COTE D'IVOIRE NOMINATES CANDIDATE FOR UNCTAD

UNCLAS STATE 050206 SENSITIVE SIPDIS USUN GENEVA FOR ANN LOW E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL UNCTAD IV SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE NOMINATES CANDIDATE FOR UNCTAD SECRETARY GENERAL REF: ABIDJAN 294 ¶1. (U) Reftel contained a dipnote regarding the nomination by the Government of the Cote d'Ivoire of Ambassador Guy Alain Gauze, that Government's representative in Geneva, for Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Department appreciates post's notification and suggests post draw from the language in paragraph three in its response to the Ivoirian government. While the Department wishes to encourange an open channel of communication with the Cote d'Ivoire's Foreign Ministry and also to encourage the Government of the Cote d'Ivoire to engage and participate fully in the UN system, it is generally not the policy of the United States to discuss how the U.S. will vote in advance of elections for United Nations posts. ¶2. (SBU) Note for Embassy Abidjan's info only. The current Secretary General of UNCTAD, Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi of Thailand's term of office expires in August of 2009. Advisers to Dr. Supachai indicate he intends to seek another term as Secretary General. ¶3. (U) Suggest Text of Dipnote Response. Begin Text. (Customary polite introduction.) The Embassy of the United States acknowledges receipt of your diplomatic note dated April 30, 2009, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Cote d'Ivoire announcing the candidacy of Mr. Guy Alain Gauze for the position of Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for the term 2009-2013. The United States agrees that UNCTAD is an important forum for intergovernmental debate and consensus building and acknowledges the Cote d'Ivoire's commitment to UNCTAD, multilateral dialogue and coordination on Trade and Development. The United States looks forward to working with the Cote d'Ivoire in strengthening UNCTAD and its contribution to expanding development and trade as an engine of economic growth. The United States Department of State appreciates being informed of the candidacy of the Government of the Cote d'Ivoire for UNCTAD and receiving Mr. Gauze's qualifications. We will carefully review the information and take the matter under due consideration. End Text. ¶4. (U) Department wishes to thank post for this information. Please slug any further communications or information regarding UNCTAD to the Department for IO/EDA Daniela Ballard and to USUN Geneva for Ann Low. CLINTON