Government of Suriname Accedes to National Military Council

F-1988-00163

0 271205Z FEB 80 IFF-4

  1. President of the Republic of Suriname, Johan Ferrier, telephoned me this morning at 1100 Zulu to ask that the following message be passed to GOS Ambassador Karamat in Washington, since GOS telex connections are unreliable.
  2. Quote. Acting Minister-President Van Genderen last night in a television message accepted the end of the Arron government and the transition of power to the military council. Therefore, stop possible activities in CAS and so on, await further instructions. Ambassadors. Signed Ferrier. UN3J07.

Also stated that Eddie Bruma and F.J. Leeflang had been named by the National Military Council to form the Citizens’ Council (Burgherraad), which, according to NMC, will govern the country. Comment: Van Genderen looked, for what it is worth, desolated. The first time in my tenure here I have not seen him unshakably ebullient and optimistic. End comment.

We have reported bio on Bruma, and briefly (Paramaribo 0249) on Leeflang, the lawyer who was defending the three NCOs charged with insubordination. This move clearly puts the Forecase National Republican Party (PNR) label on the new government, though Bruma and company may still try to co-opt Lachmon or other better-known figures to give the new government broader scope. How long the Citizens’ Council may govern, and whether it is expected to be a permanent institution or merely a transition mechanism, we cannot yet say. In any case, Ferrier’s message signals the end of the revolution and rebel victory.

In view of the importance of Ferrier’s message, the Department may wish to instruct other action addressee posts to communicate this news to GOS ambassadors there.

Ostrander

Source:

C09000005

Link:

Internal Link:

https://surinamepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Government-of-Suriname-Accedes-to-National-Military-Council-February-1980-C09000005.pdf

Date:
February 27, 1980
Categories:
Desi Bouterse
Tags:
Boxes:
F-1988-00163
Years:
1980
Persons:
Oostrander
Download PDF
META DATA

4. Official Use
Page 01
ARA-15
Department of State TELEGRAM

LIMITED OFFICIAL USE

INFO: OCT-01 EUR-12 ADS-00 CCO-00 CIAF-00 NSA-00 NSCE-00 SSO-00 INRE-00 PM-05 H-01 NR-10 OZ PA-01 SP-02 SS-15 SPH-01 IO-1Lt ANAE-00 SY-05 SYF-0 HA-05 OC-06 IOS

FM: AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
TO: SECSTATE MASHOC FLASH 6028, USMISSION USUN FLASH, AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE FLASH
INFO: AMEMBASSY BRASILIA IMMEDIATE, AMEMBASSY CARACAS IMMEDIATE, AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN IMMEDIATE, AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN IMMEDIATE

    Scroll to Top