior champion did not let down coach Lennox Francis who strategically decided to let him play in the number one slot.

The experience and exposure in this year’s series helped Grazette to lift his game to a higher level and he finally answered the call with an heroic performance against the determined Vernon Lewis. Grazette fought off Lewis in the first set to squeeze home by a 7-5 margin. But he provided the home supporters with much joy as he scorched Lewis in the second with a convincing 6-1 scoreline after one hour and 19 minutes. His victory gave TT both singles titles. It was now the turn of the Stone brothers who have carried TT colours over the last four years. They did not disappoint and combined beautifully to conquer the Alberto Richelieu Jnr and Sinson tandem in a hard-fought three-setter which finished at 6-4, 3-6 and 7-5 after a marathon two-and-half hours of tension. TT must win at least one match today against Guatemala on court one.

Davis Cup Results – Fourth Day

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO beat St Lucia 3-0.
Shane Stone bt Yves Sinson 6-2, 6-1; Ivor Grazette bt Vernon Lewis 7-5, 6-1; Shane and Troy Stone bt Alberto Richelieu Jnr and Sinson 6-4, 3-6 and 7-5.

GATEMALA beat Honduras 2-1.
Pablo Hernandez bt Cristian Paiz 7-6 (5) and 6-1; Carlos Caceres bt Rodrigo Gabriel 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-0 and Caceres and Hernandez bt Walter Barahona and Jorge Tajeda 6-2, 6-3.

PROMOTION GROUP

JAMAICA beat El Salvador 3-0
Dustin Brown bt Jaime Cuellar 6-4, 6-4; Ryan Russell bt Rafael Arevalo 6-2, 6-1; Brown and Russell bt Jose Baires and Augusto Sanabria 6-1 and 6-3.

PUERTO RICO beat Bolivia 2-1.
Luis Haddock-Morales bt Alberto Sottocorno  7-6 (3), 6-2; Gabriel Montilla bt Javier Taborga 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-4; Gilberto Alvares and Jan Luis Polhamus lost to Diego Camacho and Sottocorno 6-4, 1-6, 4-6.