Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRATISLAVA208
2008-05-06 08:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bratislava
how-toVZCZCXRO6140 OO RUEHBW RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSL #0208 1270840 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 060840Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1704 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0418 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0159
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000208
SIPDIS
IO/RHS AND DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2013
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA'S UNHRC CANDIDACY
REF: STATE 46477
Classified By: DCM Lawrence R. Silverman for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000208
SIPDIS
IO/RHS AND DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2013
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA'S UNHRC CANDIDACY
REF: STATE 46477
Classified By: DCM Lawrence R. Silverman for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (U) Poloff delivered reftel points to Denisa Frelichova at
MFA's UN and International Organizations Department on May 2.
Frelichova was familiar with U.S. concerns related to the
UNHRC, which U.S. PermRep Khalizad shared with MFA State
Secretary Diana Strofova during meetings in New York the week
of April 21.
2. (C) Although Frelichova cannot yet count the 120 votes
needed to win a seat on the UNHRC, she is certain Slovakia
will be successful. Frelichova is confident of EU Member
State votes, and said Slovakia and Serbia have agreed on
mutual support. The Czech Republic -- which withdrew its own
bid for a seat in favor of Slovakia -- will post a diplomat
with Slovakia's delegation during its tenure on the UNHRC.
Frelichova was proud that Slovakia had refused to make
quid-pro-quo arrangements with any unsavory countries, and
said Slovakia directly refused arrangements with Cuba,
Venezuela and Uzbekistan. Venezuela nonetheless has agreed to
support Slovakia's candidacy with no strings, according to
Frelichova.
3. (C) When pressed about GoS failures to speak out on human
rights issues, e.g., on Burma and Uzbekistan, or instances in
which commercial interests with China and Libya have been at
the fore, Frelichova lamented that Slovakia's foreign policy
is largely driven by commercial interests.
4. (C) Frelichova expressed confidence that the U.S. would
eventually support Slovakia's candidacy. Frelichova frankly
acknowledged that Slovakia is not "the ideal candidate" but
added that, as an EU Member State, Slovakia will take
positions the U.S. would support.
OBSITNIK
SIPDIS
IO/RHS AND DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2013
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA'S UNHRC CANDIDACY
REF: STATE 46477
Classified By: DCM Lawrence R. Silverman for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (U) Poloff delivered reftel points to Denisa Frelichova at
MFA's UN and International Organizations Department on May 2.
Frelichova was familiar with U.S. concerns related to the
UNHRC, which U.S. PermRep Khalizad shared with MFA State
Secretary Diana Strofova during meetings in New York the week
of April 21.
2. (C) Although Frelichova cannot yet count the 120 votes
needed to win a seat on the UNHRC, she is certain Slovakia
will be successful. Frelichova is confident of EU Member
State votes, and said Slovakia and Serbia have agreed on
mutual support. The Czech Republic -- which withdrew its own
bid for a seat in favor of Slovakia -- will post a diplomat
with Slovakia's delegation during its tenure on the UNHRC.
Frelichova was proud that Slovakia had refused to make
quid-pro-quo arrangements with any unsavory countries, and
said Slovakia directly refused arrangements with Cuba,
Venezuela and Uzbekistan. Venezuela nonetheless has agreed to
support Slovakia's candidacy with no strings, according to
Frelichova.
3. (C) When pressed about GoS failures to speak out on human
rights issues, e.g., on Burma and Uzbekistan, or instances in
which commercial interests with China and Libya have been at
the fore, Frelichova lamented that Slovakia's foreign policy
is largely driven by commercial interests.
4. (C) Frelichova expressed confidence that the U.S. would
eventually support Slovakia's candidacy. Frelichova frankly
acknowledged that Slovakia is not "the ideal candidate" but
added that, as an EU Member State, Slovakia will take
positions the U.S. would support.
OBSITNIK