EGYPT: UPDATE ON USG CANDIDATES FOR UNITED

UNCLAS CAIRO 005526 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNGA UNSC PHUM UNHCR EWWT INMARSAT EG SUBJECT: EGYPT: UPDATE ON USG CANDIDATES FOR UNITED NATIONS ELECTIONS; NO DEFINITIVE RESPONSE REF: A. STATE 140757 ¶B. STATE 137429 ¶C. STATE 85758 ¶1. During a September 4 meeting with MFA Office Director for Candidacy Issues, Counselor Hatem Tag-Eldin, poloffs reviewed pending USG requests for Egyptian support for elections to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC),the International Law Commission (ILC),and the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO). Tag-Eldin had no definitive response on any of the three reftel demarches (also formally delivered to the MFA via diplomatic notes),but committed to sharing the U.S. requests with appropriate offices within the GOE. Tag-Eldin, in only his second week on the job, offered to follow up and to contact emboffs with any definitive response. ¶2. During the conversation, Tag El-Din noted that Egypt would greatly appreciate U.S. support for its own candidates to the UNHCR and the ILC, respectively. He noted his understanding that official GOE requests for support in these elections had been conveyed to U.S. missions in Geneva and New York. Poloffs stressed the U.S. policy of not trading votes during elections to multilateral fora. Regarding ref C demarche on our candidate to IMSO (Steven Lett),post will seek additional information on Egypt's views on this election and will report separately. JONES