Ex-German chancellor tells Iranians 'Holocaust a fact'

Visiting former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder criticized on Saturday Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for casting doubt over the Holocaust, saying the slaughter of 6 million Jews by Nazis was a fact.

Since coming to power in 2005, Ahmadinejad has provoked international condemnation for saying the Holocaust was a "myth" and calling Israel a "tumor" in the Middle East.

"The Holocaust is a historic fact and there is no sense in denying this unparalleled crime," Schroeder told the Iranian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

"Iran needs to take responsibility and respect international rules, if it wants to be taken seriously as a regional power."

Schroeder, due to meet Ahmadinejad in Tehran later on Saturday, also criticized the hardline leader for his views on Israel which Iran has refused to recognize since its 1979 Islamic revolution.

Schroeder arrived in Tehran on Thursday for a four-day unofficial visit.

Ahmadinejad, who often rails against Israel and the West, said in January the subject of the Holocaust had been used to expand the international influence of the United States and Britain after World War Two.

Responding to Schroeder's remarks, the head of Iran's Chamber of Industry and Commerce Mohammad Nahavandian said it would be wrong to "measure the developments in the Middle East with two yardsticks".

"We shouldn't forget the recent massacre of people in the Gaza strip and should internationally condemn Israel for it," Nahavandian said.

He was referring to Israel's recent offensive against Hamas in Gaza, launched to end years of Palestinian rocket attacks. About 1,300 Palestinians were killed during the operation, according to Gaza officials. 13 Israelis were also killed in the hostilities.

Iran has repeatedly condemned the campaign, which Ahmadinejad has described as "genocide".

Israel, the United States and their European allies suspect Iran of trying to use its nuclear program to build an atomic bomb. Tehran insists its nuclear work is aimed at generating electricity.

	Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, left, speaking with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, right, in Tehran on Saturday.
	Photo by: (AP