CZECH REPUBLIC: REPLY TO DEMARCHE ON US PRIORITIES

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000335 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR OES/OA EPHELPS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIS KSCA PREL SENV IWC EZ SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC: REPLY TO DEMARCHE ON US PRIORITIES FOR THE 2009 INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION'S ANNUAL MEETING REF: STATE 57020 ¶1. (SBU) We delivered reftel demarche on June 8 to Pavla Hycova, a Czech Environment Ministry official working in the Department for the International Protection of Biodiversity. Hycova, who represents the Czech Republic in the IWC small working groups, had no immediate substantive response. Hycova, however, responded June 12 that she appreciated our efforts to keep the Environment Ministry abreast of U.S. priorities. She explained that the EU is currently working to find a common position on many of the issues raised, and so the appraisals that follow are strictly her own. She also promised to inform us once the EU reached an official decision on these issues. ¶2. (SBU) Hyncova expressed her preference that upcoming "Future" process meetings be closed sessions to encourage frankness and openness on the part of participants. She also conveyed concerns that limiting participation in these sessions would be difficult. Rather, she suggested, the larger group should frequently split into "mini-groups" for further discussion, then reconvene and present outcomes to the broader Small Working Group (SWG). ¶3. (SBU) Hyncova also opined that the chairmanship of the SWG was effective and was responsible for much of the SWG's progress. Her only suggestion is that the next Chair exert greater pressure on participants to "play with open cards." Thompson-Jones