This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 GEORGETOWN 000150 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
ECA/A/E/USS - BRIAN N. GIBSON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO GY
SUBJECT: EMBASSY GEORGETOWN NOMINATION FOR FY-06 ECA/A/E/USS 
STUDY OF 
THE UNITED STATES INSTITUTE ON "U.S. FOREIGN POLICY" 
 
REFERENCE: STATE 202066, STATE 208708 
 
¶1.  Embassy Georgetown nominates Ms. Geetangeli Geer to the 
U.S. Institute on U.S. Foreign Policy.  Ms. Geer is the 
Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and a 
lecturer at the University of Guyana.  Ms. Geer lecturers on 
a international relations, conflict resolution.  Her classes 
include components on trafficking of arms and drugs as well 
as the need for the Caribbean to form stronger linkages with 
the U.S. 
 
 
¶2. PERSONAL INFORMATION 
 
¶A. NOMINEE'S FULL NAME: GEER, GEETANGELI 
 
¶B. DATE OF BIRTH [MONTH/DAY/YEAR]: FEB/11/1975 
 
¶C. CITY OF BIRTH: GEORGETOWN 
 
¶D. COUNTRY OF BIRTH: GUYANA 
 
¶E. COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE: GUYANA 
 
¶F. COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP: GUYANA 
 
¶G. HOME ADDRESS, TELEPHONE AND E-MAIL: 8 Second Cross 
Street, Bel Air Village, Greater Georgetown, Guyana, South 
America; Telephone: +592-626-5794; E-mail: 
Angeli112@hotmail.com 
 
¶H. GENDER: FEMALE 
 
¶I. MEDICAL, PHYSICAL, DIETARY OR OTHER PERSONAL 
CONSIDERATIONS [PLEASE NOTE:  NO PHYSICAL EXAMINATION IS 
REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM]: NONE 
 
¶J.  CURRENT POSITION AND TITLE: Assistant Dean and Lecturer, 
Faculty of Social Science 
 
¶K.  CURRENT INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATION AND COMPLETE 
ADDRESS: University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus 
 
¶L.  WORK EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING PREVIOUS POSITIONS AND 
TITLES: 
 
Assistant Dean and Lecturer, Faculty of Social Science, 
University of Guyana, August 2005 - present 
 
Lecturer I, University of Guyana, September 2002 - August 
2005 
 
 
¶M.  EDUCATION, ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING 
INCLUDING DEGREES EARNED AND FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION: 
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, January 2004 
Multi-Track Diplomacy and Conflict Transformation, one-month 
course 
 
UNIVERSITY OF PUNE, INDIA, graduated June 2002 
  Awarded a government of India Scholarship in 2000 
  Masters in Communication Studies - (M. Cm.S). First class 
 
UNIVERSITY  OF  GUYANA, Georgetown, Guyana,  graduated  June 
2000 
  Post Graduate Diploma - International Studies 
UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA, Georgetown, Guyana, June 1999 
  Bachelor of Social Science (B.Soc.Sc), Distinction 
  Major in Communication. 
 
¶N.  ACTIVE PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: UNKNOWN 
 
¶O.  SHORT REPEAT SHORT LIST OF RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS [NO 
MORE THAN FIVE-TEN CITATIONS]: NONE 
 
¶P.  PREVIOUS TRAVEL AND STUDY OR RESEARCH EXPERIENCE IN 
THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING DATES AND AN INDICATION AS TO 
WHETHER SUCH TRAVEL WAS SUPPORTED BY U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDS: 
 
July 1998 - Visited media houses as part of an undergraduate 
project.  No funding from the USG. 
 
January 2004 - University of Maryland, Multi-Track Diplomacy 
and Conflict Transformation.  No funding from the USG. 
 
 
¶Q.  EVIDENCE OF FLUENCY IN WRITTEN AND ORAL ENGLISH [E.G., 
TEST SCORE, PERSONAL INTERVIEW, ETC.]: Guyana is an English 
speaking country. 
 
