Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/137150
8A Daily News – Saturday, June 15, 2013 WORLD BRIEFING Commander in Nazi unit linked to atrocities living in Minnesota BERLIN (AP) — A top commander of a Nazi SS-led unit accused of burning villages filled with women and children lied to American immigration officials to get into the United States and has been living in Minnesota since shortly after World War II, according to evidence uncovered by The Associated Press. Michael Karkoc, 94, told American authorities in 1949 that he had performed no military service during World War II, concealing his work as an officer and founding member of the SS-led Ukrainian Self Defense Legion and later as an officer in the SS Galician Division, according to records obtained by the AP through a Freedom of Information Act request. The Galician Division and a Ukrainian nationalist organization he served in were both on a secret American government blacklist of organizations whose members were forbidden from entering the United States at the time. Though records do not show that Karkoc had a direct hand in war crimes, statements from men in his unit and other documentation confirm the Ukrainian company he commanded massacred civilians, and suggest that Karkoc was at the scene of these atrocities as the company leader. Nazi SS files say he and his unit were also involved in the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, in which the Nazis brutally suppressed a Polish rebellion against German occupation. Polish prosecutors announced Friday after the release of the AP investigation that they will investigate Karkoc and provide ''every possible assistance'' to the U.S. Department of Justice, which has used lies in immigration papers to deport dozens of suspected Nazi war criminals. The AP evidence of Karkoc's wartime activities has also prompted German authorities to express interest in exploring whether there is enough to prosecute. In Germany, Nazis with ''command responsibility'' can be charged with war crimes even if their direct involvement in atrocities cannot be proven. Karkoc refused to discuss his wartime past at his home in Minneapolis, and repeated efforts to set up an interview, using his son as an intermediary, were unsuccessful. unsuccessful. Sam Rafowitz, an 88year-old Jewish resident of the Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka, grew up in Warsaw, Poland, and spent four years working in concentration camps. He took a hard line after hearing the news about Karkoc. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The revelation Friday that a former commander of a Nazi SS-led military unit has lived quietly in Minneapolis for the past six decades came as a shock to people who knew him, prompted harsh condemnations from World War II survivors in the U.S. and Europe, and led prosecutors in Poland to say they would investigate. An Associated Press investigation found that 94-year-old Michael Karkoc served as a top commander in the Ukrainian Self-Defense Legion during World War II. The unit is accused of wartime atrocities, including the burning of villages filled with women and children. Wartime records don't show that Karkoc had a direct hand in war crimes, though records indicate he lied about his military past when immigrating to the U.S. ''I know him personally. We talk, laugh. He takes care of his yard and walks with his wife,'' his next-door neighbor, Gordon Gnasdoskey, said Friday. Gnasdoskey, the grandson of a Ukrainian immigrant himself, said he was disturbed by the revelations about his longtime neighbor. No one answered the door Friday morning at Karkoc's house on a residential street in northeast Minneapolis, where several television news trucks were parked outside. Karkoc had earlier declined to comment on his wartime service when approached by the AP, and repeated efforts to arrange an interview through his son — including again Friday — were back a bit of ground in a presidential election that gave them an unexpected hero and a chance to upend a vote that once appeared solidly in the hands of Tehran's ruling clerics. While Iran's presidential elections offer a window into the political pecking orders and security grip inside the country — particularly since the chaos from a disputed outcome in 2009 — they lack the drama of truly high stakes as the country's ruling clerics and their military guardians remain the ultimate powers. Election officials began the ballot count after voters waited on line for hours in wilting heat at some polling stations in downtown Tehran and other cities, while others cast ballots across the vast country from desert outposts to Gulf seaports and nomad pastures. Voting was extended by five hours to meet demand, but also as possible political stagecraft to showcase the participation. The apparent strong turnout suggested liberals and others abandoned a planned boycott as the election was transformed into a showdown across the Islamic Republic's political divide. On one side were hardliners looking to cement their control behind candidates such as nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, who says he is ''100 percent'' against detente with Iran's foes, or Tehran's mayor, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. Iran's battered Revelation of reformers Nazi unit seek rebound leader in in election Minneapolis TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Reform-minded Iraprompts nians who have faced shock, anger years of crackdowns looked Friday to claw If you're tired of potholes and dusty roads Country Canine HOW ABOUT CHIP SEAL! Caring for the whole dog The Affordable Alternative to Asphalt For Private and Community Roads Hourly rates also available on: ALL PRICES INCLUDE: • Nail Clipping • Teeth Brushing • Ear Cleaning • UV Protection Finish BEIRUT (AP) — Hezbollah's leader vowed Friday that his militants would keep fighting in Syria ''wherever needed'' after the U.S. agreed to arm the rebels in the civil war, setting up a proxy fight between Iran and the West that threatens to engulf more of the Middle East. President Barack Obama has deepened U.S. involvement in the conflict, authorizing lethal aid to the rebels for the first time after Washington said it had conclusive evidence the Syrian regime had used chemical weapons. Syria accused Obama of lying about the evidence, saying he was resorting to fabrications to justify his decision to arm the rebels. The opposition forces, which have suffered key battlefield losses in recent weeks and were facing heavy fighting Friday in Syria's largest city of Aleppo, appealed for the weapons to be sent to them as soon as possible to swing the momentum to their side. The 2-year-old conflict, which the U.N. estimates has killed more than 90,000 people and displaced millions, is increasingly being fought along sectarian lines, pitting Sunni against Shiite Muslims, and is threatening the stability of Syria's neighbors. Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, chief of the Shiite Hezbollah group in Lebanon, appeared unwa- $ 3.00 OFF • Grader • Truck & Transfer • Loaders • Dump Trucks • Grading Tractor • Water Trucks • Backhoe • Oil Truck for new clients (cannot be combined with any other offers) Family owned & operated since 1975 Lic. #911130 Luxury Day Spa Hezbollah says it will keep fighting in Syria after US decides to arm rebels 275-2195 530-526-9887 645 Antelope Blvd. • Suite 8 Red Bluff, Ca 96080 www.countrycaninedayspa.com vering in his support for the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Flag-bearing skydivers swoop into Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Five skydivers bearing enormous American flags have landed in a field next to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia to celebrate Flag Day. The skydivers are from Middletown, Ohio. They took part in Philadelphia's Flag Day celebration Friday. Dozens of children craned their necks in unison and cheered as the skydivers approached. The skydivers seemed to float in the air for a few minutes, then swooped down and landed about 20 feet from the applauding crowd. Professional skydiver and former Marine sergeant Paul Stanford says the weather and wind were perfect for the jump. Flag Day events have taken place across the country. A huge American flag hangs from New York City's George Washington Bridge. And military veterans are gathering in Texas to talk about their service. Jurors to return in Zimmerman murder case SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — A potential juror for the George Zimmerman murder case was dismissed from consideration and ordered not to come back to the courthouse until after the trial after he complained about the jury process outside the assembly room Friday. Despite that, more than two dozen potential jurors interviewed individually by prosecutors and defense attorneys during the past week were told to return to a Florida courthouse next week for further questioning. The dismissed juror — who described himself as a musician and painter — Tehama Family Fitness Center Kid's Summer Fit Camps! Fun Workouts, Exercise Skills, Nutrition Education, Active Games, Water Fun, Sports, Goal Setting, And Other Health And Fitness Session 1: June 17th-20th • Session 2: June 24th-27th Session 3: July 8th-11th • Session 4: July 15th-18th *All Sessions Run Daily from 1pm-4pm* Meet in the Basketball Gym! 30 per child Per Session 20 per additional child $ $ (same family) *Healthy Snack Provided* 6-12 years old For Information or to Sign Up Contact Aubrie Thomas 528-8656 Tehama Family Fitness Center 2498 South Main St. Red Bluff www.tehamafamilyfitness.com said he was concerned about losing his privacy. He pointed to the jury assembly room and said ''Do they know what they're in for?'' according to a report from the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. He was given a trespass warning and told not to return until after the trial, which was expected to last two to four weeks after a jury is chosen. During questioning on Thursday, the judge asked him if he had posted on Facebook about the case and he replied yes. He was told he could leave the courtroom a short time later. The sides must agree on six jurors and four alternates. Zimmerman, a 29-year-old former neighborhood watch volunteer, is pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, claiming he shot Trayvon Martin in self-defense. Before lunch, Judge Debra Nelson told 23 candidates to return Tuesday and she did the same to an additional six potential jurors before ending the day Friday. She asked them not to discuss the case or selection process with anyone. Colo. wildfire held in check C O L O R A D O SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Colorado authorities lifted mandatory evacuation orders in the state's second largest city as a historically damaging fire continued to burn to the west. The El Paso County Sheriff's office made the announcement Friday afternoon in a tweet, but said other evacuation orders in the fire zone were still in place. The evacuation order in Colorado Springs impacted 1,000 homes in a northern slice of the city. So far, 389 homes have been destroyed, but authorities continue to assess the damage from the fire near Colorado Springs. On Friday, the fire appeared to be less active, producing some haze but no plumes of smoke as it did earlier. Firefighters were also aided by rainfall in the afternoon. Lululemon's cheeky ad NEW YORK (AP) — If you can hold a headstand for at least 10 minutes, communicate in Sanskrit and enjoy downing wheatgrass and tequila shots on Fridays for work-life balance, Lululemon has a job for you. After a rocky few months, the company is seeking a new CEO. Lulumon has posted a joke-filled want ad that it says shows its ''fun and irreverent'' brand. The ad comes as the Canadian company's stock has slid 20 percent after it announced Monday that its current CEO plans to leave. In March, Lululemon suffered a public relations nightmare after pulling toosheer yoga pants from shelves. The company is known for its $100 yoga pants.