Big Big Forums - Coupons, Freebies, Deals & Discounts - View Single Post

Jolie Rouge · 07-04-2003, 01:55 AM

'Luftwaffe' Scrubbed Off German President's Planes
By Erik Kirschbaum

BERLIN (Reuters) - The name "Luftwaffe" is being replaced on two official German government planes more than half a century after the Nazi air force terrorized Europe's skies.

President Johannes Rau's office said on Tuesday the head of state wanted to replace the German word for air force to avoid stirring up painful memories for people in many of the countries he and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder use the planes to visit.

"Obviously when the president flew to countries where there are certain historic resentments against the Luftwaffe, he didn't exactly get off to a good start when the plane landed with that word dominating the plane," said one government official who asked not to be identified.

Rau has decided to have "Bundesrepublik Deutschland" (Federal Republic of Germany) painted on the planes instead, modeling them after U.S. presidential aircraft.

Rau has traveled to 66 countries during his four years as president and officials said the Luftwaffe logo particularly raised eyebrows in Eastern Europe.

The German air force will continue to operate the planes and the word "Luftwaffe" will be painted in small print elsewhere on the aircraft, the president's spokesman said.

07/02/03 08:14

07-04-2003, 01:55 AM	#223 (permalink)
Jolie Rouge C & P Queen Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Lan astaslem ! Posts: 38,136 iTrader: (2) Thanks: 1,465 Thanked 3,534 Times in 1,949 Posts	'Luftwaffe' Scrubbed Off German President's Planes By Erik Kirschbaum BERLIN (Reuters) - The name "Luftwaffe" is being replaced on two official German government planes more than half a century after the Nazi air force terrorized Europe's skies. President Johannes Rau's office said on Tuesday the head of state wanted to replace the German word for air force to avoid stirring up painful memories for people in many of the countries he and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder use the planes to visit. "Obviously when the president flew to countries where there are certain historic resentments against the Luftwaffe, he didn't exactly get off to a good start when the plane landed with that word dominating the plane," said one government official who asked not to be identified. Rau has decided to have "Bundesrepublik Deutschland" (Federal Republic of Germany) painted on the planes instead, modeling them after U.S. presidential aircraft. Rau has traveled to 66 countries during his four years as president and officials said the Luftwaffe logo particularly raised eyebrows in Eastern Europe. The German air force will continue to operate the planes and the word "Luftwaffe" will be painted in small print elsewhere on the aircraft, the president's spokesman said. 07/02/03 08:14 __________________ Laissez les bon temps rouler! Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. a 4 day work week & sex slaves ~ I say Tyt for PRESIDENT!** Not to be taken internally, literally or seriously ....Suki ebaynni IS THAT BETTER ?