Government Backs Ex-President on Fund

A Swiss official backed off from his accusation that demands for compensation for Holocaust victims were “blackmail,” insisting his remarks had been taken the wrong way. Then-President Jean-Pascal Delamuraz’s comments Tuesday had caused outrage among Jewish groups. “Delamuraz regrets that his remarks were misunderstood,” a spokesman said. But he added that Delamuraz still stands by the government’s contention that it would be a mistake to set up a fund for Jews who lost assets during World War II. The government had earlier backed Delamuraz. His successor, Arnold Koller, also has indicated that he will resist pressure to set up such a fund.