Two of Austria’s topmost political leaders assured Dr. John Slawson, executive vice-chairman of the American Jewish Committee here, today that their parties were committed to fighting neo-Nazism and anti-Semitism in Austria. The two are Vice-Chancellor Bruno Pitterman, head of the Socialist Party, and Dr. Alfred Maleta, of the Peoples Party, who is president of Austria’s National Assembly.
In a conference with the two men, Dr. Slawson told them there is “a growing concern over anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi incidents in Austria. ” He said that recent court decisions clearing avowed Nazis, and the timid reaction of the Austrian Government in dealing with anti-Semitism in the recent elections were casting “serious doubts on the Austrian people’s desire for democracy, and was seriously undermining Austria’s reputation. “
Dr. Slawson today met also with other Austrian cabinet officials, and with members of the Education Ministry. He discussed the introduction into Austria of a program to promote political and civic education for democracy, similar to one the American Jewish Committee sponsors in Germany in cooperation with the Institute for International Education and the West German Government. Later, Dr. Slawson met with the heads of the Austrian Jewish community, then ended his visit here, leaving for Athens.
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.
