Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BRATISLAVA869
2006-10-26 15:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:
SLOVAKS CONSIDERING REDEPLOYING TROOPS TO SOUTHERN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSL #0869 2991509 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 261509Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0414 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0023 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0020 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0079 RHMCSUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000869
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2012
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS AF LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKS CONSIDERING REDEPLOYING TROOPS TO SOUTHERN
AFGHANISTAN, BUT CONCERNED ABOUT SECURITY.
Classified By: Ambassador Rodolphe Vallee for reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000869
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2012
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS AF LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKS CONSIDERING REDEPLOYING TROOPS TO SOUTHERN
AFGHANISTAN, BUT CONCERNED ABOUT SECURITY.
Classified By: Ambassador Rodolphe Vallee for reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) This message contains an action request in paragraph 4.
2. (C) MoD State Secretary Jaroslav Baska told DCM that
Slovakia is considering NATO's request to move Slovak forces
in Afghanistan south to Kandahar. The GoS is very concerned
about the security situation and the qualitatively different
nature of the mission. DCM encouraged Baska to recommend the
move, stressing that this is a NATO request and an important
responsibility of NATO membership. DCM noted that Afghanistan
will receive attention at the Riga summit and that the move
would benefit Slovakia's reputation in NATO as well as
Afghanistan's transition to democracy and security. DATT
advised MoD to consult with NATO in Brussels for more
specific information about the requested movement of Slovak
forces, force protection equipment and additional training in
counter-IED. Baska said that training in C-IED is very
important to the GoS.
3. (C) At DCM's encouragement, Pavol Hamzik, a former Deputy
PM and now an Advisor to FM Kubis, raised the issue of Slovak
forces in Afghanistan with FM Kubis, who has a personal
interest in Afghanistan. Hamzik told us October 26, that
Kubis would welcome more discussions with us prior to a GoS
decision. We have heard informally that the MoD is completing
an options paper for the Cabinet's decision this week.
4. (SBU) Action request. Post will do as much as possible to
positively influence Slovakia's decision on Afghanistan. Post
requests DOS or DOD assistance in setting up a DVC with
appropriate Washington authorities on the implications of
moving Slovak forces in Afghanistan. Post is keen to hear any
other proposals from DOS or DOD on how we can have a positive
influence on Slovakia's decision. End Action request.
UNDOF
--------------
4. (SBU) Slovakia has been asked by the UN to take command of
the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights. DCM, based on
previous experience with UNDOF and visits to the Golan
Heights, strongly encouraged Baska to advocate accepting this
mission. Post will be following up with GoS on the UNDOF
issue and would welcome input from the Department.
VALLEE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2012
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS AF LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKS CONSIDERING REDEPLOYING TROOPS TO SOUTHERN
AFGHANISTAN, BUT CONCERNED ABOUT SECURITY.
Classified By: Ambassador Rodolphe Vallee for reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) This message contains an action request in paragraph 4.
2. (C) MoD State Secretary Jaroslav Baska told DCM that
Slovakia is considering NATO's request to move Slovak forces
in Afghanistan south to Kandahar. The GoS is very concerned
about the security situation and the qualitatively different
nature of the mission. DCM encouraged Baska to recommend the
move, stressing that this is a NATO request and an important
responsibility of NATO membership. DCM noted that Afghanistan
will receive attention at the Riga summit and that the move
would benefit Slovakia's reputation in NATO as well as
Afghanistan's transition to democracy and security. DATT
advised MoD to consult with NATO in Brussels for more
specific information about the requested movement of Slovak
forces, force protection equipment and additional training in
counter-IED. Baska said that training in C-IED is very
important to the GoS.
3. (C) At DCM's encouragement, Pavol Hamzik, a former Deputy
PM and now an Advisor to FM Kubis, raised the issue of Slovak
forces in Afghanistan with FM Kubis, who has a personal
interest in Afghanistan. Hamzik told us October 26, that
Kubis would welcome more discussions with us prior to a GoS
decision. We have heard informally that the MoD is completing
an options paper for the Cabinet's decision this week.
4. (SBU) Action request. Post will do as much as possible to
positively influence Slovakia's decision on Afghanistan. Post
requests DOS or DOD assistance in setting up a DVC with
appropriate Washington authorities on the implications of
moving Slovak forces in Afghanistan. Post is keen to hear any
other proposals from DOS or DOD on how we can have a positive
influence on Slovakia's decision. End Action request.
UNDOF
--------------
4. (SBU) Slovakia has been asked by the UN to take command of
the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights. DCM, based on
previous experience with UNDOF and visits to the Golan
Heights, strongly encouraged Baska to advocate accepting this
mission. Post will be following up with GoS on the UNDOF
issue and would welcome input from the Department.
VALLEE