Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PARAMARIBO425
2008-10-08 11:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Paramaribo
Cable title:  

NOMINATION FY-09 STUDY OF THE UNITED STATES INSTITUTE ON

Tags:  OEXC SCUL KPAO NS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1180
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHPO #0425/01 2821154
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 081154Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0411
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHAO/AMCONSUL CURACAO 1281
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


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