Coup Plotters Paraded at Press Conference

F-2012-32744

UNCLASSIFIED
U.S. Department of State
Case No. F-2012-32744
Doc No. C06033917
Date: 02/22/2017

CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL
PARAMARIBO 0590
E.O. 12065: GDS 03/24/88 (La Roche, Richard R.) OR-M
TAGS: VINS, NS

SUBJECT: Coup Plotters Paraded at Press Conference

  1. (U) Summary: At a press conference on March 22, MP Chief Lt. Abrahams introduced a number of the arrested “counter-revolutionaries,” in order to refute rumors that they had been wounded, or mistreated while in custody, or had committed suicide. He announced that Amnesty International and the Red Cross had been invited to investigate treatment of the prisoners. He also claimed that there had been four attempts to assassinate the military authority and NMR members before the attack on Memre Boekoe Kaserne on March 11. End summary.
  2. (C) At the March 22 press conference, suspected coup plotters Salam Somohardjo, Sheombar, Robby Sohansing, Mahadewsingh, and Khazi were displayed to the press. Lt. Abrahams explained that this was being done in order to lay to rest the numerous unfounded reports and rumors that the “counter-revolutionaries” had been wounded, or mistreated while in custody, or had committed suicide. He stated that Amnesty International and Red Cross observers would have the opportunity to investigate the treatment of the detainees.
    Comments: The prisoners had been shaved bald (for reasons of hygiene according to the MPs) and appeared tired and sullen, but there were no obvious signs of wounds or mistreatment. Coup leader Ramborus was not present at press conference, and we have had no reports that he has been seen since his capture. End comment
  3. (C) Lt. Abrahams said that according to the statements of ex-Lt. Rambocus and other co-conspirators, there were four attempts to eliminate the military authority (HA): The first involved shooting them at a temple service on March 7; it was cancelled when the MA failed to appear. The second called for the capture of the MA while they celebrated the Hindu festival of Holi Phagwa at the Presidential Palace. The capture was timed to coincide with an armored personnel carrier attack on Memre Boekoe Kaserne to gain control of the available weapons. This was scrubbed when the AVC drivers failed to appear. The third attempt was scheduled to occur at a Phagwa celebration at the home of Prof. Oemrawsingh. The MA declined his invitation in favor of an earlier one, to a party elsewhere in the city. The final attempt to kill the military leaders was to have taken place at that gathering.
    But the coup plotters were unable to discover the location of the party. Their assassination schemes having failed, the plotters activated the military aspect of their plan and captured Memre Boekoe early in the morning of March 11.
  4. (C) Comment: This is the winning side’s version of the events leading up to the March 11 coup attempt. We have not heard the “plotters’” version and may never learn factual details. Noting the apparent ease with which the rebels captured the main military camp and the reticence of most soldiers to join the battle of one side or the other until the outcome was obvious, we can hypothesize that had Bouterse, Horb, been killed prior to or at the time of the takeover of Memre Boekoe, resistance to the rebels would have been less concerted and the political situation here could be drastically different.

LA ROCHE

REVIEW AUTHORITY: Leonard Kusnitz, Senior Reviewer

CONFIDENTIAL
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Source:

C06033917

Link:

Internal Link:

https://surinamepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Coup-Plotters-Paraded-at-Press-Conference-March-1982-C06033917.pdf

Date:
March 24, 1982
Categories:
Asymetric Warfare, Desi Bouterse, Foiled Coups & Plots, Planned Suriname Invasion
Tags:
Boxes:
F-2012-32744
Years:
1982
Persons:
Abrahams, Desi Bouterse, Khazi, La Roche, Mahadewsingh, Oemrawsingh, Rambocus, Ramborus, Roy Horb, Sheombar, Sohansing, Somohardjo
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