LUXEMBOURG: Hardy Perennial

"Luxembourg, Luxembourg, where is that on this map?" huffed France's famed statesman Aristide Briand at a diplomatic conference many years ago. "My dear Briand," suggested a young Luxembourger named Joseph Bech, "if you will just lift up your little finger from the map you will find it." Today as huge, shaggy and leonine as Briand was himself, Joseph Bech, 66, is the durable dean of European statesmen. He has been a member of Luxembourg's government since 1921, her Foreign Minister since 1926, her minister for Foreign Commerce, National Defense and Wine Culture almost as long. Last week, following the...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!