Robert J. Faucher, Ambassador Nomination Hearing

Faucher, Robert J., of Arizona, nominated to be Ambassador to the Republic of Suriname … 1121

Finally, Robert Faucher most recently served as the principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. Prior, he was director of the Office of Western European Affairs in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, and has held positions in the offices of U.N. Political Affairs and U.N. Specialized and Technical Agencies in the Bureau of International Organizational Affairs. Faucher has served as the DCM at U.S. embassies in Belgium, Ireland, Suriname, and Luxembourg. He grew up in Arizona, holds degrees from Arizona State University, Edinburgh University, and the National War College, and he is fluent in Dutch and French.

Thursday, July 28, 2022 – a.m.

U.S. Senate, Committee on Foreign Relations, Washington, DC. The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:04 a.m., in Room SD-419, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Tim Kaine presiding. Present: Senators Kaine [presiding], Menendez, Booker, Rubio, Portman, and Hagerty.

Opening Statement of Hon. Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator from Virginia

Senator Kaine. Good morning to all. This hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will come to order. We are here to consider important ambassadorial nominees: William Duncan to be Ambassador to El Salvador; Hugo Rodriguez to be Ambassador to Nicaragua; Candace Bond to be Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago; Heide Fulton to be Ambassador to Uruguay; and Robert Faucher—did I get that right, Robert?

Mr. Faucher. That is correct.

Senator Kaine. Robert Faucher to be Ambassador to Suriname.

I want to congratulate all of you on your nominations and provide thanks to you and your—for your willingness to serve and thanks especially to members of your family because you cannot do one of these posts without them sacrificing.

I will, first, introduce the nominees. Then I will offer opening remarks and turn to Ranking Member Rubio for opening remarks, and then we will then have opening statements from each of the nominees before proceeding to questions.

William Duncan is senior inspector in the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of State, previously served as consul general in Monterrey and before that as DCM at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. Foreign Service Officer since 1992. Happy 20th anniversary. He also served in Asuncion, Madrid, Baghdad, Mexico City, Bogota, San Salvador, and Matamoros. A native of Louisiana, Mr. Duncan has a bachelor’s degree and a juris doctorate from the University of Arkansas and is fluent in Spanish.

Hugo Rodriguez, Jr., is a senior advisor in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at State. He most recently served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemispheres, focused on Central America and Mexico. Previously, Mr. Rodriguez served as the DCM at the U.S. Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay, and as consul general at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. Other overseas assignments include Lima, Peru, Rome, Italy. He is a native of Pennsylvania but, to my liking, he holds an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and a bachelor’s degree from Hampden-Sydney College. He is fluent in Italian and Spanish.

Candace Bond currently serves as the president and CEO of AESA, Inc., a Los Angeles-based real estate and community development business advisory services company. She is also a board member of California Head Start, the chair elect of the board of the Greater L.A. Education Foundation, and chair of the MLK Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation. She served on the board of the L.A. County Office of Education, the nation’s largest regional educational agency. Ms. Bond also serves on the California State Treasurer’s Housing, Economic Development, Jobs, and Opportunity Zone Committee. She graduated with both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Harvard.

Heide Fulton is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Programs in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement. She previously served as the director of the Office of Mexican Affairs, led the U.S. Embassy in Honduras as DCM and Charge d’Affaires. She served overseas in Kabul, Quito, Phnom Penh, and Manila and is a former Pearson Fellow, which is a prestigious fellowship of members of the State Department and Senate offices where she had the fortune to serve in the office of Senator Menendez. Ms. Fulton was also an active duty Army officer as a quartermaster with the U.S. Army in Virginia, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Italy. She retired from the U.S. Army Reserve in June of 2020 after 28 years of service. She was born in Buffalo, a graduate of Boston College and Troy State University, and is fluent in Spanish.

Finally, Robert Faucher most recently served as the principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. Prior, he was director of the Office of Western European Affairs in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, and has held positions in the offices of U.N. Political Affairs and U.N. Specialized and Technical Agencies in the Bureau of International Organizational Affairs. Faucher has served as the DCM at U.S. embassies in Belgium, Ireland, Suriname, and Luxembourg. He grew up in Arizona, holds degrees from Arizona State University, Edinburgh University, and the National War College, and he is fluent in Dutch and French.

Very, very talented panel. So my remarks, I want to congratulate all of you on the nominations. Representing the U.S. and the American people in any capacity is an honor. To represent with the title of ambassador is a true, true distinction and I am sure, based on each of your impressive professional backgrounds, you will serve with real distinction in these roles.

