[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 163 (Saturday, December 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONDEMNING RECENT STATEMENTS OF IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD

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                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, December 17, 2005

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to unequivocally condemn 
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent declaration that the 
Holocaust was a myth. Such outrageous comments dishonor the memory of 
the 6 million Jews and many others who perished under the Nazi regime. 
To suggest that such a tragedy was imagined as a justification to 
create the state of Israel, as President Ahmadinejad has done, 
demonstrates a disconnect from reality and complete ignorance of 
history. Numerous world leaders have already condemned his comments, 
and I encourage my colleagues and the entire international community to 
do the same.
  Unfortunately, the denial of the Holocaust is only the most recent in 
a series of disturbing statements made by President Ahmadinejad. He has 
also declared that Israel should ``be wiped off the map,'' suggesting 
that its people should be relocated to Europe. Furthermore, despite 
efforts by our European allies to negotiate an agreement to end Iran's 
nuclear ambitions, Ahmadinejad has declined compromise, stubbornly 
insisting that Iran has a right to develop its own nuclear program.
  Ahmadinejad's disgraceful statements and fervent opposition to 
engaging with other nations have even earned him condemnation from 
leaders within his own nation and run the risk of further alienating 
Iran from the world community. I ask my colleagues to condemn 
Ahmadinejad's statements about the Holocaust and Israel and demonstrate 
that there is no place for such intolerance in global political 
discourse.

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