THE HAGUE, 08/05/07 - The Christian democrats (CDA) are completely distancing themselves from the statements made by their former leader Dries Van Agt Saturday at a controversial Palestinian conference in Rotterdam. CDA made it clear yesterday with some sarcasm that it no longer takes the former premier very seriously.

Van Agt was guest speaker at the conference of the Palestinian Platform for Human Rights and Solidarity (PPMS). He termed the boycott of Hamas by the European Union "foolish, unjustified and reprehensible". Van Agt said never before in history has it happened that "the occupier gets off scot-free, while the occupied people carry the can."

CDA MP Henk Jan Ormel said in Algemeen Dagblad yesterday that Van Agt "obviously" totally does not represent the CDA position. "In the period that Van Agt really had power and influence, he did not broadcast such ideas." (...) But it is allowed, there is freedom of speech." (...) "We cherish the memory of Van Agt as premier, when he still acted firmly against terrorists."

Ormel praises CDA Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen, who had Hamas Minister Basem Naim of Youth and Sport apprehended at Brussels airport last Saturday. He was en route to the conference in Rotterdam, but Verhagen forbade him entry to the Netherlands and had him flown back to Cairo, from where he had come.

The day before, Verhagen had withdrawn Naim's visa. It was according to his ministry issued by mistake by the Dutch embassy in the Palestinian territories. When Foreign Affairs discovered the mistake on Thursday, telephone contact was made with Naim, according to the ministry. At that moment, the Hamas minister wanted to board a KLM flight to the Netherlands. KLM then refused him as passenger, after which he tried to come via Belgium.

Hamas ministers are not welcome in the Netherlands because their movement is on the EU list of terrorist organisations, does not recognise the state of Israel and has not repudiated violence. According to the PPMS, the minister was "treated like a dog."

Hamas Premier Haniye, who had already been told earlier by Verhagen that he could not come to Rotterdam, addressed the conference by video-message via satellite. The conference was also sensitive because it took place on the day when the Netherlands annually celebrates its liberation from the Nazis.