Informed sources reported today that the Austrian-West German agreement on compensation to victims of the Nazi era in Austria will be submitted this month to the Austrian Parliament and that it will be ratified in March.
The agreement provides that West Germany will provide about half the funds for the restitution fund for several groups of victims, including Nazi persecutees. The West Germans Government accepted the contention of Austria that the Germans were responsible for the atrocities committed in Austria and signed an agreement to share in the payments last November 27. West German ratification is still pending but no difficulties are anticipated.
Meanwhile, the Austrian Cabinet today accepted a draft of the 12th amendment to the Nazi victims restitution law which will enable the Austrian Government to make advance payments for such groups as persons over 65 and needy individuals.
In return for a sum of $80, 000, 000 from West Germany, Austria undertook in the November 27 agreement to give West Germany a waiver against all future claims. West Germany insisted that Austria match the $80, 000, 000, thus setting up a fund to settle all valid claims. West Germany also agreed to make certain prepayments but it will not band over its share until Parliaments of both countries have ratified the agreement.
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.
