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

160909Z Dec 05

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 VIENNA 003888 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR INL AND EUR/AGS 
JUSTICE FOR OAI, AFMLS, AND NDDS 
TREASURY FOR FINCEN 
DEA FOR OILS AND OFFICE OF DIVERSION CONTROL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA: 2005 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL 
STRATEGY REPORT (INCSR) 
 
REF:  STATE 209561 
 
RESPONSES BELOW ARE KEYED TO REFTEL INSTRUCTIONS: 
 
NOTE: THE INCSR'S MONEY LAUNDERING SECTION WILL BE SENT 
SEPTEL. 
 
¶I. Summary 
---------- 
Austria primarily serves as a transit country for drug 
trafficking along major trans-European routes.  Foreign 
criminal groups from former East Bloc countries, Turkey, 
West Africa, and Central and South America dominate the 
organized drug trafficking scene.  Drug consumption in 
Austria is well below west European levels and authorities 
do not consider it to be a severe problem.  Production, 
cultivation and trafficking by Austrian nationals remain 
insignificant.  The number of drug users is estimated at 
between 15,000 to 20,000 - equaling fewer than 2 addicts per 
1,000 inhabitants.  According to a 2005 study, there is a 
lifetime prevalence of drug abuse, primarily cannabis, of 
approximately 25 percent, according to the Austrian 
respondents. 
 
Cooperation with U.S. authorities continued to be 
outstanding during 2005.  It led to significant seizures, 
frequently involving multiple countries, and a series of 
bilateral initiatives.  The March 2005 visit of U.S. Drug 
Czar John Walters to Austria, the autumn 2005 visits of 
Interior Minister Prokop and Justice Minster Gastinger to 
Washington, and Chancellor Schuessel's December 2005 meeting 
with President Bush underscore the close bilateral 
cooperation between the U.S. and Austria.  In 2005, Austria 
continued its efforts to intensify regional police 
cooperation within the "Salzburg Forum," a meeting of 
regional interior ministers.  Austria also cooperates 
closely with the Balkan countries and in the "Central Asian 
Border Security Initiative" CABSI.  Austria has been a party 
to the 1971 and 1988 UN drug conventions since 1997.  End 
summary. 
 
II. Status of country 
--------------------- 
Austria's drug situation did not see any significant change 
during 2005.  The number of drug-related deaths has 
fluctuated between 100 and 150 over the past 5 years, but a 
surge in Vienna's drug deaths earlier this year points to a 
higher-than-normal overall figure for 2005.  The number of 
drug deaths from mixed intoxication continues to rise.  The 
latest available statistics for 2004 show a 12.6 percent 
increase in drug-related offenses over 2003, for a total of 
24,528 offenses.  Of these, 535 involved psychotropic 
substances and 357 involved precursor materials. 
 
Experts estimate the number of conventional, illicit drug 
abusers at around 20,000 (0.25 percent of total population). 
The number of users of MDMA ("ecstasy") remained largely 
stable in 2005, while usage of amphetamines rose during the 
same period as these substances became increasingly 
available in non-urban areas.  According to a 2005 study, 
which the Health Ministry commissioned, approximately one 
fifth of respondents admitted to consumption of an illegal 
substance.  The respondents cited using mostly cannabis with 
"ecstasy" and amphetamines in second and third place.  Among 
young adults (ages 19-29), about 30 percent admitted "some 
experience" with cannabis at least once in their lifetime. 
According to the study, 2-4 percent of this age group had 
already used cocaine, amphetamines, and ecstasy, while three 
percent have had experience with biogenetic drugs. 
 
III. Country action against drugs in 2005 
----------------------------------------- 
Domestic policy initiatives: 
 
Throughout 2005, the Austrian government retained its "no 
tolerance" policy regarding drug traffickers, while 
continuing a policy of "therapy before punishment" for non- 
dealing drug offenders.  In a 2005 amendment, lawmakers 
expanded a 2004 law that permits police to mount 
surveillance cameras in high-crime public spaces.  This law 
also provides for the establishment of a "protection zone" 
around schools, pre-schools, and old-age homes.  The law 
entitles police to ban any person suspected of drug dealing 
within a protection zone from that area for up to 30 days. 
In reaction to intense public discomfort over an increase in 
the number of asylum seekers engaged in criminal activity, 
including drug dealing, the federal government in 2005 
enacted tighter asylum legislation and stricter citizenship 
laws. 
Following intense public debate in 2005, the government 
decided to improve quality controls and take a more 
restrictive approach regarding substitution treatment with 
retarding morphine-therapy.  Heeding a pertinent 
international agreement, Austria included the substance 
"zolpidem" in the control regime of the National Narcotics 
Act.  Adoption of substances 2C-1, 2C-T-2, 2C-T-7, and TMA-2 
into the control regime is underway. 
 
