US embassy cable - 04BRATISLAVA900

C O N F I D E N T I A L  BRATISLAVA 000900 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
FOR D, P, EUR, AND NEA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2014 
TAGS: PREL, ECON, KPAO, LO, CONS 
SUBJECT: DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE'S VISIT TO SLOVAKIA 
 
 
Classified By: CDA Scott N. Thayer for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Summary: Deputy Secretary Armitage visited Slovakia 
September 14.  During his meetings with Prime Minister 
Dzurinda, Foreign Minister Kukan, parliamentary leaders, and 
the media, he underscored that U.S.-Slovak relations are 
based on more than just coalition membership and reflect the 
shared values of the two countries.  Useful exchanges were 
held on Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Russia, and a 
bilateral consular working group was agreed.  End summary. 
 
Prime Minister Dzurinda 
----------------------- 
 
2.  (C) Prime Minister Dzurinda welcomed the Deputy warmly, 
noting that U.S.-Slovak relations are "the best in our 
history, but we should use your visit to make them even 
better."  In that regard, he cited two "practical questions": 
the fact that Slovakia is the only country in the region 
never to have been visited by a U.S. President, and public 
displeasure over visas.  The Deputy responded that visa 
policy was troublesome for everyone in the region and that he 
intended to take the matter up when he returned to 
Washington.  Mr. Dzurinda later returned to the subject, 
saying that "some positive signal" is needed on visas. 
 
3.  (C) The Deputy then solicited Mr. Dzurinda's advice on 
the situation in Ukraine.  Mr. Dzurinda expressed great 
concern--Slovakia (and the V-4) has tried to help maintain a 
western orientation, but Kuchma tells people what he thinks 
they want to hear.  Mr. Dzurinda has created a special 
working group to follow the election process, is in touch 
with Yushenko, and is supporting NGO efforts there.  Many 
more observers are needed, but the key is convincing Kuchma 
that a transition must occur.  Mr. Dzurinda recounted how, 
during his June visit to Kiev, Kuchma had painstakingly 
explained one-by-one why all bidders on the steel plant 
privatization were unsuitable, forcing him to pass it instead 
to his son-in-law.  Regrettably, Ukraine continues to look to 
Moscow. 
 
4.  (C) The Deputy expressed concern about Russian pressure 
on Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and the Caucuses.  Mr. Dzurinda 
agreed, saying that experience there is what has led him to 
decide that the planned privatization of the Slovenske 
Elektrarne power company cannot under any circumstances go to 
the Russian bidder.  Putin, he said, is very different from 
how he was even a year ago. 
 
5.  (C) With regard to anti-American feeling in Slovakia, Mr. 
Dzurinda said that he believed public opinion was changing 
slowly.  Speaking frankly, he expressed the view that public 
opinion was more negative on Bush Administration policies 
than the United States itself as a result of "some arrogance" 
but stressed that real leadership meant not following public 
opinion.  He noted that Slovak support for NATO membership 
had dropped to 35% during the Kosovo campaign, and then 
rebounded to over 50%. 
 
Foreign Ministry 
---------------- 
 
6.  (U) Foreign Minister Kukan hosted a working lunch for the 
Deputy and his delegation.  Slovak participants were: 
 
FM Eduard Kukan 
Ambassador to the U.S. Rastislav Kacer 
Director General for Bilateral Affairs Juraj Migas 
Director General for European Affairs Maros Sefcovic 
Director General for Security Policy Juraj Machac 
Director of the Office of the Minister Peter Lizak 
Director for West and South Europe and North America Peter 
Sopko 
U.S. Desk Officer Viera Viskupova 
 
7.  (C) Visas: The lunch expanded on the themes discussed in 
the Prime Minister's office in a friendly, informal manner. 
Mr. Kukan thanked Mr. Armitage for his visit and for his 
media statements at the joint press conference with PM 
Dzurinda.  Mr. Kukan reiterated the GOS request to establish 
a bilateral consular working group, to which the Deputy 
agreed and suggested the MFA announce immediately (at which 
point Ambassador Kacer leapt from his chair and rushed to 
inform the MFA spokesperson). 
 
8.  (C) Ukraine: Mr. Kukan told the Deputy that the V-4 was 
in favor of sending 1,000 election observers to Ukraine under 
the auspices of Freedom House, and the Slovak MFA was 
encouraging NGO's to take part.  This had the benefit of 
allowing the GOS to maintain neutrality, while providing 
 
Slovak expertise to assist a free campaign and election. 
Slovakia also favors a parallel vote count.  Mr. Kukan 
pointed out that Slovaks know and understand Ukrainians, but 
admitted he had not discussed the election with the Ukrainian 
FM.  Mr. Kukan explained the need to secure Slovakia's 
Eastern border evoked fear in Ukraine about a new iron 
curtain that locks the country out of Europe.  It is a 
sensitive issue to encourage economic cooperation and 
political dialogue while clamping down at the border, but the 
insight Slovakia had in dealing with Ukraine could be helpful 
in decision-making both in the EU and NATO.  Trade with 
Ukraine is only 3 percent of total trade; Slovakia would like 
to increase it, but has to be certain Ukraine will pay its 
bills. 
 
