BERLIN (AP) — Former German President Richard von Weizsaecker, who urged his country to confront its dark past, promoted reconciliation and denounced far-right violence during a 10-year tenure spanning the reunification of west and east, has died. He was 94.
The German president’s office announced the death of Weizsaecker, who was president from 1984 to 1994, on Saturday.
His 1985 speech marking the 40th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat cemented his reputation.
“All of us, whether guilty or not, whether young or old, must accept the past. We are all affected by its consequences and liable for it,” said Weizsaecker.
May 8, 1945 “was a day of liberation,” he told the West German parliament. “It freed us all from the system of National Socialist tyranny.”
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.