CZECHS POSITIVE ON U.S. EUMM PARTICIPATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000418 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2019 TAGS: MOPS PREL EU GG EZ SUBJECT: CZECHS POSITIVE ON U.S. EUMM PARTICIPATION REF: 16 JULY 2009 GIAUQUE E-MAIL Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Charles O. Blaha, reasons 1 .4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Embassy Prague Political-Economic Counselor delivered ref e-mail points on the Georgia EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) to Czech MFA Security Policy Department Director Veronika Kuchynova-Simgolova and Deputy Director Petr Chalupecky on July 17. They said the Czech Republic would welcome and support U.S. participation in the EUMM. They did not have any immediate concrete proposal for how the U.S. might contribute, but suggested that it might include either in-theater participation or provision of equipment, information, and funding. ¶2. (C) According to Kuchynova and Chalupecky, the EUMM is even more important now that there is no longer a UN or OSCE presence in Georgia. They noted that despite the limitations under which EUMM operates, EUMM is now the only the international community's only presence. They were not concerned about the effect of U.S. participation on Russian attitudes toward EUMM. In the Czech MFA's view, Russia would not be inclined to allow EUMM entry into disputed areas of Georgia in any event. ¶3. (U) Note: The Czechs have nine civilians and two armored vehicles in the EUMM. End note. Law