DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA: SEEKING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR

UNCLAS VIENNA 003880

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA AND EUR/AGS - VIKMANIS-KELLER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM IZ AU
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA: SEEKING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR
DECEMBER 15 ELECTION

REF: STATE 220728


1. Ambassador raised our desire for a strong national
statement of support for the December 15 Iraqi elections with
Austrian Foreign Ministry Secretary General Johannes Kyrle on
December 13. Separately, EconPolCouns discussed the issue
with Ralph Scheide, the MFA's assistant secretary-level
Director for Middle East and African Affairs.


2. Kyrle said he was almost certain the upcoming European
Council meeting would address the Iraq elections; he would
also consider the possibility of an Austrian national
statement. Scheide said he thought it likely that Austria
would issue a supportive statement, assuming all went as well
as we all expected.


3. On out of country voting (OCV),Scheide noted that
Austria was one of the centers in Europe for Iraqi voting.
Austria would facilitate the Iraqi effort, Scheide said.


4. On debt, we note that Austria has forgiven 80 percent of
Iraq's debt, a sum which amounts to approximately one percent
of Austria's GDP.
MCCAW