Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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07BRATISLAVA623 | 2007-11-21 12:37:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Bratislava |
VZCZCXYZ0016 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSL #0623/01 3251237 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 211237Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1336 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0112 RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO PRIORITY 0005 RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA PRIORITY 0085 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0152 |
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000623 |
1. (C) Summary. Charge discussed Kosovo, Bosnia and Iran with Slovak Political Director Roman Buzek on November 20. On Kosovo, Buzek said Slovakia can accept UNSCR 1244 as the basis for an ESDP mission in Kosovo, but complained that "some countries" were pushing the GOS to equate participation in ESDP with recognition. Buzek confirmed that Slovakia planned to deploy 8 policemen to the mission, but expressed concern that EU planning for post-December 10 was moving slowly. Charge briefed Buzek on the recent visit of BiH High Representative Lajcak to Washington and urged the GOS to deliver a strong message of support for Dayton and Lajcak during the November 22 visit of the recently-resigned Head of the Bosnian Council of Ministers, Nikola Spiric, to Bratislava. Buzek said the GOS would deliver the message, and had already conveyed the same message to Belgrade. Buzek's reassurances notwithstanding, we are not certain that pro-Serb PM Fico will keep to this line. Buzek heads to Tehran November 28-29. It is a long-deferred reciprocal visit, but, given the current atmosphere in Tehran, the Slovak embassy has not yet been able to confirm meetings or pin down interlocutors. Buzek agreed to press the Iranians to meet their UN and IAEA commitments. Buzek informed Charge that, due to difficulties scheduling meetings with Members of Congress, FM Kubis has postponed plans for a trip to Washington D.C December 19-20. Kubis will still go to New York City on December 17-19. End Summary. Kosovo -------------------------- 2. (C) Buzek noted there is broad consensus within the EU that an ESDP mission could be deployed under UNSCR 1244. Regardless of UDI, which Slovakia would not recognize, Slovakia will not block any decision on ESDP, and is firmly committed to participating in the mission. He reiterated FM Kubis' emphasis on the EU being prepared for UDI through an ESDP mission. Current Slovak planning envisages the participation of 8 policemen. (The GOS has already approved and submitted to parliament a resolution providing for additional contributions to KFOR -- two helicopters and associated support new personnel will be deployed in December.) Buzek mentioned, with some irritation, that "some countries" (nfi) were pushing Slovakia to accept that participation in ESDP means acceptance of UDI. Slovakia will not recognize UDI; the two issues are not linked, he stressed. Buzek stated confidently that under this formulation the Slovak parliament would not object to Slovak participation in EDSP. As for the modalities, Buzek stated a clear preference for an UNSYG call/invitation for an International Civilian Office mission. He suggested that an appeal from the Kosovars for assistance could be problematic. Harking back to well-known Slovak concerns about UDI, Buzek recounted comments made by Swedish FM Bildt at the GAERC. Bildt, according to Buzek, said the EU should not speak about UDI, but about UDIs. Buzek informed Charge that FM Kubis planned to visit Serbia and Kosovo December 2-4. Kubis would likely meet with UNMIK and possibly KFOR officials, as well as a Kosovar Albanian representative. Bosnia (and Belgrade... and Moscow) -------------------------- 3.(C) Charge sought this meeting with Buzek because of the November 22 visit of recently-resigned Head of the Bosnian Council of Ministers Spiric. He expressed our concern over the signal the visit could send, just as EU High Representative Lajcak is fighting against Spiric's obstructionism. Charge reviewed the recent visit of Bosnia HiRep Lajcak to Washington and reiterated our strong support for Lajcak's efforts to implement Dayton. While we would all prefer that Bosnia's leaders take the necessary steps on their own, the U.S. backs Lajcak fully in the use of the Bonn Powers if they do not. Buzek stated that Lajcak enjoys Slovakia's full backing -- his failure would be "our failure." Buzek agreed with Charge's analysis, adding that the "European perspective" may not be sufficiently compelling to the parties to do what is ultimately in their interest. Meanwhile, Belgrade and Moscow are exerting strong, negative pressures. Buzek is worried that Kostunica may see in Republika Srpska an opportunity to recoup in some fashion the loss of Kosovo. For Moscow, Bosnia is merely a pawn in a much larger game. 4. (C) Charge urged the GOS to use the Spiric visit to reaffirm a message of support for a unified BiH and the efforts of HiRep Lajcak, and to condemn efforts to link Kosovo and Bosnia. Buzek stated unequivocally that these themes would be conveyed by each of Spiric's interlocutors: FM Kubis, PM Fico and FinMin Pociatek. The fragmentation of Bosnia is in no one's interest, Buzek said, and would set a dangerous example for Europe. Buzek explained that Spiric's visit had been discussed almost two years ago but not materialized. However, during a recent visit to Republika Srbska, Czech FM Schwarzenberg encouraged Spiric to visit both Prague and Bratislava. Buzek acknowledged the timing of the visit is awkward given Spiric's uncertain mandate, but claimed it would provide a useful opportunity for dialogue. Although the GoS originally preferred a working-level visit, he said Bratislava followed Prague's example and elevated it to an official visit. In addition to meetings with FM Kubis and Finance Minister Pociatek Spiric will have a private meeting, press conference and lunch with PM Fico. Buzek seemed confident that PM Fico would not freelance away from the official line of strong support for the High Representative. (Comment: Post is not as optimistic about what Fico will say but we have made clear what line we expect. Post will report septel on results of the visit and any media coverage. End comment.) SILVERMAN |