Prague, Oct 3 (CTK) – To predict what line the Czech ambitious diplomat, Hynek Kmonicek, will follow in his new post as ambassador to the United States is very complicated because he has repeatedly proved his ability to flexibly change his stances, Ondrej Kundra writes in the weekly Respekt out on Monday.
The nomination of Kmonicek, 53, head of the foreign departure of the Presidential Office, for Czech ambassador to the United States was announced by President Milos Zeman during his recent trip to the country.
Zeman breached the habit of the name being announced only after the receiving country grants its agrement to the nominee, Kundra writes.
He writes that the fact that the politically experienced Zeman ostentatiously breached the rules gave rise to the speculations whether this may have been a well-calculated move to corner the Americans.
It has been said in political corridors that Kmonicek’s approval by the United States may not be entirely smooth, particularly because of Zeman himself, Kundra writes.
He writes that Zeman has played a theatrical war with the U.S Administration.
Since last year, when the U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic, Andrew Schapiro, challenged Zeman’s decision to attend a military parade in Moscow marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, Zeman has kept the door to his seat at Prague Castle closed for him, Kundra writes.
However, this should not have any serious impact on Kmonicek himself because his nomination has already been approved by the Czech government with which the U.S. Administration has good relations, Kundra writes, referring to Respekt’s information.
Kmonicek, for his part, is maximally trying to be on good terms with Schapiro, he has repeatedly invited him to dinner and both men are on friendly relations, Kundra writes.
He adds that a part of Kmonicek’s family has Jewish roots, which is also true of Schapiro, and this reinforces their relations, Kundra writes.
Kundra writes that Kmonicek is one of the longest serving Czech diplomats. He has held a number of posts across the world and he was deputy prime minister twice.
Most people in diplomacy connect his name with the ability to create a broad network of contacts, not only in diplomacy, but also in politics, while he does not overlook his opinion opponents unlike Zeman.
He has supported some in his capacity as deputy foreign minister, while he helped others to become ambassador in his capacity as head of the presidential foreign department, Kundra writes.
Kmonicek is convinced that it pays to have acquaintances everywhere because one never knows when he will need them, Kundra writes.
He writes that when Kmonicek was ambassador to Australia, which is a remote country without any greater importance for the Czech Republic, he got bored and spent much time phoning his colleagues in other destinations.
He took interest in their worries, entertained them with stories about his adventures and gradually created of them a strong influence base which, he hopes, will once help him attain his goal in life: the post of foreign minister, Kundra writes.
No one doubts that Kmonicek will eventually become ambassador to the United States, but it is much less clear what line he will be pursuing there, Kundra writes.
During the term of the anti-Israeli foreign minister Jan Kavan (Social Democrats, CSSD), Kmonicek copied his policy, while under Zeman, he presents himself as a strong supporter of Israel, Kundra writes.
When he was ambassador to India, Kmonicek staged a birthday celebration for the Dalai Lama at which he wore a ring with the Tibetan emblem, while now, in Zeman’s Presidential Office he is one of the loudest supporters of Chinese investments to the Czech Republic, Kundra writes.
He writes that Kmonicek says “it always depends on what task you are assigned” and that he will follow this rule in the United States, too.
Czech foreign policy on the United States is split. Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (CSSD) rather defends the trans-Atlantic tie, while Zeman coins a precisely opposite stand, including a possible referendum on departure from NATO, Kundra writes.
“I want people to remember me as a man who was capable of finding a rational core in every problem…I want to contribute to strengthening mutual relations,” Kundra quotes Kmonicek as saying.
