CZECHS SUPPORT SINIORA, APPROVE TROOPS FOR UNIFIL,

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001509 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MOPS LE EZ SUBJECT: CZECHS SUPPORT SINIORA, APPROVE TROOPS FOR UNIFIL, DISCUSS PROVISION OF ANTI-RIOT EQUIPMENT WITH LEBANESE ISF DELEGATION REF: STATE 193090 ¶1. (U) Czech MFA Head of the Near East Group in the Middle East and Africa Department Jaromir Marek told Poloff on December 1 that the Czechs fully support the government of Lebanese PM Faud Siniora, and continue to closely monitor the situation in Lebanon. In a separate meeting, Director of the MFA's CFSP Department Vaclav Balek told Poloff the Czech Parliament has approved up to ten Czech troops for UNIFIL. ¶2. (SBU) A delegation of Lebanese Internal Forces (ISF) officials led by General Ashraf Rifi arrived in Prague on December 9 to meet with MOI officials. According to Marek, the purpose of the visit, still under way, is to visit the Czech Policy Academy to review police anti-riot training procedures. The General also expressed interest in reviewing security equipment--such as armored vehicles, shields, and police arms--with an eye towards possibly acquiring such equipment from the Czechs in the future. (Note: Balek assured Poloff separately that the Czechs would consult with the EU and UN before selling and/or donating any equipment to the ISF. End note.) Post will report the outcome of the Rifi visit when additional information becomes available. GRABER