Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06VIENNA2256
2006-07-26 12:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vienna
Cable title:  

TFLE01: AUSTRIA ON LEBANON -- PROTEST OVER

Tags:  PREL MARR MOPS LE AU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1647
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHVI #2256 2071243
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 261243Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4413
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0773
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 002256 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR TF-01 AND EUR/AGS - SAINT-ANDRE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/16/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS LE AU
SUBJECT: TFLE01: AUSTRIA ON LEBANON -- PROTEST OVER
MISTAKEN ISREAELI ATTACK; CAUTION ON U.S. MILITARY
OVERFLIGHTS


Classified By: A/DCM Gregory E. Phillips. Reason: 1.4 (b) and (d).

------------------------------------
Outrage Over Killing of UN Observers
------------------------------------

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 002256

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR TF-01 AND EUR/AGS - SAINT-ANDRE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/16/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS LE AU
SUBJECT: TFLE01: AUSTRIA ON LEBANON -- PROTEST OVER
MISTAKEN ISREAELI ATTACK; CAUTION ON U.S. MILITARY
OVERFLIGHTS


Classified By: A/DCM Gregory E. Phillips. Reason: 1.4 (b) and (d).

--------------
Outrage Over Killing of UN Observers
--------------


1. (SBU) The mistaken Israeli attack on a UN observation
post in Lebanon has provoked outrage in Austria, not least
because an Austrian was reported to be among the four dead.
Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik called her Israeli
counterpart on July 26 to protest the attack. She also
summoned Israeli Ambassador to Vienna Dan Ashbel to express
Austria's concern. According to an Austrian Foreign Ministry
statement, Plassnik said the attack "is completely
unacceptable and cannot be justified." Unable to confirm
that an Austrian was killed, Plassnik called for "full and
secure access" for the UN to the posts in question.

--------------
Caution on Overflights
--------------


2. (C) On July 26, MFA Legal Advisor Ferdinand
Trauttmansdorff called A/DCM to note that there is increasing
pressure on the Austrian government to declare formally that
its neutrality extends to barring military overflights and
transits destined for the conflict area. He said that this
had arisen because one "could not exclude the possibility"
that Switzerland would make such a declaration, and this
would lead to calls in Austria to do the same.
Trauttmansdorff said the GOA had "no intention" of making any
such public declaration. Nevertheless, he said he wanted to
point out that Austria's existing neutrality law already
prohibited the transit of war materiel to any area of
conflict, including this one. Trauttmansdorff asked that, in
order to avoid any public conflict over the application of
neutrality laws, the U.S. consult with Austria beforehand on
any flights or transits that might raise questions. He added
that the GOA would ask that there be no overflights or
transits of war materiel to the region. He readily agreed
that Austria would have no problem with operations supporting
a peacekeeping mission under a UN mandate.

--------------
Austria Announces Humanitarian Assistance
--------------


3. (U) On July 25, Plassnik announced that Austria would
make 500,000 Euros available to international humanitarian
organizations for use in Lebanon. She added that an
additional 200,000 Euros would go to UN assistance efforts in
the Gaza Strip.
McCaw