Suriname: Chronology of Events Since July 1986

Talking Points on Suriname for DDCI and DDI – 18 December 1986

This document is part of this file: https://surinamepress.com/bb2/talking-points-on-suriname-for-ddci-and-ddi/

Month / DateEvent
July 22Rebels attack Army posts at Albina and Stolkersvilijt; eight soldiers kidnapped and weapons stolen.
August midBouterse asks Brazil, France, and US for helicopter to aid in search for rebels.
August 21Rebels ambush government commando unit in eastern Suriname and inflict heavy casualties.
August lateRebel leader Brunswijk orders Bouterse to step down or face attack on Paramaribo.
August lateBouterse instructs Army to employ whatever force necessary to defeat rebels.
August lateLibyan delegation visits Suriname reportedly to offer military aid and $50 million in cash in return for cultural and economic presence.
September earlySurinamese Army company commander reportedly defects after being captured by rebels.
September earlyRebels shoot down Brazilian civilian helicopter leased to Surinamese forces.
September midSurinamese Army reportedly receives 100 AK-47 rifles paid by Libya and shipped from Nicaragua via Cuba.
September midRebels reportedly ambush military convoy in eastern Suriname with 15-30 casualties.
October earlyGovernment reports Surinamese forces repel rebel attack at Zanderij Airfield, 36 km outside capital.
October earlyHindustani and Creole party leaders in Suriname reject cooperation with exiles or rebels. Party leaders state that best hope for democracy lies in agreement with military.
October midRebels burn government oil plantation at Patamacca and schools near Moengo. Insurgents drop propaganda leaflets in Moengo and commandeer private vehicles.
October 11-13Rebels attack bridges and government outposts in eastern Suriname.
October 18Insurgents hijack government-owned passenger aircraft. All flights to the interior halted.
October 20Prime Minister Radhakishun requests US help in encouraging Bouterse to leave.
November earlyGrowing presence of armed soldiers and militia in Paramaribo. Murders of Bush Negroes around capital reportedly conducted by Bouterse’s henchmen.
November earlyBrazil and the Netherlands renounce further aid to Bouterse. Food shortages prompt Surinamese request for US food aid after Brazil rejected earlier request.
November 19Libyan People’s Bureau in Caracas reportedly pays for half of helicopter purchased by Surinamese government from a Venezuelan firm. Reportedly flown by two private Americans under contract with the Surinamese government.
November 23Two North Korean helicopter pilots arrive in Suriname awaiting delivery of two helicopters.
November lateRebels block access to SURALCO bauxite operation in Moengo and lay siege to Albina.
November lateBouterse rejects call by Suriname Council of Churches for negotiated end to insurgency.

December

Date / PeriodEvent
December earlyRebels damage electrical transmission tower near SURALCO alumina refinery.
December earlyGovernment troops claim to have retaken Albina and Moengo. Growing evidence of attacks on civilian Bush Negroes.
December earlyBouterse reimposes state of emergency.
December 8Dutch request US help in resolving situation in Suriname.
December 8Bouterse warns advisory council of imminent French invasion.
December 12Bouterse agrees to election timetable. According to press reports, counterinsurgency efforts are halted.
December 12An estimated 1,500 demonstrate in Paramaribo in support of democratization and against foreign intervention. Government formally protests Dutch tolerance of anti-regime activities and Foreign Minister Herrenberg threatens to break diplomatic relations.
Date:
December 19, 1986
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