AFTER-ACTION: "DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH CUBAN

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000220 SIPDIS WHA/PDA FOR CHAD WEST, WHA/CAR FOR JACKIE ROSHOLT, WHA FOR DAS KIRSTEN MADISON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO CU NS SUBJECT: AFTER-ACTION: "DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH CUBAN PEOPLE" ACTIVITIES IN SURINAME REF: STATE 51536 ¶1. (U) In solidarity with the people of Cuba, Post placed an explanatory text with a link to solidaridadcuba.org on its website. ¶2. (U) Given longstanding bilateral ties between Suriname and Cuba, Post faces an uphill battle in sensitizing the Government of Suriname to the plight of ordinary Cubans. Nevertheless, the Ambassador, who served in Havana in the 1990's, has made it her personal mission to subtly educate Surinamers on the realities of life there. ¶3. (U) To commemorate May 21 in particular, Post's planned signature event would have been a screening of the movie, "Bananas." Unfortunately, and despite Post's best efforts, these plans fell through; the express ordered copy of the film still has not arrived. The movie is not legally available in Suriname. As a substitute, and keeping the solidarity theme in mind, Post screened the inspiring movie, "In America" instead of "Bananas." Post will consider rescheduling a screening of "Bananas" at a later, similarly appropriate date. ¶4. (U) There was no initial media coverage in Suriname. SCHREIBER HUGHES