CZECHS ON APRIL 23-24 GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 000424 SIPDIS SIPDIS NOFORN ////C O R R E C T E D C O P Y///////// (SUBJ TAG CHANGE) EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2017 TAGS: ETRD KPAL PREL EUN XG IS IR AF EZ SUBJECT: CZECHS ON APRIL 23-24 GAERC REF: STATE 51262 PRAGUE 00000424 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mike Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. At the April 23-24 GAERC, the Czech government will support tougher sanctions on Iran, a "realistic" approach to the National Unity Government in Palestine, and reform efforts in Central Asia (but urge the EU to focus on improving human rights in the region). The Czechs continue to strongly support U.S. policy in the Balkans, and rely on other EU countries to take the lead in Africa. Finally, regarding the U.S.-EU summit, the Czechs used the draft declaration as an opportunity to highlight two issues of importance to the Czech Republic: visa waiver and Cuba. End summary. ¶2. (U) Poloff met with Director of the CFSP Department Vaclav Balek to discuss the April 23-24 GAERC. -------------- Iran -------------- ¶3. (C) Balek said the closed door discussion on Iran will address two concerns: how to apply increasing pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear program (the Czechs urge even tougher sanctions following the approval of UNSCR 1747),and whether dialogue with Iran may be needed in light of its influence in the region. -------------- MEPP/National Unity Government -------------- ¶4. (C/NF) Balek said there are two schools of thought within the EU on the National Unity Government (NUG). The first view, held by the "realists" (e.g., Germany, Czech Republic), is that the NUG should be given a chance to prove itself, but engaging with Hamas ministers is inadvisable. (The ultimate goal of the realists remains full acceptance by the NUG of the Quartet Principles.) The second view (held by Finland, Spain, Ireland, and unnamed countries Balek dismissed as "uninformed") is that the EU should engage fully with the NUG, including with the Hamas ministers, notwithstanding their refusal to accept the Quartet Principles. Balek added that the UK is a "strange case." According to Balek, the UK supports the realist view at the working level, yet is increasingly unpredictable and inconsistent at high political levels. He believed this trend is the result of PM Blair's "open-minded" approach, which has made the issue a matter of domestic policy within the UK. He said the UK's recent actions on this issue are "not helpful." -------------- Central Asia -------------- ¶5. (C) The Czechs welcome reform efforts in Central Asia, believing the region has strategic and political importance to the EU, and also has important resources. While the Czechs support strengthening economic ties to the region, they will continue to urge the EU to focus on human rights violations in countries like Uzbekistan. -------------- Balkans -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The Czechs continue to support U.S. policy in the Balkans. They fully support Ahtisaari's recommendations and the EU perspective for Serbia. -------------- Africa -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The Czechs continue to support EU efforts in Somalia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, and rely on the EU to provide strategy, intelligence, and expertise. -------------- U.S./EU Summit -------------- ¶8. (C) The Czech Republic urged the EU to include the visa waiver issue and Cuba in the draft declaration for the Summit. On the visa issue, Balek said EU member states PRAGUE 00000424 002.2 OF 002 reached consensus on the text, but the U.S. objected to it. On Cuba, Balek said the EU has not reached consensus on the text, with Spain opposing any mention of Cuba in the draft declaration. GRABER