Brussels, 29/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - The bilateral sanctions imposed on Austria further to the formation of the government that included ÖVP Conservatives and the extreme right are maintained but the Fourteen have decided to entrust three independent personalities, nominated by the President of the European Court of Human Rights, to establish a report on: 1) the Austrian government's attachment to common European values, concerning, above all, minority rights, refugees and immigrants, and 2) the evolution of the political nature of Mr Haider's FPÖ.
The president of the European Court, Luzius Wildhaber, did not accept this mandate until he had obtained the Portuguese Presidency's confirmation that this mechanism was accepted not only by the Fourteen but also by Austria. In his letter of acceptance, Mr Wildhaber nonetheless specified that he will recommend to the Three Wisemen that they give in their report as soon as possible. EUROPE has reason to believe that it was this commitment on the part of the Court's President that made it possible to lift the last reservations expressed by the Austrian Chancellor, who insisted that a buffer date be set for handing over the report while some of the Fourteen remained opposed to this.
Wolfgang Schüssel announced his intention to cooperate with the Three Wisemen even though he considers this decision unsatisfactory. On the other hand, FPÖ Vice-Chancellor Susanne Riess-Passer said she ruled out any such cooperation.