DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA ON OPPOSING ANTI-ISRAEL BIAS

UNCLAS VIENNA 003176 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/AGS AND IO/UNP (RHOTZ) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNGA AU IS SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA ON OPPOSING ANTI-ISRAEL BIAS REF: STATE 178061 ¶1. Acting EconPol Counselor and PolOff delivered reftel demarche on October 25 to Peter Huber, the MFA,s Deputy Head (DAS-equivalent) of the International Organizations Department. Huber emphasized the importance of maintaining Austria's balanced approach within the Middle East. He added that such an approach bolsters Austria's position as an honest broker in the region. He noted that Austria had abstained on the three resolutions in the past and, barring any significant developments, would also abstain this year. According to Huber, an abstention also sent a message that the resolutions were unacceptable. Kilner