AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: October 16, 2006

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SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: October 16, 2006


Working towards Forming a Government


1. The second round of coalition talks for a new Austria government
will begin on Tuesday with meetings between the SPOe and the OeVP. A
daily speculates that the SPOe could make major concessions
regarding the Eurofighter deal in order to form a government with
the OeVP.
ORF radio early morning news Morgenjournal reports that the climate
between the teams of the SPOe klc,kH~VP appears to have improved
slightly, with both parties expressing their willngness to
negotiate. The question of whether the ocial Democrats and the
Conservatives address soe of the hot topics and whether progress is
madeon key issues could be a good indication of whethe a SPe-OeVP
coalition is possible, the radio arues. Meanwhile, according to
front-page report inmass-circulation tabloid Kronen Zeitung
suggeststhere is concern among some SPOe representatives te party
leadership might abandon its call for a ancellation of the
Eurofighter purchase and chane its course on the issue eventually.



More of the Same?


2. Although the option was ruled out by leading Conservative
politicians ahead of the general elections, top OeVP representatives
are now contemplating an OeVP-BZOe-FPOe coalition government.
In the face of the Conservatives' apparent lack of enthusiasm
regarding a grand coalition with the SPOe, Austrian media report on
alleged plans by the OeVP to form a coalition government with the
FPOe and its spin-off BZOe. Independent provincial daily Salzburger
Nachrichten writes that two OeVP heavyweights, Chancellor Wolfgang
Schuessel and Upper Austrian Governor Josef Puehringer, said last
weekend they do not want to rule out such a combination. Although
cooperation with the FPOe and the BZOe was not their primary choice,
Schuessel said it "remains an option" in any case, the daily
reports.


Glawischnig in Parliament


3. The Greens have nominated their deputy leader Eva Glawischnig as
third parliamentary president. Glawischnig says she considers the
position a top political position.
Liberal daily Der Standard quotes Greens leader Alexander Van der
Bellen as saying that Glawischnig is to "continue playing an
important role in Austria's domestic and foreign policy." For the
Greens, the parliamentary presidents are more than just
representational positions, he added. In addition to other
traditional Greens topics, the key issues for Glawischnig will be
women's and environmental policies, the Standard explains.


EU Summit in Finland


4. Energy policy, migration and EU relations with Russia are no the
agenda of the European Union summit in Lathi, Finland on Friday.
Behind the scenes, a struggle over future distribution of power in
the EU has begun.
According to liberal daily Der Standard, among the top issues on the
agenda at the Finland summit will be the question of who will be
calling the shots in the EU Commission in the future, and which
member states will have to do without a Commissioner. Also, the EU
countries are to discuss the individual members' voting rights at
ministerial and at summit meetings. Adaptations will be necessary
with the accession of Romania and Bulgaria, as the Treaty of Nice
envisages a reshuffling of decision structures within the EU-27.


North Korea Sanctions


5. In the dispute over its controversial nuclear program, the US
Security Council has imposed sanctions on North Korea. The North
Korean foreign minister has condemned the move as "gangster
methods."
ORF radio early morning news Morgenjournal says that the United
States is urging China to fully implement the UN sanctions imposed
on North Korea following its nuclear test last week. America's UN
ambassador John Bolton said that China had an obligation to comply
with Resolution 1718, which was passed unanimously by the Security
Council on Saturday. The sanctions include a series of measures
targeting Pyongyang's weapons and missile programs. However,
reservations persist on the Chinese side over cargo inspections.
In addition, ORF online news reports that the United States has also
reiterated its tough stance on Iran's nuclear ambitions. It has
threatened sanctions, unless Tehran makes concessions. John Bolton
stressed that in the face on the North Korea sanctions, he "hopes
that Iran is aware it may face similar isolation and restrictions as
North Korea, if it continues to pursue nuclear weapons." The five UN
veto powers and Germany are to discuss possible sanctions against
Iran later this week.


Israel President Faces Rape Charges


6. Israel's police say it has sufficient evidence to charge
President Moshe Katsav for rape illegal wiretapping, fraud, indecent
assault and sexual harassment, and have recommended he be
prosecuted.
ORF radio early morning news Morgenjournal reports that Katsav has
denied any wrongdoings, and says he is the victim of a "public
lynching." The Israeli President has rejected calls that he quit the
largely ceremonial post he has held since 2000. If charged, he would
be immune from prosecution, but he could be impeached by Parliament.
A decision on whether to press charges has to be made by the Israeli
Attorney General. ORF Jerusalem correspondent Ben Segenreich argues
nonetheless, that Katsav is "in a tight spot." Today's opening of
parliament is going to be "an indicator of the Knesset members'
positions" in the case. "Some MPs have announced they are planning
to leave the floor in protest," should Katsav appear in Parliament,
Segenreich adds.
McCaw