VZCZCXYZ0015
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPO #0020/01 0161505
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 161505Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0515

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000020 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR R AND IIP/G/WHA, HMURTEN, AMCBCONATY; FOR WHA/PDA 
CPETERSON AND CWEST; INFOR FOR WHA/CAR JROSHOLT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO OIIP KIRC
SUBJECT: PARAMARIBO AMERICAN CORNER SUSTAINING FUNDS 2009 
REQUEST 
 
REF: SECSTATE 124399 
 
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¶1.  SUMMARY 
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(A)  The American Corner (AC) continues to serve as a dynamic 
platform in launching Post's public diplomacy outreach 
activities.  In 2008, Post noted a substantial 40% increase 
in the average number of attendees in direct proportion to 
the total number of program and non-program activities hosted 
at the American Corner. 
 
(B)  Post continues to build on the successes of two monthly 
outreach activities that premiered in 2007: the American 
Movie Night (held every fourth Thursday of the month) and the 
English Conversation Class (held every first Friday of the 
month).  Numerous theme-specific activities were also hosted 
at the AC in addition to its regular monthly programs.  Post 
is a non-PD presence post (NPP) with only one PD FSN 
Assistant and a USDH Pol/Econ Officer who could only dedicate 
an ordinate amount of time to public diplomacy.  Despite the 
challenges Post faced, such as the major renovations at the 
Cultural Center of Suriname (AC's host institution) and 
resource constraints for PD programming, Post has nonetheless 
exceeded its expectations and aims to attract bigger 
audiences in 2009. 
 
(C)  Despite Paramaribo's status as a Non-Presence Post 
(NPP), public diplomacy is the highest priority (MSP #1 goal) 
in order to foster a more positive image and sustained 
goodwill, balance strong anti-Americanism, neutralize the 
influence of diplomatic missions from countries of concern, 
and promote understanding about U.S. policy, history, and 
society and culture.  With very few resources at its disposal 
to launch effective public diplomacy campaigns, the American 
Corner remains Post's most valuable and efficient tool. 
 
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¶2. AMERICAN CORNER OPERATIONS 
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(A)  OVERVIEW 
 
The American Corner is housed at the Cultural Center of 
Suriname (CCS), which plays host to some of the country's 
significant cultural events.  Prior to the creation of the 
American Corner in 2005, the resources at the CCS were 
limited to a warren of meeting rooms and office spaces, a 
400-seat capacity auditorium, and a rudimentary library that 
housed some three thousand volumes of dated books in Dutch. 
It was not a destination frequented by the city's residents, 
save for the sporadic cultural events at the auditorium. 
 
The creation of the American Corner has reinvigorated public 
interest in CCS as the lead promoter of Suriname's cultural 
activities.  "The American Corner has revitalized that 
place," one local was quoted as saying in 2007 in reference 
to both the resources that the AC has brought and the several 
public diplomacy and outreach activities that the Embassy has 
hosted and/or co-sponsored with the CCS since 2005. 
 
Inspired by the example of the American Corner, the director 
of the CCS has succeeded in negotiating for an HIV/AIDS 
Corner which has been fully operational since October 2008 
following the completion of the renovation of the CCS 
building that was funded by the Dutch government.  The CCS 
library now also boasts of a "kiddies corner" and a mod 
"internet cafe corner" that also displays and sells local 
arts and crafts.  Moreover, the Dutch Embassy plans to 
consolidate their Dutch Cultural Center library into the 
renovated CCS. 
 
The Dutch renovation of the CCS began in February 2007 with 
the roof and office space, which did not affect public spaces 
or U.S. Embassy programming at CCS.  In 2008, renovation took 
place in the public areas, although rotating portions of the 
CCS remained open to the public throughout the renovation. 
The reopening ceremony was held in October 2008.  The 
renovation of the CCS will draw more customers to the CCS 
facility, and will assist in the promotion of the American 
Corner as well. 
 
