Olof
Joachim Palme, a Swedish Social Democratic politician, Prime Minister, a populist, leftwing politician whose views
made him numerous enemies at home and abroad, was shot in February 1986 as he
walked home with his wife from a cinema in Stockholm.
Palme
was a social democrat, was serving his second term as leader. He believed in
open government and shunned tight security.
He
had two bodyguards to protect him on official functions but frequently walked
unattended through the Swedish capital and went on holidays unescorted to his
summer cottage on the island of Gotland.
His
assassination will come as a shock to the Swedes. They have always taken great
pride in the fact their prime minister could walk openly in the streets without
the security which accompanies other heads of state.
Mr
Palme will be remembered as a campaigner for the working classes and Third
World causes. He was first elected as prime minister in 1969.
He
became a leading advocate of peace and non violence and campaigned for an end
to the war in Vietnam.
He
saw himself carrying the banner of Social Democracy through Europe at a time
when the Right was only temporarily in triumph.
He
once said: "I know that the Thatchers and the Reagans will be out in a few
years. We have to survive till then."
Documents
leaked by South Africa's military säkerhetsjänst now and the State Security
Council (which consisted of senior military officers and key people in the
Government) found in the archive to "take care of" Olof Palme
"enemy of the state"
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment