Berlusconi Nazi Comment Triggers Outrage

By CONSTANT BRAND

Associated Press Writer

July 2, 2003, 11:40 AM EDT



BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi provoked an uproar during a Wednesday speech to the European Parliament by telling a German critic he should star as a Nazi concentration camp guard in a movie.

The remark prompted a rebuke from the parliament president, Pat Cox, who suspended the session after the flamboyant Berlusconi refused to withdraw his comment, saying it was meant as an "ironic joke."

Berlusconi, in his first appearance before the assembly since Italy assumed the European Union presidency on Tuesday, made his remark during a question-and-answer session following his speech.

During that session, German socialist Martin Schulz referred to Berlusconi's use of an Italian immunity law to sidestep bribery charges in a Milan court.

"In Italy, they are making a movie on Nazi concentration camps," Berlusconi snapped back. "I will propose you for the role of capo," or chief.

The comment triggered outrage among the 626-members of the EU assembly.

Schulz said the remark showed Berlusconi was unfit to represent Europe.

Berlusconi's words "debase the presidency of the (EU) council and offend Europe," said Graham Watson, leader of the Liberal Democrat group in the European Parliament.

Schulz and Cox demanded an apology, but Berlusconi would only say it was meant as an "ironic joke."

Cox then closed the parliamentary debate, saying, "I regret the offense caused to a respected member, my colleague Mr. Schulz. It would be appropriate to correct the record in this regard. The debate is now closed."

During a news conference, Berlusconi again refused to apologize, insisting his Nazi comment was meant as a joke inspired by the German legislator's "tone and gestures."

"My joke wasn't meant to be offensive," Berlusconi said. "It was an ironic joke, perhaps the translation wasn't done in an ironic sense."

Berlusconi appeared before the parliament in Strasbourg, France, to outline his government's plans for the EU's six-month rotating presidency.

He promised to work to improve ties with the United States following the Iraq war and to involve Europe in the quest for Middle East peace.

Berlusconi, a staunch supporter of President Bush, said boosting the EU's role on the world stage would only work if the bloc renewed ties with Washington.

However, attention quickly focused on Berlusconi's wheeler-dealer image and allegations by critics he is unfit to represent Europe.

On Monday, a Milan court suspended Berlusconi's trial for allegedly bribing Italian judges in the 1980s, years before he went into politics, to sway a ruling in the sale of state-held food conglomerate SME. The billionaire media mogul has denied the charges.

The trial was halted after the Italian Parliament last month adopted legislation granting legal immunity to top officials.

As Berlusconi rose to address the 626-member European Parliament, seven Green party members held up placards saying "everybody is equal under the law."

Berlusconi responded: "If this is your idea of democracy, you ought to visit Italy as tourists. You are behaving as tourists."

Berlusconi also pledged that his government would complete negotiations on the first constitution for an expanded EU and would combat illegal immigration. The bloc grows from 15 to 25 members next year.

"The Italian presidency will do all in its power ... to take responsible decisions on our future," Berlusconi said. "There is a great deal of moral and intellectual responsibility on our shoulders."

He also pointed to the need to kick-start the sputtering EU economy by investing in bloc-wide upgrades of transportation networks, which he said would create new jobs and investment.

Even before the concentration camp remark, the debate focused as much on Berlusconi's personal suitability for the EU's top job as on his presidential agenda.

Green leader Monica Frassoni likened Berlusconi to Attila the Hun, whose barbarian hordes ravished Europe in the 5th century without regard for the law.

"Many people have been worried at your arrival, as an 'Attila of the Union,'" Frassoni said. "Political power, I'm afraid, leads to temptations to be above the law."

Berlusconi is Italy's richest man. He controls a $7.8 billion media empire that includes the nation's largest private television broadcaster, Mediaset.

Together with state-run RAI, he controls about 90 percent of Italy's television market, leading critics to charge he has too much influence over information that can be use for political and personal gains.

Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press

Can we add Italy to the Axis of Evil now?

It was part of the original Axis - the real one.

A lot of Italians despise berlusconi,as shown by his crushing electoral defeat at local elections at the end of may.

I should have said 'the current Italian government'. Much respect for my Italian comrades who also fight from within the Belly of the Beast.

Many despised Mussolini, too - just as many Americans despise Bush.