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Wednesday, 9 February, 2005, 16:09 GMT

Hungary PM's 'terrorists' gaffe

Hungarian Prime Minister Ference Gyurcsany Hungary's prime minister has apologised after hailing the national football team's performance against "terrorists" following a match with Saudi Arabia.

Ference Gyurcsany said he was sorry for any offence caused by his remarks, which were made at a private party.

Local media quoted Mr Gyurcsany as having said the Saudi football team included "very many terrorists".

Arab embassies in Budapest said they accepted Mr Gyurcsany's apology, Reuters news agency reported.

Mr Gyurcsany made the remarks at a gathering to celebrate the Socialist Party's 15th birthday.

The state news agency MTI quoted him as saying: "I think that there were very many terrorists also among the Saudi soccer players, and our sons fought with death-defying bravery against these terrorists, so a draw away from home is a fantastic result".

The two sides drew 0-0 in the 2 February friendly.

On Tuesday, Mr Gyurcsany said his words had been taken out of context, but was sorry.

"I apologise to everyone who, with or without reason, was offended by what I said," MTI quoted him as saying.



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Related to this story:
Country profile: Saudi Arabia (06 Dec 04 |  Country profiles )
Country profile: Hungary (06 Feb 05 |  Country profiles )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Hungarian Prime Minister's Office
Saudi Ministry of Information
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