President Sarkozy apologizes after graves of 95 German soldier vandalized in France
May 29th, 2010 - 12:53 am ICT by BNO NewsCOLMAR, FRANCE (BNO NEWS) – Ninety-five graves of German soldiers killed during World War I and II were vandalized on Thursday at the Guebwiller military cemetery in France, the Le Monde newspaper reported on Friday.
Guebwiller cemetery is the resting place for French and German soldiers who fought against each other in the two world wars. It is recognized as a symbol of unity and reconciliation between both European nations.
Vandals destroyed and smashed crosses and monuments on the graves of German soldiers. The vandalized actions were discovered at 8 a.m. local time by a local resident who was walking his dog. The French tombs were not touched. French police have started an investigation in order to take into custody those responsible for the profanation.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy apologized to the people of Germany in a letter addressed to German President Horst Kohler.
“The French people are sympathetic with the sorrow and pain of the families involved,” President Sarkozy said. “I have demanded that the responsible individuals must be quickly identified, brought to justice and convicted with the severity that it is required.”
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