Welcome to a new edition of evil:austria!

This edition has two main fields of emphasis: the one is about the petition for a referendum against Czech nuclear power plant Temelin, the other we'd like to call 'freedom of press not wanted'.

Then there's a request: we are once again looking for translators. If you want to help to translate evil:austria to other languages than English and Spanish, please take up contact!!!

Once again, for newcomers, an explanation what this newsletter is about and why we produce it:

evil:austria is our monthly newsletter providing information about the situation in Austria (and regarding the consequences of FPOe/OeVP government). We decided to produce this newsletter since we realized that knowledge regarding the actual situation in Austria is not very widespread abroad. The government, after discussions about EU-"sanctions" against Austria were dropped, succeeded in removing the daily insanity from the attention of the international public. Meanwhile "sanctions" have been lifted, which almost all political groups here celebrated as a victory, and the "interest" taken in the development in Austria has decreased even more. The "normalisation" of the right-wing/right-extreme government continues, and therefore information about the aggravation of the situation in Austria is even more important. It is therefore highly desired that you spread this newsletter as widely as possible, so that as many people as possible get to know about the situation in Austria. So please spread, spread, spread this. Of course you may also use this material (also in excerpts) for magazines and papers, but we would be glad if you sent us a short mail in this case.

Any criticism and comments please send to (if possible, please write in German and English):

raw@raw.at

Have fun!

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ;begin content >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

****************************************************************
[1] The sympathies of Mr and Ms Joe Austrian
****************************************************************
[2] VETO against Czechia joining EU...
****************************************************************
[3] Are politicians able to tell the truth?
****************************************************************
[4] Anti-nuclear resistance a la Austria....
****************************************************************
[5] Boehmdorfer carefully choses employees
****************************************************************
[6] Bad times for equal treatment
****************************************************************
[7] Who's in charge of the TV station? (1)
****************************************************************
[8] Who's in charge of the TV station? (2)
****************************************************************
[9] Freedom of the press?
****************************************************************
[10] Historic revisionism demanded
****************************************************************
[11] About 'alternatives' to the present governing coalition
****************************************************************
[12] Drug-dealers, one and all
****************************************************************
[13] Marcus Omofuma killed against the law
****************************************************************
[14] Final moments of the informers' affair
****************************************************************
[15] Charges out regarding WEF summit in Salzburg
****************************************************************

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ;end content >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

****************************************************************
[1] The sympathies of Mr and Ms Joe Austrian
****************************************************************

Opinion polls meant to establish the terms most liked and most hated among Austrians. The results did not come as a surprise: far on top leading the list of most liked terms is 'security', 'homeland', 'order', 'stability', and 'work'. On the other hand, there was a wide rejection of terms like 'labour action', 'Islamism' and (EU) 'Eastern extention'. Even more disliked than these are, of course, the terms 'process of coming to terms with the past', 'renunciation of consumerism', 'globalisation' and - what else - 'foreigner'.....

(source: http://derstandard.at)

****************************************************************
[2] VETO against Czechia joining EU...
****************************************************************

until the nuclear power plant Temelin gets shut down. This is the demand of a recent petition for a referendum in Austria. It was initiated and carried by FPOe, and massively advertised for by Austria's largest daily paper 'Kronenzeitung', and it is not as much about closing down Temelin, but far more about setting in scene a veto against the EU Eastern extention, especially in the case of those states which possess valid laws, preferably dating 1945 or after, to expropriate and displace German National Socialists, in the case of Czechia the so-called Benes-decrees.

The result of the petition so far were slightly more than 900,000 signatures (about half of the FPOe voters of the latest elections) and caused a row within the governing coalition. Parts of the other governing party, the Christian Democrat OeVP, had spoken out against the petition in
public - and apart from using openly positive rhetoric regarding nuclear power plants, also used liberal/democratic hints at the true intentions of the initiators of the petition.

It did not take OeVP long to show what the whole affair really is about: Austrian Foreign Secretary Benita Ferrero-Waldner said in an interview there will be no way Czechia joins EU without a prior abolishment of the Benes decrees.

