E. Germans Take Part of Holocaust Responsibility
East Germany, after 40 years of denial, has recognized that its people share responsibility for the Holocaust, Prime Minister Hans Modrow said in a letter released Thursday.
In the letter to Edgar M. Bronfman, president of the World Jewish Congress, Modrow pledged “material support” for the victims of Nazi persecution. About 6 million Jews are estimated to have been killed by Nazi Germany.
Until now, East Germany denied any responsibility, saying it was a state created in 1949 by Communists and could not accept blame for crimes of the Third Reich in World War II.
West Germany has accepted blame for the Nazi crimes and has paid $43 billion to Holocaust survivors and their families.
Last week, East German and Israeli envoys met in Copenhagen for exploratory talks on establishing diplomatic relations.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
