CANADA SUPPORTS U.S. CANDIDATE MYERS IN ICSC

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000437 SENSITIVE SIPDIS IO/MPR FOR B. HACKETT USUN FOR BRUCE RASHKOW E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL AORC KUNR KAWC UNGA APER CA SUBJECT: CANADA SUPPORTS U.S. CANDIDATE MYERS IN ICSC ELECTION REF: STATE 55499 ¶1. (SBU) Canada will support the election of U.S. candidate Lucretia Myers in the upcoming election for the UN International Civil Service Commission, according to Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's UN and Commonwealth Affairs Division Deputy Director Shannon-Marie Soni. Ms. Myers' experience and cooperative relationship with like-minded reformers on the ICSC impressed Canada, Soni noted. She emphasized Ms. Myer's expertise in the areas of compensation and benefits as especially noteworthy, and complimented her work in combating "double dipping" by retired UN civil servants. ¶2. (SBU) Soni underlined that Canada places a high priority on achieving greater gender balance throughout the UN personnel system, but especially at the ICSC. Canada also wants to see more non-European candidates representing the WEOG, according to Soni. Both factors played significant yet secondary roles in winning Canadian support for Ms. Myers, Soni commented. She promised that the Canadian mission in New York will follow up with a diplomatic note to the U.S. mission formally notifying the U.S. of Canada's support. Soni indicated that Canada might not re-nominate Canadian ICSC member Anita Szlazak, since she has already served two terms, which is generally the "unofficial limit" for such appointments. Visit Canada,s North American partnership community at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / BREESE