| 1997 |
|
| 07.01.97 |
The
Federal Council declares its willingness to begin talks about
the creation of a fund for Nazi victims |
| 14.01.97 |
Christoph
Meili, employed as night watchman of a security firm, reveals
the destruction of records of the Union Bank of Switzerland |
| 15.01.97 |
Jewish
groups are ready to resume dialogue following the declaration
of Federal Councillor Delamuraz that he was sorry he had
offended the feelings of many people |
| 21.01.97 |
A
parliamentary coordination group is deployed under the
direction of Lili Nabholz |
| 25.01.97 |
Officials
of the Social Democratic Party call for Federal Councillor
Delamuraz to resign |
| 26.01.97 |
Publication
of statements from an internal memorandum of the Swiss
Ambassador in Washington, Carlo Jagmetti |
| 27.01.97 |
Resignation
of Jagmetti |
| 29.01.97 |
Publication
of the « 21 January 1997 Manifesto », appears on 31 Jan 97
as an ad in various daily newspapers |
|
Third
class action suit against Swiss Banks by the "World
Council of Orthodox Jewish Communities" and individual
persons |
| 4./5.02.97 |
Lili
Nabholz and François Loeb travel to the USA upon mandate of
the presidents of the National Council and of the Council of
States |
| 05.02.97 |
The
three major Swiss banks appropriate 100 million francs to set
up a humanitarian fund for Nazi victims |
| 10.02.97 |
Hearing
by the New York City Council |
| 12.02.97 |
The
Federal Council wants a two-step procedure: first, the
creation of a Special Fund, and second, the groundwork for a
definitive structure, most probably in the form of a
Foundation |
| 14.02.97 |
A
meeting of representatives of Jewish organizations with
representatives of both the Swiss and the American governments
is described as a turning-point in the polemic |
| 25.02.97 |
The
Federal Archives and the Task Force organize an information
day on the status of disclosures and the perspectives for the
on-going research |
| 26.02.97 |
"The
Federal Council approves an « Executive Ordinance Concerning
the Special Fund for Needy Victims of the Holocaust/Shoa ».
The Ordinance enters into force on 1 March 1997 |
| 01.03.97 |
Speech
by Christoph Blocher « Switzerland and the Second World
War: A Clarification » |
| 05.03.97 |
Statement
of Swiss President Koller before the Joint Federal Assembly;
Proposal of the Federal Council for a « Swiss
Foundation for Solidarity » with an endowment of
approximately 7 billion francs |
| 05.03.97 |
The
Chairmen of the National Council and the Council of States
write a letter informing parliamentary chairmen in 25 states
in Europe, North America, and Israel about the measures which
the Swiss parliament has undertaken in the last 2 years |
| 11.-14.03.97 |
Federal
Councillor Cotti travels to the USA |
| 18.03.97 |
General
debate in the National Council on the various parliamentary
actions |
| 19.03.97 |
Debate
in the Council of States on a parliamentary action concerning
future settlement of unclaimed assets |
| 4.u.8.04. |
A
demonstration by Swiss army veterans underscores the
achievements of the generation of active service |
| 17.04.97 |
The
Federal Council names the four Swiss members of the «
Holocaust Fund » executive; Rolf Bloch is appointed president |
| 30.04.97 |
The
Swiss Bankers Association announces its willingness to publish
the names of the holders of dormant accounts |
| 01.05.97 |
Elie
Wiesel, Avraham Hirshson, and Josef Burg are appointed by the
Federal Council to the Holocaust Fund executive. Nobel Prize
winner Wiesel is given the honorary status of «
Dean/International Chairman » |
| 06.05.97 |
Hearing
before the US Senate Banking Committee; Testimony of Christoph
Meili |
| 07.05.97 |
Publication
of the «
Eizenstat-Report » (U.S. and Allied Efforts to Recover
and Restore Gold and Other Assets Stolen or Hidden by Germany
during World War II, Preliminary Study) |
| 10.05.97 |
Elie
Wiesel declines post in the Holocaust Fund executive |
| 12.-14.05.97 |
National
Councillor Lili Nabholz and Councillor of States Gian-Reto
Plattner travel to the USA |
| 15.05.97 |
Hearing
before the US Senate Banking Committee on the Eizenstat Report |
