CZECHS ON SEPTEMBER 15 GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 001134

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN EUN SR LE IS KPAL EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS ON SEPTEMBER 15 GAERC

REF: A. STATE 151189

B. STATE 150777

C. PRAGUE 1124

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


1. (C) Summary. At the September 15 GAERC, the Czechs expect
the focus to be on the Middle East (Iran, Israel, Lebanon,
and Iraq),the Balkans, and Africa. The Czechs support
sanctions for Iran, although they hope for international
consensus. On Palestine, the Czechs will urge the EU to issue
GAERC conclusions that link recognition of the new Unity
government to the quartet principles. On Lebanon, the EU is
considering providing assistance (separate from UNIFIL) to
help secure the Syrian Border. Although Balek suspects the
Czechs will not contribute troops to UNIFIL in the
short-term, they may contribute to the EU initiative. On
Iraq, the Czechs will continue to stress the importance of EU
participation. The Czech position remains unchanged on the
Balkans. The Czechs will not be active on Africa issues, and
plan to close their Embassy in Kinshasa. Finally, Balek
confirmed that new FM Sasha Vondra will not/not be attending
the GAERC meeting. End summary.


2. (SBU) Poloff met September 14 with the Director of the
Czech MFA's CFSP Department Vaclav Balek to discuss the
September 15 GAERC and deliver ref A and B talking points.

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Middle East
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3. (C/NF) Balek said the EU ministers agreed at the Gymnich
that they would focus on Iran at this GAERC meeting. (Balek
noted it was helpful that EU members were finally able to
review the text of Iran's response.) The Czechs support
sanctions for Iran, but hope for international consensus.
Short of that, the Czechs would probably support sanctions
imposed by like-minded countries, such as the U.S. and
individual EU member states. Balek said Spain and Italy
oppose sanctions because they would interfere with trade
relations with Iran. Therefore, he predicted the EU will not
be able to muster a strong statement on Iran in the GAERC
conclusions.


4. (C/NF) On Palestine, the Czechs are not happy with the
draft conclusions because they do not link EU recognition of
the new Unity government to the quartet principles. They will
urge EU partners to adopt language calling on the new
government to recognize Israel, denounce violence, and honor
previous commitments. However, the Czechs are not optimistic.
According to Balek, the UK is pushing the softer language (in
Balek's personal opinion, British PM Tony Blair wants to be
seen as having a success in the Middle East).


5. (C) On Lebanon, Balek said the EU is considering providing
help to secure the Syrian border. A fact-finding mission may
be sent to assess the feasibility of deploying a separate EU
mission (perhaps 100-200 border patrols or police) to provide
real assistance for border control and as a "confidence
building measure." This mission would be separate from the EU
contribution to UNIFIL. Balek predicted that the Czechs will
not/not contribute troops to UNIFIL in the short-term (Ref
C),but may contribute to the EU initiative.


6. (C) On Iraq, the Czechs will continue to stress the
importance of EU participation.

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The Balkans
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7. (C) Balek said the Czech position remains unchanged on the
Balkans, and they do not expect controversy at GAERC. On
Serbian ICTY compliance, he described the Czechs as "willing
to be a little flexible." They would rather focus on what
Serbia is doing in real terms, rather than just whether they
turn over Mladic to the Hague. In his view, the U.S. and NATO
also seem to be focusing on Serbia's practical cooperation.

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Africa
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PRAGUE 00001134 002 OF 002




8. (C) The Czechs do not plan to be active on Africa issues.
Balek also noted that according to press reports, the Czechs
plan to close their Embassy in Kinshasa.
CABANISS