Vienna is the host city for the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency, the body whose seals were recently broken by Iran's governemnt as it moves ahead with its nuclear program, all the more threatening in light of its president's expressed intention to wipe Israel off the map. Nobody should be more aware than the Austrians of the nature of Uran's nuclear threat.

So why on earth did Austria (a country with its own measure of Holocaust responsibility) allow the export of 800 high performance "super rifeles" to Iran, which could be used against forces that might have to play a role in disarming Iran's nuclear facilities?

The UK Telegraph reports:

Britain and America are furious with Austria for exporting to Iran 800 sniper rifles that could be used against their troops in Iraq.

HS50 Steyr—Mannlicher .50 calibre rifles [picture and details here — ed.] can pierce body armour from up to a mile, shoot down helicopters and penetrate Humvee troop carriers that have not been fully reinforced.

The weapons are highly accurate and fire a round called an armour—piercing incendiary, a bullet that the Iranians manufacture.

There are fears in the Pentagon that some will reach insurgents fighting allied forces in Iraq.

The Austrians reaped about $14 million from the sale. A tourism boycott could easily cost them far more. I know that I am infuriated with this move. It ws bad enough that Austrians hailed Hitler as their savior. Now they are arming those who aim to complete the job Der Fuhrer started.

Hat tip: Ed Lasky

Thomas Lifson  1 17 06