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