CZECHS SUPPORT U.S. POSITION ON SYRIAN WITHDRAWAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000633 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2015 TAGS: PREL KPAO LE SY EZ SUBJECT: CZECHS SUPPORT U.S. POSITION ON SYRIAN WITHDRAWAL REF: STATE 78006 Classified By: Acting DCM Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 b+d ¶1. (C) Czech MFA Director of Middle East Department Ivo Silhavy told Acting DCM on Apr 28 that the GOCR fully shares USG positions outlined reftel: complete Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon remains a priority; June elections in Lebanon require international support; and the EU ought to designate Hizballah as a terrorist organization. Silhavy noted recent statements by Czech FM Svoboda criticizing the Syrian President's promises on withdrawal as inadequate. ¶2. (SBU) More important, however, Silhavy pointed to a personal statement from former President Vaclav Havel (which Silhavy said was coordinated with the MFA),read to a group of pro-democracy activists in Beirut on Apr 13, as the most effective Czech engagement to date. The statement (faxed previously to EUR/NCE) drew parallels with events in Czechoslovakia in 1989 and encouraged continued peaceful activity, expressing the hope that "an open democratic Lebanese society might become a major source of inspiration for the sorely tried region." ¶3. (C) Silhavy said the Czech MFA would provide one official for the EU election monitoring team, and that the Czechs would continue to push for Hizballah designation in the EU Clearinghouse. CABANISS