DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA -- APPEAL FOR INCREASED

UNCLAS VIENNA 003542

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/AGS - VIKMANIS-KELLER

E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: EAID PHUM PK PREL AU
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA -- APPEAL FOR INCREASED

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

REF: A. (A) STATE 200915


B. (B) VIENNA 3443


C. (C) STATE 195483


D. (D) VIENNA 3427 AND PREVIOUS

This cable is SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. Please treat

accordingly.


1. (U) Charge presented ref (a) demarche on November 3 to

Irene freudenschuss-Reichl, the Under Secretary-level

Director of the Austrian Foreign Ministry's Development

Assistance Section.


2. (SBU) Freudenschuss-Reichl said Austria's national

contribution for earthquake relief in Pakistan totalled 1.96

million Euros (USD 2.41 million, at current exchange rates).

This included an estimated cost of the deployment of the

Austrian armed forces' disaster relief unit of 1.56 million

Euros; a disbursement of 200,000 Euros through the Austrian

Interior Ministry for aid organizations which specialize in

disaster relief, such as the Red Cross; and 200,000 Euros for

the reconstruction of Austrian aid projects in the disaster

region.


3. (SBU) Freudenschuss-Reichl added that Austria had

increased the number of troops in the disaster region from 60

to 70. The deployment involves the

Nuclear-Biological-Chemical response team, and, in the case

of the Pakistan disaster, consists of water purification

units. The Austrian government had taken the decision to

extend the deployment at least through December, she said.


4. (SBU) The Pakistani Ambassador to Austria had informed

Freudenschuss-Reichl of the November 19 pledging conference.

Freudenschuss-Reichl said she did not/not anticipate new

national commitments at the November 19 conference beyond

what Austria had already committed to the relief effort.

However, the Austrian private sector had raised some 500,000

Euros so far, and was continuing to generate funds.

Phillips