Dr. Israel Goldstein, president of the American Jewish Congress, in a message to Secretary of State Dean Acheson, today praised the action of the State Department in condemning pro-Nazi legislation passed last week in the Austrian Parliament.
Noting reported Soviet objections to the American stand on the Austrian legislation, Dr. Goldstein declared that “prompt and decisive United States action is all the more necessary to confirm American democratic leadership.”
“The legislation adopted in Austria restoring property and civic rights to former active Nazis and amending restitution laws to the detriment of Jews and other victims of the Nazis.” Dr. Goldstein declared, “raised grave doubt regarding the ability of Austria to participate effectively in the reconstruction of democratic life in Europe and constitute a flagrant denial of elementary justice.”
He expressed the hope that the United States High Commissioner in Vienna would veto the legislation, and that “democratic opinion throughout the world will prevail upon the Austrian Government to enact legislation more in keeping with the responsibilities of a free society.
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