Page - 640 - in Zwischen geistiger Erneuerung und Restauration - US-amerikanische Planungen zur Entnazifizierung und demokratischen Reorientierung und die Nachkriegsrealität österreichischer Wissenschaft 1941-1955

6. Endphase der Besatzung 640 submission of a long-term educational program for Austria , have been introduced unilaterally into the Educational Directorate procee dings without supporting evidence.”2687 Seinem Nachfolger aus dem Department of State gab Williams im Schluss bericht der Education Division schließlich noch eine bemerkenswerte politi sche Botschaft samt einem guten Rat mit auf den Weg , der die bisherige US-Reorientierungs -Politik in Österreich genau auf den Punkt brachte : “In view of the Austrian Government’s commendable acceptance of genuine demo cratic prin- ciples , together with ist demonstrated ability to produce satisfactory text books and curricula revisions , the U.S. pursues a policy of non-interference. Its role as advisor and consultant has resulted in a friendly , cooperative and constructive liaison which has accomplished U.S. aims and contributed to the speedy reconstruction and reformation of educational processes by the Federal Ministry. This position of the United States must be maintained , not only because it is effec- tive but also because it is necessary to prevent orientation of educational policies and practices in the wrong direction as the result of antithetic pressure.”2688 [ Hevorhebung d. Verf. ] Vor seiner Abreise in die Vereinigten Staaten Mitte September 1950 schrieb der durch einen Autounfall ans Bett gefesselte Williams , der seine Enttäuschung über die vollstän- dige Demontage der Education Division nicht verbergen konnte , noch eine Art Resümee seiner letzten Aktivitäten an Unterrichtsminister Hurdes ; darin wird verdeutlicht , dass die Education Division durch punktuelle Hilfeleistungen sicherlich viel zum materiellen Wiederaufbau des Schul- und Universitätswesens in Österreich beige tragen hat : “My dear Minister Hurdes : As you know , the administration of civil affairs in Austria will be transfered from the Army to the State Department in the very near future. This means the dis- solution of the Education Division , USACA , inasmuch as State Department does not plan to carry on many of the activities in which the Division has been engaged. In the final months of the Division’s operations , I have found it possible to expend considerable funds for the purchase of magnetophones , radios , sewing machines , blankets , bed sheets , and sundry other materials for numerous schools and charitable institutions , such as the Institute for the Blind. In addition , I have been able to provide many of Reichert’s finest microscopes to Austria’s three universities. Organizations such as the Catholic Youth have been recipient of especially designed cabinets , table lamps , radios , and blankets. It appears that this is my final stroke of material assistance as Chief of the Education Division.”2689 2687 Ebd., 5. 2688 Ebd. 2689 NARA II , RG 260 , Youth Activities , Box 5. Samuel H. Williams , Chief , Education Division , USFA , to Dr. Felix Hurdes , Austrian Minister of Education , 8. September 1950 , 1.