Ambassador Robert J. Faucher’s presentation to the Republic of Suriname’s Diplomatic Institute October 3, 2024

Good evening, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ramdin, Ministry staff, DNA members, CEO Staatsolie, distinguished guests, and esteemed colleagues. And Shanah Toval to everybody who is observing Rosh Hashanah. It is an honor to be here today at the Suriname Diplomatic Institute.

I am always happy to discuss American foreign policy and the important relationship between the United States and Suriname. I know you are interested in what I will say.  And, to be honest, so am I.

I first served in Suriname as a new diplomat in 1986 and returned in 2002 as Deputy Chief of Mission.  And now I have been back for over a year and a half as Ambassador.  I believe that my time spent in this country over the years has provided me with some insights about our relations, not just as the current ambassador, but as someone who has watched our relationship grow and evolve over many decades.  I am reminded of the dictum that “history is driven by the interaction of geopolitics, institutions and ideas, but it takes historical agents to set it all in motion.”

So, in order to best understand current U.S. foreign policy and the nature of the current bilateral relationship with Suriname, it is necessary to review our shared history, at least from the United States’ point of view. Then I would like to highlight some key, overarching themes in U.S. foreign policy, followed by a review of the current bilateral relationship between Suriname and the United States.

Past as Prologue

The U.S.-Suriname relationship is deep-rooted. It long predates Suriname’s independence in 1975, when formal diplomatic ties were established. The histories of our two nations stem from European exploration and colonization in the 16th century. Dating back to English efforts in the Americas and Sir Walter Raleigh, who advocated for exploration in the Guianas, while promoting the Virginia colony in North America. Suriname and the United States are really close cousins that were seemingly separated at birth.

Nearly 400 years ago, the Dutch settled a trading colony in New Amsterdam, which later became known as Manhattan. While at the same time, the English were setting up the Willoughbyland colony here in Suriname. As you know, the 1667 Treaty of Breda formalized an exchange of colonies following the end of the second Anglo-Dutch War.  The English retained Manhattan, and the Dutch kept Suriname.

When 13 of Britian’s 26 North American colonies declared independence in 1776, American foreign policy began in earnest. One of the first acts of the Continental Congress, the initial governing body of the new United States, was to send agents out to important capitals to advance the American cause. Benjamin Franklin was sent to Paris.  John Adams was sent to The Hague. And Hendrick Fisher was sent to Suriname.  Fisher was tasked primarily with securing much-needed gunpowder from the Dutch to sustain American war efforts.  And like the other agents, Fisher used every opportunity to plead the American cause.

Fisher stayed America’s agent for a year, and was replaced by Robert Morris, then the wealthiest person in North America, who managed what the British considered a huge smuggling network to supply gunpowder to the Continental Army.  Morris later gained fame as the key financier of the American revolution. Following American independence, the United States continued a consular presence in Suriname, primarily to facilitate trade.

Trade was a chief foreign policy goal during the early decades of the United States.  During that time, American foreign policy was concerned mainly with expanding trade and avoiding entanglements with European powers. At the same time, America’s foreign policy reflected the process of establishment and consolidation of U.S. territory on the North American continent.  This included the removal of European powers from the North American region.  So, other than trade, there was not much to our bilateral relationship with Suriname.

This continued for the most part through the American Civil War, when the focus of U.S. foreign policy changed and was directed toward preserving the Union. This meant primarily keeping European powers away from siding with the South and the Confederate cause, and later supporting the abolition of slavery.

President Lincoln’s agent in Suriname at that time was Henry Sawyer.  One notable chapter of Sawyer’s work involved the attempt to negotiate an agreement to send up to 20,000 freed slaves from the United States to “colonize” Suriname. The agreement was never ratified or entered into force.  Following the Union victory at the Battle of Antietam, Lincoln publicly changed his views about America’s freed slaves, accepting the arguments of the great abolitionist Frederick Douglas that they were indeed Americans whose home was the United States.

Sawyer also worked hard against Confederate forces, recruiting 123 Surinamers to join the Union Army against the South.  He also disrupted the provisioning and coaling of Confederate ships in Paramaribo. Sawyer survived the war but was unfortunately murdered in 1877 by an American seaman he was trying to place under arrest.  Henry Sawyer’s name is carved into the wall of remembrance at the entrance to the State Department in Washington DC, as well as at the American Embassy here in Paramaribo.

