H. Res. 429
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
April 3, 2000.
Whereas the extremist, racist, and xenophobic FPO has en-
tered 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 discour-
age ethnic hatred in the republics of the former Yugo-
slavia and elsewhere, the FPO shamelessly appealed to
racist sentiment and based its political campaign on rac-
ism and xenophobia;
Whereas in the past Joerg Haider and his party have ex-
pressed 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 elec-
tion, 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 participa-
tion 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 offi-
cials 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 Govern-
ment of Austria to express concern for Austria’s contin-
ued 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 cir-
cumstances so warrant; and
(8) directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy
of this resolution to the Secretary of State with the re-
quest that it be forwarded to the President of Austria.
Attest:
Clerk.