Former President of Italy Outraged at Columbia’s Choice of Speaker

I received this correspondance from my overseas pal, MLJ. I have no idea to the veracity of this but it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest to learn that our increasingly liberal universities have welcomed people like Iran’s current leader with open arms.

Rome, Italy – September 2007

In protest against the invitation of the president of Iran Mahmuda Ahmadineżada on the New York University Columbia the former president Italian Francesco Cossiga gave back the title of the doctor Honoris Causa of this University. Senator Cossiga wrote that he was indignant organizing the lecture of the Iranian leader by the chancellor of UC, whose he called “a threatening neonazi and a Islamic terrorist”.

The former Italian president reminded in the sharp letter to the rector of the University Columbia that Ahmadinejad expressed the thirst of the destruction of Israel. .

“Regardfully for six millions of murdered Jews whose you – racialists old-fashioned, and today also advocates of Islamic terrorists I – catholic , return admitted me the title of Honoris Cause and I burn the toga which you gave to me” – declared Cossiga.

Its own letter finished with words: “without no respect. Francesco Cossiga”. [Source: Poland]

What’s impressive, if true, is Cossigna’s powerful response. I guess once you’ve retired, you can better speak one’s mind.