Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PARAMARIBO118
2009-04-29 17:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Paramaribo
Cable title:
SURINAME: VENEZUELAN AMBASSADOR RECALLED?
how-toVZCZCXRO2422 PP RUEHGR DE RUEHPO #0118 1191755 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 291755Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0674 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 1692 RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN PRIORITY 2080 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 1679 RUEHAO/AMCONSUL CURACAO PRIORITY 1305
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000118
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - JROSHOLT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL NS
SUBJECT: SURINAME: VENEZUELAN AMBASSADOR RECALLED?
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000118
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - JROSHOLT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL NS
SUBJECT: SURINAME: VENEZUELAN AMBASSADOR RECALLED?
1. (U) During the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and
Tobago April 17 - 19, Surinamese President Ronald Venetiaan
reportedly complained to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
about the alleged interference of the Venezuelan Embassy into
Suriname's internal domestic politics. On April 24th, local
media reported that the Venezuelan Ambassador to Suriname,
Francisco Simancas, had left Suriname for an unspecified
period. The Ambassador denied that he was recalled and
indicated that he was returning to Venezuela for vacation.
2. (SBU) COMMENT. Locally there is a wide-spread perception
that the Venezuelan Embassy strongly supports the National
Democratic Party (NDP),the main opposition to the
government's ruling New Front-plus coalition of political
parties. The NDP is led by Desi Bouterse, former military
strongman and main suspect in the trial of the 1982 murder of
fifteen political opponents. Venezuelan Embassy staff
consistently and openly attend NDP events. Reportedly the
Venezuelans are far less enthusiastic in their support for
other political parties. Rumors abound that the Venezuelans
may also be providing financial support to the NDP -- all
actions potentially perceived to oppose the current ruling
coalition. END COMMENT.
SCHREIBER HUGHES
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - JROSHOLT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL NS
SUBJECT: SURINAME: VENEZUELAN AMBASSADOR RECALLED?
1. (U) During the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and
Tobago April 17 - 19, Surinamese President Ronald Venetiaan
reportedly complained to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
about the alleged interference of the Venezuelan Embassy into
Suriname's internal domestic politics. On April 24th, local
media reported that the Venezuelan Ambassador to Suriname,
Francisco Simancas, had left Suriname for an unspecified
period. The Ambassador denied that he was recalled and
indicated that he was returning to Venezuela for vacation.
2. (SBU) COMMENT. Locally there is a wide-spread perception
that the Venezuelan Embassy strongly supports the National
Democratic Party (NDP),the main opposition to the
government's ruling New Front-plus coalition of political
parties. The NDP is led by Desi Bouterse, former military
strongman and main suspect in the trial of the 1982 murder of
fifteen political opponents. Venezuelan Embassy staff
consistently and openly attend NDP events. Reportedly the
Venezuelans are far less enthusiastic in their support for
other political parties. Rumors abound that the Venezuelans
may also be providing financial support to the NDP -- all
actions potentially perceived to oppose the current ruling
coalition. END COMMENT.
SCHREIBER HUGHES