Approach
The commission did not set out to write a general history of Switzerland during the Nazi era, rather it took as its task "to shed light upon certain controversial or insufficiently analyzed aspects of this history, aspects in which it appeared that Switzerland, that is to say its political authorities and economic decision-makers, had perhaps been derelict in assuming their responsibilities."
The commission was given unprecedented powers and resources by the Swiss Parliament:
- it was to have unimpeded access to the archives held by Swiss private companies including banks, insurance companies, and enterprises;
- the companies were prohibited from destroying any files relating to the period being examined by the commission;
- the initial budget of 5 million Swiss Francs was increased to a total of 22 million francs.
Read more about this topic: Bergier Commission
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