[Pages H1645-H1648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCERNING PARTICIPATION
OF EXTREMIST FPO IN GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRIA
Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 429) expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives concerning the participation of the extremist FPO in
the Government of Austria.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 429
Whereas the extremist, racist, and xenophobic FPO has
entered into a coalition agreement and is participating in
the new Government of Austria;
Whereas the long-time-leader of the FPO, Joerg Haider,
praised Adolf Hitler's ``sound employment policy'' and called
Waffen SS veterans ``decent people with character who stuck
to their belief through the strongest headwinds'';
Whereas Joerg Haider and his party in the recent election
campaign decried the ``over-foreignization'' of Austria,
which was an expression that was coined and used by Nazi
leaders;
Whereas at a time when the European Union, the United
States, and other nations are working actively to discourage
ethnic hatred in the republics of the former Yugoslavia and
elsewhere, the FPO shamelessly appealed to racist sentiment
and based its political campaign on racism and xenophobia;
Whereas in the past Joerg Haider and his party have
expressed fundamental disagreement with the principles of
freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights, which are
the foundation of a modern, democratic, open, and tolerant
Europe and which Austria, as a member of the European Union,
is committed by treaty to uphold; and
Whereas the inclusion of the FPO in the Austrian governing
coalition serves to legitimize and encourage the extreme
right in other countries of Europe: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the right of the Austrian people to express
their political views through a democratic election, but also
reaffirms the right and the obligation of the United States
House of Representatives to express its opposition to the
anti-democratic, racist and xenophobic views that have been
expressed by Joerg Haider and other leaders of the FPO, and,
because of these publicly expressed views, to state its
opposition to the party's participation in the Austrian
Government;
(2) condemns the insulting, racist, and xenophobic
statements which have been made over many years by Joerg
Haider, the long-time leader of the FPO, and by other leaders
of the party;
(3) expresses profound regret and dismay that the FPO will
play a major role in the new Government of Austria;
(4) commends the leaders of the European Union, the
fourteen other member states of the European Union, Canada,
Norway, and other countries which have expressed their
serious concerns regarding the participation of the FPO in
the Government of Austria;
(5) calls upon the President, the Secretary of State, and
other officials and agencies of the United States Government
to emphasize to Austrian Government officials our concern
about the inclusion of any party in the Government of
Austria, including the FPO, that has been associated with
xenophobic, racist policies, and statements supportive of
Nazi-era programs;
(6) urges Members of Congress to use any meetings with
ministers and other political leaders of the Government of
Austria to express concern for Austria's continued adherence
to democratic standards and full respect for human rights;
(7) calls upon the Secretary of State to continue to
scrutinize the policies of the new Government of Austria and
to be prepared to take additional measures if circumstances
so warrant; and
(8) directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of this
resolution to the Secretary of State with the request that it
be forwarded to the President of Austria.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Wexler) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Ballenger).
Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. BALLENGER asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 429 was adopted by a voice vote by
the Committee on International Relations. It places on the record the
concern of the House about the inclusion of an extremist party in the
government of Austria, formed at the beginning of the year.
I believe this is a fair and a balanced measure and I ask my
colleagues to adopt it and also, since the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Gilman) is not here, I would insert in the Record his statement.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 429 places the House on record
regarding our concerns over the participation of the extremist Freedom
Party, the FPO, in the government of Austria that was recently formed.
The former leader and founder of the FPO, Joerg Haider has propelled
the FPO into the mainstream of Austrian politics by appealing to some
of the frustrations of Austria's people. He has also capitalized on a
large measure of dissatisfaction with the political status quo that was
represented by Austria's traditional political establishment among the
Austrian electorate.
Nevertheless, I join with the gentleman from California, Mr. Lantos
and my colleagues in condemning many of the statements that Joerg
Haider has made, his demagogic attempts to stir up resentment of
Austria's large immigrant community, and his apparent sympathies for
Austria's tragic Nazi past.
This measure is balanced. It is aimed at the government of Austria
and not at the people of Austria with many of whom I have enjoyed a
close and enduring friendship. While we are expressing our concern, we
are also withholding our final judgment with regard to the direction
that the new government of Austria will pursue. We are calling upon our
own government to make clear our concerns and to monitor Austrian
policies so that if any further action on our part becomes necessary,
we will be able to pursue it without delay.
