Iran To Host Holocaust Conference

Aims To Examine Scientific Evidence Supporting The Atrocity

(AP)  Iran said Sunday it would sponsor a conference in the autumn questioning the extent of the Holocaust, dismissing it as exaggerated, in a provocative move timed during a visit by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.

The decision came as Annan raised concerns with Iranian officials over an exhibition of cartoons about the Holocaust in Iran's capital, Tehran. In critical comments, he stressed that the Holocaust was "an undeniable historical fact."

Hard-line President Ahmoud Ahmadinejad has called the Nazis' slaughter of 6 million Jews a myth and said Israel should be wiped off the map or moved to Germany or the United States. His remarks prompted a global outpouring of condemnation.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said both opponents and proponents of the existence of the Holocaust could participate in the conference.

"God willing, a conference on the Holocaust will be held in the autumn. The Holocaust is not a sacred issue that one can't touch," he told reporters. "I have visited the Nazi camps in Eastern Europe. I think it is exaggerated."

Asefi did not disclose where the Holocaust conference would be held, nor who would attend. Iran first raised the possibility of the conference in January.

Annan brought up the exhibit, which opened in response to Muslim outrage over the Prophet Muhammad caricatures, in talks Saturday with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, said Annan's spokesman Ahmad Fawzi.

Annan told Mottaki "we should avoid anything that incites hatred" according to Fawzi.

The Holocaust cartoon exhibit opened last month at Tehran's Caricature House, with 204 entries from Iran and abroad.

The cartoons were submitted after the exhibit's co-sponsor, the Hamshahri newspaper, said it wanted to test the West's tolerance for drawings about the Nazis' mass murder of European Jews during World War II. The entries on display came from nations including United States, Indonesia and Turkey.

Annan on Sunday reiterated his displeasure over the exhibition and implicitly criticized Iran for its attitude to the Holocaust.

"I think the tragedy of the Holocaust is an undeniable historical fact and we should really accept that fact and teach people what happened in World War II and ensure it is never repeated," he told reporters after meeting Ahmadinejad.

Israel lashed out at the Iranian leadership for subscribing to what it termed "Holocaust denial."

"This is not about the Holocaust, this is about Holocaust denial. In the past such Holocaust denial was the prerogative of the neo-Nazis and ultraright racists. It's surely a pity that we have a leadership representing a country in the family of nations has officially adopted these obscene ideas," said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev.

Ahmadinejad has waged a campaign against Israel since he took office in August last year, with his inflammatory rhetoric deepening Tehran's international isolation.

Israel considers Iran a threat and has refused to rule out military force to destroy Iran's nuclear program. Iran has said its nuclear activities are intended only to generate electricity, but Western countries suspect the country is trying to build an atomic bomb.

[ya_mahdi]

Allow me to reiterate I do not back what Iran is doing. I am a muslim, so an exhibition denying, undoubtedly one of the worlds most horrific tragedies is insulting to me too. You do not have to be Jewish to be insulted by it, you just need to be semi-humanitarian. Having said that Iran's actions are retalitory.I believe this confernce would not have taken place had the west condemned the cartoons, but as so many countries decided to re-publish it,its now harder to argue with those who support the confernce.

And no, I disagree once again,radical clerics that are unfortunately respected among some, should no be allowed to rant, and encourage terrorism. Again, there is no common sense in that. I cannot see one advantage of having them do that legally.

There is nothing wrong with free-speech, but if you are cavilier enough to insult, prepare to be insulted. Thats the outcome we are left with, in hindsight, I would recommend not insulting, that way their is not an insulting reaction.

[ya_mahdi]

I disagree, people do ''get it'', that is for sure, they are just disrespectful. How would you feel if somebody was to swear in front of your little children, I'm assuming like any normal parent, you wouldn't be ecsatic at such an occurance. People do 'Get It' Its just a inflamatory measure used to create uncalled-for sensitivty. The truth of the matter is that free-speech is a great thing, because it theoretically prevents surpressed thoughts. However it shouldn't be used to as a license to insult, which is what the Danish newspaper did.

Its interesting, the west is very contradictory on this issue, on the one hand it apperently fully supports free-speech. On the other hand, you can go to jail if you deny the holocaust...thats an absurdity. And no, I for one do not deny the holocaust, I am convinced it occured and there is enough evidence on my side to prove it. Nonetheless I will never back somebody doing jailtime, next to murderers, rapists and paedophiles because he happens to openly disagree.

cont..

