C O N F I D E N T I A L PARAMARIBO 000729

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2016
TAGS: PHUM PREL KTIA UNHRC UN XG BO NS
SUBJECT: (C) DESPITE PRESSURE, SURINAME NONCOMMITTAL BUT
LIKELY TO ABSTAIN IN THIRD COMMITTEE VOTING

REF: (A) STATE 184178 (B) STATE 187018

Classified By: AMBASSADOR SCHREIBER HUGHES FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (U) The Ambassador and Pol/Econ officers have approached
the GOS Foreign Ministry on four separate occasions regarding
ref A, most recently on 11/15, when the Ambassador and
Pol/Econ section chief personally delivered points in reftels
A and B. As with all previous approaches, and despite the
Ambassador,s admonition that the Belarus Anti-U.S.
resolutions (ref B) particularly deserved a "no" vote from
Suriname, MFA Permanent Secretary Frederick Boekstaaf
reiterated his country,s general position to abstain on such
resolutions.


2. (U) That said, MFA International Organizations Division
Chief Nalinie Sewpersadsingh also asked Ambassador and
Pol/Econ chief for the texts of all referenced resolutions,
implying that the GOS is still in the process of developing
its position. Post is in contact with State/IO to secure all
requested documents, and will deliver them to the MFA
immediately upon receipt.


3. (C) Comment: Despite Sewpersadsingh,s request, Post
expects that Suriname will continue to follow its general
practice and abstain. Nevertheless, Post will continue to
aggressively pursue the GOS and will report any subsequent
information via septel.
SCHREIBER HUGHES