Accordingly, I invite the support of my colleagues for H. Res. 429 so
that Austrian officials will fully understand the depth of our concern.
Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 429,
expressing the serious concerns of the United States Congress over the
participation of the extremist Freedom Party in the Government of
Austria. Unfortunately, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), who
had every intention of leading this debate, was delayed in flight.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr.
Lantos) for introducing this timely resolution. Its content echoes the
sentiment of many in the international community who are deeply
disturbed by events taking place in Austria. I know many of my
colleagues were shocked and dismayed on February 4, 2000, when we
learned that despite massive international opposition, Thomas Klestil,
Austria's President and leader of the People'S Party, swore in a new
government that included the Freedom Party, a xenophobic, right-wing
organization, led by Mr. Haider, a dangerous extremist known for
praising aspects of the Nazi era.
The participation of the Freedom Party in the new Austrian government
is deeply disturbing to all who remember recent European history. Mr.
Haider has made several statements praising Adolf Hitler's orderly
employment policies in lauding veterans of the Waffen SS as decent
people of good character who stuck to their belief through the
strongest headwinds.
Haider and the FPO campaigned on a policy of racism and xenophobia,
urging an immediate halt to the immigration in Austria due to the over
foreignization of Austria. Haider also waged a campaign to expel all
foreign workers.
In 1997, he called for one-third of all foreigners to be sent home
within 2
[[Page H1646]]
years. According to Haider, ``We take the right stand at the right time
to save Austria against the dangers of the outside.''
{time} 1500
The international community has responded strongly to the dangers
posed by Mr. Haider and his party. Fourteen European Union members have
banned bilateral contacts with Austria at the political level. They
have also agreed to oppose Austrian candidates for positions in
international organizations and have limited Austrian ambassadors to
meetings on a technical level. Israel has withdrawn its ambassador in
response to Haider's party joining the government.
The intense pressure and worldwide opposition placed on Austria
played an important role in forcing Mr. Haider to resign as Freedom
Party chairman on February 29. However, we should not be confused about
the true intentions of Mr. Haider as they relate to his control over
the Freedom Party. In his own words, Mr. Haider stressed that his move,
and I quote, ``is not a withdrawal from politics.''
Sixty years ago, Adolph Hitler followed a path of power similar to
that of Mr. Haider. He, too, played on fear and xenophobic racist
policies. Unfortunately, Austrian President Klestil's decision to
include the FOP is a victory for neo-Nazi and far-right groups all
across Europe. The president of Austria and Mr. Haider must understand
that the United States will not tolerate any government that violates
the rights of ethnic and religious minorities.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 429.
Congress must speak out wherever human rights and democracy are
threatened, as they are unfortunately today threatened in Austria.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I will vote for H. Res. 429 because I
agree that it is right and proper for this House to condemn the racist
and xenophobic statements of Jeorg Haider, who until a few weeks ago
was the leader of the Austrian Freedom Party. Mr. Haider's statements
and political activity relating to Austria's past are alarming.
Clearly, many in Austria have yet to come to grips with Austria's Nazi
past. That Haider, a governor of a province and the head of a major
political party, went to a reunion of SS veterans (and praised them) is
unforgivable and should sound alarm bells.
In some of his statements that I have read, Haider is trying to
create a moral equivalency between wartime deaths and destruction
caused by the Allies during the war, and the crimes and mass genocide
caused by Hitler and his henchmen (including many Austrians). This
mindset is delusional. It deserves the forceful condemnation contained
in this resolution, and I join the resolution's author, Mr. Lantos, who
could not be here today, in support of this resolution.
I see Haider as an Austrian version of David Duke, someone who is
hiding his respect for an historic movement that was monstrously evil.
This is obviously the result of nationalistic emotions that are totally
negative and can have serious consequences, and thus should be of
utmost concern. Yes, Haider is no Nazi. But yes, it is clear that he
has sympathy for them.
While I agree with the part of this resolution condemning Mr.
Haider's views, I am uncertain whether those views reflect the mindset
of the Austrian Freedom Party or the people who voted for them.
