Swiss president criticizes Europe for boycott of Palestinian govt

Swiss president criticizes Europe for boycott of Palestinian govt

24.04.2006, 00.33

AL KUWAIT, April 24 (Itar-Tass) — Swiss President Moritz Leuenberger criticized European countries for their boycott of the Hamas Palestinian government in a Sunday interview with the Qatari satellite television channel Al Jazeera.

The new Palestinian government should be given a chance instead of being forced to abide by preliminary conditions, he said.

Hamas took the office through democratic elections, and one should respect the choice of the Palestinian people and the election results, Leuenberger said.

At the same time, Hamas leaders should change their tactics as compared to their opposition days, he said.

The Swiss government does not object to meetings with Palestinian governmental officials, he noted.

The Swiss president, who is also the oil minister, visited the Qatari capital of Doha to attend the tenth world energy forum.

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