US embassy cable - 04BRATISLAVA1027

C O N F I D E N T I A L  BRATISLAVA 001027 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2014 
TAGS: PREL, LO, UP, LY, CH 
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA POLITICAL ROUNDUP NOVEMBER 10, 2004 
 
REF: (A) BRATISLAVA 969 (B) BRATISLAVA 923 
 
Classified By: DCM Scott Thayer for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) 
 
China/Libya Arms Embargos 
------------------------- 
 
1. (C) Representatives of the MFA and MOD told DCM and 
emboffs October 19 that there was strong pressure from some 
EU countries to lift the arms embargo on China and added that 
Slovakia believed a strengthened EU Code of Conduct would 
only allow responsible exports (Refs A and B).  DCM stressed 
that would send the wrong message on human rights and 
expressed concern that lifting the China arms embargo could 
result in European materiel being aimed at the U.S. military 
in the Taiwan Straits. 
 
2. (C) DCM expressed concern about the potential exports of 
Lethal Military Equipment (LME) to state sponsors of 
terrorism such as Libya.  Such sales would hamper the Global 
War on Terrorism and, consequently, Foreign Military 
Financing (FMF) and International Military Education and 
Training (IMET) funds could be withheld from countries that 
sell LME to these states.  MFA and MOD representatives 
expressed disappointment, noting that many EU states that did 
not receive FMF or IMET assistance could export LME to Libya 
without reprisal. 
 
HZDS and Smer Welcome High-Level Belarusian Delegation; 
Encourage Slovak Engagement 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
3. (U) Stefan Stefanec (HZDS), head of the Trencin Regional 
Government, met November 2-3 with Konstanstsin Piachko, 
Deputy Governor of Brestska region, and Henadzi Prarouski, 
General Director of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce. 
According to press reports, Stefanec said they agreed to 
avoid political discussions, since &this is not a concern of 
regional politicians.8  Smer MP Pavol Paska said Slovakia 
could find more suitable partners for cultural exchanges but 
added that, &democratic structures exist in Belarus.8 
Smer,s leader, Robert Fico, made an official visit to 
Belarus last year saying he was opening doors for Slovak 
business.  HZDS MP Dusan Jarjabek acknowledged the lack of a 
free press in Belarus, but &this should not preclude holding 
talks on economic issues, for example.8 
 
4.    (SBU) Robert Kalinak, Chairman of the Parliamentary 
Defense and Security Committee and SMER MP, told emboffs 
October 27 that Slovakia should not isolate Belarus because 
of Lukashenko.  Slovakia should encourage business, promote 
cultural exchanges, and attempt to engage the Belarusian 
citizens.  The international community isolated Slovakia 
under communism as well and it ended up hurting the citizens 
instead of the government. FM Eduard Kukan declared 
Lukashenko,s manipulation of the election &very bad.8  The 
MFA is providing assistance to Belarusian civil society 
through a grant to the Pontis Foundation, a Slovak NGO. 
 
Slovak Relations with Ukraine Not Dependent Upon Elections 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
5.    (SBU) DCM and emboffs October 19 also raised the 
Ukrainian democracy issue.  MFA and MOD interlocutors 
emphasized Slovakia,s strategic relationship with Ukraine 
will not change drastically after the presidential elections. 
 They noted that whoever won the election would face the same 
pressures from Moscow and it was unrealistic to expect an 
instant change in Ukraine.  They said carrots must accompany 
the sticks for democracy and market development to take hold. 
 
 
New Ambassador-at-Large for Terrorism 
------------------------------------- 
 
6. (SBU) Peter Zsoldos, former Slovak Ambassador to the 
Persian Gulf states, described his newly created position as 
Slovak Ambassador-at-Large for Terrorism.  His exact 
responsibilities are still unclear as the MFA continues to 
reorganize.  A rough S/CT equivalent, Zsoldos will report 
directly to the Foreign Minister and direct all aspects of 
MFA counterterrorism cooperation.  Zsoldos has noted 
repeatedly his interest in training opportunities in the U.S. 
or elsewhere.  Helping him clarify his role and best 
practices in counter-terror operations would be useful. 
 
Surprise Recall Attempt of KDH Cabinet Members Fails; KDH 
Withdraws from Regional Cooperation with HZDS 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
7. (U) Near the end of the parliamentary session November 1, 
 
Vladimir Meciar,s party, Movement for a Democratic Slovakia 
(HZDS), changed its recent &cooperative mood.8  Katarina 
Tothova (HZDS) proposed a vote of confidence in Education 
Minister Martin Fronc (KDH).  Coalition MPs were not present 
in sufficient number to prevent this move, which may have 
required fewer votes than a no-confidence vote.  (Note: The 
constitution distinguishes between votes of confidence and 
votes of no confidence.  Votes of confidence usually are used 
to confirm new ministers, although the constitution does not 
state this is the only time it can be used.  Tothova sought a 
negative vote of confidence on Minister Fronc.  In theory, 
this would require 76 MPs to support the minister for him to 
keep his post.  A No-Confidence vote would require 76 MPs 
(parliamentary majority) to support the recall.  Justice 
Minister Daniel Lipsic referred the issue to the 
Constitutional Court.)  Speaker of Parliament Pavol Hrusovsky 
(KDH) postponed the confidence vote until the next day on 
disputable legal grounds.  HZDS tried to recall Hrusovsky 
November 2 in response, although both recall moves failed. 
 
8. (U) KDH,s national board October 23 gave its regional 
structures authority to form ethnic Slovak coalitions to 
defeat regional governments currently dominated by the 
Hungarian coalition (SMK), especially in the Nitra region 
(septel).  Hrusovsky announced KDH would not hold talks with 
HZDS at any level, including regional and local levels.  SDKU 
and ANO will continue to cooperate with HZDS against SMK 
regional governments. 
WEISER 
 
 
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