PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS CHAIRMAN THINKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000550

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC PLS PASS TO DAMON WILSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2007
TAGS: PREL MASS KPAO MOPS IZ LO
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS CHAIRMAN THINKS
GOVERNMENT COULD TAKE MONTHS TO FINALIZE DECISION ON
POSSIBLE IRAQ WITHDRAWAL

REF: BRATISLAVA 544

Classified By: Lawrence R. Silverman, Charge d'Affaires, a.i., for reas
ons 1.4 (b) (d).


1. (C) We pass along the following not as a definitive state
of play in the Fico government's thinking on a withdrawal
from Iraq (which is not clear yet--),but as an indication of
the internal debate that has been joined since he took power
(reftel). Ruling Smer Party MP and newly-appointed Chairman
of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee Boris Zala told
Charge July 8 that he thought a decision on a possible
withdrawal of troops from Iraq could take a few months. He
said he is recommending to PM Fico that the GOS take its time
and consult closely with the U.S. When CDA said it was
equally important to consult with the Iraqi government, Zala,
who opposed the Iraq intervention and who is not generally
favorably-disposed to U.S. Administration policy, readily
agreed. Zala cited his recent discussion with the Slovak
Armed Forces hierarchy, who stressed the valuable experience
Slovak soldiers were gaining in Iraq. Zala also acknowledged
that Slovakia's international reputation has benefitted from
the willingness to send troops. CDA took the opportunity to
stress to Zala that even if Slovakia decided to begin a
drawdown of troops, it should offer new training
opportunities in Iraq, rather than in Slovakia. Zala took
this on board.


2. (U) Later July 8, CDA taped a Slovak radio interview on
the subject of the possible withdrawal, for airing July 9
during a talk program that will include Defense Minister
Kasicky; an MP from Fico coalition partner HZDS Party (HZDS,
though a coalition partner, opposes a withdrawal); and
foreign policy advisor to former PM Dzurinda Milan Jezovica,
who will also oppose a withdrawal. In the interview, CDA
stressed that now was not the time for Slovak troops to leave
and that there should be close consultation with both the USG
and the Iraqi government. CDA also emphasized that we hoped
to have the same level of cooperation from the new government
as we did with the Dzurinda government, in support of
transformational diplomacy, strong transtalantic relations,
and promotion of human rights and trasparency. Slovakia's
responsibilities derive from its membership in the EU, NATO
and now, the UNSC; those did not change with the change in
government. (Comment: To date, the Slovak press is taking a
very professional approach to covering this topic.)


3. (U) The next opportunity to engage the government on the
Iraq subject and others will be July 10, during Foreign
Minister Jan Kubis's introductory meeting with the diplomatic
corps, and a bilateral meeting with the Ambassador July 12.
SILVERMAN