DEMARCHE ON REPLACEMENT FOR UNRWA COMMISSIONER

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 003205

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2014
TAGS: PREF PHUM PREL EUN USEU BRUSSELS
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON REPLACEMENT FOR UNRWA COMMISSIONER
GENERAL: EU RESPONSE

REF: STATE 159245

Classified By: Political Officer Maren Smith for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).


1. (C) On July 27, PRM Assistant delivered reftel points to
Desk Officer for UNRWA Christian Berger in the Commission's
External Relations Directorate-General. Berger candidly
remarked that despite a fair performance as UNRWA COMGEN,
Peter Hansen's welcome has waned. Berger cautioned that
rumors of Hansen seeking a fourth term continue to circulate
and could place pressure on donors to push hard for an
alternative. He warned that should the rumors bear fruit,
the EU would likely shy away from actively seeking a
replacement. He added, however, that if the U.S. wished to
push for an alternative despite Hansen's desire for
reinstatement, the EU would follow suit. Unfortunately, the
EU has yet to discuss possible replacements very seriously,
and Berger stressed that the EU would welcome any serious USG
suggestions at this point.


2. (C) Poloff also discussed reftel points with Morten
Knudsen of the Council Secretariat's UN unit on July 27.
Knudsen had no comment on either Hansen or specific
successors. He told us that the EU reviews upcoming UN
appointments during its regular UN working group meetings;
although EU members agree on a common approach in some cases,
decisions are frequently left to member-states. He said that
the EU would probably discuss UNRWA candidates at the next
working group meeting, which will be held in New York in
September.
SAMMIS