AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: October 16, 2006

UNCLAS VIENNA 003056 SIPDIS 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: October 16, 2006 Working towards Forming a Government ¶1. The second round of coalition talks for a new Austria government will begin on Tuesday with meetings between the SPOe and the OeVP. A daily speculates that the SPOe could make major concessions regarding the Eurofighter deal in order to form a government with the OeVP. ORF radio early morning news Morgenjournal reports that the climate between the teams of the SPOe klc,kH~VP appears to have improved slightly, with both parties expressing their willngness to negotiate. The question of whether the ocial Democrats and the Conservatives address soe of the hot topics and whether progress is madeon key issues could be a good indication of whethe a SPe-OeVP coalition is possible, the radio arues. Meanwhile, according to front-page report inmass-circulation tabloid Kronen Zeitung suggeststhere is concern among some SPOe representatives te party leadership might abandon its call for a ancellation of the Eurofighter purchase and chane its course on the issue eventually. More of the Same? ¶2. Although the option was ruled out by leading Conservative politicians ahead of the general elections, top OeVP representatives are now contemplating an OeVP-BZOe-FPOe coalition government. In the face of the Conservatives' apparent lack of enthusiasm regarding a grand coalition with the SPOe, Austrian media report on alleged plans by the OeVP to form a coalition government with the FPOe and its spin-off BZOe. Independent provincial daily Salzburger Nachrichten writes that two OeVP heavyweights, Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and Upper Austrian Governor Josef Puehringer, said last weekend they do not want to rule out such a combination. Although cooperation with the FPOe and the BZOe was not their primary choice, Schuessel said it "remains an option" in any case, the daily reports. Glawischnig in Parliament ¶3. The Greens have nominated their deputy leader Eva Glawischnig as third parliamentary president. Glawischnig says she considers the position a top political position. Liberal daily Der Standard quotes Greens leader Alexander Van der Bellen as saying that Glawischnig is to "continue playing an important role in Austria's domestic and foreign policy." For the ;Greens, the parliamentary presidents are more than just representational positions, he added. In addition to other traditional Greens topics, the key issues for Glawischnig will be women's and environmental policies, the Standard explains. EU Summit in Finland ¶4. Energy policy, migration and EU relations with Russia are no the agenda of the European Union summit in Lathi, Finland on Friday. Behind the scenes, a struggle over future distribution of power in the EU has begun. According to liberal daily Der Standard, among the top issues on the agenda at the Finland summit will be the question of who will be calling the shots in the EU Commission in the future, and which member states will have to do without a Commissioner. Also, the EU countries are to discuss the individual members' voting rights at ministerial and at summit meetings. Adaptations will be necessary with the accession of Romania and Bulgaria, as the Treaty of Nice envisages a reshuffling of decision structures within the EU-27. North Korea Sanctions ¶5. In the dispute over its controversial nuclear program, the US Security Council has imposed sanctions on North Korea. The North Korean foreign minister has condemned the move as "gangster methods." ORF radio early morning news Morgenjournal says that the United States is urging China to fully implement the UN sanctions imposed on North Korea following its nuclear test last week. America's UN ambassador John Bolton said that China had an obligation to comply with Resolution 1718, which was passed unanimously by the Security Council on Saturday. The sanctions include a series of measures targeting Pyongyang's weapons and missile programs. However, reservations persist on the Chinese side over cargo inspections. In addition, ORF online news reports that the United States has also reiterated its tough stance on Iran's nuclear ambitions. It has threatened sanctions, unless Tehran makes concessions. John Bolton stressed that in the face on the North Korea sanctions, he "hopes that Iran is aware it may face similar isolation and restrictions as North Korea, if it continues to pursue nuclear weapons." The five UN veto powers and Germany are to discuss possible sanctions against Iran later this week. Israel President Faces Rape Charges ¶6. Israel's police say it has sufficient evidence to charge President Moshe Katsav for rape illegal wiretapping, fraud, indecent assault and sexual harassment, and have recommended he be prosecuted. ORF radio early morning news Morgenjournal reports that Katsav has denied any wrongdoings, and says he is the victim of a "public lynching." The Israeli President has rejected calls that he quit the largely ceremonial post he has held since 2000. If charged, he would be immune from prosecution, but he could be impeached by Parliament. A decision on whether to press charges has to be made by the Israeli Attorney General. ORF Jerusalem correspondent Ben Segenreich argues nonetheless, that Katsav is "in a tight spot." Today's opening of parliament is going to be "an indicator of the Knesset members' positions" in the case. "Some MPs have announced they are planning to leave the floor in protest," should Katsav appear in Parliament, Segenreich adds. McCaw