BOUTERSE CONDEMNS TRIAL, SEEKS ROLE FOR HIS PARTY IN GOVERNMENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARAMARIBO 000789

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - LLUFTIG
DEPT FOR INL/LP - JCROOK, KBROWN
CARACAS FOR LEGATT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM, SNAR, PGOV, PREL, NS
SUBJECT: BOUTERSE CONDEMNS TRIAL, SEEKS ROLE FOR HIS PARTY IN
GOVERNMENT

REF: (A) PARAMARIBO 788, (B) PARAMARIBO 404, (C) PARAMARIBO 286

PARAMARIBO 00000789 001.2 OF 002


1. (U) Summary. On December 9 Desi Bouterse, Suriname's former
military dictator, was re-elected as chairman of his political
party, the National Democratic Party (NDP) (ref A). Hundreds of
supporters attended the meeting held to celebrate Bouterse's
victory. He used the opportunity to lash out at President Venetiaan
and his government, calling for replacement of Venetiaan's Ministers
with a "national cabinet" to include the NDP. In addition, with the
24th anniversary of the December 1982 murders as a backdrop,
Bouterse argued that a truth and reconciliation commission would be
the best way to deal with the lingering issue of bringing those
responsible to justice. Indications of a possible budding alliance
between Bouterse and controversial Speaker of Parliament Paul
Somohardjo could lead to more tension and fragmentation within the
already weak government coalition. End Summary.


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Lively and charismatic, Bouterse shows his populist touch
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2. (U) To celebrate his re-election as chairman of the NDP,
Suriname's biggest political party, Desi Bouterse spoke before a
large crowd of supporters in the NDP's party center. Hundreds of
gathered supporters cheered loudly when the former military
strongman appeared on the podium for his speech, and showed their
admiration and approval numerous times during his hour-long one man
show in which he joked, laughed, and sometimes danced on the stage.


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Bouterse asks for a role for his party
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3. (U) Bouterse strongly criticized the economic and social policies
of the Venetiaan government and claimed that more than "78% of the
population lives below the poverty line" because of mismanagement by
Venetiaan and his Ministers. Bouterse termed the ruling coalition "a
shameless gang of thieves" and stated, "President Venetiaan is
leading one of the most corrupt countries in the world." Bouterse
referred to the corruption scandals which surfaced in 2005 at the
Ministries of Public Works and of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal
Husbandry (ref B) and alleged corruptive practices regarding land
distribution policy. The NDP chairman said that Venetiaan's
eight-party coalition is fragmented, and characterized by
infighting, where narrow party interests trump national interests.
He said the coalition is incapable of properly managing the country,
and offered his party's expertise and experience in calling for a
"national cabinet" to replace the current Ministers.

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Not afraid of his past...
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4. (U) The former military dictator spoke extensively on the
December 1982 murders, which were widely commemorated in Suriname
the day before Bouterse spoke. The year 2006 marks the 24th
anniversary of the execution by the Bouterse military regime of
fifteen prominent Bouterse opponents; the media published articles
on the topic, and a church service was held in memory of those who
died. Bouterse reiterated his stand that even though he was not
present at the scene of the crime, he does accept political
responsibility because he was de-facto head of state.

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...but doesn't want to go on trial for it
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5. (U) Bouterse accused the Venetiaan government of politicizing the
December murders and claimed that the sole reason for starting the
trial was to eliminate him as a political opponent. Unlike on
previous occasions, when he threatened Minister of Justice and
Police Chandrikapersad Santokhi and Attorney General Subhas Punwasi,
this time Bouterse called for the establishment of a truth and
reconciliation commission in lieu of dealing with the murders in
court, which he characterized as a waste of time and resources. He
warned Santokhi, whom he consistently referred to as "The Sheriff"
(Santokhi's local nickname),that a trial would generate "bad karma"
and would only cause more problems for Suriname.

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Somohardjo possible ally?
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PARAMARIBO 00000789 002.2 OF 002



6. (U) The NDP chairman commended Speaker of Parliament Paul
Somohardjo, nominal Bouterse political opponent as chairman of
coalition party Pertjaja Luhur, for his open-mindedness on the
December murders issue. A local daily reported on December 8 that
Somohardjo believes Bouterse and others involved in the December
murders should get amnesty from the government. Somohardjo has not
publicly confirmed any such sentiments. However, public opinion may
be running in Bouterse's favor: in a man on the street interview
published in the local daily "Dagblad Suriname" on December 11, five
of the eight people interviewed were of the opinion that the
December murders issue was dragging on for too long and that
Suriname should move on.

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Comment
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7. (SBU) One of the most noteworthy points in Bouterse's speech is
that he publicly commended Paul Somohardjo on his stance with regard
to the resolution of the December murders issue. Somohardjo, a
controversial figure in the ruling coalition often accused of
influence peddling (and convicted for violation of decency after
accusations of backstage sexual assault at a 2002 beauty pageant),
has been using the six seats he gained in the May 2005 elections to
remind the other coalition partners of the pivotal role his party
plays in keeping the unwieldy coalition together (ref C). Bouterse's
"backing" would give Somohardjo further leverage for this so-called
"black mail" policy. Following Bouterse's speech, rumors and press
reports surfaced again hinting that Somohardjo is hoping for early
elections--and would work together with Bouterse if it is to his
advantage. End Comment.

SCHREIBER HUGHES