Byzantine Blog

Heinz-Christian Strache: I will Fight Alongside Serbs

March 2, 2008 Holy Liturgy in the Serbian Orthodox Church of the Ascension of the Most Holy Mother of God in Vienna was attended by the leader of the Freedom Party of Austria, Heinz-Christian Strache, with his associates.

According to the report by Austrian Serbs, Strache stood humbly during the entire Service, taking part in the worship and crossing himself according to the holy canons of the Eastern Orthodox Church, with three fingers. At one point, he even demonstrated unexpected familiarity with the Orthodox Christian liturgical service by joining the faithfuls' responses to the priest leading the prayers.

Serbs, who were overwhelmed by this highest act of solidarity—joining the common worship and prayer—commented Strache's attendance as “a healing balm for an open wound” and a “remedy for wounded Serbian souls.”

After the Holy Liturgy, the leader of increasingly influential and among the Serbs most popular Freedom Party of Austria joined the clergy and faithful in the common hall of the church, where he reportedly gave a speech Austrian Serbs will never forget.

In his address, Strache greeted the clergy and the suffering Serbian people which, as he said, has been subjected to a historical injustice, intolerable from both the legal and moral standpoint and by God's laws. In his patriotic and humanitarian speech, charismatic Strache sharply criticized Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer and the Austrian government for committing a crime towards the Serbian nation by the recent recognition of the criminal Albanian quasi-state on the territory of Serbia. Strache assessed this act is in direct contravention of the UN Charter, Helsinki Final Act and the entire international law.

Heinz-Christian Strache promised to continue his struggle for Serbia's sovereignty in the Austrian Parliament, where he intends to do his best to help the Serbs reclaim their Kosovo and Metohia province.

He emphasized that 20th century animosities between Austria and Serbia ought to be left behind, while it is now a sacred duty of all Austrian and Serbian patriots to, alongside other state-forming European nations, courageously and wisely build the national Europe. Because the Serbs are an old European nation, which successfully defended Europe from the militant islamic fundamentalism that was threatening to flood the entire Christian Europe, stressed Strache.

Bearing this in mind, the beginning of the 21st century marks a new era in the upcoming close cooperation between the patriotic Austria and patriotic Serbia, Strache said, adding that his Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) will pay special attention to the cooperation with the Serbian Radical Party, led by deputy president Tomislav Nikolic, Democratic Party of Serbia with Vojislav Kostunica at the helm, and the New Serbia, headed by Velimir Ilic. Regarding the Serbian diaspora in Austria, FPO leader said the closer ties will be developed exclusively with the patriotic Serbian organizations.

Responding to numerous questions, mainly by the young Serbs, Strache emphasized the awakening of the civic courage with an aim to defend the dignity, justice and freedoms of the individuals and the nations. The goal, according to the popular Austrian politician, is to develop close ties among all the patriotic nations which have to stand up against the abuses United States is committing through the Bilderberg Group, Trilateral Commission and the un-European EU, among others, which the superpower is using to unravel each European nation in order to turn Europe into the American colony in which the current obedient European politicians play the role of mere messengers.

Strache's views were greeted with many ovations, winning special appreciation among the youth who, after the conversation with their favorite Austrian politician, openly promised to vote only for Strache's FPÖ in the next elections, along with their entire families, friends and acquaintances.

Leaving the Church of Ascension, Strache underlined once again:

“I will fight along your side, until the truth, justice, dignity and freedom wins!”

Kosovo is Serbia

Translation of an interview with the President of Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) Heinz-Christian Strache, conducted by Vera Marjanovic (Istina.at)

At the time when Serbia and its people are facing the most difficult problems, when the great powers' interests, like many times through our history, have clashed over our motherland, the hand of friendship and support is most needed.

The officials governing Austria, who have been emphasizing their friendship towards Serbia during the past several years, priding themselves with the political neutrality of their country, have shown that they can't be trusted. They recognized the independence of Kosovo-Metohia province among the first, bowing to those who are brutally trampling the law and destroying the authority of the international institutions.

However, the policy of the Chancellor Gusenbauer's cabinet was fiercely opposed by Heinz-Christian Strache, leader of the parliamentary Freedom Party of Austria (FPO). The charismatic 36-year-old politician is commonly labeled "controversial" in the mainstream media, due to his position on the insufficient integration of the Austrian immigrants. His public pronouncements regarding Serbian Kosovo province are directly opposed to the stance taken by the Austrian officials, for which he has even received death threats, but that did not prevent him to continue to send strong messages of friendship and support to the Serbian leadership and nation in the struggle for preservation of their territory.

Austrian Serbs have endorsed Strache as their hero, which was also visible during the recent rallies where the Serbs chanted Strache's name and greeted him with: “Strache, the Serb!” salute.

