Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PARAMARIBO145
2009-05-18 18:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paramaribo
Cable title:
SURINAME: CUBA, COUNTRY BY COUNTRY REVIEW FOR
how-toVZCZCXYZ0010 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHPO #0145 1381849 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 181849Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0706 INFO RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0023
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)
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
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