AUSTRIA: JOERG HAIDER REACTS TO CRITICISM

(7 Feb 2000) Eng/Ger/Nat

Seeking to calm foreign concern about his personality and his party, right-wing populist Joerg Haider on Monday says he has no plans to lead Austria in the next few years

He also apologised for his past praise of the Nazi era and says that means he has acknowledged his mistakes.

Although his Freedom Party now forms half of the federal government, Haider is not actively involved.

But foreign and domestic critics fear that he will pull the strings from the sidelines, from
southern Carinthia province.

Joerg Haider summoned foreign journalists to Klagenfurt on Monday, the capital of the province of Carinthia which he governs.

His aim was to show them that Austrians and "especially members of the Freedom Party ... are good people."

He reiterated past comments made by new chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, that while Haider may be a populist, he's no Hitler.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It is stupid to imagine that the whole world is afraid of Mr Haider. He is the leader of a 27 percent party in Austria. It's unbelievable that the whole world is afraid, Mr Clinton is afraid of Mr Haider? Perhaps he is afraid that I take a competition with him at the marathon in New York, then he has to be afraid because I am much quicker than he."
SUPER CAPTION: Joerg Haider, leader of Freedom Party

Haider's far-right Freedom Party joined up with the centre-right Austrian People's Party after inconclusive elections last October.

The coalition won approval despite a wave of protests and moves by the European Union and other nations to isolate Austria diplomatically.

Anti-Haider protests have also been held within Austria, but Haider claims they're not legit.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"But I am a bit angry about some people who are part of this demonstration, especially if you look among the demonstrators, the people in the crowd, you will see that there are a lot of professional rioters who try to make, to provoke a controversial situation in Austria. It has nothing to do with the real political discussions, they only try to destabilise the political system in Austria."
SUPER CAPTION: Joerg Haider, leader of Freedom Party

Haider claims many of these people come into Austria from other countries purely to protest.

SOUNDBITE: (German)
"Had the Freedom Party supported a socialist government then the socialists would not have any problems with that in front of the international community and in front of the international socialist parties. But because we did not do that, they are making us look bad to the world."
SUPER CAPTION: Joerg Haider, leader of Freedom Party

Concern about Haider's ambiguous stance toward the Hitler era, his party's policies on immigration and opposition to European Union expansion, has led to E-U sanctions on Austria.

The United States has recalled its ambassador for consultations, while Israel has withdrawn its ambassador and forbidden Haider to visit.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I'm hopeful that in a few weeks the situation becomes calm and the Israeli government will change its opinion and we will be good friends in the future."
SUPER CAPTION: Joerg Haider, leader of Freedom Party

While Haider has not taken on a direct role in the new government, foreign and domestic critics fear that he will pull the strings from the sidelines.

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