Bouterse lauded over New River strategy

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – It is a ‘responsible strategic move’ by President Bouterse not to discuss the border dispute with Guyana immediately at the start of bilateral talks. Only when friendship and cooperation have been established and the countries live as good neighbours the right conditions will have been created to deal with this prickly issue. Legislators Sheilendra Girjasing and Melvin Bouva share the same opinion on this issue, while DOE faction leader Carl Breeveld thinks the issue should have been discussed for it would show maturity in mutual relations and a mature attitude of the two political leaders. Girjasing points out that in negotiations the thorny issues are saved for last. This should be applied in the Paramaribo – Georgetown relations. Breeveld says, however, that ignoring the matter right now would give the false impression that everything is OK between the two countries. President Bouterse said last Friday he would first focus on points of mutual benefit rather than of contention, a stance Guyanese President Donald Ramotar completely backs. The Guyanese head of state referred to the similarities between the two countries arguing that it is important that they work more closely together to achieve greater benefits for both countries. Girjasing underscored that the ‘New River’ issue is definitely not off the agenda. ‘I consider the president’s move quite responsible. Right now the two countries are a still very far apart on this issue, so the focus should be on other matters. Border disputes can take years to solve but it will be placed on the agenda when the time is right,’ says Bouva. Breeveld argues that the border dispute has nearly caused enmity in the past, so it would have been right to discuss it right off. Whatever Suriname’s stance right now, it should never surrender claims on New River and broadcast this internationally. On the other side Surinamese organizations should see to it that they use the correct map of the country. It is regrettable that some organizations use a wrong map, Bouva says.