GASPAROVIC'S REASSURANCES ON GEORGIA CONTRAST WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000390

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR EAID RS GG LO
SUBJECT: GASPAROVIC'S REASSURANCES ON GEORGIA CONTRAST WITH
PM FICO

REF: STATE 86108

Classified By: DCM KEITH A. EDDINS FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D


1. (C) Ambassador met with Slovak President Gasparovic August
19 to underscore the U.S. position on Georgia (reftel and
previous); to urge continued constructive Slovak engagement
within NATO, the EU, and the OSCE; and to note that the U.S.
disagreed with Prime Minister Fico,s unhelpful public
statements suggesting Georgia had provoked the Russian
invasion (although later Fico said he had been misquoted).
In response, Gasparovic reiterated Slovakia,s strong support
for Georgia,s sovereignty and territorial integrity; he
added that Slovakia viewed South Ossetia and Abkhazia as
being intrinsic parts of Georgia.


2. (C) Gasparovic continued that Slovakia supports a
negotiated longer-term agreement to solve the conflict.
While unsure of what structure such an agreement might take,
he stated emphatically that Russian troops must withdraw from
Georgian territory in fulfillment of the ceasefire agreement.
Gasparovic also said that Slovakia stood behind the U.S. in
demanding free access for humanitarian assistance and full
and complete implementation of the six-point agreement.


3. (C) Slovakia would not endorse any dismemberment of
Georgia, Gasparovic said, adding that for the same reason he
continues to object to Kosovo,s independence. When the
Ambassador urged Gasparovic to include mention of Georgia in
any remarks he makes commemorating the upcoming 40th
anniversary of the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia,
the President demurred, asserting the two cases were not
perfect historical parallels. The Ambassador acknowledged
certain differences, but underscored the fact that both
involved Moscow seeking to impose its will upon another
country by force of arms. The President agreed with this
parallel.


4. (C) Comment: Gasparovic now plans to attend this year's
UNGA, which should allow the Slovaks to present a more
nuanced position than Fico often takes. That said, since his
initial rationalization of Russian actions, Fico himself has
called for an end to the violence and killing, as well as for
both parties to find a negotiated solution. Fico has also
avoided any further comments blaming Georgia for provoking
the conflict. End comment.

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