Suriname Situation Report
F-1988-00163
0.260600Z FEB 80
- Situation here as of 0300Z is quiet. Streets are deserted as a result of 7 PM – 6 AM curfew. No troops or armored car patrols evident. Ambassador spoke with President Ferrier earlier today, and EMBOFF visited rebel leaders in their headquarters at Membe Boekoe Kaserne in course of arranging clearance for Cliffhanger USAF aircraft departure; details follow.
- Ambassador late this afternoon spoke with President.
Minister Ferrier, who reported he was remaining in official residence, was not in jeopardy and had not been fired upon. Contrary to earlier reports, he said he had sent an emissary asking that he meet with them to discuss their aims and plans. Ferrier said he was fully prepared to meet with them, but not until they put away their weapons and told Ambassador he understood rebels were meeting at Kaserne to discuss this.
- Details: Whereabouts of Prime Minister Henk Arron are unknown, although we now hear he has not left the country but is holed up at Carolina, a river station about 50 miles south of Paramaribo. Whereabouts of other senior government officials unknown. When Ambassador spoke with Acting Minister President Van Genderen earlier this afternoon, she reported he spoke very reticently, as though possibly under guard. Rebels claim they have incarcerated Police Chief Jimmy Walker, Surinamese Defense Force Commander Col. Y. Elstak, Justice Minister Badrisingh, and the Government Chief Prosecutor conducting the case against the three NCOs charged with insubordination, who of course are now free. Attorney General De Miranda reportedly resisted arrest, was seriously wounded and is now in critical condition at a local hospital. Rebels also claim a substantial portion of the police force has joined them, while those police who did not are under arrest. Loyal army officers who had gathered at Fort Zeelandia earlier this morning evidently left there before noon, which may explain why mutineers did not carry out their threat to shell the historic old fort. We do not know fate of officers but have heard nothing to indicate they were arrested.
- For record, all three USAF ARIA aircraft departed Zanderij about 1910 hrs local time, though there was about a three-hour delay at the last minute. Evidently engine start provoked a small mutineer contingent holding airport to action and, without orders, they refused to permit departure. Rebel headquarters here furnished EMBOFF with letter ordering release and, in meantime, mutineers were evidently successful in getting through to their comrades at Zanderij.
- In conversation at Kaserne, EMBOFF pressed rebels hard to learn their plans and objectives. SC7 was consistently put off as heavily-armed, preoccupied, and nervous, kept referring EMBOFF to one of several civilians who seemed to be providing ideological guidance. EMBOFF was not able to identify any of these but believes one may have been radical poet-painter Robin “Cosru” Ravales, who formed his own splinter group of the National Republican Party (PNR). Ravales is clearly of leftist leaning; for example, he is chairman of the Suriname–North Korea Friendship Society.
Though Dobru did not speak with EMBOFF directly, those with him would say only that they “want redress for their grievances” and “want the government to listen to them,” and that there would be an announcement tomorrow morning (Feb. 26) at which all would be made clear. Several of the leaders did tell EMBOFF, however, that they would not accede to President Ferrier’s request to lay down their weapons, since that would be “the end of the game.” In general, military rank and file seemed relaxed, though leaders obviously had much on their minds.
Reliable sources have also told us that union leaders Harold Rusland, Fred Derby, and Hans Herren, together with former Justice Minister Eddie Bruma, are also at the Kaserne, advising the mutineers. Comment: EMBOFF, who knows the first three personally, saw none of them. Bruma, Rusland, and Derby were stalwarts of the PNR in its post-1972 heyday as partner in Arron’s NPK coalition; Bruma is generally regarded as a tough, vigorous, and honest man. Rusland has been trying hard in past weeks to foment political action to give him some leverage in the coming elections; the more responsible Derby, technically Rusland’s boss in the movement, finally went along when Rusland early last week announced government worker union “solidarity” with the dissident NCOs. Harrensprg, member of the Socialist Party of Suriname (SPS) and currently a member of the opposition VOP coalition in parliament, was cropped from the election lists this time around since he proved a poor vote-getter.
- In any case, situation now may be changing from that reported in reftels and by phone earlier. It seemed clear the rebels were trying to maintain an appearance of constitutionality, as by appealing to President, and rumor that they would call on union leader Fred Derby to form a new government. Now, possibly because of Ferrier’s demand for return to law and order, mutineers announced they will “soon” form a “civil council” to run the country.
