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Article: Suriname celebrates independence from Holland but not everyone happy
- Article from:
- AP Worldstream
- Article date:
- November 25, 2003
- Author:
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ARNY BELFOR, Associated Press Writer
AP Worldstream
11-25-2003
Dateline: PARAMARIBO, Suriname
Suriname celebrated the 28th anniversary of its independence from the Netherlands on Tuesday but the nation's stagnant economy soured the festivities.
Poverty, crime and drug trafficking has increased drastically, and the Suriname dollar that once fetched a rate of 1.8 to the U.S. dollar, now stands at roughly 2,700 to the U.S. dollar.
"In the past 28 years we have had so much trouble and life has become very hard," said Michael Charley, 36. "So much has changed for the worse."
President Ronald Venetiaan inspected military troops and police during a parade. He was expected to make a speech late ...