Suriname Situation Report #1 – 12 December 1986

As of 0730 hours, 12 December 1986

Surinamese Developments

The government is trying to build domestic support and appears to be taking steps to prepare public opinion for significant civilian deaths in the campaign against the rebels.

  • Government spokesmen yesterday unveiled a plan to restore democracy and hold free elections.

According to press reports, the plan has three stages:

  1. A new constitution within three months,
  2. A referendum on the draft six months later, and
  3. Elections in early 1988.

The officials warned that foreign interference could postpone implementation of the plan, however.

  • According to the US Embassy, government officials are publicly claiming that civilian casualties are likely in any anti-insurgency effort. The domestic press contains only passing references to nonmilitary victims, but current estimates of civilian deaths already range from 30 to as many as 150.

Meanwhile, press reports indicate that Suriname’s traditional political parties are planning a joint demonstration today. Speakers reportedly will discuss the invasion threat and the plans for a transition to democracy.

[CENSORED]

On the diplomatic front, Paramaribo also is going on the offensive.

  • The government has lodged a formal protest note with the Dutch, accusing The Hague of turning a blind eye to insurgent activity.
  • Regime officials at the UN circulated a previously released letter alleging attempts to “destabilize the government from abroad.” US officials at the UN report that Paramaribo has not yet requested a security council meeting, however.

On the military front, there is no further reporting on yesterday’s press reports that Bouterse might be diverting troops from fighting the rebels to protect the capital.

There are no reports indicating that the 216 Americans in Suriname — estimated by the US Embassy — are in any danger.

Dutch Developments

The Hague continues to be very concerned about the safety of its citizens in Suriname and is taking steps to ensure their protection.

  • Dutch officials fear that Bouterse may use the 6,000 Dutch citizens in Suriname, or part of them, as hostages to make demands, particularly economic ones, on the Netherlands. The Dutch suspended annual aid payments of $150 million in 1982.
  • The Dutch now believe that more than 120 citizens have been massacred in Suriname by government forces. The Netherlands initiated demarches to the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Venezuela, and Brazil, asking them to approach the United Nations and the Organization of American States about sending a mission to Suriname to negotiate an end to the hostilities.

Rumors of a possible invasion of Suriname have now appeared in the Dutch press.

  • According to the Algemeen Dagblad — a leading Dutch newspaper — the US Ambassador in Paramaribo allegedly hinted that a foreign invasion could not be ruled out if there were no prospects of general elections being held.
  • A pro-Bouterse group in the Netherlands has accused the Dutch, French, and Americans of plotting to invade Suriname from French Guiana.

Other Developments

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Source:

CIA-RDP91B00874R000200250004-0

Link:

https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP91B00874R000200250004-0.pdf

Internal Link:

https://surinamepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Talking-Points-on-Suriname-for-DDCI-and-DDI-1986-CIA-RDP91B00874R000200250004-0.pdf

Date:
December 12, 1986
Categories:
Desi Bouterse, Planned Suriname Invasion
Tags:
CIA, Invasion
Boxes:
CIA-RDP91B00874R
Years:
1986
Persons:
Desi Bouterse
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