Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BRATISLAVA562
2006-07-10 15:05:00
SECRET
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:
NEW SLOVAK FM PROMISES FULL COORDINATION ON
how-toVZCZCXRO4301 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHSL #0562 1911505 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 101505Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0060 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0041 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
S E C R E T BRATISLAVA 000562
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC PASS TO DAMON WILSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2011
TAGS: PREL MARR LO IZ
SUBJECT: NEW SLOVAK FM PROMISES FULL COORDINATION ON
POSSIBLE TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ, REQUESTS VISIT TO
WASHINGTON
Classified By: Lawrence R. Silverman, Charge d'affaires, a.i.,
for reasons 1.4 (b)(d).
S E C R E T BRATISLAVA 000562
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC PASS TO DAMON WILSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2011
TAGS: PREL MARR LO IZ
SUBJECT: NEW SLOVAK FM PROMISES FULL COORDINATION ON
POSSIBLE TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ, REQUESTS VISIT TO
WASHINGTON
Classified By: Lawrence R. Silverman, Charge d'affaires, a.i.,
for reasons 1.4 (b)(d).
1. (U) This message includes an action request and
recommendation in para 3.
2. (S) New Slovak Foreign Minister Jan Kubis told Charge
today that he would personally "take care of the issue of the
Slovak troops in Iraq." Speaking privately just after an
introductory session with the diplomatic corps July 10, Kubis
implied to Charge that the Fico government probably would
ensure that a withdrawal would eventually take place.
Nevertheless, Kubis stressed that Slovakia understood it
retained a commitment to the stabilization and
democratization of Iraq. Any withdrawal would be gradual and
only after full "coordination" with Slovakia's allies, and
with Iraq. Kubis made a special point of telling the meeting
with the diplomatic corps that such coordination includes the
Iraqis (the Iraqi Ambassador to Slovakia, resident in Vienna,
was in attendance, and Kubis reiterated his pledge directly
to the Iraqi Ambassador after the session). Kubis also
committed Slovakia to find other ways to help the Iraqis with
both security and governance. Kubis added that he clearly
understood the importance of both the issue and the
appearance of how it was handled to Slovakia's image in
Washington and more broadly. He acknowledged that now-PM
Fico had surprised us with the Iraqi issue during the
campaign, but promised transparency and no more surprises as
the government's consideration of the matter moved forward.
He had coordinated this position with new Defense Minister
Kasicsky before the latter went to Dubrovnik for the July
9-10 southern European conference, and said that Kasicsky
shared his view 100 percent. He was pleased when Charge told
him that A/S Fried was planning to meet with Kasicsky in
Dubrovnik, and asked us to pass his regards to Amb. Fried.
3. (S) Action request: In connection with Iraq and his larger
commitment to do all he could to maintain a strong and
cooperative relationship with the U.S., Kubis asked Charge
whether it would be possible to obtain meetings with the
Secretary and NSA Hadley in Washington sometime during the
SIPDIS
coming few weeks. Kubis said, "I should wait for the
publishing of my own government's policy program (which may
take a few weeks),but I really do not want to wait, if
possible." Kubis recognized that this is short notice, but
he clearly wants to use such a visit to maximize his leverage
over the foreign policy of the new government. (Comment: For
this reason, we strongly support FM Kubis's request for
meetings in Washington. He wants to maintain as much
influence over foreign policy as he can, and it is in our
interest to help him do so.) Ambassador will see FM Kubis
July 12.
SILVERMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC PASS TO DAMON WILSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2011
TAGS: PREL MARR LO IZ
SUBJECT: NEW SLOVAK FM PROMISES FULL COORDINATION ON
POSSIBLE TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ, REQUESTS VISIT TO
WASHINGTON
Classified By: Lawrence R. Silverman, Charge d'affaires, a.i.,
for reasons 1.4 (b)(d).
1. (U) This message includes an action request and
recommendation in para 3.
2. (S) New Slovak Foreign Minister Jan Kubis told Charge
today that he would personally "take care of the issue of the
Slovak troops in Iraq." Speaking privately just after an
introductory session with the diplomatic corps July 10, Kubis
implied to Charge that the Fico government probably would
ensure that a withdrawal would eventually take place.
Nevertheless, Kubis stressed that Slovakia understood it
retained a commitment to the stabilization and
democratization of Iraq. Any withdrawal would be gradual and
only after full "coordination" with Slovakia's allies, and
with Iraq. Kubis made a special point of telling the meeting
with the diplomatic corps that such coordination includes the
Iraqis (the Iraqi Ambassador to Slovakia, resident in Vienna,
was in attendance, and Kubis reiterated his pledge directly
to the Iraqi Ambassador after the session). Kubis also
committed Slovakia to find other ways to help the Iraqis with
both security and governance. Kubis added that he clearly
understood the importance of both the issue and the
appearance of how it was handled to Slovakia's image in
Washington and more broadly. He acknowledged that now-PM
Fico had surprised us with the Iraqi issue during the
campaign, but promised transparency and no more surprises as
the government's consideration of the matter moved forward.
He had coordinated this position with new Defense Minister
Kasicsky before the latter went to Dubrovnik for the July
9-10 southern European conference, and said that Kasicsky
shared his view 100 percent. He was pleased when Charge told
him that A/S Fried was planning to meet with Kasicsky in
Dubrovnik, and asked us to pass his regards to Amb. Fried.
3. (S) Action request: In connection with Iraq and his larger
commitment to do all he could to maintain a strong and
cooperative relationship with the U.S., Kubis asked Charge
whether it would be possible to obtain meetings with the
Secretary and NSA Hadley in Washington sometime during the
SIPDIS
coming few weeks. Kubis said, "I should wait for the
publishing of my own government's policy program (which may
take a few weeks),but I really do not want to wait, if
possible." Kubis recognized that this is short notice, but
he clearly wants to use such a visit to maximize his leverage
over the foreign policy of the new government. (Comment: For
this reason, we strongly support FM Kubis's request for
meetings in Washington. He wants to maintain as much
influence over foreign policy as he can, and it is in our
interest to help him do so.) Ambassador will see FM Kubis
July 12.
SILVERMAN