HEADLINE: PAPON IS DEAD, LE PEN STILL LIVING
Yes, It's A Smear. But It Sells Tabloids.
[Hat tip: Carine]
PAPON, FRANCE'S NOTORIOUS COLLABORATOR, DIES
PARIS February 19, 2007 (Telegraph) - Maurice Papon, who became a symbol of France's wartime collaboration after his belated conviction for deporting Jews to Nazi death camps, has died aged 96.Papon's record in the Vichy regime did not stop him from leading a brilliant and untroubled post-war career — including a spell as a cabinet minister — until 1981, when the son of an Auschwitz victim produced documents linking Papon to his father's deportation.
The case took more than 16 years to reach the courts. François Mitterrand, the former socialist president whose own links to the Vichy regime were never fully disclosed, admitted stalling the process.
Papon finally stood trial for ordering the roundup and deportation of 1,690 Jews, including 223 children, from the Bordeaux area to Nazi death camps.
Although M. Papon himself was convicted of crimes against humanity, his then-employer, the French state, to this day has not been adjudged complicit in its own handiwork by any French court. No state crimes, just some bad management decisions.
He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for complicity in crimes against humanity, but served only three before his release due to ill health.
M. Papon's sentence worked out to 2.16 days in prison per deportee. He served less than a day apiece (1,063 days).
Francis Vuillemin,I personally will make sure that the cross of Commander in the Legion of Honor ... accompanies him in his tomb.
lawyer to M. Papon giving assurances
his client's wishes will be observed
(Following his conviction, M. Papon was stripped of the honor)
PARIS February 18, 2007 (CBS News/AP)
Maurice Papon: September 3, 1910 – February 17, 2007
PFFT (What is this?): Dishonoring the dead 5 | Dishonoring dishonorable France 2½ | Rayonnement français 0