Following the Civil War, America’s relationship with Suriname once again centered on commercial ties. American companies came to Suriname, primarily in search of gold and balata.  Most were not successful.

The 20th century saw the ties between our countries change and deepen. Significant U.S. foreign investments were made, notably with ALCOA’s bauxite mining operations beginning in 1915 in Moengo. In 1929, at the request of ALCOA, Charles Lindburg flew the first PANAM seaplane to Suriname to start regular air service between our two countries.

Demand for Suriname’s high-quality bauxite soared in the 1920s and 30s, and ALCOA even pushed an idea that the United States should consider purchasing Suriname from the Dutch in 1919, just as it had purchased the Danish Virgin Islands a few years earlier. This plan was given much consideration by both sides, but it was abandoned when local Surinamers resisted strongly.

As the Second World War approached, U.S. foreign policy prepared the United States to lead Allied war efforts. Surinamese bauxite was vital to the United States during World War II.   And so, after the Nazis occupied the Netherlands, the United States sent thousands of American troops to Suriname to protect the bauxite mines. The troops arrived in November 1941, even before the attack on Pearl Harbor and America’s entrance into the war.  They remained until 1947. By some estimates, the bauxite they protected produced almost 80% of the aluminum used during WWII.

In addition, a key war aim in the Caribbean was to keep open the shipping lanes, particularly those that led to the Panama Canal.  To that end, military infrastructure like Zanderij Airport was expanded to become the largest airfield in South America.  Zorg en Hoop was constructed as a base for U.S. Navy Dirigibles.  And Pad van Wanica was paved to Zanderij. As part of the war effort, America pressed the Netherlands to sign on to the Atlantic Charter in 1942, essentially paving the way to eventual decolonization.

Following the Second World War, trade relations returned to define the U.S.-Suriname relationship. While the subsequent Cold War framed much of U.S. foreign policy, American involvement in Suriname was primarily commercial.

After the Dutch balked at financing the Brokopondo Dam project, the United States stepped in.  Financed by ALCOA in the 1960s, the Dam marked a significant U.S. investment, reshaping Suriname’s environment and economy. At the same time, Operation Gwamba brought Suriname to American’s attention once again as a small group of American and Surinamese volunteers worked to save thousands of wild animals threatened by the rising waters of the Brokopondo stuwmeer.

In those years, there were some visits to Suriname by senior American officials.  Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson visited in 1960 and 1969 respectively, while their planes refueled. America even brought the Space Age to Suriname in the mid-1960s.  The American Space Agency NASA worked with the Dutch Space Agency to launch rockets in Totness, Coronie to determine whether it could serve as a space launch location.

In 1975 the United States, the oldest republic in the Americas, immediately recognized the newest South American country, the Republic of Suriname, and established diplomatic relations.  Those relations have continued uninterrupted until today.

At the same time, American foreign policy was transitioning from a focus on the conflict in Vietnam to Central America where the Cold War was becoming somewhat hotter. Our foreign policy sought to ensure that communism did not spread to other countries, particularly in this region.

Suriname’s early years coincided with the election of President Jimmy Carter, who turned 100 years old on Tuesday of this week.  President Carter placed a premium on respecting and supporting human rights around the world. This had implications for Suriname as it suffered its military coup in 1980, followed by the so-called “Revolution” and the December murders by Desi Bouterse. Relations between the United States and Suriname chilled as a result.

I arrived in Suriname as a new diplomat at the end of the “Revo” period. I saw Suriname’s “people power” demand and earn democratic elections and a return to the barracks by the military in 1987.  This held promise for a new era in our relationship. There were ups and downs during Suriname’s first 25 years as a nation, but by the end of 20^th century, Suriname seemed to be settling into a stable democracy that respected basic human rights and sought U.S. help in diversifying its economy.  Our relationship was clearly improving.

In South America and the Caribbean, the illegal drugs trade took much of America’s attention.  This included Suriname, where the Drug Enforcement Agency sought to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs from the region to the United States.  These efforts resulted in some successes, although Suriname still suffered from the activities of international criminal organizations.

