EU gives $5.3 million to help preserve Auschwitz

[December 14, 2011]  WARSAW, Poland (AP) -- Authorities at the Auschwitz memorial say that the European Commission has donated euro4 million ($5.3 million) to help preserve the site of the World War II Nazi death camp.

Authorities said in a statement Wednesday that the money will be used to help preserve the women's barracks at the Birkenau part of the camp. It will also be used to strengthen and improve the security of the archive building, to expand the database system and to modernize the exhibition of the inmates' suitcases.

The authorities said in a communique that the funds were offered as a result of talks between French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

Between 1940-45, the Nazis killed more than 1 million people, mostly Jews, at Auschwitz.

[Associated Press]

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