CZECH FM SVOBODA: CZECHS ARE COMMITTED PARTNERS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000067

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2016
TAGS: PREL KUNR UN IR EZ
SUBJECT: CZECH FM SVOBODA: CZECHS ARE COMMITTED PARTNERS ON
UN REFORM; IRAN

REF: A. STATE 4746

B. STATE 6236

C. 2005 PRAGUE 1707


1. (C) Summary. Czech FM Cyril Svoboda warmly received
Ambassador Cabaniss on January 23, 2006, and confirmed the
Czechs are closely aligned with the U.S. on UN Human Rights
Commission reform, UN management reform, and the need to
report Iran to the UN Security Council. Other topics
discussed included a recommendation to extend the Radio Free
Europe (RFE) lease into 2008 (it presently expires 12/31/07)
before the upcoming election, and FM Svoboda's views on the
possible outcome of the election. End summary.


2. (U) Ambassador Cabaniss met with FM Cyril Svoboda January
23, 2006, to discuss UN reform and referral of Iran to the
UNSC. Other MFA attendees included Jan Kara, Director of the
UN Department; Ivana Grollova, UN Department; Jakub Skalnik,
new Director of the Americas Department, and Veronika
Stromsikova, Director of the Human Rights Department. Poloff
attended as notetaker.


3. (C) On UN reform, FM Svoboda said the Czechs support the
creation of a new UN Human Rights Council that will have
"deep authority." He said the Czechs are studying the
question of the proper selection criteria for new members,
but agreed that at a minimum, applicants should be barred
from membership if they have been sanctioned. (After the
meeting, Grollova added that the Czechs agree the size of the
council should be limited, perhaps to 30 to 40 members.) FM
Svoboda also said the Czechs support U.S. policy on
management reform, which he agrees will improve ethics and
financial oversight. He hoped the UN reforms could be
implemented prior to the arrival of the new Secretary
General.


4. (C) On Iran, FM Svoboda said the Czechs support referral
to the UNSC. Iran has clearly defied the international
community, and referral is the only way to pressure Iran into
compliance with IAEA obligations. In his view, the only
problem with referral is the difficulty of harmonizing U.S.
and EU positions with those of Russia and China.


5. (C) The Ambassador used the discussion on Iran to
reiterate his concern about the visit to Prague of an Iranian
parliamentary delegation in late 2005 (ref C). FM Svoboda
admitted it was difficult for him to accept as well, but
assured the Ambassador that Czech foreign policy will not
change as long as he is foreign minister. However, he
conceded that if, after the June elections, the Social
Democrats (CSSD) form a minority government with Communist
support, some changes would be possible.


6. (C) Turning briefly to the relocation of RFE/RL, FM
Svoboda urged the Ambassador to ensure that a lease
extension, from 12/31/07 into 2008, is finalized prior to the
election. He said the incoming government could have
different priorities than the current government. (Note: in a
December 2005 meeting, the Czech Finance Minister Sobotka
told the Ambassador that he did not wish to bring this matter
up before the election.)


7. (C) Comment. Talking to FM Svoboda about UN reform and
nuclear non-proliferation is like preaching to the choir. The
Czechs are committed and reliable partners on these issues.
CABANISS