Special Sub-Topic: Suriname as an Independent Republic Click Here To Play: Suriname as an Independent Republic

Who was the first president of Suriname?

Mr. Ferrier. Johan Ferrier was the first president (without executive power).

Politics in Suriname are dominated by the struggle between two ethnic groups. Which are they?

Creoles and Hindustanis. Creoles are descendants of African slaves; Hindustanis are descendants of imported labourers from India.

On February 25, 1980 Desi Bouterse led a military coup against the government headed by which prime minister?

Henck Arron. Mr. Arron was prime minister from 1973-1980. Mr. Chin A Sen was his successor in the first period of the military regime. Mr. Lachmon was president of the parliament for a long time and Mr. Ferrier was president of the Republic 1975-1980.

The military regime became more and more extreme between 1980 and 1986. On December 8th 1982 the regime killed 15 of its most prominent opponents. What was Mr. Chin A Sen's reaction to this event?

He became the leader of the Holland based Council for the Liberation of Suriname. Mr. Chin A Sen had already stepped down as president after a political crisis earlier in 1982. Now he drew the ultimate conclusion.

In 1987 Mr. Bouterse had to accept democratic elections in Suriname. He formed the National Democratic Party (NDP). How many seats did the NDP win in 1987 out of a total of 51 seats?

3. The people were fed up with the military and longed for civilian rule. They gave massive support to the coalition of the traditional political parties.

Mr. Bouterse continued to be politically active. What was the nickname of the coup in which he forced the civilian government to resign in 1990?

The Telephone Coup. It was by telephone that Mr. Bouterse told the government that it had to step down.

Who became president after the elections of 1991?

Ronald Venetiaan. Mr. Venetiaan was, once again, an opponent of Mr. Bouterse.

The Hindustani party BVD made possible a government by the National Democratic Party in 1996.

t. The outcome of the elections of 1996 was undecisive. The BVD (Movement for Freedom and Democracy) chose for Mr. Bouterse's side during the formation of a government. Bouterse's aide Jules Wijdenbosch became president.

In 2000 the Dutch Court of Justice condemned Mr. Bouterse (in absentia) to eleven years imprisonment for money laundering.

f. The charge - of which he was convicted, was smuggling cocaine.

Which former president was re-elected in 2000?

Ronald Venetiaan. After the financial disaster left behind by Mr. Bouterse's protégé Jules Wijdenbosch, Ronald Venetiaan, became president once again.