The name and function of this person were included in the version of the Note to Delegates sent in March 1999. Considering the present position of this official and the current state of affairs in my case, I omit this information in this version.

Chargé de Mission
Information and International Trade Department
Office International des Epizooties
12, rue de Prony
75017 Paris

Having received on 26 February a letter of dismissal with immediate effect, Patrick REIS-EKELUND contacted me by phone the same day to ask me if I would consider to write a testimonial in his favour. This request appeared appropriate as he and myself have, during our common presence at the OIE (from early January 1998 to 25 February 1999), maintained good relations.

The surprising speed of this dismissal, which has not permitted me to see this colleague at work, has left me with an poor impression. Also, one must note the absence within the Office International des Epizooties of the normal instruments for social dialogue (work's council, union, staff organisation, or other), which enable a staff member to not find himself alone against his employer, that is, in a situation of manifest inferiority.

This is what has brought me to accept to testify in favour of Patrick REIS-EKELUND in the conflict which confronts him with the management of the Office International des Epizooties. I am not competent to take position on the overall quality of his work. Nevertheless, our respective offices were linked to the degree that I had a direct view of his work place and that I heard all his conversations. As this situation lasted for 14 months, I believe that I have enough elements for appraisal to be able to declare the following.

I consider Patrick REIS-EKELUND to be an intelligent young man who quickly and correctly understands what is expected of him, and is capable of taking the necessary initiatives to accomplish a mission entrusted by his superiors. He likes organised work and is a perfectionist in this domain.

As regards inter-personal relations, I find him to be a pleasant colleague, always smiling and good humoured - even though it has been clear for some months that he has been in trouble with his superiors. He has always responded with great kindness and as quickly as possible to my requests for assistance, notably in the field of translations, even though such assistance was not a priori part of his job description.

Having, due to the context, been able to observe, on a daily basis, Patrick REIS-EKELUND while performing his professional activities for the Regional Representations, I add that I have had the impression that he maintained good relationships with all his counterparts. The telephone conversations, notably, were very professional and precise, yet cordial.

I also consider it logical to mention - as I have observed it - the work undertaken with great personal commitment by Patrick REIS-EKELUND on a system of spreadsheets aimed at permitting the Regional Representations to provide their expenses in a standardised format. He indicated that his objective was to develop strict and functional aids to facilitate for the OIE Regional Representations the presentation of their accounts, and to improve the follow-up of these expenses by himself and the OIE's accounting service.

In summary: In my opinion, Patrick REIS-EKELUND offers personal and professional qualities above the average. The reasons for dismissal given in the Director General's letter, of which the concerned left a copy on my desk while leaving the office, are not sufficiently clear for me to be able to provide a more precise testimony at this point.