AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON DEPUTY PM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BRATISLAVA 000609 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2016 TAGS: PGOV PHUM TSPL PREL KPAO PINR LO SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON DEPUTY PM CAPLOVIC Classified By: Ambassador Rodolphe M. Vallee for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) . ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. On July 24, Ambassador paid an introductory call on new Deputy Prime Minister for the Knowledge Based Society, European Affairs, Human Rights and Minorities Dusan Caplovic of the Smer ("Direction") party. Caplovic listed his own priorities in office as (1) developing the knowledge-based society through scientific exchanges and (2) focusing on human rights and minority issues. While we will reserve judgment on the depth of commitment this known-nationalist has for minorities until we see more results, so far Caplovic has made all the right remarks and held all the right outreach meetings. Caplovic's closeness with Fico, without being in competition with him, may render him a particularly influential cabinet and party member. END SUMMARY. PRIORITY ONE: KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY -------------- ¶2. (C) Caplovic, a member of the leadership of the Slovak Academy of Sciences for over twenty years, listed the development of a knowledge society first in his statement of priorities. He hopes for broadened cooperation between the U.S. and Slovakia in terms of scientific exchanges. He noted that this is the first time that a DPM has had responsibility for this field. The Ambassador took this opportunity to highlight the as-yet-unsigned text for a renewal of the bilateral Science and Technology Agreement currently in the hands of the Ministry of Education. PRIORITY TWO: HUMAN RIGHTS AND MINORITY ISSUES -------------- - ¶3. (C) As his second priority, Caplovic stated he will focus on human rights and minority issues. The new DPM has publicly announced his intention to consult with Romani activists and to provide increased financial support for minority cultural programs. On his first travel since taking office, Caplovic visited an ethnic-Hungarian region of southern Slovakia to participate in a Slovak/Hungarian festival. The Union of Jewish Communities noted Caplovic's ready response to their recent request for a meeting. Showing his credibility in minority issues, he said that he had previously been to Roma settlements and listed the problems their communities face. ¶4. (C) Caplovic agreed with the Ambassador's urging of the GOS to find a strong leader to replace the recently-deceased Chairman of the Institute for the Memory of the Nation (UPN), which is charged with publishing the documents of the previous Nazi and Communist regimes which ruled Slovakia from 1938-1989. Caplovic informed the Ambassador that the GOS and the parliament will jointly observe the Memorial of the Holocaust on September 9 and use the occasion to call attention to the fight against racism. He related his personal interest in maintaining the strength of the UPN - the communists executed his father in the 1950s. ¶5. (C) Caplovic listened as the Ambassador outlined USG concerns on Trafficking in Persons and the recommendation that Slovakia's National Coordinator on the issue hold a higher political post, such as State Secretary (Deputy Minister). Caplovic agreed that this is a serious matter but had no substantive response and did not seem well aware of the issue. ¶6. (C) Though the DPM made appropriate statements about providing equal opportunity for all, he noted that his mandate does not include religious issues. When the Ambassador encouraged him to review Slovakia's requirement of 20,000 adherents needed to recognize a religion, Caplovic said that he would pass this concern to the Ministry of Culture, which has the capacity to register new religions. FOREIGN POLICY: IRAQ, ENERGY, HEZBOLLAH, NORTH KOREA ¶7. (C) In addition to the DPM portfolio, Caplovic remains a deputy chairman of Smer and influential with PM Robert Fico. In this light, the Ambassador raised the issues of finding a way for Slovakia to continue to engage in Iraq and of the importance of energy security. In terms of the country's heavy reliance on Russia as an energy source, Caplovic commented only that diversification in business is as important as multicultural diversity. ¶8. (C) Unprompted and without further discussion, Caplovic noted that he personally condemned the activities of Hezbollah as well as the missile testing by North Korea. ¶9. (C) COMMENT: Caplovic comes across as friendly and BRATISLAVA 00000609 002 OF 002 agreeable. He appeared interested in the Ambassador's opinions and took his own detailed notes during the meeting. In his short term in office, the new DPM has made the right moves in consulting with the Romani community, traveling to the ethnically Hungarian south, and planning to meet with the Union of Jewish Communities. However, within Smer, he belongs to the nationalist faction that favored and succeeded in attaining the coalition with the xenophobic SNS party headed by Jan Slota. For all his pro-minority comments, Caplovic indicated his underlying belief that Slovakia is a nation of Slovaks that just happens to have some minorities within its borders, rather than any true recognition of Slovakia as a multi-ethnic country. ¶10. (C) Caplovic's closeness with Fico, without being in competition with him, may render him a particularly influential cabinet and party member. For the moment, Caplovic and other government officials appear to be rolling out the red carpet on minority issues. As long as this correction of the Slota-induced skid of international censure lasts, we will make the most of it by keeping up pressure on human and minority rights. END COMMENT. VALLEE