Cablegate: Laos to Support Mr. Zoellick As World Bank

VZCZCXRO9661
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHVN #0451 1500938
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 300938Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1272
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 0562

UNCLAS VIENTIANE 000451

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS ED BESTIC
STATE PASS USED WORLD BANK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN IBRD LA
SUBJECT: LAOS TO SUPPORT MR. ZOELLICK AS WORLD BANK
PRESIDENT

REF: STATE 73691

1. (SBU) Econoff met May 30 with Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Department of International Cooperation Director
General Dr. Bountheuang Mounlasy to request that the Lao
Government support Robert B. Zoellick as President of the
World Bank (Reftel). After a brief discussion of Mr.
Zoellick's qualifications, and a mention by Dr. Bountheuang
of a possible candidacy by Prime Minister Tony Blair of Great
Britain, Dr. Bountheuang agreed to cable the Lao Embassy in
Washington and instruct them to support Mr. Zoellick.
Econoff requested that any public support occur after the
President officially nominates Mr. Zoellick.

2. (SBU) Comment: Dr. Bountheuang's positive attitude
toward U.S. leadership of the World Bank and willingness to
support Mr. Zoellick's nomination came as a surprise. That
he would commit to instruct the Lao Embassy to support the
nomination, without asking for time to check with his
superiors, was a greater surprise and is unusual for Laos.
We understand that Dr. Bountheuang is soon to leave his post
and move overseas as an Ambassador himself. End Comment.
MCGEEHAN

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