CZECHS INTERESTED IN JOINING KOSOVO STEERING GROUP

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000083

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/SCE FOR JOSHUA BLACK, EUR/NCE FOR ALEX TRATENSEK

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV YI EZ EUN
SUBJECT: CZECHS INTERESTED IN JOINING KOSOVO STEERING GROUP

REF: A. STATE 12026

B. 07 PRAGUE 1151

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


1. (C) Summary: Embassy Officers met February 8 with Czech
MFA Political Director, Martin Povejsil, who confirmed Czech
interest in participating in the International Steering Group
(ISG). With their upcoming January 2009 EU Presidency and
their substantial military involvement in KFOR, the Czechs
are particularly committed to work constructively to address
the situation in Kosovo, as well as the wider Balkans. The
GOCR has been laying the groundwork with the Czech parliament
to ensure that once Kosovo makes a declaration of
independence the GOCR will be able to respond without this
becoming a domestic political debate. This support has now
been secured and the Czechs plan to act "at the right moment"
and "in harmony" with the majority of other EU states.
Whether or not they will recognize Kosovo in the first wave
depends on what the first wave looks like.

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Czechs Express Interest in ISG
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2. (SBU) Povejsil confirmed that there is a general consensus
within the GOCR that the Czechs should be involved in this
steering group, if and when it is formed. He noted the
situation in the Balkans is one of the five Czech priorities
for its EU Presidency beginning January 2009 (Ref B). Thus,
Czech officials feel it is particularly important that they
are involved in the ISG from its inception. With respect to
the two conditions for membership - a commitment to recognize
Kosovo in the first wave and a significant contribution of
resources - the Czechs believe that the first requirement
will be tricky for everyone, although they are confident that
they more than satisfy the second requirement. Povejsil
sited their current significant civilian and military
contributions as evidence of their commitment (Note: The
Czech have approximately 430 personnel deployed in KFOR,
making this the largest deployment of Czech forces abroad,
just slightly ahead of their commitment of troops in
Afghanistan. End Note.)

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Timing of Czech Recognition
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3. (C) On the subject of timing, Povejsil noted that during
Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg's visit to Kosovo January 14,
Schwarzenberg made clear that the Czech Republic would
recognize Kosovo "in harmony" with other EU member states.
Povejsil understands that a declaration from Kosovo is likely
to occur around February 15, which would then allow the EU
Foreign Ministers to discuss this topic during the February
18 GAERC. Previous to our meeting, we had heard from Czech
MFA officials that the Czechs would likely be in the second
wave of countries to recognize Kosovo. However, Povejsil
told us that if a majority of EU countries recognize Kosovo
immediately, then the Czechs may be able to act with this
group. He was clear though that if only a handful of EU
members recognize Kosovo early on, the Czechs are not likely
to be among the "pioneers."


4. (C) Povejsil also noted that Schwarzenberg has been laying
the domestic political groundwork and building consensus for
the government position on Kosovo. Schwarzenberg met with
the foreign committee in parliament to discuss Kosovo within
the last week and while there was some initial concern that a
few radical Czech parliamentarians might try to cause
difficulties for the GOCR on Kosovo recognition, according to
Povejsil the discussion went well and Schwarzenberg believes
he has sufficient parliamentary support for the government to
go forward with recognition. The actual decision when and
how to recognize can therefore be made by the government.
Likewise, Povejsil said the final decision in joining the ISG
would likely be taken at the government level. Povejsil made
clear that the MFA supports joining the ISG, but would not
predict how or when the cabinet would decide. We reminded
Povejsil that the ISG is expected to meet soon after a
declaration of independence and encouraged him to get back to
us soon with a response.
Graber