NETHERLANDS: ICJ ELECTIONS

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002674

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL NL UNSC UNGA
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: ICJ ELECTIONS

REF: SECSTATE 179062


1. (SBU) On October 3, Charge and POLCOUNS met with Hugo
Siblesz, Director General of Political Affairs at the MFA, to
urge the Dutch to support Judge Thomas Buergenthal's
reelection to the International Court of Justice (ICJ),
drawing on reftel points. A diplomatic note was presented
earlier to the MFA's Office of Protocol. Siblesz told Charge
that the Dutch have a long-standing policy of not officially
endorsing particular candidates to the ICJ or similar
organizations hosted in The Hague. That said, Siblesz noted
that the Dutch government nearly always follows the lead of
the Dutch National Group in the Permanent Court of
Arbitration, which has already expressed its support for
Judge Buergenthal's candidacy.


2. (SBU) COMMENT: Judge Buergenthal has good relations with,
and is highly regarded by, Dutch officials. Post is confident
the Dutch will support Judge Buergenthal's candidacy. END
COMMENT.
BLAKEMAN