German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer conceded in testimony on Monday that he could have acted more quickly to curb visa abuses that allowed thousands of eastern European criminals into Germany between 2000 and 2002. "The responsibility is mine. Write it down, Fischer is to blame," he said in a hotly anticipated appearance broadcast live on German television. "I should have been informed and taken action earlier than I did. That was my failure." But after admitting mistakes, a combative Fischer shifted gears and in sharp exchanges with commission members denied looser visa policies put in place by his ministry were directly responsible for the problems on Germany's borders. Looking composed in a sober black pinstriped suit and trademark wire-rimmed glasses, Fischer also accused his opponents of using the visa affair, which has badly damaged his image and support for his Greens party, for political gain. "They are doing this because they want me out of the way," Fischer said. "But for that this is simply not enough." --More 2312 Local Time 2012 GMT
