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'No apology' for PM's Nazi jibe
ROME, Italy -- Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi made clear he has not apologized for his Nazi concentration camp jibe but said he was sorry if people were offended by his remark. At a news conference Friday, Berlusconi stressed that he was the one who had been offended in his exchange with German lawmaker Martin Schulz in the European Parliament this week. "It was only supposed to be an ironic comment. I did not make an apology," Berlusconi told reporters after hosting his first European Commission meeting under Italy's six-month EU presidency. "On the contrary, I have underlined strongly that I felt offended for the grave words that had been directed not only toward me but toward my country. "I have added that if anybody interpreted what was meant as an ironic joke as damage to a deep feeling of a country, I was very sorry," he continued in response to a reporter's question. "But I have not apologized." Germany had earlier declared the diplomatic crisis over, saying Berlusconi had apologized to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. (Full story) It wasn't clear Friday whether Berlusconi's latest comments would reignite the row, which started Wednesday when the Italian premier told Germany's Schulz he would make a "perfect" Nazi concentration camp guard in a movie. Berlusconi made the remark after Schulz noted Berlusconi's alleged conflicts of interest and new Italian laws that give him immunity from prosecution. (Full story) On Friday, as he stood alongside political rival and European Commission President Romano Prodi, Berlusconi said: "I spoke of my sadness over a comment that was interpreted badly, but it was only intended as an ironic comment. "I'm sorry if this offended the sensitivity of someone, but these sensitivities cannot be a one-way street." Berlusconi also indicated he would not apologize to the European Parliament, as has been suggested by that body's leaders. (Full story) "As far as the European Parliament is concerned, the situation is the same," Berlusconi said, adding that he had expressed "profound appreciation, profound respect" for the parliament but that he had been offended as its guest. European Parliament President Pat Cox, who had earlier indicated that Berlusconi should make amends to the parliament, told CNN he expected to hear from the premier to clarify the situation and let the parliament move beyond it. Cox said there was "very intensive back channel activity" under way to set the stage for a phone call with Berlusconi. A German government spokesman, asked about Berlusconi's latest comments, said Berlin had nothing to add to remarks earlier Friday by Schroeder's spokesman, Bela Anda, who said Berlusconi's phone conversation with Schroder had put the matter to rest. Berlusconi told reporters Friday his controversial jibe had been inspired by a U.S. television comedy series about a World War II German POW camp. The premier said Schulz had reminded him of the show "Hogan's Heroes," which featured a hapless German guard named Sgt. Shultz. The series, which aired in the United States in the late 1960s, depicted the fictional exploits of U.S. prisoners led by Col. Robert Hogan. The prisoners managed to hoodwink the good-natured, bumbling guard Schultz in every episode. Berlusconi said Schulz the politician "reminded me of 'Hogan's Heroes' and Sgt. Shultz, who at the end of the day was a good guy even though the prisoners took him for a ride all the time," Reuters reported. Later Friday, Berlusconi told reporters he considered the case closed. Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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I know in Italy there is a producer, producing a film on Nazi concentration camps. I will suggest you for the role of kapo (commander). You would be perfect for that role.