(source: http://derstandard.at)

****************************************************************
[3] Are politicians able to tell the truth?
****************************************************************

Shortly prior to the start of the petition, severe diplomatic disagreements occured between Austria and Czechia. The Czech prime minister and other high-ranking Czech politicians analyzed parts of the Austrian political party system, which apparently was seen as an interference in domestic affairs here. Note: only Austrians are allowed to give comments about Austrian politicians, but Austria may well prescribe 'foreign' countries their energy policies:

"The sooner Austria will get rid of Herr Haider and his post-fascist party, the better" - Czech prime minister Zeman

"Zeman is a Communist and a turn-about", and "I should feel insulted if he was going to apologize" - Haider's reply

"I'm sorry, I'm probably not a good politician because I'm not polite towards our neighbours - but as far as I'm concerned, Haider is a post-fascist." - Zeman's replique

"Haiders comments breathe the spirit of Hitler" - Cyril Svoboda, head of Czech conservatives

The Austrian government consequently protested officially in Prague because of Zeman's comments and his 'interference in internal affairs".

(source: http://derstandard.at)

****************************************************************
[4] Anti-nuclear resistance a la Austria....
****************************************************************

... of course is independent of party affiliation. That means, representatives of all parties may take part.

... is directed abroad, especially against the East. That means that consumption of nuclear power, privatizations in the energy market which sell premises to nuclear trusts etc. are of little interest. Temelin, however, is evil.

... takes place in Austria. That means: blocking the borders instead of attacking the nuclear industry. And for the small number of fines, FPOe proposes state refunds.

... means cooperation with the government. So one of the governing parties (FPOe) organized a petition against Temelin - while at the same time eagerly doing nuclear lobbying. Activists only come up with a few shouts of 'betrayal' against those who after all are part in the fight.

... is easily combined with rightwing ideas. After all, the petition is not that much against Temelin, but far more against the Benes decrees: having expropriated and deported 'German' fascists in 1945 may not be 'rewarded' with EU membership. Therefore: VETO!

... obviously is a prototype for modern 'democratic' resistance: all may contribute - to the fight against the evil in this world. Existing power relations are covered up by a symbiosis of those in power and the governed. Police batons can disappear. A 'Volks'-community in 'resistance'...

(sources: http://www.temelin.at, http://www.oekoli.cjb.net, http://www.ooen.at)

****************************************************************
[5] Boehmdorfer carefully choses employees
****************************************************************

When Minister of InJustice Boehmdorfer (FPOe) looks for a new press spokesperson, it must be someone really special: Gerald Waitz is not quite an unknown. He comes from the ranks of Tyrolean students' fraternity Brixia which, according to information provided by the Documentation Archives of Austrian Resistance, belongs to the hard-core of the nationalist and extreme right scene. According to information from the Italian General Attorney, Brixia members were also involved in terror activities in Southern Tyrol (terror attacks by the extreme right which intended to realize the reintegration of Southern Tyrol to Austria).

But this does not come as a complete surprise, since the Minister of InJustice - quite like a substantial part of the government - happens to have a fraternity background....

(source: http://www.doew.at)

****************************************************************
[6] Bad times for equal treatment
****************************************************************

Since June last year, all wymyn meaning to complain because of sexual harassment etc. with the Commission for Equal Treatment have been made to wait. Its last session took place May 31st, 2001, and the former president of the commission left last June. Only the president can call for another commission meeting, preside meetings, and write reports. Since June, about 30 cases cannot be investigated, about half of them complaints about sexual harassment on the job. Wymyn's Minister Herbert Haupt (FPOe) is in charge of appointing another president to the commission but claims he has not as yet 'had the time' to do so. He does not view this situation as 'dramatic'. Haupt apparently sees it of more importance that the situation of 'exploited' myn is taken care of since the newly introduced myn's department has been realized at highest speed. Ms Renate Csoergits, Chairperson of the organization of wymyn trade union members commented: "Bad times for equal treatment, good times for discriminators."

