Iranian opposition slams Ahmadinejad's Holocaust denial as 'harmful'

The international condemnation that followed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's public denial of the Holocaust caused severe damage to the country's image, a top Iranian opposition figure said on Friday.

Labeling the decision to call the Holocaust "a myth" and suggest Israel's citizens to be resettled in Europe and North America was an example of "unnecessary political adventurism," said Abdollah Nasseri, a spokesman for the Reformist Coalition Headquarters (RCH). "The Holocaust is a historic event which we the reformists do not deny, but what's more is that this issue has nothing to do with us."

The RCH was established four months ago by former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami as an umbrella group uniting the country's reformists and moderates against Ahmadinejad's ultra-conservative rule as the country nears its next parliamentary elections in March 2008.

The widespread outrage at Ahmadinejad's comments led his advisors to tone down his Holocaust rhetoric, but the Iranian leader continues to call for the end of "the Zionist regime."

But the RCH's decision to speak out against Ahmadinejad should by no means be taken as a declaration of love for Israel, but rather as a solidly political move against the conservatives. Should the reformists sweep the Majilis (parliament) elections in March, they may very well find themselves in a position to defeat Ahmadinejad in the presidential elections in 2009.

Speaking to journalists in Tehran, Nasseri said the RCH only wishes to strengthen Iran and believes the country is in a serious crisis.

"We have not given up on our primary objective, and that is electing Khatami in 2009," said Nasseri, adding that the former president has a key role in developing the reformists election strategy.

Nasseri noted that during Khatami's presidency the UN praised Iran for its peace initiatives, whereas during Ahmadinejad's term it was condemned.