PANAMA UNDECIDED ON 8 OF 9 CERD SPOTS

UNCLAS PANAMA 000030 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR IO/SHA/PRATT/MEHRA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL PM POLITICS FOREIGN POLICY SUBJECT: PANAMA UNDECIDED ON 8 OF 9 CERD SPOTS REF: A. 03 STATE 309045 ¶B. 03 STATE 335441 ¶C. 03 STATE 343762 ¶D. STATE 773 ¶1. (U) On January 6, MFA International Organizations Deputy Director General Nubia Lezcano advised Poloff that the GOP has committed to one CERD candidate due to "previous agreements," but has not decided who to support for the other eight positions. Lezcano further explained that it was unlikely the GOP would be able to advise Embassy of a firm position before the January 14 election. MFA has not yet decided whether to send representatives or ask that Panama's UN Permrep Ramon Morales attend the January 14 CERD election in New York. Per Reftels B and C, Poloff had previously spoken on December 19 with Lezcano, who advised that the GOP had not yet taken a position on this candidacy. ¶2. (U) On November 7, Poloff delivered a diplomatic note requesting Government of Panama (GOP) support for Ralph Boyd's CERD candidacy with Reftel A talking points to MFA Director General for International Organizations Rodolfo Aleman. WATT