CZECHS ON CHINA, RUSSIA, AND BEING HEARD IN THE EU

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 001589

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR FICHTE, USNATO FOR SHEEHAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL EZ CH RS CU LE SY ENRG ECON EFIN
SUBJECT: CZECHS ON CHINA, RUSSIA, AND BEING HEARD IN THE EU


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


1. (C) Summary: During a meeting with visiting EUR/ERA
Director Peter Chase, the Czech MFA's Political Director
offered the following:
-- The Czech Republic played a leading role within the EU to
prevent lifting of the China arms embargo, but in the context
of PM Paroubek's growing closeness with China the CR is
unlikely to maintain its opposition to lifting the embargo if
it remains largely isolated on the issue within Europe.
-- The development of some EU states' relations with Russia
has featured the abandonment of the pursuit of common values
in international affairs. Now several countries are merely
seeking cooperation with Russia to benefit common bilateral
interests.
-- Increased Russia-China cooperation could lead to a future
energy shortage in Europe.
-- France is a natural U.S. ally on Syria and Lebanon.
-- U.S. engagement with groups of EU member states on various
issues will only be problem-free if the U.S. makes stronger
efforts to educate all 25 member states about the content of
such discussions. End summary.


2. (C). EUR/ERA director Peter Chase met with MFA Policy
Director Martin Povejsil and CFSP Director Petr Kaiser Oct 26
to discuss U.S.-Czech and Czech-EU relations.

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EUROPE AND RUSSIA: VALUES NEED TO MATTER
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3. (C) Povejsil said he believed the pursuit of common values
in relations between Europe and Russia is being abandoned in
the pursuit of common interests. Old Europe has lost sight of
what it stands for, seeking closer ties regardless of deep
differences with Russia on issues such as good governance and
human rights. Povejsil said some countries were ready to
abandon the EU framework when they saw fit, citing the July
meetings between France, Germany and Russia in Kaliningrad.
He noted that neither the Poles nor the Lithuanians were
invited to Kaliningrad, despite their significant concerns
and interests in the region. A lack of EU engagement in that
visit meant that both France and Germany had a free hand in
fostering closer ties to Russia without the good governance
concerns of fellow EU members standing in the way. Povejsil
believed better cooperation was possible, citing EU action in
relation to the Balkans as an example of cooperation by
member states on a values-influenced foreign policy.

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RUSSIA LOVES CHINA: IS THEIR COURTSHIP BAD FOR EUROPE?
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4. (C) Moving to the issue of Russia and China,s recent
cooperation, Povejsil said he was watching the situation
closely, to see if this solidified into a stable, lasting
relationship. Povejsil believed that Europe,s dependence on
Russian oil could lead to a strategic problem if
resource-hungry China began to compete and drive up demand.
Povejsil went on to say Europe would have to closely examine
the strategic implications of the possible long term
development of a Russia-China axis.

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THE CHINA ARMS EMBARGO: CZECHS WILL NOT STAND ALONE
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5. (C) Povejsil told Chase that the Czechs, together with
Denmark, had been the main opponents within the EU to the
lifting of the China arms embargo. However, Czech Prime
Minister Jiri Paroubek,s enthusiasm for better economic
relations with China was well known, and the U.S. should not
count on the Czechs indefinitely. Povejsil recommended the
U.S. deliver strong demarches in all EU capitals the next
time the issue arose, and build wider opposition to the
lifting of the ban. Mr. Chase shared that President Bush had
recently welcomed Commission President Barroso to the White
House and told him the U.S. administration would not protect
Europe from the reaction of the U.S. Congress if the ban were
to be lifted.

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LEBANON AND SYRIA: WHERE THE FRENCH ARE NATURAL U.S. ALLIES
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6. (C) Povejsil commended the United States for its work with
Europe on Ukraine, calling it an important realization of how
transatlantic relations can and should be. Areas of mutual
concern could be a vital stepping stone to a better
transatlantic relationship. Povejsil urged continued close
cooperation with the French on Lebanon, commenting that
France will do whatever it can in that area because Prime
Minister Hariri had contributed substantial sums to President
Chirac,s election campaign.

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WORKING WITH EUROPE:
SUBGROUPS ARE FINE, BUT EDUCATE ALL 25
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7. (C) In response to a question about U.S. cooperation with
lead states in Europe, Povejsil agreed that a discussion of
issues with all 25 prevented appropriate handling of complex
topics. However he cautioned that the U.S. should not
underestimate the sensitivity of the smaller EU members to
feeling left out, and urged the United States to share
information on small group discussions with all EU members.
Kaiser commented that U.S. demarches in advance of the
decision to retain the China arms embargo had been
particularly effective in this regard. On other fora,
Povejsil thought DAS Volker's Oct 08 meeting with Political
Directors from CEE states in Bratislava was an extremely
worthwhile event. He looked forward to more of these informal
consultations in the future and said the Czech Republic would
also recommend that the Austrian EU Presidency hold
structured informal dialogues at 25 with the United States.


8. (U) This cable has been cleared by Mr. Chase.
CABANISS