| 1996 |
|
| 01.01.96 |
The
central information service of the Swiss banks under the
direction of banking Ombudsman Hanspeter Häni becomes active.
The guidelines of the Swiss Bankers Association enter into
vigor |
| 07.02.96 |
Publication
of the results of a survey on unclaimed assets in Swiss banks:
775 accounts containing a total of 38.7 million francs |
| 08.02.96 |
Vehement
reactions on the part of representatives of Jewish
organizations; the survey is in some instances rejected as
being « unacceptable » |
| 20.02.96 |
Hearing
of the sub-committee of the National Council’s Legal Affairs
Committee with representatives of the World Jewish Congress
(Israel Singer), the Swiss Federation of Israelite
Communities, the Swiss Bankers Association, the Federal
Banking Commission, as well as the Swiss Banking Ombudsman |
| 27.02.96 |
The
National Council’s Legal Affairs Committee announces that it
perceives a need for clarification and for action in
connection with the overall issue of unclaimed assets. |
| 23.04.96 |
First
hearing before the U.S. Senate Banking Committee under the
chairmanship of Senator Alfonse D’Amato |
| 02.05.96 |
Agreement
between international Jewish Organizations and the Swiss
Bankers Association to create an « Independent Commission of
Eminent persons », also known as the « Volcker Commission
». The commission is mandated to audit the search for assets
of Nazi victims in Swiss banks Memorandum of Understanding |
| 10.05.96 |
The
Federal Council appoints an ad-hoc working group under the
direction of Ambassador Mathias Krafft, whose task is to
investigate whether Swiss banks accepted loot (in accordance
with point 5 of the Memorandum of Understanding) |
| 13.05.96 |
The
Legal Affairs Committee of the National Council decides to
elaborate an initiative of its own |
| 02.07.96 |
The
Legal affairs Committee of the National Council approves a
draft consultation procedure on the Committee’s initiative |
| 26.08.96 |
Parliamentary
initiative of the Legal Affairs Committee of the National
Council # 96.434 Unclaimed Assets. Approval of the Report by
the Committee |
| 10.09.96 |
According
to a memorandum published by the British Foreign Ministry,
Switzerland took in 500 million $ of German gold; This sum is
subsequently corrected to 500 million francs; Debate in the
Lower house |
| 16.09.96 |
The
Federal Council states its position on the parliamentary
initiative Unclaimed Assets |
| 30.09.96 |
Discussion
of the parliamentary initiative Unclaimed Assets in the
National Council |
| 03.10.96 |
First
suit filed on behalf of Nazi victims against Swiss banks;
claims of 20 billion $ are sought |
| 06.10.96 |
The
U.S. government announces its own investigations into the
whereabouts of Nazi gold; the coordinator is Stuart Eizenstat,
Special Envoy of the U.S. Department of State in the search
for unclaimed assets |
| 16.10.96 |
Second
hearing before the U.S.Senate Banking committee; Senator D’Amato
speaks about a « secret treaty » between Switzerland and
Poland in 1949 (Hug/Perrenoud report) |
| 18.10.96 |
The
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs declares that the
Agreement with Poland was published in the Official Collection
of documents; a confidential, i.e., unpublished exchange of
correspondence between the two delegation heads was annexed to
the Agreement |
| 23.10.96 |
Second
lawsuit against Swiss banks; restitution of assets is demanded |
| 25.10.96 |
The
appointment of a coordinating Task
Force "Assets of Nazi Victims" headed by Thomas
Borer is announced |
| 30.10.96 |
Klaus
Urner, head of the archives on contemporary political history,
proposes the creation of a Swiss Holocaust Foundation in a
television interview |
| 12.11.96 |
Press
conference by the Swiss Banking Ombudsman |
| 27.11.96 |
Discussion
of the parliamentary initiative Unclaimed assets in the
Council of States |
| 4.12.96 |
New
figures from the Federal Archives are published on the
refugees turned away at the Swiss border (Article by Guido
Koller in Studien und Quellen - Studies and Sources - 22) |
| Dez.
96 |
Clearing
up of differences between the National Council and the Council
of States |
| Dez.
96 |
Eight
parliamentary actions are submitted on the subject |
| 11.12.96 |
Hearing
before the Banking Committee of the U.S. House of
Representatives in Washington, under the chairmanship of James
A. Leach Statement
of Ambassador Thomas Borer |
| 13.12.96 |
Final
vote, unanimous passage of the Federal Decree of 13 December
1996 « on the Historical and Legal Investigation into the
Fate of Assets which Reached Switzerland as a Result of the
National-Socialist Regime » Entry into force: 14 Dec 96 |
| 13.12.96 |
Press
conference of the Swiss National Bank |
| 19.12.96 |
Independent
Commission of Experts (Bergier), appointed by the Federal
Council |
| 19.12.96 |
Publication
of the "Hug/Perrenoud Report" « Assets in
Switzerland of Victims of Nazism and the Compensation
Agreements with East Bloc Countries » |
| 31.12.96 |
Interview-statements
by President Delamuraz who in connection with the restitution
demands speaks of « extortion - blackmail », provoke violent
reactions particularly from Jewish circles |
Document
compiled by Dr S D Stein