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Article: Suriname's Army Strongman, Facing Rebellion, Offers Election
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- May 23, 1987
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Suriname's military ruler, Lt. Col. Desi Bouterse, is counting
on a political offensive to turn back a guerrilla rebellion that has
cut this capital city off from the country's hinterlands.
The 10-month-old rebellion by one of Bouterse's former
bodyguards, Ronny Brunswijk, has hamstrung the already weak economy
of this small South American nation. Despite the fighting, which has
forced many rural villagers from their homes, Bouterse is proceeding
with plans to hold Suriname's first elections in 10 years on Nov. 25.
Bouterse hopes the elections will undercut local support for
Brunswijk and persuade the Netherlands and other western nations to
restore aid programs.
The Netherlands' ...