DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIANS PRIOR TO EU GAERC ON GEORGIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001162 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV RU GG AU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIANS PRIOR TO EU GAERC ON GEORGIA REF: STATE 86108 Classified by: CDA Scott F. Kilner for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Charge and Polchief discussed reftel points August 12 with Ralph Scheide, Acting MFA Poldir. Charge emphasized that the U.S. and EU should deliver a strong, consistent message regarding the Georgia conflict. The U.S. and EU needed to make it clear that they support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and demand an immediate cessation of hostilities. They should also express their commitment to providing immediate humanitarian support and longer-term reconstruction assistance to Georgia. Charge noted that President Bush had warned Moscow that its actions in Georgia would have an impact on relations with the U.S. and the West. ¶2. (C) Scheide noted that FM Plassnik's statement was quite similar to President Bush's, including the impact of Russian actions on U.S.-European relations. He said the GOA and the EU shared the USG's concerns, and mentioned efforts by EU leaders to negotiate a cessation of hostilities. He also noted conflicting interpretations of the initial cause of the conflict, but agreed with the Charge's view that, regardless of how the hostilities started, Russia's actions had been very disproportionate. KILNER