Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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06SANSALVADOR1962 | 2006-08-09 19:26:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy San Salvador |
VZCZCXYZ0004 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSN #1962 2211926 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 091926Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3363 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY |
C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 001962 |
1. (C) El Salvador's Permanent Representative to the United Nations is Carmen Maria Gallardo de Hernandez (DPOB November 28, 1949; San Salvador). Gallardo is married with two children; her husband is Xavier Hernandez, a Coca-Cola executive. Ms. Gallardo de Hernandez is the sister of Cecilia Gallardo de Cano, a former Minister of Education, who is now an advisor to President Saca on social issues. Carmen Gallardo received a Masters degree in Parliamentary and Conference Interpretation from the University of Geneva, a degree in Clinical Psychology from Ibero-American University in Mexico City (1989), and an honorary doctorate in International Relations from El Salvador's Technical University (1998). Gallardo de Hernandez was named Professional of the Year in 1997 by the Salvadoran Bar Association. A former ambassador noted that Ms. Gallardo is "diplomatically-oriented, sharp, and analytical." She speaks French fluently, and English fairly. Her official biography notes that she also speaks Italian, but her fluency in that language is unknown. (Note: Her perspectives on international events can be viewed on the El Diario de Hoy website, by searching the archive with her name. End note.) 2. (C) Prior to her 2004 appointment to the UN, Ms. Gallardo was International Cooperation Coordinator for El Salvador's Supreme Court (2002-2004). In addition to her diplomatic career, she has worked as an independent columnist for the nation's two leading dailies, El Diario de Hoy (1999-2002) and La Prensa Grafica (1994-1997). From 1995 to 1996, Ms. Gallardo de Hernandez served as Executive Director for the Foundation for Peace (FUNDAPAZ), the NGO founded after the country's 12-year civil war to promote the peaceful reintegration of Salvadoran society. In 1994, Gallardo was Ambassador to France and Portugal, and during 1992-1993, she served as El Salvador's Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 3. (C) Both Gallardo and Foreign Minister Francisco Lainez are well-versed on UN issues. Gallardo likely has a more Eurocentric view than Lainez, but both share the goal of increasing El Salvador's prominence in global affairs, and both are active in the development of El Salvador's stance in UN matters. United States views continue to influence El Salvador's positions in the UN and other international fora; poloff is regularly told that our demarches are forwarded to El Salvador's UN delegation for use in the formulation of GOES policy. 4. (C) President Saca takes an active role in the development of foreign policy, and regularly considers both domestic and international reactions when making decisions. Saca maintains a close relationship with Foreign Minister Lainez, but other members of the President's inner circle also exert influence on foreign policy issues. On particularly controversial issues, such as the deployment of the Cuscatlan Battalion in support of coalition forces in Iraq, Saca sometimes seeks concurrence from the Legislative Assembly. 5. (C) Pursuant to reftel paragrapgh 3, the Embassy's Classified biography of Foreign Minister Lainez is available at http:// ncd.state.sgov.gov/bio/country/slv/list.html? page=2. An official GOES biography is available at http:// www.rree.gob.sv/sitio/sitiowebrree.nsf/ pages/scancilleria canciller. Lainez is fluent in English and French. Butler |