Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06THEHAGUE659
2006-03-27 15:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
DUTCH ENCOURAGE U.S. TO SEEK HRC SEAT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0033 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #0659 0861542 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 271542Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5224 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 4917 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 5039 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0275
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000659
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR P, IO/RHS (D. ROHN AND S. MEHRA),IO (K.
SILVERBERG),DRL (A/S B. LOWENKRON)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2011
TAGS: PHUM PREL KUNR NL
SUBJECT: DUTCH ENCOURAGE U.S. TO SEEK HRC SEAT
Classified By: Ambassador R. Arnall, for reasons 1.4 (b and d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000659
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR P, IO/RHS (D. ROHN AND S. MEHRA),IO (K.
SILVERBERG),DRL (A/S B. LOWENKRON)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2011
TAGS: PHUM PREL KUNR NL
SUBJECT: DUTCH ENCOURAGE U.S. TO SEEK HRC SEAT
Classified By: Ambassador R. Arnall, for reasons 1.4 (b and d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch are actively encouraging the U.S.
to seek a seat on the new UN Human Rights Council (HRC).
Post believes the Dutch recommendation deserves serious
consideration in light of Dutch international credibility on
Human Rights issues and the strong Dutch interest in
coordinating with the U.S. in Human Rights fora. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) On March 27, Dutch MFA Director General for Political
Affairs Hugo Siblesz expressed strong support for a U.S.
candidacy to the new UN Human Rights Council and urged
Ambassador Arnall to convey this message to Washington.
According to Siblesz, ambiguities from the resolution forming
the HRC, such as the system of special rapporteurs and the
role of NGOs, need to be resolved, and the U.S. is uniquely
placed to influence this effort positively. A U.S. candidacy
would also remove any lingering doubts about the U.S.
commitment to the success of the HRC, he noted.
3. (C) Peter van der Vliet, Head of Political and Legal
Affairs for the MFA UN and IFIs Department, later told POLOFF
that it is essential that like-minded nations sit on the HRC.
The GONL expects at least ten candidacies for the seven
Western Europe and Other Group (WEOG) seats and wants to
avoid the election of potential spoilers. He did not
elaborate.
4. (C) The Dutch are exploring a Benelux rotation and will
decide in a few days whether to run. They are highly likely
to support a U.S. candidacy, according to v/d Vliet, but will
wait until then to make a decision.
5. (C) Siblesz made clear that encouraging the U.S. to seek a
seat on the HRC is a top Dutch priority. In addition to
passing the message directly to Ambassador Arnall, the MFA
today instructed its embassy to make similar points to
high-level USG officials.
HUFF
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR P, IO/RHS (D. ROHN AND S. MEHRA),IO (K.
SILVERBERG),DRL (A/S B. LOWENKRON)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2011
TAGS: PHUM PREL KUNR NL
SUBJECT: DUTCH ENCOURAGE U.S. TO SEEK HRC SEAT
Classified By: Ambassador R. Arnall, for reasons 1.4 (b and d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch are actively encouraging the U.S.
to seek a seat on the new UN Human Rights Council (HRC).
Post believes the Dutch recommendation deserves serious
consideration in light of Dutch international credibility on
Human Rights issues and the strong Dutch interest in
coordinating with the U.S. in Human Rights fora. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) On March 27, Dutch MFA Director General for Political
Affairs Hugo Siblesz expressed strong support for a U.S.
candidacy to the new UN Human Rights Council and urged
Ambassador Arnall to convey this message to Washington.
According to Siblesz, ambiguities from the resolution forming
the HRC, such as the system of special rapporteurs and the
role of NGOs, need to be resolved, and the U.S. is uniquely
placed to influence this effort positively. A U.S. candidacy
would also remove any lingering doubts about the U.S.
commitment to the success of the HRC, he noted.
3. (C) Peter van der Vliet, Head of Political and Legal
Affairs for the MFA UN and IFIs Department, later told POLOFF
that it is essential that like-minded nations sit on the HRC.
The GONL expects at least ten candidacies for the seven
Western Europe and Other Group (WEOG) seats and wants to
avoid the election of potential spoilers. He did not
elaborate.
4. (C) The Dutch are exploring a Benelux rotation and will
decide in a few days whether to run. They are highly likely
to support a U.S. candidacy, according to v/d Vliet, but will
wait until then to make a decision.
5. (C) Siblesz made clear that encouraging the U.S. to seek a
seat on the HRC is a top Dutch priority. In addition to
passing the message directly to Ambassador Arnall, the MFA
today instructed its embassy to make similar points to
high-level USG officials.
HUFF