GUATEMALA MAKES COUNTER REQUEST ON OAS CANDIDATES

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 001375

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/OAS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2013
TAGS: PREL PHUM GT OAS
SUBJECT: GUATEMALA MAKES COUNTER REQUEST ON OAS CANDIDATES

REF: A. STATE 141801


B. GUATEMALA 1340

Classified By: Robert E. Copley for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 4.


2. (U) Per ref A, following up on our previous demarche (ref
B) and diplomatic note, PolOff discussed post-specific and
Central American points with Sylvia Corado, Director for
Multilateral Affairs at the Foreign Ministry on May 28.
Corado expressed appreciation for our favorable view of Dr.
Altolaguirre's candidacy and pressed for a commitment of U.S.
support. Corado took careful note, without commenting, of
our view that the Salvadoran candidate is also well qualified
and of our hope that both the Guatemalan and Salvadoran
candidates will join us on the IACHR. Corado then repeated
the position that Guatemala would vote according to the
qualifications of the candidates, adding that no decisions
had been made. PolOff reviewed the qualifications of the
U.S. candidates with her.

3 (C) Corado then asked if the U.S. would be willing to
publicly express support for Jorge Mario Garcia Laguardia,
Guatemala's candidate for the Inter-American Court of Human
Rights. Told that the decision would have to be made in
Washington, Corado hinted that our support for either of
Guatemala's candidates would likely result in Guatemalan
support for the U.S. candidates. Corado added that
Laguardia's candidacy was Guatemala's priority. Laguardia
will accompany the Guatemalan delegation to the OAS General
Assembly.


4. (U) Action request. Please advise how post should respond
to the GOG's request for support of their candidates at the
OASGA.
HAMILTON