VZCZCXRO1180
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHPO #0425/01 2821154
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 081154Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0411
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHAO/AMCONSUL CURACAO 1281

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 PARAMARIBO 000425 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR: JROSHOLT 
ECA/A/E/USS: BRENDAN M. WALSH 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO NS
SUBJECT: NOMINATION FY-09 STUDY OF THE UNITED STATES INSTITUTE ON 
NATIONAL SECURITY: U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY POLICYMAKING IN A POST 
9/11 WORLD 
 
REF: SECSTATE 89645 
 
PARAMARIBO 00000425  001.2 OF 004 
 
 
¶1. (U) Post is pleased to nominate the following candidate for 
participation in the SUSI National Security course. 
 
¶A. Nominee's full name as it appears on passport; 
Last name: Veira 
First name: Danielle 
Middle names: Reana Karin 
B.Date of birth (Month, Day, Year): 
11/11/1970 
 
¶C. City of birth: 
Paramaribo 
 
¶D. Country of birth: 
Suriname 
 
¶E. Country of Residence: 
Suriname 
 
¶F. Country of Citizenship: 
Suriname 
 
¶G. Home address: Posoegroenoestraat 12, Tammenga, Paramaribo, 
Suriname 
Telephone:(597) 426-343/(597) 421-200 (work) 
(597)463-753 (home) 
(597) 860-8352 (cell) 
E-mail: danielle.veira@gmail.com 
 
¶H. Gender: 
Female 
 
¶I. Medical, Physical, Dietary or other Personal Considerations: 
Candidate has no medical, physical or other personal considerations 
 
¶J. Current position and Title: 
Head, International Affairs Department, Ministry of Defense 
 
¶K. Current Institutional Affiliation and complete address: 
Ministry of Defense 
Republic of Suriname 
Address: Kwattaweg 29, Paramaribo, Suriname 
 
¶L. Work Experience, including previous positions and titles: 
 
- 2005: Project assistant (Duke in Geneva scholarship) 
The Geneva Forum, a Joint Initiative of UNIDIR, QUNO & the Programme 
of Strategic and International Security Studies of the Institute for 
International Studies of the University of Geneva, Switzerland. 
Assisted in the organization of Geneva Forum and QUNO activities on 
a range of issues related to multilateral security, arms control and 
disarmament, and legal matters related to arms management. 
- 2003-2004: Staff, International Affair Office, Defense Strategic 
Planning and Education, Ministry of Defense.  Provided analysis and 
advised on domestic, international and legal issues related to 
strategic defense and security, planning and management. 
- 2003: Instructor at the Suriname Armed Forces, Education Center. 
Lectured and guided non commissioned officers. Lectured 
International Humanitarian Law in the Non Commissioned officers 
course. 
- 2001-2003: Legal advisor to the Commander of the Suriname Armed 
Forces. Provided all advice regarding legal matters of the 
military. 
- 2001: Commissioned First Lieutenant, Suriname Armed Forces 
- 2000-2001: Legal Co-worker, Office of Legal Affairs and Treaties, 
Ministry of Defense 
- 1994-1996: General Executive Secretary, Suriname Christian Council 
of Churches 
 
¶M. Education, Academic and Professional Training, including degree 
earned and fields of specialization: 
 
- 2007:  Post Graduate Diploma; Institute of International 
Relations, Anton de Kom University, Paramaribo,    Suriname. Four 
Month Course on Global Politics and Latin America: Assessing Latin 
America's Progress and Perspectives. 
- 2006: Certificate in International Peace and Conflict; University 
Center for International Studies, University of North 
Carolina-Chapel Hill, USA. Two year coursework in mediation and 
negotiation, peace and conflict, democracy and divided societies. 
- 2006: MA in International Development Policy; Duke Center for 
International Development, Duke University, USA. Coursework in 
economics, governance, policy analysis, institutional design, 
project cycles and management. Member of the Society of 
International Development, North Carolina Chapter. 
 
