US embassy cable - 05VIENNA3709

UNCLAS VIENNA 003709 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR L/PIL, EB/IFD/ODF AND EUR/AGS 
DOT FOR FAA/OGC 
USDOC FOR ITA/ELENZ 
MONTREAL FOR USICAO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: BEXP, EFIN, EAIR, EIND, ETRD, KTIA, AU 
SUBJECT: CAPE TOWN CONVENTION: AUSTRIA TO WAIT FOR EU 
ACTION BEFORE RATIFYING 
 
REF:  STATE 199212 
 
THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE 
PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.  NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. 
 
1.  (SBU) Per reftel instructions, post discussed Cape 
Town Convention demarche with Helmut Tichy, Head of the 
MFA's International Law Unit, and with Martin Adensamer, 
Head of the Ministry of Justice's (MoJ) International 
Civil Law Department.  Tichy told us that the MFA would 
proceed with ratification as soon as it receives 
permission from the MoJ, which has primary responsibility 
for the convention. 
 
2.  (SBU) Adendsamer informed us that the GoA has an 
interest in ratifying the Cape Town Convention and the 
related Protocol on Aircraft Finance.  However, since the 
EU has co-responsibility for the Convention and has not 
yet signed, the MoJ will wait for EU action before 
initiating ratification.  Tichy told us that, in theory, 
the GoA would not have to wait for the EU to sign, but 
that the MFA cannot initiate ratification without 
instructions from the responsible ministry, i.e., the 
MoJ. 
VAN VOORST