World Scene: Romania

Mayor apologizes for Nazi garb

A Romanian mayor has apologized for dressing up in a Nazi uniform, saying he is not a fascist or anti-Semite. Constanta mayor Radu Mazare wrote in an open letter that he wanted to express his regret to people offended by his dressing up as a Nazi officer and displaying a swastika at a fashion parade on Sunday at a Black Sea resort.

His gesture drew protests in Romania and from the Simon Wiesenthal center, which called on Mazare to resign.