C O N F I D E N T I A L PARAMARIBO 000442

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y ADDING DECLAS DATE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - LLUFTIG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC NS
SUBJECT: SURINAME FOREIGN MINISTER EXPLAINS CARICOM'S BACKING OF
VENEZUELA IN SECURITY COUNCIL BID

REF: PARAMARIBO 000679

Classified by Ambassador Marsha E. Barnes, reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (U) Suriname's Minister of Foreign Affairs Lygia Kraag-Keteldijk
said in a radio interview aired July 14 that CARICOM had chosen
to back Venezuela in its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United
Nations Security Council. Kraag-Keteldijk said CARICOM members
carefully considered the pros and cons of supporting either Guatemala
or Venezuela, but in the end reached a consensus on backing Venezuela.
When asked if the long-standing border dispute between Guyana and
Venezuela was a consideration, Kraag-Keteldijk stated that CARICOM had
showed its QstrengthQ by still being able to reach a consensus, despite
one member country having a problem with Venezuela.


2. (U) Commenting on the consequences of this decision for further
cooperation with the United States, Kraag-Keteldijk said that CARICOM
is an independent regional organization with its own foreign policy
objectives. She added that it is hoped that the United States respects
this and reacts in a rational manner.

COMMENT
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3. (C) We are struck by the Minister's public presentation of
unanimity surrounding CARICOM's position versus President Venetiaan's
more nuanced version of the current state of play. (See reftel). It
is unlikely that this disparity represents a split in understanding
between the President and Minister (she has been his close, trusted
adviser for years), but rather a possible tool to cement a CARICOM
consensus by making it publicly awkward and difficult for any
undecided countries to take an opposing view.

BARNES