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