GOVERNMENT TO CALL FOR COORDINATED WITHDRAWAL OF

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BRATISLAVA 000619 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2016 TAGS: IZ LO MARR MOPS PGOV PREL SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT TO CALL FOR COORDINATED WITHDRAWAL OF SLOVAK UNIT, BUT CONTINUING ROLE IN TRAINING, SUPPORT FOR STABILITY IN IRAQ; FICO WANTS TO VISIT BAGHDAD REF: BRATISLAVA 617 Classified By: CDA Lawrence R. Silverman for reason 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (S) Para 4 of this message contains an action request regarding Slovak government officials' planned travel to Baghdad August 17. ¶2. (S) As promised reftel, FM Jan Kubis provided CDA July 29 an advance copy of the Iraq-related text of the Fico government's just-agreed program that will be presented for parliament approval August 1. An informal translation of the full Slovak text appears in para 5. The draft was agreed by the coalition late July 28 and Kubis does not expect it to change, despite further discussions of the general program among coalition leaders. Kubis admitted that though he had pressed for the document to refer merely to a "transformation" of the Slovak military's role in Iraq, PM Fico insisted on the word "withdrawal" in order to meet his campaign promise. Kubis did, however, push successfully for added language that stressed Slovakia's interest in further contributing to strengthening stability and democracy in Iraq, Afghjanistan and the Middle East. In response to CDA's question on timing and phasing of a withdrawal , Kubis said the statement intentionally avoided a timetable, and he noted that the next rotation of the de-mining unit, scheduled for August 22, would go ahead as planned. He did not expect a hasty withdrawal and expressed the hope it would be drawn out. ¶3. (S) As for what would take the place of the de-mining unit, Kubis said the Defense Ministry was still working on proposals, but he said it would include training "on the ground in Iraq," as part of the NATO training Mission and possibly elsewhere. He clearly understood that such training was far preferable to providing training in Slovakia. Although the statement first emphasizes "civilian means" of a new role, a following portion refers to "contributions to building up the Iraqi security forces," and this means a future military training role. Kubis emphasized that Slovakia wanted to make a real contribution to this effort and that he was awaiting specifics from MOD. Kubis said he could not say how many Slovaks would provide training and any other roles, but noted "politically, we cannot withdraw 103 and then bring in, let's say, 57 troops" (i.e., the number would be lower). Further afield, Kubis added that Slovakia would look into what else it could do in Afghanistan, and had already formally raised with the Czechs and Hungarians the possibility of cooperating in a PRT. (Comment: Kubis has a longstanding interest in Afghanistan and wants to see Slovakia more involved in contributing to its stability.) ¶4. (S) Reftel noted that FM Kubis was planning to join Defense Minister Kasicky's proposed August 17 trip to Iraq. Kubis told Charge July 29 that PM Fico himself wants to join the visit ("it is 99 percent certain he intends to go"). Kubis emphasized the close-hold nature of the PM's possible travel, noting that he is informing only the USG. They will not tell their own Embassy in Baghdad until they are already on the plane. CDA impressed upon Kubis the need for a constructive media line surrounding such a high profile visit. The GOS needed to focus the media on Slovakia's continued role in Iraq; sending a different signal would be viewed negatively in both Washington and Baghdad. Kubis got the point, saying he understood that while the PM or others would refer to a withdrawal of the de-miners, they needed to highlight a continuing assistance role and Slovakia's commitment to furthering stabilization and democratization in Iraq. Action request: Please advise us on any further response to the GOS based on the proposal of the PM's participation in such a visit. Kubis said Fico would like to meet with PM al-Maliki and other GOI officials as well as USG military and civilian officials as we deem appropriate. DefMin Kasicky is coordinating all aspects of the visit on the Slovak side. ¶5. (SBU) Informal Embassy translation of the text on Iraq: "The government of the Slovak Republic, based on dialogue with its partners and the Iraqi government, will present a clear, accepable and scheduled program for the withdrawal of the Slovak unit from Iraq. The government of the Slovak Republic is prepared to participate in the fulfillment of other roles for securing stability and peace in Iraq through civilian means and likewise is prepared to participate in the process of building up the Iraqi security forces, which will be capable to take over responsibility for stability and security in Iraq. The government of the Slovak Republic BRATISLAVA 00000619 002 OF 002 declares its interest in contributing further to strengthening stability and democracy in Iraq, Afghanistan and in the Middle East." (End informal Embassy translation.) VALLEE