ACTION REQUEST: CZECHS SEEK GUIDANCE ON THEIR

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001470 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EZ UN SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: CZECHS SEEK GUIDANCE ON THEIR CANDIDACY FOR UN POSITIONS ¶1. (U) Action request at paragraph 4. ¶2. (U) The Czechs have announced their candidacy for two UN positions: (1) non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term beginning in 2008, and (2) a seat on the Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) for a three-year term. The election for the UNSC position will take place in 2007, and Czech competition includes Croatia and Georgia. The election for the UNCHR seat will take place at the ECOSOC meeting in April 2006. The four candidates for the two UNCHR seats are: the Czech Republic, Russia, Lithuania, and Poland. ¶3. (SBU) During a recent meeting with Poloff, MFA UN Department staff asked for the USG,s candid assessment of the Czech Republic's candidacy for the two positions. If the USG low ranks the Czechs for one position, the Czechs may refocus their efforts and resources on the other position. The Czechs have also asked for USG support for these candidacies, although they acknowledged the USG may not be in a position to lend its support to only one candidate. ¶4. (SBU) Comment. Post would appreciate an unvarnished assessment that we can share with the Czechs. We note that in terms of the UNCHR seat, the Czechs have a laudable record of promoting human rights and democracy in countries of concern to the USG, including Belarus and Cuba. In addition, the Czechs share the USG position that membership in UNCHR should be limited to countries with good human rights records and would promote that position if elected to the UNCHR. CABANISS