Suriname Situation Report #7 – 17 December 1986

As of 1600 hours, 17 December 1986

Surinamese Developments

Bouterse’s frustration over his inability to end the insurgency may be driving him to seek additional aid from radical states.

[CENSORED]

Information on Surinamese military deployments remains fragmentary. We have recently learned the following, however

[CENSORED] Zanderij Airport has only one quad-50 anti-aircraft machine gun located in the northwest corner of the complex. The Surinamese Air Force reportedly does not have radar capable of working in conjunction with the quad-50s.

The remaining three quads are in the following locations in the capital: one at Ft. Zeelandia, one at Zoor en Hoop Airfield, and one at the city’s naval base. All four could be easily transported. [CENSORED]

[CENSORED]

Surinamese Developments

Signs of dissent within the Group of 16, Bouterse’s inner circle, continue to surface.

  • [CENSORED]
  • [CENSORED] Sgm. Roy Tolud, a Group of 16 member now assigned to G3 duties, is very upset about the recent atrocities committed by the military in eastern Suriname. [CENSORED] soldiers participating in the offensive were told to clean up the participating area regardless of the cost — even if it meant killing women and children. [CENSORED]
  • Troop morale is low, despite rumors to the contrary.
  • [CENSORED] Another Group of 16 member, Sgm. Tjen a Kwoel, is very disturbed by the killings, and may be on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
  • Members of the military police might be the most likely element of the Army to offer resistance in the event of an invasion. [CENSORED] MP Commander Zeeuw, who is a Group of 16 member, might lead such a resistance.
  • Another source of resistance might be those who have blood on their hands, e.g., those directly responsible for the 1982 murders, and those more recently involved in death squad activities.

[CENSORED]

Other Developments

Nothing to report at this time.

Date:
December 17, 1986
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