The Austrian Consulate General today issued an information release which commented on pro-Nazi amnesty laws adopted in Austria. It said:
“At the end of July the executive committee of the Allied Council in Vienna took up Vice-Chancellor Adolf Schaerf’s letter regarding the question of amnesty for late repatriates, and decided to take cognizance thereof. The letter reflects the view of the Austrian government and Parliament that there is every justification for the amnesty law to be placed into effect.
“It also stated that the claims for compensation to those who were wronged by National-Socialism had meanwhile been taken into due consideration. The lower chamber of the Austrian Parliament, the letter said, has enacted into law the overwhelming majority of bills whereby compensation is to be granted to the racial and political victims of the Nazis.
“This or that wish may not yet have been fulfilled, but one should not overlook the fact that the adoption of the pertinent measures does not depend solely on the will of the Austrian legislative organs. The ‘Neue Oesterreich’ reports that no further debate is planned on this matter, and that the amnesty for late repatriates will probably go into effect without further difficulties.”
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