CZECH'S WELCOME U.S. RESPONSE TO BAGHDAD CONVOY

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001136

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER IZ PGOV EZ
SUBJECT: CZECH'S WELCOME U.S. RESPONSE TO BAGHDAD CONVOY
INCIDENT

REF: A. BAGHDAD 3165


B. PRAGUE 1111

C. PRAGUE 1106

Classified By: Political-Military Officer Brian Greaney
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

1) (C) Ambassador Cabaniss telephoned Czech First Deputy FM
Jan Winkler August 1 to convey Reftel A points on the alleged
Baghdad convoy incident involving Czech personnel (Ref C).
The Ambassador noted we had done everything possible to
discover further details from U.S. personnel, but had come up
empty-handed. The U.S. was keen to avoid similar problems in
the future. Accordingly, Embassy Baghdad will coordinate
security consultations with the Czechs, and with the wider
diplomatic community. Winkler warmly welcomed the
information, expressing his opinion that the proposed
consultations about better convoy security were a move in the
right direction.

2) (C) MFA Middle East and Africa Department Director
Miloslav Stasek August 1 told Pol-Mil Off the MFA was very
happy with the way the U.S. had responded to Czech concerns
over the incident. He thought planned consultations with the
Czechs in Baghdad, and with the wider diplomatic community,
were an excellent idea.

3) (C) Comment: By treating the alleged convoy incident with
the seriousness and expediency it deserves, we have
underlined to the Czechs that we are appropriately concerned
about the safety of their personnel. This has also avoided
any erosion of the GOCR's political will to participate in
the Coalition. If Embassy Baghdad's planned security
consultations go well, this incident should cease to be a
bilateral issue. Embassy Prague would like to thank Embassy
Baghdad and all others involved for their dedicated work in
handling this incident. End comment.
CABANISS