9.  (C) Russia: Mr. Kukan said that Slovakia would also like 
to increase trade with Russia, noting he had been "summoned" 
to Moscow in October to hear Russian opinion about how EU 
membership had resulted in economic damages to Russia. 
Slovakia is dependent upon Russian oil and some minerals, so 
could be in a vulnerable position, but so far Russia had not 
applied any pressure.  On the other hand, Slovakia was 
concerned by Putin's 9/13 speech, and agreed with the Deputy 
that Russia was not heading in a democratic direction.  Mr. 
Kukan and the Deputy also commiserated about Russia's extreme 
reactions to the idea of a political settlement with 
Chechnya.  In addition, Russia's lack of preparation and 
central government direction for dealing with events in 
Beslan was alarming. 
 
10. (C) Balkans: Mr. Kukan said Slovakia was well-established 
in the Balkans, was assisting Croatia on the road to EU 
membership, and was closely following Serbia and Montenegro 
and Kosovo.  He said the Serbs and Kosovars are in a Catch-22 
on "standards before status."  It was an explosive situation 
that needs to be stabilized; independence is the only 
solution, but probably as an international protectorate. 
Slovakia would maintain its 150 soldiers there, because 
without an international presence, war would break out.  The 
Deputy asked if EU colleagues talked openly about 
independence for Kosovo.  Kukan replied "final status" was 
heard frequently in EU discussions as a codeword for 
independence. 
 
11. (C) Iraq: Slovak participants explained that military 
reform meant that 800 soldiers deployed abroad was the 
absolute limit.  The Deputy asked if public pressure would be 
lessened if NATO accepted a training mission in Iraq, and 
received a resounding YES.  Ambassador Kacer said a visit to 
Slovakia by an Iraqi official would be very helpful in 
showing the Slovak public that the deployment of Slovak 
troops is doing good.  Mr. Kukan added that he had invited 
the Iraqi FM to visit Slovakia during his upcoming trip to 
Vienna.  The Deputy suggested having him speak at parliament, 
just as the Iraqi PM would speak to the U.S. Congress, and 
said he would speak with Amb Negroponte to encourage such a 
visit. 
 
12. (C) Israel: Mr. Sefcovic, former Slovak Ambassador to 
Israel, asked about Ariel Sharon's strength.  The Deputy 
suggested that Sharon's decision to disengage from Gaza was 
intended to show the Palestinians were incapable of 
governing.  He pointed out that within the EU and even other 
Arab countries there is  a growing realization that Arafat is 
not helpful.  The Deputy asked about the visit of the head of 
Israeli Knesset the previous week.  Kukan had not met him, 
but noted his criticism of the EU position on the security 
fence. 
 
13. (C) Turkey: DAS Conley asked about Slovakia's position on 
EU membership for Turkey.  Mr. Kukan pointed out the EU 
report would be out in October and the decision would be 
difficult, but that Slovakia was sympathetic to Turkey's 
candidacy.  The Deputy noted that the Turks had been dangling 
for many years and had a right to expect that there would be 
an unconditional date to begin talks. 
 
Parliament 
---------- 
 
14. (U) The Deputy met with members of parliament from 
several parties: 
 
Pavol Hrusovsky, President of Parliament (KDH) 
Jozef Berenyi (SMK) 
Robert Fico (Smer) 
Miroslav Maxon (HZDS) 
Pavol Minarik (KDH) 
Karol Ondrias (KSS) 
 
15. (SBU) The parliamentary leaders expressed their 
commitment to maintaining a strong Slovak-American 
relationship and conveyed appreciation for U.S. support for 
NATO and EU membership.  Mr. Armitage thanked coalition 
leaders for supporting the democractic process in Iraq. 
Opposition MPs received the message that differing views on 
policies can be expected among allies and will not harm the 
fundamental nature of the bilateral relationship.  Two themes 
emerged across the political spectrum: closer ties between 
legislatures and foreign policy after EU membership. Mr. 
Hrusovsky requested that as Parliament takes on a larger role 
in foreign policy, more opportunities be made available for 
meetings and exhanges. Mr. Maxon (HZDS) hoped that members of 
Congress will travel more often to Slovakia to provide 
information on developments in Iraq. Mr. Fico (SMER), the 
most vocal critic of U.S. and GOS policy in Iraq, stated that 
his party prefers foreign policy issues to be coordinated 
more closely in Brussels. The Deputy responded that the U.S. 
works closely with both EU and NATO and was happy to have two 
new fora in which to engage Slovakia, adding that most new 
member states valued both. 
 
Media Roundtable 
---------------- 
 
16.  (U) After a "meet and greet" with Embassy staff, the 
Deputy met in roundtable format with five senior editors and 
foreign affairs reporters.  Topics included the Slovak troop 
deployment in Iraq; visa policy; Saudi Arabia's efforts in 
GWOT; Russian President Putin's attitude toward Chechnya and 
his 9/13 statement on consolidating power, cooperation with 
Russia in GWOT, Iraq, and Afghanistan; whether the war in 
Iraq was a "miscalculation;" whether Iraq can become truly 
democratic; the U.S. attitude toward "New Europe;" Russia's 
relations with the EU; China's growing role in Europe and the 
world; and whether the security situation in Iraq would 
affect elections there.  Complete transcripts of all media 
events are available in the Washington File. 
 
17.  (U) This message has been cleared by the Deputy 
Secretary's party. 
 
SIPDIS 
THAYER 
 
 
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