Jewish group raps EU states on Holocaust property claims
By REUTERS
PRAGUE - A global Jewish group urged central and east European countries on Wednesday to return or provide compensation for property seized during the Holocaust and accused Poland, Latvia and Romania in particular of foot-dragging.After a conference in Prague, the World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) said tens of thousands of Nazi Holocaust victims and their heirs had not been able to resolve claims on stolen property despite two decades of trying since the fall of post-war communist regimes in central and eastern Europe.The properties in question are now in the hands of private citizens, businesses and various levels of governments.WJRO President Ron Lauder, a businessman, philanthropist and billionaire son of fashion magnate Estee Lauder, said Poland, Latvia and Romania were posing particular obstacles."The WJRO is appalled that the government in Warsaw now adamantly refuses to offer any legislative gestures to address languishing private property claims," he said in a statement.
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