Despite specific promises by key Austrian Government leaders, the Austrian Parliament will not consider at its current session laws to compensate victims of the Nazi regime in Austria, it was disclosed today.
The pledges were given by Chancellor Julius Raab, Vice Chancellor Bruno Pitterman and other leaders to Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Jewish Congress, several weeks ago. The spring session of Parliament will close without action on a draft law prepared by the Finance and Social Ministries.
A spokesman for the Government told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that both coalition parties wanted to solve the problem of restitution of victims of Nazism as part of an overall handling of restitution to war victims, including those who returned to Austria after the war and those bombed out of homes during the war. The spokesman said that party functionaries adhered to this position despite urgings of the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor. No debate is possible on the question until the fall session of Parliament opens.
The spokesman indicated that the Government expected protests from Jewish sources over the latest setback since Dr. Goldmann made it clear in his talks with Chancellor Raab and Vice Chancellor Pitterman that such protests would follow any continued delay in Austrian Government action on the problems.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
