THINKING ABOUT UNRWA SUCCESSION

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 007412 SIPDIS FOR PRM A/S DEWEY AND IO A/S HOLMES FROM AMBASSADOR GNEHM E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2008 TAGS: PREF PREL KPAL JO UNRWA SUBJECT: THINKING ABOUT UNRWA SUCCESSION Classified By: AMBASSADOR EDWARD W. GNHEM PER 1.5 (B) AND (D). (C) UNRWA Commissioner General Peter Hansen's third three-year term will expire in February 2005 and senior UNRWA officials have indicated to us that Hansen intends to step down at that time. In order to ensure that this third term really is Hansen's last, we must begin the succession process now, working with like-minded donors to identify strong candidates, build consensus on our top choices and then lobby UNSYG Annan to ensure his support for our candidate. I hope that the Department can identify a short list of candidates in the next few months so we can hold substantive discussions with other donors on the margins of the June 2004 UNRWA conference in Geneva. Donors need to reach agreement on a top slate of candidates at the September 2004 UNRWA Major Donors Meeting, at the very latest. My team and I are prepared to assist in this process in any way possible. Warm regards. GNEHM