SPIEGEL: The German people today can't do anything about it. But there is a sort of collective shame for those deeds done in the German name by our fathers or grandfathers.
Ahmadinejad: How can a person who wasn't even alive at the time be held legally responsible?
SPIEGEL: Not legally but morally.
Ahmadinejad: Why is such a burden heaped on the German people? The German people of today bear no guilt. Why are the German people not permitted the right to defend themselves? Why are the crimes of one group emphasized so greatly, instead of highlighting the great German cultural heritage? Why should the Germans not have the right to express their opinion freely?
SPIEGEL: Mr. President, we are well aware that German history is not made up of only the 12 years of the Third Reich. Nevertheless, we have to accept that horrible crimes have been committed in the German name. We also own up to this, and it is a great achievement of the Germans in post-war history that they have grappled critically with their past.

I find it interesting that he questions the logic of people alive today being 'punished' for the things their forefathers did, and yet, in the same paragraph he says that instead the proud historical accomplishments should be emphasized.

If a group of people ought not feel a moral reponsibility for historical crimes of their ancestors, ought they to feel a pride for historical achivements? Either a person has nothing to do with the actions of his father or not...

Nationalism is a tricky beast.