OCCUPATION OF AUSTRIA

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27073, 23 June 1953, Page 9

OCCUPATION OF AUSTRIA

Call For Withdrawal Of Troops (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, June 22. “The Austrian Chancellor, Mr Raab, speaking in the National Assembly called, amid loud applause, for the withdrawal from Austria, of all Allied occupation troops, says the correspondent of “The Times” in Vienna. “Mr Raab’s statement came at the end of a list of demands and grievances for the expression of which the Chancellor said he judged the atmosphere created by the recent Soviet concessions to Austria specially propitious. “Mr Raab asked: ‘Where is it written that occupation troops must remain until the signing at the Austrian Treaty?’

“He argued that the Austrians, by organising democratic elections, had already shown that they were capable of maintaining interrial law and order. “It would, therefore, be possible to withdraw Allied troops immediately and leave the High Commissioners to supervise the carrying out of the obligations under control agreement without them.

“The treaty could be drawn up and enforced independently of the withdrawal of these troops. “The Chancellor maintained that such a step would convince the Austrian people that the Allies were in earnest in their desire to help them regain their rights and to avoid laying an unhecessary burden on a small country.

“Mr Raab reiterated that Austria would accept any form of treaty provided it was ‘politically, morally, and economically bearable.' ”