Brussels, 09/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - Alfred Gusenbauer, designated President of the Austrian Social Democrat Party, the SPÖ (after the resignation of Chancellor Klima) indicated to the press on Thursday that, during meetings he held in Brussels, with the European Commission and the European Parliament's Socialist Group, that he felt "a great deal of comprehension" (grosses Verständis) for his plea in favour of an end in the "race for sanctions" by the EU Member States who are penalising the Austrian people and not its government. He underlined that, especially, the Commissioners and MEPs stated they were in willing to make a clear distinction, in the "public statements" (öffentliche Aussagen) on Austria, between the government and the population, and to call for maintaining contacts "between people (unter Menschen). The EP's members of the socialist group have also accepted to take part in a "letter writing campaign" (Briefaktion) by addressing to their colleagues in the Member States (as well as to mayors and local authorities) letters underlining the need to make this distinction between government and citizens, indicated Mr. Gusenbauer. Questioned on the issues he will discuss, that day, with Romano Prodi the future leader of the Austrian opposition stated that he would also discuss with the Commission President ways to "limit the damage" that the Austrian population risks suffering following the sanctions imposed upon the government (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.3, on the press conference given by Mr. Prodi and Mr. Kestil).
While believing that the "race to sanctions" does not correspond to the spirit of solidarity that characterises European integration, especially when it prevents youth, scientific or trade exchanges and so affects civil society, Mr Gusenbauer asserted that it is "totally unrealistic" (überhaupt nicht realistisch) to believe in a rapid lifting of sanctions by the fourteen other Member States. Mr. Gusenbauer noted that in fact, we hear "on a daily basis" (täglich) from Jörg Haider and the FPÖ announcements and "sparks" (Ausbrüche) such as that the fourteen Member States cannot feel "certain" in their attitude. He continued by citing the words spoken the day before by the Carintian governor (see below) and by the Minister responsible for infrastructure Mr. Schmidt (who at first distanced himself from the "preamble" on the values the President Klestil made Mr Haider and Schüssel sign, and then expressed serious doubts over the next enlargement of the EU). Mr. Gusenbauer reproached Chancellor Schüssel for not having reacted against such declarations and asserted: "this government policy is indefensible" (ist nicht zu verteidigen). The Social democrat leader fears that this "escalation" (eskalation) will continue, as Jörg Haider is "sufficiently intelligent to understand" (klug genug) that declarations of this nature have as effect to prolong the isolation of Austria and to "continuously" (ganz bewusst) preserver in this direction, to exacerbate the nationalist feelings from which he believes to be able to benefit from politically. Mr. Gusenbauer therefore feels that the stance of the Austrian government is "completely unstable" (absolut unstabli), adding: "who governs? Schüssel or Haider? (wer regiert) a question which sooner or later, will have to be answered. According to him President Klestil who himself suffered an "affront" (affront) from Jörg Haider, should call for Mr. Schüssel to clarify the situation. He added that the most "clean" (sauberste Sol) solution would be elections, while noting that for the moment they are not being considered.
Mr. Gusenbauer recalled that as a member of the Austrian Parliament, he took part in the past in meetings of the European Parliaments constitutional committee (notable with regard to institutional reform and enlargement), and was accompanied by the SPÖ MEP Hannes Swoboda. Mr. Swoboda stated that in the present circumstances it is "incredibly important" (unhemlich wichtig) that our party has a President with a deep understanding (tiefs Verständnis) of European issues.
(During his traditional meeting on "Ash Wednesday", in Ried, Jörg Haider called, in particular, President Chirac a "pocket napoleon" and with regard to the icy attitude of Thomas Klestil during the government's swearing in ceremony on the 4 February, he said that "the President looked as if he could have been knocked over with a feather.