Assessment of recent developments

F-1988-00163

  1. CONFIDENTIAL (ENTIRE TEXT)
  2. Department wishes to record its appreciation for embassy efforts under the currently very trying circumstances and for its timely and helpful reporting on rapidly evolving developments there.
  3. We can appreciate that the situation remains very unclear. We are seeking clarification and guidance regarding the attitudes of key third countries (Suriname’s neighbors, the Dutch, and the French) concerning developments in Suriname and the question of diplomatic relations. We shall keep the embassy informed of the results of the requested consultations.
  4. As the National Military Council appears to be moving in the direction of consolidating and extending its hold of authority, a number of questions occur to us that the embassy should begin to address in future reporting and analysis. We realize that you are likely already taking these issues into account and know that there are other aspects of the situation which you will be considering.

THE FOLLOWING ARE ISSUES ON WHICH WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SPECIAL ATTENTION:

  • Was the rebellion essentially caused by professional grievances and NCO/officer rivalry and disagreement?
  • Was there a political element in the rebellion from the beginning? For example, did Bruma, Ravales, et al., play a role in fomenting the coup?
  • We have seen no evidence of third country (Cuban or Soviet) involvement in the coup in any way, although we understand that the Soviet ambassador accredited to Suriname but resident in Bogota, Colombia visited Suriname February 18–22. Does the embassy have any information on third country involvement?
  • How will the Hindustani and Indonesian minorities react to the coup, since the coup executors—the NCOs—are mainly Creole and the emerging political leadership of the Citizens Council seems to be Creole? If there is political reaction among the minority groups, what form might it take? Might there also be an exodus of the minorities who play such an important role in the national economic life?
  • What assessment can the embassy make at this time concerning Bruma, his personal ambitions, and his political learnage; and concerning other key civilian and NCO leaders?
  • What is the allegiance of military units outside of Paramaribo?
  • What might be the future role of the military officers, and how effectively will the military be led?
  1. Keep up the good work; Vance

Source:

C09000007

Link:

Internal Link:

https://surinamepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Assessment-of-recent-developments-February-1980-C09000007.pdf

Date:
February 28, 1980
Categories:
Desi Bouterse
Tags:
Boxes:
F-1988-00163
Years:
1980
Persons:
Vance
Download PDF
META DATA

Department of State
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01 STATE 052949
ORIGIN: ARA-15

INFO: OCT-00, ADS-00, EUR-12, SPH-01, EA, NSAE-00, INRE-00, SS-15, SSO-00, NSCE-00, ODDE-00 /070 R
DRAFTED BY: ARA/CAR: F. Cooper, JAC
APPROVED BY: ARA/CAR: W. R. Warne
011822 280110Z /14
028003SZ FEB 80

FM: SECSTATE KASHOC
TO: AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO IMMEDIATE

CONFIDENTIAL STATE 052949
E.O. 12065: GOS 1986 (Warne, W. R.)
TAGS: PINT, XL, SN

TELEGRAM

AN: D800102-0178
TO: CM: 00 INR-10, SP-02, PV-05
DEPARTMENT OF STATE A/CDC/LER
REVIEWED BY: 62-4-i
DATE: OCT 17 1983

() RELEASE
() DECLASSIFY
() EXCISE
() DECLASSIFY IN PART
() DEITY
() Non-responsive info
FOI, EO or PA exemptions
TS authority to: OADR
() DOWNGRADE TS to ( ) S or ( ) 0, OAD

    Scroll to Top