CZECHS COMMIT AID TO LEBANON, TROOPS UNDER

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001060

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2016
TAGS: PREL IR LE MARR MOPS SY XG EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS COMMIT AID TO LEBANON, TROOPS UNDER
CONSIDERATION

REF: A. STATE 139903

B. STATE 136196

C. PRAGUE 898

D. PRAGUE 966

E. PRAGUE 806

F. PRAGUE 921

G. PRAGUE 944

H. PRAGUE 1049

Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mike Dodman
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary and comment. The Czechs have continued to
indicate a willingness to support the U.S. position
throughout the Lebanon/Israel crisis, and are now committed
to providing aid to Lebanon. The Czech MFA confirmed on
August 28 that the Czechs will offer $1 million for Lebanon
at the Stockholm Donors Conference. They have also agreed not
to send Czech officials to Syria or Iran. On UNIFIL, the MFA
favors contributing a small contingent of troops, which would
be subject to the approval of the new Czech government when
formed. However MOD sources indicate the ministry will argue
against a deployment due budgetary constraints and existing
deployments. End summary and comment.


2. (C) Polec Counselor and Poloff met with MFA Director of
the Middle East and Africa Miloslav Stasek on August 28 to
discuss Czech assistance to Lebanon (Ref A),and deliver Ref

B. Stasek noted the Czechs were among the first countries to
send aid to Lebanon, and currently plan to pledge $1 million
(22 million Czech Crowns (CZK)) for humanitarian aid at the
Stockholm Donors Conference on August 31. The breakdown for
the aid is as follows: $227,000 (5 million CZK) for immediate
relief, $454,000 (10 million CZK) for a medevac program (Ref
C),and $318,000 (7 million CZK) for Czech NGOs to provide
reconstruction and humanitarian relief. Stasek said this
amount is not a firm commitment, as the incoming Czech
parliament must approve it. He also said the Czechs are
studying additional ways to support Lebanon.


3. (C) Stasek said the MFA has recommended in favor of
contributing troops to the EU mission to UNIFIL, unless doing
so would impact existing troop commitments in Iraq,
Afghanistan, and the Balkans (Ref D). He said that the MOD is
also evaluating the commitment issue, and warned that
expected cuts to the MOD's 2006 budget could affect the
Czechs' ability to commit troops. He added the Czechs are
concerned about the challenge of disarming Hizbollah, and
therefore the terms of the mandate could affect the final
decision. However MOD sources indicate that their ministry
will argue against such a deployment. (Note: previously
planned Czech troop rotations in Afghanistan and Kosovo will
soon slightly reduce the total number of Czech troops
deployed in foreign missions, strengthening the suggestion
that the Czechs will at least numerically have the capacity
to field at least a company for UNIFIL. End note.)


4. (C) Stasek said the Syrian Ambassador in Prague has
already urged the Czechs to visit Damascus, but he agreed to
the U.S. request to continue diplomatic isolation on Iran and
Syria by not sending delegations to either country.


5. (C) Comment. The Czechs have been strong supporters of
U.S. efforts in the region since the conflict began.
Operating within the EU, the Czechs took a tough stand in
support of Israel during the debate on the GAERC conclusions
on the conflict (Ref E). The Czechs supported the
negotiations that resulted in UNSCR 1701 (Ref F). In
addition, as a member of the UNHRC, the Czechs opposed the
recent Arab Group-sponsored resolutions that condemned Israel
(Ref G-H). Post believes the Czechs will continue to look for
ways to support the Lebanese people while remaining a strong
ally of Israel, both within the EU and on a bilateral basis.
To the extent possible, the Czechs will also work within the
UNHRC to ensure a more balanced and responsible approach to
the humanitarian crisis in the region. End comment.
CABANISS