Suriname Coup SITREP 6: Military Situation

F-2012-32744

CONFIDENTIAL
U.S. Department of State
Case No. F-2012-32744
Doc No. C06033903
Date: 02/22/2017

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E.O. 12065: GDS 3/11/88 (LaRoche, Richard R.) OR-M
TAGS: PINT NS

SUBJECT: Suriname Coup Sitrep 6: Military Situation

  1. C – Entire text.
  2. We have pieced together the following description of the military situation as of 2000 local from sources of varying reliability.
  3. Bouterse appears to be inside old Fort Zeelandia (behind sturdy though ancient stone walls) with a defense line drawn up on land side (fort is on point of land jutting slightly into Suriname River bend). We do not know composition or strength of his defending troops. Two navy patrol craft have been continually standing off within easy gun range of fort and approaches. Both are believed to be under command of pro-Bouterse group. Rambocus/Hawker attacking force, whose strength is also unknown, is in place nearby and positioned to block any reenforcement. According to one report, two attempts to take the fort by armored car frontal attacks during afternoon failed. In second it appears one armored car was hit and crew forced to abandon it were captured by Bouterse’s men.
  4. At main barracks, Rambocus/Hawker people appear to remain in control but rumors are that many troops from both sides are slipping away.
  5. There has not been significant firing since about 1530 local when we believe second attack at Fort Zeelandia took place. Ambassador Hoekman, whose embassy is on Independence Square and in sight of palace and Fort Zeelandia entrance, closed office at 1800 and sent all employees home. The square was quiet at that time.
  6. Night action is likely but we have insufficient information on which to base a prediction of any outcome.

LA ROCHE

Review Authority: Leonard Kusnitz, Senior Reviewer

CONFIDENTIAL
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Source:

C06033903

Link:

Internal Link:

https://surinamepress.com/wp-content/uploads/1982/03/Suriname-Coup-SITREP-6-Military-Situation-March-1982-C06033903.pdf

Date:
March 11, 1982
Categories:
Desi Bouterse, Foiled Coups & Plots, Planned Suriname Invasion
Tags:
Fort Zeelandia, Zanderij
Boxes:
F-2012-32744
Years:
1982
Persons:
Desi Bouterse, Hawker, Hoekman, La Roche, Rambocus
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