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News Release

Laurie Brereton, MP

Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs

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3 February 2000

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Austria: Prospective 
Inclusion Of The Far-Right Freedom Party

In A Coalition Government

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The Shadow Minister for Foreign 
Affairs, Laurie Brereton, today called on the   Howard Government to consider suspension of ministerial 
and high-level diplomatic contact with Austria in the event that a new 
government includes the far-right Freedom Party. Austrian President 
Thomas Klestil is expected to approve the formation of a new Austrian 
Government later today.

"The prospective inclusion of Joerg Haider's 
neo-fascist Freedom Party in a coalition government will do enormous 
damage to Austria's international standing", Mr Brereton said.

"The entry of the Freedom Party into power will 
give encouragement to other extreme-right political groups in Europe 
and beyond. While internal democratic processes should be respected, 
the international community must register its disapproval of this prospective 
development in very strong terms."

"Neo-fascist and other extremist groups must 
be left in no doubt that the world community considers the politics 
of racism, intolerance and anti-Semitism to be utterly unacceptable."

In an unprecedented move, the European Union has 
foreshadowed consideration of freezing political ties with Vienna if 
the Freedom Party is allowed into power. Portugal, which currently holds 
the Presidency of the EU, has announced that Portugese President Jorge 
Sampaio will not proceed with a planned visit to Austria next month. 
The United States has warned that it will review and downgrade diplomatic 
relations. Israel has announced it will recall its Ambassador from Vienna 
in the event a coalition government is formed which includes the Freedom 
Party.

On 7 January, Foreign Minister Downer announced the 
appointment of a new Australian Ambassador to Austria, Mr Max William 
Hughes. Mr Hughes is also to be accredited as Australia's Permanent 
Representative to international organisations with headquarters in Vienna 
including the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Comprehensive 
Test Ban Treaty Organisation.

"While it would be appropriate for Mr Hughes 
to take up his important multilateral responsibilities, the Australian 
Government should reconsider proceeding with his accreditation as Ambassador 
to Austria in the event the new Austrian Government includes the Freedom 
Party", Mr Brereton said. "In such circumstances, Ministerial 
and high-level diplomatic contact with Austria should be the subject 
of immediate review."

"Foreign Minister Downer is in Brussels today 
meeting with members of the European Commission. He should make it clear 
that Australia strongly supports sending a very direct message to Austria 
that neo-fascism and racism have absolutely no place in the new century."

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jyÂ  2000-02-08Â  09:15

