VHP wants answers regarding Russian helos

Legislators from the VHP are demanding answers from President Desi Bouterse regarding the arrival of Russian military equipment in Suriname. They want information regarding the collaboration with Russia and have sent a letter to the head of state via the chairwoman of parliament, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons. In the letter the legislators from the opposition mentioned the visit of the Russian minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergej Lavrov, to Suriname. “After that we heard via the Russian press agency Itar-Tass that several agreements including one on military collaboration had been inked between Suriname and Russia. This is a matter of national and international interest which was done without any talks with parliament. Besides all the geopolitical consequences there is also the concern that Russian helicopters were suddenly brought to Suriname shortly before the general elections.” The faction of the VHP in parliament wants to know if the Russian helicopters are intended for the state of for private individuals or if they are intended for deployment in Venezuela with Suriname as their base. The Progressive Reform Party (VHP) finds it very noticeable that such military equipment was brought to Suriname 4 months prior to the general elections. “The VHP party expects clear answers from the government and also wants a discussion about the government’s foreign policy.”