Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USUNNEWYORK717
2008-08-09 00:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
USUN New York
Cable title:
UN OPPOSES RENEWAL OF VAN WALSUM CONTRACT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUCNDT #0717 2220003 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 090003Z AUG 08 FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4775 INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS IMMEDIATE 1674 RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT IMMEDIATE 0113 RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT IMMEDIATE 1295 RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS IMMEDIATE 0119
C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000717
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS UNSC MO WI
SUBJECT: UN OPPOSES RENEWAL OF VAN WALSUM CONTRACT
REF: A. STATE 84664
B. USUN 558
Classified By: Ambassador Alejandro D. Wolff for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000717
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS UNSC MO WI
SUBJECT: UN OPPOSES RENEWAL OF VAN WALSUM CONTRACT
REF: A. STATE 84664
B. USUN 558
Classified By: Ambassador Alejandro D. Wolff for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Ambassador Wolff on August 7 met with Undersecretary
for UN Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe to deliver points in ref
A. He urged Pascoe to recommend extension of Peter Van
Walsum's term as the SYG's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara
or at a minimum to allow Van Walsum to remain in his post
until the end of 2008 so he could lead the 5th round of
Western Sahara talks. Pascoe said that Van Walsum's ability
to continue as an impartial Special Envoy had been severely
compromised, and his contract would not be renewed once it
expired at the end of August.
2. (C) Pascoe expressed surprise at our demarche since he
said he had previewed this view to a USG official last month.
Moreover, he had also suggested that U.S. Ambassador
Christopher Ross would be an ideal candidate to succeed Van
Walsum, and since no objection had been posed, a
recommendation allowing for this possibility was being
prepared for the Secretary General. Ambassador Wolff
reiterated the utility of keeping Van Walsum on the
portfolio, even if for a short period to lead the 5th round.
Pascoe countered that the prospect for progress in the fifth
round of negotiations would be enhanced by the appointment of
Ambassador Ross, who Pascoe was confident would be an
acceptable candidate to all parties.
Khalilzad
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS UNSC MO WI
SUBJECT: UN OPPOSES RENEWAL OF VAN WALSUM CONTRACT
REF: A. STATE 84664
B. USUN 558
Classified By: Ambassador Alejandro D. Wolff for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Ambassador Wolff on August 7 met with Undersecretary
for UN Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe to deliver points in ref
A. He urged Pascoe to recommend extension of Peter Van
Walsum's term as the SYG's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara
or at a minimum to allow Van Walsum to remain in his post
until the end of 2008 so he could lead the 5th round of
Western Sahara talks. Pascoe said that Van Walsum's ability
to continue as an impartial Special Envoy had been severely
compromised, and his contract would not be renewed once it
expired at the end of August.
2. (C) Pascoe expressed surprise at our demarche since he
said he had previewed this view to a USG official last month.
Moreover, he had also suggested that U.S. Ambassador
Christopher Ross would be an ideal candidate to succeed Van
Walsum, and since no objection had been posed, a
recommendation allowing for this possibility was being
prepared for the Secretary General. Ambassador Wolff
reiterated the utility of keeping Van Walsum on the
portfolio, even if for a short period to lead the 5th round.
Pascoe countered that the prospect for progress in the fifth
round of negotiations would be enhanced by the appointment of
Ambassador Ross, who Pascoe was confident would be an
acceptable candidate to all parties.
Khalilzad