VZCZCXRO5068
OO RUEHAST
DE RUEHPG #1093 2511159
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081159Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7936
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS PRAGUE 001093
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM EZ
SUBJECT: LOW-KEY CZECH REACTION TO NEW DETAINEE INITIATIVE
REF: STATE 146996
1. (SBU) Ambassador briefed Czech PM Topolanek September 7 on
the new USG initiative related to detainees in the war on
terrorism (reftel). Topolonek had no substantive reaction
but asked for additional details (we are providing his office
with transcripts and tailored points). Separately, visiting
EUR DAS Mark Pekala discussed the initiative with Deputy FM
Tomas Pojar (other subjects reported septel). Pojar, after
expressing overall support with USG efforts in the GWOT, also
asked for additional information, but predicted that the new
initiative would not become a significant news story in the
Czech Republic.
2. (U) Czech press carried news of the President's speech on
September 7, but the story did not receive extensive coverage
on September 8. In our discussion with journalists on
background on September 7, they shared their perspective but
indicated that media would focus primarily on whether Czech
authorities had played any role in the earlier detainee
programs. Embassy has posted all relevant speeches and
interviews on its website.
CABANISS