AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR HAS LITTLE INFORMATION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000282

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/FO - GRAY; NEA/MAG - HOPKINS AND HARRIS
NSC FOR YERGER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2018
TAGS: PTER ASEC PREL TS
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR HAS LITTLE INFORMATION ON
KIDNAPPING

REF: A. ALGIERS 318


B. TUNIS 235

C. TUNIS 227

Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) In a March 18 meeting, Austrian Ambassador Johann
Froehlich told the Ambassador that he has been in close
contact with the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
regarding the kidnapping of two Austrian citizens by Al-Qaeda
in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM, reftels).
However, Froehlich said he had little information from Vienna
about the latest efforts regarding the hostages. Further,
while he understood Austrian FM Plassnik had asked the GOT
for "one thing" in a phone conversation with FM Abdallah,
Froehlich said he had not been informed what was requested.
He added that most of the limited information he has about
the issue comes from the international media, noting that the
Tunisian press has been largely devoid of information about
the kidnapping. Regarding AQIM demands for the release of
Tunisian al-Qaeda members, Froehlich said he did not know if
Austria had discussed this matter with the GOT, but that such
a request "would be impossible for me."


2. (C) Froehlich told the Ambassador that his requests to
meet with the Tunisian Ministers of Interior and Defense had
not yet been granted, and that the MFA Director General for
Europe Mongi Lahbib had said he was the GOT POC on the
matter. Froehlich said all parties agree that the two
tourists were last in Tunisia and had not registered their
itinerary with the GOT as is standard practice. While the
GOT has not admitted the two were kidnapped in Tunisia,
Froehlich had been assured by Lahbib and Minister of Tourism
Khelil Lajimi that the GOT had conducted a thorough search of
the desert regions south of Chott El Jerid and had found no
evidence of the missing tourists. At this point, Froehlich
said it appears that the two Austrians are likely in Mali.


3. (C) The Ambassador conveyed to Froehlich the USG's concern
for the welfare of the two Austrians and offered US support.
Further, he told Froehlich that he had made the same offer on
March 14 to Tunisian Minister of State and Presidential
Advisor Abdelaziz Ben Dhia. Froehlich said he appreciated
the US offer of assistance and that other European countries
had also been supportive. He concluded that terrorism in the
region is a problem that will continue as long as there is
public support for terrorist acts.

Please visit Embassy Tunis' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/tunis/index.c fm
GODEC