EXPECTED SYRIAN PARTICIPATION IN UNGA

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 004315 SIPDIS SIPDIS PARIS FOR WALLER, LONDON FOR TSOU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA OVIP PREL UNGA SY SUBJECT: EXPECTED SYRIAN PARTICIPATION IN UNGA REF: A. STATE 112656 ¶B. STATE 136431 ¶1. In response to Post's diplomatic note requesting information solicited in reftels, the SARG notified Post on September 4 that Syrian FM Walid Mu'allim will head the Syrian delegation to UNGA, accompanied by his spouse, Sawsan al-Khayat. According to the SARG's diplomatic note, other delegation members are: Deputy FM Faisal Mikdad; Foreign Media Director Bushra Kanafani; MFA legal advisor Riad al-Daoudi; International Organizations Director Faisal al-Hamwi; FM office director Bassam al-Sabbagh; Deputy FM office director Hussam el-Din Ala; and Attach Hisham al-Qadi. The delegation is scheduled to arrive in New York on September 17, departing on September 26, according to the SARG's diplomatic note. The SARG did not respond to a request for information about translation needs, but Mu'allim speaks fluent English. ¶2. Additionally, Post has recently issued a visa to Deputy Minister for Social Affairs and Labor Issa Maldoun, who noted on his visa application that he planned to attend the UN's September 14-15 meeting on migration and development. Still pending is a visa for Samir Obeido, who works in the FM's office and who noted on his application submitted on August 23 that he would accompany the FM to UNGA sessions. CORBIN