US embassy cable - 05PRAGUE1589

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 001589 
 
SIPDIS 
 
EUR/NCE FOR FICHTE, USNATO FOR SHEEHAN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, EZ, CH, RS, CU, LE, SY, ENRG, ECON, EFIN 
SUBJECT: CZECHS ON CHINA, RUSSIA, AND BEING HEARD IN THE EU 
 
 
Classified By: Political-Military Officer Brian Greaney 
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Summary: During a meeting with visiting EUR/ERA 
Director Peter Chase, the Czech MFA's Political Director 
offered the following: 
-- The Czech Republic played a leading role within the EU to 
prevent lifting of the China arms embargo, but in the context 
of PM Paroubek's growing closeness with China the CR is 
unlikely to maintain its opposition to lifting the embargo if 
it remains largely isolated on the issue within Europe. 
-- The development of some EU states' relations with Russia 
has featured the abandonment of the pursuit of common values 
in international affairs. Now several countries are merely 
seeking cooperation with Russia to benefit common bilateral 
interests. 
-- Increased Russia-China cooperation could lead to a future 
energy shortage in Europe. 
-- France is a natural U.S. ally on Syria and Lebanon. 
-- U.S. engagement with groups of EU member states on various 
issues will only be problem-free if the U.S. makes stronger 
efforts to educate all 25 member states about the content of 
such discussions. End summary. 
 
2. (C). EUR/ERA director Peter Chase met with MFA Policy 
Director Martin Povejsil and CFSP Director Petr Kaiser Oct 26 
to discuss U.S.-Czech and Czech-EU relations. 
 
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EUROPE AND RUSSIA: VALUES NEED TO MATTER 
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3. (C) Povejsil said he believed the pursuit of common values 
in relations between Europe and Russia is being abandoned in 
the pursuit of common interests. Old Europe has lost sight of 
what it stands for, seeking closer ties regardless of deep 
differences with Russia on issues such as good governance and 
human rights. Povejsil said some countries were ready to 
abandon the EU framework when they saw fit, citing the July 
meetings between France, Germany and Russia in Kaliningrad. 
He noted that neither the Poles nor the Lithuanians were 
invited to Kaliningrad, despite their significant concerns 
and interests in the region. A lack of EU engagement in that 
visit meant that both France and Germany had a free hand in 
fostering closer ties to Russia without the good governance 
concerns of fellow EU members standing in the way. Povejsil 
believed better cooperation was possible, citing EU action in 
relation to the Balkans as an example of cooperation by 
member states on a values-influenced foreign policy. 
 
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RUSSIA LOVES CHINA: IS THEIR COURTSHIP BAD FOR EUROPE? 
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4. (C) Moving to the issue of Russia and China,s recent 
cooperation, Povejsil said he was watching the situation 
closely, to see if this solidified into a stable, lasting 
relationship. Povejsil believed that Europe,s dependence on 
Russian oil could lead to a strategic problem if 
resource-hungry China began to compete and drive up demand. 
Povejsil went on to say Europe would have to closely examine 
the strategic implications of the possible long term 
development of a Russia-China axis. 
 
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THE CHINA ARMS EMBARGO: CZECHS WILL NOT STAND ALONE 
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5. (C) Povejsil told Chase that the Czechs, together with 
Denmark, had been the main opponents within the EU to the 
lifting of the China arms embargo. However, Czech Prime 
Minister Jiri Paroubek,s enthusiasm for better economic 
relations with China was well known, and the U.S. should not 
count on the Czechs indefinitely.  Povejsil recommended the 
U.S. deliver strong demarches in all EU capitals the next 
time the issue arose, and build wider opposition to the 
lifting of the ban. Mr. Chase shared that President Bush had 
recently welcomed Commission President Barroso to the White 
House and told him the U.S. administration would not protect 
Europe from the reaction of the U.S. Congress if the ban were 
to be lifted. 
 
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LEBANON AND SYRIA: WHERE THE FRENCH ARE NATURAL U.S. ALLIES 
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6. (C) Povejsil commended the United States for its work with 
Europe on Ukraine, calling it an important realization of how 
transatlantic relations can and should be. Areas of mutual 
concern could be a vital stepping stone to a better 
transatlantic relationship. Povejsil urged continued close 
cooperation with the French on Lebanon, commenting that 
France will do whatever it can in that area because Prime 
Minister Hariri had contributed substantial sums to President 
Chirac,s election campaign. 
 
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WORKING WITH EUROPE: 
SUBGROUPS ARE FINE, BUT EDUCATE ALL 25 
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7. (C) In response to a question about U.S. cooperation with 
lead states in Europe, Povejsil agreed that a discussion of 
issues with all 25 prevented appropriate handling of complex 
topics. However he cautioned that the U.S. should not 
underestimate the sensitivity of the smaller EU members to 
feeling left out, and urged the United States to share 
information on small group discussions with all EU members. 
Kaiser commented that U.S. demarches in advance of the 
decision to retain the China arms embargo had been 
particularly effective in this regard. On other fora, 
Povejsil thought DAS Volker's Oct 08 meeting with Political 
Directors from CEE states in Bratislava was an extremely 
worthwhile event. He looked forward to more of these informal 
consultations in the future and said the Czech Republic would 
also recommend that the Austrian EU Presidency hold 
structured informal dialogues at 25 with the United States. 
 
8. (U) This cable has been cleared by Mr. Chase. 
CABANISS