COSTA RICA REQUESTS SUPPORT FOR OAS-IACHR

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000512 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN AND WHA/USOAS ASTEVENSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OAS CS SUBJECT: COSTA RICA REQUESTS SUPPORT FOR OAS-IACHR CANDIDATE MANUEL VENTURA ROBLES ¶1. On June 3, we received a diplomatic note from the Costa Rican MFA requesting U.S. support for re-election of the GOCR's candidate Manuel Ventura Robles as Judge of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Elections are scheduled for June 2009. Relevant text appears below. ¶2. Post is very familiar with Robles and highly recommends U.S. endorsement of Robles' candidacy. We understand from WHA/USOAS that the U.S. is not eligible to vote because the USG is not party to the American Convention on Human Rights. However, Post recommends that it would be worthwhile to support Robles' candidacy if there are other ways to do so. ¶3. Following is unofficial translation of diplomatic note (relevant text): The Office of Foreign Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Relations and Religion gives its compliments to the Embassy and has the honor to express that the Government of Costa Rica has decided to present the candidacy of Manuel Ventura Robles for re-election as Judge of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, for the period of 2010-2015, in the elections that will take place during the 39th Ordinary Sessions of the OAS General Assembly, in June 2009. With respect thereto, the Government of Costa Rica requests the Government of the United States to support the above-mentioned candidate. END TEXT. ¶4. Please advise. CIANCHETTE