President Komorowski; photo - PAPThe Poland's leader made the remarks at the Belvedere Palace, during an extensive interview with national television channel TVP.
“The lack of a bill on re-privatisation is a disgrace for Poland,” the president declared.
“If such a law comes to pass, I will not hesitate to sign it,” he affirmed.
Last month saw much heated debate in the press, after Prime Minister Tusk stated that plans for compensation were being stalled owing to “the global financial crisis.”
The bill, which has been proposed several times since the collapse of communism, concerns citizens of all denominations
Prominent space was given in the media last month owing to statements carried on the website of the World Jewish Congress, which criticised Tusk's declaration.
Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski responded by saying that law courts were the correct place to pursue such claims, noting that countless families had successfully resolved the matter in this fashion. In an side, he also cited a substantial payment made to the U.S. government following an agreement signed in 1960.
Nevertheless, is has been estimated that 89,000 cases are still outstanding, with many properties now in ruins or sold to third parties.
In a bid to reframe the debate, Komorowski accentuated that many of the claimants still live in Poland.
“There is much hubbub about foreigners, but little is said about Poles who are waiting for the return of property,” he said.
The president's support for compensation reflects sentiments he expressed to Poles in the UK, where many former World War II veterans continue to struggle for resolution over lost estates.
Compensation remains a highly inflammatory subject. Komorowski highlighted that Poland is alone in Europe in not passing an adequate bill. However, a large section of public opinion holds that Poland should not be made to pay for Nazi and Communist crimes, and that the damage done to Poland was exceptionally far-reaching.
(nh) Source: TVP