Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PRAGUE467
2007-04-30 15:45:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Prague
Cable title:
CZECHS ARE COMMITTED TO IRAQ THROUGH 2007
how-toVZCZCXRO1337 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV DE RUEHPG #0467 1201545 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 301545Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8969 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0079 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
S E C R E T PRAGUE 000467
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE, PM/RSAT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/29/2017
TAGS: MARR MASS MOPS PREL PTER IZ EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS ARE COMMITTED TO IRAQ THROUGH 2007
REF: A. STATE 55436
B. PRAGUE 1543
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mike Dodman
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T PRAGUE 000467
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE, PM/RSAT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/29/2017
TAGS: MARR MASS MOPS PREL PTER IZ EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS ARE COMMITTED TO IRAQ THROUGH 2007
REF: A. STATE 55436
B. PRAGUE 1543
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mike Dodman
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff met with MFA Deputy Director of the Security
Policy Department Daniel Kostoval April 26 to discuss Iraq
troop contributions and deliver ref A. Kostoval confirmed the
Czechs will maintain current troop levels through 2007, and
will continue their multi-faceted efforts to stabilize Iraq
(ref B).
2. (C) Kostoval also said the Czech MFA is planning an
initiative that, if approved, would support civic
institutions in Basra. The current thinking is to form a
sister city relationship between Basra and Brno (the second
largest city in the Czech Republic). Links formed between
city officials would allow Czech officials to offer their
counterparts assistance and know how on topics such as best
practices in local administration, and infrastructure
development.
3. (S/NF) Kostoval said the Czech Ambassador to Iraq recently
returned from Baghdad and briefed MFA officials on his
personal views of the current security situation in Iraq.
Kostoval shared some of the Ambassador's views (please
protect):
-- The Ambassador believes the conflict is a full-blown civil
war, albeit between more than two sides.
-- The situation on the ground is worse than has been
reported. Indeed, British troops have unilaterally changed
patrol reports of Czech troops to provide a more optimistic
account of the situation. An official protest to this
practice lodged by Czech military authorities was dismissed
without comment.
-- The number of coalition troops is insufficient to provide
needed security and stability. The wall being built to
provide additional security for a Sunni neighborhood is a
public relations failure (and is rejected by the very people
it would protect).
-- The Kurds have already established their own separate
territory, and are operating it accordingly.
GRABER
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE, PM/RSAT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/29/2017
TAGS: MARR MASS MOPS PREL PTER IZ EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS ARE COMMITTED TO IRAQ THROUGH 2007
REF: A. STATE 55436
B. PRAGUE 1543
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mike Dodman
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff met with MFA Deputy Director of the Security
Policy Department Daniel Kostoval April 26 to discuss Iraq
troop contributions and deliver ref A. Kostoval confirmed the
Czechs will maintain current troop levels through 2007, and
will continue their multi-faceted efforts to stabilize Iraq
(ref B).
2. (C) Kostoval also said the Czech MFA is planning an
initiative that, if approved, would support civic
institutions in Basra. The current thinking is to form a
sister city relationship between Basra and Brno (the second
largest city in the Czech Republic). Links formed between
city officials would allow Czech officials to offer their
counterparts assistance and know how on topics such as best
practices in local administration, and infrastructure
development.
3. (S/NF) Kostoval said the Czech Ambassador to Iraq recently
returned from Baghdad and briefed MFA officials on his
personal views of the current security situation in Iraq.
Kostoval shared some of the Ambassador's views (please
protect):
-- The Ambassador believes the conflict is a full-blown civil
war, albeit between more than two sides.
-- The situation on the ground is worse than has been
reported. Indeed, British troops have unilaterally changed
patrol reports of Czech troops to provide a more optimistic
account of the situation. An official protest to this
practice lodged by Czech military authorities was dismissed
without comment.
-- The number of coalition troops is insufficient to provide
needed security and stability. The wall being built to
provide additional security for a Sunni neighborhood is a
public relations failure (and is rejected by the very people
it would protect).
-- The Kurds have already established their own separate
territory, and are operating it accordingly.
GRABER