CZECH REPUBLIC ON JULY 23 GAERC

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