Suriname: Cuba, Country by Country Review for Suspension of

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARAMARIBO 000327 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/12 TAGS: ETRD ETTC CU NS SUBJECT: Suriname: Cuba, Country by Country Review for Suspension of Title III of the Libertad Act CLASSIFIED BY: Menscher Geneve, Chief Political-Economic, STATE, POL/ECON; REASON: 1.4(D) ¶1. C) Embassy Paramaribo recommends 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; the chancery is slated to open in January 2010. Cuba 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, especially medical assistance, receives significant media coverage. In November 2009, the Speaker of the National Assembly visited Cuba. In May, 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. In March, a Cuban parliamentary delegation visited Suriname and met with government officials, Cuban experts employed in Suriname, and members of the Suriname-Cuba Friendship Committee. ¶2. C) Cuban-sponsored assistance programs, including Cuba's "Operation Miracle" and "health diplomacy" programs, were active. The Ministry of Health directly publicized Cuban government-run medical assistance programs. Between October 2005 and April 23, 2009, approximately 5,000 Surinamers received free eye surgeries through the "Operation Miracle" program. "Operation Miracle" is personally touted by Suriname's Minister of Health, Celsius Waterberg, who received his medical training in Cuba. Cuban doctors have been active in Suriname for a number of years. In addition, the Cuban Medical Brigade celebrated its second anniversary, having treated over 71,000 Surinamese patients, and dedicated its work to the fight for freedom for the Cuba Five. A total of fifteen Cuban doctors and health workers in Suriname as of December 2008. ¶3. C) Sixty Surinamers were studying in Cuba, while another forty had graduated from their programs, as of September 2009. An education cooperation program continued between Cuban institutes and the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, with one Cuban training Spanish language teachers at the teacher's training college. Four Cuban coaches visited Suriname in August 2009 to train local athletes and chess players within the framework of the Paramaribo-Havana Exchange Program. ¶4. C) Embassy Paramaribo is unaware of any Suriname 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. BELL