(7 Oct 1997) T/I: 10:51:46
An eminent Professor of European history believes that the trial of Maurice Papon, on charges of crimes against humanity, will be an important moment for the French as they examine the role of the Vichy regime in helping the Nazis round up Jews. Speaking in advance of Papon's trial, which opens in Bordeaux on Wednesday (08/10), Professor Robert Paxton has spoken out about his role in the case. Paxton has written several books on the subject, one of which has become a mainstay in modern French history classes.
SHOWS:
NEW YORK, USA 2/10:
WS Columbia University gates with Professor Paxton walking,
ws shot of gates with Paxton, Columbia University sign;
Interior Paxton's office with Professor at desk;
SOT Professor Paxton (in English) "The book was a great scandal, it outraged a lot of people but it rather convinced some people, and bit by bit it has been accepted by the historical profession. It is taught in the schools. A lot of ordinary frenchmen still can't swallow it. It was one of the things in the early 70's that created a kind of transformation of french feelings about Vichy and is at the origin of this process that has led to the war crimes trials of Bousquet,
which didn't happen because he was assassinated, and then of Touvier which happened and is now going to happen with Papon.";
cutaway, Paxton SOT "I have been cited by the state prosecutor, who in fact wants to do the same thing, he wants the jury, he wants historians, he's called four historians, he wants them to explain to the jury the general background of the case, what Vichy's policy towards the Jews was, how the French administration, the Vichy French administration, became involved in anti-Semitic acts of its own first, and how those in turn played into the German policies later. Now that, in very general terms, is why I and other historians have been called to testify at the trial.";
cutaway, Paxton SOT "It is a huge issue in French identity, in French feelings about themselves. It is a generational conflict. A lot of French people are digging into it. A lot of French people want to know, a lot of other French people say leave us alone. It is an area of conflict. Very, very active self searching is going on.";
Ws Paxton at desk push to papers on desk;
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20 июл 2015
