United States Embassies Poland

Lost property in Eastern Europe extends beyond the crimes committed against Jews during World War II. Hundreds of thousands of properties belonging to non-Jews were taken during the 1940s and 1950s by Communist rulers who opposed most forms of private ownership. Since the democratic changes of 1989, struggles to get back confiscated real estate have met with mixed results. The Czech and Slovak republics moved quickly to return thousands of homes and businesses.

Lost property in Eastern Europe extends beyond the crimes committed against Jews during World War II. Hundreds of thousands of properties belonging to non-Jews were taken during the 1940s and 1950s by Communist rulers who opposed most forms of private ownership. Since the democratic changes of 1989, struggles to get back confiscated real estate have met with mixed results. The Czech and Slovak republics moved quickly to return thousands of homes and businesses.

For years the Polish government had tried to open a consulate in Los Angeles. For years the U.S. State Department said no. Remarkably, many Polish immigrants didn't want one in Los Angeles either. "We did not want to have the communist agents here," explained Chris C. Kolski, president of the Polish American Congress. The fear was espionage.

For years the Polish government had tried to open a consulate in Los Angeles. For years the U.S. State Department said no. Remarkably, many Polish immigrants didn't want one in Los Angeles either. "We did not want to have the communist agents here," explained Chris C. Kolski, president of the Polish American Congress. The fear was espionage.