TIME EUROPE
July 17, 2000 VOL. 156 NO. 3
The Haider Effect
Isolated and angry over diplomatic sanctions, Austria threatens to raise the stakes on E.U. enlargement
By ANGELA LEUKER Vienna
Austrian chancellor wolfgang Schüssel is caught in a trap. Committed to European unity, he finds himself in the position of threatening the European Union. Never mind that the trap is of his own making — a direct consequence of his political partnership with the Freedom Party formerly led by Jörg Haider. To try to bring his country out of the humiliating political isolation imposed by its 14 E.U. partners in February because of that relationship, Schüssel last week raised the stakes. Apparently capitulating to Freedom Party demands, he announced that if progress was not made on lifting E.U. diplomatic sanctions against Austria, his government would hold a referendum later this year to seek public support to use "all suitable means" to end them.
Schüssel was at pains to point out that nothing in the proposed six questions to be put to the referendum will seek approval for Austria to block E.U. decisions that require unanimity — such as letting more countries join the Union. But Haider has repeatedly warned that Austria could and would veto E.U. legislation if the isolation looks set to continue.
The referendum appears to many in Brussels as both hostile and counterproductive. E.U. external relations Commissioner Chris Patten was quoted as saying, "I don't think the Austrian government have helped themselves. The decision to have the referendum is depressing."
Although denying that the referendum was about a veto, Schüssel did earlier hint at a tougher line. "If the E.U. states' sanctions against Austria continue, this threatens to poison progress on the work of the Union from within," he said. His attitude stems from being unable to initiate a thaw in relations during Portugal's presidency of the E.U., which ended on June 30. Instead, it was announced that a panel of "three wise men," to be appointed by the European Court of Human Rights, would observe Austria for an unstipulated period and report to the E.U. on the government's human rights commitment. It would also watch the evolving political nature of the Freedom Party, seen by the E.U. as a threat to those rights.
President Jacques Chirac of France, which now holds the rotating presidency, says the panel will set its own schedule, meaning that no lifting of sanctions can be considered yet.
With that, Schüssel allowed himself to follow the hard line approach taken by Haider, who responded to Chirac saying: "Now that France has said nothing will change during the French presidency, we say quite bluntly that nothing will move either."
When he joined the Freedom Party in a coalition government in January, Schüssel said he believed his People's Party, with its democratic traditions, could counterbalance any threat from Haider's far right tendencies. But after last week's referendum decision, many, both within and outside, were again wondering who exactly is in charge in Austria.
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July 17, 2000
COVER
The Lure of Ecstasy
The elixir best known for powering raves is an 80-year-old illegal drug. But it's showing up outside clubs too, and advocates claim it even has therapeutic benefits. Just how dangerous is it?
Rave New World
It's more than just ecstasy. The youth culture is in thrall to deejays and floats on the relentless beat of electronic music
EUROPE
Putin's Hard 100
The honeymoon's over for Russia's new leader as he battles on military, political and economic fronts
Putin's Chechnya Nightmare
The War the Kremlin Said Was Won
The Haider Effect
Isolated and angry over diplomatic sanctions, Austria threatens to raise the stakes on E.U. enlargement
That's Another Fine Mess
An underage drinking spree sees Euan Blair arrested, and his dad nursing a political hangover
Sun, Sand and Toxic Waste
For the first time ever the European Court of Justice fines an E.U. member state
Europe's Not Up in Arms
A Euro Army is the declared goal, but there's more smoke than firepower
MIDDLE EAST
Why Arafat's in a State
He wants a Palestinian nation, but fears that his people won't forgive him if he makes concessions
The Modern Mullah
One of the architects of Khomeini's revolution has become a guru of Islamic reform in Iran
AFRICA
Fatal Destiny
Experts are meeting in South Africa to combat a plague ravaging the continent — but already there are disputes over the right strategy
Death Row
Kenyans would rather not talk about the disease that is destroying lives and threatening the economy
The Cost Of Living
Pharmaceutical Companies and Drugs
A Distant Mirror
Europe's Black Death is a history lesson in human tragedy — and economic renewal
BUSINESS
Keep the Change
Turkey's government takes on the structural problems at the heart of the country's economy
The Infoanarchist
Could this 23-year-old Irish programmer begin to unravel the Web?
The Data Haven
Closely Guarded Secrets
RELIGION
The Stained Glass Ceiling
Despite stubbornly held conservative attitudes, women are claiming their place in the pulpit
DEPARTMENTS
To Our Readers
Tech Watch
World Watch
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