FM KUBIS: GOVERNMENT PROGRAM TO UNDERSCORE

S E C R E T BRATISLAVA 000617 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS IZ LO SUBJECT: FM KUBIS: GOVERNMENT PROGRAM TO UNDERSCORE STABILITY AND DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ Classified By: DCM Lawrence R. Silverman for reason 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In a 7/28 meeting at the MFA, Foreign Minister Jan Kubis told the Ambassador and DCM that the government's program to be issued on August 1 will highlight Slovakia's continued support for stability and democratization in Iraq, despite planned changes in the military presence. Although the program calls for a review of peacekeeping missions in general, and the changes, Kubis thought it was important to mention Iraq by name and to stress that Slovakia seeks to maintain its reputation as a good partner. The Ambassador asked if the word "withdraw" would appear in the program document. Kubis said it probably would call for transforming Slovakia's presence in Iraq in coordination with allies and the Iraqis. Within the governing coalition, said Kubis, the Slovak Nationalist Party (SNS) was pushing most strongly for a troop withdrawal. ¶2. (C) Kubis told the Ambassador and DCM he thought the final language would be OK, but he still had arguments to make at an internal government meeting on the program the afternoon of 7/28. He promised to phone us 7/29 to preview the program document. When the Ambassador again stressed that now is not the time to abandon Iraq, Kubis assured him that there would be continuity, but said he needed the afternoon to solidify the text and bring the issue to closure. The Ambassador and DCM repeated the points that Slovakia should do nothing precipitous, that if deminers left Iraq they should be replaced with something else, that training in Iraq was far more valuable than training elsewhere, and that the Slovaks should beef up their missions in Afghanistan and elsewhere. ¶3. (C) Kubis's comments were consistent with the bootleg copy of the government plan which the embassy obtained 7/27. It is still in draft form and subject to change, but informally translated reads, "The GOS will reevaluate the participation of military troops in operations of international crisis management, including the operation 'Iraqi Freedom.' The GOS will act in cooperation with all involved parties with the aim of preventing weakening of the security of coalition forces, and ensure Slovakia's image of a reliable partner. In the future, the GOS will ensure that any decision on the deployment of troops should contain a clearly defined mandate for their operation, including the criteria for the length of deployment or their possible withdrawal." The program later mentions Iraq again, "The GOS declares its interest in continuing to enhance stability and democracy in Iraq." ¶4. (S) As the Ambassador and DCM were leaving, Kubis mentioned that he plans to travel to Iraq with Defense Minister Kasicky on August 17. Note: We have already been working on plans for Kasicky's Iraq visit. ¶5. (S) We will inform department if we hear new information from Kubis on 7/29. We will also impress upon our hosts the need for any press statements surrounding the August 17 visit to accentuate the positive and continued support for Iraq's stabilization and democratization. VALLEE