SWISS MFA REPORTEDLY STILL REVIEWING FUTURE OF

S E C R E T BERN 001104

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/AGS (Y.SAINT-ANDRE) AND NEA/I (W.ALZAYAT)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: SWISS MFA REPORTEDLY STILL REVIEWING FUTURE OF
LIAISON OFFICE IN BAGHDAD

REF: A. STATE 159862

B. 14NOV07 SAINT-ANDRE - ALZAYAT E-MAIL

Classified By: Poloff Chris Buck; reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Swiss MFA Desk Officer for Iraq Laila Sheikh
told poloff November 28 that the MFA has not reached a final
decision as to whether to close the Swiss Liaison Office in
Baghdad (ref B). She explained that the matter is still
under review, but that security and cost issues are making
keeping the current Liaison Office open difficult to defend
to the Swiss Parliament and public. (Note: There are two
Swiss diplomats assigned to the Swiss Liaison Office in
Baghdad. End Note) Sheikh emphasized that the question of
the future of the Liaison Office is based solely on security
and costs concerns, and does not reflect any change in
Swiss-Iraqi relations. She said that, whatever is decided
with regard to the Liaison Office, Switzerland will continue
its engagement with Iraq. Post will continue to use
appropriate opportunities to encourage the Swiss to maintain
their diplomatic presence in Baghdad. End Summary.


2. (C) Poloff met November 28 with Swiss MFA Desk Officer for
Iraq Laila Sheikh to deliver the points in ref A. Sheikh
expressed appreciation for the briefing. In the course of
the conversation, poloff referred to recent press reports
(ref B) indicating that Switzerland plans to close its
Liaison Office in Baghdad, due to security concerns. Poloff
observed that such a move would send a negative signal,
particularly at a time when the USG and others are working
toward a normalized relationship with Iraq.


3. (C) Sheikh said that the MFA has not, in fact, reached a
final decision as to whether to close the Swiss Liaison
Office in Baghdad. She explained that the matter is still
under review, but that security and cost issues are making
keeping the current Liaison Office open difficult to defend
to the Swiss Parliament and public. Sheikh noted that the
Iraqi Agricultural Ministry and part of the Iraqi Ministry of
Interior are on the same street where the Swiss Liaison
Office is located, and that the different security personnel
used by the two Iraqi ministries increased the operating
difficulties and security concerns of the Swiss Liaison
Office. (Note: There are two Swiss diplomats assigned to the
Swiss Liaison Office in Baghdad. The Swiss use a private
security contractor with a mixture of South African and Iraqi
guards to protect their facility. End Note) Sheikh said one
of the options the MFA is considering is possibly re-locating
the Swiss Liaison staff to a facility in a neighboring
country. She said she did not think a final decision likely
until early next year, and that any such decision would be
taken at the level of the Federal Council.


4. (C) Sheikh emphasized that the question of the future of
the Liaison Office is based solely on security and costs
concerns, and does not reflect any change in Swiss-Iraqi
relations. She said that, whatever is decided with regard to
the Liaison Office, Switzerland will continue its engagement
with Iraq. Sheikh undertook to keep post informed of any
developments regarding the MFA's plans for the Liaison Office.


5. (S) Comment: In a separate, earlier conversation, MFA
State Secretary Michael Ambuehl (protect) told the Ambassador
he regretted the decision to close the Swiss Liaison Office
in Baghdad, perhaps suggesting that the decision was made
despite his advice to the contrary. Poloff's subsequent
conversation with Sheikh indicates that the MFA is revisiting
the matter to some degree, though Sheik's remarks suggest
that the tendency is still probably toward closing the
Liaison Office in Baghdad. Post will continue to use
appropriate opportunities to encourage the Swiss to maintain
their diplomatic presence in Baghdad. End Comment.
CONEWAY