US embassy cable - 05PRAGUE177

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000177 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, AORC, EZ, UN 
SUBJECT: CZECHS SEEK USG SUPPORT FOR COMMISSION ON HUMAN 
RIGHTS CANDIDACY 
 
REF: A. PRAGUE 116 
 
     B. STATE 17231 
 
1.  Summary and comment:  The Czech government intends to run 
for a seat on the UN Commission on Human Rights in 2006 and 
seeks USG support.  In a recent meeting, Czech MFA officials 
acknowledge that they face tough competition, with Poland and 
Lithuania also likely to vie for the two seats open in this 
region.  Nonetheless, they point to the Czech Republic's 
continued active role on human rights generally, and in the 
CHR specifically (e.g., their proactive efforts to get the EU 
to sponsor this year's resolution on Cuba, reftels), in 
support of their candidacy. 
 
2.  Begin text of Czech MFA note number 102167/2005-LP dated 
January 28, 2005: 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic 
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States 
of American and has the honour to recall that the Government 
of the Czech Republic has decided to present its candidature 
to the Commission on Human Rights for the period 2007-2009 at 
the elections to be held during the resumed organisational 
session of the Economic and Social Council in April/May 2006. 
 The respective candidature has been previously circulated to 
partners in June 2003. 
 
Reflecting on its historical experience, the Government of 
the Czech Republic attaches the great importance to the 
protection, promotion, and implementation of civil, cultural, 
economic, political and social rights.  The protection of 
fundamental human rights is a matter of priority and one of 
the foundations of Czech national and foreign policy.  Its 
sustained attention is devoted to the observance of regional 
and universal human rights mechanisms. 
 
In order to achieve the overarching goal to strengthen the 
rule of law throughout the multilateral system, the 
Government of the Czech Republic would highly appreciate the 
valuable support of the Government of the United States of 
America for its candidature to the Commission on Human Rights 
during the elections in 2006.  Should the above request be 
acceptable to the esteemed Embassy of the United States of 
America a written confirmation of its support in this regard 
would be greatly appreciated. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic avails 
itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the 
United States of America the assurances of its highest 
consideration. 
 
End text. 
 
3.  Action request:  Response to GOCR request. 
CABANISS