UNODC: INSTRUCTIONS NOT TO SUPPORT EXTENSION OF

UNCLAS STATE 057099 SENSITIVE C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDED SENSITIVE CAPTION) SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR UN SUBJECT: UNODC: INSTRUCTIONS NOT TO SUPPORT EXTENSION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REF: UNVIE 159 ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paras 6-7. ¶2. (SBU) Reftel indicates that UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Executive Director and Director General of the UN Office in Vienna (UNOV) Antonio Costa may seek an extension of his current and second term which expires in May 2010. Costa confirmed this speculation during a meeting with INL A/S David Johnson on May 14 during which he stated that he was discussing a possible extension with UNSYG Ban. Costa also asserted that an extension was solely Ban's decision, not subject to the views or objections of UN Member States. ¶3. (SBU) Given USG advocacy, UNGA resolution language (A/RES/51/241),and Geneva Group support in limiting senior UN appointments to two terms, the Department does not support the extension of UNODC Costa beyond the scheduled May 2010 end of his term. ¶4. (SBU) The term limit issue has been discussed mainly in terms of the elected, rather than appointed, executives. However, reftel correctly points out that UNGA resolution language codifying the two-term limit would apply to the broader definition related to the head of any UN body including UNODC. The head of UNODC serves at the pleasure of the UNSYG. The custom at the UN is for senior staff to offer their resignation when a new SYG is elected. The argument for a Costa extension to align the terms of the UNODC chief and UN SYG is not persuasive. Since the UNODC Executive Director is appointed, rather than elected, there is no guarantee that an incumbent will complete a full term, let alone two, diminishing the relevance of the term alignment argument that is based on an established election cycle for the UN SYG position. ¶5. (SBU) While the Department does not support Costa,s extension, the United States should not be seen as actively mounting a campaign with other Member States to oppose Costa's extension, especially since no candidates have emerged as a potential replacement for him. Costa has been a reliable partner on counter-drug and anti-crime issues, particularly in advancing counternarcotics goals in Afghanistan. As noted in reftel, Costa also continues to garner support from European donors. ¶6. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST FOR USUN: Mission is requested to approach SYG Ban,s staff as you think appropriate to provide the SYG with the U.S. view that Costa, like all other UN appointees, should be limited to two terms. In dealing with other missions, Mission should provide the U.S. view on the extension only on an "if asked" basis and with discretion, so as not to be seen as actively mounting a campaign against Costa. Department further requests Mission to provide reporting on any potential candidates that emerge as a replacement for Costa. ¶7. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST FOR UNVIE: If Costa raises the issue of a possible extension, Mission should inform Costa that the United States does not support an extension beyond May 2010 as part of a general U.S. policy on this issue. Mission should provide the U.S. view to other Member States only on an "if asked" basis and with discretion, so as not to be seen as actively mounting a campaign against Costa. Department further requests Mission to provide reporting on any potential candidates that emerge as a replacement for Costa. CLINTON