Furthermore, this resolution states that Haider and his party have
``expressed fundamental disagreement with the principles of freedom,
democracy, and respect for human rights.'' I don't believe the evidence
supports this charge. The reports that I have read indicate, on the
contrary, that notwithstanding the reprehensible statements of its
former leader, the Freedom Party is, in fact, a democratic party that
supports freedom; and that where and when they have been in power, they
have respected human rights.
The resolution also states that the Freedom Party has been associated
with unspecified ``xenophobic, racist policies,'' not just statements.
To the degree that that is true, then this Congress rightfully condemns
whatever those policies are. However, many of us voting for this
resolution, perhaps a majority voting for it, have no complaint with
Austria running its own immigration policy in a way it believes
consistent with the best interests of the Austrian people. Americans,
especially this Californian, are proud of America's melting pot that
includes people of every race, religion and ethnic background.
Diversity and freedom is the culture of America. If other countries,
like Austria, desire an immigration policy that maintains traditional
patterns and culture, rather than becoming a melting pot like the
United States, they have every right to immigration laws consistent
with that goal. The immigration policies advocated by the Freedom
Party, I would note, are very similar to the actual immigration laws of
Israel, Switzerland, Australia, Japan and several other democratic
countries. If it's not considered xenophobic and racist for Israel and
Japan to have such laws, then it shouldn't be considered xenophobic and
racist to propose them in Austria. Of course this resolution does not
specify which policies are xenophobic and racist. If there are such
policies, I certainly agree to condemning them.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution reaffirms that Austrian people have the
right ``to express their political views through a democratic
election.'' More than that, they have the right to choose who will
govern them, even if we disagree with the people they choose. This
House is the greatest representative body in the world. We would never
suggest that an election not determine who governs a nation.
Yes, by all means, let's condemn the horrific statements of Mr.
Haider and any racist or xenophobic policies that are part of the
Austrian Freedom Party's agenda, if such policies are part of their
agenda. But many of those voting for this resolution, again, perhaps a
majority, are not attacking Austria. In this last four decades, Austria
has had an exemplary record as far as a respect for human rights and
democratic institutions. With vicious dictatorships and corrupt regimes
abounding on this planet, it would be imprudent for this body to
condemn Austria itself. However, it is clear from the words of Mr.
Haider that a significant number have not come to grips with their
country's part involvement with one of the most monstrous evils ever to
threaten humankind. Any attempt to minimize this evil, to excuse the
inexcusable, to portray the Nazi movement and those who participated in
it, including Austrians, in any other way than despicable and bestial,
deserves America's collective condemnation.
I was visited the other day by members of the Jewish War Veterans
from my district. I am proud of them, along with the other members of
the ``Saving Private Ryan'' generation, people like my father, who
saved this world from Nazism and Japanese militarism. They then went on
to stand up to and defeat Communism. Communism and Nazism were the twin
evils of this century. To claim or imply a moral equivalency to our
brave saviors of the World War II brave saviors of the World War II
generation is an insult we will not bear. This resolution, while I
don't agree with all of it, vocalizes our outrage at such rhetoric. I
have joined with Mr. Lantos many times in the past in condemning anti-
Semitism, warning political forces in Hungary, Romania, Iran, Russia,
and elsewhere that anti-Semitism will not be tolerated. Today, I join
Mr. Lantos in condemning an Austrian political leader's reprehensible
and alarming statements minimizing the crimes and evils of the Nazis
and their army and SS storm troopers. I ask my colleagues to join in on
this condemnation.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from North
Carolina, Mr. Ballenger, for managing this bill on behalf of the
majority, and I want to thank my friend and colleague, the gentleman
from Florida, Mr. Wexler, for managing this bill on behalf of the
minority. I also want to thank our colleagues who have cosponsored this
resolution and helped bring it to the floor: Chairman Ben Gilman of New
York who cosponsored this resolution and brought it up for
consideration in the International Relations Committee; Majority Leader
Dick Armey of Texas who worked with me to bring this resolution to the
floor of the House today for consideration. This resolution has been
cosponsored by a number of our colleagues from both sides of the aisle
and both sides of the political spectrum. I appreciate their
endorsement and their strong support for the resolution.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution condemns the extremist, racist, and
xenophobic statements and positions of leaders of the FPO party of
Austria and expresses profound regret and dismay that the FPO will play
a major role in the new government of Austria.
