INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION CANDIDACY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 002324 SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/T LTOBEY LONDON FOR EST TEVENS COASTGUARD FOR G-CI KJOHNSON E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2015 TAGS: EWWT PHSA KTIA AORC US CI IMO SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION CANDIDACY DEMARCHE REF: STATE 207080 Classified By: EPOL Counselor Andrew G. Chritton for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Post delivered reftel demarche November 14 to Ximena Verdugo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Multilateral Candidacies office. Verduga said that Chile's votes at the IMO are coordinated through Veronica Rocha at the Chilean Embassy in London. Verdugo noted it should be possible to arrange a "mutual support pact between the U.S. and Chile," given that Chile is also running for the IMO council in category C. POLOFF explained that the U.S. as a matter of practice does not swap votes. However, POLOFF continued, the U.S. has supported Chilean candidacies in other multilateral organizations, and has a good impression of the professionalism and committment of Chile's international representatives. Verdugo suggested our delegation contact Rocha to press the U.S. candidacy. KELLY