GOA SUPPORTS MANY U.S. PRIORITIES, SHARES ITS

UNCLAS VIENNA 001189 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR (ELDRIDGE) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNGA AU SUBJECT: GOA SUPPORTS MANY U.S. PRIORITIES, SHARES ITS GOALS FOR THE 64TH UNGA REF: A. STATE 90254 B. VIENNA 1127 ¶1. (U) Summary: In a September 14 meeting with Econ/pol Couns and Poloff, MFA Director for International Organizations Peter Huber gave the GOA's response to Ref A demarche on the upcoming UNGA. Austria supported the non-proliferation initiative but would seek to changes to the draft UNSC resolution language on nuclear energy (Ref B). On peacekeeping, human rights, women's issues, and the budget Austria mostly supported U.S. priorities and goals. Austrian priorities included the protection of civilians in conflict zones and rule of law, themes which will come up again in Austria's upcoming chairmanship of the UNSC in November. End summary. International Security: Focus on Nonproliferation -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) Though generally supportive of the U.S. initiative on non-proliferation issues, Austria was seeking to modify the resolution language on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, Huber said. Because of the Austrian public's strong anti-nuclear power stance, the GOA had asked for changes on this text, and Huber noted that the USG had offered to mediate. Huber said that the GOA would support using the wording from existing treaties and previous nonproliferation agreements in reference to the peaceful use of nuclear power. ¶3. (U) Based partly on its own peacekeeping experience in Chad, the GOA "fully supported" U.S. proposals on peacekeeping, particularly on peacekeepers having credible and achievable mandates. Econ/Pol Counselor noted in particular U.S. interest in increasing the role of the police in protecting civilians as part of UN missions. The protection of civilians would be a theme for Austria's chairmanship of the UNSC, Huber noted, and FM Spindelegger would personally a ministerial session of the Council on this topic in November. On this initiative Austria was working with France and the UK. Austrian Priorities on Human Rights, Support on Climate Change -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) Huber did not comment on anti-Israeli resolutions but said that EU member states generally opposed no-action motions. Human security would be the GOA's main priority, including international human rights law in regards to women and children. Austria proposed to highlight the importance of human rights by bringing the results of the Human Rights Council to the entire General Assembly and not only to the Third Committee. Austria supported EU efforts on Burma, the DPRK, as well as Canadian efforts on Iran. The EU was also working on a project on religious intolerance. The GOA would push for ratification of the Children's Rights Convention and for a follow-up to the Durban conference. In addition to its own resolution on IDPs, Austria would support Denmark's resolution on torture and Norway's resolution on human rights defenders, and "follow human rights in relation to terrorism." On women's issues, Austria supported efforts to create a composite entity. ¶5. (U) Huber noted that during SYG Ban Ki-Moon's visit to Austria in August, the SYG was optimistic that President Hu Jintao's participation in the UNGA climate change conference meant China would productively contribute to the debate. Austria in Agreement on UN Management Priorities -------------- --- ¶6. (U) Given the financial crisis, the GOA sees little room for increasing the UN budget, Huber remarked. On the peacekeeping budget, the GOA would like to see more realistic mandates but given resource constraints and to help ensure that monies would be spent effectively. Bilateral Meetings -------------- ¶7. (U) Huber noted that, this year, as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, Austria would be busier than usual with bilateral meetings, possibly including a meeting between FM Spindelegger and the Iranian Foreign Minister, although he noted with regret that it appeared unlikely there would be a bilateral meeting with Secretary Clinton. EACHO