AJC Commends Lithuania for Jewish Property Compensation

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Apr 04, 2012, 09:43 ET

NEW YORK, April 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC commends Lithuania for designating the Foundation for Lithuanian Jewish Heritage to receive compensation funds for former Jewish communal property.

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"This took far longer and was far more difficult than he had imagined, but Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius was true to his promise and we have him to thank for this successful conclusion," said Rabbi Andrew Baker, AJC Director of International Jewish Affairs, who led international negotiations with the Lithuanian government.

After several failed efforts to reach a restitution agreement with previous Lithuanian governments, Kubilius announced in 2009 that he would propose to pay partial compensation over a ten-year period. The Lithuanian Parliament passed legislation in June 2011 to pay $52 million in compensation, but there were repeated delays in completing the process.

The Foundation for Jewish Heritage, established jointly by the Lithuanian Jewish Community and the World Jewish Restitution Organization, will assume responsibility for administering the funds. Rabbi Baker also represents AJC on the WJRO.

The first payment of $1.15 million will be used to assist needy Lithuanian Holocaust survivors, while additional money will help support Jewish life and heritage in Lithuania.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee