PARAGUAY LEANING TOWARD CUBA FOR ILO GOVERNING

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000735 SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/T DRISCOLL, IO/S JOHNSTON; GENEVA FOR CHAMBERLIN AND KRUGLIKOVA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB PHUM PREL BB CU PA ILO SUBJECT: PARAGUAY LEANING TOWARD CUBA FOR ILO GOVERNING BODY REF: A. ASUNCION 699 ¶B. STATE 94801 ¶1. On 6/2, Julio Peralta, MFA's Director for International Organizations, signaled to polcouns Paraguay was leaning towards supporting Cuba's candidacy for the ILO Governing Body. He advised that Cuba had weighed in early and often pushing its candidacy. Further, Paraguay felt compelled to take into consideration humanitarian assistance Cuba provided to Paraguay. (Note. Cuba provides medical scholarships for young Paraguayans to study in Cuba. Recently, Cuba offered to fly Paraguayans afflicted with serious sight problems to Cuba for free medical treatment. End Note.) Finally, Peralta noted that two union officials were traveling as part of Paraguay's delegation to the meeting in Geneva where the vote would take place and that they both supported Cuba's candidacy. Meanwhile, Barbados had not approached Paraguay formally to seek support for its candidacy. ¶2. Polcouns urged Paraguay to base its decision on the merits of the candidates. Barbados had a respectable record on labor issues; Cuba's record was an international travesty. Peralta maintained GOP had not made a formal decision yet. It was still waiting to see if Barbados would approach Paraguay in Geneva on the matter. Ultimately, Paraguay's decision would be made on the ground by its Mission in Geneva, in consultation as appropriate with the FM. KEANE