SCENESETTER FOR CZECH DEFENSE MINISTER BARTAK,S

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000542 NOFORN SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION EUR/CE: JBERGEMANN; NSC: JHOVENIER E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR MOPS EZ SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR CZECH DEFENSE MINISTER BARTAK,S VISIT TO THE U.S. Classified By: Political/Economic Counselor Charles O. Blaha, reasons 1 .4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: As the 20th anniversary of the 1989 "Velvet Revolution" approaches, the Czech Republic today boasts a relatively strong market economy, a lively democratic tradition, and close links with the United States. The Czech Republic has been a member of NATO since 1999 and the European Union since 2004. The country has been a steady supporter of U.S. and coalition missions, with troops in Afghanistan and Kosovo; the Czechs launched a provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Afghanistan in March 2008 and also deployed a Special Forces unit to Afghanistan. The Czech Republic has been a strong supporter of democratic transformation in countries like Cuba and Belarus. A major success in the bilateral relationship was the Czech accession to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in November 2008. In the first half of 2009 the Czechs held the EU Presidency and focused on enhancing the EU's energy security, increasing Europe's economic competitiveness, and strengthening the EU,s relations with third countries, such as the U.S. The Czech government is currently in transition. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek's government lost a vote of no confidence in March and transferred power to an interim government in May. On September 10, the Constitutional Court invalidated a law setting early parliamentary elections on October 9-10. Parliament is currently considering a constitutional amendment that would allow for early elections as soon as November 6-7. END SUMMARY. -------------- A Valued Ally With Domestic Challenges -------------- ¶2. (C) President Vaclav Klaus tasked then-Czech Statistical Office Director Jan Fischer with forming a non-partisan, "interim" technocratic government after the fragile three-party coalition government of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek fell on March 24, 2009. The effort to unseat PM Topolanek during the country's EU Presidency and a significant economic downturn illustrates the Czech Republic,s raucous domestic politics, in which matters of domestic and sometimes foreign policy are used to settle political scores to the detriment of the Czech Republic's international standing and national interest. The largely-technocratic, "interim" government of Jan Fischer assumed power on May 8 and will govern until early elections take place, most probably in early November 2009. Lacking any political mandate, PM Fischer's interim government has focused primarily on an economic recovery program. ¶3. (SBU) Despite these domestic political challenges, our bilateral relations are excellent, with the Czech Republic's November 2008 entry into the Visa Waiver Program having removed the one long-standing bilateral irritant. The country has been a steady supporter of U.S. and NATO military operations and maintains approximately 1000 troops on foreign missions. In Afghanistan, the Czechs have about 500 military and civilian officials. In 2008, they launched a provincial reconstruction team (PRT),deployed a Special Forces unit, and sent experts to an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) in Afghanistan. Over the past several years, they have also maintained an infantry battalion of 450-550 troops in Kosovo. As a result of a domestic political standoff in December 2008 between then-PM Topolanek and opposition Social Democratic (CSSD) leader Jiri Paroubek, Topolanek's government had difficulty passing the 2009 foreign troop deployments bill. The bill eventually passed, but it came down to the wire and ugly internal politics crept into the debate. However, Czech troop deployment levels for 2010 passed with little contention or fanfare in June 2009. The Czechs have slightly shifted their focus from offensive assets to capabilities that help the Afghans train their own forces and increase the capacity of local institutions. ¶4. (SBU) Following several years of strong economic performance, the small, open, export-oriented Czech economy is now struggling with the effects of the global economic downturn. The Czech Republic exports over 80 percent of its products to fellow EU countries and over 30 percent to Germany alone. As Germany and Western Europe fell into a sharp recession, demand for Czech