~ ./-···~---!·+ 1 !L, l .. 1 'JO c; I \\!.,,,,i ,i\ ,i ,,!!,,,,\l.,,,l!,,l,,! .1. ,1, !,.\ ,, !1,li,,,,!,1,I Rhode lslana Jewish Thayer Street Shopping I PAGES 10 & 11. I HERALD -1 The Only English-Jewish Weekly in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts VOLUME LXVIII, NUMBER 31 SIVAN 24, THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1998 35( PER COPY Swiss Talks Reach 'Critical' Stage as Unofficial Deadline Approaches by Daniel Kurtzman ing held under rules of stri ct said, "We believe that there are WASHINGTON (JT A) - As confidentiality. no grounds for class action suits negotiations to settle Holocaust­ A key sticking point in the against us, and we will use ev­ era claims against Switzerland talks involves the question of ery legal option to defend our­ reach a critical sta ge, there is no what exactly an agreement with selves from such justified clear indication. that efforts to the banks would cover. claims." reach an agreement wi ll suc­ The WJC, which has spear­ One source said the discon­ ceed. headed international efforts to nect between what some Jewish Facing an unofficial June 30 pressure Switzerland to con­ negotiators are seeking and deadline, one source close to the front its wartime past, has been what the banks are willing to talks cautioned against both pushing Switzerland to reach a negotiate has further compli­ "false hopes" and "undo pessi­ global settlement that would cated matters. mism," saying the negotiations resolve a ll claims stemming There are some who feel that are at a "very critical singe." from Swiss actions during if the Swiss National Bank It is against this backdrop that World War II. doesn' t join in with the other conflicting reports have Such a settlement would pre­ banks in a global resolution, emerged about whether sumably address the claims be­ "they don't want any resolu­ Switzerland's three largest pri­ ing pursued in a multibillion tion," the source said. vate banks have made a firm class-action suit brought by Another source said, how­ offer to Jewish negotiators. Holocaust survivors. ever, that such an assessment is One source familiar with the The Swiss government, to­ "flat-out wrong." . negotiations said the Swiss gether with its central bank, the The reported settlement of­ banks - Union Bank of Swit­ Swiss National Bank, has ruled fer from the banks was said to zerland,CreditSuisseand Swiss out using taxpayers' money to have come just days before the Bank Corp. - offered a settle­ pay into any settlement. New York Sta te Banking De­ ment totaling more than $1 bil­ "Switzerland wi ll not partici­ partment decided to approve a lion to resolve claims brought pate in such settlements," Swiss merger between Union Bank of by Holocaust survivors who President Flavio Cotti said over Switzerland and Swiss Bank charge that the banks failed to the weekend. Corp. The U.S. Federal Reserve return their assets after World In a move that could increase gave final approval to the deal PHDS Celebrates War!!. pressure on the Swiss govern­ recently, which will form the The banks denied that an of­ ment to reach a settlement, law­ world's third largest bank. Pre-School Graduates! fer had been put forward, as did yers representing Holocaust vic­ The WJC made no objection Providence Hebrew Day School recently held graduation a reliable source, who charac­ tims are planning to sue the to the move, which some took ceremonies fo r preschool and kindergarten students. Maureen terized the negotiations as Swiss National Bank for its role as a sign that progress had been Sheehan, general studies principal, and Rabbi Nisse!, dean, "tenuous." Another source said in accepting the vast majority of made with Swiss banks toward award special certificates to students. (See page 9). a "chasm" . of differences re­ gold looted by the Nazis, in­ reaching a settlement of Holo­ Herald photo by Tara V. Lisciandro mained between the two sides. cludinggold stolendirectlyfrom caust-era claims. The World Jewish Congress, Holocaust victims. · On a related front, lawyers lawyers representing Holocaust The suit was postponed ear­ involved in the negotiations met victims and the Swiss ba nks lier this month amid attempts to this week with an advisory have been holding settlement first reach a settlement with the group of Jewish organizations talks in recent weeks under the private banks. to consult them about the cur­ News at a Glance aegis of the U.S. State Depart­ A spokesman for the Swiss rent status of the negotiations. sentatives gave final approval ment. The negotiations are be- National Bank, Werner Abegg, The following news items have (Continued on Page 19) been supplied by the Jewish Tele­ to legislation aimed at forcing graphic Agency in New York. Russia to stop exporting ballis­ • A delegation from Israel's tic missile technology to Iran. Peace Now movement met in The House