EUR A/S FRIED MEETS WITH SWISS STATE SECRETARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001672

SIPDIS

BERN PLEASE PASS TO DAN WEYGANDT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2015
TAGS: PREL KDEM KMPI BA SW
SUBJECT: EUR A/S FRIED MEETS WITH SWISS STATE SECRETARY
MICHAEL AMBUEHL, NOVEMBER 11, 2005, MANAMA, BAHRAIN


Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 b, d.


1. (SBU) Meeting held on November 11, 2005, 11:00, at the
Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Manama, Bahrain


2. (SBU) Participants:

U.S.
A/S Fried
Blake Thorkleson, NEA/MEPI
Leslie Tsou (TDY Notetaker)

Switzerland
State Secretary Michael Ambuehl
Guillaume Scheurer, MFA Minister Counselor


3. (C) Summary. On the margins of the Forum for the Future
Senior Officials Meeting November 11 in Bahrain, Swiss State
Secretary Michael Ambuehl told Assistant Secretary for

SIPDIS
European Affairs Dan Fried that Switzerland wants to
strengthen and deepen relations with the U.S., not only
bilaterally but internationally and multilaterally as well.
A/S Fried accepted Ambuehl,s suggestion that the U.S. and
Switzerland conclude a Joint Statement laying out the ways in
which the two countries can cooperate, especially in the
international arena. Ambuehl affirmed that Switzerland is
looking to redefine its traditional concept of neutrality to
play a more active international role in the 21st century;
Switzerland,s long federalist history, for example, would
make it an ideal advisor to the Iraqi government as Iraq,s
own federalist system develops. End summary.

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Strengthening U.S.-Swiss Ties
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4. (C) Switzerland wants to strengthen its relations with
the U.S., Ambuehl told A/S Fried. Noting how much the two
governments have in common in almost every sector, from
political and economic affairs to security and the global war
on terrorism, Ambuehl urged broader cooperation on the
bilateral, international, and multilateral levels.


5. (C) Ambuehl suggested that the U.S. and Switzerland sign
a Joint Statement that would show a visible strengthening of
cooperation across the board. A/S Fried agreed, urging that
the statement focus on what the U.S. and Switzerland can do
around the world to support freedom and common values. He
noted EUR/AGS Director Dan Weygandt will be in Switzerland
for meetings starting November 14, and will be empowered to
discuss how such a statement would take shape.

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New Role for Switzerland
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6. (C) Ambuehl agreed that Switzerland is seeking to
redefine its traditional neutrality to fit 21st century
realities and find ways where it can play a positive
international role. For example, Switzerland has a long
history of federalism that might lend itself well to advising
the Iraqis as their federalist system develops. A/S Fried
welcomed this idea. He pointed out the relevance of
Partnership for Peace member Switzerland,s tradition of
humanitarian assistance given the increasing expansion of
NATO,s humanitarian role, as demonstrated by its assistance
to Pakistan after the earthquake. A/S Fried noted that the
U.S. had supported Switzerland's participation in the
U.S.-European Ministerial Lunch in New York last September at
the UNGA and the Dinner planned for December in Brussels.

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Forum for the Future/Magen David Adom Issue
--------------


8. (C) A/S Fried thanked Switzerland for its financial
contribution to the Forum for the Future, and congratulated
the Swiss government on the December 5-6 diplomatic
conference that aims to resolve the Magen David Adom issue.
Ambuehl asked that language be inserted into the Chairman,s
Statement that he said would help Switzerland resolve the
issue (in the end, the language was offered too late to be
included in the Chairman's Statement).


9. (U) This message has been cleared by A/S Fried.


MONROE