by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright February 9, 2000
All Rights Reserved.

lapping the European and world community in the face, Austria elected Joerg Haider’s right-wing Freedom Party to share power with the federal government. "I promise you that I shall see to it that there are no developments in our country which contradict the values of the European Union and of the international community," said Austria’s president Thomas Klestil in a televised address to the Austrian people. Reactions came fast and furious including Madeleine Albright’s decision to recall—at least temporarily—U.S. Austrian ambassador Kathryn Walt Hall. "We must speak out for standards and values of European unity," said Italian prime minister, Massimo D’Alema. Most of Europe’s civilized democracies had their hands stained with guilt over complicity with Hitler’s Third Reich. Drawing a line in the sand against genocidal racism has been Europe’s commitment since the end of WW II.

       Dredging up easily forgettable images of Europe’s Nazi past, Haider’s sympathetic remarks about the Waffen SS and Wehrmacht veterans can’t pass unnoticed. Neither can Haider’s abysmal naiveté about the impact of his incendiary remarks. His clever racial slogans seemed to whip up latent discontent among frustrated souls in the sleepy Alpine country. But what exactly are these values that Klestil intends to protect? Is he admitting that the newly elected coalition led by Haider harbors values incompatible with European norms? Do his views really hark back to Europe’s darkest hour? I don’t think so. For over 50 years, Europeans have taken enormous heat for their complicity and, yes, direct involvement in Nazi crimes against humanity.

       Without jumping the gun, Haider’s xenophobic message seems more related to political expediency than an ominous resurgence of neo-nazism. Haider’s incendiary words show racial insensitivity and pander to disenfranchised Austrians but they’re not—as some would have you believe—a regression to a distant past. Those close to Haider know his dislike of fossilized bureaucracy and also his distaste for ideology. In Haider’s view, Austrian bureaucracy has eclipsed needed reforms and democratization. Far from covering up Austria’s role in the holocaust, Haider admitted, "Austria was not only a victim of the Nazi’s but also a collaborator." He described the Holocaust as "the most appalling crime in the history of humanity." With seismographic sensitivities about racism running high, is it any wonder that outspoken individuals like Haider generate such alarm?

       While president Klestil’s reassurance does little to allay renewed fears of racism, his plea for patience is well taken. "Give the Austrian government a chance and judge it on its own work," Klestil pleaded to a televised audience. Vienna has no intention to alienating itself from the rest of the European and World community, but the world must also accept the democratic will of the Austrian people. Austrian’s haven’t celebrated their racist past, they simply embraced a leader and party whose controversial rhetoric galvanized the need for reform and won an election.

       Responding to an interview with Israel’s Yediot Aharonol—one of Israel’s most popular newspapers—Haider said, "You people don’t know me at all. I am a politician who is trying to bring about a more democratic system in Austria, which has for years suffered from outdated and undemocratic principles." Demonizing Haider—like Slobodan Milocevic—plays well in the press but doesn’t accurately characterize Haider any more than left-wing conspiracies in the U.S. pigeonhole Patrick J. Buchanan for whipping up the same kind of populist fervor. Having said this, candidates must also show sensitivity to the victims of racism, rather than exploit the legitimate yearnings of the discontent for their own political purposes. Haider’s offensive remarks have nothing to do with Austria’s guilt or innocence in during WW II.

       Haider reminds a watching world that ethnic and racial hatred exists not only in Europe but all over the world. In the Balkans, Slobodan Milosevic is far from unique. Whether it’s Kosovo or Ruby Ridge, the same loathing exists against people of color or different backgrounds. Haider’s tactics aren’t new or novel. Even in America the glories of free speech enable presidential candidates to whip up ethnic and racial intolerance. It’s certainly old and boring news to hear gifted demagogues blaming foreigners for wasting American jobs. With unemployment at record lows, that old dog just won’t hunt this time around. Whether it’s Tuscaloosa or Vienna, the same old tactics are used to score political points.

       Here in America racial insensitivity is considered among the most egregious, intolerable conduct. Violence, drugs, sexual depravity are considered far more politically correct than publicly ventilating racial bile. Private rantings are one thing, but public exposure is totally unacceptable. Just ask Atlanta Brave’s pitcher John Rocker about his recent gaffes. Few can survive racial indiscretions. Damage control can only go so far to rehabilitate individuals whose racial insensitivities get the better of them. Racial blunders draw draconian penalties—whether in high-profile murder trials or on the nightly news. Blurting out racial obscenities usually results in catastrophic damage to one’s career and social standing. And yet—to the shock of many—Austrian people rewarded Haider for exploiting racial jingo for political gain. That’s what frightens and offends so many people.

       Without burning a cross on anyone’s lawn, Haider opened another painful, festering wound. He’s guilty of showing racial insensitivity and exploiting the wrong tactics to win an election—but not racism. Political incorrectness can’t be mistaken for racism, violence or anything else. Just as the press can’t point to a single incident of actual racism by John Rocker, they can’t dig up any racist dirt on Joerg Haider other than his incendiary rhetoric and maybe family history. Overreacting to the situation, recalling ambassadors, shouting accusations, threatening boycotts, and alienating a cooperative European partner only makes matters worse. Expressing one’s concerns is a lot different than hitting the panic button.

About the Author

John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com and columnist for The Los Angeles Daily Journal. He’s director of a Los Angeles think tank specializing in human behavior, health care, political research and media consultation. He’s the author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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