ONCE AGAIN, TURNER MAKES OFFENSIVE 'NAZI' COMMENTS --
AND THEN APOLOGIZES TO ADL
New York, NY, October 24, 1996...For the second time in a month, Ted
Turner has apologized to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for offensive
"Nazi" remarks.
"We hope this is the last we will hear of Mr. Turner and his use of
Nazi imagery," Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, said.
Responding to a letter from Mr. Foxman about the latest incident, Mr.
Turner wrote, "My analogy comparing a business competitor to the Nazi
regime was thoughtless, and I sincerely regret making those insensitive
remarks. I know full well the extent of horror the Nazis imposed upon the
world."
The League leader wrote the CNN Chairman on October 21 "that in a
Friday, October 18 deposition you again compared your business rivals to
Nazis. If true, these unfortunate comments are only compounded by your previous
apology, which now rings hollow. As you yourself have recognized, words
have immense power. We urge you in the strongest of terms to avoid inappropriate
Holocaust analogies directed at your business rivals."
Saying he sincerely regretted "the ill-chosen comparison which offended
a group of people for whom I have the deepest respect," Mr. Turner
said he knew the remarks were inexcusable, and "I hope you will accept
my heartfelt apology."
Mr. Turner's October 1 apology was for similar remarks regarding Mr. Murdoch.
In July 1995, he apologized to ADL for still another inappropriate Holocaust
analogy.
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.