GOE UNDECIDED ON GUATEMALA UNSC BID

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000599 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC UN EC SUBJECT: GOE UNDECIDED ON GUATEMALA UNSC BID REF: STATE 27055 Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman for reason 1.4 (b&d) ¶1. (C) The Ambassador on March 9 delivered RefTel points on securing support for Guatemala's UNSC candidacy to FM Francisco Carrion. Carrion agreed with our views on Venezuela's potential disruptiveness, noting that the GOV had been very difficult to work with in the Andean Community (CAN). However, he said that it would be awkward for Ecuador to oppose a fellow Andean candidacy. For this reason, the GOE had not taken an official position on the issue. ¶2. (C) Carrion expressed sympathy for Guatemala's bid and qualifications, noting it had launched its candidacy before Venezuela and had never served on the UNSC before. ¶3. (C) PolChief on March 3 delivered RefTel to MFA U/S for Multilateral Affairs Mauricio Montalvo. Montalvo said that FM Carrion would recommend to President Palacio that the GOE delay taking a decision on Guatemala's UNSC bid, despite the recent visit by Guatemalan presidential emissary Ambassador Maritza Vielman. Montalvo's other views tracked with the FM's. JEWELL