NOMINATION OF PRAGUE EMBASSY FSN ANDELA KUNSTOVA

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000115

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE
FSI FOR LISA FOX, GARY MAYBARDUK AND KEISHA BELL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: APER ECON AFSI AFSN EZ
SUBJECT: NOMINATION OF PRAGUE EMBASSY FSN ANDELA KUNSTOVA
FOR FSI ECONOMICS TRAINING COURSE PE 220

REF: FSINFATC 73


1. Post nominates Andela Kunstova, FSN Economic Specialist,
for FSI course scheduled for May 2-13, 2005.


A. Andela Kunstova, Grade 10

B. Born June 19, 1944

C. Nationality: Czech

D. Passport No. 35476364

E. State - Embassy Prague Political-Economic Section

F. Position Title: Economic Specialist

G. Supervisor: Robert Kiene, e-mail kienerr2@state.gov


H. Ms. Kunstova has a master's degree from Charles
University in Prague, and has been Embassy's economic
assistant and expert on the local economy since 1990. She
has a wealth of contacts and experience locally in Prague
that have served the Embassy well. She has demonstrated a
strong commitment to the Embassy and the USG and to her
professional development. She has followed trade and
economic developments in the Czech Republic for 14 years.
She prepares drafts of important reports, and has a
particular interest in intellectual property protection.
Through her contacts with NGO's and government officials she
has contributed greatly to the Embassy's successful effort
to urge improvement of the Czech Republic's performance in
this area.


I. Since the Czech Republic's accession to the European
Union in May 2004, and even before, European Union trade and
investment policies have had significant impact on the U.S.
relationship with the Czech Republic. One of post's key
strategies for achieving its goal of increased trade and
investment with the Czech Republic is convincing the GOCR to
play a more active role within the EU on issues of
importance to the USG. Prague's economic section now counts
only one economic officer and one FSN economic assistant,
Ms. Kunstova. Therefore, training enhancing Ms. Kunstova's
skills and knowledge of how decisions are made in the EU and
how best to influence them is particularly valuable. She
needs a better understanding of current and future U.S.-EU
issues as well as ways to enhance cooperation in problematic
areas of the transatlantic relationship.


J. All the topics for PE 220 suggested reftel would be
useful, but given the span of two weeks only to cover them,
the post would place emphasis on the following areas:

(1) Understanding of US decision-making, including both
formal branches of government and informal determinates
of policy.
(3) What kinds of reporting Washington wants from EU posts.
(4) Understanding EU decision-making, including EU
institutions, special interest groups, the media.
(11) Structural and cohesion funds.
(15) Sources of data and information.
(16) All the key bilateral US/EU issues mentioned.


2. The amount of time scheduled for individual
consultations, two half-days in Washington and one half-day
in Brussels, is adequate.

CABANISS