CZECH PERMREP ASKS FOR GREATER U.S. ENGAGEMENT

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