| Italian premier apologises for Islam gaffe |
The Italian premier is apologising to Muslims after claiming Western civilizations are better than Islamic countries.
Silvio Berlusconi is retracting his remarks at the Italian Parliament, and claims he was misunderstood.
Hours before the speech to the Senate, NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson played down Berlusconi's comment.
"I am sorry that words that have been misunderstood have offended the susceptibility of my Arab and Muslim friends," Mr Berlusconi told senators. "We are aware of the crucial role of moderate Arab countries" in the fight against terrorism.
"Those who see an enemy in freedom of religion and cultural diversity are themselves our enemies," he adds.
Earlier his office said Mr Berlusconi he had a phone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in which the Italian leader called the fight against terrorism " a global fight ... without any distinction of religion or culture."
While in Berlin, meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Berlusconi told reporters, in remarks that were widely televised, Western civilization was superior because it guarantees respect for human, political and religious rights.
He added he hoped "the West will continue to conquer peoples, like it conquered Communism."
Story filed: 17:11 Friday 28th September 2001
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