CZECH REPUBLIC: SOLICITING SUPPORT FOR UN REQUEST

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001660

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR FICHTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/27/2015
TAGS: PARM PREL IZ EZ UN
SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC: SOLICITING SUPPORT FOR UN REQUEST
FOR DEDICATED AIRCRAFT

REF: A. SECSTATE 212960


B. IIR 6 824 0132 05

Classified By: Poloff Brian Greaney for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C) Poloff and DATT Nov 23 delivered reftel points to
Zdenek Borkovec, Policy Director of the MOD,s Strategic
Planning Division. The Czechs are unable to provide aircraft.
As reported Ref B, Defense Minister Kuehnl has requested U.S.
air transport for a visit to Iraq due to the Czechs' own
inablity to provide safe air transport in a hostile
environment. Borkovic said that the Czechs supported the UN
mission in principle, and would be willing to consider such
requests in the future. However it would be years before the
Czech Air Force had passenger or transport aircraft with
adequate defensive countermeasures.
CABANISS