The Austrian Consulate General today indicated that the talks between the Austrian Government and representatives of Jewish organizations on the payment of reparations to Jews who suffered damages under the Nazi regime will be resumed “in the first half of September.”
“The first phase of the negotiations between the Austrian Government and representatives of Jewish organizations concerning restitution and compensation have already led to certain positive results, “the Consulate emphasized.
“The question that remain to be settled are those concerning unclaimed –including heirless — property taken from the victims of National-Socialism,” the Consulate said. “Because of the beginning of summer vacations, both parties to the negotiations agreed that experts should continue the discussions with a view to reaching a settlement for evaluating unclaimed Jewish property confiscated during the Nazi regime. The main talks are scheduled to be resumed in the first half of September.”
The Consulate reported that Austrian official have pointed out to representatives of Jewish organizations that Austrian law in no way discriminates between applicants for restitution regardless of their nationality. “It was further stressed that no difference should be made between Austrian citizens and other persons, irrespective of whether they reside in the country or abroad, ” the Consulate stated. “Such avoidance of discrimination has, in fact, already been written into the laws governing compensation to civil servants as well as those relating to compensation for deprivation of freedom which the Austrian Parliament has passed. “
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
