PARTNERSHIP FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE: AUSTRIA

UNCLAS VIENNA 001858 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS PARIS FOR USOECD (SHERWOOD MCGINNIS) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OECD EAID AU SUBJECT: PARTNERSHIP FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE: AUSTRIA WILL NOT BLOCK CONSENSUS REF: A) 7/11/07 MCGINNIS-NELSON TELCON B) STATE 96111 C) VIENNA 1771 ¶1. (SBU) Acting EconPol Counselor delivered ref B points on July 11 to Ulrike Magloth, Director of the Federal Chancellery's International Economic Affairs Office (GoA lead on OECD issues). Magloth said she agreed with some of the USG arguments, particularly easier monitoring capabilities, for creating the PDG's Advisory Unit as a Part I entity. Nevertheless, Magloth said that one could just as easily argue for placing the Advisory Unit initially in Part II, and then transition it to Part I at a later date. Magloth opined that it was most important to establish the PDG Advisory Unit; where it was located in the OECD was less important. Acting EconPolCouns responded that it was better to get it right from the outset. Magloth said she would consult with the Austrian Ambassador before deciding on whether or not to block consensus on establishing the Advisory Unit in Part I. ¶2. (SBU) Subsequently, USOECD informed post (ref A) that the Austrian Ambassador had assured Ambassador Morella that Austria would not block consensus during the July 12 OECD Council. McCaw