exports plummeted. Although there are some signs that the worst of the economic crisis may now be over, the economy is expected to contract by roughly four percent in 2009. Unemployment has climbed to 8.5 percent. Nevertheless, the Czech financial system has remained relatively healthy, and the Czech Republic is one of only four OECD countries not to have had to recapitalize its banks. The government has put forward an economic recovery program, costing almost 2 percent of GDP, designed to maintain employment and exports. Fearing the consequences to their economy should international investors put them in the same category as some of their more economically-challenged neighbors, the Czechs have opposed any initiatives that treat Central and Eastern Europe as a unified region. -------------- Czech EU Presidency -------------- ¶5. (C) The Czechs, who joined the EU in May 2004, assumed the rotating six-month presidency from the French on January 1, 2009 and handed over to the Swedes on July 1, 2009. This was the first time the Czech Republic held the EU presidency, and only the second time for one of the 12 newest EU member states. (Slovenia was the first, in January 2007.) In consultation with their EU partners, the Czechs focused on three top priorities under their overarching theme of "Europe Without Borders." These were: EU economic competitiveness, energy security, and external relations. Within external relations, the Czechs focused on the Western Balkans, transatlantic relations, and the Eastern Partnership. These priorities, along with the global financial crisis and the January Russian-Ukraine gas crisis, kept the Czechs extremely busy. ¶6. (C) On April 5 the Czechs organized the widely applauded U.S.-EU Summit and Foreign Ministerial with President Obama, Secretary Clinton and all EU leaders and foreign ministers. The discussions at these two events dovetailed well with USG priorities. U.S. and EU leaders discussed the economic and financial situation, energy and climate change, and the "Space between the Mediterranean and Caspian Sea." At the same time, Secretary Clinton and the foreign ministers discussed Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, Afghanistan/Pakistan and the Middle East. Some key current and former Central European leaders, however, would like to see more engagement by the USG with Central Europe and expressed their concerns in July with a widely circulated Open Letter to President Obama. Missile Defense (see paragraph eight) and the ongoing USG security policy review were also referenced as bellwethers of the USG relationship with Central Europe. ¶7. (C) During their EU Presidency, the Czechs steadily pressed their EU partners to advance coordination and contributions for Afghanistan, particularly in the civilian sphere. At the EU-Afghanistan Ministerial in January 2009, the EU reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to Afghanistan reconstruction (from 2002-2006 the EU contributed over 1.3B Euros to this effort and for 2007-2010 it has pledged 610M Euros). Even after the Presidency, the Czechs continue to press within internal EU discussions for the EU to help address security weakness before the next round of Afghan presidential elections. The Czechs also pay attention to the fragile situation in Pakistan and support upgrading EU relations with Pakistan. (Note: Logar province where the Czech PRT is based, is relatively close to the Pakistan border. End Note.) The first EU-Pakistan summit took place during the Czech Presidency in June 2009 and the European Commission allocated some 200M Euros from 2010-2013 for rural development and education projects in Pakistan. -------------- --- Missile Defense - Bartak's Likely First Question -------------- --- ¶8. (C) Given the importance the Czechs assign to their relationship with the United States, former PM Topolanek and his government viewed missile defense (MD) as a natural next step in the security partnership between our two countries. Since the United States officially presented the MD proposal to the Czech Republic in January 2007, the Czech government has been unwavering in its support, despite significant public opposition driven largely by the Czech historical experience and concerns about foreign troop presence on Czech territory. Russian threats and intransigence with regard to MD in many ways reinforced the Czech government's determination to proceed with the project. The Czech government moved quickly to negotiate and sign the Ballistic Missile Defense Agreement and the Status of Forces Agreement. The Czech Senate ratified the agreements in November 2008. Ratification of the two agreements in the lower chamber, which looked to be hanging on a razor-thin