SPAIN ON THE ICJ ELECTIONS

UNCLAS MADRID 003504 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SP UNSC UNGA SUBJECT: SPAIN ON THE ICJ ELECTIONS REF: SECSTATE 179062 Per reftel instructions, Poloff contacted Spanish MFA Deputy Director General for the United Nations, Juan Manuel Gonzalez de Linares, to remind the Spanish of their previous commitment to vote for Judge Buergenthal in the ICJ elections on November 7, and to thank them for their support. Gonzalez de Linares confirmed that Spain intended to support Buergenthal, as Foreign Minister Moratinos told Secretary Rice in a recent meeting, and hoped that the US would support Spain's candidate as well, Professor Julio Gonzalez Campos. He pointed out that like Buergenthal, Gonzalez Campos has received the backing of most of the Security Council and General Assembly. He said that though the Spanish know that the US generally does not usually announce much in advance what candidates it will support for elections of this sort, Spain hoped the US would consider such an announcement now, just a month before the elections, to ensure the success of Gonzalez Campos's candidature. AGUIRRE