Word: mitterrand
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...late, bittersweet autumn of a career that has spanned nearly half a century, French President Francois Mitterrand, 77, faces a wintry political future. Constitutionally barred from running for re-election, with his Socialist Party in disarray and repudiated at the polls, he must vacate the Elysee Palace, after 14 years in office, when his current seven-year term expires in May 1995. But Mitterrand seems determined to leave power with his reputation intact and with his massive place in postwar French -- and European -- history clearly established...
Just how firm that resolve is received startling corroboration in Paris last week with the publication of Une Jeunesse Francaise (A French Youth): Francois Mitterrand 1934-1947. Written by investigative reporter Pierre Pean, this 616- page study exhaustively documents a period of Mitterrand's life that has long been the subject of speculation, rumor and innuendo. Friendly biographies have heretofore ignored or glided around the question that haunts every French member of Mitterrand's generation: Just what did he do before and during the World War II Nazi Occupation...
Some of the answers unearthed by Pean's research have surprised those who know only of Mitterrand's well- and self-publicized work in the French Resistance. Even more amazing is the identity of one of Pean's most important sources: Mitterrand himself, who provided complete access to his personal archives. "I have nothing to hide," the author quotes the President as saying. "I'll help...
...departure of the U.S., British and French Allied troops today, after a half-century of military presence. "We came to Berlin as occupying forces, we stayed as protecting forces, and we leave as friends," said British Prime Minister John Major, flanked by German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, President Francois Mitterrand of France and Secretary of State Warren Christopher. But crowds were thinner than expected: with so many ceremonies, toasts, speeches and parades to honor Allied and Russian troops in the past two weeks, Berliners are complaining of "nostalgia fatigue...
...France the Euro-polls were supposed to sort things out for next year's race for a successor Socialist President Francois Mitterrand. On the left, a good showing from the Socialists led by former Prime Minister Michel Rocard, 63, would have sealed his claim as the "natural candidate." But they were humiliated with only 14.5% of the vote, their worst showing in 25 years, throwing the race for the party's nomination wide open. Possible wild cards include former Culture Minister Jack Lang and former Health Minister Bernard Kouchner...