Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BRATISLAVA609
2006-07-26 16:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON DEPUTY PM

Tags:  PGOV PHUM TSPL PREL KPAO PINR LO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1970
RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHSL #0609/01 2071609
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 261609Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0114
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
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)
.

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