SLOVAKIA POLITICAL ROUNDUP SEPTEMBER 21, 2005

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000755

SIPDIS


FOR EUR/NCE AND G/TIP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2015
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KIRF SMIG SOCI LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA POLITICAL ROUNDUP SEPTEMBER 21, 2005

REF: A. BRATISLAVA 702


B. BRATISLAVA 749

C. BRATISLAVA 642

Classified By: DCM Lawrence R. Silverman for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)

PARLIAMENT CRISIS OVER, PM GETS READY TO DEBATE FICO
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1. (C) PM Dzurinda's ruling coalition managed to get the
support of 77 MPs (one more than needed) to reopen the
parliamentary session on September 21, following a stalemate
brought about by opposition parties and independents who had
pushed for early elections (ref B). Following the opening,
Dzurinda advisor Milan Jezovica (protect) contended to us
that early elections are now "off the agenda," and the press
reports that the coalition plans to table any discussion of
the topic. Some pundits, however, still consider early
elections a distinct possibility, but not before June (just
three months ahead of schedule).


2. (C) Meanwhile, Tatiana Rosova (also protect),another
member of Dzurinda's inner circle, told us that the PM will
follow through on the initiative he took to arrange a live
television debate with opposition leader Robert Fico on
September 25. Rosova is afraid that the debate will
degenerate into pure political mudslinging, but told us that
Dzurinda is holding a preparatory session on September 22
during which she will urge him to emphasize that the
government is trying to take specific steps to improve the
average Slovak's life, while the opposition tries to
hamstring parliament solely for political gain. Rosova also
said that Dzurinda's office has conducted focus groups with
Fico supporters, and that the results have showed that
support for Smer is not as "deep" as some believe.

PRESIDENT OPENS HOLOCAUST EXHIBIT
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3. (SBU) On September 8, President Gasparovic attended the
opening of "The Fate of Slovak Jews," a permanent exhibit at
the refurbished Nitra Synagogue, which now serves as a
national museum. The powerful exhibit features memorabilia
from Slovak work and concentration camps, as well as
artifacts from Slovak Jewish communities and individuals
decimated by the holocaust (including the tattooed skin from
the arm of a recently deceased concentration camp survivor).


4. (SBU) Gasparovic's remarks focused on the importance of
remembering the past and accepting its as a dark period in
Slovakia's history. Many of the other speakers echoed this
theme, with one pointing out that "the holocaust had many
victims; not only Jews, but Roma, Ruthenians, and homosexuals
as well." Another speaker cited the exhibit as an important
reminder that hate groups like Slovenska Pospolitost (ref C)
are still active, and must be countered with tolerance. The
opening -- which was well attended by the diplomatic corps,
members of parliament, and even a group of tourists from
Israel -- also featured performances musical, dramatic, and
political (Gasparovic gave a very campaign trail-esque two
handed "victory" salute as he departed the opening).

DRAXLER APPOINTED TRAFFICKING COORDINATOR
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5. (C) Though not yet public information, we have heard
from sources at the MOI that Pavol Draxler (ref C),
previously the coordinator for anti-extremism in Slovakia,
has been appointed Slovakia's first national coordinator for
anti-trafficking efforts. Draxler, who is already a trusted
advisor to Minister of the Interior Vladimir Palko, told us
that he is excited to be undertaking this new challenge.

SLOVAK VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE NGO TO GET EU FUNDS
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6. (C) Marian Kolencik, Director of DAFNE (an NGO working
with trafficking victims) told poloffs September 19 that the
group was recently awarded EUR 3 million through a new EU
EQUAL Project. The partners include the Zilina Regional
Government, some district work offices, and several
international organizations from Sweden and France. The
project will support police training, work in schools, and
other awareness activities such as a number of public plays
about trafficking to be staged in 2007. Like many other
small organizations, DAFNE is experiencing problems with the
administrative burden of using EU funds, since most expenses
will be reimbursed. They hope the project will commence in

2006.


7. (C) The DAFNE director also mentioned that the
organization will not pursue more grants to start a new
shelter for trafficking victims. In addition to security

concerns, DAFNE believes the initial investment and yearly
operating costs are not as effective as working through the
already existing network of social shelters. Kolencik stated
that the trafficking awareness of the shelter staffs is
increasing in this area, but low salaries result in high
turnover rates.

VALLEE


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