CALLING COSTA ON UNODC REORGANIZATION

UNCLAS UNVIE VIENNA 000077 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV SNAR KCRM PREL EAID AF UN SUBJECT: CALLING COSTA ON UNODC REORGANIZATION REF: (A) SECSTATE 16172, (B) UNVIE 72, (C) STATE 15263 -------------- Reorganization -------------- ¶1. (U) Ambassador contacted UNODC Executive Director Antonio Costa on February 23 and delivered points in Ref A, noting in particular that the USG sought to maintain the current balance between the normative work of the Division of Treaty Affairs (DTA) and the programmatic work of the Division of Operations (DO),and (2) the independence of the Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU). ¶2. (SBU) In response, Costa told Ambassador that he needed to suppress 15 positions and that the proposed merger of the DTA and the DO (Ref B) was not meant to change priorities but to suppress a position. He added that he would retain the independence of the IEU, which is to be merged into another unit as a way to suppress another position. According to Costa, a session is being scheduled to consult member states. He stressed that such reorganization would not be necessary if member states provided more support for general purpose funds. He welcomed the news that the USG is working to raise its level of un-earmarked contributions for FY2010 (Ref A). ¶3. (SBU) According to Costa's chief of staff, there is no definite date for consultation with member states, because Costa is still awaiting proposals from various senior staff members. He promised to let us know as soon as there is a definite date. Counselor reiterated to him the importance of Costa consulting member states before making any final decision. -------------- Afghanistan -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Costa used the occasion express to Ambassador his desire to meet with Ambassador Holbrooke and General Petraeus to discuss Afghan opium. He is willing to travel anywhere in Europe for a meeting. We understand per Ref C that Ambassador Holbrooke will visit Brussels "soon" for formal consultations at NATO, and recommend highly a meeting between him and Costa in Brussels. SCHULTE