STATUS OF CZECH ENGAGEMENT WITH IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000077

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2013
TAGS: PREL ETRD KTFN IZ EZ
SUBJECT: STATUS OF CZECH ENGAGEMENT WITH IRAN

REF: A. 07 PRAGUE 1293

B. 07 PRAGUE 1156

Classified By: POLEC Counselor Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).


1. (C) Summary: Although Czech efforts to upgrade their
diplomatic relations with Iran (in advance of the Czech 2009
EU Presidency and on a similar footing with other EU members)
met with setbacks last year (ref A and B),the Czech MFA
continues to pursue the effort. The GOCR cannot anticipate
Tehran's reaction, but repeat they are not prepared to accept
any conditions the regime may attach to normalizing
relations. The Czechs are considering a possible trip to
Iran at the deputy Trade and Industry Minister level, even
though relations have cooled since the GOCR public statement
on the U.S. National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) highlighted
the need to continue applying pressure to Iran on its nuclear
military program. A deal for the sale of some civilian
aviation equipment is being discussed. End Summary.

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Czech Agrement Request of Iran
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2. (SBU) The Czechs, who believe in the importance of
dialogue, have sought to normalize relations with Iran since
Iran imposed a quasi-trade embargo and downgraded relations
soon after Prague-based Radio Free Europe (RFE) launched its
FARSI service in 1997. The Czechs believe dialogue at the
Ambassadorial level is especially important given the
significant role they will play as EU President beginning
January 2009 in any talks or negotiations with the Iranians
on behalf of the EU. Their effort to normalize relations
this past fall, however, met with a setback with the sudden
death of the nominee. According to the MFA Director of
Middle East and North Africa Affairs, Josef Rychtar, the
Czechs have now selected a new nominee. Rychtar indicated,
however, that he is not optimistic that Iran will grant
agrement, based on his conversations with Iranian Charge
d'Affaires Nili.

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Iranian Cold Shoulder Due to NIE
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3. (C) In response to Polecon Counselor's query about whether
the Iranians were applying conditions before offering
agrement, Rychtar indicated that while the Iranians have not
set conditions, they have repeatedly made clear their
displeasure with the Czech statement on the NIE.
Interestingly, Rychtar noted that the Iranians are still
raising the NIE issue privately and publicly, even going so
far as dropping their standard complaints about RFE's FARSI
service - something they have raised for years whenever given
the opportunity. The GOCR, however, has steadfastly
maintained its position on the NIE and in fact, its December
statement remains on the MFA public website.

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Czechs Consider Travel to Tehran to Discuss Commerce
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4. (C) Notwithstanding the signals (nfi) that Rychtar sensed
from the Iranian Charge that agrement may not be forthcoming,
he said the Iranians have indicated interest in a visit to
Iran by the Czech Foreign Minister. (Note: A visit by FM
Schwarzenberg, who speaks unabashedly on human rights and
does not shy away from criticizing the regime in Iran on
several fronts, could turn out to be quite a surprise for the
regime.) The MFA has made clear that it will not accept
strings attached to its agrement request, and is not ready to
begin discussing a ministerial-level visit. Rychtar noted,
however, that the Czechs are contemplating a lower-level
spring trip by Deputy Ministry of Trade and Industry Milan
Hovorka. The Deputy Minister would not speak to political
matters, rather he would focus on trade issues, such as in
the transportation field. Apparently an (unnamed) Iranian
airline is interested in purchasing 10-12 small Czech
passenger planes. Rychtar made clear that the planes the
Iranians are interested in do not have American components
and that the Iranians have indicated that they would be for
commercial travel. Rychtar remains skeptical that anything
will come of this deal, since the airline apparently operates
now with only two plans and he questions the company's
capacity to complete such a purchase.
Graber