President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday met with President Desi Bouterse in Suriname in the first part of exchange visits by the two leaders to further recent discussions about a greater partnership between Suriname and Guyana.
Jagdeo and Bouterse met in Suriname’s western district of Nickerie and President Bouterse is expected to travel to New Amsterdam today. The two leaders reportedly discussed expansion of existing cooperation agreements between the two countries. A wide range of issues were expected to be discussed, including smuggling, drug trafficking, as well as illegal trade between the two countries. Jagdeo was also expected to address the Guyanese community in Nickerie. The possibility of a Consulate being set up there was reportedly also on the agenda, this newspaper understands.
A meeting here in September between the two leaders saw them agreeing to conduct a feasibility study into bridging the Corentyne River, as both countries pledged to pursue a closer working relationship.
Meanwhile, Ruth Wijdenbosch, vice-Chair of the National Assembly, has expressed surprise at the general silence surrounding Jagdeo’s visit to Suriname and at the news of a Guyanese consulate in Nickerie.
According to the website www.devsur.com, Wijdenbosch queried why the National Assembly was not properly notified of the visit and stated her intention to raise the matter at the next sitting of Parliament.
Regarding the consulate in Nickerie, Wijdenbosch expressed a number of concerns. “Everybody knows that Nickerie has numerous Guyanese residents. But are these people naturalized citizens? Or are their residence permits quietly renewed without involvement of Paramaribo; or the National Assembly for that matter?” she asked. Wijdenbosch represents the opposition National Party Suriname (NPS) of former President Ronald Venetiaan.
According to her, the only matter of importance for Suriname to discuss with Guyana is Tigri. “Camp Tigri is located in a large piece of western Suriname, annexed by Guyana in the sixties and over which both countries have never settled ownership matters,” the report quoted her saying. “As far as NPS is concerned, President Bouterse should talk about Tigri. That is why my party supported (former) President Jules Wijdenbosch. If that’s what Mr. Bouterse will discuss, he has our full support, because Guyana makes it seem as if Tigri fully belongs to Guyana,” Wijdenbosch said.
