Cablegate: Iraq: Austrian Statement Supporting
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS VIENNA 003488
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EUR/AGS - VIKMANIS-KELLER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM KPAO PREL PGOV IZ AU
SUBJECT: IRAQ: AUSTRIAN STATEMENT SUPPORTING
CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM
REF: A. (A) STATE 199224
B. (B) STATE 198365
This message is SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. Please treat
accordingly.
1. (U) EconPolCouns and visiting EUR/ERA Director Chase
discussed reftel points on October 28 with Austrian MFA
Political Director Thomas Mayr-Harting and with Austrian MFA
Middle East Director Ralph Scheide.
2. (SBU) Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik issued a
statement noting that the referedum "opens the next important
chapter in the democratization process of Iraq." She called
for all of Iraq's groups to show dialogue and a readiness to
engage in the process of building democracy.
3. (SBU) Mayr-Harting, who had just returned from a visit to
Baghdad as part of the EU troika, noted the continuing
challenges Iraqis faced in implementing the constitution. He
expressed Austria's readiness to help in the planned review
of the constitution by offering experts in running a federal
state. In general, Austria was ready to be helpful in areas
in which it could offer expertise.
van Voorst