background

VERENIGING SURINAAMS BEDRIJFSLEVEN

VSB

SURINAME TRADE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE POLITICAL SITUATION

1996 – 1999

As from the election of the President and Vice President in September 1996, the formation of the current Government, a number of developments transpired causing substantial commotion in the community, such as:

The formation of a coalition under leadership of the NDP with parties or members of parties which had not participated as such in the elections in May 1996
The appointment of ministers by political parties without complying with the rules of competence and irreproachable conduct
Problems in the government coalition, in the process of which the minister of finance was dismissed, some ministers had to make their portfolios available and some Assembly members joined the opposition, while others joined the coalition, resulting in the government coalition currently consisting of numerous factions,
Due to the minimal numerical majority of the coalition, it appeared impossible for the National Assembly to function (quorum issue)
Considering the recent public statements made by persons who are part of the coalition, it may be observed that there are numerous grave differences of opinion among the coalition partners

The question that arises in this respect is whether the composition of fractions in the National Assembly (DNA), reflects the will of the people as expressed during the elections in May 1996.

Besides the fact that it is clear that this Government was not formed on basis of the results from the election, it was also very evident that the Government was susceptible to corruption.

We confine ourselves to a listing of matters that may cause corruption (on a large scale), and where control mechanisms are either lacking or eliminated.

The contracting out of large scale state procurements and state works in the process of which accountability regulations are either ignored or evaded.
The establishment of a so-called "Production Investment Fund" without publicly known rules.
The establishment of the so-called "Land Purchase Foundation".
The foreign exchange intervention by the Central Bank of Suriname at rates that strongly differ from the "official rate" and the "black market" rate.
Maintaining a license system with unknown criteria as to both the granting and the rejection of licenses.

Notwithstanding repeatedly sent letters and communiqué’s regarding the continually deteriorating situation, the economic and monetary situation in the country in particular still kept worsening, which gave reason to tremendous financial losses to our members what finally resulted that the business community and other groups decided that the Government should step down for which purpose a resolution was accepted by the members whereby the Board was authorised to execute this resolution by all means.

As of this point meetings were held with the Joint Opposition and the majority of the Trade Unions in Suriname, which resulted in the Proclamation of the Structured Co-operation (Alliance) between the VSB and aforementioned Organisations.

In order to broaden the platform and to sustain the view of the Alliance Structured Co-operation as set forth in the Resolution of October 22, 1998. Consultation took also place with various groups of civic society in Suriname.

Several times actions including strikes took place however without any positive reaction from the Government. To the contrary, again and again, the Government tried to disregard and neglect all opposition.

Everyday it became clearer that resistance was growing which finally resulted in the mass rejection of the present regime headed by President J.A. Wijdenbosch.

The recent demonstrations brought the whole country to a complete standstill and still the Head of Government stated that there was no crisis at all.

Even though that the overwhelming majority of the Surinamese society is convinced that this President is incapable of developing our economy, the President decided in a desperate attempt to counter the protests, he ordered only the resignation of the cabinet of Ministers.

It must be stressed that any other actions taken by this President will not lead to termination of the present actions, because of violation of the principles of democracy and undermining of the constitution.

The Alliance Structured Co-operation announced that under no condition they will accept another Court of Ministers to be headed by this President and that Mr. Wijdenbosch should step down immediately.

The National Assembly of Suriname voted in favour of a motion presented by the opposition, which demanded the immediate resignation of the president and the vice president, by 27 votes in favour and 14 votes against and 10 abstentions.

The implication of the motion is that a new president has to be elected by the parliament. Proceedings to this are scheduled to commence by June 4^th 1999.

VERENIGING SURINAAMS BEDRIJFSLEVEN - VSB

SURINAME TRADE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

June 2, 1999