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WEEKLY NEWS 1: U.S. Issues Apology

After more than 60 years, the United States has tried to make amends with the Jewish people of Hungary for the theft of their possessions during the close of World War II.

On October 11, 2005, officials in Washington, D.C., reached a $25.5 million agreement with elderly Jewish people who lived during that time period. The spoils from the theft--known as the Golden Train because of the trainload of gold that was hauled out of the area--was mostly auctioned off to post-war refuge programs. Some items were requisitioned by the U.S. Army and used for office trinkets.

"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 U.S. apology read.

In an apology issued by the U.S. Department of Justice, the nation's government recognized the wrongdoings of the U.S. military during the Hungary mission, which included the theft of typewriters, Oriental rugs and silver cutlery.

The statement by the United States ends a chapter of history that began in 2001 when a lawsuit was filed in Miami by Hungarian Jewish people, many of whom live in that area.

--Written by Leah Williams

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