Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PRAGUE1373
2006-11-06 08:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
Cable title:  

CZECH REPUBLIC: AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL ON

Tags:  PREL MARR PGOV CVIS EZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0291
RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHPG #1373 3100857
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 060857Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8184
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 1787
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001373 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV CVIS EZ
SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC: AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL ON
FOREIGN MINISTER VONDRA

REF: STATE 181094

Classified By: Ambassador Richard W. Graber for reasons 1.4 b+d.

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001373

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV CVIS EZ
SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC: AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL ON
FOREIGN MINISTER VONDRA

REF: STATE 181094

Classified By: Ambassador Richard W. Graber for reasons 1.4 b+d.


1. (C) Summary: During the Ambassador's November 3 courtesy
call on Czech Foreign Minister Alexandr (Sasha) Vondra, the
primary topics were visa waiver and missile defense. FM
Vondra expressed skepticism for the visa roadmap, but agreed
to co-host the next Bilateral Consular Working Group (BCWG)
meeting with the Ambassador. He suggested that the Czech
Republic was likely to enter Schengen next year (ahead of
others in the region) and wondered how that might impact the
visa waiver process. FM Vondra confirmed continuing Czech
government support for missile defense (noting a radar base
would be a much easier sell than interceptors),and requested
advance notice of the USG decision to help him manage public
opinion. FM Vondra said a brief statement in support of
missile defense at the upcoming NATO Summit in Riga would be
helpful. He also agreed to consider 100% forgiveness of Iraqi
debt (reftel). End summary.


2. (C) On the issue of visa waiver, FM Vondra said the Czechs
are focused on lobbying Congress with a coalition of new EU
member states. He asked whether the upcoming U.S. elections
would have an impact on the visa waiver issue. (The
Ambassador thought not.) FM Vondra also asked whether the
debate within the EU on the admission of new EU member states
into Schengen could have an impact. He explained that while
the "Schengen 2" system could be delayed for years, there was
a new proposal (put forward by Portugal) that would allow
some of the new members to join the existing Schengen regime.
He thought that the Czech Republic, together with Slovenia,
were the most likely to join first, perhaps in October 2007.
He said he understood Slovakia and Hungary might join at that
time, but explained that for various reasons Poland and the
Baltic states were not likely to join until later. FM Vondra
wondered what impact this could have on U.S. thinking
regarding expansion of the visa waiver program.


3. (C) The Ambassador responded that Schengen membership is
not a criterion for the visa waiver program. He urged FM
Vondra to renew the Czech commitment to the roadmap. He
invited FM Vondra to co-host the next Bilateral Consular
Working Group (BCWG). FM Vondra expressed skepticism about
the roadmap, complaining that it has yet to show any
"results," but agreed to co-host the proposed meeting.


4. (C) Turning to missile defense, FM Vondra said the Czech
government continues to support missile defense, but asked
for as much advance notice of a USG decision as possible to
effectively manage public support. The GOCR will launch its
public relations campaign once it knows what will be offered.
FM Vondra said an offer of a radar base would be "manageable"
because a referendum would probably not be necessary. He also
said a brief statement by NATO allies in support of missile
defense at the upcoming Summit in Riga would help build
public support. FM Vondra asked about the possible timeline
of the U.S. offer, noting the Czechs will need ample time to
respond (a government with a vote of confidence must approve
the decision to conclude the process). Ambassador Graber said
the negotiation process for a base could be lengthy.


5. (C) FM Vondra asked whether the U.S. has information about
Russia's possible response to a base located in the region.
Ambassador Graber noted that Pentagon officials are meeting
with the Russians to discuss missile defense, and said the
USG would aim to debrief the Czechs and Poles.


6. (C) The Ambassador and FM Vondra also briefly addressed
the following topics:

-- Czech democracy promotion: Ambassador Graber thanked FM
Vondra for the Czechs' continuing efforts to promote
democracy and human rights in Cuba, Belarus, Burma and
elsewhere. FM Vondra said the Czechs will continue their
efforts.

-- Iraqi debt (reftel): the Czechs would consider forgiving
100% of their Iraqi debt (they have already forgiven 80%),
but FM Vondra expressed concern about the precedent.

-- U.S. foreign investment: FM Vondra said he hoped to see an
increase in U.S. foreign investment, in particular in the
high-tech sector. Ambassador Graber said improving the
climate for investment is a USG priority.
GRABER