NETHERLANDS SEEKS TO TRADE VOTES WITH U.S. AT

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000624

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO/T (CWOOD),EUR/WE (TSMITH)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC ECON ETRD WTRO NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS SEEKS TO TRADE VOTES WITH U.S. AT
UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION CONGRESS

REF: A. THE HAGUE 590

B. STATE 66814

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY.


1. (SBU) On July 22, post received a diplomatic note, dated
July 18, from the Dutch Foreign Ministry seeking to trade
votes with the United States in support of our respective
candidates to the Universal Postal Union (UPU) councils. As
reported ref A, the Dutch representatives to the UPU congress
from the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MEA) have already
indicated to Emboffs that the Netherlands fully supports the
U.S. candidacy for the UPU's Council of Administration and
Postal Operations Council. These MEA officials said the
Dutch are trying to shore up support for their candidacy to
the Postal Operations Council because, unlike in the past,
this election will be contested.


2. (SBU) Text of diplomatic note:

(Complimentary opening)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the honour to propose an
arrangement of reciprocal support whereby the Netherlands
will support the above-mentioned candidature of the
Government of the United States of America, on the
understanding that the Government of the United States of
America will support the candidature of the Netherlands for
membership of the Postal Operations Council (POC),for the
term 2009 - 2012, at the elections to be held during the 24th
UPU Congress in Geneva from 23 July to 12 August 2008.

The Ministry would be grateful for confirmation from the
Government of the United Sated (sic) of America that an
arrangement on these lines is acceptable.

(Complimentary closing)

Gallagher