On June 6, 2004 Germany was invited for the first time to attend the commemoration of the Normandy landing. For the first time, it paid tribute to the German soldiers who died in the landing. And also for the first time, German and France held a joint commemorative ceremony. Both countries’ media described it as the “final reconciliation of France and Germany”. CCTV spoke with Jean-Pierre Raffarin who was the Prime Minister of France at that time.
"It was a very touching moment. In France, we call it the duty to remember. And Germany, in this way, contributed duty to remember." said Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Former French PM.
66 year-old Jean-Pierre Raffarin, is now vice-president of the French Senate. From 2002 to 2005, he served as Prime Minister of France. In June 2004 he attended the commemorative ceremonies of the 60th anniversary of the Normandy landing.
“President Chirac and I, insisted that German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder should have a special position at the ceremony. After the international commemorative ceremony, we also held a commemoration between France and Germany. German Chancellor Schroder visited the Peace Memorial museum in Caen and it was a touching moment. His appearance was very important because he represented Germany which had fought fiercely against the allies in World War Two. However, the country has taken its responsibility of history since then. Chancellor Schroder came here, expressing his remorse and awareness of past mistakes. Not just to France. To everyone, including American and Britain." said Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Former French PM.
During the ceremony, French President Chirac and German Chancellor Schroder both delivered speeches. Schroder said his generation had grown up under the shadow of Hitler’s rule of terror. He had never known his father who was killed in Romania and his family only found his grave four years earlier. But the Germany Shroder represented was not the Germany of those dark years.
Schroder’s speech made a deep impression on Mr. Raffarin.
"The speech made a powerful impression and we had deep respect for it. Today, the German leader bears his responsibility of the past. He is striving to ensure such things never happen again, but doesn’t evade the responsibility of history. Jacques Chirac did the same, taking responsibility for the anti-Jewish policies of the French state at that time. By acknowledging history we are able to hold peaceful dialogue. We respect each other and are building peace for future together." said Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Former French PM.
After the speeches, the two leaders embraced each other. It was seen as “the final reconciliation of France and Germany”. But, from Mr. Raffarin’s point of view, the reconciliation started much earlier. Every French president, from General De Gaulle to President Chirac, had strived to promote mutual understanding with German Chancellors. This was the foundation of peace and development in today’s Europe.
"In Europe, we have endured exceptionally painful and brutal wars. For the peace, we must always remember the history and reflect on it, making sure that all Europeans share the same understanding of the past. I hope that all people in Asia or Europe, no matter where they live, should respect each other and protect the memory of the past together. Meanwhile, we should develop a common strategy for the future. War is the most horrible thing, and peace should be the goal of globalization today.” said Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Former French PM.
