The establishment of a “common restitution fund” on which negotiations are under way in the Austrian Cabinet will probably take place before the end of this year, it was learned here today. The negotiators are Social Democratic Vice Chancellor Bruno Pitterman and Finance Minister Reinhard Kamitz.
The “common fund” would provide payments, on the basis of individual need, to victims of political persecution, persecutees who emigrated from Austria, Austrians who suffered certain damages during the Allied occupation and recently returned prisoners of war. Benefits will be provided from monies made available through the government budget. So far, it is understood, Messrs. Pitterman and Kamitz have not yet agreed on the size of the fund, the extent of benefits and whether they will be paid in a lump sum or in monthly installments.
This plan is in no way associated with the talks which start here this month between the government and representatives of world Jewish organizations on how the Austrian Government will meet its obligations to victims of Nazism under the terms of the Austrian State Treaty.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Austrian Jewish Communities adopted today a program incorporating the Jewish communities’ demands for restitution to Jews for losses incurred during the Nazi regime in this country. The program will be submitted to the government and to the floor leaders of the Peoples and Social Democratic Parties in Parliament.
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