Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STOCKHOLM12
2009-01-09 15:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SWEDEN OPPOSES OPPOSING IRAN
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
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