NOVEMBER GAERC: SLOVAK RESPONSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000618 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/RPM, EUR/NCE, IO/UNP, AF/RSA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2017 TAGS: PREL EU LO SUBJECT: NOVEMBER GAERC: SLOVAK RESPONSE REF: STATE 156474 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Lawrence R. Silverman for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) PolEcon Chief delivered reftel points to MFA EU Correspondent Alexander Micovcin on November 16. With the usual exception of Kosovo, Micovcin noted the general coherence of U.S. and Slovak views on the GAERC agenda items. On Iran, Micovcin stressed GOS support for additional EU sanctions, while noting the divergence of opinion among EU members on the issue. He added that these divisions were playing out in Tehran, in negotiations among the EU HOMS on the text of their report to the EU Presidency. Micovcin said that although the MFA Disarmament and Counter-terrorism office was still analyzing the IAEA Director General's report on Iran, it is clear to the GOS that Iran has not made sufficient progress toward meeting its obligations. The international community, he added, must respond quickly, firmly and constructively. 2.(C) Although he did not explicitly raise the possibility of Syrian participation at the Annapolis meeting (as he has in previous meetings),Micovcin stressed the GOS view that Annapolis should set the stage for a comprehensive approach to regional peace. He added that the EU would maintain a strong focus on assistance for the Palestinian Authority and understood the importance for the process of a successful Donors Conference in December. ¶3. (C) On Lebanon, Micovcin indicated that while the GAERC conclusions would send a strong message regarding outside interference in the Lebanese electoral process, he did not believe that sanctions on Syrian or Lebanese individuals were under consideration. Although Burma is not on the GAERC agenda, Micovcin said he would convey our message regarding the need for tougher financial sanctions to Foreign Minister Kubis. ¶4. (C) Micovcin said that FM Kubis would highlight at the upcoming EU-Africa Summit Slovak initiatives on Security Sector Reform (a Slovak priority during its UNSC Presidency). Slovakia and South Africa earlier this month organized an international workshop on "Enhancing UN Support for SSR in Africa" in Cape Town. The GOS plans to build on the conference with projects aimed at strengthening cooperation between the UN and the EU on SSR-related projects. SILVERMAN