The extensive renovation of the CCS restricted Post's 
opportunities in 2008 to utilize the American Corner as a 
venue for more frequent English classes, or the CCS compound 
in hosting big public diplomacy events, especially in the 
months between July and October 2008.  During those months, 
the renovation took place in the main room through which 
American Corner users must transit and that Post often 
 
utilizes when projected attendees for an event cannot be 
accommodated within the American Corner itself.  Despite 
these temporary programming setbacks, the American Corner 
nonetheless continued to be a top crowd-drawer for its 
computers and free internet access, and for being the 
"repository" of the country's largest inventory of English 
books, magazines, periodicals, video, and other reference 
materials. 
 
(B)  LOCATION AND STAFFING 
 
Located approximately one mile from the Embassy, the American 
Corner is on the second floor of the CCS, on one of the major 
streets of the nation's capital.  Its prime location and 
ample public parking makes it an excellent alternative venue 
for public events that cannot be hosted within the Embassy 
grounds for security measures reasons.  Embassy Paramaribo is 
a "lock and leave" Post without a Marine Guard Detachment, 
which hampers Post's ability to host any evening activities 
at the Embassy.  The day-to-day management of the American 
Corner is run by two English-speaking CCS employees whose 
salaries are paid by the Surinamese government. 
 
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¶3.  DATA 
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(A)  NUMBER OF VISITORS PER YEAR 
 
Non-program related visitors to American Corner in 2008:  the 
sign-in book registered 500 visitors compared to the 750 
approximate number in 2007.  (Please see narrative below for 
frame of reference point) 
 
(B)  NUMBER OF PROGRAMS HELD 
 
Between January and December 2008, the Embassy organized 23 
programs at the American Corner.  This number represents 
roughly sixty-five percent of the 35 programs that the 
Embassy hosted in the previous year, 2007, due to the 
constraints exacted by the major construction and renovation 
at the CCS.  Although the number of programs was reduced in 
2008, the American Corner was able to maintain a level of 
patronage that was proportionately higher than its previous 
record.  In 2007, average number of guests for each program 
was calculated at 34 compared to the 47 average number of 
guests per program in 2008. 
 
(C)  LIST OF PROGRAMS HELD 
 
-  "American Movie Night" (monthly program) 
-  English Conversation Class (6 classes in 2008) 
-  Black History Month events (6; Types of events: 
concerts/culture, workshops, movie, and book reading) 
-  Native American Indian Heritage Month (1; Type of event: 
audio-visual/culture presentation) 
-  Donation ceremony, materials for American Corner 
 
(D)  TOTAL ATTENDANCE AT PROGRAMS 
 
Approximately 1,100.  (Note: Suriname's total population is 
less than half a million, approximately 493,000, spread 
across ten districts.) 
 
(E)  MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS (By Category) 
 
Thematic programming attracted the largest audience.  Two 
Black History Month concerts that featured the Kelley Johnson 
Quartet and the Afro-Surinamese Drum Ensemble drew 
approximately 650 guests.  American movie nights drew an 
average of 27 attendees per month. 
 
(F)  MOST POPULAR MATERIALS (By Category) 
 
Computers and internet access remained the most popular 
resource at the American Corner, followed closely by books 
and periodicals.  According to the American Corner Director 
and locally-engaged staff, the computers were used primarily 
for research purposes and in accessing non-immigrant U.S. 
visa applications.  Novels, encyclopedias, and sports 
magazines were highly popular among the visitors. 
 
(G)  AUDIENCE REACHED 
 
The 2008 programming at the American Corner catered to a 
diverse demographic that included students from secondary 
schools and colleges, professionals, children, retirees, and 
expatriates.  Sector-specific programming on music and 
culture, education, and tourism, among others, drew target 
audiences. 
 
 
(H)  NUMBER OF EMBASSY OVERSIGHT VISITS TO AC (FSO AND FSN) 
 
Embassy staff involved in PD activities visited the American 
Corner at least three times per month.  Other non-PD Embassy 
staff members visited at least once a month. 
 
(I)  EXTENT OF MEDIA COVERAGE OF AC EVENTS 
 
Most of the American Corner events received media coverage, 
the most extensive of which were the Kelley Johnson Quartet 
and the Afro-Surinamese Drum Ensemble performances in 
celebration of Black History Month.  The American Movie Night 
continued to receive broadcast media promotion every month. 
(Note: The American Movie Night is promoted as a monthly 
cultural event rather than the promotion of specific films.) 
 
