SLOVAKIA RESPONSE TO APRIL 25 GAERC DEMARCHE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000318

SIPDIS


FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2015
TAGS: KPAL PREL LO EUN
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA RESPONSE TO APRIL 25 GAERC DEMARCHE

REF: STATE 72185

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires A.I. Scott N. Thayer for Reasons 1.4 (
B) AND (D).


1. (C) Poloffs delivered reftel points April 21 to Lubomir
Rehak, European Correspondent at the MFA. Rehak reaffirmed
his openness to receiving USG points, saying it gives the
Slovaks a "more global view." He said Slovakia within the EU
supports strong transatlantic links. For example, in the
Balkans, people view the U.S. with "respect," and view the EU
as a source of funding. Much more can be accomplished
together.


2. (SBU) IRAQ: Rehak was familiar with the plan for the
U.S. and EU to co-host a conference on Iraq. He expected
that it would be included in the council's conclusions.


3. (C) MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS: Rehak assured P/E Chief
that the Foreign Minister had read the points before Gymnich.


4. (C) LEBANON: Rehak noted that the presence of residual
Syrian intelligence elements in Lebanon was "very probable."
He said that the issue of how to deal with Hizballah is a
major concern for the EU at the moment. While it is no doubt
a terrorist organization, he said, it is also a political
party that will participate in the democratic process in
Lebanon. The EU is seeking an invitation to observe the
upcoming elections in Lebanon in May. The EU has a similar
problem in deciding how to treat Hamas.


5. (C) SUDAN: On the situation in Darfur, Rehak promised
to pass the points on to the appropriate Africa watchers in
his ministry. Slovakia is not a strong player on Africa
issues in the EU. We drew specific attention to the World
Food Program's urgent need for release of EU funding. Rehak
noted that this was "important information."


6. (C) ZIMBABWE: Rehak wondered whether providing aid to
Zimbabwe would legitimize Mugabe's regime. He noted that the
EU is currently struggling with the same question regarding
the Lukashenko regime in Belarus.

THAYER


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