MISSILE DEFENSE: CZECH NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000066

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR GARBER AND FICHTE, EUR/PRA FOR FRIEDT AND
AZEVEDO, NSC FOR HAYWARD AND STERLING, OSD FOR IARROBINO
AND SADOWSKA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MASS MARR EZ
SUBJECT: MISSILE DEFENSE: CZECH NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
ACCEPTS U.S. OFFER FOR NEGOTIATIONS; GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES
SITE

REF: STATE 9270

Classified By: Political Counselor Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d)


1. (SBU) Summary: The Czech National Security Council agreed
January 24 to start talks with the United States on the
placement of a missile defense radar in the Czech Republic.
DCM delivered reftel dipnote to Deputy FM Pojar morning of
January 25. PM Topolanek several hours later announced to
the press receipt of the note and provided details (i.e.,
location of the proposed radar facility). End summary.


2. (C) The Czech National Security Council met January 24 to
consider the U.S. offer to base a missile defense radar in
the Czech Republic (Note: the Council includes the President,
Prime Minister, Foreign and Defense Ministers, and senior
members of parliament. End note). Speaking after the
meeting, PM Mirek Topolanek said the Council had ordered the
Foreign and Defense Ministers to set up an expert team to
conduct negotiations with the United States. President Vaclav
Klaus, who had previously been silent on missile defense,
also spoke in encouraging terms about MD after the meeting.
Given Klaus's popularly, MFA officials told us that they
through his endorsement would help build popular support for
the MD facility.


3. (C) DCM delivered reftel diplomatic note to Deputy FM
Pojar at 10:15 on January 25. Pojar expressed appreciation
and noted that with the Czech NSC decision, he hoped the
Czech side would be able to respond within a few weeks. He
noted that he would be in Washington in early February (dates
still not final) and planned to discuss the issue at that
time.


4. (U) At around 14:00 on January 25, PM Topolanek announced
to the press that his government had received our note, that
the request was for a radar, and that the site was the Jince
military area. He promised that the government would
thoroughly analyze the note and respond within several weeks.
He also suggested that actual negotiations and ratification
of a bilateral agreement could last one year.


5. (SBU) Post has received numerous requests for information
from Czech officials. Continuing with our effort to involve
the main opposition party, Ambassador accepted a request from
CSSD Chairman Paroubek to meet to discuss the planned MD
facility on January 25. Paroubek reiterated his previous
assessments that many in his party remain concerned about MD,
and he needed to provide information to meet their concerns.
He requested an embassy representative take part in an
on-line web chat next week with party members. He welcomed
information about MD that has been available on the embassy
web site for months. In general, Paroubek continued to
demonstrate that he wants to work with us on a radar
facility, but that he needs to continue to provide
information to answer questions and concerns.


6. (SBU) Ambassador has also been asked to join the Governor
of the Central Bohemia Region (in which the Jince/Brdy site
is located) for a meeting on January 26 with local officials.
Also participating in the meeting will be Deputy PM Vondra
and Deputy FM Pojar. It is not yet clear what will be the
fate of a similar meeting that was planned for next week in
the Olomouc region (which includes the Libava site).
GRABER