Dutch Queen and Prime Minister send condolences

I guess it's just politics, but it makes ME sick to my stomach: The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reports (Dutch) that

Queen Beatrix and Prime Minister Balkenende have sent condolences to both Arafat's widow and the 'Prime Minister' of the 'Palestinian Authority'. Balkenende calls Arafat an historic leader, a national symbol and a democratically elected president.

This depraved monster is responsible for thousands of Theo van Gogh's. Perhaps that makes all the difference: Kill one and you're a murderer. Kill a million and you're a statesman.

No one would have blamed Beatrix or Balkenende if they'd just remained silent. No one in their right minds, that is.