VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHVI #1189 2591009
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 161009Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3319
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0329
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS VIENNA 001189 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR (ELDRIDGE) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL UNGA AU
SUBJECT: GOA SUPPORTS MANY U.S. PRIORITIES, SHARES ITS 
GOALS FOR THE 64TH UNGA 
 
REF: A. STATE 90254 B. VIENNA 1127 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary: In a September 14 meeting with Econ/pol 
Couns and Poloff, MFA Director for International 
Organizations Peter Huber gave the GOA's response to Ref A 
demarche on the upcoming UNGA.  Austria supported the 
non-proliferation initiative but would seek to changes to the 
draft UNSC resolution language on nuclear energy (Ref B).  On 
peacekeeping, human rights, women's issues, and the budget 
Austria mostly supported U.S. priorities and goals.  Austrian 
priorities included the protection of civilians in conflict 
zones and rule of law, themes which will come up again in 
Austria's upcoming chairmanship of the UNSC in November.  End 
summary. 
 
International Security: Focus on Nonproliferation 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶2.  (U) Though generally supportive of the U.S. initiative on 
non-proliferation issues, Austria was seeking to modify the 
resolution language on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, 
Huber said.  Because of the Austrian public's strong 
anti-nuclear power stance, the GOA had asked for changes on 
this text, and Huber noted that the USG had offered to 
mediate.  Huber said that the GOA would support using the 
wording from existing treaties and previous nonproliferation 
agreements in reference to the peaceful use of nuclear power. 
 
¶3.  (U) Based partly on its own peacekeeping experience in 
Chad, the GOA "fully supported" U.S. proposals on 
peacekeeping, particularly on peacekeepers having credible 
and achievable mandates.  Econ/Pol Counselor noted in 
particular U.S. interest in increasing the role of the police 
in protecting civilians as part of UN missions.  The 
protection of civilians would be a theme for Austria's 
chairmanship of the UNSC, Huber noted, and FM Spindelegger 
would personally a ministerial session of the Council on this 
topic in November.  On this initiative Austria was working 
with France and the UK. 
 
Austrian Priorities on Human Rights, Support on Climate Change 
--------------------------------------------- ----------------- 
 
¶4.  (U) Huber did not comment on anti-Israeli resolutions but 
said that EU member states generally opposed no-action 
motions.  Human security would be the GOA's main priority, 
including international human rights law in regards to women 
and children.  Austria proposed to highlight the importance 
of human rights by bringing the results of the Human Rights 
Council to the entire General Assembly and not only to the 
Third Committee.  Austria supported EU efforts on Burma, the 
DPRK, as well as Canadian efforts on Iran.  The EU was also 
working on a project on religious intolerance.  The GOA would 
push for ratification of the Children's Rights Convention and 
for a follow-up to the Durban conference.  In addition to its 
own resolution on IDPs, Austria would support Denmark's 
resolution on torture and Norway's resolution on human rights 
defenders, and "follow human rights in relation to 
terrorism."  On women's issues, Austria supported efforts to 
create a composite entity. 
 
¶5.  (U) Huber noted that during SYG Ban Ki-Moon's visit to 
Austria in August, the SYG was optimistic that President Hu 
Jintao's participation in the UNGA climate change conference 
meant China would productively contribute to the debate. 
 
Austria in Agreement on UN Management Priorities 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶6.  (U) Given the financial crisis, the GOA sees little room 
for increasing the UN budget, Huber remarked.  On the 
peacekeeping budget, the GOA would like to see more realistic 
mandates but given resource constraints and to help ensure 
that monies would be spent effectively. 
 
Bilateral Meetings 
------------------ 
 
¶7.  (U) Huber noted that, this year, as a non-permanent 
member of the UNSC, Austria would be busier than usual with 
bilateral meetings, possibly including a meeting between FM 
Spindelegger and the Iranian Foreign Minister, although he 
noted with regret that it appeared unlikely there would be a 
bilateral meeting with Secretary Clinton. 
EACHO