PHILIPPINES RESPONSE ON CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

UNCLAS MANILA 002859 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/RHS, L/HRR, USUN NEWYORK, US MISSION GENEVA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA RP SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES RESPONSE ON CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE ELECTIONS REF: A. STATE 107692 ¶B. STATE 108646 ¶1. (SBU) As requested (reftels),post met with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to underscore U.S. support for the candidacy of Felice Gaer for the United Nations Committee Against Torture. ¶2. (SBU) Leah Ruiz, Director for International Political, Legal, and Security Affairs in DFA's Office of United Nations and International Organizations, noted our points regarding Ms. Gaer's candidacy. Ms. Ruiz observed that the Philippines is verifying whether other candidates will oppose Ms. Gaer in the elections, noting that the Philippines will weigh Ms. Gaer's qualifications against those of any other candidates. Ms. Ruiz stated that, as of now, "if no other candidates emerge" the Philippines will support Ms. Gaer. Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm JONES