Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06VIENNA940
2006-03-30 10:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Vienna
Cable title:
TURKISH LOBBYING EFFORTS IN AUSTRIA HAVE MINIMAL
how-toVZCZCXRO6858 PP RUEHAG RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHVI #0940 0891056 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 301056Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2917 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS VIENNA 000940
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR, EUR/AGS, EUR/SE, EUR/ERA, AND INR/EU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL TU EUN AU
SUBJECT: TURKISH LOBBYING EFFORTS IN AUSTRIA HAVE MINIMAL
EFFECT (C-TN6-00006)
REF: STATE 28116
This message is sensitive but unclassified.
UNCLAS VIENNA 000940
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR, EUR/AGS, EUR/SE, EUR/ERA, AND INR/EU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL TU EUN AU
SUBJECT: TURKISH LOBBYING EFFORTS IN AUSTRIA HAVE MINIMAL
EFFECT (C-TN6-00006)
REF: STATE 28116
This message is sensitive but unclassified.
1. (SBU) As requested in reftel, Post has researched Turkish
lobbying campaigns in Austria aimed at improving Turkey's
image in the EU. We found little evidence of any lobbying
campaigns with enough profile to move public opinion
significantly -- especially when compared to the virulently
anti-Turkey petition campaign recently conducted by the
Freedom Party of Austria (FPO). We base this assessment on a
review of Austrian press over the last several months, direct
observations of Embassy public affairs and political
sections, and a conversation with the leader of the
Austrian-Turkish Chamber of Commerce.
2. (SBU) An analysis of press reporting turned up little
concrete evidence of any targeted Turkish lobbying efforts,
aside from normal Turkish government contacts with Austrian
counterparts. In particular, we have found only limited
activity by the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's
Association (TUSIAD),most of which would fall into the
category of ordinary commercial promotion. TUSIAD leaders
were in Vienna on January 21 to meet with Foreign Minister
Ursula Plassnik and Parliamentary President Andreas Khol.
TUSIAD representatives also participated in a working lunch
hosted by the Austrian Federation of Industrialists.
3. (SBU) On March 29, Embassy officers met with Ali Yavuz
Kuscu, president of the Austrian-Turkish Chamber of Commerce.
Kuscu explained, in depth, his organization's efforts to
build Austrian-Turkish commercial, political and cultural
ties, which include sponsoring conferences, speeches, and
lobbying of government officials. He said that he had seen
little organized effort from groups based in Turkey, however
-- and knew nothing of anything organized by TUSIAD.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: The apparent lack of tangible results of
Turkish lobbying does not definitively show that such efforts
do not exist. It does indicate, however, that (at least in
Austria) Turkish lobbying efforts have yet to gain traction
and certainly face an uphill struggle against widespread
public opposition to Turkish EU accession.
McCaw
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR, EUR/AGS, EUR/SE, EUR/ERA, AND INR/EU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL TU EUN AU
SUBJECT: TURKISH LOBBYING EFFORTS IN AUSTRIA HAVE MINIMAL
EFFECT (C-TN6-00006)
REF: STATE 28116
This message is sensitive but unclassified.
1. (SBU) As requested in reftel, Post has researched Turkish
lobbying campaigns in Austria aimed at improving Turkey's
image in the EU. We found little evidence of any lobbying
campaigns with enough profile to move public opinion
significantly -- especially when compared to the virulently
anti-Turkey petition campaign recently conducted by the
Freedom Party of Austria (FPO). We base this assessment on a
review of Austrian press over the last several months, direct
observations of Embassy public affairs and political
sections, and a conversation with the leader of the
Austrian-Turkish Chamber of Commerce.
2. (SBU) An analysis of press reporting turned up little
concrete evidence of any targeted Turkish lobbying efforts,
aside from normal Turkish government contacts with Austrian
counterparts. In particular, we have found only limited
activity by the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's
Association (TUSIAD),most of which would fall into the
category of ordinary commercial promotion. TUSIAD leaders
were in Vienna on January 21 to meet with Foreign Minister
Ursula Plassnik and Parliamentary President Andreas Khol.
TUSIAD representatives also participated in a working lunch
hosted by the Austrian Federation of Industrialists.
3. (SBU) On March 29, Embassy officers met with Ali Yavuz
Kuscu, president of the Austrian-Turkish Chamber of Commerce.
Kuscu explained, in depth, his organization's efforts to
build Austrian-Turkish commercial, political and cultural
ties, which include sponsoring conferences, speeches, and
lobbying of government officials. He said that he had seen
little organized effort from groups based in Turkey, however
-- and knew nothing of anything organized by TUSIAD.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: The apparent lack of tangible results of
Turkish lobbying does not definitively show that such efforts
do not exist. It does indicate, however, that (at least in
Austria) Turkish lobbying efforts have yet to gain traction
and certainly face an uphill struggle against widespread
public opposition to Turkish EU accession.
McCaw