Diplomats Boycott Austrian’s Speech

VIENNA — French and Belgian diplomats boycotted a speech Thursday by Austria’s new foreign minister, who took over as head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The boycott was a protest against the participation of Joerg Haider’s far-right Freedom Party in Austria’s new coalition Cabinet, members of the French OSCE delegation told the Austria Press Agency.

Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner downplayed the snub. “I cannot consider this as a vote of no confidence,” she said at a news conference. “Whoever weakens us will weaken the organization as a whole.”