ISAF: CZECHS AGREE ON MANDATE, BUT CAUTIOUS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001222

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR FICHTE, PM/RSAT FOR GOROG, EUR/RPM FOR ANDERSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2015
TAGS: MARR PREL AF EZ NATO UNSC
SUBJECT: ISAF: CZECHS AGREE ON MANDATE, BUT CAUTIOUS ON
OPERATIONS

REF: STATE 146276

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

1) PolCouns and Pol-Mil Off August 18 delivered reftel points
to MFA Security Policy Department Director Veronika Kuchynova
Smigolova. Noting the Czech Republic had always been a
supporter of the eventual unification of ISAF and CFC-A,
Smigolova agreed ISAF's UN mandate was sufficiently broad to
allow for security operations and integration of the two
forces. She gave her assurance that the Czech Republic did
not see the UN mandate as a limiting factor in the revision
of the operations plan.

2) Moving beyond the legal question of the mandate itself,
Smigolova cautioned that the Czech republic would have
concerns if ISAF's role were to be changed significantly.
ISAF's role was centered in PRT activities. Force protection
was its security focus, and "it would be better" to avoid a
significant move towards anti-terror operations.

3) Comment: The GOCR does not/not believe the UN mandate is a
barrier to permit integration or operations. However the
Czechs are likely to be cautious in discussions, and will
have to be convinced that ISAF can and should be involved in
responses to all key security threats. End comment.
MUNTER