US embassy cable - 05PRAGUE1136

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001136 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, IZ, PGOV, EZ 
SUBJECT: CZECH'S WELCOME U.S. RESPONSE TO BAGHDAD CONVOY 
INCIDENT 
 
REF: A. BAGHDAD 3165 
 
     B. PRAGUE 1111 
     C. PRAGUE 1106 
 
Classified By: Political-Military Officer Brian Greaney 
 for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1) (C) Ambassador Cabaniss telephoned Czech First Deputy FM 
Jan Winkler August 1 to convey Reftel A points on the alleged 
Baghdad convoy incident involving Czech personnel (Ref C). 
The Ambassador noted we had done everything possible to 
discover further details from U.S. personnel, but had come up 
empty-handed. The U.S. was keen to avoid similar problems in 
the future. Accordingly, Embassy Baghdad will coordinate 
security consultations with the Czechs, and with the wider 
diplomatic community.  Winkler warmly welcomed the 
information, expressing his opinion that the proposed 
consultations about better convoy security were a move in the 
right direction. 
 
2) (C) MFA Middle East and Africa Department Director 
Miloslav Stasek August 1 told Pol-Mil Off the MFA was very 
happy with the way the U.S. had responded to Czech concerns 
over the incident. He thought planned consultations with the 
Czechs in Baghdad, and with the wider diplomatic community, 
were an excellent idea. 
 
3) (C) Comment: By treating the alleged convoy incident with 
the seriousness and expediency it deserves, we have 
underlined to the Czechs that we are appropriately concerned 
about the safety of their personnel. This has also avoided 
any erosion of the GOCR's political will to participate in 
the Coalition. If Embassy Baghdad's planned security 
consultations go well, this incident should cease to be a 
bilateral issue.  Embassy Prague would like to thank Embassy 
Baghdad and all others involved for their dedicated work in 
handling this incident. End comment. 
CABANISS