January 4, 1999
Robby Naarendorp, Chairman of the FOLS stated that the schools will continue to open until 11 am. There is no reason why this action should be stopped. He said that the situation is worse now that the official rate of the US dollar has been set at 700. According to Naarendorp the community is being taken for a ride. In his New Year's speech to the Nation President Jules Wijdenbosch had stated that there will not be a drastic increase in the prices for goods, but Naarendorp says that till tell. He also pointed out that the price for petrol and electricity were increased and that this will sooner or later have a effect on the prices. The FOLS strong man finds that the community has not been prepared for the eventual calamities that lies ahead. Naarendorp announced further that though there were rumors that the situation was back to normal this was not the case and that there could not be any talk of normalization until the package consisting of 11 points has been settled with the government.
Willaim Wolfe, an American witness in the Dutch case against Desi Bouterse has accused the Minister of Natural Resources Errol Alibux of drugs-trafficing. According to Wolfe, Alibux had told him that he had transported cocaine to Cuba. Alibux who is friendly with the Cuban Leader Fidel Castro is said to have used Cuba as a transit-harbor for drugs. The Dutch news media ANP has reported that Wolfe is an FBI witness in the case against Bouterse. Wolfe is said to have been detained for five and a half years for financial fraud and since his release is being protected by the FBI as a witness in this case.
EX-SPOKESMAN JUNGLE COMMANDO IS DEAD
Frits Hirschland, who was known as the spokesman and secretary for the Jungle Commando, died yesterday in Amsterdam, Holland at the age of 50. Hirchland will be remembered for his connections with the Jungle Commando that was led by Ronnie Brunswijk during the civil war in the 80's against Army Commander Desi Bouterse. He was secretary, spokesman and one of the financers of The Jungle Commando. Hirschland will also be remembered in the musical world where he was producer for many bands including Kayak, Earth and Fire and Status Quo. His productions were famous in both America as Europe.