The Austrian Government will reject any possible Jewish reparations claims, it was indicated here from sources close to the government.
Austria’s attitude to Jewish reparations claims, it was explained, will be based on provisions contained in the draft of the “State Treaty” which provides that Austria is relieved from making any further reparations payments.
Officials here argue that the State of Israel is unable to raise any claims against Austria. Austria, they say, has never been at war with Israel and had herself been a victim of Hitlerite aggression.
The Austrian Secretary of Interior, Ferdinand Graf, addressing a public meeting at Clagenfurt yesterday, said that his government will maintain the pro-Nazi amnesty laws under which more than 20,000 former Nazis will have their rights and property restored. This, he said, will be done despite America’s protest against these laws which were passed recently by the Austrian parliament.
“It appears that certain American circles are still unaware that it was the resistance of the entire Austrian people which so far has saved Austria from sharing the fate of the satellite states,” Secretary Graf declared. “Actions and comments which we have heard recently from the United States will not increase but weaken the Austrian people’s will for defense.”
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