(Quelle: http://derstandard.at)

****************************************************************
[7] Who's in charge of the TV station? (1)
****************************************************************

During 2001, more than 80% of the broadcasting time of ORF newsshow presented myn (according to a Mediawatch inquiry). Among the wymyn who were 'allowed' to make appearances, FPOe Vice Chancellor Riess-Passer got the most attention. Officially, there is of course equality in Austria...

(source: http://derstandard.at)

****************************************************************
[8] Who's in charge of the TV station? (2)
****************************************************************

During the first weeks of the new year, Joerg Haider made it to the absolute top regarding mentions and speaking time in the three 'independent' ORF newsshows. In a comparison with 10 politicians, Haider received 29% of the entire speaking time and got 50% of the mentions.
Chancellor Schuessel made it second with 13% speaking time and 9% of the mentions.

(source: http://derstandard.at)

****************************************************************
[9] Freedom of the press?
****************************************************************

For quite some time, representatives of the state-owned TV station ORF complain about FPOe chairperson Peter Westenthaler regularly exerting quite an aggressive influence. This time, the editors decided to keep the minutes of such a phonecall from Westenthaler.

The background is that Westenthaler was asked to make an appearance in a discussion panel:

Editor: You have been informed by your secretariate already that we would like to have you in our discussion between the chairpersons of all parties; for the time being it's titled 'Between new elections and a new start'.

Westenthaler: Question - who'll be the host?

Editor: Herr Fischer

Westenthaler: Then I won't be coming.

Editor: But the others have already almost agreed to come.

Westenthaler: I will only make an appearance in that broadcast when the question 'Fischer' is solved.

Editor: I will pass on this info like this. Good day.

Another phonecall from party chairperson Westenthaler at the editors of 'Betrifft' at 6.44 p.m.:

Westenthaler: I take it the show won't be realized if Khol (chairperson of OeVP) and Westenthaler refuse to show up. If it's realized all the same, there will be quite a stink.

Editor: I'll pass on this info, good day.

Westenthaler meanwhile contends he was misunderstood, he said 'Trunk' instead of stink ['Stunk' in German], but he wasn't able to explain where Carinthian SPOe MP Melitta Trunk should come into this.

This very much reminds of the Vienna FPOe chairperson Hilmar Kabas who called the Austrian president a 'rogue' ['Lump' in German] and then tried to cover his behind by claiming what he really said was 'Hump' or 'Dump' - both inexistant words in the German language (more info df. evil:austria 0600)

(source: http://derstandard.at)

****************************************************************
[10] Historic revisionism demanded
****************************************************************

FPOe chairperson Peter Westenthaler once more expressed his discontent about the ORF TV programme. This time in public. During a press conference, he demanded an apology from ORF General Director Ms. Monika Lindner, for some - in his mind - 'scandalous ORF comment on the Sudeten-German' minority. What was so scandalous? In an ORF newsshow, a report had 14 seconds of historic background about the expulsion of the Sudeten-Germans from Czechia - so e.g. it mentioned the prior destruction and killing of the inhabitants of the village of Lidice (cf the entries on the petition against Temelin in this issue).

And Westenthaler did not like that. Note: in future, it is apparently upon Westenthaler himself to decide about the correctness of historical facts.

(source: http://derstandard.at)

****************************************************************
[11] About 'alternatives' to the present governing coalition
****************************************************************

The former Home Secretary of the previous SPOe/OeVP government and present mayor in the town of Purkersdorf, Karl Schloegl (SPOe), was responsible for tightening asylum rights and also attempted to bring SPOe closer to FPOe. Now he made ears go up again when he pleaded for SPOe opening itself for FPOe so that Social Democrats would have an option for possible coalitions. He now imagines a coalition since there were some 'honourable people' in the government. Being asked whether he was talking about an FPOe without Joerg Haider, Schloegl commented that an FPOe without Haider would be weaker. ...

