SLOVAK POLICE TO FORM SPECIAL UNIT FOR EXTREMISM

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000779 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KCRM LO SUBJECT: SLOVAK POLICE TO FORM SPECIAL UNIT FOR EXTREMISM REF: A. BRATISLAVA 733 ¶B. BRATISLAVA 754 ¶C. BRATISLAVA 764 ¶1. (U) Minister of Interior Robert Kalinak announced on September 20 the creation of a special police unit to combat extremism. The idea for the unit was first mooted by Police President Jan Packa in the wake of the alleged attack on an ethnic Hungarian woman in Nitra last month (refs A-C). While exact details have not yet been determined, the unit should operate in all eight regions of the country, commence activities in January or February 2007, and focus on trafficking in persons in addition to extremism. The Minister also intends to draft a law which will define an extremist action as a deed which directly and concretely limits human rights and leads to physical injury and/or other damages. ¶2. (SBU) Kalinak made the announcement during a joint press conference with three representatives of the NGO community. Daniel Milo of People Against Racism noted that the official number of 121 racially-inspired attacks in 2005 is probably 10 times too low because of victims failing to report such incidents and because of police categorizing some incidents as misdemeanors. One NGO representative who sits on Slovakia's anti-extremism working group told us privately that she is satisfied with the Minister's actions and substantive involvement in the issue. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT. This initiative against extremism may indicate that Kalinak is starting to get his house in order. (NOTE: The post of National Coordinator for the Fight against Extremism, for example, has been vacant for over a month.) Given recent ethnic tensions, diplomatic problems with Hungary, and international condemnation because of the inclusion of a nationalistic party in government, the GOS could use a few prestige points. Increasing anti-extremism measures may accomplish a political as well as practical goal. END COMMENT. VALLEE