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TAGS: OPRC KPAO AU
 
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: May 22, 2007 
 
 
American Corner Opens in Innsbruck 
 
¶1. The Austrian Press Agency reported yesterday that US Ambassador 
to Austria Susan McCaw opened the American Corner (ACI) at Innsbruck 
University's Institute for American Studies on Monday. 
Austrian Press Agency APA reported on the opening of the American 
Corner Innsbruck, which aims at "emphasizing the positive aspects of 
the United States," according to the head of the ACI, Professor 
Gudrun Grabher. US Ambassador to Austria Susan McCaw, who attended 
the opening ceremony, praised the partnership and the excellent 
cooperation between the US government and the Innsbruck University. 
Mass-circulation tabloid Kronen Zeitung for Tyrol province also 
reported on the ACI's opening ceremony. 
 
 
 
 
Rice to Visit Vienna 
 
¶2. Astrid Harz, the spokesperson of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, 
told Austrian media that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will 
visit Vienna on May 31, where she will attend an international 
women's conference on the Middle East. The conference on "Women 
Leaders - Networking for Peace and Security in the Middle East" will 
bring together women in leadership positions from areas such as 
politics, the media, the economy and civil society. 
All major Austrian media report on the upcoming visit to Vienna of 
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Semi-official daily Wiener 
Zeitung pointed out that in addition to the Secretary of State, 
prominent conference participants will include Israeli Foreign 
Minister Tzipi Livni, and Palestinian MP Hanan Ashrawi. Condoleezza 
Rice will visit Germany, Austria and Spain on her trip to Europe in 
late may. Liberal daily Der Standard, mass-circulation provincial 
daily Kleine Zeitung, and mass-circulation tabloid Oesterreich also 
report on the international women's conference on May 31, which will 
be hostedby Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik. 
 
 
S Gives Green Light on Eurofighter Releases 
 
¶3. ustrian media report on a press statement issued b the US 
Embassy Vienna explaining that the releases rquired for the use of 
communications equipmet on board the Eurofighter interceptors have 
bee approved by the US Department of State and the Deense 
Department. The media also quote Austria's efense Minister Norbert 
Darabos, who neverthelesscontinues to insist that not all the 
necessary releases have been approved. Until then, none of the jets 
will be allowed to land in Austria, the Minister emphasized. 
All Austrian media report on the press statement that was sent out 
by the US Embassy Vienna yesterday. Semi-official daily Wiener 
Zeitung noted that the US Embassy Vienna announced that the 
"releases of the critical communications equipment for inclusion in 
Austria's newly acquired Eurofighter aircraft have been approved by 
the US Department of State and the Department of Defense." The 
equipment will "allow the Austrian Air Force to be inter-operable 
with US and NATO forces," the daily quotes the US Embassy. 
Mass-circulation tabloid Oesterreich pointed out that the government 
of Austria requested these releases in January 2007, and quoted an 
Embassy spokesperson as emphasizing that "everything has been 
approved that needed to be negotiated bilaterally between the US and 
Austria." Austrian Defense Minister Norbert Darabos nevertheless 
continues to vehemently oppose the Eurofighter, as ORF TV in its 
prime time news program Zeit im Bild I noted yesterday. Darabos 
argues that other necessary releases including the "crypto keys" 
have not yet been approved, which is why he refuses to permit the 
interceptors to land in Austria for the time being, wrote 
independent provincial daily Salzburger Nachrichten. 
 
 
Putin Visits Vienna 
 
¶4. Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in Vienna on 
Wednesday for a 24-hour official visit. Austrian police have 
announced the visit will be accompanied by massive security 
operations. Part of Vienna's city center will be sealed off, and 
temporary road blocks will be put up along Putin's route in and 
around Vienna. The Russian President will meet his Austrian 
counterpart Heinz Fischer and hold a press conference in the 
Hofburg. 
All Austrian media report on the official visit to Vienna of Russian 
President Vladimir Putin, which begins on Wednesday. Like several 
dailies, independent provincial daily Salzburger Nachrichten wrote 
that Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer 
and Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik also intend to raise the issue 
of human rights violations in Russia with Putin. In an interview 
with mass-circulation daily Kurier, the Foreign Minister emphasized 
that "the relationship the EU and Russia prefer, must be based on 
clear criteria. ... We need each other, and we want to build up a 
strategic partnership. For that, we need to know as much about each 
other as possible, and also listen to one another." For the upcoming 
visit of the Russian President, Plassnik is banking on "a positive 
discussion atmosphere that is based on mutual respect and 
appreciation, ... but we also need to be clear and firm on key 
issues." The Minister added that "of course, we will also raise 
critical issues. The important thing for me is (to show) that the EU 
won't be divided; we are a political, united community." Plassnik 
concluded that for her, "partnership is one of the key ideas of the 
21st century. And the ability to also discuss topics we disagree on 
is a sign of a partnership's good quality." 
 
 
Bavarian Bank Bids for Hypo 
 
¶5. Joerg Haider, the Governor of Carinthia province, said on Monday 
the bid by the Bavarian Landesbank (BayernLB) to purchase control of 
the Carinthian Hypo Group Alpe Adria Bank was "perfect" and that he 
expected it to go through. At the end of last week the German bank 
offered 1.5 billion Euros for 50 percent plus one share for the 
deal, according to semi-official daily Wiener Zeitung. 
 
 
Fighting in Lebanon Continues 
 
¶6. In Lebanon, clashes between troops and Islamic militants at a 
Palestinian refugee camp are continuing into their third day, with 
fighting resuming early this morning. According to witnesses, there 
are dead and wounded in the streets, after the latest attack by the 
Lebanese army. Dozens of people, including civilians, have died in 
the clashes at the camp outside Tripoli. 
 
 
Israeli Died in Gaza Rocket Attack 
 
¶7. An Israeli woman died after a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip 
hit her car in the border town of Sderot. This is the first Israeli 
casualty in a rocket attack since November. In response, Israel has 
stepped up attacks on Hamas targets in Gaza. Israeli Foreign 
Minister Tzipi Livni underscored that her country "must defend its 
citizens." 
McCaw