President Jiang Zemin of China reacted furiously against Switzerland yesterday when a planned military reception in his honour failed to proceed because of human rights protests.
Mr Jiang, angry about the demonstrations which marked his arrival at the Bern federal palace, interrupted his official speech to speak harsh words to the government.
"You have lost a good friend," he said to President Ruth Dreifuss and members of the government.
Mr Jiang, who arrived in Switzerland yesterday morning, rushed into the federal palace, forgoing the chance to be saluted by the full regalia of the Swiss military because of human rights protesters chanting "dialogue with Tibet".
Mounted on top of a building directly overlooking the federal palace where Mr Jiang and his delegation were supposed to be feted, demonstrators waved banners calling for dialogue with Tibet.
The protests were an embarrassment to Swiss ministers, who had lined up outside the palace building to greet Mr Jiang, the first Chinese president to visit Switzerland.
Mr Jiang had reportedly requested there be no human rights demonstrations confronting his motorcade on arrival at Bern's most famous square.