(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – Suriname has launched a strong protest against the manner in which the ‘Article 8’ dialogue was conducted in Paramaribo in May. In a statement, Suriname’s representative Rabin Parmessar expressed his displeasure at what he called the patronizing manner a delegation of the European Union (EU) handled the talks.
During the deliberations of the Political Committee of the ACP group, the government was put on the carpet because of the Amnesty Act which Parliament passed in April. Parmessar had expected more ACP support for Suriname. “I have no opinion about that,” Europarliamentarian Ria Oomen (CDA) replies to questions from de Ware Tijd and Starnieuws about how she thinks the EU mission went earlier this year. She is surprised, however, that the political dialogue was held with Paramaribo, but that the partners have not received a report of it. Oomen thinks the criticism of this is thus justified. She is also clear about the committee’s reaction. “I believe they gave a reply that was no good.”
The meeting’s leadership tried to soothe things by saying “let bygones be bygones,” says legislator André Misiekaba who was also present. The chair of the session stated that in future, attempts will be made to let such talks proceed in line with the rules. The talks, which were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in May, ended in a row between Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Lackin and the EU representatives. Lackin was angry that the Europeans refused to include Suriname’s views in the statement that was to be issued to the press. The European delegation allegedly presented a ready-made statement in which Suriname was criticized over the Amnesty Act. After the meeting, Minister Lakhin held a press conference to present his views on the talks.