EDITOR OF CRO 'MEIN KAMPF' EDITION ON WIESENTHAL'S BAN REQUEST

ZAGREB, Aug 23 (Hina) - Simon Wiesenthal has no reason to demand a ban on Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf" in Croatia, Franjo Letic, the director of "Croatiaprojekt", the book's publisher, told Hina on Monday. Letic spoke to Hina in reaction to Wiesenthal's Monday urging of the book's copyright holder, the Bavarian government, to ban a Croatian edition of Hitler's political manifesto. According to Letic, Croatia has been a thorn in Wiesenthal's side since its inception. Wiesenthal sees Croatia as an "error of the world" and his demand can be viewed in this context as well, he said. Letic says "Mein Kampf" is a cult book, which has been printed in 17 million copies around the world. Nowhere has its publication been an issue, he stressed, adding any ban on the book is counterproductive. "Mein Kampf" should demystify national-socialism, Letic believes, pointing out that besides the negative aspects, the book also has some positive ones. Hitler is the founder of contemporary political propaganda and has not been surpassed in it by anyone to date, Letic said. The most delicate aspect in the book is Hitler's position regarding Jews, he added, pointing out it was clear that Hitler was anti-Semitic. Letic believes Hitler did not invent the race theory, but had only tried to implement it. I would like the media to point out what is dangerous in "Mein Kampf" instead of attacking "Croatiaprojekt", Letic said, wondering why people are so afraid of the book. Letic told Hina he put forward as editor his view of "Mein Kampf" in the Croatian edition. This can be seen in the photographs of a Nazi celebration at the beginning and one of Nazi defeat at the end of the book, he said, adding he was mortified that there has to be someone who will tell Croats what is and how to read "Mein Kampf". The book was printed in 2,000 copies and published in Croatia in mid-June. According to the publisher, a third has been sold to date. (hina) ha