Demarche to the Government of the Netherlands – RE Suriname

F-1988-00163

C) We were pleased to see that the GON MAD provided Suriname with a generous independence gift in the form of substantial foreigna assistance: economic development in Suriname seemed to be proceeding apace. It would be very unfortunate if Suriname were now to follow the pattern of its near neighbor Guyana and incur similar grave economic problems.

D) We are particularly concerned by the most recent reporting from Paramaribo which indicates that the new regime is becoming increasingly authoritarian; specifically, the imposition of press censorship; a report that elections will now be deferred for one year and perhaps for as long as four; the entry of our ICA offices by soldiers reportedly looking for PM Arron; continued imposition of a curfew and search of private vehicles.

E) We agree that Bruma’s role and importance in the new government are unclear at the present time. It seems to us that the key issues will be whether democratic institutions will be retained or discarded; what political figures, particularly from the Hindustani and Indonesian minorities, might agree to join the Citizens’ Council; and whether President Ferrier continues to stay in office. This latter point seems essential if the new government is to appear legitimate. It seems equally important that the National Military Council (NMC) be prevailed on to make a firm commitment regarding the timing of new elections and, if possible, that they be held as soon as possible, preferably on the previously agreed date of March 27, and that the NMC should agree to turn over power to whatever government emerges from those new elections.

F) We are currently reviewing our policy toward Suriname in light of the coup. Obviously, the Dutch government’s views will be all-important to us and other governments as we decide how to relate to the coup in Suriname, and we will be grateful for whatever information and thinking the GON is in a position to share with us, particularly if we take no actions?

  1. For Caracas, Brasilia, Paris, London, Port of Spain, Bridgetown, at your discretion, you may draw on the above to keep host government informed.

Source:

C09000013

Link:

Internal Link:

https://surinamepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Demarche-to-the-GON-re-Suriname-March-1980-C09000013.pdf

Date:
March 1, 1980
Categories:
Desi Bouterse, Diplomacy
Tags:
Boxes:
F-1988-00163
Years:
1980
Persons:
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META DATA

CONFIDENTIAL
Page 01 State 055148
Origin ARA-15
AN: 0800106-0298
Info OCT-00 AC4-00 SS-15 HA-05 EUR-12 SIG-08
DOD-00 PM-05 H-01 INR-10 L-03 NSAE-00 PA-01
SP-02 NSCE-00 ICAE-00 INRE-00 SVC-00 TRSE-00
/086 R

Drafted by ARA/CAR: A. Burke: SCH
Approved E: P. D. Newsom
ARA/W. G. Bowdler
ARA/CAR - W. R. Warne
NSC: R. Pastor
EUR/NE - Wolfley
HA - O. Martin

028707 010347Z /14
010102Z Mar 80

To: Amembassy The Hague Immediate
Info: Amembassy Caracas Immediate
Amembassy Brasilia Immediate
Amembassy Paris Immediate
Amembassy London Immediate
Amembassy Bridgetown Immediate
Amembassy Georgetown Immediate
Amembassy Kingston Immediate
Amembassy Nassau Immediate
Amembassy Port of Spain Immediate
Amembassy Port au Prince Immediate
Amembassy Santo Domingo Immediate
Amconsul Curacao Immediate
Amconsul Martinique Immediate

CONFIDENTIAL State 055148
CIAE-00 IO-14

Department of State A/CDC/NCB
Reviewed by: —
Release (X) Declassify
E.O. 12065: GDS 2/29/86 (Bowdler, William G.)
TAGS: MILI, XL, NS

CONFIDENTIAL
Page 02 State 055148
Subject: Demarche to the GON re Suriname

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