Military Rebellion in Suriname

F-1988-00163

REF: PARAMARIBO 317

  1. For what it is worth (and we are in no position to evaluate local press here) – February 26 reports that GOV Ambassador in Suriname says Prime Minister Henck is in the palace – because the flag is still over it. (Dutch political counselors here strongly doubts the validity of this reasoning. GOV Ambassador also is quoted as saying that:
  • He is awaiting instructions from GOV Foreign Ministry
  • Ministry is fully informed on developments.
  1. Dutch Political Counselor also told Political Counselor that
  • Rebellion of NCOs is outrageous due to their insistence on being paid in guilders at the Netherlands exchange rate. The NCOs are among the best paid – better than the Defense Minister – in Suriname.
  • Suriname authorities have asked Dutch embassies to represent their interests in countries where Suriname is not represented by ambassadors.
  • Thought is being given to what might be done internationally and what the position is of Suriname’s overseas ambassadors, i.e., as representatives of the legal government. Suriname ambassadors to the U.S. and Brazil are particularly key, and a request to the OAS for a hearing is a possibility.
  1. In view of minimization, we have left Paramaribo off as an addressee. Suggest Department repeat to Paramaribo and others if warranted.

Luers Unquote Vance

Source:

C09000006

Link:

Internal Link:

https://surinamepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Military-Rebellion-in-Suriname-February-1980-C09000006.pdf

Date:
February 27, 1980
Categories:
Desi Bouterse
Tags:
Boxes:
F-1988-00163
Years:
1980
Persons:
Ostrander
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Department of State

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ARA-1S

Drafted by: ARA, Carl Ramccoy
Approved by: ARA, Carl Ramccoy
S/S: U. Jecker
00578J 2736051
FEB 80

FM SECSTATE WASHINGTON
To AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO IMMEDIATE
OFFICIAL USE STATE 052101

INFO:
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY CARACAS IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
USSOUTHCOM QUARRY HTS FEB 26

DEPARTMENT OF STATE A/CDC/KEI

Following repeat: CARACAS IST-I SENT ACTION STATE INFO
BRASILIA, CURACAO, GEORGETOWN, PANAMA, PORT OF SPAIN, THE HAGUE, USSOUTHCOM QUARRY HTS FEB 26

LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
CARACAS IST-I
E.O. 12065: N/A
TAGS: PINT, MI:1, NS, VE

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