USOAS AMBASSADOR MAISTO VISIT DEMONSTRATES USG COMMITMENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARAMARIBO 000690

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/OAS
EMBASSIES FOR EXEC, POL-ECON

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECIN ETRD NS
SUBJECT: USOAS AMBASSADOR MAISTO VISIT DEMONSTRATES USG COMMITMENT
TO SURINAME



1. (U) SUMMARY: Overcoming logistical challenges which
significantly shortened his visit, Ambassador John Maisto was an
eloquent spokesperson for USG policy in the hemisphere, focusing on
democracy, development and multilateralism. In meetings with
President Venetiaan, the Ministers of Home Affairs and Defense, and
the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well
as in representational events with representatives of international
organizations, diplomatic missions, human rights groups and the
economic sector, Ambassador Maisto emphasized the USG commitment to
strengthen democratic institutions and promote growth through trade
and investment throughout the hemisphere, both bilaterally and
through international organizations such as the OAS.
END SUMMARY


2. (SBU) THE PRESIDENT: President Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan and
senior foreign ministry and diplomatic advisors met for more than a
half hour with Ambassador Maisto and Ambassador Schreiber Hughes.
Maisto emphasized the themes of democracy and development, noting
that bilateral and multilateral relations play complementary roles.
"I'm here to emphasize the importance of the democratic agenda,"
stated Maisto, while also noting that effective development policies
could promote economic growth and encourage investment that would
lead to job creation and poverty reduction. He spoke at length
about the soon-to-be reenergized U.S.-CARICOM Trade and Investment
Council, stressing that both President Bush and Secretary Rice are
forward-leaning with respect to free trade. Furthermore, the USG
supports "special and differential treatment" tailored to small
economies, a concept endorsed at Mar del Plata and strongly favored
by CARICOM.


3. (SBU) THE PRESIDENT (continued): President Venetiaan affirmed
the importance of both bilateral and multilateral relations. He
said he wants jobs to put his people to work, but also seeks
economic growth to make Suriname stronger. He expressed a cautious
willingness to work with the USG on trade liberalization, noting
that Caribbean states had been pleased that the interests of small
economies were taken into account in Mar del Plata. However, he
reiterated his oft-stated concern over what he considers unfair U.S.
agricultural "subsidies." On the democracy front, he stated that
Suriname knows democracy both in theory and in practice. With
obvious reference to Suriname's history of military coups, the Desi
Bouterse dictatorship of the 1980's and the "Interior War" led by
Ronny Brunswijk, which ended in 1992 with the OAS-brokered "Kourou
Peace Accord," Venetiaan acknowledged important OAS efforts to
promote democracy and human rights in Suriname and in the region.


4. (SBU) MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS: Minister of Home Affairs
Maurits Hassankhan admitted that Suriname's democratic institutions
are weak, but expressed the hope that the coalition government could
make some headway in promoting democracy and development.
Ambassador Maisto stressed the strong USG interest in promoting more
open trade with CARICOM nations. He indicated the USG is prepared
to cooperate in development and democracy through the Embassy and
the U.S. Mission to the OAS. He also noted that all countries in
the hemisphere, save one, are democracies. However, a definition of
democracy must transcend elections, incorporating transparency and
accountability in governance and also include human rights,
investment in people, and a sound financial system.


5. (SBU) MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Regarding the non-permanent
seat on the UNSC, Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Frederik
Boekstaaf admitted that whatever "CARICOM consensus" had once
existed has now eroded; but Boekstaaf would not reveal the GOS
current position on the matter. (NOTE: The GOS has long sought
political cover under the CARICOM umbrella.) Ambassador Maisto took
the opportunity to underscore the disruptive role of Venezuela in
the region, highlighting its negative effect on the UN. He also
reiterated that there is broad, consistent, and high-level USG
support for increased trade with CARICOM nations; however, despite
the will in Washington, CARICOM needs to send clear signals of its
desire to promote trade with the U.S. and within CARICOM itself. He
also emphasized the importance of strengthening institutions, and
fighting crime and corruption in order to promote investor
confidence that could generate economic growth.


