    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [February 13, 1998]
    [Pages 225-226]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Holocaust Victims Redress Act
    February 13, 1998

        Today I am pleased to sign into law S. 1564, the Holocaust Victims
    Redress Act. This bill enables the United States Government to provide
    further assistance to needy Holocaust survivors and also strengthens
    current U.S. efforts aimed at encouraging countries that possess gold
    looted from Holocaust victims to donate those assets to the Nazi
    Persecution Relief Fund. It further recognizes the need for long overdue
    archival research and translation services to set the historical record
    straight.
        My Administration has worked hard to bring whatever measure of
    justice might be possible to Holocaust survivors, their families, and
    the heirs of those who perished. We have pressed for restitution of
    property and for the full declassification of archives so that
    confiscated assets can be traced and restored to their rightful owners.
    To speed progress toward that goal, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
    in conjunction with the Department of State will co-host in June an
    international conference on Nazi assets.
        As I sign this bill into law, I note that section 102(a), which
    purports to direct the President on how to pursue negotiations with
    foreign states, raises constitutional concerns. Article II of the
    Constitution confers on the President alone the Executive powers of the
    United States, which includes special authority over foreign affairs.
    Although I support the policies underlying this provision, it can be
    read to interfere with my discretion over matters of foreign policy, and
    I will therefore construe the provision as precatory.
        There can be no way to deliver full justice for the many millions of
    victims of Nazi persecution, and we know that the unspeakable losses of
    all kinds that they suffered will never be made whole. Yet it is my hope
    that with this bill, we can help provide some dignity and relief to
    those who were subjected to the ultimate barbarism of the Holocaust, and
    that it will hasten the restitution that they undeniably deserve.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    [[Page 226]]

    Note: S. 1564, approved February 13, was assigned Public Law No. 105-
    158.