FOREIGN AND DEFENSE POLICY OUTLINE OF THE NEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 VIENNA 001735 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2023 TAGS: PGOV PREL AU SUBJECT: FOREIGN AND DEFENSE POLICY OUTLINE OF THE NEW AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT REF: VIENNA 1721 Classified By: Econ/Pol Counselor Dean Yap. Reason: 1.4(b) Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) The November 23 coalition agreement between Austria's Social Democrats and Conservatives includes brief (less than 10 percent of the total text) sections on foreign and defense policy. These for the most part affirm in broad terms existing policy -- specifics are given only in areas where Austria has a well-developed tradition of policy engagement: arms control and disarmament, opposition to nuclear power, Turkish EU membership, for example). No specifics are provided on Austrian policy with regard to Russia, the broader Middle East, or military reform. End Summary. European Policy -------------- ¶2. (U) EU affairs receive the lion's share of consideration on foreign affairs in the agreement, though much of the focus is on internal EU socio-economic issues (growth, employment, transit, consumer protection, labor mobility, etc.). Relatively little consideration is given to the EU's international role. The EU's desired role as a model and avant garde in climate policy and opposition to granting further access to GM agricultural products are mentioned. The agreement does support a more active EU role in promoting energy security, but not at the cost of greater reliance on nuclear power. ¶3. (U) EU membership for former Yugoslav states is supported, as they become qualified. Closer ties - but not membership - with Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova are endorsed. Turkey is offered a "tailor-made Turkish-European community" and the coalition partners reconfirm their previous commitment to a referendum on Turkish membership in the EU, should that option result from the present EU-Turkey negotiations. ¶4. (U) On the issue that brought the previous coalition down -- the SPO's proposal that referenda be held on all future EU treaties, the partners agreed that there would not be a referendum unless both parties agree. Despite a de facto victory for the OVP on this issue, conservative Foreign Minister Plassnik found it insufficient and resigned from the cabinet. The SPO and OVP affirm their support for increasing the EU's civil and military conflict management capability. ¶5. (U) The partners note the deep public skepticism toward the EU and propose a series of measures designed to increase public knowledge of and confidence in EU institutions. Foreign Policy Outside Europe -------------- ¶6. (U) The coalition agreement largely repeats long-standing principles underlying Austrian foreign policy (e.g., "eternal neutrality") and reaffirms the commitment to pursuing foreign policy through multilateral institutions - first and foremost the UN (noting as well Austria's upcoming Security Council tenure),but also including the OSCE and NATO's PfP. ¶7. (U) Arms control and disarmament are endorsed as central concerns of GoA foreign policy. The partners also express their "concern (about) the renaissance of nuclear energy" and pledge to work for the establishment of a "multilateral system for the regulation of access to nuclear fuel under the strict control of the IAEA." ¶8. (C) Increasing the role of women in international affairs, developing Vienna as a base for international organizations (a new international agency for renewable energy is proposed) and conferences, and promoting international cultural dialogue are all identified as important tasks for the next Foreign Minister. The agreement also undertakes to move toward devoting 0.51% of GDP to foreign assistance by 2010 and 0.7% by 2015, with a focus on poverty reduction, human security, and health promotion. However, the program also notes that the GoA will have difficulty in meeting these goals for budgetary reasons. International Economic Policy -------------- ¶9. (U) More detailed reporting on the financial and economic provisions of the package will be forthcoming. In brief, the partners look to the EU to provide both the external bases for Austrian economic security and to take the lead in international trade issues. VIENNA 00001735 002 OF 002 Energy and Environment -------------- ¶10. (U) These are major elements in the coalition agreement and will be outlined septel. The key international energy focus is on securing European energy supplies through: 1) the Nabucco pipeline, 2) construction of LNG terminals, 3) South Stream, 4) an additional oil pipeline to the Schwechat refinery, and 5) enhanced dialog with energy producing countries. On the environment, the partners acknowledge the EU's 20-20-20 goals and calls for an undefined "fair division of burdens ... in the EU." Without committing to specific targets for Austria, the agreement lays out national concepts for adaptation, reduction of emissions, and increasing use of renewables. Stress is laid on Austria's "anti-atom policy." Defense Policy -------------- ¶11. (C) Efforts to reshape Austrian military forces for a more active, overseas role have been faltering due to resource constraints. The coalition paper pledges support for the reform program (Bundesheer 2010),but makes no concrete commitments about budget levels and the paragraphs on future procurement are particularly vague. The partners plan to establish an evaluation council, including outside experts, which is to examine, by the end of 2009, "the transformation of reform steps in the view of priorities, quality and the adherence to schedules in the light of real developments." "Real developments" is doubtless a reference to the fact that, because of underfunding, the reform process is lagging badly. ¶12. (C) The tasks of the military are very broadly drawn: territorial defense, emergency and humanitarian assistance at home and abroad, and international peacekeeping missions are all described as priorities. The partners also affirm their determination to maintain conscription on the basis of a six month term of service and to allow the MoD to keep all of the proceeds from the sale of obsolete/unneeded military infrastructure and materiel, a promise made to help finance reform that has not thus far been kept. Comment -------------- ¶13. (C) Foreign policy issues played no role in the election and, since there are not major differences between the parties on issues (except for the EU referendum),it is not surprising the coalition agreement says so little about specific issues such as Iran, Iraq, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or relations with Russia. This approach also reflects a preference for thematic diplomacy as opposed to dealing directly with problematic situations. Moreover, foreign policy in Austria is made by a small official circle comprised of the MFA staff, the Chancellor and his diplomatic staff, and other Ministers and staff if specifically involved. These tend to want to avoid extended public or parliamentary discussion of contentious issues, which keeping policy statements at a high level of generality as long as possible tends to do. GIRARD-DICARLO