VZCZCXRO4288
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHPO #0690/01 3031633
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301633Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8847
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1581
RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA 0024

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARAMARIBO 000690 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/OAS 
EMBASSIES FOR EXEC, POL-ECON 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECIN ETRD NS
SUBJECT:  USOAS AMBASSADOR MAISTO VISIT DEMONSTRATES USG COMMITMENT 
TO SURINAME 
 
 
¶1.  (U) SUMMARY:  Overcoming logistical challenges which 
significantly shortened his visit, Ambassador John Maisto was an 
eloquent spokesperson for USG policy in the hemisphere, focusing on 
democracy, development and multilateralism.  In meetings with 
President Venetiaan, the Ministers of Home Affairs and Defense, and 
the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well 
as in representational events with representatives of international 
organizations, diplomatic missions, human rights groups and the 
economic sector, Ambassador Maisto emphasized the USG commitment to 
strengthen democratic institutions and promote growth through trade 
and investment throughout the hemisphere, both bilaterally and 
through international organizations such as the OAS. 
END SUMMARY 
 
¶2.   (SBU)  THE PRESIDENT:  President Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan and 
senior foreign ministry and diplomatic advisors met for more than a 
half hour with Ambassador Maisto and Ambassador Schreiber Hughes. 
Maisto emphasized the themes of democracy and development, noting 
that bilateral and multilateral relations play complementary roles. 
"I'm here to emphasize the importance of the democratic agenda," 
stated Maisto, while also noting that effective development policies 
could promote economic growth and encourage investment that would 
lead to job creation and poverty reduction.   He spoke at length 
about the soon-to-be reenergized U.S.-CARICOM Trade and Investment 
Council, stressing that both President Bush and Secretary Rice are 
forward-leaning with respect to free trade.  Furthermore, the USG 
supports "special and differential treatment" tailored to small 
economies, a concept endorsed at Mar del Plata and strongly favored 
by CARICOM. 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  THE PRESIDENT (continued):   President Venetiaan affirmed 
the importance of both bilateral and multilateral relations.  He 
said he wants jobs to put his people to work, but also seeks 
economic growth to make Suriname stronger.  He expressed a cautious 
willingness to work with the USG on trade liberalization, noting 
that Caribbean states had been pleased that the interests of small 
economies were taken into account in Mar del Plata.  However, he 
reiterated his oft-stated concern over what he considers unfair U.S. 
agricultural "subsidies."   On the democracy front, he stated that 
Suriname knows democracy both in theory and in practice.  With 
obvious reference to Suriname's history of military coups, the Desi 
Bouterse dictatorship of the 1980's and the "Interior War" led by 
Ronny Brunswijk, which ended in 1992 with the OAS-brokered "Kourou 
Peace Accord," Venetiaan acknowledged important OAS efforts to 
promote democracy and human rights in Suriname and in the region. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS:  Minister of Home Affairs 
Maurits Hassankhan admitted that Suriname's democratic institutions 
are weak, but expressed the hope that the coalition government could 
make some headway in promoting democracy and development. 
Ambassador Maisto stressed the strong USG interest in promoting more 
open trade with CARICOM nations.  He indicated the USG is prepared 
to cooperate in development and democracy through the Embassy and 
the U.S. Mission to the OAS.  He also noted that all countries in 
the hemisphere, save one, are democracies.  However, a definition of 
democracy must transcend elections, incorporating transparency and 
accountability in governance and also include human rights, 
investment in people, and a sound financial system. 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:  Regarding the non-permanent 
seat on the UNSC, Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Frederik 
Boekstaaf admitted that whatever "CARICOM consensus" had once 
existed has now eroded; but Boekstaaf would not reveal the GOS 
current position on the matter. (NOTE: The GOS has long sought 
political cover under the CARICOM umbrella.)  Ambassador Maisto took 
the opportunity to underscore the disruptive role of Venezuela in 
the region, highlighting its negative effect on the UN. He also 
reiterated that there is broad, consistent, and high-level USG 
support for increased trade with CARICOM nations; however, despite 
the will in Washington, CARICOM needs to send clear signals of its 
desire to promote trade with the U.S. and within CARICOM itself.  He 
also emphasized the importance of strengthening institutions, and 
fighting crime and corruption in order to promote investor 
confidence that could generate economic growth. 
 
