Cablegate: Demarche - International Rubber Study Group

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DE RUEHGP #0145 0420036
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 110036Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4835
INFO RUEHAB/AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 0001
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RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 7676
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RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000145

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

EEB FOR B HAENDLER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EIND ETRD SN
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE - INTERNATIONAL RUBBER STUDY GROUP
SECRETARY-GENERAL

SIPDIS

REF: STATE 10729

1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para 3.

2. (SBU) Singapore understands our concerns about the
International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) Secretary-General Dr.
Hidde Smit's performance, but requires additional information
before it decides whether to join the United States in
opposing the optional one-year extension of the
Secretary-General's employment contract (reftel).

SIPDIS
International Enterprise (IE) Singapore Senior Officer (Trade
Group) Mr. SONG Chenghua told us on February 6 that his
office is not yet up to speed on all the issues concerning
Dr. Smit's performance due to recent turnover of IE Singapore
personnel handling the IRSG account. As current IRSG Chair,
Singapore hopes to solicit input from all IRSG members and
relevant industry groups. Singapore will support whichever
position the majority of IRSG members determine is best for
addressing the issue of Dr. Smit's employment contract, Song
said.

3. (SBU) Action request: Song raised the following
questions related to the IRSG's upcoming meetings in London
and, in particular, the employment contract debate. We would
appreciate the Department's assistance in providing responses
to these queries:

-- Who from the USG will attend the Executive Committee
meeting in London March 4-6?

-- What are the positions of other Asian and African member
countries?

-- What procedures will be used for the London meetings? For
example, will a vote on Dr. Smit's employment contract
extension require a unanimous or simple majority vote?

4. (U) Song and his Senior Director, Mr. PHUA Tiak Peow,
will represent Singapore at the IRSG's February 12-13
meeting. IE Singapore Assistant Chief Executive Officer
Kathy Lai will lead the GOS delegation for the March 4-6
meeting.

Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
HERBOLD

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