Brazil’s role with Suriname and Guyana

CIA-RDP08C01297R000400330001-3

  1. C – Entire text.
  2. Summary: DCM met with Foreign Ministry’s Americas Department Chief on December 30 to urge that GOB become more involved in relations with Suriname and especially in military area. Foreign Minister Guerreiro is expected to visit Suriname and Guyana soon probably in late January, and this provides opportunity for expanding relations. Department Chief indicated that Brazil’s civilian relations with Suriname are growing; but while taking point he was non-committal on developing military ties. End Summary.
  3. Suriname A. Pursuant to instruction reftel: during conversation December 30 with Foreign Ministry Americas Department Chief Ricupero, DCM expressed concern over recent gains by radicals in Suriname and urged GOB to take advantage of Brazilian Foreign Minister’s upcoming visit to Suriname to develop stronger ties with that country.

B. Ricupero responded that GOB is also concerned about course of developments in Suriname. Bilateral relationship and trade have grown modestly in recent years and Foreign Minister Guerreiro is likely to visit Suriname (and Guyana) late in January 1982 (specific dates are still uncertain). It is anticipated that Brazil will sign contracts with both Suriname and Guyana for each to supply Brazil with 80,000 tons of alumina per year. While Brazilian Vice President spoke to new Suriname Ambassador about construction of road between the two countries: this would traverse some of least hospitable land in Brazil and road link is many years off. Brazil has resolved all boundary issues with Suriname and Guyana to avoid creation of bilateral problems. (In fact GOB policy is to foster solution of all South American boundary problems: (1) to support Brazil’s interests with each contestant; and (2) to discourage spill-over of these disputes to other countries.)

C. Ricupero observed that problems of Suriname are not the same as those in the Caribbean being addressed by Caribbean Basin Initiative: rather, they are political – the stability of the government. A stable government in Suriname is also in Brazil’s interest. But there is not much Brazil can do. Brazil has agreements with Suriname on friendship, scientific and cultural cooperation, and a mixed commission exists. Brazil has involved itself in small projects, such as training Surinamese diplomats.

D. He concluded that Brazil’s efforts were on the civil side. GOB had very little contact with the military. DCM said we had been pleased to learn of Foreign Minister Guerreiro’s upcoming visit to Suriname; he stressed importance of developing contacts with the military, and expressed hope that Guerreiro visit would result in still closer ties. Ricupero seemed surprised by approach on military relations, responding simply that that was difficult to answer.

  1. Guyana A. Ricupero’s responses also addressed Brazil-Guyana relations. As indicated above on Guyana-Venezuela boundary dispute he said that while Brazil was not RPT not taking sides it was important that Guyana not feel itself isolated lest this force a turn to unfriendly sources for support.

B. He claimed that GOB has not favored or stimulated Brazilian involvement in the Upper Mazaruni development project. Rather, some private Brazilian interests have sought to participate. He thought costliness of project and its location in disputed territory would discourage prospects for its early financing and realization.

Motley

End of Message

Confidential

Source:

CIA-RDP08C01297R000400330001-3

Link:

Internal Link:

https://surinamepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Brazils-role-with-Suriname-and-Guyana-CIA-RDP08C01297R000400330001-3.pdf

Date:
January 5, 1982
Categories:
Military & Intel
Tags:
CIA
Boxes:
CIA-Brazil
Years:
1982
Persons:
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META DATA

File Identifiers 1281 | DK-5.4
Classification CONFIDENTIAL
Source State Department | FRP 139
Reference ID 82 7755072 SCP
Control Number NC 7755072
Time of Receipt (TOR) 052127Z Jan 82
Message Precedence PP (Priority)
Routing Indicators RUEA1IB | ZNY CCCCC ZUC STATE ZZH | UTS5932 | PP RUEHC
Station Origin DE RUESUZ #0057 0052036
Date/Timestamp PRO 51710Z JAN 82
From AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
To SECSTATE WASHDC (Priority 3133)
Information Copies (INFO) AMEMBASSY CARACAS (3353), AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN (256), AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE (270), AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO (190), AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN (151)
Header CONFIDENTIAL BRASILIA 0057
Executive Order E.O. 120658 RDS 1/5/97 (High, George B.) OR=M
Tags PEPR, NL, NS, US
Reference 81 STATE 338802

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