Swedish politician atones after calling Joschka Fischer a "terrorist"

STOCKHOLM, July 10 (AFP) - Swedish Centre Party leader Maud Olofsson was in hot water on Thursday after calling German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer a "terrorist" and comparing Europe's monetary union with Hitler's Third Reich.

Pressed by the Swedish media to explain herself, she made a number of attempts before acknowledging that she had put a foot wrong.

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"I have apologised for saying that. It was a mistake," she told Swedish television TV4.

Olofsson, normally something of a media darling, made the offending comments on Wednesday, a day after Fischer gave a speech in Sweden on the euro, invited by the ruling Social Democrats ahead of a September referendum on euro entry.

The opposition Centre Party had meanwhile invited British anti-euro campaigner Janet Bush, who has made several comparisons between the European Monetary Union (EMU) and the Third Reich, to speak at a political rally.

Asked by a journalist how she could defend such an invitation, Olofsson shot back about Fischer: "He's been a terrorist, should he not be allowed to come either?"

Fischer is a former left-wing activist turned Green party leader. Olofsson appeared however to believe that he was a former member of the German terrorist group Red Army Fraction.

The Aftonbladet Tabloid quoted Fischer's spokesman as saying Olofsson's accusations were "too silly to comment".

The Swedish minister had also attempted to defend Janet Bush's views several times in interviews, comparing Europe's monetary system to the Third Reich.

"Hitler existed, he had this ambition. He failed, thank goodness. What is important for us now is to learn from history how to prevent conflicts that could arise in the future EU," she said on one occasion.

After apologizing for the Fischer remark, Olofsson finally conceded that she had not known enough about Bush before inviting her to Sweden.

"I didn't know all the details about Janet Bush when she came. If I had maybe I would have thought things through one more time," she said.

"I do not agree with the comparison she makes and I don't think such a comparison can be made," she said.

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