Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PRAGUE92
2008-02-14 15:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
Cable title:
KOSOVO/CZECH REPUBLIC - RECOGNITION LIKELY IN
how-toVZCZCXRO8300 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHPG #0092 0451538 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141538Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0046 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000092
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2013
TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV YI EZ EUN
SUBJECT: KOSOVO/CZECH REPUBLIC - RECOGNITION LIKELY IN
SECOND WAVE
REF: A. STATE 15111
B. STATE 14284
C. STATE 13716
D. PRAGUE 88
E. PRAGUE 83
Classified By: Ambassador Richard Graber for reasons 1/4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000092
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2013
TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV YI EZ EUN
SUBJECT: KOSOVO/CZECH REPUBLIC - RECOGNITION LIKELY IN
SECOND WAVE
REF: A. STATE 15111
B. STATE 14284
C. STATE 13716
D. PRAGUE 88
E. PRAGUE 83
Classified By: Ambassador Richard Graber for reasons 1/4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) In a February 13 meeting, Czech Prime Minister Mirek
Topolanek told Ambassador that the Czechs are focused on
Kosovo and the government will recognize independence. But
he repeated what we have heard at the working level: the
Czechs are not likely to be in the first round. Topolanek
stressed that while he, Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg and
Deputy Prime Minister Vondra are of like mind on Kosovo
(supporting independence),others in the cabinet are not, and
therefore the issue would need to be handled carefully within
the government. He added that, assuming the declaration of
independence comes this weekend, it is possible the Czech
decision to recognize would come before Topolanek's February
26-27 visit to Washington, but not likely.
2. (C) Comment: The Kosovo recognition decision comes at a
sensitive time for the government. The parliament is in the
midst of electing a new president, which has severely
strained relations among parties, including the three parties
in the coalition government. A second election begins
February 15, following the inconclusive first election one
week earlier; there is no guarantee this election will be
more successful than the first. Since there is opposition
within the government to Kosovo recognition, Topolanek feels
the need to tread carefully. If the cabinet meets next week
(not a given) and if there is suitably strong momentum on
recognition out of the GAERC meeting at the beginning of the
week, we believe an early Czech decision to recognize is
possible. More likely, however, is that the Czechs will feel
the need to delay their decision and announcement until early
March, after Topolanek's return from the U.S.
Graber
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2013
TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV YI EZ EUN
SUBJECT: KOSOVO/CZECH REPUBLIC - RECOGNITION LIKELY IN
SECOND WAVE
REF: A. STATE 15111
B. STATE 14284
C. STATE 13716
D. PRAGUE 88
E. PRAGUE 83
Classified By: Ambassador Richard Graber for reasons 1/4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) In a February 13 meeting, Czech Prime Minister Mirek
Topolanek told Ambassador that the Czechs are focused on
Kosovo and the government will recognize independence. But
he repeated what we have heard at the working level: the
Czechs are not likely to be in the first round. Topolanek
stressed that while he, Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg and
Deputy Prime Minister Vondra are of like mind on Kosovo
(supporting independence),others in the cabinet are not, and
therefore the issue would need to be handled carefully within
the government. He added that, assuming the declaration of
independence comes this weekend, it is possible the Czech
decision to recognize would come before Topolanek's February
26-27 visit to Washington, but not likely.
2. (C) Comment: The Kosovo recognition decision comes at a
sensitive time for the government. The parliament is in the
midst of electing a new president, which has severely
strained relations among parties, including the three parties
in the coalition government. A second election begins
February 15, following the inconclusive first election one
week earlier; there is no guarantee this election will be
more successful than the first. Since there is opposition
within the government to Kosovo recognition, Topolanek feels
the need to tread carefully. If the cabinet meets next week
(not a given) and if there is suitably strong momentum on
recognition out of the GAERC meeting at the beginning of the
week, we believe an early Czech decision to recognize is
possible. More likely, however, is that the Czechs will feel
the need to delay their decision and announcement until early
March, after Topolanek's return from the U.S.
Graber