GERMANY: JEWISH LEADER MICHEL FRIEDMAN, ACCUSES SCHROEDER OF PLAYING A "DESTRUCTIVE ROLE" IN NEGOTIATIONS TO COMPENSATE NAZI ERA SLAVE LABOURERS

Record ID: 989974

  • Title: GERMANY: JEWISH LEADER MICHEL FRIEDMAN, ACCUSES SCHROEDER OF PLAYING A "DESTRUCTIVE ROLE" IN NEGOTIATIONS TO COMPENSATE NAZI ERA SLAVE LABOURERS
  • Date: 9th December 1999
  • Summary: FRANKFURT, GERMANY (DECEMBER 9, 1999) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. WIDE OF AIRPORT ARRIVALS HALL 0.08 2. CU: ARRIVALS BOARD 0.18 3. SV: JOURNALISTS WAITING 0.25 4. SV: MICHAEL WITTI, GERMAN LAWYER FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, ARRIVING FROM WASHINGTON 0.36 5. SV: WITTI GIVING INTERVIEW 0.40 6. SCU: SOUNDBITE (German) MICHAEL WITTI: We are aware that this is no news: eight million marks, forget it, no way. We will have another phone conference later today and we'll then later this evening give our demand to (U.S. head of delegation Stuart) Eizenstat. That figure will be above ten million marks. That's no longer a secret and it will be below twenty. Everything else will have to remain speculation until next week. 1.19 7. SV: JOURNALIST TAKING NOTES 1.25 8. SCU: SOUNDBITE (German) MICHAEL WITTI: The main thing coming out of yesterday's meeting is that we will not accept eight million marks. No one will agree to that. 1.37 9. CUTAWAY: MEDIA 1.43 10. SCU: SOUNDBITE (English) MICHAEL WITTI: The German side should understand: eight billion is not enough. They miscalculated the numbers of victims so they have to add a few billion deutschmarks and then we are ready for signatures. 1.57 11. SV: WITTI GIVING INTERVIEW/ CUTAWAY: MEDIA (2 SHOTS) 2.11 12. SLV: WITTI WALKING OFF 2.19 BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 9, 1999) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 13. SV: SOUNDBITE (German) MICHEL FRIEDMAN, MEMBER OF CENTRAL COUNCIL OF JEWS IN GERMANY: I find it absolutley scandalous that the Chancellor (Gerhard Schroeder) abandoned his role and backed German industry instead of motivating them to take up their responsibilities. It's no wonder they feel so safe, with the backing of the chancellor. One should not forget that Germany is responsible and involved (in what happened) so a two figure sum is still a helpless sum but at least it would somehow symbolise the dignity that the victims deserve. 2.55 14. SV: SOUNDBITE (German) MICHEL FRIEDMAN, MEMBER OF CENTRAL COUNCIL OF JEWS IN GERMANY: Chancellor (Gerhard) Schroeder is playing a destructive role in these talks. I am asking from the Chancellor to be engaged, sensitive and put in a lot of energy in favour of the victims and not in favour of the 3.16 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 23rd December 1999 12:00
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  • Location: FRANKFURT & BERLIN, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Reuters ID: LVABTKILN9D8RT76WIXAY0FXGC8X
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