TREATY FOR AUSTRIA

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27277, 18 February 1954, Page 11

TREATY FOR AUSTRIA

No Progress At Berlin BERLIN, February 16. A British spokesman said tonight that no progress whatever was made during the discussion today of the Austrian State Treaty by the Big Four Foreign Ministers. The twenty-third session of the conference lasted nearly four hours. The Ministers decided h t to end the debate on Austria immediately, but to find time on Thursday, the last day of the conference, to conclude it. A British spokesman said that Mr Molotov refused, in spite of repeated

apoeals, to withdraw the additions and amendments to the draft treaty which he had proposed last week. Mr Dulles told the conference that actions on the Austrian •'Treaty were another illustration of ♦unwillingness to restore genuine freedom and independence in any area where it once got a grip through the use of its army or otherwise. Earlier, the Austrian Foreign Minister <Dr. Figi) appealed to the Soviet to sign the treaty promptly, and Mr Dulles supported this appeal. Toward the end of today’s session, "Lr Molotov submitted a new amendient under which the four Powers would reconsider, not later than 1955, a date for the withdrawal of troops kept in Austria after the State Treaty The Western Ministers rejected this and. urged Mr Molotov to sign the draft treaty as at present agreed. The Western Ministers and Dr. Figi told, the conference that Mr Molotov’s amendment on the withdrawal of troops made no difference to his original proposal. It merely meant postponing for about 18 months the opportunity, z which should be taken now. of deciding When to end the occupation. There Was no assurance that Kussia would change her mind in the meantime.