Camp Ayangana Georgetown- In a statement that puts him on the spot and the media barred from listening in, President Bharrat Jagdeo said that he will not arrest Surinamese President Desi Bouterse, in the wake of wikileaks about his involvement in drug links with convicted Guyanese drug dealer Roger Khan. Speaking at the opening conference of the Guyana Defense Force this morning, Jagdeo commented on the issue following a question from an army personnel. The President said; "why should we intervene just because he is wanted by another country, let them get some other country to arrest him". Jagdeo added that," if the people of Suriname chose him to lead them, then who are we to decide who we wish to work with".
Jagdeo emphasized that the people of Suriname through a democratic system elected Bouterse and the Guyana Government has to work with the country’s legitimate leader. Over the weekend the dutch press revealed incriminating information about the Surinamese President’s Involvement and secret dealings with Roger Khan. The news agencies from Holland and Europe reportedly was in possession of US diplomatic cables which stated that Bouterse travelled illegally to Guyana, although facing an international arrest warrant, meeting with Khan in both countries secretly and arranging protection for illegal activities including gun running and drug smuggling.
In his presentation as Commander in Chief at the Conference, Jagdeo said that it will be interesting to see what comes out from Guyana through wikileaks , noting that similar activities pushed Guyana into riots and ethnic violence since in the 50’s and 60"s.
