Some reckon the Bush administration is taking a wait and see approach, while critics say the US is lobbying for a free seat.

During the tenure of the now defunct Human Rights Commission, successive U.S. administrations often sent prominent political figures and top officials to address the annual session and to rally support for Washington’s interests, but not for the historic opening of the new Council.

The symbolic diplomatic absence of a top US official from the VIP list, has raised more than a few eyebrows in the corridors of Geneva’s Palais des Nations and a fair share of remarks among delegates.

A total of 58 ministers, including 39 foreign ministers, one Vice-President and five deputy Prime Ministers, are attending the opening session, UN officials said.

Former President Bill Clinton’s Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, addressed the Commission in 2000, and President George Bush Senior sent his Vice-President Dan Quayle in 1992 to address its 53-members.

Warren Tichenor, the new US ambassador to the UN in Geneva, is leading the US delegation at the inaugural session. Mr Tichenor, a former corporate executive, took up his new post only last week.

Washington stayed away from the party

But views are mixed and varied as to why Washington - as one delegate put it - decided to « stayed away from the party.»

According to an ambassador from a major developing country, who requested anonymity: «The US wants to see first if there’s a change from the (old) Commission, or not and in line with this they are keeping aloof from
it.

«This gives them the freedom to come in the discussion, or stay away for some time,» the envoy added, noting that the composition of the Council is also a concern.

Antoine Madelin, inter-governmental organisations co-ordinator for the International Federation for Human Rights, has a similar take on the U.S. stance. « In diplomatic terms its a wait and see approach, » he said.

But he also noted Washington is faced with a dilemma, pushing on the one hand for a strong Council but at the same time realizing the problems the US has with visits by special rapporteurs to Guantanamo is undermining universality.

The freedom to come and go

« They know they can be criticised so step away from criticism and inter-governmental discussions,» he said, adding that this is a dangerous position. "By stepping away the U.S. is undermining established human rights instruments and expertise.

« This diminishes what we are trying to achieve - a universal mandate of expertise and evaluation of human rights situations and peer reviews,» he said, adding, «I hope they come back, they should.»

Rodolfo Reyes Rodriguez, Director for multilateral affairs, at Cuba’s foreign ministry said the US position is « not constructive. At least they need to be an active participant and not try to put pressure from outside. »

The Cuban envoy also claimed the U.S. is trying to secure a « clean slate,» in the western group before it opts for a seat in the Council.