SWEDISH RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON NGO INVOLVEMENT AT

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000416 SIPDIS USUN FOR BYOUNG AND IO/RHS FOR CNEVILLE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM SW SUBJECT: SWEDISH RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON NGO INVOLVEMENT AT UN REF: STATE 68551 ¶1. (U) On July 9, Poloff spoke with Andreas Hilmerson, Deputy Director in the Department for Multilateral Development Cooperation, regarding NGO Involvement at the UN. Hilmerson expected a high-level EU ministerial declaration to be developed on NGO involvement at the UN in the next week or so, but that there was no specific EU position at this time. ¶2. (U) With regard to Swedish positions, Hilmerson noted that Sweden agreed with the reftel points regarding the Democracy Coalition Project (DCP). He stated the concern that some member states might have about "being criticized" by the DCP, and Hilmerson said that Sweden is likely to develop a specific statement on the DCP in line with the US position. With respect to the Dynamic Christian World Mission Foundation (DCWMF),Hilmerson said that Sweden supports sending the application back to the ECOSCO Committee for further deliberation. Hilmerson questioned whether the U.S.will insist on a vote on this organization. ¶3. (U) Hilmerson concluded by saying that there was no specific statement being drafted by Sweden regarding the Arab Commission for Human Rights (ACHR),although this may be addressed in a general principle statement about the need for a broad spectrum of views being represented by NGOs at the UN. However, he believed that there would be strong Swedish and EU support in the form of a statement and/or lobbying efforts for the Associacao Brasileria de Gays, Lesbicas e Transgeneros (ABGLT) because the organization is in line with current EU positions. KIRKCONNELL