US embassy cable - 05BRATISLAVA755

C O N F I D E N T I A L  BRATISLAVA 000755 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
FOR EUR/NCE AND G/TIP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, KIRF, SMIG, SOCI, LO 
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA POLITICAL ROUNDUP SEPTEMBER 21, 2005 
 
REF: A. BRATISLAVA 702 
 
     B. BRATISLAVA 749 
     C. BRATISLAVA 642 
 
Classified By: DCM Lawrence R. Silverman for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) 
 
PARLIAMENT CRISIS OVER, PM GETS READY TO DEBATE FICO 
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1.  (C)  PM Dzurinda's ruling coalition managed to get the 
support of 77 MPs (one more than needed) to reopen the 
parliamentary session on September 21, following a stalemate 
brought about by opposition parties and independents who had 
pushed for early elections (ref B).  Following the opening, 
Dzurinda advisor Milan Jezovica (protect) contended to us 
that early elections are now "off the agenda," and the press 
reports that the coalition plans to table any discussion of 
the topic.  Some pundits, however, still consider early 
elections a distinct possibility, but not before June (just 
three months ahead of schedule). 
 
2.  (C)  Meanwhile, Tatiana Rosova (also protect), another 
member of Dzurinda's inner circle, told us that the PM will 
follow through on the initiative he took to arrange a live 
television debate with opposition leader Robert Fico on 
September 25.  Rosova is afraid that the debate will 
degenerate into pure political mudslinging, but told us that 
Dzurinda is holding a preparatory session on September 22 
during which she will urge him to emphasize that the 
government is trying to take specific steps to improve the 
average Slovak's life, while the opposition tries to 
hamstring parliament solely for political gain.  Rosova also 
said that Dzurinda's office has conducted focus groups with 
Fico supporters, and that the results have showed that 
support for Smer is not as "deep" as some believe. 
 
PRESIDENT OPENS HOLOCAUST EXHIBIT 
--------------------------------- 
 
3.  (SBU)  On September 8, President Gasparovic attended the 
opening of "The Fate of Slovak Jews," a permanent exhibit at 
the refurbished Nitra Synagogue, which now serves as a 
national museum.  The powerful exhibit features memorabilia 
from Slovak work and concentration camps, as well as 
artifacts from Slovak Jewish communities and individuals 
decimated by the holocaust (including the tattooed skin from 
the arm of a recently deceased concentration camp survivor). 
 
4.  (SBU)  Gasparovic's remarks focused on the importance of 
remembering the past and accepting its as a dark period in 
Slovakia's history.  Many of the other speakers echoed this 
theme, with one pointing out that "the holocaust had many 
victims; not only Jews, but Roma, Ruthenians, and homosexuals 
as well."  Another speaker cited the exhibit as an important 
reminder that hate groups like Slovenska Pospolitost (ref C) 
are still active, and must be countered with tolerance.  The 
opening -- which was well attended by the diplomatic corps, 
members of parliament, and even a group of tourists from 
Israel -- also featured performances musical, dramatic, and 
political (Gasparovic gave a very campaign trail-esque two 
handed "victory" salute as he departed the opening). 
 
DRAXLER APPOINTED TRAFFICKING COORDINATOR 
----------------------------------------- 
 
5.  (C)  Though not yet public information, we have heard 
from sources at the MOI that Pavol Draxler (ref C), 
previously the coordinator for anti-extremism in Slovakia, 
has been appointed Slovakia's first national coordinator for 
anti-trafficking efforts.  Draxler, who is already a trusted 
advisor to Minister of the Interior Vladimir Palko, told us 
that he is excited to be undertaking this new challenge. 
 
SLOVAK VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE NGO TO GET EU FUNDS 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
6.  (C)  Marian Kolencik, Director of DAFNE (an NGO working 
with trafficking victims) told poloffs September 19 that the 
group was recently awarded EUR 3 million through a new EU 
EQUAL Project.  The partners include the Zilina Regional 
Government, some district work offices, and several 
international organizations from Sweden and France.  The 
project will support police training, work in schools, and 
other awareness activities such as a number of public plays 
about trafficking to be staged in 2007.  Like many other 
small organizations, DAFNE is experiencing problems with the 
administrative burden of using EU funds, since most expenses 
will be reimbursed.  They hope the project will commence in 
2006. 
 
7.  (C)  The DAFNE director also mentioned that the 
organization will not pursue more grants to start a new 
shelter for trafficking victims.  In addition to security 
 
concerns, DAFNE believes the initial investment and yearly 
operating costs are not as effective as working through the 
already existing network of social shelters.  Kolencik stated 
that the trafficking awareness of the shelter staffs is 
increasing in this area, but low salaries result in high 
turnover rates. 
 
VALLEE 
 
 
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