EMBASSY REQUESTS FM PLASSNIK CANCEL SYRIA VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000165

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2023
TAGS: PREL MEPP SY AU
SUBJECT: EMBASSY REQUESTS FM PLASSNIK CANCEL SYRIA VISIT

REF: TRICK-KILNER E-MAIL 2/1/08

Classified By: CDA Scott Kilner. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) In response to REF request, Econ/Pol Counselor and
PolChief called 2/1 on Austrian MFA Deputy Director for ME
Affairs, Christoph Meran, to raise USG concerns about FM
Plassnik,s planned Feb. 7-9 visit to Damascus. The visit is
prt of a larger ME tour, including Lebanon, Israel,and
Palestine. ME Director Scheide, who will acompany Plassnik,
was returning form official travel and unavailable for a
meeting. However, Meranpromise to convey our concerns to
Scheide and t the Minister immediately upon Scheide,s
return o the office later that afternoon. Meran also
idicated that USG concerns would probably be reviewe by the
cabinet.


2. (C) Counselor informd Meran that the USG was concerned by
Plassnik,s plan to visit Damascus, noting that engagement by
some EU diplomats had not produced a positive Syrian
response. The U.S. would welcome a decision to drop the
Damascus stop. The USG was also concerned at the lack of
advance consultation (in contrast to the advance notice
provided before President Fischer's December trip to
Damascus),especially given Vienna,s stated interest in
playing a greater role in ME diplomacy and, specifically, in
possible follow-up to the Annapolis Conference. Meran
initially suggested that the Damascus trip was not yet
confirmed, but after consulting with other ME Department
staff, reported that two meetings were confirmed: with the
Foreign Minister and with the Vice-President. A meeting with
President Assad had been requested but not confirmed.


3. (C) Upon his return to the office, ME Director Scheide
called Charge to confirm the U.S. message. Charge reiterated
USG concerns, drawing from ref e-mail points, and noting that
the U.S. regarded any senior-level travel by western, not
just Austrian, officials to Damascus as inappropriate now.
Charge reminded Scheide that engagement with the German and
Dutch FonMins had been followed by the arrest of Riad Seif.
In light of these problems, the Charge urged the Austrians to
reconsider going to Damascus.


4. (C) Scheide said bluntly that this was "out of the
question," arguing that an Austrian visit to Damascus was
consistent with the U.S. invitation to Syria to attend the
Annapolis Conference. Charge noted the unique character of
the Annapolis event and that Syria's actions since then have
not been constructive. Scheide stressed Syria's importance
to the peace process and that Plassnik would stick to the
EU's agreed message, urging constructive Syrian engagement.
He also noted that Austria had rejected Iranian FM Mottaki's
request to visit Vienna, which not all EU capitals had done.
In a clear allusion to Austria's desire to play a more
visible role in the post-Annapolis peace process, Scheide
said that he would not want U.S.-Austrian differences over
this visit to become a burden on "related matters." The
Charge reiterated that the visit was not a good idea.


3. (C) Charge will meet MFA Political Director Mayr-Harting
and Chancellery Diplomatic Advisor Wrable on February 4 and
will again raise U.S. concerns regarding the visit. Scheide
also promised a readout after the trip.
Kilner