European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - May 10, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 8 the stars and stripes sunday May 10,1987 world today trial princ pah Are from icel Praw color Pierre troche Barbie and defense attorney Jacques verges. Long delayed Barbie trial is finally getting under Way up Traat he Jeffrey Ulbrich Tyon France a Many of today s generation in Lyon a cily considered the capital of us French resistance during world War ii have ambiguous reel Ings about the trial opening monday against Klaus Barbie the former Gestapo chief widely known As  Barbie a 73-year-old former is lieutenant discharged with crimes against humanity in connection with his activities Here from 1942 to 1944 when he headed the German police Section dealing with Resis Unce fighters and jews during the occupation. Barbie was expelled from Bolivia and Wai turned or to the French in february 1983. Hit trial four years later is expected to take about two months. Despite a poll Las week indicating thai 78 percent of today s Lyonnais fed Barbie should be tried there appear to be a Lack of real interest particularly among the postwar generation and Little reflection about what went on Here during the War Yean. Defense attorney Jacques verges plans to use the trial to show the extent of French collaboration in the deportation of jews and resistance fighters to German death Camps saying that the nazi Effort never could have succeeded without massive help from the French. Lawyers for the dozens of civil parties in the Case and the prosecution say the event possibly the last major trial of a nazi War criminal should be a history lesion and an occasion to remind people of the extent of Man s inhumanity to Man. Both could be , we Haven t talked about it much said Blanding Baffler a 42-year-old Grade school teacher. "1 think they could have just let him die  if asked a direct question about the trial most Lyon Naii will respond. But it does not appear to be a subject of discussion at the City s dinner tables and in that sense the history lesson apparently in t sinking in. It has t sparked much real reflection but perhaps it will when the trial actually suns said Barrier. I fear it could Lake on a spin of revenge for the War generation. Perhaps it will ease the suffering of some people but it won r bring Back the  Marie the Crest Marion a retired pharmacist who spent the War Yean Here and whose husband fought in the Countryside during the occupation also noted general feeling that things should be left alone. In our Circle of friends just about everybody is of the opinion that we should have left him Barbie where he  John Johnson so an englishman who has lived in Lyon for 20 years says there has been Little talk about the trial at least until the Pas week when the local newspapers ail began running extensive articles about Barbie. He Points to the Case of Rene Hardy one of the most controversial figures of the French resistance who died last month. Hardy was twice tried and acquitted of having betrayed Jean Moulin Gen. Charles lie Gaulle s personal representative and head of the National Council of the resistance. When Hardy died Here was a big splash in he press for a Day then nothing said Johnson. If sue a controversial figure As that sparked no reflection on the resistance and he War years what can you expect of the Barbie trial it s now Loo far removed from the period. It s been supplanted by More recent expert ence/1 Barbie was twice convicted of War crimes an sentenced to death in a sentia but the statute of limitations has expired in those cases. There is no statute of limitations for crimes against humanity. The Lyon poll showed that Only 43 percent of the people knew what Barbie was being tried for with 32 percent believing he was being taken to court for the arrest of Moulin. Some Lyonnais Are strictly mercenary about the trial fifty seven year old Edward Brise leaned Over the bar of his pub on the Rhone River and thoughtfully fingered his wide Mustache. Do you want the Stock answer or the real answer he asked. Told that the truth was being sought he replied i Hope it lasts two months so i can make Money. I can understand Why some people want the trial. Bui i m not personally touched. I Don t give a  Daniel Broch Crie 41, president of a Small business feels much the same Way. What concerns me is my Mother my wife and my three kids he said. The French have Short Mem ories. If i had lost my kids 40 years ago i d be satisfied to see the trial of Klaus Barbie. In May Comfort people who suffered. Justice for those people  Pierre Armand a 43-year-old Interior decorator has taken a particular interest in the War period a read about it a great Deal and thinks the trial is important for historical reasons. Justice the world can t live without Justice he said. It May Leach hem something they Dort know. The trial itself is not important. What is important is  Patrick Bontemps a 40-year-old Lyon chiropractor whose father escaped deportation to forced labor in Germany and joined the resistance says Many of his clients think it is All too much ado for a despicable Guy. The real judgment will come after his death. God will judge  Geneva City officials buy proper scooping vacuums Geneva Switzerland