Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PRAGUE298
2006-03-22 16:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
Cable title:
CZECHS ASK WHETHER THE USG WILL REFUSE TO
how-toVZCZCXRO8319 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHPG #0298 0811652 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 221652Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7122 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHSK/AMEMBASSY MINSK PRIORITY 0189 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 0141 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0112 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 1709
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000298
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2016
TAGS: PREL KDEM BO EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS ASK WHETHER THE USG WILL REFUSE TO
RECOGNIZE LUKASHENKO
Classified By: Acting DCM Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000298
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2016
TAGS: PREL KDEM BO EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS ASK WHETHER THE USG WILL REFUSE TO
RECOGNIZE LUKASHENKO
Classified By: Acting DCM Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff met with MFA Eastern Europe Director Tomas
Szunyog March 23 to discuss the Czech response to the
elections in Belarus. Szunyog said the Czechs favor strong
transatlantic cooperation in response to the fraudulent
election and asked whether the U.S. will refuse to recognize
Lukashenko.
2. (C) The Czechs favor a strong declaration against
Lukashenko, and support language for a proposed EU
declaration that would refuse to recognize Lukashenko as
president, and that would criticize Russia for its failure to
call for a fair election. Szunyog doubts either statement
will make it into the final declaration.
3. (C) Although FM Cyril Svoboda has publicly stated the
Czechs do not support economic sanctions, every other form of
sanction is on the table, including visa restrictions for top
government officials and restrictions on certain financial
transactions. Szunyog also proposed urging Turkey to impose
visa restrictions, as top Belarusian officials frequently
travel there. Szunyog also said that based on his meetings
with his Belarusian counterpart, economic sanctions are the
only form of reprisal that matter to Lukashenko.
4. (C) Szunyog said the Czechs see the need for better
long-term policies on Belarus, and believe EU policy should
be coordinated with the United States. The Czechs will also
call for a high-level U.S.-EU meeting to take place before
the April GAERC (which will focus on the election).
5. (C) Comment. Szunyog left Poloff with the impression that
FM Svoboda might reconsider his stated opposition to economic
sanctions if they were proposed by the U.S. or received
backing within the EU.
CABANISS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2016
TAGS: PREL KDEM BO EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS ASK WHETHER THE USG WILL REFUSE TO
RECOGNIZE LUKASHENKO
Classified By: Acting DCM Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff met with MFA Eastern Europe Director Tomas
Szunyog March 23 to discuss the Czech response to the
elections in Belarus. Szunyog said the Czechs favor strong
transatlantic cooperation in response to the fraudulent
election and asked whether the U.S. will refuse to recognize
Lukashenko.
2. (C) The Czechs favor a strong declaration against
Lukashenko, and support language for a proposed EU
declaration that would refuse to recognize Lukashenko as
president, and that would criticize Russia for its failure to
call for a fair election. Szunyog doubts either statement
will make it into the final declaration.
3. (C) Although FM Cyril Svoboda has publicly stated the
Czechs do not support economic sanctions, every other form of
sanction is on the table, including visa restrictions for top
government officials and restrictions on certain financial
transactions. Szunyog also proposed urging Turkey to impose
visa restrictions, as top Belarusian officials frequently
travel there. Szunyog also said that based on his meetings
with his Belarusian counterpart, economic sanctions are the
only form of reprisal that matter to Lukashenko.
4. (C) Szunyog said the Czechs see the need for better
long-term policies on Belarus, and believe EU policy should
be coordinated with the United States. The Czechs will also
call for a high-level U.S.-EU meeting to take place before
the April GAERC (which will focus on the election).
5. (C) Comment. Szunyog left Poloff with the impression that
FM Svoboda might reconsider his stated opposition to economic
sanctions if they were proposed by the U.S. or received
backing within the EU.
CABANISS