CZECHS WELCOME COORDINATION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000257 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2016 TAGS: PREL KDEM PGOV EUN BO EZ SUBJECT: CZECHS WELCOME COORDINATION ON POST-BELARUS-ELECTION STRATEGY REF: STATE 38953 Classified By: A/DCM Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) A/DCM March 10 delivered reftel points on reacting to the Belarus election to Deputy Foreign Minister Thomas Pojar. Pojar welcomed the U.S. desire to ensure unified action. ¶2. (C) Czech officials have been positive on the idea of coordinating the international response to the election. Political Director Martin Povejsil March 9 suggested a joint U.S.-EU statement for release immediately following the election, but did not predict which countries or international organizations might participate. The GOCR will examine the U.S. suggestions and would welcome U.S. feedback on their idea of a unified statement. ¶3. (C) MFA Director of Eastern Europe Tomas Szunyog, during a meeting March 8, also expressed great interest in USG thinking on reaction to the election. He told us that the Czechs would be sending 40 observers to the ODIHR-organized mission, including 20 GOCR staff, five officials from NGOs participating in the USG-funded V-4 group, and approximately 15 additional observers organized by NGOs; in addition, 2-3 members of parliament were planning to participate, but outside of ODIHR. Similar numbers are planned for the election in Ukraine. CABANISS