AUSTRIAN RESPONSE: VWP - UPDATE ON 10/26/05

UNCLAS VIENNA 000494

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR CA/VO/F/P - LOPES DA ROSA AND EUR/AGS AND EUR/PGI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CMGT PREL AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN RESPONSE: VWP - UPDATE ON 10/26/05
DEADLINE AND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

REF: A. STATE 23029; B. BRADTKE EMAIL OF 1/14/05


1. THE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS POSED IN REFTEL A, PARA 7, HAVE
BEEN PROVIDED BY THE AUSTRIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY'S LEGAL
DEPARMTENT. (FYI, THEIR PASSPORT OFFICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
ALL LEGAL AND TECHNICAL ISSUES RELATING TO THE DECENTRALIZED
NATIONAL PASSPORT PRODUCTION.)

-- NAME OF THE PROJECT MANAGER: WALTER GROSINGER AND
HEINRICH PAWLICEK, OFFICE FOR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION WITHIN
THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR'S LEGAL DEPARTMENT.

-- TIMELINE FOR PILOT TESTING: AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2005

-- ANTICIPATED DATE FOR FULL PRODUCTION: OCTOBER 25, 2005

-- STATUS OF PROCUREMENT EFFORTS AND/OR LEGISLATIVE CHANGES:
BIOMETRIC PASSPORT PRODUCTION WILL NECESSITATE MAJOR CHANGES
TO THE NATIONAL PASSPORT ACT. THE DRAFT BILL WILL BE READY
FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT IN MARCH 2005, BEFORE BEING SUBMITTED
TO PARLIAMENT.

-- ANTICIPATED PROBLEMS IN ROLLING OUT THE PROGRAM: THE GOA
ANTICIPATES MAJOR POLITICAL OPPOSITION TO THE PASSPORT
AMENDMENT, WHICH COULD LEAD TO SOME DELAYS, ALTHOUGH
ULTIMATELY AUSTRIA WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH EU REQUIREMENTS.
IN ADDITION, PRODUCTION AND/OR DELIVERY OF THE CHIPS AND THE
READERS BY THE COMMERCIAL SUPPLIERS MAY NOT OCCUR BY THE
APPROPRIATE DEADLINE.

BROWN