SLOVAK REACTIONS TO U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000512 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EUR/CE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV LO SUBJECT: SLOVAK REACTIONS TO U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 1 (U) Summary. On November 5, the MFA issued a statement expressing its belief that President-Elect Obama would focus on global issues and international partnership. Prime Minister Fico, meanwhile, downplayed the significance of the elections. Asked for his reaction to the election, Fico said he didn't expect much to change, including the price of bread in Slovakia. President Gasparovic predicted continued good bilateral relations and praised the election of a black American as a expression of democratic thinking in the U.S. The U.S. Presidential elections have dominated the Slovak print media and television. Coverage has been largely positive, but has focused heavily on President-Elect Obama's race. Many politicians and commentators have said that Obama's election is the fulfillment of America's promise. As Slovakia struggles with its own minority issues, the election also has sparked some dialogue about the participation of minorities in Slovak politics. End Summary. MFA -- Positive and Politically Correct -------------- ¶2. (U) The MFA issued the following statement on November 5: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic congratulates the 44th President of the U.S. Barack Obama on his election victory. We are convinced that the President-Elect through international cooperation will help find solutions to the global challenges such as the financial crisis, terrorism, energy security, global warming, famine and poverty. Slovakia as an EU and NATO member is ready to face these challenges. We believe that transatlantic relations, which are the keystone of Slovakia's security, stability and development, will gain with a new Presidency a strong impetus for further development based on shared principles and the strategic character of transatlantic partnership. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic expresses its belief that the incoming U.S. Administration in the bilateral area will build on concrete positive results, such as the completion of Slovakia's integration efforts and the country's entry in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and will move mutual relations to a higher level." Political Parties -- Except SNS -- Find Good Things to Say -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) With varying degrees of enthusiasm, leading Slovak politicians spoke in mostly favorable terms about the election outcome. Some, such as HZDS MP Urbani, welcomed President-Elect Obama's stated focus on economic development and social issues. Most politicians, opposition or coalition, indicated that they did not believe that relations between the U.S. and Slovakia (or between the U.S. and Europe) would change markedly with a new U.S. Administration. Smer MP Jam Valova was more forward-leaning, stating that: "For Slovakia, it's a good thing. I think that Obama will bring many positive things to U.S. foreign policy." Members of the Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK) focused on the example set by Obama's election and the effectiveness of U.S. policies toward minorities. SMK MP Jozef Berenyi expressed the belief that "one day in Slovakia a member of the Roma or Hungarian minority will be able to become the President of the Slovak Republic." ¶4. (U) Former Ambassador Martin Butora said that he believes Obama's election will inspire young minorities in Slovakia and that Obama could serve as a role model for young Roma. Only Jan Slota of the Slovak National Party (SNS) sounded a wholly sour note. He attributed Obama's victory to the "arrogant" policies of President Bush, adding that "...Money and significant economic interests are behind all American efforts and a united Europe would be too strong a rival for it. I hope at least the victory of Barack Obama has reduced the risk of new wars being provoked." Fico: Studiously Disinterested -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Upon his arrival at a V-4 meeting in Warsaw, Prime Minister Fico's spokesperson issued a brief statement of congratulations to President-Elect Obama. Asked for his reaction, PM Fico said he didn't want to comment on the "politicians, the parties or anything about the election," but that he would send congratulations through official channels. Fico added that he didn't expect the election to bring any changes, noting that the price of bread in Slovakia wouldn't get any cheaper. In a television interview, President Gasparovic was more expansive. He conveyed congratulations, and expressed confidence that U.S.-Slovak relations would continue to be good. Election Event: Well Attended, but... -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The Embassy and the American Chamber of Commerce co-hosted an all-night election event beginning the evening of November 4. Both the evening reception and the breakfast, which featured a panel discussion on the election outcome that included former Slovak Ambassadors to the U.S. Martin Butora and Rasto Kacer, were well-attended. Despite the numbers, key groups were notably absent: no members of Smer, SNS or SMK showed up. No senior government officials, with the exception of mid-level and junior Slovak diplomats and the President's diplomatic advisor, came. The only guests who could be considered representative of the coalition were a few members of Vladimir Meciar's HZDS party. Comments made by Slovak guests at the reception and the tenor of the news coverage following the election suggests that many here are surprised -- some positively, some incredulously -- that an African-American could be elected President. The news coverage has been generally balanced and quite positive with respect to the question of race. However, the media's focus on the issue and on African-American, not to mention African, support for Obama, could, in a country where persons of color are rare, play a larger than expected role in shaping perceptions of the President-Elect. The coverage is also creating very high expectations regarding the impact of Obama's election on transatlantic relations. Comment -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The lack of heavy-weight politicians notwithstanding, our overnight election-watching party drew over 400 guests. We used the Ambassador's public comments -- and several subsequent press appearances on the elections -- to emphasize the basic continuity in American foreign policy Slovak should expect -- particularly on support for transatlantic security bonds, ties with the EU, shared commitments in Afghanistan and to the fight against climate change and poverty. We hope -- as several commentators noted -- that Senator Obama's election will indeed spark some real and meaningful dialogue on the potential for broader participation of Slovak minorities, particularly Roma, in Slovak politics. OBSITNIK