A six-man Cabinet subcommittee was formed here today to attempt to effect some legislation enabling Government restitution payments to Austrian victims of political and racial persecution suffered under the World War II Nazi regime.
Both partners in Austria’s coalition Government, the People’s Party and the Socialist Party, have promised time and again that such legislation would be enacted. However, 12 separate attempts to pass an enabling bill have failed in the Parliament. This week, the Jewish Community of Austria and the Association of Resistance Fighters lodged bitter complaints against both parties for their failure to keep their promises.
The subcommittee named today consists of equal members of both parties, and includes Cabinet members representing each of the coalition partners. The subcommittee is headed by Minister for Social Administration Anton Proksch, a Socialist; and Finance Minister Kamitz, of the People’s Party.
(In Jerusalem, Dr. Nahum Goldmann said in a radio talk today that the Government of Austria has indicated it is willing to renew talks on providing compensation to victims of the Nazi regime. He also disclosed that he would negotiate with West German authorities on compensation to victims of the Nazi occupation and persecution of Jews in Rumania.)
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