Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRATISLAVA232
2008-05-16 17:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:
SLOVAKIA SHARES NATO INTEROPERABILITY CONCERNS IN
how-toVZCZCXRO6520 OO RUEHBW DE RUEHSL #0232 1371719 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 161719Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1729 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000232
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2018
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR NATO LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA SHARES NATO INTEROPERABILITY CONCERNS IN
OSLO PROCESS
REF: STATE 48124
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Lawrence Silverman, for Reasons
1.4 b and d
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000232
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2018
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR NATO LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA SHARES NATO INTEROPERABILITY CONCERNS IN
OSLO PROCESS
REF: STATE 48124
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Lawrence Silverman, for Reasons
1.4 b and d
1. (C) Pol/Econ Chief and DATT delivered reftel points to
Director of the MFA Disarmament Office (and Slovak delegation
lead for Oslo Process negotiations) Karol Mistrik, as well to
the MOD representative to the talks, Captain Petrasik.
Mistrik and Petrasik stated that the core of their
negotiating mandate was to preserve Slovakia's ability to use
some types of cluster munitions; to press against a total
ban; and to ensure that any munitions banned under an
agreement would be subject to a lengthy phase-out period,
i.e., to 2020. Mistrik assured Emboffs that the Slovak
position on interoperability was in sync with U.S. views,
though he refused to be pinned down on next steps regarding
problematic language in Article 1 (b) and (c). Both officials
implied, however, that interoperability issues were secondary
to Slovak-specific interests, i.e., preserving Slovakia's
ability to use and more importantly, we assume, to produce
cluster munitions. (Comment: Although neither interlocutor
mentioned it, the Slovak defense firm "Konstructra Defense"
produces 152mm artillery projectiles and 122 mm cluster
munitions rockets.) Both Mistrik and Petrasik highlighted the
key role the UK would play in the upcoming negotiations (and
their concern that NGO pressure would weaken its stance);
expressed concern that the "like-minded group" could not
sustain unity; and predicted that, in the end, the talks were
unlikely to produce a text that the GOS could support.
(Comment: as has often been the case under the Fico
Government, the GOS stance on cluster munitions appears to
have been shaped primarily by commercial concerns. In this
instance, the result will likely be a policy in line with
U.S. goals.)
OBSITNIK
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2018
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR NATO LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA SHARES NATO INTEROPERABILITY CONCERNS IN
OSLO PROCESS
REF: STATE 48124
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Lawrence Silverman, for Reasons
1.4 b and d
1. (C) Pol/Econ Chief and DATT delivered reftel points to
Director of the MFA Disarmament Office (and Slovak delegation
lead for Oslo Process negotiations) Karol Mistrik, as well to
the MOD representative to the talks, Captain Petrasik.
Mistrik and Petrasik stated that the core of their
negotiating mandate was to preserve Slovakia's ability to use
some types of cluster munitions; to press against a total
ban; and to ensure that any munitions banned under an
agreement would be subject to a lengthy phase-out period,
i.e., to 2020. Mistrik assured Emboffs that the Slovak
position on interoperability was in sync with U.S. views,
though he refused to be pinned down on next steps regarding
problematic language in Article 1 (b) and (c). Both officials
implied, however, that interoperability issues were secondary
to Slovak-specific interests, i.e., preserving Slovakia's
ability to use and more importantly, we assume, to produce
cluster munitions. (Comment: Although neither interlocutor
mentioned it, the Slovak defense firm "Konstructra Defense"
produces 152mm artillery projectiles and 122 mm cluster
munitions rockets.) Both Mistrik and Petrasik highlighted the
key role the UK would play in the upcoming negotiations (and
their concern that NGO pressure would weaken its stance);
expressed concern that the "like-minded group" could not
sustain unity; and predicted that, in the end, the talks were
unlikely to produce a text that the GOS could support.
(Comment: as has often been the case under the Fico
Government, the GOS stance on cluster munitions appears to
have been shaped primarily by commercial concerns. In this
instance, the result will likely be a policy in line with
U.S. goals.)
OBSITNIK