AUSTRIA SUPPORTS EXTENSION OF BELARUS SANCTIONS

UNCLAS VIENNA 001427 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/UMB (WANG) EUR/ERA (WOLFE) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BO PREL EUN PHUM AU SUBJECT: AUSTRIA SUPPORTS EXTENSION OF BELARUS SANCTIONS REF: STATE 112644 (SBU) Polchief discussed reftel points November 6 with Josef Litschauer, MFA Deputy Director for Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova. Litschauer said the GOA shares the USG view that the reform process in Belarus has stalled. He said Belarus "wasted" the opportunity to enact meaningful reforms during the last period of suspnded EU travel restrictions. The GOA, therefore,supports an extension of both the sanctions and heir suspension. Litschauer said there is broadsupport for this view within the EU; the only differences are over the length of the suspension. Th most likely outcome of the GAERC meeting would e a repeat of the decision made last year - to etend the sanctions for 12 months and suspend the for nine, he said. EACHO