AUSTRIAN VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF THE FAC

UNCLAS VIENNA 000182 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EUN PGOV PREL AU SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF THE FAC REF: 2/17/10 EUR/ERA EMAIL (SBU) Polchief discussed the February 22 FAC on February 18 with Klaus Famira, MFA European Correspondent. Famira offered the following views: -- Haiti: FAC participants will discuss the upcoming donors conference for Haiti and will consider a proposal to provide EU military support for shelter construction in Haiti. The GOA intends to support reconstruction in Haiti, but would have difficulty providing personnel for MINUSTAH. -- Iran: The EU will discuss strategies for pursuing possible EU sanctions on Iran, depending on what action is ultimately taken by the UNSC. Famira said Austria is "in the EU mainstream" on Iran sanctions, supporting the dual track approach while emphasizing the importance of maintaining unity in the international community in confronting Iran. -- Ukraine: Participants will discuss the elections, considered mainly free and fair and a leap forward in Ukrainian democracy, as well as Ukraine's role as an economic and energy partner. Some member states might raise the issue of EU visa liberalization for Ukraine, but the GOA wants to proceed cautiously on that front. -- Belarus: Poland will raise the issue of pressure from the Government of Belarus on the Polish minority, as well as the repression of the political opposition. -- Libya: Participants will discuss how to address a partial Libyan ban on visas to citizens of Schengen zone countries as a consequence of a conflict between Libya and (Schengen member) Switzerland. EACHO