Latin America Report: Military Council Declaration on Unsuccessful Coup – 2 April 1982

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PA190035 Havana PRELA in English2320 GMT 18 Mar 82

Paramaribo, 18 Mar (PL) — The ruling National Military Council of Suriname accused those responsible for the abortive coup of being criminals and declared that they sought to cause a bloodbath in the country. The declaration countered a statement by the Committee of Christian Churches of Suriname that described as an “outbreak of violence” the measures adopted by the government to confront the abortive 11 March takeover bid.

The committee also expressed its “chagrin” at the execution of former Sergeant Major Wilfred Hawker, one of the ringleaders of the coup attempt, after trial by a court martial.

The National Military Council explained that the responsibility for the present state of emergency must be borne by criminal elements whose objective was the overthrow and elimination of the revolutionary leadership without contemplations.

Former rightwing military and some civilians from well-to-do economic sectors appear involved in the takeover scheme which for several hours occupied the Memre Boekoe garrison, the country’s main army facility.

The Committee of Churches should take into account the fact that the plans to wipe out the revolutionary leadership included a bloodbath during a religious ceremony, recalls the statement.

The text refers to a plan of the coup makers to liquidate the members of the Military Council in the course of a meeting in a Paramaribo church to which they had been invited.

“The military authority had to prevent that in order to defend the revolutionary process that began on 25 February 1980,” it adds.

Finally, it recommends that the church “take care that it is not infiltrated by enemies of the people and that it act according to its preaching on unity and the improvement of the living standard of the populace.”

Meanwhile, it was reported that former Lieutenant Surendre Rambocus, one of the military leaders of the plot, was captured. Rambocus managed to escape in the direction of the jungle zone in western Suriname on Friday when forces loyal to the government of the National Military Council headed by Lt Colonel Desi Bouterse ousted the coup makers from the Memre Boekoe garrison, the country’s main fortress.

Also heading the coup bid was former Sergeant Wilfred Hawker who was tried and sentenced to death by a court martial. He was executed on the morning of 13 March.

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