Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09VIENNA1201
2009-09-18 11:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vienna
Cable title:  

RESULTS OF AUSTRIAN APPROACH TO IRAN ON SIX AMCITS

Tags:  PHUM PINR PREL PROP PTER CASC IR AU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9039
RR RUEHBC RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHFL RUEHKUK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP
RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHTRO
DE RUEHVI #1201 2611158
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 181158Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3330
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001201 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2024
TAGS: PHUM PINR PREL PROP PTER CASC IR AU
SUBJECT: RESULTS OF AUSTRIAN APPROACH TO IRAN ON SIX AMCITS

REF: (A) STATE 94757 (B) VIENNA 1172

Classified By: Econ/Pol Counselor Dean Yap. Reason: !.4(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001201

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2024
TAGS: PHUM PINR PREL PROP PTER CASC IR AU
SUBJECT: RESULTS OF AUSTRIAN APPROACH TO IRAN ON SIX AMCITS

REF: (A) STATE 94757 (B) VIENNA 1172

Classified By: Econ/Pol Counselor Dean Yap. Reason: !.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) Further to reftels, on Sept. 18 MFA Middle East
Director Friedrich Stift reported to Econ/Pol Counselor on
the results of an approach by Austrian Ambassador to Iran,
Michael Postl, to unidentified contacts in the Iranian
Foreign Ministry.


2. (C) Postl reported the following:

-- Kian Tajbakhsh: Tajbakhsh is being held at Evin Prison and
his release is "not imminent." His detention will be
extended because of his failure to keep (unspecified)
"promises" he made in 2007 when he was released from a
previous detention. However, he will eventually be released.

-- The Three Hikers: Fattal, Bauer, and Shourd are being
questioned at a Tehran prison (not Evin). They are not
considered dangerous and will be released "in the foreseeable
future." The Iranian MFA suggested that if the Swiss
Ambassador were to make a written request for consular access
it would speed resolution of the case. In addition, if he
were to present the written request in person at the MFA,
that would further boost prospects for a resolution. Postl
indicated his willingness to make further inquiries, if
desired, and would be willing to serve as a courier for
letters between the three and their families/children.

-- Reza Taghavi: No information was provided.

-- Robert Levinson: The Iranians said only that Levinson
"might" already have died.


3. (U) Note: Postl, with whom Embassy has worked closely on
several sensitive cases in the recent past, speaks excellent
Farsi and reportedly enjoys particularly good access through
his wife's family to prominent Iranian circles.
EACHO