US embassy cable - 05ROME1509

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001509 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/FO, EUR/ERA AND EUR/SCE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2015 
TAGS: PREL, BO, IT 
SUBJECT: OHR CANDIDATE MIRACHIAN - A GOOD CHOICE FOR 
ASHDOWN FOLLOW-ON AND TRANSITION TO EUSR 
 
REF: A) EMAIL COUNTRYMAN/STEPHENS 4-19 (NOTAL) B) 
 
     SARAJEVO 964 
 
Classified By: POL MINISTER COUNSELOR TOM COUNTRYMAN.  REASON: 1.4 (B)( 
D) 
 
1. (C) As stated ref A, Embassy Rome considers Italian 
diplomat Laura Mirachian a good choice to take over as HiRep 
when Paddy Ashdown steps down next year.  Our experience with 
her goes back to her time as DAS equivalent for Balkans 
issues in the run-up to and during the military action in 
Kosovo.  Both Embassy and State Department interlocutors 
found her to be very knowledgeable with both issues and 
personalities Balkans-wide. She has a reputation for being a 
tenacious negotiator, a key attribute in dealing with the 
embedded views and prejudices lingering from the conflict 
years.  If history holds, we could count on her for close 
(and often off-the-record, behind the scenes) coordination 
with us, in the same manner as Ashdown.  Embassy 
interlocutors from that period found her to be very 
accessible, and eager to consult with the US on policy issues 
during the decision phase.  At the same time, she was not 
averse to honest constructive criticism when she disagreed 
with a particular view. 
 
2. (C) If as indicated ref B, the next HiRep could be the 
last, and might be charged with managing the transition 
between OHR and EU Special Representative (EUSR), Mirachian's 
candidacy looks even more attractive.  While not as high 
profile as Ashdown, and without her own political base, she 
has a track record for knowing the issues and is likely to be 
protective of trans-Atlantic interests as responsibility for 
Bosnia's international presence moves to European control. 
 
3. (C) Mirachian has not been as close a contact for Rome 
since she left her Balkans related responsibilities in 2000. 
Her responsibilities since then have included Ambassador to 
Syria and, since the summer of 2004, special assignments for 
the very demanding MFA Secretary General Umberto Vattani. 
Both posts indicate high confidence within the Italian 
government in her substantive and organizational skills.  We 
also expect that the Italian Government would endeavor to 
give her a similar (but lower) level of logistical and policy 
support to that which HMG provided Ashdown. 
 
4. (C) EUR DAS Stephens met briefly with Mirachian during her 
April 29 consultations at the Italian MFA.  The meeting was 
not set up as a "job interview" but Mirachian demonstrated 
her up-to-date familiarity with Balkan issues. 
 
SEMBLER 
 
 
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 2005ROME01509 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL