Cablegate: Demarche Delivered: U.S. Candidate for Un Human

VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBK #4921 2230816
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 110816Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0894
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1700
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 5101

UNCLAS BANGKOK 004921

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM US UNHRC TH
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: U.S. CANDIDATE FOR UN HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMITTEE

REF: STATE 130666

1. (U) On August 11, Poloff delivered diplomatic note and
Reftel demarche to Deputy Director of the Social Division of
the Department for International Organizations, Ms Phantipha
Iamsudha. Poloff conveyed the great importance that the USG
attached to the re-election of Professor Ruth Wedgwood,
highlighting her credentials and substantial list of
accomplishments in the field of human rights.

2. (U) Phantipha acknowledged Wedgwood's strong
qualifications, but informed that the RTG is unable to
support her re-election. Phantipha said that the RTG
previously committed all of its votes in exchange for
guarantees of support for the Thai candidate to the Committee
on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
She further stated that when considering candidates for
bodies like the UN Human Rights Committee, the RTG looks for
"geographic balance."

3. (U) Phantipha closed by assuring that if a second round of
voting becomes necessary, the RTG will reconsider the
candidacy of Professor Wedgwood.
BOYCE

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