Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PARAMARIBO74
2008-02-25 19:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Paramaribo
Cable title:
PARAMARIBO - DEMARCHE: ADVANCING THE US POSITION
VZCZCXYZ0009 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHPO #0074 0561912 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 251912Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9998 INFO RUEHBE/AMEMBASSY BELMOPAN PRIORITY RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 0535 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 1518 RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN PRIORITY 1603 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 0017 RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN PRIORITY 2051 RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA PRIORITY 0030 RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON PRIORITY 0538 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 0049 RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO PRIORITY 0090 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO PRIORITY 0013 RUEHBH/AMEMBASSY NASSAU PRIORITY 0333 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 0086 RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA PRIORITY 0028 RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE PRIORITY 0450 RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN PRIORITY 1851 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 0032 RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE PRIORITY 0446 RUEHSN/AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR PRIORITY 0031 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 0020 RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO PRIORITY 0535 RUEHTG/AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA PRIORITY 0026 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 1638 RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0018
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000074
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EU CU NS
SUBJECT: PARAMARIBO - DEMARCHE: ADVANCING THE US POSITION
FOR CHANGE IN CUBA
REF: 08 STATE 18320
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000074
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EU CU NS
SUBJECT: PARAMARIBO - DEMARCHE: ADVANCING THE US POSITION
FOR CHANGE IN CUBA
REF: 08 STATE 18320
1. (SBU) Regretably, and despite numerous attempts,
Ambassador was unable to contact high level GOS Foreign
Ministry officials on Sunday, February 24, to deliver reftel
demarche points. However, Ambassador did succeed in
contacting MFA Permanent Secretary Jane Aarland-Nanhu on
February 25. In response to the Ambassador's comments with
respect to Cuba's undemocratic leadership transition, PermSec
Aarland-Nanhu confirmed that she well understood the USG
position with regard to democracy in Cuba. She also agreed
that there was no surprise in the announcement that Raul
Castro would succeed his brother, Fidel. Ambassador observed
that, given Suriname's experience with the 1980's
dictatorship of Desi Bouterse, as well as anecdotal evidence
that at least some among the Surinamese people recognized
that Cuba's leadership transition could not be characterized
as "democratic", she hoped that the GOS would include a
statement advocating true democracy in Cuba in any
post-"election" message that Suriname might send to the GOC.
2. (SBU) In respnse to the Ambassador's request, PermSec
Aarland-Nanhu noted that she would first need to consult with
Foreign Minister Kraag-Keteldijk, who has been traveling.
The Permanent Secretary promised to advise the Ambassador of
the GOS position on any possible statement on democracy in
Cuba after her meeting with the Minister.
3. (SBU) Comment: Given past experience, as well as internal
GOS politics (the Health Minister, whose political party is a
member of the ruling coalition, is especially close to the
GOC),it is doubtful that the GOS will see its way clear to
issue any statement with respect to democracy in Cuba.
Nevertheless, Post will continue to pursue the issue and
report any developments septel. End Comment.
SCHREIBER HUGHES
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EU CU NS
SUBJECT: PARAMARIBO - DEMARCHE: ADVANCING THE US POSITION
FOR CHANGE IN CUBA
REF: 08 STATE 18320
1. (SBU) Regretably, and despite numerous attempts,
Ambassador was unable to contact high level GOS Foreign
Ministry officials on Sunday, February 24, to deliver reftel
demarche points. However, Ambassador did succeed in
contacting MFA Permanent Secretary Jane Aarland-Nanhu on
February 25. In response to the Ambassador's comments with
respect to Cuba's undemocratic leadership transition, PermSec
Aarland-Nanhu confirmed that she well understood the USG
position with regard to democracy in Cuba. She also agreed
that there was no surprise in the announcement that Raul
Castro would succeed his brother, Fidel. Ambassador observed
that, given Suriname's experience with the 1980's
dictatorship of Desi Bouterse, as well as anecdotal evidence
that at least some among the Surinamese people recognized
that Cuba's leadership transition could not be characterized
as "democratic", she hoped that the GOS would include a
statement advocating true democracy in Cuba in any
post-"election" message that Suriname might send to the GOC.
2. (SBU) In respnse to the Ambassador's request, PermSec
Aarland-Nanhu noted that she would first need to consult with
Foreign Minister Kraag-Keteldijk, who has been traveling.
The Permanent Secretary promised to advise the Ambassador of
the GOS position on any possible statement on democracy in
Cuba after her meeting with the Minister.
3. (SBU) Comment: Given past experience, as well as internal
GOS politics (the Health Minister, whose political party is a
member of the ruling coalition, is especially close to the
GOC),it is doubtful that the GOS will see its way clear to
issue any statement with respect to democracy in Cuba.
Nevertheless, Post will continue to pursue the issue and
report any developments septel. End Comment.
SCHREIBER HUGHES