CZECH RESPONSE TO UNGA ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 001308 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2016 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNGA EZ SUBJECT: CZECH RESPONSE TO UNGA ISSUES REF: A. STATE 168341 ¶B. PRAGUE 01252 Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Michael Dodman, for reasons 1.4 (b) AND (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The Czechs generally support USG priorities for UNGA. They support tough sanctions on Iran and North Korea. They continue to support Guatemala for the UNSC seat, although they believe that there is now little that countries outside of Latin America can do to influence the outcome. In terms of aid, he Czechs have contributed humanitarian aid to Lbanon, contributed 12 police officers to the Iraq ompact, and contributed funds for Sudan peace monitors and to the Peace Building Commission. The Czechs share USG concerns about the UN Human Rights Council, but plan to rn again for a seat. Cuba and North Korea are reprted septels. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Poloffs hae met on several occasions this month (most recetly October 20) with Czech MFA UN Department Direcor Jan Kara to discuss issues under debate at th UN General Assembly, including USG priorities idntified in ref A. On the whole the Czechs are spportive of USG positions, as summarized below. Czech views on North Korea, and their position o an amendment to the annual UNGA Cuban embargo rsolution, are reported septels. -------------- IRAN --- ¶3. (C) The Czechs will support a new resolutin by the Security Council given Iran's increasin defiance. Kara said Iran has demonstrated it wll not "yield to sticks and carrots," and noted ryly that the Iranian regime condemned the recentNorth Korean nuclear test. -------------- UNSC SEA -------------- ¶4. (C) The Czech have actively suported Guatemala's candidacy (ref B). Kara said e had instructed the Czech Mission in New York t lobby on Guatemala's behalf befre voting began. He added that the Venezuelan mission has been "trying furiously" to lobby the Czechs for their support. In an unusual move, the Czechs replied with a diplomatic note stating their intention to vote for Guatemala. In our meeting on October 20, Kara said that he thinks brokering a solution to the standoff is now in the hands of the Latin American group, as they are the only countries that can pressure Venezuela to step down. In terms of a possible compromise candidate, Kara has heard Cuba, Mexico, Uruguay, and Chile mentioned. ; -------------- COMPACT WITH IRAQ -------------- ¶5. (C) The Czechs will send twelve police officers to Iraq as part of the Compact with Iraq. The officers will likely be sent to either Baghdad or Basra, where the Czechs have for some time carried out civilian police training (alongside their military police training) in the British sector. -------------- ISRAEL/PALESTINE -------------- ¶6. (C) The Czechs oppose the Palestinian mandates, which they believe are "not useful." However, Kara predicted the mandates will not be terminated. -------------- LEBANON -------------- ¶7. (C) Kara said the Czechs have not contributed to UNIFIL, but the debate is still open. He also noted Czech humanitarian assistance in Lebanon, which is generous by Czech standards. -------------- SUDAN -------------- ¶8. (C) Kara agrees with the value of coordinated international pressure and said the EU is taking the lead. The Czechs consider the crisis in Sudan an EU issue and do not plan a separate bilateral strategy. However, the Czechs PRAGUE 00001308 002 OF 002 have financially supported a fund to support national monitors in Sudan. In his view, the International community must devise incentives for the Sudanese regime to encourage them to continue the dialogue for peace. -------------- BURMA -------------- ¶9. (C) Burma was one of three countries named by Czech FM Alexandr Vondra in his speech at the UNGA. The Czechs actively support the Burmese opposition, as Burma is a priority country for Czech democratic assistance. Kara noted that the Czechs have funded a press conference in New York to provide outreach for the Burmese opposition for four consecutive years. -------------- UNHRC -------------- ¶10. (C) In Kara's mind, the UNHRC is a "nightmare," but he sees positive signs nevertheless. There is much "frank discussion" within the UNHRC, and some progress may be made. Human rights remains a priority for the Czechs. Expanding on earlier statements from the MFA Human Rights Department, Kara said the GOCR has decided that it will run for a seat on the Council after its current term expires, largely because they want to be at the table when they hold the EU Presidency in ¶2009. They have not yet determined if they will run next year or wait until 2008. -------------- PEACE BUILDING COMMISSION -------------- ¶11. (C) The Czechs want to be part of the UN Peace Building Commission and hope to replace Poland next year as an ECOSOC member. He confirmed the Czechs will contribute $50,000 to the Peace Building Fund by the end of October. GRABER