ASSAD VISIT TO VIENNA POSTPONED INDEFINITELY

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000654

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2015
TAGS: OPDC PREL AU FR SY
SUBJECT: ASSAD VISIT TO VIENNA POSTPONED INDEFINITELY

REF: A. (A) STATE 36905


B. (B) VIENNA 572

Classified By: Ambassador W.L. Lyons Brown. Reason: 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Markus Lutterotti, Diplomatic Advisor to President
Fischer, told the Ambassador March 3 that Bashar al-Assad,s
trip has been postponed indefinitely. Lutterotti said that
Assad had called Fischer March 2 to postpone the trip
(originally planned for March 15) &in view of the present
situation.8 Lutterotti would not be drawn into commenting
on how long the postponement would last, nor would he say
which party had instigated the postponement. The Ambassador
noted that the news of the postponement came through just as
he and French Ambassador Viaux were preparing to make an
urgent and tough demarche to Foreign Minister Plassnik.
Telling Lutterotti that the prospect of an Assad visit had
surprised and dismayed the USG at the highest levels in
Washington, the Ambassador said we hoped the visit would not
be reconstituted.


2. (C) (Note: In a subsequent discussion with French
Ambassador Viaux, the Ambassador was informed that the French
ambassador in Damascus has confirmed that the trip is off.
End note.)


3. (C) Comment: While the Assad visit postponement vitiates
the immediate need for a demarche to Plassnik, the Ambassador
will discuss the issue with MFA Secretary General Kyrle (en
route to Paris today to meet with his French counterpart) to
ensure that the foreign ministry as well as the president,s
office understands the level of U.S. concern regarding such
visits. End Comment.
Brown