NOMINATION FY-09 STUDY OF THE UNITED STATES INSTITUTE ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 PARAMARIBO 000425 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR: JROSHOLT ECA/A/E/USS: BRENDAN M. WALSH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO NS SUBJECT: NOMINATION FY-09 STUDY OF THE UNITED STATES INSTITUTE ON NATIONAL SECURITY: U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY POLICYMAKING IN A POST 9/11 WORLD REF: SECSTATE 89645 PARAMARIBO 00000425 001.2 OF 004 ¶1. (U) Post is pleased to nominate the following candidate for participation in the SUSI National Security course. ¶A. Nominee's full name as it appears on passport; Last name: Veira First name: Danielle Middle names: Reana Karin B.Date of birth (Month, Day, Year): 11/11/1970 ¶C. City of birth: Paramaribo ¶D. Country of birth: Suriname ¶E. Country of Residence: Suriname ¶F. Country of Citizenship: Suriname ¶G. Home address: Posoegroenoestraat 12, Tammenga, Paramaribo, Suriname Telephone:(597) 426-343/(597) 421-200 (work) (597)463-753 (home) (597) 860-8352 (cell) E-mail: danielle.veira@gmail.com ¶H. Gender: Female ¶I. Medical, Physical, Dietary or other Personal Considerations: Candidate has no medical, physical or other personal considerations ¶J. Current position and Title: Head, International Affairs Department, Ministry of Defense ¶K. Current Institutional Affiliation and complete address: Ministry of Defense Republic of Suriname Address: Kwattaweg 29, Paramaribo, Suriname ¶L. Work Experience, including previous positions and titles: - 2005: Project assistant (Duke in Geneva scholarship) The Geneva Forum, a Joint Initiative of UNIDIR, QUNO & the Programme of Strategic and International Security Studies of the Institute for International Studies of the University of Geneva, Switzerland. Assisted in the organization of Geneva Forum and QUNO activities on a range of issues related to multilateral security, arms control and disarmament, and legal matters related to arms management. - 2003-2004: Staff, International Affair Office, Defense Strategic Planning and Education, Ministry of Defense. Provided analysis and advised on domestic, international and legal issues related to strategic defense and security, planning and management. - 2003: Instructor at the Suriname Armed Forces, Education Center. Lectured and guided non commissioned officers. Lectured International Humanitarian Law in the Non Commissioned officers course. - 2001-2003: Legal advisor to the Commander of the Suriname Armed Forces. Provided all advice regarding legal matters of the military. - 2001: Commissioned First Lieutenant, Suriname Armed Forces - 2000-2001: Legal Co-worker, Office of Legal Affairs and Treaties, Ministry of Defense - 1994-1996: General Executive Secretary, Suriname Christian Council of Churches ¶M. Education, Academic and Professional Training, including degree earned and fields of specialization: - 2007: Post Graduate Diploma; Institute of International Relations, Anton de Kom University, Paramaribo, Suriname. Four Month Course on Global Politics and Latin America: Assessing Latin America's Progress and Perspectives. - 2006: Certificate in International Peace and Conflict; University Center for International Studies, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, USA. Two year coursework in mediation and negotiation, peace and conflict, democracy and divided societies. - 2006: MA in International Development Policy; Duke Center for International Development, Duke University, USA. Coursework in economics, governance, policy analysis, institutional design, project cycles and management. Member of the Society of International Development, North Carolina Chapter. PARAMARIBO 00000425 002.2 OF 004 - 2003: Diploma in International Relations; Institute for Social Sciences, The Hague; Lim A Po Institute for Social Studies, Suriname. One Year Coursework in international economics, law, governance and development issues, mediation, problem solving, course for Diplomats. - 2001: Master in Law; Anton de Kom University, Suriname. Coursework in penal law, contract law, constitution law, international law, commercial law. ¶N. Active Professional membership: Member of Defense policy committees related to Human Resource Management, security, policy and performance of the MOD. ¶O. Publications: - Danielle Veira, "The Ecumenical Role of Women" published in the Caribbean Council of Churches Booklet 1997 - Danielle Veira, "De Rechtskracht van de Rules of Engagement voor de Militaire Krijgsmacht" (Eng) "The Rules of Engagement for the Military Force in Suriname", Masters Thesis in Law, Anton De Kom University of Suriname 2001 - Danielle Veira, Dalia Kaikhasraw, Mwila Chigaga, David Swanson, Gender and Development, The Economic Case of Mainstreaming Gender, paper for Economic Analysis of Development Course, Duke University, 2005 - Danielle Veira, Strategy for Change, The Development of a Peace building Framework in the Western Hemisphere, the Case of Haiti, Duke University, 2005 - Danielle Veira, Literature Review on Gender Mainstreaming & Small Arms and Light Weapons, (work in progress) 2005 - Danielle Veira, The Next Effort, Mainstreaming Gender in addressing the Misuse of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Haiti, Masters Thesis International Development Policy, Duke University, 2006 - Danielle Veira, "Integration of Regional Infrastructure within South America, Suriname's Inclusion: An Opportunity or a Threat?" A defense-strategic policy paper, (2007) Institute for International Relations, Anton de Kom University - Danielle Veira, "Garandering van de Nationale Veiligheid, een gezamenlijke verantwoordelijkheid" (Eng) "Guarantee National Security, a shared responsibility (work in progress) 2008 ¶P. Previous Experience in the United States: Please list any and all trips the candidate has made to the United States and include approximate dates and the reason for travel: Training: - 2004 Judge Advocate Generals Course, Charlottesville, Virginia - 2002 Defense Planning and Resource Management Course, National Defense University, Washington, DC - 2001 Conducting Military and Peacekeeping Operations in accordance with the Rule of Law, Newport, Rhode Island - 2001 Managing International Conflict, Newport, Rhode Island - 1997 Young Women Leadership Training, Chicago, Illinois ¶Q. Family Residing in the United States -- Please list any immediate family members who are currently in the United States residing, including city and state: Candidate has no immediate family members