The New York Times obit of Anna Lindh is a straightforward affair, with nothing much we didn’t already know; more surprising perhaps is a gracious op-ed piece from the Wall Street Journal. An excerpt (link is valid for a week):

Of course, she also believed in detente with North Korea and attacked post-Sept. 11 America as a “Lone Ranger” in world affairs, positions that we didn’t admire. But we always appreciated the spirit of openness that she and her country brought to the European debate. Her murder strikes a blow to democracy as well as the Swedish way of political life.

Though the viewpoints of Anna Lindh and the WSJ editorial board could not be more divergent on many issues, there is no denying that she charmed many Americans, not least Colin Powell, with her straighforward demeanor and conscientious nature.

In the UK, The Guardian’s obit is a much better read than the NYT, but that is perhaps because this literary form is taken so much more seriously by the English (and, yes, they had 5 more hours to prepare till press time). We’ll have to wait until next week for the Economist‘s take.

At 5pm CEST today, there will be a “march” at Sergels Torg in memory of Lindh. Prime Minister Persson will talk. I think I am going to take a look.