MP Santokhi slams government’s inconsistent foreign policy Recognition of 2 countries revoked

MP Chandrikapersad Santokhi (VHP) on Thursday pointed out that Suriname is embarrassing itself internationally with its “zigzag foreign policy.” MP Santokhi said that in his opinion the government made huge blunders by revoking its recognition of 2 sovereign states. MP Santokhi asked the government if it was pressured by superpowers in the world to revoke its recognition. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. These countries can’t become members states of the United Nations because Russia and China have threatened to exercise their veto right. Suriname officially recognized Serbia as a sovereign state in 2016 but revoked its recognition on October 27, 2017. The retraction of its recognition is not being supported by international law. “And still you take actions which are in violation of international laws,” said MP Santokhi who demanded to know why the government changed its mind. One noticeable fact is that the recognition was revoked before Suriname Foreign Affairs Minister Yldiz Pollack-Beighle left for Russia. “Does the retraction have anything to do with the ties with Russia? Was the government put under pressure and what kind of agreements were made with Russia? What kind of effect will this have on the collaboration with other countries?” President Desi Bouterse who was present in Parliament listened attentively to the speech of the opposition leader. “What a blunder…. what a blunder,” said MP Santokhi.

Suriname also made a Uturn with its 1982 decision to recognize the Sahrawi Arab Republic as an independent state. Suriname made its decision as it wanted to support countries who wanted to be free of colonialism. Suriname also made its U-turn in 2016. ‘Did it happen under pressure from Morocco and what did you receive from morocco in exchange? “MP Santokhi also criticized the government for revoking the agreement extension of the new Dutch ambassador to Suriname. He also deemed this a blunder in the nation’s foreign policy.