In this century, we have seen ALCOA, a major U.S. investor, reduce its presence in Suriname, while another, Newmont Mining, developed a highly successful gold mine. I am especially pleased to announce today that Newmont is one of six winners of the 2024 Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence. This recognizes the crucial role Newmont has played in Suriname in elevating global standards of business conduct. Newmont was cited particularly for its investment in environmental conservation as well as education, healthcare and economic opportunities that have created lasting impacts, particularly for Suriname’s indigenous and tribal communities.

With Tuesday’s announcement of the Final Investment Decision by Total and APA, we anticipate greater U.S. business involvement in Suriname as Suriname develops its oil and gas industry while addressing its development challenges.  This is clearly something U.S. foreign policy will encourage.

Key/Current U.S. Foreign Policy Themes and Issues

Today, relations between the United States and Suriname are stronger than ever. We look forward to continuing our warm and productive partnership within the framework of U.S. foreign policy, which is built on a few core principles: promoting a peaceful, democratic, prosperous, and stable world where the rule of law and human rights are respected, and governments collaborate to tackle global challenges like climate change, crime, and corruption.

We believe that these principles are universal and can be achieved through diplomatic, economic, military, and humanitarian means. In essence, U.S. foreign policy seeks to advance America’s vital interests, outmaneuver geopolitical competitors, and work with other nations on shared challenges, all while aiming for a brighter, more hopeful future for the world. We stand by Suriname as it continues its journey toward becoming a strong, stable, and prosperous democracy.

Please allow me to highlight a few, key foreign policy issues that concern us all. The U.S. remains committed to confronting aggressive actions by Russia, competing responsibly with China, and countering terrorism from actors like Iran.

Our policy on Ukraine is unwavering—we will support Ukraine until a just and durable peace is achieved, based on the UN Charter.  Russia’s aggression cannot be tolerated or accepted. We commend Suriname’s participation in the Ukraine peace summit in June of this year and count on Suriname to continue to support Ukraine against this unjustified Russian aggression.

Regarding China, the U.S. will responsibly manage competition with China to prevent conflict. We are ready to cooperate on urgent issues for the good of our peoples and people everywhere. We recently resumed cooperation to halting the flow of deadly synthetic drugs. But the United States will continue to push back against unfair competition and military coercion of other countries in the South China Sea. We will defend peace in the Taiwan Strait and protect our technology from theft and unlawful misuse. We will protect our most advanced technologies so that they cannot be misused against us or any of our allies. And we will seek partnerships across the Indo-Pacific to build a free, open, secure, and peaceful region.

In the Middle East, the U.S. remains focused on achieving security for Israel, easing the suffering in Gaza, and ending hostilities in Lebanon. We continue to support a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, and work to deny resources to terrorists, particularly those supported by Iran.

As President Biden has said, we must not flinch from the horrors of October 7. Nor can we ignore the unprovoked missile barrage from Iran.  Any country has the right and responsibility to ensure that such attacks can never happen again. We must secure security for Israel and ease the suffering of Gaza, a Gaza free of the grip of Hamas. At the same time, we must bring to an end this war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Since October 7 Hezbollah has been launching rockets into Israel, unprovoked.  It must stop.

As we look ahead, we must work toward a two-state solution, where the world and including Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalized relations among all the neighbors.  And where Palestinians live in security, dignity and self-determination in a state of their own.

Progress toward peace in the Middle East will put us all in a stronger position to deal with the ongoing threat posed by Iran. Together, the United States seeks to work with other nations to deny support to terrorists and to Iran’s terrorist proxies. We must ensure that Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon.

Closer to home, Haiti is a top priority. We are encouraged by the UN’s support for the Multinational Security Support mission and welcome Suriname’s commitment to sending 50 police officers.

Similarly, restoring democracy in Venezuela is central to our regional agenda.  We will continue using diplomatic tools and sanctions to encourage respect for democratic outcomes. We applaud the Venezuelan people for their participation in the July 28 presidential election despite significant challenges. Over 12 million people went to the polls and exercised their right to vote. Their will, as expressed at the ballot box, must be respected.

