MOZAMBIQUE SEEKS U.S. SUPPORT IN ILC ELECTION

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 002118 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR L/UNA:TBUCHWALD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNGA ILC MZ SUBJECT: MOZAMBIQUE SEEKS U.S. SUPPORT IN ILC ELECTION REF: USUN 2111 ¶1. (U) BEGIN SUMMARY: Ambassador Wolff met November 2 with Ambassador Filipe Chidumo, Permanent Representative of Mozambique to the United Nations, who requested U.S. support for Ambassador Pedro Comissario Afonso's campaign for re-election to the International Law Commission (ILC). Elections for the ILC's 2007-2011 term will be held in the General Assembly November 16. Area Adviser Ambassador Scott attended as well. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Ambassador Chidumo said Ambassador Afonso is competing for one of the eight seats reserved for representatives of the African region and has the endorsement of the African Union. Ambassador Afonso served as Mozambique's Permanent Representative from 1989 to 1996),was Chairman of the Sixth Committee during the 46th General Assembly, and holds an L.L.M. from Columbia Law School. ¶3. (U) Ambassador Wolff called Ambassador Afonso's credentials "very impressive" and said the United States remembered his service on the Sixth Committee. He also explained that, consistent with our long-standing policy, the United States would not reveal whom it would vote for or whom it voted for in previous elections. Ambassador Wolff assured Ambassador Chidumo that the United States would give Ambassador Afonso's candidacy every consideration. ¶4. (U) Ambassador Wolff also appealed for Mozambique's support for the U.S. candidate for the ILC, Michael Matheson. Ambassador Chidumo said Mozambique believed the United States should always be represented in international organs like the ILC. He speculated that the United States would not have trouble securing Matheson's re-election, but Ambassador Wolff emphasized the competitiveness of the race, said the United States could not take votes for granted, and thanked Mozambique for considering Matheson's candidacy positively. BOLTON