Administrative Assistant to Director General, 8 December 1998

Patrick Reis-Ekelund
19, Bd. de Belleville
75011 Paris

Dr Jean Blancou
Director General
Office international des épizooties
12, rue de Prony, 75017 Paris

Paris, 8 December 1998

Request for clarification

Dear Sir,

It is with great regret that I am compelled to direct this note to you.

Earlier today, I received the attached note from the Deputy Head of the Administrative and Financial Department, Mr Gary Sutherland, in which a number of inexact, tendencious and, for me, potentially very harmful claims are made regarding my work and "professional attitude."

The nature and status of Mr Sutherland's note within the framework of the OIE's regulations governing staff matters is unclear. The note does not appear to conform to the criteria of a Professional Note (Note professionnelle), nor would it be reasonable to consider it as a mere sharing of thoughts or observations on my professional conduct as it has been copied not only to the Head of my service, Mr G. Jannot, but also to yourself.

This ambiguity leaves me at a loss regarding how to respond in a constructive manner - thereof this appeal to you: I would greatly appreciate your indications as to whether or not I am to consider Mr Sutherland's note as a matter involving the OIE's responsibility and your authority? If you do validate the note, I will of course respond to it in full, respecting the normal hierarchical channels.

I also seize the occasion to provide you with a copy of a note, following observations and instructions received during your recent absence. I feel that my position has been altered for the worse, due to no fault of my own, and that I have become the object of hidden and unwarranted disciplinary measures. I can only appeal to you to address these matters in a manner that permits me to fulfil my duties within the Office correctly and with serenity.

Sincerely yours,

Patrick Reis-Ekelund
Administrative Assistant
Administrative and Financial Department

cc. Head, Administrative and Financial Department

Encl. 1: Note of 7 December 1998 from the Deputy Head, Administrative and Financial Department
Encl. 2: Note of 27 November 1998 from PRE to the Head, Administrative and Financial Department

Return to Correspondence Page

Introduction - OIE, ILO and Judgment 1907 - Note for Delegates - Correspondence in Chronological Order - Testimonial

To contact Patrick Reis-Ekelund

To contact the management of the OIE: the Director General, Dr Jean Blancou, the Head of the
Administrative and Financial Department, Mr Guy Jannot, or his Deputy, Mr Gary Sutherland.
Phone: +(33-1) 44 15 18 60, -70, and -64, respectively.

To contact the President of the OIE's supervisory Administrative Commission and its
International Committee, Dr Norman Willis, by e-mail or phone: (1-204) 789 2008.