Tagging of Iranian non-Muslims would be 'despicable': US

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2006

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Reported moves by Iran to force non-Muslims to wear colored badges in public, if true, would be "despicable" reminders of Nazi Germany's persecution of the Jews, a US spokesman said.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said he had not seen details of the reports, which prompted expressions of concern from the prime ministers of Canada and Australia after they appeared in a Canadian newspaper.

But McCormack added, "If you did have such an occurrence, whether it was in Iran or elsewhere, it would certainly be despicable."

"I think it has clear echoes of Germany under Hitler," he said, referring to Nazi dictator who presided over the extermination of six million Jews before and during World War II.

A Jewish member of the Iranian...