SWISS ASK FOR US SUPPORT FOR FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE CHAIR

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001215 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR NEA/FO, NEA/PI and NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KMPI SZ AE SUBJECT: SWISS ASK FOR US SUPPORT FOR FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE CHAIR ¶1. (SBU) During an October 19 meeting on the margins of the Forum for the Future in Abu Dhabi, Swiss State Secretary Michael Ambuhl asked NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch for US support for the Swiss candidate for the Foundation for the Future Chair. Ambuhl voiced support for the Foundation, noting that Switzerland was the first to donate to the Foundation. He added that the Swiss were pleased with the appointment of Nabila Hamza as Foundation President. As Hamza hails from a recipient nation, Ambuhl argued that the Chair should come from a donor nation, "for balance." Specifically, Ambuhl said that the current Swiss member of the Foundation Board, Dr. Cornelio Sommaruga, is very active and would be willing to serve as Chair. While Sommaruga "did not ask us to lobby," Ambuhl said Switzerland is prepared to encourage Sommaruga's candidacy. ¶2. (U) This cable has been cleared by A/S Welch. OLSON