Toronto Star | May 16, 2003. 02:12 PM

Views of white supremacist got him kicked out of Zundel's home, witness testifies at deportation hearing

MARLENE HABIB | CANADIAN PRESS

TRUTH IS NO DEFENSE! INTENT IS NO DEFENSE! THAT THE STATEMENTS COMMUNICATED ARE "TRUE" IS "IRRELEVANT"!

On May 25, 1998, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal rendered a written decision that "Truth is not a defense" - in other words, that the truth of any material on the Zundelsite is "irrelevant" to CHRC (Canadian Human Rights Commission) proceedings! The Canadian Human Rights Commission lawyers and the intervenors's lawyers were on their feet and objected over 30 times when they thought truth was becoming an issue in the cross-examination of Dr. Schweitzer. Says Ernst Zundel: "This leaves us in a very difficult position. Frankly, what is there to do or say if truth is not relevant - or even "forbidden" to raise it in one's defense? Truth in history is thus outlawed?"

Holocaust denier Ernst Zundel banished the former lead singer of a rock band that extolled "white power" from his home because of racist lyrics in his songs, a court heard today.

George Burdi, who said he no longer has ties to the white supremacy movement, took the stand at a Federal Court hearing to decide if Zundel should be freed on bail pending a decision on his deportation.

Under questioning from Zundel's lawyer, Doug Christie, Burdi, now 32, said he became head of the Toronto chapter of a white supremacist group in the early 1990s and formed the group RaHoWa - short for "Racial Holy War" - after meeting Zundel through his girlfriend's father.

The band's 1992 album, Declaration of War, contained a song called "Third Reich," which featured lyrics saying "It feels right" to kill lesbians and blacks "cause you're full of white power," the court heard.

During cross-examination, government lawyer Murray Rodych pointed out that Burdi was arrested in 1993 following an Ottawa concert during a clash between skinheads and anti-racists. He was eventually convicted of assault causing bodily harm and sentenced to a year in jail.

In September 1999, he also pleaded guilty to wilfully promoting hatred with his music; he received a conditional sentence and served two years on probation.

But those days are long gone, said Burdi, who insisted he has long since renounced the white supremacy movement and now uses his experiences to counsel anti-racism groups.

"I came to the conclusion racism is wrong," said the well-spoken Bundi, clad in a distinguished-looking suit and tie.

"I've learned there's good and bad in everyone and I've met enough bad people involved in that ideology and knew I didn't want to be one of them."

Zundel was detained at the Canada-U.S. border Feb. 19 after he was kicked out of Tennessee for U.S. immigration violations.

Immigration Minister Denis Coderre and Solicitor General Wayne Easter issued a certificate declaring him a risk to national security, a certificate that becomes a removal order once approved by a judge.

Ottawa had argued Zundel should remain in detention until the court decides if the self-professed "guru to the new right" is indeed a security threat who should be sent back to Germany, where he would face charges of suspicion of incitement of hate.

Federal lawyer Toby Hoffmann has warned that Zundel would skip out on the hearing to review his security-threat status because he lacks respect for human rights bodies and tends to "flout" authorities.

Testifying in his own defence last week, Zundel tried to depict himself as a "pacifist," a misunderstood political activist who's being railroaded by the federal government.

He was expected to resume his testimony today.

Zundel, 64, lived in Canada for 42 years before departing the country three years ago for the United States.

He failed to win citizenship because of legal skirmishes related to his published writings and Web site glorifying Nazism, denying the Holocaust and alleging a global Jewish conspiracy.

Upon his return in February, he declared his intent to seek refugee status, a plan that was instantly thwarted by the security certificate. <end>