ABSTRACT
The Austrian people are primarily interested in putting an end to the occupation, which they regard as an intolerable burden on the nation’s depleted resources. The Austrian people are primarily interested in putting an end to the occupation, which they regard as an intolerable burden on the nation’s depleted resources. The Soviets doubtless hope to exert a long-term influence over Austrian economy by forcing a settlement of the German assets question which will leave them in control of important industrial assets. The Austrian Government therefore wants to steer a middle course between Eastern and Western Europe. The Austrians, on the other hand, are anxious merely to get rid of them because they constitute a grave social menace as well as a future economic liability. Austrian industry, also concentrated in the Soviet zone, was first crippled by mass Soviet removals of machines.
