H. Res. 429

In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

April 3, 2000.

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
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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 14 other member states of the European Union,

Canada, Norway, and other countries which have ex-
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pressed 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.

Attest:

Clerk.