PIERRE LAVAL

Laval is a French millionaire who has been known for many years to be a direct agent of the Nazi Government. He played a leading part in the intrigues which led to the downfall of France

If the Germans are beaten, General de Gaulle will return. He will be supported by 80 or 90 per cent of the French people and I shall be hanged.

The figure of Pierre Laval hung like an evil shadow over Vichy.

Some countries worry about reciprocity … --that is if their courts hear suits claiming violations of international law in other countries, those countries will retaliate by entertaining suits against them.

I have seen the ravages of unemployment.... The government will never refuse to go as far as the resources of the country will permit [in order to help]. But do not ask it to commit acts that risk to compromise the balance of the budget.

In the event of a victory over Germany by Soviet Russia and England, Bolshevism in Europe would inevitably follow. Under these circumstances I would prefer to see Germany win the war.

It is neither the statesman nor the friend who is asking your help and assistance, but simply the man.

The prohibitions of international law are largely toothless, especially when the abusive governments remain in power. The international community has established criminal tribunals to try abusers, but those who remain in power are ordinarily shielded from prosecution by their governments and its protection.

I am a peasant from the Auvergne. I want to keep my farm, and I want to keep France. Nothing else matters now.

I want to tell you that I think this war is a great mistake.

We have given most of Europe to Hitler. Let us try to hold on to what we have got left.

Global human rights law prescribes global norms of conduct. It leaves the question of how to enforce these norms to the countries themselves.

I feel that an understanding could be reached with Germany which would result in a lasting peace with Europe and believe that a German victory is preferable to a British and Soviet victory.

But the same intelligence compels Germany to practise the same policy.

In the event of a victory over Germany by Soviet Russia and England, Bolshevism in Europe would inevitably follow. Under these circumstances I would prefer to see Germany win the war.

France cannot be destroyed. She is an old country who, despite her misfortunes, has, and always will have, thanks to her past, a tremendous prestige in the world, whatever the fate inflicted upon her.

It is neither the statesman nor the friend who is asking your help and assistance, but simply the man.

I feel that an understanding could be reached with Germany which would result in a lasting peace with Europe and believe that a German victory is preferable to a British and Soviet victory.

We have given most of Europe to Hitler. Let us try to hold on to what we have got left.

It is in order that France may find her place in the new Europe that you will respond to my appeal.

I defy anyone - and I have said this to the Germans - to build a solid, articulated, and viable Europe without France's consent.

I am a peasant from the Auvergne. I want to keep my farm, and I want to keep France. Nothing else matters now.

I want to tell you that I think this war is a great mistake.

Workers of France, it is for the freedom of the prisoners that you will go to work in Germany! It is for our country that you will go in large numbers!

I want to tell you that I think this war is a great mistake. If we had come to terms with Mussolini, as I wanted to do, we might have held Germany. That is no longer possible. We have given most of Europe to Hitler. Let us try to hold on to what we have got left. I am a peasant from the Auvergne. I want to keep my farm, and I want to keep France. Nothing else matters now.

Clearly, for France in her present position, intelligent activity consists of practicing a policy of entente with Germany in order to survive

If the Germans are beaten, General de Gaulle will return. He will be supported by 80 or 90 per cent of the French people and I shall be hanged.

Workers of France, it is for the freedom of the prisoners that you will go to work in Germany! It is for our country that you will go in large numbers! It is in order that France may find her place in the new Europe that you will respond to my appeal.

I have seen the ravages of unemployment.... The government will never refuse to go as far as the resources of the country will permit [in order to help]. But do not ask it to commit acts that risk to compromise the balance of the budget.

The prohibitions of international law are largely toothless, especially when the abusive governments remain in power. The international community has established criminal tribunals to try abusers, but those who remain in power are ordinarily shielded from prosecution by their governments and its protection.

Global human rights law prescribes global norms of conduct. It leaves the question of how to enforce these norms to the countries themselves.

Some countries worry about reciprocity … --that is if their courts hear suits claiming violations of international law in other countries, those countries will retaliate by entertaining suits against them.