Gunny
Gold Member
By ELAINE SCIOLINO
Published: January 9, 2008
PARIS President Nicolas Sarkozy refused to use the M word. Asked at a news conference on Tuesday whether he was going to marry model-turned-pop-singer Carla Bruni, he twice called their relationship serious but said that the news media probably would be the last to know.
Theres a strong chance youll learn about it after its already happened, Mr. Sarkozy said. He added: Its an answer. Its not a threat.
Brimming with emotion, Mr. Sarkozy defended himself as the first French leader with nothing to hide and urged journalists to ignore his personal life if they had had enough of it.
I didnt want to lie, Mr. Sarkozy said of his romance with Ms. Bruni. And I am breaking with a deplorable tradition in our political life that of hypocrisy, that of lies.
Without mentioning former President François Mitterrand by name, Mr. Sarkozy accused journalists of hypocrisy for knowing but not disclosing years ago the existence of a predecessors secret double life with a mistress and a daughter who was born out of wedlock. Mr. Mitterand died in 1996.
more ... http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/09/w...502b9ee143653c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Never thought I'd like a French President again, but this guy impresses me more and more.