CZECH REPUBLIC: REACTION TO USG POSITION ON UN

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001322 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NCE FICHTE AND EB/IFD TREASURY FOR OASIA ANNE ALIKONIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EAIR ECIN EFIN EZ PREL UNGA SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC: REACTION TO USG POSITION ON UN DEVELOPMENT ISSUES REF: A. STATE 160880 ¶B. STATE 162146 ¶1. SUMMARY: The GOCR understands the USG position on the outcome document for the upcoming UN Summit, and while not optimistic, will work towards a consensus. The GOCR does not support the "Declaration on Innovative Sources of Financing for Development," and believes the focus should be on improving existing mechanisms. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the coordinator for all development assistance issues with in the GOCR. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Polec Counselor delivered on September 8 reftel A demarche and non-paper to Tomas Pojar, Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Bilateral Relations, and Jan Kara, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs UN Department. Pojar did not seem optimistic about resolving the various positions on development assistance and stressed the complexity of the issue. Kara said the GOCR was well aware of the USG position, and expressed general concern that leaders would be able to reach a compromise that makes the outcome document very relevant. ¶3. Econoff delivered on September 2 reftel B demarche to Zuzana Hlavickova Deputy Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid. The GOCR prefers to use existing mechanisms for financing for development, and emphasizes that the crucial factor is the acceleration of economic reforms in developing countries. CABANISS