CZECH ATTENDANCE AT UNGA AND HLE

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001230 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OVIP PREL EZ UNGA SUBJECT: CZECH ATTENDANCE AT UNGA AND HLE REF: A. STATE 150110 ¶B. PRAGUE 1229 ¶1. (SBU) During a meeting to discuss the UN Democracy Fund (reftels),Czech MFA Director of UN Affairs, Jan Kara, reviewed for Pol-Econ Chief the planned Czech participation at this year's UNGA and surrounding events. The following are tentative schedules of senior Czech participants: -- Czech PM Jiri Paroubek will arrive NY on Sept 13 (late afternoon CSA flight to JFK). On Sept 14 he intends to attend the President's democracy event. Paroubek will speak at the HLE on morning of Sept 15; according to Kara his remarks will focus on the Czech's role as an emerging donor (ideally highlighting the planned $50,000 contribution to the UN Democracy Fund, ref B). Paroubek will also sign the Convention to Combat Nuclear Terrorism in NY. On Sept 16 Paroubek will host a lunch for heads of delegations in a UN dining room; Kara said the GOCR knows that President Bush will no longer be in NY at this time, but hopes for senior USG attendance. Paroubek departs late afternoon Sept 16. -- Czech FM Cyril Svoboda arrives NY late on Sept 16 and will remain until Sept 22. He will attend the EU FMs lunch with Secretary Rice on Sept 18 and a similar event with Russian FM SIPDIS Lavrov on Sept 19. On Sept 20 he will participate in the Community of Democracies event hosted by Mali, and will address the UNGA on Sept 21. -- Czech President Vaclav Klaus will be in NY Sept 18-20 for a private visit, centered on the opening of an exposition at the Metropolitan Museum. He does not intend to participate in any UNGA events. Klaus will travel to Washington late on Sept 20 for meetings on Sept 21 with VP Cheney, Secretary Rice, and others tbd. He will continue to Boston for private speaking engagements on Sept 22-23. ¶2. (SBU) Kara also briefly addressed planning for the HLE and UNGA, including question of UNSC reform. The GOCR expects smooth agreement on a "good, progressive" final document, and Kara noted with satisfaction that Amb Bolton was now "personally involved" in these negotiations. On reform of the UNSC, Kara said the GOCR continues to support the G4 proposal, but is not playing any active role and expects no decisions on Council reform during the UNGA. MUNTER