Austrian Defense Minister Sees Relations with Israel As Cordial After Conflicts of Kreisky Era

Relations between Austria and Israel were described as very cordial by Austrian Defense Minister Friedhelm Frischenschlager during a reception last week for a delegation of Jewish members of Congress hosted jointly by the International Council of B’nai B’rith and the World Jewish Congress.

Frischenschlager’s description of Austrian-Israeli relations contrasted to the previously stormy relationship between the two countries during the incumbency of former Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky. Relations were severely strained during Kreisky’s leadership because of the Chancellor’s courtship of Yasir Arafat, the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

The Austrian Defense Minister also pointed out that Austria presently maintains the largest contingent of troops stationed in the Golan Heights as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force. Frischenschlager, on a two week visit to the U.S. at the invitation of Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, is scheduled to leave on June 10.

Warren Eisenberg, director of the International Council of B’nai B’rith, said that Frischenschlager’s visit underscores the significant humanitarian role Austria plays in providing a safe haven and point of exchange for Jews emigrating from the Soviet Union. This is the first visit by an Austrian Defense Minister to the U.S. in 12 years.

Part of his mission, Frischenschlager explained, is to provide Americans with a clearer understanding of Austria’s neutrality and affinity with the West. He said he hoped to make the United States aware that the two countries have many common features, including their democratic systems of government, a deep concern for human rights and their free market economies.