U.S. Apologizes in WWII 'Gold Train' Case

[NVMojo]

MIAMI (AP) - The U.S. government issued a statement of regret Tuesday for the actions of soldiers who took valuables belonging to Hungarian Jews that had been seized on a Nazi "Gold Train" during the chaotic end of World War II.

The statement issued by the U.S. Justice Department said that the government "regrets the improper conduct of certain of its military personnel" who took items that had been on the train, which was carrying jewelry, gold, artwork, Oriental rugs, china, cutlery, linens and other items.

"The United States has concluded that, although the conduct of its personnel was appropriate in most respects, it was contrary to U.S. policy and the standards expected of its soldiers" in some actions, the Justice Department statement said.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-exec/2005/oct/11/101106785.html

[Hobarticus]

1. Do we have to wait sixty years for the US to apologize for Abu Gharib?

This stuff just writes itself.

[superconnected]

2. This administration takes no responsibility.

Bush has no leadership qualities. It really shows in his lack of taking responsibility.

The apology for the gold train reads more like a denial to me. You can't apologize for doing something you deny you did. Apparently like in Abu Ghraib- the gov has decided the private is as fault .. again, in this case it's soldiers which the us indicates worked independently of the US. Not much of an apology, no?

[Up2Late]

3. US apologizes to Hungarian Jews over 'Gold Train' (Reuters)

(To me, as the Son and Grandson of Holocaust survivors, I find this a very empty apology. Too little, too late.)

US apologizes to Hungarian Jews over 'Gold Train'

Tue Oct 11, 2005 02:40 PM ET

By Michael Christie

MIAMI (Reuters) - The United States on Tuesday apologized to Hungarian Holocaust survivors whose possessions were stolen by U.S. soldiers at the end of World War Two after allied forces seized what became known as the "Gold Train."

Washington has previously reached a $25.5 million settlement with elderly Jews over the trainload of gold, artwork and other property that was plundered by the Nazis and then fell into the hands of the U.S. Army. Most of the haul was auctioned off to pay for post-war refugee aid programs, and some was requisitioned by U.S. Army personnel for use in offices or kept as trinkets.

In the apology issued by the Department of Justice, the U.S. government acknowledged that U.S. military staff failed to return requisitioned items such as typewriters, Oriental rugs and silver cutlery. It also acknowledged that some property was stolen from a warehouse.

"The United States regrets the improper conduct of certain of its military personnel and seeks in this settlement to provide meaningful assistance to those Hungarian Holocaust survivors still living who qualify as financially needy," the apology read.

<http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=9890738&src=rss/topNews>
{more at link above)

[wordout]

4. the only solution is to send 10 trillion to israel for reparations.

[Jack_DeLeon]

5. We saved thier lives and rescued all of Europe...

I say we just call it even.

[Blue_Tires]

6. why do i have a feeling

that some will use this same logic to justify the torture and theft going on in iraq, since we are 'rescuing' all of the middle east?