Cablegate: Czechs Support Siniora, Approve Troops for Unifil,

VZCZCXRO4216
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHPG #1509 3471447
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131447Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8356
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0051
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0203

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001509

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MOPS LE EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS SUPPORT SINIORA, APPROVE TROOPS FOR UNIFIL,
DISCUSS PROVISION OF ANTI-RIOT EQUIPMENT WITH LEBANESE ISF
DELEGATION

REF: STATE 193090

1. (U) Czech MFA Head of the Near East Group in the Middle
East and Africa Department Jaromir Marek told Poloff on
December 1 that the Czechs fully support the government of
Lebanese PM Faud Siniora, and continue to closely monitor the
situation in Lebanon. In a separate meeting, Director of the
MFA's CFSP Department Vaclav Balek told Poloff the Czech
Parliament has approved up to ten Czech troops for UNIFIL.

2. (SBU) A delegation of Lebanese Internal Forces (ISF)
officials led by General Ashraf Rifi arrived in Prague on
December 9 to meet with MOI officials. According to Marek,
the purpose of the visit, still under way, is to visit the
Czech Policy Academy to review police anti-riot training
procedures. The General also expressed interest in reviewing
security equipment--such as armored vehicles, shields, and
police arms--with an eye towards possibly acquiring such
equipment from the Czechs in the future. (Note: Balek assured
Poloff separately that the Czechs would consult with the EU
and UN before selling and/or donating any equipment to the
ISF. End note.) Post will report the outcome of the Rifi
visit when additional information becomes available.
GRABER

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