CZECH VIEWS ON COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES INVITATIONS

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000040

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PREL PHUM EZ
SUBJECT: CZECH VIEWS ON COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES INVITATIONS

REF: SECSTATE 01670


1. This message is Sensitive But Unclassified; not for
internet distribution.


2. (SBU) PolCouns met with Jan Kara, Director of the Czech
MFA's Department of United Nations Affairs, on January 6 to
deliver reftel demarche regarding gaining European support
for Community of Democracies invitations. Overall Kara said
the Czech Republic is flexible on the question of membership
for the countries in question. Specifically:

-- Singapore: Kara said that the Czech Republic
preliminarily sees no problem with maintaining Singapore at
their observer status.

-- The Gambia: CR agrees to maintain as an observer in light
of their advances towards stable democracy

-- Ukraine: Kara agreed that Ukraine is "going in a good
direction" and saw no reason why it should not be invited as
a participant.

-- Algeria: This was the only country with which Kara
expressed reservations about the U.S. position. He stated
that as there seems to be a general, similar level of
democratization among North African nations, he didn't see
why Algeria should be treated differently than, for example,
Morocco and Tunisia (who are signatories to the Warsaw
Declaration).

-- Taiwan: Kara recalled the CR's friendly relations with
Taiwan and the CR's stated plan to support Taiwan as a
participant. He said that the CR's only worry would be the
impact of Taiwanese participation upon potential Community of
Democracies linkage to the United Nations, since Taiwan is
not a UN member.


3. (SBU) Kara made passing mention of several other
countries, saying loosely that the CR is likely to be
"flexible" about Haiti, Djibouti, Fiji, and the Solomon
Islands. He feels that the MFA's regional office may side
with inviting Angola as an observer, but doubted this would
be a major Czech priority. He also stated that extending an
invitation to Iraq would be great encouragement for them,
provided their upcoming election goes well.


4. (SBU) Kara expressed readiness for further discussions
regarding USG positions on positions in advance of the May
Ministerial.
HILLAS