Bump - Ecclestone Apologizes/Clarifies re Hitler

[QPR Report]

And comments to AP

AP -Ecclestone regrets Hitler comment uproar Rob Harris - July 7, 2009 -

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone said on Monday he regrets the upset caused by his praise of Adolf Hitler's leadership, but insisted he would not be forced to resign.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Ecclestone defended his weekend comments to a British newspaper that Hitler "got things done".

Ecclestone, F1's commercial rights holder, dismissed calls from the World Jewish Congress that he should resign.

He also questioned the suitability of its president, Ronald Lauder, who has criticised Ecclestone.

"I think the people who are saying that (I should resign) haven't got the power to say these things," Ecclestone said in a telephone interview.

The World Jewish Congress, which represents Jewish communities in more than 80 countries, was founded in 1936 to "mobilise the world against the Nazi onslaught", it said on its website. It said it continues to secure "the rights and safety of Jews" around the world.

Ecclestone questioned the influence of the WJC.

"It's a pity they didn't sort the banks out ... (if) they have a lot of influence everywhere," Ecclestone said, referring to the global economic crisis. He did not elaborate.

Ecclestone does not regret praising Hitler's leadership "except as usual things were taken a little bit wrong."

"He brought a country that was bankrupt into a country that was very strong and that was really demonstrating what someone could do if they had the power and didn't have to keep back and referring every five minutes," Ecclestone said on Monday.

"The trouble with politicians and democracy is they all the time have to compromise, they can't do what they want to do because there is somebody in opposition. It certainly takes a lot longer to do something.

"I regret that it didn't come out like that, upsetting people is the last thing I wanted to do, obviously."

© 2009 AP

news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/ecclestone-regrets-hitler-comment-uproar-20090707-dapc.html

[QPR Report]

aka "The Ecclestone Report:

Earth Times - Ecclestone cancels planned visit to new centre at Nuerburgring

Nuerburg, Germany - Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has cancelled a planned visit Thursday to the opening of a new leisure centre at the Nuerburgring circuit ahead of this weekend's German Grand Prix, the company that runs the track confirmed Tuesday. The Nuerburgring GmBH company refused to give reasons for the cancellation, saying only that the 78-year-old had informed it of his decision in a phone call.

Ecclestone has suffered sustained criticism following comments made last Friday to The Times newspaper where he praised Adolf Hitler for his ability "to get things done."

On Monday, Guenther Oettinger, prime minister of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, cancelled a meeting scheduled with Ecclestone for this Sunday at the Nuerburgring over the financially troubled Hockenheimring because of the remarks.

Ecclestone reacted with surprise to the news.

"As far as I'm concerned I am to meet him at 12 o'clock on Sunday. Nobody has said anything to the contrary to me," he said.

Ecclestone's statements have also led to a furore among Jewish groups, including the World Jewish Congress, but he has claimed his comments were misinterpreted.

It remains unclear whether the Briton will make an appearance at this weekend's German GP.

www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/276467,ecclestone-cancels-planned-visit-to-new-centre-at-nuerburgring.html

[QPR Report]

Telegraph Helia Ebrahimi

CVC apologises for Bernie Ecclestone's Hitler gaffe

CVC, the private equity firm that owns Formula 1, said it was shocked by comments made by motor racing boss Bernie Ecclestone that apparently supported Adolf Hitler.

The 78-year-old billionaire caused outrage at the weekend when he praised the Nazi dictator's ability to "get things done" .

His comments, in a newspaper interview, were a huge embarrassment to CVC, which invests money on behalf of Jewish funds. Sir Trevor Chinn, one of Britain's most prominent Jewish businessmen, is a senior adviser to CVC.

CVC was shocked at the comments made by Bernie Ecclestone on Saturday," the private equity firm said. "And we fully concur with the unreserved apology that was made by Mr Ecclestone yesterday."

Amidst speculation that F1 may be boycotted by the Jewish community, Mr Ecclestone said he unreservedly apologised for his comments.

"I am extremely distressed and embarrassed that these remarks have been used as suggesting I support Hitler or Saddam Hussein. I would never support such people," he said.

"I should never have been so foolish as to have been drawn into discussing these people, but the fault was entirely mine, which I deeply regret. I hope and trust that my apology will be accepted in good faith."

CVC took a controlling stake in F1 in 2006 when it bought Mr Ecclestone's family shareholding for a reported $1bn (£610m).

The affair is the latest scandal to engulf F1, with racing teams threatening to break away from the governing body recently.

Zak Brown, chief executive of motor sports agency JM, which represents the largest group of sponsors in the sport, said F1 was no stranger to controversy, but that when it came to matters of ethics the industry now needed to "clean itself up".

"Bernie often says things with shock value and an apology was needed. It has definitely made the news in the US," said Mr Brown who is working on sponsorship deals to take F1 to the US by 2011.

www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/privateequity/5771166/CVC-apologises-for-Bernie-Ecclestones-Hitler-gaff.html

[Macmoish]

Bump a couple of years:....What a guy...