Germany to give $80 million Auschwitz memorial fund

Foreign minister says it is Germany's "historical responsibility" to educate this and future generations about Holocaust.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Auschwitz sign 248 88 AP (photo credit: )
Auschwitz sign 248 88 AP
(photo credit: )
BERLIN — German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Wednesday that Germany will pay €60 million ($80 million) over the next year into a new fund for Auschwitz-Birkenau to preserve barracks, gas chambers and other evidence of Nazi crimes at the former death camp.
Westerwelle said it is Germany's "historical responsibility" to educate this and future generations about the Holocaust.
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The donation is about half of what experts believe is needed.
Auschwitz memorial spokesman Jaroslaw Mensfelt said the US has pledged $15 million, Austria €6 million, and other countries have promised smaller amounts.
The aim is to preserve the sprawling site, which draws 1 million visitors per year.