I am pleased to chair the nomination hearing for these five important posts throughout the Western Hemisphere—El Salvador, Nicaragua, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Suriname. I always talk about the importance of this region to the United States. Not only do we share deep and important cultural, historical, and economic ties, but we also have interests in addressing the shared challenges together with countries throughout the region. Having our best team in the field is absolutely critical to advancing those interests as well as our values in the Western Hemisphere.

Our relations with Salvador are fragile. We have watched with growing concern as El Salvador’s government has taken an increasingly authoritarian turn after a somewhat promising beginning with a government that was not connected with sort of past challenges in El Salvador. Having an ambassador in place to advance values and interests in El Salvador and continue our support for the Salvadoran people will be critical.

In Nicaragua, the Ortega regime sham elections last year, including the imprisoning of many, many presidential candidates and their intensifying attacks against opposition figures or other critics including religious leaders—the order connected with Mother Teresa just got kicked out of Nicaragua by President Ortega—these are significant concerns. We need to continue pressing for the restoration of democratic rights in Nicaragua and work with regional and international partners to support the Nicaraguan people in finding a way forward. So, Mr. Rodriguez, you will have your work cut out for you and we look forward to hearing about your approach in Managua, should you be confirmed.

In the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago share a commitment to democracy. They have remained a steadfast partner of the United States in the Caribbean. We have strong cultural ties, a vibrant diaspora community in the United States, and this August, Trinidad and Tobago will be celebrating 60 years of independence. Having a confirmed ambassador will send an important signal reaffirming our partnership with Trinidad and Tobago and, in particular, I will ask questions in this regard with respect to the ability of Trinidad and Tobago to be a force for energy security in a world where there is significant energy insecurity.

Uruguay is considered one of the strongest democracies in the world and that fact deserves a lot more recognition in Washington and elsewhere. Uruguay seeks greater cooperation with the U.S. My view is that we should support that cooperation and I look forward to hearing from Ms. Fulton about how we can strengthen ties with this very important partner.

Finally, Suriname’s 2020 election of President Santokhi offers the potential to a new chapter in U.S. relations with Suriname following President Bouterse’s decades-long rule which included his and his son’s separate convictions as drug traffickers and his own conviction for the 1982 December murders in Suriname. Suriname, like Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, also offer prospects for advancing energy security in the world and I would like to direct questions to Mr. Faucher about how we can work on that.

So we look forward to hearing from each of you today. I look forward to working with you. And now I am proud to introduce the ranking member, Senator Rubio, who has been such a strong champion for U.S. relations in the Americas. I am very, very glad we have a chance to work together.

Statement of Robert J. Faucher of Arizona, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, nominated to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Suriname

Mr. Faucher:

Thank you. Good morning. Chairman Kaine, Ranking Member Rubio, distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you as President Biden’s nominee to be the next U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Suriname. I want to thank President Biden and Secretary Blinken for their confidence in me and I look forward, if I am confirmed, to working with Congress to advance U.S. interests in Suriname and the Caribbean region.

Before I start, I would like to introduce today my wife, Noraly, who is here with me today. Noraly has been a source of inspiration, strength, and wisdom throughout our years together and I owe much to her. I would also like to express my profound thanks to my daughters, Stephanie and Melissa, who cannot be here but are watching from Rotterdam. I would like to recognize them for their repeated personal sacrifices as they, too, have proudly served our nation as representatives abroad.

Suriname is a peaceful young democracy that is among the most ethnically and religiously diverse countries in the world. Although not well known in the United States, Suriname’s roots are intertwined with our nation’s founding through English colonization in the early 17th century. With the 1667 Peace of Breda, the Netherlands traded its New York colonies, including Manhattan, for the English colony of Suriname. This was later followed by the establishment of Maroon communities in Suriname’s interior alongside indigenous Amerindian communities. In addition, enslaved Africans were freed in 1863 and contract laborers were recruited from China, India, and Java. As a result, Suriname enjoys a rich ethnic mosaic. It is a nation where Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and indigenous religions live peacefully and productively together.

Since independence in 1975, Suriname has strengthened its democratic institutions and traditions. Reinforcing democracy and promoting respect for human rights and the rule of law are fundamental to U.S. relations with Suriname. If confirmed, I will vigorously continue these efforts and will support civil society and independent media and human rights defenders, who play a critical role in these efforts.

