Czechs and Poles are still afraid of the territorial claims of deported Germans almost 60 years after the end of World War II, according to a study by the Allensbach-based Institute for Public Opinion Research, which the German weekly Spiegel published in its latest issue.
According to the study, 38 percent of Czechs and 61 percent of Poles consider it probable that the German government will demand either the return of the former German territories or financial compensation.
According to the DPA news agency, the study is connected with an exhibition on the same topic that will open in the House of History in Bonn at the beginning of December. It shows, among other things, that German expellees' organisations have an extremely bad reputation in eastern Europe, DPA says.
In all, 39 percent of Czechs and 41 percent of Poles believe that these organisations are only seeking the return of property that formerly belonged to Germans who were deported from the two countries after the war.
On the other hand, residents of Eastern Europe consider the creation of a Centre Against Expulsions a good idea. The Expellees' Association, which promotes the establishment of the centre, wants it to become an institution which will document all expulsions in the 20th century.
Czechs and Poles view this as a good idea provided the centre really will map expulsions in various countries.
Czechs would prefer the centre be located in Prague and Poles want it to be situated in the Polish town of Wroclaw.
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