UR TV CAST

The Chancellor of Austria unveiled the programme of his far-right-dominated coalition government yesterday, adopting a conciliatory posture towards European critics by promising to face up to the country’s Nazi past. The Chancellor of Austria unveiled the programme of his far-right-dominated coalition government yesterday, adopting a conciliatory posture towards European critics by promising to face up to the country’s Nazi past.
Wolfgang Schüssel notably confirmed to parliament that “the new government will press for former Nazi slave labourers who are, after all, now at an age where they need help quickly” to receive justice.Unlike Germany, Austria has been slow to accept responsibility for its Nazi past, claiming that it was Hitler’s first victim when the country was annexed by Germany in 1938.But amid the furore accompanying the installation last week of the coalition, incorporating ministers of JörgHaider’s Freedom Party, President Thomas Klestil pressed the new government to pledge allegiance to democratic principles. Yesterday’s statement by Mr Schüssel was in line with a formal declaration enshrining those principles that was issued last Thursday.The other 14 European Union nations have frozen high-level bilateral contacts with Austria since the government took office last Friday, while Israel has withdrawn its ambassador. On Tuesday, Britain announced that the Prince of Wales would cancel a planned visit to Austria in May.The former chancellor of Austria, the Social Democrat Franz Vranitzky, withdrew yesterday from an EU committee drafting a human rights charter in protest at the inclusion of the Freedom Party in the government.But the US Secretary of State said she felt reassured by the latest Austrian promises, detailed by Mr Schüssel during a meeting in Vienna with the US ambassador, Kathryn Hall.

The ambassador has been temporarily recalled for consultations in Washington. Madeleine Albright said Austria’s new programme “has everything we would want. The question is whether they are going to follow through.”Germany’s Green Party said yesterday it wants Mr Schüssel to testify before a parliamentary inquiry into the funding scandal surrounding the former chancellor, Helmut Kohl.. The Icelandic singer Bjork may have put her nation on the map, but plans to grant her exclusive use of an uninhabited island off the west coast to reward her for her services have run into difficulties.

The Icelandic singer Bjork may have put her nation on the map, but plans to grant her exclusive use of an uninhabited island off the west coast to reward her for her services have run into difficulties.
Earlier this week David Oddsson, Prime Minister, told parliament: “Bjork has done more for the popularity of Iceland than most other Icelanders. My view is that she may be given the use of this island [Ellidaey] as a royalty payment, as recognition from the state.”But, amid an uproar in the country, the government has had to reconsider its generosity. Yesterday Mr Oddsson’s office denied Ellidaey had been sold or leased to the singer.If sold, said a spokesman, it would be only to the highest bidder. Icelandic radio reported rumours that the musician was no longer interested in the island. She has neither confirmed nor denied reports and was not available for comment yesterday.Despite her much-professed love for Iceland, Bjork is neither based there full-time nor does she sing in Icelandic.Last year she approached the prime minister about living part of the year and building a home on Ellidaey, Mr Oddsson’s spokesman said. The state “might” permit the singer to live on the island rent-free or at a low rent, depending on “market interest”.

In the event of a sale, she would not be given preferential treatment.”Bjork is a very well-known person in the world, especially in the music world. She’s also an active player in the social life of Iceland .. She is very focused on promoting her mother country. Knowledge of Iceland has risen dramatically since she began her successful career as a musician.” No one, he insisted, was queuing to rent or buy the two-mile-wide island. Ellidaey is one of two islands, along with Malmey, which Iceland may decide to sell this year. There are hundreds of islands, many uninhabited, off Iceland..