DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA: NATO SUPPORT TO PAKISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 003427

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/RPM AND EUR/AGS - VIKMANIS-KELLER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2015
TAGS: ASEC EAID MASS PGOV PREF PREL PK AU AMEMR NATO
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA: NATO SUPPORT TO PAKISTAN
EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

REF: STATE 194572

Classified By: Economic-Political Counselor Gregory E. Phillips,. Reas
ons: 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) EconPolCouns delivered reftel demarche on October 21
to Thomas Hajnoczi, the Austrian MFA's assistant secretary
level Director for Political Military Affairs.


2. (C) Hajnoczi said Austria had reached the limits of its
capabilities in deploying 60 troops from the elite NBC unit
to the earthquake region in Pakistan. The unit is providing
water purification support. Deployment was with a leased
Ilyushin transport. In addition to the troop deployment, the
Austrians have provided in-kind assistance (primarily
blankets and tarpaulins). Austria has also provided some 2
million Euros for disaster assistance in Pakistan.


3. (SBU) Hajnoczi said the Austrian government was able to
extend the deployment to Pakistan. Parliament had originally
authorized a one-month stay, but the troops will now be in
the disaster region for at least six weeks, with a
possibility of further extensions.
van Voorst