Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PRAGUE633
2005-04-28 15:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
Cable title:  

CZECHS SUPPORT U.S. POSITION ON SYRIAN WITHDRAWAL

Tags:  PREL KPAO LE SY EZ 
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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

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