[werehedgehog]

AMen! To Both, previous 'posted' comments.
I do not and did not intend to sound disrespectfull to Patriotic9 'beliefs'. However, His statements were somewhat 'over-the-top'.
'Free Speech'...You bet! AND, For EVERYBODY, PERIOD. In 'my' Humble OpinYon, the London Cleric , Abu Hamza, should be released. Now!
Jesus spoke out againt His Oppressors, too, and Thadtz' Whadt, initially and ultimately, led to His Death!
People, will always NOT GET IT, when it comes to Respecting Otherz Differences. But, thadt, In and Of Itself, IS NO REASON to Pillage, Plunder, and Go on a 'Self-Righteous-Religious Rampage!
Yes, the Cartoons depicting the Image of the 'Prophet Mohammed', WERE insensitive and childish. But, Cartoons and Comics, as a Rule, ARE just thadt, Childish and Insensitive.
Surely, Holding a 'Let's All Get Together and Make Racist, anti-Jewish Cartoons/Jokes' about the Nazi Holocaust, is/was NOT the Civilized Thing to do!
'Citizen/Believers', of ANY COUNTRY, who want to Kill anyone who 'offends' Them or Their Religion, well, They DO NOT have the Right Solution, either.
Well, maybe thadt Is the Way the World Will End! NOT with a Whimper, but in a BIG BANG of people in KILLING Rage, thadt Will Last until the End of Time!
Well, by ALLAH, JEHOVAH, JESUS, the PROPHET MOHHAMED, YAHWEH, and 'By Zeus'...
I surely Hope NOT!

Had enough, YET!

LOVE, PEACE, and UNDERSTANDING
IS THE KEY!
Bye Y'all.
}:@)

[ya_mahdi]

The Holocaust was an utter tragedy. It was categorically unforgivable and is a stain of humainty. I do not endorse what Iran is now doing. Though the West must decide where does it poisition itself with regards to free-speech. If you endorse free-speech, then a handful of hateful and despicable clerics should be allowed to spew speeches that incite racial hatred, such as Abu Hamza of London, technically if you support free-speech in its entirity he ought to be released and compensated(sinckening). Though thankfully he is under arrest for inciting racial hatred, whilst Louis Farrakan is as free as a bird. That is contradictory. If this is your stance then publication of those cartoons is legitimate yet undeniably distasteful.

On the contrary, If, you endorse free-speech and add a sense of responsibility, which I would hope, then publication of such cartoons should be seen as a very disrespectful act. As is what Iran is doing now. Though what Iran is doing is a retalitory act. It is good etiquette to respect the beleifs of other people, abd their customs. There i no place in modern-day society for racism, no matter how well your media do in evoking it. Of course Iran could have published cartoons about Jesus, though as muslims, that would have been as insulting to them as it would be to christians.

[hsmagst]

Well I for one do not consider America God neglected. We are the greatest contry on earth, freedom and opportunity wise, and I believe God has had a hand in that. As for the Jews, they simply returned to the land God gave them biblicly. It was there land for centuries even though they were persecuted relentlessly and they are today because they are the only successful democratic country in a reagon plauged by ignorance and tribal persecution by ignorant people that have no belief in equallity for women or tolerance for other religious beliefs.

[werehedgehog]

Yo,
PAt9...'This' 'God Neglected' American, who believes in 'Jesus' as my 'Savior', prays for 'your' Soul.
About 'Ducks'...IyAM gonna bet your of 'Arab' descent. Thadt is 'just' a 'wild' guess, mind you. 'God's Chosen People' includes 'j'You' Pal. Ethnicly 'speaking', Arabs and Jews ARE 'Blood Brothers' separted by 'Different' Mothers. 'Know' Thy 'Quuaran'!
Yes? Abram was the 'Father' of 'both' j'you
'Sons of Shem'.
Sooo, j'You should Welcome 'Thy Brother' back 'Home'. Those 'People' you call 'European Invaders' are 'Your' Relatives. Yes, they came from 'Europe' because the Romans, in (~70AD), 'decimated' and, then, 'dispersed' them through-out the World (ie. Europe), just like many of your 'fellow' Muslims, now live in European Counties, like Britian, France, and Spain.
And, yes, 'They' ARE 'still' j'Your Brothers in Islam. Are they NOt 'allowed' to come back 'Home' to 'visit' and/or 'stay', too.
Right?
Sooo, Peace be with j'You,
'My' Brother.