It is most appropriate for the House of Representatives to express
our serious concern about the participation of such a political party
in the government of Austria. Austria has a difficult background, and
has had problems dealing with its legacy during World War II. Unlike
Germany, Austria never underwent the ``de-Nazification'' process that
took place in Germany after the war. Austria was treated as ``Hitler's
first victim'' when, in fact, many Austrians were perpetrators of Nazi
violence. As a young boy in neighboring Hungary, I saw the newsreels in
1938 of the Austrian people throwing flowers to German soldiers who
marched into Austria at the time of the Anschluss. I saw few signs then
that Austrians considered themselves ``victims.'' As historians have
noted, Mr. Speaker, the proportion of Austrians who were members of the
Nazi Party was higher than the proportion of Germans.
The unfortunate recent experience of the people of Austria electing
Kurt Waldheim as
[[Page H1647]]
president of the republic after his deplorable Nazi past became known
publicly, indicates the necessity and importance of dealing with
instances of extremism and racism in Austria in particular. In view of
this background, it is extremely important that the Congress make clear
to the people of Austria and to the government of Austria that
xenophobia, extremism, and racism have no place in a free and open and
democratic society.
Mr. Speaker, other countries around the world have made known their
disapproval of the inclusion of the FPO in the Austrian coalition
government, and they have taken diplomatic action against Austria. The
fourteen other member countries of the European Union--Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom--have
limited diplomatic contacts with the new Austrian Government. The
European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the Commission of the
European Union have all expressed opposition to the new government.
Similar actions showing disapproval have been taken by other democratic
countries, including Canada, Norway, and our own Administration. The
ambassador of Israel has returned to Jerusalem.
Mr. Speaker, I want to emphasize that this action by governments
throughout Europe is not inspired by narrow political considerations.
It is not simply center left governments in Europe condemning a
political party on the right. In the European Parliament, the center
right political faction, including representatives of the conservative
German Christian Democratic Party, led the fight for the resolution
condemning the participation of the FPO in the Austrian Government. The
President of the European Parliament, Madame Nicole Fontaine, who is a
member of the Center Right political faction of the European
Parliament, expressed support for the adoption of the Parliament's
resolution criticizing the FPO. The Resolution adopted by the European
Parliament was practically unanimous.
Mr. Speaker, the concern of the European Union for the consequences
of the FPO participating in the Austrian Government coalition are
valid. A country such as Austria, which is a member of a union of
European states which had adopted a common currency and which are
regulated by common economic legislation, must avoid xenophobia and
racism. Unfortunately, that is precisely the platform on which the FPO
ran its last election campaign.
A disturbing element of this extremist campaign is the position that
Joerg Haider, the former leader of the FPO, and the party itself have
sought to minimize the Holocaust and the Crimes of the Nazi Era, and
they have been remarkably public in their praise of Nazi Germany. In
the past, Haider praised Adolf Hitler's ``sound employment policy''
during a debate in the Carinthian parliament. On another occasion,
Haider called Waffen SS veterans ``decent people with character who
stuck to their belief through the strongest headwinds.'' On yet another
occasion, Haider called the Nazi death camps ``punishment camps.'' That
glibly ignores the fact that a quarter of those killed in Nazi death
camps were children, not capable of crimes. It is significant that the
FPO was the only major Austrian political party which was not
represented at the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Mauthausen
Nazi death camp a few years ago.
Mr. Speaker, I do want to make clear that the Resignation of Joerg
Haider as leader of the FPO a few weeks ago does not change the
necessity for this resolution. Haider remains the guiding light of the
party. He is still the Governor of one of Austria's most populous
provinces. The Deputy Speaker of the Austrian Parliament and a leader
of the FPO, Thomas Prinzhorn, made the following statement after
Haider's resignation: ``It is not a resignation. He [Haider] is a
provincial governor and remains our strong man.'' It is a step backward
which is necessary in order to make two solid steps forward.'' Haider's
resignation from the post of party leader does not reflect any
fundamental change whatsoever in the party's program.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this
resolution. It is important that the Congress of the United States make
a clear and unequivocal statement on the issue of a xenophobic, racist,
and extremist political party participating in the new coalition
government of Austria.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that a White Paper on Joerg Haider and the Freedom
Party (FPO) in Austria which I prepared for our colleague Dana
Rohrabacher be placed in the Record at this point. This includes an
excellent analysis by the Anti-Defamation League of Haider and FPO
policies and statements on racism and xenophobia. I think it is
important to include this material in our debate today.
