SRI LANKA REQUESTS U.S. SUPPORT FOR UNSYG

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000400 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR SA/INS AND IO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINR AORC CE UN UNSC UNGA SUBJECT: SRI LANKA REQUESTS U.S. SUPPORT FOR UNSYG CANDIDATURE REF: NEW YORK 0304 ¶1. (U) On February 22 the Embassy received a diplomatic note formally requesting U.S. support for the candidature of Jayantha Dhanapala, Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat in Sri Lanka and former UN SIPDIS Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament, for the post of UN Secretary General. A copy of Dhanapala's CV has been faxed SIPDIS to SA/INS. The text of the diplomatic note follows in Para 3 below. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: A consummate diplomat, this former Ambassador to the U.S. is a long-standing and highly trusted Embassy contact on such sensitive matters as the peace process and Government relations with the insurgent Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. His selection for candidature for the post of UN Secretary General demonstrates the confidence President Chandrika Kumaratunga places in his capabilities. ¶3. (U) Begin text of diplomatic note: My Ref:UN/GA/158(B) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Colombo and has the honour to request that the following should please be brought to the attention of the Government of the United States of America. In December 2006, the second term of the distinguished Secretary-General of the United Nations H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan SIPDIS will expire and the internaitonal community will have to be ready with a successor to pilot the organization through a very challenging era in world affairs. Sri Lanka is happy to present the candidature of Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala whose curriculum vitae is attached. Mr. Dhanapala has had an impressive record of 27 years in Sri Lanka's diplomatic service together with 10 years of service at senior levels in the United Nations during which he has handled difficult and delicate assignments with undisputed success. He has enjoyed a wide reputation for his diplomatic skills in consensus building and is well equipped to work towards international peace and security effectively and with wide acceptance. Mr. Dhanapala is now engaged in the demanding and sensitive task of helping the Government manage the peace process in Sri Lanka in the post-tsunami context. Sri Lanka is fortunate to enjoy excellent relations with all countries and is known to have played a constructive role in international affairs through moderate and bridge-building stances. Sri Lanka's diplomats have played important roles in international conferences and international organizations for the benefit of the collective interest of the international community. The Government of Sri Lanka is confident that Mr. Dhanapala's abilities and his experience are excellent qualifications for the post. Accordingly, the Government of Sri Lanka has the honour to commend Mr. Dhanapala for the post of the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. SIPDIS It is the collective view of the Asian member States of the United Nations that the well-established convention of regional rotation should be observed and that the continent of Asia should offer the next Secretary-General after a lapse of 35 years. The Group of Asian States at the United Nations in New York has unanimously decided to uphold this principle and has conveyed this position to the Presidents of the Security Council and the General Assembly. It is the Government of Sri Lanka's view that within Asia, the same principle of geographical rotation should be observed. This would indicate that the sub-region of South Asia should receive priority for political, economic and cultural reasons. The Government of Sri Lanka would appreciate receiving the valuable support of the Government of the United States of America for Mr. Dhanapala's candidature to this important post. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America in Colombo the assurances of its highest consideration. End text of diplomatic note. LUNSTEAD