First compensation payments for Third Reich forced labor perhaps by Xmas

"The first installment payment to forced laborers of the Third Reich might be made by Christmas," said Michael Jansen and Otto Brautigam, plenipotentiaries of the German compensation effort .The exact date depends on the pace with which suits against German companies filed in American courts are withdrawn. The first 50% installment for slave laborers and a 35% installment for forced laborers would be paid even if only part of the money needed (DM 10 billion) is allocated to the compensation account. At present DM 1 billion from German industry and DM 5 billion from the government are pending (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 4)