White Paper: Joerg Haider and the Freedom Party of Austria--(FPO)
Reaction of the International Community--Statements by
international leaders regarding the inclusion of the FPO in
the Austrian coalition government.
israeli prime minister ehud barak
``The inclusion of an extreme right-wing party . . . in the
government of a European country such as Austria should
outrage every citizen of the free world.'' (Reuters, ``What
they said in row over Austrian Freedom Party,'' February 2,
2000)
german chancellor gerhard schroeder
``What he [Haider] said about the SS and about foreigners
expresses a kind of thinking which to me is undemocratic.''
(Reuters, ``Haider `undemocratic,' Germany's Schroeder
Says,'' February 20, 2000.)
french prime minister lionel jospin
``The ideas of the Freedom Party are contradictory to the
principles on which the European Union was founded . . . No,
Haider's party is not a National Socialist party, but it is
an extreme right-wing, xenophobic party, whose leader has in
his time paid homage to Hitler, his labour policies and the
Waffen SS.'' (Reuters, ``Jospin Says Austria Must Wake Up to
Haider `Threat,' '' February 1, 2000.)
portuguese prime minister antonio guterres
``It (the EU's sanctions against Austria) is a position
that represents a symbol and a lesson for the world. It is a
battle for the ideals of tolerance, opposition to xenophobia
and against the mistreatment of foreigners in any country.''
(Reuters, ``What they say about Austria's Haider,'' February
1, 2000.)
polish foreign minister spokesman piotr dobrowolski
``What Haider says is dangerous, xenophobic . . . It brings
back Europe's worst memories.'' (Reuters, ``What they say
about Austria's Haider,'' February 1, 2000.)
lord david russell-johnston, head of the parliamentary assembly of the
council of europe
``Haider is an opportunist who has, in the past, come often
very close to or even crossed the boundaries of acceptability
when it comes to the respect of our basic values of
democracy, human rights and tolerance.'' (Reuters, ``Council
of Europe Says Haider a Worry for Europe,'' February 2,
2000.)
American jewish committee statement
``We are certain that Americans are appalled at this
development and will consider what appropriate steps can be
taken to impress upon Austria that it cannot invite extremist
and racist groups into its new government with impunity and
without penalty.'' (American Jewish Committee, ``Austria's
Inclusion of Haider's Party in its Government Brings Deserved
International Ostracism and Isolation,'' Press Release,
February 4, 2000.)
anti-defamation league statement
``Bringing Joerg Haider and his Freedom Party into the
government is a disservice to Austria . . . It is astonishing
that a significant portion of the population is ready to
embrace a party and leadership that espouses xenophobic and
nativist positions and statements.'' (Anti-Defamation League,
``ADL Reacts to Announcement that Haider and His Xenophobic
Party May Join Austrian Government,'' Press Release, February
1, 2000.)
Joerg Haider--Anti-Immigrant Statements: Defending NAZI Policy and
Nazis
(The following is an excerpt from Joerg Haider--The Rise of
an Austrian Extreme Rightist, an Anti-Defamation League
publication dated February 2000. For the complete text, go to
http://www.adl.org/backgrounders/joerg__haider.html)
political agenda
Xenophobic and racist sentiment have permeated Haider's
political career.
anti-immigrant statements
According to Haider, immigration offers no benefits to
Austrian society. Rather, immigrants take jobs away from
Austrians and bring in crime from Africa, Eastern Europe and
elsewhere. His 1999 election campaign poster slogans include:
``Stop the foreign infiltration'' and ``Stop the abuse of
asylum.'' Posters showing Haider and his prime ministerial
candidate Thomas Prinzhorn say ``Two real Austrians.''
