Austrian Government circles and Jewish leaders here expressed surprise today over the announcement in New York by Chancellor Julius Raab that the government will make new proposals for settlement of Jewish heirless property claims within two weeks of his return here from his American visit.
A government spokesman indicated that Chancellor Raab’s announcement must have been a unilateral decision since the question was not discussed here prior to his departure for the United States. He said the reference to two weeks might be interpreted to mean that the Austrian Cabinet would discuss the problem within two weeks after Mr. Raab’s return.
A Socialist spokesman characterized Mr. Raab’s statement as “foggy and strange,” He pointed out that the Socialists had not been informed of any new plans of Mr. Raab. The Socialists are the partners of Mr. Raab’s People’s Party in the Austrian Government coalition.
(Speaking on a nationwide television hook-up in the United States today, Chancellor Raab told youthful questioners that Austria did not owe Israel, or any other country, reparations because the Austrian Government was “liquidated” by Germany in 1938. “On the other hand,” the Chancellor said, Austria wants to develop trade with Israel” and thus aid the Israel economy.” He said that Austria paid nothing in the way of restitution or reparations to any country.)
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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.
