PARAMARIBO – President Chandrikapersad Santokhi recently responded to the fact that people criticized him for welcoming the rice farmers from the Nickerie District while refusing to meet with other unions when they showed upon at his office. He made it clear that there is a clear difference between the approach of the rice farmers and that of the other groups. “The Office of the President is not a banana store,” said the head of state who added that the rice farmers had written a formal letter, asking to meet with the president. But the other unions which organized lightning protests failed to file a formal request for a meeting and instead chose to demand to see the president. Critics accused the president of rolling out the red carpet to certain groups. But the president made it clear that “”this is about protecting the authority of the presidency.” “If you write a formal letter to make an appointment where discussions can be held in a disciplined and correct manner, the president will receive everyone.”…[+]