Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STOCKHOLM830
2008-12-15 10:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:  

DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UN HARMONIZATION OF

Tags:  AMGT AORC APER PREL UNGA SW 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6309
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHSM #0830 3501042
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 151042Z DEC 08 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3970
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0297
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000830 

SIPDIS

IO/MPR/SC FOR HEATHER WARD;USUN/MR FOR MICHAEL SCANLON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT AORC APER PREL UNGA SW
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UN HARMONIZATION OF
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

REF: STATE 129988

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000830

SIPDIS

IO/MPR/SC FOR HEATHER WARD;USUN/MR FOR MICHAEL SCANLON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT AORC APER PREL UNGA SW
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UN HARMONIZATION OF
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

REF: STATE 129988


1. Summary: On December 12, Conoff delivered reftel demarche
to MFA Desk Officer for Security Policy and UN Affairs, Sara
Dahlstein. Dahlstein stated that Sweden was not ruling out
support for some elements of the U.S. proposal, but would be
more inclined to support a less drastic modification of the
UN Fifth Committee's March proposal. End Summary.


2. Dahlstein said she was familiar with the U.S. proposal
and attended a USUN meeting on UN harmonization of conditions
of service in November 2008. Dahlstein stated that Sweden is
also interested in finding the most cost efficient staffing
system, but believes the UN's cost for peacekeeping is
already relatively economical when compared with higher costs
for EU and NATO endeavors. Dahlstein noted that Sweden
supports U.S. efforts to address staff training and
advancement, but is concerned the U.S proposal would keep
peacekeeping and special operations staff on temporary
contracts and create an imbalance of inexperienced personnel.
Dahlstein also highlighted Sweden's concern that the
harmonization process would negatively affect benefits, such
as maternity leave, for temporary staff.


3. In closing, Dahlstein noted that Sweden preferred to give
the UNSYG broad guidelines rather than comment on specific
proposals, but said she could not rule out Swedish support
for some aspects of the U.S proposal, especially if EU
members states are in concurrence. Dahlstein indicated that
EU members are discussing the issue.
WOOD