US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO400

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000400 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS AND IO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PINR, AORC, CE, UN, UNSC, UNGA 
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA REQUESTS U.S. SUPPORT FOR UNSYG 
CANDIDATURE 
 
REF: NEW YORK 0304 
 
1.  (U) On February 22 the Embassy received a diplomatic note 
formally requesting U.S. support for the candidature of 
Jayantha Dhanapala, Secretary General of the Peace 
Secretariat in Sri Lanka and former UN 
 
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Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament, for the post of UN 
Secretary General.  A copy of Dhanapala's CV has been faxed 
 
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to SA/INS.  The text of the diplomatic note follows in Para 3 
below. 
 
2.  (SBU)  Comment: A consummate diplomat, this former 
Ambassador to the U.S. is a long-standing and highly trusted 
Embassy contact on such sensitive matters as the peace 
process and Government relations with the insurgent 
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.  His selection for 
candidature for the post of UN Secretary General demonstrates 
the confidence President Chandrika Kumaratunga places in his 
capabilities. 
 
3.  (U)  Begin text of diplomatic note: 
 
My Ref:UN/GA/158(B) 
 
     The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic 
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka presents its compliments to 
the Embassy of the United States of America in Colombo and 
has the honour to request that the following should please be 
brought to the attention of the Government of the United 
States of America. 
 
     In December 2006, the second term of the distinguished 
Secretary-General of the United Nations H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan 
 
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will expire and the internaitonal community will have to be 
ready with a successor to pilot the organization through a 
very challenging era in world affairs. 
 
     Sri Lanka is happy to present the candidature of Mr. 
Jayantha Dhanapala whose curriculum vitae is attached.  Mr. 
Dhanapala has had an impressive record of 27 years in Sri 
Lanka's diplomatic service together with 10 years of service 
at senior levels in the United Nations during which he has 
handled difficult and delicate assignments with undisputed 
success.  He has enjoyed a wide reputation for his diplomatic 
skills in consensus building and is well equipped to work 
towards international peace and security effectively and with 
wide acceptance.  Mr. Dhanapala is now engaged in the 
demanding and sensitive task of helping the Government manage 
the peace process in Sri Lanka in the post-tsunami context. 
 
     Sri Lanka is fortunate to enjoy excellent relations with 
all countries and is known to have played a constructive role 
in international affairs through moderate and bridge-building 
stances.  Sri Lanka's diplomats have played important roles 
in international conferences and international organizations 
for the benefit of the collective interest of the 
international community.  The Government of Sri Lanka is 
confident that Mr. Dhanapala's abilities and his experience 
are excellent qualifications for the post. 
 
     Accordingly, the Government of Sri Lanka has the honour 
to commend Mr. Dhanapala for the post of the next 
Secretary-General of the United Nations. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
     It is the collective view of the Asian member States of 
the United Nations that the well-established convention of 
regional rotation should be observed and that the continent 
of Asia should offer the next Secretary-General after a lapse 
of 35 years.  The Group of Asian States at the United Nations 
in New York has unanimously decided to uphold this principle 
and has conveyed this position to the Presidents of the 
Security Council and the General Assembly. 
 
     It is the Government of Sri Lanka's view that within 
Asia, the same principle of geographical rotation should be 
observed.  This would indicate that the sub-region of South 
Asia should receive priority for political, economic and 
cultural reasons. 
 
     The Government of Sri Lanka would appreciate receiving 
the valuable support of the Government of the United States 
of America for Mr. Dhanapala's candidature to this important 
post. 
 
     The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic 
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka avails itself of this 
opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of 
America in Colombo the assurances of its highest 
consideration. 
 
End text of diplomatic note. 
LUNSTEAD