Nazi loot will be used to establish, among other things, a small fund for rehabilitation and resettlement of non-repatriate victims of Nazi concentration camps, supplementing the contributions made by the United Nations, according to the terms of the Paris Conference on Reparations made public today by the State Department.
The fund, which would be administered by the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees – or whatever United Nations agency might take its place – will consist “mainly of non-monetary gold found in Germany plus $25,000,000 to be derived from other sources.” The non-monetary gold comprises wedding rings, jewelry, tooth fillings and other articles taken from victims of Nazi persecution and is estimated to be worth $5,000,000.
The fund would not be used to compensate individuals for losses, but would be used for rehabilitation and resettlement purposes, the State Department announcement emphasized. “Acceptance of such aid would not prejudice the claims of the individuals against any government or its successor which might have caused this destitution,” the State Department pointed out.
Until the fund becomes available, the State Department with other governments will try to obtain adequate support for the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees, the announcement continues. “This Government,” it says, has consistently sought to alleviate the distress of all displaced persons in Europe, including those refugees who have been obliged to leave their countries for reasons of race, religion or political belief.”
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