CZECHS ON MARCH 5-6 GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000213 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN KPAL BK YI IS IR AF SU UZ EZ SUBJECT: CZECHS ON MARCH 5-6 GAERC REF: A. STATE 23592 ¶B. PRAGUE 0195 Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mike Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. The official Czech position on the Balkans remains unchanged (Ref B). The Czechs are taking a "wait and see" position on the new National Unity government in Palestine, and continue to require compliance with the Quartet Principles. On Iran, the Czechs will call for additional sanctions in the wake of the IAEA report concluding Iran had defied UNSCR 1737. The Czechs continue to focus on human rights in Uzbekistan, and support EU involvement in Sudan. End summary. ¶2. (U) Poloff met with Deputy Director of the CFSP Department Miroslav Kolatek to discuss the March 5-6 GAERC. Kolatek said the GAERC agenda will focus primarily on the Balkans, the Middle East Peace Process, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Sudan. ¶3. (C) The Czech position on the Balkans remains unchanged (Ref B). On Bosnia, the EU will authorize a reduction of the Althea mission from 7,000 to 2,500 troops. Czech troops will remain. The GAERC conclusions will likely respond favorably to the formation of the new government. On Kosovo, the focus will remain on maintaining EU unity. ¶4. (C/NF) On MEPP, Kolatek predicted the GAERC will not issue conclusions on the National Unity government, as the EU is still waiting to see what the composition and position of the new government will be. He noted some EU member states (unspecified Nordic and Southern European countries) continue to urge greater flexibility regarding compliance with Quartet Principles. ¶5. (C) On Iran, the Czechs will support stronger sanctions after the IAEA report concluded Iran is not complying with UNSCR 1737. ¶6. (SBU) On Uzbekistan, the Czechs believe the primary focus of EU relations with Uzbekistan should be human rights and good governance. Any change to the sanctions regime should be linked to improvements in human rights in the country. ¶7. (SBU) The Czechs support EU involvement in Sudan. GRABER