Regional/International Cooperation: 
 
Throughout 2005, Austria maintained its lead role within the 
Central Asian Border Security Initiative (CABSI) and the 
VICA (Vienna Initiative on Central Asia) project.  At the 
same time, Austria intensified efforts to cooperate with 
countries in the Balkans.  Austria hosted events such as the 
November 25, 2005 "Western Balkans Summit."  Furthermore, 
Austria continued to address drug trafficking and related 
security issues through the "Salzburg Forum" - a recurring 
ministerial-level security policy meeting which includes 
representatives from Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, 
Poland, Hungary, and Italy.  Also in 2005, Austria, together 
with Italy, continued work on a project within the United 
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for reform of the 
justice system in Afghanistan.  In 2005, Austria continued a 
project in cooperation with the UNODC, the EU, and Iran to 
establish border control checkpoints along the Afghan- 
Iranian border.  Within UNODC, Austria participates in a 
crop monitoring and alternative development plan in Peru. 
As in past years, the Austrian interior ministry dispatched 
anti-crime and drug trafficking liaison officers to Austrian 
embassies in 20 countries in Europe and the Mediterranean, 
including Russia, the Ukraine, Morocco, Syria, and Lebanon. 
 
Law enforcement efforts and accomplishments: 
 
Comprehensive seizure statistics for 2005 are not yet 
available.  Statistics for 2004 show a marked increase in 
cannabis and cocaine seizures, and a minor surge in heroin 
and amphetamine seizures.  "Ecstasy" and LSD confiscations 
remained stable at 2003 levels.  In spring 2005, for the 
first time, police confiscated "ecstasy" pills containing, 
apart from MDMA, the substances MCPP and MDHOET.  Experts 
stress that the degree of purity and concentration of 
"ecstasy," "speed," and other illegal substances has become 
increasingly volatile, representing a growing risk factor. 
 
The total street value of illicit drugs remained basically 
unchanged during 2004-2005.  One gram of cannabis sold for 
EUR 7.00 (USD 8.20); one gram of heroin for EUR 60.00 to 
95.00 (USD 70.20 - 111.10); and one gram of cocaine cost EUR 
90.00 (USD 105.30).  Amphetamines sold for EUR 20.00 (USD 
23.4) per gram, and LSD for EUR 30.00 (USD 35.10) per gram. 
 
In 2004 (figures for 2005 not yet available) authorities 
registered 21,118 seizures of drugs containing psychotropic 
substances, 35 percent more than in 2003.  The number of 
criminal cases involving precursor materials rose by 38 
percent, from 93 in 2003 to 128 in 2004.  For 2005, 
officials expect higher seizure figures for heroin and 
cocaine, and a significant reduction in seizures of ecstasy. 
 
Corruption: 
 
The GOA's public corruption laws recognize and punish the 
abuse of power by a public official.  Austria has been a 
party to the OECD anti-bribery convention since 1999. 
Austria is currently working on an amendment to broaden the 
1999 law to eliminate the tax deductibility of bribes and 
gray market payments.  There are no corruption cases pending 
that involve bribery of foreign public officials.  The 
government has not yet prosecuted any cases, which would 
test the degree of the current law's enforcement.  The U.S. 
government is not aware of the involvement of any high-level 
Austrian government officials in drug-related corruption. 
According to Transparency International, a Berlin-based 
research group, Austria ranks among the top ten least 
corrupt countries out of 159 countries in its 2005 survey. 
 
Agreements and treaties: 
 
An extradition treaty and mutual legal assistance treaty are 
in force between Austria and the U.S.  The extradition 
treaty contains a caveat that would permit Austria to 
require a formal assurance prior to extradition that the 
death penalty would not be imposed or carried out. 
 
In 2004, Austria enacted legislation to implement the EU 
council framework decision on the European arrest warrant 
and the surrender procedure between member states. 
 
Austria is a party to the 1988 UN drug convention, the 1961 
single convention on narcotic drugs and its 1972 protocol, 
and the 1971 UN convention on psychotropic substances. 
Vienna is the seat of the United Nations Office on Drugs and 
Crime (UNODC).  Austria is also a "major donor" to the 
UNODC, with an annual pledge of approximately $440,000. 
Austria ratified the UN convention against transnational 
organized crime in 2004. 
 
