

Currently released so far... 12478 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AU
ASEC
AE
AF
AORC
AEMR
AMGT
ABUD
AFFAIRS
APER
AS
AMED
AY
AG
AR
AJ
AL
AID
AM
AODE
ABLD
AMG
AFIN
ATRN
AGAO
AFU
AN
AA
ALOW
APECO
ADM
ARF
ASEAN
APEC
AMBASSADOR
AO
ASUP
AZ
AADP
ACOA
ANET
AMCHAMS
ACABQ
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APCS
AGMT
AINF
AIT
AORL
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ACBAQ
AFGHANISTAN
ADANA
ADPM
AX
ADCO
AECL
AMEX
ACAO
ASCH
AORG
AGR
AROC
ASIG
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
BL
BR
BO
BA
BD
BM
BK
BG
BU
BB
BH
BTIO
BY
BEXP
BP
BE
BRUSSELS
BF
BIDEN
BT
BX
BC
BILAT
BN
BBSR
BTIU
BWC
BMGT
CA
CASC
CVIS
CM
CH
CO
CU
CD
CWC
CI
CS
CY
CMGT
CF
CG
CR
CB
CV
CW
CE
CBW
CT
CPAS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CJAN
CODEL
CIDA
CDG
CDC
CIA
CTR
CNARC
CSW
CN
CONS
CLINTON
COE
CROS
CARICOM
CONDOLEEZZA
COUNTER
CL
COM
CICTE
CIS
CFED
COUNTRY
CJUS
CBSA
CEUDA
CLMT
CAC
COPUOS
CIC
CBE
CHR
CTM
CVR
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CACS
CAN
CITT
CARSON
CACM
CDB
CAPC
CKGR
CBC
EC
EG
EPET
ECON
ETRD
EFIN
EIND
EMIN
ENRG
EAID
EAGR
EUN
ETTC
EAIR
ENIV
ES
EU
EINV
ELAB
ECIN
EFIS
ELTN
EWWT
ECPS
ECONOMIC
ENGR
EN
EINT
EPA
ELN
ESA
EZ
ER
ET
EFTA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
EXTERNAL
EI
EUR
EK
ERNG
ENGY
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENERG
EINVEFIN
ENVR
ECA
ELECTIONS
ETC
EUREM
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EURN
ECINECONCS
EEPET
EXIM
ERD
ENVI
ETRC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ETRO
EDU
ETRN
EAIG
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
EIAR
EXBS
ECUN
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ESENV
ECONEFIN
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINVETC
IZ
IT
IR
IS
IN
IC
IAEA
IO
ICAO
IWC
ID
IV
ISRAEL
IAHRC
IQ
ICTR
IMF
IRS
IDP
IGAD
ICRC
ICTY
IMO
IL
INRA
INRO
ICJ
ITU
IBRD
INMARSAT
IIP
ITALY
IEFIN
IACI
ILO
INTELSAT
ILC
ITRA
IDA
INRB
IRC
INTERPOL
IA
IPR
IRAQI
ISRAELI
INTERNAL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
IBET
INR
IEA
IZPREL
IRAJ
ITF
IF
KDEM
KU
KPAL
KNNP
KCRM
KZ
KN
KS
KJUS
KTFN
KSCA
KV
KISL
KPAO
KPKO
KIRF
KTIA
KIPR
KFLO
KFRD
KTIP
KAWC
KSUM
KCOM
KAID
KE
KTDB
KMDR
KOMC
KWBG
KDRG
KVPR
KTEX
KGIC
KWMN
KSCI
KCOR
KACT
KDDG
KHLS
KSAF
KFLU
KSEO
KMRS
KSPR
KOLY
KSEP
KVIR
KGHG
KIRC
KUNR
KIFR
KCIP
KMCA
KMPI
KBCT
KHSA
KICC
KIDE
KCRS
KMFO
KRVC
KRGY
KR
KAWK
KG
KFIN
KHIV
KBIO
KOCI
KBTR
KNEI
KPOA
KCFE
KPLS
KSTC
KHDP
KPRP
KCRCM
KLIG
KCFC
KTER
KREC
KTBT
KPRV
KSTH
KRIM
KRAD
KWAC
KWMM
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KOMS
KX
KMIG
KRCM
KVRP
KBTS
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNAR
KPWR
KNPP
KDEMAF
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KGIT
KPAI
KTLA
KFSC
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KID
KOM
KMOC
KJUST
KGCC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KO
KNSD
KHUM
KSEC
KCMR
KCHG
KICA
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KCGC
