Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STOCKHOLM12
2009-01-09 15:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:  

DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SWEDEN OPPOSES OPPOSING IRAN

Tags:  PREF EAID IR SW 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3390
OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHDIR RUEHFL RUEHIK
RUEHKUK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK
RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHSM #0012 0091511
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 091511Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4018
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000012

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF EAID IR SW
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SWEDEN OPPOSES OPPOSING IRAN
PRESIDENCY AT UNDP

REF: SECSTATE 1500

POL Counselor delivered reftel demarche on January 9 to
Ambassador Robert Rydberg, MFA Deputy Director General (A/S
equivalent) for Middle East and North Africa Affairs.
Rydberg stated that Sweden has a general policy of supporting
candidates for leadership positions in international
organizations if they are "unanimously endorsed" by their
regional group. POL Counselor repeated concerns about the
impact of an Iranian presidency, including on UNDP
credibility and the organization's ability to support gender
equality and minority rights. Rydberg replied that if Iran
were elected and if it did indeed act in a manner that
displayed a bias on gender issues or minority rights, then
"you can count on us to adamantly oppose" that behavior. But
at this point, he added, Sweden would likely continue to be
guided by its "firm, longstanding and principled" position of
supporting candidates endorsed by their regional grouping.

SILVERMAN