Word: zistersdorf
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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...percent of all of Austria's industry, including the Zistersdorf oilfield, Credit-Anstalt bank, factories making electrical machinery, tools, locomotives...
Only two months ago, the West had enjoyed clear moral and political superiority in Austria by its strong stand against Russian seizures of Austrian industry, farmlands and Zistersdorf oil. But so devastating were the effects of Communist propaganda 'and the West's own fumbling, wavering policy that now the U.S.-British advantage was all but erased. By week's end, Austrian politicians were almost afraid of getting the U.S. loan they had dreamed about since liberation...
Brave as the gesture was, it was only a gesture. Austria's parliamentarians could not really nationalize Russian-held industries; indeed, the Red Army would not even permit Austrian officials to visit Zistersdorf...
...before it Figl's bill to nationalize 81 industries, amounting to 50% of the country's production. The Russian note asked for 25 exceptions on the ground that they were "German assets" and therefore could be seized by Russia under the Potsdam agreement. The exceptions included the Zistersdorf oilfields, the Danube Shipping Company and almost all of Austria's chemical industry...
Clark quickly learned how to use the Russians' obvious weaknesses. When they seized the Zistersdorf oilfields, he innocently inquired during a Council session: "Supposing we consider pig iron. Do you need any?" The interpreter snapped back: "Marshal Konev wishes General Clark to know that the Soviet Union does not need pig iron from anyone." Replied Clark quietly: "All right then, let's take the case of oil." The Russians, who never admit publicly that the Red Army needs oil, agreed to let almost the entire Zistersdorf output go to cover Austria's own needs...