STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS: DRIZZLE & FIZZLE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARAMARIBO 000589 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR JROSHOLT, JTILGHMAN; INR/IAA RCARHART E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PGOV NS SUBJECT: STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS: DRIZZLE & FIZZLE REF: A. (A) PARAMARIBO 585 ¶B. (B) PARAMARIBO 586 ¶C. (C) PARAMARIBO 176 PARAMARIBO 00000589 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: A student protest march organized on November 9 by the Youth Collective Suriname (YCS) failed to develop gravitas, but organizers can take some comfort from knowing that, despite heavy rains, they were successful at least in attracting about 300 student, reversing the trend of the previous three marches toward dwindling numbers. The march appeared better orchestrated than earlier attempts; however, it failed to attract noticeable support beyond high school students. END SUMMARY -------------- -------------- BRING ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR, YOUR HUDDLED MASSES -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) As promised (Reftel A),the Youth Collective Suriname (YCS) staged its fourth protest march in the past week. Organizers called for all street vendors, the disabled, the mentally challenged, ex-military, squatters, unions, and the poor to join them. They also indicated that there would be a "surprise element," raising speculation that opposition leader Desi Bouterse himself might make an appearance in support of the demonstrations. They also indicated they would present a petition to the Embassy of the Netherlands. The Charge called the the Dutch Embassy on November 8 to get their views on the protests. On the morning of November 9, the Charge, A/DCM, RSO and MGT met and developed a contingency plan in the event demonstrators approached the U.S. Embassy. (They did not.) -------------- DRIZZLE, THEN FIZZLE -------------- ¶3. (U) Having obtained the appropriate permit from the Police, the YCS began to congregate at a public plaza several blocks from the Embassy between 8:00 and 10:00 am. At 9:00 am the heavens erupted in thunder and heavy rains that drenched the participants -- and the brass band that had been invited to join them. At about 10:00 am, march organizers, clearly identified by their bright red and yellow reflective vests, shepherded participants along the parade route, which passed a half block away from the Embassy, to the main West-East roadway, and toward downtown Paramaribo. EmbOffs watched from the fourth floor of the Chancery as a splinter group of about 30 youth bolted from the main pack and entered the compound of a public high school directly across from the Embassy. When their efforts to coax, cajole, and taunt students to join them failed to win any converts, they left, following a different route than the main pack. Police had promised to intervene with the Riot Squad if schools were stormed, but no police were on hand to evict the protestors. In general, Police have kept their cool and kept the marchers on course. ¶4. (SBU) By the time the main pack reached the Dutch Embassy about a mile across town, the numbers had dwindled to about 150 (Dutch Embassy estimate) and had taken on the tone of a school outing. The Dutch Second Secretary went out to the Embassy gate and received a petition while the students sang a "youth song," followed by the Dutch national anthem (no doubt a welcome break from the "Dutch-bashing" often associated with protests in Suriname). The petition called for task forces on youth and education, a repeal of the recent tuition increase, and an anti-corruption code. ¶5. (U) The marchers then proceeded to Office of the President. When word came down that President Venetiaan would not meet with them, the marchers continued down the road and disbanded. Organizers have announced another protest for Tuesday, November 13. -------------- MINIMAL IMPACT -------------- ¶6. (SBU) While the organizers can take heart from a better turnout than the previous two marches, they have yet to develop any serious or broad-based support: none of the groups that the YCS called out to participate joined them, and today's marchers were almost exclusively high school students and a few adults (perhaps parents). The organizers themselves do appear to be more organized, even if they are unable to generate gravitas. For example, this was the first of the four marches where adults with safety vests shepherded PARAMARIBO 00000589 002.2 OF 002 the students and kept them out of traffic. The YCS also said they were sending organizers to Nieuw Nickerie in Suriname's westernmost department to broaden the scope of protest. No reliable information is available on the outcome of that effort as of the drafting of this cable. Nonetheless, the poor turnout in Paramaribo reflects the lack of focus of the YCS objectives, as well as an underlying public skepticism on the political motives behind the protests. Genton GENTON