Overnight Protests Injure 50 in Vienna
GENE RANDALL, CNN ANCHOR: Joerg Haider says the new coalition in Austria, one that includes his right-wing Freedom Party will work to uphold democracy. The formation of the government in Vienna sparked violent protests at home and condemnation from abroad. Overnight protests injured at least 50 people in Vienna. Tim Wilcox has more from that capital city.</s>TIM WILCOX, ITN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The streets of Vienna were quiet this morning, but it followed a day and night of political anger that's thrust the country into the international spotlight. More than 50 people were injured overnight in running battles between riot police and demonstrators. The protesters, opposed to the inclusion of Joerg Haider's extreme right Freedom Party in the new government, were driven back with water cannons and tear gas. Earlier, President Klestil, who'd sworn in the new government, had gone on Austrian television to express his own personal concern and dismay at the national and international turmoil. Although Joerg Haider has no Cabinet post, he does hold real power behind the scenes. Freedom Party members now have six key portfolios. Ostracized internationally, the new government's threatened to retaliate with action that could paralyze the E.U. Tim Wilcox, ITN.</s>RANDALL: Members of the European Union are reducing diplomatic ties with Austria, canceling contracts and official visits. The United States has temporarily recalled its ambassador. Last hour here on CNN, Austria's ambassador to this country warned against the isolation of his nation.</s>PETER MOSER, AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR TO U.S.: This isolation has to be taken very seriously, and far more the concerns, the underlying concerns of our European friends and of the United States of America. Because we have something in common with our European friends, and there is, as you have pointed in the film before. there is a rising tied of dissatisfied elements and even racist elements and rightist, populist parties. And this is a common concern of all us.</s>RANDALL: The ambassador stressed that Austria also continues to play an active role in NATO peacekeeping missions and in the European Union.