GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PREPARATORY COMMITTEE OEA/Ser.P
AG/CP/INF.543/05
18 April 2005
Original: English
CANDIDACY FOR THE VACANCY THAT WILL OCCUR AT THE
ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, FOR WHICH ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD
AT THE THIRTY-FIFTH REGULAR SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
(United States of America)

- 1 - http://scm.oas.org/pdfs/2005/AG02667e-1.pdf
(Note from the Acting Secretary General) http://scm.oas.org/pdfs/2005/AG02667e.pdf
(Note from the USA Permanent Mission)

- 3 -
Andre M. Surena
1536 Roxanna Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20012
TEL & FAX: [202] 829-6386 amsurena@earthlink.net
International Law and Foreign Relations Expert
Extensive experience at the US Department of State and the Multinational Force and Observers in international law, UN, OAS and other international organizations, foreign relations, peacekeeping, treaty negotiations, resolution of international disputes, and public diplomacy. Conversant in French and German; read Spanish and Italian.
US Department of State
Assistant Legal Adviser, Human Rights & Refugees (1981-1984; 1998-2003)

Brought the United States into compliance with its treaty obligations by preparing detailed reports to the UN on US compliance with the Convention Against Torture, and the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Defended the United States at the OAS Inter-American Commission on Human Rights against allegations of human rights and humanitarian law violations.

Negotiated a UN Protocol Concerning Children in Armed Conflict that advanced human rights principles and protected US military recruitment requirements.

Supervised negotiation of ILO Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labor.

Spoke on human rights and refugee issues in many fora, including the American Society of
International Law, Harvard, Yale, St Louis University, the City University of New York,
Cambridge University, and the Ford Foundation.

Served as the State Department representative on the Tripartite Advisory Panel on International
Labor Standards (TAPILS).

Participated in the preparation of Supreme Court briefs submitted by the US Solicitor General on matters involving international human rights, refugee and asylum law.
Assistant Legal Adviser, Law Enforcement & Intelligence (1984-1986; 1988-1992)
 Led the State Department’s law enforcement program, managing an annual caseload of over 1200 extradition requests, and assisting in US prosecutions involving foreign relations.

Prepared model Extradition, Mutual Legal Assistance, and Criminal Asset Forfeiture Agreements used in the worldwide US anti-narcotics and anti-terrorism effort.

Negotiated numerous law enforcement agreements, including a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty giving prosecutors access to foreign bank records.

Legal Adviser, US Mission, Berlin, Germany (1977-1981)

Exercised occupation authorities of the military government in Berlin; as US Attorney for Berlin was charged with the prosecution in a US occupation court of an East German hijacker of a
Polish aircraft; was also Deputy Chief, Political Section.
Attorney/Adviser, United Nations Affairs (1973-1976)

Provided legal advice on substantive and procedural aspects in the UN and other international organizations; participated in many international negotiations.
MULTINATIONAL FORCE & OBSERVERS, ROME, ITALY
General Counsel (1992-1998) & Legal Officer (1986-1988)

Provided advice on the compliance of Egypt and Israel with their 1979 Peace Treaty and 1981
Protocol obligations; consulted the Parties to resolve disputes as necessary. Managed all
Organization legal issues, including labor litigation and claims.
AWARDS & HONORS

Service to America for Career Achievement Finalist (2003)
 Secretary of State’s Career Achievement Award (2003)

Superior Honor Award: Removal of Terrorist Suspect (2002)

Senior Executive Service Performance Award (2000 & 1999)

Senior Executive Service Presidential Meritorious Award (1990)

Superior Honor Award: US Attorney for Berlin (1979)
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Admitted to the Bar of the District of Columbia (2004)
Admitted to the Bar of the State of New York (1972)
LL.M. in International Law , NYU School of Law (1972)
Junior Fellow , NYU Center for International Studies (1971-1972)
J.D.
, NYU School of Law (1971)
B.A. in Biology , NYU Washington Square College (1968)