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