The Syrian Minister here today presented a protest to the Austrian Government against the negotiations now being conducted with representatives of Jewish organizations for the payment of reparations by Austria to Jews who suffered under the Nazi regime.
The Syrian diplomat made it clear that the protest was submitted on behalf of all Arab countries. High officials of the Austrian Government explained to him that the reparations talks are not being conducted between states and that they aim at settling the claims of former Austrian citizens. A government spokesman indicated later in the day that the Austrian-Jewish negotiations will not be affected by the Syrian protest.
Meanwhile, neo-Nazis and Communists are joining forces here to fight the payment of reparations to Jews by the Austrian Government. The Communist Association of Austrian Resistance Fighters and Victims of Fascism today issued a statement expressing opposition to the Austrian Jewish reparations talks.
“The Austrian Government is engaged in negotiations with foreign organizations which represent neither the victims living in Austria nor Austrian interest,” the Communist statement said. The neo-Nazi organ, “Rundschau,” warns the Austrian Government not to make any concessions to the Jewish negotiators that might antagonize the Arabs against Austria.
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