Nazi War Criminal Records Interagency Working Group to Hold Public Forum in New York City
Press Release · Wednesday, September 8, 1999

Washington, DC

The Nazi War Criminal Records Interagency Working Group (IWG) will hold its second public forum at the U.S. District Courthouse in Manhattan, on September 27, 1999, from 10 am to 5 pm. The courthouse is located at 500 Pearl Street. The press and the public are invited to attend.

The IWG, established by President Clinton under the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act, is required to identify and recommend for declassification and release U. S. Government records that are still security-classified and relate to Nazi war criminals, war crimes, persecution, and looted assets during Hitler's rule. The documentation will be made available to the public at the National Archives and Records Administration.

The New York City forum is one of several programs planned by the IWG to solicit the advice of the public and scholars to help fulfill its mandate. It will consist of three parts: First, public figures will present their views on the importance of opening pertinent classified records as required by the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act. Second, scholars studying the Holocaust will suggest areas for further inquiry. Third, the IWG will hear from the interested public whose personal knowledge or experience may lead to further research.

Among those invited to speak are: Representative Carolyn Maloney of New York; Edgar Bronfman, Chair of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States and President of the World Jewish Congress; J.D. Bindenagel, the State Department's Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues; Neil Levine, Superintendent, New York State Insurance Department, National Association of Insurance Commissioners International Holocaust Commission Task Force; Israel Singer, Secretary General, World Jewish Congress; and Stuart E. Eizenstat, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.

Scholars and experts making presentations include: Ken Klothen, Executive Director, Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States; Jeffrey Burds, Professor of History, Northeastern University; Irwin Nack, Investigative Counsel, New York Banking Department; and Robert Wolfe, National Archives and Records Administration, retired.

The IWG is composed of three public members appointed by the President and the representatives of the heads of seven federal agencies. It is chaired by Dr. Michael Kurtz, representing the Archivist of the United States.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail.

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