Oktober 28, 1998
COMMITTEE OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
PLEADS WITH PRESIDENT TO UPHOLD MORAL STABILITY
In a letter to President Jules Wijdenbosch, the Committee of Christian
Churches (CCK), has pleaded with him to prevent a further deterioration
of morals, referring to the way in which the problems around the constitution
were being openly fought over in the media, and to follow the path of dialogue
to reach an agreement in this crucial matter. The manner of evacuating
the Chambers of the President of Justice and the problems with the rice
farmers added to that of the commotion which was caused by the appointments
of the President of Justice and the Attorney General, have both alarmed
and filled the people with indignation. The CCK further stated that the
people's sense ofjustice has been injured and a feeling of great insecurity
and fear for the future has suddenly arisen in the society. According to
the CCK the community was shocked after the recent developments because
it was then clear that the model of dialogue had been replaced by one of
confrontation, a method that destroys the harmony which the Government
would prefer to keep. The CCK declared that it was now up to the President
as leader of the Government to do everything possible to bring about the
necessary order and stability to the community. The CCK said it can understand
the people's alarm because when making important decisions the Government
had declined to follow the legal rules and procedures, opening the way
of favoritism for some while many others were unfairly held back. The comments
and criticism about the government's recent way of acting are not only
coming from the opposing political parties who grab at every opportunity
to place the government in a bad light.There are also many good hearted
Surinamers out there who share the meaning that our country is set on a
collision course with disaster. They make use of their democratic rights
to criticize and guide the government and would also liked to be heard.
The CCK pointed to the cry of distress that echoes in the criticism of
all that are asking for a better living standard, because while some are
taking advantage of the economic chaos to become richer the poor are being
further wrung out. The CCK pointed out that had the right way of dialogue
been followed the Nickerie rice farmers would not have had to go on hunger
strike to wring an agreement from the government. The President's declaration
of a strenghtening of moral codes was welcomed by one and all. What we
are confronted with today gives one the feeling that the community's morals
are further on the slide. This is why the CCK kindly asks the President
when carrying out his policy to make sure that the constitution and the
independance of jurisdiction are safeguarded.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION IN PADI PROBLEM
The Government has agreed to pay the rice exporters the difference between
the official rate and the balanced market rate. The exporters will then
deel with the farmers. A commission will be installed to make a studey
of the accumalated debts of the farmers anda reevaluation proposal will
be submitted. The farmers are given a chance to make loans at the banks
against an interest of 12 percent. These were the three main points of
the principle agreement that was reached late last night. Jiwan Sital presented
this accord to the farmers late last night and it is expected that with
this accord the actions of the farmers will possibly be called off. The
farmers had demanded that the sector be dollarized which is more or less
what has happened. The padi price will now lie between 6000 and 7000 per
bale making it possible for the farmers to make some money to continue
their businesses. The commission that will be formed will consist of members
from the Central Bank, the Ministries of Finance and Agriculture and some
people from the rice sector. Concessions will have to be made by all three
parties to reach a reasonable agreement in this matter.
INAGURATION OF FERRY SERVICES SURINAME-GUYANA
President Janet Jagan's visit to Suriname on the 30 and 31 of October will
mark the inaguration of the ferry services between the two countries. The
maiden voyage of the Canowaima will take place under the supervision of
both President Wijdenbosch and President Jagan. Mrs Jagan is expected to
spend most of her visit in Nickerie where most Guyanese live. High on her
agenda are talks of cooperations in the bauxite,fisheries and forest sectors,
while she is also hoping to reach an agreement with the Suriname Government
to grant the Guyanese fishers permission to carry out fishing operations
in Suriname waters.
SITUATION HELATH SECTOR SOMBER
Frank Poen, coordinator of the Medical mission (MZ) is worriedabout the
future of the entire health sector. In his meeting two weeks ago with director
of health , Mrs Rinia Codfried-Kranenburg, Poen again brought to the attention
of the director the fact that the nurses attached to this mission have
not yet received the 60 percent increase that was promised to them. Poen
declared that thouhg the mission is still carrying out its job does notmean
that their problems are over. He stated that the 100 million that the government
had deposited for the mission was finished and that they will still wainting
on the rest of the amount that amounts to 800 million.
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