AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: September 12, 2006

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VIENNA 002712 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/AGS, INR/EU, AND EUR/PPD FOR YVETTE SAINT-ANDRE OSD FOR COMMANDER CHAFFEE WHITEHOUSE FOR NSC/WEUROPE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO AU OPRC SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: September 12, 2006 Floettl Incriminates SPOe, Vranitzky ¶1. Investment banker Wolfgang Floettl, who has come under fire in connection with the scandal surrounding union-owned bank Bawag, claims he also transferred "several tens of thousands of Euros" to the SPOe and former Chancellor Franz Vranitzky in 1999. Vranitzky has confirmed the receipt of the money, but says it was a private consultancy fee, which he had not forwarded to the SPOe. According to newly established Austrian daily Oesterreich, these revelations could have "dramatic" consequences for the SPOe. With less than three weeks to go until the October 1 general elections, the Social Democrats are finding themselves caught up even more deeply in the Bawag quagmire, the daily says. Election Outcome Open, Surveys Show ¶2. Three surveys on the upcoming general election in Austria on October 1 by polling institutes OGM, Market and Gallup show the OeVP in the lead, followed closely by the SPOe. The Greens and the FPOe are competing for third place according to the surveys, and the BZOe and maverick MEP Hans-Peter Martin's party for place four. The results of the surveys by polling institutes OGM, Market and Gallup are as follows: All three pollsters see the OeVP in first place with 38 percent of the votes. Both OGM and Gallup say the SPOe would currently get 35 percent, while Market shows a 34 percent result for the Social Democrats. OGM says the FPOe would win nine percent of the votes at this point, eight percent according to Market, and only seven percent according to Gallup. For the Greens OGM forecasts 10 percent, Market suggests 11 percent and Gallup 12 percent of the votes. Market and Gallup both show a three-percent result for the BZOe, and OGM expects two percent of support. Hans-Peter Martin's list could win five percent according OGM and Market, and four percent according to Gallup, semi-official daily Wiener Zeitung writes. New Debate on Tax Reform ¶3. Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser presented a first draft tax reform proposal to be implemented by the next Austrian government on Monday. Proposed measures for the tax cuts of about 3 billion Euros include reducing top tax brackets. This would require a balanced national budget and cutting expenses by about four billion Euros, Grasser stressed. US Ambassador Reviews Progress Since 9/11 Attacks ¶4. Speaking in Wels, Upper Austria, on the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, US Ambassador to Austria Susan McCaw discussed their impact on the US and its place in the world, and reviewed progress in the struggle against terrorism. In her speech, Ambassador McCaw said the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington "showed how a single event can change the course of history" and "forced Americans to take a good, hard look at ourselves and the world we live in." The United States has revised its immigration policies, and has also obtained "substantial international cooperation" in the effort to cut off terrorist financing, Austrian Press Agency APA quotes Ambassador McCaw. She expressed her appreciation to Austria for taking steps to strengthen the judicial system to "identify, freeze and seize terrorist financial assets." The United States has had to explore "unknown legal territory" where "legal precedents are not well established" to identify and prosecute terrorists while ensuring that fundamental citizens' rights are protected, the Ambassador continued. The Ambassador also emphasized that global security "is inextricably linked to the success of freedom and democracy in the Middle East." She concluded: "We want to work in partnership with nations throughout the world in ways that will result in greater peace and prosperity, and a better life for people everywhere. Gunfire Near US Embassy Damascus ¶5. The US Embassy in Damascus, Syria, is reported to have come under attack, with reports of heavy gunfire and explosions. Sourcing Arab news network Al Arabiya, ORF online news writes that the well-protected US embassy in the Syrian capital has apparently been attacked. The Syrian authorities have confirmed the reports at this point. Several attackers are said to have been killed, ORF online adds. Relations between Washington and Damascus have been strained for years. The Bush administration has accused the Syrian leadership and President Bashar al Assad of supporting extremists in Iraq, in Lebanon and in the Palestinian territories, ORF online news explains. Hamas-Fatah Cooperation ¶6. Palestinian rival parties Hamas and Fatah are reported to have struck a deal on forming a national unity government. President Mahmoud Abbas has announced a government reshuffle within the next few days. The sudden agreement came in the face of a looming financial collapse, which weakened Abbas' position. Palestinians are now hoping the formation of a unity government will convince international aid donors to end their boycott of the Palestinian authority. Abbas is expected to dissolve the Hamas-led government within 48 hours, Austrian media say. Independent provincial daily Salzburger Nachrichten calls the development an attempt at "rebooting" progress in the Middle East Palestinian conflict. A Palestinian political analyst quoted by the daily, however, is skeptical: "Both sides have often pushed for rapprochement in the past," he says. "I'll believe the promises when I see ministers from both sides standing side by side and taking the oath of office." Bush Discusses War on Terror ¶7. US President George W. Bush has marked the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States with a speech describing the war on terror as a "struggle for civilization." In a televised address from the White House, he warned that failing to face the enemy now would create a new threat in the future. ORF radio's early morning news Morgenjournal quotes President Bush as warning that, "if we do not defeat these enemies now, we will leave our children to face a Middle East overwhelmed by terrorist states and radical dictators armed with nuclear weapons. We are in a war that will set the course for this new century and determine the destiny of millions across the world." Senior Democrats accused President Bush of using the September 11 anniversary for political purposes, ORF radio adds. ORF Washington correspondent Joerg Winter comments: "Bush's address was aired on prime-time television, with millions of Americans watching. Once again, the President attempted to rally a nation that has grown tired of fighting to back his war on terror. This fight was more than just a military conflict, Bush suggested, adding that it was the most important ideological battle of the 21st century, and the most important test for the US since the end of the Cold War. The war on terror was the requirement for peace and stability in the Middle East. The President also directly addressed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, stressing that America's message for him was clear: No matter how long it takes, America is going to find bin Laden and bring him to justice." US Welcomes Progress in Iran dispute ¶8. The US envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency has welcomed progress made by the EU on talks with Iran over its disputed nuclear program. Speaking at the beginning of an IAEA board of governors' meeting in Vienna, Ambassador Gregory Schulte said it was "encouraging" that progress was made, but added Washington still intends to push for sanctions at the UN Security Council if Tehran refuses to halt uranium enrichment. New Al Qaeda Threat ¶9. On the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, terrorist organization al Qaeda released a new video message, which was aired by US TV network CNN. On what an Austrian tabloid calls a "highly professional and technically sophisticated" tape, al Qaeda's number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri, says new attacks are being prepared. He also called on Muslims worldwide to step up resistance against the US. Liberal daily Der Standard also reports on the message, and quotes Ayman al-Zawahiri as claiming that Western leaders were "not aware of the actual extent of the disaster." The bin Laden deputy's allusions to the situation in Lebanon suggest the recording is fairly recent, the daily adds. McCaw