Other infamous Haider statements on immigrants include:
``The Africans who come here are drug dealers and they seduce
our youth,''; ``We've got the Poles who concentrate on car
theft,'' he claims. ``We've got the people from the former
Yugoslavia who are burglary experts. We've got the Turks who
are superbly organized in the heroin trade. And we've got the
Russians who are experts in blackmail and mugging.''
In February 1993, Haider and the Freedom Party launched a
twelve-point petition campaign for ending immigration and
keeping the proportion of non-German speaking children in
schools under 30%. Haider predicted he would get at least one
million signatories. In what was viewed as a major defeat,
the petition was signed by only 417,000, or 7.5% of the
population.
During the 1994 election campaign, Haider's linkage of
immigration and unemployment continued, causing the ruling
coalition to accuse Haider of manipulating public fears over
joblessness. Haider announced to Austrians ``we have to stop
immigration until unemployment is reduced to under 5
percent,'' claiming that the unemployment rate was 5.8%. The
official unemployment figure at that time was 4.4%.
[[Page H1648]]
In 1996, Haider called ``The government's so-called
integration policy a disaster. They are ready to open the
doors to another 153,000 foreigners who will take school
places, training places and flats (apartments),'' Haider
said. He continued, ``When Turkish children demand protection
money from our children at the playground, it's time to say,
this is our state,'' Haider declared.
Haider has continued to wage a xenophobic campaign to expel
foreign workers. In March 1997, Haider stated that he wants
one third of all foreigners working in Austria to be sent
home over the next two years.
According to Haider, ``We take the right stand at the right
time to save Austria against the dangers coming from
outside.''
Defending Nazi Policy and Nazis
According to his critics, despite public disclaimers and
overtures, Haider has a public record of defending the
policies of Nazi Germany and of justifying individual actions
during those years. Haider has utilized terminology
reminiscent of the Nazis, announcing, for example in October
1990 a ``final solution to the farm question.'' Upon his
election to the leadership of the Freedom Party, Haider
rejected comparisons with the German Nazi Party, saying ``The
Freedom Party is not the descendant of the National Socialist
Party. If it were, we would have an absolute majority.''
Indeed, Haider first gained international attention in
March 1986 during the controversy surrounding the return of
Walter Reder, an Austrian born former major in the Nazi SS,
who was freed by Italy from a life sentence he was serving
for his role in the mass killing of Italian civilians in
1944. For Haider, the controversy was ridiculous, as Reder
was ``a soldier who had done his duty.'' Dismissing Reder's
wartime activities, Haider stated: ``If you are going to
speak about war crimes, you should admit such crimes were
committed by all sides.''
Haider's most infamous comment came during a July 1991
debate in the Carinthia provincial parliament, when Haider,
then governor, declared: ``An orderly employment policy was
carried out in the Third Reich, which the government in
Vienna cannot manage,'' In face of a national and
international uproar, Haider apologized for his remarks, but
said ``What I said was a statement of fact: that in the Third
Reich a large number of workplaces were created through an
intensive employment policy and unemployment was thereby
eliminated.'' Haider, of course, did not mention to
particulars of Nazi labor policy, including military buildup,
slave labor, and concentration camps. Recently, Haider
defended his 1991 statement, claiming he was referring to
Nazi policy between 1933 and 1936.
In May 1992, while the government was embroiled in a
scandal involving a provincial government's decision to honor
a gathering of Waffen SS veterans, Haider defended the
decision. Haider instead accused the Interior Minister in
Parliament of engaging in ``primitive attacks'' on
``respectable'' war veterans, while turning a blind eye to
immigrant perpetrated crime.
More recently, Haider spoke out against the Austrian
government's plans to compensate 30,000 Austrian victims of
Nazi rule, including Jews, Communists and homosexuals,
claiming that Austrian victims of the allies, such as
civilians who fled Austria's occupation by US, Soviet, French
and British troops, should also be compensated. As he told an
elderly Austrian audience in April 1995, ``It is not fair if
all the money from the tax coffers goes to Israel.'' However,
when the Parliament voted in June to set up a $50 million
compensation fund, Haider voted in its favor. Still insisting
on the need for compensation for victims of the allies,
Haider explained, ``But we do not intend to be petty. Even
though you will not join us to widen the scope of the fund we
will not vote against the bill. We too want to draw a line
under a chapter we are also responsible for.''