approved the mea­ German Chancellor Visits Egyptwithmembersofa newly sure by far more than the two­ formed peace movement there. thirds majority required to over­ Boston Holocaust Memorial In a joint statement issued after ride a presidential veto, as the the talks, the two groups called Senate did late last month. The by Michael Gelbwasser have been "almost inconceivable Freedom Trail. Presented dur­ on their respective governments move sets up a confrontation The Jewish Advocate 30 years ago." ing a special ceremony of re­ to continue working to advance with theClintonadministration, WALTI-!AM , Mass. (JT A) - The chancellor praised Bran­ membrance, the wreath hon­ the peace process. The statement which has argued that the bill Members of Brandeis deis officials for their work in ored the 6 million Jewish vic­ also said a comprehensive peace would undermine efforts to ad­ University's Class of 1998 were this area so far. tims of the Holocaust. would be impossible without dress the issue with Russia pleased with German Chancel­ Prior to the commencement, "I was very pleased that he thedismantlingofJewishsettle­ through diplomatic channels. lor Helmut Kohl's remarks dur­ Kohl and Brandeis president represented Germany and he's ments. The two groups are plan­ Most Jewish activists are back­ ing their commencement last Jehuda Reinharz presided over willing to come to peace with ning to meet again this Septem­ ing the measure. month. the opening of the Center for the Holocaust and acknowledge ber in Jerusalem. • Auditors investigating ac­ After the ceremony, David German and European Studies it," Pauline Keshishian, who re­ • Internet-access firm counts in Swiss banks that have Weisman said in an interview at Brandeis. The German gov­ ceived a bachelor of arts degree, America Online announced that remained dormant since the end he appreciated Kohl stressed ernment last year committed $1.5 said a fter the commencement. it purchased a Tel Aviv-based of World War II will need, the that strengthening Germany's million over five years to the Shana Brickman, who re­ Internet chat and messaging rest of the year to complete their ti es to the Jewish community project. ceived a bachelor of science de­ firm for $287 million in cash. work, according to the indepen­ and Israel were priorities for "He has reminded his coun­ gree, said she found Kohl's The purchase gives AOL access dent committee overseeing the him. Brandeis presented Kohl trymen that the past must never speech "very inspirational and to Mirabilis' more than 12 mil­ search. The delay comes as a with a n honorary doctor of let­ be forgotten," Reinharz said in uplifting" considering that "the lion users. Mirabilis also has a result of the "widely disbursed ters degree. introducing Kohl during the Germans and the Jews have been free Web-based program called and incomplete documentary Addressing the graduates in commencement. on stressful terms for a while." ICQ - or "I Seek You" - that record" remaining from the war German, with a simultaneous Following the commence­ She said she hoped Kohl's lets users know when their years, said the Volcker commit­ Engli sh translation, Kohl said ment, Kohl laid a memorial message would "bring peace friends are online and then ex­ tee, named for its chairman, he was "cognizant" that his ap­ wreath at the New England Ho­ and good relations between Ger­ change messages. former Federal Reserve Chair­ pearance at Brandeis would locaust Memorial on Boston's mans and Jews in the future." • The U.S . House of Repre- man Paul Volcker. • 2-THE RHODE ISLAND JEWISH HERALD, THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1998 HAPPENINGS Midsummer Meltdown '98 Midsummer Meltdown '98 will be held at the Astors' Beechwood, Calendar: June 18th thru 28th Newport, On June 26 from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a. m. to benefit the A-T Children's Project. (100% of the money raised fro m the event will 18 JVS & Career Moves, Boston, "Using the Internet for a Job Search," workshop, 6 to 7 p.m. go towards finding a cure and therapy fo r the fa tal, genetic disease Call (617) 451-8147. which attacks children). Newport Art Museum offers a host of interesting art and craft classes, now through August. This year's event will be chaired by Billy Andrade and Brad For complete schedule, ca ll 848-8200. Faxon. Enjoy an evening of dancing, live entertainment, fun and 19 14th Annual Secret Gardens Tours, June 19 to 21 , benefits arts education in Aquidneck laughter, with a summer buffet, and an extraordinary silent auc­ Island school system. Call 847-0514. tion and raffl e. Tickets are $85 per person. Black-tie optional. Stars of David, support network fo r Jewish adoptive families, hosts annual summer Shabbat Advanced tickets required. For more information or tickets, ca ll barbecue, 5:30 p.m., Highridge Swim and Tennis Club, Lincoln.