Suriname was once one of the more isolated countries in the Western Hemisphere. It increasingly serves as a crucial nexus among South America, the Caribbean, and the transatlantic world. Suriname is a key U.S. partner in the region and the well-being of the United States is connected to Suriname through ties of commerce and geography. Decades of diplomatic relations between our two countries have developed strong economic and security partnerships. If confirmed, I commit to deepen our mutually beneficial economic, security, and democracy partnerships.

Suriname also has tremendous development potential and, if confirmed, I will work with the Surinamese government to develop opportunities for economic growth and increased trade and assist its economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. As the biggest exporter to Suriname and its third largest importer, the United States provides critical high value materials for Suriname’s economy. Our partnership looks likely to expand as major offshore oil reserves have been discovered, explored, and secured by American companies. The massive new oil wealth will transform Suriname and, if confirmed, I will deepen our economic and commercial relationship to advance both Surinamese and American prosperity and equitable economic growth, mindful of the threat of corruption.

Suriname is also emerging as a global leader on the climate crisis response. More than 93 percent of the land surface in Suriname is covered by protected native forests. It is one of the few carbon negative countries in the world. Yet, problems persist. The gold fields of Suriname have drawn U.S. companies and the U.S. Government is supporting efforts to curb illicit mining and deforestation and the use of mercury, all of which gravely damage Suriname’s environment. If confirmed, I look forward to partnering with Suriname to support its efforts to expand its positive environmental record.

Suriname seeks greater military and law enforcement cooperation with the United States. It is a key member of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and partners with us in combating narcotics and human trafficking, and if confirmed, I will work to bolster Suriname’s security capabilities, fight corruption, and strengthen our security and law enforcement cooperation.

Finally, our embassy in Paramaribo has an exceptional team that works hard to advance bilateral relations, protect U.S. citizens abroad, and work with the government of Suriname to accomplish our foreign policy goals. Ensuring it is safe, secure, and well-resourced will be a top priority for me if I am confirmed.

Thank you for your consideration of my nomination and I look forward to answering your questions.

[The prepared statement of Mr. Faucher follows:]

Prepared Statement of Robert J. Faucher

Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ranking Member, and distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you as President Biden’s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Suriname. I want to thank President Biden and Secretary Blinken for their confidence in me. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Congress to advance U.S. interests in Suriname and the Caribbean region.

I would like to introduce to you my wife, Noraly, who is here today. Noraly has been a source of inspiration, strength, and wisdom through our years together. I would also like to express my profound thanks to our daughters Stephanie and Melissa, who cannot be here but are watching from Rotterdam. I would like to recognize their repeated personal sacrifices as they too have proudly served our nation as representatives abroad.

Suriname is a peaceful, young democracy that is among the most ethnically and religiously diverse in the world. Suriname’s roots are intertwined with our nation’s founding through English colonization in the early 17th century. With the 1667 Peace of Breda, the Netherlands traded its New York colonies including Manhattan for the English colony of Suriname. This was followed by the establishment of maroon societies in Suriname’s interior alongside the indigenous Amerindians. In addition, enslaved Africans were freed in 1863, and contract laborers were recruited from China, India, and Java. As a result, Suriname enjoys a rich ethnic mosaic. It is a nation where Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and indigenous religions live peacefully and productively together.

Since independence in 1975, Suriname has strengthened its democratic institutions and traditions. Reinforcing democracy and promoting respect for human rights and the rule of law are fundamental to U.S. relations with Suriname. If confirmed, I will vigorously continue our efforts to advance democracy, human rights, and the rule of law and will support civil society, independent media, and human rights defenders who play a critical role in this effort.

Suriname serves as a crucial nexus among South America, the Caribbean, and the transatlantic world. Suriname is a key U.S. partner in the region, and the United States is connected to Suriname through ties of commerce and geography. Decades of diplomatic relations between our two nations have developed strong economic and security partnerships. Suriname currently holds the chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), a regional body vitally important to regional development and security. Suriname has tremendous development potential, and if confirmed, I will work with Suriname’s Government to develop opportunities for economic growth and increased trade and assist its economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. As the biggest exporter to Suriname and its third-largest importer, the United States provides critical, high-value materials for Suriname’s economy. Our partnership looks likely to expand as Suriname’s economy continues to grow in the coming decades. If confirmed, I will deepen our economic and commercial relationship to advance both Surinamese and American prosperity and equitable economic growth, mindful of the threat of corruption.

