Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LJUBLJANA303
2007-05-11 15:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ljubljana
how-toVZCZCXRO2694 RR RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHLJ #0303 1311530 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 111530Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5803 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO 0033 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0228 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0096
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000303
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EUR A/S DAN FRIED AND IO A/S KRISTEN SILVERBERG FROM
COM TOM ROBERTSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM SI EUN
SUBJECT: FOLLOWING UP ON UNHRC VOTE
Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000303
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EUR A/S DAN FRIED AND IO A/S KRISTEN SILVERBERG FROM
COM TOM ROBERTSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM SI EUN
SUBJECT: FOLLOWING UP ON UNHRC VOTE
Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson
1. (U) This is an action request. See para 5.
2. (C) Embassy Ljubljana is glad to have been of assistance
in our collective effort to undermine the candidacy of
Belarus for the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). I am very
pleased that Slovenia will remain in the race - it is the
right thing to do. However, domestic political realities are
such that should Slovenia be defeated next week, the backlash
has potential to be loud, harsh, and public. The Foreign
Minister believes his job could be on the line. That said, a
major Slovenian newspaper known for its regular criticism of
this GoS, published an editorial today critical of the both
the membership and the meager "accomplishments" of the UNHRC
after one year.
3. (C) Reporting and e-mail traffic in the last week suggest
that we are not so sanguine about our ability to keep Belarus
out, a disaster if it occurs. Should that happen next week
despite our best efforts, I hope that we will make clear how
outrageous such a decision has been and that our COMs will be
provided guidance that we can use publicly and with host
governments that make that clear.
4. (C) For my part, if Slovenia loses to Belarus (and
Bosnia),despite our efforts, I will speak out forcefully to
defend the government's decision to run. Having strong
language from Washington to attack the possible, eventual
election of Belarus will help me do that more convincingly.
5. (C) Action Request: That we receive guidance no later
than close of business May 16 that I can use publicly should
Belarus be elected May 17. My hope is that we will not need
these points, but I want to be able to respond swiftly and
strongly in support of our good ally should it be necessary.
ROBERTSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EUR A/S DAN FRIED AND IO A/S KRISTEN SILVERBERG FROM
COM TOM ROBERTSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM SI EUN
SUBJECT: FOLLOWING UP ON UNHRC VOTE
Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson
1. (U) This is an action request. See para 5.
2. (C) Embassy Ljubljana is glad to have been of assistance
in our collective effort to undermine the candidacy of
Belarus for the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). I am very
pleased that Slovenia will remain in the race - it is the
right thing to do. However, domestic political realities are
such that should Slovenia be defeated next week, the backlash
has potential to be loud, harsh, and public. The Foreign
Minister believes his job could be on the line. That said, a
major Slovenian newspaper known for its regular criticism of
this GoS, published an editorial today critical of the both
the membership and the meager "accomplishments" of the UNHRC
after one year.
3. (C) Reporting and e-mail traffic in the last week suggest
that we are not so sanguine about our ability to keep Belarus
out, a disaster if it occurs. Should that happen next week
despite our best efforts, I hope that we will make clear how
outrageous such a decision has been and that our COMs will be
provided guidance that we can use publicly and with host
governments that make that clear.
4. (C) For my part, if Slovenia loses to Belarus (and
Bosnia),despite our efforts, I will speak out forcefully to
defend the government's decision to run. Having strong
language from Washington to attack the possible, eventual
election of Belarus will help me do that more convincingly.
5. (C) Action Request: That we receive guidance no later
than close of business May 16 that I can use publicly should
Belarus be elected May 17. My hope is that we will not need
these points, but I want to be able to respond swiftly and
strongly in support of our good ally should it be necessary.
ROBERTSON