-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- >From TheNewRepublic {{<Begin>}} FreeRepublic.com "A Conservative News Forum" Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works. Heil Haider? - Despite EU hysteria, the controversial Austrian is no Hitler Lite Foreign Affairs Opinion (Published) Source: Toronto Sun Published: February 6, 2000 Author: Eric Margolis Posted on 02/06/2000 06:20:12 PST by Clive Europe is too convulsed by hysterical claims that Joerg Haider's conservative Freedom Party is "neo-Nazi" to even notice that Russia's born-again Communist government is slaughtering thousands of Chechen civilians and has just sown 17 million anti-personnel mines across that tiny nation. Europe's socialist parties, joined by the United States, Canada and Israel, have denounced the Austrian politician, who has now joined the ruling government coalition, as a "racist," "dangerous extremist," and a "Nazi." The European Union warns it will isolate and punish Austria. Even Salman Rushdie, that self-proclaimed martyr to free speech, surfaced long enough to demand Haider be silenced. This chorus of frenzied critics has forgotten that a basic price of democracy is having to listen to views you find distasteful or abhorrent. The eruption of anti-Haider histrionics in Europe tells us much more about the lingering strains of totalitarianism lurking in the continent's ruling socialist parties than about tiny Austria's politics. I've followed Haider's career with interest. He's handsome, affable, slickly telegenic. Haider's main problem is he speaks too plainly. Like many of his fellow Carinthian mountain folk, Haider refuses to employ the type of bland politically correct weasel-talk we are accustomed to in Canada and the U.S. As a result, he is often in hot water. Critics claim Haider is at best a dangerous extremist, at worst a Nazi, principally because of three statements he made. Crime 1: addressing a Waffen SS war veterans' convention, Haider stated that among the organization's ranks were some "decent people." The Waffen SS was not part of the SS that ran Hitler's death camps. It was a redoubtable combat outfit of 31 divisions made up of two million volunteers under tactical command of OKW, the German Army high command. Half the Waffen SS troops came from other European nations, including large numbers from France, Belgium, Holland, Spain and Scandinavia, all of whose governments are now denouncing Haider. The Waffen SS was the first pan-European army. Some Waffen SS units committed atrocities. The majority of Waffen SS, however, were courageous soldiers who fought ferociously in a bad cause. France's late President Francois Mitterrand hailed the "courage and patriotism" of Germany's soldiers in World War II, including the Waffen SS. So, let's recall, did Ronald Reagan. Crime 2: Haider opposes immigration. Indeed, he opposes extension of the EU to Eastern Europe, warning a flood of immigrants will take jobs from Austrians and swamp its overburdened social system. Austria is the first stop for economic refugees from East Europe. But opposing unchecked immigration is not inherently racist, though leftists everywhere falsely claim it is. The left always encourages immigration to acquire new supporters. There is racism in Austria, but it's directed against Africans. Crime 3: Haider made favourable remarks about Hitler's economic policies that took Germany from economic ruin to full employment and prosperity. NOT THE WHOLE STORY This is like saying Mussolini made Italy's trains run on time. True, but not the whole story. Yet no matter how successful Germany's reconstruction (accomplished by Finance Minister Schacht, not Hitler) - and it was - saying so is heresy. Italy's prime minister, Massimo D'Alema, has been Haider's most vocal European critic. What chutzpah. D'Alema, is a "modern" Communist. His Communist party is part of Italy's governing coalition. Communists, let's recall, murdered 100 million civilians last century; Hitler 12 million. According to the Euro double standard, "reformed" Communists are dandy, but anyone to the right of the moderate left must be an "extremist" or "Nazi." Austria is not a nest of Nazis. Nazism in Europe is dead, aside from a few idiot skinheads. But Europe's socialists, who now run most of the unions, governments and powerful central bureaucracies, are terrified of any rightward movement by voters. The plain-speaking Haider is backed by 30% of Austrian voters. Equally important, he says aloud what many Europeans whisper: no more immigrants, no more Big Brother in Brussels telling people what to do, what to eat, and how to think; roll back high taxes that support armies of do-nothing bureaucrats, lazy teachers, corrupt officials, and featherbedding state enterprises. The neighbouring Swiss feel the same way, and have refused to join the EU. Haider's views offend a lot of people. He has a big, often careless mouth, and has made too many off-the-cuff, questionable statements. But Haider is also right when he blasted back at critics, calling Belgium's scandal-plagued government sickeningly corrupt, and France's inept president, Jacques Chirac, a "failure." In the staid, bureaucratic world of Euro-Big Government, it's refreshing to hear some rude talk. Haider is no Hitler Lite. The European Union is violating its own charter and rules by trying to thwart the legitimate, democratic choice of Austrian voters. If this blackmail by the EU's socialists works, any future leader who disagrees with welfare statism can be branded an "extremist" and denied office. The Euro- left's red totalitarian roots are showing beneath its trendy, pink frosted curls. {{<End>}} >From TheTimes (UK) {{<Begin>}} February 5 2000 EUROPE Haider threatens to paralyse EU FROM NIGEL GLASS IN VIENNA AND MARTIN FLETCHER IN BRUSSELS Within hours of the formation of the new Austrian Government, the most right- wing in Europe since the end of the Second World War, J�rg Haider yesterday threatened to bring the European Union to a standstill by wielding the country's veto at every chance. The leader of the Freedom Party, whose place in the governing coalition has provoked protests around the world, declared that the 14 EU countries had made a serious "tactical error" in condemning the make-up of the new Government. "All the others will have to sit down at the table with us because otherwise there won't be any decisions and conclusions in Europe," he said. As riot police attempted to control thousands of demonstrators on the streets of Vienna and other Austrian cities, a grim-faced President Thomas Klestil swore in the new coalition Government, which includes six members of the Freedom Party. The US and Israel immediately withdrew their Ambassadors in protest. The 14 member states of the EU have suspended all bilateral political relations with Austria and Herr Haider's threat caused anger in Brussels. A spokesman said the European Commission regretted such "provocative statements". If he won coalition support to carry out his threat, Herr Haider could cause huge damage to the EU. As a member state, Austria enjoys a veto in many key areas. Herr Haider chose not to be in the Cabinet, but he will effectively govern via the ministries under his party's control, including Defence, Finance, Justice and Social Affairs. The People's Party leader, Wolfgang Sch�ssel, became Chancellor. His deputy is the Freedom Party MP Susanne Riess-Passer. She is famous for her clean-up of corruption in the Salzburg branch of the party, where she gained the nickname "King Cobra". The new Foreign Minister, Benita Ferrero-Waldner of the people's party, said she thought the EU members were over-reacting. She understood their concerns but asked critics to "give this government a chance". {{<End>}} A<>E<>R ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Integrity has no need of rules. -Albert Camus (1913-1960) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. -Marcel Proust + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your common sense." --Buddha + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly. -Bertrand Russell + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "Everyone has the right...to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." Universal Declaration of Human Rights + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." Ernest Hemingway + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Forwarded as information only; no endorsement to be presumed + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soap-boxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