In the interview given to Courier, Heinz-Christian Strache stressed he speaks from the position of an Austrian patriot who, through the love for his country and people, will always support others who cherish the same goals.

VM: Many times thus far You have publicly sided with Serbia, especially when it comes to the Kosovo [province] status. Why?

HCS: Because I am the man who respects the rights of both nations and individuals. Apart from that, I'm also a history-lover. As an Austrian patriot, I understand and support the desire of all nations to preserve what is theirs, and Kosovo is Serbian. It is the heart of Serbia and that is obvious not only from the Battle of Kosovo, but also through countless other historical documents. The world ignored this and gave the green light for declaration of independence. United States, helped by the EU, and therefore, by the Austrian government as well, has trampled over the international law and the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which guarantees autonomy to Kosovo, but does not allow independence. I believe this precedent will serve to strengthen relations between the patriotic forces throughout Europe, in order to halt the politics of the centralized EU, governed by the US.

VM: Do You intend to continue promoting Serbian interests regarding Kosovo-Metohia province?

HCS: The relations between Austria and Serbia have been oscillating through history, but I believe that should be set aside at times like this and a new page should be turned. At the time when Europe is threatened with complete islamization, part of it has forgotten that Serbs have been defending Europe from the Islamic deluge all the way back, during the Ottoman conquests.

There is a willful disregard for the fact that, during and after NATO bombardment 250,000 Serbs were expelled from Kosovo, and they remain homeless to this day. Thousands of people were killed after the arrival of the international community to Kosovo, hundreds of churches were destroyed and torched on their watch. US and EU speak about the Albanian right to self determination, but they do not allow the others to exercise those same rights. Serbs in the Republic of Srpska are not allowed to hold an [independence] referendum, even though they are majority in that part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such politics only serves to pour oil and light fire in a barrel of gunpowder. This is extremely dangerous.

VM: What would be the concrete things You intend to do in Austria regarding Kosovo-Metohia, e.g. Serbia?

HCS: My compatriots and I wish to return the neutral status to Austria, which the current government violated. Kosovo policy may have far reaching negative consequences and we shall endeavor to get connected with the Europe's patriotic forces with views similar to ours, which includes closer ties with Serbia.

We also criticize a number of other official policies, like sending Austrian soldiers to Chad and Afghanistan. We haven't lost anything over there, so there's no reason for us to take part in the wars in those parts of the world.

VM: Being that You emphasize that You are an Austrian patriot, how do You define that term and is it the same as the term 'nationalist'?

HCS: Patriot is someone who loves his country, language, culture and traditions, e.g. someone who safeguards his own identity. Even though nationally conscious, the patriot naturally respects and appreciates the identity and culture of others, which means he can in no way be compared to a chauvinist or a fascist, although that is, unfortunately, sometimes done in the political struggle.

VM: Do You believe a true patriot ought to cultivate and express the loyalty to his nation and homeland wherever he may live?

HCS: That is very important and necessary. Of course, once someone decides to live in another country he should, for his own good, learn the language and adjust to the way of life in the new environment. But at the same time, one's own roots, language and culture must be nurtured. One doesn't exclude the other, and I absolutely support the newcomers to Austria who have successfully integrated, while preserving their own identity.

VM: The Austrian mass media often claims that You are against the foreigners, which evokes fears among the newcomers. Is that correct?

HCS: Absolutely not! I respect those who are hardworking, who are employed, who pay the taxes and are the loyal citizens of Austria, which is their second home. By successfully passing through the integration processes, they become Austrian citizens and they are an important part of our society.

I have met many Serbs during the election campaigns, Austrian citizens, with whom I established successful communication. They gave me a Serbian Orthodox Church prayer rope as a gift, and I'm still carrying it.

But I am against those who are abusing the social benefits, while not showing even the slightest desire to integrate in the Austrian society. They are building their own, parallel world here, which is contrary to the Austrian and European cultural and religious tradition. I am against the radical Islam, which is a grave threat for the entire Christian Europe.

VM: I believe You are not against the Muslims in general...?

HCS: Of course not! I know many Muslims who have successfully integrated, and are themselves against the radical Islam, from which they ran away in their own countries. I also know many Christians who came from the islamic states where they were persecuted and from where they were expelled by the radical islamists, which has to be condemned.

VM: Due to Your stand in regards to the burning Serbian problem, You became a hero to Austrian Serbs. How do You feel about that?

HCS: For me, that confirms I am on the right track. It is also a support in the struggle for a different Europe, in which the countries of our forefathers must preserve their identity—national, as well as cultural and religious. This should apply to all European nations, Serbs, Frenchmen, Bulgarians, Germans... I fully support all forms of economic cooperation, but I insist on all nations preserving their sovereignty and traditions.

I believe that Serbs in Austria share my views and, I stress, I fully support their efforts to stay connected to their own roots through the integration processes. With that aim, I'm open to all forms of joint undertakings.