Suriname is emerging as a global leader on the climate crisis response. More than 93 percent of its land surface is covered by protected native forests. It is one of a few carbon-negative countries in the world. Yet, problems persist. If confirmed, I look forward to supporting U.S. Government efforts to curb illicit mining and deforestation and partnering with Suriname to support its efforts to expand its positive environmental record.

Suriname seeks greater military and law enforcement cooperation with the United States. A key member in the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, Suriname partners to combat narcotics and human trafficking. If confirmed, I will work to bolster security capabilities, fight corruption, and strengthen our security and law enforcement cooperation.

Finally, our Embassy in Paramaribo has an exceptional team that works to advance bilateral relations, protect U.S. citizens abroad, and work with the Government of Suriname to accomplish our foreign policy goals in the region. Ensuring it is safe, secure, and well-resourced, will be a top priority for me if confirmed.

Thank you for your consideration of my nomination. I look forward to answering your questions.

Responses to Additional Questions for the Record Submitted to Robert J. Faucher by Senator James E. Risch

Democracy and Human Rights

Question. In the State Department’s 2022 Human Rights report, Suriname was noted for cruel and degrading treatment of individuals by police, widespread acts of corruption, and the existence of some of the worst forms of child labor. What is your assessment of the effectiveness of these efforts by the Government?

Answer. The Republic of Suriname has taken steps to investigate, prosecute, and punish officials who committed human rights abuses, whether in the security forces or elsewhere in the Government. For example, authorities prosecuted three police officers for suspected complicity in child sex trafficking. However, resource and capacity issues continue to pose challenges to the effectiveness of these efforts. The Government has investigated cases of corruption and implemented the laws on corruption unevenly. While the country lacks inspectors solely dedicated to child labor, the Government has trained all inspectors to identify child labor and instructed them how to handle suspected cases. Half of inspectors received training on child trafficking in previous reporting periods.

Question. If confirmed, what actions would you take with host government to address the conditions in prison facilities?

Answer. If confirmed, I would encourage the Government of Suriname to address the conditions in prison facilities, which fall well short of international standards. Resources permitting, I would work to assist their government in gaining training and professionalization assistance for its prison officials so that Suriname upgrades the conditions of its prison facilities.

Question. How could you work with the Government to continue to build on and improve the country’s human rights record?

Answer. The Santokhi administration has made repeated public commitments to upholding human rights and has taken concrete steps to reduce its reporting backlog with the InterAmerican Court on Human Rights. The Government assigned a former Attorney General to update its required reporting (Suriname’s last updates were made in 2017) and move investigations forward on some longstanding cases such as the Moiwana Massacre. If confirmed, I will work with the Government of Suriname to build on and improve Suriname’s human rights record, particularly by focusing attention on decades-long human rights cases such as the December 8 murders and the killings in Tamanredjo. I will also maintain Embassy Paramaribo’s close collaboration with human rights organizations and other civil society organizations concerned with Suriname’s human rights record.

Question. If confirmed, how can you direct your mission to better support civil society actors to improve the human rights situation on the ground?

Answer. If confirmed, I would reinforce post’s long-standing commitment to supporting civil society actors on human rights issues, as well as ensure that all embassy staff, regardless of position, consider human rights a mission priority. I would require all personnel to complete the State Department’s atrocities prevention training and other human rights training, as appropriate. I would encourage U.S. and local staff to communicate their concerns about human rights issues occurring in Suriname, and I would ensure that our grant programming supports human rights defenders and other relevant civil society actors.

Question. In the State Department’s 2022 Trafficking in Persons report, Suriname remained a Tier 2 country for not fully meeting the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but is making significant efforts to do so. However, the Government did not convict any traffickers during the year of the report, did not provide adequate services for victims, and did not sufficiently fund anti-trafficking efforts. If confirmed, how could you work with the host government to improve victims’ services and overall anti-trafficking efforts?

