AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: October 23, 2006

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SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: October 23, 2006


OeVP: Inner-Party Criticism of Chancellor Schuessel


1. Massive criticism of OeVP party boss Wolfgang Schuessel and his
leadership style is now heard among top party officials. Franz
Fischler, formerly EU Commissioner and OeVP Minister of Agriculture,
demanded a total reform of the party and President of the Austrian
Economic Chamber Christoph Leitl called for new guidelines for the
OeVP.
Three weeks after the general elections, the OeVP is "in turmoil,"
writes liberal daily Der Standard. Former EU Commissioner Franz
Fischler complained about the party's "social indifference." He also
criticized that in his view the OeVP had turned into a "rural party
that has lost all traces of urbaneness." In addition, the
Conservatives were "not political enough" any more, and had become a
"receptacle for interest group representatives." Women, in
particular, did no longer feel at home in the party, Fischler said.

Similarly, Economics Chamber President Christoph Leitl emphasized
the OeVP needs new forms of organization, especially with regard to
getting young people on board. As a "social integration party," the
Conservatives should aim at "connecting all the socially relevant
groups," and represent these manifold dimensions, Leitl argued.
"New, ambitious goals require new, personable, faces," the Economics
Chamber boss urged.


Bishop Calls for Guaranteed Basic Income


2. Bishop Ludwig Schwarz of the diocese Linz has attempted to
position the Catholic Church in the current debate about a
state-guaranteed basic income.
The bishop of Upper Austria's capital Linz, Ludwig Schwarz, told
mass-circulation daily Kurier he considers the Social Democrats'
proposal regarding a state-guaranteed basic income a "good approach"
and "something the political parties should seriously take into
consideration," and even went a step further: According to his
suggestion, everyone, regardless of their social situation and
income, would be eligible for such a basic income. With this
proposal, the Catholic Church has overtaken the SPOe on the left,
the Kurier writes. Schwarz also pointed out that the gulf between
rich and poor in Austria has widened. He stressed that it was the
state's responsibility to assist the poor, "so that they may attain
a standard of living in accordance with human dignity."


Coalition Negotiations Continue


3. This week, the coalition negotiations between SPOe and OeVP will
tackle some of the major points of controversy between the two
parties: On Friday, the OeVP will present the latest figures on the
state's financial situation, which the SPOe had demanded information
on. Tomorrow, the committee on education will get together and
discuss such hot topics as the introduction of a comprehensive
school system for children aged 6 to 14. The SPOe wants to introduce
this system all over Austria, while the OeVP is fiercely opposed to
this idea.
Commentator Susanne Schnabl argues on ORF radio early morning news
Morgenjournal that this week's talks "could be the most significant
so far. After all, money is the issue topping the agenda: a checking
of the finances. The SPOe and the OeVP will meet on Friday, to
discuss the country's financial situation. The figures were
published last week, and according to Finance Minister Grasser, the
deficit will continue to decline and is estimated to be at 1.1
percent GNP this year. Therefore, a major negotiation round will
address the Austrian budget development until 2010 on Friday." The
sub-committees' meetings this week also "promise to be interesting
affairs," particularly the ones on social and family issues and on
education, which are going to tackle controversial issues such as
child allowances and comprehensive schools, where the SPOe and the
OeVP hold very dissimilar positions, Schnabl says: "This is where
two contrasting ideological concepts collide," and "a rapprochement
can hardly be expected."


Putin Shows Europeans Cold Shoulder


4. Russia's President Vladimir Putin has rejected EU demands for
energy guarantees.
While EU Commission President Barroso spoke of "mutual dependence"
at the informal summit meeting of heads of state and government, the
Russian President demanded changes in the energy charter, which
Moscow signed in 1994, but has never ratified, says independent
provincial daily Salzburger Nachrichten. Barroso's approach,
however, that the EU needs Russia as an energy supplier as much as
Russia needs the Europeans as an industrial customer, is misleading,
given the fact that Putin sees himself as the one calling the shots
on the issue: After all, the EU depends on Russia for about 25
percent of its oil and gas supplies. Moreover, Russia has already
demonstrated that it might play off its European customers against
China. The Europeans, though, cannot in all cases fall back on
alternatives to Russian oil and gas, which is why they are pushing
Moscow to sign the so-called energy charter, in order to avoid
similar unwelcome surprises as last winter, when Russia cut back on
gas deliveries to Europe during its conflict with Ukraine, the daily
explains.


Alleged Schedule for Iraq Puts Pressure on Bush


5. Leading members of the US Democrats have demanded that the
President reveal his alleged schedule for further procedure in Iraq
before the US Congressional elections on November 7.
The President's plan ought to contain a timeframe for the US
withdrawal from Iraq, Senator Carl Levin specified the request
towards US TV station "Fox." According to Levin, the time plan is of
great importance, because without it, the Iraqis will not do what
they must do - namely "settle their differences," ORF online news
says. Like all major Austrian media, ORF online suggests the
American voters' dissatisfaction with the development in Iraq are
the key reason for why the President and the Republican Party need
to take into account the possible loss of their majority in Congress
in November. Similarly, mass-circulation tabloid Kronen Zeitung
headlines "George Bush might face defeat at home and throughout the
world." The tabloid speculates that the mid-term elections "will not
end well for Bush - in the future, he will no longer be able to
govern without the Democrats, and will need to implement a drastic
change of course." The American people "have long lost faith in
their president," the Kronen Zeitung suggests, quoting from a recent
survey by US magazine Newsweek, according to which 54 percent say
the US-led invasion of Iraq was a mistake, and only 39 percent
believe it was the right decision.


Freeway into Space


6. A new doctrine signed by President Bush is supposed to cement US
dominance in space, at the same time, it gives the administration
the option of denying those powers that are "hostile to US
interests" access to space.
Independent provincial daily Salzburger Nachrichten writes that the
revised "National Space Policy" marks a strategic shift in US space
policy. Experts criticize the unilateralist claim that is inherent
in the new doctrine, and warn that it could lead to a militarization
of space. While experts do not deny the growing significance of
space, they warn that the Bush administration may be trying to
secure its already existing dominance in the area through military
means. In addition, the Salzburger Nachrichten writes, Washington's
approach to make sure that the US can "operate unhindered in space
in order to defend our interests there," contrasts with a number of
international agreements. The US government, however, has dismissed
criticism that with its new doctrine it is paving the way for an
arms race in space.


Celebrations Show Divisions in Hungary


7. After 50 years, the Hungarian uprising continues to divide the
Hungarian parties: The Socialists and the conservative Young
Democrats are holding separate celebrations. It is the scandal
around Prime Minister Gyurscany's admission of lies that spoils the
celebrations this year. The celebrations began on Sunday, and
Austrian President Heinz Fischer, who attended together with other
foreign dignitaries, gave a speech in the State Opera in Budapest,
calling for "consensus" in Hungary, writes centrist daily Die
Presse.
McCaw