Sarkozy to Obama: I can't stand Netanyahu
Source: Agencies |
November 9, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
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FRENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has labored to improve French relations with Israel, said he "can't stand" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called him a liar in a chat with United States President Barack Obama.
The conversation between Sarkozy and Obama was overheard by reporters last week at the Group of 20 summit in south France, via headsets that were to be used for simultaneous translation of an upcoming news conference.
Obama, whose remarks were heard via a French translation, was not heard objecting to Sarkozy's characterization of Netanyahu.
Several French-speaking journalists overheard the comments but did not initially report them because Sarkozy's office had asked the journalists not to turn on the headsets until the press conference began, and the comments were deemed private under French media traditions.
A French website that analyzes media coverage of current affairs, Arret sur images, reported the fragments yesterday.
In the remarks on Thursday in Cannes, Sarkozy said: "Netanyahu, I can't stand him. He's a liar."
According to the French interpreter, Obama responded, "You are sick of him, but I have to work with him every day."
The journalists heard only fragments of the leaders' conversation.
Since becoming president in 2007, Sarkozy has strengthened French ties with Israel while also seeking to use France's traditional good relations with Arab allies to encourage peace talks.
His latest comments reflect his increasing frustration with Netanyahu, and may complicate French efforts toward Middle East peace.
The conversation between Sarkozy and Obama was overheard by reporters last week at the Group of 20 summit in south France, via headsets that were to be used for simultaneous translation of an upcoming news conference.
Obama, whose remarks were heard via a French translation, was not heard objecting to Sarkozy's characterization of Netanyahu.
Several French-speaking journalists overheard the comments but did not initially report them because Sarkozy's office had asked the journalists not to turn on the headsets until the press conference began, and the comments were deemed private under French media traditions.
A French website that analyzes media coverage of current affairs, Arret sur images, reported the fragments yesterday.
In the remarks on Thursday in Cannes, Sarkozy said: "Netanyahu, I can't stand him. He's a liar."
According to the French interpreter, Obama responded, "You are sick of him, but I have to work with him every day."
The journalists heard only fragments of the leaders' conversation.
Since becoming president in 2007, Sarkozy has strengthened French ties with Israel while also seeking to use France's traditional good relations with Arab allies to encourage peace talks.
His latest comments reflect his increasing frustration with Netanyahu, and may complicate French efforts toward Middle East peace.
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