PROMINENT SURINAMER OPTIMISTIC ABOUT MARITIME

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000062 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS WHA/CAR FOR L.LUFTIG, M.BUFFINGTON, INR FOR B.CARHART E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL NS SUBJECT: PROMINENT SURINAMER OPTIMISTIC ABOUT MARITIME BORDER CASE ¶1. (SBU) During a roundtable lunch for educators Kries Nandoe, Suriname's former Ambassador to the U.N., voiced his opinion about the maritime border dispute with Guyana currently being decided by an international tribunal in Washington. An observer during the preliminary hearings in December, 2006, Nandoe said he was impressed with the professionalism and expertise of the legal advisors on both sides. Nandoe, who is himself an attorney, said that the proceedings were comprehensive and that the case is being handled fairly. When asked if he had a concern about possible trouble between countries following a decision by the tribunal, he said "No, I don't see a problem. It should be viewed by the people as having been fairly done. It is also binding." These comments follow along with other conversations Emboffs have had where Surinamers have expressed optimism about the tribunal's eventual ruling, fairness of the proceedings, and binding nature of the ruling--(for example, the Director of the state oil company, Staatsolie, and a prominent businessman Surindra Mungra who does significant business with the Guyanese). ¶2. (SBU) COMMENT: While Nandoe works for the government and might be expected to praise the Surinamese handling of the case, he appeared to speak frankly and the weight of commentary from diverse sectors in Suriname lends credence to his opinion. END COMMENT SCHREIBER HUGHES