A/S GORDON'S MEETING WITH CZECH SENATOR ALEXANDR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 000034 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2020 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR RS TU EZ SUBJECT: A/S GORDON'S MEETING WITH CZECH SENATOR ALEXANDR VONDRA Classified By: EUR A/S Phil Gordon, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: During a January 14 meeting in Prague with A/S Gordon, Czech Senator (and former DPM) Alexandr Vondra urged U.S. "reassurance" on Article 5 in the new NATO Strategic Concept formulation and expressed positive interest in Czech participation in the new missile defense Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA). Vondra was cautious about the new U.S. approach to relations with Russia, but did not contest A/S Gordon's assertion that the U.S. had not sacrificed allies or principles in its approach. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Vondra opened the meeting by asking about the timing of a new U.S. ambassador for the Czech Republic, adding that "in 20 years we have not waited this long." A/S Gordon explained that the appointment system was not always quick and the delay in naming an ambassador was no reflection on bilateral relations. NATO and Article 5 -------------- ¶3. (C) Vondra expressed satisfaction with the January 12 NATO Strategic Concept conference in Prague. Central and Eastern European leaders, and leaders from the Baltics, had said that the U.S.-Russia "reset" needed to be accompanied by "reassurance" on Article 5 guarantees. Asked by A/S Gordon what was needed to provide reassurance, Vondra suggested more detailed defense planning for the region and regular military exercises. ¶4. (C) Vondra noted the Czech Defense Ministry was reinforcing its capabilities for Afghanistan operations, but not for homeland defense. Gordon asked whether Vondra would prefer more funding for homeland defense instead of out-of-area operations. Vondra responded that his center-right Civic Democrat Party (ODS) had defended funding out-of-area operations, the trouble was the center-left Social Democrats (CSSD). ¶5. (C) Moreover, across Europe, countries with large defense industries had been able to increase defense spending as part of economic stimulus in response to the economic downturn. The Czech Republic did not have a large defense industrial sector and could not so this; it had to "steal" funding from social welfare programs to pay for overseas missions. ¶6. (C) A/S Gordon agreed on the need for balance between Article 5 and out-of-area operations and said NATO should do both. NATO defense planning to date and the Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) to missile defense showed the U.S. was focused on Article 5 concerns. Missile Defense -------------- ¶7. (C) Vondra asked whether PAA would "really materialize," and what the obstacles were. Gordon replied that NATO had agreed on the way forward. Some Allies had questions on costs; the U.S. would pay for SM-3s and would like to see other Allies pay for local defense and contribute to command and control. ¶8. (C) Vondra asked how much time the Czech Republic had to decide how to participate in the PAA, and wondered whether the Czech government should be more "ambitious" in its PAA efforts. Vondra said the Czech Republic wanted to be engaged and be part of the PAA discussion. A/S Gordon pointed out the system infrastructure was still being formed and there would be opportunities to make decisions in the future, including about industrial cooperation. Russia -------------- ¶10. (C) Vondra advised that the U.S. approach Putin "with caution." He agreed it was important to work with Russia on counter-terrorism and non-proliferation. However, he warned not to underestimate Russia's "assertive policy toward the neighborhood." Vondra said that President Obama had no experience in Europe. He wondered whether the President was a "hard" or "soft" realist on Russia, and what the President was "getting" for the new approach to Russia. ¶11. (C) A/S Gordon pointed out that the President was being criticized both for making a cynical "bargain" to get something from Russia -- and for getting nothing. He urged Vondra to carefully consider the administration's record. Senior officials such as Secretary Clinton, VP Biden, NSA Jones, Secretary Gates all have deep experience in Europe and NATO. There was no example to date of the administration sacrificing either allies or principles to its Russia policy. PRAGUE 00000034 002 OF 002 START, Turkey -------------- ¶12. (C) In response to a question from Vondra, A/S Gordon said the U.S. and Russia were close to agreement on START, but would not agree to make defensive systems part of it. ¶13. (C) Gordon said relations with Turkey were a challenge, and included a huge agenda: Nagorno-Karabakh, Cyprus, Iran, Israel. The Turkish government was active and ambitious. The U.S. does not always agree with Turkish leaders' public statements, but we still support Turkish EU membership. Vondra pointed out opposition in France and Germany made this difficult. Vondra urged the U.S. to stay engaged in promoting Turkish EU membership; he worried that otherwise, Turkey's leaders would "re-orient" themselves away from Europe and toward Russia. ¶14. (U) A/S Gordon has cleared this message. Thompson-Jones