SURINAME: FOREIGN MINISTER ASSURES AMBASSADOR THAT

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000127 WHA FOR DAS DAVID ROBINSON, WHA/CAR FOR VELIA DE PIRRO AND JACKIE ROSHOLT, WHA/PDA FOR CHAD WEST, EUR/SCE FOR JENNIFER RAHIMI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EFIN PREL KV SUBJECT: SURINAME: FOREIGN MINISTER ASSURES AMBASSADOR THAT SHE WILL ADDRESS KOSOVO ISSUE TODAY (4 MAY) REF: A. (A) STATE 29385 ¶B. (B) PARAMARIBO 117 ¶1. (SBU) As noted reftel b, we have tried since early April to engage the Surinamese MFA on matters concerning Kosovo, largely without success. ¶2. (SBU) Finally, on 29 April and in response to my direct entreaty, the MFA responded in writing with the following: "the Republic of Suriname has supported Resolution A/RES/63/3 dated 8 October 2008 adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, requesting the International Court of Justice to provide an advisory opinion, on whether the unilateral proclamation of independence of Kosovo in February 2008 was in line with international law. The Ministry currently awaits the aforementioned opinion before making a pronounciation (sic) on this subject." ¶3. (SBU) Considering the aforementioned, I inferred that the GOS currently would abstain on any Kosovo vote. However, we recognize that the time-sensitive issue remains to establish a voting quorum for both the IMF and World Bank, making it critical that Suriname cast its votes *whether "yes", "no", or "abstain", in both of these forums. I therefore immediately tried to communicate to the MFA the criticality of timely member voting, irrespective of what that vote might be. On the morning of April 4 I was able to speak directly to Foreign Minister Lygia Kraag-Keteldijk. I urged the Minister to ensure that the GOS casts its vote(s), whether "yes", "no", or "abstain", in time to be counted for the voting quorum. The Minister assured me that she would address the Kosovo issue at once. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: Given the content of the 29 April communication from the MFA, I am only cautiously optimistic that the Minister will, in fact, ensure that Suriname casts its votes. Certainly we have been emphatic in our communications to the GOS that Kosovo is critically important to the USG. End comment. SCHREIBER HUGHES