Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USNATO403
2009-09-22 14:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Mission USNATO
Cable title:
CZECH PERMREP ASKS FOR GREATER U.S. ENGAGEMENT
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USNATO 000403
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2019
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS RS EZ PL
SUBJECT: CZECH PERMREP ASKS FOR GREATER U.S. ENGAGEMENT
Classified By: Ambassador Ivo Daalder
for reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USNATO 000403
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2019
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS RS EZ PL
SUBJECT: CZECH PERMREP ASKS FOR GREATER U.S. ENGAGEMENT
Classified By: Ambassador Ivo Daalder
for reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C/NF) Summary: The new Czech Ambassador to NATO has
privately predicted a potentially unfavorable turning-point
in the general direction of Czech foreign and security
policy. He said challenges would result for Czech
transatlanticists, due to the impact of the U.S. decision to
retool missile defense plans, strengthening the political
position of EU-centric Czech leaders. The Ambassador would
like to work closely with the United States on developing a
constructive strategic partnership, and indicated that
Foreign Minister Kohout would deliver proposals to Secretary
Clinton in person. (Note: Mission representatives informed an
interagency meeting on September 21 of the impending Czech
communication) End summary.
2. (C/NF) New Czech Permanent Representative to NATO Martin
Povejsil made his formal courtesy call on Ambassador Daalder
September 21. Povejsil asserted that the manner in which the
United States had reached a decision on missile defense and
the optics of the subsequent roll out, had left the
pro-American transatlanticst community in the Czech Republic
politically vulnerable. Povejsil asserted there was now
significant risk due to several factors that the country
could realign itself towards supporting an EU-first approach
to international security affairs. Povejsil claimed that
Czech supporters of U.S. leadership in security policy would
need help in strengthening their position, and could be best
aided through demonstrable support of an ongoing strategic
partnership between Prague and Washington.
3. (C/NF) Povejsil indicated that he had been principal
drafter on a document that Czech FM Kohout would pass to the
Secretary in New York late on September 21, in which the
Czech Republic would propose, among other things, how the
Czech Republic could play a constructive role within the
paradigm of engaging Russia on missile defense. He said the
document would include an offer for the Czech Republic to
host a missile defense data exchange center as part of an
agreement on United States (or NATO) cooperation with Russia.
4. (C/NF) Ambassador Daalder assured Povejsil that the
United States' new approach to missile defense for Europe was
based on threat and technology-related factors, rather than
on Russian objections. In emphasizing the importance of
working within NATO on missile defense, the U.S. was seeking
to strengthen its security relations with all NATO Allies,
not to weaken them with any. Ambassador Daalder stated his
intention to continue to work closely with Povejsil at NATO
to ensure an effective NATO Alliance, noting that he had made
it a priority to work with new Allies in particular since his
arrival at NATO four months previously. He also offered to
look at other ways to help, including by visiting Prague at a
time when such a visit would be potentially beneficial for
the U.S.-Czech bilateral relationship. Povejsil replied that
such a visit would be welcome, but not before February or
March, due its potential impact on the difficult domestic
political situation. Povejsil also expressed interest in
deepening Czech cooperation with the Group of Experts
currently developing NATO's next Strategic Concept.
5. (C/NF) Comment: Povejsil, formerly Political Director in
the Czech MFA and a key player initiating and managing the
Czech offer to host part of the U.S. missile defense
architecture, has sounded constructive in NAC debate since
the U.S. announcement. We intend to continue to engage with
the Czechs at NATO in a manner that fosters our common vision
for the Alliance and reminds them that we have a strategic
interest in remaining close Allies. We can support any
additional measures Washington may chose to enhance strategic
engagement with Prague, but will do so in a manner consistent
with our overall vision ) that a strong NATO also means a
strong bilateral security dialogue with all of our Allies,
USNATO 00000403 002 OF 002
leaving them in no doubt of our commitments and expectations
for the future. End comment.
DAALDER
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2019
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS RS EZ PL
SUBJECT: CZECH PERMREP ASKS FOR GREATER U.S. ENGAGEMENT
Classified By: Ambassador Ivo Daalder
for reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C/NF) Summary: The new Czech Ambassador to NATO has
privately predicted a potentially unfavorable turning-point
in the general direction of Czech foreign and security
policy. He said challenges would result for Czech
transatlanticists, due to the impact of the U.S. decision to
retool missile defense plans, strengthening the political
position of EU-centric Czech leaders. The Ambassador would
like to work closely with the United States on developing a
constructive strategic partnership, and indicated that
Foreign Minister Kohout would deliver proposals to Secretary
Clinton in person. (Note: Mission representatives informed an
interagency meeting on September 21 of the impending Czech
communication) End summary.
2. (C/NF) New Czech Permanent Representative to NATO Martin
Povejsil made his formal courtesy call on Ambassador Daalder
September 21. Povejsil asserted that the manner in which the
United States had reached a decision on missile defense and
the optics of the subsequent roll out, had left the
pro-American transatlanticst community in the Czech Republic
politically vulnerable. Povejsil asserted there was now
significant risk due to several factors that the country
could realign itself towards supporting an EU-first approach
to international security affairs. Povejsil claimed that
Czech supporters of U.S. leadership in security policy would
need help in strengthening their position, and could be best
aided through demonstrable support of an ongoing strategic
partnership between Prague and Washington.
3. (C/NF) Povejsil indicated that he had been principal
drafter on a document that Czech FM Kohout would pass to the
Secretary in New York late on September 21, in which the
Czech Republic would propose, among other things, how the
Czech Republic could play a constructive role within the
paradigm of engaging Russia on missile defense. He said the
document would include an offer for the Czech Republic to
host a missile defense data exchange center as part of an
agreement on United States (or NATO) cooperation with Russia.
4. (C/NF) Ambassador Daalder assured Povejsil that the
United States' new approach to missile defense for Europe was
based on threat and technology-related factors, rather than
on Russian objections. In emphasizing the importance of
working within NATO on missile defense, the U.S. was seeking
to strengthen its security relations with all NATO Allies,
not to weaken them with any. Ambassador Daalder stated his
intention to continue to work closely with Povejsil at NATO
to ensure an effective NATO Alliance, noting that he had made
it a priority to work with new Allies in particular since his
arrival at NATO four months previously. He also offered to
look at other ways to help, including by visiting Prague at a
time when such a visit would be potentially beneficial for
the U.S.-Czech bilateral relationship. Povejsil replied that
such a visit would be welcome, but not before February or
March, due its potential impact on the difficult domestic
political situation. Povejsil also expressed interest in
deepening Czech cooperation with the Group of Experts
currently developing NATO's next Strategic Concept.
5. (C/NF) Comment: Povejsil, formerly Political Director in
the Czech MFA and a key player initiating and managing the
Czech offer to host part of the U.S. missile defense
architecture, has sounded constructive in NAC debate since
the U.S. announcement. We intend to continue to engage with
the Czechs at NATO in a manner that fosters our common vision
for the Alliance and reminds them that we have a strategic
interest in remaining close Allies. We can support any
additional measures Washington may chose to enhance strategic
engagement with Prague, but will do so in a manner consistent
with our overall vision ) that a strong NATO also means a
strong bilateral security dialogue with all of our Allies,
USNATO 00000403 002 OF 002
leaving them in no doubt of our commitments and expectations
for the future. End comment.
DAALDER