Vladimir Zhirinovsky says he's not anti-Semitic - but adds that "objective reality" shows the negative role Jews play in his homeland.
The Russian ultranationalist, speaking Wednesday on the third day of a two-week U.S. visit, also insisited that "the majority of journalists who welcomed the (collapse of the Soviet Union) joyously are of Jewish nationality."An advocacy group for Soviet Jewry denounced Zhirinovsky as "a fascist who would turn back the clock."
Zhirinovsky's visit - his first to the United States - appears intended to boost his popularity back home, which has been flagging since his Liberal-Democratic Party became the largest opposition group in the 450-seat State Duma last year.
He was asked to address the World Affairs Council of Northern California on Monday. But he has no meetings scheduled with U.S. or U.N. officials, although he said he was open to invitations.
"The majority of new business structures are headed mostly by Jews, but today most of the money is criminal," he told the U.N. Correspondents' Association.
The Greater New York Coalition for Soviet Jewry said: "We can be sure that if Zhirinovsky were in control in Russia, he would seek to put an end to Jewish emigration, shut down Jewish schools and synagogues and institute policies that would threaten the . . . Jewish community."