'Wise men' begin Austria mission

Austria's chancellor predicts a "clean bill of health"

Three European Union experts are beginning a visit to Austria to examine its human rights record

The mission could eventually lead to the lifting of sanctions, imposed on Austria by its EU partners after the inclusion of the far-right Freedom Party in the government coalition in February.

We have the highest standard in Europe of human and minority rights

Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel

The experts, known as the "three wise men", will examine the situation of minorities, the rights of refugees and the evolution of the Freedom Party.

The Freedom Party's controversial leader, Joerg Haider, has in the past expressed sympathy for Nazi employment policies.

The three, appointed by the European Court of Human Rights, are expected to meet the Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Schuessel, the President Thomas Klestil, as well as parliamentary and church leaders.

"Clean bill of health"

They will report back to the current president of the EU, France.

Joerg Haider has said Austria should block any EU reforms if sanctions are not lifted

The measures against Austria limit ministerial contacts and have meant that Vienna's candidates for international office have not had EU backing.

The panel includes the former Finnish President, Martti Ahtisaari, the former vice-president of the European commission of human rights, Jochen Frowein, former Spanish Foreign Minister, Marcelino Oreja.

The experts arrived in the Austrian capital Vienna late on Thursday and are scheduled to begin their meetings on Friday.

Chancellor Schuessel, who two weeks ago welcomed the appointment of the panel, said he was confident it would give Austria a clean bill of health on human rights.

"We have the highest standard in Europe of human and minority rights," he told Die Presse newspaper in its Friday edition.

Racist attack

The arrival of the three "wise men" came amid reports of a racial attack on a Sudanese man and his young son in central Vienna.

Although the incident occurred a week ago, it was only reported by Austrian state on Thursday.

The local media has applauded the three-day visit as the first time the country has been given the chance to defend its choice of centre-right government since the coalition took power.

However, the panel is not expected to report its findings to the EU until the autumn.

The "wise men" initiative for Austria was established last month by the Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, during his term as EU president.

Mr Haider has said Austria should block any EU reforms or expansion plans if the country's isolation is not ended.