``I apologize for the massacre of Jews by Poles.``

``In the name of Poles, I ask forgiveness for the massacre of Jews.`` (President Aleksander Kwasniewski)

``I appreciate the President’s sincere apology.`` (a Jewish survivor)

Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, who attended the 10th memorial ceremony for the Jewish massacre victims held in Jedwabne, Poland, sincerely asked the 3,000 survivors and families of the victims for the forgiveness of the ` Jedwabne Massacre` that took place during the Nazi regime 60 years ago.

The `Jedwabne Massacre` was a slaughter on 10th July, 1941, during which about 1,600 Jews were burnt and murdered locked in a barn located in Jedwabne. The communist administration who ruled Poland after the WWII had argued that Poland has nothing to do with the massacre saying that it was Nazi Germany who murdered the Jews.

However, in a book titled `Neighbors`, Jan Gross, a Polish émigré historian, revealed that the massacre was carried out by Poles under Nazi’s tacit approval.

On the day, President Aleksander Kwasniewski said, ``As a citizen and as the president of the Republic of Poland, and in the name of Polish people who are stung by conscience, I apologize.``

Jakub Pecynowicz, who miraculously survived from the scene, said, ``I`d like to thank the president for coming here to apologize.``

Polish mass medias commented, ``The president’s courageous apology is a meaningful deed that can fix the history distorted by the communists. It will teach our descendants the truth. And it will help to restore the relationship between Polish people and Yiddish people as well.``

Park Jei-Gyoon phark@donga.com