Berlusconi Sparks EU Uproar with Nazi Jibe

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, July 03, 2003

Berlusconi Sparks EU Uproar with Nazi Jibe

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Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi provoked uproar by likening a German member of the European Parliament (MEP) to a Nazi camp guard, fuelling fresh questions over his fitness to lead the European Union

only a day after Italy took over the presidency of the bloc.

The German government blasted Berlusconi's jibe as "unacceptable" and the maverick Italian leader issued a reluctant apology several hours later. But for many the incident provided a worrying omen for Italy's six-month EU presidency.

"By his disgraceful comments Mr Berlusconi has made a very bad beginning to his EU Council presidency," said Enrique Baron, head of the Socialist group of which the German MEP involved is a member.

Addressing the European Parliament a day after Italy replaced Greece at the EU helm, Berlusconi lost his cool after MEP Martin Schulz accused the media magnate of exporting his conflicts of interest to the rest of the EU.

Berlusconi has been on trial in Milan for bribing judges, has persuaded parliament to vote through a law granting him immunuty from prosecution and has built a tight grip on both private and public media in Italy.

The Italian leader responded by inviting the heckling Shulz to appear in a film as a Nazi camp guard.

"A producer (in Italy) is now shooting a film about the Nazi concentration camps.

"I propose you to play the role of Capo," he said, referring to a guard chosen by the Nazi SS from among camp detainees.

With other MEPs barracking and Schulz angrily demanding an apology, parliament president Pat Cox was forced to call for calm, repeatedly hammering his gavel to try to restore order.

The exchange came after MEPs had responded to Berlusconi's speech detailing his plans for the EU over the next six months.

His speech had got off to a rocky start when some 40 MEPs, principally from the Greens, held up signs in several languages saying "Everyone is equal before the law" and "No godfather for Europe".

In his speech, Berlusconi made no reference to questions about his fitness for office. Instead he set out his priorities for EU business, including finalising a constitution for the bloc by December and rebuilding ties with the United States in the wake of the war on Iraq.

He also underlined the need to revive Europe's economy, to more vigorously combat illegal immigration, notably from the EU's southern and eastern neighbours, and to support the revived Middle East peace process.

But the Nazi remarks totally overshadowed the day's proceedings.

At a news conference after the stormy session in the Strasbourg assembly, a finger-jabbing Berlusconi pointedly refused to withdraw his remarks, insisting they were meant ironically.

His outburst drew a sharp rebuke from the German government.

A government spokesman said Italy's ambassador to Berlin had been summoned and told that Berlusconi's outburst was "unacceptable and rejected by the German government".

Olaf Scholz, the general secretary of Germany's ruling Social Democratic Party, said the Nazi era was not something to be joked about, even in irony.

Source: Agencies

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