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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group

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To: aladin who wrote (103810)	7/2/2003 11:02:05 AM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (3) of 281500

Donja just love it when these guys fight? Nazi Jibe Ruins Berlusconi's EU Debut By REUTERS - NEW YORK TIMES Filed at 7:48 a.m. ET STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi sparked fury in the European Parliament on Wednesday when he appeared to compare a German lawmaker with a Nazi concentration camp commander. The incident caused uproar in the house and completely overshadowed Berlusconi's presentation of Italy's priorities for its six-month presidency of the European Union, which began on Tuesday. Berlusconi lost his cool in response to criticism of an alleged conflict of interest between his political office and his extensive Italian media interests by German Socialist MEP Martin Schulz. ``Mr. Schulz, I know there is in Italy a man producing a film on the Nazi concentration camps. I would like to suggest you for the role of leader. You'd be perfect,'' Berlusconi exclaimed to jeers in the chamber. He refused to withdraw the remark when given the opportunity by European Parliament President Pat Cox, who expressed regret at the offence caused to Schulz and said he believed it would be appropriate ``to correct the record in this regard.'' Berlusconi later insisted he had made ironic joke in reaction to what he said were harsh accusations against himself and his country. EU lawmakers were stunned by the vehemence of Berlusconi's response to a debate in which numerous left-wing and Green members of parliament raised concerns about Berlusconi's suitability to head the 15-nation bloc. The Italian leader, who had been on trial for allegedly bribing judges over a 1980s business deal, has just rushed a law through parliament granting himself and other top state officials immunity from prosecution while in office. In response to Berlusconi's attack, Schulz said: ``Mr Berlusconi...if I understood him correctly...invited me to appear as the commandant of a concentration camp. ``My respect for the victims of fascism will not permit me to deal with that kind of claim. But it is very hard for me accept that a politician should be exercising the role of president of the European Council if he comes out with this kind of statement when he encounters the slightest contradiction,'' he added. Schulz received a sustained ovation from left-wing members of the house while conservatives sat in glum silence. As Berlusconi began to address the legislature in the French city of Strasbourg, Green members of the Parliament protested against his taking over the EU presidency, raising banners and jeering. About 15 ecologist lawmakers held up placards in Italian declaring ``La legge e uguale per tutti'' (The law is equal for all) and ``No godfathers.'' nytimes.com

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