Page 2 Portland Observer, March 23,1983
Surinam seeks independent path
Surinam, a Utile-known nation in
the Northeast corner o f South Am
erica, celebrated three years under
new rule this February. Largely un
known until recent months. Suri
nam has become a frequent topic of
the U.S. press and an even more fre
quent target o f the U .S . govern
ment.
Surinam covers an area of 66,300
square miles and has a population
o f 383,000 people o f various races,
cultures and religions—descendants
o f Dutch settlers and o f A frican
slaves; immigrants from India, In
donesia, China, Europe and Leban
on, and a small number of Amerin
dians.
The Netherlands took possession
of Surinam (ther former Dutch Gui
ana, in the 17th century. So rich was
the area that they preferred to give
up Manhattan and retain their hold
ings in South America. The Dutch
traders successfully built a sugar
economy, based on slaves, in spite
o f constant riv a lry with B rita in ,
which took over what is now the Re
public o f Guyana. During the 18th
and early 19th centuries. The Nether
lands imported sugar, coffee and
cotton from Surinam.
The slaves were not accepting of
their role and there were so many
slave revolts during the 18th century
that the Dutch colonizers were
forced to negotiate with the runa
way slaves and grant them freedom.
The continuous uprisings made co
lonization of the interior impossible
and the Dutch turned their attention
to Indonesia, which was a more fa
vorable environment for exploita
tion.
During the 20th century Surinam
became a country o f small farmers,
established mostly on the banks of
the large rivers. Descendants o f run
away slaves lived in the jungle; de
scendants o f Indians and Indone
sians on the west coast; the Creole
population in the m ajor city,
Param aribo. A fte r W orld W a r I I
the export o f bauxite (90 percent of
Surinam's export) and the develop
ment o f rice-growing developed a
new working class and inspired a
move to the city.
l imited self-rule began ia 1949
and independence was granted in
197). Following independence the
Netherlands and the United States
retained control over foreign trade,
the natural resources and the media.
The complexity o f the ethnic, cul
tural and religious groups divided
the people— usually along religious
lines— and deterred the building o f
national unity.
Surinam's population is one-third
Creole, one-third East Indian, and
the remainder Indonesian, Chinese,
Lebanese, U.S. and European. The
official language it Dutch, but it is
spoken only by theupper class. En-
My husband and I
did everything
together. We even
decided on our
funeral plans
together. W hen John died it
himself in his ja il cell. Others were
reportedly killed when they attempt
ed an escape— an incident highly
publicized in the U .S . press and
used as a reason to label the Suri
nam government as unjust.
desi bouterse
glish, French, Portugese, Spanish
and several dialects are also used. A
language that derives from several
o f these languages— Sranantonggo
is widespread. Because it is neces
sary to have a common language.
Spanish is now required in the
schools.
On February 23, 1980, sixteen
members of the military led by Sgt.
M ajor Desi Bouterse overthrew the
government and set up a new gov
ernment headed by Dr. Henk Chin
A. Sen which included several politi
cal parties and social groups.
This government became involved
in corruption so the military leaders
placed four military officers, includ
ing Bouterse, in charge.
In November, 1981, a new party,
the R evolutionary F ro nt, was
form ed, and Surinam joined the
Movement of Non-Aligned Nations
and the Socialist International.
Currently there is a mixed civil
ian-m ilitary cabinet. Bouterse has
said elections will be held in the fu
ture.
A national committee with repre
sentatives from various sectors o f
the population has been formed to
submit proposals for a new govern
ment structure. This is the basis for
broad public discussions taking
place from M arch 13th to 31st,
aimed at developing a new constitu
ent assembly and a new constitu
tion.
The announcement o f this plan
in November was followed by light
Problems imposed by the U .S .
and The Netherlands include a t
tempts to impose an economic
blockade; boycotting of unloading
o f bauxite from Surinam; termina
tion o f aid fo r development pro
grams; and encouragement o f mer
cenary invasions.
Surinam has broken the blockade
by strengthening ties to other Latin
American and Caribbean nations;
improved health care; reorganized
the educational system; strength
ened the economy and lim ited the
influence of multinationals.
The government has also built
2,000 new homes, increased pen
sions; instituted free health care; na
tionalized the timber industry and
developed a fishing fleet.
In his speech at a mass rally on
February 23th, Bouterse said, "This
government is a government for the
working class." The course o f the
Revolutionary Front is to free Suri
nam from foreign domination and
create a new, more just, society.
was much easier for me There were
so many things that had to be done.
know I carried out his wishes because
we discussed them ahead of tim e. We
even had money put aside In a special
plan available through our funeral
home. It was a great relief. I wish
more people knew about It.
Please send for our free booklets on
funeral planning.
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h a rry
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est opposition and an attempted
coup. The Dutch press revealed the
presence of U.S.-based camps where
mercenaries and exiles are being
trained for an attack on Surinam.
In January, 1983, a plot to over
throw the government was discov
ered and 21 persons arrested.
Among them was one o f the four
government leaders, who hanged
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