I don't think a global PR campaign will help anything at this point. The focus should be ENTIRELY on obtaining justice for Elizabeth and those children. That should be priority number ONE as mentioned before. Who gives a s**** what people think about Austria---I'm sure it will pass in time (yrs)

Kahlua, Wherever, USA

One asks as a result of this horrific tragedy whether or not those in the German-speaking world have really learned their lessons thoroughly since the Holocaust - namely, speaking up when one knows that something is going on that isn't right, that is an ultimate violation of human rights?

KBB, Vienna,

"Austria -- Land of Dungeons"

That's good! It's perfect!

iain carstairs, bedford, uk

Austria has a lot to do to 'restore its image',
<br/>
<br/> I quote: &quot;Alfred Gusenbauer, the Austrian Chancellor, said today that his government was planning a campaign to demonstrate that Josef Fritzl's actions were NOT REPRESENTATIVE of his country.&quot;
<br/>
<br/>Huh! After 3 such cases in 3 years!

KathyK, West Sussex, England

i say the old man should die, but he should die with some dignity. he thankfully admitted to his crimes which we should be grateful for. if he were dead then his victims could move on and start a new life. if he were left to live, i dont believe his daughter can move on.

barry sheen, bristol, uk

I am perplexed, Herr Gusenbaur;

Listen:

"...that an international campaign of slander was under way, adding: "We cannot accept that. There is no ’Amstetten case’, there is no ’Austrian case’. There is only an ISOLATED case."

What? 3 times in 3 years in Austria is hardly an "isolated case".

CathyK, West Sussex, England

This isn't and isolated case.
The Frizl case is by far the worst in my mind but but let us not forget the poor Linz girls imprisoned by their mother for seven years in a house with no light or running water, Maria K. who was put into a coffin-like box and of course Natasha Kampsch.
All in Austria.

Kelsey, London, England

Austria's secret horrors are of historic proportions The day Austria holds a PR campaign to educate its citizens about the war crimes Austria committed and abetted during WWII, they will have begun to earn a reprieve from their Land of Dungeons reputations. Not before.

Lily Nera, Richmond, USA

If we are going to blame Austria for this horrible crime and the Natasha Kampusch case, then what's the explaination for John Wayne Gasy, who buried boys under his basement, Dahmer who dismembered his victims and put them in freezers, and let's not forget Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, should I go on?

ARuane, Stafford, USA

I agree with Peter, Toronto, Canada
We cannotretract the damage done to those who have been found! But with the technology available we can definately identify all houses having dungeons/cellars/ holes under the ground and have them inspected immediately!!!

Tony, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Wasn't Hitler Austrian?

Bertie, London,

Isolated cases of inhuman individuals facing light prison sentences. Even animals do not commit such acts to their offsprings. I say, hurrah for European humanity, a mere "sorry" for the innocent victims; hopefully, EU will think twice before they export what they say is "justice."

Marvin, Chicago,

There is something different about Austria - it has a ridiculous Data Protection Act that very effectively prevents any government failings from seeing the light of day. Frankly, some reforms would go down better than a cynical PR campaign. Sounds like a do-nothing cover-up to me.

Peter, Brisbane,

This reaction by the government is just another symptom of Austria's problem. The desire to appear "normal," is what led Mrs. Ftitzl to deny anything was wrong in her home. And the neighbors not to question someone taking food by wheelbarrow. Denial seems to be the unifying characteristic of all.

Sandra , Newark, United States

The human condition is the human condition regardless of race, culture, or time in history. There will always be deviants. The Austrian government has nothing for which to apologize. They are doing all they can with the psychiatrists and other emotional support they are providing.

Amanda Burgess, Austin, USA

I love Austria. It's no weirder than anywhere else; a bit uptight. everyone has a cellar, Pierre, because most of us live in apartments and own a lot of junk. You wouldn't want to go down there!!

Gusenbauer is being a tad sensitive I think. He should read the British papers for gruesome stories

Kate, Vienna, Austria

Inspect all basements in the Oesterreich, please, danke.

Peter, Toronto, Canada

The best PR campaign would be to tell the public what new steps Austria has taken to reform the police and family services.

Claudia, Atlanta, USA

Instead of hiring consultants, maybe they should use that money for the daughter and her children.

Mark, Chicago, USA

If an evil act of criminality of a couple of people reflects the character of a whole nation,then tell me is there any place in the world that adheres to every code 0f morality!It is just not right to label a country on this account.The victims need psychotherapy,and the old man , conviction.

Akhtar Mahmood, Modesto, California USA

This is not really the time to be doing this! Right now the world's sympathy is focused on the victims of this horrific crime and Austria’s imagine is not anyone's priority right now! Get a realistic perspective and try to think objectively. Stop being so vain!

Steve, Edinburgh, UK

The police should continue to investigate the wife. She knew something or completely crazy too. Austria should concentrate on helping the victims and making sure the monster never sees the light of day again.

olga, Los Angeles, USA

surely it would be a naive view to think that an isolated incident is representative of such a stunningly beautiful country.

certain would NEVER prevent me from going again and i would have thought my thoughts are echoed by many others

Julie Jackson, york, england

Can we stop this Austria bashing. Two criminals do not make or define the country. If it did, I would hate to think what the UK was.

My advice to the Austrian government, start telling the world what your going to do for the victims. PR this. They are the only ones who matter.

JC, London, UK

When I lived in Vienna there was a basement flat underneath my ground floor flat. Nobody was allowed down there. I'm not suggesting weirdness, but I'm highlighting the fACT THAT NOBODY WAS ALLOWED DOWN THERE.
The central heating, maybe.

pierre flit, aurvgny, france

"There is only an isolated case". This is not true, as proved by the Natasha Kampusch case, the case of the mother who locked her three children in a cellar for 7 years and the girl who was kept in a 'coffin' for several years. All of this happened in Austria.

Dina, London, UK