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