VZCZCXYZ0011
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHAD #1215 2961221
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221221Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1641
INFO RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN 0141
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001215
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/FO, NEA/PI and NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KMPI SZ AE
SUBJECT: SWISS ASK FOR US SUPPORT FOR FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE CHAIR
1. (SBU) During an October 19 meeting on the margins of the Forum for
the Future in Abu Dhabi, Swiss State Secretary Michael Ambuhl asked
NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch for US support for the Swiss
candidate for the Foundation for the Future Chair. Ambuhl voiced
support for the Foundation, noting that Switzerland was the first to
donate to the Foundation. He added that the Swiss were pleased with
the appointment of Nabila Hamza as Foundation President. As Hamza
hails from a recipient nation, Ambuhl argued that the Chair should
come from a donor nation, "for balance." Specifically, Ambuhl said
that the current Swiss member of the Foundation Board, Dr. Cornelio
Sommaruga, is very active and would be willing to serve as Chair.
While Sommaruga "did not ask us to lobby," Ambuhl said Switzerland is
prepared to encourage Sommaruga's candidacy.
2. (U) This cable has been cleared by A/S Welch.
OLSON