Posted on 12/18/2005 7:48:47 AM PST by SJackson
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's denial of the Holocaust is a matter for academic discussion and the West should be more tolerant of his views, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said on Sunday.
Ahmadinejad last week called the Holocaust a myth and suggested Israel be moved to Germany or Alaska, remarks that sparked international uproar and threaten diplomatic talks with Europe over Iran's nuclear programme.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi defended the president's remarks, which also drew a rebuke from the U.N. Security Council.
"What the president said is an academic issue. The West's reaction shows their continued support for Zionists," Asefi told a weekly news conference.
"Westerners are used to leading a monologue but they should learn to listen to different views," he added.
Some 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazis and their allies between 1933 and 1945.
Ahmadinejad, a former Revolutionary Guardsman who was elected president, also said in October Israel was a "tumour" that must be "wiped off the map".
A statement drafted by European Union leaders described last week's Holocaust comment as "wholly unacceptable". The White House termed the remarks "outrageous".
Asefi denounced international condemnation as emotional and illogical.
"The EU statement is not based on international diplomatic norms. They should avoid illogical methods," he said.
"Westerners are used to leading a monologue, but they should learn to listen to different views."
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the Holocaust remarks could weigh on European Union efforts to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme.
Britain, Germany and France had tentatively planned to hold talks later this month on the nuclear programme, which the United States and the EU fear is a cover to make nuclear bombs. Iran says it needs it to generate electricity.
When asked whether Ahmadinejad's remarks could hinder talks to resolve Iran's nuclear stand-off with the West, Asefi said: "We do not make any hasty judgment. But Iran's right should be respected. We will never abandon our right to nuclear technology."
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I visited every nook and cranny of the camp because I felt it my duty to be in a position from then on to testify at first hand about these things in case there ever grew up at home the belief or assumption that “the stories of Nazi brutality were just propaganda.” Some members of the visiting party were unable to go through the ordeal. I not only did so but as soon as I returned to Patton’s headquarters that evening, I sent communications to both Washington and London, urging the two governments to send instantly to Germany a random group of newspaper editors and representative groups from the national legislatures. I felt that the evidence should be immediately placed before the American and British publics in a fashion that would leave no room for cynical doubts.
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Crusade in Europe
I think they're just trying to suck up to Germany.
Germany is very intolerant of Holocaust denial.
And since when does "Allah" have any use for anything "academic"?
I know they are. I just wonder if the Iranians know that.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's denial of the Holocaust is a matter for academic discussion
True. Of course it's only debateable in those circles that still think the world is flat.
I believe Iran like I believe in the tooth fairy.
Iran president said what he said and there is no need to re-interpret a spin on those words.
Who the hell do they think they are fooling?
Ahmadinejad knows so little that he probably doesn't.
Please. Somebody nuke this *ssh*le.
"Who the hell do they think they are fooling?"
Well, the holocaust isn't mentioned in the Koran, is it?
What do you expect him to think?
(Do I really need a sarc/ tag?)
Well if the Defeatocrats can construct and spread their alternate reality, I guess there is no reason Iran can't
Tolerant of his views? LOL
I remember an old saying: You're entitled to your own opinion, but you're not entitled to your own facts.
The Holocaust is fact. The term "wise mullah" is, however, fiction.
Like I would tolerate a pit bull in my yard.
**BANG**
HollyWeird is gonna get you for posting that picture from The Planet Of The Apes without permission.
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