AUSTRIA SEEKS U.S. SPEAKER FOR CONFERENCE ON

UNCLAS VIENNA 000879

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA SEEKS U.S. SPEAKER FOR CONFERENCE ON
TERRORISM AND INTERNATIONAL LAW


1. Summary: The Austrian Red Cross (OeRK) and the Austrian
MFA (BMeiA) are presenting a conference about human rights
issues called "A legal black hole? The War on Terror, human
rights, and international humanitarian law." This one-day
conference will take place on Sept. 15th, 2008, and includes
speakers who specialize in international law and human
rights. OeRK and BMeiA have invited the USG to send a
representative from the State Department to speak. This
cable contains an action request (see paragraph 4). End
Summary.


2. Overview: As part of a series of conferences highlighting
Austria's commitment to the rule of international law, the
September conference will focus on human rights and
international law in the context of the War on Terror.
Speakers expected to present include Dr. Christiane Hoehn,
international law expert from the secretariat of the EU
Council; Ambassador Ferdinand Trauttmansdorff, head of the
international law division of BMeiA; Dr. Niels Melzer, expert
from the international law department of the International
Committee of the Red Cross; and Prof. Wolfram Karl of the
University of Salzburg. The intended audience are students,
young journalists and others who shape the Austrian media;
about 30 attendees are expected.


3. The program will be focused on the application of
international law to terrorism suspects, with a critical look
at U.S. practices in Guantanamo and the use of robust
national security measures, including rendition. Based on
the information provided to the Embassy, the conference is
likely to reflect the view that international law should
favor individual's rights over security interests, even in
the fight against terrorism. Participation in the conference
will likely require a robust defense of U.S. practices and
its application of international law.


4. Action Request: Participation is conference is not
critical. However, it is a valuable public diplomacy
opportunity. Given this, the U.S. EMBASSY in Vienna would
welcome participation by the USG in this conference and the
attendance of an informed official from the State Department.
Kilner