KWWMN
KPAK
KWNM
KWMNCS
KRFD
MOPS
MCAP
MPOS
MARR
MO
MNUC
MX
MASS
MG
MY
MU
ML
MR
MILITARY
MTCRE
MT
MEPP
MA
MDC
MP
MAR
MASSMNUC
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MD
MI
MEETINGS
MK
MCC
MEPN
MRCRE
MAS
MIL
MASC
MC
MV
MTCR
MIK
MUCN
MEDIA
MERCOSUR
MW
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTRE
MEPI
MQADHAFI
MAPS
NO
NATO
NL
NP
NZ
NSF
NI
NH
NG
NAFTA
NU
NASA
NR
NATOPREL
NSSP
NSG
NA
NT
NW
NK
NPT
NPA
NATIONAL
NPG
NSFO
NS
NSC
NE
NGO
NDP
NIPP
NRR
NEW
NZUS
NC
NAR
NV
NORAD
OTRA
OPCW
OVIP
OAS
OREP
OPIC
OIIP
OPRC
ODIP
OEXC
OPDC
OSCE
OIC
OSCI
OECD
OFDP
OFDA
OMIG
OPAD
OFFICIALS
OVP
OIE
OHUM
OCS
OBSP
OTR
OSAC
ON
OCII
OES
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PTER
PINS
PINR
PREF
PK
PROP
PA
PARM
PBTS
PMAR
PM
PGIV
PE
PRAM
PHUH
PHSA
PL
PNAT
PO
PLN
PAO
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PF
PEL
PBIO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PAS
POL
PREO
PAHO
PMIL
POGOV
POV
PAK
PNR
PRL
PG
PREFA
PSI
PINL
PU
PARMS
PRGOV
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POSTS
PROG
PORG
PTBS
PUNE
POLICY
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PP
PS
PY
PTERE
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PRELP
PSEPC
PGOVE
PINF
PNG
PGOC
PFOR
PCUL
POLINT
PGGV
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PGOVLO
PHUS
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RELATIONS
RW
RO
RM
RP
ROOD
RICE
RUPREL
RSO
RCMP
REACTION
REPORT
REGION
RIGHTS
RF
RFE
RSP
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
SU
SCUL
SNAR
SOCI
SF
SA
SHUM
SENV
SP
SR
SY
SANC
SC
SMIG
SZ
SARS
SW
SEVN
SO
SEN
SL
SNARCS
SNARN
SI
SG
SN
SH
SYR
SAARC
SPCE
SHI
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SYRIA
SWE
STEINBERG
SIPRS
ST
SNARIZ
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SIPDIS
SAN
TC
TI
TBIO
TH
TSPL
TRGY
TSPA
TPHY
TU
TW
TS
TAGS
TK
TX
TNGD
TZ
TF
TL
TV
TN
TD
TIP
TR
TP
TO
TT
TFIN
THPY
TERRORISM
TINT
TRSY
TURKEY
TBID
US
UK
UNGA
UP
UZ
UNMIK
USTR
UNO
UNSC
UN
UNESCO
UNAUS
UNHRC
UY
UG
UNHCR
UNCND
USOAS
USEU
UNICEF
UNEP
UV
UNPUOS
UNCSD
USUN
UNCHR
UNDC
USNC
UE
UNDP
UNC
USPS
USAID
UNVIE
UAE
UNFICYP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNCHC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08PARISFR1185, UNESCO DIRECTOR GENERAL RACE
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08PARISFR1185.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08PARISFR1185 | 2008-06-24 09:54 | 2011-04-17 13:30 | CONFIDENTIAL | Mission UNESCO |
Appears in these articles: http://www.elespectador.com/wikileaks |
R 240954Z JUN 08
FM UNESCO PARIS FR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC
INFO RUCNSCO/UNESCO COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS FR 001185
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/18
TAGS: PREL PINR UNESCO EG MO BU BR LH CO
SUBJECT: UNESCO DIRECTOR GENERAL RACE
Classified by Ambassador Louise V. Oliver. Reason 1.4 (b, c, and d)
This is an action message. See Para. 12.
