November 18, 1998
The Court of Justice has expressed its disapproval of the attitudes of the President and the Vice-President during the November 5th meeting of the Assembly in letters to both the President and
the Assembly. During the meeting of November 5th where the constitutional dispute between the
Judiciary and the government was being debated, accusations were outed by the Vice -President
that did not go down well with the Judiciary. Even though the Vice President did take back his
words the accusations and insinuations that were made still hang over the heads of those in the
Judiciary, where questions arise as to the authenticity of the statements. The Judiciary is very
upset with this type of behaviour and hopes that it will not be repeated. The Court has also sent a
letter to the National Assembly in which it states its disapproval with certain members of this
Institute during the November 5th meeting, and criticized the Chairman of the Assembly Marijke
Djawalpersad for not intervening and correcting the members. The Court pointed out that it was
her duty to see that the honor of the Judiciary was not besmirched by members of the Assembly
since it was impossible for the Court to defend itsself against such accusations in the Assembly,
especially when it is being broadcasted and viewed by the whole nation. The letter was signed by
the Vice President of the Court , Mr John von Niessewand and other members of the Judiciary.
Copies have been sent to the Order of Legal Advisors and the Junior Bar.
The Joint Group of combined opposition parties, labor unions and business enterprises are almost
finished setting up the policy of the new interim government that is expected to take over from the
present government should this one resign. This was stated by Fred Derby , Chairman of C-47. A
three man commission is said to be involved with the final preparations, after which a the program
will be discussed by the Joint Group before being presented to the people. The task of the interim
government will be to clear up the mess left over from the present government and to sit out the
rest of this governments time after which a general election will take place allowing the people to
chose a new leader. Since it has been reported by those in the field that many people are not
happy with this government but do not know who to put in its place, the policy will be published
so that everyone will be given the chance to read and examine it. Derby said that this was
important too for the people who will be asked to become new ministers to see what was
expected of them.
There has been a shortage of foreign currency in Surinmae for longer than a week. Especially the
U$ dollar is very scarce. Cambios are not receiving any foreign currency from the Central Bank
and no one is selling to them. It has been reported that early in the morning some offices have a
little amount but that this is soon gobbled up by the early birds. The last rates for the U$ dllr was
between 700 and 720 while the Dutch guilder was selling for 380. The cambios are still selling the
U$ dollar for 650 and the Dutch guilder for 350.
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