A conference of leaders of Jewish and non-Jewish groups will be held here next Sunday to discuss the status of the statute of limitations on Nazi war crimes prosecutions which is scheduled to take effect in West Germany on Dec. 31, 1969. Dr. Joachim Prinz, chairman of the American Jewish Congress’ commission on international affairs, who announced the gathering at Stephen Wise Congress House, said there was substantial public opinion in Germany opposed to abolition of the statute. He noted that the Bonn Cabinet decided on April 22 to press for legislation to abolish the ban on war crimes prosecutions but that it faced determined opposition in the Bundestag (lower house).
“While the problem is one for the German people to decide,” Dr. Prinz declared, “it also is one in which everyone affected by the Hitler period and World War II has a legitimate interest, if not indeed a vital stake.” He said public sentiment throughout the world must be brought to bear to prevent the exoneration of war criminals by a statute of limitations on their crimes.
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