Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PRAGUE1267
2006-10-12 16:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
Cable title:  

CZECHS ON OCTOBER 12 GAERC

Tags:  PREL PGOV UN EUN SR LE IS KPAL RU EZ 
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8080
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0044
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RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0188
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 001267 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN EUN SR LE IS KPAL RU EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS ON OCTOBER 12 GAERC

REF: STATE 170214

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 001267

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN EUN SR LE IS KPAL RU EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS ON OCTOBER 12 GAERC

REF: STATE 170214

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


1. (C) Summary. At the October 12 GAERC, the EU will focus on
the Middle East, the Russia-Georgia conflict, the Balkans,
Sudan, and North Korea. On the Middle East, the EU will
likely support sanctions for Iran, support President Abbas in
Palestine, and address the security situation in Lebanon. The
EU will caution Georgia and Russia to moderate their
behavior. In the Balkans, the position of the EU will closely
track that of the U.S. However, on Serbia, the conclusions
will not mention ICTY compliance because the EU has
repeatedly stated its position that full compliance is
required. On Kosovo, EU members increasingly believe that
final status will need to be imposed. On Sudan, the EU will
support continued AMIS funding. On North Korea, the EU will
likely support UNSC recommendations for a Chapter VII
resolution with sanctions. End summary.


2. (SBU) Poloff met October 12 with the Director of the Czech
MFA's CFSP Department Vaclav Balek to discuss the October 12
GAERC and deliver ref A talking points. Balek said the Czech
position remains unchanged on the Middle East, the Balkans,
and Sudan, and they do not expect controversy at GAERC.

--------------
Middle East
--------------


3. (C) On Iran, Balek expects the text will be tough. EU
member states think that diplomatic options have been
exhausted, and therefore support the start of consultations
on sanctions. However, the text will likely leave wiggle room
in the event that Iran changes its position.


4. (C) On the Middle East Peace Process, Balek said the EU
will issue conclusions supporting President Abbas and
expressing optimism for the prospect of a Unity government.
The EU will also welcome a three-month extension of the
financial mechanism for humanitarian aid.


5. (C) On Lebanon, Balek said the Czechs support EU troop
contributions to UNIFIL. In addition, the results of a
fact-finding mission sent to Lebanon to assess the
feasibility of deploying a separate EU mission along the
Syrian border is expected this week. Balek said the Czechs
are debating the feasibility of contributing up to ten
experts (the most likely number is three) to clear unexploded
ordinance in 2007.

--------------
Georgia-Russia Conflict
--------------


6. (C) Balek said the Czechs advocated putting the recent
Georgia-Russia conflict on the agenda. They are happy with
the draft conclusions, which urge both sides to moderate
their behavior, and signal to Russia that its actions
vis-a-vis Georgia have not been well-received in the EU.

--------------
The Balkans
--------------


7. (C) Balek said the Czech position remains unchanged on the
Balkans. On the conclusions for Kosovo, the Czechs stressed
language that supports the contact group and UN SE Ahtisaari.


8. (C) On Serbia, the conclusions will not include reference
to full compliance with ICTY, although the EU and the Czechs
still support ICTY compliance. Balek said the member states
determined that reference to ICTY compliance was unnecessary
because the June and September GAERC conclusions clearly
state the EU position.


9. (C) On Bosnia, the EU will welcome the result of the
elections.

--------------
Sudan
--------------


PRAGUE 00001267 002 OF 002



10. (C) Balek reiterated the Czechs do not plan to be active
on Africa issues because they lack the necessary historical
relationships and expertise. On Sudan, the Czechs will not
participate directly, but will support the EU consensus. The
Czechs agree that international cooperation is needed to
"pressure" the Sudanese government to accept UN involvement.
--------------
North Korea
--------------


11. (C) Balek said the EU will wait to issue final
conclusions on North Korea until the UNSC proposes a response
to the North Korean nuclear test. The final text will likely
support the expected UNSC proposal for a Chapter VII
resolution, and be consistent with the U.S. position.
GRABER