Report of Possible Imminent Coup

Paramaribo Memcon 1/5/82

Page 01 Parama 00251 081857Z
Action SS-25
Info OCT-00 ADS-00 SSO-00 /025 W
151166 081901Z/44
0 081830Z Feb 82 ZFF-4
FM Amembassy Paramaribo
TO Secstate WashDC NIACT Immediate 8421

Secret Paramaribo 0251
Released in full
EXDIS Decaptioned
E.O. 12065: GDS 2/8/88
TAGS: PINS NS
Subject: Report of Possible Imminent Coup
Ref: Paramaribo Memcon 1/5/82

  1. Secret entire text.
  2. Summary: I Oemrawsingh Hindustani professor who is long time friend of Embassy’s Consular Officer (Keur) and former VHP MP visited Keur February 8 at Embassy to inform him of coup to be staged “probably tonight or at least in next few days” which involved planned assassination of six top military leaders by 20-man team. Oemrawsingh said his purpose was to warn Consular Officer personally. Consular Officer explained that the Embassy could do nothing other than take note of information. Consular Officer, on basis of relationship, believes Oemrawsingh sincerely expects coup to occur. We assess report significant enough to caution American staff.
  3. At about noon local time February 8 Dr. I. Oemrawsingh visited Consular Officer Cornelius Keur at Consular Section in company with his brother. Asking that strictest confidence be given his report, and claiming he just wanted Keur to be informed for his own personal safety, Oemrawsingh outlined a coup planned against six top military leaders in Suriname (Lt. Col D. Bouterse, Maj. Roy Horb, Maj Henk Fernandes, Minister (Sgt.) B. Sital, Minister (Sgt.) L. Neede, and Sgt. C. Mijnals.)
  4. Oemrawsingh said a twenty-man assassination team under leadership of two Hindustani “military men” (one of them formerly in the Army) would move as “early as tonight but in any event before the new government is appointed.” Comment: Acting President Ramdat Misier was sworn in at 10:00 local time today. New ministers have not yet been named for the civilian government.
  5. Embassy is unaware of Oemrawsingh’s true motive or whether he has passed his report to other parties but he called on Charge on January 5 to discuss status of VHP and said visit to us was one of several he was making to “friendly” embassies. Although Oemrawsingh did not request Embassy assistance Consular Officer explained in clearest terms that Embassy could in no circumstance sanction or become involved in any way. Keur promised total discretion but reported visit’s content immediately to Charge. Although Oemrawsingh said he might wish to be in touch with Keur again, Embassy intends no further contact without Department’s concurrence.
  6. On the basis of year long casual relationship, Keur is satisfied that Oemrawsingh, professor of biochemistry at University of Suriname Medical School, believes that coup will take place although he himself disclaims any part in planning or execution.
  7. After conferring, Emboffs assess raw report significant enough to alert American staff to possible danger. Although Oemrawsingh claimed to be alerting Keur for sake of latter’s safety, analysis of his statements does not point to any danger of violence directed against Embassy staff or, indeed any foreigners. Because of sensitivity of report, no special assistance has been requested from police.

La Roche

Source:

C05267142

Link:

Internal Link:

https://surinamepress.com/wp-content/uploads/1982/02/Report-of-Possible-Imminent-Coup-February-1982-C05267142.pdf

Date:
February 8, 1982
Categories:
Desi Bouterse, Foiled Coups & Plots, Planned Suriname Invasion
Tags:
Boxes:
F-2012-32749
Years:
1982
Persons:
Desi Bouterse, La Roche, Roy Horb
Download PDF
META DATA
    Scroll to Top