AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: May 07, 2007

UNCLAS VIENNA 001176 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: OPRC KPAO AU SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: May 07, 2007 Committee to Hear Defense Minister, Eurofighter Boss ¶1. Eurofighter boss Aloysius Rauen and Defense Minister Norbert Darabos (SPOe) will be interviewed by the parliamentary investigative committee looking into the Austrian Eurofighter purchase deal today. The committee will also demand that Darabos provide them with a copy of the expert opinion assessing the deal with jet producer EADS. The Defense Minister meanwhile announced at a press conference yesterday that the Eurofighter company had broken off talks with the government on the deal to buy 18 interceptors. ORF online news describes as an "indirect duel" today's meeting before the parliamentary committee looking into Austria's interceptor purchase of Defense Minister Norbert Darabos and Eurofighter boss Aloysius Rauen, pointing out the two men are meeting only a day after it emerged that Austria and EADS broke off talks on the deal. Mass-circulation tabloid Kronen Zeitung runs the front-page headline "Playing poker over cost reduction: Darabos threatens to cancel the jet deal." Darabos believes the Eurofighter manufacturer is getting "increasingly nervous," given the suspicion of illegal cash flows in connection with the Eurofighter bid. Likewise, in an interview with mass-circulation tabloid Oesterreich, Darabos underscored that his impression is that EADS "is more and more under pressure in Austria because of what has emerged about the deal." Darabos is convinced the Eurofighter company is "getting nervous," as it has "recently been trying to increase pressure on me. They wanted a compromise, and quickly. But I kept telling them the matter would not be concluded before the investigative committee's findings are on the table." It is now up to the parliamentary committee to "present proof that there is a connection between EADS lobbyist Steininger and the Eurofighter deal," the Minister emphasized. He dismissed the EADS announcement that the first jets will be delivered in May, stressing that he would "not allow a single interceptor to land in Austria" before he had received all releases, contracts, flight authorizations and clarifications with NATO and the US. Bawag Reconsiders Ban on Cubans ¶2. The Bawag bank has reversed its decision of last month to close down accounts held by Cuban citizens. Bawag claimed it was forced to do so after the bank's sale to the American private equity company Cerberus. Following widespread criticism, Bawag now says an agreement has been reached between Cerberus and US financial officials, which will make it possible for the bank to continue doing business with Cuban citizens. Like all Austrian media, semi-official daily Wiener Zeitung reports on the Bawag bank's move to reverse its decision to shut down accounts held by citizens of Cuba. Citing a trade embargo Washington imposed on Havana in 1961, under which US firms and their subsidiaries are banned from dealing with Cuban citizens, Bawag claimed it had been forced to close the accounts of Cuban nationals after it was sold to Cerberus. Following widespread criticism, Bawag now says an agreement has been reached between Cerberus and US financial officials, which will make it possible for the bank to continue doing business with Cuban citizens. The move to shut out the Cubans ignited a storm of protests, the Wiener Zeitung reports. Criticism came from across the Austrian political spectrum, as well as from some European Union officials, and human rights groups. The daily explains that the US frowns on any business deals which it thinks will help nations it considers rogue states, such as Iran and North Korea. Thus a recent deal between Iran and Austrian's OMV to development oil fields also led to criticism from Washington. Interview with Ambassador McCaw ¶3. US Ambassador to Austria Susan McCaw gave an interview to a regional Austrian daily, talking about the significance of freedom and democracy, US President George Bush, the war on terror, economic issues and her impressions of Austria. In an interview with regional daily Oberoesterreichische Nachrichten, US Ambassador to Austria Susan McCaw describes the US-Austrian relations: "I believe our relations are strong and exist on many levels. We have very close economic ties, and I think that politically, too, our relations are very good. Of course, there are differences of opinion on certain aspects of politics, but on the whole we share the same values. I see that there still is room for improvement, however. I am a fervent advocate of student exchanges, for example. We need to make sure that young people from Austria and the US get to know and better understand the respective other country. I've made this one of the priorities of my ambassadorship." Criticism of US policies, particularly in the wake of the Iraq war, has not only sprung up in Austria, "but all over Europe. Iraq created a rift between our countries. Many people were obviously not happy with our actions; it was a controversial issue. But I believe that many countries are above these questions at the political level. They have recognized reality: We are there; we need to help the honest Iraqis; we need to support the emerging democracy there, not only with the assistance of the US, but within the entire international community. Regarding popularity, there are still many questions on America's position. But it is my job to go out there and talk about our views with the Austrians." Sarkozy Wins in France ¶4. In the run-off election in France on Sunday, Conservative presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy won 53 percent of the votes, defeating his Socialist rival Sgolhne Royal. Voter turnout was high at about 85 percent. In a first statement, Sarkozy called for unity and said the French people voted for change. Over 35,000 people gathered in central Paris last night to celebrate the UMP candidate's victory, while elsewhere hundreds of people staged protests and set fire to cars. All Austrian media report on the election victory in France of UMP presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy. In its analysis, liberal daily Der Standard writes about "Sarko's announced triumph," pointing out it had been clear early Sunday afternoon that the Conservative candidate would win the run-off vote. With Sarkozy, a "get-going, can-do politician will move into the Elyse Palace," the daily says, adding however, that unusually, "after some time in the presidential palace, the super-reformer mutate into pragmatics." It remains to be seen, whether the election triumph goes to the power-hungry Sarkozy's head in the end," the daily writes. Centrist daily die Presse, notes that Sarkozy is a "winner who has polarized his country for quite some time." In addition, he will be the "most powerful and simultaneously most controversial president" in Europe. "'Speedy Sarko' has reached his goal," with "hard work, cleverness, and a generous amount of chutzpah," the Presse writes. His supporters say he is "determined," while his opponents complain his "ruthless thirst for power." World leaders have been congratulating Nicolas Sarkozy, including EU Commission President Jos Manuel Barroso, who said he is confident the new French president will play a driving role in resolving the EU's institutional questions and in consolidating a political Europe. US President George W. Bush telephoned to offer his congratulations and said he expected good relations with Sarkozy, who has made a priority of repairing the damage to French-US relations caused by tension over the Iraq war. Other US political leaders have also welcomed Sarkozy's win. McCaw