Austrian leader defends support for Palestinians

VIENNA Austrian President Heinz Fischer believes that his country's decision to support Palestine's bid to become observer state at the UN was "right and logical". "Upgrading the status of Palestinians in the UN was no brave and reckless initiative. Tactics was not the main motive behind my considerations and actions. When making decisions, I think about many aspects that it has. I think that for factual reasons it was right and logical to support of the Palestinian request," Fischer told Die Presse. Austrian leader defends support for Palestinians He added that most European democracies had also voted in favor of the request. When the reporter noted that Germany did not, Fischer stated that "Berlin has a special perspective and special relationship with the United States", while Austria was "an independent state". "If you read the (Palestinian) request from the first to the last row you will not find a single line that is unacceptable. There are no arguments for which Austria would be required to vote against," the president noted, and added that he believed that the UN General Assembly voted on the relations of Palestine and the Palestinian authorities with the UN, rather than on the establishment of the state of Palestine. The observer status, he said, is justified if the desire is for Palestinians and Israelis to live peacefully in the two countries next to each other, which is something Austria supports. Fischer also criticized a decision by Israel not to forward Palestinian tax money, saying that "threats cannot be an argument". Palestinians celebrate (Beta) Tanjug

Austrian leader defends support for Palestinians

He added that most European democracies had also voted in favor of the request. When the reporter noted that Germany did not, Fischer stated that "Berlin has a special perspective and special relationship with the United States", while Austria was "an independent state".

"If you read the (Palestinian) request from the first to the last row you will not find a single line that is unacceptable. There are no arguments for which Austria would be required to vote against," the president noted, and added that he believed that the UN General Assembly voted on the relations of Palestine and the Palestinian authorities with the UN, rather than on the establishment of the state of Palestine.

The observer status, he said, is justified if the desire is for Palestinians and Israelis to live peacefully in the two countries next to each other, which is something Austria supports. Fischer also criticized a decision by Israel not to forward Palestinian tax money, saying that "threats cannot be an argument".