POSITION. IN AUSTRIA

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24869, 8 May 1946, Page 7

POSITION. IN AUSTRIA

This opposition is particularly jnarked in the case of Austria, where the Russians are blocking even preliminary discussions until the Austrians are prepared to complete a treaty with the Soviet Union on the seme lines as those already completed by other Danubian States. Russian troops, states a correspondent of the “Observer.” still occupy the entire northern bank of the Austrian stretch of tha Danube, and the Russians, therefore, are likely to block the American proposals for Austria with the devices of obstruction and exhaustion known to diplomats of the Politbureau. It is for a similar reason, suggests the "Observer.” that the Russians are likely to welcome a continuation of armistice control in Italy, for this con-

trol gives them the opportunity of exerting pressure on Italy if and where it is considered expedient tor Soviet diplomatic purposes. As a result, while the British and Americans are looking for ways and means of settling the Italian peace terms, Russian purposes are more likely to be achieved by maintaining the present situation. This appears to be one of several reasons why the Russians oppose every major Anglo-American proposal on Italy. - . Although the British attitude during the conference has been more reserved than that of the Americans, it is substantially in agreement on all major issues. The French have, on occasions, occupied a halfway position in which M. Bidault endeavoured to act as mediator.