PARAMARIBO 00000425  002.2 OF 004 
 
 
- 2003:  Diploma in International Relations; Institute for Social 
Sciences, The Hague; Lim A Po Institute for Social Studies, 
Suriname. One Year Coursework in international economics, law, 
governance and development issues, mediation, problem solving, 
course for Diplomats. 
- 2001: Master in Law; Anton de Kom University, Suriname. Coursework 
in penal law, contract law, constitution law, international law, 
commercial law. 
 
¶N. Active Professional membership: 
Member of Defense policy committees related to Human Resource 
Management, security, policy and performance of the MOD. 
 
¶O. Publications: 
- Danielle Veira, "The Ecumenical Role of Women" published in the 
Caribbean Council of Churches Booklet 1997 
- Danielle Veira, "De Rechtskracht van de Rules of Engagement voor 
de Militaire Krijgsmacht" (Eng) "The Rules of Engagement for the 
Military Force in Suriname", Masters Thesis in Law, Anton De Kom 
University of Suriname 2001 
- Danielle Veira, Dalia Kaikhasraw, Mwila Chigaga, David Swanson, 
Gender and Development, The Economic Case of Mainstreaming Gender, 
paper for Economic Analysis of Development Course, Duke University, 
2005 
- Danielle Veira, Strategy for Change, The Development of a Peace 
building Framework in the Western Hemisphere, the Case of Haiti, 
Duke University, 2005 
- Danielle Veira, Literature Review on Gender Mainstreaming & Small 
Arms and Light Weapons, (work in progress) 2005 
- Danielle Veira, The Next Effort, Mainstreaming Gender in 
addressing the Misuse of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Haiti, 
Masters Thesis International Development Policy, Duke University, 
2006 
- Danielle Veira, "Integration of Regional Infrastructure within 
South America, Suriname's Inclusion: An Opportunity or a Threat?" A 
defense-strategic policy paper, (2007) Institute for International 
Relations, Anton de Kom University 
- Danielle Veira, "Garandering van de Nationale Veiligheid, een 
gezamenlijke verantwoordelijkheid" (Eng) "Guarantee National 
Security, a shared responsibility (work in progress) 2008 
 
¶P. Previous Experience in the United States: Please list any and all 
trips the candidate has made to the United States and include 
approximate dates and the reason for travel: 
 
Training: 
- 2004 Judge Advocate Generals Course, Charlottesville, Virginia 
- 2002 Defense Planning and Resource Management Course, National 
Defense University, Washington, DC 
- 2001 Conducting Military and Peacekeeping Operations in accordance 
with the   Rule of Law, Newport, Rhode Island 
- 2001 Managing International Conflict, Newport, Rhode Island 
- 1997 Young Women Leadership Training, Chicago, Illinois 
 
¶Q. Family Residing in the United States -- Please list any immediate 
family members who are currently in the United States residing, 
including city and state: 
Candidate has no immediate family members residing in the USA. 
 
¶R. Evidence of English Fluency: 
Candidate is personally known to Military Liaison Officers and is 
judged to have a strong fluency in the English language. 
 
¶S. Statement by commission/post justifying participation of nominee 
in the Institute: 
 
(1) Current or projected extent of the U.S. Studies content of the 
course(s) and materials being taught or developed by the candidate; 
 
Danielle Veira is Head of the International Affairs Department at 
the Ministry of Defense.  As a government official working directly 
in the field of national security, she is not developing or teaching 
any U.S. studies courses at present.  Ms. Veira has a graduate 
degree and substantial knowledge of foreign affairs. 
 
(2) Likely relevance of the program to the professional 
responsibilities of the candidate; 
 
Danielle Veira is a highly-motivated and experienced government 
official working on national security-related issues at the Ministry 
of Defense.  As Head of the International Affairs Department, she 
advises the Defense Minister on domestic, international, and legal 
issues related strategic defense and security, UN resolutions, and 
planning and management.  She accompanies and advises the Minister 
when he participates in international defense and security meetings; 
and she drafts policy papers related to international defense and 
security management.  Developing a professional knowledge of the 
 
PARAMARIBO 00000425  003.2 OF 004 
 
 
role of federal government, think-tanks, media, and public opinion 
in shaping U.S. security policy will lead Ms. Veira to take similar 
factors into account when formulating Surinamese policies. 
Furthermore, study of specific issues, such as cyber-security and 
counter-terrorism, will deepen her knowledge of factors she should 
consider when defining Suriname's security policy. 
 
