Cablegate: Sri Lanka to Consider Supporting Iom Dg Candidate

VZCZCXRO6523
OO RUEHBI
DE RUEHLM #0517 1510534
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 300534Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8189
INFO RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0922
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 7911
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 1363
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 6086
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 2068
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI PRIORITY 8522
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI PRIORITY 5967
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 2798

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000517

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS AND PRM (MAURA NICHOLSON)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AORC PREF SMIG CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA TO CONSIDER SUPPORTING IOM DG CANDIDATE
SWING

REF: STATE 54603

Charge delivered reftel demarche to Foreign Secretary Palitha
Kohona on May 28, emphasizing U.S support for Ambassador
William Swing as Director General of IOM and the USG position
that incumbent Brunson McKinley should not serve a third
term. Kohona said the GSL has not yet made a decision on
whom to support. He said the MFA will look carefully at
Swing's candidacy, and he saw no reason why the GSL would
support an American candidate who is not backed by the USG.
Kohona said he will consult with Geneva, but stressed that
the final decision would be made in Colombo. He indicated
that he would inform the Embassy of the GSL decision prior to
the June 18 vote. Post will report any updates septel.
MOORE

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