Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04PARAMARIBO197
2004-03-04 18:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Paramaribo
Cable title:  

SURINAMESE FOREIGN MINISTER LEVENS EXPRESSES

Tags:  PREL MARR KPAO NS 
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UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000197 

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR WHA/CAR -- MSEIBEL, WHA/PD - APRUITT, HAITI
MONITORING TASK FORCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR KPAO NS
SUBJECT: SURINAMESE FOREIGN MINISTER LEVENS EXPRESSES
SUPPORT FOR CARICOM"S POSTION ON HAITI; CORPORAL TELLS PRESS
SURINAME'S "BLUE HELMET UNIT" READY TO SERVE

REFS: (A) PARAMARIBO 183, (B) PARAMARIBO 159

-------
SUMMARY
-------

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000197

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR WHA/CAR -- MSEIBEL, WHA/PD - APRUITT, HAITI
MONITORING TASK FORCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR KPAO NS
SUBJECT: SURINAMESE FOREIGN MINISTER LEVENS EXPRESSES
SUPPORT FOR CARICOM"S POSTION ON HAITI; CORPORAL TELLS PRESS
SURINAME'S "BLUE HELMET UNIT" READY TO SERVE

REFS: (A) PARAMARIBO 183, (B) PARAMARIBO 159

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. Following her return from a visit to China, Surinamese
Foreign Minister, Marie Levens announced publicly that
Suriname stands behind CARICOM on Haiti and is concerned
about allegations made by ex-President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide that the US forced him out of Haiti. Levens
suggested that if the US used strong-armed tactics in Haiti,
the US could apply these tactics to any country.
In other reactions to Haiti, a junior military soldier
proclaimed that the Surinamese contingent of a UN Blue
Helmet Unit, which had been deployed to Haiti previously, is
ready to serve there once again. He accused the government
and the Armed Forces of neglecting the specially-trained
unit and of failing to establish a crisis center to receive
Haitian refugees. By calling attention to these issues with
his unauthorized remarks, the soldier hoped to pressure the
government to take a proactive stance toward the Haitian
crisis; instead, he is likely to face disciplinary action.
End Summary.

--------------
FOREIGN MINISTER LEVENS ON HAITI
--------------


2. Upon her return from a state visit to China, Foreign
Minister Marie Levens publicly expressed support for the
CARICOM position on Haiti, namely CARICOM's concerns over ex-
Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's allegations that
the US had forced him to leave Haiti. According to the
March 5 edition of local daily "De Ware Tijd," Levens stated
that, despite its absence at the March 3-4 emergency session
convened by CARICOM President/Jamaican Prime Minister
Percival Patterson in Kingston, Suriname was kept abreast of
the deliberations, had studied CARICOM's position, and had
written to CARICOM to offer support on the matter. Levens
was quoted as saying, "if it can happen in Haiti, it can
happen anywhere," echoing sentiments voiced by Patterson at
a March 4 press conference.

-------------- --------------
JUNIOR MILITARY PERSONNEL: MY UNIT IS READY TO GO TO HAITI
-------------- --------------


3. Leven's comments followed press reports of a junior
enlisted soldier's March 3 proclamation that the Surinamese
contingent of a "United Nations Blue Helmet force" is ready
to serve in Haiti. The soldier, Corporal Dennis Duiker,
told the press that the 31-member unit would like to put to
use its United Nations training. Moreover, Duiker pointed
out that the unit brings experience to the table, not just
training, referring to the unit's deployment to Haiti in

1995. Duiker criticized the Surinamese Armed Forces and the
government for their alleged neglect of his unit and failure
to establish a crisis center to receive Haitian refugees as
yet. In closing, Duiker expressed hope that his public
statements would press the government to begin preparations
to receive Haitian refugees.


4. Note: The DATT spoke to a military contact who
confirmed that in 1995, one military police squad and three
squads of infantry personnel were deployed to Haiti. Upon
its return to Suriname, the unit was disbanded and its
members returned to their branches. The contact also said
that the corporal would be disciplined for making
unauthorized statements to the press. End Note.)

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


5. Given Suriname's penchant to fall in line with CARICOM's
pronouncements and to call in to question US motives, Marie
Leven's comments on Haiti come as no surprise. Her
sentiments do not seem to be shared by all Surinamers,
however, as exhibited by the editorial line of Suriname's
leading news dailies, which take a much more objective line

on Aristide's claims. The boldness exhibited by military
personnel like Corporal Duiker and Major Goerdeyal (See Ref
B) in discussing foreign policy matters with the press,
however, is surprising and troubling. These incidents
display the GOS' weak civilian control over the military --
a non-laughing matter given Suriname's turbulent history --
and a general willingness by GOS officials to speak freely
to the press without taking into account possible negative
repercussions. End Comment.


6. Minimize considered.

FAUCHER


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