SLOVAKIA ON LONDON CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000032 SIPDIS FOR S/SRAP JARRETT BLANC AND SCA/A TOM GRAMAGLIA AND CAROLYN COBERLY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EFIN AF LO SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA ON LONDON CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN REF: STATE 6355 ¶1. (U) PolOff delivered reftel demarche to Radovan Javorcik, Director of the Fifth Territorial Department at the Slovak MFA, and Marek Brieska, Desk Officer for Afghanistan, on January 25. Javorcik will accompany Foreign Minister Lajcak to the London Conference. Javorcik said that he had already been pressed by the British Embassy in Bratislava to contribute to the Peace and Reintegration Trust Fund; however, Slovakia will most likely not pledge a specific amount this week, as the Slovak Aid budget is quite limited -- its budget for 2010 will be approximately six million euros -- and is still being finalized. However, the Slovaks hope to contribute to the fund in the future. ¶2. (U) Javorcik said the Slovaks will focus specifically on support for the reconciliation process and good governance. He also said that FM Lajcak will express support for President Karzai, the fight against corruption, the promotion of good governance and justice, and the continuing need for civilian assistance that is devised by the Afghans. If asked, the Slovaks will praise the postponement of elections in Afghanistan, as they believe it is crucial that the results be seen as credible for Afghanistan's long-term democratic development. ¶3. (U) On Slovakia's civilian assistance, Javorcik said that the Slovak government has approved legislative changes that would make it possible for civilians to deploy on overseas missions; these changes are now pending with the Parliament. Once approved, two police trainers are available to deploy to Afghanistan. EDDINS