ACTION REQUEST: SYG BAN PROPOSES SOUTH AFRICAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000571

SIPDIS


DEPT. PLEASE PASS TO P, IO FRONT OFFICE, AND S STAFF (STEVE
BEECROFT)

C O R R E C T E D COPY (TAG ADDED)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2018
TAGS: PREL KUNR UNSC
SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: SYG BAN PROPOSES SOUTH AFRICAN
JUDGE FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER

Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay M. Khalilzad, per 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SYG Ban Ki-Moon told Amb Khalilzad on June 26 that he
intends to appoint South African judge Navanethem Pillay to
be the next UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Pillay,
who is of Indian origin, has served as a judge on both the
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the
International Criminal Court (ICC) as well as in several high
judicial positions in South Africa. Ban described her as
well-qualified, with broad experience in human rights cases.
If the U.S. objects to Pillay's selection, Ban said, it
should convey its concerns to him quickly. Separately, Ban
sought U.S. suggestions on a successor to David Veness, UN
U/SYG for Safety and Security. He also said he plans to
replace Amcit Diana Russler, deputy to Veness.


2. (C) ACTION REQUEST: USUN seeks Department views as soon
as possible on the Pillay appointment as well as suggestions
for a successor to David Veness.
Khalilzad