VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHME #2838 2632259
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 192259Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3330
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0242
UNCLAS MEXICO 002838
SIPDIS
STATE FOR IO/T -- GUINNEVERE ROBERTS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV UNGA EAID MX
SUBJECT: MEXICO ON UNAIDS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
REF: STATE 97114
Deputy PolCouns discussed reftel demarche 9/19 with Norma
Diaz, the Director of the Office of Migration in the Foreign
Ministry's Global Affairs Directorate, conveying our support
for Michel Sidibe as the strongest of the candidates known to
us for the position of Executive Director of the UN Prgoramme
on HIV/AIDS. Diaz took on board U.S. views but noted that,
to its surprise, Jorge Saavedra, the General Director of
Mexico's National Center for the Prevention and Control of
HIV/AIDS had submitted his name for consideration. Diaz
recognized that Sidibe brought strong credentials as the
Deputy Executive Director but remarked that Mexico planned to
support Saavedra's candidacy. Diaz understood a selection
committee would interview the top 7-10 candidates the first
week of October with a view to providing Secretary General
Ban Ki-moon a short list for his final selection on the basis
of the candidates' merits.
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American
Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap /
GARZA