Nazi Irving whitewashes Holocaust

FIVE ANTI-FASCIST demonstrators were arrested outside the 'Revisionist seminar' addressed by Nazi historian David Irving last Saturday. The organisers of the seminar included the fascist British National Party. Revisionist in this context means people who don't think Hitler slaughtered the Jews; fascists use the term as a code word to describe themselves. Irving has shot into the news as the person paid a fortune by the Sunday Times to translate and edit the newly-discovered complete Goebbels diaries. The row has cast a spotlight on the operation which Irving has been carrying out for decades. In his formidably researched and documented books, he denies the Holocaust took place, or alternatively that Hitler knew about it. In his most famous book, the two volume Hitler's War he admits the Nazi extermination programme, but claims it was carried out by Himmler without Hitler's knowledge. In one of his most infamous public utterances he claimed that the gas chambers at Auschwitz were built after the war as a tourist attraction! The leaflet advertising last Saturday's meeting declares it will be 'not just a talking shop', buta 'spur to action' to confront the liberal/minority control of the mass media. Irving has more direct political action in mind. Over the last year he has been regularly speaking in fascist meetings in Germany, talking about the 'exciting Printed by Tridant Press, Edenbridge, Kent. Published by Idolrare Ltd, PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU development of a 'vigorous, young German nationalist movement'- what most people call the new rise of fascism. He warned German skinheads against Nazi salutes and 'sieg heils', saying this would alienate potential support. Irving is careful to match the message to the audience. Open Nazism is reserved for private meetings and German rallies. In his books he is more cautious. But his operation has a very precise political function; to legitimise and make respectable the new rise of far right authoritarian and neo-fascist movements. Anti-fascists will need to continue to combathe ving operation, and indeed to give Mr Irving the warm welcome he deserves whenever he attempts to purvey his poisonous views.