GUYANA PASSES CRICKET WORLD CUP LEGISLATION

UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 001154 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON PGOV CASC ASEC GY SUBJECT: GUYANA PASSES CRICKET WORLD CUP LEGISLATION Ref: GEORGETOWN 979 ¶1. With minimal debate, Guyana's Parliament unanimously passed legislation governing venue access, commercial rights and public order for the Cricket World Cup, scheduled to take place in Guyana from March 27 to April 9, 2007. The International Cricket Council (ICC) mandated passage of the so-called Sunset Legislation, which expires after the event, by November 1, and Parliament's approval clears a major legislative hurdle to Guyana's retaining the games. ¶2. Discussion on the bill, which was fast-tracked to passage in one sitting on November 2, focused on the magnitude of fines for violations of prohibitions on ambush marketing and infringement of commercial rights. Ruling People's Progressive Party parliamentarian and former Attorney General Bernard DeSantos also introduced an amendment to include a maximum nine-month prison sentence in lieu of fines. In an unusual display of cooperation, Opposition People's National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) member and Deputy Speaker Clarissa Riehl reportedly praised Prime Minister Sam Hinds for engaging the PNC/R to seek support for the bill and said that "failure is not an option" for Guyana to prepare itself for the event. ¶3. With passage of the Sunset Legislation behind it, Guyana's attention will now turn to the completion of the stadium venue. The Deputy Prime Minister of India is scheduled to come to Guyana on November 8 to christen the stadium, which the Local Organizing Committee reports is 99 percent complete. ICC officials are scheduled to come to Guyana on November 16 to assess Guyana's preparedness and make a final determination as to its suitability to host the games. ¶4. Local Organizing Committee head Karran Singh met with EmbOffs November 3 to discuss Guyana's preparedness. When asked about his biggest challenge, Singh cited security concerns, specifically crowd control. An ICC contractor is set to provide security training to 350 venue staff this month. As far as expected attendance is concerned, Singh did not have information on ticket sales, but he noted that some tour operators have released hotel rooms due to less than expected demand for high-end ticket packages. The LOC is still in the process of arranging bed and breakfast and tent accommodations (reftel),and Singh also noted that the local Muslim community is making arrangements to cater for cricket fans from such nations as Pakistan, whose team will likely play several games in Guyana. Singh also expressed disappointment with the Mayor of Georgetown for not taking a leadership role in sprucing up the city, and he suggested that President Jagdeo should also make preparation for the event a higher priority in the run up to the games. Singh did not ask for USG support. ROBINSON