MARITIME BORDER DECISION: SURINAMERS, DISAPPOINTED BUT

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000529

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - Jackie Rosholt, INR - Bob Carhart, INR - Ray
Milefsky; COMMERCE FOR Michelle Brooks, OSD for Juan Cardenas

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS EINV EPET PGOV PREL NS

SUBJECT: MARITIME BORDER DECISION: SURINAMERS, DISAPPOINTED BUT
CALM, APPEAR TO ACCEPT RULING



1. (U) SUMMARY. The fate of the disputed maritime area off the
borders of Suriname and Guyana was settled September 20 in a
long-awaited and much-anticipated decision by the U.N. International
Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). While GOS President Ronald
Venetiaan expressed satisfaction and congratulated the Surinamese
population on the outcome, opposition parties voiced disappointment
with the Government for "giving part of the country to the
Guyanese." In general, public sentiment appeared to express a mix
of disappointment and acceptance. END SUMMARY.

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BACKGROUND
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2. (U) Over the past centuries, various unsuccessful attempts were
made to settle the maritime border issue between Suriname and
Guyana. In June 2000 the dispute escalated when a Surinamese gunboat
blocked CGX Energy Inc, a Canadian company licensed by Guyana, from
drilling oil in the "Eagle" block located in the disputed area. The
two countries undertook diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation
bilaterally and regionally through CARICOM, but to no avail. In
February 2004, Guyana initiated arbitration proceedings against
Suriname in accordance with the U.N. International Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

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THE DECISION
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3. (U) President of Suriname, Ronald Venetiaan, and President of
Guyana, Bharat Jagdeo, simultaneously briefed their respective
countries at 5:00 p.m. on September 20 on the ITLOS ruling. The
U.N. ruled that it had jurisdiction in this matter and gave both
Suriname and Guyana access to portions of an offshore basin which is
believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits. However, the "Eagle"
concession from which CGX was expelled in 2000 now falls entirely
within Guyana's territory.

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MIXED REACTIONS
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4. (U) During the press conference, President Venetiaan seemed
relaxed and in good spirits; he told the press that the Government
was "delighted and relieved that the dispute has been settled."
Asked if he was satisfied with the outcome, Venetiaan remarked that
"one cannot always get everything he wants, so you should not be
greedy, and be satisfied with what you get." This remark did not
sit well with the political opposition; immediately after the
President's press conference, opposition members voiced their
disappointment with the ruling and accused the government of "giving
part of the country to the Guyanese." One opposition
parliamentarian complained that all Suriname got from the ruling was
"water and fish" -- whereas the Guyanese, presumably, would be
rolling in oil. The press scolded Venetiaan for trying to "make
fools of" the Surinamese populace by appearing to declare victory,
and concentrated coverage on opposition objections.

5. (U) Marc Waaldijk, Director of the Suriname State Oil Company,
had perhaps the most balanced reaction to the ruling. Waaldijk
characterized the ITLOS' ruling as a "judgment of Solomon" and
expressed disappointment, but said that Suriname now has the
opportunity to expand exploration activities to areas which were
previously disputed.

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Comment
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6. (SBU) Despite press frenzy and opposition rage, Waaldijk's
comments probably typify the inward reactions of most Surinamers,
who in general tend toward negativity and quiescence in political
matters. Certainly, if it is possible for cynicism towards
Venetiaan's government to mount any higher, it has. However,
opposition calls for his resignation and hopes for popular protest
are nothing but bluster -- this esoteric and distant-feeling
decision is not the bump in the road that will upset Venetiaan's
rickety, but surprisingly resilient, apple cart.