¶1. (C) Summary: The race to succeed UNESCO Director-General
Matsuura (Japan) is on in earnest, even though UNESCO's General
Conference will not make the final selection until October 2009.
Egypt's Culture Minister Farouk Husni was the first to enter the
race, but he has hurt his chances with a serious anti-Semitic gaffe
in a speech before the Egyptian Parliament. Among others, the
French, who supported him early on, may be looking for a way out of
this promise. Another Arab candidate, Morocco's PermRep Aziza
Benani, has come forward, and Bulgaria's PermRep Irina Bukova has
thrown her hat in the ring too. Lithuania's PermRep Ina Marciulionyte
plans to do likewise after UNESCO's October Executive Board meeting.
Although both the Arabs and eastern Europeans have never had a
director-general and are thus claiming that it is now their turn,
there is no clear requirement that the job go to them. Candidates
may also emerge in Latin America. Deputy Director-General Marcio
Barbosa is considering a run but may not yet have the support of his
government which is also considering backing a former education
minister. Even former Colombian President Pastrana indicated
recently to Ambassador Oliver that he is considering a running.
Given the high stakes and the relatively weak field of candidates
currently in the race, it is in U.S. interest that there be as many
candidates as possible to choose from. End Summary.
¶2. (C) UNESCO member delegations are increasingly consumed with the
competition to succeed Director-General Koichiro Matsuura (Japan)
whose term expires in November 2009. Much rides on this. His
successor should be someone who will continue Matsuura's sound
administrative/management reforms, while winning member state trust
and giving the Organization greater vision and panache than the
cautious Matsuura has been able to impart. It would be all too easy
for the wrong candidate to permit the Organization to become highly
politicized and to resume the hiring of unqualified cronies as
happened during the reigns of Matsuura's immediate predecessors.
¶3. (U) Decisions on the procedure to be followed for the election of
Matsuura's successor will be taken at the next session of UNESCO's
58-member Executive Board in October of this year. In September 2009,
the Executive Board will examine responses and recommend a candidate
to the General Conference which groups all 193 member states. The
General Conference will make the final choice at its next session in
October 2009.
¶4. (SBU) Arab states argue that it is their turn to have the top
job, as none of UNESCO's past directors-general have come from the
Middle East. Egypt, in particular, has moved out strongly, formally
launching Culture Minister Farouk Husni's candidacy even before
UNESCO's last General Conference in the autumn of 2007. The first to
enter the field, Egypt moved vigorously to round up support among the
Arab states and beyond in an attempt to sew things up before any
serious rivals could emerge. They appeared to have obtained an
important endorsement when French President Sarkozy reportedly gave
his blessing to Husni during a visit to Egypt last autumn. (Comment:
As the host country with a long record of active support for UNESCO,
France will have a major voice in the selection of Matsuura's
successor. While the French have not shared with us their criteria,
we assume that they will be insistent as always that whoever is
chosen be able to speak French. End Comment.)
¶5. (C) Husni's chances have taken a nosedive more recently. First,
he is no longer the only Arab candidate. Morocco has espoused the
candidacy of Aziza Benani, Morocco's UNESCO PermRep and herself a
former Culture Minister. (N.B. Benani's English is extremely weak.)
More important, he made an enormous gaffe in question-time in the
Egyptian Parliament in May. Questioned by a member of the Muslim
Brotherhood about the alleged presence of Israeli books in Egyptian
libraries, he strongly denied there were any and challenged his
questioner to produce one. If he did, Husni announced he would burn
it immediately. Not surprisingly, Israel has since come out strongly
againstHusni, but Husni's problems extend far beyond Israel. The
image of a potential UNESCO director-general burning books does not
sit well with many members, and Husni's subsequent efforts to explain
himself, in which he has not retracted what he is reported to have
said, have only dug the hole deeper. The Egyptian ambassador we are
told is a nervous wreck and trying to explain to everyone that he was
somehow misunderstood.
