One interesting political phenomenon that seems potent across cultures is the symbolic appeal of the cemetary visit.

-Jorg Haider was branded a fascist in part because he visited Waffen-SS cemetaries.

-China and North Korea have cold relations with Japan because Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi insists on visiting the Yasukuni shrine, which contains Japanese war dead from WWII.

- The latest case involves outrage by Georgia over the refusal by the Russian Foreign Minister to lay a wreath on the graves of Georgians who died battling South Ossetia in the early 90s (South Ossetia is a quasi-ally of Russia).