AUSTRIAN MFA SECURITY POLICY DIRECTOR ON RUSSIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000168 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2024 TAGS: PREL RS AU SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN MFA SECURITY POLICY DIRECTOR ON RUSSIAN EUROPEAN SECURITY PROPOSAL REF: STATE 11363 Classified By: Econ/Pol Counselor Dean Yap. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Newly appointed Austrian MFA Security Policy Director Gerhard Jandl (former Amb. to Belgrade) told Econ/Pol Counselor March 13 that Austria has considerable skepticism toward Russia's proposals for a new European security structure. Acknowledging that Moscow had offered few details, Jandl reported that the Austrian Embassy in Moscow nonetheless saw the proposal as designed to allow Russia a veto over the security policy actions of its neighbors, to give it some voice in NATO decision making, and to create a degree of formal separation between North America and Europe in security affairs. That said, the Ministry was awaiting Russian Amb. Grushko's OSCE presentation with interest, and did not wish to close the door to discussion of any serious ideas the Russians might put forward. ¶2. (C) Any such discussions, though, should take place within the OSCE framework. Jandl noted that the Greeks had proposed meetings in Athens, but agreed that that could have the appearance of setting up an alternative security forum or institution. Jandl also agreed that any gaps in the European security architecture should be resolvable through evolutionary changes to existing European institutions. Austria sees no benefit to a ministerial or summit meeting on the vague Russian proposals, and believes they should be explored and made concrete at, at most, the senior officials level. ¶3. (C) In response to a question, Jandl acknowledged that the media and much political commentary has been more friendly to the Russian proposals than is the MFA. He attributed this to a widespread view in Austria that it was best to rub along with the Russians rather than risk a conflict that could leave people "in the cold" - a reference to the recent Russian-Ukrainian gas conflict. Nonetheless, knowledgeable players were more skeptical of and cautious about the Russians and dominated the policy process. ¶4. (C) Comment. Jandl is certainly right that skepticism about Russian dominates in the Foreign Ministry and much of the foreign policy elite. However, gaps between public/media views and policy professionals in Austria are often won by the public/media, who exercise much greater influence over parties' and elected officials' views. Embassy will watch the evolution of debate on this issue with care. End Comment. KILNER