In May 1995, the Freedom Party was the only major Austrian
political party absent from ceremonies at Mauthausen death
camp marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the
camp. Just before the anniversary, Haider had referred to
Mauthausen as a ``punishment camp,'' implying that those
interred there were criminals.
While addressing the reunion of Waffen-SS veterans, Haider
declared that the reason people opposed them was ``simply
that in this world there are decent people who have character
and who have stuck to their beliefs through the strongest
headwinds and who remained true to their convictions until
today.'' Haider's appearance at the ceremony was unknown
until days before amateur videotape of the gathering was
broadcast on German television in December 1995.
Following these revelations, Haider defended his appearance
at the event, saying: ``The Waffen SS was a part of the
Wehrmacht and hence it deserves all the honor and respect of
the army in public life.'' ``Everything I said in that video
was completely acceptable.'' ``I participated in this event
and I don't see any reason not to. While I reject National
Socialism, I certainly do not approve of the wholesale
disparagement of the older war generation. I stand by this
generation and I fight against the way it is disparaged.''
Haider claimed he did not know the Waffen SS had been branded
a criminal organization by the post-war Nuremberg war crimes
tribunal, adding: ``It doesn't interest me in the least.''
In December 1995, after viewing the video which captured
Haider addressing and mingling with former SS officers,
Austrian public prosecutors launched a criminal investigation
into Haider's comments and speech on the basis of the law
against reviving Nazism. Following the investigation by the
public prosecutor's offices, the Austrian ministry of justice
announced that it was to drop the proceedings because of
insufficient grounds.
During the parliamentary debate in July 1998 on a proposed
new law requiring applicants for Austrian citizenship to
prove knowledge of German, Franz Larfer, an MP of the Freedom
Party, used the word Umvolkung. This term was used by the
Nazis to define the forced change of the ethnic composition
of a population by immigration or compulsory transfer. This
happened in Eastern Europe during the Nazi-period leading
consequently to the annihilation of the inhabitants. The term
is comparable to the expression ethnic cleansing.
In reaction to the use of this expression, members of the
Austrian parliament booed and shouted and the session had to
be interrupted. After Heinz Fischer, the president of the
Austrian parliament, explained to Larfer the meaning of the
word, Larfer returned to the microphone apologizing for
applying it. As the media reported extensively on this
incident, Haider defended Laufer's use of this term, and
reiterated in a press conference the following day that his
colleague was right in using this expression, explaining that
the government applying a liberal immigration policy allows
for extensive ``foreign infiltration,'' which subsequently
leads to Umvolkung.
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I would first like to thank
Congressman Lantos for taking the lead on this important Resolution.
As a survivor of the horrors of the Nazi regime, he knows better than
anyone on the International Relations Committee or in this Congress the
dangers of complacency. Congressman Lantos knows that remaining silent
when hate-mongers come to power is not an option. And I thank him again
for his leadership and his dedication.
Mr. Speaker, everyone in this Congress has heard the comments made by
Jorg Haider and leaders of the Freedom Party. Comments praising
Hitler's policies. Statements praising the Waffen S.S. Assertions
consistently blaming problems in Austria, including low employment,
high taxes and the spread of disease on immigrants.
Mr. Haider's views are clear and his intentions are known. And his
attempt to apologize each time he makes an offensive statement has
grown as tiresome to me as his hateful statements. And although Mr.
Haider has resigned his position, his party, the Freedom Party, remains
in a coalition government in Austria with the People's Party. This must
not be accepted.
That is why I have joined with Congressman Lantos, Chairman Gilman,
Ranking Member Gejdenson, another survivor of the Nazi era, and a
number of my colleagues in introducing H. Res. 429. The House
International Relations Committee has passed this Resolution and it is
appropriate and necessary that the U.S. Congress put itself on record
as disapproving of such a Government.
Once again, I would like to thank Congressman Lantos for his
leadership on this pressing issue, as well as Chairman Gilman and
Ranking Member Gejdenson for their support.
I urge my colleagues to support this important Resolution.
Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger) that the
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 429.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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