SARKOZY IN VIENNA: IRAN, SYRIA, ENERGY, AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000752 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2023 TAGS: PREL EU AU SUBJECT: SARKOZY IN VIENNA: IRAN, SYRIA, ENERGY, AND IMMIGRATION POLICY Classified By: Econ/Pol Counselor Dean Yap. Reason 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. French President Sarkozy made little progress in efforts to persuade Austria to accept autonomous EU sanctions on Iran; was briefed on Austrian plans for their June 23 conference on reconstruction of a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, discussed European energy strategy in general terms, and laid out ideas on an inter-governmental immigration policy during his three-hour June 27 visit to Vienna. End Summary. ¶2. (C) During his visit, meant to advance French goals during their upcoming EU Presidency, Sarkozy met with Chancellor Gusenbauer one-on-one for an hour, and French DCM van Rossum reported that he has as yet received no readout of the meeting. Sarkozy also met with President Fischer, which van Rossum attended. Iran -------------- ¶3. (C) Sarkozy raised French and British desires to move ahead with the implementation of EU autonomous sanctions against Iran's energy sector, which the Austrian's rejected. Moreover, Fischer's diplomatic advisor, Alfons Kloss, argued that the French were being hypocritical, as Electricite de France was one of the financial backers (through its part ownership of Edison of Italy) of Italian energy firm ENI's recent investment in Iran. Van Rossum acknowledged that the French and British face a bloc of 5-6 EU members who have taken a position in principle against autonomous sanctions. Lebanon -------------- ¶4. (C) The Austrians pressed for ministerial-level participation in their June 23 conference on reconstruction of the Nahr El-Bared Palestinian refugee camp. Van Rossum was skeptical about the high-level value of a conference on this topic alone, or of using the venue for a wider discussion on Lebanon absent the Syrians (judged as unlikely to attend) and Israelis (not invited). European Energy Policy -------------- ¶5. (C) Van Rossum said Sarkozy had sought to elevate the discussion of energy policy above th Austria's neuralgic anti-nuclear stance. Sarkozy reportedly stressed the common goal of diversification of European energy supplies away from both fossil fuels and Russia, noting that different countries should have the option of choosing different paths. The Austrians in response indicated, along known lines, that common European funds should not be used for programs that would promote the use or growth of nuclear power, but could be used for safety/security training. Immigration -------------- ¶6. (C) Though recognizing that a common EU immigration policy is not achieveable in the near-term, van Rossum said Sarkozy pushed for an inter-governmental agreement that would more completely harmonize immigration policy -- and hoped to have this agreed by October. However, Sarkozy's proposals have met resistance both from those who believe his proposals would open the doors to new immigration and those who belive it would lead to a crackdown on illegal immigrants alreayd in Europe. The Austrians fall largely into the former category, accoring to van Rossum. Kilner