AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: March 13, 2007

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SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: March 13, 2007


Tax Row Continues


1. The divisions in the governing coalition over inheritance tax
continue. People's Party (OeVP) insists on the complete abolition of
taxes on inherited wealth, but Social Democrats (SPOe) say they want
a reform of inheritance taxes, after the Constitutional Court last
week suspended laws relating to taxes on inherited property. The
People's Party has also criticised President Heinz Fischer, who says
he is in favour of retaining inheritance taxes, declaring he was
straying too far into everyday politics.
The coalition partners SPOe and OeVP continue to disagree on the
abolition of inheritance taxes, as called for by the Constitutional
Court. While OeVP finance spokesperson Guenther Stummvoll emphasized
on Austrian television that inheritance taxes would be cancelled
gradually, the SPOe's state secretary for finances Christoph
Matznetter has suggested the "super rich" should still be obliged to
contribute. Despite the disagreement, both parties emphasize the
good coalition climate, and that some key issues need to be debated.
Mass-circulation tabloid Kronen Zeitung in its lead story suggests
the probability that inheritance taxes will be axed altogether shows
that the OeVP had "tricked" the SPOe on the issue. In view of the
Conservatives' position, there is no majority in Parliament for a
potential adaptation of the respective laws, the tabloid explains.


Tough Stance on Immigration


2. The SPOe's coalition partner OeVP is adopting a tougher stance on
immigration to Austria. The party's Secretary General Hannes
Missethon emphasized that tolerance had its limits: "We have to make
clear migrants understand what we expect from them," he underscored,
explaining that people who want to live in Austria "need to speak
our language, have to be willing to work and learn to integrate."
According to centrist daily Die Presse online, the OeVP wants to
tighten the screws on immigration. Party secretary general Hannes
Missethon underscored that it "is the duty of foreigners wanting to
live in Austria to ...be able to speak German, as well as be willing
to work and to integrate," Missethon urged, speaking at a press
conference in Burgenland province's capital Eisenstadt. Thus, forced
marriages and female circumcision cannot be options in Austria, he
said, stressing that Austrian laws "have to be respected, which in
some cases may require abandoning certain traditions." Tolerance has
its limits, Missethonsays, and respect is necessary: "Immigrants
need to understand what we expect from them. There is too much talk
about their rights," the Presse quotes. In May, Missethon wants to
start visiting Vienna districts with a high percentage of foreign
residents, and "ask how they are doing," according to the daily.


Experts Analyze Terrorist Threat


3. Austrian terrorism experts are examining an internet video that
surfaced at the weekend threatening Austria and Germany if they
don't withdraw their military personnel from Afghanistan. The video
reportedly was released by a group calling itself the "Voice of the
Caliphate," said to have links to Al Qaeda. The experts are looking
into whether the tape actually originated with that organization or
with a group of imposters. The authors of the tape appear to have
comprehensive knowledge of Austria's domestic policy, which has led
analysts to speculate that the tape may even have originated here.
After an internet video surfaced on the weekend threatening Austria
and Germany with terrorist attacks unless they withdraw military
personnel from Afghanistan, Austrian experts are looking for the
message's possible authors. One of the questions emerging in the
analysis is whether the threat is genuine or the product of
"imposters" who are merely trying to spread fear and uncertainty. In
this context, Interior Minister Platter described the "strong
domestic policy context" of the message" as "interesting." Although
he does "not believe Austria is a primary target for terrorists, the
tape is being taken very seriously," Platter added. The Minister has
also ruled out removing the four Austrian soldiers stationed in
Afghanistan, as it would be "wrong to cave in." In an interview with
mass-circulation tabloid Oesterreich, Interior Ministry spokesperson
Rudolf Gollia said the "message is being taken very seriously.
However, we can only take specific measures if we get a specific
lead." Terrorist attacks "cannot be ruled out anywhere in the world.
Of course, in theory attacks are also possible in Austria," he
added.


US Working on Iraq Pullout Strategy


4. Although the Bush administration is planning to deploy a total of
26,000 additional soldiers to Iraq, the US government is
simultaneously looking at options for a withdrawal from the country.
The Pentagon has confirmed a report recently published by the Los
Angeles Times that it is working on an exit strategy, should the new
Iraq security offensive fail. It would be "irresponsible" of the
administration not to consider withdrawal plans, a White House
spokesperson quoted Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
On ORF radio's early morning news Morgenjournal, Washington
correspondent Raimind Loew comments: "The Bush administration
continues to dismiss the growing pressure from Congress to present a
definite plan for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
Vice-President Dick Cheney argues such a plan would only undermine
troop morale; moreover, America's enemies would then just have to
sit back and wait for US forces to leave, Cheney - generally
considered a hardliner - has stressed. At the same time, however,
the Pentagon has confirmed a report by the Los Angeles Times
according to which pullout plans are also being considered, should
the current deployment of additional US troops to Iraq fail to be
effective. It would be 'irresponsible' not to take alternatives into
account, a spokesperson underscored. That part of the world was
apparently allergic to foreign presence. Reportedly, though, the
Pentagon's deliberations of a potential pullout are still in the
initial stages."


ElBaradei Going to North Korea


5. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed
ElBaradei is traveling to Pyongyang to continue negotiations on
suspension of the DPRK nuclear program. During his two-day trip to
North Korea, he wants to "outline how the agreements reached in the
six-party talks can be implemented." ElBaradei's visit is considered
a test of whether Pyongyang is really prepared to fulfill its
promise to suspend its nuclear program, Austrian media say.
On ORF radio's early morning news Morgenjournal, commentator Karin
Koller says: "ElBaradei's trip to North Korea is aimed at
determining whether the country is serious about its promise to
suspend its nuclear program. Less than a month ago, North Korea
agreed to shut down its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon completely in
return for generous energy supplies and economic aid. IAEA Director
General ElBaradei now has to ascertain to what extent North Korea is
really prepared to cooperate. He hopes that after years of
estrangement his agency will again cooperate more closely with North
Korea, he said prior to his departure. Specifically, return of UN
weapons inspectors to North Korea is on the agenda. But ElBaradei is
also urging patience - perhaps the timetable for the shutdown of the
Yongbyon reactor cannot be met. The most important issue now is
rebuilding trust and getting North Korea back into the IAEA fold,
ElBaradei argues."


New Iran Sanctions Imminent?


6. Major powers on the UN Security Council appear close to an
agreement on sanctions punishing Iran for failing to give up its
uranium enrichment program. Diplomats from the five UN veto powers
have been meeting in New York and say new sanctions are likely to
include an embargo on arms exports and the extension of an asset
freeze to include more individuals and companies.
In the international dispute over Iran's nuclear ambitions, Russia
has signaled it is running out of patience with Tehran, thus further
isolating its former ally, writes ORF online news. According to
media reports, Russia is accusing Iran of trying to exploit the
traditionally good relations between the two countries in the
conflict. For Russia, however, it was not acceptable for Iran to
possess nuclear weapons or the capability to build them, a
high-ranking Russian government representative told Russian press
agencies yesterday.
McCaw