Berlin wants EU resolution condemning Iran comments

DPA: The German government said Monday it will ask European Union leaders formally to condemn remarks by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denying the Holocaust happened and suggesting that Israel be moved to Europe. DPA

BERLIN – The German government said Monday it will ask European Union leaders formally to condemn remarks by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denying the Holocaust happened and suggesting that Israel be moved to Europe.

E.U. leaders are expected to approve such a resolution at a summit in Brussels on December 15 and 16, said Thomas Steg, a deputy government spokesman.

“The German government urgently wants the E.U. summit to approve a resolution condemning these statements,” Steg said.

Comments by the Iranian leader last week in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca have already drawn sharp criticism around the world.

The news agency IRNA quoted Ahmadinejad

as saying: “If the Europeans were serious with (their concern for Israel), then they should provide the Zionists (Israel) with a place in their own countries, such as Germany or Austria.”

Ahmadinejad said Iran and the Islamic world would support “relocating” Israel as a settlement of the Middle East crisis.

“Some of the European states claim that Adolf Hitler killed millions of innocent Jews and condemn or even jail anyone whoever with proof who doubts this,” Ahmadinejad said.