More Jews wanted in Austria to prevent community "dying out"

In view of the demographic development, there would be no more Jews at all in Austria in ten to 15 years' time, Muzicant warned late Thursday. "We are a community without people," he said, referring to the small number of about 6,500 Jews.

A positive example was Germany, said Muzicant at the presentation of a book, Anti-Semitism without Anti-Semites, by social researcher Bernd Marin. In the past eight years, 100,000 Jews had moved to Germany.

In Eastern Europe, due to the "threatening situation", there were enough Jews who wanted to emigrate. As a rule, these people were "very, very well educated".

Muzicant added: "Immigration from Eastern Europe doesn't mean that one gets the people into Austria who have to live off social security." Muzicant also criticized a recent assertion by Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel that Austria had been "the first victim" of Nazi Germany.

He had missed firm reactions in Austria. "I've heard little from the president downwards." In July this year, Muzicant said in an interview that 20,000 to 25,000 Jews were needed in Austria "to keep the Community structures going in the long term".

In connection with the immigration of Jews from Eastern Europe, Muzicant also spoke in the magazine Profil of Austria's historical responsibility for the Holocaust. He said the Austrian government should set up quotas of Jews from Eastern Europe to be allowed in according to needs here.

"The Austrians are still far from being aware of their historical blame and installing a quota. Therefore, there should be at least Green Cards for people in mathematics, computers and culture."

(la/dpa)