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 / Date Event
July 22 Rebels attack Army posts at Albina and Stolkersvilijt; eight soldiers kidnapped and weapons stolen.
August mid Bouterse asks Brazil, France, and US for helicopter to aid in search for rebels.
August 21 Rebels ambush government commando unit in eastern Suriname and inflict heavy casualties.
August late Rebel leader Brunswijk orders Bouterse to step down or face attack on Paramaribo.
August late Bouterse instructs Army to employ whatever force necessary to defeat rebels.
August late Libyan delegation visits Suriname reportedly to offer military aid and $50 million in cash in return for cultural and economic presence.
September early Surinamese Army company commander reportedly defects after being captured by rebels.
September early Rebels shoot down Brazilian civilian helicopter leased to Surinamese forces.
September mid Surinamese Army reportedly receives 100 AK-47 rifles paid by Libya and shipped from Nicaragua via Cuba.
September mid Rebels reportedly ambush military convoy in eastern Suriname with 15-30 casualties.
October early Government reports Surinamese forces repel rebel attack at Zanderij Airfield, 36 km outside capital.
October early Hindustani 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 mid Rebels burn government oil plantation at Patamacca and schools near Moengo. Insurgents drop propaganda leaflets in Moengo and commandeer private vehicles.
October 11-13 Rebels attack bridges and government outposts in eastern Suriname.
October 18 Insurgents hijack government-owned passenger aircraft. All flights to the interior halted.
October 20 Prime Minister Radhakishun requests US help in encouraging Bouterse to leave.
November early Growing presence of armed soldiers and militia in Paramaribo. Murders of Bush Negroes around capital reportedly conducted by Bouterse’s henchmen.
November early Brazil and the Netherlands renounce further aid to Bouterse. Food shortages prompt Surinamese request for US food aid after Brazil rejected earlier request.
November 19 Libyan 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 23 Two North Korean helicopter pilots arrive in Suriname awaiting delivery of two helicopters.
November late Rebels block access to SURALCO bauxite operation in Moengo and lay siege to Albina.
November late Bouterse rejects call by Suriname Council of Churches for negotiated end to insurgency.

December

Date / Period Event
December early Rebels damage electrical transmission tower near SURALCO alumina refinery.
December early Government troops claim to have retaken Albina and Moengo. Growing evidence of attacks on civilian Bush Negroes.
December early Bouterse reimposes state of emergency.
December 8 Dutch request US help in resolving situation in Suriname.
December 8 Bouterse warns advisory council of imminent French invasion.
December 12 Bouterse agrees to election timetable. According to press reports, counterinsurgency efforts are halted.
December 12 An 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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