SAUDIS REQUEST SUPPORT IN UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION

UNCLAS RIYADH 000610 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECPS UPU SZ SA SUBJECT: SAUDIS REQUEST SUPPORT IN UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION ELECTIONS ¶1. Post received the following request for support in the Universal Postal Union elections via diplomatic note on April 7, 2008. ¶2. Begin text: The Ministry has the honor to inform the Embassy that the Government of Saudi Arabia hopes to be re-elected to the Universal Postal Union Administrative and Investment Councils of the UPU for the 2008-2012 tenure. Elections will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from July 23 to August 12, 2008. Saudi Arabia's desire for re-election is based on its history of contributions to regional and international postal services. Saudi Arabia has been an active member of the Administrative and Investment Councils of the UPU since 1979. Saudi Arabia also chaired several UPU committees and organized a very successful First International Postal Information Technology Conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Postal Services have also made huge strides on both national and international fronts. Saudi Post was awarded the Universal Postal Development Award in 2007 and the Best Postal Offices Network (one of the Cisco Networks Innovation Awards). In view of the above and the solid relations that exist between our countries, the Government of Saudi Arabia looks to the Government of the United States to support its re-election to the Administrative and Investment Councils of the UPU. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reiterates its commitment to exert every possible effort to realize the goals and objectives of developing universal postal services. End text. FRAKER