KAZIMERZ SWITON WALKS AWAY FROM THE GRAVEL PIT NEAR TO AUSCHWITZ CAMP, 1998-08-25 (photo)

Kazimierz Switon, one of the initiators behind the erection of crosses on the Zwirowisko site walks away from the Gravel Pit near Auschwitz camp August 25. Radical Catholic groups have put up more than 220 crosses by Tuesday, despite calls from Jewish organizations for them to stop. Jewish groups say the crosses violate agreements under which no religious, ideological or political symbols would be erected at the camp, where 1.5 million people died during World War Two, some 90 percent of them Jews. Today Polish Episcopate will debate about decision whether crosses should be removed from the Gravel Pit. PK/NS/