AUSTRIAN PLANS TO TRAIN AFGHAN POLICE STALLED

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000923 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR S/SRAP (HANRAHAN),SCA/A (VIEHE),EUR/RPM (COPE),AND EUR/CE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2019 TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF AU SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN PLANS TO TRAIN AFGHAN POLICE STALLED REF: A. STATE 74362 ¶B. VIENNA 437 AND PREVIOUS Classified by: CDA Christopher J. Hoh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Acting Polcouns discussed reftel A points July 22 with Bruno Bilek, MFA Deputy Director for East Asia and the Pacific. Bilek said the GOA's efforts to organize police training for Afghanistan (reftel B) had ground to a halt. The Interior Ministry now steadfastly oppposes the idea, arguing that the financial crisis and rising crime in Austria prevent the ministry from deploying personnel for a foreign training mission. Bilek averred that the MFA will continue to push the idea, but has no leverage to force the Interior Ministry to provide support. He said neither Chancellor Faymann nor Vice Chancellor Proell appear willing to weigh in on the issue, but speculated that increased pressure from other EU countries could eventually force the GOA's hand. (Note: German FM Steinmeier appeared to call for greater Austrian involvement in Afghanistan in a July 9 interview, only to tone down his comments the following day. End Note). Comment: EU Pressure Needed -------------- ¶2. (C) In light of Defense Minister Darabos' consistent public opposition to sending troops to Afghanistan (beyond the three ISAF staff officers Austria currently provides) we have focused on police training as a non-military security contribution. With that effort now stalled, we share Bilek's view that pressure from other EU states, particularly Germany, will be needed to help compel the GOA to increase its role in Afghanistan, even as we continue to push bilaterally. HOH