SLOVAK RESPONSE TO U.S. CITES PROPOSALS

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000061

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR OES/ENRC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV KSCA CITES AORC UNEP LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAK RESPONSE TO U.S. CITES PROPOSALS

REF: STATE 6668


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: According to Slovakia's lead CITES negotiator,
Dana Kmecova, the Slovaks will almost certainly follow consensus
EU positions on U.S. proposals being made at the upcoming
conference. She told us that the EU positions will not be
finalized until a March 3 meeting, but that she expected the EU
to support the proposals regarding sharks, coral, and snakes;
and oppose the lynx proposal. Kmecova said she was uncertain
whether the EU would support the polar bear proposal and
expressed skepticism about the arguments being made by the U.S.
END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) Regarding the U.S. proposal to remove the bobcat from
Appendix II, Kmecova noted that Slovakia is home to a
significant number of Eurasian lynx, and so the Slovaks are
particularly sensitive to this proposal. She acknowledged the
U.S.-produced identification guide to differentiate between
bobcats and Eurasian lynx, but argued that it was insufficient,
saying that the species' furs are indistinguishable when lacking
ears and tail. Kmecova said she expected the EU to oppose
removal of the bobcat.


3. (SBU) As for the proposed transfer of polar bears from
Appendix II to Appendix I, Kmecova told us that the EU position
remains undecided, although she thought opposition was likely.
Kmecova questioned the rationale for the U.S. proposal, saying
that while there are many threats to polar bear populations, she
doesn't believe that trade is one of them.


4. (SBU) Aside from Dana Kmecova (+421 (2) 5956 2170,
dana.kmecova@enviro.gov.sk),Lubica Safranova (+421 (2) 5956
2270, lubica.safranova@enviro.gov.sk) is expected to join
Slovakia's two-person delegation to the COP.

EDDINS