US embassy cable - 05VIENNA707

S E C R E T VIENNA 000707 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR THE SECRETARY FROM AMBASSADOR BROWN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2015 
TAGS: PREL, OVIP, AU 
SUBJECT: ATTENDING AUSTRIA'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS 
ON MAY 15 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador W.L. Lyons Brown.  Reasons:  1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (SBU) The following message is for the Secretary from 
Ambassador Brown. 
 
2.  (S) Begin text: 
 
Dear Madam Secretary: 
 
Foreign Minister Plassnik has invited you and your Russian, 
British, and French counterparts to Vienna for the May 15 
commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Austrian State 
Treaty.  I know you have a very busy spring travel schedule, 
but I would like explain why this event is a unique chance to 
advance the President's European agenda.  It is also the 
single best opportunity to engage with the Austrians before 
they assume the EU presidency in January 2006. 
 
Your visit to this country would reinforce the President's 
message that the U.S. values the broad transatlantic 
relationship and supports a strong and active Europe that 
includes the non-allied, smaller countries.  The State Treaty 
was a triumph of U.S. diplomacy.  The commemoration will be 
an unmistakable reminder of the enduring American commitment 
to a free, democratic, and peaceful Europe. 
 
May would also be an excellent time for you to meet Austria's 
leaders.  They are hard at work developing their presidency 
themes and goals.  Meetings with Chancellor Schuessel and 
Foreign Minister Plassnik would set the stage for effective 
and close U.S.-Austria cooperation next year.  I know the 
Chancellor and Foreign Minister would deeply appreciate the 
chance to meet with you early on. 
 
There are substantive topics to discuss in these meetings. 
Austria's engagement in the Balkans, its support for reform 
in eastern Europe, its disappointing contributions in 
Afghanistan, and its negligible role in Iraq are important 
issues.  The most sensitive issue, however, is Austria's 
expanding relationship with Iran.  In the past six months, 
Embassy Vienna prevented the establishment of an Iranian 
Technical Cooperation office in Austria and derailed 
transfers of lethal weapons to Iran.  We expect more such 
initiatives as the Schuessel government reacts to business 
pressure.  Our successful interventions show the Austrians 
can be responsive.  But they need to hear our concerns 
straight from the top.  Your visit -) which would be the 
first bilateral visit by a Secretary in almost seven years -- 
would have a positive and perhaps decisive impact on the 
thinking of Austria's leadership. 
 
I hope you will agree to accept the invitation. 
 
Sincerely, W.L. Lyons Brown 
Brown