European Review: The Netherlands-Suriname: Reaction to Surinamese Official’s Arrest – 25 April 1986

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Dutch officials’ suspicions about the character of the Bouterse regime have apparently been confirmed by the arrest of high-ranking Surinamese official Etienne Boerenveen in Miami on drug trafficking charges. Although government officials note that this issue must be discussed in the Cabinet, Dutch Foreign Minister Van den Broek and Development Minister Schoo have suggested that the case will delay disbursement of the proposed Dutch humanitarian aid package for Suriname. Parliamentary reaction to the incident was limited because of the Easter recess; spokesmen for the major parties have indicated, however, that this incident has jeopardized any further movement in Dutch policy toward its former colony.

Dutch officials adopted a harsh stand toward Suriname and eliminated aid to the Bouterse regime when it murdered moderate opposition leaders in 1982. The proposed humanitarian aid represented an effort to improve relations with Paramaribo despite strong opposition to such measures among some ruling coalition members. [CENSORED] however, Dutch-Surinamese relations will again become tense if an investigation reveals that the Surinamese Government is involved in the narcotics trade.

Date:
April 25, 1986
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