Plunder and Restitution

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Discusses problems of the implemenation of restitution in Europe, including the inadequate sum of $500,000 agreed upon in 1962 to settle claims, and agreements negotiated by the Commission with museums, banks, etc. regarding dormant accounts and looted artworks. Recommendations include promoting research and education and seeking solutions to continuing restitution problems; reviewing Holocaust-era assets in federal, state, and private institutions and returning them to victims or heirs; preservation by the government of relevant archival records; continuation of U.S. leadership in promoting international commitment to restitution; and passing legislation to facilitate identification and restitution of assets. Both during and after the war priority was not given to restitution; the cumbersome process of recovery averaged more than three years. Postwar restitution policy was sometimes hostage to other U.S. policies, e.g. the Cold War. Concludes that agencies of the U.S. government demonstrated a significant commitment to return the property of Holocaust victims.