SURINAME: NO CONCRETE INFORMATION YET ON UN

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000407

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

IO/PPC FOR BATLLE, USUN FOR MCBRIDE, NSC FOR MCDONALD,
WHA/PPC FOR GONZALEZ, DEACON, AND MILLER, WHA/CAR FOR
ROSHOLT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNGA NS
SUBJECT: SURINAME: NO CONCRETE INFORMATION YET ON UN
GENERAL ASSEMBLY

REF: SECSTATE 101170


1. Per reftel, post met with Nalinie Sewpersadsingh, Head of
the International Organizations Division of the Government of
Suriname Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA) attendance. Post met with
Sewpersadsingh on July 27 and again on August 1.
Sewpersadsingh said she has no firm information yet, but
promised repeatedly to keep post informed.


2. Informally, Sewpersadsingh indicated as of July 27 that
President Ronald Venetiaan did not intend to attend the UNGA
this year. However, on August 1 she indicated (again
informally) that President Venetiaan is now reconsidering, as
he is interested in attending unspecified parallel activities
on climate change. Sewpersadsingh said Foreign Minister
Lygia Kraag-Keteldijk is definitely planning on attending,
but that no dates are set. She had no information on other
VIPs. In Suriname, the President is both Head of State and
Head of Government.


3. Sewpersadsingh said she herself does not plan to attend
this year, though she does plan to send the majority of her
staff in rotations. She said the dates are not yet
dertermined. Her staff is as follows:
Rosita Hubard, Deputy Head, issue focus: human rights
Chantal Eisenhout, issue focus: human rights
Bianca Doelahasori, issue focus: economics/financial (not
likely to attend)
Nicole Hew a Kee, issue focus: unknown
Juliette Redman, issue focus: social affairs/U.N. reform (not
likely to attend)
Terry Shameen, issue focus: environment


4. Post will inform of further response.
SCHREIBER HUGHES