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SENT BY FAX AND E-MAIL February 4, 2000
The JCPA Committee on World Jewry and International Human Rights convened via conference call yesterday to address the imminent inclusion of Joerg Haider and his Freedom Party into Austria’s government. [The new government was certified subsequent to the conference call and is expected to be sworn in today.] Committee co-chair Arthur Stern served as moderator. Background Rabbi Andrew Baker, European Affairs Director of the American Jewish Committee, opened the discussion by reminding the participants that Joerg Haider is not a new face in Austrian politics. "Rather he is someone who has managed to turn a small party of old Nazis into a serious player in mainstream Austrian politics." Despite some "missteps" by Haider, Baker asserted, the Freedom Party managed to edge out the People’s Party for the second spot in October’s parliamentary elections. Still, as recently as two weeks ago, he said, "it seemed that saner, cooler voices doing their best to keep Haider out would prevail." Unfortunately, coalition talks between the conservative People’s Party and the Social Democrats broke down, and the People’s Party turned to Haider instead. Although Haider, who serves as governor of the province of Carinthia, will not hold any official position in the government, "it is clear that he will call the shots," Baker said. He also noted that efforts have been underway to make the dangers of a coalition government of this type clear. The European Union (EU) has issued "strong condemnations" and Austrian president Klestil requested that Haider and People’s Party leader Wolfgang Schuessel sign a declaration "adhering to the principles of the EU." A copy of the declaration will be mailed to you separately. Baker maintained that, "clearly a taboo has been broken." Haider and his party have made statements that "at the least trivialize the Holocaust – and now, a strong xenophobic and racist line, combined with general dissatisfaction with the ruling parties, has created a formidable force in Austria." It is troubling, he continued, "that even if voters are not themselves anti-Semitic or racist, they seem to have no problem associating with Haider’s other supporters." The Viennese Jewish community, he told the conference call participants, is greatly troubled by recent developments. "They have steadfastly refused to meet with Haider (although not with other Freedom Party members) and have encouraged Jewish agencies around the world to deny him a platform." However, he stressed, "there is concern over how others deal with this situation." Outside criticism, which we may feel is right, Rabbi Baker said, "may inadvertently play into Haider’s agenda." In terms of Jewish organizations holding or deciding not to hold events in Austria, he explained, "the community there hopes for coordinated discussion – that includes them – before any action is taken." Asked about the internal Austrian response to Haider’s rise, Rabbi Baker noted that two-thirds of voters did not vote for Haider, and that the majority would prefer that he would not join the government. However, "as Austrian President Klestil said, this is a democratically elected government, with a big block in parliament…. There is a danger that if new elections were called [because of outside pressures] Haider could come back with an even stronger showing. The problem," Baker continued, "is not so much Haider, but the Austrian people." The conference call participants examined the response of the international community to date. There was general satisfaction with and support for the position taken by the European Union, which warned that Haider’s inclusion in the government would result in the downgrading of political contacts with Austria. [Portugal’s Prime Minister announced last night that the EU’s decision would go into effect today.] The Clinton administration has indicated that it would undertake a "reassessment of our relationship" with Austria, but no specifics have been forthcoming. [The US Ambassador was recalled over the weekend for "consultations."] Baker and others noted that discussions would take place with U.S. officials in the days ahead to flesh out policy here. Yossi Livne, Israel’s Deputy Consul in New York, reminded the group that Israel would immediately recall its ambassador to Jerusalem indefinitely if Haider or his party become a part of the government. Israel, he observed, "views positively the EU’s position of suspending bilateral contacts and withholding support for Austrian candidates in international forums." Even if we would have been alone, he asserted, "Israel will not give Haider legitimacy." Turning to action, Rabbi Baker noted that AJCommittee has sent letters to the EU and its member states supporting their stance, and is working on a letter to Austrian President Klestil expressing concern about Haider joining the government. "There are people in Austria who are as troubled as we are," he stated, "and we want them to continue to struggle. We need to support all the efforts to pressure the government." Ken Jacobson said that the ADL characterized the decision to bring Haider into the government a "sad day for Austria." However, he warned against using extreme language. "Haider is bad enough," he said, "without having to refer to him as a Nazi." The ADL is focusing on education, he said. "I’m not sure that the goals have been thought out carefully," he cautioned. The conference call participants stressed that the community should avoid turning Haider into a "Jewish issue," and given the strong response by the EU it has not been framed as such. It was also agreed that a lack of response from the Jewish community would be "glaring."
Action recommendations JCPA member agencies are encouraged to: 1. Send letters expressing support for and appreciation of the EU position to the ambassadors of EU member states in the United States. (Attached is a letter sent by the JCPA, which can serve as an exemplar, and a list of the EU ambassadors.) 2. Send a letter expressing concern about the Freedom Party’s participation in the government to the Austrian ambassador and/or consul general in your city. (Attached is the JCPA letter to Austria’s ambassador.)
The question of whether to support a boycott or the sanctioning of Austria came up. Congressman Tom Lantos has introduced a resolution in the House calling for a voluntary boycott of Austrian products and services. Most JCPA member agencies participating in the discussion indicated that they would not be prepared to support such initiatives. Avi Lyon, executive director of the Jewish Labor Committee, observed that the big fear in Austria is that there "will be a reduction in tourism from the other European states."
Additional background materials will be mailed to you in the near future. Meanwhile, please share copies of letters you send, statements by leaders in the general community, editorials and op-ed pieces by non-syndicated columnists. As always, please feel free to consult with the JCPA if you have any questions. Attached:
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