US embassy cable - 05PRAGUE633

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000633 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2015 
TAGS: PREL, KPAO, LE, SY, EZ 
SUBJECT: CZECHS SUPPORT U.S. POSITION ON SYRIAN WITHDRAWAL 
 
REF: STATE 78006 
 
Classified By: Acting DCM Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 b+d 
 
1. (C) Czech MFA Director of Middle East Department Ivo 
Silhavy told Acting DCM on Apr 28 that the GOCR fully shares 
USG positions outlined reftel:  complete Syrian withdrawal 
from Lebanon remains a priority; June elections in Lebanon 
require international support; and the EU ought to designate 
Hizballah as a terrorist organization.  Silhavy noted recent 
statements by Czech FM Svoboda criticizing the Syrian 
President's promises on withdrawal as inadequate. 
 
2. (SBU) More important, however, Silhavy pointed to a 
personal statement from former President Vaclav Havel (which 
Silhavy said was coordinated with the MFA), read to a group 
of pro-democracy activists in Beirut on Apr 13, as the most 
effective Czech engagement to date.  The statement (faxed 
previously to EUR/NCE) drew parallels with events in 
Czechoslovakia in 1989 and encouraged continued peaceful 
activity, expressing the hope that "an open democratic 
Lebanese society might become a major source of inspiration 
for the sorely tried region." 
 
3. (C) Silhavy said the Czech MFA would provide one official 
for the EU election monitoring team, and that the Czechs 
would continue to push for Hizballah designation in the EU 
Clearinghouse. 
CABANISS