CIA planned to topple Surinam leader, ABC says

The Central Intelligence Agency had planned to organize a band of rebels to topple the government of Surinam, but strong congressional opposition prompted President Reagan to scuttle the covert project, it was reported.

Mr. Reagan initially supported the effort, because of concerns that Surinam's military leader, Desi Bouterse, was building a close alliance with the communist government of Cuba, according to the ABC News program ''Nightline.'' The White House declined to comment on the report.