Election Reaction "Criminal"

(Fox News) - Jimmy Carter says the Bush administration's refusal to accept last year's Palestinian election victory by Hamas is "criminal."

Mr. Carter told a human rights conference in Ireland that the U.S., Israel and the European Union are trying to divide the Palestinian people by restoring aid to President Mahmoud Abbas's new government in the West Bank — while denying support to the Hamas government in Gaza.

He says last year's vote was "orderly and fair" and that Hamas has proven to be far more organized politically and militarily. Mr. Carter says the U.S. its allies have sought to subvert the outcome of the elections by shunning Hamas and helping Abbas stay in power.