EUCOM AND EMBASSY PRAGUE DELIVER DEMARCHE ON

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000039 SIPDIS SIPDIS EUR/NCE FOR FICHTE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CJAN KCRM MARR PBTS EZ SUBJECT: EUCOM AND EMBASSY PRAGUE DELIVER DEMARCHE ON MILITARY EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION ACT REF: 06 STATE 142152 1) Summary: On January 9 EUCOM military lawyers, supported by Embassy Prague, delivered reftel demarche on the U.S. Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act. The Czech side, represented by senior lawyers from the Ministries of Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Justice discussed the law, and asked several questions but expressed no concerns. End summary. 2) EUCOM Staff Judge Advocate William Lietzau, EUCOM Assistant Judge Advocate LTCOL Joseph Perlak and members of Embassy Prague briefed a Czech interagency team of lawyers on January 9 about the U.S. Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA). The U.S. side provided copies of the background paper contained in reftel, and copies of the MEJA act. The Czechs, led by MOD International Law Department Chief Vladimir Krska, and including senior lawyers from the Ministries of Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Justice discussed the law, and asked a few basic questions. All questions were answered to the satisfaction of the Czech side. After the meeting, a few members of the Czech delegation reiterated their view that they had no concerns about the operation of the act, but praised the U.S. for taking the initiative to brief allies. 3) Comment: Embassy Prague does not expect a further response from the Czech authorities unless one is requested. End comment. GRABER