US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO1916

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001916 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS, IO/T, INL/C/CJ 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2014 
TAGS: PREL, SNAR, AORC, CE 
SUBJECT: COLOMBO PLAN:  ACTION REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF 
DRUG AWARENESS PROGRAM DIRECTOR 
 
REF: A. BANGKOK 8118 
 
     B. COLOMBO 301 
     C. STATE 11719 
 
Classified By: James F. Entwistle, Deputy Chief of Mission.  Reasons 1. 
4(b,d). 
 
1.  (U) This is an Action Request -- please see Para Four. 
 
2.  (C) REPLACEMENT FOR DAP DIRECTOR?:  Poloff met with 
Colombo Plan Secretary-General Kittipan Kanjanapipatkul on 
November 23 to discuss organization's Drug Awareness Program 
(DAP) directorship and the search for candidates to succeed 
Malaysian outgoing director, Tay Bian How.  The 
Secretary-General stated that, in the second call for 
 
SIPDIS 
applicants, he had received three resumes, but had determined 
that none was qualified for the position.  His suggestion was 
to offer Mr. Tay another extension, for a one-year period, to 
the end of 2005.  The Secretary-General felt that during the 
upcoming year, the Colombo Plan could have a more successful 
search for the next DAP director. 
 
3.  (C) As Department is aware, with U.S. support, Mr. Tay's 
term was previously extended to the end of 2004.  This time, 
however, the Secretary-General requested from poloff that the 
U.S. propose this follow-on year extension for Mr. Tay in the 
next Council meeting.  He said he did not want to make the 
proposal personally to the Council since he had proposed the 
previous extension.  Instead, he only wanted to report that 
none of the three additional applicants met the job 
qualifications.  He also requested that the U.S. lobby other 
members, such as Pakistan and India, for support in extending 
Mr. Tay.  The Secretary-General noted he could likely obtain 
Thailand's and Indonesia's support for the idea.  (Note: 
Another topic which may arise at the next meeting on December 
15 is the issue of arrears and related proposals to amend the 
Colombo Plan constitution to require member countries to pay 
their annual dues -- see Ref A.  End Note.) 
 
4.  (C) ACTION REQUEST:  The Secretary-General's idea of 
extending Mr. Tay in his current position for one year is the 
only reasonable solution to keeping the position effectively 
staffed in the short term.  In our view, Mr. Tay's 
performance in superb.  The Secretary-General recognizes that 
the DAP is beginning a critical project in 2005 to establish 
community prevention centers run by local Muslim leaders 
throughout Southeast Asia and that Mr. Tay's presence in 
overseeing and implementing the project is essential. 
Mission requests Department's advice on whether the U.S. 
would support another extension for Mr. Tay through December 
2005 and whether the U.S. should present that proposal at the 
upcoming December 15 Council meeting in Colombo.  End Action 
Request. 
 
LUNSTEAD