Czech politicians divided over Klaus comments in Ireland

The diplomatic row over President Klaus’ visit to Ireland has divided Czech politicians, some have come out in his defense, others say his behaviour was inappropriate. Mr. Klaus, who in Dublin publicly labelled himself an EU dissident, chose to meet with the leader of the eurosceptic group Libertas Declan Ganley on Tuesday evening and made a number of outspoken comments about the EU which the Irish foreign ministry described as inappropriate intervention into the country’s internal affairs and an unprecedented breach of diplomatic courtesy. Mr. Klaus and the Irish foreign minister, Michael Martin, exchanged angry words via the press with Mr. Martin describing the Czech president’s comments as "misguided, misinformed and insulting" and Mr. Klaus calling him a hypocryte. In Prague, Prime Minister Topolánek said the president was free to voice his opinions and meet with whomever he pleased, but ministers for the Christian Democrats and the Green Party called his behaviour highly inappropriate, saying Mr. Klaus was rocking the boat ahead of the country’s EU presidency.