CZECH REACTION TO ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000695 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2019 TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF EZ SUBJECT: CZECH REACTION TO ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN REF: STATE 120807 Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Charles O. Blaha, reasons 1 .4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) We presented reftel points to Czech MFA Security Policy Department Director Ivan Pocuch on November 25. Pocuch was already working on a response to the President's expected announcement and said that the Czech government would give its full political support to the President's decision. ¶2. (C) On contributions, Pocuch pointed out that the Czech troop deployment authorization for 2010 that parliament approved in June would permit slightly more Czech troops than in 2009. The Czechs are focusing on training the ANA and ANP. Pocuch said the Czech civilian presence in Afghanistan would increase in 2010, although not dramatically. ¶3. (C) On the financial side, Pocuch said he would recommend an MFA contribution of 100,000 euros to the LOFTA; the Czech Defense Ministry has the lead on recommending contributions to the ANA trust fund. He predicted Czech funding for reconstruction would also increase slightly. Thompson-Jones