GOA DEBATING POSSIBLE SUPPORT FOR AFGHANISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 VIENNA 000139 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/RPM (COPE),SCA/A (SINGH) AND EUR/CE E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2019 TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF AU SUBJECT: GOA DEBATING POSSIBLE SUPPORT FOR AFGHANISTAN MISSION REF: A. 08 VIENNA 1893 ¶B. 08 STATE 131480 Classified by: CDA Scott F. Kilner for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Representatives of the MFA, Interior Ministry, and Defense Ministry are discussing options for supporting the Afghanistan mission. No decisions have been made, but support for the UNODC and a contribution to election security are among the options under discussion. An MFA contact told us he expects GOA senior ministry experts to reach agreement soon, and then seek the informal blessing of elected leaders. He warned, however, that politicians will be wary of the risks of engagement. A top advisor to Chancellor Faymann, however, was unaware of the interministerial talks and considered a substantial new Austrian contribution to Afghanistan an uphill battle for the government. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Polchief met February 5 with Bernhard Zimburg, MFA Director for East Asia and the Pacific, to review the status of the GOA's interministerial discussion on support for Afghanistan. Zimburg said representatives from the MFA, Interior Ministry, and Defense Ministry began meeting in late January to determine what new contributions Austria could feasibly make to the Afghanistan mission. The discussions have been guided by suggestions Emboffs have made to GOA contacts as well as by reftel B message regarding the Afghan elections. ¶3. (C) Zimburg said GOA senior working-level officials agree that Austria should provide "security support" for Afghanistan, as opposed to support for "cultural programs" aimed at issues such as the status of women. They have discussed a range of options, including providing funding and other resources for the UNODC mission in Afghanistan. He said UNODC has told GOA officials that the agency's Afghanistan operations are in need of greater support. ¶4. (C) Austria's armed forces are currently too overstretched for a significant deployment of self-sufficient troops to Afghanistan, which Defense Minister Darabos has publicly ruled out, Zimburg said. However, it is possible that Austria could send a small number of troops to be co-located with other forces. Such a deployment could be aimed at providing security for the upcoming elections. Zimburg added, however, that a troop deployment could prove politically difficult. The GOA could also increase the number of Austrian staff officers assigned to ISAF (currently two),he said. ¶5. (U) Participants in the interministerial talks hope to reach agreement soon on a proposed Afghanistan project. They would then seek the informal blessing of elected officials. The goal is to be prepared in advance for a U.S. request for support, Zimburg said. ¶6. (C) Zimburg averred that MFA officials are pushing for a substantial contribution to the Afghanistan mission, particularly in light of Austria's position as a non-permanent UNSC member. Nevertheless, he warned that GOA elected officials will be wary of engagement in an Afghanistan mission that many fear is slipping out of the control of the international community. Polchief noted that Austria's deployment to Chad was controversial at first, but the political conflict subsided as time passed and there were no Austrian casualties. Zimburg agreed, but said the mission in Chad is limited to protecting refugees, while the outcome of the Afghanistan mission is tied to the success of the Afghan government. ¶7. (C) Based on Econ/Pol Counselor's February 6 meeting with Juergen Meindl, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Austrian Chancellery, it is not clear whether the GOA's top elected leaders are prepared to back a meaningful Austrian role in Afghanistan. Meindl was not aware of the interministerial discussion on Afghanistan. He was clearly opposed to a troop deployment, and though more open to the idea of a civilian role, was doubtful of the government's ability to win public support for anything other than purely humanitarian measures. Comment: GOA Clearly Nervous -------------- Q ¶8. (C) Despite assurances from MFA contacts that they favor a meaningful Austrian role in Afghanistan, it is clear that the GOA is nervous about the potential domestic political consequences. Embassy will continue to press this issue, as a positive outcome of the interministerial talks is far from VIENNA 00000139 002 OF 002 assured. KILNER