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TAGS: OPRC KPAO AU
 
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: April 16, 2007 
 
100 Days of SPOe-OeVP Government 
 
¶1. After the first 100 days of the SPOe-OeVP coalition, all Austrian 
media present their assessments of the government's performance so 
far. One daily in its weekend issue says the Social Democrats and 
Conservatives' cooperation has been marked by "dispute, glitches, 
intrigues and petty jealousies," and compares the coalition to a 
"television sitcom." The daily notes that despite poor popularity 
ratings and criticism also from within his own party, Chancellor 
Alfred Gusenbauer remains convinced of his course. Analyzing the 
performance of cabinet ministers, the daily ranks Vice-Chancellor 
Wilhelm Molterer first, ahead of the Chancellor, and presents 
Minister for Social Affairs Erwin Buchinger of the SPOe and his OeVP 
colleague Andrea Kdolsky, the Minister for Health and Family Issues, 
as positive examples among the ministerial newcomers. 
In its weekend issue, mass-circulation daily Kurier writes about the 
SPOe-OeVP coalition's first 100 days that "conflict appears to be 
the leitmotiv" of the government. And despite the criticism, 
Chancellor Gusenbauer told the daily that "we've embarked on the 
right course. Everything we've done points in the right direction." 
Asked about the SPOe's disagreement on numerous issues with 
coalition partner OeVP and accusations that he would "cave in too 
often and too quickly" in confrontations with the Conservatives, 
Gusenbauer underscored that "we don't want to lose sight of the big 
picture," because "that is where we want to move things forward, so 
the people can benefit." Liberal daily Der Standard says that 
initially the view in Austria of the coalition government was that 
although" the Chancellor was from the SPOe, the real head of 
government was the OeVP." Now, however, this seems to have changed: 
The affair over the Eurofighter purchase is increasingly putting the 
Conservatives on the defensive. Also, ahead of a major party 
conference, internal tensions appear to be growing within the OeVP. 
Meanwhile, Gusenbauer's recent attacks and his criticism of the 
Conservatives as a "morally destitute" party have boosted his 
position within the SPOe. Finally, the Chancellor is standing up to 
his coalition partner, the Standard says. 
 
 
Eurofighter Report Due Today 
 
¶2. Tension is mounting ahead of the publication later today of the 
first part of the specialist report looking into the Eurofighter 
purchase: According to Austrian media, the analysis by legal expert 
Helmut Koziol will make clear whether payments from EADS lobbyist 
Erhard Steiniger to several persons connected with the jets' 
acquisition process including "Airchief" Eric Wolf violate the 
purchase contract and could thus provide Austrian Defense Minister 
Norbert Darabos of the SPOe with an opportunity to pull out of the 
deal. 
Ahead of the publication of the first part of an expert opinion on 
the Eurofighter purchase deal, Austrian media speculate on the 
potential repercussions the report might have. Liberal daily Der 
Standard writes that Defense Minister Darabos is negotiating a 
discount with Eurofighter producer EADS. Similarly, independent 
provincial daily Salzburger Nachrichten runs the front-page headline 
"EADS wants to cut prices in poker game over jets." And, 
mass-circulation tabloid Kronen Zeitung says that EADS is 
"cold-shouldering the government:" The jets' manufacturer has ruled 
out a cancellation of the purchase, as well as a reduction of the 
number of interceptors to be bought. The only concession the 
corporation appears to be willing to discuss is a rebate, which was 
already up for negotiation anyway. Mass-circulation tabloid 
Oesterreich argues the issue has led to a "quarrel in the 
government" and suggests the dispute over the planes is "driving a 
wedge between the SPOe and the OeVP." Meanwhile, centrist daily Die 
Presse comments that with the publication of part of the expert 
opinion, the Defense Minister will have to decide on his strategy 
towards EADS and on whether to buy "18, 12, or no interceptors at 
all." 
 
 
Climate Summit in Vienna 
 
¶3. Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer is holding a meeting today 
to debate the critical issue of climate change. Around 100 experts, 
government and opposition members and representatives of interest 
groups will gather at the Hofburg in Vienna to debate climate 
protection measures for Austria. 
Meanwhile, in its latest report published earlier this month, 
Austria's Federal Office for the Environment says greenhouse gas 
emissions have reached a record high, at over 93 million tons. The 
office says that instead of the 13 percent reduction in comparison 
to 1990 levels promised in Austria's Kyoto climate protection 
strategy, emissions had increased by 18 percent by 2005. The report 
urges that reductions must come especially in the area of traffic. 
Like several Austrian media, liberal daily Der Standard reports on 
the summit to address the problem of climate change, which 
Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer is hosting at the Hofburg today. The 
meeting has led to disagreement over the issue of traffic - one of 
the key topics up for discussion. While one expert suggested the 
only way for Austria to reach its climate goals was to "stop all 
traffic immediately," Environment Minister Josef Proell argues he 
"understands the Austrian people's need for mobility." It was 
therefore necessary, to make this mobility as harmless for the 
environment as possible, as for example by increasing the share of 
bio-fuels, Proell emphasized. 
 
