[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 29 (Monday, July 24, 2000)]
[Page 1654]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the German Agreement To Compensate Victims of Nazi Slave 
and Forced Labor

July 17, 2000

    In Berlin today the German Government and German companies signed an 
agreement that will lead to payments to victims of Nazi slave and forced 
labor. This important and generous act will bring comfort and some 
measure of justice to surviving victims of the Nazi era. It is a fitting 
capstone to the 20th century and a cornerstone for a 21st century of 
peace and tolerance. I welcome the signing of this historic agreement 
and commend the German Government and companies for their responsibility 
and courage. I also applaud Chancellor Schroeder, Deputy Treasury 
Secretary Eizenstat, and German negotiator Lambsdorff for their 
leadership and perseverance in bringing us to this point.