February 2, 1999

FIRST DAY TEACHERS ACTIONS HUGE SUCCESS

The protest actions carried out by the FOLS and the BVL can be regarded as a huge success. The majority of schools in and around Paramaribo and also in the districts were closed. Parents kept their children at home and the teachers held their get together at the different Union centers. Students from the HAVO-1, the Lyceum-1 and the SPI went to the Ministry of Education where they demanded to see Minister Ramsundersingh. The students wanted to know what plans the Ministry intends to take to bring back order in the educational sector. The students pointed out that it was already 4 months that matters were amiss in this sector and it was about time that the government did something about it. The students informed the minister that they were willing to fight for it. The minister informed the students that the government via the Special-Team-of-Ministers and the Unions were trying to find a solution but he feared that the Unions demands were of such that the government could not agree to them. Even though they responded to the Unions actions some teachers were not very happy about the way in which the Unions were trying to press the government into making a decission by closing the schools. They felt that the children should not be the victims of this and that there were other ways in which this war could be fought.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CLO, FOLS AND BVL REJECTS GOVERNMENT SUGGESTION

The governmensuggestion of a quarterly financial injection was rejected by the Unions yesterday. According to Michael Miskin, Secretary of the CLO, the governments suggestion was not acceptable because this would not be taken up in the vacation allowances and the pensions. The Unions perfer a steady monthly increase. The suggestions of the government would vary with the fluctation of the rates and could also stop. The Team of Ministers will report this to the Board of Ministers where this matter will once more be discussed. In the mean while the Unions will inform their members of the governments suggestion. Schools and Government offices are expected to close again today as the action enter its second day.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

COURT SPOKE WITH CANDIDATE-JUDGES

Members of the Court of Justice held a meeting today with the newly installed candidate-judges. It is not yet known what the

results of this meeting were. Vice-President of the Court and acting President of Justice Mr John von Niesswand would not give any comments on what was said but stated that there was a possibility of a follow-up meeting soon. It has been reported that seven of the eight candidate -judges were present at this meeting. One did not attend. The Court also spoke with the Barristers Organizations. Dean of the Order of Barristers, MR Gheetapersad Gangaram Panday stated that during this meeting the Court informed those present that it had not heard anything further from the government after its given advice over the candidate-judges. The Court reported that it was shocked to have read in the papers that the installations were to take place. Gangaram Panday reported that the Lawyers were very disappointed with this action of the government towards the Judiciary. The general meeting that was scheduled to be held today with all members of the Barristers Organizations has been postponed until thursday. This according to Gangaram Panday was mainly due to the lack of enough information that's needed to call this meeting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ALCOA'S CHAIRMAN VISITS SURALCO LLC

Mr Paul O'Neill, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Alcoa Inc., is expected to pay an official visit to Suriname. He will be arriving today for a one-day-visit. The high point of Mr O'neill's visit is to honor Mr Henk Ramdin, Suralco's ex President and Managing-director, who went on pension on January 1st 1999. This event will take place during a special ceremony to which members of the government and the Suriname Business Association will be invited. The Alcoa's Chairman will also pay a courtesy visit on the President of the Republic of Suriname, Dr. Jules Wijdenbosch. Mr O'Neill will also take the opportuinty of exchanging ideas with other high officials and representatives of Industry. Mr O'Neill will also pay a visit to Suralco's Paranam Operations on wednesday where he will be given a plant tour and will also visit the spots where the last two critical accidents took place.

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