Ms. Veira is a key contact of Post's Military Liaison Office.  The 
Military Liaison Office's ongoing projects with the Ministry of 
Defense, including but not limited to U.S. military humanitarian 
medical and engineering missions, are some of the USG's most visible 
activities in Suriname.  A close relationship with the Ministry of 
Defense is key to getting the permission and cooperation necessary 
to conduct these missions, which are a public diplomacy bonanza for 
the U.S. government. 
 
Ms. Veira is tasked with liaising with defense attaches and other 
foreign entities from a wide variety of countries.  Her experience 
at SUSI will develop her good will and sensitivity to U.S. security 
concerns. 
 
(3) The potential impact of the candidate's participation on a 
greater understanding of American Society and/or culture at his/her 
home institution (in terms of enhanced teaching and curricula, 
etc.) 
 
Ms. Veira has a special interest in the program subject areas, as is 
demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments and 
professional duties.  As Head of the International Affairs 
Department at the Ministry of Defense, she plays a key role in 
formulating Suriname's national security policy and in advising the 
Defense Minister on domestic, international and legal issues 
regarding strategic defense and security, UN resolutions, planning 
and management. Ms. Veira' participation in the SUSI would have a 
strong impact on her work at the Ministry. 
 
(4) The relevance of the candidate's participation in the institute 
to Post's long-term U.S. studies goals and the post's Mission 
Strategic Plan. 
 
Ms. Veira's participation in the SUSI institute is directly 
connected with Post's Mission Strategic Plan Goal 3, which is to 
improve Government of Suriname military professionalism, 
interoperability for combat, and humanitarian operations. 
Specifically, Post aims to improve the ability of the Suriname 
Defense Forces in maintaining a sustainable professional 
organization that is subject to civil control, adheres to 
international norms and standards, and exercises respect for human 
rights.  Developing the skills of key officials in the Ministry of 
Defense will assist them in maintaining civilian control of their 
military.  Building good will with Ministry of Defense officials 
will also ease getting permission for U.S. humanitarian medical and 
engineering missions conducted by U.S. forces in cooperation with 
the Suriname Armed Forces. 
 
¶T. Personal Statement: 
 
Being able to acquire more training in National Security strategies 
and policies will be another opportunity to enhance knowledge, 
analytical ability and therefore increase capacity for myself and 
the Defense organization of Suriname. In my current capacity as Head 
of the International Department of the Ministry of Defense, I am 
constantly focusing on security issues and have a strong interest 
for Peace and Conflict Resolution, defense strategies and security 
policy matters. The concept that security is a condition sine qua 
non for the development of a state is the red thread through my 
daily work. As Suriname is still in the process of defining its 
national security policy, I do believe that learning from other 
countries will assist us in building our foundation. I furthermore 
believe that interaction with experts from other countries renews 
thoughts, since an exchange of knowledge and experiences takes 
place. As I underscore that one's national security is domestically 
as internationally oriented, I know that in order for my country to 
safeguard its people it is important to strengthen ties with 
friendly nations and participate in organizations that promote 
security. The security challenges that we face are global in nature 
and may have effects on both the national and the global level.  The 
experiences that the United States of America has with dealing with 
these challenges, what the role was from not only the government but 
also civil society in shaping US security policy is  worth learning 
from. As we cannot provide national security alone, nations need to 
come together to formulate strategies. This initiative from the US 
Institute course will bring exponents together to learn from each 
other through research and interaction. I will be much honored to be 
part of this group of people. Moreover, I feel obliged to be part of 
this program, as it seems challenging, enriching and enabling.  I am 
looking forward to learn more from US National Security policies and 
 
PARAMARIBO 00000425  004.2 OF 004 
 
 
strategies and so broaden my insight in security. 
 
¶U. Post action officer: 
Geneve Menscher 
Political/ Economic Chief 
Pouch: 3390 Paramaribo Place 
Dulles, VA 20189-3390 
Email:  menscherge@state.gov 
Telephone: (597) 472-900 ext. 2205 
Fax: (597) 425-788 
 
SCHREIBER HUGHES