German TV show drops Haider

Berlin - A German television network, ARD, yesterday withdrew an invitation to the Austrian right-wing leader, Mr Jorg Haider…

Berlin - A German television network, ARD, yesterday withdrew an invitation to the Austrian right-wing leader, Mr Jorg Haider, to appear on a prime time talk show.

Mr Haider, whose negotiations to enter a coalition government have stirred international concern, was asked on Friday to face the Green activist, Mr Daniel Cohn-Bendit on yesterday evening's Sabine Christiansen talk show. But ARD reversed its decision saying it had not been able to arrange for German government officials and Jewish community leaders to join the debate, as it had hoped.

Meanwhile Mr Haider's Freedom Party looked likely to enter government this week, it was reported in Vienna.