Seventy years ago today, on May 15, 1955 (March 24, 1955 in the lunar calendar), the Austrian State Treaty ended foreign control. US Secretary of State Dulles (left), Austrian Foreign Minister Fig (center) and Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov (waving) show the treaty May 15, 1955. For the first time in 17 years, only Austrian troops will remain on Austrian soil. The country has been occupied by Hitler since 1938. After World War II, Soviet, American, British and French troops have been stationed. The treaty signed today mainly stipulates that Austria will remain neutral as a buffer state between the Soviet bloc and the democracies of Western Europe. The treaty stipulates that Austria may not enter into any military alliance or allow any foreign troops to be stationed on its territory. The Soviet Union rejected all claims to ownership of its oil fields and could help her rebuild her army to defend her neutrality. US Secretary of State Foster Dulles, Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov, and British Foreign Minister Macmillan signed the treaty on behalf of each party. The treaty stipulates that all foreign troops must withdraw by the end of the year. The United States has accused the Soviet Union of evading in talks to keep its 45,000 troops in Austria.