GERMANY: German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder fulfilled a life-long wish yesterday when he finally visited the grave of the father he never knew, who died in combat in Romania 60 years ago, writes Derek Scally
Mr Schröder was only six months old when his 32-year-old father, Fritz Schröder, was killed while retreating with his battalion from the Soviet army on October 4th, 1944. He was buried in the nearby Transylvanian village of Ceanu Mare, 375 km north-west of Bucharest.
Yesterday Mr Schröder laid a wreath and spent several reflective minutes at the grave, well away from the waiting press pack.
The grave, marked by a wooden cross and marble plaque listing the names of the eight soldiers buried there, was found by Mr Schröder's sister Gunhild three years ago.
Mr Schröder was greeted at the graveyard yesterday by two priests who presented him with a round loaf of bread, salt and a wreath of mauve flowers, symbolising grief. They also presented him with a letter which read: "A great dignitary is searching for his father. He never knew the happiness of fatherly love. Life goes on but the ache for his father never stopped until he found the place where his father rests in eternal peace."
Later, Mr Schröder was greeted with cheers as he toured the local village of Ceanu Mare with the Romanian Prime Minister, Mr Adrian Nastase. Some 3,500 locals were joined by hundreds of onlookers there to catch a glimpse of the German leader who presented local children with footballs, a football net and a computer.
The town has been preparing for Mr Schröder's visit for three years.
The original visit, planned for 2001, was cancelled because of the September 11th attacks.