German chancellor Schroeder distances himself from claims on Polish land

German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder made an official move against the displaced who demanded before joining the European Union (EU) Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary allow German "refugees" to resettle on the territories they were forced to leave. Schroeder said "Germany, as a state will not support the claims of Germans displaced from Eastern Europe after World War II. Although the territories now belonging to Poland are a part of our cultural heritage they no longer belong to Germany. We have no claims concerning these territories." The chancellor also added that the displacements were a result of the Nazi policy and assured all interested in returning to their "homes" they will be allowed to settle where they want after the countries in question join the EU. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 1)