MEXICO: SUPPORT FOR MDA STILL STRONG, DELAYED

UNCLAS MEXICO 002555 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM AORC PREF ICRC MX SUBJECT: MEXICO: SUPPORT FOR MDA STILL STRONG, DELAYED REF: A. STATE 63870 ¶B. MEXICO 1463 ¶1. Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Liliana Lopez Ortiz, Assistant Director for International Law, at Mexico's Foreign Relations Secretariat (SRE). Lopez Ortiz was happy to hear that the Ambassador's meeting had gone well and reiterated Mexico's support for the initiative. Lopez Ortiz explained that, unfortunately, the Third Additional Protocol did not make it to the Senate floor for ratification before the end of session. The GOM must now wait until September for the issue to come to a vote. Poloff asked if it could be brought up in a possible extraordinary session, to which Lopez Ortiz explained was not possible under legislative rules. Lopez Ortiz revealed that no one in the SRE or Presidencia believes the measure will have any problems passing, even with presidential elections taking place in July. As for the 29th International Conference next month, Lopez Ortiz said a final delegation list was still undergoing consideration but that it is possible the GOM would at least send an expert to support Mexico's Geneva delegation. We will report any further developments as they arise. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity GARZA