AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: September 21, 2006

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SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: September 21, 2006


Greens - BZOe TV Debate


1. Greens leader Alexander Van der Bellen and BZOe boss Peter
Westenthaler clash over immigration policy during Wednesday's
televised debate.
ORF online news notes that in last night's TV debate, Greens leader
Alexander Van der Bellen and BZOe boss Peter Westenthaler "refused
to agree on a single issue." The Greens leader dismissed the BZOe's
foreigner and immigration policy plan to force up to 300,000
non-Austrian nationals to leave the country as a "deportation
program," and as an attempt to "profit through fear." Westenthaler,
in turn, accused the Greens of being "leftist extremists hiding
behind their leader portraying himself as the absent-minded
professor."

OeVP - SPOe Debate


2. Expectations are high ahead of tonight's TV debate between the
two candidates for the chancellorship - OeVP leader Wolfgang
Schuessel and SPOe chairperson Alfred Gusenbauer. The debate will be
aired live on ORF TV channel II at 21:10 CET tonight.
Newly established Austrian daily Oesterreich labels tonight's
televised debate between OeVP leader Wolfgang Schuessel and SPOe
chairperson Alfred Gusenbauer as the "political showdown of the
candidates for the chancellorship," and the "TV highlight in the
run-up to the elections." Experts agree that the debate is "unlikely
to be as tough and confrontational" as some of the previous ones,
but it could be "Gusenbauer's final opportunity to boost his
chances." The daily analyses the two candidates' strengths and
weaknesses: The SPOe leader is "convincing when it comes to
explaining political concepts; perseveres even in long, drawn-out
campaigns; can take hits without stumbling; and is considered an
intellectual." Gusenbauer's weaknesses, according to Oesterreich are
that he is "not a charismatic speaker and politician; uses
exaggerated explanations and examples; and is not close enough to
the people." Schuessel, on the other hand, is seen as "the most
convincing speaker by far; articulates perfectly and at the right
speed; is absolutely credible; and is a strong leader." The
chancellor's weaknesses, according to the daily, are that he is
"neither spontaneous nor cordial; never lively enough; and too
inaccessible."

Bawag Indictment Complete


3. State prosecutors in Vienna are reported to have completed their
list of indictments in the Bawag case. Charges are expected to be
served next week and are expected to include investment banker
Wolfgang Floettl and former Bawag boss Helmut Elsner, ORF radio
early morning news Morgenjournal says.

GMO Rice


4. Traces of genetically modified rice of a strain not approved for
sale or consumption in Europe have been found in three rice products
imported to Austria from the US and China, says liberal daily Der
Standard.

Plassnik on Mideast


5. Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, currently attending
the UN General Assembly in New York, has urged the continuation of
the Mideast peace process. Plassnik and her German counterpart
Frank-Walter Steinmeier have urged a re-launch of the Mideast
quartet.
The EU foreign ministers met with Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas on Tuesday to discuss progress in the Palestinian government
dialogue. The EU is also planning to urge a meeting between Abbas
and Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert. In addition, Plassnik intends to
hold talks with her counterparts from Syria and Iran later this
week. However, instead of such individual initiatives, the Austrian
Foreign Minister is pushing for the reactivation of the Mideast
Quartet as a "coordination mechanism" for the region's peace
process, writes semi-official daily Wiener Zeitung. Thus, the
Quartet could not only be revived, but also be given extended
responsibilities, Plassnik believes.


Ahmadinejad at UNGA


6. The US and Iran appeared irreconcilable at the UN General
Assembly. In his address yesterday, Iran's President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad accused the United States and Britain of abusing the UN
Security Council as an instrument for threats in order to further
their own agenda.
The Iranian President also emphasized his country's right to the
peaceful use of nuclear technology. Mass-circulation daily Kurier
also quotes Ahmadinejad as attacking the US: America had "abused
nuclear technology to build atomic bombs and has a bleak record of
using them against humanity," the Iranian leader complained.
Foreign affairs writer for independent daily Der Standard Julia
Raabe comments: "In view of the issues which the world will have to
deal with in the future, a strong UN Security Council is more
necessary than ever before. Therefore Kofi Annan is right in
insisting that reform plans must not be abandoned. A democratically
organized and globally respected Security Council would put even
heads of state such as Ahmadinejad or Hugo Chavez in their place -
or at least make it more difficult for them to score points with
their populist 'we against the imperialists' slogans at the cost of
the United Nations."

Outrage over Chavez at UNGA


7. Mass-circulation tabloid Kronen Zeitung reports that Venezuela's
leader Hugo Chavez called US President George Bush "the devil" and
the US the "greatest threat for our planet" in a speech at the
United Nations General Assembly.

All Quiet in Thailand after Coup


8. The situation in Thailand is quiet following Tuesday's military
coup there. The country's King Bhumibol has meanwhile officially
declared his support for the rebels, whose leader, Gen. Sonthi
Boonyaratglin, has promised he will appoint a new prime minister
within two weeks.
Both Europe and the US have condemned Tuesday's coup in Thailand.
The Finnish Presidency of the EU demanded that military forces give
way to the democratically elected government. The White House has
meanwhile urged coup leaders to keep their promise to hold
elections. However, there was no demand for deposed Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra to be returned to power, ORF radio early morning
news Morgenjournal reports.
Foreign affairs writer for independent daily Salzburger Nachrichten
Willi Germund comments: "Thaksin has provoked his own downfall. Once
again, the old truism which holds that Thailand's Prime Ministers
are elected in the country's provinces, but are toppled by the
people of Bangkok has proved correct. This was possible through a
kind of 'feudal conspiracy' of the generals, the King, the economic
elite and a middle class that does not trust the voters in the
provinces because it holds them to have 'insufficient education.' As
long as this anti-democratic attitude does not change, there will be
no stable democracy in Thailand."
McCaw