[patriotic9]

If Americans have not been promised a single penny from God because of the race they are born in and the European invaders in Palestine have been promised a land in the middle east because of the race they are born in.This is a racial discrmination against the American people.This discrimination and animosity against Americans can only be tolerated by the enemies of United States but can not be tolerated by the those who are truely loyal and patriotic Americans.

[patriotic9]

Why those people who were killed by german nazis,were given their state in germany.What was the role played by poor Palestinians in Holocaust.Fot the sake of humanity,it is the responsibility of all the Americans to rise up against the RADICAL,RASICT AND UNJUST OLD FASHIONED BACKWARD IDEOLOGY according to which Americans are GOD NEGLECTED and the EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE are GOD CHOOSEN.Why should Amercians face hatred,terror and fear because of the existance of Israel.

[patriotic9]

Some body please explain it to me that why USA should take oil from arabs in cheaper prices and then to support their those enemies who were brought into palestine after 2nd world war from different european countries by force.Please tell me one benefit which people of USA enjoys by US support to the illegitimate and unjustified existance of Israel on the world map.Why it was legitimate and justified to bring europeans into palestine.Don't give me answer from any religious text.My constitution supports separation of church and state.

[themooniac]

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck - its' probably a duck.

[patriotic9]

There is a difference between me and Mel Gibson though.Mel Gibson was accused of talking against jews,whereas I didn't talk anything against jews.I am just talking against those enemies of United States who don't believe in the constitution of United States which separates church and states.Who wants to protect Israel on the cost of American money and American lives because Americans are GOD NEGLECTED and European invaders in Palestine are GOD CHOOSEN.Should US support Israel on the cost of American money and American lives because Americans are GOD NEGLECTED and European invaders in Palestine are
GOD CHOOSEN.

[patriotic9]

The greatest country in the world,the United states of America and it's great constitution which gives not only Mel Gibson but every American the freedom of speech whether he is christian or athiest,male or female,heterosexual or homosexual.Which guaretees the freedom of religion but at the same time forbids the involvement or religion into polictics by separating church from state so that country of United States should remain country of freedom and democracy not a country of talibans.

[themooniac]

All that information in one sentence. Who let me Mel Gibson in here anyway???

[patriotic9]

Anybody please explains to me why US should get oil in cheaper price from Arabs and then support and protect their those enemies who were brought into their land by force after 2nd world war.Please don't give me answer from any religious text as I am a patriotic American who believes in the constitution of US which forbids the involvement of religion into politics by separating church from state.Anybody who is truley a patriotic American would like US internal and foreing policies to be based on American interests which is based on the oil given to Americans by arabs in cheaper pricenot on those religious text according to shich Americans are GOD NEGLECTED.

[patriotic9]

89% of the Americans who are christians and who love jesus are GOD NEGLECTED PEOPLE because of being born in a race not choosen by God.Those Europeans who have been brought into Palestine after 2nd World War to occupy their land by force are GOD CHOOSEN PEOPLE.It is the responsibilty of GOD NEGLECTED AMERICANS to work day and night to pay tax to US government and the right of GOD CHOOSEN Europeans invaders in Palestine to snatch more then 3 B US$ from the American tax payer's money for the killing of those innocent children who are killed because of not being born in a GOD CHOOSEN RACE.This Anti American ideology is the most dangerous enemy of USA.

[patriotic9]

All the human beings living in this world are GOD NEGLECTED people not because of anything wrong with their actions but because of not being born in a race choosen by God and that's why they have not been promised a single penny from god.Those Europeans who have been brought into Palestine after 2nd World war to occupy the land of Palestinian people by force are GOD CHOOSEN people not because of anything great with their actions but because of being born in a race choosen by God.Human beings should not be treated on the basis of their actions but should be treated as GOD NEGLECTED or GOD CHOOSEN on the basis of the family they are born in or the race they belong to.This ideology is called RACISM and IINJUSTICE.US forieng policies should be based on human values,equal human rights and the interst of american people.They should not be based on any religious text because the constitution of USA forbids involvement of religion into politics by separating church from state.