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
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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