Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PRAGUE861
2007-07-20 17:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
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C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000861
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2017
TAGS: PREL EUN UN EZ
SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC ON JULY 23 GAERC
REF: A. STATE 98749
B. PRAGUE 717
Classified By: CDA Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 B + D
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000861
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2017
TAGS: PREL EUN UN EZ
SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC ON JULY 23 GAERC
REF: A. STATE 98749
B. PRAGUE 717
Classified By: CDA Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 B + D
1. (C) SUMMARY: Czechs expect Kosovo to dominate GAERC
discussions and noted continue divide within the EU on final
Kosovo status. Czechs believe forcing a vote now in the UNSC
would result in a Russian veto that would leave a future EU
mission without a legal mandate. On Ukraine, the focus will
be on the September 14 EU-Ukraine summit and how it might
play in to domestic politics given parliamentary elections
the same month. On Iran, Czechs said the USG and the EU are
in lock-step. On the Middle East, Czechs believe some EU
members states doubt extent of USG commitment to the MEPP
given our commitments in Iraq, and that the President's July
16 speech and the call for a conference is a good start to
address those doubts. On Sudan, Czechs support the French
proposal to deploy an ESDP mission. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) Acting Pol-Econ Counselor delivered ref A demarche
July 20 to MFA CFSP Department Director Vaclav Balek. Balek
listed the July 23 GAERC agenda as follows: WTO,
Sudan/Darfur, Congo, Libya, Ukraine, Middle East/Lebanon,
Western Balkans, and Iran. The ministerial lunch agenda
includes Kosovo, Iran, Libya, CIA overfilghts, and Russia.
3. (C) KOSOVO: There are concerns among EU member states
about a possible USG push for an immediate vote in the UNSC
on Kosovo because of the likely Russian veto that would leave
an EU mission without a legal mandate. Reflecting on the
continued divisions within the EU about Kosovo final status,
Balek said that with 3,000 soldiers in KFOR, Greece would not
recognize Kosovo independence anytime soon. Balek explained
that for ESDP to have a legal mandate, a UNSCR that leaves
"room for explanation" (such as the one currently tabled)
would be required. He underscored that not having any UNSCR
or a Russian veto on a UNSCR would be equally damaging for
ESDP prospects.
4. (C) ALBANIA: Albania is not/not listed separately on the
agenda other than linked to the Kosovo issue.
5. (C) UKRAINE: The primary focus of GAERC discussions on
Ukraine is within the context of the September 14 EU-Ukraine
Summit and how it should not/not be "misused" for domestic
campaign purposes given the upcoming September parliamentary
elections in Ukraine.
6. (C) IRAN: On Iran, Balek said "we are with you," and the
USG should not expect anything different.
7. (C) MIDDLE EAST: Some EU member states doubt USG
intentions to get behind the Middle East Peace Process given
our preoccupation in Iraq. Balek called the president's July
16 speech and the call for a conference a "good start." He
opined that articulating the "final status" would provide a
beacon in the horizon needed to guide the process forward.
8. (C) SUDAN/DARFUR: On Sudan, GAERC discussions will focus
on the French proposal to deploy an ESDP mission, which
Czechs support.
DODMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2017
TAGS: PREL EUN UN EZ
SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC ON JULY 23 GAERC
REF: A. STATE 98749
B. PRAGUE 717
Classified By: CDA Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 B + D
1. (C) SUMMARY: Czechs expect Kosovo to dominate GAERC
discussions and noted continue divide within the EU on final
Kosovo status. Czechs believe forcing a vote now in the UNSC
would result in a Russian veto that would leave a future EU
mission without a legal mandate. On Ukraine, the focus will
be on the September 14 EU-Ukraine summit and how it might
play in to domestic politics given parliamentary elections
the same month. On Iran, Czechs said the USG and the EU are
in lock-step. On the Middle East, Czechs believe some EU
members states doubt extent of USG commitment to the MEPP
given our commitments in Iraq, and that the President's July
16 speech and the call for a conference is a good start to
address those doubts. On Sudan, Czechs support the French
proposal to deploy an ESDP mission. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) Acting Pol-Econ Counselor delivered ref A demarche
July 20 to MFA CFSP Department Director Vaclav Balek. Balek
listed the July 23 GAERC agenda as follows: WTO,
Sudan/Darfur, Congo, Libya, Ukraine, Middle East/Lebanon,
Western Balkans, and Iran. The ministerial lunch agenda
includes Kosovo, Iran, Libya, CIA overfilghts, and Russia.
3. (C) KOSOVO: There are concerns among EU member states
about a possible USG push for an immediate vote in the UNSC
on Kosovo because of the likely Russian veto that would leave
an EU mission without a legal mandate. Reflecting on the
continued divisions within the EU about Kosovo final status,
Balek said that with 3,000 soldiers in KFOR, Greece would not
recognize Kosovo independence anytime soon. Balek explained
that for ESDP to have a legal mandate, a UNSCR that leaves
"room for explanation" (such as the one currently tabled)
would be required. He underscored that not having any UNSCR
or a Russian veto on a UNSCR would be equally damaging for
ESDP prospects.
4. (C) ALBANIA: Albania is not/not listed separately on the
agenda other than linked to the Kosovo issue.
5. (C) UKRAINE: The primary focus of GAERC discussions on
Ukraine is within the context of the September 14 EU-Ukraine
Summit and how it should not/not be "misused" for domestic
campaign purposes given the upcoming September parliamentary
elections in Ukraine.
6. (C) IRAN: On Iran, Balek said "we are with you," and the
USG should not expect anything different.
7. (C) MIDDLE EAST: Some EU member states doubt USG
intentions to get behind the Middle East Peace Process given
our preoccupation in Iraq. Balek called the president's July
16 speech and the call for a conference a "good start." He
opined that articulating the "final status" would provide a
beacon in the horizon needed to guide the process forward.
8. (C) SUDAN/DARFUR: On Sudan, GAERC discussions will focus
on the French proposal to deploy an ESDP mission, which
Czechs support.
DODMAN