Cultivation: 
 
Production of illicit drugs in Austria continued to be 
marginal in 2005.  Experts note a minor rise in private, 
indoor-grown, high-quality cannabis.  Austria recorded no 
domestic cultivation of coca, opium, or cannabis in 2004 or 
¶2005. 
 
Drug flow/transit: 
 
Austria is not a source country for illicit drugs.  Illicit 
drug trade by Austrian nationals is negligible.  Foreign 
criminal groups (e.g. Kurdish clans from Turkey, Albanians, 
nationals from the former Yugoslavia, West African gangs, 
and Central and South American gangs) carry out organized 
drug trafficking in Austria.  Counternarcotics officials 
note a slight decrease in body-packing drug smuggling in 
favor of other, conventional means of transportation.  The 
illicit trade increasingly relies on Central and East 
European airports, including in Austria. 
 
Trafficking of ecstasy products (originating in the 
Netherlands) decreased slightly in 2004 from 2003.  Illicit 
trade in amphetamines and trading in cocaine increased. 
Criminal groups from Poland and Hungary were primarily 
responsible for this trade. 
 
Domestic programs (demand reduction): 
 
Austrian authorities and the public generally view drug 
addiction as a disease rather than a crime.  This is 
reflected in rather liberal drug legislation and in court 
decisions.  The center-right government made the fight 
against drug trafficking a major policy goal.  At the same 
time, the government remains committed to measures to 
prevent the social marginalization of drug addicts.  Federal 
guidelines ensure minimum quality standards for drug 
treatment facilities.  The use of heroin for therapeutic 
purposes is generally not allowed.  Demand reduction puts 
emphasis on primary prevention, drug treatment, counseling, 
and so-called "harm reduction" measures, such as needle 
exchange programs.  Ongoing challenges in demand reduction 
are the need for psychological care for drug victims and 
greater attention to older victims and to immigrants. 
 
Primary intervention starts at the pre-school level and 
continues through secondary school, apprenticeship 
institutions, and out-of-school youth programs.  The 
government and local authorities routinely sponsor 
educational campaigns both within and outside of educational 
fora.  Overall, youths in danger of addiction are primary 
targets of new treatment and care policies. 
 
Austria has syringe exchange programs in place for HIV 
prevention.  HIV prevalence rate among drug-related deaths 
slightly increased to 8 percent in 2004, while hepatitis 
prevalence rates declined.  Policies toward greater 
diversification in substitution treatment (methadone, 
prolonged-action morphine, and buprenorphine) continued. 
 
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs 
 
Bilateral Cooperation 
 
Cooperation between Austrian and U.S. authorities continued 
to be excellent in 2005.  Although Austria has no specific 
bilateral narcotics agreement with the U.S, several 
bilateral efforts exemplified this cooperation.  These 
include joint DEA and BKA (Criminal Intelligence Service) 
training at the International Law Enforcement Academy; the 
drafting of a criminal asset sharing agreement between the 
U.S. and Austria; and DEA support of a BKA plan to initiate 
Joint Investigative Teams with Balkan countries to combat 
the flow of Afghan heroin.  Austrian interior ministry 
officials continued to consult the FBI, DEA, and Department 
of Homeland Security on know-how to update criminal 
investigation structures.  The U.S. Embassy also regularly 
sponsors speaking tours of U.S. counter-narcotics experts in 
Austria. 
 
In March 2005, John Walters, Director of the Office of 
National Drug Control Policy, spoke at the UN Commission on 
Narcotic Drugs, and held bilateral meetings with Austrian 
National Drug Coordinator Franz Pietsch and other drug 
policy and treatment experts in Vienna.  Walters highlighted 
the excellent, ongoing cooperation between U.S. and Austrian 
law enforcement authorities, and he exchanged views with his 
counterparts on "harm reduction" techniques.  The October 
2005 visits to Washington by Interior Minister Prokop and 
Justice Minister Gastinger, and Chancellor Schuessel's 
meeting with President Bush in December 2005, solidified the 
close U.S.-Austrian law enforcement connection. 
 
The road ahead: 
 
The U.S. will continue to support Austrian efforts to create 
more effective tools for law enforcement.  The U.S. will 
work closely with Austria during its EU Presidency and 
within other U.S.-EU initiatives, the UN, and the OSCE.  Our 
priority will remain promoting a better understanding of 
U.S. drug policy among Austrian officials. 
 
¶V. Statistical tables not required 
 
VI. Chemical control not required 
McCAW