UN General Assembly
1952

40. Nor are we any nearer a peace treaty with Austria. We have an item on our agenda in this Assembly covering this problem. With the, exception of a few relatively minor clauses, a draft treaty was agreed by the four occupying Powers nearly three years ago. But despite endless discussion, no final agreement could be reached. In an attempt to make progress, we suggested a shorter version of the treaty. This was rejected. We then offered to add to the shorter version all the agreed articles from the longer version because the Soviet Union. Government had specifically objected to their omission. That too was not accepted. Is it too much to hope that our discussion here, and the expressions of world opinion which I have no doubt will emerge, may make some impact on those stubborn negatives? Our sole desire is that the four Powers should agree to the early conclusion of a treaty which will relieve the long- suffering Austrian people of the burdens of an occupation which can no longer be justified.