SURINAME SIGNS VISA WAIVER AGREEMENTS WITH GRENADA

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000435 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - LLUFTIG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV CVIS NS SUBJECT: SURINAME SIGNS VISA WAIVER AGREEMENTS WITH GRENADA AND THE BAHAMAS ¶1. (U) On July 5 Suriname signed a visa waiver agreement with the Bahamas and Grenada. Suriname had called for the signing of the agreements since January 2005, requesting visa waivers from the two Caricom states for officials traveling on diplomatic and service passports and for nationals for stays of less than 90 days. While Grenada has fully granted the request, waiving all visa requirements for Surinamese traveling to the island, the Bahamas waived visa requirements only for a period of up to 90 days, according to local press reports. ¶2. (U) Grenada and the Bahamas were the only two Caricom countries that still required visas for Surinamese nationals. The signing of these agreements permits implementation of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which provides for free movement of skilled community nationals between the Caricom nations. BARNES