 
 
 
 
Russian Opposition in Protest Marches 
 
¶4. Hundreds of anti-Kremlin demonstrators held a rally in St. 
Petersburg, a day after a protest in Moscow ended in fights and 
arrests. The participants gathered at a square in the city center on 
Sunday, but were encircled by a similar number of riot police and 
prevented from marching. Smaller groups clashed with police on their 
way home after the main demonstration, and several protestors and 
opposition leaders were arrested. Ex-chess champion Garry Kasparov 
was among 170 held in the Moscow march, but was freed several hours 
later. Austrian media point to the violence and ruthlessness with 
which Russian police is moving against the protestors, adding that 
such demonstrations are the opposition's only way to make itself 
heard under the current Russian government. 
All Austrian media report on the anti-Kremlin protests in Moscow and 
St. Petersburg at the weekend, with centrist daily Die Presse 
stating that the "Kremlin has a stranglehold over the Russian 
opposition." Those who dare protesting against President Putin these 
days can expect two things: a beating and jail time. Liberal daily 
Der Standard suggests the government's "extreme reaction to the 
demonstrations may be rooted in a deep-seated fear of even the 
faintest sign of a revolution." Commentator for the daily Eduard 
Steiner writes: "The few upright demonstrators cannot conceal the 
fact that Russia no longer has an opposition. (...) However, the 
political life and the fight of the different blocks are dead only 
according to the Western interpretation of politics. The fight does 
continue - just not very visibly, since it is being conducted from 
within between those who are pulling the strings behind high walls." 
According to mass-circulation tabloid Kronen Zeitung, "Putin is 
showing his true face." Meanwhile, commentator for independent daily 
Salzburger Nachrichten Jens P. Dorner argues that Russian politics 
is "working with the precision of a clock under President Vladimir 
Putin. Therefore, the most recent scenes from Moscow and St. 
Petersburg were not really surprising. What perhaps still horrifies 
many a Western observer, has long since become normality in the 
East. (...) Putin's everyday politics is not motivated by sudden 
hysteria in view of a democratic litmus test, but constitutes a 
long-term strategy. (...) The Kremlin regime turns away from the 
European community of values and takes pride in doing so." 
 
 
World Bank Pondering Wolfowitz' Fate 
 
¶5. Senior ministers from World Bank member governments at a meeting 
in New York have said they are greatly concerned over whether the 
bank's credibility is suffering from the scandal surrounding its 
president Paul Wolfowitz, who has come under fire for the promotion 
of his girlfriend. While the World Bank executive board has yet to 
make a decision on his appointment, Wolfowitz presented a defiant 
statement that he intends to stay. ORF radio quotes him as saying 
that he believes "in the mission of this organization, and I believe 
that I can carry it out. We need to work our way through this; the 
board is looking into the matter and we'll let them complete their 
work." 
In independent provincial daily Salzburger Nachrichten, Richard 
Wiens comments that "Wolfowitz is a lame duck." He continues: "To 
adapt the World Bank and the Monetary Fund to the changed power 
situation of the global economy is a Herculean Task which is not 
easy to accomplish for a management of integrity. It is certainly 
not a task that can be mastered by a personally crippled President. 
Since the recent revelation of his preferred treatment of his 
girlfriend, Paul Wolfowitz has shared the fate of his greatest 
patron:  Like US President George W. Bush, he is now what Americans 
call a 'lame duck.' Today, the most crucial question is no longer 
just how much money the Monetary Fund and the World Bank can give to 
the world's poorest states. There is enough capital on the 
international financial markets. Former beneficiaries are distancing 
themselves from Washington as quickly as they can. The World Bank 
lives by its credibility. An organization which demands good 
conduct, both politically and economically, from those it supports 
must set a good example. Paul Wolfowitz, who has committed himself 
to the fight against corruption, can no longer be a role model in 
this respect. If he is serious about the concerns of the World Bank 
and he wants to do it a service, he cannot stay on." 
 
 
"Cabinet Walkout" Looming in Iraq 
 
¶6. Officials close to Iraq's radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr 
have said he will withdraw his cabinet ministers from the government 
coalition today. The move is seen as an attempt to pressure Prime 
Minister Nuri Al-Maliki to draw up a timetable for US troops to 
leave Iraq. Sadr's political block has six ministers in the Iraqi 
government. Observers, however, say that while it is unlikely the 
government will crash even if al-Sadr's supporters leave the 
coalition, such a move would definitely increase tensions within the 
government, says ORF online news. 
Kilner