(source: http://derstandard.at)

****************************************************************
[12] Drug-dealers, one and all
****************************************************************

The federal state of Styria, following the example set by Vienna, will not pay social benefits to asylum applicants. The reason given: This should prevent "foreign drug-dealers leaving Vienna for Styria because the situation will be better for them here". This comment was made by Styrian
chairperson of OeVP Lopatka who even added: "For me, a dozen of such cases is sufficient if this endangers hundreds of our children."

Of course, all this has got nothing to do with racism, nothing at all.

(source: http://derstandard.at)

****************************************************************
[13] Marcus Omofuma killed against the law
****************************************************************

Almost 3 years after Marcus Omofuma was killed during deportation by the acting officers choking him to death, there now was a court decision in this matter at last. The court ruled that gagging and cuffing were "against the law".

The very same court some time ago came up with the cynical decision that only the affected person - i.e. the victim Omofuma - was the one to be able to sue which was later on ruled out by the Supreme Court.

The law suit against the responsible officers, whose suspension has been taken back long ago, will now start on March 3rd.

(source: http://derstandard.at)

****************************************************************
[14] Final moments of the informers' affair
****************************************************************

FPOe wasn't very lucky about their attempts to use legal action to silence formerly FPOe-affiliated police officer Josef Kleindienst who started inquiries re the informers' affair (FPOe MPs were suspected to have bought protected personal data illegally from the police; cf several past issues
of evil:austria). Up to now, 19 of a total of 26 law suits have produced decisions supporting Kleindienst. FPOe's chances are comparably better in the main lawsuit in this matter: the General Attorney soon will have to present a decision whether this lawsuit is taken to court of dropped. But no matter which decision the General Attorney will come to, it will be subject to obtaining agreement from the Ministry of (In-)Justice presently led by FPOe-member Boehmdorfer...

At least the tax office will be very much inclined to believe Kleindienst: they now demand due tax payments on the sum of Shilling 270,000 which Kleindienst admitted to have received for passing on the information required by Vienna FPOe chairperson Hilmar Kabas and which did not get mentioned in his tax declaration. Oddly enough, this part of the lawsuit has been dropped before by the General Attorny because they believed Hilmar Kabas who denied the payment. It remains to be seen whether they will now introduce a new legal regulation demanding the payment of taxes on sums not evaded.......

(source: http://derstandard.at)

****************************************************************
[15] Charges out regarding WEF summit in Salzburg
****************************************************************

After only a few fines and some interrogations forced by police during last autumn, Salzburg police announced several charges regarding the protests against the WEF summit last July: About 80 charges for breach of the peace, severe bodily harm and/or resistance against police officers, and a further 40 charges against unknown persons have been filed by police and handed over to the General Attorney. Most of the persons charged, according to information given by police, are members of Turkish or Kurdish organizations - so e.g. a group of Turkish protesters is charged with effecting severe bodily harm of a police officers by throwing a stone
at him.

Presently there is no evidence of police also presenting charges against persons not holding a place of residence in Austria.

As a reminder: During the protests, about 900 protesters were rounded up for several hours, and 13 were arrested. There was no damage done by them, and just a single 'severely injured' police officer had lost his helmet, stumbled, and fell to the ground...

Important: effected persons please contact the Legal Team! Every Thursday in Vienna, Tel. ++43/676/7746657

(source: http://austria.indymedia.org)

****************************************************************
EPILOGUE
****************************************************************

If you do not wish to receive our newsletters any longer, please drop us a short mail to this effect. But please first make certain that you are receiving our newsletters DIRECTLY from us - otherwise please contact the friendly persons who forwarded our newsletter to you ;))))))

But of course we are much more pleased if you contact us because you want to subscribe to our newsletter. Any person who would like to receive our newsletters directly, thus making certain to receive every issue, please send us a mail and tell us to include you to our mailing list. (Again we would like to ask you to write in German or English!)

It is also simple to subscribe to our newsletter on our website (http://www.raw.at) in the field "Kontakt". Just put in your e-mail address and chose the appropriate language(s) and that's it!

See you again next month,

NO PEACE WITH AUSTRIA!!!