DEBATE ON AUSTRIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26637, 6 December 1947, Page 7

DEBATE ON AUSTRIA

FOREIGN MINISTERS’ IMPASSE RUSSIAN CLAIMS TO GERMAN ASSETS LONDON, Dec. 4. Mr Molotov prevented a debate on the Austrian treaty at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers today by declining to make a detailed statement on Russian claims to former German assets in Austria. Mr Molotov accused the three Western Powers of “ interfering with Austrian independence and attempting to enslave Austria by providing economic aid.” The meeting closed without a Minister having discussed any specific point of the Austrian treaty. Mr George . Marshall suggested it would be best to leave the Austrian question for the time being and to pass to the next agenda item. Mr Ernest Bevin said Mr Molotov’s accusation against the three Powers was irrelevant. What the conference wanted to know was what would settle Russian claims. The main concern was to give Austria a chance to regain her feet. Mr Bevin suggested that the conference discuss the French proposal, which would vive Russia onethird of the undeveloped oil areas of Austria. Mr Molotov contended that this was only half what the Potsdam Agreement had awarded the Russians. Mr Bevin asked if Mr Molotov wanted two-thirds of Austria's undeveloped oil areas. “ Can we do anything to bring the parties together? Are we really doing our best? ” he asked.

Mr ' Marshall suggested that the Russian tactics were really designed to hinder any co-operative movement towards Europe’s recovery. Russia’s refusal to specify her demands was the sole reason why the Powers had not agreed on assets, but Mr Molotov stood firm on the same fixed position —that Potsdam had dealt clearly with the question of German assets in Austria, and he was not prepared to discuss anything but a broad general ■definition of a German asset. He was not prepared to submit a concrete list of his requirements, although he did say the Russian delegation wanted the question settled only by agreement between all four Powers. “ Let Russia receive 10 per cent, less of all these assets to which she is entitled.” Mr Molotov suggested at one stage. Mr Bevin then asked: “Ten per cent less than what? What about the assets which you are now occupying, some of which belonged to Germany and some to the United Nations? ”'

Mr Molotov answered that the' assets belong to Russia under the Potsdam Agreement, and his reference to 10 per cent, was only an example.