US embassy cable - 05VIENNA3488

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Identifier:	05VIENNA3488
Wikileaks:	View 05VIENNA3488 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Vienna
Created:	2005-10-28 16:24:00
Classification:	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Tags:	KDEM KPAO PREL PGOV IZ AU
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

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