SPAIN ASKS FOR US BACKING FOR REELECTION OF MARINO

UNCLAS MADRID 003580 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM SP UNGA SUBJECT: SPAIN ASKS FOR US BACKING FOR REELECTION OF MARINO MENENDEZ TO COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE ¶1. (U) Embassy Madrid received the following diplomatic note from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking support for the Spanish candidate for the committee on torture. ¶2. (U) Begin text of Spanish note: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation sends regards to the Embassy of the United States of America in Madrid, and has the honor to communicate that the Government of Spain has decided to present as a candidate Mr. Fernando Marino Menendez for reelection as a member of the Committee Against Torture. The elections will take place during the coming meeting of the States Participating in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane, or Degrading Punishments, in November of this year. Professor Marino Menendez, whose resume is attached (NOTE: Post has faxed this to EUR/WE),has extensive academic experience in International Human Rights Law, to which he has added since 2002 his notable contribution to the work of the Committee against Torture, of which he is President since ¶2004. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs trusts that it will receive the valuable support of the authorities of the United States of American for this candidature. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation would like to reiterate to the Embassy of the United States of America in Madrid its most distinguished consideration. Madrid, September 20, 2005 (STAMPED RECEIVED OCT 5 2005 BY US EMBASSY MADRID) End text. ¶3. (U) Post has faxed Fernando M. Marino Menendez's resume to EUR/WE. AGUIRRE