residing in the USA. ¶R. Evidence of English Fluency: Candidate is personally known to Military Liaison Officers and is judged to have a strong fluency in the English language. ¶S. Statement by commission/post justifying participation of nominee in the Institute: (1) Current or projected extent of the U.S. Studies content of the course(s) and materials being taught or developed by the candidate; Danielle Veira is Head of the International Affairs Department at the Ministry of Defense. As a government official working directly in the field of national security, she is not developing or teaching any U.S. studies courses at present. Ms. Veira has a graduate degree and substantial knowledge of foreign affairs. (2) Likely relevance of the program to the professional responsibilities of the candidate; Danielle Veira is a highly-motivated and experienced government official working on national security-related issues at the Ministry of Defense. As Head of the International Affairs Department, she advises the Defense Minister on domestic, international, and legal issues related strategic defense and security, UN resolutions, and planning and management. She accompanies and advises the Minister when he participates in international defense and security meetings; and she drafts policy papers related to international defense and security management. Developing a professional knowledge of the PARAMARIBO 00000425 003.2 OF 004 role of federal government, think-tanks, media, and public opinion in shaping U.S. security policy will lead Ms. Veira to take similar factors into account when formulating Surinamese policies. Furthermore, study of specific issues, such as cyber-security and counter-terrorism, will deepen her knowledge of factors she should consider when defining Suriname's security policy. Ms. Veira is a key contact of Post's Military Liaison Office. The Military Liaison Office's ongoing projects with the Ministry of Defense, including but not limited to U.S. military humanitarian medical and engineering missions, are some of the USG's most visible activities in Suriname. A close relationship with the Ministry of Defense is key to getting the permission and cooperation necessary to conduct these missions, which are a public diplomacy bonanza for the U.S. government. Ms. Veira is tasked with liaising with defense attaches and other foreign entities from a wide variety of countries. Her experience at SUSI will develop her good will and sensitivity to U.S. security concerns. (3) The potential impact of the candidate's participation on a greater understanding of American Society and/or culture at his/her home institution (in terms of enhanced teaching and curricula, etc.) Ms. Veira has a special interest in the program subject areas, as is demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments and professional duties. As Head of the International Affairs Department at the Ministry of Defense, she plays a key role in formulating Suriname's national security policy and in advising the Defense Minister on domestic, international and legal issues regarding strategic defense and security, UN resolutions, planning and management. Ms. Veira' participation in the SUSI would have a strong impact on her work at the Ministry. (4) The relevance of the candidate's participation in the institute to Post's long-term U.S. studies goals and the post's Mission Strategic Plan. Ms. Veira's participation in the SUSI institute is directly connected with Post's Mission Strategic Plan Goal 3, which is to improve Government of Suriname military professionalism, interoperability for combat, and humanitarian operations. Specifically, Post aims to improve the ability of the Suriname Defense Forces in maintaining a sustainable professional organization that is subject to civil control, adheres to international norms and standards, and exercises respect for human rights. Developing the skills of key officials in the Ministry of Defense will assist them in maintaining civilian control of their military. Building good will with Ministry of Defense officials will also ease getting permission for U.S. humanitarian medical and engineering missions conducted by U.S. forces in cooperation with the Suriname Armed Forces. ¶T. Personal Statement: Being able to acquire more training in National Security strategies and policies will be another opportunity to enhance knowledge, analytical ability and therefore increase capacity for myself and the Defense organization of Suriname. In my current capacity as Head of the International Department of the Ministry of Defense, I am constantly focusing on security issues and have a strong interest for Peace and Conflict Resolution, defense strategies and security policy matters. The concept that security is a condition sine qua non for the development of a state is the red thread through my daily work. As Suriname is still in the process of defining its national security policy, I do believe that learning from other countries will assist us in building our foundation. I furthermore believe that interaction with experts from other countries renews thoughts, since an exchange of knowledge and experiences takes place. As I underscore that one's national security is domestically as internationally oriented, I know that in order for my country to safeguard its people it is important to strengthen ties with friendly nations and participate in organizations that promote security. The security challenges that we face are global in nature and may have effects on both the national and the global level. The experiences that the United States of America has with dealing with these challenges, what the role was from not only the government but also civil society in shaping US security policy is worth learning from. As we cannot provide national security alone, nations need to come together to formulate strategies. This initiative from the US Institute course will bring exponents together to learn from each other through research and interaction. I will be much honored to be part of this group of people. Moreover, I feel obliged to be part of this program, as it seems challenging, enriching and enabling. I am looking forward to learn more from US National Security policies and PARAMARIBO 00000425 004.2 OF 004 strategies and so broaden my insight in security. ¶U. Post action officer: Geneve Menscher Political/ Economic Chief Pouch: 3390 Paramaribo Place Dulles, VA 20189-3390 Email: menscherge@state.gov Telephone: (597) 472-900 ext. 2205 Fax: (597) 425-788 SCHREIBER HUGHES