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| Identifier: | 05PRAGUE377 |
|---|---|
| Wikileaks: | View 05PRAGUE377 at Wikileaks.org |
| Origin: | Embassy Prague |
| Created: | 2005-03-15 14:40:00 |
| Classification: | CONFIDENTIAL |
| Tags: | PREL ASEC IZ IR EZ |
| Redacted: | This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks. |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000377
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/15/2015
TAGS: PREL, ASEC, IZ, IR, EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS ON IRANIAN INTERFERENCE IN IRAQI POLITICS
REF: A. STATE 41957
B. STATE 44347
C. STATE 44486
Classified By: Political Officer Kimberly C. Krhounek, for reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).
1. (C) On March 14, we met with Mr. Pavel Mrazek in the
Czech MFA Middle East Department to discuss Iranian
interference in Iraqi politics (reftel a). We also delivered
the non-paper on Hizballah (ref b) and the statement on USG
support for EU-3 diplomacy on Iran (ref c), which are
discussed more fully septel. Mrazek said that the Czechs had
also heard some grumbling about Iranian interference in the
formation of the new governing coalition through their
embassy in Baghdad. However, he noted that the Czechs are
not in a very good position to influence Iran, since
relations cooled and the Iranians instituted an "unofficial"
trade embargo against the Czech Republic to retaliate against
the "Radio Free Iran" broadcasts (part of Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty's programming) which began in 1998.
2. (C) As background, the Czech Republic has hosted the
radios in Prague since 1995, and after RFE/RL began
broadcasts targeting Iran, the Iranians refused agrement to a
Czech Ambassador and began interfering with Czech business
contracts and trade relations. Since this time, both
countries are only represented at the level of Charge
d'Affairs at their respective embassies. The Iranians deny
to the EU that the trade embargo exists, and Mrazek noted
that business difficulties wax and wane (adding wryly that if
the Czechs have anything the Iranians want that cannot be
obtained elsewhere, the Czech company can usually get the
contract). Given this state of affairs, the Czechs believe
that representations from other EU member states would be
more effective.
Visit Prague's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/prague/index. cfm
CABANISS
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