| 16.05.97 |
Two
working groups, « Foundation Activities » and « Financing
», are appointed by the Federal Council to prepare the «
Swiss Foundation for Solidarity » |
| 21.05.97 |
Publication
of an investigation into the activities of the Swiss machine
industry and its associations, the ASM and the VSM, 1933-1945 |
| 22.05.97 |
Detailed
statement of the position taken by the Federal Council on the
Eizenstat Report |
| 23.05.97 |
The
US Senate unanimously pronounces itself in favor of granting
Christopher Meili, his wife, and their children asylum in the
USA
Bill
for the relief of Christopher Meili (in section 3
"Bill/Amendment" enter the number: S. 768) |
| 26.05.97 |
American
President Bill Clinton holds a short telephone conversation
with Swiss President Arnold Koller |
| 28.05.97 |
The
Federal Council appoints the President of the World Jewish
Congress (WJC), Edgar Bronfman, as seventh member of the Fund
executive and designates the 18 members of the Fund council |
| 12.06.97 |
National
Councillor Stucky proposes to finance the planned Fund for
Solidarity with a part of the net proceeds of the National
Bank (debated within the framework of a minor revision of the
Law on the National Bank). The request is withdrawn and is
subject to further examination by the Federal Council |
| 16.06.97 |
The
Federal Council supports the new regulation proposed by the
Legal Affairs Committee of the National Council which protects
employees who make declarations or provide information to the
« Bergier Commission of Experts » from incurring legal
damages |
| 20.06.97 |
An
"Eizenstat
Report Information Seminar" is organized by the
parliamentary coordination group « Unclaimed Assets » in
cooperation with the Task Force « Switzerland - Second World
War » in the chamber of the National Council |
| 21.06.97 |
Statement
of National
Councillor C. Blocher on the « Eizenstat Report »;
announcement that he would donate a year’s salary for a
private solidarity movement if others do the same as well |
| 23.-25.06.97 |
International
conference of the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) in Geneva on
the search for and the restitution of assets looted by the
Nazis |
| 25.06.97 |
The
Federal Council approves the « Message regarding the
participation of the Swiss National Bank in the Special Fund
for Needy victims of the Holocaust/Shoa ». The National Bank
is to contribute 100 million francs to the Fund
The Federal Council passes the « Executive Ordinance on the
Historical and Legal Investigation into the Fate of assets
which Reached Switzerland as a Result of the
National-Socialist Regime »
The Swiss Bankers Association, the Federal Banking Commission,
and the « Volcker Commission » announce the creation of a
contact point (at the Atag Ernst & Young Trust Company) as
well as that of an international court of arbitration for
claims on dormant accounts/assets in Swiss banks
Hearing
before the US House of Representatives Banking Committee
on the « Eizenstat Report » |
| 02.07.97 |
The
Committee of Legal Affairs of the National Council supports a
further extension of the protection of those providing
information to the "Bergier Commission of Experts" |
| 03.07.97 |
The
Swiss Television shows the controversial BBC-film "Nazigold
und Judengeld" about Switzerland in World War II. The
film was shown in Great Britain on 18 June 1997 |
| 07.07.97 |
A
first portion of the Fund for Holocaust Victimes, 17 million
francs, is released for Needy Holocaust Survivers and their
Descendants |
| 08.07.97 |
The
Ombudsman of the Swiss banks found approximately 17 million
francs of unclaimed assets in Swiss bank accounts up to the
beginning of June 1997; approximately 10 million belonged to
Holocaust Victims |
| 15.07.97 |
The
US House of Representatives follows the US Senate and passes
the bill
for the relief of Christopher Meili (in section 3
"Bill/Amendment" enter the number: S. 768) |
| 23.07.97 |
Publication
of a list with names of foreign unclaimed assets Swiss
Bank Dormant Accounts |
| 29.07.97 |
US
President Bill Clinton signs the bill giving Christopher Meili
