Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09VIENNA1511
2009-11-25 11:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vienna
Cable title:
AUSTRIA SUPPORTS U.S. GOALS IN AFGHANISTAN, STILL
how-toVZCZCXRO8443 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHVI #1511 3291132 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 251132Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3751 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001511
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE AND SCA/A
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2019
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA SUPPORTS U.S. GOALS IN AFGHANISTAN, STILL
UNDECIDED ON SPECIFICS
REF: STATE 120807
Classified by: DCM Christopher Hoh for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001511
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE AND SCA/A
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2019
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA SUPPORTS U.S. GOALS IN AFGHANISTAN, STILL
UNDECIDED ON SPECIFICS
REF: STATE 120807
Classified by: DCM Christopher Hoh for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (C) In place of the Ambassador, who was traveling in
country, the DCM met November 24 with Johannes Kyrle, MFA
Secretary General, to discuss reftel points. The DCM
emphasized that the U.S. is looking for allies and partners
to make strong public statements of support following the
announcement of the President's decision on Afghanistan. He
said the U.S. will be devoting more resources to the mission
in Afghanistan, as well as Pakistan, and will also work with
NATO/ISAF partners on developing benchmarks to measure
progress. Our civil-military plans are designed to prepare
Afghans to take on greater responsibility. We are urging
countries that place a high emphasis on human rights and rule
of law to support the mission in Afghanistan, he said, noting
the importance of next year's London conference for
coordinating international efforts with GOA activities.
2. (C) Kyrle said the GOA recognizes the threat posed by
al-Qa'ida and the importance of the Afghanistan/Pakistan
mission. He said that he, personally, supports an increased
Austrian role. Noting that Austria had successfully helped
train Iraqi police in the past, Kyrle maintained that Austria
has the expertise to do the same for Afghanistan. However,
any Afghanistan program would require a political decision,
and GOA elected leaders have yet to agree on any new support,
he said.
Background
--------------
3. (C) The Ambassador has urged the Austrians to increase
their Afghanistan contribution on a number of occasions,
including in meetings with Justice Minister Bandion-Ortner
and Interior Minister Fekter, as well as in initial calls on
the President and Prime Minster. FM Spindelegger had at one
point announced that Austria would support training for
Afghan police, but MFA contacts say there is an ongoing
internal GOA debate. In a Nov. 20 meeting with Interior
Minister Fekter, Ministry representatives noted that they are
still engaged in discussions about Austrian participation in
either a joint Canadian-Indonesian or in a EUPOL police
training mission. In both cases, the Minister insisted
Austria would only participate in programs outside of
Afghanistan.
4. (C) Comment. We will continue to keep Afghanistan on the
GOA radar screens, as we understand some of their EU partners
are also doing. We do not expect decisions from Vienna on
possible support measures, until at least the USG and NATO
strategies have been announced. End comment.
EACHO
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE AND SCA/A
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2019
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA SUPPORTS U.S. GOALS IN AFGHANISTAN, STILL
UNDECIDED ON SPECIFICS
REF: STATE 120807
Classified by: DCM Christopher Hoh for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (C) In place of the Ambassador, who was traveling in
country, the DCM met November 24 with Johannes Kyrle, MFA
Secretary General, to discuss reftel points. The DCM
emphasized that the U.S. is looking for allies and partners
to make strong public statements of support following the
announcement of the President's decision on Afghanistan. He
said the U.S. will be devoting more resources to the mission
in Afghanistan, as well as Pakistan, and will also work with
NATO/ISAF partners on developing benchmarks to measure
progress. Our civil-military plans are designed to prepare
Afghans to take on greater responsibility. We are urging
countries that place a high emphasis on human rights and rule
of law to support the mission in Afghanistan, he said, noting
the importance of next year's London conference for
coordinating international efforts with GOA activities.
2. (C) Kyrle said the GOA recognizes the threat posed by
al-Qa'ida and the importance of the Afghanistan/Pakistan
mission. He said that he, personally, supports an increased
Austrian role. Noting that Austria had successfully helped
train Iraqi police in the past, Kyrle maintained that Austria
has the expertise to do the same for Afghanistan. However,
any Afghanistan program would require a political decision,
and GOA elected leaders have yet to agree on any new support,
he said.
Background
--------------
3. (C) The Ambassador has urged the Austrians to increase
their Afghanistan contribution on a number of occasions,
including in meetings with Justice Minister Bandion-Ortner
and Interior Minister Fekter, as well as in initial calls on
the President and Prime Minster. FM Spindelegger had at one
point announced that Austria would support training for
Afghan police, but MFA contacts say there is an ongoing
internal GOA debate. In a Nov. 20 meeting with Interior
Minister Fekter, Ministry representatives noted that they are
still engaged in discussions about Austrian participation in
either a joint Canadian-Indonesian or in a EUPOL police
training mission. In both cases, the Minister insisted
Austria would only participate in programs outside of
Afghanistan.
4. (C) Comment. We will continue to keep Afghanistan on the
GOA radar screens, as we understand some of their EU partners
are also doing. We do not expect decisions from Vienna on
possible support measures, until at least the USG and NATO
strategies have been announced. End comment.
EACHO