¶6. (C) Significantly, French officials, whose support for Husni was
never more than tepid, seem to be looking for a way withdraw from an
embarrassing commitment. France's new UNESCO ambassador, Catherine
Colonna (protect), who claims to be well-connected to the current
French administration, told Ambassador Oliver on June 6 that she did
not think an Arab would be a suitable UNESCO director-general. When
asked, how that squared with Sarkozy's commitment to Husni, she
replied that Sarkozy tends to make off the cuff remarks. Colonna
agreed that the U.S. and France are two countries with the greatest
influence on the outcome, and that we must try to agree on a
candidate.
¶7. (C) With Husni appearing to stumble, candidates are emerging in
UNESCOPARI 06241185 002 OF 002
Group II, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, which has also
never produced a director-general. Bulgaria's UNESCO PermRep Irina
Bukova told Ambassador Oliver on June 11 that she is now her
country's official candidate. We understand that Bulgaria's president
publicly announced her candidacy at a meeting of Southeast European
heads of state in Athens earlier this month. According to Bukova, the
Bulgarian Prime Minister will seek U.S. support for her during his
meeting with the President in Washington on July 15.
¶8. (C) Bukova is not, however, the only Eastern European angling for
the job. Lithuania's PermRep Ina Marciulionyte has informed
Ambassador Oliver that she too plans to be a candidate. She says she
has the firm backing of her president and plans to make her candidacy
known after UNESCO's October 2008 Executive Board meeting. (N.B. The
Board is expected to agree at this meeting to send a letter to all
member states asking them to propose candidates.) Ambassador
Marciulionyte's candidacy has already drawn a reaction from her
Bulgarian rival. Ambassador Bukova has told Ambassador Oliver that
Lithuania's backing for Marciulionyte is not firm, and that Bulgaria
has already approached Lithuania to ask that she not proceed with her
candidacy. Marciulionyte says she will not withdraw and firmly
denies that her government is having second thoughts about her.
¶9. (C) Despite the claims of the Arabs and Eastern Europeans, there
is no formal requirement that the next director-general come from
either region. Viable candidates may thus also emerge in Latin
America or elsewhere. Current Deputy Director-General Marcio Barbosa
(Brazil) wants to run and claimed some months ago to have the backing
of his government. The Brazilian PermRep told Ambassador Oliver on
June 11, however, that the Brazilian Government has not made a
decision whether or not to back Barbosa. The Brazilian Government is
also considering nominating a former Brazilian education minister.
The Brazilian ambassador told us that he will make a recommendation
to his government in July.
¶10. (C) Finally, former Colombian President Andres Pastrana who
attended a June 15-17 UNESCO Conference on the violent radicalization
of youth, asked Ambassador Oliver whether it was true that the next
director-general had to be an Arab. When told this was not the case,
he responded that he was interested in running but had not made a
final decision.
¶11. (C) Comment: In our view, the field of candidates so far is
relatively weak. It would be very premature to make any decisions.
We should encourage more candidates to enter the race and widen our
scope for choice, and we should be on our guard for
misrepresentations from the candidates and their governments. The
contradictory assertions we have already received about who does and
does not have the support of his/her government are the first, but
probably not the last, efforts to mislead us.
¶12. (C) Action Requested: We should look before we leap. The U.S.
should look carefully at the backgrounds of various candidates who
have emerged so far to see whether there is anything in their past of
which we should be aware. We would be particularly interested in an
all-source assessment of the Bulgarian candidate, Irina Bukova and
her relationship with the current Russian Culture Minister (until
recently Russia's ambassador to France). Given Russia's strong
historical relationship with Bulgaria, we would expect the Russians
to support Bukova. Their support, however, could come with some
significant strings attached. Post also requests a careful
assessment of former Colombian President Pastrana. Given the
weakness of the field, he could have a chance if the Latins were to
rally behind him.
OLIVER