Answer. If confirmed, I will encourage the Government of Suriname to continue to make progress against human trafficking in the areas of prosecution, protection, and prevention by: increasing efforts to convict traffickers, following due process, and sentencing convicted traffickers to significant prison terms; increasing efforts to investigate and prosecute alleged traffickers, including officials complicit in trafficking crimes; providing vulnerable individuals with trauma-informed assistance, reintegration support, and interpretation in their language prior to, during, and after screening for trafficking; providing adequate and dedicated funding for the National Action Plan and government departments carrying out anti-trafficking activities; prosecuting child sex and labor trafficking cases under the trafficking statute and provide specialized child protection services with trained providers; fully implementing the victim identification and referral protocol and training officials in its use to identify trafficking victims, especially among at-risk groups; training judges at all levels of the judiciary in human trafficking and the trafficking law and sensitizing judges and prosecutors to the issue of secondary trauma; supporting NGOs and foreign embassies on victim identification and service provision; incorporating survivor input into anti-trafficking policies, developing and executing a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, and publishing the results; and referring to care victims identified through the hotline and reporting on the hotline’s effectiveness.

Question. In the State Department’s 2021 International Religious Freedom report, Suriname’s constitution provides for freedom of religion and the constitution and law prohibit discrimination based on religion. U.S. officials have continued to highlight U.S. Government policy on the importance of protecting religious freedom and tolerance. What is your assessment of these efforts?

Answer. Suriname is proud of its rich multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious heritage. In 2022, President Santokhi held events at the Presidential Palace marking days sacred to each of the major religions, including a first-ever Iftar dinner held at the Palace. The Government of Suriname remains strongly committed to ensuring religious freedom. If confirmed, I will ensure the U.S. mission in Paramaribo reinforces the importance of tolerance and religious freedom with the Government of Suriname, religious leaders, and appropriate civil society organizations.

Question. If confirmed, how could you work with political and religious leaders to continue to build upon religious freedoms?

Answer. If confirmed, I would utilize the U.S.-Suriname Bilateral Dialogue and personal engagement with government and religious leaders to continue to build upon religious freedoms. I would ensure that all stakeholders were aware of the importance that the United States places on religious freedom and our continued collaboration to build upon Suriname’s firm foundation in this arena.

Question. The Office of Multilateral Strategy and Personnel (MSP) in the State Department’s Bureau of International Organizations is leading a whole-of-government effort to identify, recruit, and install qualified, independent personnel at the U.N., including in elections for specialized bodies like the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). There is an American candidate, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, who if elected would be the first American and first woman to lead the ITU. She is in a tough race that will require early, consistent engagement across capitals and within the U.N. member states. If confirmed, do you commit to demarching the Suriname Government and any other counterparts necessary to encourage their support of Ms. Bogdan-Martin?

Answer. Yes, if confirmed I commit to demarching the Suriname Government and any other counterparts necessary to encourage support of Ms. Bogdan-Martin. As Director of the Office of Specialized and Technical Agencies in the State Department’s Bureau of International Organizations (2013-2015), I led efforts to support Doreen Bogdan-Martin’s leadership of the ITU’s Strategic Planning and Membership Department. Ms. Bogdan-Martin is a global leader in the information and communication technologies sector and would be an outstanding Secretary-General of the International Telecommunications Union.

Question. If confirmed, how can you work with the International Organizations (IO) bureau and other stakeholders to identify, recruit, and install qualified Americans in positions like the Junior Program Officer (JPO) program at the U.N.?

Answer. If confirmed, I would coordinate with the IO bureau to assist it in casting as wide a net as possible to identify and recruit appropriate qualified American candidates for positions at the U.N. like the Junior Program Officer (JPO) program. I would also encourage the American staff at Embassy Paramaribo and qualified Americans in Suriname to consider such opportunities.

Question. Suriname has a low rate of voting coincidence with the U.S. in the U.N. General Assembly and in the Security Council. What is your assessment of this issue?

Answer. In 2020 Suriname voted with the United States 22 percent of the time. In 2021, the Suriname-U.S. voting coincidence improved on some key votes such as on Nicaragua-related matters. Suriname was an early, strong voice condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, Suriname tends to follow or coordinate its votes with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states in this regard and often abstains on critical votes. If confirmed, I will work assiduously to improve Suriname’s voting coincidence with the United States in the U.N. General Assembly.

Question. If confirmed, what concrete actions can you take to engage with the Suriname Government on anticipated votes in the U.N. system that would increase their voting coincidence with the U.S.?

Answer. Suriname is a CARICOM member and coordinates its votes with its fellow member states. Suriname currently holds the chair of CARICOM, and if confirmed, I would work closely with the Bureau of International Organizations, the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, and my fellow U.S. Ambassadors to CARICOM and CARICOM countries to provide persuasive arguments to move individual members, such as Suriname, to be reasoned, persuasive voices within the CARICOM internal discussions.