Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Habsburg turns 80, eyes family comeback Date: Mon, 16 Nov 92 17:03:26 EST Message-ID: \SE A;WORLD \SS (WS) \HD Habsburg turns 80, eyes family comeback \BY Maud S. Beelman \CR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS \DT INNSBRUCK, Austria INNSBRUCK, Austria - Otto von Habsburg was just 6 when he was exiled, his family's royal realm crumbling. Now he is back, holding court on everything from Bosnia-Herzogovina to the European Community. The occasion this weekend was a gathering of bluebloods celebrating Otto's 80th birthday, but it won't be the last word from the man who would have been king. Otto has plans for a Habsburg comeback of sorts - if not for himself, then for his heir apparent. "I am a politician. For me, politics is the center of my life," said the son of Austria-Hungary's last emperor, whose family was forced into exile in 1919 after the World War I defeat that resulted in their empire's dismemberment. The Habsburg name is virtually synonymous with European history. The family ruled for 640 years, expanding its territory through war and marriage from the North Sea to the Mediterranean and deep into the Balkans. Areas formerly controlled by the Habsburgs, such as former Yugoslavia, are still suffering the pains of the empire's collapse. Although many Balkan natives disagree, Otto praised Austrian rule there. "Bosnia-Herzegovina, when it was in the complex of Austria-Hungary, was a peaceful region with certainly great progress for the times and . . . a high level of civilization; and now it is an absolute tragedy," Otto said. He refused to say whether he thought things would have been better had the Habsburg dynasty survived. The symbolic hold the Habsburgs still have on this part of the world was evident in the weekend pomp and parades for Otto's birthday, which is actually Friday. More than 400 guests, including about 80 Habsburg relatives, gathered in the alpine resort of Innsbruck. Journalists from around the former empire chronicled the two-day spectacular. One photographer even needed first-aid for a cut forehead suffered when journalists jostled to snap pictures of Otto with the Baron von Thyssen, whose daughter will marry Otto's eldest son, Karl, next year. Several hundred Austrians crowded for a glimpse of the once-royal family and applauded as Otto and guests paraded to the sounds of trumpets and horns Sunday from the 16th century Court Church to Maria Theresa's rococo summer palace. They had done the same when the glitterati assembled Saturday night for a feast fit for a king. "I'm so pleased he's here, and I wish him everything good," said 85-year-old Lise Mijalovitsch, adding that a return of the monarchy to Austria might be a good thing. "I'd rather have one king than five parties," she said, referring to Austria's modern-day political scene. Otto sidesteps the issue when asked if Austria should have a monarchy again. But he has been signaling his family's desire to return to political power. Under a 1919 law, Habsburg family members were allowed to return only if they declared loyalty to the republic. They were forbidden from being heads of state. Otto did not visit Austria until 1967, after renouncing all claims to the throne, but he continued living in southern Germany, where he settled in 1954. He represents the Bavarian Christian Social Union in the European Parliament. Wherever he goes lately, Otto argues for repealing the 1919 law. Observers say he wants to enable 31-year-old Karl to someday run for Austrian president. "We have now in Austria citizens of two classes," Otto said Saturday. "Those who have all the political rights and those who, though they are citizens of Austria, nevertheless are excluded from certain offices. This is contrary to the democratic principle." Otto insists he's not interested in the job but didn't answer when asked about his aspirations for his son. Karl, who also wants the ban lifted and shares his father's interest in politics, said, "This is a question I just can't answer [yet]." Meanwhile, the University of Vienna law student is approaching the people in a rather unroyal, thoroughly modern way. In September, Karl von Habsburg began hosting a television game show, called "Who's Who." This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM