Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PARAMARIBO408
2008-09-24 19:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Paramaribo
Cable title:  

Suriname: Rhythm Road New Season Priorities

Tags:  OEXC SCUL KPAO NS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0010
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPO #0408/01 2681922
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 241922Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0392
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000408 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ECA/PE/C/CU ROBERT KEITH AND COLOMBIA BARROSSE, WHA/PDA
CHAD WEST
WHA/CAR JROSHOLT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO NS
SUBJECT: Suriname: Rhythm Road New Season Priorities

Ref: SECSTATE 90853

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000408

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ECA/PE/C/CU ROBERT KEITH AND COLOMBIA BARROSSE, WHA/PDA
CHAD WEST
WHA/CAR JROSHOLT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO NS
SUBJECT: Suriname: Rhythm Road New Season Priorities

Ref: SECSTATE 90853


1. (U) Building and strengthening Mutual US/Suriname appreciation
and respect is Post's number one Mission Strategic Goal. Rhythm
Road (RR) programming was a key part of fulfilling this goal in 2007
and 2008, and Post looks forward to welcoming Rhythm Road to
Suriname in 2009. The following is keyed to questions from
paragraph 6 of reftel.

--------------
Preferred Music Style
--------------


2. (U) Post would prefer to host urban music. Post has been
tremendously successful with its music programs (primarily jazz) in
2007 and 2008, which entertained thousands of Surinamers. This year
Post would like to leverage this popular music programming
reputation to facilitate outreach to youth by bringing in urban
music. The hip-hop format will be especially attractive for target
audiences and the large "Afro-Sranan" or "Creole" population in
Suriname. We are optimistic an urban music program could help Post
in its continuing outreach to Suriname's large Muslim population;
Post notes successful use of the band Muslim Deen in other
countries, and would welcome the visit of a Muslim hip-hop band such
as Muslim Deen. Post also wishes to emphasize that regardless of
genre, Surinamers prefer their music "hot and spicy" rather than
"cool and mellow."

--------------
Preferred Time Frame
--------------


3. (U) For the past two years, Post has offered RR jazz as a part
of its Black History Month programming. Once again, February is the
ideal time to receive RR artists. In the past, Post has expanded
Black History "Month" to include January and/or March to take
advantage of the RR window of opportunity, and would like to do so
again, preferably using the February/March timeframe. Post also
prefers a three day programming window spanning a weekend (i.e.,
Wednesday night arrival, programs on Thursday and Friday,
performances on Friday and Saturday nights, and departure on Monday
early morning). Travel in and out of Suriname on the most reliable
airline route is currently limited to four days a week. (budget
note: see paragraph 9).

--------------
Priority Objectives
--------------


4. (U) Post's number one Mission Strategic Plan goal is mutual
U.S./Suriname appreciation and respect contributing to a more

effective partnership. Post repeatedly highlights U.S.
contributions to world culture, and our music programming is central
to this effort. RR programming demonstrates our interest in
Surinamese cultural life and showcases the best of contemporary
American culture. It builds on significant good will and
expectations created by past RR programming and by the independent
visit of former RR participant "Bujo" Kevin Jones in July 2008. We
are optimistic an urban music program could help Post in its
continuing outreach to Suriname's large Muslim population, and would
welcome the visit of a Muslim hip-hop band.

--------------
Audiences
--------------


5. (U) Post would again seek to leverage both high-impact
audiences (a street concert for youth to continue Post's successful
grassroots outreach programs first instituted in 2006) and
high-level targeted audiences (jazz jams at the Ambassador's
Residence have been very popular among Embassy contacts). Post
would also organize workshops and master classes for schoolchildren
and music students. As in the past, Post will extend RR programming
to Nickerie, Suriname's second largest city, which is located a
four-hour drive from the capital (budget note: see paragraph 9).

--------------
Possible Venue Institutions
--------------


6. (U) Given past success, Post has several potential partners for
venues. Our first options: A. The Cultural Center of Suriname, for
schoolchildren, and co-located with the American Corner. B. Downtown
street concert, for youth. C. Chief of Mission Residence. D.
Nickerie Cultural Center. E. Cultural institution "Ons Erf," for
general audiences and music students.

--------------
Possible Venue Cities
--------------


7. (U) Post would program in the capital, Paramaribo, and in the
second largest city, Nickerie. Budget note: see paragraph 9.

--------------
Security
--------------


8. (U) Post has not had and does not anticipate any security
difficulties.

--------------
Budget Issues
--------------


9. (U) RR programming has been spectacularly successful in
Suriname in the past few years, and formed the centerpiece for U.S.
outreach efforts in 2007 and 2008. However, this has come at
significant cost due to the small size of Post's discretionary
budget. The RR program is by far Post's largest public diplomacy
expenditure, making it difficult for Post to program appropriately
for the rest of the fiscal year. Post notes that Reftel states "in
certain circumstances, ECA/PE/C/CU will authorize JALC to cover per
diem and/or local travel costs." Post looks forward to exploring
with Washington whether a cost-sharing option would be available.

SCHREIBER HUGHES