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 PARAMARIBO 00000690 002 OF 002 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