Advisor of State and leader of the NDP, Desi Bouterse would like to have the following Ministers
hand in their portfolios: Dick de Bie from Transport,Communication and Tourisme. Errol Alibux,
from Natural Resources, Robby Dragman, Trade and Industry, Paul Sjak Shie, Justice and Police,
and Waldi Nain Planning and development.Bouterse announced this at an emergency meeting of
the leaders of the coalition parties yesterday.This did not come as such a big surprise because in
an interview on STVS some time last week Bouterse had already stated his feelings about the
performances of the present cabinet. He had made accusations about some Ministers being
corrupt while others were incompetent.The reactions of the different coalition members to this
have not yet been reported to the Press. Since no one of the five were pointed out as being
corrupt it can therefore be taken for granted that they all were. The leader of the Pendawa Lima,
Marsah Jamin is reported to have said at a meeting of the PendawaLima two nights ago that they
will not work together with corrupt members and has therefore recalled their Minister Nain. Jamin
had also stated that he shared the opinion of Bouterse that some Ministers were not suitably
placed and were not able to get the job done. He said that by withdrawing Minister Nain , the
President will be given a chance to reshuffle the cabinet. He stated further that in case of Nain not
being one of the corrupt ministers he will probably be recalled to the team. Jamin stated further
that the re-evaluation of the PendawaLima in the coalition is still a mattr of discussion and that the
party would like to get an under-ministers post as well as two directors positions.In the mean
while it has been reported that Minister Nain was asked by the President not to hand in his
portfolio.
PLAYFAIR EXPECTS GOVERNMENT TO TAKE STEPS AGAINST
ADVISOR OF STATE DESI BOUTERSE
According to Frank Playfair the Government can either resign or take steps against Desi Bouterse
after the latters interview where he openly accused the government for harbouring corrupt and
incompetent ministers. Playfair said that Bouterse's speech could lead to destabilization of the
country in the political and social fields and that the Government should either dismiss him as
Advisor of State or put him on non-active for the time being.According to Playfair, Bouterse , as
an individual may criticize the government but pointed out that the Government would have to
react to the accusations or agree with him and reshuffle the cabinet.According to Playfair a
government that is criticized by its own Advisor of corruption and missmanagement will not be
highly regarded internationally.He pointed out that you should not bitch about corruption you
should act and hand over proef that can be used to bring those involved before the Court.
Members of the National Army will receive a 100 percent increase starting this month with
back-pay from January 1. This was announced by Army's Commander Glenn Sedney at ameeting
in the Memre Buku Camp which was attended by the President and most of the Ministers. In his
address to the members of the National Army, President Jules Wijdenbosch, clad in Military
Uniform for this occasion, assured them that the government will do everything possible to bring
back the necessary rest in the camp. He criticized the deterioration of the camp.The president also
promised that the Army will receive one of the new ambulances for its hospital.He promised that
three or four of the new homes in each government housing project will be alloted to the army
members.He hoped in this way to satisfy some of the needs of the members.
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