Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08VIENNA1400
2008-09-22 13:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vienna
Cable title:
GC VOTE ON MESA SEAT AT IAEA BOG; AUSTRIA
how-toVZCZCXRO8284 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHVI #1400 2661327 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 221327Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0992 INFO RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA IMMEDIATE 0479 RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0204 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0111
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001400
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2023
TAGS: IAEA PARM MNUC AU
SUBJECT: GC VOTE ON MESA SEAT AT IAEA BOG; AUSTRIA
REF: STATE 99745
Classified By: DCM Scott Kilner. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d).
(C) Summary. Austria will engage at least some MESA-group
states to encourage a consensus in favor of Afghanistan's
IAEA BoG candidacy, according to MFA Acting PolDir and Middle
East Chief Ralph Scheide. End Summary.
2. (C) On the margins of another event Sept. 19, Ambassador
noted strong U.S. concerns about the Syrian and Iranian BoG
candidacies to MFA State Secretary Winkler, PolDir
Mayr-Harting, and Middle East Director Scheide. DCM followed
up in detail in a July 22 meeting with Scheide, who was
acting as PolDir in Mayr-Harting's stead while the latter was
in New York for the UNGA.
3. (C) Scheide, initially reluctant to be drawn out on
Austria's own response to the situation, said that Austria
would prefer the emergence of a consensus candidate, other
than the Syrians or Iranians. However, he saw no indications
that a consensus was emerging in the MESA group. DCM
stressed the impact either a Syrian or an Iranian candidacy
would have on the IAEA's credibility, a point Scheide readily
acknowledged. He also agreed that U.S. concerns about the
role of either in the BoG were valid, noting only that Syria
would be "a bit less bad." After further discussion,
including noting that the emergence of a new candidate that
might gain a consensus was remote, Scheide agreed that the
best option would be for the MESA group to unite around
Afghanistan.
4. (C) Scheide then asked what the U.S. reaction would be
should Iran secure a consensus in the MESA group -- and
specifically, whether the U.S. would formally object (by
calling for a vote in the GC) to such a candidacy. DCM said
the U.S. hoped to forestall just such an eventuality, and
would appreciate Austria's help. He noted also that
Afghanistan's candidacy appears firm and forestalls such a
consensus for Iran or Syria. In any case, a consensus in the
MESA group for either Iran or Syria would pose an enormous
challenge to the IAEA's credibility. Scheide replied that
"respect for procedures and the principle of universality"
were also part of the credibility of the IAEA. Austria would
not, he said, like to see a MESA consensus challenged.
5. (C) DCM repeated that a consensus for Iran or Syria
appeared unlikely according to the information now available
to the USG, and urged Austria to join in working for a
consensus in the MESA in favor of Afghanistan. Scheide
concluded the discussion noting, "I will discuss the matter
with some of my Arab friends."
6. (C) Comment. Austrian concern about a possible challenge
to a MESA consensus (by the U.S. or others) for Iran or Syria
is a significant incentive for Vienna to use its contacts
with Arab states to push an Afghanistan consensus. If
Austria's concern for process (now heightened by the
impending vote for a non-permanent UNSC seat) is shared by
many in the EU, however, heavy lifting will be required if
the USG is to win European support for such a challenge, if
necessary.
GIRARD-DICARLO
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2023
TAGS: IAEA PARM MNUC AU
SUBJECT: GC VOTE ON MESA SEAT AT IAEA BOG; AUSTRIA
REF: STATE 99745
Classified By: DCM Scott Kilner. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d).
(C) Summary. Austria will engage at least some MESA-group
states to encourage a consensus in favor of Afghanistan's
IAEA BoG candidacy, according to MFA Acting PolDir and Middle
East Chief Ralph Scheide. End Summary.
2. (C) On the margins of another event Sept. 19, Ambassador
noted strong U.S. concerns about the Syrian and Iranian BoG
candidacies to MFA State Secretary Winkler, PolDir
Mayr-Harting, and Middle East Director Scheide. DCM followed
up in detail in a July 22 meeting with Scheide, who was
acting as PolDir in Mayr-Harting's stead while the latter was
in New York for the UNGA.
3. (C) Scheide, initially reluctant to be drawn out on
Austria's own response to the situation, said that Austria
would prefer the emergence of a consensus candidate, other
than the Syrians or Iranians. However, he saw no indications
that a consensus was emerging in the MESA group. DCM
stressed the impact either a Syrian or an Iranian candidacy
would have on the IAEA's credibility, a point Scheide readily
acknowledged. He also agreed that U.S. concerns about the
role of either in the BoG were valid, noting only that Syria
would be "a bit less bad." After further discussion,
including noting that the emergence of a new candidate that
might gain a consensus was remote, Scheide agreed that the
best option would be for the MESA group to unite around
Afghanistan.
4. (C) Scheide then asked what the U.S. reaction would be
should Iran secure a consensus in the MESA group -- and
specifically, whether the U.S. would formally object (by
calling for a vote in the GC) to such a candidacy. DCM said
the U.S. hoped to forestall just such an eventuality, and
would appreciate Austria's help. He noted also that
Afghanistan's candidacy appears firm and forestalls such a
consensus for Iran or Syria. In any case, a consensus in the
MESA group for either Iran or Syria would pose an enormous
challenge to the IAEA's credibility. Scheide replied that
"respect for procedures and the principle of universality"
were also part of the credibility of the IAEA. Austria would
not, he said, like to see a MESA consensus challenged.
5. (C) DCM repeated that a consensus for Iran or Syria
appeared unlikely according to the information now available
to the USG, and urged Austria to join in working for a
consensus in the MESA in favor of Afghanistan. Scheide
concluded the discussion noting, "I will discuss the matter
with some of my Arab friends."
6. (C) Comment. Austrian concern about a possible challenge
to a MESA consensus (by the U.S. or others) for Iran or Syria
is a significant incentive for Vienna to use its contacts
with Arab states to push an Afghanistan consensus. If
Austria's concern for process (now heightened by the
impending vote for a non-permanent UNSC seat) is shared by
many in the EU, however, heavy lifting will be required if
the USG is to win European support for such a challenge, if
necessary.
GIRARD-DICARLO