GERMANY: BERLIN: CONDEMNATION OF AUSTRIA'S JOERG HAIDER

Описание: (31 Jan 2000) Germ/Port/Nat
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer and Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama have joined in their condemnation of Austrian nationalist leader Joerg Haider.
Speaking in Berlin, both politicians said they would take steps against Austria if Haider becomes the country's leader.
The far right leader has struck back at his foreign critics, telling European leaders to mind their own business as his Freedom Party was finalising talks with a center-right partner on a new government.
Haider told reporters in Klagenfurt that he expected negotiations with the Austrian People's Party of Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schuessel to be wrapped up soon, perhaps on Tuesday.
Both Haider and Schuessel were scheduled to discuss the coalition talks separately on Monday with President Thomas Klestil.
The prospect of Haider's party in a coalition has alarmed other European Union governments, especially those with strong far-right parties of their own.
SOUNDBITE: (German)
"The Austrian Volkspartei will be bled white by Haider. This aim is quite obvious. Mr Haider wants to have the most powerful party and to become chancellor. All these issues could lead to bigger worries. It is the first time that we have such a situation in Europe. I hope that Wolfgang Schuessel realises that this could be a very big mistake unless he turns back now, anything is possible."
SUPER CAPTION: Joschka Fischer, German Foreign Minister
SOUNDBITE (Portuguese)
"We are in a process right now where the Austrian government has not yet been formed. We want to express our disapproval and disappointment and that we do not agree with this situation. We want to point out that if this coalition will take place there will be consequences, consequences involving the relationship of Austria with the European Union and of course with the other fourteen EU member countries."
SUPER CAPTION: Jaime Gama, Foreign Minister of Portugal

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