margin, was suspended due to the domestic political turmoil and to outstanding questions about the new U.S. administration,s plans. The Czechs have always considered close consultations with the United States to be critical, and Bartak will surely inquire as to where things stand with the missile defense policy review. Supporters of the radar site, including Bartak, have consistently asked that the U.S. not announce the results of our missile defense review until after the Czech parliamentary elections -- now likely to be held in early November -- so as to prevent missile defense from becoming a significant issue in the campaign. -------------- Czech Armed Forces -------------- ¶9. (C/NF) The Czech Armed forces are struggling to concurrently complete their defense reform plan (initiated in 2002) and to support deployed operations. The situation is complicated by a polarized and charged domestic political environment, reduced funding, and a lack of transparency in the procurement process. The Army of the Czech Republic (ACR) has met its broad end-strength reform goals: an all volunteer force of 35,000 military and civilians; two maneuver brigades; 24 subsonic fighter-bombers (Czech-produced L-159 Advanced Light Attack Aircraft or ALCA); 14 supersonic fighters (JAS-39 Gripens); one brigade each for artillery, air defense, NBC defense and engineers; and a Special Forces Group. The ACR also has met its deployment capabilities goal - maintaining approximately 1,000 deployed troops in operations. However, the achievement of full operational capability of two brigade size task forces has been put off until 2013. The current CHOD, LTG Vlastimil Picek, appears committed to further reductions in civilian staffs and support units and a shift in billets to the units providing the deployable force pool. The current CHOD also formed two new deployable ground battalions out of existing force structure, through the elimination/restructuring of rescue (homeland emergency services) battalions. There are some indications that units providing troops for deployed operations are stressed. The ACR did not meet its recruitment goals for 2008, for the first time, and the defense budget is now facing a ten percent cut as a result of the financial crisis that will take defense spending down below 1.2 percent of GDP. -------------- Recent Afghanistan Deployment History -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Under former Prime Minister Topolanek's Government (which lasted just over two years),Czech contributions to Afghanistan more than doubled (from 225 in 2007 to over 500 in 2008/09),and the types of missions the Czechs accepted became much more aggressive. Czechs moved from providing security to the German PRT in Feyzabad to leading their own PRT in Logar; they deployed a security unit in support of the Dutch PRT in Uruzgan, an OMLT to train ANAAC pilots at KAIA and a large SOF contingent under OEF to KAF and FOB ANACONDA. Czech troops are not constrained by national caveats. Through it all, the Czechs have forged close working relationships with RC-E, CSTC-A (especially CAPTF),and SOCCENT. The efforts of RC-E (CJTF101) have been particularly effective in guiding Czech deployment plans and shaping the successful efforts of the PRT in Logar as well as the new Czech helicopter detachment as it prepares for deployment to FOB SHARANA. ¶11. (SBU) The flagship of Czech involvement in Afghanistan is the Czech PRT in Logar. Based at FOB Shank in Pole-Alam, the total strength of the Czech PRT was increased in early 2009 from about 210 to 275 and now includes four infantry platoons. The infantry platoons are used in close coordination with TF SPARTAN to provide security for PRT activities, as well as to conduct framework and stability operations. The Czech PRT began operations in March 2008, a period that coincided with a deteriorating security situation in the province (Czechs suffered a KIA in the first months of operation). Yet despite the security challenges, the Czech PRT got off to a fast start and generally received high marks for its approach to reconstruction and partnerships with local government and tribal leaders. The Czech PRT is TACON to RC-E. At the heart of the Czech PRT is its team of civilian experts (eight to ten persons strong) that possess specific skills relevant to Logar Province (agriculture, aquifer management, public health, education, etc). Many of the Czech civilian experts were hand-selected from the substantial Czech NGO community and several have extensive previous experience in Afghanistan (as well as Iran, Iraq, and Africa). ¶12. (SBU) In addition to the Czech PRT, the Czechs have also deployed a rotating 100-man SOF contingent under OEF for a period of 18 months (this deployment finishes at the end of 2009). This marks the third time the Czech SOF has deployed under OEF (previously in 2004 and 2006) and it has steadily developed into a capable force that easily operates alongside U.S. partners. ¶13. (SBU) As already mentioned, the Czechs provide a small OMLT to mentor ANAAC pilots and maintenance personnel (mostly Mi-24 staff),in close cooperation with CAPTF. This complements the Czech donation of 12 Mil helicopters (six Mi-24 and six Mi-17) that serve as the backbone of the ANAAC helicopter fleet. The donation was made following extensive factory overhauls that were largely U.S.