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