Regarding Cuba, I know this is an area where the United States and Suriname disagree. U.S. policy prioritizes human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the economic well-being for the Cuban people. We are working to advance democracy, promote respect for human rights, and support the Cuban people exercising the fundamental freedoms in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The U.S. embargo remains in place by statute, and our humanitarian efforts continue, with significant exports of food, medicine, and other essential goods to Cuba.  Over $½ billion in 2023 alone. However, Cuba’s economic crisis is driven primarily by its own mismanagement.

Bilateral Relations

As I’ve already described, the United States and Suriname share a long and storied relationship. This relationship has grown on a foundation of mutual respect and shared values. I believe that our shared interests are many and varied. Today, relations between the United States and Suriname are stronger than ever.

One key area of shared interest is economic growth and trade and investment.  Our foreign policy supports continued U.S. investment in Suriname and ensures that we build shared prosperity. This includes through the extractive industries.  The recent announcement of the multi-billion-dollar investment by American firm APA and France’s Total Energies is a testament to this.  It is a game changer.

We are working to bring other investments here as well, but we need transparency to do so.  Especially in the extractive industries. Suriname needs to meet all Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative standards. And it needs to get its illegal and unregulated gold mining under control, both for the good of the environment and so that all of Suriname can enjoy the revenues such mining generates. Those proceeds should not just go to a few.

U.S. Foreign policy supports Suriname’s efforts to increase local content. U.S. firms want to build the capacity of the local work force so Surinamese professionals can build Suriname’s economy, and export products and services regionally and globally. Indeed, Suralco provided a model example of efforts at local content, especially for its time. In this way, we seek to use our resources and expertise to support Suriname’s development strategy.

Our foreign policy supports other commercial opportunities.  Suriname could be attractive for U.S. businesses, with its renewable energy, fast internet, exceptional tolerance and cultural diversity. By simplifying procedures for banking, establishing residency, and getting labor and business permits, Suriname can attract more U.S. firms.

To that end, Suriname needs to meet all Caribbean Financial Action Task Force requirements. And it should make greater efforts to digitize its economy and move toward a cashless society. Through efforts such as these, Suriname will take important steps to reduce opportunities for corrupt business practices. A history of corruption in Suriname has meant that, with the coming oil and gas boom, there are reasonable concerns that resources could be siphoned off to benefit a minute elite, leaving the Surinamese people in need. The United States is ready to partner with Suriname to share best practices in how to erect safeguards to ensure that this does not happen in the future. This is crucial particularly now, when all signs point to impressive growth in Suriname’s sovereign wealth fund. With curbs on corruption and a strong plan for the funds, the Suriname of the future will be much stronger that the Suriname of today.

Currently hurdles to getting investments approved turn away American firms. Progress in technical areas, like fiscal transparency of government budgets, regulatory compliance in the banking sector, and intellectual property rights is critical for U.S. firms.

Suriname’s economic potential is vast, particularly in natural resources, energy, and infrastructure, and U.S. companies like Chevron and APA are already contributing to the development of its oil and gas sector. But sustainable development is key. There is significant potential for collaboration in eco-tourism, renewable energy, and conservation. The U.S. will continue to support efforts to protect Suriname’s forests, promote green growth, and promote Suriname’s movement away from a carbon-based economy with the investment in clean energy technologies.

The United States strongly supports the promotion of inclusive economic growth. We believe that a stable, prosperous economy is the basis of a resilient democracy. I was happy to reopen the Embassy’s office of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, in 2023. We are working with USAID to bring more resources and assistance to Suriname.

The United States is one of Suriname’s largest trading partners, with trade in goods like gold and agricultural products.  In return, we export machinery, vehicles, and manufactured good to Suriname.

American companies are active in Suriname, with brands like Coca-Cola, Marriott, and McDonald’s well established in the country.  And new ones, like Ashley Furniture Store, coming more recently. We hope to see more American investment. And we also welcome Surinamese activity and investment in the United States. Through initiatives like the Caribbean Basin Initiative, we provide entrepreneurs in the region access to the U.S. market, the most robust in the world. With accession, Suriname could enjoy these privileges and opportunities, too.  We are here to help facilitate that.

