Germany summons Iran envoy over Holocaust remarks

BERLIN (Reuters) - The German Foreign Ministry said on Friday it had summoned Iran's ambassador to protest against suggestions by Iran's president that the Holocaust might not have happened and that Israel should be moved to Europe.

Ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said at a government news conference the decision to deliver a formal protest to Iran's envoy in Berlin was meant to show that Berlin was taking the president's comments very seriously. "We have summoned the Iranian ambassador," Jaeger told reporters.

"When one summons an ambassador, then you signal the start of something in diplomacy, that there are grounds for serious discussion."

President Mahmud Ahmadinejad made the remarks at a news conference in the Saudia Arabian city of Mecca. Historians say six million Jews were killed in the Nazi Holocaust. Regarding this widely-accepted view, Ahmadinejad was quoted by the official Iranian news agency IRNA as saying on Thursday:

"Although we don't accept this claim, if we suppose it is true, our question for the Europeans is: is the killing of innocent Jewish people by Hitler the reason for their support to the occupiers of Jerusalem?" he said.

"If the Europeans are honest they should give some of their provinces in Europe -- like in Germany, Austria or other countries -- to the Zionists and the Zionists can establish their state in Europe. You offer part of Europe and we will support it."

Russia also Friday joined some other countries protesting remarks by Iranian president.

"It is hard to comment on such unacceptable statements," the foreign ministry in Moscow said.

"There are historical facts known to everyone, linked to the Second World War and in particular to the Holocaust.

"Such facts do not tolerate revision and everyone should recognize that."