SURINAAMS BEDRIJFSLEVEN
Prins Hendrikstraat 18
Telefoon (597) 475286 / 475287 - Postbus 111
FAX (597) 472287; E-Mail-Adres: vsbstia@sr.net
Web-site:http://www.parbo.com/business/vsb.html
Paramaribo -
Suriname
U R G E N T
To the Secretary-General of the
Organization of American States,
Dr. Cesar Gaviria
1889 F Street
Washington DC 20006
Fax: 202.4583624
The Suriname Trade & Industry Association (STIA) as a partner of the Structured Alliance in Suriname would like to bring the recent socio-political development in our society to your attention, in addition to reports which may already have reached you.
The actions of the STIA since May 1998, after extensive evaluation and efforts to redress the disastrous Government policy, resulted in the proclamation of the Structured Alliance (SA) on October 22nd 1998 in which the STIA, the Joint Opposition in the Parliament and the majority of the Trade Unions in Suriname are participating.
The main objective of the SA is to induce the Government to resign voluntarily, or to force them in a legal manner to step down and to establish an Interim-Government that will realize the jointly established goals.
During the last twelve months ever increasing parts of our Society made it quite clear that the Government headed by President Wijdenbosch was not accepted anymore and that he should step down immediately.
One of the main reasons for the protests in our Society was the fact that all actions of the present Government were seen as detrimental to the further development of our economy.
The business community and major segments of the Trade Unions were closed out from participation in the decision making process, even though the President frequently stated that he would allow these important factors in the civic society to take part in the policy decision making process.
In the week of May 23rd to June 1st 1999, the protest culminated in massive demonstrations of about 70.000 persons demonstrating against the unacceptable deteriation of the situation in Suriname and its government, requesting the President to step down.
On June 1st 1999 a meeting was called upon by the National Assembly during which both Coalition and Opposition submitted resolutions, which univocally requested President Wijdenbosch and Vice-President Radhakishun to step down.
The Council of Ministers was already dissolved by the President a couple of days before this National Assembly meeting.
The Resolution of the Opposition was adopted by 27(twenty-seven) of the 51(fifty-one) members, stating that the only way to halt the present socio-economic crisis was that the President and Vice-President had to step down as soon as possible.
It is important to note the fact that out of the remaining 24(twenty-four) members there were 10(ten) abstentions and 14(fourteen) rejections.
The Resolution of the Coalition was rejected because, although it also asked for the President to step down, it allowed the same President to continue his disastrous Government and to organize the next elections within an unknown time-period.
This Resolution was rejected by 28(twenty-eight) against 21(twenty-one) members with 2(two) abstentions.
The adapted Resolution provides for the election of a new President and Vice-President and a new Council of Ministers, who will execute the specific tasks as formulated in the attached Proclamation Resolution of the SA of October 22nd 1998.
The process for the election of a new President and a new Vice-President has been initiated and will continue in our National Assembly this week.
Meanwhile, on Saturday June 13th 1999, the President unilatery decided that new elections would be held on May 25th 2000 and a new Council of Ministers would be formed.
According to our Constitution the President is not authorized to take this fargoing measure, thereby violating the Constitution again.
From the afore mentioned you may understand that the entire Population of Suriname and its Parliament have expressed their desire that a new Government, which is based on the principles of Good Governance, will have to be in office as soon as possible so that further deterioration of our Country and its Society can be avoided.
For your information we enclose the following documents with this letter:
Suriname Trade & Industry
Association,
Ir. M.A. Meyer, President.