SOLICITING CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNIFIL: AUSTRIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 002457 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR P, EUR, EUR/AGS, NEA, IO E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2016 TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL AU LE SUBJECT: SOLICITING CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNIFIL: AUSTRIAN RESPONSE REF: STATE 134133 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Scott F. Kilner for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) On August 16, Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik and Defense Minister Guenter Platter publicly ruled out Austrian participation in a revamped UNIFIL for the time being. However, both left open the door for future participation, especially if the UN requests assistance in specialized areas. MoD Platter suggested that Austria might consider reinforcing its support to the UN operation in the Golan Heights, thus freeing-up troops from other countries to participate in UNIFIL. The MFA told us August 16 that the MoD remained hesitant to commit to UNIFIL until the UN mandate becomes more detailed. The Lebanese Ambassador to Austria told the Charge August 16 that he believes Austria might eventually contribute to UNIFIL, based on the country's strong, historical commitment to UN peacekeeping operations and its desire to remain in good stead with Arab governments. End Summary. ¶2. (U) During separate press and television interviews on August 16, Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik and Defense Minister Guenther Platter stated that Austria would not at this time send any troops to southern Lebanon under UNSCR 1701. Both ministers pointed to Austria's on-going contribution to the UN mission in the Golan Heights, where 377 Austrian military personnel have served for many years. Platter added that Austria might consider reinforcing its contribution in the Golan Heights, implying that this might free-up troops from other nations to serve in UNIFIL. Plassnik and Platter did not rule out future Austrian participation in UNIFIL, particularly "assistance in a specialized field." ¶3. (C) Acting Econ/Pol Counselor delivered reftel points August 16 to Wolfgang Lapuh, Acting Director for the MFA's Near and Middle Eastern Section (Acting A/S). Lapuh claimed that the GoA, particularly the MoD, remained hesitant to commit forces to UNIFIL until the UN had developed a clearer mandate with "additional, practical details." Lapuh admitted that the GoA wanted to proceed cautiously following the July death of an Austrian UN peacekeeper in Lebanon and with national elections set for October 1. ¶4. (C) Separately, Charge discussed the Lebanese situation August 16 with Lebanon's Ambassador to Austria, Samir Chamma. Ambassador Chamma agreed that the GoA was being extremely cautious, but he did not exclude the possibility of an Austrian contribution to UNIFIL, pointing to Austria's historical willingness to contribute to UN operations when a robust UN mandate exists. Chamma further opined that Austria wanted to retain its good relations with Arab governments. If moderate Arab nations believe UNIFIL will become an important force to stabilize southern Lebanon and to help rein in Hizbollah, Austria would have additional incentives to contribute to UNIFIL. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) As FM Plassnik stated to the press, there are a number of reasons why Austria is not ready to send troops to UNIFIL at the moment. Undoubtedly, there are some concerns related to the mandate, but there are also domestic political considerations, primarily a close national election in October. Nevertheless, Plassnik and Platter explicitly left the door open to some form of Austrian contribution to UNIFIL in the future. We share the Lebanese Ambassador's assessment that Austria's deep commitment to the United Nations and its desire for good relations with Arab governments could eventually overcome this country's instinctive caution. We also believe that a German decision to beomce a primary contributor to the new UNIFIL could give the GoA further incentive to get off the fence. Kilner