PARAMARIBO AMERICAN CORNER SUSTAINING FUNDS 2009

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000020

SIPDIS

FOR R AND IIP/G/WHA, HMURTEN, AMCBCONATY; FOR WHA/PDA
CPETERSON AND CWEST; INFOR FOR WHA/CAR JROSHOLT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OIIP KIRC
SUBJECT: PARAMARIBO AMERICAN CORNER SUSTAINING FUNDS 2009
REQUEST

REF: SECSTATE 124399

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1. SUMMARY
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(A) The American Corner (AC) continues to serve as a dynamic
platform in launching Post's public diplomacy outreach
activities. In 2008, Post noted a substantial 40% increase
in the average number of attendees in direct proportion to
the total number of program and non-program activities hosted
at the American Corner.

(B) Post continues to build on the successes of two monthly
outreach activities that premiered in 2007: the American
Movie Night (held every fourth Thursday of the month) and the
English Conversation Class (held every first Friday of the
month). Numerous theme-specific activities were also hosted
at the AC in addition to its regular monthly programs. Post
is a non-PD presence post (NPP) with only one PD FSN
Assistant and a USDH Pol/Econ Officer who could only dedicate
an ordinate amount of time to public diplomacy. Despite the
challenges Post faced, such as the major renovations at the
Cultural Center of Suriname (AC's host institution) and
resource constraints for PD programming, Post has nonetheless
exceeded its expectations and aims to attract bigger
audiences in 2009.

(C) Despite Paramaribo's status as a Non-Presence Post
(NPP),public diplomacy is the highest priority (MSP #1 goal)
in order to foster a more positive image and sustained
goodwill, balance strong anti-Americanism, neutralize the
influence of diplomatic missions from countries of concern,
and promote understanding about U.S. policy, history, and
society and culture. With very few resources at its disposal
to launch effective public diplomacy campaigns, the American
Corner remains Post's most valuable and efficient tool.

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2. AMERICAN CORNER OPERATIONS
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(A) OVERVIEW

The American Corner is housed at the Cultural Center of
Suriname (CCS),which plays host to some of the country's
significant cultural events. Prior to the creation of the
American Corner in 2005, the resources at the CCS were
limited to a warren of meeting rooms and office spaces, a
400-seat capacity auditorium, and a rudimentary library that
housed some three thousand volumes of dated books in Dutch.
It was not a destination frequented by the city's residents,
save for the sporadic cultural events at the auditorium.

The creation of the American Corner has reinvigorated public
interest in CCS as the lead promoter of Suriname's cultural
activities. "The American Corner has revitalized that
place," one local was quoted as saying in 2007 in reference
to both the resources that the AC has brought and the several
public diplomacy and outreach activities that the Embassy has
hosted and/or co-sponsored with the CCS since 2005.

Inspired by the example of the American Corner, the director
of the CCS has succeeded in negotiating for an HIV/AIDS
Corner which has been fully operational since October 2008
following the completion of the renovation of the CCS
building that was funded by the Dutch government. The CCS
library now also boasts of a "kiddies corner" and a mod
"internet cafe corner" that also displays and sells local
arts and crafts. Moreover, the Dutch Embassy plans to
consolidate their Dutch Cultural Center library into the
renovated CCS.

The Dutch renovation of the CCS began in February 2007 with
the roof and office space, which did not affect public spaces
or U.S. Embassy programming at CCS. In 2008, renovation took
place in the public areas, although rotating portions of the
CCS remained open to the public throughout the renovation.
The reopening ceremony was held in October 2008. The
renovation of the CCS will draw more customers to the CCS
facility, and will assist in the promotion of the American
Corner as well.

The extensive renovation of the CCS restricted Post's
opportunities in 2008 to utilize the American Corner as a
venue for more frequent English classes, or the CCS compound
in hosting big public diplomacy events, especially in the
months between July and October 2008. During those months,
the renovation took place in the main room through which
American Corner users must transit and that Post often

utilizes when projected attendees for an event cannot be
accommodated within the American Corner itself. Despite
these temporary programming setbacks, the American Corner
nonetheless continued to be a top crowd-drawer for its
computers and free internet access, and for being the
"repository" of the country's largest inventory of English
books, magazines, periodicals, video, and other reference
materials.

(B) LOCATION AND STAFFING

Located approximately one mile from the Embassy, the American
Corner is on the second floor of the CCS, on one of the major
streets of the nation's capital. Its prime location and
ample public parking makes it an excellent alternative venue
for public events that cannot be hosted within the Embassy
grounds for security measures reasons. Embassy Paramaribo is
a "lock and leave" Post without a Marine Guard Detachment,
which hampers Post's ability to host any evening activities
at the Embassy. The day-to-day management of the American
Corner is run by two English-speaking CCS employees whose
salaries are paid by the Surinamese government.

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3. DATA
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(A) NUMBER OF VISITORS PER YEAR

Non-program related visitors to American Corner in 2008: the
sign-in book registered 500 visitors compared to the 750
approximate number in 2007. (Please see narrative below for
frame of reference point)

(B) NUMBER OF PROGRAMS HELD

Between January and December 2008, the Embassy organized 23
programs at the American Corner. This number represents
roughly sixty-five percent of the 35 programs that the
Embassy hosted in the previous year, 2007, due to the
constraints exacted by the major construction and renovation
at the CCS. Although the number of programs was reduced in
2008, the American Corner was able to maintain a level of
patronage that was proportionately higher than its previous
record. In 2007, average number of guests for each program
was calculated at 34 compared to the 47 average number of
guests per program in 2008.

