OHR CANDIDATE MIRACHIAN - A GOOD CHOICE FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001509 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/FO, EUR/ERA AND EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2015 TAGS: PREL BO IT SUBJECT: OHR CANDIDATE MIRACHIAN - A GOOD CHOICE FOR ASHDOWN FOLLOW-ON AND TRANSITION TO EUSR REF: A) EMAIL COUNTRYMAN/STEPHENS 4-19 (NOTAL) B) SARAJEVO 964 Classified By: POL MINISTER COUNSELOR TOM COUNTRYMAN. REASON: 1.4 (B)( D) ¶1. (C) As stated ref A, Embassy Rome considers Italian diplomat Laura Mirachian a good choice to take over as HiRep when Paddy Ashdown steps down next year. Our experience with her goes back to her time as DAS equivalent for Balkans issues in the run-up to and during the military action in Kosovo. Both Embassy and State Department interlocutors found her to be very knowledgeable with both issues and personalities Balkans-wide. She has a reputation for being a tenacious negotiator, a key attribute in dealing with the embedded views and prejudices lingering from the conflict years. If history holds, we could count on her for close (and often off-the-record, behind the scenes) coordination with us, in the same manner as Ashdown. Embassy interlocutors from that period found her to be very accessible, and eager to consult with the US on policy issues during the decision phase. At the same time, she was not averse to honest constructive criticism when she disagreed with a particular view. ¶2. (C) If as indicated ref B, the next HiRep could be the last, and might be charged with managing the transition between OHR and EU Special Representative (EUSR),Mirachian's candidacy looks even more attractive. While not as high profile as Ashdown, and without her own political base, she has a track record for knowing the issues and is likely to be protective of trans-Atlantic interests as responsibility for Bosnia's international presence moves to European control. ¶3. (C) Mirachian has not been as close a contact for Rome since she left her Balkans related responsibilities in 2000. Her responsibilities since then have included Ambassador to Syria and, since the summer of 2004, special assignments for the very demanding MFA Secretary General Umberto Vattani. Both posts indicate high confidence within the Italian government in her substantive and organizational skills. We also expect that the Italian Government would endeavor to give her a similar (but lower) level of logistical and policy support to that which HMG provided Ashdown. ¶4. (C) EUR DAS Stephens met briefly with Mirachian during her April 29 consultations at the Italian MFA. The meeting was not set up as a "job interview" but Mirachian demonstrated her up-to-date familiarity with Balkan issues. SEMBLER NNNN 2005ROME01509 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL