Suriname patrol boats retreat Cross-border trade, travel resume at slow pace By Desiree Jodah and Daniel Da Costa Stabroek News July 14, 2000 Suriname's patrol boats have not been seen in the Corentyne River since Sunday and tension which had been evident in the bordering area of Corriverton in early June, has been noticeably reduced. Guyana and Suriname enter the fifth round of talks today for the return of the CGX Energy oil rig to its Eagle target. Bonds formed over many years between Guyanese and Surinamese were tested, following the eviction of the CGX oil rig from Guyana's waters by Suriname gunboats on June 3. Suriname claimed that the rig was in its territorial waters. During a visit to the area by Stabroek News, Corriverton Mayor Roy Baijnauth acknowledged that the tension had reduced and things were almost back to normal for residents of the area. Economic activities had slowed as travel across the Corentyne River, which is claimed by the neighbouring country, was curtailed. "Business bad, business has slowed up tremendously, things rough. The sooner this impasse is resolved, the better it will be for both Guyanese and Surinamese. The two governments must realise that the lives of the two peoples are being affected by the situation. Suriname is taking advantage of Guyanese because of a perceived military weakness." These were some of the concerns and sentiments expressed by Corriverton and Crabwood Creek residents on Wednesday as Stabroek News sought to assess the effects of the impasse on the lives of those closest to its root. Paramount among their concerns was the possible benefits to be derived from the joint exploitation of the area offshore the Corentyne River by Guyanese and Surinamese. Many were also concerned over the role of the Suriname army in the impasse and suggested that this could be a major factor in the procrastination exhibited so far in the several rounds of talks. Some are of the view that the military and in particular former army strongman Desi Bouterse might be "pulling the strings behind the scenes" in the negotiations. A number of importers based on the Upper Corentyne import a wide variety of consumer items from Suriname and according to one businessman, there is a shortage of split peas, potatoes, detergents and baby cereals in Suriname for "in-transit" trading. However, in-transit goods such as cooking oil, tomato paste, margarine and massala were still coming into the country via legal and illegal means. According to some residents over recent weeks the Surinamese military had reasserted its authority over the Corentyne River, harassing fishermen, loggers, farmers and commuters. Fishermen now have to obtain three licences from the Surinamese authorities to fish in the Corentyne River and the Atlantic Ocean. Patrol boats ensure that this stipulation is adhered to by Guyanese fishermen using the river. Several fishing boats have been held over recent weeks by patrol boats in the Corentyne River. Small speed boats which take `backtrackers' (illegal immigrants) to and fro were severely affected. Many Guyanese who have been living in Suriname for as long as 25 years found it difficult to go back to the place they had called home because they did not possess legal documentation. Most, if not all, did not even possess a travel document, since they took hopping from country to country for granted. Suriname gunboats had started patrolling the Corentyne River every day with brief stops. Small speed boats transporting passengers from Guyana to Suriname and vice versa were chased by the Suriname military and some were even fired upon. Smuggling activities were also curtailed. However, residents said that since Sunday, they have not seen the patrol boats and had resumed these activities on a smaller scale. Speed boat operators transporting `backtrackers,' have an arrangement with their Surinamese counterparts. The Guyanese transport passengers from Guyana to Suriname, while Surinamese operators transport passengers from their country here. One operator said while he was not making as many trips as he did prior to the CGX issue, he was "making a living." Fishermen plying the Corentyne River have also worked out an arrangement where they have agreed that they would fish mostly in the Corentyne River, and if they wanted to fish out in the ocean they would stay on the "Guyana side." Fishermen explained that two different types of licences were granted by the Surinamese to them. These are described as the "SK" and the "BV" licences. With the "SK" licence fishermen could fish in the ocean and with the "BV" licence they could fish in the river. If they are found fishing in an area for which they are not licenced, they are taken to Suriname, the captain of the vessel fined US$2,000 and their seines taken away. Surinamese traders have also worked out arrangements with their Guyanese associates to continue doing business, regardless of the constraints. Some residents claimed that while "things are hard," it was not so as a result of the border problem alone. The sugar estates not "grinding", and flooding were contributory factors to the decrease in business activities, they said. When Stabroek News had visited the Corentyne area on June 10 and 11, residents hinged their fate on the outcome of talks between the two governments which were scheduled for June 13. Nothing came out of that round of talks and two others since then. Residents now await the outcome of this weekend's talks in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Follow the goings-on in Guyana in Guyana Today