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