Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PRAGUE592
2008-08-29 16:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Prague
Cable title:  

CZECHS SUPPORT GEORGIA AND TAKE TOUGH LINE ON

Tags:  PREL PARM KCFE RU GG EZ EUN 
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VZCZCXRO1898
RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHPG #0592/01 2421633
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 291633Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0669
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0780
RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI 0112
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 000592 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

EUR/CARC FOR BAXTER HUNT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2013
TAGS: PREL PARM KCFE RU GG EZ EUN
SUBJECT: CZECHS SUPPORT GEORGIA AND TAKE TOUGH LINE ON
RUSSIA

REF: A. STATE 91894

B. PRAGUE DAILY 26 AUGUST 2008

C. PRAGUE 539

D. PRAGUE 535

Classified By: POLEC Counselor Charles O. Blaha for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 000592

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

EUR/CARC FOR BAXTER HUNT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2013
TAGS: PREL PARM KCFE RU GG EZ EUN
SUBJECT: CZECHS SUPPORT GEORGIA AND TAKE TOUGH LINE ON
RUSSIA

REF: A. STATE 91894

B. PRAGUE DAILY 26 AUGUST 2008

C. PRAGUE 539

D. PRAGUE 535

Classified By: POLEC Counselor Charles O. Blaha for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. Summary: The GOCR has strongly condemned Russia's
recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and shares the USG
perspective on support for Georgia, especially its
territorial integrity. The Czechs have pressed for strong
statements in the North Atlantic Council (NAC) and the EU
General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC)
calling for a cease-fire and a return to the pre-August 7
status quo, condemning Russian aggression, and supporting
Georgia's territorial integrity, and will do so at the EU
Summit on September 1 as well. The Czechs have provided five
million crowns (330,000 USD) in emergency humanitarian
assistance and are committed to providing 150M crowns (10M
USD) over the next three years to support Georgian
reconstruction. FM Schwarzenberg has offered also to host an
international donors' conference in Prague. End Summary.

--------------
Czech PM's Position Going into EU Summit
--------------

2. (C) On August 27 the Czech cabinet agreed on its approach
to the still evolving situation in Georgia. According to
Czech MFA Deputy Director for Northern and Eastern Europe
Martina Tauberova, the MFA is currently fleshing out Czech PM
Topolanek's talking points for the September 1 EU Summit, but
these points fall into five broad areas: 1) The Czechs view
the latest Russian move as a clear violation of international
law, and they will not support any steps that undermine the
territorial integrity of Georgia; 2) The GOCR questions
Russia's sincerity about upholding the six points of the
cease-fire agreement while Russian troops remain in Georgia;
3) The EU cannot return to business as usual and needs to
re-evaluate the EU-Russia relationship; 4) The EU should
freeze the current negotiations on its Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Russia as well as
discussions related to creating a visa free area between the
EU and Russia; 5) The Czechs will press for a donors
conference on Georgia.

--------------
Czechs Condemn Russian Recognition of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia
--------------

3. (C) On August 26 the Czech MFA released a statement
"condemning" the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as
independent states as "an attack on the independence,
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia." Tauberova
commented that the Czechs took this step late in the day when
it became clear that the EU was having difficulty forming a
consensus via EU correspondence (COREU) as to whether to
"Condemn" or "Reject" Russia's action. She indicated that
Italy and Spain were slightly more reticent than the rest of
the EU to condemn Russian action, and hence there was no
joint EU statement.

--------------
Czech Interest in Georgian Donor's Conference
--------------

4. (SBU) As reported in reftels b and c, the GOCR has pressed
within the North Atlantic Council (NAC) and the August 13 EU
FMs General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC)
for a Georgia Donor's Conference. Tauberova told Embassy
POLEC officer on August 27 that so far the response from EU
member states has been "moderate." While the Czechs are
willing to host such an event here in Prague, they recognize
that other European countries may also be interested in
hosting. The Czechs are flexible on location, timing, and
pledging mechanisms, although they emphasize that the
European Commission should play a coordinating role and that
this must be an international conference with U.S.
participation. As noted above, PM Topolanek will raise this
at the EU Summit on Georgia as well.

--------------
Concerns about Russian Intentions
--------------

5. (SBU) During an August 25 meeting, Czech MFA Political
Director Martin Povejsil told Embassy officials that Russian
recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia clearly show that
Russia does not want to resolve "frozen conflicts" in the

PRAGUE 00000592 002 OF 002


former Soviet Union. Povejsil expressed concern that
Russia's stance in Georgia could be a harbinger of negative
stances and actions in other former Soviet republics such as
Ukraine and Moldova.


6. (C) Comment: Some analysts and foreign ministry officials
believe the Russian actions in Georgia may also bolster the
case for missile defense in the Czech Republic. While we do
not expect to see a change in public opinion, Russia's
actions may give a few wavering members of parliament another
reason to vote for the radar agreements. End Comment.
Graber