CZECH FM LIKELY TO VISIT IRAQ IN SPRING 2006, DEF

S E C R E T PRAGUE 001285

SIPDIS

NOFORN

EUR/NCE FOR FICHTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL EZ IZ
SUBJECT: CZECH FM LIKELY TO VISIT IRAQ IN SPRING 2006, DEF
MIN THIS NOVEMBER


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

1) (S) Miloslav Stasek, Czech MFA Director for the Middle
East told Pol-Mil Off Aug 31 that FM Svoboda would like to
visit Iraq in the Spring of 2006. Svoboda had considered a
visit in the Fall, but had been persuaded by internal GOCR
arguments that it would be better to meet with a newly
elected government that was itself the result of the ongoing
constitutional process. Stasek predicted that the GOCR would
request logistical support from the United States in order to
allow this visit to take place in spite of the difficult
security situation. Contrary to some media reports, Stasek
believed that PM Jiri Paroubek had no plans to travel to
Iraq.

2) (S/NF) Post has passed to OSD the request from Czech
Defense Minister Karel Kuehnl for air transportation from
Basra to Baghdad in early November 2005. Kuehnl would like to
fly via Czech Air Force transport to Basra to visit his
troops stationed there and then proceed to Baghdad.

3) (C) Comment: Post believes these visits would provide a
visible manifestation of a Coalition ally's support for the
future Iraqi government. We look forward to working closely
with all concerned to make the visits a successful reality.
End comment.
CABANISS