UNAIDS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: DEMARCHE DELIVERED

UNCLAS MADRID 000998 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KHIV UNGA EAID SUBJECT: UNAIDS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: SECSTATE 97114 ¶1. (SBU) PolOff delivered reftel points on September 15 to Enrique Yturriaga Saldanha, Subdirector General of the MFA's International Organizations group. Yturriaga indicated that, although the GOS does not have a formal position on the UNAIDS Executive Director candidacy at this time, it is familiar with the candidate, Mr. Michel Sidibe, and has "the best opinion of him and his work in UNAIDS." Yturriaga added that Sidibe represents "both the experience and talent required for the posting," and that the GOS supported his candidacy to the Global Fund. The GOS will take the USG points under advisement, consult other colleagues, and carefully examine other candidates before a formal decision is made. ¶2. (U) ESTOff also delivered reftel points on September 16 to Carmen Castanon Jimenez, Subdirector General of International Relations, and Teresa Robledo de Dios, Secretary of the National AIDS Plan, in the Ministry of Health and Consumption. The Ministry of Health and Consumption agrees with reftel points on the importance of selecting a strong candidate and continuing the fight against AIDS. However, like the MFA, the Ministry did not offer a formal position of support for the candidacy of Dr. Sidibe, but agreed to review the USG points and consider them when determining which candidate to support. Aguirre