(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – ‘It is certain that military conscription will be reintroduced,’ assures Defense Minister Lamoure Latour. The draft bill has been submitted for comment to the Ministry of Justice and Police. When they have made their adjustments, the next step will be submitting the bill to the State Council and finally the Legislature. ‘Preparations are in full swing, but it’s not up to us alone,’ Latour says in an interview with de Ware Tijd. It is an ‘adapted’ legislation: ‘We live in different times, so we have to adapt old laws. We expect comments for the Ministry of Justice and Police.’ The Minister points out two important characteristics of the new draft bill; the selection procedure has been adjusted, while discipline has been prioritized. The troops may expect technical training. A second aspect is that the army will try and utilize the skills and experience the trainees have. ‘We shouldn’t forget that many of these people already have skills and experience and we should use that so they become more experienced,’ the Minister says. When he came into office, President Bouterse announced the reintroduction of military conscription. Society differs on this issue, as fears from the past seem to haunt many. Latour had to defend the plans in Parliament to both opposition and coalition. ‘It is a totally new strategy. One is certain: like it or not, conscription will be reintroduced’.
