From International Herald Tribune on Austria

[Andrea Peto]

To all Herald Tribune Readers!


In these pages, two weeks ago, you were able to read a statement by the new Austrian federal government. It was
issued by the federal president of the Republic of Austria and signed by Mr Wolfgang Schüssel and Mr Jörg Haider as an
addendum to the coalition agreement between the Austrian People's Party [Österreichische Volkspartei, ÖVP] and the
Austrian Freedom Party [Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs, FPÖ].


We leave you to judge for yourselves just why the Austrian federal government should choose the way of a paid
advertisement to inform the general public around the world of the fundamental values and self-evident truths of any
developed democracy. Likewise we leave you to answer the question as to why Jörg Haider, governor of the federal
province of Carinthia and leader of the FPÖ, should obtain a platform financed with tax payers' money to address the
general public around the world.


We appeal to you specifically as readers of this newspaper because large sections of the Austrian population do not
support the attitudes and actions of Austria's new "centre" right government. Every day thousands of people are
demonstrating peacefully in the towns and cities of Austria in protest at the current political situation. Artists, people
engaged in the field of culture and many initiatives are organising resistance and are part of a genuine popular movement,
the like of which has not been seen in Austria since the end of the Second World War.


As you read these lines, tens of thousands of Austrians are demonstrating in Vienna against the Austrian federal
government. Their protest is directed at the persons active in the Austrian government and at the climate of political
intolerance and isolation.


We appeal to all the representatives of the international community. The protests by the European Union, Israel and
other friendly nations are a matter of great concern for all Austrians. And yet we also see these protests and the
resulting, severely restricted scope of action of the Austrian federal government as a gesture of solidarity by these
friendly nations with the movement of protest in our country. We ask you not to lessen your protest but rather to
consider Austria's political problem as a problem shared by all democratic states, within an international community that
has grown closer. Each and every sign of resistance against the Austrian government is a sign for the 73% of Austrians
who rejected the radicalisation of the political climate as they stood inside the polling booths on October 3, and for those
FPÖ voters and the bona fide voters of the ÖVP who are now beginning to think hard about the consequences of their
ballot.


We appeal to all artists who, out of an honourable and genuine conviction, are considering cancelling their trip to Austria
or have already done so. We have a great deal of understanding for these actions aimed at opposing the official Austria
with a boycott. However, spare a thought for the large majority of Austrians who have organised themselves in initiatives
and who see any such cultural activities as a means of particular significance for their resistance. Make contact with
these initiatives and support them with your art.


We appeal to all members and representatives of conservative and Christian socialist parties in all states. Talk to the members of the Austrian
People's Party about the events in Austria. Appeal to your colleagues to rectify immediately the historical error of a coalition with the FPÖ, and
grasp every single opportunity to point out that each individual politician of the ÖVP is responsible for his or her actions.


We appeal to all those who feel personally insulted and unsettled by the statements made by members of the Austrian federal government and
by politicians of the FPÖ. We appeal in particular to all those who once before have been victims of a totalitarian and inhuman system set up with
the participation of Austria and the complicity of Austrians. We cannot, alas, dispel this disquiet and take these fears from you, for your fears
are our fears. Every day that you and we have to endure the faces and voices of an official Austria that has learnt nothing from Austria's
painful past is a disgrace for our country.


We appeal to all the foreign media reporting on the events in Austria. We need your help to solve and clarify the political situation in Austria.
Inform your readers and viewers about the difficult situation in Austria with editorial contents that go beyond mere headlines. Only
comprehensive, in-depth reporting on the political situation in our country can neutralise the Austrian "Jetzt erst recht" ["now we'll show them"]
knee-jerk reaction, a reflex which in the past led to the election of Kurt Waldheim, which is grist to the FPÖ's mill and allows the ÖVP to drift even
further to the right of the political spectrum. If you wish to support us in our efforts to change the political situation, report in such away that the
demagogues and the ideologues of the right do not have any scope for action. Do not underestimate the cleverness and the persuasiveness of
the political players, report on the outcome of any such misjudgement. We appeal to you all! Support us in our resistance to the abominable
events in our homeland, from which many Austrians already feel very alienated. It is only together, with you, that we have an opportunity to halt
the dangerous trend in our country. With you together, the majority of the Austrian population is prepared to show resistance to this dangerous
situation, peacefully and lawfully. Let us together extinguish for ever the terrible face of intolerance, hatred, baiting and xenophobia. This
advertisement was privately financed by thousands of Austrians.





Dr Andrea Peto
Central European University
Budapest,  Nador u. 9
H-1051
phone: 36-1-3273192
GSM: 36-209-292519
fax: 36-1-3273191