Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PARAMARIBO534
2007-10-01 17:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Paramaribo
Cable title:
BOUTERSE CALLS FOR MASS PROTESTS AFTER MARITIME BORDER
how-toVZCZCXRO3528 RR RUEHGR DE RUEHPO #0534 2741732 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 011732Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9725 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUEHAO/AMCONSUL CURACAO 1176 RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 2043 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1630 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 1606 RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000534
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR -- JACKIE ROSHOLT, INR -- BOB CARHART, INR -- RAY
MILEFSKY
COMMERCE FOR MICHELLE BROOKS
OSD FOR JUAN CARDENAS
SOUTHCOM FOR J2, J5
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS EINV EPET PGOV PREL NS
SUBJECT: BOUTERSE CALLS FOR MASS PROTESTS AFTER MARITIME BORDER
DECISION
REF: PARAMARIBO 529
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000534
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR -- JACKIE ROSHOLT, INR -- BOB CARHART, INR -- RAY
MILEFSKY
COMMERCE FOR MICHELLE BROOKS
OSD FOR JUAN CARDENAS
SOUTHCOM FOR J2, J5
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS EINV EPET PGOV PREL NS
SUBJECT: BOUTERSE CALLS FOR MASS PROTESTS AFTER MARITIME BORDER
DECISION
REF: PARAMARIBO 529
1. (SBU) Summary. Desi Bouterse, former military strongman and
chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP),is attempting to
mobilize mass protests against the Venetiaan government on October 1
during President Venetiaan's annual State of the Republic speech.
These protests are likely Bouterse's bid to divert public attention
from the upcoming 8 December murders trial, in which Bouterse is a
main suspect. End Summary.
2. (U) Taking advantage of the disappointing outcome conveyed in the
September 20 announcement of the maritime border resolution by the
UN International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS),on
September 26 former military dictator and chairman of the opposition
National Democratic Party (NDP) Desi Bouterse called on the
Surinamese population to stage protests against the Venetiaan
government on October 1 as part of his "mission to overthrow the
Venetiaan government." The protests are to take place at
Independence Square, across from the National Assembly where
President Venetiaan will deliver his annual State of the Republic
speech.
3. (U) Bouterse cited the Surinamese government's handling of the
maritime border dispute as evidence "President Venetiaan is
incapable of leading the country." He blamed the Venetiaan
government for an increase in crime and corruption since coming to
power and alleged the country is "on sale" since the Venetiaan
government gives away land and natural resources in negotiations
with multinational companies.
4. (SBU) Comment: Bouterse's plan for an October 1 protest on
Independence Square is a strategic move, as President Venetiaan will
deliver his annual State of the Republic speech in the National
Assembly, just across from the square, on that date. Bouterse
likely wants to divert attention away from the upcoming 8 December
murders trial, which is scheduled to begin on November 30, and in
which he is a prime suspect. Bouterse may well attract a large
crowd on October 1, as many people are frustrated with the
government's policies concerning land distribution, education and
housing. Despite the bluster, however, Bouterse is unlikely to
succeed in sending the President home.
SCHREIBER HUGHES
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR -- JACKIE ROSHOLT, INR -- BOB CARHART, INR -- RAY
MILEFSKY
COMMERCE FOR MICHELLE BROOKS
OSD FOR JUAN CARDENAS
SOUTHCOM FOR J2, J5
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS EINV EPET PGOV PREL NS
SUBJECT: BOUTERSE CALLS FOR MASS PROTESTS AFTER MARITIME BORDER
DECISION
REF: PARAMARIBO 529
1. (SBU) Summary. Desi Bouterse, former military strongman and
chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP),is attempting to
mobilize mass protests against the Venetiaan government on October 1
during President Venetiaan's annual State of the Republic speech.
These protests are likely Bouterse's bid to divert public attention
from the upcoming 8 December murders trial, in which Bouterse is a
main suspect. End Summary.
2. (U) Taking advantage of the disappointing outcome conveyed in the
September 20 announcement of the maritime border resolution by the
UN International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS),on
September 26 former military dictator and chairman of the opposition
National Democratic Party (NDP) Desi Bouterse called on the
Surinamese population to stage protests against the Venetiaan
government on October 1 as part of his "mission to overthrow the
Venetiaan government." The protests are to take place at
Independence Square, across from the National Assembly where
President Venetiaan will deliver his annual State of the Republic
speech.
3. (U) Bouterse cited the Surinamese government's handling of the
maritime border dispute as evidence "President Venetiaan is
incapable of leading the country." He blamed the Venetiaan
government for an increase in crime and corruption since coming to
power and alleged the country is "on sale" since the Venetiaan
government gives away land and natural resources in negotiations
with multinational companies.
4. (SBU) Comment: Bouterse's plan for an October 1 protest on
Independence Square is a strategic move, as President Venetiaan will
deliver his annual State of the Republic speech in the National
Assembly, just across from the square, on that date. Bouterse
likely wants to divert attention away from the upcoming 8 December
murders trial, which is scheduled to begin on November 30, and in
which he is a prime suspect. Bouterse may well attract a large
crowd on October 1, as many people are frustrated with the
government's policies concerning land distribution, education and
housing. Despite the bluster, however, Bouterse is unlikely to
succeed in sending the President home.
SCHREIBER HUGHES