HAIDER URGES NOT TO COMPENSATE JEWS FOR LOST PROPERTY - 23 January, 2001 - News

Joerg Haider, a far-right Austria politician known for his anti-immigrant stance and past remarks many consider anti-Semitic, spoke out Sunday against an agreement to compensate Jews for property lost when the Nazis took power. Mr. Haider criticized an agreement Austria signed with the U.S. government Wednesday to pay $500m in return for dismissal of survivors' lawsuits over apartments and other property seized from Jewish victims. The pledge brought Austria's total compensation commitment close to $1bn. Mr. Haider also attacked Austrian Jewish leader Ariel Muzicant, suggesting he wants additional money to pay off debts Mr. Haider said are owed by the country's Jewish community. Exploiting widespread mistrust of foreigners, the Freedom Party gained popularity in the 1990s under Haider, who made statements - later withdrawn - that praised some Nazi policies and backers of Adolf Hitler, Associated Press reports.