(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – The National Army (NL) is so divided that commander colonel Hedwig Gilaard has problems keeping things under control. The commander tells de Ware Tijd that politics maintains this discord. If things do not change soon, the army is doomed to fail.
Gilaard is not pleased at all with the current state of affairs within the defense apparatus, as he had expected more room to manoeuvre to do his job.
The commander has noted the discord among the troops. “I think the commander ought to be the boss of all the military. Unfortunately, this is not the case because of politics. This must change; otherwise there will always be different factions.
I am the oldest military officer and all others must be under my command. I’m human, I set the bar high, and perhaps it’s me. More room could be given to me,” Gilaard says.
Ricardo Panka, chair of Parliament’s Defense committee, says the statements by the army commander are “far-reaching,” calling this a very serious situation.
He hopes for a quick and decisive solution. “Our task will not be done if no change has come to the situation of the military, which has been seriously neglected in the past ten years.
We must see to it that the policy that has been submitted will be approved.” Panka suspects the dissatisfaction has to do with resources that are not available in time.
“The committee will pay another visit to the Ministry and the army to listen to the men,” he promises. Gilaard calls his appointment as commander the best moment of his 35-year career in the army in spite of his criticism.
On Wednesday, he was among those who received a medal for their service. The commander notes that the incumbent administration is well-disposed towards the military.
“The government has been in office for just two years now, and much needs to be done.
The things that were done differently must be corrected.” Gilaard joined the army as a conscript, and was among the 423 persons who were decorated on Wednesday in the ‘Memre Boekoe Barracks’ for 10 to 35 years of service.
