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Cablegate: Czech Comments in Advance of the March 28-29

Published: Fri 28 Mar 2008 11:55 AM
VZCZCXRO7292
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHPG #0206 0881155
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 281155Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0210
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS PRAGUE 000206
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
EUR/ERA JGIAUQUE, EUR/NCE FOR ATRATENSEK
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EUN EZ EG PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: CZECH COMMENTS IN ADVANCE OF THE MARCH 28-29
GYMNICH
REF: STATE 30504
1. (SBU) Summary: Emboff met with Slavomir Goga and Magdalena
Janesova, Desk Officers in the MFA's Department of Common
Foreign and Security Policy, to discuss Czech views prior to
the March 28-29 Gymnich. They were supportive of the USG
positions in reftel. Both officials confirmed that Foreign
Minister Schwarzenburg will attend the Gymnich. End Summary.
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Western Balkans - Kosovo
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2, (SBU) The MFA is supportive of our position on Kosovo.
They are especially concerned about the setting up of
parallel structures in Serbian majority areas. The Czechs
intend to recognize Kosovo, but the recognition question has
become hostage to "coalition politics." They could not
provide an estimate on when the Czechs will recognize Kosovo.
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Middle East/Syria
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3. (SBU) Overall, they are very supportive and appreciative
of U.S. efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East. On
Syria, Goga and Janesova believed the EU should limit high
level visits, while still keeping open a dialogue with
Damascus. They see Syria as a key player in achieving Middle
East peace.
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Russia
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4. (SBU) Goga and Janesova stressed the need for a untied EU
position towards Russia, but believe this could be difficult
to achieve. The Czechs are in favor of negotiating a new
partnership and cooperation agreement (PCA), but believe the
new PCA must include strong commitments to human rights and
democracy.
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Tibet
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5. (SBU) Tibet will only be discussed during the working
lunch. They did not expect any new communiques or statements
beyond urging Beijing to show restraint towards peaceful
demonstrations. The Czechs also do not plan to boycott the
2008 Beijing Olympics.
Graber
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