US embassy cable - 05BRATISLAVA958

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000958 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PINR, LO, UNSC, UNGA, UN 
SUBJECT: (C) SLOVAKIA MAY BE WILLING TO PART WAYS WITH EU 
ON UNSC VOTES 
 
REF: USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2704 (NOTAL) 
 
Classified By: DCM Lawrence R. Silverman for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). 
 
1.  (C)  At a reception on December 5, MFA State Secretary 
(Deputy Foreign Minister) Magda Vasaryova pulled aside DCM to 
stress Slovakia's desire for the closest possible cooperation 
with the USG during Slovakia's upcoming tenure on the UNSC. 
Citing her very positive recent meeting with Amb. Bolton in 
NY (reftel), Vasaryova requested that we apprise the GOS as 
early as possible of our views on particular issues coming 
before the UNSC.  Vasaryova emphasized that wherever 
possible, the U.S. should inform the GOS of its position and 
intentions before / before the EU discusses its own stance. 
She explained that Slovakia does not simply want to "go 
along" with the EU position, but would form its own views, 
and the earlier it could do so, the better.  DCM promised 
Vasaryova the closest possible consultation as early as 
possible, citing the many key issues the Council would face, 
including the Middle East, Africa, UN reform, etc.  Vasaryova 
added Kosovo as the issue of highest GOS priority.  We note 
that the Slovaks have already expressed interest in the issue 
of Syria, Lebanon and the Mehlis investigation in our 
informal chats with them. 
 
2.  (C)  COMMENT:  Speaking as the Secretary begins her 
travel to Europe, the clear inference from Vasaryova's 
message was that, if the U.S. and EU had different views on a 
UNSC issue, the GOS would be happy to take our views strongly 
into account and possibly take a stance differing from that 
of the EU if the GOS considered it appropriate.  END COMMENT. 
VALLEE 
 
 
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