Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07VIENNA492
2007-02-26 14:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Vienna
Cable title:
AUSTRIAN SUPPORT FOR BOSNIA'S UNHRC CANDIDACY
how-toVZCZCXRO7820 OO RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV DE RUEHVI #0492 0571449 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 261449Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6447 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO IMMEDIATE 0158 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 1357 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0180
UNCLAS VIENNA 000492
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/PGI, IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA, AND EUR/AGS.
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN SUPPORT FOR BOSNIA'S UNHRC CANDIDACY
REF: STATE 021984
UNCLAS VIENNA 000492
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/PGI, IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA, AND EUR/AGS.
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN SUPPORT FOR BOSNIA'S UNHRC CANDIDACY
REF: STATE 021984
1. EconPolOff delivered reftel demarche regarding UNHRC EEG
candidates on February 26 to Engelbert Theuermann, Director
of the MFA's Human Rights Division. Theuermann agreed it was
important to have strong democracies occupy as many seats as
possible on the Council. Theuermann added that the GoA was
only aware that two Eastern European countries--Slovenia and
Belarus--are seeking UNHRC seats. Theuermann said Austria
will support the Slovenian bid, because it is a "model
country" in terms of democratic development, rule-of-law,
etc. Moreover, Slovenia will assume the EU Presidency next
year, thereby enhancing its role in the UNHRC.
2. In regard to Belarus, Theuermann said, Austria had
resigned itself to work with Belarus on the Council.
However, with the prospect of a Bosnian candidacy, the GoA
would instead strongly support Bosnia's bid for a seat on the
UNHRC. Theuermann added that Bosnia is a strong democracy
and would be a welcome addition to the Council.
4. Theuermann noted that normal coordination among the EU
countries is difficult, because no formal mechanisms exist to
coordinate members' positions on elections. Nonetheless,
Austria will raise the issue of Bosnia's candidacy in
Brussels to garner support for it within the EU. However,
Theuermann expressed concern that Bosnia might not have
enough time to garner enough support for its candidacy.
McCaw
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/PGI, IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA, AND EUR/AGS.
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN SUPPORT FOR BOSNIA'S UNHRC CANDIDACY
REF: STATE 021984
1. EconPolOff delivered reftel demarche regarding UNHRC EEG
candidates on February 26 to Engelbert Theuermann, Director
of the MFA's Human Rights Division. Theuermann agreed it was
important to have strong democracies occupy as many seats as
possible on the Council. Theuermann added that the GoA was
only aware that two Eastern European countries--Slovenia and
Belarus--are seeking UNHRC seats. Theuermann said Austria
will support the Slovenian bid, because it is a "model
country" in terms of democratic development, rule-of-law,
etc. Moreover, Slovenia will assume the EU Presidency next
year, thereby enhancing its role in the UNHRC.
2. In regard to Belarus, Theuermann said, Austria had
resigned itself to work with Belarus on the Council.
However, with the prospect of a Bosnian candidacy, the GoA
would instead strongly support Bosnia's bid for a seat on the
UNHRC. Theuermann added that Bosnia is a strong democracy
and would be a welcome addition to the Council.
4. Theuermann noted that normal coordination among the EU
countries is difficult, because no formal mechanisms exist to
coordinate members' positions on elections. Nonetheless,
Austria will raise the issue of Bosnia's candidacy in
Brussels to garner support for it within the EU. However,
Theuermann expressed concern that Bosnia might not have
enough time to garner enough support for its candidacy.
McCaw