Austrians begin to question neutrality

Date: 25/07/1996

THE debate about Austria's constitutionally enshrined policy of neutrality is gathering fresh momentum amidst signs that a growing minority of citizens now questions the wisdom of staying outside western Europe's security structures.

Recent opinion polls have revealed that although a majority of Austria's citizens still support neutrality and only a few openly favour NATO membership, a growing number of citizens cannot make up their minds.

According to a survey released a few days before a visit by NATO's Secretary-General Javier Solana to Vienna early this week, 63&percent; of Austrians want to cling to neutrality and only 16&percent; support NATO membership. But as many as 21&percent; are undecided.

In a similar survey conducted a year ago, 70&percent; of citizens chose neutrality, just 18&percent; backed the Atlantic alliance and only 12&percent; could not make their mind up.

“Such a rapid growth in the number of undecided is a clear sign of a change in sentiment,” said a report of the IMAS research institute, from which the survey originated.

A strong national consensus around neutrality, imposed on Austria in 1955 as the price for its final release from Soviet occupation, was one of the foundations of the country's foreign policy preceding the fall of the Berlin Wall.

But this consensus has been steadily eroded since the collapse of the Warsaw Pact.

Austria's membership of the EU, which includes a long-term commitment to participate in the development of a common security policy, has moved the debate further along. It has also reinforced the perception of many Austrians that the policy of staying aloof from western alliances which all of the country's eastern neighbours are rushing to join no longer makes sense.

The two main right-wing parties, the Christian Democrat Österreichische Volkspartei (ÖVP) and the far-right Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs (FPÖ), have found it easy to come up with a clear position. Both fully back membership of NATO and the Western European Union (WEU).

Earlier this month, Austrian President and ÖVP member Thomas Klestil challenged what is still his country's official policy and declared EU membership would lead to Austria joining NATO and the WEU.

His party colleague, Defence Minister Werner Fasslabend said earlier this week that Austria should make up its mind in 1997, while denying that the issue would need to be settled by popular vote.

The focus of the debate has now shifted to the Sozialistische Partei Österreichs (SPÖ).

The SPÖ is finding itself increasingly caught between its leadership's perception that neutrality is a policy of the past, and the wish not to offend an overwhelming majority of voters and party activists who want to retain it for the time being.