-Caveat Lector- 5/8/99 -- 10:59 AM Book: Dutch banks made billions trading stolen Jewish property AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) - Dutch banks made billions of dollars trading property stolen by Nazis from the nation's Jews during World War II, according to a book to be released in the Netherlands on Monday. The claims reach the top of the Dutch banking system. Those accused of profiting from the Holocaust are forerunners of the powerful banks ABN AMRO and ING Groep, which rank among the world's largest financial institutions. The Netherlands' Central Bank and Amsterdam Stock Exchange were also aware of the activities, author Gerard Alders said in interviews with Dutch media published Saturday. In his Dutch-language book, ``Robbery, the Theft of Jewish Belongings During World War II,'' Alders asserts that the issue was covered up by government officials after the war for fear of a backlash. Alders, a historian with the Netherlands State Institute for War Documentation, said nine years of research prove the banks ``knew it was property theft ... of that I am absolutely positive.'' He said $500 million - now worth $7 billion - was stolen by Nazis and sold by a group of 140 stock and bond traders from over half a dozen banks. The traders were fully aware that their activities were illegal, Alders said. Over 75 percent of Dutch Jews - more than 100,000 people - perished in the Holocaust. ABN AMRO spokesman Theo van Dijk said it was too soon to comment on the book's claims. He added that its findings might be taken into account in an ongoing government investigation into the role of banks during the war. Copyright 1999 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