¶6.   (SBU)  MINISTRY OF DEFENSE:  Minister of Defense Ivan Fernald 
focused on the challenges facing youth: the temptation of illegal 
drug use, more violent crimes being committed, and participation in 
organized crime. The Ministry of Defense (MOD) has funded sports and 
music programs to reach out to teens.  He said these programs are 
well-received by the public.  They show MOD's current focus on 
improving the civilian-military relationship.  The Minister stated 
his support for democracy and his desire to further the democratic 
process.  Ambassador Maisto replied that democracy is a right of the 
people, and that government's role is to promote and defend 
 
PARAMARIBO 00000690  002 OF 002 
 
 
democracy.  Maisto asked how the U.S. Government could assist the 
MOD in engaging the community in a helpful or positive way.  The 
Minister talked enthusiastically about the "New Horizons" program, 
MEDRETE's, and the South Dakota State Partnership Program as 
activities that promote a positive image of the military and the 
U.S. through development, health, and humanitarian projects. 
 
¶7.   (SBU)  REGIONAL AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS:  During a 
representational events with members of the diplomatic corps and 
international organizations, economic experts and representatives of 
human rights organizations, participants provided insights into 
Suriname's past experience in successful handling of human rights 
cases and the challenges which still lie ahead (e.g., oft-postponed 
trial of Desi Bouterse for the 1982 murders).  These topics gave 
Ambassador Maisto an opening to discuss the highly respected OAS 
human rights reporting and election monitoring.  Maisto also 
discussed multilateralism and the OAS role in promoting trade and 
human rights, and demystified trade agreements, highlighting the 
work of the OAS Trade Capacity Unit to help prepare nations such as 
Peru to defend their interests in international trade negotiations. 
 
¶8.   (SBU)  INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANK:  A long sidebar 
conversation with IDB representative Ancile Brewster identified 
significant challenges that lie ahead, including a donor community 
poised to invest in a country which has a limited technical and 
logistical capacity to absorb the funding or manage the projects; 
the international donor community's preoccupation with the interior 
of the country, while the GOS deals with the reality of a population 
that is increasingly concentrated along the coastal regions; land 
rights; and the growing desire of the PRC and others to tap 
Suriname's abundant natural resources and raw materials.  Suriname's 
overburdened energy grid may in fact present the next major 
development challenge, as demand already outpaces capacity.  This 
reality provides a convenient opening for Venezuela to string along 
Suriname with vague promises of future energy in exchange for 
political favors (e.g., probable GOS support of Venezuela for 
UNSC). 
 
¶9.  (SBU)  COMMENT:  Statements by President Venetiaan and other GOS 
officials reflected the characteristically Surinamese propensity to 
avoid risk or conflict.  However, we interpret President Venetiaan's 
willingness to accommodate Ambassador Maisto's sudden schedule 
change as a symbolic and positive signal for open dialogue. 
Maisto's ability to demystify USG motives over trade, investment, 
and democracy and development bolstered ongoing Embassy efforts to 
promote these objectives.  His message that the USG is committed to 
more than just law enforcement and counter-terrorism made clear that 
our objectives for the region are in fact multifaceted.  Our desire 
for stronger bilateral and multilateral partnerships takes into 
consideration the concerns of small economies.  Maisto's dual 
message of democracy and development resonated well here in 
Suriname, generating positive press coverage, with photos of the 
meeting with the president and a TV interview. 
 
¶10.  (SBU)  COMMENT (continued):  The wide range of participants in 
meetings and representational events gave Ambassador Maisto and 
Embassy officers an opportunity to probe GOS and other local opinion 
makers from new angles.  Post greatly appreciated Ambassador 
Maisto's visit and his patience and flexibility with a schedule that 
had to be compressed into a day-and-a-half due to the last-minute 
announcement of a holiday to commemorate the end of Ramadan and 
rescheduling of Ambassador Maisto's departure flight.  Ambassador 
Maisto is the highest-level USG official to visit Suriname in recent 
memory, and we would welcome a follow-up visit by him or other 
senior USG officials.  END COMMENT 
Schreiber Hughes