SLOVENIA ON UN REFORM

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000424 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KUNR PREL AORC SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA ON UN REFORM REF: A. SECSTATE 111657 ¶B. SECSTATE 111637 ¶1. Ambassador discussed Ref A points with State Secretary Bozo Cerar on June 17, and Polecon Chief delivered Ref B points to Bojana Cipot of the MFA Department of Multilateral Affairs June 23. Cerar was very engaged on the issue of UN Reform and wanted to know what the top priority was for the U.S. In general, Slovenia seems to be in agreement with USG positions. It is working closely with its EU partners and we can expect Slovenia to follow the EU consensus on UN reform. Slovenia does have a more particular interest in UNSC reform. Both Cerar and Cipot indicated that if it had to vote today, Slovenia would opt for the G-4 proposal. This would give Slovenia a chance at UNSC membership once every 15 years or so as a member of the eastern Europe group. There is likely still much room for negotiation on this point. ¶2. The GOS is very supportive of abolishing the Human Rights Commission and replacing it with a Human Rights Council. Human rights is an area where Slovenia can be expected to promote its interests and we should encourage it to be generally more vocal in support of this reform. Cipot also voiced support for the Democracy Initiative and Democracy Fund, and the Peace Building Commission. ¶3. As a recently democratized country, Slovenia can be counted on to promote the benefits of democracy as a path toward stability and economic growth. Because of its current role as CiO of the OSCE, its profile is also much greater in the far eastern reaches of Europe. We should find opportunities in consultations at the UN and in Washington to take advantage of this experience and exposure. ROBERTSON NNNN 2005LJUBLJ00424 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED v1.6.2