Jewish Diaspora Dismayed by Poland’s Decision to Halt Restitution Process

March 15, 2011 The World Jewish Restitution Organization (WRJO), representing Holocaust survivors and their heirs world-wide, has expressed dismay at the announcement last week by the State Treasury of Poland that the government has suspended work on legislation to provide compensation payments for the property nationalized during the Communist period. Prime Minister Donald Tusk explained that the bill, which has been under discussion since 2008, could not be financed due to the current economic climate. In reaction to PM Tusk's declaration Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) has said: "For us, this is an issue of justice and not money." "This issue has been under discussion in Poland for almost two decades, through many economic periods, including the present one when Poland is experiencing some of the strongest economic growth in the European Union. It is unacceptable that Poland cannot find some way to meet its responsibility to former landowners," Lauder added in a statement issued by the WJC on Sunday. "We are greatly disturbed by this turn of events as Polish officials have been publicly stating for many years - indeed too many years - that the property restitution and compensation issue would be addressed and legislation introduced in Parliament," Lauder added. In 2008, Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared that Poland was not avoiding the issue, and that a new bill was being drawn up. Poland's property-owners' association estimates Jewish claims to be about 17 percent of the total value of $22 billion to $24 billion in confiscated property that has yet to be returned, according to AFP. Source: The Warsaw Voice