6. (SBU) MINISTRY OF DEFENSE: Minister of Defense Ivan Fernald
focused on the challenges facing youth: the temptation of illegal
drug use, more violent crimes being committed, and participation in
organized crime. The Ministry of Defense (MOD) has funded sports and
music programs to reach out to teens. He said these programs are
well-received by the public. They show MOD's current focus on
improving the civilian-military relationship. The Minister stated
his support for democracy and his desire to further the democratic
process. Ambassador Maisto replied that democracy is a right of the
people, and that government's role is to promote and defend

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democracy. Maisto asked how the U.S. Government could assist the
MOD in engaging the community in a helpful or positive way. The
Minister talked enthusiastically about the "New Horizons" program,
MEDRETE's, and the South Dakota State Partnership Program as
activities that promote a positive image of the military and the
U.S. through development, health, and humanitarian projects.


7. (SBU) REGIONAL AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: During a
representational events with members of the diplomatic corps and
international organizations, economic experts and representatives of
human rights organizations, participants provided insights into
Suriname's past experience in successful handling of human rights
cases and the challenges which still lie ahead (e.g., oft-postponed
trial of Desi Bouterse for the 1982 murders). These topics gave
Ambassador Maisto an opening to discuss the highly respected OAS
human rights reporting and election monitoring. Maisto also
discussed multilateralism and the OAS role in promoting trade and
human rights, and demystified trade agreements, highlighting the
work of the OAS Trade Capacity Unit to help prepare nations such as
Peru to defend their interests in international trade negotiations.


8. (SBU) INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANK: A long sidebar
conversation with IDB representative Ancile Brewster identified
significant challenges that lie ahead, including a donor community
poised to invest in a country which has a limited technical and
logistical capacity to absorb the funding or manage the projects;
the international donor community's preoccupation with the interior
of the country, while the GOS deals with the reality of a population
that is increasingly concentrated along the coastal regions; land
rights; and the growing desire of the PRC and others to tap
Suriname's abundant natural resources and raw materials. Suriname's
overburdened energy grid may in fact present the next major
development challenge, as demand already outpaces capacity. This
reality provides a convenient opening for Venezuela to string along
Suriname with vague promises of future energy in exchange for
political favors (e.g., probable GOS support of Venezuela for
UNSC).


9. (SBU) COMMENT: Statements by President Venetiaan and other GOS
officials reflected the characteristically Surinamese propensity to
avoid risk or conflict. However, we interpret President Venetiaan's
willingness to accommodate Ambassador Maisto's sudden schedule
change as a symbolic and positive signal for open dialogue.
Maisto's ability to demystify USG motives over trade, investment,
and democracy and development bolstered ongoing Embassy efforts to
promote these objectives. His message that the USG is committed to
more than just law enforcement and counter-terrorism made clear that
our objectives for the region are in fact multifaceted. Our desire
for stronger bilateral and multilateral partnerships takes into
consideration the concerns of small economies. Maisto's dual
message of democracy and development resonated well here in
Suriname, generating positive press coverage, with photos of the
meeting with the president and a TV interview.


10. (SBU) COMMENT (continued): The wide range of participants in
meetings and representational events gave Ambassador Maisto and
Embassy officers an opportunity to probe GOS and other local opinion
makers from new angles. Post greatly appreciated Ambassador
Maisto's visit and his patience and flexibility with a schedule that
had to be compressed into a day-and-a-half due to the last-minute
announcement of a holiday to commemorate the end of Ramadan and
rescheduling of Ambassador Maisto's departure flight. Ambassador
Maisto is the highest-level USG official to visit Suriname in recent
memory, and we would welcome a follow-up visit by him or other
senior USG officials. END COMMENT
Schreiber Hughes