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Canadian Press
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. --NDP Leader Jack Layton, who's made political hay out of perceived intolerant remarks by Conservatives, was putting out his own fire Wednesday after an Alberta candidate apologized for posting controversial comments on the Internet.
Malcolm Azania, the NDP candidate in Edmonton-Strathcona, made the suspect remarks in an Internet discussion group posting 10 years ago. At the time, he was debating whether J*ws were friends or enemies of black people. Azania is himself black.
The Internet message said that, because of their skin colour, European J*ws were part of white supremacy just as men would be part of male supremacy because of their se
.
Azania has since apologized on his website, saying the remarks were "completely incorrect, over-generalizing, insensitive and hurtful."
On Wednesday, Azania held a news conferenc
e in Edmonton, where he apologized again.
"
My posting did not do justice to the intense suffering experienced by my Jewish brothers and sisters or my white brothers and sisters throughout history," he said.
"So once again I say to all the people hurt by my words of 10 years ago - I'm sorry."
He added he has no intention of stepping down.
Debby Carlson, Azania's Liberal opponent, said the comments "sounded anti-Semitic" to her.
Rahim Jaffer, the incumbent Conservative in the riding, also condemned the remarks.
The Jewish anti-defamation organization B'nai Brith would not go so far as to call the comments anti-Semitic. However, it did say they were unfortunate and inconsistent with a multicultural Canada.
During
a campaign stop in Sault Ste. Marie, Layton distanced himself from the remarks, calling them "deeply disturbing" and ordered Azania to meet with local and national Jewish groups.
"
I condemn the remarks he has made in no uncertain terms," he said. "It is deeply disturbing that such a thing was ever written."
Layton said Azania has more to do than just apologize.
He said he's ordered him to begin a process of reconcilation with the community through a public letter of apology.
"Those remarks made 10 years ago are completely and utterly unacceptable," Layton told reporters during a campaign rally with over 100 sign-waving supporters.
However, he did cut Azania some slack by saying that he realizes the candidate is "mortified" by his own remarks.
"He is discussing how he has a completely changed attitude and how he is a changed man."
Layton brushed aside calls to have Azania step down, s
aying, now that the election is underway, it's too late.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/mini...ion2004&no_ads=
Canadian Press
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. --NDP Leader Jack Layton, who's made political hay out of perceived intolerant remarks by Conservatives, was putting out his own fire Wednesday after an Alberta candidate apologized for posting controversial comments on the Internet.
Malcolm Azania, the NDP candidate in Edmonton-Strathcona, made the suspect remarks in an Internet discussion group posting 10 years ago. At the time, he was debating whether J*ws were friends or enemies of black people. Azania is himself black.
The Internet message said that, because of their skin colour, European J*ws were part of white supremacy just as men would be part of male supremacy because of their se
.
Azania has since apologized on his website, saying the remarks were "completely incorrect, over-generalizing, insensitive and hurtful."
On Wednesday, Azania held a news conferenc
e in Edmonton, where he apologized again.
"
My posting did not do justice to the intense suffering experienced by my Jewish brothers and sisters or my white brothers and sisters throughout history," he said.
"So once again I say to all the people hurt by my words of 10 years ago - I'm sorry."
He added he has no intention of stepping down.
Debby Carlson, Azania's Liberal opponent, said the comments "sounded anti-Semitic" to her.
Rahim Jaffer, the incumbent Conservative in the riding, also condemned the remarks.
The Jewish anti-defamation organization B'nai Brith would not go so far as to call the comments anti-Semitic. However, it did say they were unfortunate and inconsistent with a multicultural Canada.
During
a campaign stop in Sault Ste. Marie, Layton distanced himself from the remarks, calling them "deeply disturbing" and ordered Azania to meet with local and national Jewish groups.
"
I condemn the remarks he has made in no uncertain terms," he said. "It is deeply disturbing that such a thing was ever written."
Layton said Azania has more to do than just apologize.
He said he's ordered him to begin a process of reconcilation with the community through a public letter of apology.
"Those remarks made 10 years ago are completely and utterly unacceptable," Layton told reporters during a campaign rally with over 100 sign-waving supporters.
However, he did cut Azania some slack by saying that he realizes the candidate is "mortified" by his own remarks.
"He is discussing how he has a completely changed attitude and how he is a changed man."
Layton brushed aside calls to have Azania step down, s
aying, now that the election is underway, it's too late.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/mini...ion2004&no_ads=