(C) LIST OF PROGRAMS HELD

- "American Movie Night" (monthly program)
- English Conversation Class (6 classes in 2008)
- Black History Month events (6; Types of events:
concerts/culture, workshops, movie, and book reading)
- Native American Indian Heritage Month (1; Type of event:
audio-visual/culture presentation)
- Donation ceremony, materials for American Corner

(D) TOTAL ATTENDANCE AT PROGRAMS

Approximately 1,100. (Note: Suriname's total population is
less than half a million, approximately 493,000, spread
across ten districts.)

(E) MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS (By Category)

Thematic programming attracted the largest audience. Two
Black History Month concerts that featured the Kelley Johnson
Quartet and the Afro-Surinamese Drum Ensemble drew
approximately 650 guests. American movie nights drew an
average of 27 attendees per month.

(F) MOST POPULAR MATERIALS (By Category)

Computers and internet access remained the most popular
resource at the American Corner, followed closely by books
and periodicals. According to the American Corner Director
and locally-engaged staff, the computers were used primarily
for research purposes and in accessing non-immigrant U.S.
visa applications. Novels, encyclopedias, and sports
magazines were highly popular among the visitors.

(G) AUDIENCE REACHED

The 2008 programming at the American Corner catered to a
diverse demographic that included students from secondary
schools and colleges, professionals, children, retirees, and
expatriates. Sector-specific programming on music and
culture, education, and tourism, among others, drew target
audiences.


(H) NUMBER OF EMBASSY OVERSIGHT VISITS TO AC (FSO AND FSN)

Embassy staff involved in PD activities visited the American
Corner at least three times per month. Other non-PD Embassy
staff members visited at least once a month.

(I) EXTENT OF MEDIA COVERAGE OF AC EVENTS

Most of the American Corner events received media coverage,
the most extensive of which were the Kelley Johnson Quartet
and the Afro-Surinamese Drum Ensemble performances in
celebration of Black History Month. The American Movie Night
continued to receive broadcast media promotion every month.
(Note: The American Movie Night is promoted as a monthly
cultural event rather than the promotion of specific films.)

(J) AMERICAN CORNER TRAINING PROVIDED

None in 2008. Both AC Director Marcella Augustuszoon and CCS
Director Elviera Sandie, however, attended a 2007 training in
Trinidad and Tobago under the auspices of the WHA/PDA
Washington. (Note: Marcella is now Library Director and
Acting AC Director until the Ministry of Education appoints a
new AC Director. In the interim, two local CCS staff, in
addition to Marcella, have been placed in rotation to assume
the day-to-day management responsibilities.)

(K) HOW FY2008 FUNDING WAS APPLIED AND ITS IMPACT

FY08 funding enabled the Embassy to maintain the American
Corner as its integral arm for public diplomacy outreach. To
the extent that the American Corner succeeded in sustaining
its patronage level in the face of a significant reduction in
the number of programs, the American Corner can be considered
as the most efficient and effective tool in promoting
pro-U.S. messages, reaching the widest array of audiences in
an informal setting.

(L) AMOUNT OF GOE POST PROVIDED IN ADDITION TO SUSTAINING
FUND

Post expended a total of $3,202.66 out of the $3,000 approved
budget, or one-third of the original $9900 Post-requested
budget for 2008.

(M) AMOUNT OF PRIVATE DONATIONS PROVIDED

No private donations were received.

(N) PLAN FOR THE FUTURE: STRATEGY FOR IMPROVEMENT

Post has succeeded in "institutionalizing" the two regular
monthly programs, American Movie Night and English Class,
events that continue to draw steady patronage even as Post
endeavors to widen its audience base through electronic mass
mailings, movie flyers, and word-of-mouth marketing. Post
has initiated an English Class for women parliamentarians and
aims to pursue the offering of similar opportunities to
non-English speaking members of the ladies diplomatic group
and businesswomen. Post is currently working with the
American Chamber of Commerce of Suriname to have its monthly
breakfast meetings held at the area outside of the American
Corner, in addition to plans of updating the AC's inventory
of reference materials to include regular and current issues
of "iconic" American publications like Time and Newsweek
magazines, and the hosting of more education and tourism
presentations at the American Corner. In October 2008, Post
completed the repainting of the AC interior and the entrance
to the AC, making the whole area outside of the AC more
inviting and guest-friendly.

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4. BUDGET
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(A) Post will continue to fund the internet, electricity,
and other base costs as stipulated in the Memorandum of
Understanding. In line with its 2009 goal of keeping the
American Corner relevant, Post seeks modest maintenance
funding for its public diplomacy outreach activities.

(B) Itemized Budget:

$2500 - Wireless internet subscription and electricity
$1500 - Purchase of films and logistics ($125/month)
$ 500 - Transport costs (students to/from English classes)
$2000 - Publicity, marketing, and program support
$2500 - Books, magazine subscriptions, audio-visual
materials (note: all audio-visual materials in the AC are

still in the cassette tape/VHS formats. Post noted
that the most "current" mainstream U.S. magazine in
the AC is an October 2007 issue of Sports Illustrated),
poster exhibits, and updated reference materials

$9000 TOTAL

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5. CONFIRMATIONS
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(A) MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING?

Yes.


(B) CENTRAL DATABASE COMPLETE AND UP TO DATE?

Yes, database is complete but needs to be updated once the
Ministry of Education appoints Marcella Augustuszoon's
replacement as AC Director.


(C) COMPLIANT WITH CORE CHARACTERISTICS?

Yes. The American Corner is adequate in housing current
inventory of materials and in holding small gatherings
(maximum of 16 persons seated comfortably) but adjacent
bigger rooms or the auditorium are often utilized to
accommodate Post's steadily increasing programs and patronage.

SCHREIBER HUGHES