United States Ambassador George McGhee discussed several times in Bonn with high officials of the German Government the legislation deferring payment of compensations in 1966 and 1967 to the Nazi victims who submitted their claims after 1953, the State Department revealed today.
The discussions took place prior to the passage of the new legislation in both houses of the West German Parliament, the State Department emphasized. “However, German budget considerations precluded any change” in the legislation, a Department communication stated.
The communication was addressed to Senator Jacob K. Javits, New York Republican, by Douglas MacArthur 2nd, Assistant Secretary of State for Congressional relations. The State Department official stressed that “a last minute amendment to the legislation will permit the Federal Government to adjust percentages at which claims will be satisfied during the next two years in accordance with circumstances of the case. This clause may particularly benefit older claimants and those in serious need.” Mr. MacArthur noted that “West German Finance Minister Rolf Dahlgruen has said that he will consult with persecutee groups before issuing directives fixing percentages at which claims may be paid if the appropriations do not suffice for payments in full.”
Sen. Javits said he considered the State Department response to his request for intercession with Bonn to have been inadequate and ineffectual. He made known that he intends to continue pursuit of justice for the Nazi victims who have been “arbitrarily-denied indemnification solemnly promised by the West German Government.
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