IRAQ: AUSTRIAN STATEMENT SUPPORTING

UNCLAS VIENNA 003488 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EUR/AGS - VIKMANIS-KELLER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM KPAO PREL PGOV IZ AU SUBJECT: IRAQ: AUSTRIAN STATEMENT SUPPORTING CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM REF: A. (A) STATE 199224 ¶B. (B) STATE 198365 This message is SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. Please treat accordingly. ¶1. (U) EconPolCouns and visiting EUR/ERA Director Chase discussed reftel points on October 28 with Austrian MFA Political Director Thomas Mayr-Harting and with Austrian MFA Middle East Director Ralph Scheide. ¶2. (SBU) Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik issued a statement noting that the referedum "opens the next important chapter in the democratization process of Iraq." She called for all of Iraq's groups to show dialogue and a readiness to engage in the process of building democracy. ¶3. (SBU) Mayr-Harting, who had just returned from a visit to Baghdad as part of the EU troika, noted the continuing challenges Iraqis faced in implementing the constitution. He expressed Austria's readiness to help in the planned review of the constitution by offering experts in running a federal state. In general, Austria was ready to be helpful in areas in which it could offer expertise. van Voorst