SURINAME: CUBA, COUNTRY BY COUNTRY REVIEW FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARAMARIBO 000145 SIPDIS WHA/CAR JROSHOLT WHA/CCA GZAMBRANO E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2019 TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU NS SUBJECT: SURINAME: CUBA, COUNTRY BY COUNTRY REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT REF: STATE 48487 Classified By: Political-Economic Chief Geneve Menscher for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) Embassy Paramaribo recommends the continued suspension of Title III for Suriname. The Government of Suriname has made no significant effort to promote the advancement of democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms in Cuba. In December 2008, Suriname opened a diplomatic mission in Cuba; Cuba had opened its diplomatic mission in Suriname in ¶2006. The Government of Suriname views Cuba as a benefactor. Cuban assistance to Suriname,in the form of social programs, receives significant media coverage. Suriname participated in the CARICOM-Cuba meeting in Santiago de Cuba in December ¶2008. In May 2009, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led an interagency delegation for the fourth Joint Commission Suriname-Cuba and signed agreements to cooperate on health, agriculture, higher education, archives, and community development. ¶2. (C) Cuban-sponsored assistance programs were active. Cuba's "Operation Miracle" and "health diplomacy" programs provided free cataract eye surgeries for several thousand Surinamers, who traveled to Cuba. The program is publicized by Suriname's Minister of Health, who received his medical training in Cuba. The Minister praised Fidel Castro publicly after the late February 2008 announcement on his succession. As of May 2009, fifty-four Surinamers were studying in Cuba. According to the Cuban Ambassador to Suriname, as of December 2008 there were thirty graduates. A total of fifteen Cuban doctors and health workers were in Suriname as of December ¶2008. Embassy Paramaribo is unaware of any Surinamese investment in Cuba or bilateral trade agreements with Cuba. In November 2008,however, a board member of Suriname's quasi-governmental Chamber of Commerce and Industry led a business delegation to the 26th Annual Trade Fair in Havana. The media reported that business deals were signed during this trip. SCHREIBER HUGHES