US embassy cable - 05BRATISLAVA318

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000318 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2015 
TAGS: KPAL, PREL, LO, EUN 
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA RESPONSE TO APRIL 25 GAERC DEMARCHE 
 
REF: STATE 72185 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires A.I. Scott N. Thayer for Reasons 1.4 ( 
B) AND (D). 
 
1.  (C)  Poloffs delivered reftel points April 21 to Lubomir 
Rehak, European Correspondent at the MFA.  Rehak reaffirmed 
his openness to receiving USG points, saying it gives the 
Slovaks a "more global view."  He said Slovakia within the EU 
supports strong transatlantic links.  For example, in the 
Balkans, people view the U.S. with "respect," and view the EU 
as a source of funding.  Much more can be accomplished 
together. 
 
2.  (SBU)  IRAQ:  Rehak was familiar with the plan for the 
U.S. and EU to co-host a conference on Iraq.  He expected 
that it would be included in the council's conclusions. 
 
3.  (C)  MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS:  Rehak assured P/E Chief 
that the Foreign Minister had read the points before Gymnich. 
 
4.  (C)  LEBANON:  Rehak noted that the presence of residual 
Syrian intelligence elements in Lebanon was "very probable." 
He said that the issue of how to deal with Hizballah is a 
major concern for the EU at the moment.  While it is no doubt 
a terrorist organization, he said, it is also a political 
party that will participate in the democratic process in 
Lebanon.  The EU is seeking an invitation to observe the 
upcoming elections in Lebanon in May.  The EU has a similar 
problem in deciding how to treat Hamas. 
 
5.  (C)  SUDAN:  On the situation in Darfur, Rehak promised 
to pass the points on to the appropriate Africa watchers in 
his ministry.  Slovakia is not a strong player on Africa 
issues in the EU.  We drew specific attention to the World 
Food Program's urgent need for release of EU funding.  Rehak 
noted that this was "important information." 
 
6.  (C)  ZIMBABWE:  Rehak wondered whether providing aid to 
Zimbabwe would legitimize Mugabe's regime.  He noted that the 
EU is currently struggling with the same question regarding 
the Lukashenko regime in Belarus. 
 
THAYER 
 
 
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