IRAQ UNLIKELY TO PLAY A ROLE IN SLOVAK ELECTION

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000414

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR IZ LO
SUBJECT: IRAQ UNLIKELY TO PLAY A ROLE IN SLOVAK ELECTION



1. (U) According to a page 4 story in the May 25 issue of the
daily Sme, the deployment of Slovak soldiers in Iraq is not
an issue in the campaign leading up to June 17 elections. The
daily predicts that this situation will not change after the
formation of a new government since most parties are opposed
to withdrawing Slovak forces from Iraq absent close
coordination with allies.


2. (U) According to Sme, all the major parties are hoping to
withdraw forces "sooner or later," but only the Communist
Party of Slovakia (KSS) advocates an immediate withdrawal.
The PM,s Party of the Democratic and Christian Union (SDKU)
is the most favorably disposed towards remaining in Iraq,
followed by the second party in the current governing
coalition, the Party of the Hungarian Coalition (SMK).


3. (U) The most popular party, Smer, resisted Slovak
participation in the invasion of Iraq in 2003, but now says
that any withdrawal must be done in coordination with
coalition countries. The Christian Democratic Movement (KDH),
which was a member of the governing coalition when the
decision to invade was made, similarly emphasizes it was a
mistake to participate in the invasion, but accepts that
Slovak forces may only be withdrawn in coordination with
allies.


4. (U) Comment. This report is consistent with what post has
heard from other sources. Foreign policy in general,
including the deployment to Iraq, has not been an issue in
the campaign up to now and post expects that, barring
casualties among the Slovak contingent, it will not become an
issue during the remaining three weeks of the campaign. That
said, a different government could still reconsider
Slovakia's military presence in Iraq and some parties have
stated a preference to undertake such a reconsideration if
elected. End comment.
VALLEE