PARTICULARS CONCERNING SEPTEMBER REGIONAL

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000272 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - LLUFTIG DEPT FOR INL/LP NBOZZOLO, KBROWN CARACAS FOR LEGATT PORT OF SPAIN FOR LEGATT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR KCRM PGOV PREL NS SUBJECT: PARTICULARS CONCERNING SEPTEMBER REGIONAL NARCOTICS CONFERENCE IN SURINAME REFTEL: PARAMARIBO 170 ¶1. (U) As noted in reftel, the Government of Suriname will host an international anti-narcotics conference from 7-8 September 2006 in Paramaribo. The Minister of Justice and Police Chandrikapersad Santokhi has now formally invited representatives of the U.S. Government to attend the conference via a letter to the Ambassador. Post encourages high-level USG involvement, possibly at the DAS level from Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and from DEA representatives. ¶2. (U) The conference aims to intensify the coordination of bilateral, regional and international efforts in decreasing the trafficking of cocaine and narcotics related crime. Minister Santokhi writes that the Caribbean region and its surrounding countries and territories are highly vulnerable to the modus operandi of criminal organizations and these organizations pose a direct threat to the security and safety of the region. Other invitees include Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, the Netherlands (including Netherlands Antilles),France, Brazil, and the United States. -------------- DRAFT AGENDA -------------- ¶3. (U) The GOS has proposed the following themes be discussed at the conference: - Mechanisms that are presently used to combat drug-related activities. - Bottlenecks. - Joint strategies both on the policy level and the operational level. - Proposals for effective cooperation and coordination in dismantling criminal organizations. - Promoting effective and efficient bilateral and regional cooperation. - Proposals for replacing an isolated approach with -Structural exchange of information and appointment of focal points. -Joint operations. -Joint regional points of views and positions. The final agenda will be determined in consultation with invitees. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: While the Embassy remains frustrated by the lack of closure on conditions for DEA's arrival, Minister Santokhi's initiative reminds us of GOS activism and interest in pursuing narcotics enforcement. We urge participation from Washington at a level that conveys our reciprocal interest. LEONARD RD