Evening star., 1949-09-09
Aooin Deadlock Over Austria

Again OeooloCk OVer AuStFIo
Passing of the September / "deadline"
for completing the draft of an Austrian
treaty of independence perpetuates one OF
the most shameful injustices in the after
math of World War II.
BY every criterion of legality and equity,
Austria was entitled to its prompt rehabil-
itation as an independent sovereign state
after the wars close. During the war, the
big Three"-America, Britain and Soviet
Russia-jointly recognized Austria as a
victim of Nazi aggression and therefore as
a country to be liberated and restored to
its international status before the enforced
"Anschluss" or union with Hitler's Third
Reich. Although the major victors (in-
cluding France) occupied liberated Austria
on a zonal basis like that of Germany, 1t
was specifically understood that this was
to be temporary matter to aid Austria
in ousting Nazi remnants as part OF its
rehabilitation. And few months later
Four-Power talks on an Austrian peace
treaty were initiated.
It had been the hope and expectation of
the three Western Powers that this would
be q routine affair. But Soviet Russia at
once sprung a disagreeable surprise. 1t
advanced a series Of demands which would
have rendered Austrian independence"
farce, Transforming that country into
virtual dependency of the Soviet Union.
In addition, Moscow backed Yugoslav
claim to slice of Austrian territory which
violated the Allied commitment to validate
Austrias pre-Anschluss borders.
The Western Powers argued, pleaded and
offered to make concessions which would
not jeopardize Austrian independence. All
In vain. Moscow was adamant. For three
full years the Austrian issue was threshed
over and over, alike at meetings of the
Big Four Foreign Ministers and by their
deputies to whom the matter had been
delegated. Finally, in angry Illustration,
the Western Powers broke of negotiations
as sorry farce in May, 1948, leaving the
Austrian issue in complete deadlock.
Last February, however, negotiations
we're resumed on American initiative, in
duced by Austrian urgings for another try
to- end an intolerable situation. Again,
Moscow reiterated its unacceptable de-
mands, but Western hopes were raised
ing Yugoslavia's claims Once more, the
deputies went to work on the remaining
points at issue, with the understanding
that they should have draft treaty ready
by September But those negotiations have
revealed that Moscow's let-down of Yugo-
slavia was merely an aspect Of its quarrel
with Tito and that 1t had no intention of
relinquishing its stranglehold over Austria
itself So once more the deputies labors
are ending in deadlock.
Indeed, the Soviet-Yugoslav quarrel pro-
vides an immediate reason why Moscow
remains adamant Should an Austrian
peace treaty be concluded, Moscow would
be legally bound to withdraw troops from
Hungary and Romania, which it has been
entitled to keep in those countries to main
tain its supply lines with its occupation
forces in Austria. And Moscow wants to
keep those troops there more than ever
with Yugoslav relations so tense. Also, it
is thought that Moscow Is angling for
another Foreign Ministers conference in
which it could again raise the whole ques-
tion Of Germany as well as the Austrian
issue. But the Western Powers do not
intend to admit Soviet Russia into discus
sions over Western Germany, because they
know Moscow wants to bemuddle and if
possible undo all that has been done there.
Rather than open the door to such COM
plications over Germany, they prefer to let
the deadlock over Austria continue.
So unhappy Austria presumably will re-
main the innocent victim of power politics,
another casualty in the "cold war" between
East and West. The injustice is hagrant,
and Moscow's responsibility is complete
But, for the moment, there appears moth
ing that can be done about it.