SD-Suriname State Partnership Program
"Security Through Cooperation"
![South Dakota - Suriname State Partnership Program Logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130214212626im_/http://sdguard.ngb.army.mil/images/spp/sppsdlogo2.jpg)
General Background
The State Partnership Program (SPP) links U.S.
states and partner nations in support of mutual interests. The goal
of the program is to establish broad reaching, friendly ties between
partner states and partner countries at all levels of society
utilizing the National Guard as the catalyzing force and means of
support.
SD-Suriname
Partnership
Formally established in August 2006. Two information exchanges
have been conducted in Suriname by the Director, with a
Distinguished Visitor visit by SD personnel scheduled for March 2007
and a visit by Surinamese to SD in April 2007.
Objectives
• Improve military interoperability between US and Partner Nation
forces.
• Demonstrate military subordination and support to civilian
authorities.
• Assist with the development of democratic institutions.
• Foster open market economies to help develop stability.
• Project and represent US humanitarian values.
Process and Relationships
Through the office of the Adjutant General and Governor,
institutional and people-to-people relationships are developed that
can be sustained over the long term. The state facilitates local
government, academic and economic contacts as well as National Guard
and civilian community involvement in personal contacts with the
Partner country. The program also facilitates linking the right
personnel, with the right skills and qualifications, at the right
time to accomplish the mutually agreed upon strategic objectives.
Focus areas for the SD-Suriname SPP
based upon similarities and interests
1. Tourism/Eco-tourism
2. Civic organizations: Rotary, Lions, Optimists, Exchange
3. Mining
4. Medicine/Public Health
5. Zoos
6. Franchising
7. Agriculture
8. Environmental/Resource Management
9. SD Made Products
10. Imports/Exports
11. Chambers of Commerce/Trade Associations
12. Foreign Investment
13. Education – student/faculty exchanges
![State Partnership Program Logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130214212626im_/http://sdguard.ngb.army.mil/images/spp/spplogo.JPG)
Program Director
Lieutenant Colonel John P. Weber
Deputy Directorate of Plans (J5)
South Dakota National Guard
2823 West Main St
Rapid City, SD 57702
Tel: 605-737-6990
email:
john.p.weber@us.army.mil
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