SURINAME: MULLING OVER RESETTLEMENT OF PROTECTED CUBAN AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARAMARIBO 000504 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR MSEIBEL NSC FOR KRISTEN MADISON E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2014 TAGS: PREF PREL SMIG MARR HA XL NS SUBJECT: SURINAME: MULLING OVER RESETTLEMENT OF PROTECTED CUBAN AND HAITIAN MIGRANTS AT GUANTANAMO NAVAL BASE REF: STATE 139422 Classified By: Ambassador Marsha E. Barnes; reasons 1.5 (B) and (D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador delivered reftel points on Cuban and Haitian migrants at Guantanamo Naval Base to Surinamese Foreign Minister Marie Levens on July 9, and asked for Suriname's assistance in providing a resettlement opportunity for the migrants. Levens responded, "We can discuss this." She told the Ambassador that it would be helpful to have information on the refugees such as their skills and if they have any friends or family already in Suriname, noting that Suriname already has a Haitian community. Levens reminded the Ambassador that Suriname had opened its doors to Haitian refugees in 1996 and said that it would be willing to look at the issue again. ¶3. (C) In light of Levens favorable response, the Embassy requests copies of biographies for migrants seeking resettlement. Also, information on any family or acquaintances currently living in Suriname that any of the migrants have may also be helpful in assisting the GOS in making a decision. Biographies may be sent via classified email to Vernelle Trim. BARNES NNNN