DEMARCHE ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NEXT U.N.

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000394 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT) AND IO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UN JM SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NEXT U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL SIPDIS REF: STATE 22833 ¶1. (U) This cable is Sensitive But Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) On February 24, Pol/EconCouns took advantage of a meeting on various topics with Ambassador Vilma McNish, Director of the Multilateral Organizations Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT),to convey reftel points, which he left as a non-paper. ¶3. (SBU) McNish seemed to welcome engagement on the issue of the selection of the next UN Secretary General (UNSYG),and strongly agreed that the next UNSYG should have strong ethical and managerial qualities. She said that she was aware only of three declared candidates, including a South Korean and a Thai, but that "it is early days yet", other candidates will likely emerge, and the GOJ has made no decision on the matter. McNish expected the selection process/candidates would be discussed enthusiastically on the margins of the upcoming Non-aligned Movement's biennial meeting of foreign ministers in Malaysia. ¶4. (SBU) Whoever becomes the next UNSYG, said McNish, should enjoy the confidence and respect of all states, "big, medium-sized, and small." The extent to which that individual places "development goals at the center of the agenda," she continued, would go a long way towards determining whether or not the GOJ would support him/her. McNish observed that managerial skills/experience were important, but that the UNSYG should also have leadership qualities and a certain profile, implying that perhaps the next UNSYG should come from outside of the UN system. JOHNSON