VZCZCXRO9915
RR RUEHIK
DE RUEHSL #0076 0531536
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221536Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0436
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV 0006
RUEHSL/AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA 0504

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000076 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR EUR/CE AND EUR/ERA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAK RESPONSE TO FEBRUARY FAC DEMARCHE 
 
REF: Konick email 2/17 
 
PolOff delivered referenced points to Slovak MFA European 
Correspondent Albin Otruba on February 18.  On Iran, Otruba said 
that Slovakia agrees with the U.S. approach, and is open to 
discussing the possibility of autonomous sanctions on Iran if 
consensus is not reached at the UNSC on the need for a robust 
UNSCR.  Otruba also said that the Slovaks have recently summoned 
the Iranian Ambassador five times to discuss their concerns 
about developments in the country.  On Ukraine, Otruba 
underscored Slovakia's interest in encouraging Yanukovych's 
stated interest in moving Ukraine towards Europe.  Aside from 
the Slovaks' obvious interest in energy security, they will also 
be encouraging Yanukovych to use his democratic mandate to 
implement much needed constitutional reform.  Slovakia will also 
support visa liberalization for Ukraine.  On Haiti, Otruba 
lamented that the EU's response to the earthquake has been 
roundly criticized, and said that Slovakia looks forward to the 
discussion of lessons learned at the FAC so that future 
humanitarian assistance can be better coordinated. 
 
EDDINS