Status of Efforts to Support Jewish Cemeteries

UNCLAS VIENNA 002140

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/OHI AND EUR/AGS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNAR PHUM PGOV AU
SUBJECT: Status of Efforts to Support Jewish Cemeteries
in Austria


THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.

Washington Agreement
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1. (U) According to the January 2001 U.S.-Austrian
Washington Agreement on Holocaust property, "Austria will
provide additional support for the restoration and
maintenance of Jewish cemeteries, known or unknown, in
Austria." Under these terms, the Federal Government has
encouraged states and municipalities, who have
jurisdiction over cemeteries under the Austrian
constitution, to provide greater support for the
restoration and maintenance of Jewish cemeteries.

Vienna
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2. (U) The City of Vienna has started restoration work
in an old Jewish cemetery in the 18th district,
comprising about 7000 graves. The cemetery dates back to
1784 and is under protection as an historic "monument."
In 2003, the City spent 170,000 Euros to remove 92 aging
trees in the cemetery - an expensive task due to the care
needed to cut huge old trees without damaging graves.
The City then began a renovation of the cemetery entrance
in order to convert it into a museum.


3. (U) Recently, however, the City of Vienna announced
that it would not pay the 14 million euros necessary for
the remaining renovation work. Instead, the city called
on the federal government to finance the project. Vienna
Mayor Michael Haeupl noted that the City provided 300,000
euros to the Jewish Community (IKG) in 2005 for the
renovation of cemeteries.

Other states, "Schalom"
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4. (U) Work is underway in other Austrian states to
renovate cemeteries. States and municipalities have also
provided support to the NGO "Schalom" for volunteer work
to restore Jewish cemeteries. "Schalom" has done major
work at the Jewish section of the Vienna Central Cemetery
to clean and restore graves.


5. (SBU) COMMENT: However, further action to resolve the
dispute between the state and federal level will have to
await the outcome of national elections on October 1.
Conservative party circles have indicated that the next
federal government could take up the issue of the
renovation of Jewish cemeteries.

McCAW