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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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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