CZECHS ON NOV 7 GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 001572

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2015
TAGS: PREL EZ EUN
SUBJECT: CZECHS ON NOV 7 GAERC

REF: A. STATE 198361


B. STATE 201513

C. HAVANA 21834

Classified By: Poloff Sarah C. Peck for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. The Czechs support tough measures against
Syria, Belarus, and Cuba, but do not have the full support of
their EU partners. On Iraq, the Czechs will continue their
mission independent of any EU mission. In the Balkans, Czechs
support the open door policy. However, due to enlargement
fatigue, the EU is likely to beckon new candidates with one
hand, while gently holding them back with the other. On a
separate note, the Czechs urged Washington to make GAERC
demarches more effective by delivering them to EU member
states at least a week earlier in the process. End summary.


2. (C) Pol-Econ Chief and Poloff met on Nov. 2 with Petr
Kaiser, Director of the Czech MFA's CFSP Department, to
discuss the Nov 7 GAERC. They also met separately on Nov. 3
with Miloslav Stasek, Director of the MFA Middle East and
Africa Department, and Edita Hrda, Director of the MFA
Americas Desk. As summarized below, the discussion primarily
focused on the Middle East, Belarus, the Balkans, Cuba, and
the China arms embargo.

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The Middle East
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3. (C) On Iraq, Kaiser said the FMs will discuss how the
EU should support the current mission there. Kaiser predicted
EU involvement will be limited to capacity building, rather
than to military operations. He confirmed the Czechs will
continue their current efforts in Iraq independent of an EU
mission. With respect to timing, Kaiser said some EU
countries think any EU commitment must wait until after the
election of the new Iraqi government. The Czechs agree, but
nevertheless think it is necessary to prepare in advance of
the election. He noted the Czechs would welcome suggestions
from the U.S. on possible EU missions. (Separately, Stasek
noted that FM Svoboda is planning to visit Iraq early next
year, after the December elections.)


4. (C) On Syria, Kaiser expects the FMs will agree (as do
the Czechs) that Syria must cooperate on the investigation
into the assassination of former PM Hariri, and that the
international community should not engage with Syria until it
does so. However, on the question of Syria,s invitation to
the Barcelona Anniversary Summit, Kaiser said the EU will not
agree to withdraw the invitation because it would not be
feasible in light of the complicated rules of the EU (an
opinion shared by Stasek).


5. (C) On the Middle East peace process, the EU has a
concrete proposal to provide training for both Israeli and
Palestinian police (COPPS). The focus is security
enhancement, and Kaiser felt the proposal would have traction
within the EU.

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Belarus
--------------


6. (C) Turning to Belarus, Kaiser said the Czechs raised
at the EU working group the U.S. proposal that the EU should
tell Lukashenko not to run in the presidential election.
However, the Czech Republic was the only country in support
of the proposal. The Czechs also support political
&sanctions8 for Belarus, such as denying visas for senior
GOB officials.


7. (C) Kaiser said the Czechs want the EU to find a way to
provide EU funding to civil society in Belarus (and not just
through GOB channels) so that opposition groups can actually
benefit. In line with this view, the Czechs will urge the EU
to invite Belarusian opposition leader, Alexandr
Milinkievich, to Brussels to explain what he needs. According
to the Czechs, it is important for the EU to signal to
opposition leaders that they have not been forgotten.

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The Balkans
--------------


8. (C) On Macedonia, Kaiser said the EU is likely to try
to slow the integration process for two reasons: enlargement
fatigue, and Greek opposition. Any efforts made will be in
the broader context of Serbia and Croatia integration. The
FMs will focus on fostering stability in the region.


9. (C) The status of Kosovo is still on the table. The EU
focus is on meeting standards first, then on status. Because
Kosovo has not fully realized its goals for reform (although
there has been progress),the question of status is
premature. Therefore, the EU will continue to pressure Kosovo
to meet the standards. Kaiser also acknowledged that the
question of status is not just an EU question -- the
international community, including the U.S., will need to be
involved. Regarding this last point, Kaiser emphasized the
importance of the international community working closely
with Belgrade, as any change in Kosovo,s status will be
viewed as a loss.


10. (C) Kaiser said Croatia remains a &hard issue8 that
is still being considered by the EU. Kaiser noted that the
EU,s general language of support for Croatia integration is
a far cry from the concrete language on requirements that
need to be met. He also said the Austrians, not the Czechs,
pushed for Croatia at the Oct 3 GAERC meeting.


11. (C) On EU enlargement generally, Kaiser said the Czechs
(as a new member state) will continue to support the open
door policy, so long at the candidate country in question
fulfills all conditions set.

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Cuba
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12. (C) Kaiser said, and Hrda confirmed, that the Czechs
are angry with the GOC over the National Day incident in
Havana (reftel C). On November 1, 2005, the Czech MFA called
the Cuban Charge d,Affaires in to denounce the actions taken
by Cuban authorities. Czechs plan to ask the EU to take
action against the GOC under the EU solidarity clause. Kaiser
said Deputy FM Mueller (sitting in for FM Svoboda) will raise
the issue at the FM lunch on Monday, Nov. 7, because it was
too late to get the issue into the GAERC conclusion. Hrda
said the Czechs will raise the issue formally at the next
GAERC meeting, and are planning to take further action
against Cuba at the EU level, bilaterally, and in Havana
(further details septel).

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The Czechs suggest delivering GAERC demarches earlier
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13. (SBU) Kaiser said the Czechs appreciate receiving U.S.
demarches on upcoming GAERC meetings. Unfortunately, the
demarches arrive after the work of the EU working groups has
been completed. Because these groups conclude their work two
weeks before the GAERC meeting, he said that, for maximum
effect, the U.S. should send its demarches at least three
weeks prior to the date of the GAERC meeting (and posts
should, of course, deliver them promptly).
CABANISS