-funded and were performed by a Czech MoD-affiliated helicopter maintenance depot located near Prague (approximately a USD30m contract). This same Czech MoD facility is currently performing similar overhauls of three Pakistani Mi-17s under a CENTCOM-funded program. The Czech MoD has indicated that it may consider a further donation of two more Mi-17 helicopters. -------------- Other Czech Deployments -------------- ¶14. (SBU) The Czechs are also involved in KFOR. The Czechs' longstanding commitment to KFOR remains strong (many Czechs view KFOR as the most important foreign deployment and indeed the Czech parliament authorized more troops for KFOR than ISAF in 2010) and the Czech Armed Forces maintain a battalion-sized unit of between 450-550 in KFOR NMTF-C. ¶15. (C) Although the Czech 2010 foreign troop deployments bill passed with little fanfare in mid-June, Czech public support for foreign deployments has slipped. The 2010 bill authorized the deployment of 535 soldiers in Afghanistan in 2010, to allow for the continuation of the Czech efforts in Afghanistan. It also authorized 550 personnel for KFOR and minor deployments to include: 2 troops in Bosnia (EU Operation); 5 troops in Chad and the Central African Republic (UN-MINURCAT); 3 troops in Sinai (MFO); 3 troops in Britain (EU NAVFOR ATALANTA); 220 troops in the first-half of 2010 and then 360 troops in the second-half of 2010 in NATO missions (NATO Response Force). -------------- U.S. Assistance for Afghanistan Deployments -------------- ¶16. (SBU) The U.S. has provided extensive pre-deployment training support to Czech forces in Afghanistan. Such training includes Czech participation in Mission Readiness Exercises (MREs) conducted at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. The Czechs also regularly conduct HMMWV operators training and combat life savers training at Grafenwoehr. U.S. SOF has conducted several Joint Combined Environment Training (JCET) exercises with Czech forces, and in May several Czech Mi-17 crews conducted live environment training at Fort Bliss, Texas. This training is on top of an IMET program that in 2008 totaled $1.6m. ¶17. (SBU) The U.S. has provided a great deal of direct material and funding support including 26 M1114 HWWMVs, IED countermeasures, and tactical radios. The Czechs are also large recipients of lift and sustain funding, partly as a result of an OSD agreement to provide funding as a demonstration of support to the Topolanek Government, in light of its support of U.S. missile defense policy. Additionally, the Czechs received $2.84m of FMF in 2008. Both IMET and FMF budgets have recently trended downward. (The helicopter flight training at Fort Bliss was an exception to this trend as it was funded by a $2.8m plus up in 2008 FMF funding). -------------- DefMin Bartak -------------- ¶18. (C/NF) Bartak has been an active supporter of U.S. policies and initiatives. Bartak was close to former right-of-center Prime Minister Topolanek. Bartak has been an active supporter of both missile defense and foreign deployments. Bartak speaks fluent English and many find him to have a charismatic personality. However, he often and rather unpredictably raises issues of a tactical nature with senior U.S. visitors. Under Bartak, Czech defense procurement has continued to be dogged by lack of transparency and allegations of corruption, though we are not aware of any substantiation for allegations against Bartak personally. -------------- A Strong and Reliable Partnership -------------- ¶19. (SBU) Despite its small size and at times unsettled political scene, the Czech Republic has consistently proven to be a reliable and active ally of the United States. With a total deployable strength of only about 13,000 personnel, the Czech Armed Forces have made a significant contribution in support of coalition operations. The Czechs are appreciative of the positive role the United States has played at key moments of their history. They are, in turn, proud of their own contributions to security, democracy, and freedom around the globe since 1989. Thompson-Jones