PM Udenhout’s second press conference: optimism over relations with US

F-2012-32744

UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2012-32744 Doc No. C06033943 Date: 02/22/2017

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O 231206Z MAR 84

FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1405
INFO AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE IMMEDIATE
AMCONSUL MARTINIQUE
USIA WASHDC 1141
DIA WASHINGTON DC
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TAGS: PGOV, PROP, PREL, US, NS

Subject: PM Udenhout’s second press conference: optimism over relations with US

REF: PARAMARIBO 0583

  1. SUMMARY: During 30-minute March 21 press conference reporting on his recent visit to US, PM Udenhout emphasized that (A) relations with US have been advanced as result of his talks with high-level administration and congressional officials, that US Department of Interior assistance in appropriate areas was offered, and that Caribbean Basin Initiative is now coming open to Suriname. (B) Dutch aid is not cure-all for country’s problems. He urged Surinamers to adopt disciplined attitude toward overcoming budgetary problems of country. (C) OAS membership serves multiple functions for Suriname, and (D) local journalists must reform past practices and help promote sense of nationhood among people and give citizens and readers abroad a realistic picture of Suriname’s place and role in hemisphere.

Action requested: none. End summary.

  1. During March 21 30-minute press conference (repeated same evening on television) reporting on his recent visit to US, PM Udenhout made upbeat presentation of his recent visit to US and advised Surinamers in sometimes blunt language that foreign aid is not a panacea for country’s problems. Main points of his statements follow. (PM’s statements were also reported in next day’s edition of local newspaper. Newspaper account of Department of Interior offer and level of suspended US aid contains details not presented on television. March 22nd daily paper also contains on front page three-column photo of PM shaking hands with Secretary Schultz.)

RELATIONS WITH US

  1. PM said it is important to realize that US, several times styled “champion of democracy” and other friendly countries in Caribbean Basin did not always have correct information about current situation. Rather, these countries tended to be influenced by Dutch press. Udenhout said that in his talks with top US officials, he had been given opportunity to present realistic perspective on Surinamese developments.
  2. He referred in passing to alleged US exclusion of Suriname from participation in Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) “not too long ago.” But Udenhout also assured that Washington has now opened prospect of Surinamese participation in CBI.
  3. According to press account, Udenhout also stated that Secretary of Interior Clark had offered to be helpful in forestry, water control, environmental areas. This form of assistance could be made available relatively soon. PM also mentioned without elaboration currently suspended dollars 1.5 million US technical assistance program.

NETHERLANDS AID

  1. Regarding resumption of Dutch aid, Udenhout said that foreign aid should not be viewed as indispensable element for solving country’s economic problems. He characterized such an attitude towards external aid as “slave” mentality. Udenhout said no amount of Dutch aid nor IMF loans is relevant to greatest part of Suriname’s problems. He urged Surinamers to focus on things that foreign aid could not do for them, and to discipline themselves for hard task ahead. PM said controlling budgetary spending was not only responsibility of government, but also of entire community and families.
  2. At same time, Udenhout reiterated that Suriname had right to Dutch aid. He expressed hope that non-confrontational dialogue could be started with Netherlands on this matter.

OAS MEETINGS UDENHOUT ATTENDED

  1. Udenhout emphasized that participation in OAS is crucial for Suriname, noting that due to its small size, Suriname could not place diplomatic missions in every country in hemisphere. OAS membership thus facilitated contact and communication with all countries of the Americas, he said, pointing out that only Guyana, Cuba, and Canada were not members of organization. Udenhout also noted contributions of OAS development projects. PM added that via an active role in OAS, Suriname could make sure that hemispheric countries received “correct” information about developments in Suriname, pointing to allegedly imprecise reports in Western European, particularly Dutch press about Suriname. He added that problems of language and history currently prevent Suriname from taking full advantage of OAS membership, however.

MEDIA

  1. Udenhout, in response to reporter’s question, sought to clarify his March eighth statement regarding private media now being given by GOS “a chance to correct their past deeds” in accepting GOS’ offer to resume operations on May 1. Udenhout clarified earlier remarks as follows:

— A. Local journalists had not served country well because they had disregarded national needs and promoted instead their own private and group interests. They had done nothing to emphasize national pride and encourage understanding of Suriname’s need for unity amid ethnic diversity.

— B. PM urged journalists to take hard “look at map” in order to obtain realistic view of Suriname’s place in hemisphere vis-a-vis other nations. He also mentioned problems of demography and language that media should help to resolve in order to further Suriname’s development and integration in community of nations.

  1. Comments follow SEPTEL. Killough

Source:

C06033943

Link:

Internal Link:

https://surinamepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/PM-Udenhouts-second-press-conference-optimism-over-relations-with-US-March-1984-C06033943.pdf

Date:
March 23, 1984
Categories:
Economy
Tags:
Caribbean Basin Initiative
Boxes:
F-2012-32744
Years:
1982
Persons:
Killough, Udenhout
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