Wim van Eer explained

Wim van Eer
Office:Ambassador of Suriname to the Netherlands
Term Start:25 November 1975
Term End:20 May 1980
Predecessor:position established
Successor:Hans Prade
Office2:Minister Plenipotentiary of Suriname
Term Start2:1 April 1974
Term End2:25 November 1975
Predecessor2:Desi Polanen
Successor2:position abolished
Birth Name:Willem Frederik van Eer
Birth Date:19 December 1927
Birth Place:Paramaribo, Surinam
Death Place:Paramaribo, Suriname
Nationality:Suriname
Occupation:diplomat, educator
Party:National Party of Suriname

Willem Frederik "Wim" van Eer (19 December 1927 – 2 July 2011) was a Surinamese diplomat and educator. He served as Minister Plenipotentiary of Suriname from 1 April 1974 until the Independence of Suriname on 25 November 1975. Subsequently, he was appointed first Ambassador of Suriname to the Netherlands and served until 20 May 1980.[1]

Biography

Van Eer was born on 19 December 1927 in Paramaribo.[1] He studied pedagogy at the Nuts Academy in Rotterdam, and subsequently at the University of Utrecht.[2] Van Eer was one of the founders of the Surinamese in Rotterdam Foundation.[3] In 1964, he returned to Suriname and became the principal of the kweekschool (normal school) in Paramaribo.[2] He became a member of the National Party of Suriname.[2]

Henck Arron appointed van Eer as Minister Plenipotentiary of Suriname on 1 April 1974.[3] He played an important role in the negotiations for Independence of Suriname. On 25 November 1975, his function became obsolete, and he was appointed as first Ambassador of Suriname to the Netherlands.[1]

On 25 February 1980, Desi Bouterse committed a coup d'état[4] On 11 March, van Eer returned to Suriname to negotiate with the new regime.[5] He was honourably discharged effective 20 May 1980, and reassigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[6] On 24 December, Hans Prade was appointed as his successor.[7]

Van Eer died on 2 July 2011 in Paramaribo, at the age of 83.[1]

Honours

Notes and References

  1. Web site: W.F. (Wim) van Eer . Parlement.com. 18 December 2021. nl.
  2. News: Suriname benoemt minister. Algemeen Dagblad via Delpher.nl. nl. 20 March 1974. 19 December 2021.
  3. News: Wim van Eer (46) gevolmachtigd minister van Suriname. Trouw via Delpher.nl. 20 March 1974. nl.
  4. News: Timeline: Suriname. BBC News. 19 December 2021.
  5. News: CD-nieuws. De Telegraaf via Delpher.nl. 11 April 1980. 19 December 2021. nl.
  6. News: Van Eer eervol ontslagen. Amigoe via Delpher.nl. 28 May 1980. 19 December 2021. De Surinaamse ambassadeur in Nederland, W. van Eer, is niet ontslagen maar eervol ontheven uit zijn functie. Dat heeft de zaakgelastigde van Suriname in Nederland, Lamuur, gisteren in Den Haag het ANP laten weten."
    Translation: The Surinamese ambassor to the Netherlands, W. van Eer, has not been fired, but honourably discharged from his functions. According to a statement made yesterday in The Hague by chargé d'affaires Lamuur to the ANP (Press office).".
  7. News: Ambassadeur. de Volkskrant via Delpher.nl. 27 December 1980. 19 December 2021. nl.
  8. Web site: Benoemingen in de Ereorde. Government of Suriname. 20 December 2021. nl.