Categories: Need to know

Sarkozy calls journalists 'pedophiles'

French President offers apparent lesson in unfounded accusations

by macleans.ca on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 12:43pm - 7 Comments

“See you tomorrow, pedophile friends!” was French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s reported farewell to reporters at the NATO conference in Lisbon, reports Radio France Internationale. Sarkozy was expressing his anger at journalists during a 10-minute briefing that his aides say was supposed to be off the record. He accused the media of reporting on allegations of bribery without any proof, despite the fact that a former defense minister is behind the allegations that during the 1995 presidential campaign of Eduoard Balladur, Sarkozy arranged for kickbacks from submarine sales to Pakistan. “Not a single one of you believes that I organized kickbacks for submarines in Pakistan. It’s incredible and it gets on television,” Sarkozy told reporters, before turning to one journalist and announcing, “You, I’ve got nothing against you. Apparently, you’re a pedophile… Can you explain yourself?” The Elysée denies the comments were made.

RFI English

Tags: Nicolas Sarkozy

Gary

The vertically challenged President impresses us once again with his clever repartee.

harebell

Not really appreciating the point of his retort are you Gary? And concentrating on his height is relevant how?

He could have picked a different unfounded accusation, I agree, but his point was sound. I just hope for his sake that there is nothing solid behind the submarine issue.

Gary

His continuous fixation with his height, i.e hiring short guards, uses foot stools at podiums , arranging photo shoots with short people etc accompanied by this inane comment . I could not resist.

harebell

and that affects his point how?
all he is saying is accusations without evidence are cheap. his height is relevant how?

david

then again you don't know what he knows about the scribe he directed his comment to. sometimes righteous anger elicits the truth that shall not be spoken.
bepele

He was generous to most journalists I know. He could have said a lot more and I would agree with him.
Judge RoyBean

He isn't wrong despite his rather colourful analogy. For the most part, journalism is as dead as common sense with very few writers today able to report objectively. Instead the vast majority wear their bias on their sleeve and as the most have been 'trained' by rabid left wing professors in todays bastions of socialism there is almost no opportunity in Canada to get middle of the road or conservative commentary. Hence the huge need for Fox news north…:)