Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PRAGUE1687
2005-12-06 16:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
Cable title:
CZECHS ALSO CONCEREND ABOUT RUSSIAN NGO LAW
how-toVZCZCXYZ0029 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHPG #1687 3401630 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 061630Z DEC 05 FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6673 INFO RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 0664 RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA PRIORITY 1563 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0064 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 0133
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001687
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR/NCE FOR FICHTE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2015
TAGS: EZ RS PGOV PHUM PINR PREL
SUBJECT: CZECHS ALSO CONCEREND ABOUT RUSSIAN NGO LAW
REF: STATE 212899
Classified By: Poloff Brian Greaney for reasons
1.4 (B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001687
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR/NCE FOR FICHTE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2015
TAGS: EZ RS PGOV PHUM PINR PREL
SUBJECT: CZECHS ALSO CONCEREND ABOUT RUSSIAN NGO LAW
REF: STATE 212899
Classified By: Poloff Brian Greaney for reasons
1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) The Czech Republic shares USG concerns about the draft
Russian NGO law, and is interested in coordinating with the
U.S. on practical measures that will result in changes to the
legislation. Embassy discussed reftel points in recent weeks
with MFA Director General for European Bilateral Relations
Jaromir Plisek, MFA director for South Eastern and Eastern
Europe Tomas Szunyog, and MFA Director for Human Rights
Veronika Stromsikova. All agreed that the NGO legislation
goes too far. FM Cyril Svoboda, who plans to visit Moscow
December 20, will deliver talking points on the specific
problem that Czech NGO People in Need is having with the
Russian authorities, possibly as a result of the group's
human-rights activities in the North Caucasus.
2. (C) Plisek told visiting EUR DAS Pekala that the GOCR
hopes the EU will take a more active approach to the GOR,
going beyond the letter recently delivered by the British
Ambassador in Moscow representing the EU Presidency. Plisek
encouraged the USG to suggest to the EU tactics that would
help bring about changes, noting the opportunities raised by
the Russian G-8 and Council of Europe presidencies. Plisek
and others noted that there is widespread agreement among
members states that the draft NGO law is problematic, but
given the unresolved differences among members about just how
confrontational the EU's approach to Russia ought to be, the
Czechs currently are not optimistic about a stronger EU
effort.
3. (C) Szunyog said coordination between the U.S. and the EU
could be a key factor in ensuring the success of planned
U.S.-Russian consultations on regional CIS issues (Ref B).
Such coordination would also be necessary because the
upcoming Austrian EU Presidency would be too pragmatic to be
ambitious on Eastern Europe.
CABANISS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR/NCE FOR FICHTE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2015
TAGS: EZ RS PGOV PHUM PINR PREL
SUBJECT: CZECHS ALSO CONCEREND ABOUT RUSSIAN NGO LAW
REF: STATE 212899
Classified By: Poloff Brian Greaney for reasons
1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) The Czech Republic shares USG concerns about the draft
Russian NGO law, and is interested in coordinating with the
U.S. on practical measures that will result in changes to the
legislation. Embassy discussed reftel points in recent weeks
with MFA Director General for European Bilateral Relations
Jaromir Plisek, MFA director for South Eastern and Eastern
Europe Tomas Szunyog, and MFA Director for Human Rights
Veronika Stromsikova. All agreed that the NGO legislation
goes too far. FM Cyril Svoboda, who plans to visit Moscow
December 20, will deliver talking points on the specific
problem that Czech NGO People in Need is having with the
Russian authorities, possibly as a result of the group's
human-rights activities in the North Caucasus.
2. (C) Plisek told visiting EUR DAS Pekala that the GOCR
hopes the EU will take a more active approach to the GOR,
going beyond the letter recently delivered by the British
Ambassador in Moscow representing the EU Presidency. Plisek
encouraged the USG to suggest to the EU tactics that would
help bring about changes, noting the opportunities raised by
the Russian G-8 and Council of Europe presidencies. Plisek
and others noted that there is widespread agreement among
members states that the draft NGO law is problematic, but
given the unresolved differences among members about just how
confrontational the EU's approach to Russia ought to be, the
Czechs currently are not optimistic about a stronger EU
effort.
3. (C) Szunyog said coordination between the U.S. and the EU
could be a key factor in ensuring the success of planned
U.S.-Russian consultations on regional CIS issues (Ref B).
Such coordination would also be necessary because the
upcoming Austrian EU Presidency would be too pragmatic to be
ambitious on Eastern Europe.
CABANISS