Bouterse not content with quality of diplomats

President Desi Bouterse reportedly is not content with the quality of the Surinamese diplomat force. He pointed out that the foreign post lack diplomats with expertise. He also pointed out that very little has been done in the past couple of years to give the necessary training to diplomats. That is why the government has taken steps aimed at establishing a diplomatic academy in Suriname. Other Caricom members states have already established diplomatic academies. “The execution of this policy is lacking efficiency and effectiveness due to the lack of diplomatic experts and the inflow of personnel who have not received diplomatic training for diplomatic duties and posts,” said the head of state. Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados are already way ahead of Suriname as they have already established training institutes for future diplomats. Suriname future diplomatic academy will not be accessible to officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and those from other ministries. MP Andre Misiekaba (NDP) recently expressed concern regarding the (low) degree of expertise at the various diplomatic posts. He pointed out that too many political supporters are being assigned to diplomatic posts. The president pointed out that he and MP Misiekaba are on the same page and made it clear that in the future only a certain percentage of political supporters would be assigned to diplomatic posts.