VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPO #0094/01 0541250
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231250Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9148

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000094 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR R AND IIP/G/WHA GADAMS, HMURTEN, AMCGLINCHEY 
WHA/PDA NKLOPFENSTEIN, MCOFFIN, LDETTER, JNICKLES, APRUITT 
INFO FOR WHA/CAR LLUFTIG AND MBUFFINGTON 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: SCUL OPRC OIIP NS
SUBJECT:  Paramaribo Request for American Corner Sustaining Funds 
 
REF: 06 STATE 200384 
 
¶1. SUMMARY STATEMENT: 
(A) Embassy Paramaribo requests "American Corner Sustaining Funds" 
for FY-07.  Post is beginning to realize success in its efforts to 
re-energize the Embassy-American Corner relationship.  The Pol-PD 
Officer and PD FSN have outlined a comprehensive plan of action to 
make the American Corner a vibrant point of outreach to Surinamese 
target audiences and the general public.  We have already held half 
a dozen events at the AC since the Pol-PD Officer's arrival last 
autumn. 
 
(B) We plan to organize formal outreach activities at the AC at 
least once per month, as well as one less-formal program (e.g., 
documentary or movie night) at least one night per month.  This is 
an ambitious pace for a non-PD presence post with only one PD FSN 
and a USDH POL/ECON/PD Officer who can only devote a third of his 
time to PD; nonetheless, we are encouraged by the participation and 
feedback generated by our most recent series of programs on Black 
History Month. 
 
(C) Public diplomacy outreach is a high priority for the Front 
Office, in large part because the USG invests so few resources here. 
 The American Corner is one of the very few tools our Embassy has to 
counter the increasing presence and influence of diplomatic missions 
from countries of concern, pervasive anti-Americanism, and a general 
lack of understanding about U.S. policy, culture, society, and 
history.  The American Corner is becoming an excellent platform for 
our outreach efforts, particularly as we consider Suriname as one 
(very small) nation that is nevertheless located in a region of 
great concern to WHA. 
END SUMMARY 
 
------------------------------- 
¶2.  AMERICAN CORNER OPERATIONS: 
------------------------------- 
(A) OVERVIEW 
Admittedly, statistics for the Paramaribo American Corner reflect an 
inefficient use of the AC since it opened in May 2005.  Until 
recently, the AC only had morning hours, which were inconvenient to 
most potential clients (students, academics, cultural contacts, 
business professionals and the general public).  However, the 
Cultural Center of Suriname, which houses the AC, has recently 
expanded the AC's hours into the evening.  Also, the Embassy Front 
Office's focus on public diplomacy outreach has placed greater 
emphasis on the AC as a valuable outreach platform and resource.  In 
the past few months, we have hosted more events at the AC than were 
held in the previous 18 months of the AC's existence. 
 
(B) LOCATION & STAFFING 
 
(A) The American Corner, created in May 2005, is located in an air 
conditioned room on the second floor of the government-run Cultural 
Center of Suriname, approximately one mile from the Embassy.  The 
location is very accessible to the public and provides an excellent, 
"neutral" venue for public events.  (Events at the Embassy involve 
security measures which complicate access, especially after-hours.) 
 
(B) The AC is staffed by English-speaking employees of the Cultural 
Center.  Just outside the AC room is a large meeting room that is 
excellent for cultural programming, conferences and meetings.  The 
Center also boasts an auditorium with stage and seating for 
approximately 300 people.  The AC will soon benefit from a Dutch 
Embassy project to refurbish the Cultural Center. 
 
(C) ATTENDANCE/USAGE 
 
(1) The AC's limited morning hours were very inconvenient for many 
of our target audiences.  As a result, the AC informally estimates 
fewer than one thousand visitors last year.  However, we expect 
attendance to increase dramatically as the public becomes more aware 
of the recently-instituted afternoon/evening hours (until 7:00pm) 
and the AC's resources. 
 
(2) The Embassy is helping to publicize and promote the AC through 
special evening programs that are attracting increasing audiences 
and helping to showcase the Cultural Center of Suriname as a center 
of American culture as well.  During intermission at a recent 
evening "poetry slam" we introduced participants to the AC's 
facilities, convincing one of them to download a poem and read it, 
instantly converting her from a spectator into a participant.  And 
both the Ambassador and Pol-PD Officer conducted media interview 
focusing on both Black History Month and the American Corner.  On a 
separate occasion, the Embassy's Consular staff provided training to 
the AC personnel on the use of the new Internet-based Electronic 
Visa Application Form (EVAF) and publicized the AC as an ideal venue 
for accessing the EVAF form. 
 
