Custom officers who were on strike the past week will resume work today while members of the
Union and the Ministry of Finance are expected to hold talks today about the implementation of
the labor agreement. This was decided on friday after the government had installed a security
watch in and around the harbor complex to safeguard the goods on the premises and also to keep
those on strike from entering the complex. Union Leader Romeo Chin a Loi said that the customs
were not in the midst of a political scheme to over throw the present government since politics
was not their business. Even though both parties were somewhat disappointed in each other over
the resent developments, they have managed to iron out their differences and will resume talks
today. The matters yet to be worked out are for a new customs head office, medical benefits, their
own directorate, the leasing of land and a possible cash fund. The Union realizes that it will not
be possible to implement all points immediately but at the same time stated that some of the points
were not that difficult to carry out. The customs will also not be held responsible for any damages
that were done to goods and vehicles in the period that they were not allowed on the premesis.
They also asked that the security watch be withdrawn from the complex before they resumed their
duties.
PARLIAMENT HAS FAILED TO SETTLE JUDICIARY DISPUTE
Even though a motion was taken which proved that 26 of its members were for and 14 were
against that the appointments at the High Court be respected, Parliament has still not been able to
setle matters at the Judiciary. According to Geeta Gangaram Panday the National Assembly has
not only faid to find a solution but has taken over the seat of Justice. Fred Kruisland, Chairman of
the Suriname Lawyers Association has stated that in order to gain control over the Judiciary the
government is making sure that the perogative of the appointments to this institute is theirs. He
added that as long as the conflict continues the one holding the higher political position will have
control over the other powers. The Lawyers Association will meet tomorrow to discuss the
motion and also the statement made by the Vice President, which according to Kruisland was a
tasteless and below the belt form of action by the government to win the coflict with the Judiciary
.When asked over the absence of members of the opposition by the voting for the motion ,
Kruisland said that is was a mistake for these members to walk away because it could be
interpreted as a sign of defeat on their part. He added that if the peoples representitives gave up
the fight what was then to be expected from the people.Gangaram Panday said that he was
disappointed that the President had given wrong and insufficient information to the Assembly.
Both Kruisland and Gangaram Panday have stated that the motion has not settled the conflict and
that the Lawyer, Judges etc will stick to their principles and make it as difficult and impossible as
they possibly can for Veldema and Rozenblad to carry out their duties.
Heads of schools who are at present carrying out actions have been advised by the MINOV to
turn in their keys at the Inspector of Education so that teachers who are not on strike could be
allowed to do their jobs. Teachers who would like to do their jobs are advised to report to the
Ministry of Education The schools will remain closed today and tomorrow. MINOV would also
like to have the safety of the schools that are open guaranteed.
-END-