Harry´s Blog

Herbert Kuhner

The Tenth Anniversary of the Schüssel-Haider Tandem Is Upon Us

Here They Are Taking Positions on Bygone Days:

Wolfgang Schüssel: Austria Victim not Perpetrator

Question: Does Austria consider itself as a perpetrator or victim 60 years after the war?
Wolfgang Schüssel: I believe that this question has been decided. The country (Austria) was a victim of aggression, specifically a military aggression. That was proven in the night after the occupation when thousands were arrested. If the Nazi leadership thought that all of Austria was cheering, these arrests would not have been carried out. The entire political elite was de facto cancelled out. There was resistance in all political groups. The allies recognized this…I will never permit Austria not be viewed as a victim. Our country was the first military victim of the Nazis in its identity. But I do not want to create the impression that we intend to minimize or erase the individual guilt of perpetrators in any sense
Question: Does the People’s Party intend to have post-war history researched, as the Social Democratic Party has done?
Schüssel: The entire leadership of the People’s Party (ÖVP) was in concentration camps and were victims.
- Wolfgang Schüssel, Austrian Chancellor, Neue Züricher Zeitung, Feb. 15, 2005; Austrian Federal Chancellory Online.

Otto Habsburg Comes into the Picture:

“Again and again there are shameful discussions concerning Austrians having been accomplices or victims. This makes it imperative for me to say that there is certainly no country in Europe that can more adequately describe itself as a victim than Austria!…When there’s a great commotion somewhere, many people will come to cheer. If you mention the
crowd of 60,000 at Heldenplatz (Heroes’ Square) - there are 60,000 fans at every soccer game.”
- Otto Habsburg, the Austrian Parliament Commemorates the „Anschluss”, March 11, 2008

Kurt Waldheim Presents His View:

Saying farewell to the concept of having been nothing but a victim is essential, yes that is a necessity for Austrians. It was the basis of our spiritual equilibrium after 1945, as well as for our reconstruction and our post-war identity.
- Kurier, March 5, 2006, p. 3

Jörg Haider on Our Soldiers:

“Our soldiers weren’t perpetrators. The perpetrators were elsewhere…. I have said that the Wehrmacht soldiers made democracy, as we find it today in Europe, possible. Had they not afforded resistance, had they not been in the East, had they not been in a confrontation, then we would have…  (Haider is interrupted by two astute Profil editors.)  (1)  I have stated that the struggle soldiers were engaged in helped stem the communist menace, and that is an undeniable fact.(2)   Their sacrifice must not have been in vain. Without their valor, we would not have the freedom in Western Europe that we take for granted. (3)   In these unsettling times there decent individuals with character, who stick to their beliefs despite strong opposition and remain true to them today as well. That is a good basis, my dear friends, for us younger people to inherit. (4)   Your sacrifice for the Europe of today, men and women of the military generation, should not have been in vain.(5)    It is incomprehensible to me that our grandfathers and fathers should have been criminals… I espouse this generation, the dead as well as the living. (6)  The Third Reich had managed to implement a competent employment policy.” (7)

Haider on Milivoj Ašner, No. 4 on Interpol’s Nazi war criminal wanted list:
“He’s lived peacefully among us for years, and he should be able to live out the twilight of his life with us. For years he has been a peaceful citizen of Carinthia. We value his presence among us greatly….This is a nice family. We really treasure this family.” (8)

Haider on Winston Churchill in Falter, Sept. 23, 1999:
Florian Klenk, Falter: “You once said that the most revolting figures in history are Churchill and Stalin. Why didn’t you mention Hitler?”
Haider: “I did once mention him in an interview, so there you are.”
Klenk: “Would he also be included?”
Haider: “I must admit when I consider the three of them, the choice is difficult.”

Haider Praised by (Almost) All.

Wolfgang Schüssel, Conservative Club Chairman:
A very talented politician with body and soul. Haider was a dedicated politician for social affairs who pursued his aims with passion and tenacity, and he had the ability to listen and who felt affinity for the people and manifested this.

Alfred Gusenbauer: Former Austrian (Social Democratic) Chancellor and Candidate for EU Commissioner: From the Funeral Oration for Jörg Haider, Oct. 18, 2008:

“I pay my respects and express my admiration in spite of all our political differences. I am convinced that he always wanted to do what was best for his homeland as well as for (the Province of) Carinthia…. He was a remarkable person and one should pay tribute to him….Jörg Haider, you had great ambitions and your achievements are considerable. And there are many - many who are grateful to you”

Heinz Fischer, the Social Democratic President of Austria:
Haider’s death was a human tragedy. He was a politician with great talents.

Alexander Van der Bellen, former Green Party Chief:
Haider was an exceptional politician, capable of influencing and inspiring people.

Karl-Heinz Grasser, former Freedom Party Minister of Finance:
Austria has lost a fantastic person and great governor, one of the must fascinating politicians, who exerted a significant influence in Austria for many years like no one else.

Barbara Prammer, Social Democratic President of the Austrian Parliament:
I acknowledge and appreciate Haider’s great political achievements. He helped shape Austria’s political landscape over the decades. Haider’s death should remind us politicians that in spite of the intensity of political differences, respect for the human being must be maintained.

Wilhelm Molterer, former Conservative Vice Chancellor:
Haider hadn’t minced his words, and therefore deserves great respect.

Gabi Burgstaller, Social Democratic Governor of Salzburg:
Austria has lost one of the greatest political talents of the last decades. Jörg Haider concentrated his efforts primarily on behalf of the human being, as far as social questions are concerned.

Erwin Pröll, Conservative Governor of Lower Austria:
I have deep respect for him. Haider has often brought much relevant competence to provincial politics, sometimes polarizing a great deal. However, there’s no denying Haider’s outstanding political talents.

Franz Voves Social Democratic Governor of Styria:
“One of the most charismatic personalities in Austrian politics - a highly-regarded governor-colleague, who in recent years made great efforts for the southern part of Austria with much success.

Martin Bartenstein, Conservative Minister for the Economy:
Haider’s significant achievements are due to his unusual talent as well as great personal efforts.

Günther Platter, Conservative Governor of Tyrol:
Jörg Haider was one of the most influential political figures of the last decades for Austria as well as Carinthia.

Andrea Kdolsky, former Conservative Minister of Health:
He was an exceptional politician. His death leaves a great gap in the political landscape of Austria.

Susanne Riess-Passer, Former Freedom Party Vice-Chancellor:
Haider stood for politics with passion, but not only major politics. Contact with people made him happy, and that made people love him so much. He had the ability to listen and was interested in what people had to say. He will never be forgotten

Josef Cap, Social Democratic Party Chairman
Way Back in 1989:
Cap: Haider is a gifted opportunist, and thus capable of changing.
Kurier: Does that mean that he’s no longer taboo for the SPÖ.
Cap: That’s right. (9)

* * *

(1)  Profil, No. 34, August 21, 1995.
(2)  Die Gemeinde, Feb. 1, 1993, Jörg Haider interviewed by Karl Pfeifer; broadcast by Kol Israel, The Israeli Broadcasting System, January 22, 1993.
(3)  Kärntner Nachrichten, Oct. 10, 1985.
(4)  Jörg Haider to veterans of the SS in Krumpendorf, Carinthia, 1995.
(5)  Jörg Haider, speech at Ulrichberg, Carinthia, October 7, 1990: Profil, No. 34, August 21, 1995.
(6)  Kärntner Nachrichten, Nov. 6, 1986.
(7)  Carinthian State Parliment, June 13, 1991.
(8)  kaernten.orf.a, June 18, 2008
(9)  Kurier, Aug. 4, 1989, p. 2.