SLOVAKS SUPPORT IRAQ RESOLUTION

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000569

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL LO IZ UN
SUBJECT: SLOVAKS SUPPORT IRAQ RESOLUTION



1. (U) THE SLOVAK MFA JUNE 9 ISSUED A PUBLIC STATEMENT
WELCOMING THE RESOLUTION ON IRAQ APPROVED BY THE UN SECURITY
COUNCIL. THE STATEMENT CALLED THE RESOLUTION A DECISIVE
STEP TOWARDS NORMALIZING THE SITUATION IN IRAQ AND RENEWING
STABILITY AND DEMOCRACY. "STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF THE UN
REPRESENTS A SPECIFIC PLATFORM ON THE PART OF THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S EFFORTS TO ASSIST THE IRAQI
GOVERNMENT IN FACING THE CHALLENGES OF NEW POLITICAL
PROCESSES," READS THE MFA STATEMENT IN PART.


2. (SBU) SLOVAKIA'S FIRST CASUALTIES IN IRAQ ON JUNE 8
INSPIRED SOME POLITICIANS TO REITERATE CALLS FOR A
DISCUSSION ON WHEN THE SLOVAK MISSION IN IRAQ WILL END.
NONETHELESS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS REMAINED FIRMLY COMMITTED TO
KEEPING SLOVAK TROOPS IN IRAQ AS LONG AS THEY ARE NEEDED.
PRIVATELY, MFA OFFICIALS EXPRESSED GREAT SATISFACTION THAT
THE UNSC RESOLUTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, LENDING FURTHER
LEGITIMACY TO SLOVAK FOREIGN POLICY TOWARDS IRAQ.

WEISER

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