PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT U.S. CANDIDATE

UNCLAS MANILA 003771 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/RHS, EAP/MTS, E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM UNGA UN RP SUBJECT: PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT U.S. CANDIDATE FOR UN COMMITTEE TO END RACIAL DISCRIMINATION REF: SECSTATE 157655 ¶1. (SBU) Leah Ruiz, Executive Director for the Department of Foreign Affairs' Office of United Nations and International Organizations, told poloff that the Philippine Mission to the United Nations intends to support the candidacy of Mr. Pierre-Richard Prosper for the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) (reftel). Ruiz said that the Philippine government was exploring quid pro quo arrangements in exchange for its votes on the nine available CERD seats. However, Ruiz said she was aware that the U.S. does not engage in vote trading and would recommend that the Philippines unilaterally offer its support for Mr. Prosper's candidacy. Ruiz also expressed the hope that the U.S. would support Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, the Philippines' candidate to the International Court of Justice. Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/ KENNEY