Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PARAMARIBO511
2007-09-21 20:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Paramaribo
Cable title:  

JUNGLE COMMANDOS BLOCK PARAMARIBO-ALBINA ROAD

Tags:  PREL PGOV NS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4785
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHPO #0511 2642038
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 212038Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9699
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHAO/AMCONSUL CURACAO 1174
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000511 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

WHA/CAR FOR JROSHOLT, INL FOR KBROWN, INR FOR RCARHART

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NS
SUBJECT: JUNGLE COMMANDOS BLOCK PARAMARIBO-ALBINA ROAD


UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000511

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

WHA/CAR FOR JROSHOLT, INL FOR KBROWN, INR FOR RCARHART

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NS
SUBJECT: JUNGLE COMMANDOS BLOCK PARAMARIBO-ALBINA ROAD



1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Former rebel forces blockaded the main
East-West route on September 17, effectively closing down
traffic from Paramaribo to Suriname's eastern-most city
Albina in the district of Marowijne. The roadblock was
lifted following Government of Suriname assurances that it
would implement the terms of the 1992 peace accord that ended
the Interior War. This is another worrisome sign for
troubled eastern Suriname. END SUMMARY


2. (U) Members of the former "Jungle Commando" guerrilla
group that fought against government forces during Suriname's
Interior War (1986-1992) blocked the east-west
(Paramaribo-Albina) road on Monday, September 17 to protest
the Government of Suriname's (GOS) failure to implement the
terms of the peace accord that ended the war. According to
sources, between 25-40 unarmed protesters, led by commanders
initially identified only by their "noms de guerre," "Oom
Ieo," "Ajongpong," "Che," and "Paptoe," prevented vehicles
(but not pedestrians) from passing through the roadblocks,
which they set up at 3:00 a.m. between the Marowijne District
capital of Moengo and the easternmost city in Suriname,
Albina (exact location of roadblock: between Moengo and
Ricanau Creek).


3. (SBU) The former "Jungle Commandos" communicated via
local officials with Paramaribo to negotiate with the GOS and
threatened to continue to block the route until the
government gave firm assurances that the peace accords would
be fully implemented as they were signed in 1992. The
historical complaint of the Maroon population in Marowijne is
the failure of the GOS to support social and economic
development, defend natural resources against exploitation by
multinational companies, and assure the indigenous of land
rights. The more specific demand in this case concerned the
failure to give former combatants government jobs, or a
stipend which would allow them to seek jobs independently.
Note: The "Jungle Commando" members were reportedly drinking
hard liquor and allowing some vehicles to pass upon paying a
bribe, leading Post to conclude that the blockade was less a
political cause and more a matter of convenience used to help
attain narrowly self-focused demands. END NOTE.


4. (U) According to published reports confirmed by an
Embassy source Ronnie Brunswijk, former leader of the Jungle
Commando (and currently a member of parliament within the
governing coalition),had a telephone conversation with
President Venetiaan, who gave him firm assurances that the
peace agreement, as-signed, would be executed. The delay in
implementation was attributed to bureaucratic procedures
within the Ministry of Home Affairs.


5. (U) Embassy source and media reports indicate that the
roadblock was lifted at 4:30 p.m. on September 17, and the
situation is now back to normal. The protesters have set no
further deadlines.


6. (SBU) COMMENT: Bitter complaints and threats of civil
unrest by the former 'Jungle Commandos" over the failure of
the GOS to implement the 1992 peace accords are not new; they
threatened to blow up a large dam in 2006. However, this
time their roadblock appeared to rapidly achieve its
objective. Oft-sensationalist newspaper "Times of Suriname"
(average circulation 18,000) editorialized that it was a
"terrorist" action, but also said they were impressed with
how effective the action was, perhaps setting a dangerous
precedent for how to get things done in Suriname. While
there is no evidence that Marowijne parliamentarian Ronnie
Brunswijk organized or authorized the roadblock, his apparent
intervention to negotiate its end through his telephone
conversation with the President attests to his role as a key
player in the banditry-plagued East, where he often seems to
have more sway than the central government. President
Venetiaan's reportedly rapid capitulation speaks not only to
Brunswijk's apparent power but also, unfortunately, to
Venetiaan's lackluster leadership style. END COMMENT
SCHREIBER HUGHES