US embassy cable - 05PRAGUE888

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000888 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR EUR/ERA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2015 
TAGS: PREL, CH, CU, EZ, EUN 
SUBJECT: CZECH RESPONSE TO JUNE 13 GAERC DEMARCHE 
 
REF: A. STATE 105235 
 
     B. PRAGUE 869 
 
Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Mike Dodman for reasons 1.4 
 B and D 
 
1. (C) On June 9, we discussed the points in ref A demarche 
with Mr. Michal Strouhal, Director of the Common Foreign and 
Security Policy Department at the Czech MFA.  Strouhal 
provided the following responses: 
 
A. Kosovo: Strouhal emphasized the importance of the EU 
playing an active role in the future of Kosovo, which the 
GOCR will promote at the GAERC.  Strouhal sees the future of 
Kosovo as linked to its EU perspective, but notes that the 
Czechs do not support full independence at this time. 
Strouhal also discussed the importance of standards, 
identifying the most important to the GOCR as the return of 
refugees and minority rights, and that it is important to 
involve the Serbs in the debate. 
 
B. Middle East Peace Process: The GOCR is not pleased that 
the Palestinian elections have been postponed and would like 
them to take place before the end of the year.  Additionally, 
it is paying significant attention to the coordination of 
efforts between Israel and the PA on the Gaza withdrawal, but 
believes that the Roadmap needs to be updated to take this 
into account. 
 
C. Cuba: Strouhal noted the importance of EU Cuba policy to 
the GOCR, and indicated that it was the subject of "dynamic 
negotiations" within the PSC. However, even as one of the EU 
countries that was most opposed to lifting the June 2003 
measures, Strouhal described the GOCR as "quite happy with 
the conclusions" for the GAERC, citing tough language on 
political prisoners and the expulsion of Czech and other EU 
politicians last month.  The two exceptions are the question 
of inviting dissidents to national day receptions (which will 
not be covered by the Council's conclusions) and limiting 
high-level visits to foreign ministers.  Assuming the June 9 
PSC meeting would not reach agreement on this last point, 
Strouhal expected FM Svoboda to raise it at the GAERC. 
(Comment: Strouhal's assessment of the state of the draft 
Council declaration on Cuba was factually similar to that of 
his colleague on the Cuba desk-ref b-but his bottom line was 
very different.  For instance, on national day invitations, 
Strouhal stressed the importance of a unified EU position, 
rather than the need to maintain contacts with dissidents.) 
 
D. US-EU Summit: Strouhal said the GOCR gives great weight to 
transatlantic relations with CFSP.  Their main intervention 
to date on the US-EU Summit preparations has been to stress 
greater cooperation between EU-NATO. 
 
E.  UN: The EU Foreign Ministers will meet next Thursday on 
the margins of the EU Summit to discuss the preparation for 
the UN Summit, but Strouhal said the Czechs are currently 
pleased with the planning. 
 
F. Iraq: Strouhal informed POLOFF that FM Svoboda will 
represent the CR at the conference in Brussels, and will 
deliver a speech expressing support for the Iraqi 
Transitional Government (ITG).  The GOCR sees the conference 
in "symbolic means."  POLOFF questioned Strouhal about 
possible new initiatives or other tangible signs of support 
from the GOCR for the ITG.  Strouhal said no new initiatives 
are planned (Note: DCM will discuss with more senior MFA 
officials on June 10). 
 
G.  China: Strouhal is "sceptical" that the necessary 
conditions will be fulfilled in order for the arms embargo to 
be lifted this year, noting the CR's strong insistence on 
human rights improvements and an effective dialogue with a 
range of allies on security questions.  Strouhal emphasized 
that a revised Code of Conduct would need to apply to all 
countries, not just China.  In reference to this, Strouhal 
noted that the GOCR thought that the EU Summit conclusions 
should refer simply to the revised Code of Conduct, without 
specific mention of China. 
CABANISS