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The First Deputy Chairman of the Yabloko faction in the
State Duma thinks that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
the RF is demonstrating three approaches to manifestations
of nationalism in the upper echelons of power in different
countries: acceptance of Russian nationalism, a reprimand
for nationalism in the Baltic states and tolerance of Austrian
nationalism.
These were the comments of Vladimir Lukin, Head of the
Committee for Foreign Affairs in the State Duma of the first
and the second convocations, on the reaction of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of the RF to the situation in Austria,
where representatives of ultra-right-wing forces were included
in the new Cabinet.
On February 4, 2000, the Head of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Igor Ivanov, said that Russia was watching closely
developments in Austria, but added that final conclusions
would be drawn, proceeding from “definite steps” by the
Austrian government. According to Vladimir Lukin, the tolerance
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to participation of ultra-right-wing
forces in the Austrian government may be attributable to
the fact that the Russian leadership has also demonstrated
a tendency of consolidating the positions of nationalistic
forces here.
Their position has been strengthened even more following
the “emergence on the international arena of the loud brown
clowns speaking on behalf of Russia”, said Vladimir Lukin.
Lukin also drew attention to the fact that the situation
in Austria arouses one's fears. Lukin noted: “The fact that
parties with strong elements of neo-fascism have come to
power, their hostility towards people from other nations
and nostalgia for classic fascism contradicts the norms
of European democracy and should be condemned by the international
community."
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