US embassy cable - 05BRATISLAVA228

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000228 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2015 
TAGS: PREL, SO, LO 
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA WILL FOLLOW EU ON IGAD DEPLOYMENT PLAN 
 
REF: STATE 47850 
 
Classified By: CDA Scott N. Thayer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel points to Roman Gal of the 
MFA's Department for Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.  Gal 
stated Slovakia will likely follow the EU common policy 
regarding the recent Intergovernmental Authority on 
Development's (IGAD) proposal to deploy troops (without 
contributing much to the discussion).  He could not offer any 
information about a possible EU position because the issue 
was not discussed at the last meeting in Brussels.  In his 
opinion, EU-African affairs are now being dealt with in a 
different manner than under the Dutch presidency, which had 
more experience working with African nations and leaders.  He 
commented that these decisions are occurring at a higher 
level than in working groups with more of an emphasis on 
negotiating official agreements.  Overall, Gal stated that 
the interests of Italy and those that prioritized support for 
Sudan will impact the outcome of the EU position. 
 
2. (C) Note: Slovakia maintains peacekeepers in Africa and 
shares international concerns about the on-going 
demilitarization process in Somalia.  The GOS recently 
evaluated its ability to participate at a greater level in 
Africa.  The outcome of that evaluation was a decision that 
more could not be offered at this time because of budgetary 
constraints and other factors, such as language proficiency. 
 
 
THAYER 
 
 
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