Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BERN323
2008-07-07 18:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bern
Cable title:
SWISS NOT SURPRISED, BUT REGRET USG POSITION ON
how-toVZCZCXRO1193 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHSW #0323 1891822 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 071822Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY BERN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5155 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0213 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 0129 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 2851
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERN 000323
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DRL/MGLA (L.SICADE) AND EUR/CE (Y.SAINT-ANDRE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL SZ
SUBJECT: SWISS NOT SURPRISED, BUT REGRET USG POSITION ON
UNHRC
REF: STATE 61034
Classified By: Poloff Chris Buck; reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
-----------------
USG AND THE UNHRC
-----------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERN 000323
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DRL/MGLA (L.SICADE) AND EUR/CE (Y.SAINT-ANDRE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL SZ
SUBJECT: SWISS NOT SURPRISED, BUT REGRET USG POSITION ON
UNHRC
REF: STATE 61034
Classified By: Poloff Chris Buck; reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
--------------
USG AND THE UNHRC
--------------
1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel message June 18 to Ralf
Heckner, Head of the MFA's Human Rights Policy Section. In
an expansive and collegial manner, Heckner responded that the
USG's decision no longer to participate in UNHRC sessions or
activities did not come as a surprise, as it was apparent
last fall that the USG was shifting its efforts to the UN
Third Committee. He regretted the decision, saying "we need
the USG in Geneva using all tools" to promote human rights.
He commented that, "unfortunately, the United States and
Switzerland are shifting our resources (for promoting human
rights within UN forums) in two different directions." While
acknowledging USG disappointments with the UNHRC, and
conceding that "challenges" remain for the UNHRC to fulfill
Swiss expectations, Heckner defended the UNHRC as a "success"
in general terms, saying this remains the view of the Swiss
government. Poloff reiterated abiding USG concerns and
disappointments with the UNHRC, per reftel.
--------------
Durban Review Conference
--------------
2. (C) Heckner used the occasion of the meeting with poloff
to report that the Swiss Federal Council (Executive Cabinet)
has decided that Switzerland will continue to participate in
planning for the Durban Review Conference in 2009, but on
condition that the review conference adhere strictly to
assessing implementation of commitments made at the 2001
World Conference Against Racism, and does not seek to
negotiate new norms or to focus on a single region. Heckner
said that he believes that the "balanced approach"
Switzerland plans to take is "quite close to what the USG
would hope for." He observed that involving civil society
(NGOs) in the review conference in a positive way presents
challenges, and that the GOS already had begun to engage NGOs
with this in mind. Heckner remarked that "everyone has a
burden in getting a proper outcome" out of the review
conference, and added that Switzerland will be a member of a
drafting committee that will develop a review paper over the
summer.
CONEWAY
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DRL/MGLA (L.SICADE) AND EUR/CE (Y.SAINT-ANDRE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL SZ
SUBJECT: SWISS NOT SURPRISED, BUT REGRET USG POSITION ON
UNHRC
REF: STATE 61034
Classified By: Poloff Chris Buck; reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
--------------
USG AND THE UNHRC
--------------
1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel message June 18 to Ralf
Heckner, Head of the MFA's Human Rights Policy Section. In
an expansive and collegial manner, Heckner responded that the
USG's decision no longer to participate in UNHRC sessions or
activities did not come as a surprise, as it was apparent
last fall that the USG was shifting its efforts to the UN
Third Committee. He regretted the decision, saying "we need
the USG in Geneva using all tools" to promote human rights.
He commented that, "unfortunately, the United States and
Switzerland are shifting our resources (for promoting human
rights within UN forums) in two different directions." While
acknowledging USG disappointments with the UNHRC, and
conceding that "challenges" remain for the UNHRC to fulfill
Swiss expectations, Heckner defended the UNHRC as a "success"
in general terms, saying this remains the view of the Swiss
government. Poloff reiterated abiding USG concerns and
disappointments with the UNHRC, per reftel.
--------------
Durban Review Conference
--------------
2. (C) Heckner used the occasion of the meeting with poloff
to report that the Swiss Federal Council (Executive Cabinet)
has decided that Switzerland will continue to participate in
planning for the Durban Review Conference in 2009, but on
condition that the review conference adhere strictly to
assessing implementation of commitments made at the 2001
World Conference Against Racism, and does not seek to
negotiate new norms or to focus on a single region. Heckner
said that he believes that the "balanced approach"
Switzerland plans to take is "quite close to what the USG
would hope for." He observed that involving civil society
(NGOs) in the review conference in a positive way presents
challenges, and that the GOS already had begun to engage NGOs
with this in mind. Heckner remarked that "everyone has a
burden in getting a proper outcome" out of the review
conference, and added that Switzerland will be a member of a
drafting committee that will develop a review paper over the
summer.
CONEWAY