DEMARCHE - INTERNATIONAL RUBBER STUDY GROUP

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000145 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS EEB FOR B HAENDLER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EIND ETRD SN SUBJECT: DEMARCHE - INTERNATIONAL RUBBER STUDY GROUP SECRETARY-GENERAL SIPDIS REF: STATE 10729 ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para 3. ¶2. (SBU) Singapore understands our concerns about the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) Secretary-General Dr. Hidde Smit's performance, but requires additional information before it decides whether to join the United States in opposing the optional one-year extension of the Secretary-General's employment contract (reftel). SIPDIS International Enterprise (IE) Singapore Senior Officer (Trade Group) Mr. SONG Chenghua told us on February 6 that his office is not yet up to speed on all the issues concerning Dr. Smit's performance due to recent turnover of IE Singapore personnel handling the IRSG account. As current IRSG Chair, Singapore hopes to solicit input from all IRSG members and relevant industry groups. Singapore will support whichever position the majority of IRSG members determine is best for addressing the issue of Dr. Smit's employment contract, Song said. ¶3. (SBU) Action request: Song raised the following questions related to the IRSG's upcoming meetings in London and, in particular, the employment contract debate. We would appreciate the Department's assistance in providing responses to these queries: -- Who from the USG will attend the Executive Committee meeting in London March 4-6? -- What are the positions of other Asian and African member countries? -- What procedures will be used for the London meetings? For example, will a vote on Dr. Smit's employment contract extension require a unanimous or simple majority vote? ¶4. (U) Song and his Senior Director, Mr. PHUA Tiak Peow, will represent Singapore at the IRSG's February 12-13 meeting. IE Singapore Assistant Chief Executive Officer Kathy Lai will lead the GOS delegation for the March 4-6 meeting. Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm HERBOLD