Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09VIENNA840
2009-07-09 10:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vienna
Cable title:
AUSTRIA RECONSIDERS REJECTION OF GUANTANAMO
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHVI #0840 1901002 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 091002Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2931 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000840
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2024
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA RECONSIDERS REJECTION OF GUANTANAMO
DETAINEES
Classified By: CDA Chris Hoh. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000840
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2024
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA RECONSIDERS REJECTION OF GUANTANAMO
DETAINEES
Classified By: CDA Chris Hoh. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) Two sources in recent weeks have reported that the GoA
is reconsidering its rejection of Guantanamo detainees for
resettlement. In a July 2 meeting with Charge, Bernhard
Wrabetz Foreign Policy Advisor to the Chancellor, reported
that the GoA was taking another look at its position. He
pleaded for extreme discretion in handling the news, as a
change of position would b both embarrassing and extremely
unpopular. On July 8, Elizabeth Grossmann a Social
Democratic member of parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee,
told Econ/Pol Counselor that the Foreign Ministry had briefed
the Committee on the reconsideration. She said that the
problem of Guantanamo detainees, was one which required a
concrete signal of support for the Obama Administration.
2. (C) Comment. EMBASSY has made known at all levels of
government, and to other elite contacts, USG unhappiness at
the GoA's early and total rejection of resettlement in
Austria. Many foreign policy experts acknowledged their own
disagreement with the GoA stance, which they attributed to
domestic concern about rising crime and fear of Islamism.
Several commentaries in the "quality" press also took issue
with the Government's position. It appears Austria's
relative isolation within the EU, the pressure from opinion
leaders, and the knowledge of U.S. unhappiness have combined
to at least re-open the issue within the GoA. End Comment.
HOH
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2024
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA RECONSIDERS REJECTION OF GUANTANAMO
DETAINEES
Classified By: CDA Chris Hoh. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) Two sources in recent weeks have reported that the GoA
is reconsidering its rejection of Guantanamo detainees for
resettlement. In a July 2 meeting with Charge, Bernhard
Wrabetz Foreign Policy Advisor to the Chancellor, reported
that the GoA was taking another look at its position. He
pleaded for extreme discretion in handling the news, as a
change of position would b both embarrassing and extremely
unpopular. On July 8, Elizabeth Grossmann a Social
Democratic member of parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee,
told Econ/Pol Counselor that the Foreign Ministry had briefed
the Committee on the reconsideration. She said that the
problem of Guantanamo detainees, was one which required a
concrete signal of support for the Obama Administration.
2. (C) Comment. EMBASSY has made known at all levels of
government, and to other elite contacts, USG unhappiness at
the GoA's early and total rejection of resettlement in
Austria. Many foreign policy experts acknowledged their own
disagreement with the GoA stance, which they attributed to
domestic concern about rising crime and fear of Islamism.
Several commentaries in the "quality" press also took issue
with the Government's position. It appears Austria's
relative isolation within the EU, the pressure from opinion
leaders, and the knowledge of U.S. unhappiness have combined
to at least re-open the issue within the GoA. End Comment.
HOH