INSCR RECEIVES MEDIA ATTENTION IN SURINAME UPON

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000150 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR LLUFTIG DEPT FOR WHA/PD DEPT FOR INL/LP NBOZZOLO, KBROWN CARACAS FOR LEGATT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR KCRM PGOV PREL NS SUBJECT: INSCR RECEIVES MEDIA ATTENTION IN SURINAME UPON RELEASE ¶1. (U) The 2006 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report 2006 (INCSR) received prominent coverage from Suriname's leading newspaper De Ware Tijd upon its public release last week. The newspaper's headlines focused on the USG recommendation that Suriname devote more attention to dismantling large narcotics trafficking organizations and on the amount of customs revenues lost through corruption. The newspaper summarized the report's sections on GOS law enforcement efforts and U.S. policy initiatives. The articles did not include comments from Government of Suriname (GOS) officials or outside analysts. ¶2. (U) On March 4, De West newspaper in its popular Saturday editorial page questioned whether it is possible for the GOS to follow U.S. advice of pursuing large narcotics traffickers and dismantling their organizations. Even though the editorial agreed with the advice given in the INSCR, it stated that pursuing large narcotics dealers in Suriname is easier said than done. Despite the INSCR not making these claims, the paper went on to make serious, but unsubstantiated accusations, saying drugs and money laundering lines run through ministries and political parties, and large narcotics traffickers are often very influential persons in society and investigations into these people would stymied. It laments that the Surinamese economy has become dependent on the narcotics proceeds and goes as far as to say that the May 2005 elections were financed with 'dirty money.' BARNES