US embassy cable - 05PRAGUE1623

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 001623 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2015 
TAGS: PREL, EZ, EUN 
SUBJECT: CZECHS ON NOV 21 GAERC 
 
REF: STATE 208899 
 
Classified By: Poloff Sarah C. Peck for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Summary. The primary focus of the Nov 21 GAERC will be 
the EU budget. The Czechs support the Luxembourg Compromise, 
but pragmatically believe no compromise will be reached in 
the upcoming GAERC (or even this year). The Czechs generally 
support EU efforts in the Middle East, the Balkans, and in 
Belarus. The Czechs do not plan to discuss Cuba at the 
upcoming GAERC or in December. End summary. 
 
2. (SBU) Poloff met on Nov. 2 with Miroslav Kolatek, Deputy 
Director of the Czech MFA's CFSP Department, to discuss the 
Nov. 21 GAERC. As summarized below, the discussion touched on 
the EU budget (the primary focus of the upcoming GAERC), the 
Middle East, Belarus, Ukraine, the Balkans, and Cuba. 
 
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EU Budget & Agricultural Subsidies 
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3. (C) Kolatek predicted that the EU budget will be the 
primary focus of the Nov 21 GAERC. The Czechs hope a 
compromise can be reached, but are pessimistic. They support 
the proposal of the Luxembourg presidency (the "Luxembourg 
Compromise") along with 19 other countries, and have agreed 
to coordinate with the Visegrad Four to advocate for a 
compromise. However, the Czechs believe there will be no 
breakthrough until the five largest EU countries accept their 
responsibility to compromise. The Czechs do not have a 
separate position on EU agricultural subsidies and tariffs 
outside of the budget dispute, although they generally 
support a liberal trade policy. 
 
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The Middle East 
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4. (C) On Iraq, Kolatek said the Czechs welcome EU efforts to 
help stabilize Iraq, both in connection with the upcoming 
election, and with enhancing public security and rule of law 
overall. The Czechs do not currently have plans to increase 
their level of commitment in Iraq. However, when and if 
security conditions improve, the Czechs plan to move their 
capacity building training programs from other countries to 
Iraq itself. Additionally, according to Kolatek, the Czechs 
have not been asked to provide election monitors for the 
Iraqi election, but would seriously entertain such a request 
if made by the OSCE, the UN, or the EU. And on the subject of 
debt relief, Kolatek thought the Czechs would support an EU 
initiative to forgive a portion of Iraqi debt. 
 
5. (C) On the Rafah crossing, the Czechs agree with EU 
involvement in principle, but want further discussions with 
EU partners on security issues and the role the EU will play 
(e.g., will the EU provide customs agents or troops at the 
border, or only indirect support?) 
 
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Belarus & Ukraine 
----------------- 
 
6. (C) Turning to Belarus, Kolatek said the EU has agreed to 
establish meaningful contacts with Belarus opposition leader, 
Aleksandr Milinkievich. The Czechs are involved in shaping 
the strategy of how and when the EU can reach out to 
Milinkievich, and how the EU can minimize the expected 
backlash from Lukashenko. Other countries involved in the 
discussion on Belarusan dissidents include Poland, Lithuania, 
Finland and Germany. 
 
7. (C) On Ukraine,s economy, Kolatek said the EU is hopeful 
that Ukraine will qualify for market economy status soon. 
 
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The Balkans 
----------- 
 
8. (C) The Balkans are a primary focus for Czech foreign 
policy. The Czechs welcomed the formal decision to launch SAA 
negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and support ongoing 
efforts by the EU to promote stability in the region. Czech 
PM Jiri Paroubek has just returned from a visit to the 
region, where he announced that the Czechs will offer 
institution-building assistance (as yet to be defined) to 
Bosnia, Serbia, and Montenegro. 
 
9. (C) On Kosovo, Kolatek said PM Paroubek recently initiated 
internal discussions on the issue of Kosovo,s future. 
Kolatek said the Czechs agree that compromise on both sides 
will be essential, but difficult, and therefore resolution of 
Kosovo,s future will take time. 
 
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Cuba 
---- 
 
10. (C) Kolatek said the EU is considering a formal EU 
demarche on Havana following the Czech National Day incident. 
The details are being worked out at the working group level. 
The Czechs do not have any proposals on Cuba for the upcoming 
GAERC meeting or for the agenda of the December Council 
meeting. 
CABANISS