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Obama Rips Holocaust Deniers at Buchenwald

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 5, 2009 4:55 PM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama blasted Holocaust deniers today on a tour of a Nazi concentration camp, Reuters reports. At Buchenwald, Germany, the president called Holocaust denial “baseless, ignorant and hateful.” Obama did not mention Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by name, but after Iran's president called the Holocaust a "great deception" this week, Obama suggested he visit Buchenwald himself.

“I have no patience for people who would deny history,” Obama said in an interview with NBC. Obama was joined at Buchenwald by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. Of Holocaust denial, Obama said, “This place is the ultimate rebuke to such thoughts, a reminder of our duty to confront those who would tell lies about our history. I will not forget what I have seen here today.”

Obama with survivor Elie Wiesel, fellow survivor Betrand Herz, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Obama with survivor Elie Wiesel, fellow survivor Betrand Herz, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama lays down a rose in front of the gate building at the Buchenwald concentration camp near Weimar, Germany.
President Barack Obama lays down a rose in front of the gate building at the Buchenwald concentration camp near Weimar, Germany.   (AP Photo)
U.S. President Barack Obama  hugs Elie Wiesel after he spoke at the gates of the Buchenwald concentration camp in Buchenwald, Germany, Friday, June 5, 2009.
U.S. President Barack Obama hugs Elie Wiesel after he spoke at the gates of the Buchenwald concentration camp in Buchenwald, Germany, Friday, June 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
U.S. President Barack Obama tours the Buchenwald concentration camp in Buchenwald, Germany Friday, June 5, 2009.
U.S. President Barack Obama tours the Buchenwald concentration camp in Buchenwald, Germany Friday, June 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
The group touring the camp.
The group touring the camp.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama and Buchenwald survivor Elie Wiesel at a memorial.
President Barack Obama and Buchenwald survivor Elie Wiesel at a memorial.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
kokuaguy
Jun 6, 2009 5:42 AM CDT
How does the deniers justify their claim?
hannesh
Jun 6, 2009 2:18 AM CDT
Robert_Dada
Jun 5, 2009 10:29 AM CDT
Because they make inroads with uneducated, impressionable youth, in order to perpetrate the lie and build a fascist base.

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