TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION AT DCI LUNCHEON MEETING WITH SECRETARY SHULTZ ON 5 NOVEMBER 1982

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00049R001403500023-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 2, 2007
• Sequence Number: 23
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/07/02 : CIA-RDP84B00049R001403500023-9
S E C R E T
SUBJECT: Topic for Discussion at DCI Luncheon Meeting
with Secretary Shultz on 5 November 1982
Challenge to Leadership of Suriname
Army Commander Lt. Colonel Desire Bouterse
6
1. A major confrontation between the powerful democratic
labor sector and the head of the military government, Lt. Colonel
Desire Bouterse, appears to have been avoided by the direct
intervention of the Deputy Army Commander, Major Roy Horb.
Bouterse's prestige and popular support base have eroded. A power
struggle between Horb and Bouterse appears to be underway.
Bouterse's pro-Cuban and leftist advisors are whispering to him
that Horb and labor leader Cyril Daal have entered into an
alliance.
2. This challenge to Bouterse's leadership has resulted in a
formulation which may provide for the return of democracy to
Suriname. Daal was arrested on 28 October when he failed to obey
Bouterse's demand to order striking air traffic controllers back
to work. The strike threatened to disrupt the official visit of
Grenadian Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, scheduled to arrive that
day. However, spontaneous demonstrations supporting his position
resulted in his release from custody. Daal then called a labor
rally for 31 October to coincide with a peoples' rally which
Bouterse had planned for Prime Minister Bishop. Attendance at the
Bouterse/Bishop rally was estimated at 1,500 people; estimates are
that 15,000 turned out to support Daal. Daal called for a general
strike to be held on 2 November to force the government to
reinstate the democratic process in Suriname.
3. At the time of these events in Suriname, Major Horb was
in the United States on a personal visit.
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 Approved For Release 2007/07/02 : CIA-RDP84B00049ROO1403500023-9
4. When he arrived in Suriname, Horb promised his support
and the support of the military to labor leader Daal. This is the
first known incident in which Bouterse and Horb have had a
fundamental difference of opinion. Horb is critical of the
pro-Cuban Foreign Minister Harvey Naarendorp, and dislikes
Cuban-trained Minister of Health and Environment Sital. Both
officials are strong Bouterse supporters. It remains to be seen
in this test of wills whether Bouterse will accept the ouster of
two of his strongest supporters, or to what extent Horb will
insist on such a move. A further irritant to Bouterse is the
pledge of support Major Horb received from the Surinamese Army.
It appears Bouterse perceives Horb's activism during this delicate
period as a sign that Horb wishes to replace him.
5. The situation remains fluid. Major Horb has given Daal
assurances that he will be protected. In fact, Horb assigned nine
personal bodyguards to Daal. While it is premature to conclude
that democracy will return in Suriname, it is clear that the
popular Major Horb is no longer walking in step with Bouterse.
Approved For Release 2007/07/02 : CIA-RDP84B00049ROO1403500023-9