GUATEMALA WILL OPPOSE SPECIAL SITTING ON IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 000803

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2013
TAGS: PHUM PREL IZ GT UNHCR
SUBJECT: GUATEMALA WILL OPPOSE SPECIAL SITTING ON IRAQ

REF: GENEVA 979

Classified By: PolCouns David Lindwall for reason 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) DCM McFarland called Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
Jorge Perez on March 26 to reconfirm the GOG's commitment of
March 25 to vote against a special sitting on Iraq at the
59th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. DCM noted
that the Guatemalan Mission in Geneva had informed our
mission that they did not have instructions on this vote.
Perez said he had personally called their Ambassador in
Geneva on March 26 to isntruct him to support the U.S.
position. Perez said he had reconfirmed this approach with
Foreign Minister Gutierrez.


2. (C) PolCouns carried out a parallel demarche on MFA
Multilateral Affairs Director Giovanni Castillo on March 26.
Castillo said that he would call the Guatemalan Mission in
Geneva to ensure that they have Perez's instructions to
oppose a special sitting on Iraq.


3. (SBU) Comment: We suggest the US Mission in Geneva
confirm with the Guatemalan Mission that they do in fact have
such instructions.
HAMILTON