[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 429 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 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 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 expressed 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.