¶3.  STATEMENT BY COMMISSION/POST JUSTIFYING PARTICIPATION 
OF THE CANDIDATE IN SUBJECT INSTITUTE [PER PARA 7-B 
ABOVE]: 
 
Embassy Georgetown supports Ms. Geer's nomination to the 
U.S. Institute on U.S. Foreign Policy.  After only three 
years in the University system, Ms. Geer has been made 
Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.  She has 
input into the curricula developed in her school.  In 
addition, Ms. Geer is a lecturer on foreign policy and 
regularly updates her course material.  Ms. Geer's 
participation would advance U.S. interests by creating a 
more informed student population. 
    (1)  CURRENT OR PROJECTED EXTENT OF THE U.S. STUDIES 
CONTENT OF THE COURSE[S] AND MATERIALS BEING TAUGHT OR 
DEVELOPED BY THE CANDIDATE:  Ms. Geer is the assistant dean 
of the faculty of Social Sciences in Guyana's main tertiary 
education institute.  In addition to her duties as assistant 
dean, Ms. Geer is also a lecturer.  Ms. Geer is responsible 
for course content the courses that she teaches including 
the following: 
 
  Issues  in  International Relations (POL  326).   A  brief 
  introduction to the post cold war discourse followed by  a 
  critical   understanding  of  some  of  the  theories   of 
  international  relations such as realism  and  liberalism. 
  Possible  shifts  in  strategic  interests  in  the   post 
  September    11   world   were   studied.    International 
  organizations,  which are considered to be  major  players 
  in  the  field  of international relations,  such  as  the 
  United  Nations  and  the  European  Union,  also  receive 
  attention. 
 
  Issues  in Caribbean Government and Politics - (POL  320). 
  This  course starts by examining the implications  of  the 
  Munroe  Doctrine for the region then moves onto  the  need 
  for  Caribbean  governments  to  establish  even  stronger 
  links with the United States to curb drug trafficking  and 
  arms  smuggling within and outside the region.   The  need 
  for  good governance in the Caribbean and the role of  the 
  Diaspora also receive due attention.  Integration  efforts 
  such  as  the  Caricom Single Market and Economy  and  its 
  implications  for the movement of labor and skills  within 
  the   region  receive  critical  examination.    Caricom's 
  relationship with Haiti was also studied in some detail. 
 
  Introduction to Latin American Politics - (IRL 414).  This 
  course introduces students to some of the major issues  in 
  Latin  American  government and politics.   As  such,  the 
  role  of  the military and the role of the Roman  Catholic 
  Church   in   Latin  America  are  examined.   Integration 
  efforts  in Latin America such as MERCOSUR and the  Treaty 
  for  Amazonian  Cooperation  are  discussed.   Brazil  and 
  Venezuela  are  studied  in some  detail  since  they  are 
  thought  to  be  two  of the stronger "players"  in  Latin 
  America. 
 
 
  Introduction to Conflict Analysis and Conflict  Resolution 
  -  (POL  327).   This course emphasizes the importance  of 
  conflict  management  in several areas  including  groups, 
  organizations  and the international arena.   Emphasis  is 
  placed   on   the  origins  of  conflict,  the   different 
  approaches  to  conflict resolution and the importance  of 
  communication   in   conflict  management   with   special 
  emphasis on intercultural communication. 
 
  Issues  in  Latin  American Politics -  (IRL  422).   This 
  course   focuses  on  several  areas  including   studying 
  political  change in Venezuela and Ecuador.   Emphasis  is 
  placed   on   some  integration  efforts  in  the   region 
  including  the  Organization of American  States  and  the 
  South  America  Community of Nations.  Attention  is  also 
  given  to security issues within region and the impact  of 
  narco  trafficking.   Latin America's relations  with  the 
  Caribbean  as  well as with the European Union  were  also 
  studied. 
 
