Merkel insists Erdogan end Nazi jibes

Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday her demand that Turkey cease drawing Nazi comparisons with Germany and its allies applies "without ifs or buts,'' and pointed to a government threat last week that it could prevent Turkish politicians entering the country. (Pictured, German Chancellor Angela Merkel examines an assistive limb at the IT trade fair CeBIT in Hanover, Germany on Monday).
Merkel's comments came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused her personally of "committing Nazi practices'' _ an assertion that the head of Germany's main Jewish organization described as "monstrous.'' 
"My comment that the Nazi comparisons on Turkey's part must end is valid without ifs or buts,'' Merkel said at a joint press conference with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Hannover. 
"Unfortunately we see that these comparisons have not ceased, and we are not going to allow ... every taboo to be broken with no regard to the suffering of those who were persecuted and murdered under Nazism.'' 
Merkel pointed to a Foreign Ministry note sent to Turkey last week allowing Turkish referendum polling stations in Germany, in which Ankara was told that appearances by Turkish politicians must respect the principles of the German constitution, and that Berlin otherwise reserves the right to "take all necessary measures.'' 
Merkel's pointed but guarded response was in line with German officials' statements over the past week that she has "no intention of participating in the race of provocations.''-AP