The United States has strongly supported Suriname’s efforts to reform its economy under the IMF program and we are pleased to see such positive results. I believe Suriname’s credit rating needs reevaluation as a result of the progress it has made. I have asked the U.S. EXIM bank to begin that process so that Suriname could qualify for EXIM lending in the future. EXIM provides export financing to U.S. companies seeking guarantees when exporting to Suriname.

In addition to our shared economic interests, the United States and Suriname share security interests. The United States collaborates with Suriname in areas like counter-narcotics, maritime security, and law enforcement. The South Dakota National Guard’s partnership with Suriname has strengthened military cooperation since 2006.   It is considered a model for the State Partnership Program in the region.

We recently concluded Operation Gran Mati 2024, during which over 30 medical staff from the South Dakota National Guard provided medical assistance to Surinamese citizens in local communities in Paramaribo and Para. The National Guard worked hand in hand with the Surinamese military, training and providing equipment to build up the capacity of the Surinamese armed forces. We both greatly benefitted from this training exercise and over 1600 Surinamers received medical and dental care. In addition, over the years, the South Dakota National Guard has refurbished local schools, exchanging expertise with the Suriname military, and participating in Suriname’s National Day. Their soldiers will soon be joining t in the Suriname military Jungle Training center.

Our military cooperation will continue, including with the recent announcement that Suriname will host the Tradewinds exercise in 2027. The United States stands ready to invest over $1 million in exercise construction to help Suriname prepare to receive up to 24 partner nations and the 1600 personnel that historically participate in this exercise.

As part of our ongoing military cooperation, we strongly encourage Suriname to join the U.S. Southern Command’s Human Rights Initiative.  This will strengthen our shared commitment to human rights and democratic values.

We also look forward to signing an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement which will enhance logistical support and operational cooperation.  This agreement will be particularly beneficial for logistics planning and execution for the Tradewinds 2027 exercise and the upcoming Surinamese deployment to Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support mission.

In recent years, the Department of State has bought equipment for the police and provided specialized training on riot control that respects human rights. We have supported the Project Implementation Unit and Financial Intelligence Unit to combat money laundering.  And we have sent more than 100 Surinamese officials to training on justice and law enforcement topics, where Surinamese officials have learned from local, State, and Federal law enforcement officials in the United States on how they can improve security here is Suriname. One of those officials was Inspector Letitia Pinas, who was recognized by the Secretary of State as a 2024 Trafficking in Persons Hero. A group of 11 police officials will travel to Las Vagas next week to pursue crowd control training.

In the next couple of weeks, we plan to sign an agreement with Suriname to make over $300,000 available for continued law enforcement cooperation and international narcotics control.

We are also working together with Suriname to counter terrorism, enhance cyber security capabilities, and to limit the flows of illicit drugs through Suriname. We plan to conclude the Aerial Intervention Assistance Agreement later this month. This will enable Suriname to participate in a regional information sharing network with the rest of CARICOM to gain better understanding of real-time air and sea movements through Suriname’s territory and maritime zones so that Suriname can respond appropriately. Suriname can and must improve its control of its air, land and seas in order to effectively fight back against the scourge of transnational criminal organizations.

Culturally, our people-to-people ties are strong but could be even stronger. Alongside this vast economic potential, there lie limitless development possibilities for Suriname’s human development as well. The United States stands ready to partner with Suriname to benefit the Surinamese people in health, education, and infrastructure. We would strongly support greater use of English as the language of international interaction that could help Suriname and Surinamers better connect with the Caribbean region.

At my request, we are working to revitalize the American Corner at CCS so that we can provide free and open access to Surinamers interested in learning more about the United States. It is my hope that we will soon transition to a U.S.-Suriname Binational Center to offer programs and events that foster learning, discussion and civic engagement around democratic principles. We are already considering locations that will best showcase American values, innovation, creativity, diversity and openness to ideas, cultures, and people. Such a binational center will allow visitors to access information, develop practical professional skills, and participate in programs that foster economic strength and hone critical thinking.

We are working to build stronger ties between U.S. and Surinamese universities to ensure that Suriname has the technological expertise needed for the economy of the future. We want to encourage more Surinamese students to study in the United States and for more American scholars to come research, study, and teach in Suriname. Already, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has partnered with Anton De Kom University and will engage in student exchanges, cooperative research projects, and visiting professor exchanges int eh years to come.

