Czech president attacks diplomats over gay remarks

PRAGUE – Czech President Vaclav Klaus is lashing out at 13 ambassadors for their support of a gay pride festival in the Czech capital.

Klaus says he considers a joint statement by the diplomats based in Prague, including U.S. Ambassador Norman Eisen, an "unprecedented step."

The president said Monday he could not imagine that any Czech ambassador would dare use a petition to influence a political discussion in any democratic country.

In their statement, the 13 ambassadors expressed their "solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in the Czech Republic, supporting their right to use this occasion to march together peacefully and lawfully."

The first Prague gay pride festival opens Wednesday.