Haider's audience with pope triggers protests

The long-planned trip to Rome to present the Vatican with a Christmas tree from his home province of Carinthia, of which he is governor, provoked protests from politicians, the Jewish community and students.

Haider last May resigned as leader of the far-right Austrian Freedom Party (FPOe) whose rise to government in a coalition with the conservatives unleashed an international ourcry and prompted the European Union to impose temporary sanctions on Vienna.

Student demonstrators Saturday carried a banner saying "Haider - No Thanks". A spokesman for the about 1,500 student demonstrators said Haider as a symbol of the racist and xenophonic far-right must not be given any recognition through an audience with the pope.

Jewish shopkeepers switched their lights off in protest against Haider's visit.

The 33-metre-high Carinthian tree had been erected in St Peter's square under heavy police protection and was guarded round the clock in face of demands by protesters that it be replaced. The Vatican accepted the offer in 1997 when Haider was not governor of Carinthia.

The pope received Haider's for a brief private audience to which no photographers were admitted and handed him a copy of his New Year message warning against nationalism, racism and xenophobia.

Haider had no time to deliver his pre-prepared remarks.

Haider and his wife resided at a hotel near St Peter's Square which was sealed off by police who escorted him to the Vatican.

Italian television reported that the pope shook hands with both Haider and Carinthian Bishop Egon Kapellari.

In his brief address to the 250-strong Austrian delegation, the pontiff did not name Haider who sat in the first row of the audience.

Bishop Kapellari in an interview said he regretted that the dispute overshadowed the end of the Vatican's Holy Year, adding that the Christmas tree had been offered as a token of peace.

(kil/sda)