Request for Traveling Speaker on Political, Economic and

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000439

SIPDIS

FOR IIP/S CBARONE
INFO WHA/PDA CPETERSON, CWEST

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO NS
SUBJECT: Request for Traveling Speaker on Political, Economic and
Diplomatic Engagement of the United States in the Latin American and
Caribbean Region

REF: 2007 STATE 151480


1. (U) SUMMARY: Post seeks a traveling speaker to present a
12-page paper on the subject of "Political, Economic and Diplomatic
Engagement of the United States in the Latin American and Caribbean
Region." END SUMMARY.


2. (U) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Anton de Kom University is the sole
university in Suriname. The University's Institute of International
Relations is one of Post's close partners in public affairs
outreach. The Institute has requested that Post provide a speaker
to participate in its upcoming symposium, "Latin American and
Caribbean Relations within an Evolving Global Context," which will
be held on November 28 and 29, 2008.


3. (U) The Institute requests that the speaker also present a
12-page paper on the subject of "Political, Economic and Diplomatic
Engagement of the USA in the Latin American and Caribbean Region."
To ensure proper dissemination, the paper should be submitted to the
University through the Embassy by October 30. The speaker would then
present the paper in a 45-minute speech on November 28 during the
two-day symposium. The reserved speech slot is the first slot after
the Opening Remarks. The Institute is particularly interested in a
speech that provides a general overview and discussion of United
States involvement in the region from the Monroe Doctrine to the
present.


4. (U) The U.S. Speaker's presentation will be one of several
presentations over the two-day symposium. Other presentations on
the draft agenda are scheduled to include "Brazil, Mexico, and
Venezuela in the Context of Emerging Power Relations in the
Hemisphere" (speaker from Brazil); "The Economic Integration
Movement of the Latin American Region" (University of Amsterdam);
"Foreign Policy of Suriname in View of Political and Economic
Changes in the Hemisphere" (Ministry of Foreign Affairs); "The
Future of CARICOM and Latin American Relations - Challenges and
Perspectives" (University of the West Indies); and "Transnational
Crime as a Regional Security Threat" (Organization of American
States).


5. (U) TIME FRAME: The symposium will be held on November 28 and
November 29. Post will look into the feasibility of additional
programming on either November 27 (Thanksgiving) or December 1, as
airline flights permit.


6. (U) PROGRAM PURPOSE: The objective of the United State's segment
of the Institute's program is to inform and assist Surinamese
audiences in understanding the history of U.S. diplomatic, economic
and political engagement in the Latin American and Caribbean Region.
Surinamers have a history of looking towards Europe, due to their
colonial past. In recent years, they increasingly have started to
look towards their CARICOM and South American neighbors. Sharing
the U.S. perspective as well as U.S. interests and goals in the
region will give the audience a stronger understanding of the
positive United States contributions in the hemisphere.


7. (U) A secondary purpose is to strengthen Post' relations with a
valued partner institution, the University's Institute of
International Relations. The Ambassador considers it a priority to
assist the Institute with its request for a U.S. speaker. This will
further strengthen Post's cooperative ties with the Institute.


8. (U) MSP Strategic Goal: Goal #1, Mutual US/Suriname appreciation
and respect contributing to a more effective partnership. Goal #4,
Evident U.S. contribution to Suriname's improved economic and social
development.


9. (U) AUDIENCE: This symposium will be open to media
representatives, undergraduate and graduate students, academics,
public sector officials, political party members, and the general
public.


10. (U) PROPOSED TOPICS AND NATURE OF EVENTS: The traveling speaker
will participate in the two-day symposium on Friday, November 28 and
Saturday, November 29. The Institute requests the speaker present a
12-page paper on "Political, Economic and Diplomatic Engagement of
the USA in the Latin American and Caribbean Region." Post will
explore the feasibility of additional programming on either December
1 (Monday) or November 27 (Thanksgiving),as speaker's travel
schedule permits.


11. (U) NAME OF DESIRED SPECIALIST: Post has already conferred with
Anton de Kom University over an IIP-provided list of suggested
speakers. The Institute requested as its first choice Thomas Andrew
O'Keefe, President of Mercosur Consulting Group. The second choice
speaker is Gregory Baker Wolfe, an independent business consultant.
The third choice is Anthony Bryan, from CSIS. Post concurs with the
Institute's selections. Neither Post nor the University has
contacted any of these suggested speakers directly. If none of the
above speakers is available, Post will coordinate with IIP and the
Institute to identify alternate candidates.


12. (U) LANGUAGE: English


13. (U) POST CONTACT INFORMATION: Geneve Menscher, P/E Chief, tel:
(597) 472 900 extension 2205, fax: (597) 420 800, email:
menscherge@state.gov. Back-up program officer: Judith Dijks,
Business and Education Resource Center, tel: (597) 472 900 extension
2267, fax: (597) 425 690; email: dijksjb@state.gov.


14. (U) FUNDING SPECIFICS: The University, as host of the
symposium, will engage in cost-sharing for this visit and will
provide per diem valued at 200 USD/day for four days. (Note: The
USG Per Diem Rate for Suriname, lodging and MI&E, is 187 USD/day.
End Note.) All other costs should be paid out of Post FY09 I-bucks
(4500 USD remaining). Post advises IIP that international travel
for the speaker is best scheduled on Caribbean Airlines from Miami
to Paramaribo, via Port of Spain. A waiver to the Fly American Act
is available due to the excessive layover time in a foreign airport
if the speaker were to take the morning American Airlines flight to
Port of Spain. The transfer time for the afternoon American
Airlines flight to Port of Spain is too short to make the connecting
flight, due to immigration and customs requirements for transiting
passengers.

SCHREIBER HUGHES