ABSTRACT
The commission was established in November 1998. With respect to the situation in Austria, it cannot be denied that a changing international system showed Austria the necessity of serious historical investigation. Another factor is a noticeable change in recent years within the Austrian Jewish Community. The older generation was either glad to have survived the Nazis or didn’t like to be reminded of Austria if they lived abroad. On October 1,1998, the Historical Commission was jointly appointed by the Federal Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Speaker of the Federal Council. The Commission works on their behalf but is autonomous and independent. The Commission’s mandate is: To research and report on the system of looting of property in the territory of the Republic of Austria during the Nazi period and acts of restitution and/or compensation by the Republic of Austria after 1945.
