DEMARCHE DELIVERED: U.S. CANDIDATE FOR UN HUMAN

UNCLAS BANGKOK 004921 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM US UNHRC TH SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: U.S. CANDIDATE FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE REF: STATE 130666 ¶1. (U) On August 11, Poloff delivered diplomatic note and Reftel demarche to Deputy Director of the Social Division of the Department for International Organizations, Ms Phantipha Iamsudha. Poloff conveyed the great importance that the USG attached to the re-election of Professor Ruth Wedgwood, highlighting her credentials and substantial list of accomplishments in the field of human rights. ¶2. (U) Phantipha acknowledged Wedgwood's strong qualifications, but informed that the RTG is unable to support her re-election. Phantipha said that the RTG previously committed all of its votes in exchange for guarantees of support for the Thai candidate to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). She further stated that when considering candidates for bodies like the UN Human Rights Committee, the RTG looks for "geographic balance." ¶3. (U) Phantipha closed by assuring that if a second round of voting becomes necessary, the RTG will reconsider the candidacy of Professor Wedgwood. BOYCE