January 10, 1996
Web posted at: 11 p.m. EST (0400 GMT)
From Correspondent Siobhan Darrow
PARIS (CNN) -- Thousands crowded into Bastille Square for a final salute to former President Francois Mitterrand on Wednesday. Only 15 years ago, they had gathered here in joy to celebrate his election as France's first socialist president. Now, they stood in the evening drizzle, rooted in sorrow as France reflected on its former president's controversial past.
A giant photograph of the late president looked down on the crowd, which stood in silence, some bidding good-bye with the traditional red rose. There were no speeches during the three-hour vigil, just somber music and a song by an American opera singer
Mitterrand, who served as president of France for 14 years, will be buried Thursday, but the French have already begun dissecting his past.
Reports were filtering in that Mitterrand knew of his cancer soon after winning the elections in 1981, calling into question his pledge to always be open about his health.
His role in France's pro-Nazi Vichy government is again being scrutinized. Mitterrand came clean about his World War II past, but only late into his final term as president.
Historian Max Ferro said Mitterrand was not alone in feeling torn by his role in the Vichy government. "It's a way to identify himself with the majority of Frenchmen who didn't know what to do, because it was a hard choice for many."
Whatever the final verdict on France's longest-serving modern day leader, his passing away was deeply grieved.
"I was very fond of Mitterrand as a man and president," said one of the mourners. "I'm very sad."
A steady stream of people have come to his home and office since his death Monday, blanketing his doorway with red roses.
The official farewell takes place Thursday morning as world leaders descend on Paris for a requiem mass at the Notre Dame. At the same time, his body will be buried in his home town next to his parents in the South of France.
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