US embassy cable - 05PRAGUE1285

S E C R E T PRAGUE 001285 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
EUR/NCE FOR FICHTE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, EZ, IZ 
SUBJECT: CZECH FM LIKELY TO VISIT IRAQ IN SPRING 2006, DEF 
MIN THIS NOVEMBER 
 
 
Classified By: Political-Military Officer Brian Greaney 
 for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1) (S) Miloslav Stasek, Czech MFA Director for the Middle 
East told Pol-Mil Off Aug 31 that FM Svoboda would like to 
visit Iraq in the Spring of 2006. Svoboda had considered a 
visit in the Fall, but had been persuaded by internal GOCR 
arguments that it would be better to meet with a newly 
elected government that was itself the result of the ongoing 
constitutional process. Stasek predicted that the GOCR would 
request logistical support from the United States in order to 
allow this visit to take place in spite of the difficult 
security situation. Contrary to some media reports, Stasek 
believed that PM Jiri Paroubek had no plans to travel to 
Iraq. 
 
2) (S/NF) Post has passed to OSD the request from Czech 
Defense Minister Karel Kuehnl for air transportation from 
Basra to Baghdad in early November 2005. Kuehnl would like to 
fly via Czech Air Force transport to Basra to visit his 
troops stationed there and then proceed to Baghdad. 
 
3) (C) Comment: Post believes these visits would provide a 
visible manifestation of a Coalition ally's support for the 
future Iraqi government. We look forward to working closely 
with all concerned to make the visits a successful reality. 
End comment. 
CABANISS