JORDAN NOMINATES TALEB RIFAI FOR SECGEN OF WORLD

UNCLAS AMMAN 002422 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA AND IO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC PREL UNGA JO SUBJECT: JORDAN NOMINATES TALEB RIFAI FOR SECGEN OF WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION ¶1. (U) On August 17, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry informed Post via dipnote of its nomination of Dr. Taleb Rifai for the post of Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organization. Post's informal translation of dipnote follows. Begin translated text: The Foreign Ministry of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan presents its compliments to all Diplomatic Missions accredited to the Hashemite Kingdom. The Ministry is honored to announce the nomination of H.E. Dr. Taleb Rifai for the position of Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, for the elections that the Executive Council will conduct in May 2009, bearing in mind that Dr. Rifai has been the Deputy Secretary General for the above mentioned organization since 2006 until this date. (Attached is his biography, and background information about the organization.) The Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is very interested in his nomination, especially given the expertise and special qualifications of H.E. Dr. Rifai, on the one hand, and the importance of this nomination to Jordan on the international level on the other hand. The Ministry would be grateful if the esteemed Embassies were to notify their governments of their support. The Foreign Ministry takes this opportunity to convey its highest appreciation and respect to all Diplomatic Missions. All Diplomatic Missions accredited to the Hashemite Kingdom/Amman End translated text. ¶2. (U) Post is sending aforementioned biographic and background information to NEA/ELA via email. Visit Amman's Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman Beecroft