ICTY: DUTCH SUPPORT FOR MERON RE-ELECTION

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002905 SIPDIS SENSITIVE L/UNA - OSBORN, USUN/NEW YORK - DUGAN, S/WCI - RICHARD, EUR/SCE - MITCHELL, IO/UNP - ROBERTSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BK HR NL PHUM ICTY USUN SUBJECT: ICTY: DUTCH SUPPORT FOR MERON RE-ELECTION REF: SECSTATE 218465 ¶1. (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified. ¶2. (U) Post received the Diplomatic Note in para three from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming the Netherlands' support for the U.S. Candidate and current ICTY President Judge Theodor Meron at the UN elections on November 18, 2004. The Dutch request that the United States lend its support for the reelection of their candidate, Judge Alphons Orie. ¶3. (U) //BEGIN TEXT OF DIP NOTE// The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents its complements to the Embassy of the United States of America and with reference to the Embassy's Note No. 37 of October 13, 2004, has the honour to confirm its support for the re-election of President Theodor Meron as judge at the ICTY, as well as to recall the Netherlands' request to the United States for support for the re-election of Judge Alphons Orie to the Tribunal. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America assurances of its highest consideration. The Hague, 28 October 2004 //END TEXT OF DIP NOTE// ¶4. (SBU) Comment. As conveyed in separate e-mails, we recommend that the USG support the reelection of all ICTY judges standing for reelection so as to promote stability and continuity at the Tribunal and avoid delays in the completion strategy that might ensue from a significant turn-over of judges. End comment. SOBEL