NRC HANDELSBLAD: “Surinamese in the Netherlands would like to carry out coup”

Latin America Report, No. 2601

Rotterdam NRC HANDELSBLAD in Dutch 4 Oct 82 p 5 [Article: “Surinamese in the Netherlands Would Like to Carry Out Coup”]

[Text] Rotterdam, 4 October — The military authorities in Suriname have discovered plans for a coup which was to be carried out yet this year with the help of Surinamese in the Netherlands and foreign mercenaries. This was disclosed last Friday by Ivan Graanoogst, minister of army and police, at a press conference in Paramaribo.

With regard to the continuing investigation, the minister declined to name any names or to make public any evidence which has been found. The only group he named was the Committee for the Restoration of Democracy, which consists of Surinamese living in the Netherlands or individuals of Surinamese origin.

According to Graanoogst, it concerned:

“highly trained mercenaries who have already made an international name for themselves with successful operations in the Congo and at Entebbe, and who would receive 200,000 guilders each, while the entire operation was budgeted at 15 million guilders.”

Graanoogst said further that money is being collected in the Netherlands, with the intention of approaching terrorist organizations in Europe to assassinate certain individuals in Suriname. “Those affected are military officials, ministers and other top civil servants,” he said. Up to now, no arrests have been made.

The minister noted that he sees a connection between:

  • The discovered coup plans.
  • The takeover action of the Surinamese embassy last 25 September.
  • The upcoming trial of the coup conspirators of 11 March, which will start on 13 October in Paramaribo.

At that time, Lieutenant Surender Rambocus, among others, one of the leaders of the coup, will stand trial. Meanwhile, the guard on the Surinamese embassy in the Hague has been strengthened and the Dutch government has been informed of the discovery of the coup attempt, said Graanoogst.

The secretary of the Committee for the Restoration of Democracy, Jankie, a former minister of agriculture (in the Arron administration), said about Graanoogst’s disclosure:

“I think that it is another lie, like the other lies.”

He was referring here to the Ormskerk question, which allegedly involved 300 mercenaries (1980). Jankie assured that those who occupied the embassy had absolutely no coup plans. According to Jankie, they were people with whom the Committee closely cooperates, but they had not informed him or any other members of the governing body of their plans. He said that they are “still” fighting “with legal means” to send the military personnel in Suriname back home. “We are continuing to influence public opinion in all kinds of ways,” said Jankie.

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Date:
October 4, 1982
Categories:
Asymetric Warfare, Desi Bouterse, Foiled Coups & Plots, Media, Mercenaries, Military & Intel, Planned Suriname Invasion, Soft War, State Sponsored Terrorism, Suriname Interior War
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Press
Years:
1982
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