Controversial "complex" gets green light to open outside Auschwitz

A small shopping centre, whose construction was once blocked by Jewish protests, is due to open shortly outside the former German Nazi death camp of Auschwitz, its owner said on Saturday. "We have received the necessary permission and plan to open for business on Monday," said Janusz Marszalek. The Polish Press Agency (PAP) reported that the governor of Malopolska province had issued Marszalek's company a permit to open what is being officially termed "a parking and service complex". The construction project was halted by the Polish authorities in 1996 following an international Jewish outcry alleging that such commercial activity dishonored the memory of Auschwitz victims. Marszalk, who modified the project to cater for Auschwitz Museum visitors, said he was not aware of any recent protests against the plan. "The complex includes a car park, post office, book shop, chemist's and fast food bar, and that has made it possible to remove such businesses from the Auschwitz grounds," Marszalek said. (Reuters)