US embassy cable - 05MANAMA1672

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001672 
 
SIPDIS 
 
BERN PLEASE PASS TO DAN WEYGANDT 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2015 
TAGS: PREL, KDEM, KMPI, BA, SW 
SUBJECT: EUR A/S FRIED MEETS WITH SWISS STATE SECRETARY 
MICHAEL AMBUEHL, NOVEMBER 11, 2005, MANAMA, BAHRAIN 
 
 
Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 b, d. 
 
1.  (SBU)  Meeting held on November 11, 2005, 11:00, at the 
Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Manama, Bahrain 
 
2.  (SBU) Participants: 
 
U.S. 
A/S Fried 
Blake Thorkleson, NEA/MEPI 
Leslie Tsou (TDY Notetaker) 
 
Switzerland 
State Secretary Michael Ambuehl 
Guillaume Scheurer, MFA Minister Counselor 
 
3.  (C) Summary.  On the margins of the Forum for the Future 
Senior Officials Meeting November 11 in Bahrain, Swiss State 
Secretary Michael Ambuehl told Assistant Secretary for 
 
SIPDIS 
European Affairs Dan Fried that Switzerland wants to 
strengthen and deepen relations with the U.S., not only 
bilaterally but internationally and multilaterally as well. 
A/S Fried accepted Ambuehl,s suggestion that the U.S. and 
Switzerland conclude a Joint Statement laying out the ways in 
which the two countries can cooperate, especially in the 
international arena.  Ambuehl affirmed that Switzerland is 
looking to redefine its traditional concept of neutrality to 
play a more active international role in the 21st century; 
Switzerland,s long federalist history, for example, would 
make it an ideal advisor to the Iraqi government as Iraq,s 
own federalist system develops.  End summary. 
 
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Strengthening U.S.-Swiss Ties 
----------------------------- 
 
4.  (C) Switzerland wants to strengthen its relations with 
the U.S., Ambuehl told A/S Fried.  Noting how much the two 
governments have in common in almost every sector, from 
political and economic affairs to security and the global war 
on terrorism, Ambuehl urged broader cooperation on the 
bilateral, international, and multilateral levels. 
 
5.  (C) Ambuehl suggested that the U.S. and Switzerland sign 
a Joint Statement that would show a visible strengthening of 
cooperation across the board.  A/S Fried agreed, urging that 
the statement focus on what the U.S. and Switzerland can do 
around the world to support freedom and common values.  He 
noted EUR/AGS Director Dan Weygandt will be in Switzerland 
for meetings starting November 14, and will be empowered to 
discuss how such a statement would take shape. 
 
------------------------ 
New Role for Switzerland 
------------------------ 
 
6.  (C) Ambuehl agreed that Switzerland is seeking to 
redefine its traditional neutrality to fit 21st century 
realities and find ways where it can play a positive 
international role.  For example, Switzerland has a long 
history of federalism that might lend itself well to advising 
the Iraqis as their federalist system develops.  A/S Fried 
welcomed this idea.  He pointed out the relevance of 
Partnership for Peace member Switzerland,s tradition of 
humanitarian assistance given the increasing expansion of 
NATO,s humanitarian role, as demonstrated by its assistance 
to Pakistan after the earthquake.  A/S Fried noted that the 
U.S. had supported Switzerland's participation in the 
U.S.-European Ministerial Lunch in New York last September at 
the UNGA and the Dinner planned for December in Brussels. 
 
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Forum for the Future/Magen David Adom Issue 
------------------------------------------- 
 
8.  (C) A/S Fried thanked Switzerland for its financial 
contribution to the Forum for the Future, and congratulated 
the Swiss government on the December 5-6 diplomatic 
conference that aims to resolve the Magen David Adom issue. 
Ambuehl asked that language be inserted into the Chairman,s 
Statement that he said would help Switzerland resolve the 
issue (in the end, the language was offered too late to be 
included in the Chairman's Statement). 
 
9.  (U) This message has been cleared by A/S Fried. 
 
 
MONROE