Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07VIENNA85
2007-01-17 09:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vienna
Cable title:
AUSTRIAN RESPONSE ON IRAN CIVIL SOCIETY AND
VZCZCXRO9836 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHVI #0085 0170953 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 170953Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5966 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000085
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM KPAO AU IR
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN RESPONSE ON IRAN CIVIL SOCIETY AND
DEMOCRACY PROGRAMMING
REF: STATE 2659
ClassifiQBy: Economic-Political Counselor Gregory E. Phillips for
reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000085
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM KPAO AU IR
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN RESPONSE ON IRAN CIVIL SOCIETY AND
DEMOCRACY PROGRAMMING
REF: STATE 2659
ClassifiQBy: Economic-Political Counselor Gregory E. Phillips for
reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
1. (C) On January 11, Acting Econ/Pol Counselor met with
Helfried Carl, the MFA's Deputy Director in the Middle East
and Africa Division, to outline USG democratization programs
for Iran and to inquire about similar Austrian efforts. Carl
welcomed the information, adding that it would be important
to try to reach a broad section of Iranian society. Carl
said that discussion of Iran at the next GAERC would go
beyond the nuclear dossier to include democracy issues.
2. (C) Regarding bilateral initiatives, Carl noted that the
MFA was considering an expansion of its cultural outreach via
the Austrian Embassy in Tehran, pending the availability of
funds. Carl added that Austrian efforts in Iran, and in the
Middle East in general, would continue to concentrate on
promoting dialogue between the West and Muslim nations.
3. (C) In Carl's view, the biggest challenge facing any
democratization efforts in Iran is how to reach the general
population, rather than "those whose hearts and minds we have
already won over." Carl also noted that most, if not all,
civil society organizations in Iran needed the regime's
blessing to operate. Collaborating with Iranian NGOs usually
meant semi-official cooperation with the Iranian Government.
Carl said that, while this should not discourage outreach
activity, it often made it difficult for the EC to identify
legitimate Iranian partners for programs.
McCaw
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM KPAO AU IR
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN RESPONSE ON IRAN CIVIL SOCIETY AND
DEMOCRACY PROGRAMMING
REF: STATE 2659
ClassifiQBy: Economic-Political Counselor Gregory E. Phillips for
reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
1. (C) On January 11, Acting Econ/Pol Counselor met with
Helfried Carl, the MFA's Deputy Director in the Middle East
and Africa Division, to outline USG democratization programs
for Iran and to inquire about similar Austrian efforts. Carl
welcomed the information, adding that it would be important
to try to reach a broad section of Iranian society. Carl
said that discussion of Iran at the next GAERC would go
beyond the nuclear dossier to include democracy issues.
2. (C) Regarding bilateral initiatives, Carl noted that the
MFA was considering an expansion of its cultural outreach via
the Austrian Embassy in Tehran, pending the availability of
funds. Carl added that Austrian efforts in Iran, and in the
Middle East in general, would continue to concentrate on
promoting dialogue between the West and Muslim nations.
3. (C) In Carl's view, the biggest challenge facing any
democratization efforts in Iran is how to reach the general
population, rather than "those whose hearts and minds we have
already won over." Carl also noted that most, if not all,
civil society organizations in Iran needed the regime's
blessing to operate. Collaborating with Iranian NGOs usually
meant semi-official cooperation with the Iranian Government.
Carl said that, while this should not discourage outreach
activity, it often made it difficult for the EC to identify
legitimate Iranian partners for programs.
McCaw