The Conflict

In late 1999, the right-wing Freedom Party was invited to join the Austrian government. In response, Western nations, including the United States, withdrew their ambassadors and the European Union sanctioned Austria.

Political

• Austria's far-right Freedom Party espouses views that are anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant.
• The views of the Freedom Party cause fear and remind much of the world of the Holocaust.
• World opinion has never resolved whether Austria was a victim of Adolf Hitler's Germany or a willing participant in the Holocaust.
• Western nations, including the United States, the European Union and Australia, used sanctions, economic treats, and the removal of diplomats to register disapproval of Austria.

In the fall of 1999 in Austria, the Austrian People's Party—led by Wolfgang Schuessel—invited a right-wing party to participate in ruling Austria. Specifically, in order to...