and his family permanent resident status |
| 25.08.97 |
The
intention of the National Bank of Switzerland to transfer 100
million francs to the Holocaust Fund is undisputed in the
Committee for Legal Affairs of the National Council. To the
contrary the Committee approved the view that no extraordinary
legal authorization for the transfer is necessary by twelve
votes to five (Press Release: German
version / French
version) |
| 26.-31.08.97 |
Centennial
Jubilee of the 1st Zionist Congress in Basle: Address by Mrs
Judith Stamm, Speaker of the National Council, on the occasion
of the hundredth anniversary of the first Zionist Congress,
Basle, 31th August 1997 (German
only) |
| 1.-4.09.97 |
Visit
of a Knesset delegation to Switzerland |
| 10.09.97 |
Israel
publishes a list of 10'000 names of owners of unclaimed assets |
| 11.09.97 |
The
Committee for Legal Affairs of the Council of State postpones
the decision whether to create a legal foundation for a
Holocaust Fund until the decision of the National Council in
its autumn session. The Committee proposes to take no action
on the parliamentary initiative of the Committee for Legal
Affairs of the National Council on the consequences of the
application of the right to supply information to the Expert
Commission on Switzerland-World War II, since the proposed
supplements are superfluous (Press Release: German
version) (French
version) |
| 15.09.97 |
The
Executive Board of the Holocaust Fund met without the Jewish
members. Due to the lack of requests from organisations which
represent the interests of the victims of the Nazis, no
decision concerning definite contributions could be taken |
| 17.09.97 |
Bejamin
Meed is elected by the Federal Council to the Executive Board
of the Special Fund for Holocaust Victims. Meed, a Holocaust
survivor and president of the "American
Gathering/Federation of Jewish Holocaust Survivors",
replaces the president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC),
Edgar Bronfman (Press
Release) |
| 17./18.09.97 |
Jewish
organizations supply first lists with the names of needy
persons in Eastern Europe who should receive contribution from
the Special Fund for Holocaust Victims |
| 23.09.97 |
A
Jewish Holocaust victim (Hans Weinberg - alias Eli Carmel),
who was deported to Germany from Basel in 1939, receives
compensation in the sum of 50,000 francs from the government
of Basel. The president of Basel, Ueli Vischer, apologizes to
Weinberg, who is now 81, for his suffering. |
| 24.09.97 |
National
Council passes a motion to improve the legal protection for
witnesses testifying before the Expert Commission Switzerland
- World War II (Bergier Commission) by a vote of 98 to 9. |
| 29.09.97 |
The
National Bank of Switzerland should have the authority to
transfer 100 million Swiss Francs to the Holocaust Fund
without any extraordinary legal authorization. The National
Council decides to take no action on the corresponding
extraordinary legislation by a vote of 131 to 38. |
| 01.10.97 |
Criminal
proceedings against the former security guard Christoph Meili
as well as the proceedings against the person responsible for
the destruction of documents at the Union Bank of Switzerland,
the firm's archivist Erwin Haggenmüller, are dropped. |
| 07.10.97 |
The
National Bank of Switzerland can transfer funds to the
Holocaust Fund without extraordinary legal authorization. The
Council of States agrees with the decision of the National
Council by a vote of 22 to 16.
The Council of States holds additional legal protection for
witnesses testifying before the Expert Commission Switzerland
- World War II (Bergier Commission) for unneccesary. By a vote
of 35 to 7 it decides to take no action on the corresponding
motion of the National Council.
The International Committee of the Red Cross apologizes in
Israel for its silence on the mass murder of Jews by the
National Socialists.
In a new report the Jewish World Congress speaks of 4.4
billion dollars (in current value) of gold stolen by the Nazis
which entered Switzerland, much more than previously assumed.