  Introduction to International Relations - (POL  315).  The 
  objective is to provide Public Management students with  a 
  brief  overview  of International Relations.   The  course 
  introduces  students to the emergence  of  the  interstate 
  system  in  Europe  followed by the  significance  of  the 
  Treaty   of   Westphalia.   Theories  of  war,  diplomacy, 
  sources  and  types  of international  conflict  are  also 
  discussed.   Students are encouraged to  think  critically 
  about   the   ethical   dimensions   of   foreign   policy 
  formulation and execution. 
 
 
    (2)  LIKELY RELEVANCE OF THE PROGRAM TO THE 
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CANDIDATE; 
 
This institute is extremely relevant to Ms. Geer's 
professional responsibilities.  Ms. Geer lectures on foreign 
policy.  As the assistant dean, she is responsible for 
making sure that what curricula is up-to-date. 
 
    (3)  THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE CANDIDATE'S 
PARTICIPATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDY OF THE U.S. 
AT HIS/HER HOME INSTITUTION [IN TERMS OF ENHANCED TEACHING 
AND CURRICUA, ETC.]: 
 
Ms. Geer has input into the curricula of Guyana's major 
university.  Participation in this program will provide her 
with a better understanding of how U.S. foreign policy is 
implemented.  Using this information, she will be able to 
provide a more accurate picture of U.S. foreign policy to 
her students. 
 
    (4)  IF APPLICABLE, THE RELEVANCE OF THE CANDIDATE'S 
PARTICIPATION IN THE INSTITUTE TO POST'S/COMMISSION'S 
LONG-TERM U.S. STUDIES GOALS AND/OR THE MPP: 
 
Ms. Geer's participation would help fulfill Post's goal of 
stable conditions in fragile/failing states by providing the 
leaders of tomorrow with accurate information about U.S. 
foreign policy. 
 
¶S.  SHORT PERSONAL STATEMENT [NO MORE THAN 3 DOUBLE-SPACED 
PAGES] BY CANDIDATE INDICATING WHY HE OR SHE IS INTERESTED 
IN PARTICIPATING AND WHAT HE/SHE EXPECTS TO GET OUT OF THE 
PROGRAM: 
 
The  foreign  policy  of  a state  is  the  general  set  of 
principles  that  its  decision  makers  adopt  towards  the 
outside  world.  US foreign policy is of interest the  world 
over  but  since  I live in the Caribbean it  holds  special 
interest  to  me  because the view has been  advanced  those 
smaller, less powerful countries might not always  be  in  a 
position  to  articulate their needs as effectively  as  the 
larger,  more  developed, powerful  countries  such  as  the 
United States. 
 
Many  people  hold the view that in the post 9/11  world  US 
strategic  interests  have  shifted  away  from  the   Latin 
American/Caribbean region to the Middle East.  This view  is 
partially correct when one examines the current war in  Iraq 
with the objective of restoring democracy to that country. 
 
However, even though US strategic interests have shifted, it 
should    be    emphasized    that    within    the    Latin 
American/Caribbean region Venezuela, Cuba and  to  a  lesser 
extent  Haiti are the exceptions.  Additionally, the US  has 
maintained  a high level of interest in the region  when  it 
comes to a few select areas: 
  (1)   Drug  trafficking (with special interest in Jamaica, 
     Guyana, Columbia, [the use of Plan Colombia] Peru, Bolivia, 
     [especially now with the election of Evo Morales who is 
     slated to commence his presidential term on January 22, 
     2005], Trinidad and Tobago).   Additionally the signing of 
     the Shiprider Agreement by the US with Guyana and Jamaica is 
     also a clear indication of the level of interest the US has 
     maintained in this area. 
  (2)   Trafficking  in Persons with specific  attention  to 
     Guyana, Brazil and Suriname. 
  (3)  The potential for a terrorist breeding ground in some 
     parts of the region such as Trinidad and Tobago 
  (4)  Funding of HIV/AIDS programs with specific reference to 
     Guyana.  According to Adolfo A. Franco, Assistant 
     Administrator, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, 
     United States Agency for International Development, Haiti 
     and Guyana are two of the 15 focus countries worldwide 
     included in the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS 
     Relief, a five-year, $15 billion initiative to combat the 
     HIV/AIDS pandemic. 
Clearly,  when it comes to the region, US foreign policy  is 
diverse.   Thus,  it would be important to  understand  what 
factors drive US foreign policy in these specific areas  and 
why are they important to the execution of US foreign policy 
in the region as a whole. 
 
