OSCE: AUSTRIAN FONMIN UNDERLINES NEED TO RETAIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000787 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2024 TAGS: PREL MARR AU SUBJECT: OSCE: AUSTRIAN FONMIN UNDERLINES NEED TO RETAIN TRANS-ATLANTIC SECURITY ARCHITECTURE REF: VIENNA 689 Classified By: Econ/Pol Counselor Dean Yap. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (U) Summary. Austrian FonMin Spindelegger has stressed the need to include the U.S. in an European security architecture and to retain the OSCE as the "central forum for the European security dialogue." Speaking on the margins of the of the informal OSCE Ministerial in Corfu June 27-28, Spindelegger expressed skepticism about the proposal for a new European security architecture submitted by Russian FonMin Lavrov. End Summary. ¶2. (U) The Austrian welcomed a "broad and op-en dialogue about the future security challenges in the Euro-Atlantic area," but stressed that this should be held "within, not outside the OSCE framework." Moreover, "our work must not lead to a weakening or erosion of existing obligations within the OSCE framework. On the contrary, Austria would like to see a strengthening of the OSCE toward a 'Helsinki Plus' structure," Spindelegger added. Austria favored maintenance of the comprehensive security concept, which included aspects such as human rights, rule of law, democratic values, as well as economy and ecology." Any limitation to merely "military security" would fall short which, Spindelegger argued, is why representatives of civil society and other international organizations should become part of the discussion initiated by the Russians. ¶3. (U) On the role of the U.S., Spindelegger emphasized that "the trans-Atlantic component of our security is and remains indispensable. At the start of the 21st century, more than ever a European security architecture without the U.S. does not make sense." ¶4. (U) Spindelegger described "current deficits" in Euro-Atlantic security as the results of a "loss of trust," which "new treaties or structures," such as those tabled the previous week in Vienna by Russian FonMin Lavrov, could not alone resolve. It was first necessary to regain mutual confidence and achieve progress on "unsolved crises" (a reference Georgia and other conflicts in the post-Soviet space). ¶5. (C) Comment: Spindelegger's remarks track exactly with the Austrian position as previously elaborated by PolDir Lehne (reftel). Austria, for both practical reasons as host of the OSCE and out of political interest -- the need to retain both a strong U.S. role/presence in Europe and strong multilateral institutions to balance Russia pressure -- can be counted on to strongly defend the comprehensive concept of security embodied in the OSCE and other existing European security structures. End Comment. ORDWAY