EL SALVADOR ON IRAQ'S STATUS AT THE COMMUNITY OF

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 000980 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR G - JOAQUIN FERRAO, DRL/MLGA - LAURA JORDAN, AND IO/RHS - RACHEL LEATHAM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL PHUM UNGA ES SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR ON IRAQ'S STATUS AT THE COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES MINISTERIAL REF: STATE 60237 (SBU) During his recent visit to El Salvador, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs DAS Coulter raised reftel points May 8 with MFA Director of Foreign Policy Ambassador Guillermo Melendez, during a discussion of other issues relating to Iraq. Melendez replied that the GOES was unlikely to support anything beyond observer status for Iraq at the Bamako Ministerial, but emphasized that the final decision on the GOES position would be made either by the Minister or Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. DAS Coulter emphasized the important achievements that have already been made in establishing democratic institutions in Iraq, and thanked the Salvadorans for their important efforts as a member of the coalition in supporting Iraqi democracy. A/DCM followed up with Vice Minister Calix in a May 16 phone convseration, but Calix reported that he was unaware of the issue, and would have to raise it with the Minister when FM Lainez returns from his travels to Europe and the Middle East at the end of the month. Post will continue to raise this at the highest levels of the MFA and push for Salvadoran support of Iraq's full participation at the Ministerial. Glazer