SOLICITING POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO KOSOVO DEBT RELIEF

UNCLAS VIENNA 001466

SIPDIS, SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/ACE

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EFIN EINV PREL EU KV AU

SUBJECT: SOLICITING POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO KOSOVO DEBT RELIEF
TRUST FUND - AUSTRIA

REF: STATE 101356

THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT
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1. (SBU) Per reftel, post submitted information on USG request for
financial assistance for the Kosovo Debt Relief Trust Fund to Johann
Kinast, Head of the Export Guarantees and Debt Rescheduling Unit in
the Ministry of Finance (MoF). Post also sent reftel information to
Thomas Schnoell, MFA Unit Chief for Southeast Europe, and Klaus
Steiner, MFA Deputy Director for Development Cooperation.


2. (SBU) In a September 30 follow-up, Kinast told us that Austria
generally supports Kosovo as demonstrated at the July 2008 donors
conference in Brussels. Regarding financial assistance for the
Kosovo Debt Relief Trust Fund, the MoF has not yet formed a final
position but seems open to the USG proposal. However, the MoF would
prefer to first have an agreement on Kosovo debt rescheduling in the
Paris Club, which Austria will support. Steiner told Polchief
October 1 that MoF officials are waiting to be contacted by the
World Bank for details about the Trust Fund.


3. (SBU) Steiner and Schnoell also told Polchief that the GOA
generally supports IMF and World Bank membership for Kosovo.
Steiner said GOA officials had heard rumors that Kosovo would be
included in the World Bank constituency led by Austria and Belgium.
He said the GOA would be interested in learning whether that
information was accurate.

GIRARD-DICARLO