SLOVAKIA SUPPORTS SUA AMENDMENTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000027

SIPDIS


STATE FOR NP/RA EYTHAN SONTAG, L/NP JULIE HERR, AND L/LEI
DENISE MANNING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2015
TAGS: KNNP KTIA MNUC PARM PREL PHSA EWWT
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA SUPPORTS SUA AMENDMENTS

REF: SECSTATE 4828

Classified By: CDA Scott N. Thayer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche January 12 to Henrik
Markus, Deputy Director of the Department for Disarmement,
OSCE, and Council of Europe at the MFA, and Marek Smid,
Deputy Director of the International Law Department at the
MFA. Markus said the dual-use provision was in-line with the
GOS nonproliferation position, but the International Law
Department would need to study the proposed language.
Neither interlocutor had seen the proposed language. Markus
said the non-state actors provision was fully in-line with
the GOS and EU position.


2. (C) Markus noted that the GOS would be happy to help air
or land interdiction efforts, but the GOS could do little in
the implementation of this agreement as a land-locked country
without a navy. Smid continued that the primary interest for
the GOS is to make sure the changes are in accord with
international law. Smid will represent the GOS at the
January 17 European Law of the Sea meeting, January 30
International Maritime Organization experts meeting, and the
October SUA meeting. Smid said he would focus on the legal
questions at these meetings as the substance of the
provisions are in-line with GOS policy.


3. (C) Both interlocutors said the GOS will promote the SUA
amendments in anyway it can. They suggested this would likely
occur in a bilateral context. Both welcomed suggestions for
GOS engagement on this issue beyond the COMAR meeting.
THAYER


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