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.

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- 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