'Iran may be preparing another Holocaust'
Israeli U.N. Ambassador Dan Gillerman calls Iran 'extreme, fundamentalist, lunatic regime'; says he fears only reason Iranians are showing interest in Nazis' slaughter of European Jews is because they have plans for another Holocaust
Gillerman made the comments to The Associated Press on the sidelines of the opening of an exhibit at the U.N. for Holocaust remembrance week. His comments come on the heels of a report last week that Iran is planning a conference that will examine evidence for the Holocaust.
"Iran is proving yet again what an extreme, fundamentalist, lunatic regime it is," Gillerman said.
"If the world had any doubts and thought that Iran may become more moderate, the statements by the president of Iran and this upcoming conference are another proof of what a global threat Iran really is."
The conference is Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's latest step in a campaign against Israel. Previously he called the Nazis' World War II slaughter of European Jews a "myth" and said the Jewish state should be wiped off the map or moved to Germany or the United States.
'Dangerous nation'
"I fear that the only reason Iran is showing so much interest in the Holocaust is because they may be preparing another Holocaust and it is up to the world and the United Nations to prevent that from happening," Gillerman said.
He pointed to Iran's alleged nuclear ambitions as proof of how dangerous the nation is.
"I think this matter must be referred as quickly as possible to the Security Council because only the Security Council will take the necessary steps to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear possessing power," Gillerman said.
The first International Holocaust Commemoration Day will take place January 27.
