CZECH COMMENTS ON UPCOMING FAC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 000036 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/ERA WLUCAS, EUR/CE FOR JBERGEMANN E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2015 TAGS: EUN EZ EG PGOV PREL AF IR SUBJECT: CZECH COMMENTS ON UPCOMING FAC REF: PRAGUE 30 Classified By: POLEC Counselor Charles O. Blaha for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On January 20 emboff spoke with Czech MFA Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Department Deputy Director Magdalena Janesova regarding the January Foreign Affairs Council (FAC). She offered brief comments on possible EU sanctions against Iran, Yemen, Bosnia, Somalia, and Afghanistan. She also referenced the Lisbon Treaty implementation, as it relates to High Representative Lady Ashton's leadership. End Summary. -------------- FMs to Discuss Three Baskets of Possible Iran Sanctions -------------- ¶2. (C) Janesova noted that Iran will be discussed in a restricted session (Foreign Ministers only) over lunch. The idea behind this is that member states want their FMs to freely discuss Iran. While the Czechs agree that the E3 3 (which the Czechs still refer to as the P5 1) have made every effort with Iran, they are not optimistic that Iran will change course. She noted as well that the Czechs have always been skeptical that the USG's "outstretched hand" would produce results and that within the EU the Czechs have been "hawks" regarding the need to apply pressure to Iran. She did express hope that the USG's outreach and Iran's consistent and long-standing lack of compliance with the UNSCRs, may make it slightly easier to convince China and Russia that the UNSC needs to apply more pressure to Iran, but the Czechs were not optimistic. ¶3. (C) Janesova noted that the EU is discussing possible measures of its own, if indeed little progress is made within the UNSC. Within the FAC, the Foreign Ministers are planning to discuss three possible baskets of sanctions: 1) targeting specific economic industries, 2) preventing the curtailment of freedom of speech, and 3) targeting specific people within the regime. With respect to specific economic industries, Janesova noted the FMs will consider the oil industry, machinery related to the oil industry, and insurance companies that insure oil businesses. On the regime's curtailment of free speech, the EU is apparently considering banning the export of internet technologies that allow the state to block access to particular sites. The belief is that without purchasing these foreign technologies, the Iranian regime would be unable to restrict public access to such an extent. Janesova commented that while there are targeted sanctions against people in the nuclear sector, the EU is considering expanding this to key people within the regime and perhaps limiting their travel and/or access to luxury goods. According to Janesova there will not be a conclusion or statement on Iran out of this FAC. -------------- Yemen -------------- ¶4. (SBU) As one of only five EU member states with a mission in Yemen, the Czechs follow the situation on the ground there closely. Janesova made clear that the Czechs do not think the government's campaign against the Houthi will in any way be solved by a military solution. The Czechs also see this issue with the Houthi rebels as a bit of a "proxy war" between Saudi Arabia and Iran with religious Sunni/Shia overtones. The Czechs would like to see the international community support the national reconciliation process, focused on an analysis of challenges and economic reconstruction. According to Janesova the Czechs have a few small development projects in the country. Janesova commented that the Italians floated an idea of establishing a "Group of Friends of Yemen," which the Czechs would be interested in joining, if this comes to fruition. She also noted that the Czechs are pressing the British for an invitation to the January 27 London Conference on Yemen and although they have not been invited yet, the Czechs are widely broadcasting their interest in attending. -------------- Bosnia - Butmir, Althea, and OHR -------------- ¶5. (C) As DFM Pojar noted to A/S Gordon on January 13 (ref A),the Czechs "completely share our view" that it is up to the parties involved to take ownership of moving the Butmir process forward. Janesova noted that the Foreign Ministers will also discuss operation Althea. As she acknowledged, the EU member states have had difficulty finding the necessary troops to fully staff this mission. There is a proposal to perhaps change the mandate from executive to non-executive in PRAGUE 00000036 002 OF 002 order to make this a training mission, rather than peacekeeping. There is also a question of how long to keep this mission in Bosnia. The Czechs think it would be valuable to keep the mission "as is" through elections. Janesova also commented that within the Czech Republic there has been talk about perhaps eventually moving some of the military troops currently assigned to KFOR to Bosnia. This would allow the Czechs to keep troops within the Balkans and still provide a credible "over the horizon" force if needed for Kosovo. ¶6. (SBU) On the question of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the EU Special Representative (EUSR),Janesova acknowledged that the OHR will not close before elections. She did thank us for reminding the EU of the possibility of enhancing the EUSR's authority by granting this office the "tool kit." She also shared her view that it would be unwise to separate the functions of these two offices. -------------- Afghanistan - Upcoming Conferences -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Janesova indicated that the discussion on Afghanistan at the FAC will focus heavily on preparations for the London conference. The Czechs plan to also highlight the upcoming (January 25-27) PRT conference here in Prague as more than 200 people from more than 40 countries have registered to attend. While the Czechs support the London Conference focus on an Afghan-led reintegration program for low-level insurgents, they are not planning to announce any specific pledge at the London Conference. They will wait to see the details of the Afghan plan before they make any funding announcements. -------------- Somalia/Atalanta -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The member states plan to discuss a training mission, which the EU hopes to start in February. The Czechs are hoping to focus attention on as yet unresolved issues (such as soldiers' pay). As the Czechs lack a Navy as well as experts fighting piracy, they are not planning to contribute personnel to this mission. -------------- EU Implementation of Lisbon Reform Treaty -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Lady Ashton is learning the ropes, according to Janesova, and while the Czechs consider her very strong and intelligent, Janesova expressed concern about the slow pace at which she is learning her responsibilities. The Czech MFA is concerned that while some things have happened quickly (the appointment of Ashton's cabinet),other key issues have yet to be finalized (budget, organization chart, position descriptions, etc.) and "April is fast approaching." As a broader issue, the Czechs are pressing for "transparency" in the implementation of Lisbon treaty reforms and expressed clear nervousness that new/small member states may not be well represented in this process. Janesova also commented that the development of the External Action Service is taking shape. Apparently there is talk that this cadre of diplomats will be in the range of 2000-2200 officials, but it is unclear as to whether this is for Brussels alone or for Brussels and offices abroad as well. Thompson-Jones