SLOVAKS TO DEMARCHE IRANIANS, SUPPORT FREE AND FAIR AFGHAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000290 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/17/2012 TAGS: PREL PGOV AF LO SUBJECT: SLOVAKS TO DEMARCHE IRANIANS, SUPPORT FREE AND FAIR AFGHAN ELECTIONS REF: SECSTATE 63551 CLASSIFIED BY: Keith A. Eddins, Charge d Affaires, EXEC, DOS. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) During a June 26 meeting with the Charge, Slovak MFA State Secretary Diana Strofova said she would be meeting with the Iranian Ambassador (resident in Vienna) later that morning to deliver a demarche on the recent Iranian elections and their aftermath. She emphasized the Slovak demarche was part of a coordinated EU effort, and she provided us with a copy of her talking points (in English). Strofova said her message to the Iranian Ambassador would be publicized by the MFA after the meeting. ¶2. (C) The Slovak talking points read: - Slovakia has been closely following the Presidential elections of 12 June 2009 in Iran and the following events. - We express our grave concern regarding the ongoing violence against peaceful demonstrations, which has resulted in the loss of lives. Violence in our opinion must be stopped and avoided and calm restored. - We expect that the complaints formulated about the election results by several presidential candidates are dealt with seriously and transparently. It is important for Iran that its people and politicians feel that the election results reflect the will of the nation. - We also highlight the need of decent treatment of media representatives, journalists and foreign correspondents and do the utmost to facilitate their work. - Slovakia strongly feels that the EU and mainly its certain member states have been unfairly accused by Iranian authorities of interference in the Iranian elections and internal affairs and of being behind the public protests and demonstrations. We wish to underline Slovakia's solidarity and unity with our partners in the EU. The EU member states, including Slovakia, stand united against unfair and unacceptable accusations made towards individual EU countries. ¶3. (C) Strofova and the Charge also discussed our reftel request for a statement on the Afghan elections, which we had initially raised at a working dinner on June 21. In our June 26 meeting, Strofova proudly reported she had already begun speaking out about the importance of free and fair elections in Afghanistan at a recent Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council meeting, and said she would by pushing the story in local media as well. She said Slovakia agreed fully with the importance of an unbiased election and would look for other opportunities to reiterate our shared position. ¶2. (C) During the later conversation, EDDINS