SWISS CONSDERING DOWNGRADING LEVEL OF

UNCLAS BERN 000195 SIPDIS SIPDIS IO/EDA FOR REBECCA WEBBER OES/ENV FOR KERI HOLLAND E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON AORC PREL EAGR EAID SZ SUBJECT: SWISS CONSDERING DOWNGRADING LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION AT UN COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REF: SECSTATE 40180 ¶1. Emboff delivered reftel points to Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA),Deputy Regional Coordinator USA, Alexandra Baumann on April 21. Baumann indicated that Switzerland will consider "downgrading" its delegation to the May 5-16 UN Commission on Sustainable Development meeting based on the USG's concerns, but the decision will need to be taken interagency. She said she would contact Emboffs once the decision has been made. ¶2. At a April 22 meeting with State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO),North America Deputy, Guido Barsuglia, on the May CSD meetings, Barsuglia said that SECO is deferring to Foreign Affairs regarding the level of participation at the upcoming May CSD meeting. He added that SECO is not concerned about the level of officials attending, but is focused on ensuring substantive discussions. CONEWAY