The  US  has  also  maintained its  interest  in  the  Latin 
American  region in the hope of crafting various free  trade 
agreements  specifically within the CAFTA (Central  American 
Free Trade Agreement) Framework. 
In  a  statement issued by USTR Spokesman Stephen Norton  on 
December  30,  2005 the countries which are  signatories  to 
CAFTA-DR  were identified as the United States, Costa  Rica, 
the  Dominican  Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala,  Honduras, 
and  Nicaragua.   Mr. S. Norton continued that  all  of  the 
CAFTA-DR  signatories  have ratified  the  Agreement  except 
Costa  Rica. El Salvador was the first to ratify in December 
¶2004. Nicaragua was the most recent, in September 2005. 
He  stated  that CAFTA-DR is the second largest U.S.  export 
market  in  Latin America, behind only Mexico,  buying  more 
than  $16  billion  in  U.S.  exports.  Successful  CAFTA-DR 
implementation is critical to the broader U.S. policy  goals 
for  the  Americas  of strengthening democratic  governance, 
expanding economic opportunity, and investing in people. 
 
On  April 11, 2005 US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns was 
quoted as saying, "Under CAFTA with those markets opened  on 
a  fair  and  an equitable basis, we could well double  U.S. 
export  sales  to these countries. CAFTA-DR nations  have  a 
total population of 44 million. It is a great market for our 
products.  He continued by saying, ". . . CAFTA is good  for 
America's  farmers, it is good for America's  ranchers,  and 
it's  good  for the entire American economy --  and  we  are 
going to fight to get it approved". 
 
Therefore, a trade agreement with this part of the region is 
very  important to the United States and thus is crucial  to 
the foreign policy agenda for this part of the region. 
 
US foreign policy is also of interest to me because there is 
the perception that China and the European Union will slowly 
overtake  the  US  in  terms of economic  growth  and  world 
dominance.   A  country that is perceived  to  be  the  sole 
superpower  would  certainly have an interest  in  retaining 
this  position  and  its foreign policy  will  certainly  be 
crafted  to  reflect  same.   Clearly  then  foreign  policy 
strategies  must  be pursued now with the ultimate  goal  of 
maintaining superpower status. 
 
I  am  genuinely interested in participating in this program 
because  of  the  scenarios  I have  outlined  above.   What 
factors drive US foreign policy? How much of an impact  does 
the  external environment have on shaping US foreign policy? 
How much of an impact does the domestic environment have  on 
shaping US Foreign Policy? 
 
I  also  plan  to  commence studies leading  to  a  PhD.  in 
international relations sometime within the next three years 
and therefore this will be a very useful undertaking for me. 
 
Finally  it  is  always useful to understand  how  countries 
perceive  themselves and the way they identify  and  utilize 
available   strategies  to  shape  their  foreign  policies. 
Therefore,  it might be a rewarding experience to  study  US 
foreign   policy  from  a  US  perspective  taught   by   US 
professors.   As  an  academic I am  open  to  any  learning 
experience  which  can support or complement  the  knowledge 
which I have gained in this area. 
 
 
¶T.  NAME, TELEPHONE, FAX NUMBER AND E-MAIL ADDRESS OF 
POST/COMMISSION ACTION OFFICER: 
 
CHRISTINE E. MEYER 
PHONE: +592-225-4900 ext 255 
FAX: +592-225-8497 
E-MAIL: MEYERCE@STATE.GOV 
 
BULLEN