LATIN AMERICAN CANDIDACIES FOR THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000369 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2017 TAGS: PREL PHUM AR SUBJECT: LATIN AMERICAN CANDIDACIES FOR THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL REF: SECSTATE 22762 Classified By: DCM MICHAEL MATERA FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. Acting PolCouns spoke with Federico Villegas, head of the MFA,s human rights office, to raise reftel concerns and urge Argentina to reconsider standing for re-election to the HRC. Villegas noted our concerns but stated that Argentina had carefully considered its options and is firm in its decision that it will not run in 2007, but rather will wait for 2008. He referred to HRC rules limiting countries to two consecutive terms. Argentina could run in 2007, be elected to a three-year term, but would then have to sit out for three years. Not running in 2007, allows them the possibility of running in 2008, and again for re-election in ¶2011. ¶2. Villegas, when asked, said the GoA was not committed to voting for anyone yet since none of the candidates were official. PolOff noted, per reftel, that Venezuela,s candidacy was officially declared. Villegas said he understood that Nicaragua was also going to run. ¶3. Villegas said he would communicate our request to the Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Garcia Moritan, but suggested a better option for the U.S. would be to encourage Chile to seek membership on the Council. Chile is not a current member and thus has the possibility of a six-year run on the Council. Villegas noted this would be good for all, as in one year, when Argentina runs again, they would, conceivably, sit five years together on the Council with Chile. Villegas asked the obvious, why didn,t the U.S. stand for membership? He said it was a shame the U.S. is not considering membership. WAYNE