Russian Charges Against U.S.: Austrian Agreement

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 July 1947, Page 6

Russian Charges Against U.S.: Austrian Agreement

VIENNA, July 11.

Russia has. charged the United States With trying to control and supervise ’“’Austria’s entire economic life by the aidi agreement, signed on June 25, Under which Austria is to receive goods valued at 100,000,000 dollars. Lieutenant-General L. V. Kourasov, the Russian High Commissioner to Austria, and its representative on the Allied Control Council, said at a meeting of the council that the agreement violated the Moscow Declaration of 1943 and the. Allied Control Agreement of 1945. The United States had attached conditions to the agreement which made Austria dependent on the United States. This was directly preventing the reestablishment of Austria as a free and independent State. He particularly objected to clauses providing for the United States to supervise and control the distribution of relief supplies and fox' Austria to report regularly to the United States on its plans and progress in increasing production. General kourasov asserted that these provisions were evidence that the United States distrusted the Austrian Government.

Russia approved relief which was placed at Austria’s direct disposal, was not accompanied by interference in internal economic affairs, and did not violate Austria’s sovereignty. Although General Kourasov demanded an immediate discussion, the American High Commissioner (Lieu-tenant-General Geoffrey Keyes) said he noted General Kourasov’s statement, and would reply later. The British and French delegates said that they had no comment to make Until General Keyes? had replied. .