COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES: SWISS COMMITTED, BUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERN 000941

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR G (J.FERRAO),DRL/MLGA (G.PAZ),AND EUR/AGS
(Y.SAINT-ADRE)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2017
TAGS: PHUM UNGA KDEM PGOV SZ
SUBJECT: COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES: SWISS COMMITTED, BUT
NOT ENTHUSIASTIC

REF: STATE 129764

Classified By: POL/ECON Counselor Stanley Otto; reason 1.4(d).


1. (SBU) Poloff met September 21 with Tim Enderlin, Chief of
UNSC Affairs for the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign
Affairs (EDA),and delivered the reftel message outlining
U.S. priorities for the Community of Democracies (CD) in
preparation for the October 1 meeting on the margins of the
UNGA and the biennial Ministerial that will be hosted by Mali
in November. Simon Pidoux, EDA expert on UN human rights and
public/parliamentary outreach issues, joined Enderlin in the
meeting. Enderlin said that Switzerland's UN PermRep likely
will attend the October 1 meeting in New York, since Swiss
President (and Foreign Minister) Calmy-Rey will already have
returned to Switzerland by that time.


2. (C) Turning to substantive issues, Enderlin emphasized
that Switzerland fully subscribes to the general goals and
objectives of the CD, but has some concerns about the
"transparency" of the CD in practice, specifically with a
view to how decisions are made regarding which countries are
invited to participate. He commented that the CD perhaps
should look at ways to "democratize" its method for deciding
who can participate. Enderlin also questioned the practical
role of the CD within the UN system, and whether such a
diverse group of states as those that participate in the CD
in fact form a core of truly "like-minded" states for the
purpose of concerted action. He remarked that there are many
forums within the UN system that have overlap in their
activities and objectives, and suggested that existing
institutions should be streamlined to achieve efficiencies.
Enderlin also stated that, within the UN system, the Swiss
focus and priority in the context of democracy and human
rights would remain the Human Rights Council.


3. (C) Pidoux, sounding similar themes, underlined that the
CD is "fully in line with Swiss law and views," but suggested
that the functioning of the CD is not optimal. He commented
that he is not aware of any practical problems the CD has
addressed or resolved to date. Regarding the UN Democracy
Fund (UNDEF),both Enderlin and Pidoux emphasized that, for
political reasons, the Swiss government favors funding
specific projects over providing contributions to general
activity funds. They doubted, therefore, that Switzerland
would make a contribution to the UNDEF. Comment: The
feedback from Enderlin and Pidoux indicates that the Swiss
are committed in principle to the CD, but are not
enthusiastic. While critical of the CD processes, neither
Enderlin nor Pidoux had specific suggestions for improving
the functioning of the CD. Neither disputed the point that
the CD can play an important role in promoting democratic
reform and progress, both within participating states and
those states not yet invited to participate. End comment.
CONEWAY