FOLLOWING UP ON UNHRC VOTE

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