Cablegate: Austrian Formin Plassnik Hails Iraq Elections

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS VIENNA 003926

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA, EUR/AGS and EUR/ERA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ AU EUN
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN FORMIN PLASSNIK HAILS IRAQ ELECTIONS

1. Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik issued a
statement December 17 welcoming the Iraq elections.
Plassnik stressed that the turnout was "an encouraging
sign for Iraq's still-young democracy." She also
detailed elements of the EU's Iraq policy during
Austria's EU presidency in the first half of 2006.

2. Begin press release (translation by Austrian MFA):

Plassnik: "Encouraging signal for the young Iraqi
democracy," December 17, 2005

Foreign Minister welcomes high turnout in parliamentary
elections in Iraq

Vienna, 17 December 2005 - "The predominantly peaceful
course and high turnout by all population groups in the
parliamentary elections on 15 December are an
encouraging signal for the still young democracy in
Iraq," said Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, noting
that the election was an important stage in the
political transformation process in Iraq.

"The election has impressively demonstrated the support
by a large majority of Iraqis for the development of a
democratic Iraq. When the final election results are
in, the rapid formation of a government and review of
the constitution will be of great importance. Further
stabilization is also contingent on improvements in the
security situation and living conditions of the
population," said Plassnik.

The review of the constitution would offer the Iraqi
people the opportunity to establish a large consensus on
the country's future and would help to create a
political system encompassing if possible all democratic
groups, added the Foreign Minister, pointing out that
this important phase in political restructuring would
take place during Austria's EU Presidency.

"The European Union is willing to provide its active
support. Essential elements in the European policy with
regard to Iraq during the Austrian EU Presidency will
include continuation of the political dialogue between
the EU and Iraq, further implementation of the Iraq
framework and a possible prolongation of the work of the
Rule of Law Mission for Iraq (EUJUST LEX)," stated the
Foreign Minister.

(End press release).

McCAW

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