This would be 2-3 billion more than Switzerland paid in
reparations. The Task Force Switzerland - World War II rejects
all demands in connection with the Washington Accord
decisively. |
| 10.10.97 |
Alan
G. Hevesi, the Comptroller of New York City, excluded the UBS
(Union Bank of Switzerland) from a syndicate which the bank
had originally led for the disposition of a city loan. The US
State Department described the sanctions as counter
productive. |
| 14.10.97 |
It
becomes known that the US State of California stopped
officially dealing with Swiss banks in the summer. |
| 21.10.97 |
The
Committee of Legal Affairs of the National Council decisively
rejects attempts to curtail or hinder the work of the "Bergier
Commission" through the refusal of the necessary
financial means. (Press
Release: German Version / French
Version) |
| 28.10.97 |
The
Committee of Legal Affairs of the National Council moves with
a vote of 18 to 4 to continue to support the resolution of the
National Council concerning consequences of testimony before
the Expert Commission Switzerland - World War II. (Press
Release: German Version / French
Version |
| 29.10.97 |
The
Bankers Association publishes two new lists of unclaimed
assets. They contain the names of approximately 11'000 Swiss
and 3'700 foreign account holders. (http://www.dormantaccounts.ch/) |
| 31.10.97 |
Solidarity
Fund: two working groups under the direction of Ulrich
Bremi and Hermann Fehr present their final Report.
- Report of the Working Group "Funding
and Assets Management"
- Report of the Working Group "Fund Activities" |
|
The
board of directors of the Swiss National Bank decides to
transfer 100 million francs to the Special Fund for Holocaust
Victims on November 3, 1997. |
| 10.11.97 |
The
Special Fund for Holocaust Victims transferred the first 15
million francs to the World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO)
for the support of Jewish Holocaust Survivors in Eastern
Europe (Press
Release) |
| 15.11.97 |
During
her official visit in Bern the US Secretary of State Madeleine
K. Albright praised Swiss efforts towards coming to terms with
the Nazi period and assured the Federal Council of a
constructive stance of the US government during the discussion
of remaining differences. |
| 18.11.97 |
The
first distribution from the Special Fund is made to Holocaust
Survivors in Riga (Latvia) |
| 19.11.97 |
The
Banking Subcommittee of the Knesset demands that Israeli banks
publish the names of account holders of unclaimed assets by
the end of the year |
| 16.-20.11.97 |
A
delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Council of
States visits Israel (Press Release: German
Version / French
Version) |
| 21.11.97 |
The
World Jewish Congress proposes a "lump sum" solution |
| 01.12.97 |
The
"Bergier-Commission" publishes a statistical
overview of gold-trade |
| 01.12.97 |
The
World Jewish Concress (WJC) demands from Switzerland billions
in payments to Holocaust Victims |
| 2.-4.12.97 |
International
Conference in London on gold looted by the Nazis |
| 02.12.97 |
Great
Britain, the United States and France announce the Foundation
of an International Fund for Needy Holocaust Victims |
| 04.12.97 |
The
US State of California will recall its moratorium against
Swiss banks for a preliminary period of three months |
| 05.12.97 |
The
Swiss Federal Archives publishes a study of the activities of
three Swiss subsidaries in Nazi Germany |
| 08.12.97 |
"Conference
on Dormant Swiss Bank Accounts, Missing Assets and Local
Initiatives" / New
York City Comptroller
Legal Protection (OR Immunity) for witnesses before the
Bergier Commission: the National Council adheres to its
previous resolution by 97 votes to 55 |
| 10.12.97 |
The
National Council approves 1.1 million francs for the
secretariat of the Holocaust-Fund by 102 to 52 votes. The
Council of States had approved this amount without discussion |
| 11.12.97 |
The
National Council approves an additional credit of 17 million
francs for the Bergier Commission, within the scope of the
requested amount, by 112 votes to 37. The Council of States
approved the credit on 3 December without opposition. |
| 18.12.97 |
23
Albanian Survivers of the Holocaust received each 1'000 francs
from the Special Fund; the first non-jewish Holocaust Victims
to do so |
| 22.12.97 |
The
report "L'honneur perdu de la Suisse" shown on Swiss
French television violated the conditions of its concession
according to the Independent Grievance Commission (UBI).
On the other hand the BBC documentary "Nazigold und
Judengeld" shown on Swiss German Television did not
violate broadcast-rights because it was suitably imbedded |
| 24.12.97 |
The
three large Swiss Banks assume distribution costs for the
Special Fund for the Holocaust-Victims up to 15 million francs |
Document compiled by Dr S D
Stein