US embassy cable - 05PRAGUE1573

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001573 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PARM, EZ, UNSC, UNGA 
SUBJECT: CZECHS SAY YES TO IRAQ RESOLUTION, AND NO TO SWISS 
UNSC REFORM 
 
REF: A. STATE 201053 
 
     B. STATE 199305 
 
Classified By: Poloff Sarah C. Peck for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1.    (C) Summary. The Czechs are grateful the U.S. shared 
the text of the draft Iraq resolution at an early stage, and 
are optimistic the resolution will pass. On the Swiss 
proposal for reform of the UNSC working methods, the Czechs 
will oppose it. End summary. 
 
2.    (SBU) Pol-Econ Chief and Poloff met on Nov. 3 with Jan 
Kara, Director, and Ivana Grollova, both of the Czech MFA's 
UN Department, to discuss the draft Iraq UNSCR text and the 
Swiss proposal for reform of the UNSC working methods 
(reftels). Emboffs also met separately with Miloslav Stasek, 
Director, and Pavel Mrazek, both of the Middle East and 
Africa Department. 
 
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Iraq UNSCR text: no surprises 
----------------------------- 
 
3.    (C) On the draft Iraq resolution, Kara thanked the U.S. 
for sharing at an early stage. He said that while the Czechs 
have no concrete suggestions on the resolution, they agree 
with the process and the substance of the resolution as 
drafted. He predicted the resolution would pass because it 
contains no surprises, stays within the existing framework, 
and the need to prolong the UN mandate in Iraq is inevitable. 
Stasek concurred with Kara, noting the resolution is needed. 
Both also noted that Parliament is currently debating the 
2006 deployment bill, which includes extension of the 100 
Czech troops currently in Iraq, and that progress towards the 
new UNSCR will facilitate the vote (although the GOCR is 
confident the bill will pass in any event). 
 
----------------------------- 
Swiss UNSC Reform: no support 
----------------------------- 
 
5.    (C) Kara was unaware of the Swiss proposal, and felt 
certain the Swiss had not formally approached the Czechs. He 
said the Swiss were &nave8 to advocate UNSC reform without 
first talking with &important partners8 like the U.S., and 
thought the proposal would not receive serious consideration 
from member countries. He confirmed the Czechs would not 
support the proposal. 
CABANISS