UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE INDEPENDENCE OF

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000549 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL AR SUBJECT: UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE INDEPENDENCE OF JUDGES AND LAWYERS REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR AMCIT CANDIDATE TO REPLACE HIM ¶1. (SBU) Action Request: The Ambassador received from Leandro Despouy, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers a May 4 letter (in English) requesting the USG support the candidacy of Amcit Reed Brody to replace him. Text of letter follows in para 2. Embassy requests Department guidance on response to Despouy. ¶2. (SBU) Text of Despouy's letter: Buenos Aires, 4 May 2009 Ambassador of the United States in Argentina Mr. Earl Anthony Wayne: I have the honor to write to you in order to kindly ask you to inform the Department of State in Washington that the Human Rights Council is in the process of selection of a new Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, since I have almost finished my mandate. In this regard, I have officially supported the candidacy of Mr. Reed Brody for this mandate, due to his vast experience and path in the fight for human rights. The selection process establishes that the President of the Council seeks advice from Governments and Special Procedures Mandate Holders on the list of recommended candidates for each vacancy. To that respect, I have supported Reed Brody's candidacy because I consider he possesses the highest qualifications for the mandate, but also because of his American nationality. The United States has a long democratic tradition in defending the independence of the Judiciary. Thus, I permit myself to ask you, in case you agree with my proposal, to promote his candidacy before the United Nations. Yours sincerely, Dr. Leandro O. Despouy United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers End text of letter. KELLY