Graf Ottokar Czernin

Czernin von und zu Chudenitz, Ottokar Theobald Count of (b. 26 Sept. 1872, d. 5 Apr. 1932). Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister 1916–18 Born in Dimokur (Bohemia) into a wealthy aristocratic family, he entered the imperial diplomatic service as a young man of 23. He believed in the need to restore the authority of the aristocracy and was opposed to the introduction of universal suffrage in 1908. As Foreign Minister he failed to realize the aim of Charles I for an armistice, mainly because his attempts were leaked to Germany, and Austrian foreign policy hence lost any freedom of independent manoeuvre. In domestic politics he opposed Charles's administrative and constitutional reforms.

Ottokar Czernin, Graf , 1872-1932, Austro-Hungarian foreign minister. He was an adviser to Archduke Francis Ferdinand. As foreign minister (1916-18) he sought a negotiated peace, but was unwilling to abandon Austrian war aims in Italy and the Balkans. He was one of the negotiators of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk . Czernin was dismissed after the private peace-making attempts of Emperor Charles I , extended through Prince Sixtus of Bourbon-Parma , were dramatically disclosed by the French premier, Clemenceau.