February 3, 1999
MARCEL ZEEUW DETAINED IN HOLLAND, SURINAME EMBASSY
DEMANDS HIS IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lt. Col. Marcel Zeeuw was arrested yesterday by the Dutch justice authorities
for drug-involvement. At the time of his arrest Zeeuw was at the Police
Head Quarters in 's Graavenhage where he went to file a complain against
the Dutch authorities for slander, libel and insult to his good name and
honor. The Suriname Embassy in The Hague is reported to be shocked by this
action of the Dutch Justice Department and had demanded his immediate release.
Zeeuw left for Holland about a week ago to testify in the Dutch case against
Desi Bouterse. According to reports he was told by The Hague's Officer
of Justice , E.D Hardewijk, that he would be free to move around Holland.
Local lawyers are of the meaning that Zeeuw should have demanded a safe-conduct
guarantee before leaving for Holland because apart from being a witness
in the case he was also a suspect. The Dutch Embassy in Paramaribo refused
to give any comments on this stating that it was strictly a judicial matter.
The Dutch Press-Officer of Justice, Liesbeth Horstink, stated in an interview
with a Dutch radio station that anyone suspected of commiting a crime in
Holland stand the risk of being arrested. This was confirmed by the Suriname
Dean of the Order of Barristers Geetapersad Gangaram Panday and also by
Hugo Essed, Coordinator of the Junior Barr.
PARENTS CONFUSED BY CONTRADICTING MESSAGES
Call-up-messages from the side of the Ministry of Education as well as
from the Teachers Unions are causing confusion to parents who are now at
a loss as to what they should do. The Ministry is calling on the parents
to send their children to school to receive education and also on the teachers
to return to their jobs. The Unions on the other hand are calling on the
parents to keep their children at home because the schools will be closed
and also on the teachers who have not yet joined with those carrying out
actions to do so or they would be forced into action by those already in
action. These contradicting messages are confusing both children and parents
alike while the educational conflict continues.
UNION AZP THREATENS TO CLOSE HOSPITAL
If the government does not pay the amount of 2 billion guilders today into
the account of the Academic Hospital the Unions threatens to start with
actions that will result in the closing of the Hospital. The financial
position of the hospital is precarious. The Electric Company (EBS) has
threated to cut off its power supply because the hospital already owes
them 24 million. The hospital also owes the Water Works (SWM) 3 million
and the BGVS (local suppling drug company) 55 million. According to Fred
van Russel, Chairman of the Hospital Workers Union, the BGVS is thinking
of stopping their supplies to this hospital. Apart from this it is not
sure if the hospital can meet the salary-payments at the ending of this
month. Van Russel is angry because the government is not showing any reaction
and the workers are worried. Also all efforts to have meeting with the
Minister of Public Health and The Mother Union's Chairman Imro Grep have
so far failed. The Union has therefore decided that they will no longer
tollerate being kept on a string and have called a general meeting today
with all 700 of their members. If it is still not certain before the meeting
how the government plans to pay its debts the Union will then start actions
that could probably lead to the closing of the hospital. The Union leader
hopes that the government will come over the bridge with the money and
avoid these actions from taking place. Director of AZP Rabin Parmessar
has reported to the Union that there will soon be a solution for these
problems but the Union leader was not convinced because Parmesser is at
present in Holland. When he returns on Sunday then the Union leader plans
to find out from him how these promises would be fulfilled.
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