A delegation from the Federation of Austrian Jewish Communities called today, in turn, on Chancellor Julius Raab, Deputy Chancellor Bruno Pitterman and Finance Minister Reinhard Kamitz to ask for a final amendment to Austria’s restitution law which would compensate all victims not indemnified heretofore.
The delegation, led by Dr. Emil Maurer, president of the Federation, received a friendly reception in all three offices. Chancellor Raab offered a top figure of 10,000,000 schillings ($400,000) to cover this amendment. The offer was turned down; the delegation envisages a payments total of about $6,000,000. Negotiations will continue, but are not expected to be concluded before next Spring.
Covered by the proposed draft would be Jews who fled the Nazi regime to be interned later in Shanghai and on the island of Mauritius as a result of long-distance Nazi persecution; persons forced to wear the Star of David; and those who suffered a variety of other discriminations. The delegation also demanded compensation for synagogues destroyed by the Nazis.
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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.
