TERRORIST FINANCE: USG CONCERN OVER ILLICIT CASH

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000136 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR WHA/CAR MATTHEW BUFFINGTON AND LAURA LUFTIG, INR ROBERT CARHART, EB/ESC/TFS KATHERINE LEAHY, EB/ESC/TFS LEANNE CANNON, S/CT PATTY HILL, S/CT FINANCE GALER AND NOVIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN ETTC KTFN LE PREL PTER SUBJECT: TERRORIST FINANCE: USG CONCERN OVER ILLICIT CASH COURIERS REF: STATE 16120 ¶1. (U) Per reftel, Pol/EconOff raised USG concern over illicit cash couriers with GOS Ministry of Foreign Affairs Americas Division Head, Terence Craig. Craig agreed that cash smuggling is a serious problem, and said his government enforces money laundering laws whenever possible. He acknowledged that cash couriers are used by organized crime, drug traffickers, tax evaders, terrorist financiers, and other criminals. He said that his government understands that cash smuggling undermines stability, economic growth, and the rule of law. Suriname recognizes that legal and operational frameworks must be established and implemented to interrupt illicit currency transiting at its borders. He added that the GOS is increasing its capacity to enforce these principles and expects to expand law enforcement in the future. ¶2. (U) In early 2000, then-Surinamese President Wijdenbosch established an anti-terrorism commission out of several government agencies with responsibility for police, security, military and intelligence functions with relation to terrorism. Since that time Suriname has ratified six UN anti-terrorism instruments, although not Article 18(reftel para 10) related to terrorist financing. Instead Suriname has implemented legislation to comply with obligations under anti-terrorism instruments. Examples include the Money Laundering Act, the Report of Unusual Transactions Act, and the Seizure and Confiscation Act. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: While Craig's reassurances strike the right tone, and we agree that GOS intentions are sincere in this matter, follow-through on demarche obligations and multilateral commitments tends to be weak. This is due in part to a tendency by the GOS to remain neutral on international issues, in part due to a genuine lack of capacity, and in part due to uneven political will. That said, Minister of Justice and Police, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, is working to apply rule of law and has proved to be a valued partner collaborating on issues of mutual concern. Undeniably, illicit cash couriers present a serious problem for the United States and Suriname. We will continue to raise these issues with GOS. END COMMENT SCHREIBER HUGHES