TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER (TFCO)

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARAMARIBO 000771 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2016 TAGS: EFIN ETTC KTFN KVPR PREL PTER NS SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER (TFCO) REF: STATE 181096 Classified By: Political Officer Jesse L. Sanders for reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d) ¶1. (C) Per Reftel Embassy Paramaribo, Suriname designating as TFCO and deputy TFCO: a. TFCO: Genton, Thomas R., Title - Deputy Chief of Mission, Phone Number - (597) 472900 Ext 2202, Email - GentonTR@state.gov) b. Deputy TFCO: Sanders, Jesse L., Title - Chief of Political-Economic Section, Phone Number - (597) 472900 Ext 2205, Email - SandersJL@state.gov) ¶2. (C) Coordination: Post has had limited opportunities to report and coordinate on efforts against terrorist financing. Possible suggestions to improve coordination among TFCOs would be to hold DVCs between posts to explain what each post is doing to oppose terrorist financing. ¶3. (C) Outreach: Public diplomacy efforts might include placement of op-eds and byliners by USG officials in local media. Even greater impact could be generated by op-eds and byliners by respected leaders from the region. Public diplomacy DVCs with prosecutors, justice officials, parliamentarians, law enforcement, businessmen and media would help educate key audiences. ¶4. (C) Suriname is not included on CIA chart described in reftel (A) para 9(d). Suriname evaluation according to the chart: - a. The Government of Suriname (GOS) does not have the authority to freeze terrorist funds although an amendment to the criminal code enacted in 2003 allows authorities to confiscate illegally obtained proceeds and assets obtained partly or completely through criminal offenses. - b. The GOS has not signed nor ratified the UN Convention on Terrorism Financing. - c. Suriname has implemented UNSCRs 1267, 1390, 1455, (Implementing legislation and UNSCR 1373 is still in the drafting stage). - d. Has adopted anti-money laundering legislation. - e. Has established a Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). - f. Is not an Egmont member (but Justice and Police Ministry is working on meeting the criteria for joining). - g. Is a member of Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). - h. Has not issued a freeze order on terrorist-linked assets. - i. Almost never does a thorough search of financial institutions for terrorist assets. - j. Almost never does timely sharing of terror finance information. - k. Almost never reaches out to US intelligence and law enforcement regarding terrorist financing. GENTON