Former West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt Dies at Age 96

[AF-Roger]

Helmut Schmidt, the chancellor who guided West Germany through economic turbulence and Cold War tensions, stood firm against a wave of homegrown terrorism and became a respected elder statesman, died Tuesday. He was 96.

Schmidt died at his house in Hamburg, according to German weekly Die Zeit, of which Schmidt was a co-publisher.

"We have lost a sharp-witted adviser, a trusted companion and a good friend," Die Zeit said in a statement. "Until recently he contributed to the editorial team with his analyses, his commentaries and his interviews about current affairs."

read more http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/11/10/world/europe/ap-eu-germany-obit-schmidt.html?_r=0

 

[Marc]

Yep, he was our best Chancellor. (I don't want to think about the current one.)
He made the difference between a mere politician and a true statesman.
RIP Helmut Schmidt!

1978 with QEII

 

[azgold]

I embarrassed to say that I know nothing of this fine man. Glad he was able to have a full, long life, hope he rests in peace.

 

[Marc]

I embarrassed to say that I know nothing of this fine man.

Never mind. He was long before us, from 1974 to 1982.
But unforgotten, respected and influential until the end - simply The Best.

A quote of him, fitting today's attacks in Paris:
A state can not be blackmailed.