(J)  AMERICAN CORNER TRAINING PROVIDED 
 
None in 2008.  Both AC Director Marcella Augustuszoon and CCS 
Director Elviera Sandie, however, attended a 2007 training in 
Trinidad and Tobago under the auspices of the WHA/PDA 
Washington.  (Note: Marcella is now Library Director and 
Acting AC Director until the Ministry of Education appoints a 
new AC Director.  In the interim, two local CCS staff, in 
addition to Marcella, have been placed in rotation to assume 
the day-to-day management responsibilities.) 
 
(K)  HOW FY2008 FUNDING WAS APPLIED AND ITS IMPACT 
 
FY08 funding enabled the Embassy to maintain the American 
Corner as its integral arm for public diplomacy outreach.  To 
the extent that the American Corner succeeded in sustaining 
its patronage level in the face of a significant reduction in 
the number of programs, the American Corner can be considered 
as the most efficient and effective tool in promoting 
pro-U.S. messages, reaching the widest array of audiences in 
an informal setting. 
 
(L)  AMOUNT OF GOE POST PROVIDED IN ADDITION TO SUSTAINING 
FUND 
 
Post expended a total of $3,202.66 out of the $3,000 approved 
budget, or one-third of the original $9900 Post-requested 
budget for 2008. 
 
(M)  AMOUNT OF PRIVATE DONATIONS PROVIDED 
 
No private donations were received. 
 
(N)  PLAN FOR THE FUTURE: STRATEGY FOR IMPROVEMENT 
 
Post has succeeded in "institutionalizing" the two regular 
monthly programs, American Movie Night and English Class, 
events that continue to draw steady patronage even as Post 
endeavors to widen its audience base through electronic mass 
mailings, movie flyers, and word-of-mouth marketing.  Post 
has initiated an English Class for women parliamentarians and 
aims to pursue the offering of similar opportunities to 
non-English speaking members of the ladies diplomatic group 
and businesswomen.  Post is currently working with the 
American Chamber of Commerce of Suriname to have its monthly 
breakfast meetings held at the area outside of the American 
Corner, in addition to plans of updating the AC's inventory 
of reference materials to include regular and current issues 
of "iconic" American publications like Time and Newsweek 
magazines, and the hosting of more education and tourism 
presentations at the American Corner.  In October 2008, Post 
completed the repainting of the AC interior and the entrance 
to the AC, making the whole area outside of the AC more 
inviting and guest-friendly. 
 
- - - - - - 
¶4.  BUDGET 
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(A)  Post will continue to fund the internet, electricity, 
and other base costs as stipulated in the Memorandum of 
Understanding.  In line with its 2009 goal of keeping the 
American Corner relevant, Post seeks modest maintenance 
funding for its public diplomacy outreach activities. 
 
(B)  Itemized Budget: 
 
$2500  -  Wireless internet subscription and electricity 
$1500  -  Purchase of films and logistics ($125/month) 
$ 500  -  Transport costs (students to/from English classes) 
$2000  -  Publicity, marketing, and program support 
$2500  -  Books, magazine subscriptions, audio-visual 
materials (note: all audio-visual materials in the AC are 
 
still       in the cassette tape/VHS formats.  Post noted 
that the most "current" mainstream U.S.         magazine in 
the AC is an October 2007 issue of Sports Illustrated), 
poster exhibits, and    updated reference materials 
 
$9000     TOTAL 
 
- - - - - - - - - 
¶5.  CONFIRMATIONS 
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(A)  MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING? 
 
Yes. 
 
 
(B)  CENTRAL DATABASE COMPLETE AND UP TO DATE? 
 
Yes, database is complete but needs to be updated once the 
Ministry of Education appoints Marcella Augustuszoon's 
replacement as AC Director. 
 
 
(C)  COMPLIANT WITH CORE CHARACTERISTICS? 
 
Yes. The American Corner is adequate in housing current 
inventory of materials and in holding small gatherings 
(maximum of 16 persons seated comfortably) but adjacent 
bigger rooms or the auditorium are often utilized to 
accommodate Post's steadily increasing programs and patronage. 
 
SCHREIBER HUGHES