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