(D) EXAMPLES OF PROGRAMS HELD AT THE AMERICAN CORNER, AUDIENCES 
REACHED, AND NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS 
 
-- Jan. 2007:  Music workshop with jazz group "Cultures of Rhythm" 
co-sponsored by the State Department and Lincoln Center (100 
musicians, children, students, and music lovers). 
-- 2006:  Informational/recruiting presentation by University of 
Oklahoma (15 students) 
-- 2006-2007 (various dates) The AC has invited several school 
groups to the AC for video shows and discussions (students and 
teachers). 
-- Jan. 2007:  Meeting with CCS Board of Directors and WHA/CAR 
Deputy Director Karen Williams. 
-- Feb. 6, 2007: Black History Month:  a presentation of the 
documentary "Citizen King," followed by discussion (20 participants 
representing news media, government, business, social sectors, 
culture and academia, as well as the general public). 
-- Feb. 13, 2007:  Black History Month: "Black Love Stories Poetry 
Slam" (50 participants representing government, business, social 
sectors, culture and academia, journalists, and the general 
public). 
-- Feb. 20, 2007:  Black History Month conference:  "Black Thinkers: 
 Suriname and America" (35 participants representing government, 
business, social sectors, culture and academia, journalists, as well 
as the general public). 
-- Feb. 27, 2007:  Black History Month panel discussion, with music 
and art:  "Cultural Heritage of Suriname and the U.S.:  Our Common 
Black History" (participation: TBD, representing government, 
business, social sectors, culture and academia, as well as the 
general public) 
 
(F) FUTURE PLANS: 
 
We will build upon our recent successes by expanding programming to 
1-2 events per month.  Among the projects in the planning stages 
are:  movie nights (drawing on IIP's limited public performance, 
invitation-only license with the MPLC); youth outreach; Embassy and 
U.S. Speaker programs and poster shows on various themes tied to the 
Cultural Calendar; essay competition; and conferences/ discussions 
on Native American History, multiculturalism, and diversity.  We 
will also consider this venue for other projects that support MSP 
objectives on law enforcement, counter-narcotics, trafficking in 
persons and other topics. 
 
(G) MOST POPULAR INTERESTS OF VISITORS TO THE AC: 
Among the most popular research topics of AC clients were art, U.S. 
legislation, the Presidency, the Diversity Visa Lottery Program, 
geography, and economics.  Recently there has been increased 
interest in the American judicial system, a trend that dovetails 
perfectly with the Embassy's MSP focus on law enforcement 
cooperation with the GOS. Embassy Paramaribo's Black History Month 
series is drawing increasing interest.  To date, the "Cultures of 
Rhythm" jazz workshop is the event that has drawn the most 
participation. 
 
(H) EMBASSY OVERSIGHT VISITS TO AMERICAN CORNER: 
The Embassy's PD FSN visits the AC several times per month.  The 
POL-PD Officer visits the AC a minimum of once per month.  The 
Ambassador, DCM and Embassy American and FSN staff members are 
frequently present as participants at Embassy events organized at 
the AC. 
 
(I) MEDIA COVERAGE: 
Every Embassy-organized event at the American Corner has been well 
publicized in advance and well covered by media. 
 
(J) TRAINING: 
The AC Director was forced to miss scheduled training in Santiago, 
Chile in 2006 due to a late-diagnosed illness.  In the absence of 
other candidates, the Embassy PD FSN took her place at the last 
minute and has been sharing his knowledge with her.  We hope for 
another opportunity to send the Director. 
 
(K) PREVIOUS SUSTAINABILITY FUNDING: 
N/A 
 
-------------- 
¶3. BUDGET: 
-------------- 
(A) The AC's modest collection of resources and reference materials 
needs updating.  In light of the steady increase in outreach 
programming at the AC, some modest equipment is needed (e.g., small 
sound system, projector and screen). 
 
Itemized budget: 
 
$ 4,000 Books, subscriptions, updated reference materials 
400 Movies and documentaries (for monthly, Embassy- 
 hosted movie nights) 
    600 Poster exhibits (purchase/production/printing) 
(to support monthly outreach programs and conferences) 
  1,800 Projector, screen, small PA system. 
  1,000 Publicity and program preparation and support 
  2,000 Training for American Corner staff 
    175 Purchase of U.S. and Surinamese flags and poles 
_______ 
$ 9,975 TOTAL REQUESTED 
 
(B) Embassy Paramaribo is a non-PD presence Post, and therefore, 
Post's ability to financially support the American Corner is by 
definition limited.  Post does assume most costs associated with PD 
programming at the AC, including honoraria to local speakers, 
refreshments during intermissions and publicity.  In the past, Post 
has provided in-kind support in the form of poster exhibits, 
decorations, and sound equipment (from the Embassy) when needed. 
 
--------------------- 
¶4.  REQUIREMENTS 
--------------------- 
(A) Current Memo of Understanding is being uploaded to the American 
Corners Central Database. 
(B) AC's record in the Database is being updated. 
(C) AC Paramaribo is in compliance with core American Corner 
characteristics. 
(D) IIP American Corners Coordinator Holly Murten has cleared this 
cable in draft. 
 
------------------- 
¶5.  CONCLUSION 
------------------- 
With no development programs and only a small PD budget (largely 
consumed by our participation in the "Cultures of Rhythm" jazz group 
tour), this non-PD presence post views support to the American 
Corner as a critical component of our efforts to promote mutual 
understanding, counter negative foreign influences and promote a 
positive image of the U.S. in this country where anti-U.S. sentiment 
percolates just below the surface. 
 
SCHREIBER HUGHES