Cablegate: Austria Supports U.S. Priorities for New Afghan

VZCZCXRO2740
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHVI #1470 3231327
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 191327Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3610
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0338

UNCLAS VIENNA 001470

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/A

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AF AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA SUPPORTS U.S. PRIORITIES FOR NEW AFGHAN
GOVERNMENT

REF: STATE 118297

1. (SBU) Polchief discussed reftel points November 18 with
Bernhard Zimburg, MFA Director for East Asia and the Pacific,
and his deputy, Bruno Bilek. Zimburg said the GOA supports
the USG's priorities for the new Afghan Government. The GOA
agrees on the need to work with President Karzai, despite the
problems of the election. According to GOA sources, Zimburg
said, Karzai has more support among the Afghan population
than Dr. Abdullah, and would have won in a second round.
Both sides in the election committed fraud, though the media
only focused on allegations against the Karzai campaign, he
said.

2. (SBU) Zimburg added that the GOA has long advocated the
"Afghanization" of the mission, and therefore supports USG
efforts to bolster Afghanistan's security forces, political
system, and economic development. He maintained that it
could take "two generations" to establish a decent, stable
society in Afghanistan. Young Afghans should be encouraged
to re-evaluate traditional views on matters like gender
equality. The international community will need to remain
engaged throughout the process, but at a much reduced level
than at present. Success will depend on the ability to find
suitable Afghan partners who can take over the leading roles,
he said.
EACHO

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