BENIN'S CANDIDATE FOR UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN

UNCLAS COTONOU 000308 SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/ES-CR AND S/ES-O, AF/W FOR DBANKS, AND IO LONDON FOR PETER LORD E.O. 12958 N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BN SUBJECT: BENIN'S CANDIDATE FOR UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ¶1. On May 21, 2008, President Yayi sent President Bush a letter to seek his support for the candidacy of Conceptia L. D. Ouinsou for the position of the United Nations' High Commissioner for Human Rights. ¶2. Ms. Ouinsou is currently the President of Benin's Constitutional Court. Her mandate will expire in June. Note: The German Ambassador told the CDA that Madame Ouinsou will be decorated with the highest honor the German government bestows, the Grosses Bundesverdienstkreuz mit Stern (Great Cross of the Order of Merit - with star.) She will receive it for her "efforts in Benin's struggle for democracy." The German Ambassador will confer it in Cotonou on June 4. End Note. ¶3. The original letter will be sent to S/ES-CR by pouch. Embassy's informal translation of the letter follows: (Begin Translation) Dear President and Friend: I have the honor to inform you that my country, the Republic of Benin, intends to present a candidate for the position of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which will be vacant as of July 1, 2008. In this regard, the Government of Benin will propose the candidacy of Mrs. Conceptia L. D. Ouinsou, currently President of the Constitutional Court of Benin, for that position. Mrs. Ouinsou is a woman of culture and of experience. She has shown great professional integrity as President of the Constitutional Court since 1997. She is a Professor of Private Law. Therefore, in consideration of the solid friendship and cooperation that fortuitously unites Benin and the United States of America, I would like to solicit your support for her candidacy. True to our commitment, my country Benin will continue to assure the advancement of Human Rights everywhere in the world through its unshakable support of special mechanisms and international conventions for Human Rights. I am sure you will accord this request careful consideration. Yours sincerely /Signed/ President Boni Yayi (End translation of letter) BOUSTANI