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Austria Balks on Heirless Property; Sends Jews to Allied Powers

July 1, 1953
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Austrian experts negotiating with the Jewish delegation seeking restitution from Austria for injury suffered by the Jews of Austria under the Nazi regime, said today that claims based on heirless Jewish property should be addressed to the four occupying powers in Austria rather than to the Austrian Government.

The Austrians took the position that not only heirless property but all types of confiscated property cannot devolve to the benefit of the State since such assets are separately administered. Under Article 44 of the peace treaty draft, they held, the Allied High Commissioners in Austria held the decision on unclaimed property.

The Jewish delegation, in presenting its claims, asked for compensation for wrongful imprisonment, loss of life, damage to body, loss of income and occupation and loss of furniture and personal valuables. It also argued for redress for inequities and hardships caused by inadequacies in Austria’s postwar legislation and for damage and destruction of religious and cultural objects.

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