- In a television announcement at 9:00 PM local, three NCO leaders read a two-page statement calling for calm, but definitely indicating they will keep control of the government. The statement emphasized that they will “recognize all international treaties, recognize the charter of the UN, have careful regard for human rights, and guarantee protection for foreign businesses in Suriname.” They also announced that all radio stations and the TV station have been “taken over” (most are back on the air, with normal rock music programming), and that all border posts were under NMC control. The statement closed by saying that NCOs are “not seeking revenge,” and that “everyone’s efforts are needed to move the country forward.”
Though they did not say on TV, mutineer leaders told EMBOFF they would be calling all foreign ambassadors to gather at the Kaserne on February 26 to meet the NMC. This will provide a better basis for assessment following the meeting, and analysis will be forwarded in classified cables.
- Elsewhere in the country, the situation seems quiet. From what little information is available, CONSOFF Campbell and a senior FSN in western Suriname city Nickerie, today on business, are stuck there since all flights are grounded and attempts to return by car failed because rebel troops control the intervening ferries. There are no reports from the east or south, but Campbell indicates Nickerie is totally quiet, with no rebel presence evident. A small army contingent was observed at 5:00 PM playing soccer.
- The Embassy’s situation continues as before: except for possible accidents, the perceived threat level is low, both for official Americans as well as AMCIT residents and tourists. Mutineers are preoccupied with urgent tasks. Rebel leaders went out of their way to assure EMBOFF, at the Kaserne, that they have only peaceful intentions toward foreign persons and property. Troops with whom EMBOFF spoke on the street, even at the height of morning tension, seemed friendly if nervous, and not hostile to white faces. There is little likelihood at present of any change which might make rebels turn against us. Updates on this aspect will be provided in tomorrow’s classified traffic.
- We are maintaining 24-hour communications capability as requested.
We can furnish, per ref. C, information once the airport is reopened, which we now hear may be several days. As above, CONSOFF and senior local staff will probably be forced to remain in Nickerie at least through February 26. The local phone system is gradually deteriorating, and many radios have proven unserviceable under use, in spite of a recent technical visit. It is recommended that the Department immediately send four (4) each new HN-716 radios and three (3) each PR-36 radios. Though the unclassified pouch might not get through for several days, we would at least have more reliable communications if the phone system deteriorates further and the unstable situation continues.
- Final late-evening bulletin from the National Military Council calls for schools to be closed on February 26, children to be kept home, police ordered by NMC to report to Fort Zeelandia, calls up veterans, orders teachers to schools tomorrow for instructions, and forbids public assemblies.
- Much of the material related to U.S. attitude was covered by EMBOFF, based on telecons at Kaserne, and the situation with respect to the Government of Suriname has changed as reported above. Reporting of developments and requested information continues as rapidly as possible.
- Local U.S. missionary organizations have requested the Department contact their home offices to assure them that all personnel in Suriname are accounted for, unharmed, and in no reported danger:
- Missionary Aviation Fellowship: Mr. Walter Mood, (714) 525-8111
- Southern Baptists: Mr. Charles Bryan, (804) 353-0151
- Summer Institute of Language (former Wycliffe Foundation, Bible Translators): Mr. Elder or Mr. Ostrander, (714) 536-9346
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META DATA
UNCLASSIFIED
AN: 0800099-0106
PAGE 01 PARAmA 00320 01 OF 02 260639i
ACTION ARA-15
INFO OCT-01 EUR-1-a ADS-00 ANAE-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 SSO-00 ICAE-00 INRE-00 A-02 OPR-02 SY-05 SYE-00 OC-06 CCO-00 AID-07 IO-15 DCT-02 PM-05 H-02 INR-10 L-03 PA-02 SP-02 SS-15 OCS-06 HA-05 EB-08 CA-01 1126 128528 260717i /1I
FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6017
INFO AMEMBASSY BRASILIA IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY CARACAS IMMEDIATE
DEPARTMENT OF STATE A/CDC/MB
AMEMBASSY-CARACAS IMMEDIATE OCT 7 1981
AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN IMMEDIATE REVIEWED BY DATE
AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE IMMEDIATE
AMCONSUL CURACAO IMMEDIATE
HD USSOUTHCOM QUARRY HGTS PANAMA IMMEDIATE
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E.O. 12065: N/A
TAGS: PINT, MILT, NS