Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PRAGUE22
2008-01-15 14:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
Cable title:
CZECH REPUBLIC: STRATEGIC DIALOGUE NON-PAPER
how-toVZCZCXRO2482 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHPG #0022 0151403 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 151403Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9958 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000022
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2018
TAGS: MARR PREL PGOV EZ
SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC: STRATEGIC DIALOGUE NON-PAPER
DELIVERED
REF: STATE 4158
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mike Dodman for reasons 1.4
b+d
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000022
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2018
TAGS: MARR PREL PGOV EZ
SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC: STRATEGIC DIALOGUE NON-PAPER
DELIVERED
REF: STATE 4158
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mike Dodman for reasons 1.4
b+d
1. (C) Political Counselor delivered reftel non-paper to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of Security Policy
Veronika Kuchynova-Smigolova January 15. Smigolova
emphasized the political importance of the Strategic Dialogue
to highlight how the Ballistic Missile Defense Agreement
(BMDA) deepens ties between the U.S. and Czech Republic.
PolCouns agreed there is a link between the BMDA and the
proposed Dialogue (the exact nature of which will be
determined in the course of BMDA negotiations),but stressed
that we see the proposed Dialogue as having a mandate larger
than just missile defense (or, indeed, larger than only
political-military issues). Both agreed the proposed
Dialogue should play a role in Prime Minister Topolanek's
upcoming trip to Washington. Smigolova did not offer any
suggestion of when the Czech Republic would be ready to sit
down to talk in more detail about the Dialogue.
SNEAK PREVIEW OF SECURITY COUNCIL THOUGHTS ON BMDA
-------------- -- -------------- -------------- -------------- -- --------------
2. (C) In terms of the SOFA and BMDA negotiations scheduled
for January 28-31, Smiglova thought the January 17 Security
Council meeting would result in only one new request, and
this is an important one: the Czech Green Party wants
explicit language referring to NATO in the body of the BMDA,
not in the preamble. This language does not specifically
need to make BMD part of a NATO framework, but the Greens
need to see a reference to NATO in the final draft. She said
the Czechs are working on possible language to meet this
requirement, and hope to provide to the U.S. side before the
upcoming talks.
3. (C) The MFA has provided the National Security Council
with a briefing paper on the BMDA and SOFA negotiations
outlining the remaining areas of disagreement. Smigolova
expects the Security Council's new negotiating mandate will
confirm the Czech negotiating positions on many points, and
make some small changes such as the issue of symbolic rent.
NATO SEMINAR POSTPONED; FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON TRACK
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -- --------------
4. (C) The MFA agreed to move the planned MD/NATO seminar
from March to late April. They are working with the NATO
SYG,s officer to find a date that works for him. Once they
have this, they will approach us about getting senior USG
participation. Smigolova confirmed that she will lead the
Framework Agreement negotiations with MDA on January 18.
Graber
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2018
TAGS: MARR PREL PGOV EZ
SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC: STRATEGIC DIALOGUE NON-PAPER
DELIVERED
REF: STATE 4158
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mike Dodman for reasons 1.4
b+d
1. (C) Political Counselor delivered reftel non-paper to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of Security Policy
Veronika Kuchynova-Smigolova January 15. Smigolova
emphasized the political importance of the Strategic Dialogue
to highlight how the Ballistic Missile Defense Agreement
(BMDA) deepens ties between the U.S. and Czech Republic.
PolCouns agreed there is a link between the BMDA and the
proposed Dialogue (the exact nature of which will be
determined in the course of BMDA negotiations),but stressed
that we see the proposed Dialogue as having a mandate larger
than just missile defense (or, indeed, larger than only
political-military issues). Both agreed the proposed
Dialogue should play a role in Prime Minister Topolanek's
upcoming trip to Washington. Smigolova did not offer any
suggestion of when the Czech Republic would be ready to sit
down to talk in more detail about the Dialogue.
SNEAK PREVIEW OF SECURITY COUNCIL THOUGHTS ON BMDA
-------------- -- -------------- -------------- -------------- -- --------------
2. (C) In terms of the SOFA and BMDA negotiations scheduled
for January 28-31, Smiglova thought the January 17 Security
Council meeting would result in only one new request, and
this is an important one: the Czech Green Party wants
explicit language referring to NATO in the body of the BMDA,
not in the preamble. This language does not specifically
need to make BMD part of a NATO framework, but the Greens
need to see a reference to NATO in the final draft. She said
the Czechs are working on possible language to meet this
requirement, and hope to provide to the U.S. side before the
upcoming talks.
3. (C) The MFA has provided the National Security Council
with a briefing paper on the BMDA and SOFA negotiations
outlining the remaining areas of disagreement. Smigolova
expects the Security Council's new negotiating mandate will
confirm the Czech negotiating positions on many points, and
make some small changes such as the issue of symbolic rent.
NATO SEMINAR POSTPONED; FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON TRACK
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -- --------------
4. (C) The MFA agreed to move the planned MD/NATO seminar
from March to late April. They are working with the NATO
SYG,s officer to find a date that works for him. Once they
have this, they will approach us about getting senior USG
participation. Smigolova confirmed that she will lead the
Framework Agreement negotiations with MDA on January 18.
Graber