INTERNATIONAL MOBILE SATELLITE ORGANIZATION

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 001561 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT AF/E FOR B YODER; ALSO TO AF/RSA PASS TO EB AND TO EST E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC ECPS EU EWWT IMO INMARSAT KHLS TZ SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL MOBILE SATELLITE ORGANIZATION DIRECTOR ELECTION: TANZANIA PREFERS STEVEN LETT REF: A. STATE 140757 ¶B. STATE 150486 ¶1. (U) Tanzania was pleased to learn that the United States government views the future of the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) as important enough to merit the full endorsement of a U.S. candidate, Steven Lett, for IMSO Director, according to Dr. Bartholomew Rufunjo, Director of Transportation and Communications at the Government of Tanzania's (GOT) Ministry of Infrastructure. In response to Diplomatic Note 265/06 requesting the Government of Tanzania's support for the U.S. candidate for the IMSO directorship (Ref A),Rufunjo told EconOff on September 14 that should Tanzania decide not to send a delegate to the September 25 to 29 IMSO meeting, the GOT would consider delegating a representative from Tanzanian High Commission in London to participate in the balloting. ¶2. (U) Dr. Rufunjo and August Kowero, Tanzania's National ICT coordinator, stated that they know of and appreciate Mr. Lett's previous work in the telecommunications sector. Kowero noted that he had personally worked together with Steven Lett on several issues and considers him "a good friend." The Ministry of Infrastructure has recommended to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support Mr. Lett's candidacy for IMSO Director. ¶3. (SBU) Kowero also volunteered to contact his associates in other East African countries to drum up support for Steven Lett. Referring to the two Nigerian candidates, Kowero said that Tanzania anticipates little support for these candidates due to their "lack of experience and competence." DELLY