Cablegate: Gaerc: Slovakia Supports U.S. Positions On Ukraine

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OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHSL #0336 2001604
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 181604Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1850
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000336

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EUN PHUM PREL PGOV IR SO SU CD ZI UP LO
SUBJECT: GAERC: SLOVAKIA SUPPORTS U.S. POSITIONS ON UKRAINE
AND IRAN

REF: STATE 75702

1. (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel points to MFA European
Correspondent Albin Otruba on July 18. Otruba will include
U.S. non-papers in the briefing materials acting FM Diana
Strofova receives ahead of the July 22-23 GAERC meeting(FM
Kubis will be on vacation at the time of the GAERC).

2. (SBU) Otruba said Slovakia fully supports the U.S.
position with respect to Ukraine, and described Slovakia as
proof that a European perspective motivates positive
political change. Otruba acknowledged it would be several
years before Ukraine is ready for EU membership, but said
Slovakia is a vocal advocate of making an explicit commitment
to Ukraine in upcoming EU-Ukraine negotiations. Otruba said
that there is stiff resistance to Ukraine becoming a member
state in some western EU countries.

3. (SBU) Slovakia also supports the U.S. position on Iran,
including the possibility of autonomous measures that go
beyond UNSCR 1803. The priority for this meeting, however, is
to see UNSCR 1803 provisions transposed into EU law. Otruba
said the Slovak government believes pressing for more strict
autonomous measures could prevent any agreement from being
reached. He added, as a personal opinion and with reference
to U.S. participation in direct talks with Iran, that now may
be the wrong time to enact stricter autonomous measures since
Iran has made positive statements about upcoming negotiations.
OBSITNIK

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