I am a champion for establishing a Fulbright program in Suriname, building a pipeline that sends Surinamese students to the United States and brings American scholars to Suriname. I hope we will establish a comprehensive Fulbright exchange program in the year ahead. Both our nations would benefit greatly from it.

Another area in which we seek to strengthen our people-to-people cooperation is combatting international parental child abduction. The United States and Suriname will automatically become partners under the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention once the National Assembly completes ratification. We look forward to strengthening our partnership to protect American and Surinamese children.

Finally, the United States remains dedicated to upholding democratic values and human rights, and advocating for inclusivity, the rule of law, freedom of speech, and the protection of individual liberties.  As we embark on Pride month here in Suriname, I want to emphasize that the United States strongly promotes respect for Suriname’s LGBTQI+ community so that its members can enjoy the same rights as all Surinamers without fear of discrimination.

Our shared commitment to democracy will continue to guide our partnership as we work together for a brighter future. As democracies with multicultural populations, Suriname and the United States have a lot in common. We both value the power of democracy. Suriname has a history of free and fair elections and is ranked high for press freedoms, values ranked very high in the United States. Suriname has also been ranked the 4^th most religiously tolerant country in the world.

Holding firm to the Surinamese values of mutual respect, tolerance, dialogue, and peaceful co-existence will help Suriname continue to be a beacon for the rest of the world. These values will also serve as catalysts to developing Suriname’s full economic potential.

Suriname remains the only country in the western hemisphere that does not have a law respecting the collective rights of its indigenous and tribal peoples. The United States will support efforts to address these rights and develop Suriname in a more inclusive manner.

Democracy is the underpinning of both our systems of governance.  Our work is done for, and on behalf of, our people.  The American Constitution starts with the powerful phrase, “we the people”. We believe that democracy is the best system of government and support the strengthening of democratic institutions, including free and fair elections.

As Suriname approaches its May 2025 national elections, ensuring free, fair, and inclusive elections is essential to prevent democratic backsliding. The United States will remain a committed partner to a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Suriname.

The question always remains of what the future will bring.  I would be in the wrong if I failed to mention that the upcoming elections in the United States, just a month away, can be a period for change. However, the importance of international partnerships is undeniable. No matter the outcome of the election, we will be committed to partnering with a peaceful, prosperous, democratic Suriname.

As I said at the beginning of my talk, this is my third time in Suriname.  I have seen such dramatic changes since I was first here in 1986, at the tail end of a period of military dictatorship and “revolution.”  I believe that Suriname has gone far and still has a lot of untapped potential.

Conclusion

The United States is committed to maintaining a strong and vibrant relationship with Suriname. We look forward to building on our shared values and common goals to create a brighter future for both our nations. We will celebrate 50 years of ties to an independent Suriname in 2025, which we are greatly looking forward to.

We face a world where a fierce competition is underway. A small number of countries, principally Russia, Iran, North Korea and China, are determined to alter the foundational principles of the international system that has helped secure Suriname’s independence. These powers wish to entrench autocratic rule at home and assert spheres of influence abroad. They wish to resolve territorial disputes by coercion or force.  And they weaponize other countries’ economic and energy dependence.

Together, we must work to prevent that outcome. We must support a free, open, secure and prosperous world that we both seek. A world where countries are free to choose their own paths and partners. And where the global economy is defined by fair competition, openness, transparency and broad-based opportunity. A world where technology empowers people and accelerates human progress. A world where international law, including the core principles of the UN Charter, is upheld and universal human rights are respected. A world that can evolve to reflect new realities, give voice to emerging perspectives and players, and meet the shared challenges of the present and future.

I am optimistic about the future and the future of U.S.-Surinamese relations. By working together, we can achieve great things and address the challenges that lie ahead. All of you will play a vital part in those efforts.

Thank you for your attention. And now I’d love to hear from you. This is a wonderful forum where ideas can be exchanged, and the U.S. Embassy can better understand your aspirations. I again thank BIBIS for this opportunity and the invitation. I look forward to your questions and comments – I hope I’ve left you with food for thought – let’s have a discussion.