AUSTRIAN VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF THEGAERC

UNCLAS VIENNA 001337 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA E.. 12958: N/A TAGS: EUN PHUM PREL PGOV SO ZI GG SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF THEGAERC REF: STATE 96598 ¶1. (SBU) Polchief disussed reftel points September 10 with Klaus Famia, MFA European correspondent. Famira offered the following views on the agenda items for the September 15-16 GAERC: -- Georgia: EU members hope to approve the deployment of an ESDP mission to Georgia at the GAERC. The mission could be up and running by October 1. GAERC participants will also discuss the appointment of an EU special representative for Georgia. -- Somalia: GAERC participants will discuss both an ESDP mission to combat piracy off the Somali coast and the tense political situation in Somalia. EU member states hope to reach a final decision on an ESDP mission by October or November. The mission would provide naval escort for ships carrying World Food Program aid and other commercial vessels. -- Zimbabwe: Member states will agree to expand the list of individuals and enterprises subject to sanctions including visa bans, travel restrictions, and the freezing of assets. There will also be a discussion of the political situation. The EU will welcome the resumption of talks and encourage the mediation effort being carried out by SADC. The EU will also emphasize that any long-term solution will depend on African institutions. -- Serbia: Famira noted that ICTY Chief Prosecutor Brammertz was in Belgrade to evaluate Serbia's cooperation with the Tribunal. If Brammertz issues a positive report, GAERC participants will consider whether to move forward on an interim SAA agreement on trade. -- Belarus: Famira said GAERC participants were scheduled to adopt conclusions on Belarus without holding a discussion. Nevertheless, he said there was increased interest in EU relations with Belarus in the wake of the Georgia conflict. There has been discussion in EU circles of a possible EU troika meeting with the Belarusian FM. -- Turkey: Famira said Turkey was not on the agenda. ¶2. (SBU) Polchief also asked Famira about the outcome of the September 5-6 Gymnich. Famira said there was considerable discussion on transatlantic relations. The French submitted an eight-page paper outlining areas where U.S.-EU cooperation could be strengthened. The Austrian view is that the Balkans -- which the French did not highlight in their paper -- provides the best example of transatlantic cooperation, and should serve as a model. The full range of relevant institutions on both sides of the Atlantic have worked closely together throughout the Balkans crises, he said. GIRARD-DICARLO