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Merkel says WW2 anniversary to be day of guilt
Aug 29, 2009, 11:04 GMT
Berlin - This Tuesday, Germany will mark its guilt at starting the Second World War on September 1, 1939, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her weekly video address.
Merkel, who is to attend ceremonies in Gdansk, where the Nazis launched the invasion of Poland, said Saturday, 'This war brought immeasurable suffering to Europe and the world.
'It cost the lives of 60 million people. It fixed the political order in Europe for decades.'
She said she was glad she had been invited to the Gdansk memorial ceremony where others present would include Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon.
'We won't meet as enemies but as partners,' she said.
'September 1 is obviously a day of sorrow for the suffering and of remembrance for the guilt that Germany acquired from the start of the Second World War.
'But it is also a day of gratitude and trust,' she added, referring to the post-War reconciliation between the Germans and Poles and the other former enemies.
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