In reaction to the accusations outed by Desi Bouterse against the present government for
harbouring corrupt Ministers and asking to have at least five of them hand in their portfolios, Vice
President Radhakishun stated in an interview with the press that the Government is complete and
that no changes were going to take place. According to Radhakishun, Bouterse had spoken as
Leader of the NDP, and as a politician he is allowed the scope of such accusations, had he spoken
as Advisor of State, that would have been an entirely different ball game and the necessary steps
would then have been taken against him. The Vice-President stated that the Government will take
action against any Minister that has been proven guilty of corruption, but as matters now stand
the Government is stable and will remain so for a long time.
Judge John von Niessewand has ruled that Eddy Jharap be given the chance to resume his job as
General Manager at Staatsolie, one hour after he passed the sentence allowing Jharap the right to
do so. In the case of him being prevented from doing so the State will be fined 25 million guilders
per day for not recognizing the ruling. During the hearing the Court was filled with workers of
Staatsolie who had come to support their director. After the ruling was announced shouts of joy
resounded from the court room. The Judge declared the decission of the A.V.A to fire Jharap
void and did in no way apply to the contract that was signed between the two parties in 1980,
which states that Jharap would be the General Manager of the State Oil Company. The State as
the only share holder is not a statutory body and its responsibilities does not extend beyond the
capital of the company. Frank Kruisland, Jharap's legal advisor pointed out that this was the third
time the Judge has ruled in favor of Jharap but was not sure if this would be the last since he did
not know if further steps will be taken against his client and sees the problem as a sort of
power-play - "I am the share holder and I will decide the company's policy." Jharap will resume
work and take up the reins of managing the company once again.
It has been reported that the State Oil Company has reached a daily production of 12000 barrels
from the Tamabaredjo field, this is a production increase of 2000 barrels within nine months since
the production in January was said to be 10000. The increase is the result of renewed pumps with
a higher capacity. The company is also busy with a project for separating gas from the crude and
is busy making plans to begin a small electric central. The idea is to buy three gas generators that
will deliver 0,5 MW energy. This will reduce the cost of energy annualy by half a million
U$DLLRS. The company hopes by the year 2000 to produce 14000 barrels oil daily.
The Board of Ministers held a meeting yesterday to discuss the growing tension in the coalition
and the possible reshuffling of the present cabinet.It is widly known that Desi Bouterse would like
to see a reshuffling of the cabinet with five new ministers. Both President Wijdenbosch as well as
the other coalition members are not for sending away ministers. This is causing some differences
by members of the NDP who do not see eye to eye with the party's Leader.From reports of the
meeting of the coalition leaders it has been reported that Bouterse had stated that Minister Alibux
and The President of the Central Bank should both be replaced. Rumors were spreading like wild
fire the whole day yesterday and the wildest tales were being told.It has been reported that all top
members of the coalition were alert until late yesterday waiting to hear what dicissions were
made.In the meanwhile this type of tension is liable to influence the rates of foreign currency
especially the U$dllr and Dutch guilder on the X-Change markets.
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