FM KUBIS DISCUSSES ISRAEL/LEBANON WITH AMERICAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000643

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2012
TAGS: PREL PGOV IS LE LO
SUBJECT: FM KUBIS DISCUSSES ISRAEL/LEBANON WITH AMERICAN
JEWISH COMMITTEE INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Lawrence R. Silverman for reasons 1.4(
b) and (d)


1. (U) Foreign Minister Jan Kubis expounded on Slovakia,s
view of the Lebanon and Iran situations during an Aug. 2
meeting with visiting American Jewish Committee International
Affairs Director Andy Baker. We provide this as much as a
window on a new Foreign Minister's thinking as on the actual
policy position.


2. (C) On Lebanon, Kubis helpfully emphasized that the
international community needed to take this opportunity to
resolve the Hizballah issue, something it had failed to do
for so long. International - and EU - inaction had served to
entrench Hizballah in Lebanon. Slovakia, Kubis said,
supported the elimination of as much of Hizballah,s military
capability as possible. However, Kubis criticized Israel for
consistently failing to minimize civilian casualties and for
not allowing sufficient access for international relief. He
said that such actions had actually strengthened Hizballah
politically.

THE PUBLIC STANCE
--------------

3. (C) Although Slovakia wanted EU consensus on the UNSC,s
handling of the Lebanon issue Kubis said carefully that
Slovakia would consult closely its NATO and European partners
and wanted "flexibility" to do the right thing. Israel,s
right to self-defense had to be respected and any cessation
of hostilities had to be sustainable. That is why the GOS
had been very cautious early on in not calling for an
immediate ceasefire. The UNSC needed to find a solution that
would last; if a "solution" broke down because it was poorly
designed or poorly implemented (i.e., using forces that were
not empowered and capable of taking real military action to
enforce their mandate),the next crisis would be far worse
than the current one. "This business must be finished now."

THE PRIVATE CONCERNS
--------------

4. (C) Kubis said he understood Israel would try to "finish
the military job," but asked that in doing so, Israel limit
collateral damage. "We are unhappy that humanitarian law is
being violated. Too many citizens are being killed." Kubis
distinguished between this view, which GOS officials may
voice in private, and Slovakia,s stance on efforts to
criticize Israel publicly. Slovakia did not intend to
support efforts to bash Israel rhetorically.


5. (C) Note: Kubis told a press conference August 1 that
Slovakia may offer a military medical doctor team, in
addition to financial assistance for humanitarian relief.
CDA encouraged Kubis to ensure that any military contribution
- even if only the doctors - to a force in Lebanon include
Slovak encouragement and support for the LAF to deploy to the
south and establish the governments sovereignty over the
entire country. End note.

IRAN
--------------

6. (C) On Iran, Kubis told Baker Slovakia welcomed the UNSC
resolution and would be steadfast in support of efforts to
deny Iran nuclear weapons capability. Kubis is convinced
that Tehran, feeling the pressure of consensus international
opposition to its nuclear enrichment activities, had used its
friends in the region, including terrorist groups, to deflect
attention from its troubles and try to gain leverage over
regional events. Referring to Hizballah,s simultaneous
provocation of the Lebanon crisis, Kubis said, "I don't
believe in mere coincidences."
SILVERMAN