IMSO: POLAND SUPPORT U.S. CANDIDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 001886 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NCE, IO/T, EB/CIP/TS EUR/NCE FOR DKOSTELANCIK AND BPUTNEY IO/T FOR LTOBEY EB/CIP/TS FOR DMAY E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2016 TAGS: AORC ECPS EU EWWT IMO INMARSAT KHLS PL SUBJECT: IMSO: POLAND SUPPORT U.S. CANDIDATE REF: STATE 140757 ¶1. (C) Deputy Econ Counselor provided reftel diplomatic note and campaign materials to Mr. Bogdan Rozycki, Counselor, in the Polish Ministry of Transport. Mr. Rozycki stated that Poland decided in early August to support Mr. Lett's candidacy to be head of the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO). Mr. Rozycki has worked extensively with Mr. Lett over the last few years and believes that he is the most qualified candidate for the position. Supporting Mr. Lett as the U.S. candidate is also a political decision by the Polish government. Rozycki promised that Poland will support Mr. Lett's candidacy until he is eliminated from the voting. ¶2. (C) Mr. Rozycki will head the Polish delegation (other members, if any, have not been named) to the September meeting in London. Rozycki assured us that current Director (and Polish citizen) Vonau's apparent support for the Spanish candidate will not affect or influence Poland's support for Mr. Lett. He confirmed that there is no European consensus candidate. ¶3. (C) Comment: Mr. Rozycki is a huge fan of Mr. Lett, and convinced the Ministry of Transport to support his candidacy well in advance of our demarche. The U.S. delegation will have a willing ally in Mr. Rozycki and may want to approach him for his advice and counsel as the voting proceeds. ASHE