PM FICO DISCUSSES SUDAN, KOSOVO, ENERGY AND MD

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000263

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV SR SU RU LO
SUBJECT: PM FICO DISCUSSES SUDAN, KOSOVO, ENERGY AND MD

REF: STATE 51828

Classified By: Ambassador Vallee for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. During a May 3 breakfast, PM Robert Fico
assured Slovakia will vote with the EU on Kosovo in the UNSC;
reiterated his personal opposition to U.S. Missile Defense
plans and advocated more dialogue with Russia and within the
EU; reacted favorably to the possibility of sending military
observers to Sudan (reftel) and commented at length on
national and coalition politics. Fico will make an official
visit to Moscow on May 4. End summary.

KOSOVO
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2. (C) Fico reiterated his support for FM Kubis on the Kosovo
issue and said Slovakia will be with Europe at the UN. Fico
was initially worried that former PM Dzurinda was onto a
potent political issue when he raised the issue in
Parliament. Fico commissioned a poll and found that only 8
percent of Slovaks feel strongly about the Kosovo issue.
(Comment. This fits with Post's oft-stated premise that
Fico's positions owe more to polls than principles. End
comment.)


3. (C) The Ambassador said the U.S. intended to consult early
with Slovakia on the drafting of a resolution, with an aim to
considering Slovak suggestions that would give Fico and Kubis
political cover at home. Fico was extremely appreciative and
said such consultations would be very important.

MISSILE DEFENSE
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4. (C) Fico repeated that he would never allow MD assets in
Slovakia, but stressed that this is his personally-held
opinion and not the policy of his government. Fico pointed
out that publicly he has said the Czechs and Poles are
sovereign countries and can make their own decisions. Fico
was surprised in their bilateral meeting by German Chancellor
Merkel's strong views on this issue, and described his views
as in lock step with Merkel's. The Ambassador cautioned Fico
that any photo op condemning MD during his May 4 trip to
Moscow would be unfortunate. Fico replied that FM "Kubis is
very nervous about what I will say," but that he would limit
any comments to a call for more dialogue with Russia and the
EU.

SUDAN
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5. (SBU) The PM responded positively to reftel points, and is
willing to consider deploying military observers and/or
police. Fico noted his long-standing outspokenness on issues
of genocide. Having received the PM's imprimatur, Post will
follow-up with DefMin Kasicky.

ENERGY SECURITY
--------------

6. (C) The Ambassador pointed out that if there was ever an
example of the need for energy diversity it is the situation
in Estonia, where the Russians are clearly playing the energy
card for political purposes. Fico complained that fellow
Europeans don't understand what it is like to be 100 percent
dependent on Russia for gas. Slovakia must have "standard"
relations with Russia to preserve cooperative energy
dealings, but is still completely committed to NATO and the
EU. Remarkably, Transpetrol is not to be on Fico,s formal
agenda for his meeting with Putin. Fico said EconMin
Jahnatek, who is accompanying the PM, may discuss it with his
Ministry-level contacts in seperate meetings. The Ambassador
encouraged Fico to add Transpetrol to his own agenda, saying
that only a Slovak purchase of the pipeline could bridge the
differences between the Russian and Dutch courts.


7. (SBU) The Ambassador praised the PM for his efforts to
promote nuclear energy, but warned that for the VVER-type
reactor, Russia would become the only source of nuclear fuel
if Westinghouse does not secure the additional contracts it
needs to remain in the market.

MECIAR AND THE SLOVAK INFORMATION SERVICE
--------------

8. (C) The Ambassador noted our respect for Slovak
Information (Inteligence) Service (SIS) Chief Magala and
inquired about HzDS Chief and coalition partner Vladimir
Meciar's insistence on his party's right to name a deputy.
The PM noted that Meciar is much reduced in his vigor and
ability to intrigue since his recent heart surgery,
suggesting that it may have been a life changing experience.
Fico said Meciar may now be focused on what to do with "all
that money he has." Fico said Meciar does, however, still
have his heart in the SIS deputy fight and has threatened to
hold up key legislation unless he gets the nominee.


9. (C) In response to the Ambassador's observation that
Magala is firmly opposed to a HzDS nominated deputy, Fico
noted Magala is "one tough guy", who is frustrated that Fico
does not pay more attention to SIS. Quoting a Slovak proverb
"what guns we use can be used against us," Fico said the less
he was involved in SIS the better. For now Fico plans to
deal with the irreconcilable differences between Meciar and
Magala by stalling, at least until after the HZDS leadership
contest in June.


10. (C) A suggestion by Milan Urbani, vice-chairman of HzDS,
to the Ambassador that Meciar might give up the SIS slot in
exchange for something else was, according to Fico, made
without the backing of Meciar, who listens to nobody but
himself.

HZDS LEADERSHIP CONTEST
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11. (C) Fico said Meciar is very nervous about the challenge
to his leadership coming from vice-chairman Viliam Veteska.
(Septel) The SIS appointment request was reiterated
recently by Meciar, who told Fico straight out he needs the
appointment to strengthen himself against Veteska. Fico said
it was the only time he had seen Meciar confide weakness.
Fico still believes Meciar will win, but only by 60-40, and
only because of HZDS' sympathy for Meciar's medical
condition. Otherwise Veteska would win, particularly if
there were a secret ballot.

CUBAN REFUGEES
--------------

12. (SBU) The Ambassador thanked Fico for agreeing to accept
eight Cuban refugees. The PM acknowledged Interior Minister
Kalinak's enthusiasm for the request.
VALLEE