AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: May 22, 2007

UNCLAS VIENNA 001350 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 22, 2007 American Corner Opens in Innsbruck ¶1. The Austrian Press Agency reported yesterday that US Ambassador to Austria Susan McCaw opened the American Corner (ACI) at Innsbruck University's Institute for American Studies on Monday. Austrian Press Agency APA reported on the opening of the American Corner Innsbruck, which aims at "emphasizing the positive aspects of the United States," according to the head of the ACI, Professor Gudrun Grabher. US Ambassador to Austria Susan McCaw, who attended the opening ceremony, praised the partnership and the excellent cooperation between the US government and the Innsbruck University. Mass-circulation tabloid Kronen Zeitung for Tyrol province also reported on the ACI's opening ceremony. Rice to Visit Vienna ¶2. Astrid Harz, the spokesperson of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, told Austrian media that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit Vienna on May 31, where she will attend an international women's conference on the Middle East. The conference on "Women Leaders - Networking for Peace and Security in the Middle East" will bring together women in leadership positions from areas such as politics, the media, the economy and civil society. All major Austrian media report on the upcoming visit to Vienna of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Semi-official daily Wiener Zeitung pointed out that in addition to the Secretary of State, prominent conference participants will include Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and Palestinian MP Hanan Ashrawi. Condoleezza Rice will visit Germany, Austria and Spain on her trip to Europe in late may. Liberal daily Der Standard, mass-circulation provincial daily Kleine Zeitung, and mass-circulation tabloid Oesterreich also report on the international women's conference on May 31, which will be hostedby Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik. S Gives Green Light on Eurofighter Releases ¶3. ustrian media report on a press statement issued b the US Embassy Vienna explaining that the releases rquired for the use of communications equipmet on board the Eurofighter interceptors have bee approved by the US Department of State and the Deense Department. The media also quote Austria's efense Minister Norbert Darabos, who neverthelesscontinues to insist that not all the necessary releases have been approved. Until then, none of the jets will be allowed to land in Austria, the Minister emphasized. All Austrian media report on the press statement that was sent out by the US Embassy Vienna yesterday. Semi-official daily Wiener Zeitung noted that the US Embassy Vienna announced that the "releases of the critical communications equipment for inclusion in Austria's newly acquired Eurofighter aircraft have been approved by the US Department of State and the Department of Defense." The equipment will "allow the Austrian Air Force to be inter-operable with US and NATO forces," the daily quotes the US Embassy. Mass-circulation tabloid Oesterreich pointed out that the government of Austria requested these releases in January 2007, and quoted an Embassy spokesperson as emphasizing that "everything has been approved that needed to be negotiated bilaterally between the US and Austria." Austrian Defense Minister Norbert Darabos nevertheless continues to vehemently oppose the Eurofighter, as ORF TV in its prime time news program Zeit im Bild I noted yesterday. Darabos argues that other necessary releases including the "crypto keys" have not yet been approved, which is why he refuses to permit the interceptors to land in Austria for the time being, wrote independent provincial daily Salzburger Nachrichten. Putin Visits Vienna ¶4. Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in Vienna on Wednesday for a 24-hour official visit. Austrian police have announced the visit will be accompanied by massive security operations. Part of Vienna's city center will be sealed off, and temporary road blocks will be put up along Putin's route in and around Vienna. The Russian President will meet his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer and hold a press conference in the Hofburg. All Austrian media report on the official visit to Vienna of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which begins on Wednesday. Like several dailies, independent provincial daily Salzburger Nachrichten wrote that Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer and Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik also intend to raise the issue of human rights violations in Russia with Putin. In an interview with mass-circulation daily Kurier, the Foreign Minister emphasized that "the relationship the EU and Russia prefer, must be based on clear criteria. ... We need each other, and we want to build up a strategic partnership. For that, we need to know as much about each other as possible, and also listen to one another." For the upcoming visit of the Russian President, Plassnik is banking on "a positive discussion atmosphere that is based on mutual respect and appreciation, ... but we also need to be clear and firm on key issues." The Minister added that "of course, we will also raise critical issues. The important thing for me is (to show) that the EU won't be divided; we are a political, united community." Plassnik concluded that for her, "partnership is one of the key ideas of the 21st century. And the ability to also discuss topics we disagree on is a sign of a partnership's good quality." Bavarian Bank Bids for Hypo ¶5. Joerg Haider, the Governor of Carinthia province, said on Monday the bid by the Bavarian Landesbank (BayernLB) to purchase control of the Carinthian Hypo Group Alpe Adria Bank was "perfect" and that he expected it to go through. At the end of last week the German bank offered 1.5 billion Euros for 50 percent plus one share for the deal, according to semi-official daily Wiener Zeitung. Fighting in Lebanon Continues ¶6. In Lebanon, clashes between troops and Islamic militants at a Palestinian refugee camp are continuing into their third day, with fighting resuming early this morning. According to witnesses, there are dead and wounded in the streets, after the latest attack by the Lebanese army. Dozens of people, including civilians, have died in the clashes at the camp outside Tripoli. Israeli Died in Gaza Rocket Attack ¶7. An Israeli woman died after a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit her car in the border town of Sderot. This is the first Israeli casualty in a rocket attack since November. In response, Israel has stepped up attacks on Hamas targets in Gaza. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni underscored that her country "must defend its citizens." McCaw