GOVERNMENT OF SURINAME AND OPPOSITION TRADE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARAMARIBO 000636

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR JROSHOLT, KWILLIAMS; DS COMMAND CENTER
AND DS/IP/WHA; INR/IAA; SOUTHCOM FOR J5; SECDEF FOR OSD CAR
DESK; EMBASSIES FOR POL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2017
TAGS: ASEC PREL NS
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT OF SURINAME AND OPPOSITION TRADE
ACCUSATIONS IN MEDIA. DUTCH CONCERNED BY INTEL

Classified By: Charge d' Affaires, a.i. Thomas R. Genton for reason 1.4
(b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. "At very short notice, violent
confrontations can be expected in Suriname," Dutch Embassy
interlocuters relayed to EmbOffs during a late evening
meeting at the Dutch Embassy on December 6. This information
was from a "reliable source," the Dutch DCM said, who had
also indicated "foreign embassies and/or residences may be
targeted." Post convened the Emergency Action Committee
(EAC) in response, which determined this is likely another
move in the very public media/public opinion war between the
Government of Suriname and the leaders of the National
Democratic Party. In the absence of corroborating
information at this time, the security situation did not
warrant any further measures, the EAC decided. End Summary.


2. (C) EmbOffs were contacted by Dutch Embsasy officials on
December 6 and asked to attend a 10:00 PM meeting at the
Dutch Embassy. Charge, DEA Country Attache, and TDY ORA
Contractor attended for the U.S. Embassy.


3. (C) During the meeting, the Dutch DCM read a translation
of information "received from a reliable source" that stated
the following: "Today, 6th December 2007, panic has arisen
among the group close to Bouterse, including his personal
security staff. They are mobilising and arming themselves.
At very short notice, violent confrontations can be expected
in Suriname. Foreign Embassies and/or residences may also be
targeted."


4. (SBU) The Government of Suriname (GOS) and the opposition
party (NDP) of Desi Bouterse, who is on trial with 24 others
for the December 8, 1982, murders of 15 political opponents,
have been trading highly incendiary accusations in local
media -- both print and television -- during the past week.
Minister of Justice and Police Chandrikapersad Santokhi
accused the opposition of planning and undertaking actions to
undermine not just the trial, but the GOS. On December 6,
NDP spokesman Rashied Doekhi accused the GOS and Dutch of
plotting to assassinate Bouterse. Carried on the first page
of De Ware Tijd, Suriname's top circulation daily, were NDP
claims that the GOS had several scenarios through which to
assassinate Bouterse, and that the NDP had convened a special
session in order to take proper mesures to protect their
chairman. The article reported the NDP "claims they have
hard information that joint Surinamese and Dutch troops
started the hunt for Desi Bouterse." The article also noted,
however, that Surinamese Vice President Ramdien Sardjoe and
Dutch Embassy spokesperson Ralf van de Beek had both publicly
denounced the accusations.


5. (C) One EmbOff was in Nickerie District on December 6, and
reported that Bouterse, who owns a home there, was present
and appearing in public in Nickerie. The police station
showed no unusual activity. Press contacts of the Embassy
told us that five or six buses of Surinamese military
personnel had been seen in Nickerie -- but these buses are
likely associated with the new military base at Clara Poleer
and not any Bouterse hunt. The "man on the street" in
Nickerie informed EmbOff that these accusations could be
setting the stage for Bouterse to flee the country -- so that
he could be seen by NDP supporters as fleeing for his safety
rather than to avoid being arrested.


6. (C) Comment. Post convened the Emergency Action
Committee on Friday afternoon, December 7 at 3:20 pm. In the
absence of any new or corroborating information, and taking
into account the political machinations of the GOS and the
NDP, the EAC determined that the security situation did not
warrant further measures; however, the RSO has increased
patrols and surveillance of USG facilities and residences.
Employees were instructed to inform the RSO of any travel
outside of Paramaribo city limits. RSO and EmbOffs will
continue to monitor the situation. End Comment.
GENTON