AUSTRIA ON IRAQ DRAFT CONSTITUTION -- VIENNA

UNCLAS VIENNA 002926

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/AGS -- VIKMANIS-KELLER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA ON IRAQ DRAFT CONSTITUTION -- VIENNA
CONFERENCE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SUPPORT

REF: STATE 158420


1. EconPolCouns discussed reftel points with Ralph Scheide,
the Austrian MFA's assistant secretary level director of
Middle East and African affairs. Scheide said Austria shared
the sentiments the British Presidency had issued on behalf of
the EU. Sheide added that he had provided input to Foreign
Minister Plassnik for a statement of support.


2. Scheide noted that Austria's planned conference on a
"Dialogue of Civilizations" will be an opportunity to
highlight the themes of support for Iraq's political process.
The conference, which will be in Vienna November 14-16, will
include Iraqi President Talabani and Afghanistan President
Karzai, among others, Scheide said.
van Voorst