HAIDER AT THE
DOOR,EUROPE SAYS NO!
Maybe
not everyone followed the development of the matter about Haider and the EU,
this is a summary of the situation at the moment (or better, few days ago!).
At last the European Parliament begins to hold a definitive
position towards Austria, and particularly towards its new political leader,
Joerg Haider.
At
the beginnig the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, temporized
announcing that the diplomatic relations with Austria would never be broken up.
Later the present Portuguese Presidency
belied him, pointing out that a
government including the Fpoe, Haider’s party, would imply some sanctions for
Austria.
A first action was taken by the deputies of the EPP; its leader decided that the Austrian representatives don’t have to take part in their assembly.
Well, every action can be justified, but it seems exaggerated that a whole nation is “left out” because of its political choice. The statements of the Fpoe’s leader were certainly excessive and in contrast with the principles which inspire the EU, but we need to remember that the election in Austria has been carried out regularly, and in so doing one should accept their results.
The
6th article of the Amsterdam Treaty says: ”the Union is founded on
the principles of freedom, democracy, observance of man’s rights and of the
fundamental liberties, and even more of the state of law, principles which are
common to the Nations member…”. Well, if the sanctions against Austria should
be imposed because of the outlaw of this article, we cannot blame Haider for
siding openly against the EU, because also the EU is out of law
considering this principle.
It
can never impose, directly or not, any political choice to any Nation.
There
is no interference in sanctioning a government for a violation of international
rights, even if the violation is only (?) “verbal”! But Haider has been too
“clear” and incautious!
Several
non-European Nations took part in this debate, having opinions almost univocal:
Israel called its ambassador back from Austria, and declared to be determined
to cease any relationship with the nation on charge; the United States
threatened Austria that the entrance in the government of the national-liberal
party could have drawbacked on the relationship between the two Countries.
We
can notice two different reactions, by the European and by the non-European
countries: by the European nations it’s the leader to be condemned, while by
the non-European countries it’s the party, but not the whole nation.
Between
this difference of opinions it’s hard or impossible to say which is fair and
which is wrong. We can say that maybe it’s excessive the fear for the raising
to the power of a political man who could bring nazism again and become a new leader
like Hitler; indeed the scare towards a nation which shows itself so favourable
to an extreme-right wing party can be justified.
Now
a new election in Austria could bring to the same result, as long as in Europe
it’s adopted the democratic method, but all the external pressures towards the
country, where there have already been some protests, could induce the
Austrians to think over their political decisions, and over the reason why they
are so badly considered almost all over the world.
Probably
they should realise that only fifty years have passed since the defeat of the
nazism and Hitler in Germany. And maybe they are too few to allow that the
ideas of this coalition, which have revealed themselves so catastrophic, are
now so strongly repudiated by the European Countries, can easily assume an
important role in the continental policy.
This is my opinion, what do you think about it?
Europe is ready to isolate
Austria
Written
by Dario Cazzaniga