Surinamese recognize PNC’s fight in their interest following withdrawal of Brazilian mining company
The David Granger-led People's National Congress (PNC) is being credited by a Surinamese newspaper for its role in opposing the Permission for Geographical and Geophysical Surveys (PGGS) in the New River Triangle area granted to Muri Brasil Ventures Incorporated.
The Times of Suriname newspaper under the bold headline "Guyana’s PNC prevents construction of airstrip in disputed territory" reported on January 4th that "the PNC made it clear to the Guyana government that any actions within the disputed territory which is known as Tigri would cast a cloud upon relations with neighbouring Suriname".
The paper is said to be aligned to Suriname's ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) which is headed by former army strongman and current President Desi Bouterse. The PNC has had a long standing and close relationship with the NDP and this was highlighted by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2004 by the two.
Further, in last August, when Bouterse's son Dino Bouterse was arrested in Panama on illegal arms trafficking, there were several telling revelations, including the young Bouterse connections to the PNC. Leaked US embassy cables also revealed that the younger Bouterse organized a Surinamese soccer team’s trip to Buxton a few years ago. US embassy officials believed that the team bus carried weapons to Buxton which were given to a gang of criminals dubbed 'Freedom Fighters' by the PNC.
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