New York, NY, November 26, 2002 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) welcomed the results of the Austrian national election in which the right-wing xenophobic Freedom Party dropped from 27 percent to 10 percent of the vote.

"The elections were a significant step forward for Austria in strengthening mainstream parties at the expense of Joerg Haider's anti-immigrant, anti-minorities party," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "The people of Austria have overwhelmingly rejected Haider's intolerant and divisive message."

Since the Freedom Party's inclusion in the government more than three years ago, ADL has been engaged in anti-bias training in Austria through its A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute. The program helps to educate Austria's law enforcement officials and others on the importance of respecting diversity and minority rights.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.