My first two trips to Europe were primarily to Germany, in order to learn he language and culture first-hand. Actually, to the two German states, the Federal Republic in the West, and the Democratic Republic in the East.
In the West the talk was of detente, prosperity, and determination. Two of my political heroes were chancellor for most of that decade: Willy Brandt and Helmut Schmidt. Today Schmidt died in his native Hamburg at the age of 96.
Schmidt was urbane he spoke excellent English, and with the ever-present pipe or cigarette appeared as a genial, sophisticated person who knew what he was doing. Although a Social DemocratOstpolitik but could challenge the Soviets. Strongly pro-Western, he could disagree at times with the United States (but allow rockets to be placed in West Germany in the 1980s. Committed to a strong Europe, he helped lay the groundwork for the Euro, and began a partner with the former German archenemy, France.
Domestically, he stood firm against the Red Army Faction. I remember seeing the wanted posters, bright red, plastered all over the Bundesrepublik.
My brother spend four years working in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. His secretary asked him in Manchester when she learned that he had spent some time in West Germany, "Is it true what they say? That the Germans have it better than we do?" In the 1970s, it was the case, thanks in no small part to Schmidt,
Ousted from office by a no-confidence vote, and not an election, Schmidt let his feeling be known (he was not Schmidt-Schnauze (Schmidt the Lip) for nothing, he went on to become co-publishers of Die Zeit, recorded as a classical pianist, and became a revered national figure who smoked even where no one was allowed to smoke.
Chancellor Angela Merkel is also a native of Hamburg. Although she is a Christian Democrat, she had some very gracious things to say as she conveyed condolences to Schmidt's survivors. They are contained on the link, and are subtitled for those who need it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/11/world/europe/helmut-schmidt-assertive-west-german-chancellor-dies-at-96.html?_r=0
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