Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERN199
2009-05-05 10:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bern
Cable title:  

UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: RESPONSES OF SWITZERLAND

Tags:  PHUM AORC PREL SZ LS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSW #0199 1251040
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 051040Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY BERN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5846
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2877
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0235
UNCLAS BERN 000199 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM AORC PREL SZ LS
SUBJECT: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: RESPONSES OF SWITZERLAND
AND LIECHTENSTEIN TO U.S. CANDIDACY

REF: A. STATE 36629

B. STATE 31175

-----------
SWITZERLAND
-----------

UNCLAS BERN 000199

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM AORC PREL SZ LS
SUBJECT: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: RESPONSES OF SWITZERLAND
AND LIECHTENSTEIN TO U.S. CANDIDACY

REF: A. STATE 36629

B. STATE 31175

--------------
SWITZERLAND
--------------


1. (SBU) Poloff delivered the reftel B advance notice of U.S.
candidacy on April 1 to Ralf Heckner, Head of the Human
Rights Section at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign
Affairs (FDFA). On April 17, poloff delivered the reftel A
diplomatic note to Heckner. He informally welcomed the U.S.
candidacy, saying he thought it was "great" that the United
States was prepared to re-engage in the UNHRC in this
fashion. Heckner undertook to obtain a formal Swiss
government response.



2. (SBU) On May 1, post received from the FDFA a positive
response to reftel A, in the form of FDFA diplomatic Note
0.815.81-2/0.815.81-1DBC/SAA dated April 27. In its
diplomatic note, the FDFA conveyed that Switzerland would
support the candidature of the United States, and noted that
Switzerland would appreciate receiving the support of the USG
for Switzerland's candidature to the UNHRC for the term
2010-2013 Full text of the diplomatic note follows in
paragraph 3.


3. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT OF NOTE:

The Federal department of Foreign Affairs presents its
compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in
Bern and has the honor to acknowledge receipt of its note No.
39 of 16 April 2009 regarding the decision of the Government
of the United States of America to present its candidature to
Human Rights Council for the term 2009-2012. The elections
will take place during the 63rd session of the United Nations
General Assembly in May 2009 in New York.

The Department has the pleasure to inform the Embassy that
Switzerland will support the mentioned candidature of the
United States of America and would highly appreciate
receiving the valuable support of the United States of
America for Switzerland's candidature to the Human Rights
Council for the term 2010-2013.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs avails itself of
this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States
of America in Bern the assurances of its highest
consideration.

END TEXT OF NOTE.

--------------
LIECHTENSTEIN
--------------



4. (SBU) Poloff delivered the reftel B advance notice of U.S.
candidacy on April 1 to Doris Frick, Deputy Chief of Mission
at the Embassy of Liechtenstein in Bern. On April 16, poloff
provided the diplomatic note in reftel A to Frick, who
undertook to pass along the message to Vaduz. On May 4,
Frick informed poloff that she could convey orally that
Liechtenstein has the "intention to vote" in favor of the
U.S. candidacy. She clarified that she could not convey this
positive news yet in writing as the government of
Liechtenstein had not yet taken the formal decision. Post
will convey the formal reply of the GOL as soon as it is
available.
CARTER