Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PRAGUE970
2007-08-24 07:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
Cable title:
CZECH REACTION TO U.S. NONPAPER ON CFE
VZCZCXYZ0003 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHPG #0970 2360742 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 240742Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9521 INFO RUEHXP/ALL NATO POST COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 0747 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000970
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2017
TAGS: EZ KCFE NATO PARM PREL
SUBJECT: CZECH REACTION TO U.S. NONPAPER ON CFE
REF: STATE 116194
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000970
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2017
TAGS: EZ KCFE NATO PARM PREL
SUBJECT: CZECH REACTION TO U.S. NONPAPER ON CFE
REF: STATE 116194
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d).
1. (C) On June 20, post delivered reftel demarche and
nonpaper to Veronika Kuchynova-Smigolova, Director for
Security Policy at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Kuchynova-Smigolova said that she would study the U.S.
proposal, but her immediate reaction was less than positive.
She expressed a two-fold concern that 1) NATO allies would
appear as if they were backing down as a result of Russian
threats; and 2) NATO would send the wrong signal to countries
like Georgia, which have depended on NATO's insistence that
Russia implement the Istanbul commitments.
Kuchynova-Smigolova noted that until now, most of the NATO
allies have supported -- "correctly" -- the present policy of
delaying ratification until after Russia has fulfilled the
Istanbul commitments. A change in NATO's current stance
would not guarantee Russian cooperation, according to
Kuchynova-Smigolova, who believes that Russia has already
decided to withdraw from CFE and the U.S. proposal would not
have any effect on that decision. Comment:
Kuchynova-Smigolova will have the lead in drafting the
official Czech position on the U.S. nonpaper. While her
initial hard-line reaction may be toned down somewhat by
others in the MFA, we expect that the Czechs will remain
unenthusiastic about the proposed approach. End Comment.
GRABER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2017
TAGS: EZ KCFE NATO PARM PREL
SUBJECT: CZECH REACTION TO U.S. NONPAPER ON CFE
REF: STATE 116194
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d).
1. (C) On June 20, post delivered reftel demarche and
nonpaper to Veronika Kuchynova-Smigolova, Director for
Security Policy at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Kuchynova-Smigolova said that she would study the U.S.
proposal, but her immediate reaction was less than positive.
She expressed a two-fold concern that 1) NATO allies would
appear as if they were backing down as a result of Russian
threats; and 2) NATO would send the wrong signal to countries
like Georgia, which have depended on NATO's insistence that
Russia implement the Istanbul commitments.
Kuchynova-Smigolova noted that until now, most of the NATO
allies have supported -- "correctly" -- the present policy of
delaying ratification until after Russia has fulfilled the
Istanbul commitments. A change in NATO's current stance
would not guarantee Russian cooperation, according to
Kuchynova-Smigolova, who believes that Russia has already
decided to withdraw from CFE and the U.S. proposal would not
have any effect on that decision. Comment:
Kuchynova-Smigolova will have the lead in drafting the
official Czech position on the U.S. nonpaper. While her
initial hard-line reaction may be toned down somewhat by
others in the MFA, we expect that the Czechs will remain
unenthusiastic about the proposed approach. End Comment.
GRABER