CZECHS ALSO CONCEREND ABOUT RUSSIAN NGO LAW

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