ROMANIA PREPARING TO BID FOR OSCE HIGH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BUCHAREST 001766 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EUR/RPM AND EUR/NCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2016 TAGS: OSCE PREL PHUM RO SUBJECT: ROMANIA PREPARING TO BID FOR OSCE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR NATIONAL MINORITIES Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Mark A. Taplin; reasons 1.4(b) a nd (d) 1.(C) Acting Polchief met on November 21 with new MFA Director for OSCE and Human Rights Affairs, Brandusa Predescu, to preview related upcoming issues. Predescu said Romania is briefing "a select few" on Romania,s intention to nominate Ambassador to the OSCE Liviu Bota to replace current OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities (HCNM) Rolf Ekeus when his term ends summer 2007. Predescu believes Romania is in a strong position to compete for the HCNM, but added that Romania seeks reactions from important allies before they make the bid official. The timing for Romania's announcement will be dependent upon when it is publicly known that Ekeus would be leaving his position, therefore Predescu asked for discretion. ¶2. (C) Acting Polchief said he would report back to USG authorities, and typically Allies will wait until all potential candidates are known before making any commitments to one candidate or another. Predescu understood, and asked Washington to convey any reaction when it is able. ¶3. (C) Comment: Romania continues to seek an expansion of its diplomatic role across the European space. Bota, too, is well regarded by colleagues and other foreign policy professionals here. When asked about possible reservations certain OSCE members might have about Bucharest,s candidacy, including in relation to the Transnistria issue, Predescu obfuscated somewhat and said that there were "legal" limitations placed on the HCNM that would prevent a conflict of interest. On the contrary, the mandate for the HCNM was a political one that emphasized independence and impartiality, two characteristics that the GOR must be prepared to address in the OSCE if it moves forward with Bota's candidacy. End Comment. ¶4. (U) Begin CV for Ambassador Bota: Liviu Aurelian BOTA Curriculum Vitae 1999-2006 ) Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Romania to the International Organizations in Vienna. - Chairman of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),during 2001 when Romania had the Chairmanship of the OSCE. - Chairman of the Group which elaborated the &Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE area8, 2003. - Chairman of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO),1 July ) 31 December, 2002. - President of the Group of Ambassadors of the Francophone countries in Vienna. 1971-1999 ) In the service of the United Nations. - Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Georgia and Head of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG),October 1995 ) November 1999. - Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Security Council Compensation Commission, April-September 1995. - Head of the United Nations Mission of Observers to Tajikistan (UNMOT),January 1993-March 1995 - Senior Adviser to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Somalia, May-December 1992. SIPDIS - Senior Adviser to the Under Secretary-General for Human Rights, United Nations Office at Geneva, 1988-1992 - Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) Geneva and member of the Advisory Board of the Secretary-General on Disarmament Studies, October 1980-1987. Note: From December 1985 to February 1988 was prevented to exercise his functions at the United Nations by the Communist Regime in Romania where he was retained abusively for political reasons. - Senior Political Affairs Officer, United Nations Center for Disarmament Affairs, New York, 1973-1980 - Deputy Director of the United Nations Information Center in Bucharest, 1971-1973 1961-1971 ) In the diplomatic service of Romania. - Member of the Permanent Mission of Romania to the BUCHAREST 00001766 002 OF 002 United Nations in New York, 1963-1967 Author of works on disarmament, outer space and international public law. Has taken part in academic gatherings on political, security, human rights and legal issues. Awarded with the OSCE Medal. Studies International Relations in Bucharest, Moscow, New York, the Hague. Born on 22 December 1936 in Romania. Married. Has one daughter. END CV. TAUBMAN