Months before the controversial seizure of a Guyanese vessel in the Corentyne River, Suriname’s Justice Minister Chandrikapersad Santokhi claimed that the river across its entire width to be completely Surinamese territory.
According to a report in the de Ware Tijd newspaper, Santokhi made the claim in April to Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo, explaining that nationals of both countries engaged in economic activities on or through the river should abide by regulations in force. de Ware Tijd said Santokhi made the comment to President Jagdeo during a meeting of Caricom Ministers in charge of national security that was held in Guyana.
In mid-October Suriname’s maritime authority seized the MV Lady Chandra in what Guyana has labelled an act of aggression. The boat captain was placed in the lock-ups and the other six crew members were left on board the vessel. The vessel and crew were eventually released after the payment of a fine of US$400. Guyana has since lodged a complaint with the United Nations over the incident.
Re: “Justice Minister Chandrikapersad Santokhi claimed that the river across its entire width to be completely Surinamese territory.” God forbid, in these times of global warming and rising of oceans and rivers, if the Corentyne river encroaches way beyond its Guyanese bank, then Berbice ultimately becomes Suriname’s.
I am not sure where the boundry line is drawn but I think Suriname is playing the bully in this whole situation because they know Guyana is very passive. It does not take much to rattle up the lunatic on the western end either, he has a few more beats to his drums and they are pounded at higher decibels. I wonder if these two decide simultanoeusly to beat their ‘ war drums’, which one Guyana is going to ‘dance’ to?. It is going to take a titanic of an effort to get that little shrimp to stay on it’s bank of the Corentyne river.
Eventhough we Guyanese find the time to fight each other we are certaingly going to unite to defend our country from outsiders.
This government needs me to settle this case…………….
……..not so sure!!…….. the wealth and health of the corentyne is wholy and soly dependent on the corentyne river…….and a certain group just care about themself and the false back track business activities……..these activies extend to city of georgetown………john smith think again!!……………
Suriname still bitter about the Oil thing. Since they weren’t awarded any of the oil rich zones, all the muddy water and fish in the Corentyne river seems to belong to them. In their own words “Guyana got oil, Suriname got water and fish”
Guyana, should have never exposed it’s military un-capability to the Surinamese, by leasing their air-craft in the search of the missing USA-plane in the Essequibo region.
Surinamese do have military empowerment, war planes, war ships, war tanks and even a mini-submarine, while Guyana is having pucknies and chilas to fight a war with.
Why in the hell they had to lease air-craft from Suriname, when the USA was already involved in the search of their missing plane.
It is now my call again to each and every Guyanese to……..”Guyana Chronicle “letters” of 20. 10. 2008”
After all these years Guyana still have problems withSuriname over the Corentyne river ,now if the report is true what was the President of Guyana doing about it ? it looks like he is tired and sitting waiting for the issue to die away like many cases in Guyana .
if the guy had spoken to Jagdeo why did he stay silent up to now he should have said something loud on the issue instead of waiting for them to act like some bully claiming the entire river I hope this is not true, lets wait and see how this play out.
Sandhurst you have to go out there and defend your president and country from the suriname army ……you might need a TUBE to sail accross the river because no boats are available because they are busy smuggling fuel from Trinidad and elsewhere.
Ow man ..Sandhurst did not say anything here first this time. he is silent on this one, maybe no knowledge.
Push for the international courts to decide and give a verdict. Words of Oil/crude/petroleum is making our neighbours incompatible, they would lose could of wait to get cheap petro.
The guyana govt need to step up it’s game and solve this situation, bring in international arbitrators, petition the united nations and get this matter resolved or guyanese won’t be able to use the corentyne river again.
the british has resolve this border issue with the dutch, let them provide the document.
amen-ra, as sad as it is, the entire river belongs to Suriname, and what’s worse is the comment by John Smith about the rising sea level due to “global warming”.
What successive administrations have failed to do was to attempt a compromise, or some form of negotiation with Suriname. Instead they just continue to roll over and play possum, hoping that somehow this very serious issue would resolve itself.
And let’s not be fooled by such talk as “nationals of both countries engaged in economic activities on or through the river should abide by regulations in force”, because that is an open book for the abuse of Guyanese using that river.
I personally experienced the hostilities and downright contempt of the Surinamese military while taking a swim at Orealla (around 1999-2001).
We had to scramble to safety as their gunboat maneuvered close to our shore and, instead of slowing down, deliberately powered up creating an enormous swell that toppled a few small boats anchored on GUYANESE SOIL.
And this was no accident as I was reliably informed by the locals that such behavior was a norm.
This is ridiculous.From time immemorial Guyanese have been navigating in the Corentyne River hauling timber,rice,sugar etc. between Springlands and Georgetown. I personally commanded ships like SS” Mazaruni”, SS ” Lady Berbice”and others of the Guyana Transport & Harbours Department .in the Corentyne River. Not to mention the Booker Coastal Ships as well which hauled sugar and its byproducts between Skeldon and Georgetown.
Now this guy is claiming that the river in its widest breadth ” belongs to Suriname”
Come on Suriname. You have to be day dreaming now if not mischievous.
I suggest that the Caribbean Community as well as United Nations be brought in this matter to put an end to this type of preposterous claims.
Guyana’s big plans for the Skeldon Sugar Factory would be screwed by the Surinamers if they depend on the Courantene River to export their sugar…mark my words.
I read the sentiments expressed about Guyana and I see a few of Guyanese expecting things to get better.
“Ole people seh dat only who live in wan house dus know weh de house a leek pan”.
PNC is no better. The PNC and the PPP are 2 faces of the same coin.
Leo Rojo
http://www.guyanabeer.com
Everyone seems to be capitalising on our madministration’s OBVIOUS incompetence & incapacity to run a country. Good going Suriname, let’s see our so-called “leaders” do what they do.
The Surinamese are trying to bully their way to make claims for this river. The Embassador to Guyana said at a media conference that all vessels over 50 gross tons are being piloted by Surinamese Pilot, that is not true, when asked by members of the media here how long? she replied “go do your research”, she should go back to Suriname and do her research and come back to answer the media how recently this was done prior to the seizure of the Lady Chandra.She also claim that it was not an act of aggression, how else do you term this ( 3 Gunboats with Soldiers armed to their teeth went to Skeldon wharf and sandwich the vessel over to Suriname aggressively). This was not members of the Maritime Authority of Suriname ( MAS) whom she said was responsible for the seizure of the vessel, clearly no madam Soekenandan, unacceptable…as regard to what Santokhi is saying that he told Mr Jagdeo that the river belongs to them ( Mr Jagdeo does not happen to be the owner of that river,,very stipid defense for a Minister)They are trying to drive fear in Guyanese and the Oil rig that is due to come back here..their actions will not succeed. Santokhi and Seokenandan needs to keep these silly remarks for themselves.They dont work here.
Well judge,your services will be required,I hope you and your mates will go back to Guyana,to help your government with this one,remember this is not internal,nothing to do with the opposition,your claims that the river belong to Guyana will have to be defended by you,because you are the ones disputing the Surinamee’s claim!!!